Edge Davao 9 Issue 117

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ON THE RISE. An eight-year old girl suffering from dengue fever waits for a physician inside her hospital room at a private hospital in Davao City yesterday. Private and public hospitals in the city are overcrowded with dengue fever patients as cases of the deadly virus continue to rise a week after Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio issued a warning to the health officials. Lean Daval Jr.

RODY BARES NARCO LIST

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

A

adlopez0920@gmail.com

S PROMISED, President Rodrigo Duterte finally revealed the names of the nation’s top public officials, who are involved in the illegal drug trade.

The announcement came early morning on Sunday, August 7 in Camp Panacan, Davao City, when the President attended the wake of the four soldiers killed during a series of encounters in Compostela Valle province.

“Kung hindi ko ito babasahin ang maganda ko gawin para sa bayan ay mag-resign,” President Duterte said, as he stressed that no one will be spared in his administration’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

Included in the President’s list are judges, mayors, vice mayors, former members of congress, high ranking police officers, non-commissioned police officers and members of the Philippine Army throughout the country.

As he read the list, President Duterte warned the personalities concerned: “Once you hear your name mentioned you are now relieved from your present function in the government. Report to the PNP within 24 hours or I will order the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the police to hunt for you.”

The President also told police and army personnel assigned as security escorts

of officials named in the list to immediately report to their respective mother units.

They were also given by the President 24 hours to comply with the direct order “or I will whack you and dismiss you from the service.”

The police officers who were included in the list by President Duterte were told to “say goodbye to your promotion. Hindi kayo ma-promote. Maghintay kayo after six years.”

The President said these commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the PNP are considered “administratively dead,” as he ordered them to “separate yourselves from the PNP.”

“Do not destroy the young men and women who are true to their country,” the chief executive declared.

In the meantime, President Duterte described Iloilo City as the most “shabulized” locality in the country.

He explained that the reason behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in the Philippines was largely due to government officials and personnel who are themselves into illegal drug use, protection and selling.

“I am sorry for my country. I grieve for the agony and suffering of the Republic of the Philippines,” the President said.

F RODY, 10

Athlete from Mindanao delivers silver in Olympics

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

G

njb@edgedavao.net

REAT times indeed for Mindanao.

Zamboanga City lass Hidilyn Diaz ended a 20-year medal drought for the Philippines after copping the silver medal in the weightlifting competitions of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro.

Diaz lifted a total of 200 kilograms to wind up in second place and bag the silver

F ATHLETE, 15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

ULTIMATUM. President Rodrigo R. Duterte, joined by Eastern Mindanao command (EastMinCom) commander Lieutenant Generay Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero (right) and 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Rafael Valencia (left), issues an ultimatum to the New People’s Army (NPA) to stop using landmines or say goodbye to the

peace talks. Duterte made the statement during his visit to the wake of four soldiers brutally killed by members of the NPA at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) in Camp Panacan, Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

841 new HIV cases Davao cops in drug list registered in June A

TOTAL of 841 new HIV cases were reported for the sixth month of 2016 in the latest HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP), bringing to an average of 26 the number of people diagnosed with HIV per day in the country, up from an average of four in 2010, nine in 2012 and 17 in 2014.

“This is the highest number of cases ever reported since 1984,” the DOH report said, adding that the figure was also nine percent higher compared to the same period last year, which was at 772.

The report also pointed out that of the HIV cases in June 2016, a total of 104 de-

veloped into full-blown AIDS cases.

There were also 63 deaths recorded from HIV/AIDS infections in June 2016 alone.

Of these, 60 were male and three were female. Thirty-four of them belonged to the 25-34 age group; 16 to the 35-49 age group; and 13 to the 15-24 age group.

A total of 1,822 HIV/AIDS deaths were reported from January 1984 to June 2016.

Of the 841 new cases of HIV in June, a total of 777 or 92 percent were acquired through sexual transmission, mostly from the men-havingsex-with-men (MSM) popula-

F841 NEW, 10

Bello confident NDF consultants will be released despite SC ruling

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ABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III said they will ask government prosecutors to file and respond to necessary motions and manifestations for the speedy release of detained communist leaders after the Supreme Court said the proper procedures for their releases are within the ambit of the regional trial courts handling their cases.

Bello said he is confident that detained consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) will be released in time for the formal resumption of the peace negotiations on August 20 in Oslo, Norway.

The Labor Secretary also

welcomed the Supreme Court decision, as it set into motion the urgency of the granting of the provisional release of the NDF consultants.

Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling on the motion for intervention filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, Bello said, “the Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition to grant bail or release the NDF consultants. It merely denied the motion for intervention of the Solicitor General on the grounds of jurisdiction and technicality.”

Bello added the Supreme Court “underscored the im-

FBELLO, 10

of Rody now restricted

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Philippine National Police in Davao region (PNP PRO-11) on Monday said it has already taken the necessary steps against their members who were identified by President Rodrigo Duterte as among government officials involved in illegal drugs.

The president named on Sunday morning judges, mayors, police officers and army enlisted personnel who are involved in the protection and trade of illegal drugs in the country.

Police Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna, chief of the

public information office of PNP PRO-11 said Police Senior Inspector Martin Plaza is now already under restrictive custody and is relieved from his position.

“His firearms, PNP ID and PNP badge were already recalled. His locker and office was already searched but turned negative. Lifestyle check is also on-going,” Dela Cerna said in a statement to the media.

Plaza is among the high-ranking police officers mentioned by President Duterte on Sunday.

Dela Cerna said the two

CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) assigned in the region were already directed to report to their higher headquarters in Manila on Monday.

The other police officer named by the president, PO3 Filomeno Soroño, already died of cardiac arrest sometime in 2010 in Mati City, while the other policeman, PO3 Jessie Balabag was already dismissed from the service last August 3, 2015 for serious neglect of duty for being absent without leave or AWOL. “The search for PO3 Balabag is on-going. We are re-

questing the public to share any information regarding PO3 Balabag’s whereabouts and report it to the nearest police station,” Dela Cerna said.

She added that the internal cleansing within the PNP PRO 11 continues, and all other information received by the office is being validated.

She said the PNP in Davao region reiterates its strong support to the pronouncements of PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to hunt down all rouge cops in the organization involved in illegal drugs.

Camp Crame to explain their side.

Violago said he is willing to cooperate with authorities to disprove the allegations against him.

Last Friday, Maguing Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Molok, former Mayor Mohammadali Abinal of Marantao, Lanao del Sur and Mayor Rasul Sangki of Ampatuan, Maguindanao also surrendered to the CIDG to give their respective statements.

Mayor Rolando Espino-

sa of Albuera, Leyte, was the first to surrender to PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.

Like the three incumbent and former mayors, judges and local chief executives included in President Duterte’s list may likely be also sent home since the PNP has no basis to hold them.

Earlier, Dela Rosa also said he is expecting other local officials to surrender.

The PNP Chief said the statement that would be pro-

vided by those who yielded could be used against them by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

But he said what is important is the intention of those who surrendered to reform and help in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

He also said these mayors who have surrendered earlier already pledged to lead the war against illegal drugs in their municipalities. (PNA)

FDAVAO, 10

2 mayors in drug list surrender to CIDG T

WO municipal mayors on Sunday surrendered after they were mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte as allegedly being involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in across the country.

San Rafael Bulacan Mayor Cipriano Violago and former Surigao Del Sur Mayor Rasmiya Macabagos immediately went to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at the PNP Headquarters in

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Officers, men in drug list of President relieved--AFP

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ILITARY personnel identified by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as having links with the illegal drug trade are immediately relieved from their positions.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message to the PNA Sunday.

“The Commander-in-Chief has already ordered their relief from whatever positions the named AFP personnel are holding and directed them to report to the Chief-of-Staff (AFP head Gen. Ricardo Visaya),” he added.

Duterte, during a press briefing in Davao City from held Saturday night until Sunday dawn, released the names of politicians, members of the judiciary, law enforcement

and military personnel with alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

These personnel will undergo administrative proceedings and will be charged, heard and judgement rendered on them as part of due process, Arevalo pointed out.

“We reiterate the AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya’s unwavering commitment to the Commander-in-Chief’s drive of ridding the country, including our ranks, of any undue involvements in prohibited drugs,” he added.

Arevalo said the AFP will be unrelenting in its campaign against illegal drugs.

“The full force of applicable military, criminal, and civil laws will be applied without letup,” he added. (PNA)

FALLEN HEROES. Philippine Army personnel stand guard beside the caskets of four soldiers killed by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in two separate encounters in Maragusan and Monkayo, Compostela Valley

Province last week. Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte visited their wake at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) in Camp Panacan, Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

Lopez: Release salaries Malacañan hails Diaz of city workers by Monday M

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

D

AVAO City Administrator lawyer Zuleika Lopez assured city hall employees that they will receive their salaries by Monday, following the directive given by Mayor Sara Duterte.

Lopez said that all necessary papers have already been submitted to the treasurer’s office last Friday to facilitate the immediate release of the employees’ salaries.

“All salaries will be released within the day (Monday) we will make sure that there will be no delays as mandate by our mayor,” she said.

Over the weekend,Duterteordered the Human Re-

source Management Office (HRMO) and the City Accounting Office to process the wages of the job orders and contract of services personnel for the month of July.

“There should be absolutely no delay in the release of wages for the job order and contract of services personnel,” the mayor said.

For his part, HRMO chief Erwin P. Alparaque, called the attention of the heads of the city’s various department and offices, especially those at the satellite offices, to remind their personnel to be prompt in submitting the required payroll documents such as their Daily Time Record (DTR)

EQUAL TREATMENT. NADECOR communications department manager Jonathan Bañez (right) expresses his disappointment over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) seeming bias against big mining companies, turning a blind eye to the operations of small scale

and Monthly Accomplishment Reports.

Alparaque said there is already an institutionalized schedule for the processing of payroll for all employees under job order or contract of service and plantilla (regular positions).

He stressed that it is the responsibility of every office head and administrative officer to strictly adhere to the scheduled submission.

The failure of one or two to submit their payroll requirements on time will delay the entire processing of everybody’s pay, he added.

“We could not sacrifice, for example, the 97 for the 3

who have not submitted their requirements,” he said.

As early as the first week of August, the Mayor had already approved the master list of personnel in all the 24 City Hall departments and offices from August to December this year.

The number of employees in the current master list has decreased from the more or less 9,800 job orders and contract of service personnel during the first seven months of 2016.

This development has been attributed to the streamlining measures being implemented by the city government.

miners. Bañez explained the advantages of responsible mining with Mindanao Business Council’s Vic Lao (left) in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

ALACAÑAN on Monday hailed Hidilyn Diaz for winning the silver medal in the 53-kilogram class of the weightlifting competition in the Rio Olympics.

“On behalf of a proud nation, we congratulate Hidilyn Diaz for winning the Philippines’ first medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

Andanar added that Hidilyn’s inspiring story is the story of Filipinos.

“Bespectacled and stand-

ing at 5’2”, Hidilyn, who hails from Zamboanga City, took up weightlifting from a relative who taught her the sports.

Hers is about overcoming shyness but for an inspired nation, her road to Rio is a journey of grit, patience and determination which ended a 20-year long medal drought for the Philippines,” Andanar said.

Diaz is also the Philippines’ first medalist in weightlifting.

“Congratulations, Hidilyn, our first Olympic medalist from Mindanao. Mabuhay ka at ipagmamalaki ka naming lahat!” Andanar concluded in his message.

PHL’s hosting of Miss U won’t worsen traffic

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HE Department of Tourism (DOT) assured on Monday the Philippine hosting of Miss Universe in January 2017 will not add to Metro Manila’s traffic woes as most pageant events will be held in other parts of the country.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo guaranteed this, following concerns that the hosting of the prestigious pageant would trigger heavy traffic as it did during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings last year.

“The maddening traffic mess is obviously the one single problem that beset our daily economic activities in Metro Manila, and we will find ways so as not to aggravate this with the hosting of Miss Universe,” Teo said.

Pageant events will be held outside Metro Manila at tourist destinations like Palawan, Cebu, Batangas and Isabela to avoid creating inconvenience to the general public, Teo said.

The cities of Davao, Vigan, and Cagayan de Oro, where reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach hails from, are also slated as possible venues of the pageant’s pre-coronation seg-

ments.

Teo also suggested that the multi-agency Philippine Host Committee (PHC) could help come up with a solution to the traffic gridlock.

The DOT-led panel endorsed to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte a draft administrative order that will formally constitute the Miss Universe PHC with at least 12 agencies to map out the master plan for the event.

The hosting panel tackled other issues raised during the recent PHC meeting including facilitating the arrival and admission of Miss Universe participants from over 90 countries and organizers, security at the various pageant venues, and coordination with partners in the private sector.

To recall, Pres. Duterte gave the DOT the go signal to host the Miss Universe pageant in the country as long as no public funds will be used in hosting the pageant.

Teo earlier assured that private sponsors will shoulder the production costs of the pageant which will hold its coronation on Jan. 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

DavOr to boost world-class hospitality eco-tourism sites I

N its bid to provide a worldclass hospitality for travellers and tourists, the provincial government of Davao Oriental has partnered with the private sector in the management of the five newly-constructed eco-tourism development projects in the province.

