Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 128 | Thursday, September 5, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

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Roxas Night Market eyed as maximum security zone

By MAYA M. PADILLO

MAXIMUM SECURITY ZONE. Roxas Night Market, a popular spot among foreign and local tourists for its street food and 'ukay-ukay' (used clothes) stalls, is the subject of a resolution being drafted by Councilor Ma. Belen Sunga-Acosta declaring it as a maximum secrity zone. The measure is backed by the recommendation of Task Force Davao and other security agencies of Davao City. Lean Daval Jr

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he crowded Roxas Night Market may soon be declared as another Maximum Security Zone.

Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla told media during the AFP PNP Corps Media Forum on Wednesday that they are planning to declare the Roxas Night Market as a Maximum Security Zone. The �irst one declared as such is the San Pedro Square.

Yecla said Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta will start drafting the recommendation for the resolution declaring the nightly market area as maximum security zone for the consideration by

the 19th Council.

"Gagawan pa lang ni Ma'am Mabel ng resolution for the declaration of Roxas Night Market as maximum security zone. Hindi ko lang alam kung next na council meeting," Yecla said.

Yecla said if ever declared under the maximum security zone, they will sustain the security measures being implemented such as "No Backpack" and "No Jacket" policies, water containers must be transparent and no label, and garbage bins should be

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

DOJ vows prompt action on improperly released convicts

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HAPPY KIDS. Children feast on ice cream distributed freely in Pidsandawan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Monday during the launching of “Tabang,” the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region on Mus-

lim Mindanao’s (BARMM) program to render health, legal, disaster preparedness, relief missions and other socials services in far-flung communities. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA

ustice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said his agency will act promptly on persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), who were released improperly under the Republic Act No. 10592, particularly those charged with heinous offenses.

"The DOJ (Department of Justice) has nothing to do with the release of around 200 PDLs immediately after the SC decision came out last June.

No requests for approval were received by the DOJ," Guevarra told newsmen Tuesday.

"We will act very soon regarding the case of those PDLs convicted of heinous crimes who were prematurely released on account of improper GCTAs" he added.

A joint review on the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10592 providing for the grant of Good Conduct Time Al-

lowance (GCTA) credits is being undertaken by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice. It aims to examine the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and the Uniform Policy and Guidelines on the computation of credits and allowances provided under RA 10592.

The joint review will determine inconsistencies between the law and the IRR and the 10-day suspension will give the joint DILG and DOJ team ample time to revisit its provisions and make the necessary adjustments in the IRR or recommend amendments to Congress, if necessary.

The Bureau of Corrections is under the DOJ while the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which runs all district and city jails, is under the

rime volume in the country decreased during the so-called “ber” months since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed of�ice, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

Data from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) showed that the nationwide crime volume has steadily declined during the “ber” months (September- December) from 191,733 crime cases in 2016 to 154,925 in 2017 and 163,821 in 2018.

The �igure also showed the decline of crime volume from 393,150 from January to August 2016 to 365,716 in 2017 and 326,572 in 2018.

This year, the PNP has

recorded 307,091 cases from January to August this year.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said this breaks the trend that crimes spike during the “ber” months.

“For now, we have broken this trend. The idea of increased crime volume during 'ber' months is slowly becoming a thing of the past,” Albayalde told reporters.

“People start shopping during these months. Once they have the money, they use this for shopping purposes or buying of gifts as early as September.

We prepare for gift-giving come Christmas Day in December. This is also primarily the reason why some petty crimes rise

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Crime volume down during ‘ber’ months of PRRD admin

Duterte raised with Xi presence of Chinese warships in PH waters

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resident Rodrigo Duterte raised with his counterpart Xi Jinping the presence of Chinese warships in Philippine waters during their bilateral meeting, the Philippines’ defense chief said on Wednesday.

Xi, however, responded that international law does not require ships passing through other nations’ waters to get permission, according to Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana.

“He reassured PRRD (Duterte) that their naval ships are not coercing or targeting the Philippines,” Lorenzana told reporters.

Government earlier �iled diplomatic protests

against Beijing over the ships’ passage and the swarm of 113 Chinese vessels around Filipino-occupied Pag-asa Island.

Lorenzana said the frequency of entry of these Chinese warships is out of the ordinary, with military commanders saying their movements no longer constitute “innocent passage,” or the expeditious travel through territorial waters

PSSCC has new chief

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etired Police Lt. Colonel Angel Sumagaysay took the helm of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) on Monday following the resignation of retired army general Benito de Leon.

De Leon served as the head of PSSCC the past three years. He said he was leaving the position with a “heavy heart.”

“I am deeply honored to have served Davao City and the Dabawenyos and I will forever cherish the time that I was at your service,” he said.

The heads of the different departments and of�ices of the City Hall on Monday gave a simple tribute for de Leon — in recognition of his contributions to the city.

Sumagaysay, the deputy chief of the PSSCC, said he has no plans

to introduce changes in the public safety of�ice in the near future because all systems have been established under De Leon.

“There will be no changes.

Everything will be on the status quo. What we are doing now is all based on the result of the Legislative Executive Agenda which is a brainchild of Sir de Leon,” he said.

Sumagaysay said he is also waiting for the institutionalization of the PSSCC which is still pending in the City Council.

“We will wait for the approval of the city council to institutionalize our of�ice. This is for the continuity of the programs even if there will be changes in leadership,” he said.

Before his stint at the PSSCC, Sumagaysay was deputy chief of police of Davao City. CIO

out back out to international waters.

The Philippine defense sector is further alarmed because none of these warships have asked for clearance from the Philippines, nor communicated their arrival in any way.

Some, they said, do not even respond to radio challenges that inquire about their identity and intent.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not require passing vessels to seek permission from the coastal state if they are conducting “innocent”

passage.

The Philippines, however, has historically asked all nations to seek diplomatic clearance when they have warships entering the country’s territorial sea, and nations have complied thus far, including the United States and Japan.

Only China refuses to notify the Philippines when its warships enter Philippine waters, something that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio calls a “double standard,” because China requires nations to seek permission from them when entering its waters.

TRANSACTION AREAS. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Captain Nolan Tagsip says Davao City police force is looking into the reports that various inns and motels in the city are being used for illegal drug transactions. Tagsip said during AFP-PNP Press

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Corps media forum held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday that they are currently conducting close monitoring operation of the said inns and motels. Lean Daval Jr

NEWS

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Same-sex marriage suit flawed from start

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he Supreme Court (SC) could have more substantively tackled issues in the petition seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the country, �iled by lawyer Jesus Nicanor Falcis, had it not been hobbled by technical �laws, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday.

Bersamin opined that had Falcis applied for a marriage license and was denied before going directly to the SC for succor, the court would not have had its hands tied to dismiss the case on technical grounds. "(I)t could not (be) avoided that he would be asked if he (Falcis) had applied for the marriage license and was denied.

Because he's a self-proclaimed gay. If he had done that and his application would have been denied, it would have given more justiciability to his case.

But then we found out that he did not even bother to apply for that license," Bersamin said.

"Yung technicality na salita ay sometimes hindi welcome sa amin yan (The term technicality is unwelcome) because it seems to disparage the value of a certain resolution. But when we dismiss something out of technicality, we are simply saying that you should come to us in the proper vehicle," the head magistrate added.

The judiciary's top of�icial said since the petitioner had sued the Civil Registrar, the suit had no leg to stand on.

"So komo ang kanyang dinemanda ay (So it seems he is suing the) Civil Registrar, parang wala eh, walang laman yung kaso, pero inilabas na namin kahapon 'yung resolution namin dyan (It's like there is nothing to discuss. The

case has no substance. But we released our resolution on that yesterday (Tuesday) and the voting was that we should dismiss the case because it was not justiciable," Bersamin explained.

He said the fact that Executive Order 209, also known as the Family Code, which is being challenged in the petition, is more than three decades old has nothing to do with how the members of the court handed the decision.

"No matter how old this law, there is still an opportunity for the Court to examine the constitutionality based on the current Constitution. Remember that in the Constitution, we are required only to handle actual cases or controversies. We cannot give advisory opinions. So when a case is not worthy of a case or controversy, there is no case or controversy, we avoid saying anything more except to dismiss," he added.

On Tuesday, the SC unanimously dismissed the petition �iled by Falcis challenging provisions of the country's Family Code limiting marriage to unions between men and women.

The court en banc ruling dismissed the petition citing lack of legal standing to initiate the petition as well as for failing to comply with the principle of hierarchy of courts and for "failing to raise an actual, justiciable controversy".

