Edge Davao 9 Issue 110

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

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TRANQUILITY. A young boy falls asleep while resting on the steps of wooden staircase. His parents are workers at the fish “bagsakan” area in Bankerohan, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

News

5 injured in grenade blast F

IVE civilians were reportedly injured when a hand grenade exploded near a mall in Poblacion in Calinan, Davao City, yesterday afternoon.

Among the injured were Angie Balili, Jason Aguio, Jose Entero, Julito Concepriano and another unidentified victim.

Based on initial police reports, the target of the grenade attack was allegedly Brgy. Lamanan chairman Nicanor Pepito.

Pepito was said to be on board a vehicle at around 3 pm when two motorcycle-riding men lobbed the grenade at him.

Apparently, the grenade did not explode upon

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DFA-11 ACTS ON DIGONG ORDER Long passporting queue at mall is gone

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

L

adlopez0920@gmail.com

ONG lines that used to be the sight when one passes by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) passport processing center at the SM City, at Ecoland, in Matina, Davao City, are gone.

On Thursday morning, most applicants for passports in experienced faster and

smoother processes.

Security guards at the mall also confirmed that applicants who used to sleep at night inside the premises of the mall are also gone.

They said the DFA had already implemented a system that makes the processing fast.

Besides, they added, the

management of the mall has already prohibited people from spending the night inside the property.

Cut-off time was the system that the DFA processing center recently implemented.

Filing of applications is limited until 4:00 in the after-

noon, with those who are able to catch up with the cut-off time given priority numbers to return the next day.

Five applicants, when interviewed, said the longest time they stayed at the processing center was three hours, while another two said

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EDGEDAVAO Sports Blatche: I’ll be back if you need me P15

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

DENGUE WARNING. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued a stern warning to officials of the City Health Office (CHO) to exert extra effort to bring down the number of mortalities due to dengue fever by December, otherwise, she will find new people for the job. Lean Daval Jr.

City fisherfolks to receive motorized bancas from DA

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O further improve the lives of the families of fishermen in Davao City, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to turnover around 300 motorized bancas and sets of fishing gears.

The City Information Office (CIO), in a statement sent to the media on Thursday said DA Secretary Manny Piñol and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had already discussed the said project.

The distribution will be scheduled in time with the celebration of the 31st Kadayawan Festival that will kickoff on August 15 this year.

Piñol also told the CIO of the scheme of the project, which is the giving one motorized banca with sets of fishing tools to two families.

The DA secretary said the scheme of one banca per two families will ensure that the beneficiaries will also share the responsibility in taking care of the fishing boat and the gears.

“We are targeting 600 poorest families as beneficiaries of the project,” Piñol said, as quoted by the CIO, adding the project is one of the interventions of the department in addressing the poverty experienced by the fishery sector in the city.

The fishing boats, made of fiberglass and comes with a complete set of fishing tools, costs P70, 000 each.

The city government of Davao will be tasked to identify the project beneficiaries, the DA secretary added. ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

Lopez: I will not allow Tampakan project

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NVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez on Wednesday stood firm that she won’t allow gold and copper mining operation in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

“I will not allow the Tampakan project as long as it is planned as an open-pit mine,” said Lopez in a press conference.

The DENR chief said she would stand against any move to lift South Cotabato’s ban on open pit mining, which is Tampakan’s preferred extraction method, describing it as “horrible”.

“Tampakan is on top of hundreds of hectares of agri-

cultural land, the food basket of Mindanao, and you want to put a 700-hectare open-pit mine? I don’t care how much money they give us. It’s not worth it. Who is making the money here and who is taking the risk?” she lamented.

Lopez, however, said all permits given to the project will be reviewed “but we will observe due process.”

Sagittarius Mining Inc. (SMI) has a pending proposal to spend USD 5.9 billion to dig into one of Southeast Asia’s largest untapped resources with an estimated yield of 11.6 million tons of copper and 14.6 million ounces of gold.

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Sarah: Dengue fever death toll alarming

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed alarm over the high number of deaths in the city due to dengue fever.

The City Information Office (CIO) on Thursday said Mayor Sara had ordered health officials to work and find ways to decrease the increasing number of dengue fever cases in the city.

“Mayor Inday Sara Duterte is deeply concerned and appalled at the high number of dengue fever deaths in Davao City with the City Health Office (CHO) so far recording 19 mortalities from the over 4,000 patients since January,”

the statement from the CIO said.

The statement also quoted Mayor Sara’s instruction and warning to health officials, stating: “I want to see a decrease from July to December; otherwise, there is a need to find new people for this job.

This year’s number of deaths due to of the virus carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquitos is high compared to eight cases of death last year.

“That the number of deaths could reach this high is definitely disconcerting and I am appalled because the government is supposed to be doing everything to prevent the

breeding of the mosquitoes carrying the virus,” Mayor Sara added.

The mayor also ordered the review on how the local government is taking the efforts to fight dengue and other preventable diseases.

Dengue is preventable if only efforts to prevent its spread were done efficiently, she added.

She also called on the CHO to closely coordinate with barangay officials in the implementation of programs aimed at eliminating dengue.

“There is an urgent need to eliminate the mosquitoes carrying the virus and their

breeding places if we want to end the spate of deaths,” Mayor Sara said.

The CIO added the CHO has been regularly treating curtain and bed nets with chemicals that effectively ward off mosquitoes.

The heath office has a P1-million allocation for its dengue program.

The CHO on Wednesday said that dengue cases in Davao City have already reached 4,002 as of June of this year.

Of the total number of cases, 19 deaths were already recorded, 11 of them were children.

of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which has the list of the targeted poorest individuals in the country.

“For the first 100 days, we will be rolling out the check-up and out-patient benefit package to the poorest 20 million Filipinos. We will be seeking out the poorest and we will provide health check-ups and drugs if they are needed,” Secretary Ubial said.

Under the medical checkup procedure, poor patients can avail themselves of physi-

cal examinations, blood tests, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood pressure taking, and fasting blood sugar (FBS).

Dr. Ubial said the medical check-ups that will be done among the poor will create a “connection of the poor” to ensure that their health conditions will be properly monitored and they can even avail of treatment at the hospital if they have health problems which require such procedure.

“We want to appropriately create the network so that we

can address their health problems and concerns,” she added.

The DOH Chief said she also wants to have a system wherein the results of the physical examination can be transmitted through text to the patients so they no longer need queue in health centers to get their medical results.

She reminded the department’s health workers to serve the people in a friendly and engaging manger, as these were the instructions of the presi-

DOH vows to address health concerns of the poor to highlight the first 100 days of Duterte admin

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HE Department of Health (DOH) assured the public that the health concerns of the marginalized sector nationwide will be a top priority, as it will highlight President Rodrigo R. Duterte administration’s promise to provide them with quality health services.

In line with this, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said she has already given the directives to all DOH regional offices to work closely with the Department

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Four past PHL Chief Executives attend President Duterte’s first NSC meeting

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LL the four past Presidents before President Rodrigo R. Duterte attended on Wednesday the initial National Security Council (NSC) meeting of the current administration.

Video grab from the state television station, PTV, showed Duterte with former Presidents Benigno Aquino III, Gloria Mapacagal-Arroyo, who is also the current Pampanga Second District Representative; Joseph Estrada, the current mayor of the City of Manila; and Fidel V. Ramos.

In a briefing Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella declined to give specifics on the topics of the NSC meeting but said the former Chief Executives were expected to extend their “support.”

Asked what the expected support is for, Abella said this would be “for our Philippine efforts.”

“I mean at the end of the day, they are all Presidents of the Philippines. It would be a cooperative venture,” he added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), on its Facebook post Tuesday, said government’s Road Map for Peace and Development would be presented during the

NSC meeting along with “vital policies and strategies on important matters, including the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea.” The Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on June 12 decided in favor of the Philippines on the jurisdiction claims on three islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) namely Mischief Reef, Second Thomas Shoal and Reed Bank The Tribunal said these islands which “are submerged at high tide, form part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines, and are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.” ”The Tribunal therefore concluded that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights with respect to its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” it said.

Mischief Reef is also called Panganiban Reef in the Philippines, Second Thomas Shoal is known as Ayungin Shoal, and Reed Bank as Recto Bank.

NSC is chaired by the President and is composed of about 35 leader-members from the executive and legislative branches of government,

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No damage reported from 5.2 earthquake in Ormoc

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O damage was reported when a magnitude 5.2 earthquake jolted Ormoc City in western Leyte Wednesday night.

Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez said the earthquake had caused panic among residents, but did not cause any damage to the city’s infrstructure.

Photos have circulated in social media of patients confined at the Ormoc Doctors Hospital being moved to safety after the tremor.

Some guests of Ormoc Villa Hotel also rushed to an open area for fear of aftershocks.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

(Phivolcs), in a bulletin issued Wednesday night, said the quake with tectonic origin was felt at 7:56 p.m., with a depth of 9 kilometers The quake’s epicenter was eight 8 kilometers north of Ormoc City, and said to be tectonic in origin.

Phivolcs reported that the tremor was felt at intensity 4 in Ormoc City, while intensities 3 and 2 were felt in Villaba and Pastrana, Leyte; and Cebu, respectively.

It was followed with a magnitude 3.1 earthquake with tectonic origin at 8:12 p.m. The epicenter was six kilometers south of Ormoc. (PNA)

NEWBIE. A new registrant fills up a Commission on Elections (Comele) application for registration form outside the Comelec 11 office in Davao City yesterday. Registration of voters for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections started on July 15 and will end on Saturday, July 30. Lean Daval Jr.

