Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 225 | Friday - Saturday, February 1 - 2, 2019

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VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

LOWERING GOV’T RETIREMENT NEWS P2 AGE TO DEPLETE GSIS FUND Serving a seamless society

EDGE DAVAO

DURIANS SWEEP ELIMS

SPORTS P11

BEATING THE DEADLINE. A business owner waits as Geli Ceniza, a staff member of City Treasurer’s Office, counts the money she remits in payment for her business tax at the City Business Bureau at Sangguniang Panlungsod building in Davao City on Thursday. The agency was expecting an influx of business owners who will renew their business permits to beat the deadline on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

DEATH IN DAVRAA

12-year-old girl spiker from DavOr dies of illness

By ADAM B. MORREL AND ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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ragedy struck the ongoing Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet after a 12-year-old girl athlete from Davao Oriental died on Wednesday due to severe pneumonia.

Department of Education (DepEd)11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo confirmed the death of one Hadia P. Eronico, who plays volleyball for the Davao Oriental girls elementary team and a resident of Mugbong

Cogon, Banay-Banay. Eronico reportedly expired around 7:45 p.m. of January 30 at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Atillo bared that the attending physician found a dengue

virus on Eronico in her test but it was later on ruled out and the official medical report stated the cause of death as pneumonia.

“We are basing this on the final diagnosis of the doctor that pneumonia is the one causing the death of our athlete,” said Atillo.

Delegation officials, according to Atillo, said Eronico was just staying in their sleeping quarters the whole day and did

FDEATH, P10

OPAPP: Post-plebiscite BOL calls for disarming MILF, private armies

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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he government sees the decommissioning of firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and disarming private armies as crucial aftermaths in the normalization process of the ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) assistant secretary for peace and security concerns Dickson Hermoso said that aside from decommissioning 40,000 MILF combatants, one of the tasks indicated in the Comprehensive Agree-

ments of the Bangsamoro (CAB) is the disbarment of private armed groups.

Normalization, as stated under the CAB, is the process whereby communities can achieve their desired quality of life, including pursuit of sus-

FOPPAP, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

GROUNDBREAKING. President Rodrigo Duterte buries the time capsule as he leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital (SLRGH) in Malabon City on Tuesday. Joining the President are Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Malabon City Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Malabon City Representative Federico Sandoval II, and Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Lowering gov’t retirement age to deplete GSIS fund

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owering the retirement age of government workers from 60 to 56 would deplete the state-owned pension fund 12 years earlier, top officials of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said Tuesday.

“The effect on the GSIS fund would be that the actuarial or the fund life will be reduced from 2051 as expected now to 2039, or 12 years,” said Isagani Cruz Jr., chief legal counsel of the Legal Services Group, in a media briefing.

To mitigate the effects of a reduction in retirement age, Cruz

said the GSIS needs to infuse about PHP176.36 billion into the pension fund by increasing the monthly contribution of its members and cutting back on their benefits.

“I think both alternatives will not be really welcome,” he added. “In the absence of these alternatives, we just have to bite the bullet and

face the reduction of fund life and expect the fund to deplete 12 years earlier.”

GSIS president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas said old pensioners should not be made to suffer the impact of the exhaustion of fund.

“It is very important that the government employee or officer knows that he has a solid pension and a retirement when he does retire. At the end of the day, that’s job security,”

he Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring in Maco, Compostela Valley is closed for rehabilitation on February 4-17, 2019.

Through Resolution 03-19, the barangay officials of Mainit, Maco town ordered the temporary closure citing the effects of the increase of tourists in the area including sanitation and general order that might lead to the degradation of the spring.

In a text message, Mainit Barangay Captain Michelle Lim disclosed that the tourist arrival

during weekends reaches to as many as 600 persons.

Lim also shared that the rehabilitation activities, jointly undertaken by the barangay and the municipal government of Maco, will include cleaning of wastes and litters; establishment of proper waste disposal system; clearing of trees in slopes that might caused tourists to fall; and repair of comfort rooms, change room and barbecue house.

“The tourists will expect better and cleaner facilities and mas han-ay

nga plastada sa mga cottages ang tindahan,” she added. (The tourists will expect better and cleaner facilities and a more orderly arrangement of the cottages and stores.)

Since early 2018, the Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring has been one of the prime destinations in Compostela Valley as it has been included in the health and wellness loop of the provincial tourism activities.

Apart from enjoying the hot waters from the spring, the resort also offers massages from the Mainit Community Work-

he said.

“The only viable option we are seeing to reconcile the intent of legislatures vis-a-vis our fund life and the healthiness of our fund is really to do this prospectively --for the new members, for new entrants,” he added.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 8683 lowering the optional retirement age of government employees from 60 to 56. (PNA)

ers Wellness Association.

While waiting for the reopening of the hot spring on February 18, Maco tourism officer designate Jiesel Mae Nazareno recommended for tourists to try and visit the Lake Leonard, which is a 15 to 20-minute ride from the Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring.

Nazareno said that aside from enjoying its beauty, tourists may also experience camping, birdwatching, bamboo rafting, swimming and fishing in Lake Leonard.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

Maco’s Mainit Spring close on February 4-17 T

Heightened security at the airport -- What it means

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ANILA -- Immigration officers have always been strict when checking passports and documents. How can we assure that heightened security measures are being implemented? Are there differences in performing their jobs during ordinary days compared to when an airport is on "full alert"?

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday, Immigration Port Operations Division chief, Grifton Medina, explained the heightened security measures being done.

Currently, all the airports in the country are on "full alert" following the Jolo church bombing last January 27.

Similarly, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has declared a "heightened alert" against foreign terrorists. BI earlier issued a statement that this announcement was made because the Islamic State (IS) has apparently claimed responsibility for the attack.

Medina explained that BI officers are stricter during "heightened alert" status.

“We are stricter in checking the documents.

We check those documents three times," he said, adding that they also scrutinize the profile and are stricter in assessing foreign passengers during this time.

"We scrutinize them, especially those that may be connected with the terrorists," he remarked.

The BI is connected with the international police (Interpol), as well as other agencies abroad.

Medina emphasized that

if the immigration officers receive a "red notice" from the Interpol, they make sure to block the passenger at the arrival area.

"We communicate it with the airlines. Once the passenger is in the 'red notice' (of the Interpol), we ensure to watch over that passenger, even while in the aircraft," he said.

The biometrics of the foreign passengers are also being double-checked.

As part of the "heightened alert" status, immigration officers have been instructed not to allow entry of passengers who could not explain clearly their purpose for coming to the country.

These passengers should be booked for the earliest possible flight back to their point of origin.

Passengers will be the ones to shoulder the flight bookings, if this happens.

What if the passenger would say he or she does not have the money to rebook a flight?

"They can ask assistance from their Embassy. Or the airline must shoulder the expense," Medina said.

He emphasized that this kind of passengers may pose a threat to the country.

"These are likely persons of interest or a suspect, or someone connected with the terrorists," he explained. Another reason for the officers to doubt this kind of passengers, according to Medina, is when they say they will look for a job here.

"Where will they get the funds? We must also keep an eye on those who come here with lots of money," he continued.

FHEIGHTENED, P10

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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DOH asks Pao: Stop lies vs. Dengvaxia

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he Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday urged the public and government officials to stop spreading baseless allegations against the agency over the Dengvaxia controversy.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the remarks in response to allegations from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) that the agency paid at least four families with PHP50,000 each in exchange for withdrawing their charges.

"This is malicious, baseless and a complete lie. Baseless statements like these cause serious damage to our reputation as the primary government entity mandated to protect the health of all Filipinos," Duque said in a statement.

Duque added that the DOH is extending help to all Filipinos, regardless of their economic status, especially the poorest who come to the government for financial assistance.

However, he said these lies and defamatory allegations put the agency's personnel in a bad light.

"I am deeply disappointed that our efforts to provide any form of help are twisted and taken negatively. Even our staff on the ground facilitating the support groups are being bullied and harassed at every instance. I strongly call on those with negative intentions to stop propagating baseless allegations and stop harassing our staff," he said.

While stressing that he merely inherited the Dengvaxia problem, the

Health chief said he immediately addressed the issue since assuming office in November 2017.

"I took immediate action to address this by stopping the dengue immunization program implementation. We proactively set up priority lanes, hotlines, and support groups to understand people’s concerns. In an attempt to collaboratively resolve this issue, we also reached out to various government agencies including PAO. Unfortunately, my fellow public servants at PAO led by Atty. Persida Acosta refuse to cooperate and continue to attack and throw baseless claims and accusations at the Department of Health and myself," he added.

Duque said such actions led to the decline in vaccine confidence and a rise in cases of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases.

"As public servants, we must work together in the service of the Filipino people. We must collectively find solutions to the problems before us and not create divisions. We must always work around facts backed by reliable evidence," he said.

On Monday, Malacañang urged PAO chief Persida Acosta to “substantiate” her bribery allegations against the DOH. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that while the Palace will keep its hands off on Acosta’s claims, he asked her to file appropriate charges against DOH officials if she finds it necessary. (PNA)

Maguindanao peace body to ask SC to junk petitions vs. BOL

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ULUAN, Maguindanao -- Local officials of Maguindanao province have authorized Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu to file a petition before the Supreme Court and ask the High Tribunal to junk all petitions against the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“It was overwhelmingly approved and ratified by the people of the Bangsamoro government core territory, what can you ask for,” Mangudadatu told reporters after presiding over the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting Wednesday here.

“If the BOL is rejected by the SC despite its constitutionality and legality, violence might erupt in Mindanao because the Bangsamoro will feel they were shortchanged or dupe,” Mangudadatu said in the vernacular.

