Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 234 | Thursday, February 14, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

IF DOTR CAN’T DO IT, MINDA CAN: ALONTO P2

EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

LAKERS SHIP CONTINUE TO SINK SPORTS P11

V DAY. A female police officer stationed at The Royal Mandaya Hotel reads the messages posted at the hotel’s Valentine’s Day centerpiece decoration on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

‘SEPTIC TANK’

Advocates want Davao Gulf saved from becoming a‘cesspool’

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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nvironmental planners are calling the city government of Davao to take action in saving Davao Gulf from becoming a virtual cesspool.

Architect Leonida Santos, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) past president and Rotary International district officer said that the Davao Gulf is “slowly becoming a septic tank of the

city.”

Although it is not yet as worse as the Manila Bay or Pasig River, Santos said that a sewerage system must be developed as soon as possible.

Santos said that PIEP

is closely coordinating with the local government, as having a treatable sewerage plant is one of the Infrastructure Mondernization for Davao City (IM4-Davao) study made by Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA).

Certain portions of the Davao Gulf have been reported to have an increased

FSEPTIC, P8

Mayor Sara campaigns for immunization

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ayor Sara Duterte has urged families in Davao Region to allow the immunization of their children particularly those ages nine months to one-year-old.

She said it is a must to support the campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) on the immuniza-

tion of children.

Duterte urged the parents to have their children immunized which is regularly administered like the vaccine against measles.

“Children need to be immunized at ninemonths old and one-year old,” she said.

Duterte said there is no outbreak of measles this year in the city which is apart from the outbreak experienced in 2018.

She assured that the measles monitoring goes on with lesser result.

“We have it under control. This is the ef-

FMAYOR, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

MARKER. President Rodrigo Duterte unveils the marker of the new Maguindanao Provincial Capitol Building in Buluan, Maguindanao on Monday. Assisting the President is Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

If DOTr can’t do it, MinDA can: Alonto I

Phlpost launches ‘Love Express’

By ADAM B. MORRELL

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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ith the snail’s pace implementation of its first phase, Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is proposing to President Rodrigo Duterte to transfer the implementation of the P7-billion Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to his agency.

Alonto on Tuesday said that he is no longer happy with the development of the first phase of the MRP, which is the Tagum-Davao-Digos railway section, saying that the project should be finished before the President finishes his term in 2022.

He said that three years have passed but no feasibility

study was conducted during those times.

Alonto also said that he strongly opposed the DOTr’s plan of giving a fuel-operated single-track railway, contradicting MinDA’s proposal for an electrified two-track train.

“Mindanao is not accepting it. It is locomotive. Why give us an ‘ancient’ railway

system, when in fact Mindanao will pay for this,” he said.

Earlier, Alonto and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade agreed that the DOTr will be the implementing agency of the TDD project while MinDA will assist with the implementation.

TDD will have stations in Tagum City, Carmen, Panabo City, Tibungco, Ma-a Diversion (near Davao Christian High School), Toril (infront of Gaisano Mall), Sta. Cruz and then Digos City.

Alonto claimed that passing the project implementation to MinDA will speed up the process.

“MinDA speaks for Min-

danao. The agency knows what the Mindanawons want,” he said.

The office (formerly Mindanao Economic Development Council or MEDCo) is mandated to promote and coordinate the active participation of all sectors to effect the socio-economic development of Mindanao through a holistic and integrated approach.

Alonto said that they are awaiting for the another appointment with Tugade, to settle some issues regarding the project. But he said that it is up to the President if he will grant his request to transfer the MRP to MinDA.

ships in Japan,” she said in a statement.

The program, which started 11 years ago, is a “study now, pay later” scheme jointly implemented by the local government and the Phil-Nippon Technical College (PNTC) in Padada, Davao del Sur. Gomez said the scholarship, which is among the priority initiatives of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, is open to male high school and technical vocational graduates as well as female college graduates from the province’s seven municipalities who are aged 19 to 26 years old.

She said they have scheduled an orientation and examination in Alabel town on Friday, Feb. 15, for prospec-

tive scholars.

Under the program, she said selected scholars will undergo technical skills trainings and Japanese language classes at the PNTC. The provincial government will provide scholars with stipends of P3,000 a month for the entire duration of the training program, she said.

Gomez said the scholars need to pass the Japanese language program as a primary requirement for the internship in Japan, which has been extended from three to five years.

Students under the engineering curriculum are required to take up the three levels of Japanese language or N3 (Nihongo), N4 and N5,

and two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawing and drafting using the AutoCAD computer-aided design software.

Those under the industry curriculum will study Japanese language N4 and N5, and skills such as machining, welding, electronics and electrical, gantry crane operation, automotive, painting and forklift operation.

For the internship in Japan, she said the scholars will earn minimum allowances of P30,000 a month.

Citing the experiences of the current and previous interns, Gomez said they could earn as much as P100,000 a month through overtime work.

Sarangani enlists more scholars for Japan

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY – The provincial government of Sarangani is set to enlist more scholars for an innovative skills training and internship program in Japan in partnership with a technical-vocational college.

Marife Gomez, program manager of Sarangani’s Sulong Karunungan program, said Monday they have opened the application process for the scholarship program, which mainly provides students with on-the-job training opportunities in Japan.

“This is to provide opportunities to more youths to gain skills and experience as well as earn substantial income through the intern-

FSARANGANI, P9

n this season of love, Phlpost Eastern Mindanao offers Filipinos an opportunity to give flowers and serenade their loved ones from afar through its Valentine's special Love Express.

Phlpost Eastern Mindanao marketing specialist Rey Basilan, saidduring the AFP-PNP press forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel yesterday that the program celebrates Valentine's Day while promoting Phlpost's Express Mail Delivery.

"Through this, you may send roses to your loved ones or even surprise them with a serenade during Valentine's Day," Basilan said, adding the promo runs from February 12 to 14.

Love Express is an area-wide project which covers the entire Eastern Mindanao from corners of Surigao del Sur up to the edge of Maguindanao.

Sending a piece of rose with lots of decorations with free delivery will cost P300 while the in-demand Harana (serenade) that goes with a dozen of roses is pegged at P1,600.

"If you have chocolates or teddy bears you wished to include, it is free of charge," he said, adding that anyone who wants to avail themselves may go to the Davao City Central Post Office or at any Phlpost outlets within Eastern Mindanao.

However, they will only accommodate 20 clients per day.

Since it is a whole-year round project, Phlpost Eastern Mindanao will cater birthdays and other special occasions after this Valentine's special.

The project is was launched five years ago in Manila.

Comelec to train cops for deployment as BEIs P olice personnel will undergo training on how to serve as Special Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) on election day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

"There will be a deployment of PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel who will serve as BEIs if we cannot find a sufficient number of voluntary teachers who will serve during the election,” said lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec-Cordillera Administrative Region director.

Under the election service reform act, Comelec can deputize policemen to serve as BEI in

case there is a shortage of public school teachers.

Torres said there had been cases in the past when policemen were made to serve as BEIs in lieu of teachers who request to be replaced for security and safety reasons.

During the May 2018 barangay elections, six cops were assigned as special BEIs in a far-flung barangay in Lubuagan town.

Torres added the personnel would be regarded as election officers entitled to the same honorarium as the other BEIs.

FCOMELEC, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

NEWS

Dabawenyos discuss change to‘Maharlika’

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By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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rom Philippines to Republic of Maharlika?

The word Maharlika may have a pretty good ring to it and an imprint on the country’s real identity as an Asian country, but a staunch advocate of Federalism believes it does not make any difference now.

All the fuss about the name change which dated back from the Marcos era was revived after President Duterte's speaking engagement in Maguindanao where he said that former President Ferdinand Marcos was right about changing the country's name during his administration.

"During Marcos' time, he was right. He wanted to change it to Maharlika. The Republic of Maharlika, because Maharlika is a Malay word and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace,” Duterte said in Filipino.

Rotary Club Davao (RCD) president Ed Bullecer, an outspoken advocate of the government’s campaign towards shifting to federalism, said that the current name of the country is colonially borrowed. He traced the origin to the Spanish colonizers naming the country as Philippines in honor of King Philip of Spain when they set foot in 1521.

However, Bullecer thinks that changing of the name today may not be ideal since the Spanish invasion has already contributed to the current identity of the Filipinos.

He clarified, nevertheless, that the idea of renaming the country was officially proposed by then Batasang Pambansa member Eddie Ilarde who filed Parliamentary Bill 195 which sought to change the name of the country from "Philippines" to "Maharlika” in 1978.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) public relations head Adrian Tamayo, for his part, thinks that the President is seeking for a reform from being a puppet from other countries and renaming the country is a symbolism.

“What the President triggered is an understanding that the name used as a reference to our nation should also come from the historical context that it is not our real identity, since

we were colonized. What the President is pointing out that changing a name would create a new spirit, that there is a need for reform,” Tamayo said.

From the viewpoint of economics, Tamayo said, changing the name will not automatically eliminate the country’s issues such as poverty and corruption.

“What the President triggered was the psychological aspect. Change would still come from oneself. But it is good to trigger the opinion of the public to stir a discussion,” Tamayo said.

