Edge Davao 9 Issue 256

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

NEVER TOO LATE. Rene and Zenaida Ybañez, 60 and 50 years old respectively, make their first kiss as a married couple to seal their bond before their relatives and principal sponsors during the annual Pag-IBIG Fund Valentine’s Day Kasalan ng Bayan held at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City. The couple was the oldest among the 183 pairs who tied the knot yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

91 PUBLIC OFFICIALS OUSTED FOR CRIMES 201 others sued by Ombudsman for various offenses

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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HE Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao has dismissed from service 91 public officials and employees in Mindanao in 2016, for an average of eight a month.

In a press briefing Tuesday, lawyer Faith Presbitero of OMB-MIN said the office had resolved to dismiss three mayors, one vice mayor, five members of the Sangguniang Bayan, former regional directors of the National Police – Region 11, and National Telecommunications Commission – Region 12, and an assistant regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and

Development – Davao, among the high ranking officers.

High ranking officials are public officials with Salary Grade 27 and above and those who were enumerated in Republic Act No. 8249, commonly known as the Sandiganbayan Law. “There were also 107 public respondents who were suspended,” Presbitero said, adding that 23 of whom were suspended for more than six months.

Among the high ranking officials were suspended from their posts are two governors, a vice-governor, and several mayors in Mindanao for vari-

ous offenses such as abuse of authority, irregularities, and non-filing of their Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Presbitero said there were 26 respondents who got reprimanded and one imposed with a fine, bringing to 225 the number of respondents who were sanctioned last year.

“The Ombudsman also filed 129 criminal cases in court wherein 27 were filed in Sandiganbayan involving high ranking officials, 81 in the Regional Trial Court, and 21 in the Munucipal Trial Court,” she added.

Presbitero added that OMB-MIN was able to dispose

1,014 cases, representing 58 % of its case workload of 1,739 cases wherein 921 are administrative cases and 818 are criminal cases.

Disposed cases refer to those that are filed, dismissed or resulted in the imposition of sanctions against public officers.

“OMB MIN reported the highest case disposition rate among other OMB offices,” Presbitero said, pointing out that the bulk of last year’s cases involved elective officials.

She mentioned that criminal cases were filed against 296 city and municipal coun-

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SM to build 5 more malls in Mindanao The biggest mall to rise in 15 hectares of land in CDO

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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ITH the burgeoning real estate activities within Mindanao, the largest mall chain in the Philippines announces its expansion plans in the island

region within the next three years.

SM Vice-President for Operations Oliver John Tiu disclosed on Tues-

EDGEDAVAO Sports

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Diaz tops PSA awardees P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS. A female police officer offers a rose to a street sweeper in yesterday’s Valentine’s Day flower giving program initiated by the Davao City Police Office along San Pedro Street in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Planes, copters, naval craft help Surigao City quake relief efforts

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SSORTED aircraft, helicopters and naval craft of the military are now helping in the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in quake-ravaged Surigao City.

These include three to four gunboats assigned to Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in a message to the PNA. “As of now (these) gunboats are now working with the Office of Civil Defense and Provincial Risk Response and Management Council about their respective deployment,” he added.

“The PN is always ready to perform HADR operations to help and alleviate the condition of the victims brought by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao (City),” Lincuna pointed out.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air

Force (PAF) assets deployed for the Surigao City quake relief efforts include all available Lockheed C-130 cargo planes of the 220th Airlift Wing, of which there five, six W-3A “Sokol” rescue helicopters and assorted UH-IH “Huey” combat utility helicopters in the CARAGA region.

PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco said these air assets are helping in the transport of relief and medical goods in Surigao City and other quake-ravaged areas.

As of this posting, the tremor which struck Surigao City 10:03 p.m. Friday has so far killed eight people and wounded 202 others, aside from causing infrastructure damage initially placed at PHP108. 45 million.

Damaged houses were placed at 1,034, with 155 severely damaged by the earthquake. (PNA)

SSS resolves 2,000 cases endorsed by 8888 Hotline

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HE Social Security System has resolved 1,919 complaints coursed through the 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline within five days, majority of which pertained to claims processing and documentation procedures.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that the agency is maintaining high resolution rates with an average of 97 percent despite the increasing number of cases endorsed by the Civil Service Commission .

“We immediately act on

our member’s complaints through our Member Relations Department which responds to queries and other concerns endorsed by the 8888 Hotline. In fact, SSS has already settled all the cases from August to November to prevent backlogs,” Dooc said.

Around 39 percent or 783 complaints pertain to slow processing of benefit claims and another 13 percent or 260 cases are complaints on documentation hassles and clarification on SSS procedures.

SSS has an average of

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Proponents push for public awareness on Federalism

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HE Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago is now conducting an information dissemination to educate the public on the process of Federalism and how it will affect the socioeconomic system of the Philippines upon its implementation.

Guesting during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday, KPP Vice Chairman Atty. Randolph Parcasio said that a primer on federalism has already been made, but is yet to be translated into different major dialects around the country.

KPP disclosed its plan to have Cebuano and Ilonggo translations of the primer being the spoken dialect in the Visayas region and South Central Mindanao.

“We have written it in Tagalog and this will be translat-

ed into Cebuano and to all major languages in the country,” Parcasio said.

Parcasio added that the module contains some of the basic structures of Federalism such as the scope of its powers, system, the area covered by the regional states to be formed, as well as their functions.

“In our case, we focus on the substance, what would be the powers of national government, if we create federal state or we call it regional state so as not to confuse with national government, what would be its power and what powers will they share, so we have zero-in on that for the people to understand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ma. Marilyn Rojas, also a member of KPP, said a “Question and Answer” portion of the primer written

in Filipino would allow the people, especially the students to easily grasp the basic concepts of Federalism.

“We are expecting that young voters, the students, the youth and the elders who can still vote can easily understand this primer in Filipino,” Rojas said.

Parcasio stressed KPP is pushing for the establishment of special regions before the execution of Federalism. This is for the regional states to have jurisdiction over matters affecting indigenous people (IP) and Bangsamoro people.

“Cordillera Autonomous Region and ARMM (Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao) should be enacted before the establishment of regional states so that the law governing these states will be embedded on Federalsim,”

said Parcasio.

KPP has been pushing for five regional states namely, Northern Luzon, Metro Manila, CaLaBaRZon to the Bicol Region, the entire Visayas, and MinSuPaLa (Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan). According to Parcasio, the division was based on cultural features, geographic location, and economic potential.

He pointed out that under a federal system, regional states have the power to legislate and execute programs and authority over areas such as health, education, labor and employment, tourism, science and technology, social welfare, ancestral rights and cultural heritage including ancestral lands and ancestral domains, sports development, transportation, and communication.

plans to develop transportation infrastructure, education programs, and the implementation of ‘controversial’ and landmark legislations such as the anti-smoking ban.

The Davao City officials present during the meeting were lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo, Assistant City Administrator; lawyer Raul Nadela Jr, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s Chief of Staff; Jefry Tupas, City Information Officer; Lem-

uel Ortonio, Davao City Investment and Promotions Center chief; and Generose Tecson, Davao City Tourism Office chief.

Jessen was accompanied

by EU Delegation to the Philippines Press Officer Thelma Gecolea.

Nadela described the meeting “very informal, but it was a good opportunity for us to present to Ambassador Jessen the things that City Gov-

ernment is doing and its goals in the next three years through the leadership of Mayor Inday Sara.”

Domingo, meanwhile, noted that the ‘meet and greet’ dinner with Jessen was made through Tupas, who was the Delegation’s top prize winner in the First European Union Mindanao Peace Journalism Awards for the article ‘The Teachers of Rajah Muda’ in 2014. CIO

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EU envoy meets Davao City execs

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HE European Union delegation to the Philippines Ambassador Franz Jessen met with officials of Davao City Government Sunday night and discussed issues concerning the growth and development of the city -- the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Davao City officials briefed Jessen about the city’s tourism industry, economic growth and business, peace and order,

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PB dismissed for twice raping 15-year old girl

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HE Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao has ordered the dismissal of a punong barangay in Cagayan de Oro City after he was being found liable for grave misconduct due to rape.

In a press statement, the OMB-MIN decision led by Deputy Ombudsman Rodolfo Elman found substantive evidence to hold Barangay Captain Achilles Jude Babaran liable for grave misconduct on Feb. 13.

The girl had accused Babaran of raping her on two occasions in 2015.

The case stemmed from the complaint of a 15-yearold girl, whose name cannot be published because she is a minor, who claimed that while she was attending a youth meeting in a barangay hall in Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, Babaran invited her to join him on June 19, 2015, and that the incident was repeated on 22 September 2015, this time inside a hotel where Babaran brought her.

The girl said that Babaran had “threatened her not to tell her parents, otherwise, he will deny them from [staying in] the relocation site where they are residing.”

Elman, citing the Supreme Court case, said that a victim of rape will not come out in the open and make public the offense committed on her, undergo the agony and humiliation of a public trial and endure the ordeal of testifying on all the sordid details of the crime, if she had not in fact been raped, and if her motive was not to obtain justice and her testimony as to who abused her is not the truth.

“Thus, when a woman, more so if she be a minor, says that she has been raped, she says in effect all that is necessary to show that rape was committed, and if her testimony meets the test of credibility, the accused may be convicted solely on the basis thereof,” Elman added, still citing the Supreme Court case. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

NEWS 3

SAYING IT IN CANDY PACKS. Davao City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria holds a pack of candies printed with a Valentine’s Day greetings which will be distributed to public utility vehicle drivers and pedestrians as a heart’s day gift of the DCPO yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

School teacher indicted for sexual harassment Palafox named army’s new CMO assistant chief-of-staff

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OL. Facundo O. Palafox IV was appointed the new assistant chief-ofstaff of the Philippine Army Civil Military Operations (G7) Monday morning He replaced Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Jr. who was appointed to command the 202nd Infantry Brigade based in Southern Tagalog.

Brig. Gen. Rodel Mauro Alarcon, PA acting chiefof-staff presided over the change-of-office ceremony in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Palafox is the former deputy and executive officer of the G7 prior to his new position.

He also served as 2nd

Cavalry Squadron squadron commander and Armor School commandant.

Both units are under the Mechanized Infantry Division based in Capas, Tarlac.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990, Palafox also holds a Master’s degree in Public Management major in Development and Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Burgos replaced Col. Glorivine Dida as commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade who was appointed assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. (PNA)

PRECAUTION. A worker of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) cuts branches of tree that is being trimmed inside the Camp Domingo Leonor in Davao City yesterday. Cenro personnel trimmed large

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao has found probable cause to dismiss from government service a public school teacher for grave misconduct due to sexual molestation.

In a press statement, the OMB – MIN identified the public school teacher of Bagum-

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bayan National High School in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, as one Genaro Caballero who was charged for violating Republic Act No. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harrasment Act of 1995.

The case stemmed from the complaint of a 16-yearold student who accused the

teacher of sexually molesting him on two occasions.

The complainant said that he tried to evade Caballero’s sexual advances but the latter persisted. After he was molested, Caballero gave him P35.00 as a “reward” with an instruction not to reveal the incident to anybody, other-

wise he will be flunked. The first incident happened in the second week of December 2015.

The complainant added that Caballero molested him again for the second time during the last week of February 2016, and, in exchange,

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The team will be visiting Baguio, Marilog, and Paquibato Districts within the week.

KOICA is the South Korean government’s international aid agency that also implements technical cooperation programs promoting sustainable development.

In Davao City, KOICA is set to fund a project for mothers and their children -- the ‘First 1,000 days of Life” project. The First 1,000-day period starts from the first day of pregnancy until the second birthday of the child.

“Every event and nutritional needs spanning from

day one of pregnancy will be looked after through the district health centers,” Villafuerte said adding that the program aims to “primarily prevent the stunting of the body and the brain of the child.”

A child’s growth and development is rapid during the

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday joined the One Billion Rising (OBR) global activity in Liwasang Bonifacio, and called for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said they joined the tradition as a show of solidarity for the global call to end any form of violence against women.

One Billion Rising began in 2012 as a call to action based on the staggering statistics that one in three women in the world -- adding up to more than one billion women and girls -- will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.

Every year, the movement enjoins people across the world to express their outrage and to strike, dance, and rise in defiance of the injustices that women are subjected to.

On the fifth year of the OBR, the DSWD, as the lead agency that provides social protection to women and vulnerable sectors, formally joined the activity, also to highlight their call for the resumption of the peace talks.

“It is important that we will be able to address the root cause of violence against women. That is why I and the whole department are supporting the call to continue the peace talks,” Taguiwalo said, noting that the peace talks cover the

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International aid groups to visit Davao City lumad areas TEAM from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has arrived for the situational analysis in lumad communities in at least three areas of Davao City, said City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte.

trees around downtown area to avoid untoward incidents as the city is experiencing strong winds since last week due to the northeast monsoon.

Lean Daval Jr.

