Edge Davao 9 Issue 108

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

PURE MUSCLE. A worker uses brute force to pull a block of ice towards a storage facility in Bankerohan, Davao City yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

RODY’S SONA ‘SATISFACTORY’ SONA sets clear‘policy direction’for next 6 years Moro, Lumad TV channels soon to air in Mindanao

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

USINESS leaders in Mindanao gave President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) a “satisfactory” rating.

Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) chairman Vicente T. Lao, in a text message said, the septuagenarian president was able to give a “clear policy direction” for the next six years of his administration.

Meanwhile, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) president Bonifacio Tan said the business sector of the city, where Pres. Durterte

served as mayor for more than two decades, is satisfied with the President’s SONA. “We are satisfied, and would like to see the good result in the implementation,” Tan said.

When asked which projects of the current administration will be most beneficial to the business sector, he said it was the plan to implement the long-awaited Mindanao Railway System. “[The] most beneficial project with big impact to economy [is the] Mindanao Railway System,” he said in

a text message yesterday.

Duterte said during his SONA that he will push for the construction of the proposed railway system as part of his agenda to increase public spending on infrastructure and improve logistics and connectivity in this part of the country.

“Six years lalabas yan. I assure you,” Duterte said, as he assured Mindanawons that the project will come into fruition.

Duterte, along with the business sector here, believes that the railway system will be a major engine of growth because it will

facilitate the more efficient movement of agricultural products and other goods across key areas in Mindanao Earlier, then Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) and now City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) chief Ivan C. Cortez said two foreign investors from the US and Korea have expressed interest in constructing the long-proposed Mindanao-wide railway system, with Davao City as the focal point because of the existing market opportunity here.

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

OR President Rodrigo Duterte, better management of public information means providing Muslims and the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) greater access to broadcast and television facilities wherein they will be given the opportunity to showcase their rich cultures, traditions and aspirations.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 25, President Duterte said that his administration will establish the first Muslim and Lumad television channels and make it an integral part

of the Presidential Communications Satellite Office (PCSO) in Davao City,.

The Muslim channel, he said, will be called Salaam Television.

Duterte also called on Congress to create the People’s Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) to replace the present People’s Television Network or PTV-4.

The government-run TV station, the president said “now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks.”

He added that teams

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

RODY SOUVENIRS. A license plate maker displays souvenir car plates bearing the slogan of President Rodrigo R. Duterte along Quezon Boulevard in Davao City yesterday. Vendors selling Duterte souvenir items said the sales

Mayor Sara back in harness

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AYOR Sara Duterte-Carpio is now back in action after resting for a day based on the advise of her doctor, according to city information office chief Jefry Tupas.

“Mayor Inday Sara (Duterte) is not on leave. She took an urgent rest yesterday (Monday) upon the advice of her doctor,” Tupas said.

He explained that although the mayor is still in Manila as of this writing, she is already attending to the affairs of the city by directing the various heads of the city government.

On Monday, the mayor arrived in Manila to attend his father, President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA), However, she was advised by her doctor to take a rest after undergoing a regular check-up at St. Lukes’ Medical Hospital.

She was supposed to represent the Duterte family on behalf of her mother, Elizabeth, brothers Paolo and Sebastian, but due to her health condition, it was her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, who attended the SONA. FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

President Duterte’s first SONA, music to ears of business community

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N official of various business groups has lauded the message of President Rodrigo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Philippines Founder Francis Chua said President Duterte’s speech on Monday was “music to the business sector”.

Chua, who is also the chairman emeritus of the country’s largest business registration Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), was referring to President Duterte’s vow to ease doing business by simplifying processes in business registration, issuance of permits and licenses

both in national and local government levels.

The official likewise has welcomed President Duterte’s move to lower corporate and income taxes to make the country more attractive to investors.

He also lauded the Chief Executive’s assurance that his government will be clean.

“All of these are music to business sector,” said Chua.

“We have a very sincere and honest President who pours his heart out. He created a new culture where he departed from the tradition of pointing out the mistakes and blaming the previous administration,” he added.

(PNA)

of their merchandise increased after the president’s State of the National Address (SONA) on Monday afternoon.

Lean Daval Jr.

City’s drug surrenderees balloon to over 5,000

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE number of drug personalities who have voluntarily submitted themselves to authorities for reformation has ballooned to 5,038 for the period July 1 to 26.

This was according to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Inspector Christine Dela Rey. Dela Rey said that through the PNP’s Tokhang initiative, individuals who have reportedly been involved in the illegal drug

trade were finally convinced to turn over themselves to authorities.

In President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), he said that authorities would not stop going after drug personalities until all of them have surrendered, placed behind bars, or put below the ground.

According to Dela Rey, the DCPO has conducted a series of anti-illegal drug operations in line with the

President’s directive to stamp out the drug problem which has been plaguing the nation.

“From July 1 to 26 the DCPO conducted 95 buybust operations,” Dela Rey said, adding that out of the 95 buy-bust operations they have carried out, a total of 68.4295 grams of shabu were seized.

She added that during the same operations, 17 individuals were neutralized for battling it out law enforcers.

A night after the SONA of Duterte, a male victim identified as Joel Magdipi Maybano was shot dead in city.

Maybano, who had been allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade, posted bail a year ago at the Bunawan Police Station after being implicated in a drug-related case.

Based on PNP data, 17,211 individuals involved in illegal drugs have surrendered to authorities in the Davao region from July 1 to 10.

assured the organization “would be able to respond to or reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire declaration of the GRP soon after receiving its full text.”

Jalandoni also assured government chief negotiator Sec. Silvestre Bello III that the NDFP would study its ceasefire proposal carefully and make the appropriate response.

The NDFP chair assumed that the declaration of the ceasefire by the government would lead to the release of all

current political prisoners under an amnesty proclamation that will be issued by President Duterte and concurred in by a majority of Congress, based on the GPH-NDFP Joint Statement issued by both parties in Oslo on June 15, 2016.

“To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities, and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/ NPA/NDF effective immedi-

ately,” President Duterte said during his SONA on Monday.

After the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, the president called on the NDFP and its forces, the NPA, to respond accordingly.

In his statement, Jalandoni said he was looking forward to the resumption of formal talks in Oslo on August 20-27 when the members of both panels would, at the latest, exchange ceasefire declarations in order to discuss and agree further on how to make them effective.

NDFP welcomes declaration of unilateral ceasefire

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) welcomed the declaration made by President Rodrigo Duterte calling for a unilateral ceasefire between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the NDFP-backed New People’s Army (NPA).

In a statement, NDFP chair Luis Jalandoni “affirmed that the NDFP shared with President Duterte the determination to work for a just and lasting peace” and

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Groups laud signing of EO on FOI

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

ARIOUS groups welcomed the signing of an Executive Order (EO) on the Freedom of Information (FOI)by President Rodrigo Duterte last Saturday, July 23 The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said the EO on FOI is “the swift fulfilment of a promise he made during his campaign.”

The NUJP added that although the bill seems better than the version crafted by the previous administration and endorsed to Congress, it is hoping that any exceptions to the EO’s coverage will not dilute its essence and intent.

The group also urged Congress to enshrine freedom of Information as part and parcel of governance in the country through legislation.

NUJP also called on the government to expand and strengthen the freedom of the press and of information by working to end media killings and to solve past murders, bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to the culture of impunity that has marked the continued disregard for human life and human rights in our land.

The group also called on the administration to do away with all laws that suppress free expression, such as criminal libel law, and enacting measures that strengthen the same.

“NUJP calls on every freedom loving Filipino to be

vigilant that whatever gains are made are protected and should continue to expand the borders of press freedom in the country,” the media group sad.

Last Monday, during his first State of the National Address (SONA), President Duterte called on the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to coordinate with the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Legal Counsel in implementing the approved EO on FOI. “There is an executive order; it’s out. As an example on the part of the Executive Branch to make transparency and integrity as yardsticks in government performance, savings and expenses while engaging the public to be vigilant in participating in government programs and projects,” Duterte said.

The president added that the PCO, in coordination with the Office of the Executive Secretary, is now drafting the Administrative Order (AO) on the Task Force on media killings.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the signing of the EO of FOI is “very good and long awaited step in the quest for transparency and accountability in government.”

Rep. Zarate is the principal author of House Bill No. 334, otherwise known as “An Act to Ensure Public Access to Official Records, Documents and

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Sara’s priorities: Poverty education, children’s health

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AVAO City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has ordered the heads of all departments and offices in the city government to ensure the effective implementation of the 10-point agenda she presented to them last Monday.

In a message transmitted through her Chief of Staff, lawyer Raul Nadela Jr, and acting City Administrator Dwight Domingo, the mayor also urged the department heads to draft their 2017 budget “based on realistic targets” anchored on her 10 priorities.

The department, she said, should “create projects that significantly contribute” to the agenda she has set.

Inday Sara’s Top 10 priorities include poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, solid waste management, health, education, agriculture, tourism, transportation planning and traffic management, peace and order, and disaster risk re-

duction and mitigation.

“My vision is simple,” the mayor said. “I want our constituents to have gainful employment, decent housing, educated and healthy children, able to eat three meals a day, and to be safe and secured in their daily activities.”

The department heads, she stressed, should take the lead in making sure that the people of the city will experience meaningful and sustainable change and development under her administration.

“You are empowered to do whatever you want to improve productivity and you are accountable for your team’s output,” she said.

The mayor, upon her return, will also refer specific projects to certain offices for implementation.

“I have several specific projects on my list and I will individually refer [these] o the offices concerned the implementation,” she said. (CIO)

WATER TAXIS. A passenger ferry carrying commuters, mostly students, from S.I.R. Matina is about to dock in Magallanes, Davao City yesterday.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte stated in his State of the Nation Address (SONA)

on Monday an urgent need to use the country’s leading Metropolitans’ waterways to decongest the streets from monstrous traffic jams. Lean Daval Jr.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SWS: 63% of Pinoys expect President Duterte to fulfill‘most’of his promises

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METAL MASTER. A welder works on a metal structure which will be installed on one of the buildings within the People’s Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

OST Filipinos expect President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill “most” of his promises, the latest survey by independent pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) bared.

The survey first published

by Business World showed that 41 percent of the 1,200 respondents expect the president “to fulfill most of the promises” while 22 percent expect him to make good “all or nearly all of the promises.”

Thirty-two percent of respondents said they expect “a few” promises would be fulfilled, 1 percent said “almost none or none,” while 3 percent could not answer.

Done through face-to-face interviews, the survey was conducted from June 24-27 ahead of President Duterte’s June 30 inauguration. The results were released on July

25, the day President Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address.

Among geographical areas, optimism was highest in Mindanao where Pres. Duterte hails, at 75 percent (49 percent said “most” promises would be fulfilled while 26 percent said “all or nearly all”).

The National Capital Region followed with 66 percent (24 percent “all or nearly all” and 42 percent “most”); 60 percent in “Balance Luzon” (22 percent “all or nearly all,” 38 percent “most”) and 54 percent in the Visayas (18 percent “all or nearly all,” 36 percent “most”).

