Edge Davao 9 Issue 134

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

A GRANDSON’S LOVE. A young boy pushes his grandmother, who is thrice his weight, on a wheelchair while strolling around SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DRUG TEST FOR VM, COUNCILORS

Pulong: Council members welcome test

“It’s an honor to serve under your leadership, Sir,” says blind soldier

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

D

AVAO City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has ordered all the members of the 18th City Council, including himself, to undergo a drug test before the start of the Council’s regular session on Tuesday.

By taking the drug test, the city councilors would be able demonstrate their sincerity, as well as show their full support for President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, the vice mayor explained.

The younger Duterte said all the councilors have expressed their willingness to take the drug test anytime to

demonstrate that they are all “drug-free.”

“Anytime (drug test) I have no problem with that,” he said, adding, “On Tuesday, before the session starts we will conduct a drug test.”

According to the vice mayor, he has not received any information that any of the city’s councilor are into drugs, either as users or as peddlers.

“So far, I have not heard of any councilor that is using or dealing drugs,” the eldest son of the President said.

He, however, revealed that since 1992, people have been trying to link him to the illegal

drug trade.

The vice mayor said that he has in fact been accused as a user, pusher, drug lord, and now a drug lord “protector.”

He then joked that over the years, his position in the drug trade has also risen.

The vice mayor stressed said that he is not worried at all if the police will conduct an investigation regarding his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“It is now up to them (police) on how they are going to inves-

tigate it (his involvement),” he said.

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

N a gathering hosted by Malacañang last Monday to commemorate National Heroes’ Day, President Duterte invited top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) including soldiers who were wounded during recent encounters with the communist New People’s Army (NPA), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

Among the members of the military who were present during the occasion was 2nd Lt. Jerome Jacuba who

lost his eyesight when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in Maguindanao province late in February this year.

Jacuba, 28-years-old and a father of two, had been confined at the AFP General Hospital in V. Luna Road in Quezon City since Mar. 4.

His attending physician explained the IED blast had caused total blindness in his right eye, while detaching the retina in his left eye.

With his current condition, the doctor said that he

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

RISING RICE PRICES. A worker of a rice dealership establishment offloads sacks of rice from a delivery truck to a dealer’s stall inside Agdao Public Market yesterday. Prices of rice in the city’s public markets continue to increase due to the rice-sufficiency problem of the country. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao to host 3-day Japan-Asean envi forum

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S a recipient of the Environmentally Sustainable Cities Award, Davao City will be host to around 200 participants from Japan and three other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.

City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Chief Eliza Madrazo said participants belonging to eco-cities and eco-schools from Japan and Asean members Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore will be here for a three-day forum at the Grand Menseng Hotel.

“We will highlight the best practices of the city, particularly on our efforts to preserve

the environment and keep the city environment-friendly,” Mandrazo as she noted the Environmentally Sustainable Cities Award that the city received in 2014.

During the 3-day event, participants are expected to tour different reforestation areas of the city, parks, and the P268-million ultra-modern sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok district.

Built on a 3.8-hectare property, the landfill is in compliance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and operates on the principle of waste segregation starting from the homes to the site. CIO

Rody’s anti-drug war has been successful – Palace

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HE Duterte administration’s war on drugs, despite its imperfections, is a success, a Palace official said on Tuesday. ”We just like to summarize by saying that we continue to recognize the President’s campaign against drugs has been successful,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.

Abella noted that “a world record” of more than 600,000 surrenderees is proof that the campaign is effective.

“While it has not been perfect, it gives the government momentum to move on to the next phase,” he added.

Abella said the government is preparing for the disposition of justice and rehabilitation of those who have yielded to authorities.

Aside from the more than

600,000 drug pushers and users who have turned themselves in, more than 10,000 drug dependents have been arrested while 771 have been killed in legitimate police operations, according to police reports.

In his speech during Monday’s National Heroes Day celebration, President Duterte offered a P2 million bounty for every police officer who is caught protecting drug syndicates.

Abella admitted that he has yet to see the full detail of the bounty, but assured that there will be a source for the reward money for the socalled ‘ninja cops’.

He further said that he has yet to confirm if policemen who are able to identify so called “ninja cops” are also en-

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High mercury content of tilapia in Agusan River

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

A

adlopez0920@gmail.com

RECENTLY conducted scientific study has discovered the presence of high mercury (Hg) content in tilapia found in one of the main rivers of Agusan del Sur. In a research conducted by Rose D. Arquion of the Philippine Normal University Mindanao based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Ryan Paul M. Vales of Tagbina National High School in Surigao del Sur, it was learned that tilapia sampled from the Gibong River had yielded high mercury content.

The study presented in Davao City yesterday found 283 mg/kg of mercury content in samples of tilapia caught from the river.

According to Arquion, the value (283 mg/kg) is very close to the provisional tolerance weekly intake (PTWI) of 300 mg/kg/week as provided

for by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In an interview with EDGE Davao, Arquion warned local residents living near the Gibong River to limit their intake of tilapia due to its possible ill-effects.

Gibong River traverses the town of Prosperidad and other riverine areas in Agusan del Sur. “It is already risky for human health,” she pointed out.

Arquion said sampling locations in their study included the Gibong River, the Agusan Marsh, and Agusan River.

She noted that only the tilapia found in the Gibong River showed high mercury content, while those found in Agusan Marsh and Agusan River where within tolerable limits.

The study also recommended measures that need to be undertaken by concerned government agencies in the area to protect the health of the people especially living in the towns of Esperanza and Prosperidad which are near the Gibong and Agusan rivers.

These initiatives include the regular monitoring of heavy metal in fishes which should be done at least twice a year; the involvement of local government units (LGUs) in the monitoring of heavy metal in fish; and the development and dissemination advisories for affected communities.

The study also called on concerned authorities to make an inventory and assessment of potential sources of mercury in the river and marsh, such as the industrial sources.

Arquion said that she has

heard of continuing smallscale mining operations in upland areas of Gibong River, which she suspected could be one of main reasons behind the high levels of mercury in the river.

But she was quick to clarify that determining the possible sources of mercury was not part of their study, as they do not want to meddle with the on-going economic activities in the upper areas of Gibong River.

“From the mountains, the rocks and soils contain these mercury and due to erosion and siltation process these mercury now are driven down to the river system where the Phytoplanktons are found,” Arquion said.

She added that mercury mixes with microscopic plants

or revolutionaries exist.”

The city councillor described Davao as “the center of Mindanao” because major developments in the city have always had an impact throughout the island-region.

Although Abellera claimed that the threats confronting the city aren’t severe as other may want to believe, he said that Dabawenyos must continue to be pro-active and vigilant.

With regards to the Com-

mittee on Peace and Order’s working relations with the Davao City police and members of Task Force Davao, Abellera said that he regularly communicates with Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria, DCPO chief, and Col. Henry Robinson Jr., head of Task Force Davao.

“We always see each other and we talk about what needs to be improved. And also what we need to continue,” said Abellera in describing his com-

mittee’s coordination with the various security agencies in the city.

The city councillor noted that Davaoenos are pleased with the manner in which the police and military were able to ensure everybody’s safety during the recent Kadayawan Festival.

“I am thankful for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao, the 911, and other providers of peace and order,” Abellera said.

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Councilor Abella confident with police and military

By RIA VALDEZ

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IRST District Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr., chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Peace and Order, has expressed confidence that Davao’s police and military forces are capable of handling threats that may disrupt the city’s peace and order.

Following President Duterte declaration of an all-out war against the Abu Sayaf Group, Abella said that, “There will always be threats for as long as these terrorist groups,

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

Kean’s death due to severe bleeding, head injuries: doc

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HE City Health Office said Tuesday the death of 3-year-old Kean Gabriel Agustin was due to severe bleeding in the head, contrary to earlier reports that the boy died because of suffocation.

Based on the autopsy result conducted by Dr. Danilo P. Ledesma, medico-legal officer of CHO, it was found out that the boy died because of severe hemorrhage secondary to head injuries.

The boy was allegedly beaten by his step-father, Sonny Boy Mendoza, forced inside a sack and placed on top of the cabinet where it fell on the floor several times on Aug. 22

in Matina Pangi.

That the boy fell from the cabinet a number of times could have been the main cause of the head injuries.

“There was severe bleeding inside the boy’s head,” Ledesma told the City Information Office (CIO). “It was definitely the cause of his death.”

The suspect claimed he was just trying to discipline Kean for being mischievous.

Police investigation showed the boy pleaded but was ignored, even by his own mother, Grace Agustin, who tolerated Mendoza’s beatings.

When Mendoza and

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Dabawenyos urged to join nat’l clean-up on Sept. 17

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HE City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is urging all Dabawenyos to participate in the national clean-up drive slated Sept. 17.

CENRO chief Eliza Madrazo said everyone is expecting Dabawenyos’ full cooperation in the yearly clean-up event since President Duterte is from Davao.

“This is an annual event, but we are being challenged now because the President is

from Davao City,” she said.

“The country is definitely looking at Davao. This is the reason why I will campaign for more volunteers.),” Madrazo said.”

She said they are expecting around 10,000 participants from all over the city.

The activity will cover the mountainous parts of the city, watersheds, urban and rural communities, as well as river banks and coastal areas. CIO

TOTAL of 15 soldiers have already been killed in the government’s heightened campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said on Tuesday.

This developed after President Duterte ordered the military to destroy the ASG. In a press briefing with Palace reporters, Abella said the number of military men who were killed in the battle

against the ASG was based on reports released by the Department of National Defense (DND).

