Edge Davao 9 Issue 277

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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MinDA bats for reliable power

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ITH the oversupply of energy flooding Mindanao in the next few years, the next big challenge for electric cooperatives and distribution utilities now is to maximize their energy mix and ensure affordable power for their consumers.

“It is now all about achieving a balanced mix of their sources. Electric cooperatives and distribution utilities must now take advantage of the abundant supply and cheap hydro power but at the same time utilizing their coal power supply contracts,” said Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

“Power distributors must balance reliability, sustainability and most importantly, affordability of power,” according to Mr. Montenegro, who also heads the technical working group of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC).

The Duterte administration has pushed for a “technology agnostic” approach on energy security – prioritizing affordable power no matter the technology, to sustain the country’s industrialization.

Although hydro power courtesy of the Agus-Pu-

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NO EASY TASK. Davao-based fashion designer Edgar Ayag puts the finishing touches on an evening gown at his shop along Bonifacio Street yesterday. Ayag’s creation will be worn by one of the five winners of Mutya ng Davao 2017 during the coronation night. Lean Daval Jr.

REAL THREAT Climate change looms as biggest roadblock to agri-financing

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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ANDBANK of the Philippines vice president and lending center head Charlotte I. Conde said climate change has shaped up as “biggest challenge” to agri-financing.

“Since we are into agriculture, the issue on climate change still causes threat particularly to lending to

agriculture,” said Conde during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.

LBP was mandated to serve the financial needs of farmers and fishermen especially on their recovery from

the devastation brought about by the natural calamities such as typhoon.

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STRESSING A POINT. President Rodrigo Duterte reiterates, during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night, that only Federalism can correct the historical injustices committed against the Moros in Mindanao. The President adds that there is just a small window of opportunity in terms of talking peace with the Moros that is why the country’s shift to a federal form of government should be done as soon as possible. SIMEON CELI JR./Presidential Photo

DepEd Secretary Briones appointment confirmed

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HE Commission on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

Briones was questioned by the commission on the state of her health, particularly her weak knees as she reportedly had to use a wheelchair during plane trips.

She agreed that she did have to use a wheelchair but told them that she is capable enough to perform her duties as Education Secretary noting that there is “no correlation” on the state of her knees on the state of her brain.

Meanwhile, she was also

sought for a comment by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III on the plan of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial to distribute condoms in schools.

Briones reiterated that she will take no part of the planned condom distribution noting that there is no law or executive order that obligates her agency to distribute them.

Members of the CA agreed with Sen. Loren Legarda that there was no question in the competence of Briones.

Briones, aside from being a long-time educator, is also known for being a fiscalizer having served as national trea-

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China has no right to explore Benham Rise: Justice Carpio

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UPREME Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday said China cannot conduct oil and gas explorations in Benham Rise which was earlier declared by the United Nations as part of the extended continental shelf (ECS) of the Philippines.

“We have sovereign rights over Benham Rise because we have exclusive right to explore and exploit the oil, gas and other mineral resources in Benham Rise which has been confirmed by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLOS) as part of the extended continental shelf

of the Philippines,” he said in a statement.

“If the Chinese vessels were conducting seismic surveys to look for oil, gas and minerals, then they could not do that because UNLCOS has reserved the oil, gas and minerals in the ECS to the Philippines,” Carpio stressed.

The UNCLOS had confirmed that Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare area off the coast of Aurora province, is part of the Philippines’ continental shelf and territory. The area has untapped natural resources, including rich mineral deposits, and is said to be

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‘Helpful’ sectors cited in Pasidungog awards

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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HE City Government of Davao, thru the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center held the Pasidungog: Garbo sa Dabaw, an appreciation and awarding program for the individuals and organizations that contributed to the development of Davao City, on Tuesday, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Given due recognition were individuals and organizations who have been contributors of development for the months July-December of 2016 that came from the following sectors: business development & entrepreneurship, public safety, disaster & crisis response, environment &

beautification, social services, health and education, and for tourism and the arts.

The awardees in the business and development and entrepreneurship sectors are those who have tirelessly supported the city government’s programs in inspiring the local Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) community and in attracting more investors, both local and foreign, to thrive and prosper in the city.

Among the awardees were the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ICT Davao and Manuel Guianga & Sirib Employees Multipurpose

Cooperative (MAGSIGE MPC), Ruben Gonzaga, Marlo Yap, Milagros Fuentes, Alvin Elbon and Family, Genovivo Cajes, Allan Macasantos and Perfecto Jojo Rom. For public safety, disaster and crisis response, the organizations recognized were the ones who have devoted their time and resources in responding to the call of the city government in providing assistance to the Dabawenyos during disaster and calamities. Given recognition were Fagel Tabin Agricultural Corp., Kiwanis International (KI) Philippine South District Division 7 and Division 8, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan

(PDP-LABAN), Davao Medical Education Management, Pilipinong May Puso Foundation, Davao Filipino-Chinese Firefighters of Davao, Inc., Davao Bay Coconut Mill, Inc., Balay Mindanao Foundation, Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc., SFX TRABMOC, Eagles of Toril, Red Cross, HELP Network, Davao Fire Fighters and Rescue Services, Mindanao Land Foundation, Agdao Cooperative, Phoenix Petroleum, Inc. and Union Galvasteel.

The awardees in the environment and beautification sector focused their efforts in assisting the city government in preserving and developing

tent with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience at the airport to OFWs. The International Passenger Service Charge or the terminal fee worth Php 550 shall be waived for OFWs, pilgrims, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) delegates and others authorized by law and the Office of the President traveling outside the country starting April 30, 2017.

The exemption shall be honored upon purchase of tickets and will also apply to online purchases effective end of July 2017.

Thus, migrant workers no longer need to line up for refund when departing from NAIA. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed gratitude for the support of the air carriers. He also commended MIAA

General Manager Ed Monreal for ensuring that this will be extended to OFWs. “This is a gift to the OFWs from our President and is a manifestation of his concern for their welfare,” according to Tugade.

For his part, Monreal said: “It is but fitting that we afford them utmost care and attention in very possible way we can. We hope that after revis-

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OFWs now exempted from paying airport terminal fees

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VERSEAS Filipino Workers are now exempted from paying terminal fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

This initiative was a result of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was signed between the Department of Transportation- Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and 40 airline companies operating at the NAIA. The agreement is consis-

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Popcom warns of rise in abortion sans RH Law

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HE Commission on Population (Popcom) warned of a possible rise in the number of abortions in the country if the Reproductive Health (RH) Law is not fully implemented.

In a statement, Popcom executive director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III said there is a strong possibility that induced abortions would rise due to the temporary restraining order (TRO) of the Supreme Court (SC) on the issuance of certification and re-certification (registration) of contraceptives and implants.

“There is a strong possibility that induced abortions would rise among Filipino women, who already face increasing numbers of unintended pregnancies,” said Perez.

Unintended pregnancy can happen if a woman of reproductive age engages in sexual relations and has no access to family planning commodities of her choice.

Limiting women’s access

to contraceptives of their choice is contrary to what the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law or Republic Act 10354 aims.

The Popcom official said that full implementation of the RH Law is important to women, couples, adolescents, and families.

“The RH Law is our staunchest defense against induced abortions in the country,” said Perez, reminding that the law guarantees universal access to contraceptive methods, sexuality education, and maternal and child care.

However, the RH law, signed in 2012, is still facing several challenges in terms of implementation these past years, such as the TRO issued by the High Court in June 2015, which prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from granting and renewing the Certificates of Product Registration of contraceptive products.

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Coast Guard men intercept 10 undocumented Pakistanis

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HE Philippine Coast Guard reported on Wednesday that they have intercepted 10 undocumented Pakitani nationals -five men and five women -- at the local port in Zamboanga City.

Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea of the Zamboanga Coast Guard Station said the Pakistanis were intercepted during the pre-departure inspection of the passenger vessel, M/V Stephanie Marie I, at about 9:20 a.m. Tuesday.

At that time, M/V Stephanie Marie I, owned by a locally based shipping firm, was set to sail from Zamboanga City to Basilan via Isabela City.

Dagalea said the Pakistanis failed to show any document, especially travel papers, when his personnel requested for their identification.

Dagalea said that what they presented was a letter

dated Feb. 23, 2017 and signed

by Alibasher N. Usman, committee on information, ticketing and visa extension head of a mosque in Marawi City.

It was indicated in the letter that the Pakistanis are in the country at the invitation of Usman’s group, “which is purely a non-profit, non-political and non-violent religious organization”.

It was further stated that the Pakistanis “have come to visit different Muslim areas of our country”.

Based on the letter, Dagalea identified the Pakistani nationals as Zeb Jahan 50, businessman; Maryam, 41, housewife; Mustaqeem, 54, businessman; Aktar Yasmeen, 51, housewife; Khalid Muhamad, 38, businessman; Bibi Farzana, 32; Nadeem Faizal, 34; Baidar Sahar, 32, housewife; Ahmed Nisar, 41, businessman; and Bibi Nazish, 37. (PNA)

LOOK-OUT. A member of Task Force Davao stands guard at a crowded sidewalk just outside a shopping center in Davao City on Wednesday. Authorities are implementing tighter security measures as the city is celebrating the 80th Araw ng Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

‘Electric train’ eyed to ease GSC traffic I

N a bid to ease traffic problems, General Santos City officials are pushing for the temporary deployment here of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) innovative Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT), a “40-meter long train-like bus.”

City Councilor Dominador Lagare Jr., chair of the city council’s committee on transportation, said the local government is currently working on signing an agreement with the DOST for the deployment and use of the HERT in the area for at least six months.

He said the council has passed a resolution requesting the DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center to enter into a contract of commodatum with the city government for the use of the HERT. Commodatum is a “gratuitous contract” that allows a certain party to loan specific chattels for use, with the obligation to return them after an agreed period.

