Edge Davao 9 Issue 190

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 SUPERMOON. A girl takes some photos of the extra bright supermoon that lighted up the sky using her electronic gadget on Monday night. The supermoon, which was 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual, last appeared 69 years ago.

Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

LAVIÑA NAMED NEW NIA CHIEF Davao City remains

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

RESIDENT Duterte has appointed Peter Tiu Laviña as the new administrator of the state-run National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The information was revealed by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol who said the “long wait is over.”

Laviña served as the spokesperson of President Duterte during the campaign period and as Deputy Cabinet

Secretary at the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

“Laviña’s appointment as the new NIA head is a welcome relief for the Department of Agriculture especially since the agency, while officially under the Office of the President, is one of the most important agencies supporting Philippine agriculture,” Piñol said.

The President also named Maguindanao engineer Czar Sulaik as Deputy Administrator for Operations of NIA.

Sulaik once served as the provincial irrigation officer of North Cotabato during the ad-

ministration of Piñol as governor of the province.

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on high alert status

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

Photo courtesy of Peter Laviña FB account

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AVAO City’s security status has continued to be placed on high alert in the wake of the continued massive combat operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Western Mindanao.

Davao City Mayor Inday

Sara Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday’s press briefing explained that the heightened alert will continue indefinitely since the President Duterte lives in Davao City.

Duterte-Carpio has extended full sup-

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JERSEY FOR RODY. President Duterte receives an autographed jersey from Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao during a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on Monday. ACE MORANDANTE/ Presidential Photo

Davao City partners with Japan in waste management program

By RIA VALDEZ

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ISITING Kitakyushu City Mayor Kenji Kitahasi has been welcomed by the City Council yesterday morning as a prelude to the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Davao City’s Mayor Inday Sara Duterte latter on the same day.

The city council’s welcome gesture was expressed

by Davao City Councilor Marissa S. Abella in a privilege speech in the presence of Mayor Kitahasi.

According to Abella, the resolution and its corresponding ordinance for the strategic partnership agreement between the two cities, was passed on Nov. 8, 2016.

She explained that the partnership will develop a joint model project in Davao for the development of the city’s environment with focus on waste management and creation of low carbon society---thus resulting to the development of a green econ-

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Siargao Island gets P1.2B in infra allotments for 2017

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

IARGAO Island will receive a hefty P1.2 billion total allocation next year that will be funneled to infrastructure and other development projects.

Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas told the municipal and barangay officials in the island on Monday that the allotment will further boost Siargao’s tourism industry and provide more livelihood opportunities to residents.

Congressman Matugas gathered the local officials of the island last Monday, November 14 where he made his report on the accomplishments of his office from July to October and laid down his

priorities for 2017.

Next year’s budget for the island is higher compared to the P800 million received this year, the congressman added.

He said around P1 billion of next year’s budget will be spent for construction and maintenance of roads and construction of bridges.

The remaining P200 million will be used to construct multi-purpose buildings in towns and villages in the island, Matugas pointed out.

He also reported of the additional allocations next year aside from the P1.2 billion allocation.

The additional budget, he said, is part of the on top

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City beefs up measures to secure law and order

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE city will strengthen its security measures through the establishment of a border control inspection point instead of just plain check point on the entrance and exit points of the city.

According to Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, the number of visitors in the city has increased significantly following the victory of former City mayor Rodrigo Duterte to Philippine president.

During the 1st City Peace and Order Council (CPOC)

meeting under the administration of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Gaerlan brought up the issue of improving the city’s checkpoint area to a Border Control Inspection Point following the request of Task Force Davao to purchase new equipment for the checkpoint areas.

Gaerlan said that it is necessary to improve the security measures of the city since it is the home of the president.

“It is better for the city to have a border control inspection area just like in the Mexico and United States borderline to strengthen the security

measures with all the needed equipments like metal detectors instead of just a plain checkpoint area,” he said.

Task Force Davao Commander Col. Erwin Bernard Neri for his part said that through they are planning to improve the checkpoint facilities of the city through their request of having metal detectors, x-ray scanners and signal jammers in the entrance and exit point of the city.

“This new equipment will also help us in our anti-terrorism and counter terrorism activities,” he said.

Mayor Sara Duterte said

that the city will allocate budget for the purchase of the requested equipments of the Task Force Davao and will start on its strategical position by 2017.

“We will work on the design of the structure of the new equipments and hopefully by the end of 2017 it will be fully implemented,” Sara said.

The city has three checkpoint areas one in Sirawan in Toril District, Lasang and Calinan.

Meanwhile the Joint Task Force Haribon will cover the coastlines of the city and also the airspace.

HE crime volume of the city from the period of January to October 2016 has significantly decreased by 21% compared to the same period of 2015.

For this year, the Davao City Police Office has recorded a crime volume of 9,032 lower than the 11,436 of the same period last year.

DCPO director Sr. Supt. Michael John Dubria said that the decrease of crime volume was a result of intensified police monitoring and due to assistance of the community.

“The police have been doing its best in maintaining the peace and order of the city, we make sure that everything that is being done here is according to the law and we do not allow those criminal minds to succeed here,” he said.

Despite the decrease in crime volume of the city, the cases of motorcycle theft have increased for this year.

Last year, the DCPO has recorded 32 motorcycle theft while this year it has ballooned to 107.

Dubria said that most of

the reported motorcycle theft was recorded during the campaign period, however, when he took the post as City director last June; the police have checked motorcycles running in the city for verification of the reported missing motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the Crime Solution Efficiency has increased by .92% or 79.1 % compared to 78.38% last year.

Dubria explained that most cases recorded by the authorities were the involving the children in conflict of the

law in which they cannot filed charges against them.

He said that those were most of the cases that were considered unsolved by the police.

“If we apprehend these children in conflict of the law, we cannot file charges against them, instead we turn them over to their parents or to the City Social Development Office (CSSDO) but the cases will remain and it will still be considered unsolved,” he said.

The police have recorded

DCPO exec says crime rate nosedived by 21% T F DCPO, 10

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Council eyes Marilog teachers hub for Mindanao educators

By RIA VALDEZ

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Be more aware on child abuse: Inday CHRISTMAS INSPIRED. A man walks by the Philippine flag-inspired Christmas tree at Matina Town Square in Matina, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By RIA VALDEZ

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AVAO City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte condemned yesterday the death of two-year old John Earl Alcain who died on November 14 due to child abuse.

She told the reporters yesterday at the first meeting of the Davao City Peace and Order Council in Grand Men Seng that the abuse case had already been reported to the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) which

provided financial assistance to John Earl’s relatives for the child’s burial.

John Earl was placed in a sack and beaten with a hanger by his parents Ronelo and Sara Jean Alcain in their residence in Barangay Lacson, Calinan, Davao City. According to one of their neighbors, they saw the Alcains placed John Earn in a sack and beat him with a hanger until it broke. The broken hanger was used to pierce

John Earl’s body continuously.

The 2-year old died after blood gushed out of his ears from the beating.

The suspects were charged with murder after the Calinan Police station turned them over to custody of the court.

“I have talked to DCPO for further results in the autopsy of the child,” said Mayor Inday. She added that the private prosecutor that they hired for John Earl’s case was the same

lawyer that handled Kean Gabriel, who was also a victim of child abuse.

Last October 29, which was supposedly Kean Gabriel’s 4th birthday, the City Government launched the Kean Gabriel Hotline to address child abuse.

Mayor Inday stressed that the campaign must be strengthened through putting up of more posters that feature

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Sr.; PO1 Alaindelon Tacubao; PO2 Alejandro Ubanan; and PO2 Sangkula Hussein, all members of the Cagayan De Oro City police force.

The cops, who were collared in full uniform, are now detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional detention cell here.

The NBI agents swooped down on the police “holding office” at the police regional command in Camp Alagar here where the five policemen had been held in custody since Monday.

Cooler heads among senior police officers ordered the policemen to stand down and prevented a possible blood bath as the

cops reportedly poised to “fight back” while the NBI agents positioned themselves in a defensive mood outside the holding office.

The five policemen were the subject of “hot pursuit” as suspects in the alleged abduction of a certain Enrique Fernandez, III, 49, outside a “CondoTel” in the city’s

F BE MORE, 11

NBI arrests 5 cops, subject of‘hot pursuit’ IVE policemen who were subject of “hot pursuit” by the National Bureau of Investigation were arrested here Tuesday during a tense situation that almost erupted into a shootout.

The policemen were identified as P/Sr. Insp. Ereneo Ramirez Sr.; Police Officer (PO) 2 Jojo Lim

Wanted BIFF bomb maker killed in encounter with gov’t. troopers

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OVERNMENT troopers shot dead during an encounter in Matalam, North Cotabato, a rebel bomb expert who carries a PHP1.2 million reward on his head.

A report from the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade identified the slain bomb maker as Mohammad Nor Hassan alias Kamarudin Sulayman, a member of the militant Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Acting on a verified intelligence report, soldiers swooped down Monday on the target’s safehouse in Barangay Central Malamote, Matalam, to convince him to yield with the help of local officials but the operation resulted to a shootout.

Col. Nolly Samarita, 602nd IB commander, said the suspect fired first at the soldiers that led to the gun battle.