He said the government is going full force in its operations, and the DND is adding five battalions or about 2,500 soldiers for the anti-ASG offensive.

These troops will only be assigned in Sulu with the primary mission of destroying the ASG and rescuing the latter’s hostages. (PNA)

15 soldiers killed in war vs ASG - Abella A

MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE. Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte confers with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre during yesterday’s regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Villafuerte proposed to create an ordinance on

mental health which aims to assist children in conflict with the law, together with their parents, and drug dependents during her privileged speech in yesterday’s regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Lean Daval Jr.

DepEd Mindanao offices boost IP education links

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE Department of Education’s (DepEd) regional offices in Mindanao are strengthening their partnership with local indigenous people (IP) communities in implementing the agency’s Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program that is in line with the specific educational aspirations of IPs, as well as their vision for their ancestral domain.

DepEd’s iPED is also dovetailed to the agency’s nationwide mandate of enabling “all indigenous children [to] have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality.”

Among the main objectives of DepEd is to build at least 251 new public schools in Mindanao during the school year 2016-2017.

“This is the biggest effort in the history of DepEd to es-

tablish schools for IP communities. Hand-in-hand with the IP communities where these schools are situated, we shall build schools where culture is respected and where learners are happy and feel secure,” Rozanno E. Rufino of DepEd’s Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) said in a press statement.

“This is not easy and would require, as we say, ‘tenacious consistency’ on the part of DepEd, but we remain firm in our call and our hope, especially with the IP elders who are guiding us in this effort,” he added.

DepEd recently issued DepEd Order No. 50, s. 2016, or the “Hiring Guidelines for Teacher I Positions in Schools Implementing Indigenous Peoples Education Effective School Year 2016-2017.” which enables regional offices

in Mindanao to hire 583 new teachers with permanent positions for these new schools in Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII. The teachers will be trained to implement the IPEd program in the said priority sites.

Under DO50, DepEd intends to ensure that the hiring and deployment of teachers for kindergarten, elementary, and junior high schools implementing IPEd is consistent with the thrust of the K to 12 Basic Education Program, which is to support culture-based education that responds to the IP communities’ needs and realities.

This complements the DepEd’s efforts to train teachers who are already part of the system and are currently teaching in schools that are serving IP learners.

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SK abolition, mental health ordinance tackled by city dads

T FISHING BAN LIFTED. A fish dealer unloads a freshly caught 40-kilogram tuna at the Agdao Public Market yesterday. The three-month fishing ban implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to allow fish from the Davao gulf to spawn ends today. Lean Daval Jr.

To date, a total of 7,767 teachers and school heads nationwide have undergone basic retooling under the IPEd. “Hiring teachers whose hearts and minds are open to the various realities, aspirations, and cultures of their learners is crucial in the education reforms that we continue to pursue, especially in IPEd. It is not only about bringing children to school, but more importantly ensuring that education is culturally rooted and that the elders, culture bearers, and the whole community are actively engaged and empowered in the learning process,” Rufino explained.

“This is at the core of the DepEd mission and our shared commitment with IP communities as we journey with them in their struggle for self-determination and their aspirations

HE abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan(SK) and the ordinance to support mental health care took center stage during privilege hour at the 18th regular session of the City Council.

Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte officiated the session which was attended by the city’s 19 councilors.

Councilor Jashera Gonzales, Sangguniang Kabtaan representative to the SP, cited Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s claim that the SK “was being paid to do nothing,” and that the youth sector was already represented in Congress through the various party list organizations.

Gonzales argued that “the youth needs local representation,” as she stressed that the

SK must not be abolished.

The youth councilor added that the SK elections should proceed as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Councilor Joselle Villafuerte noted the rapid increase in the number of street children from Sept. to Oct 2015, based on figures provided by the Mindanao Forum on Street Children.

As of 2015, the forum recorded 374 street children, 117 families living in the streets, and 169 displaced adults in Davao.

Villafuerte also cited the increasing number of drug pushers who had surrendered to authorities, which has reached almost 4,000.

In light of this development, the councilor called for

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NG fiscal deficit for July widens T

RED-TIDE FREE. A vendor displays different varieties of shellfish at the fish section of Agdao Public Market in Davao City yesterday. The Davao City’s Red Tide Monitoring Laboratory assured Dabawenyos that commercially collected and sold shelfish in the city are safe and red tide free. Lean Daval Jr.

Dabawenyos told: Brace for La Niña

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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LTHOUGH the city’s current agricultural production may be sufficient, the City Council has warned Dabawenyos on the imminent effects of the incoming La Niña phenomenon.

During the City Council’s regular session yesterday, the legislative body acknowledged that the recent La Niño and incoming La Niña phenomenon could result to a decline in agricultural production.

“The agricultural sector would be glad to know that the harvest season is still strong for the city,” Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella, committee chairperson on food and agriculture said.

Despite the relatively good harvest season, Salvador-Abella stressed that the city’s agricultural sector still needs to prepare for the anticipated ill-effects of the La Niña.

“The [good] harvest season does not promise relief for

the farmers and other sectors [to be] affected by the weather conditions of La Niña,” the councilor said.

Although the city government is expecting a rather “mild” case of La Niña this year, with a 50 to 60 percent probability of occurring in the second half of this year, it has committed to provide continuous funding to the agriculture sector in order to help its members cope with the adverse impact of the weather disturbance, Salvador-Abella said.

The councilor bared that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated more than P40 million to mitigate the negative effects of the La Niña in the Davao Region.

However, she pointed out that “this might not be enough especially for farmers who have lost their harvests during El Niño.”

Salavador-Abella reported

that the City Council is now collaborating with other concerned government units to craft an action plan that aims to identify the most vulnerable areas in the region.

“It (action plan) focuses more on appropriate interventions, preparedness, response, immediate response recovery and rehabilitation on whatever happens to the fruit, vegetables, and seafood harvest due to climate change,” she explained.

The councilor noted that these extreme weather conditions are recurring events, and that “the government must always be ready to help the farmers on mitigating measures to soften the effects of these harsh weather conditions.”

“There is nothing to worry about as long as we prepare for [these] calamities,” she said, adding it is important for the city’s residents, particularly the

HE Social Security System (SSS) resolved 347 queries out of the 390 complaints coursed thru the Civil Service Commission (CSC) from April to Aug. 24 this year, showing an 89 percent resolution rate.

SSS Department Manager II for Member Relations Department Fernando F. Nicolas said that out of the 390 complaints, 136 were made thru the 8888 Hotline which was only launched last August.

“Out of the 136 complaints received thru 8888 Hotline, SSS resolved 99 referrals already, showing a 73 percent resolution rate. Our commitment is to resolve complaints within five working days from receipt of referral from CSC,” said Nicolas.

Based on records, CSC started referring cases to SSS coming from the 8888 Hotline on Aug. 4 with the latest referral received on Aug. 24. Aside from the 8888 Hotline, complaints against SSS were also received thru CSC’s Contact Center ng Bayan and Public Assistance Center.

“On a daily average, SSS process more than 180,000 transactions so the number of complaints course thru the 8888 Hotline is very small percentage only. But of course, all our processes undergo continuous improvements so we hope to still reduce the number of complaints,” said Nicolas.

Most of the complaints referred to SSS were follow-up on benefit claims, too many docu-

mentary requirements, delay in UMID card production, long lines in SSS branches and other customer service issues.

SSS follows the procedures provided under the law in processing benefit applications to ensure that it is given to the rightful beneficiaries. The various documentary requirements, on one hand, are needed to avoid fraudulent claims.

“We understand our members’ concern on the number of documentary requirements that they have to submit to process their applications. However, the documentary requirements are needed to ensure that the provisions of the Social Security Law are met and observed,” said Nicolas.

SSS responds to more than 300 complaints

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agriculture sector, to be prepared and ensure that steps are taken to minimize the ill-effects of these weather phenomenon.

HE National Government’s deficit performance is improving but at a controlled pace, leaving ample fiscal room to support growth for the remainder of the year, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

During the Duterte administration’s first month in office, the budget deficit widened to P50.7 billion, higher by 57 percent compared with last year’s July level of P32.2 billion, said National Treasurer Roberto Tan in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has raised the deficit ceiling to 2.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year and to 3 percent next year in an effort to raise spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection, as part of President Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda to sustain high growth and make its benefits trickle down to all Filipinos.

The July figure brought the seven-month fiscal gap to P171.0 billion, still less than half of this year’s P388.87 billion deficit program, but much higher than the P18.5 billion shortfall recorded in the same period in 2015.

The total revenues for July declined 5 percent year-onyear owing to reduced non-tax income from the operations of the Bureau of the Treasury and other offices, while expenditures grew 5 percent as a result of strong public spending.

Cumulatively, total revenues amounted to P1.27 trillion at end-July 2016, a one (1) percent improvement from P1.26 trillion a year ago. However, netting-out the one-off transfer of Coconut Levy assets in May last year improves the revenue growth for the first seven months to 6 percent. Disbursements, meanwhile, grew 12 percent year-onyear to P1.44 trillion from P1.28 trillion.

From January to July, tax collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which account for about 90 percent of government revenues, along with other offices, increased by 9 percent to P1.132 trillion.

“Tax collections of state revenue agencies continued to grow during the first seven months of 2016, helping the government finance its accelerated spending program to further boost the country’s economy and transform it into a more inclusive one,” Tan said.