Citing initial talks with the DOST, Lagare said the city is next in line as destination of the HERT, which at present is deployed in Cebu City.

The train has been serv-

ing Cebu City commuters for free since Feb. 15 as part of its continuing test run.

“I think the contract with Cebu will end this April and after that, the DOST promised that the train will be sent here,” Lagare said.

He said the local government could use the HERT “for six months and for as long as we need it.”

The HERT, which was launched by DOST in 2015, was designed by Filipino engineers and made with locally available parts, an agency briefer said.

It said the “40-meter long train-like bus” can run at a

maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour and is mainly powered by hybrid diesel fuel and electric-powered battery.

The electric train was designed as energy-efficient vehicle and does not need electricity and suspended cables to operate.

Lagare said the deployment of the train will “ease” traffic problems in major routes in the city, especially during the rush hours.

“From what we’ve seen so far, it could be a solution to transport problems all over the country, especially here in the city,” he added. (MindaNews)

CHED-12 regional director Maximo Aljibe reported that they uncovered attempts by some individuals to get SOs for graduate degrees using questionable documents.

He said the agency eventually declined to issue the SOs after it turned out that they were fake.

Aljibe had reported receiving death threats from unknown sources.

“That’s the angle right now that we are pursuing,” Condes told reporters.

Oñas, 43, was on her way to work past 7 a.m. to the CHED regional office in Barangay Carpenter Hill.

The victim, who resides in General Santos City, had just disembarked from a passenger bus and was walking towards their office at the regional center site when she was shot by a still unidentified gunman.

She sustained a gunshot wound on her back and was declared dead upon arrival at the Allah Valley Medical Specialists Hospital in Koronadal City.

The suspect escaped aboard a black van that was seen parked near the entrance of the regional center site prior to the incident.

Greg Reburcio, the victim’s cousin, said they could

not think of any other motive, except for being work-related, for the victim’s killing.

He said Oñas, who was her family’s “bread winner,” had no known enemies and was “very religious.”

But he said the victim once confided to him that it’s “easy to get rich” with her work at CHED-12.

“But she was straight and repeatedly refused to give in to any illegal transaction,” Reburcio said.

He added that they expect the police to look deeper into the work-related angle and prioritize the immediate resolution of the case. (PNA)

Bill imposing stiffer penalties on firearms discharge passed Work-related angle seen in CHED employee killing

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MEASURE seeking to impose heavier sanctions for illegal and indiscriminate discharge of firearms has hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.

According to a statement on Wednesday, the House committee on public order and safety chaired by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop approved a substitute bill consolidating House Bills 176, 1348 and 3837.

The unnumbered bill seeks to amend article 254 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

Under the bill, any person who shall shoot at another with any firearm without lawful authority shall be meted the penalty of prision correccional in its

maximum period.

If the discharge of firearm shall result in the death of a victim, the penalty of prision mayor shall be imposed.

The bill also seeks to amend the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act No. 10591, in which a penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person illegally discharging a firearm.

If the indiscriminate discharge of firearm or device shall result in injuries to person or damage to property, the resulting crimes shall be considered as distinct and separate offenses.

If the indiscriminate dis-

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OLICE are looking into work-related circumstances as the primary motive behind the murder on Tuesday of an employee of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Region 12 in Koronadal City.

Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police chief, said Wednesday they are specifically investigating its possible connection to the work of victim Jennifer Oñas as records officer of the agency.

He said the victim handled the processing of applications for the issuance of special orders to graduates.

Condes said that last year,

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LBP offer loans to deserving SMEs

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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S part of the priority thrusts of Landbank of the Philippines new services will be offered by the institution to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

G u e s t i n g during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City, LBP vice president and lending center head Charlotte I. Conde disclosed that LBP will be offering loan to young entrepreneurs and franchising loan for SMEs. She explained the first product will be open to new graduates who are interested to venture into business.

“Provided that they have the feasibility study,” said Conde.

Conde added, the franchising loan for SMEs will prioritize small farmers and fishers industry clusters.

“We have identified around several priority products and these are cacao, cassava, coconut, coffee, livestock and anything related to fisheries,” said Conde.

These services will be rolled out within the year as soon as implementing rules will be placed, according to Conde.

Conde stressed SMEs are considerd by LBP as priority customers especially those who engage into agri-related projects.

“These can be shortterm, meaning additional working capital requirement for existing business operations. If they would like to expand their business through position and fixed assets, if they want to put up their plant, processing plant or construct buildings, we can also fund,” she said.

In 2016, out of the PhP12 billion loan portfolio, LBP has a PhP300 million outstanding exposure to SMEs which they want to double or hit at least 50% increment rate for this year.

Last week, the bank approved a P26 million loan that a company that is venturing in processing stones into construction materials.

The company, PTO Ventures and Management Co., is using the fund to buy CAUSE FOR GOOD NEWS. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy equipment and set up its executive director assistant secretary Romeo Montenegro says Mindanao’s power situation improved greatly and it is high time for the island to establish processing plants in the city Land Bank of the Philippines is a universal bank in the Philippines owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen. While it provides the services of a universal bank, it is officially classified as a “specialized government bank” with a universal banking license.

LBP Davao lending office covers the entire Region XI. Next year, the lending center will expand office to Tagum.

Banks preference for shorterdated TDF up Wednesday

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ANKS remain risk aversed as the Federal Reserve starts its two-day meeting, which resulted to the smaller bids for the central bank’s Term Deposit Facility (TDF) Wednesday.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that this week’s auction received a total of P218.016 billion bids, higher than the P150 billion offering but lower than last week’s P239.158 billion.

Bids for the seven-day facility, which was offered for P30 billion, reached P41.125 billion, higher than last week’s P32.444 billion.

The higher tenders offered for this tenor resulted to the improvement of its bid coverage ratio to 1.3708 from last week’s 1.0815.

On the other hand, bid coverage ratio of the 28-day facility declined to 1.1793 from last week’s 1.3781.

This after tenders amounted to P176.891 billion, lower than the P206.714 billion last week.

The auction committee made a full award of P150 billion.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, in a text

message, said the TDF auction results in recent weeks are expected given markets expectations for more increases in the Federal Reserve rates after the 25 percentage points increase in December 2016 to between 0.50 and 0.75 percent.

“The market continues to position itself against the backdrop of more than one or two US Fed rate hike,” he said and traced the preference for short-dated securities to this expectation.

Demand for shorter-tenor TDF is driving the improvement of its bid to cover ratio but pointed out that “decline in interest rates for both tenors continue to indicate ample liquidity competing for limited volume of offering.”

“We don’t foresee at this point the need for adjusting the volume of offering. As it stands, mopping up by BSP through the TDF remains appropriate and very forward looking because of the impending US Fed action,” he added.

Offering for the auctions in the next two weeks remain at PHP30 billion for the seven-day facility and P150 billion for the 28-day TDF. (PNA)

a market for its excess supply. Montenegro made the statement during this week’s edition of Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

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Gov’t issued IDs as benefit cards T

COPING WITH A CHALLENGE. Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) vice president and head of Davao Lending Center Charlotte Conde (right) says the Lending Center of LBP is allocating bigger budget of P2 billion to its loan portfolio for Davao Region to serve another batch of small farmers and

fishermen, large agribusinesses and even Local Government Units (LGUs).

Conde, together with accounts management officer Lilibeth Alvarez, made the disclosure during yesterday’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Department of Finance (DOF) is considering to tap biometric-capable identification cards issued by government agencies as benefit card for people who will be given unconditional cash transfer.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the plan will be implemented once lawmakers approve the proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which calls for a one-year cash transfer to people who belong to the lower 50 percent of the social bracket.

The cash transfer was proposed to mitigate the impact of higher fuel prices on the poor since under CTRP impact on government revenue of the proposed cut in personal income tax will be offset by hikes on the excise tax on fuel and vehicles and the value added tax (VAT).

Chua said they have not considered an amount for the issuance of a benefit card but admitted that it will be expensive compared to when the cards issued by the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will be tapped.

He said that since these government-issued identification cards already have the necessary details of the holders and has security features then its use may still be maximized by using it as benefit card. ”So what we are going to do is turn the national ID into a social welfare card, a benefit card. Wherein as a senior you’ll have benefits, as an indigent you’ll have benefits. That card will determine exactly what kind if benefits you’ll get, so that is our plan to reform it,” he said. (PNA)

Chinese envoy wants more House panel createsTWG export products from PH for admin tax reform plan C

HINESE Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua has urged Filipino businessmen to produce more products and increase their exports to China, as the East Asian country is keen to boost trade here.

Zhao told reporters on the sidelines of Philippine-China Business Talk and Signing Ceremony in Makati City on Wednesday that trade missions of Chinese firms and visits of government officials in the country reflect the strengthening of economic ties between Manila and Beijing.

On Wednesday, 18 Chinese firms have signed purchase deal here with nearly 30 Philippine-based companies mostly engaged in agribusiness, chemical and mineral

products.

Zhao said the aggregate amount of the purchase deal reaches USD1.7 billion.

“So, the Chinese market is wide open for the Filipino products, and the demands are insatiable. So, produce more and export more to China,” the envoy stressed.

He noted that this effort of increasing imports from the Philippines is to achieve balance of trade between the two countries.

“This is a direct response to the President’s (Rodrigo Duterte) request because he cared about involving the farmers. And, this is also an effort to balance our trade. China has been having surplus in bilateral trade. And we’re not seeking surplus, we want to balance it,” Zhao said.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that the country has merchandise trade deficit of USD8.8 billion in 2016, with the Philippines importing more from China.

In 2016, China is the country’s top import source with receipt reaching USD15 billion.

On the other hand, China ranked as fourth largest export market for Philippine goods in 2016 – only next to Japan, United States, and Hong Kong – with exports revenue to China amounting to USD6.2 billion.