Across social classes, 69 percent of the respondents belonging to Class ABC, 65 percent of those in E and 63 percent of those in D said Pres.

Duterte can fulfill most, if not all, of his promises. (PNA)

AVAO Light and Power Co. has announced a 15-minute power interruption on July 28, Thursday, anytime between 6:00 AM to 6:30AM, affecting customers in Panacan, Tibungco and Bunawan.

This service disruption will be necessary to facilitate the construction of a 138 kV line in Davao Light’s Don Ramon Substation.

Customers affected are those from Panacan Substation going to Tibungco and Bun-

awan up to Licanan.

Davao Light apologized for the inconvenience the scheduled power interruption would cause, as it promised to exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier.

However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact DLPC’s emergency service at 229-3572 for any power interruption that might fall outside the indicated schedule.

Top military brass amenable D to GPH-CPP ceasefire

15-minute power interruption on July 28 in Bunawan, Panacan and Tibungco

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE Easter Mindanao Command welcomes the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte between the Government of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, EMC spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey said.

“We welcome the declaration of ceasefire, and we are in one with the president by calling the NPA to recipro-

cate it with the same gesture,” Balagtey said.

He said their office has not recorded any military-related incidents since over the weekend.

However, despite the unilateral ceasefire declared, military operations within their areas of coverage will still continue, said Balagtey.

“The ceasefire will be effective immediately, but

the mandate to protect the communities will remain,” he stressed.

Earlier, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) spokesperson Fidel Agcaoili said that his group is ready to issue a ceasefire if the government of the Philippines decides to declare a truce.

This was similarly welcomed by Jose Maria Sison,

founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Several NPA members have already surrendered to authorities, after deciding to turn in a new leaf.

From January to July 2016, the EMC has recorded 192 rebels surrenderees, while another 76 were apprehended during military operations.

2°C limit of temperature increase” in reality would translate into much more than that in the developing world -- with more than 4 degrees for Africa alone.

President Rodrigo Duterte himself has criticized the Paris deal and threatened not to have it ratified. He has ordered a review of the “crazy” commitments the Philippines may have made when it signed the accord last April.

He said as much in his July 25 State of the Nation address. The Senate has issued a statement it will not ratify the treaty following Duterte’s pronouncement.

Salceda, who was among the first to voice opposition to the Paris deal, however, said Manila’s signature on it does not mean final commitment, for which reason it has to be ratified by the Senate.

The United States, he pointed out was a signatory too to the Kyoto Protocol, but chose not to become a Party to it.

In an article he wrote last February, he lamented that “Western-dominated media hailed the COP21 Paris Agreement but ignored the dissenting voices from developing countries including the Philippines.”

Ratification for the Philippines, Salceda said, means looking into what was put on the table as our “intended nationally determined contributions which were mainly formulated under the tutelage of developed countries, without consultations with concerned sectors of our society.”

Ratifying the accord, he warned, “may lock our people in poverty for the rest of their existence until we are completely annihilated by continued extreme weather events.”

An active climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) campaigner, Salceda said the Philippines has been fulfilling its commitments for over 20 years under the Kyoto Protocol.

“Despite our state of development, our country has honored its UN climate commitments under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, currently the only two treaty instruments on climate change that are in force. The Paris agreement has not entered into force yet and is, therefore not legally binding yet on the Philippines,” he added.

Salceda explained that while Philippines signed the agreement in April 2016, its signature, under international

law, creates only an obligation under Art. 18(a) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties to “refrain from acts which would defeat the object or purpose of the treaty... until it shall have made its intention clear not to become a party to the treaty.”

If the Senate ratifies the Paris agreement, the Philippines will have committed to severely cut by 70 percent its greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030 from 2000 levels, if it gets support from developed nations to convert to clean technologies.

Salceda said the Philippine pledge, like those of other developing countries, was made on two motivations: 1) that it would be matched with the same commitment by developed countries, which did not materialize, and; 2) it was conditional on financing and technology transfer which also was not provided.

Based on the two unfulfilled criteria, Salceda lamented, developed countries have “transformed ambition into folly.”

The Kyoto deal was aimed at curbing emissions but only 19 countries including France and island-states threatened by rising sea levels have so far

Move towards federalism shifts to high gear at House

Salceda says PHL worse off under Paris Agreement I

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LBAY 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda said the Philippines should not ratify the 2015 Paris climate agreement adopted during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) last December 2015 because the country will be worse under it.

Salceda was former cochair in 2013-2014 of the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board where he represented Southeast Asia and developing countries but has criticized the Paris accord as early as February this year, branding it as a “bad agreement” because it shifts the burden of responsibility of reducing carbon emissions to developing countries, and away from their wealthy counterparts which have “actually caused untold damage to the environment” in the past decades.

The Paris agreement is a compilation of pledges to hold the increase of global average temperature to “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and “to pursue efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

Salceda, however, said the global average of “well below

F SALCEDA, 10

N his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday before the Joint Session of Congress, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made a fresh pitch for one of his pet advocacies — a shift to federalism, a system in which states share power with the national government.

The President is strongly advocating for federalism as a better system of governance for the Philippines, arguing that regions outside Metro Manila receive an unfairly small budget allocation from the Internal Revenue Allotment.

He is also advocating federalism in order to promote lasting peace and holistic economic growth throughout the Philippines.

But even before his SONA, the House of Representatives had already started the ball rolling towards achieving this aspiration, knowing well that the process involved would be a long and arduous one.

At the start of the terms of the present crop of lawmakers, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alavarez filed the very first House Resolution of the 17th Congress calling for the immediate convening of a constitutional convention (ConCon) to amend the Constitution so as to make the form of government more responsive to the needs of the nation.

The newly-installed Speaker of the House said

that “though lawmakers are amenable to revising the 1987 Constitution to pave the way to a federal system of government, the best mode is through a Constitutional Convention wherein the delegates who will propose revisions are regionally elected for that purpose.

“This process shall ensure that the people-at-large, from the very outset, shall be part of the changes that will be introduced for the fundamental structure of our society,” Alvarez said.

The move is fully supported by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles who said that that the groundwork for the charter change initiative should start this early because it would require a lot of studies, research and intelligent debates.

“It may sound very simple but changing a system of government is an arduous task.

Going to the nitty-gritty of dividing our regions into federal states and creating new administrative positions would require long hours of serious deliberation,” he said.

It will be also a huge debate on whether or not Charter Change (ChaCha) would just cover provisions on the system of government or it would also cover other contentious provisions touching on the

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Poor, underdeveloped localities in Mindanao to benefit from federalism

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OCALITIES in Mindanao, especially the poor and underdeveloped, will greatly benefit from the shift to the federal system of government being pushed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Former Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said Tuesday federalism will mainly give more autonomy to provinces, cities and municipalities in the island and essentially place them in a better position to develop and prosper.

Under a federal system, he explained that local government units (LGUs) will have more independence in terms of governance, utilization of resources and in charting their own path to development.

Dominguez, who is currently involved in policy work on hunger and nutrition with the World Bank, said it’s high time for the country to embrace federalism.

He said one indicator is that a majority of the people, especially those in Mindanao, are already fed up with “imperial Manila,” wherein “95 percent of the country’s wealth is concentrated there.”

The national government “needs to pull power out of NCR (National Capital Region) or Metro Manila to allow other areas to develop,” he said.

The former governor said the expanded autonomy

brought about by the change to a federal system will also help address the decades-old Bangsamoro rebellion in Mindanao.

“Instead of leaving it to some planners in Matro Manila, people like us in the regions, can start deciding what’s good for us, and with more independence and decentralization, we can chart our own destiny,” he said.

Dominguez said that under a federal system, LGUs will eventually learn to become more mature in terms of governance.

He said Mindanao LGUs are 90 percent dependent on the IRA or Internal Revenue Allotment from the national government and don’t generate income.

“I think more autonomy will give us more progress here in the regions and everyone will benefit from it, especially the poor,” he said.

Dominguez, who was earlier considered by President Duterte for a cabinet position but declined due to personal reasons, believes the shift to federal system of government will materialize based on the President’s timetable of four to five years.

“Knowing the President, he will really push for it and make sure that it will happen.

But as his style indicates, it will still have to undergo extensive consultations,” he said. (PNA)

Mindanao provincial gov gives President Duterte’s SONA a‘10’

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ROVINCIAL Governor Soraya Alonto Adiong of Lanao Del Sur rated President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State Of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday a perfect “10”.

Adiong said that after watching the SONA, she expressed optimism that sincere reforms would be expected under the Duterte administration.

“With that, I gave President Duterte the satisfying perfect 10 rating on a scale of 10,” said Adiong, the governor of the predominantly Moslem province in the Northern Mindanao region.

Adiong said most of Mr. Duterter’s plans, policies, and programs were also in line with her 8-point “Agenda of Governance.”

“Like President Duterte, it is my goal to eradicate illegal activities such as ‘using and pushing’ of illegal drugs here in Lanao Del Sur,” she said.

Adiong also admired the President’s deep respect for women and sees them as partners in nation-building.

She said that her administration would formulate a gender development program, especially for the women, youth and senior citizens, as she considers them as allies for a better Lanao Del Sur. Adiong said that “the President also wants to see a healthy constituency and I echo this desire by enhancing

the current health programs of the province.”

She said that in line with Duterte’s tourism program, she would also promote the “Maranao culture,” in order to help generate income in the localities.

Adiong said she welcomed the President’s intentions to build road networks connecting the country’s islands to boost the country’s tourism industry.

She said that the province of Lanao Del Sur could make use of its existing road networks where the “Maranao culture” in the hinterland villages could be opened to non-Maranaos as part of the province’s tourism program.

She said that her administration is also working to foster a stable peace and order climate in the area by implementing plans, policies, and programs largely involving the provincial peace and order council.

Adiong said that she also subscribed to the “union of God and State” while observing the “separation of the Church and State” that President Duterte adheres to.

“My administration wants an enhanced spiritual well-being in order that ‘Allah the Almighty’ could lead the public officials to perform honestly and diligently as part of the people’s mandate,” Adiong said. (PNA)

ARENA-11 (Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region 11) president and and DPWH 11 regional director Mariano R. Alquiza addresses government employees during the organization’s third

quarterly flag-raising ceremony held at the People’s Park in Davao City.

Alquiza emphasized the importance of unity among government agencies to achieve national goals. (DPWH XI RPAIO)

ARMM pins hope on President Duterte to lead them to federalism T

HE people of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have put their faith in the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, so much so that they are willing to go where he leads them in the next six years of his administration, as they pledged their support to the chief executive’s proposal to shift from a unitary to a federal system of government.

In a statement referring to Monday’s first State of the Nation Address by the President, a high-spirited ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said he was moved by Duterte’s emphasis on putting an end to the centuries-old culture of distrust, as he gave his commitment to work with the national government to vigorously address the grievances of the Bangsamoro people.

“With that, the President

has affirmed our history as a people and speaks of our pain and struggle with a familiarity few people have,” Hataman said.