Military condemns NPA attack on CAFGU members

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

A

adlopez0920@gmail.com

TOP official of the Philippine Army in southern Mindanao denounced on Thursday the attack made by the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) against a group of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Davao del Norte a day earlier.

Major General Rafael Valencia, commander of the 10th

Infantry (Agila) Division said the ambush took place when the CAFGU members were pulling out from their position and ordered back to their patrol base as part of the government’s move to implement the unilateral ceasefire declared

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

One member of CAFGU was killed while four others were wounded when their

convoy was waylaid by an undetermined number of NPA rebels on Wednesday morning, July27 in Sitio Kamunuan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

The CAFGUs were withdrawing from their position at Sitio Kapatagan and heading towards their patrol base in Sitio Patil when attacked by the rebels.

Col. Ricardo Nepomunceno, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade in the area also slammed the NPAs for the ambush.

Nepomuceno said the movement of the CAFGUs from their operational area was in compliance to the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Duterte during his

P

on Monday, the President also discussed plans to install the 8888 Help Line to address citizens’ concerns.

In line with his campaign promise to eliminate red tape, the President has directed all agencies of the government to reduce to a maximum of three

days the processing time in issuing permits and licenses in various government agencies.

The President’s order binds the executive branch, from the Office of the President down to the last barangay official.

He stressed the need to

streamline and re-engineer government efforts in development and security to ensure that resources of the state are spent wisely and the outcomes are felt on the ground.

To address citizens’ clamor for the timely issuance of

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President Duterte: Malacanang open to complainants vs. graft and corruption RESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte said “the gates of Malacañan will be open” to those who have valid reasons to complain about graft and corruption under his administration.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA)

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Dula Kadayawan on its 3rd year on Kadayawan Festival

By CARMELA FORONDA

T LUMAD GAMES. City Sports Development Office officer in charge Mikey Aportadera talks about the upcoming Dula sa Kadayawan, an event where indigenous tribes showcase their own sports activities, during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum. Lean Daval Jr.

HIS year’s 31st Kadayawan Festival will focus more on the tribes the cultural aspect of Kadayawan itself.

Duwa Davao, formerly called Lumadnong Dula, is one of the main events of the Kadayawan which will open on August 8 at the People’s Park.

Eleven tribes, including the Muslims and ethnic groups will participate in the sports event.

According to Mikey Aportadera, officer-in-charge of the City Sports Development Office (CSDO), the Lumad games, or Duwa Davao, or Dula Kadayawan has been going on for three years now.

The sports office has al-

ready allotted a budget for the preparation of the event.

At its launch, the Dula Kadayawan started with only five participating tribes.

Datu Rudy Mande of the Ata Matig Salog Tribe, said two years ago said there were only five that joined the games. The tribes included the Tribong Manobo, Matig Salog, Tagabawa, Ata and Klata.

Among the many tribal games to be highlighted are 12 events that are common to the different tribes.

The Muslims, meanwhile, also have different games but their events will happen on the same day.

In addition, there will be

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6 ECONOMY Anti-poverty program boosts Cebu coffee-growing industry

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HE government’s Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAPP) is giving a boost to the local coffee industry in Tuburan, Cebu.

Government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and private enterprises have collaborated to expand production and markets of coffee growers in the area.

Launched in 2015, ASAPP aims to ensure that poverty reduction programs are focused, well targeted and coordinated.

In Cebu, stakeholders identified the coffee industry as a potential driver of inclusive growth that will increase the incomes of the poor in the areas.

Convened by the Regional Office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Region VII, the ASAPP Cebu Action Team led discussions among local government units (LGUs), line agencies, private enterprises and community members to come up with a poverty-reduction program in Tuburan through developing local Tuburan coffee.

Based on coffee site visits and an assessment of the 2,000 hectares currently planted to coffee in Tuburan, the ASAPP Cebu team developed various technical assistance projects to enable the town’s local coffee growers sector to increase production and sell to wider

markets.

These include technical assistance on coffee production, coffee handling practices and post-harvest facilities as first steps.

The team also found the need to provide coffee seedlings and funds for fertilizers, as well as for post-harvest facilities and facilities for coffee bean grinding/processing.

Being part of commercial value chains is likewise considered crucial.

“What is good about the ASAPP is that it is inclusive— the community, the LGUs, the line agencies and the private sector all work in a coordinated fashion towards a common goal and common interest of raising incomes. ASAPP is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders in the area,” said NEDA Deputy Director-General for Policy and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon.

The ASAPP-Cebu Action Team is composed of members of the Tuburan LGU and its coffee people’s organizations.

From the private sector, Bo’s Coffee and the Philippine Retailers Association were involved in the Tuburan coffee ASAPP project.

From the government, representatives were from the NEDA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of

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PSE: Policy consistency on economy good for business T

HE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement of maintaining and even improving current macroeconomic policies as well as the administration’s plan to increase infrastructure spending.

“The President’s major economic pronouncement should be good for the capital markets as investors are always looking for stability in policies. The commitment of the government to increase infrastructure spending should only be additive to the current high growth that we have been experiencing,” PSE President and Chief Executive

Officer Hans B. Sicat said in a statement.

In his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Duterte said his administration would pursue prudent fiscal and monetary policies that help translate high growth into more and better jobs , while reducing poverty across the country.

The PSE also lauded his statement in pursuing reforms to ensure competitiveness and facilitate the ease of doing business.

“In the face of globalization and economic integration, the standards for measuring the competitiveness of our industries must be viewed beyond the country’s

economic territory,” Sicat said.

“We need to recognize that certain industries require massive amounts of capital, and options that allow consolidation, and liberalization of foreign ownership restrictions, can improve the competitiveness of these sectors,” he added.

The Exchange also looks forward to the results of the review of the implementing guidelines of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Sicat hoped that the review, spearheaded by the Department of Finance, will lead to the resolution of the contentious issues that have prevented companies from applying under the REIT law.

“REITs should unlock the potential not just of the real estate sector, but also various infrastructure projects that are in need of significant funding and critical to the country’s economic growth,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the PSE is also eager to see the first Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) being launched.

“We have seen how many markets have benefitted from a vibrant equity retirement framework in mobilizing savings and increasing retail participation in the capital markets. There has been a lot of work done on PERA and we hope these will lead to PERA being offered to the public soon,” he added. (PNA)

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“Itik Pinas”breeder duck produces 50 eggs more, boosts balut industry

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NEW breed of the country’s home-grown duck called “Itik Pinas” has been developed through scientific, research and technology innovations that could produce 50 more eggs per duck than the traditional Pateros duck breeder.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in partnership with the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center-Bureau of Animal Industry (NSPRDC-BAI) has developed the new breed which could boost the country’s “balut” industry.

DOST-PCAARRD will launch “Itik Pinas” during its fifth anniversary slated on Thursday (July 28) as one of the event’s highlights, along with the Council’s leading R&D initiatives in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors, during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) from July 25 to 29 at the Council’s complex here.

This year’s NSTW has adopted the theme “Juan Science, One Nation.”

The DOST-PCAARRD said “Itik Pinas” is a genetically superior breeder duck which has a higher average productive period of 70 percent per year compared with the 55 percent for the old breed.

This translates to an increase in egg production of at least 50 quality eggs per duck

per year or an additional income of at least Php 300 per duck per year.

Moreover, “Itik Pinas” produces eggs at an average of 65 grams a piece, consistent with the requirement of the ‘balut’ industry.

The new breed can also adapt to local environment conditions and can perform well even with simple housing and low-cost feeds.

The strains of “Itik Pinas” are products of organized breeding and selection that focuses on the uniformity of physical characteristics, higher and predictable egg production performance, and consistent egg quality.

“Itik Pinas” is an output of DOST-PCAARRD’s Duck Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) which aims to develop science-based interventions for increased egg and egg weight.

The program also addresses the decline in number and quality of breeders as well as the lack of stable supply of ready-to-lay pullets, among other challenges.

The Council’s anniversary also highlights the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on Wednesday morning with the awarding of papers in the afternoon.

The NSAARRD showcases the most outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of the AANR sectors through research and development. (PNA)

SECURITY MEASURES. SPECTRUM Philippines’ Richard Sharpe (right) and Ken Onozawa discuss the security measures which will be undertaken and other preparations for the Kadayawan sa Davao Festival 2016 rave party to ensure the safety of the party goers during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum. Lean Daval Jr.

Agri group calls for filing charges of economic sabotage vs onion smugglers A N agricultural group called on the government on Wednesday to file charges of economic sabotage against those who tried to smuggle 87 containers of onions into the country.

“This is the litmus test on both the resolve of the Duterte government to combat smuggling and the effectiveness of the recently signed law -- R.A. (Republic Act) 10845, that decreed the smuggling of agricultural products as an act that constitute economic sabotage,” said Rosendo So, Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura (SINAG) chair, in a statement.

“We are hoping that this time, these smugglers will be apprehended, charged and punished accordingly. Many in the agriculture sector voted for President Digong (Rodrigo Duterte) because of his cam-

paign promise to end smuggling,” he added.

According to SINAG, they were alerted by a source at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that the 87 containers were abandoned by the consignees -- Sanfred Trading and Great Light Trading.

“Nung una, sinubukan nilang ilabas ang siyam na containers pero nahuli ito.

