Edge Davao 9 Issue 115

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

PRES. AT ENVI GAB. President Rodrigo R. Duterte speaks before thousands of attendees including students of Ateneo de Davao University and stakeholders during the Environmental Summit 2016 dubbed “Oya Mindanaw” yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

Serving a seamless society

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!

Sec. Lopez warns mining firms to follow rules or face closure

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

E

NVIRONMENT Secretary Gina Lopez has vowed to complete the auditing of all mining companies operating in Mindanao by next week.

In a press conference at the Ateneo de Davao University on Thursday afternoon, Lopez said the agency is currently conducting an audit of all Mindanao-based mining firms to determine if they are practicing responsible mining.

Among the big mining firms included in the DENR au-

dit are Greenstone Gold Mines, San Roque Metals Inc. and Taganito Mining Corporation.

She explained the DENR will not only be looking at the technical issues involved in the operations of the said mining firms, but ensure that these companies observe proper “social practices” in the host communities.

“In auditing these mining companies, we will not just look [at] the technical side but also the social practices [and]

what are the effects of these firms’ [operations] on the residents, water and etc,” Lopez said.

She added that it is not enough for mining companies to practice responsible mining, but more importantly, ensure their operations take into consideration the community’s social well-being.

The environment secretary said her office will not hesitate to impose sanctions on these mining companies,

and order their closure, the decision of which will depend on the findings of the audit team.

On Thursday, the DENR suspended the operations of the Claver Mineral Development Corporation in Surigao due to several violations.

In explaining the reason for the closure order, Lopez said the company failed to meet the audit requirements set by the agency.

Lopez emphasized the

F SHAPE, 10

DavSur officials resign en mass

Inside Edge

News Pg2

CAO bats for organic farming Economy Pg6

Mahindra shames Alaska, pads winning streak to 4 • Sports 15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

THUMBS UP. City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Rhodelio Poliquit flashes the thumbs up sign after holding a dialogue with vendors affected by the closure of the Roxas night market. A series of dialogues between Poliquit and the vendors are scheduled next week. Lean Daval Jr.

Regional airport employees’drug tests yield mostly negative results - CAAP

A

RANDOM drug test conducted on airport personnel in five out of 81 managed airports in the country yielded mostly negative results, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said Thursday.

Data from CAAP’s Office of the Flight Surgeon and Aviation Medicine (OFSAM) showed that for the month of July, employees at the Manila office and facilities, as well as those in the Davao, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, Busuanga and Siquijor airports were tested.

OFSAM chief Dr. Rolly Bayaban said that of the 1,102 employees tested, only one Job Order (JO) maintenance staff at Manila Radar and two personnel working as JO maintenance staffs from the Dumaguete Airport were positive for drug use.

Employees in the Davao, Tuguegarao, Busuanga and

Siquijor airports were found to be clean of narcotics.

From January to July this year, out of 2,620 employees of the 26 airports and its Manila facilities who underwent screening for narcotics, 23 personnel were tested positive for the use of shabu.

Twenty employees have been dismissed, while the case against three others remains under review.

CAAP employs around 5,555 personnel nationwide.

It oversees 81 airports nationwide while it only manages airside operations in four others, which are controlled by other airport authorities, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Subic, Clark and Cebu-Mactan International Airports.

These drug tests are conducted as part the administration’s effort to ensure that all CAAP employees are drug-free and are fit to serve. (PNA)

QCPD station commander relieved, reassigned to ARMM

A

CTING on a relief order from the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Acting District Director, Police Sr. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has ordered the relief of Supt. Victor Padilla Pagulayan, as station commander of Talipapa Police Station (PS3), and reassigning him to PRO ARMM. In a Special Order issued by NHQ PNP dated July 29, 2016, the relief of Pagulayan was effective Aug.1, 2016.

Eleazar gave no further de-

tails about Pagulayan’s relief.

“On the part of QCPD, we will implement the relief order of Supt. Pagulayan coming from the National Headquarters,” Eleazar added.

Pagulayan will be replaced

by Supt. Danilo Gumia Mendoza, who was formerly assigned as Chief of Southern Police District’s Special Operation Unit (DSOU) before he assumed as Chief of Police of Tanauan, Batangas and Batangas City.

Eleazar enjoined all his officers and men to perform their

F QCPD, 13

DavSur officials resign en masse

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

S

adlopez0920@gmail.com

EVENTEEN regular employees of the provincial government of Davao del Sur, many of them heads of office, submitted on Thursday their irrevocable resignation to newly-elected Governor Douglas RA. Cagas.

Gov. Cagas, who had been in detention due to criminal charges filed against him for allegedly plotting the murder of a radioman in Digos City in 2010, found relief earlier this week when the court granted his petition for bail.

The mass resignation came after Gov. Cagas was granted bail and reported for duty.

In their letter dated Au-

gust 4, the provincial employees explained their irrevocable mass resignation “is not an easy decision for all of us, but we believe that we can no longer carry out effectively and efficiently our duties and functions in our respective departments.”

The regular employees who resigned include Robert Bellarmine R. Bajo, the Provincial Government Department Head (PGDH) of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO); Maria Cecilia D. Domingo, PGDH, Provincial Budget Office; Dorothy Joy Angeles Ramos, Accountant IV, OIC, Provincial Accountant; Nally S. Bangoy,

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist; Dr. Nestor V. Barroga, PGDH, Provincial Veterinary Office; Engr. Gilbert S. Algaba, PGDH, Provincial Engineering Office; Esterlita B. Hermosisima, PGDH, Provincial Social Welfare Office; Rodilla S. Penas, HRMO IV; Dr. Glinard L. Quezada, Medical Officer III; Dr. Emerson R. Taghoy, Medical Officer III; Cecille Gretchen M. Nawal, Administrative Officer V, OIC Assistant Provincial Treasurer; Genaro R. Dumangas II, Administrative Officer V, OIC-Provincial General Services Office; Harry Chester F. Camoro, Administrative Officer V, OIC, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Council; Pedro Benedicto R. Pabalan, Project Evaluation Officer III; Dimples C. Lapaz, Administrative Officer IV, HRMO; Engr. Eddie Pascua, Statistician II; and, Jose Rey M. Lapaz, Laboratory Technician.

Edge Davao tried to contact representatives of the Davao del Sur provincial government who could provide the LGU’s side on the issue.

However, none of them could be reached as of this writing.

Meanwhile, Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista told reporters on Thursday that he was worried about the career future of the resigned provincial government employees.

5 supports President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call to change the form of government to federal system and lauds Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for spearheading the call for a Con-Ass. According to Almario, another method to amend the charter is the Constitutional Commission, which is unfortunately not provided for in the 1987 Constitution.

Article XVII of the Constitution names Con-Ass, Con-

stitutional Convention and People’s Initiative as the three modes of amending it, Almario said.

Under the first mode or Congress acting as a Constituent Assembly, Almario said Congress simply does not have the needed quality time to revise and craft a whole new Constitution that will embody the ideals of a federal government as it also needs to focus on priority legisla-

tive measures of the Duterte administration, on top of the general appropriations bill, which has to be passed within a very limited time frame.

“Under the second mode or the Constitutional Convention, an election for convention delegates will entail an enormous amount to conduct, will be divisive, and will further burden the already election-fatigued constitu-

Solon bats for Constitutional Commission to amend Charter

A

MINDANAO lawmaker has filed a measure calling on Congress to convene as a constituent assembly (Con-Ass) for only a month to amend the 1987 Constitution, specifically to introduce a Constitutional Commission as the fourth mode to institute Charter changes.

Davao Oriental Representative J. Mayo Almario said House Concurrent Resolution

F SOLON, 10

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Mayor Espinosa shows up at CIDG M

AYOR Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte on Wednesday showed up at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Espinosa, on board a Mahindra police mobile unit, was accompanied by his wife, daughter and lawyer Atty.

Romeo Esmero. They arrived

at the CIDG around 2 p.m. to submit his affidavit of undertaking.

Espinosa did not comment on media’s questions regarding the presence of armed men at his residence at Sitio Tinago, Barangay Binulho, Albuera, Leyte.

The still unidentified armed men reportedly shot it out with police authorities ear-

Comelec: Ready to comply with SC order on Marcos electoral protest

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to provide any information to the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the electoral protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista assured that they will comply with the order of the High Court on the protest case against Vice-President Leni Robredo.

“We will, of course, cooperate with the PET (Presidential Electoral Tribunal) and provide whatever information they will need,” he said.

On Tuesday, the SC, in a resolution, has given the respondent 10-days to answer the protest case filed by Marcos, who placed second to Ro-

bredo in the May 9 elections.

Likewise, the High Tribunal, sitting as the PET, has issued a precautionary protection order ordering the poll body to preserve and safeguard election paraphernalia such as ballot boxes and lists of voters, among others.

Bautista was asked if the ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia are secured. “Yes, they are safely secured. In fact, the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) has already issued a temporary protective order in the case of Tolentino vs De Lima.”

On June 29, Marcos filed an electoral protest questioning the proclamation of Robredo as the winner in the vice-presidential race, citing electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities. (PNA)

ly Wednesday morning, which resulted in the death of six people, believed to be Espinosa’s bodyguards during the last elections.

As of this writing, Espinosa, his lawyer, Chief Supt. Roel B. Obusan, CIDG Acting Director, and CIDG Chief for legal Atty. Virgilio Pabrigo, are holding a closed door meeting.

Espinosa, who has been

linked to the illegal drug trade, surrendered a day after President Rodrigo Duterte gave him 24 hours to turn himself in to authorities or face “shoot on sight,” Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Rolando “Bato” Dela Rosa said.

The PNP Chief said Espinosa could return to his municipality after the investigation

since there was no arrest warrant against him.

However, Dela Rosa urged the mayor that upon his return to his home town, he needs to keep the community drug-free for two months.

“The President gave me three to six months and I’ll be giving you mayor two months zero tolerance. Pag may nabili pa ako drugs sa lugar ninyo

ako na bahala,” he told the mayor. ”Right now wala siyang warrant of arrest( he does’nt have arrest warrant) we cannot detain him that is why he voluntary surrender. What can I do... I have to accept him walang kaso pero napakalakas ng intelligence na protektahan niya ang kanyang anak niya,”

F MAYOR, 10

ENVI WARRIORS. Students chant to signify their desire to help in the national government’s efforts to promote the sustainable management of the nation’s natural resources during the Environmental Summit 2016 dubbed “Oya Mindanaw” yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

President Duterte says Mexican drugs cartel already in PHL

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday said Mexico’s Sinaloa illegal drugs cartel is using the Philippines as a transshipment hub.

In his speech during the courtesy call of volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in Malacanang, the President said the Mexican illegal drug cartel is now using the Philippines as a transshipment point, as the US has strengthened its drive against illegal drugs.

“I’m telling you now. I will never, never, never, foist a lie.

That is the truth,” he said.

This information was among the reasons why the President has strengthened the government’s nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign.

Duterte said that if he is not able to eradicate the illegal drug problem in the country, it would be a problem forever.

“Seven years from now, double the addicts, by the increase, then we will have the narcopolitics,” he warned.

The President has repeatedly warned about the dangers using shabu or metam-

phetamine because of its chemical components.

Citing forensics’ statement, the President said a year of continuous of shabu would shrink a user’s brain, a condition that is irreversible.

The Chief Executive said shabu addicts are very dangerous because they commit crimes like stealing and rape.

“You want me to fight the drug war, I am not fighting a crisis, I am fighting a war,” he noted.

President Duterte earlier named several personalities who were allegedly major players in the domestic illegal drug trade which include a certain Wu Tuan, alias Peter Go, who is currently detained at the New Bilibid Prisons; Peter Lim alias “Jaguar”; and Herbert Colangco.

