Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 160 | Sunday-Monday, October 20-21, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

By MAYA M. PADILLO on't underestimate the lowly native cardava. This banana variety has huge export potential according to industry players.

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Apart from its export-bound and highly popular cavendish banan-

as, Davao Region is also the top producer of cardava bananas, whose des-

f

@EdgeDavao

tination has been the traditional charcoal grill and frying pan. On a stick or caramel-coated, the cavendish is popular as far as Pinoy snacking is concerned.

Not for exports.

Reason? Growers of this variety lack interest

www.edgedavao.net

to go into commercial production due to the lack of supply of good quality cardava variety.

Apart from being used for Filipino staple snacks maruya and banana cue, cardava variety is also used as processed banana chips,

COMP. EDGE P7

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which is in demand not only in the domestic but also in the export market.

Currently, cardava variety's biggest markets are China, Vietnam, US, Germany and various Asian countries.

"One very significant reason for the moment is

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that our banana chips processors could not meet the market demand because they don't have enough supply of this cardava variety. There is a huge potential not only in the domestic market. The variety is also being used for cooking

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WHERE ARE THE GOOD ONES? A worker pedals by sacks of rice grains at a rice mill drier in Bansalan, Davao del Sur over the weekend. The government through the Department of Agriculture will be giving P5,000 cash assistance to farmers affected by the declining prices of rice due to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). Lean Daval Jr

Lack of quality variety bugs cardava growers

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VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

Acting Governor Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza (4th from right) of North Cotabato, together with officials from the local government unit (LGU) of the municipality of Arakan, Armed Forces of Philippines, Philippine National Police 12 (PNP 12) and participating government agencies, lead the cutting of ribbon to mark the

launching of Serbisyo Caravan in Cotabato Province, in line with the implementation of EO-70 which aims to end local communist conflict held at the barangay covered court of Brgy. Kabalantian, Arakan, North Cotabato on Friday. Lean Daval Jr

N.Cot implements EO 70 in NPA-influenced brgy S

Go seeks cash incentives for barangay workers

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Province of Cotabato (North Cotabato) has commenced the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 in Barangay Kabalantian in Arakan aiming to end insurgency in the said barangay identified as infested with New People’s Army (NPA).

In December last year, President Rodrigo Duterte formed a national task force that would work out a mechanism to help end the decades-old communist insurgency. The creation of the task force is contained in EO No. 70, which also institutionalizes a “wholeof-nation approach” in attaining an “inclusive and sustainable peace.”

Kabalantian is among eight priority barangays for the implementation of EO No. 70 that aims to end local communist armed conflict.

The Province of Cotabato implemented the said EO by conducting Serbisyong Totoo Caravan, which is a multi-agency convergence of the various government agencies spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) held in Barangay

Kabalantian, municipality of Arakan, Friday.

The activity has transformed the barangay covered court of Kabalantian into a one-stop-shop as all government agencies of the province gathered and brought their services in one venue for the convenience of their constituents.

Services rendered in the said caravan include medical and dental check up, free medicine, free hair cut and nail care, animal vaccination, issuance of police clearance, orientation on livelihood and entrepreneurial training assistance.

Acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” Mendoza said in an interview that they are targeting eight barangays identified by the military positive with the presence of NPA for the said caravan.

“Here in Cotabato, dugay na namo ni ginabuhat kay usahay ang chance

na ma-infiltrate ng NPA ang isa ka area kung dili mabatyagan ang presensya sa gobyerno. We are targeting eight barangays and these eight barangays are confirmed having the presence of NPA. But if you can see here may interventions na diri such as all weather roads, facilities, water system, and schools,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza added that the said barangays identified having the presence of NPAs were situated in the municipalities of Tulunan, Makilala, Magpet, and Arakan.

“Ang nag-confirm ani ang mga militar kay sila man nag-indentify together with the DILG. This EO 70 as far as the Province of Cotabato is concerned, amoa lang gina-enhance and make the people understand that dili ma limit sa sundalo ug kapulisan ang pagpahiluna sa hisgutanan peace and security. Apil ang tanan estudyante, mag-uuma, kapitan, maestra, CAFGU. Ang gobyerno maningkamot pud na masuportahan ang barangay sa iyahang panginahanglan,” she said.

Cynthia Ortega, provincial planning and development coordinator and

focal person of Serbisyong Totoo said they are targeting 3,000 beneficiaries in Barangay Kabalantian who will benefit from the services of various agencies in Region 12 that include PhilHealth, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and DILG. “Sabay-sabay silang nag-deliver ng services to address the needs of the community. Prior to this activity there was an immersion conducted in the communities in order for us to identify the priority needs of the barangays involving the different sectors of the communities,” Ortega said assuring that the primary and secondary issues of the said barangay will be addressed in the said activity.

She cited land tenurial conflict as the most common issue among constituents of the barangay.

“Meaning may dapat pa i-address ang national government natin sa isyu na ito

N.COT, P10

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he would suggest to President Rodrigo Duterte the provision of cash incentives to barangay officials in December, pending the passage of a bill proposing fixed salaries and benefits for them.

“I will suggest to President Duterte that our barangay officials be given cash incentives this December while we await the passage of the law,” Go said in a technical working group (TWG) meeting on Thursday.

If funds are available, he said, cash incentives would also be granted to them in

midyear of 2020.

Go cited the important role of officials of the barangay, the most basic unit of governance in the country.

“The barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in our communities,” he said.

“It is through our barangays that government programs and services reach our people. It is through our barangays that our policies, plans, and projects aimed at improving our country materialize. Most importantly, it is in our barangays that

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BARMM MP wants office for Muslims outside region

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lawyer-member of parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has filed a bill seeking to create a regional office that will address the needs of Bangsamoro communities outside the territory.

Member of Parliament Maisara Dandamun-Latiph filed the bill before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on Thursday.

“The assistance to the Bangsamoro communities outside BARMM should not be optional,” Latiph told newsmen here in an interview Friday.

She filed BTA-Parliament Bill No. 15 titled “An Act Creating the Office of the Bangsamoro Communities Outside Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BCOBAR) Defining its Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities and Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.”

The proposed bill seeks to give life to Article VI, Section 12 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which urges the Bangsamoro government to enhance the economic, social, and cultural development of Bangsamoro

BARMM, P10

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

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4 NEWS

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

MSU student shot inside campus

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President Rodrigo Duterte gives a warm welcome to President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind after the latter signed the guest book upon his arrival at the Malacañan Palace on Friday night. President Kovind is on a five-day state visit to the Philippines. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Strongest aftershock rocks NorCot town

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he Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded on Saturday the strongest aftershock of the magnitude 6.3 temblor that hit North Cotabato province and a huge portion of Mindanao earlier this week.

At 6:52 a.m. Saturday, a magnitude 5.0 quake rocked Tulunan in North Cotabato, with intensities felt as far as General Santos City and Kiamba, Sarangani.

Phivolcs said the tremor was traced 27 km. east of

Tulunan and had a depth of only 12 km.

Tulunan was the epicenter of the October 16 magnitude 6.3 quake that devastated communities in South Central Mindanao, and parts of Northern Mindanao and the Davao region.

Saturday’s aftershock also shook Kidapawan City (Intensity IV): Tupi, Koronadal City, and Tampakan, South Cotabato (Intensity III); and General Santos City (Intensity II).

STRONGEST, P10

Quake’s epicenter suffers heavy losses

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ighty percent of government structures in at least nine barangays in Tulunan, North Cotabato were severely damaged as a result of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake on Wednesday night and the more than a hundred aftershocks that followed, the mayor of Tulunan said.

Mayor Reuel Limbongan said the damaged structures in Tulunan include barangay halls, health centers, and senior citizens’ halls.

The quake’s epicenter was 22 kilometers southeast of Tulunan.

At least 10 persons were injured – six of them rushed to hospitals.

Thirty percent of the other structures in different barangays are slightly damaged, he said Tulunan has 29 barangays. Barangays Bituan and Paraiso are among the hardest hit.

Limbongan said a sixyear old girl from neighboring Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao, was rushed to the Tulunan District

Hospital after a debris from a destroyed wall hit her.

He said the local government unit is set to declare a state of calamity but explained the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) has yet to complete its report on the damages due to the quake.

In Makilala town, 25 residents were injured while at least a hundred houses and structures were badly damaed.

Of those injured, one was transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, according to M’lang acting administrator Shirley Orbita.

In its emergency session on Thursday, the Sangguniang Bayan of Makilala declared the town under a state of calamity.

Orbita said the legislative body deemed it timely to approve the release of Quick Response Funds as initial financial assistance to hundreds of quake vic-

QUAKE, P10

freshman student at the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus in Marawi City is still in coma at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center where he was rushed after he was shot at around 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the commercial center inside campus.

Ivan Polinar Almeda of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, is a freshman at the College of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (CSPEAR) and a badminton varisty player.

