Edge Davao 9 Issue 242

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

PLAY TIME. Young boys take advantage to play outside their houses at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City yesterday morning as the sun finally showed up after days of heavy downpour due to the tail-end of the cold front which affected and caused flooding in different provinces of the region. Lean Daval Jr.

FLOODS KILL 6 PAGASA: Continuous rain in Davao region due to ‘tail-end of cold front’ Tawi-Tawi eco-zone S to outdo Singapore

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

IX persons were killed, including a three-year old girl after they were swept to death by rampaging floods spawned by continuous rains brought about by the tail-end of a cold front in the Davao region.

Davao Oriental was hardhit with four persons killed by raging flood waters, the provincial information office said on Wednesday.

Report said that a person died in Caraga town during the flooding, two in Cateel and a three-year old girl in Barangay Lawigan, Mati City.

There are no details as of press time as to the identities of the victims.

In Compostela Valley province, the information office reported of two deaths due to floods that hit villages in the area.

The victims were identified as Rodrigo Digal, Jr., a resident of Barangay Magangit, New Bataan and Pablo Gador of Maragusan town.

As of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Compostela Valley reported a total of 2,219 families directly affected by flood – 182 families in Nabunturan town, 530 in Compostela, 6 in Maragusan, 641 in Monkayo, 721 in New Bataan, 103 in Montevista and

36 in Mawab.

The provincial government and concerned authorities are still determining the extent of the damages to crops and infrastructures in the area.

Meanwhile, in Davao del Norte, high levels of floodwaters continue to affect major thoroughfares in the area as of Wednesday morning.

A recommendation was already made to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare the province under the state of calamity on Tuesday afternoon.

The declaration was not yet acted upon as of press time.

Data gathered revealed that four towns in Davao del

Norte were already declared under state of calamity as of January 24.

These towns include Asuncion, Carmen, Kapalong and New Corella.

A total of 21,245 families or 40,335 individuals in 69 villages were affected by floods and landslides in Davao del Norte.

Estimated damage to infrastructure in the area was placed at PHP285.6 million while PHP11.2 million for crops, PHP1.2 million for livestock and PHP.85 million for fisheries.

Tagum City, meanwhile, is now under the state of calamity.

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By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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T’S final: the province of Tawi-Tawi will be developed as the next economic zone in the country, ala Singapore.

Mindanao Development Authority chair Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alon-

to disclosed on Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum that Tawi-Tawi is seen to replicate and to even exceed Singapore in terms of development, particularly in the free port aspect.

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EDGEDAVAO Sports Hornet’ VERY ‘The has the worst but comes up big: Funeka P16 DECEIVING form

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

TOWARDS SAFETY. Members of the 60IB Disaster Response Unit help villagers evacuate from their severely flooded community in Asuncion, Davao del Norte yesterday. Photo courtesy of 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army

Rody to lead Sarangani power plant switch-on

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi are set to lead the ceremonial switch-on of the first 105-megawatt section of the Sarangani Energy Corp. and the groundbreaking of its second 105-MW section in Barangay Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani province on Thursday afternoon.

The operation of the power plant is in keeping with the Duterte administration’s plan to energize the entire country by the end of its term by encouraging the private sector to increase investments in power generation to provide the country with stable, affordable and sufficient energy.

The SEC baseload coal-

fired power plant will have the capacity to produce up to 210 MW of electricity for Southern and South Central Mindanao. The first 105-MW section began commercial operations in April last year and currently supplies General Santos City, Sarangani, and other key areas of Mindanao.

The second 105-MW section of the SEC plant is expected to start operation in 2018.

The Alsons Power Group, Mindanao’s first independent power producer, has awarded the USD280-million engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the second 105-MW power plant to the Yokohama, Japan-based global engineering firm JGC Corp. and its local subsidiary JGC Philippines, Inc. (PNA)

Solon urges preservation of traditional art’s heritage

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LAWMAKER representing the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list has underscored the need to give value to traditional art by way of respecting its heritage including giving recognition to its origin and the local community from where it came from.

In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives on Monday, January 23, Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman said it is unfair for Basilan, her home province, to be always mentioned for something bad,

negative and ugly but does not get proper credit for its beautiful and precious art.

Rep. Turabin-Hataman was referring to an event dubbed Mindanao Tapestry held on January 19 in Davao City where 28 Miss Universe candidates wore dresses made from Mindanao’s traditional fabrics.

Even as she praised the pre-pageant event for showcasing the best in Mindanao’s ethnic communities, specifically their colorful yet

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AFP, NPA swap ceasefire raps over Makilala clash

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines denied accusations that its units violated its unilateral truce following the encounter in Makilala town, North Cotabato which resulted in the death of one New People’s Army rebel during the weekend.

“The troops did not violate the unilateral ceasefire declaration; it has complied with to the Suspension-Of-Military Operations (SOMO),” Ltc. Harold Argamosa of the 39th Infantry Division told the reporters Wednesday.

The SOMO took effect in August 2016 when the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDF)

finally agreed to resume peace negotiations.

According to Argamosa, the law enforcement agencies only responded to the reports that a “lawless armed group” in Makilala, North Cotabato was seen massing after it divested the keys of a 10-wheeler truck driven by Delio Tongcos of the Santos Land Development Corporation along Barangay Malasila road.

The armed group allegedly identified themselves as members of the NPA. The troops recovered three high-powered rifles, several personal belongings “and the body of an unidentified man at the encounter site.”

“No casualty on the gov-

ernment forces side,” Argamosa added, adding that extortion was believed to be the motive behind the incident,” Argamosa said.

North Cotabato Provincial Police Director P/Supt. Emmanuel, for his part, explained that the SOMO is in support to operations when requested by other law enforcement agencies which include the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“It is purely law enforcement operation only,” he reiterated.

But NPA-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez said that what happened in Makilala was a ceasefire violation.

Sanchez told Edge Davao

in an email that Sitio Lokatong in Brgy. Biangan is a “remote area that their presence can only mean an offensive operation against the NPA; furthermore, they fool no one by claiming that their combat operation was only in response to reports by local authorities of the presence of lawless groups; for the entire day, they actively maneuvered to engage the evading unit of the NPA.” The biggest impediment to just and lasting peace, Sanchez said, is “the bullish insincerity of its armed forces to continue its counter-insurgency campaign that is the greatest obstacle in the quest for just and lasting peace.”

Lower Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

The subject of the search warrant was identified as Jabay Macabuat and the confiscation of more or less fifty two (52) grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as “shabu” with a street value of Php 624,000.00. Jabay was killed during the anti-drug operation after he pulled his caliber .38 revolver and tried to exchange gunfire with the operatives.

The operatives also recovered assorted drug paraphernalia, caliber .38 revolver with live ammunitions and Php 20,000.00 worth of cash inside the residence of Jabay.

During the implementation of search warrant in a drug den, six (6) suspected visitors of the drug den were present and also arrested by the operatives. The suspects were identified as Haszmin Macarambon, Richard Magsanay, Jamael Macabuat, Jay Ponte,

Abdul and Jalil Macabuat. One (1) minor were also rescued by the operatives during the anti-drug operation.

The suspects are now detained at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI detention facility, while the seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted to Laboratory Service of this office for qualitative and quantitative examination. Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165

1 killed, 5 arrested in Mati anti-drug operation

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AW enforcer of Davao Region fulfills its mandates as more drug perpetrators falls in the hands the law.

Joint elements from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI together with 28th Infantry Battalion, Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of Davao Oriental and Mati City Police Station implemented Search Warrant last January 24, 2017 at around 6:20 a.m. at

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GRP to ask US to delist CPP from terrorists’list

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HE Philippine government panel indicated it would recommend to President Duterte the delisting of Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria “Joma” Sison from the list of international terrorists to pave the way for his Philippine homecoming without being arrested.

This was one of the recommendations agreed upon by the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) panels during meeting on the 4th day of the peace negotiations on Tuesday afternoon, January 24, in Italy.

GRP chief negotiator Sec. Silvestre Bello III also said the de-listing of the CPP from the US list of international terrorist organizations would help realize the commitment of Sison to President Rodrigo

Duterte to return to the Philippines as part of the ongoing peace negotiations.

President Duterte and Sison had earlier agreed to meet in any neutral Asian country once the latter is de-listed from the list of international terrorists.

The European Union has long ago stricken Sison from the terrorist list.

Bello said there is basis for the US to remove the CPP and the NPA from the list since its political umbrella, the National Democratic Front, Sison is now involved in peace negotiations with the Philippine government.

If the de-listing happens, Bello said Sison can join the panels in succeeding talks anywhere outside Europe.; As assylum seeker in The

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NOT IN DAVAO. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea Dela Cerna (left) says the alleged involvement of police officers in the killing of a Korean national inside Camp Crame in Manila won’t happen in Davao City as personnel here follow strict police procedures

when conducting operations such as “tokhang” and serving of warrants.

Dela Cerna, together with Chief Inspector Jacqueline A Antero, chief of Women And Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of PRO 11, graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Ritz Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte meets families of SAF 44 commandos T

Police officers:‘Tokhang for Ransom’is extortion case

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday afternoon met with the widows and relatives of the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were killed in the Mamasapano tragedy.

Families of 39 out of the 44 police troopers killed in the ill-fated police operation, together with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa, attended the dialog in Malacañang.

Prior to this, President Duterte last week revived questions on why there was a lack of coordination and air support from the military amid the Mamasapano clash.

“I don’t want to bring this up but there are still disturbing issues surrounding Mamasapano. I only have one question for all,” President Duterte said.

He wondered why the air assets were not utilized during the tragic encounter on January 25, 2015.

“Sa Awang, sa Davao City, Gen San, bakit hindi tinawag ‘yung air assets?” the President asked.

To recall, the SAF commandos in January 2015 swooped down on a bandit hideout in Mamasapano to neutralize international terrorists Zulkifli Bin-hir alias Marwan and Bassit Usman.

The troops killed Marwan but encountered heavy fire as they were pulling out of the

area.

SAF WIDOWS STILL SEEKING JUSTICE Michelle Candano, widow PO2 Windell Candano, said she still hopes of finally getting justice for the death of her husband and his comrades.

“There is no justice. Tell me, who has been jailed for the carnage? Who has been punished? None,” Candano said, adding that they are still finding it hard to move on because we have yet to obtain justice.”

Candano also said they will ask Duterte to grant a medal of valor to the rest of the slain SAF troopers.

“It is unfair that only two were given based only on the account of witnesses. The

operation was wide. It lasted hours. How can a person tell everything and see everyone in action? They all risked their lives, they deserve the Medal of Valor too,” she said in Cebuano.

Candano said she already received the housing assistance from the National Housing Authority, part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s P300,000 livelihood assistance, scholarship for his son from the National Police Commission, and a piggery from Department of Labor and Employment which was given to the parents of PO2 Candano.

Candano continues to work at the Post Office as one of the assistance given to her by the government.

HE Police Regional Office 11 on Wednesday revealed that that “Tokhang for Ransom” was strictly speaking an extortion case.

The PRO issued this explanation in the wake of the controversy over the abduction and slaying of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame.

Reports described the incident as alleged “tokhang-for-ransom” scheme by corrupt cops.

But PRO 11 Spokesperson PCI Andrea dela Cerna told the reporters there was no such thing as a ‘tokhang for ransom’ to begin with, only a clear case of extortion.

“Oplan Tokhang is implemented with the intention to persuade the suspected drug users and pushers to change and not for the police to use it for their illegal activities,” dela

Be warned of Tokhang for Ransom PRO 11 also warned the public not to fall prey to the new modus operandi of extortionists using the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) Oplan Tokhang.

