Edge Davao 9 Issue 249

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

REBEL MADONNA. A woman member of the rebel New People’s Army attends a gathering of the communist rebel group with her young son in the hinterlands of Davao City. President Duterte on Friday ended the government’s six-month unilateral ceasefire with the NPA and ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be ready to fight. Lean Daval Jr.

RODY BACKS BULK WATER But rues delay of government clearances

Davao’s economy robust, bright prospects in 2017

By JIMMY K. LAKING

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RESIDENT Duterte on Thursday expressed full support to the P12.6-Billion bulk water project being undertaken by the Davao City Water District but indicated he was dismayed by a maze of clearances that continues to delay the project.

“It comes at a tremendous cost but it would be able to pro-

vide sufficient water to seven additional barangays including those affected by unproductive aquifers once completed,” said President Duterte.

Duterte was guest speaker of the Philippine Association of Water Districts convention at the SM-X Lanang, which drew more than 1,000 participants nationwide.

The president was all praises for the DCWD which he described as the most efficient government institution in Davao City.

He described the water that DCWD supplies as “the best in the world.”

He said a study conducted by hydrologists and geologists showed that Davao City’s

coastal aquifers are still in normal condition and not affected by salt water.

The bulk water undertaking sought to tap the surface water of Tamugan and Panigan rivers nearly 600 meters above sea level.

The project is being undertaken by DCWD in partnership

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By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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EGION XI can look forward to a “more improved economy” in 2017 after it posted robust growth and resiliency in 2016, according to the National Economic Development Authority.

NEDA XI Director Maria Lourdes Lim presented this

assessment during the Kapehan sa PIA on Friday.

She attributed these developments to several indicators such as the recovery of the agricultural sector from El Niño in the second semester, continued boom in construction and property

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UP CLOSE. President Rodrigo Duterte looks on as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol showS one of the components of the M’lang Solar Powered Irrigation System during its inauguration in Barangay New Janiuay in M’lang, North Cotabato on Friday. SIMEON CELI JR./Presidential Photo

Riding in tandem gunmen kill BuCor whistle-blower

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SECURITY officer of the Bureau Davao Penal Farm, known as Dapecol, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men at about 9 a.m. Saturday in Carmen, Davao del Norte.

The Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office identified the victim as Kabunsuan Makilala, described as the whistle-blower on the alleged corruption and other irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections.

In an interview with the DNPPO provincial director Sr. Supt. Ferdinand Sifuentes, it was learned that Makilala was shot by two unidentified gunmen while he was inside a bus.

Sifuentes said based on their investigation, Makilala was about to go home when he was followed by the suspects from the premises of the Davao Penal Farm in the town

of Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte.

“The suspects were wearing helmets and then after the incident, they fled to an unknown direction,” he said.

Based on reports, Makilala was the third person who was killed by unidentified men.

Last Nov., Davao Penal Farm superintendent for security and operations Robert Quinto was shot outside his house in Panabo City.

On Dec. 7 last year, Willie Plasabas, administrative officer of the penal farm, was also shot by unidentified suspects in Carmen, Davao del Norte while riding his motorcycle from his workplace on his way home.

However, Sifuentes said that he cannot state any connection between the killing of Makilala and the previous two

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Duterte sad to lift ceasefire with reds

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday announced that he has lifted the government ceasefire with the New People’s Army due to a break down in peace negotiations arising “unreasonable demands.”

The President’s decision came few days after the Communist Party of the Philippines announced on Wednesday that it would end its truce with the government effective Feb. 10 due to the government’s failure to release all the 400 political prisoners.

“Last night, I decided – I called [Armed Forces chief] Gen. Eduardo Año and said

I lifted the ceasefire tonight; wala nang ceasefire,” Duterte said during the launching of of a solar-powered irrigation system in North Cotabato.

Duterte pointed out that achieving peace with the communists “cannot be realized in this generation.”

“I really would like to express my sadness – we cannot have a peaceful generation; there will always be fights,” he pointed out.

With the lifting of the government’s unilateral ceasefire, the President told the government forces to be “ready to fight” as the suspected NPAs started attacking the military

troops.

Duterte bewailed losing six military officers after the NPAs lifted their ceasefire declaration Wednesday, derailing the peace talks.

“I have lost many soldiers within 48 hours – I think continuing the ceasefire would not produce anything,” he pointed out, adding that he has asked the soldiers to return to their camps to clean their rifles and “be ready to fight.”

Duterte mentioned that he has exerted his effort when he freed several rebel leaders just to let them join the peace negotiations as a building measure.

He also made it clear to the

rebel group that he does not decide alone about the peace process and that he conducts consultations with different stakeholders including the police and military.

“I would have wanted very much because it’s about 50 years in the making, gusto niyo another 50 years? Kung walang katapusan, sige,” he said.

“I am sad to report to you that there will be no peace with the communists for the next generation. Paubusan lang talaga ito, wala akong magagawa,” he said, adding that he tried but he is losing end of the bargain.

their exact location.

An Army intelligence officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the two soldiers -- Sgt. Solaiman Calocop and Private 1st Class Samuel Garay of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion -- are believed to be kept at the border of Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, particularly in the mountains of Kiblawan, Davao del Sur where the New People’s Army have a strong presence.

The soldiers were on board a motorbike when

they were flagged down on Wednesday by some 15 NPA rebels in Barangay Telefas, Columbio.

Initial information showed the two infantrymen were from the battalion headquarters in Makilala, North Cotabato and were heading to their base in Barangay Telefas, hours after the communist rebels declared they will cancel their unilateral ceasefire with the government by February 10.

Following the incident, Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega,

commander of the 6th Infantry Division alerted all brigades and battalions under his command to take safety measures to avoid getting kidnapped by communist rebels.

Columbio is part of Sultan Kudarat but is under the 1002nd Infantry Brigade based in Malungon, Sarangani.

601st Brigade chief, Col. Cirilito Sobejana, based in Tacurong City, said intelligence agents under the 601st, are helping the 1002nd brigade in locating the abducted soldiers. (PNA)

AFP says it has enough forces to coop with NPA challenge Operation launched to locate 2 abducted soldiers in SK

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines has more than sufficient forces to meet rebel groups in Eastern Mindanao, its chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año has said.

“We have enough forces.

We will assess everything before we make any troop movement or any adjustment,” he said when asked whether there is a need for more forces after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the lifting of the government ceasefire in the wake of unprovoked New

People’s Army (NPA) attacks which had left six troopers dead and three others abducted this week.

Año noted he has been in contact with all military commanders in Eastern Mindanao and that all of them are now aware of what they need to do.

“They know already what to do because when we (had) our command conference early last month, (part of the) contingency planning is what the military would do in case

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OLICE in Sultan Kudarat have intensified their intelligence operation in Columbio town to locate two soldiers abducted by communist rebels on Wednesday, a police official said Saturday.

“We maintain our support for the Philippine Army in Columbio and in Sultan Kudarat,” said Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., speaking for the Soccsksargen Police.

However, military and police intelligence units remain clueless about the identities of the communist rebels and

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Surrenderee nabbed while selling shabu

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VIGIL. Soldiers stand guard beside the coffin of 2nd Lieutenant Miguel Victor Alejo who was killed by members of the rebel New People’s Army in Manay, Davao Oriental the same day the communist rebel group announced

that it was suspending its unilateral ceasefire with the government. Alejo’s remains was brought to Nueva Ecija on Friday night after President Duterte visited his wake in a funeral parlor in Panacan, Davao city. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte condoles with kin of slain army officer

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday evening visited the wake of slain soldier 2nd Lieutenant Miguel Victor Alejo at the St. Peter Chapels, Panacan, Davao City.

The junior officer was killed in an encounter with an armed lawless group believed to be members of New People’s Army in Sitio Manay, Davao Oriental on Wednesday afternoon.

Duterte personally extended his condolences to the family of Alejo and spoke with generals of the Philippine Army regarding the termination of the government’s ceasefire with the NPA. Meanwhile, the latest at-

tacks carried out by the NPA on authorities forces, many of whom have been simply engaged in community-building actions, prompted President Duterte to announce the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire effective Friday.

Termination of unilateral ceasefire means the troops are back to chasing the after-elements of those who commit atrocities in the rural areas.

In his speech in M’lang, North Cotabato, President Duterte informed the army to “go back to your camps, clean your rifles, and be ready to fight” as he has already lost “many soldiers” in just 48 hours.

Norman Alejo, father of

DOH reports 57 Zika cases

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HE Department of Health (DOH) said Friday a total of 57 Zika cases have been reported in the country from January last year until last February 2.

It said 38 of the cases (67 percent) were female and 19 (33 percent) were male. The victims’ ages ranged from 7 years to 59 years.

No death has so far been reported.

Some 20 cases (35 percent) were from the National Capital Region; 18 (32 percent) from Calabarzon; 15 (26 percent) from Western Visayas; and two (4 percent) each from Central Luzon and Central Visayas.

Of the 57 cases, seven were pregnant, aged 16 to 32 years. Three came from the NCR, two from Calabarzon and two from Central Visayas. Of the seven, three are still pregnant. The 16-year-old from

Las Piñas had given birth to a healthy baby boy at full term, while the 32-year-old from Central Visayas had a spontaneous abortion at nine weeks of pregnancy.

Meanwhile, the health department is confirming if a woman in Western Visayas who had given birth to a baby girl whose head is smaller than usual, had contracted the Zika virus during her pregnancy.

The baby was also born with encephalocoele, a neural tube defect characterized by saclike protrusions of the brain.

The mother did not manifest any symptom of Zika during her pregnancy.

“Blood samples from mother and baby were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and will be subjected to a confirmatory test on Zika virus using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Re-

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the slain soldier, said he supports Duterte’s termination of the ceasefire and believes that the decision is “for the good of Filipinos and for the great of the nation.”

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental, who was also visited the wake, additionally favored to the lifting of the ceasefire since it would be “able to forestall NPA rebels from conducting their unlawful actions.”

Maj. General Rafael Valencia, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th infantry Battalion, said in a chance interviewon Friday evening that they are waiting for President Duterte’s guidelines regarding the lifting of the ceasefire.