“Our petition will ensure genuine peace will prevail in the island,” the governor added. “The petitions were the handiwork of peace spoilers who do not want peace in the Bangsamoro homeland.”

Mangudadatu noted that 90 percent of the people in the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has approved and ratified Republic Act 11054 or the BOL last January 21.

“The ‘yes’ vote won overwhelmingly.

To avoid delays we, the PPOC, decided to intervene and will petition the SC to junk all these unfounded petitions questioning the legality of BOL,” Mangudadatu said.

All the 36 town mayors of Maguindanao are behind the PPOC move, Mangudadatu said.

(PNA)

CAMPAIGN A.T.S.U.P. Mutya ng Davao 2018 Shellah Faye Juntilla (2nd from left), together with Diwa ng Davao Cindy Benedicto (leftmost), Patnubay ng Davao Mary Jose Vicente (2nd from right) and Pag-asa ng Davao Claudine Verga, discusses the details of “Campaign Against Single Use Plastics Davao,” an advocacy to address the alarming statistics of increasing plastic consumption in Davao City, during I-Speak media forum at City Hall in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Legal hurdle won’t affect common tower project

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if Mislatel, the franchise holder of the winning NMP consortium, can get the Congress’ approval regarding its request to grant the transfer of controlling interests.

“Common towers can bring down the cost of our telecommunication services so there is definitely a need for this initiative, whether we have to two or three or even four telcos,” Rio added.

Rio noted that the common tower project will approximately bring in 4.4 billion US

dollars in investment and will create thousands of jobs, dubbing it as the biggest DICT’s “Build Build Build” project without using any public funds since it will be funded by the private sector.

RT Telecom is the second Malaysian-based company and the sixth tower provider to sign an MoU with the DICT, represented by Acting Secretary Rio and Assistant Secretary for Infostructure Management and Special Concerns Alan Silor in the ceremony.

RT Telecom, a Malaysia-based utility infrastructure investment holding company specializing on steel tower fabrication for transmission grids and

telecommunications, was represented by Mr. Subhash Devan and Country Representative Ronaldo Talagtag.

The deal entered

by RT was the same as the five previous firm including ISOC Infrastructures Inc., ISON ECP Tower Pte. Ltd., IHS Towers, Edotco Group and China Energy Engineering Corporation, where the government will support their companies in facilitating permits, right of way, and provide other government support for infrastructure should they secure a contract with any of the telco operators.

Rio said that two or three more tower companies have expressed to follow suit in signing the same agreement. (DICT)

RA 11033, which renamed the former DOSCST Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 28, 2018.

DOSCST can finally carry that university status after submitting certain prerequisites to the Commission on Higher Eduction.

The college, which already earned a ISO 9001: 2015 Certification and bagged a PRIME-HRM Bronze accreditation last year, has produced numerous professionals who are currently occupying “important societal

positions.”

On top of that, DOSCST has undertaken various research activities and extension initiatives “that influenced the province’s policy and executive decisions.”

In response to Sumile’s speech, Davao Oriental Vice Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy reportedly “expressed commendation and gratitude to DOSCST for performing well in terms of its mandates.”

In turn, Sumile lauded the continuing support of the provincial government of Davao Oriental, citing it as a “strong partner and collaborator of

DOSCST in its developmental endeavors.”

Philip Yncierto, secretary to the DOSCST Board of Directors, said Dr.Sumile traditionally delivered his SOCA during the DOSCST Foundation Day celebration in December.

However, Dr. Sumile saw it fit to report the DOSCST’s operation to the members of SP out of respect to the provincial legislative body, Yncierto said.

Sumile was with his colleagues in the college during his SOCA. (With reports from DOSCST information officer Jhonnel Pancho Villegas)

he current debate on the new major player’s franchise validity would not hinder the government’s plan to accelerate the build-up of more telecommunications infrastructure, the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) said on Wednesday.

“We will go ahead with the common tower initiative even if we have only two telcos because the fact remains that we still need an additional 50,000 towers to improve our connectivity,” Acting ICT Secretary Eliseo M. Rio said during the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between the DICT and RT Telecom SDN BHD. The comment of Secretary Rio came at the heels of the pending Senate Committee on Public Service resolution that will determine

College's efficiency spotlighted in report to Davao Oriental execs

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ATI CITY, Davao Oriental The efficiency in service delivery of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) was spotlighted in the latest State of the College Address (SOCA), which detailed the college’s operation.

Addressing the plenary session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on January 21 at the SP Hall Government Center, DOSCST president Edito B. Sumile said the administration’s efficiency paved the way for the conversion of DOSCST into a university.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS. City Treasurer’s Office head Edwin Alparaque, together with Business Bureau Office chief lawyer Marissa Torentera, says the implementation of the single unified business permit application of the city

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

Exempt infra projects from poll ban: Recto S

government of Davao promises investors ease of doing business in the city.

Alparaque and Torentera also gave an update on the business permit renewal and application during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Treasurer mulls digitalization system

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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he Davao City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) is looking into the possibility of processing all business applications and renewals online in line with efforts to provide more convenience to both businessmen and employees.

Acting city treasurer Erwin Alparaque said on Thursday that the need for digitalization is in accordance with Republic Act 11032, also known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”

Alparaque said that the new scheme will attract more investors as Davao City has a growing number of business establishments. Based on the 2018 records of the Davao City Business Bureau, there are more 39,000 registered business estab-

lishments in the city.

“This will fast pace the period of application time. Some burdensome requirements will be removed as we will fully implement this new system,” he said.

Alparaque said that the city is slowly adapting the single unified business permit application, wherein applications and payments will be made, using personal computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.

“Time will come that applicants of new and renewed permits and re-

newals will no longer be done in the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO),” he said during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao.

The CTO is located inside the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

“We will strive our efforts that transactions with other regulatory offices will be smooth in implementing this new permit application system,” Alparaque said.

The acting CTO chief said that the city is only one of the few cities in the country who has a digitalized application system. Business Bureau officer-in-charge Marissa Torentera said that the office is now adopting the quick response code (QR

code) to identify the authentication of the business permits issued to the business establishment.

Torentera also said that text notifications are being activated to people transacting inside the bureau.

“With this new system, clients can leave the SP for the meantime, while waiting for the them to be catered. Once their transaction number will nearly be called, we will notify them through text,” she said.

However, she said that they deactivated the notification system during the renewal of the business permit, that ended yesterday, January 31, due to the large volume of applicants.

local communities.

Uy said they are currently working with various local government offices and private partners to ensure its smooth rollout, which was earlier targeted to start this quarter.

Created through Executive Order No. 4 issued in June last year

by South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, Uy said the Hope Program will replace the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran or SEA-K program introduced by the Department of Social Welfare

and Development.

"It aims to provide sustainable livelihood to poor residents by way of micro-enterprise development," she said in an interview.

Like the SEA-K, Uy said the new program will work through a credit scheme but the loan proceeds will be in both cash and in kind.

She said beneficiaries, who will be grouped into community-based associations and will undergo entrepreneurial skills training, may avail of loans amounting to a maxi-

mum of PHP10,000 for the first cycle.

She added that the existing SEA-K associations in the province will continue to have access to credit assistance under the new program.

"Fifty percent of the loan will be given in cash while the remaining 50 percent will be in the form of materials and inputs," Uy said.

Beneficiaries may apply for the second cycle and get as much as PHP15,000 after paying their initial loans within two years without interest, she said. (PNA)

South Cotabato to rollout entrepreneurship for poor

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato is gearing up for this year's implementation of its new livelihood program for poor residents, dubbed "Holding Opportunities for Productive Entrepreneurship" (Hope).

Maria Ana Uy, community welfare development division head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), on Wednesday said preparations are underway for the launching of the program in various

enate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday supported Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno's proposal to exempt big-ticket infrastructure projects from the election spending ban.

In a statement, Recto said most infrastructure projects are already behind schedule and can be further "aggravated" by suspending work on the account of the campaign season for the 2019 midterm elections.

The government spending ban spans from March 29 to May 12.

"How can a beneficial enterprise that is the construction of schools and hospitals be placed in the same category as the carrying of firearms and other prohibited activities?" Recto said.

"Both people and progress lose if the building of facilities that they need will stop during the campaign period, more so if the latter coincides with summer -- which is the best time, weather-wise, for construction. We should take advantage of this so-called good weather window before the typhoon season kicks in," he added.

He noted that he endorsed a general provision in the Senate version of the 2019 national budget, which would exempt key government infrastructure projects from the prohibition of construction during elections.

The said provision states that: "Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the con-

trary, infrastructure projects funded under this Act shall be exempt from the prohibitions against release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds and against construction of public works and delivery of materials for public works."

"With the delay in the enactment of 2019 national budget, the above exemption provision is needed for government to catch up with its 'Build, Build, Build' timetable," Recto said.

During the weekly press event Breakfast with Ben on Wednesday, Diokno said economic managers will submit a memorandum to the President to ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to halt major infrastructure projects during this year’s mid-term elections.

He said they have already identified specific projects, which they will request to be exempted from the election spending ban.

Diokno noted that these include the “Build, Build, Build” program’s 75 flagship projects, in which half are onstream, as well as some major projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways nationwide.

“If it’s national projects, it will not affect elections on the district level,” he said.

Diokno pointed out that requesting for exemption of certain national government projects from the election spending ban has been done before. (PNA)

DCWD Victoria Plaza sub-office and collection centers open on February 5, 2019 Davao City Water District’s Victoria Plaza sub-office and collection centers in SM Lanang and Felcris Centrale are open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on February 5, 2019 despite the declaration of this day as special non-working holiday in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

However, DCWD Matina office and Bajada and Toril sub-offices are closed on said holiday. Their regular operations will resume on February 6, 2019.

