Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 214 | Saturday, January 11, 2020

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LEBRON SHOWS WAY IN ALL STAR VOTING

Serving a seamless society

SPORTS P11

PUSHING FOUR-WARD

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

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Creation of Davao City’s 4th District up to Congress

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he creation of Davao City’s fourth legislative district is no longer for the City Council to decide but now rests on the representatives from the city’s three districts.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio told media on Friday the proposal creating a fourth legislative district is now up to Congress.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang reported last year that the mayor has endorsed the creation of another district based

on the study conducted by the City Planning and Development Of�ice (CPDO).

Duterte-Carpio said it was discussed during their executive legislative agenda meeting last year to create a fourth district.

“Because naay ben-

PUSHING, P9

A man seems to be very comfortable riding at the front portion of a customized tricycle full of junked electronic items while it traverses along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City on Friday, ignoring a possible apprehension due to multiple traffic violations.

Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse in Manila on Thursday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Duterte thanks Japan M for continued support

Go lauded for quick action on stalled C. Mindanao Airport

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed gratitude to Japan for continually extending assistance to his administration that help boosts the Philippine economy, Malacañang said.

Duterte acknowledged Tokyo’s relentless support when Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu paid a visit to him at Malacañan Palace.

“Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu paid a courtesy on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan on Thursday, with the Philippine leader expressing his gratitude to Japan for its continuing support to the country’s development agenda,” the Palace said in a press statement.

“The President high-

lighted numerous Japan-�inanced projects in the Philippines, which make Filipinos grateful to the Asian economic powerhouse for its continuing assistance,” it added.

To date, Japan is the country’s top source of of�icial development assistance (ODA), with USD8.64 billion in loans and grants, as of September 2019.

Japan makes up nearly half or 46 percent of the Philippines’ total ODA portfolio.

Malacañang said the

President also thanked Motegi for �inding time to visit Manila for the �irst time.

For Motegi, it was a “great honor” to meet Duterte during his stay in the Philippines.

“The Philippine-Japanese bilateral relation, he (Motegi) pointed out, has entered a golden age since President Duterte’s election,” Malacañang said.

Motegi likewise told Duterte that he appreciated the President’s attendance to the Japanese Emperor’s enthronement rite in October last year.

Duterte attended Naruhito’s formal enthronement in Japan on Oct. 22, 2019, but returned to the Philippines on the same day after feeling “unbearable” pain in his lower back.

The Palace said Motegi also condoled with Filipinos who were hit by recent typhoons and the series of powerful earthquakes.

Motegi expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the survivors of the recent typhoon that hit the central Philippines and the earthquake that devastated parts of Mindanao last month.

Motegi, who came from Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, represented Tochigi Fifth District to the Japanese House of Representatives for nine times.

Before his appointment as foreign minister in September 2019, Motegi served as the Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, Minister in

lic Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Emil Sadain turned over the documents transferring the management of the religious facility to BARMM, headed by Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim.

The turnover was held in a ceremony Wednesday in this city.

Ebrahim has assured DPWH as well as the BARMM constituents that the regional government

will improve the Grand Masjid located west of this city.

“We will ensure that the mosque will be maintained effectively to preserve its value as a place of worship,” Sinarimbo told Philippine News Agency.

Sinarimbo said the Grand Mosque, named after the Sultan of Brunei, who funded its construction, will be maintained as one of the tourist attrac-

tions in BARMM. It can be recalled that Department of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez offered the management of the Grand Mosque in November last year to Ebrahim.

President Rodrigo Duterte named Dominguez to head the Inter-governmental Relations Body (IGRB), representing the national government, and tasked to coordinate devo-

DUTERTE, P9

Nat’l gov’t turns over Grand Mosque mgt to BARRM

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he national government has turned over the management of the country’s biggest and panoramic Grand Masjid of Brunei Sultan Bolkiah in this city to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government secretary, said Thursday that Department of Pub-

NAT’L, P9

indanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol lauded the quick response of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to resume the work on the stalled Central Mindanao Airport in M’lang, North Cotabato.