When asked regarding the army’s preparation on NPA’s further attacks in the region given that the ceasefire has already been lifted, Valencia said “it depends on the situation.”

“Our primary concern is [to defend] the security of the people and troops against the NPA; we will continue to be the nuisance army and plan our next movments based on the guidelines that will be released by the President,” he explained, adding that the Army’s headquarters will also create their plans on how to implement the guidelines that would be released soon.

Despite this, the military said it would still support the

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HILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency fulfills its mandates as more drug perpetrators falls in the hands the law.

Agents form the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI led by DIRECTOR II JOEL B PLAZA conducted buy-bust operation last February 3, 2017 at around 9:00 p.m. at Mabitad Street, Purok Manga, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The suspect was identified as Marlon Ecunas Bael @ Marlon, 39 years old, married, tricycle driver and a resident of Peda Street, Barangay San Francisco, Panabo City, Davao del Norte. Bael was arrested after selling one (1) sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as shabu worth Php 1,000.00 to PDEA Agent who acted as poseur buyer. Another one (1) sachet of suspected shabu more or less one (1) gram with a street value of Php 12,000.00 and the buybust marked money were also recovered from his possession and control.

Bael is 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 Section 5 and Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” are being prepared against Bael.

This serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators operating in Davao Region that Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the community is closely working together and always vigilant in the fight against illegal drugs. This only shows that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the community are one in the fight against illegal drugs. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 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.

Discarded 550 blood units tainted with HIV in 2016

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HE Department of Health (DOH) said it has discarded more than 500 blood units found to be tainted with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2016.

Based on the December 2016 report of the HIV and AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP), the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) confirmed that a total of 550 blood units tested positive for HIV last year.

“These were confirmed HIV-positive blood units, not blood donors. It is possible that one donor will donate

more than one blood unit,” said the HARP report.

The month of August had the highest number of HIV-tainted blood units with 71, while February had the lowest with only 25. In December alone, 53 blood units were confirmed positive for HIV. The 2016 figure is higher than in 2015, when 456 blood units were discarded for being tainted with HIV. Meanwhile, the DOH has assured the public that the tainted blood units were discarded and not transferred to other people. (PNA)

VISIBILITY. A police patrol vehicle traverses near SM Lanang Premier where dozens of police personnel are stationed as part of a stricter security measures being implemented while delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are in Davao City to attend series of meetings. Lean Daval Jr.

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EAGA bullish in enhancing cross-border relations

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ENIOR officials and key players from the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) expressed optimism on the future of the sub-region, particularly in strengthening further cross-border relations within the area.

At the opening ceremonies of the 2017 BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting (SPM) held here Wednesday at the Grand Mercure Hotel Harmoni, Philippine Senior Official to the BIMP-EAGA Arturo Boncato Jr. said prospects are looking bright for EAGA especially with the completion of the draft of the BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) 2025.

BEV 2025 is the successor plan to the BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint for 2012 to 2016, which outlines the thrusts, goals, and future programs of the sub-region.

“The BEV 2025 is an exciting successor plan to the blueprint that ended in 2016 primarily because this is a result of a series of consultations all the way down to the local government units in the sub-region,” he added.

Boncato, an Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the plan’s effectiveness relies mainly on its efficient implementation.

“One of our major tasks is to come up with a definitive list of priority projects com-

plete with concept notes and general implementation plan,” he added.

One of the key features of the plan is the mechanism to measure the results by the end of 2025. The plan also lists US$23 billion priority infrastructure projects, designed mainly to strengthen connectivity within the sub-region.

“This is unprecedented and unheard of in the history of BIMP-EAGA as compared to US$1 billion invested in the Implementation Blueprint in 2016,” said Boncato.

The projects include the upgrading of seaports and airports, the construction of roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects that support the development of sea and air routes within BIMP-EAGA. EAGA Official and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro explained that the guiding framework of the BEV 2025 emphasizes strong ownership of local stakeholders during its preparation and eventual implementation with support from local governments and the private sector as enablers.

“Our goals right now as far as the BEV 2025 is concerned are to facilitate integration, strengthen linkage, and encourage coherence of the various elements within the plan as we move towards identifying specific activities that help

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MICC to address impact of mining closure on jobs

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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said about 1.2 million Filipinos will be affected by the closure order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on 21 mining companies.

In a Twitter post Friday afternoon, Dominguez said he is “deeply concerned over the welfare of the 1.2 million people affected by the closure of the 23 Philippine mines.”

“This will result to joblessness,” he added.

In an interview by reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) 40th year anniversary in Le Pavilion in Pasay City, the Finance chief said some members of the inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) have discussed the issue and the possible programs to help affected families.

“We are trying to meet as early as possible. We are just waiting for the response of the other members of the MICC. We want to have it next week, as soon as possible,” he said.

MICC is chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Its members are the secretaries of the DENR and the Department of Finance (DOF), the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the president of the

Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and representatives of the business, civil society, and the academe.

Dominguez said Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco has suggested that Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo survey the affected people and for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to prepare emergency hiring.

“Sec. Evasco has suggested that we engage them in a greening program to do tree planting,” he said.

Dominguez said these are still ideas until the Council formally meets and approves any measure. ”The Cabinet is obviously very concerned about unemployment and people not having income so we will put our shoulders to the wheel to address that issue first,” he said.

Another area that would be affected by this issue is state revenues.

Dominguez said local government units (LGUs) will be directly affected more than the national government in terms of lower tax collection.

“They use that money to hire people locally. That’s why we asked the treasurers already to give us quick round assessment of how much is going to be lost in revenues,” he said. (PNA)

NEW OPPORTUNITY. Payoneer Philippines country manager Miguel Warren (right), together with Information and Communications Technology Council Davao President lawyer Samuel Matunog, says the company tends to empower freelancers and small businesses to build a sustainable

business without all the high costs that are often associated with taking a business global during Payoneer Forum Davao press conference at Park Inn

by Radisson Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Payoneer equips MSMEs, freelancers in going global

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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GLOBAL cross-border payments company held a business and entrepreneurship in Park Inn Hotel, Davao City on Saturday gathering over 100 freelancers, entrepreneurs and other professionals.

Payoneer, a New Yorkbased online payment solution, intends to reach out to those who are interested to learn more about cross-border entrepreneurship and online connections that businesses can make with their customers all over the world.

Its goal is to encourage freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners to build a sustainable business without all the high costs that are often associated with taking a business global.

In a press conference, Payoneer, Philippines Country Manager Miguel Warren expressed his hopes to engage companies and business professionals in the IT-BPM field and work with the government groups to help further nurture the industry since Philippines comprises 20 percent of the global online workforce.

“We aim to empower freelancers and entrepreneurs by making it more convenient to send and receive payments from international clients,” he added.

Speaking during the forum were Mr. Outsource and Dreamwork Coworking Space CEO Regina Evangelista, Opposed Media Director Mitch Miller, freelancer Karla Singson, LinkVistaDigital Inc. CEO and President Patrick Panuncillon and Payoneer Philippines Country Manager Miguel Warren.

Meanwhile, Information

and Communications Technology Council Davao President Atty. Samuel Matunog told reporters that the greatest

“hurdles” in engaging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to work in a digital setup is chaning their mindset

towards the online community where cases of fraud and scam are prevalent.

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Davao City to host ASEAN corporate governance gab

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EYE-CATCHING. A passerby examines different varieties of dried fish on display outside an establishment along Lizada Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Department of Finance, will conduct an ASEAN Corporate Governance and Green Finance Conference on Feb. 6 in Davao City as part of the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017.

The conference will discuss Corporate Governance (CG) initiatives and developments in the ASEAN region and the Philippine publicly-listed companies’ experience with the ASEAN CG Scorecard.

There will also be an introductory discussion on Green Finance, with the Philippine SEC acting as co-chair together with Securities Commission Malaysia of the Working Group on Green Finance of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF).

The ACMF Working Group on Green Finance aims to identify green finance standards that can be applied for the ASEAN region to facilitate greater

green financing.

Following the ACMF meeting in Jakarta in September 2016, the ACMF announced that it will take a leadership role in identifying green finance standards that can be applied for the ASEAN region.

This is in recognition of the importance of green finance in supporting sustainable growth in ASEAN and the increasing amount of global capital seeking green investments.

Mapping of relevant green bond principles and standards have been conducted to determine the standard that is suitable for adoption in the formulation of the ASEAN green bond standards.

The mapping exercise aims to identify potential partners for ACMF green finance initiative, specifically on the green bonds standard.

The standard that had been selected is the Green Bond Principles (GBP) issued by International Capital Market Associations (ICMA).

(PNA)

Region 11 social conditions improved in 2016—NEDA PCC reviews competitiveness to make economy efficient

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE National Economic Development Authority declared on Friday that the social conditions in Davao region improved remarkably in 2016.

During the Kapehan sa PIA media forum on Friday, NEDA XI Director Maria Lourdes Lim identified improvements on provision of social welfare services and ensured social protection to the region’s marginalized and vulnerable sectors.

Health Lim pointed out that despite the rigid campaign of local government units through the local health centers, mortality rate in the region has still not achieved its target. For

2016, infant mortality rate in the region was 6.2 percent in 2016 from its target of 5 percent; under-5 mortality rate at 8 percent from its 9 percent target. Meanwhile, proportion of 1year-olds immunized against measles at 66.6 percent from its 95 percent target; proportion of fully-immunized children at 66.7 from its 95 percent target; maternal mortality ratio 116 45 ; and proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel at 87.5 from its 90 percent target.

This is an indication that local government units should heighten the implementation of their health services and programs, according to NEDA.

CTRP to provide subsidies to poor families: DOF

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HE Department of Finance (DOF) has maintained before the Congress that the first package of its Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP)—as contained in House Bill No. 4774—is pro-poor as it shifts the tax burden to rich families by taxing their consumption rather than income, so that additional revenues raised from this effort could be used for targeted transfers to indigent families and for massive public spending on infrastructure and human capital development.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua stressed at a hearing of the House committee on ways and means that HB 4774 earmarks on the first year of the tax plan’s implementation some P48 billion for targeted transfers that would

benefit the bottom 50 percent of the population and shield them from the impact of the fuel excise tax adjustment and other revenue compensating measures under the CTRP. Chua likewise noted that the VAT is a tax on consumption, and thus, would place the burden more on the rich than on the poor.

