Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 157 | Wednesday, October 16, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

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A group of massage therapists belonging to the visually challenged sector uses the pedestrian lane while crossing Ilustre Street in Davao City on Tuesday.

Lean Daval Jr

4TH DISTRICT Proposed 4th Congressional District expected to participate in 2022 Elections

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City will have a fourth Congressional District soon.

Mayor Sara Duterte told media that there is no timeline for the approval of the creation of the new legislative district but she is hopeful that the new district can already be part of the 2022 national elections.

"No timeline yet but hopefully makaabot before 2022 so that in the 2022 elections maapil na ang atong Congressman sa new district," Mayor Duterte said.

The proposed creation of a fourth District in Davao City is one of the products of the Executive-Legislative Agenda conducted in July this year.

"During the discussion naghangyo ko sa mga konsehal since politicians man ta tanan dili na lang ta manghilabot sa pag-study kung unsaon pag-create sa 4th Congressional District in the city," she said.

Duterte said they have directed the City Planning Development Office (CPDO) to make a study for the creation of an additional district in the city and they came up with three options and the equitable option is a proportionate population per congressional district.

"All districts must be divided with at least 250,000 population. We follow the constitutional requirement na dapat contiguous ang area and 250,000 ang population," she said.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

City to give P500-monthly aid for school expenses next year T

By MAYA M. PADILLO

o ensure that indigent students will continue their studies, the City Government of Davao is mulling of a monthly cash assistance of P500 starting next school year.

Mayor Sara Duterte gave her assurance following the reports that some students of Salugpongan schools, which are now closed, are hesitant to en-

roll in any schools operated by the Department of Education (DepEd) due to school fees. DepEd recently ordered the closure of Salugpongan schools due

to violations.

"DepEd has no collection policy and the only thing that needs to be addressed is the projects.

Next year since we have a budget coming from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) naghatag and allowed siya ihatag as cash assistance sa mga tao. That kind of problem dili lang sa IPs, daghan na nagduol sa atoang social

CHO to hold 2 more vaccination drives

services, maglisod sila ug plete kada adlaw, merienda/baon sa bata, paliton na mga folders ug cartolina, etc," she said.

Mayor Duterte said the city has P500 educational assistance a month for each child who will apply in the city's social services.

"Daghan ang amoang na -encounter nga ingon ani nga mga issues sa mga bata usually ginabiyaan

sa igsoon para pa-eskwelahon, nagbulag na ginikanan, mga bata nga naa sa ilang mga lola. The concerns of the IPs are also covered with this. Naa ta money from DBM pwede for educational assistance or cash assistance every month," she said.

Other interventions from the city are provided through Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU). The

IP families under EBSU are being provided with educational assistance.

Mayor Duterte also assured that IP students will not be discriminated once they enroll in DepEd-operated schools.

"We will ask DepEd 11 to review ang ilahang policies especially in schools with mixed students kung mas daghan ang bisaya kaysa sa mga IPs," she said.

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

fter recording an average turnout of immunized children during the launching of massive Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) vaccination on Monday, October 14, the City Health Office will be implementing two more rounds of "Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio" set for the next three months as it aims to achieve a 100 percent vaccination coverage.

This campaign is driven by the re-emergence of Polio Type 2 (VDP2) virus in the city.

The first round which began last Monday will end on October 27 followed by another massive vaccination on November 25 to December 7, and January 6 to 18, 2020, respectively.

Personnel from the government agency is conducting synchronized immunization in

all health centers and house-to-house visits on the said dates.

Over 500 children received the OPV during the first two hours of the 'Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio" as hundreds of parents trooped to the city health centers and malls during the nationwide anti-polio immunization drive on Monday.

CHO chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the city government is targeting a 100-percent immunization rate for children 5 years old and below.

Villafuerte said that although there is no polio case recorded in the city, it did not mean that Dabawenyos should be complacent following the type 2 polio virus found in the water sample taken from the Davao River last month.

“We still reiterate our

call to all the parents to please let your children be vaccinated. Open your doors to our personnel for vaccination,” she said.

The government office, however, urges parents to cooperate and have their children vaccinated.

“We hope that they will come to our centers or have their children vaccinated in the malls since we have booths there and they can also go to the private and public hospitals,” she said.

The vaccination will be given free including those given in the private since the OPV vaccine for type 2 poliovirus comes from the Department of Health (DOH).

In 2015, the wild poliovirus type 2 was already declared eradicated. It only resurfaced in August this year. With reports from CIO

A

20-minute firefight happened between members of the Philippine Army's 68th Infantry Battalion and more or less 15 members of the local terror group in Barangay Calang Canas.

Lieutenant General

Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), told GMA News Online that there is no reported casualty on the incident.

Sobejana said clearing operation is still ongoing.

gional crop protection center chief, told media in Kapehan sa Davao that FAW larvae or spodoptera frugiperda were found in the corn plantation of Yoshida Farms and Trading Corporation in Cadalian, Baguio District. The said larvae was also present in a farm in Malalag Municipality.

FAW is an insect pest that can feed on more than 80 crop species and may cause significant yield reduction on major cultivated cereals such as maize,

rice, sorghum and also to legumes, vegetables, crops and cotton if not managed.

Although, the presence of FAW in Yoshida farms, which is about one hectare of corn, is not that massive but it is best to manage the insects early according to Infante.

"Maskin gamay siya amo ginapahibalo kay wala ta kabalo basin naay other areas na gi-itlogan. Didto ta gamay pa man pero we are sharing the information not to create panic but awareness. Dili man gud

Firefight erupts between troops, alleged ASG members in Basilan

n encounter took place between government troops and alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf group in Maluso, Basilan on Tuesday morning.

Information from authorities disclosed that the

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures as she interacts with the press during a news conference where she further explained the issues and programs on her third State of the City Address at Sangguniang Panlungsod in San Pedro Street, Davao City on Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr

BPI Davao alerts on spread of 'armyworm' pest in corn

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he production of primary crops like corn is expected to reduce with the spread of the dreaded Fall Armyworm (FAW) insect pest.

The Crop Protection Division of the Bureau of Plant Industry in Davao (BPI Davao) has reported the presence of FAW in a corn plantation and urged farmers to take precautionary measures to prevent its rapid proliferation as it poses threat to food security.

Marilou Infante, re-

puwede nga lingkuran lang nato ug dili namo ipahibalo. We are pro-active to inform and make the farmers aware," she said.

Infante said there is a probability that it is FAW that is infesting the said farms as they are still awaiting for the confirmatory results from the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, which is examining the three specimens sent by them.

She said they are expecting to receive the confirmatory results this

week.

"These insects are not endemic in the Philippines that is why they don't have natural enemy. Gikan ni sila sa South America ug nakaabot sa Davao seguro tungod sa paglupad lupad," she said.

She said that presence of FAW was confirmed first in Isabela in Region 2 and and in Region 12 this year.

Among the measures suggested to farmers is to religiously monitor their fields and identify the worms as well as do

blanket spraying on their farms.

Another recommendation is to use Metarhizium anisopliae, which is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout the world and causes disease in various insects by acting as a parasitoid.

"In case ito ay confirmed, we have to be vigilant kay kung walay action na information, wala ta ikasukol sa peste kay 21 days pa lang, manganak na pud siya," Infante said.

