Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 124 | Friday-Saturday, August 30-31, 2019

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FOOD INSECURITY LOOMS OVER CLIMATE CHANGE ENVIRONMENT P8

‘WE PANICKED’

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

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3,559 families affected by flashfloods, residents caught unprepared as floodwaters rise quickly

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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undreds of families were affected by heavy �looding due to driving rains on Wednesday night in Davao City.

RESILIENT. Despite wading through thick mud brought about by an eight-foot high floodwaters in a community in San Juan Village, Bangkal, Davao City on Wednesday night, this resident still manages to wear a smile on her face as she greets neighbors in the morning after the flood. Lean Daval Jr

Based on the report of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice Operations and Warning Section some 3,559 families were affected by �lash�loods that affected some areas in the city.

Residents described the turn of events as occurring 'too fast' that they failed to react in time.

"Paspas kaayo ang nahitabo. Nikusog ang ulan, nakita namo nga hapit na muapaw sa canal ang tubig. Nagpanic mi nidagan nami sa taas na lugar ug wala namo na secure among mga gamit," said Elsa Bohol, a resident of San Juan Village, Bangkal in Royal Valley.

Bohol said she just

secured some important documents, her daughters and their pet dog.

Flooding occurred in Barangay Los Amigos in the areas of Tugbok (Tugbok National High School), and Catalunan Pequeno (Keith Williams); Brgy Talomo with affected areas Taal 1, Taal 2, Teachers Village, Morio Morio, and San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish; Talomo Proper areas such as San Agustin Village, Bolusan Blk 4, NHA Bangkal RIverside, Royal Valley Bangkal and Ulas; areas in Brgy Sto. Nino in Sitio Talipapa such as Brgy. Matina Crossing in Golden Valley, Arroyo Compound, and Guadalupe Village; and Brgy Mintal in

WE PANICKED, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

PRRD takes leverage on diplomatic capital

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WARM WELCOME. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a warm welcome from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua upon his arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport in the People’s Republic of China on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

resident Rodrigo Duterte may leverage on the Philippines' warmer ties with China when he asserts Manila's rights over the West Philippine Sea, its envoy to Beijing said Thursday.

Duterte has "exerted a lot of diplomatic capital to build a reservoir of goodwill and friendship" with China in the years leading to his "high-stakes" meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said.

"I think the President (Duterte) has made it clear that from his point of view, the time has come," Sta. Romana told reporters in Beijing.

"He's not coming here to provoke the Chinese, he's coming here to exchange views, to understand where the differences lie. He's here to build bridges with China, not to burn bridges with China," he said.

The Philippine envoy explained that President Duterte thought discussing the maritime dispute

halfway through his presidency was the right thing to do since there are "sensitive issues that may have caused misunderstanding if it were brought up in the past."

Duterte, who veered away from the Philippines’ oldest ally the United States at the start of his term, was expected to seek China's concessions in light of tensions in the disputed waters.

The Philippine leader arrived in Beijing Wednesday night.

Duterte had said he would raise Manila's arbitral victory which invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims in the disputed waters in his meeting with Xi on Thursday night.

He also said he planned to discuss a binding code of conductin the South China Sea, and an oil and gas sharing agreement.

“I’m going to China to talk. Did I not tell you before, that before my term ends, I will be talking about the [South] China

(AAII) begins giving them water, they will only be operating at least 15 production wells and the rest will be rested.

“Because their delivery water can still address the demands. Apo Agua will provide 126 million cubic meters per year but the demand of Davao City on 2020 is 132 million cubic meters per year. On 2021 it would be 137 million cubic meters a year. The Apo Agua project cannot really fully answer the water demand of the city,” he said.

Delima added that they are also looking at developing the Lipadas River, which is a surface water.

“In due time maybe in two to three years we will present an unsolicited proposal. The prospect of Davao City having a good water supply in the years to come is very bright because by �irst half of 2021 a maximum of 126 million cubic meters a year (from Apo Agua) will be delivered but our demand for Davao City is high,” he said.

PRRD, P9

DCWD eyes more production wells

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City Water District (DCWD) is looking at developing more production wells to meet the water demand of 132 million cubic meters per year by 2020.

With its current inventory of 65 production wells scattered all over the city, DCWD plans to add at least two production wells a year.

DCWD spokesperson lawyer Bernard Delima said they are receiving almost 1,000 a month for water service applications. He mentioned the 68 high rise buildings and condominiums and 63

subdivisions that are already applying for water service connections that would de�initely accelerate the water demand.

“They will become in commission stage in 2021 just in time for Tamugan water (Apo Agua) comes.

By 2021, there will be commisioning or we will be operating another 10 production wells and in the span of �ive years, our

Davao flood victims get aid

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he Davao City government allocated P50 million worth of assistance for the victims of the August 28 �lood that badly hit four barangays, which were declared under state of calamity.

The amount was endorsed and approved by members of the City Council Thursday afternoon.

The amount covers the food, non-food, �inancial, agricultural and medical needs of the 3,559 families affected by the �looding.

This will bene�it victims in barangays Talomo, Balingaeng, Los Amigos, Tugbok, Wangan, Calinan, and Catalunan Pequeño.

The budget will come from the Quick Response Fund of the city.

Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�ice (CDRRMO) Operations and Warnings head Rodrigo Bustillo said that due to the massive swelling of the Talomo

River, four barangays were declared under state of calamity - Talomo, Wangan, Los Amigos and Tugbok.

“We are very lucky that there is no casualty recorded due to the �lood, but we have to instill in the minds of the people that these affected areas are considered as hazard and no build zones and hopefully they respond to our call to vacate the area,” he said.

Bustillo said that the rescue operation on Thursday night could have been avoided if only the residents responded to the call of the CDRRMO and the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) to evacuate.

“The City follows a no rescue policy that is why we strongly warn these people to conduct pre-emptive evacuation, but they do not cooperate

DAVAO FLOOD, P9

65 production wells can still be operational and can become all operational in conjunction with the delivery of Apo Agua,” he said.

When water demand accelerates, Delima said they will just activate their production wells. He said it would take them around P40 million in putting up a production well.

“You buy the property of at least 200 square meter lot, then we will explore it �irst. For exploration stage we will be

spending P10 million and we will put up pumps and facilities if the exploration is positive. After that we will put up a distribution lines,” he said adding that the only challenge in setting up a production well is not all property owners are willing to sell their property for production wells that is why DCWD needs to locate their production wells far from residential areas like Catigan and Baracatan.

Delima said when the Bulk Water project with Apo Agua Infrastructura

RESCUE OPERATION. Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte supervises the rescue operation in Taal 1, Bangkal, Davao City after a massive flood hit the area on Wednesday night. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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AEON Luxe team with President Ian Cruz and SVP for Sales Andrew Bautista (both at the center) shares a light moment with Open House participants.

Kadayawan-themed Open House for Aeon Luxe

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eon Luxe Properties, Inc., the emerging Davao-based premium property developer, recently held an Open House at Helen’s Kitchen in celebration of the city’s Kadayawan Festival.

More than a hundred participants attended the event highlighting Aeon Towers, the trailblazing high-rise building along J.P. Laurel with state-of-the art technologies and premier

amenities.

Open House participants were entitled to a special discount and a 50k worth of appliance gift certi�icate upon purchase of an Aeon Towers condo unit

during the event. They were also offered a feast of sumptuous local dishes and fruits in season as part of this Kadayawan activity.

Meanwhile, a group of musicians performed traditional ethnic music, lending a festive vibe to the entire event.

Aeon Luxe Properties, Inc. is the FTC Group Holdings, which operates diverse businesses in Davao.

Sr. last Thursday noon at the Harana/Sarung Banggi restaurant along F. Torres Street, Davao City.

The dance tilt became a viral topic in the social media and broadcast stations particularly about how a winning contingent, the Sindac Anib Performing Ensemble of Bislig City, Surigao de Sur was dressed themselves up during the contest and brought home P1 million in cash. The Bislig male dancers wore “bahag” (g-strings) which was criticized by some netizens in Facebook and local radio commentators

as being disrespectful of the Obo-Manuvu tribe.

Saying that the incident was just a misunderstanding by some people, Quibete said that the registration and related documentary submissions by the Bislig City delegation did not claim that it was representing any of the 11 cultural tribes in Davao City being honored by the Kadayawan Festival.