“The VAT should not be viewed as an incentive but as a consumption tax. We want to help the poor but exemptions are not the way to go about this because it leads to large revenue leakages. Targeted transfers that will ensure that the benefits go to them directly is the best approach in helping poor and vulnerable households,” Chua said at the panel hearing on HB 4774 and HB 4688.

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4Ps

NEDA reported, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps already achieved 93.3 percent or 245, 250 houlsehold benefeciaries of its annual target during the first three quarters of 2016 alone.

Security sector Efficiency in security sector was recorded due to increased crime solution efficiency rate of 68.6 percent for 2016. Crime incidents were reduced by 34 percent to 33,266 surpassing its full-year target of 38.7 percent in the former due to increased police visibility, mobile patrols, intensified anti-illegal drug operations, stricter implementation of lo-

cal ordinances, and improved condition between government and its citizens.

The director said stable peace and order conditions have provided an environment conducive for investments significantly creating jobs.

Prospects for 2017 NEDA said peace and order and public safety initiatives will intensify due to the robust economic activities in Dvao Region.

Lim stressed the socioeconomic report was based on the preliminary data presented by agencies concerned. Data on the sector of education is yet to be consolidated at the end of the school year 2016-2017.

BOT MEETING. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) chairman Antonio dela Cruz presides over the chamber’s second Board of Trustees meeting last week to discuss various concerns including the holding of the 4th Investment Conference (ICon) in July and the Davao Agri-Trade Exhibits in September, two flagship annual events of the

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HE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the country’s anti-trust body that turned a year this month, is reviewing the country’s overall competition landscape as part of its legislated mandate to ensure that industries and businesses don’t fall prey to anti-competitive behaviors.

The National Competition Policy Review will help the agency identify various anti-competitive practices in various sectors of the economy, as well as government regulations, policies and administrative issuances that may constrain market competition.

It is expected to be completed by the first quarter of this year.

The review will come up with measures and recommendations to rid the country of market structures that prevents healthy competition from flourishing.

Initial results of the review have informed the drafting of the chapter on Competition Policy of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, which is soon to be launched.

Fostering competition will benefit the consumers and make the domestic economy more efficient and productive.

Among the remedies identified so far include the lifting of restrictions on foreign participation in certain industries.

The PCC was created in

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chamber. To the right of dela is President Ronald C. Go while to his left is past president and now Executive Vice President Sofronio Jucutan. Also in attendance where Trustee Arturo Milan, ICon chair, and Vice President Wilfred Teves, who head this year’s DATE staging. ANTONIO M. AJERO

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Poverty incidents in ARMM drops P

OVERTY incidence in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has dropped based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), ARMM officials said today.

“Latest data from the PSA show poverty incidence in the ARMM in 2015 at 53.7 percent, or 2.1 percentage points improvement from the 55.8 percent recorded in 2012,” Lisa Grace Bersales, PSA’s civil registrar general, told ARMM officials Friday.

The PSA report provides estimates of poverty incidence using income data from the first and second visits under the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted in July 2015 and January 2016.

The province of Tawi-Tawi recorded the lowest poverty incidence in the survey among 26 provinces in Mindanao posting 12.6 percent while Lanao del Sur has the highest at

71.9 percent.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman underscored that poverty alleviation is his administration’s top priority this year.

He said PHP4-billion has been earmarked this year for various programs and projects aimed at eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the region.

Bersales said there is a gradual decline in poverty incidence in the region but the figure is lower than what was expected by the ARMM regional government.

“The basis of our poverty statistics is income, and incomes of households respond very slowly to the interventions, but I feel that it’s a good start,” said Bersales.

Subsistence incidence in the region was estimated at 21.1 percent. In 2012, it was recorded at 25.1 percent an improvement of four percentage points.

Subsistence incidence

RPOC MEETING. Compostela Valley Governor Tyron Uy who chairs the Peace and Order Council in Davao region presided over a meeting at Provincial Capitol in Nabunturan last Friday, February 3. The meeting, joined by other

agency-members, discussed peace and order situations, anti illegal drug campaigns, peace process updates as well as weather updates in the region.

(Maryel Longakit Lasaca, ComVal PIO)

among Filipinos refers to as the proportion of Filipinos in extreme or subsistence poverty.

PSA also releases statistics on poverty among families – a crucial social indicator that guides policy makers in efforts

poverty is multi-dimensional, very complex situation, and our official poverty statistics, for now, focuses on one dimension, which is income,” Bersales said.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM’s executive secretary,

to alleviate poverty.

Based on the first and second survey visits in 2015 in ARMM, poverty among families was estimated at 48.2 percent from 49.7 percent in 2012.

“Poverty statistics is the most controversial because

said the region’s target poverty incidence is to reduce the rate to 30 percent in three years.

“Our target is to improve the living conditions of our households para ma-reduce ang poverty,” Alamia said.

(PNA)

Philippine Eagle freed in Sarangani’s‘last frontier’ DavOcc holds 1st provincial

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REHABILITATED juvenile Philippine Eagle was freed to its habitat Tuesday (January 31) barely a month after being found and captured severely dehydrated, malnourished and with an imbedded pellet.

The bird was “hard-released” or coaxed to jump out of its opened transport kennel so that it could fly off by itself, said Beth Ramos, municipal information officer-designate.

After 15 minutes or at 8:44 am., the eaglet flew and landed on a tree a few hundred meters away.

It was normal for a newly-released bird to stay at a tree for a while to fix its feathers and do some muscle-flexing.

A team of biologists stayed behind to observe the bird for 10 days depending on the progress of the bird’s situation.

Atty. Emma Nebran, executive director of the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC), said the forest where the eaglet was released is part of Mt. Busa, a key biodiversity area located in the western part of Sarangani Province.

“Mt. Busa is our last frontier,” Nebran said. “That is the remaining forest we have here in Sarangani province and we are interested to protect this one, to conserve and also preserve the biodiversity that we have here.”

Mt. Busa consists of 114,000 hectares covering the municipalities of Kiamba, Maitum and also part of Maasim.

However, Mt. Busa is threatened by land conversion (to farmland), kaingin (slashand-burn), wildlife hunting,

FREEDOM. A juvenile Philippine Eagle is freed to its habitat Tuesday, January 31, a month after rehabilitation by the Philippine Eagle Center. (Edgardo Calderon of CENRO Kiamba for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) illegal logging and mining, according to the ECPC. Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit said his municipality will declare barangays Batian and Tuanadatu as protected area.

“Kaming taga Maitum masayang masaya kasi dito namin nakikita na virgin forest pa ang aming kabundokan,” Reganit said. “Ngayon lang po kami nakahuli ng Philippine eagle (sa Maitum).”

Rosalito Labi of sitio Angko, Barangay Batian said: “Now we know how important the Philippine Eagle is. We do not cut trees here. We only plant banana, coffee, cacao and coconut. Let us protect our environment. We are mad if the forest is destroyed. Our livelihood comes from the forest.”

The eaglet, named Sarangani Pride by Senator Manny Pacquiao, was freed in Sitio Lahac in the border of barangays Upo and Tuanadatu.

From Sitio Lahac, the release team walked for a hundred meters towards a ridge overlooking Sitio Angko, Barangay Batian. The release was done by Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) caretakers and veterinarian.

The team was also composed of Philippine Eagle Center’s Dennis Salvador, executive director; PEF’s Dr. Jayson Ibanez, director for conservation; Nanette Nacional, OIC–Menro; CENRO-Kiamba forester Jhing Guilao; representatives from DENR Region 12; and Sarangani Information Office.

“Our staff will be monitoring this eagle post-release via satellite and radio transmitter.

We want to make sure that this eaglet will be accepted back by its parents and fed until it fully fledges,” Salvador told Sarangani Information Office.

“The role of the communities here is to just not touch the eagle and inform their neighbors and our biologists whenever they see it flying nearby, primarily to protect it themselves,” Salvador said.

The role of local government units (LGU) is important in terms of reinforcing information campaign and “making sure that nothing illegal is done and ensure that the law on wildlife act and relevant ordinances are enforced,” Salvador added.

He pointed out the presence of the Philippine Eagle

(Pithecophaga jefferyi), the national bird, in the forest of Maitum “basically shows that this forest is still pristine and healthy and is worth conserving.”

Salvador said other than Maitum and Sarangani, there are very few provinces across the country that have good forest cover and harbor eagle populations – Davao Oriental, Davao City, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and some parts of Lanao.

“But very few of these populations are spread across the country. They are found only in four of the major island groups that include Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Luzon. We estimate that there are only about 400 pairs left in the wild,” Salvador said.

The Maitum eaglet is a male. Soon after it fledges, it would try to find its own territory and basically be driven out by its parents.

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anti-illegal drug summit

G

OVERNOR Claude P. Bautista initiated last Wednesday, Feb 1 the 1st Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Summit, in a bid to support Pres. Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

Together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bautista led all barangay captains of the 105 barangays and the Municipal Mayors of the five municipalities in the province, who attended the summit held in Malita town.

The main objective of the activity was to orient the barangay captains on their important role in fighting illegal drugs through reorganization and strengthening of Barangay Anti-Illegal Drug Council (BADAC) and the Municipal Anti-Illegal Drug Council (MADAC).

The summit also integrated the newly-conceptualized AUDING PLAN (Aksyon Undang Druga- Igsoong Nagtin-

VISIT TO A FALLEN SOLDIER. Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang joined President Duterte and top officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in paying last respect to the wake of 2nd Lt. Miguel Victor Alejo

abangay para sa Gugma), a provincial action plan intervention to sustain the national government’s program on eradicating illegal drugs in the country.

With Auding Plan, a convergence of the efforts of the Provincial Health Office and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Barangay Councils to ensure that all voluntary surrenderees for rehabilitation will be given an effective after care program and ensure that they will be appropriately treated.

All Municipal Health Offices and MSWDOs were given proper training to handle the patients and likewise augmented the budget to establish hospital extensions where patients can be temporarily treated.

