Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 158 | Thursday, October 17, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

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A WALK IN BOGOR’S OLDEST GARDEN INDULGE A1

Hograisers ask Mayor Sara to stick with EO on pork ban

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Military personnel participate in a simulation exercise held at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City in this undated photo. President Rodrigo Duterte's decision on the possible lifting of martial law in Davao City would depend on the recommendation of military ground commanders. This comes after presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte sought the lifting of martial law in the city. Lean Daval Jr

group of hograisers in Davao City is urging Mayor Sara Duterte continue implementing the Executive Order (EO) that temporarily bans the entry of live pigs and pork products in Davao City after reports that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Ano issued a memorandum encouraging local government units to lift the ban on processed pork products in Visayas and Mindanao.

Alvin Teves, past president of the Hog Farmers Association of Davao Inc (HOGFADI) told media in Habi at Kape that they will write a letter to the mayor urging her to stick to the EO to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the city.

"Secretary Ano already issued his statement

this yesterday so we are requesting the city government to hold on to the EO," Teves said.

"Ano is not imposing but he is suggesting LGUs to lift the ban. Maybe of Trade issues. I guess their more on or wala seguro Nila nakita ang value or Kung unsa ka dako ang effect sa industry if we get hit in Visayas

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

DSWD to supply 360K bags of rice every month to 4Ps beneficiaries

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of project proponents for RDC XI endorsements of various infrastructure project proposals.

Among the projects endorsed by the Committee during the meeting are the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project and Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project.

According to the statement the RDC XI endorsement and the evaluation of the NEDA 11 Secretariat on the merits of these projects per their consistency and alignment with the Davao Region development objectives, are only some of the reference documents used by the NEDA ICC during its deliberations on program/project proposals.

The Inter-Agency NEDA ICC chaired by the

Department of Finance Secretary, is mandated to review the �iscal, monetary and balance of payment implication of major capital projects and evaluate these with respect to technical, �inancial, economic, social and institutional development, feasibility/ viability, and from the context of sectoral plans and geographical strategies.

These undertakings ensure that national public investments and expenditures are rationalized and that scarce government resources are fully optimized.

Duterte also called out the Department of Finance (DoF) for the speedy implementation of the Waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in Davao City in her SOCA.

he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently devising its approach to the shift from cash to rice allocation for its 4.4 million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) bene�iciaries.

DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin, said about 360,000 bags of 50 kilograms of rice will be needed per month for distribution to the six regions that were selected for pilot-testing.

“To preclude comparison among bene�iciaries, we plan to cover the whole region to these listed provinces.

There are about a million 4Ps bene�iciaries in these six regions. With a 90-percent compliance rate, about 360,000 bags of 50 kilograms will be needed per month,” Gudmalin said in an interview on Tuesday.

Senator Cynthia Villar, who authored the amendment of the General Appropriations Act of 2019, said the provinces which will pilot test the in-kind rice distribution are Cagayan and Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Iloilo, and Zamboanga del Sur. Villar introduced the amendment as a response to the plunging farm gate prices of palay (unhusked rice).

In another interview, Villar said that the pilot testing will take place from November to December this year. It will run again next year depending on feedback and success rate.

An indicator for their success rate, Gudmalin said, is “[if there are] no grievances from the bene�iciaries, and for the palay prices to go back to normal”.

He added that the bene�iciaries have no

“Let us always think or see what can we do that the community can bene�it and that would give big impact to the lives of the people. She was very thankful to the stakeholders behind this project especially to the owner of the donated land Mr. Alejandro Tagot-

nan, Barangay Of�icials for the effort and the Team of PRDP and Department of Agriculture,” Linsag narrated.

The said project started back in 2015 through the meeting of LGU representative and the Philippine Rural Development

Project team and by 2016 they submitted the feasibility study to PRDP and by then the project is found feasible thus was recommended for approval and ready for the implementation.

Aside from the two potable water system proj-

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Command Conference at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

NEDA 11 acts on Mayor Sara’s plea

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ollowing the call of Mayor Sara Duterte to fast track priority development projects in Davao City during her State of the City Address (SOCA) on October 15, 2019, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional of�ice announced that necessary actions have already been undertaken.

The mayor has appealed to the NEDA Central Of�ice to expedite the implementation of the pending major projects like the construction of the Davao-Samal Bridge and the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NEDA 11 as Secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC 11) has undertaken

the necessary actions for the review and evaluation of these projects prior to their presentation to the NEDA Investment CoordinationCommittee (ICC) and onwards to the NEDA Board chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

On October 8, 2019, the Infrastructure Development Committee of the RDC XI, convened a Special Meeting upon the request

qualms about the shift from cash to rice as long as “the distribution outlets are near to them”.

He said that while providing cash is obviously a better option, a more pressing matter is needed to be addressed.

“It is easy to distribute and easy to collect.

In-kind distribution is dif�icult to distribute and time-consuming and tedious to collect.

However, we need to help local palay farmers.

If the government will not buy palay, the farmers will be at the mercy of rice traders,” he explained.

Villar, meanwhile, also tapped the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who also have rice subsidy programs to distribute rice instead of giving cash.

The National Food Authority, in turn, will procure palay ‘directly’ from local farmers.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the average farm gate price of palay has slid to its lowest in eight years.

Based on the latest weekly price monitoring report of the PSA, a kilo of palay was sold at an average of PHP15.96 during the third week of September, down 1.4 percent and 30.1 percent from week-ago and year-ago levels, respectively.

Gudmalin said the public will be informed of the Senate’s decision whether it will approve the amendment by November after its recess.

“Once the joint resolution is approved, we will launch social marketing activities through media, and FDS to inform the bene�iciaries of the shift,” Gudmalin said. (PNA)

2 PRDP projects turned over to Mati City LGU

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wo potable water system projects funded by the World Bank thru the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) were turned over to the the City of Mati LGU Wednesday, October 16.

First to be turned over Wednesday morning was the Tagbinonga Potable Water System in Barangay Tagbinonga.

Attending the event were Engr. Rosendo B. Linsag, City Planning and Development Of�ice Head Engr. Ariel C. Mosquera, City Agrigculture Head Ms. Eleanor E. Sambas, Barangay Tagbinonga Captain Rebecca B. Tangcaag, BAWASA President Mr. Ryan S. Bilbao, City of Mati LGU employees, Barangay Of�icials, and BAWASA Of�icers.

The construction of Tagbinonga PWS Level II

has a total project cost of P4,115,950.39.

The project were cost sharing from World Bank loan proceeds amounting to P3,305,816.23, Government of the Philippines’ P413,227.03 and from the Local Government Unity Equity amounting to P413,227.03.

There were 32 tapstands for 960 residents with 192 households that would bene�it from the project.

“We are very thankful to the Local Government Unit of the City of Mati because we are able to avail the Patubig Program of the Mati LGU, It is a very big help to the residents of the Barangay Tagbinonga,” said Brgy. Captain Tangcaag.

Engr. Linsag delivered the message of Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat.

Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat in one of her barangay visits. Mati CIO

ects, about 10 more projects of the PRDP ranging from spring development to infrastructure projects are being undertaken.

