Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 187 | Thursday, November 28, 2019

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MALDITAS, MYANMAR IN GOAL-LESS DRAW

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VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

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UP-Mindanao claims track oval complied with standards

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

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he University of the Philippines-Mindanao said the track oval inside the sprawling campus in Barangay Mintal has "complied" with international standards but has not applied for certi�ication as the facilities for athletics are not yet complete.

"As the university has not been contacted for comment on the issues raised in the article, the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao wishes to present information that will be valuable for the public to make an informed assessment of the situation at

hand," the UP statement released on Tuesday read.

The statement came as a response to a special report by Edge Davao entitled "Field of Failure" published on November 24-25 which stated that the

COMPLIED, P9

Happiness is written on the faces of cancer patients from House of Hope as they listen to local talents serenading them with popular children's movie soundtracks and Christmas songs during Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao's HOPE: The Heart of Christmas, a fundraising gala dinner for the Kids of House of Hope held at the hotel's Pavilion on Tuesday night. Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte salutes a military officer upon his arrival at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday night after his successful participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Braga lauds translation P of CADAC modules

Duterte invites SoKor President to visit PH

By MAYA M. PADILLO he recent launching of the Drug Education Module for Community-Based Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program translated in Arabic language by the Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) is seen to help prevent the spread of illegal drugs in the Muslim communities in Davao City.

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Councilor Pilar Braga, who is the chair of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture; lauded various sectors namely CADAC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Ustads and Ulamas of Madrasah for the writeshop in preparing the education modules on anti-drugs in Arabic.

“We opened our doors to our Muslim brothers and sisters and we open our ddors to those who do not have the luxury of attending regular classroom classes and we now formally and of�icially presenting these modules to our people that all may have the opportunity to be part of our campaign to rid our communities with the

drug menace,” Braga said in her privilege speech.

Last November 20, CADAC launched the said translated module, which is in line with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The module is intended for use by the Madrasah students and the Muslim students under the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

The Writeshop Translation of CADAC Drug Education Modules into Arabic Language and Finalization of CADAC ALS Modules was made possible in partnership with CADAC, DepEd Schools Division of Davao City ALIVE Program, and ALS Program.

The ustadz and ustadzas took on the challenge of translating the

drug education modules, while the evaluators and consultants were from the Madrasah Comprehensive.

‘Through the concerted efforts of our authors, writers and editors, our educators, our contributors, our participating schools, all those who support our cause such as the Madrasah, CADAC, DepEd, and the City Government of Davao under the leadership of Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, we are able to empower and educate our people and we are able to leave them a legacy of information, knowledge and wisdom through these translated modules. As the saying goes knowledge is

Foreign and local athletes and journalists have already complained of problems with accommodation, food, facilities, transportation among others.

“The President is not pleased by what he has been hearing about the certain snafu, certain delays, certain allegations of athletes not being fed properly, of athletes arriving late or not on time delivered to their places of rest or residence. He's

displeased,” Panelo said in a televised interview.

“Ayaw niya 'yun (He doesn’t want that). And there were allegations of fraud na lumalabas sa diyaryo. Ayaw niya rin 'yun (coming out on the newspapers. He doesn’t want that either). He wants to investigate that. Hindi uubra sa kanya ang corruption (He won’t tolerate corruption),” Panelo said the investigation would include Philippine Southeast

Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc.chairman, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and the controversial PHP50-million cauldron project.

He also welcomed investigations to be conducted by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Panelo said that Phisgoc should also reconsider accepting help offered by govern-

BRAGA, P9

resident Rodrigo Duterte has invited South Korean President Moon Jae-In to visit the Philippines “at the soonest mutually convenient opportunity”, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte extended the invitation during his bilateral meeting with Moon on the sidelines of 2019 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (Asean-ROK) Commemorative Summit on Monday.

During their meeting, Duterte and Moon also agreed to elevate Philippines-ROK bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing and exchange of key agreements -- Social Security

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Over 57,000 kids get OPV in 2nd round of anti-polio drive

PRRD eyes probe of SEA Games mess A

resident Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing an investigation on allegations of corruption hounding the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte, who just arrived from an of�icial trip, was “displeased” by what he has been hearing about the regional multisport which will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Agreement, an Implementing Program for Tourism Cooperation, and a Joint Statement on progress in the ongoing Philippine-ROK Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

Agreements on education and �isheries cooperation were also signed in separate ceremonies in Busan.

Collective action As for the summit, Duterte and his fellow Asean leaders welcomed Moon’s “New Southern Policy,” which aims to elevate Asean-ROK dialogue partnership and stronger ROK involvement in Asean-led regional mechanisms.

Duterte also supported initiatives on increasing trade and investments, connectivity, capaci-

total of 57,737 children received the Oral Polio Virus (OPV) during the �irst day of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio in Davao City on Monday.

This was reported by the head of the City Health Of�ice (CHO), Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, who said that the total number represents 30.9 percent of the total target at 100 percent for the second phase.

Villafuerte reiterated that the second phase is important for continuity because the children who received the �irst immuni-

zation need three more to fully �lush out the virus in the system.

“We still have the same target of children that was covered in our �irst round of immunization last October 27 plus the other children who did not avail the vaccines,” she said.

To achieve the target, Villafuerte said all areas were and will be covered by their team to ensure that all children will receive the OPV. She said CHO teams composed of health professionals were deployed

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VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Security measures up at San Pedro Square

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Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) executive director undersecretary Janet Lopoz, together with Olie B. Dagala, director III of Investment Promotions, International Relations and Area Concerns Office of MinDA, says during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall the

agency is looking to boost the agricultural productivity of Mindanao as Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is ramping projects for farm water supply and solar-powered irrigation. Lean Daval Jr

he Davao City Public Safety and Security Command (PSSCC) has put in place the security measures at San Pedro Square - a declared maximum security zone in Davao City and the center of activities of Pasko Fiesta.

Angel Sumagaysay, the head of PSSCC, said the implementation of the maximum security in San Pedro Square is to ensure the safety of the general public joining in the various Pasko Fiesta activities.

Sumagaysay has asked the cooperation of the public for smooth implementation of the security measures.

“We will apply the maximum-security measures for the vicinity of city hall and SP (Sangguniang Panlungsod) building primarily because of the various

Vaping ban covers SEA Games athletes: police

8th polio case from Basilan; T 7 of 8 from Mindanao: DOH

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he eighth con�irmed case of poliovirus is from Basilan, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday, bringing to eight the total number of cases, seven of them from Mindanao.

The DOH said the latest case is a nine-year old girl from Basilan who had not received any polio vaccine. The case from Basilan makes for a total of at least �ive cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

It said samples sent to

the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Japan came out positive for poliovirus.

The DOH said it has been coordinating with the BARMM’s Ministry of Health to maximize immunization coverage and

Soldiers kill 3 suspected ISIS local members in Maguindanao offensives

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hree suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah were killed in continued operations against local terrorist groups in Maguindanao in the southern Philippines, a military of�icial said Wednesday.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said the fatalities were hit by a 105 howitzer artillery �ire while hiding in their safe house in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

Also, Encinas said troops of the Joint Task Force Central surgical operation’s main target were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Kumander Bungos, but they hit local ISIS terrorists allied with the BIFF. Encinas said government forces have already coordinated with barangay of�icials to identify the fatalities and facilitate their proper burial.

Soldiers recovered several explosives and �irearms during the operation by combined troops of the 601st brigade including the 33rd Infantry Battalion, 12th Special Forces Company and 5th Special Forces Company, Encinas added.

Earlier, troops from the 57th Infantry Battalion conducted combat clearing operation in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona that led to the recovery of three M16 ri�les, three Improvised Explosive Devices, and six improvised hand grenades.

Colonel Jose Narciso, commander of the 601st Brigade who’s battalions are undertaking anti-terror operations, said, “This all started in our Mamasapano campaign last week until we reached today in Datu Piang town, threats of activated IED’s is enormous as some were found to have been phone ringing while attached to the improvised bombs when our men are

SOLDIERS, P8

intensify polio vaccination efforts in Basilan.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assured stocks of oral polio vaccine are suf�icient and that preparations for the outbreak response immunization are underway.

The DOH announcement on the 8th polio case came at the start of the second round of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio from November 25 to December 7 in the National Capital Region and the whole of Mindanao. All children under �ive years of age, regardless of immunization

status, will receive a dose of the oral polio vaccine during the campaign.

Duque urged parents and caregivers of children under �ive to ensure they are vaccinated.

Health workers and vaccination teams are going house-to-house to ensure that all children under �ive are vaccinated. Aside from the house-to-house campaign, oral polio vaccination will be administered in health centers, government hospitals, �ixed vaccination posts in barangays, malls, terminals, and fast

8TH POLIO, P8

Arabic language is being taught to young students at a madrasah school in Brgy. 23-C Mini-forest, Quezon Blvd., Davao City. The city government of Davao through the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) will soon

activities every night,” he said.

Sumagaysay said that part of the measures is the designation of parking areas for the public in the vicinity of City Hall and SP. Recall that under the maximum-security zone, no vehicles will be allowed to park around the area after 5 p.m. while motorcycles' designated parking space is at the back of the City hall, Osmeña Park and SP building.

“Everything will be the same, it just that there will be more presence of security forces in the area to check the situation for any eventualities,” he said.

He said there is augmentation from Police Regional Of�ice (PRO) 11 to ensure that all areas will be covered for security reasons. CIO

he Philippine National Police said Wednesday it would apprehend foreign athletes and visitors in the Southeast Asian Games should they violate a ban on the use of vaping devices or e-cigarettes in public.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week verbally ordered the arrest of those vaping in public, after the health department reported that a 16-yearold girl from Central Visayas suffered lung injury due to e-cigarettes.

"When people — even if you're a foreigner — are in the country, we have jurisdiction over them...