Samarita added that a local court has also issued two arrest warrants for the capture of the suspect.

The Army’s Sixth Infantry Division that has jurisdiction over the South Central Mindanao Region including North Cotabato province has confirmed the standing bounty on Hassan’s capture.

The BIFF faction, which bolted from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) three years ago due to ideological differences, is being held responsible for intermittent attacks against soldiers and military installations in the region.

(PNA)

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AVAO City Councilor Pilar Braga revealed yesterday that the City Council has proposed the establishment of a Teachers’ Center to be located in Marilog District, the summer capital of Davao City.

Braga, in a privilege speech said that the City Council has zeroed in on Marilog as the site of a teachers’ center because of its sprawling area and a cool environment.

The Teacher Center would have world-class facilities for teacher training and other educational activities to serve as an Education Hub for educators in Mindanao.

“We want to ensure the quality of our educators,” Braga said. She said the City Council was looking towards the national government to fund the proposed center since it would be beneficial for education in Mindanao.

This proposal was brought about during the Consultative Conference of Davao Educators convened by the City Council through the Committee of Education, Science, ad

Technology, Arts and Culture.

The host of the conference was the Jose Maria College through its President Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The conference was attended by around 200 Davao educators both from public and private schools.

Also discussed in the conference are the lack of facilities and services in the schools in the city.

“As of this date, there is a need of 1,2688 classrooms and 10,718 armchairs to meet the ideal class size of 1 chair to 1 child ratio from grades 1-12,” Braga pointed out.

She also discussed the existing insufficient and unavailable water supply for 195 public schools in Davao City which could attribute to poor health and unsanitary practices among school children. Braga added that almost 100 schools in the city, 30% of which are public schools, do not have electricity nor insufficient WIFI connectivity.

Braga assured the public that their committee is doing their best to address these issues.

RP’s agriculture registers 3rd quarter 2.98% growth

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HE country’s agriculture sector registered a growth of 2.98 percent in the third quarter of 2016 due to increase in outputs by the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors.

At current prices, gross value of agricultural production amounted to PHP360.9 billion, higher by 7.33 percent than last year’s record.

For the period January to September 2016, agricultural output dropped by 1.53 percent, as dry spell pulled down farm output in the second quarter.

The crops subsector, which accounted for 45.63 percent of total agricultural output, grew by 5.24 percent

in the third quarter of 2016.

Production of palay and corn rose by 16.35 percent and 10.61 percent, respectively.

Improvements in production were also recorded for pineapple, tobacco, abaca, mongo, cassava, tomato, cabbage and eggplant.

At current prices, the subsector grossed PHP196.9 billion or 13.78 percent more than the previous year’s gross receipts.

The livestock subsector, which shared 18.61 percent in the total agricultural output, came up with a 3.89-percent growth during the quarter.

Hog, the major contribu-

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DOG AND GIRL. A pet dog appears to be enjoying the moment as a young girl cradles it while walking back home on an alley along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

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Mindanao tourism industry players prepare for influx of Chinese tourists

T RICE FOR YULE. A worker carries a sack of rice from a truck into a warehouse along Sta. Ana Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Rice traders are starting to stock up rice in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season when demand is expected to increase. Lean Daval Jr.

DTI stresses role of MSMEs in generating more jobs

By JERMAINE DELA CRUZ

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ICRO, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for 99.6% of the total number of establishments in the country.

Because of this, the Department of Trade and Industry has highlighted the sector as one of the priorities of the agency due to its role as a key player in the global value chain.

With initiatives such as conducting the recently concluded MSME Summit 2016 on November 10 to 11 at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City, the DTI gathered more than 300 entrepreneurs from all over the country to discuss and address gaps, challenges, and opportunities in developing and improving the participation of

MSMEs in the local and global markets.

In a report delivered by DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, she pointed out that 63% of the country’s total labor force is employed

by MSMEs that contribute 36.7% of the total value added on products.

Maglaya added that MSMEs cover 60% of the country’s total importers.

Based on 2014 data provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 946,988 enterprises established in the country distributed to micro enterprises which accounts for 89.94% (851,756) of the total MSMEs, small enterprises covering 9.22% (87,283), medium en-

terprises at 0.41% (3,886) and large enterprises at 0.43% (4,063).

The same data showed that MSMEs have generated a total of 7, 789,257 employment distributed on micro (2,372,678), small (1,986,823), medium (532,335) and large (2,897,421) enterprises.

For regional distribution, PSA reported that National Capital Region (NCR) accounts for the highest number of MSMEs followed by CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas respectively.

The undersecretary showed the distribution of MSMEs according to industries which are: wholesale and retail trade (46.37%), accommodation and food service

activities (13.52%), manufacturing (12.48%), information and communication (4.13%), financial and insurance activities (3.79%) and other industries (19.7%) which include agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, water supply, sewerage waste management and remediation activities, construction, transportation and storage, real estate activities, professional, scientific and technical activities, administrative and support service activities, education, human health and social work activities, arts, entertainment and recreation.

MSME barriers and how they are addressed

approved by the Philippine government and its Chinese counterpart are aboveboard, cost effective, implemented on time, and with the genuine interests of the Filipino people as the paramount concern.

The Guidelines aim to improve, streamline, and enhance transparency and coordination in the availment of National Government Agencies, Government Owned- and ControlledCorporations, Government Financial Institutions, and Local Government Units of Chinese support for the conduct of feasibility studies and implementation of projects subject to ICC review and approval.

To avail of the Chinese support or preferential/concessional financing, proponent agencies are required under the newly approved Guidelines to: (i) adhere to the implementation procedures of both the Chinese and Philip-

pine governments; (ii) employ qualified, legitimate, and good standing Chinese consultants/ contractors; (iii) engage different entities in the development and implementation of projects for Chinese support; and, (iv) undertake competitive selection in the procurement of Chinese contractors.

The Department of Finance and NEDA have been jointly tasked to monitor the overall implementation of the said Guidelines.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said, “the Guidelines will allow for smoother coordination between the Philippine and Chinese governments to facilitate the efficient utilization of Chinese development assistance and immediate implementation of mutually agreed upon projects for the satisfaction of Chinese taxpayers and the benefit of the Filipino people”.

The Guidelines will apply to

the projects covered under the two (2) Memoranda Of Understanding signed by Secretary Dominguez with the Ministry of Commerce and the Export-Import Bank of China during President Duterte’s China visit.

The two agreements provide the general arrangements on which the Chinese government will extend grant financing for the conduct of feasibility studies and preferential and concessional loan financing for the implementation of priority projects of the Duterte Administration in infrastructure, agriculture, and rural development, among others.

Dominguez said earlier that President Duterte has agreed to designate the NEDA Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC) as the “focal point” to jointly vet or accredit with its proposed counterpart in Beijing the Chinese

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NEDA okays rules for China support to RP investments

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HE National Economic and Development Authority Board, which is chaired by President Duterte, approved on Monday the Guidelines for the Availment of Chinese Support for the Conduct of Pre-investments and Investment Activities.

This set of guidelines, which is the upshot of the investment commitments and pledges that were made by Beijing and Chinese business groups during President Duterte’s successful official visit to China last month, are designed for better coordination between both parties on the rigid screening of proposed ventures and the judicious use of funds for the projects that are to be eventually approved for the benefit of the Filipino people.

Such a vetting process in both the pre-investment and investment stages is meant to ensure that all projects to be

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OURISM industry players in Mindanao are in the process of fine-tuning their products and strategy packages in preparation for the influx of Chinese and other tourists expected in the coming months.

Jazmin Esguerra, Director for Media and Communication Services and now the consultant to Department of Tourism-Mindanao, said Mindanao especially Davao is a new market for Chinese.

Esguerra, who served ten years as Philippine Tourism Attaché to Beijing, said Davao should find its own niche and not to compete with other destinations such as Boracay.

She advised tourism stakeholders to “do a branding” and to know your market.

She added, “You can tweak a little but be sure to showcase only the best of what you have.”

Esguerra said that in 2015, about 120 million Chinese traveled out of China with total outbound expenditures reaching 194 billion US dollars that year.

The increase, she said, was attributed to the rising disposable income levels among consumers, the continuous development of transportation networks in China including more direct flights, increased exposure to the outside world through new technology.

She said there are 400 countries that would want

Chinese tourists to visit that is why their outbound destinations vary every year.

In comparison, she said their top outbound destinations last year were South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Finance, Italy, Switzerland, Macau, and Germany.

In 2014, the top outbound destinations were Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and France.

Their expenditures include shopping with 57.75 percent; accommodations, 17.82 percent; transport, 10.88 percent; food, 5.84 percent; entertainment, 3.72 percent; attraction tickets, 3.72 percent; and tips, 0.13 percent.

Esguerra said most of the Chinese tourists come to Asian countries like the Philippines for beach holiday while the type of goods they buy are local delicacies and foodstuff, souvenirs and crafts, cosmetics, make-up and perfumes, fashionable clothing, digital and electronic products, leather goods, house goods and furniture.

Esguerra, however, emphasized that tourists service providers should know basic concerns of the Chinese such as language barriers and cultural differences, personal and property safety, travel arrangements on transport, lodging, sightseeing and food and visa application process. (PNA)

PLDT presses unified consensus in bid to deploy broadband infra

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EADING telecommunications and digital services provider PLDT has called for the harmonization of national policies and local government regulations to speed up the deployment of broadband infrastructure nationwide.