The total amount of the 12 projects of City of Mati LGU through PRDP is P102,551,591.75. (CIO MATI)

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

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4 NEWS

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

DPWH commits P2.6B for new roads, bridges in Davao next year – Mayor

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Philippine Exporters Foundation (PhilExport) Davao executive director Marizon Loreto promotes the forthcoming Banana Forum and Business Matching Event dubbed Saging, Atbp. Set at Grand Men Seng Hotel on

October 24 to 25 during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape Abreeza mall. Lean Daval Jr

Education for the poor still Mayor Inday Sara’s priority

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avao City continues to invest in the education sector as the number of city scholars increased over the years under the Educational Bene�it System Unit (EBSU).

“For the 2nd Semester of School Year 2018 to 2019, a total of 1,595 City Government Scholars were accommodated under the EBSU,” Mayor Sara Duterte said during her State of the City Address (SOCA) held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Monday.

Education is one of the priority programs of the mayor to help poor children �inish college and achieved their dreams.

Data shows an increase of 536 EBSU scholars

across various disciplines this school year compared to the 1,059 scholars in the previous school year.

The number of scholars further increased to 1,904 scholars for the current semester.

The expanded medical school scholarship, which the city started to offer when Mayor Sara started her term in 2016, has already produced three doctors. The medical scholars who hail from the Indigenous People (IP) communities passed the licensure

Mayor Rabat embarks on barangay visits in Mati

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hree barangays in the City of Mati were visited by Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat in one day.

First stop was the Barangay Macambol Elementary School where Mayor Michelle awarded the land title to the said school after 57 years since it was �irst constructed.

The school principal was �illed with joy saying that with the land title in their possession, the school can now start rehabilitating and renovating the school without apprehensions.

The principal revealed that the processing of the transfer of title started during Mayor Michelle’s past term before 2013 and now it is also during Mayor Michelle’s fresh term that it is �inally awarded to them.

Mayor Michelle also

conducted site visits in Barangays Dawan and Sanghay Tuesday, October 15.

In Barangay Dawan Mayor Michelle did an ocular inspection on the site for the housing project for the Indigenous People, the Informal Settler Families (ISF’s), and for those living in high-risk areas.

The construction of housing project will be in partnership with the National Housing Authority.

Mayor Michelle also visited the proposed sites for government center, evacuation center and forest park in Dawan.

In Barangay Sanghay, proposed sites for housing project and for the construction of a secondary school and for the proposed forest park were also visited by the mayor.

During the visit, Mayor Michelle �inally found

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examinations given last September 2019.

The city did not only offer scholarships grants to poor children, Sara also sees to it that schools get more classrooms. For the past three years, the city has constructed 112 classrooms across all levels and sites. A total of 77 classrooms are under the 2017 Special Education Fund (SEF) while 35 classrooms are under the 2018 SEF. As of September 2019, the infrastructure projects funded under SEF 2017 and 2018 are at 90% and 78% completion, respectively.

“For the year 2020, we will continue to put funds for the construction of more classrooms that

will help us in attaining zero backlogs for our children’s classroom needs,” Sara said.

In the coming weeks, Sara said the Local School Board is set to approve a budget of P650 million, of which an approximate P270 million will be used to fund classroom construction in the different areas of the city.

The mayor also cited local and international partners who helped build more classrooms for public school students with a special mention of the support from the People’s Republic of China last year.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines, through

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Davao Hog Raisers, Inc. past president Alvin Teves calls on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall to stop from issuing

he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has committed to allocate P2.6 billion to build more roads and bridges in Davao City next year, Mayor Sara Duterte said.

In her State of the City Address (SOCA) on Monday, Duterte said the DPWH would undertake more road and infrastructure projects in support of the local government’s “Peace Project” that is “envisioned to �inally interconnect all the barangays of Davao City.”

The DPWH here, however, said they do not know the details of the projects referred to by the mayor. “I have yet to ask what these projects are and their locations,” said DPWH spokesman Dean Ortiz.

Boasting of the success of the localized peace campaign under the Task Force Peace 911 or Peace 911 program, Duterte claimed the Area Clearing Validation Board of the Armed Forces of the Philippines had declared all of the 13 barangays in Paquibato District insurgency-free.

Peace 911—comprising, among others, representatives the from City Social Services and Development Of�ice, City Health Of�ice, City Agriculturist’s Of�ice, and City Veterinary’s Of�ice—was established

by Executive Order No. 12 issued on May 10, 2018 as the implementing arm for the peace-building efforts of the city government.

Peace 911 was the successor of the Davao City Advisory on Peace and Development (DC PEACE DEV), created in 2017 supposedly to conduct community consultations in pilot barangays and through which the localized peace talks with the communist guerillas operating within the city were supposed to happen.

The implementation of Peace 911 had led to road rehabilitation, construction of school buildings, improved health services, and tourism and socio-economic activities in Paquibato.

Duterte said the local government is expanding the campaign’s coverage to the city’s Third District.

She added that Peace 911 is also “supporting the indigenous tribes in the city in the implementation of their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan and in strengthening their Indigenous Political Structures.”

During Peace 911’s �irst anniversary last May, Duterte said the local government awarded P1.985 million to livelihood projects to 14 former rebels.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

3 SC magistrates in shortlist as next CJ

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hree Supreme Court (SC) magistrates made it to the list of candidates for Chief Justice submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In an advisory Tuesday, the JBC said these are Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr. Peralta and Bernabe both received seven votes

from the JBC while Reyes received four votes.

The President's choice will replace incumbent Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who will mandatorily retire from the service upon reaching 70 on October 18.

The Chief Executive has 90 days from vacancy to appoint a new top magistrate.

Peralta will be the second most senior mag-

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a memorandum encouraging local government units to lift the ban on processed pork products from Luzon to protect local hog industries from African swine fever outbreak. Lean Daval Jr

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

Power generation firms urged to put up plants, boost supply

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he Philippine government has adopted a technology-neutral policy to entice more generation companies to put up power plants and help ensure power sustainability and boost growth.

In his speech during the inauguration of the 500-megawatt capacity (MW) coal-�ired power plant of San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. (SBPL) in Mauban, Quezon on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said energy has a crucial role on the continued expansion of the domestic economy.

“The country’s drive toward progress, prosperity, and global competitiveness is directly correlated to our rising energy requirements. Thus, part of our goal involves a long-term initiative geared towards a sustainable, diversi�ied, and balanced energy mix that is responsive to the country’s growing energy needs -this is espoused in the Power Development Plan of the DOE,” he said.

This is the reason why the Department of Energy (DOE) adopted the technology-neutral policy, he said.

Cusi explained that when he joined the department in 2016, he questioned the allocation set for each energy source, such as 30 percent cap for coal�ired power plants and on renewable energy, among others.

He said there is no need to put limits on ef�icient energy that has reasonable cost and out quota on expensive sources.

Cusi added the country has an issue with capacity thus, there is no need to put a cap on sources yet as the government bids all households to have electricity when the current administration’s term ends in mid-2022.

He thus cited the operations of SBPL’s supercritical coal-�ired power plant which utilizes high-ef�iciency and low emissions (HELE) coal technology.

“Bearing in mind that the energy choices we make today will affect fu-

ture generations, I am glad to have been given the opportunity to participate in the inauguration of one of the most advanced and ef�icient plants in the country,” he said.

The Energy chief, however, pointed out that there remains a “pressing grid-related issues that require our utmost attention.”

“Rest assured that the Department is working closely with all our power sector stakeholders, and is consistently promulgating plans, policies, and programs that would ensure energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness for the Filipino people,” he said.

“With proper coordination and communication, I fervently believe that we will be able to resolve these issues and attain our energy objectives,” he added.

The PHP56.2-billion coal-�ired SBPL power plant is Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) majority-owned, commercially operating power plant after the power distribution company resumed its generation business.

