Edge Davao 9 Issue 183

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ARBS PICKET DAR. An elderly woman who belongs to a group of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) firmly holds the metal gate of the Department of Agriculture (DAR) in Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City while her group is staging a peaceful protest rally to call for the re-installation of 459 ARBs to the banana plantation in Tibal-og, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte land used to be a plantation of Marsman Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

KILUSANG PAGBABAGO NOT A POLITICAL PARTY

By RIA VALDEZ

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ONTRARY to reports and talks circulating that a new political party is being organized within a group identified with President Duterte, a high official from Malacanang clarified that the group Kilusang Pagbabago is not and will not be transformed into a political party.

Assistant Secretary Jonas Soriano of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary said there were lots of speculations that ‘Pagbabago’ now being led by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. will eventually replace PDP-Laban, the party of President Duterte when he ran in the Presidential elections.

The Kilusang Pagbabago was launched and its officers took

their oath last August 13 this year at the UNO-Recoletos Auditorium in Davao City.

During the launching, Secretary Evasco said the group will work to ensure that the government programs and services under the administration of President Duterte will reach the masses especially in the remote areas and villages in the country.

“It is not a political party, but a political movement for change,” Soriano stressed.

He also emphasized that Kilusang Pagbabago will primarily work to encourage the participation of people in all government undertakings towards change.

“People need to participate because the government can’t do it alone,” Soriano pointed out,

adding that the more important matter that must be discussed in relation to the formation of the movement is on the issue of helping the people get out of apathy.

“The movement’s aim is to push for programs that are for the people. The 16 million people who voted for President Duterte must go beyond voting. It’s about time people stand up,” he said.

He also denied the speculations on rift between the original members of PDP Laban and Secretary Evasco, saying he did not know where such news came from.

“In my knowledge, we have regular and close communications within the leadership and members of the House and the Senate,” Soriano said.

Cops in Leyte jail raid may face sanctions

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said police personnel who were involved in the raid in the sub-provincial jail in Baybay, Leyte on Saturday morning that led to killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa inmate Raul Yap may

face sanctions after the official investigations being conducted are completed.

The PNP particularly indicated the failure of PNP personnel to observe standard operational procedure (SOP) in serving search warrants as the basis of such sanctions.

“The PNP assures

the public that necessary sanctions will be charged on any personnel who will be found violating the standard operational procedure during the serving of search warrants,” PNP Deputy Director General Francisco Uyami, Jr. told reporters in a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

CHRISTMAS DÉCOR. Workers from the General Services Office (GSO) of the Davao city government install Christmas lanterns as preparation for the upcoming yuletide season at Bolton Bridge along Quimpo Blvd., in Davao City yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

Hero’s welcome awaits Pacquiao, Donaire in GenSan City, Sarangani

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NOTHER grand hero’s welcome awaits world boxing champion and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao when he returns home to this city and nearby Sarangani Province after his historic win on Sunday against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Monday they are currently coordinating with the senator’s team for the schedule of his homecoming, which is already being anticipated by local residents.

He said they will partner with the provincial government of Sarangani regarding the activities and other arrangements for the hero’s welcome.

“We’re very happy for his victory and for again bringing pride and honor to our city and the entire country,” the mayor said.

Pacquiao, who grew up

in Barangay Labangal here, wrested the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) welterweight belt from Vargas via unanimous decision following another epic showing.

The eight-division world boxing champion, who is considered a local hero, represented Sarangani at the House of Representatives before winning a Senate seat in May elections.

“We saw that our senator was still very sharp in the ring.

His speed and punching power was there,” Rivera said.

Aside from Pacquiao, the mayor said they will also give former WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. a hero’s welcome despite losing his title in the Pacquiao-Vargas undercard.

Donaire, whose family on his father’s side is based in this city, lost to challenger Jessie

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No need to change GHWs in tobacco products: DOH

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HE Department of Health (DOH) has insinuated that it does not see the need to increase the space allocated for the Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) on tobacco products, which is currently provided by law to occupy 50 percent of the cigarette packs.

In a press briefing held in connection with the start of the full implementation of the GHW Law on tobacco products last Nov. 4, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said they do not see the need to increase

the space for GHWs or picture warnings in cigarette packs, just like in other countries which is up to 90 percent.

“I think the option right now for the DOH is to move towards plain packaging, rather than increasing the size of GHWs,” Secretary Ubial said.

She added that recent studies from other countries revealed that having plain packaging could be more effective in discouraging cigarette smoking.

“It is actually more effective

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Dads eye President’s help to up city health budget CHO needs P74 M but budget is only P17M

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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EMBERS of the Davao City Council are mulling the idea of appealing for the help of President Duterte for the increase the yearly budget of the city health office (CHO) in order to improve the delivery of health services in the city.

Dr. Mary Joselle Villafuerte, head of the council committee on public health told reporters attending last Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao annex on Monday that the direction of the city health program is to

make all the city’s 17 health centers as birthing places or lying-in clinic so that only the critical cases will be referred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center which is better-equipped and has superior manpower and expertise.

Villafuerte said normal births should be handled by health centers as much as possible while caesarean operation in child birth and more completed cases may be handled at the SPMC. “We had 68 maternal deaths when I presented the

ordinance in 2014–which is higher than our target which is 50,” Villafuerte revealed. She said the situation improved in 2015 because, there were only 28 maternal deaths reported.

Villafuerte said the city council is planning to seek more funding from President Duterte on top of the funds that the City Mayor’s Office will allocate. As chairperson of the public health committee, she will personally follow the matter with the Office of the President.

In a letter sent to the city

council dated October 25, 2016, Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, city health officer, asked the lawmakers to consider increasing the 2017 budget of the CHO from P17 million to P74 million broken down into: Maintenance, Operating and Other Expenses (MOOE) at P18 million, capital outlay at P16 million and Infrastructure projects at P40 million.

Her letter stated that the Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Health Facility Enhancement

exercise will be under the directorship of Naval Captain Wilfredo Burgonio of Task Force Seahawk, NFEM, of the Philippine Navy.

The exercise will include search and rescue operation at sea; naval gunnery operations; establishment of sea control, sea maneuver of other surface assets; and naval operations.

He said that the activity is aimed to test and evaluate the capability of NFEM in the implementation of wide range of naval operations in order to

secure the territorial waters in its areas of operations.

Lt. General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, commander of EMC welcomed the exercise, saying it will enhance the capability of securing the maritime domain in the south eastern sea lanes that is part of the commands’ responsibility.

“It is high time for us to look at our maritime domain.

The conduct of exercise will enhance the readiness and interoperability of the surface assets to respond on short no-

tice when conditions require the conduct of maritime patrols and humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Guerrero said.

He added that he is expecting more of such exercise and other joint exercises of different branches of service of the Armed Forces in the area in the coming months with the purpose of continuously developing joint operations capability.

Balagtey also told reporters that the naval component

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Naval exercise kicks off in Davao Gulf

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Naval Task Group 71 of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) announced the conduct of a Unilateral Fleet Training Exercise that kicked off today, November 7 in the area of Davao Gulf and the sea lanes of Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental provinces.

Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) spokesperson Mayor Ezra Balagtey said the naval exercise will end on Friday, November 11.

Balagtey added that the

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

23 homes destroyed, 4,200 families displaced by Sultan Kudarat floods

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T least 23 homes were destroyed by flash floods that hit at least six low lying villages in Kalamansig and Lebak, both in Sultan Kudarat Saturday night, officials said Sunday.

Mayor Ronan Garcia of Kalamansig said a three-day moderate to heavy downpour brought about by inter-tropical convergence zone affecting Mindanao that peaked Saturday night have flooded populated villages.

He said the floods have affected the villages of Poral, Obial, Limulan, Sta Maria, Hinalaan, and Cadiz. Floods also hit the Salaman and Poloy-Poloy in Lebak, also in Sultan Kudarat.

Garcia said as of 3:40 a.m.

Sunday at least 4,255 families have been affected as listed by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“At least 23 houses were destroyed by flash floods,” Garcia said, adding the number may increase when all the reports come in.

The Limulan river have

overflowed and flood water submerged low-lying villages at the downstream of the river following an overnight heavy downpour.

Officials said 37 families of the Manobo tribe living by the banks of the Limulan River in the American Land at Sta. Maria evacuated to the Zone of Peace and Development (ZOPAD) building in Sta. Maria Barangay Hall.

At the Poral beach, debris from the mountains, including dead animals, littered the coastline.

Disaster officials said power was cut in affected villages after trees fell on power lines during strong winds Saturday night in Barangay Limulan where the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Generators are located.

Garcia said flood waters reached as high as waist level.

No fatality was reported so far.

Disaster and police officials continue to monitor the situation while rains continue in the mountains of Lebak and Kalamansig. (PNA)

VILLAFUERTE ON HEALTH. Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte (right) interacts with reporters on mental health and other health issues during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Dr. Villafuerte, chair of the Davao City Council health committee was joined by

Datu Bago foundation executive director Ma. Julieta “Tisay” Torres (left) and awardee Marina Ruivivar to announce that the secretariat is now accepting nominations. Lean Daval Jr.

Datu Bago Foundation now accepts nominations

Tuburan Institute to host Advent fair T

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

By RIA VALDEZ

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UBRUAN Institute Inc. will hold its first Advent Fair this November 19, 2016, opening its gates to the public for the first time.

Maya Vandenbroeck, one of the coordinators of Tuburan, announced during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw that the public will get to experience a day of activities in Tuburan for both adults and kids. Kids activities such as making wreaths, making origami figures, storytelling with puppet, wet-on-wet-painting, and so on. Some activities are exclusive for adults like making puppets, yoga and archery.

Around 300 families are expected to join the festivities.

She added that there would also be eco-friendly, organic and homemade food and prod-

ucts for sale.

Tuburan Institute Inc is a non-profit, non-stock Steinier/ Waldorf community nature school in Tugbok District. It is one over 2,000 Stenier/Waldorf schools around the world inspired by Austrian Philosopher Rudolf Steiner who promotes an education where the use of the environment helps imprint ti the child what he or she has learned academically.

Interested participants can register through this online form: http://bit.ly/2ecRGrT and pay P50 entrance fee by November 15, 2016. All proceeds of the Advent Fair will be used to augment the school fees of Tuburan’s 17 children from low income families. The fair would be from 9am to 3pm.

HE nomination for Datu Bago 2017 awardees is finally open, a Datu Bago Foundation representative said.

According to Marina Ruvivar of Datu Bago Foundation, they bestow the prestigious award to an individual who has contributed to the development of Davao City with exemplary competence and ded-

ication and who deserves to be called as a model of excellence and an inspiration to the residents of Davao City.

“This awarding is in collaboration with the City Government of Davao,” Ruvivar added.

Meanwhile, Maria Julieta Flores, Executive Director of the foundation explained the guidelines as to how people

can nominate someone in the awarding ceremony.

Flores said that the awardee must be a Dabawenyo who has resided in the city for ten years and that he or she contributed in helping the city achieve growth and development.

“He or she must also provide documents to support the said nomination,” Flores men-

tioned.

Flores added that Nominee must have rendered exemplary service to the community in any field or endeavor; merit national and/or international recognition to place Davao on the map; must be law-abiding, of good moral character and integrity and has a good reputation in the community.

OLICE in Midsayap, North Cotabato announced Monday the arrest of a suspected big time drug pusher who showed up to police office in July with the promise to reform, officials said today.

Supt. Reylan Mamon, Midsayap town police chief, said joint operatives of the Philip-

pine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local police arrested Sunday evening Antolin Digsay, also known in the community as “Toning,” 25, of Barangay Poblacion 1.

Mamon said Digsay has been in the police drug watch list after intelligence information showed he returned to his illegal activities despite having

pledged before the local police to do away with illegal drugs.

Police and anti-narcotics operatives seized three sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” with a market value of Php3,000 and shabu paraphernalia.

Armed with a search warrant, the raiding team arrested Digsay in his home. He did not

resist arrest and was brought by the police to the PNP lock up cell.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against the suspect.

At least 61 persons have been arrested in Midsayap since the police launched massive drive against illegal drug personalities. (PNA)

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NorCot cops arrest‘big time’drug pusher P

ARMM commemorates Islam advent in Mindanao

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SUNDRYING BADJAO CLOTHES. A Badjao villager collects the clothes she sun dried earlier inside the Badjao community in Matina Aplaya, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

EADERS of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Islam believers in five provinces on Monday commemorate the 636th anniversary of the arrival in Mindanao of Sheik Karimul Makdum who introduced Islam in the island.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman had earlier declared Nov. 7 a non-working holiday in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to give residents ample time to observe the yearly Sheik Karimul Makdum Day. It will also signal the start of the week-long commemoration of the ARMM’s 27th founding anniversary.

