Edge Davao 9 Issue 258

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

Mayor Sara to Senator Trillanes

WHERE’S THE MONEY?

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

D

adlopez0920@gmail.com

AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday challenged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to show where the P121 million she allegedly own is located and to prove how it became illegal.

Trillanes on Wednesday revived the issue on the alleged bank accounts of President Duterte which he claimed would prove that the President is not poor.

Deposited in the alleged bank account is P2 billion amount of money, the senator claimed.

He also showed a list of

bank accounts that are named under the President’s children -- Mayor Sara with P121 million; Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte with P104 million; and Sebastian Duterte with P143 million.

“If Trillanes can show where my alleged P121 million is right now and how it became illegal, kunin natin at ibigay ko

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Mayor Sara D. Carpio (File photo by Lean Daval Jr)

1,000 vice mayors converge in Davao EDGEDAVAO Sports VMLP to elect 2017-2019 national officers

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OME 1,000 city and municipal mayors of the country, members of the 1,636-strong Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) are gathered at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases in Barrio Obrero, Davao City for their national convention, February 16-18, 2017.

The VMLP will also hold election of its national officers, whose term ends in 2019.

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte of Davao City has endorsed

his provincemate Vice Mayor Donnabel Joy Ferolino-Mejia of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. If elected, Vice Mayor Mejia will be the first lady-president of the VMLP since its founding in 1988.

The main advocacy of the VMLP is more autonomy in local governance. The VMLP believes that the lesser the LGU’s dependence to the central government, the more effective they can be in the delivery

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HOPEFUL HORN

Aussie fighter not buying into Pacquiao mind games P15

Vice Mayor Donnabel Joy Ferolino-Mejia

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte

An artistic spirit to carry on A1

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FIRST-HAND VIEW. A father and his young son watch as government choppers land at Sta. Ana Port yesterday for today’s simulated exercise to test their capability and preparedness of Task Force Haribon’s component units. Lean Daval Jr.

Magnitude 4.1 tremor rocks Digos A

MAGNITUDE 4.1 earthquake hit Digos City in Davao del Sur Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute on Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The quake’s epicentre struck 16 kilometers north of Digos City at around 2:27 p.m. with a depth of four kilometers.

Data from Phivolcs added

that intensity IV quake was felt in Digos City and Davao City; intensity III in Malita, Davao Occidental; and intensity II in Kidapawan City.

No aftershocks are expected after the tremor struck, Phivolcs said.

As of press time, no damages were reported by authorities in areas hit by the earthquake. ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

2.8-M poor senior citizens to get monthly stipend from DSWD

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HE Department of Social Welfare and Development is planning to provide a monthly stipend to 2.8 million indigent senior citizens this year.

The figure is more than double the 1.3 million target beneficiaries of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program in 2016, the department said in a release issued Thursday.

The program has an approved budget allocation of P17.94 billion this year, compared to PHP8.71 billion last year.

The SPISC program grants poor senior citizens P500 to augment their daily subsistence, including their medical needs.

Started in 2011 through Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the program aims to improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens and to protect them from neglect and deprivation.

The target beneficiaries are those aged 60 years old and above who are frail, sickly or with disability; with no regular income or support from family and relatives, and without pension from private or government institutions.

The program is being implemented by the DSWD through its 17 field offices, in partnership with local government units and with help from the city and municipal social welfare offices and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

As of Jan. 31, a total of 1,331,747 senior citizens or 96.79 percent of the target 1,375,970 beneficiaries for 2016, were able to receive their social pension.

The conduct of payout is still ongoing for the remaining 44,223 beneficiaries.

Out of the total PHP8.7 billion allocation for the program last year, PHP8.5 billion or 98.21 percent has been used up for the program. (PNA)

Heavy rains displace 45 ComVal families

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

A

adlopez0920@gmail.com

TOTAL of 45 families or 169 individuals were evacuated on Thursday afternoon, February 16 by the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) in Banagbanag, Montevista town as the water level in the area continued to rise

due to persistent rains since Wednesday evening.

The pre-emptive evacuation was conducted in Purok 4, 5, 6 and 7 in said barangay, the provincial information office of Compostela Valley said.

The affected families are temporarily sheltered at the

evacuation center in Banagbanag Elementary School, the report added.

The communities of the affected families are among the identified flood prone areas in Banagbanag, the provincial government said.

The evacuation was also supported by the Montevis-

ta Search and Rescue Team (MOSART).

Montevista town is among the affected areas in Compostela Valley during the flooding early this month brought about by the tail-end of cold front that continue to affect the eastern portion of Mindanao.

“Wag po kayong mag-aalala, ‘yan ay sisilipin din ng Kongreso,” Alvarez said in response to the Department of Justice (DOJ) plan to ‘revisit’ the lease-property contract between the government and Tadeco.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II reportedly ordered a review of the 25-year lease contract that will lapse 12 years from now between the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Tadeco after receiving complaints that the company’s annual payments -- both lease and profit sharing -- were reportedly only a fraction of the prevailing market rate.

“Unang titingnan natin dito kung tama ba ‘yung dineklara na export at kung nagtutugma-tugma ito kasi kung hindi, napakalaki po ng talo ng gobyerno dito at kung ito ay mahigit PHP50 million, siguradong plunder po

ito,” Alvarez said.

“Pangalawa, kung ang kontrata ba ay na-renew noong panahon na kongresista si Cong.

Floirendo, kasi po, kung nangyari po ‘yun ay talagang malinaw na paglabag po ‘yan dun sa anti-graft law. Iyung contracts with the government na pinagbabawal po ng batas habang ikaw ay nanunungkulan as a public official,” the House leader pointed out.

Alvarez said he will also look into the veracity of the reports about the lease agreement where the government would get a guaranteed payment of PHP26.542 million per year for using the Davao Penal Colony’s 5,308 hectares of land -- or about PHP5,000 per hectare.

“If the reports are true, the government is losing big. Napakalaki po ng lugi ng gobyerno,” Alvarez said.

“We would also look into why the contract given was for 25 years. Ang kalakaran d’yan sa pagkaalam ko five to 10 years. Ten years pinakamatagal kasi mabilis po ang pagbago ng presyo ng saging kaya po marami po dapat na alamin d’yan,” he added.

The Speaker said his position against Floirendo clearly shows the firm resolve of the Duterte administration’s to investigate even their allies.

“Ito nga ang sinasabi ko na ‘yung administrasyon ngayon ay wala pong pinipili ‘yan kung kaibigan mo o kalaban mo, supporter mo o hindi. Kung nadehado ‘yung gobyerno ay talagang aalamin natin ‘yan at dito sa anggulong ito marami rin akong nakikita na pupuwedeng alamin dahil percentage on sharing kasi ang share ng government dito doon sa export,” the Speaker stressed. (PNA)

Probe on banana lease contract of Du30 campaign financier sought

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PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday said he is initiating a congressional probe, as well as an audit, on the lease-property contract between the government and a Davao banana exporter owned by the biggest campaign financier of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a radio interview aired over dzRH, Alvarez stressed that Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. could face graft and plunder complaints should his banana exporting firm, Tagum Agricultural Development Inc. (Tadeco), be proven guilty of allegedly shortchanging the government on its profit-sharing scheme.

Floirendo was the biggest donor for Duterte’s campaign last year, having contributed PHP75 million based on the President’s report to the Commission on Elections (Comelec)

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Surigao quake displaces 900 workers in companies

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T least 900 workers in Surigao City lost their jobs after the magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck late evening of February 10, Celestino Negapatan, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Negapatan told MindaNews Wednesday evening that at least 900 workers in the formal sector were displaced in Surigao City, those working in business establishments that were forced to suspend operations when their buildings suffered damages.

Among these establishments are Gaisano Capital Surigao, Absolute Essentials, Parkway Hotel and Tavern Hotel.

He said the number will increase if the informal sector will be included. “Laborers, drivers, fisherfolk, among oth-

ers stopped working after Friday evening’s devastating quake,” he said.

Negapatan said they are still working with the Department of Labor and Employment for data on those rendered jobless in the informal sector.

He noted that aside from job loss, several workers also lost job opportunities as employers downsized their workforce due to Friday’s quake.

Brian Navarro, one of the workers of Gaisano Capital Surigao worries where he will money for their next meal.

“I don’t know if I will survive in the next few days,” said Navarro, who has one year old child.

The Regional Tripartite Wage Board said these workers earn 280 pesos a day. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)

FOURTH ethics complaint was filed against Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday, this time by House Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry Roque Jr. Roque filed his complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee on the basis of De Lima allegedly conspiring with former Bureau of Corrections Love Foundation chair Ron Salo, who is also a representative of the Kabayan party-list to remove him from the House of Representatives. “…De Lima criminally conspired with Rep. Ron Salo to hide her involvement in the illicit drug activities in the NBP (New Bilbid Prison) and to stop me from digging deeper into their criminal activities there,” Roque’s complaint read.

He further said that De Lima also deceived the public

about her relationship and criminal conspiracy with Ronnie Dayan, her former security aide and alleged drug money bagman.

Roque said that what led him to file a complaint was a personal reason and that he did not consult with the House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez before filing the complaint.

“For me, the cause of action is really personal. The attempt to remove me from Congress is to keep me quiet and to punish me from my active participation in the investigation into the proliferation of the illegal drug trade in Muntinlupa.

“When she didn’t say from the beginning that she and Ronnie Dayan had a domestic relationship, of course this was to hide the truth that Ronnie Dayan was her bagman,” he added.

UNAWARE. Students, who were not informed that classes were suspended, peek behind the metal gate of Sta. Ana High School along Guerrero Street in Davao City yesterday. The city government of Davao and its neighboring towns declared suspension of classes yesterday due to persistent rains. Lean Daval Jr.

4th ethics complaint filed against De Lima A

Heavy rainfalls trigger cancellation of classes

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By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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EAVY rainfalls have forced the City Government of Davao to declare cancellation of classes for elementary and secondary levels in both private and public schools on Thursday.