He said Bislig competed in the open category of the competition wherein the participating groups with their choreographers are free to make their creative

It aims to be a market leader in terms of providing quality and memorable developments and creating unique communities in the city. The company’s �irst project - the Aeon Towers – poised to become the most iconic building not only in Davao but in the entire Mindanao region, is underway along with the integrated lifestyle community of Aeon Bleu and other innovative developments.

A traditional musical performer adds a jovial flair to the event held at Buhangin.

million allocated for IP No formal complaint vs.Indak2 winner: organizer P160 housing projects in Region 11

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HERE is no complaint against the judging of the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan 2019 street dancing competition and related matters lodged formally with the violations committee or any other Kadayawan body, according to Harold L. Quibete, organizer of the now iconic cultural competition held in connection with the yearly Kadayawan sa Davao festival.

Quibete made the disclosure in a speech about Indak-Indak before the Rotary Club of Davao headed by former Councilor Diosdado Mahipus

and artistic interpretation of whatever tribal narratives they want to present.

The organizing committee established the open category in order to draw more contingents, including those coming from areas outside the city especially those who are not too familiar with any of the local tribes.

Even without a formal complaint but only comments circulated in the social and traditional media, the organizers still checked the existing rules of the Indak-Indak and found no violation

NO FORMAL, P9

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total of PHP160 million has been set aside for the establishment of permanent shelters for the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Davao Region, the head of the National Housing Authority (NHA) said Wednesday.

The housing project would cost PHP20 million each in eight locations, including in Marilog and Baguio districts in this city, said Marcelino Escalada, NHA general manager and secretary-general of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Escalada said partner

P160 MILLION, P9

Kapa founder's wife faces P168-M tax evasion raps

T INDAK-INDAK ORGANIZER. Harold L. Quibete, organizer of Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan 2019 (left), spoke about the iconic street dance competition which gave away more than P7 million in cash prizes to winners, during this week’s luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Davao headed by former Councilor Diosdado “Dadz” Mahipus Sr. (center). At right is Ms Tomoko Dodo, retired Japanese consul general, who is an honorary Rotarian. AMA

local government units are tasked with identifying the land where the housing projects will be established.

"We targeted most of the IP projects in Southern Mindanao since they mostly reside in regions 11, 12 and 23," Escalada said.

Escalada said the projects will prioritize IP recipients from con�lict-affected areas, and that the bene�iciaries will determine whether they want a standard NHA housing or a dormitory type structure.

he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday �iled tax evasion charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Reyna L. Apolinario, the corporate secretary of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc., (Kapa) and wife of its head, Pastor Joel Apolinario.

The charges initiated by the Revenue District Of�ice No. 110 are for violation of provisions of the Tax Code for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and failure to �ile return, supply correct and accurate information, pay tax, withhold and remit tax and refund excess taxes withheld on compensation for taxable years 20172018.

In a press brie�ing, BIR Deputy Commissioner Ma-

rissa O. Cabreros declined to comment on whether separate investigations are being undertaken on Kapa itself or on its other of�icials.

Mrs. Apolinario is being sued for an estimated total income tax liability of PHP168.2 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, broken down into PHP163.9 million for 2017 and PHP4.3 million for 2018.

Revenue of�icials said Mrs. Apolinario has not �iled her income tax returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2012-2015 but �iled an ITR for taxable year 2016 declaring an income of only PHP206,578. She also declared income for taxable year 2017 and

KAPA, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

Huawei plans flagship smartphone launch under cloud of Google ban

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AFFORDABLE VEGGIES. Travelers make a stop over at a roadside public market selling freshly-harvested vegetables and root crops in Brgy. Marahan, Marilog District, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Piñol can make MinDA more relevant: PBGEA

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business group is optimistic that newly-appointed Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol can make the agency more relevant given his connections as former Agriculture Secretary.

In an interview, Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) Executive Director Stephen Antig said he is hopeful that Piñol’s connections will “make a difference” in MinDA. “Personally, I have not seen a concrete contribution of the MinDa to Mindanao. Maybe I am not privy to their accomplishments,” he said.

Created in 1992, MinDA was eyed as the primary agency to promote and coordinate the active participation of all sectors to affect Mindanao’s socio-economic develop-

ment.

Piñol, a farmer and former governor of North Cotabato, has built connections with buyers at home and overseas deemed vital factors in his pursuit to further elevate the �inancial state of farmers in the country’s most challenged island-region through his new role as MinDA chairman.

In an interview aired via Philippine Air Force (PAF) Virtual TV last week, Pinol bared there are foreign aids that will help meet the goals of MinDA. “On September 26, we will meet with the prime

minister of Papua New Guinea, I texted him, because there is a market for rice there. They do not have it, they need it, we ship it to them,” he said during PAF’s Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran (UP, UP).

Piñol also noted Turkey has vowed to extend assistance to farmers and agriculturists, while New Zealand has vouched for assistance in dairy production.

“The Israeli government is offering a P44-million loan to provide potable water to remote and off the grid barangays,” the MinDA chief said.

The new MinDa chief also bared plans to replicate two of his provincial projects that proved successful in his time as governor.

These are the “plant now, pay later” program where local government units allow farmers to loan for their capital so they can plant even with insuf�icient �inances; and a fruit festival event that aims to directly introduce farmers to buyers, thus eliminating middlemen who usually gets the high pro�it in the industry.

Meanwhile, business consultant and analyst, Lorenzo David Jalotjot, said he is looking forward to hearing the activities in the newly-formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Secretary Manny has already butted heads with national economic managers, case in point, rice tarri�ication. It would be inter-

PHP19.228 billion. The auction committee accepted all bids.

Bid coverage ratio, however, improved to 0.9614 from last week’s 0.8955.

Also, average rate of the 14-day facility increased to 4.5055 percent from the previous week’s 4.4938 percent.

Banks submitted tenders amounting to PHP24.322 billion, higher than the PHP20-billion offer. The auction committee made a full award.

Bid coverage ratio post-

ed an uptick to 1.2161 from week-ago’s 0.8685.

Average rate of the 28day TDF went up to 4.4832 percent from the previous week’s 4.4613 percent.

Bid coverage ratio declined to 0.8301 from the past week’s 1.3706.

This, after the PHP40-billion offer was met by only PHP33.203 billion bids, which the auction committee fully accepted.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. traced the undersubscription to some TDF

tenors to the “lower liquidity in the �inancial system to be siphoned due to higher deposits of the national government with the BSP.” “At the same time, the undersubscription may be attributed to banks funding requirements for scheduled loan releases, client withdrawals, as well as month-end requirements,” he said.

“Nonetheless, total bids received in today’s auction were within the BSP’s liquidity forecast for the week,” he added. (PNA)

PIÑOL, P9

BSP’s TDF rates rise despite lower bids

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ates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term facilities rose across-the-board Wednesday despite the undersubscription in two of the three tenors.

Data released by the central bank showed that rate of the seven-day facility increased to 4.4852 percent from 4.4597 percent during the auction last August 22.

Tenders for this tenor were short of the PHP20-billion offer after it only amounted to

uawei Technologies plans to forge ahead with the launch of new high-end smartphones in Europe even though it may not be able to offer Google's of�icial Android operating system and widely used apps such as Google Maps, company executives told Reuters.

The world’s No. 2 smartphone maker is set to unveil its new Mate 30 line of phones on Sept. 18 in Munich, according to a source familiar with the matter, though it is not clear when the devices would go on sale.

The Mate 30, made to work on new 5G mobile networks, is Huawei's �irst major �lagship smartphone launch since US President Donald Trump's administration effectively blacklisted the company in mid-May, alleging it is involved in activities that compromise U.S. national security, a charge the company denies.

A Google spokesman told Reuters the Mate 30 could not be sold with licensed Google apps and services due to the US ban on sales to Huawei. A temporary reprieve that the US government announced last week does not apply to new products such as the Mate 30, the spokesman said.

US companies can seek a license for speci�ic products to be exempted from the ban. Google, a part of Alphabet Inc , would not say whether it had applied for a license to offer its apps and services known as Google Mobile Services, though it has said in the past that it wants to continue supplying Huawei.

Reuters reported this week that the US Commerce Department has received more than 130 applicationsfrom companies for licenses to sell US goods to Huawei, but none have been granted.

The uncertainty surrounding the Mate 30 shows the confusion that reigns for Huawei and its business partners as a result of the escalating trade war between China and the United States. While the Huawei blacklisting was cast as a response to security concerns, President Trump has indicated it could be lifted as part of a trade deal.

"Huawei will continue to use the Android OS and ecosystem if the US government allows us to do so," Huawei spokesman Joe Kelly told Reuters.

