Edge Davao 9 Issue 225

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

‘TOROTOT’. Thousands of Dabawenyos blow torotot (party horns) to welcome the New Year during the Davao Torotot Festival at Rizal Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

EFFECTIVE SEASONAL BAN 50,868 fishermen benefit from 3-month close season of Davao Gulf

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS & FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-11) said that as of January 1 this year, Davao region already has 50,868 fishermen registered as part of a nationwide registration program covering fisherfolk and local fishing vessels.

The data is based on the information collected through the Municipal Fisherfolk Registration Program (FishR) that was launched in August 2013.

“This was because of the collaborative efforts of the

fisheries bureau, municipal fisherfolks groups and the local government units (LGUs) in the region,” said BFAR 11 Regional Director Fatma Idris.

But the counting of BFAR11 as to the number of fisherfolks also represents how many persons in the sector are currently affected by the effects of climate change in Davao Gulf that resulted to decrease of production for the past years.

Idris said fish production in the region was only 43,657

metric tons during the 3rd quarter of last year.

“A lot of our fisherfolks like the close season at the Davao Gulf to allow more species of fishes to thrive,” she pointed out.

Close season at the Davao Gulf is implemented every June to August of each year.

Idris said most of the more than 50,000 registered fishermen in the region now directly benefit from close season.

Most of the individuals

registered in the database consists of people who are into fishing and fishing-related activities including direct fisherfolk, fish vendors, and fish traders.

The Davao Region has 49 municipalities, 24 of which are coastal towns and six cities.

“We have trained Agriculture Technicians for Fisheries in the 49 towns on the how to use the online registration,” Idris said.

FEFFECTIVE, 10

DOH reports significant drop in fireworks-related injuries

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HE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said that for the first time in the last 10 years of their continuous surveillance of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) as of New Year’s Eve (December 31) revelries, more Filipino lives were spared from the deadly and injurious firecrackers this time around.

In a press briefing held at DOH media relations

unit (MRU) in Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said that as of 6 a.m. of Jan. 1, 2017, a total of 350 fireworks-related injuries were recorded by DOH sentinel sites.

“This is 520 cases or 60 percent lower than the fiveyear (2011-2015) average and 524 or 60 percent lower compared to the same

F DOH, 11

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

‘BATO’ BLOWS HIS HORN. Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa blows a specially designed torotot during the Davao Torotot Festival at Rizal Park in Davao City. Dela Rosa personally made rounds to make sure the safety of Dabawenyos. Lean Daval Jr.

foils BIFF harassment Relentless war on drugs, crime, Army G corruption to continue: Aguirre

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ECRETARY Vitaliano Aguirre II on Sunday vowed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue to pursue its anti-drug, anti-crime and anti-corruption mandate under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“To the Filipino people, you have my solemn reassurance

that under my watch we will pursue our reform oriented initiatives in the DOJ with determination and we will serve the people with new found dedication and vigor,” Aguirre said in his New Year message.

“As we usher in the New Year, I join everyone in their collective hope and prayer for a better Philippines in 2017.

May all our dreams and aspirations for ourselves and for our love ones be realized,” his messaged read.

Aguirre vowed to implement a zero tolerance policy for corrupt employees of the DOJ and its attached agencies.

“To all the employees and officials of all the agencies and bureaus of the DOJ Family, I

reiterate my invitation to all of you to join us in all our efforts to realize a corruption-free DOJ,” he noted.

“With full faith in the Almighty’s guidance and providence, and trust in each other’s competence and integrity, I truly believe that all things are possible.” Aguirre added.

(PNA)

rushed and managed at Tondo Medical Center on December 30.

Tayag said the firecracker was unintentionally ingested by the child after his brother tricked him to ingest it.

The first case of firecracker ingestion recorded by DOH involved a six-year-old boy from Cainta, Rizal.

The little boy accidentally placed a “luces” between his teeth.

The monitoring began since December 21 and will

end by January 5.

In the latest count, as of 6:00 a.m. of December 31, a total of 141 injuries were recorded by DOH from its 50 Sentinel Hospitals.

“This is 34 percent lower than the cases reported for the same period last year,” said Ubial.

In her series of rounds, she checked the hospital preparedness in terms of medicines, equipment and duty staffs manning the emergency units to ensure that prepara-

tions are in place among government hodpitals.

As she do this she asked the public cooperation to choose safe welcoming of new year through community fireworks displays and use of alternative noisemakers to be away from injuries.

She said that it is important that parents and communities will think of the losses on productivity of the child that will be injured and get life-long disability from firecrackers use. (PNA)

with five votes together with Taguig RTC Judge Louis Acosta who has also five votes, who happens to be the younger brother of CA Justice Francisco Acosta. The older Acosta is the classmate of Duterte at the San Beda College of Law. Also with five votes are Las Pinas RTC Judge Joselito Vibandor, Quezon City RTC Judge Mary Angelene Quimpo Sale, and Cagayan De Oro RTC

Judge Jeoffre Acebido while notching four votes is Pasig RTC Judge Danilo Cruz.

Carpio is the mother in law of Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte, who is married to her son Manases.

She is the wife of law practitioner Atty. Lucas Carpio, sister of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio - Morales.

The lady magistrate retired last Dec. 1, 2016 upon

turning 70 years old, the mandatory retirement age for all justices and judges.

There are now 23 divisions of the CA composed of one Presiding Justice and 68 Associate Justices.

The JBC is chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno, with two ex-officio members -- Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and legis-

DOH confirms second case of ingestion of firecrackers

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HE Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Saturday another case of ingestion of firecracker.

In a press briefing held at East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City, DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said that in their latest monitoring, the second case was from Navotas City.

The age of the boy was four who ingested a firecracker called ‘Pop-pop’.

DOH Spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag said the child was

6 RTC judges shortlisted for CA associate justice’s

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TOTAL of six Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges were included in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlist of candidates vacated by Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Agnes Reyes Carpio, who retired last December 1.

Included in the list were Iligan RTC Judge Anisah Amanodin-Umpa, the lone Muslim applicant for the justice position

F6 RTC, 10

OVERNMENT forces have foiled members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who harassed them from Friday night until Saturday dawn in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao province, triggering panic among villagers, the Army said.

According to Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, commanding officer of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade, the harassment from 7 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday did not cause any injury to government forces.

It however struck fear among villagers living near Army bases along the Datu Saudi Ampatuan-Datu Salibo-Datu Piang highway.

When soldiers from three camps returned fire, the attackers fled under cover of darkness, Budiongan said, adding he could not say wheth-

er the Army counteroffensive has hurt or killed the attackers.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, admitted his men launched the attack in retaliation for the death two weeks ago of Tamharin Esmael, allegedly by the military.

Esmael is a sub-commander of the BIFF. Mama said more attacks are coming so long as the Army is in Datu Saudi and Datu Salibo, both in Maguindanao.

Before midnight however, the attackers returned and fired rocket-propelled grenades toward the 1st Mechanized battalion checkpoints. A sporadic exchange of gunfire ensued until about 4 a.m. Saturday, Budiongan said.

The bandits then slowed down and eventually fled when soldiers from mechanized brigade responded, backed by armored personnel carriers, he added. (PNA)

Russia interested in having military relationship with PHL: Lorenzana

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USSIA is very much interested in having a military-to-military relationship with the Philippines, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on the sidelines of Friday’s Rizal Day commemorations.

“They (Russians) are very aggressive in wanting a military-to-military relationship with us,” he said in Filipino.

Lorenzana said this was made apparent during his recent visit to Russia, along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.

He however clarified that this is not a prelude to an alliance but merely student-to-student exchanges,

sending of observers in exercises and selling of some military hardware to the Philippines.

“We will look into their hardware one of these days for testing, once samples become available for testing,” he added, stressing that these talks are only at the initial phase.

Russia is offering the Philippines drones and submarines, which Lorenzana said the country could not afford at the moment due to the massive investments needed for acquisition, training of crew, and creation of support facilities for the undersea craft.

(PNA)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

DOST, US’s NIH sign MOU to strengthen TB research

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REVELLY AFTERMATH. A street sweeper collects the trash left by revelers who welcomed the New Year during the Davao Torotot Festival at Rizal Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Drug surrenderer hit a million mark T HE number of drug surrenderers has breached the one million mark.

This figure alone makes President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s anti-drug war a “success,” said Presidential Communications Secretary Martin An-

danar.

“It is evident we are hitting the mark in our campaign against illegal drugs. But more than the statistics, the real score in the government’s intensified anti-drug operations is that it has pulled down the

country’s crime rate by 32 prcent,” Andanar pointed out, citing the latest report from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Andanar attributed the President’s high satisfaction, approval and trust ratings from

his successful anti-drug war which resulted in lower crimes.

“People feel safer in the streets and at night because the number of theft, carjacking, robbery, rape, physical injury has decreased. At the end of

or concept on how to build world-class port facilities, both at the Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port,” Faeldon said. “This is around 300 hectares, malaki po ito. (This is huge.) These facilities will include everything that we need.”

Citing an example, he said the country’s port has to have its own rendering facility so that destroying such products

as meat need not take more than a year, as what happens at present since this is done in facilities outside the port.

Faeldon further said that the country has to take advantage of its geographical position -- which is better than Singapore’s -- since the Philippines is situated between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, enabling it to cater to the Asian region, as

well as the Pacific, including Australia.

“Singapore is a trading hub of the world as far as movement of imports and exports is concerned. It caters to the entire Asia-Pacific region.

It’s their port that is really contributing the biggest to their economy. And Singapore is just a few nautical miles away from the Philippines,” he said. (PNA)

FDRUG, 10

Customs bureau plans to build world-class ports

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HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is looking to build world-class port facilities in Manila to be at par with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of trade facilitation, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has said.

“Right now, we are working with some engineers and developers to come up with a conceptual framework

HARP records 758 new HIV cases as of November 2016

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TOTAL of 758 new HIV cases have been recorded by the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) as of November, bringing the current total to 38,872.

Some 96 percent of the cases are male and more than half belong to the 25-34 age group, while 29 percent are in the 15-24 age group. Among the regions, the National Capital Region (NCR) logged the most number of reported cases with 301. The Calabarzon region registered 108 cases; Central Luzon, 73; Central Visayas, 72; and Davao, 47.

Of the reported cases, five were pregnant -- three from the NCR, and one each from Central Visayas and the Caraga region.

HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, needle sharing among injecting drug users, and mother-to-child transmis-

sion. A majority of the infections were obtained through Men who have Sex with Men (MSMs).

As of November, 466 patients began their antiretroviral therapy (ART). At present, a total of 17,388 persons living with HIV are undergoing ART, which is given free to HIV patients with high viral loads. It is important for patients diagnosed with HIV to take ART to protect them from opportunistic infections that could further weaken their immune system.

A total of 21 deaths were reported last November, all of them male. Some 17 were in the 25-34 age group; two in the 35-49 age group; one was 24 years old; and one was 54 years old.

A total of 1,932 deaths were reported from January 1984 to November 2016. (PNA)

HE Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) will sign a memorandum of understanding with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) this month to further strengthen tuberculosis (TB) research in the country.

The DOST-PCHR is also eyeing for the possible establishment of the Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT) Consortium here.

The RePORT Consortium is an initiative to streamline TB research globally by providing a platform for standardized data management.

Countries such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia have already established this initiative.

According to Peter Kim, deputy director, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, US NIH, the RePORT Consortium establishes a formal platform for multicultural research partnerships where researchers perform same data collection and analysis methods to easily validate TB

research data.

A tool for data harmonization is vital in linking researchers facilitate merging and compatibility of TB data.

DOST has also signified its full support in TB mitigation through research. “Research collaborations like RePORT would enable local researchers to upgrade their research capacities and contribute to the fight against tuberculosis,” said DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.

For his part, PCHRD Director Jaime Montoya also said the Council will always be in coordination with partners in health to continuously provide research opportunities to prevent and control the prevalence of TB and other diseases.

Meanwhile, a business meeting was attended by the PCHRD and US NIH last month to discuss the research opportunities once the RePORT Consortium is established in the Philippines.

Stakeholders from the academe, hospitals, national government agencies, TB research societies also participated in the discussion. (PNA)

Fire leaves 100 families homeless in Cotabato City on New Year’s Eve

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ORE than 100 families welcomed the New Year without homes after a fire of still unknown origin razed to the ground at least 100 houses in a thickly populated residential area here hours before 2017, a fire official said.

According to Cotabato City Fire Officer 2 Hexter Jan Cadavero, the conflagration started at about 5:25 p.m. Saturday in a house in Purok Tukananes in Barangay Poblacion 7, Cotabato City and quickly spread to nearby houses all made of light and semi-concrete materials.

Nobody was hurt in the two-hour fire.

The fire scene was less than 100 meters from the Cotabato City Bureau of Fire Protection Headquarters but

the Matampay river separate the fire office and Purok Tukananes.

Firefighters used wooden banca to bring fire hoses across the river closer to the fire scene. Narrow roads leading to Purok Tukananes prevented fire trucks from getting closer to the site.

Tato Aslig, a resident of Purok Tukananes, said the fire started in a house where the owners were out. He suspected it was cause by electrical short circuit due to “Octopus connections.”