He added the gesture of the President to extend the hand of unity in hopes of ending centuries of mistrust and warfare reflects his commitment to achieve lasting peace before his term ends.

“We welcome President Duterte’s expression of good faith and commitment to providing solutions to the problems in Mindanao, may it be in the federal form of government which he deemed is the best solution to the Mindanao conflict,” Hataman said.

“In the same spirit, we also affirm our commitment to working with the national government and, in doing so, we will continue to bring the Bangsamoro agenda to the ta-

ble and bring the voice of the people closer to the President and the nation’s listening ear,” he added.

More so, the governor said he admired the stand of the Chief Executive on security issues affecting southern Philippines on the face of what he what he called non-traditional threats and transnational crimes.

“The move to coordinate with Indonesia and Malaysia with regard to securing our shared borders is a step towards the right direction, as we in the regional government continue to mobilize resources to address the threat of terrorism near and within our shores,” Hataman said.

This developed as the congregated Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) vowed to positively

respond to the commitment of the Duterte administration on finishing the decades–old southern peace process soonest.

“His positive approach to the peace process through federalism has inspired us, giving us hope to push through with the initiative amid all odds in the past,” said Muslimin Sema, chair of MNLF Council of 15, the largest of three MNLF faction existing in the country to date.

For his part, MILF chair Al Haj Murad said there is still a lot work ahead for those who are pushing for federalism which his group supports - and he expressed pride that Maranao blood runs in the veins of the President himself.

“This makes me proud to be a Bangsamoro,” he said during one of the radio interviews here. (PNA)

oath on Monday in a ceremony held at the PRO-12 headquarters in Barangay Tambler here.

“Their promotion was mainly based on qualification and acquired merits in their assignments,” he said in a statement.

The police official said 62 of the promoted police officers are from various units of the PRO-12, while the 15 others are from the PNP’s national support unit.

Under the PRO-12, he said

four were elevated to the rank of Superintendent, 24 to Chief Inspector, 31 to Senior Inspector and three to Inspector.

Five personnel under the national support unit were promoted to Chief Inspector and 10 to Senior Inspector.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, challenged the newly-promoted police officers to further improve their performance and become role models to other personnel.

He noted that promotions

do not come easy and that every rank reached by every police officer has a corresponding responsibility.

“It (promotion) happens to only a few people in our line of service. It is for those who work unselfishly for the benefit of many and render their full time to service,” he said.

Train added that getting a promotion is not about the increase in salary but the prestige that the new ranks provide.

(PNA)

“The fighting was very intense but our troops held their ground and drove away the guerillas,” Sobejana told reporters.

Sobejana withheld the name of lone Army fatality until his next of kin are fully informed. Wounded were Corporal Ireneo Bahian, Private First Class (Pfc) Kristian Andrade, Pfc. Melvin Ejada and Pfc. Marlon Gravillo.

According to Sobejana, the BIFF attackers were led

by Kagi Karialan, the new leader of the outlawed group, after it ousted Commander Bungos.

He said fighting was still raging as of 3:00 p.m.

The 6th Infantry Division had to use two MG-520 attack helicopters to provide cover to grounds troops in retrieving the fatality and injured infantrymen.

Major General Edmundo R Pangilinan, 6th ID chief, urged Commander Karalian to voluntarily surrender to the government to avoid further bloodshed.

“It would be best that they surrender so that there will be no more bloodshed,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

Both Sobejana and Pangilinan confirmed BIFF fatalities whose remains were retrieved and turned over to local officials for their rela-

tives to claim.

Members of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team and the government and MILF ceasefire committees have proceeded to Sharif Saydona town center to ensure no mis-encounter will take place between government forces and MILF. Several families have started to flee to nearby villages, as they fear that they might be caught in the cross fire.

Sobejana said the national highway linking Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City remained passable but advised commuters to avoid the highway at night. (PNA)

77 police officers in Region 12 promoted

A

T least 77 commissioned police officers in Region 12 have been promoted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) central office.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., Police Regional Office (PRO)12 public information officer, those who received promotions were able to pass the qualification standards set by the PNP and the National Police Commission.

The newly-promoted police officers formally took their

7 dead, 14 injured in Army-BIFF clash in Maguindanao

S

IX Moro bandits and a soldier were killed while 14 others, 10 of whom were bandits and four soldiers, were injured when the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters clashed anew in Maguindanao.

Colonel Lito Sobejana, commander of the military’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said the fighting broke out before dawn Tuesday when about 100 BIFF guerillas armed with cal. 50 sniper rifle and rocket propelled grenades attacked the base of 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao.

EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Davao City hosts int’l coco confab

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

H

crc@edgedavao.net

UNDREDS of local and foreign stakeholders of the coconut industry will gather today for the opening of the three-day International Coconut Conference at the SMX Davao Convention Center, in Lanang, Davao City.

Coco Link 2016, which aims to provide a venue to discuss pressing issues affecting the coconut sector, will focus on the theme “bridging industries” and attaining sustainability.

This year’s event was organized by the Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster Inc. (DRCIC), Department of Trade

and industry (DTI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and USDA-funded ACDI/Voca.

CocoLink 2016 - a threeday event featuring an exhibit, business-matching, technical lectures, demos, seminars, and farm tours - will be participated by local and foreign coconut growers, manufacturers, processors, experts, and traders.

Among the key issues to be discussed during the plenary sessions are the rehabilitation of production areas for coconut, lack of access to credit and financing, low income of farmers, and absence of high-yielding seed varieties.

On the first day, Dr. Uron Salum, executive director of Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), will update participants on the state of the world’s coconut industry, while PCA regional manager Rex Buac will give a situationer on the Philippine coconut industry.

Anders Haagen, an Indian expert, will talk about coconut seedling production based on his country’s experience, and Cacao Industry Development Association for Mindanao (CIDAMI) executive director Valente Turtur will share success stories on coconut-based

farm diversification, a model developed by the organization.

In the afternoon, Ayyamani Jagadish, a consultant from Barry Callebaut and an international expert will discuss programs on cacao-coconut intercropping.

On the other hand, Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, director for Technology Transfer and Promotion Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will give an overview on the coconut mass produc-

tion in the country through somatic embryogenesis.

The second day will focus on “catapulting coconut products to the global market.”

Technical experts from various agriculture fields will discuss different market opportunities in US and Europe, and the use of free trade agreements and EU-GSP+ as access to the global market The third day will be dedicated to the conduct of the 3rd Coco Coir Conference.

Trade undersecretary Senen C. Perlada said 20 foreign coconut buyers coming from US, Korea, Japan, UAE,

Hotel developments in PHL booming with robust demand from tourism market -- JLL

A

ECO-TRIKES. An e-trike driver waits for commuters composed of elementary students outside a school along Ponce Street in Davao City yesterday. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said e-trikes are not yet authorized to ply the city’s streets as the franchise routes for the vehicles are still pending. Lean Daval Jr.

ING economist sees inflation pressures from tax reforms A

N economist of ING Bank Manila forecasts a possible increase in the domestic inflation rate in the latter part of 2016 due in part to possible effect of tax reform-related inflation pressures.

This, was in reaction to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, where in he announced his government’s bid to cut personal and income tax rates in the country to make it competitive in Asia and make it more equitable and efficient.

The additional liquidity that this move will create is seen to result to inflationary pressures, ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a research note Tuesday.

Last May, growth of domestic liquidity, or M3, posted a faster growth of 13.5

percent from month-ago’s revised 12.8 percent after total money sloshing in the economy reached Php 8.7 trillion.

During the same month, outstanding loans of commercial banks, excluding placements with the central bank’s reverse repurchase (RRP) facility, rose by 17.7 percent from month-ago’s 15.6 percent. Including RRP placements, bank lending rose by 16.6 percent from last April’s 14.9 percent.

Money supply continues to remain high, with excess liquidity still notable, given the increasing demand for credit in line with the improvement in the domestic expansion, among others.

However, M3 growth has slowed after hitting 37.3 percent in January 2014 due to attractiveness of the domestic economy to foreign businessmen back by improved eco-

nomic fundamentals.

The normal M3 growth in the Philippines is at higher single digit to lower double digit, but its growth became a problem in 2013-14 due to its impact on the rate of price increases.

In 2013, inflation averaged at three percent but hit its highest in December when it reached 4.1 percent.

The following year, inflation almost hit the higher end of the government’s 2012-14 inflation target of three to five percent target after posting a 4.9 percent rate in July and August.

The liquidity-related inflation pressure in 2013 was addressed through the ban of foreign funds from the BSP’s special deposit account (SDA) facility and the investment management account (IMA), which are retail investments pooled by banks, and the cut

in the SDA’s interest rate to 2.5 percent.

With these measures, deposits in the SDA facility have gone down to about Php 1 trillion after hitting almost Php 2 trillion in April 2013.

M3 growth started to go down since February 2014 and has normalized since then.

Cuyegkeng said current M3 growth “is appropriate to allow economic growth while keeping demand pull pressures contained.” ”Additional liquidity coming from regulatory easing would likely become a key focus later this year or early next year,” he said referring to the projected adjustment in banks’ reserve requirement as excess liquidity in the system remains.

“BSP would likely need to balance tax reform-induced inflation pressures (and likely

F ING, 10

and other European countries are set to visit Davao City to participate in the conference’s business matching activities.

“It is time for the Philippines to expand its footprint in the global market by innovating on its coconut-based products according to the demand of the market,” he said in an earlier press conference in Davao City.

“We must be able to lead this particular sector because we have the quality, productivity and manpower,” he said, adding the country is one of the top coconut producers and exporters in the world.

GREATER demand for hotel rooms in the country is expected in the next five years largely due to robust demand from the tourism market, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Philippines Country Director Lindsay Orr said.

In a briefing Tuesday, Orr mentioned that there is a booming construction of hotels within and outside Metro Manila from this year up to 2021.

In the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, some 11,610 additional hotel rooms are expected for 2016 to 2021.

A bulk of these new accommodations will come from the Bay City and Manila Bay area with 5,760 rooms to come from the soon to rise Tryp by Wyndham, Admiral Suite MGallery Collection, Manila Bay Resorts, Hotel Okura Manila, and The Westin Manila Bayshore.

Some 1,990 rooms will be added in Makati City from developments such as World Hotel & Residences, Valero Grand Suites, Seda Circuit Makati, Gateway Makati, Mandarin Oriental Manila, and Seda Ayala Center.

In New Port City, hotel

developments such as Savoy Hotel, Hilton Manila, and Sheraton Manila will supply an additional 1,450 rooms to the market.

Bonifacio Global City (BGC) will likewise supply another 1,050 hotel rooms in the coming years as soon as Grand Hyatt Manila, Seda Arca South, and Seda Hotel BGC Expansion will become operational.

Some 960 hotel rooms will be added in Ortigas Center and Pasig City area with developments from Mercure Hotel, Citadines Millenium, Westin Manila Sonata Place, and Novotel Suites Manila while Seda Hotel Vertis North will open 400 new hotel rooms in Quezon City’s tourism market in the next few years.

Moreover, Orr noted that branded hotels are also expanding outside Manila.

