Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 249 | Thursday, March 7, 2019

P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

OMBUDSMAN DISMISSES TOWN MAYOR OF KAPALONG

EDGE DAVAO

PAGE 2

Serving a seamless society

SOUTHWOODS LEADS SPORTS PAL INTERCLUB BY 1 PAGE11

ASH WEDNESDAY. A young boy’s forehead is marked with a cross of ashes as Catholic devotees troop to Redemptorist Church along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City to attend the afternoon Ash Wednesday mass. Catholics and other Christians around the world observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Lean Daval Jr.

FIGHTBACK

Viral photo shows Catalunan G. folks backing PHABS buses vs threats New category in film festivals to benefit Davao’s culinary art

By LEEBAI SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

A

new category in �ilm festivals will bene�it Davao City, particularly its culinary art.

According to Rudolph Ian Alama, vice president for �ilm festival of the Davao Tourism Associa-

tion (DATA), organizers of CineKabalen, a Pampanga-based �ilm festival, have plans to establish a culinary category designed to promote the country’s rich and diverse food culture.

NEW, P8

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

random photo on a Facebook page directed at Catalunan Grande public utility jeep (PUJ) operators and drivers opposing the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) created a stir after it was posted Monday.

Posted at Public Information and Inquiry Page by a certain Jenny Jane Medija on Monday, March 4, the photo showed several lea�lets

scattered on the streets of Barangay Catalunan Grande by anonymous groups or individuals that has a message written in the vernacular.

The message read: “Sa mga operator ug driver sa jeep, testingi ninyo ug hilabot ang mga bus kay mubalos mi!

Kini nga mensahe nag gikan sa katawhan sa Catalunan Grande nga di ninyo kaya serbisyohan sa inyong mga delikado nga jeep. (To the jeep operators and drivers (of Catalunan Grande), don’t you dare harm the buses for we will �ight back! This message

is from the people of Catalunan Grande which you failed to serve through your unsafe jeep).”

The post amassed ‘likes’ from netisens, mostly from affected barangays, who sympathize with those supporting the PHABS. City Transport and Traf�ic Management Of�ice (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude, in

FIGHTBACK, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

CABINET PRAYER. President Rodrigo Duterte joins the members of his cabinet in prayer as the 35th Cabinet Meeting begins at the Malacañan Palace on Monday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Ombudsman dismisses Kapalong town mayor

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

T

he Of�ice of the Ombudsman has dismissed from the service the municipal mayor of Kapalong, Davao del Norte for grave misconduct and abuse of authority in a decision approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires last February 12, 2019.

Meted the penalty of dismissal from the service with its accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement bene�its and perpetual disquali�ication for re-employment in the government service, pursuant to Section 10 of the Administrative Order No. 17 of the Ombudsman is Kapalong Mayor Maria

Theresa Royo-Timbol.

Timbol who re-election bid might be jeopardized due to her conviction is the respondent in a complaint �iled by Fredeswinda B. Estrada, Kapalong municipal accountant, who alleged that the town’s chief executive issued orders that effectively removed her from being municipal accountant as well as stopped her

monthly Representation and Transportation Allowance (RATA) amounting to P13,500, after she refused to issue a certi�ication that the mayor requested her.

Estrada charged that Mayor Timbol asked her, as municipal accountant, in September 2016, to issue a certi�ication that the High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) of Kapalong is free and can be utilized as a source of fund for supplemental budget.

She said she refused to issue the certi�ication, knowing that the HYSA is intended to pay accounts payable and trust receipts

and the source of funds for the continuing appropriations of Kapalong.

As a consequence of her refusal, Estrada said the mayor issued Memorandum Order No. 356 on October 7, 2016 directing her to head the Internal Audit Unit (IAU) of the municipality, and on October 15, 2016 another Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2016 , designating her the head of the municipality’s Internal Audit Service which she alleged is a non-existing of�ice.

She said she was no longer invited to partici-

n of�icial of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on village executives in Mindanao to help advocate the passage of a proposed law that gives them more bene�its.

DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño pointed out that the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays authored by former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. has languished since it was �iled in the 14th Congress.

“Nakalimutan na nila ang Magna Carta (Members of Congress have forgotten the Magna Carta),”

Diño told barangay of�icials during the 4th Mindanao Congress held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao on Tuesday.

The proposed law gives barangay of�icials -- including the barangay secretary, treasurer, tanods (watchmen), nutrition scholars, and health workers -- �ixed compensation as well as additional allowance, medical and dental coverage and retirement bene�its.

Diño said under the proposed measure, barangay chairpersons will receive a �ixed salary equivalent to the monthly pay of municipal councilors.

OMBUDSMAN, P10

T

COMELEC holds VCM roadshow

he Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here held a Vote Counting Machine (VCM) Roadshow in Lanao del Norte as part of the preparations for the midterm polls in May 2019.

COMELEC Of�icer Mohammad Abdul Rashid demonstrated how the VCM works.

He said the VCM is designed to scan ballots and interpret the voter’s shaded mark, tabulate each mark, generate reports, and transmit these results to COMELEC data centers.

During the election, the poll body will be using the automated and upgraded version of the

VCM. Local candidates, barangay of�icials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of�icials, school principals, and voters in the Municipality of Lala witnessed the VCM roadshow.

According to Rashid, Lala has 61 clustered precincts with a total of 45, 534 registered voters.

He reminded the voters to properly shade to avoid rejected ballots.

The roadshow was done together with the Department of Education Supervisors Mary Arlene Carbonera and Lydia Linggolinggo at Lala Evacuation Center, Lala,

The law also calls for a longer term for barangay of�icials from three years to six years.

“You are performing duties and functions 24/7 addressing concerns of the constituents, from a petty quarrel to �ights within the family. Yet, you are not properly compensated,” the DILG of�icial told barangay of�icials.

“We are the most used and abused. We are even the most confused when the mayor is not in good terms with a congressman,” he added.

Diño, who was also a former barangay captain in Quezon City, remind-

ed barangay of�icials that government projects and programs cannot move without clearance from the barangay.

“You should stand �irm as a person of authority,” he said, as he vowed to help push for the approval of the Magna Carta Law. Diño said the Magna Carta also provides an automatic share of the government’s revenue, the transfer of funds for the maintenance of roads and bridges, and make the supply of potable water, the establishment of schools, barangay halls, and health centers mandatory. (PNA)

COMELEC, P10

Maguindanao-NC Village execs urged to push for Magna Carta bill family feud settled A N orth Cotabato provinces have sworn before the Quran to settle the long-standing feud that has troubled the involved parties for more than a decade now.

Led by Buldon Mayor Abolais Manalao, in coordination with the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB), the feuding families of Pacasum, Macabangon, Aragasi, and Mimbisa met and embraced each other during a “rido” (family feud) settlement at the camp of 37IB Alpha Company in Ba-

rangay Oring on Monday.

The settling families are from barangays Nuyo and Edcor in Buldon, Maguindanao, and neighboring villages in Alamada, North Cotabato,” Col. Roberto Go Jr., 37IB commander, said in a statement.

Go said the families also surrendered three Carbine ri�les and an M16 ri�le during the settlement.

He said the long-standing feud that has claimed the lives of several members of the warring clans

MAGUINDANAO, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

Balangiga Bells drawing tourists

M

ore than 22,000 local and foreign tourists arrived in Balangiga to see the three historic Balangiga bells.

This is according to Franklin Robedizo, provincial tourism of�icer, in an interview on March 1.

No less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte formally handed-over the three historic bells to the local government of�icials of Balangiga and the Diocese of Borongan on December 15, 2018.

The bells have become a tourist attraction in the town of Balangiga as a remembrance of the "Balangiga Massacre."

Fara Diva Duran Gamalo, a Balangiga resident, said that just like the rest of the populace, she is happy to see the historic bells.

She wishes though that the younger generation of the town and other places would remember that the three bells are not just ordinary bells for them to use as a backdrop for their “sel�ies” but a symbol on the heroism and bravery of their forefathers.

“These bells are the symbols of the gallantry of our ancestors,” Gamalo said, whose ancestors participated in the uprising.

Marissa and Melba Cablao, Hernani town natives, who now reside in Manila took time to visit the Balangiga Bells before returning to the city.

“We are thrilled to touch the bells, whose story we have heard since we were young,” said Melba, the younger Cablao.

The three historic bells are temporarily displayed at the Catholic Church grounds before they will be permanently ensconced at the belfry.

Robedizo said the �igure could even be more as some tourists do not register in the log book of the Municipal Tourism Of�ice (MTO).

“The in�lux of arrivals is recorded from December 15, 2018 to the 3rd week of February 2019,” Robedizo added.

Robedizo further said, the Department of Tourism and provincial and munic-

ipal tourism of�ices will coordinate with the Catholic Church to develop a “Historical Core Program” where they plan to make the visitors stay educational and memorable.

Another interesting site is the mass grave for the American soldiers who died on the attack of September 28, 1901.

“When the church was renovated after Super Typhoon Yolanda, the workers discovered the skulls and bones, they believe belong to the American soldiers. The medical experts said that they still have to validate,” Robedizo said.

