Edge Davao 9 Issue 209

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

BRIGHT VICTORIA. Christmas lights illuminate the parking area of Victoria Plaza along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City 15 days before Christmas day.

Lean Daval Jr.

END KILLINGS Organized groups urge end to killings in anti-drug drive MinDA inks MOA with DOT

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

O

RGANIZED groups in Davao City on Saturday called on the government to pursue its war against illegal drugs and “to stop the killings at the same time.”

Speaking at a briefing on the 68th year commemoration on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Attorney Mary Ann Arnado, convenor of the Network against Killings, said stopping drugs and pursuing the killings “is not a sustainable policy for government.”

Network against Killings is a national network of human rights organizations of peace loving Filipinos and peace-loving citizens who have ex-

pressed concern about the rise of vigilante killings.

She said killing those people involved in the drug trade is not the sole solution to the war against illegal drugs.

Arnado said the community must come up with measures against the practice of killing the offenders who are described as having resisted authorities.

Atty. Manuel Quibod, Dean of the College of Law at the Ateneo de Davao University, pointed out that human rights must be upheld at all times regardless of the era.

“Regardless of martial law period or who runs the ad-

ministration of government, human life must be given paramount importance given that there is God who created life,” Quibod said.

Quibod stressed that taking away life as provided by the constitution must be preceded by due process.

“Those who fought for human rights in pursuit of the freedom and valued human life during the martial law years is an assertion of belief that continues until today,” Quibod said.

He added that respect for human rights is universal and that determination of incorrigibility by people involved

in the use of illegal narcotics must be addressed and must not be determined in general.

“There must be data that mentions that people into illicit drug use are incorrigible,” Quibod pointed out, asking whether there has been an effort on the part of the country or any agencies to qualify the notion.

He added that both government and the stakeholders must collaborate in the effort of fighting against illegal drugs and must not rely solely on one prescription.

Quibod explained that the Dangerous Drugs Act calls on

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to craft tourism program

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE Mindanao Development Authority has formally tied up with the Department of Tourism through a memorandum of

agreement that would bring together agencies in crafting a tourism program for Mindanao.

EDGEDAVAO Sports

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Page 15

HOOPS GOLD Davao cagers win

BIMP EAGA Games gold

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GROUNDBREAKING. President Duterte leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pulanai 10.6MW Hydroelectric Power plant in Barangay Lumbayao, Valencia City, Bukidnon on Friday. ROBINSON NIÑAL/Presidential Photo

Cotabato cops seek gunmen in ambush-slaying of 2 men

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OLICE in Banisilan, North Cotabato have launched a manhunt for armed men believed to be behind an ambush that left two people dead and five injured at dawn Saturday.

Banisilan town police chief, Sr. Insp. Jojie Barutas, said the police and military have been searching for the suspects who are reportedly locked in a family feud with the victims.

In a phone interview, Barutas said the victims were on board a multi-carry vehicle en route to Kidapawan City, where the provincial capitol is located, when they were waylaid by about five gunmen at 5 a.m.

Saturday.

He identified the victims as Ali Nor Mantikayan, son of a village chairperson, and

Lumayong Aliuden, a former village councilman, both residents of Barangay Busawon in Banisilan.

Among those injured were Panamtaon Mantikayan, village chairperson of Barangay Busawon; his wife Sarah Tikumi; barangay secretary Saligan Moy; and a certain Mahaymen Saligan, all from the same village.

Mantikayan told police investigators he knew the suspects but refused to name them. He said his family is locked in a long-standing feud with the suspects.

Barutas also appealed to civilians who may have information about the suspects to help the police locate them so justice could be served to the victims. (PNA)

IVE Maute group terrorists were killed in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerillas at the border shared by Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces, military and MILF officials have said.

According to MILF vice chair for military affairs, Von Al Haq, reports from MILF fighters in Mt. Cararao said the terrorist group also suffered injuries in a clash that began Friday morning.

“They were trying to cross the border obviously to avoid the military operations in

Butig,” Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., 6th Infantry Division chief, told reporters.

According to reports, the Maute group continued fighting the MILF sporadically Saturday morning in the heavily forested part of Mt. Cararao.

One MILF fighter was injured when the firefight broke out Friday dawn.

Under the government and MILF peace agreement, both the Philippine military and Moro rebels are bound to cooperate in interdicting criminals and terrorists in areas

AMIN presses implementation of Bangsa Moro peace accords T

HE party list group Anak Mindanao (AMIN) has called on the House of Representatives to pave the way for the implementation of the peace agreements with the Bangsamoro people through an enabling law as a prelude to federalism.

“The realization of these agreements is an opportunity to end the roots of conflict in Mindanao,” said Norhaiya Macusang,”campaign and advocacy officer of AMIN. Datu Malapandow Nestor L. Apas of the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Council added that for the peace process to be genuine should also involve the participation of Lumad communities who comprise 7 million of the population of

Mindanao.

“We should be part of the peace process because we are always the victims of injustice,” he said.

Candido Aparece, Jr., managing director of Mindanao Advocacy and Social Communication (Mindacomm), said the historical injustice to the Bangsamoro People and indigenous peoples stemmed on the main from the 1898 Treaty of Paris whereby Spain ceded to the United States the Philippines at the sum of $20M. He said the treaty gave the Americans the opportunity to colonize Mindanao, followed later by Manila government.

“That agreement did not include us because it was on

record that many Spanish missionaries were beheaded by our elders who oppose foreign presence.” said Apas.

Macusang said the treaty illegally annexed Mindanao which by then were governed by several sultanates.

In 1996, the government signed with the Moro National Liberation Front a final peace agreement that provided for an autonomous government for the Moro population.

In 2014, the government signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that provided for power-sharing and power-sharing and normalization process. Both were never implemented.

The unilateral implementation of the 1996 agreement by the government and a watered-down version of the law

by Congress for its implementation led to its failure.

On the other hand, the 2014 agreement led to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law but did not prosper as a result of the Mamasapano incident.

“Any peace agreements should be inclusive of the aspirations of all the peoples of Mindanao to include the Moro, the Lumad and the settlers,” said Isa Tom del Monte, secretary-general of Anak Mindanao.

He said only then can the peace process be described as inclusive.

RIVERBANK reforestation project planted and nurtured by a member of the barangay police in the watershed of Panigan-Tamugan was awarded the best community rainforestation initiative.

Barangay police Jessie Josue’s re-greening project on the banks of the Tamugan River was recognized by the watershed advocacy group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) and the environmental organization Foundation for the Philippine

Environment (FPE) for having the most number of healthy native and fruit trees flourishing beside the river.

“We thank IDIS for organizing us to join this rainforestation project. We did not think we would be successful in this particularly because at the beginning of this project, there were only a few of us who believed in this initiative.”, said Josue.

The recognition was given during the 2-year assessment of the project at the Pamulaan Center in the University

of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus. The project, implemented by IDIS and funded by the FPE, sought to increase forest cover and area through the establishment of riverbank forests along Panigan-Tamugan rivers in Baguio district.

Five barangays participated in the program. These are Tambobong, Tamugan, Gumalang, Wines and Tawantawan. In the rainforestation method, only native dipterocarps and fruit trees were used to approximate the

development of a primary growth tropical forest.

In Barangay Tambobong, around 8 hectares of riverbanks along Tamugan River have been planted with anitap, malibago, balogo, bakan and balete. Fruit trees like guyabano, rambutan, lanzones and cacao were also planted to provide additional income for the project partners.

IDIS executive director Ann Fuertes said that the communities’ efforts were

5 Maute terrorists killed by MILF men Best riverbank rainforest project cited F A F 5 MAUTE, 12

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Sec. Dureza outlines strategy to address conflict situations

P JAYWALKING. Two mothers and their children cross San Pedro Street a few meters away from a pedestrian lane yesterday. Some Dabawenyos still violate the city’s Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance a week after its implementation. Lean Daval Jr.

HILIPPINE Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza has led the Philippine delegation to the international conference on “The Role of Citizens in Service Delivery and Building State Legitimacy in Fragile and Conflict Affected Situations”.

The event was organized by the World Bank’s Global Programs Unit of the Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The conference drew experts from government, multilateral institutions, academia, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss the nexus between service delivery and state legitimacy in fragile and conflict affected situations.

According to the World Bank, more than 60 percent of the world’s poor population

will be found in countries dealing with conflict or areas experiencing issues of fragility.

In the Philippines’ case, areas in Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines that has long been embroiled in insurgency, hold the highest poverty levels in the country.

Poverty in the region is almost twice the national average.

Dureza is serving his third stint as presidential adviser, having already served as peace adviser for two previous administrations, and is responsible for resuscitating the peace talks with communist rebels.

Already, two rounds of peace talks have already been completed in the present administration with the third round commencing in January 2017. His optimism in the success of the peace talks stems from his belief that President

NERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi has ordered the inspection of liquid petroleum products in gasoline stations and retail outlets nationwide to test the presence of methanol in these products and to see if they comply with Philippine National Standards (PNS) for fuels.

The Department of Energy’s Undersecretary Donato Marcos and Oil Industry Management Bureau , Director Melita Obillo, along with senior research specialists, led the inspection of fuel quantity and quality using the department’s Mobile Monitoring and Testing Lab van.

Earlier, the department shared the information that contrary to the national standards for petroleum products, methanol is being used instead of ethanol. The presence of methanol in the gasoline can harm and corrode the engine.

In performing the inspection, the OIMB applied the standard operating procedures in sampling and testing to determine the compliance

of petroleum products.

Further confirmation is being done in the geoscientific research and testing laboratories under the department’s Energy Research and Testing Laboratories in its headquarters in Taguig.

Cusi said that initially, inspection results showed that all gasoline samples passed the calibration test for teh quantity of fuels.

“But for quality, only one sample is still being confirmed for having methanol at the DOE laboratory,” he said. “We see the need to intensify this campaign to further protect the consumer. That is why this activity is simultaneously being done nationwide through the DOE’s Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao field offices.”

Cusi assured consumers that these activities will continue to ensure that fuels sold in the market comply with set standards.

He also called on the public to remain vigilant and report unscrupulous activities to info@doe.gov.ph. (PNA)

Paolo says Matobato complaint welcomed E

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DOE widens inspection of gas stations to protect consumers

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

V

the Ombudsman against him, his father, President Rodrigo Duterte and 27 others for their alleged involvement in several killings.

The Presidential son said that Matobato’s action to file complaints against him and his father, on the Ombudsman’s office showed that the Philippines is a democratic state.

“The filing by Mr. Edgar Matobato of criminal and administrative charges against me and several others, includ-

ing my father, President Rodrigo Duterte, is a proof that the Philippines is a democracy,” Paolo said.

He said that Matobato should not be prevented from exercising his rights to raise complaints against any official of the government.