On the other note, as Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez mentioned that production capacity among Filipino companies remains a challenge to cater to the world’s largest market, the Chinese envoy said this is an opportunity for Chinese companies to

invest in the country and help local companies to increase their capacity.

“As Secretary Lopez said, if you had a capacity problem to produce more, that is also time for bilateral investments that we can encourage more Chinese to invest such as in agriculture, in industries that will enable the Philippines to produce more so you can export more to China,” Zhao noted.

PSA data also showed that China only shared less than one percent of total approved investments last year amounting to USD1.52 billion.

Early this month, five Chinese firms expressed their interests to invest more than USD10 billion in the Philippines by presenting letters of intent to the Board of Investments. (PNA)

LOBAL cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab has reported that financial institutions have ramped up their investments on security for information technology (IT) amid growing risks of cybercrime.

Security investment has been a high priority for banks and other financial institutions as they experience cyberattacks on their own infrastructure and customers.

Financial Institutions Security Risks research of Kaspersky Lab said retail banks spend three times as much on IT security compared to nonfinancial institutions.

Sixty-four percent of banks admitted that they will invest on improving their IT security regardless of return of investment to meet the growing demands of government reg-

ulators, top management and their customers.

Protecting the full extent of IT infrastructure ranging from traditional to specialized, ATMs and point of sale terminals has been proven difficult amid changing threat landscape which provides opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities which might compromise data security.

The report showed that mobile banking has been exposed to new cyberthreats. 42 percent of banks predict that majority of their customers will use mobile banking within three years but admitted that their clients are too careless in their online behavior.

Majority of the banks surveyed admitted that their customers are frequently under attack from hackers with 70 percent also reporting financial

fraud which results to monetary loss.

Rising incidents of data breaches on customers have led to banks reviewing their security efforts.

Sixty-one percent of respondents see improving the security of apps and websites that their customers use as one of their main security priorities, closely followed by the implementation of more complex authentication and verification of log-in details.

Banks are also concerned on targeted attacks as they become rampant with malware as a service platforms being used to harm financial organizations.

“Combatting the constantly changing threats targeting their own IT infrastructure and customer accounts is an everyday challenge for financial

institutions. To put an effective response in place - that protects all points of vulnerability - requires the financial services industry to have several key components: build a highly integrated anti-targeted attacks protection, embrace multi-channel anti-fraud security and get actionable intelligence on evolving threats,” Veniamin Levtsov, Vice President of Enterprise Business at Kaspersky Lab said in a statement.

Moreover, sharing threat intelligence would help banks identify new and emerging threats quickly considering the low levels of concern banks have about some of their most vulnerable devices, such as ATMs. Sharing more third party intelligence could help banks prepare for threats that they may not otherwise expect.

(PNA)

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HE House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means on Tuesday created a technical working group (TWG) tasked to further study the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP).

The committee chaired by Quirino Representative Dakila Carlo Cua approved the motion of Minority Leader Danilo Suarez to create a TWG to deliberate more on the concerns of various stakeholders.

Suarez’ motion was duly seconded by Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“We approve in principle the package of CTRP but it won’t mean the that all indicators under CTRP will be approved,” said Suarez.

“Creating a TWG will address several issues [of law-

makers and stakeholders].

The TWG is tasked to adopt a modified version or substitute bill,” he added.

For her part, Arroyo said the TWG will address concerns raised by lawmakers and resource persons during the seven hearings conducted by the committee. “(We will) approve the bill as a package, (this will) be formulated by the technical working group with the DOF as a member of TWG. The TWG would address all issues of cooperatives and other issues by the authors (of bills lowering individual tax),” Arroyo said.

The TWG shall also consolidate 45 bills seeking to lower personal income tax rates filed at the lower chamber.

Cua said what is important is that members of his com-

ASUAL dining chain operator Max’s Group Inc. (MGI) has earmarked this year up to P800 million in capital expenditures mainly for the rollout of new stores after its profit surged 12 percent last year.

MGI targets to open 60 to 70 new stores this year primarily among core brands Max’s Restaurant, Pancake House, Yellow Cab Pizza and Krispy Kreme. It has currently 623 branches, of which 49 are located abroad.

The company has set a goal to establish 1,000 outlets, including 200 international, by 2020.

MGI’s net income soared 12 percent to P561.74 million in 2016 from P501.39 million

the previous year.

Its system-wide sales reached P15.34 billion for 2016, up also by 12 percent from P13.72 billion.

“We are fairly upbeat with our full-year performance.

We were able to successfully execute our strategies amidst a rapidly intensifying competitive environment. Overall, it was another productive year for us,” said Robert F. Trota, President and Chief Executive Officer of Max’s Group, Inc. Trota is confident about sustaining the momentum into 2017 on the back of the country’s economic conditions.

Peter H. King, Chief Executive Officer of Max’s Group International said, “We remain

Up IT security spending amid cyber attacks Max’s Group sets P800-M capex this year, nets P561.74M in 2016 G C

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Gold museum to rise in ComVal

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OVERNOR Jayvee Tyron Uy described as an “iconic landmark” the proposed P175-million gold museum submitted to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for funding.

Governor Uy was speaking at the groundbreaking of the project inside Capitol grounds in Brgy. Cabidianan, Nabunturan on March 8 at the culmination day of the 19th founding anniversary and 10th Bulawan Festival celebration of Compostela Valley. Present at the groundbreaking were heads and representatives from local and national agencies and employees.

DOT was represented by DOT Regional Director Roberto Alabado.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo approved in principle the construction of the gold museum in a meeting with Governor Uy and TIEZA officers at Waterfront Hotel in Davao City last year.

If approved and funded, the governor said the project would open jobs, additional tourism, inward investment, and economic regeneration opportunities.

It would operate, he said as part of the economy that would greatly and positively impact the tourism industry and retail trade.

The proposed gold museum would be thematic. Its major features would highlight an interactive dramatization in diorama of the mineral’s formation, how it shaped the socio-cultural and economic character of the province and its people, the metal’s history from its discovery in the 1980s to its extraction and processing, and a presentation of the province’s green mining initiative at the end of a tour.

Beneath the building, a tunnel would be constructed to depict the total mining experience. Tours would be electronically monitored and recorded.

The main building, domed at the centre, would cover a floor area of more than 3,281.93 square metres on the south-east side of the Capitol grounds just across the Nabunturan-Maragusan national road. The building will house the main entrance, a circulation/ reception desk, baggage counter, indoor water feature and garden, lobby, audio visual room and storage, an orientation area, office, conference room, souvenir shop, storage room, jewelry shops, hallway, food court, commercial spaces, exhibit areas, a corridor, and comfort rooms.

Waste segregation would be strictly followed. All facilities will be gender-senior citizen-children- and persons with disability-friendly.

The project will employ two innovations: the use of solar power for electrical

energy purposes and greenbased building design.

The site to be developed is part of the provincial Capitol grounds. In itself, the Capitol is a tourism, cultural, and heritage site. It lies along the Nabunturan-Maragusan national road in Brgy. Cabidianan, four (4) kilometres from the poblacion of the provincial capital of Nabunturan. The gold museum will enhance the site as a centre of the province’s mining heritage.

The Province of Compostela Valley holds one of the biggest gold deposits in the Philippines with an estimated gold reserve of 181,745,339 metric tons, according to data from the Mining and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Gold mining sites are found in almost all of the province’s 11 municipalities. The major mining sites are in Mt. Diwalwal (Mt. Diwata) of Monkayo, the Masara district in Maco, the Boringot-Diyat-Kingking district of Pantukan, the Bukal-Mainit site of Nabunturan, and Bango of Compostela. About 20,000 to 30,000 people directly earn their living from mining. The number does not include thousands of jobs generated from the mining’s sub-industries Overall, based on the 1999 industry profile of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region XI to which Compostela Valley belongs, Davao region is one of the top producers of gold in the country with an annual production estimated at 25,000 kilograms of gold and 140.525 metric tons of gold ore and 10,700 kg of silver.

In 2007, Compostela Valley overtook Davao City as the top contributor of minerals to the mining economy of Davao Region with P184.9 million or 50% share. From 2008-2015, the provincial government generated revenue collection for mining, sand and gravel and other quarry resources in terms of extraction fees and other related charges worth P98,495,748.55.

The biggest gold ring in the Philippines, the Solidarity Ring, is found only in the province of Compostela Valley. An 18-karat two-toned ring with an interior diameter of 5 inches and exterior diameter of 6 inches, it is made up of 1.18 kilograms of gold of shining finish and 308 grams of 99.9 percent pure silver of diamond finish. The Ring, weighing 1.488 kilograms is valued at P1.5 million. It is on exhibit Mondays-Fridays to the public inside a glass case mounted on the lobby of the Provincial Capitol in Brgy.

Cabidianan, four kilometers from Nabunturan, the Capital of Compostela Valley.

(PIO/ComVal)

FLASHFLOOD VICTIMS RECEIVE AID. MAITUM, Sarangani (March 14, 2017) - Dr. Junie Basmillo, municipal health officer of Maitum, Sarangani Province receive 20 pieces water jug and 20 pieces medical kit from the

representative of Department of Health Region 12 for the evacuees of the recent flashflood in the area. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

SoCot delists 8 barangays from areas with high malnutrition T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato has removed at least eight barangays from its list of top 20 areas with high incidence of malnutrition.

Ma. Ana Uy, provincial nutrition action officer said Wednesday the concerned barangays have posted significant improvements last year in terms of nutrition status among children based on the local government’s assessment.

She said these are barangays Datal Dlanag, Basag, Talcon and Malugong in T’boli town; Lampitak in Tampakan; Tinago in Norala; Halilan in Lake Sebu; and, Cabuling in Banga.