PLDT added that harmonization will help realize the vision of transforming the Philippines into a digital nation.

Echoing an industry-supported resolution, PLDT suggested that a standard permit system be set up to minimize bureaucratic delays and to strengthen stakeholder support for the rollout of network infrastructure to more areas in the country.

In a speech delivered at a recent summit hosted by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) for government units and ICT players, PLDT and Smart Communications Senior Vice President for Network Services Mario G. Tamayo presented current challenges in the rollout of wired broadband infrastructure.

According to Tamayo, there are currently no standard fees in applying for permits. Particularly at the level of barangays and municipalities, telcos face different sets of permit fees and processing timelines.

Tamayo also said that PLDT has to deal with widespread cases of cable theft and fiber breaks due to digging activities for national and local public works. He reported that these

third-party causes account for about 80% of service interruptions for the country’s largest telecoms provider.

“We are calling for a national consensus to harmonize policies and regulations in support of building digital data infrastructure. We also hope to deepen understanding of our people, at the community level, how vital telecoms infrastructure are to our lives. When these facilities are damaged or stolen, this harms our welfare as surely as when roads and bridges are washed away.”

Tamayo also proposed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocate space for telecoms infrastructure in public highways to reduce right-of-way issues and expedite deployment of fiber facilities.

In anticipation of the continued growth of data traffic and digital services in the country, PLDT plans to increase the capacity of its data infrastructure by ten times come 2020.

For 2016 alone, PLDT has allocated P48 billion capital expenditure to fortify and expand its fixed and wireless networks, including the utilization of its recently acquired 700 MHz spectrum frequency.

Currently, its fiber cable links span 140,000 kilometers, the most extensive fiber network in the country. These support fiber and DSL connections, as well as provide vital transport for the mobile networks of Smart and Sun.

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130 residents finish STEP program in Siargao Island O

Certification center for organic products in Mindanao pushed

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

NE hundred thirty residents in Siargao Island, most of whom are out of school youths (OSYs) completed their 2016 Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) that will provide them more opportunities to find decent jobs to support their families.

The certificates and tool kits of the 130 graduates were personally handed over by Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas of the 1st district of Surigao del Norte and regional director Rey M. Cueva of the Technical Education Skills Development Program (TESDA) in Caraga region during the graduation ceremony held in the town of Dapa, Siargao Island on Monday.

Support to the STEP program of TESDA is among the priorities of Congressman Matugas this year as his office provided an allocation of P2 million to sustain the needs of the trainees and provide them

with the necessary tools and kits.

The allocation of P2 million funding was facilitated in partnership with the provincial government of Surigao del Norte through its HEALS PLUS Convergence Program under the leadership of Governor Sol Matugas.

The success of STEP in Siargao Island can also be attributed to various groups who extended support to the program, that include the Surigao Doctors College, the Provincial Training Center of Surigao del Norte and the Surigao Norte College of Agriculture and Technology.

The graduates received their certificates and toolkits after completing their trainings on RAC Servicing NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II, Maintenance& Repair Cellular Phones (leading to Consumer Electrical Servicing) NC II, Wellness Massage NC II, and Service Automotive Elec-

trical (leading to Automotive Servicing) NC II. In his message, Congressman Matugas said his office will provide another funding to strengthen STEP program in the island next year.

“We want more of our residents, especially the out of school youth to shape their paths and future through STEP program. Once they complete any of the offered courses, they will be assured of good opportunities to find jobs,” he added.

STEP trainings in Siargao are currently facilitated in the TESDA building Dapa that was established by former Congressman Francisco “Lalo” Matugas Director Cueva extended his gratitude to the support that the STEP program is receiving from the leaders of Surigao del Norte.

Cueva also mentioned of the TESDA building that now houses educational trainings and programs for Surigao del

Norte that was established in Surigao City during the term of former Congressman Lalo Matugas who was then the governor of the province.

More TESDA centers were also constructed during the present term of Governor Sol Matugas – to include the Provincial Training Center in Barangay Bad-as, Placer.

“We are lucky in Surigao del Norte because of our leaders who provided support to develop skills and craftsmanship, especially of the youth,” Cueva said.

He said that in the entire region of Caraga, STEP program is only implemented in Siargao Island.

The new graduates also expressed gratitude to the government for implementing STEP program in Siargao.

They also called on the other residents in the island, particularly the youth to avail the STEP program that is being offered by the government.

RGANIC farming practitioners in Region 12 batted for the establishment of a certification center in Mindanao even as they pressed for the development or organic agriculture as the region’s next flagship industry.

Alfredo Hebrona Jr., chair of the Region 12 Agriculture and Fishery Council’s organic agriculture sector, said Tuesday they have linked up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the accreditation of a third-party certification center or body for organic farms in the area.

He said organic farmers and producers in the region are currently facing difficulty in getting certification due to the absence of a center in Mindanao.

Such situation has affected the expansion of organic farms in parts of Region 12 or Soccsksargen and the neighboring areas.

“Region 12 has a big potential of being known further as an organic producing region but we need to have a certifier in the area to achieve that,” he said in a press conference at the sidelines of the 3rd Regional Organic Agriculture Congress in Koronadal City.

Citing provisions of Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, a certification center should be established for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

But he said only two organic certifiers are currently existing, one each in Luzon and the Visayas.

He was referring to the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) based in Diliman, Quezon City and the Negros Island Organic Certification Services (NICERT) in Bacolod City.

OCCP has established a satellite office in Davao City but the processing of organic certification are conducted at its main office.

“It’s too costly right now for organic farmers and producers in Region 12 to get a certification,” Hebrona said.

Romano Laurilla, chair of the newly-organized Region 12 Organic Agriculture Council said the cost of getting certification for groups or clustered farms could go as high as P350,000 and should be renewed every year.

He said the charges for individual applicants vary according to hectarage or expanse of the organic farm.

Before getting a certification, he said organic farms needs to invest for the establishment of an internal control system and other required facilities.

Hebrona said several groups based in Mindanao have signified interest to put up an organic certification center for the area but were hampered by its prohibitive investment.

He said that aside from the development of the facility, specifically the construction of buildings and installation of the needed equipment, potential certifiers are now required

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Davao Norte SP okays zoning for Carmen’s housing project

Kick-off ceremony of the national drug abuse prevention and control week in Davao Oriental.

Davao Oriental joins national drug abuse prevention and control week E

NCOURAGING public awareness on the ill effects of drugs, the Provincial Government has joined the national celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.

With the theme “MakiningMuna – Ang Pakikinigsamga Bata o Kabataan ay Daan Upang Tulungan Silang Lumaking Malusog at Ligtas”, the celebration highlights the importance of helping the youth lead a healthy and safe lives.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Provincial Office Team Leader Rey Pavillar said the theme reminds parents of the importance of listening to their children’s feelings and having open communication with them,thus, will discourage them from making bad choices such as illegal drugs as coping mechanism.

During the celebration’s kick-off ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol on November 14 Monday, various government agencies, provincial government offices, civic organizations, and students and teachers, and out-of-school youth have shown their support to the program which promotes a safe, healthy, and drug-free nation.

701st Brigade Commander of the Philippine Army, Col. Bienvenido R. Datuin, Jr., signified his support to the movement which helps not only in keeping the communities safe but also promotes the spirit of bayanihan as it embodies the essence of convergence and collaboration with all stakeholders. He said the program calls for the concerted efforts of all concerned agencies and organizations in the fight against illegal drugs.

Vice Governor Niño Sote-

ro Uy, who represented Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, enjoins everyone to support the national government’s thrusts, emphasizing that one government or private entity cannot do it alone as drug abuse is a national issue that involves everyone in the society.

Enjoining everyone, all the way down to the grassroots level, to join the movement against illegal drugs, the Provincial Government has backed the national government’s MASA-MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga) program which is a community-based program for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs and criminality in barangays which involves the participation of all sectors which include barangay-based institutions, faithbased organizations, non-gov-

ernment organizations, civil society, and volunteers. It will work hand-in-hand with the UBAS – a program composed of the religious sector that ensures strengthening of culture of transparency and good governance.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as well as the Philippine National Police are among the lead agencies in the implementation of the MASA-MASID Program.

Meanwhile, to commemorate the event, a roster of activities has been slated for the week-long celebration. These include a motorcade, symposium and information drive on drugs, and painting and essay writing contest.

The celebration of the national drug abuse prevention and control week is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 124. PIO

T

HE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte on Monday gave the green light to a spot zoning measure of Carmen municipality that was intended for the 16.7 hectare Camella housing project, its 5th in a row since 2013 due to its unrevised municipal land use plan.

The SP action was in a response to a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Carmen seeking reclassification of the area from agricultural to a residential zone.

Citing no infraction of the law, provincial ABC representative Miguel Niez urged his colleagues to approve the resolution but warned them “to take collective responsibility as there was no provincial land use committee review made earlier.”

Board Member Raymond Joey Millan in his interpellation of Carmen municipal Councilor Leonidas Bahague, hinted at under-the-table deals that he said was associated with spot zoning acts in other provinces.