The Family Code provisions questioned before the High Court by Falcis were parts of: a.) Art. 1 de�ining marriage as "a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman"; b.) Art. 2 which enu-

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ANTI-TERRORISM TRAINING. Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla says the community along Roxas Avenue including vendors, helpers, push-cart boys and ‘trisikad’ drivers will undergo anti-terrorism and security lecture and training on Friday at TF Davao

headquarters at Sta. Ana Port in anticipation of the passage of a resolution to declare the Roxas Night Market as maximum security zone. Yecla made the announcement during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

AdDU to start on-campus mandatory drug-testing

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o guarantee a more conducive learning environment, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) has signed its �irst memorandum of agreement with concerned government agencies on mandatory drug testing for its students and personnel.

In an interview on Wednesday, Professor Apple Alvarez, R.N. of AdDU Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID), said the activity is supported by the local government and police authorities.

“There will be no announcement of schedules for the drug testing so if there is really a user, he cannot avoid it,” Alvarez said.

On September 2, the university’s Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC) held the MOA signing on Mandatory Random Drug Testing (MRDT) with its partners Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Department of Health (DOH) Region XI, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at

the Community Center of First Companions in Jacinto Campus.

“With the drug-free campus and workplace, we are certain to increase our productivity, improve our morale, enhance our energy, reduce con�lict, accidents, errors, and turnovers,” CAID director Romeo T. Cabarde Jr. said in his speech.

CAID board member, lawyer Edgar Pascua II said the MOA provides that the implementation will be primarily for protection, rehabilitation, pastoral care, and for the purpose of risk reduction associated with drug use in the

daya Hotel. Based on data from the Renal Disease Control, Davao Region is ranked number 3 in the country in terms of number of renal disease cases while Davao City is ranked number 1 in the region.

Lean Daval Jr

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Sec Locsin denies PRRD 'apologetic' when he raised Hague ruling with Xi

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RENAL DISEASE. Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Organ Procurement Organization head Dra. Maria Theresa Bad-ang provides update of the Renal Disease situation in the country during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Man-

university.

It shall also have regard to human and legal rights of students and employees, hence, guarantees respect for their privacy of the procedure, Pascua said.

The drug testing aims to recognize its signi�icance in the formation of those who are in the care of the institution. It provides formal intervention which infuses the core values of AdDU formation programs.

The kits to be used shall test for the presence of common substances such as shabu and marijuana.

However, this does not include the test for the pres-

oreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday denied that President Rodrigo Duterte was "apologetic" when he raised to Chinese President Xi Jinping the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive nine-dash-line claim in the South China Sea. Locsin made the remark during the budget presentation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) before the House Committee on Appropriations.

"The report that the President was apologetic in raising the arbitral award, that’s a total fabrication, in every aspect a complete lie," he said.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo was reported as saying that Duterte had asked for forgiveness from Xi in raising the arbitral ruling because he had to do it as he promised it to the Filipinos.

Both Locsin and Panelo were with Duterte when he visited China last week.

According to Locsin, Duterte has always raised the arbitral ruling whenever he visits China, and he has been demanding the latter to ask for permission whenever there are incursions in Philippine waters.

In fact, China also wanted to seek clearance from the Philippines for such incursions, he added.

"By insisting on, the President I admire him for this, on permission. But by China saying, yes we will ask for permission, we are now on the side of China in the revision of UNCLOS which is now asking for permission," Locsin said.

"China has always wanted that. So now we �ind ourselves on their side," he added.

At the same time, Locsin said he has consistently �iled diplomatic protests whenever there are Chinese incursions in Philippine waters.

"When I became Secretary of Foreign Affairs, even if I believe that �iling diplo-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

Damosa Land to finish Seawind project by 2020

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ith the topping off of the Tower 5, the Seawind project of Damosa Land Inc (DLI) is nearing completion.

COMMITMENT. Damosa Land, Inc. vice president Ricardo “Cary”F. Lagdameo says the blessing of Seawind Tower 4 and the topping off of Tower 5 signify that the company is within its timetable to deliver

its commitment to clients. Construction of the remaining buildings, according to Lagdameo, is three months ahead of schedule. Lean Daval Jr

DLI Vice President Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo told Edge Davao they are eyeing to �inish the six-tower mid-rise condominium project located in a 2.7 hectare property in Sasa by the end of 2020.

“All six towers should be �inish already by the end of 2020 which is actually our original construction schedule. Our original plan was to �inish it in six years. We are sticking to that schedule,” Lagdameo said during the blessing of Tower 4 and topping off ceremony of Tower 5 on Wednesday, September 4.

Lagdameo emphasized it is a plus point that real estate companies should do and give what they promised to the buyers.

“The topping off shows that we are sticking to out timetable and our commitment to our customers if we tell them that their units will be

ready at a certain time we really as much as possible to meet those deadlines.

Since we topped off the structure is completed and everything inside,” he said.

He said construction of Tower 5 is actually two or three months ahead of schedule and is set to be completed in May 2020.

“So the construction has been ahead of schedule even for Tower 6 wherein we are also few months ahead of schedule,” he said.

Lagdameo added that working ahead of schedule means they can deliver their commitment to the buyers.

He said they are targeting to turn over units of Tower 5 by next year.

“Turn over will be done �loor by �loor. We based it on one is the availability of the units. Because everybody purchase units in different times so it has to match with their payment schedules.”

Tower 5 has a total of 214 units and according to Lagdameo most of the units are already sold while for the whole project they only have about 3 percent remaining units.

“Majority of our buyers are mostly of working age about 25 years old to 45 years old and employed by various companies. We also have some executives and a lot of An�locor employees,” he said.

For Tower 6, construction is already at the third �loor. He said they are also eyeing to �inish construction by next year.

Seawind was launched on August 8, 2015. It is located in an elevated area with the view of the Davao Gulf and Samal Island. It has alloted only 25 percent of the entire development to building spaces while 75 percent is dedicated to open living spaces such as the clubhouse, pocket parks, and walkways. The township will also have a commercial complex with a public transport terminal that will provide basic services for the community.

Rise of digital payments in PH ‘very encouraging’: BSP Tuna industry players want igital payment trans- of about 2.5 billion month- institution they will tap.

United Coconut Planters more tech in operations actions in the Philip- ly payment transactions in There are about 20 �i- Bank (UCPB), and Yuanta

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pines, which is targeted to hit about 20 percent of total transactions by 2020, is increasing in line with the bid of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said monetary of�icials “are just awaiting the of�icial results from the assessment made

by Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA).”

“Advance information provided on this is very encouraging. But let’s just wait for the of�icial results to come out,” she told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday.

She said the results will “hopefully (come out) within the next two to three months.”

The results of a BTCA survey, done in 2013 in coordination with the BSP, showed that only 1 percent

the country are done electronically.

Encouraged by the results, the BSP has introduced several programs to entice more Filipinos to use digital payments, especially since technological innovations are changing the �inancial services landscape.

Among these programs are the institution of real-time electronic payment systems called InstaPay and PESONet, the automated clearing houses (ACH) under the National Retail Payment System (NRPS).

InstaPay provides consumers a safe, affordable, and real-time electronic payment mode for up to PHP50,000 per transaction without limit in a day.

Charges may apply to the one sending the fund and the one receiving it depending on the �inancial

nancial institutions that have agreed to be part of this payment system and those that have agreed to provide InstaPay-related payments and withdrawals.

These are Asia United Bank, BDO Unibank, China Banking Corporation (ChinaBank), China Bank Savings (CBS), Equicom Savings Bank, Security Bank, and Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank).

On the other hand, CTBC Bank, EastWest Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), Omnipay, PayMaya, Philtrust Bank, Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Robinsons Bank, Sun Savings Bank,

Savings Bank agreed to receive InstaPay payments.

PESONet, meanwhile, is a batch electronic fund transfer (EFT) credit payment scheme. This is for business-to-business as well as people-to-business transactions like credit salaries to employees existing accounts.

The BSP data show that as of July this year, there are about 51 PESONet ACHs or banks that provide this service.

Former BSP governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said these electronic payment systems are bene�icial to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) because it will help them increase their customer reach, reduce costs of managing cash, and provide more access to credit.

(PNA)

also ask President Rodrigo Duterte on measures the government would take to address farmers’ woes during their next Cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, Panelo said he will also defer to the newly-appointed Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar to release a statement on the issue.

“I suppose we will have to wait for the Secretary of Agriculture to articulate his concern,” Panelo said.

Last Aug. 17, Dar bared that instead of the initial conditional cash transfer to help the rice farmers, DA would provide a PHP1.5-billion loan program for farmers, who were affected by the Rice Tarif�ication Law (RTL), that led to the in�lux of cheaper imports.