He has also exposed the names of several active and retired police officers who are allegedly involved in the illicit drug trade.

They are retired Police Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, General Vicente Loot and police generals Bernando Diaz, Joel Pagdilao, and Eduardo Tinio. (PNA)

President Duterte warns Congress against taking advantage of proposed Constitutional change

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday called on lawmakers to do their part in amending the Constitution, but warned them not to take advantage of the situation or otherwise face the consequences.

“Mamili kayo…You do it properly. Do not, huwag mong lokohin ang tao. Pag pinilit ninyo iyan, sarado kayong lahat (Choose. Do it properly. Do not fool the people . If you insist on it I’ll close you down),” he said referring to lawmakers’ personal interests.

In his speech before volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), who made a courtesy call in Malacanang Wednesday afternoon, the President said he earlier preferred for a change in the Constitution through Constitutional Commission (ConCon).

He, however, said that upon learning that this procedure needs a budget of at least Php 10 billion up to Php 50 billion, he changed his mind and instead chose a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss).

He stressed his bid for Constitution change is in line with his goal to introduce a Federal system of government, which he believes is the best mode of government that would ensure sustained and inclusive growth for all citizens.

He also urged the public not to be judgmental on lawmakers’ competence because their worth shows on their track record.

He even pointed out that whatever the lawmakers de-

cide on will be submitted to the voters for a plebiscite. ”And for all the time that you’d been crafting a new Constitution I am here…

Maniwala kayo (believe me) that I will be the last one to agree to any thing there that would destroy our country,” he said.

President Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, said he favors a federal type of government similar to France.

“If you can amend the Constitution, and you can do it by three to four years, and you can elect a new president and a parliament like France, I will willingly give up the remaining years of my term and go out. Walang drama. Wala lahat. Magre-retire na ako (If you can amend the Constitution and you can do it by three to four years, and you can elect a new president and a parliament like France, I will willingly give up the remaining years of my term and go out. No drama. No anything. I will retire),” he said.

President Duterte also disclosed his intention to “destroy the oligarchs that are embedded in government now.”

He cited as example tycoon Roberto Ongpin, Trade and Industry Minister during the Marcos regime, whom he said has connections even in the administration of former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III. Ongpin heads several entities including real estate company Alphaland Corporation, which he serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since November 11, 2009. (PNA)

MEETING OF MINDS. Vendors affected by the Roxas night market closure listen intently to City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Rhodelio Poliquit during a meeting at the Quezon Park yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Palace vows equal access to PHL’s natural resources P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed to unshackle the oligarchs’ hold on the nation’s natural resources so that present and future generations of ordinary Filipinos will have greater access and benefit from these resource as well.

“It’s time to reconfigure wealth of the nation among our citizens,” the president said yesterday at the environmental summit held in Davao City.

He noted that such a reconfiguration was necessary since currently, only the moneyed few are mainly benefiting from the extraction of minerals and other natural resources of the country.

Environmental destruction arising from such extractive activities continue to jeopardize ordinary Filipinos’

prospects for a brighter future, he pointed out.

“Wherever there’s inequality, it’ll be resolved in favor of the poor,” Duterte said.

During the summit, the chief executive reiterated the need to decongest Laguna de Bay - the lake already reeling from proliferation of aquaculture facilities allegedly owned by big-time operators - so small fisherfolk can fish there unhindered and earn higher incomes.

“Give back that lake to poor fisherfolk there,” he told concerned authorities.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded the summit to provide a venue where stakeholders concerned can discuss possible solutions to address Mindanao’s most pressing environ-

mental problems.

“The most important thing is everything will be interactive and will allow all stakeholders to foster a closer working relationship. This is also a step for DENR in embarking towards being more than regulatory [body] but [as] an activator of change,” environment chief Gina Lopezsaid earlier.

In his first State of the Nation Address last month, President Duterte announced his administration’s plan to transform Laguna de Bay into an economic zone that will showcase ecotourism.

He said his administration plans to achieve this target by addressing the negative impact of watershed destruction, land conversion and pollution around Laguna de Bay.

Laguna de Bay’s impoverished fisherfolk will be given main priority in the distribution of entitlements there, he said.

President Duterte also ordered DENR to review all permits granted for mining, logging and other environmentally-sensitive activities to ensure their compliance with government standards.

He said such permits could either be amended, suspended or revoked if warranted.

DENR commenced this month its audit of all operating mines in the country.

The agency targets to complete its audit by August 2016’s end.

Results of the audit would determine sanctions for erring mining companies, DENR added. (PNA)

ICE President Leni Robredo on Wednesday said she is more worried on the expenses she will incur during legal proceedings, as she expressed confidence that she won fair and square in the last election against her closest rival, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

She said her office has not yet received a copy of the poll protest filed by Marcos before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

In a news conference, Robredo claimed she has 10 days to answer upon receipt of the resolution to reply.

She considers the poll protest “baseless.” ”We expect that in a matter of days mare-receive

na namin ‘yong formal notice requiring us to submit an answer. Ano naman ito, normal course ng kahit na anong kaso, kahit sa regular courts ito talaga ‘yong ginagawa na pinapadalhan talaga ‘yong respondent ng kopya, and requiring them to answer, she said.

She said she was not worried about losing the case, saying they knew from the start that the complaint was “baseless.”

“Ili-leave ko na lang sa abugado ‘yung pagsagot.

Hindi naman kami nag-aalala sa pag-explain ng sarili kasi wala namang tinatago,” she pointed out.

According to Robredo, Atty. Romy Macalintal is still her lead counsel, saying the

election protest is completely different from canvassing.

She was referring to the pro bono offered to her by Macalintal during the canvassing, but the election protest filed by Marcos is another matter.

“Ako, tingin ko, magiging mahal masyado. Kung may worry man, nandon na.

Magkano ba aabutin ng legal fees? Saan ko ba kukunin?

Hindi naman ‘yung puwedeng i-charge sa opisina.

Wala namang personal na pambayad. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung kaba,” she told reporters.

The Vice President said she and Macalintal had yet to discuss their “terms of engagement” now that she was facing “a full-blown case.”

“Nung canvassing kasi,

talagang para sa bayan, TY (thank-you) ‘yun. Siyempre ngayon, ibang usapan na,” she stressed.

Robredo said she understood a lot of work is needed for this case, even if they considered the grounds for filing it was without basis.

“I think si Atty. Macalintal, alam naman niya ‘yung limitasyon. Hindi ko pa siya nakakausap ngayon; ‘yung pag-represent niya talaga sa akin, mas extension ng dati,” she noted.

The Vice President also said she would rather focus on her work both as the second highest elected official and chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. (PNA)

Robredo unfazed by Marcos poll protest V

5 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

Brgy. Nanyo farmers graduate from field school N

INETEEN residents of Brgy. Nanyo in Panabo City are now proud graduates of the Farmers’ Field School (FFS), a collaborative effort of the City Agriculture’s Office and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-XI).

The season-long training program, which started in March of this year, focused on Organic Vegetable Production.

Under the program, graduates were taught the organic farming of high-value vegetable crops, as well as ideal farming practices that will ensure increased productivity.

The participants were also provided with farming tools and sprayers funded by ATI-XI. To celebrate the milestone, the farmers showcased their produce during the gradua-

Kidapawan City’s 911 response unit up for P1.3-M technology upgrade

T

HE city government of Kidapawan is set to procure a PHP1.3-million application in its bid to upgrade the computerization of its three-year-old locally-established 911 response unit.

The local government plans to adapt “Citizen App,” a mobile application developed

by Pure Force and Rescue Corporation, a technology and innovation leader specializing in security and rescue worldwide.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the technology will enable the LGU to quickly respond to accidents and human and natural-induced disasters that could occur anytime.

He said track servers would be installed on various 911 units to enable the

local government to track the Emergency Response Services for medical concerns; Traffic Management Unit for traffic accidents; and Philippine National Police for security and peacekeeping matters, and record the response time and efficiency of each agency.

The system, with its advanced software, can also track the victims’ (caller/ texter) location and receive actual photos and footages of the incident for swift 911-situation assessment.

“Aside from the landline that we are using since the birth of 911 here, this technology serves as additional tool that improves the reach, response time and accessibility to residents using their mobile phones,” he said.

F KIDAPAWAN, 10

Farmer turns over P5.5 M worth of marijuana stalks, seeds in Agusan

T

HE Regional Police Office 13’s campaign against illegal drugs under its “ Project Double Barrel” is gaining ground after a farmer from a hinterland village in Agusan del Sur surrendered a sizable volume of marijuana stalks and seeds to the local government unit and the police on Tuesday morning.

Agusan del Sur Police identified the farmer as Roberto Oyda Manlumisyon, 49, a resident of Sitio Mactan, Brgy. Kasapa 1, Loreto town, in Agusan del Sur. Manlumisyon, who is a suspected Marijuana cultivator, is listed as the number 1 high value target of the Loreto Municipal Police Station.

He showed up at the municipal police station accom-

panied by Allan Manguinimba, barangay chairman of his village, and surrendered to Loreto Mayor Ligaya Otaza and Sr. Insp. Aldrin C. Salinas, the town’s chief of police.

According to the police report, the surrenderee brought with him 1,100 grams of marijuana seeds with an estimated market value of Php 27,500 and 44,500 grams of marijuana stalks with an estimated value of Php 5,562,500.

The said marijuana plants were cultivated at Sitio Bagul, some 50 km upland from the town proper, police said.

On July 20, Manlumisyon first showed up at the police station bringing with him some 3,200 grams of dried

F FARMER, 10

tion ceremony graced by ATIXI OIC-Center Director Emelia M. Gadingan, City Councilor and Agriculture Chairman Renante F. Bangoy, Brgy. Captain Demetrio C. Maligro, City Agriculture Facilitator Reynaldo M. Agorde, and City Mayor Representative Edgardo Gerale.

Among the organic vegetables and products showcased were lettuce, okra, squash,

ampalaya (bitter gourd), upo (bottle gourd), alugbati (malabar spinach), and organic fertilizers which farmers made themselves.

Diomeda Pentin, one of the FFS graduates, thanked the program’s organizers for giving herthe opportunity to be part of the training, which has enabled her to learn good farming practices and eventu-

ally, help her to earn a higher income.

In his remarks, Agorde stressed that farmers will immensely benefit from the program as long as they apply the organic farming techniques.

The FFS program for high-value crops aims to attain food security in the community and help farmers increase their incomes.

It also advocates food safety, teaching farmers to refrain from using synthetic fertilizers that would have adverse effects on agriculture products and the environment.

The FFS will also be implemented in selected public schools in the city to benefit students as well parents.

(CIO-Panabo)

nana fiber processing.

Under the partnership, the cooperative received various equipment from DTI that were used for banana fiber extraction.

As the group’s production increased, it was able to export raw banana fiber to Japan in 2013.

However, the demand for fiber in Japan significantly decreased, forcing the group to stop its production.

Seeing the potential of banana fiber as an excellent material for exportable handicraft items, DTI tapped experts from

TADECO to train 20 MARBCO members on creating value added products made from raw banana fiber.

These products include threads that can be used for fabric production, as well as banana fiber scrunch which can be fashioned into various handicrafts.

At the conclusion of the training, the group was able to produce “Sinugpon” (banana fiber thread) and five different designs of banana fiber scrunch.

The output of the DTI/ TADECO-organized livelihood

training will be on display during the Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) Kadayawan Week Celebration from August 1218, at the Abreeza Mall, Davao City.

TADECO Homes also expressed its intent to tie up with MARBCO, an arrangement wherein the group will help supply the handicraft needs of the company.

The rising demand in the global market for home decors and handcrafted items made from natural raw materials presents a great opportunity for the banana fiber industry.

en by the chief executive when he assumed the presidency in July this year.