The police offices nationwide, including PRO 11, were warned on several groups pretending to be members of the PNP calls their targets to landlines or mobile phones and say the victim will be subjected to

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Tagum City declared under state of calamity

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RARE APPEARANCE. Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte plays the piano at the Music Room of Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. ALBERT ALCAIN/ Presidential Photo

Cerna said, adding that they would never tolerate such activities.

Dela Cerna believes that there are good police cops in the organizations and that they are doing their best to clean the scalawags in the PNP. In PRO 11, dela Cerna assured that Tokhang for Ransom will not happen in Davao Region.

he city government of Tagum declared that the city is now under state of calamity following the flash floods that inundated nine of the 23 barangays.

The flash floods, caused by days of heavy rains in Davao del Norte brought heavy damages to crops and aqua resources of the city amounting to more than PHP74 million and displaced a total of 2,659 families from the villages of Busaon, Bincungan, Liboganon, Pagsabangan, Cuambogan, Pandapan, Makilam, San Miguel and Canocotan.

Days of heavy downpours also caused two major river tributaries of Davao del Norte -- Saug River and Liboganon River basins -- to spill that affected the low-lying baran-

gays of Tagum and triggered flash floods.

Damage to infrastructure, meanwhile, is pegged at PHP1,015,000 based on the damage assessment report by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

This led the City Council, upon the recommendation of the CDRRMC chaired by Mayor Allan Rellon, to declare state of calamity through Resolution No. 288 passed on Tuesday afternoon, January 24.

Displaced families in the affected barangays were evacuated in designated schools in the city and were given food packs prepared by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). (PNA)

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DTI bares plans as chair of ASEAN’s business and investment promotion committee

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EPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez revealed year-long plans that aim to complement and heighten the impact of the country’s strategic priorities and deliverables for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), following DTI’s chairmanship of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting and the ASEAN’s Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP).

Speaking at the formal launch of the ASEAN 2017 Business and Investment Program on 24 January, Sec. Lopez expressed confidence on ASEAN as an economic powerhouse, citing that the region is now the third largest market in the world with over 620 million people, the third largest economy in Asia, and the seventh largest

economy in the world with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 2.3 trillion dollars.

He also called on maximizing the opportunities and benefits from the AEC, and reiterated the four pillars of AEC as landscape for the dialogue with ASEAN partners in realizing the ASEAN 2025, starting with the 23rd AEM Retreat.

AEC’s four pillars are the establishment of a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into global economy.

This will solidify our priorities for the 50th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), the 49th AEM Meeting and the Leaders’ Summit, to be chaired by President Rodrigo

study will be completed.

“20 percent will be Chinese because of the high technical requirements of the job,” said Alonto.

“For every position of highly-technical job, the deputy will be a Filipino so that the transfer of technology will be initiated,” he added.

Alonto assured that an economic revolution will take place under the Duterte administration.

The MinDa chief also disclosed that the Chinese railway company hired by the Chinese government to construct their own railway sys-

tem will be the one to provide the technical requirements in the construction of the MRS. However, even though the government is keen on China due to their advanced technologies and expertise on railways, he said that the government is still open for other countries to invest.

He also expressed his hopes that the MRS will be completed within the term of the President since the construction of each segment is seen to be conducted simultaneously.

“If we do it by segment, it will take 17 years but if we do

it for example package one, package two, package three all at the same time, we can finish it for four years,” said Alonto.

Mindanao Railway System is one of the priority infrastructure projects under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The project is deemed crucial to economic development in the region. The railway system is 1500-km project which is expected to connect major cities such as Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, Davao, and General Santos.

pez is set to announce on February 2 the final results and recommendations of an audit team formed to look into violations of environmental safeguards by mining operators nationwide.

It will be recalled that bare-

ly one week after she assumed office on July 1, Lopez immediately ordered a review of all 41 operating metallic mines in the country.

Based on the initial results released last Sept. 27, only 11 mining companies “passed” the

audit and 30 firms were either ordered suspended or recommended for suspension for failing to meet environmental safety standards.

In DENR Memorandum Order No. 2016-01 she issued on

VANTAGE VIEW. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte examines the plan for a real estate development project in Davao City which was handed to him during a meeting with the Gatchalian brothers at the Music Room of Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. REY BANIQUET/Presidential Photo

Palace welcomes Moody’s positive report on PH econ

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ALACANANG on Tuesday welcomed the international credit rating firm Moody’s latest forecast that the Philippines’ economy likely grew by 7.05 percent in the final quarter of 2016.

“We welcome the most recent report released by the global debt watcher, Moody’s, stating that Philippine economy likely grew by 7.05 percent in 2016,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.

Abella said Moody’s forecast is higher than government’s gross domestic product (GPD) forecast of 6 to 7 percent in 2016.

“This is consistent with the government’s effort to reach a target of 6 to 7 percent growth for the whole year of 2016 to 2017,” Abella said.

The Moody’s noted that the Philippines’ GDP growth has accelerated for the last

seven quarters.

“The main driver of output growth will continue to be domestic demand, with private consumption and investment both expanding rapidly,” Moody’s said as quoted by newspaper The Manila Standard.

“The Palace assures the Filipino people that the continued economic growth will be sustained through boosting infrastructure spending, creating more jobs, easing the cost of doing business, and reducing the poverty incidence rate,” Abella said.

He also said the clear and consistent economic stance of President Rodrigo Duterte is “to make economic growth not only sustainable but also inclusive.”

The Philippines’ GDP data, including the fourth quarter and the year 2016, is expected to be out on Thursday. (PNA)

Study: Social media users worldwide reach 2.8-B

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CTIVE social media users worldwide have reached 2.8 billion users, increasing by 21 percent for the last 12 months amid growing use of mobile social media.

Mobile social media use has increased by 30 percent year over year to surpass 2.5 billion users globally with 91 percent accessing their social media accounts using mobile.

A study on social media and digital trends around the world titled Digital in 2017 by social media management Hootsuite and global social media agency We Are Social showed that Internet penetration has reached half (50%) of the global population to hit 3.77 billion, growing by 10 percent in the last 12 months.

“Half of the world’s population is now online, which is a testament to the speed with which digital connectivity is helping to improve people’s lives. The increase in internet users in developing economies

is particularly encouraging. Given this latest data, it’s probably time for us to stop referring to social as ‘new media’, and integrate it more seamlessly into our day-to-day activities,” Simon Kemp of We Are Social said.

The research showed that mobile data traffic in the Asia Pacific region leads significantly over other regions, with 4.12 billion gigabytes consumed compared with 1.24 gigabytes from North Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Social media growth rates increased by over 50 percent year-on-year with more than 1.5 billion people across Asia Pacific now using social media on a monthly basis, 95 percent of whom access social via mobile devices - the highest ratio in the world.

Thus, organizations in the Asia Pacific should pursue on transforming their communications strategy to increase customer management and real-time interaction. (PNA)

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MRS project to generate 80,000 jobs for Filipinos

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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INDANAO Development Authority Chairperson Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto disclosed on Wednesday that the projected Mindanao Railway System construction will generate more than 100,000 jobs, 80 percent of which will be available for Filipinos.

Alonto said that in his recent meeting with Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Sylvestre Bello III, they had addressed the labor issues on the project which is set to be constructed as soon as the feasibility

DENR to release final mine audit results on Feb. 2

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HE fate of 30 mining companies that failed the initial audit conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) last year will be known on February 2.

DENR Secretary Gina Lo-

DC DEVELOPMENT GOALS. Top officials of the Davao City government, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) briefed members of the Davao media on the comprehensive Davao City Infrastructure Development and Capacity Building Project outlining midterm and long term strategies to

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help sustain economic development in the city. From right: lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo, assistant city administrator; Ms Ma. Lourdes D. Lim, NEDA region 11 director, and JICA Philippine team leader Ken Kumazawa. Antonio M. Ajero

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IC chief eyes insurance coverage to more poor people by 2022

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HE Insurance Commission (IC) expects more poor people to have insurance coverage by the end of the Duterte administration in 2022 following the 3.2 percent quarter-on-quarter rise of microinsurance penetration in the third quarter of 2016.

Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa, in a statement Tuesday, said about 26 million Filipinos have microinsurance coverage as of end-September 2016, making the penetration rate for this sector rise to 25.4 percent.

He said “59 percent of the total number of individuals covered by microinsurance, or about 15.6 million, were generated by the Microinsurance-Mutual Benefit Associations (Mi-MBAs).”

“We are optimistic that the microinsurance penetration rate will increase up to 48.7 percentby 2022,” he said.

In particular, life insurance covered about 7.5 million people, or about 29 percent, of the

total microinsured as of the end of third quarter last year while the non-life insurance sector accounted for about 12 percent, covering around 3.1 million.

Microinsurance premiums totalled to P3.97 billion as of end-September last year, up by 63 percent from the previous quarter’s P2.44 billion.

MBAs registered the biggest share on the total premium income at P2.2 billion, or about 56 percent, of the total.

The life sector accounted for 34 percent, amounting to P1.35 billion; and the non-life sector has the remaining 10 percent or about P409 million.

Funa pointed out that microinsurance is not just about premium generation among the poor but protection of this vulnerable group.

“Wider financial inclusion and maximum social protection is critical in a developing and vulnerable country such as the Philippines,” he said.

(PNA)

PH submits 40‘small, large’projects for China, feasibility studies, funding

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PHILIPPINE delegation led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has submitted a total of 40 “large and small” infrastructure projects to China for possible loan financing and assistance in conducting feasibility studies, with further discussions on the details of these proposals to take place in Manila next month.

Dominguez said the meeting of the high-level Philippine team with officials of China’s Commerce Ministry was a “productive first step towards achieving the desire of (Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping)” in further reinforcing ties between the two countries.”

Of the 40 projects, 15 are being proposed for loan financing while another 25 were submitted for feasibility study support.

Aside from Dominguez, the Philippine delegation included Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and Director-General Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“It was a very positive and very productive meeting,” Dominguez said in an interview here with members of the Chinese media. “My expectation is that the projects that we have discussed would be implemented very quickly and that it would benefit both (the) people (of China and the Philippines).”

Three of the large-scale projects submitted for Chinese loan financing are meant to raise the productivity of small farmers, improve transportation and logistics services in

underserved areas of Luzon and ensure a steady water supply to Metro Manila.

These three projects, with a combined total of $3.4 billion, are the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in the provinces of Cagayan and Kalinga with an estimated total project cost of $53.6 million; the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project in Quezon, $374.03 million; and the South Line of the North-South Railway running from Manila to Legaspi City in Bicol, $3.01 billion.

Dominguez said the other projects on the list are relatively small in scale, and are easier to implement, such as the construction of bridges across the Pasig River to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Dominguez said the generous assistance offered by China to the Philippines is among the concrete results of the President’s foreign policy rebalancing towards accelerated integration with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its major Asian trading partners.

He said that amid global uncertainty over a possible overhaul of US trade policies under the new presidency of Donald Trump, it was a “very smart” move by President Duterte to recalibrate the Philippines’ foreign policy early on and reorient the economy toward greater integration with its Asian neighbors.