Reports say Almeda was shot from behind by a still unidentified man. Authorities are still investigating the incident.

How the perpetrator managed to bring a gun inside campus has yet to be answered. Marawo City remains, like the rest of Mindanao, under martial law.

MSU President Habib Macaayong told MindaNews in a text message at 8:30 p.m. Thursday that

Almeda was “in coma, now under medication” at the APMC. At 1 p.m. on Friday, Macaayong told MindaNews in a telephone interview that Almeda was still comatose. At 4 p.m., Almeda still lay comatose, he said.

“The MSU Security, with the military and police are investigating the case,” said Macaayong, who said he immediately made arrangements with the hospital for the expenses and for Almeda’s family to come to Marawi.

Almeda’s mother, Genevieve and a neighbor arrived early Friday morning in Iligan and Macaayong had them brought to the APMC in Marawi immediately.

The MSU President told MindaNews he summoned the students who were with Almeda when he was shot and was informed that what has been spreading via social media about an

as the new emperor.

“That is a rare opportunity to witness kay panagsa lang sila mag-ilis og emperor (they rarely change their emperors),” he said.

Go said President is scheduled to depart at the Davao International Airport going to Japan on October 21.

Earlier, Malacañang said the President will skip the event because he is busy and may send a representative instead.

Naruhito will be crowned on October 22, in the presence of dignitaries from over 190 countries.

He succeeded Akihito on May 1.

MSU, P10

President to attend new Emperor’s enthronement

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. resident Rodrigo Duterte is set to fly to Japan on October 21 to attend the enthronement of new Emperor of Japan.

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This was bared by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in an interview in Davao on Saturday. Go

said the President was invited by the Japanese government to witness the coronation of Prince Naruhito

HOSPITAL AL FRESCO. Patients at the Makilala Medical Specialists Hospital in North Cotabato opt to stay out of the building the morning after the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit the province and neighboring

areas Wednesday night, fearing damage to the structure. MindaNews photo by GEONARRI O. SOLMERANO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

Gov't to give P5,000 cash assistance to rice farmers

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n view of the declining palay prices since the rice tariffication law took effect in March, the government will be giving PHP5,000 cash assistance to affected farmers tilling one hectare and below.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar, on the sidelines of the ongoing Philippines-India Trade Consultations held at Shangri-la Makati on Friday, said the cash assistance is a one-time cash-out and this will be taken from the tariff being collected out of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Around PHP3 billion will be needed for the 600,000 rice farmer-beneficiaries in the country.

"I'm hoping that this (cash assistance) will be given before Christmas," Dar said.

At present, he said about PHP11 billion have been collected from RTL. The DA chief also clarified that the cash assistance is different from the earlier loan assistance of PHP15,000 offered by the government to

affected rice farmers under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (SURE Aid Program).

The PHP1.5-billion SURE Aid Program is the government’s initial relief response to rice farmers who are tilling one hectare of land and below and are affected by the initial impact of lower palay prices. The one-time, zero-interest, no collateral loan of PHP15,000 is payable up to eight years.

Meanwhile, Dar said the government has decided to defer the implementation of safeguard duties on rice imports.

“I presented the proposal to the Cabinet and their decision (is that) there might be an inflationary effect," he said.

Dar said there will be a meeting of the Economic Development Cluster (EDC) on October 24 to include discussion on the proposed general safeguard duty on rice import. (PNA)

Enhanced economic PH-India ties pushed

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he Philippines and India on Friday agreed to have stronger trade and economies ties.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he believed that Manila's renewed and improved economic relations with New Delhi would benefit both countries.

The President noticed that the "friendly" and "maturing" ties between the two nations "continue to grow" as it was anchored on "centuries-old connections and challenges between our peoples."

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India were established in November 1949.

Duterte noted that the two countries' cooperation deals forged since the establishment of their ties have helped them become "fast-growing economies."

"During our bilateral meeting this afternoon, President Kovind and I committed to further build

a more dynamic and forward-looking relationship between the Philippines and India," he said in a joint press statement with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind after their bilateral meeting at Malacañan Palace.

"We welcomed the steady rise of our trade and investment exchanges while recognizing the need to further strengthen our economic ties," he added, as he acknowledged that Manila and New Delhi are at the "forefront" of the global information technology (IT) and business process

outsourcing (BPO) industries.

For Kovind, there was "immense" potential to further deepen the Philippines’ and India's economic cooperation.

Kovind, who is in Manila for a five-day state visit, bared he was accompanied by a "strong" business delegation that represents the major chambers of commerce of India.

"They will have business intellections with their counterpart Filipino companies in digital industries, innovation and start-ups,

health and pharma, and in the crucial area of agricultural development," he said.

The Indian leader also took note of his country's interest to participate in the Philippines' infrastructure development and defense modernization program.

Duterte said the people-to-people ties between the two countries should be sustained through "increased two-way tourism, business, and academic exchanges."

He also noted that the "us against us" approach was already over, as the

would require the government to source medicines that fit its criteria on affordability and effectiveness.

“With the Universal Health Care coming in 2020 next year, the government and PhilHealth will be the major procurer of services and drugs and supplies for the whole country. And we foresee that there’s a very bright future for more drugs coming into the Philippines, especially from India,” he said.

Domingo noted that

when it comes to medicines.

“It consists of medicines of up to 12 percent of all imports from India in the Philippines. It’s about 200 million dollars a year.

Most of it, 90 percent, will be bought by the government,” he added.

While stressing the need for affordable medicines in the country, Domingo said these also need to be of high quality.

“We need medicines to come into our country. We need good quality medicines, we need safe medi-

Philippines and India need to pursue an "open and inclusive cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality."

"We are diversifying partnerships – rebalancing old ones and strengthening those that have traditionally been on the margins of our diplomacy," Duterte said.

"What it requires is, of course, a deft and agile diplomacy that empowers us to maximize opportunities for cooperation in a complex external environment," he added. (PNA)

'Big' firm to regularize Affordable Indian medicines to boost UHC implementation Department of mentation of the Universal India is a major trading cines, we need efficacious all employees: labor chief Health official on Health Care Act next year partner of the Philippines medicines, and of course,

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ne of the biggest, if not the biggest" company in the country is planning to regularize all its employees, including security guards and janitors, Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello said Friday.

"Mayroong isang malaking-malaking kumpanya... is doing away with service providers. In other words lahat ng empleyado nila, even janitors and security guards, gawin nilang regular employees," he said.

(There is a very big company doing away with service providers. In other words all their employees,

even janitors and security guards, will be regular employees.)

The firm, which has a "popular" product, will make the announcement "in due time," said Bello as he declined to give additional details.

Bello made the remark after radio anchors asked him about a fast food chain that supposedly stopped regularizing its employees.

"Baka kailangan ipainspeksyon lahat ng malalaking food chain," he said.

(Perhaps all big food chains should be inspected.)

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Friday underscored the importance of affordable medicines for the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, where Indian businesses can be tapped as a major supplier.

As part of the Phil-India Trade Consultations held in Makati City on Friday, Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo mentioned the opportunity for Indian pharmaceuticals to help reduce the prices of synthetic drugs available to Filipinos.

The scheduled imple-

we have to make it affordable. Because our budget for universal health care is not unlimited,” he said.

Domingo also disclosed that when the Philippines needed cheaper medicines in the past, it was India who was selected to provide them.

“When we started our Cheaper Medicines Act in 2009, even before that in 2001, we started to make sure that drug prices in the Philippines become lower and the first thing we did is import medicines from India,” he said. (PNA)

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VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

Prices of chicken abnormally high

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Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) president Alfredo Lejano says in his speech during MDPPA Road Safety Summit at Tesda-KorPhil Training Center in Tibungco, Davao City on Saturday that on top of giving motorcycle riders a refresher on road safety tips, the summit is also in response to the growing number of motorcy-

DOLE says not in favor of two-year probationary period for employees

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abor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is not in favor of the proposal to extend the probationary period of employees from six months to two years.

"Hindi namin alam ano ang dahilan kung bakit nag-sponsor ang Ang Probinsyano party-list ng a longer period of probation. With due respect, ang DOLE has a different position kasi masyado naman atang mahaba 'yan," Bello said in an interview.

"Tama naman 'yung six months (na probationary period) without prejudice kung mayroong usapan, may agreement between the employer and employee na they can have a longer period. Otherwise dapat sundin 'yung probationary period na six months," he said.

"After six months, regular (status), automatic na," Bello added.

Probinsyano Ako party-list Representative Jose "Bonito" Singson Jr. filed House Bill 4802, saying the six-month probationary employment period prescribed under the Labor Code is not enough to assess whether an employee is qualified for regularization, particularly in positions requiring specialized skills and talents.

The measure is currently pending before the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

Bello said labor laws say an apprenticeship agreement after a sixmonth probationary period may be entered into between employer and employee if there is a need to learn special skills or there is a new requirement.