Davao City Councilor Diosdado Mahipus believes that the shift towards Maharlika “will not happen during our lifetime”.

“In the court of public opinion, many would object it because the name ‘Filipino’ is very sentimental,” Mahipus said.

A law practitioner himself, Mahipus said that renaming our country would be possible, through a Constitutional Convention or a Constituent Assembly in Congress.

However, he said that the need for changing the country’s name should be justifiable, same as changing someone’s name or surname.

Mahipus said the final stage would be the plebiscite, wherein the Filipinos will have the final say.

History professor Brian Caintic, meanwhile, said that he is neutral to the proposal.

Caintic said that the president’s pronouncement of “moving away from the influence of Westerns” is his prerogative. However, he said that the move will affect the constitution and other important documents.

“It’s a non-bearing to the economy. Maybe it would be more costly since some lawmakers would take advantage of the funds to be used for this move,” Caintic said.

SECURITY FOR IRONMAN 70.3. Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Chief Inspector Jason Baria says the agency’s current focus is the security preparation for the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Davao slated on March 24. Baria also provided updates during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The

MINDANAO’S FINEST. Regional Crime Laboratory chief Senior Superintendent Mary Leocy Mag-abo says the region’s crime laboratory dubbed mega laboratory envisioned to be like the one in Camp Crame. Mag-abo also talked about the newly

acquired DNA facility which is first in Mindanao and worth P48 million during AFPPNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

PNP crime laboratory eyed as a‘mega lab’

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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System (AFIS) and new Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) equipment set that costs P48 million.

The DNA equipment was officially opened to the public last February 8.

"We want this laboratory to operate like Camp Crame.

That is our vision," she said.

Furthermore, the arrival of these expensive facilities are has exceptional use for forensic investigation "The Davao Region is very

privileged and honored to have this services that caters all the regions in Mindanao. Before, we (people from Mindanao) need to bring our DNA samples to Manila."

The DNA Laboratory, said Mag-abo, is the ultimate identification of a person.

Identifying a distorted life-less body could be easily identified through the DNA Lab. However, each normal DNA testing will cost P20,000 per sample while DNA testing that will be used for criminal case is free.

Mag-abo said the DNA testing is really reasonable compared to St. Luke’s Med-

Royal Mandaya on the implementation of election gun ban in the region from January 13 to February 12 where the authorities confiscated a total of 47 firearms.

Lean Daval Jr

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has assured that the 2019 national budget will be enacted before the end of the first quarter.

In his weekly press event "Breakfast with Ben", Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Congress has promised to submit the 2019 General Appropriations Bill to President Rodrigo Duterte

by March 1.

The President has 30 days to act on it from the receipt... Thirty days, I can assure you," he said.

He mentioned that as soon as the DBM receives the copy of the bill, the agency will go through the document line by line to prepare for the Statement of Difference (SOD).

It will also make recommendations to the Chief Executive whenever

he Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) 11 envisions to become a “Mega Laboratory of Mindanao” with services and operations at par with the Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame.

This after the multi-million crime lab located at the Candelaria St., Ecoland, Davao City, formally inaugurated last January 15.

In yesterday's AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Police Sr. Mary Leocy Mag-abo, chief of the RCLO, said this is Mindanao's first ever crime laboratory that acquires state-of-theart facilities which includes the P269-million Automated Fingerprint Identification

ical Center's service which normally cost over P120,000.

Each DNA examination has three steps which begins with sampling, extraction, amplification and analysis, Mag-abo elaborated.

Apart from its new equipment, ROCL 11 also conducts drug testing for Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) and drug examination, which is eyed to be improved next.

The new establishment also has Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) machines.

2019 budget ready

by Q1: Diokno

amendments will be needed.

"The President will have the option to veto because the President, our President, has lineitem veto power for the budget, tax, and tariff bill.

What does that mean? We can cross out items to the budget and sign the bill as approved," Diokno said.

The DBM chief added he sees no need to extend the reenacted budget as the new budget will be implemented before March ends.

"We actually authorized agencies up to the first quarter," he added.

The bicameral conference committee approved the PHP3.757-trillion spending bill last Friday before Congress went on recess for the 2019 midterm elections campaign. (PNA)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Cordillera gets P2.4-B infra project fund from DA

EXPAND. Don Culas of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 11 (TESDA 11) bares that they are planning to expand its programs and community based skills trainings in the hinterlands to help provide livelihood to Indigenous

Peoples (IPs), former rebels and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

4 Diwalwal plants closed by owners

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ABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley - - Four mineral processing plants in Barangay Mount Diwata, popularly known as Diwalwal, in Monkayo town voluntarily padlocked their ballmills during the visit of the Provincial Task Force Naboc River on February 11-12.

Amidst the heavy rains in the area, members of the task force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) visited 50 Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and ballmill plants at Purok 15 to 17 in the barangay.

While four plants were closed, the others asked for consideration from the authorities to just let them finish their current production.

Provincial Director Chamberlain Babiera of DENR – Compostela Valley permitted them to give their own deadlines based on the quantity of their production but not exceeding March 15.

Babiera told them that after their own deadline, the task force will execute the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) from the Environmental Management Bureau.

The CDO states that if the plants will still operate, they will be penalized, among others, with a fine of PhP 10,000 to PhP 200,000 per day of operation.

Babiera stressed that they started with the three purok since those were identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as highly susceptible to landslide areas.

The task force will also

hold a final assembly of all the plants owners in Diwalwal from the other puroks on March 19 for its relocation in the Mabatas area.

In the records of the MGB, there are more than 22 CIP and 176 ballmill plants, both operational and non-operational, in Diwalwal.

Babiera said that the transfer to the relocation site is one of the identified priority projects for the clean-up of Naboc River.

“Didto sa Mabatas area, ang ilahang mga waste water ma-contain didto sa tailing’s pond ug dili na moabot didto sa atong river,” he said. (At the Mabatas area, their waste water will be contained in the tailing’s pond and will no longer reach the river.)

Studies have shown that the chemicals used by the mineral processing plants in Diwalwal, particularly mer-

cury and cyanide, have polluted the Naboc River.

Babiera added that the local government units of Compostela Valley and Monkayo will provide hauling trucks to help the plant owners in their transfer.

He also revealed that one of the big plants in the area owned by the Grand Consolidated Mining Inc. has started dismantling their plants since January.

Meanwhile, Babiera said that for more than 15 years, it is only this time of President Rodrigo Duterte that the closure of plants and eventually, their transfer to the relocation area are implemented.

In 2003, former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Executive Order No. 217, which includes, among others, the transfer to Mabatas area. (PIA11)

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) now has 51 infrastructure sub-projects amounting to PHP2.4 billion, approved under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

“Of the PHP6.9-billion worth of approved infrastructure sub-projects in the North Luzon Cluster, the Cordillera got an approval for 51 sub-projects worth PHP2.4 billion or 35 percent of the total fund share for the cluster,” deputy project director and DA-Cordillera Assistant director for Operations Danilo Daguio said on Wednesday.

North Luzon cluster is composed of Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon) and Cordillera. Cagayan Valley got 29 percent; Central Luzon, 22 percent; and Ilocos, 14 percent.

Daguio said there are still a number of project proposals from local government units in the pipeline, which he said would be hopefully approved within the project timeline.

The PRDP, a six-year national project under the DA and jointly funded by the World Bank, national government and local government units, aims to establish a modern and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

It provides infrastructure, facilities, technology and information to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in targeted areas.

Projects include farmto-market roads, bridges, slope protection, tramline, communal irrigation systems and potable water system, Daguio said.

He added that the LGU shares a counterpart of 10 percent for infrastructure and 20 percent if the project involves an enterprise.

In a press release issued to the media, Elvy Taquio of the Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) Unit of DA-PRDP in Cordillera said of the total projects in the Cordillera that were approved, 31.76 percent -- composed of five

projects -- are in Kalinga.

Ifugao has 22.8 percent with 17 approved projects; Benguet with 18.66 percent with 11 approved projects, Mt. Province, 13.31 percent with six approved projects; Apayao, 11.18 percent with eight approved projects; and Abra, 2.29 percent with four approved projects.

She said the information was presented by Elma Mananes, Deputy Project Director of the PRDP Project Support Office – North Luzon Cluster during the general assembly of the PRDP in Zambales on January 31.

Taquio said that of the 51 projects approved for the Cordillera, seven were completed infrastructure projects worth PHP163.1 million. There are 36 ongoing projects worth PHP1.77 billion while eight projects worth PHP498 million are under procurement.

She said Cordillera was recognized for having the highest number and cost of approved I-BUILD (integrated building of infrastructure and logistics and development) sub-projects and for being the most efficient region in terms of sub-project approval in the North Luzon cluster.

The local government unit of Kalinga was also recognized for having the highest cost of approved sub-projects under the I-BUILD; the most efficient LGU in completing the procurement process under I-BUILD for the sub-project specifically the Improvement of Bado Dangwa-Guilayon farmto-market road; and for being the most efficient LGU in terms of sub-project approval from enterprise prioritization.