History tells us that in the morning of September 28, 1901, hundreds of native �ighters mostly armed with bolos staged a successful attack on U.S. troops who gained control of the town, the US soldiers were mostly eating or lining up for breakfast in their garrison at Balangiga town.

The result was the “worst single defeat” of the U.S. Army in the Philippines, an event known in the U.S. of�icial reports and publication as the “Balangiga Massacre.”

The three bells played a vital role because it signi�ied the attacks on the American detachment. At least 54 American soldiers were killed and 18 others were wounded in the attack.

Historical account added that an outraged American Gen. Jacob Smith, immediately deployed 180 soldiers on September 29, 1901 and ordered them to turn the village into a “howling wilderness”.

The US soldiers obeyed the order that every Filipino male, at least 11 years old and capable of carrying �irearms be killed and communities burned down.

Not contented with the killing of thousands of Filipinos, American soldiers took the Balangiga bells as their war trophies.

After 117 years, the three historic bells taken by the United States Army were �inally returned.

(NBQ/ SDC/PIA-E. Samar)

DRUG TEST. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan talks about the surprise mandatory drug test conducted to 120 police personnel of DCPO on Wednesday during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr

6th ID soldiers warned against BIFF‘hit squad’

By BONG S. SARMIENTO

A

larmed by the spate of killings of military personnel, the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division warned soldiers under its command to be extra-vigilant against a “hit squad” admittedly owned by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, 6th ID commander, said the morale of his troops “remain high” despite the killing of four soldiers in the past few days in Cotabato City and Maguindanao province. “(Our) troops are reminded to be extra vigilant even while on off-duty as they are falling prey to treacherous attacks. Similar caution is given to the people in Central Mindanao,” Sobejana said in a statement Monday evening.

He said the liquidations against soldiers under the 6th ID are indicative of “retaliatory actions by terror and lawless groups” as they suffered numerous setbacks from the relentless security

TUCP to endorse 'pro-labor 12'

T

he Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) announced that it is currently surveying all its af�iliate organizations in the manufacturing, services and agriculture sectors in order to come up with 12 "pro-labor" senatorial candidates who will then be endorsed for the midterm elections this year.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay told the PNA on Tuesday that candidates who will gain the labor group's endorsement can come from any political party or may even be an independent, "so long as they

are genuinely sympathetic to the plight of the Filipino worker."

He explained that they are looking to support bets that have proven their competence and integrity. "We want someone who is not only pro-labor but someone who has shown that they have the intelligence and determination to get their bills enacted into law," he said.

Tanjusay said they will announce the 12 names a week before the polls on May 13.

Meantime, TUCP, touted as the country's biggest labor union, commended

NEWS 3

newspapers, television, radio and social media entities for holding various media public debates over radio and television helping workers scrutinize senatorial bets.

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the media coverage the candidates have been getting is making their selection process easier. He said the labor sector in general is in a better position to make informed choices.

“And we commend the tri-media because through these debates shown, heard and read, it helps

TUCP, P8

operations conducted by government forces.

Sobejana did not name the terror group but the BIFF, through its spokesperson Abu Misry Mama, had admitted responsibility on the spate of fatal attacks against soldiers.

Mama said they gunned down the soldiers to avenge the killing of a certain “Boy Native” in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao Tuesday last week. The BIFF blamed the military for the death of their comrade.

A source said the slain BIFF member had a bounty on his head.

Two days later, in the afternoon of Thursday, BIFF members ambushed a car carrying soldiers in Datu

Salibo town en route to Shariff Aguak, also in Maguindanao. Killed were Army Privates Junard Estribor and Nelier John Pinto, both of 57th Infatry Battalion.

Another soldier and a female civilian aboard the car were wounded.

Earlier at around noontime that day, BIFF hit men shot dead SSgt Lervin Lardera in Cotabato City while he was en route to the 6th ID camp in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on a motorcycle.

Last Sunday at around 7 p.m, alleged BIFF members shot dead Corporal Sahelbasar Alaja, who was off-duty, in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

On Thursday evening last week, the military bombarded with artillery �ire the position of BIFF members in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Sobejana said the military will continue its focused military operations “to put an endgame to ter-

rorism” in the area.

He also ordered an intensi�ied intelligence operation to foil attempts by the terrorists in attacking off-duty military personnel.

Sobejana urged the cooperation of the public, noting this is vital in achieving sustainable peace.

“The shooting incidents were so disturbing (and we) need to stop it in no time,” he said.

Particularly Cotabato City, being the political and economic hub of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), needs to be insulated from security threats, Sobejana said.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which forged a �inal peace deal with the government in 2014 that paved the way for the creation of the BARMM. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Islamic religious subjects.

The Madrasah Program is a comprehensive program designed using the madrasah curriculum prescribed by DepEd, in coordination with the Commission on Muslim Filipinos, for Muslim learners in public and private schools.

Under Republic Act No. 9155, “Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001,” Department of Education shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality basic education and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

According to Gazo, some of the challenges seen

in implementing this is the lack of Madaris schools in some far-�lung towns of Lanao del Norte.

Right now, there are about 30 private Madaris schools in the province.

Under the DepEd �inancial grant to quali�ied Madaris, 80% will be used for teacher salaries and 20% for school improvement.

Meanwhile, qualifying the program would also mean a grant of Php 5,000 per student per year.

During this conference, DepEd also organized the �irst Association of Private Madaris Operators in the province. (HMFP/PIA LDN)

DepEd LDN grants financial support to Muslim schools

T

he Department of Education (DepEd) Lanao del Norte will grant �inancial support to Muslim private schools or “Madaris” in the province to improve their operational capabilities in implementing DepEd mandated curriculum K to 12 program.

In a consultative conference for private Madaris operators held at Mindanao Civic Center, Function Room, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roy Angelo E. Gazo emphasized the prescribed subjects in the K to 12 curriculum must be offered by private Madaris, in addition to

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

Palace assures bigger budget for agriculture

A

DATU BAGO AWARDEE. Tourism industry leader and 2019 Datu Bago awardee Margarita “Baby” M. Montemayor says the award is not only for her but for the whole tourism industry of Davao City which she represent. Montemayor also gave

her take on the biggest problem of BIMP-EAGA’s tourism which is connectivity during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Lean Daval Jr

House itemizing '19 budget for transparency: Andaya T he House of Representatives is detailing the items in the proposed PHP3.75-trillion national budget for 2019 in order to make all projects and programs funded per agency and by district "clear and evident", House appropriations committee chair Rolando Andaya Jr. said Tuesday.

“The House is itemizing the appropriations therein, �leshing out lump-sum funds, without departing from the approved speci�ications of the House-Senate approved budget. By so doing, we make the budget more transparent and easy to scrutinize,” Andaya said in a statement.

Andaya also defended Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after Senator

Pan�ilo Lacson accused her of tampering with the PHP3.75-trillion bicam-approved national budget for 2019.

He pointed out that the Senate President and the Speaker are not directly involved in the bicameral committee discussion.

"Responsibility rests on the Bicam conferees," he said.

The Camarines Sur law-

PhilHealth coverage for PWDs 'victory for the vulnerable'

A

senator said Tuesday the new law providing mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is an important reform towards “greater social protection and health assistance” for them.

In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the newly-signed law is a “great victory for the vulnerable” as it would help PWDs in addressing their daily struggles and expenses, particularly the cost of medical care.

"We welcome this new law and hope that, through better access to quality health care, the country can better serve the 1.4 million Filipinos living with disability and help them become healthy citizens who contribute to nation-building," Hontiveros said.

"It is only just for the state to ensure that those faced with unique challenges in their lives, like PWDs, will have more in law and

be provided with more protection," she added.

Hontiveros, a co-author of the measure in the Senate, said the new law could boost the country's drive towards a progressive, affordable and effective health care system for all, noting that it complements the Universal Health Care Act. Under Republic Act 11228, "all persons with disability (PWDs) shall be automatically covered under the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).”

"The PhilHealth shall develop exclusive packages for PWDs that will address their speci�ic health and development needs," the law reads.

Periodic monitoring and evaluation of the law should be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of So-

PHILHEALTH, P10

maker stressed that the General Appropriations Act is a product of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that both chambers follow the same rules and procedures in crafting the national budget.

The House leader said that if the Senate thinks that the procedure being undertaken by the House is illegal, then the Senate is equally guilty if on its part it had itemized the pet amendments on the budget by the senators.

He pointed out that they have been insisting long ago to their "friends in the Senate" to fully disclose the authorship and details

of the Senate amendments to the budget.

In the spirit of transparency, Andaya said he and his counterpart on the Senate, Finance Committee chair Loren Legarda, should hold a joint press brie�ing on the amendments made in the proposed national budget.

“To clear the air, I suggest that the chair of the Senate �inance committee and the House appropriations committee hold a joint press conference to identify each and every amendment made in the 2019 GAA,” he said.

“After all, transparency and accountability is the name of the game,” Andaya said.

HALAL. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) International Relations Division’s development management officer Amhed Jeoffrey Datukan, together with executive assistant Akhzanuniza Alonto, talks about Halal updates, Halal potential investment and recommendations for the industry during Wednesdays

griculture Secretary Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol said Malacañang has assured that it is willing to give the Department of Agriculture (DA) extra funding that it needs in order to enhance farmers' output and in turn, increase the country's food productivity.