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DSWD joins call for peace talks renewal T FDSWD, 10

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4 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

PH sees coconut export revenues rising 10% to 20% in two years

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ON TARGET. A police officer gives direction to a delivery man carrying a bouquet of flowers inside Camp Domingo Leonor compound in Davao City yesterday.

The flower gifting industry is still thriving as some romantics believed that traditional sending of flowers to their loved ones is more sincere in expressing their love. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Philippines expects revenues from coconut product exports to increase 10 to 20 percent over the next two years, as demand continues to grow worldwide.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Billy Andal cited coconut products with huge potential in more export markets, particularly coconut sugar, coconut syrup, coco fiber and even lotion and mouth freshener from coconut oil. “(Our exports will grow) exponentially because for the demand alone for coco fiber, we are not even (meeting) 50 percent of the demand; coco sugar we are not even (meeting) 50 percent,” he said in an interview.

Andal said Europe remained the country’s biggest market for these coconut products.

He added the country was looking to penetrate new

DTI mobilizes public-private efforts towards trade opportunities

Bill filed to ensure minimum wage T earners get the pay, benefits H OUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has filed a bill to ensure minimum wage earners get the pay as well as all the benefits that they deserve.

In a statement on Monday, Alvarez said the bill seeks to curb the illegal practice of private sector employers of non-compliance with the proper and appropriate payment of minimum wage to their workers.

“Failure to pay the required minimum wage entails serious penalties. However, the current penalties are not strong enough to completely stop these unjust and unrea-

sonable conditions suffered by labor workers,” Alvarez said.

Under the bill, payment of wages and wage-related benefits of an employee through the automated teller machines of banks is required.

Likewise, the bill amends Presidential Decree No. 442 and provides for a new article requiring employees to shoulder all premium payments or contributions of minimum wage earners in Social Security System, the PhilHealth, PagIBIG and other social security and welfare benefit programs.

To ensure compliance, the bill penalizes non-payment of wages of workers in

the private sectors by a fine of PHP200,000 to PHP500,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than four years but not more than six years, or both.

An employer found guilty of violating the law shall be ordered to pay double the amount of unpaid wages it owed the employee concerned. But payment of indemnity will not absolve the employer from criminal liability.

In cases where the worker was hired through a subcontractor, non-payment of wage as well as wage-related benefits would make the principal and the subcontractor liable

for violation of the law.

The bill requires the Secretary of Labor and Employment to promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within 120 days from the effectivity of the law.

“All employees, particularly the minimum wage earners should receive the right wages and benefits they so rightfully deserve. This bill seeks to increase the penalties so as to impose stricter guidelines for the employers. In doing so, this could serve as a deterrent to the non-compliance of payment of prescribed minimum wage rates by unjust employers,” Alvarez said. (PNA)

es to rise by 28.5 percent to $55 per barrel this year, from $42.8 per barrel in 2016.

But despite the projected increase in fuel prices, Beltran said the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound as inflation stays within the targeted range.

“This [sound macroeconomic fundamentals] will provide economic authorities flexibility to maintain rapid growth despite uncertainties in the world economy,” Beltran said.

In January, inflation increased slightly to 2.7 percent, matching DOF’s internal forecast and 0.1 percentage point higher than in the previous month, but within the target range of 2.0 percent to 4 percent earlier set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The slight increase in inflation was driven mainly by food price increase, Beltran said, adding that the food group

contributed 1.5 percentage points to the 2.7 percent inflation rate or more than half of the general price increase.

In January, transport prices rose from December’s 1.9 percent to 2.4 percent; clothing and footwear jumped from 2.5 percent to 2.8 percent; housing, utilities & fuels from 1.3 percent to 1.8 percent; and recreation and culture increased from 1.7 percent to 1.9 percent.

Likewise, prices for health also slightly moved up from 2.5 percent to 2.6 percent; and restaurant & miscellaneous services rose from 2.1 percent to 2.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the general price increase for communications (0.1 percent) and education (1.8 percent) remained steady in January.

In contrast, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages slowed to 3.4 percent from 3.6 percent; alcoholic beverages

and tobacco contracted from 6.3 percent to 5.6 percent, while furnishings and household equipment fell to 2.3 percent from 2.4 percent.

Last month, Manila Electric Meralco) rate per kilowatt hour (kWh) for an average per-month consumption of 300 kWh dipped to P8.4 from P8.7 in December and a year ago.

Meralco’s generation rate per kWh also fell to P3.7 during the month from P3.9 in December and in the previous year.

Average price of gasoline also increased to P46.6 per liter from P44.8 in December and P38.2 a year before.

As for diesel, its average price in Metro Manila among the “Big Three” oil companies rose to P30.8 per liter from P29.1 in the previous month, which is also higher than the P20.5 registered in the same month last year. (PR)

DOF expects inflation rate within government target

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HE Department of Finance (DOF) expects the rate of increase in consumer prices to inch up in the coming months but would remain within the government’s inflation target.

Based on the latest DOF Economic Bulletin, the country’s inflation rate could rise to above 2.0 percent in the nearterm as global petroleum prices start to rebalance following the decision of oil producing nations to cut output.

“Inflation will likely clock above 2.0 percent in the coming months as suggested by [January] core inflation of 2.5 percent. Rising energy prices will contribute to higher inflation,” Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Beltran, who is also the DOF’s chief economist, noted that the World Bank is forecasting average world oil pric-

markets, such as Russia and China.

Total export sales receipts from coconut products reached USD 2 billion in 2016.

Andal is optimistic about sustaining this year coconut production in 2016 to meet export demand amid typhoon “Nina” that hit the country last December.

“In 2018, we can hit 20 percent (export revenue growth), this year by 10 percent… 2018 will be an opener for us considering we have a lot of money by then,” he further said.

The PCA expected an increase in coconut yield and higher exports in the next few years amid plan of a group of coconut farmer’s organizations to withdraw its petition before the Supreme Court that resulted in a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the utilization of Php75-billion coco levy funds. (PNA)

O mobilize, support, integrate, and harmonize public-private efforts towards taking full advantage of trade opportunities under the Philippines’ trade agreements, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A, in partnership with the European Union- Trade Related Technical Assistance (EU-TRTA) Project 3, conducted the ASEAN/European Union-General System of Preferences Multistakeholder Briefing recently at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel, Ortigas, Quezon City.

DTI - Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said that the CALABARZON Region, or the provinces composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, contributes greatly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, adding that these assets could help in trade opportunities.

“CALABARZON has the biggest population in the country and is the number one contributor in manufacturing and number two contributor in agriculture to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The region has so much resources and human resources. We only need to look at these opportunities and push ourselves to work harder,” Maglaya said.

Team Leader and Key Expert of the EU-TRTA 3 Dr. Florian A. Alburo explained that the project is intended to support the country in integrating into the global and regional trade and investment system.

He added that the EU-TRTA 3 provides support to the Philippine government to help them understand what is going on in terms of accessing the world market.

“The Philippines has yet to fully be ready for the global markets. Because it is an archipelagic country, it does not have a full appreciation of borders unlike its neighboring

countries. What we need to know is that there are lots of opportunities for trade upon crossing borders,” Alburo said.

According to Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada, participating in Fair Trade Agreements (FTAs) can maintain competitiveness, promote cross-border complementation, sustain inflow of investments, and provide mutual support on issues of common interest.

“CALABARZON is rich in agro-based goods, automotive products, electronics and electrical goods, fisheries, woodbased products, healthcare services, logistics services, and tourism, which are the Priority Integration Sectors (PIS) Goods Sector and PIS Services Sector.

ASEAN plans to promote the goods and services industries as an integrated economy versus the rest of the world,” Perlada explained.

The Department encourages the country’s players and stakeholders to take full advantage of the integrated ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and other free trade agreements (FTAs) that the Philippines has with its trading partners given that the local sectors are heavily engaged in regional value chains.

Perlada added that the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) provides for fair and equitable treatment; non-discriminatory treatment for compensation for losses arising from civil strife, riots etc.; free transfer of funds including capital, profits, dividends; and protection of investments. As economic activities become increasingly regional, ease in the transfer of funds from one country to another for a variety of purposes has become even more essential.

Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

DESA HANDLERS. Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre (leftmost) administers the induction and oath taking rites of the Davao Events Suppliers Association (DESA) new set of officers led by its president Elinor Marcelino (2nd from left) held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Monday evening. Marcelino was joined by vice president Brandy Allen Fuentes, secretary Rich Chang, assistant secretary Juvy Rollo, treasurer Minda Aurora Benavides, assistant treasurer Merry

Tax reform to create buffer vs global protectionism wave

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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III underscored Monday before lawmakers the urgency of passing early this year the Duterte administration’s proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) to help create a strong buffer that will shield the domestic economy from the surge of protectionism sweeping across the globe.

Speaking at the resumption of the tax reform hearing conducted by the House ways and means committee, Dominguez also said that unless the tax reform bill endorsed by the Department of Finance (DOF) is passed soon enough, millions of the country’s “hardcore poor, those with no skills and no opportunities,” will remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty for years to come.

“Given the uncertainty created by resurgent protectionism, we are likely to see volatility and risk-aversion among many of our trading partners. Slowing global trade translates into weaker global growth. We should seize the ‘Cinderella moment’ we now have to quickly move the fiscal reform package and create a

buffer for the most vulnerable among our people,” the finance chief said at the hearing of this panel chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. Cua is author of House Bill No. 4774, which contains the CTRP’s first package that aims to make the tax system more progressive by lowering personal income tax (PIT) rates to make these on the par with those of other economies in the region, expanding the Value Added Tax (VAT) base but retaining exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities, and adjusting the excise taxes on oil and automobiles, among other measures.

Dominguez assured the House committee that most cars “will still be affordable” under the CTRP, while the more expensive ones will be charged higher excise taxes to “ensure progressivity” of the proposed tax system.

“We are at a critical juncture today. The easier path is to continue with existing policies that might bring high growth but will also sadly maintain high poverty and economic exclusion. The more challeng-

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House approves bill extending passport validity to 10 years

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HE House of Representatives on Monday night approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to lengthen the validity of the Philippine passport from five years to 10 years.

With 216 votes on the affirmative, zero negative votes and zero abstention, the lower chamber passed House Bill No. 4767, which introduces an amendment to the Philippine Passport Law (Republic Act 8239) that will extend the

passport’s validity.

Under Section 10 of RA 8239, the passport is valid for a period of five years, regardless of the age of the applicant.

The present law refers to passport as “a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to give him/her all lawful aid and protection.” (PNA)

ECONOMY 5

Christy Ablog, auditor Rich Julian, muse Yang-Yang Ramabuanga, price charmings Noel Tanza and Marlon Advincula, project manager Vernien Gay Mercurio, public relations officer Rogelyn Batuampo, Joel Durado, Joveth Pichon, Hannah Chloe Cano and Milo Ang. Lean Daval Jr.

Small banana growers seeks President’s reversal of decision revoking lease deal

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MALL BANANA GROWERS of an agrarian reform cooperative in Davao del Norte have renewed their appeal to President Duterte to reverse his earlier decision revoking the lease contract it had entered with the company that has provided the land they till for free as well as above-average compensation and other benefits that are among the highest in the agriculture sector.

In urging the President to reconsider his decision, the Davao Marsman Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DAMARBDEVCO) said the revocation of its lease deal or Agribusiness Venture Agreement (AVA) with Marsman Estate Plantation Inc. (MEPI) would force thousands of farmers and

their families into bankruptcy, saddle them with debts and deprive them of the educational, health and other fringe benefits they are now getting as part of the terms of their contract.

Revoking the contract, they pointed out, would also lead to some P2.09 billion in revenue losses for the government over a 16-year period.

Underscoring President Duterte’s inaugural pledge that all contracts approved by the government won’t be rescinded or changed by his administration, both DAMARDEVCO and MEPI said canceling the AVA would also send the wrong signals to investors and discourage investments at a time when the government is seeking more capital to pump into the economy to

realize its agenda of inclusive growth.

Even the government, they said, would be at the losing end as it would have to pay MEPI more than P1 billion representing its just compensation for the land it had already donated to the members of DAMARBDEVCO but would now have to take back because of the revocation of the lease contract.

“The revocation of the [AVA] by the [Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC)] is greatly unjust and oppressive to MEPI, which has always dealt fairly with the ARBs, not to mention detrimental to their welfare and a majority of whom are even opposed to such revocation,” they said.

MEPI had written a let-

ter in August last year to the President in his capacity as PARC chairperson asking him not to revoke the AVA, while DAMARBDEVCO sent a similar letter to Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, who chairs the PARC Executive Committee.

In their letter to Mariano, the members of DAMARBDEVCO pointed out that the AVA “has allowed us to receive more blessings” in the form of decent wages which are way above industry standards, and benefits such as basic health care services and free education for their children.

“We understand that your office has the duty to protect the interest of the farmers.

However, this duty should

Socio-Economic Agenda.