But he stressed that everything that Matobato said against him and the President was all lies.

“A closer look at what was filed at the Ombudsman will

easily allow us to see the only thing consistent in the Matobato tales --- lies,” Paolo said.

“What he filed at the Ombudsman was just a piece of garbage.”

The vice mayor said that the allegations thrown against him by Matobato were all “product of the imagination of a madman.”

On Friday morning, Matobato filed four charges against the two Dutertes, Philippine

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has urged the congressional oversight committee on the Sin Tax Reform Act to start reviewing the revenue and health impact of the tax rates mandated under this

law to determine what measures should be undertaken by the Legislature once the statute matures in 2017.

Describing Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Act as “a very good law,” Dominguez said it

should be fully implemented and allowed to run its course.

RA 10351 mandates that the current two-tiered tax rate merge into a unitary tax rate of P30 per cigarette pack for all brands starting

Jan. 1, 2017, and the rate indexed to inflation by increasing it to 4 percent annually.

“We consider the Sin Tax Law or RA 10351 to be a very good law,” Dominguez

HE Western Mindanao Command (WMC) on Saturday confirmed that the three gunmen shot dead by Sabah security forces in Lahad Datu last Dec. 8 were indeed members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), one of whom headed the Samal Island raid that led to the kidnapping of three foreign nationals and a Filipina in September 2015.

“Per validation made by this Command, the shootout resulted in the killing of Abraham Hamid, leader of the Samal kidnapping incident, and two of his cohorts,” WMC spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan said.

Two more ASG bandits were captured in the encounter by Sabah security forces.

They were identified as Samsung Aljan and Awal Hajal, while two others are being pursued.

Hamid, an ASG spotter, was identified as the leader of the Abu Sayyaf members involved in the kidnapping of Robert Hall, John Ridsdel, Kjartan Sekkingstad and Maritess Flor on Sept. 21, 2015 at the Ocean View Resort in Camudmud, Samal City, Davao del Sur. He was also tagged in the kidnapping of four Indonesian crew mem-F 3 ABU, 17

ICE Mayor Paolo Duterte has welcomed the filing of a complaint by self-confessed Davao Death Squad member, Edgar Matobato that included him as among the accused.

For the nth time, the vice mayor belied as fabricated lies the claims of Matobato that linked him to several killings in the city.

The vice-mayor’s reaction came after Matobato filed complaints at the Office of

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Congress urged to let sin tax law‘run its course’

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3 Abu Sayyaf men slain by Sabah cops T

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HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES. A group of human rights advocates led by lawyer Manuel Quibod (second from right), Cocoy Tulawie (rightmost), Mary Ann Arnado (second from left) and Ann Gultiano (leftmost) hold small placards written with slogans during this week’s edition of Kapehan sa PIA at Abreeza Mall in Davao city. Lean Daval Jr.

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DPWH to pour P41 billion for‘17 Davao road projects

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

R

OAD constructions are expected to be at their busiest in Davao City next year which was made possible with the allocation of P41.5 billion by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the chair of the committee on Finance, Ways and Means said there will be 13 major road construction in the city next year that will be spearheaded by the DPWH to answer the traffic woes in the metro.

Dayanghirang said the projects will start on the early months of January, or as soon as the city council approves the project.

He said that the city 18th city council will work on the passing of the budget appropriated for the road constructions by the DPWH before the year ends.

“We will hear this on the city council before December 31, since it will need the council’s approval. Rest assured it will start on the early months of 2017,” he said.

He said that the road projects include major road expansions and the opening of new roads.

Dayanghirang said that the

P41 billion will also cover the road rights of way problem. He said that the city will enter in the negotiations between the residents and the DPWH to assure that they will be properly paid.

“The city will help in negotiating the affected residents, we have to make sure that they are all properly accommodated,” he said. “We have to remember that these are legitimate house owners and not squatters.”

He said that the city personally requested the projects to the DPWH to alleviate the traffic congestion, especially that major infrastructure and economic development is expected to enter the city in the next years to come.

The P41 billion worth of project allocated by the DPWH is different from the P6.9 billion annual budget of the city that is yet to be approved by the city council.

The 76 percent of the annual budget will go to the Maintenance Operation Expenditure, 21 percent is allocated for the Development fund and 1.8 percent is for the economic enterprise and the rest will be distributed to the different offices.

Successful bond offers noted in first 5 mos. of Rody’s term

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

M

adlopez0920@gmail.com

ARKET jitters brought in by external factors to include the projected rate increase by the US Federal Reserve and exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union did not bring out negative effects to the retail and treasury bond offerings in the Philippines.

The Department of Finance said on Friday the country’s retail and treasury bond offerings were generally successful during the first five months of the administration of President Duterte.

The DOF’s findings were based on the report submitted by National Treasurer Roberto Tan. Tan also opted not to comment on the impact of Donald Trump’s victory to the country, saying that it would be better to await the policies that the new American leader would announce and implement starting next year.

He added that a Trump presidency and how the Federal Reserve will act on the rate increase would determine market prospects in 2017, although on the part of the Fed, many analysts believe that it “will be very dovish in its statement on what the expectations will be for next year.”

The DOF also noted that Bureau of Treasury (BTr) holds regular bond auctions twice a month for Treasury

bills with short-term tenors of 90 days, 180 days and 1 year and another for longer-term Treasury bonds—for a combined total offering of around P45 billion.

BTs, during the period, also issued Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) with 10-year tenors two months ago, which raised P100 billion for the government, more than three times the minimum target of P30 billion.

Tan pointed out that the bond offerings have been quite successful and fully subscribed except in the latter part of 2016 as a result of the volatility and uncertainty in the market because of the Federal actions that are being awaited by the public.

“I think once the climate settles down, investors for government securities will return in a very, very strong way,” he said.

Tan added that President Duterte’s non-conventional statements have had no impact on the T-bill and Treasury bond floats because buyers are mostly domestic investors who are aware that such remarks would not affect the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

“These are mainly domestic investors, and they look at it as nothing that is affecting the macroeconomic policy of the government,” he stressed.

FIRST MINSME LAUNCHES IN DAVAO. Ribbon cutting attended by senior level executives (From left to right) Sales and Training Supervisor of Readsmart Learning Center, Ms. Jennifer C. Jagorin, Founder of RK Franchise Consultancy, Mr. Rudolf Kotik, Account Executive from Power Mac Center, Mr. Mark John Miciano, Community Engagement and Marketing

Communications Associate of PLDT SME Nation, Ms. Mariella Jo H. Pacial, Founder and Managing Director of Mindanao SME Business Expo and CEO of Mediacom Solutions Inc., Mr. David Abrenilla, Community Associate of Regus, Ms. Charlotte Martinez, Owner of Happy Farmer, Mr. Jun Ralota, and Account Executive of Posible.Net, Ms. Lita Abayon

First Mindanao SME Business Expo launched in Davao City

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

T

HE Mindanao SME Business Expo was launched for the first time on December 9, 2016 at Abreeza Mall with more than 50 exhibitors participating.

Dubbed, “Mindanao’s largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises”, Mindanao SME Business Expo was expected to end on December 11.

The ribbon cutting was led by senior level executives Sales and Training Supervisor of Readsmart Learning Center, Ms. Jennifer C. Jagorin, Founder of RK Franchise Consultancy, Mr. Rudolf Kotik, Account Executive from Power Mac Center, Mr. Mark

John Miciano, Community Engagement and Marketing Communications Associate of PLDT SME Nation, Ms. Mariella Jo H. Pacial, Founder and Managing Director of Mindanao SME Business Expo and CEO of Mediacom Solutions Inc., Mr. David Abrenilla, Community Associate of Regus, Ms. Charlotte Martinez, Owner of Happy Farmer, Mr. Jun Ralota, and Account Executive of Posible.

Net, Ms. Lita Abayon.

The Mindanao SME Business Expo features 50 Exhibitors, over 100 Brands of Business Solutions and Business Opportunities in over 361 sqm Exhibit Space.

This 3-day event is intended for Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Directors,

Managers, Business Professionals, Executives, Interested Franchisees, Businessmen, Investors, Academics, Returning OFWs, Media and Press, Trade Association Members and Government Officers.

“The Mindanao SME Business Expo is an ideal venue for companies to showcase their business to SME’s in Mindanao Region, where in they can find business solutions and business opportunities for their companies and businesses. For those who want to get a franchise or become a retailer this is what you are looking for,” said Mr. David Abrenilla, the Founder and Managing Director of Mindanao SME Business Expo and CEO of

Mediacom Solutions Inc. According to Abrenilla, for the past three years, SME Business Expo was already held in other key areas in the country, starting in Cebu City.

“Next year, we will be heading to Bacolod and Iloilo,” added Abrenilla.

The MINSME founder further expressed his hope that the event could contribute to the country’s development and that more SMEs will be empowered in the years to come since this sector covers 99% of the country’s labor force.

The Mindanao SME Business Expo is sponsored by PLDT SME Nation, Regus, RK Franchise Consultancy Inc, Esquire Financing Inc, 2GO Express and Benchmark.

other projects envisioned.

The approval was granted during the mayor’s official visit to the DA, which was followed by the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement for the proposal.

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, a former governor of North Cotabato, vowed to support the proposed investment.

Evangelista said the project would open new opportunities in employment, local revenue

generation, and market expansion of local livestock to other regions of the country.

Added to this, he said several road rehabilitation and expansions are expected to be implemented here next year through farm-to-market road programs.

“This is a result of a firm dedication and partnership of agencies in providing services and distributing development to its constituents in the coun-

tryside,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, the city government is readying the MoA between the DA and local government that is up for submission and approval before the local council.

Once approved by the council, the MoA would give authority to the city mayor to sign on behalf of the local government unit over the joint venture with the DA office.

(PNA)

(VoPI) grew by 8.4 percent, a marked improvement from the 1.5 percent growth recorded in October 2015.

The Value of Production Index (VaPI) also grew by 4.3 percent —a turnaround from the 6.2-percent decline in the same period last year.

“In order to support the manufacturing sector’s continued growth, the government efforts to improve the business climate must be sus-

tained,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

Pernia said the sector was expected to benefit from the industrial strategy of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that focused on industries with potential to generate employment and encourage entrepreneurship.

“With the Duterte administration’s commitment to fast-track implementation of

infrastructure projects and programs, construction-related manufactures will be a major contributor to the growth of the sector,” he said.

Pernia added that better infrastructure would further stimulate the expansion of the manufacturing sector, easily connect producers to the value chain, and to local and international markets.