During a full Cabinet meeting Monday evening, he said, President Rodrigo Duterte asked him to submit a budget proposal "10 times bigger" than what it has now.

"Tell me how much you need and I will ask Sonny (Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez) to give you the money," the President told Piñol during the Cabinet meeting which lasted until 12 midnight, which the DA chief divulged in his Facebook page.

According to Piñol, the President emphasized the need for bigger support to agriculture, noting that the country's population is increasing by about two million every year.

"Make use of every available area to grow food. You know how to do that," he quoted President Duterte.

The President also said that there should be greater focus on agricultural infrastructure and asked the concerned departments to revisit the Roll-On, Roll-Off Program (RoRo) of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The RoRo Program involved the establish-

ment of ports which were inter-connected by a virtual sea highway using fast crafts and ferry.

The President also asked DA to focus on the farm-to-market food chain to ensure that farmers and �ishermen are able to sell their produce at a fair price.

In 2018, the National Food and Agricultural Council (NFAC) endorsed a budget of over PHP120 billion but the DA only got PHP49 billion which, added to the budget of newly transferred agencies like the National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority, totaled PHP86 billion.

The PHP86 billion includes the unprogrammed funds of PHP10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and the PHP10 billion from the Coco Levy Fund.

Piñol said the President's announcement of greater budgetary support to agriculture came just in time as the DA starts Tuesday (March 5) its three-day Internal Budget Hearing (IBH) at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) compound in Quezon City wherein all regional of�ices, bureaus and attached agencies will be asked to submit their budget proposals for the year 2020.

With the President's major policy pronouncement last night, Piñol said the DA will adjust its budgetary proposals with corresponding targets to be achieved. (PNA)

@ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Datukan added that the agency is taking extra effort to really open Mindanao for investments and it is advocating that Halal issues would be addressed directly by concern sectors. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

COMPETITIVE EDGE

5

Felcris celebrates 42nd anniversary with raffle draw

T

SAFETY FIRST. Every day, construction workers of La Trinidad Hydro in Benguet begin their operations with a reminder on the use of personal protective equipment alongside task briefing and risk assessment. More than striving for the successful completion of the project, AboitizPower and its partners seek to ensure their workers’ safety at all times.

he Felcris Group of Companies celebrated its 42nd anniversary with a grand raf�le draw that saw one loyal customer go home with a new fourwheel vehicle.

The raf�le draw, dubbed as “Isang Libong Tuwa Isang Libong Premyo,” was the group’s way of giving back to its loyal customers who have continued to patronize its brands 42 years after it was established.

Winning a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 was 75-year old Beatriz R. Pond of Purok 3 Anislagan, Maco Compostela Valley. Mrs. Pond is a retired teacher at the Anislagan Elementary School and a three-year purchase order member of the Central Warehouse Club in TAgum City, Davao del Norte.

Also given away during the raf�le draw were Honda TMX 125 for the second

prize, P20,000 in grocery spree for the third prize, a two-door refrigerator and a 32” light emitting diode television set for fourth and �ifth prizes, respectively. Those 1,000 who won consolation prizes received P500 gift certi�icate each.

The raf�le draw was participated by all the brands under the Felcris Group of Companies – the 15 Warehouse Clubs, 2 Parkway Stores in Monkayo in Compostela Valley and in Surigao City, eight Felcris Supermarket branches, and 122 Davao Central Convenience stores all over Mindanao.

The group is planning to hold more events to surprise its loyal customers and as its way of giving back to them.

Last year, the group held a successful Inter-School Dance Competition with 15 big schools in the city participating.

and to congratulate everybody for such a milestone of a million safe man hours. It certainly is a team effort to get to this point. You don’t get here by chance. It takes a lot of planning, control, and discipline,” Sangster said.

Apart from ensuring the safety of workers, AboitizPower and its subsidiary Hedcor have also been giving back to the host communities for their support for the

project.

To date, over Php 2 million worth of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives were implemented in the municipality of La Trinidad.

Moreover, the hydropower plant project has spurred employment in the host communities.

Once completed, La Trinidad Hydro is expected to create more economic opportunities in Benguet.

Cleanergy facility in Benguet reaches 1m safe man hours

T

he 19-MW La Trinidad Hydro power plant, under construction by AboitizPower, has recently reached one million safe man hours without lost time incident since it broke ground in 2017.

The facility, set to be completed in 2019, is part of AboitizPower’s Cleanergy portfolio, its renewable energy brand which also includes geothermal and solar energy

sources. This new project reinforces that AboitizPower, together with its partners, is the country’s largest producer of renewable energy from the private sector.

Renato Calderon, Of�icer-in-Charge of Whessoe Philippines Construction, Inc., one of Hedcor’s partners for the project, said that safety has been at the forefront of their operations since day one.

“AboitizPower is very

PLDT, Smart kick off SM Cyberzone Game Fest 2019

T

echnology leader PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) back Filipino gamers during the launch of SM Cyberzone Game Fest 2019 at the SM North EDSA Annex in Quezon City.

Gaming enthusiasts, shoppers, and guests can join tournaments, explore game features and products on display, listen to talks about the latest products, experience virtual reality and free play, meet in�luencers in the gaming industry, and buy new gadgets that are on sale at the event.

“We are excited to support Filipino e-sports athletes and gamers from all walks of life by providing the fastest mobile network and other promos whenever they play their favorite mobile or online games,” said Louie De Guzman, AVP and Center Head of Key Accounts Management at Smart.

“Our focus has al-

ways been to deliver great customer experience whenever they use mobile data. And with our massive network improvement rollout, we are encouraging our subscribers to upgrade to 4G and LTE smartphones and devices in order to fully enjoy our fastest network,” said Precy P. Katigbak, VP and Head of National Key Accounts at Smart.

“We are glad to have the support of PLDT and Smart as we showcase the latest gaming trends and gadgets at SM Cyberzone. Through this series of events until May, we want to provide an avenue for gamers and enthusiasts where they can showcase their skills and talents when it comes to gaming,” said Robert Mark Joseph Ramilo, Cyberzone Sr. Marketing Manager for SM Cyberzone.

The SM Cyberzone Game Fest 2019 will run in different SM Malls nationwide from March to May 2019.

particular with the safety of our workers for the construction of the hydropower plant. Thus, we ensure that all our workers are given the necessary education on safety prior to deployment,” Calderon said.

He also shared that they conduct Daily Safe Task Instruction (DSTI), which includes a discussion on the area condition, task brie�ing, and risk assessment, as well as remind-

ers on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Chris Sangster, AboitizPower Executive Director for Project Development and Execution, said that this safety milestone is a collaborative effort between AboitizPower and its partners, Whessoe and Alangdeo General Construction.

“This, for us, is certainly a time to celebrate

PLDT-Smart and SM Cyberzone officials kick off the SM Cyberzone Game Fest 2019 at SM North EDSA Annex.

Fast growing industry in Asia Online gaming has become a popular sport among people of all ages.

Gaming research website New Zoo stated that Asia Paci�ic has reached a revenue of $51.2 billion, making it the larg-

est gaming market in 2017. In the same year, Asia also took the lion’s share of the worldwide e-sports market revenue. In fact, e-sports has been included in the list of events at the Southeast Asian Games that is happening in the coun-

try in November.

And as part of the telco's move to elevate gaming in the Philippines, PLDT and Smart, together with professional e-sports management Sterling Global Dragons, have recently launched their own

of�icial professional e-sports team called 'Omega.'

'Omega' will represent PLDT and Smart in The Nationals, the country's �irst franchise-based e-sports league, which will kick off on March 17.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

EDITORIAL Public welfare comes first

T

here is a photo posted on social media on Monday which spoke heavily of the real sentiments of residents of Catalunan Grande.

The photo, uploaded by a netizen, showed �lyers left along the streets in Barangay Catalunan Grande with a message written in vernacular: “Sa mga operator ug dirver sa jeep, testingi ninyo ug hilabot ang mga bus kay mubalos mi! Kini nga mensahe nag gikan sa mga katawhan sa Catalunan Grande nga di ninyo kaya serbisyohan sa inyong mga delikado nga jeep. (To the jeep operator and driver (of Catalunan Grande), don’t you dare to harm the buses for we will exact revenge! This message is from the people of Catalunan Grande which you failed to serve through your dangerous jeep).”

Needless to say, the post generated massive approval from netizens who sympathize with residents patronizing the city government’s implementation of PHABS as a plug-in-the-hole solution to the burdensome transport dearth in the area.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

ADAM B. MORRELL Reporter

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. JAN MIKKO CANARIAS CHA MONFORTE Correspondent

DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Cartoonist Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO• DENNIS “GICO” R. G.GORECHO DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ MUJAHID NAVARRA • HAROLD CAVITE

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

There is no reason for the jeepney drivers and operators to be infuriated by the deployment of buses in the route as it is obvious that the current inventory is not enough to serve the needs of the public during peak hours. The bus augmentation is also in effect only during peak hours and not round the clock, hence, should not mean to deprive them of income. The buses only serve what they cannot absorb at certain times of the day.

Public conveyance is a matter of general welfare prevailing over livelihood and economic gains of certain individuals. There is no debate here on who gets prioritized when dealing between the problem of lack of transportation and protection of franchise.