By Maya M. Padillo

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

Davao City eyes P10.3-B 2020 budget

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his city is eyeing a budget of PHP10.3 billion for 2020, an increase of over 15 percent from this year's PHP8.9-billion allocation.

This was bared on Monday by City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Finance Committee, who added that part of the increase will come from the city's PHP4-billion international revenue allotment as well as from savings.

Dayanghirang said they expect the budget to be forwarded to the legislative body by October 15 so that they can start the marathon hearings.

"By the second week of November, we expect to go on second reading and on the third week, for the 3rd and final reading," he said.

Dayanghirang said they expect a surplus from the 2019 budget although they still are awaiting a supplemental budget to comply with the requirements for the bonuses of city government employees.

He said all funds for the year must be disbursed and all projects must be paid,

noting that Mayor Sara Z. Duterte does not allow realignment of funds.

Dayanghirang said the budget could still go up.

"There might be surprises anytime because the Supreme Court has ruled that the IRA (internal revenue allotment) should be increased in all local government units," he said.

He said the SC ruling showed that the national government still owed local government units following a mistake in computations of the national taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs and other revenue-generating agencies.

Dayanghirang said the 2020 budget aims to help address "important concerns affecting the city" such as the burgeoning water requirement, traffic congestion, and programs for health and environment.

He added that the city has lined up big-ticket projects that include bridges, road networks, a flyover, and the development of a central business district and township projects.

(PNA)

Shop, play and win prizes at SM City Davao 3-day sale

T

he biggest sale this season happens at SM City Davao on October 18 to 20. Offering up to 70% off on great finds, this sale event is not to be missed.

With a minimum purchase of P1,000, shoppers get a chance to drive home a Suzuki Swift GL CVT. The first 100 customers to present a receipt worth of P5,000 spend every day of the 3 Day Sale get to enjoy instant treats from tenants. Also, they can play at the Get Hookt interactive game at the event center and win a trip to Siargao or Clark, a staycation at the Royal Mandaya Hotel

and a whole lot more.

Prestige cardholders get to enjoy a whole day of additional discounts from SM affiliate stores on Friday. On Saturday, SM Advantage and BDO Rewards cardholders enjoy the same, on top of existing markdowns, from 9AM to 12NN. Lastly, on Sunday, Prestige and SMAC members get to avail special discounts from 5PM to 7PM. Stock up on that Christmas wish list. Catch south’s most awaited sale event this weekend at SM City Davao. Mall hours are extended up to 11PM on Friday and Saturday.

PhilHealth premium rate hike may spawn more undocumented OFWs

M

ore overseas Filipino workers may resort to leaving the country illegally if they are forced to pay higher premiums by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., an advocate warned Tuesday.

The implementing rules and regulations of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act replaced OFWs' fixed premium annual rate of P2,400 with an income-based rate.

This means that migrant workers earning about P20,000 will have to pay P6,000 next year, which would increase annually until it reaches about P12,000 in 2024, said OFW advocate Susan Ople.

The IRR, she said, also tasked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to help collect premiums, which could mean that OFWs who would fail to pay might not get overseas employment

certificates, a requirement for working abroad.

"Maganda iyong layunin ng batas, pero kailangan bang singilin mo ng ganyan kalaki? E ilang taon bago pa mareporma iyong healthcare system," Ople said.

(The goal of the law is good, but do you need to immediately charge such a large amount? It would be a few years before you could reform the health care system.)

"Baka naman mamaya, mas marami na namang lumabas bilang turista at magtrabaho abroad kaysa dumaan sa legal na channels through the POEA para lang hindi sila mag-upfront ng napakaraming binabayaran," she added.

(This may push more OFWs to leave the country as tourists and work abroad clandestinely instead of passing legal channels through the POEA just

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

About a thousand buses will replace public utility jeepneys as the city government of Davao is prioritizing to implement the High Priority Bus System (HPBS). Lean Daval Jr

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

Bersamin bids farewell to SC C

Hundreds of Roxas night market vendors attend a health and security seminar initiated by Task Force Davao, Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) and City Health Office (CHO) at Davao City Recreation Center in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

DND chief lauds support to basic mandatory ROTC

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epartment of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday expressed appreciation to the unequivocal support of the UP Vanguard, Inc., Pasig Chapter for the reinstatement of basic mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program for senior high school students.

In a meeting with representatives of the group at the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Lorenzana highlighted the importance of instilling the love of country in the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth.

Also, members of the association expressed optimism for the implementation of the program when the law is passed and the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are crafted.

They also presented to the DND chief their manifesto of support for the implementation of mandatory basic ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 particularly on the development of IRR, plan, and budget, and the training of human resources.

The UP Vanguard Inc. is the alumni association of graduates of the University

of the Philippines ROTC. “ROTC is a complete package. It has a specific method of instructions, not just the POI (Program of Instruction). We should take advantage of the program,” said Mark N. Javier, a former UVPI National Commander.

The proposed POI of the mandatory basic ROTC program will precisely focus on promoting patriotism and good citizenship, with topics on Philippine society and culture, human rights and gender sensitivity, environmental advocacy, disaster risk reduction and management, community service, national security, discipline, and leadership.

It will also teach important life skills such as first aid, map reading, mountaineering, water training, and signal communication, individual military orientation, marksmanship, small unit tactics and drills and ceremonies among other related subjects.

Lorenzana stressed that ROTC “envisions to instill discipline and sense of purpose; respect for the laws and the authorities; and obedience to rules and regulations to students in a military training environment.” (PNA)

hief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin on Monday formally bid farewell to officials and employees of the Supreme Court (SC) during his last flag-raising ceremony at the SC compound. Bersamin is reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Thursday, October 17.

“Continue doing your assigned tasks and work, but please be constant in your loyalty to the Judiciary as an institution, and be steadfast in your fealty to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and to the Rule of Law,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin earlier

said he would like the public to remember him as the “healing chief justice”.

“I wish to be remembered and known as the healing chief justice who brought stability and normalcy back to the judiciary and particularly to the SC,” he said.

“Yes, the judiciary needed healing and it became my response as chief justice to initiate and ensure such healing,” he continued.

Bersamin was appointed in November 2018 succeeding Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro who served for two months

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Comelec readies proclamation of new SoCot representative

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he Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now preparing for the proclamation of Shirlyn Banas-Nograles, who won as first district representative of South Cotabato in the last May 13 elections.

This after the Comelec en banc decided to follow the Supreme Court (SC) ruling in favor of Nograles’ petition against the decision of the poll body to suspend elections in the first district of South Cotabato.

“After the finality of the decision of the SC, the Commission shall proceed with the proclamation of Shirlyn

Banas-Nograles as the winning candidate for the position of representative for the 1st Legislative District of South Cotabato, including General Santos City,” stated in the Minute Resolution No. 19-0932 dated September 25 but acquired by the media only on Monday.

The High Court has directed the Comelec to con-

vene a special provincial board of canvassers (PBOC) to proclaim Nograles as the winning candidate.

Due to the SC decision, the Comelec also cancelled the Oct. 26 elections for the first and third district of South Cotabato.

“That the Commission will not file a Motion for Reconsideration on the decision of the SC and accordingly inform the Office of the Solicitor General,” the resolution read.

Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Al Parreno, Socorro Inting, and Antonio Kho voted in favor of the resolution

while commissioners Luie Guia and Rowena Guanzon believed that an appeal should be filed and suspend the elections.

For his part, Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said the proclamation must have basis such as the Certificates of Canvass and Statements of Votes.

