Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 189 | Sunday-Monday, December 1-2, 2019

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Two members of the Philippines Azkals men's U22 team pose for a photo while holding the Philippine flag behind them. The Southeast Asian Games formally opened on Saturday night, Novemner 30, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. SEA Games 2019 Official Page photo

HOGSTEL MinDA mulls plan to stave off ASF

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is strengthening measures to prevent the African Swine Fever (ASF) from making entry into the country by putting up a protective shelter for pigs called a 'hogstel.'

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MinDA Investment Promotions, International Relations, and Area Concerns Office head Olie Dagala revealed that a study is already ongoing and that they are still at the conceptualization stage of the framework targeted to be completed by January next year.

"We are now on the conceptualizaiton stage of the project. There is a hogstel (hotel sa mga baboy) kasi ang ASF is actually hindi siya nanggaling sa mga large hograisers kasi may sarili silang bio-security measures.

Nanggaling ang ASF sa back-

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and guest of honor 2nd Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli exchange pleasantries as they lead the commemoration of the 156th birth anniversary of Gat. Andres Bonifacio at the newly renovated Bonifacio Monument at the junction of Magallanes Street and C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr

Polio immunization target of is almost 80% in 5 days T

Ayala renovates Davao pediatric cancer patients' halfway house

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ealth authorities in the province of Davao Oriental has reached its target of immunizing 80% of the population of under 5 year olds in the first 5 days of its 2-week anti-polio vaccination campaign.

City of Mati Health Officer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said that as of November 29, Davao Oriental has registered an average of 79.79% accomplishment rate.

Governor Generoso has the highest accomplishment rate of 88.29%, fol-

lowed by Banaybanay with 86.72%; Lupon 83.43%; Tarragona 81.99%; Cateel 81.39%; Baganga 80.30%; Caraga 79.15%; Mati 78.99%; Boston 76.38%; Manay 67.66%; and San isidro 67.54%.

In the City of Mati, around 17,000 kids under

5 years old are targeted for vaccination.

The Mindanao-wide anti-polio vaccination campaign started on November 25 and will run until December 7.

Another round of immunization is scheduled on January 20 until February 2, 2020.

Catbagan said that they need to hit 95% coverage until December 7 to be able to establish a “herd immunity” for the target population.

A herd immunity is the resistance to the spread of

young cancer patients and their families that there is always hope and that we have some of the best medical professionals in the world that can aid in their treatment and recovery," he said.

The renovation started in July and was completed in November this year.

"We make sure that the facility will be conducive to patients, parents, staff and is a proper venue for healing," Maranan said, adding that a clean community will also help improve the health of the patients and their willingness to fight the disease.

"We thank everyone for making us a part of the

A graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Tria is a veteran of the DATE (Davao Agri-industrial Trade Exposition) and Davao ICON (Investment Conference), two banner annual events of the DCCCII, which had won as the country's most outstanding chamber half a dozen times and twice a finalist in the most outstading chamber of the world competition.

I am thankful to the business community and the Chamber members for their trust and confidence.

I am humbled and excited

with the challenge of being president. 2020 will be an exciting year for all of us.

Last Saturday's election marked the emergence of a number of young entrepreneurs as winners, an advocacy of incumbent chamber president Arturo M. Milan.

Other elected officers are Belinda Laya Torres, executive vice president; ( to be continued) Cherrylin Casuga, VP for industry; Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde, VP for trade and commerce:; Antonio T. dela Cruz, VP for professional

services; Jennifer Dumlao, corporate secretary; and Malou Ampuan, corporate treasurer.

Earlier, Dr Monteverde, a former chamber president, topped the election of five new trustees.

Another former chamber president, De la Cruz also won the fifth trustee seat by winning a tosscoin conducted by former President Joji Ilagan-Bian, yesterday’s election committee chairperson, to settle a tie between dela Cruz and young entrep Marlon D. Rebaya.

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Newsman Tria elected 2020 DCCCI president

E John Carlo B. Tria

a contagious disease within a population that results if a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease, especially through vaccination.

Herd immunity is usually achieved with an 8394% level of vaccination.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease. It is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis. (CIO MATI)

he Ayala Foundation has renovated the 'House of Hope' halfway house for pediatric cancer patients located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center here.

The once-dilapidated house can now provide temporary lodging for young patients seeking treatment at the SPMC Cancer Institute, said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala Foundation, in an interview on Friday.

Maranan said the facility's PHP10-million renovation includes repair and installation of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, a common area, and a play area.

"We would like to show

DGE DAVAO columnist and business writer John Carlo B. Tria was unanimously elected Saturday president of the multi-awarded Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).

Tria, who also writes a column for Manila Bulletin and a number of community papers in the country, runs a few social enterprises in Davao City, hometown of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

He is the first ever media person elected to head the chamber which turned 50 years old this year.

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4 NEWS

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VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

BARMM solon lauds recent deployment of forest rangers

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member of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament lauded on Thursday the recent deployment of 400 forest rangers in the region, describing it as a timely move to protect the remaining forests from man-made destruction.

Member of Parliament Bai Maleiha Candao of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) said the deployment of the rangers, all former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is a welcome development considering that the “palaws” (mountain protectors) know their forests well.

“The region’s forests are now more secured with them around,” Candao said in her speech during the BTA session Thursday.

The rangers will form part of the implementation of the Integrated Bang-

samoro Greening Program (IBGP) aimed at protecting the remaining forest cover of the region.

In Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, the IBGP targets to reforest about 10,000 hectares that had been denuded over the years. The IBGP will soon be implemented in other parts of the region, Candao said.

Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that as of December 2010, the region has 99,889 hectares of closed forests, another 146,431 hectares of open forests, and 55,574 hectares of mangroves for a total of 301,894 hectares.

BARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Lamitan; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato that opted to join the region.

(PNA)

2nd Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli greets World War 2 veterans at the sidelines of the commemoration of the 156th birth anniversary of Gat. Andres Bonifacio at the newly renovated Bonifacio Monument at the

junction of Magallanes Street and C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD to Filipinos: Emulate A A. Bonifacio’s ‘love for PH’

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday called on Filipinos to be inspired by revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio’ patriotism and selflessness.

The Chief Executive made the call as he joined the entire nation in celebrating the 156th birth anniversary of Bonifacio who is branded as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution.”

In his message, Duterte hailed Bonifacio’s “courage and selflessness” to make the Philippines an “independent and vibrant nation that advances ever forward to the future.”

“Today is an auspicious occasion to reflect on An-

dres Bonifacio’s legacy of awakening the Filipino consciousness to fight for our freedom and build an entire nation. The Father of the Philippine Revolution has taught us to embody patriotism and take a stand against our oppressors through the civic duties we fulfill as citizens of this great country,” he said.

“I urge everyone to emulate his love for country in our endeavors as we bring to life the strong and pro-

8 evacuation camps remain, almost a month since last big earthquake

gressive Philippines that he had envisioned for us all,” the President added.

Bonifacio led the clandestine revolutionary movement Katipunan in 1896 to fight Spanish colonial rulers.

He, however, died in 1897 not in battle but upon the order of another Katipunero, Emilio Aguinaldo.

At present, Duterte acknowledged the need to adopt Bonifacio’s “revolution” to free the country from “social ills.”

“Even in death, his (Bonifacio) great sacrifice persists to ignite the spark of meaningful change so that we can bring this nation he had left behind to greater heights,” he said.