The Improvement of Bulanao-Amlao FMR and the Kalinga Coffee Trading Center were also recognized for being the best I-BUILD sub-projects implemented in terms of physical progress, documentation, operations, maintenance, and Social and Environmental Safeguards Compliance. (PNA)

Cebu Pacific unveils 1st Capacity building, boosting output in exports: Lopez travellers lounge at mall S

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ocal carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) on Tuesday unveiled its first travelers lounge at the Resorts World Manila (RWM), enabling passengers with flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to check in there.

"This is the first satellite check-in (lounge) of CEB. This will only cover the flights for NAIA Terminal 3 because RWM is connected there via Runway Manila," CEB spokesperson Charo Lagamon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Passengers can check in for their flights in this lounge located at the ground floor of RWM's Newport Mall, during mall hours, or up to eight hours before their flight.

Those who have to check

in their bags, however, will still need to proceed to the bag drop counters at the airport.

The lounge is equipped with real-time flight status digital boards to help the guests not to miss their flights.

While passengers can check in online via web or through mobile app, Lagamon said having a travelers’ lounge aims to provide another option for CEB passengers.

RWM will also give them some perks for using the facility, she added.

Lagamon said that CEB has no plan yet to have another travelers lounge.

"This is the first, and we are seeing how it turns out," she said. (PNA)

takeholders need to focus on capacity building and revitalizing the local manufacturing sector in order to counter the foreseen slowdown in exports, the country’s top trade official said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters Tuesday that the 1.8-percent decline in exports in 2018 was mainly due to external factors such as softening global demand and the impact of trade friction between the United States and China.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that merchandise exports revenue in 2018 slipped to USD67.49 billion from USD68.71 billion in 2017.

“It’s quite apparent that

the downward trend in exports was brought about by softening global demand induced by global growth slowdown as well as increased uncertainty amid escalating US-China trade tensions,” said Lopez.

“Electronics supply chain in the region was adversely affected as lower orders from one country can lead to lower orders in other supplier countries,” he added, noting that electronics export growth settled at 2.8 percent last year from its usual growth of 5 percent.

The trade chief said this trend was also evident in the lower manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of ASEAN states in December 2018.

For non-electronic products, capacity issues

and supply constricting factors have also affected the country’s export performance last year.

“For instance, wood manufacturers’ exports were drastically affected by the fire that gutted the biggest exporter in the industry. The company has just rebuilt its plant and is expected to resume it exports supply moving forward,” he said.

“Chemical products are mainly affected by ports and logistics efficiency issues in their import-export operations, as well as the police security and control procedures that affect chemicals trade,” Lopez added.

Lopez said coconut, mango, and other agricultural inputs were affected by supply and price issues,

likewise processed food exports were held back by the high cost and low supply of sugar.

“Sugar cost in the country must therefore be competitive to improve our capabilities to export more processed food,” he added.

The government has plans to liberalize sugar importation to lower the prices of said commodity.

“In general, we reiterate our views to focus efforts and gather all support in building our capacities for a more robust, innovative, competitive manufacturing sector that will allow us to do more import substitution as well as improve our export performance in the long term and help address the perennial issue on trade deficit,” Lopez said. (PNA)

ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

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5

Ensure tourism enterprises are accredited, LGUs urged

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he Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday reiterated calls from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to all local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs) in their respective areas.

In a memorandum issued last week, the DILG reiterated Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 that requires PTEs, such as hotels, resorts, inns, and other accommodation establishments, to secure accreditation from the DOT for the issuance of a license or permit to operate.

"This is a welcome development as it further establishes the relevance of the DOT Accreditation among PTEs, which includes travel and tour agencies, tourist transport operators, tourism front-liners, and convention and exhibition organizers," the DOT said in a statement.

The DOT accreditation is a certification issued to tourism enterprises after having complied with minimum

standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services.

The DILG memorandum states that “LGUs have to ensure that all PTEs have complied with and have obtained DOT accreditation before operations.”

The DOT, through its regional offices, expressed "excitement" to work with the LGUs in ensuring strict compliance by tourism enterprises with accreditation rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, it vowed to continue working on the following shared responsibilities as mandated by the Tourism Act of 2009: LGU capacity-building in partnership with the private sector, travel advisories, local tourism promotion, resources inventory, destination development, standard setting, and regulatory enforcement.

According to the agency, a total of 6,108 primary tourism enterprises and 772 secondary tourism enterprises have been accredited nationwide as of December 31 last year. (PNA)

TRADITIONAL NO MORE. An eatery worker mixes hot chocolate using electric mixer instead of the traditional turned wood whisk locally known as ‘batirol’at a food stall in Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

TUCP warns BI of incomplete Local factors seen to drive growth: ING new rules for foreign workers Local factors will contribute substantially to the Philippines' growth story this year and the expected growth slowdown in the first half of the year may prompt monetary officials to start cutting rates.

In his presentation during the 2019 ING Financial Markets Annual Research roadshow in Makati Tuesday, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said he expects the economy to post a 5.8 percent growth in the first quarter this year, slower than the 6.1 percent in the last quarter of 2018.

Growth in the succeeding quarters are projected to improve to 6.1 percent, 6.3 percent and 6.4 percent, to bring the full-year output to 6.2 percent, same as last year.

In a briefing after the event, Mapa told journalists that since domestic output is projected to slow in the first half this year “that should be a signal for the BSP to ease back on that brake pedal after stepping on it last year.”

He was referring to the total of 175 basis points increase in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates in 2018 on account of elevated inflation rate.

He explained that although election spending is seen to help boost growth this year, as what normally happens during an election year, the contribution will come from capital formation and not domestic consumption.

The economist also pointed out that capital formation “is indeed challenged or hampered by a rate hike by the BSP and the delay in the budget.”

The government is currently operating on a re-enacted budget due the delay in the approval of the proposed PHP3.757-trillion budget for this year due to questions on the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Approval of this year’s national budget, which contains changes from the original proposal, was made by members of the Bicameral Conference Committee as late as last February 8.

“Of course, there's still the external factor that will come into play but I think this year is going to be a little more locally-driven,” Mapa said.

With growth expected to slow down, the economist predicts BSP will start cutting rates by 25 basis points in May and another 25 basis points in the latter part of the year.

“May is still a couple of weeks so that should give them ample time to get more data,” he said.

Mapa is also penciling in a total of 200 basis points cut in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR), specifically in the first and third quarters this year. This is in line with the plan of BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. to bring the RRR level to a single digit by the end of his term in 2023.

Last year, the BSP cut the RRR by 200 basis points to 18 percent as it shifts towards a market-based implementation of monetary policy, as well as part of its financial market reforms.

Relatively, Mapa said capital formation is projected to post some pullback this year, citing the deceleration of lending activities of universal and commercial banks (U/ KBs). BSP data show that bank lending slowed to 15.6 percent last December from 16.8 percent in the previous month.

Mapa said bank lending growth is “still healthy” but “it is showing a stark deceleration trend.” He, thus, forecast capital formation to growth by a “single digit to close to 10 percent” this year.

In the last quarter of 2018, capital formation grew by 5.5 percent year on year. (PNA)

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he country’s biggest labor group criticized the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for coming out with new rules on issuing work permits but are incomplete and subject to corruption, according to labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) “The so-called new rules on work and special work permits issued by the Bureau of Immigration to prospective foreign workers are incomplete and very vulnerable to bribery and corruption. It looks like the list identified just a few jobs when the rules says there are more. We are urging the Immigration bureau to consult with labor groups, with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE, Professional Regulation Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry. It is very important that BI list should be complete and shown in public,” said TUCP President

Raymond Mendoza.

Commissioner Jaime Morente announced last week that the bureau is imposing a stricter requirements and procedures in issuing special work permits (SWP) and provisional work permits (PWP) to foreigners intending to work in the country.

According to Morente, the Bureau will now require foreign applicants to submit additional documents before they are issued work permits.

Morente also said that the BI will see to it that no work permit will be issued to aliens who will be employed as construction workers, cashiers,

he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has started implementing the rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11058 also known as the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law.

In a press briefing held recently at J7 Hotel here, Melveen Melocoton, Officer-in-Charge of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Regional Extension Unit No. 6, said the coverage of DOLE Department Order No. 198, Series of 2018, Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), shall apply to all establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work is being undertaken in all branches of economic activity.

“These include establishments located inside special economic zones and other investment promotion agencies; utilities engaged in air, sea, and land transportation; industries such as mining, fishing, construction, agriculture, and maritime; and contractors and subcontractors including those engaged in the projects of the

public sector,” he said.

He said, however, that the IRR “does not apply to the public sector such as national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations with charters, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges and local government units.”

Based on the IRR, every employer, contractor, or subcontractor, and any person who manages, control or supervise the work shall: • Equip a place of employment for workers free from hazardous conditions that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness, or physical harm.

• Provide complete job safety instructions and proper orientation to all workers.

• Ensure that the chemical, physical and biological substances and agents, and ergonomic and psychosocial stresses under their control are without risk to health when the appropriate measures of protection are taken.

janitors, carpenters, and other blue-collar jobs.

“There are more type of jobs that cannot be given to foreign workers. And as far as we know, the rule is that as long as there are Filipino skills and professions are available domestically, those jobs cannot be to foreign workers,” Mendoza said.