Cadavero told reporters the cost of damages and fire origin are yet to be determined by arson investigators.

The same residential area was also gutted by a fire on Nov. 1, 2013. (PNA)

STANDING GUARD. Police officers stand guard near Rizal Park to ensure the safety of revelers during New Year’s celebration in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Modernization of Customs, market expansion get DOF nod

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UNIFIED EFFORTS. BFAR-11 regional director Fatma Idris emphasized the need to unify the efforts of all stakeholders in the monitoring and protection of Davao Gulf and its marine resources. (Alexander D. Lopez)

Unified efforts needed to protect Davao Gulf

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

U

adlopez0920@gmail.com

NIFIED and cohesive efforts are needed to ensure the protection of Davao Gulf, particularly in maintaining the cleanliness of the sea waters in the area.

This was the call made

by Regional Director Fatma Idris of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Davao region (BFAR-11) on Monday.

The call was in line with the report that the cause of the death of a sperm whale that was found dead at the coast of Babak District in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) was due to indigestion as plastics and other forms of garbage were found inside its stomach after a necropsy.

A seven-year old and 38-feet long juvenile male

sperm whale was washed ashore last December 17 in IGACOS. After its discovery, BFAR and the city government of Samal commissioned Darrell Blatchley, of the famous Bone Collector Museum in Davao City, to perform a necropsy on the dead sperm whale and process for the preservation of its skeleton.

Discovered at the stomach of the dead whale were lots of garbage – mainly composed of plastics, a mugsize plastic basket, parts of fishing net and an almost foot long 2x2 wood with protruding nail.

Idris pointed out that BFAR-11 and the other government agencies fully support the implementation of the provisions of Republic

Infra investment to boost GDP growth to 7% in 2017

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HE delivery of key infrastructure projects and programs can lift the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to around 7 percent in 2017, an economist said.

“Probably (GDP can increase by) 7 percent once again especially if the promised infrastructure programs are delivered,” Emilio Neri, chief economist at the Bank of Philippine Islands, said in an interview.

He expects public spending mainly boosting this year’s economic growth.

The government is ramping up public infrastructure spending to a record high Php890.9 billion this year, or 5.2 percent of the country’s GDP. It targets to raise infrastructure spending as a share of GDP to 7 percent by 2022.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) projects the Philippine

economy to grow 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent this year; and 7 percent to 8 percent in 2018.

Neri emphasized that growth is not an issue with the Duterte administration.

“I think the bigger issue is managing the fiscal accounts because so far, the numbers that BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) show seems to imply that the collections are trailing the growth of the economy,” he added.

Neri said the Department of Finance-proposed tax reforms can enhance the existing administrative efficiency of the BIR. The economist noted the government thus needs to enhance its ability to fund in the next six years its ambitious infrastructure programs, or the so-called Golden Age of Infrastructure of the new administration. (PNA)

Act 9003 that provides for the solid waste management program and mechanisms in the LGUs and barangay levels.

“All sectors of the society are mandated not to throw their garbage, especially plastics in drainage systems, rivers and at the sea,” she said, adding that mechanisms such as segregation of wastes during disposals must be followed by communities.

Idris said that fisherfolks in coastal areas of Davao City and nearby towns help BFAR and other authorities in the monitoring and protection of Davao Gulf.

Most of these fishermen were beneficiaries of the distribution of 300 fibreglass fishing boats last year.

She said that around 600 fishermen in Davao region are involved in the protection and monitoring efforts at the Davao Gulf.

“Their operations start during close season at Davao Gulf, from June to August every year. They are provided with incentive worth P3,000 per person per month,” Idris stressed.

Close season at the Davao Gulf is being implemented yearly.

Idris added that the Bantay Laot guideline was already signed by agriculture secretary Manny Piñol and that BFAR-11 is currently collaborating with the fishery office of Davao City to further strengthen the protection and monitoring efforts at the Davao Gulf.

HE Department of Finance (DOF) made considerable headway in 2016 in crafting rules and regulations modernizing the country’s customs operations, as well as in resolving contentious issues that have long hobbled the implementations of laws designed to encourage broader investments in the domestic capital market.

These laws include the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act 10863), the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of (RA 9856) and the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act of (RA 9505), which Finance Secretary Dominguez III—even before assuming his Cabinet post in July, said would be given top attention by the then-incoming Duterte administration.

Utilizing an innovative method in ensuring the fasttrack implementation of the rules and regulations (IRR) of the 200-page CMTA, the DOF under Dominguez’s stewardship set up an online microsite (www.dof.gov.ph/ cmta_irr), where the public can input their comments and suggestions about each subject matter involving provisions of the CMTA, which will then be collated, reviewed and used in part as basis for issuing Customs Administrative Orders (CAOs) that would set the law in motion.

This method, Dominguez said, has allowed the DOF, through the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to speed up the drafting of the IRR in stages despite the CMTA’s voluminous and complicated provisions.

Rather than adopt a protracted, tedious process of completing the IRR of the 2oopage law in one fell swoop, the BOC has thus far been able to complete three CAOs that were crafted based on the inputs of stakeholders who had taken part in this inventive, participatory way of drafting the CM-

TA’s IRR. These CAOs pertain to the rules [1] raising the tax exempt ceiling to P150,000 forbalikbayan boxes sent by qualified Filipinos abroad to the Philippines in up to three instances (CAO 05-2016) ; [2] increasing the value from P10 to P10,000 of de minimis or small importations that are exempted from taxes (CAO 02-2016); and [3] establishing an advance ruling system for valuation and rules of origin for imports and exports (CAO 03-2016).

The PERA, meanwhile, was finally dusted off the shelves after eight years when it was formally launched last Dec. 16 by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which has so far accredited two major commercial banks--Banco de Oro (BDO) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)—as PERA institutional administrators.

The law promotes capital market development and encourages Filipinos, including overseas workers, to prepare for their retirement through voluntary investments and savings instead of merely relying on social security benefits.

Unlike existing national or corporate pension schemes, PERA does not require a deduction from one’s salary to accumulate funds. Instead, it relies on an individual’s decision to invest up to P100,000 annually in up to five PERA accounts.

Overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) are provided the additional benefit of being able to invest twice the normal limit or up to P200,000 annually.

BDO has reported that its test launch of the PERA was a success, following the issuance of the law’s rules and regulations.

To ensure that the PERA gets implemented on a wider scale next year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was tasked to clarify the tax-ex-

FMODERNIZATION, 10

BPO BOOM. Employees work at a call center in Davao City during New Year’s eve. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry will continue to thrive in 2017, according to business experts. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

Ruinous rivalry of LBP, T DBP over soon: Louie

ECONOMY 5

House wants unpaid taxes of water districts condoned

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

PERCEIVED ruinous competition between the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines will soon be a thing of the past as the leaders of the two government financial institutions are expected to put their act together and determine the niche of each bank in terms of extending loans to various sectors needing funding assistance.

This was bared by former Davao City vice mayor Luis “Louie” C. Bonguyan, now a member of the board of directors of DBP. In his appearance in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM Annex at Ecoland, Bonguyan told reporters that the DBP will focus its support to local government units, electric cooperatives and water district, among others.

On the other hand, Land Bank, now under the leadership of Dabawenyo Alex Buenaventura, who was behind the phenomenal growth of One Network Bank, is expect-

NEW DIRECTOR. Former Davao City Vice-Mayor Luis C. Bonguyan assumed his post the new member of the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines. Bonguyan was among the guests during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City on Monday. (Alexander D. Lopez) ed to help farmers and fisherfolk.

When he met Buenaventura during the installation of businessman Edgang as honorary consul of the Republic of Korea, he was told by the LBP president that he would like to discuss coordination between the two banks as soon as possible.

“This should not be difficult since the incoming lady president of the DBP, Cecille

‘Nina’damage to agri, infra in 3 regions reaches P5.1B

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AMAGE wrought to infrastructure and agriculture by Typhoon “Nina” in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Region V has so far reached P5,143,251,894.10.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad said agriculture incurred P4,121,697,999.10 damage while for infrastructure so far, is pegged at P1,021,553,895.

In this case, infrastructure includes roads, river control and school facilities, the NDRRMC chief added.

And due to the severe impact of “Nina,” the province of Batangas, Mulanay, Quezon; Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; City of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro,

Puerto Galera, also in Oriental Mindoro; Gasan, Mogpog, Boac, Torrijos, all in Marinduque; the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and the municipalities of Jipapad, Maslog, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, Arteche and San Policarpio, all in Region VIII were all placed under a state-of-calamity.

And as of Monday, “Nina” affected families were placed at 424,223 or around 1,893,404 individuals in 1,698 barangays in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Regions V and VIII. Three persons were also confirmed dead and 21 still missing in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Region VIII. (PNA)

LYING V and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. will increase their pump prices today, Tuesday.

In an advisory, Flying V and Shell said they will hike gasoline prices by 70 centavos per liter and diesel prices by 60 centavos per liter. Flying V will apply the price movements at 12:01 a.m., while Shell will implement the changes at 6 a.m.

The oil firms will also hike kerosene prices by 55 centavos per liter.

Other oil firms are expected to make similar announcements within the day.

Petron meanwhile increased liquefied petroleum gas prices by P4.15 per kg. on Sunday, while hiking Xtend auto LPG prices by P2.32 per liter. (PNA)

Borromeo, used to be a vice president of Land Bank,” Bonguyan said, adding that she would be familiar with the past dynamics between the two government banks.

Since he assumed post, Bonguyan said around 350 LGUs have already proposed to avail of the services of DBP especially on its loan facility.

DBP will also extend support to the micro, small and medium enterprises

(MSMEs) through its medium and long-term loans, he added.

He said that for this year, DBP’s loan portfolio is estimated at P140 to P150 billion while the bank’s over-all asset is around P550 billion.

“Our income decreased last year compared to 2015,” Bonguyan pointed out, saying that in 2015, DBP had an income of P4.7 billion that went down to P3.8 billion in 2016.

He said they attributed the down of the banks’ income to the non-selling of its acquired properties.

“We received a letter and memorandum from the Department of Finance last year to set aside the selling of our acquired assets pending re-appraisal,” he added.

Bonguyan believed that the bank will be able to increase its income once the re-appraisal by the DOF is completed.

He also called on the LGUs in Davao region to visit the nearest DBP branches and inquire on how they can avail of the bank’s services.

HE House Committee on Ways and Means has approved proposals to remove the conditions for the condonation of all back taxes due from local water districts (LWDs) which amounts to P1.2 billion per the estimate of the Department of Finance (DOF).

Approved by the committee during a recent hearing is House Bill 42 authored by Deputy Speaker and Marikina City Second District Rep. Romero Quimbo, in consolidation with HB 3675 filed by Rep. Alberto T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City). The hearing was initially presided

by Rep. Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental) and subsequently by Rep. Joey B. Salceda (2ndDistrict, Albay), both committee vice chairpersons.

Quimbo said the condonation is deemed necessary for the LWDs with no financial capability to pay their tax liabilities.

Quimbo said the condonation was granted previously by Republic Act 10026 but the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) eventually came up with a number of impositions or conditions for the condonation.

Republic Act No. 10026, which lapsed into law on March 11, 2010, granted income tax exemption to LWDs by amending section 27(C) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as

amended, and adding Section 289-A to the NIRC, for the purpose.

“What we are simply saying is we want those conditions set by the BIR removed.

As far as condonation is concerned, that has already been given. We want the will of Congress for that matter to be brought to life, not to be destroyed by the BIR, which often has had a penchant for legislating its own tax laws over and above what Congress passes. The intent of Congress today, as passed by the 16th Congress, is to remove any condition absolutely” said Quimbo.

According to Quimbo when he was the chairman of the committee on ways and means during the 16th Congress, the bill was passed by both the Senate and the House but was vetoed by former President Aquino.

“The bill simply seeks to regularize the seemingly anomalous situation over LWDs. Today our local water districts are already tax-exempt by virtue of R.A.10026.

The law was brought about by many interpretations on how water districts are to be treated for tax purposes. But it sought to effectively clarify and put to rest all issues pertaining to the nature of local water districts as far as tax purposes was concerned and it categorically declared local water districts, by the defini-

FHOUSE, 11

Oil firms to hike pump prices today, Tuesday High growth sustainable in 2017--DOF F T FRUIT PRICES DOWN. A vendor sells fruits in a much lower price compared to the previous days where demand was high at a makeshift fruit stall along Monteverde Street in Davao city on New Year’s day. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Department of Finance (DOF) remains bullish on prospects for continued high growth in 2017 and onwards, and is committed to helping Malacanang pursue its accelerated spending program not only to sustain the economic momentum but, more importantly, to also spread its benefits to all

sectors across all regions by way of more jobs and better living standards.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that despite the political noise in the first six months of the Duterte presidency, growth has remained on the upswing on the back of the country’s rock-solid macroeconomic fundamentals.

He said the government remains on track in realizing its vision of lifting six million Filipinos from poverty and transforming the Philippines into a high middle-income country five years from now, with a per-capita gross national income (GNI) of $4,100, or where Thailand and China are today.

The highly optimistic outlook on the Philippines as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies in the year ahead is apparently shared by credit raters and other international institutions such as S&P Global, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said.