These four are advancement of science and technology to enhance innovative capacity; increase the business sector’s competitiveness; promotion of rural and value chain development; and investment in human capital development.

The agency on Monday shared its major accomplishments in 2016. These accomplishments were the result of R&D focusing on various priority fields such as health and nutrition, agriculture, industry, transportation, among others.

Among the major accomplishments in agriculture were enhancing the potentials of native chicken; improvement in swine production; development of carrageenan plant food supplement.

The DOST said that in

2016, it was able to fund the development of 1,000 units of RxBox. An RxBox is a device that can capture medical signals through built-in sensors, stores data in an electronic medical record and sends these data via the internet.

The device was created for the benefit of people in the countryside.

It was also last year when DOST was able to develop the “eHatid—an” electronic medical record system that can run in a tablet and uses cloud for data management. The eHatid was created for provincial health officers for data monitoring and reporting.

In its bid to help address the worsening traffic in Metro Manila and to help provide an environment-friendly mode of transportation, the DOST has introduced the Hybrid Road Train last year.

It also introduced the “Tryk ni Juan”, a tricycle that uses abaca-fiber reinforced composite roof. The agency explained that such material is lightweight and has a low heat conductivity, thus improving fuel efficiency apart from protecting the passengers from the sun and rain.

Meanwhile, Dela Pena earlier expressed his desire for the country to have its own Space Agency. The DOST had already created its space technology development plan.

Dela Pena said the government will substantially invest in this program for the next 10 years.

He said space technology is vital for a country, as this will give people early warning signs when threatened by natural disasters, and will help make the people more resilient. (PNA)

FSMALL, 13

DOST vows to continue bringing S&T to Filipinos

T

HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said it will continue leveraging its efforts to bring Science and Technology (S&T) to every Filipino.

The agency noted that for this year, it will continue optimizing outcomes from research and development (R&D), hasten countryside development and discover/ develop capabilities related to technology-based economic activities.

Furthermore, DOST will strengthen implementation of environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction.

According to DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, as soon as President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration started last year, the agency geared its programs towards four of the administration’s National

EDGEDAVAO

6 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

AFP, PNP Mawab call for peace

T

HE 71st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine army, together with the local government unit of Mawab, Compostela Valley and the various religious sectors joined hands in an activity dubbed as “Prayer for Peace Rally” on February 10.

The activity was held at the town’s Public Transport

Terminal.

Around 1,000 participants joined the 300-meter parade and candle lighting event as well as the offering of prayer from the religious sector, youth, and Indigenous People who longed to achieve a community in Mawab that is peaceful and free from violence.

The prayer rally was led by Mayor Ruperto S. Gonzaga III; Lt. Col. Davice Christopher G. Mercado, commander of 71st Infantry Battalion; and Oliver M. Binancilan from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Municipal and barangay officials as well as representatives from people’s organiza-

tions from the area also joined the activity.

Mayor Gonzaga, in his message urged the people in Mawab to support the peace advocacy programs of the local government.

The programs, he added, are aimed to make communities developed and free from hostilities that are being

brought by New People’s Army rebels in the area.

“This activity aimed to enlighten the community in different beliefs and traditions especially those who have lost their way and lived with hostilities that they will realize that peace cannot be achieved through violence and armed struggle,” Gonzaga said.

Former drug dependents in Comval complete transformation program

A

SINAMAY TRAINING. A skills training on sinamay cloth weaving is held on February 1-3 funded by the Municipal Tourism Office Kiamba, Sarangani and the Philippine Fiber Industry Authority XI, Davao City. The training was

also assisted by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Kiamba. (Avery Rotciv Camposano/ KIAMBA INFO CENTER)

Gensan launches‘Love Month Testing Day’for HIV

H

EALTH personnel in General Santos City and nearby South Cotabato province reminded residents to be aware and extra cautious in the wake of the rising cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the area.

This, as the City Health Office and the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of South Cotabato launched free HIV testing anew for local residents on Tuesday, in line with the celebration of the Valen-

tine’s Day. Dubbed “Love Month Testing Day,” the initiative was mainly aimed to encourage more residents to submit themselves for testing or screening so they would “know their HIV status.”

John Codilla, IPHO’s HIV program focal person, said the main target of the HIV tests are couples and “young ones,” especially students who are considered as highly vulnerable to HIV infection.

“If you love a special person or your friends, in gen-

Mayor Rabat eyes more open spaces

M

ati City Mayor Carlo Rabat is looking at more open spaces in the city.

“We need more open spaces in the city.” Mayor Rabat said during a press conference held in Dahican, Mati City with visiting Ateneo de Davao Mass Communication students undergoing advance journalism class.

The Mayor says that the beach area would have identified open spaces, where there is a portion of the property set aside as a beach area forming part of the tourism zone.

Mati is famed for its Dahican Beach, a a seven kilometer stretch of white-sand coastline which has attracted tourists from all over the world.

More open spaces is part of the city’s plans to attract more tourists to the city. From 2015 to 2016, the city saw a spike of 115% in tourism arrivals. Last year the city had 107,945 tourists, in 2015 the city recorded 50,000 tourists.

Aside from domestic tourists, foreign tourists were coming from Japan, Australia, South Korea and China.

City Tourism Officer Arlene Llamada credits the increase of tourist arrivals to infrastructure projects like new roads which made the destinations like Dahican very accessible.

Mayor Rabat also credited social media promotions as keys

FMAYOR, 10

eral, you should take time to undergo HIV screening and encourage them as well to do the same,” he said.

He said records show that Valentine’s Day is one of the special events that influence risky sexual behavior that leads to risky engagements.

Codilla manages the HIV-AIDS Core Team Clinic (HACT), a Department of Health-accredited treatment hub at the IPHO building in Koronadal City.

“Usually, it’s during big events like fiesta, and of

course Valentine’s Day, that sexually-transmitted diseases are more likely to increase.

Wait until after three months and cases would shoot up,” he said.

“Isip-isip bago unzip (think first before unzipping),” Codilla stressed.

The IPHO recorded 88 new HIV/AIDS cases in the province last year, with 20 already in the advanced stage.

Most of the cases involved students and young professionals aged 15 to 35-yearsold. (PNA)

WATER FACILITY. Local government engineers and water district officials in Malungon, Sarangani led by Mayor Tessa D. Constantino and Vice Mayor Mariano Escalada take a thorough evaluation on a blueprint presented

by Sarangani DPWH Engr. Jonathan Bantug in preparation for the

In his message, Lt. Col. Mercado assured the full support of the army to the peace and development efforts of the local government in Mawab.

“The 71st IB, with the support of all stakeholders, is fully committed to protect the people from violence perpetrated by the enemy of the state,” Mercado said. (PR)

TOTAL of 51 Voluntary Surrenderees for Reform (VSR) completed the “Oplan Liwanag Program” of the provincial government of Compostela Valley last February 7 in Barangay Banlag, Monkayo town.

Under the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) chaired by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, Oplan Liwanag is a community-based transformative intervention program for the VSRs with Barangay Banlag of Monkayo as the first pilot barangay to successfully hold such program.

Oplan Liwanag is a threemonth program that will serve as a community rehabilitation program that aims to cater drug dependents due to the lack of rehabilitation centers in the province.

Under the program, barangay officials are tasked to be at the forefront in the implementation of Oplan Liwanag, in partnership with the Philippine National Police and with the support of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council and PADAC. During the 3-month period, the VSRs in Barangay Banlag underwent weekly counseling, community services, family and marriage enrichment activities, life and skills training, and many other daily activities conducted by the Provincial Spiritual Development and Values Restoration Program (PSDVRP) team of the province.

The team is composed of pastors, priests and other religious leaders of the dominant

churches in the province.

VSRs were also given the opportunity to be trained and assessed for National Certificate II (NC II), of which all of them completed and passed the skills training program for free in Driving and in Beauty Care Services (Nail Care).

According to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), this is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that those who have been listed as drug dependents, are able to prove that they are now drug-free and are equipped with their chosen competencies which will eventually become part of their sources of income.

It can be recalled that Governor Uy issued Executive Order (EO) No. 064-2016 dated August 2, 2016 for the conduct of Oplan Liwanag.

The kick-off ceremony for the first pilot barangay was on November 5, 2016 led by Barangay Captain Danny Daanton and PADAC action officer Mario Angelo Sotto.

The partner agencies of Oplan Liwanag include TESDA, PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Health (DOH), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Local Government Unit of Monkayo, and other stakeholders. Initial plans and further assessment of the program implementation is under way as the program will soon be rolled out to other barangays in the province. (Rey Antibo/IDS Comval)

implementation of a designed water facility that would provide potable water supply in Malungon. (Sen Cuayson and Von Dela Cuesta/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

7 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Can oarfish “predict”

earthquakes?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

L

AST Friday, on February 10, a 6.7-mag- Institute Volcanology and Seismology said nitude earthquake struck the southern the epicenter was located 14 kilometers part of the Philippines. The Philippine north of Surigao City.

Two days earlier, a 10-foot-long dead oarfish was reported to have been caught by fishermen off the coast of Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, about 124 kilometers away from Surigao City.

According to some people, the appearance of the dead oarfish was already a sign of a forthcoming natural disaster that will strike anytime near the place where it was found. But others dismiss the belief as tittle-tattle.

But the question is: how do those deep-sea creatures like oarfish end up in shallow waters? Are they really good predictors of earthquakes?

“It’s theoretically possible because when an earthquake occurs there can be a build-up of pressure in the rocks which can lead to electrostatic charges that cause electrically charged ions to be released into the water,” Rachel Grant, a lecturer in animal biology, was quoted as saying in a report that was published on the Independent news website in October 2013.

It must be recalled that when earthquake and tsunami struck Tohoku, Japan in 2011, about 20 oarfish stranded themselves on beaches in the area. Japanese consider oarfish as ryugu no tsukai, which means “messenger from the sea god’s palace.”

Dozens of the deep-sea creatures were discovered

by Japanese fishermen around the time a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake

struck Chile in March 2010 and the tremors in Haiti which left 200,000 people dead.

Japanese lore In traditional Japanese lore, the fish rise to the surface and beach themselves to warn of an impending earthquake. “In ancient times, Japanese people believe that fish warned of coming earthquakes, particularly catfish,” Hiroshi Tajihi, deputy director of the Kobe Earthquake Center, told The Daily Telegraph in an interview in 2010.

Now, going back to oarfish, which was first described in 1772 but has been rarely seen because it lives at considerable depths.

“Although oarfish were likely the source of many historic tales of sea serpents and sea monsters, they are hardly dangerous to people,” wrote National Geographic. “Oarfish feed on tiny plankton and have a small opening to their digestive system.

They don’t even have real teeth, instead having flimsier structures called gill rakes to catch tiny organisms.”

Although they are occasionally seen at the water’s surface, scientists believe they are pushed from their habitat “by storms or strong currents, or they end up there when in distress or dying,” National Geographic claimed. “A sputtering oarfish may look like a terrifying sea monsters, but it is not

thought to pose a danger to people or boaters.”

According to traditional belief, if oarfish wash up, it may signal a coming earthquake. “But these are just old superstitions and there is no scientific relationship between these sightings (or dead oarfish) and an earthquake,” he pointed out. The author, Julian Ryall, added that “experts here are placing more faith in their constant high-tech monitoring of the tectonic plates beneath the surface.”

Scientific explanation But there are some scientific explanations on it.

“Deep-sea fish living near the sea bottom are more sensitive to the movements of active faults than those near the surface of the sea,” Kiyoshi Wadatsumi, a specialist in ecological seismology, told Japan Times.

Tectonic stresses in the Earth’s crust send “massive amounts of primarily positive air ions in the lower atmosphere.” This was what Grant and her research team found, whose study was published in the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health in 2011.

When these ions reach a body of water, they oxidize “water to (create) hydrogen peroxide. Other reactions at the rock-water interface include the oxidation or partial oxidation of dissolved organic compounds,” the authors wrote.

The resulting compounds “may be irritants or toxins to certain species of ani-

mals,” possibly resulting in the death of deepsea creatures.

An article published in the website of Live Science, assistant editor Marc Lallanilla reported that there was a group of physicists at the University of Virginia who studied reports of animal behavior before earthquakes. They discovered that “rocks, when crushed under high pressure that mimicked the force of an earthquake, emitted high levels of ozone gas.”

“Even the smallest rock fracture produce ozone,” researcher Catherine Dukes was quoted but posted this question: “Can we detect it in the environment?” Also, the author added: “Can animals detect a sudden rise in atmospheric ozone?”

Lallanilla wrote: “None of these hypotheses, however, is ready to be developed into an animal-based, early-warning system for earth tremors.”

Dukes agreed. “This is not a way to predict earthquakes,” she explained. “It’s just a way to warn that the Earth is moving and something – an earthquake, or a landslide or something else – might follow.”

Animals acting strangely True but there’s a long history of anecdotal reports of animals acting very strangely in the days

or minutes before a tremor is felt by humans.