Megaworld Corp. will be opening Boracay Savoy and Boracay Belmont in 2016 and 2018 respectively, as well as Richmonde Iloilo this year and Courtyard by Marriott next year.

Ayala Land Inc.’s hotel projects outside NCR, on the other hand, include Seda Lio

F HOTEL, 10

DOE reaffirms support to President Duterte’s energy policy

T

HE Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday reiterated its support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust towards accelerating economic growth by implementing energy policies that will address the country’s various power needs.

“The DOE is mandated to ensure energy supply as the country is still in the process of industrialization,” said DOE spokesperson Wimpy Fuentebella in a statement, noting that a developing country like the Philippines has low carbon emissions.

Fuentebella stressed that the country must therefore utilize the available energy sources needed for industrialization.

Currently, the Philippines has a fuel mix target of coal at 30 percent, natural gas at 30

percent, renewable energy at 30 percent and 10 percent for oil-based sources.

In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte said his administration will primarily address the problems arising from climate change without hindering the country’s economic development.

“Addressing climate change shall be a top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation. It should not stymie our industrialization,” Duterte said.

The President earlier said the Paris agreement on climate change hinders the progress of developing countries, as the industrialized countries dictate the course of developing ones by requiring them to slash emissions. (PNA)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

BIMP-EAGA TVET Network. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) leaders and stakeholders from the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) headed by TESDA XI Regional Director and Head of the BIMP-EAGA Socio-Cultural and Education Cluster Gaspar Gayona (3rd from right),

7

Mindanao Development Authority Secretary and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA Luwalhati Antonino (center), and TESDA Deputy Director Rosanna Urdaneta (3rd from left) pose for a group photo during the 1st BIMPEAGA TVET Forum held at TESDA XI Regional Training Center from July 18 to 19, 2016. (MinDA)

EAGA eyes creation of network to strengthen TVET initiatives A

LTFRB to cut transaction processing time by 80% this week

A

NETWORK of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers and institutions in the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will be developed to harmonize TVET initiatives within the sub-region.

The formation of this network was among the agreements reached during the recently concluded 1st BIMP-EAGA TVET forum, which gathered more than 100 TVET sector representatives from the sub-region.

Industry stakeholders have also agreed to develop a directory of TVET institutions and providers within EAGA that will help facilitate the creation of the network.

“It has been our vision for EAGA’s TVET sector to have a clear and united direction for developing the sub-region’s skilled workers, and the creation of this network will serve as an effective platform in achieving that goal,”

said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

One of the key functions of the network is to develop enabling policies and mechanics that will result to mutually recognized Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) programs and certifications among the member-countries of the sub-region.

Antonino, who is also the Philippine signing minister for EAGA added, “the creation of the TVET network within the sub-region will also facilitate the achievement of our other goal, which is to adopt incubation centers as BIMP-EAGA Centers of Excellence.”

An incubation center is a facility that provides specialized training on specific TVET skills. Incubation centers that have developed their own set of best practices, as well as conducted sufficient research and technical support for a focused area of expertise will eventually become BIMP-EA-

GA’s Centers of Excellence by following a set of standards and guidelines that will be agreed among TVET stakeholders within the sub-region.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) Regional Training Center – Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) here in this city is identified as one of the institutions poised to become BIMP-EAGA’s Center of Excellence in agri modernization. Other EAGA member-countries will identify their respective centers.

“The creation of the network is just the start of a synergistic interaction with our fellow TVET leaders and providers across the sub-region, and we hope to see more EAGA TVET programs and projects develop from this network,” said TESDA XI Regional Director Gaspar Gayona.

He added that following the creation of the network, TVET industry players are planning to conduct more

officials of Malungon town led

by Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino to discuss the proposed expansion venture in the area.

They were joined by Aida Blanco of the Philippine Palm Oil Development Council Inc. (PPDCI).

Osman said Malungon had been identified by the PPDCI as a viable expansion area for oil palm plantations and the establishment of a refinery plant.

The company has already contracted around 5,000 hectares of land in Palawan and in the Agusan provinces for the initial phase of the venture, which includes the development of refinery plants for the production of cooking oil, biogas and cosmetic products, he said.

Company officials have scheduled a meeting with Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao

Tuesday for its plans to invest in a 150-hectare farm owned by the senator in Barangay Tamban in Malungon.

“We already closed deals with the other local government units and we’re hoping to do the same here in Malungon,” he said.

During the meeting, Mayor Constantino lauded the company’s planned expansion in the area and offered the local government’s assistance in the identification of the plantation sites.

The mayor said she will conduct dialogues and consultations with interested landowners and residents within the potential oil palm plantation sites.

“Possibly, among those that will be included in the discussions will be the recognition of sites that are legally suited for the operation,” Constantino said. (PNA)

benchmark visits to possible EAGA centers of excellence to be participated in by administrators, faculty, and students.

“This network will also facilitate for more exchange programs that can be participated in by both trainers and students,” said Gayona.

TESDA XI is the Philippine’s lead agency for the BIMP-EAGA Socio-Cultural and Education Cluster. It was formed in 2014 to promote “people-centered” initiatives that will focus on socio-cultural and education exchanges and cooperation. (MinDa)

CTING on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to cut processing time of government-related transactions, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured Tuesday that the agency will implementing the chief executive’s directive starting this week.

“LTFRB is committed to simplifying and speeding up transactions. New rules to cut processing time by 80 percent will take effect this week,” the LTFRB said on its Twitter account.

The Board, however, has yet to clarify how the new rules will affect processing time.

President Duterte, who has openly aired his distaste for long lines, earlier said that he wanted queues in all types of government-run processing

centers shortened.

This was also echoed by Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade who wanted shorter processing time of licenses, franchises and other documents significantly reduced within 90 days.

LTFRB is responsible for granting franchises for public transportation vehicles (PUVs) such as jeeps, taxis, buses and transport network vehicle services such as Grab, Uber and U-Hop. The Board also gives provisional authorities (PAs) to operate on occasions where more public transport will be needed for an increased demand.

On the other hand, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issues driver’s licenses and plates. (PNA)

Malaysian firm eyes Sarangani as expansion area for oil palm plantation, processing venture

A

MALAYSIAN company is eyeing Sarangani Province as an expansion area for its multi-million oil palm plantation and processing venture in the country.

Muhamad Kamarul Osman, chief executive officer of the Alif Agro-Industrial Industries Inc., said they are exploring the possibility of developing oil palm plantations in parts of Sarangani, specifically in Malungon town.

He said they are initially targeting to develop around 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and a refinery plant in the area.

“We are in the stage of exploring and identifying the most desirable sites to possibly start (the expansion) here in the municipality,” he said in his visit to Malungon town on Monday.

Osman and several company representatives met with

COAL POWER. Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) senior vice president Arturo M. Milan says the company lauds President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s proposal to use coal as a measure to address the country’s power

woes, as well as the chief executive’s order to fast track the implementation of the proposed railway projects in Mindanao. Lean Daval Jr.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL T

HERE are two versions of the SONA delivered by President Duterte last Monday.

One was the documented speech he read through the teleprompter where he admitted having a difficult time reading as he is not used to rading his speeches.

The other was his lengthy ad lib where he spoke outside the ‘script’ and straight from his heart.

Let us outline the SONA’s content based on the priorities of the administration of President Duterte: • Strengthening of the campaign against drugs.

• Achievement of long and lasting peace with the Moros and the CPP-NPA-NDF. • Immediate resolution of traffic congestion problems through an emergency power granted to the president.

• Adoption of a Federal form of government with a reference to France as the preferred style.

• Improvement of processing of all government requirements for business and individuals.

• Improvement of internet speed and internet access.

• Modernization of agriculture.

• Empower ROTC program to instill love of country.

• Priority for rehabilitation of drug addicts and even using military camps to do so.

• Health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation and respect for culture.

• A long and lasting peace in MIndanao and in the entire country.

• Continue macro economic policies and even do better.

• Job creation and poverty reduction.

• Simpler, more equitable and more efficient tax system.

• Lower personal and coporate income tax rates.

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As clear as day

• Relax the bank secrecy law.

• Promote ease of doing business will be mandatory.

• Restriction to the economy might need to be lifted • RH Law must be put into full force and effect.

• More funds and finances for MSMEs. • Nationwide soil analysis to know suitable areas for rice farming. Use of effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.

• Aqua-culture along riverbanks and backyards.

• Accelerate infra spending.

• Inter-island linkage projects • Pasig City Ferry System revival • Removal of terminals as well as colorums will be intensified immediately.

• Federal system of government.

• 3 days maximum processing time for LGU - business permit and clearances.

• 888 dedicated for corruption • Issuance of plates will be considered at point of sale or at motor vehicle leaders.

• Motor vehicle licenses to be extended from 3 years to 5 years.

• Train tickets will be available at malls and stores not only at train stations.

• LRT operating hours 9:30pm to 10:30pm.

• Pursue the Mindanao Rail Project • Private aviation companies and flights will be transferred to Sangley point to ease air traffic.

• Reduce the areas of occupation of large fishing in Laguna lake, prioritize the poor fisherman.

• Pass a law creating the People’s Broadcasting Corporation.

Observe editorial independence, creative programs, and others.

• Radyo ng Bayan should undergo upgrading. It will be integrated with the PBC. • Passport validity from 5 years to 10 years.

• Streamline passport application.

• Deployment of fiber optic cables and other technology to improve internet speed.

• Free wifi access to key public places free of charge.

• Faster issuance of NBI clearance by making use of the computer and preventing the hassle of travelling from one place to another.

• There will be no demolition without relocation.

In between the speech, President Duterte spoke to the people -- eyeball to eyeball, face to face. He promised and stressed “this will be a clean government.”

He asked Congress for emergency powers to solve the traffic in the metro, but he did so without force or coercion. He simply said “give me emergency powers if you want it done soon. Otherwise, he said, we will go the long route.

He also laid down the foundation of a federal government and even went to the extent of advising how to do it and saying if it is done soon, and the people approve it in a plebiscite, he can step down even if his term has not ended.

He went ahead of the communist rebels and declared a unilateral ceasefire. To the rebels, he said, the next move is yours. That is a sign of a strong leadership.

We are indeed seeing the foundation for that long overdue change in our government and in our country.

Now, the rest of our officials will have to keep up with the sincerity and the determination of the President.

This is not just President Duterte’s role. Each one have a role to play in this journey towards change.

ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor SONNY L. MENDOZA Associate Editor

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO CHENEEN R. CAPON MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. CHA MONFORTE ARLENE D. PASAJE Photography Correspondents Cartoons Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • EDCER C.B. ESCUDERO • ATTY. EMILY ZEN CHUA • GREGORIO G. DELIGERO JOHN CARLO TRIA • BORBONCARLOS • MARYMUNDA ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO•AGUSTIN • EMILY VIDA S. VALVERDE C. LUMBA • HENRY J. SCHUMACHER • VANESSA KATE MADRAZO• JONALLIER Economic Analysts: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG ZENMIA CHUA • CARLOS• FRED MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG M. PEREZ

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9

Straight from the horse’s mouth

HE first horses introduced in the archipelago were of Malay provenance. Among Muslims, these animals have their own distinct names. In Sulu, they are called kuda, while in Maguindanao, it is corrupted to kura.