MSWDOs likewise were given special trainings to ensure that after care program for the patients will be properly facilitated.

After-care program in-

F DAVOCC, 11

in Panacan, Davao City. 2nd Lt. Alejo was killed when ambushed by NPA rebels in Manay town last February 1.

(Eden Jhan Licayan, DavOr PIO)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

EDITORIAL

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Time for a new mining regime

LL of a sudden, the nickel ore market worldwide shifted, mining shares tumbled and about 1.2 million workers are affected. All these after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced the closure of 23 mining firms all over the country.

The reason for such closure, according to Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, is that these companies are operating on or near watersheds, caused siltation of coastal waters and destruction of watersheds, among other violations.

Siltation happens when excessive mineral particles contaminate a body of water. That means, you cannot have mining activities which endanger the water supply even if it means losing money for the economy and livelihood for those displaced.

The suspension will stay until President Rodrigo Duterte says otherwise.

It’s not an easy decision to make but Secretary Lopez, known for her tough stance against environment abuses, is sticking by her decision even if it will cost her the job. Some of the mining concessions are linked to politicians.

The move is meant to “rectify” the mistakes of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) which is under DENR, and is tasked with granting exploration permits to companies, while the secretary of the DENR ap-

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That will give the industry a fresh start. And speaking about the mining suspension, that should give Mother Nature a much-needed respite.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

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ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ KENNETH IRVING K. ONG JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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proves minerals processing permits based on Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

The said law is the main subject for repeal as another bill is being pushed in the House to replace the old law.

House Natural Resources committee chair Karlos Isagani Zarate believes that massive environmental destruction can be stopped or at least drastically minimized by overhauling environmental and mining laws through the junking of the Mining Act of 1995.

It’s about time our lawmakers seriously take a look at the old law and instead create a new mining regime through House Bill 2715 or the People’s Mining Bill.

House Bill 2715 seeks to reorient the Philippine mining industry toward wise and sustainable development and judicious use of the country’s mineral resources. The law also defines the significant roles of mining and a prosperous minerals industry in attaining a progressive, independent, industrialized and self-reliant economy.

The DENR’s serious business against mining abuses should be reciprocated by Congress’ timely action on the need to overhaul our mining laws.

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9

Cleansing the PNP: a tough row to hoe

HE police organization is hurting. Or so this was the prognosis shared by police regional director Chief Supt.

Manuel Gaerlan in updating the Davao media on the process being undertaken by PNP nationwide to cleanse its ranks.

Like other well-meaning police officers, Gaerlan was pissed that a few rogue cops like SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel (who was one of the brains of the killing of South Korean business Jee Ick Joo) were able to put the PNP organization into bad light.

“It hurts most because it comes at a time when we have an ongoing transformation program to reform the organization,” he said.

But with the order for the PNP to cleanse its ranks, he said there would be no mercy in booting out undesirables.

“They will not stay any minute longer,” he said, adding that in the region alone, at least four personnel are certain to be dismissed.

It also struck me that Gaerlan is right on one point. It would really take some time, probably a generation, to reform a system that has been tainted by a culture of corruption.

Yet having said that, he said the PNP is fast-tracking its efforts to be able to transform itself into a highly-effective and credible organization.

It seemed other regions have also gotten into the act because days after Gaerlan

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

N most journals, John Whitehead (186099), an English naturalist who explored the Philippines (1893-96) has been credited as the discoverer of the Philippine eagle in Balong, Samar in 1896. It was named monkey-eating eagle after residents reported that the bird preyed exclusively on monkeys. In honor of his father, the fowl was scientifically named Pithecophaga jefferyi.

The Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird, was first described by Scottish ornithologist William Robert Ogilvie-Grant (18631924) in the 1896 edition of the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club, and the following year was later explained in greater detail in the 1987 issue of the magazine Ibis.

But the first specimen received by the United States National Museum was an eagle’s skin sent around 1904 by Fletcher L. Keller, a hemp planter in Davao and a member of the Philippine Scientific Association, referring to the noble flyer as “perhaps the most remarkable bird which has been discovered in the Philippines.”

Ogilvie-Grant, who got his male specimen from Samar and identified the eagle as a close relative of the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), wrote: “The discovery of this mighty bird of prey is without doubt the most remarkable of Mr. Whitehead’ achievements in the Philippine Islands. That so large a Raptor should have remained unknown till the present time shows how easily these great Forest-Eagles may be overlooked.”

spoke, Metro Manila REVERSED PUNCH (GYAKU ZUKI) police commander Director Oscar Albayalde unveiled the names of 387 policemen slated for ‘reform training” in Camp CraJimmy K.Laking me itself.

In addition, Albayalde said his office has (from July 1, 2016 to January 30 2017) penalized and dismissed 46 policemen, suspended 63, and demoted four; seventy-nine others were sent to Mindanao for reassignment.

“The reassignment in Mindanao is to remove these police officers from their sphere of influence.” Albayalde said.

In the same week, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa was quoted as saying he wanted his people to re-establish their relationship with God and be fearful of the Supreme Being so they can steer clear of crimes.

“Ang gusto ko talagang mangyari, spiritual development ng ating kapulisan, yung

relationship nila with God, yung relationship namin with the Supreme Spiritual Being,” he told reporters in Pampanga. “’Yun ang gusto kong ibalik dahil pag may takot ka sa Diyos, may takot ka sa Panginoon, matatakot kang gumawa ng kasamaan, ng kalokohan. ‘Yan ang gusto kong i-reestablish sa amin, yung spiritual connection with the God,” he added.

The presence of rotten eggs in the basket has been a puzzle. One South Korean official in fact wondered how come that for a people who go to church every Sunday, we have law officers still engaged in heinous crimes.

In Dela Rosa’s estimate, about only 2% of the country’s 165,000 police officers and men needed to be weed out as undesirables “because it is their acts that are highlighted time and again.” This means that over-all the PNP is okay, given more time.

With this as background, my wife and I gave our blessings to a son who took his oath as police recruit in Camp Crame last week. My preference was for him to take up law but probably that would come later.

This son was “assembled” in Davao City, was born in Mati, Davao Oriental, grew up in La Trinidad, Benguet and studied in Baguio City and Cabanatuan City. I hope he will not marry somebody in Timbuktu or in Haiti.

On my wife’s prodding, I texted him

several messages I collected from a pair of beauty queens. This paraphrased message from Pia Wurtzback reads: “If you persevere as if your life depends on it, it can be done.”

From PNP region XI spokesperson PCI Andrea dela Cerna, a queen in her own right: “What the spirit has conceived, the body should be able to accomplish.”

Above all, “walang pride, stay humble,” she added. Thank you, replied my son to the flurry of messages.

Inwardly, I was pleased. What I only dreamt of, he was able to accomplish. Back then, I entertained the idea of becoming a policeman. My grandfather who served as USAFEE veteran was a former cop. So was my dad for a while before he shifted to farming.

In those days also and up to now, a policeman held the respect of the community.

But although I stood a couple of inches above 5 feet, my height failed me. One cousin said I should have gone to nursing, citing the case of two of our cousins, both standing a few inches above four feet, who made it as successful nurses in the US of A. Was I to blame my mother who stood roughly 4’5”?

With the ongoing cleansing and transformation of the PNP, I hope someday my boy will be among those to benefit for good so they could bring honor to both uniform and country. (30)

B a s e d FAST BACKWARD on measurements done

by Whitehead, the first specimen weight anywhere between 16 and 20 lbs., and the bird was characterized “by Antonio V. Figueroa extreme narrowness and very great depth; and the high vaulted narial opening is also a peculiar character. The naked tarsi and feet resemble those of the Harpy Eagle although considerably weaker. The wings are short and the tail very long, which is just the reverse of the common Eagle of the Islands (Pontoactus leucogasster).”

In his Hand-List of the Genera and Species of Birds, Richard Bowdler Sharpe (18471909), an English zoologist and ornithologist, placed the Philippine eagle between the shorttoed eagles (Circaetus) and the serpent-eagles (Spilornis). The Philippine eagle is described as follows: “It has brown and white-colored plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86-102 cm (2.82-3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7-8.0 kgs (10.4-17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length and wing surface, with the Steller’s sea eagle and the harpy ea-

gle being larger in terms of weight and bulk…

It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range.”

The bird’s staple food includes monkeys, civets, flying lemurs, large birds, giant cloud rat, reptiles such as large snakes and monitor lizards, small dogs and pigs. On record, according to the Threatened Birds of Asia, its largest prey was a 30-lb Cervus deer, a mature female macaque, and a large python.

American aviator Charles Lindbergh, known for his 1927 Atlantic crossing on an airplane, called the bird as “the sky’s noblest flyer.” As an agent of the World Wildlife fund, he visited the country several times to convince the government to protect the eagle.

Eventually, his effort led to the founding of a conservation project. In 1992, the first eagles were born in captivity through artificial insemination; seven years later, the first naturally bred eaglet was hatched.

The eagle soared highest when on July 4, 1995 President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 615, declaring the Philippine eagle as the national bird of the Philippines.

The edict states the bird “is the best biological indicator of the quality of our forest ecosystems and is the flagship species in the conservation of Philippine wildlife… a natural treasure found only in the Philippines and as such has become a source of national pride… whose uniqueness, strength, power, and love for freedom, exemplifies the Filipino people..

[and] offers immense ecological, aesthetic, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the Philippines and the Filipino people.”

Additionally, the decree orders the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to secure the viability of the existing eagle population by establishing sanctuaries in areas where the eagle is known to exist, promoting the participation of local communities in the management of its habitat through stewardship agreements, accelerating and expanding field research and monitoring of its activities, and promoting public awareness and education about the bird.

On Jan. 13, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte rechristened a two-year-old rescued Philippine eagle as Sakura (cherry blossoms) in honor of Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan.

But more than that, the bird has been featured on Philippine stamps 12 times, between 1967 and 2007. In numismatics, it was depicted on the 50-centavo coin minted from 1981 to 1994.

Already classified as critically endangered since 2010, the Philippine eagle’s habitat is also facing deforestation due to illegal logging, expansion of swidden (kaiñgin) farming, and the rise of small settlements in areas declared by government as alienable and disposable.