All due dates falling on February 5, 2019 will remain as scheduled.

The DCWD management assures the general public

that the operations of its technical departments and Call Center/Central Information Unit will not be disrupted during the holiday to ensure continuous water service and offsite customer service support.

Customers may contact DCWD through the 24hour hotlines 297DCWD (3293), 09277988966, 09255113293, and 09084410653 or the chat feature of DCWD’s website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) for queries and updates related to DCWD’s services. (Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

5

Gov't seizes record high P24-B fake goods in 2018

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he Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) reported on Thursday that the government managed to seized a total of PHP23.6 billion worth of counterfeit goods in 2018.

The value of confiscated goods last year was a record high, according to the agency. This represented a 188 percent surge from only PHP8.2 billion worth of goods confiscated in 2017.

In terms of enforcement, 2018 has proven to be a banner year with the NCIPR (National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights), spearheaded by IPOPHL and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), capturing record levels of counterfeit goods," said IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago.

About 86 percent of the total seized goods in the previous year were cigarettes and alcohol amounting to over PHP20.25 billion.

"Consistent with the trend we’ve seen all year, fake cigarettes and alcohol

led this record haul -- the formula for which we believe is the firm determination and vigilance of brand owners to pursue these counterfeiters,” she added.

Second highest value of confiscated fake goods were pharmaceutical and personal care products amounting to PHP1.2 billion, followed by fake handbags at PHP821 million, and optical media at PHP790 million.

NCIPR is the enforcement body that pursues seizure of counterfeit goods in the market.

It is a composite unit made up of personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry, IPOPHL, Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Optical Media Board, Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, Food and Drug Administration, National Book Development Board, Office of the Special Envoy for Transnational Crime, National Telecommunication Commission, and Department of the Interior and Local Government. (PNA)

CHINESE NEW YEAR. Jasper Huang (right) and Steve Arquiza of Chinatown Development Council talk about the scheduled activities for this year’s Chinese New Year celebration slated on February 5 at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City. Huang also provided during I-Speak media forum at City Hall

on Thursday updates on the proposal they passed last year to the City Council requiring establishments in Chinatown area to have Chinese-themed design for their facade. Lean Daval Jr

DA offers loans to farmers Grab launches new app features selling produce to NFA

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rab Philippines has launched new features on its mobile app in apparent response to customer, as well as regulators’ demands.

The initiative is part of the company’s Better Everyday campaign to ensure a safer and more convenient transportation, Grab’s top management said during the launch of the upgraded mobile app Wednesday night.

“True to its mission of bringing consumers closer to what matters to them, Grab rolled out a series of app enhancements that will make rides safer, more seamless and more rewarding,” Grab Philippines president Brian Cu said during the event held in Makati City.

The following are the features that will be rolled out by Grab on its app for its riders: - Cancel Anytime, which will allow Grab users to cancel their booking attempts before a driver gets assigned.

- Saved Places, which will enable quick selection of frequented places, such as home, work, gym, etc. for personalization of pick-up or drop-off points.

- Reward points for passengers who were cancelled, which they can redeem to avail of items such as food, services, and discounts.

- Change Destination, which will allow passengers to modify their dropoff points while in transit.

This feature is available on GrabCar, GrabCar 6-seater, and GrabCar Premium services only in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, and Pampanga.

- Lost and Found feature, which will help passengers contact a driver directly after the completed booking. To recover the item left in the car, they must click on the booking history tab, choose the recent booking record, and tap the new call button to

reach the driver. The call button function is available within four hours after the trip has ended.

“In compliance with data privacy laws, phone numbers of both passengers and drivers are masked and the app will only show a virtual number.

Beyond the four-hour period, passengers may reach the driver via the help center,” Cu said.

- Passenger timeout feature, which temporarily bans passengers with excessive cancellations. Consumers will not be able to book a service for a maximum of 23 hours upon reaching the following limit: 1) Maximum of two cancellations per Grab service within 1 hour 2) Maximum of three cancellations per Grab service within 24 hour 3) Maximum of five cancellations per Grab service within 7 days Grab has likewise added two new features on its delivery service platform GrabExpress to support micro-entrepreneurs and make deliveries faster and more convenient: - Multi-stop delivery feature, which will allow users to send deliveries to five different recipients and locations using one single rider.

- Multiple Concurrent Bookings feature for social sellers and micro-entrepreneurs, allowing them to send a maximum of 10 parcels using different delivery partners at the same time.

Grab assured that it will continue to use modern technology to improve the delivery of its various services to customers.

“As an everyday app, we continue to use our technology to provide solutions that will improve the daily experience of our fellow Filipinos. Our goal is to serve our consumers better every day with the challenge to always go above and beyond what is expected,” Cu said. (PNA)

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ACPC Executive Director Badiola explained that under the PLEA-NFA, farmers can borrow a maximum of P50,000 at an interest rate of only 3 percent for 6 months or equivalent to a single cropping season.

This means that a farmer who is granted a P20,000 cash advance only pays P600 interest for the entire cropping season under the government credit program.

No collateral is required to avail of the loan. Crops will be insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

“Our only requirement is that farmers agree to sell their produce to the National Food Authority,” Badiola said.

Unlike the regular PLEA program where the borrowers should be members of a cooperative, irrigators’ association, or farmers’ organizations, the

PLEA-NFA loan is granted to individual farmers and individual members of the farmer coops and associations.

Also, borrowers will no longer be required passbooks to avail of the loans. Instead, they will be issued ID cards enrolled in DA’s computer database program backed by geotagged satellite images and aerial photos.

The system will be able to identify the farmer through his or her personal information as well as determine the loans and aids availed from the DA. It can also pinpoint the location of the farm and project the expected harvest.

With this, both the loan program and the farmers are protected from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals and traders since farmers cannot sell much higher volume than the farm’s estimated yield, the agiculture secretary emphasized.

Upon harvest, NFA will buy the clean and dry palay at P17.00 per kilo with incentives of up to P3.70 per kilo, including P3/kg buffer stocking incentive, P0.20/kg delivery fee and

P0.20/kg drying fee for dried palay. Cooperatives also earn P0.30/kg of palay delivered by their members as Cooperative Development Incentive Fund.

NFA 12 Director Dianne Silva earlier clarified that NFA also buys wet palay with up to 30 percent moisture content, only that the farmer cannot claim the 20-cent-per kilogram drying fee.

Dry palay has 14 percent moisture content.

As additional incentive as borrower under the PLEA-NFA, a rice farmer can also receive a bag of inbred seeds for at least 40 bags of palay sold to NFA. For every 80 bags of palay sold, a farmer will get one bag of hybrid rice seeds.

DA has earmarked P200 million for this rice production loan program.

Although, the loan program is initially offered to farmers in Sultan Kudarat, it will soon be opened to rice farmers in the other provinces of Soccsksargen Region – South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Cotabato Province—as well as in Maguindan-

flow of foreign direct investments and the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals.

GDP growth is expected to reach 7.0% in 2019, with the transitory inflationary impact of the tax reform already stabilizing.

The Philippines has also made headway in the capital markets. With an offering of USD 1.5 billion of 10-year Global Bonds, the country has successfully returned to international capital markets. “Last year, we have also returned to the public Samurai market, issuing Samurai bonds on a stand-alone basis amounting to JPY 154.2 billion (approximately USD 1.4 Billion) in a multi-tranche transaction after an 8-year break,” Sec. Diokno added.

“The Philippines is also the first ASEAN sovereign to issue Panda bonds. The government’s inaugural issue of renminbi-denominated bonds, or Panda bonds, amounting to RMB 1.46 B (or USD 216.4 M) was warmly

received by the Chinese and other offshore markets," he also noted.

These bond offerings show the Duterte administration’s commitment to fund public investments in infrastructure development, which is crucial in maintaining the country’s economic growth momentum. Notably, infrastructure appropriations will reach as high as P1.8 Trillion or 7.0% of GDP by 2022, in line with the Duterte administration’s ambitious Build Build Build program.

Secretary Diokno highlighted the Duterte administration’s impressive spending performance in its first two years in office.

“Compared to previous administrations, Duterte hit the ground running in his first two years in office. Delivering on his promise to accelerate infrastructure development, infrastructure outlays as percent of GDP recorded a staggering 6.3% from 2017 to 2018,” he explained.

“Government spending for

social services peaked at 8.5% of GDP in 2017 and 8.2% in 2018, as compared with the past 32 years.

This is proof of our commitment to accelerate human capital development,” Secretary Diokno added.

Also, Secretary Diokno emphasized how the various budget reforms introduced on his watch, particularly the shift to an annual cash-based budget has not only diminished, but totally eliminated underspending. “As of the third quarter of 2018, actual government expenditures have exceeded programmed expenditures by 2.6%. We are even slightly overspending. This is because we frontloaded our projects during the dry months (January to June) because these are the best months to undertake projects,” Secretary Diokno said.

“President Duterte, compared to past presidents in recent Philippine history, hit the ground

ACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat -- Rice growers can now avail themselves of collateral-free, low-interest loan from the Department of Agriculture if they commit to sell their produce to the National Food Authority (NFA).

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, NFA Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Administrator Tomas Escarez, and Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Executive Director Jocelyn Alma Badiola attended the national launching of a special rice production loan facility on Monday, January 28, at the Southern Philippines Grains Center in Tacurong City.

“This variant of the easy access credit program aims to provide rice farmers access to production loan they traditionally get from traders and loan sharks at 10 percent per month,” Piñol said.