"Under the Labor

Code, puwede naman 'yung longer period provided there is an agreement that after six months there is an apprenticeship agreement between employer and employee. Magtatrabaho ka pa rin pero hindi ka pa rin regular, pero may special agreement," he said.

Bello clarified that such agreements depend on the position being applied for.

The Labor secretary also said should the proposed measure pass Congress, they will recommend to the President that he veto the bill.

"Congress will decide and of course the President. Assuming na papasa and the President will ask the Department of Labor kung ano ang posisyon namin, we will recommend a veto, kasi kawawa naman ang ating mga manggagawa," Bello said.

He added that President Rodrigo Duterte has made known he is against contractualization, wherein an employee does not get to become regularized after six months due to end of contract.

"Ayaw na ayaw ng ating Pangulo 'yung 5-55. 'Yung mga pasaway na employer, para hindi ka maging regular, after five months tinatanggal ka muna. After an interval of one or two months, ire-rehire ka just to avoid 'yung pagiging regular na employee," Bello said.

Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Thursday opposed the proposal of their fellow House minority member to extend the maximum prescribed period of probationary employment from six months to up to two years.

The Trade Union Con-

DOLE, P11

onsumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) on Saturday said chicken retail prices were abnormally high this quarter, reaching as much as P190 per kilo.

This is due to the higher farm gate prices in September and October, the group said.

"Based on monitoring on farm gate prices of chicken for the past month and the entire weeks of October, farm gate prices had increased by Php 15.00 a kilo on the average for off size, regular size and prime size chicken at Php 115.00 a kilo versus Php 100.00 a kilo a month ago," said in a statement.

"The PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) data on monitored retail prices of whole chicken tracked the upswing in Farm gate prices. Low prices now at Php 160 a kilo, high at Php 190 a kilo and prevailing

at Php 180 a kilo," it added.

"As of end of September, retail prices are 145 low, 180 high and 170 prevailing," LKI said.

The group said the increase in prices is due to the African swine fever outbreak which drove up demand for chicken.

"As per inquiry with Atty Bong Inciong of UBRA (United Broiler-Raisers Association), the ASF epidemic had caused the shift in demand for chicken. He said the last quarter and 1st quarter of the year are periods of soft Farm gate prices, but this year is different," LKI said.

The group added that the holiday season is also driving up prices of chicken.

"LABAN KONSYUMER INC. adds that the holiday fever is also exerting pressure on commodity prices to go up," it said.

Tatalon, Tandang Sora, and Pasong Tamo, all in Quezon City.

The DA chief also noted that there is one barangay in Palayan City that have been earlier affected by the ASF virus but was already cleared.

"ASF can be controlled if everybody cooperates with the government," he said.

On the reported selling of pork and pork products online, Dar said this should be prohibited.

"Dapat hindi mangyari yun (It should not happen).

We have to tell the authorities, show us and we will confiscate those sales," he said.

"What we are implementing are related to food safety. We will monitor (the reported online selling of pork and pork products).

The laws are clear. These are meat products that have something to do with food safety, (so) relevant laws on food safety will have to be implemented," he noted.

Dar said local government units (LGUs) "have their own reasons" on the issue that some LGUs defy the order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow the entry and sale of processed meat products that contain pork as ingredient in all provinces as long as they have certification or approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"We are on top (of the situation) but we coordinate with Departments concerned. The National Inter-Departmental Task Force will be meeting next week. we will harmonize everything," he said.

When asked why the ASF continues to spread to other areas, the DA chief admitted that there are "lapses" as some backyard raisers "are keeping their

pigs, they still sell their produce even if it has been contaminated with ASF virus."

"Another reason is that some hog traders transport their products from one area to other areas affected with ASF. This one of the major problem we encounter now," he added.

As such, Dar appealed to all backyard hog raisers, commercial hog raisers and hog traders "to be properly advised that if you do this illegal trade, you will be brought to court."

"The Department of Justice (DOJ), as part of the Cabinet decision, will now lead in bringing these hog raisers to court if they don't cooperate with the law," he said.

Dar also appealed to hog traders not to take advantage of the situation.

"Let's not transport hogs from affected areas.

We're all Filipinos. Let's protect our PHP260 billion hog industry. Many will lose their source of income.

Please, let's stop this," he said. (PNA)

the product. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that has been linked to deadly mesothelioma.

The recall is the latest blow to the more than 130-year-old US healthcare conglomerate that is facing thousands of lawsuits over a variety of products, including baby powder, opioids, medical devices and the antipsychotic Risperdal.

A jury last week ordered the company to pay $8 billion to a plaintiff in a case claiming J&J downplayed the risks of Risperdal. That award is

not expected to stand, the company and legal experts have said.

J&J faces more than 15,000 lawsuits from consumers claiming its talc products, including Johnson's Baby Powder, caused their cancer.

On a conference call with reporters on Friday, Dr. Susan Nicholson, head of Women’s Health in the company's medical safety organization, called the asbestos finding "extremely unusual," adding that it was "inconsistent with our testing to date."

The voluntary recall

announced on Friday is limited to one lot of Johnson's Baby Powder produced and shipped in the United States in 2018, the company said.

J&J in a news release said that testing by the US Food and Drug Administration as recently as a month ago found no asbestos in their talc.

The FDA said in a statement that the latest sampling took place during its testing for asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics that it began reporting this year. A second

cle-related road incidents. MDPPA is an association of the country’s four major motorcycle manufacturers: Honda Philippines, Inc., Kawasaki Motors (Phils) Corp., Suzuki Philippines, Inc. and Yamaha Motor Phils., Inc. Lean Daval Jr

52,000 pigs culled as more areas affected with ASF: DA

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said around 52,000 pigs were culled as more areas were declared to have been affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).

On the sidelines of the ongoing Philippines-India Trade Consultations held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, DA Secretary William Dar said there are about 22 areas in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, and in Dasmariñas, Cavite where hogs were infected by the ASF virus.

Dar said the DA is still implementing the 1-7-10 protocol wherein the government culls all pigs within the one-kilometer radius of the affected farm, while the movement of pork and pork products within seven kilometers is limited.

It also conducts surveillance and monitoring within the 10-kilometer radius.

He also confirmed there are already four areas cleared of ASF -- Barangays Bagong Silangan,

J&J recalls 33K bottles of baby powder as FDA finds asbestos in sample

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ohnson & Johnson said on Friday it is recalling around 33,000 bottles of baby powder in the United States after US health regulators found trace amounts of asbestos in samples taken from a bottle purchased online.

J&J shares fell more than 6 percent to close at $127.70.

The move marks the first time the company has recalled its iconic baby powder for possible asbestos contamination, and the first time US regulators have announced a finding of asbestos in

J&J, P10

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7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

YOGA PRACTITIONERS. Fast-rising fitness exercise Yoga has attracted fitness buffs across all ages at the Arcadia Fitness Gym which offers regular yoga classes. Inquiries may be made through (082) 327 8471and (0917) 146 4304.

Guide to the metro’s emerging design community

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akati City— Recognizing how the creative community has alchemized one of Makati’s oldest district into a gold mine of creative vibe, Design Week Philippines highlights Poblacion as a Creative Environment in its celebration of its 11th edition happening from 12-20 October 2019.

Poblacion, Makati with its gritty backstreets and flashy neon lights in the backdrop, has reemerged as one of the metro’s creative centrals. With its streets spilling with high concept food and speakeasy bars, restaurants, and even artist spaces, Poblacion at present is a far cry from the lull of an old downtown, residential area that it used to be, and is slowly shedding its eclectic, unpolished façade as a former red-light district.

The Poblacion frequented now is at the exciting intersection of arts, culture, and gastronomy catering to the new generation of workforce from all around the metro. Its city night lights now complemented with the vibrance of artistry and creativity.

Design Week Philip-

pines sees Poblacion’s transformation a perfect fit to this edition’s theme of Design Kaleidoscope, where creative communities and hubs leverage on diverse strengths and perspectives that pave the way for artistic and communal chemistry to spark change.

“There is a different energy permeating in the backstreets and alleys of Poblacion that has really changed its urbanscape, and creativity is indeed a big part of it,” said Rhea O. Matute, Executive Director of Design Center of the Philippines. “The evolution of Poblacion can be seen as a celebration of individual talents and skills that complemented each other, thereby growing the community into a unique combination of cultural and business artistry.” Ma-

tute adds that the creative vibe feed on each other, encouraging the birth of more creative pursuits in the area, whether it’s gastronomy, craft beer, third wave coffee, or performance art.

“Design Center’s work in the recent years focused on collaboration with numerous creative hubs as part of the agency’s advocacy to nurture a thriving creative economy in the Philippines,” shares Matute. “We envision more creative cities in the country, and creative hubs and communities contribute significantly to this goal.” It is in this light that Matute also commends the support extended by the City Government of Makati to the creative scene, citing it as a confidence booster to the growing communities and creative hubs.