For consumer goods, the

DA bares P70M for Kidapawan city livestock livestock facility

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HE Department of Agriculture has committed to fund some P 70million worth of livestock facility for the local government of Kidapawan City.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said on Wednesday that the project includes P50M Double “A” slaughter house; a P10M Livestock Auction Market; a P 4.5–M Hog Dispersal Multiplier; Cattle Multiplier; and 20 high-breed cattle heads, among

PH manufacturing output grows 8.4% in October

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ANUFACTURING output continued to grow in October 2016 due to higher production of petroleum products, non-electrical machineries and transport equipment, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries for October 2016, the Volume of Production Index

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Mindanao coops cited for roles in reducing poverty

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

C

adlopez0920@gmail.com

OOPERATIVES in the Philippines, including five from Mindanao were recently recognized by the Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) for their contributions in the fight to reduce poverty in their respective communities.

Among the Mindanao cooperatives named by SIPAG include the Multipurpose Coop of Salay Hand-made in Misamis Oriental; the Maragusan Growers Multipurpose Coop in Compostela Valley; the Ictus Premier Multipurpose Coop in South Cotabato; and the Tago Agro-Industrial Development Coop in Surigao del Sur - all from Mindanao.

Each of these cooperatives received P250,000 on Friday in a ceremony held in Las Pinas City.

A Special Award of P150,000 was also given to the United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Coop in Isabela City in Basilan for being the Most Promising Community Enterprise in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao .

SIPAG Awards is a recognition bestowed by Villar family to cooperatives and other grassroots-based organizations in providing assistance and help to people in efforts to alleviate themselves from poverty.

Last Friday’s awarding was led by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar together with former Senate President Manny Villar and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

Twenty cooperatives from various parts of the country were named awardees for this year with a total cash award of P5 million, or P250,000 each were given awardees.

“We take our hats off to these cooperatives for their jobs well done. We salute them for their untiring, yet unrecognized, efforts to help reduce

poverty in our country, especially in the countrysides,” Sen. Villar said in a statement.

She added that through the award, SIPAG relays its utmost gratitude for their sacrifices and put premium to the accomplishments of cooperatives.

For this year, more than 300 cooperatives submitted their applications, out of which the top 20 were selected according to their effectiveness, significance, financial viability, sustainability and adaptability.

Cooperative awardees from the National Capital Region (NCR) include the Barangka Credit Coop in Marikina and the Holy Cross Savings & Credit Coop in Valenzuela.

Luzon winners include the Taloy Norte Farmers Multipurpose Coop in Baguio City; Claveria Grassroots Multipurpose Coop, Cagayan; Saint Catherine’s Parish Multipurpose Coop, Nueva Viscaya; Ascom Multipurpose Coop, Pampanga; Bagong Barrio Multipurpose Coop, Pandi in Bulacan; St. Martin of Tours Credit & Development Coop in Bocaue, Bulacan; Iwahori Multipurpose Coop, Bataan; Olongapo Multipurpose Coop, Olongapo; Most Holy Rosary Multipurpose Coop, Rizal; Quezon Public School Teachers & Employees Credit Coop, Quezon; and Gubat St. Anthony Coop, Sorsogon.

Three cooperatives from the Visayas were also awarded this year – the Cebu People’s Multipurpose Coop; Fatima Multipurpose Coop in Leyte; and DCCCO Multipurpose Coop in Dumaguete.

The SIPAG Awards for Poverty Reduction of Villar family was first handed out in August 2013 in recognition of the exemplary achievements of community enterprises to help local economic development and improvement of lives.

ECONOMY 7

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Go is new DCCCII president; Dela Cruz elected chairman

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ELICOPTER pilot and transportation businessman Ronald C. Go was elected unopposed new president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) in an election of chamber officers supervised by the DCCCII election committee headed by past president and chairman of the board Bienvenido “Ben” Cariaga Friday night.

Elected chairman was Antonio T. dela Cruz, past president.

The election was also at-

tended by outgoing president Bonifacio T. Tan and outgoing chairman John Y. Gaisano Jr. Other officers elected were Sofronio “BJ” M. Jucutan, Luciano Frederick “Dicky” Puyod III, vice president for trade and commerce; Teresita Pascual, VP for agribusiness; Wilfred “Evoy” Teves, VP for industry; Belinda L. Torres, VP for professional and service ventures; and Yvonne F. Cabada, corporate secretary.

Tan, Alvin M. Pinpin, Arturo Milan, Jennifer V. Sa-

NEW ELECTED. Newly officers and trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. pose for posterity with members of the chamber election committee after the election of officers last Friday night at the DCCCII conference room. From left, seated: Ronald C. Go, president; Antonio T. dela Cruz, chairman; past president Delia M. Ladao, members of the election committee; past president and chairman Bienvenido Cariaga, election committee chairman; John Y. Gaisano Jr., outgoing chairman; Bonifacio T. Tan, outgoing president and incoming trustee; from left,

zon, Jocelyn Romero, Juanito “Ricky” Tagabucba and Antonio M. Ajero are trustees.

The board of officers will be convened by the election committee next week to elect the corporate.

A Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate, Roni Go, who has served as helicopter pilot of the Anflocor Group of Companies for years now, is the owner of Ecotrans, a leading transportation service company. He is an outstanding Rotarian, who garnered 11 Rotary Interna-

tional District 3860 awards for the Rotary Club of East Davao when he was president of the club five years ago.

Dela Cruz who had served as chamber president and other positions in the DCCCII, is a retired bank executive, leader of cooperative movement and owns a security and investigation company.

With lawyer Cariaga in the election committee were past presidents Delia M. Ladao and Robert “Boyet” Quinto, members.

standing: Jocelyn Romero, trustee; Jennifer V. Sazon, trustee; Sofronio “BJ” M. Jucutan, executive vice president; J. Ricky Tagabucba, trustee; Yvonne F. Cabada, corporate secretary; Belinda L. Torres, vice president for professional and service ventures; Luciano Frederick “Dicky” Puyod III, VP for trade and commerce; Wilfred Teves, VP for industry; and Teresita Pascual, VP for agribusiness. Not in photo are: Alvin M. Pinpin and Arturo Milan. DCCCII photo.

Consumers’confidence posts record-high in Q4‘16

I

MPROVEMENTS in the government’s peace and order program and pronouncements to end contractualization and the worsening traffic in the metropolis further boosted consumer confidence to record-high in the fourth quarter of 2016.

In a briefing Friday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guin-

igundo said confidence index (CI) this quarter rose to 9.2 percent, the second consecutive quarter that the index went up to the positive territory since the survey was conducted nationwide in 2007.

Other reasons cited by the respondents of the consumer expectations survey (CES), done from Oct. 3-14, 2016, are anticipated increase in sala-

ries, availability of more jobs, the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the government’s vow to end corruption and improve government services.

Guinigundo said the “fourth quarter (of the year) is usually optimistic due to the holiday season.” ”I think the fourth quarter reading could show bright

DA gears for commercialization of rice seeds by next year

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SME EXPO. An exhibitor introduces her company’s products to a shopper during the opening of a three-day Mindanao SME Business Expo 2016 at the activity center of Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

prospects for real GDP (gross domestic product),” he said.

The domestic economy posted the highest growth so far in the region in the third quarter of 2016 with a 7.1 percent expansion. As of end-September this year, GDP growth stood at seven percent, the upper end of the government’s six to seven percent target for the year. (PNA)

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) will have to focus programs on the commercialization of rice seed production in the country by 2017.

This was according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol during the inauguration of a modern rice seed processing facility at the Philippine Rice Research Institute on December 6, 2016.

Piñol likewise stressed the importance of good breeding materials in achieving the food sufficiency.

“Good genetics and good farm management are two factors the DA needs to focus on to be able to synch our strategies with the vision of the President towards affordable and accessible food for every Filipino,” he said.

He noted that the govern-

ment will have to improve rice productivity thru the expansion of rice farmlands by at least one million hectare next year.

“To be able to achieve that dream, we have to provide more good seeds for farmers,” Piñol added.

Piñol, together with PhilRice acting executive director Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, led the inauguration of the $4-million processing facility funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) thru the “Enhancing the Capacity of Production and Distribution of High Quality Rice Seeds” program.

The initiative includes the establishment of the facility, providing of equipment, and trainings for the personnel.

The 1,000m3 facility aims

F DA, 12

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

EDITORIAL

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A precious Christmas gift

HERE is no gift more precious than one equal to the value of one’s life. And what’s as worth as life itself? Personal liberty.

That’s the prayer of the government (GRP) panel negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front (NDF) from President Rodrigo Duterte as a Christmas gift.

The GRP has upheld its commitment in facilitating the issuance of an amnesty proclamation and the release of detained communist rebels. The President has yet to be convinced it is the right time. He had said he has given enough to the leftist forces.

In a congressional hearing of the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the House of Representatives, GRP negotiators Rene Sarmiento and Angela Librado-Trinidad highlighted the panel’s efforts in fulfilment of its obligation to the GRP-NDF peace process.

Both parties agreed in their joint statements last August 26 and October 9 that the GRP panel will recommend to President Rodrigo R. Duterte the release of detainees based on humanitarian grounds and the promulgation of an amnesty proclamation.

To pursue this, the GRP amended the guidelines of the Presidential Committee on Bail, Recognizance, and Pardon (PCBReP), which will be the platform on the release of detainees based on humanitarian

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grounds. The panel has drafted the amnesty proclamation and submitted the same to the president last September.

The amended PCBReP will now cover crimes whose commission took place on or before July 1 this year; while, the amnesty proclamation is already being reviewed by the Office of the President.

By the term “humanitarian grounds”, it covers prisoners which are categorized either as sickly, elderly, or those who have been detained for a long period of time, and women.

Last December 2, President Duterte granted presidential pardon to four communist rebels convicted of murder and kidnapping who have long been recommended for pardon but not acted upon by the previous administration.

The GRP and the NDF hope the President will heed their prayers.

There are still a substantial number of political prisoners under detention whose families are praying for the President’s go signal of their release.

They are knocking on his heart to release them this Christmas as a fitting gift. It is not so much on who goes ahead in the negotiating leverage but the bigger picture of the prospects of peace we are in search of.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

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Bureau of Simplicity

ERE Secretary Martin Andanar an authentic columnist and not someone fronting for a ghost writer as some would suspect, he should create a specific bureau in his department whose main task is to simplify some terms and catch-phrases that workers in the government bureaucracy use in communicating their ideas not only to each to other but also to the public at large.

Let me state off-hand that they are free to use whatever verbs and adjectives that please them at will. It goes with the territory, including their preferences for that slang ‘yah’ rather than ‘yes.”

Nor do I take issue with the use of English as a medium of communication in conferences and meetings, never mind if most in the audience have difficulty straining their ears to get the message across.

It sets us apart as a nation. It does not make us look Third World on the surface that is.