Then, they wanted that these shipments to be inspected at their warehouse, hindi kami pumayag dahil dapat sa mismong pantalan pa lamang ang inspection. Next thing we knew, they are already abandoning their shipments, citing decomposition. Most of the shipments were declared as garlic, but the content was onion,” revealed So. Under R.A. 10845, the amount of smuggled agricultural product subject to eco-

nomic sabotage is equal or more than PHP10 million for rice, and equal or more than PHP1 million for other agricultural products such as sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish and cruciferous vegetables.

Smugglers and their cohorts will face a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other charges avoided.

SINAG contends that the 87 containers are worth at least PHP130 million, much more than the PHP1 million minimum amount for these smugglers to be charged with economic sabotage, also a non-bailable offense.

In the last five years, SINAG research estimates that close to PHP200 billion worth

of agricultural goods were smuggled into the country.

According to the group, a market value of PHP200 billion translates to around PHP60 billion to PHP80 billion in lost revenues for the government since these agricultural commodities are supposed to be protected and levied a higher tariff of 30 percent to 40 percent.

Around 65 percent of global onion output comes from the top eight onion producing countries, with China as the top onion producer with over 22.3 million tons. India is ranked second, producing some 19.3 million tons. The rest of the list includes USA, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan.

It is estimated that for this year, onion production will increase by at least 10 percent in India alone. (PNA)

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ECONOMY 7 LTFRB shares tips on how to spot a colorum vehicle

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PAINTING IN THE DARK. A client holds a flashlight while her manicurist works on her pedicure along a dark alley in Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Telco firm’s high-speed broadband to test in Davao A

PRIVATE telecommunications firm is set to launch its high-speed mobile service broadband here through fourth generation (4G) mobile phone technology and LTE (Long Term Evolution) service by the third quarter of this year.

Ramon Isberto, Smart and PLDT head of public affairs said the implementation will be done by phase starting in Davao City.

Isberto explained the scheme will be through couse arrangements between PLDT and the telecom business of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on the condition that they (Smart-PLDT) will submit a three-year network roll-out plan as basis for approving the frequency on couse arrangement between Smart and BelTel. Using the 700 MHz covered by the co-use frequency arrangement, the coverage becomes wider, he said.

For this year, the company

will roll out in major towns and cities of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao or 40 percent of the areas in the country and covering 60 percent of the population.

In 2017, the areas covered will be at 50 percent and with 70 percent of the population, while in 2018, it will reach 95 percent of the cities and towns in the country, and will serve 97 percent of the population, Isberto said.

With the plan, he said, Smart will be changing both the hardware and software in all its cell sites, and the old connections will be replaced with fiber optics.

He said they will do the replacement work in phases as it takes a lot of work.

Given this, Isberto said the consumers will experience the best mobile experience in both speed and quality.

He said the company is investing on LTE, as it has the capacity to combine two or more bands, which would

consequently result to more effective and efficient network operations.

This year, he said, Smart will deploy the 700 MHz through the co-use arrangement to roll out LTE in 360 cell sites in Davao, Cebu and Manila.

So far, Isberto said, Smart has fired up eight 700 MHz powered sites and of this number, five of these are in Davao City, namely, in Matina; Barangay Maa near DBP Village; along San Pedro Street near Osmena Park; the PLDT building along Ponciano Reyes St.; and at Kilometer 4, near the Davao City Gulf Club.

The three other sites are in Tanay, Rizal, in Bacoor Cavite, and at the Manggahan area in Pasig City.

Smart will also be increasing the capacity of its domestic fiber optic backbone network so that it would be able to handle the rapidly growing traffic.

Smart’s drive to boost

with income contributions of 16.8 percent, 7.8 percent, 7.6 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

Profit of Union Bank of the Philippines and its subsidiaries rose by whopping 121 percent to PHP1.9 billion primarily attributed to the robust growth in core recurring income.

Income contribution of AEV’s non-listed food subsidiaries, Pilmico Foods Corporation, Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation and Pilmico International Pte Limited went flat at PHP885 million.

AEV’s land subsidiary, Aboitiz Land Inc. (AboitizLand), booked a 60-percent decline in profit to PHP85 million from last year’s PHP213 million.

The conglomerate attributed lower profit to the 63-percent decrease in revenues of the Industrial BU due

to the lower LiMA Land sales as prospective locators held off commitments in light of the recent national elections.

But this is still mitigated by the residential and commercial BUs recording revenue growth, supported by their respective markets’ growing interest, it said.

AEV’s infrastructure unit, Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. (RCBM), posted a profit of PHP869 million with cement demand supported by growth in commercial and other non-residential spaces, sustained demand in the residential sector and government infrastructure spending.

“Our two-pronged strategy of organic growth in our existing businesses and diversifying our income streams from our fifth leg -- infrastructure-related businesses-- is on

data coverage and capacity across the country forms a major part of PLDT Group’s capital expenditure program.

PLDT has set aside about PHP43 billion in total capex for 2016 and it has allocated an additional 100 million US dollars to utilize the additional frequencies previously assigned to SMC. (PNA)

S part of its anti-colorum campaign, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB) on Thursday urged the public to help spot colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs) and report them to its 24/7 hotline number ‘1342’.

LTFRB board member Atty. Ariel Inton said that colorum vehicles — whether UV express, taxi or public utility bus (PUB) — are usually vehicle models that are old, dilapidated or even phased out.

Colorum PUVs are also vehicles that do not bear the LTFRB-required markings and case numbers. In the case of taxis, they have no top light, taxi meter and trade name. As for buses, they don’t indicate their routes.

A tinted PUV, usually UV express service, is also identified as a colorum vehicle since tinted glass is banned in all types of PUVs. Inton further said that drivers should be in proper uniform or else they could also be considered as drivers of a colorum vehicles.

Finally, the public can easily spot a colorum PUV when it uses a green plate which is only meant for private vehicles.

“These are some of the signs that a PUV is colorum.

We encourage the public to help the LTFRB in its anti-colorum driver,” Inton said.

“We hope that these tips help keep our passengers safe.

If a passenger spots a colorum vehicle, immediately report it to the LTFRB,” he added.

Below is a summary of tips provided by the LTFRB to spot a colorum vehicle: Colorum UV express services: *No markings—LTFRB-required markings, case number *White color with markings *Tinted van *Is usually an old model, phased-out mode or dilapidated *Has no LTO sticker, no LTFRB confirmation sticker or is unregistered *No driver’s uniform *Green plate, no plate number Colorum taxi services: *No body markings, no toplight, no taxi meter, trade name, case number *Unsealed taxi meter *Green plate or no plate number *No LTO sticker, no LTFRB confirmation sticker or is unregistered *No driver’s uniform *Is usually an old model, phased-out mode or dilapidated Colorum Public utility bus services: * No markings—route, trade name, case number

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DCWD implements 24-hour rotating water supply schedule in Cabantian

D

AVAO City Water District has announced a 24-hour rotational water supply schedule due to the persistent problem of low water yield.

Below is the alternating schedule and affected areas:

Aboitiz Equity nets PHP10.5B in H1

C

ONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) reported a 34-percent increase in profit in the first half of the year on the back of its power business.

Consolidated net income reached PHP10.5 billion in January to June from PHP7.8 billion last year.

Aboitiz Power Corporation’s profit (AboitizPower) surged by 24 percent to PHP7.7 billion, driven mainly by power generation business.

Therma South’s new capacity contribution primarily accounts for the 13-percent increase in Aboitiz Power’s attributable capacity sales in the first semester from 1,795 megawatts (MW) to 2,020 MW. Power accounted for 67.1 percent, followed by Banking and Financial Services, Food, Infrastructure and Land strategic business units (SBUs)

F ABOITIZ, 10

The water utility also advised the public that unforeseen problems such as emergency mainline leaks may result in a separate water service interruption. Customers are therefore advised to always store water whenever supply is available. They are also reminded to turn off faucets whenever there is no water to prevent leakage, as water supply may come earlier or later than scheduled.

On behalf of DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado extend its apologies to the affected customers and gave the assurance that the water utility is continuously working to improve water supply delivery not only in Cabantian but in other areas that are experiencing intermittent water supply.

For queries and further updates, 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), 0927-7988966, 09255113293 and 0908-4410653. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

EDITORIAL

A

Where is the CHR in cyclist’s death?

NOTHER road rage incident. Another life claimed.

Mark Vincent Garalde was your regular laborer who pedals a bike to work, baon inside his bag in tow. Everyday, his routine takes him from home to work site, and back home on board, yes—his trusty bike.

So when Garalde’s bike was bumped by a car, his instant reaction was to check if he and his bike are alright. However, he did not consider what was going through the mind of the car’s driver. Incensed by the incident, the driver got off and punched the cyclist who was still holding his bike.

Not satisfied, the driver got back to his car, took a gun, and shot the defenseless cyclist—still holding his bike—to death.

The scene reminds us of many celebrated cases of road rage in the past. The Teehankee and Go cases, among others.

This one was documented on CCTV, and the suspect was a man named Vhon Tanto who was trained by the government in case there was a need for additional warm bodies in the military.

EDGEDAVAO

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

It turns out, the head of this man was too hot for a reserved soldier.

The family of the slain victim Garalde is now crying for justice and has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for help in the immediate arrest of the suspect who was last reported to have escaped and on his way to Caloocan from Nueva Vizcaya by bus.

Meantime, Garalde left behind two children-aged 13 and two.

The police is now conducting a manhunt for Tanto who is described as armed and dangerous. Now, we expect Tanto to turn himself over through a military officer if he so desires. To live or to fight it out to the end? That is the question.

The latter scenario is being anticipated as human rights activists will again be ready to cry for Tanto. But will they cry now for Garalde?