Centers of Creativity and Craftsmanship Aside from its Central Business District, Makati is home to advertising agencies, co-working spaces, creative hubs, retail shops, galleries, museums, among others—all of which are brewing pots for creativity, design, and craftsmanship.

Pineapple Lab, a gallery space in Poblacion, is one of the creative collaborators that Design Center is constantly working with in the recent years. In fact, their Fringe MNL festival is part of the Design Week calendar in the past editions, according to Matute.

As a creative space and gallery especially for newbies, Pineapple Lab prides itself as a safe space for artistic experimentation.

In this DWP edition, Pineapple Lab joins the Design Hub Hoppin’, a curated itinerary of Poblacion’s creative hubs, and is set to feature Shorts and Briefs Cinco: A Theater Festival of concise plays, and WTF PH!, an exhibit of artists bannering today’s youth spirit, creative resistance, and cultural expression of identity.

Meanwhile, a boutique design and manufacturing studio in Alfonso St., Poblacion, The Workshop, offers local, sustainable and handcrafted products like tote bags, wallets, aprons and even jewelries. It also offers another reason for people to enjoy their Fridays through its gin buko, a cocktail popular in the provinces, which is

a mix of buko and the infamous Ginebra San Miguel Kwatro Kantos.

Another thriving business in the area is the Pedro Tap House in Matilde St., run by husband-andwife tandem Jaime and Nadine Fanlo, together with their friend Jill Borja. They serve their own freshly brewed crafted beers, the Pedro Brewcrafters, which are currently available in market shelves.

Pineapple Lab, The Workshop, and Pedro Tap House are just a few of the galleries, retail shops, and bars that creatives frequent in Poblacion. More Poblacion-based creative hubs, and other creative entrepreneurs in the metro, are set to participate in Design Week Philippines, particularly in a one-day design fete on 19 October 2019. Expect design talks, creative workshops, design film screening, exhibitions and pop-ups that aim to spark inspiration as Design Week Philippines takes Museo ng Makati for a different creative spin!

Outside Poblacion, Design Week Philippines is collaborating with other key cities in fostering creativity, entrepreneurial

spirit, and innovation. This includes the 70th Manila FAME in Pasay City happening from 17-19 October 2019 in Pasay City.

Anchored on the theme Heritage Reimagined, Manila FAME promises to unleash the most iconic and forward-looking pieces from its collection from the past thirty years and infuse them with the vision of the new.

Meanwhile, in Taguig City, Pursuit Fair Volume 6: In Creatives We Trust will be happening on 19 Octobver 2019 at the SM Aura.

Pursuit Fair is grounded on three principles: creativity, commerce and community. Discover local thought brands that breed a thoughtful community in their one-day fair.

Design Week Philippines is supported by McDonald’s, foodpanda, Slimmers World International, Pare Shirts, Beanhi Coffee House, and Pioneer Adhesives. Media partners are Inquirer.net, Blog-ph.com, Wazzup Pilipinas, Rakista Radio, ANC, and Metro.

Style. For more information about Design Week Philippines, please visit Design Center’s page on Facebook.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

EDITORIAL Can’t afford be another Mexico It was described as “the most important operation against organized crime in years.” Unfortunately, it was also the biggest failure.

According to news account, Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of former drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, is about to be arrested on Thursday afternoon in the northwestern city of Culiacán. When soldiers and police arrived in a convoy, the Sinaloa cartel mobilized, dispatching convoys of gunmen in pickup trucks with mounted machine guns, seizing main roads and highways. At least 49 prisoners escaped from detention. Meanwhile, the Mexican soldiers and police had no backup. The bungled operation in Culiacán offered vivid proof that in parts of Mexico, the government can be outmanned, outgunned and outsmarted by drug cartels. It marked one of the most embarrassing moments of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency, forcing the country’s leader to explain why his government returned Guzman to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The younger Guzmán was a leading figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, which his father had built from Culiacán into one of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations until his arrest in 2016. Ovidio Guzmán was seen as an heir apparent — in February he’d been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for “knowingly, intentionally, and willfully” distributing drugs to be exported into the United States.

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Here’s the blunder. As Mexican security officials crept closer to Guzmán that very day they planned the arrest, they were informed that they did not yet have an arrest warrant for him. They needed to wait and this proved to be a remarkable misstep that quickly turned the city of Culiacán into an urban war zone and ultimately led to the release of one of Mexico’s most infamous drug traffickers.

The foiled arrest and the eventual escape of this Mexican druglord should serve as an eye opener for Filipinos, especially for those who continue to protest on the drug war launched by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Mexican leader Andres Lopez Obrador was Duterte’s antithesis. He was soft and his policy was to deal with drug personalities with compassion.

This soft stand led to the defeat of the Obrador administration which was a result of a very dubious strategy of pacification rather than all out termination.

Where there is no manifestation of superiority from the government, of a political will to protect the people from the menace of drugs and the eventual rule of the underworld drug cartel, a government does not deserve to exist.

Now it’s time to take this lesson deeply from a perspective of self preservation rather than continue to be blinded by the shouts of upholding the rights of criminals.

The clock is ticking. There’s less than three years of the Duterte administration left, and the drug cartel out there may just be smiling secretly on a waiting game.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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MUJAHID NAVARRA UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

EARTHQUAKES Allah said in the Quran, “And We did not send the signs except as a warning.”

Quran 17:59. For the non-believers, happens as a result of some other physical events, but believers in a God that wants us to lead pious lives ponder upon events such as natural disasters and calamities as something as a divine reminder that we are puny compared to the power of the Lord.

Even the Bible contains messages about earthquakes.

In Revelation 11:13, it is said, “And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

THE WISDOM BEHIND CALAMITIES Muslims take heed most of all from earthquakes and other destructive forces on Earth as warnings because Allah said, “Say: ‘He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.”

Quran 6:65. Muslims believe that Allah is in control of everything spiritual, physical and metaphysical and if we

are not those who are not directly afflicted of calamities, we should still take heed.

And if a calamity does happen to anyone and he became a victim of it, they are the best to take heed. Allah said, “Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned by oppression and evil deeds, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return by repenting to Allah and asking for His forgiveness.” Quran 30:40.

Muslims believe that no human should feel complacent that none among the bad things that Allah could predetermine could come to him, however pious he may be. Allah said in the Quran, “Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers.” Quran 7:97-99.

Ibnul Qayyim, a classical Muslim scholar said about

earthquakes, “Allah sometimes gives the earth permission to breathe, which is when major earthquakes happen; this makes people feel scared, so they repent, give up sins, pray to Allah and feel regret for their sins.

When there had been an earthquake, some among the early generations of Muslims said: your Lord is warning you. When Madinah was struck by an earthquake, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab addressed the people and said: if there is another earthquake, I will not stay here with you.’

Earthquakes will also happen in greater frequencies as the end times come nearer as Prophet Muhammad said, “The Hour will not happen until knowledge is taken out, time passes quickly, earthquakes increase in number, tribulations appear, and killing and murder increases in number.” Narrated

by Imam Ahmad.

WHAT TO DO WHEN CALAMITIES STRIKE Zakariya Al Ansari, another classical Muslim scholar said, “It is recommended for everyone to beseech Allah in supplication and so on when earthquakes and similar events, such as thunderbolts and strong winds,

happen, and to offer prayers on his own in his house lest he be negligent, because the Prophet said, when the wind blew strongly: “O Allah, I ask You for its good and the good of what is in it and the good of what it is sent with, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what is in it and the evil of what it is sent with.” Narrated by Imam Muslim.”

Allah said in the Quran, “When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do. So, when they forgot the warning with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every pleasant thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them in punishment, and lo!

They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows” Quran 6:42-44.

The Muslim may abandon any act of worship that he may be currently doing in an event that there is an earthquake if his life or somebody else’s may be put it danger by remaining in that act of worship, particularly prayers.

Sheikh Muhammad Al

Munajjid said, “If the accident is major and serious, then it is OK to stop one’s prayer; if it is a minor incident that can be dealt with after completing the prayer, then it is not permissible. The scholars said: it is obligatory to stop one’s prayer in order to save a negligent person from a fatal accident. For example, if you are praying and you see a snake approaching a man who is sitting down and has not noticed it. If it is heading for him, you have to stop your prayer and tell him so that he will not be bitten, possibly fatally. Or if you see a blind man walking in front of you whilst you are praying, and he is heading towards a well, and you are afraid that he may fall into it, then you have to stop your prayer and save him from that fatal accident, even if this means stopping your prayer. The same applies in cases of fire, etc.