Although BIR collections fell slightly by 1 percent last month to P117.4 billion, the agency’s seven-month haul nevertheless grew by 9 percent to P901.0 billion from P824.1 billion in the same period last year.

Customs, on the other hand, improved its year-on-year collections last month by 3 percent, raising P31 billion. This was enough to grow its end-July collections by 6 percent to P221.5 billion.

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ECONOMY 5

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OIL PRICE HIKE. A petroleum company depot towers over the Sasa area’s landscape. Oil companies implemented yesterday morning another round of price hike on their petroleum products for the third straight week following the uptrend in global oil market. Lean Daval Jr.

City hosts int’l gab H on tropical fruits

18th Tuna Congress kicks off in GenSan

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE 2016 International Symposium on Tropical Fruits with the theme: “Towards Sustainable Fruit Production and Global Food Security” formally kicked off last Monday, Aug. 29 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.

The symposium was attended by nearly a thousand fruit stakeholders coming from the Philippines China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, Australia, Fiji and Syria.

The event is organized by the International Tropical Fruits Network (ITFN) in partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Philippine Fruit Association Incorporated.

The event, which will run until Sept. 3, is also being supported by the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations, DA-11, Tagum Agricultural

Development Company, Inc., University of Southern Philippines, and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Davao City.

The participants were welcomed by Councilor Marissa Abella of the committee on agriculture who represented Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In her message, as presented by Coun. Abella, Mayor Sara expressed gratitude to the organizers for choosing Davao City as the venue of the event.

“Davao City is blessed with bountiful harvests throughout the year and we want to share with you the various ways of promoting, preserving and improving this abundance,” the mayor said.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol was represented by Undersecretary Evelyn G. Laviña of the DA’s Agribusiness and High Value Crops Division.

“Your symposium comes at a time when the Philippines once more brims with so much

GLOBAL VALUE CHAIN. DTI-Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Director Jerry T. Clavesillas points out that inclusive growth can only be achieved if all stakeholders in the global value chain are enjoying the benefits of development. At least 75 stakeholders from the industries of cacao, coffee, rubber,

hope and fervor as it embraces its new government’s call for far-reaching political and social changes,” Piñol said in a message that was read by Undersecretary Laviña.

The secretary hoped that the event will become a venue to explore new technologies and innovations in fruit production, processing and marketing.

“Although each of our countries aims for its own globally competitive fruit industry, I am encouraging all the participants in this symposium to be selfless in sharing their knowledge, insights and resources towards a globally collaborative, productive and sustainable fruit industry,” he added.

For her part, Undersecretary Laviña emphasized the major role of tropical fruits in the country’s economy, particularly with regards to fruit production and management, fruit growers and exporters’

coconut, ICT and banana and representatives from the public and private sector, including the academe, are participants to the ongoing “SME Integration in the Global Value Chains: Revisiting Industry Roadmaps of Davao Region” Seminar-Workshop slated from Aug. 30 to 31 at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City.

welfare, and food security.

She called on the players in fruit industry to “remain abreast of the latest trends in tropical fruit production to ensure sustainability and competitiveness in international market.”

The undersecretary also hoped that the event will promote more effective cultivation techniques, and help achieve sustainability and global food security to address the challenges of today’s competitive global market.

Among the topics lined up for discussion during the plenary sessions in the sixday activity include income opportunities and provision of better nutrition of tropical fruits for the poor; mitigating the effects of climate change in tropical fruit production systems; empowering smallholders through fruit production in rural Asia and Africa; and horticulture techniques for

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UNDREDS of tuna industry stakeholders will gather here on Wednesday for a three-day national congress that will mainly focus on discussions regarding the “future” of the multimillion industry.

Joaquin Lu, president of the Socksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), said Tuesday around 800 foreign and domestic tuna industry players have confirmed their attendance to this year’s National Tuna Congress, which will be held at the SM City General Santos Trade Halls.

Now on its 18th year, the congress carries the theme: “Philippine Tuna: Gearing UP for the Future.”

It is supported by the city government of General Santos and other government and private entities.

“We will tackle various issues, concerns and challenges presently affecting the industry and draw up strategies to further improve our competitiveness in the global market,” Lu said.

SFFAII, which is the main organizer of the tuna congress, has lined up a series of workshops and plenary discussions, and invited foreign industry experts and fishery officials, national government officials and other stakeholders as speakers.

The topics include the amendments to the Philippine

Fisheries Code and the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan; challenges and opportunities of investing in the Pacific; effects of the El Nino and La Nina on tuna; fishery collaborations in the Sulu and Sulawesi, Indonesia seas; alternative fishing grounds in the Philippines; and, the Philippines in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.

Organizers have prepared at least 16 resolutions covering a range of concerns that will later be submitted to the national government.

Lu said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez will be the keynote speaker at the congress opening on Wednesday afternoon, while Senator Miguel Zubiri will grace the closing ceremony on Friday.

He said the invited speakers include retired Comm. Eduardo Gongona, Department of Agriculture undersecretary for fisheries and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources national director; Pedro Celso, managing director of RD Tuna Canners-Papua New Guinea; and, Jean Francois Bonnin, marine ecosystems department head of the Collecte Localisation Satellites.

Rosanna Bernadette Contreras, SFFAII executive director, said they have made a number of changes for this year’s tuna congress “in the hope to delight

federalism, local governments should have more say whether mining companies can stay or must go,” said Amante-Matba in an interview.

She cited the example of Zambales Governor Amor Deloso, who ordered the suspension of delinquent miners in his province without waiting for Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sanctions; and the province of Nueva Vizcaya, which complained to DENR that mine tailings were being dumped on farmlands.

“In our case, we always monitored and made sure that tailings and other residues from mining operations in our province never affected the environment and the biodiversity of the province. We

will never allow the indiscriminate destruction of our environment and our community. If we allow that, then sa amin lang rin maiiwan ‘yang problema na yan.

Kawawa ang taumbayan,” the governor said.

Amante-Matba further said that provinces should not compromise on environmental protection and support only mining operations that serve as role models or good examples of responsible mining through their global-level best practices.

In her province’s case, she said, the local community truly benefitted from mining operations and their “multiplier effect,” creating thousands of jobs and numerous business opportunities. (PNA)

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LGUs want DENR in mining‘purge’ L OCAL government units (LGUs) in host mining communities have expressed interest in monitoring and ensuring responsible mining operations, the protection of the environment and the community, and the preservation of natural resources.

Agusan del Norte Gov. Angel Amante-Matba, whose province hosts several mining companies, said the ongoing government audit of mining operations nationwide should give greater consideration to the sentiments of LGUs. Moreover, she said this should also not preclude LGUs from booting out, on their own, erring mining companies.

“In line with moves towards greater decentralization and

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EDITORIAL

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The alarming threat of cybercrime

HERE is an immediate need for action on cybercrime and it begins on each one of us.

Understanding one’s responsibility on social media and the use of internet is the key to preventing the increasing cases of cybercrime. But it is not easy.

A news organization Rappler Philippines recently came out with its memo on netizens posting comments on its web page and social media page and vowing to take down offensive comments and language.

We have yet to hear from other organizations doing this although the problem on cybercrime is not solely on offensive language and commentaries. There is also the use of the cyberspace to perpetrate fraud where netizens are engaged in commercial selling of services and goods in the internet.

So what must be done?

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

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

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

We always go down to the basic. That is to educate.

According to John Bertrand of Finextra,com, aspects of the wider education requirements include the understanding of the business model of the perpetrators in case of cyberfraud.

In these times of internet banking transactions, the threat of being hacked or identity theft is very high.

Awareness is key. If your computer says, ‘unsafe to use’, then it is, so don’t go there.

There is a need to employ the latest technology to be used by each and every one of us to combat cybercrime.

Technology has to be utilized to minimize this threat.

It will be necessary to look into how we educate, change culture and enact policy (in the same manner as Rappler), within organizations that may be the subject of cybercrime.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

9

UN too meddlesome for comfort?

RES. Duterte appears vey irked and exasperated by the way the United Nations hierarchy is conducting itself amidst the on-going intensified anti-illegal drugs war by the Philippine government.

It is acting like the big brother it had portrayed itself, censuring the member-countries it thinks and assesses can be tempered and swayed by the rod.

Unwittingly or wittingly, the UN, while globally expressing its bold stance against human rights abuses, has somewhat failed in some aspects.

I am referring to the terrorist ISIS that is wreaking havoc against countless life and property in Syria and other parts of the MidEast, the Boko Haram in Africa and other smaller but rampaging, murderous groups elsewhere.

That so many have died here – killed while resisting arrest, others salvaged by vigilante groups or by member of drug syndicates themselves or for other reasons – is not a surprise because the drug menace has long been destructively holding sway among the populace whose victims include the hundreds of

C

VANTAGE POINTS

ALL it ‘Araw ng Pasasalamat’ (Thanksgiving Day) or ‘Araw ng Pamamahinga’ (day of rest), the concept, over the past few years, has become post-celebration holidays for Dabawenyos, in reference to March 17, the day after the Araw ng Dabaw and the day after the Kadayawan Festival, which is held annually on the third week of August.

Just who conceived this idea of stretching an event by another day that is devoted to resting is still out there. One thing sure, though, is when the proposal was submitted for the mayor’s appreciation it was approved because it made sense. It was under Republic Act 7685, approved on Feb. 23, 1994, that March 16 of every year, also known as the ‘Araw ng Dabaw’, was declared as a special, non-working holiday in Davao City.