“PLEA (Production Loan Easy Access) for rice farmers is intended to free the rice farmers from bondage and control of the traders and loan sharks who usually are also the buyers of their produce,” he said.

FDA, P10

PHL, Asia’s next success story: DBM Sec. Diokno

“I

n the medium term, the Philippines will remain to be one of the fastest growing economies in the fastest growing region, that is the ASEAN region, in the world. In the next four years, we expect the economy to grow at 7-8 percent. We are confident that the growth target is attainable in the medium term, especially with the key structural reforms and expansionary fiscal program that the Duterte administration has adopted,” Secretary Diokno said in a forum sponsored by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines held on January 30, 2019 at the Makati Shangri-La. With an audience comprised mostly of entrepreneurs and business leaders from various countries, Secretary Diokno allayed fears arising from speculations on the Philippines’ political and economic climate. He reiterated that the country is still on track with its growth targets, given the large in-

FPHL, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

EDITORIAL Athletes’ medical certificates

T

he death of a 12-year old athlete from Davao Oriental in the ongoing Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet which Davao City is hosting should call for stricter measures to be implemented especially in complying with the required medical certificates.

The girl’s death was said to be caused by pneumonia although a dengue virus was reportedly diagnosed in her system by the attending physician.

What is mind boggling is that the girl played for two days prior to going down sick on Wednesday, the third day of competitions. The Department of Education 11 did not relay any information gathered whether the girl was already suffering from any illness prior to her death. But judging on the fact that she played for two days, the assumption is that she is fine unless otherwise contradicted.

By tradition, all athletes competing in the Davraa must submit a medical certificate prior to the competitions. This is also a standard requirement in other athletic competitions managed by sports associations under the Olympic umbrella. It is yet to be known whether

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the athletes were required to submit their medical certificates in this year’s Davraa.

Medical certificates are usually procured days before the actual competitions and conducted by a government doctor. This piece of document is crucial because the doctor here is accountable for issuing the athlete a clean bill of health, certifying that he/she is fit to play. Whether or not the girl submitted a medical certificate is being ascertained as of this posting. Nevertheless, this piece of document is helpful in the investigation as this will establish if the girl had any prior or ongoing illness. In this case, accountable persons from the doctor to the coach and the command responsibility of the delegation head must be made liable to the girl’s death.

It is also important at this point to consider weather conditions in all activities of the Davraa including the opening program and parade.

Another point worth looking into are the conditions of the billeting quarters as well as ensuring that the young athletes are checked by their medical team on a daily basis and looked after by their coaches and delegation elders.

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VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Lessons from David and Goliath

W

e have mentioned in the past columns about the linear history that is being shared

by Islam, Christianity, and Judaism and there are many stories in the Bible that are in fact validated in the Quran. One of such is the story of David and Goliath where Prophet David in his youth as a soldier fighting for King Saul of the Kingdom of Israel was chosen to fight the giant Goliath of the Philistines in a one on one battle 3000 years ago.

This story has since been quoted as a story of the triumph of the weak against the strong. A fairy tale of some sort. But Canadian Journalist Malcolm Gladwell believes otherwise. In his TED-ED talk, Gladwell delivered the unheard story of David and Goliath. This analysis of Malcolm Gladwell is much appreciated because this gives us a fresh glimpse of how Allah helps his servants.

Hearing the romanticized version of this story, you would think that Allah bestows strength to His chosen slaves and grants them victory like we don’t have to do anything or prepare for anything. Or that victory comes to the weak even if the battle is between sticks and rifles so to speak.

This romanticized version of the David and Goliath story gives humans some sort of false hope that Allah

B

est Actress: Three newcomers are up: Lady Gaga for playing Ally, the titular figure of A Star Is Born, Olivia Colman for the complex, affection-seeking and bunny-loving Queen of Great Britain in The Favourite, and indigenous Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio for Roma.

The two other nominees are the versatile Glenn Close for The Wife and Melissa McCarthy for Can You Ever Forgive Me? (she was nominated in 2012 for Bridesmaids).

The sentimental favorite is Close, who already received six Oscar nominations in the past. Her stiff competitor Gaga, the singer who made her screen debut. In the recent Critics Choice, both shared the Best Actress award.

If the same thing happens, it would be the second time in Oscar history. The first time happened

would simply come to the rescue of any distressed believer.

In Islam, there is a doctrine called Tawakkul or reliance upon Allah. This doctrine of reliance exists in Christian doctrine as well. If we take the romanticized version of the David and Goliath story, we’d go to any battle almost unarmed without a second thought as we believed how David killed Goliath with mere stones. This mystic interpretation of reliance upon Allah is also exhibited by Muslims who wrongly understood this concept. It is just like when we expect for wonders to happen even without doing anything.

Just like how the Christians believe that they do not have to do anything but accept Christ as their personal savior and everything’s gonna be alright.

But this is how we should view it in order for us to understand how Allah makes wonders happen and how the impossible become possible.

To begin, David being with the army of King Saul meant that he is a soldier and not a mere shepherd as he always was. When Goliath showed up and started the challenge, nobody moved forward except David who even denied the armor that was being given to him by King Saul and wanted to fight Goliath in-

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

stead with his sling and five stones that he picked up.

In the past, there are what they call the heavy infantry who are heavily armored strong soldiers and there is also the light infantry which you already know according to what the name suggests. Goliath was heavy infantry while David was light infantry. This is an asymmetric battle.

David insisted to Saul that he could fight Goliath with the sling that he already mastered using even during his shepherding days. According to experts, the qadhifah, as the Palestinians call this weapon is capable of hitting targets well beyond 200 meters away. Expert slingers are even so good they would hit a bird while it’s flying.

So David really had some chance fighting this giant from afar.

But this is still an im-

possible thing as the sling could only be loaded with stones. But we have to mention that David did not use tiny pebbles. The stones in the Valley of Elah where the battle happened are what experts call the barium sulfate stones which have twice the density of normal stones. David used a fistsized stone and just one of his five stones hitting Goliath in the face is enough to kill the giant as each stone at maximum velocity has the stopping power of a .45 caliber bullet.

We already know that Goliath is already this heavily encumbered giant wearing about 50kg of armor and should not be able to dodge the stone from an expert slinger. Nor could be move fast enough to even get near David who will only run to keep his distance and take full advantage of his weapon of choice. He would just stay away from the effective range of his adversary who is effective only in close quarters combat. That is why Goliath kept taunting David by saying, “Come to me so that I might feed your flesh to the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field.”

But then Goliath wasn’t the perfect warrior either.

We already mentioned him being weighed down by armor so he’d be very slow despite his strength but he has one fatal weakness. It is

mentioned that Goliath was led by an attendant while going to the field. According to the Indiana Medical Journal in an analysis they released in 1960 about Goliath’s behavior that time, Goliath was severely nearsighted as his giantism caused by acromegaly is affecting his eyesight. Goliath is literally a blind 7-foot giant who also had double vision because he thought David was carrying two sticks when he was only carrying one when he said to David, “Am I a dog that you should come to with sticks?”

And so the battle between them happened and it was a swift victory for David. Goliath never even stood a chance.

Now, for us, here is a lesson. Allah is not going to simply give us what we want of blessings that we pray for or help when we are in trouble. He wants us to work for it. Allah has ordered us to actively seek his bounties by working. Allah has even told Moses to strike the sea with his staff for it to divide.

Allah ordered Mary who was weakened by childbirth to shake the tree in order for its fruits to fall. Prophet Muhammad ordered us to tie our camel first before we put our trust in Allah that we’d not lose our camel. In other words, this is Biblical or Quranic equivalent of a Filipino saying: Nasa Diyos ang awa nasa tao ang gawa.

to win is first timer Regina King, who swept awards season for If Beale Street Could Talk. Another first timer is Marina de Tavira, who scored a nomination for Roma.

Two other nominees – Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz (both for their respective performances in The Favourite – already won in the past: Stone for 2016’s La La Land and Weisz for 2005’sThe Constant Gardener.

The least likely to win is Amy Adams for her performance as Lynne Cheney in Vice. This is her sixth nomination.

She was snubbed last year for her tour de force performance in Arrival.

Best Original Song: If Lady Gaga fails to win the Best Actress award, she will probably get the Best Original Song for “Shallow,” the memeable marquee song from A Star Is Born. By the way, she’s not

the first person to receive nominations for acting and song for the same film. The record goes to Mary J. Blige, who got a nomination for Best Supporting Actress and Best Song for 2018’s Mudbound.

With “Shallow” as the most favorite in this category, the four other nominees have least chances: “All the Stars” from Black Panther, “I’ll Fight” from RBG, “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from Mary Poppins Returns, and “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Best Foreign Film: If Roma (Mexico) fails to win the Best Picture, it may likely get this award. Or Cold War (from Poland) may pull a surprise. The three other nominees are from Lebanon (Capernaum), Germany (Never Look Away), and Japan (Shoplifters).

The envelope, please! –

Oscar race: And the winners are (part 2)

in 1968 when sentimental favorite Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) was declared Best Actress together with Barbra Streisand, a singer who made her first screen appearance in Funny Girl.

Best Supporting Actor: The sentimental favorite here is Sam Elliott, who started his acting career in 1967 yet. The 74-year-old actor is nominated for playing the worried and wise older brother of country music star in A Star Is Born.

There are two other newcomers: Adam Driver, a surprise nominee for portraying Flip Zimmerman in BlacKkKlansman and Richard E. Grant who reportedly cried when he heard the news that he was nominated for Can You Ever Forgive Me? Two nominees – Mahershala Ali (for Green Book) and Sam Rockwell

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

(for Vice) – were previous winners: Ali for Moonlight (2016) and Rockwell for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri(2017).