Nevertheless, the situation in Catalunan Grande should not escalate into violence between the jeepney operators and drivers on one hand and the bus operators and residents on the other. Mutual understanding and sacri�ice must prevail in this situation.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09382022120 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Osmeña’s 1946 Davao appointments

P

residents come and go but the executive orders they issue, unless amended or repealed, have far-ranging impact in the way the government advances its political agenda. Even Sergio S. Osmeña, Sr., the second Philippine Commonwealth president and third chief executive who served only two years (1944-46), has his own share of legacy in form of edicts.

A Filipino of Chinese descent, Cebu-born Osmeña (1878-1961) was an alumnus of San Juan de Letran College before taking up Law at the University of Santo Tomas and later passed the Bar. During the Philippine Revolution, he was a war staff of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. As a journalist, he founded in 1900 the El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) in Cebu.

His �irst public of�ice was as councilor of Cebu (190304) and later was appointed acting governor of Cebu when Gov. Juan Climaco attended the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair in Missouri, USA. With Climaco’s return, he became provincial �iscal until he contested the governorship in 1906 and won. He became a member and �irst Speaker of the House of Representatives (1907-22) and was senator for thirteen years (1923-35) representing the 10th Senatorial District; he also served as Senate President pro tempore.

During the Common-

T

wo nights ago, I was reading the online version of Philippine Daily Inquirer. One of the news reports that I read was this one: “South Korea donates food terminal to upland Filipino farmers.”

It said that the state-run Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) established a regional local food terminal in San Miguel in Panay Island. In addition, the agency also donated a local food center where Filipino farmers will “be trained to strengthen their marketing ability and have meetings with consumer groups.”

Lee Mi-kyung, the KOICA president, was quoted as saying: “The purpose of the project is to establish a sustainable system run by farmers in the rural area, especially upland, which remains on the outskirts of the bene�its of development.”

The word that caught my attention from the quote was “upland,” which the agency head, described as an area which “remains on the outskirts of the bene�its of development.”

He was right. The uplands are somewhat neglected in terms of development. To think, the Philippines is, geographically, an upland country

wealth, he was secretary of information (1935-37) before he ran as vice president of President Manuel L. Quezon, whom he succeeded in 1944 when he died of tuberculosis in New York. He also founded the enduring Nacionalista Party, a political group.

His fruitful political career also spawned the rise of his descendants. Son and namesake Sergio Jr. became senator and almost made it to the presidency if he was not defeated by Ferdinand E. Marcos in the 1971 elections.

Two of his grandsons made it to the Senate (Sergio III and John Henry); two others made it to the Cebu governorship (Lito) and the city mayoralty (Tomas).

Former Sen. Sotero H. Laurel, son of wartime president Jose P. Laurel, described Osmeña as a ‘perfect gentleman’ in a speech made before the Cebu Newspaper Workers Foundation, Inc. “Of Don Sergio Osmeña’s qualities that make him an ideal mentor and teacher… [he] was, as his own children would con�irm, serene, patient and understanding, ever solicitous of the people around him. Patrician-looking, he stood erect as a Grecian pillar and evoked not only reverence but also obedience. He was, indeed, an exacting taskmaster because he was a perfectionist, but

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa he was also gentle, as “gentle as the falling tear.” Never in my three years of close association with him did he ever ‘lose his cool,’ even in the most trying circumstances. With his subordinates he did, now and then, manifest unmistakable signs of displeasure but always his manner of address was calm… He was the perfect gentleman.

“But personal qualities, however admirable and exemplary, do not make an educator. To qualify as an educator, one must have a philosophy of education that can be acquired only after serious study of the science of human behavior, morals and character. Philosophy, in itself, implies wisdom and the ceaseless pursuit of knowledge which is the preoccupation of

the scholar. And Don Sergio Osmeña, by temperament and upbringing, was a genuine scholar.”

Given his brief stint in the presidency, most of Osmeña’s appointments took place in 1946, just four months after World War II was of�icially ended. A good number of the people he chose and installed in public of�ices were from Davao region. He appointed Nicolas Tolentino as ad interim city treasurer of Davao as early as January 7 that year.

On January 31, 1946, Osmeña appointed close to a dozen justices of the peace in ad interim capacity. The appointees were: Vicente Calanog, for Caraga and Manay, Davao Oriental; Prosperador C. Danao, for Cateel and Baganga, Davao Oriental; Teo�ilo Osorio, for Kapalong, Davao del Norte, and Camansa (Montevista), Compostela Valley Province; Heraclio Castillo, for Mati City and Lupon, Davao Oriental; Jose P. Cruz, for Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province; Valerio P. Reyes, for Tagum City and Saug (Asuncion), Davao del Norte; Diosdado Renegado, for Samal and Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province; Rafael Santos, for Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; Sulpicio Platon, for Sigaboy (Gov. Generoso) and Surup (Gov. Generoso), Davao Oriental; Anacleto Cruz, for Compostela, Compostela Valley Prov-

ince; and Bibiano Luminarias, for Caburan (Jose Abad Santos) and Batulaki (Sarangani), Davao Occidental.

On February 1, 1946, he appointed Ruperto Lizada, Dominador Zuño, Jose Manguñe, Carmelo Porras, and Carlos Gempesaw as acting councilors of Davao City. Nearly three weeks later, on February 18, Osmeña appointed David Palma Gil as ad interim member of the provincial board of Davao, and Fundador R. Villafuerte, as acting mayor of Davao City.

A week later, he installed Sulpicio Quirante as acting vice mayor of Tagum City and Enrique Codilla, Gualberto Gamao, Demetrio Mensidor, and Amado Berame as acting councilors of the same place.

On March 1, Esteban Bumanglag was appointed justice of the peace of Compostela, Compostela Valley Province.

As the �irst Visayan president, Osmeña is honored throughout Davao region. The towns of Padada and Sulop (Davao del Sur), Gov. Generoso (Davao Oriental), and Compostela (Compostela Valley Province) have barangays named after him. Tagum City, on the other hand, has recognized Osmeña with a street while Davao City honors him with a park (beside the Sangguniang Panlungsod) and an elementary school in Sasa district.

Environment in the Humid Tropics” – found out that subsistence food production, rather than forestry, is their over-riding priority.

It’s not surprising why “most of the country’s once rich forests are gone,” according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) study entitled, “Sustainable Forest Management.”

The once-upon-a-time forested areas when cultivated by uplanders become fragile. The steep slopes, loose soil and torrential rainfall all the more make the uplands susceptible to landslides, mud�lows, debris torrents and other forms of soil mass movements, experts claim.

“The effects of population pressure on upland resources is magni�ied because of the high growth rate and intense poverty,” said Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, who used to be with the Institute of Environmental Science and Management at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

Lack of opportunities for income and livelihood stimulate people to migrate from the lowlands to inhospitable upland areas, which were mostly teemed with forests in the past. Those lowland migrants cut the trees extensively and adopt-

ed the unsustainable farming technologies they were noted for.

Denuded forest lands are believed to experience 100 tons of soil loss per year against less than eight tons per year from natural forests. The Philippines has nine million hectares classi�ied as eroded soil.

Today – and not in the distant future – that the country’s uplands should be saved from annihilation. “The upland (area) is the ecological and social frontier where the battle for (the) future survival of the Filipino society will be fought,” Dr. Percy E. Sajise, of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, said at one point in time.

“We must help �ight this battle not because of any ideology or creed but primarily because we must assure the survival of the coming generation of Filipinos,” pointed out Dr. Sajise, whose pioneering work and contribution in the �ield of ecology are considered a breakthrough in providing solutions to pressing environmental problems.

“Let us not assign this responsibility to future generations or look around for somebody whom we should blame… when we ourselves can do something about it,” he urged.

Rescuing uplands

since 60% of its 30 million hectares are classi�ied as such.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the government’s lead agency in protecting and conserving our resources, classi�ied uplands as “rolling to steep areas where both agriculture and forestry are practiced on slopes ranging 18% upward.”

In addition, uplands in the Philippines also include table lands and plateaus lying at higher elevations not normally suited to wet rice unless some form of terracing and groundwater exist.

The upland provinces include Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Antique, Eastern and Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Basilan, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Bukidnon, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur. Uplanders – which comprised about 30% of the country’s total population with almost half of them living within forests – are often referred to as the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippine society since they survive below the poverty line.

Upland inhabitants are primarily poor farming families with an insecure land

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

tenure. “The upland farmer faces a very dark future unless something can be done for him soon,” says Jethro P. Adang, the new director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The upland farmer, Adang believes, is “the least educated, least paid, least healthy, least hopeful, and most neglected (in terms of) agricultural development of all people in the Philippines.”

With recent attempts at industrialization, most uplanders are pushed farther to more fragile areas. A study commissioned by the National Research Council Project – entitled “Agricultural Sustainability and the

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

SUBURBIA RISING

NEW... FROM 1

DavOr to Pilot “Whole-of-Nation” approach in the Hinterlands of Manay Town

D

AVAO ORIENTAL – The Provincial Government here will work hand-in-hand with national line agencies to implement President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Whole-of-Nation” approach in �ighting insurgency and poverty at the grassroots level.

