Edge Davao 9 Issue 207

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

NEW LANDMARKS. An electrician installs electrical wirings on the Candles of Life monument made by renowned Mindanao artist Kublai Millan inside Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City yesterday. The monument, together with other four new facilities of the hospital, will be unveiled today. Lean Daval Jr.

$23-B PROJECTS FOR BIMP-EAGA

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) has braced for the implementation of various big ticket projects amounting to $23 billion starting next year, a senior official of Mindanao Development Authority revealed yesterday.

MinDA Director Romeo Montenegro of Investment Promotion, International Relations and Public Affairs told reporters in a press briefing at Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall in Davao City that the projects will be part of the “BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025” (BEV 2025) that was endorsed by BIMP-EAGA ministers during its 12th ministerial meeting in Palawan on November 29.

Bev 2025 will commence

next year, 2017.

Montenegro said big ticket projects for Mindanao that will be funded through BEV 2025 include the Mindanao Railway worth $9 billion; the expansion and development of ports in Davao City and Polloc in Maguindanao; airport developments in Davao City and Zamboanga City; and road projects particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“If we value all of these projects, Mindanao represents a big chunk in that $23 billion worth of infrastructure projects in BIMP-EAGA,” he pointed out.

The $23 billion worth of priority infrastructure projects will elevate BIMP-EAGA near to the other big leagues in ASEAN polygon such as the Central Asia Economic Coop-

eration, the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, Montenegro added.

BEV 2025, that will carry all of the incoming big ticket projects for Mindanao is envisioned as a vehicle to transform BIMP-EAGA into a resilient, inclusive, sustainable and economically competitive sub-region.

The program will also narrow the development gaps and deliver three main outcomes – to include, competitive and green manufacturing; sustainable, competitive and climate resilient agro-industry and fisheries; and, sustainable tourism destination.

“With the BIMP-EAGA having $23 billion worth of projects, hindi na tayo smalltime,” Montenegro said, adding that the sub-region will

eventually turn into destination hub of investors.

Most of the big ticket projects that will be funded under BEV 2025 are highways, ports and airports that aim to develop connectivity within Mindanao and the rest of the sub-region.

“The projects will provide direct shipping links, sea and air routes that will enhance movement of cargos across Mindanao, the ASEAN and BIMP-EAGA,” he added.

Some of the projects, especially those listed for Mindanao are already funded, there were those that were already implemented while some are still up for feasibility studies, Montenegro said.

The railway project, he added, is among the named priorities of the Duterte administration.

PHilMec develops new products from cacao

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization has discovered new ways to fully utilize cacao that would pave the way for industry players to venture into the production of a wide array of products from the crop.

This was bared by PHilMec director Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia in a press briefing

yesterday at World Palace Hotel Davao.

“From cacao, PHilMec was able to produce products like vinegar, wine and soft drinks, and even briquettes that can be produced in abundance because the country discards at least three million metric tons of cacao husks every year,” said Dr. Alvindia.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

PICKING ONE’S THOUGHTS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, holding the book ‘Gangster Warlords’, talks to the book’s author himself Ioan Grillo in Malacañang on Tuesday night. KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photo

Mangansakan’s Forbidden Memory to debut in ARMM

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HE best documentary at this year’s Cinema One Originals Film Festival entitled ‘Forbidden Memory’, directed by multi-awarded Moro filmmaker Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan II will be shown on Friday, December 9, a day before the International Human Rights Day , at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex at the region’s seat here.

The 96-minute documentary dubbed “the greatest Marcos horror story never told” on its synopsis, says it “summons remembrance and memories of the fateful days in September 1974 when about 1,000 men from Malisbong and

neighboring villages in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, were killed while 3,000 women and children were forcibly taken to naval boats stationed nearby where they encountered unspeakable horror.”

These atrocities, genocide as they were dubbed, were perpetrated in the dark years of the martial law regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The screening of the film a day before the IHRD is aimed at opening the eyes of the audience to the human rights violations as well as to understand the plight of the Moros during martial law.

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Malling in Davao City unperturbed by threats

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

USINESS as usual in Davao City – is the description made by senior officers of one of the malls in the city, saying that mall goers remain unruffled by talks of terrors and the bombing of the Roxas night market in September of this year.

Ruby Ochoa, mall manager and Melissa Tanduyan, op-

erations manager of Abreeza Mall of Davao on Wednesday said food traffic has greatly improved in the city.

“Food traffic has greatly improved since the start of Ayala Mall. We are now hitting 100 percent of our target,” Tanduyan said.

High hits of targets in food traffic are usually achieved

TOXICS watch group decried the unabated sale in Davao City of dangerous cosmetics banned by the national health authorities for containing mercury, a highly toxic chemical.

The EcoWaste Coalition revealed that it was able to buy last weekend eight imported skin whitening facial creams that were among those banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for containing mercury beyond the “allowable limit” of one part per million (ppm).

“We are appalled at the ease of buying such contraband cosmetics that are heavily laden with mercury. This is a threat to public health.

The people have the right not to be exposed to hazardous

substances that can endanger life and the environment. For the record, this is not the first time that we have found such dangerous goods being sold in Davao City,” stated Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, who recently visited the city for a public forum on the pitfalls of thermal waste-to-energy technologies at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Dizon purchased the products himself for P50 to P140 each from discount retailers at DCLA Plaza along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue.

Based on the chemical screening conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, six of the eight

during weekends, she added.

As the restaurants continue to receive clients and mall goers, the stores, stalls and display centers at Abreeza Mall also enjoy the unruffled mood of their clients and customers.

The enhanced safety measures being implemented at the mall and the strengthened security measures being

carried out by authorities in Davao City contributed much to the confidence of mall goers to go out and visit Abreeza Mall regularly.

Davao City was rocked by a deadly blast last September but the spirit of residents and its leaders did not vow to the threats posed by terror groups.

Misamis Oriental gears up for Group alarmed over unabated sale of banned cosmetics 87th anniversary celebrations A

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REPARATION for the celebration of the 87th founding anniversary of Misamis Oriental gained headway as the provincial government started the groundwork of the “Miss Kuyamis Festival” here.

Provincial Governor Yevgeny Emano said Wednesday that the Kuyamis Festival is one of the highlights of the province’s annual founding anniversary.

Emano said that the Kuyamis Festival focuses on the peculiar beauty and history of Misamis Oriental where the various provincial towns showcase traditional products that form part of the province economic and social life.

During the occasion, the

provincial municipalities would display their products in a booth made of indigenous materials around the sprawling provincial capitol ground, Emano said.

The governor said that the preparation for the province’s 87th annual anniversary was formally announced following the launching and endorsement of the candidates for the coveted “Miss 2017 Kuyamis Crown” last Monday.

Emano said that the selection of the “Miss Kuyamis 2017” highlights the founding anniversary celebration as an integral part of the vigorous campaign in the development of the province’s tourism industry. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

President names nemesis of Parago as chief of staff

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TAKING NICE AND EASY. Two young boys make the pavement on a sidewalk along Bonifacio Street in Davao City their bed as they take a nap after a long day of asking alms from pedestrians yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

FDA pressed to arrest dealers of mercury-laced cosmetics A

N Environmental watchdog has called on the Food and Drug Authority and the Philippine National police to stop the unabated sale in Davao City of cosmetics laced with the highly-toxic chemical mercury.

The EcoWaste Coalition revealed that it was able to buy last weekend eight imported skin whitening facial creams that were among those banned by the Food and Drug Administration for containing mercury beyond the “allowable limit” of one part per million (ppm).

“We are appalled at the ease of buying such contraband cosmetics that are heavily laden with mercury. This is a threat to public health. The people have the right not to be exposed to hazardous substances that can endanger life and the environment. For the record, this is not the first time that we have found

such dangerous goods being sold in Davao City,” stated Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, who recently visited the city for a public forum on the pitfalls of thermal waste-to-energy technologies at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Dizon purchased the products himself for P50 to P140 each from discount retailers at DCLA Plaza along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue.

Based on the chemical screening conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, six of the eight samples were found to contain mercury ranging from 391 to 2,991 ppm, way above the one ppm limit.

Among those found contaminated with mercury were six variants of Jiaoli and S’zitang skin whitening creams banned

HE Supreme Court on Wednesday said that fact-investigation on the three of the four judges named

by President Rodrigo Duterte as involved in the illegal drugs trade in the country has been concluded. ”The court hereby declares that no evidence has been put forward to link Judges Exequil Dagala (of the MTC in Dapa-Socorro in Siargao Island, Surigao); Adriano Savillo, (RTC, Branch 30, Iloilo City); Domingo Casiple (RTC, Branch 7, Kalibo, Aklan), to any involvement in the use, trade or proliferation of illegal drugs and hereby this fact-finding investigation against them is hereby terminated,” SC Spokesperson Theodore Te said as he read the

decision during the press conference on Wednesday.

Te said that SC has tapped retired Associate Justice Roberto Abad to head the probe against four of the three judges.

According to Te, Abad is still waiting for a reply from the police and PDEA on his query about Baguio City Benguet RTC Judge Antonio Reyes.

“We affirm our commitment not to shirk from our responsibility of imposing disciplinary action upon any erring judicial officer or personnel. Yet, we must also be steadfast in our undertaking to not be the instrument that destroys the reputation of any member of the bench by pronouncing guilt based merely on speculation,” said Te.

SC clears three judges linked to illegal drugs T F SC, 10

by the FDA. The other two banned products, Bihuayn and Erna skin whitening creams, were found negative for mercury.

Users of mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics may experience skin discoloration, rashes and scarring and reduced skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, while repeated applications can cause damage to the brain, the nervous system and the kidneys, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has listed mercury as one of the “10 chemicals of major public health concern.”

“To finally bring this unlawful trade to a close, we urge the offices of the FDA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region XI to undertake immediate law enforcement action and bring the culprits to court,” Dizon suggested.

“This will be a good test case for the FDA and the PNP following the signing last week of a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at strengthening the the enforcement of FDA-implemented health laws,” he noted.

Last November 28, the PNP led by Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and the FDA led by Director General Nela Charade Puno signed an agreement deputizing the PNP to assist and augment FDA’s capabilities in the conduct of pre- and post- market surveillance activities and operations.

The PNP, with proper authorization from the FDA, shall conduct necessary investigation, search and seizure, as well as apprehend erring individuals and entities responsible for the proliferation of unregistered, counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded or substandard health products in the market. (PNA)

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Año as the new chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday.

Año, acknowleged for the killing of rebel commander Leonardo Pitao alias Kumander Parago in June 28,2015, will replace his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy, Gen. Ricardo Visaya, who formally retired after 37 years of service.

Both men are members of PMA Class of 1983. Año is also a cum laude graduate of the prestigious military academy.

Año will serve as AFP chief until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Oct. 26, 2017.

Prior to becoming the AFP chief, he served at the Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2012 to 2014 before becoming commander of the Compostela Valley-based 10th Infantry Division.