Barangay Basag emerged

as the most improved barangay after making a big leap out of the top 20 list from the number one spot in 2015.

The assessment and the delisting of the eight barangays was made by the provincial nutrition convergence team, she said.

“The barangays really worked hard and maximized the use of available resources to get their malnourished children back in shape,” Uy said.

Despite emerging with four delisted barangays, the official said T’boli town still has the most number of barangays affected by malnutrition problems.

Out of the town’s 25 barangays, she said seven have

posted high incidence of underweight children.

Uy noted that barangays Salacafe, Mongocayo and Tbolok made “huge successes” in 2016 in the implementation of nutrition programs in their communities.

She said that since 2014, a total of 88 underweight children in Barangay Salacafe have gained normal weight.

From being in the top three in 2014, Salacafe slid to the 14th spot last year in the list of 20 barangays with high incidence of malnutrition.

“These successes only show that eliminating malnutrition in our communities is achievable,” Uy said.

In 2016, South Cotabato

emerged as Region 12’s top implementer and achiever in efforts to address malnutrition problems.

The province’s malnutrition rate was recorded at 9.01 percent in 2011, 8.38 percent in 2012, 7.63 percent in 2013, 7.26 percent in 2014, 5.63 percent in 2015 and 5.15 percent in 2016.

Last year, the local government covered a total of 104,840 or 86.70 percent of the estimated 120,840 preschool children in the province for its “Operation Timbang.”

Among those weighed, only 4,425 were found underweight, 981 as severely underweight and 548 were overweight. (PNA)

price tags ontheir products.

However, Calub said that only basic commodities are under the price freeze since goods from the wet market such as meat and other agricultural products are beyond their jurisdiction. “Prices of

meat and other agricultural products cannot be regulated because it is affected by the law of demand and supply. With the influx of visitors during DAVRAA, the demand for these products is higher and thus higher price is expected”.

Calub finally encouraged everyone to take part on their intensified campaign to protect consumers’ rights especially against profiteering.

No price hike in commodities during DAVRAA meet

T

O ease the apprehension that some business establishments might take advantage of the influx of guests and participants on the DAVRAA 2017 Meet, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reassured the public that there will be no price hike on basic commodities on the duration of the said event.

In a discussion with the media during the Kapihan Sang Kapitolyo yesterday, DTI OIC Provincial Director Jose Calub reiterated that price freeze is still effective until March 24. He said that they continue to monitor price surge and emphasized that they strictly impose fine to those who do not follow the suggested retail price of a product.

He also warned the public to be vigilant against market vendors who use defective weighing scale.

He further advised that a complaint may be filed should retailers do not put

Kapehan sa Kapitolyo

F NO PRICE, 10

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

EDITORIAL

R

Solving Davao’s traffic woes

EQUIRING new locators of parking provisions could be a step in the right direction in solving Davao City’s worsening traffic congestion.

One does not need to be an expert to know that the chief problem in the road congestion in the city is the unabated parking of vehicles on the outer lanes of roads especially in the downtown area.

Parking in these lanes had been the headache of traffic enforcers, motorists and public commuters. Unless this is abated, the traffic congestion is here to stay.

The good news is that as part of the measures to reduce the traffic congestion in the city, the Davao City Investment Promotions Center has thought of a special incentive package for parking buildings.

The proposal is in the stage of consultation and formulation of the incentive.

EDGEDAVAO

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

Under this proposal, parking buildings and parking lots will be a requirement for all incoming locators in the city.

This will also complement the planned No Parking Policy of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The incentives could come in the form of business and real property tax exemptions.

In other countries like Singapore, one is required to have a car park at home before the state allows for a car purchase. Further, there is a separate car license for weekend and weekday use. Buying a car in Singapore is not a right.

You actually have to bid for the right to purchase and the government will grant those succesful bidders only.

But we need not go that far.

This new proposal on parking provision incentives plus the No Parking policy is a regulatory act that is long overdue.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0948-823-3685 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

9

POC, NSAS must liquidate taxpayers’ money

P

SC chair Butch Ramirez is very correct.

The Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Sports Associations under its umbrella must first liquidate the money the PSC has given them before they are again given subsidies for their athletic programs.

Millions of taxpayers’ money are annually sourced from the PSC by the NSAs to fund the preparation and training of their respective athletes who take part in Olympic-sanctioned international competitions such as the SEAG, Asian Games and the Summer Olympics.

This is aside from participation in smaller sporting events seen to be required as integral part of their training regimen in various parts of the world.

If you know how to compute, you can guess how much of taxpayers’ money is spent on our national athletes every year.

“T

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

HE world has lost roughly half its coral reefs in the last 30

years.”

That’s sad news came from the dispatch released by Associated Press.

“Scientists are now scrambling to ensure that at least a fraction of these unique ecosystems survives beyond the next three decades,” the report added.

Why I said it’s sad news?

The reason is self-explanatory: the health of our planet depends on this ecologically-fragile ecosystem.

Coral reefs, which are described as “Eden beneath the waves,” support a quarter of all marine species, as well as half a billion people around the world.

And they are fast disappearing from this planet.

“This isn’t something that’s going to happen 100 years from now. We’re losing them right now,” said marine biologist Julia Baum of Canada’s University of Victoria. “We’re losing them really quickly, much more quickly than I think any of us ever could have imagined.”

Even in the Philippines, home to more than 7,000 islands, coral reefs are not spared from extinction.

Our country has about 27,000 square kilometers of

Not very recently, PSC Com. Ramon Fernandez and POC President Jose “Peping’ Cojuangco angrily tangled in a verbal clash, unleashing accusations against each other.

These feuds are not new.

They have been every now and then happening since as far back as I can remember. That’s about more than 35 years of covering Philippine sports.

One issue that Ramirez is raising against the POC is the huge number that will compose the national delegation to the SEAG in Malaysia.

The POC wants something like 530 players to take part but Ramirez says it is too large considering that the Philippines is not even aiming to finish in the top three.

If you don’t know it yet, the POC and the NSAs under it have mastered the tendency of bloating the composition of their respective delegations so that they

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba could bring “freeloaders” with them – yayas, the missus, daughters and sons who would assume positions as chaperones, asst. coaches kuno, etc.

Ramirez wants to ensure that only athletes who have very good chances of winning at least a bronze are entitled to go. You see, most athletes become tourists after getting eliminated in

the first round or preliminaries.

POC bigwigs are only confident to finish fifth among the eleven nations taking part in this biennial event.

Fifth? Oh, my, how lowly have we descended!

And yet the POC and the NSAs keep on asking for MORE MONEY! This is completely outrageous.

Vietnam used to hug one of the bottom rungs but has now emerged as title contenders.

Even the tiny city-state of Singapore is blowing past us. We are eating dust in the SEAG. Whew!

Ramirez should find able backing from the sports press corps covering the PSC-POC because they know the latter has been very abusive through the years.

Cojuangco, at 81 or so, has been at the POC helm for four consecutive terms but Philippine sports remains at the doldrums.

We are scratching our heads why he cannot give up the POC throne to younger and more progressive-minded sports leaders.

If Ramirez will stand his ground, he might be able to effectively institute a disciplinary attitude in the sports community that Pres. Digong is imbibing among the people.

There is too much wanton spending in Philippine sports that remains un-reciprocated by its beneficiaries and recipients.

Competent and effective leadership within the POC and the NSAs are not visibly seen.

As caretaker of the peoples’ money, it is incumbent upon Ramirez to make sure the ROIs are worth it.

This is not to undermine the silver medal triumph of Hidilyn Diaz. On the contrary, her Olympic feat highlights our collective desires. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

these “tropical rainforests of the sea.”

Coral collection is another culprit. Corals are gathered and sold as part of the international trade of reef products. Despite laws banning coral gathering, many people still break off and collect corals to sell as decorative items, construction materials and for other purposes.

Aside from human activities, there are some natural causes like extremely low tide, high temperature of surface water, predation and the mechanical action of currents and waves.

In recent years, coral reefs are exhibiting a new kind of degradation: coral bleaching.

Actually, “corals are invertebrates, living mostly in tropical waters,” the AP report said.

“They secrete calcium carbonate to build protective skeletons that grow and take on impressive colors, thanks to a symbiotic relationship with algae that live in their tissues and provide them with energy.”

According to marine scientists, a temperature change of just 1 to 2 degrees Celsius can force coral to expel the algae, leaving their white skeletons visible in a process known as “bleaching.”

The Philippines experienced two major bleaching events: in 1998 and then in 2010. The latter affected 95% of the coun-

try’s coral reefs.

“Bleached coral can recover if the water cools, but if high temperatures persist for months, the coral will die,” the AP report said. “Eventually the reef will degrade, leaving fish without habitats and coastlines less protected from storm surges.”

Coral reefs produce about four times more fish per unit area compared to the coastal trawl fisheries, some studies have shown. Fish, it must be pointed out, provide more than half of the protein requirements of Filipinos.

There are three types of coral reefs, according to Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary. These are the fringing types (those found on the edges of islands and which constitutes 30% of the country’s coral reefs); the barrier type (best exemplified by the Dajanon Reef of Central Visayas); and the atoll (of which the Tubbataha and Cagayan Reefs in the Sulu Sea are ideal examples).

These coral reefs must be protected at all cost.

“To lose coral reefs is to fundamentally undermine the health of a very large proportion of the human race,” said Ruth Gates, director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

After all, coral reefs produce some of the oxygen we breathe.

We’re losing our coral reefs

coral reefs. Two-thirds of them are in Palawan (the country’s last frontier) and Sulu Archipelago.

Of the almost 700 coral species known to man, 500 of these can be found in our country.

But only 400 of these remain, according to the Center for Environmental Concern.

Yes, we are losing our coral reefs.