Here is a dead laborer whose family is crying for justice and yet where is the CHR? Are they waiting presumably for Tanto’s death in the hands of authorities?

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0948-823-3685 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

EDGEDAVAO

O

9

Davao horse-fighting circa 1931

UTLAWED with the passage of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1988, organized horse-fighting has been banned in Davao City for years, and there’s no gainsaying it will stay prohibited in the next six years of the Duterte presidency.

This brutal sport of two stallions fighting it out for the ‘right’ to mate a mare is an ancient tradition not exclusive to the Philippines. In China as in other remote places of the world, horse-fighting is allowed on certain occasion.

In the Philippines, staging this fight is at times allowed as part of cultural practices. In the town of T’boli, South Cotabato, during Seslong Festival, it is held to celebrate the local culture.

John Foreman, F.R.G.S., in The Philippine Islands. A Political, Geographical, Ethnographical, Social and Commercial History of the Philippine Archipelago and its Political Dependencies, Embracing the Whole Period of Spanish Rule (1899), wrote about his first-hand experience of a horse-fight at a Negros Occidental suburbia in an account: “In the middle of a paddock facing this balcony, a mare was tied up to a post with about three yards of slack rope. Three stallion ponies were then loosened, and off they trotted to the mare.

Whenever a pony approached her he became the common rival and enemy of the other two, and a desperate combat ensued. They kicked and bit each other terribly. At times, all being exasperated, the fight would become general-each one against the other. Whenever they got with-

H

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

OW are you doing today? Not feeling good anymore as if the world has already abandoned you? Do you sense that no loves you anymore? Or, you’re carrying all the problems of everyone in your back?

Don’t worry. You are not alone. If only trees could talk, they will have many stories to tell too. Listen to one tree speaking: “When I was young, I didn’t notice it. But later on, I began to realize how different I was. I was short and crooked and all out of shape while around me stood those tall stately pines and those long-branched acacia trees. I should tell you, though, that I am hanging here onto the side of a cliff and my few roots are twined around the top of a stone.

“I often dreamed of being big and beautiful, with the wind bending me to and fro and the showers of rain washing my leaves. But here on the cliffside I felt so small, the wind didn’t often blow through my branches. Even the sun only warmed me for half a day and then it left me in the shade of my cliff and shone down on those majestic trees in the valley.

“Why did I have to stay here, hanging onto a cliff? I did not have enough soil to develop all the beauty inside me. I was dissatisfied with my lot in life. Why did I have to stand here and be like this?

“Then early one spring morning, the perfume from all the new meadow flowers wafted up to me, a tiny bird warbled its song from my branches, and the first warm sunrays kissed me long before they ever got down into the valley. What a beautiful panoramic view I had from up here. No other tree down there could see as far as I could.

in reach of FAST BACKWARD the mare, she would launch out a kick with her hind feet, but of course her sex protected her from retaliation. The bloody contest lasted for over an hour, Antonio V. Figueroa by which time they were all pretty well exhausted, but not one was disposed to yield. No one was the conqueror in the end; each had received about an equal share of bites on the neck and kicks on the trunk, and they were all driven off bleeding.”

Horse-fighting is most popular among indigenous tribes. Though there is a law proscribing it, some local chief executives, in deference to ethnic custom, allow the event to be held occasionally but with certain limitations, such as ensuring no stallion is killed or disabled for life.

In the prewar period, the fight was not just about entertainment; it was also a combat between two well-trained horses. Among the Bilaans and Kulamans of Malita, according to American Charles F. Clagg, “it is customary to have only a single horsefight on a given day and due to the scarcity of fine fighting material, there may not be held more than half a dozen fights in

a whole year.”

Writing for the Philippine Magazine in its October 1931 issue, Clagg described the event held on July 20, 1931 inside the Pahl Plantation at Calian Valley, in Malita, Davao Occidental: “On this Sunday morning we all went down to the beach that had been chosen as the scene of combat, stretching in a broad, sandy curve more than a kilometer in length and, at low tide, when the battle was fought, thirty meters in width. Suddenly from out the jungle trail at one end of this beach there emerged a brightly dressed crowd of men, women, and children surrounding the challenger and his mate.

“The instant the fighters caught sight of each other the halters were slipped from their necks and with piercing screams of challenge above the noise of thudding feet, they galloped madly toward each other! With a shock that threw them both down they crashed! Shrill squeals, grunts, and the smash of hoof-blows were nearly drowned by the cries of the onlookers, who, though wildly excited, cautiously stayed on a bank along the edge of the abutting coconut grove.

“The equine battle raged up and down the open beach within a distance of a hundred meters as first one, then the other, gained a temporary advantage by driving his opponent away from the docile mares and their colts. It was particularly noticeable that, as soon as one of the fighters realized he was thus being driven off, he would maneuver so as to regain the dominant

position between the mares and his enemy.

“The two stallions circled round and round, trying to sink their bared teeth into each other’s ribs or flanks without getting a pair of flashing heels to the head in retaliation. Then one would suddenly rear up in an attempt to batter down his rival with slashing front feet, or, with a quick whirl a pair of hind feet would catch the other on the shoulder with a smashing thud-all this to the accompanying frenzied howls of encouragement from the assembled throng…

“Once, pursued and pursuer dashed right into the crowd, scattering wildly yelling, terror-stricken spectators in all directions. Twice, the grey chased the Manobo horse deep into the surf, both going completely under in a struggling melee, only to emerge, not only with ardor undampened, but apparently much refreshed by the plunge…

“After three hours of intermittent fighting and running around, the grey was declared winner by common consent, for during the final hour he had kept his opponent many meters from the mares and had been continuously the more aggressive.

“Neither horse had been seriously injured, though both had numerous cuts, gashes, and swellings where teeth or hoofs had left their telling marks.”

But cruelty to animals being a crime a now, it is not farfetched to predict that this brutal ethnic fight, with strong opposition from animal activists, will eventually go.

“From that THINK ON THESE! day on, I began to realize that I was something special. I was a special kind of tree made for a special kind of place. None of those big beautiful trees could do what I am Henrylito D. Tacio doing. Why did henrytacio@gmail.com it take me so long to realize that?”

A wise man once said, “Your presence is a present to the world. You are unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.”

The Daily Motivator also affirms, “No matter what kind of troubles you may have, just think of how fortunate you are to be alive and living in a world where almost anything is possible. Consider for a moment the good things you have, and the good things that you can accomplish through your willingness, determination and action.”

Always see the brighter side of life. As an ancient Persian saying goes, “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” This reminds me of the true story of Major Frederick Franks in an article written by Suzanne Chazin for Read-

er’s Digest. It went this way: Major Frederick Franks stared at the Christmas tree in his drab hospital room. It was the time of year for joy, but Franks felt only sadness. Seven months earlier, in May 1970, while he was in Cambodia, grenade shrapnel had torn into the lower half of his left leg. Doctors were preparing to amputate it.

Franks had graduated from the US military academy at West Point, where he was captain of the baseball team, and he had planned to make the army his career. Now, retirement seemed the only option. Although Franks felt he still had a lot to offer the army – combat experience, technical knowledge, an ability to solve problems – he knew that soldiers with severe injuries seldom return to active duty.

They must pass a yearly physical-fitness test, which includes a three-kilometer run or walk.

Franks wasn’t sure he would be up to the task with prosthesis.

After the surgery, Franks felt saddest of all about giving up his prowess on the baseball diamond. At weekly games, he batted while someone else ran the bases for him. Waiting to bat one day, he watched a teammate slide into base. “What’s the worst that could happen if I tried the same thing?” he thought.

In his next turn with the bat, Franks hit the ball into center field. Waving away his runner, he began a painful, stiff-legged jog. Between first and second, he saw the outfielder throw the ball towards the second baseman. Closing his eyes, he willed himself forward and slid into second. The umpire called “Safe!” and Franks smiled triumphantly.

A few years later, Franks led a squadron through military exercises in rough ter-

rain. His superiors wondered if an amputee was up to the challenge, but Franks showed them he was. “Losing a leg has taught me that a limitation is as big or small as you make it,” he said. “The key is to concentrate on what you have, not what you don’t have.”

I like that. We have to count each day a blessing. No matter how small the things are now facing, consider yourself blessed. “The things that count most cannot be counted,” a friend once told me. William A. Ward agrees: “The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven’t.”

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some,” Charles Dickens urges. Thankfully, we all have a lot more going for us than it sometimes appears. Yet, with blessings aplenty, far too many people still plod along holding tight to their scarcity state of mind. They don’t see much good happening to them and not surprisingly, not much of anything ever happens in their lives. It never occurs to them that what they don’t see is exactly what they don’t get.

A timely thought from an unknown author should remind us all: “Count your blessings instead of your crosses. Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes. Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears. Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean. Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth.”

For comments, write me at henrytacio@ gmail.com

Count your blessings

10 NEWS DFA-11... FROM 1

four hours.

But there were those who failed to get their papers processed; at least four of them said they lacked some requirements.

Of the four, one said she could not understand what identification card the processor at the center was asking for.

She has spent two days in Davao City but the processor would not accept the additional identification cards she presented.

The other three applicants had problems either on their birth certificates and other pertinent documents.

Liza, not her real name, agreed to be interviewed as she had been part of an accredited agency in Davao City assigned to process passports of applicants.

She observed the changes in the system of processing more than a month now.

“Before, this area used to be full of applicants, aside from those lining up. Some loiter around hoping to get chances of having their papers and documents processed on time,” Liza said.

She added the setting of cut-off time helped the system of processing passports fast.