But if the siren goes off for a minor matter which can be dealt with after completing the prayer and it will not be too late if you complete the prayer first, then it is not permissible to stop your prayer before you have completed it, because this accident can be dealt with after completing the prayer, without anyone coming to further harm.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

MISSING THE POINT I find the recent acceptance of presidential spokesman Atty. Salvador Panelo of the “commute” challenge hurled by militant netizens and other mass-based sectoral personalities affected by the EDSA vehicular traffic problem as both “amusingly crazy” and “educational.”

“Crazy” because there was no need for the good secretary to accept the dare as it was childish as well as comical. Everybody – including the Malacanang reporters who enthusiastically covered his (mis) adventure from one jeepney ride to another and finally on a habal-habal motorbike (angkas in Tagalog) - just wanted to find out if the seventy plus year-old official could withstand the frantic commuter rush in the morning and really come on time to his office as he had advised everyone to wake up much

earlier and take the early ride to their offices.

It was “educational” because it turned out positively in favor of Panelo as he was able to prove that there was indeed no “transportation crisis” but only a “traffic crisis.”

The mainstream media – arguably anti-Establishment - are conjuring up negative images of the incumbent Duterte administration for reasons that will unfold when the political fever heats up in the next several months.

As a resident of Manila since the late fifties, I can say that the blame should be directly laid down on the doorsteps of those who held the reins of power in Malacanang.

(Unfortunately, not to excuse the incumbent Malacanang tenant, he inherited the cumulative failings of all

the previous regimes which he is now trying his best to rectify.)

Except for the late president Ferdinand Marcos whom I called a “visionary leader,” none of those who succeeded the former dictator pushed through an efficient national urban planning and renewal program that was already the norm in many western countries several decades before.

The looming population explosion in the seventies was already an alarming indication but authorities after the Marcos years were all besieged by political and socio-economic disorders that they ultimately overlooked urban planning as an integral part of national development.

The dispersal of industries and manufacturing businesses to the regions were initially conceived during the

early martial law years which was aimed to decongest Metro Manila and lure Manila migrants to go back to their provinces of origin. This concept has since been aborted, forgotten and probably buried in the crypt of oblivion.

The idea of constructing airports outside of Metro Manila is a sound one considering that the influx of visitors – foreign and domestic – contribute to the Metro Manila traffic problem.

Thus, this is envisioned to minimize, if not automatically unburden the MM commuter and pedestrian traffic as the huge aviation passenger traffic from the central and north Luzon areas usually overloads the airport terminals in the metropolis.

However, as Sec. Panelo was able to prove his point in the “commute challenge,” that the crisis in MM was only

being caused by the huge volume of vehicular traffic and not by a “transport crisis” as Duterte critics want to impress, I can only glumly say that many are still missing the point.

Wisdom is indeed not common.

I quote Confucius: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.”

Sometimes, I am tempted to reprint what others have wisely and collectively observed: that we are a rich nation pretending to be poor.

Materially rich but poor in between the ears?

Thank you, Confucius for the enlightening quote.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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bananas and table bananas such as maruya, ginanggang, and all other kinds of delicacies that use banana as a raw material," Marizon Loreto, executive director of Philippine Exporters Confederation in Region 11 (PHILEXPORT DAVAO) told media.

Loreto said in terms of opportunities, there is great potential for cardava. However, stakeholders are being confronted with the lack of good quality planting materials, lack of laboratory and nursery that could supply one with the right material to be planted.

"If you are a potential investor of cardava variety and you are not in a position to find a good source of nursery and planting materials, how can you go into commercial production?

That is one of the things that are really bugging the industry now," she said.

Loreto hinted that a Chinese firm is interested to purchase 100 metric tons of banana chips in a year.

However, local processors could not meet the required quality.

"A week ago I had a meeting with Chinese buyer who is very interested to purchase or procure banana chips from us but local processors are not so interested because according to them they already have their market and in fact they could not even supply much their own market and because of lack of raw materials," she said.

Loreto said in Davao Region there used to have more than 40 processors but now there are only about 20 because some them have folded up as they could not maximize their production capacity.

These problems will be among top concerns to be discussed in the upcoming Saging, ATBP Banana Forum and Business Matching Event slated on October 24 to 25 to be held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Organized by PHILEXPORT DAVAO, the forum will focus on cardava/saba and lacatan bananas.

"This year we have centered our attention on the non-cavendish banana

sector which are the cardava, saba, lacatan, and other varieties because over the years the potential of these varities have been very significant not only in terms of processed bananas like banana chips, banana flour but more so of the fresh cardava banana export," Loreto said.

The forum aims to gather cardava/saba/lacatan banana farmers and growers, traders, buyers, banana chips processors, banana by-products manufacturers, exporters, potential investors, production inputs providers, logistics/ shipping companies, Local Government Units (LGUs), national government agencies, SMEs, academe, financing/banking institutions, industry associations and other players in the banana value-chain.

"For the last 40 years according to the banana stakeholders particuarlly the cardava, saba, lacatan nobody has really taken attention on this particulalr sector. Maybe that is the reason why the kind of production that they have over the years is just on a sort of a backyard thing. Nobody is really thought of going into commercial production and looking into a plantation based kind of commercial endeavors for this variety," she said.

Among the objectives of the forum include foster better understanding on the potential of the cardava/saba/lacatan banana varieties and heighten interest for commercial production as well as improvement of the current farm practices to ensure industry growth and sustainability, strengthen the non-cavendish sector and build the capability of industry shareholders in order to gain a stronghold in the development of the whole banana industry, and build strong private sector-government partnership in ensuring that appropriate support programs and critical interventions are extended to address concerns of the industry.

The forum will highlight components that include banana forum, business matching, and mini exhibit.

kasi hindi ito kaya ng provincial or local government to address this problem,” she said.

On the part of the province, Ortega said they have passed ordinances requesting national agencies to intervene and address the is-

sue involving land tenure as intervention. The secondary needs of the community include social services, medical and basic needs.

“Kaya andito din ang TESDA, DOH, DOLE, DAR may mga binibigay sila na mga services,” she said.

Instrumental intensities (ground shaking recorded by seismic instruments) were reported in Malungon, Sarangani; Koronadal City, South Cotabato (Intensity IV); Kidapawan City; General Santos City; Alabel, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato; Davao City (Intensity III); and Kiamba, Sarangani (Intensity I).

At 6:56 p.m. on Friday, Tulunan was rocked by a magnitude 4.7 quake, followed by a magnitude 4.3 at 9:54 p.m.

Hermie Daquipa, Phivolcs-Kidapawan station chief, said more aftershocks are expected.

So far, he said, more than 450 aftershocks have been recorded since the magnitude 6.3 quake on the night of Oct. 16, the worst to hit North Cotabato.

Magnitude measures the energy released from the source of the quake while intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by the earthquake at a certain location. (PNA)

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we hone dutiful citizens who will become the future builders of our nation,” he added.

Go said it is high time that the hard work and efforts of barangay officials are recognized.

“Our barangays are not on autopilot. They are manned by these hard-working and dedicated individuals who, despite their seemingly thankless job, are committed to ensuring that our barangays serve the purpose they are intended for,” he said.

During the same TWG meeting, Senator Francis

Tolentino urged the Department of Budget and Management to create a separate hybrid employee classification that would accommodate the regularization of barangay workers, and for the department to allot a portion of the national budget for the 41,976 barangays all over the country.

Tolentino was pushing for the immediate release of these incentives once the Magna Carta for barangay workers bill is passed into law.

In his Senate Bill 215 or the Barangay Workers Incentives Act, barangay

officials shall be recognized as regular government employees and as such, shall be covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), under which they will receive life insurance and retirement, disability, separation, and unemployment benefits.

They can also avail of free health benefits as part of the government medical insurance under existing laws.

Tolentino likewise proposed granting barangay officials the power to decide and provide other benefits for their employees, de-

pending on their financial capacity.

“Although considered the closest government officials to the people, they are the most underappreciated among the government employees, in terms of salary, as well as employment benefits and privileges. They do their best to deliver local services despite limited funding given to them,” he said.

“Thus, it is only right that the State duly recognizes these employees by granting them well-deserved benefits and incentives,” he added. (PNA)

"On the last quarter, isang player na lang ang tumitira sa kanila at nakuha namin ang tamang depensa para ma control ang offense ng kalaban. Wala ding i-sinablay na free throw ang players ko," Aro said.

Last game's hero Aldrin Caballes came out consis-

tent to lead the Spartans with 17 points.

HCCS, meanwhile, will try to keep its unbeaten slate when they face Brokenshire College of Davao on Sunday in the same venue.

Meantime, the University of Mindanao (UM)

Wildcats also relished their second-straight victory after smashing San Pedro College 71-58, behind the 22-point effort of Cayle Manlimos.

The Blue Knights, on the other hand, bounced back after the loss to the Spartans with a resound-

ing 121-73 demolition of Asia International School of Aeronautics and Technology (Aisat).