City Information Officer Jefry Tupas forwarded the instruction to the local media around 6:00 am.

“Due to persistent rains prevailing in the City of Davao ordered the cancellation of classes on all public and private primary and secondary levels today,” the message reads.

The message added the Office of President Duterte has also issued a similar order,

citing a short statement from Malacanang.

The City Information Office of Davao has also posted the same advisory at around 7 o’clock in the morning in its social media page in Facebook.

Tupas added that the Department of Education was already informed of the order.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Davao University has also suspended its classes on the college.

In a memo released by AdDU President Father Joel Tabora, SJ., he declared classes are cancelled for primary and secondary levels, which includes both the Junior High School and Senior High School.

“On the recommendation of the AVP [Assistant Vice President] and Samahan [AdDU College student body] President, I am calling off classes today also on the territory level due to inclement weather,” the memo added.

The tertiary body includes the college, graduate school, and college of law.

As of its 5 am weather forecast, Pagasa said the rains in Mindanao are caused by a tail end of a cold front.

Because of this, Mindanao is expected to experience moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms in Caraga, Davao Region and Socsksargen.

SC to proceed with hearing of election protest versus Leni

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UN-DETERRED. A resident braves the heavy rains as he crosses E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Heavy downpour caused flooding in some areas of Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Pagasa also posted in its general flood advisory for Davao Region that under present weather conditions, tailend of a cold front affecting Mindanao, northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center issued a weather bulletin at around 9 AM it declared Orange Code on Talomo River, Matina River and Lipadas River.

Orange Code is a river warning level which necessitates pre-emptive evacuation of residents residing near the riverbanks.

Davao City is under the

HE Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal has found sufficient grounds to proceed with the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo.

“The Tribunal affirms its jurisdiction over the instant Protest, which is sufficient in form and substance. The protestee’s [Robredo] prayer to dismiss the Protest for lack of jurisdiction and for being insufficient in form and substance is denied,” PET said in an eightpage resolution dated Jan. 24 but was released to media on Thursday. ”However, while the Tribunal finds the Protest sufficient in form and substance, it must be emphasized that, as to the veracity of the protestant’s al-

legations, nothing yet has been proved. The Protest is only sufficient for the Tribunal to proceed and give the protestant the opportunity to prove his case in accordance with the 2010 PET Rules,” it added.

The PET also said the election protest is sufficient in form and substance.

“The protest contained narrations of ultimate facts on the alleged irregularities and anomalies in the contested clustered precincts, which the protestant needs to prove in due time,” the PET said.

Contrary to Robredo’s argument, the PET said they have the jurisdiction to act on the electoral protest as mandated by the 1987 Constitution.

“Section IV, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution in relation to Rule 13 of the 2010 PET Rules

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BSP says 86% of households in RP have no bank accounts

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ second Consumer Finance Survey (CFS) results showed that majority of Filipino households accounting for 86 percent don’t have deposit accounts.

The CFS is a nationwide quadrennial survey on consumer finances among Filipino households. It generates data on the financial conditions of households such as financial and non-financial assets,level of indebtedness and sources of credits, and income, spending and insurance coverages. The survey results also provide a breakdown of respondents residing in the National Capital Region (NCR) and in Areas Outside the National Capital Region.

BSP Department of Statistics Director Rosabel B. Guerrero reported during the Multi-Sectoral Forum on the 2014 Consumer Finance Survey Results at BSP Davao Regional Office Thursday that only two in ten households (14 percent) have bank account. 18. 7 percent of these are in NCR, 13.3 percent are in AONCR while 14.2 percent are in Region XI. Guerrero said the main

reason cited by households for not having a deposit account was not having enough money to keep an account.

“They do not need a bank/cash account; the bank/institution location is far; cannot manage an account; service charges are too high; and minimum balance is too high,” she added.

Majority who are unbanked are self-employed, or working for a private household, other household’s farm, or in other informal occupations.

Of the 14 percent who have bank accounts, the director said commercial banks are a popular choice.

Eight in 10 deposit accounts are kept in these banks or 50.2 percent in commercial banks, 13.8 percent in rural/ cooperative banks, 10.1 percent in savings/thrift banks and nine percent in microfinance banks.

More than half of the respondents sourced their income from wages and salaries, while others earned through self-employment, financial assistance from abroad and financial assistance from other households.

Overall, the formal banks accounted for 83.1 percent of

NO WORRIES. Commuters still prefer to ride the ferry from S.I.R. subdivision to Magallanes despite the rising water level of Davao River due to continuous rain as this mode of transport is cheaper than riding public transport. Lean Daval Jr.

BSP bares results of 2014 consumer financial survey Pushes for financial inclusion, literacy, policy reforms

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

F DTI unveils civil society F BSP SAYS, 10

agenda at ASEAN meet

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HE Department of Trade and Industry has put forward the agenda of civil society organizations during the conclusion of the 31st Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) on Thursday.

This was after DTI met with various civil society organizations to raise awareness on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and to gain support for the country’s hosting of ASEAN Summit 2017.

DTI Undersecretary Rodolfo Ceferino led the dialogue with civil society groups such as Aksyon para sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima, Buhay na may Dignidad para sa Lahat, Focus on the Global South – Philippines, Foundation for Media Alternatives, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Piglas Kababaihan, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, PhilWomen on ASEAN Network, Sustainability and Participation through Education and Lifelong Learning, and Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau.

During the dialogue, the civil society groups expressed their concerns on ASEAN integration, particularly environment and climate change as well as protection of workers, women, indigenous people, and social inequity, among others.

Rodolfo assured the groups that their concerns were being addressed by the Philippine government in the HLTF-EI meeting.

“The Philippines’ agenda priorities focus on inclusiveness and innovation. Consultations with our stakeholders ensure that these priorities are aligned with the domestic agenda,” said Rodolfo, who led the 31st HLTF-EI meeting.

Rodolfo reiterated that the Philippines is advancing matters on social disparities, which include issues ranging from energy, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, women empowerment, education, decent employment and labor standards, and safeguards against race-to-the-bottom policies in ASEAN. “Hosting ASEAN this year gives us the opportunity to advance our country’s interests and provide the way forward in ensuring that regional economic integration guarantees inclusive and sustainable growth of the region’s citizens,” he added.

“We are here to state that we are not opposed to integration, but the integration we desire should address the needs of the people, nurtures the environment, and protects human rights,” said Focus on the Global South – Philippines coordinator Joseph Purugganan. (PNA)

OLLOWING the first Consumer Finance Survey (CFS) conducted on 2009, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has released the results of its 2014 CFS. The CFS is a nationwide quadrennial survey on consumer finances among Filipino households. It generates data on the financial conditions of households such as financial and non-financial assets,level of indebtedness and sources of credits, and income, spending and insurance coverages. The survey results also provide a breakdown of respondents residing in the National Capital Region and in Areas Outside the National Capital Region.

Speaking during the Multi-Sectoral Forum on the 2014 Consumer Finance Survey Results at BSP Davao Regional Office, BSP XI Director Sonia Delos Reyes stressed the significant role of the state of household finances in the

country’s economy.

“70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product is accounted for by the household final consumption expenditure (HFCE),” she said.

The survey that covered around 15,000 respondents all over the country focused on the assets and liabilities of Filipino consumers as well as their consumption and investment habits.

According to BSP, CFS results indicate favorable demographic dividends as an increase in the young population indicates an addition to the country’s labor force over the next decade.

The BSP XI director cited the key findings of the survey:

assets,” she said.

She explained that majority of the households owned home appliances. Second, about three-fourths own or coown their house and lot. Lastly, more than a quarter of households own at least one vehicle.

Financial assets “Only 14 percent of households have deposit accounts,” Delos Reyes said.

She added that a very small percentage own securities and investment products such as tax, bonds, mutual funds, immunity investment trust funds.

Non-financial assets “From an asset perspective, we see that the portfolio of households at national level and here in Region XI is comprised mostly of non-financial

Liabilities Meanwhile, the survey results showed low access of households to credit as only 2.7 percent of households have outstanding loans on their residence and 6.5 percent on other real property.

“However, more households have outstanding con-

Politburo, the impact of demonetization in India, and US President Donald Trump recalling policies and plans rolled out during the Obama administration, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), have made it difficult to predict economic outcomes.

Under Trump, the US’s withdrawal from the TPP and forcible renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) has put regional and global trade partnerships at an unease. Steinbock says the Philippines has to be mindful of the risks of new protectionist policies that can hit remittances and its offshore industries.

According to Steinbock, policymakers and leaders should strive to develop the country’s manufacturing sector.

A strong manufacturing sector will be able to not only sustain the country’s consistently positive growth on average, it will also take the economy to the next level, and help the country reduce its exposure to external risks.

“Catch-up growth is slowing down,” said Steinbock, “It is slowing down in the Tiger economies--it is slowing down in China. When that happens and the countries outside the region have less money to give, will the Philippines be able to

sumer loans like relative to the real property loan, in such as all-purpose loans at 15.2 percent and motor vehicle loans at 11.9 percent,” said the director.

Delos Reyes reiterated that the same pattern could be observed in Region XI.

Policy implications and recommendations The director said that the survey indicates that households paid more attention to acquiring nonfinancial assets rather than financial assets.

She attributed this to the prevailing loan interest rate environment in 2014 which recorded an all time loan savings deposit at an average rate of 0.63 percent and an average bond lending rate of 5.53 percent.

“These findings are therefore valuable inputs to the monetary policy decisions as

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PH faces bright growth prospects amid uncertainty

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HE world faces great uncertainties ahead, with global trends in leadership shifting away from cooperation to protectionism. Despite the dubious times, global analyst and CEO of Difference Group, Dr. Dan Steinbock, believes the Philippines is on the right path to continue and capitalize on its positive growth.

At a seminar organized by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Steinbock detailed a foreboding outlook of the future. The radical polarization in the European Union over issues of immigration and unity, Beijing getting ready for the next

grow?”