“Up to this day, we are challenged to continue his revolution as we liberate ourselves from corruption, criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs and other social ills that continue to plague our society,” Duterte added.

Duterte is scheduled to lead the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Bonifacio National Shrine in Caloocan City on Saturday afternoon.

In a separate statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed hope that Filipinos would emulate Bonifacio and aspire to become modern day heroes.

“As we pay tribute to the Father of Philippine Revo-

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lmost a month since the last big earthquake hit the province of Cotabato, eight evacuation camps in three quake-hit barangays in this city still remain even after the city government has ordered the return of quake victims to their homes.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista, during the inter-agency and multi-sectoral meeting on Friday, said the return of those internally-displaced persons is part of their efforts to decongest the number of evacuation sites in the city.

This as the move to rehabilitate the damaged structures is underway, said the mayor.

“We will complete the rehabilitation efforts the soonest. I want it done immediately because I don’t want any delay in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, just like what is happening in Marawi City

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Grenade lobbed at soldiers in Cotabato fails to explode

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Hundreds of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aspirants queue outside Vicente Hizon Sr. Elementary School in Bgry. Pampanga, Davao City, where the PCG entrance examination is being held on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr

and in areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region,” he stressed.

The city has identified 25 hectares of land near the evacuation camps as relocation areas for quake-affected families.

Evangelista said he will join the team that will conduct ocular evaluation and assessment of the 4.5 hectares earlier identified as relocation site for quake-affected families in Barangay Ilomavis, one of those severely hit by at least four quakes with magnitude 6 and above.

In total, the city needs at least 25 hectares to relocate the 1,700 families displaced by the calamity or whose houses were totally wrecked because of the quakes.

The biggest of which are residents of Barangay Ilomavis with 848 families to be relocated in the

till unidentified suspects lobbed a grenade at soldiers of the Special Forces Battalion as they were buying dinner here on Thursday, but fortunately the grenade failed to explode.

Lt. Col. Randy Banaag, commanding officer of the 5th Special Forces Battalion stationed in Cotabato City, said that while a squad of his troops parked along Sinsuat Avenue around 7 p.m. after securing a school intramurals, a disturbing sound landed at the roof of the camouflaged vehicle just as a speeding motorcycle whizzed by.

“We thought they threw a stone that landed on the roof of the jeep.

When checked later, we found out it was a hand grenade,” Banaag said in a phone interview.

“Luckily our men are safe, it didn’t go off even as the safety lever was re-

moved and is armed and ready to explode anytime,” he added.

Banaag said it was too late to run after the suspects as they disappeared immediately while joining other motorists in a heavily congested highway.

Army Explosive Ordnance Team responded soon to the area, diffused the grenade and kept safe the dud grenade.

The Special Forces Battalion is now working with police investigators to identify the perpetrators through the CCTVs installed all over the business establishments along Sinsuat Avenue.

Banaag has reminded his troops to be extra vigilant to this type of treacherous attacks.

Authorities are not discounting the possibility of diversionary and revenge attacks as intensified offensive is ongoing

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6 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

MinDA to boost mango, organic rice sectors

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is now looking at boosting the agricultural productivity particularly mango and organic rice in Mindanao as among the top priority programs to be implemented next year.

Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, executive director MinDA said this is the focus of MinDA and apart from ramping up water supply projects, the agency will also assist the mango industry and organic rice sector.

Lopoz said they will be intensifying in implementing programs for the mango industry and organic rice to increase farmers’ income.

“These are the proejcts that we will be intensifying next year as this also related to poverty reduciton. Increasing farmers income will also go down to poverty reduction. Magkakabit-kabit po lahat,” she said.

Olie Dagala, MinDA investment promotions, international relations and area concerns office director on the context of the organic rice they will help rice farmers get back after the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which is being petitioned to be repealed due to the continued decline of the prices of palay.

“After the rice tariff law tinitingnan namin baka lalong mawawala ang mga farmers sa kanilang farms or they will convert their farms,” Dagala said.

Dagala is optimistic that there is a niche market for organic rice.

“Kaya lang walang tinatawag natin na economy of scale kasi pa pichi-pichi yung rice farmers, minsan mga ilang ektarya lang andito,” he said.

He said they will help the farmers on how to pass standards and how to penetrate the international market.

On the mango industry, he said they will help the growers to pass the maximum residue level (MRL),

which is the highest level of pesticide residue that is legally tolerated in or on food.

“Ang mango ay matagal na natin yan kalakasan sa Mindanao. But then kanya-kanya sila at hindi sila as a solid industry so kailangan pa rin nila some help to facilitate and even to penerate the market. But still ang problema nila is on the standards,” Dagala said.

MinDA chairperson Secretary Manny Pinol has been mentioning in recent months about ramping up projects for water supply such as the solar powered irrigation to help boost the agricultural productivity in Mindanao.

Lopoz said these initiatives also aim to address poverty reduction, which is in relation to MinDA’s 4Ps initiative: People, Productivity, Poverty Reduction, and Peace.

“Sa Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan nandoon pa rin tayo sa corridor development and ensuring connectivity but still the overall frame goes down to the focus areas (4Ps),” she said.

Lopoz also announced that after a review done by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) the September and October results in terms of agriculture Mindanao has been maintaining its positions: northern Mindanao remains the top in terms of cattle and agricultural output; and the poultry products and major crops remain to be the same.

“We were a bit concerned with the start because we were hearing some reports from the national that there might be a big drop in agricultural output for the year but as of latest September and October PSA report it appears like the rest of country have been observing some decline but Mindanao at least is maintaining if not increasing a little bit in our agricultural production,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

NEDA Board approves P187-B new projects

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he National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Friday seven new projects amounting to PHP187.34 billion, which include three projects from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), three projects of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and one to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region.

This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

The DOTr projects include the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol Panglao International Airport, and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City; the Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol International Airport project involves operations and maintenance (O&M) and enhancement of the airport; and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Air-

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Outgoing Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Arturo Milan gestures while interacting with member of the press in this undated photo. Milan has cited in his report the successful

inbound and out bound trade missions as among the achievements of DCCCII under his helm during the 2019 DCCCII General Assembly of Members. Lean Daval Jr

Trade missions highlight DCCCII’s 2019 achievements

By MAYA M. PADILLO avao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) highlighted its accomplishments for 2019 and topping the list are the outbound and inbound business missions.

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DCCCII President Arturo Milan reported during the 2019 DCCCII Annual General Assembly of Members the outbound business missions conducted this year.

This year’s trade missions include Jinjiang in Fujian Province (China), Singapore, Seoul (South Korea), Tokyo, Hitachinaka, and Saitama (Japan) for outbound; Taiwan and Malaysia for inbound.

The chamber partnered with the Chinese Consular Office in Davao and Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office which paved the way for a four-day Outbound Trade Mission through the Davao-Quanzhou and vice-versa Direct International flight provided by Xiamen Airlines in May this year.

The Davao City and Jinjiang signed a sisterhood

agreement last November 13, 2018 at Jinjiang, Fujian Province.

The delegation went to visit top companies having its roots from Jinjiang namely: ANTA Sports Products Company, Panpan Foods Group, and Fujian New Land Computer Co., Ltd. Also, the group visited historical tourism sites such as the famous Jose Rizal Square and Three Lanes and Seven Alleys.