It is a joint venture project of Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen) and New Growth BV, a subsidiary of the Electric Generating Company of Thailand (EGCO).

It started operations last September 26 and currently provides generation for Luzon grid, which account for about 72 percent of the country’s domestic expansion.

MGen President Rogelio Singson told journalists after the inauguration that because HELE technology allows the power plant to use high heat, high pressure system it produces about 70 percent less emission compared to a conventional coal-�ired power plant.

He admitted that while a coal-�ired power plant is less favorable than a renewable energy plant in terms of environmental concern, it is still the

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Cebu Pacific corporate communications director Charo Logarta-Lagamon introduces the airline’s newest offering, the CEB Flex, during a news conference held at Rekado along Jacinto Extension in Davao City

on Tuesday night. CEB Flex is a flight add-on which aims to give travelers the flexibility to rebook their flights up to two times for a minimal fee.

Lean Daval Jr

Cebu Pacific launches CEB Flexi in Davao

By MAYA M. PADILLO cting om feedback by passengers concerning rebooking of �lights, leading budget airline Cebu Paci�ic launched CEB Flexi which promises more �lexibility.

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CEB Flexi is a �light addon that gives travellers the �lexibility to rebook their �lights up to two times, for a minimal fee.

Available starting October 22, 2019, CEB Flexi gives CEB passengers the freedom to rebook �lights until two hours before departure, offering convenience and peace of mind.

“People wants options, people need �lexibility to �ly when they want and reality is that passengers feel anxious when they book �lights because there

are so many things beyond their control,” said Charo Logarta-Lagamon, Cebu Paci�ic Director for Corporate Communications.

Compared to current rebooking fees, CEB Flexi is 60% cheaper, and travellers only have to pay the difference in fare (if applicable). CEB Flexi is priced at P499 for domestic �lights, P799 for international short haul �lights, and P1,099 for international long-haul �lights.

Along with the roll-out of CEB Flexi, all new �lights

booked starting October 22, 2019 will be non-refundable.

“The current booking policy of Cebu Paci�ic as you know you can rebook regardless of the ticket �ine. For domestic �lights it is P1,500 all the way to P2, 800. For Australia and Dubai long haul and this is per way and if you rebooked both ways its 1,500 times 2 plus applicable fare difference only if applicable,” she said.

Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience said CEB Flexi is a great complement to year-round low fares as it provides the power and option to rebook �lights should the need arise.

“For Cebu Paci�ic you

Secretary General, Philippine Red Cross), Dr. Christie Monina-Nalupta (Blood Services Director, Philippine Red Cross), Von Ryan Ong (Safety Services Acting Manager, Philippine Red Cross)

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More patients benefit from SBFI, PRC joint partnership

S DONATION. (from left) Elizabeth Zavalla (Secretary General, Philippine Red Cross), Melissa Aquino (Trustee, Security Bank Foundation), Rafael Simpao, Jr. (Chairman, Security Bank Foundation), Senator Richard Gordon (Chairman and CEO, Philippine Red Cross), Ramon Murillo (Assistant

can book your �lights at least one year ahead. Pag may Peso Fare mag book ka karon then saka mo na problemahin the rest of the things. But reality is that there are instances beyond our control such unplanned family gathering, visa, unpredictable weather or traf�ic conditions. But because we listen to the feedback of our customers and passengers this product really came from you, from passengers,” Lagamon said.

CEB Flexi is the newest add-on that Cebu Paci�ic passengers can avail, giving the power to choose conveniences that best �it their travel needs. Other options include prepaid baggage allowance, in�light

ecurity Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) continues to aid Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Response Team in rescuing patients, through the bank’s donation of fully-equipped ambulance units. To date, the ambulances have saved 1,889 people, including 674 individuals who were involved in road crash incidents and medical emergencies.

Security Bank Foundation Inc. began equipping the PRC with ambulance units in 2015 to help the organization provide immediate life-saving services to victims of accidents and calamities.

SBFI recently turned over two additional ambulance units to PRC which brings the total ambulance dona-

tion of SBFI to �ive since the start of the partnership.

“Security Bank Foundation was established with the aim of uplifting the quality of life in various communities.

Although Security Bank Foundation has focused its advocacy on education, we cannot ignore the plight of our countrymen who were affected by calamities. Hence, Security Bank Foundation partnered with the Philippine Red Cross by expanding its capability to readily respond to emergencies,” said Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., chairman of Security Bank Foundation Inc. “As the preferred humanitarian partner, we

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

EDITORIAL

Decongesting Manila, empowering the regions

Neophyte Senate member Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go continues to outperform many of his colleagues. His latest measure in the Senate is for the dispersal of industries and creation of new cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with the end view of decongesting Metro Manila.

Manila’s traf�ic congestion and bursting population is just too much for it to absorb any more industries. Along this line, Senator Go suggests new cities in Batangas and Davao aside from the emerging alternative industrial hub in Clark City.

Redirecting the industries to the Luzon provinces and the Visayas and Mindanao could be a step in the right direction in decongesting Manila where provincianos traditionally treat as the country’s “greener pasteur.”

However, doing this will have to entail corresponding changes in terms of wages.

To lure people out of Manila and relocate to elsewhere in Luzon and in the cities down South, yhere has to be corresponding adjustment in the minimum wage in the regions.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) is currently working on a wage determination system and should wind up with this by the end of the year.

As of its latest update last month, NWPC has completed the �irst portion of its review of the current wage determination system and is on track to meet the end-2019 deadline. The agency has reviewed how the Wage rationalization Act or Republic Act

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CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Layout/Cartoons 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

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6727 was implemented in the past 30 years. Under the law, the 17 Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are authorized to determine wage orders in their respective areas.

RTWPBs are allowed to increase the minimum wages in the region once every 12 months unless a “supervening condition” emerges. Minimum wages in the Philippines are P270 to P537, depending on the region. As of this year, Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) and Region 13 (CARAGA) have issued their wage orders for the year. Eight RTWPB wage orders are past their one-year anniversary: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 4-A (CALABARZON), Region 6 (Western Visayas), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region 11 (Davao Region), Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

For Senator Go’s measure to succeed, the wage difference between that of Manila and the regions where the industries are proposed to be relocated must be signi�icantly adjusted without causing a wage distortion. There must be compelling reasons for people to consider uprooting themselves from the metropolis and consider relocating to the regions for jobs.

Driving industries outward to the regions could be the necessary change in order to accelerate growth to the countrysides.

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

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

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FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP At the rate the country is buffeted by socio-political winds, no doubt you will agree that our country continues to sail in rough waters.

Not that the ship of state is without a captain to steer it to safety.

The truth and the fact of the matter is that today we have a very able president who has taken the bull by its horns and how!

In a Third World country like the Philippines, we are grievously and continuously struggling to �ind the ideal leader with visionary qualities, struggling to squeeze itself and �it into the global picture, struggling to overcome the odds.

A visionary is de�ined as “one whose ideas or projects are impractical; utopian; having or marked by foresight and imagination; prescient; proactive; dreamer.”

Ferdinand Marcos, I would volunteer, was a visionary.

With the traf�ic and trans-

portation mess converging all around us today, do we not now appreciate the efforts of the much-maligned ex-president who built the north and south expressways that have been utilized and continue to be the model for alleviating transport woes today?

The Bataan nuclear power plant installed during the Marcos regime and subsequently moth-balled by the succeeding Cory Aquino administration appears to be now one of the sure-�ire cures to our ever-increasing electricity and energy costs.