In the meeting with Minister Gao Hucheng of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Dominguez informed Chinese officials about the Duterte administration’s three priority objectives, which are to reduce poverty, develop a law-abiding citizenry, and establish a society whose citizens are at peace among themselves and with their neighbors in the international community. (PR)

RP’S SINGAPORE. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Datu Abul Khayr Alonto (center) says the agency is eyeing to develop Tawi-Tawi into an economic zone which will be implemented this year and envision the

ECONOMY 5

island to be like Singapore. Alonto made the statement during yesterday’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

DFA to put up consular office in Kota Kinabalu

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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INDANAO Development Authority Chairperson Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto disclosed on Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum that the Department of Foreign Affairs will establish a Philippine consular office at Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia.

He said this came as offshoot of the decision of the minister of Sabah to lift the ban on the conduct of economic activities among Filipino Muslim traders of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Malaysian traders which also re-opens the Philippine’s access to Sabah,

Malaysia.

At present, Philippines has a mobile consular office in Kota Kinabalu but it has no physical office to tend to the needs of Filipinos in the city, particularly the processing of documents such as passports.

Alonto pointed out the importance of putting up a consular office in Kota Kinabalu as a sizeable Filipino population in the city.

“Nobody is attending to our people. They need the consular support and concern of the Department of Foreign Affairs ,” he added.

Alonto mentioned that that the primary hindrance

before was the issue of Sabah claim. However, he stressed that Kota Kinabalu is not part of the area covered by the Sabah claim.

He stressed that without the prejudice of such issue, the Philippine government would like to urgently respond to the needs of the Filipino community in Sabah.

“The children cannot go to school because they are undocumented. Now we will work it out and negotiate that the Philippine government through the Department of Education (DepEd) and other private entities that have so much concern about the

human developments of the children of these migrants can put up schools…” Alonto explained.

Once established, the consular office will also tend to the health and livelihood needs of the Filipinos in the city.

Aside from the establishment of a consular office, the government is also making arrangements with the country’s counterparts in Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA ) for the acceleration and operation of the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center at Kota Kinabalu by February this year.

Philam Life launches Vitality app for wellness Lady exec cites correlation between financial wealth and physical health

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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ABAWENYOS who are resolved to have a physically healthier lifestyle starting 2017 and live longer, but don’t know where to start, should not worry.

Philam Life, the country’s leading life insurance company, has workable and well-researched ideas about how one can achieve physical wellness.

Of late, insurance companies have been known to be aggressive in promoting savings-consciousness first and then investment-consciousness second. Then, why is Philam Life now into physical

health and wellness advocacy?

“It is because financial wealth and physical health are correlated,” explained Charito Haosen Azarias, unit manager in the sales agency force of Philamlife, in an interview over lunch last Thursday.

An individual needs discipline and planning to achieve both. Indeed, one is not truly financially well-off if all the money he has accumulated in work, business or pursuit of a profession only goes to medicine and management of his life-threatening illnesses.

Not expensive And yet, maintaining one’s health and wellness does not need to be expensive.

Azarias, who does not look like she had been with Philam for the last 17 years, married with three kids, said there are so many ways to be healthy without spending for exercise equipment or enrolling in a fitness gym.

“At this point Philam Life is launching Philamlife Vitality app because we want the people to be aware of healthy

F PHILAM, 13

EDGEDAVAO

6 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

DavNor to declare state of calamity D

AVAO del Norte – Davao del Norte is set to declare a state of calamity this week after intermittent heavy rains caused by the tail end of cold front inundated six municipalities and two cities.

The PDRRMC during its special meeting on Tuesday

passed a resolution asking the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare the province under a state of calamity.

The council invoked Republic Act No. 8185 in pushing the measure after the municipalities of Kapalong, Asuncion and Carmen earlier declared a state of calamity.

Tagum City also made

CDO City needs P1.2 B to upgrade drainages

T

HIS port capital of Northern Mindanao would need P1.2 billion to upgrade the city’s drainage system, the highways engineer said.

Arthur Cupay, chief of the planning and design of the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here, said during an interview on Monday that the city’s drainage system has to be upgraded to resolve the problem of perennial flooding during heavy rains.

He said that the fund would be used to construct 17 drainages that would connect most of the city’s urban villages, with its excrement flowing toward the Bitan-ag Creek with a total length of almost 10 kilometers.

Bitan-ag Creek is one of the city’s major waterways where, once it overflows, would cause flooding in the surrounding area of the vil-

lage of Lapasan where the state-run Mindanao University of Science and Technology, high - end hotels, malls and financial centers are located.

Representative Maximo Rodriguez Jr. of Cagayan De Oro City’s second district, said he has asked DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, who visited Cagayan De Oro after the urban flooding last week, to hasten the release of the funds so the project could start soon.

Rodriguez said that the project would not be delayed since blueprint of the city’s drainage master plan was already available since the mid90s and it only needs to be reviewed for implementation.

President Rodrigo Duterte sent Villar to check the aftermath of the urban flooding in Cagayan De Oro City at the height of the heavy rain brought by the Low Pressure Area (LPA) last week. (PNA)

the declaration Tuesday afternoon.

In its initial report, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said floodwaters caused some P299-million worth of damage and affected some 21,245 families or 40,335 individuals in 69 barangays of

the province.

Specifically, the floods destroyed P285.6-million worth of infrastructures, P11.2-million crops, P1.2-million livestocks and P.85-million lost in fisheries.

Landslides further damaged roads in the municipalities of New Corella and San Isidro

Governor Anthony del Rosario asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to immediately hold a special meeting to tackle the proposed measure. “The sooner they are able to do that, the better,” he said.

Other local government units affected by the floods include Braulio E. Dujali,

New Corella, Sto. Tomas and Panabo City.

The Council further endorsed the utilization of the accumulated Quick Response Fund of the province amounting to P34.6 million, in order to provide aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to the affected communities.

NOEL BAGUIO

TIMPUYOG FESTIVAL. A group of Kiamba locals known as the “striking force” was formed to help in the preparation and during events in the upcoming 69th Foundation Anniversary and 13th Timpuyog Festival of the municipality on February 7-14. (Avery Rotciv Valois Camposano/KIAMBA INFO CENTER)

North Cotabato flood victims return home A

S flood water subsides, thousands of families displaced by the sudden surge of river waters in at least four villages here have returned home, local disaster officials said Tuesday.

“Thank God the water has subsided. People in Barangay Malabuaya have started to return home,” North Cotabato acting Gov. Shirly Macasarte-Villanueva said early Tuesday, as residents of at least five villages have trooped back home from temporary shelter along the national highway.

Villanueva also lauded the local disaster teams of Kabacan, headed by Mayor Gerlo Guzman “for their immediate and timely response.”

With disaster workers

responding on time, no single life was lost or nobody was hurt.

David Don Sayre, Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Officer, said the 3,672 families or about 20,000 individuals have returned home.

Saure said the affected families who already received relief assistance from municipal and provincial governments, were from Sitio Malabuaya, Sitio Punol and Sitio Kibales of Barangay Kayaga, and from Barangays Buluan, Simone, Magatos and Nangaan.

The Kabacan MDRRMC has recommended the declaration of state of calamity in Kabacan so calamity funds can

be used.

Villanueva said upon learning of the sudden rise of rivers and tributaries in North Cotabato, she immediately activated the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, sent rubber boats to help distressed families in low lying villages of Kabacan and Pikit, North Cotabato.

Even at night, disaster workers with the help of the military and police personnel rescued families “trapped” by the overflowing of Kabacan River that cuts through North Cotabato and Maguindanao, inundating communities around it.

More than 40,000 individuals have been affected in

five villages of Kabacan and 10 barangays of Pikit, North Cotabato.

Since last week, the disaster workers in North Cotabato have been extending assistance to residents, mostly rice farmers whose rice fields have become a vast sea of water, destroying their agricultural products.

All families have received rice, canned goods, noodles, kitchen provisions, clothes and water container for safe drinking water.

When waters have subsided, Villanueva sent her staff to assess the over-all situation in two towns and recommended further action to be taken so normal lives will be back for those affected. (PNA)

or stressed, adding that the investment influx is a clear manifestation that the city has gained its reputation as a business-friendly destination in Central Mindanao.

He noted that such development would also open the door for employment, livelihood and huge revenue for the city to propel the local government unit’s (LGU) priority projects aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor.

Evangelista said such business giants include JS Gaisano, 7-11, Jollibee, City Mall and the Davao City-based New City Commercial Center.

The mayor has assured the protection of the investors from extortions and terroristic threats from lawless groups that may hinder their operations through proper coordination and information sharing.

Only last year, the city received the Seal of Local Governance Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Also last year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a visit to Cotabato City, has mentioned Kidapawan City as an LGU to be replicated and looked upon as it may even

surpass Davao City in the next few years in terms of income generation.

“Such inspiring words from the President is a challenge for us to do more and be motivated in the coming years,” Evangelista said.

The city’s Business Processing and Licensing Office has so far noted the increase on the number of local businesses in the city to 3,200 from the previous 2,916 registered establishments in 2016 based on the continuing Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) program that started early this month. (PNA)

Huge business firms set to invest in Kidapawan in 2017

OUTGOING COMMANDER. Sarangani Vice Governor Elmer de Peralta hands over the resolution of commendation from the Provincial Government of Sarangani to Lt. Col. Felix Ronnie B. Babac, outgoing commander of 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion, Philippine Army, during the Turn-over of Command on January 19. His two-year stint delivered a remarkable performance in the dismantling of insurgency and hostility movements particularly in the eastern part of Sarangani Province and has been a strong partner of the Sulong Sarangani development program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Congressman Roel Pacquiao, board members and municipal mayors.

Babac’s new assignment would be at the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command and he was replaced by his classmate, Lt. Col. Marion Angcao.

(Roland Ortillano/GOVERNOR’S COMMUNICATION)

G

IANT business establishments are set to sprout in the city within the year to offer more opportunities to locals, the mayor here revealed.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista in a press briefing on Tuesday said construction of several establishments will start in the first quarter of 2017 including some nationally known “iconic companies” involved in the operation of mall chains, fast food, car dealerships, convenience stores, and hardware.

“Healthy competition and aggressive economy awaits the city this year” the may-

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Chinese New Year with a Samsung TV T HIS Chinese New Year, Samsung brings in good luck through its “It’s time to Celebr888”promo.From January 23 to February 19, score huge discounts on the following Samsung UHD TV models: • Php 7,000 off onSamsung 40-inch UHD TV • Php 13,000 off onSamsung 55-inch UHD TV • Php 21,000 off onSamsung 65-inch UHD TV

These discounts will let the whole family welcome the Year of the Rooster with a next-level home entertainment from Samsung. The UHD TV’s stunning 4K resolution, which is 4x better than Full HD, provides dramatic details and crisp images.Let the kids enjoy their most favorite shows with Samsung UHD TV’s spectacular picture performance through accurately blending primary and secondary colors. Techies in the family will surely appreciate its Smart TV features, allowing them toaccess favorite program choices, live TV, video on demand, apps, and social media in one easyto-browse navigation experience.

Complement the upgrad-

ed family’s viewing experience with cinema style sound by adding Samsung Soundbars in your entertainment area. Enjoy up to 40% off on Samsung Soundbars (Flat Soundbar HW-K360, Flat Soundbar HW-K450, and Flat Soundbar HW-K550) when you take home any Samsung TV. With these deals, having a theater experience at home is now possible.

Celebr888 and reconnect with family and friendsin style as you welcome a new beginning. Availof these deals by heading to the nearest Samsung authorized dealer.

For more details, visit the Samsung Facebook page or samsung.com/ph/offers.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news. samsung.com. (PR)

NCCP backs third round of GRP-NDFP peace talks

T

HE National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) on Tuesday expressed support to the third round of formal peace negotiation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) this month.