The ‘traditional’ Thanksgiving Day, on the other hand, was first adopted a year ago when, in behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., upon request of City Hall, issued and signed Proclamation No. 984 on March 16, 2015.

On March 3, 2016, Ochoa, by authority of the President, signed Proclamation No. 1234 declaring March 17, 2016, a Thursday, as the celebration of its ‘Araw ng Pasasalamat’, saying “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Davao be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

In 2015, Ochoa also signed on July 24, 2015Proclamation No. 1087 declaring August 24 as special, non-working day in the city, citing that ‘Araw ng Pasasalamat’ is part of the weeklong celebration of the Kaday-

thousands SPECKS OF LIFE of unwary and unsuspecting youths of the land.

T h a t m a n y high-ranking powerful officials Fred C. Lumba in government , including the police, have been named to be in cahoots with illegal drug merchants either as coddlers or protectors, is a factual development that is largely ignored by those who we feel are shouting their voices hoarse because they simply are anti-Duterte.

The UN, I feel, is not getting the right information nor is it viewing the scenario from a first-hand perspective. Why did not UN officials raise the issue during the PNoy regime if they knew adequately well that illegal drugs were already in control and that there were also – on record - a good number of extra-ju-

dicial killings, including against members of the media profession?

This is why the Chief Executive is challenging them to come to the Philippines and run the government so these academics can personally discover the extent of the drug problem in the country.

Maybe, because of its tiny geographical size they consider the Philippines as still a colony of the US which emboldens them to poke their noses into our affairs.

Unlike his predecessors who did not know the destructive depths where this country has fallen into, Duterte, since the presidential campaign, ran on a platform to rid the society of crime, drugs and corruption and is now fulfilling his pledge to the hilt.

awan Festival.

FAST BACKWARD Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines, historically, is a copycat of American tradition.

The first Thanksgiving Day dinner was Antonio V. Figueroa held on Nov. 24, 1898, where the ‘Dewey’s Turkey’, named after Gen. George Dewey, the hero of the Battle of Manila, was served. Exactly a year later, Company D of the 30th U.S. Volunteer held its own thanksgiving dinner in Pasay City.

Under the Commonwealth, President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation No. 9 dated Nov. 26, 1935, setting Nov. 28 of the same year as ‘a day of national thanksgiving’ and declared it as a national holiday.

Even during the war, this celebration was not overlooked. Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, on May 6, 1943, held in Luneta a ‘thanksgiving to the great Japanese Empire’, which is quite different from what was secretly celebrated by the Filipinos and the Americans. Towards the end of the following year, second Commonwealth president Sergio Osmeña issued on Nov. 1, 1944 Proclamation No. 4 declaring Nov. 23, 1944 as a national thanksgiving day.

In 1972, the year military rule was declared throughout the archipelago, Thanksgiving Day was also celebrated but it fell on Sept. 21, the date Proclamation No. 1081 was

signed. After President Ferdinand E. Marcos was dethroned in 1986, such celebration has been stopped.

Historically, the entire pre-war Commonwealth period had its annual Thanksgiving celebrations (1935-41) but this was revived after a two-year hiatus. An incomplete list of this American tradition in the Philippines shows the event was consistently celebrated annually until 1984.

President Elpidio Quirino, in his Thanksgiving Day message delivered on Nov. 22, 1951, used the event to encourage the Filipinos to set aside acrimony arising from the previous elections and told the national audience by saying: “It is an occasion for us to review what transpired during the last year and for which we should thank God. We were too much too distracted by local squabbles owing to the election campaign to single out the great accomplishment of the country which should give us just cause to thank the Lord for having accomplished them.

“But as the passion of the last election subsides, I think we can refresh our minds that 1951 has been a very fruitful year for the country not only because of the measures we have adopted to insure our economic security but principally because our efforts to establish internal and external security have been crowned with success. We have been able to subdue those who have been disturbing our countrysides.

“This is the year in which we have been able to realize the auspicious beginning of the regime of the Peace Pact we envisaged in 1949. This is the year in which we have begun

That majority of the Filipinos are quietly approving of Duterte’s no-nonsense combative style versus the demonic threats currently besieging the population from north to south is indicative of the people’s support and trust.

Nagtitiwala sila kaya nga inihalal si Duterte bilang pangulo ng bansa.

The UN, I believe, is not in a position to

‘Thanksgiving Day’

question the conduct of the government’s anti-illegal drug operations as its position goes against the grain of the current reconciliatory gestures of Pres. Duterte towards forging lasting peace accords with both the CPPNPA/NDF and the secessionist groups of the MNLF and MILF. Maybe, the UN wants us to remain this way, always tied to the apron strings of Uncle Sam, so that as seemingly puny and tiny as a republic, we might be cowered and tamed into colonial submission forever. (Di ba walang forever? Yun ang sabi sa mga telenovela.)

Would you like to be treated like this, like a dirty rag incessantly trampled upon?

For decades, the Filipinos have long been searching for a strong leader with balls who can reflect the collective political will of the people. Weak-kneed pseudo-leaders have been lining up to secure the people’s sovereign mandate, but nobody seemed to have come close to the qualities of Duterte as a genuine leader and as a real person. God bless the Philippines! (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

to implement our agreement with the United States on the extension of ECA [Employees’ Compensation Act] aid, which up to today has been made available in $53,000,000 worth of various kinds of assistance, in the form of equipment and materials to bolster our agricultural and industrial development as well as to insure greater incentive in the promotion of our welfare.

“This is the year in which we have boldly fixed the minimum wage for laborers with the view to raising the standard of living.

This is the year within which we have passed the most substantial set of legislation made possible by the willingness of our politicians to meet a patriotic challenge and to forget partisan differences in order that we might concentrate our attention on constructive work.

“This is the year in which Democracy has made itself effectively felt in this country by our securing a free and peaceful expression of the people’s will at the polls. To many of us this has caused positions and friends but the sacrifices were worthwhile because we have considered the issue of Democracy supreme to everything else.

“For all these we must thank God that we have been able to accomplish one of the most significant achievements of our times.”

Whether Thanksgiving Day or Araw ng Pasasalamat has significance among those who celebrate it is something that is debatable. What is clear, though, is that proclamations related to this event simply translates to ‘rest day’. If there is something worth thanking for, it’s the fact that there’s no work or class on that day.

10 NEWS DRUG... FROM 1

Meanwhile, the vice mayor revealed that the Duterte family has beefed up its security measures following his father’s exposes on the drug syndicates operating in the country.

In particular, the family

has further tightened the security for their children to ensure their safety.

The vice mayor said the Presidential Security Group (PSG) now exercises full control over their family’s security arrangements.

may not be able to see again.

“Apat na buwan akong nagmukmok sa kuwarto. Mahirapa mawalan ng paningin.

Sa lowest moment ng aking buhay sinabi ko marami pa akong gusting gawin, marami pa akong pangarap sa buhay,” Lt. Jacuba told the President and the visitors during the gathering.

He added: “Ang mga anak ko, paano na sila. Hindi ko na makikita ang paglaki nila. Hindi ko na makikita kung gaano sila kagaling mag-drawing, kung gaano sila kagaling sumayaw.”

However, Jacuba shared that his attitude towards his condition dramatically changed when President Duterte visited him at the V. Luna Hospital.

“Simula noong bumisita doon si President Duterte talagang nagbago ang lahat. At itoy dahil sa isang panalangin.

May isang matanda, si Tatay Luis na nagsabi: Kung kayo ay nakikinig itaas ninyo ang inyong kanang kamay. Itinaas ko ang aking kanang kamay at lumapit siya sa akin. Sabi ko: Tay pasensiya na po at hindi ko kayo nakikita. Sabi niya, huwag kang mag-alala. Darating ang panahon magkikita rin tayo sa harap ng ating Panginoon.”

He cried when he was informed that the President was about to visit him, but the most memorable moment came when he was hugged by President Duterte.

The President then informed him of the support the government will provide to soldiers like him who have been wounded or disabled in the line of duty.

Jacuba’s doctor said the injured soldier is undergoing visual rehabilitation to teach him how to adopt to his new physical condition, such as learning

how to read through the use of braille.

Braille is a devise that consists of raised dots arranged in cells. Each cell is made up of six dots that fit under the fingertips arranged in tow columns of three dots each. Each cell represents a letter, a word, a combination of letters, a numeral or a punctuation mark.

There is still life after suffering total blindness, Jacuba said in his message, as he told his fellow wounded soldiers not to lose hope.

Jacuba seemed to grapple for the right words, as he thanked President Duterte for his support, saying: “Wala man kaming materyal na bagay na maibigay sa iyo, Sir, pero ang masasabi ko lang, until the last drop of our blood, talagang makikipaglaban kami sa ilalim ng iyong pamumuno, Sir. Kami ay mamamatay sa paglilingkod sa bayan dahil nakita namin ang aming Presidente na sinsero. Isang malaking karangalan ang makapag serbisyo sa ilalim ng inyong pamumuno, Sir. Maraming salamat, Sir.” After the President delivered his speech during the gathering, he immediately went to Jacuba and said: “There is life after the accident.

May buhay ka pa at marami pa and I will see to it I will reinvent you from being a soldier with eyesight to a soldier without sight but still functional.”

Most of the visitors who gathered at in Malacañang were filled with emotion after, while others shed tears as they witnessed the exchange between President Duterte and Jacuba.