FHIGH, 13

EDGEDAVAO

6 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

DA in Caraga claims rice program success T

HE Department of Agriculture’s (DA) office in the Caraga region has reported a successful rice program this year.

The office’s spokesperson, Emmylou Presilda, in a forum dubbed as “Knowledge Sharing and Learning for Local Media and Awarding of Partners” held at a convention center here, bared that the program this year was able to deliver and distribute a total of 372,520 kg. of high quality seeds (HQS), benefitting some 3,862 farmers.

A total of 110 rice farmers associations were able to avail

of the intervention package that includes hybrid/certified seeds, inorganic fertilizer, zinc sulphate and various chemicals for pest and disease control.

The program, according to Presilda, also dispersed 88,600 kg. of rice seeds; 370,000 kg. of inorganic fertilizer; 3,400 kg. of zinc sulphate; 3,000 liters of fungicide/bactericide; and 500 kg. of rodenticides.

Some 30 farmer field school demonstration sites were also established.

Meanwhile, P23.6 million was allocated for the con-

struction and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in the region.

A small water impounding project was installed at SSDSU, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, while a diversion dam was built in Ubod-ubod, Butuan City. A small farm reservoir was constructed in Maharag, San Miguel while three diversion dams in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur; Bacuag, Surigao del Norte and Buenavista, Agusan del Norte were rehabilitated.

The program was also able to distribute three 4WD tractors, eight hand tractors, five floating trailers and three

transplanters that help farmers during land preparation and planting.

In support of farm mechanization, the department was able to distribute seven rice reapers and 20 threshers that help farmers reduce post-harvest losses during harvesting, as compared to manual harvesting, according to Presilda.

The activity was participated in by regional agriculture officials and personnel led by DA-Caraga regional technical director Nicandro Navia, Jr., and local media practitioners, among others.

(PNA)

Firecrackers hurt 18 in SOCCSKSARGEN A TOTAL of 18 persons, half were from Cotabato City, were injured by firecrackers during the recent Christmas to New Year revelry, the Department of Health (DOH-12) on Sunday said.

Jenny Ventura, focal person of the DOH-12 firecracker injure monitoring office, said South Cotabato has the highest number of revelers injured during the monitoring period from December 21.

Based on the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS), the 18 cases of firecracker related injuries was 85 percent lower compared to the same period last year.

Of the victims, 16 were males and two females aged 5 to 56 years old. Thirteen of them were active firecracker players while five were passive users, Ventura said.

According to Ventura, the banned “piccolo” firecracker was the leading cause of injuries.

After South Cotabato, Sarangani has three victims listed by ONEISS, Sultan Kudarat (2), Gen. Santos City (2), North Cotabato and Cotabato City with one each.

“All were sent home after hospital medication and nobody was hit by stray bullets,” Ventura said, adding DOH monitoring will continue until January 5. (PNA)

DA worker gets P500K More 2017 projects, programs in Davao Oriental in Pag-IBIG raffle promo

G

OVERNOR Nelson L. Dayanghirang is optimistic for more promising programs and projects for the Province of Davao Oriental in the year 2017.

Ranging from programs aimed at uplifting the economic sector, boostinginfrastructure development and agriculture, strengthening social and health services,to interventions that would beef up peace and order, among others, this year’s priority programs and projects are anchored on the Governor’s Five-Point Development Agenda which are:Defeating Poverty; Safeguarding the Environment; Expanding Access to Infrastructure, Utilities and Social Services; Sustaining Public Order and Security; and Strengthening Effective Governance.

Patterned from the agenda of the previous administration, Gov. Dayanghiranghas outlined development plans intended to continue and sustain what has been started byhis predecessor, former Governor, now First District Representative Cong. Corazon N. Malanyaon.

Governor Dayanghirang bared some of the crucial proj-

L

ects pipelined in 2017. Among which is the construction of a rehabilitation facility for drug reformists which will be implemented through partnership with the private sector.

He said that aside from being a concrete indication suggesting his administration’s support to the national leadership’s thrust in the fight against illegal drugs and in upholding peace and order, the project is intended to provide help to the staggering number of drug reformists who have surrendered to the authorities and who have been seeking a chance to get better.

In terms of peace and development, Governor Dayang-

Firecracker related injuries in Region 12 rose to 33

T

HE numbers of firecracker-related injuries in the SOCCKSARGEN region, as of January 2, rose to 33 as the Department of Health (DOH-12) continue to receive reports from various health stations across Region 12.

Jenny Ventura, DOH-12 focal person on injury related cases monitoring system, said the number was still way below as compared to the same period last year.

“The number is way below,

and we have no reported stray bullet victim,” she said. “Hopefully, next time around we have zero casualty.”

“That is good news,” said Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr, speaking for police in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. SOCCSKSARGEN is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos.

Galgo said the joint cam-

FFIRECRACKER, 10

hirang vows to continue bringing government services down to the grassroots level through the Provincial Government-initiated outreach program dubbed as NagkakaisangLinkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan. Touted as a regular program of the Provincial Government, the caravan pools resources and services of various national line agencies and other sectors to be brought directly to the communities, thus, promoting and cultivating a culture of peaceespecially those in geographically isolated and depressed areas.

Banking on severalnational government programs that

are bent on improving the socio-economic sector, Governor Dayanghirang’s administration has allocated a slice of the 2017 budget as counterpart funds for projectsunder various national programssuch as the Philippine Rural Development Program of the Department of Agriculture and Payapa at MasaganangPamayanan (Pamana) of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, which have earmarked millions of pesos for big-ticket infrastructure and livelihood projects here.

Governor Dayanghirang said that setting aside funds as counterpartfor these exter-

FMORE 2017, 10

OLITA O. Albase, currently working at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10, bagged the P500,000 cash prize of the Pag-IBIG Expanded Raffle Promo during the preliminary draw on December 21 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

A first-time winner of any raffle event, Albase, married and a mother of two, said that she read the advisory about the raffle on their human resource (HR) bulletin board and was able to submit four entry tickets.

“I was surprised, happy and I could not believe it because there are so many raffle entries nationwide,” Albase expressed upon knowing that she won a cash prize from PagIBIG. Albase was able to join the raffle as she contributes P2,500 for the personal share and P100 from her company.

The minimum monthly savings required for members to join the raffle is P600 and above.

When her family learned about her winning Albase said, “My family, the youngest one, she’s very much excited and asking for balato (a cut from someone’s winning) while my

eldest daughter suspected that it was a scam.”

As for her plans of spending her winning, Albase shared that together with her husband, they are planning to put up a building for business purposes in a lot she ownes at Barangay Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City.

When asked about her experience with Pag-IBIG, Albase shared, “My transactions in Pag-IBIG are all okay. The records are reliable and transparent where you’ll know your total savings.”

With the luck she obtained from Pag-IBIG, Albase said, “I advise and give encouragement to my co-employees to increase their monthly savings especially the new entrants.”

She also added that PagIBIG gives better security in terms of savings as it also provides higher dividend compared to commercial banks.

The promo aims to encourage the Fund members to upgrade their savings as preparation for their family’s immediate financial need.

Members who would want to earn prizes from the raffle promo will still have a chance since the grand raffle will be held on May 1, 2017 with P1M

nel in her heard.

When the soldiers retaliated, the gunmen fled back to Datu Piang. Nabalawag is the last barangay of Midsayap before the boundary with Datu Piang.

Bulay-Bulay was rushed by to Amado Diaz hospital in Poblacion Midsayap and later transferred to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.

It was not clear if the BIFF suffered casualties during the two-hour long sporadic exchange of gunfire.

Midsayap has been re-

peatedly attacked by BIFF and drug syndicates the past months, the latest of which was the Christmas Eve grenade attack on a police patrol car that left 17 injured, including a police officer.

Police believed the attack was not directed at the Church but for the police in retaliation to its successful anti-illegal drug campaign.

Another band of BIFF also harassed an Army base in nearby Barangay Elian in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. No casualty was reported.

(PNA)

FDA WORKER, 10

Soldiers, cops remain on alert in NorCot P

OLICE and military forces here remain on alert even after the holidays as threats of harassment from lawless elements including drug syndicates persist, a police official on Monday said.

Superintendent Bernard Tayong, town police chief, said soldiers from the 34th Infantry Battalion and Midsayap PNP will continue to implement checkpoints in areas identified to be crime and conflict prone areas, particularly in the borders of Midsayap and Datu Piang in Maguindanao.

On New Year’s Eve, suspected members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) harassed an Army base in Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap which left one woman slightly injured.

Tayong said about 30 BIFF members, led by Commander Tato Pauya and Commander Tong, traded shots with elements of the 34th IB until about 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Tayong said the wife of the soldier, identified as Norcel Bulay-Bulay, was hit by shrap-

7 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Diabetes: The hidden epidemic

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO (First of Two Parts)

W

ITH an infected toe, Rommel Barro went to see a doctor in one of the largest hospitals in Davao City. When the doctor told him that his foot had to be amputated, he was totally unprepared for what he heard. He went home and refused to see any other healthcare provides.

As expected, the wound got worsened that even neighbors could already smell the foul odor. They complained to their barangay captain, who approached Dr. Isagani Braganza for help.

Dr. Braganza is a physician who is involved in an innovative projected initiated by Handicap International which is implemented in collaboration with local health authorities and supported by the World Diabetes Foundation (whose story of Rommel was featured in its website).

Rommel has no other choice but to see Dr. Braganza.

When he came to the consulting room at the Jacinto Health Center, the doctor welcome him. After removing his tennis shoe and sock, the doctor saw as swollen ankle and a foot with a missing second toe.

All over the world, diabetes is fast becoming a threat to public health. In the Philippines, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of mortality, according to a handout circulated by The Diabetes Store.

About 500 Filipinos are added to the demographic daily.

Unknowingly, diabetes has exceeded projected rates worldwide. In 2000, the International Diabetes Federation estimated about 320 million diabetics globally by 2025. But even before that forecasted year, there were already 415 million diabetics in 2015.

Considered before as a “disease of affluence,” diabetes is now taking its place as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century.

“Diabetes is going to be the biggest epidemic in human history,” warns Dr. Paul Zimmet, director of the International Diabetes Institute in Victoria, Australia.

In its website, the Handicap International – a co-recipient of Nobel Peace Prize – reported in 2015 that “more than 32,000 residents were screened for diabetes-related risks using the CVD (Cardiovascular Diseases) Project’s risk assessment tool in their intervention areas within the Davao Region since 2014.”

The data were gathered

from the Davao City Health Office and various municipal health centers in the region. “Around 18,000 or 55% among them were from Davao City while the remaining 45% or about 14,000 people were residents from the remaining seven intervention areas of the project,” the report said.

The Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc. – also known as Diabetes Center – discloses that 50% of those suffering from diabetes do not know they have the disease.

As a result, “many patients die because it is already too late to remedy the situation,” to quote the words of Dr. Ricardo Fernando, director of Institute for Studies and Diabetes Foundation in the Philippines.

This is particularly true among children. “A doctor cannot tell that a child is diabetic until he or she starts to complain and usually that is already late as far as complications are concerned,” said Dr. Fernando.

But what alarm experts is that Filipinos diagnosed

with diabetes are getting younger. “Children as young as 5-years old have been diagnosed with diabetes,” reports the Diabetes Philippines (formerly Philippine Diabetes Association).

Long before Greeks found a word for it, diabetes (passing) was already a plague in Egypt.

In the world’s oldest known medical document, dated 1500 B.C., Egyptian physicians referred to the symptoms. The word “mellitus” (honey) was added later by the Greeks, making the descriptive phase diabetes mellitus – passing sweet – to describe the sweet urine passed by diabetes.

By the 19th century, scientists had learned that the mysterious disease that causes sweetness (which they then knew to be sugar) in the urine was somehow due to an abnormality of the pancreas.

Diabetes, as defined by the Merck Manual of Medical Information is “a disorder in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin.”

All over the world, diabetes is fast becoming a threat to public health. In the Philippines, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of mortality, according to a handout circulated by The Diabetes Store. About 500 Filipinos are added to the demographic daily.

But before probing deeper, let’s discuss first this hormone released from the pancreas called insulin. “Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood,” the Merck manual notes. “When a person eats or drinks, food is broken down into materials, including sugar, that the body needs to function.

“Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream and stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin allows sugar to move from the blood into the cells. Once inside the cells, sugar is converted to energy, which is either used immediately or stored until it is needed.”

The levels of sugar in our blood vary normally throughout the day. “They rise after a meal and return to normal within about 2 hours after eating,” the Merck manual informs. “Once the levels of sugar in the blood return to normal, insulin production decreases.”

“But with diabetes, something goes awry,” says Dr. Willie T. Ong, an internist-cardiologist who serves as a consultant in cardiology at Makati Medical Center. “The pancreas becomes irresponsible. It either stops producing the hormone completely or else produces too much, which leads to insulin resistance. Either way, concentration of sugar in the blood shoots sky-high.”

Of course, the body tries to eliminate the sugar. “The best to do that is via the urine,” says Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, author of The Best Treatment. “But since the kidneys can’t excrete sugar in lump form, the body must provide enough water to dilute or dissolve the sugar in order to flush it out.”