Millan said he heard about spot zoning or reclassification that involved under the table deals even as he challenged Bahague to come up their revised municipal land use plan

(MLUP) to do away asking the provincial board to approve piecemeal spot zoning resolutions.

Millan added that continuing to have unrevised MLUP has implication to the municipality’s drive to attract investors while the rule of LUP revision is every 5 years.

“This would be the last of the last” for the SP to approve, Millan continued, “while it is allowed in a law” that should there be no revised LUP, spot zoning could be taken.

SP secretary Dennis Dean Castillo confirmed that per SP records the municipality had none of a revised MLUP approved as Millan recalled that the current spot zoning measure is the 5th one in the row since 2013, making the municipality the “highest pointer” in the province.

He said that he “could not fault” Bahague for “the fault committed by the previous administration of Carmen”, ostensibly the administration of former three-termer Mayor Marcelino Perandos. His wife, former teacher Virginia Perandos is now the municipal mayor.

Other LGUs in the province- Asuncion and Sto. Tomas

F DAVAO NORTE, 11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

EDITORIAL

Frailties of a woman?

A

S a topnotch lawyer, high-ranking government official, lawmaker and former chair of a Constitutional body, how else can you separate the highest standards of morality especially where the person speaks as if she is infallible?

That is the irony of Senator Leila de Lima.

After long speculations, finally she admitted one of the accusations thrown at her—that she had an affair with her ex-driver who is himself a married man. The driver Ronnie Dayan happens to be the man accused of being the bag man in the Bilibid illegal drugs trade.

After all that, De Lima sheepishly tells everyone on national television like a girl caught doing a naughty deed in school that it was all because of the “frailties of a woman.”

Yes, the same woman who charged at every wrong word uttered by President Duterte and every chauvinist comment and jokes whether it be on Vice President Leni Robredo or any female species for that matter.

Here she comes saying, “oops, sorry, I’m just a girl falling in love with a man I trusted.”

Are we to say now that she is exempt from this because she is just

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a woman? If that is so, then every woman in this country can commit adultery and charge it on her frailties.

Senator De Lima is not an ordinary woman. She is an elected government official entrusted by the people to represent them in the halls of the Senate. And here she is trying to justify an adulterous act when she herself blabbers at the slightest opportunity she can get when a microphone or recorder is thrust on her face or a camera starts rolling in front of her to hit others.

De Lima’s admission could bolster the case of disbarment filed against her. Where the court had disbarred many lawyers of lesser caliber because of offenses like adultery and immorality, the case of De Lima is no different.

Likewise, it bolsters the allegation that De Lima is linked to the illegal drug trade in Bilibid. Dayan allegedly collected millions of pesos in kickbacks for her from the drug trade while she was Justice Secretary.

“We became so close. That’s it. I trusted him,” she was quoted as saying.

De Lima has to face the music. This perhaps is not the end of it. Immorality has no justification. Not even a woman’s frailty.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

9

The coming of nuclear power

S

HOULD a nuclear power plant be operated in the Philippines, it will not be during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

That was what he told the media. “We have not reached the danger zone wherein we will die if there is no available energy,” Duterte was quoted as saying.

The Philippines, it seems, is not yet ready to have nuclear power as a source of electricity. According to Duterte, the government has “to come up with really tight safeguards to assure that there will be no disasters if there is a nuclear leak or explosion somewhere in the nuclear reactors that we will be building.”

But Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said that Duterte never changed his mind when he “approved a study on the feasibility of tapping nuclear power to beef up the country’s supply,” as the website of ABS-CBN reported.

The said study will determine whether to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNNP) – the country’s first and only attempt at nuclear-power development – or build a new facility.

It must be recalled that during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy, Cusi said country currently has a national energy supply of 17,925 megawatts (MW), which is sufficient for the demand of 13,500 MW. But there were some instances the supply was compromised due to unexpected outages and simultaneous maintenance shutdown of power plants causing brownouts in some parts of the country.

By 2030, the country’s forecasted demand for energy needs will double to 30,189 MW. In order for this huge demand to be met one possible solution is to revive the BNNP, which could generate 620 MW of electricity.

“Based on my knowledge, based on what I’ve seen, based on what I studied, based on

L

VANTAGE POINTS

the experience THINK ON THESE! of other countries that we have heard, it is a good option for our country. It is safe to use,” Cusi explained.

Nuclear power is one Henrylito D. Tacio of the two henrytacio@gmail.com major alternatives to fossil fuels; the other one is renewable energy (whose sources include solar power, wind power, hydroelectric, geothermal energy and biomass energy).

Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity.

Nuclear power plants provide about 5.7% of the world’s energy and 13% of the world’s electricity, according to Nobel Prize winner Al Gore. In 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 countries.

There is an ongoing debate about the use of nuclear energy. Proponents, such as the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy contend that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions.

In the United States, nuclear power became popular in the 1970s and proliferated in the early 1980s. In 1989, there were 110 nuclear power plants in the US providing about 20% of its energy needs.

But the growth of nuclear power dramatically declined during the late 1980s due to safety. The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 in Pennsylvania (which became the basis of

the movie, “The China Syndrome”) raised public awareness of safety problems with nuclear reactors.

“A nuclear reactor controls nuclear fission and uses the energy it releases to generate electricity,” H. Steven Dashefsky explained in his book, “Environmental Literacy: Everything You Need to Know about Saving Our Planet.” “Nuclear reactors allow a chain reaction of nuclear fission to occur in which one atom is split and the particles released are used to split other atoms, etc.”

A supply of a radioactive elements such as uranium-234 is placed in a reactor in the form of fuel rods. “A slow-moving neutron from another element strikes the uranium, initiating the chain reaction,” Dashefsky wrote. “The energy released from the chain reaction super heats surrounding water, which is removed from the reactor and used to drive turbines and generate electricity. (The water also acts a coolant in the system, keeping it from having a meltdown in which the fuel rods melt from overheating.) The speed of the chain reaction is controlled by control rods containing cadmium and boron, which absorb the nuclei.”

Accidents do happen. “The accidental release of radiation from a nuclear reactor could cause catastrophic results,” Dashefsky said.

“Nuclear power plants use many safety features to prevent accidents, including: systems that automatically shut down the reaction in case of an emergency such as a loss of coolant; concrete and steel walls surrounding the core of the reactor to prevent the release of radiation; concrete and steel containment walls around the entire reactor to contain radiation if the core ruptures; emergency cooling systems in the case it does fail.”

But even with all these safety features, plus others, accidents have happened. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Pripyat, Russia is

considered as one of the worst nuclear plant accidents in history. Then, there was the Fukushima nuclear plant incident in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Besides accidents, there are serious concern about nuclear waste disposal of the spent radioactive materials. “A typical nuclear power plant produces 30 metric tons of radioactive water per year,” Dashefsky wrote. “Since the radioactive material remains dangerous for tens of thousands of years, this material poses a significant threat to all forms of life, indefinitely.”

As such, Dashefsky suggested that “a definite solution to the disposal of spent nuclear waste must be found.”

“The Economist” said nuclear power “looks dangerous, unpopular, expensive and risky,” and that “it is replaceable with relative ease and could be forgone with no huge structural shifts in the way the world works.”

The Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted a rethink of nuclear energy policy in many countries. Germany decided to close all its reactors by 2022, and Italy has banned nuclear power.

Meanwhile, four respected climate scientists – Dr. James Hansen, a former top scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Dr. Ken Caldeira, of the Carnegie Institution; Dr. Kerry Emanuel, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Dr. Tom Wigley, of the University of Adelaide in Australia – acknowledge that there are risks to using nuclear power, but say those are far smaller than the risk posed by extreme climate change.

“We understand that today’s nuclear plants are far from perfect,” they wrote in a letter asking environmentalists to support the development of safer nuclear power as one way to cut fossil fuel pollution.

A lot has been MY TWO CENTS’ bruited about the lowering of unemployment figures.

Of course, the real issue is underemployment, where those we say have jobs are John Tria not able to meet their ba- ecisouth@gmail.com sic needs in spite of having jobs. NEDAs Ambisyon 2040 can fill you in on the ong term economic goals we need to pursue.

That said, we really need to look into the serious problem that shows a lack of opportunity for many Filipinos. These are

the core issues, everything else stems from this. Despite the availability of resources, lands open for farming, minerals ripe for extracting and markets waiting to buy them, 20-23% of our countrymen remain food poor. Lowering this by 8% by the end of the Durterte presidency leaves us with 15% poor, about 3 percentage points higher than Indonesia, currently listing its poor at 12% of its population.

Reducing poverty means investing in people, and developing their capabilities to participate in the economy. Education, capital market reforms to make borrowing for business easier, and pushing entrepreneurial values all matter to a country on the rise and desiring the an independent foreign and trade policy.

Less poor is not just a social justice question, it is a necessary means to propel the economy further. Inclusive growth creates sustainable, and sustained economic growth. With today’s threats of economic iconoclasm in the events like the trump presidency threatening to limit global trade, there is a vital need to ensure that your domestic population is able to consume what your producers harvest or manufacture.

This means that their purchasing power needs to go up. For that, poverty levels need to go down. This will mean more buyers of Philippine goods, and more business for our businesspeople.