The Comelec earlier suspended the elections in the province after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11243, which reapportioned the first legislative district of South Cotabato, leading to the creation of the lone district of General Santos City. (PNA)

31 CTG High-Value Individual Neutralize

T

hirty-one high-value individuals of CPPNPA-NDF Terrorist Group (CTG) in Eastern Mindanao were neutralized from January 1 to October 10, 2019, as an offshoot of intensified Peace and Law Enforcement operations of the military, police and other agencies in the security sector.

The said analysis came up during the Eastern Mindanao Command-Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Eastern Mindanao Inter-Agency Peace and Security Campaign Progress Review and

Assessment on October 14, 2019, at the Bayanihan Center here which was attended to by Military Commanders and Police Officers in Eastern Mindanao.

Of the 31, three were killed, 15 Surrendered and 13 were arrested and apprehended.

Further, two of the neutralized held a position at the Mindanao Committee level, seven at a Regional Committee level, six at a sub-Regional level, while 10 and six held a position at the front and platoon level respectively.

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Workers repair the concrete wall which were damaged by moonsoon waves at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

ECONOMY 5

A vendor chops pork meat that will be made chorizo at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Tuesday. The meat processing industry in the country reported losses of PHP50 billion due to the ban being imposed by some local government units (LGUs), particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, on processed meat amid the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in some areas in Luzon. Lean Daval Jr

Food processors call for 105K MT sugar import to stabilize supply

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ood and agriculture processors on Monday asked for 105,000 metric tons (MT) sugar import annual allocation to stabilize their manufacturing input and raise their global competitiveness due to lower cost.

The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture & Food Inc. (PCAFI) and the Philippine Food Processors & Exporters Organization (Philfoodex) urged Agriculture Secretary William Dar to grant a maximum of 10-percent sugar import allocation.

The 105,000 MT is out of the country’s annual sugar production of 2.1 million MT. They claimed that even just half of the volume produced yearly will be good enough to significantly raise food processors’ global competitiveness.

It will cut sugar cost for food manufacturing from PHP55-PHP60 per kilo locally to PHP28-PHP30 a kilo in other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand.

In a statement, PCAFI President Danilo Fausto said their petition for an import allocation will be accompanied by an implementation mechanism to ensure it does not adversely affect local sugar farmers’ plight.

“We’ll issue a petition to be submitted to Secretary Dar and President (Rodrigo) Duterte. We will also propose an implementa-

tion mechanism that will ensure this allocation will not go to the retail market but rather help our food producers become competitive,” he said.

Philfoodex president Roberto Amores said not even the entire 10 percent of sugar production will be asked by processors.

Initially, only 50 percent of each company’s sugar requirement based on its production program is proposed to be granted to the company.

“We’re not talking about even 10 percent of the 2.1 million (MT). We’re not requesting for liberalization. We’re requesting for import allocation for stabilization for the cause of processors,” Amores said.

“As a processor, you will submit your requirements based on your production program and sales. And you will be given only 50 percent of your requirement.” he added.

The processor should guarantee that the sugar import will be used solely as input for its food manufacturing and not for retail to the domestic market, in order not to adversely affect sugar farmers’ income.

Sugar producers, millers, and manufacturers have opposed such sugar allocation and liberalization due to past experiences when some imports for manufacturing input have been diverted to the do-

FFOOD, P12

Meat processing firms claim P50-B losses due to ASF scare

T

he country's meat processing industry on Monday reported losses of PHP50 billion due to the ban being imposed by some local government units (LGUs), particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, on processed meat amid the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in some areas in Luzon.

According to the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI), Visayas and Mindanao represent about 30 to 40 percent of total sales of processed meat products.

While the meat processing industry understands the need for the LGUs to protect their constituencies, Jerome Ong, PAMPI Vice President, urged that rules and restrictions being imposed "should be based on science and the expert advice of internally recognized Animal Health Organizations.”

Around 56 out of the total 81 provinces have imposed restrictions on the movement into their constituencies of Luzon-based pork processed meats.

With the shipping ban of pork and pork products imposed by LGUs in the country, the hog industry foresees the current losses of PHP50 billion could increase especially in the last quarter of the year or during the Christmas holidays.

PAMPI also sees “inadequate” supply of pork and pork-based products for

Visayas and Mindanao this Christmas holidays despite Cebu and Cagayan de Oro having their ham production capabilities, as their total production will not be able to supply the needs of the region unless the ban on Luzon-produced porkbased processed meats is rationalized.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the lifting of the ban on processed meat being imposed by some LGUs. "Nagpalabas na ako ng kautusan sa mga LGUs na hindi kasama yung processed meat lalo na kapag may mga FDA (Food and Drug Administration) certification (and/or) approval (I have already ordered the LGUs that processed meat should not be included in the ban especially if these have FDA certification or approval)," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a radio

economy since 1996.

According to the WB, low-income countries generated a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $1,025 or less in 2018; lower-middle income economies generated between $1,026 and $3,995; upper-middle income economies gener-

ated between $3,996 and $12,375; while high-income economies generated $12,376 or more.

The GNI per capita is calculated using the WB’s Atlas method.

On July 1 each year, the WB reassigns countries based on their estimated GNI per capita in the pre-

interview on Monday.

"Hindi kasama yan (processed meat) kasi na-certify na yan na safe yan. Ang raw meat ang ating kina-quarantine (Processed meat should not be included in the ban as these were already certified safe.

Only raw pork is being quarantined)," he added.

PAMPI officials earlier appealed to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the DILG to craft policies and regulations as one body.

“While the DA, the DOH and the DTI have drafted rules and regulations to govern the dynamics of the businesses relevant to this, we are seeing the difficulty in getting their rules and directives followed -- because final implementation lies in the LGUs,” Ong said. (PNA)

PH remains a lower-middle income economy - WB

T

he Philippines kept its standing in the lower-middle income economy bracket in the World Bank’s (WB) latest classification of countries by income released last July 1.

The country has consistently been classified as a lower-middle income

vious calendar year.

The Philippines is grouped with 46 other countries, including India, Cambodia, and Zimbabwe.

According to the WB’s World Development Indicators, the country’s GNI per capita in 2018 was $3,830 or over P197,500.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

EDITORIAL The fourth Davao City will soon be divided into not just three, but four legislative districts.

This means, there will be four members of the House of Representatives for the city.

The proposal is already in the drawing board and will probably be put to exercise by 2022 national elections.

This scenario was drawn up by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who believes it is time for the city to be re-districted and pave the way for a new legislative territory.

Although the details of which are yet to be full disclosed, there is the likelihood of its approval given that President Duterte is still at the helm and his allies in Congress can push for this in the House.

The re-districting will be based on equal divisions per size of population.

This model best reflects the core features of a modern representative democracy in a unitary legislative setup that aims to fairly represent the citizenry in terms of numbers. This means that the variance of the size of constituencies of representatives should be as close to zero as possible. Following the “one person, one vote” precept, political territories are supposed to be symmetric, and there is no reason to assign more legislators per person on one area than the rest of the country. The base number according to the Constitution is a maximum of 250,000 per district.

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Article VI, Section 5. (1) of the 1987 Constitution states that “The House of Representatives shall be composed of not more than two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.”

Some experts say, the inclusion of the word “progressive” on top of “uniform” in Article VI, Section 5 (1) as criterion means that it is possible to have legislative districts that have different sizes, especially since the same provision empowers Congress to “fix by law” the number of representatives (over the supposed “maximum” of 250).