More than 90 percent of

residents ARMM provinces are Muslims with different ethnic identities.

A Middle Eastern cleric, Makdum arrived in Bohe Indangan in Simunul, now an island town in Tawi-Tawi, in 14th Century to preach and spread Islam.

In the island, Makdum built a Mosque, now the oldest Islamic worship site in the Philippines. From there, Islam was brought to other parts of the island and eventually across the country.

Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen, ARMM’s regional tourism secretary, will lead today the Sheik Karimul Makdum Day program in Simunul that includes reenactment of

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Davao business sector continues to back Rody

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HE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) continues to back President Rodrigo R. Duterte and remains confident about sustaining the interest of foreign investors for the country despite his continued anti-United States stance.

“They will still invest in the Philippines despite these statements for as long as business is profitable,” DCCCII president Bonifacio T. Tan said in an interview on Sunday. “President Duterte has not prohibited American businesses to come here so why would they be discouraged?,” he added.

Tan said the American companies in the city and the country’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry and those that have already established their businesses here do not have anything to worry about.

“However, those who are just thinking of investing here might be worried so the government, not necessarily the

President, should conduct a dialogue with the sector just to assure them,” he said.

The most appropriate agency to talk to these companies is the Department of Trade and Industry although other government agencies can also assure investors, he said.

“The pronouncements won’t really affect those who are here already because the relationship is not severed but it might just create a doubt on those who will be coming in,” he said.

These are not new business anyway since there are already established businesses here and “if they want to go in they will just ask us businessmen who are already in the industry.”

He said these business should not worry because there is no pronouncement that they are not welcome anymore to invest in the Philippines and the fact is we need investments. (PNA)

AMBI ON SUMMIT. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Belenda Ambi discusses the upcoming National MSME Summit 2016 slated at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center on November 10 during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody, Cabinet men to grace Asia-Pacific countries need to national summit of MSMEs expand social protection: ADB

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HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) stressed on Monday the need to expand the social protection programs of many countries in the Asia and Pacific to ensure adequate coverage for most of their populations.

New studies on social protection conducted by the Manila-based bank showed that many countries in the region lack government support for social insurance such as pensions and health insurance, social assistance such as child welfare programs and assistance to the elderly, and labor market programs such as cash-for-work programs.

The studies, titled The Social Protection Indicator (SPI): Assessing Results for Asia, and Social Protection Indicator (SPI): Assessing Results for the Pacific, incorporate data from 25 countries in Asia and 13 countries in the Pacific.

The studies, released on Monday, also found that on average government expenditure on social protection programs in Asian countries is equivalent to 3.7 percent of gross domestic product per capita and 1.9 percent in the Pacific, in both cases far too low to ensure sufficient coverage for most of the population.

Social insurance continues to dominate social protection spending in Asia and the Pacific, according to the studies.

“Almost three quarters of GDP per capita spent on social protection is allocated for social insurance. Social assistance accounts for only 0.9 percent of GDP per capita, while active labor market programs account for only 0.1 percent GDP per capita,” the studies said.

“This updated, comprehensive set of indicators gives governments an effective mechanism for devising new and improved social protection programs, which are essential element of the new

Sustainable Development Goals and go to the heart of efforts to promote inclusive growth and reduce poverty,” said Sri Wening Handayani, principal social development specialist with ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department.

For the first time, the ADB said the 2016 SPI report assesses progress on social protection over time by tracking spending for 14 countries in Asia between 2004 and 2012.

“Mongolia, China, and Vietnam made appreciable progress, while the low income countries, Cambodia and Nepal, made significant progress primarily through cash or in-kind transfers,” the bank said, adding that social protection coverage levels remain weak in other countries, particularly in the Pacific, where little progress was made between 2009 and 2012.

Across Asia and the Pacific, the studies said that national social protection systems fail to effectively reach poor and vulnerable persons, and deliver more benefits to men than women.

“Social assistance in Asia-Pacific countries provides limited support to people with health problems who lack social insurance and to persons with disabilities,” said the studies.

“This highlights the importance of expanding coverage to support low-income and vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with disabilities,” it said.

The two reports recommended more ambitious active labor market programs, as these tend to be small and weal in most countries, and that unemployment insurance and social assistance benefits be extended to include employment promotion measures such as vocational training and support for entrepreneurship. (PNA/Xinhua)

By RIA VALDEZ

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O LESS than President Duterte will lead a powerhouse battery of speakers in the two-day National Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Summit at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, Nov. 10 and 11.

Regional Director Maria Belenda Ambi of the hosting Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) told reporters attending Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at the SM City annex yesterday the summit will discuss important topics for the development of MSMEs in the country that will include inclusive financing, productivity and production, and on agricultural entrepreneurship.

Ambi said among the

speakers who will provide inputs for the hundreds of participants include Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol of the Department of Agriculture (DA); Sec. Ramon R. Lopez of DTI, Sec. Fortunato T. dela Pena, and senators Miguel Zubiri and Bam Aquino.

Senator Zubiri now chairs the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship, while Senator Aquino is the chairperson of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture and the committee on science and technology.

Ambi added that DTI will also report during the summit the accomplishments of the National MSME National Development Plan for 2011-

2016 and will present the proposed MSME plan for 20172022.

The reports will be presented by DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, she added.

“The highlight of the event will be session with President Rodrigo Duterte,”Ambi said, adding that the session will be facilitated on the second day of the summit.

“On several occasions, the President said he would provide more programs to support MSMEs and wanted to focus on the micro enterprises with capitals from P3 million and below,” she added.

President Duterte, she said, also mentioned providing support and financial assistance to cater to the needs

of the MSMEs in the country.

She said that the main point of the 2017-2022 MSME development plan is to strengthen the 4 pillars of MSMEs namely access to marketing, access to financing, policy and business environment, and production and productivity.

Ambi said that during the consultations in preparation of the plan, both private sector and the government agencies agreed to find innovative ways to strengthen the pillars of MSMEs. “This would be the blueprint of MSME development,” Ambi stressed, saying that DTI will push for the innovation of MSMEs for them to compete in the global markets.

will not only improve the deliver of this frontline government service, but would also contribute to the increase in revenues, facilitate regional trade links and the entry or expansion of businesses in the Philippines.

President Duterte, in his speech after being sworn into office last June 30, directed “all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications from the submission to release.”

The IABPI will be implemented by the DOF’s Policy Development and Management Services Group in coordination with the government’s trade regulatory agencies, according to Beltran, who was recently named by Dominguez to be the DOF’s anti-red tape czar.

Besides simplifying import-export documentation processes, the program’s targets include developing policies to “oversee, manage and harmonize transactions of all regulatory agencies” involved in these processes by establishing protocols to link their information with each other.

Thus, making the agencies a member of a collaborative group that will be able to exchange information with one another and become interoperable.

According to Beltran, “The major cause of red-tape in government is that agencies act and operate in isolation of each other”.

The Department of Finance through the IABPI Project is leading the way for interoperability in the whole of government.

(Government interoperability is the mix of policy, management, and technology capabilities needed by a network of agencies to deliver coordinated government programs and services.)

The program also aims to enforce “transparent and accountable regulation processes and procedures [in] all relevant government agencies” and ensure that these would be sustained.

On top of this initiative, the DOF is also working together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to develop the government’s automated

business and citizen data bank portal that would serve as the primary tools in cutting red tape and reducing processing time for government frontline services providing a portal to verify business and citizen government records.

Beltran said the DOF and the DICT are now identifying the data to be gathered from various government agencies for the automated business and citizen databank portal.

The first stakeholders meeting for the Business Databank was held last Oct. 26 and where the pilot platform was presented.

In appointing Beltran as anti-red tape czar, Dominguez had said he is envisioning a system comparable to the one used by the online buying portal Amazon.com, which can process millions of purchases from clients by requiring just a one-time registration of pertinent data that can then be validated and used for all transactions.

“Our IT (information technology) people are working closely with revenue people to make things like that as simple

DOF gets P21.5-M German grant for anti-red tape drive

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HE Department of Finance (DOF) has secured a P21.5 million grant from the German development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau ( KfW) Group to implement an anti-red tape initiative that would simplify processes in securing documentary requirements for imports and exports, along with harmonizing these systems as part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to ease the way of doing business in the Philippines and facilitate its integration into the regional community of Southeast Asian economies.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the grant from the Frankfurt-based KfW Group will help implement the Inter-Agency Business Process Interoperability (IABPI) Program, which aims to streamline the process of issuing permits for imports and exports from the current two weeks to a maximum of only three days, in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to cut red tape in all government offices.

In a separate report submitted to Dominguez by Undersecretary Gil Beltran, the project

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Philippines Dev’t Forum to tackle tax reforms, Mindanao peace

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HE Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program and its blueprint for peace and development in Mindanao are among the priority initiatives that would be tackled in the upcoming Philippines Development Forum (PDF) in Davao City that aims to forge collective action from various stakeholders on how to vigorously implement the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

This multisectoral dialogue, the first under the Duterte administration, will gather inputs from stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as from the country’s foreign development partners, on how to best implement the government’s reform agenda to make sure it would significantly cut poverty incidence and make high growth not only sustainable but also felt by all Filipinos.

Set on Nov. 8-9 at this consultative forum will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City, with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the chairperson of the event, delivering the welcome remarks at the opening session.

Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, who is the forum’s co-chairpersom, will give the opening statement before the start of the PDF plenary session that will be led by members of the Duterte Cabinet.

After the opening and plenary sessions, the participants will be grouped into several “breakout” sessions that will discuss the Philippines’ (1) macroeconomic and fiscal policies, including the DOF’s proposed tax reform program, and (2) its peace and development initiatives in Mind-

anao, among other topics.

The breakout sessions will also tackle strategies on (3) improving Philippine infrastructure and competitiveness, including the development of science and technology, building an efficient transport network and improving the ease of doing business.

Other topics like (4) rural development, including land administration and management and food security; and (5) the development of human capital, including social protection programs for the poorest of the poor and the implementation of the reproductive health law, will also be covered by separate breakout sessions.

The Department of Finance (DOF) is working on a Comprehensive Tax Reform Program to help ensure the financial sustainability of the new government’s accelerated spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection, as a way to realize the primary goal of the 10-point socioeconomic agenda, which is to drastically reduce poverty on the Duterte watch.

The DOF has already submitted to the Congress the first package of this tax plan, which includes cuts in personal income taxes primarily for the benefit of wage earners and other low-income Filipinos, along with measures to offset the projected revenue losses from the lower tax rates, like adjusting the fuel excise tax and automobile tax, and broadening the Value Added Tax (VAT) base by removing certain exemptions.

Through the comprehensive tax plan, the DOF aims to set the ground for Government to spend an extra P1 trillion per year on infrastructure, human capital and

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ECONOMY 5

Tboli LGU imposes fees for tourist areas

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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UNICIPAL Ordinance No. 133 s. series of 2016 was passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Tboli, South Cotabato imposing rates and charges for tourism facilities and services operating in the municipality.

Mayor Dibu Tuan explained in a press statement that the fees were decided after discussions with residents in these places who also serve as the tourism service providers.

“This would ensure that the residents in the area are provided steady source of income,” Mayor Tuan said,

stressing that this approach encourages the locals, mostly belonging to the Tboli tribe, to become partners of the local government in its programs for the protection and preservation of the environment in the tourism destinations.

The legislation, taking effect last November 1, states that every person going to Lake Holon via Salacafe, Kule or Mt. Melibingoy trail are required to pay entrance fee of Php100 per day and environment fee of Php50.

The ordinance has also set fixed fees for tour guides:

Php300/tour guide via the Salacafe Trail and Php600/ tour guide for those trekking via the more challenging Sitio Kule and Mt. Melibingoy trails. A tour guide can only serve up to 10 persons.

Ground rental at the camp site in Lake Holon is set at Php100/per tent/night.

Fees for optional services are as follows: porter fee (Php20/kilogram, one way), ATV adventure (Php500/ person/hour), water sports lake tour (Php450/person/ day), water sports kayaking (Php150/person/hour), horseback riding (Php400/

person, one way).