Año was also credited with the capture of Communist

Party of the Philippines chair Benito Tiamzon and wife Wilma in Alonguisan, Cebu last March 22, 2014.

He was also responsible for the killing of rebel commander Leonardo Pitao alias Kumander Parago in June 28, 2015.

Año was named Philippine Army commander in July 15, 2015.

The new AFP chief is a recipient of two Distinguished Service Stars; one Gold Cross medal for gallantry in combat action; a Silver Cross Medal; and 24 Bronze Cross medals for intelligence operations; 38 Military Merit Medals, three of which are with Spearhead Device for accomplishments in combat actions against armed enemies; and nine Military Commendation Medals; a Silver Wing Medal, and other various awards and Command Plaques to include the most coveted Philippine Military Academy Cavalier Award in recognition as outstanding PMA Alumnus in the field of Army Operations in 1996.

(PNA)

State-run hospital expands; opens new medical facilities

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HE Southern Philippines Medical Center has announced the opening of new health facilities on Thursday to provide better services not only to host-city Davao but also to patients from other provinces and cities in Mindanao.

It includes; Centralized Intensive Care Unit (CICU),Cancer Institute, Emerging and re-emerging Diseases Isolation Facility, House of Hope extension and Candles of Hope.

SPMC chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega said the new facilities will be fully operational right after the launching. He added that the new facilities will help address the congestion in the government-run hospital.

The CICU has a four-storey in-patient facility with 52 ICU beds including a separate stroke unit and ICU facility for infectious cases. It also includes a 137 bed general adult medicine wards for clean cases. The P142 million budget used for the construction came from the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (DOH-HFEP).

“This will answer the growing needs of the community we serve for critical care services,” Vega said.

The Cancer Institute caters to pediatric and adult out-patient and minor surgical facility for cancer patients while the House of Hope extension is a

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HAMMING IT UP. Excitement is written all over the faces of young children as they play on a mascot-shaped carnivals ride which is being installed at Rizal Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

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AFP head bids farewell to Army troop in CDO

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 December 2016) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera leads the cutting of ribbon of Paskuhan sa Gensan 2016 flea market Monday, December 5, at Oval Plaza. Together with Mayor Rivera are (from right)

Councilor Monching Melliza, DepEd Gensan Schools Division Superintendent Hildo Mosqueda, DepED GenSan assistant SDS Mario Bermudez and Councilor Atty. Edmar Yumang. (Russell Delvo/ Gensan CPIO)

RMED Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Ricardo R Visaya made his farewell visit in Camp Evangelista, the largest military camp in Northern Mindanao located in Cagayan de Oro City.

Visaya, who once served as commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division , would retire from the military service on Thursday, 33 years as a military officer after graduating in the Philippine Military Academy “Class Matikas” of 1983.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4ID spokesman, said that Visaya joined the military as a young lieutenant after graduating from the PMA in 1983.

He said that as the army commander of the 4ID in 2013-2014, Visaya succeeded in convincing 300 members of

the outlawed communist New People’s Army (NPA) to lay down their arms and return to mainstream of the society.

During his farewell speech, Visaya disclosed that his colorful and successful military career actually started in Camp Evangelista when he was first assigned as a fresh PMA graduate in 1983.

“It is in this military camp (Camp Evangelista) that I was accorded the Junior Officer Award in 1985, then, given the opportunity to serve as the 38th commander of the largest military camp in Northern Mindanao in 2013,” Visaya said.

Visaya would turn over the AFP command on Dec 7, 2016 before reaching the mandatory age of retirement of 56 on Dec. 8, 2016. (PNA)

went to ‘fantasyland.’ Held in Arriesgado Gym, Tagum City last November 29, 2016, the event bears the theme: “Comval Bulilit goes to Fantasyland” and gathers more than 500 participants coming from 11 municipalities of the province.

Board Member Vivencia Secuya, as the keynote speaker emphasizes the importance of education to attain success of the children in the future, saying “Tinuod gayud nga ang edukasyon lamang ang katigayunan nga di maprenda og di makawat. Maong dapat kini i-treasure alang sa kaayuhan sa atong gagmayng kabataan.”

Also expressing her support, PSWDO-Department Head – Josephine M. Frasco said “Naga-level up na gyud ang atong mga pro-

grams for the children. In fact by next year, we’ll have a necessity for schools and trainings in all the municipalities, for the Child Development Workers and for us to step up as a whole.”

Meanwhile, recognition for Service Awardees & Commendation of Level 3 Accreditation was also conducted which later on gave appraisal to few parents and teachers.

Highlighting the event, is the Search for ComVal Bulilit 2016 with entry no. 6 of Nabunturan Day Care Center hailed as the champion.

Aside from the ‘bulilit pageant,’ various contests were also enjoyed by the children such as a “Draw & Tell a Story,” song solo, folk Dance, Zumbata, fun games, among others. (wina gonzales/IDS comval)

As of the end of November, four projects under the I-BUILD component worth around P69 million were already completed in the province.

These are part of the 13 projects worth P215 million that were so far completed in the entire Region 12.

Eight of the projects worth P121.1 million are in Sultan Kudarat province and one worth P28.9 million in Sarangani.

Fuentes reiterated the provincial government’s full support to the PRDP, which is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture .

She said the project’s direct impact to local farmers and farming communities in the province has been overwhelming.

“We’ve been getting mil-

lions in investments for a minimal counterpart of 10 to 15 percent out of the total cost of the projects. That is really huge for the province,” she said.

The governor said the province has been also gaining ground in terms of availment of enterprise projects under the PRDP’s Investment in Rural Enterprise and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity or I-REAP component.

The province’s Php39-million cassava production and marketing project in Polomolok town was PRDP’s pilot project for the enterprise component when it was launched two years ago.

This year, the PRDP board approved the implementation of a P17-million green coffee production project in Tupi town. (PNA)

Comval Bulilit goes to Fantasyland I

N line with the celebration of Children’s Month this year, the provin-

cial government of ComVal through Provincial Social Welfare & Development Of-

ComVal Day Care children in their fantastic costumes together with their guardians, grace in a Provincial Bulilit Festival schemed by the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO) for the Children’s Month

Cotabato City to build P65-M facility for septage processing

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PHP 65-MILLION septage processing plant will soon rise at Barangay Rosary Heights 10 in Cotabato City.

The project, described as “self-liquidating” to the benefit of parties spending for its establishment, is a joint endeavor of the city government and Metro Cotabato Water District with the United States Agency for International Development providing technical assistance.

Elias Salazar, USAID provincial coordinator for water security under the Be Secure Project, said on Tuesday that both city government and MCWD would share on a 5050 counterpart to fund the project.

The Development Bank of the Philippines has offered its

assistance on the bidding aspect of the venture.

The project that had its groundbreaking ceremony held Monday afternoon at the old city dumpsite at Rosary Heights 10 village would be fully mechanized to service the MCWD’s 31, 347 concessionaires under a 22 cubic meter septage processing capacity.

“All it takes is 30 minutes to have the full (septage) process finished,” Engr. Crisanto Saavedra, city general services office chief, said.

As easily as September this year, Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani – Sayadi has announced the passage of the city’s septage ordinance leading to the establishment of the septage treatment facility.

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fice (PSWDO) escorts the Day Care children for a ‘Provincial Bulilit Festival.’

Wearing their fantastic costumes, the kids together with their guardians,

celebration, held in Arriesgado Gym, Tagum City last November 29, 2016.

(Photo credit: GJ. Getubig/IDS Comval)

SoCot eyes big farm PRDP infra projects T HE provincial government of South Cotabato is bracing for the implementation of more “big ticket” agricultural infrastructure projects in parts of the province next year under the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Monday the local government is working on the approval of additional proposals to the PRDP for the funding in 2017 of several major farm infrastructure projects, specifically farm-to-market roads.

She said they are targeting a substantial increase from the P646.5 million worth of infrastructure projects so far received by the province under its Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics

for Development or I-BUILD component.

“We have prioritized a number of high-impact projects and we’re very positive that these will be approved soon,” she said.

A report released by the South Cotabato-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed that the infrastructure projects implemented in the area were the rehabilitation and upgrading of farm road networks, and the construction of potable water systems.

The ongoing projects include the rehabilitation of the Purok Taurus-Central Balabago road in Norala town worth P18.9 million; concreting of the Crossing Rubber-Lunen road in Tupi worth P41.8 million; and, the Lampitak water station in Tampakan worth P4.9 million.

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PhilMEC bares technologies to boost RP cacao production F

RP tackles access to climate finance with Asean nations

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMec) has developed a viable package of technologies and good agricultural practices (GAP) that will boost the cacao industry over the long term.

The PhilMEC said this package of technologies and good agricultural practices are expected to make cacao production in the country globally competitive.

PHilMec is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture mandated to spearhead the development of the agri-fishery sector through postharvest technologies.

In a statement, PHilMec executive director Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia (Scientist III) said that studies and field observations conducted by the

agency show that harvesting and even drying practices of cacao in the Philippines need vast improvement to upgrade the quality of dried beans that can be exported.

“Even teaching simple GAP like washing hands or using clean plastic gloves before sorting newly-harvested beans will have a great impact on improvement of the quality of dried beans,” Dr. Alvindia added.

PHilMec has develped an improved Greenhouse-type Solar Dryers (GTSD) retrofitted with biomass furnace that is an improvement of the Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer (MCSTD).

Dr. Alvindia said the Philippines’ tropical climate will make it necessary for cacao growers to use technologies to dry their beans.

“Since the Philippines has a tropical climate, the drying of cacao beans should eb done in an efficient way that can only be accomplished with the use of the proper post-harvest equipment like the GTSD,” stressed the executive director.

Dr. Alvindia explained that the GTSD facilitates convenient regular mixing of the fermented cacao beans during periods of continuous rainfall.

Meanwhile he pointed out that poor bean quality could be resulted by improper drying of cacao beans under direct sunlight which can lead to fungal and bacterial contamination.

The biomass furnace of the GTSD, which functions as supplement heating during nighttime and periods of continuous rainfall, works by transferring heat into the dry-

er through the heat exchanger ducts installed along its length.

The drying trials of PHilMec showed the following results: Drying time was four days in the GSTD compared to six days drying time in the greenhouse dryer commonly used by cacao processors. The temperature inside the dryer ranged from 30°C to 60°C during daytime compared to the ambient temperature range of 25°C to 34°C. With the supplemental heating at night, the temperature ranged from 28°C to 44°C.The quality analysis of the samples showed the GTSD produced well-dried and browner cacao beans compared to the traditional greenhouse dryer.

The GTSD has a capacity to dry 702kg of fermented cacao beans and a few are in use in Davao del Sur.

INANCE officials and specialists from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal convened in Manila to tackle speedier access to international climate funding, in a follow up to the Marrakech climate negotiations.

In a declaration released Wednesday, the eight countries agreed to “call for urgent climate action and support from the international community” and at the same time “mobilize all available resources, including our own, to ensure that our domestic institutions can deliver climate finance far sooner and with far greater impact.”