"Otherwise, we will continue to develop our own operating system and ecosystem."

The Commerce Department declined to comment.

NO GOOGLE, NO SALES? Huawei can likely use an open-source version of Android without falling foul of the US ban on sales to them. But Google's apps can only be used in Europe under a paid license from the search gi-

ant. There is no fee for the license outside of Europe.

"Without Google Services, no one will buy the device," said independent analyst Richard Windsor.

The Google software normally comes pre-loaded on Android devices.

Huawei earlier this month announced its own mobile operating system, dubbed Harmony. But analysts and Huawei executives are skeptical that it is yet a viable alternative to Android.

Huawei vaulted quickly into the top ranks of the global smartphone business in recent years with highly regarded hardware, and Europe has been a key market.

But the US ban has dealt a body blow to sales outside of China, with Huawei’s market share in Europe sliding to 19.3 percent in the second quarter from 24.9 percent in the �irst, �igures from Counterpoint Research show.

As late as last week, senior Huawei executives struck a con�ident tone regarding Android and Google.

"Our new phones will still be based on Android," Vincent Pang, senior vice president and board director of Huawei, told a media gathering at the top of New York City's One World Trade Center, an iconic American symbol of perseverance.

"We want to maintain one standard, one ecosystem, one technology," he said.

CHIPS IN THE CLEAR Huawei is con�ident that other hardware in the new phone will be compliant with US law.

The brains of the Mate 30 line, the Kirin 990 chipset, will be formally unveiled on Sept. 6

by Richard Yu, Huawei’s top consumer executive, when he gives the opening keynote address at the IFA consumer tech fair in Berlin.

The Kirin 990 was developed by HiSilicon, Huawei's chips unit, based on blueprints from British chip designer ARM Holdings, owned by Japan's SoftBank.

ARM severed relations with Huawei after the US ban because its designs contain technology of US origin. But a source familiar with Huawei's plan said its ARM license is based on work that predated the blacklisting of Huawei.

Huawei last week said it has perpetual ownership of the ARMv8 license and chips based on it, including the Kirin 990, would not be affected by the ban.

ARM declined to comment on its relationship with Huawei, saying only that "ARM continues to remain compliant with the latest U.S. Commerce Department restrictions and we are adhering to the guidelines related to the speci�ic types of conversations permitted, technical or otherwise."

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

5 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

NFA-SoCot to set up more palay buying stations

T Governor Edwin Jubahib pushes for the creation of Architect's Offices at the Provincial Capitol and among the local government units of Davao del Norte. nobags

he National Food Authority (NFA) will open more palay buying stations in various parts of the province in anticipation of the start of harvest season next month.

Max Masa, NFA-South Cotabato assistant provincial manager, said Wednesday the preparations are underway for the establishment of the additional buying stations in strategic locations in the province.

Masa said there already existing buying stations in Norala town, which is considered as the province's rice granary.

As palay harvests start to peak later next month, he said the agency will also open buying stations in the towns of Banga, Surallah, and Sto. Nino--all known for their vast rice plantations.

NFA currently buys palay at PHP17 per kilogram (kg), with additional buffer stock incentive of P3.00/ kg, trucking incentive of P0.20/kg, drying incentive of P0.20/kg and cooperative incentive fee of P0.30/ kg.

“This means NFA will buy the palay products of individual farmers at a

he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has started implementing a “phase-out plan” that will slowly remove about 6,000 employees in the regional bureaucracy.

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, the concurrent regional spokesperson, said the last part of the phase-out process is due on December this year.

“There will be no fund for them after December.

Those who will be affected will receive separation pay” Sinarimbo told reporters in a huddle here Thursday, adding the affected workers are those who were hired before the conception of BARMM.

“Some workers may be rehired or may stay depending on their quali�ications,” he said. “Others may opt for early retirement.”

Most of the 6,000 employees up for retrenchment are from the previous ARMM government’s infrastructure, executive, and legislative branches.

Of the total, close to 1,000 are about to retire, another 1,000 are �ive years below in service, and the rest are mid-level managers.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law’s Section 10, Article 16, states, “of�icials holding appointive positions shall continue to perform their functions in accordance with the phaseout schedule. Employees in the sectors of health, education, and social welfare shall be absorbed and

Jubahib pushes for UAP’s 6K BARMM workers stand to lose jobs office at Capitol, LGUs T

By NOEL BAGUIO

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avao del Norte – Of�icials of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) found an ally in Governor Edwin Jubahib, who vowed the creation of an Architect’s Of�ice at the Provincial Capitol and the various local government units (LGU) of the province.

After recognizing the vital role of the architects in nation-building, the governor, who is fondly called “Kuya Gob”, announced he will push for all LGUs of the province to put up their own Architect’s Of�ice.

“Magbutang kita ug usa ka Architect Division sa Province… ug akong sultian ang mga mayors nga…. dapat naa pod silay architect’s of�ice kada LGU,” he

declared, during the 9th Induction of Of�icers of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – North Davao Chapter.

The governor asked Board Member Nicandro Suaybaguio, Jr., who is an UAP member, to pass an ordinance and resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the purpose.

UAP National President Architect Benjamin Panganiban, Jr., along with the

Mati City to strengthen protection of children

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he City of Mati Local Government Unit is bent on strengthening their efforts for the protection of children in the city.

In the �irst meeting of the Local Council for the Protection of Children under the administration of Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat, the mayor urges the City Council to revisit the existing ordinances for children.

She urges the implementation of curfew for minors 16 years old and below starting 11 pm. It was learned though that a bill pending in the City Council proposes for a curfew on children 18 years old and below by 10 pm.

Mayor Michelle also urged the Mati City Police to strengthen the enforcement of laws aimed at protecting the children in the city.

City Social Welfare and Development Of�ice head Virginia Almaida meanwhile informed LCPC that they also plan

to strengthen their efforts to make the parents more responsible for their children’s welfare and not depend on the LGU. Almaida said they plan to conduct sessions in the barangay levels on parent effectiveness.

On the barangay level, the Barangay Central has already passed an ordinance that limits the exposure of children on internet cafes.

Almaida said they also plan on installing softwares on computers at internet cafes to prevent access to harmful websites.

Mayor Michelle also encouraged the Business Bureau to strictly enforce the ordinances to business establishments.

It was learned that of the hundreds of internet cafes in the city, only about four have renewed their licenses.

To this, Mayor Michelle again urged the City Council to implement stiffer penalties to violators.

other of�icers and members of the UAP, warmly applauded the statement of the governor.

He said having an of�ice of the city architect in LGUs is vital in addressing the challenges and demands of modernization.

UAP has been lobbying for LGUs to form an Of�ice of the Architect to ensure the quality and design standards of buildings and for the protection of the public.

The organization has since campaigned for the full implementation of Republic Act 9266 or the Architecture Act of 2004, which stipulates, among others, that “architects should only be the one to

sign in the architectural permits”.

Davao de Oro 2nd District Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonsaga also supported the full implementation of R.A. 9266, especially with the very significant role of architects in handling high-rise structure development.

The lawmaker also endorsed HB No. 0660 authored by Cavite 1st District Congressman Francis Gerald Abaya, which seeks to strengthen the practice of the architecture profession in the country by amending speci�ic provision of R.A. 9266, the Architecture Act of 2004 and harmonizing it with other laws.

NFA, P10

6K BARMM, P10

Mati City Mayor Michelle N. Rabag presides over the meeting of the local council for the protection of children. Mati City Information Office

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

EDITORIAL Bringing out the fire Basketball fans should not be too sensitive if President Rodrigo Duterte thinks the national basketball team does not stand a good chance against teams in the basketball World Cp set to start in a few days in China.

Given that the Philippines is as crazy about basketball as perhaps the world champion Americans, hopes of a good showing in the quadrennial meet is being entertained by not a few among basketball purists. There is always that sense of basketball pride among Filipinos that statistical records and sheer logic is swept aside when it comes to stints by the national squad known as Gilas PIlipinas.

President Duterte made a comment that the Philippines do not stand a chance against Italy which plays in the same group as the Gilas. The comment elicited brickbats from Pinoy hoop

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BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO KENNETH IRVING K. ONG the national association of newspapers NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES DAVE STEPHENN VILLAMORA FERINA SANTOS Online Operations Lifestyle PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Correspondent CHA MONFORTE Correspondent

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

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

fans.

Should they be slighted? Some say the seemingly defeatist attitude apparently shown by the country’s leader is not good for the team’s morale. That is the interpretation of some.