After the ceremony, President Duterte led 2nd Lt. Jerome Jacuba back to his seat, as the wounded soldier already had high hopes for himself, his family and his country.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

Blind soldier... FROM 1

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NICASIA A. GALAURA has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE executed among her heirs per Doc. No. 127; Page No. 26; Book No. V; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC MALENE JADE G. SANCHEZ-BRION. 8/17,24,31

USELESS? Indigenous people’s representative to the City Council Councilor Bai Halila Sudagar expresses her strong opposition on the proposed abolition of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) during yesterday’s regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Sudagar’s speech was

trained towards House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who said he wanted the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and the barangay councilors to be abolished because he deems these posts useless. Lean Daval Jr.

High... FROM 2

Rody... FROM 2

called Phytoplanktons that serve as the food of tilapia.

“These mercury contained in Phytoplanktons will accumulate in the body of the tilapia. And once the tilapia is eaten by humans the mercury will also accumulate in the human body,” she said.

The repeated act of eating tilapia from the river ecosystem, particularly at the Hibong River, Arquion said, is very dangerous to people’s health.

She said they are about to present the result of the study to the provincial government as well as LGUs in Prosperidad and Esperanza.

“I still need to see the mayor of Prosperidad and the provincial leadership of Agusan del Sur on this. Right now I have not yet presented to

them the result of the study,” she said.

The study of Arquion and Vale was presented during the 3rd International Research Conference on Diversity in Education facilitated by the Consortium of Asia-Pacific Education Universities (CAPEU) that started on Monday, Aug. 29 and will run until 31 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.

CAPEU was established in April of 2013 as a non-profit consortium of education universities in Asia-Pacific region.

The group envisions to effect changes and innovations in education, teacher training, research and community services among education universities in Asia and Pacific region.

Grace observed that Kean had stopped moving, they brought him to the nearby health center, claiming that the boy drowned.

The couple also sought the assistance of barangay chairman Carmelo Arena who had the couple arrested after

witnesses informed him of the boy’s ordeal.

Talomo Police Station chief Supt. Grecel Sagpang said a murder case had been filed against Mendoza, while the boy’s mother is facing parricide before the City Prosecution Office. CIO

the crafting of a mental health ordinance that would look into the plight of these street children and drug pushers, and provide them with the needed assistance.

“The Department of

Health (DOH) must help in community-based counseling,” said Villafuente, adding that the implementation of mental health ordinance should be given priority and must be implemented soon.

participants and exhibitors while maximizing benefits on their participation.”

She said among them was the extension of the congress from two to three days and the doubling of last year’s activity area.

“Holding this event for three days allows more time for topic presentations, break-out sessions and workshops, in which the results will be integral to the National Tuna Management Plan,” she said.

Contreras said it allows more time for networking breaks and for participants to

get connected or reconnected with other stakeholders.

For the tuna congress and exhibit, she said they provided a wider space for their activities and allow the participation of more exhibitors.

“With the wider space, we will be able to hold simultaneous break-out sessions and increase the number of booths for the trade exhibit by 76 percent or a total of 255 and provide conference areas for participants, exhibitors and interest groups who want to hold meetings during the breaks,” she added. (PNA)

Kean’s... FROM 3

SK... FROM 3

18th Tuna... FROM 5

titled to the P2 million reward.

President Duterte has linked a number of generals, judges, local government executives, and police officials to the illicit drug trade.

The President promised to continue his relentless campaign against the narcotics trade until the last illegal drug apparatus in the country is destroyed. (PNA)

for their ancestral domain,” he added.

The DepEd has also “transferred” a budget of P500 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) as a partner organization in the construction of 605 classrooms through its Kalahi-CIDSS National Community-Driven Development Program (KC-NCDDP).

To address concerns on the long queues in SSS branches, management is continuously establishing and relocating offices to reach out to members.

As of June 2016, SSS already has 166 SSS branches including the one located at POEA, 73 service offices, 32 representative offices and 21 foreign representative offices.

Automation of processes are also underway. For instance, members can create an online account at the SSS wesbite (www.sss.gov.ph) for them to verify monthly contributions and salary loan balance, submit salary loan applications, as well sickness and maternity notifications.

“We encourage our members to register at My.SSS to use the online facility for faster and more convenient transactions with SSS. We are continuously improving our online services for our members,” said Nicolas.

Meanwhile, the regular UMID card production will resume by third week of September.

“We appreciate the feedback given by members thru the CSC. We also ask our members that if they encounter problems with our employees’ attitude, they can report it immediately to the branch head or supervisor for appropriate intervention,” said Nicolas.

(PNA)

sustainable development and global food security.

Other speakers are expected to deliver presentations on the sustainable production of indigenous fruits towards addressing food and nutritional security; the fruit production systems in the Pacific; updates and the need for regional collaboration; as well as an overview of the Philippine’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification program.

In her message, Dr. Marilyn E. Romaquin, president of PhilFruits Inc., thanked the collaborating agencies for their commitment to develop a scientific process that would ensure the national and international sustainability of the Philippine’s tropical fruit industry.

Romaquin also expressed

optimism the gathering will re-energize various stakeholders to address issues that would lead to the continued growth and sustainable development of the world’s tropic fruit industry.

Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, the officer-in-charge of the BPI also commended the efforts of the organizing committee for selecting topics that best reflect the issues confronting the tropical fruit industry in Asia and the rest of the world.

“Issues on climate change mitigation, preserving genetic diversity, food security and nutrition, empowering smallholders through sustainable fruit production, market trends, among others will provide solutions to these challenging issues,” Mamaril said.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

STYLE

EDGEDAVAO

FA SH ION ISTA S IN DURIANBURG OFTEN LAMENT THE LACK OF STYLE OPTIONS IN THE METRO, but with the opening of Swedish retail giant H&M, it seem that Dabawenyos now have more fuel to feed their sartorial fire.

Occupying 1,600 square meters of prime space at the Abreeza Mall, H&M opened its doors last Aug. 25, as hundreds of Dabawenyo customers eagerly lined up to get first their dib at shopping at the brand’s 16th Philippine store and its first in Mindanao.

As the doors of H&M opened, those who lined up as early as 11 the night before were awarded with a P5,000 gift card. Two other shoppers received P2,000 gift cards, while the next 200 in queue got P300.

H&M also awarded P3,000 gift cards to five of the most stylish individuals who braved the queue.

“We are very very optimistic (when it comes to Davao),” said H&M Philippines head of communications Dan Mejia, “Let’s say one to 100 with 100 as the highest, we would say it’s 100.”

“Mindanao had really been growing fast and Davao has really been one of the fastest growing economies in the Philippines,” he added “and with a lot of fashion and style-conscious people emerging as well, we are very confident with our future here.”

Dan added that the collections of H&M in

Davao are the same as those of any H&M store worldwide, as he assured that new designs will be regularly coming in. “We always have something new in our stores with new designs arriving almost every day.”

The H&M store in Abreeza carries women’s, teens, women’s sports, men’s and kid’s lines.

As clothing aficionados know, the shop is famous for its “collaborative” collections which feature high-end fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavali, Jimmy

Choo, Margiela, and Alexander Wang among others.

“This year, H&M is collaborating with Kenzo, and the collection will be launched worldwide on November 3.” said Dan. “We hope everyone will be excited to see and shop for the collection when it finally comes out.”

Looks like it’s time to unthaw that credit card and shop!

Have any travel tips, foodie finds, or happenings you want to share?

Reach me on Twitter or on Instagram at @kennthkingong.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

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FROM THE ISLANDS TO HIGHLANDS promise of the Davao Region.

No matter what your definition of leisure is, the Island to Highland destinations in Davao will let you experience leisure in 101 ways or more.

Ranging from exciting island hopping, to nature tripping and extreme outdoor activities, Davao has it all.

Travelers will find the perfect balance between serenity and excitement, relaxation and recreation.

The Island Buenavista and Eden Nature Park and Resort, under the umbrella of JVA Group

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Guests planning an unforgettable vacation should explore The Island Buenavista, an exclusive island resort in Samal. You and your family are guaranteed privacy, as the luxury resort is only rented out as a whole to one group at a any given time. That means you own the island for the period that you are booked.

A white sandy beach, as well as crystal clear waters of the Davao Gulf, envelops this four-hectare island. Several meters from the beach, you will find beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life, making Buenavista a remarkable diving destination as well.

Eden Nature Park and Resort is one of the country’s prime nature resort destinations and is no doubt a must-visit destination in

the fast-growing and most livable city of Davao. Eden offers a plethora of exciting things to do, as well as heart-pumping adventures for all ages.

Discover the beautiful ways nature and adventure come together at Eden Nature Park and Resort. Eden offers outdoor recreational activities like swimming, horseback riding, fishing, sightseeing and tours.

UP AND ABOUT A4

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Davao is a big playground for those looking

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Visit the Home of the Royalties and experience all the fun and adventure that Davao can offer!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

Silkair to launch more flights to Singapore

W

ITH the additional flight, SilkAir will now operate ten weekly flights from Davao to Singapore.

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will be launching an additional flight from Davao to Singapore every Wednesday evening, from 30 October 2016 onwards.

With the commencement of this new flight, SilkAir will operate ten weekly services from Davao to Singapore.

The additional flight will operate a circular route, departing Singapore for Cebu, followed by Davao, before heading back to Singapore.

With the addition, travelers will enjoy additional flexibility of having two flight options every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday to Singapore Flight

Routing

MI562 SingaporeCebuDavaoMI566 Singapore MI582 SingaporeDavaoCebuMI588 Singapore

Days of Operation

Departure

Arrival

Mon, Wed

Davao 19:20

Singapore 23:00

Sat

Davao 17:35

Singapore 23:00

Tue, Thur, Sat Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

About SilkAir As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group’s narrowbody fleet and extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in Asia Pacific.