In the effort to further improve the bilateral trade relations of the Philippines and Singapore, members of the DCCCII headed by the Davao Chamber Executive Vice President, John Carlo Tria embarked on a 2-day Trade Mission to Singapore also in May this year.

Milan said the Singapore Embassy Deputy Head of Mission, Zhou Suli, expressed their interest in

importing more commodities from Mindanao especially agri-produce during the 2nd General Membership Meeting of DCCCII last February.

In response to this, the chamber has coordinated with Enterprise Singapore to conduct a 2-day trade mission to Singapore in order for Davao businessmen to personally meet with traders and grasp market conditions.

The itinerary includes a site visit to the Singapore Food Agency which oversees the country’s food safety and security. Correspondingly, the Davao businessmen will be meeting with companies engaged in the ICT Sector, renewable energy and construction.

On May 21 to 23, the City Government of Davao conducted an Investment and Tourism Roadshow in Seoul, South Korea wherein the chamber also participated in this roadshow to promote Davao City as a leading investment destination in the Philippines.

The first day of the roadshow was a meeting

he Philippine peso appreciated against the US dollar on Friday as the influx of remittances in time for the holiday season supported the local unit.

The local currency gained 6.5 centavos to close at P50.8:$1 from 50.865 on Thursday.

"The peso closed stronger today at 50.80, after yesterday's 50.865, amid some increase in OFW (overseas Filipino work-

ers) remittances for Christmas season-related spending," Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said.

The remittances from Filipinos abroad would be an important catalyst until December that could help support the peso, offset by net foreign selling since last week at the local stock market, with the PSEi traded at the lowest in more than a month since October 16, 2019 recently, ac-

cording to Ricafort.

"The upcoming budget deficit data next week would be a source of new leads for next week especially on government spending and infrastructure spending data that showed sharp growth rates in the previous month and eventually supported faster GDP (gross domestic product) growth data for 3Q 2019," he said.

On external factors, major catalyst that would af-

with the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korean International Trade Association.

On the second day, a Davao Business Forum was held.

“This roadshow has generated huge interest for the export of more processed fruits and frozen fruits from Davao City as well as Tourism opportunities for Davao City for Korean tourists,” Milan said.

The Davao Chamber in cooperation with the Consulate General’s Office of Japan in Davao has embarked a five-day trade mission to Tokyo, Hitachinaka, and Saitama Japan in November this year.

Milan said this undertaking aims to encourage Japanese to do business in Davao, propose a direct flight from Davao to Japan and vice versa, and create more business opportunities between Davao City and Japan.

“Davao Chamber delegates headed by yours truly conducted a courtesy visit with His Excellency Jose C. Laurel V. We were

fect the peso would be any progress on the US-China trade talks that showed mixed signals recently such latest US legislation that supports Hong Kong protesters that could prompt retaliation from China and could complicate the trade talks, though offset by new US-China trade talks by late November 2019 for a possible partial/phase one trade deal within weeks as early as November-December 2019, Ricafort said.

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Confederation proposes measures to solve sugar industry problems

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VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

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Camella starts rolling out newest communities; Davao City, kickoff site

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amella, the country’s largest homebuilder, officially rolled out one of the newest additions to its real-estate footprint in the Davao Region last Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Castle Dreams Hotel, Toril, Davao City.

Entitled “The Verdant Launch: Invest and Thrive in Toril,” Camella highlighted the strategic and attractive position of its development relative to the district’s prosper-

ing economy and natural beauty––the two elements that succinctly capture the essence of its verdant communities.

The event featured insightful talks on Toril’s

thriving tourism and economy, and how it is practically becoming Davao City’s new frontier of growth. A clear overview of the soon-to-take-form 10-hectare Caribbean-inspired community was also shown through a 3D walkthrough presentation.

Verdant showcased growth for Camella both as a physical community and as a brand. With the homebuilder officially unveiling its Camella AR3D mobile app, its commitment to find more innovative

ways to better serve Filipino homebuyers is likewise furthered. The app allows users to view the entire catalogue of Camella house model offerings in the palm of their hands from any part of the world, which is a convenient advancement, especially for its overseas customers.

Aside from the Camella AR3D, the brand’s flourishing growth in technology also extends to include the enabling of the online reservation for both buyers and sellers, with develop-

ments to add other necessary features underway.

These are just two from Camella’s arsenal of digital service innovations, which are aimed at bringing the brand closer to its clients, as well as improving overall customer experience.

Toril is only one of the launches Camella has lined up, as proof of the brand’s thriving growth. Further launches in the pipeline are Camella Bacolod South and Camella Naga Highlands, set to bloom this year in December 9 and

December 11, respectively, with more communities in the roster to join the prolific limelight in the upcoming months.

Camella, the leading Filipino housing-community brand, continues to fulfill its mandate of providing quality homes in areas of beauty and progress. Indisputably the real estate brand with the widest geographic reach, Camella communities are seeded all over the country to continuously grow with its families.

Comval celebrates 1st Coconut Summit

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ompostela Valley Province--- a total of 300 Coconut Farmers and stakeholders attended the “1st Comval Coconut Summit” held at the Provincial Capitol of Compostela Valley on Novemeber 27, 2019.

Targets of the newly commenced Coconut Summit is to “REVIVE, VALUE ADDING and R&D Market!” for the Coco industry. It also serve as the convergence of the different National Government Agencies such as the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Compostela Valley State College (CVSC) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to pool their resources in order to revive the industry.

One of the main highlights of the summit was to directly link the Coconut

Farmers to different investors giving them a good pricing opportunity. Three big markets attended the summit that day; Franklin Bayer, First in Commodities Marketing, Inc. (FIC) and Legaspi Oil in Maco.

According to the OIC -PCA Administrator Ruel Rosales, the government is currently working to address the concerns of Coconut Farmers through the different Component Ventures namely; Coco Hybridization, Farm Venture, Agri-Biotech Venture, Bio Fuel Venture and the Food and Non-food Ventures as part of the “New Thinking in Coconut Industry” in the Philippines.

The DOST thru its R & D Program offers to add value to local products and processes thru Science and Technology interventions such us product quality improvement, SET-UP pro-

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8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

EDITORIAL Good news for nurses It’s a long time coming and now, the long wait may be over. The country’s nursing professionals will finally get their long overdue salary increment.

The much-needed salary hike for government nurses may be approved as early as January next year once the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is enacted into law. This was made possible after the Senate adopted one of Senator Panfilo Lacson’s amendments in the Senate version of the national expenditure program. Under the adopted special provision, “Increasing the Salary Grade of Government Nurses,” the base pay of government nurses shall be Salary Grade (SG) 15 (PHP30,531 a month) from the existing Salary Grade 11 (PHP20,754 a month), in compliance with a recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling.

The needed funds for the salary adjustments amounting to P3.173 billion are already available via the appropriations for staffing modifications and upgrading of salaries, or the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund (MPBF).

The increment is an offshoot to a Supreme Court ruling in October when it upheld the validity of a provision of Republic (RA) Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 which sets the minimum pay for government nurses to SG 15.

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The pay hike was the subject of a legal battle where the High Tribunal ruled in favor of the petition of Ang Nars Party-list, challenging the validity of a congressional resolution and Executive Order 811, which effectively reduced the legislated minimum pay of government nurses from SG 15 to SG 11. In handing down the decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Joint Resolution 4, passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate in June 2009 being a mere resolution, cannot amend or repeal a full-fledged law such as Republic Act (RA) 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. In relation to that, EO 811, which implements Joint Resolution 4, is also not a law but an executive directive and cannot prevail over RA 9173.