“So far, the anti-illegal drug campaign in the region [is] [gaining ground] after the regional command registered a 44 percent decrease in the monthly total crime volume here,” Sereñas said.

He said that in July 2016, the regional police recorded a total of 1,974 crimes committed compared to the 3,983 crime incidents reported in in July 2014, and the 3,171

crimes perpetrated in July 2015.

Sereñas explained that based on these figures, the crime volume in the region in 2016 decreased by 50.44 percent as against the crime volume in 2014, and 37.75 percent compared to last year.

Sereñas noted the decline in the number of incidents could be attributed to the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign being waged by law enforcement agencies such as the PNP and the Phil. Drug En-

forcement Agency (PDEA).

“Our assessment point to the link and direct effect of the diminished presence of illegal drugs on the streets as a result of the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign,” Sereñas said.

Most of the prevalent crimes, he said, were usually drugged-related such as theft, robbery, domestic violence, rape and all forms of abuse.

Duterte has promised the country that his administration would get rid of prohib-

eerie sounds from under,” Teresa Eroy, a local resident, said in describing the sinkhole which is five meters away from her home.

According to Eroy, residents have been puzzled by the hole which they now have used as garbage area.

Last week, the residents decided to pour irrigation water into the sinkhole, but the water seemed to disappeared and was accompanied by rumbling sounds

from underneath the earth.

“Then about 10 meters away, another sinkhole appeared and water was seen rushing under it,” Eroy said, theorizing there could be a tunnel under it.

The local government of Tupi has sent personnel to fence the sinkhole and put earth fillings to prevent accidents in the area.

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environ-

ment and Natural Resources in Region 12 have taken samples of a sinkhole in Polomolok.

The 50-meter in diameter and 50-meter deep sinkhole in Purok Honeyville, Barangay Silway 8, Polomolok has forced the local government unit to evacuate 134 families.

The area is now off limits to locals, as a makeshift fence now surrounds the hole.

(PNA)

DTI-MARBCO partnership revives banana fiber industy

I

N a bid to revive the banana fiber industry in the municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, the Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte Provincial Office facilitated a market linkage between Marsman Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (MARBCO) and TADECO Homes - a leading exporter of handcrafted items in the region.

MARBCO, a fresh banana exporter located in Puerto Azul, Brgy. Tibal-og of the said town, is a beneficiary of DTI’s Shared Service Facility for ba-

Crime in NorMin down as anti-illegal drug drive heightens

T

HE crime volume in Northern Mindanao have significantly decreased following the Duterte Administration’s intensified war against illegal drug activities in the region, a police officer said Wednesday.

Supt. Surki Sereñas, regional police spokesperson, said the regional police command wants to beat the deadline set by President Rodrigo Duterte to rid the country of illegal drug activities in three to six months, the timetable giv-

F CRIME, 10

Another sinkhole found in South Cotabato puzzles residents

A

NOTHER sinkhole was found in South Cotabato, this time smaller but more “dangerous,” as it is located in the middle of a residential area in Tupi town, officials and residents said.

The discovery of the sinkhole in Barangay Crossing, Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato on Thursday came four days after a huge sinkhole threatened 134 families in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

“It’s like a quicksand with

EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

CAO bats for organic farming in city’s commercial, residential areas

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

WATCHMEN. A vehicle of the Traffic Eagle Squad is stationed along Roxas Avenue after the city government ordered the closure of the Roxas night market on Wednesday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

HE City Agriculture Office (CAO) is eyeing to transform Davao into a major producer of organically-grown products through its Organic Urban Gardening initiative.

According to city agriculture chief Leo Brian Leuterio, the CAO is eager to implement the project despite limited agricultural areas in the city.

Leoterio said his office plans to introduce the organic farming concept in the city’s residential, commercial and other areas which have the potential to be developed into organic production sites.

“We want to [push] urban organic gardening…,” he said, adding this can be done “on top of a building, garage, parking area and even in private and government offices.”

However, he noted that there is a need to change the mentality of people, and explain to them that organic farming can be done – and succeed - even in an urban setting.

Leoterio said the CAO is working hand in hand with the Department of Agriculture to

help the city’s farmers become reliable partners in achieving the national government’s goal of food security.

“We are making sure that the farmers are able to [grow] their products, [despite] climate change and [other challenges confronting the agriculture sector]” Leuterio said.

He said that his office is identifying areas in the city that have been affected by La Nina, and helping local farmers overcome the adverse effects of the extreme weather disturbance.

The CAO, he added, is encouraging barangays in the city to continue implementing the “Gulayan sa Barangay” project to help farmers link up with buyers.

Leuterio assured the city’s famers that his office will continue its efforts of helping improve their production and earn better incomes.

Davao City remains a major producer of high-value crops such as cacao, coconut, banana and pineapple, which are exported to both domestic and international markets.

P180-million PRDP funds for water projects await takers DOJ orders filing of syndicated estafa

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Department of Agriculture – Philippine rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) said around P180 million funds can still be accessed from their office to fund water and other agricultural projects in Mindanao.

In a statement, the DAPPRDP stressed the importance of water projects in increasing agricultural productivity, which include irrigation and potable water systems.

Despite its critical role in production, only a few have accessed the funds, particularly those earmarked for water projects, the DA-PRDP

added.

“Demands for farm-tomarket roads (FMR) have exceeded its allocation. The budget has been saturated,” said PRDP Mindanao Program Support Office Director Lealyn Ramos, as she called on the local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao to submit proposals in order to avail of the funds.

PRDP data showed that the program has allocated P337 million for communal irrigation projects and potable water systems, while another P473 million have been assigned for other in-

frastructure projects that include production facilities, post-harvest facilities, solar driers, slope stabilization works, tram lines, and fish landings.

Although Ramos is aware that that LGUs are focused on connecting production areas to market centers through farm-to-market roads (FMRs), she explained that PRDP cannot re-allocate funds for water and other infra based on the loan agreement entered into with the World Bank.

“We need to improve especially on our post-harvest

facilities to minimize losses of harvest and provide proper storage areas to avoid wastage. Doing so, increases net income of farmers,” she said.

Programs in improving road networks and increased productivity through irrigation and water supply system are included in PRDP’s IBUILD program.

IBUILD stands for Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistic for Development.

“We hope to get proposals by the end of August so that we still have enough time to process them,” Ramos said.

ENDERCARE Marine, the world’s leading shipto-ship cargo transfer service provider, is bringing its operations to Subic Bay. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said investors continue to come and open various businesses, an indication the agency has performed very well.

“Our investment from 2012 to 2015 generated Php40 billion. However, for merely seven months of 2016 until July 31, the agency has generated already Php100 billion,” Garcia said.

He said that among the projects approved by the SBMA Board for 2016 is the ship-to-ship operation of the Fendercare Marine.

Jerome Martinez, manager of the SBMA Seaport

Department, said that the ship-to-ship operation of the Fendercare Marine involves shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will generate a minimum of Php50 million a year for port use alone.

“The amount does not include the indirect fees the company is expected to pay to its contractors, which may include payments for tugboats, chandlers, bunkering and food supplies,” Martinez said.

Fendercare Marine business development manager William Barker and Fendercare Asia Pacific commercial manager Capt. George Mills, in an orientation earlier conducted to Subic stakeholders, said the ship-to-ship service provider will start its operation in Subic Bay on the last week of September this year.

The orientation was at-

tended by employees and officials of SBMA where queries and concerns related to environmental impact of its operations were addressed.

The same briefing was earlier conducted for fisherfolks in the coastal communities in Subic and Olongapo.

Fendercare representatives allayed fears of that their operations will have adverse effects on the environmental, saying LNG is a very safe form of fuel widely used in Japan where one ship of LNG is being unloaded every 20 hours.

“It burns slowly, evaporates rapidly and does not mix with water nor kill fish or any other marine life. LNG is very environmental friendly,” they said.

Fendercare Marine, part of James Fisher and Sons Plc, has been awarded a Certifi-

cate of Excellence for STS operations throughout 2015 for its exemplary safety record without any environmental accident since it began STS services in 2013 involving LNG transfer.

“It is because of the location, the logistics available, and the assistance that the company is receiving from SBMA that Fendercare Marine has chosen Subic to be the its location for operation in Asia,” Barker said.

He noted the operation will initially involve two ships-MV LNG Excel, a bigger mothership anchored at Subic Bay and loaded with LNG from Australia which it will feed to MV LNG Lerici, and a smaller daughter ship, which will deliver the cargo to Asian destinations, especially China.

(PNA)

Global ship cargo transfer service to start operations in Subic Bay in September F

rap vs. ex-PSE employee, 4 others

T

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of a syndicated estafa case against former Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) employee Jose Cecilio “Jay” Peñaflor and four others tagged in an alleged Php 100-million investment scam.

In a 13-page resolution released on Wednesday, the DOJ also ordered the filing of charges against Peñaflor’s brother Angelo, John Benedict Aguzar, Rafael Sigua and Michael Rosales.

The case arose from the complaint of Joyce Marie Jao, who accused the respondents of enticing her to invest Php 4 million in stocks at the ABSCBN Corp. with a promised interest of “around 50 percent”.

Jao filed the complaint earlier this year after they failed to pay her a total of Php 10 million in principal and interest.

In its resolution, the DOJ said there was enough evidence to charge the five respondents in court.

No bail was recommended for their temporary liberty.

“In this case, the intent to deceive and induce complainant to shell out her money in the guise of investing the same to shares offered in the stock market is apparent,” read the resolution approved

by Prosecutor General Claro A. Arellano.

The DOJ said the respondents conspired in carrying out the scheme to falsely misrepresent that they were authorized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct stock trading activities.

“It appears that the partnership (of respondents) was formed for the purpose of misappropriating funds of the gen-

eral public. There were concerted efforts on the part of the respondents in order to carry out their misrepresentations,” the DOJ said.

The department also approved the filing of a separate case of bouncing checks against Peñaflor.

Peñaflor, PSE’s former assistant head of market education, was arrested last February, but was ordered released

by Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan Parrocha after inquest proceedings.

The prosecutor explained the charges against Peñaflor pertained to “previous acts or past series of transactions that (Jao) had with respondent” and not for the act of receiving an additional investment of Php 500,000 for which he was arrested for by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The DOJ proceeded with the preliminary investigation against Peñaflor and the other four.

Similar complaints by other victims have been filed against Peñaflor before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and the NBI. PSE president Hans Sicat earlier alleged that Peñaflor uses his “silver tongue” to convince investors to course their money through him.

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the corporate regulator, said Peñaflor had been using the names of accredited brokers to convince investors that his transactions were legitimate.

However, Sicat said the PSE had conducted a check on its accredited brokers and none was found to be involved in Peñaflor’s allegedly fraudulent schemes. (PNA)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

ECONOMY 7

EDGEDAVAO

Mining group throws support behind Duterte’s envi policies M

Over 100 foreign firms to explore IT-BPM opportunities in PHL

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

D

adlopez0920@gmail.com

ESPITE being excluded from a major environmental summit graced

by President Rodrigo Duterte and environment secretary Gina Lopez, the Alliance of Responsible Miners of Region XI (ARMOR XI) said it will actively pursue its advocacy of pushing for the sustainable management of Mindanao’s natural resources which is consistent with the Duterte administration’s policy on mining.

The environmental conference held yesterday, dubbed “the State of Mindanao Envi-

ronment Day,” was attended by key stakeholders of Mindanao’s environmental sector.

“We welcome any initiative that aims to advance the welfare of our environment,” said Atty. Rodulfo Palma, president of ARMOR XI, in a statement sent to media.

Palma explained that as responsible industry players, their group fully supports President Duterte’s goal of ensuring that the development of the nation’s minerals industry will not in any way be detrimental to the people of Mind-

anao and the environment.