Puwedeng mapanagot ang kahit sinong dayuhan na nasa Pilipinas (any foreigner in the Philippinescan be held accoutable) once they violate

our regulation," said PNP of�icer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.

Duterte's vaping ban is anchored on the Tobacco Regulatory Act and the Clean Air Act, which both "can cause the arrest of any violator," Gamboa said.

The PNP has arrested 243 violators of the vaping ban as of last Monday.

They were released after their e-cigarettes were con�iscated, said PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.

Authorities are "ready for any eventuality" in the SEA Games despite the lack of security threats, added Gamboa.

Organizers earlier drew �lak for troubles in the transportation and lodging of SEA Games athletes, inadequate food

VAPING, P8

introduce a Drug Education Module for Community-Based Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program translated in Arabic language to madrasah schools in the city. Lean Daval Jr

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MinDA starts sorghum program in DavaoNor

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he destructive Fusarium wilt or Panama disease that has long plagued Davao del Norte’s banana industry, prompted the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to introduce sorghum farming while recovering from the effects of the plant disease.

In his Facebook post on Tuesday, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Davao del Norte has been chosen

by MinDA as the pilot area of the sorghum program which is aimed at producing feed grains for poultry and hogs and silage for small ruminants and livestock in Mindanao.

Piñol said Gov. Edwin Jubahib has committed some areas in Talaingod town for sorghum farming, as it is a predominantly indigenous people’s (IP) community with large unutilized land and very high poverty incidence.

He said a Texas-based

sorghum seeds company, Scott Seeds, has donated 25-tons of hybrid seeds to MinDA. “Actually, the offer to donate seeds for the sorghum program was facilitated by Agriculture Attache Joy Javelosa when I was Agriculture Secretary, but this was stalled when I resigned from the DA and moved to the MinDA in August,” he added.

He said the seeds are expected to arrive in Mindanao by the �irst quarter of 2020 and will be planted starting February.

“On Dec. 16, I and Gov. Jubahib will travel to Texas to sign the deed of donation and transfer of PHP5 million worth of sorghum seeds from Scott Seeds’ president Chad Kriegshauser to MinDA, and from MinDA to Davao del Norte provincial government,” he added.

Piñol said another Tex-

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Bureau of the Treasury director III of Research Service Robert Dominick Mariano says during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall the ‘premyo’ bond that the Bureau of Treasury recently launched encourages ordinary Pinoys to invest in risk-free investment. Lean Daval Jr

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Bureau of Treasury (BTr) has urged Davaoeños to invest in its newest program Premyo Bonds to promote the culture of savings and investment.

The BTr recently launched the offering of P3 billion Premyo Bonds in a bid to raise funds for housing, education, healthcare, and social services.

Bureau of Treasury (BTr) director Robert Dominick Mariano told media in Wednesday’s Habi at Kape, that Premyo Bonds is part of the mandate of BTr to fund the requirements of the national government through the issuance of the funds.

“Our funding will be supporting various programs and projects of the

national government at the same time this Premyo Bonds ay maihahalintulad natin siya sa ating mga previous na issuance na retail treasury bond. Ibig sabihin po nito gusto po nating introduce sa ating mga kababayan yung kultura ng pag-iimpok at pag-invest,” Mariano said.

Individuals, cooperatives, retirement funds and provident funds may invest in these securities which are essential risk free. The Premyo Bonds only requires a minimum investment of P500.

“Ang exciting dito sa

Gov’t fuel marking program reaches Mindanao: BOC

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he nationwide rollout of the Fuel Marking Program of the government has reached Mindanao, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Tuesday.

This after the marking of 60 million liters of diesel fuel at the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation-maintained Northern Mindanao Import Facility (NMIF) in Cagayan de Oro on November 25.

BOC of�icials and representatives from project contractor SGS-SICPA witnessed the marking, the �irst conducted by Pilipinas Shell.

After the activity, the Department of Finance, Department of Budget

and Management, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the BOC conducted a preliminary inspection of the Davao terminals of Phoenix Petroleum and Insular Oil. The inspection is required prior to the marking of fuel products.

Under Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, petroleum products that are re�ined, manufactured, or imported to the Philippines such as but not limited to, unleaded premium gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel shall be marked by an of�icial marking agent after payment of taxes and duties.

GOV’T, P8

Premyo Bonds ginawa natin siyang mas accessible at ang pinakamababang nating denomination ay P500 at ito ay purely retail ang ating target meaning hindi po ito para sa corporates or institutional investors. Ang gusto natin ay ang ating mga kababayan na nasa ibang bansa or OFWs ay magkaroon ng isang instrument or channel para sa kanilang mga savings. Kumita po sila sa isang investment na safe,” Mariano said.

Every P500 placement is equivalent to one Premyo Bonds unit, which will serve as one entry in the quarterly raf�le draw.

The bond unit is valid until the �inal raf�le draw date.

“Ang pinaka-aabangan ng lahat ay yung quarterly interest. Meron din tayong

ginaganap na quarterly draw. Ang prices natin will start from P20,000 to P100,000 at isang winner every quarter of P1 million. Every P500 investment that you put into the Premyo Bonds entitled you to one entry,” he said.

The winner of the P1 million cash reward in the �irst, second, and third cash rewards draw will receive a non-cash reward, which might be a condominium unit or a house and lot from Hotel 101, Lessandra by Vista Land, or Megaworld.

The bonds also provide relatively higher yield than time deposits and can be used for investors’ settlement accounts.

“Relatively mas mataas ang returns na makukuha natin compared to normal deposits or time depos-

its. Sa annual interest na binibigay niya at 3 percent ito po ay makukuha ng investors quarterly so mabilis niyang makukuha ang interest ng kanyang investment. Pagkatapos ng isang taon ito ay magiging “short term” investment.

In one year makukuha na natin ang principal investment,” he said.

The bonds will have a tenure of one year and an interest rate of 3 percent per annum.

The Premyo Bonds selling agents are Banco de Oro (BDO), BDO Capital and Investment Corporation, Chinabank Corporation, China Bank Capital Corporation, Development Bank of the Philippines, First Metro Investment Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank

and Trust Company. These institutions also act as Joint Issue managers.

An online ordering facility will be utilized to allow investors to place orders and purchases of Premyo Bonds.

“Meron tayong twist na i-introduce to make this more of a promotion for �irst time investors para masasabi nating mas madali na mag-invest ngayon.

Ginawa po natin accessible sa online through the website of the treasury.

Basta meron kayong current savings or current account sa mga partner banks maari na kayong mag-subscribe from your cellphones,” Mariano said.

The BTr will also conduct �inancial literacy sessions for overseas Filipinos in Washington, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.

and Highways has disbursed about P500 billion for its projects in 2019.

"Our disbursement for 2018 was 79%. We disbursed P509 billion in 2018 and today we dispersed P500 billion and we have two months to go," Villar said.

"We have the highest rate of disbursement," he added.

The DPWH's projects list includes 9,000 roads, 2,700 bridges, 4,000 �lood-control structures and 120,000 school buildings, according to the Cabinet of�icial.

"The little inconvenienc-

es that we have now, they'll pay off in the near future.

We're going to see signi�icant improvement," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon earlier called Build, Build, Build a "dismal failure" after learning that only nine of the 75 original �lagship programs have started construction.

“We only have two years and a half left in this administration. I don’t think any substantial progress insofar as that program is concerned will be achieve. I repeat, the execution is simply dismal,” the senator said.

In 2016, the Duterte administration announced

that it would allot P8.2 trillion to fund the program, and that it would usher in a "golden age of infrastructure" in the country.

Earlier this month, however, the National Economic and Development Authority announced adjustments made to the program, including the shrinking of the funding by almost half to P4.7 trillion.

"I think, for me, people say a lot of things and that’s fair because big-ticket projects took a while... In the end these projects will speak for themselves and I know a lot of them will be implemented next year," Villar said.

‘Full effect’ of Build, Build, Build to be felt in 2020, says Sec. Villar

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he "full effect" of the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program will be felt by the public come 2020, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said Tuesday amid criticism of the multi-trillion-peso infrastructure program.

"There are so many projects coming on line next year... I think people will really start feeling the full effect of the work that this government has put in for the [last] two or three years," Villar said in an interview.

He added that the Department of Public Works

ECONOMY 5

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VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

NGCP downplays China’s role in power transmission grid

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he National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Wednesday downplayed concerns about China’s role in the Philippines’ power transmission grid, saying the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is merely a “technical adviser.”

While State Grid has a 40% stake in NGCP, the controlling 60% still belongs to Filipino companies, according to National Grid.

Henry Sy Jr.’s Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Robert Coyiuto Jr.’s Calaca High Power Corporation hold a 30% stake each in NGCP. “As such, SGCC has only three nominees who sit as members of the NGCP board of directors representing the company and proportionate to its capital shares. NGCP is still majority-owned by local corporations, while SGCC has 40%,” according to National Grid.

The NGCP consortium holds a 25-year concession contract and the 50-year franchise to operate the power transmission network, consists of Monte Oro Grid, Calaca High Power Corporation led by, and SGCC. “There is nothing to be alarmed about the stake of the SGCC in NGCP as its investment is limited only to being a technical adviser,” said NGCP president and chief executive of�icer Anthony Almeda.

“SGCC serves only as the technical adviser of the consortium, but the management and the control of NGCP, including its Systems Operation, are exclusively exercised by Filipinos,” Almeda emphasized.

Apart from Sy, Coyiuto, and Almeda, NGCP’s board of directors consists of SGCC vice chief engineer and director general of International Cooperation Department Zhu Guangchao, Philippine Stock Exchange chairman Jose Pardo, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Indus-

try Inc. chairman emeritus Francis Chua, SGCC Philippine Of�ice director general Shan Shewu, SGCC Africa Of�ice chief representative Liu Ming, engineer Liu Xinhua, and Sagayo Law Of�ices partner Paul Sagayo Jr. Lawmakers are calling for a legislative inquiry into the security implications of State Grid’s 40% ownership and potential to control the country’s power transmission grid.