Besides Lake Holon, other popular tourist destinations in municipality include Bakngeb Cave, Hidak Falls and Lamhaku Hot Spring.

The local government has limited the number of tourists to Lake Holon to 200 persons per day.

For about two months each year, Lake Holon is closed to tourists to allow the area to recuperate.

Tboli, along with Lake Sebu, was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations in the World.

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DOE holds consultation on comprehensive energy plan

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HE Department of Energy is conducting a series of sectoral campaigns in line with the agency’s mandate to formulate a comprehensive energy plan.

The DOE is finalizing the Philippine Energy Plan 2016 to 2030 as the energy sector’s contribution to the Ambisyon Natin 2040 (Executive Order 5), which lays down the foundation for inclusive growth and a high-trust society.

According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the DOE is currently formulating a 15-year energy plan and even a plan until 2040 that entails a series of studies factoring in gross domestic product (GDP) and population growth, among others.

According to DOE, these sectoral roadmaps are a result of the review exercises done by the Department on the effectiveness of the current agenda and the identification of implementation gaps in the program. Each of the roadmaps is complemented by programs of action which are broken down into short, medium, and long-term targets guided by its overall objectives by 2030.

Cusi said, “The PEP formulation paved the way for the development of sectoral energy roadmaps that are critical to ensure energy security and increased energy access. We have conducted a series of consultations with various stakeholders – local government units, electric

cooperatives, non-government organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, RE developers, oil industry players, generation companies, chamber of commerce and industries, financial institutions and development partners – to present the Plan and generate inputs for its enhancement.”

The DOE collated issues raised in the plenary discussion during the consultations held in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Legaspi, Iloilo and Davao, which are initiatives on low carbon future (lowering of greenhouse gas emissions), oil deregulation, electricity pricing, rural electrification, renewable energy development and its policy mechanisms, measures on energy efficiency and conservation, Energy Regulations 1-94 and other local energy concerns.

“Planning our country’s energy roadmap safeguards our Filipino consumers and our industry participants from any undesirable energy scenarios in the future. It is our job to protect them,” Cusi explained.

“Once the plan is finished, it will greatly contribute to the expansion of the country’s economic prospects through the provision of employment opportunities and generation of investments that will subsequently provide all Filipinos a life envisioned to be Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag,” Cusi concluded.

(DOE)

An exhibitor displays products at a stall inside the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

PHL encourages competition, innovation in business

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has assured members of the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AmCham) that the Duterte administration will continue to make the Philippines an attractive place for investments by encouraging a competitive environment to level the playing field for business.

In his meeting on Saturday, November 5 with AmCham representatives, these American executives expressed their support for the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda as Dominguez told them that the Duterte administration “will make certain that the business environment is such that it encourages people to stay on.”

Dominguez said that “as far as business is concerned,” President Duterte “wants to have more competition and more innovation.”

The finance chief said that the new government is pursuing a policy of “economic diversification” to open more markets for Philippine products overseas, encourage more investments in the country, and create better-paying jobs for Filipinos.

Speaking on behalf of Am-

Cham Philippines, Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe said that the organization is “100 percent” behind the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda” and wants the Duterte administration to be successful in implementing its development programs.

“We, AmCham and all our members, we are in 100 percent support of the 10-point agenda.

From AmCham’s standpoint, we want this administration to be successful. Can you imagine what a wonderful place this would be if we could get rid of crime, corruption and drugs? It will be an even better investment environment,” Hinchliffe said.

Dominguez thanked AmCham for supporting the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, and asked the Chamber to help craft an action plan that would implement the reform plan’s goal on job creation.

“Can we focus on creating more employment? How do we translate that into an action plan?

How do we create jobs and make sure they are good jobs and that people can rely on them, because jobs provide dignity to people,” Dominguez said, recognizing AmCham’s role in generating

hundreds of thousands of jobs in various industries in the country.

In the hour-long meeting, AmCham members led by Hinchliffe mentioned President Duterte’s statements on Philippine-US relations, but informed Dominguez of their hopes for continued investment here.

In response, Dominguez said: “I have listened very carefully and we will make certain that the business environment is such that it encourages people to stay on. We encourage competition and we encourage obedience to the law.”

The finance secretary described his meeting with AmCham as a “frank and productive exchange of views.”

A day before Dominguez’s meeting with AmCham executives, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Washington that the historic alliance between the US and the Philippines remains “ironclad’ despite recent differences.

“The United States continues to place high value on the close ties that exist between our countries,” Kerry said during a swearing-in ceremony for the new US ambassador to Manila, Sung Kim. “We continue to rec-

ognize our ironclad commitment to the sovereignty, independence and security of the Philippines.”

The AmCham members at the meeting included representatives from the fields of manufacturing, construction, electronics, mining, business process outsourcing, information technology, power, food processing, and agriculture.

Among them were key officials from Capital One, Cargill Philippines, Freeport McMoran, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company, Optel, and AES Corp.

Elizabeth Magsaysay of the US-Asean Business Council was also present at the meeting.

AmCham is a private and non-profit association representing more than 700 companies. It is affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce and the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers.

Earlier, Dominguez clarified before Philippine senators that the President is not changing Philippine foreign policy but merely “recalibrating” it.

He explained that the President’s recalibration of Philippine foreign policy would open the country to markets other than the traditional ones in the West.

EDGEDAVAO

6 HEALTH

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

So, you want to live longer?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

T’S NOT ALL about your genes that make you live longer but what you do. If you are not convinced, you better believe it.

In the 2009’s study of 20,000 British folks, published in the British Medical Journal, it was found that that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

Time, an American weekly magazine, once explained: “Most people today fall prey to chronic diseases that strike in mid to late life — conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia — and end up nursing disabilities stemming from these illnesses for the remainder of their lives. Centenarians, on the other hand, appear to be remarkably resilient when it comes to shrugging off such ailments; they seem to draw on some reserve that allows them to bounce back from health problems and remain relatively hale until their final days.”

We really don’t know how those 10 patriarchs -- from Adam to Noah -- lived and what they were doing in order for them to live almost 1,000 years old. But recent studies have found out some strategies on how a person can live longer.

These are: Exercise regularly: Drs. Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman, authors of Stopping the Clock, consider exercise as “the closest thing to an anti-aging pill that exists.” If you wonder why, the answer can be found in the book, Super Life, Super Health: “Exercise can bring back a satisfying sex life, a good night’s rest, less tiring days, a happier feeling about lie, few visits to your doctor, and less fear of the disease of age -- heart disease, arthritis, stroke, emphysema, osteoporosis, diabetes, and even cancer.”

After pooling data on exercise habits of over 661,000 adults, a study conducted with the US National Cancer Institute and other institution found non-exercisers to be at highest risk of early death, while those who did any leisure-time physical activity had a 20% lower

mortality rate than did non-exercisers during an average follow-up of 14 years.

On the other hand, those who followed the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week had also 31% less risk of dying during follow-up compared with non-exercisers.

In Australia, researchers from James Cook University’s Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention followed 204,542 people for more than six years and concluded that those who performed some vigorous activity such as jogging, aerobics or competitive tennis had a 9-13% lower mortality rate than those whose activity was described as moderate, including gentle swimming, social tennis or household chores.

In a press release, study leader Klaus Gebel explained that the findings applied to men and women independent of age and the amount of time devoted to exercise. The results, he pointed out, indicate that regardless of “whether or not you are obese and whether or not you have heart disease or diabetes, if you can manage some vigorous activity it could offer significant benefits for longevity.”

Get enough sleep: “To sleep – perchance to dream,” wrote William Shakespeare in his masterpiece play, Hamlet.

A study of nearly 16,000 Chinese adults ages 65 and older, which was featured in Sleep, has found that those who regularly enjoyed a good night’s sleep were also those who enjoyed overall better health and longevity.

Researchers from Portland State University in Oregon analyzed 2005 data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. They looked for factors were associated with sleep among elder adults.

They found that those ages 80 and older were more likely to report higher sleep quality compared with adults whose ages range from 65 to 79.

About two-thirds of the study group rated their sleep quality good or very good.

They slept an average of 7.5 hours per day, including naps.

The findings suggest that “the quality of sleep could have implications in living a longer, healthier life.”

Recent studies recom-

mend that you should not sleep too much. Dr. Daniel Kripke, at the University of California at San Diego, reported that people who slept eight-and-a-half hours daily had a 15% higher risk of death within the next six years than people who spent between six-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half hours in bed each night.

Have a good sex: This is particularly true among men.

“The benefits of sex are a factor in all three categories of male mortality – heart disease, cancer, and environmental causes (stress, accident, suicide) – and plenty of scientists are pushing the idea that the more sex you have the longer you’ll live,” wrote Philip Weiss in an article which appeared in Men’s Journal.

His source of information is Michael Roizen, a 62-yearold American doctor who chairs the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. “For men, the more the better,” he quoted the doctor as saying. “The typical man who has 350 orgasms a year, versus the national average of around a quarter of that, lives about four years longer.”

The British Medical Journal published a study in 1997 which tracked men aged 45 to 59 for a decade and found that “those who ejaculated less than once a month were twice as likely to die during the study period than men who had orgasms at least twice a week.”

It’s not just having sex though -- but also being faithful to the partner. Dr. Emmanuele Jannini, coordinator of the research conducted by the Italian Society of Sexual Medicine, said: “What was evident from the research was that men who had active sex lives and were faithful to their partners had fewer cardiovascular complaints and lived longer.”

Have children and keep them: This one is for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. But true, having babies can actually mean longer life for women.

In United Kingdom, researchers from Imperial College London found that women who are mothers are 20% less likely to die early at any given point than their childless counterparts. “Breastfeeding is also linked to a longer life, as is taking the pill, according to the research, which studied hundreds of thousands of Eu-

ropean women,” wrote Fiona Macrae, science editor of The Daily Mail.

In the United States, a study concluded that women who naturally have babies after age 33 tend to live longer than those who had their last child before age 30. This may be because gene variations that enable women to have babies at a later age may also be tied to living longer lives, according to the Boston University School of Medicine researchers.

“If a woman has those variants, she is able to reproduce and bear children for a longer period of time, increasing her chances of passing down those genes to the next generation,” explained Dr. Thomas Perls, co-author of the study and a professor of medicine.

Get married: That’s another key to longer life. A study

by Duke University Medical Center found that married couples had a decreased risk of premature death during midlife years, Science Daily reports. Individuals who were never married were more than twice as likely to die early than individuals who had been in a long-term, stable relationship.

The reasons: Happily married couples are more likely to eat healthily, have more friends and take better care of each other. “Marriage and other forms of partnership can be placed along a sliding scale of commitment, with greater commitment conferring greater benefit,” said Cardiff University Professor John Gallacher.

It simply means tying the knot improves health and keeps the couple lives longer.

“That marriage generally indicates a deeper commitment might explain why marriage is associated with better mental health outcomes than cohabiting. Cohabiting relationships tend to be less enduring. The most widely accepted explana-

tion is that being in a committed relationship means better social support is available,” Prof. Cardiff said.

Watch what you eat: “Around the world, certain groups of people enjoy exceptionally long lives. Consider the lucky people of Okinawa.

These Pacific Islanders have an average life expectancy of more than 81 years, compared to 78 in the United States and a worldwide average of just 67. Members of the Seventh Day Adventists, who typically eat vegetarian diets, outlive their neighbors by four to seven years on average,” wrote Peter Jaret in a report published by WebMd. A growing body of evidence suggests that diet is one of the important contributors to longevity and healthy living. After all, foods you’re your heart, brains and bone healthy.

In 2009, researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston reported that study participants whose diets included plenty of whole grains and fruit cut their heart disease risk by almost half compared to those whose diets favored meat and fatty foods.

Don’t forget to eat your breakfast. “Researchers recently reported that people who reach the ripe old age of 100 tend to consume breakfast more regularly than those who skip the first meal of the day,” wrote Dr. Roger Henderson, author of 100 Ways to Live to 100.

Don’t take yourself too seriously: Laughter is the best medicine, Reader’s Digest claims. And a laugh a day may help keep death further away, according to a study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine.

Adults who have a sense of humor outlive those who don’t find life funny, and the survival edge is particularly large for

people with cancer, pointed out Dr. Sven Svebak of the medical school at Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Past research has shown that humor helps people cope with stress and keep a healthy immune system during stressful times, Dr. Svebak says, adding that it could promote survival. “Humor works like a shock absorber in a car,” USA Today quoted him as saying.