“We feel that we can contribute our modest, yet meaningful ideas and participate in a balanced discussion. For some unfortunate instances not known to us, however, [members of the] mining industry [were] not invited,” he said.

Palma also stressed that their group will continue to support the direction of the Duterte administration in promoting responsible mining practices, while helping to advance the interests of mem-

bers of the industry.

On Wednesday, ARMOR XI past president Vicente T. Lao expressed his disappointment over the decision to exclude the group from the said event.

Lao told EDGE Davao that responsible miners in the region must be given a “fair playing field,” as they are among the main stakeholders of Mindanao’s mining industry.

The event, which was organized by the Ateneo de Davao University, did not give an explanation as to why Lao’s group was not invited.

ORE than 100 foreign investors and clients from the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry will be visiting the Philippines next month to explore opportunities in the country.

Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) President Benedict Hernandez said these companies will be joining the 11th International Contact Center Conference and Expo (ICCCE) on Sept. 27-28 at Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

Hernandez said that most of these investors and clients are from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as non-traditional markets such as South Africa,

Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

These firms range from small to medium and even top companies from across the world, “The biggest difference in our ICCCE is really our focus in bringing over all of these international delegates, come and experience and see for themselves why the Philippines has become and continues to be the most sought after location for managing customer experience,” Hernandez said in a press conference Wednesday.

Since 2010, the Philippines is the world’s number one destination for contact center-related investments such as handling customer services through calls, SMS, e-mail, chat, or social media.

(PNA)

China central bank to keep prudent monetary policy in H2

C

HINA’S central bank said on Wednesday it will continue its prudent monetary policy in the second half of 2016.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will maintain an appropriate degree of flexibility and make timely pre-emptive adjustments.

It will use various policy tools to maintain appropriate liquidity and reasonable growth in credit and social

financing, improve financing and credit structures and reduce social financing costs.

It reaffirmed that it would keep the yuan exchange rate stable at a “reasonable and balanced” level while improving the exchange rate formation mechanism.

It will also assist in poverty relief, continue financial system reform and market-oriented reform on interest rates.

(PNA/Xinhua)

Luzon grid on yellow alert anew as power supply drops ENVI TALK. President Rodrigo R. Duterte listens to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Regina Lopez who appears to be discussing an important matter during the Environmental Summit 2016 dubbed “Oya Mindanaw” yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DOLE 11 crafts action plan vs contractualization

T

HE Department of Labor (DOLE) XI is crafting its Regional Action Plan for the Effective Implementation and Enforcement of Worker’s Rights to Security of Tenure or commonly known as ENDO. According to DOLE XI regional director Jofry Suyao, the action plan is consistent with the target of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III to reduce the “ENDO ” practice by 50 percent this year.

Earlier, Bello issued Department Order 162, series

of 2016, on suspending the registration of new applicants as contractors and subcontractors under DO 18-A and Labor Advisory No. 10, series of 2016, on the prohibition against labor only contracting.

The action plan, Suyao said, runs from the end of July to December 2016, focusing on the inventory of Department Order 18-A registered contractors/subcontractors and their principals, joint assessments of contractors and subcontractors to identify industries/sub-sector practicing

“ENDO,” updating the landscape of contracting/subcontracting based on assessment results, and providing assistance to workers who will be affected by violating establishments.

Also, included in the plan are capacity building measures for Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs) to easily spot contractors, as well as establishments engaged in labor only contracting (LOC), identification of affected stakeholders, and orientation of identified stakeholders.

DOLE XI’s information office reported that as of July 31, there are 420 D.O. 18-A registered contractors/subcontractors. Industries covered out of the total number include 52 from security, 8 from construction, 91 from trucking, 227 from manpower/janitorial, and 42 from service cooperatives as of July 31.

DOLE XI has also identified 292 contractors/subcontractors who have not submitted their semi-annual reports for year 2013, 2014 and 2015.

(PNA)

ministrative Region (SAR) ‘s Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo, at a media luncheon here on Wednesday.

“Japan is, as always, one of the top destinations for Hong Kong people,” said Yung, who assumed office in late March this year.

Some 1.5 million Hong Kong visitors visited Japan in 2015, while Hong Kong received about 1 million Japanese visitors last year.

Bilateral trade remains

robust, and Hong Kong continues to be the No.1 export market for Japanese agricultural and food products in 2015, amounting to about 180 billion yen (USD 1.78 billion).

“Besides strengthening economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Japan, another important mission of our office is to promote cultural exchanges,” said the principal representative, shouldering the mission to promote closer economic and trade

ties, understanding and cooperation, as well as cultural and tourism exchange between the two places.

“To this end, we have been organizing various events and activities,” she said.

The office supported the “Osaka Asian Film Festival” in March this year to run a “Special Focus on Hong Kong” to showcase Hong Kong’s movies to Japanese movie lovers.

In June, the office supported the annual “Yokoha-

HK seeks to boost ties with Japan: principal representative

A

NEW principal Hong Kong economic and trade representative in Tokyo pledged here Wednesday to promote closer and deeper ties between Hong Kong and Japan in hopes to see more exchanges between the two places in future.

“Hong Kong and Japan have enjoyed a mature and stable relationship for many years,” said Shirley Yung, Principal Representative of the Hong Kong Special Ad-

T

HE Luzon grid was placed on yellow alert anew Thursday morning as eight generation units went offline.

In an advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) declared yellow alert for Luzon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “due to lower level operating reserves brought about by insufficient power supply from generating plants.”

As of 8:30 a.m., the Luzon grid had a peak demand of 9128 megawatts (MW), while the available capacity stood at 9805 MW. A yellow alert indicates that the grid has thin reserves based on the difference between supply and demand.

Luzon’s largest distribution utility, Manila Electric Co (Meralco), said the eight power units which went offline, include: 600-MW Ilijan B, 382MW Pagbilao 2, 300-MW Malaya 1, 262-MW Sta. Rita Mod 20, 150-MW SLPGC 2, 135-MW SLTEC 1, 60-MW Limay 2, and 50-MW Angat 2.

The power firm also noted that Malaya 2, Calaca 2, Magat HEP, and Limay Plants have re-

ma Dragon Boat Races” to organize the “Hong Kong Cup dragon boat race.”

In August, the Asian Youth Orchestra, which is a Hong Kong based performing group, will come to Japan to play four concerts.

duced their capacities.

Meralco urged its customers to practice energy efficiency, while it called on Interruptible Load Program (ILP) participants to prepare their generator sets to de-load their demand.

Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) president Melinda Ocampo earlier said there were consequent price spikes in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) “on few intervals” triggered by thinning power reserves in the Luzon grid from July 25-31.

Ocampo, however, noted the secondary price cap will not be imposed in the power spot market since the average prices have not yet breached the cumulative price threshold of PHP9 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

The secondary price cap of PHP6.245 per kWh takes effect once the average spot prices breach the threshold over a 168-hour rolling average.

Luzon was placed on yellow alert twice this week due to the frequent outages of some generation units.(PNA) To promote youth exchange, the office organized the “Hong Kong Cup All Japan University Student Ambassadors English Program” last year. This year, it will continue to organize the program to

F HK, 10

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

EDITORIAL

W

Discipline is what we need

E are only a good as the rules we follow.

That, in a nutshell, describes the situation at the Roxas Street Night Market.

The perennial problem that is the night market has always been the case since the time it was located at the San Pedro area in Davao’s CBD. Relocated at Roxas Street, the night market went on and the business soon flourished around the area at night. The most successful to have come out of that project is Mang Danny’s Ice Cream, which now is selling in malls.

With the violations by vendors at the night market, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte did the right thing to order its immediate closure otherwise the situation will go out of hand.

In implementing its closure, Mayor Sara cited some of the issues

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

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

the national association of newspapers

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

and concerns that the vendors are violating like the one-family-onestall rule, locations, subleasing of stalls, operation by dummies, financiers, and selling products not allowed to be sold in the area.

Undeniably, the night market has contributed to the city’s coffers.

In 2015, the city earned P5.47 million in taxes, which is over a hundred percent increase from the P2.24 million in 2014. From January to July this year, the city has already earned around P2.98 million.

Mayor Inday admitted the city is earning from the night market, but at the same time said the city cannot bend over backward and be soft on these vendors. They need to follow the rules and that is the point.

First things first, discipline. That is the password to success under the administration of the Dutertes and Mayor Inday is one tough nut to crack when it comes to imposing rules.

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

C

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Before Duterte, there was Mayor Alvarez

HRISTIANS and Muslims in Mindanao, under American rule, were united in fighting a common cause—that of getting independence from the colonists. One of those who courageously stood up against propaganda designed to discredit the people of Mindanao and please the Washington decision-makers was Agustin L. Alvarez, the third mayor of Davao City (Oct. 13, 1939 – Sept. 30, 1940).

This idea of Christian-Muslim unity has recently resurfaced after President Rodrigo Duterte, the feisty former mayor of Davao City, candidly declared his position that peace in Mindanao needs the collective efforts of the Christians, Muslims and indigenous peoples (IPs).

A strong advocate of Christian-Muslim unity, Alvarez, during a 1926 Zamboanga visit of Carmi Thompson, a special commissioner appointed by US President Calvin Coolidge, told the United States “to make a survey of the economic and internal conditions of the Philippines” and made known his sentiment by accusing the Americans for creating animosity among Filipinos in the Moro Province: “The only reason for any ill-feeling between Americans and Filipinos in this community is that the Americans interfere in politics and try to divide the Moros and Christians. Every time a party like yours visits us they emphasize our differences. I am sorry to say that the United States military barracks, where the Moros are at this minute gathered, are the headquarters of imperialism and jingoism in Zamboanga. It is the army officers who are most interested in stirring up trouble between the Moros and the

“T

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

HE sole truly universal food for the entire human species.” That was how Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, former director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), described breast milk.

The WHO, along with two other United Nations agencies – the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – said that the breast-feeding rate among mothers in the Philippines has significantly increased.

The three UN agencies cited recent figures released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute showing breast-feeding rates to have increased from 36 percent in 2008 to 47 percent in 2011. In addition, the initiation of breast-feeding within one hour of delivery also rose to 52 percent in 2011 from 32 percent in 2008.

Some years back, the national breast-feeding rate was only 16 percent. Experts believe the low rate was due to advertisement made by the formula milk industry. It reportedly spent billions of pesos to promote its products through ads in televisions, radios, and newspapers.

“Advertising is the main way that big corporations convince mothers who can breast feed that the bottle is best,” writes Father

Filipinos.”

FAST BACKWARD This was in response to the anti-independence publicity that swept Washington, in particular maligning the Christians and Muslims of Antonio V. Figueroa Mindanao as unable to live under one roof. The disinformation promptly drew a statement from Office of the Philippine Commission of Independence in Washington, D.C. V.G. Bunuan, director of the Philippine Press Bureau, wrote: “As a matter of fact, there are more petitions for than against independence, written in original Arabic, bearing signatures with thumb marks of the Moro leaders and their followers, all of which have become part of the records of Congress, not to mention the fact that their representatives in the [Philippine] legislature, despite the fact that they are appointed by Governor-General [Leonard] Wood have always unanimously voted with that body for independence. Those who would separate Mindanao and Sulu from the Philippines would do well to consider that these regions are not only inhabited by Moros but by Filipinos and other non-Christian tribes who, as a matter of fact, number more than the former.”

To the Davaoeños, little is known about Alvarez’s very impressive public service record.

A native of Zamboanga and coming from a wealthy family, he pursued education in Manila. After finishing Law, he decided to return to his hometown to build a family.

Alvarez’s profession as a lawyer made him popular. His rising star, with plenty of support from people he helped, would draw the attention of American colonial officials stationed in Zamboanga. So, when the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was established in 1914, he was appointed governor of his home province (1917-1921). Four years later he relinquished his post to become the first Zamboangueño pensionado to study government administration in the US. In 1922, after finishing his studies abroad, he returned home to reclaim his old post and held it until 1928 when he was elected as the second civil governor (1928-31) of Zamboanga.