During the coordination meeting on Tuesday, February 26, a cluster has been created that is set to identify and asses the needs and problems in the hinterland village of Taocanga in Manay town where the implementation of “Whole-of-Nation” approach will be piloted next month. The said cluster forms part of the Provincial Task Force— which is still being drafted, that will oversee the implementation of the said approach.

In coordination with the barangay of�icials, needs and problems are set to be identi�ied. In support to the Governor’s �lagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC), the Whole-of-Nation Approach

serves as the sustainability mechanism to ensure the long-term impact of all interventions.

The upcoming implementation of the ‘Whole-ofNation’ approach was anchored to the Executive Order (EO) 70, which the President signed last December 4, 2018.According to the said executive order, the whole-of-nation approach addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed con�licts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in areas that need them the most. These will be included in the National Peace Framework, the order said.

The Governor’s Chief-ofStaff Ednar Dayanghirang, who presided the coordination meeting, said that the province will coordinate with the local and national government including the military and the police to give further services to the community.

“Remote and marginal-

ized areas are the forefront target of the program. It needs to be prioritized because they need services more than of those in accessible areas. As a matter of fact, the Governor piloted his �irst NLD caravan in Barangay Taocanga and will also be the �irst barangay to receive services from the ‘Whole-of-nation’ approach in the entire Province,” he said.

He added that the governor’s �lagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan, which has been held within one day in the partner community, “is not enough to end poverty in the community.

Thus, the government needs to know the bedrock of the problem so that solutions will be draft accordingly.”

With the Provincial Government in the forefront of the upcoming implementation of the “Whole-of-Nation” Approach, different national line agencies have committed to support the said endeavor.

National agencies have

committed their support to the new program. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will provide skills and capacity training to build livelihoods in the community, so that the people can establish livelihood to support their daily needs.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Provincial Tourism, will be collaborating to promote the community’s culture, products, and tourism sites to further generate income for the locals.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Of�ice (PSWDO) will render its social services and programs to the community.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police will safeguard the place and the community in the said event which will be spearheaded by the Department of the Local and Interior Government (DILG). By Harold John J. Miguel (DOSCST Intern)

AVAO ORIENTAL – All is set for the opening of the Balay Silangan Reformatory Center for drug dependents in the province of Davao Oriental.

It will take only the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the provincial government and JJ Valderama Behavioral and Management Center to be signed to signal the start of the facility's operation.

JJ Valderama Bahavioral and Management Center is a private facility whose vision is making and strengthening collaborations for behavioral growth and transformation.

"We have two components of the program, while following structured program of activities. We are very happy to be given the chance to provide our services to those who need us," explained Ms. Marilou Rodriguez of JJ Valderama.

She enumerated the process of reformation, that includes treatment, discharge from the facility, and the aftercare.

"We are using different approaches in our treatment.

Remember, the treatment depends on the problem of the client. On the �irst two months we will make focus on our clients, and in the succeeding months, we will include the family. The family plays a vital role in the treatment since their acceptance to their member triggers the desire to

change," she added.

Prov'l Anti Drug Abuse Council(PADAC) Action Of�icer Art Benjie Bulaong expressed his thanks to JJ Valderama for being with the province in this endeavor.

"This is very convenient for us since this will de�initely lessen the burden,

especially with the expertise from their manpower. Other private facilities are charging 45 thousand pesos monthly per client.

But they are only charging Davao Oriental 15 thousand pesos per month. Also, Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang ordered no deprivation of

DavOr Taps Service Provider for Balay Silangan Reformation Center

Alama said he learned the plan when he attended the closing ceremony of the Cinema Rehiyon Dumaguete held at the Green Foundation University in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

Alama said the addition of a culinary cinema section proves that we have a strong and diverse repertoire of world-class regional favourites.

Multi-awarded �ilmmaker Carlo Enciso Catu, festival director of Cinekabalen, said the culinary cinema is an initiative to promote the Filipino's rich food history. The Angeles City and 2018 Cinemalaya’s Best Film winner shared his thoughts to local �ilmmakers aiming to make a niche in culinary cinema.

Catu said Cinekabalen will host the special section.

CineKabalen encourages regional �ilmmakers across the country to delve into the delicious world of food and dining. The �irst of its kind, the competition aims to support the promotion and preservation of the rich culinary history of the Philippines. The special Culinary Cinema Section is open to other non-Kapampangan �ilmmakers.

Catu, for his part, shared that he was inspired by Berlin’s Culinary Cinema that not only highlights Germany’s contribution to the world of food but more so, allow goers to sample the food as featured on the �ilm.

“It is an initiative to realise, inspire and be inspired

that we all have stories appertaining to food”, Catu emphasized. He wants to sway away from the Manila-centric notion that “kapag pagkain, Pampanga kaagad.”

National Commission for the Culture and the Arts Commissioner Teddy Co said that the creation of the special category and competition itself is in line with Proclamation No. 469 declaring the month of April of every year as “Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino” or “Filipino Food Month.”

The competition is open to all Filipino �ilmmakers who have �ilms focused on culinary stories, tradition and culinary treasures.

Filmmaker may submit more than one entry and should be made no earlier than Jan. 2018. Maximum running time, inclusive of opening and closing credits, is 15 minutes. Spoken language may be in English or any Philippine language or dialect with subtitles in English. Entries from abroad will be accepted but must be written, directed or produced by �ilmmakers of Filipino descent.

Music used must be original, licensed or in the public domain. All entries should be submitted on or before March 31, 2019.

Filmmakers will have to send their requirements to cinekabalen�ilmfestival@ gmail.com.

The competition is held in partnership with the Cinema Committee of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

working people know the candidates better. Compared to the past, malaking tulong ito sa aming survey kung sino ang karapat-dapat (this is a big help in determining who are most worthy),” he said.

“Workers need to know more beyond what the candidates say and project themselves to be

through the self-serving posters and television ads.

Through these media debates, we will be able to know kung sino ang genuine o peke (who is genuine and who is fake) among the candidates. These debates on TV and on social media really help us a lot in our survey being conducted,” Mendoza added. (PNA)

TUCP.. FROM 3

D

assistance to the clients," he said.

Once the Memorandum of Agreement is signed, JJ Valderama Center will start with 10 clients already waiting for admission.

The partnership is expected to fast track all

efforts towards a drugfree Davao Oriental, as envisioned by Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang, and this was best described by Bulaong as "doable".

The facility is strategically located in Sitio Magay, Brgy. Don Marundan, City of Mati. By: Neela Duallo

INdulge!

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

EDGEDAVAO FOOD

SPARKed! EAT TO EXPERIENCE and experience to eat.

True, to eat is but a necessity. But to eat intelligently is an art in itself. To say the least, it is enabling the palate and the self to savour and enjoy the food in parts and yes, in its entirety. It is allowing the self to explore by giving in to temptation and accepting of the calories that comes with it.

Not many food places in the city will allow your palate to go beyond the usual flavour pairings. For most, it’s masarap, yes, but quickly ends there. But there are those who’ll make you crave even when you are already eating a piece of their dish.

Run by five cousins (Lawrence Galang (Operations), Jimmu Yoshida (Chef), Karina Cadiogan (Marketing), Katrina Munar (Arts and Crafts) and Kenji Caday (Procurement)) whose pen-

More than a cafe, Spark also offers Calligraphy classes.

Karina and Chef Jimmu.

chant for great coffee, delish food, arts and crafts fused into a delicious concept store that has since become a favourite chill place for Dabawenyos and visitors. Spark is truly one of the most delectably beautiful places to visit in the city. Its quaint interior makes it even more attractive — it has that rustically serene ambiance that’s very inviting to the senses.

Captivating would be an understatement.

For most, the cafe is one that’s very typical — ordinary, even.

However, as you step inside and imbibe the surroundings, you’d feel a certain spark that’s too hard to miss.

SPARK started as a small cafe that initially offered coffee, sandwiches and waffles, with a crafts corner that sold hardto-find calligraphy tools, pens, and stationery. Today, Spark has evolved into a haven of anything you would want in a cafe. Adding to that, the crafts corner has also gotten bigger to accommodate handicrafts and stationery items from other local crafters from Davao.

Menu wise, it now offers a wider array of food and drinks. It has expanded its menu to serve rice meals, pasta and more beverages, while also keeping their bestselling items like their Frenchees, Banana and Blueberry Waffles, and Lasagna to name a few. Oh and not to forget, their chunky cheesy version of monte cristo sandwich that’s simply divine.

At Spark, don’t be afraid to explore their menu. It goes from sweet to savoury to something

Dishes of flavours and textures make every visit at Spark one to remember.

Their fish and fries is served with an egg salad as dip -- perfect at every bite! peculiarly familiar but not quite.

The distinction in taste is prevalent hence enabling you to experience something new every time you visit. Their dishes have this impeccable balance of texture,

Cheezy to the core, this pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea.

taste and flavour that makes every forkful an adventure.

Spark Coffee + Crafts is located at Paseo Uno Building Ruby Street, Marfori Street, Davao City (across the Botanical Garden).

Rustic yet orgasmic to the palate.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

STYLE

M&S Collection Jacket, M&S Collection T-Shirt, M&S Collection Jean, M&S Collection Boot.