The airline took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the region, including Phuket and Tioman. As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.

Today, the full service airline operates almost 400 weekly flights to 49 destina-

T

and beyond.

The new service will be operated with SilkAir’s modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy class cabins. Customers will be provided with a full service experience, including in-flight meals, in-flight entertainment on SilkAir Studio, baggage allowance of 40kg and 30kg for Business and Economy class respectively, as well as through check-in if they are connecting to or from another SilkAir or Singapore Airlines point via Singapore.

All flights are already available for booking through SilkAir.com and travel agents.

The new detailed schedules effective 30 October 2016 are as follows (all times stated are local):

Davao 15:25 Davao 13:35

Upgraded P5-B DICT inaugurated on Sept. 2

By SONNY BOY L. MENDOZA

T

HE P5 billion Davao International Container Terminal Inc. (DICT) expansion project in Panabo City will be inaugurated on Sept 2.

With the completion of the DICT’s Phase 3, the port facility is expected to expand its current cargo handling capacity of 300,000 TEUs to 800,000 TEUs. A joint venture between the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (ANFLOCOR) and Dole-Stanfilco, the DICT is now among the most modern container port terminals in Mindanao.

The port facility is

equipped with eight rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) and other modern container handling equipment.

The DICT is located in a sprawling 11-hectare lot in San Vicente, Panabo City.

The multi-billion port facility also boasts of an additional 15-hectare container yard.

Adjacent to the facility is a 70-hectare export processing zone where locators can enjoy duty-free status, hassle-free importation of equipment and raw materials, and tax holidays.

Formerly known as San Vicente Terminal and Brokerage

Services Inc., the DICT has a long history in port operations, servicing the stevedoring and arrastre requirements of break bulk shipments of fresh produce such as bananas and pineapples at the Tagum Agricultural Development Corp.

(TADECO) wharf.

TADECO is the flagship company of ANFLOCOR and is considered a global leader in the banana industry in terms of yield per hectare.

As more and more cargo are being shipped via refrigerated containers, DICT is anticipated to become an industry leader in port logistics in Min-

danao.

Offering world-class container terminal services in this heavily agricultural region in the Philippines, DICT aims to ensure the global competitiveness of Mindanao’s export-grade products by offering world-class, high-quality port facilities.

Among the shipping lines that call on DICT are the American President Lines, Maersk, CMA CGM, Wan Hai, Advance Container Lines, Regional Container Lines, Pacific International Lines, Mariana Express Lines and Cosco Shipping Lines. (SBLM)

Singapore 18:55 Singapore 18:55

tions in 13 countries. Recent additions to the network include Cairns (May 2015) and Male (Oct 2015). SilkAir’s network will increase to 52 destinations when Vientiane and Luang Prabang commence operations in October 2016, and Fuzhou in November 2016. The airline currently has a fleet of 31 aircraft, comprising 4 A319s and 11 A320s and 16 Boeing 737-800s. In August 2012, the airline announced the largest order in its history of up to 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, with firm orders comprising Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

For more details on SilkAir, visit silkair.com or http://www.facebook.com/ SilkAir

Smartphones make us less efficient at work W HILE smartphones help us stay in touch with colleagues, keep on top of our inbox, and complete urgent tasks on the move, they actually make us less productive when we are working at our desks, according to a new psychological experiment by the Universities of Würzburg and Nottingham Trent, commissioned by Kaspersky Lab. The experiment unearthed a correlation between productivity levels and the distance between participants and their smartphone. When their smartphone was taken away, participant performance improved by 26 per cent.

The experiment tested the behavior of 95 persons between 19 and 56 years of age in laboratories at the universities of Würzburg and Nottingham-Trent. Care

was taken to balance experimental conditions and gender across laboratory sites.

Researchers asked participants to perform a concentration test under four different circumstances: with their smartphone in their pocket, at their desk, locked in a drawer and removed from the room completely.

The results are significant – test results were lowest when the smartphone was on the desk, but with every additional layer of distance between participants and their smartphones, test performance increased. Overall, test results were 26% higher when phones were removed from the room.

Contrary to expectations, the absence of the smartphone didn’t make participants nervous. Anxiety levels were consistent across

all experiments. However, in general, women were more anxious than their male counterparts, leading researchers to conclude that anxiety levels at work are not affected by smartphones (or the absence of smartphones), but can be impacted by gender.

“Previous studies have shown that on the one hand, separation from one’s smartphone has negative emotional effects, such as increased anxiety, but, on the other hand, studies have also demonstrated that one’s smartphone may act as an distractor when present. In other words, both the absence and presence of a smartphone could impair concentration,” says Jens Binder from the University of Nottingham Trent.

“In summary, our findings from this study indicate that it

is the absence, rather than the presence, of a smartphone that improves concentration,” adds Astrid Carolus from the University of Würzburg.

The results of the experiment correlate with the findings of an earlier survey – named “Digital Amnesia at Work.” In this survey, Kaspersky Lab demonstrated that digital devices can have a negative impact on concentration levels. It showed, for example, that typing notes into digital devices during meetings lowers the level of understanding of what is actually happening in the meeting.

While banning digital devices from the workplace is not really an option, these findings – combined with those of “Digital Amnesia at Work” – give businesses an insight on how to improve their productivity.

the crop insurance programs being delivered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. The study investigated the experience of farmers in various regions with the program, and, in turn, offers recommendations to address the challenge of improving access and awareness among target-beneficiaries.

Israel will discuss the results of the impact evaluation of the National Greening Program and will reveal whether or not it has effectively achieved its objectives. He will also discuss the challenges and shortcomings that must be addressed to improve the program.

FSUU and Caraga State University will be delivering presentations in the afternoon. Relative to the DPRM

theme, FSUU will discuss its disaster reduction and risk management initiatives. Resource persons from Caraga Sate University will present their study on the Comprehensive Land Administration and Information Management System.

The presentations will be followed by a broad line-up of discussants, which includes representatives from different sectors—private, government, and civil society. The panel consists of Dr. Mohammad Yacob from the Bangsamoro Development Authority and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Senate.

The PIDS’ Socioeconom-

ic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P) team will also be on hand to discuss the open access agenda.

SERP-P is an online repository of socioeconomic research materials amassed from the contributions of PIDS and 52 other research and academic institutions. SERP-P Coordinator Mark Vincent Aranas will speak about the portal’s role in promoting free access to critical knowledge and relevant research studies and information, and how to use the knowledge resources in SERP-P. The lunch-time press conference on the 2016 DPRM will be headed by Usec Lopoz of MinDA; Dr. Danilo Israel and Dr. Sheila Siar, PIDS director for research information; Dr. Maricar Casquejo, regional

director of CHED Caraga, and Rev. John Christian Young, FSUU president. Key regional officials from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Health will complete the line-up of panelists.

The DPRM is celebrated across the country every September since 2003 in view of Malacañang’s Proclamation No. 247. This information and advocacy event aims to promote and draw nationwide awareness on the importance of policy research in the formulation of sound development plans, programs, and policies. The proclamation designated state think tank PIDS as the lead government agency in the yearly observance of the DPRM.

2016 Dev’t Policy Research Month to kick off in Butuan City

HE second Mindanao Policy Research Forum will be the first of many activities slated for September’s Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) celebration.

In line with this, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) are co-hosting a policy forum which is focused on the theme “Nurturing Resilient Communities in Mindanao towards Sustainable Development.”

A lunchtime press conference will formally open and discuss this year’s DPRM theme “Investing in Risk Reduction for a Resilient Philippines.” These back-to-back events will be held on Septem-

ber 1 at FSUU in Butuan City.

Undersecretary Janet Lopez, executive director of MinDA, will deliver a presentation on “Fostering Partnerships with Academic and Research Groups for Mindanao’s Sustainable Development.” Echoing the DPRM commitment to promoting the role of sound research evidence in policymaking, Lopez’s presentation will focus on harnessing the talent and input of Mindanao’s research community in shaping the development and sustainable growth of Mindanao.

Other presenters include PIDS Senior Research Fellows Dr. Celia Reyes and Dr. Danilo Israel. Reyes’s presentation will discuss the massive study evaluating the design, implementation, and impact of

EDGEDAVAO

12 SUBURBIA 11 nabbed in drive against drugs in R12 A T least 11 persons have been arrested in separate anti-drug and anti-crime operations in Region 12 the past two days, police officials said Monday.

Supt. Romeo Galgo, PRO12 regional information office head, said that anti-drug and anti-crime operations were successfully conducted Cotabato City and in Midsayap, North Cotabato, Gen. Santos City, Koronadal City and in South Cotabato.

After a week-long surveillance, police in Tantangan, South Cotabato arrested over the weekend a couple believed to be engaged in illegal drug pushing.

Chief Inspector John Erick Medel, Tantangan town police chief, identified the couple as Leonardo Abuan, a retired official of police investigation unit in the province and his live-in partner Emily Taberdo, both of Purok Sampaguita, Barangay Poblacion.

Police agents managed to purchase shabu from the couple via “PROJECT Double Barrel.”

Medel said Tadero was included in the police watch list.

A loaded cal. 45 pistol and huge sachet of shabu was seized from Abuan.