According to the Provincial Tourism Office, the Provincial Government has entered into a Public-Private Partnership through a Joint Venture Agreement with the long-established resort operator Malagos Garden Resort.

The eco-tourism sites that will be covered in this scheme are: Davao Oriental Welcome Park in Banaybanay town, Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in San Isidro town, Cape San Agustin Eco Park in Governor Generoso town, Pusan Point Eco Park in Caraga town, and Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park in Cateel town.

Already on its 21st year of operation, the Malagos Garden Resort, which has a team of experts and a manpower pool,

will take charge of the food cottage operation, management and maintenance of Davao Oriental’s eco-tourism parks.

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang expressed his strong support to the plan, which was initiated during the previous administration of former Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon.

During the pre-implementation conference held at the Provincial Capitol, Governor Dayanghirang said the partnership will be mutually beneficial to the province and its private sector partner as it will entail a sharing of resources.

“What we have here are world-class eco-tourism development and it is but apt to tap an experienced team to provide topnotch service,” he added, stressing that this strategy will maintain and further develop the existing tourism sites in the province.

“The Provincial Government has already laid the foundations of a world-class hospitality and tourism to comple-

ment our beautiful landscapes.

But the government’s resources cannot sustain it alone,” he said.

Governor Dayanghirang stressed the long-term goal is to encourage the private sector to invest and put up more developments in the area. “The government only serves as the precursor of all these developments,” he says.

Another advantage of this partnership would be the creation of additional sources of income for the province through shares from the proceeds of the operation. The municipal government as well as the barangay will also get shares from the proceeds as well.

According to the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Freddie C. Bendulo, the province expects its Return on Investment on all eco-tourism development projects within a ten-year period.

Moreover, the partnership is also expected to help in the provincial government’s goal

of job creation. The Malagos management said they will be prioritizing qualified candidates from the local community.

On the part of provincial government, it will facilitate and regulate the operations of the private party following the guidelines mandated by law in terms of government and private partnership.

Based on the agreement, the private operator will have a five-year lease contract that will be subjected to yearly renewal. The contract will also undergo another bidding after ten years.

The Province of Davao Oriental is among the 21 inclusive tourism cluster destinations in the Philippines and among the ten priority cluster destinations called Tourism Development Areas by virtue of Republic Act 10560. It is also included in the National Tourism Development Plan as part of the Davao Gulf and Coast tourism areas. (Karen Lou Deloso/ Davao Oriental Info Office)

Harry Chester Firman Camolo, Executive Officer of Davao Occidental Disaster Rick Management receives the Plaque of Recognition for exceptional performance recognized while in Davao del Sur. This was during the July 28,2016 program held in Grand MenSeng Davao City.

Davao Occidental Media Affairs

Tagum is Davao Region’s best disaster-prepared city

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HE City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) of the City Government of Tagum was recognized anew as the Gawad Kalasag Award winner for Region XI during the culmination of the National Disaster Consciousness Month last July 28, 2016 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.

Conferred by the Office of the Civil Defence and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the award was given in view of the outstanding measures that were implemented by the Tagum CDRRMC to prevent and mitigate the ill-effects of the various disasters which happened 2015.

Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who heads the city’s disaster management council, noted the

CDRRMC’s second consecutive win of the region’s edition of the most coveted national award for disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance can be attributed to the expansion of the CDRRMC’s capability which strengthened its capability to respond to disasters.

This expansion of capability was achieved through the training of organic and volunteer personnel in various climate change adaptation programs and projects such as the massive tree planting programs and the implementation of measures to ensure the resilience of the city’s infrastructure in the face of disasters.

The establishment of an efficient and effective CDRRMC operation center, the installa-

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DOLE program improves poor’s income in NorCot Police destroys 70 electronic

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HE Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) livelihood assistance has made life better for residents of this farming town, an official has said.

Director of DOLE Region 12, Albert Gutib, said the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) is helping indigent residents earn regular income for their families.

In celebration of the town’s 65th foundation anni-

ers.

versary Friday, beneficiaries of the livelihood program, mostly rice cake (kakanin) makers and vendors, and ornamental plant breeders, proudly displayed their products.

“These products are not only sustaining the daily needs of the beneficiaries but also provide food supplements to the locals,” Gutib said, calling on the public to patronize these products.

Local residents also flocked to the “Job Fair” for lo-

cal and overseas employment.

The job fair, which carried the theme, “Trabaho Para sa Katawhan sa Banwa sa M’lang”, was participated in by eight overseas recruitment agencies and six local employers.

Gutib said the continued partnership between the local government of Mlang, DOLE 12, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and other agencies enabled them to reach more job seek-

“We are now implementing Labor Advisory No.10 series of 2016, which prohibits labor only-contracting, and Department Order No. 162, which suspends registration of new applicants as contractors and sub-contractors to ensure that workers are protected and to end ENDO (contractualization),” he said.

Gutib also urged job seekers applying for overseas em-

resulted in the confiscation of 147 logs valued at Php170,000.00, according to the report of the Agusan del Sur Police that was submitted to the regional police headquarters in Butuan.

Police Chief Superintendent Rolando B. Felix said that among those apprehended was an Isuzu truck bearing Plate No. KEB 505 driven by a certain Makmak Guzman

and owned by Genes Montana, loaded with 37 pieces of Gubas logs valued at Php38,255.00.

Another Isuzu Truck bearing No. MDR 938 loaded with 36 pieces of Gubas logs valued at Php33, 600.00 was also seized.

Authorities also confiscated 74 pieces of abandoned Lawaan logs valued at Php98,400.00 in Brgy. San Ig-

nacio of the said municipality.

Felix said the police operation was part of the intensified and continuing campaign against all forms of criminality by the PNP in coordination with the other law enforcement agencies.

He urged the active collaboration of the community and other stakeholders by providing the necessary information to the police. (PNA)

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PNP, DENR seize P170-T worth of logs in Agusan

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VER a hundred thousand worth of lumber were seized during an anti-illegal logging operation jointly conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at a village of a border municipality of Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley on Wednesday.

The joint operations

game machines in Butuan

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EVENTY confiscated electronic fruit game machines were destroyed by the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) on Friday afternoon as a demonstration of its intensified campaign against illegal gambling.

The ceremonial rites was headed by Caraga PNP director chief superintendent Rolando B. Felix and other senior regional and city police officials after the traditional flag-lowering rites at the police regional headquarters here.

Felix, assisted by the other senior police officers, did the manual bashing of some of the confiscated machines and their mother board, before a pay loader heavy machine finished the job. ”We are doing this (rites) this afternoon in order to show to the community our resolve not only to fight against illegal drugs but against illegal gambling as well,” Felix said in an

interview with members of the local media.

He said that he saw the machines while doing visiting various police stations, noting that they are not only an eyesore, but also occupy space that can be used for other purposes, he cited.

“We’re trying to shun impressions that some of the machines will be recycled or re-used,” he added.

The machines that were destroyed were confiscated by the Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office (45) and the Butuan City Police Office (25).

Other police stations are expected to follow suit at their own schedules, according to Felix.

A press statement from the police regional headquarters said the coins contained in the smashed machines will be donated to the DSWD (Caraga) Home for The Girls at Brgy.

Bonbon, this city. (PNA)

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

DA: Durian production down this year T

DURIAN FEST. Durian industry stakeholders (from L-R) agri committee chair Marissa Abella, Durian Council Chair Larry Miculob, DA Assistant Director Maria Febe Orbe, and SM mall manager Therese Lapeña lead the opening of the 4th Kadayawan Durian Festival at SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City. Photo

by Noel T. Provido

PH firms can equal Australia, Canada mining standards

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

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INING companies in the country, including those operating in the Davao region, can equal the mining standards being implemented in Australia and Canada, a mining group based in Davao claimed.

Speaking before reporters at the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw in SM City on Monday, Vicente Lao, president of Mindanao Business Council (MBC) and one of the leaders of the Association of Responsible Mining Operators in Region XI (ARMOR-XI) said they have no problem in terms of practicing responsible mining in their respective mining sites.

“We are trying to do our best to implement what is necessary and we always take up the challenge of responsible mining in Mindanao and in the region,” Lao said.

At present, he added, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is conducting an audit of various mining sites in the region.

DENR’s move, Lao noted,

is also being carried out nationwide.

The audit, he said, is also a way of checking why some companies are no longer actively carrying out activities in their mining sites.

He also pointed out that under the existing laws of the country, particularly the Mining Act of 1995, mining firms are bound to follow the guidelines on responsible mining as a way equalling the mining standards in other countries such as Canada and Australia.

“The Mining Act of 1995 is more stringent than the mining laws of Canada and Australia,” Lao said.

Mining standards in Canada and Australia are being referred to by President Rodrigo Duterte as among the best in the world in terms of responsible mining practices.

Anti-mining sentiments “It would have been good if the [environment forum] was opened to all participants so that issues raised are answered simultaneously.”

The reaction was made

by Lao in relation to the twoday Mindanao Environment Summit organized by the Ateneo de Davao in Davao City on Thursday and Friday last week.

“I heard that a lot of mining companies were not allowed to enter including those beneficiaries of mining companies in the host communities,” Lao said.

He added that members of ARMOR-XI raised concerns as to why their members were not invited to take part in the said occasion that was graced

by President Duterte and DENR secretary Gina Lopez.

“We cannot blame them.

That is their prerogative. Issues that were raised during the forum need to be answered,” he added.

He said that mining industry in the Philippines is not an illegal business. But just like any other industry, it also confronts various challenges.

“Mining industries have generated big revenues for the government, created employment for the people and help

the economy of communities,” Lao said.

He also disagreed with the recent statement of Secretary Lopez saying that wherever there is mining, there is poverty.

Lao said the major issues that need to be considered why poverty exists in communities are the lack of responsible mining practices, as well the system of governance in the mining areas.

“The revenues derived from the mine site are not used to uplift the living condition of the people in the mining communities but are being siphoned to Manila,” he said.

Lao said there is no longer a need to submit a position paper to Secretary Lopez questioning the non-inclusion of mining firms during the summit.

“The mining sector in Mindanao has been actively doing responsible mining although it’s not perfect as there are some lapses, but these are things that can be rectified,” Lao said.

last month’s,” it said.

At PHP3.86 per kWh, it is also 69 centavos per kWh lower compared to August 2015’s PHP4.55 per kWh. The generation charge declined due to charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which decreased by PHP3.48 per kWh from PHP4.49 last month.

Meralco noted that the spot prices dipped, reflecting only one instance of yellow alert for the July supply month as compared to the five yellow alert incidents in June.

Meanwhile, the Independent Power Producers (IPPs)

increased their power costs by 16 centavos per kWh due to the lower dispatch of San Lorenzo and Sta. Rita. ”The lower generation charge more than offset an increase in the transmission charge of PHP0.08 per kWh, due to higher regulating reserve,” noted the distribution utility.

Power costs sourced from plants under the Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), on the other hand, was almost at the same level as last month, with only a slight increase of PHP0.002 per kWh. Meralco sourced its capac-

ity from PSAs at 49.3 percent, IPPs at 40.3 percent, and 9.5 percent from the WESM. Taxes and other charges also increased by a combined amount of around PHP0.01 per kWh. Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges have remained unchanged for 13 months, after they registered a reduction in July 2015.

The spate of red and yellow alert conditions in the Luzon grid over the past two weeks will, however, be reflected on the September electricity rates, the power firm noted.

(PNA)

Meralco: Power rates down in August P

OWER distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will reduce its overall power rate by 11 centavos to PHP8.50 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month, driven by lower generation charges.

In a statement, Meralco said the reduction for typical households with a consumption of 200 kWh translates to PHP21.39, 300 kWh at PHP32.08, 400 kWh at PHP42.77, and 500 kWh at PHP53.47.

“The decrease in the overall rate is primarily due to the generation charge, which is PHP0.20 per kWh lower than

HE region’s fruit industry is expecting lower production this year due to the impact of El Niño, a weather phenomenon that causes high mortality among fruit trees, particularly Durian.

In a bid to address this concern, the Department of Agriculture - High Value Crops Program (DA-HVCDP) outlined its rehabilitation program to help Durian growers overcome the ill-effects of this year’s long dry spell.

DA Assistant Director Maria Febe Orbe said at least P2-million will be allocated by the DA-HVCDP to rehabilitate Durian plantations in the region.

“These will include immediate interventions such as procurement and distribution of Durian seedlings especially desired varieties to sustain the local industry,” Orbe said in her message during the opening of the 4th Durian Festival held Friday at SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City.

DA-HVCDP regional coordinator Melani Provido reported that around 50,000 Durian trees died, while others were badly hit by El Niño.

These affected trees, Provido explained, will need to be replanted and rehabilitated in major Durian production areas in the city such as Tugbok, Calinan, and Toril district.

Meanwhile, Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella mentioned during a recent committee hearing last week that the city’s rehabilitation plan for El Niño will be carried out

by Monday (yesterday).

“We will ensure that our Durian farmers will not be left behind in the rehab plan.

Davao City is known as Durian capital and [the fruit] is part of being Dabawenyos. We cannot allow any phenomenon like El Niño to severely affect

production especially that there is a growing demand for the Durian abroad,” Abella said.

Abella, who chairs the City Council’s agriculture committee, said she is studying the viability of requiring nursery operators to secure accreditation first before they will be issued business permit.