OF GARMENTS AND SHOPPING: Marks & Spencer unveils ‘New prices you’ll love’ campaign

M&S Collection Shirt, M&S Collection Short.

Short Sleeve Crew Neck Tee and Check Linen Skirt.

TO SHOP or not to shop – this has always been a question whenever one steps inside a mall or a boutique.

With prices skyrocketing, many shop for quantity and foregoes the quality of the garments they pay for. Will this always be the case?

Marks & Spencer says otherwise.

Stripe Kaftan.

Premier brand Marks & Spencer recently announced their newest campaign that has everyone talking -- ‘New prices you’ll love’ is all about bringing happiness back to shopping. The campaign allows Filipinos to purchase Marks & Spencer’s quality products at new prices from all Marks &Spencer stores located in the Philippines.

Marks & Spencer was formed in 1884 when Michael Marks, a Polish refugee, opened a market stall in Leeds -- with the slogan ‘don’t ask the price, it’s a penny’. In 1894, or ten years after, Marks went into partnership with Thomas Spencer, a former cashier from the wholesale company, Dewhirst. Thus, forming Marks & Spencer.

It has announced that it has lowered prices in the Philippines by an average of 18% across their womenswear, menswear and lingerie.

In particular, womenswear prices were lowered by an average of 28%.

Further, the campaign highlights the new permanently cut prices at Marks &Spencer.

SSI Group President, Anthony

T Huang, shared, “This season we’ve invested into our prices to make us more competitive for our customers in the Philippines. By introducing new prices across all our clothing products, our customers will be able to take a fresh look at our style – with the quality you know, now with lower prices you’ll love.”

With its newest campaign, now everyone can afford to be comfortable without having to go over budget. Marks & Spencer is all about quality. Since the beginning, it has taken its collection of wardrobe staples a notch higher – every single time. From basic necessities to the more casual, dressy pieces, one can never go wrong with their

products.

Excited? Well, we are surely in for a great treat. Marks & Spencer new price points include tshirts from P695, jeans from PP1550, dresses from P1550 , knitwear from P175 and handbags from P1550.

Marks & Spencer has traded in the Philippines since 1997 with its franchise partner Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc. Today, it has 20 franchise stores and 2 outlet stores.

In the city, Marks & Spencer stores are located at the ground floors of Abreeza Ayala Mall and SM Lanang Premier.

The campaign was unveiled in early February (2019) as part of the company’s new Spring collection launch. LSA

DAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

MMFF movies highlight Sky Pay-Per-View MOVIES that added fun and quirk to the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival promise to make TV viewing exciting this March as SKY Movies Pay Per View features “Girl in the Orange Dress’ and “Mary, Marry Me” starting March 8 until March 31.

Jessy Mendiola makes her screen comeback, this time, with Jericho Rosales in the “Girl in the Orange Dress.” Under the production of Quantum Films, Star Cinema, and MJM Productions, the movie follows the story of Anna, who wakes up in a room with the biggest actor in the country. Find out how will she get out of the place without any media or fans recognizing her.

A film about family and sisterhood, “Mary, Marry Me” brings the story of Mary Anne and Mary Jane, played by sisters Alex and Toni Gonzaga. Witness how their relationship is tested when Mary Anne decides to marry the former’s ex-boyfriend, Pete (Sam Milby).

“Rainbow’s Sunset” which won 11 awards in the last MMFF awards

including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor and, Best Screenplay, adds spice in the line-up. It tells the story of LGBT members in their sunset years. Meet Ramon (Eddie Garcia), who chooses to come out to his children in his senior years and take care of his sick lover.

Also included in this month’s bundle are Otlum and Pinoy Pride 34.

Treat your friends and family to an unforgettable MMFF marathon in standard or high definition

from the comfort of your home or on any device anytime, anywhere via SKY on Demand for only P30 for a 3-day access. To subscribe, call 305-5456 visit www.mysky.com.ph/ moviesppv.

Super stream ‘The Umbrella Academy’ on Netflix with Globe At Home THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY is a series that focuses on a “dysfunctional family of superheroes”. In 1989, 43 superpowered infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy a day before. Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopts seven of the children, and prepares them to save the world from an unspecified threat. Over the years the family fractured and the team disbanded until they were reunited upon the news of Hargreeves’ death. But the mystery surrounding their “father’s” death and the threat of the apocalypse solidify their family ties.

The stellar cast includes Ellen Page (Vanya/Number 7), Tom Hopper (Luther/Number One), Robert Sheehan (Klaus/Number Four),

Linen Shirt.

Emmy Raver-Lampman (Allison/Number Three), David Castañeda (Diego/ Number Two), Aidan Gallagher (Number Five/ The Boy) and Colm Feore (Reginald Hargreeves) with Mary J. Blige, Tom Magaro, and Kate Walsh.

The first season has 10 one-hour episodes that premiered last February 15.

With a Globe At Home Plan, you can stream “The Umbrella Academy” all you want. To enjoy Netflix, just avail of any Globe At Home Plan and charge Netflix to your account! For existing Globe At Home customers who want to subscribe to Netflix and charge this to their account, simply visit www.globe.com.ph/ broadband/add-ons.html.

Globe at Home provides you access to world class entertainment -- so make that switch to fast, unlimited internet

with Globe At Home and apply for a GoUnli plan to get speeds up to 100Mbps. Enjoy uninterrupted streaming with the whole family -- no data cap starting at just P1,699 per month! And the best part is you can stream or download

your favorite content via legitimate sources such as Netflix to continue to #PlayItRight.

Moreover, continuing to #PlayItRight protects you from malware and other cybersecurity threats commonly associated with illegal content.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

9 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

SEAWEEDS are not only for eating Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

or every 100,000 Filipinos, some 189 people are af�licted with cancer while four die of cancer every hour. That’s according to a study conducted by the Institute of Human Genetics of the University of the Philippines.

Based on recent data released by the Department of Health and the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc., nine Filipinos are diagnosed with cancer every hour.

The good news is: President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently signed Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. The new law pursues to implement a national framework to �ight cancer.

A few days after the president enacted the law, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) released the �inding of a study which said that a certain species of seaweed thriving in the country’s water may have anti-cancer bene�its.

“Researchers from the University of Santo Tomas found that polysaccharides extracted from Codium species, locally known as ‘pukpuklo’ (a seasonally-available seaweed), are effective against cancer cells and destructive enzymes associated with cancer metastasis,” said a press statement released by DOST. The researchers, headed by Dr. Ross Dizon Vasquez, evaluated the inhibitory potential of the polysaccharides fractions isolated from Codium species. They found that “the seaweed �ights destructive enzymes that aid metastasis or spread of cancer to different parts of the body.”

Polysaccharides are carbohydrates such as starch, cellulose, or glycogen whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together. This kind of carbohydrates are used by the body in storing energy, sending cellular messages, or for providing support to cells and tissues.

The Codium species used in the study were collected in Ilocos Norte, Aklan, Iloilo, and

Cagayan province.

“Pukpuklo,” a favorite Ilokano dish, is known as a good source of dietary �iber, amino acids, and minerals. However, little is known about its medicinal value and further studies have yet to be conducted to explore its use in the �ield of medicine.

Last year, the medical research was also on the limelight when Dr. Annabelle V. Briones shared her study showing the possibility of carrageenan as a valuable agent in gene delivery/therapy.

Carrageenan is an indigestible carbohydrate extracted from edible seaweeds. In her study, Dr. Briones used those extracted from red seaweeds (particularly the Eucheuma variety).

Gene therapy is a method of introducing new genetic material (DNA) into the diseased cells of an individual with the intention of producing therapeutic bene�its for the patient. This kind of therapy has been around for decades, but scientists have seen little success with this technology because gene transfer is a very delicate and complicated process.

In her study, Dr. Briones found that carrageenan, speci�ically the iota type, may be used as a potential gene delivery vehicle when it was tested as a “coating” material for DNA in cultured cells (in vitro).

According to her, the coating made from the iota carrageenan was able to protect the DNA as it remains stable and viable during the gene transfer process. She added that the iota carrageenan has the highest transfection ef�iciency compared to the other two types of carrageenan, the kappa and the lambda.

The iota carrageenan has the “best release capability” of the DNA material into the target cells, said Dr. Briones, who was given an Achievement Award (Chemical Sciences Division) by the National Research Council of the Philippines in 2016.

But it’s not only in medical science that seaweeds �ind their other purpose. Even in agriculture, they can be of great help. Scientists from the National Crop Protection Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), with innovative technology, found that seaweed extracts can boost rice yield by more than 65%.

This is good news for Filipinos since rice is a staple food. About 89% of the country’s total population of more than 100 million consume rice on a daily basis.

Some studies showed that when carbohydrate from carrageenan is reduced to tiny sizes by a safe technology process called irradiation, it can be an effective growth promoter and makes rice resistant to major pests. In fact, at very small doses, it is an effective organic fertilizer.

“As a growth enhancer, it offers an array of bene�its that result in improved productivity,” the UPLB researchers said.

“Used properly as prescribed, it makes the rice stem stronger thus improving rice resistance to lodging.”