In Cotabato City, police arrested at 1:30 a.m. Badrudin Sulaik and Allan Guialel for gun

possession at checkpoints conducted by the city police office and station 1 operatives.

Galgo said police agents recovered from the suspects a Para-Ordnance .45 cal. Pistol, one complete round of 60 mm and a mortar round high explosive.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Illegal Possession of Guns and Explosives have been filed against the suspects.

In Midsayap, North Cotabato, Galgo said police agents implementing Project Double Barrel in Barangay Upper Glad 1, arrested Christopher Ogis Cajilla following a buy-bust operation for violation of R.A 9165.

Police recovered three sachets of shabu from the suspects with an estimated value of P4,500.

In Barangay Dadiangas, Gen. Santos City, police arrested Arnel Academia ales and Ruby De Asis during buy bust operations. Seized from them were two sachets of shabu and marked money.

In Barangay Tambler, police arrested Faljabar Agustin and Marvin Jade Dominguez during a buy-bust operation.

Four sachets of shabu were seized from them.

In Koronadal City, police arrested Oting Mando during drug buy bust operations in Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

PLEDGE FOR RICE Department of Agriculture - Region 11 (DA-11) OICRegional Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. (holding mic) leads the “Panatang Makapalay” reminding consumers to avoid rice wastage. Right photo shows

DA-11 employees in a boodle fight over brown rice and fish to mark the launching of #BROWN4good #Region11 Social Media Challenge. Photo by: Ronell Tangonan/DA-11.

‘Tokhang Week’ launched in R12 P

OLICE units in Region 12 have stepped up their community visitations in line with the region-wide “Tokhang Week” launched on Monday by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, said he directed all provincial, city and municipal police offices and stations, as well other support units in the region to expand the implementation of “Oplan Tokhang” within their areas of responsibility.

He said the move is in compliance with a directive issued by the Philippine Nation-

for possession of shabu and marked money.

The operation was jointly conducted Highway Patrol Group, led by Chief Insp. Ar-

al Police (PNP) central office.

“During the entire week, 95 percent of our personnel in the region will be in the field to conduct community visitations,” Train told reporters.

Oplan Tokhang, which was derived from Visayan terms toktok-hangyo or knock and plead, involves visits by police personnel to houses of suspected drug users and pushers to persuade them to mend their ways.

It is the initial phase of the PNP’s Project Double Barrel, which was launched in July as part of the “war against illegal drugs” declared by President

nold Carino along with City Anti-Drug Council and Koronadal City PNP. According to Galgo, Mando of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat,

Duterte.

The second phase was dubbed Project HVT/LVT, which focuses on the conduct of police operations against “High Value and Low Value” drug targets.

For the regional “Tokhang Week,” Train said he instructed their personnel to conduct house-to-house visits on all suspected drug personalities.

He said they will also promote the campaign to other local households, business establishments, jails or reformatory centers, offices and schools.

The police official said the was also facing charges for carnapping in Koronadal.

In Kidapawan City, the number one most wanted person of North Cotabato yielded

regional office will evaluate the accomplishments of all local police units in connection with the campaign by the end of the week.

“It will be the basis of the performance evaluation rating of our personnel,” Train said.

Since July 1, a total of 25,109 self-confessed drug users and pushers have surfaced and surrendered voluntarily to police units in the region.

Some 620 drug suspects have been arrested, while 51 others were killed in more than 500 drug-related operations during the period. (PNA) to police authorities Sunday.

The suspect, Satar Silaiman Manalundong sent surrender feelers to police authorities.

(PNA)

13 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

New realty firm launches first housing project in Davao

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ Photos by ARIANE JOY GAMIL

G

RUPO San Pedro, a new Davao City-based housing developer, launched its newly-built model houses and multi-purpose building under the company’s first housing project, Las Casas de Maria, in Brgy.

Indangan, Davao City.

Among the guests at the launch were family and friends of Grupo San Pedro Chief Executive Officer Engr.

Pablo Cecilio J. San Pedro, as well as PAG-IBIG fund representatives, sales partners and prospective buyers.

A short program was held as the company’s way of recognizing the efforts of those who made the project

Engr. Pablo Cecilio J. San Pedro possible.

“We ensure good quality but affordable houses, simple but elegant and [a] conveniently comfortable place for your family,” said Engr.

San Pedro in his remarks during the program.

In a separate interview, Engr.

San Pedro said that his dream to establish the housing project was realized with the help of his brother Gemilo.

While he was tasked to handle the administrative aspect of the project such as license processing, his brother, who worked as an executive of Sycip Gorres Velayo (SGV), helped raise the needed finances to fund the project.

“Our edge is we have the technical [capability], our construction site, kumpleto na kami ng equipment, and also for the materials, meron na kaming quarry, so everything here, walang sub-contractors, thus the company is hands on to ensure the quality of the housing units,” Engr. San Pedro explained.

He expressed high hopes that the real estate project would be a success, as he noted that out of the 450 units being constructed, 300 units have already been sold out

Multipurpose Building Actual photos of Las Casas de Maria

Gemilo San Pedro since December this year.

Engr. San Pedro is confident that their buyers will be impressed with the features of their housing units which are made of the highest quality materials.

He bared that the second phase of the project is now on the drawing board.

“To us, this is more than just a business, it is personal. We so this to honor our father Cecilio and our mother Maria,” Engr. San Pedro said.

Las Casas de Maria’s Phase 1 has a total land area of 6.5 hectares.

It has two model units. The first is Maria, which has a lot area of 80 sq. m. and a floor area of 38.75 sq. m, has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a car park and. It is priced at P1.3M. The second model is Cecilio, a two-floor house, which has a lot area of 90 sq. m. and a floor area of 60 sq. m, has three bedrooms, a car park, a balcony, and two bathrooms. It is priced at P1.9 million.

With its reasonably-priced but high-quality housing units, Grupo San Pedro is slowly but surely building a name in Davao’s real estate industry.

14 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

Potato:

One of nature’s perfect foods

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

P

OTATOES may be known as “poor man’s food” but it is one of nature’s perfect foods.

Dr. Jackie Puhl, an exercise physiologist who once worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado, and Nancy Clark, author of The Athlete’s Kitchen, chorused that the disdained potato is one of nature’s perfect foods and that eating this is the excellent way to get your carbohydrates. It releases energy into your body more slowly than the simple sugars. Potatoes have a lot more nutritional value than the others.

Widespread dry malnutrition (maramus) and wet malnutrition (kwashiorkor) infesting the countryside and urban poor areas may just well be prevented from getting worse. Shattering myths that potato is fattening and has little nutritional value, recent studies revealed that the potato is 99.9 percent fat-free, containing only 110 calories. What’s more, studies point out that a surfeit of potato diet will not create an obese population.

The potato falls in the category of starch carbohydrates (the other one is sugar). Starch, or polysaccharide, contains around 2000 glucose units taking a long time for the body to break down into glucose, unlike the insulin reaction in simpler sugars. Thus, unlike sugar, the potato is not fattening.

“By itself, potato is not fattening (and the feeling of satiety that comes from eating potato can actually help people to control their weight),” said the Romebased United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

However, preparing and serving potatoes with highfat ingredients raises the caloric value of the dish. “Since the starch in raw potato cannot be digested by humans, they are prepared for consumption by boiling (with or without the skin), baking or frying,” FAO points out.

Each preparation method affects potato composition in a different way, but all reduce fiber and protein content, due to leaching into cooking water and oil, destruction by heat treatment or chemical changes such as oxidation.

Baked potatoes, which have become popular not only in the United States but

in the Philippines as well, average 93 calories per 100 grams and are low in fat. In comparison, 100 grams of potato chips total 568 calories and have much higher fat and carbohydrates content.

There’s more fat content to it if you eat French fries.

Potato is purportedly also a valuable protein source. On a dry weight basis, the protein content of potato is similar to that of cereals and is very high in comparison with other roots and tubers.

“Potatoes are rich in several micronutrients, especially vitamin C – eaten with its skin, a single medium-sized potato of 150 grams provides nearly half the daily adult requirement (100 milligrams),” says the UN food agency.

The potato is also discovered to be full of potassium mineral which is good for heart maintenance and other muscle tissues. Also,

it retains 70 percent or more of its nutrients depending on the cooking process done. Boiling it unpeeled or cooking it in microwave ovens were considered the best methods to retain its nutrients.

Potato also contains dietary antioxidants, which may play a part in preventing diseases related to ageing, and dietary fiber, which benefits health.

But there’s more to potato than just food. In the past, the potato has been considered as a medicinal plant.

To carry a raw potato in the pocket was an old-fashioned remedy against rheumatism that modern research has proved to have a scientific basis.

Ladies in the olden times had special bags or pockets made in their dresses in which to carry one or more

small raw potatoes for the purpose of avoiding rheumatism. Successful experiments in the treatment of rheumatism and gout have in the last few years been made with preparations of raw potato juice.

In cases of gout, rheumatism and lumbago, the acute pain is much relieved by fomentations of the prepared juice followed by an application of liniment and ointment. Sprains and bruises have also been successfully treated by the potato-juice preparations.

Hot potato water has in years past been a remedy for

some forms of rheumatism.

A popular potato remedy for rheumatism was made by cutting up the tubers, infusing them together with the fresh stalks and unripe berries for some hours in cold water, and applying in the form of a cold compress. The potatoes were not peeled.

Starch from potato is also widely used by the pharmaceutical, textile, wood and paper industries as an adhesive, binder, texture agent and filler, and by oil drilling firms to wash boreholes. Potato starch is a 100% biodegradable substitute for polystyrene and other plastics and used, for example, in disposable plates, dishes and knives.