The two-day meeting, which began last Tuesday, focused on how national governments, banks, and companies can help each other solve the challenges of applying for accreditation and approval of projects to the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund, which aims to mobilize US$ 100 billion per year by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries.

“We must now put climate justice into action. We need to operationalize access to resources and deploy funds to communities that need it the most,” said Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman of the Climate Change Commission.

The countries also discussed the mobilization of domestic climate funds, such as the People’s Survival Fund in the Philippines, now worth Php2 billion, which recently approved Php120 million to

support climate adaptation projects for Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte and Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Bangladesh also has its US$ 1-billion Climate Change Trust Fund that the country uses for both adaptation and mitigation projects.

“Asia’s developing countries, the Philippines included, urgently need climate finance to protect their communities from the already-staggering loss of life as well as escalating damage to the region’s economies,” said Renato Redentor Constantino, Executive Director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). “Governments in the region are eager to learn from one another how public and private institutions can most quickly and effectively leverage climate finance in pursuit of truly transformational, climate-resilient development.”

ICSC organized the climate finance meeting in partnership with the World Resources Institute, the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GIZ, and the United Nations Development Programme. Over 60 participants representing the finance departments, financial institutions, and other organizations from eight countries participated in the event.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities is a policy group in the Philippines promoting low-carbon development strategies, sustainable energy solutions and fair climate policy in vulnerable countries. (PNA)

RP, Pakistan execs pledge to enhance ecocooperation

CREATIVITY SELLS. A young hawker peddles miniature Christmas lanterns along San Pedro Street in Davao city 17 days before Christmas Day. Lean Daval Jr.

FAO, DA unveil operations center for agri in QC T

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Department of Agriculture, together with United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization, have inaugurated the country’s first disaster risk reduction and management operations center (DRRM) for agriculture on Monday in Quezon City.

Envisioned to be a monitoring hub for natural calamities that pose a threat to the agriculture sector, the center will serve as a crucial platform for decision makers and experts to enhance national preparedness and to coordinate response activities related to agriculture.

“In 2015, DA and FAO took a significant step together in formulating the country’s first Strategic Plan of Action for DRR in Agriculture and

Fisheries,” said FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernández, adding that they have launched the Integrating Agricultural Sectors in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP-Ag) Programme in 2016.

NAP-Ag seeks to improve the country’s institutional capacity to operationalize climate adaptation and disaster response strategies. It is in this Operations Center that we will see these plans and strategies action,” said The facility, which is located in Quezon City, was renovated, fitted and furnished for risk and disaster monitoring and assessment tools and equipment through funding provided by FAO and its development partners.

The partners include the German Federal Ministry for

the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety and European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), among others.

Facing disasters head on “Our country is vulnerable to disasters and natural calamities,” said DA Undersecretary Cayanan who delivered a message on behalf of DA Undersecretary for Policy, Planning Research and Development and Regulations Segfredo Serrano.

He pointed out that the country had experienced some of the worst cases of strong typhoons such as Pablo, Yolanda, and the recent Typhoon Lawin and El Niño, which significantly affected agricultural industries and production.

“The establishment of the

DA DRRM Operations Center through Special Order No. 816 is a testament that DA is seriously working on a more precise, substantive and efficient DRRM in agriculture and fisheries. [The center] will ensure that all of DA’s DRRM-related activities, plans and programs are properly implemented and sustained, as well as managed and institutionalized,” he added.

In the Global Climate Risk Index 2017 published

by GermanWatch, the Philippines ranks as the fifth most affected country in the world by climate-related disasters between 1996 and 2015. Government estimates cite that almost within the same period (1995 and 2013), the agriculture sector absorbed, on aver-

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ANILA and Islamabad executives have pledged to work on broadening and diversifying economic between the Philippines and Pakistan, with both sides expressing interest in enhancing cooperation in the fields of agriculture, defense, information technology (IT) and pharmaceuticals.

In a meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Pakistani Ambassador to Manila Safdar Hayat said pharmaceutical firms in Pakistan want to invest in the Philippines, while other companies have expressed interest in exploring areas for cooperation on technology transfer in fruit processing and IT where the Philippines has greater expertise.

“My efforts from the very beginning have been to concentrate on enhancing trade between the two countries,” Hayat said.

Hayat said Pakistan is also interested in exporting rice along with weapons, tanks, aircraft and submarines to the Philippines.

Pakistan, he said, could also export textiles to, and import chemicals and manu-

factured goods from, the Philippines.

Dominguez agreed with Hayat on the need to improve economic relations between their countries and raised the possibility of importing Basmati rice from Pakistan when the government lifts the quantitative restrictions on the grain next year Both officials agreed that the first meeting of the Joint Economic Commission tentatively set in April next year would be a mutually beneficial “starting point” for improved trade relations between the two countries, along with the conduct of trade delegations between the two sides.

The governments of Pakistan and the Philippines have ratified the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission on Aug. 17 2009 to further promote increased trade and investments between the two countries.

“We’ll certainly participate. That will be a good start,” Dominguez said when informed by Hayat about the joint commission meeting.

Hayat also sought Domin-

F RP, 13

ECONOMY 7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

PSALM can pay P550-B debt via presidential intervention

S

ENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said on Wednesday that the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) can ask President Rodrigo Duterte to exempt PSALM from paying dividends until it finally settled its Php550 billion debt.

“The President should approve (the exemption).

Under the law, the President has the power,” Gatchalian said in media interview after the Senate inquiry into the PSALM’s failure to remit dividends due to the national treasury.

During the hearing, Gathalian discovered the PSALM is using the dividends to pay the debt it inherited from under Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

Under R.A. 9136, PSALM was established and mandated to take ownership of all existing National Power Corporation (Napocor) generation assets, liabilities, IPP contracts, real estate and all other disposable assets.

Gatchalian said the PSALM’s total debts had reached to more than Php900 billion combined from inherited liabilities and from the government loans used to build power plants.

“Right now, the PSALM’s debt from different banks and other people is still Php550 billion. It was re-

duced but still substantial so they requested to pay it first and not to remit dividends,” Gatchalian said.

Republic Act No. 7656 mandates all the Government-Owned Or –Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings.

However, a Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed that PSALM has not remitted Php29.39 billion dividends to the Bureau of Treasury from 2004 to 2014. It has actually paid only Php2.113 billion from 2004 to 2015.

“The problem is since 10 years ago, the exemption was not approved by the President. So it accumulated. It needs the approval of the President,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said his committee’s recommendation “is for PSALM to already ask the President to approve this (exemption) because if it is left hanging, they’re violating the law every year.”

The senator emphasized the need to pay immediately the PSALM’s unsettled obligations which will continue to increase due to weakening of the peso against dollar.

“There is a foreign currency risk that’s why we also require PSALM to come up with strategy because if peso will hit 52 (against a dollar), their debt will increase,” he explained. (PNA)

LEVELLING OFF. Newly-recruited call center agents undergo extensive training at a call center company in Davao City yesterday. Business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is optimistic of continuous growth next year under the Trump administration. Lean Daval Jr.

Compostela Valley to operate P38-M gold processing plant T

Won’t use mercury, cyanide to extract gold

HE provincial government is set to operate next year the P38-million Gold-Copper Mineral Processing Plant put up through the help of the Department of Science and Technology in Barangay Katipunan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

This was revealed on Wednesday by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, who said the project is environment-friendly because it will not use Mercury and Cyanide to extract

gold. The plant will use what is considered the most modern technology in the mining industry.

Because it is the most modern technology, Uy said it will have high accuracy and the province would contribute to the realization of the “Better Mining Policy” pushed by the provincial government.

Compostela valley is only one of the areas considered as pilot site of the mineral processing plant in the country.

Uy welcomed this development after he was updated

by DOST officials on the project.

Small scale miners in Diwalwal have long been using Mercury and Cyanide as the easiest way to extract gold.

The establishment of the processing plant in Barangay Katipunan, Nabunturan is covered by Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Comval Province, DOST, UP Diliman, Nabunturan Inte-

grated Miners Development Cooperative and the barangay through Barangay Captain Paz Maglangit.

ComVal Vice Governor Manuel Zamora, who also welcomed the realization of the project, said that compared to old processing plants, the new technology would increase gold recovery to 80 percent from only 50 percent, which is the highest recovery amid the danger of using chemicals.

(PNA)

EVERAL big businesses, including diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), have committed to invest a “couple of billion of pesos” in projects aimed at reducing poverty incidence in the island province of Sulu by 25 percent in three years.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol told reporters on Wednesday that groundworks on the “Save Sulu Project” started last Sept.

15 in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to map out a poverty alleviation program for the said province.

Piñol said the project would be launched on Dec. 19 with the assistance of the Go-Negosyo group, led by Presidential Consultant on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, which participated in crafting the poverty alleviation program.

He bared that SMC President Ramon Ang is keen on participating in a new program dubbed as “Adopt-a-Village”.

Piñol noted the program involves development of a village through the construction

of government center, sports facility, roads, health center and other infrastructure.

Adopt-a-Village program is a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme wherein private firms are encouraged to identify rural areas where they can establish such infrastructures.

Piñol said SMC’s Ang also aimed to engage farmers in Sulu in raising chicken under poultry contract-growing scheme which would be bought and processed by the conglomerate into ready-toeat roasted chicken.

SMC targeted to export ready-to-eat roasted chicken to nearby Sabah, he said.

The agriculture chief said businessman Manny V. Pangilinan would also invest in the telecommunications and power sectors in Sulu.

“Bounty Fresh will be coming in with poultry projects; Henry Lim (chief executive officer of SL Agritech Corp.) and Lucio Tan will build classrooms; while Rosalind Wee of W Group, Inc. will revive the carrageenan industry in Sulu,” he said. (PNA)

BOI drafts investment plan S to boost inclusive business

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

T

HE Board of Investments will pursue a strategic investment plan for 2017 in a bid to strengthen the Duterte Administration’s 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda and Philippines’ long-term vision Ambisyon 2040.

BOI executive director Raul Angeles in a press conference at Seda Hotel Davao Wednesday morning said that the Investment Priorities Plan, as the country’s fundamental investment policy tool, would lead the way in this endeavor starting next year.

“It also seeks to scale up small enterprises and disperse opportunities for local employment and innovation-driven business models,” he added.

Angeles mentioned they had series of consultations with the Presidential Management Staff, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Transportation and other government agencies involved in the

framework of investment priorities plan for 2017 to 2019.

He pointed out that BOI would finalize the draft after the nationwide public hearing on IPP and submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte by the end of 2016.

The 2017 IPP draft has a total of nine activities such as all manufacturing activities including agri-processing, agriculture and fishery, strategic services, healthcare services including drug rehabilitation centers, mass holding, infrastructure logistics including the government’s private-public partnerships (PPP), innovation drivers, inclusive business models, and environment-related projects.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assistant regional director for Davao Region Edwin Banquerigo, for his part, said that the thing for IPP is upscaling and dispersing opportunities and it intends to place the Philippines

on the higher level of industrialization and modernization and bring investments on the countryside.