Politically, Steinbock opined that President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy has been pragmatic.

He added that changes concerning defense policies in the South China Sea and currency valuations in China will contribute to the drastic deterioration of US-China relations, placing the Philippines in a difficult situation in the middle.

Policymakers must pay attention not only to insulating the Philippines from the effects of geopolitical shifts but also to upgrading the country’s capacity to deal with such economic and political shocks. (PR)

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Mr. Cesar Sulit, Jr., the provincial tourism officer and brain behind the Lamdalag Living Museum project. He is an ardent advocate of what is now celebrated worldwide this year as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for One of the participatory workshops mainly involving the local weavers and other stakeholders, ensuring active participation from the local people.

Development.

Quantifying tourism:

The case of Lamdalag Living Museum project in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

By JONALLIER M. PEREZ

W

E always put them on spotlights. We see them often on TV news. They are centerpieces of most travel shows and expos. But after the glitz and glamor, whenever visitors have enough of them, they pack their things up and go home. And then the real struggle at home begins. They have to contend with what they will eat that night. Or the tuition fee the following morning. Last year, a total of 502,681 tourists came to the province of South Cotabato, 80% of them went to the town of Lake Sebu, the lead cultural tourist destination in South Central Mindanao region. According to a tourist profiling study conducted by the Provincial Tourism Office, each tourist spends an average of PhP1,000 per day when visiting the province. From sustainable development point of view, the more essential questions would be: How much exactly was retained by the local community? Do the high tour-

ist traffic and income translate into better living conditions among the Tboli people? Does tourism, in general, help bring more food into their tables and send more kids to school?

Quantifying the economic benefits of a tourism enterprise does not only entail computing the total amount spent by all registered tourists on a given day. In fact, it doesn’t provide an accurate picture of the actual economic cycle. In many cases in the country, economic leakage remains a challenge. Most host communities do not have concrete policies that will ensure retention of most of the cash flow. Lake Sebu’s main attraction is a unique mix of culture and nature---both of them are highly fragile. Where economic leakage is very high, host communities are limited to minimal entrance fees and intermittent sales of souvenir items only. The bulk of the transactions are retained by the investors and entrepreneurs, such as resort owners,

tour operators, transport providers, accommodation facilities, etc.---most of them are essentially outsiders.

Lamdalag is one of the barangays of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. It is home to the greatest number of tnalak weavers in the region and country. Most famous of them was the late Lang Dulay, a National Living Treasure awardee. An ancillary fashion show event of the Miss Universe 2017 recently held in Davao City showcased many of the best Tnalak-inspired gowns.

The barangay produces the finest and most intricate designs of the traditional Tboli fabric. Mr. Cesar Sulit, Jr., the provincial tourism officer conceptualized the idea of converting and developing a whole village of tnalak weavers into a living museum.

Sulit is an ardent advocate of sustainable development in tourism and has for many years implemented various projects that generated more income to host communities.

A complex of Tboli-inspired structures will be constructed, such as a community weaving center where tourists may participate in some of the tnalak weaving process; product show room for tnalak cloth, beads, embroideries, wood carvings, musical instruments and other local souvenir items; nursery of plant species used in tnalak weaving; and lounge cum canteen where a good mix of Tboli foods and drinks are served. To maximize local income, tourists will be required to avail of the standard tour package, which also includes cost for foods, beverage and souvenir items on top of the entrance fee. Only local tour guides will be allowed to operate. Local transport will be prioritized. In case of large groups, local cultural performers may be tapped to render Tboli dances and songs for a fee. Nothing will be for free this time. These are some of the policy recommendations from the recently concluded Rapid Project Impact Assess-

Rolls of world renowned tnalak fabric, recently featured in a 2017 Miss Universe ancillary fashion show in Davao City. South Cotabato celebrates the Tnalak Festival every July 10-18.

K’gal nesif, an elaborately decorated Tboli blouse with geometric or organic patterns and one of the main products in Lamdalag. This one uses real mother of pearl. ment study conducted by this writer.

The local association of weavers will be converted into a tourism-oriented livelihood organization. Select members will be properly trained in business management, elementary accounting

and bookkeeping, food preparation, presentation and safety, tour guiding and interior design, among others. Some staff will be trained in social media marketing. Marketing linkages with tour operators and travel agencies in sur-

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Compostela intensifies drive vs illegal logging E

Surigao del Norte faces increased landslide risk

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HE Provincial Local Government of Compostela Valley under the leadership of Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with the national agencies and key partners signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to intensify the anti-illegal logging activities in the province.

The MOA also paved the way for the creation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force in the province.

The signing of the agreement was facilitated last February 13, Monday at the Capitol Building in Nabunturan town.

Participating agencies that will join the anti-illegal logging drives in Compostela Valley include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by provincial director Chamberlain J. Babiera; the Department Of Interior And Local Government (DILG) under provincial director Noel C. Duarte; Department Of Education-(DEPED) Division through Division Superintendent Reynante A. Solitario; the League Of Municipalities of the Philippines-Comval Chapter by its

president, Mayor Roberto M. Yugo; Philippine National Police (PNP) under provincial director Senior Supt. Armando S. De Leon; the Armed Forces Of The Philippines- 1001st Infantry Brigade under Brig.

General Macairog S. Alberto; and the 1003rd Infantry Brigade through Col. Ricardo R. Nepomuceno.

The signed MOA served as a legal basis of the Executive Order No. 23 that declared a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests in the province.

The MOA also mandated

PDEA-ARMM agents arrest 2 women for drug pushing

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N T I - NA RC O T I C S agents arrested here Wednesday night a suspected drug den operator responsible in selling and pushing prohibited drugs in the city, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) on Thursday said.

Bryan Babang, regional director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-ARMM), identified the suspect who was in the agency’s narco-list as Vanessa Coronel Luminda, 49 and resident of Purok Siyete, Mabini Interior, Barangay Bagua 3, Cotabato City.

Babang said agents also arrested Norodin Udao, 38, a suspected drug user who was in Luminda’s home during the raid. But her other clients managed to elude arrest.

A witness said Luminda has been trading illegal drugs the past few years, catering to clients from the village and from other areas of the city.

Anti-narcotics agents

seized 93 small sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia and a list of her clients, majority of whom have already surrendered to police and admit using illegal drugs with the promise to do away with it.

Now detained at PDEAARMM detention cell, Luminda is facing charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Earlier, PDEA operatives arrested Bai Nengka Ragya Baraguir, 46 years old after a 5 p.m. bust operation in Purok Maligaya, Barangay Poblacion Dos, Cotabato City.

Baraguir’s husband who fled is now the subject of manhunt.

Seized from her were several sachets of shabu and marked money worth P1,000.

Baraguir, according to police and PDEA sources, is a relative of Fatima Baliwan, leader of Baliwan Drug Group, arrested by PDEA last week.

Baliwan was considered as Maguindanao’s “shabu queen.” (PNA)

the task force to take the lead in the anti-illegal logging campaigns and ensure the implementation of EO No. 23 under the supervision of the DENR. The PNP and the army, on the other hand, will provide assistance to the DENR in the enforcement of other environmental laws.

For its part, the DILG in the province shall assist in the dissemination of the EO No. 23 in municipalities and barangays in Compostela Valley.

Local officials are also tasked to provide information or report to the DENR any illegal logging activities and

timber poaching within their respective jurisdictions.

The task of DEPED in the campaign will be based on the provisions of Republic Act 9512, otherwise known as “National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008”, that defines the important role of educational institutions in environmental education.

The LMP, on the other hand, will encourage all municipal mayors to support the anti-illegal logging campaign and provide information to the task force. (Julie Ann Dela Cerna, IDS ComVal)

NTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno convened in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday afternoon, February 15, the Mindanao cluster of the Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOC) to respond to issues affecting security and safety in the Mindanao region.

Present during the meeting that was held at the Sultan Kudarat provincial gymnasium were RPOC chairpersons and vice chairpersons.

Among the major concerns discussed during the meeting were illegal drugs, illegal gambling, terrorism and insurgency.

Speaking to RPOC chairpersons, Sueno said the cluster RPOC meeting aims to synchronize measures on how to restrain criminality or any issue that affects the peace and order situation in Mindanao.

Governor Sultan Pax Mangudadatu, Al Haj of Sultan Kudarat was the host. Mangudadatu chairs the RPOC in the Soccsksargen region.

During the plenary, RPOC chairpersons presented the security situations in their respective regions based on reports from local officials, specifically on illegal drugs, illegal gambling, terrorism, and insurgency.

“We want to provide a safe

XPECTED moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall in Caraga Region is elevating the risk for landslides in earthquake-stricken Surigao del Norte province.

“Such rainfall can be an additional trigger for those landslides,” said geologist Ericson Bariso from State-run Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

He noted the expected rainfall can set off landslides in areas already at risk for these hazards due to aftershocks of the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that rocked Surigao last week.

Such areas are in hilly locations with either loose soil or ground fractures, he said.

“People there must check their surroundings for such features and prepare accordingly,” he noted.

In its 24-hour forecast released Thursday, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of possible landslides and flash floods from moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected in Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen regions.

“Such weather will likely persist there until Friday,” said PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja.

He expects weather in the three regions to begin improving afterwards.

The tail-end of a cold front

bringing rainfall there will likely be already moving northwards away from Mindanao this weekend, he said.

Phivolcs reported already recording, as of 11 a.m. Thursday, 190 aftershocks from last week’s Surigao earthquake.

The strongest of those was a magnitude 5.0 aftershock this Tuesday at 4:03 a.m., said Phivolcs.

Nineteen of the recorded aftershocks were felt.

Eight people in Surigao del Norte were reported dead from last week’s earthquake, said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its situation report 7 released Thursday.

NDRRMC also said around 202 people sustained injuries from the earthquake but they already received medical treatment.

The earthquake affected about 16,655 people in 60 villages of Surigao del Norte.

Authorities concerned so far estimated at almost P700 million Surigao del Norte’s damages from the earthquake, NDRRMC said.