Had the BNPP been immediately re-considered and re-installed after Cory’s term expired, we most probably would not have endured these intermittent brownouts and energy shortages around the country.

Through the BNPP, Marcos dreamt of providing electricity to all barangays throughout the archipelago. His vision died

when he was kicked out of of�ice by the 1986 EDSA revolution.

A Marcos blueprint of the continuing construction of dams to provide water during the lean dry months is now being re-considered by the Duterte government. Again, voices of anti-Marcos protesters are surfacing to deter and derail these development plans that have been earmarked to bene�it the majority of the constituency.

The very good trust and approval ratings recently earned from surveys of SWS and Pulse Asia of Pres. Duterte are strong motivation and sound bases for the government to continue wielding strong political will.

The surveys somewhat conveyed the endearing collective sentiments of the Filipino people supporting the current programs of the Duterte administration.

Cumulatively, these sentiments re�lect the people’s ap-

proval of how the illegal drugs intensi�ied campaign has produced favorable results; their appreciation of how great the commission of crimes has gone down; a thumbs up sign that streets are safe enough for students, pedestrians and commuters alike to walk through anytime of the day; a nodding approval of the continuing cleansing of the police ranks of scalawags and ninja cops; and a loud hooray when corrupt of�icials are getting kicked out of of�ice, etc.

I would proffer this: Had Duterte come around much earlier – probably immediately after Cory - he would have re-installed the Marcos blueprint of national development and this country would not have suffered and recoiled from the decades of ensuing mismanagement and mishandling of government affairs.

Maybe, this is hypothetical but then hypotheses are parts of every mathematical equa-

tion, even if these may be argumentatively speculative.

Again, the circumstances point back to people support.

As sovereignty resides in the people, the realization of all these development agenda depends on how the Filipinos proactively respond to the socio-political and economic stimuli.

Plato said in a comparative parallelism, thus: “Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”

Citizens of this country have far allowed themselves to be governed by pseudo-leaders who have taken advantage of their unmitigated ignorance and left to suffer in despair and desolation.

Visionary leadership is about enlightened governance and prudent direction. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHAT A COINCIDENCE “It’s hard to believe in coincidence, but it’s even harder to believe in anything else.” – John Green in Will Grayson, Will Grayson *** “When two things occur successively, we call them cause and effect if we believe one event made the other one happens. If we think one event is the response of the other, we call it a reaction. If we feel that the two incidents are not related, we call it a mere coincidence,” Liezi Lieh-tzu wrote in A Taoist Guide to Practical Living.

Is coincidence just a chance, luck or bad omen? “Sometimes, a cigar is just a smoke and a coincidence is just a coincidence,” said noted American novelist Stephen King. But Odysseus Elytis has different view. In Open Papers, he wrote: “Coincidence, when raised to a symbol, occurs with mathematical precision at the most crucial moment, even for the squarest of minds. A moment the rest of us call higher will, Fate’s gesture, something like that.”

What triggered me to write something on coincidences was due to a news report carried by the website of WTHR-TV Channel 13, an NBC-af�iliated television station licensed to Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Rachel Landgford had been seeing the numbers seven

and 11 throughout her pregnancy but she didn’t realize it was foreshadowing,” it said.

“At 7:11 on the evening of July 11, Langford gave birth to J’amie Brown,” the news report continued. Her birth weight – hold your breath! – it’s seven pounds and 11 ounces.

“I thought it was weird at �irst, and I didn’t know that (the numbers) meant so much,” Landgford told CNN. “A lot of the times (during the pregnancy) I would look at the clock and it was 7:11.”

In Constant Guests, author Patricia Nedelea wrote: “Coincidences are the explanations of lazy and cowardly people for what they don’t understand.” To which Linda Westphai agrees: “There is no such thing as a coincidence. You will feel this before you know it.”

“The perception of remarkable coincidences may lead to supernatural, occult, or paranormal claims,” Wikipedia states. “Or it may lead to belief in fatalism, which is doctrine that events will happen in the exact manner of a predetermined plan.”

From a statistical perspective, “coincidences are inevitable and often less remarkable than they may appear intuitively,” Wikipedia says, citing birthdays as example. “The probability of two persons having the

same birthday already exceeds 50% in a group of only 23 persons,” wrote Frank Mathis, the author of “A generalized birthday problem.”

Now, allow me to share these remarkable coincidences between the two American presidents: Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. Both were assassinated and both their successors and killers have striking coincidences, too.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.

John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946. Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights. Both wives lost their children while living in the White House. Both were shot on a Friday. Both were shot in the head.

Now this really weird. Lincoln’ secretary was named Kennedy. On the other hand, Kennedy’s Secretary was named Lincoln. Both were succeeded

by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.

Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

The two American presidents were assassinated by Southerners.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839. Lee

Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names. Both names are composed of �ifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named “Ford.” Kennedy was shot in a car called “Lincoln” made by “Ford.” Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.

Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here’s the kicker. A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland. A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

“Some spiritual people say there’s no such thing as coincidence,” Jamie Mason wrote in Monday’s Lie. “And I guess I can’t know if it’s the chicken or the egg for my lack of spirituality. But I do believe in coincidence. I believe in it very much.

I see it everywhere. I have to.

Otherwise, I’d start to believe the universe if adversarial, and I don’t need another opponent right now.”

Now, there was this story published in one of the issues of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not: “Henry Ziegland thought he had dodged fate. In 1883, he broke off a relationship with his

girlfriend who, out of distress, committed suicide. The girl’s brother was so enraged that he hunted down Ziegland and shot him. The brother, believing he had killed Ziegland, then turned his gun on himself and took his own life. But Ziegland had not been killed. The bullet, in fact, had only grazed his face and then lodged in a tree. Ziegland surely thought himself a lucky man.

“Some years later, however, Ziegland decided to cut down the large tree, which still had the bullet in it. The task seemed so formidable that he decided to blow it up with a few sticks of dynamite. The explosion propelled the bullet into Ziegland’s head, killing him.”

Worried about a long sea voyage? If your name is Hugh Williams, you will surely survive. UK’s Mirror carried this true story: “In 1660, when a ship sank off Dover the only survivor was called Hugh Williams.

In 1767, another ship sank in the same spot and the sole survivor was called Hugh Williams.

In 1820, a ship capsized on the Thames and the only man left alive was – Hugh Williams. And in 1940, a German mine blew up a ship leaving two survivors: a man and his nephew who are both named Hugh Williams.”

So, how do you explain those amazing coincidences?

8 EDGEDAVAO EDUCATION... FROM4

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

the effort of Ambassador Zhao Jinhua, allocated funds for the construction of 13 modern 2-story, 4-classroom buildings in select public schools in the city. Eleven (11) of these school buildings have already been completed and are now used by the students.

She said the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao also received assistance in putting up �ive school buildings with four classrooms each from EMCOR, a company that had its begin-

nings in Davao City. Four of the �ive buildings are scheduled for handover later this month.

There is an ongoing discussion on the possibility of utilizing the existing DepEd infrastructure speci�ically the facilities of the Davao City National High School (DCNHS), and technical assistance from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) to cater to public school Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates to operate a City College.

Sara said the construction of the infrastructure will follow whenever resources are ready.

“USEP is also looking at opening an Annex in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District to encourage more residents in the area to go to college and to provide a more economical option for students who reside in Paquibato but currently study downtown,” she bared.