“This is to ensure that the seedlings they will sell conform to quality standards set by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry,” she said.

For his part, Davao industry Durian council chair Larry Miculob, said Davao City currently supplies about 80 percent of the country’s total Durian production.

Miculob said Davao’s Durian is fast gaining prominence in key international markets such as Australia and Russia which have signified their interest to import frozen Durian fruits.

Last year, Macula started exporting Durian to China.

The Durian festival will run from August 5 - September 4 as part of the Kadayawan festivities.

Since it launch in 2013, the Kadayawan Durian Festival has been well received and has become one of the festival’s must-see events.

“With national interest now [focused] on Davao, we want to take advantage of this perfect time to boost awareness on the appreciation for our beautiful city including our most celebrated fruit, the Durian,” said SM mall manager Therese Manalo.

“We hope that this event will continue to raise consumer awareness and patronage of Durian not only in the local scene, but in the national and international scenes as well,” she added. (Noel T. Provido/ DA-XI)

BSP fines RCBC P1 billion for Bangladesh Bank heist

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday slapped Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) a Php 1 billion fine in connection with the USD 81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank that passed through RCBC. In a statement, the BSP said the policy-making Monetary Board-approved supervisory action against the bank was made “in connection with the special examination conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) relating to the Bangladesh Bank cyber heist.”

The fine imposed on RCBC was the largest to date against any BSP-regulated institution, it said.

“This affirms the BSP’s strong commitment to ensure the stability of the country’s financial system through strong and effective regulation of BSFIs (BSP supervised financial institutions),” it said.

“The BSP recognizes RCBC’s efforts in instituting changes to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Risk Management System and governance culture,” it added.

For its part, RCBC, in a statement, said it will comply with MB Resolution No. 1392 that imposes the fine.

“This amount shall be paid in two equal tranches over a one-year period, Php 500 million upon approval by the Monetary Board and Php 500 million one year after,” it said.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines Maj. Gen. John Gomes, in a briefing at their embassy in Makati City Friday, said they learned about the penalty on the news after meeting with BSP officials earlier in the day.

Asked whether Bangladesh officials consider the penalty as an admission of

F BSP, 13

6 ECONOMY DTI encourages companies to back MSME through inclusive business

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HE Department of Trade and Industry has encouraged chief executives of big companies to develop and promote the involvement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the ASEAN region’s production network and supply chain.

“I enjoin you to continue partnering with us, this time with single-minded focus on MSMEs to develop and promote their involvement in mainstream business.” Secretary Ramon Lopez told the participants of the 47th National Marketing Conference at Pasay City.

Secretary Lopez underscored the Inclusive Business model, which proved to significantly enhance business bottom lines through supply-demand gap linkages, while contributing substantial impact to the poor and low-income segment.

“The integration of these communities into global value chain improves their quality of lives and makes for better business with diversified sup-

ply and distribution systems.

For business and investors, Inclusive Business is not only the new mindset for innovation and market leadership, but a key contribution of the private sector to communities and sustainable development goals.” Secretary Lopez said.

Noting MSME’s crucial role in ASEAN Economic Integration, Secretary Lopez shared DTI’s plan to strengthen this sector to be able to join the global value chain.

“We intend to increase the competitiveness of MSMEs so they can be part of the domestic, regional, or global value chain as manufacturing entities in their own right, whether involved in the production of parts and components that have backward linkages within the production network, or through the provision of services in manpower, logistics, transportation, or communications.” He told.

MSMEs serve as the backbone of most Asian countries, accounting for more than 96%

F DTI, 10

990 Holdings to turnover high-rise condo project

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ISTED mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. expects the turnover of its residential condominium development located in Mandaluyong City to begin by December.

Its first high rise project, the 1,148-unit Urban DECA Tower EDSA, topped off last Aug. 5 after 654 days of construction. Sixty percent of the units were already sold out.

“We’ve topped off DECA Tower EDSA 100 days ahead

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

Mining group calls on DENR to regulate small-scale miners

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must seriously look into the operations of small-scale miners in the Davao region.

This was among the recommendations made by representatives of mining firms operating in the region who are also members of the Association of Responsible Mining Operators in Region XI (ARMOR-XI).

“Why the large-scale mining firms are made as whipping boys by the DENR?” Jojo Banez, the COMDEV manager of National Development Corporation (NADECOR) during the Kapehan sa Dabaw press conference held at SM City Davao on Monday.

Banez noted that his group has not heard of any negative issue raised against the operations of small-scale miners in the region particu-

larly in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

He said that NADECOR has a tenement area in Pantukan and it is now occupied by small-scale miners.

“They said that open pit mining is destructive but the small-scale miners in our area are already doing open-pit mining,” he said, as he called on the DENR in the region to look at how the agency can regulate the operations of small-scale mining.

Banez added that smallscale miners use primitive ways of extracting gold such as the use of mercury which has been proven to be hazardous to humans and the environment.

He also pointed out that small-scale mining in Pantukan and other parts of Davao region do not usually involve small-scale miners but are actually mostly financed and

operated by big miners who have enough capital to fund their operations.

The government tried to control the operations of small-scale miners in the country but no positive results have been seen until now, he added.

One of the interventions made by the government before was the “Minahang Bayan” that was proposed during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It is, however, sad to note that the proposal has not materialized, Banez said.

He bared NADECOR is now planning to establish a partnership with the smallscale miners in the area in order to come up with a “winwin” solution.

“In our case we are planning now for a community mining. We are proposing for

a partnership with the smallscale miners in Pantukan in order for them to follow the responsible processes of mining,” he said.

But Banez added that such an initiative will only succeed if there will be support from the national government, especially on the implementation of clear policies regarding the operations of small-scale miners.

“We cannot simply drive them away from our site as they would accuse us of violating their rights,” he added.

Banez expressed optimism the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the DENR, under the leadership of Secretary Gina Lopez, will come up with acceptable and sustainable solutions to address the situation of the small-scale mining industry in the Davao region and throughout Mindanao.

of schedule. We want to deliver the first 400 units by December 2016,” said 8990 Holdings president and chief executive officer Januario Jesus Atencio in a statement.

The tower, located along Epifanio Delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) at Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, cost PHP745 million to build.

The project started selling each unit at PHP990,000 when it was launched in 2014. It now sells for PHP1.4 million per unit. (PNA)

China sees good effects of coal capacity reduction

C

HINA’S top economic planner said on Monday that the country has made progress in reducing excess coal capacity by advancing economic structural reform.

Coal output declined 9.7 percent year on year to reach 1.63 billion tons in the first half of 2016, widening from a 5.8 percent drop recorded in the same period last year, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on its website.

Coal enterprises and major electric power plants saw their coal stockpiles drop as of the end of June, down 8.6 percent and 16.6 percent, respectively, according to the NDRC. The decline in coal stocks resulted in a narrowed decline for major coal business profits, reaching 3.5 billion yuan (525 million U.S. dollars) in the first five months, down 73.2 percent year on year, compared with a 92.5-percent drop in the first quarter.

The NDRC attributed the progress to the government’s

continued efforts in reducing production output, eliminating outdated capacity and promoting mergers, reorganization, and industry upgrades.

Meanwhile, coal consumption nationwide edged down 5.1 percent year on year to reach 1.82 billion tons in H1, according to the NDRC. China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of steel and coal. The two industries have long been plagued by overcapacity and felt the pinch even more in the past two years as the economy cooled and demand has fallen.

The Chinese government made reducing excess capacity a top priority in late 2015 at the Central Economic Work Conference and put it at the center of the 13th Five-Year Plan.

China plans to cut steel and coal capacity by about 10 percent -- as much as 150 million tons of steel and half a billion tons of coal -- in the next few years, with funds set aside to help displaced workers.(PNA/Xinhua)

FARMER’S TRAINING. Now on its 7th week, the Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmer’s Training Program on Sustainable Agriculture has mobilized participation of Pantawid Pamilya and Sustainable Livelihood beneficiaries of Sitio Ladian, Barangay Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City. KSK is an outreach project of SM Foundation, Inc. in partnership with HARBEST Agribusiness

Corporation, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, and Davao City Government. It seeks to improve livelihood of small scale farmers, enabling them access to better socio-economic opportunities.

Earlier, Pantawid families in Monkayo, Compostela Valley and Tagum City have also engaged in the farmer’s training program. (DSWD/lls)

NorCot hog raisers see better business under Duterte

H

OPES are high among small time hog raisers in North Cotabato following the 1st Hog Raisers Forum in Libungan over the weekend wherein the national government committed to throw its support behind the swine industry.

“It gave them hope that the Duterte administration, through the Department of Agriculture, is looking for their welfare,” Forum organizer Board Member Soc Piñol of North Cotabato’s 3rd district said in a statement.

About 500 participants, mostly small time hog raisers whose income have dwindled

lately due to smuggled imported meat and lack of government support, were elated at reports the Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol is looking at their welfare.

“Not only hog raisers but all farmers because that is the order of President Duterte to DA Sec. Piñol,” Bong Piñol, DA secretary’s executive assistant, told hog raisers.

“We are sent here by Sec. Manny to show you that the Duterte government is serious in helping you in your farming ventures,” he said.

“Tell us what you need so that we may know what projects DA will extend you,” the

younger Piñol said.

Piñol organized the forum to help address issues and concerns faced by hog industry stakeholders.

“You need to organize yourselves so you have a strong voice and come up with hog data base system because we have better market opportunities now, not just in Metro Manila markets but among meat processors in the capital,” he said.

“The demand in Metro Manila is huge but North Cotabato hog raisers are not organized and empowered to penetrate larger markets,” the provincial legislator added.

To help the swine industry players, the forum invited representatives from government agencies in order to look at the hog raisers’ concerns.

Piñol also announced that a prospective buyer is interested to purchase from North Cotabato about 2,000 young swine at PHP2,100 each.

This brought smiles to the forum’s participants since the prevailing buying price of hog is about PHP1,600 per animal.

With the DA secretary being a son of North Cotabato, the board member said better opportunities await small time hog raisers. (PNA)

7 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

All the fuss about Bt talong Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (First of Two Parts)

O

N December 13, 2010, then Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio ordered the uprooting of around 1,800 hills of Bt talong in an experimental station inside the campus of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao on the grounds that there was no proper public consultation and hearings held.

Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis while talong is the Tagalog/Visayan term for eggplant. Actually, it is a homegrown genetically engineered vegetable developed for insect resistance so that farmers can grow the crop without spraying large amounts of toxic pesticide. “(B)ased on the report of the Davao (City Agriculture Office),” said the mayor’s cease and desist order, “you have only complied with three of 15 conditions that enables you to engage in such field testing.”

The lady mayor wanted the Bt talong to be transplanted not to an open field trial but rather “on a strictly confined environment.” But these were not followed. A local daily, in a news report, noted: “The proponents were insisting the plants are confined as these are planted behind cyclone wire fences. It wasn’t Duterte’s idea of a confined environment as she insisted that it should be in a situation where the plants are not exposed to a natural environment where pollination can occur.”

In an en banc ruling dated May 2, 2012, the Supreme Court issued a writ of kalikasan on the commercial production of Bt talong. A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy designed for the protection of one’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.

Petitioners assailed genetically modified (GM) crops like Bt talong, claiming these pose danger to human health. They are advocating transgenic-free food production “based on principles of sustainability and protection of biodiversity.”

On December 15, 2015, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a decision to stop the field testing of Bt talong all over the country. “The repercussion of this decision is far reaching,” wrote Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, who

Eggplant on the right infested with pest compelling farmers to spray up to 80X per season, Bt eggplant (left) is clean chairs the Biotechnology Advisory Team of the Department of Agriculture.

“It means that anyone conducting field trials could be stopped by simple conjectures. Yet, field trials are part of the risk-assessment process required by our national policy as well as international treaty to be able to determine the safety of a GM crop with its non-GM counterpart.”

According to Dr. Halos, stopping the commercialization of Bt talong means the current practice of farmers in protecting the eggplant from its devastating pest -- eggplant shoot and fruit borer (ESFB) -will continue if they were to harvest marketable fruits.

“Currently, farmers spray the eggplants almost every two days once they start to grow until almost harvest time,” Dr. Halos said. “When the eggplant fruit is long enough, it is dipped in a solution of pesticide. This is practiced until a few days before harvest so that the very smooth, no holes-eggplant comes to the consumer laced with pesticide residue.”

Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr., a plant breeder and academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), deplored the SC’s decision: “For now, ideology has won, sadly, and Bt talong field experiments are permanently enjoined by Supreme Court ruling. Scien-

For now, ideology has won, sadly, and Bt talong field experiments are permanently enjoined by Supreme Court ruling. Scientists need to work harder to show that science and society in general deserve a better treatment tists need to work harder to show that science and society in general deserve a better treatment.”

Fortunately, six months

later, the High Court dismissed the petition for writ of continuing mandamus and the writ of kalikasan and reversed its earlier decision. The case should have been dismissed in the first place, the Court said, “for mootness” in view of the completion of the field tests and termination of biosafety permits.