The addition of a fourth district should give Davao City equitable distribution of budget and will spur the development of the city’s 182 barangays. For the record, the population of Davao City is 1,632,991 according to the 2015 census.

The numbers even suggest the city should ideally have six legislative districts if not for the other features which the law requires for the apportionment of districts.

At this point, four districts seem to be the suitable setup for the city.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

ALLOTMENT, REMITTANCES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT (VAWC) A Filipino seafarer can be held criminally liable due to the act of abandoning his financial obligation to persons to which he is obliged by law to support.

Issues of allotment and remittances were discussed in connection with the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC) , or Republic Act No. 9262 , during my lecture as part of the celebration of the National Seafarers Day (NSD) in San Fernando, La Union led by the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS).

Under the POEA Standard Employment Contract, the Filipino seafarer is required to make a monthly allotment of at least eighty percent (80%) of his monthly basic salary which shall be payable to his designated allottee in the Philippines.

The estimated 337,502 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018 remitted $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion. The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise

at least 22% 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.

The allotments shall be paid to the designated allottee in Philippine currency at the rate of exchange indicated in the credit advice of the local authorized Philippine bank. Their “allotments” do not go directly to their beneficiaries but are coursed through their manning agencies as middlemen, who disburse in pesos the seafarer’s monthly earnings to the allottee.

A common problem in connection with remittance is the issue on who will be the seafarer’s allottee that is defined as any person named or designated as the recipient of his remittances to the Philippines The employment contract is the bilateral agree-

ment between the seafarer and his principal, as represented by the manning agency.

Like any personal property he can freely dispose or give to anybody without limitations other than those provided by law. His right to dispose his wage remains in his discretion, including the manner or as to how he will divide nor dispose it.

Under VAWC, which was promulgated March 08, 2004, “economic abuse” can be committed against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode.”

The said law defined “Economic abuse” as any act that makes or attempts to make a woman financially dependent which includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, except in cases wherein the other spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral grounds as defined in 2. deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in common; If convicted under this law, the seafarer shall be punished by prision mayor, or imprisonment of a minimum of six years and one day to a maximum of twelve years.

He shall also shall pay a fine in the amount of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than three hundred thousand pesos (300,000.00).

The court may likewise expedite the process of issuance of a hold departure order once the case is filed.

Nevertheless, one legal recourse of the wife is the fil-

ing of a civil case for support.

Once the court grants the petition, the said court order should be given to the manning agency and attached to each POEA standard employment contract. This will serve as a notice to the seafarer that failure to comply will have legal consequence.

The manning agency is likewise bound to abide by said order for the allocation in favor of the wife.

The AoS Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the annual celebration of the National Seafarers’ Day. This year’s NSD was held last September 29, 2019 with the theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!”. *** Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

UFO SIGHTINGS IN DAVAO SKIES Unidentified flying objects (UFO) and other terrestrial sightings associated with ethereal events and celestial phenomena are a global subject that has drawn attention even for the most conservative sectors of the scientific community.

Testimonies about alien abductions, sightings of flying machines, and testimonies of contact with strangers from the otherworld thrive in many claims that generated bizarre interpretations than factual investigations.

In missionary chronicles, similar reports can be found.

On February 24, 1891, Jesuit priest Fr. Juan B. Llopart was surprised during a night trip when his cabin crew shouted: “Flames in the sky!” At the time they were travelling from Burutburut harbor (west of Cape San Agustin) and were sailing for Sigaboy (now Gov. Generoso town), Davao Oriental.

The priest, in his May 31, 1891 letter to the Mission Superior written while in Mati (now a city), said he hurried outside the banca and asked where the flames were and was directed to the sky. He

saw “two shining disks on the eastern horizon, at a sufficient distance from each other, one in the north, the other in the south,” adding: “We sailed on, watching the phenomenon. About 30 0r 40 minutes later, we suddenly heard two loud explosions from the east, one after the other. It seemed as though the meteors had exploded, not in the upper sphere, but on the slopes of those mountains close by. I thought hey cold have been aeroliths.” (An aerolith is “a meteorite consisting mainly of stony matter.”)

The explosions were not only heard from where they started their trip. Upon reaching Sigaboy for a brief respite, the residents, who were obviously scared at what they heard, told the padre about what they had experienced about the blasts. Fr. Llopart wrote: “In Sigaboy, the frightened people described the same phenomenon, although some said they had heard three detonations, others four, and still others two. They added that after the explosions, a loud heavy noise reechoes through the mountains. It could be the

echo of the same detonation.

We ourselves heard two explosions, nothing more. Here in Mati, people also noted the same detonations from the same direction.”

The ‘verdict:’ the two shining discs seen by the missionary were “flying saucers” as they are known today among UFO researchers, hunters, and enthusiasts. In recent decades, such sightings have been documented in local publications and witnessed by credible persons.

For instance, at eight o’clock in the morning of April 1, 1979, Ron E. Krupa, an American Peace Corps volunteer assigned with the Philippine Eagle Center (now a foundation) at Baracatan, Toril, Davao City, reporting seeing a ‘bright star’ in the sky. He later submitted his own narrative on the incident to the Philippine Center for Aerial Phenomenon Studies (PCAS).

Embellishing Krupa’s eyewitness account was a story that appeared in a local publication dated October 1979 which added details like claiming six hundred other people had observed the phe-

nomenon and that it supposedly “landed afterwards in a nearby barrio in full view of the villagers present for about 20 minutes.”

Krupa’s notes about the incident mentioned that “the antenna (of the flying object) could be seen, the vertical one had a strobe like light that flashed (ineligible) at 20 second intervals… [The] clear translucent bubble phase out like a light dimmer turning down the light intensity. It turned itself off and disappeared. It never moved nor did it land.”

Nine years later, in 1988, at around 7:30 in the evening, a witness known by his alias, Stargazer, claimed that while going home that Saturday night from a visit to his aunt’s place just next door, he felt an urge to look up to the sky. He narrated: “Something compelled me to look up and about 10 seconds later I saw a white light, which at first, I thought was one of the stars because it wasn’t moving, at first. Then it flashed and moved upward, at great speed. It then stopped, flashed and moved upward again, at the same speed. It did

the same thing, once more… [f]lashed and sped upward, before it disappeared into the night sky. Whatever it was it wasn’t manmade. No manmade craft can stop and sit on the air like that, then move that fast and disappear into the outer atmosphere.”

Only one other witnessed was reported to have observed the phenomenon, which transpired in Davao City. Stargazer’s narrative was not specific as to the shape of the object.

On July 7, 2014, again in Davao City, another similar incident but was reported online indicated that the phenomenon was witnessed by fifteen persons and the object had a disk shape. At the time of the occurrence the weather condition was partly cloudy.

Of course, the list of ‘eyewitness accounts’ of other reported incident is long. Most of the extraterrestrial sightings were associated with round discs, strobe lights, high speed, and disappearance. It was only in the priest’s report that explosions were reported, presumably as a result of aerial crashes that reverberated even from a distance.

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EDGEDAVAO

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10 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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Breast cancer strikes men, too!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

O

ne in every 13 Filipino women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology. This makes the Philippines as among the countries in Asia of having the highest incidence rate of the dreaded disease.