“Before, everyone would come up here and take some chance of getting their papers in even though there were already applicants in line,” she added.

Small hitches in the pro-

cessing now, she emphasized, are brought about by the lack of documents and requirements on the part of applicants.

Liza also attributed some of the glitches to some processors at the DFA, stating: “There are instances when you’re assigned to peevish or bad-tempered processors. There are some of them there.”

In more than three years of her experience in processing, she said bad-tempered processors lack the understanding and consideration towards applicants whose documents miss only the minimal requirement for these to be considered.

Those who are often placed in difficult situations are applicants coming from distant towns and provinces outside of Davao City, she said.

But Liza said processing for the last two months are better, saying the long lines and hours of waiting have already been minimized.

Another five applicants interviewed said they were at the processing center last Thursday to claim their passports.

Of the five, four said they had difficulty in processing their applications before, with two of them experiencing sleeping inside the premises of SM City.

One of the five said she paid the services of an accredited agency to process her passport.

impact and was picked up by Pepito who then threw it by the roadside, injuring the victims.

It is still unclear as of this writing if Pepito was among those injured during the blast.

Investigation on the incident is still ongoing, although authorities are not discounting the possibility that the attack could be election-related in light of the upcoming barangay elections this coming October.

In a statement, Davao City

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that she has directed Police Supt. Michael John Dubria of the Davao City Police Office to conduct a thorough probe on the blast.

“Rest assured, the police is on top of this isolated incident,” the mayor said.

“And we reassure everybody that there is no reason to worry about the security in Davao City. This is purely isolated,” she added in her statement. SM

50 lumads per tribe who will play in the games. Like last year, they will stay at Bolton and Magallanes elementary schools.

Because of this positive

development, Datu Mande has expressed his gratitude to the CSDO since for preserving their tribal games and fostering the solidarity among the eleven tribes of Davao City.

including past Presidents of the Republic, the current Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, the majority and minority leaders of both

Houses of Congress, the Chairs of Senate and House Committees involved in national security concerns, and various members of the Cabinet. (PNA)

track and paying off. We are very pleased with the strong contribution of our cement business and the prospects

of infrastructure moving forward,” said Erramon I. Aboitiz, AEV President and Chief Executive Officer. (PNA)

*Green plate or no plate number *No LTO sticker, no LTFRB confirmation sticker, no MMDA-bus rationalized sticker or is unregistered Passengers may report

colorum PUVs through the LTFRB hotline number ‘1342’ or Viber at 0917-550-1342 for Globe and TM subscribers or 0998-550-1342 for Smart, Talk ‘n Text and Sun users.

(PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

Dr. Anne Margaux Bautista-Quesada (2nd from right), President of the Davao Occidental Medical Society receives a Plaque of Recognition from the Philippine Red Cross on behalf of her group as a blood donor. The group of doctors from the newly-inaugurated province of Mindanao has been heavily

DOH... FROM 2

dent.

“Sabi nga ni President Duterte, dapat laging nakangiti ang serbisyo sa gobyerno...

So that will be the hallmark of this administration, wala pong masungit,” she stressed.

The Health Chief said that while attending to the needs of the impoverished patients, they should feel respected and valued.

She said that it is very important for Filipinos to access quality health services by eliminating existing financial, cultural and geographical barriers through quality, compassionate services that are at par with global standards.

“So ito po yung sinasabi ko, even liver transplant, kidney transplant, even the poorest Filipinos will have access to this high technology,” she as-

sured.

As an example, she cited Davao’s Southern Philippines Medical Center, wherein a successful open heart surgery conducted, with the patient not having to a single centavo.

She also said that a “doorto-door service” for patients will also be done wherein the ambulance picks up patients from their houses and bring them to the health facility.

Dr. Ubial said that upon being discharged from the hospital, the patients are brought back to their houses.

“Ganun po yung serbisyong gusto nating ipalaganap sa buong Pilipinas. Talagang quality services, and taking care of the poorest Filipinos will be the hallmark of this administration…,” she stressed. (PNA)

Philippine passports, the government shall work towards the amendment of the 1996 Passport Law to lengthen the validity of the passports from five to 10 years, he added.

President Duterte ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to streamline the documentary requirements for passport applications and open additional Consular Offices in strategic locations to decongest Metro Manila sites and avoid long queues that have caused hardship and suf-

fering to applicants.

“I am addressing all of the Cabinet members to make use of the computer. I do not want to see people lining up under the heat of the sun. I do not want people lining up under the rain,” he said.

As for driver’s licenses, their effectivity will be extended from the current three-year period to five years. To reduce queuing time at train ticketing stations, ticket outlets will be introduced in malls, stalls, and stores. (PNA)

Agriculture, PCA, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Cebu provincial government.

Meanwhile, another ASAPP project in Cebu was the collaboration between the DTI and the DSWD, together with LGUs, to provide retail trade management training and seed capital to 105 individuals in the towns of Dalaguete, Tuburan and Santa Fe, Cebu.

Also under the ASAPP, DTI conducted entrepreneur-driven intensive trainings for the Hapao basket weavers in Tuburan.

Raw materials used during the training were supplied by a private partner who also purchased the finished products of the participants.

“One of the poverty reduc-

tion strategies of the ASAPP is to assist marginalized groups in self-employment. This includes apprising them of industry demand and assisting them in responding to this demand through capacity-building, production and value-adding support, and linking them to markets and institutional buyers,” said Edillon.

Consistent with the midterm review of the PDP, ASAPP accelerates the inclusion of marginalized groups in the growth process by making the interventions area-specific and responsive to the gaps that the private buyers and grassroots suppliers identify.

The ASAPP was implemented in nine pilot provinces, which are considered the poorest provinces in the country.

These are Iloilo, Pangasinan, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Leyte, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur and Sulu. (PNA)

President... FROM 4

Anti-poverty... FROM 6

involved in medical missions and is the first medical society in Mindanao to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Red Cross.

Media Affairs, Davao Occidental.

Lopez... FROM 2

The project, which would also encompass Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, has been opposed by residents because of its massive impact on their water source Lake Buluan.

Lopez, in an earlier dialogue with the Lumad or indigenous peoples of Mindanao, assured that mining operations in the region found in violation of mining and environmental laws and regulations would be suspended.

“Sususpindihin natin ang mga mining company na lumalabag sa batas,” she told the Lumads.

During the dialogue, the Lumad representatives complained about the new open pit mines and tailings ponds constructed in their areas, which have severely affected their livelihoods.

The group cited Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, Sultan Kudarat; SR Metals Inc. in Tubay, Agusan del Sur; and Greenstone Mining and Taganito Mining, both in Surigao del Norte, as among those whose operations have seriously affected IP communities due to siltation, open pit mining and stockpiles.

The Lumad groups also appealed to Lopez to halt illegal logging and encroachment in watershed areas, and stop militarization in their areas, which they claimed. was related to the plan of large-scale mining companies to setup new businesses.

They likewise called for the return of all the Lumad displaced from their ancestral lands because of mining and illegal logging activities. (PNA)

State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Such an act was deplorable,” Nepomuceno said in a statement sent to the media.

He said the army will continue to observe the suspension of offensive operations against the NPAs and coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the

conduct of law enforcement operations.

“We shall abide with the ceasefire, while we continue to secure the communities, vital installations and ongoing government flagship projects against any possible attack from the armed lawless groups,” General Valencia added.

AWD technology if moisture stress condition is induced.

But studies have shown that the reduction of yield was less compared to the yield reduction due to the direct moisture stress effect.

Another disadvantage: emissions of nitrous oxide, also a greenhouse gas, are increased.

If farmers find the AWD laborious, they can always practice the integrated riceduck farming system, which is another way of reducing methane emissions from rice fields. Recent studies have shown that ducks in the rice paddies can effectively reduce the emission of methane into the atmosphere because of the constant paddling of ducks.

This is how it is done. One author wrote: “Under the system, ducklings are released to rice fields to graze and feed.

The paddling movement of the ducks in the rice fields increas-

es the rice tillers, in effect raising annual yield by as much as 10 to 15 percent. Besides their paddling, ducks also eat the insects and unwanted weeds in the rice field.”

The integrated rice-duck farming technology is environmentally sound as it restores the relationship of people with nature. This is a sustainable system as it helps in eliminating the contamination of soil, water and air brought by chemical substances which are harmful to both nature and human.

“The integrated rice-duck technology reduces the use of chemicals,” the agriculture department points out. “Since ducks are grown alongside rice paddies, they eat harmful pests at the same time their dung fertilizes the soil. Their paddling movement cultivates the soil and destroys the weeds.

Its benefits to the farmers are immediately felt and tangible.”

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Davao City hosts launch of search for TOYM JCI PHILIPPINES LAUNCHED THE 2016 TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN OF THE PHILIPPINES SEARCH IN DAVAO CITY. The event was attended by representatives from the government and private industries, as well as the leaders from the local JCI chapters and past winners of the TOYM from Mindanao.

Popularly known as TOYM, the search aims to recognize young men and women from different fields, professions or vocation who have gone “beyond their call of duty” to create a positive impact in their communities. It gives recognition for their outstanding leadership, excellence and contribution to humanity.

Search Committee Chair Christopher Camba of JCI Cebu Inc. explained that the 2016 is anchored on the theme “Transforming Communities, Creating Posi- Duterte’s campaign “Change is tive Change” which is inspired Coming”. The judges evaluate by the moniker of President the nominations based on how

nominees deal with the situation and how they create positive change in society--be their respective communities or on the nation as a whole”, he adds.