“Not quite a total victory for the farmers and science but at least for now there is no impediment for the research to go on, for Filipino farmers to keep on planting high-yielding, very profitable Bt corn hybrids and for the feed industry to import genetically modified soybean meal to sustain the local poultry and livestock sector,” wrote Dr. Emil Q. Javier, a NAST member and chair of the Coalition for Agricul-

ture Modernization in the Philippines.

As field trials of Bt talong has already been done, the next stage would be the commercial cultivation of the GM crop. But it will entail more rigorous steps yet. It has to follow some processes before it can be grown commercially.

Dr. Desiree Hautea, the project leader of the Bt talong project in the country, said they “still have to gather other requirements as part of the research and development, such as the assessment process.” In addition they have to gather other data from field trials as well as present food and safety data, among others.

Initial findings of the field trials conducted over three growing seasons in Pangasinan (the country’s

leading eggplant producer, with about 30% of total production) showed that eggplants had insect resistance to EFSB. Dr. Javier, quoting the report published by Plos One, a peer-reviewed publication, said that conventional eggplants “had 42% damaged shoots and 93% damaged fruits.” In comparison, Bt eggplants “were practically free from damage”: less than one percent shoot damage and less than two percent fruit damage.

Growing Bt talong is also a profitable venture. A report from the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) shared this information: “Based from studies conducted on the potential costs and benefits of Bt eggplant commercialization based on the results of multilocation field trials of the crop, the average potential net benefit of Bt talong is P272,000 per hectare than the conventional varieties in the province of Pangasinan and P120,000 in Camarines Sur. “Increase in profit was reportedly due to increased marketable yield and reduced pesticide use.

It was projected that there will be a 48% reduction in pesticide application per hectare and can be translated to 19.5% lower environmental footprint compared to non-adopters,” the PNA report added.

-- (To be concluded)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

EDITORIAL

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A silver that shines like gold

IDILYN Diaz carried both the country’s hopes and frustrations on her shoulders as she lifted the mass of steel—more than three times her own weight—that would end two decades of fruitless campaign in a competition where nations, not just the men and women representing them, are measured by their strengths and skills.

It has been that long. Twenty years to be exact since the Philippines rejoiced a one nation when a diminutive young man from Negros brought home a silver medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. That night when boxer Mansueto Velasco bowed to Daniel Petrov Bujilov to settle for silver, the country lifted the brave fighter on its shoulders in a unifying jubilation only sports can deliver.

Early Monday morning just when everyone in the country was still asleep, Diaz struck the vein that would quench their thirst for glory.

It was to be the most glorious sunrise every Filipino woke up to. Diaz, the 25-year old weightlifter from Mindanao, had just delivered the long sought after Olympic medal we all have been yearning for.

The medal did not come from any foreign-born athlete or any fairskinned one, or the more celebrated, or those whose image light up huge billboards along Manila’s busy streets.

It came from a marginalized athlete, a provinciana from Zamboanga

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who was a raw 17-year old when she first had a crack at the Olympics in Beijing.

Diaz’s victory brought her the new-found fame and the fortune—a whopping P5 million. It may be enough to tide her over the hard life as an athlete but there is more to Diaz’s victory than just the prize.

It is the statement long burried in the vast fields and facilities of sports. The country is not short of talents especially from the marginalized provinces. It is just that, like politics, there are also oligarchs in sports.

Many among the sports associations are still headed by overstaying officials who probably have not even set foot in the provinces to bring sports training and technology there where the talents are.

They stay on their swivel chairs waiting for the next travel out of the country, and passing on budget requests for a grassroots program that never really was.

Diaz’s triumph is a message President Duterte can rally sports from because Diaz is pretty much like Duterte. He hates oligarchs and wants to uplift the lives of the marginalized.

For all its worth in overcoming hardships and the message that goes with it, the silver medal Diaz is bringing home shines like gold.

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EDGEDAVAO

W

HEN Cristeta hollers that her boyfriend has been sexually abusing her and the broadsheets and tabloids headline it all hook, line and sinker, is that a national crisis?

When a starlet and her boyfriend sing “Careless Whisper” in wild abandon and have a video of their steaming tryst and the broadsheets and tabloids publish the scandal and their broadcast cousin pitches in, is that a national crisis?

When 44 Filipino soldiers are mercilessly massacred and all the media jump into the fray and air and print in screaming banner headlines the tragedy, is that a national crisis?

When nine foreign tourists and several others are killed and injured in a hostage-taking incident and the President comes out on national television only three hours after, do we have a national crisis?

If you answered “yes” to all, I won’t blame you. That’s your perspective and I will respect it.

If you answered “yes” only to the last two questions, I would say you have a remarkable

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

What is a national crisis

grasp of pubSPECKS OF LIFE lic issues and affairs.

While the first two grabbed headlines for quite a time, it is because the subject Fred C. Lumba matter was so hot it increased street sales and earned huge revenues by way of commercial advertisements for both print and broadcast media.

But the last two have such great proportions involving the national leadership that is why I consider them national crises.

So, now that there is an intensified war against illegal drug lords and merchants and the PNP campaign has netted hundreds of dead suspected drug pushers nation-wide, would this qualify as a national crisis?

No less than Pres. Duterte has said so.

Since the presidential campaign, the tough-

talking former Davao City mayor has publicly pronounced that he will go after criminal elements involved in illegal drugs trafficking if he gets elected.

He has announced time and again that the drug menace has engulfed the country, that even those in the rural barrios have become target markets of unscrupulous shabu agents, accepting payments in kind (chicken, fowls, vegetables, fish/rice harvest) to ply their nefarious trade and sustain their hold.

The President is at the forefront of the country-wide campaign and that makes the issue a national concern.

He has calendared to slay the dreaded and multi-headed dragon within three to six months, a timetable that some cynical jerks and observers feel is not possible (if not impossible) to achieve.

Tell me, when a president has the political will to accomplish something - whether noble or not - doesn’t he have all the government resources at his beck and call?

When PNoy called in his musketeers and ordered them to impeach SC Chief Justice Re-

nato Corona and programmed it to be finished in less than a year, did not PNoy utilized all, everything up in his sleeves to get rid of Corona?

He was alleged to have used several hundred millions of taxpayers’ money disguised as carrots to convince his henchmen to vote for the ouster of the beleaguered chief magistrate.

Did the mainstream media pummel PNoy and his cohorts with sustained critical comments enough to make it as a national crisis?

Now, the question is asked consequently: Is the mainstream Manila-based media accurately and objectively reporting and covering the on-going anti-illegal drugs campaign?

Without pinning the blame on anyone, it is very obvious that the drug menace grew from infancy to adulthood under the very noses of the past administration.

Only Pres. Digong had the gall to call a spade a spade. Damn the torpedoes.

The President made his oath to save the country and the Filipino people. (email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

(now owned FAST BACKWARD by the Chua family of CNN Philippines and Philippine Graphic).

Magdalena married Juan Ysmael, founder of a steel company, now Antonio V. Figueroa defunct, that bore his surname. When he died, she married a Hemady, another Lebanese, as her second spouse.

Elsewhere in the Philippines, traces of Christ’s genetic relatives are still identifiable.

The former Philippine envoy to Lebanon, Al Francis Bichara, was the grandson son of the former Lebanese ambassador to the country.

The Carams of Iloilo are of Lebanese descent, and so are the Deen and Jureidini families of Cebu.

The mother of Actress Marie Rachel Taleon, known also as Dawn Zulueta, was a Lebanese scion surnamed Salman. Other celebrities with Lebanese blood include singer Kuh Ledesma, Marinella Adad (Ana Roces), Yasmein Kurdi, and Jessica M. Tawile (Jessy Mendiola).

In Davao region, the Lebanese community originated with the arrival in 1892 of John Awad (Juan Awad), a Syrian-Lebanese Maronite Christian from Beqaa Valley in modern-day Lebanon, from Iloilo. He is best remembered for three historical facts: he was the first recruiter of Japanese labor to work in abaca plantations in Davao; the first foreigner

to successfully cultivate a hemp plantation in barrio Belen (now Lapanday); and the owner of the first tallest structure in Mindanao.

Awad’s three-story edifice, built in 1917, was constructed at the corner of C.M. Recto and San Pedro Streets where the offices of Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Philippine National Bank (PNB) are situated.

The tallest part of the building housed the pre-war Cine Esperanza, named after his wife, a Cabaguio scion. The ground floor, on the other hand, was occupied by Awad’s general merchandise store, while the right ground was leased to the PNB, which first rented the property in 1918. But when the war arrived, the structure “where the local folks held cultural shows before the war… collapsed like a dollhouse at the blast of US bombs.”

Less than three decades later, the Borghailys (Aburjaily) and the Sasins, both Awad relatives, arrived in Davao. The newcomers, finding extensive opportunities in town, engaged in merchandising. Salim Borghaily, the earliest to come, opened Borghaily Hermanos Store in 1929. Brisk business and a peaceful environment were considerations that encouraged him to stay. When his wife died, he went home to Lebanon bringing with him his Davao-born daughter but returned to the city after the war.

Rashid travelled to Davao to take over Salim’s business. His initial commercial venture inspired his elder brother Jose to join him. Later, Charlie Sasin, a nephew, added his name to the list of Lebanese migrants who found success in Davao. Charlie’s brother Kamal and nephew Najib Borghaily followed to help manage the Borghaily trading firm.

It was Charlie who managed the first Borghaily branch at Santa Ana. The store was smaller compared to the original business, but was popular among the elite due to the fine Lebanese textiles, silks, and laces it exclusively sold. With the clan’s businesses safely ensconced, Charlie and uncle Rashid elected to become naturalized. Rashid took a Lebanese as wife, while Charlie wedded a Filipina who bore him four children.

When war broke out, Charlie joined the local guerrilla movement but had a falling out with the leader of the resistance movement in Tagum. However, he became a good friend of Col. Thomas ‘Jock’ Clifford, the American military officer killed in Davao days before the city was liberated. Following Clifford’s death, Sasin was handpicked to handle the distribution of the goods placed under the supervision of the Philippine Constabulary Auxiliary Unit (PCAU).

Against the rubbles of war, Borgaily’s Store reopened but was housed in another building along San Pedro Street. Habib, who had just arrived in Davao from Lebanon, took over the management of the store after his brother Najib opted to open his own business in Manila. Charlie, meanwhile, decided to venture into movie business by opening the Universal theatre, directly competing with the Liberty theatre owned by the pioneering Carriedo family.

Going full circle, Sasin’s cinemas later hosted the showing of immortal films like The Bible (1966), The King of Kings (1927), The Sign of the Cross (1932) and Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)—movies that depict the life of a Palestinian Jew named Jesus Christ.

Christ’s genetic kinfolk in Davao

HIS sounds extraordinary but true.

In Davao City, the genetic relatives of Jesus, the central figure in Christianity, has been with Dabawenyos for over 130 years now!

Harry Ostrer, M.D., director of Human Genetics Program at New York University School of Medicine and author of a study conducted by an international team of researchers in the United States, Europe, and Israel said “Jews and Arabs are all really children of Abraham.”

In an article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 9, 2000, the scientific study discovered “that Jewish men shared a common set of genetic signatures with non-Jews from the Middle East, including Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese, and these signatures diverged significantly from non-Jewish men outside of this region.”

In short, the Jews, including Jesus Christ, and the Arabs “share a common ancestor [that stretches back thousands of years] and are more closely related to one another than to non-Jews from other areas of the world,” making Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese as genetic brothers.

This genetic strain, in over a century, has become part of some migrant Filipino families from the Middle East, mostly Syrian-Lebanese, who arrived in the country at the tailend of Spanish rule and in the first quarter of the American colonial regime.

In Manila, for instance, Magdalena Hashim, a member of the Lebanese elite, was known for the sprawling estate named after her, now known as the New Manila. Her family built the old Manila Grand Opera House

9

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Below are the names of government officials and personnel who are included in what people now refer to as “Rody’s Narco List”: Judge Mupas of Dasmarinas Cavite; Judge Reyes (only known) - Baguio City; Judge Savilo - RTC branch 13 Iloilo City; Judge Casiple - Kalibo, Aklan; Judge Rene Gonzales – MTC; Judge Navidad - RTC Calbayog City; Judge Exequiel Dagala – MTC judge Dapa – Siargao.

Mayor Reynaldo Flores - Naguilian, La Union; Mayor Dante Garcia - Tubao, La Union; Mayor Martin De Guzman - Bauang, La Union; Mayor Marjorie Apel Salazar - Lasam, Cagayan; Mayor Goto Violago - San Rafael, Bulacan; Mayor Marino Morales - Mabalacat, Pampanga; Mayor Felix Castillo - Langiden, Abra; Ex-Mayor Eufranio Eriguel - Agoo, La Union; Mayor Jesus Celeste “Alias Boying” - Bolinao, Pangasinan; Mayor Jose “Pepe” Miranda - Santiago City, Isabela; Mayor Vicente Amante - San Pablo City, Laguna; Mayor Ryan Dolor - Bauan, Batangas; Vice Mayor Edgardo Trinidad - El Nido, Palawan; Mayor Alex Centena - Calinog, Iloilo; Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador - Hamtic, Antique; Mayor Jed Mabilog - Iloilo City; Mayor Sigfredo Betita - Carles, Iloilo; Mayor Mariano Malones - Maasin, Iloilo; Ex-Mayor Michael Rama - Cebu City; Mayor Hector Ong - Laoang, Northern Samar; Mayor Rolando Espinosa - Albuera, Samar; Mayor Beda Canamaque - Basay, Negros Oriental; Ex-Mayor Madeline Ong - Laoang, Northern Samar; Vice Mayor Francis Ansing Amboy - Maasin, Iloilo; Fralz Sabalones - San Fernando Cebu; Antonio Pesina - Iloilo City; Erwin “Tongtong” Plagata - Iloilo City; Ex-Congressman JC Rahman Nava – Guimaras; Party-list Rep. Jeffrey Celis.