On July 16, 1931, American Governor-General Dwight F. Davis (1930-32) appointed him as member of the Senate in the 9th Philippine Legislature (1931-34), representing the first district of Zamboanga but was replaced on July 13, 1934 by Doroteo Caragdag, a lawyer and veteran of the Revolution. During the interregnum (1935-1939), Alvarez was appointed governor of Sulu.

On Jan. 20, 1940, the second National Assembly passed the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 or Commonwealth Act No. 613.

This measure, signed into law by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Sept. 3, 1940, created the Bureau of Immigration under the Office of the President, which became an attached agency of the Department of Justice.

That same year, at the request of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, Don Pablo Rojas Lorenzo stepped down as city mayor of Zamboanga to handle the immigration portfolio. To fill up the vacancy, Alvarez accepted the offer to become Zamboanga City mayor, serving the position until 1942. Later, due to poor health, his secretary, Efren C. Peña, an Ilocano, took over as officer-in-charge until the liberation of Zamboanga from the Japanese in 1945.

Alvarez served as Davao City mayor for close to a year. On Oct. 13, 1939, the same day former Davao City mayor Nicario Valderosa became Baguio City mayor, he was appointed

by Quezon as the new Davao City chief executive, serving the post until September 1940.

As a testament to his leadership skills, he was appointed governor of Lanao province on Oct. 1, 1940.

He was also appointed deputy governor of Bukidnon in 1916, and later Bukidnon governor from Sept. 26, 1938 to October 1939. Later, he was assigned in Davao City as mayor and served it until he was recalled to assume his old post as Zamboanga mayor after Lorenzo vacated it, serving the post until 1942. Sadly, his accepted biography does not mention his Davao stint.

In gratitude for his contributions, RA 712 was approved on June 2, 1952 renaming Buenavista Street and Buenavista Extension in Zamboanga City to Gov. Alvarez Avenue, in “recognition of [his] eminent and patriotic services.”

Similarly, a short road in Davao City, where the Ombudsman Office is found, has also been named in his memory.

Shay Cullen, of THINK ON THESE! Preda Center, in his column.

“It became so effective that breast-feeding dropped and mortality rates for children one to two years old vastly inHenrylito D. Tacio creased.” henrytacio@gmail.com A global study showed the Philippines – with 82,000 annual deaths – as one of the countries accounting for 90 percent of deaths among those under five years old. The study also disclosed that only 16 percent of 4- to 5-month-old babies were breastfed exclusively while 30 percent were formula fed.

Most formula milk ads contain “false medical claims,” to quote the words of Dr. Nicholas Alipui, then UNICEF country representative.

Emphasizing “the vast difference” between breast milk and baby formula, he explained that milk from mothers had superior quality and contained nutrients and antibodies that would help raise children with strong im-

mune systems.

“Breast milk is a living substance that is impossible to duplicate or replicate in industry.... No technology is capable of replicating or duplicating mother’s milk. That’s a fact.

Any claim to the contrary is a lie,” Dr. Alipui pointed out.

By breast-feeding her baby, a mother can save money. Filipino mothers spend 21.5 billion pesos a year on infant formula. That’s about 2000 pesos a month per child, according to UNICEF. As the best source of nutrition for babies, breast milk has been proven many times over that breast milk has components that help protect the child against infection and disease. Dr. Nakajima said breast milk, until recently, has served as “a vital link for nutrition and survival across the entire span of human existence, nurturing the newborn, the infant, and the young child during the most vulnerable years, all the while providing a powerful source of protection from infectious disease.”

Breast milk, the United Nations health agency explains, is more than a simple collection of nutrients. It contains all the essential nutrients like protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars, in exact proportion. It meets the needs of the growing infant at every

stage.

For thousands of years, in all continents, babies have been breastfed for simple reason: mother’s milk is natural. “It comes ready-prepared, pure, warm, does not require mixing or sterilization and above all it is free. It is a living substance,” says one physician.

“Mother’s milk is a living substance of great biological complexity that not only provides unique protection against disease, but also stimulates the baby’s own immune system,” the WHO points out.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, after which “infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics pointed out the importance of breastfeeding.

It said: “Extensive research using improved epidemiologic methods and modern laboratory techniques documents diverse and compelling advantages for infants, mothers, families, and society from breastfeeding and use of human milk for infant feeding. These advantages include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, social, economic, and environmental benefits.”

The best milk for babies

10 NEWS SHAPE... FROM 1

natural resources of Mindanao must be enjoyed by all, and not only by a select few.

She revealed the DENR will soon by signing a memorandum of agreement with the chiefs of the Philippines National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary whose agencies will take part in the DENR’s efforts to sustainably manage and protect the nation’s environment and natural resources.

“The PNP, AFP and DILG will help the DENR in protecting the resources of the country,” she said, adding “They will not allow ‘[the implementation of any] project that will have an [adverse] effect on the environment and the people.”

Lopez assured Filipinos the closure orders issued by the DENR will not in any way affect the nation’s economic well-being.

She explained that all mining firms have a budget they

can use to rehabilitate the areas adversely affected by their operations.

Lopez even suggested that these mining companies hire their own workers to help in the rehabilitation efforts.

Lopez said that once the rehabilitation of these communities is complete, the DENR will come in and build eco-tourism projects to help uplift the living condition of residents there.

She said the billions in revenues that are expected to be lost as a result of the closure of these companies could be recovered through the proposed eco-tourism projects.

“In Palawan, we developed an area there…We just spent P250,000 but now the community is earning P30 million,” she added.

Lopez said the DENR has created an email address wherein people can send their complaints regarding illicit practices that have a negative impact on the environment.

ency and yet it will not guarantee that the most qualified delegates who will be tasked to revise the Constitution will participate in the election and/or will be elected,” Almario said.

He said under the third mode or People’s Initiative, the Supreme Court has ruled with finality that the enabling law passed for this purpose was not sufficient to change the system of government, which entails a revision of the Constitution.

As provided in Almario’s proposal, the present members of the 17th Congress will constitute themselves into Con-Ass and amend Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution by introducing the Constitutional Commission as the fourth mode of amending or revising the Constitution.

Almario said the output of the Con-Ass will be subjected to a plebiscite, ideally to be synchronized with the barangay elections within the year; and if and when ratified, will effectively be the 2016 Con-

stitution, which is actually interim in nature.

“After the approval of the amendment to Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution through three-fourths vote of Congress, the Constituent Assembly will automatically become functus officio,” Almario said.

The President will then appoint 100 members to the Constitutional Commission to be composed of two from every region and 64 of the most learned and knowledgeable experts coming from bona fide and legitimate sectors of the society.

They will be tasked to draft from January to May 2017 the proposed Constitution, embodying the ideal federal system of government for the Filipinos.

The Commission’s output shall be subjected to a plebiscite in September 2017 and if and when ratified, will serve as the country’s 2017 Constitution with a federal form of government. (PNA)

select four “student ambassadors” to promote better understanding of Hong Kong among university students in Japan.

“Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We are planning a series of events to celebrate this important year,” said Yung.

Introducing the latest situation in Hong Kong, the principal representative said “with strong fundamentals, Hong Kong has remained economically stable and financially healthy, despite global economic turbulence and financial market volatility.”

In 2016, for the 22nd consecutive year, the Heritage Foundation ranked Hong Kong the world’s freest economy.

In May this year, Hong Kong is again ranked the world’s most competitive economy, according to the “International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook.”

As Asia’s prime business hub and global financial and services center, Hong Kong “is well recognized as a good platform for raising capital,” she said. Last year, the Hong Kong stock market raised about 34 billion U.S. dollars through IPOs, ranking first globally.

Hong Kong is also the world’s largest offshore RMB business hub, with the world’s largest pool of RMB liquidity.

Hong Kong’s increasing economic integration with the Chinese mainland has also made the city an even more important gateway to China than before. (PNA/Xinhua)

Solon... FROM 2

HK... FROM 7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

KADAYAWAN UPDATES. Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan 2016 chair Arnold Alvarez shares details of this year’s street dance competition and other scheduled activities of the 31th Kadayawan sa Davao celebration. Alvarez was among the guests of I-Speak media forum at City Hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Manhunt on for 3 Lanao Sur town mayors involved in illegal drugs; bounty up

P

OLICE authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have launched a massive manhunt against three town mayors of Lanao del Sur who are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Chief Supt. Agripino Javier, police director for ARMM, refused to name the officials but said intelligence reports

showed they are “drug lords or illegal drug protectors.”

Some private individuals have raised a PHP100,000 bounty for each of the suspects to facilitate their arrest, Javier revealted.

“Surrender or die,” Javier told the suspects whom he said have armed followers.

Javier refused to say if there was a shoot to kill order.

“If these mayors violently re-

sist, of course the police know what to do, we expect these drug lords to have heavily armed followers.”

“You know ARMM has many private armies, now is the time to meet them head on, especially we have a very supportive PNP chief and very supportive President,” Javier said.

The police director said he has relieved the provincial po-

lice directors of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for their dismal performance in the police’s drive against illegal drugs.

Ten town police chiefs were also relieved for the same reason, he added.

Javier said 30 other town police chiefs are scheduled for evaluation, and if found to be non-performers in the drive against illegal drugs, they will have to go. (PNA)

he told reporters.

He added that what was important was that Espinosa promised to cooperate in the war against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa said Espinosa decided to surrender peacefully because he was included in President Duterte’s watch list as an alleged “protector” of his

son Kerwin, the no.1 drug lord in Eastern Visayas.

Kerwin remains at large, as the older Espinosa advised his son to stop his illegal activities.

Dela Rosa told Espinosa that they (PNP) would not hesitate to shoot Kerwin if the latter resisted arrest. (PNA)

Marijuana leaves worth Php 176,000. At that time, the surrenderee pledged to cooperate in the fight against illegal drugs.

Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix, PRO 13 director, said that since the implementation of the “Project Tokhang,” the Caraga region has already recorded a total of 26,216 voluntary surrenderees.

The more than Php 5 million worth of marijuana seeds and stalks surrendered by Manlumisyon were brought

to the PNP Crime Laboratory 13 for examination.

Applauding Manlumisyon’s efforts, Felix encouraged the public to support the national government’s war against illegal drugs.

He also stressed that the fight against illegal drugs can only be won through the “whole-of-nation-approach” wherein the government, civil society and the community actively collaborate to attain the goal of a drug-free Philippines. (PNA)

ited drugs in three months’ time.

As a result, the police has stepped up its anti-drug efforts by launching of “Oplan Tokhang” (knock and plead), resulting in the surrender of thousands of suspected drug users and drug sellers who promised to mend their ways.

Since the Oplan Tokhang was carried out, more than 51,907 self-confessed drug personalities have turned themselves over to the police, 250 individuals have been ar-

rested, and five killed during police operations across the region from July 1 to Aug. 2, Sereñas bared.

He said the five casualties were reported to have resisted arrest, while 26 others were slain by still unidentified assailants, whose cases are now being investigated the authorities.

“We just hope we can sustain this momentum and get the job done within the allotted timeline set by the President,” he said. (PNA)

The mayor has ordered the start of the bidding process for procurement and installation of the technology before the end of the year.

Evangelista said he would also urge the city council to pass a resolution urging mobile phone network providers to improve their reach and

internet signal to far-flung villages of the city.

The city’s 911 system, being the sole emergency response unit currently existing in Region 12, was set-up in 2013 and had served over 15,000 emergencies here and in adjacent municipalities.