It noted the earthquake damaged several roads and bridges, port facilities, power and water facilities, a hospital, drug treatment and rehabilitation center, other public infrastructure and facilities, a school and various school facilities in the province. (PNA)

and secure atmosphere that is conducive to the region’s residents and investors,” said Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Hataman took his oath of office as RPOC chairperson before President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang last January.

The other regions in the Mindanao RPOC cluster are regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); 10 (Northern Mindanao); 11 (Davao region); 12 (Soccskargen); and 13 (Caraga).

The RPOC officials were briefed by representatives of

the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on the current peace and order situation on the island based on reports from their field units.

Police Supt. Ireneo Dalogdog spoke about illegal drugs and criminality while Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.of the Western Mindanao Command, discussed insurgency.

The RPOC plays a vital role in maintaining peace and order in every region in the country and keeps the members abreast of the prevailing conditions, issues, and concerns affecting peace and order in their respective areas of jurisdiction. (PNA)

SK hosts Mindanao RPOC cluster meeting I

DOH AWARD. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and members of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) receive certificates of recognition from Department of Health (DOH) Region XII for achieving the highest performance target in providing

initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PICT) among TB patients for the period from July to December 2016. (Russel Delvo/Gensan CPIO)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

S

Here we go again

ENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV is back with his old accusations against President Rodrigo Duterte on alleged unexplained wealth.

Senator Trillanes brought out the same P2.4 Billion bank account issue he pulled out as pre-election bombshell which went pfft three days before the nation cast their votes which turned out to be an overwhelming majority for Duterte.

This time, Senator Trillanes brought out documents of bank transactions which involved accounts of the president and that of his three children and common law wife.

Trillanes threatened to unmask Duterte this time and asked that the latter answer the issue.

Whatever prompted Trillanes to bring this old issue out again should only point to one thing. He needed some at-

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tention again. The legislator who ran and lost for Vice President could not pull it off the first time he brought out the issue and went silent for nine months.

Now, he is up to it again like a broken record.

See, if Trillanes really has a strng case against President Duterte and he has the tools to pin him down, the right thing to do is for him to bring the case to the proper venue.

He cannot go on accusing President Duterte and waiving all his documents in public.

That is not the legal way to do it. There is due process working in this country and he can run to it as a proper recourse instead of grandstanding his way to get attention.

As a lawmaker, Trillanes should know the proper way to prosecute a case. Unless he just refuse to know or is just plain dumb.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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D

9

Oh, Peace, why art thou so elusive?

O I sound Shakespearean?

Sometimes one can sound poetic as he gropes for the proper prose to match his writing style.

Today, I want to quote a great African-American leader who stood tall in the parliament of the streets and whose death by an assassin’s bullet paved the way for the granting of equal rights and the dismantling of prejudice and discrimination against colored people, notably black Americans.

Martin Luther King said, in his famous oration at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Just when the third round of peace talks in Rome between the Left and the GRP was about to produce a major break-through, unpleasant news developments about

I

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

N a Facebook post shared by the Senator Alan Peter Cayetano last January 30, he questioned the Rappler’s motive of Rappler in publishing the meme which portrayed him, social media blogger Mocha Uson, and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre as “dogs” of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“This meme speaks a thousand words about Rappler, the person who authored it and your editors… First of all, why the meme? Have you done that for past politicians (especially those you like and favor),” Cayetano said in his post.

Although the original post was deleted a few minutes after it was published in its Facebook account, Rappler did not issue any proper apology to Uson and Aguirre, according to the senator.

“If a Cabinet Member, Senator, or Congressman depicted you as dogs and twisted the good value of loyalty to the appearance of being a tuta, the media will be in an uproar. Media organizations will demand ethics cases, boycotts, and maybe resignations,” he said. “Yet you posted a simple apology not even directed to Sec. Aguirre nor to Mocha (never mind me, I’m used to being a whipping boy anyway).”

Senator Cayetano ended his lamentations with these words: “I assume you are apologizing for your actions not just for getting caught… So, since it’s (Chinese) New Year and since the Bible says forgive 7 times 77, I forgive you.”

“Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation,” said Roberto Assagioli. After all, as what Epictetus said, “Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature.” To which Isaac Friedmann added, “Forgiveness is the sweetest re-

ceasefire SPECKS OF LIFE violations broke the air of confidence.

Without anymore dissecting the whys and wherefores of the ugly Fred C. Lumba accusations that emanated from both camps, I would rather analyze the wisdom of King’s message which I find very relevant under these circumstances.

Do our leaders today have a clear vision of the future they are trying to build for the next generation and those still to come?

Do our children and today’s generation deserve the kind of government and public service they are getting from their leaders?

If the answers to both questions are

negative, then the people’s expectations of the future are getting dimmer and dimmer by the day.

This piece is not referring to the incumbent Duterte administration but to all the layers of different political regimes that occupied the central authority that is Malacanang. This piece is directed to all our national leaders – elected and appointed – who developed beer bellies by slouching comfortably on their neatly foamed executive chairs while safely ensconced inside their air-conditioned offices.

Where have they been amiss?

To be frank, I don’t have the right answer(s) But I will essay one or two guesses.

Perhaps, they did not have the same dream as Martin Luther King.

Perhaps, they were not even dreamers at all.

There was no clarity in their approaches. No direction. Thus, no progress.

Their agenda of governance did not

benefit the people but their pockets There were no meaningful activities that had impacted the lives of the millions of ordinary citizens and if there were any, this was not sustained for the succeeding generations.

Thus, the peace that temporarily reigned was torn apart by dissatisfaction, disappointment, disservice.

Peace was further wrecked by greed, avarice, power play, usurpation of the people’s freedoms.

Corruption stealthily grew its roots though slowly and gradually swallowed up our society that is now mired deep in our national consciousness.

Peace cannot settle and dwell in a culture that nurtures negative vibes and negative characteristics.

Peace, to be discovered and nourished, must begin from a dream. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

venge.”

THINK ON THESE! “He cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven,” said Thomas Henrylito D. Tacio Fuller. These henrytacio@gmail.com words came into my mind while remembering the book, The Seed and the Sower, a profound human drama written

by African writer Laurens Van der Post. Actually, I have never read the book but I came across about it when I had the chance of getting a copy of The Freedom of Forgiveness by Dr. David Augsburger.

Here’s the powerful story based from Dr. Augsburger’s account: “Once there were two brothers from a small South African village. The elder brother was a tall, handsome, intelligent, an excellent athlete, a good student, and a natural leader. Sent away to a private school, he quickly made a name for himself. As an admired campus leader and outstanding athlete, he was in his final year when his younger brother arrived to begin studies.”

The younger brother was the exact opposite of the older brother. “The brother was not good-looking or athletic,” Augsburger wrote. “He was a hunchback. Since his childhood, his mother had sewed paddled jackets that concealed his spinal deformity. His sensitivity to his short, curved stature had grown through the years. None of the family spoke of it in respect for his shamed feelings. Yet, the boy had one great gift. He had a magnificent voice and could sing gloriously,

like a nightingale on the veld.”

It was when this younger brother arrived that the story took its twist: “Soon after his arrival at the private school, the student held initiation ceremonials, which consisted of some public humiliation to extract proof of courage. Often one student would be singled out to be especially hounded as a kind of scapegoat. On the eve of the initiation, the student body in a cruel mob action ganged up on the younger brother, carried him off to the water tank, and demanded that he sing. When he sang so frighteningly beautiful in his fear, they became all the more abusive, and tore off his shirt to reveal his never-before-seen hunchback to public ridicule.”

Did the older brother help? No, he didn’t: “The older brother was aware of what was happening; he could have gone and faced the sadistic mob. A word from him would have put a stop to the whole tragic scene.

As a leader, he could have acknowledged the strange boy as his brother, but instead he busied himself in his work in the laboratory while the mob raged outside.

“The younger brother survived physically, but his spirit was crushed. He withdrew into himself. He never sang again. At the end of the term, he returned to the family farm.

Keeping to himself, he lived a lonely, reclusive life.

Meanwhile, “the older brother rose to successful prominence in the capital, and when World War II came was an officer stationed in Palestine. One night, recovering from an injury, he lay under the stars and in a dream saw himself as Judas in the circle of disciples around Jesus Christ. ‘I am Judas; I had a brother once, and I betrayed him,’ he said. ‘Go to your brother,’ Christ replied.

“The journey from Palestine was incredibly difficult. He arrived unannounced

and found his brother watering plants in the parched garden. It was a time of long drought. He looked into his younger brother’s dark eyes, still imprisoned in the painful past. The moment of time arrested was visible in his face as well as in his twisted form. “‘I’ve come all this distance to spend a few hours with you,’ he said, and then went straight to the heart of the matter of his great wrong. When he had finished, both were in tears. The first rainstorm of the year was breaking as the older brother walked back to the house and the younger brother turned off the irrigation water.

“Then, in the distance, the older brother heard the song of his younger brother in the garden, as he had not heard him sing since childhood. A song of his own writing in boyhood, but now with a new verse.”

Yes, the younger brother never retaliated at his older brother. Revenge never came into his mind. Instead he has forgiven him.

Dr Augsburger wrote in his book, “Revenge not only lowers your enemy’s lowest level; what’s worse, it boomerangs. One who seeks revenge is like a fool who shoots himself in order to hit his enemy with the kick of the gun’s recoil.”

According to Dr. Augsburger, revenge is the most worthless weapon in the world.

Why? “It ruins the avenger while confirming the enemy in the wrongdoing. It initiates an endless flight down the bottomless stairway of rancor, reprisals, and ruthless retaliation.”

American preacher Billy Graham also wrote: “If someone has harmed us by breaking the law, we have the right to bring that person to justice, both for our good and the good of society. But hurting someone only because they have hurt is another matter.

We can’t change the past; we can only seek God’s forgiveness for whatever it is we did wrong.”

On forgiveness

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sa inyo lahat,” Mayor Sara said in a statement.