Banquerigo explained that the proposed 2017 IPP is structured to address the aspirations and current socio-economic needs of the Filipinos as it lays down a solid foundation for more inclusive growth through innovation and pro-poor business models.

“It is one of the DTI’s contributions to one of the Administration’s 10-point agenda which is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encourage their integration into primary business networks through innovation-driven models – seeking to expand the middle-class by improving the quality of life of the poor,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has

also drafted its latest Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) or the 20172019 ARMM List.

According to ARMM-BOI representative Larry Santos, the development of the tourism industry is a must in their region.

“Most people from our area are into seaweed farming and establishing seaweed processing plants,” Santos pointed out, adding that a good IPP that would allow these farmers easy access to a market that could give them good returns.

Officials also said aligning with ARMM’s effort to revitalize its link with BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area) is also essential to retain cross-border trade in the IPP. Santos added they would submit the final ARMM List this month and consolidate with BOI-Manila before 2016 ends for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Big companies keen to invest in Sulu anti-poverty projects

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

A

Setting an example

GRICULTURE Secretary Manny Pinol has set an example for everyone in the government—whether high-ranking or rank and file—in this gift-giving season.

In his Facebook page yesterday, Secretary Pinol wrote about a gift he received from one of the companies in the Agri sector. It was a Rolex submariner watch and if his words were to describe it. The watch is every man’s dream.

Uncharacteristically, Secretary Pinol returned the precious gift.

If there was any memory of the gift, there was only a photo of him with the watch inside its box which was, by now, the living testament of an exemplary act by a public servant.

President Duterte had earlier issued a “No Gift Policy” in memo to all government officials and employees.

The act by the Agriculture secretary indeed is worth emulating but at the same time a daunting experience since it is Christmas time and it is the season of gift-giving.

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Corporate gifts are but a natural fare this season. By tradition, business establishments give out Christmas gifts as a way of thanking clients and friends. However, it is different when the gift is way too expensive than ordinary, as in this case, a Rolex watch which easily fetches from close to half a million pesos or more depending on the model and value.

While gifts are too good to resist, the receiver, being a public servant, must weigh in on the circumstances of the gift and the strings attached to it. For ordinary government employees, corporate gifts like calendars, planners or mugs are a normal fare.

But as you go up the hierarchy, the gifts vary in value and yes, the ‘strings’ surrounding the gesture.

Secretary Pinol’s temerity to resist the temptation of accepting a precious gift reflects the culture of governance espoused by the Duterte administration.

The fine example set by Secretary Pinol should rub off on the rest of the bureaucracy.

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Y

OU can already count the days -- and soon it will be Christmas. “(I)t is the one season of the year when we can lay aside all gnawing worry, indulge in sentiment without censure, assume the carefree faith of childhood, and just plain “have fun.” Whether they call it Yuletide, Noel, Weinachten, or Christmas, people around the earth thirst for its refreshment as the desert traveller for the oasis,” observed D.D. Monroe of Christmas.

In contrast to the heat of the sun during the summer months, we experience the balmy, cool air as Christmas season is fast approaching in the Philippines.

Some people bring out their Christmas decorations as early as October. Christmas tree is neatly decorated. Poinsettia is a common motif. Christmas lantern, called parol, is hung near the window, with matching Christmas lights inside. Green and red are the colors of the season.

We take pride as the country that celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world. Celebrating Christmas in this country is quiet and experience and memorable as family members are reunited. Those from far away places come home to celebrate the season with their loved ones.

“The Yuletide season is the time when, arriving home, you embrace and kiss the little old woman who keeps wiping her tears with her apron as she cooks the best food for her brood,” writes Gil G. Fernandez, a magazine columnist. “This is the time

T

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Soon it will be Christmas

VANTAGE POINTS

9

too when THINK ON THESE! you greet the grand old man ‘Mano po, Itay’ as he sits quietly in one corner of the house.”

This year, we will be Henrylito D. Tacio celebrating henrytacio@gmail.com Christmas without the presence of my two sisters who are now married and living in the United States: Elena in Minnesota and Marilou in Florida.

Both have families of their own. But we know that even if they are physically absent, they will be mentally present.

Yes, I admit that I love Christmas. It is the time of the year when almost all people are happy. After all, December 25 was the day when our Savior Jesus Christ came into this world to save us. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,” the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds (Luke 2:10).

Christmas is no time for crying and pain. “Christmas is the time of peace and goodwill,” explains Derrick Nichols, a Canadian church minister. “There is no room for bitterness at Christmas. If we have been recipients of God’s goodwill, then we will have goodwill toward God and others.”

Francis C. Farley reminds, “Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas

is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish.

Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.”

But Christmas is more than just a celebration. It is also a time when people should ponder the reason for the season.

“I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day,” David Grayson states.

“We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays - let them overtake me unexpectedly - waking up some find morning and suddenly saying to myself: ‘Why, this is Christmas Day!’” The answer to that question: The world celebrates Christmas because of the Son of God. Jesus Christ came into this world with one thing in mind: To love us and wash us from our sins by His blood. He appeared for that reason in a baby in Bethlehem, a lad in Nazareth, a preacher in Judea, a lamb in Calvary.

J.J. Packer, author of Knowing God, wrote: “’The Word became flesh’ (john 1:14); God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared in earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and state and wiggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. And there was no illusion or deception in this: the baby of the Son of

God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing is fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the incarnation.”

Another authority, C.H. Spurgeon, explained it this way: “Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman…

Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph.

Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.”

If we have to summarize the life of Jesus Christ in this world, it would be this way: God became incarnate in Jesus Christ.

Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.

This holiday season, think of what Jesus Christ has done for you. An unknown author reminds: “May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, and the warmth of Christmas grant you love.”

is (mis) deSPECKS OF LIFE fined as the “absence of weakness” instead of the “presence of vaunted wisdom and strengths.”

Fred C. Lumba The bandwagon mentality is created when political hysteria, created by a well-organized media hype, about a rising heir sweeps over the land.

Arguably, leaders are born. But recognize also the truth that leaders can be made.

Warren G. Bennis wrote: “The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born – that there is a genetic factor to leadership. Myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather

than born.”

One unimpeachable example is Abraham Lincoln. Dubbed “Honest Abe,” he was a mere CAFGU-like para-military leader of a small band during his younger years. He lost all his political tussles in the ensuing seasons but never gave up.

Studying law and reading under the lights supplied by burning wood in his fireplace inside a log cabin, Lincoln rose to become the President of the United States of America. This happened at a time when the Americans were deep into a civil war.

His exemplary executive leadership earned for him the label “The Great Emancipator.”

Thus, we are constrained to believe that a leader possessed of weak leadership skills will also reap and generate poor results. Conversely, a leader having exceptional leadership skills will harvest good exceptional results.

As explained in classes that teach motivational and inspirational ideas: “Big

minds achieve big results. Small minds achieve small results. Big, positive minds achieve big, positive results.”

Ergo, extraordinary leaders, compared with merely good leaders, must possess key strengths to make a big difference in the lives of ordinary citizens, most specially those belonging to the grassroots. Their decisions, actions and pronouncements create a lasting impression in their cerebral makeup, impacting on their lifestyles, habits, culture and ethical behaviour.

Our people have been buffeted too long by the winds of indifference and numbed by the under-achievements of each and every administration that Filipinos have turned a blind eye to the destructive effects of corruption, government neglect and mediocrity.

For a long suffering nation, being a good leader is not good enough.

One must rise to super star performance. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

Search for extraordinary executive leaders

IME and time again, our country gets besieged by political turmoil, lawlessness and conflict.

Today, we see this archipelago of 7,000 plus islands heatedly – even crazily – polarized by concepts and philosophies that are determined by colors their advocates wear.

Some wear orange, some wear yellow, some blue, some green, and some wear other identifiable tints and dyes.

One of the grievous mistakes we Filipinos commit is that, instead of a well-defined and proven life principle, we are enticed, lured, and sometimes deceived, to blindly follow fancy colors that please our eyes and physical bodies.

Since the days of our forefathers proceeding to the golden era of Rizal, Bonifacio, Luna, Mabini, Del Pilar et al, our people have been vainly searching for a genuine leader with exceptional qualities to take us out of the playpen of ignorance, imbecility and indolence.

Great executive leadership today

10 NEWS PHilMec... FROM 1

The director explained that the agency discovered that sweat drippings from cacao produced before the fermentation process, usually thrown away by growers and processors, can be used to to produce vinegar, wine, soft drinks.

Dr. Alvindia further explained in a press statement that the wine produced from cacao sweatings has an alcohol content of 10 to 12 percent, while vinegar has total Titratable Acid of 4 to 5 percent that passes the Philippine legal standards.

On the other hand, the soft drinks from cacao sweatings has total soluble solids (TSS) of 15 Brix that makes it suitable for consumers.

He added that the products PHilMec produced from cacao sweating have low microbial load based on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“PHilMec is currently undertaking financial analysis for the vinegar, wine and softdrinks produced from cacao sweatings or drippings, to determine the economies of scale for their production,” said Dr. Alvindia.

Biofuel from Cacao The director bared that 70 to 75 percent of the weight of cacao pod is from the husk that are usually discarded by growers and processors.

According to Dr. Alvindia, the country produces three million metric tons of discarded cacao husks every year and the utilization of cacao husk to produce fuel briquettes is a “very good solution in addressing the waste problem from discarded husks” .He also pointed out that the production volume for the fuel briquettes “looks promising”.

“Thirteen formulations in producing cacao pod huskbased fuel were developed

by PHilMec using piston-type briquetting machine,” said Dr. Alvindia.

He further explained that the results show that as the percent of the binding agent increases and particle size of pulverized cacao pod husk decreases, the bulk density, shatter resistance and break strength of fuel briquettes increases.

“Likewise, the average heating value and thermal efficiency of the optimum formulation are 3, 216 cal/g and 26 percent respectively,” he added.

Determination of the investment and production cost of cacao pod husk-based fuel is on-going.

Aside from the briquettes, Dr. Alvin also said that PHilMec discovered that cacao sweating could be developed into ethanol and the more expensive butanol, commonly used as aviation fuel.

State-run... FROM 4 two-storey annex with additional rooms including a multipurpose room, teens and activity room and play area.

For the two cancer facilities Vega said, “We hope to improve cancer outcomes in the region and beyond and provide normalcy to children and teens undergoing a life threatening illness at an early point in their life.

Vega said the state of the art Emerging and re-emerging Diseases Isolation Facility is a two bed facility which ensures both the safety and well-being of pa-

tients in the hospital staff as well as the community by mitigating risks of spread.

On the other hand, Davao’s homegrown sculptor, Kublai Milan donated his time and skills to construct the “Candles of Hope” located right in front of the new Cancer Institute.