(PNA)

(+38% year-on-year). Total home broadband service revenues reached P7.0 billion over the past six months, with total subscriber base now reaching 1.14 million customers. The growth in revenues was driven by subscriber expansion in both fixed wireless and wired broadband solutions, spurred by the continued rise in demand for internet and data connectivity and the popularity of entertainment and other content-driven applications such as HOOQ and NBA League Pass, among others.

Globe Telecom’s corporate data business surged by 55%

to P4.9 billion for the first six months of 2016, from the P3.1 billion in the same period a year ago. This was primarily driven by the sustained demand for digital services across Philippine enterprises given the strong take-up of various data connectivity solutions, managed services, mobility solutions and cloudbased services. Traditional fixed line voice revenues likewise posted a 29% increase year-on-year to P1.9 billion as of the end of June 2016 from P1.5 billion a year ago following the growth of bundled home broadband plans.

We also enjoin you to link up with various institutions and organizations, local government units, non-government organizations and socio-civic groups to be able to assure that the needs of everyone are met. Let me repeat that the direction of the Department of Energy under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term will be geared toward the protection of Filipino consumers. We will therefore exhaust all efforts to ensure access to adequate, affordable, and reliable electricity as a recognition of the primary importance of power in enhancing the quality

of life of all Filipinos, especially those living in the far-flung areas of the country. We can certainly accomplish our goals if we all work together to create the change we aspire to have.

Again, congratulations for 37 years of championing the goals of rural electrification and for being at the forefront of consumer advocacy. I wish to thank you for supporting DOE, and I hope that this assembly will bind us stronger in our shared goal of providing electricity to all Filipino households.

Thank you very much and good day.

Mayor... FROM 3

Farmer... FROM 5

Globe... FROM 11

Crime... FROM 5

Kidapawan... FROM 5

Prioritizing... FROM 11

INdulge!

The recipe for artistry

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

ARTS AND CULTURE

EDGEDAVAO

IF I DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER, reading about the lives of artists such as Salvador Dali, Henry Matisse, Picasso, Gustav Klimt, Andy Warhol, Wassily Kandinsky, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frida Kahlo would make me think that God actually follows a recipe for all his “baked” creations.

Producing these “baked” masterpieces might require a mixture of melancholia with a teaspoon of the acabre, a handful of restfulness in solitude, a cup of strange yet progressive psychology, sprinkles of an encompassing sense of internal and external rebellion, a dash of existential introspection, a pinch (or to taste) of any random, standardshelf disorder that you may have on hand, and sometimes, with a mandatory cat.

God may have created the world in seven days but Bryan’s artworks are “Rome”.

Now, I may not have a chance of meeting any of God’s “baked” creations we mentioned above. Fortunately, I may have found a kindred spirit with a local artist named Bryan Cabrera. As we sat in his compact but adequate home studio, I asked about his daily routine as a professional and as an artist. He shared: “Everyday I go to work as a regular art teacher at the Ateneo de Davao Grade School, then I go home and sometimes take a nap in

my studio before I either paint or go to the gym. When I feel like I want to do something different or if I feel like I want to stroll around, I go to the mall and/or watch a movie.” Though it may sound such a dreary lifestyle to some, I appreciated the beauty and simplicity of his statement, and made me remember the “10,000-hour rule”: to

theKATcloset A4

TOP: Lullaby, oil on canvas.

ABOVE: Brian in front of his work, “Heard, Seen, and Silence” based on a real-life story of a 23-year old Dabawenya shot in cold blood after witnessing something she shouldn’t have.

LEFT: Tangled on a Strand of Uncertain Moment, Watercolor.

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

E

Samsung releases all-new Galaxy Note 7

SMARTPHONE GIANT SAMSUNG finally unveiled its allnew Galaxy Note 7 at its unpacking event in New York City, and its features have once again set the bar higher anew in terms of mobile technology and innovation.

In line with the release of Samsung’s latest smartphone model, Philippines’ #1 mobile brand Globe Telecom is gearing up to take pre-orders starting August 6, 2016 via globe.com.ph/note7.

Maximizing a connected lifestyle, Globe complements the new Galaxy Note 7 with its customizable Globe myLifestyle plans. The myLifestyle postpaid plans provide a personalized online experience through its variety of lifestyle packs designed for different uses - rang-

ing from entertainment, music, fashion, to travel, and more.

“Globe Postpaid always ensures we give our loyal customers access to the latest devices in the market. We are thrilled to finally have the new Galaxy Note 7 with its groundbreaking features that elevate the Filipino

digital lifestyle. Best enjoyed on our myLifestyle postpaid plans, each one of our customers will be able to customize and maximize all the Note 7 features attuned to their passions and interests – from the basic services of calls, texts, and mobile data to exclusive content,” said Globe

SVP for Consumer Mobile Business Issa Cabreira.

Samsung CEO D.J. Kho, led the unboxing in New York City, demonstrated the Galaxy Note 7’s latest features. Galaxy Note 7 carries the latest innovation – the first ever Iris scanner for added security, alongside the enhanced S-Pen with higher precision and responsiveness. Note 7 is also the world’s first mobile HDR video that can take footage in sharper colors and with high dynamic range. It also carries superior DSLR like Real Pixel Camera with the first ever dual photodiode sensor (2PD) in mobile, providing superfast autofocus and brighter and clearer images with f/1.7 lens that is excellent for low light. It is water and dust resistant, has an expandable memory up to 256GB, and runs on an Octacore processor for smoother graphics.

To learn more about the perfect myLifestyle plan for you, you can visit www. globe.com.ph or visit the nearest store to you. Customers can follow Globe Telecom on Facebook www.

Facebook.com/GlobePH and @enjoyGlobe on Twitter and Instagram for updates on pre-orders.

r s c C

t a o g s f

to to K f t lu

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

AirAsia now accepts entries for “Mount Kinabalu Challenge”

AIRASIA, the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for eight consecutive years, in partnership with Sabah Tourism Board is now accepting entries for the “Mount Kinabalu Challenge.”

To join, amateur and professional mountaineers are invited to upload their photo and share a story of their most memorable outdoor trip or hike in Facebook or Instagram using the following hashtags: #AirAsiainKotaKinabalu and #Mt.KinabaluReady from today until August 14, 2016.

One lucky winner will get to bring two of his friends to fly from Manila to Kota Kinabalu via AirAsia for ree with hotel accommodation and tour of Mt. Kinabau on September 7-11, 2016*

including The North Face PH Day Packs. Find out more about the contest mechanics here: https://web. facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines/photos/a.124034034 323149.19741.119566078103

278/1173168152743060/ ?type=3&theater Kinabalu National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site where Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea, is located. It has been designated as a centre of plant diversity for Southeast Asia because of its exceptionally rich species of flora from the Himalayas, China, Australia and Malaysia.

Aside from its rainforest and natural wonders, Kota Kinabalu is

also known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and mosques.

Philippines AirAsia flies to Kota Kinabalu from Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3 every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Keep updated with AirAsia’s latest promotion and announcement of winner on August 15 via Facebook (facebook. c om /A i rA si a Ph i l ip pines), Instagram (@ AirAsiaPh), and by following @AirAsiaPh in Viber public chat.

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

A4 INdulge!

ARTS AND CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

theKATcloset A4

be able to be a master of something, you must devout that much hours into doing that one thing. I even felt a tinge of envy for his sense of passion and ability to be in a state of contentedness while putting his visions on canvass.

God may have created the world in seven days but Bryan’s artworks are “Rome.” His smallest watercolor piece almost took more than a month to finish with a couple of do-overs in between—just because “one eye didn’t seem rightly proportioned.” “I graduated at Ford Academy of the Arts and even though it was there when I first handled the different mediums, our teachers could only really do so much when it came to teaching us the application. I still took it upon myself to read different art techniques to nearly perfecting my own,” Bryan explains. What’s most stunning about his works, aside from the obvious amount of detail he puts into them - i.e., light/shadow - is his combination of realism and surrealism.

“I categorize my artworks as HyperSurrealism, because even though my elements are done realistically, their relationship in real life is non-existent,” he aptly points to a bird with a paper airplane for a head. One could abstractly, or subconsciously, feel the eeriness of his works even though they seem to project a pretty or quaint landscape. This is partly due to his velvety brush strokes that create a hazy effect on certain pieces.

Bryan’s mastery of manipulating light and shadow truly is an art form in itself; creating random and acci-

dental imagery which can truly play tricks on the mind. Bryan’s remarkable techniques have enabled him to win prestigious Mindanao-wide and national awards, and even qualifying as a National Finalist from 2007 through 2010. He has also take part in a salable group and has held solo art shows locally and in Manila.

“I have no dreams of becoming a ‘commercialized’ artist, I make art for my own satisfaction and on my own time. I speak for art when I transport the everyday and mundane things into their new and otherworldly scene,” Bryan declared.

Without a doubt, his art may not be for everyone, but everyone will definitely remember and feel his art.

TOP LEFT: Rose, oil on canvas TOP: The artist in his home studio.

LEFT: Brian and his persian cat.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

Prioritizing the welfare of electric consumers

by Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi

KEYNOTE SPEECH before the 37th PHILRECA Annual General Membership Meeting

T

August 3, 2016, SMX Davao Convention Center in Davao City

his is my first speaking engagement as Energy Secretary, and already we are seeing the vast potential of electrification in making a difference in the lives of our countrymen. Power has always been one of the top priorities of the government, not only for industrialization, but also as a way of embracing Filipinos through our shared goal of powering every home in the country.

The theme for PHILRECA’s assembly is “Lighting Homes, Improving Lives and Enhancing Inclusive Growth and Progress” which is very much in sync with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte of adjusting to the needs of the people, especially those in the marginalized sector. Pursuant to that mandate, we were able to help 2,082 households in the Meralco franchise area, barely a month in office, manifesting that with willingness to show genuine compassion for our kababayans, things can be done. Imagine the possibilities for the coming months and years ahead if we all work together.

According to the DOE transition report, the National Electrification Administration already reached its 100% Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) target (with a total of 103,000 sitios electrified) in March 2016. Our work, however, should not stop there as there are still those who have yet to see and enjoy light. It is therefore important that we reach out to you in efforts to forge a strong partnership for rural electrification since it is our duty in the government to support your endeavors that aim to uplift the lives of our countrymen.

Early this month, I met with some of the PHILRECA members to discuss the issues and concerns of the electric cooperatives. From that meeting, I learned about your issues on right-of-way, tax reforms and the non-privatization of major government power assets, among others. Given that President Duterte has declared power development as a critical driver of our growth, we, in the Energy Family, will see to it that your concerns are immediately responded to, to allow you to fast track rural electrification.

We will streamline policies and processes to encourage competitiveness, promoting ease in doing business for the industry especially here in Mindanao and in the far-flung areas. As we strive to improve public service, we urge electric cooperatives to be compliant in their Distribution Development Plan for the continuous improvement of your operations. DDP is a very critical tool in pushing forward our

advocacies for empowering people, as this will open up opportunities in your areas, such as the establishment of small businesses through power development.

Alongside a good distribution plan, we also hope that ECs will strive for excellence by constantly improving your facilities and observing the procedures of the Competitive Selection Process before entering into power service agreements.

And most importantly, we need to comply with the provision of the law that mandates us to ensure the reliable, quality, secured, & affordable supply of electricity. Let us assure the communities we serve supply of electricity 24/7. And let us strive, work hard in finding ways to bring down our cost of power.

Let us learn from the challenges we had, aim to improve and give the best service to the people. Another key element is preparedness in dealing with disasters. Given that it is typhoon season once again, I encourage you to assess your cooperatives and come up with a disaster preparedness plan, so that we will be able to address the gaps and return to normalcy immediately after the occurrence of any natural calamity.

Along this line, NEA has come up with a Policy on Electric Cooperatives’ Resiliency Program which seeks to enhance design and construction standards of ECs’ distribution assets in anticipation of the increasing intensity of typhoons.