A report claimed that the Philippine power grid is under the full control of the Chinese government and could be shut off in time of con�lict.

Almeda, however, said the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)—the system that controls the grid—is operated only by authorized Filipino technical experts of NGCP. “By default, SCADA is disconnected from the Virtual Private Network (VPN); thus, remote users cannot connect to SCADA ... VPN access may only be granted to the Filipino CEO in an emergency situation and only after undergoing a secure and con�idential approval process,” he said.

Almeda said the company is willing to work with Congress to allay fears that China would interfere with the backbone of the Philippines’ power distribution system.

“We are happy to welcome our senators and congressmen as well as an independent third party to visit our facilities in order to dispel any security concerns that had been raised these past few days," he said.

NGCP said telecommunication companies like Globe and Smart use NGCP facilities via co-location agreements.

Such agreements with NGCP allow a third-party to piggy-back on its existing facilities except tagging into or using the grid’s �iber optic cables.

“NGCP declares all

NGCP, P8

A GrabFood rider maneuvers through traffic along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. GrabFood recently joined the thriving food service delivery industry in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr

Mindanaoan wins CMA

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estaurateur Eduardo Azores, owner of Ali-Ali Pastil in South Cotabato, is this year's national winner of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) held Tuesday at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) central of�ice in Manila.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno told attendees that the CMA honors entrepreneurs who were able

to showcase the power of micro�inance as a poverty alleviation tool.

"Nag-umpisa ako sa

negosyong ito na laway (ang puhunan) (I started business with basically very little investment)," shared Azores after receiving his trophy and a PHP200,000 cash prize.

He said he used to borrow money in the morning, and promise to pay it in the afternoon.

Azores started with just three employees. Now, he employs around 45 workers, majority of them are

(L-R) Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director of Cordillera Administrative Region Clarence Baguilat, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Nonita Caguioa, MGB CAR Regional Director Fay Apil and Engr. Ted Sandoval, OIC Mining Technology Division.

MINDANAOAN, P8

Benefits, career progression top concerns among PH professionals

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Allen Cameros (center) bags the 1st Place on Policy paper for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 2019 Annual Technical Forum at Holiday Inn, Baguio City. The Paper is titled“Automated Public Assistance System,” a project where visiting public inquiries may be immediately answered through a computerized system set up by the office. With Cameros are

senior citizens.

He started his business in 2013, and was not spared from dealing with �inancial and emotional problems. Currently, Ali-Ali Pastil's annual sales reach PHP13.4 million.

Pastil is a Muslim dish composed of steamed rice, and shredded meat wrapped in banana leaves.

He now offers various �lavors of this dish.

mployment bene�its and career progression, rather than salary, are currently the most important considerations for Filipino professionals who consider moving to another job, recruitment consultancy �irm Robert Walters said on Tuesday.

At a media brie�ing in Makati, Robert Walters announced the release of the 2020 Salary Survey for the Philippines, detailing the sentiments among 400 mid to senior professionals in the country regarding their motivation to move jobs and expectations for staying in their roles.

"Salary is not the sole motivator anymore. It's now about being open about career progression and how creative companies can be about bene�its," Monty Sujanani, Director for Robert Walters Philippines, said.

For professionals working in the accounting and

�inance, banking and �inancial services, human resources, sales and marketing, supply chain, procurement and logistics, and the technology and transformation sectors, the survey found that career progression, along with better compensation and bene�its, ranked consistently among the top considerations in changing jobs.

"It's really not just about the salary (but) �lexible working arrangements, creative leave balances, so it's really about how to be creative with bene�its. And the second motivator about candidates changing jobs is career progression. So almost 30 percent of professionals said that career progression is their primary motivation of changing jobs," he added.

The survey also predicts that job movers expect an average of 20 to 40-percent salary increase

BENEFITS, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

EDITORIAL

Track oval probe needed recommendations of the PSC engineering head at that time was not followed. It was reported by this paper that the track oval did not measure according to the standards of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) whose standards are espoused by the PATAFA and can be accessed by builders and planners via its website.

The university in a statement sent to this paper on Monday debunked the story saying it has many errors and that they were not asked for information by this publication. It claimed among others that the contractor is an accredited builder of track ovals in the country and that the ‘double bend’ track oval it constructed at UP Mindanao conforms to standards. The university also claimed that they consulted PSC and PATAFA during the construction stages.

Now, there is only one way of �inding out whether or not the track oval is compliant to standards of both PATAFA and IAAF and that is to summon the PATAFA through the PSC to conduct an inspection and actual evaluation. Perhaps, the city government can request the PSC and PATAFA to do so. The City Council can also conduct a probe on this matter if need be so that the city government will not end up with a facility that falls short of standards.

This suggestion, if university of�icials submit, should settle the issue.

When Davao City �inally achieved a long cherished dream of having a modern and standard sports complex this year inside the University of Philippines-Mindanao campus in Mintal, not just the sporting community rejoiced over the birth of its playground.

The sports complex which includes the track oval, football pitch and gymnasium, was reportedly built to the tune of P450 million. The facility was put to test in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa which the city hosted for the very �irst time since 1950 when the national sports conclave for student athletes was still known as Bureau of Public Schools Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association Games or loosely called during that era as “Inter-Scholastic.”

The new facility was used as venue for football and archery but the track oval was not used for athletics. The events in athletics were held in the privately-owned University of Mindanao which also boasts of a brand spanking new track oval certi�ied to have passed the standards of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

Last week, Edge Davao gathered information from sources outside the University that the track oval apparently was not used in the Palarong Pambansa because it did not pass the standards of PATAFA. The information was also veri�ied by the Philippine Sports Commission which referred the question to PATAFA. Apparently, the

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO EARTHQUAKES (1870-1903) According to Metro Davao Site Response Atlas issued in 2019 by the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Davao City has six active faults, namely: Lacson fault in Calinan District: Tamugan fault, New Carmen fault, and Colosas fault in Paquibato district; and Dacudao fault and Biao Eskwela fault in Tugbok district.

The Mati fault, however, is the most signi�icant. Measured to be about 30 km long, the fault is linked to the 1,200-km Philippine Fault line, the longest in the islands. A good 320 kilometeers of this fault line is found in eastern Mindanao, from Surigao region to Mati City.

Nationwide, there are �ive active fault lines in the country so far discovered, i.e., the Western Philippine Fault, the Eastern Philippine Fault, the South of Mindanao Fault, the Central Philippine Fault and the Marikina/Valley Fault System.

Davao region’s vulnerability to tremors is found in Jesuit priest Fr. Miguel Saderra Maso’s Catalogue of Violent and

Destructive Earthquakes in the Philippines 1599-1909 (1910), which was issued by the Weather Bureau, with executive control over Manila Central Observatory.

The inclusion of Davao in the list started in 1870, a good twelve years after it was conquered.

Fr. Maso, in his introduction, divided the earthquakes into classes following the Rossi-Forel Scale. Class I are tremors with “suf�icient force to produce cracks in buildings and to throw down chimneys,” the equal of intensity VII. Class II, meanwhile, refers to earthquakes that destroy “walls and some weak structures,” the same with intensity VIII. The last classi�ication are tremors causing “general destruction,” the equivalent of intensity IX and intensity X. The �irst recorded tremor in Davao was on November 4, 1870 was intensity VII in the De Rossi-Forel scale, with epicenter “between the Gulf of Davao and the Province of Misamis.” This was followed by another violent intensity VI

quake on June 28, 1871, that shook “throughout the region surrounding Davao Gulf, with frequent aftershocks during the ensuing 8 days.” That same year, on October 4, a more vicious intensity VII earthquake shook the region.

Capping the year’s list were three more forceful tremors. On November 5, a “very violent and prolonged [intensity VII] earthquake” was “felt intensely throughout eastern Mindanao.” On December 8, a devastating intensity IX quake hit Cotabato and Davao, which is 120 kilomers away, and thereafter a “series of most violent shocks were experienced, accompanied by subterraneous rumblings.” And, on December 19, a “very violent [intensity VII] earthquake [shook] the length of Mindanao, from Surigao to Davao.”

Meanwhile, on August 24, 1872, the district of Davao was hit by a very strong and protracted intensity VI earthquake in the vicinity of Mount Apo. Between 1878 and 1894, there were very few strong quakes that shook southeastern Min-

danao. Some of the most devastating tremors affecting the region had their epicenter in Agusan River Valley at the boundary of Davao.

On September 17, 1878, a destructive intensity VII quake hit Davao Occidental, which is west of the gulf of Davao. As a result, many of the buildings in town were destroyed, and the rumblings went on for another �ive days. A year later, on September 28, the district of Davao was shaken by a “very strong earthquake” recorded at intensity VI. A less intense quake also hit the area 14 days earlier.

The February 22, 1885, tremor was one of the most destructive on record at intensity VIII; it hit the east coast of Mindanao, mainly Davao Oriental and the regions facing the Paci�ic. Many of the standing concrete structures collapsed to the ground. Fr. Maso wrote: “Destructive earthquake, which did extensive damage to the churches and other buildings of stone or wood and caused mighty �issures and landslides in the mountains as well as in the scarps of the Pa-

ci�ic coast.”

On February 10, 1894, southeastern Mindanao was again hit with an intensity VIII tremor.

This time the epicenter was in the region east of Davao Gulf, or Davao Oriental, and it in�licted damages in many towns and “produced many �issures and displacements in the mountains and cracked a few houses of wood in the towns of Mati and Sigaboy [now Gov. Generoso].”