“This will serve to provide a space for patients and families to get in touch with their spirituality and draw strength from their maker as they deal with their illness,” Vega explained.

(PNA)

“The city government wants nothing but to see our constituents live a convenient and comfortable life,” the mayor said.

Cecilia Camello-Barroga, a former city vice mayor and member of the MCWD board of directors, said the realization of the septage facility project is very timely considering that the city is fast becoming a bustling urban center in Central Mindanao with the mushrooming of mall chains in the locality over the past six years.

“Remember that what we do to our environment (when it comes to wastes), we take back,” she stressed.

Salazar said in recent months, Guiani–Sayadi and several other mayors have seen the importance of addressing some of the major gaps in the country’s water and sanitation services that includes the collection, treatment and discharge of sewage waste.

He said that with USAID’s

Be Secure assistance, the cities of Ormoc and Cagayan de Oro also have successfully passed their respective septage ordinances while Zamboanga City is studying the process of building a treatment plant for its old sewage facility built in the 1930s.

Tacloban City has built the first citywide treatment plant in the Eastern Visayas region that has a visitors’ center which serves as holding area for brief orientations on what the facility can do.

Isabela City in Basilan is also set to launch its septage treatment facility this month and begin operations on March 2017.

“The close collaboration between LGUs and water districts, with support from USAID, aims to help prevent or bring down the rates of water-borne diseases and boost the economy by providing proper water and sanitation services to Filipinos,” Salazar said. (PNA)

Cotabato... FROM 5

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

CROWD-DRAWER. A crowd gathers around a self-proclaimed healer and medical expert who uses a huge snake to catch the attention of passersby along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Mangansakan... FROM 2

Mangansakan, on his behind-the-scenes interview with Cinema One, said that that film is “about a collective memory that keeps the aspirations of the people alive.”

It premiered on November 18th, the same day Marcos was hurriedly buried 27 years after his death at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Mangansakan, on his Facebook account, posted that the timing was ironic, or rather providential, as it would serve as a reminder of who Marcos really was. The film, he said, is an indictment of Marcos and the horror of his authoritarian regime.

“The historical revisionism committed by the Supreme

Court” by allowing the Marcos burial, Mangansakan adds, “is a travesty to the memory of the thousands who perished and suffered under the martial law.”

The film will have two screenings on Friday. One at 9 a.m. for students, members of the military, and government employees, while the Gala will be at 6:30 p.m. for members of the business sector, local government officials, educators, opinion leaders, decision-makers, and the media.

Tickets are free from the Regional Human Rights Commission, the organizer of the event. (Bureau of Public Information)

age, 27 percent of the adverse economic impacts caused by natural hazards and disasters.

It rose to 37 percent within 2010 to 2013, when some of the world’s strongest and most destructive typhoons swept the country, including Typhoon Washi (local name: Sendong) in 2011, Typhoon Bopha (local name: Pablo) in 2012 and Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) in 2013.

In the coming years, disasters and climate extremes are expected to impose greater risks to the livelihoods of farmers and fishers, as well as the country’s food and nutri-

tion security. Government-led assessments also found that least 60 percent of the country’s land area is vulnerable to multiple hazards such as typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides, among others.

“The DA DRRM Operations Center will be instrumental in preparing the agriculture sector to tackle disasters and risks so that losses can be minimized, recovery and rehabilitation activities more quickly and effectively mobilized, and long-term resilience ingrained at all levels,” Fernández said.

to take the lead in pursuing the sub-region’s goals in line with the theme to develop a Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable and Economically Competitive (RISE) BIMP-EAGA by 2025,” said Boncato.

Boncato, who is an assistant secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry added that one of the strengths of this new EAGA framework is that it anchors its goals on the sub-region’s baseline data.”

“It is a challenge and opportunity for the Philippines to take this chairmanship during the pilot year of the implementation of the BEV 2025,” he added.

The 25th SOM is the largest annual gathering of EAGA’s high-level officials with almost 300 delegates from the four member countries attending the event to tackle the sub-region’s priority programs and

socioeconomic projects.

The EAGA officials and ministers also met with development partners such as the Asian Development Bank, Japan, and China to strengthen both administrative and financial collaborations in support to achieving the goals of the sub-region.

A BIMP-EAGA Investment Networking Session was also held alongside the high-level meetings, as a venue to enhance the role of the private sector in spurring development in the sub-region.

The BIMP-EAGA was organized in 1994 as a sub-regional cooperation primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by enhancing trade, tourism, and investments. Mindanao and Palawan are the two focus areas of the Philippines in the sub-regional grouping. (PNA)

FAO... FROM 6

PHL... FROM 11

Group... FROM 2

samples were found to contain mercury ranging from 391 to 2,991 ppm, way above the one ppm limit.

Among those found contaminated with mercury were six variants of Jiaoli and S’zitang skin whitening creams banned by the FDA. The other two banned products, Bihuayn and Erna skin whitening creams, were found negative for mercury.

Users of mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics may experience skin discoloration, rashes and scarring and reduced skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, while repeated applications can cause damage to the brain, the nervous system and the kidneys, according to the World Health Organization, which has listed mercury as one of the “ten chemicals of major public health concern.”

“To finally bring this unlawful trade to a close, we urge the offices of the FDA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region XI to undertake immediate law enforcement action and bring the culprits to court,” Dizon sug-

gested.

“This will be a good test case for the FDA and the PNP following the signing last week of a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at strengthening the the enforcement of FDA-implemented health laws,” he noted.

Last November 28, the PNP led by Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and the FDA led by Director General Nela Charade Puno signed an agreement deputizing the PNP to assist and augment FDA’s capabilities in the conduct of pre- and post- market surveillance activities and operations.

The PNP, with proper authorization from the FDA, shall conduct necessary investigation, search and seizure, as well as apprehend erring individuals and entities responsible for the proliferation of unregistered, counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded or substandard health products in the market.

The EcoWaste Coalition had already reported the matter to the FDA headquarters in Muntinlupa City. (PR)

He said the premature disclosure of the names of the judges have put their lives in danger and damaged their reputation.

“The Court also noted that the judges had been placed in danger and that their reputations had been damaged by the premature announcement of their alleged involvement in the drug trade which the investigation had revealed as unwarranted,” the high court said.

The high court affirmed Abad’s recommendation.

“Acting on his Report, the Court found that no prima facie case has been established against the said judges. It was constrained to terminate the investigation considering that despite repeated pleas, the PDEA insisted that no witness is willing to come forward and that it has exhausted the documentary

evidence it can submit,” the high court said.

The high court said despite the response from the authorities, extraordinary steps were taken to obtain evidence “because of the grave public import of the President’s comment.”

Abad has managed to acquire financial and commercial documents about the judges.

However, there was no other evidence to confirm or corroborate other material points.

“The public announcement regarding the involvement of the judges concerned made by the President was, at the very least, premature. It appears that it was not fully supported by evidence that were professionally validated and which could be presented in a court of law,” said Justice Marvic Leonen in his concurring opinion. (PNA)

without power to participate in the global knowledge economy.

Ten schools in remote areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will receive School-in-a-Bag units from Smart this year.

Individuals and organizations can also bring the gift of

digital learning to more schools in the country by sponsoring a School-in-a-Bag. Each package costs P100,000. For more information on how to donate, interested parties may send an email to TechnoCart@smart. com.ph

SC... FROM 4

PSF... FROM 11

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Fresh tastes of Hanoi SWEET, SOUR, SALTY, FRESH, these are the quintessential flavors of Vietnamese cuisine and a visit to Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine branch at the Abreeza Mall last November 28 reintroduced me to the elegant complexity of Vietnamese food.

Although not as popular as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean cuisines, Vietnamese cuisine holds its own with its unique culinary combinations of meat, seafood, noodles, vegetables, herbs, spices and condiments. For Vietnamese food virgins, the flavors of Viet cuisine is similar to Coastal Southern Chinese fare but with more emphasis on the layering of flavors, the use of herbs, lime and chilies which is more prevalent in Cambodian and Thai cuisine.

“One of the unique condiments we use at Hanoi is the Vietnamese fish sauce which lends an elevated level of umami to almost every dish,” said Christian De La Paz who manages Hanoi together with his brother Raymond. “Vietnamese cuisine also uses a lot of basil, coriander and herbs to really brighten up every dish.”

Among the many popular dishes at Hanoi is Pho, a noodle soup made of a rich beef broth and topped with bean sprouts, shrimp, pork slices, herbs and finished with a squeeze of lime, some shiracha hot sauce and a dash of fish sauce.

Another Vietnamese favorite, Bahn Mi, can also be ordered at Hanoi. A fusion dish created during the French colonization of Vietnam, Bahn Mi is a

Garlic Butter Crab

healthy sandwich make of French baguette, stuffed with vegetables, herbs, and your choice of grilled chicken, grilled pork, or coldcuts.

My personal favorites though, and ones that are a perfect respite from all the binge eating this Christmas season, are the Vietnamese Spring Rolls such as Goi Cuon, and Banh Cuon. Light and healthy, the Banh Cuon is pork, mushroom, and vegetables wrapped in rice paper and garnished with deef fried onions and chopped lettuce, while the Coi Cuon is a fresh spring roll with shrimp, pork, herb, vegetable and vermicelli inside. The addition of basil elevates the taste of each spring roll.

You can also make your own spring roll when you order Hanoi’s Cha Nuong, where you can customise the amount of vegetables, grilled pork, herbs, pickles and vermicelli noodles you

Pho

Coi Coun want wrapped in your rice paper sheet.

“Aside from the spring rolls, we are known for our crabs which we either stirfry in butter and minced garlic or steamed.” said Raymond. And judging by the huge fatty and succulent crabs that were served, I instantly knew why.

Cha Nuong

Banh Mi

To have a taste of Vietnam’s unique culinary heritage, why not visit Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine today? Hanoi has two branches in Davao, their original restaurant located along Camus Street and their second restaurant at the ground level of AbreeThe De La Paz brothers Raymond and Christian. za Mall.

Com Tay Cam Ga

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Black Hog in the city “

A FANTABULOUS FOODIE EXPERIENCE need not involve a tux or a dress.

For the most part, enjoying the many flavours of life is best experienced when you least expect it to happen… or take place. This, as in the other parts of the world, is how a simple dish becomes a new favourite. True for me. Very true indeed.

Hole in the wall restaurants have taken Davao by storm. These nothingsort-of-fancy gastro places have been filling our hungry senses with some of the most delicious dishes to hit the city. Not to mention, very affordable.

Now, imagine a small, local gastro place with a P140 dish/meal as the most expensive and P75 as the cheapest. Yup, you read that right. With 20 items on their menu, you’d not have a hard time figuring your money’s worth. Why? Without bias, everything on their menu is delicious. Though 90% on their menu is pork, 90% of my friends are not into the whole no-pork-diet-since-birth.

Figures.

For Chef Owner Jose Angelo Kiamco, Black Hog is the fulfilment of his passion to share recipes handed down from generation to generation but served with a twist.