On the side, the rise of pollution and the uncontrolled disposal of pollutants have affected their food sources and, by extension, their lifespan.

Flight of the Philippine eagle

10 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

4 major meat processors sign up with AboitizPower P F

OUR of the largest members of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) signed power supply agreements with Aboitiz Power Corp. to support their operations and the expanding meat processing industry of the country.

The four companies, Foodsphere Inc. (CDO), Virginia Food Inc., LIIP Food Processors Inc. (Century Pacific) and GenOsi (McDonalds) signed up for a combined 12 MW of capacity supply from AboitizPower retail electricity suppliers (RES) Advent Energy and Aboitiz Energy Solutions in a ceremony Last February 2.

Foodsphere Inc. President Jerome D. Ong said they signed up with AboitizPower because it is one of the most experienced energy retailer in the market.

“We chose AboitizPower

because of their cost-effective energy rates that would result to optimum savings for our company. Their being one of the most experienced and reputable energy source was another deciding factor. They have a very responsive and technically competent team that always provides superior after-sales support,” he said.

On the other hand, Virginia Food Inc. president Felix Tiukinhoy, pointed out that competitive rates will allow the companies to manage their costs better.

“Because of the very competitive rate that AboitziPower offered, we are able to have predictable power cost over time. Also, we are banking on their reputation as a reliable and dependable energy company and that they will deliver on their promise,” said Tiukinhoy, who is also president of

PAMPI. AboitizPower Executive Vice President and COO for Corporate Services Luis Miguel O. Aboitiz said the group is looking forward to a stronger partnership with its new customers and PAMPI as an organization.

“We are proud to be partners with an industry that is basically woven into the Filipino lifestyle and an industry that employs a lot of Filipinos.

We look forward to join PAMPI as they grow as an industry,” Aboitiz said.

AboitizPower COO for its coal group, Sebastian R. Lacson, said that the biggest advantage of AboitizPower is its diverse portfolio, which gives it the ability to respond to the needs of the customers while maintaining a competitive price.

“Our experience in both

power generation and distribution gives us the capability to provide solutions to the needs of our customers. We are happy to be part of the meat processing industry and to support them as they set out for more growth in the next years,” Lacson said.

AboitizPower has one of the widest portfolio of energy sources in the country coming from its renewable power facilities – geothermal, large hydro, run-of-river hydro and solar power plants.

The company also operates a number of coal power plants for baseload capacity and oil-fired power plants for reliable peaking supply.

PAMPI and its more than 50 company-members account for more than P300 billion in revenues and provide jobs to more than 300,000 Filipinos. (PR)

PARTNERSHIP. Top management of the country’s meat processors and AboitizPower (from left to right) Rochel Donato R. Gloria, FVP for Energy Trading and Sales; Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Virginia Food, Inc. President; Luis Miguel O. Aboitiz, EVP and COO AboitizPower Corporate Business Group; Jerome D. Ong,

FoodSphere, Inc. President; Sebastian Arsenio R. Lacson, Therma Luzon, Inc. President and COO; Rex E. Agarrado, Century Pacific Food, Inc. VP and General Manager - Canned Meat Division signed up an agreement last February 2 to expand the meat processing industry in the country. (AboitizPower Photo)

A

dehydrated,” said PEF biologist Giovanne Tampos.

The attack injured the eagle’s left wing and disabled it to fly and stand. Fortunately, through the teamwork among the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources, Hedcor, and the local residents of the community of Barangay Sibulan like Henry, has

Hawk eagle rescued in Sibulan River

NOTHER wounded eagle has been rescued along the Sibulan River in Davao del Sur after Bagobo-Tagabawa farmer, Henry Andi, shooed a gang of crows attacking the eagle and sought Hedcor’s help for its immediate turnover to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

This is the second eagle saved

by Hedcor after it successfully helped Mabikkerr – a Pinsker’s Hawk-eagle – in 2015.

According to PEF, the eagle is an adult Southern Philippine Hawk-eagle, a family of eagle that is already endangered and therefore in need of humans’ protection.

“The eagle is so weak and

SAVING EAGLE. A wounded Southern Philippine Hawk-eagle turns over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for proper care and medication. (Hedcor Photo)

been educated through Hedcor’s Information Education Campaigns on birds protection. This initiative and the community’s cooperation, Henry, with Hedcor’s assistance, timely did the right action.

Currently, the found hawk-eagle is under the care of the foundation and is getting better.

“The hawk-eagle is still under observation; the food ration is given with vitamins; and though the wound on its left wing still needs medication, gladly, the eagle can now stand and eat on its own,” confirmed by Tampos.

After two weeks of observation, the eagle’s weight increased to 900 grams from 750 grams. Its average normal weight is 1500 grams.

Hedcor hopes that this eagle will be soaring soon back to the wild like Mabikkerr. In 2015, after 37 days of intensive care by Hedcor’s wildlife veterinarian consultant Dr. Bo Puentespina, Mabikkerr, a Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle was released by Bagobo-Tagabawa Berny Apal and Hedcor’s president Rene Ronquillo back to the protected forest of Mt Apo National Park. (PR)

Smart beefs up cellular and Wifi services in LRT-1

LDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications is upgrading its cellular network coverage in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 as part of a broad initiative to improve the mobile experience of LRT commuters numbering up to 600,000 daily.

Under this program, Smart will beef up its 2G, 3G, and 4G network coverage in LRT-1. State-of-the-art equipment is being deployed at the stations and platforms, inside the coaches, and, along the tracks.

It will also install carrier-grade Smart Wifi in the 20 stations and platforms, and eventually inside the coaches.

Similar network improvements are also underway for both LRT2 and MRT3. All these initiatives form part of a major network expansion in Metro Manila to improve the overall quality of service available to Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers.

“The LRT1 upgrade is part of Smart’s extensive network modernization program to provide consistent and reliable voice, SMS, and mobile data, particularly LTE (Long Term Evolution) services to our subscribers,” said Joachim Horn, chief technology and integration advisor at PLDT and

Smart.

Smart has also enhanced its coverage inside the LRT1 depot in Pasay City, to better serve Smart subscribers working for the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), which operates the line. LTE speeds have since gone up to 25mbps outside the depot, and 12mbps inside.

The network upgrade in LRT-1 comes as LRMC, which is partly owned by Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

(MPIC), an affiliate of Smart, is also rehabilitating the oldest of the three elevated trains serving Metro Manila.

The rehabilitation includes the modernization of its 20 stations, and the extension of the existing line from Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay City to Bacoor, Cavite. LRMC will unveil its modernized stations to media today.

The LRT-1 project is a component of the PLDT Group’s massive network modernization across its wired and wireless businesses, to improve the quality of its services particularly for mobile data. Last year, PLDT ramped up its capital expenditure program to $1 billion, with bulk of the budget going to Smart’s network rollout. An additional $100 mil-

F SMART, 12

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Northern exposure Philippine Airlines launches Davao - Clark flights

THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT SMALLER with the launch of the Philippine Airline’s new Davao to Clark route. The three-times weekly service was officially launched in a simple yet colorful ceremony last February 1 at the Davao International Airport.

In attendance of the event were Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo Tulfo and Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto.

They were joined by PAL Senior Assistant Vice President for Sales Philippines Harry Inoferio, Senior Vice President Legal and Corporate Communications & General Counsel Atty. Siegfred Mison, and Victor Suarez, Area Head Mindanao Sales & Services to witness the maiden flight.

The event was the fulfilment of the promise of Mr. Inoferio to connect Northern Luzon with Visayas and Mindanao.

In an earlier press con at the Marco Polo Cebu last January 26, Philippine Airlines announced the opening of eight new domestic routes; Cebu to Puerto Princesa, Cebu to General Santos, Cebu to

Surigao, Cebu to Coron, Clark to Coron, Clark to Puerto Princesa, Clark to Cebu and Clark to Davao.

“The flights from Davao connect with the flights from Cebu to Coron, Surigao, and Puerto Princesa,” said Mr. Inoferio.

“We are adding more

flights coming to and from Clark to decongest the the airport in Manila,” he added, “The new flights also allow residents in Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and even as far as Baguio, to visit Cebu and Davao without the long drive to

Metro Manila.”

Philippine Airlines’ Davao to Clark and vice versa service flies every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Promotional fare for the new routes are also now available online at PAL’s website as well as at all PAL ticketing offices.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

A roaring welcome

By KENNETH IRVING ONG GONG XI FA CAI! Regarded as one of the most anticipated events in the city the Chinese New Year celebrations saw many of Davao City’s hotels and restaurants dressed in various shades of red. To usher in a lucky and prosperous Year of the Fire Rooster, the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao held their own celebration with authentic Chinese offerings and traditional festivities on January 28.

The event started with the dotting of the lion’s eye which is supposed to “awaken” the spirit of the Lion. The ceremonial dotting was performed

by Hotel Manager, Bryan Lasala. “Every year, we see more and more guests come to the Waterfront Insular Davao to celebrate

and experience Chinese New Year with us,” said Bryan, Immediately after dotting of the lion’s eye, a lion and dragon dance performed by the Davao Lion Dancers Association followed with the energetic dancers filling up the Waterfront Hotel’s lobby

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and corridors with loud drumbeats and the frantic and energetic dance of the lions searching for Chinese lettuce and “ang pao” which were hung all around the property.

After the lion and dragon dance the the Yee Sang, Yu Sheng, Lo Hei, or the Prosperity toss opened the sumptuous Chinese buffet at Cafe Uno. Prepared by Waterfront Insular Davao’s executive chef Victor Barangan, the salad dish has become popular in Chinese New Year celebrations of Chinese communities in Southeast Asian regions symbolic of good luck, prosperity and health. It consists of strips of salmon mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments. Tradition dictates that these ingredients must be tossed high up in the air, thus the term Lo Hei, which means “toss high”. It is believed that the higher the toss, the more prosperous and luckier you’ll get throughout the year.

Bryan also shared the near future of the Waterfront Insular Davao “The coming years will be even

more exciting for Waterfront as we expect many more new developments around the hotel which will be announced in the coming months.”

After the lunch buffet, lucky diners started the Chinese new Year on a high as they received special fortune cookies with fortune forecasts inside!