In 1903, two more earthquakes were recorded. The �irst was on May 24, with intensity VI, and the other was on December 28, with intensity VIII. The �irst was described as “[v]ery intense earthquake, having its center in the northwest of Davao Gulf” and the shock it created “was perceptible throughout the island [of Mindanao].”

The other tremble was a “destructive earthquake in the region east of Davao Gulf which damaged many houses in Mati, Caraga, Sigaboy, etc.” As a result, “[l]arge �issures opened and several displacements occurred in the limestone layers of the Paci�ic coast near Caraga.”

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves, with either hopes or fears but to rest satis�ied with what we have, which is suf�icient, for he that is so wants nothing.” – Seneca *** “The purpose of our lives is to be happy,” said the Dalai Lama.

“Being happy never goes out of style,” said American socialite Lilly Pulitzer. Oscar-winning Audrey Hepburn thinks so, too. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters,” the English actress said.

Laughter is the best medicine, said Reader’s Digest. Famous novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez agrees. “No medicine cures what happiness cannot,” said the man who wrote Love in the Time of Cholera and Time to Die. “If you want to be happy, be,” Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy advised. “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort,” Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in Eat, Pray, Love. “You �ight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happi-

ness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay a�loat on top of it.”

More often than not, people would get angry for what others have done to them. They want to revenge so they could get even. There are also those who are angry for no apparent reason at all. Don’t be. “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness,” said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Imagine if you are angry for one day! “Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries and grudges,” Roy T. Bennet pointed out in his book, The Light in the Heart. “Life is too short to be unhappy.”

Most intelligent people are serious and they don’t have time to go out and relax. They always see to it that their time is well spent and productive.

How true are the words of award-winning American novelist Ernest Hemingway: “Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”

To be happy or to be sad, which is which? Read this statement from Osho Rajneesh’s 365 Daily Meditations for the Here and Now: “Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height.

Sadness gives roots. Happiness

gives branches. Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth.

“Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously. The bigger the tree, the bigger will be it roots. In fact, it is always in proportion. That’s its balance.”

Between the two, choose happiness. “I’m choosing happiness over suffering, I know I am. I’m making space for the unknown future to �ill up my life with yet-to-come surprises,” Gilbert pointed out.

More often than not, people are trying to �ind happiness somewhere out there and not from within. I was reminded of the novel written by Russell Comwell. It is entitled Acres of Diamonds. The story was retold by Robert H. Schuller in his book, Discover Your Possibilities: Once there was a man named Ali Hafed, who lived in the beautiful country of Iran. He was a farmer and was content in his state of affairs. His farm was good and fruitful. He had a wife and children and raised sheep, camels and wheat. “If a man has a wife, sons, camels, health and the peace of God,” Ali Hafed often said, “He is rich!”

Ali Hafed was ich until one day a priest came to visit and

began talking about a strange thing the priest called “diamonds.” Ali Hafed had never heard of diamonds. The priest said, “They sparkle like a million suns. They are the most beautiful things in the world!”

Suddenly, Ali Hafed became very discontented with what he had. He asked the priest, “Where can you �ind these diamonds? I must have them.”

The priest answered, “They say they can found all over the world. Look for a white stream that �lows through white sands surrounded by high mountains, and you’ll �ind diamonds.”

So, Ali Hafed made a vow, sold his farm, left his wife and children in the care of a neighbor and set out on his journey to �ind diamonds.

He traveled through Palestine, then along the Nile Valley, until �inally he found himself at the Pillars of Hercules, entering the country of Spain. He looked for sands, tall mountains, but found no diamonds. With year passing, he came one day to the coast of Barcelona, broken and destitute and unable to communicate with his family. In a �it of despair and losing hope, he plunged into the sea and died.

Meanwhile, the man who brought his farm spotted a black chunk of rock while watering his camel. He took the rock home, put it on his mantel

and thought nothing more of it.

Stopping in one day, the priest looked at it and saw a color from a crack in the rock.

He told the man, “A diamond!

Where did you �ind it?”

The farmer said, “I found it by the cool sands and white stream where I water my camel.”

Together, lifting their robes and running as fast as their sandaled feet would carry them, they rushed to the stream.

They scratched and dug and found more diamonds! That discovery became the Golcanda Diamond Mine – the greatest diamond mine in the world.

“The lesson is obvious,” Schuller wrote.

“Diamonds were in Ali Hafed’s own backyard all the time. But he didn’t see them. In fact, he spent his lifetime in a fruitless search.

“The moral is also obvious,” he continued. “You can spend your lifetime in all kinds of travels and pursuits of pleasure, fame and wealth – all in an effort to �ind happiness. But happiness can be found under your own feet, in your own backyard.”

Martin Luther King Jr. said it well: “Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to �ind it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

TUCP says pushing workers in SEAG venues to overwork violates rights, health standards

P

ushing construction workers to perform their job for more than overtime just to �inish the Southeast Asian games venue on time is a serious basic violation of workers’ rights and occupational safety and health standards, according to workers’ group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALUTUCP).

The workers’ group expressed their concern after an over-fatigue construction worker identi�ied as Richard De Los Santos fell from a scaffolding Monday after having been working for almost

24 hours in a rush to complete the renovation of Rizal Memorial complex in Manila, the venue for the �irst football match in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Prior to the incident,

De Los Santos confessed that he and 25 other construction workers had been exhausted after working for almost a day to �inish the renovation amid a memorandum from the Philippine Sports Commission of�icials to put all hands on deck for the SEA games venue construction.

“Pushing construction workers to work beyond the standard eight hour work period already poses serious threat to their health and safety due to the kind of menial and tedious nature of their work.

Pushing construction workers further to work for almost a day and rush-

ing them to do their tasks like in this particular case is putting them at greatest risk which is a violation of workers’ right to safety and health,” said Gerard Seno, ALU-TUCP National Executive Vice President.

“This is a clear case of a coercive policy environment for workers to work even beyond their limit causing over-fatigue and exhaustion. Work over-fatigue is the leading cause of workplace mishaps deaths, injury and handicap anywhere in the world,” said Seno.

Reports said, Ospital ng Maynila doctors diagnosed De Los Santos with bleeding and a fracture to

the skull following the fall.

Quoting the Republic Act 11058 otherwise known as “An Act Strenghtening Compliance With Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties Thereof” signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on November 2018, Seno said it is the duty of the employers, project-owners, contractors and sub-contractors to equip the workplace free from hazardous conditions that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness or physical harm to the workers.

The law also says that: The State shall protect every worker against injury,

sickness or death through safe and healthful conditions thereby assuring conservation of valuable manpower resources and prevention of loss or damage to lives and properties consistent with the national development goals and with the State’s commitment to the total development of every worker as a complete human being.

Section 21 says “the employer, project-owner, general contractor, contractor or subcontractor, if any, and any person who manages, controls, supervises the work being undertaken shall be jointly and solidarily liable for compliance with this Act.”

The prestigious TM Forum has cited Globe as one of the 13 top telcos and vendors which are supporting the new Open API and Open Digital Architecture Manifesto that is focused on enabling a plug-and-play information technology (IT) and business architecture.

Globe along with Accenture, Axiata, China Mobile, China Unicom, CSG,

Etiya, MyRepublic, Openet, Orange, Sigscale and Vodafone, have agreed to support and lead the industry towards a radical uplift in IT agility and software architecture. The 13 �irms likewise are strongly promoting zero touch, interoperability and partnering.

"We at Globe are committed to a future that is open, transparent across

the digital ecosystem, which then allows us to meet the needs of our customers of the future -- all digital, easy, fast and suited to the modern lifestyle of the Filipino," Gil Genio, Globe Chief Technology and Information Of�icer and Chief Strategy Of�icer, said.

By signing the TM Forum manifesto, Globe is committed to deliver a

range of growth and ef�iciency opportunities including agility across its business and customers by providing a �lexible, modular architecture enabled by the Open Digital Architecture; signi�icantly reduce time-to-market; digital customer interactions; operate highly automated (zero-touch) operations and end-to-end management of complex

services across digital ecosystems and deliver high quality services at lower costs among others.

The TM Forum has been successful in designing, standardizing and promoting architectures and APIs for Communication Service Providers (CSPs), providers and integrators.

It helps its members bene�it from the latest evolutions being driven by the

dynamic, software-based �low of new technologies, services and platforms.

Since its launch three years ago, the TM Forum, 53 of the world’s leading CSPS and technology ecosystem participants have signed the Open API Manifesto and in the process have publicly known their support of the Forum’s suite of more than 50 Open APIs.

close to their locations.”

But aside from Bungos, groups of the Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao, a local ISIS group led by Abu Toraife, an ally of the BIFF, is the target of operations, Narciso added.

Following the operation, WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana assured the public that troops remain

committed to provide a secured environment to all communities under its area of responsibility.

“These recoveries connote operational success while our troops on the ground build up their focused military operations to hunt and pound the remaining terrorists in Central Mindanao,” Sobejana said.

served to them, and un�inished game venues.

This marks the Phil-

ippines' fourth hosting of the biennial regional event that opens Saturday.

food chains, among others.

Mindanao cases The �irst con�irmed case of polio, announced by the DOH on September 19, is a three-year old girl from Marogong in Lanao del Sur, the second, announced on September 20, is a �iveyear old boy from Calamba, Laguna and the third, a four-year old girl from Datu Piang in Maguindanao, was announced on October 28.

The fourth, also from Mindanao, was announced

by Health Secretary Francisco Duque during a media interview on November 5. But there were no details about the case except that the child af�licted is “from Mindanao.”

The �ifth, sixth and seventh cases are from Maguindanao, Cotabato City and North Cotabato and the eighth is from Basilan.

Of the seven con�irmed cases in Mindanao, at least �ive are from the Bangsamoro region: two from Maguindanao, one from Lanao del Sur, one from Basilan and one from Cotabato City which voted yes to inclu-

sion in the BARMM in the January 2019 plebiscite but has yet to be formally turned over. The two others are from North Cotabato and from a still unnamed area in Mindanao.