For the next three years, she said, the city will facilitate the construction of Hygiene Facilities in all

schools. This will help the city to push the teaching of handwashing and proper toothbrushing to pupils and make them understand that good hygiene helps avoid and spread of diseases.

The city is also starting the program of retaining developmental pediatricians to hasten the assessment of public school children needing special education.

Sara said this will ensure that these children are allotted special education teachers by the DepEd. CIO

solution to the problem on a house that is built on the access road towards the proposed site for the

school.

Mayor Michelle talked and negotiated with the owner wherein the family

was given P20,000 outright as assistance for the transfer of the house thru Bayanihan and an addi-

tional amount of P30,000 housing aid from DSWD once the family has relocated. (CIO MATI)

discipline for the training program,” said Tabal, who is up as early as 5:30 a.m. to train in a stretch that takes her until 4:15 p.m.

“I have nothing else in mind now than gold. I only have to focus on this event, so I will be giving everything can,” Tabal

said. “For now, I don’t really focus on who’s my biggest opponent, because for me, every representative from each na-

tion is my competitor for the gold. I just focus on getting better, stronger and preparing my body for the action.”

fairs, but the US reaction on Twitter was swift and harsh. "@KingJames — you're parroting communist propaganda. China is running torture camps and you know it," said Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, referring to China's reported incarceration of up to one million Muslim Uighurs in prison-like camps.

The backlash in China against Morey's comments has cast a cloud over the NBA's lucrative broadcasting, merchandising and sponsorship interests in the country, where it has legions of fans.

But the NBA also is under pressure from US politicians and media outlets who have urged the league not to buckle under the Chinese criticism.

Following his initial comments to reporters, James -- who has a lucrative lifetime endorsement deal with Nike, which

does big business in China -- attempted to clarify his stance with a pair of subsequent tweets.

"Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and rami�ications of (Morey's) tweet. I'm not discussing the substance.

Others can talk about that," he wrote.

James's Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets were thrust into the whirlwind when they arrived in China last week for a pair of pre-season exhibition games after Morey had tweeted: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong."

Dif�icult week The former British colony, now a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, has been rocked by months of demonstrations by citizens who accuse Beijing of chipping away at its freedoms.

China, however, portrays the protesters as

violent separatists and bristles at any foreign interference in the matter.

James complained in his subsequent tweets on Tuesday that Morey's comments put the Lakers through a "dif�icult week" in China.

Twitter users pounced, saying acidly that Hong Kong's demonstrators and China's Uighurs also were "having a dif�icult week."

Users also spread a doctored image showing James's smiling face imposed on the giant portrait of Mao Zedong overlooking Tiananmen Square.

Chinese sponsors have cut ties with the NBA and broadcasters refused to air the two exhibition games in China, sparking US accusations that Beijing was using access to its vast market as leverage to dictate speech in other countries.

Many in the US, including NBA commission-

er Adam Silver and top American politicians, have defended Morey's right to speak out, but James said that right should be exercised with care.

"Yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that too," he said.

Several normally outspoken NBA �igures, like Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and his star guard Stephen Curry, were criticized for declining to take a clear stand on the issue.

A hashtag lauding James's remarks became one of the most-searched on Weibo, China's leading social media platform, with more than 94 million views as of Tuesday afternoon.

One post suggested James should be the league's spokesman to the world: "This is why we love you, the NBA's foreign ministry spokesman."

MAYOR... FROM4

OLYMPIAN... FROM11

LEBRON... FROM11

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSA S. DUMDUM-LIM died intestate on July 19,2016 at Davao City leaving parcels of land with TCT Numbers T-59710,T-267593,T-32468 has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with waiver of share executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.87; Page No.18; Book No.63 Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. LANI M. GABUTERO 9/27,10/4,8 2019

ERRATUM

In the September 17, 24 and October 1, 2019 issues of Edge Davao, in the Notice of Extra-Judicial Sale filed

by Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) against EDELBERTO S. CATOLINAN married to VINA E. CATOLINAN, with EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,483-19, the Lot address under Transfer Certificate of Title No. 1462017020494 which was erroneously printed as Lot 19 instead of Lot 21.

Our apologies.

– The Editors.

3 SC... FROM4

istrate followed by Bernabe while Reyes will be the sixth most senior following Bersamin's retirement.

Senior Associate Jus-

tice Antonio Carpio earlier declined his nomination for the judiciary's top post as he will also compulsorily retire from the service on October 26. (PNA)

meals and buy-on-board snacks, seat selection, travel insurance and the CEB WiFi kit.

This add-on can be

purchased during booking through the airline website, www.cebupaci�icair. com or the of�icial mobile app.

cheapest base load.

He, meanwhile, stressed that the company is eyeing to have a 1,200 MW renewable energy

plant but cited transmission constraints issue in the country as a hindrance for this plan to materialize.

(PNA)

assure SBFI that their support will reach the most vulnerable communities.

This is a truly noble cause to help our countrymen in need of emergency med-

ical services,” conveyed Senator Richard Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive of�icer as he expressed his gratitude to SBFI.

CEBU... FROM5

POWER... FROM5 MORE... FROM5

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2019-10-222 (2014-XI-00222)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2019-10-145 (2010-XI-00145)

DIMSON G. GARDE, Petitioner.

STEPHANIE A. SAPLOT, Petitioner.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: ECOLAND SUBDIVISION (SM CITY OF DAVAO) and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of TWO (2) units, which Certificate will expire on November 5, 2019.

In the petition filed on October 9, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on OCTOBER 29, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Atty. ARMAND B. DIOSO, Regional Director, this 10th day of October 2019 at Davao City, Philippines.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: ECOLAND SUBDIVISION (SM CITY OF DAVAO) and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on March 15, 2020. In the petition filed on October 8, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on OCTOBER 29, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/ or oral evidence.

Witness Atty. ARMAND B. DIOSO, Regional Director, this 9th day of October 2019 at Davao City, Philippines.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Petitioner, Dimson G. Garde Counsel, Atty. Placido A. Garde, Jr.

Petitioner, Stephanie A. Saplot Counsel, Atty. Marvin G. Camino

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

A WALK IN BOGOR’S

I

haven’t heard of Bogor until I received an invite from Aneka Kartika Tours and Travel in partnership with Cebu Pacific in the company of fellow journalists from Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu to explore Jakarta which will be highlighted by a two-day stay in Bogor, a city south of Jakarta.

The recent trip in Bogor was my third time to travel to Indonesia and it was as interesting as the first time I went to Bali and Surabaya over a year ago.

Bogor is not equally popular compared to other destinations among tourists like Bali which has fantastic beaches, but it deserves to be explored by travelers particularly those who value protection and conservation of wildlife and the environment alike.

The city is the home of the oldest botanic garden in South East Asia named Bogor Botanic Gardens (BBG) or Kebun

OLDEST GARDEN

One of the lagoons in the garden. Photo

by Lean Daval Jr.

Raya Bogor.

I was expecting much for this garden because such tour is rarely included in any trip’s itinerary. Located in the center of Bogor City, locals were already crowding when we arrived in our destination.

Just like any gardens or parks in the Philippines, the place is teeming with vendors selling street food, toys and colorful balloons while some locals lounge at the entrance of the garden.

We were not only welcomed by the helter-skelter of the place but also by a drizzle though it was a typical warm day. Its maybe because of Bogor’s geographical position

A patch of Mexico. Photo

by Lean Daval Jr. that why it rains almost daily, even in the dry season and this also makes the garden an advantageous location for the cultivation of tropical plants.