The hoopfest is backed

by Davies Paints, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Mandarin SPC Branch, Max's Fried Chicken, and PTT Lubricants.

people living outside the main BARMM dominion in Mindanao.

Parliament members Mohagher Iqbal and Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan manifested their interests to co-author the said bill.

Latiph said the budget

for the creation of such office will be taken from the PHP70-billion block grant to the Bangsamoro government in 2020.

At least two million Muslims are living outside the BARMM, based on the population census in 2015.

The region has a 3.7 million population based on the 2015 census.

Most of the Muslims outside BARMM are living in Metro Manila and provinces within Mindanao either as government servants or merchants. (PNA)

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itored four injured – three in Barangay Inac and one in Barangay Langkong – who were rushed to hospitals in M’lang.

In Kidapawan City, more than a thousand individuals, mostly Manobos, from Barangay Ilomavis and at least 35 families from Sitio Lapan, Barangay Perez were forced to vacate Wednesday night after they monitored a rockslide.

They stayed in at least four evacuation sites but returned to their villages on Thursday afternoon.

Kidapawan City Mayor

Joseph Evangelista ordered the forced evacuation of residents in Barangays Ilomavis and Perez but lifted it the next day even if strong aftershocks were still felt from Thursday night up to Friday dawn.

On Thursday, around 11pm, Phivolcs Kidapawan sub-station said it recorded a magnitude 4.6 quake.

At 1 a.m. Friday, a magnitude 4.1 quake struck with epicenter between the fault line of Makilala and Tulunan in North Cotbato.

(Malu Cadelina-Manar / MindaNews)

alleged fight during a game or a ‘love triangle’ issue were not true.

“We are still awaiting the results of the investigation,” Macaaayong said.

On Thursday night, he appealed for calm and sobriety in an advisory addressed to “All University Constituents MSU.” “The dastardly shooting of an innocent freshmen student is an unfortunate but isolated case. We condemn the brutal act in the harshest terms,” he said.

“As University President and father, I ask everyone, Muslims and Christians

alike, to pray for the victim.

I assure you that all security measures are in place and that an investigation is now being conducted with the cooperation of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the Army,” he said.

Macaayong vowed to exhaust all means to “find the perpetrator and make him suffer full force of the law.”

Lawyer Ras Mitmug of Marawi, a Member of Parliament in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, condemned the shooting of Almeda. He urged the

school administration and authorities to”fully investigate this incident, to bring the perpetrators to trial and ensure Almeda and his family receive justice.”

MSU, he siad, was established “to be the melting pot of the south, a center for people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and faiths.”

“We cannot continue to call it so by turning a blind eye to these heinous crimes,” Mitmug, former Eduction Secretary in the defunct Autonomous Region. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Johnson’s Baby Powder sample from a different lot tested negative for asbestos, the agency said.

The FDA said it stands by the quality of its testing and results and recommended consumers stop using the product if it comes from the affected

lot.

data on the distribution of the lot to determine where the product was shipped.

J&J added that it is working with the FDA to determine the integrity of the tested sample as well as the validity of test results.

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Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service.

Case No. R11-EV-TX-2019-10-1586 DOLORES J. ALAY, Petitioner.

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

tims.

The Makilala LGU is set to release at least P2.5 million from its QRF. In M’lang, an elderly named Tony Pananggulong, a resident of Barangay Gaunan, died when his blood pressure shot up during the quake.

M’lang municipal mayor Russel Abonado said 34 houses and structures in his town were badly damaged, including the second floor of the legislative building located near the town hall.

Abonado said he mon-

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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

J&J said on the conference call that it received a report from the FDA on Oct. 17 alerting the company about the asbestos finding. It said it has started an investigation and is reviewing manufacturing records and collecting

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN REGION XI with the use of TWO (2) units, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2019.

In the petition filed on October 16, 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 NOVEMBER 5, 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 17th day of October 2019 at Davao City, Philippines.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV Petitioner, Dolores J. Alay Counsel, Atty. Randolf P. Esparagoza

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gress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Thursday also opposed the measure, saying such a proposal would impede workers' welfare.

Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), said in an interview on Saturday that their organization is rejecting the proposal.

"Ito ay nire-reject ng TUCP at isa itong uri ng pagpapalawig ng endo at kontraktuwalisasyon sa Pilipinas," he said.

Meanwhile, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Saturday said it was still studying whether the proposed two-year probationary period for employees would be beneficial.

"Pero normally six months is enough (na probationary period), pero pinag-aaralan pa namin ang bill dahil baka naman may magandang probisyon doon na pahabain natin ang six months," ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said in an interview.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 8, Davao City

IN RE: IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF THE CHILD MICHELLE ALDEA BARBA, SP. PROC. NO. R-DVO-19-04672-SP EDGARDO A. ROJAS and MYRNA B. ROJAS, Petitioners, -versusLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY

x---------------------------------------------------/

ORDER This is a verified petition for the adoption of minor Michelle Aldea Barba and consequently, for her change of name to Michelle Barba Rojas.

Petitioners are directed to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines (OSG) with a copy of his petition and its annexes, within three (3) days from receipt of this Order, and to submit proof thereof to the Court, thereafter. Upon receipt thereof, the OSG is directed to enter its appearance in this case within fifteen (15) days from receipt hereof.

The verified petition being sufficient in form and substance, the presentation and marking of petitioners’ exhibits proving compliance with the jurisdictional requirements is hereby set on February 5, 2020 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the branch Clerk of Court.

The marking of Petitioners’ other exhibits in support of this Petition, including all the documents intended to be attached to the petitioner’s and their witness/es’ respective judicial affidavits is hereby set on March 4, 2020 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the Branch Clerk of Court.

The said judicial affidavits, together with the duly-marked attachments, shall be filed in Court not later than March 14, 2020.

Set the presentation of evidence for the petitioners to March 19 and 20, 2020 both at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Social Worker Ms. Loreli C. Basillote is hereby directed to submit separate child case study and home case study reports to address, particularly, the following: i. the availability of the minor for adoption; and, ii. the qualifications of petitioners, pursuant to Republic Act 8552, otherwise known as the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998”, within thirty (30) days from receipt of this Order.

Petitioners are hereby directed to cause the publication of this Order at their expense, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation, which has been selected after raffle, in the City and the four (4) provinces of Davao and submit proof of compliance thereof, within ten (10) days from receipt of this Order.

Any person interested or who seeks to oppose the instant petition may appear to state why said petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED. Davao City, Philippines October 10, 2019.

Milo Run colors Davao green again

By ADAM B. MORRELL

D

avao's North-bound section was colored green in the morning as the country's most prestigious marathon qualifiers returned to to the city on Sunday, October 20.

At the break of dawn, some 10,200 runners clad in Milo green singlets filled the carpark of SM Lanang Premier for the 42nd edition of the Milo National Marathon Davao qualifiers.

It marked the return of the annual qualifying leg of the Milo Nationals after it was scrapped last year over security concerns.

In batches per division, runners in the biggest footrace in the region were fired off and snaked through the route at the Northern side of the city.

The event featured four distances including the premier 21 kilometer, 10K, 5K and 3K for men

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,526-19 RICHARD B. GABONADA, Mortgagor/s.

x--------------------------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against the mortgagor RICHARD B. GABONADA, Single, of legal age, Filipino Citizen with residence and postal address at Golden Shower Street, Brgy. Mintal, Davao City, in favor of Home Development Mutual Fund, (PAG-IBIG FUND), to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 31, 2019 amounting to P1,198,188.45 Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges, plus attorney’s fee equivalent to 10% of the total indebtedness and plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on November 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017003671 “A parcel of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 11, Blk. 10, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-11-003470, being a portion of Lots xxx all of PSD-112402-040969; lots xxx all of the Psd002815), situated in the Barangay Tugbok, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 12, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 07, 2019.

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – The OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

(sgd.) GLENN DC. AQUINO Presiding Judge Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4, 2019

11

Oct. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

(sgd.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IV

and women.

The course for each distance was just about the same as the previous routes which will all begin and end at the SM Lanang Premier open parking area.

The 21K covered R. Castillo to Quimpo Boulevard with turning point at Citi Hardware in Ecoland and back. The 10K also headed to R. Castillo with turning point at DCLA

in Magsaysay Avenue and back. The 5K went through Grandland in R. Castillo and back while the 3K course had the Grand Regal Hotel as turnaround point.