But there is also the good thing about putting things in the negative expression as it works as a challenge to strive even more. Instead of sulking in sorrow for the downplaying of our chances, the team must take the comment as a challenge in itself to rise above the odds.

Thus, the Gilas players must take the comment on the side but do what they need to win. That way, the motivation is to prove the President wrong.

There is nothing wrong in downplaying the chances. It only brings out the �ire from the �iercest of competitors.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Product Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

VITAL REFORMS WE NOW HAVE We often hear of “vital reforms” that the Duterte administration was able to achieve in the �irst three years. Many, however, seem to lose track of them or may not be able to grasp their signi�icance.

These reforms include the National ID System, Ease of Doing Business (EODB), and Universal Health Care (UHC) the free state University tuition, and institutionalizing the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program).

These are some of the major socio economic reforms government was able to legislate.

These are called game changing since they changed the way government will and should spend for imporFree healthcare and state education are vital services that all citizens will now have access to. These are important items that will strenghten the base of our human capital since

a healthy and productively able population is what a growing economy needs to keep growth high .

Being enshrined as law rather than mere executive order gives them the right to demand the services, and negates the need for them to spend anything to obtain them, even after the end of the term of the President.

Successive governments will need to obtain amendments to the law through congress to overturn these reforms.

Fiscal reforms To �inance these important expenditures we have vital �iscal reforms on taxation and spending such as the the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Estate Tax Amnesty, Tobacco Tax Reform, Rice Liberalization, all of which which aim to generate revenues from taxes and tarriffs meant to �inance vital programs

such as Universal health care and spend for the competitiveness of out rice sector, that loses to Vietnam in terms of cost.

These game-changing �iscal reforms led to a credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor’s. The upgrade, from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’, is a strong vote of con�idence in the Duterte administration’s reform agenda, since its ability to fund its programs evidenced by the tax reform measures. The higher the ability to collect taxes, the less dependent we will be on foreign loans, the better our credit rating.

Higher consumer spending All this, while allowing more money in the pockets of a greater number, allowing them to spend and boost the economy. In particular, the removal of income taxes from almost 98% of all wage earners is therefore, stimulus by itself.

In a volatile global economic context where a recession is imminent due to the US China trade war, the ability of a local economy to spend will be an important factor to ensure continuous growth.

Many of our neighbors already report lower growth in the �irst half of 2019.

Nonetheless, the truth is that we are already feeling these reforms via lower in�lation, unemployment and underemployment and poverty levels. The numbers are there for us to see.

Moving forward What we hope for is that moving forward, the positive spending and low in�lation numbers will continue despite the headwinds.

This means that goods and services ought to remain cheap while our spending power grows.

This shows that our economy is progressing and that we are get-

ting its bene�its.

In particular, we need to see agriculture grow at a faster pace.

This will allow cheaper food and lower in�lation and poverty numbers further since lower costs for consuners and better income for farmers.

Likewise, government spending needs to ramp up if we are to remain growing at a 6% pace. All the public infrastruture projects have spurred private sector developments.

In Davao alone we will be creating three new townships that can generate thousands of new jobs.

All these considered, we will need to maintain the hope that these reforms will be fully implemented and expanded by the current government, and by those that will succeed it.

For reactions, facebook.com/ johntriapage

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE VOW Marriage was divinely established in the Garden of Eden by our Creator Himself. The Holy Bible stated, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one �lesh” (Genesis 2:24).

In a way, marriage is a union of three beings: God, man and woman. If only man and woman exist, the marriage is bound to fail. But add God to the relationship and it will lead to a blissful, lasting marriage.

How will a man and a woman stay together throughout their lives? In Covenant Marriage, Fred Lowery gives us this pledge for both: “I will always love you. After God, you will always be my �irst priority. I am forever committed to this relationship are will always work on this marriage. I will always forgive you and work through con�licts. I will always be faithful to you. I will always be truthful with you. I will always be there for you.”

In Serving Love, couple Gary and Barbara Roseberg agreed that no matter what happens, they will love each other.

The two wrote: “If things are better for us, I will love you. If things get worse, I will love you.

If we get rich beyond our wildest imagination, I will love you.

If we grow poorer and don’t own much, I will love you. If you get sick, I will love you. If you remain healthy, I will love you. In fact, no matter what happens, I will always love you.”

Husband, how will express your love to your beloved? Stuart Scott, author of The Exemplary Husband, lists: “Prefer her over yourself. Show interest in her interests. Encourage her with words of appreciation.

Brighten her day with an unexpected card, note, �lowers, or gift. Listen with interest to her concerns while showing compassion. Help her when she looks as if she needs it (don’t wait to be asked!). Do chivalrous things to let her know how special she is to you. Give her nonsexual affection. Seek to please and satisfy her during sexual intimacy. Pray with her and lead her spiritually.”

On the other side of the coin, here’s what a wife can do to her husband, according to Martha Peace, the woman behind The Excellent Wife: “Pray for him daily. Speak word of kindness. Give him unexpected gift. Thank him for something good he has done. Praise him for one of his good character qualities. Be humble enough to confess your own failures. Reaf�irm your commitment to him. Initiate a special time of lovemaking with him. Spend time with him doing something he likes to do.

Obey God and let your husband see Christ in you.”

Now, are you ready to take the plunge? But before you do that, consider �irst the legalities of marriage. In the Philippines, there are two kinds of requisites for marriage, according to the book, Law for Life (authored

by Gianna Reyes Montinola and Maria Victoria Rotor-Hilado).

These are essential and formal. Under the essential requisites, the following are mentioned: legal capacity of the contracting parties who must be a male and a female and consent freely given in the presence of the solemnizing of�icer. Both are stated in Article 2 of Family Code. As spelled out in the law, marriages between couples of the same sex are not permitted.

Article 3 of the Family Code mentioned these formal requisites: authority of the solemnizing of�icer, valid marriage license except for the exceptions provided by law, and marriage ceremony which takes place with the appearance of the contracting parties before the solemnizing of�icer and their personal declaration that they take each other as husband and wife in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age.

If any of the requisites are absent, the marriage is void ab initio (void from the start).

Article 35 of the Family Code stipulates that in cases where the solemnizing of�icer is not legally authorized to perform marriage, but either or both parties believe in good faith that the solemnizing of�icer has the legal authority to solemnize the marriage, it is NOT void from the start.

A person can enter into marriage only if he or she is 18 years old and above. “However, in case one of both of the parties

are between the ages of 18 and 21, they must obtain the consent to their marriage from the father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned” (Article 14 of the Family Code).

In Article 14 of the Family Code, it was further stated: “The consent shall be made in writing by the interested party who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar or in the form of an af�idavit in the presence of two witnesses and attested before an of�icial authorized to administer oaths and shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license.” There are two sworn applications for a marriage license, one �iled by each party (Art. 11, Family Code).

There’s more, as stated in Article 16 of the Family Code: “In addition to the written consent, the parties shall attach a certi�icate issued by a priest, imam, or minister authorized to solemnize marriage or a marriage counselor, to the effect that the contracting parties have undergone marriage counseling. Failure to attach said certi�icate shall suspend the issuance of the marriage license for a period of 3 months from completion of the publication of the application.”

There are several other instances where marriages are void from the start: those who contracted by any party below 18 years of age, even if it

was done with consent of the parents; those solemnized by persons not authorized to solemnize marriages; those solemnized without a license, unless it falls under the exceptions; and those contracted through mistake of one party as to the identity of the other.

The following marriages are also void ab initio: bigamous or polygamous marriage; subsequent marriage that are void under Article 53 of the Family Code; and marriage contracted by any party who, at the time of celebration was psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential obligations for marriage.

Incestuous marriages listed in Article 37 of the Family Code are also void from the start and so those marriages for reasons of public policy (those closely related by blood or by arti�icial relationships; examples: stepfathers and their stepdaughters).

Why do some marriages fail and other succeed? The secret of their marriage can be found in the Holy Bible. “Wives,” Saint Paul urges, “submit to your husbands.” Not just in one instance or some occasions, but “wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:24).

In like manner, husbands should love their wives. “Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it” (Ephesians 5:28-29). – ###

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Food insecurity looms over CLIMATE CHANGE

“

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

The jury is still out on what overall impact global warming would have on food production. Predictions do not need to be 100% accurate. They need merely to be suf�icient for us to change our attitudes; they need merely to illustrate the potential cost of inaction.” – Dr. Peter Usher, of the United Nations Environment Program

The world, with surging population, is not only getting smaller in terms of land area for food production; it is also getting hotter!