Ex-Mayor Abubakar Abdukarim Afdal - Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur; Mayor Gamar Ahay Janihim - Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte; David Navarro - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; Bobby Alingan - Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte; Yusofa Monder Bugong Ramin - Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Jessie Aguilera - Alegria, Surigao del Norte; Mayor Fahad Salic - Marawi City; Mayor Mohammad Ali Abenal - Marantao, Lanao del Sur; Jamal Dadayan - Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur; Sabdullah

Macabago - Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur; Muslim Aline Macadatu - Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur; Rasul Sangki - Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Montaser Sabal - Talitay, Maguindanao; Vicman Montawal - Datu Montawal, Maguindanao; Samsudin Dimaukom - Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Norodin Salasal - Datu Salibo, Maguindanao; Ex-Mayor Benahar Tulawie - Talipao, Sulu; Reynaldo Parojinog - Ozamiz City; Nova Princess Parojinog Echavez - Ozamiz City; Mayor Omar Solitario Ali - Marawi City; Vice Mayor Abdul Wahab Sabal - Talitay, Magundanao; Otto Montawal - Datu Montawal, Maguindanao; Nida Dimagkon - Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Arafat Salic Marawi City; Rasmiyah Macabago - Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur; Congressman Guillermo Romarate, Jr. - 2nd District, Surigao del Norte; Former board member Ricardo Parojinog – Misamis.

P/Insp. Rolando Batulayan (ret.); P/Supt. Maristelo Manalo - PNP-CIDG; PCI Roberto Palisoc - Station 7 MPD; P/ Supt. Ciceron Ada (ret.); PCI Eric Buenaventura – Navotas; PO2 Geraldine Bautista Manuel - PNP PRO2; SPO3 Ronald Calap - Isabela PPO; POC Rodel Samoledo - Lalio Police Station; PO3 Cecilio Domingo - Nueva Ecija CIDT; PO2 Ryan Mendoza - Tarlac Police Station; Jeffrey Serafica - Butuan PPO; PO1 Norman Adarlo Puerto Galera NPS; Mark Canete - RSRPSB MIMAROPA; PO1 Mark Christian Catalina - PNP Camarines Norte; PO2 Alan Carpio PCP - 8 Pasay City; PO3 Eric Lazo - QCPD Station 6; PO3 Alexander Macabeo - PCP 3 Paranaque City; PO3 Johnny Mahilum - QCPD Station 6 Batasan; PO2 Celito Melendrez - Binangonan Police Station; Gen. Vicente Loot (ret.); Gen. Valerio (ret.) - Santa Barbara, Iloilo; Gen. Bernardo Diaz - Region 6; Gen. Idio - RTC of Calbayog City; P/Supt. Floro (ret.)

- Antique City PNP; P/Supt.

Kashmir Disomangcop - COP of Iloilo Base Commander; P/ Supt. Delia Paz - Chief RDIDM; P/Supt. Genepa - RIU Intelligence; P/Supt. Ipil Duenas; P/ Supt. Condag; P/Supt. Eugenio Malic - PNP Maritime Group; Lamsis - former chief Antique anti-drug; P/Supt. Gomboc; P/ Supt. Lebin; PCI Maymay; PSI Kenneth Militar – Iloilo; PSI Donasco; P/Insp. De Jose - SOG PNP Region 6; P/Insp. Duar-

te - former PCOP of Arevalo, Iloilo; P/Insp. Vicente Vicente - COP Banate; P/Insp. Romeo Santander - Former chief intel Cebu; PO2 Michael Cortez - Barile Police Station; SPO1 Jen dela Victoria - PS5 Cebu CPO; SPO1 Onel Nabua - Barile Police Station; PO2 Jomar Ibanez - Lapu-Lapu Police Station; PO3 Ryan Martus Kiamco - Cebu Provincial Office; PCI Ibrahim Jabiran - Zamboanga CPO; PCI Perfecto Abrasaldo Awi Jr. - Misamis Oriental; P/ Insp. Roy Montes - Iligan PRO; P/Supt. Ricardo Gando Pulot - COP Quezon Bukidnon; P/ Insp. Martin Plaza - former Panabo chief intel; PO1 Pierre Dizo - Zamboanga del Sur; PO3 Omar Juani - Zamboanga City Public Safety; Rommel Mansul - PRO9; PO3 Daryl Page - Tabasan Municipal Station; SPO1 Totong Joe Valdez - 9th RNG; SPO4 Rodrigo Ramos - Bukidnon PRO; SPO1 Reynaldo dela Victoria – CDO; SPO3 Emilio Mendoza - Lozaria PP5 Iligan City; Marlo Espinosa – Bukidnon.

SPO3 Richie Mat - CIDG Mati Davao Oriental; SPO3 Rosell Iliviera - CIDG Tagum Davao del Norte; PO3 Jessie Balabag - Region 11; PO3 Filomeno Toronia - Digos Police Station; PO1 Glenn Alicarte PRO 12; PO1 Philip Pantarolia - Tacurong City Police Office; SPO1 Gerry dela Rosa – SCPPO; PO3 Bebot Ruiz – GSCPO; PO3 Estelito Solanio - Malongon MPS Sarangani; PO1 Jerebel Ocsio - PRO RMN; SPO1 Ernesto Billones – NCR; JS1 Lito Montemayor - Roxas District Jail Aparri; PO1 Vicente Reynaldo Celis – NCR; PG Drexel Saet – MIMAROPA; SPO1 Felix Tubil - Region 3; SPO3 Nicolas Ponce Angeles - Region 3; SPO2 Rod Erseni - Marinduque BFP; FO1 Reynaldo Valencia - Claveria Police Station; SSgt. Vic dela Cruz – MIMAROPA; B/ Gen. Leoncio Daniega – NCR; SPO3 Gerry Mendoza – NCR; Reymante Dayto - Region 5; Reymar Dayto - Region 5; Renato Zamora - Region 6; J1 Alan Manatad - Region 7; SPO3 Christie Cielo Tingad - Region 7; RSAD Casimiro Castro - CAFGU 38IB 6ID ARMM; RSAD Pfc. Philip Miro - 40IB 6ID ARMM; Cpl. Cusinan Lopez - 52IB ARMM; Pfc. Mamadali Ipad 64IB 6ID; Yasin Abolgalib; JO1 Alfredo Ogacho; FO1 Nicolas Ponce Ablaca; FO1 Ricardo Ibanez; Marine Cpl. Alfrenz Gurias Abedin; Jimmy Manlangit - Region 12.

ployment to have a serious talk with their respective families before working abroad to prevent conflict in the family.

Mlang Mayor Russel Abonado assured his constitu-

ents that such activities as livelihood and job fairs will continue to ensure employment and business opportunities in their community.

“With our continued part-

nership with DOLE, we can assure the people of M’lang that job opportunities and livelihood will be offered to those who are in need,” Abonado said. (PNA)

of all enterprises and contributing between 30%-53% to gross domestic product (GDP).

To be able to support MSMEs, Secretary Lopez outlined the 7Ms, DTI’s comprehensive program covering the following interventions: Mindset change towards entrepreneurial attitude; Mastery and competence on en-

trepreneurship; Mentor access consisting of management and technical requirements; Market link improvement which entails creation of networks and links with big business (Inclusive Business); Money Access comprised of microfinance programs; Machine , addressed by Shared Services Facilities (SSF); and lastly,

Models of Negosyo Concept as supported by Negosyo Centers nationwide.

“Our guiding principle therefore is to provide opportunities for our MSMEs to participate in the region’s production network and supply chains to unlock the benefits of integration.” Secretary Lopez added.

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PROS AND CONS. Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards (PAREB) chairman for international relations lawyer Nelson Wee Arquiza says President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity is behind the growth and development in Davao City which is most noticeable for the past five to ten years. However, the

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lack of infrastructure, the deteriorating traffic situation, the increasing social needs of the people, and worsening pollution levels in the city expected to be rear their ugly head. Arquiza shared his thoughts during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

“The PNP in Davao region does not and will never condone any member of the organization who violates the law and gets involved in illegal activities. Those who are guilty are strongly urged to change

or surrender. Nonetheless, all those involved in such, shall be sanctioned accordingly and shall be subject to dismissal from police service if proven guilty,” Dela Cerna said.

She added that PNP PRO-

11 stands firm in pursuing genuine transformation as all PNP personnel were directed to be relentless and vigilant against criminality and corruption. (With a report from F. Pearl A. Gajunera)

tion, which accounted for 690 cases or 89 percent.

Homosexual contact was responsible for 403 cases; followed by bisexual contact with 287 cases. There were 87 cases from heterosexual contact.

Injecting drug use (IDU) accounted for the transmission of 60 new cases; while the remaining four cases were mother-to-child transmission.

Moreover, the figures indicated that the proportion of HIV positive cases are getting younger in the 15-24 age group, which increased from 25 percent in 2006-2010 to 28 percent in 2011-2016. Between 2001 and 2005, it was 35-49 years. In 2006, it has become 25-34 years.

The figure also indicated that cases of HIV transmission from mother-to-child is more likely to increase if female patients are not linked to HIV care.

Ninety-two percent or 2,414 of all female cases were diagnosed in the 15-49 age bracket.

In the early years of the

HIV/AIDs epidemic from 1984-1990, 62 percent (133 of 216 cases) were females.

From 1991 to the present, males comprised 92 percent (32,288) of the total number of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a total of 64 new cases among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been reported, which all resulted from sexual transmission.

The regions with the highest number of reported cases for June 2016 were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 335 cases (40%); Calabarzon with 126 cases (15%); Central Visayas, 121 cases (14%); Central Luzon, 57 cases (7%); and Davao Region, 46 cases (5%).

Since 1984, there were already 34,999 HIV cases recorded in the country, including 3,174 AIDS cases and 1,822 deaths.

To prevent HIV/AIDS, the DOH has been advising the people to observe the “ABCDE” campaign.

The campaign stands for

Abstain from sex; Be faithful to your partners; Consistently use condoms; Do not use illegal drugs; and E educate yourself.

In addition, as part of “educating one’s self,” the DOH encourages those who practice unprotected sex with different partners, or have partners having sex with different partners, MSMs, those who have history of sexually transmitted disease before, engaged in IDU or transmitted with unsure blood source, to seek the free HIV testing in the nearest Social Hygiene Clinics nationwide for voluntary testing and counselling. Such testing and counselling are confidential.

If the test yields positive, the person will be assured that help is coming because there is a program designed for them.

If the test, on the other hand, yields negative, the person who has undergone the counselling can help a lot in ensuring that he/she will not be a carrier of the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease. (PNA)

mediacy of the issue at hand and urged the Regional Trial Courts, which have jurisdictions over their cases, to act with dispatch [on] petitions that would come their way with regards to the detained NDF consultants so as the peace process could be expedited.”

The Office of the Solicitor General on July 22 filed before the Supreme Court a petition for intervention to grant bail for the temporary liberty of communist rebels who were named consultants by the NDF. The Philippine government and the NDF have agreed to reopen peace negotiations

following the victory of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The GPH-NDF peace talks have been suspended since 2012 after the two panels couldn’t agree on several issues, such as the release of detained communist leaders and the interpretation of the joint agreement of security and immunity guarantees and the The Hague Agreement.

Bello, who heads the recently reconstituted government panel (GPH) for the peace talks with the communists, said the decision to agree on the release of the NDF consultants is “an expressed manifestation of President Rodrigo

Duterte’s earlier promise to free all political prisoners in the country.”

“This has nothing to do with any precondition to the resumption for the peace negotiations. The commitment of the President was made during the campaign period when he promised to re-open talks with the NDF and release detained communists,” Bello said.

“We will cooperate and collaborate with the defense counsels of the detained NDF consultants and will not oppose petitions for bail or their temporary release for them to join the peace negotiations,” Bello said.

PHC members include the Office of the Executive Secretary; the departments of Public Works and Highways; Foreign Affairs; Trade and Industry; Information and Communications Technology; Interior and

Local Government; Transportation; Health; Bureau of Immigration of the Department of Justice; Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Department of Finance; Philippine National Police; and

the Manila International Airport Authority.

Members meanwhile expressed their full support for the DOT initiative of hosting the event which aims to boost the country’s tourism sector. (PNA)

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TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

Discovering Dipolog’s

SUNSET BOULEVARD

TAKING A BREAK FROM OCEAN-DIPPING, I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Zamboanga del Norte’s capital, Dipolog City. Aside from seeing up close its wild orchids and sardine industries, I discovered how locals enjoy one of their city’s main attractions: street food at Sunset Boulevard.

Street food has been a staple top on my list of cheap thrills. I thought Davao City had the cheapest street food yet. Thus, I was utterly surprised during my visit to Dipolog’s Sunset Boulevard. Street food here is cheap - with larger servings too!

