Edge Davao 9 Issue 228

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

EASY DOES IT. A delivery porter navigates a cart overloaded with merchandise through a busy Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DAVAO BRACES FOR MISS UNIVERSE TILT Security also readied for ASEAN summit Sports leaders tackle ‘26 years of failure’ I S

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

N preparation for the upcoming Miss Universe 2017 pageant and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, police officials said that “strict and elaborate” security measures are underway to ensure that the most-awaited events will turn out be successful.

Davao City Police Office spokesperson Catherine dela Rey on Wednesday said they would prevent any untoward security incident to happen “before, during, or close to and after” both events.

“Strict and elaborate security measures will be in place to prevent the lawless ele-

ments from disrupting these activities,” dela Rey said.

Dela Rey pointed out that while the police and other government agencies will concentrate on security matters, other enforcement agencies will make sure that there will be a safe and successful holding of the Miss Universe pageant and ASEAN Summit.

She added that protocol officers, who will secure the delegates and candidates safety, are already being tapped and readied. Venue preparations and security survey are also not overlooked.

“The police are conducting security assessment on a

daily basis to make sure that the places and sites of Miss Universe pageant and ASEAN summit are safe,” dela Rey said.

With that, the local police will be deploying 1,000 security personnel for the major events.

Traffic Group Chief P/Supt.

Ernesto Castillo, for his part, stated that they had conducted several inspections for the traffic flow for the incoming events.

“No roads will be closed for the ASEAN Summit and Miss Universe pageant,” Castillo said.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) - Davao Region has also

conducted several command conferences as preparation for the ASEAN Summit and Miss Universe pageant.

Leoncio Cirunay, director of the OCD Davao, revealed their agency would lead the emergency preparedness and response, and that three components have been formed to address any concern adequately.

“We will actively monitor the situation; the EPR with our incident management team is ready to respond to any eventuality,” he said.

Cirunay stated that they would rely much on the city

F DAVAO, 11

OME 150 sports leaders of the country, spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), will gather in Tagaytay City, today and tomorrow (January 6 -7), to review the sports performance of country during the last 26 years since Republic Act 6847 was passed in 1990.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez called it a perfor-

mance-focused directional meeting designed to analyze “26 years of failure” and what directions will the country now take from hereon.

F SPORTS, 11

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

BLANKET DENIAL. Interior and local government secretary Ismael Mike Sueno belies reports that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is involved in the recent attack on a prison facility in Kidapawan City that led to the escape of more than 100 prisoners during a press briefing at the New Executive Building in Malacañang yesterday. TOTO LOZANO/Presidential Photo

CHO: Dengue cases RTC orders PNP to rid increased by 9% Madaum of barricades T T

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE City Health Office has recorded a 9.21% increase in the number of dengue cases in Davao City from January to December 2016.

According to CHO ‘s data from January to December 2016, dengue cases have reached a total number 3,972 cases compared to 3,637 cases over the same period in 2015.

The most number of dengue cases were registered in Buhangin District with 553 followed by Talomo South with 553, Calinan with 352, Toril with 330 and Talomo Central with 240.

Most victims of dengue were of ages six to 15 years

old; and patients are usually male.

There were also 29 deaths reported in last year’s dengue cases.

City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte noted that the dengue cases usually rise during the rainy season, especially the month of July 2016 with 875 cases compared to July 2015’s 426 cases.

“Another reason why dengue cases increased is that there is also an increase of breeding containers in the community around us,” she said.

Villafuerte is optimis-

F CHO, 11

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ HE Regional Trial Court in Davao City has directed the Philippine National Police to disperse any member of the breakaway Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (MARBAI) from barricading the Lapanday farms and from disrupting the operations of another cooperative.

In her order, Branch 14 Judge Jill Rose S. Jaugan-Lo deputized the PNP to fully assist the court, through the sheriff, implementing its order.

According to Lapanday Foods Corporation, copies of the order were issued to Tagum Mayor Allan Rellon, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer of Department of Agrari-

an Reform, and the barangay chairman of Madaum on January 3.

In a text message, Atty.

Leilani Espejo, LFC legal consultant said the court sheriff deferred the implementation of the order released last December because of the Christmas season.

In a press statement from LFC on Wednesday, the company stated that the RTC reiterated its jurisdiction over the case as it “does not involve any agrarian dispute”.

LFC pointed out the court decision as “another setback” for MARBAI, the breakaway group of agrarian reform beneficiaries led by Mely Yu and her supporters who earlier

unlawfully occupied parts of lands awarded to and owned

by Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative 1 (HEARBCO-1).

LFC recalled an order dated November 2, 2016 granting the motion of Lapanday Foods Corporation (LFC) to implement an even earlier court-approved Compromise Agreement between the company and HEARBCO-1, for which the initial Writ of Execution was granted in an order dated November 27, 2015, RTC Judge Jaugan-Lo had also authorized RTC Branch 15 Court Sheriff Robert Medialdea to fully implement the alias writ of execution issued by her court.

In her latest order dated

December 28, 2016, the RTC judge also denied the motion for reconsideration of Mely Yu on the order granting the alias writ as well as Yu’s motion to dismiss. The RTC sustained in favor of LFC the grant of the alias writ as it reiterated that it is the regular court, and not DAR, which has jurisdiction over the case. An alias writ is merely a continuation of the earlier writ, or court order but which has not been effectively implemented.

According to LFC, the Alias Writ or second court Order was issued after its earlier order was not successfully implemented because of the violence and disruptive actions

it received a total of 149 calls from December 24, 2016 to January 2, 2017. All of the callers are complaining about the non-release of their 13th month pay by their employers.

Last year, the department has received a total of 725 calls from December 24, 2015 to January 31, 2016, including those who did not received the one-month payment as provided by law and other concerns asking about the computation of the 13 month pay.

Say noted that aside from complaints of non-payment of

13th month pay, the call center also reviewed calls on how the payment is being computed.

“Dalawang subject matters iyan. Ang una, tinatanong nila kung papaano ‘yung computation ng 13th month pay.

Obviously, nakakatanggap sila ng amount pero hindi nila alam kung malaki ba ito or maliit...’Yung ibang tanong naman, hindi sila nakatanggap,” he added.

The DOLE official stressed that the law provides that 13th month pay should be given on or before December 24.

“On or before Decem-

ber 24 (dapat natanggap na ito ng empleyado). So ‘yung natanggap nila nung 24, naganalyze sila bakit kulang ito pambili ng salad. Naiisipan nila magtanong nung 26, so we have about approximately 150 calls. Between that period Dec. to Jan. 2,” he added.

Under the law, all employers are mandated to pay their 13th month pay on or before December 24, regardless of the nature of their employment, and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one month during a calendar year. (PNA)

Massive manhunt ongoing for Kidapawan jail escapees DOLE gets 149 complaints on non-payment of 13th month pay

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VER a hundred escapees from the North Cotabato District Jail still remain at large and are being hunted down by authorities a day after some 100 heavily armed men stormed the facility to spring several high profile inmates linked to terror bombings in south-central Mindanao.

Chief Insp. Joyce Birrey, spokesperson of the North Cotabato provincial police office, said 12 of the 158 inmates who bolted prison in the wee hours of Wednesday have so far been arrested and returned to jail.

Five fugitives who died

while resisting arrest in military-police pursuit operations were identified as Joey Aranas, Allan Jay Fabro Tolentino, Edfel Bautista Liscano, Rapacon Dimawan Ambolonto, and Adonis Ray Ferraren Cedeno.

Jail Officer 1 Excell Ray Vicedo, the guard on duty during the attack, died on the spot while Satar Manalundong, a village councilman of Barangay Patadon also got killed.

Two wounded escapees were identified as Peter John Ararao and Johnmeir Selgas, both confined at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital.

F MASSIVE, 11

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has received a total of 149 calls, as of Monday, complaining that they have not received their 13th month pay, which is provided under the Labor Code.

According to Usec. Dominador Say, the complaints will be verified, once it was proven to be true, the DOLE will contact the employer and will be asked to explain.

“If based sa call, hindi sila nakatanggap, ipapatawag namin ang employer,” he said.

According to the data from the DOLE’s call center,

F RTC, 11

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

CTO launches logo design contest for Araw ng Dabaw

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

D

AVAO City’s tourism office has launched on Monday a logo design contest for the upcoming 80th Araw ng Dabaw “to catch up with time.”

CTO head said the current logo has been in use since 2011.

“This is what the City Mayor [Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio] has been excited about; our office has thought of having a logo-making contest to redesign the current logo as we have been using it for five years,”said CTO head Generose Tecson.

Tecson pointed out that Mayor Duterte-Carpio wants to have interactive activities for the Dabawenyos and the City Government intends to know the perspective of the locals on what “Life is Here” for them.

She added that it’s time to change the logo and it is important that the idea would be coming from Dabawenyo’s point of view on why life is here in Davao.

“Iba rin kasi ang dating kung ‘yung idea lang ng higher ups ang lumalabas, so this time we also want to know how the people feel about why ‘life is here’ and ano ang viewpoint at perspective ng locals,” Tecson said.

[Translation: “It’s different when the idea of the higher ups would only just go out, so this time we also want to know how the people feel about why ‘life is here’ and the viewpoints and perspectives of the locals.”]

The contest is open to all

residents of Davao City, including groups or organizations registered in the city from January 9 to February 10, 2017, winners will be announced on February 16, 2017, and the awarding will be on March 13, 2017.

Entries should be in digitized with at least 600 dpi and freehand illustration or drawing formats, measuring no bigger than A4 size.

Participant’s artwork should be drawn or illustrated using Adobe Photoshop and must be submitted in both flat JPEG format with minimum 300 pixels and original raw file such as .psd, .ai, and .corel.

Freehand artworks, on the other hand, should fit in and 8 in by 10 in short bond paper without any restrictions in the number of colors used.

A brief description or rationale, not more than 500 words, explaining the components of the logo should be included in the entry and logo design must not reflect or show any mark, initials, words, or phrases that identifies the artist or participating group.

Enclosed with the entry sender’s name, address, organization, contact number, and email. Participants may submit with a maximum of three entries.

The winners shall receive cash prizes worth P50,000 for the first place, P30,000 for the second place, and P20,000 for the third place.

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Davao anti-drug council seeks help of religious groups, NGOs T

HE Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) has reached to various sectors in the implementation of its programs out to help in reforming former drug users and pushers.

The council has also laid down plans to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs -- bringing it down to the grassroots level, which also requires the aggressive involvement of officials of barangays.

Michael Denton Aportade-

ra, the action officer of Cadac, said the help of various sectors is greatly needed in the holistic process of reform and reintegration of drug personalities in their communities.

“The involvement of these sectors is very important,” said Aportadera. “ “We wish to tap the spiritual guidance of the leaders of different religious groups, including the Muslim and protestants or the Buddhists.”

The council is already composed of representatives from

local government agencies, the Catholic Church, the academe, and other groups.

Recently, the council launched the program Tabangan Ang Reformist Aron Naay Asenso or Tara Na, a project that will assist former drug users to become productive after they have renounced and given up their dependence on drugs.

“We offer them reform through the Tara Na project,” said Aportadera. “ “We will provide them with all the necessary

interventions for them to get back on their feet and live, productive normal lives again.”

Tara Na is under the Davao City Community-Based Rehabilitation Aftercare Program for Persons with Substance Use Disorder.