The garden showcases the same endemic plants and trees we have in the Philippines. Yet, what sparked my interest is apart from offering naturallytropical beauty enriched by various Indonesian native plant species, the garden also serve as valuable ecosystem services functioning as the “lungs” of Bogor City.

The tour started with our guide Kapat Yuriawan sharing information about the garden.

He said the botanical garden is the last protection to preserve the endemic plants in Indonesia.

Our first stop was to check the 105-year old tree called King Tree.

“The roots can grow three meters high and more than 50

meters long. In Bahasa we call them romantic roots,” he said.

A Balite (fig) tree is standing in the circular pond of large water lilies. Some of us even tried to swing from the branch of the giant tree to test its sturdiness.

“In the past there are about 40 trees introduced in colonial time to Indonesia such as

rubber tree, cacao tree, coffee tree, cassava, and also oil palm tree. There are about 40 species. Now we have 36 botanical gardens around the country and this garden is the mother of all botanical gardens,” said Kapat.

Formerly named as ‘slands

MAYA A4

EDGED

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STYLE

FASHION EXPRESSIONS ON

CANVAS

A

woman’s fashion sense is like an artist and the clothes she puts on is her blank canvas to work her expressive magic on. This is the idea behind the exclusive fashion brand carried by Davao’s oen luxury shopping destination, Chimes Boutiques.

It is no wonder the brand is called Canvas, which literally means a clean space which one can use to express one’s self with extremely wearable essentials that are classic yet versatile, allowing the wearer to mix, match, and play with their own favourite piece of apparel, footwear and accessories.

The brand’s beauty and versatility was highlighted at the launch of its latest collection last October 5 at Bondi and Bourke.

VIP guests were present to view the visual play of colours with groupings comparable to three art periods.

The Renaissance set was all about linear forms and deep, rich colors in intense shades

of wine and rust popping out among lush greens and deep blues. Then, as if embodying the enlightenment the period is known for, the pieces shift towards lighter hues in softer pastels and neutrals.

Print lovers will definitely adore the abstract series with classic forms rendered in fabric splashed with abstract art patterns.

“Although the brand was launched in 2015, we finally believe that is was time to really come out with a bigger event to share what Canvas can offer,” shared Cindy Yap, chief executive officer of Chimes Boutiques.

Canvas places a premium on fine tailoring and innovative construction, with a keen atten-

tion to details with each piece thoroughly designed and carefully constructed with creative detailing.

“Canvas is not fast fashion,” added Cindy. “Rather, like art, it is a movement. It is a blank canvas that subtly changes, depending on the wearer and how she makes it her own art fashion statement.”

The new. Canvas collection is available at Chimes Governor Sales, Chimes Abreeza, Chimes Felcris Centrale, and online at www.chimesboutiques.com.

DAVAO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

KATHNIEL, JODI, POCHOLO, AND AI-AI, LEAD KBO LINE-UP ON SKY THIS OCTOBER FANS who have been waiting to catch KathNiel, Jodi Sta. Maria, Pocholo and Ai-Ai de Las Alas can rejoice as KBO on SKY brings their movies this month of October.

In Joross Gamboa’s first directorial debut, “Allergy In Love,” Pocholo Barretto portrays a guy who has a condition of being allergic to sexual arousal as it may lead to his death. This condition has inspired him to write a book about self-love. Little did he know that the book would also lead him to meeting Ayama (Chie Filomeno), the girl who will try to bug his loveless life. catch this movie starting from October 11 to 16.

SKY subscribers can also catch “And Ai, Thank You” this October 18 to 23. In the film, Ai-ai plays Aileen, an award-winning actress who finds out that she is dying from cancer. In her last months, she plans to

give back to the people who have helped her throughout her career. But even with her plan to help people, she finds out that her loved ones think she is being sincere.

Jodi’s horror movie “Clarita” will also have its TV premiere this October

31 to November 6. The Black Sheep film is about the case of Clarita, a young Filipina who was assumed to be a victim of demonic possession. See how Father Salvador (Ricky Davao) and Father Benedicto (Arron Villaflor) try to solve her

case and help her.

KathNiel returns to TV with the screening of their hit movie “Barcelona: A Love Untold.” Relive the story of Ely (Daniel Padilla) and Mia (Kathryn Bernardo) who meet in Barcelona to start anew—he wants to move on from a past love, while she leaves the Philippines after past life mistakes.

Together, they go on a journey to find the answers to their lifelong questions.

For only P30 per movie bundle, all SKY subscribers can catch each of these highlights along with seven other movies.

To avail of these KBO weekly offers, SKYcable subscribers can text PPV <ACCOUNT NO.> to 23662 or call 3418-0000 or your local SKY office while SKYdirect subscribers can text PPV (AIRING DATE) (BOX ID) to 23667 using Globe/ TM. For more details, visit mysky.com.ph/kbo30.

DAN TAÑEDO’S ENTRY “MABAGAL” SLOW DANCED ITS WAY TO BEING HIMIG HANDOG 2019’S BEST SONG THE unique and refreshing sound of Dan Tañedo’s “Mabagal” emerged as the Best Song in this year’s edition of ABS-CBN’S Himig Handog songwriting competition.

The slow but soothing duet track, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre, bested over 4,000 entries and took home the much-desired P1 million cash prize.

Dan said he initially doubted whether he could make a song infused with a standard sound especially in the wake of pop music’s popularity. “Ang hirap magkaroon ng standard song sa ganitong panahon, iba yung uso ngayon eh, parang panahon yun ng ’50s. Pero buti naging reality yung in-envision ko (It is difficult to produce a standard song in these times as music trend nowa-

days is different. I wanted a ‘50s feel and what I envisioned became a reality),” he said.

“Mabagal” also swept the competition’s special awards by winning the MOR Philippines’ Choice award, the MYX Choice for Best Music Video award, Star Music’s Choice for Best Produced Track and the Listener’s Choice for Most Streamed Track. Daniel and Moira were also One Music PH’s Choice for Favorite Interpreters.

Meanwhile, Davey Langit, winner of Himig Handog 2016 for his song “Dalawang Letra,” won again this year for his entry “Simula ng Dulo.” The singer-songwriter co-wrote the song with his girlfriend Therese Marie Villarante and bagged half a million cash prize.

From one past winner

to another, “Please Lang,” a song by Aikee and interpreted by Alex Gonzaga, was named as the 3rd Best Song, winning P200,000.

Aikee also placed 3rd in 2017’s Himig Handog for his song “Ekstensyon.”

Another pair of young composers, Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño, won 4th Best Song for their entry “Nung Tayo Pa,” brought to life by Janella Salvador. They took home a cash prize worth P150,000.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

MAYA A1 Plantentuin te Buitenzorg’, BBG was initiated on May 18, 1817 by a German Botanist Professor Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt. At first, BBG was established as an experimental garden to to collect, study, and introduce economically potential plants from abroad to Indonesia. Since its establishment, plant species have been succeeded to introduce such as vanilla, tea tree, cacao, coffee, rubber tree, oil palm, cassava, mahogany, teak, quinine, gutta-percha, and lychee fruit.

Currently, BBG has become a home of a huge number of various species of botanical plants.

Apart from being an ex situ (off site) tropical plant conservation and research institution under the Indonesian Institute

of Sciences, BBG has a significant role in the establishment of new botanical gardens in Indonesia. BBG has been supporting and supervising the development of 32 local botanic gardens throughout Indonesia in order to protect and conserve as many possible

Entrance of Bogor Botanical Garden. Photo by Lean Daval Jr.