“You appreciate a good shock absorber when you go over bumps, and cancer is a big bump in life.”

“Don’t get too serious,” Setusuko Miyasato, an Okinawan nonagenarian told Time. “Sing out loud and play your music.”

Don’t retire: Ernest Hemingway said it well: “Retirement is the ugliest word in the language.” Harry Emerson Fosdick suggests, “Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to.”

“Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement,” says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

In the Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, people have a different take on leisure time.

“After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables,” Ferrucci pointed out. “They’re never really inactive.”

Stay connected: “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit,” Albert Schweitzer once said.

Just because you are old, it doesn’t mean you need to

F HEALTH, 13

7 PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Esdevco honors October top sellers E

SCANDOR Development Corporation (Esdevco) feted its top-performing sales agents for the month of October during its Top Sellers Banquet at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on November 4.

The monthly performance awarding event is organized by the Davaobased rea estate firm for the sales of its initial venture The Matina Enclaves.

“We are once again proud to have a bunch of very productive sales people who complement our product. This collaboration of our company and our agents have made us the fast-selling real estate project in Davao,” said Gerald Kent Garces, project manager of The Matina Enclaves.

The top sellers for October are Charity Furog, Shiena Mae Furog, Luzviminda Dio, Vicky Colon, Julie Pinol, Prudencio Melicio, Leticia Ablas, Raul Escovilla, Veronica Escovilla, Rebecca De Leon, Reynold Barber, Solomon Banez, Nestor Granado,

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Jocelyn Asoy, and Ava Vertudazo.

The Top Sellers Banquet is also held as an avenue to promote camaraderie among sellers and Esdevco.

Last October 14, Esdevco Realty Corp. also held its monthly Open House event at its Showroom along Ecowest Drive in Ecoland.

The Open House successfully yielded sales of the Matina Enclaves condominium units and at the end of the day, Building 4/D was declared fully sold out.

The Matina Enclaves is a sprawling mixed use real estate development located in Ecoland, Davao City.

(NJB)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

M

Fighting pride

ANY criticized him for returning to boxing from a brief retirement. The skeptics think he should make up his mind on whether to be a boxer or a Senator. Afterall, he earned the people’s mandate as a legislator in the last elections.

Manny Pacquiao has just succeeded proving to everyone that he can excel wearing two hats. On Sunday, he gave this country another reason to be proud of after winning a fourth world welterweight championship with a splendid performance against the dethroned champion Jessie Vargas.

His age of 37 aside, what was really big about Manny’s triumph is his ability to perform his duties as a member of the Philippine Senate without a single day absent and at the same time train for the fight against Vargas. It taught us that even at that level, time management and discipline are the overwhelming ingredients to success.

Manny became the only Senator in this planet to win a world boxing title. Remember that he also did it as a congressman.

This time was really remarkable as he trained without missing his legislative duties with a perfect attendance and balancing equally his political and sporting careers.

Indeed, it was just like a day in the office for Manny. One day after his win over Vargas, he returns to the country and resume his work in the

EDGEDAVAO

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Senate.

In the ring, Manny was a fine example of a dignified sportsman. He lets his skills do the talking. Always smiling and never trash talking his opponent, Manny is an epitome of humility even in the throes of victory.

He was selfless but at the same time frank. He said he needed to return to boxing because he wanted to help more people and money as a Senator is not enough.

Let’s give it to Manny. Yes, he fought for the money. Is that wrong?

No. Even presidents and kings need financial resources in order to live.

But for him a great slice goes to the poor and the needy. The more he receives the more he gives.

In the fight against Vargas, he spent close to P48 million to give his family and friends tickets to the fight. More than that, it is the happiness, excitement and hope that he brings to his countrymen with his epic performance as a comebacking legend of the sport fighting a man 10 years younger and almost a foot taller that really matters.

Manny is a true public servant who would not mind using his own private funds to alleviate people’s lives. He is ready to shed his own sweat, blood and tears so others may be benefited.

That is a mark of a real Filipino, government official and sportsman.

Fight on, Manny. Make this country happy.

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 RIA VALDEZ NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Reporters FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography 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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EDGEDAVAO

“T

HE multiple roles of soils often go unnoticed. Soils don’t have a voice, and few people speak out for them. They are our silent ally in food production,” pointed out FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva.

“Soil is the basis for food, feed, fuel and fiber production, and for many critical ecological services,” said Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.

Described as “the reservoir for at least a quarter of global biodiversity,” Konuma said that soil “requires the same attention as aboveground biodiversity.” And yet, “the critical importance of soil to our daily lives is often overlooked.”

“Without soil, there would be no food apart from what the rivers and the seas can provide,” said former FAO Director-General Edouard Saouma. “The soil is the world’s most precious natural resource. Yet it is not valued as it should be. Gold, oil, minerals and precious stones command prices which have led us to treat soil as mere dirt.”

Soil, aptly described as “the bridge between the inanimate and the living,” consists of weathered and decomposed bedrock, water, air, organic material formed from plant and animal decay, and thousands of different life forms, mainly microorganisms and insects. All play their part in maintaining the complex ecology of a healthy soil.

In the humid tropics, starting from a sandy base, a soil can be formed in as little as 200 years. But the process normally takes far lon-

T

HE 2016 National Children’s Month of November reminds us of the hall-offamer achievement of Davao City as Child-friendliest City (highly-urbanized category) for 1999, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Under this year’s theme, “Healthy Children Build Strong Nation”, I share to my readers these first 25 of 50 original sayings of mine on the topic.

1. Even if a CHILD becomes CHILDREN it should not be the reason for the parent’s patience to be DRAINED. 2. The child yesterday was the future today.

3. If you do not know how to handle a child, you are a CHILD.

4. A TERROR, probably, is a child of a trial-and-error HORROR. 5. A terror child cannot be reformed by returning him/her to the womb of the mother. The best way is to turn his heart over to the loving arms of God.

6. A child can blind your eyes and steal your reason but it should not be the reason for you to play deaf and blind if he steals some-

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The neglected ally ger. Under most THINK ON THESE! conditions, soil is formed at a rate of one centimeter every 100 to 400 years, and it takes 3,000 to 12,000 years to build enough soil to form productive Henrylito D. Tacio land. henrytacio@gmail.com “This means that soil is, in effect, a non-renewable resource,” says a FAO publication. “Once destroyed, it is gone forever.”

Soil is gone forever when it is eroded. “Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than any outside enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Harold R. Watson, an American agriculturist who received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Although soil erosion does occur naturally, the process is slow. However, man’s intervention has increased the rate of natural erosion. According to David Pimentel, an agricultural ecologist at Cornell University, exposed soil is eroded at several thousand times the natural rate.

“Under normal conditions, each hectare of land losses somewhere between 0.004 and 0.05 tons of soil to erosion each year – far less

than what is replaced by natural soil building processes,” one study reported.

Several studies have shown that on lands that have been logged or converted to crops and grazing, however, erosion typically takes away 17 tons in a year in the United States or Europe and 30 to 40 tons in Asia, Africa, or South America. On severely degraded land, the hemorrhage can rise to 100 tons in a year.

“No other soil phenomenon is more destructive worldwide than is soil erosion,” wrote Nyle C. Brady in his book, The Nature and Properties of Soils. “It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching. More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil.”

But soil erosion is just a part of the problem. “Our soils are in danger because of expanding cities, deforestation, unsustainable land use and management practices, pollution, overgrazing and climate change,” FAO said in its website. “The current rate of soil degradation threatens the capacity to meet the needs of future generations.”

Aside from food production, soil can help to combat and adapt to climate change. “Healthy soils can play an important role in climate change mitigation by storing carbon (carbon sequestration) and decreasing global greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere,” FAO said.

In addition, agriculture contributes significantly to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). GHGs include carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, chlorofluorocarbons from air conditioners and refriger-

ators, methane gas from landfills and feedlots, and the nitrogen compound, nitrous oxide, from burning fossil fuels and fertilizers.

“If soils are managed poorly or cultivated through unsustainable agricultural practices, soil carbon can be released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide which can contribute to climate change,” FAO says. “As crop production has intensified, our soils have suffered the consequences. The steady conversion of grassland and forestland to cropland and grazing land has resulted in historic losses of soil carbon worldwide.”

Concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled during the past 200 years, scientists claim. Rice production has been cited as one of the major contributors of methane in the atmosphere.

“Rice is a plant that grows best in wet soil, with its roots flooded,” says L. Hartwell Allen, an American soil scientist at the Crops Genetics and Environmental Research Unit in Gainesville, Florida. “But flooded rice crops emit substantial amounts of methane to the atmosphere.”

FAO believes that by restoring degraded soils and adopting sustainable management practices such as crop rotation, zero tillage, conservation agriculture, agroforestry and agroecology, there is the potential to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases from agriculture, enhance carbon sequestration and build resilience to climate change.

“If sustainably managed,” FAO claims, “soils can be part of the solution when it comes to climate change mitigation.”

thing from TIMELY and TIMELESS others.

12. To discipline a child is like putting on a dog’s collar. If the collar is too tight, it will choke the dog’s neck; if it is to loose, the dog will run away beyond chasing.

children to the path of righteousness. The worst mother is the cause of her children’s going astray.

Children’s Month Sayings (Part 1 of 2 series)

7. The voice of the mother is the sweetest song to the ears of a child. The laughter of the child is the sweetest song to the ears of the mother.

13. The child is the most PRECIOUS and the most PERNICIOUS thing in the home.

DIOSCORO VICENTINO

8. Child caring and rearing are never demonstrated better than a bird building its nest and mouthing a food to its closed-eyed chicks.

9. Every child, like a birdling, needs no less than a happy nest.

10. “CH” which stands for the word CHILD is at the center of TEACHING. 11. You can let a child march out anywhere but it can outsmart you somewhere.

14. The child cannot understand the adult because he has not been an adult. But the adult should understand the child because he was once a child.

15. God is so kind He did not entrust a child to a dog but to a human mother. But there are many mothers who are so inhuman that they throw their infants to the garbage heap while there are dogs which are human enough to save them from death.

16. A child is a bundle of joy to ENJOY. But if not disciplined well, it can lead a band of hoodlums ready to DESTROY. 17. Bring up a child to be gracious and merciful because he was created by the MOST GRACIOUS and MOST MERCIFUL. 18. The best mother is she who can lead her

19. A child cannot be presumed to be good or bad. But he can be prepared to become what his parents or teachers want him to be.

20. The mother is supposed to be a CONSULTANT, not the INSULTANT, in the home.

21. Call a child by any name as long as it does not denote or connote a SIN or SHAME.

22. Little things can mean a lot. Little kids can mean more than that.

23. God’s creation of a child is an act of love. It is our duty to teach the child that it is his duty to love.

24. Concerning all concerns in every family, the most important is the parents’ concern for their children.

25. Children are a unique human being. They make you laugh. They make you cry. And you don’t even know why.

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Uyami said the PNP has already commenced its investigations into the incidents that involved personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

In its initial report, the CIDG said their team, led by Chief Inspector Leo Laraga were serving a search warrant for firearms against Espinosa and another search warrant for illegal drugs against Yap when brief shootout occurred between them and the subject detainees.

The CIDG team claimed that they were fired upon by the mayor that resulted to a firefight.

In its report, the PNP’s Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) Team said they recovered from Espinosa’s detention cell a small heat-sealed sachet containing “shabu”, 10 big heatsealed sachets containing the same illegal drug, and one caliber Super .38 pistol.

SOCO also found 27 big heat-sealed sachets containing marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a .45 caliber pistol from the detention cell of Yap. The search warrants were issued by Judge Tarcelo Sabarre of Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar.

On Saturday, the PNP in Eastern Visayas also announced it will conduct its own probe aimed to establish facts and circumstances into the incident.

Espinosa’s list Before he met his death inside the sub-provincial jail in Leyte early morning on Saturday, Mayor Espinosa had already executed an affidavit naming 226 government officials and personnel, including media personalities into the illegal drugs trade of his son Kerwin.

Reports said among those

named by Espinosa was Senator Leila de Lima; 19 politicians mostly from Leyte; four from the judiciary; 38 police officers, seven from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); one from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA); three from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP); and one from the Philippine Army.

The late mayor also linked three media personalities with links to illegal drugs in their area.

Authorities are now worried the cases previously filed against government officials and private individuals named in said list may be affected now that the primary witness, Mayor Espinosa is already dead.

A total of 47 government officials were included in the charges filed at the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the PNP, particularly at the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS).