The most likely to win: Ali or Elliott; the latter said on hearing his nomination: “It’s great to be recognized for that, that’s really all it’s about.”

Best Supporting Actress: The likely favorite

8

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

Barangay Walang Iwanan GSIS reaches out 2019 Transforms Communities to SAF 44 widows Towards Zero Exclusion, Zero T Carbon, and Zero Poverty M ANILA, Philippines -- Gawad Kalinga, Convergences, and ACTED recently held the Barangay Walang Iwanan 2019 Summit (BWI), where delegates gathered to share their insights and expertise on sustainable development and committed themselves to act upon key concerns to bring about a 3Zero Philippines (Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty).

A collaborative effort between leading non-profit organizations Gawad Kalinga, discussion platform Convergences, and French NGO ACTED, Barangay Walang Iwanan 2019 (BWI) brought together stakeholders from private, public, and civil society sectors to take on pressing social and environmental issues of today.

The first day of the summit was held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where delegates were welcomed into BWI with a series of speeches on the 3Zero Philippines

goal, followed by several breakout sessions related to inclusion, poverty, climate and the environment, and peace building in conflict areas.

Several topics that were discussed were on making disability matter, which stressed issues on the lack of support for the disabled, the effectiveness of initiatives carried out by government and organizations, and the opportunities presented by technology.

“Green and Decent Jobs: Making employment and growth more sustainable in the Philippines” under climate and the environment, identified current and prospective green jobs in the country, the skills needed to fulfill these roles, and how to best prepare educational and training systems accordingly.

“Raising the Peace Generation,” which covered peace-building, considered the potential of community-based approaches in establishing lasting peace in Mindanao after the Mara-

wi crisis and the opportunities for businesses and stakeholders to aid in these efforts.

Delegates also embarked on a series of simultaneous expedition trips last January 18 in various sites in provinces north and south of Manila to learn about their unique Zero initiatives and nearby GK communities. These included visits to Gen. Mariano Alvarez (Cavite) for waste management, Intramuros (Metro Manila) for MAD Travel and Bambike, Norzagaray (Bulacan) for Anti-Hunger campaign, and Mt. Purro Nature Reserve (Rizal) for environmental protection with indigenous peoples (IP).

On January 19, breakout sessions resumed at the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Bulacan.

Sessions focused on generating support and participation in programs in line with the 3Zero Philippines goal, such as “Bayan-Anihan,” Gawad Kalinga’s new platform,

focused on improving the livelihood of farmers and fishermen through technology and access to markets and services; “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Proofing Communities, which focused on how businesses and finance sectors could contribute to disaster preparedness and adaptability of communities; and “Data Driving Development and Inclusion,” which devoted itself to coming up with the best ways to support today’s most promising and impactful startups.

The Barangay Walang Iwanan Summit culminated on January 20 with a reflection on the proceedings, discussions, and outcome of the four-day summit, with delegates being invited to commit to the 3Zero Alliance. It was followed by a food fiesta and festival, which signified the end of the summit.

To know more about Barangay Walang Iwanan, visit www.facebook.com/ gawadkalinga.com.

“I’m proud to share that this is the third consecutive year that we have provided an excellent platform for the next generation of gamers to gather, compete and network with each other. It is also a chance for us to engage them and ensure that the Legion brand is evolving with their needs”, said Ken Wong, President, PCs and Smart Devices, Lenovo Asia Pacific.

“Since the first edition of LoC in 2017, we have doubled the number of participating teams. The results have exceeded our wildest expectations and

we look forward to taking eSports to the next level in Asia Pacific.”

“Intel congratulates the winners of the Lenovo Legion of Champions and is thrilled to be associated with the league. Along with partners like Lenovo, Intel is helping transform the future of esports by inspiring and supporting this vibrant community of fans and gamers by delivering the best in class technology that pushes the boundaries of performance,” said George Chacko, Director of Global Account for Lenovo, Intel Asia Pacific.

Team Awe Star’s triumphant efforts saw them walk with a total prize money of USD$7,000 and USD$5,000 worth of Legion Y530 notebooks, while the first and second runners-up, team Diamond from Taiwan and team Mega Esports from Thailand, took home USD$3,000 and USD$2,000, respectively.

Team ArkAngel of the Philippines clinched the fifth spot, with USD$900 cash prize Check out www.legionloc.com/live_stream. php for final rankings.

Lenovo and Intel’s eSports tournament, Legion of Champions III 2019, Comes to an Exciting Close

L

enovo, the world’s leading PC and smart device manufacturer, saw its Legion of Champions Series III (LoC III) Grand Finals come to the end of its journey in a spectacular fashion, with team Awe Star from Korea, lifting the championship trophy in triumph as part of their first LoC tournament win. The annual eSports tournament, held recently in conjunction with Intel, pulled in an impressive crowd, bearing witness to the intense competition that unfolded over the last three days.

he Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) reached out to the widows of Special Action Force (SAF) 44 policemen by hiring them as personnel in GSIS Zamboanga operations.

“In 2018, the GSIS branch office in Zamboanga was in need of additional people after a considerable number of its personnel retired and requested transfer to other branches. Heeding President Duterte’s appeal to give priority to qualified SAF 44 widows in government employment, we hired the four SAF 44 widows in December 2018 as personnel after their applications were evaluated and they were found qualified for the job under standard operating procedures, ” GSIS Chairman Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

According to the widows, they applied for work in GSIS because they had to look for additional source of income to sustain their family’s needs and at the same time, find a way to heal after they lost their husbands in a bloody encounter with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on January 25, 2015.

One of the widows, Lhea Tabdi, widow of Senior Police Senior Inspector, Gednat Tabdi, was a a former health worker in the City Health Office of Lamitan City who had to resign after the tragedy to take care of her threeyear old son. “Happy ako. Alam ko ito rin ang gusto ng asawa ko, na ipagpatuloy ko ang buhay ko. Kapag sa bahay lang ako, ang daming iniisip,” said Tabdi on her decision to work again. These days, she finds fulfilment attending to the transacting clients of GSIS Zamboanga.

The other widows hired by GSIS are Emeliza Danao, wife of Police Officer 2 Walner F. Danao; Margaret Manuel, common law wife of Police Officer 2 Joel B. Dulnuan; and Adelisa Bedua, wife of Police Officer 2 Glenn B. Bedua.

Bedua cried as she exclaimed how grateful she is for the opportunity. “Natanggal ang pag-aalala ko sa gastusin. Malaking tulong … Marami akong nakikilala dito. Stressful kapag nasa bahay lang ako,” explains the widow who is now assigned at the branch offices’s Loans and eServices Unit. Being conversant in Tausug, she functions as an interpreter between GSIS staff and applicants from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.

Over a month into the job, Manuel says she is now comfortable working at the branch office’s Special Business Unit and “mabait sila” of the people that she has worked with.

She provides assistance in encoding various contracts.

“Masaya ako sa ginagawa ko,” Danao says of her assignment at the GSIS Billing and Collection Unit.

Chairman Rolly Ledesma Macasaet, a true Zamboangueño from the large Ledesma clan, recalled that GSIS paid the Employee Compensation (EC) funeral benefits of SAF 44 policemen and released the initial pension benefits of their survivors barely a month after the tragedy struck. The surviving spouses and dependents of qualified SAF 44 policemen have since been receiving EC pension administered by the GSIS. GSIS is the first agency under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to provide this kind of assistance to SAF 44 families.

INdulge!

EVENT

VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

All-new SUBARU FORESTER launches in Phl The fully redesigned Extraordinary SUV has upgraded features for better performance

MOTOR IMAGE PILIPINAS Inc, the authorised distributor for Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, has launched the highly anticipated fifth generation All-New Subaru Forester in the country.

The reengineered and redesigned vehicle will showcase technological advances, with a wide range of upgraded features for optimal handling, maximum comfort and enhanced safety. “The All-New Forester is now bigger and better, both inside and out.

This is the first Forester which incorporates all of Subaru’s four proprietary technologies which means a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience for drivers and passengers.” said Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Ltd. “We are thrilled to bring the new Forester to the Philippines, as the previous generations of Forester have proven very popular here and is perfect for all the family. We are confident it will continue to be one of the most popular SUVs sold

here.”

The Forester is built on the new Subaru Global Platform and features EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The EyeSight technology has helped drivers with a safer drive in both traffic jams along Edsa and also for long distance highway driving. Both are key components of the four Subaru Core Technologies, which include Subaru’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer Engine. The new Forester also has a Special X-Mode function, which makes it easier to handle the car when there is flood or mud.

Outstanding drivability and technology The brand’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive feature delivers power to each wheel to provide maximum stability and control, allowing drivers to safely travel across challenging terrain and road conditions.

The All-New Forester is built on the Subaru Global Platform – a redesigned chassis delivering less shake, less road noise and better handling. A new direct injection engine powers the SUV, improving horsepow-

er while boosting fuel efficiency.

A new seven speed manual mode of continuously variable transmission (CVT) also enhances acceleration and fuel efficiency.

The Forester’s Special XMODE function elevates driving performance on more challenging terrain and can be easily activated with a new dial-switch in select modes, for greater convenience across different road conditions. The hill descent control function also helps drivers maintain low speeds on downhill slopes.

Active Torque Vectoring enables drivers to control their vehicles exactly as intended, for outstanding cornering stability and hazard avoidance performance. Brakes are applied to the inner wheels, distributing more torque to the outer wheels when making sharp turns. Impressive safety features The Forester is equipped

with award-winning safety features. A signature feature is EyeSight, an advanced driver assist technology that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning. A reverse-linked mirror also increases convenience when reversing and parking.