Since 1880, respected scientists say the worldwide average temperature has increased by about 0.9⁰F. This, they point out, is within the normal �luctuations range, meaning it could be a shortterm change that will return to normal in the near future.

Sadly, instead of returning to normal, the temperature is getting warmer each year. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations-sponsored body made up of more than 1,500 leading scientists from all over the globe, projected an increase of the planet’s average surface temperature to be between 2.5⁰F and 10.4⁰F between 1990 and 2100.

The escalation of the world’s temperature is the result of the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. GHGs include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chloro�luorocarbons (CFCs).

Scientists call this phenomenon as “greenhouse effect.” In an article published in Reader’s Digest, Robert James Bidinotto explained in these words: “When sunlight warms the earth, certain gases in the lower atmosphere,

acting like a glass in a greenhouse, trap some of the heat as it radiates back into space.

These greenhouse gases warm our planet, making life possible.

“If they were more abundant, greenhouse gases might trap too much heat,” Bidinotto continued. “But if greenhouse gases were less plentiful or entirely absent, temperatures on Earth would average below freezing.”

Because concentrations of GHGs have been steadily increasing in recent years around the globe, the world’s average temperature has completely changed.

Six years ago, the government-initiated Climate Change Commission (CCC) listed the Philippines as among the top ten countries most vulnerable to the impacts of this global phenomenon.

Most areas in the Philippines will experience reduced rainfall from March to May, making the dry season drier, according to the 2018 Report on Observed Climate Trends and Projected Climate Change of the state-owned Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Luzon and Visayas will experience heavy and extreme rainfall during the southwest monsoon, making the wet

season wetter.

This is bad news for Filipino farmers. “The agriculture sector is expected to suffer the most serious impacts of climate change, and food security, nutrition and livelihoods will be affected if we don’t act soon,” Julian Gonsalves, of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, told SciDev. Net. A World Bank report, Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines, has issued the same forecast.

“Climate-related impacts are expected to reduce agricultural productivity in the Philippines,” the report said.

Rice, for instance, will be greatly affected by climate change. Rice yield reduction by up to 10% for each 1⁰C increase in night temperature, the weather bureau’s report pointed out. Studies have shown rice accounts for 41% of total caloric intake and 31% of total protein intake of Filipinos.

The Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) also has this observation: “Increasing carbon dioxide leads to increased photosynthesis and, potentially, more rice biomass. But concurrent increases in global temperature could also potentially limit rice harvests by increasing spikelet sterility.”

Corn, the other sta-

ple food of Filipinos, is not spared. The weather bureau’s report stated that corn yield will reduce by 1.7% should the day temperature goes up above 30⁰C under drought conditions.

These forecasts are consistent with what is happening already. About 5-7 percent decline in yield of major crops in the country has been attributed to climate change, according to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

“The yield reduction is caused by heat stress, decrease in sink formation, shortening of growing period, and increased maintenance for respiration,” it said.

A warmer climate causes the sea level to rise. The Philippines, whose coastline stretches 18,000 kilometers,

is very vulnerable to sea level rise. In fact, the country ranks fourth in the Global Climate Risk Index as 15 provinces are susceptible to this climate change consequence.

The PAGASA report said that from 1993 to 2015, sea level “has risen in some parts by nearly double the global average rate.” The projected sea level rise under a high emissions scenario is 20 centimeters.

Water resources are also vulnerable to climate change. “In a warmer world, we will need more water – to drink and to irrigate crops,” said the London-based Panos Institute. “Water for agriculture is critical for food security,” points out Mark W. Rosegrant, a senior research fellow at the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Insti-

tute.

Water is very important in rice production. In his book, Water: The International Crisis, Robin Clark writes that a farmer needs 5,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice.

“Rice growing is a heavy consumer of water,” IRRI contends.

“The link between water and food is strong,” says Lester R. Brown, president of Washington, D.C.-based Earth Policy Institute. “We drink, in one form or another, nearly 4 liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires at least 2,000 liters to produce, 500 times as much.”

Dr. William Dar, the new secretary of Department of Agriculture, has included climate change as one of the nine myriad of challenges

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CHAN LIM’S MID AUTUMN HUES

WITH the end of August, the Chinese Mid-Autumn season begins and to start the celebrations, the Chan Lim Family of Artists, together with Dynamic Youth Incorporated, the Davao Filipino Chinese Cultural Foundation Incorporated, and SM City Davao recently launched the Chan Lim Mid Autumn Art Festival at the Annex Atrium of SM City Davao.

Composed of over 260 hand painted lanterns, the massive art installation celebrates the beauty of Chinese-style painting. Viewers can walk, interact and view the different works of art which depict landscapes, flowers, fish and birds.

Over the past five decades, the Chan Lim Family of Artists have used a

wide variety of media, styles and techniques to create a fusion of Western and Eastern art. However, it is their Asian-themed art and Chinese brush painting that the Chan Lim artists are best known for. Currently, the three generations of the family are actively involved in the arts, with the younger generation dabbling in different types of more modern techniques, such as digital media and audio-visual creations.

Chan Lim, the family patriarch, started his career in the arts using oil and watercolor as his main media. Most of his artwork are created on canvas and paper. The second generation were trained mostly in the Asian arts.

“This is our 11th exhibit in Mindanao

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UP AND ABOUT

STARTUP WEEKEND CEBU WOMEN EDITION GOES GLOBAL STARTUP WEEKEND CEBU WOMEN EDITION participants will get the chance to compete in an international arena as the business pitch event goes global this year.

“This edition is special because it is not only focused on uplifting women but we are also going global,” said Maryanne Apale, Lead Organizer of Startup Weekend Cebu Women Edition.

Happening on September 27-29,2019 at the KMC Solutions, IT Park, 54 hours, designers, developers, marketers, and startup enthusiasts will come together to pitch, build a prototype, present to a panel of judges, and possibly launch startups all in one weekend.

A representative of the winning team will be flying to Singapore for free to compete with other teams.

“Last year’s women edition, the winning team had the chance to fly to Bali, Indonesia, and present their winning idea to the participating countries in the Asia Pacific. This year, the event is done simultaneously worldwide and the final pitch will be in Singapore,” Apale added.

Remarkable women mentors such as Elaine Bernice, Laurice Chiongbian, Timmy de Jesus, Patricia Kyle Mendoza, and Bon Louie Gimarino will be helping the teams.

Startup Weekend Cebu is part of the Startup Weekend events by Techstars held across cities around the world during the month of September. It was started because of the belief boosting entrepreneurship can sow the seeds for a better future; and encouraging local initiatives can have a huge global impact and foster more diversity and inclusion.

Over 4,000 StartupWeekends have been hosted in more than 1,400 cities, in 140 countries all over the world with 234,000+ global participants to date.

The event is made possible through the support of KMC Solutions, Department of Trade and Industry,Payoneer, Picnic Health Philippines, Sole Searchin, Bubble Tea Station, Google BusinessGroupCebu, Payruler, The Inspire Team, Symph, Startechup Inc, Qavalo, Mynimo, Aspace Cebu, The Company Cebu, PRWorks, Ambidextr Media, Ms. Carly Jasie, and the Third Team Media.

For more information, you can contact Startup Weekend Cebu at 09177799605 or via email atcebu@ startupweekend.org. You can also visit their Facebook @swc or website http://communities.techstars.com/ philippines/cebu/startup-weekend/15039.

Aleena Suarez, Maryanne Apale, Ashley Uy, and Laurice Chiongban discussed about how aside from uplifting women, this year’s Startup Weekend reached a new milestone as it goes global.

YOUTH, DIGITAL TOOLS TO HELP GROW PH AGRICULTURE

MANG VICENTE “VIC” BERDAN, a 59-year-old farmer from Tanay, Rizal, is not new to Facebook.

His cover photo shows him and his wife harvesting crops from their farm. The couple also actively replies to friends who comment on their online photos, asking about their produce.

Beyond basic functionalities though, Mang Vic wants to use Facebook to further promote the rice and organic vegetables that he produces. A 2008 Regional Outstanding Gawad Saka awardee for Rice, he sees the popular social media site as a channel to share his knowledge on farming.

EMPOWERING SMALL-SCALE FARMERS Assisting Berdan in learning more about how to use and benefit from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as create and upload Youtube videos, is his niece Camille Margaret Custodio. The 18-year-old college student was his learning partner at the Tanay leg of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) participated in by eleven farmeryouth pairs.