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local plant diversity.

Then we were directed to the Grand Garden Cafe inside BBG for lunch of Indonesian cuisines. According to our guide, the Cafe is a favorite dining address of President Joko Widodo and that he usually brings his VIP visitors to dine there as it is overlooking the entirety of the garden.

Before ending the tour, we visited the presidential palace compound of Istana Bogor (Bogor Palace), which is one of six Presidential Palaces of Indonesia, adjoining the Botanical garden.

Near it amid thick bamboo trees is the old Dutch graveyard. Although, the graveyard is not part of the botanical garden, its just that BBG was set up surrounded this site. Yet, it makes walking in the garden frighteningly memorable.

Cebu Pacific flies daily to Jakarta from Manila.

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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The Istana Bogor. Photo

by Lean Daval Jr.

The oldest tree in the garden.

Photo by Lean Daval Jr. VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 9484 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 5-6, 2019

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

EDGEDAVAO 9

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

Soccsksargen rallies support for Gamboa as acting PNP chief

T

he Police Regional Of�ice-12 (Soccsksargen) urged the public on Tuesday to support the leadership of Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa as the acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, PRO-12 director, said they are con�ident in the

capabilities of Gamboa to effectively lead the PNP after their former chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, stepped down from the post on Monday over the “ninja cops” controversy.

He said their operations are not affected by the changes in their leadership and have continued to perform their du-

ties and mandate to serve and protect the people as well as local communities.

Corpus said the morale of their personnel remains high and they expect that the issue on “ninja cops” or police of�icers who are allegedly reselling seized illegal drugs will eventually be resolved.

and Mindanao. Their concern is more on the losses of the production sa mga meat processors. Meat processors import they don't buy local," added Mae Ann Cortez, secretary of Hogfadi.

Teves said they are planning to deliver the letter to the mayor this week.

A statement read by Teves stated that the members of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) represented by its chairman Rosendo So, wrote a letter to Secretary Ano last Tuesday expressing their concern over the said memorandum as it will run counter to the efforts that they put in place by several local government units like Bohol and Cebu in the Visayas and Davao City in Mindanao to protect the local hog industries from the global outbreak ASF. In their letter, So pointed out that Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., the President of the Philippine Association of

Meat Processors (PAMPI) himself con�irmed that no testing has ever been done to determine if their products are ASF free or not and that there is yet any testing done that will ascertain if these processed pork products are free from the ASF virus.

So added that PAMPI, in one of their meetings with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, has also made it clear that it is not taking accountability for any violations of any of their members.

So is hopeful that Ano wIII reconsider hls decision In issulng the memorandum addlng they are open to dlscuss this further should the Secretary calls for them.

Apart from Davao City, LGUs in Davao Oriental, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro already issued orders banning the entry of live pigs and pork products in their respective areas.

Cortez said the Mindanao Development Authority

(MinDA) through Secretary Emmanuel Pinol will also write to Ano to counter the lifting of the ban.

"HOGFADI is for Davao City only that is why we asked the help of Sec. Pinol to cover the whole Mindanao because like what happened in Luzon wala man na ban na Bulacan lang but the whole island. If naa maigo Isa ka part sa Mindanao, there goes the whole island.

It's not that we focus only in our city but we should protect the whole island of Mindanao, " Cortez said Teves also assured the availability of the seasonal Christmas hams in Davao City contrary to reports that it is covered by the ban.

"Naay hamon (ham) this coming Christmas Season. Dili ta maguol sa istorya na mawala ang hamon sa December. Mao na ang gipagawas sa PAMPI sa Luzon na wala daw. Naa man ta local producers and meat processors from Visayas and Mindanao," Teves said.

KEEP THE BAN... FROM1

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10 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

Herco Trading, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity ink partnership

The first Filipina spray pilot H C apt. Marie Joyce B. Gascon recently became the �irst Filipina spray pilot in the male denominated agricultural spray industry Capt. Gascon who hails from Cotabato City is a registered nurse by profession. She further earned units in UK for few years but came back to help her parents manage their family business. She

also wanted to pursue her dream to �ly. Hence, she studied and earned commercial pilot license at St. Alexius College and Flight School. However, she realized that she wanted a career in aviation that would suit her lifestyle. She then decided to pursue an AGCAT-G164 rating which would allow her to �ly Agcat planes.

She trained under Cap-

tain Domenico Rafael C. Venuti, the chief pilot of DAC and who earned his rating in AG �light Inc, Georgia and undergone Wayne Handley aerobatics training course in California.

Davao Aerowurkz Corporation, the company behind the build-up of skilled pilots, was established in 2007 and accredited by ISO 9001:2008

comprises of 15 planes, DAC is primarily engaged in providing agricultural aerial spraying in Mindanao that helps banana exporter s produced world class bananas. Not only DAC caters the needs of the farm owners but also offers several services like of�ice and hangar rentals, helicopters and planes charter, and medical evacuation.

erco Trading Inc., the largest and most established hardware, automotive and industrial products company in the Philippines recently forged a partnership with Habitat For Humanity Philippines by providing tools to be used by the foundation in its mission of building decent homes for Filipinos.

Beginning September 16 to October 16, for every Green�ield hand tool sold in all Handyman stores, Herco Trading, Inc. will give the same kind of Green�ield hand tool to Habitat For Humanity Philippines. The hand tools that will be donated will be used by the Foundation in its countrywide mission of building homes for Filipino families.

“Herco Trading is extremely proud to partner with Habitat For Humanity through the efforts of Handyman Do It Best,” says Wayne Coherco, executive vice president of Herco Trading, Inc. “We totally agree with and fully support Habitat’s vision to give more Filipinos a decent home, bigger opportunities and a better chance at life by building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Both of our organizations �irmly believe in uplifting the lives of Filipino families through housing and community development.”

“Green�ield is the best value-for-money hand tools brand available in the market today.

The quality of Green�ield hand tools is almost identical to the quality of most leading US branded hand tools in the market today. This is because they are usually manufactured by the same factories under the same speci�ications. Most of the time, the only difference is that Green�ield prices are 20% to 40% lower,” said Jun Cansino, Green�ield Hand Tools Product Manager. “It is our own brand so we do not have to pay royalty to foreign principals and these savings are passed on to our customers.”

Herco Trading Inc. and Habitat For Humanity are con�ident that the partnership will help change the lives of Filipino bene�iciary families in the years to come.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-pro�it organization that helps people around the world build or improve a place they can call home. Since Habitat for Humanity Philippines started operations in 1988, it has served more than 140,000 families with decent housing.

With signi�icant scaling up of its activities, Habitat Philippines is able to help an average of over 25,000 families annually since 2013.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

Azkals in ‘lighter’ SEA Games group

T

he Philippine Azkals have been bunched in a lighter group alongside Timor Leste, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Malaysia during the ceremonial drawing of lots in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Only the Malaysians, the 2017 edition silver medalists on their home turf, are poised to provide the biggest challenge to the Azkals in men’s football where the top two teams from the two groups will progress to the semi�inals.

Defending champion Thailand joined bronze medalist Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei and Singapore in Group A during the event graced

by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

The Philippine Malditas, the country’s women’s football squad,

got Myanmar and Malaysia as group mates in Group A, the less punishing group compared to Group B’s defending champion Vietnam, silver medalist Thailand and Indonesia.