The size of the population means good things for the economy. Having a large population is not the issue, it is having a large population of people who can buy your products is what matters. This means making sure that the people are not poor.

The ambitious target: 8% less poor by 2020

AST November 8 and 9 some 400 individuals from business, government and the donor community that came together in the SMX Convention in Davao for the first Philippine Development Forum (PDF) under the new government produced important inputs . The town hall sessions encouraged questions particularly from civil society organizations, that for the most part, have joined the PDF for the first time.

This generated a lot of discussion all the way into the breakout sessions, and continued the atmosphere of dialogue that began in June’s Sulong Pilipinas Forum, and the Social Development summit in August.

Substance over ratings: The economic challenge The real challenge for government and its partners will be to achieve better numbers to describe our economic performance.

Fewer poor is good for the economy and drives business

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Davao... FROM 1

FISH TO MARKETS. Fish dealers transport containers full of sea produce from Bankerohan Public Market to small barangay markets along Lapu-lapu Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Laviña... FROM 1

Piñol said Laviña’s appointment was relayed to him by Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go, the President’s Special Executive Assistant.

Laviña’s wife, Evelyn, is also the Undersecretary of the DA on agribusiness and high-value crops.

“With Laviña at the helm of NIA, I expect a smoother coordination between DA and the water agency of the government, especially in the area of the scheduling of the release of irrigation water for the rice farms which had been a problematic issue for so long,” Piñol added.

Irrigation Development and Management NIA is a government-owned and controlled corporation primarily responsible for irrigation development and management in the country.

The agency was created under Republic Act (RA) 3601 that was promulgated in June 22, 1963.

NIA’s charter was amended twice, first by Presidential Decree (PD) 552 on September 11, 1974 and PD 1702 on July 17, 1980.

Both amendments increased the capitalization and broadened the authority of NIA. NIA was transferred from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pursuant to Executive Order No. 22 issued last September 14, 1992 September 1992 and was attached to the DA last October 14, 1992 through the issuance of Administrative Order No. 17.

On May 5, 2014, through the issuance of Executive Order No. 165, the Agency was again transferred to the Office of the President under the Office of the Presidential As-

DCPO... FROM 2

173 theft cases involving CICL and 141cases of physical injury.

The street crimes have also decreased for this year from 159 cases last year to 86 cases this year.

sistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (OPAFSAM).

In its 2015 Annual Report, outgoing NIA administrator Engr. Florencio F. Padernal said it has implemented a total of 118 irrigation construction projects last year, of which, four were foreign-assisted, 113 locally-funded, and 1 was under a convergence program.

Of the total number of projects the agency handled last year, 17 were classified as continuing and carry-over projects from the year 2014; 16 from 2013; and 11 from 2012.

Padernal added that the agency handled 32 irrigation projects in Luzon, 21 in Visayas and 26 in Mindanao last year.

NIA targeted to irrigate a total of 78,427 hectares of new areas in 2015, including the restoration of 53,682 hectares and the rehabilitation of 16,056 hectares.

He said a total of 35,616 hectares of new areas were developed last year, or 45% of the target; 16,164 hectares restored and 7,275 rehabilitated.

NIA also reported of its funding for irrigation development program last year that amounted to P34.12 billion.

Of the total amount, P28.75 billion was derived from its 2015 approved budget while the remaining P5.36 billion came from the agency’s unobligated balance in 2014.

Padernal also reported that it is now managing a total of 285 national irrigation systems (NISs) with an aggregate serviceable area of 836,055 hectares – 754,666 hectares of which are considered firmedup serviceable areas (FUSAs).

Total irrigated area for 2015 reached up to 1,225,902 hectares, of which 576,003 hectares during the dry seaMayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded the police to continue their efforts at reducing the street crimes in the especially that Christmas season is coming. FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

son from November 2014 to April 2015; and 560,052 hectares during the wet season May 2015 to October 2015; and 89,847 hectares for the third cropping in 2015.

P36.3 billion for 2017 NIA’s proposed budget for 2017 was already approved by the Senate Committee on Finance that was placed at P36.36 billion.

An additional amount of P2.3 billion, on top of the P36.36 billion was also approved to implement the “Free Irrigation” starting next year.

The agency’s allocation next year will be used for its personal services; its MOOE and that of the Irrigator Associations (IAs); and for operations and maintenance of existing irrigation facilities.

The budget next year, NIA said, is a welcome development as it will back the Duterte administration’s commitment to help Filipino farmers by freeing them from Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) which is currently being collected by the agency as mandated by law.

In a statement he issued upon the approval of the budget, Padernal said the systematic and organized delivery and distribution of water by NIA and the IAs will be sustained.

“This free irrigation service fee will also give the agency to focus on the construction of major irrigation facilities like dams, main canals, pumping stations, and head gates of lateral canals as well as restoration and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems”, he added.

Big Ticket Projects NIA also announced the approval of several regional projects that aims to provide

RP’s... FROM 4

tor to the subsector’s production, posted a 4.55-percent increment.

The poultry subsector, which shared 17.15 percent to the total agricultural output, booked a 2.43-percent growth

irrigation services to rural and agricultural areas in the country.

The Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) has approved last September 28, 2016 several regional irrigation projects, NIA said.

Among those who got the nod of CabCom include the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage 2 (MMIP II) and Chico River Pump Irrigation Project that were endorsed by the committee for approval to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

NIA added that the NEDA board already endorsed the proposed change in scope, cost, and financing of the ongoing MMIP II Project Stage 2 that costs P5.4-billion.

MMIP II, if completed will irrigate more than 10,000 hectares of agricultural fields and will benefit more than 50 barangays in the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

The agency said that aside from increasing the rice production and attaining food sufficiency in the area, the project also intends to achieve and sustain peace and order in the region through social and agricultural development.

MMIP II is expected to be completed by 2018.

On the other hand, the lined-up irrigation project in Luzon, the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in CAR and Region 2 is expected to irrigate around 8,700 hectares of land and to benefit 4,350 farmers in the area.

With a total budget of P2.7 billion, the irrigation project will provide benefits to 21 barangays in Cagayan and Kalinga.

It is expected to be completed within 3-year period. in July to September.

The fisheries subsector contracted by 2.53 percent in the third quarter of 2016. It contributed 18.61 percent in the total agricultural output.

(PNA)

port to the security sector in handling the peace and order in Davao City especially the activation of the Joint Task Force Haribon that took in additional personnel from other units of the AFP. “I also gave them guidance to prepare for the Christmas season because historically an increase in petty and street crimes is also reason to raise the alert against terrorism,” Duterte-Carpio added.

She noted that Christmas time is an occasion when people converge for merry-making.

Duterte-Carpio also pledged to support the equipment needs of the Task Force Davao (TFD) to beef up the security of the city given that it will be used in their area of responsibility.

She said TFD commander Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri has requested for movable equipment such as metal detectors, signal jammers, x-ray scanners and the like.

“The city government will support the needs of the Task Force Davao since the local government has funds for these projects,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She also appreciated the joint effort of the police and the military to provide action fol-

lowing the September 2 night market blast.

Duterte-Carpio said the military and police are helping each other in building up cases against the respondents in the September 2 night market blast who are mainly from the Autonomous Region ins Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

She also noted that the crime volume from January to October of 2016 has reduced to 21 percent compared to the same period in 2015.

The data provided by Davao City Police Office (DCPO),the total crime volume from January to October this year is 9,032 while last year was 11,436.

“I urged the police to reduce further criminal incidents especially on the period from November to December, when people come together for the holidays,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio said the Public Safety Command Center is still studying the security relevance of the Barangay Police Unit which was disbanded in October, 2016.

“As long as we do not see that the P5.9 Million allocation for the Barangay Police Unit does not contribute to the reduction of criminal incidents, it will have a hard time activating it,” she said.

uptown district last Oct. 23, 2016.

“Fernandez remained missing as of press time and I am

afraid of what really happened to him,” the father, Enrique Fernandez, Sr. told the NBI. (PNA)

increases in patent-filing by China-based innovators accounted for much of the overall growth in the world.

In 2015, the U.S. had 57,385 applications, followed

by Japan with 44,235 and China 29,846. A report said that overall, growth in filings in the entire world was driven by China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

“Among the top 15 origins, sizeable growth was registered in China (+ 16.8%), the Republic of Korea (+11.5%), Israel (+7.4%), Switzerland (+4.4%), Japan (4.4%) and the Netherlands (+3.6%),” the report stated.

For instance in the technical fields, computer technology and digital communication reportedly saw the largest number of filings last year, each exceeding 16,000. China again showed its superiority.

One report said “ Hewlett-Packard Development Company of the U.S. is the largest filer for computer technology, followed by Huawei Technologies and Qualcomm.

For digital communication, Huawei Technologies, ZTE and Qualcomm are top applicants…”

China’s first patent law came into effect only in 1985, followed by a copyright law in 1990. After this, the country experienced rapid progress in patenting activity.

The story of inventions in China has not always been rosy. Many times, it has been accused of being the source of counterfeit products and sim-

ilar charges. China responded by updating its patent laws, increasing statutory damages and expanding the investigation power of its patent office.