The DFP is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DAATI) and leading wireless services provider Smart Communications (Smart) that aims to empower small-scale farmers by educating and giving them access to available digital tools and technologies.

Berdan commends Smart and DA-ATI for coming up with the brilliant idea of pairing older farm-

ers and the youth. Given his advanced age and limited knowledge on all things techie, he admits that learning and understanding social media and digital tools is easier with Camille on hand to guide him.

For an entire day, the senior farmers and their younger, more tech-savvy learning partners underwent hands-on training on smartphone 101, file sharing, social media, group chats, search engines, phonetography and videography 101. They also explored available e-learning courses and other agrisupport sites online.

PROMOTING OVERALL DIGITAL INCLUSION Program partner Probe Media Foundation conducted a workshop on how to create short videos with mindful and effective content and good visuals during the “Kwentuhang Agri” session. This is to prepare each farmer-youth pair to make their own videos about agriculture.

“DFP aims to advance the local industry’s adoption of more innovative forms of technology in farming, which is in line with the Government’s long-term vision of IoT penetration in Philippine Agriculture and overall digital inclusion,” says Darwin F. Flores, VP for Community Partnerships of Smart.

“It is part of the Smart Communities advocacy of Smart, which taps Technology for Development (Tech4D) to narrow down the digital divide. The project specifically gives emphasis to the UN’s goals of No Poverty and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,”

adds Flores.

DEVELOPING BETTER APPRECIATION FOR AGRICULTURE By partnering senior farmers with young people, preferably their children or a relative, DFP is able to engage the youth to address identified stumbling blocks in agriculture.

“Smart conducted a series of benchmarking activities with DAATI and it was revealed that we have an aging population of farmers - with the average age at 57 years old – and that the younger generation is not too keen on pursuing agriculture as a profession,” warns Angelica Umali, Information Officer of DA-ATI Central Office.

Due to the possibility of running short on farmers who will feed the next generation, those behind DFP hope that people would develop appreciation for agriculture through information sharing.

“Agriculture will always have a

space in m Camille i pay speci at social m technolog and empo “We ho cially the about agr a professi belittle,” s

SHOWC FARMIN Accord Informat Region 4A imity to M cializatio pose a ch terms of g involved. of having content c “Gener concept ‘t experienc points ou

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my life and heart,” assures in Tagalog. “We need to ial attention to it and look media and other latest gies that can help promote ower farmers. ope that the public, espee youth, will learn more riculture – how it is not ion that people should she says.

CASING SUCCESS IN NG ding to Rolando Maningas, tion Officer of DA-ATI A, due to Tanay’s proxMetro Manila, commeron and industrialization hallenge to agriculture in getting more young people . This is where the value g more agri-related online comes in. rally, millenials go by the to see is to believe’ and ‘to ce is to apply’,” Maningas ut. If people get to see blogs

ENTERTAINMENT

INIGO PASCUAL DIVES DEEPER INTO FAR-REACHING OPPORTUNITIES INIGO PASCUAL remains dead set on his global aspirations as his latest international single “Catching Feelings” featuring music producer Moophs continues to conquer the global stage.

The summery Island Pop track boasts not only of having a catchy vibe and a cool tune, but also of securing radio airplay in the U.S. The song was first heard on 92.7 The Rev FM which proved to be a proud moment for the talented Filipino performer, who eagerly shared a video of the historic moment on Instagram.

Inigo also collaborated with Fil-Am musicians Jeremy Passion and Gabe Bondoc in a remix of his newest song with their original songs “Lemonade” and “The One” exclusively on MyxTV, which now has over 150,000 views.

During his trip in the U.S. and Canada, the 21-year old singersongwriter also shared the stage with urban reggae band “Tribal Theory” at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California. He also guested and performed on “Good Morning Hawaii.”

As if all that weren’t impressive enough, American producer

or videos showcasing success in farming, he believes that it can be a driving factor for more people to get interested in agriculture.

As farmers are encouraged to put out their stories on social media, other farmers also stand to benefit from their online contributions. “It is a great help to agriculture and the entire community for the farmers to have an avenue to share their farming practices,” says Maningas.

Mang Vic is excited to impart his know-how in farming through the help of technology. “I particularly want to push the idea of sustainable farming to a wider audience,” he shares.

STRENGTHENING THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR The Tanay leg of the DFP typifies the effective collaboration between youth and farmer that the program wishes to encourage and strengthen to benefit the agriculture sector.

“There is knowledge transfer of agriculture from farmer to youth and technology exchange from youth to farmer, thus encouraging these youths to be the next generation farmers,” says Flores.

The Tanay leg follows other pilot implementations of DFP held at Alfonso, Cavite and Lobo, Batangas. It is the 3rd of 25 legs that will bring DFP 101 to municipalities representing each region.

For more information on the next batch of DFP trainings in different regions, as well as other Smart CSR initiatives, send an email to Public PublicAffairs@ smart.com.ph or visit www.facebook.com/SmartCommunities.

and former “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, when asked what he thought of “Catching Feelings,” also expressed approval for the song—even going as far as inviting Inigo to make a “trio record” with him and KZ Tandingan.

The rising international artist also shared the stage with Samoan artist, Fia, on iHeartRadio Island

98.5 Hawaii, and has just come back from Toronto for one of his biggest crowds to date with Taste of Manila.

“Catching Feelings” is part of Inigo’s “Options” LP following the release of the titular lead single in June. The track, despite having a sunny sound, actually talks about the beauty of recognizing the familiar feeling of once again falling for another person, after a hurtful past relationship.

The single is under Tarsier Records, an underground music label which has been pushing for the breakthrough of Filipino talents like Inigo to the international music stage, in line with ABS-CBN’s mission to showcase the unique artistry of Filipinos to global audiences.

Listen to “Catching Feelings” on all digital streaming platforms worldwide and watch the official lyric video on Tarsier Record’s YouTube channel. For the latest on Inigo, follow Tarsier Records on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @tarsierrecords. Check out abscbn.com/newsroom for updates and follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

STAND FOR TRUTH EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WINS AT 2019 EBS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL BRYAN BRAZIL, executive producer of GMA News and Public Affairs’ groundbreaking digital newscast “Stand for Truth”, recently brought honor to the Philippines by receiving the World Vision Award at the prestigious EBS International Documentary Festival (EIDF) held in South Korea.

Brazil won the World Vision citation for “My Little Dancing Shoes”, his directorial film about the underprivileged Cebuano kids who chase their dreams of becoming dance sports world champions, learning about survival, defeat, and victory in the process.

The Stand for Truth executive producer admitted that he actually did not expect to win. “I was shocked when they called my name.

I felt like I was floating on air. All of the films in the competition are well crafted and the directors are from Europe, Asia, and America and they are already known in the industry. It’s been more than a decade since the country won in this prestigious festival for documentary and that makes me prouder as a Filipino,” Brazil said.

Held from August 17 to 25, the EBS International Documentary Festival featured world-class documentary films from around the globe. Brazil’s win is the second EIDF award for the Philippines, making it the only ASEAN country to have won two awards in the history of the festival.

Documentary director Ditsi Carolino first bagged an

GMA News and Public Affairs’ Bryan Brazil (left), recently brought honor to the Philippines by receiving the World Vision Award for his film “My Little Dancing Shoes” at the prestigious EBS International Documentary Festival (EIDF) held in South Korea.

award for her film Bunso in 2005.

Stand for Truth is a 15-minute news program livestreamed from Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 p.m.

via GMA News Facebook page and GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel with delayed telecast airing on leading local news channel GMA News TV at 10:15 p.m.

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URBANISSIMO A1 and we are always happy to be back to share Chinese style art,” shared Alex Chan Lim. “We are proud to say that every year we come up with new ideas to present our works and we are glad that everyone enjoys the exhibit.”

The Chan Lims’ art has certain characteristics that distinguish their work from others. Their artworks are distinctively Asian, with allusions of Western technique. Over the years, the Chan Lims have continuously blazed the trail on the type of media used for the Chinese brush. Their art subjects have included flora, fauna, insects, landscape, and portraits painted on media such as as lanterns, Chinese fans, porcelain plates, ceramic taels and rice paper.

After the exhibit opening last August 25, a Chinese painting workshop was also held followed by a Chinese painting competition attended by students from Davao’s various Chinese schools.

The Chan Lims hold regular Chinese painting classes in the family studio located in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

Their artworks may be viewed at www. chanlim.com. They can be reached at chanlim@yahoo.com.

The Chan Lim Mid Autumn Art Festival is ongoing and will last until the 14th of September, at SM City Davao.