Interestingly, the horse has also found its heroic niche in the centuries-old Darangen, a Maranao epic, and among the T’boli tribe, it is an essential entertainment animal. For the Davao horses then, they were compared with the finer horses of Batangas and the Ilocos region.

American Charles F. Clagg, in a 1913 visit to Malita, Davao Occidental, wrote that the men of the Kulaman and B’laan tribes considered “a fine fighting-horse [as a] much prized, and values up to three and four hundred pesos are sometimes placed on such an animal” and “are in every way selected and bred especially for their size, strength, and ability as fighters.”

That the first Philippine horses were brought to Mindanao as part of Islamic conversions is an accepted theory. Islamized Filipinos have been taught that “God created the horse from wind, and gave it station and power above all beasts subject to man.” Many of the animals were later bred while others, abandoned for some reason, escaped to the wild.

For centuries, domesticated horses, the kabayo, from the Spanish term cavallo, was an important part of missionary life. Priests used them in reaching remote stations and employed them in carrying heavy luggage for transport. In general, they were useful tools for conveyance.

During colonial times, reports of wild

“D

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

ECADES after Montreal Protocol: Hole in ozone layer starting to heal.”

-- Headline “For the first time in 30 years, the gaping hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica is showing signs of healing,” the “Los Angeles Times” reports. “Every year since it was discovered in 1985, scientists have watched the hole grow bigger from one Antarctic spring to the next, eventually covering 10.9 million square miles in 2015.”

This is good news, indeed. In fact, researchers are now noting an encouraging trend. A report published in the journal “Science” said that the hole still exists and reached a record size last year, but “it is forming at a slower rate.”

“We are starting to see signs of improvement over Antarctica,” commented Paul Newman, who monitors the hole (although he was not involved in the study). No, he is not the Oscar-winning actor but an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

According to scientists, “the stratosphere above Antarctica is a particularly dangerous place for ozone to be when winter gives way to spring. “Antarctica is really the coldest place on Earth,” said study leader Susan Solomon, an atmospheric chemist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ozone, a simple molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, is a minor constituent of the atmosphere, comprising only a few millionths of its total volume.

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers. The lowest region, the troposphere, extends from the planet’s surface up to about 10 kilometers in altitude. Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet, is only about 9 kilometers high. Virtually all human activities occur in the troposphere. Ozone at the bottom of the troposphere is a harmful pollutant resulting from

horses can be FAST BACKWARD found in some accounts. In the Military Notes on the Philippines (1898), the native horse was described as “small and of poor appearance, but it is a strong and sturdy animal.” Antonio V. Figueroa In A Pronouncing Gazetteer and Geographical Dictionary of the Philippine Islands (1902), there is also a mention of a Sembrano, the highest mountain on Laguna peninsula, which afforded “pasturage for herds of buffaloes, bullocks, and wild horses.”

American Austin Craig, the famous American biographer of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, also mentioned of Sembrano in his book The Philippines and the Filipinos of Yesterday (1934): “Towards the north the estate is bounded by the thickly wooded Sembrano, the highest mountain in the peninsula; on the remaining sides it is surrounded with water. With the exception of the flat shore, the whole place is hilly and overgrown with grass and clumps of trees, capital pasture for its numerous herds -a thousand carabaos, one thousand five hundred to two thousand bullocks, and from six to seven hundred nearly wild horses.”

Beyond carriages, drawn by well-nour-

ished horses, the Spaniards used horses in races. The defunct San Lazaro Hippodrome in Manila featured Philippine horses but has since stopped operating (and now the home of a mall) due to lack of patrons.

American writer Paul T. Gilbert, in The Great White Tribe in Filipinia (1903), wrote about his horseback experience in Davao, particularly at the east coast, the home of the Mandaya tribe.

“We struck a faint trail leading to the foothills where the barren ridges overlooked the sparkling sea—a vast cerulian [deep sky-blue color] expanse without a single fleck of a white sail. The trail led through the great fields of buffalo-grass, out of which gigantic solitary trees shot up a hundred feet into the air. There were no signs of life, only the vultures in the topmost branches of the trees. Wild horses, taking flight at our approach, stampeded for the forest.

Nothing could be seen in the tall grass.”

Compared to the American mustangs, Philippine horses are mere ponies given their size and built. Helen Herron Taft, wife of Philippine civil governor and later US President William H. Taft, in her Recollections of Full Years (1914), jestingly said her spouse, while assigned in Manila, wrote that “Philippine horses and the Philippine cockroaches were just about the same size.” In one of her visits to the country, she rode on a conveyance pulled by native steeds and made an amusing observation: “I was hardly prepared for the diminutive turnout to which he proudly escorted me. Two little brown ponies, no higher than my shoulder, and with very shaggy manes and foretops, were hitched to a Victoria [horse-drawn car-

riage] which had been built to fit them. When I stepped in and sat down, with [my son] Charlie [Charles Phelps Taft II] on my lap, I felt twice my natural size and it seemed impossible to me that there was still ample room for Mr. Taft.”

Philippine horses can still be found in some regions of the country. In the town of Sagada, Mt. Province, the region known informally as Marlboro Country still hosts wild horses that have become a source of admiration for tourists from a distance. In cities of Tagaytay, Baguio, and Manila, rigs known as calesas and caretellas use locally bred steeds in pulling the carriages.

In The Philippine Review (1911), the Philippine horse, shaped by the different strains from Malay, Arab, Chinese, and Spanish breeds, was described as a “composite animal, embodying many of the original strains that have been foundation material for several other better known breeds,” adding that “[t]he native horse has been bred for a sufficient length of time, without addition of outside blood, that they may be said, in the true sense of the word, to be a true breed. While individual variations occur, there are many breed characteristics that are very constant. Probably no other horse in the world has the combined quality of style, action, vigor; and endurance to the degree that this breed has.

A famous writer expressed amazement at how the Spaniards named the country Filipinas, which is a derivative from the term Felipe, meaning ‘love of horses.’ The kabayo having gotten its etymological origin from caballo, the Filipinos, at least during Hispanic times, could appropriately be called as the caballeros (cavaliers).

automobile ex- THINK ON THESE! hausts and other sources.

The next layer, the stratosphere, continues from 10 kilometers to about 50 kilometers.

Most commercial airline traffic occurs in the lower part of the Henrylito D. Tacio stratosphere. It is in this layer henrytacio@gmail.com where the ozone shield is found.

If all the ozone contained in the atmosphere from ground level to a height of some 50 kilometers could be assembled at the earth’s surface, it would comprise a layer of gas only about three millimeters thick, weighing some 3,000 million tons.

But terrestrial life depends on the presence of ozone. Ozone has the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. If ultraviolet radiation is allowed to reach the Earth’s surface, life -- if it existed at all -- would assume very different forms to those we know today. The fact that most of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere is due mainly to the ozone layer which acts as a kind of umbrella against the ultraviolet, shielding life on this planet from an extremely harmful form of radiation.

Thus, depletion of the ozone would allow more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. “Protecting the ozone is crucial since it is the only gas in the atmosphere that limits the amount of harmful solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth,” points out Cynthia Pollack Shea, a senior researcher at the Washington,

D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute. “Without ozone, life on earth would be impossible.”

The ozone saga started as early as 1957 when British Antarctic Survey headed by Dr. Joseph Farman monitored ozone levels from Halley Bay, a scientific outpost on the Antarctic coast. Measurements taken with the spectrophotometer remained stable until the team observed in the 1970s a sharp decline in ozone during the months of September and October.

The scientists refused to believe their findings, dismissing them as either human or technical error. The 40 percent drop was too significant to be believed. The “hole,” as media called it, was as big as the United States and as deep as Mount Everest.

In 1974, two American scientists -- Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland from the Jet Propulsion Institute of Pasadena and the University of Southern California in Irvine, respectively -- hypothesized that man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were escaping into the atmosphere and “eating” the ozone layer. Their groundbreaking article, published in the British journal, Nature, touched off a debate in the scientific and corporate communities.

It was then that scientists became alarmed as the effects could be lethal. UVB (the higher energy ultraviolet radiation absorbed by ozone) is generally accepted to be a contributory factor to skin cancer and to produce Vitamin D. In addition, increased surface ultraviolet leads to increased tropospheric ozone, which is a health risk to humans.

The most common forms of skin cancer in humans -- basal and squamous cell carcinomas -- have been strongly linked to UVB exposure.

The mechanism by which UVB induces these cancers is well understood: absorption of UVB radiation causes the pyrimidine bases in the DNA molecule to form dimers, resulting in transcription errors when the DNA replicates.

These cancers are relatively mild and rarely fatal, although the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma sometimes requires extensive reconstructive surgery.

By combining epidemiological data with results of animal studies, scientists have estimated that a one percent decrease in stratospheric ozone would increase the incidence of these cancers by 2% , reports Frank R. de Gruijl in his article, “Impacts of a Projected Depletion of the Ozone Layer,” which appeared in Consequences.

Another form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is much less common but far more dangerous, being lethal in about 15–20% of the cases diagnosed. The relationship between malignant melanoma and ultraviolet exposure is not yet well understood, but it appears that both UVB and UVA are involved.

One study showed that a 10% increase in UVB radiation was associated with a 19% increase in melanomas for men and 16% for women. A study of people in Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of Chile, showed a 56% increase in melanoma and a 46% increase in non-melanoma skin cancer over a period of seven years, along with decreased ozone and increased UVB levels.

Studies are suggestive of an association between ocular cortical cataracts and UVB exposure, using crude approximations of exposure and various cataract assessment techniques. A detailed assessment of ocular exposure to UVB was carried out in a study on Chesapeake Bay Watermen, where increases in average annual ocular exposure were associated with increasing risk of cortical opacity.

Ozone depletion can also have devastating effects on the environment. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), depletion of the ozone layer could reduce crop yields and seriously disturb the balance of the ecosystems of the oceans.

Ozone hole healing

10 NEWS Moro... FROM 1

from international news agencies, particularly the British Broadcasting Corporaton (BBC) are set to visit the country to train people working in government-run channels.

“Ito ang gusto ko. Tutal pera naman ng tao, to observe editorial independence through innovative programs and intelligent treatment and analysis of news reports, as well as developments of na-

tional and international significance,” Duterte said.

He added the government-run Bureau of Broadcast Services, also known as the Radyo ng Bayan will also undergo upgrading and will be integrated with the PBC The aim, he said, is to make Radyo ng Bayan “financially viable and dependable for accurate and independent, and enlightening news and commentary.”

any other Information of Public Concern,” which was filed

by Bayan Muna during the 13th Congress in 2004.

“We specially noted as positive moves the edict’s clear recognition of every Filipino’s right to have access to information, official records and the legal presumption to have access to the same as positive, even as we await the release of the inventory of possible exceptions to its applicability and constructively scrutinize the same,” Zarate said in a statement to media on Monday.