But where I currently sit going over copies of newly-filed news reports, I think some of these verb-phrases needed to be simplified “to understand as to be understood.”

Consider this paragraph for instance: MinDA deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro said the Department of Energy is currently rolling out the possibility of introducing a wholesale electricity market in Mindanao considering the changes it is currently experiencing in its energy landscape.

The verb-phrase ‘rolling out’ seemed to stick out like a sore thumb, because ‘raising’

was more in keeping REVERSED PUNCH (GYAKU ZUKI) with the context.

I heard “roll out” several times from the national conferences that this city hosted over the past few months and Jimmy K.Laking one of those who used it was DTI’s Art Boncato. In the context of how he used it in a press conference, ‘to roll out’ sounded more like “to implement.”

Help Secretary Andanar.

Another term that kept on popping up every time the peace talks are discussed concerned “inclusive peace.”

One news account even used “all-inclusive peace.”

Truth to tell there I would readily agree with a few Lumad elders who told a press conference in Davao City that the use of the term ‘inclusive peace’ was more of a misnomer “as it involved only the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the various armed groups---NPA, MNLF and MILF. One Lumad elder asked: “What about us whose lands are often the sites of conflicts between these armed groups?”

Good question, matikadong. Considering that ‘inclusive’ is seen to mean widespread how come indeed that they are not part of the peace process?

For that matter, how come that the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera region of northern Philippines are not involved in the peace process when they are also victims of injustices and underdevelopment? Are they not also to be consulted in how their resources are exploited and in their right to self-determination?

Or is this not a case of Mindanao talking to itself? Did’nt President Duterte himself say it many times over that no one should be left behind?

“All-inclusive peace” for its part sounded redundant, if now overly-assuming.

“Inclusive growth” also appears to be the mantra of every government department these days. But again as in “inclusive peace” this seemed to be more of government talking to itself. There is the Mindanao Railways and the projected BIMP-EAGA development packages but again what is in it for the various Lumad communities of Mindanao?

And for that matter, what is in it for the various indigenous peoples of Luzon?

Or is government merely content on treating them as objects of oddity and charity as we witness every Christmas season?

Another term that keeps on popping up is ‘inter-connectivity” especially as used by the DTI, DOT and Department of Finance and in the stories churned out by the state-owned

news agency.

My limited understanding is that it refers to some sort of a network linking railways, seaports and airports but there could be more. Maybe it also refers to people or nationalities.

Maybe it is not to be confused with ‘interlocking” as in ‘interlocking directorates’ or ‘interlocking’ connections as shown in a drug matrix.

Finally, which of the two government really intend to do---‘poverty alleviation’ or ‘poverty reduction’?

It is clear from the few speeches of President Duterte that his administration was really intent on cutting down or reducing poverty.

But time and again, I hear some government officials advert to ‘poverty alleviation’ as if it were the real thing. I recall the late Urban poor Sectoral Rep. Rey Magno Teves who said ‘alleviation’ was simply inaccurate because it merely offers surface or band-aid solution as opposed to ‘reduction’ which says a mouthful.

Well, if Secretary Andanar was the media worker and not a news reader as some perceived him to be, his office should come up with a glossary of terms that would help ease the load of editors and media workers during press coverage and press conferences.

For if reporters themselves would find difficulty in understanding what news sources themselves would want to impart, how can they craft or present (in the case of TV) and end-product that is easily understood by the public at large? (JKL)

“Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed that it might live forevermore.

To fill our every need that it shall not be just a day, but last a lifetime through. The miracle of Christmas time that brings God close to you.” – Garnett Ann Schultz *** MONG Christians, Christmas is the most celebrated — and anticipated — event of the year. As the day of Christ’s natal day is fast approaching, it is but fitting to thoroughly think about what Christmas really means. To some, it may mean feast, food, and lots and lots of eating. To others, it is the time when they have to travel back home to have a grand reunion. To most, Christmas is the time to receive those gifts and bonus. But Christmas is more than these.

To me, Christmas is summed up in the acronym “CHRISTMAS”: “C” is for the courage of the wise men who defied the order of King Herod. They were instructed to tell him when they had located the Baby. “Go and make a careful inquiry for the Child. When you have found him, report to me...”

But instead of reporting back to Herod, the wise men returned home on another way. Read Matthew 2:7-12.

“H” is for the hymns sang by the angels when Jesus was born. Luke 2:13-14 recorded: “All at once there was with the angel a great company

of the heavenly THINK ON THESE! host, singing the praises of God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.’” Today, Christmas hymns and carHenrylito D. Tacio ols abound, inhenrytacio@gmail.com cluding the classic, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

“R” is for the response of Joseph. Upon learning the pregnancy of Mary, Joseph, “being a just man, and not willing to disgrace Mary publicly,” he made plans to break the engagement privately. But before he can do so, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.”

“I” is for the information brought by angels.

“Don’t be afraid!” the angel told the shepherds on the day Jesus was born. “I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby

wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

“S” is for the shepherds, the first people to have seen the child Jesus. According to the gospel of Luke an angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them that the Messiah was born. After hearing the good news, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told the couple what the angel had said about the Child. “The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them” (Luke 2:20).

“T” is for the thanks we need to offer. To me, Jesus is the greatest gift to mankind. He came into this world and died for our sins. By believing on Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we could be with Him in heaven forever (John 3:16).

For that, we need to be thankful. The wise men themselves brought gifts: “When they saw the Child with His mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to Him” (Matthew 2:11).

“M” is for Mary, the physical mother of Jesus.

When the angel Gabriel told her that she would be the instrument in bringing Jesus into the world, she simply submitted to God’s will: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” When her cousin, Elizabeth, knew about it, she said these famous

words: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Mary, who was virgin when she became pregnant, responded by exalting: “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46, 47). Mary was the fulfilment of the prophecy in the Old Testament: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son...”

“A” is for the address, where Jesus was born.

It was prophesized: “Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader, who will guide my people Israel.” Bethlehem was the home of Ruth, and 15 miles to the south was Hebron, the home of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Helena, mother of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor of the Roman Empire, built the original Church of Nativity in Bethlehem around 330 A.D. “S” is for the significance of the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6-7 provided this information: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”

This, to me, is what Christmas is all about.

A

What Christmas means to me

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival 2016:

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A Celebration of Cultural Charm

HE 2016 Shariff Kabunsuan Festival in Cotabato City is expected to be more reflective of the city’s rich culture and colorful history with the grand activities that are now being prepared for the celebration.

The festival will officially kick off on December 15 with the launching of several activities. First is the Mini Guinakit Competition to be held at the People’s Palace grounds. In this activity, individuals and groups are invited to join and compete for the most decorative and most relevant guinakit. The guinakit is the local name for the boat in which Muslim missionary Shariff Muhammad Kabunsuan was on board when he docked on the shores of this part of Mindanao.

Next is the launching of the Bangala:BIMP-EAGA Exhibit. This is one of the new activities of the festival and will be showcasing the different traditional dresses of the people of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Later on the same day, these costumes will be worn by local models in a fashion fair.

The celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival this year will be bigger than the previous years as it will also touch on the cultures of the ASEAN Region. It will jumpstart the commitment of Cotabato City to the ASEAN Integration in the coming years.

City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said, it is timely that the theme of the festival has expanded to the culture and tradition of the other ASEAN countries because these nations are being considered by Cotabato City as its brothers in development.

“The BIMP-EAGA is very important for Cotabato City because we have already established a relationship with these countries back in the ancient times. Remember that our forefathers are of Malay blood and Shariff Kabunsuan himself is also a native of Malaysia”, Mayor GuianiSayadi said.

Not only with the traditional costumes will the festival include the BIMP-EAGA but the annual culinary competition will also feature the diverse flavors from these countries using local products that can be found in the markets in Cotabato City.

Another exhibit is the Heritage: Fabric Art and Culture Forum that will showcase the amazing and colorful textile of local Muslims.

Also for the first time, a festival bazaar will be conducted for the duration of the celebration which will feature products from local entrepreneurs. These products range from ready-to-wear items, fashion accessories, skin care products, pastries, and many more.

This year’s celebration will also feature a Business Forum that will not only concentrate on the actually products and industries that Cotabato city has to offer but will also emphasize the great potential of the city to become Mindanao’s next tourist destination. As discussed by City Administrator Dr. Danda N. Juanday during one of the meetings of the city’s department heads, Cotabato city has the potential to become a Tourism Ecozone.

City Tourism Officer Norianne Lou Frondoza also said that the Department of Tourism Region XII is very supportive of the tourism programs and projects of the city government. One of the most feasible projects that are seen by the department is the declaration of the Timaco Hill as an Eco-Tourism Destination where visitors and tourists can trek and explore the wildlife in this untouched forest by the bay.

Meanwhile, regular activities during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival like the Kuyog Streetdancing and Showdown, the Grand Parade, Guinakit Fluvial Parade, and the Pagana will all be conducted this year.

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is one of the most celebrated occasions of Cotabato City. It is being conducted in honor of Shariff Muhammad Kabunsuan, a missionary springing from the native lands of Malaysia, who landed on the shores of this part of the country and propagated the religion of Islam to its native settlers.

Brothers Rajah Tabunaway and Rajah Mamalu, who were the reigning Datus during that time, were the ones who welcomed Shariff Kabunsuan to the land that is now Cotabato City. His arrival may have caused the separation of the brothers, it was later on discovered that they (the brothers) and Shariff Kabunsuan are of the same blood.

Today, the descendants of Rajah Tabunaway have already spread to different parts of Mindanao but most of them are still in Cotabato City and its nearby towns. The descendants of Rajah Mamalu are now the Indigenous Peoples or the “ Lumad”.

The celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is also one of the times where we see all of them together and united.

Cotabato City, despite being a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and tribes, is still flourishing because of the harmonious relationship that the Cotabateños continue to have with one another.

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival will be commemorated on December 15-19, 2016.

By: HALIMA K. SATOL-IBRAHIM City Information & Promotion Officer

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

11 December festival greetings EDGEDAVAO

December is truly the month of festivity in Cotabato City as we celebrate our grandest festival, the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival.

For us Cotabateños, it is very important that we do not fail to look back and remember the significant events in the olden times that shaped us as the people that we are now. For our Muslim brothers and sisters, the arrival of Shariff Mohammed Kabunsuan to the shores of this part of Mindanao is one of the most remarkable episodes of our past as he introduced Islam to the native settlers.

As we celebrate and remember this momentous time in our history, let us do so with faith, love, and peace in our hearts, the core values that Islam teaches the Muslim faithful.

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival may be an occasion that commemorates the beginning of Islam in this region, but today, we celebrate this with every Cotabateño, regardless of their faith, race, and tribe because our history is what unites us as a people.