Some even more lucky dinners went home with freebies like Waterfront souvenir items and free passes for two at the Pool Aquarius.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

Stories on young love conquer TV

RICHARD POON AND RICHARD YAP LAUNCH VALENTINES ALBUM SINGER-SONGWRITER RICHARD POON AND ACTOR-BUSINESSMAN RICHARD YAP take on classic love songs and make the ladies swoon in their first joint album, released just in time for Valentine season.

Titled “Richard x Richard,” the album is co-produced by Star Music and Cornerstone Entertainment, Inc., and marks The Chinito Crooners’ second collaboration following their successful concert last year.

“It’s a purely romantic album.

We’re both very excited, especially with the songs and genres. When the

project was proposed to us, we felt people would like it and that there is a market for it,” Poom said.

“Richard x Richard” contains covers of ten love songs -- five sung by Poon and five by Yap -- that are favorites across different generations.

The album features Poon’s covers of “Love Boat,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “Grow Old With You,” “The Last Time,” and “Goodbye.” Yap, meanwhile, croons in his versions of “Never Find Another Love Like Me,” “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Don’t Know What to Do, Don’t

INdulge! A3

LIZA SOBERANO AND ENRIQUE GIL become the king and queen of SKY’s “Love out Loud” offerings this February as SKYdirect offers its subscribers nationwide a free screening of the pair’s hit film “Just The Way You Are.” “Just The Way You Are” is a romantic comedy on mismatched lovers Drake (Enrique) and Sophia (Liza) whose lives cross paths because of a bet. A special relationship eventually blossoms as they spend more time together with Drake determined to win over Sophia in 30 days.

The SKYdirect free movie is a perfect way to pump up the excitement leading to the premiere of LizQuen’s upcoming Valentine movie, “My Ex and Whys” from Star Cinema on February 15.

Two other stories that celebrate young love that will air on SKYdirect are “Must Be Love” top billed by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo and “Till My Heartaches End” starring Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson.

SKYdirect is SKY’s direct-to-home service that brings its popular channels to Filipinos nationwide previously unreached by cable.

The three movies will be available for the entire month of February for free on channel 28 for SKYdirect postpaid subscribers and prepaid subscribers with load. Load for SKYdirect may be purchased at SKYzone, SM, Cebuana Lhuillier, 7-Eleven, Load Xtreme, and Load Central partners.

Meanwhile, SKYdirect prepaid subscribers may choose to convert their ABS-CBNmobile load to SKYdirect load to get free additional TV viewing days on top of their 30-day plan. To convert, text SKY99/SKY250/SKY450 <space> <box ID> to 23667 using their ABS-CBNmobile SIM. Both SKY99 and SKY250 will get three additional TV viewing days, while availing of the SKY450 plan will allow prepaid subscribers to get five additional days.

The movies of LizQuen, KathNiel, and KiMerald will also be available for free to SKYcable prepaid subscribers with load on channel 85 for subscribers in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan, while SKYcable prepaid subscribers in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Baguio, Gensan, and Dumaguete can catch it on channel 24.

Know What to Say,” and “Promise Ain’t Enough.”

“I think it’s very interesting because Richard’s genre is big band swing and mine’s pop ballad, and you get that in one compilation. I’m thrilled because this is a dream collaboration for me,” shared Richard.

“Richard x Richard” is overall produced by Rox Santos and co-produced by Star Music and Cornerstone Entertainment, Inc. It is now available at all record bars nationwide for only P250, and can be streamed and downloaded on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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Rody... FROM 1

with Apo Agua Infrastructura.

In his prepared speech, the President revealed that the project is hampered by “too many agencies that DCWD and Aqua have to deal with for approval and issuance of certifications.”

As detailed in his speech, the project although approved by the City government of Davao, still needed to hurdle the requirements of 10 more government agencies “before a bag of cement can be poured for a mini-dam or a reservoir.”

The Department of Agriculture’s approval was also needed to reclassify the land for industrial use. But an order issued by DA undersecretary Ariel Cayanan last year put on hold land use reclassification on the pretext that the agency cannot cope with the 15-

day deadline that President Duterte gave to government agencies to act on all matters brought before them.

In addition, the project still needed to acquire certifications from the National Irrigation Administration, the Sugar Regulatory Administration, House and Land use Regulatory Board and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The information added that if President Duterte was able to create a Department of Information and Technology, there was no reason him not to create a Department of Water--placing the Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Regulatory Board and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System under one department. (JKL)

peace negotiations fail or should the NPA decide to withdraw their ceasefire,” he said.

Año placed the number of NPA combatants in the entire country at 3,700, half of whom are operating in Eastern Mindanao.

He said this is the reason why the AFP is focusing on community development programs in the countryside, especially those with Indigenous Peoples, so that the reb-

els would be denied additional recruits.

With the lifting of the government ceasefire, the AFP chief said they can now plan the rescue of the three soldiers abducted in Surigao del Norte and Sultan Kudarat early this week.

“Before, (the unilateral ceasefire) prevented us from conducting rescue operations.

Now we plan to conduct operations,” Año said. (PNA)

achievement of the long lasting peace and that the public must take into consideration that the ceasefire was only lifted and not the peace negotiations.

It can be recalled that the NPA had launched 18 attacks against the federal government troops, though the reb-

els’ declared withdrawal of the ceasefire was nonetheless to take impact on February 10.

“Rest assured that we will continue to support the peace talks with the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) to find a permanent peaceful solution to the conflict,” Valencia mentioned.

narrow development gaps within EAGA,” he added.

During the event’s breakout sessions, the transportation cluster announced that it is planning for the development and upgrading of seaports in Mindanao particularly within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Palawan to sup-

port connectivity programs and projects.

The Initial list of these seaports includes the Bongao Port in Tawi-Tawi, the Polloc Port in Maguindanao, the ports in Puerto Princesa and Buliluyan in Palawan, the Zambonga, Davao, and General Santos ports in Mindanao.

(PR)

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EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late APOLONIO FLOREZA and FELICIDAD LAMBO-FLOREZA has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate with waiver of share executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.111; Page No.23; Book No. XVIII; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BENJAMIN T. ETULLE 1/30,2/6,13

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 11

CHILLED PRODUCT. A worker pulls an ice block which will be delivered to customers at the fish section of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

Davao... FROM 1

development, higher consumer spending partly due to the election and tourism-related activities, and the subdued increase in the prices of basic commodities.

Employment rate NEDA reported 95.5 percent employment rate in 2016, 1.3 percent higher than 2015 rate of 94.2 percent. This translated to higher quality jobs, specifically in manufacturing and ICT sectors, as reflected by a lower underemployment rate of 16.7 percent compared to 2015 level of 18.9 percent.

Inflation rate A 0.6 increase from last 2015 record of 2.6 percent inflation rate, NEDA said increase in prices of basic commodities is still slow at 3.2 percent.

PhP4.74 billion, from its 2015 level of PhP4.8 billion.

Infrastructure and Property development Major infrastructure projects were completed in 2016 such as the 300-MW San Miguel Corporation Coal-fired Power Plant in Malita, Davao Occidental; 150-MW Therma South inc. Plant in Dvao City and the 10-MW Solar Plant in Digos City by Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc. According to NEDA, the region attained a significant boom in construction activities and property development as the value of private building construction amounted to P12.5 billion or a 74 percent growth from its level in 2015.

Investments In a data coming from Board of investments, NEDA reported that the region sustained high value project commitments costing a total of

Agriculture NEDA reported a decline of production of primary agricultural products in the region due to the adverse effects of El Niño phenomenon. However, director Lim stressed the sector has recovered in the sec-

since the investigation is still ongoing.

“For now, I cannot tell any information on that since the incident happened just this morning,” he said.

“I’m just waiting for a feedback from the investigators and if there are developments, maybe I can reveal the motive of the killing.”

It can be recalled that Makilala, a prison guard, named then BuCor director Gaudencio Pangilinan as having committed violations of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Act); and authorizing the transfer of inmates, cutting historical trees, and appointing BuCor Assistant Director for

Operations Romeo Fajardo, all of which were reportedly not within Pangilinan’s authority and mandate. Makilala was a former assistant head of the BuCor’s bids and awards committee.

Based on reports, all the accusations were denied by Pangilinan.

Makilala was supported by anti-corruption crusader Sandra Cam. Makilala has applied to be included in the Witness Protection Program with then justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima. Makilala had feared for his life after he disclosed alleged anomalies at the state penitentiary. (PNA)

cludes manpower trainings for the VSRs and giving them seed capital to start a livelihood project on their own.

Auding Program was given commendation by DILG-XI, DOH and Philippine National Police Region XI. DILG hopes to replicate the same program to other prov-

inces.

DILG-XI Regional Director Ananias Villacorta, in his speech, expressed his gratitude to Gov. Bautista for his remarkable program, saying that Davao Occidental is the only PLGU that has this kind of program. (PGO-DavOccidental/ Marivic Flores Hubac)

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ond half of 2016.

For the region’s production of top export products, banana increased by 0.7 percent at 3,479,472 mt from its 2015 level of 3,455,014 mt. Meanwhile, Pineapple declined by 2.1 percent at 26,300 mt from 26,880 mt in 2015. Mango also declined by 2.8 percent at 52,764 mt from 54,335 mt.

Aside from El Niño, the decrease of demand from major trading partners such as Japan and China which experienced global slowdown also affected the industry.

such as Sulong Pilipinas and summits held in Davao City.

Tourism Tourism sector grew by 11.4 percent at 2.1 million visitors. Tourist receipts, also increased by 9.1 percent at PhP23.9 billion from 2015 record of PhP21.9 billion. Lim attributed this surge to Department of Tourism’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) program, the efforts of the local government units in tourism promotion as well as election and post-election-related activities

Economic prospects for 2017 NEDA said Davao Region could expect acceleration of government spending for big-ticket infrastructure projects such as the Davao City Bypass Rod, Davao Coastal Road Development Project and the Mindanao Railway System.

Also, tourism sector will continue to surge due to the region’s hosting of numerous MICE events, including the recently-concluded Mindanao Tapestry Event of Miss Universe, and the several ASEAN 2017 meetings.