Fuelled by his love for the culinary realm and love for food, Chef Gelo is excited to share some family food secrets for everyone to enjoy and love. Making them his, he tweaks and adds some modern flare to make them even more delicious.

Coined as a gastro pub by many, Black Hog is one hot up and coming hole in the wall restaurant in Davao that you

need to visit. On top of the list, their plate of Black Hog Ribs (as shared by my friends Chef Anot, Freah, JJ and Rhoda) is, according to them, very delectable. Juicy and very tender – as I can verily see – you’d not have to undergo a battle to enjoy a slice. Want something traditional? Then try their plate of Binagoongang

Bagnet – that, again, my beautiful friends gobbled without hesitation.

Black Hog’s signature dish, the Wapay’s Patros, is a family recipe that’s ready to take the city by storm.

According to Chef Gelo, many have already fallen in love with this chicken dish that’s surely will have you asking for seconds.

Named after Thor’s ham-

mer, Black Hog’s Mjolnir Ranch Chicken is, without a doubt, delicious. The ranch dressing, which they whip from scratch, complements the chicken and vice versa. The dressing is also perfect on its own.

Of bowls and flavours, you should try their bowl of Beef Bulgogi – my personal favourite! The beef

is very juicy, tender and bursting with flavour with every bite. And that’s no exaggeration. The dish is simple yet very palatable. On the other hand, if you’re more of a citrus flavour lover then their bowl of Orange Chicken is for you. Deep fried and coated chicken strips perfect for munching – with or without rice.

Hole in the wall restaurants have taken Davao by storm. These nothingsort-offancy gastro places have been filling our hungry senses with some of the most delicious dishes to hit the city.

At Black Hog, you’d not only enjoy their plated dishes (their plates, bowls, glass and pitcher will take you back in time!) but also have fun with their drinks – concocted to complete your Black Hog experience. Try a pitcher of their refreshing Cucumber Lemonade or go loco over pink with their Pink Potion.

Black Hog is located at Door B-8 Mabini Commercial Complex, 777 V. Mapa St., Poblacion District, Davao City. For inquiries, you may call them at 0917 316 4294 Want to know my latest food finds? Follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and I’ll make you hungry in a snap. For missed features, you can read them on my blog theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com.

Happy munching, #royalistas!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

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Silkair and Maharlika Sports team up for charity football clinic SILKAIR, THE REGIONAL WING OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES, has teamed up with event organiser Maharlika Sports for the upcoming Asian Freestyle Football Championship.

This event brings together competitors from all over Asia to showcase their skills at SM Lanang Premier this coming 9th December 2016, Friday. A preview of the action was also provided to the larger community through this charity football clinic. Together with coaches from Asian Freestyle Football Federation and Maharlika, almost 30 kids from beneficiary Compassion International, were given an introduction to the sport. Besides picking up slick new moves and ball tricks, each of them were also provided with refreshments, a commemorative tshirt, loot bag and a football.

True to the sport’s mantra, ‘All you need is a ball’, the Asian Freestyle Football mission is to promote healthy development of youth

through the sport. With just a football, the kids are now empowered to pursue a new lifestyle.

SilkAir is proud to support this mission with our sponsorship of this clinic as Freestyle football embodies the universal values of creativity, excellence and perseverance.

The top two winners of the upcoming Asian Freestyle Football Championship will also be offered free round trip tickets to any destination in the SilkAir network.

Today, SilkAir operates almost 400 weekly flights to 52 destinations in 14 countries. Recent additions to the network include Vientiane, Luang Prabang (Oct 2016) and Fuzhou (Nov 2016).

SilkAir now operates up to 10 times weekly from Davao. To purchase or enquire about fares or destinations, simply book through SilkAir’s Mobile App, SilkAir.com, SilkAir Ticketing Office or accredited agents in Davao.

SilkAir a joy to fly.

About SilkAir As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group’s narrowbody fleet and

extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in Asia Pacific.

The airline took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir

in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the re-

gion, including Phuket and Tioman. As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.

Today, the full service airline operates almost 400 weekly flights to 52 destinations in 14 countries. Recent additions to the network include Vientiane, Luang Prabang (Oct 2016) and Fuzhou (Nov 2016). The airline currently has a fleet of 31 aircraft, comprising 3 A319s and 11 A320s and 17 Boeing 737800s. In August 2012, the airline announced the largest order in its history of up to 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, with firm orders comprising Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

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

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Kapuso artists big winners at 2016 FAMAS Awards NOW SHOWING

December 7 – 13, 2016

YOUR LIE IN APRIL Suzu Hirose, Kento Yamazaki Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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SEVERAL KAPUSO ARTISTS BROUGHT PRIDE AND HONOR TO GMA NETWORK after being proclaimed as big winners in this year’s Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards held last Sunday, December 4, at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo was one of the night’s biggest winners as he went home with the Best Actor Award for his film Felix Manalo.

On the other hand, seasoned actor Gabby Concepcion was hailed as Best Supporting Actor for his movie Crazy Beautiful You. At present, Gabby topbills the Afternoon Prime series Ika-6 na Utos and is part of the high-rating Sunday weekend show Tsuperhero.

GMA Artist Center stars Gabbi Garcia, Jak Roberto and Sanya Lopez were given the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award.

Gabbi and Sanya are part of the top-rating primetime series Encantadia while Jak is one of the leading men of Barbie Forteza in Meant To Be, GMA’s opening salvo in 2017.

Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica’s movie EDSA received the 2016 Advocacy Film award.

Versatile actress Jean Garcia wowed the crowd as she bagged the Finesse Look of the Night. She is part of the upcoming Afternoon Prime drama Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa.

Meanwhile, the late Master Showman German “Kuya Germs” Moreno received the Posthumous Award.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

Dalight’s early Christmas T with its ‘Power Heroes’

City holds Christmas lighting contest for business companies

D

AVAO Light and Power Company recently hosted it’s annual Customer Appreciation Night, which remarkably happened last November 29 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.

This early Christmas celebration is one way of expressing Davao Light’s gratitude to its contestable customers or the Power Heroes who have given their genuine partnership and support throughout the year.

The Davao Light executives as headed by its EVP and COO, Arturo Milan, were present to warmly welcome and celebrate the night with the guests.

Representatives from various huge companies within the Davao Light franchise were present to grace

the event.

Furthermore, local government officials from the cities of Davao and Panabo and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas also attended the event.

This includes Municipality of Carmen Mayor Daniel Batosalem, Jr., Panabo Vice-Mayor Biboy Gavina and Davao City Councilor Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. who delivered a meaningful speech on behalf of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

“To the Power Heroes, I can’t thank you enough for being with us during the Mindanao power crisis and for giving your full support.

We would have had not surpassed the power crisis if not for your utmost participation in the ILP and this truly proves why you all deserve

to be called Power Heroes.”, said Milan during his message.

The companies that were recognized during the event are Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc., Davao Packaging Corporation, Davao International Container Terminal, Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., Davao Bay Coconut Oil Mills, Inc., New Davao Oil Mill Inc., International Copra Export Corporation, Steelasia Manufacturing Inc., SM City Of Davao, SM Lanang Premier, NCCC Mall Davao, NCCC Main Magsaysay, Abreeza Mall, Victoria Plaza, Robinsons Supermarket Corp., Felcris Centrale, Gaisano Mall of Toril and Gaisano Mall of Davao.

A plaque of appreciation, which was miniature of lines

and poles with a transformer, was awarded to these companies as a token of gratitude and deep appreciation for continuously being part of the Davao Light’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP).

During a power crisis, the participating companies in the ILP run their own generating sets instead of drawing power from the distribution system. The power, which they did not use will be distributed to smaller residential and commercial customers. On an average, around 4,000 customers will be spared from the rotating power outage for every 1 MW of power that is unused by large companies.

Indeed, it was a night of appreciation, friendship, and camaraderie and truly a night to remember!

HE city government launched the “Kahayag sa Dabaw Festival”, a Christmas lighting contest for big and small establishments in the city that will run from December 2 to 20.

“Kahayag is a Christmas lights competition with various business establishments in the city as participants, utilizing festive and dazzling lights, thematic decorations and holiday trees to celebrate the Christmas season,” City Tourism Officer Gene Rose Tecson said in an interview Monday.

Champion for the big category will get PHp150,000 while the second and third place will get PHp100,000 and PHp50,000 respectively.

For the small category, the champion will get PHp75,000, the second place PHp50,000 and the third place PHp25,000.

The contest participants include small and big establishments located in District 1 from downtown Davao to Bangkal and Sasa, District 2 or Buhangin proper and District 3 or the Toril and Calinan Proper.

Tecson said the participants are divided into two categories - the small establishments or those with less than 1,000 square meter (sqm) establishment space and use

at least 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights and the big establishments with more than 1,000 sqm total establishment space and use at least 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights.

Decorations shall be composed of 70 percent lights and 30 percent other Christmas decorations and ornaments.

She said participating establishments are required to integrate Christmas stars similar to those used in the city lamp posts in their design to unify the theme throughout the city. Each entry must have a description of the Christmas theme as a basis for how the concept was translated into the final design.

Judging for the best Christmas lights design will be on December 15 for Districts 1 and 2 and December 16 for District 3.

All designs must be lit from 6 pm to 10 pm from December 2 to December 21 but all entries are encouraged to keep the décor lighted until December 31. Winners will be announced on December 21.

The participating establishments will be judged based on originality (30 percent), creativity (30 percent) and overall impact (40 percent).

(PNA)

PHL now EAGA chairman; pursues vision 2025

SMC donates P1 B for drug rehab facilities C ONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. will formally hand over its Php 1-billion donation to the government for the construction of additional drug rehabilitation facilities in the country on Wednesday.

The Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno on his preliminary note, thanked SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Ramon Ang and the

entire SMC management for extending support to the government’s effort to rehabilitate drug users.

“We thank Mr. Ramon Ang for the Php 1-billion donation that he will hand over to us, which will go a long way for our kababayans who can still be saved from drug dependence through rehabilitation,” Sueno said.

Also, in a previous statement, Ang said that by support-

ing government in its campaign against illegal drugs, as well as the rehabilitation of drug dependents, was also helping create an “environment of participation and contribution” because it enabled other sectors to do the same.

The DILG secretary said the government would continue encourage corporations to exercise their social responsibility and support government’s drive to eradicate illegal drugs

PSF, Smart donate School-in-a-Bag to Gary V’s Shining Light Foundation

P

LDT-SMART Foundation (PSF) and Smart Communications recently donated a School-in-a-Bag to the Shining Light Foundation (SLF), an organization cofounded by Gary Valenciano in 1989 to support needy students, Christian missionaries, and people with diabetes.

The School-in-a-Bag was created by Smart earlier this

year to provide public schools in remote areas, especially those without electricity, with digital tools and content. Each bag contains a solar panel, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a pocket WiFi with starter load, an LED TV, and learning modules.