Apart from the fun and exciting race, Milo Marathon continues its community engagement advocacy by donating a total of 40 pairs of shoes and 100 basketballs to five selected schools in Davao City.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 54, Davao City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO: CORRECT THE FIRST NAME FOUND IN THE 1ST SENTENCE OF THE ANNOTATION ON THE LIVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF LUIGI KYLE HIPONIA CALIBAY WITH REGISTRY NO. 2009-01613, FROM JOJO TO JERVER, SP. PROC. NO. R-DVO-19-04522-SP And CORRECT THE FIRST NAME OF THE AFFIANT FOUND ON THE AFFIDAVIT TO USE THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER, NOTARIZED

BY DANIEL D. EVANGELIO, JR. ON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 AND REGISTERED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR ON FEBRUARY 3, 2010 FROM JOJO TO JERVER JERVER P. CALIBAY, Petitioner, -versusTHE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF THE DAVAO CITY, LUIGI KYLE HIPONI AND OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED THEREBY BECAUSE OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS CASE, Respondents,

X------------------------------------------/

ORDER By this verified petition and for the reasons therein stated, the abovenamed petitioner, assisted by counsel, seeks for an Order of this Court, after due notice, publication and hearing, directing the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City to do the following: 1. Correct the first name found in the 1st sentence of the annotation on the live birth certificate of Luigi Kyle Hiponia Calibay with Registry No. 2009-01613, from Jojo to Jerver; and 2. Correct the first name of the affiant found on the affidavit to use the surname of the father, notarized by Daniel D. Evangelio, Jr. on February 2, 2010 and registered in the office of the City Civil Registrar on February 3, 2010 form Jojo to Jerver, Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing before this Court, sitting at the Hall of Justice, Candelaria St., Ecoland, Matina, Davao City, on November 26, 2019 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which place, date and time, any interested person may appear and show cause, if any, why the same should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper published in the City of Davao and of general circulation in the said City and the Provinces of Davao as determined by raffle in accordance with law.

Furnish, each, with a copy of the petition and of this order the Office of the Solicitor General, Local Civil Registrar of Davao City, the City Legal Office for the City of Davao. SO ORDERED. September 30, 2019, Davao City, Philippines. (sgd.) MELINDA ALCONCEL-DAYANGHIRANG Presiding Judge October 14, 21, and 28, 2019

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,517-2019 ALVIN C. BAUTISTA, Mortgagor/s.

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,524-19 AMAFEL L. EDNALIG (single), Mortgagor/s.

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,515-19 KENT MARK B. ANGOS, Mortgagor/s.

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

x--------------------------------------------------------------------------x Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against the mortgagor ALVIN C. BAUTISTA, with postal address at Lot 22, Block 27, Deca Homes, Barangay Cabantian, Buhangin, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of August 15, 2019 amounted to FOUR HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO PESOS AND 56/100 (Php 414,192.56) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges, plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on November 21, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2010000244 “A PARCEL OF LAND XXX (LOT 22, BLK. 27, PCS-11002129, BEING A PORTION OF LOT B (LRC) PSD-130686 & LOT 1916, DAVAO CADASTRE), SITUATED IN BARANGAY OF CABANTIAN, DAVAO CITY, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY ONE (81) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 19, 2019 without further notice Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 07, 2019.

Oct. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

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

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

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against the mortgagor AMAFEL L. EDNALIG, with postal address at LOT 08, BLK. 04 DECA HOMES RESORT RESIDENCE SUBD., BARANGAY TUGBOK, MINTAL, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness in the total amount of Php=936,249.82 Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges as of July 31, 2019, plus attorney’s fee equivalent to 10% of the total indebtedness and plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on November 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit;

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against the mortgagor KENT MARK B. ANGOS, with residence and postal address at LOT 16, BLOCK 59, DECA HOMES ESPERANZA BRGY. TIGATTO, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of AUGUST 30, 2019 amounted to ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY ONE PESOS AND 13/100 (Php 1,297,841.13) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on November 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit;

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2013007515 “A PARCEL OF LAND XXX (LOT 8, BLK. 4, XXX PCS-11003470, XXX) SITUATED IN BARANGAY TUGBOK, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.”

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017003826 “A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 16, BLOCK 59 OF THE CONSOLIDATION-SUBDIVISION PLAN PCS-11-005103, XXX XXX), SITUATED IN BARANGAY OF TIGATTO, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 12, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 07, 2019.

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 12, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 08, 2019.

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – The OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – The OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – The OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

(sgd.) SUNNY D. MAURILLO Sheriff IV

(sgd.) TERESITA M. CEBALLOS Sheriff IV

(sgd.) CHRISTIAN M. MADRAZO Sheriff IV

Oct. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

Oct. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

12

DAVAO EDGE EDGE DAVAO

SPORTS THE NIGHT THE EARTH SHAKES WELL

VOL.12 ISSUE 160VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, ISSUE 78 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER JUNE 20-21, 27, 2019

ENVIRONMENT

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Feeling earthquakes was part of growing up, and also preparing for them: doing earthquake drills, or having earthquake supplies. The looming feeling was part of my life. My experience of earthquakes has always been more the fear of them, or the possibility.” – Karen Thompson Walker

There was nothing unusual last Wednesday night. After dinner, I went immediately to my sala and finished the article I wrote that afternoon. Thirty minutes later, I decided to lay down in my bed. It was 7:30 in the evening already – to early to go to sleep.

I decided to open my Facebook account. Some friends were online so I chatted with some of them. At 7:37 pm, I was jolted by the strong quake. The house was literally swaying. I rushed to the door but it was locked.

I tried to open the door when suddenly the room

was completely dark.

There was a total blackout.

It was good that I was using my iPad; I used the light to see my way out. Now, at the tierra firma, I was all alone. But there was chaos all over.

From nearby house, where my parents and my sister’s family live, there was a lot of shouting. My mother, who was lying

in her bed, had a hard time getting out from her bed. So, was my father.

A few minutes after the earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) issued a bulletin that the earthquake was tectonic in origin.

It was felt in almost all part of Mindanao: Intensity VII in Kidapawan City, Intensity V in

EDGEDAVAO

pieces large enough to contain continents. These pieces of lithosphere are called tectonic plates.

So-called faults are breaks or zones of weaknesses in rocks along which displacements had occurred or can occur again.

They may extend for hundreds of kilometers downward, even down to the base of the lithosphere. Faults showing signs or documented history of recent displacements are called active faults.

The Philippine Archipelago lies between two major tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. “Philippine Sea Plate is moving towards Tupi, South Cotabato and Alabel, deeper ones.”

“The Ring of Fire” – that is the Philippine Archipelago at Sarangani; Intensity IV in General Santos City; Kiamba, Saran- how scientists call the area in the the rate of about 7 centimeters gani; and T’Boli, South Cotabato; basin of the Pacific Ocean where every year,” Philvolcs explains.

Intensity III in Cagayan de Oro a large number of earthquakes “The Eurasian Plate is being City and Gingoog City; Intensity and volcanic eruptions occur. subducted along western side of II in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Unfortunately, the Philippines – Luzon and Mindoro at the rate of Oriental; and Intensity I in Dipo- a country with 7,107 islands – is 3 centimeters per year except on located in this rim sometimes Mindoro and northwest of Zamlog City and Bislig City.

“The U.S. Geological Sur- called the circum-Pacific seismic boanga where collision is taking vey said the magnitude 6.4 belt. About 90% of the world’s place.”

At the intersection of the quake was centered about 8 earthquakes and 81% of the kilometers from Columbio, a world’s largest earthquakes oc- two aforementioned plates is the Philippine Fault Zone, landlocked town in the coastal cur along the Ring of Fire.

The Encyclopedia Britan- “which decouples the northprovince of Sultan Kudarat,” Associated Press reported. “The nica says about 50,000 earth- westward motion of the Pacific earthquake had a depth of only quakes large enough to be no- with the southwestward motion ticed without the aid of instru- of the Eurasian Plate.” Move14 kilometers. Shallow quakes ments occur every year globally. ments along other active faults tend to cause more “Of these, approximately 100 are reportedly responsible for damage are of sufficient size to produce the present-day high seismicity than substantial damage if their cen- of the Philippine archipelago.

According to Philvolcs, at ters are near areas of habitation.

Over the centuries, they have least 5 earthquakes per day been responsible for millions occur in the Philippines. For of deaths and an incalculable almost four decades now, the amount of damage to property,” country had been affected by 10 earthquakes with magnitude it adds.

An earthquake (also known greater than 7.0. As such, the as a quake, tremor, or temblor), possibility of destructive earthaccording to a monograph circu- quakes occurring again in the lated by the PhilVolcs, “is feeble future “is very strong.” shaking to violent trembling Hazards posed of the ground produced by the by earthquakes The destructive effects of VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, 2019 ISSUE •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21, 2019 sudden displacement of rocks or 51 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13, earthquakes are due mainly to rock materials below the earth’s VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, intense ground shaking or vibrasurface.”

The earth has an outer- tion. “Because of severe ground most shell, about 80-kilometer shaking, low and tall buildings, thick, which is solid and rigid. towers and posts may tilt, split, This shell is called lithosphere, topple or collapse, foundation of which is subdivided into small roads, railroad tracks and bridgand large pieces with some es may break, water pipes and

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 EDGE

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

SEE STORY ON P11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

other utility installations may get dislocated, dams and similar structures may break and cause flooding, and other forms of mass movement may be generated,” Philvolcs explains.