My food buddy, Jiselle and I arrived in Dipolog on a Sunday afternoon and upon checking in at our hotel, rushed to Sunset Boulevard for a quick afternoon snack. As expected, the Boulevard was already busy with families unwinding by the sea, couples spending quality time as they waited for the sun to set, and teenage boys playing basketball.

Immediately craving for fried street food, we proceeded to the fried section of the Boulevard, which was located near the basketball court. Chicken skin costs only Php 10 and placed in a decently-sized plastic, was overflowing. Although they didn’t serve us vinegar, the freshlycooked chicken skin was good enough to be eaten plain. Adding a really large fried isaw on a stick, which costs only Php 5, my crav-

ings for fried goodies was satisfied.

As we were munching on our crispy fried chicken skin, we saw a fishball vendor nearby.

My friend, Jiselle craved for kikiam and we ended up with kikiam and two pieces of fish ball for Php 5 each.

Then I saw the largest green mangoes on sale in my 24 years of existence (no kidding!). One plastic pouch of peeled green mangoes costs only Php 10, plus Php 5 for shrimp paste (bagoong).

I highly suggest that you try the mangoes with the bagoong sauce since the latter is cooked quite differently - savoury with just the right touch of sweetness.

I think this was the first time in three years that I ate balut. We tried the 16 days variety and three eggs cost Php 54. With the option of ‘dining in’ at the vendor’s stalls, they served the eggs together with chili salt and native vinegar.

To round up our food trip – and wash down everything that

Mermaid A4

TOP: Dipolog’s Sunset Boulevard is aptly named as one can view a breathtaking sunset even on a cloudy day such as this.

LEFT: Freshly fried kikiam straight out of the pan. This vendor is one of the limited vendors selling freshly made kikiam, squid balls and fish balls.

BOTTOM: The largest Florida mangoes I’ve ever seen were found in Dipolog’s Sunset Boulevard. These huge fruits were only found in one stall among the many mango vendors that were lined up on the road.

I was utterly surprised during my visit to Dipolog’s Sunset Boulevard. Street food here is cheap with larger servings too.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Festive fashion at the Heart of Davao

DAVAO CITY IS ONE, IF NOT, THE MOST CULTURALLY DIVERSE CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. With 11 ethnic tribes as well as migrants from Luzon, Visayas, the city is a kaleidoscope of different cultures, languages, and influences.

Recognising this, the Marco Polo Davao, in partnership with the newly-founded Davao Fashion Design Council, launched the hotel’s 18th year anniversary Kadayawan activities at the hotel’s lobby

through a fashion show which represented the original 11 tribes of Davao.

“We are honoured to kickoff the city’s 31st Kadayawan Festival with the theme, FESTIVE at 18, which can be

manifested through wonderful creations of newly-founded Davao F ion Design Council. Th you very much for this p nership and we look forw to sustain this in the y to come” says Marco Davao GM Dottie Würg Cronin in her Opening marks.

The event was wel tended, with members Hijos de Davao Foundat the City Tourism Offi Davao’s Diplomatic Co Department of Tourism well as hotel guests witn ing the fashion spectacle “DFDC is delighted take part in the Kadaya

9, 2016

the f the FashThank partward years Polo glerg Re-

ll-ats of tion, ffice, orps, m, as nesse. d to awan

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

LEFT: Marco Polo General Manager Dottie Wurgler Cronin together with Pam Villegas, Art Boncato and MPD Director of Sales and Marketing Pearl Peralta-Maclang. TOP ROW: Emi Englis.

Egay Ayag. Benjie Panizales. Edgar Buyan. ABOVE: Unveiling the Presidential Plaque.

Fashion and Fusion Project of Marco Polo Davao, by which the 11 flavors from the 11 tribes of Davao served as an inspiration for the garments which we will feature in tonight’s runway”, says Aztec Barba, President of the Davao Fashion Design Council.

After the fashion show, Marco Polo Davao, headed

by Halifax Davao Hotel, Inc (HDHI) President Francis R. Ledesma, GM Dottie Würgler-Cronin, Kadayawan 2016 co-chairperson Arturo Boncato, Malaysian Consul Zawawi Tahir and acting consul general of the Indonesian Consulate En-

DFDC with Francis Ledesma, Pearl Peralta-Maclang, Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, and Art Boncato. dah R. Yuliarti, unveiled the Presidential Plaque of President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte to the guests.

Follow me on Instagram

at @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

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TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

Mermaid A1

we ate down our now distended stomachs - our last stop was a fruit shake stall where a 250-ml buko shake costs Php 30. The price was almost the same as the ones sold in Davao.

And they tasted almost the same too! I guess buko shakes are consistent all throughout Mindanao. It was refreshing and cold, a perfect drink when traversing the whole 1.6 kilometer stretch of Sunset Boulevard.

I’m definitely putting Dipolog’s Sunset Boulevard at the top of my cheap thrills list. I wonder how many more places like these are in Mindanao.

I think I still have a lot of eating and seeking to do. Got any leads? Let me know. You can check out @ferinasantos on Instagram and www.mermaidsdosurf.wordpress.com

TOP: A normal Sunday afternoon in Sunset Boulevard can be a sight full of families strolling after church, a busy road with young people on motorcycles and lots of food stalls from grilled to fried or iced delights.

ABOVE: Hot, salty and fried to its golden state, these fried isaw (chicken intestines) are a street food lover’s delight, all found in Sunset Boulevard’s fried food area.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

Sitio Pegalongan participates in Kalahi-CIDSS situation analysis

S

Globe OKs P22/share cash dividend

K

EEPING its dividend payout at 77% of its core net income, Globe Telecom announced that its Board of Directors approved the declaration of the third quarterly cash dividend of P22 per share for holders of its common shares.

The dividend will be paid to shareholders on record as of August 16, 2016, with the payment date set on September 1, 2016.

“The third quarter dividend payout, totaling P2.9 billion, represents 77% of the 2015 core net income on an annualized basis,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe Acting Chief Finance Officer.

According to Eala, the P22/share dividend payment brings the company’s year-to-date total shareholder return to 25.4%, with the dividend yield at 3.9% based on the closing share price of P2,252 as of August 1,2016.

Globe Telecom sustained its growth momentum in the first half of the year, as consolidated revenues reached a total P59.6 billion, up 11% from P53.8 billion a year earlier, driven by increases in data-related service revenues across mobile, home broadband and corporate data.

The company recorded a net income of close to P9.0 billion, up by 3% against the P8.7 billion reported 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, while EBITDA margin stood at 43%, slightly higher than last year’s margin of 42% and in line with the full-year guidance of 40%.

Globe Telecom’s mobile revenues grew by 3% yearon-year, reaching P45.7 billion for the first half of 2016 from the P44.5 billion reported a year ago, driven by strong revenue performances of the company’s prepaid brands.

The company’s home broadband business likewise sustained its growth trajectory, significantly increasing both in revenues (+49% year-on-year) and subscriber base (+38% year-on-year).

Total home broadband service revenues reached P7.0 billion for the six months just ended, with total subscriber base now reaching 1.14 million customers.

On the other hand, the company’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 cloud-based services.

OME 20 Matigsalog community volunteers in Sitio Pegalongan, Barangay Malamba, Marilog District recently took part in a Participatory Situation Analysis (PSA) to help them establish a better and shared understanding of the socio-economic situation in their area.

Led by field workers of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the PSA is designed to elicit and describe community expectations, current socio-economic and political situation, as well as other needs and problems of the community.

“The workshop outputs will guide the participants in identifying the projects and other activities they would like to engage in to improve their way of living in the community,” said Glenn Paul R. Ylan, Community Development Officer of Kalahi-CIDSS. Ylan said PSA is part of the social preparation phase of Kalahi-CIDSS program cycle which also aims to teach the community how to adopt the community driven development (CDD) process of Kalahi-CIDSS. “Data generated through PSA are used as bases for identifying community development problems and priorities and in planning for appropriate interventions,” Ylan said.

Kalahi-CIDSS, one of the core programs of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aims to empower communities through enhanced participation in

local governance and poverty alleviation projects.

Challenges The Kalahi-CIDDS area is almost a two-hour ride from the heart of Davao City to Datu Salumay Proper (Davao-Bukidnon highway).

From Datu Salumay, it’s an another hour ride via single motor (habal-habal) to Patag where one eventually has to dismount the vehicle and walk across five mountain ranges and traverse two rivers – the Simud and Davao River - to reach the sitio.

Sitio Pegalongan has a population of 450 in which 100% belong to the Matigsalog Tribe. Of this figure, 62 families are grantees of the national government Pantawid Pamilyang Pilpino Program (4Ps).

Randy H. Halasan, 33, school principal, has been teaching at the Sitio Pegalongan Elementary School for nine years.

In an interview, he lamented about the deplorable conditions in the community.

“For almost a decade, the road to the only elementary school was not passable through single motorcycles or any other motor vehicle.

Children ride on horses to get to school or endure the five to six-hour hike. With the dearth of transportation access, their livelihood is affected as they are deprived of peddling their farm produce. Also, the villagers don’t even have good access to potable water. With all these difficulties, they truly need all the help they can get.”

The PSA process “This is the first time

that we invited Kalahi-CIDSS workers to use the program’s process, the PSA, outside its covered areas since Davao City is not under Kalahi-CIDSS,” said DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

Through PSA, the community was able to list the top sub-projects that will be able to respond to their immediate needs, which include a construction of the farm-tomarket road, hanging cable footbridge, potable water system level II, and health center, Director Jabagat said.

Following the PSA, DSWD workers also conducted the Pantawid Pamilya’s Family Development Session (FDS) and Youth Development Session (YDS), as well as an orientation on protective services that cover legal adoption, social pension, supplementary feeding, foster family care and anti-human trafficking.

“I am truly grateful for the help extended by Kalahi-CIDSS and DSWD in general. Now, the community is fired up with enthusiasm and oozing with energy. [The residents have a huge potential] to improve immensely,” Randy said.

Director Jabagat pointed out that Kalahi-CIDSS program is about maximizing its processes help to put in place more transparent and accountable systems of governance.

“It’s important to highlight that these systems also consider a number of decisions taken and advocated by the community as a whole, hence, increasing their level of stewardship,” he added.

(DSWD)

Philab and UP break ground for NIH P

HILAB Industries, a pioneer and market leader in the healthcare and education market, has partnered with the University of the Philippines to construct the National Institute of Health (NIH) Building in Manila.

Last July 20, Engr. Tom Navasero, chairman and chief executive officer of PHILAB Industries Inc., together with Dra. Eva De La Paz, executive director of NIH, and Dra. Carmencita Padilla, chancellor of UP Manila, broke ground to commence the construction of an 18-storey building.

“This building will house the institutes that will help improve the quality of life of the Filipinos,” Navasero said.

The project, which costs around P1.6 billion, will include specialized laboratories and the erection of the entire structure.

The NIH will be home to 10 institutes which include the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Institute of Child Health and Human Devel-

opment (ICHHD), Institute of Clinical Epidemiology (ICE), Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies (IHPDS), Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM), Institute of Ophthalmology (IO), Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPS), Philippine National Ear Institute (PNEI), Institute of Aging (IA), and Institute of Human Genetics (IHG).

Both Philab Industries and the UPNIH have committed (L-R)Dra Eva De La Paz, executive director NIH, Dra. Carmencita Padilla, chancellor UP to collaborate on Manila and Engr. Tom Navasero, chairman & CEO PHILAB Industries Inc. their research work and provide key tices and expertise of the in- petroleum with specialized health information that will dustry,” he said. focus on healthcare, research help improve the medical sitPhilab Industries was and education sectors. uation in the country. established in 1959 and Meanwhile, The NationNavasero said that has since designed, built al Institutes of Health (NIH) through this partnership, a and equipped laboratories was created in 1996 by the synergy between the aca- across a diverse range of UP Board of Regents to reindeme and the industry will industry sectors in the Phil- force the research capability be created. ippines such as medical, sci- of UP Manila, and serve as “The partnership will entific, academic, food and an institutional home of a bring out the intellect of the beverage, pharmaceutical, network of researchers and academe and the best prac- semiconductors, mining and research institutions.

12 COMPETITIVE EDGE

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adopters for DCWD’s Addressing the social impacts 100 Adopt-a-Site Project of mining in Mt. Diwata D

B

ARANGAY Mt. Diwata, or commonly known as Diwalwal, is located in the Municipality of Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province in Davao Region. The discovery of gold in this mountain barangay in 1983 triggered a gold rush in the area. Since then, the population of Diwalwal continued to soar thus, multiplying the number of small-scale mining operations all over the area.

It is of public knowledge that large amounts of gold have been extracted by the small-scale miners since the beginning of the gold-rush up to the present. As one of the consequences of the mining activities in the area, the Naboc and Agusan rivers are heavily contaminated with mercury and cyanide from artisanal

mining operations. The National Government, realizing the importance of protecting the environment from further destruction by these activities, as well as to maximizing the utilization of the mineral potential of the area, declared the Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area (DMRA). The barangays included in the DMRA are: Mt. Diwata, Upper Ulip, Tubo-Tubo, Naboc, and Salvacion in the municipality of Monkayo; Mangayon in the municipality of Compostela all in the province Compostela Valley; barangays of Simulao, Cabasagan, San Jose, Carmen, and Poblacion in the municipality of Boston and barangay Aliwagwag in Cateel all in Davao Oriental.