Now all that is history. Government nurses, who are perhaps among the most underpaid professionals, will finally get what they deserve. Considering the bulk of work that fall on the shoulders of government nursing professionals, the salary adjustment should be vindication of sorts.

After decades of losing the country’s nurses to greener pastures overseas, there is now reason for nurses to stay home close to their families and serve the country.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. ADAM B. MORRELL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL CHA MONFORTE Cartoonist Layout/Cartoons Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

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SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

Recognized as Davao’s youngest province, Davao Occidental, during the prewar era, hosted the most number of hemp and coconut plantations in the entire region. Though most of these farms were relatively smaller than Japanese-owned abaca estates, nearly all of the agricultural lands in the area were owned and cultivated

by American landowners.

Most of the areas in Davao Occidental, geographically, are littoral regions and hilly areas. N. H. Duckworth, president of Davao Chamber of Commerce in 1926, described part of the province in an article he wrote for The American Chamber of Commerce Journal in January 1926.

“Beginning at Sarangani channel, there are a number of small holdings in valleys along the beach front. These small holdings extend through the districts of Batulaki and Caburan and are owned by Bagobos, which tribe has inhabited these districts from time prior to the discovery and conquest of the Philippines by Spain.

“The Bagobos, Manobos and Bilaans comprise the principal pagan tribes of Davao and are to be found in small settlements through the province. They are

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL, PREWAR ABACA CAPITAL

best organized in the Batulaki, Caburan and Malita districts, where they have numerous small plantations. In these districts, which are from 40 to 80 miles from the town of Davao, the small plantations of the pagan tribes mentioned are near the coast, while in the districts nearer Davao they are farther inland, having no doubt been pushed back by later settlers, Spaniards, Filipinos, Japanese and Americans…

“The country in the region of Batulaki, Caburan and Malita is very mountainous. From Batulaki to Malita the mountains extend to the shoreline in many places, forming high cliffs at the water’s edge. The valleys along this shoreline are very fertile; they are excellent for plantations of both Manila hemp and coconuts. At Malita the flat country begins to widen, affording ample room for many plantations some distance from shore. The country along the shore continues flat with a fairly wide stretch of plain up to Tubolan (sic) point, where the mountains touch the shore again.”

Davao Occidental, comprised of the towns of Don Marcelino Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, Malita, and Sarangani, was home

to about a dozen farms before the war. Among the establishments in 1926 were Luayon Plantation Co., Lamidan Plantation Co., Calian Plantation Co. and Lapuan Plantation Co., Mt. Apo Plantation Co., Talagutun Plantation Co., Lais Plantation and Trading Co., Malita Culaman Plantation Co., Lacaron Plantation, and Basiawan Plantation Co..

Found along the shore north of Caburan, Jose Abad Santos, Luayon Plantation was a large farm situated after entering the gulf of Davao. Opened in 1912 with Maj. Wegge was one of its owners, the plantation was originally planted with rubber, but the farm owners later decided to switch planting over to 20,000 hills of hemp and 6,300 coconut palms.

Lamidan Plantation Co., meanwhile, was owned by J. M. Johnson, whose scions still live in the area.

The estate was planted with 2,000 coconut palms and 30,000 hills of hemp. Calian Plantation Co., originally owned also by Johnson, and Lapuan Plantation Co., on the other hand, were the properties of Henry W. Pahl. Comparatively, Calian Plantation Co. was smaller; it only had 1,000 to 3,000 coconut palms and 10,000 to 15,000 hills

of hemp, while Lapuan Plantation Co. had 10,000 coconut palms and 20,000 to 30,000 hills of hemp.

Mt. Apo Plantation Co., informally called Lawas, was owned

by Duckworth. It had 18,000 coconut palms and 30,000 hills of hemp. Talagutun Plantation Co., meanwhile, was owned by Filipino Marcelino Maruya, after whom one of the towns of Davao Occidental was named. It had only 1,000 to 5,000 coconut palms and 20,000 hills of hemp.

Owned by H. Peabody, Lais Plantation and Trading Co. was home to 150,000 hills of hemp and 12,000 coconut palms. On the other hand, Malita Culaman Plantation Co., owned by Orville V. Wood, a former acting district governor of Davao, was the leading farm in the area, hosting 20,000 coconut palms and 180,000 hills of hemps.

Managed by W.T. Patstone, Lacaron Plantation Co. was home to 11,000 coconut palms and 75,000 hills of hemp, while Basiawan Plantation Co., owned by George Van, was a new farm.

Geographically, the plantations of Lamidan, Calian, Lapuan, Mount Apo, and Talagutun were situated in today’s Don Marcelino town, while Luayon was in Cabu-

ran, Jose Abad Santos. Lais Plantation & Trading Co., Malita Culaman Plantation Co., and Lacaron Plantation Co. were in Malita, and only Basiawan Plantation Co.was in the town of Santa Maria.

Outside Davao Occidental, the other abaca plantations were Comassic Plantation Co., Malalag, Davao del Sur; Malalag Plantation Co., Malalag; Mindanao Estates Co., Padada, Davao del Sur; Christensen Plantation Co., Padada; Digos Plantation Co., Digos City; Furukawa Plantation Co., Daliao, Davao City; Piedad Plantation Co., Daliao; Ohta Development Co., Talomo, Davao City; Talomo Plantation Co., Inc., Talomo; Bunawan Plantation Co., Bunawan, Davao City; Lasang Plantation Co., Lasang, Davao City; Madaum Plantation Co., Tagum City; Pindasan Plantation Co., Mabini, Compostela Valley; Mampising Plantation Co., Mabini; Tagnanan Plantation Co., Pantukan, Compostela Valley; Bongabong Plantation Co., Pantukan; Tagdangua Plantation Co., Pantukan; Magnaga Plantation Co., Pantukan; Gulf Plantation Co., Pantukan; Southern Cross Plantation Co., Pangasinan; and Piso Coconut and Cattle Co., Lupon, Davao Oriental.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PULLING OTHERS DOWN “Any fools can criticize, complain and condemn – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” – Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People *** Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero, once said: “We need criticism to keep us awake.”

He was right, damned right.

“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed,” American novelist Herman Melville reminded.

It simply means that when you criticize some be sure you know who you are putting in the limelight. I was reminded of an anecdote which was published in Reader’s Digest. There was this well-known New York photographer who went to a socialite party.

On his way in, the hostess told him, “Oh I love your photos; you must have an amazing camera!”

The photographer never replied. And so they had dinner and at the end of the night, on his way out, the photographer commented to the hostess, “I really loved the food; you must have an amazing stove!”

“Criticism of others is thus an oblique form of self-commendation,” Fulton J. Sheen wrote in Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Les-

sons from Cana and Calvary. “We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked.”

To criticize means, according to my dictionary, is “to find fault with” or “to point out the faults of.”

But criticism also means “to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly.”

The usually unflappable Winston Churchill could handle almost anything in life; he endured the chaos and terror of World War II without losing his cool. But at least there was one event in his life that had a humbling effect on him; that was when he encountered Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman to sit in the British House of Commons.