But what made the seaweed extracts valuable is that it also promotes resistance to rice ‘tungro’ virus and bacterial leaf blight, two of the worst problems rice farmers have to face. As a result, farmers can obtain increased harvest.

“This seaweed additive is that it is compatible with the traditional practice on fertilizer application, thereby allowing easy acceptance and less resistance from farmers,” explained the press statement.

“It also promotes sustainable agriculture since it is environment-friendly and enhances the presence of natural enemies that �ight major pests in rice �ields.”

More importantly, the technique promotes more ef�icient absorption of plant nutrients that enables improved growth.

In a �ield trial conducted in Bulacan by the research team using carrageenan, rice yield

was signi�icantly increased by 63.6 – 65.4%. “This treatment provided higher grain weight (of 450 grams and 455 grams, respectively) compared to traditional farmers’ practice of applying nine (9) bags of fertilizer per hectare that yielded only 275 grams,” the study found.

Application of six bags of fertilizer per hectare plus 200 parts per million (or 20 milliliters) of carrageenan is more or less comparable with the application of just three bags of fertilizer per hectare with the same mixture.

“This innovation of applying seaweed as fertilizer empowers our farmers to have access to cheaper but highly effective plant growth enhancers that boils down to improved harvest and increased income,” the press statement said.

Seaweeds are marine plants that grow abundantly in shallow reef �lats and in lagoons with a water depth of less than two meters at high tide. They differ from plants because they lack the stems, leaves, roots, and vascular systems that are common in higher plants.

Technically, seaweeds are “multicellular” forms of algae and are classi�ied into three main divisions: brown algae, red algae, and green algae. Brown algae, commonly called “kelp,” are the largest variety. Paci�ic species can reach 65 meters in length and have structures that super�icially resemble leaves and stems.

On the other hand, red algae are composed of several species, including the Irish moss. They are abundant in clear tropical waters. Meanwhile, green algae – which are sometimes called “sea lettuce” – are commonly seen at low tide, along rocky shores in northern seas.

The Philippines is one of the pioneers in seaweed farming. Cultures of Porphyra, Eucheuma, and Caulerpa in the Philippine marine farms have been recorded as early as the

1960s. Through the initiative of Dr. Max Doty, a marine botanist at the University of Hawaii, and his local counterparts, the �irst technology for culture of Eucheuma was introduced to industry in 1973.

Commercial seaweed farmers �irst succeeded in cultivating Eucheuma in the reef areas of Mindoro, Aklan, Cuyo, Zamboanga, and Tawi-Tawi.

Since then, seaweed production has gone overboard.

Ideally, the conditions for growing the seaweeds are water depths of one foot to two feet at low tide, water temperature of 27 to 30 degrees Centigrade, salinity of 31 to 34 parts per thousand and moderate water movement (20 to 40 meters per hour). Excessive sunlight, strong currents, and the presence of plant-eating �ish like danggit (siganid) can be detrimental to seaweed growing.

In the Philippines, some 390 species have been identi�ied as having economic value as food, animal feeds, fertilizers, diet supplement, medicines, and raw materials for industrial products.

At least 60 Philippine varieties are reportedly edible, including “gulamang dagat,” “gamet,” “pocpoclo,” “culot,” “lato,” “guso,” “barls-barls,” “bulaklak bato,” and “balbalolang.” Some of these varieties can be processed into jams, jellies, candies, pickles, baby’s food, and “gulaman” bars.

The food value of seaweeds varies in different species. Average chemical analyses of 46 species of marine algae in the Philippines show that the crude protein content (percentage of dry weight) is 7.44, 6.40, and 9.29 for the green, brown, and red seaweeds, respectively. This is about two to three times the protein content of common green leafy vegetables, which is 3.27 percent dry weight.

Four species – Halimada, Hypnea, Sargassum, and Asparagopsis – have been used as feed or fodder for livestock. Species of Cladophora,

Enteromorpha, Chaetomorpha, and Gracilaria are used to supplement or substitute for �ishfood for cultured herbivorous �ish.

Seaweeds have also some medicinal values. They are used to treat or prevent goiter, glandular troubles, stomach disorders, intestinal and bladder dif�iculties, unusually profuse menstrual �low, highblood pressure, and high plasma-cholesterol level. Gracilaria species are used locally as pain relievers and ointments.

Commercially, seaweeds are valued for their colloids or gluey substance, particularly agar, carrageenan, and algin.

Both agar and carrageenan are extracted from red seaweeds, while algin is extracted from brown seaweeds.

Agar, which derived its name from the Malay word for seaweed, “agar-agar,” is used in making jellied desserts, as stabilizer in pie �illings, piping gels, icings, cookies, cream shells, and as thickening and gelling agent in poultry, �ish and meat canning.

In the medical and pharmaceutical industries, agar serves as a laxative, suspending agent for barium sulfate in radiology, ingredient for slow-release capsules and in suppositories and surgical lubricants, and as a disintegrating agent in tablets. It is also used as impression materials to make accurate casts in prosthetic dentistry, criminology and tool manufacturing.

Carrageenan, on the other hand, is used in making ointments, as a stabilizing agent in frozen dairy products, as emulsifying agent in water-insoluble drugs and herbicides, and as texturing agent in toothpaste and powder. The Philippines is the world’s top carrageenan exporter.

Algin or alginic acid, meanwhile, is used as another stabilizing agent for several food products, as a sizing agent in paper manufacture, and as thickening agent in print pastes and painting coatings.

10 EDGEDAVAO FIGHTBACK... FROM 1

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

a phone interview with Edge Davao on Wednesday, said people behind the lea�lets circulation might be really residents of Catalunan Grande.

“Personal opinion lang nako ni ha, pero tan-aw nako ang mga residente ang nagbuhat ani kay siguro nakita nila ang tabang nga nahatag sa bus augmentation,” Abude said.

Abude, however, clari�ied that no resentments nor negative reactions were raised by operators and drivers during the recent consultation.

“Wala man, walay nag oppose ato kay dili man mi maka recommend sa LTFRB kung naay mag reklamo ani,” said Abude.

Before PHABS was implemented, residents of Catalunan Grande endured long queues at the jeepney terminal during peak hours.

Under the PHABS, three city buses are currently operating in Catalunan Grande.

Another three buses, said Abude, will be added as soon as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory

Board (LTFRB) approves the provincial buses to operate.

The lack of city buses, according to Abude, has limited the potential of the bus augmentation, prompting the City Government of Davao to request LTFRB to issue permits for provincial buses.

Catalunan Grande and Toril District commuters were the main bene�iciaries of PHABS which will also soon penetrate in barangays Mintal, Cabantian and Sasa.

On Tuesday, March 5, CTTMO conducted a consultation with jeepney operators and barangay of�icials, in connection with the additional bus augmentation service for Mintal, Cabantian, and Sasa.

“We have to consult residents of the affected areas before we implement the additional Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) for Mintal, Cabantian and Sasa,” said Abude.

CTTMO has recommended at least four bus units to serve each route.

The government agency held the consultations after

it received proposals for the inclusion of Mintal, Cabantian, and Sasa in the PHABS, as passengers in these areas are also reportedly confronted with the same situation as those in Toril and Catalunan Grande.

Abude said the consultations with the affected sectors, including transport groups and associations, are being conducted, pending the approval by LTFRB for the additional routes.

“The Sasa Route will hopefully be added to address the concern of passengers waiting at points of convergence during peak hours,” he said.

Abude said the proposal to add the Sasa Route was based on the observed in�lux of passengers from the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) during the morning peak hours as they go to the downtown areas for work, school, and other concerns.

A study showed that 52.85 percent or 148 out of 280 passengers travel between the downtown areas and Sasa during the after-

noon peak hours.

Once approved, the Sasa PHABS Route will serve those from Sasa via Lanang, JP Laurel Avenue, turn right to Quirino Avenue, then turn right to Tionko St., and vice versa). The route will be served from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The practice of passenger buses servicing barangay routes is not new in Davao City. Dacoville Subdivision in barangay Dumoy started with about 10 bus units in the 80’s. This was followed by other subdivisions in other parts of the city. Annil Transportation Company launched several buses in Catalunan Grande and Sasa.

At least two bus units of Annil were hijacked by suspected communist rebels who burned the vehicles after the passengers were ordered to disembark.

After a decade, the bus operation to subdivisions, mostly operated by homeowner associations, ceased to operate for lack of demand. (with reports from CIO)

pate in ManCom meetings and worst was not longer paid her monthly RATA. When she complained to the Civil Service Commission, the CSC ordered Mayor Timbol to reinstate to her previous position saying that what the mayor did was constructive dismissal of Estrada.

Instead of following the order of the CSC, the mayor instead issued an-

other directive, this time, Memorandum 2018-102 dated February 15, 2018, reassigning and designating complainant Estrada as of�ice-in-charge of the Municipal Administrator’s Of�ice (MAO) “which was simply a ruse to prevent her (Estrada) from returning to her post, especially so that respondent had already one Cynthia S. Peilago, as Municipal Accoun-

tant…”

In its decision, the Ombudsman said that the acts of the respondent town mayor against the complainant constituted grave misconduct as they show respondent’s wilful intent to violate the law or to disregard established rules.

“Such acts also show respondent’s excessive use of her authority that constituted Abuse of Authori-

ty,” the verdict said.