The DOH on September 19 announced that polio was con�irmed to have reemerged 19 years after its eradication in the country.

It said polio, an infectious disease which spreads rapidly, can cause paralysis, and on rare occasions, can be fatal, has no cure but it can be prevented “with multiple doses of polio vaccine that have long been proven safe and effective.”

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has three doses.

“A single con�irmed polio case of vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (VDPV2) or two positive environmental samples that are genetically linked isolated in two different locations is considered an epidemic in a polio free country,” the DOH said on September 19.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

He now owns a convenience store and a catering service.

Among the things he learned in running a business was respect.

"Respect. If you borrow, you must return it complete. It's also important not to get tempted in material things," he said, adding that it would be good if one would learn to invest his or her earnings.

Now on its 17th edition, the CMA is the signature initiative of the Citi Foundation, in partnership with the BSP and the Micro�inance Council of the Philippines. The award aims to strengthen enterprise development in the country.

Regional winners and special awardees, meanwhile, received

PHP100,000 each.

The other winners were Lea Mancera (Luzon) for her Daniel's Handicraft Weaving and Metal Frame; Merly Domingo (Visayas) for her Ebina Garment Manufacturing; and Lucrecia Neri for Manna's Alternatives Herbal Products and AtiManna Organic Hub. Special awards were given to Romualdo Blanco Jr. (Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year) for PK Maja's Special; Rolando Pega, a spring onion farmer (Agri Micro Business); Rosanna Sinapilo (Agri Micro Business) for her Coco Deli; and Caroline Jamias (Special Award for Preservation of Traditions) for her Carol Line's Ethnic and Fashion. (PNA)

as sorghum seeds company, Warner Seeds, has also expressed interest in supporting the sorghum development program of Mindanao.

“A Philippine-based Thai multi-national poultry and hog corporation, CP Foods Philippines, has committed to purchase the sorghum production of Mindanao farmers,” he added.

Sorghum is a drought-tolerant grass that produces grains the size of mongo beans ideal for food and feed grains.

“Planting sorghum does not require you to overhaul the terrain of your �ields so it will be easier to grow, and these are guaranteed to grow in your �ields with lesser maintenance,” he said during the Banana Fusarium Wilt Management Forum held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte recently.

He also noted that sorghum produces thrice the amount of yield from one planting alone. It can also be used to feed livestock, which is another source of livelihood for the farmers.

(PNA)

for 2020, which employers should consider in their recruitment policy given the highly competitive job market today that values talent and workplace skills.

Meanwhile, more than 50 percent of professionals expect bonuses of above 15 percent to their yearly salaries for them to stay in their jobs.

Apart from professional concerns, the survey reported the robust demand for local talent this

year by sectors due to the continued digitalization of businesses and the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of the government.

For the coming year, updated government regulations, the growth in �inancial technology, and the large potential of the Philippine market are expected to drive demand for recruiting more professionals, as businesses tap into opportunities. (PNA)

The government is expecting that by Feb. 3, 2020, all gasoline, diesel and kerosene retailed in the country are marked. To date, around 435 million liters of fuel have already been marked.

Petroleum companies that have already engaged the enforcers and started to have their fuel marked are: Seaoil, Pure Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Corp., Unioil Petroleum Philippines, the entire network of Chevron Philippines, Inc. and Shell NMIF. Last August 2, the Fuel Marking Program of the government was

�irst launched with the live marking of petroleum products at Seaoil Bulk Terminal in Mabini, Batangas.

Petroleum products found in the domestic market, including those in storage tanks, depots and terminal facilities shall be tested for compliance under the Fuel Marking Program.

The program is mandated to curb oil smuggling and misdeclaration of petroleum products in the country, and increase revenue collection from taxable imported and locally re�ined petroleum products.

(PNA)

earnings from related businesses and uses the same to lower transmission rates in full compliance with the provisions of EPIRA and Concession Agreement,”

Almeda noted.

The NGCP recently announced P463 billion in fresh capital to modernize and expand the power grid in the next 10 years.

TM Forum lauds Globe for being one of the companies in Asia supporting IT agility, software architecture

SOLDIER... FROM3

8TH POLIO... FROM3

VAPING... FROM3

MINDANAOAN... FROM5

BENEFITS... FROM5

MINDA... FROM4

GOV’T... FROM4

NGCP... FROM5

INdulge!

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

A luxury house owned by a rich Filipino-Chinese family.

XIE XIE JINJIANG, FUJIAN WHEN people talk about China, the first cities that come to mind are Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. So when they hear Jinjiang, eyes travel up the roof thinking. Or fingers quickly run to the keypads Googling.

I had the luxury of getting an invite from the Jinjiang City and the Fujian Provincial Government to join a media delegation from Davao City and other parts of Mindanao for a familiarization tour to explore the city and help promote it to Davaoeñeos.

According to Mr. Huang Yiming, the president of Your Tour International Travel Agency Co., Ltd., with the bilateral agreement of both cities, the Filipino-Chinese counterpart has been fruitful.

Chinese visitors to Davao and Cebu increased to 50% this year compared to last year.

Mr. Huang admits that there are only a few tourists from Davao City who visited Jinjiang which prompted them to generate more interest for Davaoeños to explore Jinjiang and other key cities in Fujian province.

Jinjiang, is the Top 10 most developed county-level city in China for 18 consecutive years with over 16,000 enterprises, 7 industrial clusters that exceeds RMB 10 billion, 42 China

Enjoying the cool breeze hiking to the top of the Fuzhou Forest Trail.

A scenic view by the lake at Wudianshi.

A prototype of an ancient ship used for transporting goods in Quanzhou. well-knowm trademarks, 130 national brands and 46 listed companies.

It is located in the southeastern side of Fujian Province known as the Capital of Chinese

Brands. This is were its magical transformation began with the help of all its people willing to share their talents and skills to the world.

Davaoeñeos are lucky enough

to have Jinjiang as its sister-city since the bilateral agreement was signed last November 15, 2018. Opportunities came to our doors knocking when Xiamen Airlines launched direct flights from Davao to Jinjiang in December 2018.

“80 percent of overseas Chinese in the Philippines actually came from this province,” Deputy Director-General of Fujian Foreign Affairs Ministry Luo Guansheng said.

Mr. Guansheng also shared that the Chinese and Filipinos have close bonds since ancient times. Filipino-Chinese aristocrats Lucio Tan, John Gokon-

gwei and Henry Sy who has contributed a lot in our country’s economic development were born in Fujian.

Who would have known that these great people, we know and idolize were actually born from this very simple province yet steadfast in innovative developments? It seems like aspiring Filipino businessmen have to explore and learn more about what Fujian has to offer.

This is why the Fujian government encourages Filipinos to visit the province and Jinjiang city in particular.

MUST-VISIT PLACES IN FUJIAN Jose Rizal Square If you know our history well, you would know that our national hero Jose Rizal was a Filipino with ethnic Chinese descent. The historians in China as well confirmed his ancestry which began in Shang-guo Cun in Jinjiang County.

It was in the early 2000s

CHILL A4

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

FOOD

CHINESE FLAVOURS WITH

LAUT PA

SOUTHEAST ASIA, or collectively called as ASEAN, is a diverse collection of countries in the world with many colourful cultures and even more colourful cuisines that are unique and full flavoured.

Located on the ground level of the Blue Lotus Hotel, Laut Palace Seafood Restaurant is a new venue where Dabawenyos can now sample Chinese cuisine influenced by the flavours and spices of ASEAN. Last month, with the invitation of Mindanao Time’s editorin-chief Amalia Cabusao, I was able to taste some of what Laut Palace has to offer together with other lifestyle writers.

To start the feast, we had one of Laut Palace’s Mixed Starters.

A mix of different dishes that are designed to tease the palate, Laut Palace’s Mixed Starters E showcases a diverse range of flavours and textures from tangy squid salad, sweet and savoury satay, spicy chilli beef, crispy spring rolls and papadams (savoury crackers). On first taste, I can see that Laut Palace

is a Chinese restaurant but has sprinkles of Malay, Thai, and even Filipino flavours.

This was followed by Laut Palace’s signature Mixed Lettuce Treasure Wraps featuring three different wraps. My favourite among the three is the duck wrap served with slivers of spring onion and hoisin sauce similar to a Chinese-style roast duck, but with the added texture of a crispy wrapper instead of a soft one.

One dish that always brings good memories of Malaysia or Singapore for me is a good Ba Kut Teh, Pork Sparerib soup, and Laut Palace’s Ba Kut Teh does not disappoint. The pork spareribs are tender and fall off the bone, while the soup is rich

and features the fragrance and flavours of traditional Chinese herbs and spices.

For the main course, we had Stewed Pork Belly served with Mantou, Steamed Red LapuLapu with Choy Pu, Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, and Singapore-style Sautéed Prawn with Salted Egg. The Stewed

Pork Belly was a standout for me as the flavourful slices of pork were tender to the bite.

To finish the meal, we had Laut Palace’s decadent Toffee Banana and Ice Cream, sweet banana fritters served on a bed of tangy mango slices and topped with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. The sweetness

of the dish is balanced by the natural tartness of the mango.

While some may say that Laut Palace is a Chinese restaurant, it is in fact much more than just a Chinese restaurant, but more like a Chinese-ASEAN restaurant, using traditional Chinese cooking skills and know-how and adapting ASEAN flavours to create a dining experience like no other.

Laut Palace Seafood Restaurant is located on the ground floor of Blue Lotus Hotel, along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City.

UP AND ABOUT

NEW HOLIDAY REWARDS FOR SMART AND SM CUSTOMERS

AFTER its successful run last year, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) has partnered with The SM Store once again to give loyal customers some holiday rewards through the Scratch and Win promo.