At that time, the two were staying with Churchill’s cousin, the Duke of Marlborough, at Blenheim Palace. During the dinner, Lady Astor told the British prime minister: “Winston, if I were your wife, I’d put poison in your coffee.” He looked her straight to the eyes and remarked, “Nancy, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.”

But there’s a Filipino version to that. In a party, a woman told a young man who imbibed too many drinks. “You are drunk,” she said.

The young man mumbled but still managed to say, “Tomorrow, I will be sober, but you will still be ugly!”

Their exchange of words may be funny but what if you were the recipient of such offending words?

What if someone will tell you any of the following statements: “Your work put a first grader to shame” (which actually means you don’t know what you’re doing) or “Your acting is no brainer” (another way of saying “It’s boring”).

Some people criticize others because the recipients are better than the critics themselves. Remember the movie Bituing Walang Ningning, where singing sensation Cherrie Gil told the upcoming phenomenal Sharon Cuneta: “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat.”

There are two sides of a coin; the same is true with criticism: it is either bad criticism or good criticism. If someone criticize you, think it over. Study how the person said it and ponder whether what he is saying is true or not.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary,” Sir Winston Churchill pointed out. “It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”

American President Theodore Roosevelt explained it further with these words: “It is not the critics who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and

again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know their victory nor defeat.”

In most instances, even if you have given your best and done what you think is right, there are always those who will find fault on what you have accomplished. But don’t be discouraged. Listen to the words of American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt: “Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

To those people who always criticize you, here’s a tip from French moralist and essayist Joseph Joubert. There was this man who interrupted one of Buddha’s lectures with a flood of abuse. Buddha waited until he had finished and then asked him: “If a man offered a gift to another but the gift was declined, to whom would the gift belong?” The man replied: “To the one who offered it.”

Buddha told the man: “I decline to accept your abuse and request you to keep it for yourself.”

But there are those who criti-

cize you in order for you to be better and to give your very best. “We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are a few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offed a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him,” French philosopher Michel de Montaigne said.

Perhaps, one of the surest marks of good character is a man’s ability to accept personal criticism without malice to the one who gives it. A woman at a mall was looking at the ice cream. Another woman came up behind her and grabbed hold of her hand. “Get away from there. You don’t need that. You’re already overweight.”

The startled woman turned around to face her critic. The woman who had approached her realized she had confused this woman with a friend. The woman gained her composure and responded to her critical assailant with these words: “You mean you have a friend!?!”

Lord Alfred Tennyson advices: “No man ever got very high by pulling other people down. The intelligent merchant does not knock his competitors. The sensible worker does not work those who work with him. Don’t knock your friends.

Don’t knock your enemies. Don’t knock yourself.”

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2020... FROM12 happened in 2013, affected 16 million Filipinos resulting into more than 6,000 deaths.

In Mindanao, Typhoons Pablo and Sendong had devastated areas which were previously regarded as typhoon-free.

Also in Mindanao, the El Niño that took place from 2015 to 2016 had resulted into billions of agricultural damage, causing forest fires across its mountains, and even bred the Kidapawan massacre.

Salceda also cited the recent mass casualties during the Urduja, Vinta, Ompong, Naga L landslides, Rosita and Usman disasters, which happened from December 2017 to December 2018 “despite such national agencies having been established a decade ago, until today, our country is still grappling with institutional issues on climate and disaster governance.”

Aside from declaring 2020 as disaster and climate emergency awareness year, Salceda also calls his fellow legislators of the House of Representatives to conduct continuous inquiries in aid of legislation and in relation to its oversight functions, on measures being implemented by all concerned national agencies and local government units to address the impacts of disasters and climate change on the fundamental rights of Filipinos.

He also urged the full integration and convergence of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts through the passage of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Bill as an urgent policy response.

Salceda likewise enjoined a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation and whole-of-society mobilization on disaster and climate emergency, in behalf of climate-vulnerable local government units, communities and stakeholders in the country.

Climate change is for real and it is already happening.

American veteran journalist Bill Becker, a senior official at the US Department of Energy, wrote: “Scientists and ‘alarmists’ have warned us about this for decades, but most of us were deniers to some degree, dismissing climate change as something far away, like dark clouds on the horizon.

“Now people are calling this the ‘new normal,’ which proves they still don’t get it.

There is no more “normal”.

The climate will continue to change, often in unexpected ways, because of carbon pollution from decades ago.

It will continue getting more violent because we are still putting that pollution in the atmosphere. We don’t know exactly how bad it will be. We are not experiencing a new normal; we are experiencing the end of normalcy.”

The Philippines, with more than 7,000 islands, is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. “Climate change is one of the most fundamental challenges ever to confront humanity,” the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reminds. “Its adverse impacts are already being seen and may intensify exponentially over time if nothing is done to reduce fur-

ther emissions of greenhouse gases.

Filipino farmers are most likely to be affected by the consequences of climate change as their crop production will decrease due to continuous rainfall, flooding and drought. As a result, more and more people will go to bed at night still hungry.

Agriculture scientist Julian Gonsalves of the Cavitebased International Institute Rural Reconstruction urged to do something now before it is too late. “Agriculture sector is expected to suffer the most serious impact of climate change, affecting food security, nutrition and livelihoods, if we don’t act soon,” he pointed out.

The rise of sea levels is just one of the most certain outcomes of climate change.

“By the end of this century, sea levels in (Asia and the Pacific) region are expected to rise by about 125 centimeters, exceeding the global average by 10-15%,” noted the bank report, Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines. “Even assuming the sea level in the region rises at the global average rate of about 100 centimeters, about 14% of the Philippines’ total population and 42% of its total coastal population will be affected by intensifying storm surges resulting from more intense typhoons.”

Health scientists pointed out that should earth’s thermostat continues to rise, human health problems will also become more frequent and severe.

“The warming of the planet will be gradual, but the effects of extreme weather events will be abrupt and

acutely felt,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, former director-general of the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO).

“Both trends can affect some of the most fundamental determinants of health: air, water, food, shelter and freedom from disease.”

All these consequences will likely to happen in the near future. “Decisively dealing now with climate change is key to ensuring sustainable development, poverty eradication and safeguarding economic growth,” said the country’s weather bureau, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology. “Scientific assessments indicate that the cost of inaction now will be more costly in the future.”

It was Dr. James E. Hansen, of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), who first raised the problem of global warming. In 1988, he told an American Senate hearing that “the greenhouse effect is changing our climate now.”

In a Reader’s Digest article, author Robert James Bidinotto, explains greenhouse effect in these words: “When sunlight warms the earth, certain gases in the lower atmosphere, acting like the glass in a greenhouse, trap some of the heart as it radiates back into space. These greenhouse gases, primarily water vapor and including carbon dioxide, methane and man-made chlorofluorocarbons, warm our planet, making life possible.”

“The global warming is very simple,” said Dr. Robert Watson, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “We

are increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and thus their concentrations in the atmosphere are going up.

As these concentrations increase, the temperature of the earth rises.”

“While human activities during the past century have damaged a long list of nature systems, most of these problems are local or regional in scope and can be revered in years to decades if sufficient effort is exerted,” Christopher Flavin wrote in his book, Slowing Global Warming: A Worldwide Strategy. “Changes to the earth’s atmosphere on the other hand are global and irreversible not only in our lifetimes but in our children’s and grandchildren’s as well.”

According to the fact sheet published by the Climate Change Commission (which was created under Republic Act 9729), there are two main approaches to address climate change: adaptation and mitigation.