Among those who were charged include Senator de Lima and the 33 police officers named by the late mayor in the list.

Seven private individuals were also charged by the PNP at the prosecutor’s office in Leyte for their alleged involvements into illegal drug trade.

Espinosa has been detained since October 5 this year in said jail.

Prior to his detention, the late mayor already surrendered to PNP chief Ronal dela Rosa last August 2 after he was named by President Duterte as one of the mayors in the country who are into illegal drugs trade.

Espinosa’s son, Kerwin did not surrender and was subjected to a manhunt by authorities.

He was arrested last month and is currently detained in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

than increasing the GHW,” the Health official stressed.

By “plain packaging,” cigarette packs will just be plain in color and will not have attractive designs of logos of the brand images or any promotional information on packaging.

The brand names and product names, meanwhile, shall be displayed but in a standard color and font style coupled with graphic health warnings.

Republic Act No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law mandates the printing of GHWs on 50 percent of the packaging of any tobacco products in the country.

In last week’s press briefing, the DOH, together with other government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs), called for the people’s full participation in the implementation of the GHW Law. “We enjoin everyone to be vigilant and make sure that all tobacco products carry these pictorial warnings and that violators be reported to the respective government agencies,” Secretary Ubial said.

She noted that the health system’s success will actually depend also on the public’s active involvement as she empha-

sized that health is everyone’s concern.

“That’s why we are coordinating with local government units because in terms of enforcing the law at the street level or community level, it will be the LGUs that will do that,” she said.

On top of that, she said the help of the Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) is also needed in the aspect of monitoring the implementation of the law, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Through these warnings, we want to inform everyone that smoking puts to waste human potentials,” the Health chief said.

The GHW on the cigarette packages aims to show the illeffects of smoking to users and at the same discourage the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products among the young people.

“We already gained so much from our serious efforts to control tobacco use in the country. With the Sin Tax and the GHW laws, we believe that many Filipinos will hesitate if not stop smoking altogether,” she said. (PNA)

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BLINDED BY LOAD. A scavenger struggles to see the road as his face is covered with sacks of collected items while walking along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Dads... FROM 2

Program, has funded the construction of health centers with birthing facilities and barangay health stations in the city.

The letter added that while some centers are provided with instruments, there are others left unfunded, a reason there is the need to upgrade the same to scale up health services utilization.

“Considering that the

birthing facilities will incur additional operating costs, thus the need to increase the MOOE,” Dr. Villafuerte said in the letter.

She also bared the need to construct a bigger building to house the staff and their respective clinics to provide a better environment for the public, he CHO’s primary clients.

Magdaleno via unanimous decision.

“He deserves a hero’s welcome. Being there in Las Vegas to fight is already a big honor for the country,” Rivera said.

For his part, Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said they will also prepare for a grand hero’s welcome for Pacquiao.

But he said they have to confirm with the senator’s camp if he will proceed to the province when returns to the country in the next few days.

“We’re not yet sure if he will have the time for a brief homecoming because of his work at the Senate,” he said.

The governor said they will just proceed with the preparations in coordination with the city government in case Pacquiao decides to return home.

As to the Sunday fight, So-

lon said Pacquiao has shown to the world that “he is really not due for retirement” despite his age.

The “fighting senator” will turn 38 years old next month.

“In his last two fights, he knocked down and beat champion boxers who were young and at the peak of their primes,” he said.

Solon, who witnessed the fight along with thousands of residents who flocked to the provincial gymnasium in Alabel town for the free live viewing, said he wanted to cry when Pacquiao floored Vargas in the second round.

“It’s really a great feeling to see that. It was even sweeter in the end to see that we have a senator as world boxing champion. That’s the first in history all over the world,” he added.

(PNA)

as possible. If Amazon can do that, I don’t know how many millions of customers; I think we can certainly do something like that,” Dominguez said.

Beltran said that the government agencies where the data would be collected for the Business Databank include Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Office of the City Treasurer of every local government units (LGUs).

While the Citizen records will include the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Corp. (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund),

the BIR and the Office of the City Treasurer of every LGUs, Beltran added.

Beltran said pertinent data usually required from applicants who want to secure licenses, permits and other official documents would be culled from these agencies so that they could be linked and shared in the databank.

He said the portal will serve as a one-stop shop for government agencies and corporate entities to easily track and validate their records (as permitted by Philippine law), removing from the businesses and citizens the burden of proving legitimacy.

A nationwide information campaign would be conducted before the registries become fully operational to educate the government agencies involved and the users as well on how to use the automated systems. (PR)

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of the recently activated Joint Task Force Haribon is expected to join the naval exercise to enhance their maritime inter-

diction capability and establish interoperability mechanism with other surface asset and units of NFEM.

The award is in memory of Datu Bago, one of the bravest Davao chieftains who fought against Spanish colonizers.

Nomination forms are available at the office of Maria

Julieta Torres, vice president for Institutional Affairs at the University of Mindanao, or contact her through 227-5456 local 163 or 165 or email her at mariajul216@yahoo.com.ph.

the missionary’s arrival in the island.

Accompanying Dilangalen are Tawi-Tawi Gov. Rashidin Matba, Rep. Ruby Sahali, officials of the ARMM’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage and Simunul

Mayor Nazif Ahmad Abdurahman.

Dilangalen said her office have lined up various cultural activities to highlight the 27th anniversary feast of the autonomous region. (PNA)

social protection, so it can meet the President’s vision of transforming the Philippines into an upper middle-income economy by the end of his term in 2022 and into a high income economy in one generation or by 2040.

Chaired by the DOF, the PDF serves as the primary mechanism for facilitating policy dialogues among all stakeholders, including the national government and local government units (LGUs), business sector, the development partner community, the academe and civil society organization, on the Government’s development agenda.

The inputs gathered from the various stakeholders will be incorporated into the Philippines Development Plan (PDP) 20172022 currently being completed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Dominguez earlier said the forum offers business groups and other organizations such as the Makati Business Club the opportunity to take part in the consultative dialogue and air their views on how best to sustain and achieve inclusive growth.

He said the Philippines’ development partners like the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank plus other global financial institutions, along with civil society groups and representatives of foreign governments, are also invited to participate in the two-day forum.

“The Department of Finance is holding a Philippine Development Forum in Davao City onNovember 8 and 9 and I would

like to invite all these groups to participate in the forum because there they can air their concerns and we can discuss the future direction of our country,” Dominguez said.

“In this forum….we can all discuss with the international and the local community the direction of the Philippine economy,” he said.

The last PDF formal meeting was held in February 2013, also in Davao City, with around 300 participants from government, international development partners, and other stakeholders.

Davao City was also the venue for the “Sulong Pilipinas Tungo sa Kaunlaran” consultative workshop organized by then-incoming Secretary Dominguez last June, ahead of the formal assumption to the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

Sulong Pilipinas was held on June 20-21, also at the SMX Lanang, to help the new Administration draw up the correct metrics or standards to later on measure whether Government has been meeting its socioeconomic targets and whether such have been truly beneficial to poor and low-income families.

Dominguez has welcomed the decline in poverty incidence to 21.6 percent, saying this is the cue for the government to “work doubly hard” on its 10-point socioeconomic agenda to hit President Duterte’s target of reducing the number of poor Filipinos by 1.5 percent of the population annually over the next six years.

(PR)

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INdulge!

Tokyo Autumn dreams VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

THE FIRST TIME I GOT TO VISIT TOKYO, I WAS IMMEDIATELY HOOKED TO THE CITY’S WELLMANICURED LAWNS, TREE-LINED AVENUES, AND BEAUTIFUL GARDENS. The contrast between greenery and the city’s glass and concrete skyline was mesmerising to look at, and walking through the Japanese-style gardens was like walking through a beautiful painting complete with a samisen playing in the backgrround.

Last week, I was able to return to Tokyo taking the daily flight from Manila to Haneda on Philippine Airlines, and this time I it was to catch the cool autumn season when the air is crisp, and the leaves are starting

to turn into a palette of golds and red. From the tree-lined avenue of Omotesando, to park surrounding Senso-Ji Temple, Tokyo in autumn is a magical sight.

Here are some of my favourite spots to enjoy the autumn air and sights.

Imperial Palace East Gardens A part of the inner palace, the park is open to visitors all year round. This is where the ruins of Edo Castle, the official residence of the Tokugawa shogun and Emperor Meiji, once stood.

Surrounding the area are immaculate Japanese gardens, a wide lawn with a spectacular view of downtown Tokyo’s skyscrapers, a collection of trees donated by the many different prefectures of Japan, as well as period gates, guesthouses, guardhouses, stone walls, and moats, that used to protect the shogun and emperor.

The Otemon entrance to the East Gardens is a short walk from Otemachi Station on the Chiyoda, Tozai, Marunouchi, Hanzomon and Mita Subway Lines. It can also be reached in a 10 to 15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.

Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, Meiji Shrine is located at the Western part of Tokyo.

The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress.

The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

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From top: Walking around the Imperieal Palace East Gardens.

Authour at one of the many castle walls. Imperial long-finned koi.

Japanese Chrysanythemums on exhibit. Families walking to the Meiji Shrine to ask for blessings.

Page left: Goldfish competition at Hibiya Park. A tranquil spot at Hibiya Park.

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Siargao series:

DAKU ISLAND AS THE NAME IMPLIES, this is the bigger island of the three in Siargao Island. After toasting our skin in Naked Island, we headed off to Daku Island which was nearer to main island Siargao. The forever alluring blue waters of these islands will forever be soothing to the eyes. You can’t wait to dive right in.

Clockwise: Fishermen coming home from their daily routes park their boats near this area of Daku Island. Luisa busy cleaning up the sea urchin she harvest earlier that morning while I played around with the still dangerous yet empty “shells” of the harvested sea urchins.

With blue waters this clear in all of Siargao Island, it’s allure is evident in the throngs of tourists flocking its shores each year.

By the time my feet touched the sand in Daku Island, I knew I could live here.

Even if there was no electricity, save for their diesel generator set. Instead of proceeding to the usual tourist drop-offs, my companions and I went to residential area of the island.

From the area where they park their boats (such island life), I saw two women chatting. One was sitting by the boats while the other was propped on the sand hacking away a huge mound of

sea urchins. It was such an interesting sight because you never see this in the city.

Introducing myself, I joined them for a little chat. The locals here are so friendly. They don’t mind silly tourists and inquisitive wanderers like myself asking them about what and why there are doing what they’re doing.

I found out that aside from their main sources of livelihood, which is tourism and fishing, they also get extra income from harvesting the innards of sea urchins. The innards of the sea urchins are a well-loved seafood delight that costs a way lot more than their selling price of Php 60 per small mug.

Daku Island is actually one big island barangay. Right now, they don’t have electricity save for one diesel generator, which residents can opt to pay if they want electricity during the night.

Tourism right now is one of the big-

OVEMBER 8, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

gest and developing sources of income for majority of the locals in Siargao and its nearby islands. An acquaintance from the UK fondly calls Daku Island as “Puppy Island” because of the number of adorable dogs found there.

Honestly, I was so close to just completely moving here.

Amazing islands, white sand shores and crystal clear waters – Siargao is definitely paradise

on earth. Not to mention the biggest factor that drew me here was the surf spots! There were just so many to choose from depending on your courage and skills. Telling the story would need an individual article itself.

Stay tuned next week and if you want to check out more adventure stories, head over to www.millennialmermaid. com

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Serving a seamless society

EDGE DAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

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The walk to the Meiji Shrine is an experience not to be missed as it is surrounded by giant forest trees. You can also see giant torii gates as well as sake and wine offerings as you make your way up the hillside. I was also lucky to see a chrysanthemum exhibit along the way, chrysanthemums are the symbolic flower of Japan’s Emperor and are also a symbol for autumn.

The approach to Meiji Shrine starts a few steps from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines.

Hibiya Park Amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo near Shimbashi station and bustling Ginza, Hibiya Park is a sanctuary for Tokyo urbanites.

Asides from beautiful gardens and ponds, Hibiya Park sees many activities all year round thanks to its central location. You can see many Tokyo locals enjoy flower and gardening festivals, renional food festivals, and even goldfish and koi competitions at the park.

Hibiya Park also has a

library and museum as well as many food establishments, giving parkgoers an opportunity to unwind and eat with the spectacular colours of autumn surrounding them.

Ueno Park Ueno Park is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo.

The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city’s largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during

the Edo Period.