He added that President Duterte’s initiative is now a challenge to Congress to pass an all-encompassing FOI law.

“We urge in particular the

House leadership to fast track the passage of a genuine FOI bill, one that will truly reflect the principles of full transparency in government and full accountability of government officials and employees,” Zarate said.

The party-list representative added that a genuine FOI law is a necessary tool in the fight against graft and corruption, as well as other abuses and excesses in the government.

“Thus, there should be no repeat to a watered-down and diluted FOI version that the disgraced Aquino admin pushed in the previous Congress but, fortunately enough, failed to pass into law,” he added.

ratified it.

To be effective, the agreement needs ratification by 55 countries, equivalent to 55 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

“We cannot join the (Paris) agreement because its purpose will spell disaster for our people and country, because even with all the contributions by developing countries, there will still be a huge gigatonne gap that can only be bridged if developed countries will do what they said they would,

since twenty years ago, and have not done,” said Salceda.

“The overall effect of the Paris Agreement is a weakening of the commitments by developed countries under the Convention, a shift of those commitments to developing countries without any certainty of predictable and accessible financial resources to them. All those ‘intended national contributions’ are then subject to review, previously limited only to developed countries under the Convention,” he said. (PNA)

upward revisions of inflation expectations) with liquidity requirement for economic growth,” he added.

In the first half this year, inflation averaged at 1.3 percent, still below the government’s two to four percent

target for 2015-18.

However, inflation rate has been rising with the June level at 1.9 percent from monthago’s 1.6 percent due to faster inflation in heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index. (PNA)

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EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE AND ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FRANCISCO MAISO and MARIA JAMITO-MAISO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE AND ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.125; Page No. 25; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA. 7/27,8/3,10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

BLOOD IS LIFE. Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao’s Baby Vilela (left) and Ammie Espirito announce the organization’s upcoming bloodletting activity slated on July 30 at the Associated Marina Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines Hospital (AMOSUP) Hospital during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

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economy, patrimony, national security and even term limits.

“We should expect intense debates on these issues, which is why I believe that this early, we should would work with the Speaker in ensuring that this will be approved in Congress the soonest possible time,” Nograles said.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia filed a bill setting the parameters on the election of delegates of a Constitutional Convention, the rules of procedure of the ConCon, and the appropriation of funds for the Con-Con operations during the amendment of relevant provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

House Bill 312 or the proposed “Constitutional Convention Act of 2016” details the composition, qualifications, appointment, and election of Constitutional Convention delegates; conduct of Con-Con delegates’ election, rules and regulations; opening session and election of the President of the Con-Con; organization of the Con-Con, the rules of procedure, the Con-Con budget; parliamentary immunity of Con-Con delegates; and ConCon appropriations.

“There is a need for a Constitutional Convention so the people can adopt a Constitution which establishes a government that is truly reflective of their ideals and aspirations and which guarantees a regime of law, justice, truth, freedom, equality and peace,” Garcia said.

On the other hand, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez has moved to convene the House of Representatives and the Senate into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) to introduce amendments to the 1987

Constitution, including the shift to a federal form of government.

In House Joint Resolution No. 2, Benitez said ConAss is the most prompt and least expensive mode to amend the Charter and to change the form of government to federalism, among others.

“Constitutional Assembly is the most expeditious and less costly than the other modes of ChaCha,” Benitez said.

The two other modes of Charter change provided under the Constitution are Constitutional Convention and People’s Initiatives.

His sentiments were shared by Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers who called on his fellow legislators to consider constituting Congress into a Constituent Assembly and said that it is less divisive and cost-effective.

Meanwhile, with two competing lines of thoughts on how to proceed with the initiative, a lawmaker issued the call for the immediate creation of a technical working group (TWG) which would consolidate and filter proposals to change the system of government from the present presidential bicameral form of government to federal presidential bicameral system.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas said the early creation of a TWG would reduce the time that will be consumed on debates on the actual provisions to be included in the list of amendments that will be finally approved for deliberation either in a Concon or a Conass.

“We can actually reduce the time that will be consumed on committee hearings on the

proposal for federalization if we already set the parameters on what to amend and what would be kept untouched even before we start deliberating on the proposal to amend the Constitution,” Treñas said.

In the meantime, members of the AKO Bicol Party-list said that they fully support the shift to a federal form of government, as BIcolanos have been clamoring for federalism since 2009.

AKO Bicol Rep. Christopher Co said that just last July 20, the Partylist group hosted a forum on federalism named ‘For Peace and Progress: Federalism Now!’ at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City.

The forum was conducted in partnership with the Provincial Government of Albay and the Federalismo Alyansa ng Bicol (FAB), a lobby group of Bicolanos who have been pushing for regional autonomy and the control, regulation, and supervision over the exploitation, utilization, and development of Bicol’s natural resources.

Co said the forum was intended to give Bicolanos, as well as those interested, a head start on what to expect and how they will benefit from a shift to federalism.

“President Duterte has pledged a shift to a federal form of government in order to promote lasting peace and economic growth throughout the Philippines,” he said.

“Peace, growth, and coordination are praiseworthy goals especially in an administration that promises change.

An adjustment in our form of government might just be exactly what is needed to fulfill that promise,” Co said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Alfredo Garbin, another AKO Bicol lawmaker, said that there has been a desire for a government that can correspond to the geological and cultural peculiarities of a country such as ours, given that the Philippines is an archipelagic state.

“The fact that FAB has been present and petitioning for a federalist state since 2009 proves that it is not only Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao that have been clamoring for change in our government, but also even constituents from Luzon outside Manila,” Garbin said.

At present, President Duterte’s allies Congress hold the top positions in both chambers via a landslide vote with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez garnering 251 votes out of the 292 members of the House and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel garnering 20 votes out of the 24-member Senate.

With a “supermajority” in Congress, hopes are high that the shift top federalism would be accomplished before the President ends his term.

It would be something that President Duterte would greatly welcome.

In his SONA, he said that should Congress be able to achieve this shift to a federal government, he would give way for the election of a new President, even if his own term is not yet finished.

“I can commit today to the Republic of the Philippines and its people: If you hurry up the federal system of government and you can submit it to the Filipino people by the fourth, fifth year, proseso ‘yan e. You call for a referendum and after that call for a presidential election, I will go,” Duterte said. (PNA)

El Nido, Seda Atria Iloilo, and Sicogon Island Tourism Estate.

Dusit International will also open in 2018 and 2019 Dusit Thani Davao and Dusit Princess Hotel in Cebu.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts will launch Hilton Clark Sunvalley Resort next year while Starwoods Hotels and Resorts will open its Sheraton Mactan in 2019.

“There is an increasing trend for branded hotels. But there’s also demand for small scale, those two- and threestar hotels catering to millennials who travel and those who

prefer backpacking,” Orr said.

In the first five months of the year, total tourist arrivals in the country reached 2.5 million with total receipts of USD2.3 billion. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

WOMEN

EDGEDAVAO

All about

Miss Baker TWENTY-TWO YEAR OLD BEAUTY, JAMIE “MIMING” ASTER YIN-BAKER, NEEDS NO SUGAR COATING WHEN IT COMES TO SHARING DETAILS ABOUT HER LIFE. “I am a mom of three, full-time homemaker and a budding entrepreneur.” How is that for a sincere and honest introduction, on a first meeting?

There is no arrogance in her tone. Instead, as she goes through the bits and pieces of her life, she sounds wiser and mature beyond her years.

Despite her youth, Miming is ripe enough to

manage a business of her own.

She has taken on the title of Miss Baker for her line of baked goods and sweet temptations, which has captured an impressive range of clientele in just a span of two years.

In good measure With her good looks, which she inherited from her Filipino-Chinese mom and IrishGerman dad, she posed a great advantage in beauty pageants and, possibly, acquire a career

in Showbiz.

In her late teens, she tried her luck in various auditions and screenings for both TV shows and beauty pageants.

MetroMom A4

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Playtime at new playgro

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EDGED

IN THE MIDST WHERE CAN K Park and Resort While it’s best k are actually quite

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Eden’s ound

T OF DAVAO CITY’S HUSTLE AND BUSTLE, KIDS TRULY ENJOY PLAYTIME? Eden Nature is a popular spot for those looking for adventure. known for its nature and adventure features, there e a lot of activities for kids to try.

skill and agility at the Obstacle Course, or taking turns pushing each other on a swing, or just romping around on the grass, we’ve got everything covered it all for you.

Eden Nature Park and Resort is open daily from 9AM to 5PM.

Serving a seamless society

several facilities dedicated for outdoor fun.

The resort takes outdoor play to the next level! Recently, the resort upgraded its pl ay g rou nd situated near the Vista Restaurant, overlooking the Deer Park and Fishing Village. The new pl ay g rou nd features a modern play-

ground structure that blends with the natural resort setting. There are various play equipment children will surely enjoy.

Kids will be excited to try the colorful playpens, swings, slides, climbing frames and rides.

Take your pick, whether it’s testing your

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

Take your kids to Eden for a break from those eye and finger numbing computer games and gadgets. Give them a dose of good old fun and a breath of fresh air, while having quality parent-child bonding time. The resort provides a safe and spacious area to play, run and enjoy the sun.

Playgrounds don’t have to be just for kids! It’s also a good place of fun for the young at heart. Eden Nature Park and Resort has

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

WOMEN MetroMom A1 She measured well in some, and almost made it to the final cut in one pageant. “I didn’t make it to the top 10 because I gained weight.

Only to find out, later on, after leaving the competition, that I was already 3 months pregnant.”

Given this new responsibility, Miming took it upon herself to find ways to earn her own keep. While she still makes a cameo as model in runway shows and commercial and fashion shoots, the mother in her pushes her to dream big and succeed in her passion for culinary arts. Setting her showbiz aside, she decided to try her hands in baking, just as she did when she was young.

“When I was 5, I was already baking my own desserts and I could really make a mean chocolate cake at that early age.” In her late teens, she also took up a course in culinary at CACS Davao, to immerse herself into the world of F&B and to understand how it is to run a business from whipping up ideas to molding them into a reality. Miming takes on her parents’ love for cooking and baking, and she saw the potential of turning this hobby into a fruitful venture.

Bread and butter “I started small, literally,” she adds. “I baked cake pops for selling and posted photos online. My

wiches will be available in august.”

friends were my first clients, and soon, I was surprised to see the volume of orders coming in through my Facebook page. From cake pops, I created a variety of other desserts and sweet offerings to add to my list.”

“I was dead serious in expanding my business, dedicating the wee hours of the morning for research and baking. I want to be my own person even when I am a full-time homemaker.”

Branding her dessert line as Miss Baker, Miming describes her cakes and pastries as ‘mouthgasmic’.