In sum, China’s emphasis on science, inventions, innovations and research and development has resulted in its being the world’s leader in products manufactured for global consumption. These are the numbers showing China as a manufacturing giant (based on an article written by Manny Salvacion on Sept 18, 2015): • 90.6 percent (296.2 million) of personal computers produced by the world in 2014 were made in China; • 80 percent (109 billion) of air conditioners annually; • 80 percent (4.3 billion) of energy-saving lamps; • 80 percent (21.8 million kw) of the world’s solar cells overall capacity; • 70.6 percent (1.77 billion) of mobile phones annually; • 63 percent (12.6 billion pairs) of shoes annually; • 60 percent (1.8 billion tons) of the world’s supply of cement annually; • 49.8 percent (1.5 million tons) of the world’s total pork supply annually: • 48.2 percent (1.8 billion tons) of the world’s coal (oil equalivalent) production, annually; • 45.1 percent ( 766 million tons) of vessels (ships) built annually.

NBI... FROM 4

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(Next: What I did not see in China)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Chimes reinvented

Renovated flagship store redefines luxury shopping in Davao

AMIDST THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF URBAN LIFE, only one thing is constant and that thing is change. Just a little over a decade when it opened its doors to the public, Chimes 37,000 square foot flagship store at Sales Street has undergone a massive transformation to once again redefine the luxury retail experience in Durianburg.

The newly redesigned store was unveiled in glitzy fashion last November 12 and everything about the three-storey flagship store’s new look is truly innovative and grand. Inside the store, just as the store mannequins are composed of bespoke components of varying materials the ceiling is another dynamic feature, composed of semi polycarbonate panels which bounce natural light about the floor, giving an open, airy feeling without actual mirrored reflection. I felt that the new space was grand, with huge chandeliers and wonderfully finished floors exciting and enticing guests to shop.

“This is a landmark moment not just for our Gov. Sales store, but for Chimes itself. It is hugely exciting to be launching with our new look.” beamed Cindy Yap, Chimes Executive Vice President, “We believe we are creating an unrivalled retail destination

for customers which will redefine the luxury retail market in Davao. Plus we would like to own the title- the Shopping Mecca of Mindanao.”

Of course the transformation is not just skin deep as the Chimes flagship store now showcases over 100 of the world’s most desirable brands across ladies wear, menswear, beauty, children and home, many of which will be exclusive to Chimes Boutiques and will not be seen in mainstream malls. The exquisite edit of brands are complemented by exceptional services throughout the store, including beauty rooms offering the very

latest in beauty enhancing and relaxing treatments plus highly trained staff who are on hand to offer expert advice on seasonal trends and styling tips across fashion and beauty.

Fashionistas will love pieces designed by top Philippine designers Patty Ang, Charina Sarte, Maureen Disini, House of Laurel and Vania Romoff as well as accessories

by Ann Ong. Guests who were present during the event were also offered the rare opportunity to mingle with the designers to discover the inspiration behind their exciting visions for ladies wear, menswear, as well as the chance to purchase from

their collections.

Chimes also re-energised their beauty section with even more top beauty brands for men and women as well as exclusive collaborations with SpaRitual Nail Polish and Happy Skin cosmetics.

When asked, what brought about the Chimes repositioning and renovation, Cindy responded “Everything changes, we change – change is a constant element in everyone’s life. That moment came for us, as well, to create a new selling strategy that would meet the wishes of our clients who are always looking for something new and exciting.”

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOV

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

UP AND ABOUT

Davao to host home s

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIM SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

LIGHTHOUSE H SCHOOL NETWORK (L Davao’s organization of h schooling families in the c excited to invite everyone to upcoming public 2-day “Ye Can Homeschool” confere the NCCC Mall Activity Ma-a, Davao City on Nov 19 and 20, 2016.

Edric E. Mendoza, Joy Tan-chi Mendoza and their kids.

The two-day conference aims educate the public and increase ness of what homeschooling is a dissuade preconceived notions on schooling. The conference seeks t light the following during the eve “Kidpreneur” Marketplace wher member students will test their b skills, The Science Fair where LHN ber students, from different grad will display their scientific labour citing exhibits that answer quest in a friendly competition and The schooling Symposium where speakers will discuss what home ing is, the benefits, how it works a LHN, as an organization, can help homeschooling journey.

VEMBER 16, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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schooling conference

MA O

HOMELHN), homecity, is o their es, You ence at Area, vember

to help e awareand also, n hometo highent: The re LHN business N memde levels, rs in extions all e Homeinvited eschooland how p in one’s

Conference notable speakers are power couple Mr. Edric E. Mendoza, RFP and Ms. Joy Tan-chi Mendoza. An edupreneur, Edric champions Homeschool-

ing and personal finance education with the help of TV and media guestings. Further, Edric desires to change the world, one family at a time. Joy is an award winning blogger for her site teachwithjoy.com and author, and is wife to Edric and homeschooling mom to five children.

Joy’s greatest passion is to live for the glory of Jesus Christ.

The LHN Conference Program will be held on

Saturday, November 19, 2016 featuring a Kidpreneur and Science Fair and on Sunday, November 20, 2016 with a Homeschooling Symposium “Yes, You Can Homeschool” is made possible with the help of Homeschool Global, Bounty Fresh Chicken, Brainfit Studio, NCCC Mall Davao, Barbra Pearls Cosmetics, Luxe Lab and VitaLab, Ysha Marie & Lebosada Dental Clinic.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGE DAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

A4 INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

MX3 supports causes of various medical conventions

HEALTH AND WELLNESS NOW ARE BEING SEEN IN A BIGGER AND CLEARER PERSPECTIVE. More people are becoming salient about their state of wellness. Now, it is not only the mere absence of illness but a holistic state of ones body, mind and spirit. DMI – MX3 shares the same passion in furthering the knowledge and understanding of our health.

The pediatrics Department of the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City spearheaded the forum entitled “Unravelling the Mysteries of Generation Z: A Developmental abd Adolescent Medicine Convention. The event was well attended by almost a thousand physicians, school nurses and other members of the allied medical field.

DMI- MX3 was a sponsor in this significant gathering which objectives inlcuded the dissemination of the character and uniqueness of the current young generation especially those who were born from 1995 to 2015 or more popularly termed as Generation Z. It also aimed to discuss the concers of these children and to assist and manage them. MX3 coffee was enjoyed by most of the participants and there were also promotions of various MX3 products in the booth including

MX3 Gift packs that were raffled for the participants. Dr. Edwin Bien, medical director of MX3 was able to present about “Nutrition and Health” during the luncheon talk on the first day.

In Baguio City last October, MX3 was in full support of the Philippine College of Occupational Health as they had their 18th Midyear Convention last October at the Crown Legacy Hotel in Bagiuo.

The theme was “PCOM AGE: Dawn of the Healthy Workforce”. The Philippine College of Occupational Medicine is a globally recognized organization of occupational medicine practitioners who are committed to preserve, protect, promote and enhance the health and safety of workers.

These esteemed practitioners are vital in ensuring that occupational safety and health standards are upheld and practiced. Disease and deaths arising from occupational accidents are not only costly but also causes human suffering and losses.

DMI – MX3 is one with these various disciplines of medicine in the betterment of practice. The company believes that the synergistic efforts of different sectors in the community can help improve the health and lives many Filipinos. Indeed, a good manifestation of an utmost concern for humanity.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Davao City... FROM 2 omy.

“Through this project, we hope to intensify the participation of the private sector such as enterprises and universities of both cities in this joint project,” said Abella.

Kitahashi, who also spoke in yesterday’s council session, was sincerely pleased to make the partnership official.

He added that as Davao’s social and economic development increased rapidly, the amount of waste produced has also increased.

Based on the agreement, the goal is to jointly carry out model projects in Davao under themes such as “urban environmental improvements through waste management” and “creation of a low carbon

society that contributes to the development of a green economy, “ with the aim of turning them into models of inter-city cooperation in the Philippines.

“I hope that both our cities can continue cooperating so that in 10-20 years both our cities can develop as global green growth cities and become exemplary global cases for the rest of the cities the world to follow,” Kitahashi remarked.

“We are happy with Japan’s commitment,” said Mayor Inday Sara Duterte during the first meeting of the Davao City Peace and Order Council yesterday. She added that she is also excited at the prospect of more collaboration with Japan in the years to come.

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DESTINATION. Canibad resort in the area of Aundanao in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte is among the popular destination of foreign and local tourists because of its pristine and crystal clear waters. (Alexander D. Lopez)

Siargao... FROM 2

projects that he was able to access as head and member of the various committees in the House of Representatives.

Congressman Matugas now serves as Assistant Majority Leader in the House.

He also sits as the vice chairman of the committees on natural resources and on information, communications and technology.

Matugas is also a member of the committees on appropriations, basic education and culture, national defense, Mindanao affairs, youth and sports development, public order and tourism.

Among the top projects he accessed from various government agencies include the provision of free Wi-Fi in public areas in Siargao; generator sets for far-flung areas from the Department of Energy (DOE); irrigation projects from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Tupad Program from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

He added that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also strengthen its Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) in the island; the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide day care centers; more classrooms and teaching positions from the Department of Education (DepED); barangay health stations and medicines from the Department of Health (DOH); additional mobility for the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); and visitor centers from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Congressman Matugas also reported that he was able to access more support from the special projects for 20162022 through House Speaker Pantaleon “bebot” Alvarez.