“We chose Davao as the city to launch the search not just because it’s the home of our current president, but because its a living example of excellent leadership”, shares JCI Philippines National President Steve Tycangco. He also explained that one the challenges the search committee is facing is the lack of nominees from Mindanao simply because of people are not aware of the search. The last TOYM award given to a Mindanawon was

still three years ago.

The TOYM is on its 57th year, and has conferred the lifetime achievement award to 465 individuals across the Philippines. It is co-sponsored by PLDT, the Gerry Roxas Foundation Inc., and the TOYM Foundation, Inc. Nominees will have to submit an Executive summary, scrapbook of accomplishments, as well as duly signed nomination form and photos before September 30. The final phase of selection will include a panel interview with judges coming from different fields of expertise and notable individuals in the community.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EDGE

SM Supermalls hold Book-reading camp

GEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

LAST JULY 19, SM CITY DAVAO AND SM LANANG PREMIER ALONG WITH 57 SM SUPERMALLS NATIONWIDE as well as SMDC Mall-Residences and SM Supermalls in China, once again celebrated the National Children’s Book Reading Day. This year’s book reading event at SM City Davao was participated in by kids from Little Pearls of Heaven and Euro-Asia Child Care Center, while grade school pupils from the University of Immaculate Conception attended the event at SM Lanang

Premier. Over 70 kids joined the activity and received free items from event partners Vibal Publishing, UNICEF and the National Bookstore.

Mutya ng Davao 2009 Atty. Resci Rizada and spoken word artist Karla Singson were the celebrity readers at SM City Davao. In SM Lanang Premier, Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta and GMA news anchor Sarah Hilomen graced the celebration.

“At present, SM Supermalls serves as much as 4

million customers a day, with almost half being children. We believe that learning is not restricted inside the four corners of a classroom, as we care for each and every child that enters our mall by promoting their rights, prioritizing their safety and enhancing their learning experience in a child-friendly environment,” SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez shares.

SM Supermalls actively serves the community through its corporate social responsibility program SM Cares, with dedicated committees on women and children, the differently abled, the elderly, and the environment.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

Getting to know lifestyle’s resident modern girl

SAM OH BEST KNOWN FOR HER WITTY COMMENTARY, it appears the stars have aligned for TV host Sam Oh this 2016.

Aside from being a skyscraper of hope and empowerment for girls everywhere, she has been handpicked by Lifestyle to headline its newest show called “Modern Girls” alongside Gretchen Ho and Denise Laurel.

Sam Oh, a popular name in the radio scene who never fails to cheer up her listeners with her wit and wisdom, is definitely the ultimate girl peg. She fits the bill as her overall aura exudes intelligence, strength, and glamourmaking her a true modern girl.

Just what makes a modern girl? Sam bravely answers, “At this day and age, it’s an interesting

THERE IS NO STOPPING THE MAGIC OF GMA’S TELEFANTASYA ENCANTADIA as its enchanting Sang’gres Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez, and Glaiza de Castro, together with their co-stars Rocco Nacino and Ruru Madrid fly to General Santos City this Saturday, July 30, for a Kapuso Mall Show.

Following their much-awaited first appearance in the primetime series this week, the Sang’gres are off to meet their fans at the Convention and Events Center of KCC Mall. The show starts at 5 p.m.

Earlier this month, around 7,000 Cebuanos flocked to South Town Centre in Talisay City to watch their favorite Kapuso stars. Around 6,000 Davaoeños and Tagumeños, meanwhile, welcomed the cast in Gaisano Mall in Tagum City last June 26.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

time to be a woman because we’re very empowered. You can make choices that don’t necessarily come from pressures from society, how you’re expected to act, and stuff like that. And we’re all living out these different lives in a really interesting time. And we’re free to do that.”

Before entering television, Sam earned a name for herself as a radio jock, making morning commutes bubbly and full of energy. Sam brings to “Modern Girls” her larger-than-life personality, open mindedness, and classy attitude.

“Modern Girls” is the newest TV magazine talk show on Lifestyle that is

every modern Filipina’s survival manual that discusses interests, issues, and insights of the contemporary Filipina that’s meant not just to entertain but to inform and inspire as well. The show aims to share insights on themes catering to every modern woman’s interests such as dating, love, health, fitness, beauty, music, art, culture, food, and many more.

Complete your Saturdays with their fun yet truly heartening talk show every Saturday at 9PM on Lifestyle with replays every Sunday at 12:30 PM, Monday at 2 AM, Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 11 AM, and Saturday at 6AM.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

AboitizPower first semester G net income up by 24%

Globe Telecom most awarded PH telco operator in 1H of 2016

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BOITIZ Power Corporation posted a Php10-billion net income for the first half of 2016, a 24% increase compared to the same period of last year, boosted by growth of its power generation business.

“Together with our partners, our net sellable capacity has grown to 3,350 MW. We are pursuing more projects – baseload, solar, biomass, hydro and geothermal – that will allow us to strengthen our balanced mix portfolio,” Antonio R. Moraza, AboitizPower president and chief operating officer, said.

“We believe that it is important to provide this balanced mix of energy to support the needs of our country with adequate, reliable and competitively priced

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The start of commercial operations of the 300-MW Therma South baseload power plant in Davao City and the improved water inflow of the 360-MW Magat hydroelectric power plant (pictured above) in Ifugao and Isabela provinces significantly contributed to the 24% increase in AboitizPower’s 2016 first half net income. power,” Moraza added.

The power generation business group accounted for 82% of earnings with P8.1 billion, mainly due to the operations of its Therma

South 300-MW power plant in Davao, and complemented by the water inflow in the 360-MW Magat hydroelectric power in Ifugao and Isabela provinces.

The power distribution group’s earnings, propelled

by Davao Light and Power Co. as well as the Visayan Electric Co. grew by 3%, from P1.7 billion to P1.8 billion.

PLDT, Smart comply with NTC order

OBILE leader Smart Communications (Smart) will cover 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities with its LTE (Long-Term Evolution) service by the end of 2018, based on the three-year rollout plan submitted by parent company PLDT to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

According to the plan, Smart is rapidly expanding both the coverage and capacity of its LTE service, using its existing frequencies combined with the new spectrum that it had gained access to under the co-use arrangement between PLDT and the telecoms business of San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The submission of the three-year network rollout plan was one of the conditions imposed by the NTC in approving the frequency co-use arrangement between Smart and BellTel. “We are accelerating our LTE deployment because this will enable us to deliver faster, more reliable and affordable Internet services throughout the country,” according to Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor at PLDT and Smart.

LTE, the fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone technology, is an all-IP (internet protocol) network that delivers a superior data service experience to customers compared to 3G technologies. It provides the fastest wireless data service commercially available, and is predicted by the recently released Ericsson Mobility Report of leading network vendor Ericsson, to be the dominant mobile access technology by 2019 worldwide.

This year, Smart is de-

PLDT, Smart submit 3-year network rollout plan to NTC. In photo, PLDT Regulatory Head Ray Espinosa (6th from left) and PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn (2nd from left) present copies of the plan to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba (3rd from left). Also in photo are (from left): Smart Network Services Head Mar Tamayo, NTC Deputy Commissioners Delilah Deles and Edgardo Cabarios, Smart Legal and Regulatory Head Eric Español, PLDT’s Fred Carrera, Smart’s Roy Ibay, and PLDT Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto. ploying the 700 MHz covered by the co-use arrangement, to roll out LTE in 360 cell sites in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. Using the 700 MHz together with its existing frequencies, Smart will cover nearly 40% of the country’s 1,634 cities and municipalities by the end of 2016.

“Since its commercial launch in 2012, we have been deploying LTE in areas with high population concentration, where we have customers who have already purchased 4G/LTE handsets that can take advantage of the network and are using bandwidth-rich data services,” added Horn.

Under the new plan, Smart will deploy LTE to other key cities and major municipalities by 2017, and eventually cover 1,551 cities and municipalities by end2018.

Complementing the LTE network deployment, Horn said Smart is also working with device manufacturers so that they can introduce more medium- to low-priced 4G or LTE handsets, tablets, and

pocket WiFis that can run on multiple frequencies, to give more users access to the data network.

In the Smart network, almost 50% of the roughly 70 million Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers are already using smartphones. The majority of these are 3G or HSPA+ handsets, but the number of 4G or LTE handsets is rising fast, as the range of available models increases and the handset prices decline.

“As more 4G or LTE device users access the internet, so will we see a surge in mobile data traffic,” added Horn.

The same Ericsson report shows mobile data traffic grew unabated worldwide, with the rise in both smartphone use and data consumption per subscriber cited as the drivers of growth.

“A critical component of this LTE rollout is the infrastructure that will support the increasingly large transport requirements of a network handling so much data traffic,” said Horn.

Smart expects that by the end of the three-year LTE

network plan, it will have installed the necessary transport system to connect its nationwide base stations to the core network, along with international cable systems that provide massive capacity, and facilities that will allow local caching of content normally accessed by Filipino users.

“This is part of getting our network ready for the future, by putting in place the pipes that will accommodate the expected surge in data usage, and allow users to take advantage of speeds offered by next generation technologies such as LTE-A, and eventually 5G,” Horn added.

A part of Smart’s threeyear plan presented to the NTC is its deployment of the next stage of development of LTE called LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), also referred to as 4.5G. Last April, Smart fired up the country’s first 4.5G service in the resort island of Boracay, using a feature of LTE-A called carrier aggregation, or combining two or more frequency bands to deliver bigger bandwidth to mobile phone users.

LOBE Telecom is the Philippines’ most awarded telecommunications operator in the first half of 2016 following a series of recognitions given to the company by various institutions.