Breast cancer is often thought of a condition as a condition that only affects women, but men can also develop it. But the good news is: it’s much less common in men than women.

“Less than one percent of cancer patients are male,” admits Dr. Rachel Rosario, the executive director of Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).

Unfortunately, statistics

on male breast cancer in the Philippines are hard to come by. That is why most Filipino men are not aware of the disease. In fact, it is unheard to most men as they believe it strikes only women.

Now, for the bad news.

In countries where data is available, it has been found that breast cancer cases are increasing. In the United States, for instance, “diagnoses have gone from 0.85 per 100,000 men in 1975 to 1.21 per 100,000 in 2016.”

In United Kingdom, “male breast cancer is diagnosed in 1% of cases of male breast enlargement.”

But “the incidence of male breast cancer has increased over a period of 25 years.”

It seems unlikely for the male species to develop breast cancer as they don’t have breasts. “The truth is that boys and girls, men and women all have breast tissue,” explains US Breast Cancer Organization (BCO).

“The various hormones in girls’ and women’s bodies stimulate the breast tissue to grow into full breasts.

Boys’ and men’s bodies normally don’t make much of the breast-stimulating hormones. As a result, their breast tissue stays flat and small.

“Still, you may have seen boys and men with medium-sized or big breasts,” the BCO explains further.

“Usually, these breasts are just mounds of fat. But sometimes men can devel-

op real breast gland tissue because they take certain medicines or have abnormal hormone levels.”

Men rarely get breast cancer, but men with breast cancer fare worse than their female counterparts.

The reason: most men don’t realize they can get it and are slow to recognize the warning signs, researchers claim.

“Breast cancer in men is rare, but produces a higher mortality rate than women diagnosed with the disease,” wrote Mario Alvaro Limos in a Town and Country feature. “That is because most men assume that a lump on their breast is cancerous, delaying detection.”

Breast cancer can have varying symptoms to none at all. But when there are symptoms, the Mayo Clinic says they will be the same as those of women’s: a painless lump or thickening in the breast tissue; changes to the skin covering the breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling; changes to the nipple, such as redness or scaling, or a nipple that beings to turn inward; and discharge from the nipple.

“If a man finds an abnormality in his breast tissue, he should seek prompt medical attention,” says Dr. Kathryn Ruddy, medical oncologist and director of Mayo Clinic’s Cancer Survivorship Program.

Perhaps, one of the surprising symptoms of breast cancer in men is discharge coming from the nipple.

“This is a symptom that

most men usually don’t ignore, and this symptom usually triggers most men to visit their doctor since a discharge coming from a man’s nipple usually means that there’s something terribly wrong,” wrote Jan Alwyn Batara for The Asian Parent.

Unlike women, who are taught how to do breast self-examination on themselves, men do those things as they are never trained to look for early warning signs. “Being aware of symptoms can save lives,” Lyndsay Rhodes, associate professor of biological sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, told USA Today.

“Early detection is the key.”

There the case of a man who noticed a lump below his left nipple. Feeling embarrassed to see a doctor, it took him several months before he finally went up for a check-up. It was then that he found out it was Stage 2 breast cancer.

The risk of men getting cancer goes up with age, mostly between 60 and 70 years old, according to the PCS. “But there have been cases of younger men who get breast cancer,” said Dr. Aldine Basa, a breast surgeon from The Medical City, in an interview on Mornings@ANC. However, a man chance of getting the disease can also be attributed to family history, radiation exposure, alcohol consumption, and obesity. On heavy drinking, Dr. Basa pointed out: “Alcoholic men have higher estrogen level. They develop ‘man boobs.’ That pre-

disposes them to get breast cancer.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of breast cancer diagnosed in men. These include cancer that begins in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma), which most male breast cancer are.

Then, there are cancer that starts in the milk-producing glands (lobular carcinoma). This is rare among men since the male species have few lobules in their breast tissue. Other, rarer types of breast cancer occur in men include Paget’s disease of the nipple and inflammatory breast cancer.

Unfortunately, there are no formal guidelines for detecting breast cancer in men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says routine, across-the-board screening of men is unlikely to be beneficial because the disease is so rare.

“For men at risk because of a strong family history or genetic mutations, mammograms and breast exams may be helpful, but men should discuss this with their doctors,” the ACS suggests.

Mammogram is the usual first step in checking for breast cancer among women. But for men, Dr. Basa prefers the breast ultrasound. “I find that among Filipino men, it’s practically impossible (to use mammogram),” Karen Galarpe quoted her as saying. “The breast tissue is very thin; there’s practically nothing to squeeze.

FBREAST CANCER, P12

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SUBURBIA RISING

Mayor declares Oct 29 holiday in Mati City

C

ity of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat has declared October 29, Tuesday, a non-working holidayin observance of the Foundation Day of Mati and its 19th Sambuokan Festivalcelebration. Executive Order No. 46 is in line with Republic Act 8256 whichstates that “foundation days and feast days of the Province of Davao Orientaland the municipalities therein

are thereby declared as special non-workingpublic holidays.” It was in October 29, 1903 when Mati became a regularmunicipality together with Davao, Cateel, Baganga, and Caraga by virtue of ActNo. 21 of the Organic Law which was amended by Act No. 189 in year 1907 whichfurther affirmed the constitution of the Municipality of Mati.

(CIO MATI)

Maguindanao youth groups showcase business ideas

A

number of youth groups from Maguindanao province showcased their innovative products at this year's YouthDRIVE in Cotabato City.

YouthDRIVE or the Youth Driving Innovative Social Enterprises for Community Transformation was spearheaded by the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

The CRS piloted the implementation of the YouthDRIVE in the province of Maguindanao. It engages both out-of-school and inschool youth to give them a chance to generate business ideas, improve their entrepreneurial skills and formally establish their social enterprise.

YouthDRIVE follows the ideation to incubation approach through the facilitation and accompaniment of partners such as the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, IDEYA Project (IDEYA), The Moropreneur, Inc. (TMI) and the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs.

As part of YouthDRIVE, a one-day Business StartUp Challenge was conducted on October 9 in Cotabato City wherein 11 finalists presented their social enterprise models including their prototypes and business model canvass through 5-minute pitching to a panel of judges.

Team Supremos of Datu

11

Paglas, Maguindanao received P80,000 from CRS for winning a consolation.

Six among the eleven teams recieved P80,000 each as winners.

Seventeen years old Raisa Lumapinit, an outof-school youth from Datu Paglas, said she is happy that her team was selected as one of the winners.

Raisa could not contain her emotion when she heard the announcement.

"Mahabang oras ang ginugol namin upang marating namin ito. Pagod at puyat ang inilaan namin para sa paggawa ng produkto na ito," she said.

She said the opportunity given by YouthDRIVE is a big help to her family.

"Grabe ang stress namin for preparation for pitching.

Tapos di kami nakatulog ng maayos kasi nag-aalala kami kung ano ang gagawin namin dito sa final na pitching. We're thankful kasi naging successful naman po," she said.

Matthew Macgarry, CRS country representative, said that youth have the potential to be "agents of peace for change."

"YouthDRIVE is a learning project to understand the motivation factors for youth, both in-school and out-of-school youth to pursue employment and start an enterprise," Mcgarry said.