In the photo are (from left to right) PLDT Vice President and Head of SME Nation Mitch

Locsin, PSF President Esther Santos, SLF president Angeli Valenciano, SLF director Gary Valenciano, Smart Public Affairs Head Mon Isberto, and PLDT First Vice President and Head of Enterprise Jovy Hernandez.

The School-in-a-Bag program is part of Smart’s efforts to enable children in areas

F PSF, 10

activities and reform drug users who can still be functional members of the society.

Sueno added that the government will continue receiving donations to supervise the aim of having mega drug rehabilitation facilities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The ceremonial turnover of Php 1-billion donation will be held at 3 p.m. at the SMC Main Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. (PNA)

T

HE Philippines has assumed the chairmanship of the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) during the 25th Senior Officials meeting held recently at the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa here in Puerto Princesa City.

Philippine Senior Official to the BIMP-EAGA Arturo Boncato Jr. accepted the responsibility from Malaysian Senior Official Dato’ Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid, commencing the year-long chairmanship of the Philippines to all EAGA-related activities, meetings, and other functions.

The Philippine chairmanship of the sub-region coincides with the country’s chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2017, which is also the 50th founding anniversary of the 10-member regional bloc.

“I hope the Philippines will

look into the progress with our partners and continue the good relationship that we have managed to establish,” said Abdul Majid.

He added that during Malaysia’s chairmanship, the draft of the BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) 2025 document was completed and shall be formally presented to the EAGA senior officials.

The BEV 2025 serves as the successor document to the BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint 2012-2016. The new document aims to shape EAGA’s future as a more relevant sub-grouping that is fully integrated into the ASEAN Economic Community. It supports and complements to the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together roadmap.

“It is the best roadmap so far in the history of EAGA and it is a privilege for the Philippines

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Hope for the uplands Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“At first, everything was just fine,” Manong Doming recalled. “We had enough and almost everything was affordable. We practice kaingin (slash-and-burn farming). Land was fertile and the use fertilizer was unknown to us then.”

This was in the 1960s when his family moved to the hinterland near Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.

But as the years went by, he noticed something was not right in the method of farming he used.

Manong Doming observed that the produce from the farm considerably declined. This was evident in the corn he was planting. Over a period of 10 years, the corn production had dropped from 3.5 tons per hectare to only half ton.

But it was not only corn that was affected. Yields of other crops like banana, coffee, coconut and even fruit trees had also decreased by more than 50% over the same period. “Whatever happened?” he wondered.

To augment his production, Manong Doming started using fertilizer. He also used seeds of improved varieties of corn and other crops. To eliminate pests and diseases attacking his crops, he sprayed them with pesticides.

Manong Doming is just one of the many upland farmers tilling those areas which are supposed to be precarious and should be teemed with forests. But as population continues to grow, these areas are not spared from development.

In the Philippine context, the uplands are rolling to steep lands, with slopes ranging upward from 18 percent. About 60% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares are classified as uplands, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Poorest of the poor, marginalized, illiterate – these are just some of the terms used to describe the upland farmers. But the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a

non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, considers them “neglected.”

“The upland farmer faces a very dark future unless something is done for him very soon,” said Harold R. Watson, former MBRLC director and recipient of the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Award for peace and international understanding. “He is the least educated, least paid, least healthy, least hopeful, and most neglected – in terms of agricultural development – of all people in the Philippines.”

On why they belong to the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippine society, demographers say they survive below the poverty line level.

The impoverished situation is reflected in their houses made of bamboo, tree bark and cogon thatch roofing.

Their source of drinking water is either mountain springs or streams.

In terms of education, the upland farmer rarely finishes grade school. Studies show that he either drops out after the third grade or does not even attempt to enter school.

His wife, like himself, fares no better.

“The inhabitants are primarily farming families in dire poverty and insecurity,” notes a study entitled Agricultural Sustainability and the Environment in the Humid Tropics, which was commissioned by the National Research Council Project (NRCP). “Subsistence food production, rather than forestry, is their overriding priority.”

Most of these uplanders belong to the category of “small farmers,” according to the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “Even with reasonable amounts of fertile land,” said the United Nations specialized agency, “most face serious obstacles – the lack of appropriate technology and agricultural inputs, inadequate marketing facilities and poor community services such as sanitation, medical care and education.

The result is widespread poverty and malnutrition, and all their attendant miseries.”

In the past, these small farmers owned modest lots to till but when globalization and commercialization took place, they were uprooted. In Mindanao, for instance, when commercial agricultural plantations of banana and pineapple expanded, the poor Uplanders were pushed onto marginal lands.

“As effective control of agricultural land becomes more concentrated in the hands of wealthier farmers and corporations, small farms are becoming smaller,” said the NRCP-commissioned study.

This resulted to making uplands as the “last frontier” for these poorer farmers.

Charles Castro echoed this concern in his 1984 paper, “Uplands and Uplanders: In Search for New Perspective”: “Even if the Philippine government poured all of its resources, money, and talent in expanding the carrying capacity of lowlands, it would still become all too clear that the next focus for rural development efforts will have to be the uplands. For it is in the uplands where supplementary and additional food sources will be grown. It is in the uplands which will give Filipinos temporary elbow room for the land shortage.”

Castro further wrote: “It is in the upland here landless rural people will find a new option in lighting rural poverty.

It is in the uplands where alternative for fossil fuel requirements may be produced. It is in the uplands where consequently new problems of tenure, social justice, and human rights will be fought, and it is in the uplands where long-term viability of resources needed by the densely-populated areas such as irrigation water, timber, and coastal and fishery resources can be established.”

Unfortunately, these uplands are not well suited to high population densities because of steep slopes, fragile soils, and torrential rain-

fall. “Deforestation and inappropriate land use practices that result from high population densities and scarce land resources have serious consequences,” Victor O. Ramos, then an environment official, reminded in a 1991 paper.

According to Ramos, denuded forest land experience 100 tons of soil loss per hectare in contrast to less than 8 tons per hectare per year from natural forests. Slashand-burn farming, which most uplanders practice, has an erosion rate of 300-400 tons per hectare per year.

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation -- far worse than any external enemy coming into a country and conquering it because erosion is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Watson. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Watson warned that soil erosion will imperil the country’s food supply in the coming years. “Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever,” he reminded. “It takes thousands of years to build one inch of topsoil but only one good strong rain to remove one inch from unprotected soil on the slopes of mountains.”

The MBRLC came into existence just a year before Martial Law was declared. Farmers came to the center and oftentimes complained of low

and declining farm yields.

They also expressed the need for better income distribution throughout the year. There were times during the year when a family had no money or food since they depended on a seasonal monocropping system.

Recognizing these problems, the MBRLC tried to find ways. Watson and his staff kept experimenting, searching for something simple and practical that could help stem the tide of topsoil washing down the mountainsides. They believed soil erosion was the primary culprit of low production.

One day, they gathered together to brainstorm. “We decided to start with what we knew,” Watson recalled. “We could run a contour or a terrace line, but how could we keep it there? Suppose we took this ‘miracle plant’ people had been talking about growing in the flatlands and put it around the terrace in hedgerows.”

The “miracle plant” he was referring to was “ipil-ipil,” known in the science world as Leucaena leucocephala. (When it was devastated by psyllid infestation in later years, the MBRLC recommends other nitrogen-fixing species like Desmodium rensonii, Flemingia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium.)

“It’s a legume, we would be

enriching the soil,” Watson further said. “Then, we’d take the green leaves of this plant and put them back on the soil. We knew that one line wouldn’t hold the soil, so we said, ‘Let’s make a double line.’”

They got excited. If the method worked, it would stop erosion, rebuild soil and increase crop yield. Within an afternoon, the basic theory of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) was born.

“SALT is one of the solutions to the problems that beset the world these days,” said Roy C. Alimoane, the current MBRLC director. “But it seems that most experts are looking for big things that can help curb, if not arrest, the difficulties this planet has gotten into.”

Just like the prophet David defeated giant Goliath with just a sling shot and a stone, the problems can be solved by going back to the basics, Alimoane said. “We don’t need modern technologies and high gadgets to defeat the enemy.

All we have to do is use what God has provided us through the years.”

SALT is one possible answer that should be given much attention. “Basically, the SALT method involves planting of field and permanent crops in 4-5 meter bands between double-controlled rows of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs,” explains Alimoane.

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Examples of field crops are the legumes (beans, peas, and pulses), cereals (upland rice, corn, and sorghum), root crops (sweet potato, cassava, carrot, and taro), and vegetables (cabbage, ampalaya, tomato, eggplant, etc.). Permanent crops include cacao, coffee, banana, citrus, and fruit trees.

This is where food security comes in. “Most farmers are locked into one crop,” Alimoane points out. “When the crop is harvested, he has much money, but it is soon gone, and he has overspent. He’s called a millionaire for one day.”

With SALT, a farmer can harvest every now and then.

“He has something to look for,” Alimoane says. “Because the harvested crops are just enough for the market, there is a tendency that the price of his produce is much higher.”

Organic farming is practiced in the SALT scheme. Double hedgerows of leguminous perennials are planted at 4-5 meter intervals on equal-elevation contours. The hedgerows are pruned frequently (every 5-6 weeks) and the cuttings are applied to the crops as source of fertilizer. The cuttings also served as mulching materials.

In the SALT farm, you find a mix of permanent crops, cereals, and vegetables. Every third strip of available land is normally devoted to permanent crops. A combination of

various cereals and vegetables are planted on the remaining two strips of land. Each has its own specific area so that there can be a seasonal rotation.

“Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” explains Alimoane on the importance of regular rotation of crops.

The principle of SALT is the same as that used by the Ifugao tribes 300 years ago. “All we are doing is suggesting using nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs (mentioned earlier) instead of rocks,” Alimoane points out.

“We recommend that a combination of these species be planted all over the SALT farm.”

SALT can help control soil erosion. A seven-year study conducted at the MBRLC showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. In comparison, a SALT farm erodes at the rate of only 20.2 metric tons per hectare per year.

The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range. Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10-12 metric tons per hectare per year. The non-SALT farm has an annual soil loss rate

EDGEDAVAO of 194.3 metric tons per hectare.

As SALT is an example of agroforestry (a collective name for all land-use systems and practices where woody perennials and crops are planted together), it offers other valuable ecological advantages.

“SALT greatly reduces the risk of drought, landslides, floods, the silting over of low-lying areas, and wind erosion -- all of which are linked to the radical transformation of the natural environment and the destruction of the mountain forests,” Alimoane says.

But Alimoane admits that it’s not an easy task to follow the SALT system diligently. “We have had our failures, too,” he admits. “I can take you to a lot of farms that started out with SALT, and about halfway through the farmers just gave up. Part of it could be our fault; maybe we didn’t motivate them enough.”

Maybe MBRLC’s approach is still not completely right.