Professions classified as regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will also not be allowed without the approval of the PRC. Aside from the BI and PRC, the DOLE also issued work permits to foreign workers through its Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

Morente said that the new rules were issued to address the reported increase in the number of foreigners employed in the country to the alleged detriment of Filipino workers.

Among the requirements that work permit applicants will submit are: validity of stay as tourists; address, existence, nature of business, and financial viability of petitioning company; and SEC and other governnent licenses to operate. Only authorized BI officers at the main office and alien control officers in the bureau's field offices may approve or disapprove applicants for SWP and PWP. “With different government agencies issues their own work permits with their own separate list of jobs that cannot be given to foreign workers, this system is rife for corruption and accountability problem. We think it’s high time to come up with one common list of jobs that cannot be given to foreign workers to be shared by all government agencies and used as common reference list,” Mendoza said.

New law ensures safer, Piñol: Rice tarrification hazard-free workplaces a commitment to WTO T A

FNEW, P9

griculture Secretary Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol said the proposed rice tariffication measure, which is expected to be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte sometime soon, is a commitment of the country to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"The DA has very clear position to support the rice tariffication. There's no way we cannot support that as it is our commitment to the WTO," said Piñol in an interview at the sidelines of the Sugar Summit held Tuesday at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

He, however, stressed that there is a need to study the effect of total deregulation especially on the stability of rice prices.

"We were just asking for a little more study on the indemnification of the total deregulation, especially on the stability of the buying price of palay. Right now, it dropped to PHP14-15," he

said.

"If the price of palay decreases, sakit din ng ulo namin sa DA kasi magrereklamo ang mga farmers," he added.

Piñol said the only way to arrest that is "to allow NFA (National Food Authority) to continue buying from the farmers at an indicated support price which we are doing right now."

"The only problem is that NFA might not be able to sustain the procurement of rice given the fact it will no longer be allowed under the proposed bill to make borrowings," he said.

In a statement by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI), it said that the country's agriculture is at an important crossroads.

"How the rice farmers will be treated will determine how the rest of the sectors will be so treated. Since rice is the most political of commodities, if the govern-

FPIÑOL, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL B

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

What’s in a name?

y now, people should have been used to, if not beginning to get used to President Rodrigo Duterte’s way of saying things.

Not everything he says, he is dead serious about.

Take his latest dig on the possible name-change of the Philippines to the more patriotic sounding Maharlika. He said in a recent gathering of his thoughts of changing the name of the country to Maharlika which he considers better suited for its Malay identity. The idea was not the President’s. Sometime in the past, former President Ferdinand Marcos also mentioned about changing the country’s name to Maharlika, a name associated to Marcos’ supposed military background which was later found to be imaginary.

In 1978, then member of the Batasang Pambansa, the predecessor of Congress, Eddie Ilarde proposed the Maharlika name change.

After that, nothing was heard of the proposal. Until it came out from President Duterte’s mouth. Malacanang quickly explained the President was merely expressing his own idea and there was nothing official to the statement.

For the record, there have been ten nations in history which have changed names. A name change is often done for political or nationalistic reasons such as removing traces of colonial rule or reflecting the ideologies of the government in power. A country or state may also change its name for purely commemorative reasons, especially in honor of an influential person or an important event in the country. A country may also change its name to improve their image and to erase an unpleasant event or memory in its history.

Iran (nee Persia), Cambodia (Kampuchea), Myanmar (Burma), Jordan (Transjordan), Ethiopia (Abyssinia), Botswana (Bechuanaland), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Democratic Republic

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of Congo (Zaire), Burkina Faso (Upper Volta), and Benin (Dahomey) are the only countries by far which have changed names.

Curiously, two of the ten nations belong to the Asean--Cambodia and Myanmar.

Cambodia has changed its name several times, especially when the new ruling party wanted to erase the traces of the previous one. Between 1953 and 1970, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Cambodia. From 1970 to 1975 it was named the Khmer Republic. Under the communist rule from 1975 to 1979, it was referred to as Democratic Kampuchea. Under the UN transition authority from 1989 to 1993, the country was named the State of Cambodia. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1993, Cambodia was renamed the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Khmer people prefer to call themselves Kampuchea meaning “Descendant of Prince Kambu.” The name Cambodia is a Western mispronunciation of Kampuchea.

Myanmar is known in English by two names; Myanmar and Burma. The country’s name has been changed from the “Burma” to the “Myanmar” and finally to the “Republic of the Union of Myanmar” which has been a subject of controversy. The change of name was done by the military junta in 1989, one year after several people were killed in an attempt to suppress a popular uprising. The name change was recognized by several countries including France and Japan and the UN. However, the US and the UK did not recognize the unelected military that changed the name.

Realistically speaking, it will take a long process to change the name of the Philippines which, instead of exhausting effort and resources, may well be channeled to the more reasonable shift to a federal form of government.

SOLANI D. MARATAS 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) 09382022120 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

The politics surrounding Dengvaxia

S

haring with you the editorial of online magazine resurgent.ph. I believe it is spot on in clarifying issues surrounding the apparent “politicization” of the issue which has hurt many families and cast doubts on our public health system.

The fact is that measles outbreak has hit parts of the US, and a rubella outbreak has been noted in Japan: “Before people get all too riled up about Dengvaxia and how it seems to have been politicized, it matters that we check our biases at the door first.

Because more than anything, Dengvaxia is a tragic story of past governmental in-

Seafarers are not entitled to the benefits given to a regular or permanent employee such as 13thmonth pay, reinstatement, separation or termination pay or some instances, even retirement benefits, since they are considered merely as contractual employees.

This has been the consistent ruling of the Supreme Court since it issued its decision in the 2002 case of Millares v. NLRC (G.R. No. 110524 July 29, 2002) that became the landmark jurisprudence defining the nature of employment of Filipino seafarers and the applicable law.

Seafarers are considered contractual employees. Their employment is governed by the contracts they sign every time they are re [-] hired and their employment is terminated when the contract expires. Their employment is con-

competence owing to a rushed mass implementation of an unproven vaccine.

The fact that the vaccine was bought with rushed funds from indefensible sources, and rushed into mass vaccination campaigns despite the lack of proper technical endorsement, and pushed during a campaign period, at that, is where its chief controversy lies.

This penchant for rushing, without regard to proper funding and technical standards is where the violation meets its sanction.

Indictments of key persons like former President Benigno Aquino and health secretary Jeanette Garin

MY TWO CENTS’ John Carlo B. Tria for the alleged violations are at hand.

Thus, attempts to focus on the measles outbreak based on the fear of vaccines are a diversion to lead us away from the real issue- incompetence.

Measles vaccines are safe and effective, having been used for

decades without major fault. This vaccine, unlike Dengvaxia passes crucial technical evaluations and have been consistently implemented.

Yet because of the incompetence unearthed due to a rushed implementation of the unproven dengvaxia vaccine, the entire vaccination program suffers.

The bigger question left unanswered is how government will assuage the fears of parents whose children now have a higher risk of contracting the disease? What justice will be served to them?

Or will we just ignore them because we believe the issue is “po-

liticized” and hurts the chances of the “ostodiretso”?

The moral imperative at this point is to obtain justice for those wronged, that includes us due to the misuse of our taxpayer money by the indicted, and the families of those who are left with a higher risk of the disease owing to dengvaxia.

Moreover, we need to restore trust by ensuring that protocols for the approval of vaccines are judiciously done.

These, and not more politics, are necessary corrections to restore trust in the vaccination program and our health system in general.”

2.signing off from the vessel; and 3. arrival at the point of hire.

The Millares doctrine was reiterated in the latest case of Ceriola vs. NAESS Shipping (G.R. No. 193101 April 20, 2015) where the Supreme Court noted that it is an accepted maritime industry practice that employment of seafarers are for a fixed period only.

Constrained by the nature of their employment which is quite peculiar and unique in itself, it is for the mutual interest of both the seafarer and the employer why the employment status must be contractual only or for a certain period of time. The exigencies of their work necessitates that they be employed on a contractual basis.

Seafarers spend most of their time at sea and understandably, they cannot stay for a long and an indefinite period of

time at sea. Limited access to shore society during the employment will have an adverse impact on the seafarer. The national, cultural and lingual diversity among the crew during the contract is a reality that necessitates the limitation of its period.

The circumstance of continuous re-hiring is normally dictated by practical considerations that experienced crew members are more preferred.

Current crew are only given priority or preference because of their experience and qualifications but this does not detract the fact that seafarers are contractual employees.

(Atty.

Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@ sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

Filipino seafarers as contractual employees tractually fixed for a certain period of time.

They fall under the exception of Article 280 whose employment has been fixed for a specific project or undertaking the completion or termination of which has been determined at the time of engagement of the employee or where the work or services to be performed is seasonal in nature and the employment is for the duration of the season.

A Filipino seafarer is governed by the Rules and Regulations of the POEA. The Standard employment Contract governing the employment of All Filipino Seamen on Board Ocean-Going Vessels of the POEA, particularly in Part I, Sec. C specifically provides that the contract of seamen shall be for a fixed period.