The Policy directs electric cooperatives to establish buffer stocks of materials, build a regional pool of line men and electricians who will undertake power restoration works, so that no utility is caught flatfooted in emergency situations in order to mitigate difficulties of the consumers during power rehabilitation activities.

As I advocate a participative and consultative leadership process I therefore encourage all of you to assess the needs of your localities and look into the possibilities of how our programs such as the National Intensification Household Electrification Program, Sitio Electrification Program and the Barangay Line Enhancement Program can be maximized to help your member-consumers.

We have to exert more effort to reduce systems loss in order to lessen the cost of delivery of power to electricity consumers. On our part, we are looking at Malampaya fund to compensate the stranded cost and stranded debts, which are being passed on to consumers. We have to prioritize the welfare of our consumers.

F PRIORITIZING, 10

Smart’s warning to motorists: Don’t use phones while driving W

ITH the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (Republic Act No. 10914) now in force, Smart Communications (Smart) cautioned its subscribers, particularly licensed drivers, they will be penalized if caught using their mobile phones or engaged in distracting activities while driving, The new law defines distracted driving as motorists engaging in certain activities while driving, or even when their vehicles are at a full stop while on the road, Smart said in a statement.

Specifically, these unsafe

acts include the following: • Sending or reading messages on a mobile device • Making or receiving calls • Playing electronic games • Watching movies • Surfing the internet • Reading e-books • Performing calculations

LOBE Telecom sustained its growth momentum in the first half of the year, delivering a double-digit hike in revenues, reaching a total P59.6 billion, up 11% from P53.8 billion a year earlier. Despite heightened competitive intensity, the robust revenue growth was underpinned by the rise in data-related service revenues across mobile, home broadband and corporate data, driven by efforts in providing market-relevant data offers, and the sustained investments in the company’s data network.

Globe recorded a net income of close to P9.0 billion, up by 3% against the P8.7 billion in the same period of 2015.

Core net income, which excludes the impact of nonrecurring charges, foreign exchange gains and mark-to-market charges, stood at P8.8 billion, higher by 2% year-on-year.

EBITDA stood at P25.6 billion for the first six months of the year, a robust 13% increase from the P22.7 billion reported a year ago. Total operating expenses and subsidy grew by 9% year-on-year to P34.0 billion from P31.1 billion last year, to support the growing customer base and the expansion of the data network.

EBITDA margin stood at 43%, slightly higher than last year’s margin of 42% and in line with the full-year guidance of 40%.

“We are proud that the company’s overall results in the first half remained robust amidst the heightened competitive intensity and the unique challenges and opportunities posed by increasing levels of smartphone penetration and mobile postpaid ownership in the market.” Globe President & CEO Ernest L. Cu said. “We believe that with the aid of the additional frequencies that we have recently acquired, Globe Telecom’s leadership as the preferred brand for Filipinos’ digital lifestyle choices will be strengthened moving forward.

Our commitment in making

continuous investments and the aggressive expansion of our network capacities are all geared towards addressing the public’s clamor for better internet service and creating wonderful experiences for our valued customers and shareholders.” Cu added.

Globe Telecom’s mobile revenues grew by 3% year-onyear, reaching P45.7 billion for the first half of 2016 from the P44.5 billion reported a year ago, and driven by strong revenue performances of Globe’s prepaid brands. TM, the company’s mass-market brand, increased revenues by 5% year-on-year, while Globe Prepaid revenues posted a solid year-on-year growth of 3%.

Complementing the growth of the prepaid segment, Globe Postpaid revenues posted a 2% growth from the same period of 2015.

From a product perspective, the growth in mobile revenues was spurred by the sustained rise in mobile data service revenues, which grew to P17.8 billion in the first half of 2016, 46% higher than the P12.2 billion reported a year ago. The robust revenue growth was driven by the rise in smartphone penetration, on the back of increasing affordability and range of devices, and the popularity of Globe’s data-driven products and applications as more customers shift towards digital lifestyles.

The growth in mobile data services offset the declines in mobile voice (-11%) and mobile SMS revenues (-16%), which are consistent with the trends in other telecom companies in the region and worldwide. Mobile data services comprised 39% of total mobile revenues, up from 27% in the first six months of 2015.

The company’s home broadband business likewise sustained its growth trajectory, significantly increasing both in revenues (+49% yearon-year) and subscriber base

Those who are not covered by the law are people “using mobile phones for emergencies, including calls to a law enforcement agency, healthcare provider, fire department, or other emergency services, agency or entity,” and people “using mobile phones while operating vehi-

Globe keeps growth momentum in 1H G

F GLOBE, 10

cles providing emergency assistance,” such as ambulances and fire trucks.

Moreover, the use of mobile devices while driving is allowed only when the driver uses hands-free tools such as headsets, or when their smartphones are on speaker phone mode.

Violators will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, and P10,000 for the second.

Third-time violators will be slapped with a P15,000 fine and three-month suspension of their driver’s license.

Fourth-time violators will be fined P20,000 and will have their driver’s license revoked.

In the US, more than 3,000 people were killed and 431,000 were injured in vehicular crashes involving distracted drivers in 2014. A study by a US-based research group also showed that people who text while driving take their eyes off the road for about 5 seconds per SMS. At 90 kilometers per hour, this is equivalent to driving the length of seven basketball courts while blindfolded.

Smart enjoins everyone to use their mobile devices responsibly – not only for their own safety, but for the safety of their passengers and other motorists as well.

Irresistibly awesome mornings await customers with the new McDonald’s Double Choco Crumble Hotcakes

F

ILIPINOS are in for irresistibly awesome mornings as one of McDonald’s well-loved breakfast items gets a delicious twist!

On July 11, customers’ breakfast cravings will be satisfied with the new limited-time offer Double Choco Crumble Hotcakes. It’s the original golden brown Hotcakes that Filipinos have come to love, now topped with cookie crumble, drizzled with luscious chocolate-malt sauce, and served with maple-flavored syrup. With these delectable ingredients, Filipinos can continue enjoying a great breakfast experience that only McDonald’s can offer.

Whether one tries the Double Choco Crumble Hot-

cakes or sticks with the alltime favorite original Hotcakes, both options are sure to satisfy breakfast patrons as they are best paired with a cup of freshly-brewed McCafe Premium Roast Coffee and Hash Browns.

Available for a limited time only, customers can indulge in this newest breakfast option available through dinein, take-out, drive-thru, and via McDelivery from 4:00AM to 10:30AM in all McDonald’s breakfast stores nationwide.

How irresistible was your morning with the all-new Double Choco Crumble Hotcakes? Share your breakfast experience on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter or Instagram.

Two 10-minute power outages on August 7 in Bunawan

D

AVAO Light and Power Co. will implement two 10-minute power interruptions on August 7, Sunday, affecting customers in the Bunawan area.

These service disruptions are necessary in order to facilitate the removal of primary steel poles, the power company said in a statement.

To avoid the longer duration of these power interruptions, the load from the affected feeder line will be transferred to nearby lines anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

The return to normal setup will be anytime between 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Areas that will be affect-

ed by the service disruptions include crossing Bunawan highway going to Bunawan Public Market and some portions of Mahayag.

Davao Light apologized for the inconvenience of these scheduled power outages, and committed to exert all efforts to restore electric service in the affected areas as scheduled or even earlier.

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

Please contact our emergency service at 229-3572 for any power interruption that will fall outside the given indicated schedule.

12 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

Saving the carabao from

extinction Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

OR generations, the carabao has been Filipino farmer’s best friend. But if no concerted effort is made to save them from disappearing in this part of the world, they may soon become extinct.

“If we don’t act fast enough, we may lose our carabaos forever,” deplores Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Since 1990, the number of carabao population has been declining. “The carabao population growth pattern from 1991 to 2010 is characterized by a period of decline (1991–1994) and a period of erratic growth (1995–2010), that is, increasing from 1994 to 1998, tapering off until 2000 then increasing again from 2001 to 2007 and tapering off from then on,” reports the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).

The Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said the dramatic decline in population in 1991–1994 were attributed to low productivity, high extraction rate, and high mortality rate. “On the average, 220,432 head are slaughtered annually, representing 8% of the population,” it said.

Although sometimes considered as a symbol of laziness, the decline in the number of carabaos in the country has alarm scientists at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños as the animal if very much useful and a part of the Filipino tradition.

“It does not seem that any mechanical device can easily replace this animal in preparing the soil for lowland rice, considering the diminutive farms scattered throughout the Philippines,” wrote Dr. Valente Villegas in his book, “Carabao Husbandry.”

Carabao is a versatile animal. “It is used in plowing fields for crops like sugar cane, corn, and upland rice,

If we don’t act fast enough, we may lose our carabaos forever

-- Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the

Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. and even to better advantage than the ox when new land is to be opened and a stronger animal is needed,” Villegas noted. “For hauling logs from the forest and other heavy work, it is unsurpassed in strength and stability.”

But despite this fact, the carabaos are completely neglected. “The carabaos, forced out from the farms by mechanized farming, are now being killed and eaten despite a law banning the slaughter of these animals,” noted a news report circulated by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“Many farmers have sold their carabaos to enable them to buy power tillers, which they believe is easier to maintain than the carabao,” the government-owned news agency pointed out.

PNA said that in some parts of the country, carabaos are slaughtered at the rate pigs are killed for pork.

“The meat, called carabeef, is dried, laced with vinegar, salt and spices, then sold as ‘tapa,’” it said.

“Unless we do something now, we might wake up one day an agricultural country without a carabao to speak of,” Alimoane reminds.

In the Philippines, the carabao is put to continuous work from the age of four years up to 15 years or beyond. Some studies have shown that three females can perform the work of two male carabaos. As a draft animal, the carabao is most remarkable. It pulls plows, harrows, and carts with loads of several tons, forging

through mud up to its belly.

There’s more to water buffalo than just a beast of burden. W. Ross Cockrill, author of “The Husbandry and Health of the Domestic Buffalo,” said that in Brazil, buffaloes are credited for almost everything good.

For one, there’s carabao’s milk. “Its mineral content is nearly the same as cow’s milk, except that it has twice more phosphorus,” said PCARRD’s Anna Marie Alo. But, according to PCC, carabao’s milk is considered the “most complete food” because it contains protein, fat, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and water. Carabao’s milk is richer and creamier than cow’s or goat’s milk due to its high percentage of milk fat which is also a good source of energy. “The water buffalo milk is considered the finest among dairy animal milk,” said Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, former PCC executive director.

The carabao also offers big opportunities for the meat industry. In fact, the current demand of carabeef is due to the recent studies which show that buffaloes are the better source of quality meat than cattle. Based on data released by the United States Department of Agriculture, carabeef has 41% less cholesterol, 92%

less fat and 56% fewer calories than beef. Recent studies regarding the chemical composition of caraheef show that fresh caraheef obtained higher crude protein than pork and beef.

“Ground carabeef has an exquisite flavor and texture,” said a fact sheet disseminated by the PCC, which has now 13 centers all over the country. “Buffalo meat is tender. It has little or no marbling or outside fat, so only a small amount of juice is lost when it is cooked.”

Another plus factor: “Carabeef is nutrient-dense or concentrated,” said Alo. “It does not shrink in cooling and only a little of it is needed to satisfy a person.

This quality makes it a suitable ingredient in locally produced corned beef and comminuted products such as “longanisa,” hotdogs, bologna and chorizos.”

Carabao is equally important for its hide. In the Philippines, people consume a lot of “chicharon” made of carabao hide, “kare-kare,” which is partly skin of the animal, and a favorite “pulutan,” softened thin slices of hide spiced heavily with ginger, onion and red pepper.

Carabao manure is also

of economic importance.