Dar said under the program, the affected rice farmers tilling one hectare of land and below may avail of PHP15,000 loan via the Expanded Survival

and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (SURE Aid) which started on Sept. 1, 2019. The onetime, zero-interest loan is payable up to eight years.

Farmer groups have lamented that rice tarif�ication was a disadvantage to them because retailers preferred to purchase cheaper rice imports instead of rice from local producers.

On Feb. 14, President Rodrigo Duterte signed

Gov’t to help rice farmers as palay prices fall to P7 per kilo

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alacañang on Tuesday vowed to assist farmers suffering from income loss as prices of palay (rice) have dropped to PHP7 per kilo to compete with imported rice.

“Palagi naman ang gobyerno tutulungan ang mga nangangailangan (The government always helps those in need),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a media interview.

Panelo said he will

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una industry players are pushing for the adoption of more technologies to further improve their operations and help promote the proper conservation and management of tuna and other critical marine resources.

Joaquin Lu, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), said Tuesday the move will be the main focus of the 21st National Tuna Congress, which is slated Sept.

4 to 6 at the SM Mall Trade Halls here.

He said around 700 domestic and foreign tuna industry stakeholders, of�icials and representatives of various government agencies, as well as non-government groups, are expected to join the congress.

This year’s theme is “The Tuna Industry: Embracing Technologies and Sustainable Strategies.”

Lu said the theme is anchored on the concept of promoting sustainability that is supported by technologies.

He acknowledged that sustainability of tuna resources, which is a major concern for the industry, can only be achieved if conservation and management measures are dutifully observed.

International and regional agreements calling for the preservation of species and recovery plans should also be harmonized,

Lu said.

“Sustainability means no over�ishing. It means that we should promote an environment that for tuna and tuna-like species to spawn and propagate for another season of catch.

The intention is not to deplete our resources,” he said in a press conference.

Lu said the tuna industry aims to continuously upgrade its systems and processes “to achieve full ef�iciency while being ocean-friendly.”

He said SFFAII, an umbrella organization of seven associations involving over 100 companies, has been integrating various technologies.

These include the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability System or eCDTS, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the United States Agency for International Development’s Oceans and Fisheries Partnership.

“It is our hope that we can harmonize technology and sustainability for the �ishing industry to support the government’s goal to establish a sustainable, managed and equitably-allocated tuna �ishery by 2026 as well as promote responsible �ishing practices and trade of tuna products,” Lu said.

The three-day event

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Tagum bags CROWN maintenance award for second consecutive year

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or its continued efforts in achieving good nutrition for all Tagumenyos, the City of Tagum was recognized again after winning the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winners in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award for the second year during the 2019 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City on August 30, 2019.

The award came with a P200,00 cash prize and a plaque of recognition given by the National Nutrition Council (NCC).

The City of Tagum has been the sole awardee of the national nutrition award that came from the entire Davao Region.

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said that the national award symbolizes responsibility as well as an inspiration to outperform its previous years’ performance which saw the drastic decrease of Tagum’s malnutrition index from 24 percent to only 6 percent in 2017 due to its implemen-

tation of ef�icient and effective nutrition programs.

With the conferment of the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award, the city now aims for the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) which is the highest award given by the NNC to the recipients of the CROWN Award.

It can be remembered that Tagum City was able to win the prestigious Green Banner Award for three consecutive years since 2014 which paved the way for the LGU to receive the CROWN Award in 2017, and ultimately the 1st CROWN Maintenance Award in 2018.

The CROWN Award is conferred after an inter-agency National Evaluation Team af�irmed a particular LGU in a province as outstanding in the implementation of its nutrition action plan for three consecutive years.

Also present to receive the award from the NNC were Vice-Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo and City Councilor Jan Dimitri Sator. Edwin Lasquite/CIO Tagum

Gov't provides aid packages set for decommissioned MILF members

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he government will start providing aid packages for some 1,200 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members who will be decommissioned this weekend in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is expected to lead the decommissioning of the former MILF members on Sept. 7 at the old Capitol grounds in Sultan Kudarat town.

Cezario Joel Espejo, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12, said that the government, through the DSWD, will provide the ex-MILF combatants with Bangsamoro Transitory Family Support Packages that include food subsidy, family kit, hygiene kit, kitchen kit, sleeping kit, and shelter kit.

“Each former combatant will also receive livelihood grants worth PHP20,000 as additional aid package from the DSWD,” Espejo said in a statement Tuesday.

“They can use the mon-

ey as seed capital for business or re-establishment of their damaged livelihood,” he added.

Part of the funds for the decommissioning package was coursed through DSWD-12 as the new MILF-led Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is still in its transitory stage following its establishment under the Bangsamoro Organic Law on January this year.

The decommissioning aspect, which forms part of the GPH-MILF normalization program, speci�ically aims to transform the former rebels into productive members of the society.

DSWD is one of the national government agencies involved in the GPHMILF peace process under Executive Order No. 79, which the President issued recently.

EO 79 supports the GPH-MILF peace deal "Annex on Normalization" to consolidate the whole-ofnation peace-building initiatives under the Normalization Track. (PNA)

Mayor Allan Rellon, Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo and City Councilor Jan Dmitri Sator of the LGU of Tagum receives the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award from the DOH and the National Nutrition Council

during the 2019 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held at PICC, Pasay City on August 30, 2019. Edwin Lasquite/CIO Tagum

MILF all set for September 7 decommissioning process

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commissioning Body (IDB),” he added.

Security around the old provincial capitol of Maguindanao in Barangay Simuay in Sultan Kudarat town where the decommissioning process will take place has been tight, with members of Philippine Marines securing the �ive-hectare grounds.

In a statement, Presi-

dential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito Galvez said the upcoming ceremony is part of the mainstreaming and normalization of MILF combatants, which aims to decommission 30 percent or 12,000 out of the 40,000 MILF members slated this year.

About 35 percent of the armed MILF forces will undergo the same procedure later this year and next year, and the rest until 2022.

By then, the Exit Agreement between the government and the MILF will have taken place.

Galvez said the normal-

ization track is anchored on the "Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement" on the Bangsamoro forged by the government and the MILF in 2014. Parallel with the normalization track of the accord was the political tract which was almost completed.

The political tract includes the rati�ication of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the establishment of a new political entity in southern Philippines that gave birth to BARMM. The MILF now leads the eight-month-old BARMM. (PNA)

ployees.

The mayor cited the case of an employee who was reportedly caught in the act of selling jewelry inside their of�ice during regular working hours, which he cited as the most serious of all the accusations.

“I will look for the footage of that employee and refer it to the legal department,” Ogena told reporters on Tuesday.

Lizada, who conducted the inspection on Thursday last week, earlier said she came across several employees with earphones attached to their

information desk unmanned.

Ogena said he relieved a member of the city government’s Civil Security Unit who was not in his post during Lizada's inspection.

As for employees found not wearing their identi�ication cards, the mayor explained that they are newly-hired and have not yet received their new IDs. “Regarding the IDs, it’s still with the bids and awards committee. Many of our new employees have yet to buy their uniform,” Ogena said.

servants and that any employee should not make excuses.

“That was an embarrassment for all of us, especially to me. This is a wake-up call to everyone.

We cannot change that overnight, but I think, we have to apply the law to compel everyone to follow the policy of the institution,” Ogena said.

Should there be another unannounced inspection by the CSC, the mayor said he will ensure that their employees will be compliant with the government regulations and policies. (PNA)

he Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is ready for the decommissioning process this Saturday (September 7) with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in attendance.

“All is set, everybody is ready, the �irearms to be decommissioned are ready,” Interim Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) told reporters Monday.

“The more than 900 guns to be decommissioned had been checked by the Independent De-

mayor probes CSC findings on wayward workers DSWD sets poverty survey Koronadal he city government Act 6713 Code of Conduct mobile phones while at The mayor considhas launched an "im- and Ethical Standards for work. ered the CSC chief’s visit in Soccsksargen, BARMM partial" investigation Public Of�icials and EmShe also found the as a big challenge to civil

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he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will launch next month another round of assessment of poor families in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Cezario Joel Espejo, DSWD-12 director, said Wednesday the preparations are underway for the region-wide survey dubbed "Listahanan" or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

Espejo said results of

the assessment will serve as basis for the possible inclusion of more poor families into the government's anti-poverty programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, National Health Insurance Program, social pension program, among others.

"This is in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the implementation of the social protection programs for the people," he said in a statement.