The funds, he added, will fund the improvement and upgrading of the airport in the island into New Siargao International Airport.

The airport’s improvement in the island will have a separate P350 million budget from the said special projects fund, he added.

The special project will also include the development of the Surigao Nautical Highway and Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO) from Hayangabon, Claver town in Surigao del Norte to Doña Helen, Socorro town; and the construction of bridge network from Socorro to the town of Dapa.

The special project will also fund special businesses in the island to promote process outsourcing and the establishment of tourist hospitals.

Siargao, being the surfing capital in the country will also receive special funds next year, Matugas said.

An allocation of P20 million will be used for urban planning of the island that will commence next year – P10 million of which will be used in General Luna town for International Surfing competitions while the other P10 million will be allocated to Pilar town for the yearly International Game Fishing events.

Matugas also told the local officials that his office will continue to implement next year the BINGO Advocacy Project that was launched in July this year.

The project includes sports development for the youth, campaigns against illegal drugs, training and education support to teachers, school feeding activities, environmental initiatives that focus on waste management and disaster preparedness programs.

He added that his office will also support the preparations of Siargao professional surfers in their quest to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Matugas also urged the mayors and village officials in the island to submit their priority projects for 2017-2018 before the end of December for inclusion to his regular programs and projects next year.

the hotline number.

Anyone could report cases of child abuse anonymously to the Davao City Police Office by just giving the name and ad-

dress of the perpetrators.

The Kean Gabriel hotline operates 24/7 and may be reached by calling or texting 0908-8184-444.

Be more... FROM 4

DTI... FROM 6

Maglaya also bared the barriers of MSME development.

“Poor business environment or high cost of doing business, lack of access to market, and low productivity and efficiency are non-financial barriers while lack of access to finance is the financial barrier,” explained Maglaya.

To combat these issues, the undersecretary mentioned that laws have been crafted to ensure the protection and development of MSMEs. R.A. 6977 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises mandates the creation of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council; creation of the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SB Corporation); and mandatory allocation of Credit

Resources for MSME lending.

Meanwhile, R.A. 9178 of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act encourages the formation and growth of BMBEs (or micro enterprises) by granting them incentives and other benefits such as exemption from income tax; exemption from the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law; special credit window; and technology transfer, production and management training, and marketing assistance.

Lastly, R.A. 10644 or Go Negosyo Act mandates the promotion of “ease of doing business and facilitation of access to services for MSMEs” through the Negosyo Centers such as business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information an advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation.

companies that can do business in the Philippines under the pledges or agreements reached during the Chief Executive’s China visit.

He said the ICC will send a group to China to ask the Chinese government to put up a similar “focal point” group so that the future project transactions could be done on a government-to-government basis and enable the Philippine side to know which companies to deal with in China.

He clarified that at this point, the Philippine government is “just in the stage of doing the feasibility studies so there is no commitment that these companies are going to

get the contracts.”

“Once the feasibility study is done, these projects will be bid out and of course, if there are companies not acceptable in the international field, they will not be able to bid for the project,” he said.

Dominguez chairs the ICC with NEDA director-general Ernesto Pernia as co-chairperson.

The other ICC members are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of budget and management, Emmanuel Piñol of agriculture and Ramon Lopez of trade and industry; and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr.

to get an ISO or International Organization for Standardization certification.

Processing an ISO certification could cost no less than P1 million, he said. (PNA)

had previously asked for approval of their respective spot zoning resolutions.

But Bahague brushed this aside and appealed to the SP to approve his Municipal Resolution No. 221-s-2016 reclassifying a parcel of land consisting of 167,152 square meters from agricultural to residential area, citing the great implication of a big housing project to the development of the town and the

province.

He said that they are currently revising their MLUP and it is already “70 percent completed.”

The SP approved the measure on third and final reading.

Bahague reiterated to reporters the absence of any under-the-table deal on their spot zoning, saying: “Wala sa amo na, trabaho lang.” (Rural Urban News/Cha Monforte)

NEDA... FROM 6

Certification... FROM 7

Davao Norte... FROM 7

12

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

COMPETITIVE EDGE 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

C. Reta ES stude wins DCWD’s 2 in Biao Road November 17 Citywide Science and Math Quiz D nd Water service interruption

J

OHN Rey B. Pagal from C. Reta Elementary School finished champion in Davao City Water District’s 2nd Citywide Science and Math Quiz held on November 11, 2016 at the SM City Davao Annex. He bested 57 other participants coming from different public and private elementary schools in the city.

Other winners were Dominador M. Latagan IV from Bright Angels of Tomorrow Academy who placed second and Rain Alexi Q. Santos from

Precious International School of Davao, Inc. who placed third.

DCWD also organized a Science and Math Quiz for junior high school students held on November 9. Lorems Yrol B. Pedoglorio from the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus finished champion in said quiz with Rica Marie U. Quitain of Davao City National High School in second and Simon S. Chiew of Ateneo de Davao University in third.

Both Pagal and Pedoglorio will be representing Davao City in the Science and Math Quiz organized by the South Central Mindanao Water Information Council this December.

The quiz contest is one of the activities lined to celebrate the Water Consciousness Month in the city this year.

Other inter-school competitions to be conducted are the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest for college students on November 18 and the On-

the-Spot Poster Making Contest for high school students on November 25 to be held both at SM City Davao Annex.

The Water Consciousness Month is an annual celebration in Davao City with DCWD as the lead agency as declared

by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte through Proclamation No. 12 issued on September 27, 2001. This year’s theme is “kNOW H20: One Drop, One Life: Conserve Water. Live Better”. (John Winston Anthony C. Ajero II)

AVAO City Water District advises of a water service interruption on November 17, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting the right portion of Biao Road (from Davao-Bukidnon Road to Tacunan Road).

This water cut is needed in order to allow DCWD’s Engineering and Construction Department crew to tap the newly installed 4-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 6-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Purok 12, Cebohle in Brgy. Los Amigos, Tugbok. Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

The DCWD management asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affect-

ed customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates.

They may also call / text 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

Study says a beer a day may be great for your cholesterol

A

58 students from different private and public elementary schools all over Davao City compete in DCWD’s 2nd Science and Math Quiz. Contestants hold out their answers to one of the questions during the contest proper.

NEW study has found that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages may be good for cholesterol levels -- especially if your beverage of choice is beer.

The study, conducted by researchers at Pennsylvania State University and Kailuan Hospital in China determined that drinking up to two alcoholic beverages a day may slow the decline of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which helps to remove “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol at high levels can cause plaque buildup in the arteries and increase a per-

son’s risk of a heart attack or stroke. High-density lipoprotein carries the ‘bad’ back to a person’s liver, where it can be broken down and eliminated from the body.

For the study, the team analyzed 80,081 Chinese adults who were an average age of 49 years, Medical News Today reports.

Participants were then grouped into those who never drink, used to drink, lightly drink, moderately drink, and heavy drinkers.

Their drinks of choice were also recorded. Moderate drinking is described as one of two daily servings for men and up to one a day for women. (PNA)

14 FEATURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

9 days in China

Part 8

Science and inventions in China

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

“I

N the beginning, God made the world. And the rest are made in China.”

This is a joke, texted to me by a friend years back, that I found very effective in breaking the ice when I am emceeing meetings of some local organizations like the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Rotary Club of East Davao, the Ambassador Int’lDavao, and the YMCA-Davao, of which I am either an officer or active member.

The joke is not intended to blaspheme God. To me, it is more like a pun of the fact that everything, almost everything anyway, that is sold in the market these days is made in China.

Seriously, it is fact that China now is the world’s second biggest economy, next only to the United States of America.

One reason for the dramatic growth of China’s wealth to a point that USA is now indebted to China to the tune of more than $1 trillion is its being prolific producer of so many products for global consumption. They give a lot of attention to inventions, innovations, research and development, to science in general, that’s why.

One thing that I noticed when visiting Beijing, Ningbo, Shanghai and other places in China with a dozen other Davao and Manila newsmen last July is the ubiquitous presence of so many branches of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). “Academy,” “research and development” and “planning” are terms a

visitor often sees or hears while reading literatures or listening to talks by government officials and executives of companies about certain products and services where the Chinese excel.

CAS is defined as “the national scientific think tank and academic governing body, providing advisory and appraisal services on issues stemming from the national economy, social development, and science and technology progress.” CAS has branch institutes all over the mainland China. The academy has also created hundreds of commercial enterprises, “with Lenovo being one of the most famous.”

The academy has around 68,000 employees and includes 104 institutions.

CAS has six academic divisions, namely mathematics and physics, chemistry, life sciences and medical sciences, earth sciences, information technological sciences and technological sciences.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the No. 1 research institution in the world, according to the Nature Publishing Index elaborated by NPG in 2014 and 2015.

No wonder, China is now No. 3 in the number of filings for international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), next to the United States and Japan. While innovators in the U.S. filed the biggest number of patent applications, large

F FEATURE, 10

VISITING HUAWEI. Davao and Manila newsmen visiting a huge laboratory of Huawei Technologies in the fantastic city of Shanghai.