It’s a good organic fertilizer, containing 18.5 % nitrogen, 43.7 % phosphoric acid, and 9.6 % potash. It’s also a good source of fuel either as dried dung, or in generating biogas or methane. When mixed with clay, the dung serves as building material or as plaster on the ground where “palay” is threshed.

“The carabao and Philippine agriculture will remain synonymous for many years to come,” the PCC said. “This is because a large portion of our agriculture continues to be unirrigated. Moreover, land ownership of one hectare and below has significantly increased. This could be due to decreasing land area against the increasing number of farming families in the rural areas.

“Unless the industrial sector absorbs this available labor, they will remain dependent on the produce of their decreasing size of land. Hence, the integration of crops and livestock is the best way to survive. Carabao is therefore indispensable in this scenario,” the PCC added.

To save the carabao from extinction, the PCC is now promoting the mestizo or genetically improved breed of water buffalo. It is bigger compared with the native water buffalo and a good source of meat.

In addition, carabao mestizos are a good source of milk for the farm family.

This is good news as 99% of the country’s milk supply is imported from other countries. #

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

QCPD... FROM 2

tasks effectively and efficiently especially in the fight against criminality and illegal drugs.

Last July 27, Eleazar ordered the transfer of assignments of the 35 members of District Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Tasked group (DAID-SOTG), and the 53 members of Batasan Police Station (PS-6) Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Tasked Group (SAID-SOTG) to the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) in Camp Karingal, Quezon City.

He explained the relief of QCPD DAID personnel was made while the investigation on the involvement of Sr. Insp.

Ramon Castillo, former admin

officer of the QCPD District Anti-Illegal Drugs (QCPD-DAID) unit, who was slain by colleagues in a drug buy-bust, was ongoing.

“To intensify the campaign against [the] illegal drug problem in Quezon City, we need to infuse a new blood in our anti-illegal drug units,” he added.

Meanwhile, Eleazar said on Thursday that a weighing scale with shabu residue and five cell phones were found during a search mission at the office and quarters of Castillo.

The five cell phones and their SIM cards were submitted to the PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Group in Camp Crame for digital forensic examination. (PNA)

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

Drug-free Philippines has now become a possibility – Lacson W

ITH the intensified campaign against illegal drugs by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Panfilo Lacson said a drug-free Philippines has now become a possibility. ”It is the only time that, personally, I can see that a drug-free Philippines has now become a possibility because of the momentum and drive of the administration against illegal drugs,” Lacson said in a Senate media interview.

”Never before [have we seen] how more than 100,000 drug users and pushers surrendered and still counting,” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief added.

Earlier, Lacson had expressed reservation on the move of fellow Senator Leila de Lima to investigate the alleged extra-judicial and summary killings, saying it might break the momentum of the successful anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The senator said the prob-

lem of illegal drugs was so widespread that even the remotest barangay (village) is not free from the drug menace. ”Ganoon katalamak, ganoon ka-widespread maski saang sulok ng PH ka pumunta, at tinanong mo local police o kung sinong mayor, ang sinasabing number one problem sa lugar nila talaga illegal drugs,” Lacson said.

The senator said while he still believes that the police would not resort to extra-judicial

killings, the killings involving vigilantes are alarming. ”Kaya lang nakakabahala lang dahil maski sino na lang, pwede pumatay at maski sino pwede mamatay at the hands of vigilantes. I’m not referring to legitimate police operations but yung perpetrated by vigilante groups,” Lacson said.

Lacson noted that the shame campaign against individuals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade is gaining positive results. (PNA)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE GAUDIOSA ORAPA MAGNO

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GAUDIOSA ORAPA MAGNO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs per Doc. No.161; PageNo.33; Book No. XII; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC JANIS LOUIS H. ESPARCIA. 8/5,12,19

14 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 115 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 - 6, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

Mahindra shames Alaska, pads winning streak to 4 T HE Mahindra Enforcer continued their surprising run in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup as they stumped the Alaska Aces, 10195, for a fourth straight win on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the game, Mahindra closed Alaska out with a 13-2 run to claim another victim and keep pace with the TNT Ka-Tropa (4-0) for the conference lead.

Import James White dominated on offense with 32 points on 13-for-15 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out two assists, including a crucial one to rookie Keith Agovida in the final minute.

Aldrech Ramos added 14 points, KG Canaleta chipped in with 13 markers while Agovida scored 11 to help the cause.

Alaska grabbed a double-digit lead, 28-18, in the first quarter after rattling off eight unanswered points, including back-to-back threes from Calvin Abueva and Chris Banchero.

They led by eight points after the first quarter and took that even further in the second period, where they led by as many as 16 points before settling for a 54-39 lead at the half.

Alaska import LaDontae Henson paced all scorers with 18 points in the first half but Abueva also had a memorable performance over the first two periods, where he went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including two three-pointers, and 3-for-3 from the free throw line to tally 15 points in just over nine minutes of play.

Mahindra was led by their import, White, who scored 14.

Canaleta started to get going in the third, hitting a pair of three-pointers, throwing down a dunk and assisting to White. But he miscalculated when swatting at the ball in a fastbreaking Abueva’s hand.

He was tabbed with an un-

sportsmanlike foul and had to sit out.

But even with Canaleta out, the Enforcer mounted a comeback. Ramos scored off a three-point play, Asian import Iman Zandi hit a triple and Agovida struck as they came as close as seven points, 72-65, late in the third.

Mahindra carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, which they opened on a 12-5 run.

Agovida made a nice play where he swatted JVee Casio in the perimeter and took it all the way for a transition basket and Ramos and White each had an and-one finish as they came to within two points, 7977.

Despite the Enforcer’s best efforts, though, they could not seem to get over the hump as Alaska, usually thanks to Henton, had an answer for everything Mahindra would throw at them.

Henton carried most of the scoring load for the Aces, although he did get some support from Abueva, Dondon Hontiveros and RJ Jazul as they entered the last three minutes with a five-point lead, 93-88.

But White changed all that by scoring five straight points.

He struck first on a pull-up jumper at the baseline before floating in another shot while absorbing contact to earn an extra free throw that tied the game at 95-all.

Alaska’s Sonny Thoss got a midrange jumper to fall, putting the Aces ahead, 95-93, but Agovida quickly followed with a drive to the rim and Mike DiGregorio sank a huge jumper to give the Enforcer a 97-95 advantage with a little over a minute left.

After a huge defensive stop, White found Agovida cutting along the baseline for a basket inside, 99-95. Alaska then came up empty on another possession and White capped it with a huge two-handed dunk in transition, 101-95.

AHINDRA playing-coach Manny Pacquiao was so ecstatic that a person as generous as him couldn’t help but give out bonus to the team in the aftermath of the Enforcers’ stunning 101-95 win over Alaska in Wednesday night’s PBA Governors Cup. It was like a scene straight out of a championship celebration inside the Mahindra dugout shortly after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as players and the coaching staff were all in a jubilant mood as the Enforcer’s remained unbeaten in four starts for the best start ever in franchise history.

Not one to disappoint, Pacquiao immediately announced that he’ll be giving out a bonus for each player, making the atmosphere even more euphoric.

“Mismong si boss ang nagkusa to give them bonuses,” said assistant team manager Jo Ramos.

Pacquiao admitted seeing a part of himself in the Enforcer, who rallied from as much as a 16-point deficit before pulling off the upset win.

“Nahirapan kami, pero nakabawi nung fourth quarter,” said the boxing great, who was back to his dashing dark coat attire shortly after the match that served as his comeback PBA game following a nine-month layoff.

Asked about his reported request to take on Alaska stalwart Calvin Abueva during the game, Pacquiao, 37, could only let out a hearty laugh.

“Si Abueva..” was a smiling Pacquiao could say.

There was nothing between the two when Abueva scored all of his eight points against Pacquiao in the first quarter. The two of them just smiled each other.

Pacquiao played more than two minutes and was 0 for 1 from the field in his first game with Mahindra since the Philippine Cup.

Happy Manny gives Enforcers hefty bonus M

SPORTS15 LAST LAUGH. Mahindra playing coach Manny Pacquiao had the last laugh on Calvin Abueva.

Thompson annoyed by disrespect A

NNOYED by talk of the adjustments the Warriors need to do for the next season, Klay Thompson stressed that he’s not changing his game just because of the arrival of Kevin Durant to the Warriors camp.

“I feel kind of disrespected that people keep using the term ‘sacrifice’ to describe me and describe us,” Thomp-

son said on The Vertical .

“We all want to see each other do well. But I’m not sacrificing [$X! Γ], because my game isn’t changing.

I’m still going to try to get buckets, hit shots, come off screens. I want to win and have a fun time every game we play.”

The longtime backcourt partner of twice MVP Ste-

phen Curry also insisted he is embracing the hate and relishing the thought of bringing into rivals’ arenas the super team they just built.

“The NBA season can get mundane; 82 games are so long and there can be some boredom. Now, we can embrace being the hated team and getting everyone’s best,

and adding some tension every night. It’ll be a fun experience going into arenas on the road, with opposing fans hating what we’ve built.”

Thompson and Durant are both members of Team USA in the Rio Olympics, along with controversial teammate Draymond Greeen and former Warrior Harrison Barnes.

PH’s drought in World 9-Ball continues

C

ARLO Biado bowed out of the World 9-Ball Championship after losing to Ko Pingchung of Chinese Taipei, 11-9, in round-of-16 action in Doha.

Biado was the lone Filipino player to reach the round and his loss extended the Philippines’ title drought in the world showcase to six years since Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante’s victory in 2010.

Filipino-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, however, kept his title hopes alive with an 11-7 win over Muhammad Bewi of Indonesia.

Pagulayan, a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for the Philippines who is now representing Canada in world competitions, will face Chung in the quarterfinal round to be played on Wednesday night Doha time.

LAST MAN STANDING. Carlo Biado was the lone Filipino to reach the round of 16 in Doha.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

PREVIEW Can Alora spring a surprise?

K

RISTIE Elaine Alora, the country’s lone taekwondo bet in the Rio Olympics, can’t find a better coach than Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz.

The 26-year-old Alora is hoping to deliver a medal for the Philippines in the women’s +67 kg weight class, which gets going on Aug. 20.

It’s not going to be easy.

Assisting her in this Olympic journey, which begins with an early clash with 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist Maria Espinoza of Mexico, is Cruz, the finest taekwondo athlete the Philippines has ever produced.

Cruz, now 43, represented the Philippines in various international competitions in the ‘90s, and delivered the medals no one else could.

As a finweight, Cruz won the gold in the SEA Games six straight times from 1991 to 2001, and had three silver and two bronze medals in the World Championships.

In the Asian Championships, Cruz won the bronze, sil-

VOL. VOL.99ISSUE ISSUE115 115••FRIDAY FRIDAY--SATURDAY, SATURDAY,AUGUST AUGUST55--6, 6,2016 2016

ON RIO

ver and gold during a five-year stretch starting in 1994. He also has two bronze medals from the World Cup. Cruz said Alora has what it takes to win a medal at any stage. But again, nothing will come easy when you’re up against the world best.

“The pressure is there,” said Cruz.

“But as long as she gives her best and stays focused, then she has a chance,” the taekwondo guru said of Alora, a two-time bronze medalist it the Asian Games.

Cruz said Alora, who normally gives away an inch or two in height against her rivals, makes it up with a big heart.

“Likas na matapang (She’s pure heart),” said the coach.

The early clash with Espinoza, who also won the bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, should give Alora the early chance to prove her worth in the Olympic level.

“Basta laban lang (As long as we fight). Get through her (Espinoza) early on. That’s the mission anyway,” said Cruz.

LADY JIN. Philippines’ taekwondo bet Alora is hoping to deliver a medal for the Philippines in the women’s +67 kg weight class, which gets going on Aug. 20.