CBRAP, on the other hand, aims to reactivate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council in all 183 barangays in the city. So far, 46 villages have already revived their respective anti-drug councils. CIO

STRESSING A POINT. City Health Office head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte holds a pack of dengue rapid diagnostic test kit while providing updates on dengue and human immunodeficiency virus during yesterday’s I-speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

NEW LANDMARK. DATEM Homes president Arnold De Asis and Dizon family representative Madeline Dizon Marfori lead the cutting of the ribbon to mark the opening of the company’s new Urban Hive Palms office along F.S. Dizon Street (formerly Bacaca Road) in Davao City yesterday. The inauguration was also in time for the Urban Hive Palms building 7 topping off ceremony. Lean Daval Jr.

Town turns over to DENR illegally cut Lawaan logs

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FFICIALS of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao have turned over Wednesday a total of 4,125 board feet of illegally cut “Lawaan” hardwood to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Maguindanao Environment and Natural Resources Officer Doming Dagadas said Datu Blah Sinsuat officials, with the help of police and the Marine Battalion Landing Team; intercepted the illegal wood shipment while loaded in a light vessel in Barangay Pura.

DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag has commended the local government unit for the efforts in protecting

the forest and the coastal areas in the municipality.

“We have a total log ban in the ARMM so we have to thank the Datu Blah Sinsuat officials for their effort,” Kedtag said.

Former Datu Blah Sinsuat Mayor Marshal Sinsuat, a member of the town’s natural resources watch group, said they would conduct investigation about the origin of the logs and identify its operators.

Just recently, the Maguindanao provincial government created the provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force with Governor Esmael Mangudadatu as the chairman.

F TOWN, 11

Caraga health reports decline in firecracker-related injuries

T

HE Caraga region’s health office has reported a remarkable decline in injuries from firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the recent holidays.

The health office recorded only 19 firecracker-related injuries based on their monitoring from Dec. 21 last year to Jan. 3 this year, an 82 percent decline from 81 injuries over the same period in 2015.

Agusan del Sur logged seven firecracker-related injuries (Dec. 27-Jan. 3), followed

by Surigao del Norte with five (Dec. 27-Jan. 2). A case was recorded in Agusan del Norte (Dec. 29) while no case was reported in Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

For the cities, Butuan City

recorded two (Dec. 25); Bayugan City, two (Dec. 28-Jan. 2); and Surigao City, two (Dec. 26-Jan. 1); while Bislig City and Tandag City recorded zero. Of the 19, 15 were male and four were female; while 17 cases were caused by the ‘piccolo’, one by a ‘five star’ and another by a ‘triangle’.

Of the victims, 11 belonged to the 6-10 age bracket; three to the 11-15 bracket; two from the 16-20 bracket; and two from the 21-25 bracket.

Majority of the victims were “active users”, while two were bystanders.

Both the regional health office and police found no case of indiscriminate firing of guns and no victim of stray bullets.

(PNA)

Partnership forged vs.

HIV/AIDS in Davao City

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

A

adlopez0920@gmail.com

LARMED over the growing number of HIV/AIDS cases in the region and in the city, authorities and private groups convened on Wednesday and finalized the conduct of a huge awareness campaign against HIV/AIDS and on responsible parenthood.

Dubbed as “HIV/AIDS Awareness and Responsible Parenthood Festival”, the activity is set on March 18 this year at the Crocodile Park in Davao City.

“This will be in a party mood while campaigns and process of raising the awareness of participants will be facilitated in various activities,” said Councilor Mary Joselle Dilig-Villafuerte, the chairperson of the committee on health of the city council in Davao City.

Prominent personalities in the show business will be invited to come during the occasion. President Rodrigo Duterte will also be invited to join the event, the organizers

added.

The event will be sponsored by the city government of Davao, the Department of Health (DOH), non-government organizations (NGOs) and the business sector.

Villafuerte said the upcoming activity will target the young population of Davao who are considered the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. High number of teenage pregnancy in the region and the city will also be part of the awareness campaign in March,

Villafuerte added.

Business groups also joined last Wednesday’s preparatory meeting led by businessman Phillip “Sonny” Dizon.

Dizon described HIV/AIDS as “clear and present danger” among the residents in the region especially the youth.

Aside from lectures and other awareness raising activities, booths will also be provided for those who wanted to undergo testing for HIV/AIDS.

during the last quarter of 2016.

“Therefore, the government needs to promote more resilient practices for rice production to minimize the impacts of climate-related shocks,” Pernia said.

For 2017 and 2018, the government expects inflation to be within the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent. This already considers the scenario of higher oil prices, pending petitions for adjustments in electricity rates, but especially, strong domestic economic activity.

“The inflation outlook is supported by the country’s brisk domestic demand conditions, buoyed by solid private household spending, higher

government expenditure, and adequate domestic liquidity,” added Pernia.

Inflation in December 2016 slightly rose to 2.6 percent from 2.5 percent in the previous month, bringing full-year 2016 inflation to 1.8 percent.

“The uptick in inflation last month was caused by price increases partly due to the holiday season and supply constraints on some food items,” said Pernia.

The full-year 2016 inflation of 1.8 percent is below the government’s target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent for the year, but higher than the 1.4 percent of 2015.

Food inflation for Decem-

ber 2016 increased to 3.7 percent from 3.5 percent in the previous month; and higher than the 1.8 percent in the same period in 2015.

Faster increases in the prices of bread and cereals, fish and meat were recorded.

Non-food inflation for December was pushed by transport and recreation and culture. The faster spike in transport costs can be attributed to the considerable increases in domestic petrol prices such as unleaded gasoline and diesel.

Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy prices, also inched up to 2.5 percent in December 2015 from 2.4 percent in the previous month. (PNA)

F PARTNERSHIP, 11

NEDA sees faster inflation in early 2017 T

HE National Economic and Development Authority said the damage that a succession of typhoons incurred to rice could lead to faster inflation in early 2017.

But it added that the government can keep inflation within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the next two years.

“The volatility in rice prices could affect the overall welfare of the Filipino families, particularly the poor who spend around 20 percent of their incomes on rice,” said NEDA Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

Typhoons Karen, Lawin and Nina hit the country

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

Banana coop in Comval T wins TRO vs. Unifrutti

DA commits Php335 million for‘Nina’-affected farmers

But‘other’coop blocks implementation T

HE small banana growing cooperative of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Mabini town in Compostela Valley won an initial victory when the provincial agrarian reform adjudicator (PARAD) issued a temporary restraining order granting its plea for its members not to sell their produce to the multinational Unifrutti company.

But as the 92 members of Mampising Farmers Marketing Cooperative (MFMC) tried to ship out their 800 boxes of newly harvested Cavendish bananas from the gate of Farm 2 in Brgy. Mampising Tuesday morning, officers and security guards of another coop tagged

by Parad Noel Condez as “company coop” loyal to Unifrutti/ Lapanday blocked their way that almost resulted in a scuffle between the two groups.

But they were restrained by peacekeeping police and military personnel around the vicinity, causing a standoff.

The 92 MFMC members have an aggregate area of 258 hectares inside the 707-hectare plantation whose export banana produce has been solely bought under monopoly condition by Unifrutti from Lapanday firm before.

In the afternoon, Condez called on a lawyer of the Unifrutti-controlled coop, the Mampising CARP Beneficiaries

Cooperative, to abide by his TRO ruling issued Dec. 29.

But MCBC officers led by their board of directors chairman Efren Cagumbay backed by more than a dozen of security guards defied Condez’ TRO and its directives.

On Wednesday, Cagumbay and his security guards further blockaded the Farm 2’s gate with vehicles, further stopping the exit of MFMC-owned bananas.

MFMC board chairman Victoriano Alinabon decried Lagumbay’s group action describing it as “illegal, provocative and in contempt against a lawful order.”

In addition to the TRO,

Condez has ordered that the rights of 92 MFMC members to deal separately from MCBMPC-Cagumpay group in the selling of bananas be respected, “free from harassment in any manner by Unifrutti’s security guards or the members of MCBMPC-Cagumpay group.”

Moreover, Condez ordered that MFMC members can sell their bananas to interested buyers at “fair and just prevailing price” in bananas’ export market.

MFMC members have been struggling for better marketing conditions as the price of a box of bananas has been fixed to $3.20. They claimed

F BANANA, 11

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has committed an initial P335.05 million assistance for farmers affected by typhoon ‘Nina’.

In a report, the DA said farmers in Bicol region will receive P217.55 million of the total amount.

Repair of six irrigation facilities and 135 flatbed dryers will also be provided worth P80.5 million.

In order to facilitate clearing and de-silting operations as well as land preparation and other farm activities, the DA will extend farm machineries costing Php50 million.

It will also provide certified and hybrid palay seeds, hybrid corn, urea fertilizer, assorted vegetable seeds, planting materials, restocking of animals, vaccination of animals and livestock, animal care, feed assistance, carabao and farm tools worth over Php87 million.

TDF regains strong bids

A

CREATIVE TILT. City Tourism Office chief Generose Tecson explains the mechanics, rules and regulations of Life is Here logo-making contest during yesterday’s I-speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

The DA also committed P17.3 million support for typhoon-affected farmers in Mimaropa.

It is ready to provide palay, white corn and assorted vegetable seeds, lanzones and calamansi planting materials, and banana tissue culture costing P10.45 million to farmers in Oriental Mindoro.

For Occidental Mindoro, certified palay seeds, OPV corn and hybrid corn seeds will be provided worth P5.92 million.

DA will likewise extend P925,000 production support such as certified palay seeds and OPV and hybrid corn seeds to farmers in Marinduque province.

It also committed P2.2 million assistance for farmers in Mulanay, Quezon; P28 million for fisherfolk in the province of Quezon; and P70 million for affected farmers in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon). (PNA)

TTRACTIVENESS of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Term Deposit Facility (TDF) returned Wednesday as banks are now willing to let go of their cash after the holidays.

Bids for both the seven-day and 28-day facilities were more than the offering, a resurgence after under subscriptions before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Data released by the BSP showed that banks tendered P43.991 billion for the shorter-term facility, more than the P30 billion offering. The auction committee made a full award for this tenor.

Weighted average accepted yield this week is 3.0722 percent and bid coverage ratio stood at 1.4664.

The 28-day facility received P217.523 billion worth of bids, also higher than the P150 billion offering. This was

also awarded in full.

Weighted average accepted yield is 3.3778 percent and bid coverage ratio is 1.4502.

Last December, the longer-tenor TDF experienced under subscriptions.

Monetary officials traced these to banks’ decision to keep their cash to insure that they have enough liquidity to service their clients and the public during the holidays.

During the auction last December 21, the auction committee made a partial award for the 28-day facility, amounting to P137.462 billion as against the P150 billion offering.

It was the first time the auction committee made a partial award for the TDF since its operation in June last year.

For the auctions on January 11 and 18, offering for the seven-day TDF will still be P30 billion and the 28-day facility for P150 billion. (PNA)

WTO needs ratification from 7 countries to enforce TFA Manila to host Asia Forum of Hong Kong biz group T

HE World Trade Organization only awaits seven members to complete domestic ratification for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) before the trade deal enters into force.

The TFA is close to its enforcement more than two years when WTO members adopted in November 2014 a Protocol of Amendment to make the deal enter into force once two-thirds or 110 out of 164 members have ratified the deal.