Although the temple is no longer exists, Ueno Park remains as a popular park in Tokyo and is famous for its many museums especially the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Science Museum. It is also home to Ueno Zoo, Japan’s first zoological garden.

There are also many shrines, and smaller tamples within the park, as well as the Shinobazu

Pond, one of many reminders of Kaneiji Temple’s former grandeur.

Although autumn brings bright red and yellow hues to the park, it is during spring when the park is most popular as its 1,000 cherry trees bloom from late March to early April.

Ueno Park is just next to JR Ueno Station. Easiest access is provided by the station’s “Park Exit”.

Truly, autumn in Tokyo was a magical experience and just like my first visit to the Land of the Rising

Sun, I am ever more addicted to its culture and beauty.. *** Although I took the flight from Davao to Haneda through Manila, Philippine Airlines now

flies from Davao to Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka through Cebu starting this month which means travelling to Japan is now easier than ever, You can catch their latest offers on www. philippineairlines.com or you may visit your travel agent for more details.

Republika Ng Pilipinas Lalawigan Ng Compostela Valley PAMAHALAANG BAYAN NG COMPOSTELA TANGGAPAN NG SANGGUNIANG BAYAN 19th COUNCIL 7th Regular Session September 5, 2016 ATTENDANCE: Present: Hon. Reynaldo Q. Castillo, Presiding Officer Hon. Levi S. Ebdao Hon. Danielo B. Pelegrino Hon. Rogelio P. Econar Hon. Miguel G. Vargas, Jr. Hon. Myrel V. Bangcasan Hon. Elmo A. Estandarte Hon. Harry C. Cabiling, ABC President Hon. Guillermo M. Blanco, IPMRepresentative

11

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Vice Mayor SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member

On Official Business : Hon. Alan M. Calalas Absent: Hon. Wilfredo C. Ang

SB Member SB Member

Municipal Ordinance No. 2016 - 452 Sponsored by : Hon. Elmo A. Estandarte Hon. Myrel V. Bangcasan AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE USE, SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND ADVERTISEMENT OF CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACO PRODUCTS IN CERTAIN PLACES, IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS HEREOF AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it ordained as it is hereby ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Compostela, Compostela Valley that:

the other than smoker to tobacco smoke, the owner, proprietor, possessor, manager or administrator of such places shall establish smoking areas. All designated smoking areas shall at least have one (1) legible and visible sign posted, namely “SMOKING AREA” for the information and guidance of all concerned. Non-smoking areas shall likewise have at least one (1) legible and visible sign namely: “NO SMOKING AREA’’ or “NO SMOKING”.

Section 7. Persons Liable. – Any person or entity who commits any of the prohibited acts stated herein; Section 8. Penalties. – The following penalties shall be imposed on violators of this ordinance, to wit: 1. First Offense .................... a fine of P 500.00 2. Second Offense ................ a fine of P 1,000.00 3. Third and Subsequent ..... a fine of P 2,500.00, or imprisonment for a period Offenses not exceeding thirty (30), days or both at the discretion of the court.

- Revocation or suspension of business license or permit (in case of a business entity or establishment), if applicable.

- Community Service. If a violator is unable to pay the fines imposed, he or she may choose to render community service. For every hour of community service rendered, his outstanding fine shall be reduced by an amount equivalent to triple the hourly minimum wage of the municipality.

COMPROMISE PENALTIES: If the violator voluntarily admits the violation without need for a judicial proceeding, he/she may be collected immediately a fine as compromise penalty, to wit: 1. First Offense .................... a fine of P 400.00 2. Second Offense ................ a fine of P 800.00 3. Third and Subsequent ..... a fine of P 2,000.00, or community service if Offenses unable to pay the said compromise penalties.

Section 9. Citation Ticket System.- Violators of this Ordinance shall be informed of their violations and the penalty associated with such violation by means of a Citation Ticket System;

Section 1. Title. - This Ordinance shall be known as the “Smoke Free Ordinance of the Municipality of Compostela.”

Section 10. Smokefree Task Force. – A Task Force shall be created to aid in the implementation, enforcement and monitoring of this Ordinance.

Section 2. Purpose. - To safeguard public health and ensure the well being of all its constituents by protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco consumption.

The Task Force shall be composed of the following: 1. Local Chief Executive; 2. Chairperson, SB Committee on Health; 3. Business Permit and Licensing Officer; 4. Municipal Health Officer; 5. Representative/s of one or more civil organizations (CSO) designated by the Local Chief Executive; 6. Representative of the Philippine National Police (PNP); 7. Municipal Treasurer; and 8. President of the Liga ng mga Barangay (ABC);

Section 3. Coverage. – This Ordinance shall apply to all persons, whether natural or juridical, whether resident or not, and in all places, found within the territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Compostela, Province of Compostela Valley.

Section 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this ordinance the following terms shall mean: Minor - refers to any person below eighteen (18) years old.

Public conveyances - refers to modes of transportation servicing the general population such as but not limited to, elevators, airplanes, ships, jeepneys, buses, taxicabs, trains, light rail transits, tricycles and other similar vehicles.

Public places - refers to enclosed or confined areas of all hospitals, medical clinics, schools, public transportation terminals and offices, and buildings such as private and public offices, recreational places, shopping malls, movie houses, hotels, restaurants and the likes.

Smoking - refers to the act of carrying a lighted cigarette or other tobacco products, whether or not it is being inhaled or smoked.

Tobacco - refers to agricultural components derived from tobacco plant, which are processed for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes and other tobacco products; Tobacco Products - refers to any product that consists of loose tobacco that contains nicotine and is intended for use in a cigarette, including any product containing tobacco and intended for smoking, sucking, chewing or snuffing or oral or nasal use, such as cigarettes and cigars; Workplace - means any place used by people during their employment or work, whether done for compensation or voluntarily, including all attached or associated places commonly used by the workers in the course of their work (for example, corridors, elevators, stairwells toilets, lobbies, lounges).

Section 5. Prohibited Acts – The following acts are declared unlawful and prohibited by this Ordinance: a.) Smoking in enclosed or partially enclosed public places, workplaces, public conveyances, or other public places, as defined in Section 4, such as: a.1 Centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under eighteen (18) years old; a.2 Elevators and stairwells; a.3 Location in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials; a.4 Within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals. Medical, dental and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories; a.5 Public conveyance and public facilities including airport and ship terminals and train and bus stations, restaurant and conference halls, except for separate smoking areas; a.6 Food preparation areas; b.) Selling or distributing tobacco products in a school, public playgrounds or other facility frequented by minors, or within 100 meters from any point in the perimeter of these places; c.) Selling or distributing tobacco products to minors; and d.) Purchasing tobacco products from minors.

Section 6. Designated Smoking And Non-Smoking Areas In all enclosed places that are open to the general public, private workplaces and other places not covered under the preceding section, where smoking may expose a person to

Section 12. Duties and Responsibilities of the Task Force. - The Task Force headed by the Local Chief Executive in coordination with the Municipal Health Officer, shall formulate the implementing rules and guidelines relative to the enforcement and implementation of this Ordinance, such as but not limited to the duties and responsibilities of the Smokefree Task Force.

Section 13. Enforcement on Individuals. – Members of the PNP shall apprehend and issue Citation Tickets against persons caught smoking in places where such is prohibited.

They shall forward copies of the tickets they issue violators to the Municipal Treasurer’s Office regularly, at least thrice a week.

Section 14. Enforcement on Public Conveyances. – Members of the PNP and/or persons duly deputized by the Task Force shall inspect public conveyances during their regular hours of operation and shall issue Citation Tickets upon discovery of any violation of this Ordinance. They shall forward copies of the tickets they issue to the Municipal Treasurer’s Office regularly, at least thrice a week.

Section 15. Enforcement on Establishments. – The inspection team to be appointed by the Local Chief Executive shall conduct inspections of establishments and buildings to determine their compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Regular inspections shall be conducted at least once every month or simultaneously with other regular inspections done by the (LGU), whichever is more frequent, during normal hours of operations of the establishment. The inspection team shall issue a Citation Ticket against the establishment upon finding of non-compliance with or of any violation of this Ordinance. The inspection team may apprehend individual violators and request the assistance of the PNP in doing so.

Section 16. Repealing Clause. – All ordinance/s contrary to or inconsistent with this Ordinance is/are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 17. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other parts or provisions hereof.

Section 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of local or general circulation or posting in at least two (2) conspicuous places in the Municipality of Compostela.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED AND APPROVED. CERTIFIED CORRECT :

ATTESTED:

LUCIA R. HEBRA Secretary to the Sanggunian

ATTY. REYNALDO Q. CASTILLO Vice Mayor/Presiding Officer

APPROVED: LEMA P. BOLO, CPA Municipal Mayor On __________________

12

EDGEDAVAO Republika Ng Pilipinas Lalawigan Ng Compostela Valley PAMAHALAANG BAYAN NG COMPOSTELA TANGGAPAN NG SANGGUNIANG BAYAN 19th COUNCIL th 5 Regular Session August 22, 2016

ATTENDANCE: Present: Hon. Reynaldo Q. Castillo, Presiding Officer Vice Mayor Hon. Alan M. Calalas SB Member Hon. Levi S. Ebdao SB Member Hon. Wilfredo C. Ang SB Member Hon. Danielo B. Pelegrino SB Member Hon. Rogelio P. Econar SB Member Hon. Miguel G. Vargas, Jr. SB Member Hon. Myrel V. Bangcasan SB Member Hon. Elmo A. Estandarte SB Member Hon. Harry C. Cabiling, Liga ng mga Barangay Pres. SB Member Hon. Guillermo M. Blanco, IPMRepresentative SB Member Absent: None MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE NO. 2016 – 450 Sponsored by: All Members AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROPOSE LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF P53,000,000.00 TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF P33,000,000.00 AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC MARKET IN THE AMOUNT OF P20,000,000.00 BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Bayan of Compostela, Compostela Valley in session assembled that;

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Section 2. AUTHORITY OF THE MUNICIPAL MAYOR. The legislative authority is hereby granted to the Municipal Mayor to sign all documents pertaining to the loan and in behalf of the Municipality of Compostela, Compostela Valley. The Municipal Mayor shall also confirm, approve and ratify all previous representations, acts and warranties and all other terms and conditions of the loan.

Section 3. ASSIGNMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE. The Internal Revenue Allotment of the Municipality of Compostela, Compostela Valley is hereby assigned as collateral/security to the loan obtained from LANDBANK and declaring them to be available and not restricted by law of obligation.

Section 4. ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR DEBT SERVICING. That the Municipal Budget Officer, Municipal Accountant and the Municipal Treasurer are hereby directed to appropriate the necessary amount for loan repayment in the LGUs annual budget until the loan, interest and other charges are fully paid.

Section 5. AUTHORITY TO LANDBANK TO SET-OFF AND/OR DEDUCT . The LANDBANK is hereby authorized to deduct for set-off and/or deduct amounts from any deposits of funds of the Local Government Unit with LANDBANK and apply the same to the payment of the loan or any portion thereof, or interest and penalties thereon as may be deemed necessary by LBP. Section 6. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall take effect upon confirmation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and upon publication in newspapers of local circulation.

Enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Compostela, Compostela Valley this 22nd day of August 2016.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED BY:

LUCIA R. HEBRA Secretary to the Sanggunian

ATTY. REYNALDO Q. CASTILLO Vice Mayor /Presiding Officer

Section 1. RATIFIED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LOAN: Section 1A. ACQUISITION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT Amount

P33,000,000.00 or actual bid price, whichever is lower.

Loan Purpose

To Finance the acquisition of heavy equipment.

Interest Rate At prevailing LANDBANK lending rate at the time of the availment subject to quarterly re-pricing.

Tenor

Seven (7) years inclusive of two (2) quarter grace period on principal.

Repayment of Principal

Payable in twenty six (26) equal quarterly amortizations to start at the end of the 3rd quarter from initial drawdown

Interest

Payable quarterly in arrears to start at the end of the 1st quarter from initial drawdown.

Drawdown

Lump sum or based on supplier’s pro-forma invoice/price quotation on equipment for financing. For local purchase, releases shall be based on accomplished Purchase Order subject to inspection by LANDBANK representative and completion of documentary requirements. Proceeds shall be directly credited to the LGU’s account maintained with LANDBANK. In case of importation, Letters of Credit shall be coursed through LANDBANK.