INTERNATIONAL PORT MODEL. Dabawenyos and Manila editors and reporters looking at a huge model of the Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the biggest in the world. The integrated port complex is built on the network of some 100 big and small islands.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

CHAMP IN THE MAKING. Arthur Villanueva totes a 30-1 record with 16 knockouts.

Kerr shoots down Thompson trade rumors

W

ITH three months between now and the NBA’s trade deadline to fill, the league is often starved for rumor-related content. As such, things can get a little out of hand to start the season, as was the case when a brush-off comment from Comcast’s Brian Scalabrine hit the internet with gusto on Monday morning: For those that can’t listen, Scalabrine pointed out that he’d heard a “rumor going around” that Klay Thompson could be available, “specifically to a team that wears green” (Scalabrine is a former Boston Celtics champion, and currently works as the team’s television analyst

alongside his contributions to The Vertical).

Scalabrine immediately qualified what he heard with a “that can’t be true,” but Klay being who he is (a champion and All-Star, and someone who 30 points on 5-8 long range shots in Golden State’s latest win on Sunday), the conversation had a little legs.AS Thompson, working alongside heavy-usage former MVPs in Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in Golden State, has struggled to start 2016-17. He missed 42 of his first 53 three-pointers to start the season before righting the ship and hitting 12-19 over his last three contests. Golden State is 8-2 to begin 2016-17, they have the top offense in the NBA, and Thompson is averaging 18.8 a night despite his disappointing start to the campaign.

The Boston Celtics’ forever-attempt at adding a star via a deal involving one of hits several owed draft picks will have to wait another few days, at least.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

TITLE SHOT ALA says no talks yet on Villanueva-Tete fight D

ESPITE what’s posted on BoxRec.com, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer says there have been no discussions yet about matching Filipino boxer Arthur Villanueva and former IBF junior bantamweight titleholder Zolani Tete on Nov. 26.

BoxRec has posted that Villanueva (30-1, 16 knockouts) and Tete (24-3, 20 KOs) are set to meet in a 12-round fight in support of WBO middleweight titleholder Billy Joe Saunders versus Artur Akavov in Cardiff, Wales, a card promoted by Tete’s promoter Frank Warren. Aldeguer says the fight had been ordered for a mandatory eliminator for the WBO bantamweight title currently held by Filipino box-

er Marlon Tapales at the WBO Convention in October but he was “shocked” to find out the fight had been listed as official.

“We never got any offer yet. We haven’t had any negotiations yet with Tete’s camp.

What I know is there may be an eliminator for the mandatory spot but we’ve never had any negotiations,” said Aldeguer.

The 27-year-old Villanueva of Bago City, Philippines has run off three straight wins since his lone career defeat, a technical decision loss to McJoe Arroyo in July of 2015 for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title. He’s currently rated the No.1 contender by the WBO at 118 pounds while Tete, 28, of Mdantsane, South Africa, is rated No. 3.

Tete, rated No. 8 by THE RING at bantamweight, won his title in 2014 and gave it up the following year after one defense, calling the purse he’d make to face Arroyo an “insult.” Tete signed with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions later in 2015.

Villanueva tells RingTV he returned to training just last week in Cebu City, Philippines and says he has high regard for Tete.

“I think he’s a very good fighter and he’s a world champion and I think he’s heavy-handed,” said Villanueva.

“I also believe in myself in my coaches and my training but I know this is not an easy fight for me.”

Aldeguer for now is fo-

cused on his November 26 “Pinoy Pride 39” card headlined

by Milan Melindo’s challenge for the IBF interim junior flyweight title against Teeraphong Utaida. The card will be the first since the passing of Philippine sports commentary legend Ronnie Nathanielsz, who died on Nov. 11 at age 81 after suffering a heart attack in the United States.

Nathanielsz had served as the anchor of the Pinoy Pride series on commentary for TV network ABS-CBN and Aldeguer says they are planning a tribute at the show.

“Definitely yes, Ronnie’s always been a friend. He’s done a lot for boxing. Hopefully we’ll discuss that with ABS and see what we can do for Ronnie,” says Aldeguer.

HILIPPINE lightweight champion Roberto Gonzales will defend his title against former WBC International super featherweight champion Ryan “The Crusher” Sermona on November 26 at the Agoncillo Covered Court in Agoncillo, Batangas.

It will be the first title-defense of Gonzales, who wrested the vacant crown via a 7th round technical knockout from Arjan Canillas March 12 at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Canillas suffered multiple cuts on his face. He had a severe cut at the right eyelid, which was caused by a punch and his right eye was swelling too. Referee Silvestre Abainza stopped the fight upon the recommendation of the ring physician.

The 26-year-old Gonzales, who also known as the “Bad Boy from Batangas” has a record of 27 wins with 17 knockouts and 2 losses.

Sermona, on the other hand, is toting 19 wins with

8 losses and 12 KOs. He is a southpaw from Himamaylan City of Negros Occidental but is now based in Paranaque City.

Sermona previously stopped Ronald Postrano by a 2nd round TKO last September 3 at the SMX in Pasay City.

He won the WBC International super featherweight title by stopping in the 4th round Matt Garlett last December 6, 2013 in Australia.

However, he lost it in his first title-defense via a technical decision due to an acciden-

tal head clash to another Aussie Corey McConnel on August 9, 2014 in New South Wales, Australia.

Sermona also fought but lost for the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council super lightweight title by a 9th round KO against Manvel Sargsyan last December 12, 2015 in Moscow, Russia.

Meanwhile, featured in the main supporting bout are super lightweights Al Sabaupan (25-2-1) and Jheritz Chavez (51-2). (PNA)

jan Bogdanovic led the Nets with 18 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 14. Brooklyn’s season-high 22 turnovers led to 35 points by the Clippers.

J.J. Redick added 18 points, Luc Mbah a Moute scored 11 points and DeAndre Jordan had 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who shot 53 percent from the floor while extending the best start in franchise history. Their 127 points were a season high.

Los Angeles raced to a 35-7 lead to start the game, highlighted by Jordan’s reverse dunk off Griffin’s alley-oop pass.

The Nets didn’t score the rest of their 14 first-quarter points until the last two minutes of the period and finished with their lowest point total in a quarter this season.

Brooklyn went on its only run of the game in the second, scoring 10 straight points to close to 51-34.

Paul re-entered the game, hitting a 3-pointer that launched a 20-13 spurt and gave the Clippers a 71-47 halftime lead.

Leading 89-59 in the third, Griffin and Jordan energized the fading crowd with consecutive

one-handed jams. Griffin stuffed a pass from Redick and on their next trip up the court, Jordan dunked in front of Justin Hamilton, whose only defense was to stick his arms straight up in the air.

The starters’ work was done after that, with Griffin and Jordan joining Paul, Redick and Mbah a Moute in sitting for good.

The Clippers’ bench increased the lead to 102-71 heading into the fourth, when Griffin was on his feet laughing and pumping his arm in the air.

Gonzales to defend title vs Sermona P C

Clippers improve to 10-1

HRIS Paul had 21 points and nine assists, Blake Griffin added 20 points and the Los Angeles Clippers blitzed the Brooklyn Nets 12795 on Monday night to improve to an NBA-best 10-1 with their seventh straight victory.

Los Angeles came in having outscored opponents by an average of 15.1 points, largest in the league. Brooklyn quickly found itself relegated to the Clippers’ quickly growing scrap heap.

Bo-

NO TRADE. According to coach Steve Kerr, Klay Thompson is staying put in Golden State.

SLAM. De Andre Jordan of the LA Clippers slams one home.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 190 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

HE’S MY CHAMP President congratulates Manny for his win over Vargas

N

E W LY- C R O W N E D three-time WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao took to Mala-

canang on Monday to present his championship belt to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte, who was invted by the boxing superstar to watch his fight but politly turned it down, personally con-

gratulated Senator Pacquiao on Monday, following the Filipino boxer’s victory over American Jessie Vargas last November 6.

“Do or die ako kay Pacquiao,” Duterte said after raising Pacquiao’s hands.

He earlier predicted Pac-

quiao to win by a knockcout within four rounds.

That did not happen.

Or was not necessary.

“I would like to extend the warmest congratulations from t h e

Filipino people and the government to the Senator for doing us proud here,” he added.

Both Duterte and Pacquiao supported each others’ candidacies during the May 2016 elections. They are also advocates of the war on illegal drugs and the return of the death penalty. Duterte also showed Pacquiao his list of suspected high-profile drug personalities during t h e meeting.

Pacquiao trumped Va r g a s

via unanimous decision (114113, 118-109, 118-109) to claim the WBO welterweight title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An earlier statement from the Office of the Communications Secretary said Pacquiao’s win “united and brought joy to our people and our nation.”

“The discipline, the determination, and the hard work of our People’s Champ are truly what make him a National Treasure in Global Sports,” the Palace added.

Pacquiao previously announced his retirement from the sport following his April 9 unanimous decision victory over Tim Bradley. Pacquiao decided to fight again, claiming boxing is his passion while promising that the sport won’t interfere with his legislative duties.

MY CHAMP. Pesident Duterte raises the hand of Manny Pacquiao in Malacanang on Monday.