Hong Kong was the earliest member to ratify the TFA and notify the WTO in December 2014 while Canada was the last member to present the instrument of ratification on Dec. 16, 2016.

The Philippines, the 95th WTO member to ratify the deal, has also submitted its instrument of ratification to WTO on Oct. 27, 2016.

“The Philippines finds great value on the implementation of the TFA – not just for the big businesses – but also for local

micro, small and medium enterprises with the prospects of lowering trade costs and streamlining border procedures, which will enable them to participate more actively in international trade,” Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo earlier said.

All ASEAN countries, except for Indonesia, have submitted their instrument of ratification.

Singapore was the first to ratify the TFA followed by Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

The TFA includes measures to be implemented by Customs and other authorities on trade facilitation that will ease trade across borders.

The trade deal contains provisions to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

The implementation of TFA is projected to reduce total trade costs by more than 14 percent among low-income countries, more than 15 percent for lower middle-income countries, and

13 percent for upper middle-income countries.

It will also translate to increase in global merchandise exports by USD1.0 trillion annually.

Moreover, 90 members -including the Philippines -- have presented Category A notifications to the WTO. According to the WTO, Category A notification includes “provisions that the member will implement by the time the Agreement enters into force”.

For least-developed country (LDC)-members, these provisions may be implemented within a year after TFA enters into force.

Among the provisions notified by the Philippines as Category A commitments are: Publication; Information Available Through Internet; Enquiry Points; Notification; Opportunity to Comment and Information before Entry Into Force; Advance Rulings; Procedures for Appeal or Review; Detention; Test Procedures; General Disciplines on

Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation; Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for Customs Processing Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation; Penalty Disciplines; Pre-arrival processing; Separation of Release from Final Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees, and Charges; Risk Management; Establishment and Publication of Average Release Times; Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators; Expedited Shipments; Perishable Goods; Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control; Acceptance of Copies; Use of International Standards; Pre-shipment Inspection; Use of Customs Brokers; Common Border Procedures and Uniform Documentation Requirements; Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward and Outward Processing; Freedom of Transit; and Customs Cooperation. (PNA)

M

ANILA is set to host the 14th Asia Forum of Hong Kong Business Associations (HKBAs) in the region this year, said Hong Kong Chamber and Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (HKCCPI) President Anthony Chan.

Chan told the Philippines News Agency that this will be the first time for the Philippines to host the Asia Forum, which will be held in June.

“The Asia Forum was never held here in the country for the past 14 years. But this year it will be (held) in the country,” he said.

“That means Hong Kong Chambers in the region will come to the Philippines and will see more opportunities in the Philippines for investments,” he added.

The Asia Forum is an an-

nual gathering of HKBAs leaders in the region, which aims to deepen inter-association cooperation under the network of Federation of HKBAs Worldwide.

The Federation of HKBAs Worldwide, on the other hand, is present in three regions including Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.

In the past years, the Asia Forum was held in Singapore (2010, 2014, and 2016), Bangkok (2011 and 2015), Hanoi (2012), and Okinawa (2013).

Chan said businessmen from Hong Kong had renewed their interests in the Philippines as President Rodrigo Dutere ensured peace and order in the country as well as security and protection to businesses, which Chan noted as important to investors from Hong Kong. (PNA)

6 ECONOMY

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ARMM to turn over P150M Lamitan port expansion project

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OP officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are set to turnover on Friday, January 6, a P150Million expanded port project to executives of Lamitan City, Basilan.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman is expected to lead other regional officials for the turnover rites.

Engr. Soler Undug, Basilan district engineer, said the port expansion – involving 80-meter long and 20-meter widened pier – would be able to accommodate more sea vessels, including Roll-on Roll-off Ro-Ro) ferries.

The ARMM’s Public Works and Highways funded the project through its 2016 infrastructure budget.

The construction of the project started in April 2016.

The ARMM has sea ports operating in Jolo, Sulu; Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and Lamitan City,

Basilan; as well as the sub ports of Siasi in Sulu; Maluso in Basilan; Mapun, Sitangkai; and Sibutu in Tawi-tawi.

The regional government also exercises regulatory powers over six private docks operating in the region.

“It will be an economic gain.

With a bigger port, delivery of services would be more efficient and effective,” Hataman said.

In 2012, the regional government provided Php40 million for the initial expansion of the Lamitan port. Lamitan’s economy is based primarily on agriculture producing rice, tobacco, and garlic. Its major agricultural products include copra, rubber, and coffee.

At present, two passenger vessels serve the Lamitan City Zamboanga City route.

Hataman said the regional government would continue to rehabilitate and improve the region’s ports. (PNA)

WHAT RAIN BRINGS. Trisikad drivers like this one takes advantage of the rain to earn more as demand for trisikad ride increased yesterday especially near the universities and colleges around Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

renews call for DA presses P900M loan from Legarda zero-waste economy Japan to modernize agriculture S

T

HE Department of Agriculture is proposing a P900Million Japanese yen loan for the full mechanization on a first batch of selected rice farms under a program to modernize Philippine agriculture that can bring affordable food for every Filipino.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said his department hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding with Japan International Cooperation Agency for the farm

mechanization program loan during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Manila during the third week of January this year.

Piñol said the DA hopes the farm mechanization program could succeed in raising productivity of local farmers and in reducing post-harvest losses, which currently reaches an average of 16 percent of rice harvest nationwide.

Raising productivity includes lowering the average production cost

of rice farmers, which is currently estimated at an average of PHP12.41 per kilo of rice produced nationwide, he said.

Piñol said that under the Philippine Agricultural Modernization Program, the DA proposes to provide farmers in 10 model sites nationwide with farm equipment that include grains dryer and post-harvest facilities, technical support and institutional development.

Each of the model sites would have clusters of rice farms totaling

1,000-hectares per area.

In each of these clusters, the DA will coordinate with established cooperatives to handle the management of the farm equipment and the lease of the equipment to local farmers, he added.

JICA is currently assisting in the construction and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure facilities, such as irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities and potable water supply systems all over the Philippines. (PNA)

CHED invests in 76 daring research projects

C

OLLEGE faculty and staff will soon be able to design an indoor light-powered device with a 24-hour digital monitoring system that could automatically alert fire stations of smoke and fire hazards. Another initiative will develop special livestock feeds for the processing of organic meat and eggs.

These are among the 76 research proposals that will be funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Discovery-Applied Research and Extension for Trans/ Inter-disciplinary Opportunities (DARE TO) Research Grants program. Each project will receive financial support of up to Php15M for a duration of two years.

Of the 76 approved proposals, 41 came from Luzon, 10 from Visayas, and 25 from Mindanao. A total of 229 proposals received from different regions across the

Philippines underwent multiple and rigorous rounds of screening.

According to CHED Research Management Division Chief Custer Deocaris, the DARE TO grants aim to deliver outstanding and innovative research work while stimulating strong collaborative research among higher education institutions (HEIs). “The goal of the grant is to seek out truly groundbreaking and inspiring research. Most of the faculty we have in universities are very talented, and we want to dare them to take that leap,” said Deocaris.

CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan also noted that HEI faculty—who have either been deloaded or displaced due to the full implementation of the K to 12 Program this year—will conduct all of the approved research.

“The DARE TO Grants program is part of CHED’s

initiatives to assist our faculty and staff who were adversely affected by the ongoing K to 12 transition. At the same time, we are investing strategically in bold, innovative trans-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary research that can solve current socio-economic challenges and produce sustainable solutions,” said Licuanan.

Awarded research proposals will be developed around a combination of multiple subject areas and fields of inquiry. In addition, project teams will also be composed of faculty who represent at least two different HEIs for better collaboration between research institutions.

Aside from the two research projects mentioned, other awarded initiatives will focus on health systems, environment, terrestrial and marine economy, climate change and energy, economy, biodiversity and conser-

vation, smart analytics and engineering innovations, and education for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Music (STEAM).

For the complete list of approved research proposals, awarded HEIs, and more information about the DARE TO Research Grants, you may visit https://chedk12. wordpress.com/ dareto/ The K to 12 Transition Program The K to 12 Transition Program is a five-year effort aimed at the strategic development of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and personnel during the transition period from 2016 to 2021. The Program includes a range of programs to support faculty and staff through scholarships for master’s and doctoral programs, locally and abroad, non-degree programs, as well as institutional grants for HEIs. (CHED)

EN. Loren Legarda on Thursday renewed her call to public to contribute in observing and implementing laws that are meant to properly manage ecological solid waste in observance of Zero Waste Month.

Legarda said that Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law should be a “way of life” and should be observed and implemented properly.

“We have a very good law but effective implementation rests in the effort of everyone. Local government units (LGUs), including the barangays, should lead strict implementation by setting up materials recovery facility (MRF), implementing no segregation/no collection rule, closure and rehabilitation of open/controlled dis-

posal facility, use of sanitary landfill or alternative technology, and submission of 10-year solid waste management plan,” Legarda said.

She stressed that the whole community should be involved and every household should implement segregation at source and learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle as taught in schools.

To observe proper segregation, Legarda said that every household should have one trash can for biodegradable and food waste; and a separate trash can for recyclables or residual waste.

A third trash can should be for special or hazardous waste, busted lamps, radio and cellphone batteries. Meanwhile, paper that can be recycled, can be placed flat in a box or in a paper bag. (PNA)

Singapore eyes more flights; add more investments in RP

T

HE government of Singapore has expressed interest in increasing its investments in the Philippines, as well as adding more flights to Manila in anticipation of increased demand in air travel between the two countries.

In a recent meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Singaporean Ambassador to Manila Kok Li Peng said Singapore’s private sector would like to explore new growth opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in the retail, transportation, infrastructure and tourism sectors.

Ambassador Kok said Singaporean businessmen are planning to schedule the next meeting of the Philippines-Singapore Business Council in Davao City and, if possible, meet with President Duterte to discuss new business and investment activities in the Philippines.

“We’re trying to get a mixed meeting of the PSBC here. They want to bring the members to Davao to meet with the President,” Kok said, to which Dominguez responded that a possible date for such a dialogue could be in February.

Singapore’s investments in the Philippines--valued at P16.8 billion in 2015--are mostly in real estate activities, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and manufacturing.

Singapore was the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner in 2015. The country’s total exports reached $3.8 billion in 2015, mainly comprising electronic products, petroleum products, and electronic equipment and parts.

The Philippines, in turn, imported a total of $5 billion worth of goods from Singapore in 2015, mostly mineral fuels, lubricants, food and live animals, and industrial machinery and equipment.

Kok also said that Singapore is looking at the Philippines in exploring more markets for its airline industry.

“More competition is good for the consumer,” Kok said in explaining Singapore’s plan for its airline companies—Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Tiger Airways—to add more flights to the Philippines.

In response, Dominguez, a former chairman of the Philippine Airlines, agreed that opening the Philippines’ air travel industry to competition and even partnerships with other airlines would benefit the economy and boost the growth of the tourism sector.

Dominguez said the Duterte administration is “engaging more with ASEAN and countries around Asia” as a way to “move forward” and achieve a balance in strengthening the Philippines’ diplomatic ties with other nations across the globe. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

7 SUBURBIA

Tagum streamlines permit processing T

HE City Government of Tagum has formally streamlined the business permits renewal process dubbed as APR (Assess, Pay and Release) following its bold desire to make it easier for businessmen to do business in the city.