On behalf of the city government of Cotabato, I thank everyone who is celebrating this festival with us. I hope that you also learn more about our dear Cotabato City through the activities that we have prepared for the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival.

Together let us relive the past and inculcate in our hearts the values of love, peace, and unity.

Happy Shariff Kabunsuan Festival to all!

Sigay ka, Cotabato City!

12 NEWS END... FROM 1

the offenders to reform, adding that effective enforcement of rules on engagement and addressing the drug menace as a public health issue must be followed in solving the problem of illegal drug use in the country.

He added the government sector must be informed of the

alleged involvement of those people in the list of drug offenders in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to qualify the basis and to get away with the belief that it was done out of baseless accusations.

“At the end of the day, someone must take the responsibility,” he stressed.

The MOA was signed on Thursday at the Microtel Inn and Suites, Lanang, Davao City.

For DOT, the MOA was signed by tourism secretary Wanda Teo and DOT-ARMM regional secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar Dilangalen.

For MinDa, USec. Janet Lopoz, CESO I signed in behalf of MinDa chief Datu Hj Abul Khayr Alonto.

Reyzaldy Tan, MinDa director for Planning and Policy formulation, said the MOA is the actualization of the previously-signed memorandum of understanding between MinDa and DOT which will bring together agencies involved in crafting program towards an “integrated and globally competitive Mindanao”.

The MOA further sets the obligation of both parties, one of which is crafting the Mindanao Tourism Framework, according to Tan. To kick-off, the Mindanao Development Corridors - Joint Planning and Programming succeeded the MOA signing event which was attended by provincial tourism officers from all over the island region.

According to Tan, the two-day MinDC-JPP served as platform for tourism officers to present their proposals for tourism development for

2017 and beyond which will focus on the biodiversity and ecotourism cluster to the pannel consists of DOT, MinDa and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“After the presentations, the comments raised will be considered by the proponents for revisions,” added Tan. Tan further explained that the proposals will then be validated by DOT, MinDa and will be turned over to TIEZA, the facility which funds LGU tourism proposals.

“We have at least P1 billion to fund the projects,” said Tan. The director expressed optimism that the integration of agencies will harmonize the criteria used in the assessment of proposals to shorten the validation process and implement the projects before the second quarter of 2017.

“Before, agencies have their own criteria that is why the processing takes a year,” recalled Tan. For the number of projects to be considered, Tan said as long as the projects are feasible, the panel will not set limits to them.

MinDC-JPP is in line with Vision 2025, the BIMP-EAGA roadmap for development.

identified as MILF communities.

Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday night instructed Vice Governor Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, also the region’s social welfare secretary, to determine if the clashes have resulted in the dislocation of civilians.

Social workers in the region have distributed tons of relief supplies in Butig, site of Maute-military clashes that affected 11 barangays and displaced 3,468 families.

The military reported 65 Maute terrorist group members killed while the Army suffered three fatalities and 19 injured. (PNA)

The official assured that the President is fully supporting their calls for speedy trial and the resolution of the cases against the suspects.

“We can only give justice to those victims if the process will be expedited, through speedy trial and early decision of the cases,” he said.

Grace Morales, who lost her husband Rossel in the massacre, said they were surprised and very happy with the President’s initiative to have a dialogue with them through an emissary.

She said they have been planning to seek a meeting with President Duterte to air their concerns and sentiments.

“Our hopes were renewed and it’s very encouraging to know that our government is concerned with our plight,” said Morales, who is secretary general of the Justice Now

Movement.

The group is composed of family members of the slain media workers.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the victims were on their way to Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu for governor when their convoy was waylaid here.

Around 100 gunmen allegedly headed by former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. herded them off to a hilly portion of Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, where they were brutally killed.

Mangudadatu was spared from the massacre after he sent his wife Genalyn and several female family members to file his candidacy. The media workers were part of the convoy to cover the filing. (PNA)

MinDA... FROM 1

5 Maute... FROM 2

TESDA... FROM 13

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

SENT HOME. Most lumads being hosted by the city government of Davao were sent home yesterday while others, like this group living temporarily under Agdao flyover, will continue to ask Christmas gifts from the city’s residents until Christmas day. Lean Daval Jr.

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to be commended. “Despite the extreme and erratic conditions brought about by climate change which destroyed a significant portion of the saplings, these communities persevered to ensure the survival of these native trees.”, she said The Panigan-Tamugan watershed is a critically important area because it is the future source of drinking water for the city.

For its winning efforts, a sack of organically grown rice and additional livelihood assistance was given to the

community participants of Barangay Tambobong.

“We are very proud of this project.”, said a beaming Josue.

“We may be few, like pieces of tingting. But when we came together, we became the walis tingting, able to sweep large areas .”

“This rainforestation project may have come to an end, but we will look forward to continuing our regreening efforts. Because every native tree maturing to its potential, is another step to ensuring the green future of our watersheds.”, he said.

said.

“Our position,” he said, “is to fully implement the law and let it run its course, including Section 11, which states that ‘starting the third quarter of calendar year 2016, the Committee (referring to the Congressional Oversight Committee) is mandated to review the impact of the tax rates provided under this Act.’” Dominguez said the Department of Finance (DOF) expects “this review to occur” as mandated by law and for it to “be done well to inform [us] what we should be doing in the future.”

Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, meanwhile, clarified that the figures on

the unitary sin tax system that is supposed to be adopted beginning next year as mandated by law are still “very preliminary numbers,” and that the DOF is still conducting a thorough study on the sin tax rates, taking into account the public health impact of the law and the price elasticities of cigarettes.

“When this was asked during the hearing (last Monday) of the House committee on ways and means, I mentioned that the figure is very preliminary and we are still studying the ideal price point considering the price elasticities of the products as well as the intended health effects of the sin tax law,” Agabin said.

ed to facilitate the normalization of loads of its Bangkal Substation. Although the power cut is shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the affected facilities, pressure build up, and line delivery, thus the longer duration of water service interruption.

The DCWD management asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. They are also advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later

if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Jason J. Demonteverde)

Congress... FROM 4

DCWD... FROM 13

Paolo... FROM 4

National Police (PNP) Director Ronald dela Rosa and several officials of the Davao City Police Office and alleged City Hall employees of Davao city.

The charges filed against them were, Murder, or violation of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, Kidnapping, or violation of Article 267 of the RPC, Violation of Republic Act No. 9745, or the Anti-Torture Act and Violation of Section 6(a), (f), (h), (i), and (k) of

R.A. No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Matobato claimed that Rodrigo created the Lambada boys in March 1988 who were responsible for the extra judicial killings in the city over the past years.

He also claimed that he was tortured in 2013 after he quit the DDS.

food subsector recorded double-digit growth in October, with 14.3 and 16.8 growth rates in volume and value of production, respectively.

These were complete reversals from the -14.7 and -14.9 percent contraction last year.

For intermediate goods, the petroleum products subsector continued to strongly recover with growth rates of 37 percent and 29 percent in volume and value production, also sharp reversals from -21.7 and -35.1 growth rates in October 2015.

For capital goods, transport equipment subsector also posted 19.4-percent and 17.7-percent growth rates in

volume and value of production, which are improvements from last year’s 6.3 and 7.5 growth rates.

Non-electrical machinery subsector also grew by 24.4 percent and 8.8 percent in volume and value of production, a turnaround from last year’s -2.6 and -1.4 declines.

“To raise the local industries’ competitiveness in the increasingly integrated global economy, we need to increase both public and private investments in R&D (research and development). This will surely help in the exploration and development of new products, processes, and markets,” said Pernia. (PNA)

to lessen the processing time and certification process for rice seeds. The structure also aims to encourage farmers to use high-quality seeds.

“By using the right seeds, a ten percent increase on farmers’ rice yield every year is possible,” Piñol noted.

The facility is composed of two recirculating dryers and two reversible dryers, which

can dry 6 and 4 tons seeds per batch, respectively. It also has two seed cleaners and a gravity separator for sorting seeds with a capacity of two tons per hour. It has a cold room, an office, and a generator room.

Piñol seeks to set up the same concept of facility in other rice producing areas in the country such as Davao and Soccsksargen region. (PR)

customers in Puan, Dumoy and Bago areas.

DCWD sump pumps located in these areas will also be affected by the above mentioned short service disruptions.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled power interruptions. But it will exert all ef-

forts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

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

PH... FROM 6

DA... FROM 7

DLPC... FROM 13

13 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Team members distribute gift bags to the kids of Binugao during the Therma South, Inc., Christmas Outreach last December 3, 2016 at the power plant in Binugao, Toril.

Kids in TSI sites get early Christmas treat

S

OME 300 children from the host community of Therma South Inc. (TSI), a subsidiary of the AboitizPower, were treated to an early Christmas Party during the company’s Christmas Outreach activity last December 3, 2016 at the power plant site in Binugao, Toril, Davao City.

“This is the fourth year we

are conducting this outreach as our way of giving back to our host communities -- Barangay Binugao in Davao City and Barangay Inawayan in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur -- who have supported us throughout these years,” said Jason C. Magnaye, TSI CSR Manager.

Children were treated to favorite Filipino snacks like

taho, popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy, spaghetti and fried chicken.

“This Christmas Outreach is really organized for the kids so that they will begin to feel and enjoy the Season of Giving,” said Engr. Valentin S. Saludes III, TSI Plant manager.

Games like Bring Me and The Boat is Sinking were held

where kids won different prizes. Team members of TSI also participated in the fun and games. The children were then entertained by a dance number by Jollibee and a magic show.

A poster making was also held where each group were tasked to make of what Christmas is to them. The activity

brought out the artistic talents of the children and at the same time challenged those of the team members who were assisting them.

“This year’s Christmas outreach is also made more special with the gift bags prepared by our team members here in TSI,” Magnaye said.

The children were also giv-

Short power interruptions on December 11 and 12

D MOA SIGNING. DTI’s Go Lokal signs MOA with Enchanted Kingdom. In photo (from left to right): DTI Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion Assistant Director Marievic Bonoan and Director Rhodora Leaño, DTI Undersecretary

for Industry Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado, Enchanted Kingdom Chairman and President Mr. Mario O. Mamon and Enchanted Kingdom COO Mrs. Cynthia Mamon. (Photo by DTI-KMIS).

DTI’s Go Lokal signs MOA with Enchanted Kingdom

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the biggest and leading theme park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom (EK) for its Go Lokal Store Project. EK is one of the first retail players that supported the Go Lokal Store Project of DTI which primarily aims to extensively promote products through provision of store space that will offer locally-made quality products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the country.

At present, EK selected 25

MSME suppliers from various regions that will be featured in the said theme park.

The Go Lokal project is an initiative to give greater market access to MSMEs. It makes available the best of Philippine products to the domestic market and growing demand from the tourism industry.