Not only the children but also the President’s common-law wife, Honeylet Salvador Avanceña has P188 million and a presidential friend, Samuel Uy with P118 million, Trillanes alleged.

“Wala akong postura labas sa kung ano ang nakikita ng lahat. I never pretended to be what I am not,” Mayor Sara pointed out, adding that she also read the press statement of Trillanes.

The mayor emphasized that the challenge to answer the allegations was addressed to the President Duterte.

“Lets us allow PRD (President Duterte) to decide on how he wants this issue to go down,” Mayor Sara added.

Meanwhile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday defended President Duterte from the revived allegations made by Trillanes.

Cayetano described Trillanes the “Kuryente King.”

In a statement, Cayetano deemed the accusation as another desperate attempt by the senator to stop the

reforms that are happening under the present administration.

“Marami siguro sa ilang padrino niya o nasa likod niya ay tinatamaan sa mga reforms na nagaganap ngayon,” Cayetano said.

The senator further questioned why Trillanes is all of a sudden trying to revive an issue that had long been settled.

“There was nothing new with his tirades. Trillanes is known for his constant attacks and baseless charges against the administration,” Cayetano added.

The senator then turned the tables on Trillanes and challenged him instead to explain where he got the funds he used for his anti-Duterte commercials that were aired in major television networks during last year’s campaign.

“He cannot explain where he got the money. Sino itong mga backer niya during the campaign na willing to pay tens of millions of pesos’ worth of negative ads? Hanggang ngayon, hindi niya dinedeklara kung sino itong mga ‘to,” Cayetano said.

The congressman also cited De Lima as being an “enabler and beneficiary of illicit drug trade at the NBP when she was the Secretary of Justice.”

Roque was hopeful that the Senate Ethics Committee would vote for De Lima’s expulsion from the Senate.

Last December 12, House leaders filed the third ethics complaint against De Lima for barring Dayan from appearing

before the congressional probe into illegal drugs at the NBP. The complaint was drafted

by Umali, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Umali said that filing of the ethics complaint simply meant that De Lima, former Justice Secretary, has been “violating the law, violating the rules of congress, and violating her oath as a public (official).”

(PNA)

provides that the Tribunal shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President and Vice President.

The phrase “election, election, returns, and qualifications” refers to all matters affecting the validity of the contestee’s title, which includes questions on the validity, authenticity and correctness of the Certificates of Canvass,’ the PET said.

At the same time, it clarified that while they found the protest sufficient in form and substance, the veracity of Marcos’ allegations against Robredo are yet to be proven.

In her verified answer to Marcos’s protest, Robredo argued that the PET has no jurisdiction over the election protest because it improperly questions the authenticity and due execution of the COCs and that it should have been raised in a pre-proclamation case before Congress acting as the National Board of Canvassers.

In the same ruling, the PET junked Marcos plea calling on the Tribunal to dismiss Robredo’s verified answer to her protest and expunge it from the records saying that Robredo was able to file it within the time required for her to do so. (PNA)

all deposit accounts of households, while 11.4 percent, 4.1 percent and 3.6 percent are in multipurpose/credit cooperative, paluwagan and savings and loan association.

In Region XI, 40 percent of households have deposit account in commercial banks, 19.8 percent in multipurpose or credit cooperatives, and 13.8 percent in rural or cooperative banks.

Guerrero further reported, seven in 10 households had interest-paying deposit accounts which indicated that 30 percent of the households still prefer to maintain deposit

accounts even if their average daily balance falls below the required amount to earn interest or had earned a negligible amount of interest.

BSP XI Director Sonia Delos Reyes emphasized that the CFS result also validated the policy directions that BSP has pursued in the recent years.

She stated BSP is consistently working towards building a more inclusive financial system and is aggressively promoting financial education, encouraging more households to give attention to savings and investments. JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

EASY DOES IT. Members of the Light Reaction Regiment participate in yesterday’s rehearsal for simulated exercise at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

BOC on alert over shipment of chemicals at CDO port

T

HE Bureau of Customs has put on alert four 20-footer container vans loaded with chemicals believed to be essential in the manufacturing of methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as shabu at the Cagayan de Oro port.

According to Customs Spokesperson Neil Estrella, a

warrant of seizure and detentionis being processed against the shipment consigned to a certain Juchem, based in Butuan.

“There are four 20-footer containers which arrived without importation permit. May karga hydrochloric acid. This kind of chemical is believed to be essential in the manufac-

of services to the people. Correlative to this is the VMLP’s more than 10 years campaign to change from the present form of government to federal-parliamentary (unitary) government.

The interim National President, Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, said that “the VMLP is an organization that is directly involved with government officials, that is, vice mayors, who are in the forefront of governance. We know the real and actual needs of the people, their language and their hopes. Pres. Rody Duterte, being a Mayor before and a two-time vice mayor, knows the needs of the people like he knows the back of his hands.

The VMLP fully supports him.”

The VMLP is also in the forefront of revising or amending the IRA computation to increase IRA share to the Barangays and LGUs especially those municipalities in the country side, to improve

infrastructure investments for farm and aqua-marine areas.

Another important project of the VMLP is the local legislative measure for the welfare and protection of children.

The VMLP also supports the use of modern-technology garbage incineration with energy recovery like the ones being used in Japan and Sweden. The league believes that investing in high technology incinerators can solve garbage problem and also contributes to the solution of flooding in the metropolis and add to our energy supply.

Within the VMLP as an organization, the League takes care of its members in the form of medical and health aid, legal assistance and other technical/political support.

The VMLP has its training facility, the APO or Academy of Presiding Officers in partnership with the University of the Philippines, NCPAG (National College of Public Admnistration and Governance).

this could affect monetary and financial stability in terms of higher inflation or increased credit risk,” said the director.

She also emphasized that the CFS result also validated the policy directions that BSP has pursued in the recent years. She stated BSP has consistently worked towards building a more inclusive financial system and has aggressively promoted financial education, encourage more households to give attention to

savings and investments.

Finally the director is optimistic as the conduct of CFS matures and progresses, the survey will continue to be a rich source of information tracking the economic progress of Filipino households and identifying the financial challenges they face which will be the basis for improving the agency’s monetary and financial policies and programs supporting inclusive and sustainable growth.

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ture of shabu,” he said.

But he did not give the amount of the cargo which arrived in the country last Jan. 31 from India.

The BOC official added that they will investigate the consignee if it has connection to drug manufacturing, noting that the company should have secured an import permit for

the shipment.

“Dapat sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency/Bureau of Food and Drugs sila humingi ng permit para sa shipment nila,” Estrella said.

He noted that they will start the investigation on the nature of the company once the WSD on the shipment has been issued. (PNA)

orange warning level, flooding is alarming with possible landslides.

The heavy rains have also affected several low-lying areas in the city; some city streets in different parts of the city were flooded.

Pagasa recommends “people living near the mountain slopes and in the low lying areas of the above mentioned river systems and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils concerned to take appropriate

actions.”

Pagasa also raised red warning in Davao City as of 6:40 am. The public is warned of serious flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.

Orange rainfall warning is raised in Compostela Valley, Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur. Meanwhile, yellow rainfall warning is raised in Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

rounding regions will be established. Non-financial and technical assistances may be secured from government agencies, such as the National Commission on Culture and the Arts; and the Departments of Science and Technology, Tourism, Agriculture, and Trade and Industry. The Barangay Tourism Council and local transport drivers association will also be organized.

Now, let’s try to quantify local benefits from tourism.

The study recommended that a minimum of 40% of the total cash flow should be retained by the local host community.

This will be achieved by the measures and policies, many of them highlighted earlier.

Given that only 5% of the total provincial tourist traffic (502,681) per year will be routed to the community, ensuring Lamdalag with a minimum annual tourist arrival of 25,134. Given that each tourist spends P1,000 each daily,

this translates to PhP25.1 million gross sales. Assuming that at least 40% will be retained, this guarantees a minimum of PhP10.04 million annually or PhP836,000 monthly sales for the village heritage site.

As early as late 1980s, “sustainable development” has become a popular byword often used in many socio-economic development plans.

And, yet, in many areas in the country where tourism has rapidly become a significant element of the local economy, local host population remain in the periphery of the income circle. Economic sustainability means increasing the share of various strata and sectors within the host community from any economic enterprise, while ensuring that the community is able to maintain that enterprise for an extended period of time. This is what the living museum project intends to accomplish.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

An artistic spirit to carry on

EGA CARREON started drawing at the age of six; capturing everything he can set his eyes on and anything that his imagination permits.

Born into a typical Filipino household with a practical mother to boot, she recognized her son’s artistic inclinations but never encouraged him to make a career out of it, because of the usual reason that there was ‘no money in art’. “I took up aeronautics and commerce because I wanted to be a commercial pilot, but due to our financial limitations, I wasn’t able to continue. My mother then forced me to take up an HRM course at Philippine Women’s College of Davao just so I can have a diploma,” the artist recalls.

Nevertheless, Ega continued to self-develop his

One of the artist’s thought influences is that of John Lennon’s—“art expression should not be ‘preachy’, but a reflection of life’s realities…” Ega avoids labeling his painting style, but most people in the art society would categorize his works as a combination of symbolism and surrealism as the

illustration skills until his college days while also delving into one of his creative interests—music and song writing. “I started the medium of graphite or charcoal and then crayons to watercolor; I used oil for just a short period because I didn’t like the smell—it was irritating to the nose. Then, I tried acrylic and discovered that I am comfortable with it and so I have been using the medium ever since. I actually wanted to be a singer and songwriter, but visual art took more of my time especially when I started making money out of it.

Either way, every fabric of my being is of a creative person and painting is just another form of making music for the eyes,” Ega shares.

artist is more concerned about communicating the spiritual side of humanity through his canvas. “ I am confident with my artistic expression but the first person who will criticize and appreciate my work is myself.

Even though I find inspiration by exposure and interaction from fellow artists, I am an imaginative character and enjoy letting myself out of reality and dream with open eyes, since painting is like finding your inner self,” the artist explains.