The earliest reference to unusual animal behavior prior to a significant earthquake is from Greece in 373 BC. Rats, weasels, snakes, and centipedes reportedly left their homes and headed for safety several days before a destructive earthquake.

In February 1975, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Haicheng, a city of one million people located in China’s Liaoning province. One day earlier, city officials ordered an evacuation based in part on reports of strange animal behavior: Hibernating snakes in the area, for instance, abandoned their winter hideouts months before normal. The early evacuation is credited with saving thousands of human lives.

A report said: “Scientists say that serpents can sense earthquakes from 120 kilometers away, up to five days before it happens. By observing erratic behavior in snakes, scientists are developing ways to predict earthquakes.

They respond erratically, even smashing into walls to escape. Even in the cold of winter, they will move out of their nests before a natural disaster occurs.”

An article written by Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia compiled some strange behaviors of animals that something is not right will happen.

Forewarn is forearmed, so goes a saying. Now, consider the following: • Bees stop flying around and go to hive.

• Birds go to their trees and aren’t flying around.

They may migrate completely away.

• Fish bite hard one day then completely disappear the next day, or even a few hours later.

• Cows and other ani-

mals head to high ground and safety.

• Dogs and cats go missing. One guy checks lost animal posts in his local newspaper and actually uses that as one of his prediction tools for earthquakes.

• Fish jumping an unusual amount, or fish that don’t typically jump, particularly catfish, are jumping. There is some speculation that they can sense changes in the electrical impulses in the air or water caused by impending disasters such as earthquakes.

• If you live in an area that has a lot of frogs, they are prone to disappear prior to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

• Chickens may become agitated and stop laying eggs a few days before a major storm.

• Dogs become more agitated and may bark more or even become aggressive a few days before a major weather event.

They may even refuse to go on a walk or walk to a certain area, such as by the water, during their walks.

• Horses, dogs, monkeys, and other pets may refuse food or treats several hours prior to a natural disaster occurrence.

• Bats may be awake and active in the middle of the day a few minutes or even hours prior to a natural disaster occurring.

“Anecdotal evidence abounds of animals, fish, birds, reptiles, and insects exhibiting strange behavior anywhere from weeks to seconds before an earthquake,” scientists from the United States Geological Survey pointed out. “However, consistent and reliable behavior prior to seismic events, and a mechanism explaining how it could work, still eludes us.” (Photos from the net)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

S

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Black spot

ENATOR Grace Poe told a recent television interview that corruption is alive and well even under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Poe lost to Duterte in last year’s presidential elections.

Duterte’s main election promise was anchored on eliminating crime, illegal drugs, and corruption.

Poe’s remarks were based on the controversy involving the Bureau of Immigrations (BI) where two of President Duterte’s appointees, fratmates from San Beda, are involved.

The case, now being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, involved allegations that gambling tycoon Jack Lam, through his representative Wally Sombero Jr., had given former Bureau of Immigration (BI) Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Ro-

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bles P50 million in exchange for the release of undocumented Chinese workers at his casino hotel in Pampanga.

While the case may be the biggest blot to the administration of President Duterte because of the personalities involved, it could not be said sweepingly across all government agencies.

Since Duterte assumed office, not a few government officials and employees have been dismissed, suspended or transferred. However, one cannot have a perfectly clean slate. There will always be bad eggs in government. Even under the Duterte administration.

This BI blot just happened to be the black spot in a white board that stands out. But even that cannot be left unpunished after due process has been served.

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EDGEDAVAO

W

HEN asked about the prediction on who would win the 2016 Miss Universe held recently in Manila, 1969 Miss Universe winner Gloria Diaz, the first for the Philippines, was candid in saying the country’s representative to the prestigious beauty pageant Maxine Medina would win the crown in a ratio of one to a million. True enough, she landed only in the Top 6.

After the dust had settled, Miss France Iris Mittenaere, rumored to be a closet lesbian, was declared Miss Universe queen.

Asked the Latin Times, in its February 02, 2017 edition: Is Miss Universe 2016 first openly gay beauty queen?

Another issue that excited the soothsayers was if the country would make it two in a row and earn the distinction as the first Asian nation to earn credit for having backto-back Miss Universe queens. Sadly, the prediction fell short. The truth, though, is the Philippines actually won in 2017 a global crown and brought home the same beauty tilt tiara twice in a row. Unknown to pageant pundits, for two years (2016 -17) the Philippines won the Mrs. Grandma Universe.

On Jan. 21, 2016, Babylyn Decena-Newfield of Alabang , Muntilupa City, snared the crown in Sofia, Bulgaria, and exactly a year later, Agnes Jakosalem of Cebu repeated her predecessor’s triumph in the same venue.

That even makes the Cebuana the first international beauty queen for the country in 2017!

From January to October 2016, the Phil-

I

F you are into writing and want to focus more on scribbling features, then there’s a book I highly recommend – SHE (Significant Human Experience): Writing Feature Stories. This 150-page book is written by Dr. Maria Gemima Valderrama, a journalism professor at the Ateneo de Davao University.

“Of all kinds of journalistic writing, I find feature writing closest to my heart,” she wrote in the book’s introduction. “It is where I can best express myself.”

She considered feature writing as “the perfect blend of journalism and literature” and cited the case of literary giant Nick Joaquin, as the man who taught and advocated the method in his lifetime.

The book is divided into 12 chapters. In the first chapter, for instance, the feature story is being defined and explained. As a journalistic report, a feature story “is not an opinion essay or a work of fiction.”

Creative writing, which relies on information or events that are not real but “imaginary and theoretical,” is fiction writing. On the other hand, feature writing “only deals with facts, real events, and statements which are considered and accepted as true.”

Chapter 3 deals more on the basic principles in writing. Think first then write. Keep sentences short. Shorten your paragraphs. Use familiar words and specific and concrete language. Use adjectives sparingly. Write the way you talk. Revise and sharpen what you have written. And like most kind of writing, expressing is more important than impressing.

The next chapter talks about writing feature

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Back-to-back pageant winners ippines, in FAST BACKWARD reality won crowns in the eleven (11) international beauty competitions, the same number of honors the country hauled a year earlier. Aside Antonio V. Figueroa from Mrs. Grandma Universe, the other credits were from Classic Mrs. Asia International, Princess, of the World, Miss Teen Planet, Miss World America, Miss Asia Global, Miss United Continents, Miss Diamond of the World, and Miss International.

Vivian Yano of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, took him the Classic Mrs. Asia International Cosmopolitan, while Rizalina R. Asa of Hagonoy, Bulacan, snared Classic Mrs. Asia International Tourism in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Elisha Dinn Rasay of Bannawag Sur, Santiago City, on the other hand, won the Princess of the World pageant held in Bulgaria, while Maria Jayzamel B. Vista of Tanay, Rizal, took home the Miss Teen Planet crown in Sozopol, Bulgaria.

Fil-Am Audra Mari of North Dakota, USA, meanwhile, won the Miss World America tilt in Maryland, USA, while Trixia Maria Marana of Dumaguete City became the winner of

the Miss Asia Global contest in Kerala, India.

The three other queens were Jeslyn Santos of Hagonoy, Bulacan, who won Miss United Continents in Guayaquil, Ecuador; Christine Joy Picardal of La Union took the Miss Diamond of the World crown in Algiers, Algeria; and Kylie Fausto Versoza of Baguio City, the Miss International coronet, in Tokyo, Japan.

In the local scene, the most awaited beauty pageant is Mutya ng Dabaw. Instituted in 1969, the pageant has already produced close to 50 winners. When the criteria for the event were expanded, even outsiders were allowed to join, something that makes the tilt even more exciting. Some of the winners went on to leave their marks in national beauty competitions.

The first Mutya ng Dabaw crown holder was Rachel Arkoncel. She was followed by Elsa Roldan (1970), Jeanette Ledesma Lon (1971), Maureen Elizabeth Hilario (1972), Lyn Yuviengco Aguirre (1973), Clavel Albay (1974), Jocelyn Joyce (1975), Lorna Mate (1976), Marissa Salvador Abella !977, now city councilor), Maria Edna Go (1978), and Aniebelle Cervantes (1979). The Mutya ng Dabaw website has left the 1980 pageant without a winner.

From 1971 to 1990, the Mutya winners were Abegail Garcia (1981), Felinda Sanchez (1982), Susan Co Ong (1983), Judsita Joy Mascardo (1984), Sharmene Escamilla (1985), Conchitina Tesoro (1986), Trezita Acosta (1987), Trizza Ambet Gapultos (1988), Veronica Tolentino (1989), and Er-

linda Mejia (1990, later crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental).

In 1991, no Mutya was crowned owing to the Gulf crisis and others issues. In 1992, Sharon Limbaga won the tilt, followed by Mary Jean Biol (1993), Ma. Lualhati Malata (1994), Jovelyn Pongase (1995), Sharon Escarella (1996), Llwelyn Muriel Austria (1997), Carol Kent Ramos (1998), Joan Magtibay (1999), and 2000 - Leah May Luna (2000).

On the other hand, the winners for 2001-2010 are as follows: Paula Ann Selgas (2001), Mary Carmel Osmena (2002), Joan Mae Soco (2003), Aieelen Cainglet (2004), Jovine Narajos (2005), Johanne Bernice Guirgen (2006), Clarice Escala (2007), Mary Jean Lastimosa (2008, 2014 Miss Universe-Pilipinas), Resci Angeli Rizada (2009), and Janelle Tee (2010).

The remaining winners in the list include Irene Lascuňa (2011), Marianne Mae Te (2012), Fila Guia Hidalgo (2013), Franchesca Enriquez (2014), Kris Abegail Candolita Guanzon (2015), and Allyza Molly Teodoro (2016).

Except for some changes or adjustments, beauty tilts outside the religious-theme competitions have always followed the Miss Universe prototype with the candidate showing the region she represents. Of course, the menu of come-ons includes the swimsuits, nightgowns, and Q&A portions. In recent years, pageants have more of a brains contest than beauty. What a relief!

stories. “Feature stories are THINK ON THESE! human-interest articles that mainly focus on people, places, and events,” she wrote.

“Features are not meant to deliver the news firsthand.

Henrylito D. Tacio “They do henrytacio@gmail.com contain the elements of news but their main function is to humanize, to illuminate, to add color, to educate, and to entertain,” she further wrote.

Chapter 7 gives some tips on writing news features. “If news articles are focused on what happened, the news feature goes deeper focusing on the ‘how and why’ it happened, how the people involved are reacting, or what impact the decision is having on other people,” she explained.

Dr. Valderrama shared this tip: “When you choose to write this type of feature, decide which angle of the story gives human interest.

Remember, a news story is tied with current events while a news feature is not. So you have time to decide for a good angle to focus on.”

The last chapter talks about how you can develop your own style of writing. “The person beside you has always a story to tell,” she wrote.

“All you have to do is ask good questions so you can hear interesting answers. It’s knowing how

and when to dig up details for a great story.”

A story becomes great only if and when the writer knows how to write it well. And this is where style comes in. A style is something a writer owns so much so that when someone reads it, he can always tell a particular author has written the feature.

“Even if it doesn’t have your name, Manoy,” my sister, who read most of the articles I have written, once told me, “I can always tell that you wrote it.”

Dr. Valderrama wrote: “Almost every story looks like ordinary because the story of one is also the story of another. Almost every human being says the same things, faces similar experiences, and uses related solutions to the problems. But what makes all these stories different depends on you as a writer.

“This is where you put some style without deviating from your main point: to make your readers read, feel, and understand the story.”

Now, you may be wondering why she kept on highlight about stories? To her, writing features is about writing human experiences. “The heart and soul of a feature story is human interest,” she pointed out in chapter three.

“Pain. Sorrow. Joy. Laughter. Successes and celebrations. All these make up for a good feature story. It interests us because it talks about us. It moves us because it celebrates our humanity,” she wrote.

In most other chapters, Dr. Valderrama gave some examples which were published in local and national publications. In Chapter 5, she included an article on the aftermath of typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) one year

later.

Reading the first paragraph alone is worth enough. Read this: “One year ago, couple Tatay Loloy and Nanay Bebie feared for their lives when their house and all neighboring houses collapsed around them and trees were uprooted. Today, the couple live on with hope from what they thought it was the greatest nightmare.”

Another good example was the one featured in chapter 9 on travelogue. Her feature on Lake Sebu (“Learn, eat, fly in Lake Sebu”) has this wonderful ending, which summarizes the whole story: “A Lake Sebu experience encapsulates three things – we learn to appreciate their tribe, we get to eat appetizing tilapia, and we can see God’s beautiful creation from above.”

The book is indeed very informative. To think, her masters degree (from the University of Mindanao) was not on writing but school administration. Her doctoral degree (from the Southwestern University in Cebu) wasn’t on writing either; it was on special education.

The short biography at the back cover of the book gives this info: “(She) scribbled some notes in her journal when she was studying her elementary and high school education at the University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao City. While studying her mass communication course at Centro Escolar University in Manila, she sharpened her writing skills with the help of some great journalists in the big city…”

The brief sketch ended with these words: “But she believes that wherever you are and whatever you do, you will always be weaving words for a subject that thrills you.”