Mayor Allan L. Rellon said that the local government decided to streamline it from five to three steps just in time as the city kicks off the annual renewal of business permits for 2017.

He further added that the simplified process will be hassle-free for persons getting or renewing their business permits, especially now that the Business One-Stop Shop is already on its full swing at the Atrium of the New City Hall that will run until January 20, 2017, the designated deadline for business permit renewal.

The fast and easy threestep process includes Asses, Pay, and Release. After checking the requirements and getting a priority number, the client can proceed with the first step where the assessor can check their requirements.

Then, they can proceed to the treasurer’s office to pay the required fees. Lastly, a copy of

their business permit will then be released.

The requirements include barangay clearance, lease contract, gross declaration and BIR returns. The additional requirements depend on the kind of business. For market stallholders, they must submit market clearance and market lease contract. For cooperatives, BIR returns are needed.

Big businesses or corporations need to present their certificate of good standing and general information sheet. For massage parlors and maternity clinics, city health office certificate and list of employees with basic information position (age, gender, address, and contact number) is required. Lastly, water retailers need their latest bacteriological result.

The Business Permit and Licensing Division is hopeful that they can surpass the number of renewed business permits during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, majority of those who already renewed their business permits noted the swift process this year, tagging this year’s business one-stop shop as efficient and effective. (Mj de Castro/CIO Tagum)

NOTHER local government unit pledged its commitment along with the active participation of the community as Pantukan launched the MASA MASID program or the “Mamamayang ayaw sa anomalya, Mamamayang ayaw sa ilegal na droga” on January 4, 2017 at the Provincial Gym in Brgy.

Kingking, Pantukan.

The first municipality in the province to launch the Masa Masid, Mayor Roberto M. Yugo, who is also the Comval president of the League of Municipalities of the Phils. (LMP), found it timely to hold such event considering the significant role of the community in the fight against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“Daku ang kabahin sa kumonidad o mamamayan sa pagsugpo sa korupsyon, krimen ug illegal na droga.

The national government can only do so much. Kung adunay kwestyonableng transaksyon…ang komunidad ang unang maapektuhan. It is only fitting that the ones severely affected by the problem should be in the forefront in addressing it as well,” Gov. Jay-

vee Tyron L. Uy said.

Joining the local chief executives in the ceremonial launching are DILG Provincial Director Noel Duarte, Cong. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, SP Member Vivencia Secuya, Mawab Mayor Rupet Gonzaga, PNP Prov’l Dir. Armando S. De Leon, Pantukan Vice Mayor Hajarah Ranain-Divinagracia and other local officials, religious sectors, and NGOs. Witnessed by a huge crowd, guests and officials also pledged and signed the commitment for the Masa Masid program.

“Mao kini ang tumong, ang ipadayag na dili solong responsibilidad sa gobyerno ang siguruhon na abre ug limpyo ang gobyerno... Dili solong obligasyon sa gobyerno na humanon ang pagkuyanap sa illegal na droga apan anaa natong tanan,” the governor added.

The province already launched Masa Masid on December 8, 2016 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds in Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval.

“We deepen the involvement and participation of

Masa Masid launched in Pantukan

A

F MASA, 13

FULL FORCE. Throngs of assessors are deployed at the Atrium of the New City Hall in time for the Business One-Stop Shop in Tagum City that kicked off last January 3, 2017 and which will run until January 20, 2017. (Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum)

GenSan eyes P200-M revenue from permit renewal, registration

T

HE city government is targeting to generate around P200 million in revenues in line with the annual renewal of business permits and registration of new businesses.

Rodilon Lacap, assistant city treasurer, said Wednesday around 9,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city are expected to renew their business permits until the end of the scheduled renewal period on Jan. 20.

He said such figure was based on the number of registered local businesses that steadily increased in the last

several years.

On Tuesday, the city government opened a one-stopshop at its Investment Building for the business permits renewal and registration.

Lacap said the one-stopshop hosts all local government offices that are involved in the processing and issuance of business permits.

He said they also provided desks for other government offices that issue clearances required in the issuance of business permits, among them the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Social Security System (SSS).

The official urged busi-

ness owners and those who intend to register new ventures to avail of the services of the one-stop-shop.

“To avoid cramming and crowding, please come on time and if possible, make your transactions as early as this week,” he said.

Lacap said they have streamlined the processing and issuance of business permits through various initiatives.

He said they initially opened the application last month and about 1,000 MSMEs have responded.

On Tuesday, some business owners who availed of

such service and submitted complete requirements were able to get their business permits in just an hour.

Geraldine Zamora, chief of the city permits and licensing division, clarified that business owners may process their permits even if they lack some of the required clearances.

She specifically cited clearances issued by national government offices.

But she said business owners will only be issued with temporary permits and they need to comply with the lacking requirements within 90 days. (PNA)

units are also encouraged to do the same and take control of their own peacekeeping programs.

“Cotabato City has set the bar for the other cities in Region 12. I feel very proud that Cotabato City was chosen to become the model city among all the other more progressive cities in the region. It only shows that we are the most improved and our joint ronda is truly one of our best practices”, City Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

During the traditional courtesy call of the different offices of the city government to the city mayor, she

has expressed her plans for 2017. Mayor Guiani-Sayadi is optimistic that 2017 will be a better year for Cotabato City with all the remarkable projects that are already in the pipeline. She enjoined the cooperation of all the departments in the pursuit of a highly urbanized Cotabato City.

The mayor has also revealed that several investors—both foreign and local—are set to enter the city this year. The construction of the KCC Mall will also commence in the first quarter of 2017. With the rising trend in the global demand for halal products, Cotabato City is seen to be the country’s “halal hub”.

“Cotabato City is now moving forward. We are already thinking global. This may be one giant leap but we are taking it with full confidence and strong will. I know that with the support and cooperation of our people and our partners in the government and private sector, we can achieve all our plans”, the Mayor added. (PR)

Cotabato City, model city of Region 12 – PNP

T

HE Police Regional Office XII lauded the efforts of the city government of Cotabato in peacekeeping and named Cotabato City as the “model city” of Region XII. For the past months, especially during the second semester of 2016, crime rate in Cotabato City has significantly decreased as compared to the crime rate at the same time in 2015. The eight focus crimes as identified by the City PNP such as murder, theft, robbery, carnap and others had a decrease of over 25% as of November 2016. PNP officials said that this number is still expected to go down.

One of the reasons that the city police is eyeing on this decrease is the nightly joint ronda conducted by the City LGU and the City PNP, headed by City Mayor Atty.

Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi. The team has apprehended 188 individuals during the conduct of the “Project Double Barrel” of the PNP targeting drug sellers and users in the city. More than 700,000

peso worth of drugs and drug paraphernalia were also confiscated by the authorities.

Because of this achievement, Cotabato City was recognized by the Regional PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

In the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Police Regional Office 12 Training Center where City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi was guest of honor, PRO 12 Director Gen. Cedrick Train praised the city’s LGU-PNP Joint Ronda for its successful attempts in curbing the crime rates in Cotabato City. He says, other local government

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

EDITORIAL

No special treatment

S

EN. Leila de Lima will be facing the ethics complaints filed against her before the Senate.

She said she wanted to give “the benefit of the doubt” to colleagues tasked to investigate her and hoped they would inhibit themselves if they feel that their impartiality has been compromised.

De Lima, President Rodrigo Duterrte’s stanch critic, is facing three separate ethics complaints rooted in drug allegations against her.

She is obviously referring to some members of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges who had been hostile against her during the Senate hearings on the President’s bloody war on drugs.

De Lima earlier said she was “not sure” about the fairness of some of the committee members. How she had become

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paranoid about fairness speaks heaps of how she also had been dealing with matters taken on the Senate floor especially on the hearings on illegal drugs and extra judicial killings.

The ethics committee is chaired by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, while members include Senators Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe, Gregorio Honasan, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda.

De Lima had better seen this forthcoming. Her posturing during hearings, interviews and how he disregarded a House probe speaks much of her as a lawmaker.

Everyone expects her to be direct to the point and answer the allegations squarely and do away with name-callings and general denials which would not help her cause in the final reckoning.

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EDGEDAVAO

F

ROM the looks of it, federalism is going to take a very rough ride.

Members of the elite who compose the oligarchy are using their resources to make it very difficult for federalist advocates to even take the first step.

Oligarchs are anti-federalism because this proposed new form of government, with a shift to a parliamentary system, will threaten their very existence, including their influence over national policies, particularly the shaping of economic and political directions.

Notice that these rich business magnates and taipans, who are few in numbers, are the giants of every industry in this country. They own virtually - or are majority shareholders of - all existing concerns be it in manufacturing, food and agricultural production, media and educational institutions, transportation, technology and telecom, real estate development, mining and oil exploration, power and energy companies, etc.

Name it and these oligarchs are into it.

They are also the biggest political funders and contributors.

Pres. Duterte, as the primary mover of federalism, is seeking to change the 1987 Con-

W

ORLDWIDE, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the US-based St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which works closely with leading American pediatric oncologists. In the United States, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease -- more than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined.

“Two-thirds of children treated for childhood cancer will suffer long-term effects from treatment including loss of hearing and sight, heart disease, secondary cancers, learning disabilities, infertility and more,” the foundation points out.

Cancer is a rare disease among children, occurring in only 1 of 5,000 children every year. “The types of cancer that we see in children are different from adults,” said Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo, the head of the Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC).

“Childhood cancers are usually embryonal or deep seated and aggressive while adult cancers are epithelial in origin and can be slow growing,” Dr. Dolendo explained in a recent interview. If you care to known, epithelial tissue, which is made up of cells closely packed and range in one or more layers, covers the whole surface of the human body.

“In contrast to many adult cancers,” writes The Merck Manual of Medical Information, “cancers in children tend to be much curable.” In fact, the overall outlook for children with cancer has improved greatly over the last half century.

“In 1975, just over 50 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years,” reports the US Nation-

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Oligarchs blocking federalism stitution, a SPECKS OF LIFE job that three p re s i d e n t s before him – FVR, Erap Estrada and GMA – all failed to do during their respective incumbencies.

Fred C. Lumba Oligarchs constitute less than one percent of our population. This inequitable distribution of wealth has prevented the Philippines from creating a strong, politically-matured middle class. They pretend to create a pro-poor image by instituting a company policy that is heavily-cloaked as a “corporate social responsibility” program.

A Third World country such as the Philippines needs total people empowerment to get out of the deep poverty the Filipinos are suffering from today.

The present unitary form of government has shackled our mass-based electorate thus

preventing them from exercising the democratic principles enshrined in the fundamental law of the land.

That this is a government of, by and for the people is no longer the truism that is being invoked.

The concentration of too much power in a highly-centralized system of governance in the imperial halls of Metro Manila destroyed effectively the principle that sovereignty emanates from the people.

Oligarchs have many friends in high places – in the bench and judiciary, in both houses of Congress and even in the executive chambers of the Palace.

Oligarchs, because of the vastness of their reach and resources, have also elected sons and daughters, relatives, nephews and nieces embedded in cities, municipalities and congressional districts to ensure their influence is felt even by the grassroots.

If you can observe and see, the mainstream media are controlled by the oligarchy.

They get to air, publish and broadcast issues favourable to them and magnify these as gospel-truth.