Versatility, with plenty of room for comfort The Forester offers excellent road clearance with minimum ground clearance of 220mm.

Raised roof rails with added tie-down points offer more loading options - especially useful for off-road adventures.

The high clearance helps the Forester navigate heavy rainfall and floods and in navigating river terrain. It also uses extensive high-tensile steel that

promises durability and rigidity, and comes with increased cargo room and a wider rear gate opening.

The redesigned interior of the All-New Forester serves to elevate driver and passenger comfort. Features include added rear leg room, USB charging ports and air-conditioning vents behind the centre console. The instrument panel comes with an 6.3-inch LCD colour Multi-Function Display, presenting information in an easy-to-read form.

In the Philippines, the Forester will be available in three variants: the Subaru Forester 2.0i-L at PHP1,598,000, the Subaru Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight at PHP1,698,000 and the top-of-the-line Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight at PHP1,798,000.

All are now available for booking at Subaru showrooms across the Philippines.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

FOOD

Valentine’s made for everyone a

FEBRUARY is upon us and, as all Dabawenyos know, it is the month when love is in the air for couples and singletons alike. Love, afterall, is not just about romantic relationships. It is not limited to lovers alone but extends to family and friends as well.

Fresh off their inclusion to Tatler Dining’s Best Restaurants in the Philippines event earlier this week, Seda Abreeza rolled out its Valentine’s Day offerings dubbed “Say Eat With Love.”

First-off is Seda Abreeza’s 5-course wine dinner at the T’nlak function room which will be made more intimate with candlelight and flowers, perfect for that special intimate moment. The dinner starts with a Smoked Salmon, Cucumber Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing, this is then followed by a delicious Parmesan Tomato

Basil Soup paired with a Mozzarella, Chili, Flatbread Stick. The main course is a seafood plate of Pan-seared Tiger Prawns served with Potatoes, Greens, Mushroom, Spring Pea Truffle Sauce.

The highlight of the dinner is the carvery station featuring the hotel’s signature Angus Roast Beef and pasta trolley, and the dessert buffet which features a spread of delightful treats such as Lamington Cake Bars, Vanilla Buttercream, Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Cake, Heart Croquembouche, and a Caramel Kitkat Fudge Cake. Each course of the 5-course dinner is

Seddy dresses up for the occasion.

expertly paired with wines chosen to compliment each course making it a wonderful dinner experience.

For those who would like to celebrate Valentine’s with friends and family, Seda Abreeza also offers a dinner buffet at its all-day dining restaurant Misto.

The dinner buffet will also offer Angus Roast Beef and a massive dessert spread together with dishes like Garlic Butter Mushroom Pork, Cheese, Bacon, and Chicken Rolls, Fish Piccata , and Seafood Saffron Cream Sauce Linguine, all prepared by the hotel’s executive sous chef Giovanna “Bang”

Sibala and her culinary team.

The wine dinner is at Php 2480 nett per person with prior reservations required. While the dinner buffet is at Php 1780 nett per person for adults and Php 880 nett for kids.

There are also Valentine room packages offered from February 10-17, 2019 starting at Php 5,800 nett, with pralines and a bottle of wine. For February 14, a special room and dinner package is available at Php 9,800 nett inclusive of overnight accommodation in a Deluxe Room; buffet breakfast for two; valentine dinner for two adults; and pralines and a bottle of wine for the guests.

Misto’s Signature Dish, Roasted Angus Beef.

Smoked Dressing

Asst. F&B Manager Jules Melencion presents the 5-course wine pairing menu. Seda’s ch

UP AND ABOUT

IT’S THE YEAR OF THE PIG AT MINISO! JAPANESE fast fashion brand Miniso welcomes the Year of the Pig with a wide collection of cheerful and huggable pig plush toys that will surely give you good luck and positivity this year.

This comfortable and fluffy piggy pillow will keep you company as you travel this year. Available at Miniso.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with this huggable pig inspired pillow available at Miniso.

Children born in the Year of the Pig, after all, are distinguished by a rare cheerfulness, optimism, and never lose heart. It is impossible to find a sad child of this sign, he finds happiness in small things: communication with close people and friends, favorite toys, delicious food. He believes that life is given for happiness, any problems are easily solved, the main things is health, a positive attitude.

Behind kindness lies a determined nature that always follows their goals, but acts gently and tactfully without offending the dignity of others. Pig girls are gentle, kind, and caring. Pig boys, on the other hand, are valiant knights with a good heart. He reads a lot, knows countless interesting stories, strongly achieves his goals with dignity.

Channeling the positive, joyful vibe of the Year of the Pig, Miniso has adorable and fluffy pig plush toys in dinosaur and bunny costumes as well as huggable pillows, creative eye masks and novelty neck pillows.

Check out these Year of the Pig inspired plush toys available this February at Miniso stores in most SM Supermalls nationwide. Also follow @MinisoPhilippines at Facebook for more stylistic and quality affordable products.

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at Seda Abreeza

d Salmon Cucumber Salad with Lemon Honey g.

hurros with dark chocolate sauce.

Seda Abreeza’s general manager Ken Kapulong as he introduces the hotel’s Valentine offers.

ENTERTAINMENT

JOHN MICHAEL AND JOHN MARK NAMED NEWEST GRAND FINALISTS OF “TAWAG NG TANGHALAN” TWO JMs were voted by the viewers and the judges to become the newest grand finalists of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” after John Mark Saga and John Michael Dela Cerna won the week-long Quarter 2 semifinals on “It’s Showtime” that concluded on January 26.

The two singers earned standing ovations from the judges on the last day of the competition, where John Michael was revealed to have received the highest combined score of 98.40% from the madlang people text votes and judges’ scores.

The second TNT Record Holder, John Mark, earned a combined score of 70.09%.

John Michael, who hails from Davao City, and John Mark, who comes from Dasmariñas, Cavite, both won

Seda Chef De Partie Chris Mercaral prepares one of the courses in a pasta trolley

The 5-course dinner comes with Italian and Chilean wines that pair perfectly with every course.

Sleep in style this New Year with this piggy inspired eye mask. Available at Miniso.

Keep a positive vibe around you with this endearing pig plush toy in dinosaur costume.

P150,000 each.

Preparations are in order for the two JMs, who will face tough competition in Ranillo Enriquez and the first-ever TNT Record Holder Elaine Duran in the grand finals.

After the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” semifinals, more surprises are in store for the madlang people after “It’s Showtime” officially kicked

off its countdown to celebrate its tenth anniversary in October.

One of these is the clash of witty beauty queens in the grand finals of “Miss Q and A InterTALAKtic 2019: The Final Talak… Vaklang Twooo!” which will happen on February 23.

Leading up to the highly anticipated event are two weeks of exciting competitions – the “resbek week,” which commences on February 9 and the semifinals week, which begins on February 16.

Don’t miss the talented Pinoy singers as they battle for supremacy in “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” in the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime,” Mondays to Saturdays in ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167).

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9 AGRITRENDS

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MEAT PROCESSING INDUSTRY IS GROWING

E

arly this year, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (PAMPI) pointed out that meat processing industry in the Philippines “continues to grow.” This was due to the fact that more investments are poured by companies to expand their operations and produce worldclass products despite intensifying global competitions.

In addition, PAMPI – which is a P200-billion sector composed of 48 companies involved in meat processing business – also banked on “the growing needs from institutional consumers” and “improved purchasing power of Filipinos.”

“The rising demand of institutional clients, like hotels, resorts, restaurants for locally manufactured processed meat gives players reason to expand and invest more, amid the influx of imported products,” wrote “The Freeman,” which quoted Felix O. Tukinhoy, PAMPI president.

The report also said the demand of tourism-related institutions is one of the biggest factors why the performance of the meat processing industry is booming in recent years “as these institutional clients prefer to order local products versus imported (ones) to save on cost.”

The Philippines is currently home to more than 100 million people. “The outlook is favorable, we have growing population,” Tukinhoy pointed out. “Most Filipinos have good purchasing power.”

In recent years, hotdogs, corned beef and other processed meat products have become very much a part of modern diet of Filipinos. “And so, the Filipino meat processing industry has become a very profitable retail enterprise, and is therefore partly responsible for the sustained expansion of the Filipino livestock and poultry industry,” Tukinhoy was quoted as saying.

The meat processing business has indeed a bright future ahead. “Meat consumption in developing countries has been continuously increasing from a modest average annual per capita consumption of 10 kilograms in the 1960s to 26 kilograms in 2000 and will reach 37 kilograms around the year 2030,” said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its projections.

“This forecast suggests that in a few decades, developing countries’ consumption of meat will move towards that of developed countries where meat consumption remains stagnant at a high level,” the UN food agency added.

Aside from what PAMPI stated, another factor that contribute to the popularity of processed meat is the growing population of people in the urban areas. “The rising demand for meat in developing countries is mainly a consequence of the fast progression of urbanization and the tendency

among city dwellers to spend more on food than in the lower income earning rural population,” FAO said.

Propensity for meat consumption among human beings has biological roots. “In ancient times, meat was clearly preferred, consequently time and physical efforts were invested to obtain it, basically through hunting,” FAO reported. “This attitude contributed decisively to physical and mental development of humankind.

In time, meat processing became an industry in itself.

FAO defines meat processing – also known as further processing of meat – is “the manufacture of meat products from muscle meat, animal fat and certain non-meat additives.

Additives are used to enhance product flavor and appearance.

They can also be used to increase product volume.”

For specific meat preparations, animal by-products such as internal organs, skin or blood, are also well suited for meat processing. Meat processing can create different types of product composition that maximizes the use of edible livestock parts and are tasty, attractive and nourishing.