“The string of awards given to Globe testify to the company’s excellence in creating shared value to all our stakeholders even in the face of intense industry competition amid a continuing customer adoption of a digital lifestyle,” Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto said.

Two of the awards conferred on the company are the Frost & Sullivan Philippines’ “Telecom Service Provider of the Year Award” and the “Mobile Service Provider of the Year Award.”

Both awards were given to Globe for demonstrating exemplary growth and performance in 2015. Both awards were evaluated based on the number of subscribers, subscriber growth, revenue growth, EBITDA margin and net margin.

Earlier this year, Globe was also named by Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific as “Telecom Service Provider of the Year” for 2016, also in recognition of the company’s impressive business performance in the previous year. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development.

Globe also recently gained recognition from Institutional Investor, a leading international business to business publisher, focused primarily on international finance. Based on the results of its 2016 All Asia (ex-Japan) Executive Team rankings survey, Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu came out second place in the Overall Best CEO category for Telecommunications, and third place Sell-Side Best CEO category.

Institutional Investor’s 2016 All-Asia Executive Team surveyed buy-side analysts, money managers and sell-side researchers at securities firms and financial institutions that cover the region.

Specifically, they were asked to name the best chief executive officers, chief financial officers and investor relations professionals in their respective sectors. All votes are weighted by place (first, second, third or fourth).

Globe was also recognized

as an “Honored Company” as the company secured at least one Top Three position in the Telecommunications sector. According to Institutional Investor Research, a total of 1,541 companies across 18 sectors were nominated this year, making the possibility of a top three position quite competitive. The 2016 All-Asia Executive Team survey reflects the opinions of 1,394 investment professionals at 582 financial institutions. Respondents of the buy side work at firms that collectively manage an estimated $963 billion in Asia ex-Japan equities.

In addition, Charlton East Coles, an independent market research firm, conferred two citations on Globe Telecom. Specifically, the company was named Philippines Company of the Year 2016-Top 15 and Philippines Diversified Telecommunications Services Company of the year 2016, based on a survey of fund managers and analysts on their perceptions of Asia’s largest corporations.

A total of 213 fund managers and analysts across the region were asked to rate the largest listed companies across 10 categories, after which a weighted score was given to each company.

Charlton East Coles is the leading financial research firm in the equities, investment banking & corporate performance markets in Australia.

Globe Telecom also was declared first runner-up in Best in Ethics and Governance Award at the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Awards 2016, a category that recognizes the unwavering commitment of organizations in upholding the highest levels of governance and business ethos over and beyond compliance needs. The recognitions attest to the company’s commitment in upholding good corporate governance, a key factor in their business’ success.

The ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards has been the pre-eminent sustainability forum in the Philippines. Each year, it has been a host to luminaries of all sectors from both Philippines and beyond.

This year’s ACSSA focused on the newly-launched Global Goals. Organized by Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards 2016 focused on the agenda of the SDGs as defined by the theme “Empowering Sustainable Convergence”.

Globe Telecom was declared first runner-up in the Best in Ethics & Governance category during the Asean Corporate Sustainability Awards 2016. Globe Corporate Brand Management OIC EJ Francisco (center) and Globe Corporate Communications’ Strategy and Management Operations Head Mitchel Cloyd Masaudling (right) receive the award from Dr. Oscar P. Bulaong, Jr. (left), Executive Director of Ateneo Ethics Center.

12 SCIENCE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

Reducing methane emissions by really trying

By Henrylito D. Tacio “If we control methane, which is viable, then we are likely to soften global warming more than one would have thought, so that’s a very positive outcome.” – Dr. Drew Shindell, a climatologist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Columbia University in New York *** Farmers, particularly those growing rice, can help reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere by adopting controlled irrigation or alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology.

Developed by the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), AWD is a technology which allowed rice fields to dry for a certain period before applying irrigation water. measure the water level in the Also called controlled ir- field so that incipient water rigation or intermittent irri- stress in the rice plants can be gation, AWD technology can anticipated,” the IRRI points actually save farmers almost out. As such, the AWD technolone-third of irrigation water ogy does not only save water without sacrificing yields. It but can greatly reduce emisalso saves farm inputs like oil, sions of methane. fuel, and labor being utilized Studies conducted at the on the operation of water IRRI have shown that AWD pumps. technology reduces methane Rice fields using this tech- emissions by about 30% or nology are alternately flooded even up to 70%, depending on and dried. The number of days water usage and management of non-flooded soil can vary of rice stubble. from one day to more than 10 “Rice production also condays, according to IRRI. It uses tributes to global warming an “observation well” that is as it emits methane,” said Dr. made of bamboo, plastic pipes, Constancio Asis, Jr. supervising or any hollow indigenous ma- science research specialist at terial. Perforations are made the Philippine Rice Research in the lower half of the tube.

Institute (PhilRice) in Muñoz, The AWD technology Nueva Ecija. can be started a few days afAfter carbon dioxide, ter transplanting (or with methane is the second most a 10-centimeter tall crop in important greenhouse gas, direct seeding). When many which is responsible for trapweeds are present, AWD can ping the heat from the sun be postponed for 2-3 weeks at it radiates back into space. until weeds have been sup- Methane is created naturally pressed by the ponded water. as a waste product of anaeroLocal fertilizer recommenda- bic bacteria (living with little tions as for flooded rice can be or no oxygen). These bacteria used. Nitrogen fertilizer maybe produce methane gas in waapplied preferably on the dry terlogged soil and wetland, but soil just before irrigation. also in human-produced envi“A practical way to imple- ronment such as rice paddies. ment AWD technology is by Scientists explain that monitoring the depth of the long-term flooding of the fields water table in the field using a cuts the soil off from atmosimple perforated field water spheric oxygen and causes antube,” IRRI explains. “When the aerobic fermentation of organwater level is 15 centimeters ic matter in the soil. During the below the surface of the soil, wet season, rice cannot hold it is time to flood the soil to a the carbon in anaerobic condidepth of around 5 centimeters tions. The microbes in the soil at the time of flowering, from convert the carbon into methone week before to one week ane which is then released after the maximum flowering.” through the respiration of the The water in the rice field rice plant or through diffusion is kept at 5 centimeters depth of water. to avoid any water stress that It wasn’t until in 2001, would result in severe loss in when the United Nation’s Inrice grain yield. The threshold tergovernmental Panel on Cliof water level at 15centimeters mate Change (IPCC) submitted is called “safe AWD,” as this will its report that methane was not cause any yield decline given much attention. “One of because the roots of the rice the most potent greenhouse plants are still be able to take gases on Earth,” the report up water from the saturated said. soil and move it to root zone.

“Methane absorbs heat 21 “The field water tube used times more than carbon diin this technology will help to oxide and it has 9-15 year life

Land preparation (Photo courtesy of IRRI)

Alternate wetting and drying (Photo courtesy of IRRI) time in the atmosphere over a 100-year period,” says Dr. Asis, Jr., a recipient of the 2011 Norman E. Borlaug International

Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Award.

“The Journal Science” reported that atmospheric concentration of methane has more than doubled during the last 300 years and is increasing at an annual rate of about 1% each year.

Although atmospheric methane levels declined during 1983-99, they remained relatively constant during 1999-2006, according to a new report released by the Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute. “And they have

been increasing since 2007,” it said.

A new study, which appeared in the journal “Geophysical Research Letters,” said that methane’s effect on warming the world’s climate may be double what is currently thought. The new interpretations reveal methane emissions may account for a whopping third of the climate warming “from well-mixed greenhouse gases” between the 1750s and today.

Rice fields are one of the major contributors of methane in the atmosphere. “An estimated 19 percent of world’s methane production comes from rice paddies,” admits Dr. Alan Teramura, a botany professor at the University of Maryland. “As populations increase in rice-growing areas, more rice – and more methane – are produced.”

According to Dr. Asis, rice crops emit methane starting from the transplanting to harvesting stage, peaking at two weeks after transplanting up to the tillering stage.

The AWD technology is one of the farming systems that can help minimize methane emissions. But there’s more: “AWD technology can reduce the number of irrigations significantly compared to farmer’s practice, thereby lowering irrigation water consumption by 25 per cent, reducing diesel fuel consumption for pumping water by 30 liters per hectare, and producing 500 kilograms more rice grain yield per hectare,” the IRRI says in a statement.

However, the AWD technology has its shares of disadvantages. For one, rice productivity is reduced using

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

Sen. Aquino seeks to cut bureaucratic red tape A

N average of 193 business hours are being consumed each year by an individual obtaining necessary permits and tax payments.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said he filed Senate Bill No. 348, or the Government Efficiency Office (GEO) Act of 2016, to drastically reduce regulatory requirements that burden the public and businesses. ”Lengthy, complicated and overlapping regulations from

various government agencies result in costly and time consuming processes that have inconvenienced far too many Filipinos for too long,” Aquino, an entrepreneur, said.

According to the senator, obtaining government I.D.s, paying taxes, requesting for necessary permits and other dealings with government leaves citizens frustrated, often pushing them to find extrajudicial avenues to fulfill requirements.

In the case of businessmen,

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

Aquino pointed out that obtaining each necessary permit involves up to 30 steps aside from 47 tax payments to make each year, which consume an average of 193 business hours.

“These bureaucratic inefficiencies can lead to the failure of a fledgling business. It is no wonder the Philippines ranks 103rd out 189 countries in the Doing Business rankings by the World Bank,” he stressed.