Witnessing Ega’s works, there is an interplay and connectedness with humans and nature that use a kind of “dreamscape” as its background (or landscape).

The transparency of different colors and forms

combined together create an aura of transcendence and visual interplay between reality and nonreality. While his more abstract creations invoke a somewhat regurgitated manifestation that is both aggressive and pleasing to the eyes. Through the chaos of colors and splatters, one finds an intriguing balance that joggles

the mind’s eye. “There are two realities in life: the social reality that is about daily life, and dream reality that is more about selfreflection and connection to the cosmos and of the unseen. I prefer the latter since it is more reflective and cultivates my inner spirit,” Ega notes.

There are works that the artist can finish in

one sitting while others take time. His creative process is like a “swim and breathe” exercise that enables him to regroup his thoughts and reflections by walking around or talking to people; and most importantly, harmonizing inspiration from a loved one. The artist has joined countless art exhibits abroad and

locally, and has conducted his own solo exhibits.

He is presently working on an “Artist Sanctuary” project that will be situated by the sea in Mati City; it will focus on residency programs for local and international artists. This project is the product of Ega’s numerous experiences as an artist resident in Europe and in the US.

EDGEDAVAO

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EVENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

UPMin’s CommGuild holds Speak Up! 2017 NOW SHOWING

February 15 – 21, 2017

A CURE FOR WELLNESS Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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ARRIVAL Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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JOHN WICK 2 Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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THE COMMUNICATORS’ GUILD (C om mGu i ld) of the BA Communication Arts Program of the University of the Philippines Mindanao successfully concluded their 5th Region-Wide Inter-High School Speak Up! Competition last February 13, 2017 at Abreeza Mall Activity Center, Davao City.

With the theme, “Make Every Voice Count: Harnessing Communication for a Participatory and Sustainable Social Development”, CommGuild conducted its annual banner event, the Oratorical & Extemporaneous Speaking Contest where the contestants were given the chance to voice out their opinions on sociocultural issues in the country. The Scholarch of CommGuild, Ms. Hazel Diane Estrosas, em-

phasized to the participants, “Our mission is to serve and inspire people, like you, to excel in your endeavours as you inform, persuade, and empower through communication.” Moreover, this year, the Speak Up! Competition incorporated its first Radio Broadcasting-Scriptwriting Contest.

Among the 10 competing students for the Oratorical & Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, Reychelle Moira Lagat from Precious International School of Davao was hailed Champion.

Natasha Nicole Ong of Davao Christian High

School and Jerusha Hale Cortez of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School were the 1st Runner-Up and 2nd Runner-Up respectively.

During the competition, Viola Mae Bermejo of San Pedro College was recognized as the Best Orator.

Among the 6 contending schools for the first Radio BroadcastingScriptwriting Contest, Calinan National High School won Champion while Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School placed 1st Runner-Up, and Quezon High School as 2nd Runner-Up.

Calinan National High School received the awards Best Radio Script, Best Local News Presenter, and Best National News Presenter while Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School as Best Anchor and Best International News Presenter. San Pedro College Basic Education had the Best Infomercial and Best Showbiz News Report while Quezon High School had the Best in Technical Application and Best Sports News Presenter.

CommGuild was in collaboration with UP

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UPMin’ A2

Alumni AssociationDavao Inc., UP Mindanao Alumni Association and the Office of Extension and Community Service-UP Mindanao. The 5th Region-Wide InterHigh School Speak Up! Competition was copresented and funded by 2014-2015 University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America Inc. Proj-

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ect Agapay: Gawa Aral Payo/GAP. Speak Up! 2017 was also co-presented

by Abreeza Mall of Davao and supported

by Dodong & Gina Lanticse, Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Plata, Hazel Diane’s Bldg., Jun & Babie Cermino, Mrs. Fely Santamarina, Mrs. Josephine Ordeniza, Ms. Chorivel Estrosas, Mr. John Christopher Esperat, and DepEd Davao City Division.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

Mabuhay turns four PAG-ASA’S FIRST OFFSPRING HATCHED IN CAPTIVITY on February 9, 2013 turned four years old.

Children from various pre-school and elementary schools in Davao City and Balay Banaag Center in Los Amigos graced the event.

The half-day event activities included the singing of Tatlong Agila to the tune of Tatlong Bibe, animal encounter with the bird ambassadors and some games primarily participated by children guests.

Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) Executive Director, Dennis Salvador welcomed the guests and gave a simple message to the children on the importance of the celebration.

“This event underscores the need to educate the younger generation on the plight of the Philippine Eagle.”

Salvador hoped that this event would be a venue to involve children in conservation efforts.

“We hope that the activities prepared today would encourage our youth to become active participants in the conservation of our national bird – the Great Philippine Eagle”, Salvador said.

Mabuhay’s 4th hatchday marked another year of success of the continuing conservation efforts of PEF. This event

primarily aimed to remind us that saving the Philippine Eagle and its forest habitat should start young. Involving the

younger generation in this kind of activity allows them to recognize the need to save the environment in order to save

the Philippine Eagle.

This celebration is in line with PEF’s 30th anniversary celebration which aims to strengthen con-

servation awareness among children.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation is now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

UP AND ABOUT

SM Lanang Premier presents Moira live AS A POST-VALENTINE OFFERING, the metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination brings to Davao a must-see presentation by fast-emerging singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre.

Shoppers can fall in love with the music of Moira as she performs at SM Lanang Premier’s Live Sessions at The Fountain Court this Sunday, February 19, 2017, 5pm-7pm. They can enjoy free admission to the said

show.

Better known for her commercial jingles and her stint on The Voice of the Philippines Season 1, Moira is gradually making waves in the music business. In The Voice, she was chosen

by Apl de Ap to comprise his team of talented artists.

The 23-year-old artist is the voice behind popular TV jingles like McDonald’s “Hooray for Today,” Lewis and Pearl’s “Sweet Paris,” Surf’s “Pinalaki,” Johnson

& Johnson’s “Signature of Love,” Lactacyd’s “Cool and Fresh,” and many more.

In 2013, Moira released her self-titled debut album and music video under Ivory Music, which features her singles “Love Me Instead” and “If You Tell Me You Love Me,” which bagged numerous award nominations in 2014. The full album is available on iTunes.

As a composer, Moira wrote the big hit song “Malaya,” the theme song of the

2016 movie, Camp Sawi.

She is currently working on her second album from Star Music.

Fans of Moira can get up-close and take a selfie with the talented artist at the Meet-and-Greet this Sunday, 7pm, right after the show. To avail of the Meetand-Greet passes, shoppers only need to spend a minimum purchase of P500 when they dine at any of the Fountain Court restaurants or avail the Coffee Bean and

Tea Leaf’s Valentine’s promo from February 12 to 19.

Moira’s Live Session at The Fountain Court is cosponsored by Vivo, Air Asia, Park Inn by Radisson Davao and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch in SM Lanang

Premier.

Discover the music of Moira at SM Lanang Premier. For event updates, check out SM Lanang Premier’s official account on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

PLDT to pour P1B to strengthen fiber network in Mindanao

P

LDT will invest around P1 billion in fiber optic cable link connecting the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Sur to Davao del Norte and Sur to strengthen mobile connectivity to more homes and businesses in Mindanao.

The fiber infrastructure which will span nearly 300 kilometers.

“In line with the government’s thrust of accelerating economic growth in Mindanao, the fortified FOC, which is part of PLDT’s Domestic Fiber Optic Network (DFON), will provide unrivalled communications services to our fixed and wireless customers, including homes and businesses in these provinces,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Pangilinan pointed out that the fiber network can provide reliable service even during typhoons and earthquakes.

“The underground fiber optic cables that we are installing here are less susceptible to cuts caused by strong winds, falling trees, and utility poles.

With a more resilient and reliable connectivity in Mindanao, our customers in the area will be able to experience high quality voice, data, and multimedia services as they connect with their family, friends, and business associates in other parts of the country and the world,” according to him.

PLDT has also recently

completed three major ICT projects in Davao, namely, PLDT’s fourth cable landing station, a state-of-the-art Innovations Laboratory (Innolab) – the Company’s seventh, and the PLDT Group’s eighth data center – the first in Mindanao.

According to PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and ePLDT President and CEO Ernesto R. Alberto, the projects will greatly expand PLDT’s network capacity and quality of services which will benefit industries and consumers located in the Visayas and in Mindanao.

“We have accelerated the necessary investments that will help build and strengthen the regions’ enterprises, and enable them to become not just locally but globally competitive, armed with new digital tools and innovative solutions. Additionally, consumer home subscribers in these regions will growingly enjoy broadband connectivity that would allow use of the internet and all its contents with better and more reliable experience,” Alberto said.

PLDT has invested P300 billion or USD 6 billion over the last 10 years to roll-out the country’s most expansive network infrastructure.

In 2016, it set aside P48 billion or about USD 1 billion for capital expenditures, a significant portion of which was allocated for the domestic fiber infrastructure. (PNA)

Dialogue with ASEAN CSOs gains positive results: DTI

T

HE DTI recently held a dialogue with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address their concerns regarding the deepening integration process of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). These include environment and climate change, protection of workers, women, indigenous peoples, and social inequality, among others. The ASEAN CSOs hoped that these will be discussed during the 31st Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) scheduled on 15-16 February in Metro Manila.

During the dialogue, Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Industry Development Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo explained the role of HLTF-EI in providing overall guidance to the AEC process and assured the group that “the concerns expressed here today will be proposed by the Philippines for discussion with the trade vice ministers of ASEAN during the HLTF-EI Meeting.” Undersecretary Rodolfo is the Philippine HLTF-EI Lead.