Mcgarry was represented by Karen Janes from CRS. (Bureau of Public Information)

DavOr pays tribute to mentors adhering to modern change

D

AVAO ORIENTAL – All roads led to the municipality of Tarragona on October 10, 2019 as close to six thousand teachers and school workers flocked in the municipal plaza for the culminating activity of the World Teachers Month celebration, enabling these unsung heroes to take respite from the strenuous and demanding work of teaching.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang expressed his profound gratitude to the teachers for heeding to the call of public service and for nurturing the young minds of the children.

He said that while they are evidently living a life also for others, they also metamorphosed with time, and as what the theme for this year said, they are now ready for the modern change, a wondrous change to and for all.

Wearing all smiles, the teachers looked vibrant during the one-day activity filled with sheer fun, laughter, relentless gratitude, and promise of providing a better environment and future for the children.

Elated, Tarragona May-

or Nestor Uy, who hosted the grand celebration, expressed his happiness over the enthusiasm demonstrated by the teachers.

“When Governor Nelson Dayanghirang told me that as the host local government unit, one million pesos is needed, I was in quandary if can we make it. But I was also relieved to learn that the rest of the needed budget will be shared by the LGUs, the offices of the two district representatives of the province, Cong. Joel Mayo Almario and Congresswoman Cora Malanyaon, and of course, the province. So, I accepted the hosting expeditiously because this proves again the unity of our political leaders,” he explained.

The celebration was also a fitting way to welcome again the four municipalities of Lupon, Banaybanay, San Isidro, and Gov. Generoso to the jurisdiction of the Davao Oriental Schools Division.

Governor Dayanghirang made sure that the culmination will really push through for the said reason.

“When Schools Division Supt. Dr. Lorenzo Mendoza asked me if we can have the activity at the municipal level, I was uncertain of nodding to the idea, because I want this as a special welcome to the teachers. So, I called for an urgent meeting to finalize this event in his absence. This is also our way to thank you, dear teachers, for being an enormous part in giving good future to our children, in preparing and molding them for the future. We thank you for the betterment and development of Davao Oriental,” he said.

The Local Chief Executives of the province, Mayors Rowell Rosit, Arturo Mondy represented by Vice-Mayor Ramona Olea, Alicia Mori, Erlinda Lim, Adalia Lopez, Justina Yu, and Katrina Joy

Orencia, vowed to support the programs of the Department of Education for the teachers, particularly support also to their respective Local School Boards.

Vice-Mayor Ramona Olea divulged that the local government unit of Baganga is now allocating funds for the feasibility study of putting another campus of the State College in the province in their municipality.

Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, representing Senator Cristopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and, happily disclosed a very good news to the teachers.

Conveying the message of Senator Go, Councilor Acosta revealed that President Duterte already signed the 35 percent salary hike for the teachers and all government employees.

Board Member Marietta Palmera of the first district of the province, representing Congresswoman Corazon Malanyaon who is vice chair of the Committee on Appropriations, disclosed that the increase will be implemented in January of 2020.

FDAVOR, P12

Billionaire Coop headways six-year strategic planning

C

ooperative success and excellence require utmost commitment and diligence from its officials, members and employees. This holds true for Tagum Cooperative, a homegrown multi-billion and multi-awarded enterprise, as it welcomes the 53rd year of service to members and the community.

One of the best practices of the cooperative and a key factor for sustained growth, is the ability to craft realistic long-term plans with specified and diverse strategies. The previous 2015-2020 Strategic Plan has projected a massive Php 5.4 billion asset by year 2020 but an astounding Php 6.58 billion mark was achieved by the end

of 2018 alone. Further, the enormous Php 7 billion in terms of asset was actualized in the first quarter of 2019.

It was also envisioned that 20 branches will be established by 2020 but 18 business centers are already strategically placed in the different regions in Mindanao at present. Management proclaims that the remaining 2 business centers will be opened within the year in Kipadawan City and Island Garden City of Samal.

The early attainment of financial and expansion targets prove that Tagum Cooperative can go beyond expectations with the unparalleled volunteerism of Officers, the efforts and

FBILLIONAIRE, P12

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4TH DISTRICT... FROM1

The mayor said based on the study of CPDO, Talomo which is in the first district will soon belong to the 3rd District, Buhangin and Matina will be part of the first district and Catalunan Grande will belong to the 4th District.

Duterte said the creation of an additional district in the city aims to have an equal distribution of budget among the districts in the city.

"Para ang congressional budget will be distributed throughout sa city. Dili na isa ka distrito medyo dako, ang isa ka district medyo

gamay but the same ang ilang congressional budget," she explained.

The proposal will still be submitted to the City Council wherein it would be discussed and deliberated.

Duterte said they will request for a resolution endorsing the creation of the 4th district to the Congress.

"In the Congress it will be discussed and deliberated also. We will still wait for the lawmakers to create the said district. Maghulat na lang ta sa ilang discussion kay sila man ang lawmakers," she said.

Four of them were arrested in different areas in Eastern Mindanao on October 10, 2019. Melissa Comiso, a Finance Officer of Mindanao Committee and Nore Torregosa, alias Johnny, an Intelligence Officer of the NPA in Northern Mindanao were arrested during a Law Enforcement Operations in Limaha, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte.

Virgilio Lincuna, Head of the Regional Urban Committee of the CTG in Northern Mindanao was arrested in Tiniwasan Butuan City, Agusan Norte, while Nicanor Pason alias Costan, a Front Secretary of the CTG in Far South Mindanao was arrested in Kalaong, Maitum, Sarangani Province.

Meanwhile, a total of 152 CTG's Regular members were neutralized during the 3rd quarter of 2019. 13 of them were killed while129 surrendered and 10 were arrested.

Additionally, 1,441 members of the Underground Mass Organizations or UGMOs in various areas of Eastern Mindanao dissociated from the CTGs during the same period.

With this development Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command directed his subordinate Commanders to further move on to achieve peace and security in Eastern Mindanao.

"With our consolidated efforts, we are now eliminating the armed threat as manifested by the cascade of the CTG members and leaders. Let us move on towards consolidating our gains and aggressively support the Local Government in addressing the issues of communities by bringing in culture and conflict-sensitive developments so that we will achieve sustainable and durable peace in our area," Lt. Gen. Santos said.

it would not broadcast two of the exhibition games in China, which took place last Thursday and Saturday, after league commis-

sioner Adam Silver said the NBA supported Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s right to exercise free speech.

31 CTG... FROM4

Welders work on the metal structure of a building for the new Agdao Public Market in Brgy. Agdao, Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

GenSan hospital ready for possible influx of patients

T

he city government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital (DJPRH) assured on Monday that it is ready to accommodate patients in the wake of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) suspension and withdrawal of accreditation to three major hospitals here and nearby Koronadal City.

Dr. Ryan Aplicador,

DJPRH chief, said they are prepared for the possible influx of patients, especially those who will be affected by the suspension starting Oct. 21 of the General Santos Doctors Hospital Inc. (GSDHI), which is one of the biggest hospitals in the city.

Aplicador said they are not worried with such scenario as the facility has been

actually operating beyond its bed capacity.

The city hospital has a capacity of 100 beds but can accommodate up to 400 patients on a daily basis, he said.

"That's our situation even before the advisory was issued so we're ready," Aplicador said in an interview.

He was referring to the

public advisory issued by PhilHealth last Oct. 10 regarding the suspension of GSDHI and the withdrawal of accreditation of the Koronadal City-based Dr. Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center (APPMC) and the Allah Valley Medical Specialists Center Inc. (AVMSCI) for alleged involvement fraudulent activities.