A survey conducted in 1991-1992 by the Regional Fishermen’s Training Center in Panabo, Davao del Norte at Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf had shown that most of the shallow or inshore coral reefs “were totally damaged because they are exposed to greater pressure.”

As early as 1970s, the EastWest Center in Hawaii had already sounded the alarm. At that time, the study disclosed that more than half of the reefs in the country were “in advanced states of destruction.”

The same study reported that only about 25% were considered to be “in good condition” while only 5% were “in excellent condition.”

Nothing much have changed since then. In truth, the destruction of this vital Philippine resource is getting worse, as recent studies have shown.

“Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines,”

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

commented marine scientist Don C. McAllister, who once studied the cost of coral reef destruction in the country.

Sedimentation, resulting from human activities, is said to be the most important single cause of reef degradation. These activities include unsound agricultural and forestry practices, mismanagement of watersheds, exploitation of mangroves, earthmoving for construction and dumping of terrestrial and marine mine tailings.

Destructive fishing methods – like the use of dynamite and cyanide fishing – also contributed to the rapid disappearance of the country’s coral reefs. The kayakas and muroami have further annihilated

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

Real threat... FROM 1

It is also the implementing agency of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program involved in land evaluation, compensation to owners of private agricultural lands, and collection of amortizations from CARP farmer-beneficiaries.

On the repayment rate of their beneficiaries, Conde said in terms of lending to small farmers and producer cooperatives or cooperatives engaged in production of crops, that is where the challenge is because we know the risk involved in this sector.

Conde said the bank has somehow mitigated that risk.

“Because we require bor-

rowers particularly those engage in production of crops to acquire or get crop insurance through Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC),” said Conde.

The LBP vice president said when crops are damaged by certain calamities, the bank immediately reprograms or restructures the accounts of affected farmers.

“Coupled with additional financing because we believe they won’t be able to repay us when there’s no financing that comes along,” said Conde.

In 2016, LBP generated PhP12 billion loan portfolio which they hope to increase this year by 5 percent.

langi complex remains to be the biggest and cheapest single source for power in the island, several coal power plants have come on line in the last two years and, combined, now accounts to around half of the supply.

At present, AboitizPower, San Miguel Energy, Filinvest and Saranggani Energy have completed their coal power plants and have started supplying energy into the grid. The flood of new capacity is causing an oversupply of power in Mindanao, an island that just last year suffered up to 8 hours of power curtailments daily in some areas.

However, Montenegro said that the oversupply must also be balanced well as some electric cooperatives have over-contracted. He encourages electric cooperatives to properly plan their demand forecast to better manage their supply.

‘Their ultimate concern

must be the welfare of their consumers. What will give consumers the reliability and what will be cheapest,” he said.

Created in 2012 through Executive Order 81, MPMC is tasked to coordinate the efforts of the national, regional, and local governments and power industry stakeholders to improve Mindanao’s power industry.

With MinDA and DOE as co-chairs, MPMC is composed of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA), Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

iting the integration process earlier implemented in 2015 and instituting changes in the process of exemption, our OFWs will have a seamless airport experience.”

The MIAA had imposed the integration of international terminal fee in airline tickets purportedly to ease congestion in Manila airports.

Under the regulation, the OFWs are required to pay the P550 terminal fee when buying plane tickets online or from airline ticket offices.

They can claim a refund prior to their departure from or upon their return to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

OFW groups had opposed the imposition, saying it is a clear violation of the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 that exempts the OFWs from paying the terminal fee.

The OFWs were not able to claim their refund due to little time to line up at the departure refund counters as they have to catch their flights. (PNA)

MinDA... FROM 1

OFWs... FROM 2

No price... FROM 7 Kapihan Sang Kapitolyo, which was held in the grand conference room of the Provincial Capitol, is a newly-launched program of the provincial government which tapped local media outlets to update people of the government’srecent development activities. It is a brainchild of Ednar Dayanghirang, the Governor’s Chief of Staff. He said it is “a venue for sharing information for the public” because “a public that is well informed strengthens the spirit of democracy”. He added that it will promote transparency “to serve the public better”.

The said program will be held every Monday where head of offices are invited to discuss with the local media practitioners about the status of their program implementations. During the launching of the said event yesterday, Department Head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources office, Dolores Valdesco and Provincial Agriculture OfficeDepartment Head Rotchie Ravelo, as well as DTI OIC Provincial Director Jose Calub, have talked about the recent accomplishments of their respective offices. (Riza M. Golez/PIO DavOr)

AT HAND. vendor sells packs of bird seeds to park-goers who want to feed and take photos with the popular pigeons at Rizal Park in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Helpful... FROM 2

the city while preserving its natural resources. The awards were given to Interface Development Interventions, Inc., Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, UM Research and Publication Office, Davies Paints Philippines, Inc., Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, individuals Francisco Hernandez, Edwin Go, Edna Paulino and Carmelo Palban.

In the social services, health and education sector, the awardees were Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights, Inc., Child Hope Mindanao, Inc., SOS Children’s Village Davao, NCCC Cares, Inc., Church of the Latter Day Saints, SM Foundation, Trust Hardware, San Pe-

dro College, Ateneo de Davao University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council, Henry Wee, Christian John Saludar, Warren Liong, JPHEIGO Mindanao Health, Mindanao AIDS Advocate Association Inc., Brokenshire Women Center, Jerome Foundation, Operation Smile for Cleft Center Mindanao, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Tebow Cure Hospital, Dr. Ruben Rubillo, Pastor Estereo Banug, Richard Chu, Cleopatra Catadman, Gawad Kalinga, Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc., Bai Tessie Ledesma, Rotary Club of Pagasa Davao and Holcim Philippines.

For tourism and the arts, the organizations and individuals being given recognition were those who actively promote and advocate Davao City’s tourism and rich cultural historical heritage through their creative and innovative programs and projects. Among the awardees were Davao Fashion and Design Council, Samuel A. Libre, Jr., Gene Bangayan, Susabel Reta, Jasper Huang, Kalumon Ensemble, Madayaw Ensemble, Neil Llanes, Jester Oani, Oscar Figuracion, Jr. and Librada Rufo.

The awards were conferred to the awardees by key personnel of the different city

government agencies namely, the newly appointed national chairman of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, City Administrator Atty.

Zuleika T. Lopez, City Mayor’s Chief-of-Staff Atty. Raul Nadela, Jr., OIC of the Cooperative Development Office Julius Adrian Oxales, Leo Brian Leuterio of the City Agriculturist’s Office, Col. Erwin Neri of the Task Force Davao, Psupt. Dionesio Abude of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) and Engr. Eliza Madrazo of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

surer and presidential adviser of social development during the term of former Pres. Joseph Estrada.

She is also professor emeritus at the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines (UPNCPAG).

To recall, she was not the first choice of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as Education Secretary. She was selected after the Lyceum of the Philippines ex-

ecutive Peter Laurel declined the appointment.

Aside from Briones, also confirmed were 44 senior military officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) including Medal of Valor recipient Brigadier Gen. Noel Buan and that of Quezon City Mayor Col. Herbert Bautista -- his appointment to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (reservist) was unanimously approved by the Commission.

(PNA)

bigger than the total area of Luzon, Samar and Leyte combined.

Carpio, who was part of the legal team that presented the government’s case against China’s reclamation in the

West Philippine Sea before the UN’s Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2015, suggested that the Philippines may again take action if China is indeed conducting mineral exploration in the area. (PNA)

mittee have agreed to pass the CTRP as a whole and not on a piecemeal.

The bill provides for the adjustment of the PIT brackets to correct so-called income creeping; reduce the maximum rate to 25 percent over time from 32 percent at

present, except for the highest income earners; and shift to a modified gross system to simplify the PIT system.

Under the bill, workers earning no more than P250,000 annually will be exempted from paying personal income taxes (PIT). (PNA)

Limiting the choices is also a backward move because women will be left with no choice to plan or determine the number of children they want or how to space them, especially if they belong to poor families, Perez said.

“The increase in unintended pregnancies in the last 18 months has also seen an increase in induced abortions,” he added.

Induced abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can

live independently, while spontaneous abortion is commonly known as miscarriage.

Perez pointed out that even the report of the Guttmacher Institute in the United States cited that abortion is “rampantly” being done secretly in the Philippines.

The institute also reported that about 1,000 Filipino women die each year from abortion complications.

It cited that among the reasons for abortion is the inability to raise children. (PNA)

bullish on the pace of our global business. Our focus this year is to boost recurring income by accelerating store development. Nonetheless, we shall constantly be on the lookout for fresh territories.”

On the offshore front, MGI continues to build on its expanding pipeline of over 140

stores slated to open in the coming years.

Last year, the company was able to secure eight development agreements for at least 80 stores across various geographies. Among the notable markets penetrated for 2016 include Yellow Cab Pizza in China and Singapore. (PNA)

charge of firearm or device shall result in the death of a victim, the penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed.

If the offender shall be a member of any law enforcement agency authorized by law to bear arms, the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed. If the indiscriminate discharge of firearm or device shall result in the

death of a victim, the penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed.

In addition to the penalties imposed herein, any firearm license or permit issued in favor of the offender shall be summarily cancelled or revoked, and the offender shall be perpetually disqualified from being granted any firearm license or permit.

(PNA)

DepEd... FROM 2

House... FROM 6

Max’s... FROM 6

China... FROM 2

Popcom... FROM 4

Bill... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

Toast to delicious Davao CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Carrots, Malunngay, Oreo Pancake. Special Ube Jam. Bread Box Milky Vanilla, Chocolate and Peanut Butter. Chicken Proben and Kwek-Kwek combo. Burger from Green Rocks Burger Joint. periment and have their creations tasted by many. On their latest venture, their chunky grilled to perfection burgers are worth every calorie! Yup, believe me, this is oh so true. The tender meaty patty is all beef hence the packed flavour. The chargrilled flavour is prevalent yet not nakaka-umay. What’s more, it’s one big beauty every single time.