The DMRA’s population in 2010 has already reached

47,795 composed of migrants mostly from neighboring towns and other islands seeking to benefit from mining activities.

Aside from the migrants, the DMRA is home to some Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the Region. Four of the major IP communities belong to the Mandaya, Manobo, Dibabawon and Mangguangam tribes.

The effects of mining activities and the prospect of more livelihood and employment opportunities arising from the migration resulted to the proliferation of artisanal mining methods. Mining has also diverted the customary practices of the IPs within the DMRA and those of the adjoining municipalities. In addition, increased incidence of health

and security problems have afflicted the area.

The Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area Development Plan (DMRADP), 2012-2032, formulated by the DENR-led Program Monitoring and Coordination Center (PMCC) of the National Task Force Diwalwal (NTFD) member-agencies and other stakeholders, seeks to address such effects through a long-term development framework.

One of the development goals identified in the DMRADP is to increase access of communities therein to social services and productive employment opportunities. Given Diwalwal’s existing social situation and pressing challenges, such as widespread poverty;

F ADDRESSING, 13

AVAO City Water District’s Adopt-a-Site Project now boasts of 100 “adopters” of the Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed area.

With the support of these adopters composed of various civic groups and institutions, 187 hectares of land within the watershed has been assured of rehabilitation.

Under the Adopt-a-Site Project, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is signed between an adopter and DCWD in mutual recognition of the goal to help ensure the sustainability of Davao City’s water supply through watershed management and rehabilitation.

Every adopter pledges to donate PhP 6,000 every year for five years for every hectare of land to be rehabilitated.

In particular, the funds will be used to subsidize the cost

of seedlings, organic fertilizer, plantation establishment and maintenance for the first year, as well as the seedlings for replanting and fertilization and other maintenance fees for the second until fifth year.

Among the Adopt-a-Site Project’s new adopters is 1Forever Freedom International Marketing, Inc. which inked a MOA with DCWD on June 25, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center for one hectare of land.

Present during the signing were 1Forever Freedom-Sidlak Mindanao founder Cherry A. Destura and member John Nicolas E. Cortejos.

Another hectare of land was adopted by the Davao BIR Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (DABIREMCO).

DABIREMCO was represented by its chairperson Susan D.

F 100 ADOPTERS, 13

13 ENVIRONMENT Environment watchdog asks DoE to use USD 1.37-M recycling equipment for mercury lamp waste EDGEDAVAO

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A

NON-PROFIT group advocating for the safe management of busted or spent fluorescent lamps containing toxic mercury on

Monday urged the Department of Energy (DoE) to put to use costly recycling equipment that is gathering dust in Taguig City.

tion of CCTVs in the city, as well as the strategic placement of the Early Warning System and its devices, are also elements that led to the improvement of the city’s disaster management council.

It is worth noting that institutionalization of the CDRRMC is in line with the EAGLE WINGS Program, the Rellon- Gementiza Administration’s 10-point developmental agenda on Genuine Peace, Safety and Security.

The Tagum CDRRMC will consequently represent Region XI in the Component

Cities Category during the 2016 National Gawad Kalasag: Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance.

Other Tagum-based institutions that were recognized in this year’s search included Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School (2nd Place, School Category), Bantay Bayan Foundation, Inc. (2nd place, CSO Category) and Guardian Brothers Inc.-Blue Blood (3rd Place, Private Volunteer Organization Category). (Richi Gulle/ CIOTagum)

guilt on the part of the Philippines central bank, Gomes did not answer on the affirmative but said they were told that something would be done.

Gomes explained that the liability of RCBC has not been pointed out during discussions between representatives of the two countries but Bangladesh officials leave it to Philippine officials to run after RCBC. He said the imposition of the fine “is a positive thing” and the Bangladesh government was happy with how its Philippine counterpart helped in the recovery of the stolen money.

“We can see some positive things happening but we will leave it to the Philippine court, the judicial system to handle RCBC now,” he added.

Supreme Court of Bangladesh Senior Advocate Ajmalul Hossain QC, during the same

briefing, also discounted filing of any charges against RCBC for now.

“At the moment we’ll leave it to the Filipino legal system to deal with it. The regulators are working on it and they have shown positive sign of doing things. We are comfortable with that. There’s no need for us to go barging into the courts and suing anyone,” he added.

The Bangladesh Bank heist happened in February 2016 and became a major international cyber crime issue since BB funds deposited with the Federal Reserve of New York were withdrawn without the go signal of Bangladesh officials and deposited to several countries like the Philippines.

The whole transaction happened in just about two weeks and perpetrators took advantage of the holidays both in Bangladesh and the Philippines, among others. (PNA)

looming health hazards from unrelenting mining activities; poor housing conditions; and low access to basic social services, the Government’s overarching goal shall be to improve the quality of life of the residents.

The DMRADP therefore underscores the importance

of residents attaining sufficient levels of income that shall result from enhanced livelihood skills, good health, quality education with recognition of indigenous people’s culture, and sense of well-being given proper housing conditions and adequate social welfare services.

(Jaime P. Mallare, NEDA XI).

Tusoy, vice chairperson Marnelita M. Legaspi and director Bavilyn R. Amodia at the MOA signing last June 17 at the BIR Regional Office XI. Meanwhile, the Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP) adopted ten hectares of land.

Representing the group during the June 15 MOA signing were Malagos Park WEAP president Restituto B. Sumanga Sr., president-elect Flor-

deliza C. Villaseñor and other WEAP officers. The WEAP delegation also conducted a tree planting activity at the Malagos watershed reservation rehabilitation site.

On behalf of DCWD, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado thanked the new adopters actively supporting DCWD’s advocacy on water, watershed, environment protection and conservation. (Katrina Belen M. Roble-DCWD)

Tagum... FROM 4

BSP... FROM 5

Addressing... FROM 12

100 adopters... FROM 12

Through a letter sent to Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the EcoWaste Coalition pressed for the operationalization of the Lamp Waste Management Facility (LWMF) with mercury recovery that the DoE purchased in 2013 from MRT System International, a Swedish company, for USD 1.37 million, inclusive of taxes and customs duties.

The facility is a component of the DoE-led Philippine Energy Efficiency Project supported by a loan from the Asian Development Bank.

“We hope that your office is one with us in recognizing the urgent need for the government to operationalize the LWMF and implement a practical system for the safe recycling of lamp waste to minimize mercury pollution due to the improper disposal of fluorescent lamps at the end of their useful life,” wrote Noli Abinales, President, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Under your watch, we hope that the DoE will be successful in getting a qualified operator to run the LWMF at

the soonest time possible,” he added.

“The prolonged non-operation of the facility can take its toll on the multi-million peso equipment while spent lamps continue to be arbitrarily disposed of like ordinary trash, contaminating human bodies and the environment with toxic mercury,” he pointed out.

The DOE operated the facility, located in Bagumbayan, Taguig City, during the pilot phase.

As described by the DOE, the LWMF is “a facility where all spent mercury-containing lamps shall undergo recycling to recover mercury and other by-products (to) avert residual mercury from entering the food chain through landfill leaching into ground water.”

When the group visited the LWMF in September 2014, they were told that the facility should be up and running by December 2014.

“We are now more than half-way to 2017 and we still see no functional facility that will safely receive and recycle

our mercury-containing lamp waste,” said Abinales.

In March 2014, the EcoWaste Coalition released a photo investigative report entitled “The Toxic Silence of the Lamps,” which documents the haphazard disposal of mercury-containing lamp waste in Metro Manila’s 17 local government units.

According to the report, “the indiscriminate disposal of busted or spent fluorescent lamps as common trash is not only polluting the surroundings, but is also exposing waste handlers, informal recyclers and the public to mercury, a potent neurotoxin, which can lead to acute and chronic intoxication even at low levels of exposure.”

Volcanology and Seismology, is an annual undertaking of their group.

“This is my fourth year as KBP chapter president in Albay and I want it to be part of the noble program of the Legazpi City government and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cultivate and preserve the nearly endangered species of the endemic and indigenous trees of the country.”

Alegre, owner and station manager of local radio station Zagitsit News FM (100.3hz), said members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Legazpi City, Albay and the Police Regional Office 5 or

PRO5 trooped to Lignon Hill to support the project.

Miel Loria, forester of DENR-Bicol, said last year’s “broadcastreeing” program planted hundreds of narra seedlings in Lignon Hill.

“This time, however, the group decided to plant the three species as these can hardly be found because of the alarming massive cutting of trees and ‘kaingin’ (slash and burn farming) done by farmers,” he said.

He said Lauan, Dao and Cuyaoyao could only be found in the forested areas in the Philippines, which is why they are deemed “endemic and indigenous” to the country.

“But these tree species are rarely found in forested areas in country,” said Loria.

He said the white “lauan” (Lawaan) (scientific name: Shorea Contorta) is a large tree reaching up to 50 meters high and 182 centimeters in diameter.

On the other hand, “Dao” (scientific name:Dracontomelon Dao) is a native tree that can grow as tall as 40 meters high and 90 centimeters in diameter,” said Loria.

He added that the small to medium tree, locally called “Cuyaoyao” (Kuyawyaw) or “Batino” (scientific name: Alstonia Macrophylla), that belongs to the Moraceae tree family, can be found mostly in Masbate and some parts of the Bicol region.

Loria said there were other endemic and indigenous trees in the Philippines such as “Amurao,” “Yakal,” and “Apitong” but DENR-Bicol does

In the same letter, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the office of Secretary Cusi to issue a Certificate of Concurrence to the government’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and to transmit the same to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR).

Signed by former DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje in October 2013 at a diplomatic conference in Japan, the Minamata Convention seeks to protect human health and the environment by reducing mercury supply and trade, phasing out or phasing down mercury-containing products and by controlling mercury emissions and releases.

Article 4 of the Minamata Convention provides for the phase-out by 2020 of certain products of interest to the DOE, specifically, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) equal to or less than 30 watts containing more than 5 mg mercury per bulb, linear fluorescent bulbs - triband lamps less than 60 watts and containing greater than 5 mg , mercury, halophosphate lamps less than 40 watts and containing greater than 10 mg mercury, high pressure mercury vapor lamps, mercury in a variety of cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL). (PNA)

Albay radiomen plant 3 rare tree species in Lignon Hill

L

OCAL broadcast journalists and their partners from different government agencies in Albay planted some 250 seedlings of three species of trees identified as indigenous and endemic to the Philippines over the weekend morning in Lignon Hill in this city.

Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Albay chapter president Hermogenes “Jun” Alegre Jr. said their group decided to plant the “Lauan, Dao and Cuyaoyao” species this year.

He said “Project: Broadcastreeing” at the hilltop, which was also site of the Mayon Volcano observatory of the Philippine Institute of

not have these in their nursery.

“We have difficulty finding them,” he said.

He said the agency’s forest rangers continuously search for these tree species.

“But we are still hopeful we could find a mother tree or seedlings of these trees that are endemic or indigenous trees to the country,” added Loria.

He said in the Bicol region, there were still virgin forests where endemic and indigenous trees could be found, citing Mt. Bulusan in Irosin town and Magallanes town, both in Sorsogon province; Mt. Masaraga in Albay; Bicol National Park in Camarines Norte; and Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur. “Some primary forested areas in Catanduanes also have these endemic and indigenous trees,” he added.

Alegre said they had decided to plant the Lauan, Dao and Cuyaoyao in Lignon Hill so that they could easily “look after the trees and take care of them.”

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, who joined the activity, said they had allocated 2.1-hectares, that were part of Lignon Hill, for the city government’s reforestation program.

He declared the 2.1-ha area as “Arboretum Area” that would be devoted primarily for the planting of indigenous and endemic trees.

The “Broadcastreeing” program is yearly observed

by KBP members every month of August nationwide.

(PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

Ford delivers best July performance F

ORD Philippines today announced its best-ever July performance with total retail sales rising 61 percent year-over-year to 2,748 units. The record month was led by continued strong demand for the EcoSport, Ranger and Everest.

Ford’s year-to-date sales have now risen 61 percent to 19,517 units, helping Ford remain one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the Philippines in 2016.

“Our big three Ford nameplates continue to drive record sales this year, attracting customers across the country who appreciate the value, quality and safety that our global Ford vehicles deliver,” said Lance Mosley, managing director, Ford Philippines.

The EcoSport compact SUV continued as one of

Ford’s top-selling nameplates in the Philippines with July sales increasing four percent to 866 units – its best monthly performance this year. Built on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the EcoSport continues to delight customers with its combination of small-car practical-

ity and agility of an SUV. Ford recently added the EcoSport Black Edition variant, which features contrasting black details complemented with stylized accessories for a bold, distinct look on the road.

The Everest mid-size SUV delivered July retail sales of 945 units, helping

its year-to-date sales jump to 7,906 units. Available in five variants, the all-new Everest has transformed customer expectations with its blend of capability, exceptional ride quality, dynamic handling and host of advanced technologies that offer outstanding safety, connectivity and

ha Safe Riding Science Activity which was exclusive for women. The program aims to educate through seminars and hands-on tutorials to give the full extent of the riding experience. A total of 100 female participants joined the activity and they were guided by Yamaha’s certified instructors and conducted it on a special track. The experience allowed the participants to learn how easy it is to learn to ride and how fun it is. All the participants got to meet Nadine during the launch program and the top 10 performers received special recognition. This program is not limited to just the event day because it will be an on-going program that will be made available in all corners of the Philippines.