“They’re all full of flavor, a mix of nostalgia and a twist of home. In my menu, I have the classic apple pie, chocolate chip cookie, cheesecake, red velvet cupcakes as my staples. Best sellers also include the Elvis Cupcake (banana cupcake stuffed with peanut butter, cream cheese frosting topped with crispy bacon), Death by Chocolate Cupcake (chocolate cupcake stuffed with Nutella, dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate fudge frosting), and Brookies (Balf brownie/ half chocolate chip cookie). Gourmet candy apples, carne asada burritos and ice cream sand-

Made with love “The learnings I got from being a teen mom and the maturity I acquired while raising three kids also helped me maintain discipline in my craft,” explains Miming. “Just as delicate and precise baking is, my children taught me how to be responsible, organized, calm and patient.

Baking requires a lot of creativity and same goes with motherhood --- you have to be resourceful.

This kind of business brought me out of my comfort zone and I carry this kind of independence and courage as a mom and homemaker. I do not have any nanny to help me look after the kids.

Instead of worrying about kids making a mess in the kitchen, I involve them in what I do, and they, too, later on, acquired the same discipline and patience simply because they know what it takes to finish the job. Even in simple tasks like cracking eggs, preparing the butter and the cupcake molds, they find joy in all these. Which goes to say that there is a lot of love in these cakes we make.”

Check out Miss Baker on Facebook for the complete list of goodies on sale. For orders, please contact 09253548752 via SMS or Viber.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Tagum Cooperative empowers youth, senior sectors T

AGUM Cooperative’s senior citizens and youth members had a field day, as they availed of free services and participated in activities during the recently held Senior Citizens’ Day and the Hataw sa Saya Ngayong Balik Eskwela.

Around 56 elderly members of the cooperative’s Nabunturan branch were given free medical consultations, eye and dental screening, dental check-ups, FBS-Cholesterol monitoring, haircuts, and massages at the event organized by the cooperative.

Free medicines, multivitamins, and gift packs containing grocery items (rice, milk,biscuit, etc.) were also given away to long-standing senior members of the cooperative.

Tagum Coop Vice-Chairperson Fe Adlawan and Dir. Miriam Baloyo, representing Tagum cooperative chairperson Monica Salido, participated in the activities, and shared tips on how the participants can have fun and en-

Japan Cultural Weekend to open at SM Lanang Premier

S

M LANANG Premier, in collaboration with Ambox Events and the World Cosplay Summit Philippines, is set to hold the Japan Cultural Weekend from July 29 to 31, 2016 at The Atrium.

The three-day event aims to foster and strengthen cultural exchanges between Filipinos and the Japanese community Japan Cultural Weekend will feature an exhibit

dubbed “Japanese Fashion and Tradition,” which will highlight the Kimono, a traditional Japanese garment.

An assortment of Kimonos and accessories which complement these garments will be showcased at the cultural exhibit.

Among the featured items include: Uchikake, a highly formal Kimono worn only by a bride or at a stage performance; Furisode, a Kimono that features swinging

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARILOU SAN MATEOGAVIOLA been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE executed among her heirs per Doc. No.131; PageNo.27; Book No. I; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC RENE RIZZA B. BERNARDO-MAMBURAM 7/27,8/3/10

sleeves for unmarried women; Homongi, visiting wear characterized by patterns that flow over the shoulders, seams and sleeves; Obi, the belt worn with Kimono with various tying styles; Yogi, a type of cotton quilt in the shape of a Kimono; and many others.

Mallgoers will have the opportunity to view and even try out up to 30 different Kimonos for men and women from July 30 and 31.

Apart from the Japan Cultural Weekend, mallgoers can also enjoy special shopping deals during the Payday Weekend Specials on July 28-31, Moreover, there will be an exclusive 30% discount on selected items during SM’s 30th Anniversary Sale on July 30.

For event updates, check out SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

joy themselves despite their advancing years.

The Nabunturan leg of the Senior Citizens’ Day was the second of four scheduled activities that have been set for this year following the first event which kicked off in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte last February.

Meanwhile, 185 youth members of the cooperative in Tagum City converged at the New City Hall Atriumfor the Hataw sa Saya Ngayong Balik Eskwela and took part in various workshops, activities and contests that showcased their talents and skills.

The youth event themed “Empowering the Youth Today: A Step for Future Leaders” featured various games, learning sessions and competitions, which included a dance and singing contest, Chess, Word Factory, Scrabble, DaMath and others.

Tagum Coop Board of Directors Nenita Malbas, Eduard Amoguis, and Miriam Baloyo thanked the youth delegates for their active participation during the event.

Through these twin activities which target the youth and senior sectors, Tagum Cooperative aims to sustain its commitment of ensuring the welfare of its members, and empowering them to become more productive members of society.

(Tagum Cooperative)

Water service interruption in Sitio Saka and Bagasa on July 28

T

HERE will be a scheduled water service interruption in Sitio Saka and Bago Gallera Settler’s Association (BAGASA) on July 28, 2016, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Davao City Water District said in a statement.

DCWD’s Engineering and Construction Department crew will tap the newly installed 4-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing

4-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Kopai Subd., Brgy. Bankas Heights in Toril.

Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

DCWD general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asked for the understanding and cooperation of wouldbe affected customers. He also advised them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (DCWD)

12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Durian is good for your health

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

U

NLIKE mango and banana, durian is one of the most underexploited fruits in the Philippines although its economic value is one of the most promising. And if there is one controversial fruit grown in the country, such controversy also revolves durian.

It is because of its smell.

As the people of Davao -which is one place the fruit is grown quite extensively -love to say in jest, “it smells like hell but tastes like heaven.” The aroma -- or stench, if you please -- of durian in full blown could indeed be overpowering. The New York Times calls it as the “world’s smelliest fruit.” “(Durian) tastes like completely rotten mushy onions,” commented Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods. Richard Sterling, a food writer, wrote: “Its odor is best described as pig shit, turpentine and onions garnished with a dirty gym sock.”

But durian enthusiasts are not bothered by the odor.

A world traveler named Linschott said of the fruit: “It is of such an excellent taste that is surpasses in flavor all the other fruits in the world.”

British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace had the same words to say. After a visit with the Interior of Borneo in 1855, he observed the offensive smell of durian in the house; some persons did not even attempt to taste it.

“This was also my own experience when I first tried to taste it in Malacca; but in Borneo, I found a ripe fruit on the ground, and eating it out-of-doors, I become confirmed durian eater.”

Monica Tan, writing for The Guardian, remembered that as a child, she found the smell of durian as absolutely. Now, she’s a durian fanatic. “The funny thing about being a convert is that I can no long remember how I ever found it disgusting.”

When ripe, the aril (usually referred to as the “flesh” or “pulp”) is usually eaten fresh. By weight, the edible portion (or aril as experts call it) of the durian fruit is only 26% on the average.

Sixty percent of it is the rind while the remaining 14% are seeds.

Durian aficionados have their reason for liking the fruit. If eaten without ex-

aggeration, durian is good for the health. The durian flesh contains many nutrients, including calcium, fat, iron, riboflavin, carbohydrates, copper, folic acid, vitamin C, fiber, zinc, niacin, protein, carotene, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin and magnesium.

“The fruit is made of soft, easily digestible flesh made of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly,” nutrition-and-you.com says. “Though it contains relatively higher amounts of fats among the fruits, it is free from saturated fats and cholesterol.”

Durian helps maintain blood pressure. The fruit contains high amounts of potassium and moderate quantity of sodium. Both of these factors make durian a blood pressure optimizing fruit. Potassium is responsible for all muscle functions in the body including the heart. It regulates heart beat and ensures a smooth blood pumping operation in the body.

Potassium is also required to maintain sodium level. Sodium is harmful and can create spike in blood pressure readings. “Durian itself has a very low amount of so-

dium making it for a safe consumption by patients of hypertension,” notes wiki-fitness.com. “A well balanced blood pressure in turn does not stress out heart and blood vessels resulting in a healthier cardiovascular system.”

Contrary to popular belief, you will not have a big spike in your cholesterol level after eating a durian. “Durian has good monounsaturated fats that can actually lower your harmful cholesterol levels,” points out an article entitled, Myths and Facts about the King of Fruit. In fact, durian has zero cholesterol.

Cholesterol is found in foods containing saturated fats such as red meats, seafood and dairy products.

Durian also improves sleep and allays depression. The fruit contains amino acids known as tryptophan, (also referred as “nature’s sleeping pill”). Tryptophan is required to metabolize serotonin and melatonin. Both of these neuro-chemicals are beneficial in improving mood. Many studies have found tryptophan effective in treating and relieving stress, anx-

iety appetite and depression. It is also being used in treating insomnia which sometimes is the direct result of some psychological disturbances.

“Tryptophan slows down the transmissions to brain thereby calming it and relieving from incessant thoughts,” the wiki-fitness.com explains. “When the brain is not busy with interpretations of transmissions, it relaxes and this is what helps in sleeping. A meal rich in carbohydrates is encouraged with diet that has tryptophan because it releases insulin which clears the amino acids that compete with tryptophan, thereby making it more effective.”

Another health benefit of durian: it improves digestion. Durian is rich in dietary fiber, a good source of roughage which is critical in absorbing fats and making your stools easy to pass.

The insoluble fiber in dietary items is specifically helpful in preventing constipation by adding bulk to stools and also softening them simultaneously.

“People who suffer from chronic constipation or experience the painful problem of piles frequently can get a lot of relief by adding fibrous fruits like durian in their diet,” wiki-fitness. com suggests.

One myth about durian is that eating it can boost a person’s libido.

Since durian can cause the body temperature to rise, many thought it is an aphrodisiac. It is not. To reduce the burning sensation, some people suggest eating mangosteen. However,

there is no scientific research to support this. The habit of eating durians and mangosteen together probably stems from the fact that the two fruits are harvested at about the same time.

Those who are looking for thiamin in their lives, they can count durian in.

“Durian contains about 30% of your daily recommended intake in just one serving,” says Joseph Hindy, author of Benefits and Uses of Durian Fruit.

“Thiamin can help your body metabolize carbohydrates into energy and it aids in things like muscle and nerve health.”

A serving of durian provides you with 3.6 grams of protein, or 6.4 percent to 7.8 percent of the daily recommended intake of 46 to 56 grams. A study published in the May 2010 issue of theAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology indicates that protein from meat and fish may result in increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome, so getting your protein from fruit like durian may be wise if you are at risk of this condition.

If you are still wondering where the foul odor comes from, here’s what O.W. Barrett wrote in the 1912 issue of the Philippine Journal of Science: “The chemical body which is responsible for the very pronounced odor is probably one of the sulfur compounds with some base perhaps related to that in butyric acid; it is not an oil nor a sugar, not a true starch but a substance new to the organic chemist.”

Durian, anyone?

13 PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Aeon Towers: Tomorrow’s lifestyle today

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

L

njb@edgedavao.net

ONG before the current property sales boom in Davao City, the market has already started to come in droves for what now stands as the most curiously interesting piece of real estate down South.

As it was, the past months have seen homeseekers and investors chasing a piece of Aeon Towers, which at 33-levels, looms as the city’s highest residential building.

Today, a handful few units are left in the inventory are quite naturally, by the dictates of the market, the cost is way higher than when sales opened two years back.