“The Philippines’ agenda priorities focus on inclusiveness and innovation. Consultations with our stakeholders ensure that these priorities

PH, ROK TRADE MINISTERS. Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (R) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) Hyunghwan Joo (L) discussed ways to strengthen PH-ROK trade and economic cooperation in a meeting on 13 February in Makati. Sec. Lopez imparted to the ROK side DTI’s priorities as chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, including the desire to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will link ASEAN, an economic powerhouse with a market of 600 million people, to are aligned with the domestic agenda. Hosting ASEAN this year gives us the opportunity to advance our country’s interests and provide the way forward in ensuring that regional economic integration guarantees inclusive and sustainable growth of the region’s citizens.” He emphasized that as Chair of ASEAN 2017, the

country is advancing matters on social disparities which include issues ranging from energy, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, women empowerment, education, decent employment and labor standards, and safeguards against race-to-the-bottom policies.

Freedom from Debt Co-

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND RENUNCIATION OF RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DELFIN G. OMAM who died on June 26, 2014 in Davao City has been the subject of anEXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.178; PageNo.36; Book No. 134; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late VERONICO SUMAYLO GUIMERE has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate with waiver and renunciation of rights executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.210; Page No.42; Book No. 115; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC SALVADOR M. BIJIS

2/10,17,24

2/17,24,3/3

alition (FDC) President Dr. Eduardo Tadem noted that the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2017 provides an avenue to articulate observations, views and insights on the country’s participation in ASEAN and in FTAs but reminded government to safeguard the rights of those affected in the

F DIALOGUE, 13

Smart partners with Next Wave manning agency

B EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

its six Dialogue Partners, creating a bigger market of 3.5 billion people. For its part, ROK sought help from the Philippines, as current chair of ASEAN 2017, to fast-track completion of ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Area, a strong platform to boost bilateral trade relations, by increasing frequency of holding negotiations. ROK also sought ways to facilitate bilateral investments through matchmaking events between both sides to boost investment attraction, focusing on the countries’ priority sectors. (DTI Photo)

RINGING overseas Filipino workers closer to home through communication solutions has always been a priority of Smart Communications.

In line with this, Smart strengthened its partnership with Next Wave Maritime Management, Inc. (NWMMI), one of the fastest growing manning agencies in the Philippines, to provide its pool of seafarers the Smart All Abroad SIM, a more affordable and dependable means to keep in touch with their families back home while visiting various ports worldwide.

The Smart All Abroad SIM is a roaming SIM for seafarers, which use a downloadable dialer that allows one to call, text, and send emails to the Philippines and other countries at affordable rates and easy to use interface.

To serve seafarers better, the All Abroad SIM has been enhanced with the Textmate service. Textmate allows the seafarer to send and receive SMS from the Philippines for only P2/text. Textmate can be accessed directly by dialing access codes and there is no need to download an app.

This service is best used on ports where 3G/4G signal of the local carrier is weak or unstable allowing the seafarer to text anywhere in the world.

“Keeping families of Overseas Filipinos despite the distance is a responsibility we take to heart. As an industry that deploys the most number of global Filipinos, the maritime industry needs our support in helping our seafarers connect with their

loved ones especially with their critical role in nation building,” says Joel S. Lumanlan, head of Smart Global Access and International Services.

“We are grateful Smart came up with an innovative product like the Smart All Abroad SIM. This will enable our officers and crew to get in touch with their loved ones at more affordable rates wherever they may be.

Home is indeed closer now to our seafarers,” said Captain Jose Remo Librodo, president of NWMMI. NWMMI agency is owned by Singapore-based MTM Ship Management Pte Ltd., which is into competitive ship management with a fleet of 45 vessels for owners based in Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, USA and United Kingdom.

The All Abroad SIM is automatically set to ‘roam’ so a user simply needs to download the app, register and load in order to use the service. With the All Abroad SIM, sending a regular SMS or an email with a 100,000 character limit starts at PhP2 only, while calls starts at just PhP8 per minute. Users can also subscribe to Smart’s 300-peso call or text buckets, which provide SMS at only PhP1 per message and PhP3 per minute of calls for Smart, TnT and Sun. Credits can be added using All Abroad top up card or regular E-load from any Smart retailer.

Smart is the only wireless communications service provider in the country that offers the capability and experience to fully serve the needs of the maritime industry. [PR]

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

Biotechnology:

Possible solution to food crisis (Second of Two Parts)

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“If the naysayers do manage to stop agricultural biotechnology, they might actually precipitate the famines and the crisis of global biodiversity they have been predicting for nearly 40 years.”

– Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug

“T

HERE is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control,” American Congressman Jan Schakowsky once said.

“We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help.”

Hunger is the physical sensation of desiring food. When politicians, relief workers and social scientists talk about people suffering from hunger, they usually refer to those who are

unable to eat sufficient food to meet their basic nutritional needs for sustained periods of time.

Is there a likely solution in sight for hunger? There is now one possible solution: biotechnology. For the information of the uninformed, biotechnology encompasses an array of tools and applications that allow scientists to manipulate the genetic materials of plants, microbes, and animals. These methods provide ways to modify the characteristics that are passed

from one generation to the next.

T h e tools used in biotechnology include gene cloning, tissue culture, microbial culture, D NA- m a r k e r technology, and genetic engineering.

The latter is the most controversial as it is the method used in developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

now possible to do stuff that only writers could imagine before and build up completely new life forms. The argument that we need genetically-modified food to feed the world is complete bull,” Greenpeace deplored.

Environmental protection Most anti-GMOs are urging to stop anything related to biotechnology. And there are those which favor the banning of biotech crops altogether.

But a recent study found that should GM crops be banned completely, it would mean a warmer world.

The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Protection, said that banning GM crops would trigger the conversion of pastures and forests to cropland to compensate for lower productivity of conventional crops, “which would

release substantial amounts of stored carbon to atmosphere.”

“If countries planting GM crops matched the rate of GM crop plantings in the United States, global greenhouse gas emissions would fall by an equivalent of 0.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, and would allow 0.8 million hectares of cropland to return to forests and pastures,” the study said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol of the Department of Agriculture (DA) admitted to some media personalities that biotechnology won’t be a “quick fix” to the problem

Food safety But the question is: are transgenic crops safe to eat?

“Foods produced using genetic modification are as safe as foods produced using conventional breeding techniques,” declares the US Food and Drug Administration. “Genetically modified foods are as safe as other foods available on the market.”

A 2008 review published by the Royal Society of Medicine noted that transgenic foods have been eaten by millions of people worldwide for over 15 years, with no reports of ill effects. Likewise, a 2004 report from the US National Academies of Sciences stated: “To date, no adverse health effects attributed to genetic engineering have been documented in the human population.”

The 2010 report of the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation on GMOs noted: “The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than conventional plant breeding technologies.”

But all is not rosy, however.

“I believe that this kind of genetic modification takes mankind into realms that belong to God, and to God alone,” deplored Prince Charles in 1998.

Dr. Peter Wills, a theoretical biologist at Auckland University, agrees: “By transferring genes across species barriers which have existed for eons, we risk breaching natural thresholds

of food insecurity. “Personally, I’m not really convinced that GM plants are the quick-fix to our shortage of food,” he was quoted as saying.

Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, the officer-in-charge of the DA Biotech Program Office, seems to agree. “Biotechnology is just one of the possible solutions to the problem of the looming food crisis,” he told participants of the seminar-workshop on

against unexpected biological processes.”

To be or not to be, said William Shakespeare. Should transgenic crops be allowed or not? One sage puts it in this perspective: “A man who has enough food has several problems. A man without food has only one problem.” Or as Horace said: “Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.”

Transgenic crops A GM/biotech or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology, according to a fact sheet circulated by the Southeast Asian Regional

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Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

“GM technology can address problems that cannot be solved through conventional crop improvement methods,” the fact sheet states. “It enables plant breeders to bring together in one plant useful genes from a wide range of sources, not just from within the crop species or closely related plants.

“This powerful tool allows plant breeders to attain a desired trait combination faster and address urgent concerns like the development of crops that are resistant to biotic (diseases and pests) or abiotic stresses (drought and waterlogging), and with increased yield and improved food and nutrient quality,” the fact sheet adds.

In 1994, Calgene’s delayed-ripening tomato became the first GM food crop to be produced and consumed in an industrialized country. In 1995, GM cotton and GM corn were subsequently commercialized.

Soon to be introduced in the country are the following: GM eggplant and the vitamin A-rich golden rice.

But despite the benefits that biotechnology brings, there are still organizations like Greenpeace, an anti-GMO organization, which continue to take a preventive stance. “It’s

biotechnology held in Davao City.

Dr. Channapatna Prakash, a professor of plant molecular genetics, has the same view. “(Biotechnology) is not the only way to increase food production but right now represents a major scientific breakthrough to develop better crop varieties in addressing some of the food production problems,” he said.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

Dialogue... FROM 11

ongoing integration process.

“Kaya po kami nandito upang ipahayag na hindi kami tutol sa integrasyon, ngunit ang integrasyon na aming hangad ay ang tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan, kumakalinga sa kalikasan, at pumuprotekta sa karapatang pantao, said Mr. Joseph Purugganan, coordinator of the Focus on the Global South – Philippines. (We are here to state that we are not opposed to integration, but the integration we desire should address the needs of the people, nurtures the environment, and protects human rights).

Chang Jordan from the Women’s Legal Bureau, highlighting the weakness of market conditions to provide equal opportunities to women, particularly in poorer countries, cautioned that ASEAN integration may not succeed if it fails to take into consideration the systemic and intersectional dimension of discrimination, oppression, and exclusion.

The dialogue ended on a high note with a strong commitment for continued and sustained consultations between the government and civil society to strengthen collaboration among the CSOs,

NOTICE

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

the government, and working groups under the Philippine ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship.

The CSOs in attendance were Aksyon para sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima, Buhay na may Dignidad para sa Lahat, Focus on the Global South – Philippines, Foundation for Media Alternatives, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Piglas Kababaihan, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, PhilWomen on ASEAN Network, Sustainability and Participation through Education and Lifelong Learning, and Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau. (PR)

Notice is hereby given that Stock Certificate No. 833 of APO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, INC. which was issued to TAGUM AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC., with three (3) common shares, was declared lost last February 10, 2017 as per Affidavit of Loss executed by the latter’s manager for corporate affairs, MR. ZEAUS APOLLO Q. VADIL, entered as Doc. No. 7; Page No. 2; Book No. 2; Series of 2017, in the Notarial Register of Atty. Roland A. Reyes, a notary public for and in the city of Davao, Philippines.