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UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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DAVAO FLOOD... FROM2

with us. A rescue operation is not easy, even the rescuers are at risk,” he said.

After the thunderstorm, the City Social Services and Development Of�ice (CSSDO) immediately sent hot meals to the evacuation areas to ful�ill the needs of the victims

for hot food.

“Community kitchen was immediately set up to provide hot meals to the affected families. For now, we are still validating the total number of affected individuals since the assessment is still ongoing,” CSSDO Assistant Head Marlyn Agonia said. CIO

Sea?” Duterte earlier said.

Sta. Romana said Duterte had mentioned Manila's arbitral victory in past meetings with Xi but not in a "direct or honest discussion." Thursday's meeting would be an "op-

portunity" to cleary discuss the matter, he said.

"We have no illusion that we can solve the issue overnight. I think the important thing is to bring it to the fore of the diplomatic agenda," he said.

whatsoever.

Quibete said that the rules only govern the conduct of the participants during the competition itself and has nothing to do with their behaviour before and after the presentation.

Despite this, however, the group still found it necessary to conduct brie�ings with the coaches of the contingents to be careful next time not to offend tribal sentiments.

On the side, Quibete said that many organizers are in favor of the way Kadayawan events are being scheduled during the entire August this year, instead of just one week.

However, he said many visitors still prefered Indak-Indak and Pamulak sa Kadawayan to be scheduled back to back or suc-

cessively in two days.

During the Rotary meeting, President Mahipus praised the establishment of the Kadayawan Tribal/Cultural Village inside Magsaysay Park as a top attraction. When he was still a city councilor, Mahipus said he opposed a plan to dismantle the village and instead passed a resolution making it permanent. He thanked Mayor Sara Z. Duterte for approving the idea by issuing an appropriate executive order.

Ms Tomoko Dodo, retired Japanese consul general who is an honorary member of RC Davao, also contributed some observations about Kadayawan and about preferences of foreign tourists when it comes to festival events.

ANTONIO M. AJERO

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"We also wanted that these projects will be built adjacent to the schools," he added.

Escalada assured that IP bene�iciaries will be consulted throughout the building process to ensure that their culture and tra-

ditions will be respected.

"The design of the houses will have a touch of their culture and we are happy that some of the tribal leaders from these communities voluntarily donated their land for the project," he said. (PNA)

2018 of PHP171,000 and PHP12.06 million, respectively.

The BIR noted that in 2018, the declared beginning capital of Mrs. Apolinario in her audited �inancial statements reached PHP306.9 million.

Nine vehicles were likewise registered under Mrs. Apolinario's name in 2017 and 2018 which were not declared in her �inancial statements submitted to the BIR along with 13 businesses under her name consisting of retail-construction, materials/garments, gasoline stations,

and convention stores, computer and printing services, quarry, bakeshop and refreshment, and media.

Aside from Apolinario, the BIR also announced the �iling of tax charges against nine other �irms, namely Phimco Industries Inc., Provident Tree Farms Inc., Elite Garments International Inc., Jayran International Sales Corp., Bestline Mart, Top Belagio Super Sales Corp., Axispointe Builders & Construction Company, MMC Food Industries Inc., and Asia Auto Interior Inc. (PNA)

esting to see how his leadership plans for BARMM development. This I feel he can really add-value given background as local governor,” he said.

President Rodrigo

Duterte has bared that Piñol would be the perfect “point man” to help develop the BARMM given his experience as a farmer and former North Cotabato governor. (PNA)

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FLASHFLOOD. Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel carry rescued children trapped with their family in their house after a massive flood hit Taal in Bangkal, Davao City on Wednesday night. Lean Daval Jr

WE PANICKED... FROM1

Purok 14.

At 5:08 pm of Wednesday, the City Disaster Reduction and Risk Management Of�ice- Operation Center (CDRRMO-OpCen) reported over�lowing of creek at Philippine College of Technology (PCT) in Brgy. Calinan At 5:29 pm City CDRRMO-OpCen reported a street�looding and rising of water level at Graceland, Purok 1,2,3,4 and 7 in Los Amigos and by 7:48 pm residents in Brgy Talomo near

Talomo Bridge Area were advised for evacuation due to water elevel increase at Talomo River channel.

Other areas that were advised to force evacuate were Matina Aplaya, Matina Crossing and Matina Pangi.

The over�lowing of water also caused Talomo River to swell up to eight feet. This caused residents to panic and didn't able to save some of their belongings.

Acting Mayor Sebastian

"Baste" Duterte also came and supervised the rescue operation in Royal Valley.

While evacuation was ongoing, a rescue operation was also conducted by the Barangay Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Of�ice-Talomo. Dumptrucks were also deployed to fetch those who were stranded in their homes due to �looding. Wingvan and dumptrucks were also deployed to transfer affected families from Tugbok to Los Amigos evacuation center.

Affected communities of Brgys Los Amigos and Tugbok were immediately relocated at Los Amigos Evacuation Center while affected communities along Talomo Proper at Talomo Gym. Affected families in Taal 1 and Taal 2 were temporarily relocated at Taal Gym. All safety issues in �looded areas were all addressed by 911, Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO), barangay responders, and other support units.

nals on Thursday.

Making waves in the games so far was the Cebuano archer Igot who bested Nathaniel Carlos of host Puerto Princesa, 6-2, in the cub boys’ Olympic round to clinch his sixth gold medal in archery.

Igot, 14, will have a chance to pocket two more golds and become the games’ most bemedaled athlete as he is scheduled to compete in today’s boys’ team with Khalil Jusper Abella and Kien Zhyron Torreon and mixed team with Densin Shane Dinopol.

“My initial target is seven golds, but if there’s a chance I can win eight, I will go for it,” said Igot, an eight-grader of the Don

Carlos A. Gothong School and a native of Pasil who earlier swept all the distance events—20m, 30m, 40m, 50m and FITA—in the �irst two days, in Filipino.

Naina Dominique Tagle of Dumaguete, for her part, turned back Shane Dinopol of Cebu in the girls’ side to hike her total to �ive.

Magvrylle Matchino of Laguna took some of the thunder from the eagle-eyed Igot as she scooped up three gold medals to become centerpiece athletics’ best performer with a total haul with four mints and a silver.

Matchino, 14, anchored the girls’ 4x100m and 4x400m team of Janine

Dauba, Evita Ruth Belloso and Kyla Elona to a pair of victories with clocking of 52.4 seconds and 4:17.30, respectively, and then won the 2000m steeplechase in 7:38.8 to add to her triumph in the 800m the day before. She had an extra silver in the 800m.

The other winners at the track were San Fernando, Pampanga’s Franz Michael Matos, Marvin Ramos, Andrei Luigi Bautista and Justin Cain Lingat (boys’ 4x100m), Negros Occidental’s Franzine Alamo (girls’ triple jump), Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte’s Aaron Gumban (boys’ 2000m steeplechase), Camarines Sur’s Gilbert Andrei Velasco (boys’ triple

jump), and Baguio’s City’s Hussein Lorana (boys’ 1500m).

In cycling, Ruben del Cruz of Pangasinan, Athena Magpantay of Sara, Iloilo and Lwahna Montanes of Paranaque clocked 7:21.8, 27:13.9 and 37:15.3 in reigning supreme in the respective age brackets in cross country mountain bike.

In sepak takraw, Rose Ann Alila, Kristine Brigino and Rea Lawan of Sta. Maria, Bulacan copped the girls regu team event gold while Rey Pueblo, John Carl Huessa, Franz Matapuego, Fritz Pastrana and Shermon Lee of Mina, Iloilo ruled boys regu team event.

(With a report from PNA)

transferred to the Bangsamoro government.”

It also states that “the affected personnel who will not be absorbed in the positions of the new staf�ing pattern of the different of�ices in the Bangsamoro government, whether hired on perma-

nent, temporary, casual, or contractual basis and with appointments attested by the Civil Service Commission, shall be entitled to the applicable retirement, or separation bene�its as provided in the Organic Law.” Sinarimbo said re-

trenched employees have the option to re-apply after �ive years on agencies they deem they are �it to work.

Momentarily, the affected employees could either apply as consultants or job order workers on the BARMM agency of their choice, he added.

Sinarimbo said exempted from the phaseout plan are employees under the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Social Services. (With a report from Noel Punzalan/ PNA)

maximum buying price of P20.40/kg and P20.70/kg for members of cooperatives and associations,” he said in an interview.

To encourage more farmers to sell their palay

to NFA, Masa said they have already eased the procurement requirements.