It was announced

during the event that the Ride your Story Campaign will be going around different campuses to share what the Mio motorcycles are all about. The campus tour will be tackling the daily problems of students from pressure to traffic conditions and how the MIO Motorcycles can help them breakthrough. They will be in Siliman University, La Salle Bacolod, and more around the Philippines.

The feel of the upcoming tour was given an empowering start by the NU Underdogs.

The motorcycles wouldn’t be the only thing going around the country because also introduced during the event was Yamaha’s newest icon, Revvy Bear. As the brand’s signature personality, it embodies passion and enjoyment for riding which

Yamaha wants to share with everyone across the country. Revvy will be present in the campaign mall tours in SM Malls starting with SM CITY Pampanga on Aug 25-28.

Revvy wouldn’t be Yamaha’s only icon though because the company is also be on the lookout for the next Mio Ambassadors. They will be called the MIO Revsetters, icons of passion and exhilaration. The search is open to all students who are currently enrolled in College and above 18 years old. They can register at the Yamaha Flagship Shop – YZONE or through the website www.yamaha-motor.com.ph the top 16 participants will be part of Yamaha’s webisodes and the top 4 will become the official 2016 Revsetters. The event wouldn’t be short of en-

Jadine named new Yamaha ambassadors

Y

AMAHA Motor Philippines welcomes its two newest ambassadors in a Grand Launch event that thrilled the crowd in the Greenfield District Park.

Celebrity couple James Reid and Nadine Lustre with the MIO Motorcycles; the Mio i 125, Mio Soul i 125, Mio 125 Mxi , and Mio Sporty, take you on an adventure that will allow you to ride your story. Each MIO motorcycle was presented according to its character and fits different kinds of personalities. As ambassadors, James and Nadine deliver the message of riding your Story with the Mio Motorcycles through the riding lifestyle on and off the road.

Earlier in the day the Mio motorcycles were experienced by a group of participants in the Yama-

convenience.

July sales of the segment-defining Ranger pickup truck jumped 26 percent year-over-year to 700 units, pushing its yearto-date retail total to 4,672 units. The Ranger’s full lineup of 13 variants in the Philippines allows for significant customer choice

to match a wide-range of work and lifestyles.

“The Ranger represents our Built Ford Tough heritage, and combines the quality, versatily and durability that our customers expect in a pickup with class-leading features and technology,” explained Mosley.

Nissan PH sets top June sales

N

ISSAN Philippines Inc. (NPI) closed the first half of 2016 with a recorded 1,621 units sold in June 2016, its highest month in sales since its foundation in the country three years ago.

A recent report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) showed that NPI’s record sales amassed a 4.9 market share for the stated month.

According to NPI, the Nissan NV350 Urvan, Navara and Almera contributed to its unyielding performance for June.

Nissan Philippines Inc. disclosed to have sold 681 and 292 units for the Nissan NV350 Urvan and Almera respectively.

“These two vehicles are greatly in demand, mainly betertainment with Spoken Poetry Artist, Maimai Cantillano, who has over 14M views of her performance, was part of program. Breakthrough artist TJ Monterde who has been a staple in Yamaha events wowed the crowd once again and Ella Cruz, the teen dance princess,

cause of their roominess, refreshing design and competitive fuel economy,” said NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan.

Meanwhile, NPI stated that the sales of the Nissan Navara reached 341 units last month.

“This multi-award winning pick-up truck provides the toughness of an SUV, yet offers the comfort of a sedan with its seat cushions that adjust to your unique pressure points—a total car package,” added Narasimhan.

Aside from NPI’s comprehensive vehicle line-up, it also credits its strong sales to last month’s roster of events, namely: the Nissan NV350 Urvan 1st Anniversary celebration with Children’s Hour, Drive to Discover to Region 8 and the GTA Season 2 launch.

showcased her skill and showmanship.

Of course, with an event with multiple highlights, the standout moment was the performance of the newly minted Ambassador Nadine Lustre, A fitting finale to the start of an epic journey of Revving Hearts.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Suarez moves on after Olympic loss C

HARLY Suarez promptly accepted his fate in his first ever Olympics, although deep in his heart, the Filipino lightweight believes he won over Joe Cordina in their 60 kg. bout on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) at the Riocentro Convention Center here.

Being a Christian made it easier for the 27-year-old native of Sawata, Davao del Norte to come to terms with the split decision loss (2-1) he suffered against the taller Briton.

“Kung wala akong Kristo sa buhay ko, baka iiyak-iyak ako, o tatalon ako diyan. Siyempre, masakit yun, Olympics yan, e,” he said moments following his loss in the preliminaries.

“Pero sa akin natanggap ko ng buong puso yung pagkatalo ko.”

Suarez, however, didn’t entirely agree with the judges’ decision, saying he feels he did enough to advance

past his debut bout against Cordina.

“Sa tingin ko naman panalo ako,” he said. “Ginawa ko yung best ko.”

Suarez could have faced Hurshid Tolibaev of Uzbekistan had he made it to the second round. Tolibaev beat Hakan Eresker of Qatar just before the Filipino climbed t h e

medal behind gold medal winner Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese Taipei in the women’s 53 kg. class.

The silver medal finish gave Diaz, seeing action in her third Olympiad, the rare distinction of being the first Filipino in 20 years to win an Olympic medal.

The last time the country celebrated a medal in the Olympics was in the 1996 Games in Atlanta when boxer Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco from the Visayas won a silver medal for the Philippines after losing in the finals to Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov Bujilov.

Diaz also became the first ever Filipina and weightlifter to win a medal for the country.

Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) were among the first to congratulate Diaz for her feat.

Maxey posted on his social media account: “Hidilyn Diaz gave the Philippines its first medal in the Rio Olympics after bagging the silver in women’s weightlifting.

Congratulations, Hidilyn. You made your country proud.”

Maxey said Diaz is set to receive P5 million in incentive from the government.

The 25-year-old native of native of Zamboanga City previously competed in the 2008 Beijing (wildcard) and 2012 London Olympics, respectively, but came home empty handed on both campaigns.

She came close to winning a medal in London and this time, she can’t be denied.

Spin.ph reported that it was an unlikely turn of events for Diaz, who was actually about to settle for the bronze since fancied Li Yaun of China still has two attempts left in the clean and jerk.

Athlete... FROM 1

ring.

A silver medalist in the last Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, Suarez said he has Tolibaev’s number, having knocked him down during their past meeting in the AIBA Pro tournament.

“Napabagsak ko na yan, kaya wala akong worry dun,” he recalled of his previous encounter with the Uzbek boxer.

Suarez couldn’t help then but think about him losing all three rounds in the scorecards of one of the judges from Uzbekistan.

Jasurbek Kurbanov is the only judge who scored the bout a shutout against Suarez, tallying it 30-27, in favor of Gordina.

“Wala man lang isang (round) na b i n i gay sa akin,” he said.

“Kahit sinong

CLOSECALL. Charly Suarez lost a split decision to Joe Cordina in his Olympic debut.

Jerome Ascano

But to the horror of the crowd at the Riocentro Pavilion 2, Li, who just a while ago, set an Olympic record in the snatch after lifting 101 kilograms, couldn’t hoist her final two attempts at 126 kilos, thus eliminating her from a podium finish, the report said.

Shu-Ching won the gold convincingly with a total lift of 212 kgs. or 12 ahead of Diaz.

Diaz actually had a slow start when she only lifted 88 kilos in the snatch to finish fifth at the halfway mark of the competition.

Li quickly showed the way following her record breaking feat at 101 kgs, followed by Shu-Ching with 100.

But Diaz bounced back in the clean and jerk, lifting 112 kilos on her second try to surpass third-running Yoon Jun Hee of South Korea and assure herself of a podium finish.

“Thank you, Lord,” she shouted shortly after.

Hsu lifted 112 kg on her second try and didn’t even bother to lift a third try following the disastrous finish by the Chinese lifter.

Diaz and Dabawenyo boxer Charly Suarez are the two Mindanaoans in the lean 13man Olympic delegation.

Suarez bowed out on Sunday night to Joe Cordina of Great Britain leaving Diaz as the last Mindanaoan to carry the fight for the country.

Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., who earlier boldly picked Diaz to win a medal in this Olympiad, said he is happy to see the Mindanaoan lifter achieve her dream.

“She almost made it in London. It’s good to see her finally make it. She made us really proud,” Iroy said.

tao ang walang alam sa boksing siyempre yun ang iisipin (na pinaboran yung Uzbek) kasi Uzbek ang susunod (ko sanang kalaban).”

But it’s another learning experience for Suarez, who’s been with the national team

DC snaps losing skid

T

EAM Duterte-Cayetano outlasted Anflocor, 84-75, to pull away with a come from behind victory in Game No. 9 of their basketball friendly series on Sunday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. DC led by ace gunner Christopher “Bong” Go went relentless in the final half to complete a gutsy fightback and end a two game losing skid.

Go, the sweet-shooting special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, spearheaded the late burst with key long range shots.

Go finished the game with 56 points with 12 baskets came from the rainbow area. The PMS boss also made nine attempts within the arc.

Combo guard To-ong paced with 21 points for Anflocor which also got 12 from Santos and 11 from Lagdameo.

Warren Cloribel and John Flores chipped in 15 combined points for DC which was trailing most of the game.

Anflocor surprised DC in the early going with much fluid offensive attack.

But DC behind its composure and smarts managed to withstand Anflcors surge.

DC was implacable down the stretch as Go sparked a pivotal eally to complete the comeback.

The win stretched DC’s lead in the series to 5-2.

Two games in the series ended to a draw.

Ian Lariba battled hard but was outclassed by Congo’s Han Xing. Jerome Ascano

Lariba exits in table tennis

I

(Photos from Jerome Ascano of Spin.ph)

since he was 15.

And he believes it will only make him both a better fighter and person.

“Meron sigurong mas higit pa na ibibigay sa akin ang Panginoon. Hihintayin ko na lang yun,” Suarez stressed.

AN Lariba bowed out in her first match, losing to Han Xing of Congo, 11-7, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7, on Saturday morning (Saturday night, Manila time) in the table tennis women’s singles of the Olympics.

Lariba had a competitive match against Han but couldn’t pull off a set victory to end her Olympic stint just after carrying the Philippine flag in the parade of nations.

The 325th-ranked Lariba gave Han, who is at the 161st spot in the world rankings, a tough time in the second set, where the La Salle star almost won the game, reaching set point at 10th before eventually falling 11-13.

Lariba, though, held her

head after the loss as she considered the early exit a learning experience that will only make her better.

“Sayang. Dikit naman except sa end game. May tension at kaba pa ako but I will bring home this learning experience,” Lariba said after the game.

“May moments na pigil ang palo ko. I know na kaya ko pero may kulang pa,” she added. “Madami ako natutunan, more on self control and how to overcome this stage. Masaya. I enjoyed nung nasa gitna ako.

There’s reason behind everything.”

Up next for the Philippines is swimmer Jessie Lacuna, who competes in the heats of 400m freestyle early Sunday morning.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 117 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016

FINAL FOUR Ateneo takes on Ford, Holy Child battles ACD

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

TEAM STANDINGS AFTER THE ELIMINATIONS: TEAMS 1. ADDU-HS 2. HCSD 3. FORD 4. ACD 5. DJA 6. JMC

Semifinals: ADDU vs. FORD HCSD vs. ACD

I

WIN 4 3 3 3 1 1

LOSS 1 2 2 2 4 4

T’S on to the Final Four for the city’s top four high school squads in the season-opening The Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup.

OFFENSE AND DEFENSE. Francis Gabriel Escandor goes up against two defenders from Assumption College underscoring Ateneo’s intensity in offense while Jossh Barrientos and Jethro Taculin typify their tenacity on defense.

Defending champion Ateneo de Davao University-High School emerged on top of the standings after the single round eliminations with four wins against a lone loss while no. 2 Holy Child, no.

3 Ford and no. 4 Assumption College are all locked up at 3-2 win-loss slates.

The Final Four will pit the Blue Knights against Ford while the Reds

will take on the Warriors in the crossovers.

The Blue Knights swept their twin assignments over the weekend bowling over Assumption College 58-53 and Jose Maria College 62-58 to formalize their entry into the semis.

Ateneo’s deadly duo of Francis Gabriel Escandor and Axel Doromal were limited to just 11 points but James Christian Bacalso stepped up with 18 points for coach Miggy Solitaria’s charges.

Doromal, acquired from Assumption in the offseason, came out firing in the match against JMC with 17 points while Dariel Manliguez had 9 and Escandor 7 including a booming triple in the third that shifted the game’s momentum.

The Reds took the no. 2 honors despite losing both weekend assignments 67-69 to Ford and 81-85 to Davao Jones.

Ford snatched no. 3 spot with the win over

the Reds although they dropped their final assignment against the Warriors 69-73.

The winners in the Final Four will battle for the championship of this tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region 11 and sponsored by The Royal Mandaya Hotel and Matina Enclaves.