Writing features

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cilors; 243 city and municipal mayors; 172 barangay chairs; 117 barangay kagawads; 84 city and municipal vicemayors; 24 provincial board members; 17 governors; 13 members of the House of Representatives; and 5 vice-governors.

“Topping the list of common criminal cases are violations of R.A. No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) with 177 cases,” she said, adding that the data is followed by Falsification of Documents with 83, Malversation with 59 and Perjury with 33.

Meanwhile, administrative cases were filed against 316 city and municipal councilors; 217 city and municipal mayors; 198 barangay chairs; 129 barangay kagawads; 82 city and municipal vice-mayor; 19

provincial board members; 16 governors and 6 vice-governors.

Presbitero said the common administrative offenses are Grave Misconduct with 239 cases, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service with 169 cases, Dishonesty with 103 cases, Gross Neglect of Duty with 60 cases, and Grave Abuse of Authority with 59 cases.

When asked regarding the difference between Department of Justice and OMB, Presbitero said that OMB is the one responsible for investigating government officials accused of crimes, while DOJ is responsible for upholding the rule of law in the country and serves as a legal counsel and prosecution arm.

day’s bizforum at DermPath SM City Davao that five more malls will be established from 2017 until the end of 2018: SM CDO Downtown Premiere in Cagayan de Oro, SM Butuan.

According to Tiu, the five-storey SM CDO Downtown Premiere in Cagayan de Oro is slated to open on May 12, 2017. It is the biggest among the SM malls in Mindanao with a land area of 150,000 square meters On 2018, SM Butuan is slated to open on the first quarter while SM Tagum is set to open on the fourth quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, the vice president said that SM is also considering the establishment of SM Toril and SM Tagum for the end of 2020. However, he said the company is still conducting a marketing study to determine which of the two will be prioritized.

“If the market (in Zamboanga) will say one SM will be good, because it is really SM Mindpro (Mindpro Citimall), the SM brand is there but it’s off course a joint venture.

Whatever the original structure is, we’ll have an expansion. But if they say, ’okay the market is good enough for an SM Mindpro’, and off course the competitors there, then we will delay the construction for a while,” explained Tiu. Tiu added, setting up SM Toril would depend on the development of the southern part of the city and the needs of its neighboring areas such a north Cotabato and Digos City.

He stressed the feasibility study which will last for two years will determine which of the two areas will be priori-

tized for development.

Tiu said, before setting up a mall, the company considers its competitors, the disposable income of the establishment as well as its money circulation which can be supported by a feasibility study.

“To build a mall, it needs a minimum of P2 billion,” said Tiu who added that it will take at least a year to complete the construction of a mall.

At 9 percent revenue growth, Tiu disclosed SM malls in Mindanao have already surpassed the total revenue of other SM malls in Luzon by 7 percent.

Tiu attributed this to the burgeoning competition among Luzon-based malls which affects the performance of other SM branches as well as the fact that the President comes coming from Mindanao.

Alongside this development, SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez confirms the new addition to the wide array of brands featured

by SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premiere, one of which is Uniqlo, a Japanese fashion wear retail brand.

Lopez added, in 2016, SM City Davao catered 45 new tenants mostly food businesses as well as high fashion.

“We are looking forward to 45 more this year which makes up 97 percent of our occupancy,” said the mall manager.

Still the largest mall chain with 60 branches nationwide including its acquisitions and mergers, SM eyes to establish 15 more malls across the Philippines to attain its vision of setting up 75 malls nationwide at the end of 2018.

to the resurgence of tourism.

“We have the I Love Mati Facebook account and the Mati website which people can access in the internet.”

The Mayor also said they are encouraging big activities like sporting events as a way of marketing the city.

This March, the city will be hosting the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet.

The month of April will also

be the annual Summerfrolic music and party event in Dahican where the countrys top DJs will be headlining the massive beach party.

Aside from Dahican, Mati City hosts other noteworthy tourism destinations, among these include the Mati Baywalk Park, the Subangan Museum, the Waniban and Pujada Islands, ultralight flying at the Mati Airport and the Guang-Guang Mangrove Sanctuary. (PIA/RG Alama)

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LEGAL AT LAST. Judge Ronald Tolentino officiates at the civil wedding ceremony of 183 couples during yesterday’s Pag-IBIG Fund Valentine’s Day “Kasalan ng Bayan” held at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Proponents... FROM 2 At present, KPP is attending to various invitations around the country to discuss matters concerning Federalism. The group is also coming up with a complete proposal

to “help the senate and the congress” by facilitating the information needed by the legislators upon the actual hearing on the proposed form of government.

gave him P20.00 and signed his clearance.

“Undoubtedly, respondent’s lascivious conducts, for two consecutive times and while inside the school premises, against the complainant, who is under his care, custody and supervision, for the purpose of giving him certain benefits, constitute violations of R.A. No. 7877 (Anti-Sexual

Harassment Act of 1995),” the OMB MIN decision released yesterday states.

“The commission of these deplorable acts against a minor, despite the latter’s protest and evasion, exhibits respondent’s moral ascendancy over the victim, which reflects on respondent’s moral fitness and integrity as a public employee,” it added.

first 1,000 days of life. This is also the same period when the tissues and organs of the baby are being formed. It is said to be the “critical window of opportunity to shape long-term health.”

According to Villafuerte, the health and nutrition of both the mother and the child will determine the child’s health and its ability to learn in school within the said period.

The project also includes health education for the community, particularly involving mothers, on topics such as proper sanitation and hygiene and the importance of breastfeeding.

Villafuerte said the implementation of the project in lumad communities in Davao is only the initial stage. The project will eventually be implemented across the city. CIO

ing path is to reform the fiscal and economic policies so that growth happens with equity,” he said.

Dominguez said that to attain this goal, the government needs to undertake a tax reform program that will enable the government to raise an additional P718 billion for education, P139 billion for health, P267 billion for social protection, welfare, and employment, and P1.73 trillion for urban and rural infrastructure.

“By failing to act boldly at a most opportune moment, we will betray our people. We will condemn our nation to the vicious cycle of high inflation, high interest rates and inhospitable business conditions that we endured before,” he said.

Dominguez pointed out that: “Without the tax reform package, our GDP growth can-

not be sustained by at least 7 percent. Without a dramatic increase in investments, the country will be consigned to growth below 6 percent—a purgatory for an emerging economy with great potential.”

“Our economic simulation studies validate this,” he said.

“We can no longer maintain high income tax rates. Our people expect relief from them.

We cannot attract the investments we need until we bring our tax rates to the regional average. To compensate for lower rates, we intend to broaden the tax base and introduce new revenue measures. The entire package needs to be passed to ensure gains in revenues to fund the President’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda and maintain our strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” Dominguez said. (PR)

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180,000 transactions per day received by its 276 branches nationwide.

“Management is now looking at ways to streamline procedures and reduce the number of documentary requirements while at the same time preventing fraudulent claims. A priority right now is automation of systems to speed up the processing of benefit claims, loans, and other member transactions,” Dooc added stressing that policies on processing of claims have to be strictly enforced to ensure that the benefits will be given to the rightful members and beneficiaries.

SSS has established stronger ties with partner banks for the direct release of sickness, maternity, Employees’ Compensation, and retirement benefits to members’ bank accounts.

“Member-borrowers can also withdraw their salary loan disbursements within three to five days using Unionbank Quick Card and Citibank Cash Cards. This only proves that SSS has been utilizing

innovative ways to improve service delivery for members’ greater convenience,” Dooc noted.

“Members can also follow the official Facebook page of SSS to keep themselves updated with the latest programs and events. For a more thorough discussion on the different benefit programs and services of SSS, members and employers are welcome to attend regular in-depth seminars organized by the Member Education Department,” Dooc concluded.

The 8888 Hotline is one of the current initiatives of the Duterte administration to establish a feedback mechanism that enables the public to air their queries and complaints for proper endorsement and immediate action of concerned agencies.

Aside from the 8888 hotline, the CSC has two existing feedback channels such as Contact Center ng Bayan and Public Assistance Office which have been endorsing referrals to SSS for the past several years.

comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reforms, livelihood, true implementation of land reform, ending of contractualization, free education for all, and others.

She pointed out that her department has joined the call for the resumption of peace talks because only in times of peace could women make plans on how to enhance their families’ lives, improve their livelihood, ensure their children’s education, and access basic services.

She thus called for unity in ending the roots of armed conflict.

Meanwhile, Taguiwalo

said the OBR was observed by some schools in Metro Manila and in the provinces, while employees of the DSWD central office and its office in the National Capital Region joined the Gabriela Women’s Party, led by Rep. Emmie de Jesus, OBR global director Monique Wilson, concerned artist Maria Isabel Lopez and her daughter, and other groups in a dance.

Wilson said the country’s participation in the 48-hour OBR is in support of this year’s theme of “solidarity against the exploitation of women”, as well as the call for jobs, land, justice and peace for women.

(PNA)

President Clarke S. Nebrao also shared how DTI helped their association through a food processing facility through the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program. The CALABARZON Food Solutions Hub (CFoSH)

was acquired at a cost of PHP 16-million. It consists of advanced processing machineries and other ancillary equipment installed at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) in Santa Cruz, Laguna. (PR)

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Marga Nograles of MT Martish, Sarah Claudio of Echostore Davao, & Yana Santiago of Olivia & Diego.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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EVENT

The Havaianas pop-up shop.

OBRIGADA 2017 A clean, green, Summer feeling

Mia Pineda & Chuchay Sison.

Michelle and Toby Ang.

Dr. Rina Angele and Chiara de la Paz.

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2017, MT Martish Corporation, the Exclusive Sub Distributor of Havaianas in South East Mindanao celebrated OBRIGADA 2017. Obrigada or Thank You in Portugese, is MT Martish Corporation’s annual gathering for the Davao press and personalities.

For Obrigada 2017, MT Martish goes organic and partnered with Echostore, the country’s pioneering social enterprise and retail store carrying green fair trade products by local groups and communities all over the Philippines. Set at Echostore, this year’s annual get-together with different personalities and the press will be an intimate gathering, which aims to promote a healthy way of living while celebrating the Havaianas Summer Lifestyle.

At the event, guests were be served light, refreshing, & healthy cocktails, along with the Havaianas juice bar, where cold-pressed juices were available, including four organic juices that take inspiration from the Havaianas 2017 collection.

This year’s gathering will also feature a brief workshop by Yana Santiago of Olivia & Diego, a social business that works with communities to create upcycled jewelry made from fabrics from discarded cotton-knitted t-shirts. This workshop will show guests how to recycle old fabric pieces and turn them into stylish anklets that will go perfectly with their favorite Havaianas pair.

Different from the previous Obrigada events, MT Martish invited loyal Havaianaticos, in addition to personalities and friends from the media, to an exclusive Pop-up Shop at Echostore, where they can shop with discounts and avail of limited edition Havaianas goodies. And in line with this year’s theme of going organic, MT Martish says thank you to each guest with a personalized upcycled Havaianas tote bag.

“This year’s Obrigada serves as a venue for us at MT Martish to gather our friends from the local media, loyal Havaianas customers & personalities, and thank them for their support and contribution in the growth of Havaianas for the last 12 years in Davao” says MT Martish Managing Director Marga Nograles.

Marissa Tionko & Mia Floirendo.

Stephanie Ong, Malouchi Gahol, & Dr. Jen Lim.

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UP AND ABOUT

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Donita Rose shares her Jolly Heart Mate recipes at Sinulog THE REWARDING EXPERIENCE of sharing a feast is just one of the many perks of cooking especially for Filipinos, and Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil ambassador Chef Donita Rose happily shares her passion in cooking at the last stop of her Regional Festival Tour in the Sinulog Festival.

Celebrating through colorful dance rituals and processions to recall the Filipino’s paganism and the recognition of their Christianity, Sinulog became one of the grandest and most renowned festival in the country that is being held every third Sunday of January. And to add more colors to the festival in Cebu, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is proud to bring Chef Donita Rose for a live cooking demo show during the hype of the festival.

The celebrity chef, together with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, is currently on a series of festival cooking demos around the country. And as part of the last leg of her nationwide tour, a cooking extravaganza at SM City Cebu Event Center was held recently.

Chef Donita prepared Popiah, a vegetable spring roll that is very famous in Cebu with an added twist to the recipe us-

ing her cooking techniques and unique fresh ingredients from the Queen City of the South.

“The Cebuanos, with their wide array of food cuisines, really love to eat particularly during the week-long festival of Sinulog. Our culture is practically

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centered on food which brings families closer, so we should also be aware of how we prepare the food and what ingredients we use for the dishes that we serve,” said Donita.