“The value has pretty much increased since. Those who came in early to purchase their own units must be grinning from ear to ear now,” said Ia Cruz, president and CEO of FTC Group of Companies which develops Aeon Towers.

Of late, the property market in Davao City is going through brisk sales with the high demand for property ever since President Rodrigo Duterte, former Mayor of this city for 22 years, became President.

Construction works for Davao City’s next iconic structure has moved up to the 16th

level this week or more than halfway through the year.

As of July 23, the construction team of the 33-level Aeon Towers project reported the concreting of the 16th floor and will be moving upwards. The building is set for topping off by the end of the year.

Aeon Towers is the initial venture into real estate development by the FTC Group of Companies, a Davao-born firm with highly successful track record in business.

Cruz added that the project is right on schedule based on timelines.

“We are happy to inform our clients that the project is moving right on schedule. Pretty soon this building will be up for occupation,” said Cruz.

A e o n Towers, located at JP Laurel Avenue in Davao’s CBD, will have residential units of varying sizes and features in several floors, a luxury hotel, fitness gym, jogging lane,

shops, BPO offices, skydeck pool, and offices.

Marketing head Gen Marchan said Aeon Towers represents the evolution of Davao City from the infamous “killing fields” reputation in th 80s to the flourishing business haven that it is now.

Aeon Towers, she said, is an embodiment of the aspirations of Dabawenyos—modern lifestyle in a highly liveable metropolis.

“Aeon Towers is ideal for those starting to live in a place to call their own or to start a family of their own.,” Marchan said.

The Aeon Towers building is cast in glass and will have a clear look at the majestic environs of Davao and the nearby Island Garden City of Samal.

14 EDGEDAVAO Jake Ejercito and style influencers to grace Abreeza Mall’s Breezapalooza S

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

TYLE Origin, the annual fashion event that tours Ayala Malls nationwide, is set to take over Abreeza Mall this month. To make this year’s edition of the signature fashion spectacle a truly invigorating experience, Ayala Malls promises “MAS!”: “more music, art, and style.”

The Abreeza Mall leg aims to deliver all that and more with a fun-filled fashion festival dubbed Breezapalooza happening at the Abreeza Mall Activity Center on July 30, 4pm.

H e a d l i n i n g Breezapalooza is celebrity guest Jake Ejercito, the son of former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada who shot

to greater fame when he guested on Eat Bulaga’s Juan for All, All for Juan segment opposite Maine Mendoza aka Yaya Dub. Jake will be walking the runway in ontrend picks from Abreeza Mall merchants.

Also flying in to strut down the Breezapalooza ramp in the latest fashion from Abreeza Mall brands are models and style influencers Daniel Diniz, Iago Faria, Carlo Gonzales, Carlo Guevara, Janina Manipol, Tola Orendain, Miko Raval, Ulrike Reinbold, Hans Weiser, and Jessica Yang.

Davao’s own community figures will also be conquering the runway at

Breezapalooza, among them fashion designer Emi Englis, lifestyle columnist Jinggoy Salvador, and local bloggers and social media influencers.

Over 30 Abreeza Mall merchants covering men’s and women’s apparel, kids’ and teens’ wear, active lifestyle picks, footwear, bags, and accessories will be showcasing their latest looks at Breezapalooza; namely, Artwork, Bambu, Bratpack, Burrp! Tees, CLN, Collezione C2, Columbia Sportswear, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Flossy, GAP, Gingersnaps, Herschel, Ipanema, Just G, Mags, Mango, Mango Kids, Mango Man, Marks

& Spencer, Mendrez, Nike Athletic Club, Nurlika Pearl Shoppe, Onitsuka Tiger, Original Penguin, Plains & Prints, Promod, Robinsons Department Store, Samsonite, Sneaker Club, SOUL Lifestyle, Springfield, Res Toe Run, and Wrangler.

To round out the music and art treats at Breezapalooza, DJ Nina Saputil will be filling the air with wicked beats, while young local artists will show off the vibrancy of the Davao art scene by using Abreeza Mall’s giant heart-shaped installation as a canvas.

Ayala Malls Style Origin 2016 is presented in partnership with

The Philippine STAR YStyle, TIGER 22 media corporation, and Starworld. The venue sponsor for Abreeza Mall’s Style Origin Breezapalooza is Seda Abreeza Hotel.

For inquiries and updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 3219332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook. com/AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @ iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

NO SPORTS IN SONA S PORTS personalities joined the nation in witnessing President Rodrigo Duterte deliver his first State of the Nation Address on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

President Duterte vowed no let-up for his administra-

tion’s war on drugs, as well as discussed his plans on many pressing national issues, like lowering income tax, decongesting airports, shifting to a federal and parliamentary form of government, among others in his 1-hour, 32-minute long speech.

While the President made no mention of his plans for Philippine sports, athletes still ended up inspired with the SONA as some of them posted their support during and after the speech.

The SONA also came at the time the Philippine delegation,

whom the President personally sent off in Malacanang last week, arrived in Rio de Janeiro.

PBA players Emman Monfort and Garvo Lanete were among the many who watched the SONA on TV as it happened.

POOR ACCOMMODATIONS? PH athletes arrive in Rio

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HE Philippine delegation to the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics arrived at the Olympic Village in Barra Da Tijuca in the early evening of Sunday.

The Filipinos joined fellow delegates from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Uganda for the onehour bus ride from the Rio De Janeiro-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.

Composed of Chef de mission Jose Romasanta, Philippine Olympic Committee security officer Col. Jeff Tamayo, team physician Dr. Ferdinand Brawner and the athletes and their coaches, the Philippine contingent made their way to the 11th floor of Building 2 of the Athletes Village.

To their surprise and consternation, the sleeping units suffered from obvious poor construction.

“The village looks nice as expected,” said swimming coach Archie Lim of the quarters. “But it isn’t as good as some of the previous athlete’s villages we’ve stayed in. The rooms are pretty small, some parts of the condo are unfinished, and we have no cold water.”

The Olympic Village is designed to house 17,950 people in 3,604 flats spread across 31 buildings.

“Of course, we’ve only been here for a few hours and we’re all very tired so it it is too early to really comment. The rooms

are pretty small, some parts of the condominium are unfinished. We haven’t any cold water but nothing really bad and the volunteers have been very nice and accommodating,” Lim said.

According to Romasanta, “many units have leaking pipes and low water pressure making it a problem for those staying in the higher floors. And beds are too small and not very comfortable.”

Romasanta added that the quarters issue will certainly be brought up during Monday’s delegations registration meeting and the congregation of all the chef de missions of the 206 participating countries.

“The organizers will hear it from some delegates,” he said with utmost certainty while unable to hide his disappointment.

The Australian delegation arrived Saturday evening ahead of all the other delegations and quickly voiced out their displeasure.

“For over a week now, the Australian Olympic Committee staff have been working long hours to get our section of the village ready for our athletes,” Australian chef de mission Kitty Chiller said in a statement that was released to media Saturday evening.

“Problems include blocked toilets, leaking pipes, exposed wiring, darkened stairwells

DPWH-11 QAHD Division Chief Julius V. Ano-os and Assistant Chief Eulogio Emphasis receive a Certificate of Appreciation from organizers Eric Lim and Abet Bernan of the 1st Balibolista de Dabaw inter-agency Women’s

ATHLETE’S VILLAGE. General view of athletes’ accommodation can be seen during a guided tour for journalists to the 2016 Rio Olympics Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 23, 2016. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes where no lighting has been installed and dirty floors in need of a massive clean. In operations areas water has come through the ceiling resulting in large puddles on the floor around cabling and wiring.”

Chiller said the situation came to a head on Saturday night (Brazil time).

“We decided to do a ‘stress test’ where taps and toilets were simultaneously turned on in apartments on several floors to see if the system could cope once the athletes are in-house,” Chiller said.

“The system failed. Water came down walls, there was a strong smell of gas in some apartments and there was ‘shorting’ in the electrical wiring.”

The one upside has been the security that Romasanta was grateful for. “Thank God that security is very good,” said the Filipino sports official. “You can see their presence from the

airport to the main roads. Military personnel in fatigue uniforms and heavily armed secure the main streets.”

There is very strong police visibility days before the August 5 opening of the Summer Games, which is facing security threats, peace and order problems and the dreaded Zika virus.

Despite jetlag, the Filipino athletes are expected to break sweat on Monday, their first full day in this city of around six million.

The rest of the Filipino qualifiers will arrive in Rio in the coming days. They are boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, who are training in the United States; runner Eric Cray, who is in Houston; swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, who is flying in from Hawaii; marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, who is still in Japan; and golfer Miguel Tabuena, who is still competing this week in the King’s Cup in Thailand.

Volleyball Tournament, for hosting the two-day tourney. Team PNP emerged as champions followed by DPWH 11 and DCWD.

FATHER-SON TANDEM. The father-son duo of Glenn and Francis Gabriel Esandor led te Genesis-Esdevco squad to the title of the 2016 EGC Basketball Tournament at the Genesis 88 Gym on Sunday. Francis fired 34 points while Glenn added 15 all from the three-point region. Lean Daval Jr.

Mighty Sports-PH stays unbeaten

R

ETIRED Rain or Shine player Ty Tang and Fil-American Jason Brickman proved that on Monday, helped Mighty Sports clobber South Korea, 86-65, and tie defending champion Iran for the lead in the 38th William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gym. Given the time to shine, the 5-foot-7 Tang did not disappoint as he brilliantlly quarterbacked the team’s second-quarter assault that enabled Mighty to pull away for good.

His only only basket for the night gave the team backed by Scratch It PeraPera Agad-Agad! and Symarom its first sizable lead at 36-21 late in the second half on the way to their second straight win in the nine-team tournament.

The 5-foot-9 Brickman was also impressive, scoring five points, including a triple, and grabbing seen boards in almost 30 minutes of action.

“We got quality minutes from Ty,” said Mighty coach Bo Perasol. “We are now much better than what we were a week ago. We have now a chemistry but we need to improve it.”

However, the biggest star

of the night was still ex-PBA import Al Thornton.

True to his promise to come up with a better performance this time, Thornton erupted for 24 points highlight by two triples – the last one helping dash Korea’s comeback after it got within 65-58 halfway through the payoff period.

He was held to five points in the team’s 89-81 win over the Taiwanese last Sunday.

Former PBA import Zach Graham and Dewarick Spencer ably supported Thornton by chipping in 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Meantime, Iran went to rising star Yakhchali Behnam once again to beat Sacramento State University, 70-59.

Japan improved to 2-1 after downing Egypt, 71-66.

The scores: PH-Mighty Sports 86 – Thornton 24, Graham 13, Spencer 12, Macklin 9, Gillenwater 9, Singletary 7,Brickman 5, N’Diaye 4, Tang 3, Avenido 0, Teng 0.

South Korea 65 – Heo I. 11, Kim J.11, Lee 11, Heo U. 10, Byun 9, Kim S. 4, Kim J. Y. 4,Heo H. 3, Kang 2, Choi Ju. 0, Choi Ji. 0, Lee J. 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 4431,59-45, 86-65.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 108 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016