The Ombudsman directed the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement the decision within 10 days from receipt of it.

Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo M. Elman signed the document recommending approval of the decision. ANTONIO M.AJERO

OMBUDSMAN... FROM 10

PHILHEALTH... FROM 4

cial Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), local government units (LGUs), and other relevant government agencies and non-government organizations.

The DOH must also

maintain an updated database on PWDs and their health and development needs.

Meanwhile, the LGUs, PhilHealth, NCDA, and other relevant government agencies are directed to submit their data on PWDs to the DOH. (PNA)

began with allegations of cattle rustling, theft, and envy,

among members of the families. (PNA)

Lanao del Norte.

During the VCM demonstrations, Rashid

also answered questions from the audience. (HMFP/ PIA LDN)

MAGUINDANAO... FROM 2 COMELEC... FROM 2

ERRATUM In the February 15, 17 and 19, 2019 issues of Edge Davao, the Notice of Auction Sale by Jaskin Pawnshop, San Pedro Street, the date of the unredeemed items to be auctioned was erroneously printed as September 2018 instead of June 2018 to September 2018.

Our apologies.

– The Editors.

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 249 • THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

DCGC-AEON LUXE TEAM UP. The Davao City Golf Club Senior team finished a strong second in the Sportswriters division of the recent 33rd PAL Interclub Golf Tournament Seniors Division held in Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Cebu City. DCGC was supported by Aeon Luxe Properties in their campaign. The team is composed of Councilor Jimmy Dureza, Jose Daigdigan, Vic Noble, Isagani Gascal, Napoleon Manajero, Benhur Villarosa, Jun Narciso and Elmer Basilia.

all set for second Security, safety details Davao hosting of Ironman race readied for Ironman 70.3 I

By ADAM B. MORRELL

O

rganizers of the 2019 Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao slated March 24 at the Azuela Cove, Alcantara Ayala Land in Lanang are �inalizing the augmentation of security and safety for the year’s biggest sports event in the city.

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) deputy head Angel Sumagaysay bared this on Wedneday during the AFP-PNP media brie�ing held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

“It’s all systems go, kumbaga ready na ta noh, kay almost one year pud ni na preparation,” Sumagaysay said, after complet-

C

ing series of coordination meetings involved of�ices and Local Government Units (LGU). The latest one was done on Tuesday, March 5.

The PSSCC chief said they already presented their security plans to the involved sectors and it’s only a matter of �ine-tuning the parameters as the event will surely attract huge number of crowds.

“There is also a close coordination with the event organizers and the LGU of Davao City represented by city administration for operations lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo,” Sumagaysay added.

Some 2,300 triathletes from several countries have signed up for the event. These entries are expected to bring with them an entourage of supporters and crew.

Sumagaysay, meanwhile, said all logistics needed for the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run race are all set and ready.

The event will of�icially kickoff on March 17 but the actual race will unreel on the 24th.

Side events like Herbalife Irongirls and Alaska Ironkids will come before the actual Ironman 70.3.

Sports Development

Division-City Mayors Of�ice (SDD-CMO) of�ice-incharge Mikey Aportadera, in a separate interview, said the number of participants has increased to almost a half compared to last year’s 1,800 entries.

With a bigger �ield, more spectators are also expected to visit Davao City this year to witness event which will feature the world’s best in the pro elite division.

Apart from that, celebrities like Piolo Pascual, Ding Dong Dantes, Matteo Guidicelli, Bubbles Paraiso, Zoren Legaspi and Kuya Kim Atienza are taking part in the star-studded race.

Jaraula.

Luisita, the Senior champion last week, was seven shots off after a 118 built around the 32 of Luigi Paolo Wong and the 31 of Don Petil.

“You have to consider where a player can play his best,” Escano said, when asked why he will bench Katsuragawa at Mactan, an easier course compared to the well-manicured Cebu CC. “He’s a lot more familiar here (Cebu CC) and this is where we can maximize his game.”

Young Jung-oh’s 22 failed to count for Tagaytay Highlands, which was supposed to play in the lower Founders Division but found itself ranged against the big boys at the last minute after the addition of Jolo Magcalayo.

Highlands also has a formidable bench, with Raymund Sangil and Jenz Tecson in the roster.

“We played really bad and yet we’re just seven behind even if our ace almost failed to count,” non-playing Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova said, referring to many-time national champion Rupert Zaragosa, who returned 26 points.

Dan Cruz �ired 29 points and was the third best scorer for the Luisitans.

This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network. Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino.

Of�icial hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

Southwoods leads PAL Interclub by 1

EBU—Despite falling way short of its opening round target, reigning four-time champion Manila Southwoods yesterday still grabbed a one-point lead over darkhorse Tagaytay Highlands as the exclusive Cebu Country Club layout here proved one tough nut to crack for the talented �ield.

Ace Yuto Katsuragawa �ired an eagle-spiked one-under-par 71 worth 37 points to lead the Carmona-based squad to a 125 tally as Tagaytay Highlands rode the 33s of Marty Ilagan and new recruit Jolo Magcalayo to emerge as the closest pursuer.

Action shifts to Mactan Island Golf Club for the next two days, and Southwoods’ non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano declared that Katsuragawa will be sitting out the next two rounds, guaranteeing that Southwoods will have its biggest gun come the

�inal day on Saturday.

“I can’t really say that I am disappointed,” Escano said after Kristoffer Arevalo, the former junior world champion, holed out for a 31 that went with the 29 of Josh Jorge and either 28 of Carl Corpus and Chepe Dulay.

“I can’t really complain because we’re still leading, and I hope that this (round) will turn out to be our bad day for the week,” added Escano, who played his last Regular championship when Southwoods won the �irst of those four titles also here in Cebu.

Jolo Magcalayo picked up on the 18th hole after missing his second putt for a bogey, and Highlands counted the 30 of Jonas Magcalayo and the 28 of Lisandro Opulencia for its 124, two points ahead of perennial contender Del Monte Golf, which got a level 36 from Romeo

t is all systems go for Davao City’s second hosting of the Philippine version of Ironman 70.3, an international triathlon event to be held on March 24 at the Azuela Cove in Lanang.

Princess Galura, the general manager of Sunrise Events - the of�icial organizer of the Alveo Ironman 70.3, said a total of 2,200 athletes from 38 countries will be participating in said event.

The participants will also include celebrities Piolo Pascual, Kim Atienza, Zoren Legaspi, and Matteo Guidicelli. Last year’s champions, Mauricio Mendez and Radka Kahlefeldt, are also coming back to defend their titles.

“This is 400 partic-

ipants more than last year’s 1,800. We can attribute this to Davao City getting a 90 percent rating last year,” Galura said.

Recalled that Davao City’s �irst hosting of the Ironman 703 got an overwhelming rating from last year’s participants at 90.2 percent.

The rating, Galura said, is 2.77 higher than the present global standards.

City Sports Development Division of�icer-in-charge, Mikey Aportadera, is con�ident of another successful year for the city after a good start in 2018 when the organizers brought for the �irst time the Ironman 703 outside of Luzon and the Visayas.

Yuto Katsuragawa of Manila Southwoods hits his tee shot.

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 VOL.11 ISSUE ISSUE 249 249 • THURSDAY, • THURSDAY, MARCH MARCH 7, 2019 7, 2019

UP AND DOWN RPV 1 surges to second, RPV 2 skids to 16th

By ADAM B. MORRELL

C

EBU CITY-- Two teams, two directions.

Rancho Palos Verdes' two squads in the Aviator division went different ways on Wednesday at the start of the 72nd Philippine Airlines Men's Golf Interclub.

Squeezed to the limits against the unforgiving conditions at the Cebu Country Club, RPV-1 had the better story to tell as it pieced together an aggregate 109 to be in second place overnight, three points behind �irst round leader Club Filipino de Cebu which opened with a 112. The other squad from Cabantian, RPV-2, may have to go to bed ruing what hit them after hobbling to an 80 and down in 16th place.

Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club hopes to improve on its fourth place �inish last year in Bacolod City, and with two squads here, the chances should be conceivably double. Well, not quite.

Roderick Lo shot down two birdies but got stung with three bogeys in leading the RPV 1 parbusters with 30 points. EJ Casintahan had a 29 while Leo Yap and Ninot Galicia had 26 and 24, respectively. Jong Tan's 16 did not count in the �ive-to-play-

four-to-count format.

RPV 2 relied on Ludwig Van Ledesma and Jessie Tan who had identical 23s while Alejandro So had 18 and Oscar Rebosura 16. Vincent Valdellon's 14 did not count.

Villamor Air Base Golf Course is at third with 106, and Alta Vista Golf and Country Club at fourth with 103.

RPV will �ield Christopher Tan, Jose Addy Briones, Jorge Martinez, Jean Paul Marfori and Leo Magno in the second round on Thursday which swings over to the Mactan Golf Club. Jaime Tan Sr., Wendell Adlao, Regino Capa, Brian Davila and Gamirin Jerico Bajo will try to bounce back for RPV-2.

The tournament is backed up by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network. Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino.

Of�icial hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

EJ Casintahan fired 29 points in the first round for Rancho Palos Verdes-1. Tommy Inigo