The provisions of the POEA contract require the seafarer to arrive at the point of

PINOY MARINO RIGHTS Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho

hire as it signifies the completion of the employment contract, and not merely its expiration. Similarly, a seafarer’s employment contract is terminated even before the contract expires as soon as he arrives at the point of hire and signs off for medical reasons, due to shipwreck, voluntary resignation or for other just causes.

In a nutshell, there are three (3) requirements necessary for the complete termination of the employment contract: 1. termination due to expiration or other reasons/causes;

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

COMPETITIVE EDGE

MAN ON THE STREETS:

VDAY EDITION RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT AND LEEBAI SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Love is a universal language that everyone understands. And as we fill the world with hearts and more love, we asked Dabawenyos a personal question that transcends beyond flowers and chocolates.

This hearts day, are you celebrating it with your Family or Significantly Other?

Karen Alcantara, Mom Blogger I am spending Valentines Day with my family – it is the best thing there is because I get to bond with them happily. It does not matter if it’s just a simple celebration as long as we are together.

Ponti Carlo Aranda / Simpulse Digital Advertising, Proprietor It’s always best to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family and that includes your special someone as he or she is already a part of it.

Why choose? We can always celebrate VDay with your special someone and get to celebrate it with your family the next day! It’s always the thought that counts.

Regine Lanuza / PTV Davao Reporter Since I have been away with my family for the last three years, I always get to celebrate it with my boyfriend. We always make it special during that day. We get to do things we don’t usually do on normal days. He never fails to surprise me.

Geovani Mocodompis, Secretary to the Consul of Information & Socio Cultural Affairs

Everyday I celebrate my Valentines Day with my family. But as much as I would like to celebrate it with my significant other, I could not, due to our distance.

Hershey Matugas / Holy Cross of Davao College Mass Communication Intern It is important to celebrate it with the family. Personally, I have been longing to celebrate it with my family, because we are not very open to each other. At least being with them during that day would be one of my ways of saying that they are special to me.

Erwin Dela Cruz, CID Communication I’ve always celebrated (Valentines Day) with my family – and any other occasion that is.

Jesse Pizarro Boga, Writer There is no better time to find and give love for yourself. It’s never too late to make it your 2019 resolution – to put yourself first and make meaningful introspects about what you need, what you want and where you want to go. Loving yourself is easier said than done but definitely worth it! When you love yourself, you learn to love others better.

Joefer Maninang, Philosophy Professor If Valentines day means love and love is appreciated on different levels, then both. While agapeic or neighbourly love is the most general form of love or loving, then familial and romantic/ erotic love are then subsumed to belong under agapeic love.

Rosemarie Baguio / Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Development Manager Officer It is important to celebrate it with family. Because aside from God, family is the next source of love. You cannot give what you don’t have. I think it will all go back to the family.

Arch. Leonida Santos, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) past president Back then, I had my special someone, who goes with my family during that day. But when I reached college, I always celebrate it by myself since I was already busy with my academics at that time.

SEPTIC... FROM 1

level of coliform bacteria in previous findings.

“We can still save Davao Gulf,” Santos said during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape press forum at the Abreeza Mall.

Civil engineer Froilan Rigor, PIEP vice president, said that they had already sent an official letter to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to have an immediate feasibility study on the sewerage system for Davao City as they cannot wait for JICA to start the waste management system in the city in 2025.

“We will be starting with the study of the seevrage system, so that our Davao River will not be a cesspool since all the wastes will be thrown at these body of water,” said Rigor, who has been a city planner for decades.

He recalled how his son’s genitals got infected after swimming at the Times Beach in Matina Aplaya.

Rigor said that other factors should be considered as to why Davao Gulf is slowly becoming a cesspool like Boracay Island in the past. These include in-

formal settlers living nearby and irresponsible factories throwing their waste in the water.

The engineer also said that the Davao City Water District (DCWD) should have an active participation in this plan because it is the district’s logical responsibility being the city’s potable water provider.

Rigor said that Magsaysay Park would be suitable for the sewerage treatment facility to be established.

He said that the city planners want to replicate the concept of park and sewerage facility, similar to Japan.

“We were fortunate enough to be with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, during her tour in Japan, wherein they have treatment, facilities beneath their parks,” Rigor said.

“We saw how it is being done. It is effective because you cannot smell any foul odor coming from the treatment system,” he added.

Rigor said the city government’s eyeing to implement the waste water discharge in the Poblacion district of the city which has the largest population.

ment will be seen as having abandoned the rice farmers to the ravages of unfair trade so that consumers can savor the magic of the market (which they haven’t even with the 1995 shock liberalization), then investments in the sector will shrink," it said.

Senator Cynthia Villar earlier said that the President has already certified as urgent the rice tariffication bill to protect Filipino farmers from the influx of imported grains as a result of the removal of quantitative restriction (QR) being imposed by the WTO. Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said that farmers were being misled by some groups who are against tariffication to protect their own vested interests.

“Unlike claims that tariffication will result to flooding of imported rice to Philippine market, this will make such importation beneficial to local rice producers," she said.

The rice industry, Villar said, is set to be liberalized due to expiration of QR on June 30, 2017.

"Pag nag-liberalize ka

nang walang tariff, kawawa ang mga farmers (When you liberalize without tariff, the farmers will suffer)," she said.

Under the Rice Tariffication Bill, a PHP10-billion a year Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) will be allocated for five years.

This funding will be channeled through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Philippine Rice Research Institute, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as well as other agencies tasked to upgrade farmers technology and know-how.

PCAFI, however, said that these are supposedly the safety nets, but "experience teaches that even safety nets provided for by law can be undermined by ideology and poor governance."

"These safety nets seemed to be more for show because up to now the government has no trade data system to determine if an importation is in accordance with the rules of the WTO in terms of valuation and trade remedies, if any," it added. (PNA)

PIÑOL... FROM 5

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with DEED OF SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late COLETA TAN and OSCAR TAN, who died on December 18, 2013 and July 19, 1996 in Davao City, Philippines, respectively has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with DEED OF SALE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.1; PageNo.2; Book No.165 Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN Feb. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

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INSIDE THE FAT COW

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

FOOD

DECEPTION, like change, is one of life’s many mysteries. It’s not that the mind cannot always recognize reality, it’s just that the mind is capable of denying the existence, even of reality.

However, one thing in life remains certain and that is the ability of the mind to decipher what the palate says which in the end leads us to savour the reality in a dish.

Yes, taste is subjective. What may be delicious to you, may not be equally delicious to others. But when more than a handful of people admit of its gustatory goodness, then, surely, there’s no point in denying.

In Davao City, there are a handful of restaurants that people head to whenever the tummy grumbles. It’s almost like second nature. And like any other city or place in the world, there are also exceptional restaurants in the city that not only pacify a grumbling tummy but more so, allow the palate to explore and experience something new. Case in point: Fat Cow. Fat Cow is the brainchild of Davao’s youngest chef extraordinaire, Patrick Co. At 23, Patrick has already opened two exceptionally delicious dining places and has created a plethora of dishes that showcase his style and love for food.

Never contented, Patrick goes beyond just cooking — he prepares dishes that leave a lasting impression. Always.

Since opening its doors to the public, Fat Cow has contributed to how Dabawenyos see and interact with food.

Revolutionary? Of course. The truth is, at Fat Cow, Patrick and his team of skilled kitchen brigade, choose to play with how taste buds react to certain flavour pairings and reception to taste. The marriage of flavours and the nakedness of ingredients contribute to

EDGEDAVAO

This will leave you speechless. The sweet potato brioche with butter and Patrick’s tomato spread all together creates an explosive marriage of flavours.

On the list of faves, Fat Cow’s Fish and Chips with Katsuobushi tartar sauce and olive pate is textured yet very pleasing to the palate.

Wagyu MB6 Striploin is beyond words. Perfection at every bite.

Marbling grade of 6.

In the Cow is Fat Cow’s intimate private dining room that seats 18 and has a customisable menu.

Pasta Telefono is creamy, salty and very savoury to the palate. producing sensational reaction that never fails to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Fat Cow’s menu is both intriguingly familiar and familiarly intriguing. It’s a no brainer actually. What Fat Cow offers is create a craving on basic dining staples that when

served, will leave you stunned and yearning for another piece. For one, the dishes on the menu speak of the truth in relation to how a beautiful marriage of taste, depth and texture is possible even with or without heat.

Fat Cow is not just about

their menu. When dining, do not settle on what you see on the menu, look up and you’ll see their board of specials that changes regularly. And a recent visit at Fat Cow introduced our taste to an even more in-depth appreciation of the culinary realm.

Patrick whipped up a most delish set of orgasmic dishes, from the board J -- Pasta Telefono, Wagyu MB6 Striploin and all-time favourite Fish and Chips with Katsuobushi tartar sauce and olive pate. For des-

sert, Patrick prepared freshly baked Pecan Tart and the biggest Cream Puff. A basket of freshly baked sweet potato brioche with butter and Patrick’s tomato spread was also served at the start of the meal. Were they any good? Beyond good.

Best even.

Next time your tummy grumbles or you are just in the mood, eat. Part ways with your calorie counting ways... temporarily.