The Go Lokal Project is part of the One Town, One Project (OTOP) program of DTI. Go Lokal stores will be soon located in malls, ports of entry and tourists spots in partnership with the private sector.

DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado led the signing

ceremonies with Mr. Mario O. Mamon, Chairman and President of Enchanted Kingdom. Also present during the signing ceremonies were Mrs. Cynthia R. Mamon, COO of Enchanted Kingdom, DTI- Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion Director Rhodora M. Leano and Assistant Director Marievic M. Bonoan and Ms. Cheri Consunji, Merchandising Head of Enchanted Kingdom.

“DTI has been working to bring Go Lokal to different consumer-frequented areas to further showcase to the domestic market the quality and

world-class MSME products from various regions,” said Undersecretary Terrado.

The signing ceremony will be followed by the formal launch of the Go Lokal store at the Pugad retail area of Agila Theater on December 14 in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Enchanted Kingdom will simultaneously launch the Agila Theater which boasts of the largest screen in Southeast Asia and the latest immersive 4-D motion theater technology that will feature the stunning beauty of the Philippines while simulating an interactive flying experience.

HE Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) has offered training scholarships to family members of victims of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre.

TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong personally relayed the scholarship assistance, which will be provided through its current programs, in a dialogue here on Thursday with the families of the massacre victims.

“The skills trainings will be granted immediately. We have

made the initial arrangements for that,” he said.

Mamondiong said he was sent by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to talk to the families of the massacre victims and look into their plight.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media workers, were killed in the Nov. 23, 2009 carnage in Sitio Masalay of Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

During the dialogue, family members of the victims expressed disappointment with the “slow-moving trial” of

the case, especially against its masterminds led by members of the Ampatuan family of Maguindanao.

Some spouses of the victims raised their difficult situation, especially in terms of sending their children to school.

The families of the victims, especially the media workers, received financial assistance from various government and non-government groups after the incident but they acknowledged that most were not able to manage them properly.

Mamondiong said the results of the dialogue will serve as basis for the government, especially the President, in deciding the appropriate interventions for the families of the massacre victims.

He said what happened in the past is no longer important as nothing will happen by pointing blame to anybody.

“We’re after the interventions or assistance that you need and what we can provide to sustain your daily lives,” he said.

TESDA offers scholarships to family members of massacre victims

T

F TESDA, 12

en gift bags containing some toys and Noche Buena items.

“These Christmas gifts that were given to the children are all from the team members, who put together their own resources to buy these gifts. We hope the children, including their parents, will enjoy what is inside the gift bags,” Saludes said.

AVAO Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct short power interruptions on December 11 and 12 affecting customers connected to its Ponciano, Bajada, Tibungco, Bunawan, Panabo, San Vicente, Tadeco and Sto. Tomas Substations.

These service disruptions will be necessary to facilitate stringing works of new 138 kV lines from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Bunawan Substation to Davao Light Don Ramon Substation.

The first power interruption will be on December 11, Sunday, from 6:00 AM up to 6:15 AM. This will affect customers from Panabo proper, Tadeco, Carmen, Dujali, Sto. Tomas up to some parts of Paquibato.

Meanwhile, on December 12, Monday, two service disruptions will be implemented. The first one will be for 15-minutes only, which is any-

time between 12:01 AM up to 01:00 AM. This will affect customers in the city proper specifically in San Pedro Street, Quirino Avenue, Bankerohan, Rizal Street, and Ponciano Street. Customers in areas along Bajada from Davao Light Bajada Power Plant to DCWD office, Cabagiuo, Buhangin, Tigatto, Mandug, and some parts of Cabantian will also be affected by this power outage.

This also includes those along Toril highway from crossing Eden and going to Sirawan, Alambre up to Inawayan.

Customers in Ilang Tibungco going to Bunawan in Licanan Task Force outpost will also experience the said service service disruption.

The last power interruption will be for 10 minutes, from 1:30 a.m. to 1:40 a.m.

Affecting customers from Ulas crossing up to Tugbok proper including Catalunan Pequeno and Mintal. Also affected are

F DLPC, 12

Water service interruption in city parts Dec. 12, 2016

D

AVAO City Water District advises of low water pressure to no water on December 12, 2016 from 1:30 AM to 2:30 AM in all areas served by Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS) particularly the entire Talomo, Ulas, Bangkal, Matina, Matina Aplaya, Ecoland, Ma-a, Langub, Bucana, Downtown, Bo. Obrero, Cabaguio, Agdao, Madapo, Marfori, San Rafael, Circumferential Road, Bacaca, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Lanang, Bo. Pampanga, Angliongto / Mamay Road, Sasa until Km. 12, left side portion of Diversion Road (from junction of Bangkal to corner Catalunan Grande Road), and some areas in Bago Aplaya (Gulfview Executive Homes, Versari Village, Castro Village and Sto.

Niño Village); Buhangin (from J.P Laurel Avenue to DDF Mandug, from Crossing Milan to Villa Park Subd. and from Ma-a Bridge to DPWH Panacan including Dumoy WSS connections in Ciudad de Esperanza, Camp Catitipan, AFP Mutual Homes and Davao International Airport), and Panacan (ICSAMA, Crystal Meadows, Tierra Verde Village, EMI Ville Homes, Empress Subd., Tierra Niño Village, PMPC Village, Landmark II and III, San Juan Village and Vista Verde I and II).

DCWD’s Talomo Booster Station and some production wells under Dumoy WSS will be affected by Davao Light and Power Company’s power interruption on said date need-

F DCWD, 12

EDGEDAVAO

14 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Army unit enhances Sustainable conservation communication skills efforts for gulf underway S B OME 31 military personnel of the 60th Infantry Battalion based in the town of Asuncion in Davao del Norte recently enhanced their communication skills in a twoday Speakers’ Bureau Seminar-Workshop.

Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Canilla, commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion said that the military personnel need to improve their communication skills to relate more to the community their dealing with everyday.

Among the topics in the two-day seminar workshop were the basics of Communication, Media Relations, the laws that gag, SMS reporting, tips on being a master of ceremony and basic public speaking lessons.

Philippine Information Agency Region XI Director Efren Elbanbuena shared the theories of communication and how the military can develop their communication with the community they are serving and with the media as well. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

Health officials in South Cotabato favor condom dispersals in schools to prevent HIV/AIDS

T

HE South Cotabato provincial health office is supporting the government’s plan to distribute condoms among public secondary students in the province.

Dr. Ala Baby Vingno, assistant provincial health officer, said the distribution of condoms and contraceptives will help contain rising cases of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-AIDS in the province.

It will also help, according to Vingno, to prevent teenage pregnancy.

However, Vingno admitted, this is still in the planning stage by the Department of Health. She said there is no directive as of yet

to commence the program.

Vingno also explained that the distribution of condoms does not necessarily mean it is a part of family planning.

From January to date, the provincial health office reported 98 cases of HIV/AIDS in South Cotabato’s 10 municipalities and in Koronadal City.

Citing records, Vingno said most of those found to be HIV positive were young, aged 15 to 24 years old.

The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Marbel has not issued any statement on the provincial government’s plan to support distribution of condoms to public high school students. (PNA)

EING the chairperson of the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario led recently the signing an agreement for the conservation of the Davao Gulf.

During the recent DIDP Board meeting, Governor Del Rosario and the members of

the board, composed of the governors and city mayors in the region, signed the board resolution and Memorandum of Agreement for the Marine Key Biodiversity Area (MKBA) project, in which the Davao Gulf is one of the pilot projects.

Governor Del Rosario expressed his gratitude to the World Wide Fund – Philip-

MASA MASID LAUNCHING. Part of the activities to the Comval Provincial Thanksgiving Day on December 8 at the capitol grounds is the launching of the MASA MASID or Mamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya at Ilegal na Droga led by

pines (WWF-Philippines), also known as Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. for assisting the region in building a progressive and sustainable future in the Davao Gulf, wherein ‘people live in harmony with nature.’

The Davao del Norte Governor emphasized that the Davao Gulf remains to be threatened

Comval Gov. Tyron Uy, Philippine Army, PNP, DILG, and other key officials. (a. dayao/ids comval)

PhilHealth 12 starts role in gov’t drug rehab program

T

HE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Region 12 has started the rehabilitation program for drug dependents who submitted themselves to rehab by launching today the Medical Detoxification Package (MDP), officials said. ”This is in support of the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs,” Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag, PhilHealth regional vice president, said of the Php10,000 per case detoxification package.

She said the program is

now part of PhilHealth’s list of services as government continues its relentless battle against illegal drugs, saving them from the menace and prioritizing drug personalities who expressed desire to reform.

Pamonag said the package includes services for medical detoxification, professional fee and additional coverage for other co-morbidities like substance use disorder, psychosis, ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, stroke, seizures, acute renal failure and gastrointestinal cases relative

to drug abuse.

Pamonag said PhilHealth members may avail of this package through accredited levels 1, 2 and 3 government hospitals and Drug Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Centers licensed/certified by the Department of Health and accredited by PhilHealth.

She added that all indigent, “kasambahay” (househelp), sponsored, lifetime and senior citizen members are entitled to the “No Balance Billing” while members from other sectors like employed, self-employed and Overseas Filipino Workers

(OFWs) may avail the same but with co-payment not exceeding the package rate.

All claims, according to Pamonag, shall be filed only by the Health Care Institutions (HCI), hence, members are not allowed to do direct filing.

The PhilHealth’s drug detox program will focus mainly on interventions during the withdrawal period, considered to be the most crucial since abrupt withdrawal may cause blood pressure to shoot up and result in kidney problems.

Under the program, the de-

The reconstruction of the said provincial bridge is considered a high-impact infrastructure and will directly help a lot of people in the area.

Director Tamayo said that it is an essential permanent bridge link towards the city proper of Koronadal. It caters to people transporting through and from the baran-

gays of Koronadal and the municipalities of Lutayan and Columbio in the province of Sultan Kudarat.

He also stressed that this bridge is beneficial mostly to farmers and local commodity vendors in the area.

The Namnama Bridge is a 60 linear meter pre-stressed concrete girder (PSCG) bridge

with 2 spans at 30 meters per span, resting on bored piles traversing the Marbel River.

This is reconstructed after being damaged by strong floods last June 24, 2015.

The reconstruction cost the national government with 70-million pesos under the CY 2016 DPWH Infrastructure budget.

F PHILHEALTH, 17

DPWH opens Namnama Bridge for public transport

T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways declares Namnama Bridge open to public transportation starting December 10, 2016.

Director Reynaldo S. Tamayo confirmed that the project is already passable just in time before the project contract expires by December 16, 2016.

by overfishing and illegal fishing, pollution, commercial development and extractive industries, among others.