Located at Felcris Centrale, you can have your freshly cooked burger anytime. And when you do, don’t forget to say ‘hi’ to Llerma and Julius.

AS WE CELEBRATE ARAW NG DABAW, it is but proper to mention the many different flavour combinations we’ve tasted all throughout the years. Bitter, sweet, sour, spicy – complex yet very intense flavours that we all love to crave and yearn for. From simple home cooked recipes to fusion dishes, Davao, like that of the world, has it all.

Bread on the Go With Dabawenyo’s relaxed yet on-the-go vibe, we are always on the hunt for something delish, healthy and of course, affordable. While working on our LOKALista (shameless plugging!) concept store, I stumbled some rolls of packed sandwiches that are locally sourced and made. Bread Box may not be as big as the other bread players in the market but what they have is surely something to be proud of. Their choices include Milky Vanilla, Chocolate and my personal fave, Peanut Butter.

Here’s a tip: Have them reheated before eating.

Foodies in our own rights, I too have my appetite for new food finds – inside the mall.

Yup, I’m a mallrat and I love to have everything under one roof.

And with my every mall visit, a food tour is always on the agenda.

Here’s some of the most recent mall food finds in time for Araw ng Dabaw. All of which are sourced locally, made locally and produced locally. Be proud and stand tall. Davao is more than just the many sights and sounds. Davao City is a city of flavours. #DabawenyoAko Elevated Street Food Finds As a nation, we love to eat.

And street food is one that sets us apart from the rest. From grilled chicken feet to crispy fried proben and chargrilled chicken intestines, our streets are filled with these. Taking the cravings a notch higher, one food kiosk serves these childhood faves inside the confides of malls.

Marylou Gerondio and husband’s aim is to bring the street anywhere your cravings might be. And they did. Rotating from one mall to another, they have introduced the public to some delectable and elevated street food faves and some other new

creations. Personally, I love their Pancake with Oreo filling drizzled with fresh fruit syrup and Malunggay and Carrots Pancake with Oreo and Cheese – yup, I love anything that is pancake hence the bias admiration.

The next time you are out spending some dough, look out for their kiosk and indulge.

Proudly Dabawenyo at its best.

Crunchy Healthy Crisps From salted and hot & spicy

vegetable chips to crunchy beef chicharon, Ms. Aster’s RESTA foods is packed with crunchy crisps that are beyond the crunch. Sharing a kiosk with a milk company from Bukidnon at one of the malls in the city, her products are all on-the-go and perfect for some healthy munching. Her roster also includes packs of healthy coco sugar that has been a fave of locals and foreigners alike.

Also available are her packs of banana chips that are oh so

delish. Choose from her original, flavoured with coco sugar and flavoured with honey variants. If you cannot make a choice, better have one of each as they are very affordable. (Banana Chips, Beef Chicharon and Vegetable Chips are all sold at P35 each or 3 for P100).

Burger for All Seasons No doubt that I am such a big fan of their creations. Being a fellow CACS alumna, Llerma and Julius are not afraid to ex-

Ube, Me and You I love Baguio’s Ube Jam. Period. But since we are miles away from the summer capital of the country, it’s best to find something close to perfection.

Stumbling upon this while on the hunt for some crafty things at the mall, this tub of Special Ube Jam is handmade by the same makers of Milky (Fresh Carabao milk from Bukidnon).

I love that it is creamy yet not too sweet. I love that it is coarse but is also smooth at the same time. Most of all, I love that it is sourced and made locally.

Want to know my latest food finds? Follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and my blog theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com.

A2 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

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‘Encantadia’, ‘Mulawin vs. Ravena’ stars to grace Araw ng Dabaw

DABAWENYOS are in for a back-to-back treat this week as stars of GMA Network’s top-rating telefantasya Encantadia and the much-awaited Mulawin vs.

Ravena join in the celebration of the 80th Araw ng Dabaw.

Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo, who will banner the Mulawin vs. Ravena series, will be in Gaisano Mall Toril on March 16 to promote his upcoming program. Dennis will be accompanied by his co-stars Dion Ignacio

and Kiko Estrada in a Kapuso Mall Show which will start at 3 p.m.

Also gracing the Araw ng Dabaw festivities on that day are Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali; and Derrick Monasterio and Bea Binene. Known as BiGuel and DerBea, respectively, the two of the hottest love teams today are also part of Mulawin vs. Ravena. They will be in Abreeza Mall for a Kapuso Mall Show at 5 p.m.

On March 17, Encantadia will

further bring magic to the vibrant festivities in Davao City as its lead stars Ruru Madrid, Sanya Lopez, and Glaiza de Castro hold their Kapuso Mall Show in SM City Davao. The fun begins at 4 p.m.

GMA, through its regional arm—GMA Regional TV—remains one of the constant partners of Davao City’s annual event commemorating the founding of the place as a city.

“Over the years, we have

brought GMA’s biggest shows and brightest stars to Davao City to celebrate with our Kapusong Dabawenyos,” said GMA Regional TV head Oli Amoroso.

“By bringing two of the most successful telefantasya shows—the top-rating Encantadia and the much-awaited return of the iconic Mulawin vs. Ravena—to the 80th Araw ng Dabaw, we are only giving back to our loyal Kapuso the love and support we continue to receive from them. These are

the people responsible for our being the number one network nationwide. We look forward to giving them more quality programs and Kapuso Mall Shows in return,” he adds.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www. facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

A delicious dimsum feast

LENT MAY BE A TIME FOR MANY OF US TO ABSTAIN FROM MEAT AND FEAST ON SEAFOOD, but sometimes, too much seafood can lead to boring meals which is why I was totally excited with the Marco Polo Davao reintroducing their Sunday Dimsum Lunch Buffet at the Lotus Court.

Stating March 12 to May 28, one can drop by from eleven in the morning to two in the afternoon at the hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant to fill up on freshly steamed hakao, baos, shrimp siomai, shrimp and spinach dumplings, radish cake and more.

NOW SHOWING

March 15, 2017 only

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Marco Polo Davao’s dim sum master Junel Obero will also introduce new dim sum items such as glutinous rice with lotus leaves, chu chow dumpling and three layer pudding.

I love the steamed glutinous rice with lotus leaves and how it brings back memories of Hong Kong with every bite.

The fried shrimp toasts and rolls add some pop and excitement to a truly seafood-heavy meal for only Php600.

“We are happy to introduce new items in our dim sum line up this year and we like to launch them to the public during dim sum buffet. They

can sample different variety and choose their favourite,” says Executive Chef Alex Destriza who

also introduced inspirational a la carte dishes for Lotus Court called Fiery Wok.

The new creations includes - stir-fried crabs with vermicelli, chilies and satay sauce with crumbled salted in hot pot and vegetable fried rice with minced pork Lotus Court style. My favourite dish of the set however is the Wagyu US beef Short Ribs with pink peppercorn. The richness of the beef is balanced by the sweet spice imparted by the pink peppercorns, a truly delightful dish that is worthy of one of Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurant for 2016.

Follow me on Twitter or on Instagram at @ kennethkingong for more foodie finds in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

PSC caravan in Davao PFSDC revival eyed in meeting with Mindanao LGU execs

D

AVAO CITY - After a successful Visayas leg in Cebu City Tuesday, the Philippine Sports Commission caravan makes a stop in Davao City today, March 16, at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites for a directional meeting with local government unit (LGU) executives of Mindanao on the revival of the Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council (PFSDC).

PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, along with PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey and Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) national training director Marc Edward Velasco, will spearhead the meeting that expects governors, mayors, sports stakeholders and representatives of LGUs. The Visayas leg gathered some 100 attendees in the event that aims to relaunch the PFSDC that was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 63 of former President Fidel V. Ramos on March 1, 1993 in a bid to help ensure the implementation of the PSC’s “Sports for All” program.

The EO provides that the PSC shall “encourage, promote and sustain the creation and estab-

lishment of regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay or school district sports promotion and development councils, composed of officials from the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government officials and representatives of the private sector, which shall initiate, conduct and coordinate sports activities in their respective jurisdictions”.

However, the PFSDC was sidelined over the years.

Ramirez and the PSC Board of Commissioners, however, are optimistic that fitness and sports development councils in provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays will function better this time alongside the PSI that was relaunched in December last year.

The PSI has started to identify and establish regional training centers in the country and jumpstarted its Sports Mapping Action Research Identification (Smart ID) Train the Trainers Program Mindanao leg in Tagum City last month. Davao del Norte is an identified PSI regional training center. PSI PR

AGR eyes funding 80-90% of RDC lined up projects

D

AVAO Region will soon be raking huge funding for various government programs and projects as concurrent chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) is batting to get 80 percent to 90 percent of proposed projects be funded.

In an interview, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony G. del Rosario who now holds the chairpersonship of RDC 11, expressed his goal of breaking records of pushing for funding for projects listed in General Appropriations Act (GAA).

He revealed that over the years, only 40 percent to 50 percent of projects lined up by RDC 11 had been funded.

“As chair, we will be able to get as much as 80%; that is going to be a record. Wala pa jud ni nahitabo sa una (That has never been done before.),” he said.

He explained that his aim of getting substantial funding for Davao Region projects would run in line with his thrust of fostering a “results-oriented” RDC. In stride with this, he intended to meet all District Representatives of Davao Region on April 10 at the House of Congress to conduct the RDC 11 Advisory Council Meeting.

“They would have no rea-

son not to attend because we are the ones going to Congress to meet them,” he said.

Del Rosario was hoping to get the full backing of all the Congress Representatives to push for funding of lined up programs and projects for Davao Region.

“To ensure that they are funded is to lobby the Congressmen,” he said.