Espejo said they will deploy some 2,362 trained workers to carry out the

DSWD, P9

T

into the alleged violations committed by its employees in connection with the recent unannounced inspection conducted by Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lizada.

Mayor Eliordo Ogena said he has requested for a report and copies of the video footages and photos gathered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to facilitate proper investigation.

Ogena said he will not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions on employees who will be con�irmed to have violated the provisions of Republic

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

EDITORIAL

Security as a Dabawenyo lifestyle

There is a proposal to declare the Roxas Night Market as a maximum security zone upon the recommendation of peace-keeping and security agencies in Davao City.

The plan comes from a recommendation led by the Task Force Davao and is now being drafted as a possible measure in the Sangguniang Panlungsod by council member Mabel Sunga-Acosta.

The maximum security zone provides for optimum security measures in an area declared as such. Within the declared area, security policies like prohibition on wearing jackets and carrying backpacks will be strictly implemented. Other salient security features are the use of transparent garbage disposal bins and unlabelled water bottles. Other than that, body checks and bag inspections will become a routinary feature upon entering the zone. In the event that the popular night market area will be declared as such, it will be the second of ist kind in Davao City. The �irst one is the San Pedro Square which was declared as max security zone during the Kadayawan festivities.

Without overextending the tight security measures, the plan

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief 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

appears to be reasonable following the bombing incident in the Roxas Night Market two years ago. It makes sense that with the dense crowds in the area on a regular basis owing to the cheap food and ukay ukay stalls, the area should fall under the max security classi�ication.

However, the city government should make declarations of such zones circumspect and not whimsical. The city cannot afford to under very tight security procedures as it would also scare off tourists and investors, giving the impression that it is scary and dangerous to be roaming about in the city especially at night. Through the years, Davao City has maintained very good peace and order measures implementation and may as well keep it that way than declare more areas under max security.

It is important that even without such declaration, Dabawenyos must be aware at all times of the security measures they need to habitually practice like the prohibition on backpacks and jackets and ensure that they do not pose any perceivable threat to security.

To be safe wherever one goes, security consciousness must be part of the new Dabawenyo lifestyle.

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)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

BALANGAY AND THE FILIPINO SEAFARING HERITAGE Ten years ago this month, the very �irst balangay boat replica, Diwata ng Lahi (spirit of lineage) , sailed on her maiden voyage from the CCP grounds.

The Balangay is a plank boat adjoined by a carved-out plank edged through pins and dowels and is known as the oldest watercraft found in the Philippines.

It is the evidence of early Filipino craftsmanship and their seamanship skills during pre-colonial times.

The Balangays navigated without the use of modern instruments, and only through the skills and traditional methods of the Filipino Sea Badjao people , one of the ancient mariners – steering by the sun, the stars, the wind, cloud formations, wave patterns and bird migrations. It is in the Filipinos’ DNA - we are naturally attuned to the waters.

Diwata was later joined by two more Balangay boats namely Masawa Hong Butuan

(bright light of Butuan) and Sama Tawi Tawi ( original inhabitants of Tawi-Tawi).

The Balangay boats initially journeyed from Manila Bay to the southern tip of Sulu, stopping off at numerous Philippine cities along the way that covered a distance of 2,108 nautical miles or 3,908 kilometers.

On their second major voyage, the Balangay boats sailed to trace our ancestors’ trade and migration routes, throughout Southeast Asia in 2010. It then sailed to Micronesia and Madagascar the following year then across the Paci�ic to the Atlantic and all the way around the world, returning to the Philippines in 2012 to 2013 The journey of the Balangay boats has proven the seafaring prowess of the Filipino.

Last year’s National Seafarers Day , with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Kayamanan ng Lahi!” placed emphasis on the voyages of the

Balangays that epitomize the strong-willed Filipino mariners. The �irst balangay replica was even named Diwata ng Lahi (spirit of lineage).

The Philippines is considered as one of the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to �ive complements on board a vessel at any time.

The deployed seafarers in 2018 brought in $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion as dollar remittances.

The sea-based sector’s remittance comprise at least 20% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the Philippines and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filipino seafarer is

physically, mentally and emotionally stressed.

Constantly exposed to �luctuating temperatures caused by variant weather changes of extreme hot and cold as the ships cross ocean boundaries, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.

Later, Proclamation No.1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sector in activities related to the celebration of said event.

The Sunday masses all

over the country offered to the Filipino seafarers Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include the novenas, Memorial at Sea, oratorical/ art/photo contest, Harana by the Bay, Balangay ride, boodle�ight, karaoke challenge, and the Search for Ten Outstanding Maritime Students. One of the highlights is the Grand Parade participated in by stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions.

This year’s NSD theme is “Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!”

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SITTING ISN’T THE NEW SMOKING Smoking kills! But medical science calls it a “slow-motion suicide” as cigarette kills a person who smokes softly. It’s not a sudden death just like heart attack or being gunned.

Cigarettes comprise some of the deadliest chemicals known to man. According to the US National Cancer Institute, tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals of which 250 are known to be harmful (hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia, to name a few).

Despite this fact, cigarette is legal just like alcoholic drinks. Although many smokers know that tobacco is harmful and express a desire to decrease or end use of it, they cannot do so because they are already addicted.

For sure, people are now very much aware of the health hazards of smoking. But there is another kind of health hazard comparable to that of smoking that most people may not be aware of. As Reader’s Digest puts it: sitting is the new smoking.

Yes, you read it right – sitting. In these days of information highway, computer games, Wi-Fi connection, �lat screen television sets, sitting seems to be the new normal.

People are no longer walking

as they used to be; thanks to buses, taxis, jeepneys, motorbikes, cars, escalators and elevators.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Reader’s Digest feature.

A research team from the American Cancer Society headed by Alpa Patel analyzed a 14-year study of 123,000 middle-aged adults.

“When they compared mortality rates between those who spent six hours a day or more sitting and those who reported three hours or less – and taking into account other factors such as diet – the researchers found something surprising,” wrote author Richard Lovett.

“Extra time on the couch was associated with a 40% higher mortality rate for women and 20% higher for men,” Lovett pointed out. “It is not clear why there is such a big gender difference.”

The �inding of the American researchers was bolstered by another study conducted by an Australian team at the University of Queensland. It analyzed data on the TV viewing habits of 8,800 Australians.

“They calculated that each hour of TV slices 22 minutes off the average life expectancy of an adult over 25,” Lovett

wrote. “In other words, people who watch six hours of TV a day can expect to die, on average, about �ive years younger than those who don’t watch any.”

What’s wrong with sitting, you may ask. “When you sit, you use less energy than you do when you stand or move,” explained Dr. Edward R. Laskowski in an article published in the website of the Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic.

“Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns,” he said. “They include obesity and a cluster of conditions – increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels – that make up metabolic syndrome.”

In the January 2015 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, a meta-analysis of 47 scienti�ic studies showed that prolonged sedentary time (that is, too much sitting and prolonged periods of sitting) increases a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Any extended sitting – such as at a desk, behind a wheel or in front of a screen – can be harmful. “An analysis of 13 studies of sitting

time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks posed by obesity and smoking,” Dr. Laskowski wrote.

The study headed by Patel found that “people who spent hours sitting had a higher mortality rate even if they worked out for 45 to 60 minutes a day.” The researchers call these people “active couch potatoes.”

However, recent studies dispel the claim that “sitting is the new smoking.” In fact, there are those who pointed out that the trendy phrase is a myth. While it is true that excessive sitting increases the risk of premature death and some chronic diseases by 10%-20%, it pales comparison to the risks associated with smoking.

Researchers say smoking increases the risk of premature death from any cause by approximately 180%. This was pointed out in a news report published in the website of Science Daily. Its source of information was a study featured in American Journal of Public Health.

“The simple fact is, smoking is one of the greatest public health disasters of the past

century. Sitting is not, and you can’t really compare the two,” deplores University of South Australia epidemiologist Dr. Terry Boyle.

“First, the risks of chronic disease and premature death associated with smoking are substantially higher than for sitting,” Dr. Boyle said. “While people who sit a lot have around a 10%-20% increased risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease, smokers have more than double the risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular disease, and more than 1000% risk of lung cancer.

“Second, the economic impact and number of deaths caused by smoking-attributable diseases far outweighs those of sitting,” Dr. Boyle continued. “For example, the annual global cost of smoking-attributable diseases was estimated at US$467 billion in 2012 and smoking is expected to cause at least one billion deaths in the 21st century.”

Unlike smoking, sitting is neither an addiction nor a danger to others, Dr. Boyle noted. “Equating the risk of sitting with smoking is clearly unwarranted and misleading, and only serves to trivialize the risks associated with smoking,” he said.