“We are edified that this third round is taking place in Rome within the octave of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” the group said in a statement.

With this, the NCCP assured

that they will be praying for the people involved in the meeting and for the discussion to be successful.

“We will pray especially for the successful negotiations as we always uphold the peace talks in our prayers. We will pray that the men and women directly taking part in the process will take to heart the urgency and importance of the agenda on the table, mainly the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms or CASER,” they said.

(PNA)

COMPETITIVE EDGE

7

ASEAN sets 2017 program for business, investment P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte placed his hands on the podium to formally launch the ASEAN 2017 Business and Investment Program on 24 January in Malacañan, signifying that he is one with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in promoting inclusive, innovation-led growth.

Beside the President was DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd from L), Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (rightmost) and presidential consultant for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion (leftmost) also witnessed the ceremony.

President Duterte said that the Philippine’s focus, as it joins other ASEAN Member States, will be on the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), innovation-led growth

PROGRAM LAUNCHING. President Rodrigo Duterte was joined by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Entrepreneurship Consultant

Joey Concepcion during the launching of the ASEAN 2017 Business and Investment Program last January 24 in Malacañang. (DTI Photo Release)

and reaching the full potential of women as contributors of economic growth.

Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez revealed DTI’s year-long

plans that aim to complement and heighten the impact of the country’s strategic priorities and deliverables for the ASEAN Economic

Community (AEC), following DTI’s chairship of ASEAN’s Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP). (DTI PR)

HE Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund (IGLF), managed by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), capped 2016 on a high note with P4.5-billion loans released to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), surpassing the P4.1-billion year-end target, while loans approved reached P4.6-billion. Short-term loans to small borrowers accounted for 76 percent of total releases and approvals.

As of end-December 2016, IGLF’s total loan portfolio reached P5.6-billion, up

by P1.1-billion, or 24 percent from the previous year’s P4.5 billion.

Wholesale lending to

DBP-accredited participating financial institutions led the aggressive fund mobilization with conduits relending to MSMEs engaged in various economic activities such as hog farming, duck and poultry raising, retail sale of various items, and tricycles and other land transport operations.

The other loan growth came from retail lending thru DBP’s Small and Medium Investment Loans for Entrepreneurs and different DBP branches in the countryside directly benefitting small businesses, involved in agribusiness, private education services, health care, tourism, food manufacturing and trading.

IGLF, a fund owned by the Republic of the Philippines represented by the National Economic and Development Authority, is the longest running lending facility in the country that gives strong support to empower MSMEs by giving increased access to credit. It aims to boost the Duterte administration’s thrust of continued growth momentum of MSMEs in the regional and rural areas.

IGLF has continuously been searching for ways to expand its credit service to small borrowers that have significant impact on employment, income generation, and value-adding to indigenous resources, and that contribute to community welfare and de-

velopment.

Meanwhile, in addition to its loan releases, IGLF has also been a main contributor to the Credit Surety Fund program approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. IGLF’s performance continues to indicate favorable management of resources.

It has paid out almost all its foreign obligations to the World Bank, and with only the Asian Development Bank having a remaining balance of P305 million. IGLF ended 2016 with a P104-million projected net income.

IGLF has grown the National Government’s initial investment of P803 million to P6.8 billion. (PNA)

ments.

Photo shows SSC Chairman Valdez (3rd from right) and PCEO Dooc (middle) present the Certificate of Appreciation to Congressman Pichay (4th from right) and Congressman Tinio (5th from right) for sharing their insights and valuable advice to further the social security

program in the private sector.

Also present during the dialogue were (right to left) EVP Rizaldy Capulong, SS Commissioner Gonzalo Duque, SS Commissioner Jose Garbriel La Viña, SVP Voltaire Agas, SVP Judy Frances See, VP Marissu Bugante and SVP George Ongkeko. (SSS PR Photo)

IGLF MSME support reaches P5.6 B T

SSS discusses reform agenda with lawmakers San Miguel flavored beer

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HE Social Security System (SSS) presented its road map on pension reforms to Congressmen Prospero Pichay Jr., and Antonio Tinio, two members of the House of Representatives who are highly-engaged in social security issues, at a meeting today at the SSS Main Office in Quezon City.

In the meeting chaired by SS Commission Chair Dean Amado Valdez, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dooc enumerated the three-pronged approach of SSS on collection efficiency, investment strategies, and legislative enactments the agency is pushing for to implement benefit enhance-

launches“Fun University”

A

LL roads will lead to the admission gates of Makat’s Globe Circuit Events Grounds for fun-seeking groupies as San Miguel Flavored Beer stages Fun Fair ng Barkada, a classic school trade fair-themed event that assures exciting activities for the young and elicit the feeling of nostalgia for revellers who are young at heart.

The San Miguel Flavored Beer’s SMFBU Fun Fair ng Barkada brings in some of the country’s top bands such as the Silent Sanctuary and Up Dharma Down. Other popular bands, dance groups, and DJs from different universities will also be joining in the fair on top of fun activities starting from 12 noon of February 4 until the wee hours of February 5.

Classic school fair booths like jail booth, marriage booth, kissing booth, hangout booth, and other

fun attractions including daytime fireworks, beer swing, wacky obstacle run inflatables, giant beer pong, dizzy maze, human tic tac toe, agawan base zorb ball, mini trampoline, and breakout escape room challenge will also be featured.

Ticket price is P350, inclusive of three (3) cups of San Miguel Flavored Beer 330mL and access to all the eight (8) main game attractions with one (1) play each game.

Tickets can be purchased from San Miguel Head Office, Event Circuit Office, McCann World Group Office, The Huddle Room Office, Breakout Escape Room Branches, and various College University Organizations. Only 18 years old and above will be admitted to the event.

For more details and references, visit Facebook/SanMiguelFlavoredBeer and facebook.com/ events1901582183410034. (PR)

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

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Development goals

RAFFIC, flooding, solid waste management and agri-tourism. These are the key elements that will define the development goals of Davao City.

Each time we look at the future, it is inevitable that the current zoning plan is discussed. Reason is, before anything can be done as far as development goals are concerned, we must start from scratch and that is the zoning plan.

For yet another time, the city’s zoning ordinance has been taken up as the city girds for new initiatives in collaboration with the National Economic Development Agency (Neda) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

There is reason enough to seriously buckle down to work this time and waste no time.

Among the projects in the pipeline for Davao City include

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a bypass road that will incorporate a 10-kilometer tunnel, a coastal bypass road, Sasa port modernization project, Mindanao railway, development and maintenance of Davao international airport and the Davao-Samal bridge.

There is also the urgency to put in place a mass transport system that will help decongest the growing traffic.

A few days ago, a consortium has presented a proposal for a monorail system in Davao that will be initially built on a stretch of 14 kilometers from Panacan to Roxas. A feasibility study is being proposed to get the proposal off the ground.

Things are really looking up for Davao City. Given that our councilors and think-tanks of development work extra time to fine tune the zoning plan, we should be ready for take off.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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ROM time to time, we get some pieces of advices – from our peers, from our teachers, from our parents, and even from those we really don’t know.

Students who take examinations are usually given some pieces of advice. Newly-wed couples are also advised as to what they need to know to make their marriage successful. And those broken-hearted individuals are always asking some information on how to move on.

“What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.

Don’t complain,” said Maya Angelou, author of “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.” Michael Crichton, the man behind “The Lost World” seemed to have the same idea when he said: “All your life people will tell you things. And most of the time, probably ninety-five percent of the time, what they’ll tell you will be wrong.”

Advices abound, indeed. But here’s a thought from Holly Lisle who penned “The Silver Door”: “I have never yet figured out what to do about good advice that you get, and that you know right away would help you, but that you cannot follow.”

To follow or not to follow. There are only two options. But what happen if you follow what you are told. Below is a story sent to be through e-mail by a friend. I really don’t know who wrote this originally (could someone tell me so I can give the proper credit?).

They were just married. Both came from a very poor family and they lived in a small farm in a far, far away place. Then, one day the husband made the following proposal to his beautiful wife: “Honey, I will leave the house: I will travel in a distant place, get a job and work hard. When I return, I will give you a comfortable life that you deserve. I do not know how long I will be away; I only ask one thing: Please wait for me. While I am away, you should be faithful to me, because I will be faithful to you.”

I

T is very apparent that, up until this time that she is now the second highest official of the land, VP Leni Robredo is still rough around the edges.

Any layman can tell. Her responses to ambush interviews are starkly different to a well-staged press conference her handlers conduct. In the former, she would blush and grope for the right words but in the latter, she is well-poised and appears ready to go into battle anytime, anywhere.

Leni’s knee-jerk reactions to diatribes that come her way display her amateurish bearings. She cannot separate the chaff from the grain, so to speak.

The Liberal Party to which she belongs, is clearly baby-sitting her, careful not to stir the childish tantrums that usually are part of the job. Was she not a reluctant candidate when the LPs were scouting for the best choice the party would partner with 2016 presidential candidate Mar Roxas? She played hard-toget to a point that her reluctance and hesitation became the subject of media spins to generate front page media space.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Some pieces of advice

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The wife THINK ON THESE! agreed and so the young man left. He walked for many days until he found a farmer who was in need of a helper. The young man offered his services. He was accepted. But Henrylito D. Tacio before that, he henrytacio@gmail.com discussed the terms with his boss: “Let me work for as long as I want and when I think I should go home, please relieve me of my duties. I do not want to receive my salary. I ask you to save it for me, until the day I leave. The day I decide to go, please give me the money and I will go my way.”

They agreed on those terms. So, the young man worked without holiday and without rest.

After twenty years, he came to his boss and said: “Sir, I want my money now because I want to go home to my family.”

The boss replied: “All right, after all, I made a deal with you and I will stick to it. However, before you go I want to offer you something new: I will give you all your money and send you away or I will give you three pieces of advice and send you away. If I give you money, you lose the three pieces of advice. If I give you the three pieces of advice, you lose the money.

Now, go to your room and think about your answer.”

The man tried to figure out which of the two options he will choose. After two days, he went to the boss and told him: “I want the three pieces of advice.” The boss reminded him again if he gave him the three pieces of advice, he would not receive any money.

The man understood that. “I want the three pieces of advice,” he confirmed.

These are the three pieces of advice the boss told him: No. 1: Never take shortcuts in your life, shorter and unknown paths can cost your life.

No. 2: Never be too curious, for curiosity towards evil can be deadly.

No. 3: Never make decisions in moments of anger or pain, because when you repent, it could be too late.

After giving the three pieces of advice, the boss said: “Here, you have 3 loaves of bread.

You can eat the two bread during your travel and the last is when you get home; eat it with together with your wife.”

After the first day of travel, he met a man who asked him where he was going. “To a distant place,” he replied. “It is about 20 days away if I continue walking.” The man told him: “Oh, that path is too long! I know a shortcut that is very safe and you will arrive within 5 days.”

He started to follow what new path until he remembered the first piece of advice. So, he returned and followed the long path instead.

Days later, he learned that the shortcut led to an ambush.

After a few more days of travel, he found an inn, where he took a much needed rest. During the night, he woke up hearing a terrifying scream. He rose to his feet and went to the door to check what happened. But before he could open the door, he remembered the second piece of advice. He returned to bed and slept again.

After breakfast, the owner of the lodging asked him if he had heard the scream at night.

He said he did. The host wondered if he were curious as to what had happened. “No,” he replied.

The host disclosed: “You are the first guest to leave this inn alive. My neighbor is completely crazy. He usually shouts at night to call someone’s attention. If someone happens to come out he kills the person and buries his body in the backyard.”