Shoppers can conveniently top up their Smart, TNT, and Sun prepaid phones at The SM Store, SM

Hypermarket, and other SM affiliates, to get a digital scratch card and get instant freebies. They can also join the raffle for a chance to win one of 800 top-of-the-line Bose speakers.

“We want to give our customers more convenient ways to enjoy Smart’s fastest LTE network wherever they are in the country, and our partnership with SM has allowed us to fulfill that commitment,” said Precy

Katigbak, VP and Head of National Key Accounts at PLDT-Smart.

“This is a way for us to give back to our loyal customers here at SM. Together with Smart, we hope to bring them more joy and excitement during this holiday season,” said Eugene Saw, SVP and Head of Store Business Unit at The SM Store.

For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph.

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

WEAR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AT ALL TIMES WITH ABS-CBN’S “FAMILY IS FOREVER” SHIRTS

H AN ASEAN TWIST AT

ALACE

In photo (L-R): Denis Albano, AVP, SM Business Center Operations (BCO); Mercedes Ñieva, Sr. Manager, SM Business Center Operations (BCO); Eugene Saw, SVP, SM Store Business Unit; Precy Katigbak, VP, Smart National Key Accounts; Rexmond Fang, Sr. Manager, Smart National Key Accounts; Rubledo Martinez, Business Unit Head, Eleksis Marketing Dealer Sales Group (Bose); and Louie De Guzman, AVP, Smart National Key Accounts.

ABS-CBN has unveiled its signature line of Christmas shirts just in time for the premiere of the 2019 Kapamilya Christmas Station ID, anchored on the theme “Family is Forever.”

Hundreds of Kapamilya stars and employees donned the exclusive ABSCBN “Family is Forever” shirts, which comes in colors red, green, blue, white, black, navy blue, light blue, coral, and yellow, as seen in the newest station ID. For years now, the Kapamilya Christmas shirts are released in hopes of evoking a sense of harmony and togetherness among families and friends in their tight-knit gatherings during the holidays.

This year’s message, “Family is Forever,” symbolizes the everlasting bond formed between Kapamilyas across

the world and ABS-CBN through its beloved programs and public service that aren’t bound by time or distance.

Official “Family is Forever” shirts are now available via authorized channels namely: The ABS-CBN Store at the ground floor of ELJ Building, ABSCBN Studio Experience at the fourth level of TriNoma, the ABS-CBN Store kiosk at the ground floor of Glorietta 2, and the ABS-CBN Store on O Shopping. It can also be availed online at https://store.abs-cbn.com or through ABS-CBN’s official retail partners CLiQQ Shop at 7 Eleven and The SM Store.

Feel the warmth of your family’s

love this yuletide season and get your authentic #FamilyisForever shirts only from authorized sellers.

SHOP USING PAYMAYA AT THE BIG BAD WOLF SALE DAVAO AND GET THE BEST CASHBACK OFFERS AND TREATS! BOOK lovers in Davao are in for treat! The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is once again partnering with PayMaya to offer shoppers a more rewarding and hassle-free book shopping experience as it returns in Davao on November 22, 2019 to December 2, 2019 at the Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove.

This is the best time to score great titles from various authors and virtually any genre at huge discounts and at the same time, enjoy the perks of going cashless when you pay using PayMaya at the sale event. Kuyawa gyud uy!

You can definitely look forward to seamless cashless payments as cashiers are equipped with One by PayMaya Business, a device that can accept QR payments through the PayMaya app as well as credit and debit cards powered

by VISA or Mastercard.

You can now leave your wallet at home and just scanto-pay with the PayMaya app. As PayMaya QR is the preferred payment method at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, shoppers can get an exclusive treat when they pay for their book purchases via PayMaya QR for every minimum spend of P1,000!

To make it more exciting, you can get up to 100% cashback every time you pay using PayMaya for your purchases! Aside from that, another P250 cashback can be rewarded to your account if you spend an accumulated purchase amount of P5,000. Promo runs until November 30, 2019.

Isn’t it great to be a book lover with PayMaya? With the exciting rewards and convenient payment options, PayMaya is definitely your go-to app at the Big Bad Wolf Sale!

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, don’t miss out on these awesome deals at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. Just download the PayMaya app for iOS or Android, use code PAYMAYABBW to get P50 upon signing up for an account, and get both the books and rewards you deserve by going cashless!

Part of the proceeds of the sales during Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2019 will go to Gawad Kalinga, also a partner beneficiary of PayMaya for its #PayMayaItForward corporate social responsibility program.

Find out more about PayMaya’s amazing offers and deals by visiting www.paymaya.com/deals or following @ PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A4 INdulge!

TRAVEL

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CHILL A1

portation in Quanzhou.

when the Jinjiang government, the Federation of Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and seven other organizations had agreed to build the Jose Rizal Square.

This historical attraction is 5,000 square-meter wide where Jose Rizal has an 18.61meters tall vertical monument surrounded by a beautiful garden landscape. This is the tallest Rizal monument ever built outside the Philippines. The netizens go here every day to do their daily exercise or for picnics.

Three Lanes & Seven Alleys , Fuzhou Just like any Asian country, China preserves some of its ancient temples and houses to remind them of their rich historical background.

Fuzhou, translated as “City of Blessing”, has a well-preserved 40-hectare architectural complex at Gulou District which is now called Three Lanes & Seven Alleys. This is a famous ancient block known for its long history during the Ming & Qing Dynasty transformed into cafes, restaurants, tea stalls and souvenir shops. Locals spend their time here at night bonding with their loved ones.

Fuzhou Forest Trail If you wish to witness how the locals keep themselves healthy despite a busy day-

A4 INdulge!

Wudianshi Traditional Block Back to Jinjiang City is the historical center called “Wudianshi”. Just like in Fuzhou, this is a block of more than a thousand-year-old ancient houses preserved with a few renovations in 2010. Most of the houses are now museums each with an interesting tale and shopping spots for tourists looking for souvenirs and local goods. One of the 140 houses is a luxury house owned by a very rich Filipino-Chinese family.

The places mentioned above are just a few of the highlight spots for the Chinese people and Filipinos as well. There’s a whole lot more to explore when you get there.

A4 INdulge!

An ancient house at Three Lanes and Seven Alleys transformed into Starbucks Coffee.

to-day job, check out Fuzhou Forest Trail. It is now a national park where people stroll through foresty area in an elevated 6.3 kilometer steel pedestrian. This could be a great adventure and experience for tourists when they finally reach the top to relax ang look at the breathtaking cityscape of Fujian.

Quanzhou Maritime Museum Another notable city in this province is Quanzhou (“Zaiton” ancient name), known to be the largest and busiest port

Jose Rizal Square. for trading goods in the world after Alexandria. It was once the eastern terminus of the Maritime Silk Road and home to more than a hundred thousand international community.

With such pride, the local government established the Quanzhou Maritime Museum in 1959 with a comprehensive and valuable display of historical relics telling the story of how

With Fujian Province Deputy Director General for Foreign Affairs Luo Guansheng. it all began and flourished up until now. Tourists may explore the museum which is located in the Fengze District for free.

However, it is advisable to have a tour guide with you to further explain everything you need to know related to overseas trans-

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

Tour packages Your Tour, the first private travel agency in Jinjiang, offers a 4-5 Days Tour Package for Davaoeñeos who wish to explore the city worth RMB 2,000 (15,000php). This includes an english fluent tour guide, accommodation, meals, transportation and a jampacked itinerary to 10 beautiful places.

Book your direct flights from Davao to Jinjiang at Xiamen Airlines where you will definitely indulge in their hot meals and snacks throughout the flight.

Always grab the opportunity and the time when you can travel the world and learn many great things. Until next travel.

Xie xie, Jinjiang, Fujian.

VOL.12 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE 94 100 84 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 28-29, 5-6, 2019

UP AND LAUNDRY FURNITURE A2A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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track oval did not pass the standards of regular international competitions set by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), the same standards used by the country's member federation Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

The Edge Davao report came after several coaches and athletes have noted the irregular slopes and absence of jumping and throwing concessions in the track oval. Some members of the sports media have also sought clari�ication of its status during the 2019 Palarong Pambansa hosted by Davao City where the newly-constructed track oval was not used for competitions after the PATAFA reportedly found it substandard.

Instead, the PATAFA-compliant track oval of the privately-owned University of Mindanao was used as venue for all running, throwing and jumping disciplines of athletics while the UP-Mindanao's inner concession of the track oval was used for football events. The UP-Mindanao facility also hosted archery.

UP-Mindanao explained that the entire Sports Complex is a "collaborative effort between the City Government of Davao and the University of the Philippines, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)."

"The creation of the facility is in line with the City Government of Davao’s vision to make “Davao City a regional hub for sports in Mindanao and Asia” and UP’s mandate as the national university to “undertake and support comprehensive sports programs that promote physical education, uphold excellence and encourage competitive participation in sports activities, instill school identity and solidarity, cultivate pride, self-discipline and teamwork which serve as a foundation for fostering active participation in the national university, as well as in nation building,” the statement continued.

According to the staterun university, Davao City−UP Sports Complex is jointly managed by the City Government and UP Mindanao.

The statement also debunked the report that there were no consultations made with the PSC. "Throughout the process of developing the Sports Complex, the PSC has always been engaged considering that the construction of the facility aligns with their vision to create “a sporting culture that nurtures healthy, disciplined and peaceful citizens setting the Filipino athlete at par with the world’s best” and their programs to “make sports accessible” and “erect new sports facilities at par with global standards.” For the track oval, PSC engineers and architects have regularly inspected and monitored the project."

PSC deputy executive director Atty. Guillermo

Iroy Jr. told Edge Davao that the consultations made with former PSC engineering head Architect Noel Ernal did not progress as the latter's recommendations were not followed. Ernal, Iroy said, told him UP-Mindanao wanted a football pitch inside the oval as concession, hence the "double bend" design.

PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez also con�irmed to Edge Davao that he heard that it's not compliant to IAAF norms that is why the UM facility was used in the Palaro.

"Something is short," he said. Ramirez said he will �ind out the facts from the university.

However, UP-Mindanao maintained that they complied with the speci�ications of the IAAF. "The university would like to assure the public that the contractor of the civil works for the oval has indeed complied with the speci�ications of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) as published in the IAAF Track and Field Manual 2008 edition and that the installer of the synthetic track is certi�ied as a service provider by the IAAF. Every phase in the site preparation and actual installation of the track oval has been subjected to rigorous measurements in line with the said standards."

It also defended the observations on the irregular sloping of the track saying it is allowed by the IAAF manual.

As regards the observation of Ernal regarding the double bend track, UP-Mindanao said: "the creation of a “double bend” track oval is permissible based on IAAF rules. To quote from the manual: “It is normal for an athletics track to be used for other sports. Generally, this involves using the interior of the 400m tracks as a pitch for soccer, American football or rugby. Obstacle-free sports areas in the segments at the same level as the playing �ield without kerbs over which sportsmen could stumble can be included in the safety zones.”

"The manual then provides speci�ications for “double bend” ovals, and the one in the Sports Complex has complied with these speci�ications as evidenced by the plans available at the university’s Campus Planning and Development Of�ice," the statement continued.

The university said "the decision to integrate the football �ield with the track oval was done for practical reasons to address limited space and budget.

It would have been more costly to have two separate stadiums for football and track and �ield. Moreover, the use of arti�icial turf for the football �ield was done because natural grass will require 10,000 L of water twice a day to maintain, which is counter to the green initiatives promoted by the university."

As a result of the decision to make a football pitch concession, "throwing events cannot be held

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

within the stadium as the impact of objects hitting the arti�icial turf will damage it considerably; hence, a throwing and archery �ield is being constructed adjacent to the stadium.

Jumping events may also be integrated outside the track oval at a later date, but the university currently does not have the budget to develop the area allotted for these events."

"During the Palarong Pambansa last April 2019, the open area for jumping and throwing found adjacent to the stadium was not yet �inished; hence, the organizers decided to hold archery matches there instead and hold all football matches in the football �ield. The track and �ield events were transferred to the University of Mindanao facility in order to have all related events such as running, throwing, and jumping in one venue," UP-Mindanao explained.

As to the throwing and jumping events concessions, the university explained that the adjacent throwing �ield is ongoing construction (i.e., civil works is not yet completed and additional budget is required for the installation of game surfaces)."

Finally, the university admitted it has not sought an IAAF certi�ication yet as the facilities for throwing and jumping are not yet completed. The cost for certi�ication, it claimed, is approximately P1.5 million.

A check by Edge Davao on the IAAF Certi�ication procedures revealed that a certi�ication for Class 1 status is USD10,000 or roughly P508,550 for IAAF Class 1 Athletics Facility Certi�icate (For competition facilities conforming in all respects with the requirements of IAAF Competition Rule 140. It is a full certi�icate covering all technical aspects of the facility) and USD 2,000 for IAAF Class 2 Athletics Facility Certi�icate (For competition facilities in which the in-situ tests for compliance with the IAAF Track and Runway Synthetic Surface Testing Speci�ications have not been performed but where the synthetic surface has a valid IAAF Product Certi�icate and where the facility conforms to the stringent requirements for accurate measurement contained in IAAF Competition Rules) or roughly P101,705.

Likewise the IAAF Certi�ication System Procedures Manual showed that in Section 2.1.5, "Some IAAF Member Federations have already put technical certi�ication procedures in place that regulate and certify facilities in their own countries. Where these procedures are considered adequate, IAAF may recognise certi�icates issued by these Member Federations as adequate for issue of certi�icates, but IAAF reserves the right to re-evaluate such facilities."

This means the PATAFA, like what it did with the UM athletics facility, may certify compliance based on its standards as IAAF member-federation.

is in need of

Accounting Clerks Qualifications: • BS Accountancy / Accounting Technology Graduate or any business related courses • Male/Female • Can work with minimum supervision • With or without experience

Account Executives Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate or any related courses • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With or without experience and willing to be trained

Social Media Lead Qualifications: • Candidate must be creative and enjoys social media • Experience in creating social media post for news, business and organization • Good command of English • Experience in graphic design is a plus Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

BRAGA... FROM2

power and if we have power, we have the opportunity to change the world in a positive way and to make a difference in the lives of our people-Christians, Muslims, and Lumads alike,” Braga said.

Braga is hopeful that

the Muslim communities will embrace these modules and put them to noble use for which they were intended.

“We equipped ourselves especially our children and our young people with weapons to

prevent, face, and �ight drug dependence through education,” she added.

The translation, which aims to promote cultural sensitivity, was requested by the College of Islamic Studies of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).

ty-building for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), technical vocational education training, smart city development, and startup programs.

He also called for more strategic and preventive collective action to address threats to regional peace and security, including terrorism and violent extremism, drug traf�icking, piracy, and other maritime security issues, marine conservation, and climate change-related issues.

Solution to con�lict During a special retreat session on the Korean Peninsula issue, Panelo said Duterte stressed that the solution to fraternal con�lict is not military solution, but dialogue.

“Only dialogue, based on mutual trust and respect, can lead to ‘a Korea at peace with itself and without nuclear weapons’,” Panelo said, citing the President.

The Asean and ROK leaders adopted the cochairs statement which called for the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea disputes, in accordance with international

law including United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Meanwhile, the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint by claimants and all other states was also brought up during their discussions.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana said Duterte expressed support for South Korea in the peaceful resolution of the Korean peninsula con�lict.

The leaders also adopted the Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership, which will serve as blueprint for the next 30 years of dialogue relations.

Side events The Philippines also participated in ministerial-level side events Asean-ROK CEO Summit, Asean-ROK Culture Innovation Summit, 2019 Asean –ROK Smart City Fair, and Asean-ROK Exhibition on Public Service Innovation.

In the 2019 Development Cooperation Day, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia represented the Philippines in signing a memorandum of understanding

(MOU) on Development Cooperation with ROK together with four other Asean countries.

The 2019 Asean-ROK Ministerial Roundtable on Public Service Innovation was participated in by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año who presented the country’s best practices on “Innovations in Local Governance Capacity Development for the 21st Century.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry led Philippine private sector participants at the CEO Summit and Asean-ROK Business Expo 2019.

The President also met top of�icials of Korean private companies to further promote the Philippines as a competitive and pro�itable trade and investment market.

Duterte returned to Manila on Tuesday, past 6 p.m. after a “productive participation” in the summit, Panelo said.

His attendance in the Asean-ROK Summit is Duterte's second visit to South Korea. His �irst visit was in June 2018. (PNA)

DUTERTE... FROM2

10 EDGEDAVAO

ANATOMY... FROM12

Last week, I found some of the answers after talking to some of the people who are experts in sports and its facilities. The track oval did not conform to standards and there were no concessions for throwing and jumping events. Instead, a football pitch was built in the middle of the �ield.

I have nothing against building a football pitch and in the process, ending up with a track oval with "double bend" speci�ications. I have explained this in a special report that came out on this paper on Monday. Here's the link if you missed it. https:// edgedavao.net/on-the-cover/2019/11/24/�ield-offailure/.

UP Mindanao answered with a very lengthy statement on Tuesday belying the report. It said that in part: "Regarding claims that the track oval facility “did not pass the standards of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF),” the university would like to point out that the oval was just completed last 13 March 2019; and given that an IAAF certi�ication requires a fee of considerable amount (approximately P1.5 million), the university has not attempted to have the track oval certi�ied because it does not yet have the �inancial resources to do so.

Hence, any claims that “for the sports complex to host athletics event for either the Palarong Pambansa or the Southeast Asian Games,

it has to be tweaked to standards” is therefore pure speculation at this point.

The university would also like to assure the public that the contractor of the civil works of the oval has complied with IAAF speci�ications as stipulated in the IAAF Track and Field Manual 2008 edition and that the installer of synthetic track is certi�ied as a service provider by the IAAF. Every phase in the site preparation and actual installation of the track oval has been subjected to rigorous measurements in line with the said standards."

Let me point this out.

The question is simple: Is it compliant? It's either a "yes" or a "no."

Why was the track oval not used for the Palarong Pambansa is one indication.

If the PATAFA, which reportedly said it did not pass their standards, would not use your brand new track oval, there must be something wrong. Prudence dictates that if you contract somebody to do a job for you, you must ascertain if he did it right according to standards before you accept it in a turnover which signi�ies the completion of the contract. If there is any doubt, you can easily go to a referee, in this case the PATAFA which is the member federation of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). As a member federation of the IAAF, the PATAFA is authorized to come up with its own certi�ication process.

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

No need to go to IAAF. So my suggestion is that instead of arguing on this matter, it is best to ask the PATAFA to make an evaluation of the existing track oval. This is based on the IAAF Certi�ication System Procedures Manual updated in 2019 under Section 2.1.5, "Some IAAF Member Federations have already put technical certi�ication procedures in place that regulate and certify facilities in their own countries.

Where these procedures are considered adequate, IAAF may recognise certi�icates issued by these Member Federations as adequate for issue of certi�icates, but IAAF reserves the right to re-evaluate such facilities." This means the PATAFA, like what it did with the UM athletics facility, may certify compliance based on its standards as IAAF member-federation.

UP Mindanao said it has not sought an IAAF certi�ication yet as the facilities for throwing and jumping are not yet completed.

The cost for certi�ication, it claimed, is approximately P1.5 million.