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Del Rosario said he envisioned Davao Region to play a major role in pushing for national development.

His optimism is fueled by his belief that Davao Region had the edge because “the President is from Davao; the House Speaker is from Davao and that the Chair and the Senior Vice Chair of the Committee on Appropriations are from Davao,” he said.

Del Rosario was referring to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, Davao City Congressman Karlo Nograles and Compostela Valley 1st District Representative Maricar Zamora, respectively.

“With this, it would be more than 80 percent; baka 90 percent na,” he said. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)

FAST DELIVERY OF SERVICES. Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu (3rd from right) and Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert De Larrazabal (2nd from right), along with key government officials led by DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, (3rd from left) are signatories of a memorandum of understanding wherein they pledged cooperation in fast tracking delivery

of public services. The signing event was held at the end of the 2-day Philippine Telecom Summit held at the PICC Forum. Other officials in the photo include NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba (extreme left), DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero (extreme right), and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto (2nd from left). (Globe Photo)

Aboitiz, DTI partner anew for Matigsalug livelihood project A

BOITIZPOWER subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), has tied up with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 to implement a comprehensive crafts livelihood project for members of the Matigsalug tribe in Marilog, Davao City.

The project is an offshoot to the donation of 12 sewing machines and raw materials to the Matigsalug Council Of Elders Marilog District Davao City, Inc. (MACOEMADDACI) in November 2015. The sewing machines and materials were used to train tribe members how to produce their traditional costume.

The project, which will run for 11 months starting February this year, aims to capacitate a group of Matigsalug women and out-ofschool youth in Marilog District to engage in a viable community-based enterprise.

Under the project, AboitizPower and DTI will help the Matigsalug tribe to identify and produce viable indigenous products. The project taps known local craft designers and established exporters, such as Great Gifts and Souvenirs, TADECO Home and Mindanao Trade Expo.

“MACOEMADDACI is very happy to be a recipient

again of this sustainable livelihood package from AboitizPower and DTI. We are deeply grateful that this project’s strategy in enhancing our traditional products are all anchored on the unique culture of the Matigsalug tribe,” MACOEMADDACI President Datu Juanito Mandahay said.

Training interventions on crafts-making and basic business management will be conducted under the project to ensure the sustainability of the envisioned community-based enterprise.

DTI will help promote market access for the Matigsalug products by facilitating the group’s participation in local and national trade fairs

and exhibitions.

“We are very excited about this livelihood project, especially that this will create a lasting impact on the lives of our Matigsalug partner communities,” TSI President and Chief Operating Officer Sebastian Lacson said.

MACOEMADDACI is one of the indigenous people (IP) partner organizations of AboitizPower in the continuing implementation of TSI’s Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP), which aims to plant at least 1,000,000 trees within 10 years. To date, more than 300,000 surviving trees have been achieved by the partnership between TSI and MACOEMADDACI.

OR the second straight year, Smart Communications won the Company of the Year citation at the Anvil Awards, after receiving the highest number of Gold Anvils for its public relations programs.

Smart received 17 Gold Anvils and seven Silver Anvils in a ceremony organized recently by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. On its 52nd year, the Anvil Awards is considered the Oscars of public

relations in the country.

Smart’s winning programs sought to make the mobile internet experience more accessible, affordable, and meaningful to Filipinos; use technology to enhance education, disaster preparedness and response, health services, and customer experience; and engage the workforce better through digital technologies.

Winning Gold Anvils were the AlDub for TNT campaign, Batibot app, Batingaw app for

disaster preparedness and response, Smart’s efforts to train Filipinos on Android app development for free, the Disaster Communications Summit, the Smart Flagship Store, Smart’s Gamified Mobile Learning Program, GigaSurf50 campaign, Launchpad, the My Smart website and app, Paskong Pagsaluhan event for employees, Smart TechnoCart and Schoolin-a-Bag, Smart BROkada Road Trip, Smart Roamer app for Filipinos abroad, Sun Deserve Mo

‘To campaign, and the internal social media site for Smart employees called Workplace by Facebook.

Meanwhile, the Silver Awardees were the My Smart launch, the compendium of videos on Smart’s mobile education programs, #OwnIt video, SHINE OS+ (Secured Health Information Network and Exchange), Smart Bro Plan 799 campaign, Sun First Job Problems campaign, and the Welcome Change campaign. (PR)

Smart is Anvil Company of the Year anew F

12 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

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March Madness at Matina Enclaves Open House M

ARCH is normally a busy month what with the graduation schedules and the month-long Araw ng Dabaw festivities.

However, there was no stopping homebuyers and sellers from converging for another Matina Enclaves Open House on March 10 held by the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) at the real estate firm’s Showroom.

The March Open House attracted prospective homebuyers as the Matina Enclaves started selling its sixth building after the first five condo buildings have been sold out.

Esdevco project head Gerald Kent Garces led the Open House event and feted the firm’s sellers for another productive sea-

son.

“Once again, it was a successful Open House and much of that was made possible through the untiring efforts of our sales people,” Garces said.

Sellers who made it to the Open House were Estela Lovitos of Ortiz Realty, Veljean Villaraiz of Three V Realty, Arlene Saniel of Ablas Realty, Joseph Arthur Avila of euterio Realty, Christina Fernandez of Balio Realty and Jocelyn Bernal of Virtudazo Realty.

Matina Enclaves is a mixed use development project located adjacent to Davao City Golf Course in Quimpo Boulevard. The sprawling residential estate provides a majestic view of picturesque Mt. Apo and is designed with the concept of a natural greenery. (NJB)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service Case No.R11-EV-TX2017-C-1465 (2016-XI-01465)

YVONNE R. ABPI, Doing business under the name & style “EASY DRIVE TAXI” Petitioner x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service

Case No. R11-EV-PJ2017-C-153 (2003-XI-00153-DN)

LUCILA A. DELOS REYES, Petitioner

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of TWO (2) units, which Certificate will expire on November 5, 2017.

In the petition filed on March 1, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: TAGUM CITYBRGY.SUA-ON, SEMONG (KAPALONG) AND VICE VERSA and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE(1) unit, which Certificate will expire on June 29, 2018.

In the petition filed on March 7, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 28, 2017 at 09:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Chief Transportation Development Officer/Officer-In-Charge, this 2nd day of March 2017 at Davao City.

MARIE JEAN A. JARALBA Administrative Officer IV Acting Administrative Officer V

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 28, 2017 at 9:20 a.m. at this office at the above address.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Chief Transportation Development Officer/Officer-In-Charge, this 8th day of March 2017 at Davao City.

MARIE JEAN A. JARALBA Administrative Officer IV Acting Administrative Officer V

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

Petron... FROM 15

three straight victories over Sta. Lucia, Cignal and Cocolife to occupy the top spot and inch closer to the semifinals of this short but very competitive season-opening conference.

But the Blaze Spikers have to be at their best as they will face an equally powerful Foton squad.

Despite losing Jaja Santiago and EJ Laure, who are still attending tied with their university commitments, the Tornadoes remain a solid force as middle blocker Dindin Manabat is back in form

while the recruitment of NCAA Most Valuable Player Gretchel Soltones had provided spark in their attack zone.

In their four-set victory over Generika-Ayala, Manabat and Soltones destroyed the Lifesavers’ defense, delivering 19 and 18 points, respectively, to capture their second win in three starts.

“We know that Foton is a contender every conference,” said Shaq Delos Santos, referring to the same team that crushed them in the finals of the PSL Grand Prix last year.

“Kahit sinong players ang

EDGEDAVAO ilagay mo dyan, lalaban at lalaban talaga ang team na yan. That’s why we have to be careful. We expect this match to be a very tough battle.”

Foton coach Moro Branislav of Serbia, on the other hand, is optimistic that they would deal Petron its first setback of the conference.

He, in fact, is already looking forward to becoming one of the only three teams to make it to the semifinals where a guest team from Japan would test their mettle.

“In my opinion, we can make it to the semifinals.

That’s why this victory over Petron is very important to my team. This will gauge how we will perform in the next round.”

Branislav noted that they have to neutralize the defensive presence of middle blocker Mika Reyes and take away the offense of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina and Carmela Tunay to emerge victorious.

“Well, we have to make some stops,” he said. “Petron is such a tough and talented team. We have to make some adjustments as well.”

NEWS13

BIR-11 eyes P20-B in revenues in 2017 T

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Davao Region has set a tax collection target of P20 billion this year, the same amount that it set but failed to attain last year.

BIR-11 eyed a revenue collection of P20.20 billion in 2016 but only collected P16.9 billion, or 16.33-percent short of the target.

The 2016 collection surpassed the target of P14.3 billion for 2015.

BIR-11 director Nuzar N. Balatero told reporters that they are confident of attaining the P20-billion target due to increased economic activities with the influx of new investors in the region.

“We are very optimistic because the tax payers of Davao Region are very cooperative and there’s increased economic activities,” he said.

He said they are determined to achieve the target to contribute

to the national target of P1.829 trillion this year for new infrastructure projects and better delivery of social services.

According to Davao City Investment Promotions Center head Lemuel Ortonio, the city alone has been receiving potential investment leads from investors from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, among others.

“For most of them, they knew nothing about Davao City before and would only often know of Manila and Cebu when Philippines is mentioned. PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) has created a buzz on Davao City and became the perfect marketing ambassador for the city’s investment and tourism potential. With the increased awareness comes increased interest in Davao City for foreign investors to pour in new potential developments,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

manship, Teamwork, a positive Attitide, and Respect.

Three-time PBA Champion and Alaska Aces shooting guard Dondon Hontiveros also attended the camp to extend his support to fellow Cebuanos and share his basketball knowledge with the players. “We never experienced this kind of event during our time. Now, I look into the eyes of the Jr. NBA campers and see their joy in playing basketball,” said Hontiveros. “They have found new friends and are learning new things from their

coaches while having fun. The Jr. NBA is refreshing, encouraging and inspiring for both boys and girls.”