The net result of all this is that the person will spend

more and more time in the bathroom to void the sugar and at the water tap to drink the much-needed extra water. This is the basis why the cardinal signs of untreated diabetes are frequent urination and great thirst. In women, the urine rich in sugar provides a good medium for fungus to grow in the vagina, hence the vaginal itching.

Actually, there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes) occurs in only 10-15% of all cases and tends to occur in people under the age of 30.

Onset is normally sudden and dramatic. More than 90% of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are permanently destroyed. The exact cause of unknown but it’s generally thought to be inherited.

Environmental factors may also be a trigger. “Scientists believe that an environmental factor -- possibly a viral infection or a nutritional factor in childhood or early adulthood -- causes the immune system to destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas,” the Merck manual notes.

As insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are damaged, insulin must be injected to keep the patient alive. “Aside from being safe, (insulin treatment) is cost effective compared with taking several classes of anti-diabetes pills at the same time,” points out Dr. Linda Lim-Varona, an internal medicine specialist.

Singer and actor Gary Valenciano has also this type of diabetes. His wife, Angeli, has saved the life of her husband several times already.

“She has revived me a number

of times, preventing me from falling into a diabetic coma,” he reveals.

Type 2 (called previously as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes) is the most common form; it accounts for about 90% of all cases. In this type, the pancreas continues to produce insulin, sometimes even at higher-than-normal levels. But the body develops resistance to the effects of insulin, so there is not enough insulin to meet the body’s needs.

It is considered a “lifestyle-related condition” as it is caused by excessive weight, physical inactivity, and stress.

“If you look at the spread of the scourge around the world, Type 2 diabetes occurs as a country advances technologically, when people come out of the fields to sit behind desks,” notes Dr. Irwin Brodsky, director of the Diabetes Treatment Program at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

There might also be a genetic link; it often runs in families. Certain diseases and drugs (like corticosteroids) can also affect the way the body uses insulin and can lead to develop this type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes may also “occur in people with excess production of growth hormone and in people with certain hormone-secreting tumors,” the Merck manual says. “Severe or recurring pancreatitis and other diseases that directly damage the pancreas can lead to diabetes.”

Usually Type 2 diabetes occurs in people over 40, but it is now becoming more prevalent in children and teenagers. Studies have shown that most children diagnosed of having diabetes eat too much high-calorie junk food. “Across the globe, more people are consuming high-fat foods that are heavily processed and low in fiber,” the International Diabetes Foundation notes. “Increasingly, families are eating food prepared outside the home.”

The majority of children (some 85%) with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese at the time of diagnosis. The figure is quite alarming as only three percent of children were considered obese back in 1998, according to Dr. Yolanda Olivares of the Department of Health. Five years later, the figure rose alarmingly as 2.6% of children under five years were found overweight while five percent of children from six to 12 years old were found overweight. This means that these obese children are at increased risk of diabetes. (To be concluded) (Photos taken from the net)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

K ries.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Zero injuries

UDOS is well in order again to the city loud music and jumping and shouting “Happy New government of Davao and the disciplined Year” to neighbors.

Dabawenyos for the zero firecracker inju-

The firecracker ban in Davao City was implement-

ed since 2002 by then mayor and now President Ro-

For the 15th year, Dabawenyos celebrated the hol- drigo Duterte. It is one of the hallmarks of the culture

idays sans the usual firecrackers during the Christ- of discipline inculcated by the Duterte leadership mas and New Year’s revelry.

Dabawenyos welcomed the New Year once again

the old school Pinoy way—using torotot, blowing of

from then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The firecracker ban has proven that it is an effec-

car horns, tying pans in the rear of vehicles, playing tive way of preventing firecracker-related injuries.

EDGEDAVAO

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I

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Israel to cut off ties with UN?

SRAEL is angrily evaluating its current standing in the international community of nations. (Shades of Digong Duterte, huh?)

This, after the UN Security Council recently passed a resolution demanding a stop to the continuing build-up of Israeli settlements in areas captured by Israel during the 1967 Gulf War with its Arab neighbors.

The settlements at issue are located in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu is irked and enraged more by the fact that the United States, its strongest ally in the UN, did not use its veto power to prevent the passage of the resolution which Netanyahu described as “strongly biased against Israel.”

“I have already instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the UN including the Israeli-funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN rep-

resentatives SPECKS OF LIFE in Israel,” the PM said in broadcast news.

In so doing, the amount of 30 million shekels Fred C. Lumba ($7.8M) to five (5) UN institutions that are especially hostile to Israel have been put off, citing a biblical connection to the land.

Netanyahu is miffed that, despite advise from newly-elected US president Donald trump, outgoing Chief Executive Barack Obama refused to use the US’ veto power, thereby breaking the 35 years of US-Israel alliance.

The Israeli leader called the UN Security Council resolution “a moral farce” and “obsessive bias against Israel.”

“Friends don’t take friends to the Security Council,” Netanyahu told a stunned US Sec. of State John Kerry.

Aren’t we reminded of Pres. Digong Duterte’s blast against the American’s colonial mentality and his tirade about cutting ties with the UN recently?

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev assailed the US and Obama’s inaction in published news. “Since he (Obama) took office in 2009, he has been hostile to settlements and Netanyahu. He revealed his true face with an anti-Israeli decision.”

In fact, there is fear this could result to an escalation as Netanyahu, after dialoguing with his Likud Party, warned of “further potential actions Obama might take before he leaves office Jan. 20” next year.

Calling the US action as a “deliberate deception,’” Netanyahu immediately summoned the ambassadors of Russia, France, China, UK, Angola, Egypt, Japan, Uruguay, Ukraine and Spain.

These were the ten countries who vot-

ed in favour of the resolution that, ironically, have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Without any reservations, Netanyahu was reported to have expressed his indignation, deep anger and dissatisfaction as a result of the vote of countries that consider themselves “friends of Israel.”

Now, if you don’t call this a betrayal of trust, wouldn’t you now react with favour on the outbursts of Pres. Duterte against US Pres. Obama and UN Sec-General Ban Ki Moon?

Those who are not knowledgeable and familiar with the Middle East affairs and the situation of Israel usually cast the first stone in pre-judging Duterte’s diatribes against the US and the UN. Let us be vigilant and continue watching this eerie development with alert ears and eyes as the Israel issue is as hot and steamy as the newly-baked pan de sal at the corner store. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Author unknown, commonly misattributed to Charles Darwin *** WAS already sleeping last night when I heard my mobile phone ringing. Much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn’t. So, I reached for my phone, which was near my bed anyway. “This must be important,” I told myself.

Well, it was a forwarded message. I didn’t know why my friend forwarded it to me at the middle of the night. Although I didn’t find it very important, the message left me thinking the following day.

The message went something like this: “If you fall in love because someone makes you laugh, what happens when you no longer find the person funny? If you love a person because she is beautiful, what happens when that beauty fades? If you want to marry someone because the person can provide you what you want, what happens when that he losses his wealth?

Furthermore, it said: “Love is beyond laughter, beauty and wealth. Those are just physical. So, if you intend to love and to cherish someone throughout your life, be sure to accept the challenge called change.”

Change – that word struck me. If there is one thing that is permanent in this world, it is change. Mary Engelbreit, a graphic artist and children’s book illustrator, puts it mildly: “If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”

More of- THINK ON THESE! ten than not, I hear a lot of people complain about being poor, not having what they want, and having all the problems in this world. Henrylito D. Tacio Just like all henrytacio@gmail.com television series, all these worries and troubles will come to pass. John A. Simone, Sr. said it clearly, “If you’re in a bad situation, don’t worry, it will change. If you’re in a good situation, don’t worry, it will change.”

“Gulong ng palad” is how Filipinos compare the fortunes and misfortunes of life in this world. Everything changes since “hindi natutulog ang Diyos” (“God is not sleeping”). Jawaharlal Nehru said it right, “The wheel of change moves on, and those who were down go up and those who were up go down.”

In a Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown asked Linus: “Perhaps you can give me an answer. What would you do if you felt that no one liked you?” Linus replied, “I’d try to look at myself objectively, and see what I could do to improve. That’s my answer, Charlie Brown.” Hearing the answer, Charlie answered, “I hate that answer!”

There are a number of reasons why many of us, like Charlie Brown, resist change. After all, resistance to change is universal. Remember the story of Galileo?

With his telescope, he proved the theory of Copernicus that the earth was not the center of the universe. The earth and the planets revolve around the sun. Yet, when he tried to change people’s beliefs, he was thrown into prison and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

Change is inevitable. No person in this world can defy change. Now, if there is a person that doesn’t want change, he will be left behind. Pauline R. Kezer reminds, “Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”

But there are people who don’t want to change at all. What will happen to them?

Let these words of W.H. Auden serves as a reminder, “We would rather be ruined than changed; we would rather die in our dread than climb the cross of the moment and let our illusions die.”

Mignon McLaughlin, in his book, The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, has identified people who don’t want change. “It’s the most unhappy people who most fear change,” he said. Actually, these people don’t resist change. What they resist, according to Peter Senge, is “being changed.”

“Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn’t all bad — not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life — to keep us moving, to keep us growing, to keep us interested. Imagine life without change. It would be static, boring, dull,” wrote Dr. Dennis O’Grady.

In Holland, two large windmills stood on the same dike and ground grain into flour. They had become a standard part of

the scenery and their operation was a normal part of everyday life. But then, electricity came into the neighborhood and it could grind grain finer and cheaper and faster.

Modern ways threatened to put the two windmills out of business. But each of them reacted to the threat in a different way. The first one was completely rebuilt.

An electric motor took the place of the large waterwheel which had supplied the power for the mill. The latest models of grinding machinery were installed. That mill kept on grinding grain and fulfilling its purpose.

The second windmill was left as it had always been. It gave up grinding grain as unprofitable, but it left the large windmill keeps turning around in order to attract paying tourists.

The owner of the first windmill swallowed hard when he had to swap his venerable machinery for efficient modern technology. However, he had one consolation: his mill was still serving the purpose for which it had been built.

The second windmill went on turning for nothing: for it had given up its job of grinding grain. It seemed to be working at its age-old task, but actually all it was doing was satisfying tourist curiosity.

“Any institution which cannot adjust, cannot change appropriately with the changing times, is going to end up as a tourist attraction,” Lutz Hoffman concluded the anecdote.

“If we don’t change, we don’t grow,” said American author Gail Sheeh. “If we don’t grow, we are not really living.”

I

The key is change

10 NEWS Drug... FROM 3

the day, this is what counts,” he added. “These pushers and users voluntarily surrendered through the continuous efforts and relentless operations of the PNP to curtail illegal drug trades in the country, which is in line with President Duterte’s directive,” said Andanar.

Out of the 40,371 anti-drug operations conducted by the PNP from July 1 to December 31 under Project Double Barrel Alpha, some 43,114 were arrested and 2,167 were neutralized.

Moreover, a total of 5,911,306 houses have been

visited in the same period through Oplan Tokhang, wherein police personnel knock on the houses of suspected drug personalities and ask them to mend their ways.

Treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts form part of the second phase of the President’s anti-drug war.

The Duterte administration has recently inaugurated a mega drug rehabilitation facility in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and expects treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts to be in full gear by 2017.

(PNA)

empt status of PERA investment products and reportorial requirements and consider the imposition of flat rate for early withdrawal penalty.

BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay has already issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 131-2016, citing the list of PERA Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) and investment products accredited by the BSP and specifying the tax-exempt status of PERA investments and re-investments.

“It is emphasized that only income earned from the investments and re-investments of PERA assets in the above-enumerated PERA investment products shall be exempt from income taxes under Rule 11 of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the PERA Act of 2008,” the BIR ruling said.

The BSP and BIR-accredited PERA administrators will also conduct an end-to-end PERA System Test, while PERA Administrators and other PERA market participants will work to ensure the readiness of internal systems and establish external linkages to implement the PERA. The seven-year old REIT, which is envisioned to rev up the country’s fledgling capital market and make it an instrument in helping finance private infrastructure projects, was among the laws with contentious issues that Dominguez had pledged to untangle, along with the PERA, in three to six months from the time he assumed the finance portfolio in July.

Dominguez has been successful in keeping this pledge, viewing the REIT as an investment for the future rather than as a revenue-shedding measure, which was the stand taken by the previous administration, resulting in the delay in the law’s implementation.

“Apparently, the past administration [was] thinking on a very short-term basis that they would ‘lose’ revenues under the REIT. I think we have to change the thinking and say we’re not really losing revenues, we are investing towards encouraging business activity,” Dominguez said.

REITs aim to promote the development of the capital market by expanding the participation of the investing public in real estate development.

This REIT law also provides investors with the option

to invest directly in finished products such as residential projects, hotels, hospitals, malls, power plants and even toll roads.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has long been pushing for reforms in the IRR of the REIT, as it views the law as a potent tool that could attract new investments from the private sector.

Setting up a REIT, which is a corporation that pools funds from investors to manage or own real estate, has discouraged investors because of the conflicting provisions between the law and its IRR, such as issues on public ownership requirements and taxation on asset transfers.