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

Teen pregnancy now a

“national social emergency”

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO Teen pregnancy is a communal problem, a family problem, and a personal problem all rolled into one.

It frequently goes hand in hand with premarital sex.

Problems come when the news needs to breach each parent’s party.”

– Youth Problems in the Philippine Society HER classmates were caught unaware.

Mary Ann passed them and went straight to the national highway – walking as if she was under the in�luence of drugs. Everyone screamed when a speeding vehicle came to her way. It was good that the driver was able to stop before he hit her.

At the school principal’s of�ice, she was interrogated. “I am three months pregnant,” said the 17-yearold high school student.

The principal was further stunned when he found out that the father was much younger – only 16 years old.

“My boyfriend asked me if I loved him and I said yes,” said 18-year-old Linda. “He said that if I really loved him, I had to prove it by giving myself to him completely. I didn’t want to lose him so I had to give in to his wishes.”

Six months later after “the sex encounter” happened – and pregnant at that! – her boyfriend dumped her for another girl.

Mary Ann and Linda are now part of the statistics. Recent studies have shown that 13% of Filipino girls aged 15-19 are already pregnant. Demographers

Photos taken from the net

call this phenomenon as teenage pregnancy. It happens when a female, who is less than 19 years old, becomes pregnant.

But what is alarming is that there are now girls below 15 years old who are already pregnant. That’s according to The Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an advocacy organization that helps educate communities on reproductive health and rights.

“We work on the ground, and the problem is real and worrisome,” Benjamin de Leon, president of The Forum, said in a press statement. “Our most recent encounter was a 10-year-old pregnant girl.

We come face-to-face with teen girls who have stopped schooling because they have started childbearing, and this scenario worsens in areas with poverty and lack of education.”

In a recent development summit, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said that teen pregnancies have become a “national social emergency” because the appalling rates of adolescent births in the last 10 years already merit “national concern.”

Pernia, whose speech was delivered by Commission on Population (Popcom) Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III, called on lawmakers to craft a teenage pregnancy prevention bill in Congress that “should be zealously pursued similar to the efforts that helped pass the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law.” Findings of the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority has con�irmed the problem. It noted that one in 10 girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing: 8% were already mothers and 2% were already pregnant with their �irst child.

What is alarming is that three regions in Mindanao – Davao region, Northern Mindanao and Southwestern Mindanao – recorded the highest rates of teen pregnancies at 18%, 14.7% and 14.5% respectively. All these were above the 8.6% national average.

In the 2017 NDHS, the numbers are dismal: every hour, 24 babies are born to teenagers; every day, 500 babies are born to teen girls, and every year, 196,000

girls aged 15-19 get pregnant.

A previous study three years earlier, in 2014, the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics of�ice reported that 12% or 210,000 of all deliveries recorded in the country belong to girls aged 10-19 years old.

“These grim �igures put the Philippines as the third highest in Southeast Asia in adolescent fertility rate at 57 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19,” said The Forum in a statement. “In the period 2002 to 2013, pregnancies in this age group increased from 4.4% to 11%, which was a staggering 150% increase in only 10 years.”

In a Health and Lifestyle feature, author Ma. Vanessa L. Estinozo quoted Dr. Jean S. Tay, director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Davao Doctors Hospital, on some factors why teenage girls are most likely to get pregnant: “If they are living together with their boyfriend, they are out of school, their parents are separated or one is overseas, they engage in sex at a young age and/or if they use condoms improperly.”

On the latter, Dr. Tay pointed out that “the risk of teen pregnancy increases 11.6 times with the use of condoms.” As such, she believes “sexual abstinence” as “the more effective and rightful solution.”

In Western countries, teen pregnancy may not surprise anyone at all. But in a developing country like the Philippines, it may come as a shock – particularly among religious leaders. “From time to time, we always emphasized that pre-marital sex is morally wrong!” said a Catholic priest.

Poverty has been cited as one of the primary reasons why teen pregnancy is thriving! Data from the United Nations Population Fund showed that teenage

pregnancy has a huge rate in the country, particularly among the poor. Two-thirds of Filipino women who give birth before age 20 belong to the low-class society.

But poverty is just one of the causes. The website of the Youth in the Philippine Society (YPS) cites other reasons: · The immature and irresponsible behavior arising due to complex teenage psychology is another important cause of teenage pregnancies. Teenagers often go through several emotions because of their own transition from childhood and peer pressure. · The dearth of sexual education among teenagers causes them to get abortions as they ultimately realize their inability to bear the responsibilities of being a parent at such a young age. · The lack of attention and affection from family resulting in depression forces them to seek love and support from other people, especially members of the opposite sex. · Overprotection gives rise to frustration and a feeling of not being loved and cared for. Thus, balance is the key to avoid this problem. Lack of affectionate supervision of parents or guardians results into the adolescents or teenage girl’s becoming pregnant.

“Sex outside of marriage with multiple partners has consequences,” wrote Dr. Mildred R. Yutuc, an obstetrician-gynecologist, in an article which appeared in Health and Home. “And when the girl is only in her teens, the consequences are truly serious.”

According to De Leon, both the young mother and her baby face a life-threatening situation. “The bodies of adolescent and teen girls are not yet ready for the physical demands of childbearing,” he said. “Their babies bear the burden of

this unhealthy condition that can lead to infant mortality, as babies born to teen mothers have far lower survival rates.”

Again, due to poverty, “many of those involved in teenage pregnancy die off prematurely because of lack of proper medical attention” the YPS website stated.

A study done by the Population Institute of the University of the Philippines said more than 46% of teenage pregnant women resort to induced abortion.

In fact, two out of every 5 teenage pregnancies are unwanted ones, the study said.

Aside from death, De Leon said the most common result is stunting, a condition characterized by slow or impeded growth.

Stunting occurs from the time of conception to the �irst two years of life, also called the “�irst 1,000 days,” that is caused by the poor nutritional status of mother and child.

Becoming pregnant or having a child at a tender age also means dropping out from schools. “Many pregnant female children end up dropping out from school to avoid shame thus undermining government's efforts towards ensuring Education for All and the Millennium Development Goal of Education in the nearest future,” the YPS website said.

Although teen pregnancy rate declined – from 10.2% in 2016 to 8.7% in 2017 – Popcom’s Perez said the �igure is still high: about 196,000 teenage women get pregnant every year.

He wants the number to dip and that is what his of�ice is trying to do. “What we’re aiming for is to avoid pregnancy at a younger age, to have fewer children, to have children that you can afford to raise,” he was quoted as saying by a national paper.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

INTO THE BLUE EVEN when it literally rained cats and dogs, no one was afraid to get wet as the Marco Polo Davao held its much-awaited Pool Party last August 31 to cap off Kadayawan month with a splash.

“This signature event will be Marco Polo Davao’s statement that Davao will remain resilient and cheerful despite any weather and challenges it may face”, said Marco Polo General Manager Colin Healy.

And what a party it was!

Guests danced to the summer beats of Sikat Entertainment’s DJ Travis Monsod and DJ Wacky Masbad. Each set was filled with club music I can relate, dance, and eventually dive into the pool to. From the many guests who also took to the pool with a splash, I can say they gave their sign of approval too.

Mindanaoan-inspired party chow and cocktails made by the Marco Polo Davao’s culinary team led

by Executive Chef Alex Destriza and RBE Manager Rene Gargallo were passed around, and so were beer by Heineken and Tiger. For those who wanted a stronger kick, there were cold bottles of Smirnoff

URBANISSIMO A4

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

KICK OFF THE ‘BER’ MONTHS WITH THE YULETIDE CEBU PACIFIC SUPER SEAT FEST! THE yuletide season is here, and it’s time to cheer with the lowest seats and deals from Cebu Pacific. This September, over one million seats to your favorite domestic and international destinations are up for sale at fares that can’t be beaten. Or, get great deals on flight-bun-deals, with as much as 30% off on prepaid baggage fees, and inflight meals thrown in as well.

The Super Seat Fest also gives you a chance to win a Fly Easy flight + hotel package by simply redeeming raffle entries using your GetGo points.

Scour for great travel deals for getaways in the final stretch of 2019! Enjoy the Deepavali Festival of Lights or take the family to a fun adventure in Sentosa Island and Universal Studios in Singapore; or say ‘hello’ to Hallyu in South Korea. Or, meet 2020 basking on a pristine white beach, or the splendor of lights in Macau. You can also plan for a summer break or a long weekend getaway in 2020.