With only �ive teams in women’s volleyball after the withdrawal of Malaysia, the Philippines will play in a single-round robin format with Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The men’s squad, meanwhile, selected Group B with defending silver and bronze medalists Indonesia and Vietnam together with Cambodia, to avoid defending champion Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Timor Leste in Group A. Badminton, underwater hockey, sepak takraw, and water polo also held their own draw to determine the group-

LeBron under fire after blaming Rockets GM

B

asketball superstar LeBron James was accused of turning a blind eye to Chinese repression on Tuesday after he criticized a Houston Rockets executive for angering China with a "misinformed" tweet supporting protesters in Hong Kong.

James told reporters that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey "wasn't educated" on Hong Kong and should have kept his mouth shut, as the outspoken Lakers forward waded into a charged debate that other high-pro-

�ile NBA �igures have shied away from.

"So many people could have been harmed not only �inancially but physically, emotionally and spiritually. So just be careful with what we tweet, and we say, and we do," James told reporters when asked for comment in Los Angeles after returning from the NBA's annual China tour.

His remarks drew praise from Chinese social media users, who have savaged Morey for butting into the country's af-

LEBRON, P8

ings during the 11-nation sportsfest on Nov. 30-Dec. 11 in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac; Subic and Metro Manila.

The 30th SEA Games hosting is supported by: Platinum sponsors -- Ajinomoto, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MG Cars, Philippine Airlines, Skyworth and CooCaa; Gold Sponsors -- MasterCard, Milo, Pocari Sweat, NLEX, PInco and Rzaer.

Preferred -- Asics, SM Lifestyle Inc. and BMW; Prestige -- Molten and Mikasa. Banking Partners - Chinabank and PNB. The biennial meet’s media partners are Bombo Radyo, Star FM and the Inquirer Group, CNN, United Neon and DOOH. Host Broadcaster -- NEP while of�icial broadcaster includes Sports and Action, TV 5, Cignal, ESPN and PTV 4.

(PR)

11

A Holy Cross of Davao cager sneaks one in under the basket against a phalanx of University of Mindanao defenders in this bit of action during Sunday's opener of the 2019 Collegiate Sponsors League Escandor Cup at the Davao City Recreation Center. CSL Escandor Cup/SBP 11 photo

Olympian Tabal to defend SEAG title

O

lympian Mary Joy Tabal has ramped up her preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games with the help of three coaches as she heads into the �inal stretch of her training.

Aside from her personal coach John Duenas, the Cebuana Olympian is getting help from two Japanese coaches Yuhei Sato and Akio Usami, who are expected to aid the reigning SEA Games medalist retain her crown as marathon queen of the biennial meet.

Tabal is obviously learning from the best.

Sato is the head of the women's long distance team at the Nippon Sports Science University, where

Tabal went to train last Sept. 4, while Usami is a marathon veteran of the 1968, 1972 and the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Tabal, who handed the Philippines’ its �irst gold medal in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, where she �inished with a time of 2:48:26, is hoping to re�ine her tempo running training until the �irst week of November in aid of her endurance training.

“We’re currently in the thick of our preparations, which means mileage is getting higher, track workouts are getting harder, legs are getting heavier, miles per miles per week, long runs, long intervals, being able to

MOSES BILLACURA

run on tired legs, mind over matter going to our peak period,” said the 30-year-old Tabal.

“I have never been this focused and motivated to train harder for this was my longest SEA Games’ preparation,” added Tabal, who is hoping to repeat her dominant SEAG win in Kuala Lumpur.

Tabal’s time in games two years ago was seven minutes ahead of eventual silver medalist Vietnam’s Hoang Thi Thanh.

She was also nearly 10 minutes ahead of Natthaya Thanaronnawat, the 2015 gold winner from Thailand.

Tabal last went to the NSSU back in 2016 when she was preparing for the

Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has been supportive of Tabal and the rest of the Philippine team, especially for this SEA Games which we will be hosting,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said. “The recent developments, where we had international victories will be an inspiration to all of us.”

“Our daily routine would be, training twice a day but a certain period where we need to spend for a 10-day training camp, we train thrice a day. During this time, we are taught how to overcome fatigues, and discipline for ourselves,

OLYMPIAN, P8

CLEAN SLATE

COUNCILOR LOUIE VILLAFUERTE IS SMILING IN HEAVEN FOR NESTHY Year 2007.

That was the year when Nesthy Petecio, then 15 years old, won a gold medal in the ABAP National Championships in Cagayan de Oro City.

Petecio that year defeated the daughter of Asian Games gold medalist-turned-coach of Cagayan de Oro Team Roberto Jalnaiz in the 50-kilogram division.

After that gold medal win, Petecio has already set her eyes on becoming a member of the national team that year, accord-

ing to her mother Priscilla who came with the champion to the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum one Thursday at the Tower Inn. It was actually Nesthy’s father Teodoro who �irst taught her how to box and after four years campaigning in the amateur circuit representing Calinan, they �inally struck gold.

We �irst learned about the boxer from then Councilor Louie Villafuerte, Calinan’s boxing godfather. He was a very proud to support the young �ighter.

Councilor Louie, unfortunately, left us too early when he suffered a stroke and died in 2015.

Sometimes, I would ask (forgive me Lord), why would the good men in sports die early, and the sports shenanigans continue to live?

Nesthy at the DSA Forum showed us her gold medal and impressed us with her shadow �ight. That speed and agility were later developed when she became a member of the Philippine Team.

Year 2019.

Nesthy has become a world champion.

Yes, world champion in the featherweight division of the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in in UlanUde, Russia, hahahaha. We are very happy.

Councilor Louie, for sure, is smiling up in Heaven these days.

“Daan ko pa, mo world champion gyud,” he probably could have said.

Nesthy’s victory is an inspiration to young boxers in Davao and the whole country that any-

thing is possible when there is determination and adequate support.

Barangay Calinan should hold a �iesta for Nesthy.

Let’s declare a “Nesthy Petecio Day”.

That would be a welcome suggestion for her parents, her teachers and classmates at Enrique Bustamante High School, her father’s co-workers at Iluminada Farms.

And if Councilor Louie Villafuerte is alive today, he would completely agree.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

The Philippines Sports Commission welcomes 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo, 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Champion Nesthy Petecio and 2019 Summer Universiade Gold Medalist EJ Obiena in a press conference on Wednesday, October 16, at the Sheraton Century Park Plaza Hotel, Manila.

HEROES IN PALACE Duterte to meet with Yulo, Petecio at Palace

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte was set to meet with world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and Dabawenya world champion boxer Nesthy Petecio at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.

In a press conference held Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the two Filipino athletes would pay a courtesy call on the President, following their historic world championship feats.

"They will be meeting with the President.

May courtesy call sila (They will have a courtesy call)," the Palace of�icial announced.

Yulo, 19, is the �irst Filipino to take home the gold medal at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

He bested Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat and China’s Xiao Ruoteng, who

bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Petecio, meanwhile, emerged as the second Filipino to win gold medal in the AIBA Women's Boxing Championships, besting Liudmila Vorontsove at the latter's turf in Ulan-Ude Russia.

Both Yulo and Petecio will receive PHP500,000 each under Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Bene�its and Incentives Act, and additional PHP500,000 each from the Philippine Sports Commission following their success.

Panelo could not say whether Duterte would grant additional cash incentives to the two athletes, but hinted a possibility, since the President is a "generous" person.

"Si Presidente, generous 'yan (The President is generous). Let's see," he said. (PNA)