On adaptation, the fact sheet explains: “In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate.”

On mitigation, the fact sheet gives this explanation: “Technological change and change in activities that reduce resource inputs and emissions per unit of output and implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sinks.”

So far, the Philippines has achieved only two types of actions in terms of levels of climate change adaptation, namely: resilience-building and climate-proofing. This is according to Dr. Rosa T. Perez, a research fellow at the Manila Observatory.

In resilience-building, the country has been addressing the adaptation deficit, such as to diversify livelihood activities according to the variable conditions of the place. It also ventures into crop insurance and other agricultural innovations on irrigation, as well as adapt seasonal forecasting and early warning systems to reduce the effects of disasters.

Climate-proofing, on the other hand, is adapting to incremental changes by strengthening structures and natural shields and protections. This would include upgrading drainage systems to accommodate greater runoff, adapting shorter cropping systems in areas with more frequent visits of natural disasters, and estimating periods of greater water stress and heat extremes.

Something must be done now before it is too late. As Katherine Richardson, a climate scientist at the University of Copenhagen, puts it: “We have to act and we have to act now. We need to realize what a risk it is they are taking on behalf of their own constituents, the world’s societies and, even more importantly, future generations.”

“Without effective action, climate change is going to be larger and more difficult to deal with than we thought,” warned Chris Field, coordinating lead author of the IPCC report.

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Duterte gives POGOs 3 days to register with BIR, pay taxes

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Friday gave Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country a three-day deadline to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and pay taxes.

"They are now ordered to register sa BIR at kumukuha ng tag number. Now, I'm telling them itong POGO [...] hindi lang ito Chinese

but Filipino-Chinese. You better settle that utang or else gawain ko kayong pogo," Duterte said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

"I'm giving you three days to- bayaran niyo ang mga utang ninyo kayong mga POGO, barilin ko kayo ng de-bomba," he added.

Duterte also warned the corporations against fooling the Filipino peo-

HOGSTEL... FROM1

ple.

"Seriously now, sinasabi ko na sa inyo.

Wag niyo lokohin ang Pilipino. Kasi ang Pilipino, hindi loko-loko.

Pag ginagawa mo akong loko-loko sapakin kita.

I'll have you called here and sapakin kita," Duterte said.

BIR previously revealed that they collect taxes from only 10 out of 60 POGOs in the country.

yard raisers kanang contaminated na meat products (swill feeding). Ito ay conceptual framework pa lang but Sec. Pinol already mentioned kung sino-sino ang mga involved na mga parties to be part of that.

Especially kung sino yung mga foreign partners gustong mag-invest on that," he said.

He said revisiting the ASF measures is part of their regional level initiatives to be implemented next year.

"Sec. Pinol is saying that kung nasa backyard hog raisers ang problema baka it's a context of having this might be in the area like in Makilala kung saan may dineklara na area na hindi na puwe-

deng balikan is more on a common growing area for the backyard hog raisers. Immediately meron itatayo na isang facility na siya magpi-finance in partnership with a company na siyang bibili at magbibigay ng feeds," Dagala said.

The said initiative will also serve as business venture between hograisers and businessmen.

"The hog raisers ay magkakaroon ng big brother arrangement sa mga ito like a business to business arrangement depende ito sa perspective ng businessmen on the hog or swine industry," he said.

He said the hogstel will also address bio-security.

"We are closely coordinating with the De-

partment of Agriculture (DA) after Sec. Pinol was appointed as MinDA chair lumapit sa kanya ang hograisers association of Mindanao to really ensure that ASF will not enter Mindanao," Dagala said.

The ASF outbreak, according to Dagala, can be considered also as an opportunity as Mindanao is ASF free.

"Makikita natin sa ibang restaurants hindi na pork ang kanilang sini-serve because their commissary ay nasa Manila or nasa LUzon, kaya small hograisers and the backyard hograisers can now put their intiatives and might be able to supply because we are ASF free area," he said.

city, " he said.

Dr. Mae Dolendo, House of Hope program director, said the plumbing and electrical requirements were also covered by the renovation.

"With their help, it would give a big impact on the survival of these kids," she said, adding that before its renovation, the house accommodated about 30 to 40 patients per day.

"This time it can accommodate up to 100 patients per day for the coming 50 to 70 years," she added.

Last year, the Ayala Foundation donated a diode laser used in managing specific eye cancers to the House of Hope. The state-of-the-art equipment has already served many patients since last year.

In his message, Vice-Mayor Sebastian

Duterte thanked the Ayala Foundation for the rehabilitation of the facility.

"This would not be possible without your effort and cooperation.

You are all instrumental in giving cancer patients another chance at life," he said.

Duterte vowed to also support in providing shelter and services to children while promoting awareness and education. (PNA)

The other trustees elected were Yvonne F. Cabada, Art Gerald B. Perez and Roland T. Suico.

They will be joined by incumbent trustees Remigio “Boy” Salanatin, Rodger

Velasco, Simeon Marfori II and Al Balagot.

The former presidents who are in the board of trustees now are Dr. Monteverde, dela Cruz ans Marfori.

Last Saturday’s election was also attended by former chamber presidents Sebastian Angliongto, Manuel “Bobby” Orig, Robert “Boyet” Quinto and Sofronio “Boy’ Jucutan.

4.5-hectare lot, which was already assessed by the experts as safe from landslides.

Funds for the purchase of these lots would be taken from the P100 million the city LGU is set to borrow from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Such amount, however, will just serve as a “buffer

fund” since the National Housing Authority (NHA) has also allotted some funds for the construction of shelters for quake victims, the mayor said.

Evangelista assured that these sites are still part of the ancestral lands of the Lumads.

“These Lumads won’t be displaced from their

ancestral lands. We can’t resettle them far from Mt. Apo because it is a livelihood area for them,” said the mayor, adding that the indigenous people should also be kept close to their house of worship, the country’s highest mountain being sacred ground to them.

(Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)

at the Liguasan Marsh area to quash the remaining ISIS-inspired armed groups.

A few days ago, Maguindanao police confirmed the death of the brother and son of the founder

of ISIS-linked Dawlah Islamiyah head Abu Toraife. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

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11

lution, let us be inspired of his life and his bravery as the remnants of society’s ills in his time continue to haunt us, even as they remain an obstacle to unchain us from the bondage of poverty and corruption

plus the evolved modern twin evil of illegal drugs and terrorism,” he said.

“Let us become the new heroes of this generation in the mold of Andres Bonifacio, to pave the way for the succeeding ones to resur-

rect the culture of love and nationalism that will propel this nation and country to progress and prosperity, under a regime of peace, security and life of comfort for all Filipinos,” he added.

(PNA)

port aims to address NAIA’s capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing O&M. The other four new projects include the Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway; Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project; Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway of the DPWH; and the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH. The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway will provide access to various tourism sites and provide a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan; the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project

will reduce travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services; and the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway will serve as an alternate route between Legazpi City or Caramoan to Manila.

The Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement.

During the meeting,

the NEDA Board also confirmed the ICC-Cabinet Committee’s approval of the increase in cost and change in scope of the Mindanao Railway Project– Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment to PHP81.69 billion.

The NEDA Board also noted the earlier confirmation ad referendum of 20 projects from August 22 to October 9 this year.