Meanwhile, prospective energy projects in the regions will include a diesel power plant in Mati by the Total power Incorporated, scheduled for testing and commissioning on December 2017.

With these, NEDA said the region could achieve or even surpass its 2017 Plan target of 8.6 percent Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).

action (RT PCR),” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said, adding that Zika infections are often asymptomatic.

She noted that this case should not be discounted.

“Zika virus has been linked to congenital central nervous system malformations, such

as microcephaly. The DOH calls on pregnant women to avoid mosquito bites, especially during day time. Insect repellants are safe for regular application. For those with fever, rashes, and conjunctivitis, submit yourselves for consultation,” she said. (PNA)

“With respect to protecting this eaglet and its parents, it is important that the LGU reinforces the awareness campaign among its residents and constituent communities but at the same time showing that it has the political will to enforce the laws of the land,” Salvador said.

The eaglet was found in Barangay Batian on January 2 then brought to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City. X-Ray result showed an embedded pellet in its left groin area. A PEC veterinarian inspected the possible entry point of the bullet but “wala namang entry wound so ibig sabihin it is an old wound na nag heal na. Normally hindi na namin ginagalaw kung hindi

naman fatal.”

The eaglet was dehydrated and malnourished, and “had to be brought back into prime condition.”

“We released it on the basis of its health and physical conditions,” Salvador said. “It is basically doing okay.”

Atty. Nebran said Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon “is really supportive of our effort to conserve our forest here so he continues to urge us to work on how Mt. Busa will be officially protected.”

Nebran said the governor “committed to provide funds to support our initiative in conserving the area.” (Serafin Ramos Jr./SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

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12 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

DENR lauded for closing mining firms E

NVIRONMENT and climate advocates, as well as members of grassroot communities, lauded the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s (DENR) closure of 23 mining operations situated in functional watersheds and suspension of 5 mining firms, as of Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

“This action by the government has finally brought into the forefront the long history of suffering inflicted by the country’s large-scale mining industry on our environment and our mining-affected communities,” said Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz (CCOS) Chairman Dr. Benito Molino.

Molino referred to DENR Secretary Gina Lopez’s findings on the grave environmental degradation and disruption of community lives that have been occurring in the mining capital regions of the country.

“The campaign that calls for holding accountable destructive mining firms and for the halt of these recently closed mining operations has been left unheeded for years until now,” said Molino.

“It takes bold and concrete actions to put an immediate stop to the environmental degradation and commu-

nity life destruction that have long been the mark of largescale mining industries in this country. The DENR amply stepped up to this challenge with its closure of a number of mining operations, “ continued Molino.

Sanlakas Secretary-General Atty. Aaron Pedrosa hoped that this paves the way for more empowered communities in their fight to reclaim their home and their proper way of life from destructions caused by the large-scale mining industry.

In lauding the DENR closure of a number of mining operations, Pedrosa expressed the need for continuous action, both by the state and its citizens, against possible retaliatory measures to be undertaken by huge mining companies.

“Stronger safeguards need to be installed in our institutions to truly break away from the current state of affairs of our environment where only a handful from the mining industry dominate in extracting and benefitting from the country’s natural resources,” stated Pedrosa.

In concurring with the observance of Secretary Lopez during the DENR mining audits, Center for Energy, Ecol-

ogy and Development (CEED) National Convenor Gerry Arances noted that farmers and fishers from mining-affected communities are often stripped of their health and their livelihood due to the disruptive presence of mining operations in affected areas.

According to Arances, compunded with statements from Molino, in Sta. Cruz, Zambales alone, the visible environmental impacts of mining operations by BenguetCorp Nickel Mines Incorporated, Eramen Minerals Incorporated, LNL Archipelago Minerals Incorporated, and Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation, included air pollution, biodiversity loss, floods, food insecurity, loss of landscape/ aesthetic degradation, soil contamination and erosion, waste overflow, deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, and surface water pollution.

“It is high time that we realize and act on the fact that we put so much burden on our environment and our fellow Filipinos in mining-affected areas for the sake of accommodating a large-scale mining industry that empties and irreversibly damages our resources without having ever contributed to our economic growth as a country,” said Arances. (PNA)

“The challenge is chaning their mindset, to trust more in the electronic system,” he said.

“So we must ensure affordable services to promote inclusive growth by providing alternative payment gateway,” he added.

Payoneer provides payment solutions to leading brands such as Airbnb, Amazon, Google and Upwork as well as millions of small businesses around the world.

With more than 3 million users nationwide, Payoneer engages to financial transactions to over 200 countries and re-

gions, in over 150 currencies.

According to Warren, compared to other global online payment solutions, Payoneer offers lower cost of domestic charges as well as better foreign exchange.

Mr. Outsource and Dreamwork Coworking Space CEO Regina Evangelista added that freelancers can assure secure payments from their employers because what is good with Payoneer is that it sends payment through ATM and not through middlemen who, in some cases, are scammers.

Comparatively, Payoneer

only takes 24 to 48 hours to process payments of the company unlike others which takes a minimum of three days.

The company established its office in Manila on November 2016 drawn by the country’s rapidly expanding base of online workers and entrepreneurs.

Founded in 2005 in New York, USA, Payoneer is now ranked in the top 100 of Inc. 5000’s Financial Services companies. It has more than 700 employees globally across 12 offices worldwide.

February 2016 as provided for under Republic Act 10667, otherwise known as the Philippine Competition Act, passed in July 2015.

“Despite the Commission’s relative infancy, we are proud to say that the Commission has gained much ground in carrying out the mandate of

the Philippine Competition Act or PCA, which has truly been a game-changer in the country’s business environment,” PCC Chair Arsenio Balisacan said in a speech at the agency’s first anniversary celebration at Astoria’s Chardonnay on February 1.

Part of its mandate is to re-

view mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that may impede competition to the detriment of the consumers.

In just a year, the anti-trust body has received 80 notifications for M&A deals, as well as eight referrals for possible anti-competitive behavior in some sectors. (PNA)

lion was allocated to utilize the new frequencies freed up with the acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telco assets.

In the three-year network roll-out plan that parent-company PLDT submitted to the National Telecommunications Commission in July last year, Smart said it will make LTE progressively available to users in 1,551 cities and munic-

ipalities across the country by end-2018 amid expectations of higher data usage.

For Metro Manila, Smart is looking to quadruple its indoor LTE coverage and double its indoor 3G coverage by deploying new base station equipment in about 2,500 cell sites that use low frequency bands such as 700 MHz, 850 MHz, and 900 MHz for its LTE

and 3G services. These frequency bands cover a larger area and provide better indoor signals.

The rollout also includes deploying high-frequency bands like 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz, to increase the capacity of each Smart cell site to handle more calls, texts, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic. (PR)

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Chua assured the lawmakers that the poor and other vulnerable sectors will not be significantly affected by the reforms in the Value Added Tax (VAT) system because “most of their purchases are already exempt from VAT and they often buy from marginal suppliers, which by law are also exempt from VAT.” HB 4774 was filed last Jan. 17 by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs the ways and means committee that has been holding weekly hearings on the CTRP. HB 4688 is Salceda’s version of the CTRP. At the same House hearing, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the first package of the DOF’s CTRP, which seeks personal income tax (PIT) rate cuts while adjusting rates of consumption taxes to current inflation, will ensure that “74 percent of the annual increasing nominal GDP that goes only to the country’s richest 10 percent” would be taxed and the additional revenues go to the poor by way of unconditional cash transfers and other subsidy programs.

The senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Salceda said the DOF-endorsed tax reform program is the only way to make the tax system more efficient, equitable and pro-poor, as the government cannot exclusively tax the rich because such a measure would be immediately struck

down as class legislation.

‘Pag binuwisan mo talaga, hindi mo mabubuwisan ‘yan, ang mga mayayaman, na hindi nahahagip ang mga mahihirap dahil sa Konstitusyon natin, walang class legislation (If you impose taxes, you cannot tax the rich without also hitting the poor because under our Constitution, there is no such thing as class legislation),” he said.

“So the best way talaga is ibuwis mo ‘yan tapos ibalik mo kaagad (So the best way really is to tax [the rich] and return it immediately [to the poor]. Because otherwise, [we will retain the ] status

quo, the gross concentration of all the money will be in the top 10 percent. Seventy-four percent of the nominal GDP only go to 10 families. And we do not tax them accordingly for fear of also hitting the poor,” said Salceda.

Both HB 4774 and HB 4688 aim to lower PIT rates for 99 percent of the country’s taxpayers while expanding the VAT base and adjusting rates for consumption taxes such as those on petroleum products and automobiles. The panel aims to come up with a consolidated version of the two tax reform measures. (PR)

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LORENZA S. VILLEGAS who died on July 11, 2013 in Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.083; PageNo.18; Book No. LXXXI; Series of 2013, of the NOTARY PUBLIC MANUEL P. QUIBOD 1/23,30/2/6

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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

Accounting Clerks (2) Qualifications: • BS Accountancy Graduate • Female • Can work with minimum supervision • Experience of at least one year

Account Executive Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

13

REQUIREMENTS Pursuant to Sec. 26 of PD 269 and Sec. 14 of RA 10531, with implementing rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Energy, candidates for DISTRICT DIRECTOR must conform to the following: Qualifications: He/she must be:

Disqualifications: He/she may be disqualified if:

1. A Filipino citizen.

2. A graduate of four-year course.

3. At least 21 yrs. old and not over 70 yrs. old on the date of election.

4. Of good moral character (see IRR for details).

5. A member of the EC in good standing for the last 5 years immediately preceding the election or appointment and shall continue to be a member in good standing during his/ her incumbency.

6. * A member in good standing has no unsettled obligation to the EC whether personal or commercial or industrial connections three (3) months prior to the time of filing.

6. Has not been apprehended for electric pilferage (see IRR for details).

7. Has not been removed for cause as director or an employee from any EC. 8. Actual resident and consumer in the district to be represented for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election.

9. Has attended at least two (2) Annual General Membership Assemblies for the last five years immediately preceding the election or appointment.