No need to burn the midnight oil or spend the entire night trying to book those seats on sale! An array of exciting travel deals awaits you over the next few weeks. That’s ample time to finalize vacation plans. Planning is always the key to getting the most of vacay time and budgets.

Bent on taking that trip? Here are some hacks to help: PLAN, PLAN AND PLAN! Seats on sale get booked fast so always have alternative destinations and travel dates ready. Read on the details of any seat sale—including destinations covered and travel period to have a Plan A, B and even Plan C. Research shows that planning and booking for trips at least six months prior to the departure date have a higher probability of getting deeply discounted seats and travel deals. Check the calendar not just for the rest of 2019, but even for next year to determine those travel dates. Make those travel decisions even before the seat sales open.

NEED FOR SPEED Each visitor in the Cebu Pacific website is allotted limited time to book per session to give way to others. Hence, the faster a transaction is completed, the higher the chance of scoring seats on sale.

It’s best to get all details down. List down the preferred destination, travel dates and flight schedule to make sure the booking is correct.

Personal details—including complete name, date of birth, contact information, as well as passport number and expiry date—should be on-hand before the sale begins to make it faster to complete the booking.

Make sure to also have the mode of payment and details on-hand. For credit card or debit card payments, required details include card number, full name of the cardholder, the security code (or the CVV number), expiry date and billing address.

And more importantly, make sure to clear the cache data and browsing history of the device to be used to log into the Cebu Pacific website to ensure stability in page loading and completing the transaction. A fast, reliable internet connection is also a plus.

GATHER INTEL Like or follow the official accounts of Cebu Pacific on Facebook (@cebupacificairphilippines), Twitter (@cebupacificair), and Instagram (@cebupacificair) to get updated information on our seat sales before heading to cebupacificair.com to book your seats and score those travel deals.

September’s just the beginning! Gear up and BEReady for a holiday season to remember with #CEBSuperSeatFest!

FOOD

RAINY DAY SOUL SO

By KENNETH IRVING ONG

IT seems like the rain just keeps on pouring these days making many Dabawenyo urbanites feel down in the dumps. To counter the blues, here is my short list of delicious goodies that are sure to perk up one’s mood, warm the soul, and fill any hungry tummy.

LITTLE DYNASTY’S LAKSA Spicy, hot, rich, and savoury.

Little Dynasty’s Laksa is the closest one can get to authentic Singaporean Laksa one can find here in Durianburg. The soup is filled with fishballs, tofu, shrimps and perfumed with spices and herbs such as galangal, turmeric, chilli and curry leaf.

You can have your laksa with either beehoon or, my preference, egg noodles. Each spoonful is like a warm, soothing caress that chases the blues away.

MANNA’S KIMCHI JJIGAE While Little Dynasty’s Laksa is like a soothing hug, Manna’s Kimchi-Jjigae is like a spicy firebomb in the mouth, but in a good way. A traditional Korean stew, Manna’s Kimchi-Jjigae features the restaurant’s home-made kimchi stewed with pork and served in a piping-hot stone bowl.

The kimchi gives the soup a slightly sour taste that makes one salivate while the fatty pork gives richness and flavour to the dish.

The accompanying bowl of fluffy white rice allows you to balance out the heat of the dish.

DUSIT D2’S TOM KA GAI While Thai cuisine may be synonymous to spicy and hot dishes, there are many dishes that are actually less hot and one of these is Tom Ka Gai or Chicken

Coconut Soup, and in Davao, Dusit D2’s version of the soup is definitely the real deal.

Although it may not look like it, Dusit’s Tom Ka Gai is a complex soup with layers of flavour thanks to the different herbs and spices used such as kefir lime, lime, coriander leaves, and lemongrass. The fragrant bouquet and slight heat of the soup is sure to invigorate the soul.

LUGANG’S BEEF AND TENDON NOODLE SOUP A Taiwanese specialty, Lu-

gang’s Be Soup is a that is su lovers. Th tender w of the co

EDAVAO

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OOTHERS

eef and Tendon Noodle a meaty and savoury dish ure to be a hit for meat The beef brisket is soft and while the jelly-like texture ollagen-rich beef tendon

ENTERTAINMENT

THE CLASH INTRODUCES NEW HOSTS IN ITS EXCITING SECOND SEASON THE excitement is higher than ever for the return of GMA Network’s original musical competition, The Clash, and it opens up with a bang this season as it introduces a new set of hosts.

Asia’s Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose and Total Heartthrob Rayver Cruz are all set to amplify the fun onstage as The Clash Masters, while the well-loved tandem of Rita Daniela and Ken Chan will give viewers an all-access pass throughout the contestants’ journey as The Clash Journey Hosts.

Julie Anne expressed her excitement on being a Clash Master, “This year is definitely bigger and more exciting. Filipinos from different parts of the world auditioned to be a part the competition. I am excited to meet the new batch of clashers who I’m sure are more than ready to impress not only the judges but all our viewers as well.”

“It’s always inspiring to watch people strive to reach their dreams,” shared Rayver. “I hear that there are very talented Clashers. I expect the competition to be tougher, with a lot of surprises and twists in the show, so look forward to that.”

Rita, on the other hand, looks forward to meeting the new batch of Clashers, “Ken and I have a fun job as Journey Hosts because we get to talk to the contestants and

let viewers in on some behind-thescene exclusives. I’m very excited.”

Likewise, Ken is ready to give viewers an inside look into the lives of the Clashers, “Aside from their talent, I’m sure that this new pool of contestants from all around the country and the world have inspiring stories to share with all our Kapuso viewers.”

Returning as The Clash judges are Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, Asia’s Romantic Balladeer

Christian Bautista, and Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai delas Alas will once again lead the search for the next singing sensation.

Catch the world premiere of The Clash this September 21 on GMA-7.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

ACEL TACKLES DIFFERENCES OF ROMANTIC COUPLES IN NEW SONG

coats the mouth with its flavour.

The dish is balanced out with the addition of a heaping of pickled mustard greens which add a sour note to the slightly spicy and rich soup.

NATIVE DAVAO CHOCOLATE FROM CACAO CITY While most of the dishes I mentioned earlier do have some heat in them, I have not forgotten sweet tooths.

Cacao City, at the City’s Pasalubong Center is every cacao product imaginable from chocolate bars, cacao nibs and, my favourite for the rainy days, tablea.

Just dunk a couple of tablea pucks into boiling water or milk, dissolve and blend into a rich chocolate drink.

If you can’t wait to go home and make your chocolate drink yourself, Cacao City also has read-to-drink hot Davao chocolate you can purchase and enjoy.

Former band vocalist Acel is back, introducing another heartwarming track entitled “Pitik Bulag,” which is guaranteed to make listeners’ hearts swoon with comfort and joy.

Acel, who serenades with her calming and melodic voice, has been performing since the late 90’s. In 2007, she sang “One Love,” the theme song of the popular Korean Drama “Spring Waltz” which aired on ABS-CBN. The following year, she released her first solo album “Silver Lining.”

The Kapamilya singer also gave Rico Blanco’s timeless hit “Your Universe” a new spin this year, which then went on to be used as the theme song of the Black Sheep film “Between Maybes.” Just last July, she also performed at the “One Paradise Puno ng Musika” event held at the La Mesa Ecopark.

Her newest song “Pitik Bulag” under DNA Music bears a catchy, fun tune that showcases the versatility of her voice. It is based on the traditional Filipino game of the same name where one player closes his eyes then guesses the number of fingers that the other player is flashing.

The song however, showcases how love triumphs despite the many differences faced by couples in romantic relationships. It’s a refreshing and uplifting take on the process of acknowledging the individualities of romantic pairs—that ultimately shouldn’t get in the way of their love for one another.

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Mule.

Aside from the eating, drinking and splashing about, there were also various party games and I was one of the lucky ones who went home with a limited edition Marco Polo Bluetooth speaker.

The Pool Party climaxed with a dance number by the hotel’s associates ending with a massive jump into the pool.

The successful event was supported by Johnny Walker, Belvedere Vodka, Cimem Wines, Global Noble International, Smirnoff Mule, Heineken and Summit Water.

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UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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transparent to easily identify if there are elements planted like explosives.

He also said they will conduct anti-terrorism awareness seminar slated this Friday and Saturday (September 7 to 8) to vendors, push cart boys, tricykad drivers, security guards of the establishments near the night market, and the community living event those in the alley near the night market in preparation for the declaration of the night market as maximum security zone.

The seminar will be held at the Task Force Davao headquarters in Sta. Ana Port.