After many days and nights of walking, he was almost home. But it was already night

when he arrived. He saw some light coming out of the window of his house and was able to see the silhouette of his wife. But he also saw that she was not alone. He came closer and saw there was a man with her. She softly caressed his hair. When he saw that scene, his heart was filled with hatred and bitterness.

He wanted to rush at and kill them both.

But, he took a deep breath and remembered the third piece of advice. Then he stopped, reflected and decided to sleep outside that night. He slept in the midst of the bushes, determined to make a decision the next day.

At dawn, he was calmer and thought: “I will not kill my wife and her lover. I am going back to my boss to ask him to take me back. But before I go, I want to tell my wife that I have always been faithful to her.”

He went to the front door and knocked.

When his wife opened the door and recognized him, she cried and embraced him warmly. He tried to push her away, but he was not able.

Then, with tears in his eyes he told her: “I was faithful to you but you betrayed me.”

She was shocked, so she replied: “How did I betray you? I have never betrayed you. I waited patiently for you for twenty good years.”

Then he asked: “How about the man that you were caressing yesterday?”

“That man is your son,” she declared. “When you left, I discovered I was pregnant. He is now twenty years old.”

Hearing that, the man asked for forgiveness.

He hugged his son. Then he told them all the things he had experienced while he was away.

Observing that he was hungry, the wife prepared some coffee for them to eat together. He took the last bread that his boss had given him.

It was neatly packed. After a prayer of thanksgiving, he opened the package and he was surprised to see all his money inside.

In “The Richest Man in Babylon,” George S. Clason wrote: ‘“Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you only take what is worth having.”

Fast forSPECKS OF LIFE ward.

Once a shy, blushing, bus-traveling first termer in Congress, Leni Robredo is definitely a political star that Fred C. Lumba glows and glows and glows.

Leni, whatever political pundits think and say, is now the LP’s biggest bet for the 2022 presidential derby. That is, if she is not unseated by losing VP rival Bongbong Marcos in his protest the latter formally filed with the Comelec.

Or if she is not stabbed in the back by his partymates.

The widow of former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo should, by now, realize that her political future hinges not so much on the sup-

port her party extends to her, but on how she could face up to the challenges before her.

Leni should not allow herself to be kowtowed into believing that the LP made her.

She should wizen up to the theatrics by acknowledged party leaders who are predictably using her as a battering ram against the Duterte government, much like when attacking Vikings storm an enemy’s fortified castle.

Leni may be aware of this chicanery but at this point in time, she is unable to parry it.

In her mind, she is indebted to them and this thought of gratitude haunts her. She somewhat has to return the favor to have a peace of mind.

I don’t know if the VP has a firm grasp of Philippine political history. But if she does, Leni might be able to see through the maze and survive the infecting pollution from within and without, and eventually come out unscathed in the process.

The former congresswoman from Naga City has six full years to observe and develop a keen political sense that is similar to the unyielding fortitude of Diosdado Macapa-

gal and Ferdinand Marcos who faced great, overwhelming odds on their way to their successful, though separate, bids for the presidency.

Pardon this deadline beater but from a distance, I think Leni is allowing herself to be pushed around by old-timers in the party.

While the next presidential combat is still many, many summer moons away, many of her fellow LP leaders, whose individual credibility have ebbed because of Duterte-mania, are not now being talked about as serious contenders for the top post. Short of dubbing them has-beens, I think Leni has really over-shadowed them by virtue of her unexpected come-from-behind victory in the vice-presidential contest.

VP Leni should learn to be the master of her fate and the captain of her soul.

I recall a Nigerian proverb, attributed to an unknown author, that goes: “In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

Advice to Leni

10 NEWS

HIGH VALUE TARGETS. North Cotabato provincial director Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Peralta (right) bares that there are 16 high value target individuals related to drug trade in North Cotabato and some of them are high ranking government officials. Peralta, who was joined by

Tawi-Tawi... FROM 1

EDGEDAVAO

FLOODS... FROM 1

Makilala, North Cotabato chief of police Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, made the disclosure during yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Ritz Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Masterplan Alonto disclosed that the proposal was approved by the President in his recent

appointment with the MinDa chief. He added that the agency is now working on the documents to start the development of the said area starting with its consultation with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Head Charito Plaza.

He added that the agency had been quietly conducting planning and meeting with the president, potential investors and stakeholders on the projects and programs for Mindanao over the past few months and still continues to do so.

Alonto said that the government has been consulting the “greatest minds” in the country to craft the masterplan for the next few months.

According to Alonto, the developments will also cover the neighboring islands Sulu and Basilan where the MinDa chief has been negotiating with the local leaders.

“We are calling upon the good leaders of the island provinces. The government

cannot do it alone,” said Alonto who added that the local leaders must strengthen the law enforcement as well as the cooperation of the community in their respective area to ensure the safety and security.

To jumpstart, Alonto said that connectivity projects such as the circumferential road in Mindanao with a budget of PhP60 million.

The MinDa chief who is also the Philippine Signing Minister and current chairman of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) said that the connectivity in Mindanao which serves as the “gateway” of the Philippines to other BIMP-EAGA member states is one of the priorities pursued by the agency in the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, the roadmap to achieve a resilient, inclusive, sustainable and economically competitive sub-region.

otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” are being prepared against the suspects.

The rescued minor is turned over to Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern for discernment and other interventions needed.

This collaborative effort of the law enforcement agencies and the community serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators operating in the region that the law enforcement agencies of this region and the community are closely working together and always vigi-

lant in the fight against illegal drugs. This only shows that the government with its different law enforcement agencies and the community are one in the fight against illegal drugs. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI is asking everyone to help the

government attain its vision for a drug free Philippines by reporting to us those who are involved in illegal drug activities. You can call or text us at 082-222-3045, 09395433405 or 09331481387.

Oplan Tokhang if they will not comply with the extortionist’s demand.

PRO 11 Spokesperson PCI Andrea dela Cerna reiterated that the PNP launched their Oplan Tokhang as part of its anti-illegal drugs campaign where they visit the house of suspected drugs suspects and encourage them to submit themselves to the authorities and turn their backs from their illegal activities.

“The public should be warned dito, marami pong tumatawag hindi lang po siguro mga pulis kundi ‘yung mga

bad elements na nanakot,” dela Cerna told Edge Davao.

She said that the extortionists introduce themselves as members of the PNP and that they will conduct an indepth investigation once they found out who the extortionists are.

Dela Cerna is urging the public to immediately report to the police if ever they will receive calls from syndicates posing as police officers so they can respond to it accordingly.

She said that it is not right that police officers would in-

form a person about a complaint against him or her through a phone call.

Dela Cerna explained that under the standard operating procedures of PNP, the person facing a complaint is being sent a formal letter that contains the name of the PNP units, the details of the complaint and purpose of the invitation.

“Kung may complaint ‘yung tao, dapat ini-invite siya formally either for mediation or confrontation at karapatan po niyang magdecline or hindi; hindi naman natin mapipilit ‘yun dahil imbitasyon lang ‘yun

pero hindi normal practice ‘yung through phone call lang,” said Dela Cerna.

She added that they will not tolerate any police officers planning to conduct a similar scheme, adding that administrative and criminal charges await corrupt police officers who are caught extorting money using the Oplan: Tokhang program of the PNP. dela Cerna also said possible victims of the scheme should report any such incident to their office at Camp Catitipan in Davao City. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

The MinDa chief added that the development will be a comprehensive approach by establishing infrastructures and facilities that will address the livelihood and social needs of the citizens.

Alonto said the TawiTawi free ecozone is envisioned to surpass Singapore in terms of the number of ships serving neighboring regions in the trade and industry while the straights in Tawi-Tawi could be “the next Panama and Suez Canal without making a canal”.

The MinDa chief said that the project will be open for investors to invest on the shipyard that will be established on the island province to cater to the barter trade that will be re-implemented in the country under the Duterte administration.

Alonto also announced that the project will be intime for the recent decision of the Sabah government to lift the banning of the Philippine

Muslim traders to participate in the economic activities of the region.

1 killed... FROM 2

Police... FROM 3

Tourism ecozone Aside from the free port aspect, Alonto said that the islands of Tawi-Tawi has strong potentials for tourism industry of the country.

He said that Tawi-Tawi could also offer what Boracay Island can offer to the tourists because of the beautiful tourist attractions found in the province.

Agriculture Tawi-Tawi also possesses potentials in the aspects of agriculture according to Sec. Alonto. He pointed out that the aquamarine industry could offer a lot of products which can be exported such as seaweeds.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

The city government made the official declaration following the flash floods that inundated nine of the 23 barangays.

The flash floods, caused by days of heavy rains in Davao del Norte brought heavy damages to crops and aqua resources of the city amounting to more than PHP74 million and displaced a total of 2,659 families from the villages of Busaon, Bincungan, Liboganon, Pagsabangan, Cuambogan, Pandapan, Makilam, San Miguel and Canocotan.

Days of heavy downpours also caused the spilling points of two major river tributaries of Davao del Norte, the Saug River and Liboganon River basins that affected the low-lying barangays of Tagum and triggered flash floods.

Damage to infrastructure, meanwhile, is pegged at PHP1,015,000 based on the damage assessment report by the CDRRMC. These massive destructions led the City Council, upon the recommendation of the CDRRMC chaired by Mayor Allan Rellon, to declare the State of Calamity through Resolution No. 288 passed on Tuesday afternoon, January 24.

Displaced families in the affected barangays were evacuated in designated schools in the city and were given food packs prepared by the CSWDO.

In Davao Oriental, the information office said a total of 342 families are already affected by flooding in the town of Cateel as of Wednesday morning.

Of the total number, 214 are now staying temporarily at San Isidro Elementary School; 35 families in Yahuno Relocation Site; 77 families in Cateel Central School; and 16 families at the Cateel Vocational High School.

The provincial government said they are still waiting for the report on the number of affected families and individuals from other towns.

Improving weather conditions are generally experienced in the provinces of Davao region on Wednesday morning local government units (LGUs) together with line agencies and private groups continue to reach farflung villages to deliver foods and relief goods to flood victims.

But the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday said Davao region will still experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms due to the tail-end of a cold front that continue to affect the eastern portion of Mindanao.

diverse fabrics, she noted an error with respect to the background information given on the Yakan cloth.

“We are, however, very much disheartened to take notice of the fact that our very own Yakan tennun, popularly known as Yakan weave or cloth, was presented as a fabric from Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) instead of from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” she said.

Members of the Yakan tribe, who are known for their colorful hand-woven clothes, are traditional inhabitants of the province of Basilan, which is part of the ARMM. “We recognize the presence of a Yakan Village in Zamboanga City promoted as a popular tourist destination producing Yakan tennun and we are sincerely grateful for this support to our traditional art,” said Rep. Turabin-Hataman. Based on available data, some Yakans migrated to Zamboanga City only in the 1970s to escape armed conflicts in Basilan.

The Yakan tennun, Rep. Turabin-Hataman further explained, is not just a product but represents a priceless traditional art of weaving along with the Landap of the Maranaos, the Inaul of the Maguindanawons, the Pis siyabit of

the Tausugs, which are all traditional arts that survived for centuries.

“While those who fail to appreciate culture may perhaps see just a piece of cloth in our weave… to us, the wisdom, the values, the very spirit of our forebears live in every single strand of every piece of cloth,” she said noting those weaves represent the people of Basilan’s identity and being.