CONFORME:

HON. ALAN M. CALALAS SB Member

HON. LEVI S. EBDAO SB Member

HON. WILFREDO C. ANG SB Member

HON. DANIELO B. PELEGRINO SB Member

HON. ROGELIO P. ECONAR SB Member

HON. MIGUEL G. VARGAS, JR. SB Member

HON. MYREL V. BANGCASAN SB Member

HON. ELMO A. ESTANDARTE SB Member

HON. HARRY C. CABILING SB Member

HON. GUILLERMO M. BLANCO SB Member

Section 1B. CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC MARKET Amount

P 20,000,000.00 Million or actual bid price, whichever is lower.

Loan Purpose

To finance the construction of a 2-storey Public Market Building.

Interest Rate

At prevailing LANDBANK lending rate at the time of the availment subject to quarterly re-pricing.

Tenor

Ten (10) years inclusive of two (2)-year grace period on principal.

Repayment of Principal

Payable in thirty two (32) equal quarterly amortizations to start at the end of the 9th quarter from initial drawdown

Interest

Payable quarterly in arrears to start at the end of the 1st quarter from initial drawdown.

Drawdown

Releases shall be made upon completion of loan documentation and other pre-release documents to be credited to the LGU’s account with LANDBANK. Drawdowns shall be on staggered basis based on program of work accomplishment as validated by the appraiser, provided: 1) Submission of final design and estimate of the project approved by the Mayor or his authorized representative.

2) Initial loan release shall not exceed 15% of the construction cost upon completion of all documentary pre-release requirements.

3) Final release than shall not be lower than 10% of the approved loan and subject to 100% completion of the project.

APPROVED BY:

HON. LEMA P. BOLO Municipal Mayor On August 24, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Defense expo, bilateral meets provide leaders inputs on AFP modernization

D

EFENSE expositions and bilateral meetings provide the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines insights on how to modernize the military, a ranking AFP official said.

“With this exposition and different bilateral meetings we will conduct on the sidelines, we can expect to gain new insights and inputs on how to proceed in realizing our vision of fully capable Armed Forces,” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Ricar-

do Visaya said.

Visaya and other ranking defense officials attended the 7th Indo Defense Expo and Forum which started on Nov. 3 and ended on the 5th.

“We have a standing commitment to our soldiers and by extension to the Filipino people that we will exert all efforts to bolster our own military capabilities,” Visaya said.

The AFP chief and other ranking defense officials participated in the Indonesian event from Nov. 3-5. (PNA)

deadlock. Mascado and Seller added two more sets to grab the upper hand, 5-7.

But Guiles and Tanara gained back their power after a brief rest due to a short rainfall and managed tie the game at 7-all. In the deciding match, Seller committed a double fault in his service to give Blue a 1-0 lead. But Orange answered back to grab the driver’s seat, 1-4.

Guilles and Tanara, however, rallied with their groundstrokes and volley shots to tie the score at 4-all. The score was tied for the last time at 5-all. Guilles made a service ace to give Blue a 6-5 advantage. He also served the deciding point that saw Seller failing to return the ball.

The Australian thought that his partner Mascado will instead be hitting it at his back

that earned the winning point, 7-5 for the Blues.

Blue also won another Class BC match featuring Alsen Lopez and Jess Nierras, 8-3 against retired Gen. Paul Mendez and Clyde Jumao-as, 8-3.

Orange, however, won three other matches against Blue.

Skipper Lito Anino and Julius Quirim outclassed Jun Cerado and Bing Tan, 8-3 while Boy Diong and Nonoy Rasul clobbered Al Leonardo and Nonoy Muscoso, 8-3 both in the Class AB category.

Edna Sarsalejo and Ben Aquino defeated Jhope and Edalyn Derecho, 8-5 in the Class CC. Teams Red and Green will see action on next Saturday.

The awarding of prizes will be held during the Christmas party next month.

Orange... FROM 15

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

DSWD backs positive child disciplining; seeks to consolidate bills for more teeth I N light of the National Children’s Month this November, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo reiterated the Department’s support for the positive disciplining of children, without the use of any form of violence.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that the new DSWD’s main thrust is to provide equal and “may malasakit” (compassionate) service to the needy, marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors in society.

Since the children sector is one of the most vulnerable, it is the responsibility of those in authority, to protect their rights and welfare by coming up with measures to achieve this.

“It is normal for children to commit an error, but corporal punishment is not the right path to correct them. DSWD, as the

primary agency that safeguards the rights of the children, advocates for positive disciplining.

Thus, we support the bills filed in the Senate which promote non-violent disciplining and penalizing those who commit corporal and humiliating acts as punishment to children,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child defines “corporal” or “physical” punishment as any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. The UN Committee also considers corporal punishment to be other non-physical but equally cruel and degrading forms of punishment, such as “punishment which belittles, humiliates, denigrates, scapegoats, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.”

stop being connected with your friends, relatives, and colleagues. “Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is a key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that’s particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers,” one expert says.

Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the

benefit of having someone watch their back. “They’ll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn,” says Boston University School of Medicine’s Thomas Perls, who conducted a study on why some people live longer than others, “and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself.” (Photos from the net)

HEALTH... FROM 6

In a review of the filed bills, the Department opined that the bills will have more teeth if they are consolidated.

These bills are Senate Bill Nos. (SBNs) 1136 and 1189 entitled the “Positive Discipline Act of 2016” filed by Senator Grace Poe and Senate Bill No. 1170 or the “Anti-Corporal Punishment Act of 2016” sponsored by Senator Ma. Lourdes “Nancy” Binay.

DSWD recommends for SBN 1136 to slightly modify on what constitutes a corporal punishment.

“We understand that the bill seeks to balance the interest of the child with the freedom of the parents to raise their children, including the matter of discipline. We recommend for the Committee to revisit and reconcile the use of “however light” because this may curtail parental freedom in ways and in degrees different and much greater than the bill may have intended,” Sec Taguiwalo explained.

Other recommendations are: Under SBN 1136 – Use a generic term in addressing offenders/perpetrators as there are possibilities that the offenders/perpetrators may not be a parent but only a guardian/ close relative or even people in the neighborhood whom the child is entrusted to.

Under SBN 1189 – To change “Offended party assisted by an adult” to “Offended

Party”. The assistance of an adult should not be required to file a complaint especially when the physical punishment is severe and needs urgent intervention. Also, there are instances when a child does not have other company except for the offender. Offenders, especially in the case of parent, may have the tendency to talk to the child to withdraw the complaint. Presence and assistance of an adult maybe requested once the child is safe and have already been briefed by service provider.

“Nababalitaan naman natin ‘yung mga napi-feature sa media at naipopost sa social media kung saan binubogbog ang mga bata dahil lang sa simpleng pagkakamali. Kailangan na itong mahinto. Ang kailangan ng mga bata ay tunay na pagmamalasakit, at hindi pananakit. Responsibilidad nating lahat ang siguraduhing ang mga bata ay mananatiling ligtas sa anumang kalupitan (We have all heard and seen the news and the posts on social media where children are being physically abused just for a simple mistake. This has to stop. Children need our true care and not our hurtful punishment. It is our responsibility (government, parents, civil society) to ensure that our Filipino children remain safe from any form of abuse,” Sec. Taguiwalo added.

“We, therefore, support the immediate enactment of a law versus corporal punishment,” Sec. Taguiwalo ended. (PR)

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Aboitiz hastens Lawin aid to north, central Luzon D

T

HE Aboitiz Group, through its social development arm the Aboitiz Foundation, has stepped up its relief efforts in North and Central Luzon, following the onslaught of Typhoon Lawin last October 2016. Collectively, Aboitiz business units have pledged P3.6 million for the relief efforts.

Cagayan & Isabela In Cagayan and Isabela, 10 linemen from Davao Light & Power Co., five from Subic EnerZone [SEZ], and 10 from Visayan Electric Co., Inc. (led by Ryan Griva, SEZ Engineering Manager) assisted Cagayan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CAGELCO) as part of the National Electrification Commission’s Task Force Kapatid Typhoon Lawin power restoration effort.

From Oct. 28 to 30, 64 holes were dug, 25 poles erected, 12 poles re-erected, 60 poles dressed, nine transformers removed/installed, 10 steel pins/insulators changed, and 18 conductors tied in, covering a total of 16.9 circuit kilometers.

Also in Isabela, Aboitiz food business unit Pilmico Foods Corporation moved to

help with P1 million worth of The Care Package donated to Isabela via the Philippine Association of Flour Millers (of which Pilmico is a member).

The Care Package, developed by Pilmico, contains 100-gram high-energy biscuits loaded with 450 kilocalories (equivalent to one full meal) each, designed as an efficient disaster relief solution that not only addresses hunger but provides adequate nutrition via a sustainable food supply.

Benguet & Mountain Province In Benguet and Mountain Province, 80 volunteers from hydro power firms Hedcor

Benguet and Hedcor Sabangan assembled 1,870 relief packs for distribution in various Benguet (Bakun, Itogon, La Trinidad, and Sablan) and Mountain Province (Bauko and Sabangan) towns.

“In times of need, it is our duty to step up and heed the call of service to our fellowmen when we can. We are grateful to our partners and the various Aboitiz team members who have put to action their passion to serve by always being ready to assist in times of disaster,” Sonny Carpio, Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said.

Korea and Australia. His Company provides jobs for countless banana growers, as Sagrex continues to grow. Maranon was awarded as one of 2011’s Emerging Entrepreneurs at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Philippines, one of the world’s most prestigious business awards programs for entrepreneurs who positively impact their economy.

Rosalind Wee and Ferdinand Maranon are among a growing batch of MVP Bossings, business leaders who the PLDT SME Nation organization in the Philippines celebrates for their contribution to nation building.

Recognizing that business leaders inspire other business leaders to dream big, empowering them to achieve their own business goals, stories of success like theirs ripple out to touch more lives in a positive way. PLDT SME Nation believes celebrating successful leaders inspires more and more Filipinos to get into business, and more entrepreneurs to up their game.

Nominate Inspiring Business Leaders to This Year’s MVP Bossing Awards.

On its sixth year of celebrating the country’s most innovative business leaders of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, PLDT SME Nation has put out a call for nominations for entrepreneurs who have inspired and enabled others to achieve their business dreams.

With the theme “Sulong, Bossing!” , this year’s Awards Program also seeks to underscore

the critical role that entrepreneurs play in bringing economic prosperity through m o r e through i n c l u s ive growth.

Nominations are now open for business leaders who have inspired and enabled others to achieve t h e i r business dreams; and those who have made inclusive growth part of their business plans.

“Across the country, there are already successful micro, small and medium scale players (MSMEs) who, even in advance of the Government’s call, have created sustainable growth models that bring employment to the sectors of society that need it,” said Mitch Locsin, PLDT Vice President and Head of SME Nation. “This year, we would also like to celebrate those leaders.”

Nominations can be submit-

The Aboitiz Foundation is an organization of compassionate service, one that can be counted on to provide assistance to those in need as part of its thrust to promote Health & Well-Being for a BetterWorld.

It is among the first to respond during disasters while providing access to medical services through the help of Aboitiz business units. In 2015, the Foundation provided essential relief packs to 4,669 families affected by typhoons throughout the year, with 114 team member volunteers nationwide.

Aboitiz Group fast-tracks North & Central Luzon aid following Typhoon Lawin.

2016 MVP Bossing Awards looking for new batch of inspirational business leaders from Mindanao

A

S a teacher in Jolo, Sulu, Rosalind Wee found it difficult to make ends meet. She forayed into different ventures to augment the family income, dabbling in a small handicraft and silkscreen business and selling t-shirts, canned goods, and fish, just to ensure that her children would have better opportunities than she did. A chance meeting with an American businessman piqued her curiosity about seaweed farming, which led to her eventual investment in tons of seaweed from local farmers and a growing carrageenan export business. She struck gold in carrageenan, building an enterprise around the product which is the largest in the country today that provides livelihood for countless seaweed farmers and the opportunity to venture into social causes close to her heart.

What began as a kitchen trial for Davao City businessman Ferdinand Maranon led to a booming dollar earning export industry built around the saba banana.

Recognizing the potential of bringing Filipino comfort food with saba as the main ingredient to 12 million Filipinos residing outside the Philippines, Maranon developed a blast freezing system that retains the banana’s freshness and extends its shelf life up to one year. Sagrex Corporation is today the largest exporter of microwavable frozen saba banana -- and such Filipino favorites such as banana fries and turon, saba sausages and saba burger patties -- to countries in the Middle East, United States of America, Taiwan,

10-min power interruption on November 9 in Bangkal, Puan AVAO Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct a 10-minute power interruption on November 9, Wednesday, from 12:01 a.m. up to 12:10 a.m. affecting customers in the Southern part of its franchise.