He urged his colleagues in the board to protect the gulf against the illegal elements as it is among the richest gulf in the country in terms of coastal and marine biodiversity. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION (NHMFC) Mortgagee,

EJF-REM CASE NO. 16, 115-16

-versusGLORIA DADISON CATBAGAN married to EFREN MANUEL A, CATBAGAN Mortgagor/s.

X--------------------------------------------X NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) against the mortgagor GLORIA DADISON CATBAGAN married to EFREN MANUEL A. CATBAGAN, with postal address at LA VERNA HILLS LOT 4 BLK. 13 BO. PAMPANGA, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of OCTOBER 22, 2016 amounted to TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE PESOS and 52/100 (Php 2,501,183.52) Philippine Currency, inclusive of principal due,interest, penalty and other charges plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; the undersigned will sell at public auction on JANUARY 12, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland ,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-208248 “A parcel of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (lot 4, BLK. 13, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-11-001299, being a portion of lots 1-A (LRC) Psd-153577 & E., Psd-11-004314) situated in the Barangay of Mamay,Cabantian , City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (135) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on FEBRUARY 9, 2017 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, NOVEMBER 28, 2016.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROV’L SHERIFF: (SGD.) ALBERT C, ABEJARON Sheriff IV

Noted by:

Photo of Namana Bridge in Koronadal

(SGD) ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER Clerk of Court V & OIC Clerk of Cout & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (Edge 12/5,12,19)

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Damosa lights up for a meaningful Christmas

THE YULETIDE SEASON IS IN FULL SWING as lights are all around one of Davao’s busiest business districts, Damosa. Damosa Land lit up its impressive 42-feet Christmas tree that stands tall in the middle of Damosa Business Center. No less than Cong.

Tony Boy Floirendo, Jr., Chairman of the Anflo Group of Companies, led the light-up ceremony together with Ricky Floirendo, Anflocor Senior Vice President, and Cary Lagdameo, Vice President of Damosa Land, Inc.

The Christmas tree lighting has been a 5 year tradition in Damosa. It started in 2010 when the famous Davao landmark, the Malayan-inspired Damosa Building in the junction of Lanang and Mamay Road, mounted its first huge Christmas tree to signal the Christmas season in Damosa District. On the following year, the main Christmas tree transferred to Damosa Business Center where it is presently located.

Shining lights of mixed red and warm white make up this structure which emanated from the concept of the Senior Vice President of Anflo Group and Creative Director of the renowned Tadeco Livelihood Mariciris Floirendo-Brias. With over 10,000 light bulbs lighting up 1,500 balls and a roof light LED star on top, this Christmas tree brings amusement to the district’s patrons and visitors.

Damosa Land, Inc. made this year’s Christmas tree lighting extra special and meaningful by inviting the children from

Field of Dreams Charity Foundation, Pag-Amoma Children’s Development Foundation and Padre Pio’s House for Children to a night of fun and sharing.

DLI together with the Don Antonio Floirendo Foundation treated the children to dinner and hosted games with the help of McDonald’s Damosa. UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay completed the yuletide feel with Christmas carols.

For Cary Lagdameo, the momentous occasion is all about thanksgiving. And giving thanks is all about giving back.

“This night is really all about our special guests tonight and these are the children that you see here.

We hope that you would visit us as this Christmas tree will be lit every night.

This is a sign of our gratitude to you,” said Cary.

Damosa District is a growing commercial hub where corporate offices are located in synergy with restaurants and lifestyle shops, bringing together business and leisure in one spot.

A2 INdulge!

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Holidays made more colorful at Park Inn THE COMING HOLIDAYS ARE SURE TO BE MORE COLORFUL as Park Inn

by Radisson Davao celebrates Christmas and New Year with a duo of treats for everyone to have their fill.

For Christmas Eve, Park Inn brings together this season’s finest flavors in an all-you-can-eat buffet filled with Traditional Christmas Holiday Ham, decadent cakes and assorted holiday pastries alongside a spread of savory dishes. Toast to the good things in life with a free-flowing fresh juice drinks with your sumptuous meal.

While Christmas Eve dinner is traditional, Park Inn’s New Year’s Eve experience promises to be a vibrant occasion as the RBG restaurant and terrace will be transformed into a vibrant and glowing party place with colourful drapes and fun centerpieces. On the lavish buffet spread is Lechon, Chili Lime Shrimps, Beef Randang, and fabulous desserts such as RBG’s Neon Galaxy Cake, Blueberry Pavlova, and Matcha Mousse in Green Tea Cone.

Dance to the upbeat tunes of the city’s popular live bands and join in the countdown to 2017.

Adding excitement to the night is a line-up of amazing raffle prizes.

The Christmas Eve Dinner buffet is priced at Php899 net per person while the New Year’s Eve Countdown Dinner and Party is priced at Php 1,800 net per person.

For those who would rather celebrate on Christmas Day or on New Year’s Day itself, Park Inn also offers Christmas and New Year’s Day brunch with filling choices to go along with your caffeine fix or

hot chocolate. The breakfast buffet is open from 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM for Php600 net per person.

“Park Inn by Radisson Davao also offers packages for annual get-togethers, corporate parties or family reunions.” added Park Inn

by Radisson Davao’s hotel manager Emelyn Rosales.

“With four function venues and three exciting party packages to choose from, complete with holiday menu, Christmasthemed centerpieces, music and personalized service, holding events at the Park Inn are easy and hassle free. Package

rates for a minimum of 50 guests start at Php750net per person. Optional complimentary overnight stay for a party of 100 guests and above.”

There are also beautifully wrapped Christmas hampers filled with baked treats, artisanal ham, cheeses, wine, and chocolate which are a great way to spread Christmas cheers to loved ones.

For more information on the many offers or to make a reservation at the Park Inn by Radisson Davao, call them through 2727600 or email fb.manager@parkinn.com.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO KORONADAL PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Piolo and Inigo Pascual bond over Thai food in ‘The Crawl’ NOW SHOWING

December 7 – 13, 2016

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

PG

11:45 | 2:15 | 4:45 | 7:14 | 9:45 LFS

UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS Kate Beckinsale, Theo James Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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IN THE SECOND I N S TA L L M E N T OF LIFESTYLE’S “THE CRAWL,” Piolo Pascual and son Inigo take their curious taste buds to the Northern part of Thailand—Chiang Mai. The father and son team goes on a culinary adventure, and explore the different flavors and food selections that Thailand has to offer starting December 8 on Lifestyle.

The Philippines’ ultimate heartthrob will once again venture through streets and cities, and show Filipinos a glimpse of a different culinary culture, including tips on surviving the task and insights on how to maximize the food and travel experience.

Food crawling is a form of bonding among people with common passion for food. The Crawl shows another side of Piolo Pascual—the adventurous, outgoing, and multi-faceted father and friend who loves experiencing what life has to offer, particu-

larly through travel with his new companion.

Watch Piolo and Inigo try out Chiang Mai’s myriad food specialties such as spicy sausage, khao soy,Pad Thai, Kang Puk Wan, and Madame Butterfly tea from well-known Thai food stops such as Rak Thanam, Comedara, Galae, and Vieng Joom On. Along the trip, they also discover breath-taking tourist attractions like visiting Wat Doi Suthep, Mae Ping River Cruise, Night Street Market, and

a lot more. They also get enjoy the spectacular Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival, where they pay respect to the Goddess of the Water along with the Thai locals by sending off lanterns.

Through the Lucky Lifestyle Viewer promo, two viewers also got the chance to discover the flavors of Chiang Mai in a 5-day, 4-night trip, and also got to meet and dine with Piolo himself.

The first run of TheCrawl was shot in Osaka, Japan, also known

as “The Kitchen of Japan: Home of great traditional Japanese Cuisine,” which Piolo took a trip to with crawl buddy Lui Villaruz.

“The Crawl” is a Lifestyle original food and travel show adding to the list of successful shows the channel has produced like “Metabeats,” “Curiosity Got The Chef,” “FoodPrints,” and “Listed.” Lifestyle is one of the channels of Creative Programs, Inc., a subsidiary of ABSCBN that aims to give Filipinos a complete lifestyle experience while gaining meaningful insights.

Don’t miss Piolo and Inigo’s exciting gastronomical trip to Chiang Mai in Lifestyle’s “The Crawl,” on Dec. 8 (9pm).

Replays are available on Dec. 9, Friday (12nn), Dec. 10, Saturday (3pm), Dec.11, Sunday (10:30am), Dec. 24, Saturday (8pm), and Dec. 25, Sunday (12mn &10:30am). Lifestyle is available on SKYcable channel 52. For updates, follow Lifestyle on Facebook (facebook.com/ lifestyletvph), Instagram (@lifestyletvph), and Twitter (@lifestyletvph).

EDGEDAVAO

15 PROPERTY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

Matina Enclaves’ Condo 1/B nears completion

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

F

njb@edgedavao.net

UTURE residents of the Matina Enclaves’ The Residences Building 1-B have a big reason to be excited this Christmas season.

That big reason could come soon as developer

Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) announced the current status of the construction of the first residential condominium of the Matina Enclaves.

“It’s 89.39 percent

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION Mortgagee,

Corridor @3rd floor

EJF-REM CASE NO. 16,125-16

-versusROWENA PAGHUBASAN PADOGDOG, married to, SOFRONIO L. PADOGDOG Mortgagor/s.

X--------------------------------------------X NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Atrium

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed the above mentioned mortgagee against ROWENA PAGHUBASAN PADOGDOG,married to SOFRONIO L. PADOGDOG, with postal address at Jade Valley homes Lot 18 Blk. 16 Ph. 4 Brgy. Tigatto, Buhangin, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of 10/16/2016 amounted to P 2,489,038.15 Philippine Currency, plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; the undersigned will sell at public auction on JANUARY 12, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland ,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-216374

“A parcel of land xxx (Lot 18, Blk. 16 xxx Pcs -11001543 , xxx) situated in the Barangay of Tigatto, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR (184) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on February 09, 2017 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon , if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, November 25, 2016.

Noted by:

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROV’L SHERIFF: (SGD.) ROBERT M. MEDIALDEA Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER. Clerk of Court V & OIC- Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff ( Edge- 12/5,12,19)

Insatallation of kitchen modular @ 1st flr 2br units

Installation of kitchen faucet and sink complete,” said project head Gerald Kent Garces as he released the latest construction portfolio of the prime residential estate project of Esdevco.

Building 1-B, the first of five buildings under the “The Residences” wing of Matina Enclaves already in the market, is set for turnover once completed.

Building 1/B is the first tower of The Residences segment of the Matina Enclaves project and is due for turnover early next year. Only the

final details of the building is undergoing completion.