The colors, patterns and techniques of the Yakan tennun, she added, are the same colors, patterns and techniques, created in Basilan centuries ago. Thus, the issue is not just the Yakan cloth but the centuries-old tradition attached to a community.

Still, Rep. Turabin-Hataman said people from Basilan support the use and promotion of their products.

“Our only appeal is for our traditional arts to be recognized as having originated from us; that it is our own distinct contribution,” she said.

“As a people, so much has already been taken away from us. We thus call upon everyone, to take on a conscious effort in ensuring that nothing more is taken away, because no people and community must be denied of their rightful heritage.”

(Bureau of Public Information)

Netherlands, Sison can be barred re-entering Europe once he travels outside the European Union countries.

“Baka ang talks sa Philippines na (Maybe the talks can be held in the Philippines) because we are trying to get sup-

port from the people,” Bello explained.

The inclusion of the CPPNDF and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, in the US terrorist list has become a stumbling block for the return of Sison to the Philippines.

Solon... FROM 2

GRP... FROM 3

INdulge!

NISSAN JUKE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

invades the streets of Davao

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO NOWADAYS, it is not enough to own a car. What is important is owning a car that is suitable to your evey needs. With the plethora of choices in the market, it’s truly difficult to make a choice. But, if you know what you want, then making a choice becomes easy as 1-2-Nissan Juke.

Since its introduction in the Philippine market, the Nissan Juke has become one of the most recognizable and sought after compact crossover in the country. Bold and refreshing, the Nissan Juke has also become the brand’s answer to the growing challenges of every day driving in the Philippines.

Nissan Davao General Manager Maybelle Joyce Cua emphasized that more than the design itself, the Nissan Juke is fuel efficient and very compact – for its size. She added, “...there’s something for everyone. You can choose the Nissan Juke (Regular) if you just want to cruise around the city or go with the Nissan Juke N-Sport for that added adrenaline rush.”

For its Anniversary, Nissan, after introducing the Nissan Juke (Standard) and Nissan Juke

N-Sport, proudly unveils their Nissan Juke N-Style Anniversary Edition. Already a crossover to look forward to, the Nissan Juke N-Style gets more stylish and sleek with a bolder and more impressive look.

Available in two colours, Cosmic Blue with White accents and Black Obsidian with Yellow accents, the Nissan Juke NStyle is their Anniversary edition (at only 500 units available) with beautiful upgrades to keep you excited every time you are behind the wheel.

Jonn Cua, Nissan Davao Group Retail Manager, said that the Nissan Juke N-Style’s upgrades like the leather upholstery for the seats and steering wheel comes as standard for the Anniversary edition N-Style.

Also in their repertoire,

JUKE A3

“

Since its introduction in the Philippine market, the Nissan Juke has become one of the most recognizable and sought after compact crossover in the country.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

FOOD

INDEED, FOOD MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND. Even makes our tummy flip in degrees even the mind cannot fathom.

Despite such, food is but a life necessity that can never be neglected. Do so and you’d surely suffer the consequences – that is, craving for more than you used to.

With the constant online updates on the latest food finds in the city, curiosity will surely have you planning for a food trip in a snap. True, yes, but personally, I prefer referrals. It’s always nice to hear others talk and make those animated gestures all at once.

So, when a friend

said to try Flavourtown (which is just blocks away from our office), I was first to say yes. Of course.

Flavourtown turned out to be Briana’s but of a different name. To make it short, Flavourtown is Briana’s new name. Thus, Flavourtown by Briana’s.

Flavourtown by Briana’s can be likened to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that will soon become a new favourite.

The place is very chill and relaxing – with its wide open space and trees all around. Though situated in a subdivision (and right next to a school), Flavourtown is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a meal minus the city noise.

Their menu is one

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Same but different flavours to look forward to. It’s packed with choices – from beef to chicken to pork and pasta dishes, you’d love that it has pictures to make selecting even harder. If all else fails, go ahead and ask their staff for help or you can always go on a delicious adventure and choose anything. Bear in mind also that they are not a fast-food restaurant, so you’d surely have to wait for your meals. But it’s worth it.

Their best-sellers include Baby Back Ribs, Bagnet Pinakbet, Pork Sisig, Bacon Carbonara and Crispy Chicken Wrap.

They serve all day breakfast meals, snacks and a selection of drinks and shakes. They also have an array of dessert choices that will have you gushing with chocolate goodness all at once.

Here’s 3 of their best sellers that we were able to try and enjoy. Next time you want something new but with the same familiar taste, go ahead and visit Flavourtown by Briana’s.

Bagnet Pinakbet I know. Well, I always

have my friends to enlighten me on the taste. A friend, who referred this place, described their version as savoury and very Filipino. The vegetables are crunchy (but not raw) and verily complements with the other ingredients. The bagnet? I can say that the slices of bagnet delighted them. It was crunchy yet tender and juicy all at once. But the real star? The sauce.

Salted Egg Crispy Shrimps Ooohlala the salted egg craze keeps popping.

The sauce, though not as thick as I am used to, is filled with salted egg and

garlic flavour – an undeniably delicious flavour combo. One thing about their sauce though, I’d be happier with just a kick of spice or chilly or bolder taste of additional salted egg. The shrimps were savoury and very crispy.

Best part about eating this? You use your hands and dip the shrimps on the sauce. Yum! Meatballs Spaghetti Not your typical Pinoy style spaghetti, theirs is leaning more on the Italian taste. It’s simple with that hint of rustic spaghetti taste you’d not often encounter. Although the taste of herbs are very

apparent, such were not too overpowering. Taste wise, it was good.

Flavourtown by Briana’s is located at Acacia Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City. For inquiries, you may call them at 0947 287 8766 Check out their Facebook page at @Flavourtowndavao.

Want to know my latest food finds? Follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and I’ll make you hungry in a snap. For missed features, you can read them on my blog theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com.

Happy munching, #royalistas!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

EVENT JUKE A1

safety features such as the anti-lock brakes with electronic break force distribution, brake assist and dual front SRS airbags were in place.

Nissan Juke was first launched in Japan in 2010. It has an HR16DE 1.6L DOHC gasoline engine, Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), produces 116PS at 500 rpm along with 154 NM of torque at 4000 rpm, offers enough space for five passengers and has a fold-down

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

60/40-split bench rear seat and flat load floor.

The Standard Juke is available as a 4×2 and comes in Red, Yellow, White, and Black. The Nissan Juke N-Sport is a crossover between the standard Juke and a sports car and features sports decals, exhaust finisher and roof mounted spoiler to highlight the sporty theme.

Go ahead, celebrate and drive!

Visit Nissan Davao and get your hands on the all-new Nissan Juke N-Style. You’ll thank us later.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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11 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

So, you want to grow banana?

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“B

ANANA is the most economically important fruit crop in the Philippines,” said the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

“It is the only locally-grown fruit available year-round.”

The Philippines is the only Asian country to be included in the list of the top four leading banana exporting nations, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The three others are from South America, namely: Ecuador (which provides more than 30 percent of global banana exports), Costa Rica, and Colombia. All four countries account for about twothirds of the world’s exports, each exporting more than one million tons.

In popular culture and commerce, “banana” usually refers to soft, sweet “dessert” bananas that are usually eaten raw. The bananas from a group of cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called plantains, and are generally used in cooking rather than eaten raw. The word “banana” is derived from the Arabic word “finger.”

Unknowingly, banana is one of the most healthful fruits the world has known. Alexander the Great was so fascinated by the virtues of this fruit that he described it as “the heavenly fruit that tasted like nectar sweetened in honey.”

Health experts claim that banana is low in protein, free of fats but high in energy. A fully ripe banana has 20-25 percent sugar. It has a significant amount of B-vitamins, espe-

cially B1 and B6. B1 is a brain tonic whereas B6 relieves, in particular, uncomfortable symptoms of the pre-menstrual tension syndrome like irritability, headaches, tender breasts, and water retention.

Researches conducted recently at the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, substantiate earlier reports that high potassium diets (banana being one of these) lower blood cholesterol levels.

Subjects getting extra dietary potassium are also less prone to hypertension, strokes and atherosclerosis and finally show significantly low mortality rates.

A major study reveals that diets loaded with potassium-rich bananas may be able to cut the risk of strokes by one third. Scientists feel that many people can be protected against strokes and heart attacks by minimizing sodium (common salt) intake and by consuming plenty of potassium-rich foods of which banana is one. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

If you are having trouble with stress, potassium-rich banana can help you. Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body’s water balance. When you are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Aside from coconut, banana can be considered as “the tree of life.” Dondon Carlo P. Lejano, in an article which appeared in the quarterly publication of Bureau of Agricultural Research, wrote: “Aside from being eaten fresh, the ripe fruit can also be processed into jam, candies, and purees.

On the other hand, the unripe bananas may be processed into starch and chips. Banana extracts can also be processed into wine, catsup and vinegar.”

The banana leaves have their uses, too. Lejano wrote: “In some areas, especially in the provinces, the banana leaves are believed to be medicinal and can heal open-skin wounds faster. Aside from being used as packing materials in markets and other areas of trade, the banana leaves are also used for cooking purposes.”

There are several kinds of bananas grown in the country but the most popular ones are the latundan, lakatan, and saba. These are mostly

grown in the backyard or as a component in an intercropping scheme with minimum care and management. Cavendish is the export variety grown by commercial banana plantations in southern Philippines, particularly in Davao.

For local market, the most profitable variety to grow is lakatan. “Fresh lakatan is very popular in the market,” PCARRD said. “However, supply does not always meet the high demand, especially in Luzon.”

How profitable is it to grow lakatan? According to PCARRD, even if you plant just one-fourth of the farm to banana, you will have an annual net profit of P24,000 in the second year and will shoot up to P69,000 in the ninth year.

If you plant the whole farm with banana, you will get an annual net profit of P121,000 in the second year and then P304,000 in the ninth year.

“Lakatan fruits can be harvested 8-12 months after planting,” said the investment briefer prepared by PCARRD. “Suckers are allowed to grow for the next fruiting cycle and repeated for another cycle as long as plants are healthy.”

If you want to go into lakatan production, there are some things you have to consider.

Banana can grow from the poorest to the richest type of soil with varying success. So,

you must take into consideration your farm.

“Banana plants require moist, deep, fertile and welldrained soil,” informs the Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (SMIARC). Since it is sensitive to standing water, plant banana in the area where the water is easily drained.

For maximum growth and production, “lakatan has to be planted in areas with slightly acidic to neutral soil (ph 5.0-7.0), with temperature of 25-30 degrees Centigrade and with average rainfall of 100150 millimeters per month.” If you are not so sure about your farm, contact the Department of Agriculture in your area and ask them.

After the soil, the next thing to consider is the planting materials. Choose from any of the following: suckers, corms, or tissue-cultured planting materials. Suckers are vertical shoots arising from the mother plants. Ideally, the suckers should be 100-150 centimeters in height and taken from disease-free and vigorous mother plants.

Corms are the underground stems of the banana that look like very large tubers.

Select corms that are about 10-15 centimeters (about one-half kilogram) from disease-free mother plants. Each corm should have a minimum of one good bud.

Tissue-cultured planting materials can be obtained

from recognized and reputable nurseries and are ready to be planted when they reach the five-leaf stage.

Farm facilities that you need in the production are a packing shed, a washing/delatexing tank and irrigation.

Bamboos are needed as support materials to the banana plants. Other basic tools and equipment include weighing scale, sprayers, bolos, knives, and ladder. Farm supplies consist of organic and inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and packaging materials.