After all, there is no perfect technology or solution for a developing country like the Philippines. “The whole thing is terribly complex,” sighed now-retired Watson when he was still in the country. “When you start to fill up a big hole, it takes a lot of shovelfuls. In an economy like this, in a poor country like this, it takes a lot of grains of sand.”

NEWS13

Zambo solon certain house bill on park will pass legislative mill

F

IRST District Representative Celso Lobregat here is optimistic that House Bill 124, declaring Pasonanca watershed forest reserve as a protected area under the category of natural park would be soon enacted into law.

Lobregat on Wednesday said H.B. 124, which he filed, has just been approved by the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources chaired by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate.

Lobregat said that prior to the approval of his bill, he has explained to the environment committee its importance to Zamboanga City and the country as well, having Zamboanga watershed as one of the only three remaining watersheds in the entire Philippines today.

“The bill was approved immediately by the committee, because this bill was filed during the 15th Congress by then Congressman Erico Basilio Fabian,” he said.

In the 16th Congress, the solon said that he, being the co-author of the bill, and Congresswoman Lilia Nuño pushed for the proposed law and was approved by Congress and consequently transmitted to the Senate.

Quoting Section 48 of the House Rules, Lobregat said, that if a bill has already been approved by the committee in the last Congress, it can be more or less approved immediately without further deliberations.

“I would like to thank Congressman Zarate and all members of the Committee on Natu-

ral Resources, for acting fast and being the 1st bill to pass in their level, which was consequently supported also by all members of the same committee,” Lobregat added.

He said the Pasonanca watershed forest reserve, as a protected area, will get adequate protection as well as necessary funding for its preservation once H.B. 124 would be enacted into a law.

He said the approval of H.B. 124 will also provide the Pasonanca watershed forest reserve, among other things, adequate protection and conservation measures, coordinated management schemes among stakeholders and interest groups as well as the necessary funding mechanism for sustainability in its operations. (PNA)

guez’s support in inviting Philippine business leaders to the event as part of continuing efforts between the two sides to improve bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Bilateral trade between Islamabad and Manila remain at a narrow base, with the Philippines’ exports to Pakistan totaling $61.3 million, and imports amounting to $55.7 million as of 2014.

The country’s top exports to Pakistan include corn, vehicles and vehicle parts, ciga-

rette paper, malt extract and processed fruits and nuts.

The Philippines, in turn, imports packaged medicaments, refined petroleum, alcohol, raw tobacco, non-retail pure cotton yarn, and textiles, among other items, from Pakistan.

Dominguez informed Hayat that the Philippines’ Department of Defense is interested in importing weapons from Pakistan, which has a robust and advanced defense industry.

“I spoke with the (Pakistani) Minister of Defense and my understanding is that the defense industry in Pakistan is very advanced, and that maybe we should look at purchasing military equipment from them and he said that he definitely would look at it,” Dominguez said.

“I spoke right away with (Defense Secretary Delfin) Lorenzana. He says the equipment in the Pakistan Defense Ministry is very good,” Dominguez added.

RP... FROM 6

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Injury-plagued Lakers need adjustments F

IRST injuries made it impossible forLuke Walton to keep his second unit together, and now they are threatening to break up what has been theLakers’ most dynamic pair.

All season, the Lakers (10-13) have relied onLou Williams and Jordan Clarkson to come off the bench and provide instant offense. But Walton may split up the two guards after his banged-up team dropped its third game in a row, 107-101, to the Jazz (13-9) on Monday night.

Williams is averaging a team-high 18.4 points and has a combined 78 in the Lakers’ last two contests.

Clarkson is averaging 14.9 in a team-high 28.7 minutes a night.

Neither guard started against the Jazz, as Walton rolled out a head-scratching lineup with Brandon Ingram at point guard along-

F

side Luol Deng, Metta World Peace, Julius Randle and Timofey Mozgov.

That was, in large part, to keep Williams and Clarkson together on the bench unit. That soon may change.

“We’re getting pretty close to that,” Walton said of separating the two guards. “Obviously that’s been the most consistent, successful group we’ve had all season, so we would hate to break it up. But with the amount of people going down, it might be time to roll in that direction and see how we do.”

The Lakers’ current injury list resembles a hospital wing. It includes starting point guard D’Angelo Russell (knee, being reevaluated Tuesday), backup point guard Jose Calderon (hamstring, out two to four weeks), Nick Young (calf, out at least three more weeks), Larry Nance Jr. (knee, day to day) and

now Tarik Black (ankle sprain), who went down against the Jazz but said he shouldn’t be counted out for Wednesday’s game in Houston.

Tabal wins Milo race in record run

ROM the SEA Games in Singapore last year, to the Boston and Ottawa Marathon events, to the Olympics in Rio de Janiero and now, a new record time in the Milo Marathon right here in the city of love.

Mary Joy Tabal has definitely come a long way and on Sunday, she capped her road to glory by ruling the women’s 42K of the National Finals at the Iloilo Convention Center.

Tabal ruled the race in record-breaking fashion as she crossed the finished line 23 minutes ahead of

her closest pursuer, former champion Cristabel Martes.

A silver medalist in the SEA Games last year, Tabal clocked 2:47.49, shattering her own record of 2:48.00 in 2013.

“One month before the event, I was really worried of getting the title here. I don’t know if I made the right preparation because I’ve been through a lot of training,” Tabal said during the press conference.

But her year-round exposure has helped Tabal on her way to competing in the Milo Marathon finals held in

Iloilo for the first time even though her coach, Philip Duenas advised her to slow things down a month before the event.

“Worried ako nung umpisa kasi nga ang dami kong sinalihang event all year long. I might get injured or get burned out,” added Tabal.

Tabal collected a combined total prize of P450,000 for her performances in the women’s local and open categories plus a bonus for the record time.

Martes, a veteran campaigner and a former cham-

SCORING LOAD. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams who both used to come off the bench are carrying the scoring load for the shorthanded Lakers.

Either way, the Lakers most certainly will be without Russell, Calderon and Young. Russell is averaging 16.1 points in the 13 games he’s played, while Young is aver-

pion of this event, came in 23 minutes later. She finished with a time of three hours, 10 minutes and 11 seconds.

Lizane Abella checked in at three hours, 14 minutes and 27 seconds to place third.

In the men’s category, Jeson Agravante became the latest champion after outlasting his more illustrious counterparts that included many-time champion Eduardo Buenavista and Crescenciano Sabay, who made it to the top 10.

Agravante finished the race in two hours and 35 minutes and 11 seconds.

aging 13.3 in 18 games. Calderon isn’t as productive offensively, but he provides an outside touch and organized the first team before injuring his hamstring on Saturday.

Perfect 10 for DavNor as Batang Pinoy host

T

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has rated Davao del Norte a perfect “10” after the province successfully hosted the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships.

“We are so happy in the Philippine Sports Commission that if we rate our host Davao del Norte, I would say that [from the scale of] 1-10, we can rate them 10. Davao del Norte is something we could be proud of,” said Commissioner Celia Kiram.

This new accolade prompted Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario to commit to hosting big sporting events organized by the PSC. Del Rosario also thanked delegates, organizers and volunteers for the successful holding of the Batang Pinoy 2016. Cebu City captured Batang Pinoy with 42 golds, 30 silvers, and 30 bronzes.

Kiram welcomed Del Rosario’s commitment to host PSC events, saying, “We are looking forward to many more sporting events to be held here in Davao del Norte.”

She thanked the province for accepting the hosting of Batang Pinoy even in short notice.

It has been the desire of the Davao del Norte government to make the province sports-tourism hub of Mindanao.

Del Rosario also took the opportunity to drum up the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission National Games (PNG) which will be hosted by the province early next year.

“I hope to see you once again next year,” del Rosario said, as he further bared that his administration is also keen on hosting the National Triathlon Competition in 2017, the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games in 2018, as well as, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2019.

Davao del Norte has been hosting big sporting events after it opened its worldclass-sports complex in 2014.

(PNA)

Magic turns back Wizards

WINNERS. Jeson Agravante and Mary Joy Tabal raise their trophies.

T

Muaythai gets IOC recognition

HE International Olympic Committee has granted provisional recognition for a period of three years to the international federations of muay thai and cheerleading during the IOC Executive Board Meeting held on Tuesday (Wednesday in

Manila) at the Lausanne Palace Hotel in Switzerland.

The International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) and the International Cheer Union (ICU) were among the 16 International Federations which applied.

The IFMA and ICU will be

eligible to get IOC development programme funding.

Ski mountaineering received full recognition in the IOC meeting held during the 2016 Rio Olympics while the flying disc was included in Malaysia last year.

Meanwhile, the IOC Ex-

ecutive Board also gave its nod to the inclusion of dance sport, karate and sport climbing to the calendar of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Summer Youth Olympic Games now has 31 sports.

(PNA)

T

HE Orlando Magic overcame John Wall’s career-high 52 points here on Tuesday to beat the Washington Wizards 124-116, winning its third straight game.

Wall made 18 of 31 from the field and added eight assists. Bradley Beal finished with 19 points and Markieff Morris added 10 points for the Wizards, who have lost three of their last four games.

Seven Orlando players scored in double figures. Elfrid Payton scored 22 of his sea-

son-high 25 points in the first half, in which he went 8 for 8 from the field off the bench.

Jeff Green added 20 points and Jodie Meeks had 18.

The lead went back and forth in the first quarter until the Magic took command in the second quarter, in which Orlando scored 40 points in the period en route to a 65-52 halftime edge. Orlando extended to lead to 78-58 midway through the third quarter to put the game beyond reach.

(PNA/Xinhua)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 207 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

BATTLE-READY Davao City-PHL delegation ready for BIMP-EAGA Games action A

B AT T L E - R E A D Y 55-man athletic delegation from Davao City is now in East Kalimantan in Indonesia for the 9th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Friendship Games set to open tomorrow through

December 12.

Mikee Aportadera, the chief of the Davao City Sports Development Division, headed the delegation set to compete in seven sporting events in the multi-nation event that includes member economies Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines and

guest Northern Territory of Australia.

The athletes were accompanied by 16 coaches and 5 officials from the Davao City Government.

Aportadera said the athletes are ready to pit skills and vie for medals in athletics, sepak takraw, lawn tennis, karatedo,

FOR THE COUNTRY. The 55-man Davao City-Philippines delegation to the 9th bIMP-EAGA Friendship Games during their sendoff at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport last Tuesday. CIO

beach volleyball, basketball, and Badminton.

The delegation is composed mostly of varsity standouts from Davao City schools.

In 2014, the 8th BIMP EAGA was held in Labuan in Borneo. Davao trackster Sonny Wagdos of the University of Mindanao won a

gold medal in men’s 5,000 meters and 1,500 meters.

The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is a sporting biennial event between the regions of the four member countries of the BIMP-EAGA. The inaugural edition of the games took place in General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines

from 25–27 April 1996.

Subsequently, the second friendship games were held at Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in October 24– 26, 1997. The friendship games was in hiatus for 5 years and only made a comeback in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines on April 23–26, 2003.