Chef Donita also wants to help Cebuanos to prepare deli-

cious dishes using their harvest, and making it heart healthy with the use of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. “We must always be conscious that the ingredients we use should be good for the heart, like Jolly Heart Mate Canola

oil which contains the lowest amount of bad fats (saturated fats) but packs in the good kind like omega 3 and 6,” Donita shared.

Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil also contains Vitamin A and has a pale golden color, light texture, and neutral taste that makes it good for all kinds of cooking. Aside from being versatile, it also has one of the highest smoking points which make it very ideal for frying.

“We are very happy that Donita continues to be the brand ambassador of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil; she easily connects well with her audience given her lively personality. Her passion for cooking can be easily seen, and we believe that she can inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle by using a healthy oil like Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil in all the dishes we cook at home and especially in festivals such as the Sinulog,” added Zen Prudentino, Fly Ace Corporation Senior Product Manager for Jolly Heart Mate Canola oil.

After the last leg of her nationwide tour, Donita will continue to share her cooking tips and recipes through various events this year. For more information on Chef Donita’s next event with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, visit their facebook page on www.facebook.com/ JollyHeartMateCanolaOil.

Catch HBO’s “Halfworlds” and ABS-CBN Davao celebrities at the Sky Alive Tour SKY ALIVE KICKS OFF ITS 2017 TOUR by making its stop in SM Lanang Premier Davao from February 17 to 19. A fun-filled event open for free for the whole family, SKY Alive features content through various booth activities, games and celebrity gimmicks as well as a showcase of its various services for a complete entertainment experience to both SKY and non-SKY subscribers.

Gracing the event are the stars of HBO’s dark fantasy thriller, “Halfworlds’” Filipino actor Jake Macapagal and Thai actor Charlie Ruedpokanon. Fans can get the chance to meet and greet Jake and Charlie on February 18 and 19 from 4-5 PM at the “Halfworlds” booth.

Now on its second season airing every Sunday at 9 PM on HBO, “Halfworlds” explores the secret society of concealed demons and monsters living alongside humans.

Guests will also get the chance

to test their knowledge of all things Oscars at the Movie Trivia zone.

The RED by HBO booth will delight guests as they learn basic Kung Fu techniques and stances just like in the HBO Original movies “Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So” and “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying.”

RED by HBO is a channel dedicated to showing acclaimed, awardwinning, and popular movies and series from East and South East Asia.

Meanwhile, fans of “Kapamilya Mas Winner Ka” will be happy to know that cast members Rovic Cuasito, Cherry Manning and Redge Ledesma together with Lady Bam and Onnie Alfaro of “MagTV Na Magnegosyo Ta”are coming over on February 19 at 3PM. Visit the SKY Alive area in SM LanangPremieron February 17 to 19 to be able to experience the best that HBO, Red By HBO, ABS-CBN Regional and SKY have to offer together with SONY.

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UP AND ABOUT

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DTAA SPEARHEADS 8TH DAVAO MEGA TRAVEL SALE WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO THIS SUMMER OR WHAT DESTINATIONS AWAIT YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR? It’s time to plan it out now because “The early booking gets the best deals!”. These days, travel is now an essential part of our lives as we continue to discover new places, experience various cultures

and learn about the world.

We are given more opportunities to travel 2017 with the more affordable fares and tour packages that are within our reach.

To get hold of these exciting travel offers and packages, the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA), in partnership with BPI, Cebu Pacific, Silk Air, Sunstar and Amadeus, will once again spearhead its annual travel

fair dubbed as the 8th Davao Mega Travel Sale : TRAVEL. SET. GO! on February 17-19, 2017 at Abreeza Mall.

The event will be participated by different travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts and destination promotions agencies from all over the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It will serve as a venue for bringing together major industry players for an opportunity to launch new

services or products and establish new marketing connections.

For Dabawenyos and regional visitors, this is the best time to plan for summer vacations and other travel requirements with the low airfare offers and packages up for grabs during the travel sale.

Wherever your next dream destination is, it’s time to make it come true by visiting the travel fair and booking your trip now.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

DCWD addresses Cabantian WSS situation

D

AVAO City Water District will lease 10 trucks to augment water supply by a minimum of 800 cu. m per day in areas served by its Cabantian Water Supply System (WSS).

The trucks are set to be fielded in second week of March 2017 following full compliance with the Government Procurement Act. Each truck has an estimated capacity of 20 cubic meters with four delivery trips per day. Instead of distributing water by drop off point, the water will be added to DCWD’s Cabantian reservoir and will pass through the water line to better allocate the supply among customers.

With this intervention, DCWD anticipates shortened duration of the rotating water supply schedule in place.

A separate advisory will be issued once improvements are observed.

The leasing of trucks is among the temporary but immediate solutions undertaken by the water utility to address the rotational water supply implemented in Cabantian WSS due to low water yield. It will complement the existing two DCWD water tankers and two volunteer fire trucks used in the water delivery in the affected

areas.

In a related measure to help alleviate the inconvenience caused by intermittent water supply, DCWD will exempt all water connections with zero consumption per month from paying the prevailing minimum charge or lifeline water rate per DCWD Board Resolution No. 17024. The implementation will be reflected in the February 2017 billing for the January 2017 consumption.

However, the management clarifies that the exemption can only be availed by service connections with zero consumption in areas identified and verified by DCWD with inadequate water supply such as Cabantian WSS. In addition, the meter maintenance charge of PhP25 remains applicable as this fee is separate and distinct from the water rates.

Cabantian WSS customers are encouraged to call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293), 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 or visit DCWD website (www.davao-water. gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ davaowater) for continuous updates. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

Mindanao mining firms unite to help Surigao quake victims

M

INING firms particularly in Mindanao have joined forces to help in the rescue and relief efforts in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte after it was struck by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake Friday evening.

According to Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) chairman Art Disini, relief goods have been prepared by the mining firms to be distributed to the affected residents while mine workers professionally trained in rescue missions will be on hand to work with government in its operations.

Among the companies in the area, Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) reported that no mine worker or resident in their host communities perished or were hurt during the earthquake.

It also reported zero damages to its facilities.

For its part, CTP Construction CEO Carlo Pimentel said their mine workers and residents in host communities are safe.

He, however, said that CTP is still conducting an assessment on its facilities.

“Emergency response teams from CTP are already on standby and are coordinating with the Bureau of Fire Protection and partner government agencies to see how the company could ably assist in post disaster efforts,” he said.

According to Pimentel, CTP will see to providing immediate needs such as temporary shelters and clean water.

He assured that mining companies in Surigao “are working hand in hand to help our kababayans in need.”

The Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc. (SMMCI) also reported no major damage or injuries to its facilities and personnel.

The company said its Emergency Rescue Teams are on standby in case needed.

Disini said the Chamber continues to wait for reports from its other member companies there.

“Our prayers go out to the families affected by the earthquake. Mining firms in different parts of the country are often called upon to conduct rescue missions during earthquakes and have been lauded for their effort during these times of disaster,” he said.

Meanwhile, mining engineering students of the country’s premier university have joined the snowballing call for “transparency and full disclosure” in the mining audit conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on 28 mining operations across the country that it had ordered shut down or suspended.

In a statement, the University of the Philippines Mining

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DLPC’s Project B.E.S.T trains residents of Maa

D

AVAO Light and Power Co. trained residents of Barangay Maa, Davao City through its Project Basic Electrician Skills Training (Project B.E.S.T) starting February 6 until February 26, 2017.

Project B.E.S.T. is a community-based skills training

program, which is being implemented by Davao Light in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA-Sur/ Davao City with support from JCI Central Davao. Those who finish the course and pass the assessment will be given a Cer-

TRAINING. Davao Light and Power Company’s Project B.E.S.T or Basic Electrician Skills Training started another batch last February 6, 2017 for the residents of Barangay Maa, Davao City. Twent-five identified beneficiaries

tificate of Competency or National Certificate 2 (NC2).

The beneficiaries are mostly out-of-school-youths, barangay workers and community residents who are interested to become electricians.

“Project B.E.S.T. will help the beneficiaries learn a skill

which can help them work as an electrician and earn additional income.” said Fermin Edillon, Davao Light Community Relations Manager.

Project B.E.S.T. will continue to reach out to more communities, creating more electricians especially in the far flung areas.

will undergo a three-week training to become certified electricians with a National Certificate II. Project B.E.S.T. is implemented by Davao Light in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation & TESDA Region XI. (DLPC Photo)

SSS extends help to victims of typhoon Nina

T

O show that the Social Security System (SSS) cares for its members and pensioners, the pension fund distributed relief goods to 1,000 families from four barangays in Bicol- Magurang, Alnay, Basud and Gabon- which were affected by typhoon Nina last February 11, 2017.

During the relief operations held at Magurang Elementary School, SSS President and Chief Executive

Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc, a Bicolano himself, encouraged his kababayans to remain resilient like the bamboo and rise stronger and taller after a crisis because this is what Uragons are known for. He said that SSS is always ready to help them as they rebuild their lives and homes.

Above photo shows PCEO Dooc (center) and Polangui, Albay Vice Mayor Herbert Borja (beside PCEO) giving the relief package to Mr.

Domingo Bogal from Brgy.

Gabon, one of the beneficiaries of the SSS relief operation. Also present during the gift-giving were Management Services & Planning Division Vice President Eleonora Y. Cinco; Administration Group Senior Vice President May Catherine C. Ciriaco; Luzon Operations Group Senior Vice President Josie G. Magana; Officer-In-Charge for Luzon Bicol Division Elenita S. Samblero; Magurang Elementary

School Principal Yvonne O. Rea; and Officer-In-Charge of the Corporate Communications Department Sonia P. Guinto. Below photo shows employees of SSS Naga and Legazpi distributing the relief packages to the beneficiaries.

PCEO Dooc together with other senior officials were in Bicol from February 9-11 for the first Regional Visit for 2017 as part of the pension fund’s thrust to bring SSS closer to its members. (PR)

the position that government support is indispensable in enhancing the country’s ICT capacities, which is vital in growing the economy. We hope that any move to reform the telco industry should include formulation of policies that would fast track the development of the ICT industry as a whole to further boost economic development,” said Globe General Counsel Atty.

Froilan Castelo.

He reiterated that the development of ICT infrastructure must be accelerated to improve business competencies and capacities as well as enhance the delivery of essential government services in communities.

Despite heavy investments in recent years, the

establishment of telecom infrastructure in remote areas in the country continues to be a challenge, hindered by business viability concerns that kept telco operators from aggressively deploying infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas.

To address such challenges, Globe proposed that the government itself should help develop the ICT sector by investing in internet infrastructure for outlying communities, stressing that Internet access creates a significant impact on the development of marginal areas as this allows the community to conduct businesses, get information on education, health, and other government services.

Telco operators also need

government support in minimizing, if not eliminating bureaucracy in relation to the permitting process for cell sites and right-of-way for fiber deployment to further expand Internet service in the country.

Castelo pointed out the company needs to secure around 25 permits, spanning at least 8 months to complete, to build a single cell site. The rationalization of the permitting process for telco infrastructure should be addressed as soon as possible.

Globe needs to continuously build cell sites especially in relation to the deployment of the previously warehoused 700 MHz spectrum, which is seen not only to deliver additional capacity but also en-

Globe supports bills to reform telco industry

G

LOBE Telecom is supporting the bills filed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to institute reforms in the telecommunications industry particularly the adoption of nationwide mobile phone portability and the streamlining of the permitting process for cell sites to further improve the efficiency of telecommuting.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, authored several proposed measures directly affecting the telecommunications industry to fast track the roll out of telco services in the country, to improve the speed and service of the internet, and to lower the cost for consumers.

“We have always taken

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

The hacking job: Here’s how banks lose money to cybercriminals

W

ITH today’s continuous rise in online banking and other financial transactions, it seems that going digital is now also a preferred method for theft — monetary or otherwise. The old-fashioned way of robbing banks through sheer force, like the one at the beginning of The Dark Knight or through stealth and creativity as shown in heist films such as in Ocean’s Eleven, may look as outdated to the modern criminals of today who prefer a more subtle approach that requires less physical effort: hacking.

Cybercrime is just one of the many possible dangers of going digital, and with consumers increasingly looking for more digital services such as online and mobile payments from financial institutions we can expect more banks to improve their digital infrastructure by installing the latest data security measures.

But these unfortunately aren’t enough against hackers who constantly find new ways of penetrating a bank’s entire network.

Aside from updating data security software, bank personnel should also be updated with the latest hacking trends. In light of this, IPC, local cloud pioneer and the first and only DDoS mitigation service provider in the country with a local data scrubbing facility, came up with a list of the five most common bank hacking techniques criminals use against banks and some tips on how to overcome them.

1. Fake I.T. staff Maintaining and operating digital transactions in an efficient manner is critical for banks. In order to gain new customers and keep their loyalty, they must hire some of the best I.T. technicians to keep the whole engine running smoothly without any bumps along the way.

Because I.T. personnel can have access to the entire digital infrastructure of the bank, some hackers pretend to be one just so that they can infiltrate the network.