To do away with regulatory barriers that hamper the

nation’s growth and oppress Filipinos, the bill seeks the creation of a special arm under the Office of the President that will be tasked to ensure efficiency in the existing and proposed regulations across government agencies.

This measure seeks to create a National Policy on the Development and Implementation of Regulations (NPDIR) to set policy-making principles and guidelines to be followed by all government agencies. (PNA)

Government intensifying programs for OFWs--OWWA

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O ensure the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as those staying in the country, the government is intensifying the implementation of programs that would teach hardworking Filipinos to be more productive.

As President Rodrigo R. Duterte has expressed his faith in the capabilities of Filipinos, particularly those who are working abroad, he wants to provide them with more knowledge, especially in safeguarding their finances.

With this, he is pushing for a mandatory financial education for all migrant families and

their communities along with incentives to encourage them to become entrepreneurs.

“To help ensure that the hard-earned money of our Overseas Filipinos are put into productive use, a mandatory financial education for all migrant families and their communities shall be pursued along with incentives to encourage entrepreneurship among them,” the Chief Executive said in his State-of-theNation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“I may now also call on Congress to consider drawing up bills consolidating and merging disparate agencies and offices all having to do with Overseas Filipinos to have a department that shall focus on and quickly respond to their problems and concerns. We have to effectively address concomitant needs and problems encountered by our overseas citizens in a timely and simplified manner,” the President added.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), under its National Reintegration Program for OFWs, is offering training on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or technical skills upgrading or development.

Likewise, Filipinos who already choose to stay in the country can engage in business and avail of the Balik-Pinoy Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) entrepreneurship assistance, which come in the form of home-based business starter kit, tools, and jigs, amounting to PHP10,000. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

Tapales brings home AAK-UIC bets win 4 golds WBO bantam crown M A

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

AK-DAVAO-UNIVERSITY of the Immaculate Conception team came home with 4 gold medals and a silver medal in the recent 17th SM -MILO superkarate kids National Invitational Championships at the SM BF paranaque last July 24.

Comprising the AAKDAVAO-UIC squadwere promising karatekas from the UIC-High School campus namely Kyzzhia Pauline Na-

varro, Seth Michael Navarro, John Philip Cagandahan and Christopher John cagandahan.

Christopher John started the juggernaut with a gold medal triumph in the novice kata event, while elder brother Seth Michael won the novice kata gold in the 9-11 yrs old boys category. Kyzzhia Pauline won the kata gold in the intermediate 9-11 girls category, and later added another gold in the doubles

kumite 9-11 girls with a PKF karateka as her partner.

The Navarro brothers won the silver medal in the doubles kumite event 9-11 boys category after bowing to a pair from Manila Shitoryu karate (MASK).

A total of 22 teams participated in the said event with over 200 participants.

“The team is very happy for winning eventhough there were many participants in the said event, we

Blatche: I’ll be back if you need me

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ESPITE an unpleasant experience in his last Gilas Pilipinas stint, Andray Blatche remains committed to playing for the Philippine national team in the series of qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Gilas team manager Butch Antonio personally talked with the naturalized player prior to his departure shortly after Gilas bowed out of contention in the recent Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and the 29-year-old New Yorker assured he’ll always be on call for the national side.

“We’re having a friendly chat before he left to the US after the OQT and he’s saying, “I’ll be back. Just let me know when you need me,’” said Antonio, quoting the NBA veteran.

“That says a lot about

his commitment to Gilas,” Antonio added.

Two years since he was naturalized and started suiting up for the national team beginning with the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain, the former NBA player has become accustomed to the Filipino way of life, according to Antonio.

“He actually enjoys it here,” said the longtime basketball official. “And he loves his teammates (very much).”

One Gilas insider even disclosed Blatche had planned to have a house here in the country especially had the national team made it all the way to the Rio Olympics.

Unfortunately, it didn’t materialize.

Gilas lost back-to-back games against France and New Zealand and failed to advance in the semis of the qualifiers.

fielded 4 karatekas and won 4 golds and a 1 silver medal,” said head coach Rommel Tan. The participating teams are, AAK SM Megamall, Jose Rizal University, St. Paul Pasig, De la Salle Zobel, ARJUKAA-Caloocan, Manila Shitoryu karate (mask), ASKA, Shitokai Philippines, Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF), PKL-Laguna, AAK,-Batangas, Black Panther-Batangas, PKL-Cavite, Hayashiha Philippines, and AAK-UIC Davao.

READY TO RETURN. Natturalized Gilas player AAndray Blatche is willing to play for the Philippines if his services are needed.

ARLON Tapales crowned himself world champion on Wednesday, scoring an 11th round stoppage of Pungluang Sor Singyu to wrest the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title in Ayyuthaya, Thailand.

The 24-year-old Filipino southpaw fought gallantly infront of a hostile crowd and rose from two knockdowns in the fifth round to pull off the stunning upset.

Tapales pressed the tiring Sor Singyu in the decisive round by connecting on a three-punch combination, capped by a left uppercut and a left straight that took the lights out of the dethroned champion.

Tapales became the fourth Filipino world champion today after Nonito Donaire Jr (WBO super-bantamweight), Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (WBO light-flyweight), and Johnriel Casimero (International Boxing Federation flyweight).

The native of Tubod, Lanao del Norte raised his record

to 29-2, with 12 KOs. Handled by veteran boxing manager Wakee Salud, Tapales thought the fight would be over when he went down twice in the fifth, courtesy of two punishing body punches by the Thai.

“I really thought the referee (Raul Pena) was going to stop the fight when I got knocked down twice,” admitted the newly-crowned champion.

But after surviving the onslaught, the Filipino returned the favor in the sixth round, sending Sor Singyu down to the canvas with a right hook.

Obviously, that turned the tide in favor of Tapales, who didn’t let-up until totally sending Sor Singyu to dreamland.

The Thai, now 52-4, with 35 KOs, was later brought to the hospital and treated for a broken jaw.

Tapales, Salud along with co-trainers Brix Flores and Fernando Ocon, and the other members of the entourage, will arrive in the country on Thursday afternoon.

MARLON TAPALES. New Pinoy world champion.

Warriors center Varejao Batang Gilas bounces back, stops India to miss Rio Olympics B

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ENTER Anderson Varejao will miss the Olympics for host Brazil because of a herniated disc in his lower back.

The Golden State Warriors announced the injury Wednesday and say that Varejao should be ready for the start of training camp but will not be healthy enough to play in the Olympics. Varejao recently

ANDERSON VAREJAO. Out of Rio.

experienced back pain while training with the Brazilian National Team and returned to California to be examined by Dr. Robert Watkins earlier this week.

Varejao averaged 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 22 games after signing with the Warriors on Feb. 22. He resigned with the team earlier this month.

ATANG Gilas atoned for its stunning loss against Thailand the other day behind a 105-82 rout of India on Wednesday to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the Fiba Asia Under-18 Championship in Tehran, Iran.

The Filipino quintet finished the preliminaries with a 2-3 win-loss record, but still good enough to make the quarterfinals and clinch the No. 3 spot in Group A. The Batang Gilas bounced back after suffering a 74-71 upset at the hands of Thailand that momentarily put its quarterfinal hopes in jeopardy.

A daunting task is in the horizon for the team however, as it faces Group B second-ranked Korea to begin the knockout round on Friday.

Jolo Mendoza finished with 23 points for Batang Gilas, who began to pull away in the third period by outscoring India, 28-18, to take a 79-57 lead entering the fourth period.

Kenmark Carino had 14 points, while Gian Mamuyac and Fran Yu added 12 points each for the Philippines.

China topped Group A with a 5-0 mark and will face Group B fourth-seed and host Iran, while Japan, the thirdseed in Group B, battles Chinese Taipei.

Lebanon faces India to complete the quarterfinal

cast.

The scores: Philippines (105)—Mendoza 23, Carino 14, Yu 12, Mamuyac 12, Sinclair 9, Lee 9, Tibayan 7, Gallego 7, Pagsanjan 5, Bahio 4, Madrigal 2, Flores 1.

India (82)—Arthur Wilson 16, Gupta 11, Sahil 11, Mohammed Ali 10, Noushad 9, Poyamozh 8, Rachit 6, Ragupathy 5, Hansradj 2, Sayyed 2, Deepak 2.

Quarterscores: 30-21; 5139; 79-57; 105-82.

LEADING SCORER. Jolo Mendoza had 23 points to lead Batang Gilas in its 105-82 rout of India. Photo courtesy of FIBA.com

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 110 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 29 - 30, 2016

ON A ROLL PH Mighty Sports cruises to 4th win P

HILIPPINES-MIGHTY Sports continued its roll in the 2016 William Jones Cup, this time demolishing Japan, 87-66, on Wednesday in Taiwan.

PH-Mighty Sports improved to 4-0 to remain on top of the team standings and still lead the championship race.

Former PBA import Zach Graham led the way with 15 points and eight boards, while Dewarick Spencer came up with 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half.

Al Thornton and Vernon Macklin scored 11 points apiece. Mike Singletary scored nine markers and Hamady N’Diaye tallied eight points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

In this blowout, Filipino players finally earned some minutes and barged into the scoring column. Sunday Salvacion made five points, while Jeric Teng, Larry Rodriguez and TY Tang each had four markers.

PH-Mighty Sports showed no mercy from the start, zooming to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter and never looked back from there.

A Thornton buzzer-beating triple in the second period swelled PH-Mighty Sports’ lead to 50-21, enough to stave off the Japanese.

LEADING THE CHARGE. Hamady N’Diaye of Mighty Sports-Philippines dribbles against a trapping defense.