“Meat was originally processed to preserve it, but since t h e

various procedures cause so many changes in texture and flavor it is also a means of adding variety to the diet,” explained another FAO document. “Processing also provides scope to mix the less desirable parts of the carcass with lean meat and in addition is a means of extending meat supplies by including other foodstuffs such as cereal in the product.”

Processing is done because “meat is a highly perishable products and soon becomes unfit to eat and possibly dangerous to health through microbial growth, chemical change and breakdown by endogenous

enzymes.”

There are several things to lessen these downsides.

These can be done by reducing the temperature sufficiently to slow down or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms, by heating to destroy organisms and enzymes (cooking, canning), or by removal of water by drying or osmotic control (binding the water with salt or other substances so that it becomes unavailable to the organisms). It is also possible to use chemicals to inhibit growth and, very recently, ionising radiation (however, the last is not allowed in some countries).

Traditional methods that have been used for thousands of years involve drying in wind and sun, salting and smoking.

Canning dates from early in the 19th century and allows food to be stored for many years since it is sterilized and protected from recontamination.

“Processed meats are products in which the properties of fresh meat have been modified by the use of procedures such as mincing, grinding or chopping, salting and curing, addition of seasonings and other food materials, and, in many instances heat treatment,” FAO points out. “Most of these processes extend the shelf life of meat. Their manufacture, in most instances, depends on the ability of the mixture to retain water since they are emulsions of protein, fat and water.”

In the Philippines, the processed meat industry has six different p ro d u c t categories: fresh p r o cessed meat products, cured meat pieces, raw-cooked products, pre-cooked products, raw (dry) – fermented sausages, and dried meat. Among those that are exported are sausages, corned beef, bacon, luncheon meat and other indigenous meat products.

“The country is a net exporter of processed meat products,” the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) wrote in its website. In 2013 alone, the industry generated US$47.3 million in exports.

Major export markets include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, the United States, Canada, Guam and Taiwan. “The local industry imports around 85% of its raw material inputs, majority of its output meets do-

mestic demand,” DTI said.

Despite the popularity of processed meat, there are some drawbacks. In fact, there were reports that some meats being sold in the market are not safe for consumption. Fortunately, the government is not lax on this.

In a paper, “The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines: Securing Meat and Meat Products’ Safety from Farm to Table,” authors Albert P. Aquino and Christian L. Abeleda wrote: “Protection and promotion of the right to health of the people (Section 15, Article II) and protection of consumers from trade malpractices from substandard or hazardous products (Section 9, Article XVI) are State’s obligations stipulated in the Philippine Constitution of 1987.”

So much so that in July 2003, the Republic Act No. 9296 was signed and ordained those who are implementing the Meat Inspection Code “to strengthen the country’s meat inspection system to assure safety and quality of meat and meat products for human consumption both in the domestic and international markets.”

Under this law, it is the State’s policy to, among others, ( a ) promulgate specific policies a n d procedures g ove rn ing the flow of food animals; (b) ensure food security and provide safety and quality standards to assure the protection of public against risks of injury and hazard; and (c) support the livestock and poultry industry development

and promote animal health by preventing the entry of disease-carrying animals in meat establishments.

The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines laid guidelines on the following area: institutional mechanisms, scope of meat inspection, ante- and post-mortem inspection, inspection of imported meat and meat products, sanitation, product quality and safety, product information and consumer awareness, fees and charges, and prohibited acts and sanctions.

An attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) serves as the national controlling authority on all matters pertaining to meat and meat product inspection and hygiene.

Among those that have to be inspected are slaughterhouses, poultry dressing plants, meat cutting plants, meat processing plants, cold storages, meat shops, meat markets and other outlets en-

gaged in domestic and international trade.

“Only meat control and inspector officers duly appointed and designated by the NMIS or local government units are authorized to conduct meat inspection work,” Aquino and Abeleda wrote in their paper.

“NMIS has the responsibility to ensure, and to enforce, that meat establishments operate in accordance with humane slaughter and hygienic requirements.”

In addition, “the NMIS has the power to limit entry of carcasses, meat and meat products, and other materials into any meat establishment.

By rule, only slaughtered food animals, inspected and passed by inspectors from NMIS accredited slaughterhouses shall be utilized in NMIS accredited meat processing plant for meat processing, meat canning and packing.”

In recent years, there are groups who are batting for meatless society. But when it comes to protein, meat and other animal foods are quantitatively and qualitatively better sources than plant foods (except soy bean products). In meat, the essential amino acids – the organic acids that are integral components of proteins and which cannot be synthesized in the human organism – are made available in well balanced p ro p o r tions and concentrations. “ D e spite the growing preference in some circles for meatless diets, the majority of us will continue eating meat,” FAO pointed out. “It is generally accepted that balanced diets of meat and plant food are most effective for human nutrition.”

10 NEWS NO... FROM 1

not take any food. This statement corroborated with the report of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in its investigation on January 30. Atillo said Eronico’s coach Joezel Mae Duro, 23-year old teacher, told her that at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Eronico refused to eat her breakfast.

Duro prodded Eronico to take even small amount of food but she reportedly had no appetite.

Later, the coach noticed while the victim was coughing she spat out blood prompting her to bring her to the clinic but duty nurse Stephen Castres decided to bring her to the hospital.

Atillo said that based on the information he gathered, Eronico played during the first two days of competitions held inside the multipurpose gymnasium of the University of the Philippines Mindanao Sports Complex.

A separate interview, however, clarified that Eronico has not been feeling well since the start of competitions and did not see action.

In another interview by Edge Davao in their billeting quarter at the Imelda Elementary School on Thursday, Duro, a 23-years old teacher from Aliwagwag Elementary School, clarified that the sick athlete was sidelined since the first match as she was already showing signs of ailment. She refused to reveal the official medical result of the deceased in respect to the family.

Duro said she has noticed Eronico’s constant coughing from the day the Davao Oriental

delegation arrived in Davao City last January 24.

Eronico, according to Duro, was fit to play based on the medical screening made a month prior to the competition.

Duro also claimed that Eronico was very active despite her cough, however, everyone got alarmed when blood was present on the latter’s sputum that was observed early Tuesday prompting them to bring the athlete to the hospital.

Atillo, meanwhile, said the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao Oriental Division is capable of giving assistance to the bereaved family. He said the host city as well as the DepEd Region 11 will not be accountable of the tragic incident.

Atillo said there was no information on the victim’s condition prior to the DAVRAA competitions. Athletes competing in the Deped-supervised sports conclave are required to undergo medical examination and submit a medical certificate before being allowed to compete.

Edge Davao is still verifying records of Eronico submitted to Deped if she has a medical certificate.

Deped 11, said Atillo, is saddened by the incident prompting the regional office to conduct an investigation to know other information prior to Eronico’s death.

He also bared that City Health Office and personnel are now intensifying its inspection in every billeting schools to remind them about the sanitation in their area.

running. Infrastructure spending during his first two full years, both in terms of its share of the budget and as percent of GDP, hit record high. Spending for social services – education, health care, and social protec-

tion – has reached new heights too,” Secretary Diokno emphasized.

“So take my word for it: the Philippines will be Asia’s next success story,” he concluded. (DBM)

PHL... FROM 5

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VOL.11 ISSUE 225 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2019

tainable livelihood and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society.

One of the normalization aspects under CAB are security, socio-economic development, confidence-building measures and transitional justice and reconciliation. Decommissioning falls under the confidence-building, wherein MILF rebels will transitionally surrender their firearms to the government and will be provided financial and livelihood aids as they return to their respective lives.

“Aside from the conflict between the government and the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the horizontal conflict is worse brought by the existing clan wars,” Hermoso said.

The OPAPP officer, who represented head peace advisor Carlito Galvez Jr. during the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) forum at the SM Lanang Foodcourt in Davao City, revealed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 72 private arm group in the country, 85 percent are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“This will have an impact into the peace process,” Hermoso said.

He also said that the another challenging part of the decommissioning is the profiling of the combatants, wherein the list submitted by the MILF will be determined by an independent commission, wherein their skills will be assessed.

“It will take a lot of dirty work, as the OPAPP is one of the agencies who looks into the profiling of these combatants,” Hermoso said.

He also said, “Their skills will be assessed as to what job will suits them.” Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) member Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan said that dismantling of armed groups will take time before it will be met.

“Dismantling armed groups cannot happen overnight. In the ARMM communities, most men would treat their guns better, rather than their wives,” Lidasan said.

He said that with the BOL, the future Bangsamoro generation would have a change of mindset over the usage of arms and conflict.

Lidasan also suggested that the existing armed groups in the ARMM can be utilized as Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), who can be deployed in conflict rising areas.

ao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and later to farmers nationwide, Secretary Piñol said.

In Sultan Kudarat, the first conduit facility for the PLEANFA is Rural Bank of Lebak. The bank can receive application for loan, submit the application documents to ACPC and DA for assessment, and release the loan amount to farmers when approved.

Interested farmers may also apply for loan at the nearest NFA

office.

At the launching ceremony, ACPC turned over a check worth P40 million to officials of the Rural Bank of Lebak as initial loan fund.

Just recently, DA has deployed hauling trucks to NFA offices in Soccsksargen to improve the latter’s capacity to buy palay from farmers and transport these to warehouses. DA has also allowed NFA to use its Rice Processing Centers. (DED/PIA 12)

DA... FROM 5

HEIGHTENED... FROM 2

Medina emphasized that these measures are being done because they should not wait for these passengers to commit a crime in the country. These passengers may be excluded or blacklisted so they could not enter the country, he said.