Fat Cow is located at Mabini Extension corner V. Mapa St.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

TOP FILIPINO RIDERS HEADLINE YAMAHA RACING CONFERENCE

WITH Valentines day closing in, the love for racing was in full speed at the Eastwood Open Park for the Yamaha Racing Conference. Yamaha continues its outstanding dedication to racing and committing further to the development of their riders.

Yamaha’s own Maverick Viñales made his way to the Philippines straight from his practice session to recognize the top riders of the country and for the debut of the 2019 YZF-R3. It is designed with a bodywork mirroring the YZRM1, made to be sleeker and more aerodynamic than ever.

The compact and lightweight structure is an ultimate balance of strength and rigidity. It is racing quality at its finest.

The “Top Gun” first recognized the National Team duo of Masato “The Chairman” Fernando and McKinley Kyle

“Wonder Boy” Paz of UMA Racing Yamaha Philippines Team. Dominant in virtually every track in the nation, their goal has now shifted to the Asia Road Racing Championship.

Both are eager to represent their country and show the caliber of Filipino Riders.

Winning now isn’t the only goal for Yamaha with a longterm campaign for future

competitions already underway with the Underbone King Sniper 150 National Championships.Considered as an elite class, 12 selected riders will compete for a spot at the national team in their next tournament.

Then there were the riders for the 10th Yamaha Grand Prix Season – UB150 category.

The longest running one make

race in the country has continued to develop the skills of riders and preparing them for the next level of competition. The batch of racers this year are a mixture of perennial contenders and new challengers ready to make their mark. Aside from the Championship, bragging rights are also at stake with riders being divided into regional teams of Luzon, Visayas, and

Mindanao. Yamaha also continued its partnership with 4S1M racing team and Phoenix Yamaha Koso-Faito Racing Team who are both share the commitment of excellence on the racetrack.

The 2019 Yamaha Racing Season is shaping up to be one to watch and with all these riders raring to start their legacy its going to be a spectacle to see.

UP AND BOUT

Show your love for local on Netflix

OVER the past two decades, Filipino films have been garnering the international acclaim and overdue attention it deserves. Though it has received much support especially on social media, some local films still don’t get to reach a wider audience because it gets pulled out of cinemas pretty quickly. If you’ve missed out on some of them, don’t fret! Catch up on the hype of these five critically acclaimed Pinoy films on Netflix and GoWATCH it anytime, anywhere with Globe Prepaid.

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018) This powerful story on the boy general Gregorio del Pilar is the second part of a trilogy on Philippine revo-

lutionary heroes directed by awardwinning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog.

Witness Paulo Avelino take on the role of the brash ladies man “Goyo” as he rises to become one of the Philippines’ youngest generals and joins the historic Battle of Tirad Pass. Goyo is produced by TBA Studios, Artikulo Uno Productions, and Globe Studios.

national awards, including New Movie Actress of the Year for Mary Joy Apostol at the Star Awards for Movies in 2018 and Best Supporting Actor for John Arcilla at the 2018 FAP Awards.

Another production of Globe Studios, Mikhail Red won Best Director for Birdshot at the 2016 Tokyo International Film festival.

Birdshot (2016) In coming of age drama Birdshot, a 14-year-old farmer’s daughter accidentally shoots an endangered Philippine eagle and her quiet life transforms into a terrifying reality as she faces the consequences. The film has been nominated for several local and inter-

All of You (2017) A romantic comedy film to watch in time for the season of hearts, this Globe Studios production revolves around a couple who met through a mobile app, falls in love too quickly, realizes their differences, and now has to decide if they’ll give up on their

Derek Ramsay a Villegas.

relationship or continue to make it last. One of the eight entries in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival and its winner of Best Screenplay, All of You stars Jennylyn Mercado and

Heneral Luna (2 Don’t miss th sparked Filipino in Philippine his The first film in pine heroes, Hen struggles of Gen - played excellen - who fought int American colon by resistance tro versial to this da

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VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

and is directed by Dan

2015) he epic film that o audiences’ interest story all over again. a trilogy on Philipneral Luna tackles the neral Antonio Luna ntly by John Arcilla tensely against the nizers. His brutal death oops remains controay. In 2016, the film

ENTERTAINMENT

TNT BOYS ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND OF ‘THE WORLD’S BEST’ THE TNT Boys continue to astonish the world with their talent after they moved on to the next round of the international talent competition “The World’s Best,” and recently got featured in the worldrenowned news organization BBC.

The trio of Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion wowed the “The World’s Best” American judges Faith Hill, RuPaul, and Drew Barrymore for their hair-raising rendition of the hit song “Listen” in the program’s pilot episode that aired after the Super Bowl on CBS. Their performance scored a staggering 99 points – more than the minimum of 75 points required to get through to the next round of the competition – from the combined scores of the American judges and the “wall of the world,” which is composed of 50 of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment.

“You have some serious attitude,” said Grammy-winner Faith.

“You’re so precious and so sweet but when you were singing, you were in that song, you were like, bam!”

Hollywood A-lister Drew was also all praises for the boys. She said, “I was a kid performer, but I have kids now. This is a whole other thing. You possess a gift, you’re just that good.”

RuPaul, meanwhile, uttered his famous line for the trio. “Boys I have one thing to say: Shantay, you stay.”

Because of the bigshot trio’s trending performance, they have a chance at winning $1 million and being named “The World’s Best.”

Recently, the trio was also featured on the website of one of the world’s biggest news organizations, BBC, which published a video feature about the TNT Boys’ suc-

cess and some behind-the-scenes footage from their concert last November, which made them the youngest artists to headline a soldout concert, not only at the Araneta Coliseum but in the whole country.

BBC also dubbed the TNT Boys “the teen tribute act captivating the Philippines” and showed a clip of Jessie J, who said “They actually did it better than us,” pertaining to the viral performance of Mackie, Keifer, and Francis of the hit song “Bang Bang.”

The TNT Boys is only one of the Filipino artists who broke into the international scene as ABS-CBN continues to champion Filipino talent on the world stage.

Andrea and Kyle celebrate love month as MYX celebrity Vjs

received several local nominations and awards and was the Philippine entry at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film.

Now there’s no excuse to miss out on these highly-acclaimed Filipino flicks! Globe customers can catch these plus their favorite movies and shows while on the go when they subscribe to Netflix. Globe Prepaid customers who subscribe to GoSAKTO90 or GoSURF50, and TM customers who subscribe to EasySurf50 and up will get an additional 2GB as a treat to GoWATCH their fave shows anytime, anywhere from Netflix and other streaming services. It’s never been this easy to #PlayItRight and stream the best entertainment from legitimate sources only.

For more about Globe Telecom, visit www.globe.com.ph or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

USHER IN LOVE month with “Kadenang Ginto” stars Andrea Brillantes and Kyle Echarri as they welcome new music and messages of love as MYX Celebrity VJs this February.

Andrea and Kyle liven up the country’s number one music channel with their youthful musings and quirky banters while bringing in requested songs, new tunes, and heartfelt messages for MYX viewers.

Funk rock band IV of Spades takes the front row as “MYX Headliner.”

Watch out as lead vocalist and bassist Zild Benitez, lead guitarist Blaster Silonga, and drummer Badjao

de Castro showcase their well-loved songs including “Bawat Kaluluwa,” “In My Prison,” and “Mundo.”

Chill with rapper-producer duo Good Kid$, consisting of Gaby Singson and Bernie Margulies, who step onto the “MYX Spotlight.”

Discover theirhip-hop/rap tracks such as“Eyes,” “For Tonight,” and “Show Me,” as they vibe with the music channel for the whole month.

Meanwhile, viewers may dedicate a love note for their special someone on Love on MYX and get a chance to have their favorite MYX VJ read it on air during the MYX

Valentine’s Day Special. For entries, log on to myxph. com.

Spread love this February with MYX Celebrity VJs Andrea and Kyle on “Pop MYX” until February 9, “Mellow MYX” on February 10 to 15, “Pinoy

MYX” on February 17 to 23, and “My MYX” on February 25 to 28. Watch MYX on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 12, SKYcable channel 23, and SKYdirect channel 37. For updates, follow @ abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

MAYOR... FROM 1

fect of the immunizations last 2018. We ensure that this year, there will no outbreak in Davao City again,” Duterte said.

The DOH Davao Region Center for Health Development (CHD) has recorded a total of 86 suspected measles cases from January 1 to February 10, this year.

Dr. Anabelle Yumang, director of DOH XI said the measles cases in Davao Region is not on the outbreak threshold.

She said that compared to the same period in 2018, there is a reduction of cases by 75 percent.

“The figure is lower by 75 percent compared to the same period last year when a spike of measles cases occurred on the first quarter of 2018 prompting the agency to conduct Outbreak Response Immunization,” Yumang said.

She said that from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10, Davao City had a total of 53 cases compared to the same period in 2018 where measles rose to 89 cases.

Even then, Davao City has the most number of Measles cases in 2019 compared to other places in the Region.

The data from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit revealed that Davao City has the most measles cases at 53, followed by 20 cases in Davao del Sur, 7 cases in Compostela Valley, 5 cases in Davao del Norte and one case in Davao Oriental.