The name “potato” is believed to be derived from the Inca name papa. The association with Ireland is thought to be responsible for the name “Irish potato,” which is retained even though potatoes are grown almost all over the world.

Just who was the man who discovered the glorious find of the fields? He was Francisco Pizzaro, who conquered the Incas in South America in 1530 (the potato was a principal crop there for as early as 500 BC). But this “sinister-looking” vegetable was viewed with suspicion, associating it with leprosy and syphilis.

Scots abhorred it because it was not mentioned in the Bible, Swedes regarded it as abominable and unfit for humans, and Russians in the 18th century died of famine rather than eat the lowly repugnant potato. Disdain for it caused the monarchy of Prussia to issue a directive ordering the cutting off of peasants’

ears and noses if they refused to eat it.

When Scotch-Irish immigrants started to settle in Maine in 1791, they brought potatoes along into what was to become one of the United States. However, it was American president Thomas Jefferson who introduced pomme frites to his people after his return from a trip to Paris. Now as American as apple pie, they are promoted as “American fries” at MacDonald’s and similar eateries in other parts of the world. (But in the Philippines, they are still called “French fries”.)

In 1853, railroad magnate Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt complained that his potatoes were cut too thick and sent them back to the kitchen at a fashionable resort in Saratoga Springs, NY. To spite his haughty guest, Chef George Crum sliced some potatoes paper thin, fried them in hot oil, salted and served them. To everyone’s surprise, Vanderbilt loved his “Saratoga Crunch Chips,” and potato chips have been popular ever since.

Currently, potato is the fourth largest source of food in the world – after rice, wheat, and corn. Every year, 350 million tons of potatoes are produced, 52 per cent of these in developing countries.

Introduced in the Philippines by the Spaniards, potatoes did not replace rice as the country’s staple. Today, potato is grown mostly in Benguet, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the country’s total production. The other major producers are Davao del Sur, Mountain Province, and Bukidnon.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

Olympics winner Puig ousted in US Open S

URE, Monica Puig would have loved another week between the Olympics and the US Open to “come down from the high” of becoming Puerto Rico’s first gold medalist.

Then again, that’s not how the tennis calendar works. Puig realizes that if she wants to climb back to those heights, she’ll need to figure out this sort of turnaround.

For now, she’s a 22-year-old who was seeded 32nd at the US Open and lost her firstround match in straight sets. Zheng Saisai, ranked 61st, upset Puig, 6-4, 6-2, on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).

“These are new waters for me, new territory,” Puig said. “I’m going to have to start getting used to it.”

She noted that Angelique Kerber, the player she beat in the gold-medal match, was able to come

right back from a draining run in Rio de Janeiro to reach the final at Cincinnati. Kerber, in contrast, is 28 and an Australian Open champ and Wimbledon runner-up this year.

“She’s been there,” Puig said. “She knows what it’s like. She knows she’s No. 2 in the world.

She’s tested the waters out a little bit.

“I’m brand new to this.”

And back when Kerber was brand new to being a major champion just a few months ago, she lost in the first round of her next Grand Slam. Garbine Muguruza, also 22, struggled as well following her French Open title.

“A lot of people go through this,” Puig said.

“It’s not just me.”

She upset Kerber, Muguruza and a third major champ, Petra Kvitova, on her stunning run to gold.

Less than a week ago,

Puig was in Puerto Rico, riding in a parade with other Olympians through streets packed with admirers — her victory a joyous respite from the island’s economic crisis.

Then it was back to the grind of tennis. When she took the court Monday, with plenty of Puerto Rican fans cheering her on, she knew she wouldn’t be viewed as the player who has never made it past the fourth round at a major or the second round at the US Open.

“A lot of pressure, a lot of expectation,” Puig said.

“Once it starts becoming a little bit more of a habit,” she added, “then I’ll feel comfortable.”

Zheng, another 22-year-old, upset Agnieszka Radwanska at the Olympics. She’ll be seeking to reach the third round at a Grand Slam for the first time when she faces 59thranked Kateryna Bonda-

renko.

And Puig will get back to working on how to start making some magical runs at the majors.

“I need to keep racking up as much experience as I can,” Puig said. “You know what? This isn’t going to be the last of me. I know I’m going to keep working hard. The Olympics was something that happened because of all my hard work.”

OUSTED. Seeded 32nd in the US Open, Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig makes an early exit. AP

All systems go for 1st Gensan No UNTV Cup stint for Manny Dragon Boat Exhibition M I

T’S all systems go for the 1st GenSan Tuna Festival Dragon Boat Exhibition which is scheduled on September 3 and 4, 2016.

The Generals will see for the first time dragon boats racing along the shore of Queen Tuna Park. The event is set to start at about 6:00in the morning.

Dragon Boating is a

unique water sport that blends old traditions and modern game rules through the use of double-keeled dragon boats and wooden paddles.

A competing team is composed of 22 people (20 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steerer) of either genders admirably using their unified mental discipline

Nadal wins first match after injury P LAYING with his left wrist heavily bandaged, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam match in more than three months, easily beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, at the US Open in New York.

Nadal’s first-round victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) was straightforward. He produced 14 of his 21 winners via his forehand, which showed little sign of being troubled by a wrist he says is still not completely healed.

Nadal hadn’t played at a major since winning his

and synchronized physical strength.

There will also be a clinic for beginners and enthusiasts which will be conducted by members of the dragon boat club from Davao City on the same dates.

This is the first time that General Santos City and the Socsksargen will host this event.

Proponents of this event are the following: South Cotabato Filipino—Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc., SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., Logos Lex Legis, Inc., Sarangani Bay Area Outdoors Club, Inc., Office of City Councilor Brix T. Tan, and Barangay Dadiangas South. By Ping Aponesto (CPIO)

ANNY Pacquiao has vowed to honor his Uniform Players Contract with Mahindra in the PBA, making an assurance that he won’t be suiting up for the Senate team in the coming new season of the UNTV Cup. Mahindra team manager and 1Pacman party list Representative Eric Pineda personally called a top league official to guarantee that Pacquiao won’t be playing for any team other than the Enforcer.

The 37-year-old Pacquiao, the do-it-all senator and boxing legend, created ripples over the weekend after a Senate press statement named him as part of the team competing in the fifth season of the UNTV Cup that also

second-round match at the French Open on May 26. He then withdrew from Roland Garros before the third round and sat out Wimbledon because of the problematic wrist.

HE’S BACK. Rafael Nadal wins his first match after getting injured in the French Open this year.

included fellow solons Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva.

“Tumawag si Congressman (Eric) Pineda and assured na hindi lalaro si Senator Man-

ny sa UNTV Cup,” said league media bureau chief Willie Marcial on Monday.

The press statement said Pacquiao has already joined the Senate team, being handled by former Adamson coach Mike Fermin, in its twice-aweek practices.

A total of 12 teams are seeing action in the UNTV Cup which formally kicked off on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

While it may be charitable in nature as it has several non-government organizations as beneficiaries, the fact that it is a tournament makes it impossible for Pacquiao to play in the meet while maintaining his status as playing-coach of Mahindra in the pro league.

“Walang problema kung charity game lang yan as long may basbas ng (Mahindra) team,” stressed Marcial. “Pero hindi puwede pag tournament.”

Pacquiao also tried to do the same when he still had control of the Pilipinas Aguilas team prior to the start of the last Asean Basketball League season. Eventually, he abandoned the plans when told he can’t suit up for another ballclub since his contract with Mahindra is binding.

The eight-time world division champion has been preoccupying himself with a lot of things of late, including his work in the Senate, attending and playing games for Mahindra in the ongoing Governors Cup, and doing light training for his comeback fight against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas on November 5

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports FLOYD-PAC 2?

Mayweather denies return to fight Pacquiao

A

FLOYD Mayweather, Jr. return was hugging the headlines anew when he posted on Instagram a message and a video showing him on training with several people watching. Posted is a photo of himself skipping ropes with the message: “Hard Work & Dedication. How far are you willing to push yourself to get to the top and stay at the top?”

The boxing world is not counting out the possibility of a 50th fight. Floyd filed a U.S. patent for TBE50 and TMT50. TBE means The Best Ever and TMT refers to The Money Team. It would always remain a challenge for Mayweather to break Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record for

him to become “The Best Ever.”

“Oh I think Floyd Mayweather will fight again.

Mayweather thrives in the spotlight so much it will happen,” Canelo Alvarez who once lost to Mayweather was quoted by World Boxing News.

It was also reported that Mayweather is preparing to fight Ultimate Fighting Challenge superstar Conor McGregor. Alex Ariza, Money’s conditioning coach, believed that a match with McGregor could break the PPV buys generated by his mega fight with Manny Pacquiao.

And as usual Mayweather repeatedly denied of a comeback and insisted he re-

mained retired. The fact that he was training was a part of his routine to keep himself in top shape even after his exit.

Mayweather wants to beam always in the limelight.

He may be watching his former opponents now being mentioned repeatedly in all media. Pacquiao won as senator of the republic and is coming back to face WBO welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas. Canelo is again in the news in a clash with the WBO junior middleweight champion Liam Smith next month after savagely stopping Amir Khan in round six.

The former pound-forpound king said he is focused on training young fighters to become PPV stars like him under the Mayweather Promotions.

Helping them become future champions is a good project.

GETTING READY? Floyd Mayweather Jr. is seen skipping ropes.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 134 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016