1. Such person or his/her spouse holds any public office, a person holding an elective position, or an appointive position with a salary grade of sixteen (SG 16) or higher or its equivalent shall not be eligible to be elected as member of BOD or Officers of an EC; 2. Such person or his/her spouse has been candidate in the last preceding local or national election.

3. Such person has been convicted by final judgement of a crime involving moral turpitude.

4. Such person has been terminated from public office/government employment or private employment for just cause as defined in Art. 282 of the Labor Code.

5. Such person is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the EC board of director, department manager, NEA-appointed project-supervisor or acting general manager and its equivalent or higher position.

6. Such person is employed or has financial interest in competing enterprise or a business selling energy or electrical hardware to the Coop or doing business, including but not limited to, the use or rental of poles (see IRR for details).

*Amendment as per NEA Memo No. 2016-017 dated April 11, 2016

14

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EDGEDAVAO

Go torches IBP with 42 T

EAM Duterte drew a big lift from the supporting cast on top of Sec. Christopher “Bong” Go’s another great showing to defeat IBP Davao, 103-97, in Game 4 of their friendly series on Friday at the Genesis 88 Gym.

Go, the special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, fired 42 points, including six treys, for the Team Duterte which widened its series lead, 4-0.

Congressman Llord Velasco came out big on his first game in the series banking in 14 bas-

kets that are good enough to help the team stretch its winning streak to four games.

Chok Cadiogan made 27 points for IBP Davao.

IBP Davao, the National IBP League champions, put up a gritty effort all throughout be-

hind its fast pace style of play.

But they were simply outplayed down the stretch to remain winless in as many games.

It was a solid game for the IBP with Adrian Paguican and Gil Ciudadano provided 23 and 18

SPORTS15

points respectively that equate the Team Duterte offensive firepower.

Warren Cloribel scored 15 and Eugene Labor had 11 for the Team Duterte.

Amid trade rumors, Westbrook’s 15-0 personal Love hangs on run finishes off Grizzlies C W HAMPIONSHIPS can swing on what happens at or leading up to the NBA’s trade deadline.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t qualify as the league’s silly season anyway, with rumors and speculation duking it out with semantics for the least reliable information.

Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been dealing with the inevitable annual clamor for teams to get better or, at least, do something. They were drawn into it earlier this week via the New York Knicks’ restlessness surrounding Carmelo Anthony, and on Friday addressed it more generally for how it pertained to Love staying or going.

With three weeks left before the deadline (Feb. 23), NBA general managers are going to peg their players somewhere on a scale from “untouchable” to “everyone’s in play.” Frankly, the most responsible GMs lean toward the latter, lest they pre-empt a deal that might knock off their and the fans’ proverbial socks.

Keep in mind, too, that Cavaliers GM David Griffin has said before that no one on his roster – yes, in a blanket statement that even covered LeBron James, outrageous as that seems – is untouchable; bottom line, true or not, that’s what a conscientious team executive says.

Just in case. Because you never know.

Keep that in mind when sifting through this report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, as he kicks around the idea of the Cavs trading Love and Love’s thoughts on

that: The Cavs would trade Kevin Love this season if the right situation presented itself.

That might be music to the ears of Knicks fans and ABC executives who were already anticipating Love’s arrival at Madison Square Garden Saturday night, when the Cavs play Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Love-for-Anthony trade rumor has been out there for a couple weeks and won’t go away. Multiple sources told cleveland. com that the Cavs are not interested in trading Love for Anthony, and indicated the general interest level in Anthony was low.

But while the Cavs are not shopping Love, sources said, the right deal could pry him out of Cleveland.

Since no deal is made in a vacuum, Vardon dutifully notes Love’s salary ($21.2 million this season, $46.7 guaranteed the next two seasons and a player option worth $25.6 million in 201920) for matching purposes.

He cites Love’s All-Star performance this season (19.9 points, 11.0 rebounds) and the wrinkle of how Love matches up against Golden State, the team Cleveland most likely would face again in a third consecutive trip to the Finals.

But the theoretical vs. the real reared its head after that. Speculation v s . s e mantics.

HILE Russell Westbrook’s MVP candidacy remains very strong, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar’s absurd stat lines have not translated to many wins of late. OKC came into Friday night’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies having lost three games in a row and six of its last 10, a stretch that would have looked better if all those defeats hadn’t also come by double figures.

Even the best teams go through difficult stretches from time to time — just look at the Cleveland Cavaliers — but the Thunder welcomed the Grizzlies to Chesapeake Energy Arena in

HE’S EVERYWHERE. Russell Westbrook was everywhere in the final minutes of OKC’s win. (AP)

clear need of a boost.

Leave it to Westbrook to be there for the Thunder in their time of need. Facing a 102-99 deficit with just 2:50 remaining, Westbrook closed the game on a personal 15-0 run to lock up a 114-102 win.

Westbrook’s game-winning stretch included seven free throws (on seven attempts), two tough three-pointers, a lay-up, only one missed shot, and a steal with 50 seconds remaining that forced the Grizzlies to send him to the line. It feels like an understatement to say he took over — he needed little help from his teammates at the offensive end and made

plays where none had seemed to exist (and, again, literally no one else scored).

Yet that 15-0 run covered just part of Westbrook’s impact on the game. The triple-double machine finished with 38 points (8-of-20 FG, 5-of-7 3FG, 17-of-17 FT), 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, leading four Thunder players with at least 15 points. It was also a strong night for the Thunder offense as a whole, at least when they weren’t giving away the ball.

The hosts shot 47.5 percent from the field and made 13of-26 three-pointers to offset 20 miscues (against only 21 assists).

HOT HANDS. Sec. Bong Go, shown here in file photo, fired 48 points to lead Team Duterte.

Those mistakes almost cost the Thunder the game. Up 58-48 at the half, OKC allowed 34 points to Memphis in the third quarter and entered the fourth at a twopoint deficit. The Grizzlies shot only 3-of-19 from beyond the arc but seized on the Thunder’s mistakes. It also helped that center Marc Gasol made five of his six third-quarter field goals to give his team a steady scoring threat. Gasol finished with 31 points on 14-of-24 shooting and dished out eight assists in an All-Star performance.

Mananquil eager to face Porras B

RAWLER Ben Mananquil, one of the newest boxers under the wings of Sanman Promotions, is excited to face former WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight champion Glenn “The Rock” Porras in their championship fight on February 26 at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.

“I’m now very excited. I love to fight and Porras wants WILL HE BE TRADED? to fight too. So this The chances of will be a war,” said the Cavs dealing Mananquil.

Mananquil (12 double-double machine Kevin wins-1 loss-2 drawLove seem very 3 KOs) and Porras unlikely. (29-5-0-17 KOs)

are fighting for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) International bantamweight title in the Sanman’s inaugural boxing show for 2017 billed as the “Rise of the Next Champions”.

Promoter Jim Claude Manangquil, Chief Executive Officer of Sanman Promotions thinks that match could be the Best Fight of the Night since both fighters are known to fight toe to toe.

Ben Mananquil, a native of Zamboanga del Norte had a controversial technical draw with unbeaten Kwanpichit Onesongchai Gym in Thailand.

He also had a split draw with China’s Jing Xiang in China. Mananquil, however,

won his previous fight via a unanimous decision over Bukidnon’s Romulo “Demon” Ramayan Jr. last Dec. 4 at the Robinson’s mall atrium in GenSan. Porras, on the other hand, is a former WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight champion.

He temporarily gave up boxing after losing by a 2nd round knockout to Mexican Jose Nieves in their WBO Latino bantamweight championship held Dec. 7, 2012 in Florida, USA. But the 31-year old Porras successfully made a comeback last year by beating Renante Suacasa by a unanimous decision to win the vacant Minproba ban-

tamweight crown in President Roxas Gym, North Cotabato.

Porras, who is now handled by the Singapore-based MB Promotions said he will come 100 ready and will look to stop Ben Mananquil.

Porras won his first two fights in the US in 2011 and 2012 all by UDs. He first beat Adolfo Landeros on Dec. 2, 2011 at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California then crushed Jose Silveria on Aug. 10, 2012 at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California.

The Mananquil-Porras title fight is one of the four championship bouts featured in the official boxing event of this year’s Kalilangan Festival.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017 VOL. 9 ISSUE 249 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - 6, 2017 THRILLA IN MANILA 2? A fight with Floyd Mayweather in Manila should be a knockout.

MANNY’S PRICE TAG Manny fighting in Manila? The price tag is P3B

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

S

njb@edgedavao.net

TAGING a Manny Pacquiao fight in Manila is a lot costly than hosting the Miss Universe pageant.

To stage the fight, the price tag is a whopping P3 billion.

Well, as things work around here, that amount can be negotiated. And Manny, bless his heart, says he can lower it down.

The new price tag? P2.5 billion.

Sustaining the gains of the country’s hosting of the Miss Universe last month, hosting a Pacquiao fight that could conclude an illustrious boxing career that produced a historic eight division world titles is a knockout in terms of promoting tourism.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo knows.

Secretary Teo said on Friday that she spoke to the Filipino boxing icon recently, and that the fighting senator has lowered his asking price from P3B to P2B to hold a fight in Manila in November.

At 38, Pacquiao is on his farewell tour and his walk to the sunset, many people feel, should be concluded with a fight before his countrymen.

“Iyong napag-usapan namin is P3 billion, medyo mabigat sabi ko,” Teo said during a press conference.

“And the next time I saw him, he said probably P2.5 (billion).”

According to a news report, Teo was quoted as saying that Pacquiao told her such a budget is enough to bring in a sure draw opponent in Floyd Mayweather or Juan Manu-

el Marquez.

Pacquiao and Mayweather fought in 2015 for what was to be boxing’s biggest bonanza in history while Pacquiao and Marquez fought four times in a rivalry that has brought in PPV records.

However, Mayweather may no longer be interest in fighting Pacquiao as he is looking towards a match with MMA superstar Conor

McGregor. At 44, Marquez may not be up to it anymore.

“Pag-uusapan pa namin (ni Pacquiao). Wala pang fixed,” said Teo, who has been occupied the past few weeks with the Miss Universe competition.

Teo is set to meet Pacquiao this week to discuss the possibility of pushing through with the November fight.