It is of record that the 1987 charter was

enacted by people appointed by Pres. Cory and made haste to circumnavigate the then prevailing constitution under the Marcos regime.

It was initially successful as the powersthat-be demonized without let-up the achievements of the Marcos presidency by continuously articulating the evils that martial law brought upon us.

The glaring truth is that the 1987 Cory constitution bred more oligarchs than we perceive them to be, in contrast to the Marcos cronies.

These Cory leeches and sycophants managed to prevent legitimate foreign competition to come in by interposing a provision in the 1987 charter restricting them to a 60-40 share, a restriction that is now being sought to be repealed by federalism advocates.

This economic restriction has banned the entry of huge foreign investments that could have generated livelihood, employment and income opportunities.

Pres. Digong is correct in focusing attention to dismantle the influence of oligarchs.

Get rid of the greedy and the tyrants.

Federalism is the ONLY way. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

al Cancer InstiTHINK ON THESE! tute (NCI). “In 2004-2010, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years.”

C h i l d hood can- Henrylito D. Tacio cer isn’t just one henrytacio@gmail.com disease. “There are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and countless subtypes, each requiring specific research to develop the best treatment for every child,” says St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The most common cancers of children are: leukemia, brain and other central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma (a cancer that grows in parts of the nervous system), Wilms’ tumor (a specific kind of cancer of the kidneys), lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), rhabdomyosarcoma (the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children), retinoblastoma (a cancer of the retina, the light-sensing area at the back of the eye), and bone cancer (including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma).

Like most cancers, the causes of most childhood cancers are not known. The NCI says about 5% of all cancers in children are caused by an inherited mutation (a genetic mutation that can be passed from parents to their children). For example, 25-30% of cases of retinoblastoma are caused by an inherited mutation in a gene.

“Most cancers in children, like those in adults, are thought to develop as a result of mu-

tations in genes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer,” NCI says. “In adults, these gene mutations are often the result of exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke, asbestos, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun.”

Unfortunately, childhood cancers are not given much prominence unlike adult cancers. “I think childhood cancer is a significant problem among Filipinos because we have a relatively young population and children comprise 40% of our population,” Dr. Dolendo deplored.

“I would like to point out though that childhood cancer is still relatively uncommon accounting to only 10% of all cancers and 90% being adult cancers,” she added. “In Mindanao, we expect about 1,000 new cases to be diagnosed every year.”

Unfortunately, of the 1,000 news cases annually, only 200-250 are diagnosed and able to access treatment.

Although childhood cancer is curable, Dr. Dolendo said the treatment may take several months and even years for some. “I think one of the major stumbling blocks in the treatment and cure among children with cancer is the lack of access to health care institutions that can provide multispecialty care,” she pointed out.

Having a child with cancer is a big burden to the family. The Merck manual shares this information: “It is difficult for the health care team and the family to maintain a sense of normalcy for the child, especially considering the child’s frequent hospitalizations and office visits for treatment of the cancer and its complications. Overwhelming stress is typical, as parents struggle to continue to work, be attentive to siblings, and still attend to the many needs of the child with cancer.”

Even if parents can afford to have their child

with cancer treated, it may not be for long. “Most of (the patients) dropped out of treatment because of the length of treatment,” the doctor who founded the House of Hope, a transient home for children with cancer. “Families were exhausted financially and emotionally. Survival was less than 10% because of financial incapacity and treatment abandonment.”

According to Dr. Dolendo, almost 150 new patients from all over Mindanao come to seek treatment to SPMC every year.

“We monitor our patients closely after treatment,” she said. “Chances of relapse is higher during the first two years and we sigh with relief after 5 years but we consider ten years without relapse as cure.”

Its data for six years (2008-2014) showed that for acute lymphoblastic leukemia alone, the overall survival is 59% over 6 years. “This is quite good considering majority of our patients come from marginalized families and would not have a chance at all for cure considering the total cost of treatment,” she admitted.

Pediatric solid tumors require more resources considering they entail surgery, chemotherapy and even radiotherapy; average overall survival is about 50% across tumor types. Late stage presentation and treatment compliance and abandonment are still major challenges but providing cure for children with cancer does not happen overnight even in the best places.

Most people believe that if a person is diagnosed of having a cancer, it mean’s death sentence. This must be the reason why the “Survivor’s Day” was launched every December.

“We asked those survivors of child cancer to come here on the said date,” Dr. Dolendo said. “We want to celebrate life and provide inspiration to other patients who are undergoing treatment.”

When children have cancer

10 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

TLI, TSI conform with international audit T

HERMA Luzon, Inc. (TLI) and Therma South, Inc. (TSI) passed a surveillance audit conducted by TÜV Rheinland Philippines Inc., an affiliate of Germany-based leading technical services provider TÜV Rheinland Group.

TLI and TSI obtained their respective ISO 9001 certifications in 2015 after passing the certification audit. Securing the ISO certification and conforming to the annual surveillance audits are part of AboitizPower’s commitment to place utmost value in quality processes that enhances a culture of excellence and satisfies customers.

TLI owns the 700-MW Pagbilao thermal power plant located in Quezon Province.

TSI, on the other hand, owns and operates the 300-MW (2x150MW) thermal power plant located in Barangay Binugao, Toril District, Davao City and Barangay Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The annual surveillance audits are being conducted

by a third party to ensure the organization continues to conform to the standards of ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

“Our conformance to the ISO 9001 surveillance audit shows that AboitizPower, TLI and TSI put a priority on the continuous improvement of its systems to ensure we provide top quality services and continue to answer the needs of our stakeholders,” said Sebastian R. Lacson, President and COO - Coal Generation Group.

“This achievement was made possible by all team members and team leaders who embraced the principles of quality management.”

During the surveillance audit last September, TUV Rheinland Philippines checked whether all processes complied with actions specified by certification standards and if everyone in the organization, especially the top management, supported the quality management system.

NERGY Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi pushes to firm up measures by each concerned agencies and power stakeholders during the course of the Malampaya maintenance repair from 28 January to 16 February 2017 to ensure readiness of all stakeholders and by way of ensuring consumers are protected from any market abuses.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will closely coordinate with all Malampaya stakeholders including the Malampaya Consortium, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Power Sector Assets

and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp., Philippine Electricity Market Corp.

(PEMC) and power generation companies and other distribution utilities to ensure sufficiency of power supply during the shutdown period.

Initially, Sec. Cusi instructed that “Materials, equipment and other assets necessary for the maintenance of Malampaya should all be delivered by January 15 and these should be ready for deployment to make sure that the repair activities should remain on schedule.”

The DOE noted that during the maintenance activities, some power plants

are on scheduled maintenance as well. Based on initial study, the lowest projected power supply capacity during the period stood at 8,747 MW on 18 February, while highest demand is projected to reach 8,610 MW on 9 February.

To ensure sufficient power supply, the DOE requires the affected natgas power plants to run on alternative or replacement fuel but it is more expensive than natural gas. Natural Gas as fuel only costs around P4/kilowatt-hour and replacement fuel, such as diesel which costs around P6-P8/kWh. Sec. Cusi then emphasized that “the Department is

exploring all possible options and remedies to maximize protection for consumers.”

Moreover, to augment power supply, the DOE readies the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) in which around 900MW are enrolled.

Further, the DOE also encourages consumers to practice effective “demand-side management.”

The Secretary of Energy also enjoined that “The public should also be proactive in computing the effect of price adjustments to be provided in the simulations given by the agencies concerned to for consumers to practice efficiency measures to avoid price shocks.” (PR)

the fishermen’s associations to strategic locations in the interior areas called the Provincial Fish Distribution Centers.

The Centers would be equipped with cold storage and ice-making facilities where fish vendors could buy wholesale for resale in the wet markets.

In other more remote areas, a municipal Fish Distribution Center could also be set up where local vendors could also buy wholesale at a lower price.

Piñol noted that in many fishing grounds, up to 40% of the fish catch is lost to spoilage simply because there are no cold storage or ice-making facilities.

While ordinary fish like “tamban” or sardines is sold for as low as P20 to P25 per kilo in many fishing communi-

ties, many poor families living in the mountains and interior towns and villages could not buy fish.

Under the present system, private fish traders who own fish cars buy from the fish consolidators in the fish ports.

They would then bring the fish supply to the interior towns but by then the price would already be too high mainly because of the profit earned by the fish consolidator and the kilos of fish the fish cars throw into the police and military checkpoints along the route.

By the time, the P25-perkilo “tamban” reaches the interior areas, the price would have already breached P200 per kilo.

PFDA General Manager Glen Pangapalan proposed the system to Secretary Piñol,

who approved it as it fits President Duterte’s concept of a National Food Supply Positioning and Distribution System.

DA Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona, BFAR Director, was immediately directed to coordinate with the PFDA for the immediate implementation of this program for 2017.

“Isda sa Kabukiran” now stands as one of the major innovations in the fishing industry which would ensure that our fishermen would earn more from their labor, the DA Secretary said.

It would ensure the availability of low-cost fish in the countryside where farmers and farm workers also contribute to President Duterte’s commitment of “Available and Affordable Food,” Piñol said.

(DA)

F TLI, 13

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. continues to conform with international standards on quality management systems under ISO 9001. Another AboitizPower subsidiary, Therma Luzon, Inc., also recently conformed with a third-party audit under ISO 9001.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/TSI)

DOE pushes simulations to safeguard consumers PLDT Global launches Smart Negosyo package E

DA, BFAR, PFDA prepare plan to sell fish in remote areas

T

HE Bureau of Fisheries and the Philippine Fishports Development Authority, two agencies of government which are under the Department of Agriculture, have come up with a nationwide program to facilitate the distribution of fish straight from the fish ports to the remote towns of the country.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the program called “Isda sa Kabukiran” or Fish in the Rural Areas would entail the direct involvement of the BFAR and the PFDA in a distribution system wherein the fishing communities and fishermen would be organised and provided with ice-making and cold storage facilities.

From the cold storage facilities, fish would then be brought by fish cars owned by

M

ILLIONS of Filipinos continue to work overseas to help provide a better life for loved ones and to secure for themselves a comfortable, more stable retirement life in the future.

In the 2015 Global Pinoy Entrepreneurial Survey conducted by PLDT Global, majority of the Filipino respondents expressed their aspiration of owning a sustainable business to help augment their income and support their dependents in the Philippines. Results showed that the top three businesses that they would like to invest in are 1) e-loading stations; 2) food carts; and 3) water refilling stations.

PLDT Global Corporation, through its Smart World brand, has come up with a perfect gift this season to answer the wishes of our overseas Filipinos and their families—the Smart Negosyo Package.

The Smart Negosyo Package is a load retailer business for families of Filipinos working abroad. It comes with a retailer SIM, mobile phone, retailer manual, and retailer merchandise, that can be purchased for as low as $64.00 for kits with P2,000 worth of e-load, and up to $128.00 for kits with P5,000 worth of e-Load.

Overseas Filipinos can now purchase and also reload their Smart load retail kit online via the Smart World Store (www.smartpinoystore. com). They can pay directly online using a debit or credit card or pay in cash through the PayRemit outlets in UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. Once the order is confirmed and paid for, the retailer kit will be delivered

directly to the address in the Philippines provided by the buyer. For reload bundles, the reload amount will be credited to the retailer number provided. The recipient of the retailer kit can already start selling load as soon as the load credit has been received by the account. Smart will then send regular reminders to the customer abroad to reload the retailer SIM via the Smart World Store.