There is also reported case

in Davao Occidental.

The data also showed the mortality of two persons due to complications like pneumonia in Bunawan, Davao City and Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Yumang said that despite of this situation, people must not be complacent and instead, parents and guardians must be informed of bringing their children for immunization.

“We must not be complacent to the number of cases. DOH wants to stop to the transmission of measles right now,” she said.

Yumang also said the non-compliance to the call for government’s immunization cannot be attributed to the Dengvaxia scare since Davao Region was never a pilot area for Dengvaxia immunization.

She said no one came and conveyed to the DOH citing Dengvaxia vaccination as the reason for not allowing their children to be vaccinated.

“Many parents and guardians tend to forget or (they are) busy with something else than bringing their children to the health center for immunization.

We really need to widen the DOH coverage for immunization,” Yumang said.

She said measles is highly contagious and can cause fatal complications especially among infants and young children with malnutrition and weak immune system. (PIA Davao City-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

NEW... FROM 5

• Use only approved specific industry set of standards of devices and equipment for the workplace as applicable.”

• Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) including training, medical examination and when necessary, provisions on protective and safety devices such as personal protective equipment and machine guards.

• Make arrangement for workers and their representatives to participate in the processes of organizing, planning, and implementation, monitoring, evaluation and action for improvement of the OSH management system.

• Provide, when necessary, for measures identifying trainings and drill, evacuation plans, etc., to deal with emergencies, fires, and accidents including first-aid arrangements.”

• Comply with all reportorial requirements of the OSH standards; and register establishment to DOLE as provided under the OSH standards.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure compliance to OSH standards every worker shall: participate in capacity-building activities on safety and health

and other OSH-related topics and programs; proper use of all safeguards and safety devices; comply with instructions to prevent accidents or imminent danger situations; observe prescribed steps to be taken in cases of emergency, including participation on national or local disaster drills; and report any work hazard that may be discovered in the workplace.

Failure or refusal to comply with OSH standards or compliance order shall be deemed willful when done voluntarily, deliberately and intentionally.

An employer, contractor, or subcontractor who is found to have repeatedly violated the same prohibited act shall be penalized of the corresponding fine plus an additional fine equivalent to 50 percent thereof for every instance of repeat violation.

When the violation exposed the worker to death, serious injury, or serious illness, the imposable penalty shall be P100,000.

The department order was signed Dec. 6, 2018; published on Jan. 9, 2019, and was effective Jan. 25, 2019. (JBG/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Election hotspot Torres also said they are still assessing the security situation in various areas of the Cordillera before they can come up with a list of election hotspots.

"We already have the list but it's still subject for validation.

Hopefully, by Friday or Saturday, it would be finalized so we can identify the concrete areas that need to be monitored," he said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) director, Chief Supt. Rolando Nana assured that the number of police personnel who would

secure the region is sufficient and on full alert.

"There are more than 5,000 PNP personnel who are ready to be deputized for the coming election," he said.

Nana said that police on site would be at least 50 meters away from the precincts to provide perimeter security.

He said the police would provide full security from the distribution of supplies to the BEIs before the election and in returning the ballot boxes containing the election returns after the polls. (PNA)

COMELEC... FROM 2

SARANGANI... FROM 2

“The program has actually helped a lot of families these past years. Some of the previous interns were able to put up businesses while others used their earnings to proceed to college,” she said.

Since 2008, the program

9

already produced 58 contract finishers while 28 are currently deployed in various companies in Japan.

A total of 66 scholars are undergoing training with support from the provincial government. (MindaNews)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 16 Davao City

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-DVO-19-00020-SP IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE BIRTH RECORD OF ROSALIE CORTEZO PEREZ WITH REGISTRY NUMBER 55-11479, ETC. ROSALIE CORTEZO PEREZ-ADVINCULA, Petitioner, versus LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR-CITY OF DAVAO, NOLITO CORTEZ PEREZ-THE FATHER, AND ANY PERSON HAVING OR CLAIMING ANY INTEREST UNDER THE ENTRY WHOSE CORRECTION IS SOUGHT, Respondents,

-

X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X ORDER Petitioner in her verified petition prays of this Honorable Court, after due notice and hearing, to issue an Order granting the Petition and to further direct the Local Civil Registrar-City of Davao for the correction of entries in the birth record of the petitioner, ROSALIE CORTEZO PEREZ-ADVINCULA, under Certificate of Live Birth with Registry Number 55-11479, to wit: THE DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE OF PARENTS FROM “JANUARY 1976-Tagum,Davao” TO “N/A” OR “NOT APPLICABLE”; THE LAST NAME OF PETITIONER FROM “PEREZ” TO “CORTEZO”; THE MIDDLE NAME OF THE PETITIONER FROM “CORTISO” TO NO ENTRY; THE MIDDLE NAME OF THE MOTHER FROM BLANK TO “DANAG”; THE MIDDLE NAME OF THE FATHER FROM “C.” TO “CORTEZ”; TO ANNOTATE ON HER CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH THE FACT OF HER LEGITIMATION BY REASON OF THE SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE OF HER PARENTS; and TO ALLOW HER TO USE THE SURNAME OF HER FATHER, “PEREZ”, BY REASON OF HER LEGITIMATION, ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY, AND AS SHE IS PUBLICLY KNOWN AS SUCH. Finding the said petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, it is hereby ordered that said petition be set for hearing on April 25, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning on which date, time and place, all persons who are interested may appear and show cause if any, why said petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least once a week for three (3) consecutive issued at the expense of the petitioner.

Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General a copy of this petition together with annexes.

The Local Civil Registrar, Davao City, and the Assistant City Prosecutor are cited to appear on said date of hearing in order to show cause, if any, why said petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED. Davao City, Philippines, January 09, 2019.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

(sgd.) EMMANUEL C. CARPIO Presiding Judge Jan. 21, 28 & Feb. 04, 2019

10 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

UNDERSTANDING

WHAT LOVE REALLY IS!

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

that several chemicals in our brain, as well as genetics and background, all shape the process of falling in love and, perhaps, more importantly, how long love lasts.

If you’re interested to know all the answers to those questions, please meet Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist

involves different types of chemical reactions within the body (specifically the brain). Along with that, there are different hormones present in the body helping to excite all the three stages separately as well as collectively.

Lust: “Humans meet someone who excites them sexually, with testosterone – in both men and women – playing a

at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is a leading researcher of the science behind love. “(Fisher) divides the process of falling in love and staying in love into three stages – each driven by corresponding hormones that play a part in directing our actions,” explains a special edition of Popular Science on “100 mysteries of science.”

Each stage reportedly

part.”

Attraction: “Once two people establish a mutual attraction, they move on to romantic love, the head-over-heels stage of a relationship. Working in the brain at this point is dopamine, which creates the emotional high of being in love. At the same time, other chemicals, including adrenaline, make the heart pound a little harder when the beloved is around.”

What really love is? Do people really know what it is?

Love is perhaps the most intimate and deepest emotion a person experiences and yet it continues to baffle man and woman alike.

The romantics of the world believe in love at first sight. But out of sight, out of mind, so goes a popular quotation. Yet, absence makes the heart grow fonder, contradicts another saying.

There are those who believe in forever, which means someone to love until till death would part them. Yes, love is imminent; it is inscrutable yet inspiring. The Bible tells us: “But the greatest of them all is love.”

A science-based study conducted by Arthur Arun, the mind of a person takes between 90 seconds to 4 minutes to determine whether it is struck by love or not. Among the findings of the study are as follows: · 55% of the role is played by body language; this means a brain detect the activities of body movement and decides whether it has received the signals of love or not · 38% of the decision to be in love is contributed by the voice – its tone and change in frequency; and · 7% is the reaction to a lover’s statement or choice of words.

But despite all the studies done by researchers and respected authorities, love continues to flummox science. Recent studies suggest, however,

Attachment: “Sustaining a loving relationship is possible, in part because of oxytocin. Scientists have studied the role of this hormone plays in creating a bond between a mother and her child. Oxytocin also helps build the bonds of attachment between partners.”

The publication talks more about oxytocin in these words: “Studies done by Beate Ditzen at the University of Zurich indicate that the hormone makes lovers more able to express their feelings and be supportive of each other. Oxytocin also reduces cortisol, a hormone that stimulates stress. Genes may play a part in how receptive someone is to the power of oxytocin.”

I think most of those who have been in love have undergone these stages. “Once we find the right person, our body responds in particular ways,” the publication states. “Couples with successful, lasting relationships show fewer signs of stress (measured by the fight-or-flight syndrome scale) when they’re conversing, while couples facing rocky times show signs of stress even when talking about mundane things.

Health is at stake when trouble is brewing between couples. “This increased stress between partners can affect their immune and endocrine systems, rising the risk of disease,” the publication points out.

Despite these findings, Fisher believes that biology alone does not

determine who we fall in love with and whether the relationship lasts; “your culture, your background, and your upbringing” also play a significant role.

“But below the surface of our thoughts, biology does indeed operate in shaping our love lives,” Popular Science concludes.