Liquefaction, the process where particles of loosely consolidated and water-saturated deposits of fine sand are rearranged into more compact state, can also occur. Liquefaction prone areas can be found in beach zones, sand spits, sand bars, wide coastal plains, deltaic plains, floodplains, and former or existing marshlands and swamplands.

Many strong earthquakes originate along faults that break the earth’s rigid crust. Called ground rupture, it is a deformation on the ground that marks the intersection of the fault plane with the earth’s surface.

Landslides, the downward movement of slope materials either slowly or quickly, are most likely to happen. Hilly and mountainous areas, escarpments, and steep river banks, sea cliffs and other steep slopes are prone to landslides.

Earthquakes can also cause tsunamis. “Tsunamis are giant sea waves generated mostly by submarine earthquakes,” Philvolcs says. “Not all submarine earthquakes, however, can cause tsunamis to occur.”

Intensity scales Recently, Philvolcs has come up with 10 intensity scales of earthquake. The intensity scale, which is a measure of how an earthquake is felt in a certain locality or area, is “based on relative effect to people, structure, and objects in the surroundings.”

I. Scarcely perceptible: It is perceptible to people under favorable circumstances. Delicately-balanced objects are disturbed slightly. Still water in containers oscillates slightly.

II. Slight felt: It is felt by few individuals at rest indoors.

Hanging objects swing slightly.

Still water in containers oscil-

lates slightly.

III. Weak: It is felt by people indoors especially in the upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like the passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people.

Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately.

IV. Moderately strong: It is felt generally by people indoors and some people outdoors.

Light sleepers are awakened.

Vibration is felt like the passing of a heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood-framed buildings creak.

Standing motor cars may rock slightly.

V. Strong: Generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Many sleeping people awakened. Some are frightened; some run outdoors. Strong shaking and rocking are felt throughout the building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees is noticeable.

VI. Very strong: Many people are frightened, many run outdoors. Some people lose their balance. Motorists feel like driving with flat tires. Heavy objects and furniture move or many be shifted. Small church bells may ring. Wall plaster may crack. Very old or poorly built houses and man-made structures are slightly damaged, though well-built structures are not affected. Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to mountainous areas and escarpments. Trees are noticeably shaken.

VII. Destructive: Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it difficult to stand in upper floors. Heavy objects and furniture overturn

or topple. Big church bells may ring. Old or poorly built structures suffer considerable damage. Some well-built structures are slightly damaged. Some cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surfaces or concrete hollow block walls. Limited liquefaction, lateral spreading and landslides are observed. Trees are shaken strongly.

VIII. Very destructive: People are panicky. People find it difficult to stand even outdoors.

May well-built buildings are considerably damaged. Concrete dikes and foundations of bridges are destroyed by ground settling or toppling. Railway tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be displaced, twisted or overturned. Utility posts, towers, and monuments may tilt or topple. Water and sewer pipes may be bent, twisted or broken.

Liquefaction and lateral spreading cause man-made structures to sink, tilt or topple. Numerous landslides and rockfalls occur in mountainous and hilly areas. Boulders are thrown out from their positions particularly near the epicenter.

Fissures and fault rupture may be observed. Trees are violently shaken. Water splashes or slops over dikes or banks of rivers.

IX. Devastating: People are forcibly thrown to the ground.

Most children cry and shake with fear. Most buildings are totally damaged. Bridges and elevated concrete structures are toppled or destroyed. Numerous utility posts, towers and monuments are tilted, toppled or broken. Water and sewer pipes are bent, twisted or broken.

Landslides and liquefaction with lateral spreading and sandboils are widespread. The ground is distorted into undulations. Trees are shaken very violently with some toppled or broken. Boulders are commonly thrown out. River water splashes violently or slops over dikes and banks.

X. Completely devastating:

Practically all man-made structures are destroyed. Massive landslides and liquefaction, large scale subsidence and uplifting of landforms, and many ground fissures are observed. Changes in river courses and destructive seiches in lake occur. Many trees are toppled, broken or uprooted.

Always be ready

“The only way to avoid disasters caused by earthquakes is to prepare for them,” wrote Maria Elena Paterno in her book Earthquake! After earthquakes, Filipinos should be prepared for the aftershocks. These are usually weaker earthquakes that follow the main shock of an earthquake sequence.

13

Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, reminds: “The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth. They’ve got it all. They’ve got earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides.” – ### (Photos taken from the net)

14

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

A4 INdulge!

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019

15

FITNESS CONSCIOUS. Two friends break up a sweat at the treadmill for the Buddy Weekend promo of Arcadia Fitness Gym which allows for a member to invite one (1) non-gym member every Saturday and Sunday for a free workout. Arcadia Fitness Gym has incorporated an insurance plan alongside regular memberships at the gym. For inquiries, (082) 327 8471 and (0917) 146 4304.

Spartans notch 2nd straight win

By ADAM B. MORRELL

T

he road came out smooth for the Holy Cross College of Sasa (HCCS) Spartans as they notched their second-straight win in the resumption of the Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) on Friday, October 18, at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Fresh from a morale-boosting win over the heavy favorite Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights on Sunday, the Spartans tamed the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Bulldogs 88-83, in their second appearance to establish themselves as a team to watch in the league featuring the best-ofthe-best collegiate teams in the region.

Momentum, per-

haps, is tough enemy but can be the greatest key if it works the other way around. The Spartans made a good job riding on that factor to keep its slate untouched after two outings.

Opening the first quarter against the Bulldogs with a comfortable lead enabled the Spartans to set the game's tone. But the latter gave it their best shot to keep the game close down the stretch.

"Lumamang kaagad kami on the start pero dumikit ang laban with RMC dahil medyo kinapos na sa hangin mga player ko. Buti na lang naka pag adjust kami kaagad," Spartans head coach Ranilo Aro told Edge Davao.

The Spartans capitalized on their shooting accuracy and defense to come out steadier in the end game.

SPARTANS, P10

A Holy Cross College of Sasa Spartan sneaks past a Rizal Memorial Colleges defender in this bit of action on Friday during the ongoing Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League at the Davao City Recreation Center. ESCANDOR CUP PHOTO

CHARLY HOLGANZA THE ATHLETE’S FOOT

PREPARE FOR WAR!!!

The NBA pre-season is over.

The gladiators of the cage arena are done toying around with line-up rotations, trial offensives, defensive innovations and fancy new individual moves. It is time for the real deal. Come one, come all, as the NBA regular season unfolds before us.

The race for the NBA 2020 crown is wide open. Gone are the days when we had a dominant Warrior team that turned the regular season into a mere formality. Gone too are the days of small-ball, slowly eased out by a new form called positionless ball.

The 3-point revolution continues, but the trifecta artists are no longer confined to the small guards alone. Cage behemoths, original-

ly designated to molest puny intruders in the shaded area, have themselves morphed in speed, size, agility and court-smarts.

There are new alliances brought about by the off-season’s ‘Great Migration of Stars’; coupled with the arrival of a rich batch of rookies. Players are now taller, bigger, faster, smarter, and armed with more skill-sets. It will be a brand new season, with much too many questions waiting to be answered.

Some of the questions and storylines that will determine the season are as follows: Will Lebron James, with Anthony Davis and a new supporting crew in tow, be able to bring the Lakers to the promised land? Or will the Clippers, starring an elite

defensive line of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley, finally be able to wrest El-Ay from the Lakers’ grip? Which of these teams will go all the way to the Finals and beyond?

Will Steph Curry be able to lead the lesser-endowed Warriors to the top once again? Will a combo of Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson (once fully recovered), plus the addition of D’Angelo Russell be enough in the present star-studded Western Conference? How will the Rockets flow their offense with two ball-dominant MVPs in James Harden and Russell Westbrook?

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo still be able to up his game for the Bucks? Or will the Sixers, starring

Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and newly-acquired Al Horford, wrest control of the East? Will the Celtics’ ‘less-for more’ approach with Kemba Walker taking the lead improve team chemistry? Which of these teams will take the Eastern flag?

How will the recent shut-out of Team USA affect the style of play in the NBA? Will teams such as the Mavericks or even losing Team USA coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs take some pages from the Euroball playbook to the NBA? Will the up-tempo type of game continue to rule the league?

Will the 3-point trend continue to grow? How will team’s load-management program affect the

league? What about teams tanking in favor of future considerations?

What about events off the court? Will the league make a stand on the controversial Daryl Morey tweet upsetting China?

These are just some of the burning questions aching to be answered. This October 22, the league opens its regular season with a doubleheader. The first game features the reigning champs Toronto Raptors versus the New Orleans Pelicans with their prized rookie, Zion Williamson. The second game will feature - hold your breath, folks - the first Battle for El-ay between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers.

Let’s get on with it already!!!

16 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 160 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2019