“This special Negosyo package was designed with the overseas Filipinos in mind. We have proven over the years that the e-loading business is a sound business model, and also lucrative because the product being sold is like a basic commodity for most Filipinos. This is a good investment that can empower Filipino expatriate workers and their families to shore up their income while working abroad,” said Kat Luna-Abelarde, president of PLDT Global Corporation.

“With over 12 million overseas Filipinos celebrating the holiday season in the Middle East, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, United States, and United Kingdom, this is a practical gift that they can share with their families in the Philippines,” added Abelarde.

The Smart World Store is an online portal that allows overseas Filipinos to buy gifts for their loved ones back at home, ranging from affordable negosyo packages, gift checks, to the latest gadgets at flexible and secure payment options.

Order the Smart e-Load Negosyo kit that fits your startup budget through www.smartpinoystore.com. [PR]

INdulge!

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE SMILES OF CHILDREN ON CHRISTMAS, and each year, Abreeza Mall strives to draw out those gleeful grins with treats tailored just for kids.

One of these is Barangay Kids Day, an annual celebration for the children of Barangay 20-B of Davao City’s Poblacion District to which Abreeza Mall belongs.

With the help of Barangay Captain Gina Murillo, Abreeza Mall invited 200 children from the barangay’s resident families to Abreeza Mall’s Activity Center on December 28, 2016 to take part in an afternoon of games, gifts, and great surprises.

Barangay Kids Day kicked off with exciting parlor games which let winning kids walk away with awesome prizes. These were followed by a mindblowing magic show and an acrobatic spectacle which kept the youngsters in the audience on the edge of their seats.

As the children marveled at the succession of stunts onstage, they dug into filling meals from Jollibee. A surprise appearance by the Jollibee mascot gave the kids more photo opportunities to treasure.

As the event wrapped and all 200 children sat back with smiling faces, full bellies, and eager hands clutching specially prepared gift bags, they shouted in unison, “Thank you, Abreeza Mall!”

Barangay Kids Day is a yearly activity that has been part of Abreeza Mall’s Christmas season celebration since the mall’s first year in 2011.

For inquiries and updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332.

Stay updated by liking www.facebook. com/AbreezaMall and following @ abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO Barangay Kids Day is a yearly Christmas season treat by Abreeza Mall.

Abreeza holds annual kiddie Christmas party

Clockwise from top: Gifts, sweets, and mind-blowing entertainment are just some of the treats kids enjoyed.

Kids troop onstage for a photo opportunity with Jollibee.

The kids are all smiles as they dig into their Jollibee meals.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

GMA launches new romantic drama WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF FOUR EQUALLY HANDSOME GUYS FALL FOR ONE GIRL? How can that girl choose just one?

GMA Network makes the year’s first quarter an exciting time for all with the launch of the light-hearted, romantic drama “Meant To Be”.

Beginning January 9, this series is all set to make Kapuso viewers’ believe that there is one person out there who is meant for you.

In the primetime soap, Barbie Forteza is Billie, a typical millennial with issues in life. Her parents Wilton (Keempee de Leon) and Amelia (Ma-

nilyn Reynes) are not in good terms. Her brother Bats played by Sef Cadayona is jobless. So, she works hard to make ends meet for her family. She is strong, intelligent, and independent and Billie will stop at nothing to fulfil her priorities.

Despite all these setbacks, Billie is thank-

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ful to Mariko played

by Mika dela Cruz, her cousin, who has been her confidant and pillar of strength. Mariko is the daughter of Suzy (Tina Paner), the fraternal twin sister of her mother Amelia. They had a strained relationship since they were young. In spite of this, Amelia tried her best to connect with her sister. She even formed a singing trio together with Suzy and her friend Beatriz played by Sheryl Cruz.

However, Amelia had to leave the group because she got pregnant with Bats. Their group eventually disbanded.

However, Billie and Mariko are very close unlike their mothers. Billie is the cheerleader of Mariko who is soft-spoken and shy. But their relationship and friendship will be put to the test when Billie meets four guys of different nationalities who will try and compete against each other to win her heart.

Ivan Dorschner, plays the role of Ethan SpencerHughes. Ethan is the ideal-guy-slash-perfect-boyfriend. He is charming, romantic, and ultimately loyal. He comes back to the Philippines hoping to reconnect with his mom after his dad passed away who left him with a huge amount of inheritance.

Addy Raj breathes life to the role of Jai Patel - a

man from Mumbai whose life resembles to a Bollywood film. He’s hyper, friendly, and he does not take life seriously, not even with girls.

Jak Roberto is Macoy dela Cruz, the only pureblooded Filipino in the group. Among the boys, Macoy is the only one who comes from a middle-class family. He’s shy and just follows what he is told to do.

And lastly, Ken Chan is the Filipino-Chinese Yuan Lee, a hot-headed guy with lots of angst and frustrations in life. He’s an illegitimate son of a Chinese business man and even as a kid, he has

always tried to live up to his father’s standards but he always fail. He becomes rebellious against his father and turns his attention to sports.

As destiny would have it, all four will eventually fall in love with Billie and their friendship will be jeopardized. Cultures will clash and various problems will arise in their respective families and love lives. How will the four boys compete for the love of one girl and how can that girl choose just one?

Joining Billie, Ethan, Jai, Macoy, and Yuan in this rollercoaster ride will be a roster of actors known for their acting

prowess: That’s Entertainment’s Triplets, Manilyn Reynes as Amelia, Sheryl Cruz as Beatriz, and Tina Paner as Lucy; Keempee de Leon as Winston; and Sef Cadayona as Bats with the special participation of Ms. Gloria Romero as Lola Madj with Stephanie Sol as Cacai, Zymic Jaranilla as Toti, and for her first GMA Netwrok drama, Mika dela Cruz as Mariko.

Meant To Be is a product of the visionary mind of Palanca Awardee Renei Dimla (concept creator and head writer); under the tutelage of the Creative Team headed by Roy Iglesias (Creative Director), Jake Tordesillas (Primetime Slot 3 Block Head), Agnes GageloniaUligan (Primetime 3 Head), under the capable supervision of the Production team of GMA Drama headed by Ms. Lilybeth G. Rasonable (SVP For ETV), Ms. Redgie Magno (VP For Drama), Ms. Cheryl Ching-Sy (AVP for Drama), Ms. Hazel Felizmenio Abonita (Program Manager) and Ms. Lani Sandoval (Executive Producer).

Under the direction of LA Madridejos, catch Meant To Be beginning January 9 right after Alyas Robin Hood on GMA Telebabad.

Get the latest updates about MEANT TO BE from the official website of GMA Network www. gmanetwork.com and official Facebook page www.facebook.com/GMANetwork.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

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EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

DAVAO... FROM 1

being the host of the event since the Central 911, Task Force Davao and Joint Task Force Haribon, Civil Security Unit, and DCPO would be together in providing security to the visitors.

Cirunay said they are ex-

pecting around 500 to 1000 foreign visitors this month.

“We are forming incident management teams from the national level to regional and local groups to assist us for the influx of foreign diplomats,” he said.

Speaking to Edge Davao before returning to Manila after a New Year break, Ramirez said that the Tagaytay meeting will tackle the past performance of the Philippine sports team in its participation in the SEA Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games.

“If we analyze our performance from 1990 up to 2016, the PSC had spent more than P10 billion, but out of this, what can we show for it?” the PSC chief said.

Referring to the dismal record of the national sports associations (NSA) and other groups involved in Philippine sports, Ramirez said that “if we will not reform, we will not behave, then we will focus our budget on the grassroots sports development program through the sports institute.”

“We will have a very delicate, very serious discussion because if we tolerate this situation without taking into consideration seriously about the people’s money that we are spending, I will not be part of it,” said Ramirez.

The PSC chief bared that the Philippine Institute of Sports and Science, the missing link in the country’s effort to achieve excellence in sports, will be launched this month.

The institute will have 12 regional training centers all over the country to spot and

train potential champions.

With a sports science building in the Ultra, the institute will link up with the Korean Institute of Sports, Australian Institute of Sports and the Russian Institute of Sports.

“We will purchase bio-mechanics equipment, acquire physiology machines and the like to provide science to our elite athletes,” he said, adding that “we are putting up modern high performance training centers with weights and conditioning equipment in the 12 regional training centers.”

Ramirez said the Philippine sports and science institute will have five regional training directors and more or less 50 sports coordinators working with members of the League of Governors and Mayors for the first time.

The instruction of President Duterte to develop community sports can be realized through the institute which will have five sports psychologists, five sports nutritionists, and five medical doctors. Included in this group “to be the source of expertise” of the provinces are the local counterparts and the accredited coaches of the national sports associations.

On funding, Ramirez said the PSC now has P75 million “waiting for us to spend starting January for operation.”

AMA

tic that the intensified campaigned against dengue fever will result in significant decrease in the number of cases and fatalities caused by the killer disease.

Villafuerte reminded the public to practice the “4S” campaign to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases.

The 4S means Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days; use Self-protection measures; Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, and say no to “indiscriminate fogging.”

Villafuerte explained that the public has to coordinate with the authorized sanitary

inspections for the fogging activity, adding that the public has to eliminate the source of reproduction for mosquitos.

“It will be useless because the mosquito eggs will still hatch into adult mosquitoes,” she added.

The CHO is also calling everyone to participate in the clean-up drive as they had observed that most victims have clean houses “but do have an unclean neighborhood.”

“We are reiterating that the best way to prevent dengue is through sustained cleanliness and sanitation which the general public should be mindful about,” Villafuerte reiterated.

A civilian, identified as Sorelo Quino of Sitio Puas Inda, Amas, was injured in the conduct of pursuit operation after the jailbirds who killed held him hostage for several hours.

The massive pursuit operations resulted in the recapture of 12 escapees identified as Jason Angkanan, Wennie Curimo Rota, Faisal Tiburon, Joselito Tomines, Jerome Oguit, Melvin Antipuesto Canete, Mohammad Mama, Roli M Dinampo, Faisal Bansilan and Ginda Angkil, Richel Vales Flores, and Joreste Robles Per-

dido.

Senior Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police director, said intense pursuit operations is underway to recover the remaining fugitives through the augmentation of the PNP’s Provincial Public Safety Forces, Regional Public Safety Battalion 12, PNP’s Special Action Force, and military’s 39th and 7th Infantry Battalions.

The operation is focused in several villages in the adjacent towns of M’lang and Matalam here. (PNA)

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NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO

UMBRELLA TIME. Pedestrians including these Hindu students protect themselves with umbrella against the heavy downpour as some parts of Mindanao including Davao City were hit by low pressure area since early morning yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Palace appeals for calm after Cotabato jail attack ALACANANG appealed on Wednesday for calm and sobriety after around 100 inmates escaped when more than 100 armed men attacked the North Cotabato District Jail in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.

“We assure our people that manhunt operations on the

M

escapees are now underway,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press statement.

Abella said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) units in Region 12 and nearby provinces are now on heightened alert.

He said authorities have yet to identify the armed group that

In 2011, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman issued a directive creating the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force.

The formation of the task force was preceded by Hataman’s issuance of an order for a total log ban in the region.