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

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

Ten more years went by and the professors reduced the world’s wisdom to a hundred volumes. “That’s still too much,” the king said. “I’m already seventy years old.

Condense all that wisdom into absolute essentials.”

So, the professors tried again and squeezed all the wisdom of the world into just one book.

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

Love is indeed mysterious, unfathomable,

inscrutable.

Brazilian lyricist and novelist Paulo Coelho is one of those who has a hard time understanding it. ““Love is an untamed force,” he wrote. “When we try to control it, it destroys us.

When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.”

American playwright and poet Natalie Clifford Barney has the same idea when she penned these words: “When you’re in love you never really know whether your elation comes from the qualities of the one you love, or if it attributes them to her; whether the light which surrounds her like a halo comes from you, from her, or from the meeting of your sparks.”

So many knowledgeable personalities try to define it. “Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence,” says Erich Fromm. Poet Khalil Gibran says that love has no desire but to fulfill itself. “To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night,” he adds. “To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.”

In A Writer’s Notebook, William Somerset Maugham wrote: “Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.” Robert A. Heinlein, in Stranger in a Strange Land, penned: “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) passes against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports/Reutersa

Lakers ship continue to sink

J

ohn Collins and Trae Young each scored 22 points and helped the Atlanta Hawks end their three-game losing streak with a 117-113 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

That offset a triple-double from Los Angeles forward LeBron James, who had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. It was his fifth tri-

ple-double of the season.

Atlanta ended a fivegame losing streak to the Lakers and defeated Los Angeles for the first time since March 4, 2016. The victory also ended Atlanta's five-game home losing streak.

Collins scored Atlanta's first eight points and had 17 at the half.

He was 8-for-15 from the field and added eight

Tiger taps stricker, couples as assistants

U

nited States captain Tiger Woods has appointed Fred Couples, Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker as three of his captain’s assistants for this year’s Presidents Cup, the PGA Tour announced on Tuesday.

Woods still has the option to name one final assistant for the Dec. 12-15 event at Royal Melbourne in Australia, where the biennial competition pits a 12-man team from the United States against a lineup of international players from outside Europe.

Couples is a four-times Presidents Cup participant who has also led the U.S. team as captain on three consecutive occasions (2009, 2011, 2013) and has served as a captain’s assistant in the last two editions of the event.

“Freddie and I go way back in the Presidents Cup,” Woods said in a statement. “And we’re basically coming full circle at Royal Melbourne. He and I teamed up in one of our matches in ‘98, I was a captain’s pick in ‘11 and now we get to return there as two leaders of this team.

“We’re going to have some fun, but we’re there to win.”

Stricker, who captained the victorious 2017 U.S. team at

Liberty National where Woods served as one of his assistants, will be making his second stint as a captain’s assistant.

A five-times Presidents Cup competitor (1996, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013), Stricker boasts a 14-10 record and finished with a 2-2 record the last time the Presidents Cup was played at Royal Melbourne in 2011.

“I can’t say enough about the opportunity to serve as an assistant for Tiger’s first captaincy,” said Stricker.

“Tiger was such a valuable member of our team in 2017 and I’m humbled that he sees me as an asset to the 2019 team. I look forward to helping him in any way he may need with his captaincy just like he helped me in 2017.”

For Johnson, it will mark his first stint as a captain’s assistant after four appearances as a player, including in 2007, 2009 and 2013 when he was a team mate of Woods.

Johnson, a 12-times PGA Tour winner, delivered his most impressive Presidents Cup performance in 2015 with a 3-0-1 record, which included two victorious fourball matches with partner Phil Mickelson and a singles win over Jason Day.

rebounds and three assists for the game. Young was only 6-for-19 from the floor, but made three 3-pointers, and had 14 assists and six rebounds.

Atlanta also got 17 points and six rebounds from Taurean Prince and 12 points from Dewayne Dedmon.

The Lakers added 19 points each from Kyle Kuzma and Brandon In-

gram, 15 from Reggie Bullock and 13 from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The Hawks used an 11-0 run in the first quarter and made 10 3-pointers in taking a 38-32 lead after one quarter. Atlanta cooled off in the second period and Ingram, who had 16 first-half points, sparked the Lakers to take a 69-65 halftime lead.

The third quarter was close, with neither team leading by more than five.

Atlanta took a 100-95 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

Atlanta led 110-101 with 6:33 remaining and went 4:45 before scoring again. But Prince drained a 3-pointer with 1:48 left to up Atlanta's lead to seven points.

The Lakers got as

close as three points when James made a layup with 13.9 seconds left, but the Hawks put it away when Kevin Huerter hit two free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining.

The Lakers are off until after the All-Star Game and return to the court at home Feb. 21 against Houston. Atlanta hosts New York on Thursday before the break.

Regrettable DAVRAA casualty

I

lay the blame squarely on the organizers of the DAVRAA concerning the sorry and untimely death of a 12-year old athlete during the regional competitions for the Palarong Pambansa.

I am referring to DepEd and the regional school authorities with jurisdiction over her provincial delegation.

As a parent, my heart grieves for Hadia Eronico, a volleybelle who wore the colors of Davao Oriental in the girls’ elementary division.

As news reports said, she was pronounced dead after being treated in the hospital for what attending doctors initially suspected was dengue. This was, after a detailed diagnosis, amended to severe pneumonia.

I cannot utterly comprehend why delegation officials - her coach and training staff specifically - did not notice Eronico’s state of physical condition as the volleyball team needed to practice regularly before going into the court to play.

Reports said the player from Ilangay, Lupon showed signs of her bad health status as she was coughing during the practice hours.

Clearthat, if ly, there I fully was a undermishanstood dling of the news the situad i s tion that patch, is aggravatthat coned itself cerned because d e l e delegagation tion ofofficials ficials might failed to h a v e meticconsidulously e r e d check the Eroniwe l l - b e co’s case ing of as a simthe parple and ticipatbasic Fred C. Lumba ing team health members. issue I say a n d , this with authority because therefore, did not ring alarm I am witness to several er- bells. rors of judgment of many I am not condemning delegation officials in many the delegation officials’ of the Palaro competitions I omission as much as I would have covered since the late if this were a case of illegal seventies. drugs and human traffickSevere cases of food poi- ing. soning are the major irritants I am putting them on including but not limited to the spot because the Palarstomach aches and diarrhea, ong Pambansa is an annual cough and colds resulting to student sportsfest and that, fever and flu which, to me, by this time, organizers and are basic issues that do not delegation officials already need to be emphasized. know the core issues and What takes the cake is concerns that hound and

SPORTS KEN

stalk them every year.

No amount of explanations nor by any stretch of the imagination - the display of medical certificates and waivers, etc. - will absolve those involved in this regrettable scenario.

Pardon me but I am inclined to think that Hadia was not attended to promptly and adequately, medically speaking.

Why was she not immediately put in the ICU? Did the doctors shake a nonchalant shoulder and diagnosed her situation as a simple case of coughing?

The Dep-ED central office cannot sidestep its responsibility, too.

There should be no finger pointing.

Parents of athletes will now have more than just second thoughts about sending their children to the Palaro competitions.

I call upon the good Sec. Briones to probe deeper and mete out culpability as it is deserved upon those who mis-handled this.

As the song goes: “When will they ever learn? When will they…ever learn?”

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 ISSUE 234 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

LI’L EAGLES

Souped-up DAVRAA cagers begin Palaro grind in March

By ADAM B. MORRELL

F

resh from their title conquest in the 2019 Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) boys elementary basketball, the Davao City little hoopsters vow to improve their artillery in time for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2019 right on their very own turf in May. Scoring a 95-50 win over Compostela Valley in the finals and finishing the tournament with a spotless record, the team made up of choice pick-ups from Ateneo de Davao University (Addu), Assumption College of Davao (ACD) and Stella Maris Academy of Davao (SMAD), and reinforcements from F. Bustamante Elementry School (FBES) and Vicente Hizon, Sr. Elementary School

(VHSES) was simply phenomenal.

But the biggest challenge this Davao City's powerhouse team is yet to come.

Formidable entries from the country's 16 regions with the likes of perennial champions National Capital Region (NCR), Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Central Luzon are out to crowd the chase for the coveted gold medal.

"March na kami mag start ng training for Palarong Pambansa at focus muna kami sa local leagues like Gaisano Cup and United Basketball League among others," Davao City head coach Harry Hipolito said on their preparation for the National conclave.

Although the field is tough, only one thing is certain, Davao

EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

The Davao City squad will represent DAVRAA in this year's Palarong Pambansa.

City will not back down without giving a good fight.

"I think this year's roster is definitely strong enough to compete in the Palaro level. By design talaga to

na kinuha ko na ang the best of the best sa Davao City sa age group nila kasi alam ko tayo ang host," Hipolito said.

Davao Region, to be known as Eagles, will

parade the city's best basketeers in the elementary ranks composed of Samuel Nathan Torres, Jose Julio Garcia IV, Eio Julianne Rosco, Felix Justin O. Domingo, Nathan-

iel Jose Biliran, Adriane Macavinta, Marco James Sabio, Miguel Antonio P. Bacalso, Karl Dominic Te and Jian Torres, Neil Layogue and Klent Japheth Plarisan.