"We are the sugar producers, the agrarian reform beneficiaries, the labor sector, along with the millers and other stakeholders of the sugar industry and we have been among the major driver of our nation’s growth and development, contributing over PHP120 billion to our economy an-

nually," said Tatak Kalamay, an umbrella organization of sugar federations, millers, labor, farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries, in a statement.

"We strongly believe that this move (sugar liberalization) is being influenced by industrial users," the group lamented.

On the other hand, the

group lauded legislators in both chambers of Congress for understanding their plight.

"We are grateful that our sugar champions, in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, especially all our congressional leaders here in Negros, for standing with us in preventing unregulated

importation of sugar as this will have a disastrous effect in the lives of millions of Filipinos who are stakeholders of this industry," they said.

They particularly thanked Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Cynthia Villar for heeding their plea to intervene in this issue.

(PNA)

The breast ultrasound is a better diagnostic tool, but mammograms have also been done especially for obese men.”

Since the symptoms of breast cancer among males is the same as those of females, the treatment approach – such as surgery, ra-

diation, chemotherapy, biological therapy and hormone therapy – are also the same.

“The survival rates for breast cancer in men largely depend on how far the cancer has spread before it’s diagnosed,” says the national health information service of Scotland. “Breast

cancer diagnosed at an early stage can often be treated successfully, but effective treatment is more difficult if the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue.”

While treatments are the same, men have an edge. “The one major difference is that men with

breast cancer respond much better to hormone therapy than women do,” the WebMd.com states.

“About 90% of male breast cancer have hormone receptors, meaning that hormone therapy can work in most men to treat the cancer.”

FOOD... FROM5 mestic market.

BREAST CANCER... FROM10

DAVOR...

FROM 11 The announcement

brought a resounding applause from the teachers who wore green shirts and were not affected with the ravenous heat of the sun despite the tents intended to protect them.

The afternoon was

spent for games and raffle draw for the array of prizes for the teachers.

Grand prizes included two motorcycles from the office of Congresswoman Malanyaon. The host municipality gave away home appliances such as refrig-

sacrifices of workforce and continued patronage of products and services from the members.

Thus, Tagum Cooperative Board of Directors and Management commenced with the Strategic Planning Sessions for 2020-2025 in

August of 2019, following the bottoms-up approach with Mr. Edwin D. dela Cerna as consultant. Each business line and department are actively involved in the preparation of High Impact Plans and Programs anchored on the

BILLIONAIRE... FROM11

erators, water dispensers, washing machines, megaboxes, noche buena packs, and others, to the utmost delight of the teachers.

Present during the occasion were Bishop Abel Apigo, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo

SWOT Analysis output and specialized mandates being set forth.

“Tagum Cooperative has prospered for half a decade thru wise decision making. These Strategic Planning sessions will help us to look into our future

Mendoza, Board Members Anacleto Macatabog, Ian Larcia, and Dennis Roflo from the second district of the province, and Second District Congressman Joel Mayo Almario. By: Neela G. Duallo/Photos by Riza Golez

endeavors with highest regard to member’s satisfaction,” states Chief Executive Officer Juris D. Perez. The strategic planning sessions will culminate in November of 2019 and be immediately put into action by year 2020.

DAVIS’... FROM15

NOTICE OF AUCTION

The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned on the following schedule listed below at 9:00 o’clock in the morning.

Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magasubasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong sumusunod nga mga petsa sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES

DATE PAWNED

DAVAO Sasa Maa Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DAVAO Sandawa Matina Ulas

April 0130, 2019

April 0130, 2019

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION October 22, 2019 (Tue) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sasa Branch VGM Bldg.

Km.11, Sasa, Davao City

October 30, 2019 (Wed.) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sandawa Branch VGM Bldg.

Sandawa St. Davao City

THE MANAGEMENT 10 / 14,15,16 / 2019

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PHILHEALTH... FROM3

so they could avoid paying so many fees upfront.)

PhilHealth, she added, has faced various controversies, undermining ca-

pacity to implement the UHC law, which aims to give all Filipinos affordable health services.

The state insurance

corporation has been hounded with allegations of fraudulent claims and the supposed presence of a mafia among its members.

as head magistrate until her retirement.

De Castro was named to the post after former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno stepped down from office. Sereno, in turn was appointed Chief Justice following the unceremonious exit of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Four senior SC justices

are vying for the coveted top court seat in the country, namely: Justices Diosdado Peralta, Jose Reyes Jr., Andres Reyes Jr., and Estela Perlas-Bernabe.

Justices who declined their automatic nomination were Antonio Carpio, Marvic Leonen, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Starting on October 18, Carpio will automatically

become the acting chief justice until his compulsory retirement on October 26.

From October 26 and if President Duterte has not yet appointed Bersamin’s replacement, Peralta, the third magistrate in line based on seniority, will take the post from Carpio as acting chief justice.

(PNA)

Light Panabo branch had a thanksgiving graced by public officials in the Davao del Norte areas where it served.

"We will continue to lean out, get even more

efficient, find more effective ways in providing excellent service to our customers,” said Paul Michael Cazar, Davao Light Panabo Branch Manager.

The Davao Light Pana-

bo branch will continue to fulfill its commitment to provide safe and reliable power to the thriving economies of Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas.

Over the weekend, Yulo gave the Philippines its first gold medal in the world artistic gymnastics championships while Petecio clinched the gold medal in the 2019 AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships.

The boxer-turned-politician said Petecio and Yulo’s wins should urge policymakers and promoters to shift their focus in developing other sports “instead of wasting funds on sports that gives

immediate advantage for big and tall athletes like basketball.”

“Just like many Filipinos, I love basketball and there is nothing wrong with it. But as far as the government’s sports development policy is concerned, we should refocus our resources and energy on other sports because there is no way that we could beat bigger and faster players in world basketball,” he said. (PNA and online news)

BERSAMIN... FROM 4

25 YEARS... FROM14

PETECIO...

FROM 15 Games to be held in Manila next month as she carries the flag with full pride and honor in front of her countrymen,” he added.

In a related development, Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday congratulated Olympic gymnast Carlos Yulo and gold medalist boxer Nesthy Petecio for their respective victories and urged government to fund weightclassed sports, ABS-CBN News reported.

13

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14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

25 years and counting: Davao Light Panabo celebrates its Silver Anniversary

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D

avao Light and Power Co., Inc.’s Panabo branch marks its 25 years of service to the areas of Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas.

Established in September 1994, the Davao Light Panabo branch started its operations serving the north sector of the Davao Light franchise with barely over 20 megawatts with 25 thousand industrial, commercial and residential customers.

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Today, the power load borders at 50 megawatts with roughly over 37,000 mixed customers.

Davao Light attributes this fast growth in the demand for power to the continuing upsurge in the economic activities in those areas.

Panabo City alone, over the years, has evolved into a bustling economy. It now hosts a mall, department stores, secondary hospitals, manufacturing industries, expanded banana

plantations, and other business establishments.

As a consequence, the last 25 years also resulted to a huge increase in the city’s population. New residential enclaves thus sprouted, demanding a substantial increase in its share of power consumption.

The economic growth is similarly visible in the towns of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Dujali. These municipalities are also beneficiaries of countryside investments by Davao City-

based and local investors. rural residents are already Rodger S. Velasco, Davao The same economic enjoying some of the urban Light President and COO. performance of the north amenities that they only sector of Davao Light’s used to dream before.