Kedtag said his office would further strengthen its partnership with local government units to stop ille-

gal logging activities in the ARMM. Only last month, the DENR-ARMM seized 28,700 board feet of illegal logs in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, and ordered closure of three sawmills in the area.

Since the implementation of the log ban in the region, the total forest cover in ARMM increased by 6.8 percent, according to Kedtag. (PNA)

that they were free from the clutches of Unifrutti price control, they could earn as high as P40,000 per month than the present average of P3,000.

Condez added that Unifrutti has been buying bananas of MFMC three times lower than the current market value of export bananas.

He also stated that coop shares given to MFMC members were “not enough for sustenance, for educational needs and health needs of senior citizen members while bountiful shares of the produce are benefitting only the few of the officers and members of MCBMPC identified with Unifrutti/ Lapanday.”

In issuing the TRO, Condez said that Cagumpay “cannot account” for the P51.336 million land amortization to the Land Bank in 1991-2015, and the P80 million irrigation deduction billing in 2008-2016, among other things.

Condez also took note of “escalating tension and harassments” to MFMC members, citing the massing of heavily armed security guards numbering to 80 in Mampising and Tagnanan cultivation areas as example.

Condez set Jan. 9 and 10 as

dates of hearing for the determination for the lifting of TRO or issuance of preliminary or permanent injunction or status quo order.

A source from MFMC said that town Mayor Rey Dayanghirang was no show in the disputed farm area since Tuesday but he accordingly wanted protagonists to abide with Condez ruling and directives.

He dispatched his police to maintain peace and order in the area.

MFMC consultant Arnold Gomez said in an interview that during his negotiations Wednesday morning Cagumpay seemed to be wanting to peacefully settle the issues and interested to sign for an agreement to avoid worsening the situation.

Gomez hoped to agree with Cagumpay soonest as the harvested 800 boxes of bananas might rot in few days’ time.

Cagumpay in brief media interview at Farm 2 gate said Condez TRO ruling “is bias as we are all illegal” without explanation as he barred local mediamen from interviewing him.

Efforts to contact him for further interview continue.

CHA MONFORTE

Town... FROM 4

Banana... FROM 5

attacked the Cotabato jail that also resulted to the death of Jail Officer 1 Excell Ray Vicedo.

“Some sources claim the group was headed by a certain Commander Derbi. However, General Almanzor, chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

has denied that they have any member bearing that name,” Abella said.

Abella said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now working closely to capture the escapees.

“Hence, we appeal for calm and sobriety,” he said. . (PNA)

committed by Mely Yu and the members of the breakaway group.

“Implementation (of the Court Order) was not accomplished because members (led

by Mely Yu) picketed and troubled the operations of LFC and HEARBCO-1 (as they) refused to remove their barricades and were throwing big stones against the (court deputized) dispersing troops,” reported the previous sheriff tasked by the court to execute its earlier writ of execution on December 9, 2015.

RTC Judge Jaugan-Lo, in the same Order, had also deputized the PNP to fully assist the court, through the sheriff, in the execution of the court order dated November 2, 2016.

LFC said, In implementing the Alias Writ, copies of the court’s Order were served yesterday by the Sheriff to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office

(PARO) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), to the mayor of Tagum City, Alan Rellon, and Barangay chairmen, Leo Uy of Barangay Madaum and Rodito Pielago of Barangay San Isidro, respectively, where the lands of HEARBCO-1 are located.

LFC stressed that the Court’s issuance of the Alias Writ of Execution directed everyone “to respect, honor and comply” with the Court’s directive, and those who shall defy its order shall be held in contempt of court, unlike the cease-and- desist order (CDO) issued by DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano on December 14, 2016, the order was granted solely based on a letter-request from Mely Yu’s group, and subsequently granted without due process.

“HEARBCO-1 and the company were never notified of this action,” said LFC.

“We will encourage everybody to have a test. Know your status. Get tested. The testing will be for free,” Villafuerte stressed.

The testing kits will be provided by the DOH, she added.

She said the testing booths will be placed far from the activity area for purposes of confidentiality while pre-test counselling will also be facilitated by the city health office and the DOH. Dr. Jordana Ramiterre of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center of the city government of Davao provided the present figures of HIV/ AIDS cases in the city during the meeting.

Ramiterre said Davao region is the top five in the list of

the growing number of HIV/ AIDS cases in the country.

Davao City now has 1,793 cases of HIV/AIDS recorded from 1984 to 2016 and the recorded deaths during the period already reached 98.

Of the total number of persons with HIV/AIDS in the city, 90 are females and 1,703 are males, the data added.

On the age bracket, three cases were recorded in persons aged 15; 719 cases in ages 15 to 24; 893 in ages 24 to 34; 200 cases in ages 35 to 49; and 32 cases in ages 50 up.

By transmission, the data provided by Ramiterre revealed of 627 cases in bisexual; 234 in heterosexual; 921 in homosexual; 3 in perinatal; and 8 were considered unknown.

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12 SCIENCE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

Where has all our topsoil gone?

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Harold Watson (in cowboy hat)

“When soil erodes “Three out of from fields, it does not four farmers in simply move to another spot on the farm. Much developing countries of it ends up in streams, farm in the hills. rivers and lakes.” – James When they hold a Risser

A

***

MERICAN missionary Harold Ray Watson came to the Philippines in the late 1960s. His mission was to help Filipino farmers and those from neighboring Asian countries to experience abundant life, as promised in John 10:10.

In 1997, he retired and went back to his birthplace in Brooklyn, Mississippi. But before that happened, he talked about his observation about Asian farmers. “Three out of four farmers in developing countries farm in the hills,” he lamented. “When they hold a fistful of exhausted soil and let it fall to the ground, they feel their livelihood slipping through their fingers.”

Watson received the Ramon Magsaysay Award – Asia’s Nobel Prize – for peace and international understanding in 1985. “Land degradation is a problem that is affecting the standard of living of many nations, but especially on the millions who live on and farm the hillsides,” he said after accepting the coveted award.

In the Philippines, the uplands are considered as the “last frontier” of Filipino farmers. Charles Castro, in a briefing paper, wrote in 1984: “For it is in the uplands where supplementary and additional food sources will be grown.

Soil erosion

fistful of exhausted soil and let it fall to the ground, they feel their livelihood slipping through their fingers.”

-- American missionary Harold Ray Watson

It is in the uplands which will give Filipinos temporary elbow room for the land shortage. It is in the upland where landless rural people will find a new option in fighting rural poverty.”

But despite that observation, even until now, the uplands are still being neglected. Most environmentalists echo the same concern: the uplands have long been subjected to unregulated logging, squatting and slash-and-burn agriculture.

Due to various reasons, including climate change, the country is experiencing droughts and floods every now and then. Degradation of the upland areas is aggravated by rugged terrain and heavy rainfall which brings about rapid soil erosion.

About a billion cubic meters or about 200,000 hectares of one-meter deep topsoil are lost every year due to erosion, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than

Hedgerows protect soil

any external enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it’s an enemy you cannot see vividly,” Watson said. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Soil erosion is nothing new. Archaeological sites of civilizations, studies showed, were undermined by soil erosion. The fertile wheat-growing lands that made North

Africa the granary of the Roman Empire are now largely desert. The lowlands of Guatemala that once nourished a thriving Mayan culture were drained of their fertility by soil erosion.

That human life should depend for its existence on less than a meter of mixed organic and inorganic debris may come as a surprise to modern man. Yet it is so. “If the soil on which all agriculture and all human life depends is wasted away, then the battle to free mankind from want cannot be won,” observed Lord John Boyd Orr. “Without soil, there would be no food apart from what the rivers and the seas can provide,” said Edouard Saouma, former head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The soil is the world’s most precious natural resource. Yet, it is not valued as it should be.

Gold, oil, minerals and precious stones command prices which have led us to treat soil as mere dirt.”

In the humid tropics,

starting from a sandy base, a soil can be formed in as little as 200 years, experts said.

But the process normally takes far longer. Under most conditions, soil is formed at a rate of one centimeter every 100 to 400 years, and it takes 3,000 to 12,000 years to build enough soil to form productive land.

“But what nature takes a very long time to form could be washed away in 20 minutes or less by just one heavy rainfall in areas where the farmers don’t use the land carefully,” Watson deplored.

Once topsoil is lost, it is lost forever. “No other soil phenomenon is more destructive than is soil erosion,” wrote Nyle C. Brady in his book, The Nature and Properties of Soil. “It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching.

More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil. Erosion is serious in all climates, since wind as well as water can be the agent of removal.”

Soil is often described as “the bridge between the inanimate and the living.” Without it, a nation will have hard time moving on. “If the soil is not well cared for, a county can never develop a sound agricultural base. And without that, national development plans rarely succeed,” the FAO pointed out.

According to Watson, once the fields are devoid of topsoil, their productivity will always be low – and the farmers won’t earn enough to meet their basic needs.

Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf, authors of Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy, further explained the consequences of soil erosion in food production: “The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways. It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure.

“It also increases the costs of food production.

When farmers lose topsoil, they may increase land productivity by substituting energy in the form of fertilizer.

Hence, farmers losing topsoil may experience either a loss in land productivity or a rise in costs of agricultural inputs.

And if the productivity drops too low or agricultural costs rise too high, farmers are forced to abandon their land.”

Watson and his Filipino staff knew it well. That was the reason why they came up with a sustainable farming scheme called Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). “SALT is a packaged technology of soil conservation and food production that integrates several conservation measures in just one setting,” said Roy C. Alimoane, the current MBRLC director.

“Basically, the SALT method involves planting of field and permanent crops in 3-5 meter bands between double-contoured rows of nitrogen fixing shrubs and trees (examples: ipil-ipil, kakawate and introduced species such as Flemingia macrophylla and Desmodium rensonii) to minimize soil erosion,” Alimoane explains.

Permanent and agricultural crops are planted all over the farm. Permanent crops refer to cacao, coffee, banana, citrus and fruit trees.

F SCIENCE, 13

VOL. 9 ISSUE 228 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 - 7, 2017

SCIENCE... FROM 12 Among the recommended crops are vegetables, cereals, and legumes.

In SALT, crop rotation is being implemented. For instance, those strips planted with cereals (corn or upland rice) earlier are planted with peanuts or winged beans in the next cropping. “Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” Alimoane says.

Multistory cropping may also be practiced (planting black pepper, corn, and lanzones together in one hedge). In waterlogged areas, gabi, kangkong and other water-loving crops are planted. “We all do these to make use of all the available spaces of the farm,” Alimoane says.

“Some of the crops should be planted to feed the farmer’s family, while other crops are grown for sale, so family income is well spread out over the season,” says Alimoane. “Every week or every month, there’s always something to harvest. The system can, in fact, raise the family income threefold.”

But what makes SALT environment-friendly is that it helps in the establishment of a stable ecosystem. The double hedgerows of leguminous shrubs and trees between the

land strips where crops are planted help conserve water and soil. The hedgerows, when cut every 30-45 days and incorporated back into the soil, improve its fertility and serve as mulching materials.

A study conducted at the MBRL C farm showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. In comparison, a SALT farm erodes at the rate of only 20.1 metric tons per hectare pear year.

“The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range,” Alimoane claims. “Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10 to 12 metric tons per hectare per year.”

The non-SALT farm, on the other hand, has an annual soil rate of 194.3 metric tons per hectare per year.