One such attempt happened back in September of 2013 when a man posing as an I.T. engineer walked away with £1.3 million using a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch which he installed prior to the theft. The device gave the criminals remote access to Barclays’ machines. Fortunately, Barclays noticed the transaction and a week after the heist, the eight people behind it were arrested.

As a way to avoid this predicament, banks should conduct background checks as part of their hiring process. One rogue I.T. employee can do more damage than an army of hackers. Also, as a way to mitigate risks, bank admins should consider implementing separation of duties and two or multiple person access

the users’ private details. It is designed to look like login screens for various popular and distinguished applications.

Downloading apps from trusted app stores is the best solution when it comes to malicious smartphone applications. Such legitimate app stores conduct security scans on their apps catalogue to look out for malware. In a white paper released by Google, they admitted that Google Play conducts 200 million security scans every day as part of efforts to remove malware.

Humanity — best layer of security Taking into account all of the control so that sensitive tasks are managed appropriately.

2. Decoy DDoS attacks There have been reported instances of Distributed Denial of Service (DDos) attacks being used as a decoy for another attack. This involves hackers first taking down a bank’s website by sending thousands of requests.

Because a bank’s I.T. personnel will scramble to get the site back up and running, the bank is now open to a more technical and surgical attack. One of the earliest accounts of this happening was back in Christmas of 2012 when $900K was taken under the veil of a DDoS attack.

The bank’s I.T. personnel aren’t at fault here. Most banks and financial institutions have already established an online presence for customers, thereby making their website a priority.

Banks can seek help from companies who offer DDoS mitigation services to keep their website up and running. IPC’s DDoS mitigation service can help websites withstand DDoS attacks while maintaining low latency due to having its own data scrubbing center in the country. This enables IPC to deliver faster turnaround time for data transmission despite an attack.

Banks should also consider increasing their in-house I.T. security personnel just so they can have enough manpower to fend off attacks from both sides.

Once activated, the malware can record keystrokes and take screenshots of the bank’s computers, such as what happened in the Bangladesh Bank hack a year ago where $951 million dollars were almost stolen through SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)—a cooperative of 3,000 financial institutions which oversees millions of global cash transfers every day through their messaging system.

ATMs are also compromised here and when hacked, can make unlimited withdrawals such as what happened in Russia last year.

Malware attacks also compromise the details of account holders since these are usually stored inside banks. Through this, it can be possible for criminals to siphon money from their accounts and even send them the malicious email attachment.

As a precaution, banks should consider educating their employees when it comes to phishing emails, malicious links, and the basics of file extensions and executable files. Also, banks should always update their antivirus software in order to detect and remove malware.

3. Malware through phishing Another way hackers can gain access to banks is to send phishing emails to employees that contain malware. Back in 2014, a single employee of JPMorgan fell for the attack which led to 76 million households being compromised. Weeks after the incident, JPMorgan “tested” its employees by sending a fake phishing email and a whopping 20% of the staff opened it.

This is quite alarming as according to Forcepoint (then Websense) in a 2015 survey, phishing attacks against financial institutions is 300 percent higher than those from other industries.

4. Ransomware Technically a malware, ransomware deserves a spot in this list just because of its high success rate. It has even got to the point that banks are now buying and storing bitcoins to pay off criminals immediately whenever such an attack happens.

When executed, a ransomware “locks” and encrypts almost every file stored inside a machine, thereby barring users from them.

A usual attack features a ransom note demanding people to pay up to get their files back within a period of time.

The reason for the sudden rise in the number of ransomware attacks is its low cost to develop and the higher payback. In fact, there are ransomware “construction kits” such as Tox which are available for free in the dark web, according to McAfee.

Paying up isn’t actually a solution since it empowers criminals and will just give them more

mainly Arabic and Islamic studies but after that, where they go? We have to help students of Madrasah, we will teach them skills training for their livelihood,” said Mamondiiong.

The TESDA chief said that students who will complete the training from various courses will receive the national certificate (NC) from the Agency.

Mamondiong stressed the importance of skills training, saying that lack of such knowledge could sometimes lead to

extremism.

“If they do not have any skills for a livelihood and then their families are hungry, they may resort to extremism. This is a skills program to address that. Without peace, there is no real national development,” he added.

Students of Madrasah schools go to their classes on weekends. Mamondiong however said that the TESDA skills training at Madarasah schools will be scheduled Monday to Friday. (PR)

confidence to attack elsewhere. A more viable way to face ransomware is to backup all files which can circumvent the malware used to get banks to pay up in the first place.

5. Hacking through smartphone apps Smartphones are also vulnerable to malicious software and when compromised, could resort to millions of dollars being stolen.

Back in 2015, four of Australia’s largest banks customers were targeted by a sophisticated Android attack which managed to remove two-factor authentication system and stole banking details.

Millions of customers of these four banks have been put at risk by the malware which gets activated when a banking app is opened.

The sophisticated malware puts a fake login screen on the phone and uses that to capture

above, it is clear that the human element is key in all of this. When it comes to hacking banks, employees and bank account holders are the first to be affected and our actions can either help stop the hack or make it infinitely worse.

The perpetrators of the Bangladesh Bank heist would’ve gotten away with $951 million if not for Zubair Bin Huda, a joint director of the bank, recognizing that the tray of a printer responsible for making paper copies of SWIFT transactions was empty, despite knowing on his end that transactions were being made. After failing to print those manually, his inquiry of the error led to the discovery of the massive theft. (PR)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SPS. FILOMENO BRAULIO AND GLORIA DALES has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.435; Page No.72; Book No. XXIV; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC MARISUE A. LLANES 2/8,15,22

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

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

TESDA to teach skills training in Madrasah schools Account Executive

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong to teach skills training or technical-vocational courses among students of Madrasah schools.

Madrasah, the Arabic name for school, is a community-based and community-managed school whose teachings are based on the Qur’an.

“In the Madrasah school system, the students are taught

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 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Mindanao... FROM 11 Engineering Society (UP MINERS) said the suspension and closure orders issued by DENE Secretary Regina Lopez on the 28 mine sites “implies unemployment of new graduates of Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgical Engineering and other affected fields.”

“In light of the recent events of mine suspensions and closures without legal basis, we, the University of the Philippines Mining Engineering Society (UP MINERS), reiterate our stance and advocacies toward responsible mining and call for transparency in the process of the mining audit done by the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” the organization said.

“For as long as the transparency of the mining audit remains inaccessible, as future engineers, we shall keep invoking our right to access detailed information regarding the said mining audit in order for us to know what needs to be improved in the industry and to aid in the advancement of the profession towards environmental protection so as to avoid the suspension of more mining companies compromising jobs and Filipino families,” they added. (PNA)

hanced indoor coverage.

The company, however, is able to deploy only around 450 cell sites a year even as it targets to build roughly around a thousand towers annually, due to permitting chal-

lenges.

President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to open up the telco industry to foreign players to boost the competition and improve the delivery of services to the public. (PNA)

Globe... FROM 11

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) PH

1 2

Monito H. Santos

Rosita Lao Liu

CONTRACT NUMBER

CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT

VVV430007185

21104307

809759-4

14093

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

2/15,22; 3/1

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

Be kind to your heart, says health chief H EALTH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial has again reminded the public to be kind to their heart.

“Choose healthier options this Valentine’s Day. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly,” Ubial told a news briefing Monday.

She emphasized the good effects of the daily intake of vegetables and fruits while limiting the intake of sweets,

fatty and salty food, which only lead to excess weight and obesity, resulting in heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

Citing the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI) National Nutrition Survey, the health chief noted that from 2008 to 2013, the incidence of diabetes rose from 4.8 percent to 5.4 percent, and excess weight among adults from

26.6 percent to 31 percent.

Ubial further attributed 33 percent of deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country to cardiovascular diseases; followed by cancer (10 percent), diabetes (6 percent), and chronic respiratory diseases (5 percent), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Report on NCD Country Profiles in 2014.

To address the high rates of hypertension and diabetes in the country, Ubial said her department last year launched a hypertension and diabetes club, which serves as a support group for all patients.

It also provides registered members free medicine, such as Losartan, Amlodipine, and Metroplol for hypertension and Metformin for diabetes.

(PNA)

also enhance the dignity of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and improve their lives through better productivity of agricultural lands. These are what we enjoy now under the present Contract of Lease with MEPI,” they said in their letter to Mariano.

Complying with the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), MEPI in 2002, donated all 800 hectares of its plantation in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte to the ARBs tilling it.

The land was given to the ARBs, without asking a single centavo from them, on only one condition: that a 30-year lease agreement or AVA be forged between MEPI and the ARBs, which then formed themselves into DAMARBDEVCO. The agreement conforms and complies with the provisions of the CARP and was approved by the PARC, then headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

As a result of this AVA, farmers tilling the land previously under MEPI’s name now own it without having to pay any amortization to the government and now even receive an annual fee from MEPI representing the farm rental payment to them, even if the land was donated.

Moreover, each ARB of MEPI earns a total of P233,485 a year, representing the salary and annual land rental fee. A MEPI ARB earns P651.78 a day or almost four times more than a typical non-ARB farmer, who gets only a P181.29 daily wage.

On top of getting above-average pay, ARBs and their families also enjoy educational and health care benefits; generous vacation and sick leaves with pay; housing, meal and medical allowances; performance, production, Christmas, Labor Day and longevity bonuses; life and accident insurance; and even retirement benefits.

In 2015 alone, each MEPI ARB got P4,000 as dividend from their cooperative, which receives financial assistance of P800,000 per year from MEPI. MEPI ARBs also get paid for trucking and hauling services equivalent to P9 million a year, for farm inputs provided by the cooperative amounting to P9.1 million annually, and for Class B products equivalent to P1.6 million per year.

Expectedly, majority of the MEPI ARBs want the AVA to continue, with only a small minority calling for the illegal revocation of the agreement.

This small minority, would, in effect, want their fellow ARBs to be mired in poverty, earning only a measly P59,925 a year, and with debts representing the mandatory payment to Landbank for the land amortization of P83,546 per year for 30 years.

Reverting to the pre-AVA arrangement, even when the

ARBs own the land, would leave each of them with a potential net loss of P26,621 per year.

The government, on top of owing MEPI over P1 billion as payment for the land that was taken back because of the AVA’s revocation, would also lose P53 million a year in taxes paid by MEPI, while the local government would lose P15 million annually in revenues and another P10 million in foregone real property taxes.

The scrapping of the AVA, which should have run for another 16 years, would incur a total of P2.09 billion in total potential revenue losses for the government.

“The consequences of illegally revoking this contract signed in good faith will be measured not just in terms of money and the credibility of the national government, but in the impact on the real lives of the farmer/ARBs and their families,” MEPI said.

Small... FROM 5

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Mitsubishi brings back Eclipse crossover

M

ITSUBISHI Motors Corporation is confirming that the Eclipse name is returning; only this time, it’ll be on a crossover.

As previously reported, the Eclipse name will be used on a new compact crossover. The Eclipse Cross will make its international debut at the

Geneva Motor Show next month.

Mitsubishi is completely unabashed saying that its new compact SUV will live up to the

sels, things can get trickier.

For one, there’s no number figure stickered on the pump. That said, diesels still do need to adhere to a standard and in this case, it’s the Cetane Number. Cetane rates how short the ignition delay is (time interval between start of injection and combustion); so in effect, the higher the Cetane Number is, the shorter the delay. In order to meet Euro IV, the Philippine government mandates a minimum Cetane Number of 50. For premium diesels, this number can go up to 55.

temperature.

One of the only times that you’ll find warmer, less-dense gas is if the fuel doesn’t have the time to cool off after being pumped into the underground tanks during delivery. Yet, the nature of gasoline means its temperature stabilizes quickly resulting in a volume difference of less than 1 percent—enough to be negligible at the pump.

Eclipse nameplate since it will “marry stylish coupe lines with the freedom of movement the SUV genre gives.”

Whatever you think

of the name, the Eclipse Cross does look like it’s taking inspiration from the eX Concept (shown at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show) which is a good

thing.

The Eclipse Cross will also debut a new “high-saturation red body color” specially developed for the model.

The most likely reason mobile phone usage is discouraged while refueling is that it can cause distractions. When dealing with a volatile and flammable chemical, it’s best to pay attention to what’s going on. That Facebook update or Snap Chat video can certainly wait an extra few minutes.

Fires are more commonly caused by vehicles left running while refueling. So it’s best practice to shut your engine off and if you’re riding a motorcycle, get down before the start of any refueling.

Myth #5: Using no-name brands is bad for your car.

While it’s true that top-tier brands have proprietary additives that help clean the engine, using fuel from a smaller, independent player isn’t detrimental to your car. This is because fuel from independent brands still has to meet legal requirements to be sold to the public. In fact, it’s not entirely surprising to have smaller players supplied by a major oil company, but simply not have fuel sold under their name.

What’s more important is to pay attention to the

quality and condition of the gas station itself. If the looks decrepit imagine what condition those underground storage tanks could be in.