Moreover, officials of the previous administration from the DOF, BIR, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) failed to agree on certain provisions governing the REIT, particularly on the ownership share between real estate companies and the public.

Dominguez, upon assuming his post, directed the SEC to review the IRR of the REIT, particularly its provisions on minimum public float requirements.

The existing IRR requires REITs to have a minimum 40% public float for the first two years of their listing. By the third year, public investors should have already owned 67% of the trust’s outstanding shares.

The law, however, states that the minimum public ownership shall be limited to at least one-third of the outstanding capital stock of the REIT. Acting on Dominguez’s order, SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa said the Commission would start imposing a minimum 15 percent public float by January 2017 and would confer with the DOF on adjusting the public ownership requirement for REITs to 33 percent to attract property developers.

As a result of the DOF’s push for reforms in the law’s IRR, fund managers from the United States and Singapore are now expressing interest in investing in Philippine REITs. Herbosa said foreign investors are interested in setting up REITs here after the Duterte administration had unveiled plans to revive this potentially lucrative investment option, “because the Philippines, along with Indonesia, have the best market outlook.” (PR)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Modernization... FROM 4

CATHING FISH. Children try to catch fish while celebrating New Year’s day with their families at a beachfront near Sta. Ana Port in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Effective... FROM 1 She said there are still some fisherfolks that have not been registered online because of various challenges faced by BFAR and the municipalities.

“Most of the coordinators are holding full-time jobs, so they have to multi-task and allocate limited time for fisherfolk registration,” Idris explained, adding that some areas are still facing inadequate logistic support such as computers, scanners, cameras, and access to the internet connection in some regions.

Idris said while they used to have a list of fisherfolk, it was not as many and as complete as the latest database which is more reliable.

“We had to do it because the Fisheries Bureau in the re-

gion needs to double check the registration form sent to them [fisherfolks] and verify the data with the online registration for validation purposes,” Idris explained.

Meanwhile, BFAR 11 targets to replace all wooden banka in the region to fiberglass boats under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

BFAR 11 Regional Director, Fatma Idris said that the Department of Agriculture pledge to help the BFAR in replacing all the wooden boats in the region to motorized fiberglass boats.

Idris said that they are targeting to release a total of 3,000 fiberglass boats until 2018, however, they would like to continue the program until all the fishermen in the region

will use the new boats.

“In 2 years time we are targeting to release 3,000 (fiberglass boats) after the 3,000 we would still like to continue giving, we can’t just stop by 3,000,” Idris said.

She said that they would like to displace all the wooden boats to give a more sustainable livelihood to the fisher folks in the region.

In 2016, BFAR has released a total of 300 fiberglass boats through DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

In the entire region, the BFAR has recorded 50,868 fishermen and 8,806 wooden boats.

Idris said that the fishermen who uses fiberglass boats increased their catch from 3kls to 10 kls per day because they

can go farther than the wooden boats can.

“Because the fishermen can now go farther with the motorized fiber glass boats, they have increased their catch and it somehow gives them a more sustainable livelihood,” she said.

For the year 2017, they are targeting to increase the catches from 43,657 metric tons in the 3rd quarter of 2016 to 65,597 metric tons.

Idris said that the before they release fiberglass boats to a certain local government unit, one must identify first the beneficiaries in their city as part of their counterpart.

She said that they have increased the number of the molders of the fiberglass boats to increase its production.

lative representatives Senator Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, who shall have a term sharing

seat in the JBC. The regular members are retired SC Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, who

heads the Executive Committee; lawyer Jose Mejia, representing the academe; lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, rep-

resenting the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and retired Judge Toribio Ilao, representing the private sector. (PNA)

paign of DOH and PNP, along with other government agencies can be considered successful because of the huge drop in number of victims.

Galgo also said the Police Regional Office No. 12 have not received any report of a police officer firing his gun in welcoming 2017.

On the 12th day of monitoring, Ventura said, DOH recorded 33 cases of firecracker related injuries, 20 of the victims were from South Cotabato.

She said the number was 77 percent lower as compared to last year’s data.

Most of the victims were male (29) and four were females aged 4 to 56 years old and 23 were active users of firecrackers while the rest

were passive.

Ventura said Sarangani has 4 victims, Gen. Santos City (4), Sultan Kudarat (2), North Cotabato (2) and Cotabato City (1).

She added that 32 of the victims were allowed to go home after medication while one remained at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City.

Ventura said the list may further increase when all the reports are submitted. Monitoring started on Dec. 21 and will end on Jan. 5.

She added that no reported victim of stray bullets in Region 12.

Across the country, the revelry led to 141 cases that were reported as compared to about 800 last year. (PNA)

grand prize at stake.

To join the raffle, a member only needs to remit the required monthly membership savings of at least P600.

The member must also go to the Pag-IBIG website at www.

pagibigfund.gov.ph and click the “Pag-IBIG Expanded Raffle Promo” icon and enter his or her Pag-IBIG membership identification number and required information. (RTP/ PIA10)

nally-funded projects is a good moveas it is difficult for the Provincial Government to rely solely on itsmeager coffersin the implementation of huge projects. “We need external support if we want to createhuge developments. But in the process, we have to do our fair share by preparing our counterpart that would catalyze the project implementation,” he said.

Meanwhile, with the Provincial Government’s attempt to bring in huge investments that will spur local economic growth, a proposed 16 megawatts hydropower plant is poised to be established here by a private power generating company. Touted as a breakthrough investment, the project will tap the energy of water flowing in the vast Sumlog River in Lupon town that will create renewable source of energy enough to meet residential and ultimately industrial needs.

Governor Dayanghirang

described the project as promising as it will not only help create a sustainable economic growth through employment and boosting businesses and investments but would also help in the preservation of the biodiversity surrounding the river.

In addition, projects that will boost eco-tourism, environment protection, health, and social services are also included in the Governor’s agenda which are specified in the crafted Executive-Legislative Agenda and the ongoing sixyear Successor Plan for 20172022.

In the pursuit of the provincial goals and on its cherished long-term success, Governor Dayanghirang urges everyone’s support. “Pragmatically, my optimism is drawn from the support of my dear constituents and those from our ever-dependable stakeholders,” said Governor Dayanghirang. (Karen Lou Deloso/DavOr Info)

6 RTC... FROM 2

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

Born of the Part 2

THIS WAS EVERYTHING THAT I IMAGINED SIARGAO TO BE AND MORE. In the process of immersing myself, I got to hear so many wonderful stories of people leaving everything they ever knew behind. Top management positions, six-figure salaries and luxuries of city life all left behind in exchange for barefoot walks on concrete roads and endless opportunities to ride waves everyday.

It’s been said that the best surfer is the one having the most fun.

Clearly local surfer, Ikit Agudo, is having a grand time. Photo by Bren Fuentes.

Taken at Matanjak Guest House right before Bren brought me surfing to a spot in Pesangan.

For a person who’s drawn to the ocean, this would probably be a dream come true while for parents, I guess a living nightmare. I tried tipping my parents off that I’d permanently move to Siargao a few months ago.

That conversation didn’t go as planned though there’s a certain kind of beauty when you pine for the island life.

Introduced by a mutual friend two years ago during a surf trip, 23 year-old Bren Fuentes was the only person I could contact at the time. Also being an extrovert, he would definitely know where to bring first-timers to the island. He could almost pass as a local being in the island for more than a year already.

Growing up in Cebu City, it wasn’t difficult for him to adjust speaking in the local dialect, Surigaonon. So it was quite surprising when I overheard him talking to a few locals when we met, I couldn’t understand much of their conversation (and I thought my Bisaya comprehension would get me by).

After experiencing the commercial side of his culinary profession, Bren relocated to Siargao as a chef at one of the newer resorts. “It was mainly for the lifestyle,” when asked what made him make the big move to the island.

“The place has all the things I love doing in life like cooking, photography, surfing and socializing,” he added. Truly, Siargao Island was picturesque. Every inch of this teardrop shaped island is Instagram-worthy.

Quickly checking on Google Maps, the island really looked like a teardrop. It made me think of the type of tears I’d shed over Siargao. Tears of joy from being so stoked with the waves and tears of sadness upon leaving, if I happen to get the nastiest wipeout of all time the tears wouldn’t be from sadness.

“Don’t you miss the city life?” I curiously asked Bren.

“Cinema and Chinese food!” He answered back. The nearest cinema would be in Surigao City, a three to four hour boat ride from the Dapa and an additional 30 minutes ride to the port from General Luna (if I remember correctly).

“I have total control with what I want to do with my time. It’s a pretty simple life and I’m contented with it,” Bren said continuing the reasons behind his big move.

With endless rows of coconut trees and waves for everyone, it would be a complete mystery to not fall in love with Siargao Island.

See more of Bren’s photos in Instagram: @brenstormin and on the blog: www.millennialmermaid.com

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Temper Trap, The Ting Tings to co-headline 2017 Wanderland music fest

WANDERERS DOVE DEEP INTO THE UNEXPLORED PARTS OF THE #GLOBEWANDERLAND JUNGLE LAST WEEKEND, as they discovered the final acts of local & international artists for the annual music and arts festival this 2017! Globe in partnership with Karpos Multimedia, is bringing Wanderland for the 5th time in the Philippines.

This time around, it will be held in the Filinvest City Event Grounds, Alabang on March 4, 2017.

“Globe once again brings its customers the jungle that is #GlobeWanderland. With a fantastic line up in the past 5 years, no doubt that this 2017, the audience will be in for another unforgettable show. With events such as Wanderland, we continue to be an inherent part of the digital lifestyle of our youth today, enabling them to enjoy what they love the most- wonderful music from their favorite artists,” shares Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing, IssaCabreira.

Last November 4, 2016 at The Globe Iconic Store, 11 booming acts were announced during the #GlobeWanderland Jungle Battle - starting off with interna-

tional acts, Mickey Sulit (AU), Honne (UK), LANY (US), and Woodlock (AU). Local talent line up then included Up Dharma Down (PH), Gab and John

of Urbandub (PH), Tom’s Story (PH), Reese Lansangan (PH), Lola Amour (PH), Jensen and the Flips (PH), AngBandang Shirley (PH), and BannaHarbera (PH).

And finally the long wait is over for Wanderers who are bellowing for more acts to be announced when the remaining acts to complete the lineup was announced last December 17, 2016 during the Wanderland Line Up Reveal. Headlining international acts are Yuna(US), The Temper Trap (US), Explosions in the Sky (US), The Ting Tings (UK), Purity Ring

(CA),and Fools and Foes (PH), and they are all set to give everyone a taste of the untamed jungle at #GlobeWanderland.

The night was capped off with performances by electronic funk/jazz band, Asch, instrumental/post-rock band, Tom’s Story, R&B/soul band, Jensen and The Flips, indie pop band, AngBandang Shirley, andindie folk/rock band, The Ransom Collective.

Wanderland fans will get a chance to win passes to the much awaited festival this 2017.

Customers who subscribe to any GoSurf promo from January 1-February 23, 2017 get a chance to win two tickets to #GlobeWanderland. Globe will be giving away 20 Star Wanderer and 25 Wanderer tickets for all GoSurf subscribers. Star Wanderers will get a Wanderland kit, access to the VIP viewing deck, access to the VIP restroom, express entrance lane, and 2 free drinks.

Learn how to get raffle entries through the GoSurf Raffle promo and visit globe.com. ph/wanderland.Follow @enjoyGLOBE on Twitter and like Globe Telecom on Facebook for #GlobeWanderland updates.

Exciting shopping and dining at SM City Davao this 2017 NOW SHOWING

December 27-30, 2016

SEKLUSYON Rhed Bustamante, Neil Ryan Sese Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

R13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 2 Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:35 | 2:25 | 4:15 | 6:05 | 7:55 | 9:45 LFS

DIE BEAUTIFUL Paolo Ballesteros Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

SAVING SALLY Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

AS THE NEW YEAR UNFOLDS, SM City Davao offers more exciting options for shopping and dining.

Recently opened at the Annex ground floor are Oakley’s first concept store in Mindanao, South American outdoor lifestyle brand Reef, specialty store Vision Express, The Watch Store, Jewels by Audrey, and People Are People’s new posh store.

For the gadgets and techy needs, Cyberzone opens Vivo, I-click and Asus.

Dining options become close to endless with buffet concepts coming in-- homegrown Blue Posts Boiling Crabs

12:45 | 3:00 | 5:15 | 7:30 | 9:45 LFS

and Shimps addressing seafood cravings and Tong Yang for that shabu-shabu and barbecue fix. Also expected to be served are scrumptious Kapampangan dishes by Cabalen, tasty contemporary Filipino specialties from Selera Sets and fresh pastries with pasta meals from French Baker.

Opening its doors in

2001, SM City Davao is SM’s first and flagship mall in Mindanao. In 2012, the mall opened its expansion building the Annex to better cater to the demands of the market. The Annex is also home to two business outsourcing companies. Early in December 2016, SM opened its 60th mall in East Ortigas. The shopping center management giant also operates 6 malls in China.

Shopping, dining and entertainment gets an upgrade at SM City Davao. For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow them on Twitter or Instagram for event and promo updates.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

House... FROM 5

tion under the law, as being exempt from payment of taxes,” said Quimbo.