“Everyone is excited to see the first building done,” Garces said as he aired the anticipation of the building’s homebuyers.

With the first condominium building now nearing its completion, Garces also said there are a few remaining units left in Building E, the fifth residential building on sale.

By far, the Matina Enclaves has sold out its first four buildings in just

Installation of kitchen cabinet 3br unit @ 1st flr a period of two years.

Building 4/D was fully sold out as of last month while Building 5/E has only a few remaining units left.

The Matina Enclaves is the initial venture into real estate business by the Escandor family, a native of Davao, known for their success in hotel and security agency business.

The vast mixed use residential estate located along Quimpo Boulevard in Ecoland is one of the fast-selling pieces of property in Davao City

Installation of lavatory @ 1st floor today. The project is riding on the crest of the current property boom in the city.

Esdevco has institutionalized a rewards system that gives back in return to its agents recognition for their efforts by way of monthly top sellers banquet.

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NEWS 17 Davao Light early Christmas outreach to the Lumads and Muslims VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

D

AVAO Light and Power Company in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation donated 75 sacks of rice for the indigenous peoples in Davao City last December 1 at the Task Force Davao Headquarters, Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City through the Philippine Army’s Task Force Davao and its partner Youth for Peace-TALBOS. This annual Christmas donation is in support to Task Force Davao’s Christmas Outreach to the Lumads and Muslims dubbed as “Pinaskuhan Para sa Lumad ug Muslim”

which Davao Light has been supporting for the last 12 years, since the project started in 2004.

The donation was turned over by Davao Light’s EVP and COO Arturo Milan to YFP-TALBOS Regional Vice President, Evadyne May J. Dela Cerna and Task Force Davao’s Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri and Major Mario A. Tena.

“The donation is a fulfillment of the Company’s continuing commitment to provide assistance to our Lumad brothers and sisters especially in this season of giving.” said Milan.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notice is hereby given that the

estate of the late CRESENCIA VDA. DE CAPUL has been the subject of

an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate With Special Power of Attorney

executed among her heirs, per Doc. No. 486; Page No. 98; Book

No. LXXIV; Series of 2016, of the

NOTARY PUBLIC CHARMAINE P. VALENTIN

EDGEDAVAO

Davao Light continues to support the Task Force Davao’s “Pinaskuhan para sa Lumad ug Muslim” project since 2004 as its way of giving back to the community in time of Christmas. In photo are: (from left to right) Evadyne May J. Dela Cerna (Regional Vice President, YFP-TALBOS), Colonel Erwin

Bernard Neri of Task Force Davao, Arturo Milan (EVP and COO of Davao Light), Fermin Edillon (Community Relations Manager of Davao Light) and Major Mario A. Tena of Task Force Davao.

3 Abu... FROM 4

Sec. Dureza... FROM 4

bers of tugboat Henry.

“The said Abu Sayyaf members were prevented by security forces in Sabah from executing their kidnapping plans by engaging them in a surprise shootout. The speed-

boat utilized by the Abu Sayyaf members was sunk during the fight,” Tan added.

Hamid’s death is a big blow to the ASG as his demise has degraded their capability for spotting, he said. (PNA)

toxification period may last between 30 to 90 days, depending on how the body responds and the extent of drug use.

Workers of the Drug Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Centers accredited by the DOH will help patients/dependents in the management of symptoms that will come out once dependence on drugs goes down.

Region 12, composed of

the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities therein, has listed about 32,000 individuals who admitted drug use and expressed willingness to undergo rehabilitation.

President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly announced his estimate of drug personalities across the country could reach 3.5 to 4 million. (PNA)

PhilHealth... FROM 14

Rodrigo Duterte exercises strong political will in ensuring all parties come together in the peace process.

President Duterte has already declared a unilateral ceasefire of offense operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and also released 20 political prisoners based on humanitarian grounds to help facilitate the talks.

The ambition of the administration, Dureza noted, is to attain peace by the second year of President Duterte’s term.

“In our work in the peace process, it is very important that we address what we refer to as the ‘historical injustice’

that the Moro had suffered,” he said in his speech with reference to the Muslim separatist insurgency in Mindanao during the panel discussion on “Government Strategies to Build State Legitimacy and Improve Service Delivery in Fragile Situations”.

Two separate peace agreements have been signed by two separatist factions, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Furthermore, the two Houses of Congress have been developing their versions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the enabling piece of legislation that will give the Bangsamoro region greater autonomy. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

VOL. 9 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 - 12, 2016

EDGEDAVAO Sports 19

HOOPS GOLD Davao cagers win BIMP EAGA Games gold

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

EAM Philippines-Mindanao bucked some bad calls early but made quick adjustments to score a lopsided 109-63 win over Sulsel-Indonesia in the finals to bag the most precious gold medal in men’s basketball of the 9th BIMP EAGA Friendship Games on Saturday.

Playing before a pro-Indonesian crowd at the Sempaja Gym in the East Kalimantan city of Samarinda, the Dabawenyo cagers fell down 4-10 in the first quarter that had a spate of bad calls going in favor of the hosts.

“Medyo hindi maganda tawagan sa simula. Maganda rin defense nila sa start.

We can not execute our half court offense kasi tina-trap kami sa halfcourt,” said Philippines-Mindanao coach Ice Gravador in an online interview with Edge Davao.

After a timeout, Gravador mapped out a counter-attack.

“I told the boys to engage in a running game so that we don’t have to break their press everytime.”

That ploy did not work out that easily though. They had to engage the Indons in a tight first quarter before throwing the game wide open in the second quarter as they surged ahead by 16 points.

“We had some opportunities sa primary break kaya naka luwag konti,” Gravador said.

The Dabawenyos executed their plays well from there as they find the Indons further behind the rear view mirror as the game wore on.

Gravador went to a “small ball” rotation to finally nail the championship that mattered most to Dabawenyos back home—a basketball gold.

James Linares, Michael Gonzaga, Joshua Aguilon, Harry Dumagan,

Jhaystone Oquias, Jim Yap, Mark Francisco, and Harrold Nebria connected from the distance to underscore the Dabawenyos’ firepower.

Asked of the team’s strengths, Gravador said, “Deeper bench. Kaya I told them to push the ball. I want their second stringers to go up against ours kasi may advantage.”

Team Mindanao-Philippines, composed of 13 players from Holy Cross of Davao College and one from Ateneo de Davao University swept their first three matches by an average margin of 54 points.

They opened their campaign with a 92-51 spanking of Indonesia’s Kalteng squad then followed it up with an equally devastating 87-36 rout of Kaltim-Indonesia.

On Friday, the Davao City cagers

flashed its deadliest form as they notched their third straight win in as many starts with a 119-49 massacre of Kaltara-Indonesia.

The Holy Cross Crusaders in the team are Joshua Aguilon, Harry Dumagan, Harold Nebria, Mark Francisco, Lean Martel, Jhaystone Oquias, Jim Yap, James Linares, Kenn Gudes, Bernard Gutierrez, Michael Gonzaga, Loid Unson, and CJ Gonzales. The lone Ateneo player in the team is Ivan San Diego.

Meantime, Davao City head coach Ice Gravador has earned praises from his peers in the Indonesian teams.

In his Facebook page, Indonesian coaches were all praises for Gravador and wished they will learn from him.

Central Borneo team manager Berto Leiden said they have much to learn from the Philippine coach.

CHAMPS. The gold medal-winning Philippines-Mindanao team after clinching the finals of men’s basketball in the 9th bIMP EAGA Friendship Games in Sarimanda City, Indonesia.

Beach belles bag silver, men’s team take bronze

T

HE Philippines-Mindanao raked two medals in beach volleyball amidst a tough competition in the 9th BIMP EAGA Friendship Games in Samaranda City, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The pair of Samantha Dizon and Kween Marie Dawang lost to the tandem from Kalimantan Timor of Indonesia 14-21, 18-21 in the finals to settle for the silver medal in women’s beach volleyball.

Dizon is a standout of Ateneo de Davao University while Dawang is from Holy

Cross off Davao College. JR Labio coached the Dabawenyas.

In the men’s side, the tandem of Jan Ashley Jacob of the University of Mindanao and Rex Paller of Jose Maria College took the bronze medal.

The team is coached by Abet Bernan with Jonathan Vanta as his assistant.

Bernan said the competition in beach volleyball is tough. “You can say that it’s a high-level competition. Malalakas ang mga teams.”

Despite that, Bernan said the Philippines-Mindanao squads fared well. (Neilwin Joseph Bravo)

FREESTYLE ARTIST. Philip Warren Gertson, a Filipino-Norwegian freestyle footballer, performs his routine during the 4th Asian Freestyle Football Championship at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier.

MaAD rules HLURB XI Sportsfest

T

HE Monitoring and Adjudication Division (MaAD) led by lawyer Norman Jay Doral garnered a total of 12 points to emerge over-all champion in this year’s Housing, Land and Urban Regulatory Board (HULRB) XI Sportsfest held December 7 at the NCCC Mall in Ma-a.

Administration Division skippered by Engr. Norman Datucon finished second with 10 points. Third was the Planning, Registration and Licencing Division (PReLID) under Jorge Martinez with 8 points.

MaAD won the bowling and table tennis competition and also finished second in the word factory contest.

MaAD’s bowlers were Shirley Diansay, Chinky Rodriguez and Engr. Arnulfo Vargas.

Admin was played by Derrick Andrade, Fely Jose, Stella Tan and Ma. Felvie Rallos while PReLID’s keglers were Wendell Galit and Iyarmoon Dulay.

Doral also combined smoothly with Artemio Ortiz and Karen Joy Embalsado in

topping the table tennis event for MaAD. They whipped PReLID’s Johnjay Ventula and Art Racaza and Admin’s Rose Dumadag and Jovy Lood, who settled for second and third, respectively.

Doral, Marcelyn Corro and Gerlyn Therise Lizada also finished second in the Word Factory contest, which was ruled

by Admin’s Susan Celo and Reena Gokotano. PReLID’s Iyarmoon and Remy Rosalita finished third.

Admin’s Mark Pantone and Reginald Gimena dominated the 9-ball billiards. Second was PReLID’s Racaza followed by MaAD’s Mark Peloton and Ashley Depalubos.

MaAD’s Engr. Arnulfo Vargas ruled the chess event held earlier at the HULRB XI office. He outclassed Admin’s Norman Datukon and Twinkle Abellana and PReLID’s Racaza.

HLURB XI Regional Director Atty. Robert Mauro Miguel Palma Gil awarded the prizes to the winners.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL. The women’s team of Samantha Diaz, coach JR Labio and Kween Marie Dawang after winning the silver medal in beach volleyball. The men’s team of Jan Ashley Jacob and Rex Paller with head coach Abet Bernan won the bronze medal in the men’s side.

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