“The decline of our soils is a chronic, slow process without the urgency of other environmental crises,” declares Priscilla Grew, former director of the US Department of Conservation for the State of California. “Yet, soil is the basis for our very existence. Where it is lost, civilization goes with it.”

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

GSC on alert after death of terrorist group leader

P

OLICE authorities placed General Santos City and its neighboring areas under heightened alert following the killing Thursday of a notorious leader of an armed group sympathetic with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in an operation in Kiamba town in Sarangani Province.

Sr. Supt. Leonardo Suan, Police Regional Office deputy regional director for operations, said they are currently monitoring the movements of the remaining members of the Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines

Group, which had been tagged as behind a string of terror attacks in the area since 2008.

The group’s founder and leader, Mohammad Jaafar Sabewang Maguid alias Tokboy, was killed in an encounter at past midnight at the Angel Beach Resort in Barangay Kitagas, Kiamba.

“We’re closely monitoring if a new leader of the group will emerge,” Suan said.

Officials formally presented Maguid’s three alleged cohorts, one of whom is a female, who were arrested during the

operation.

The three were identified as Matahata Dialawe Arboleda, Ismael Sahak alias Mael, and Morhaban Veloso alias Bugoy.

Recovered from the suspects were two Bushmaster M-16 Armalite rifles, two hand grenades, 24 magazine bullets of M-16 Armalite, two bullet bandoliers and a brown envelope containing various documents of the group.

Sr. Supt. Joseph Semillano, Sarangani police director, said their intelligence operatives

initially received an information on Wednesday night that Maguid was sighted at the Angel Beach Resort.

He said they immediately informed the other units about the report and embarked on an operation.

The operation involved elements from the PRO-12’s Regional Public Safety Battalion and Regional Intelligence Unit, Sarangani Provincial Police Office, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Army’s 27th Infantry Battlion.

(PNA)

HILE two Russian naval vessels are now docked at Pier 15, Manila South Harbor for a six-day goodwill visit, two ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)

Escort Division 4 have arrived in Subic Bay, Zambales for a three-day port visit which started Wednesday.

Capt. Lued Lincuna, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, said the ships are JS Inazuma

The scope of this year’s surveillance audit covers fuel management, ship unloading and coal yard, and the corresponding inter-functional processes of human resources, administration, security, legal and compliance risk management, business systems management, information technology, corporate social responsibility, and finance and accounting.

This year, the Coal Generation Group will expand the scope of certification to include plant operations and mainte-

nance. This will be made possible by the ongoing business process re-engineering that began in June 2016 to prepare the group for ISOconformance and certification.

“A more ambitious plan is in the pipeline: To achieve conformance and certification to ISO 18001 (occupational health and safety) and ISO 14001(environmental management system). We can attain this goal by adhering to our core values of integrity, innovation, teamwork and responsibility,” Lacson said.

(DDG-105) and JS Suzutsuki (DD-117).

These naval vessels are under the operational control of JMSDF Escort Division 4 headed by Capt. Atsushi Minami.

“The JMSDF Escort Division 4 will be staying in the country to replenish supplies, conduct maintenance work

and crew rest prior going back to Japan from conducting Counter Piracy Operations at the Gulf of Aden,” Lincuna said.

Minami is expected to render a courtesy call to the head of the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales, he added.

(PNA)

everyone in this noble cause.

Masa Masid calls on everyone to actively participate in our pursuit to end crime and corruption. Indeed, change has come, and in order to sustain this change, it is imperative that we also become the change our country needs,” Gov. Uy ended in his message.

According to the DILG Memorandum Circular 2016116, the program has four main thrusts: “information

and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revive the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wishes to be partners for change.” (Fe Maestre/IDS Comval)

Japanese destroyer flotilla now in Subic Bay for 3-day goodwill visit

W

TLI... FROM 10

Masa... FROM 7

14

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SPORTS 15

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Federer looks old in loss to young German

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, Australia -- In a match that featured the game’s enduring legend and the sport’s future, the present belonged to the latter.

Former world no. 1 Roger Federer has swept the Hopman Cup with the Fed Fever outbreak that has by far packed the buggest crowds inside the Perth Arena. On Wednesday night, in a compelling Australian Open warm-up, the Swiss tennis star again filled the stadium to the rafters but came in short in his singles match against rising German teener Alex Zverev.

In his second comeback match following a six-month break with a knee injury, the 35-year-old was beaten 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-4) by the 19-year-old German.

The match drew a record

attendance of 13,785 breaking the Fed-fuelled record of 13,684 set just two nights before.

Belinda Bencic saved the day for the Swiss team though as she turned back Andrea Petrovic 6-3 6-4 and then teamed up later with Federer to win the mixed doubles clincher 4-1 4-2.

The Swiss now have won two ties in this 29-year old mixed team tennis event.

B o t h Federer and Zverev have their eyes firmly on the Melbourne Park grand slam later

this month, but the recent past reveals split results: with Federer win-

ning in Rome on clay and the young upstart triumphing in Halle on grass.

Federer has won 88 career titles, including 17 majors,

Roger Federer struggled against the young German Alex Zverev.

Zverev owns one and none respectively.

The Swiss spent 302 weeks at No.1; his opponent, ranked 24th with a bullet, is hurtling towards single figures, with Federer the idol of a childhood from which he has only just emerged.

“To beat Roger, you really

have to play an unbelievable match from the first point to the last and I thought we both played really well,” Zverev said in an interview after the match.

So how does he do it? Play so well against history’s finest? “I don’t know!

I always play unbelievable against him, it’s always nerve-wracking to play against him, and I always play in front of a big crowd which helps me a lot as well. You know you have to play your best tennis or you have zero chances of winning.

No Pacquiao vs Crawford says Arum Giannis leafs Bucks past Knicks T

OP Rank CEO Bob Arum was no longer aiming the Manny Pacquiao-Terence Crawford brawl on his calendar. At least for the first Pacquiao fight in 2017 which could happen most probably in April when the Senate takes its Holy Week break.

The much talked about Pac-Bud tiff seemed to be slowly going on its way to the trash bins when Pacquiao through spokesman Michael Koncz was asking a guaranteed purse of $20 million which Arum thinks is imposible to raise considering the dwindling PPV sales of Pacman fights since the record breaking 4.4 million pays during the Floyd Mayweather megabout.

The preferred rematch

with Mayweather is what Pacquiao and coach Freddie Roach originally wanted. Even if it could generate half the total revenues of the original fight in 2015, it would still be the top grosser of all fights this year 2017.

But Mayweather must be aiming at MMA superstar Conor McGregor for a bigger payday and higher PPV sales with combined boxing and MMA fans watching.

Pacquiao sold only 400,000 PPV’s in the Timothy Bradley bout and in the Jessie Vargas championship earned only 300,000 PPV’s.

This is a sign of the decreasing market in Pacman fights especially in the United States.

Arum is proposing a fight outside the United States

most probably in Australia, home country of rumored next Pacquiao foe Jeff Horn.

This is a marketing strategy which could counter the lesser interests of boxing in the United States and the escalating taxes on pro fights.

The Brisbane-born Horn is the No. 2 contender for the WBO welterweight title. He has an unblemished record of 16-0-1, 11 KO’s and the former 2012 London Olympian is 10 years younger than Pacquiao.

Other venues contemplated by Arum are England, Middle East or maybe even Mexico. Pacquiao fought twice in Macao against Brandon Rios and Chris Algieri.

The Rios bout registered 475,000 PPV’s while the Algieri clash had 400,000 PPV

buys.

Arum thinks Pacquiao is more than just a boxer because he is representing the Philippines as its fighting senator. He would love to see him fight in places around the world like Muhamad Ali who fought in so many of his bouts outside the United States.

Aside from Horn, other prospective foes being considered for Manny are former sparring partner Amir Khan and top contenders David Avanesyan and Errol Spence Jr. and Vasyl Lomachenko.

Everything however will be fixed when Arum flies to the Philippines and personally confer with Sen Manny on the final schedule and the next opponent.

G

IANNIS Antetokounmpo has had a hell of a week. He ended 2016 by demolishing the Chicago Bulls to the tune of 35 points on 19 shots with nine rebounds, seven assists, a career-high seven blocks and two steals.

He began 2017 by outdueling MVP favorite Russell Westbrook with the kind of scintillating play that gives opposing fans cause to jump on the bandwagon.

2He became the first Buck in 35 years to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. And on Wednesday night, he completed an age-old rite of passage for superstars in the making, authoring a signature moment at Madison Square Garden.

With 8.6 seconds remaining and the New York Knicks holding on to a 104103 lead, the Bucks inbound-

ed the ball, looking for their game-changing 22-year-old to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He backed down Knicks forward Lance Thomas, worked his way from the right block to the foul line and — after Knicks center Joakim Noah retreated off his double-team to check Greg Monroe and point guard Derrick Rose offered no help despite sagging several feet off rookie Malcolm Brogdon — Antetokounmpo created space from Thomas with a broad-jump stepback, rose, fired, and drilled a 15foot fadeaway with no time remaining on the clock to rip the hearts out of the MSG faithful and give Milwaukee a 105-104 victory.

Antetokounmpo gave himself the chance to play hero on the offensive end by getting the Bucks possession on the defensive end.

PRRD to launch Sports Institute Jan. 16

P

NOT PUSHING THROUGH. The Manny Pacquiao-Terence Crawford match is not going to happen according to promoter Bob Arum.

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will be the keynote speaker when the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) is launched on Jan. 16 at the Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena in Pasig City.

The PSI, which will be under the supervision of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), has a monthly budget of PHP25 million or PHP300 million annually.

PSC commissioner Fatima Celia Kiram said the operational expenses of the PSI will be drawn from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), where the PSC’s share from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) income is deposited.

Kiram has expressed hope

that the PSC will get the original 5 percent gross contribution from PAGCOR instead of the current 5 percent net to sustain the PSI. PSC executive director, Atty. Carlo Abarquez, said the approval of a law institutionalizing the PSI will allow the institute to get a share of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) fund every year.

Also invited to the PSI launch are provincial governors, city mayors, as well as officials and athletes from various national sports associations.

PSI national training director Marc Velasco said the PSI will be the driving force of the PSC in grassroots and elite athletes. (PNA)

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FIGHTING IN OZ Manny gets offer to fight Down Under

F

ILIPINO boxing legend Manny Pacquiao could take his acts ver to the land Down Under.

That is if Manny Pacquiao can’t forge a fight with Terence Crawford and other big names, he may end up fighting in Australia for the same amount of money.

The camp of Jeff Horn has initiated talks with Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, regard-

ing the WBO welterweight champion’s purse.

“Bob has given us a figure for Pacquiao’s fee to fight Jeff Horn,” Dean Lonergan, Horn’s promoter, told couriermail.com.au yesterday.

“While it’s a substantial amount of money we believe that with the right sponsorships we can make Pacquiao-Horn happen in Brisbane and I believe Jeff can beat

Pacquiao,” added Lonergan.

Pacquiao, according to his adviser Mike Koncz, wants a $20-million guarantee from Arum to battle Crawford, the WBO light welterweight champion, in late April.

Horn (16-0-1, 11 knockouts) is the No. 2 contender to Pacquiao’s crown.

Pacquiao defeated Jessie Vargas in November last year in his return fight after a short hiatus.

AUSSSIE FIGHT. Manny Pacquiao could be fighting in Australia against Jeff Horn.