Lopez to businessmen: Diversify your market T

HE trade chief advised Filipino businessmen to diversify their markets by engaging the global stage and to take advantage of growth opportunities with the country’s long time trade partners like Japan.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, in his remarks at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Business Forum in Makati, recently (14 February) highlighted the longstanding economic, trade and investment partnership of the Philippines and Japan.

Japan is consistently one of the strongest trade partners of the Philippines, with a total amount of exports to USD 10.7 B, from January to November 2016 alone, according to Sec. Lopez.

The trade chief also said that Japan is also one of the biggest sources of imports amounting

to USD 8.6 B from January to November 2016. Its Philippine investment figures continue to go up from USD 394 M in 2015 to USD 923 M in January to October 2016.

“The days wherein developing countries like the Philippines were primarily the recipient of foreign direct investments (FDIs) are in the past, and a country like ours can now become an investor to both developed and developing countries“, Sec. Lopez said, adding that in view of today’s economic integration, trade and investment flows should now work both ways.

He cited that a number of top Japanese companies have already invested and set up shops in the Philippines including Toshiba, Canon, Epson, and Toyota. Japanese companies related to electronics, manufacturing and ship-

building industries have also established presence in the country.

Out of 348 economic zones and IPAs, 30% of the companies operating in these areas are Japanese.

For the Philippines, Sec. Lopez identified some Philippine companies that have established commercial presence in Japan from the sector of banking, including the Philippine National Bank, Metrobank, Land Bank, and Banco de Oro, as well as from the sector of technology, including Imperium Technology, Ayala Systems Technology, Advanced World Systems, Alliance Software, WeServ Systems, and Integrated Micro-electronics Inc.-Japan.

Sec. Lopez also cited conglomerates such as the Philippine Airlines, ABS-CBN, and Ayala Land, and remittance companies that render service to Filipinos living in Japan. (PR)

porations by those running them.”

He cited the case of his association that has not seen an election for two years. “When I asked around, I discovered the regional set-ups were scrapped although I am still recognized as vice-president,” he said.

He said the promotion of grassroots sports will widen the mass base in the selection of young sports talents.

“The results may not come overnight but we are assured of a pool of talents in the grassroots from which to choose from,” he said.

He said that in contrast, some national sports association made it a habit of seeking subsidies from PSC only to spend it on Fil-Americans who are to be compensated in dollars.

“It is a system whereby our talents only end up as al-

ternates,” he said.

Montalban announced the holding of a district meet involving participants from 25 schools in the city on February 18, as a prelude to the regional PRISAA in Tagum in March.

Cansino, on the other hand, said the Mindanao qualifying for lawn tennis will also unfold this week in Davao City featuring stand-outs from local colleges and universities.

(JKL)

Grassroots... FROM 15

14

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15 DAVAO EDGE Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017

HEAD TO HEAD. Paul Lee of Star Hotshots applies a sticky defense on Sol Mercado of Ginebra San Miguel during BARRIER. Dabawenyo Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson rans smack into the defense of Star Hotshot Rafi Reavis during Game 4 of the Ginebra-Star semifinals series in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. Ginebra leveled the series at 2-all. Game 4 of the Ginebra-Star semifinals series in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. Ginebra leveled the series at 2-all. PBA PBA Media Bureau Media Bureau

Grassroots sports HOPEFUL HORN bid of PSC backed Aussie fighter not buying into Pacquiao mind games

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

By JIMMY K. LAKING

T

WO sports leaders in Davao City on Thursday have expressed their unqualified support to the grassroots sports program initiated by the state-run Philippine Sports Commission as a “realistic and sustainable approach in developing sports nationwide.”

“It is the only way we could develop sports in a sustainable manner,” Lita Montalban, regional president of the Private Schools Athletic Association told the Davao Sportswriters Association forum at the SM Ecoland.

She said the promotion of grassroots sports has been underscored by PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in his meetings with sports associations and organization, especially those based in private and public schools.

“It is a direction we are taking although we are still in the planning stage,” she said, adding the program will also involve out-of-school youths

and will be pursued in all sports, to include ball games, table games, track and field, and combat sports like Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Arnis.

Montalban said embedded in the program is the upgrading of referees and coaches as well as in the conduct of sports.

“Our referees and coaches especially those in areas who are not exposed to sports should undergo intensive training as a way to upgrade the conduct of sports,” she said.

Juanito Cansino, Jr., vice-president of the Philippine Tennis Association conceded that the future of Philippine sports has brightened with the new leadership of the PSC. “It is up to him now,” said Cansino, referring to Ramirez.

He said that for a start Ramirez should look into the Constitution and By-Laws of the different national sports association “some of which were turned into virtual cor-

F GRASSROOTS, 13

Will friends finally fight?

B

EING caught in a feud between his parents and wife hasn’t held British boxer Amir Khan back from his profession.

Now, it looks like Khan will be Filipino boxing ring star and politician Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.

The Bolton fighter was the choice of almost half of Pacquiao’s 111,000 followers in a poll tweeted by Philippines’ senator, topping Kell Brook, Terence Crawford, and Jeff Horn – who came out at 7%.

However, the British champion has not yet commented on this development.

The Filipino boxer confirmed on social media that he will be fighting next in the UAE. In addition, his adviser in a press conference disclosed that Pacquiao would go to the UAE for his upcom-

ing fight.

Horn, on the other hand, believes that he is the one to fight Pacquiao next, going as far as to say in his determination that he will “fight him on the moon if [he has] to,” according to Philstar.

“Someone’s come out when they shouldn’t have, and has announced 100 percent that the fight is somewhere else.”

Fans are expecting the battle between the two boxing icons to be for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world welterweight title, which Pacquiao has held for three consecutive periods, the latest being in November 2016.

At present, Khan has come out victor in 31 out of 35 fights, while Pacquiao holds 59 wins to his name from a total of 67. The former last fought Canelo Álvarez, and lost.

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, Australia – Australian undefeated welterweight contender Jeff Horn was on television on Valentine’s Day and spoke his heart out.

“I’m not rattled by what Pacquiao is saying,’’ said the 29 years old fighting schoolteacher from Brisbane in an interview with Fox Sports here.

Horn had just wrapped up a three-day tour of North Queensland to promote the proposed world title challenge.

“I think Pacquiao is just trying to show everyone that he’s the boss and that no one can tell him what to do.’’

However, the Brisbane bomber said he won’t be taken into the mind games of the eight-division world champion.

Pacquiao earlier announced he will start training immediately for his next fight but is standing firm on the bout being held in the United Arab Emirates and not Sun-

MIND GAMES? Is Manny Pacquiao flexing his muscles on who is the real boss? corp Stadium.

Pacquiao categorically stated that he is fighting Horn in the UAE. “We are really going to fight in the UAE by April,’’ Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao told the media on Wednesday that negotiations were still in progress and that even if Horn was the next challenger for his WBO welterweight title he would not be fighting in Horn’s home city of Brisbane.

At the same time, the fighting Senator also made public results of a poll for his next fight which showed former stablemate Amir Khan topping the list that included Horn.

Almost half of 44,000 respondents chose Britain’s former world champ Khan.

With the confusion over the Pacquiao-Horn fight, Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council’s preparations and pledge of millions

ing further that it is not entirely going to be his decision.

“It’s up to the government…it’s up to the government’s decision and my decision,” he said, adding that an official announcement will be made in the coming days.

A reliable source said, DTCM called up the organizers to make the offers. “They want it in Dubai. They called…they said, ‘We will give you all the support, the venue, the logistics,” the sources said.

Khan or Horn?

The fight was initially planned to be against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia on April 23. But with the venue changed to UAE, sources said, Horn’s camp sent signals they were

pulling out.

“Ayaw nila ‘pag di sa kanila.

Kaya nag-twit si MP,” one of the sources said.

Thirty-eight-year-old Pacquiao’s Twitter poll asked fans who they wanted him to fight next in the UAE. The four options were: Amir Khan, Jeff

to host the fight at Suncorp could go to naught.

Australian promoters Duco Events have planned a boxing extravaganza at Suncorp on April 23 to be televised to a potential audience of a billion people in 159 countries.

However, Duco Events said they are continuing with their Suncorp plan, confident that despite Pacquiao’s statements their proposal will eventually win the champion’s approval.

By contrast, major government sports bodies in the emirates are yet to support the multimillion-dollar fight but Pacquiao says he has many Filipino fans in Dubai.

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, who has been in the business since staging Muhammad Ali fights in 1966, has been negotiating for weeks with Duco Events.

But Pacquiao seems unconcerned by all that and more concerned with showing that he calls all the shots over his fights.

Is it Khan now for Manny’s April fight?

W

ITH Amir Khan looking to be Manny Pacquiao’s most likely opponent in his much-awaited fight on April 22, organizers are weighing options whether to hold the match in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, The Filipino Times learned.

Diaa Al Khatib, CEO of Al Afaq Tourism, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has made offers.

Al Khatib, last week, signed a deal with the Pacquiao camp to have UAE as venue for the eight-division world boxing champion’s remaining fights of his 21-year career.

“Yes. It is up for consideration,” he told The Filipino Times in a phone interview from Abu Dhabi about the offers by DTCM. “But we haven’t finalized yet,” he added, explain-

Horn, Terence Crawford and Kell Brook.

The 30-year-old British-Pakistani Khan got 44,000 of 108,000 votes cast – 40 percent The move to have the fight held in the UAE was announced Feb. 12 by Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s advisor, in a media briefing in Abu Dhabi.

DUBAI DUEL. It used to be that stablemates Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan vowed never to fight against each other.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 258 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 18, 2017