Be that as it may, Quimbo said a controversy arose necessitating the bill, when the unpaid taxes continued to be collected by the DOF, as well as the BIR, on the ground that the law imposed specific conditions.

“Ang problema lang natin is yung all unpaid and due tax obligations upon the effectivity of the law. When the BIR issued a revenue memorandum circular it effectively came up with the requirements, which did not find any basis as far as the legislative intent is concerned. Even by a careful reading of the deliberations as well as the records of Congress, nowhere do you find these additional BIR requirements beyond being imposed,” said Quimbo.

Quimbo said the conditions set by the BIR made it practically impossible for almost 80 percent of LWDs from fully availing of the intentions of R.A. 10026.

“So this bill which has been previously approved during the 16th Congress seeks to clarify and put to rest finally by condoning these penalties, without any condition, as well as all unpaid taxes,” said Quimbo.

According to Edgardo Demayo, Acting Senior Deputy Administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), per the Department of Finance (DOF) estimate, the amount for condonation is Php1.2 billion.

The bill seeks to amend Section 289-A of the NIRC, as amended, titled “Support for Local Water Districts.” The amendment provides: “The amount that would have been paid as income tax and saved by the local water district by virtue of its exemption to the income taxes shall be used by the local water district concerned for capital equipment expenditure in order to expand water services coverage and improve water quality in order to provide safe and clean water in provinces, cities and municipalities. The water district shall not increase by more than 20 percent a year its appropriation or representation expenses and purchase of motor vehicles.”

Moreover, the amendment provides that “All unpaid taxes or any portion thereof due from a local water district for the period starting August 13, 1995 until the effectivity date of this Act are hereby condoned by the Government, thereby relieving all local water districts from the payment thereof.”

Rep. Prospero A. Pichay, Jr. (1st District, Surigao del Sur), former LWUA chairman, said if there is need to subsidize LWDs by 90 percent so that their participation will just be 10 percent, then it has to be done.

“Let’s not give the LWDs a hard time. Water is a human right,said the United Nations.

If the government builds

roads, then it is proper that we increase funding of LWDs because water is needed by the people,” Pichay said.

Pichay said complying with the requirements for condonation like those set by the BIR is tedious. “You need proof of financial incapacity and the approval of Congress which may take long. Let’s approve this bill,” said Pichay.

Pichay said it is but fitting that the LWDs, which have been actually delivering clean and potable water to the people, should be exempt from all taxes. “Government corporations are created not to make money but to serve the people,” said Pichay.

Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan said the DOF recognizes that water is a human right and that everybody should have access to potable water. She confirmed the tax exemption of water districts. However, she said what they want to continue is that the condonation be subject to the conditions originally set out under R.A.10026.

“The reason is that we want the LWDs to have financial discipline. Having financial discipline is the only way the LWDs will be able to sustain their operations of providing water to their constituents. So the DOF objects to the removal of all the conditions for the condonation,” said Habitan.

Asked by Limkaichong if the bill’s enactment into law would mean that future LWDs will no longer be paying their income taxes, Habitan said the LWDs are already tax exempt. What is under discussion is only the past tax liabilities which R.A.10026 seeks to condone with conditions according to Habitan.

Habitan said the committee needs to clarify if the position of the House is to remove the additional conditions imposed by the BIR, including those that were originally provided for under the law.

Quimbo said the bill’s intention is to remove any condition for the condonation.

“As far as the original law is concerned, even when you look at the records of Congress, there is no clear expression on the part of Congress to put a condition. The purpose is to give life to the intent of Congress,” said Quimbo.

Arturo Villasan, spokesperson of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) supported Pichay’s statement. He explained that the PAWD is a non-profit organization that does not receive a single centavo of subsidy from the government, enabling them to exist under their generated revenues.

“We save the national and local governments billions of pesos, because we rely solely on loans bearing competitive rates, which we have been paying. And for this, the incentive given us originally was for us to be tax-free because we are not asking for any subsidy from the government,” Villasan said. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

YMCA WORKER FROM EGYPT. Adel Awny Hanna, youth programs manager of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) from Minya, Egypt, is a current guest of YMCA Davao headed by Mariano R. Alquiza, former regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and now assistant secretary of the Department of Labor and

NEWS 11

Employment (DOLE). Hanna, in Davao City since last month, is also assistant director for international contacts at the YMCA in Minya, will arrange meetings, conferences and international camps among YMCA clubs in the Philippines. He is in this photo with businessman Jose B. Custodio, former president of YMCA Davao. AMA photo

Independent PH foreign policy taking off P

RESIDENT Duterte is introducing a significant foreign policy shift, particularly with China and the United States.

In his almost six months in office, the President has repeatedly said that he will work on an independent foreign policy for the country as he continues to blaze the trail in forging closer bilateral relations, including economic cooperation and partnership with China and Russia, and enhancing further the country’s relations with his ASEAN and Asia neighbors.

Even when he was still campaigning for the presidency, Duterte has already emphasized his preference for a more “independent” foreign policy, which means

less reliance on America.

And, shortly after his victory in the May polls, he declared: “I will be chartering a new course for the Philippines on its own and will not be dependent on the United States.”

It is quite clear the Duterte administration’s thrust is for the Philippines to rekindle and redefine its links in Asia, a region where its peoples share a historic legacy of peace, harmony and friendship.

Thus, for its part as the government’s frontliner on foreign relations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the leadership of Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., said an independent foreign policy is “hardly new.”

“It is prescribed in our consti-

tution (Section 2, Article II) – the fundamental law of the land on matters of state policies. Like any nation, the Philippines intends to pursue an independent foreign policy. It is a policy based on national interest, where decisions are made solely on the determination of what is in the best interest of the country and its people. It is also a policy that fosters respectful friendships and facilitates meaningful cooperation,” the DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a message sent to PNA. Jose further said that an independent foreign policy is “respect for each country’s independence and the recognition of the principle of sovereign equality provide

the underpinnings for stability and security in international relations.”

He cited that the United Nations (UN) was built on these principles and the Philippines, as one of the founding members of the UN, “firmly advocated for the principle of self-determination of peoples.”

“The Philippines can only benefit from a stable and secure international environment in every aspect of national existence – political, economic, social and cultural – particularly at this time when we seek to hasten economic growth and development to uplift a large part of our population from poverty. Maintaining an independent foreign policy will serve that purpose,” Jose further said. (PNA)

time period last year,” said Ubial.

Ubial said the “remarkable decline” seen in the last 10 years can be attributed to the collective campaign through the help of the media, officials from Philippine National Police (PNP) and cooperation of local government units on conduct of community fireworks display.

She also said that the perception and public knowledge that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is against the firecrackers has somehow affected the reception of the people on the use of firecrackers wherein some of them even became afraid to use them.

“There is this impression that those who will use firecrackers will be caught and punished by the President,” said Ubial.

The 60 percent reduction in the number of firecracker-related injuries covered the period of December 21, 2016 to 6 a.m. of January 1, 2017.

Though, she said that counting will continue and stop by January 5, still, there can still be some changes in the figures after.

“This is the lowest figure, but only as of January 1. The number of injuries will con-

tinue to be tallied until January 5,” she added.

Eighty-four percent of the cases are males. The youngest is two years old while the oldest is 71.

“Large majority of the cases are below 15 years old or 58 percent,” she said.

Blast without amputation was recorded at 83 percent.

She added eye injuries were high comprising about 18 percent.

The blast with amputation cases totaled to five among males.

Two of them were passive users -- three and eight years old. While the other three were active users, ages six, 23, and 33.

“What is very sad is the case number 3, three years old from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on December 30… The case was passive meaning the child was just watching or a bystander and not using,” she said.

She added that it was so saddening that such child, very young, will live a disability for the rest of his life.

Total of passive users are 35 percent or 121 while active users is 65 percent.

She added that legal fireworks also caused injuries

comprising 40 percent; unknown is 5 percent.

Some of the legal fireworks are kwitis, luces and fountains.

Illegal fireworks is still the highest cause of injuries.

Piccolo remains as the most common cause of injuries with 132 cases (38 percent); while Boga caused 18 cases (5 percent). Both are illegal firecrackers.

Hand is usually the most affected while other injuries were recorded on other body parts such head, eyes, abdomen because there are firecrackers coming out of nowhere and hitting the victims in any other parts of the body including foot.

Two cases of ingestions were also recorded among children but these patients were both managed and sent home.

Most of the cases came from National Capital Region (NCR) recording about 211 cases (60 percent).

It was followed by Western Visayas with 34 cases (10 percent) and Central Luzon with 29 cases (8 percent).

In NCR, majority of the injuries took place in the City of Manila with 81 cases. Next is Quezon City with 48 case

while Marikina ranks third with 23 cases.

She said this ‘piece of good news” will not stop them from pushing for the Executive Order to ban firecrackers as they aim for reduction further of injuries by ensuring that community fireworks display will be promoted by every LGUs and designated areas will be followed strictly on the use of firecrackers for communities still wanting use of it in their celebrations and festivities.

Meanwhile, she added also that while they are reporting a good news on the decline of cases, she said that another case of stray-bullet incidence marred the New Year’s Eve reverly when a 15 year-old girl was struck by a stray bullet in Malabon City.

The Health chief was saddened as she personally visited the patient at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

Health officials earlier repeatedly appealed to gun users and owners to avoid indiscriminate firing as they emphasized that every life save from preventable ways is very important.

A total of four stray-bullet cases were recorded by DOH as of this date. (PNA)

DOH... FROM 1

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12 COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

OSHC remains ISO certified, served 100-K workers in 2016 T

PCA bans cutting of coco trees starting January 3

T

HE Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) remains steadfast in its mandate to protect workers against accidents and illnesses at the workplace and to promote workers’ welfare, its chief has said.

“After undergoing surveillance audit for recertification of our systems by the TUV Rheinland, the pioneering international certification body in the Philippines, OSHC has maintained its ISO 9001:2008 certification. It was our last surveillance audit and we will be transitioning to ISO 9001:2015 by next year,” the center’s executive director, Maria Teresita Cucueco, said after reporting to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the center has maintained its ISO

9001:2008 certification.

The OSHC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The second surveillance audit was conducted last Dec. 22 and with no non-conformities, the OSHC remains ISO certified for five major processes: in-house Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) training, information dissemination, occupational safety and health audit, conduct of work environment measurement, and biological monitoring for heavy metals.

These also include support processes, such as human resource, purchasing, billing, repair and maintenance of IT equipment, security, and general services.

For its efforts in maintaining its ISO certification, the OSHC was recognized by the Government Quality Management Committee (GQMC), chaired by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, for adopting the ISO Quality Management System Standards, particularly in front-line services.

Cucueco also noted that in 2016, the OSHC provided occupational safety and health (OSH) services to 106,620 Filipino workers.

These include 36,527 workers from 14,681 companies who participated in the mandatory and specialized occupational safety and health trainings throughout the country; 69,203 workers from 193 companies who benefited from the Work Environment

Measurement (WEM); 827 workers from 15 companies who benefited from blood testing for heavy metals, biologic monitoring and medical examinations; and 40 consultants and 23 safety training organizations who were accredited.

As the national authority for research and training on safety and health at work, OSHC conducts research on the national OSH profile of the Philippines, compensable diseases in the Philippines, OSH for young workers in the construction industry, OSH conditions of self-employed workers in Metro Manila, working conditions in the movie and TV industry, and work-related injuries and diseases among Filipino seafarers. (PNA)

tion of Professional Regulatory Boards (PAPRB), Home Mutual Development Fund (PAGIBIG Fund) and Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP).

Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, Chief Executive Officer PAGIBIG, and Atty.

Christopher Ryan T. Tan, Chairman of the Board OSHDP, after delivering their respective speeches signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), together with Chairman Pilando.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at PRC grounds for the official opening of the mini housing fair followed by presentations of the PAGIBIG and OSHDP Housing Projects.

The event continued with a Thanksgiving Mass led by Rev. Sonny Declaro, followed by a special intermission number from the Pagdamay sa Dukha Foundation.

After the photo session, PRC employees, including former board Chairperson/ members were given awards and recognition for their loy-

alty and years of service in the Commission.

Games and contests such as Family Feud, Tough Model and Cosplay participated in

by Professional Regulatory Board members and PRC employees added fun and entertainment to the festive atmosphere.

The event concluded with season’s greetings and inspirational messages from Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando Jr. and Commissioners Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and Yolanda D. Reyes. (PRC)

Special Pabahay Program for PRC employees unveiled

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HE Professional Regulation Commission held its annual Christmas party last December 16, 2016 at the Bulwagang Nubla, 5th Floor Annex Building, PRC Manila. Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando Jr., together with Commissioners Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and Yolanda D. Reyes led the celebration with the unveiling of the latest project of the Commission, the “PRC Special Pabahay Program for PRC employees” in collaboration with the Philippine Associa-

One-Stop Service Center for OFWs now nationwide

O

VERSEAS Filipino workers may now avail of the services of the One-Stop Service Center for OFWs (OSSCO) in 15 provinces outside Metro Manila.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Offices, together Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, established OFW one-stop centers at the following locations: Manna Mall, San Fernando City, La Union; City Tourism Office, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Baguio Convention Center, Baguio City; Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga; OWWA Re-

gional Office 4A in Calamba City; Robinson’s Place, Puerto Princesa City, Pacific Mall, Legaspi City; SM City, Cebu City; Robinson’s Place, Iloilo City; Robinson’s Place, Bacolod City; DOLE Regional Office No. 8, Tacloban City; Goodwill Center, Zamboanga City; OWWA Regional Office No. 10, Cagayan de Oro City; Butuan City Hall Complex, Butuan City and New City Hall, Koronadal City.