To prove their legitimacy, individual farmers who want to transact with NFA are required to show their

farmer’s passbook and while those under cooperatives will need to show their master's passbook.

NFA South Cotabato is targeting to procure around 150,000 bags of

palay this year, and can be increased depending on the harvests.

“Rest assured that we have enough funds to buy the palay produce of our farmers,” Masa said. (PNA)

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that can be blamed for the low farmer and �isherfolk income.

The other eight challenges are: low farm productivity, lack of labor, unaffordable and inaccessible credit, limited use of technology, limited farmland diversi�ication, underdeveloped agri-manufacturing and export, severe deforestation/land degradation, and aging farmers and �isherfolk.

In his newly-published book, The Way Forward: Level Up Philippine Agriculture, Dr. Dar observed the Philippines is doing badly against climate change.

What concerned him most are the smallholder farmers as they are “the most affected” when it comes to the effects of climate change.

Currently, smallholder farmers in the country are “adapting low input practices” and “improved practices.”

Dr. William Dar

EDGE DAVAO

“Low input practices indicate the wider application of folk knowledge in farming and the use of non-hybrid seeds, resulting in very low yields,” Dr. Dar explained, and cited the yields of palay rice as a case in point.

“The average yield of palay in the Philippines is 4 to 5 metric tons per hectare but farmers that do not utilize improved planting materials have yields below 3 metric tons,” he wrote.

Dar also recommended “improved practices” to deal with the effects of climate change more effectively. The application of precision agriculture (PA) in which mechanization is a component as one of them.

“PA also overlaps some aspects of digital agriculture where information and communication technology, and the Internet of Things are applied to achieve higher

productivity and pro�itability in growing crops and value adding,” Dr. Dar said.

Adapted germplasm is another aspect which does not only refer to hybrids but “also to biotech crops that have been designed to withstand the effects of climate change, primarily drought and �looding.”

“We are in trouble. We are in deep trouble with climate change,” said United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the opening of the 24th annual UN climate conference held in Poland some years back.

“It is hard to overstate the urgency of our situation,” Guterres pointed out. “Even as we witness devastating climate impacts causing havoc across the world, we are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough, to prevent irreversible and catastrophic climate disruption.”

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VOL.12 ISSUE 124 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2019

11

GOLD. Davao City’s Robert Avanceña atop the podium after winning the gold medal in karatedo’s 12-15 years old boys kata event in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. PSC photo

Digong to Gilas: Prove me wrong

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte will watch the upcoming Gilas Pilipinas game in the FIBA World Cup hoping that his prediction that the Philippine team would lose would be wrong, Malacañang said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo explained that Duterte’s earlier statement about Gilas losing to Italy was meant to “inspire” them to prove him wrong.

“The statement of the

President that most likely you would lose should be a challenge to you and should inspire you to make him wrong and he will be very happy,” Panelo said in a press conference in Beijing, China on Wednesday.

4 more athletes score 5 golds

K

arl Yulo now has company in the �ive-gold club in the Batang Pinoy National Finals as tankers Mark Dula, Aubrey Tom, and John Talosig and archer Aldrener Igot won their respective �ifth gold medals on Wednesday.

The Cotabato Province native Talosig was the �irst to score his �ifth gold, winning the boys 400-meter freestyle event at the Ramon Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City at the time of 4:20.03.

The Parañaque-based Dula then followed suit, taking home the 100-meter backstroke gold in 1:08.11.

Cainta's Tom then got her �ifth gold medal by placing �irst in the 50-meter freestyle in just 28.93 seconds.

Meanwhile, Igot won three gold medals in the 40-meter, 50-meter, and FITA events to add to his wins in the 20-meter and 30-meter events.

Igot's stint in the Batang Pinoy nationals is not yet over as he will compete in

the Olympic round, mixed, and boys team events, meaning he has a shot at going for eight golds.

“I’m hopeful I can win more,” said Igot.

Naina Tagle of Dumaguete, on the other hand, took the golds in the 40-meter, 50-meter, and FITA events in the distaff to add to her win in the 20-meter event.

Tagle had a shot for gold number �ive in the 30-meter event, but Sophie Manuel of Makati won the gold and Tagle settled for the silver.

Igot's three-gold haul helped Cebu City zoom up and lead the medal tally.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Cebu City now has 12 golds, 15 silvers, and 16 bronzes.

Pasig closely follows with 11 golds, 16 silvers, and six bronzes.

Quezon City and Davao City also have 11 golds each with the former also grabbing 10 silvers and �ive bronzes and the latter also having �ive silvers and 12 bronzes. (PNA)

Panelo said Duterte would love that the Philippine players would win over a “mighty” team like Italy.

He, meanwhile, quipped about Gilas winning since the President will be watching to support them.

“Feeling ko matatalo (ang) Italy. Mananalo yan dahil andun si Presidente (I feel like Italy will lose. Gilas will win because the Presi-

dent will be there),” Panelo said.

“Let's hope for the best,” he added.

Duterte is scheduled to watch Gilas compete against Italy at the International Sports and Cultural Arena in Foshan City on Saturday.

He will be accompanied

by Vice President Wang Qishan.

Last Aug. 6, Duterte joked about the Philippine

team losing against Italy since they had taller players.

“Wala, talo tayo, walang laban. Sa China na lang tayo magpusta. We will lose sa Italy. Ang lalaki kaya ng mga g*g*ng ‘yan (We will lose, we don’t have a chance.

Let’s just bet on China. We will lose to Italy. They are too big),” Duterte said.

On Sunday, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) released the �inal

lineup for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the FIBA World Cup. In a tweet moments after Gilas Men's tuneup game against the Adelaide 36ers at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City, the SBP named Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Andray Blatche, Robert Bolick, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Kiefer Ravena, and Troy Rosario to the "Final 12". (PNA)

A Davao City cager takes it to the hoop in this bit of action in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The Davao cagers have bowed out of the tournament. PSC photo

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RUGBY DELIVERS Rugby squads sweep golds, karateka Cartagena bags 1 but Davao drops to no.3

By ADAM B. MORRELL

P

UERTO PRINCESA, Palawan—Davao City plucked two golds in rugby and a gritty karateka added another as the Dabawenyos slipped one rung lower to third place overall in the penultimate day of action in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championships.

The Davao City girls and boys rugby team swept the event’s two gold medals on Wednesday in a dominating performance. The girls team went on a threepeat after earning 12 points in the double elimination format tournament held at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex while the boys squad edged arch-rival General Santos City, 2-1, in the gold medal game.

In karatedo, Sam Cartagena won the Above-75 kg boys cadets kumite gold medal over his Parañaque rival in the �inals. The 15-year old Cartagena is coached by Jeofrey Albarico and is under the wings of the AAK-Davao headed by Karate Pilipinas regional director Rommel Tan. The three golds for the day brought Davao City’s total to 15 golds with 12 silvers and 14 bronzes good for third place in the overall race. Baguio City overtook Cebu City and now has 17 gold, 14 silver and 21 bronze medals including victories in judo courtesy of Leerenz Tindaan (-50kgs class), Aoen Lance Kim (-55kgs), and Wright Lonogan (-60kgs).

The Aldrener Igot-powered Cebu slipped to second with a 15-19-19 (goldsilver-bronze) haul while Davao City (1512-14), Pasig (14-24-12) and Cotabato (14-3-1) were at third to �ifth places. The Cebuano archer has collected six gold medals thus far in the four-day old games establishing himself as the top gold medal gainer.

The badminton girls of Davao City, composed of Maria Francesca Denise Almazan and Khea Montañes inched closer to securing a gold medal after posting a 21-10, 22-20 win over Cadiz City in the semi-�inals of the 13-15 years old doubles event held at the ESJ Badminton Court.

They will play against Malolos, Bulacan for the gold medal match set on Saturday, August 30.

Davao City’s girl’s Under 13 futsal team is also on the verge of capturing a gold medal. After sweeping Naga City and Pasig City, and a draw with Baguio City in round two which came after a dominating performance in round one, the Davao City footbelles faced Pontevedra in the gold medal match at the Western Philippine University as of this writing.

The girls beach volleyball team, on the other hand, will play their semi-�inals game against Pontevedra on Friday, August 30 after annihilating host Puerto Princesa 21-18, 22-20, in the quarter�i-

RUGBY, P9

JARRED. Sam Cargatena delivers a left 45 to his Parañaque opponent on his way to a gold medal in the above 75-kg boys kumite. AAK Davao photo