Here are some recommended cultural and other practices that are needed to produce lakatan successfully from SMIARC: · Fertilize the plant with 0.25 kilogram of urea plus 0.25 kilogram of muriate of potash every three months to ensure proper growth. · Ring/Strip weed until the plants can provide shade to suppress weed growth. · Remove dry leaf sheaths and leaves quarterly using a pruning knife attached to a long pole. · Remove unwanted suckers by digging or cutting off from point of attachment to the mother plant or by severing a sucker at the ground level. · Debell bunches immediately after the appearance of the false hand.

The fruits are ready for harvest when the plant has six or less functional leaves (and turning yellow). The fruits are full, plump, round and light green and the angles in the fingers are rounded. Generally, this is about 12-14 weeks from flower emergence. Harvest the fruits not earlier than 80 hanging days.

For small bunches, SMIARC recommends that the harvester should cut the trunk slowly and partially (about one-third from the top) to ensure slow toppling of the bunch. Knife, bolo, sickle or hatchet may be used to do the operation. For easy handling, the harvester can hold the peduncle leaving about 30 centimeters of the stalk.

For big bunches, bamboo poles is recommended to support the upper portion of the bunch. The harvester moves the base of the pole slowly until the bunch touches the shoulder pad. He then cuts the stem of the bunch 46 centimeters above the fruit to provide a handle for the carrier.

12 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Aeon Towers set for topping off

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

A

njb@edgedavao.net

EON Towers, the maiden high-rise development venture of Davao-based firm FTC Group of Companies, is set for topping off early next month.

The 33-level Aeon Towers is nearing completion with the 32nd level already completed as of January 12. Only the remaining 33rd level of the premier residential-com-

mercial building project is set for concreting.

As the scheduled topping off nears, excitement over the property is also escalating especially with those who have bought in units.

Topping off is the conclusion of construction works from ground to the top level.

“Our future residents can’t wait to get into their

units. On our part, we are also excited that we have already accomplished this far,” said Ian Y. Crus, president and CEO of FTC Group of Companies.

The next phase after the topping off would be the fitting of furnishings and fixtures.

The company hopes to fast track the turnover of the project and possibly move on to a next tower

project of the fledgling Davao-based real estate firm.

The 4,574-square meter condo has every luxury and convenience homebuyers would find in a suburban home with select, elegant fixtures.

From the view of Aeon Towers’ residential units, one is treated to the best panoramic views of Davao City—the island view on

one side facing Island Garden City of Samal and the Davao Gulf, and the city view on the other side with the vast expanse of Davao and Mt. Apo in the horizon.

Designed by Syndicated Architects Far East Associates with Ian Campbell and Associates as project and construction manager, the condominium has been tastefully decorated

in a sophisticated but comfortable and convenient style.

The condo has been laid out in a rounded edged shape around the building’s core to maximize its views of the south, west and north sides of the city.

The top floors of the futuristic building are the premium residential units and the skydeck infinity pool and offices.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Philam... FROM 5 lifestyle.

“We want them to know the result or consequence of healthy lifestyle and healthy lifestyle also entail financial wellness,” she said.

“It is a general mindset that healthy lifestyle is expensive because one has to enroll in a gym or buy exercise equipment,” Ms Azarias said.

Choices “Not true, because we have choices. We can eat processed food or junk food.

We can plant a lot of food in our backyard. It is a choice between camote and French fries. It is just a matter of thinking out of the box.”

“Like if we want to remove the extra pounds gained during Christmas season and cannot find the time or unwilling to enroll in a gym; we may take the stairs instead of the elevator. We may walk going to our destination kung malapit lang, instead of riding in a car. “ Azarias said that “we are empowered to choose our daily activities and food intake.”

“It is really being conscious of our physical activities,” she said.

Azarias said this advocacy has been pursued by our sister companies as we’re present in 17 countries.

She said her company encourages Filipinos to down-

load the Philam Vitality app.

“The app would track your health activities and then you would get rewarded para ma-encourage ka,” said Ms Azarias. “Like for every 250 points in one week, it’s either you get a movie pass or something else.”

She said a lot of participants have already received rewards. It involves 7,500 steps to get 250 points. “So if I walk like 5,600 steps, I don’t get the 250 points as the tracking is weekly. If you don’t get the 250 points, wala kang rewards? So you start again. You cannot add the other points in the past week to your present milestone.

“We do it in our AIA areas.

Same objective but different applications in different countries, Ms Azarias bared, saying that Vitality app is not owned

by Philam Life “but we partnered with them.”

“We can imagine ourselves 10, 20 years from now.

How would our lifestyle be?

Can we still walk without a cane? Okay be yong kidney mo, is it functioning well?

“Of course, we cannot change the past, but we can change our lifestyle. We can be moving a lot for a change,” she said.

What is starchy food and what is fibrous food? Whole wheat, brown bread or white bread?, she asked.

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO Free app “Take note that Vitality app is free for everybody, whether or not one is a Philam Life client or not, “ she said.

Azarias said that through the app, an individual can even know his vitality age.

“When you go into the app, tatanungin ka nong mga activities mo. Then, depending on your answers it will tell you what is your vitality age.

“It’s very interesting. You may just only be 30 years old, but your vitality age could be 50 years, if you are not moving physically or you’re not eating the right food, or you’re either just watching TV or playing games in the Internet.”

5 important things Azarias said there are five things that we should be very mindful of every day.

“One is our food intake.

“Two, our water intake should be enough as hydration is very important.

“Three is enough amount of sleep. Sadly, the young ones now sleep very few hours lang.

“Four is physical activities.

“And five is financial wellness.

She said people should watch how they manage their finances so they will not be stressed because stress is the beginning of many kinds of sickness, including those that are life-threatening.

DTI... FROM 4

Duterte, according to him.

“As we host the ASEAN 2017 Summit, the Philippines is one with the ASEAN in increasing trade and investments in the region; in integrating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy for greater access to trade information, global market and value chain, and finance, promoting youth and women entrepreneurship; and in increasing cooperation within the region and connectivity to the rest of the world,” Sec. Lopez said.

The trade chief said that coinciding with the Leaders’ Summit in April is the holding of an ASEAN MSMEs-Mentors Conference, bringing together ASEAN mentors who can equip ASEAN local community enablers with the necessary information on access to capital, markets, ASEAN industries and innovation.

An ASEAN Creative Cities Forum and Exhibit will also be held, showcasing initiatives of 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) in making culture and creativity a driving force for sustainable development and urban regeneration, according to Sec. Lopez.

“Taste ASEAN as the Philippines holds International Food Exposition (IFEX) in May. IFEX will showcase the best food brands from Southeast Asia and its partner countries,” he said, adding that DTI’s aim is to increase ASEAN SME participation in

the global production and value chains, through participation of 10 AMS and ASEAN Dialogue Partners (DPs) in the country’s biggest international trade exhibition on food and food-related products.

Aside from these, an ASEAN Women’s Business Conference in August will be held to provide strategic dialogue among ASEAN, the private sector and DPs in addressing issues and concerns on women entrepreneurship, focusing on market access and finance and the identification of innovative business models which supports the ASEAN’s vision of a stronger, more inclusive, and integrated economic community.

In September, Sec. Lopez said that an Inclusive Business Summit, emphasizing the role of the government in sharing best practices on implementing inclusive business strategies and in recognizing exemplary inclusive business models through the ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards.

Meanwhile, the 2nd ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival will strengthen the network among young entrepreneurs from ASEAN and other countries capturing the fast-paced developments on key sectors such as food, agriculture, information technology, logistics, business process outsourcing, start-ups, and Internet of Things (IOT).

Through the formal launch of

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of Marketing Assistant Qualifications: • Graduate of business or any other related courses • Female • With pleasing personality • Fast learner • Can work with minimum supervision

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ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association (AYEA) Charter, Sec. Lopez hoped to commit young entrepreneur towards strengthened ties, cooperation and linkages.

In October, driven by the goal to promote innovation across the ASEAN region, DTI will spearhead the annual Slingshot event, helping create a regional network of ASEAN ecosystem players including startups, investors, incubators, mentors, academe, co-working spaces, and industry experts.

“It shall showcase investment-ready startups for potential local and international investors as well as facilitate easy access of information between governments running start-up development programs in the region,” he said.

Before the year closes, another MSME Summit will be held, featuring inspiring MSMEs including those that have benefited from the mentoring program of the Philippines and other AMS. The Summit, which is in conjunction with the concluding ASEAN Leader’s Summit, will be an occasion to formally introduce the establishment of the ASEAN Mentors Network, an organization of mentors from AMS. “We shall work hand-inhand in creating paths that will lead our people and our communities towards a truly inclusive, innovation-led shared prosperity,” Sec. Lopez concluded. (PR)

DENR... FROM 4

July 8 last year, Lopez ordered an industry-wide audit to look into the adequacy and efficiency of environmental protection measures taken by the mining companies, determine gaps in those measures and identify the appropriate penalties for violations of mining and environmental laws.

“In auditing these mining companies, we will not just look at the technical side but also the social practices – what are effects of these firms on the residents, water, among others,” Lopez said before the start of the mining audit last year.

The audit team is composed of representatives from the DENR central and regional offices, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Environmental Management Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and civil society organizations.

The mining audit focused on safety and health, mine environmental management, social development, mining tenement, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, hazardous waste, and solid waste.

Among the major findings of the team were violations of the terms and conditions of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2010-21, or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and DAO 200-98, which refers to Mine Safety and Health Standard. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

Review: The new Toyota Vios G

O ahead and stare as hard as you can. No matter how good you are in playing “Spot the Difference”, you will never be able to tell the 2017 Vios and Yaris apart from their refreshed versions. Save for the now standard side skirt and rear lip spoiler on the Vios 1.5G (and some new colors), these two sub-compact cars look unchanged from the models Toyota Motor Philippines launched four years ago. Or are they? Pop the hood and you’ll see the words, “Dual VVT-i” embossed on the now silver-colored engine cover.

This is where all that change is concentrated in and it makes a world of difference.

One can be overly critical of Toyota’s move to introduce the NR-series engine just now, but it’s better late than never.

On paper, it makes the same sort of power and torque figures (107 horsepower, 140 Nm) as the NZ-series that it’s replacing, but it does so with cleaner emissions. It’s designed to be Euro-4 compliant out of the box and can be made to go Euro-5 with just some optimizations. Now, while this news is all good for Mother Earth, what does it mean for the drive? Simply put: this is the engine the Vios

and Yaris should have come with from the get-go.

Before the new engine, the Vios and Yaris twins were noticeably coarse-sounding.

Though improved sound insulation over the model years mostly reduced them to muffles, they’re still audible as the rev counter goes up. With the new 2NR-FE engine, it’s all gone. Twisting the key and the engine comes to life with a rather unconvincing tinny sound. But as it settles to its 700 rpm idling speed, it becomes remarkably quiet and smooth; better than anything the old powerplant could muster. From there, it moves from strength to strength. At lower rpms, it maintains that composure, maintaining its hushed nature while at higher rpms, it’s free from any vibration or harshness whatsoever.

Apart from answering the clamor for a more refined driving experience, this new engine in the Vios and Yaris answers yet another glaring complaint experienced by owners: poor fuel economy.

While it was excruciatingly hard to keep the “Eco” coaching light lit with the older powerplant, it’s almost always on in this new one save for full throttle applications. This observation is only backed up by

actual fuel mileage where the new engine provides up to 7 percent better fuel economy especially during city driving; and though the engine plays a huge part in improving the overall fuel economy, the adoption of a CVT over the archaic 4-speed automatic helps too.