Indeed today, 25 years affranchise also led to open“The Panabo Branch ter its inception, the Panaing of the more rural com- office has come a long way bo Branch of Davao Light munities by putting up from what it was before. has not only matched the new roads and concreting Celebrating the branch’s power demand of the rothose directly linking to the 25th anniversary is such bust economic growth of barangay centers. a milestone that we are the franchise’s north secThis development al- proud of. We will continue tor with its service capacilowed Davao Light through to strive more and put in ty, it has also ensured that the Panabo branch, to all our efforts to advance it is always a step or two bring electricity to house- business and communi- ahead. holds in remote places. ties in the areas served In celebration of its With power available inVOL.12

by Panabo - 84 branch silver anniversary, VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 94 •the FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 5-6,Davao 2019 the upland communities, much as the main.” said F25 YEARS, P13

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 157 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

15

Federer confirms Tokyo Olympics participation

R Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur native Nesthy Petecio became the second Filipino athlete to win a world championship in two consecutive days after she bagged a gold medal in the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship.

Petecio hailed for World Championships gold

M

alacañang on Monday lauded Nesthy Petecio for becoming the second Filipino athlete to win a world championship in two consecutive days as she bagged a gold medal in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship.

Petecio’s win comes after Filipino gymnast

Carlos Yulo captured the country’s first gold medal in the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday night.

“Our gold streak continues,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said the entire nation is rejoicing Nesthy’s triumph after beating hometown bet Liudmila Vorontsova via a 3-2 split decision in the featherweight division final in Ulan-Ude, Russia on Sunday.

“Indeed, it was a proud moment for Nesthy and the Philippines,” Pan-

elo said.

The Palace official expressed hope that Petecio would make Filipinos proud once more as she competes in the scheduled Southeast Asian Games next month.

“We expect Nesthy to shine even more in the coming Southeast Asian

FPETECIO, P13

T

Sponsors League at the Davao City Recreation Center on Sunday. JMC won this match. Escandor Cup/CSL photo

2020)," Federer, who will turn 39 during the Games, added.

"I carried the flag twice for Switzerland in Athens and Beijing, I've got a gold and a silver, and I would love to play again so I'm very excited."

Federer will require an exemption to compete in Tokyo as he is yet to play in the Davis Cup for Switzerland in the current Olympic cycle that began after the Rio Olympics in 2016.

To fulfill the ITF participation requirements, a player must be part of a Davis Cup or Fed Cup team and present at the tie on at least three occasions in the Olympic Cycle, provided one of those ties is in 2019 or 2020.

Federer will have little reason to worry, however, as one of the special conditions that could gain him entry is his historical participation in the Games and the Davis Cup, as stated in the ITF's regulations.

Switzerland's national tennis federation confirmed it would appeal to the ITF for Federer's inclusion.

Davis' MRI results come back clean he MRI results on Anthony Davis' sprained right thumb came back clean on Monday, ESPN reported.

The Los Angeles Lakers' big man suffered the injury during the first half of Saturday's preseason came against the Brooklyn Nets in Shenzhen, China.

Davis initially stayed in the game after getting the thumb taped but later departed for good. He had six points and three rebounds in 12 minutes during the 91-77 loss to the Nets.

Davis won't play in Monday night's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors.

In three preseason

ESCANDOR CUP. Part of the intense action between Rizal Memorial Colleges and Jose Maria College during the opening day of the Escandor Cip Collegiate

oger Federer confirmed his participation in next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo and said on Monday that he had listened to his heart before making the decision.

The Swiss 38-yearold competed in the first of four Olympic Games at Sydney in 2000 and won the doubles gold partnering Stan Wawrinka in 2008 and a silver in singles in 2012. He missed the 2016 Olympics due to a knee injury.

"At the end of the day my heart decided I would love to play the Olympic Games again," Federer told reporters during a promotional event for his sponsor Uniqlo in Tokyo.

Federer will attempt to win a singles gold medal at the July 24-Aug 9 Games, the only major prize that the 20-time Grand Slam winner has yet to win.

"I've been debating with my team for a few weeks now, months actually, what I should do in the summer after Wimbledon and before the U.S. Open (in

games, Davis has averaged 14.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds.

Davis is in his first season with the Lakers after being acquired in an offseason deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Los Angeles opens the regular season on Oct. 22 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Meantime, live broadcasts of the National Basketball Association’s preseason games have resumed in China – except for matches with the Houston Rockets – as Beijing cools its rhetoric on a controversial tweet by the team’s general manager in support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

Tencent, the NBA’s exclusive digital partner in China, streamed two games live with commentators – Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors and Maccabi Haifa vs Minnesota Timberwolves – on Monday morning after skipping live broadcasts of two exhibition games in China last week.

Games featuring the Houston Rockets, who are next on court on Wednesday, have been taken off the schedule. Tencent last week offered subscribers who chose the Houston Rockets as their preferred games to change to another team or be refunded.

Monday’s live broadcast came days after Tencent’s announcement that

FDAVIS’, P12

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dunks the basketball against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Chase Center. Reuters

12 16 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE VOL.12 157 ISSUE • WEDNESDAY, 78 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER JUNE 27, 16, 2019

ALL IN FOR PH Go For Gold, PCSO backs PH SEAG-bound athletes

G

EDGEDAVAO

o For Gold Philippines It game cards under the PCSO. and the Philippine CharPCSO general manager ity Sweepstakes Office Royina Garma called on the (PCSO) are giving their full sup- national athletes to strive for port for the success of Filipino victory during the press conathletes in the 30th Southeast ference at the Conti’s RestauAsian (SEA) Games which will rant along Shaw Boulevard in be held in the country from No- Mandaluyong City on Monday. vember 30 to December 11.

“I believe our athletes are More than 100 national all very well-prepared and athletes from different nation- highly-motivated. I’m sure that al sports associations (NSAs) we will have a very good perhave excelled in both local and formance,” Go For Gold godinternational competitions father Jeremy Go, for his part, with the assistance of Go For said.

Gold and PCSO. Also under the Go For Among the athletes are Gold program are the nationAsian Games champion Mar- al teams of sepak takraw and gielyn Didal (skateboarding); dragon boat. The dragon boat Nikko Huelgas and Kim Remo- team won five golds in the lino (triathlete); Daniel Ven Ca- world championships in the rino and VOL.11 Ismael Grospe Jr. 241 (cyUnited States last year.

VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, MAY 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYclists); and International MasOther athletes MONDAY, in the Go MAY 12 -13, VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, ter Marvin Miciano VOL.12 (chess). ISSUE For55 Gold pool are cyclists Jonel MAY 26-27, The Go For Gold program Carcueva, Ronnel Hualda, and is the corporate social respon- Edmhel Flores; and wrestlers sibility of Powerball Marketing Cadel Hualda, a SIKLAB Youth and Logistics Corporation for awardee, and Margarito Angasports, the makers of Scratch na. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 EDGE

Manny Pacquiao says even at 40, he is not finished yet.

NEW FACILITY. Dabawenyo Paralympian and World Para Swimming Championships campaigner Ernie Gawilan takes a pose at the New Clark City Sports Complex which will also serve as the venue of the Southeast Asian Games in November and the SEA Para Games early next year. Ernie Gawilan FB photo

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