"The bulk of our activity now is to establish security measures by engaging the community like conducting anti-terrorism awareness seminar that will be participated will be those residing in the vicinity of Roxas Avenue (near night market) yung may mga maliit na daanan we already coordinated with them, vendors, tricykad drivers, push cart boys, security guards of the establishments operating in the area," he said.

The seminar aims to create awareness to the community, vendors, busi-

ness establishments about improvised explosive devices (IEDs), strategies on how to prevent bombing, the culture of security, and the security system.

Yecla said this is also to ensure that the community living or working approximately to the night market is working with them and will serve as eyes and ears of TF Davao when it comes to security.

He also said that they will conduct inventory of the vehicles parking in the night market area.

"At least alam namin yung plate number and part ng aming proposal ay magkaroon ng permanent security personnel deployed in the area," he said.

According to Yecla, Acosta messaged him through text that acting mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte is supporting the proposal.

Last August 1, 2019, the city's San Pedro Square was recently declared as maximum security zone through a resolution authored by Acosta, who is also the chair of the committee on peace and public safety. In the resolution, the maximum security zone is de�ined as an area which access is controlled through

an entry point and limited to authorized, appropriately screened personnel ad properly escorted visitors, and monitored 24 hours a day and seven days a week by peace-keeping forces.

During the recently concluded Kadayawan Sa Davao, TF Davao has implemented the said security measures ensuring a safe festivity.

Since the declaration of the security zone is focused during big events, Yecla submitted a proposal to the City Government of Davao to implement maximum security zone during the of�ice and after-of�ice hours.

"Dapat pag of�ice hours may designated parking for the vehicles of the government employees at saka hiwalay yung mga private vehicles na bumibisita lang o may transaction sa city.

Kasi if the vehicle is owned by a government employee bigyan natin sila ng responsibility na yung parking space nila ay sila lang ang makagamit. Yung mga private vehicles that have transactions in the city we will monitor and inspect them," he said.

Yecla said also in his proposal is to designate an area for motorcycles only.

DILG. The impending review of the law's IRR came in the wake of public uproar following earlier reports that convicted rapist and

murderer, former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez is among those who will be entitled to an early release from prison due to a June 25 Supreme

Court (SC) ruling.

The SC, however, clari�ied that the ruling merely interpreted the law and did not order Sanchez's release. (PNA)

during this season,” he explained.

The PNP attributed the lower crime rates to the intensi�ied campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration against all forms of criminality, particularly against illegal drugs.

Earlier, Maj. Gen. Guillermo, National Capital Region Police Of�ice (NCRPO) chief, said the continuous drop in the crime rate is due to their intensi�ied po-

lice intervention and campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes.

“Partly, this can be attributed to more active police interventions and increased vigilance of our citizens during this period brought about by strong public awareness thru the media,” Eleazar said.

“It is now a myth in NCR. We have reversed that at least since 2016,” the Metro Manila top cop noted.”

He directed all district commanders in Metro Manila to be more alert against criminal syndicates and to intensify its security operations in places of convergence such as malls, shopping complexes and transport terminals where people tend to congregate.

He also renewed his appeal to the public to help and cooperate with authorities in apprehending those involved in criminal activities. (PNA)

merates the essential requisites of a valid marriage to include the "legal capacity of the contracting parties who must be a male and a female"; c.) Art. 46. identifying the concealment of homosexuality or lesbianism, among other things existing at the time of the marriage as fraud which may be used as basis for the annulment of a marriage; d.) Art. 55. identifying lesbianism or homosexuality as grounds for a peti-

tion for legal separation.

The court said that while the Constitution does not restrict marriage on the basis of gender, it underscored the need of formal legislation to allow a more orderly deliberation in assuring rights.

"Adjudication assures arguments between parties with respect to the existence and interpretation of fundamental freedoms.

On the other hand, legislation ideally allows democratic deliberation on

the various ways to assure those fundamental rights," the decision read.

"The process of legislation exposes the experiences of those who have been oppressed, ensuring that this be understood by those who stand with the majority. Often, public reason needs to be �irst shaped through the crucible of campaigns and advocacies within our political forums before it is sharpened for judicial �iat," the tribunal said. (PNA)

matic protest is like throwing a paper boat on a brick wall, I do it," he said.

"I do it because the experts say keep doing it, because that way, nobody can say that we have given up what we believe are our rights," he added.

Locsin said at least 60 diplomatic protests have been �iled since Duter-

te took of�ice in 2016, of which 29 were lodged during his term as foreign affairs secretary.

He, however, said he could not provide lawmakers with copies of such protests as there are "exclusively executive communications."

"I have changed the language of our diplomatic

protest from the usual diplomatic niceties to direct protests. No nice words anymore, just objective ones," he said.

The DFA has been recommended a P22.55-billion budget for 2020 under the National Expenditure Program, which is 9.95% higher that its appropriations for the current year.

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9

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 18th City Council 10th Regular Session Series of 2019 PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Bernard E. Al-ag - Presiding Officer Nilo M. Abellera Jr. Maria Belen S. Acosta Victorio U. Advincula Jr. Al Ryan S. Alejandre Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos Ma. Cherry Ann M. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Carmelo J. Clarion Danilo C. Dayanghirang April Marie C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Leah A. Librado-Yap Rene Elias C. Lopez Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Avegayle Dalodo Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Marissa P. Salvador-Abella Halila Y. Sudagar Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado IIII

ABSENT:

Councilor Councilor

Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jimmy G. Dureza

- OB – Acting City Mayor - On Domestic Emergency Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0720-19 Series of 2019

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRICING SCHEME OF MARAPANGI HOMES RESET TLEMENT PROJECT AS ENDORSED

BY THE CITY PRICING COMMIT TEE, OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR, AS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE BENEFICIARIES OF MARAPANGI HOMES RESET TLEMENT PROJECT, THROUGH ITS RESOLUTION NO. 2, SERIES OF 2017 AS AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 3, SERIES OF 2018 Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRICING SCHEME OF MARAPANGI HOMES RESETTLEMENT PROJECT AS ENDORSED BY THE CITY PRICING COMMITTEE, OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR, AS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE BENEFICIARIES OF MARAPANGI HOMES RESETTLEMENT PROJECT, THROUGH ITS RESOLUTION NO. 2, SERIES OF 2017 AS AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 3, SERIES OF 2018”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – Section 2 of Executive Order No. 45, Series of 2013, entitled “Reconstituting the Membership of Pricing Committee for the Slum Improvement and Resettlement (SIR) Project and Urban Land Reform Program (ULRP) of the City”, states that the committee shall have the power to determine the fair market value/cost, interest and surcharges, payment scheme of residential and commercial lots under the housing program of the City of Davao such as, but not limited to, Slum Improvement and Resettlement Program, Urban Land Reform Program, Relocation Sites, for sale and resale to the awardees/qualified buyers”, as amended.

SECTION 3. COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall cover the approval of the Pricing Scheme for the Marapangi Homes Resettlement Project.

SECTION 4. PRICING SCHEME – The Pricing Scheme for Marapangi Homes Resettlement Project shall be implemented based on the following computation, viz.: Pricing/Lot No. of Years Price P67,554.40 P67,554.40

P67,554.40

3

4

5

Total Interest Rate (6% per annum)

Monthly Amortization Factor

Total Installment Price

P10,428.32

P1,624.64

P77,982.72

P8,263.76

P12,631.40

P2,106.06

P1,336.43

P75,818.16

P80,185.80

SECTION 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY- This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.

ENACTED, on the 12th day of March, 2019, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: (sgd.)CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

ATTESTED:

(sgd.)BERNARD E. AL-AG Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

ATTESTED:

APPROVED: ______________, 2019

(sgd.)SARA Z. DUTERTE City Mayor

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ence of ecstasy and other forms of drugs.

“We thank all of you who are really trying not only this university but

the Philippines drug-free,” AdDU president Fr. Joel E. Tabora thanked the university CAID for the initiative.

The drug testing will

be conducted inside the university with the help of university clinic personnel or other individuals duly authorized by CAID. (PNA)

into law the Rice Tarif�ication Act expected to lower the prices of rice, protect farmers from competition,

and ease in�lation.

Panelo earlier said farmer groups have the right to question the legal-

ity of the law if they feel that it would cause more harm than good to the agriculture sector. (PNA)

will kick off on Wednesday with a caravan of industry players from the city �ishport complex to the venue, the opening of the exhibit at the SM Mall Trade Halls and the 2nd All About Handline Summit.

The congress proper will formally open on Thursday and will be joined by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles and

Agriculture Secretary William Dar. The discussions will cover the Electronic Monitoring, Surveillance, and Control System; Catch Documentation and Traceability Technology Solutions; Emerging Technologies for Processors; and Commodity, Market and Stock Assessment, and related updates.