Sadly, these improvements aren’t without their drawbacks. The biggest one is the lack of oomph, particularly for the heavier Vios. This

is obvious from a standstill, where pressing on the gas pedal results in increased engine sound and pretty much nothing else. It’s only when the revs go above 2,300 rpm that some decent speed is felt. The Yaris, being the lighter one fares better. It feels sprightlier, closely mimicking the performance of the old drivetrain combination. Now, the CVT is largely to blame here since its tuning is less than athletic. Compared to

other gearless automatics, Toyota’s slush box emphasizes “slush” far too much. It takes more than a moment to find a good rhythm. Thankfully, once it finds it though, there’s good enough pace to get around. Command an overtake though and the gearbox gets perplexed once more, taking some time to shuffle up its ratios to produce grunt.

Slotting the gearbox into the simulated +/- does help things a bit, but not as much

as you’d hope.

Apart from the new engine and transmission, the rest of the Vios and Yaris experience hasn’t changed much. Outside, it sports the same “keen look” Toyota family design that first appeared in 2013. The sharp and angular styling is holding up quite well despite its ubiquity and age, though minor changes particularly with the wheel design would have been very welcome.

rear fog lights contribute to better on-road visibility.

Capping off the sporty exterior is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.

The spacious Strada has a new front seat design with a body-hugging fit and deeper center trim. The black high-grade fabric seats also up the cabin’s feel while a 4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control functions complete the changes.

The Strada GLS 2WD also

boasts of first-class safety features that include dual SRS airbags, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, and Mitsubishi’s proprietary RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body construction.

T h e Strada GLS 2WD is now available at all Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide with a price of P 1,215,000 for the M/T and P 1,295,000 for the A/T. It comes with a 3-year, 100,000-kilometer warranty.

Meet the new Mitsubishi Strada

A

LREADY in our monthly car price guide earlier this month (in automatic guise at least), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is spearheading the shift to clean diesel technology with the launch of a new Strada pickup truck variant that comes equipped with the 4N15 MIVEC engine.

Once exclusive to the top-ofthe-line Strada GT and automatic equipped 2WD A/T variant, this engine is finally paired to a 2WD drivetrain and a manual gearbox.

Like the Montero Sport and Strada GT, the 4N15 MIVEC engine in the GLS 2WD also outputs 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. While

the automatic still comes with 5 forward gears with INVECS-II sports mode, the manual comes with a 6 forward gears. It lets the drive take total control with its wide shift ratio and easy-to-modulate clutch.

Like the Strada GT, the GLS 2WD variant is now give a new dark chrome grille and side step plate. The variant is also equipped with side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and power folding function. The front fog lamps also integrate daytime running lights while new

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

GILAS CALL UP. Troy Rosario of Talk N’ Text became the 25th payer in the Gilas national basketball pool.

Rosario gets Gilas call up T

ROY Rosario was named the latest addition to the national team pool on Tuesday.

“After getting clearance from TNT management and the PBA board, we are hereby adding Troy Rosario to

the Gilas pool,” Coach Chot Reyes said in a statement on Twitter.

The six-foot-seven forward was part of the Gilas squad that played in the FIBA OQT last year, the only PBA rookie to make the line-

up.

Rosario became the third KaTropa to join the Gilas pool after RR Pogoy, who was first named to the pool last year, and Jayson Castro, who was named to the pool on Sunday.

“Troy Rosario deserves to be here,” said Reyes in an earlier interview.

Gilas is now gearing up for the SEABA Championship which will happen in the country on April 23-30.

(PNA)

Pacquiao stays as Mahindra coach Lebron disgruntled W

BO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao said Tuesday the details of his next fight have yet to be determined, despite widespread reports he will face Australian Jeff Horn.

Asked in an interview with ABS-CBN television about a Horn fight, Pacquiao, said “not yet done, the negotiation is not yet done”.

“We are still negotiating about that. Nothing is really final, the date, who is the opponent. There are a lot of offers from other countries.”

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, has been widely quoted in international media as saying that the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed “Pac-Man” will get into the ring with Horn in April, possibly in Australia, but Pacquiao himself has not confirmed this.

The Philippine boxing

hero, who parlayed his sporting fame into election to the influential Senate last year, also reiterated his willingness to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor if his potential superfight with Floyd Mayweather fails to materialize.

“It could be possible if there is an intention to negotiate (for) the fight but definitely in boxing, not in an MMA fight,” he said.

But the 1.69 meter (5ft 6in)-tall Pacquiao also said he was not giving up his position as a playing coach in the Philippines’ highly-competitive professional basketball league, despite criticism of his hardcourt performance and Senate duties.

Pacquiao, who plays for the Mahindra Floodbuster team but who has missed practice because of his other roles, said he was not giving up his place on the squad.

at Cavs management L

EBRON James has vented his frustration with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ threadbare playing resources following the team’s latest defeat.

The Cavaliers slumped to a 124-122 loss against New Orleans on Monday, despite a triple double from James and a 49-point display from Kyrie Irving.

The defeat was the Cavs’ sixth in their past 10 games, and followed a 126-91 rout by the Golden State Warriors last week and a 118-115 overtime loss to San Antonio at the weekend.

James, who has never been unafraid to publicly speak out about his dissatisfaction with team issues, said recent results were unacceptable.

Serena in Aussie Open semis

STILL HEAD COACH. Manny Pacquiao is not resigning as Mahiindra coach.

Indons bare Davis Cup squad vs PH D

AVID Agung Susanto will banner Indonesia which will face host Philippines in the first round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II tie next week, the International Tennis Federation announced on Wednesday.

The other Indonesians seeing action in the tournament scheduled February 3 to 5 at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) indoor clay courts in Paco, Manila are Aditya Hari Sasongko, Anthony Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati.

Except for Anthony Susanto, all three players were part of the team which scored a 5-0

victory over Sri Lanka in the Group II relegation play-off tie last year. Anthony Susanto has replaced Christopher Rungkat.

Team captain is Andrian Raturandang.

The 25-year-old David Agung Susanto is currently No. 739 in the world. He is a clay court specialist who owns four doubles titles and has played in four Davis Cup ties.

Indonesia has beaten the Philippines six times in four meetings, the last was in 2012 (3-2) in their home turf.

The Philippines, on the other hand, last won over Indonesia in 1999 in Jakarta. In 1997, Indonesia defeated the Philippines, 3-2, also at the

“I just hope that we’re not satisfied as an organization,” James said, complaining about the team’s failure to land an alternative to himself and Irving.

“We need a … playmaker,” James told reporters.

“It’s like when you don’t have bodies. It’s tough,” James said.

“We’re a top-heavy team. We have a top-heavy team … It’s me, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love. It’s top-heavy.

“I don’t know what we got to offer. I just know me, personally? I don’t got no time to waste.

I’ll be 33 in the winter, and I ain’t got time to waste. That’s what I’m talking about.”

James said he had already spoken with Cavaliers general manager David Griffin to register his frustration.

PCA courts.

Veteran collegiate coach Karl Santamaria, who steered University of Santo Tomas and National University to several titles in the UAAP, was appointed anew as captain of the team comprising US-born Filipinos Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara and top junior Albert “AJ” Lim Jr., who is No. 35 in the world juniors rankings.

“It will be a tough tie especially since Indonesia has beaten us in the Southeast Asian Games team events in 2011 and 2015,” said the 37-yearold Santamaria, who has been supervising the training of Alcantara for the past two weeks

S

ERENA Williams remained on course for her 23rd grand slam title by quelling the challenge of in-form British Number One Johanna Konta 6-2 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the eighth time on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old American served up 10 aces and thumped 25 winners over 75 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to join sister Venus in the last four, where she will play 34-yearold

while waiting for the arrival of Huey, Gonzales and Lim. Huey, the world’s No. 22 doubles player, is competing in the Australian Open while Lim ended his campaign in the juniors event after losing in the second round on Tuesday. Gonzales is playing in Challengers in the US. Last year, the team of Huey, Gonzales, Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon bowed to Chinese Taipei, 1-3, in the semifinal round to stay in Group II. The winner of the tie will be promoted to Group I in 2018, while the loser THROUGH TO SEMIS. Serena Wiiliams will stay in Group celebrates after her victory.

II. (PNA)

Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Ninth seed Konta, who reached the semi-finals here last year and won the Sydney warmup tournament, managed a single break in the second set but was unable to cope with the power of the world number two.

Defeat means Britain has no players left in either singles tournament in Melbourne.

“Johanna Konta has been playing so well, I was in the locker room watching her clean up her matches, she is a future champion here for sure, so I am pleased to get through this,” Williams said in the on-court interview.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

VERY DECEIVING ‘The Hornet’has the worst form but comes up big: Funeka

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, Australia – Jeff Horn is deceiving. Very deceiving.

That’s the message of a battle-scarred South African boxer who fought and went down in six rounds with the man called ‘The Hornet.’

Ali Funeka, who lost to the 28-year old second-ranked welterweight contender last December in a Pacquiao eliminator, warned Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao against underestimating the hitherto lesser-known Aussie fighter.

“Pacquiao should leave nothing to chance when preparing for Horn otherwise he will get the shock of his life like I did,” said Funeka in a report by Boxing News.

“That guy is not pretty to watch but he does what he does successfully and he will surprise a lot of boxers with that style. I know some people are dismissing him because he does not follow the boxing script when fighting but I am telling you he may

upset Pacquiao especially as the Filipino is not the same dynamo he used to be,” said Funeka, who at 38 is as old as the eight-division world champion.

Funeka fought Horn in New Zealand in December as a co-feature to the WBO heavyweight championship between Kiwi Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz.

Going to the fight‚ the veteran South African warrior was not only confident of a win but had vowed to score a stoppage.

As it turned out, it was him who got the shock of his life.

Horn first dropped Funeka in the fifth round before dismissing the ageing fighter in the sixth.

The Pacquiao-Horn fight, looming to be Ausralia’s biggest boxing promotion in history, is set for April 23 tentatively at the massive Suncorp Stadium in Horn’s home city of Brisbane with Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title at stake.

Australian boxing has rallied around the 28-yearold Horn, who made a name for himself representing Australia at the 2012 London Olympic games. Horn has an impressive resume of 16-0-1 although he fought mainly in Australia and New Zealand.

Pacquiao is looking at just a handful of fights left in his career and the “world tour” theme would appear to maximize his earnings, as the Filipino sensation has never fought Down Under in his long career.

The fighting Senator even thought of fighting Conor McGregor, the MMA champion, on a square ring. ALI FUNEKA. “Horn is deceiving.”

The UFC, however, thumbed down the idea before it could boxing style—the worst uneven become a legit proposal. conventional one he had ever He will have to deal with seen.

Horn first.

“I had watched his video Funeka could give Pac- footage and I was confident quiao a few things about that he would not be a probHorn, who the Filipino su- lem‚” he recalled. “But wait perstar admitted of not until you get into the ring knowing. First, Funeka said with him and you will be surthe former Brisbane school- prised how awkward he is. teacher has a very deceiving He budged in with his head

and rammed me with it on my left eye. After that I was dizzy for the entire fight.”

Second, Horn’s power.

Funeka thinks the Aussie has a good punch.

“He complements his unconventional style with power as he tends to swivel all his body when throwing a right hand to generate all the

power to it.”

Horn is expected to climb into the ring against the charismatic Pacquiao as a tremendous underdog but Funeka is not ruling out an upset.

He warned that Pacquiao cannot rely on video footage of Horn which he said could be misleading.