This service disruption, which will be necessary to facilitate the preventive maintenance servicing of Davao Light’s Bangkal Substation, was scheduled in November 6 as earlier advised, but was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.

Specifically affected are customers from Talomo Bridge near Coca-Cola up to Bago Aplaya Bridge near

URC, which includes the areas of Ulas, Puan and Dumoy.

DCWD sump pumps in Bangkal will also be affected by this short service disruption.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of this scheduled power interruption. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

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

BOUT 200,000 skills training scholarships will be given in Mindanao next year, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said on Sunday.

The agency said this aims to make education more accessible for Mindanaoans.

TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong encourages residents of Mindanao, especially those who could not afford to go to college, to avail of the agency’s skills training program.

A budget of PHP1.5 billion will be allocated for the skills training in Mindanao.

Of the 200,000 scholarships, 30,000 will be in Regions 9, 11 and 12; 25,000 in Region 10 and Caraga; and 60,000 in the Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Provision of TESDA scholarships will be done in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas which will help promote the program in every barangay in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Mamondiong has warned local officials not to take advantage of the scholarship project by using this for their political interest.

“President Rodrigo Duterte wants to provide skills training to all Filipinos. Thus, we should never use the TESDA project for our special interest,” he said.

Those who want to avail of the TESDA skills training scholarship program may visit the agency’s provincial and regional offices. They may also check its website at www.tesda.gov. ph. (PNA)

200,000 scholarships for Mindanao: TESDA A

DOLE allocates‘endo fund’ of P200 million for workers

T

ted through the link www.smenation.com.ph/MVPBA2016 until November 9, 2016.

Consistent with the criteria in the past years, the 2016 MVP Bossings will be selected based on the following: Promising Entrepreneurial Journey (20%); Market/Brand Affinity (20%); Integration of Tech to Business (30%), and Corporate Social Responsibility (30%).

Winners will be announced on November 23.

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Monday it has alloted PHP200 million to finance livelihood assistance and skills training for workers that will be displaced due to campaign of the government against illegal contractualization practices.

According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the fund was allocated to help ease the effects on those that will be left jobless by the intensified fight of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration on contractualization.

“As we intensify the campaign to end illegal contractualization thus putting an end to endo, the government is prepared to help our workers who will be displaced in the process,” he said in a statement.

About 250,000 workers are believed to be working under the ‘endo’ scheme, which is a violation of the law mandating employers to regularize workers.

On the part of the agency, Bello noted that they will pro-

vide affected workers with livelihood assistance so that they could have alternative source of income.

“The livelihood assistance is aimed at helping the displaced worker to have a sustainable self-employment through easy to learn livelihood undertakings,” he added.

Bello said that DOLE will also provide workers who will avail of the livelihood assistance with trainings on business management, entrepreneurship and production skills to help them manage their business.

On the other hand, the skills training will be provided by provided by the Technical Education and skills Development Authority (TESDA), to those who would want to upgrade their competencies for other jobs.

“TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) has a menu of short courses which the displaced workers can avail of. Skills upgrading can help them look for other income sources,” Bello added. (PNA)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

Nagayo kids strike anew

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

A

njb@edgedavao.net

USTRALIA – Daniel Nagayo slayed another lion of a foe on Sunday while elder sister Ella survived a tough challenge from a male rival to post twin wins anew in the Victoria Tour’s junior pennant.

Playing at the Woodlands Golf Club, the Nagayo kids led Glen Waverly which fielded William Ouyang, Henry Ouyang, Brodie Addison and Hassan Korcari for the singles match play tournament format.

The 11-year old Daniel played another sizzling golf in beating 13-year old Woodlands club member Rheys Andrews 5 and 3 to start the juggernaut

TWIN WINS. Daniel (left) and Ella (right) Nagayo show fine form off the tee. Danny Nagayo photos

for Waverly.

The diminutive Daniel, a substitute player who also scored a point last Sunday, was surprisingly in full control of his match against the 8-handicapper Andrews. He started off with bogeys on the first and second holes to go 2 up. His putt on the par 4 290-meter 2 rolled into the cup to salvage a bogey good enough to win his second straight hole.

He went down with a triple bogey on the third and gave up a point but came back with a monster drive in the par 5 4th using only a 3-wood. He sank a two-putt bogey to go 3 up.

After an even hole no. 5, Daniel dropped no. 6 with a bogey on the 188-meter par3.

He surged back with wins in the 8th and 9th to go 4 up at the halfway house.

He increased his lead to 5 up on a tap in par in the par 3-123-meter 10th.

“I asked him to end the game but he lost his putting

FIGHTING ON Manny proves speed and power still there at 37

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

I

njb@edgedavao.net

F there is anything Manny Pacquiao proved to the boxing world last Sunday, it was the fact that at 37 he still has the speed and power.

The fighting Senator looked like he never left boxing since declaring last April that he is hanging up his gloves after defeating Timothy Bradley on points.

The world’s only eight-division champ seemed headed to end a knockout drought that has spanned six years when he tagged champion Jesse Vargas smack on the face with a left in the second round. The younger and taller Mexican-American fell on his butt.

After that knockdown, Vargas was cautious.

Where his foes start to fight to preserve himself up to the late rounds standing up, that’s when you start counting the long KO drought going.

Pacquiao’s moves have been studied by the opposing camps under the high power objective of a microscope that they can now practically read what he’s going to do next when, for example, he holds up his shorts or beat his gloves together.

The knockout never came again but in the end, Pacquiao’s speed was impeccable.

HIs power, no question, is still there, but it never landed in one solid punch after that second round smacker.

Boxing experts believe Pacquiao is unbelievanly fast at his age.

“Pacquiao squeezed a lot of his old self to win this one,” veteran sports journalist Manolo Chino Trinidad posted on Facebook moments after the fight.

“37 is the new 20,” said Bradley who was sitting on the panel that night.

Boxing referee and analyst Danrex Tapdasan said in an interview by ABS-CBN, “Manny’s speed is awesome, I cannot believe he is that fast at his age.”

Philboxing.com writer Maloney Samaco said in an article, “though his punches and speed were not as powerful as they were in his 20’s, but they are still dreaded by many boxers as they clinched and backpedalled when they tasted their sting.”

Pacquiao went up the ring wearing a kit from his new sporswear endorsement Anta with the words enscribed: Fight On. Pacquiao’s 59th career win (59-6-2) gave him the world welterweight title for the fourth time by a unanimous decision over the Las Vegas boy Vargas who dropped to 27-2.

The Filipino boxing legend became the only senator to win a world boxing title. Earlier, he also did it as a congressman.

The difference is, this time he did it without missing his legislative duties recording a per-

fect attendance and proving that he could strike a balance equally between his political and sporting careers.

With that, it looks more convincing he will stay on the ring for a while.

Manny spent close to P48 million in tickets given to friends and family. It was not known how much he will receive from the fight--the first time he fought without a guaranteed purse and instead as a co-promoter with the lion’s share of the proceeds.

“Yes, Manny fought for the money. Even presidents and kings need financial resources in order to live. But for Pacquiao a great slice goes to the poor and the needy.

The more he receives the more he gives,” the Philboxing report said. “A true public servant who uses his own private funds t o allev i a te people’s lives. He used his own sweat, blood and tears so others may be benefited.”

However, there were those who also think Man-

ny is a step slower than the dance.

“Time for Manny to retire... a step slower considering Vargas is a mediocre fighter.

He could have stopped him in middle rounds pero wala na power tsaka yung focus, nag showboat pa , lowering his guard at bang sapol, buti na lng not that powerful as Marquez.

Nothing to prove, no more drive,” said Saudi Arabia-based Filipino engineer Chito Malabanan who watched the fight live on Pay Per View.

Abner Luzon, a Davaobased martial arts practitioner, thinks otherwise though.

“Pacquiao is still ripped, stinging and agile at 37. Never underestimate a n ageing warrior.”

CHAMP AGAIN. Manny Pacquiao savors another victory. (Photo

by Jay Otamias)

confidence in holes 11 and 12 which he lost and the lead was back to 3-up,” Danny Nagayo, his father who also doubled as his caddie, said.

He regained his touch in the par-4 386 meter 13th to go back to 4-up. After squaring the par-5 14th, Daniel sealed the win in the par-4 389-meter 15th hole after sinking his par putt for a final 5 and 3 score.

In the higher match up, the 12-year old Ella needed 16 holes to dispose off 14year old male regular Thomas Curtis.

“Ella had a really hard time. She was easily the underdog,” said Danny of her daughter.

Ella opened sluggishly losing the first hole with a double bogey on the par-4 before putting it even after the par4 270-meter 2nd. She gother rhythm going after that with a one-putt par to go 1 up in the 3rd and keeping it even in the 4th and 5th holes.

But she succumbed to an-

other error again in the par-4 289-meter hole no. 6 to go all square until the 8th.

In the 9th, Ella took the hole in that critical par-5 to go 1 up after the frontside.

It was a roller coaster ride in the backnine. Ella began the flight home on the wrong foot losing the 10th hole. She recovered in the 11th with a silky smooth putt despite giving away two strokes to Thomas as the hole has a handicap rating of 1.

Ella lost the 12th, but quickly regained the par 4 338-meter 13th. She lost again the par-5 410-meter 14th on a handicap hole.

The score was even after 15 holes when Ella struck in the par-3 108-meter 16th and the par-3 117-meter 17th as she closed out the match 2 and 1.

It was the second straight win for Waverly in the Victoria Tour junior pennant. The Nagayo kids sport a perfect 2-0 record in the match play singles.

Go waxes hot as CMO gets back on track

C

ITY Mayors Office relied solely on ace gunner Secretary Chistopher ‘Bong” Go to end its losing streak at the expense of Special Action Force, 95 – 89, in the 2016 AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Saturday.

Go, the special assistant to President Duterte, came through with 38 points for CMO which snapped a three game slump.

The PMS chief fired 10 triples that carried the load for the City Hall dribblers who survived the hasty plays of the of the gritty elite Policemen.

The win, which improved CMO to 2 – 3, dodged an early exit halfway of the season and kept its hope alive to make it to the next round.

Palnao shined with 25 points in a breakthrough performance for the SAF tropers.

Four others players made more than eight points as SAF engaged CMO in a see-saw battle most of the game.

Rodel Bantilan and JR De Guzman chipped in 13 and 12 points respectively for CMO which beat DCPO on its season debut before dropping its last three outings.

Go matched his three points made in the last outing against the defensive-oriented defending champion Bureau of Fire Protection. He finished with 46 points in CMO’s 93-80 loss.

It was a one basket shy of tying his season high 11 treys that he made against DCPO on its season debut which CMO won 114-96.

Orange netters whip Blue, 6-3 in BTC Inter-Color

T

EAM Orange made a good start by whipping Team Blue, 6-3 at the opening of the 2016 Belisario Tennis Club Inter-Color Doubles tournament last Saturday at the BTC court in Belisario Heights Subdivision.

The all-Class C pair of Dr. Lito Gerona and Odette Alabat clobbered Maui Gabasan and Norma Mamukid, 8-2 to give Orange its first win in the bestof-nine game format.

Lawyer Boy Baba and Cherry Mondoyo, however, quickly tied it with a walkover against Tomy Bernaldez and Mike Ogawa (8-0) in the Class BC category.

Orange then scored two straight wins both in the Class BB events.

Edgar Beloria and William Sienes trounced Ali Bato and Danny Mendoza, 8-2 while BTC chairman Vic Teofilo and Danny Lemana crushed Danny Armada and Iking Ramirez, 8-6.

Veterans Boyet Guilles and Rolly Tanara, however, pulled out a squeaker over Orange’s Al Mascado and Rey Seller via an 8-7 (8-5) thriller in the Class BC division.

Guilles and Tanara enjoyed a 4-0 lead but committed a lot of errors that resulted to a 5-all

F ORANGE, 13

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports CHANGING HIS SHOT. Ateneo de Davao forward Francis Gabriel Escandor shifts to his left to elude his defenders as he goes up for a drive during the Ateneo de Davao-Ateneo de Zamboanga tiff in the ongoing Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) at the Fr. Martinez Gym at the ADDU Matina Campus on Sunday.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 183 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016