Whether it's an ordinary day or during "heightened alert" status, the Border Control and Intelligence Unit (BCIU) is present at the airports.

However, during "heightened alert" status, the BCIU is asked to be more vigilant.

During ordinary days, the chief and the other officers of the BCIU are on rotation or are on-call, but during "heightened alert", no BCIU officer is allowed to take a leave, according to Medina.

"BCIU communicates with other ASEAN countries. They

track and wait for the passengers even before they queue at the Immigration counters," he said.

Medina noted that they keep an eye also on transiting passengers or those who use the Philippines as a gateway, and even foreigners who would go to Mindanao.

There were instances when the transiting passengers were really persons of interest, he said. He has also ordered an increase the officers manning the southern borders.

Meanwhile, Medina said he has no idea when the "heightened alert" status would be lifted.

"But my recommendation is to wait after the Chinese New Year and the Bangsamoro election to finish (before lifting it)," he said. (PNA)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARINA MIGRIÑO PELAEZ who died inestate on January 11, 2019 at Southern Philippine Medical Center, Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No. 305; PageNo.62; Book No.XIX Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. BEETHOVEN L. ORCULLO. Jan. 25, Feb. 1 and 8, 2019

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

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Durians sweep elims

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

fter giving Mati City a 119-61 onslaught on Monday's opener, the defending champion Davao City's succeeding games weren't about who's winning anymore but how much will the scoring difference be. The way it looks, a good scoreline is enough consolation.

By mercilessly pounding on their opponents by more than 30 points in the past three games, the Durians have set the tone for their title run.

Made of the best players from reigning Davao City champi-

on Holy Child College of Davao and choice pick-ups from Lamb of God Sped Academy and Davao Jones Academy, the Davao City cagers scored another remarkable victory, wrecking Davao Oriental Sunrisers 11446, to inch closer towards their four-peat mission in the boys secondary basketball of the 2019 Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet held at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym. Vince Petdeo Cuajao, Miguelito Manuel and RJ Villaflores combined for 59 points as

the three-time defending champion went on an unblemished 4-0 card.

Cuajao, who also celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday, scored game high 24 points while Manuel and Villaflores had 20 and 15 points, respectively.

Today, January 31, the Nestor "Tating" Sorrosa and Roger Rabago-coached Davao City will collide with Panabo City Banana Magnates at 10:30 am for the final round of elimination.

The semifinals is set on Friday, February 1.

Girl's death mars DAVRAA T

he sun has set early for a young athlete of the Davao Oriental Sunrisers.

Hadia P. Eronico, a 12-year-old elementary volleyball athlete, died late Wednesday due to complication of an illness.

Department of Education (DepEd) 11 spokesperson Jenielito "Dodong" Atillo confirmed the death of Eronico, who plays volleyball for the Davao Oriental girls elementary team in the ongoing Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) 2019.

Eronico, a resident of Ilangay, Lupon, Davao Oriental, reportedly expired around 7:45 p.m. of January 30 at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Atillo bared that the attending physician found a dengue virus on Eronico in her test but it was later on ruled out and the official medical report stated the cause of death as pneumonia.

A separate interview, however, clarified that Eronico has not been feeling well since the start of competitions and did not see action.

In a separate interview by Edge Davao in their billeting quarter at the Imelda Elementary School on Thursday, Eronico's coach Joezel Mae Duro, a 23-years old teacher from Aliwagwag Elementary School, clarified that the sick athlete was sidelined since the first match as she was already showing signs of ailment. She refused to reveal the official medical result of the deceased

CLOSING IN. Davao City Durians close in on the gold medal of the boys secondary basketball event of the 2019 Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet after streaking to their fifth win at the USEP Gym on Thursday. Koii Canarias

Ailing dad motivates Gensan's Gaballo

In a separate interview by Edge Davao in their billeting quarter at the Imelda Elementary School on Thursday, Eronico's coach Joezel Mae Duro, a 23-years old teacher from Aliwagwag Elementary School, clarified that the sick athlete was sidelined since the first match as she was already showing signs of ailment. ADAM B. MORREL in respect to the family.

Duro said she has noticed Eronico's constant coughing from the day the Davao Oriental delegation arrived in Davao City last January 24.

Eronico, according to Duro, was fit to play based on the medical screening made a month prior to the competition.

Duro also claimed that Eronico was very active despite her cough, however, everyone got alarmed when blood was present on the latter's sputum that was observed early Tuesday which made them decide to bring the athlete to the hospital.

Atillo, meanwhile, said the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao Oriental Division is capable of giving assistance to the bereaved family and the host city

as well as the DepEd Region 11 will be not be accountable of the tragic incident.

Athletes competing in the Deped-supervised sports conclave are required to undergo medical examination and submit a medical certificate before being allowed to compete. Edge Davao is still verifying records of Eronico submitted to Deped.

Deped 11, said Atillo, is saddened by the incident prompting the regional office to conduct an investigation to know other information prior to Eronico's death.

He also bared that the City Health Office and their personnel are now intensifying its inspection in every billeting schools to remind them about the sanitation in their area.

I

nterim WBA World Bantamweight Champion Reymart “Assassin” Gaballo (W20 KO17 L0 D0) will face Japanese prospect Yuya Nakamura on February 9 at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila.

The event is presented by ESPN 5 who will telecast the fight live at 7:00 PM. Ahead of the fight, Gaballo has been concerned about his ill grandfather who has been suffering from cancer. Latest update was that his grandpa has already passed away.

This however did not stop Gaballo from religiously performing his training regimen.

L

“I know for a fact that Nakamura will be very prepared for this fight. Japanese boxers are natural tough warriors. I will never take chances. I maybe the favorite but I am just as hungry as any upcoming contender. I am so sad about my grandpa’s death and I am dedicating this fight to his loving memory. I will also win this fight for my father who has also been hospitalized. I want to make my family proud.

Moreover, I wanna show the fans what I am made of as a warrior. “ For Sanman CEO Jim Claude Manangquil, a victory will open doors to

bigger fights for Gaballo.

“He is already an interim world champion. We hope to grab the regular championship belt within the year. Gaballo is hardworking. No doubt he is in line to be Philippines’ next world champion.”

Gaballo further stated in closing, “I am very grateful to Sanman, Moros gym and to ESPN 5 for the untiring support. I will win this coz I know bigger fights are in store for me. It feels great to fight in front of my countrymen much more that the fight is televised on national TV again.

I will do my best to entertain.”

practice.

"He did everything that we had on the schedule. He looked good two days ago in practice (too), so we'll see how he feels (Thursday). We'll take it from there. We'll keep prepping as if he's not going to play, and hope that he's healthy enough to start."

The Lakers' game notes list James as "out" for Thursday's contest, although the team is not beholden to that designation.

"It's one of those injuries he's aware of and the trainers are aware of and you don't mess around

with," Walton said. "When he and the training staff feel confident that he can go full-go and not be a risk of re-hurting himself, then he'll play."

James is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game in his first season in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered Wednesday in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 26-25 record -- including a 6-11 mark since James went down on Dec. 25.

The Lakers will play at the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

Lebron joins team practices

eBron James has waited since Christmas to return to the court.

He might have to wait a little longer.

The Los Angeles Lakers' star forward reported no problems after another full practice Wednesday, but the team wants to see how he feels 24 hours later before determining his status for Thursday's game at the Los Angeles Clippers.

James has been out with a groin strain.

"He looked good today," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters after

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IT’S OVER

Davao City is virtual DAVRAA overall champion

By ADAM B. MORRELL

P

owerhouse Davao City virtually wrapped up an-

other overall championship in the 2019 Davao Regional Athletic

EDGEDAVAO

Association (DAVRAA) meet going into the final two days of action.

A day after a pall of gloom befell the fourday old sports conclave among the region’s elementary and secondary athletes with the death of a 12-year old volleyball player from Davao Oriental, Davao City silently pulled away from the rest of the field leaving the outcome practically sealed. The Durians have amassed an insurmountable margin in the medal board with 120 gold medals, 86 silvers and 39 bronzes.

Hadia P. Eronico, a 12-year-old elementary volleyball athlete, died late Wednesday due to complication of an illness.

Department of Education (DepEd) 11 spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo confirmed the death of Eronico, who plays volleyball for the Davao Oriental girls elementary team in the ongoing Davao Re-

MEDAL COUNT AS OF 12:00 PM JANUARY 31,2019 GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

RANK

DAVAO CITY

120

86

39

1

TAGUM CITY

31

40

37

2

PANABO CITY

25

31

31

3

DIGOS CITY

20

19

28

4

DAVAO DEL NORTE

13

11

30

5

DAVAO DEL SUR

7

11

25

6

COMPOSTELA VALLEY

6

11

24

7

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

4

9

22

8

DAVAO ORIENTAL

4

6

19

9

MATI CITY

4

6

6

10

IGACOS

0

1

4

11

DELEGATION

EDGEDAVAO

gion Athletic Association (Davraa) 2019.

Eronico, a resident of Ilangay, Lupon, Davao Oriental, reportedly expired around 7:45 p.m. of January 30 at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

In distant second place overall is Tagum City Tagumpay with a gold-silver-bronze haul of 30-40-37, followed in third place by Panabo City with 25-31-31.

Trailing behind are Digos City at fourth with

20-19-28, Davao del Norte at fifth with 13-1130, Davao del Sur at sixth with 7-11-25, and Compostela Valley at seventh 6-11-24.

The grieving Davao Oriental contingent is currently lagging at ninth overall with 4 golds, 6 silvers and 19 bronzes.

Mati City is still at the 10th spot with 4-66, and while struggling Island Garden City of Samal remains at the cellar with 0-1-4.