The last stop of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 Regional Selection Camp is at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, Metro Manila on April 1-2.

Boys and girls ages 10-14 can still register online to the youth basketball program at www. jrnba.asia/philippines, where the program terms and conditions can be found. Registration and participation is absolutely free.

14 advance... FROM 15

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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Hedcor is first PH Asset Management certified D

AVAO CITY – Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. are the first companies in the Philippines to be at par with the new international Asset Management standard.

TUV-SUD, an internationally accredited certification body audits the compliance of an organization with international standards, recommended the ISO 55001:2014 certification for both Hedcor Sibulan and Hedcor Tudaya after the 56.1-MW cascading plants in Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur – namely Sibulan Hydro A, Tudaya Hydro 1, Sibulan Hydro B, and Tudaya Hydro 2 – passed the two stages of the audit.

Hedcor Sibulan and Hedcor Tudaya passed the two stages with zero non-conformances on the operation and maintenance activities. This means Hed-

cor has an integrated and effective management system for assets that enables the company to achieve objectives and assure these are attained consistently and sustainably over time.

Assessors also remarked the commitment and involvement of the top management and the professionalism and competency of the staff interviewed during the assessment and cited some areas for improvement that will further better Hedcor’s asset management.

This achievement is a testament to Hedcor’s pursuit for a better world through renewable energy.

“One way to fulfill our renewed purpose is by advancing our business so we can also advance communities. Through obtaining this Asset Management System certification, we can assure

PBSP, Davao Light turn over Panasonic Solar Lanterns to off-grid public schools

T

HE Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in partnership with Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. turned over 86 Panasonic Solar Lanterns to the Department of Education XI last March 9, 2017 for the five off-grid public schools.

Davao Light being active in helping the education sector, was tapped by PBSP to be a partner in the beneficiary identification and distribution of the solar lanterns which were donated by Panasonic.

The public elementary schools (ES) chosen to receive the solar lanterns are Pegalongan ES in Sitio Pengalongan Brgy. Malamba, Pangyan ES in Purok 9 Brgy. Tamugan, Kidali ES in Kidali, Brgy. Tambobong, Baguio, Mangas-As ES in Mangas-as Brgy. Tambobong and Damilag ES in as Sitio Damilag, Mapula, all located in Davao City.

Some of these off-grid schools can only be reached by foot where both students and teachers have to walk everyday for hours just get there. Having no electricity, the solar lanterns will help the teachers, who stay late in school, to prepare for

their lesson plans as well as students to study their lessons.

Present during the turn over were Davao Light’s EVP and COO Engr. Rodger S. Velasco, PBSP Sr. Program Officer for Education Rommel M. Gonzales, DepEd Regional Director Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte and DepEd Division Superintendent Dr. Ma. Ines C. Asuncion.

PBSP Relationship Management Officer Jennelyn M. Ragas, Davao Light team leaders and some employees, and the beneficiary-school heads namely Jayson E. Barnes of Pangyan ES, Joey John P. Omoso of Kidali ES, Danilo R. Bolos Jr. of Mangas-As ES, Cipriano S. Solatorio of Damilag ES and Davao’s first Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Mr. Randy Halasan of Pegalongan ES also graced the event.

“Together with our partner PBSP, we hope that these solar lamps will help our teachers in guiding the students to do well in school and reach for their dreams. We will always be proud and confident that the young ones through education will help make this world a better place for the next generation.” said Velasco.

SOLAR LANTERNS. The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) was able to secure 86 Solar Lanterns from Panasonic for distribution to schools that have no access to electricity or are in off-grid areas. Being its active partner in helping the education sector, PBSP tapped Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. in the identification of off-grid schools within its franchise for the distribution of the solar lanterns.

TUV-SUD conducts the two stages of ISO 55001 audit to Hedcor Sibulan and Hedcor Tudaya as part of Hedcor’s goal on advancing the business.

our stakeholders of a more efficient and reliable generation of clean and renewable energy”, said Rolando Pacquiao, vice president for Mindanao Operations, Hedcor.

Hedcor also acquired

certifications for ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), and ISO 27001 (Information Security Manage-

ment System).

Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower which specializes in generating renewable energy from run-ofriver hydropower systems. It currently operates 22 hydro-

power plants and supplies the country with 185-MW of clean and renewable energy. Soon, its Manolo Fortich Hydro project in the province of Bukidnon will add 68.8-MW of power to the Mindanao grid.

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

BLUE KNIGHTS. The ADDU Blue Knighst squad in thier official team photo.

ON TO THE SEMIS Blue Knights sweep elims, advances to SM NBTC Div 2 semis

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

T

ADDU Eliminations Results: March 13, at Palm Coast Marina 9:30 am – ADDU 80, Ormoc City NHS 33 7:30 pm – ADDU 62, St. Benilde-Laguna 35 March 15, at MOA Arena 11:30 am – ADDU 87, STI-Malolos 58

HREE down, two to go.

Davao City champion Ateneo de Davao University advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 SM NBTC National Finals Division 2 after sweeping their eliminations assignment on Wednesday.

Playing for the first time at the MOA Arena, the Blue Knights are beginning to make heads turn. They bludgeoned STI Malolos 87-58 to clinch the

semis berth for Group 4.

Spritely quarterback Jethro Taculin fired 17 points and Jan Rubiato added 15 to lead the Blue Knights who notched their third straight win in the tournament by a whopping average margin of 34 points.

Theey opened with a 8033 massacre of Ormoc City National High School and St. Benilde-Laguna 62-35 on

Monday’s doubleheader.

Ace gunner Francis Gabriel Escandor worked up just enough sweat to fire 10 points as coach Miggy Solitaria again elected to rest his big guns for the all-important semifinals.

Solitaria will be banking on the six-foot-two Escandor, Axel Doromal, Ion Angeles and Dariel Manliguez.

Completing the cast for the Blue Knights are Joshua Barrientos, Isaac Selgas, Joachim Weill, Joshua Go, Jan Rubiato, Matthew Martinez, Dom Cane, James Bacalso, Jethro Taculin and Kenneth Batilo.

The Blue Knights emerged topnotcher in Group 4 and will

be Group 1 top qualifier St. Jude College of Cavite in the semis.

St. Jude topped Grouup 1 composed of St. Joseph College (Olongapo), St. Louis College (Mandaue) and Notre Dame of Midsayap (Kidapawan).

Group 3 is composed of St. Roberts International School (Iloilo), Assumption Montessori (CDO), La Finn’s Scholastica (La Union) and Jesus The Loving Shepherd (Naga).

In Group 2, the teams are De La Salle Lipa (Batangas), University of St. La Salle (Bacolod), Langatian National High School (Dipolog) and Isabela Colleges (Cauayan).

14 advance to Jr. NBA/WNBA Finals S

EVEN boys and seven girls excelled in the Cebu Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska at the Don Bosco Technical Center on March 11-12. Young campers came from Cebu and nearby provinces including Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, Leyte, and Misamis Oriental.

Abad, Rolando Jesus, 13, of St. Anthony Highschool; Baldonado, Joshua Benedict, 14, of St. John’s Institute Bacolod City; Cabanero, Nicael Dominie, 13, of Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu; Deloria, Jericho, 14, of Cebu Eastern College; Enriquez, Jessrey, 13, of University of San Carlos South Campus; Jumamoy, Reinhard, 13, of University of San Carlos North Campus; Moreno, Zhan Paolo, 12, of Xavier University – were selected as Jr. NBA representatives of the Visayas region. Abella, Ynnia Juanne, 12, of Sotero B. Cabahog Forum for Literacy; Delig.

Princess Jeira, 13, of Abella-

TRIFECTA. Francis Gabriel Escandor hits from the rainbow area against STI Malolos.

Petron guns for PSL semis berth Team Standings Petron 3-0 Foton 2-1 Cignal 2-1 Generika-Ayala 1-1 Sta. Lucia 0-2 Cocolife 0-3

YOUTHFUL TALENTS. 14 cage talents are advancing to the 2017 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Nationals. na National School; Denana, Chinnsai, 13, of University of Visayas; Retubado, Maybelle, 13, of Bulacao Community Highschool; Sabalones, Tara Ramz, 13, of Montessori Academy of Southern Cebu; Solis, Aishe Mae, 12, of Marymount Academy; Tagalog, Mecaellah Frenzie Shane,13, of University of Southern Philippines Foun-

dation – meanwhile topped the girls division. These young athletes will progress to the program’s next phase—the National Training Camp on May 12-14 in Metro Manila.

The first day of the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp featured fundamental skills challenges with the top performing athletes advancing to

Day 2, where they experienced advanced basketball drills and scrimmages. The Jr. NBA evaluation committee led by Jr. NBA Coaches Chris Sumner and Jeffrey Cariaso of the Alaska Aces searched for players showcasing all-around basketball skills and embodied the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sport-

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Games March 16 (FilOil Flying V Center) 3 pm – Petron vs Foton 5 pm – Cocolife vs Sta. Lucia 7 pm – Generika-Ayala vs Cignal

NBEATEN powerhouse Petron guns for the first semifinals berth when it faces a dangerous Foton side today in the Belo-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference resumes at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

They collide at 3 pm before new teams Cocolife and Sta. Lucia try to claw their way out of the basement when they collide in the 5 pm second match of this prestigious women’s club tourney

backed by Senoh, Mikasa, Mueller and Asics with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

In the nightcap at 7 pm, Cignal and Generika-Ayala battle for an important victory that would boost their semifinal chances in the league that also has Gold’s Gym as official fitness partner and UCPB Gen as official insurance provider.

After undergoing massive revamp during the off-season, Petron posted

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 277 • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017