These include projects from DPWH (nine), DOTr (three), Department of Finance (three), Philippine Competition Commission (one), Department of Agriculture (one), Landbank of the Philippines (one), National Irrigation Administration (one), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (one).

(PR)

also very fortunate to meet the members and officers of the different chambers such as the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, Hitachinaka Chamber of Commerce and Saitama Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

Milan added they had the opportunity to meet with the officers of All Nippon Airways where they introduced Davao and what it can offer. The officers of All Nippon Airways vowed to make a further study of the said proposal.

The delegation was also able to have a meeting with Congressman Yukio Ubukata (Member of the House of the Representatives) wherein he expressed his support towards the creation of a direct flight from Davao to Japan and vice versa.

“In fact, he will be visiting Davao this coming December to see further the opportunities in Davao,” Milan said.

For inbound business missions, the chamber has also welcomed and assisted the following delegations.

Last August 1, 2019, the Singapore Embassy in the Philippines through the Enterprise Singapore conducted an Inbound Business Mission between Singapore Business Delegation and Philippine Agri-

cultural Companies.

The delegation visited the office of DCCCII for a meeting and Business Matching activity with local agricultural companies, councils and commodity associations.

According to Milan, the primary objective of the inbound mission was to look and possibly source for agricultural products, mainly fruits and vegetables in the Davao Region for export to Singapore.

He also cited the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) together with Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade and in coordination with Davao Chamber,that brought Taiwan Expo 2019 for the first time in Davao last November 8 to 9 at SMX Convention.

With more than 80 exhibitors, the said expo focused on the following industries; Agri-Aquaculture, Medical and Health, Taiwan lifestyle, Green and Environment Tech, Culture, Tourism and Education, and Smart City.

Lastly, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE, in coordination with Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a trade mission to Davao last November 19 and 20, 2019.

The delegation consists

of 33 Malaysian businessmen engaged in the food and beverage, logistics, construction, personal care, and ICT sectors.

Among the highlights of their mission were the sectoral visit to several sites last November 19, in which the chamber has arranged for the foreign visitors, and a business forum and business matching held on November 20, 2019 at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City.

Apart from the business and trade missions that were initiated and organized, the chamber actively promoted Davao Investments through the chamber’s flagship business events.

“This year, we have conducted several business events with flying colors.

Over the past year, under my Presidency, the Davao Chamber has lived up to its set plans, programs and advocacies all gear towards the creation of an environment conducive to the growth of Davao City,” Milan said.

“We have turned barriers into opportunities and we have seen and experienced changes in our city’s economic landscape. Lastly, we have several exciting initiatives set in motion that will continue to take this chamber to the next level of service,” he added.

gram (acquisition of equipment for processing), cost minimization, and other operation-related activities.

Land Bank of the Philippines also presented its Coconut Production and Processing Financing Program that offers a loan even to small farmers (below 5 hectares) for coconut planting and development projects.

The event was also attended by the MinDA new Chairman Manny Piñol who supported the event and made it sure in supporting the Coconut Framers thru market-linkaging.

“Coconut Farmers should be involved in added-value production, dapat matudloan sila ug buhat ug virgin coconut oil ug uban pang value added products.” And aside from that,

Minda, since we are involve in marketing promotions, nagapangita pud mi ug merkado for our matured and young coconut, but at the same time makatabang sa atuang advocacy nga madala sa barangay level ang processing facilities para makabuhat ang mga farmers ug produkto nga high-value,” the MinDa chief said. (Jasteen P. Abella, ID COMVAL)

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2020 is Disaster and Climate Emergency Awareness Year

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“W

e all need to keep this in mind: We may be vulnerable, but we are not incapable of action. We will translate our vulnerability as an opportunity to make out communities safe, healthy, liveable, resilient and sustainable. We can all do this together – and make a difference in the life of our people and the future of our nation.” – Loren Legarda *** As the archipelagic Philippines continues to suffer from the onslaught of disasters and climate emergencies, Albay Representative Joey Salceda has asked the Congress to declare 2020 as “Disaster and Climate Emergency Awareness Year.”

By doing so, “it will highlight the importance of local government units (cities and municipalities) in leading the process of transformation and adaptation to climate change and disaster resilience, emphasizing the role of local government units, business communities, individuals and stakeholders.”

In House Resolution No. 535, which he filed, Salceda said that the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change and its Paris Agreement recognize that climate change adaptation that ensures global responsiveness and societal resilience for a sustainable future is a global challenge faced by all in the era of climate change.

“The Parties of the Paris Agreement, including the Philippines acknowledge that the best available science should inform and guide climate change adaptation efforts, including the integration of adaptation of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessment to the people by 2030,” Salceda pointed out in his resolution.

According to Salceda, the melting of glaciers and the forest conflagrations are recent global events related to anthropogenic climate change significantly caused by the burning of fossil fuels and unabated deforestation, and pointing to an acceleration of the climate impact chain, possibly indicating worsened catastrophes for the Philippines, especially its climate-vulnerable coastal and geographically isolated cities and municipalities.

“There is an urgent need

to address this problem,” he stressed, “to ensure climate justice for current and future generations of Filipinos and ensure their survival in the face of projected adverse impacts of climate change and disasters, and also ensure that the Philippine government has learned the past decade’s mistakes, making sure not to repeat them by being proactive in changing the present practice of our current climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction.”

Salceda, who the first Asia Green Climate Fund co-chair, said the Philippines has already suffered potential, losses, damages and disruption “due to hydrometeorological hazard impacts.”

He cited several devastating typhoons that hit the country in recent years. One was Typhoon Reming in 2006, “which was compounded by simultaneous mudslides and rockslides due to previous eruptions by Mayon Volcano.”

Both Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009 had devastated Metro Manila and some key regions of Luzon.

Typhoon Yolanda, which

F2020, P10

VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Environment and Natural Resources Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Community Environment and Natural Resources Office [-2B, Salvacion, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, 8105 Philippines TELEFAX NO. (084) 823-2011/email.rxi_panabo@yahoo.com LEASE OF PUBLIC LANDS Notice is hereby given that the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office XI-2B, Salvacion, Panabo, City will accept oral or written bids not later than ten (10:00) o’clock in the morning on January 3, 2020, for the lease for docking purposes of the tract of land herein below described: Location : San Pedro, Panabo City Description : Mlc-11-001228-D Area : 101,401 square meters Appraisal (Land) : Php 2,600.00 per square meter or Php 263,642,600.00 for the whole tract Value of Improvements : Php 108,563,025.00 Applied for by : Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. represented by: Bonifacio B. Licayan The successful bidder if other than the applicant must reimburse the latter of the expenses for the publication of the notice of lease and the survey of the land.

The right to lease the land will be awarded to the person offering the highest annual rental, which shall not be less than three per centum (3%) of the value of the land plus one per centum (1%) of the value of the proposed/existing improvements. In order that a person may be entitled to participate in the participate in the bidding, he must be qualified public land applicant, and must, before the commencement of the same, make a deposit equivalent of at least three (3) month’s rental. Only deposit in cash, money order, treasury warrant, certified check, cashier’s check or manager’s check can be accepted. A person bidding in representation of another may do so under a duly executed power of attorney.

During the bidding, the bidder has to make an additional deposit everytime his bid is raised, to complete the three (3) month’s rental, otherwise, such bid as raised shall not be accepted. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids.