I checked the IAAF Certi�ication procedures and it says that a certi�ication for Class 1 status is USD10,000 or roughly P508,550 for IAAF Class 1 Athletics Facility Certi�icate (For competition facilities conforming in all respects with the requirements of IAAF Competition Rule 140. It is a full certi�icate covering all technical aspects of the

facility) and USD 2,000 for IAAF Class 2 Athletics Facility Certi�icate (For competition facilities in which the in-situ tests for compliance with the IAAF Track and Runway Synthetic Surface Testing Speci�ications have not been performed but where the synthetic surface has a valid IAAF Product Certi�icate and where the facility conforms to the stringent requirements for accurate measurement contained in IAAF Competition Rules) or roughly P101,705.

It also confuses me why the jumping and throwing areas, which are necessary concessions in athletics facilities, were said to be part of another phase of construction. Why separate what is part and parcel of one? Why was there a warmup rubberized four-lane track constructed instead of jumping and throwing sections? That warmup track can easily have long jump and triple jump concessions.

Granting that the jumping concessions are still to be constructed as part of different specs, which to me is strange, can we have the completed track oval measured by PATAFA including its steeplechase jump?

Now, if UP-Min allows for it for everyone's peace of mind--including that of our dead sportswriters society Batman, Daddy Ram, Nong Vic and Tatay Rene-let's have it evaluated by PATAFA. Game?

PRRD... FROM2

ment agencies for being unable to carry out its assigned tasks.

Memorandum Circular No. 56, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President last January 25, urges all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units to extend their support to the Phisgoc in the preparation, organization, and holding of the biennial meet.

It also asked the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and all the concerned national sports associations (NSAs) to coordinate with and support each other for the effective preparation and successful participation of

the Philippine delegates in the biennial sports meet and all preparatory and relevant competitions.

Duterte's former aide, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go earlier said Duterte was "very concerned" about the welfare of athletes participating in the event.

On Sunday, Panelo assured the athletes would have a “pleasant, productive, and memorable” stay in the Philippines.

“We are not promising that the Games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries. But we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive, and memorable stay in the Philippines,” Panelo said. (PNA)

malls, health centers, villages, and even churches to reach out to the public.

“Those living in gated subdivisions will no longer be a problem since they allow us to enter their residences at a certain time. Also, private pediatricians are in coordination with us,” she said.

Villafuerte said the CHO personnel are also stationed at the checkpoints in Sirawan, Lacson, and Bunawan checkpoints.

“We placed our per-

sonnel at the checkpoint areas to ensure that those who will be coming in and out of the city will be covered. We also have our team placed in terminals,” she said.

During the �irst round of vaccination, the CHO covered 99.48 percent of children in the city.

The Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio was rolled out after type 2 poliovirus was present in the water sample taken from the Davao River in August.

CIO

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11

P1-B investment on athletes will bear fruit soon: Butch

P

HILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is con�ident that the sport body’s P1-billion investment on the Filipino athletes will “bear fruit” soon.

Ramirez, who is busy touring the various venues being used for the 30th SEA Games to make sure everything is up and running, said the PSC is determined to help national athletes reach world-class standards in terms of performance in the international scene.

“We spent P1 billion for the training and exposure of our athlete_s abroad.

Never in history of our country has government been this supportive of the Filipino athlete, �inancially.

Ngayon lang nangyari ito sa pamunuan ng ating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” said Ramirez.

Most of the funding was spent on the athletes’ international training and exposure, equipment, foreign coaches, education and nutrition.

“We want them to be physically and mentally equipped when they represent the country in foreign competitions. Our support to them actually is not just geared for these SEA Games, but even beyond because we want to create a foundation in these games where we can build on our gains,” said Ramirez.

“I am con�ident that our P1-billion investment on our athletes will bear fruit,not only in the SEA Games but perhaps in the Tokyo Olympics and even the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, as well” Ramirez said.

The Philippines is hosting the 30th edition of the biennial meet. And although the lead agency tasked to organize the games is the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), the PSC has been a

valuable support agency to the Phisgoc, the Philippine Olympic Committee and the various national sports associations to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the games and the Filipino athletes’ rise to international standards.

“We want to make sure our investment in our athletes is taken care of with the smooth hosting of the games that is why we are extending our support to the organizing committee.

Sila (athletes) naman ang bida rito,” said Ramirez.

The PSC is also tasked with the upkeep of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the Philsports Arena, the Teacher’s Camp in Baguio and several other sports facilities in the countryside. The RMSC, for one, has been renovated to standards be�itting its history, with the help of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Grassroots sports is also an area where the PSC has been active as Ramirez reiterated his goal to continue the growth of the Philippine Sports Institute, the Batang Pinoy, the Philippine National Games and the Laro’t Saya sa Parke.

“We are just answering the mandate of our President, who wants to make sports accessible to all Filipinos,” said Ramirez.

The main SEA Games venues at the New Clark City and at the Clark Economic Zone were built and are being managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Those at Subic are managed by the Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA).

While the PSC provides funding to the athletes, their training and participation in events are handled by their respective NSAs, which are under the umbrella of the POC as non-government organizations.

The Philippines women’s football team salvaged a draw with Myanmar in their first match after the ‘Kikiam Fiasco.’

Malditas, Myanmar in goal-less draw

T

he Philippine women’s football team held Myanmar to a goalless draw at the start of their campaign in the Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday night at the Biñan Football Stadium.

While failing to convert all of their six shots on target -- the Malditas kept Myanmar at bay to score a stalemate against their opponent.

In the curtain raiser, Vietnam and Thailand fought to a 1-1 draw as Thaneekarn Dangda saved Thailand’s blushes in the end.

Duong Thi Van put

Vietnam ahead right before halftime with her goal, but Dangda salvaged the draw for Thailand with her goal in the 88th minute.

The Philippine women’s football team made headlines off the pitch prior to the tournament after complaints about the quality and quantity of their breakfast made rounds on social media.

But the team didn’t let it become a distraction, coming up with a draw that could have easily been a win following numerous chances to score in the second half. Camille Rodriguez and Claire Elisabeth

tally tough. Since we’ve been losing to Myanmar, what we did is we strengthen our frontline and transition play. We have a lot of chances coming from transition, coming from defending to attack,” said Dimzon.

In the other match here, Vietnam and Thailand ended in a 1-1 draw in Group B. In men’s football play at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Indonesia stunned Thailand, 2-0, behind goals from Egy Maulana and Osvaldo Haay, while Laos and Singapore settled for a goalless draw. (PNA)

POC chief calls for unity as PH hosting goes full blast

P

The Philippines' Polo Team got their first win in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday against Malaysia, 8.5-5, at the Inigo Zobel Polo Facility. PSC FB photo

Lim had their near chances in the 59th and 67th minute respectively was saved

by Myanmar keeper Mya Phu Ngon.

Malditas coach Let Dimzon was satis�ied with the draw, saying their training camp in Japan did wonders for the team.

“This is the �irst time we drew against Myanmar.

The result in this game is very far from our performance from the past years.

I think our camp in Japan gave us a big help to improve the performance of the players,” she said.

“From the start, we were prepared to be men-

hilippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino on Tuesday appealed to all Filipinos to “stand as one” as the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games is ready to go full blast.

The POC chief reminded everyone that it’s only the fourth time the Philippines is hosting the SEA Games after 1981, 1991 and 2005, and the next hosting will not come until 10 or 12 years from now.

“Remember, the next time we will host this could be in 2030.

So, let’s not pull each other down. This is for the country,” he said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the

Amelie Hotel in Manila.

The past couple of days were marred by the failure of the local organizers meeting the demands of a multi-nation event, including accommodation, transportation and other basic needs of foreign delegates.

“We all make mistakes that’s why we should work together.

Those in the social media, the netizens, let’s move on �irst with our hosting,” said the congressman and chief of Philippine cycling.

“It’s normal,” he said of what he described as minor glitches, leading to complaints regarding the food being provided to the athletes, and accreditations with mis-

taken identities.

“I’ve experienced that myself,” Tolentino said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

What’s important, the POC chief added, is for Filipinos to rally being the athletes and the hosting in general.

“Let’s just focus on our athletes. With this, my statement will be not only for us to ‘we win as one’ but ‘we stand as one’ in hosting this SEA Games,’” he added.

“All these problems have solutions and they are being addressed and being solved,” Tolentino said. (PR)

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019

NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO VIEW FROM THE OUTFIELD

ANATOMY OF A TRACK FACILITY

I

t was in 1994 when Davao City's sports media decided to band together and form the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA). The late Ferdinand "Batman" Lintuan of ABC 5 was elected as DSA's �irst charter president and I served as his vice president whilst writing for the now defunct Daily San Pedro Express.

Among DSA's original members are Peryodiko Dabaw's Charles Raymond Maxey (who is now Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission), SPEX'S Mo Billacura (now a Canadian resident and Edge Davao columnist) and Ed Fernandez (now PSC Mindanao director).

There were also the late Dean of Davao sports journalism Ramon "Daddy Ram" Maxey (Charles' father) and fellow sportswriting legend Vic Sai, and the reverred maestro of Davao photojournalism Tatay Rene Lumawag.

DSA was at the forefront of Davao City's dream of building a sports complex from way back in those days. I remember how passionately we wrote to vie for the Palarong Pambansa, to push for the allocation of budget for a sports complex. We harbored the common dream of every Dabawenyo athlete and coach. Every afternoon, at the old PTA Sports Complex, we prayed that

someday the dream will become a reality.

Last April when Davao City �inally became host to the Palarong Pambansa, my heart skipped a beat. I must admit that after having seen the Davao City Sports Complex dream come to reality at the UP Mindanao campus, I told myself the long wait is over.

I had to be honest though, when the brand new track oval wasn't used for athletics in the Palarong Pambansa, I thought "why?" And then I heard some whispers that it did not pass the standards of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

ANATOMY, P10