Dubbed the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” the city hosts six of the country’s eight tuna canneries.

The industry, which generated export receipts of around P22 billion in 2018, directly employs some 27,290 people and provides livelihood to 109,160 others through various secondary activities. (MindaNews)

Connors was 39 in 1991 at the U.S. Open. He could have claimed a berth in his record 56th career major semi-�inal.

Instead, it is Dimitrov who will participate in a Slam �inal four for the third time, facing No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev has drawn plenty of attention at Flushing Meadows for the way he sarcastically thanked booing crowds, trolling them by suggesting their venom was why he kept winning.

Now maybe folks will

pay more attention to the 23-year-old Russian’s unusual brand of shapeshifting tennis, which carried him past three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 despite 12 double-faults and a body that’s just short of breaking down.

Dimitrov has struggled for much of 2019, failing to even get to a quarter�inal anywhere since Week 1 of the season.

His Grand Slam results have been trending in the wrong direction, too: from

a loss in the fourth round at the Australian Open to the third round at the French Open to the �irst round at Wimbledon.

So his ranking, as high as No. 3 a couple of years ago, is nowhere near that now.

His coaches, Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek, aren’t anywhere near Flushing Meadows, either.

They opted to stay away from the tournament. Asked why, Dimitrov hemmed and hawed.

It’s certainly working so far.

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45-day house-to-house assessment.

He said the survey will cover some 815,343 pre-identi�ied households in Soccsksargen and 556,555 in BARMM. With the increasing demand from poor families for inclusion in any government program, Espejo urged residents to cooperate and coordinate with their respective barangay of�icials for the assessment.

“We cannot do this alone that’s why we need the support of our partners in the local government units and other line agencies,” he said.

"Listahanan," which is updated every four years, is DSWD’s information management system that identi�ies poor families who will bene�it from the government's social protection programs.

It is also used by other national government agen-

cies and social protection stakeholders as pioneer database of poor families nationwide.

Soccsksargen comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan.

DSWD-12's operational coverage includes Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City and Marawi City in the BARMM. (PNA)

ticket to the next round.

Turkey and the Czech Republic, which downed Japan 89-76, dispute the last Round-2 seat in Group E. Australia, like Serbia, touted as a threat to the US, reached the second round with a Joe Ingles-inspired 81-68 victory over Senegal.

The Boomers defeated Canada in their opener in Group H -- the so-called "Group of Death" -- and recovered from an indifferent start to grind down

Senegal with Utah Jazz forward Ingles one assist away from World Cup history.

Australia, who was not at its best, was 36-33 ahead at halftime after narrowly trailing a determined Senegal at the end of the �irst quarter.

Ingles, who acknowledged that the Australians were "rattled" by Senegal in the �irst half, was instrumental in the victory with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists -- just one

assist short of the �irst triple-double in World Cup history.

Patty Mills, the 31-yearold San Antonio Spurs guard, was also in the thick of it for the Boomers, drilling 22 points.

Coach Andrej Lemanis called Senegal the tallest team he had faced and said that his side had been "a little clunky at times" offensively.

"Senegal present some unique challenges with their overall size," he said.

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EDGEDAVAO

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Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) Green Team takes time out for a group photo during a lull in the Sportsfest 2019 at Genesis Gym. Contributed photo

Federer crashes out of US Open

Hunat Dabaw 7 run registration extended B

By ADAM B. MORRELL

T

he registration for the Hunat Dabaw 7 Bubble Run “Takbo Para sa Tulay ng Pagbabago sa Paquibato” has been extended until Saturday, September 7.

Race chairperson Megzyl Rose Jolejole, in an interview, bared that they needed to extend the registration to reach the 3,500 target participants and supplement the construction of bridge in Paquibato District, this year’s bene�iciary of the annual run-for-a-cause.

Jolejole said they al-

ready tallied a total of 2,200 registrants for the annual fun run slated Sunday, September 8, in an out-and-back course from The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

The registration vary on the distance of the race.

The three kilometer (3k) category is pegged at P470 while the 5k and 10k distances is priced at P520 and P570, respectively, all inclusive of singlet, race bib, breakfast buffet and raf�le coupon.

Interested partici-

USA survives Turkey scare

K

hris Middleton scored 15 points, including the 2 free throws that iced the game, to lead the United States to a 93-92 win in overtime over Turkey in the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Tuesday.

The victory, their second in a row, assured the Americans of a spot in the 2nd round.

They join Australia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, France, and Lithuania.

Ahead 92-91 after a 3-point play by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman with 35 seconds remaining, Turkey had a chance to put the game away after the Americans were called for 2 fouls on separate plays.

But Dogus Balbay missed both his free throws badly after an un-

sportsmanlike foul on Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris, and Osman muffed his charities, too, off a foul

by Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

In transition, Milwaukee Bucks swingman Middleton was fouled on the drive by Osman, before knocking down the game-winning free throws.

Celtics playmaker Kemba Walker added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, and Boston teammate, forward Jayson Tatum, contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds before he was carried out of the �loor on the �inal play because of an apparent injury.

Meanwhile, Brazil advanced in Group F by beating Greece 79-78, leaving reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. to play New Zealand for a

USA, P10

pants may inquire at the front desk of the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Jolejole, meanwhile, said worth P250,000 of prizes are to be given away which includes cash and gift certi�icates.

The top three winners of the 3k, 5k and 10k will have a corresponding cash prizes and medals.

A consolation prize also goes to the 4th to 10th placers.

Special awards which includes the best male and female, biggest delegation, best �ive bare-

foot runners, best Person With Disability (PWD), two youngest runners and two oldest runners will be given away in the event co-presented by GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc., MX3, Mindanao Times, UMBN, and Pepsi, and backed by Halohalo Radio Station, Davies Paint, Nike, Apo ni Lola, Arcadia, Dasia, Matina Enclaves, Mindanao Journal, GMI Global Ventures, Esdevco, GMI Packaging, Mesa, Genesis88, Kadsia, and Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center.

etrayed by his forehand, and maybe his body, too, Roger Federer is out of the U.S. Open.

Federer twice gave away a lead against a guy he’d never lost to and was beaten 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 by 78th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter�inals before a stunned crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.

“He started slowing down a little bit,” Dimitrov said. “For sure, in the end, he was not 100% of himself.”

Chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, and sixth at Flushing Meadows, the 38-year-old Federer took a rare-forhim medical time-out after the fourth set, leaving the court with a trainer. It was not immediately clear what might have been wrong

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum went down injured in the USA’s win over Turkey.

with Federer, although he did appear to be �lexing his back after some points.

When play resumed after a break of nearly 10 minutes, Federer’s form never picked up.

He kept contributing to Dimitrov’s cause, missing shots this way and that, long or wide or into the net.

The stats were staggering and showed exactly how off Federer was on this evening: 61 unforced errors, 33 on the forehand side. Compare that to his 40 total winners.

Federer had been 7-0 against Dimitrov, taking 16 of their previous 18 sets. And Federer could have become the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam semi-�inal since Jimmy

DUTERTE, P10

12 SPORTS

VOL.12 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

LOVE FOR SKIM Mati Mayor backs Davao skimboarders

By ADAM B. MORRELL

Young Davao City local skimboarders honing their skills.

Keep Going photo

M

ati City Mayor Michelle Marie Denise Rabat extended her support to Davao City local skimboarders who will compete in a pocket skimboarding competition to be held in Davao City.

Being the 'mother' of the city tagged as the skim-

boarding capital in Mindanao, Mayor Rabat is keen in supporting aspiring skimboarders even from outisde her city whom she believes that could bring honor to the country much like Mati's world-class skimboarders.

"Mati, most specially

Dahican, is home to one of the best skimboarders in the country, if not Asia.

Like our very own Sonny Boy Aporbo, we also wanted kids from other parts of Davao Region and Mindanao to excel in skimboarding," Rabat said.

Her thrust in helping

kids playing the sport is also anchored in one of her administration's focus which is to battle illegal drugs.

"Thus, we always support these kids when they ask from us. Let us keep our young generation away from drugs and into sports.

Hope that whatever little

we donated would go a long way to help the young skimboarders achieve their dreams and become the next champion," Rabat said.

Rabat's donation will fuel skimboarding aces from Bliss in Bago Aplaya in the upcoming Skim Jam to be held this Sunday,

September 8, at Tiki Tam in Times Beach.

The competition expects big names from all over Philippines.

Contenders will be from Mati City, Malita, Davao Occidental, General Santos, Digos City and Davao City among others.