Through the OSSCO, government frontline services are made accessible to Filipinos who are currently working or planning to work overseas. It operates from 8:00

A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays.

The OSSCO was launched on August 15, 2016 at the POEA in Mandaluyong City.

Aside from shortening the time to process their documents, the one-stop shop is also aimed at reducing the expenses of OFWs since the services of concerned government agencies can already be availed of in just one location.

The government agencies at the OSSCO are Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Maritime lndustry Authority (MARINA), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Philippine Health lnsurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau lnvestigation(NBI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Tourism lnfrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of lnternal Revenue (BIR). (DOLE)

O preserve and conserve the coconut trees in the country, Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Billy Andal signed a national moratorium on the cutting of coconut trees except in Basilan Province and Isabela City.

“We really have to impose a moratorium because the RA 8048 is not effectively enforced. It is as if the coco loggers are just making fun of us, they are not taking it seriously.

I think it is time to put my foot down on this issue,” stressed Andal.

Andal signed the moratorium together with Cabinet Secretay Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr:, Member of the PCA Governing Board Alan P. Tanjuakio, Edicio dela Torre and Ponciano A. Batugal.

The moratorium will be effective for a period of three (3) months starting January 3, 2017, while there is an on-going review of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10510593 amending RA 8048 which aims to streamline the processes related to permits and clearances.

“We really have to do it or else our coconut industry will be endangered. There are more coconut trees cut than planted,” said the administrator.

“What’s really getting on my nerve is the fact that the legal permits given to coco loggers are being used to illegally cut the coco trees. And the worst part is, our officials are the ones in cahoots with the coco loggers,” added Andal.

The proposed moratorium is expected to strengthen institutional mechanism in order to effectively and efficiently manage the enforcement of the law with the ultimate goal protecting the supply base of the country and to safeguard the integrity of the systems and process involved.

Basilan Province and Isabela City are exempted from the moratorium because of the Coconut Scale Insect or cocolisap and to encourage coconut lumber processors to source their supply of coconut lumber in said provinces thereby augmenting the very few lumber dealers in the affected provinces. (PCA)

DOST sets aside P1 B for space technology program in 2017

I

N a bid to strengthen the country’s space technology program, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has allotted P1 billion budget for this for 2017.

The agency believes that investing in space technology is vital, especially to make the Philippines more resilient to natural disasters.

In fact, the DOST has developed a 10-year (2016-2026) National Space Development Program.

“We want to strengthen the country’s satellite development capability, and to create a robust space industry,” DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena said.

Dela Pena eyes sending a substantial number of people abroad for training starting next year.

It may be recalled that the Philippine government has sent a team of Filipino engineers to Japan to undergo an extensive course on microsatellite.

The said team was able to develop the Diwata-1, the country’s first microsatellite that was released in the outer space this year.

The microsatellite regularly takes photos of the earth and of the Philippines, and these images are used for research and remote sensing.

The DOST chief noted that through space technology, the government will be able to give early warnings when the country is at risk for natural disasters.

As such, the DOST has focused the space technology program on national security and development, hazard

management, climate studies and space research and development.

The development of Diwata-2 is currently in the works, and the DOST targets to launch this by 2018. ””A lot of young people have shown interest to work on this initiative,”” shared Carlos Primo David, executive director, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

He added that the agency is busy with the research and development (R&D) for the Diwata-2.

“The Japanese government was very pleased with the success of Diwata-1. Hopefully, we’ll have a continued collaboration with them for the Diwata-2,”” David cited.

PCIEERD is also looking at the development of cube satellites. According to David, cube satellites are smaller and are faster to develop because of the simpler structure.

Meanwhile, the DOST is urging lawmakers to have a bill approved for the creation of a National Space Agency.

“There has to be a clear national space policy committed to space industry, and strong international linkages must be developed,”” Dela Pena said.

The DOST chief wanted to address the lack of trained local experts in aerospace, as well as the country’s dependence on foreign satellites for data gathering.

The DOST is also considering the idea of having space education in the K-12 program.

(PNA)

NEWS13 Environment watchdog decries trash problems after New Year VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

HE EcoWaste Coalition on Sunday lamented the mountains of “holitrash” (short for “holiday” and “trash”) that again sullied the parks, streets and sidewalks of the metropolis after the lively New Year celebrations.

“The post-revelry garbage situation is inexcusable,”

stated EcoWaste Coalition president Eileen Sison.

“Ironically, today is also the start of the Zero Waste Month that is meant to promote waste prevention and reduction for a cleaner and greener Philippines,” she said.

On New Year’s Day, the environment watchdog again went to Divisoria to bear wit-

ness to the trashing of Manila’s streets and to assist the city personnel in removing rubbish off Recto Avenue and adjacent streets.

With rakes and shovels, EcoWaste volunteers also held a placard that says “Ganito tayo noon, ganito pa din ba tayo ngayon? Basura everywhere!” and a banner

with a clear message that sums up what should be done instead: “Go Zero Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Huwag Mag-aksaya, Magtambak at Magsunog ng Basura.”

“The unchecked dumping of all types of trash on the streets is not only appalling and irresponsible, but outrightly illegal,” Sison said.

“Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals,esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same,” is prohibited and punishable under Section 48 of Republic Act 2003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

“We must also point out that what we find being dumped on the streets are mixed discards, including recyclable items that should have been returned to factories and compostable materials that should have been returned to Mother Earth through composting,” Sison said. (PNA)

Dominguez said the Duterte administration is likewise committed to pursuing the congressional approval of its proposed comprehensive tax reform program, the first in 30 years, to ensure the financial sustainability of the government’s unparalleled spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the country’s most vulnerable sectors.

He said the economy’s strong showing in the third quarter with GDP growth at 7.1 percent, its best in three years, was apparently driven in part by the onset of the Duterte presidency’s strong spending on infrastructure and the recovery of the agriculture sector from the prolonged El Nino-induced drought.

“This means there will be no letup in the Duterte administration’s commitment to spending big on urban and rural infrastructure as a growth driver, to guarantee sustained high—and inclusive— growth,” Dominguez said.

He said the government needs to invest heavily in programs that will transform the economy from a consumption- to an investment-driven one, and at a much higher level from the current investment rate of 20 percent of GDP, so the Philippines could be on the par with its more vibrant neighbors that invest between 30 percent and 40 percent of their respective GDPs. Alongside spending more on infrastructure, human capital and social protection to sustain the economy’s growth momentum and attack poverty, Dominguez said the Duterte administration will also remain focused on other urgent measures such as fully implementing the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, modernizing agriculture to pull down food prices while increasing farmers’ incomes, and leveling the playing field for micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs).

Dominguez recalled that at the start of the new government, it put in place at once a

10-point socioeconomic agenda to let President Duterte deliver on his electoral mandate to sustain the growth momentum and make it a truly inclusive one over the next six years by spreading its benefits to all sectors across all regions.

Over the last six months, several institutions have painted a rosy outlook for the economy.

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the UN’s regional development arm, upgraded its 2016 growth forecast for the Philippines to 7 percent from 6 percent.

BMI Research, a unit of Fitch Ratings, expects an average growth rate of 6 percent over the next five years.

“We believe that President Duterte’s fiscal stimulus measures will be positive for economic growth as most of the increases in spending have been earmarked for infrastructure development and social services like healthcare, education and security, which will boost long-term produc-

tivity,” it said.

Debt watcher S&P Global Ratings said it expects the Philippine economy to grow 6.7 percent in 2016, faster than its previous forecast of 6.3 percent, and even has the potential to expand at a higher rate in 2017, despite the expected negative impact of would-be US President Trump’s protectionist policies, should he proceed to implement them next year.

Banking giant Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. also raised its growth forecast for the Philippines from 6.5 to 6.8 percent, on the strength of the high 7.1 percent expansion of the economy.

HSBC, in a report, said the better-than-expected GDP growth “points to the resilience of the Philippine economy in a soft global growth environment.”

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) also upgraded the Philippines’ 2016 GDP growth forecast to 6.8 percent from 6.4 percent, which, according to its

country economist Aekapol Chongvilaivan, was the result of the strong 7.1 percent third-quarter GDP growth.

IMF resident representative Shanaka Jayanath Peiris said the 7.1 percent growth rate was faster than the institution’s full-year growth forecast of 6.4 percent, which it had earlier projected in September. The 6.4 percent fullyear forecast was already an upgrade from the IMF’s original projection of 6 percent.

“Therefore, we will mostly likely be revising up our growth forecast for 2016 in the next round of world economic outlook revisions, while the adjustments for 2017 and medium term will also depend on global developments and financial conditions that have become more uncertain lately,” Peiris said.

The country’s growth was faster than China’s 6.7 percent, Vietnam’s 6.4 percent, Indonesia’s 5 percent and Malaysia’s 4.3 percent.

Economists polled by Bloomberg project that the

domestic economy is set to expand more than 6 percent until 2018 to rank among the fastest not only in Asia but in the world.

Barclays Plc in Singapore said the Philippines will remain an “outperformer in the region” and foreseen global risks “won’t fundamentally alter its prospects.”

First Grade Holdings Securities said the Philippines’ high growth rate for the July-September period was “a surprise for the financial markets,” but “it affirms our view that fundamentals remain intact despite the political noise.”

As for the decline of the value of the peso vis-à-vis the US dollar and the US interest rate hike, Dominguez said the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals would enable the economy to survive external shocks such as higher US interest rates, which is the primary reason for the recent weakening of the peso along with other currencies in the region. (PR)

High... FROM 5

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

CHAMBER INDUCTION. Old and new officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) meet on Christmas eve to discuss the preparations and highlights of the formal induction of the 2017 set of officers this month with no less than President Duterte as guest of honor and speaker. In photo, from left, are Jocelyn Romero,

trustee; outgoing president Bonifacio T. Tan; outgoing chairman of the board John Y. Gaisano Jr., incoming president Ronald C. Go and former president Daniel Lim. AMA photo

LOLO GOT’S LUTONG BAHAY IN AMERICA:

Meaningful Year-enders A

NOTHER year passes.

An end, or a beginning.

Either way, a passing on. The children start to pack up the time spent over the holidays. One by one, with their partners, traveling back to their own worlds. Places and homes you would like to visit more often but for the thinning wallet you constantly have to haggle with.

It’s these times when we try to hold off, for a minute longer, the inevitable moments of parting.

The sudden quiet reminds us of the time when we came home from seeing them off in the airport some years ago, for the US. Realizing their paths to the future a world away from your own. That you were no longer going to be with them. The clocks ticking on the walls, becoming loud reminders of an utter loss. If there was a time for a heart to be breaking, it was that one.

But time also has to move

on to the next chapters. This is one inevitability that makes those moments of seemingly tragic proportions (even if the memory still makes us break down in tears) a light to follow through.

This holiday season, the light certainly shone through.

The year 2016, may have been more broken and absurd at times, hard and difficult to bear too. But then, life is not fair anyway. It is these things, the hard times, that should be what makes us stronger when we pass through the patch of broken glass.

Hardships being relative to whom it makes it’s presence known, has, in opinionated debates and arguments, been an endless source of disagreement. Needless to say, it remains what it is, to whomever or wherever it deems itself a necessary evil.

Because without it, there can be no way to compare one side with the other.

It becomes a matter of choice. And, we choose to believe that its temporal nature relieves us of having to repeat the same cycles.

Unless, of course, we choose otherwise.

Nattering on, let me continue to try to say, how, even if there is only one reader out there who takes time out to go through these paragraphs, it is with great appreciation that, at least, the space Mindanews gives this column, is worth it.

It is at this junction then that I would like to say, a huge thank you to the editors that decide if what I write should be published or not.

Without their wise discernment and judgement, we would have gone down the road to some dark hole of perdition, if not outright trouble.

Thank you for keeping the watch. Even for columns such as this.

It’s been a year since I was allowed to come back to writ-

ing here. I am hoping I will be allowed to continue in the next year.

This comes a bit late for a year-ender, but I would just like to have the opportunity to be thankful to 2016, even if it was not such a good year.

Carry this spirit of thankfulness to the year ahead. Hopefully, also, to remember to be grateful for each day we have.

Wake up to, and get to live another 24 hours.

It is, admittedly, difficult, but, if there is one New Year’s resolution we would like to have, it would be, to be able to sustain this mindset, or attitude through the year ahead.

(Mindanawon Abroad is MindaNews’effort to link up with Mindanawons overseas who would like to share their experiences in their adopted countries. Margot Marfori is an author and visual artist from Davao City. She is currently based in Henderson, Nevada.) BY MARGOT MARFORI

sector with projects amounting to P209.9 billion. Investment pledges in sectors of real estate activities reached P65.8 billion; construction, P62.3 billion; manufacturing, P49 billion; and transportation and storage, P23.4 billion.