If you own a private vehicle, avoid refueling in areas where there’s a large population of public utility vehicles like jeepneys. This price sensitive situation can become an avenue where gas stations would resort to various short cuts just to increase profits such as selling tainted gas. It’s no assurance, but larger gas companies do have better quality assurance measures and it can prevent this sort of incidents.

‘Using cell’phone will cause explosion’and other refueling myths

R

EFUELING your car is an often misunderstood act and it can be quite confusing to uninitiated car owners. Most won’t even care what goes on after the nozzle goes into the tank for as long as the fuel needle reads “full” after a couple of minutes. This carefree attitude towards pumping gas has led to the spread of refueling myths, some of which have spread again and again.

But with refueling becoming a weekly routine for everyone, now is a good time to get educated and break that cycle of ignorance. It’s time to set the record straight and debunk these 5 popular refueling myths.

Myth #1: The higher the octane, the better.

Go to any gasoline station and chances are, you’ll come across a number emblazoned on the pump.

These numbers, ranging from 91-100 signify the RON or Research Octane Number of the fuel you’re loading up on. In the simplest sense, RON determines the fuel’s anti-knocking quality or its resistance to detonation.

With modern cars running ever-complex computer systems that control combustion timing, cars can adjust for a variety of fuel grades without any detriment to fuel economy or performance. Thus, you’re not going to do any good by simply filling up on fuel with the highest octane available. Simply stick to the manufacturer’s recommended octane which is either stickered on the inside of your fuel cap or indicated in the owner’s manual.

When it comes to die-

Unlike its gasoline counterpart, fuel companies don’t advertise that using premium diesel gets you more power or better efficiency; simply because they don’t. What you do get is a combustion that produces less soot. Together with more fuel detergents and other additives, using premium diesels can produce cleaner tailpipe emissions and smoother idling. Using premium diesels may be more helpful for vehicles equipped with exhaust treatment systems.

Myth #2: It’s best to fill up when it’s cold because you get more fuel.

This myth isn’t something new. The reasoning behind it is when the fuel is cooler, it’s denser and denser fuel will pack more energy in the same amount of space. Thus, you’ll get more “bang” for your buck.

But while density may change with temperature, the fuel pumped by gasoline stations is stored in underground storage tanks well below the surface. This means the stored fuel is almost always at a constant

Myth #3: It’s okay to top off your gas tank after the nozzle automatically shuts off.

This is something everyone’s been guilty of at least once. After the nozzle automatically shuts off, you top off the gas with a few extra pumps until you reach the tank brim.

Those few extra pumps after the nozzle automatically shuts off aren’t worth the trouble. It can actually harm your car’s evaporative control system, mainly the evaporation canister that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. This system is designed to re-burn vapors, not liquid gasoline that gets pushed out of the gas tank when you fill up. Topping off fuel is the number one cause of the canister’s failure and can be costly to repair.

Myth #4: Using cellphones when refueling will cause an explosion.

While it’s true that gasoline stations post stickers on pumps warning motorists to turn off or not use cellphones while refueling, there’s actually no documented case where a mobile phone caused a gas station fire or explosion.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

HIDILYN DIAZ. Athlete of the Year JUNMAR FAJARDO. Basketball

MIGUEL TABUENA. Golf

EUGENE TORRE. Lifetime Achievement

MISAGH BAJADORAN. Football

MIKA REYES. Volleyball

Diaz tops PSA awardees B

IG day for Filipino athletes whose sports excellence will be recognized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel and MILO at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City on Monday.

Weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz, a silver medalist in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics, will receive the time-honored Athlete of the Year award.

The 25-year-old Diaz of Zamboanga and elite member of Philippine Air Force (PAF) leads 91 other sports honorees.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco lead the local sports community in bestowing hon-

or to all the awardees.

The 2016 PSA Awards Night Honor Roll List: Athlete of the Year – Hidilyn Diaz; Lifetime Achievement Award – Eugene Torre; President’s Award – Milo Rivera; Executive of the Year – Philip Ella Juico; National Sports Association of the Year – Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa); Mr. Basketball – June Mar Fajardo; Mr. Football – Misagh Bahadoran; Mr. Golf – Miguel Tabuena; Mr. Taekwondo – Jeordan Dominguez; Ms. Volleyball – Mika Reyes.

Major Award - Josephine Medina (paralympics), Janelle Mae Frayna (chess), Eric Shauwn Cray (athletics), Marestella Torres-Sunang (athletics), Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), Ian Lariba (table tennis), Kirst-

ie Elaine Alora (taekwondo), Nestor Colonia (weightlifting), Philippine Poomsae Team (Jean Pierre Sabido, Ernesto Guzman Jr., Jeordan Dominguez, Glenn Lava), San Miguel Beer (pro basketball), Jeron Alvin Teng (amateur basketball), Johnriel Casimero (boxing), Yuka Saso (golf), Eduard Folayang (mixed martial arts), Marvin Mangulabnan (superbike), Mark Alvarez (Jockey of the Year), Low Profile (Horse of the Year) Citation - Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Rogen Ladon (boxing), Charly Suarez (boxing), Marlon Tapales (boxing), Gretchen Abaniel (boxing), Jerwin Ancajas (boxing), Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing), Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio (cy-

cling), Sofia Chabon (golf), Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (golf), Annie Ramirez (jiu-jitsu), Margarita Ochoa (jiu-jitsu), Joseph Myers (jiu-jitsu), Orencio James delos Santos (karate), Jacob Ang (karting), Brandon Michael Vera (mixed martial arts), Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Pauline Louise Lopez (taekwondo), Juvenile Faye Crisostomo (taekwondo), Patrick John Tierro (tennis), Monica Torres (triathlon), August Benedicto (triathlon), Divine Wally (wushu), Arnel Mandal (wushu), Ramon “Tats” Suzara (volleyball), Johnny Tan (motorsports), National University Lady Bulldogs (women’s basketball), National University Pep Squad (cheerdance), Pocari Sweat (volleyball), RC Cola-Army (volleyball), Philip-

pine Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Fencing Team, Philippine Sailing Team, Philippine Sepak Takraw Team, Phillippine Canoe Kayak Federation, United Football League (UFL), Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), Pru Life (football), TV 5, UNTV; Milo Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Adam Bondoc (karatedo); Milo Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Kyla Soguilon (swimming).

Philippine’s first chess grandmaster, Eugene Torre will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other notable titles to be handed out - President’s Award (Milo Rivera), Executive of the Year (Philip Ella Juico), and National Sports Association of the Year (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Associa-

Pacquiao Twitter poll: Khan is it A

MANILA CLASICO. Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra is swarmed by the defense of Allen Maliksi and Ian Sangalang of Star Hotshots during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. Ginebra won to narrow the series gap 2-1.

Short-handed Nuggets rout Warriors

T

HE Golden State Warriors have grown used to setting records with incredible offensive displays. Nevertheless, what the Denver Nuggets did to them at the Pepsi Center on Monday night must have come as something of a shock.

To be fair, no one expected the Nuggets to match the NBA record for three-pointers in a single game and dominate the NBA-best Warriors for a convincing 132-110

win. The Nuggets’ 24 threes tied a record set by the Houston Rockets on December 16, a sign of the league’s continuing trend towards taking as many three-pointers as offenses can handle. Crucially, though, the Nuggets attempted only 40 threes to the Rockets’ record 60 tries. That means Denver made their threes at a 60 percent clip — a full 20 percent better than Houston’s mark.

Their perimeter excellence

started early and did not abate until the result was all but decided.

Denver shot 7-of-11 from deep in the first quarter on their way to 42 points and got even better in the second, shooting 9-of-12 from beyond the arc for a -high 79 points in a half. Those 16 three-pointers tied the NBA record for triples in a half, which was set in November by a red-hot Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers. That bigtime performance was felt in the

box score, too — the Nuggets led 42-30 after the first and 79-54 at the half.

Nuggets tied NBA record for 3-pointers made in a half with 16 in first half vs Warriors (Cavaliers 16 earlier in season vs Trail Blazers) pic. twitter.com/9fPnEFCeJS

tion-PATAFA).

Tony Siddayao Award - Ancilla Mari Manzano (gymnastics), Khazart William ‘Khaz’ Romoff (karting), Joan Masangkay (powerlifting), Arielle Pascual (skating), Maurice Sacho Ilustre (swimming), Jerard Dominic Jacinto (swimming), Marc Bryan Dula (swimming), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Tara Borlain (triathlon), Samantha Borlain (triathlon).

Posthumous Award - Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, Mariano “Tom” Ong, Cecil Hechanova, Ronnie Nathanielsz, Herminigildo “Hermie” Rivera, Jonas Mariano, Gilbert Bulawan, Emy Arcilla, Benjie Castro, Rogie Maglinas.

(PNA)

MIR Khan has come top of a twitter poll to elect Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent, with the fight projected to take place in the Middle East in April.

Doubts had been growing about Pacquiao going ahead with a fight against undefeated Aussie Jeff Horn.

Now Pacquiao has asked his fans to vote on who he should face next.

Manny Pacquiao has asked his social media followers who he should fight next - although he now has the added distraction of working as a senator in his native Philippines Khan has come top with 48 per cent of the votes, ahead of British rival Kell Brook,

Horn and Terence Crawford The Pacman launched the ballot, thereby throwing mischievous, if potentially golden, spanner into the plans of Khan and Brook.

No sooner did Brook decide to start shedding the poundage in readiness for a defence of his world welterweight title against mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jnr than Pacquiao has tossed him into his own highly lucrative mix.

Just as Khan figured he had better start his comeback with a warm-up fight this spring before finally meeting Brook in the autumn, he too finds himself o n the Pacman’s deadly dance card.

FANS’ CHOICE. Amir Khan topped the fan poll for Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 256 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

FIERY, FIERY NIGHT Go explodes anew for Duterte cagers

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

S

ECRETARY Bong Go came out smoking anew for Team Duterte as he saved his team from the brink of a first defeat at the hands of IBP Davao.

With his guns ablaze, the spifirish Go spewed 36 points to quell an IBP Davao uprising and preserve a 9190 triumph in Game 5 of their basketball friendly series on Saturday at the Genesis 88 Gym in Ecoland.

Team Duterte played much composure at crunch time playing it patiently with good shot selection and breaking down the defense to preserve its clean record by far.

Go, President Rodrigo Duterte’s trusted aide, was again the focal point of an improved IBP defense. Go had to recreate his shots and took lesser attempts from the rainbow territory. He ended up with only three conversions from the distance, his lowest so far in the series after averaging nearly seven a game.

But the sweet-shooting cabinet member brought his superb touch around the key as he sprayed running jump shots and pull-up jumpers at practically all angles to put

Team Duterte.

Armand Dioso shot 35

points f o r t h e winless I B P Davao while Gil Ciudadano added 20.

It was another setback for IBP Davao as the National IBP League champions fell short once again in the down the wire finish. Three of the five games in the series were decided by less than six points typifying the intensity displayed by both teams.

Warren Cloribel added 13 points for Team Duterte while John Flores and Eu-

SWARMED BY DEFENSE. Secretary Bong Go had to recreate his shots this time owing to the defense thrown on him by IBP.

gene Labor had 10 apiece.

Team Duterte won Game 4 103-97 on Sunday. (With a report from Rico BIliran)

Devance’s return‘fueled’Ginebra

J

OE Devance played through pain in Game 3 of the Oppo PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven series but despite his injury, he still transformed Barangay Ginebra into a better team.

The veteran forward’s return gave the Gin Kings a big lift against the Star Hotshots as he helped inspire his team to a 73-62 victory in another defensive struggle Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Devance finished with six points and six boards in more than 18 minutes of play-a huge boost for Ginebra that was desperate in Game Three.

“He just gave us a lot more size, (helped us) create more space and again his basketball IQ is off the charts. We’ve become a lot more intelligent team when he’s on the floor,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.

“We played smarter and better, plus his size is a big plus, especially when Japeth (Aguilar) got into foul trouble.”

It was the first game for Devance since missing the Gin Kings’ past four games due to a plantar fasciitis injury in his foot. He was clearly not yet 100 percent as he battled through pain while in the game on Monday.

Still, Cone was impressed with Devance’s big heart. The veteran forward had to be taken out midway through the fourth quarter due to his condition.

“In the fourth quarter, the coaching staff came to me and said that Joe is not available anymore,” Cone said. “He’s getting shots, literally, right before the game and right before he got out of the game.

The doctors were coming

over to give him injections so he can play.”

Cone said it’s still uncertain whether Devance will suit up in Game Four on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

“It’s an incredible day. I don’t know m a n y players can do that. But Joe takes pride in sacrificing for his teammates, sacrificing shots and playing through injury,” Cone said.

“That’s part of his personality and he takes pride in it.

Whether he’ll be available next game? I don’t know. I think it’s less than 50-50.”

THE DIFFERENCE. Joe Devance helped Ginebra in Game three of their series against rival Star Hotshots.

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