Panabo City, Philippines, November 12, 2019.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Environment and Natural Resources Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Community Environment and Natural Resources Office [-2B, Salvacion, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, 8105 Philippines TELEFAX NO. (084) 823-2011/email.rxi_panabo@yahoo.com PAGPAPAUPA NG LUPANG PUBLIKO Ipinagbibigay alam sa madla na ang Community Environment and Natural Resources Office XI-2B, Salvacion, Panabo City ay tatanggap ng selyado o nakasulat na alok sa ika alas Diyes (10:00 o’clock) ng umaga sa ika 3 ng Enero taong 2020, para paupahan ang isang sukat na lupang publiko na inilarawan sa ibaba nito.

Lugar : San Pedro, Panabo City Deskripsyon : Mlc-11-001228-D Sukat : 101,401 metros kwadrados Tasahan ng Lupa : Php 2,600.00 kada metro kwadrado o Kabuuang Php 263,642,600.00 Halaga ng nakakatayong Proyekto : Php 108,563,025.00 Aplikante : Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. (DICT) represented by: Bonifacio B. Licayan Ang karapatan na upahan ang nasabing lupa ay ibibigay sa tao o partido na makapagbibigay ng pinakamataas na upa sa isang taon na hindi bababa sa tatlong (3%) porsyento sa halaga ng lupa at isang (1%) porsyento sa halaga ng itatayong estraktura. Upang ang isang tao ay makakasama sa isasagawang subasta, kailangang siya ay karapat-dapat na aplikante at kailangang bago magsimula ang subasta ay nakadeposito siya ng halagang katumbas ng tatlong buwang upa. Ang deposito ay kailangang salaping papel, money order, cashier’s o manager’s check, ang siya lamang tatanggapin. Ang isang tao na sumali sa subasta na nagrerepresenta ng ibang tao ay makakasali lamang kung mayroon siyang pahintulot na ibinigay sa pamamagitan ng kaukulang pahintulot na nilalagdaan ng Notaryo Publiko. Sa panahon ng subasta, ang taong sumali ay magkaroon ng dagdag na deposito kapag ang kanyang alok ay itinaas para makompleto ang kabuuang tatlong buwang upa. Ang karapatang tumanggi o tanggihan ang anumang alok o sa lahat ng alok ay palaging nakalaan para sa pamahalaan. Ang magwawagi sa alok na ito kung hindi siua ang aplikante ay kinakailangan tutumbasan ang kabayarang nagugul sa papapalathala ng panawagang ito sa pagpapasukat ng lupa.

Lungsod ng Panabo, Pilipinas, Nobyembre 12, 2019.

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EDGEDAVAO ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

Aeronautics and TechnolAt 7:00pm, the un- ogy (AISAT) (1-1), Atebeaten University of Min- neo de Davao University danao (UM) Wildcats Knights (1-2), Mannywill Pacquiao(Addu) says evenBlue at 40, he is not finished yet. stake its clean slate against BCD (0-1), UM Penaplata DMMA College of South- (0-1), and Rizal Memoern Philippines (DMMAC- rial Colleges (RMC) SP) Mariners to wrap up Bulldogs (0-2).

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(CSL) Escandor Cup resumes at the Davao City Recreation Center. Escandor Cup/CSL photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13,

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 189 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 1-2, 2019

15

Malditas enter SEAG semis, Azkals stay alive

T

he Philippine football teams struck twice on Malaysia on Friday night to bolster their respective Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) agenda.

The Malditas barged into the semifinals of the women’s football event after drubbing the Malaysian lady footballers, 5-0, at the Biñan Football Stadium.

The Azkals, on the oth-

er hand, edged the Malaysian men’s squad, 1-0, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila to stay in the hunt for a spot in the men’s football semis.

Sarina Bolden’s hat trick, all in the first half, catapulted the Malditas to the Final Four, while Shai del Campo and Eva Madarang each netted a goal to add more damage to the Malaysian women’s team.

The Malditas’ semifi-

nal opponent will be determined after the Myanmar-Malaysia and the Vietnam-Thailand matches on Monday.

Meanwhile, Stephan Schrock scored a 72nd-minute goal literally from the right corner that made the difference in the Azkals-Malaysia match in Manila.

It was the first time the Philippines beat Malaysia in the SEA Games men’s

football event since 1991, when the Philippines likewise beat Malaysia, 1-0, also at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Now with four points after three matches, the Azkals need to beat Timor Leste in the final day of the eliminations on December 4 and hope that Cambodia falters in its remaining games against Myanmar and Malaysia to get into the Final Four. (PNA)

Sara Bolden scored a hat trick to carry the Philippines side past Malaysia in women’s football.

Stephan Schrock (center) delivered the goods for the Azkals in men’s action. Team Philippine SEAG 2019 photo

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

NO EFFECTIVE COM-PLAN FOR SEAG The absence of an effective and efficient SEA Games communications plan is the culprit that has put the entire hosting in a tailspin.

PHISGOC officials should blame themselves for the organizational snafu that has been critically published in the print, broadcast and social media fora.

From the very start, since the Philippines was granted the rights to stage the 2019 biennial competitions, the PHISGOC has taken the wrong foot as it had failed to convey via a massive information campaign the positive developments affecting the country’s hosting.

For starters, by virtue of his being the then DFA Sec., PRRD appointed Cayetano as PHISGOC chair who quickly moved to ensure the budget for the event

hosting was allotted to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Curiously, after he resigned as DFA chief – to the chagrin of newly-appointed DFA secretary Teddy Locsin, Cayetano did not relinquish his seat as PHISGOC top honcho. He made efforts and successfully transferred the SEAG budget from the DFA to the PSC which agency was under the organizational structure and umbrella of the PHISGOC. PHISGOC officials committed a faux pas when they failed to extend an invite to the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) who could have easily lent its expertise in the dissemination of specific information as well as the handling and management of the International Press Center.

The PSA hierarchy is composed of veteran and bat-

tle-scarred sports editors, deskmen and sportswriters who have perennially covered international sports events like the Olympics, Asian Games, World Championships and other prestigious global competitions where they had personally hobnobbed with their foreign counterparts.

I did not hear of any arrangement that PHISGOC entered with the PSA which could have helped alleviate the burden they have on their hands now.

No one among the PHISGOC officials I know is a trained expert on sports communications much like those in the PSA who, even blindfolded, can tell us how press centers should be organized, handled and managed.

The excuses being offered by PHISGOC are as lame as a limped and tired horse ready to expire.

PHISGOC is just displaying an apologetic stance which critical observers see and perceive as insincere.

They failed to comprehend that laying out an effective communications plan should have been the intelligent strategy PHISGOC had to initialize.

For that matter, the PHISGOC has ignored completely that the media – the PSA in particular – are an integral part of any endeavor, activity, engagement and development.

Every good little thing that the PHISGOC, the POC and the PSC have achieved has gone to waste.

The P50M expense for the construction of the cauldron was another issue that PHISGOC failed to fully explain.

The truth is that we need not

compare what other countries spent when they had their respective turns hosting the SEAG. Evidently, Cayetano and his PHISGOC minions chose to do the entire job by themselves, perhaps thinking that they already had the wherewithal and the materials to achieve the task.

Woe and behold, they were mistaken.

The centralized manner by which PHISGOC operated the management and handling of the SEAG business pretty smells of something fishy.

The integrity of the PHISGOC officialdom is not unsullied, this much I know.

And this is shared by many people in the sports community.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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