Highest investment increments were recorded in sectors of construction and manufacturing, with growth of 645 percent and 81 percent, respectively.

“The continued growth of the manufacturing industry is a clear indication of the results of our Manufacturing Resurgence Program. The revival of the manufacturing sector is key to inclusive economic growth because it will generate much-needed decent employment and help the country tap regional production networks,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez, on

the other hand, attributed the robust investment inflows to the continued confidence of investors with the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the new administration’s socioeconomic agenda.

Of the total BOI-registered investments in 2016, 80 percent or P352.5 billion were from local companies and the remaining 20 percent or P89.3 billion were from foreign investors.

Investment pledges from foreign companies jumped by 50 percent last year from 2015’s value of P59.5 billion.

Australia was the country’s largest foreign investment source in 2016 with commitments reaching P30.5 billion.

This is followed by Singapore with registered projects amounting P13.6 billion; the Netherlands, with P13.1 billion; Japan, with P6.8 billion; and South Korea, with P6.4 billion.

“With the investment missions that we are doing, investors have gained greater awareness of the Philippines’ strong and growing economy,” Lopez said.

He added that the Chief Executive, in his state visits, always assured foreign investors that the government will honor, secure, and protect their investments in the country.

Meanwhile, largest value of BOI-approved projects will be invested in Region IVA, followed by Metro Manila amounting to P95.3 billion, and Region III with investments reaching P56.5.

But it was noted that investments in Cordillera Administrative Region surged from P85.6 million to P34.8 billion in 2016.

In a previous interview, Lopez said the investment promotion agency aims to achieve the same level of investment growth at 15 to 20 percent this year. (PNA)

BOI 2016 investment approvals second highest since 2000

T

HE Board of Investments (BOI) has approved a total of 377 projects in 2016 with investments amounting to P441.8 billion, the second highest investment pledges in the agency since 2000.

Investment approvals in 2016 grew by 20.4 percent from P366.7 billion pledges in 2015.

It also surpassed the agency’s target growth for the previous year at 7.0 percent.

Last year’s figure was the second largest value of registered projects in BOI, next to 2013’s investment pledges at P466 billion.

These projects are expected to generate 67,615 new jobs once they are fully operational. Most of these jobs are in the sectors of real estate, eyeing 32,055 new personnel, and manufacturing, creating 17,607 new jobs.

Bulk of the registered investments are in the power

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

DILG, a metaphor of good governance T HE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) sustained its crusade of good governance among local government units (LGUs) during the six months of the Duterte administration.

DILG secretary Ismael D. Sueno has been inspired by LGUs shared best practices as he believes these are keys for advancement of the generation ahead.

“The government has been stirred to do better, to make things possible and to go beyond political divide. The country is in a state of ‘exciting times’ of redefining and elevating public service to excellence.” Sueno said.

As a true advocate of community engagement in governance, Sueno has always believed the people should be an integral part of the equation.

He recognizes that the government and the people should work together in solving the country’s woes especially something as enormous as the illegal drug problem.

This was how the newest flagship program of the DILG, the MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga/People’s Watch) was conceived.

With compliance to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive and with the sudden surge of drug surrenderers nationwide, the DILG was at helm on the community-based initiative to institutionalize the public in the barangay level.

“Through this MASA MASID program, citizens will be more involved in eliminating drugs and crime at the barangay level by helping police gather intelligence and information.” Sueno said.

The MASA MASID program was one of the top agenda of the first Barangay Assembly Day in the present administration with the involvement of the 42,036 barangays in the country.

The program, through Sueno’s leadership, has successfully and subsequently expanded to LGUs together with the active governance of its local chief executives (LCEs).

Another form of sustained drive for LGUs to lead a clean government and perform better is the upgraded Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and its new incentive program,

the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

The PCF is an incentive provided to LGUs in a form of financial grant for local development projects after they have passed the standards set under DILG’s SGLG. “DILG’s SGLG together with the PCF aims to recognize ‘good governance’ performance among the areas of transparency, accountability, participation and service delivery.” Sueno said.

A total of 261 or 53 percent of the 497 PCF supported projects from 2014-2015 were already completed and the remaining 236 are now in various stages of completion.

Among completed projects were concreting of pathways and rough roads, construction of farm to market roads and bridges, public markets, school buildings, health and water supply facilities, evacuation centers, flood control systems and sanitary landfills.

Meanwhile, the government’s collaborative partnership with the private sector also boomed in the six months headship of Sec. Sueno.

With this, in September 2016, the DILG launched its first Public-Private Partnership for the People initiative for Local Governments (LGU P4) to urge investments in provinces for equitable development.

LGU P4 is a developmental, innovative, change and partnership strategy aimed at promoting the general welfare, inclusive growth and better quality of life of Filipinos.

The program, with the signed agreement of DILG, Public-Private Partnership center, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has conceded to strengthen the advocacy and promotion of LGU P4.

It has also continuously undertaken its marked success on the LGUs and provinces in delivering public infrastructures and services.

“Change has come, change is here. The LGUs are more inclined to good governance. The transition to the new administration signifies the metamorphosis of government service and its dynamics with the Filipino people it is faithfully serving,” the DILG secretary stressed. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

SWEET SWEEP Americans sweep Czechs in Hopman Cup opener

TEAM USA. Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe.

Hopman Cup photos

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH -- Team USA took the first step towards a Hopm a n Cup

Vadeweghe.

Playing on the first hours of New Year’s Day at the Perth Arena, Sock and Vandeweghe claimed the opening tie of the Hopman Cup beating the Czech Republic 3-0 in an entertaining setto.

Taking the spot of world no. 1 Serana Williams who skipped the event this year, Vandeweghe took the first point for USA beating Lucie Hradecka 6-4 6-2 on Sunday in the women’s singles before world No.23

chal-

lenge with a yo u n g er tandem in Jack Sock and Coco

Sock took the second point with a 7-5 3-6 6-3 decider over Adam Pavlasek.

Sock and Vandeweghe capped their opening tri-

A

ing for a while, but has been working out on her own to get her old fighting form back.

Last December 10 and 11, the former Petron star saw action in the Christmas edition of the Beach Volleyball Republic in order to gauge how much she needs to improve on.

“Actually wala akong volleyball training pero I’ve been working out,” she said.

“Pero fun naman ‘yung beach volley experience ko. Nagauge ko ‘yung self ko na kaya pa talaga mag laro. More training lang.”

T h e said she what ed as a er.

‘mamathlete’ already got she wantmoth-

Now, Fille is giving in to her passion for sports.

“Career mode na ako after my break,” she said. “Tsaka quota na ako may boy and girl na ako.”

(SPIN.ph)

FILLE CAINGLET-CAYETANO. Back to her first love volleyball. (SPIN.ph photo)

Better trade me then bench me: Rondo R

AJON Rondo wore the headband, on New Year’s Eve. He had the headwear on, while his Bulls lost another one to a division foe.

This time it was the Milwaukee Bucks who watched as Rondo watched, missing the entire game as a healthy scratch just a day after sitting out the second half of a game he originally started in, as Chicago lost in Indianapolis.

The Bulls signed Rondo to a two-year, $27.4 million deal in the offseason, seemingly bidding against themselves for a player who had flamed out both professionally and personally in his three previous stops in Boston, Dallas and Sacramento. With Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg’s decision to dump the former All-Star in the starting lineup in exchange for 2013-14 Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams, Rondo has admitted that he’ll ask to meet with the team’s front office in order to suss out his options moving forward after just 29 games as a Chicago Bull.

He couldn’t even make it

until 2017. Who, besides the obvious in red and black, didn’t see this coming? From Vincent Goodwill at CSN Chicago: “Absolutely,” said Rondo when asked if he accomplished enough in the NBA for the Bulls to accommodate him on a trade or some transaction to allow him to seek another team should the benching continue.

“Gar (Forman, Bulls GM) and I will have a talk. We’ll talk tonight and go from there. I don’t know if it’s right now, maybe the next 30, 18, 45 minutes. Tonight, before ’17 (the clock strikes midnight).”

“No, I’m not surprised. Not surprised,” Rondo said. “It’s been a tough season. Certain buttons are being pushed and the Bulls are trying to figure things out.”

The Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson noted that the Chicago head coach spoke with Rondo in the short term between the team’s two losses over the holiday weekend: “He was great, very professional” Hoiberg said. “We talked about accepting whatever role he has and helping our guys stay

ready.

“I was proud of how he handled the situation (Friday night in Indiana). He was cheering for the guys from the bench and talking to them when they came out for rotational reasons. That is very admirable for a guy who has had the type of career he has had.

“I know he’ll be ready when he’s called upon. It’s just the decision we decided to go with to see if we can change the flow of our team.”

Rondo, to his credit, has handled the demotion with on-record ease: “I’m going to explode,” Rondo said sarcastically about his response to being benched. “Nah, I’m going to continue to work.

Play more 1-on-1. Stay fit. Take care of my body. Lift. And give these young guys as much advice as I can while I’m on the bench supporting them.”

Rondo’s role in the flow of the Bulls (16-18, losers of 14 of 22) being altered seemingly beyond repair is up for debate, but neither side in this discussion can get away from the fact that Rajon

woman umpire and played with

it for a game in the mixed doubles.

The singles matches though were not bereft of action. Ranked world no.

75, Pavlasek, only 22, held his own against Sock, conceding break points in only one game of the first set, then sending down seven aces to win the second and levelling the match.

The tall American though registered fewer unforced errors in the third set, allowing him to claim victory.

Earlier, Vandeweghe, ranked 36 in the world, converted three of seven break points to dispose of the no. 166 Hradecka, a late replacement for Petra Kvitova, in 69 minutes.

Vandeweghe had only 57 per cent of her first serves in, but won 61 per cent of her second serves.

She had one double double faults against Hradecka’s six.

Defending champ Australia falls to Spain P

Fille stages comeback FTER giving birth to her youngest child five months ago, Fille Cainglet-Cayetano is ready to get back on the court.

The former Ateneo star, who gave birth to a healthy baby girl last August, admitted being excited in her return to volleyball full-time after signing with Pocari Sweat last month.

“Excited na ako mag-training,” the hands-on mom of Ino Philip and Fille Renee shared to SPIN.ph.

Fille revealed she has not joined intense volleyball train-

umph with a very friendly dead-rubber mixed doubles 2-4 4-2 4-1, played for the first time under the Fast4 format in this pre-Australian Open event staged for the 29th time in this bustling West Australia capital.

The USA-Czech Republic tie did not fill up the massive Perth Arena but it was not short of entertainment.

Sock playfully toyed with a linesman whom he invited to the court to hit balls with and then grabbed the sunnies of a

is part of the problem.

The 30-year old, a champion in 2008 with the Boston Celtics prior to a career-altering ACL tear in 2013, averages 7.2 points, 7.1 assists and 6.5 rebounds a game, but he acts as perhaps the worst defensive guard in the NBA. His inability to shoot leaves the Chicago offense (ranked dead last in three-pointers made, attempted, three-pointer percentage, Effective Field Goal percentage and second to last in field goal percentage) at a massive disadvantage that even the presence of the sub-MVP stylings of Jimmy Butler cannot overcome.

Replacement Michael Carter-Williams is not your typical former Rookie of the Year. His 2013-14 season was the prize of one of the worst freshman class performances in NBA history, and he’s been traded twice since taking the award. MCW even missed Chicago’s training camp due to the late timing of his most recent trade, and an early-season wrist and knee injury knocked him out of the rotation from Halloween until Christmas.

ERTH – It was a perfect start for Nick Kyrgios at Mastercard Hopman Cup, but after Daria Gavrilova fell to Lara Arruabarrena in straight sets, Spain stormed back to defeat Australia in the lived mixed doubles rubber.

Kyrgios was impressive in his 6-3 6-4 win over Feliciano Lopez, powering down 14 aces and racing through the first set in just 23 minutes.

The 21-year-old was pleasantly surprised at how well he’d played given he reduced his oncourt practice time during the off-season, and instead focused on boosting his fitness.

“I felt like I was going to be a bit rusty at times. But I played really well today,” Kyrgios said.

“It’s surprising because I haven’t been doing much on the court. I’ve just been trying to get into a good head space and be ready.

“I was really happy with the level today.”

Kyrgios credited his strength and conditioning coach Martin Skinner for helping him become a better athlete.

Skinner joined the Kyrgios camp in late September, and it’s a love-hate relationship that is starting to bear fruit.

“I hate it. There’s plenty of other things I’d rather do,” Kyrgios said of the new fitness regime.

“He drives me. I’m not the easiest person to get along with at times, and I’m not a good listener.

“But I know that he’s pretty intelligent in the gym. So I don’t question him too much. He’s been working me pretty good.”

Kyrgios said his injury withdrawal during the third round of the US Open was the wake-up call he needed to improve his fitness and strength.

“That hurt,” Kyrgios said.

“I was doing absolutely nothing at that stage, and it caught up with me.

UPSET. Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena and Feliciano Lopez turned back Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova of the defending champion Australia at Mastercard Hopman Cup 2017. Hopman Cup photo

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 225 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017