“Young Senator Christopher Lawrence Go is really living up to his family name. Fast and always on the Go,” Piñol said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit last week to quake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato, he called the attention of Senator Go to work out the opening of the facility, whose 1.8-kilometer runway and terminal building were completed 10 years ago.

Piñol said that on Tuesday night, he received a text message from Go con�irming that he spoke with Secretary of Transportation Arthur Tugade who assured that the work in the airport will resume in the third quarter of this year.

“It was an exhilarating news because at long last, after so many years of delay and lame excuses, the Mlang Airport which I started to envision as Mayor in 1996 and implemented when I became Governor of North Cotabato in 2004 will �inally be completed.

The airport project was in a limbo for nine years because of alleged ‘missing’ documents which was blamed on me,” he said.

He added that he was even accused of owning the airport property for himself because he signed the deed of sale for the 64-hectare project when he was still the governor of the province.

“That is a preposterous and ridiculous allegation motivated by childish and vindictive politics. I signed it because I was the governor then and I represented the provincial government which bought the property from the heirs of Don Tomas Buena�lor,” he said.

Piñol said that it is up

GO, P9

PDEA: More shabu seized in 3-year drug war than entire Aquino admin

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uthorities seized almost twice as much shabu halfway into President Rodrigo Duterte's administration compared to that of his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Friday, following criticism from Vice President Leni Robredo.

PDEA seized 5.24 tons of shabu since 2016,

while the Aquino admin hauled 3.29 tons of the same narcotic in 6 years, said the agency's spokesman Derreck Carreon.

Authorities, he added, dismantled 14 clandestine laboratories that could have produced 96.65 tons of narcotics yearly.

"We must be doing something right," he said.

PDEA, P9

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

Nograles to US Senate: Don't meddle with PH state affairs

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he US Senate resolution calling on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Philippine of�icials supposedly behind the detention of Sen. Leila de Lima can be deemed as "meddling," a Cabinet of�icial said Friday as he insisted that the opposition lawmaker was afforded due process.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said US lawmakers should not meddle in the Philippines' state affairs since it is a sovereign state.

"We deem it to be pangingialam, parang dinidiktahan tayo kung paano patakbuhin ang justice system natin," Nograles told reporters in Malacañang.

(We deem it to be meddling. It seems like they're telling us how to run our justice system.)

"Independent tayo eh.

Sovereign state tayo so don't meddle in our sovereignty," he added.

Nograles explained that the drug charges against De Lima went

through the "regular" court process as provided under Philippine laws.

The US Senate passed on Thursday a resolution that called for De Lima’s immediate release, branding her as a “prisoner of conscience, detained solely on account of her political views and the legitimate exercise of her freedom of expression.”

It also asked Trump to impose Magnitsky sanctions on Philippine government of�icials behind her arrest and detention.

The Global Magnitsky Act authorizes the US government to sanction those who it sees as human rights offenders, freeze their assets, and ban them from the US. One of President Rodrigo Duterte's top critics, De Lima was accused of accepting drug money from prisoners when she was justice secretary from 2010 and 2015.

She has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying what happened to her was "political persecution."

26 Maguindanao towns get high ratings in anti-drug war

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he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEABARMM) said 26 of the 36 towns in Maguindanao have achieved high performance ratings in the war against illegal drugs.

The result was released Wednesday by the Provincial Anti-Drug Council (PADAC) of Maguindanao, with members comprising of the police, PDEA-BARMM, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations.

The towns that achieved “high perfor-

mance” rating in the war against drugs are Datu Montawal, Ampatuan, Barira, Buldon, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, General SK Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mother Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Matanog, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Parang, Radjah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Talitay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and North Upi. “Low performance” rating was given to the town of Mangudadatu and “moderate low performance rating” to the local

26 MAGUINDANAO, P9

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bares during a news conference that city government of Davao will allot P54 million to construct an annex of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Barangay

Malabog, Paquibato District to enable more children from poor families to proceed to higher education. Lean Daval Jr

College campus to rise in Paquibato District

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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o ensure that education will not be neglected particularly in Davao City’s con�lict-torn area, the city government will build a tertiary level school in Paquibato District in partnership with Peace 911 and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP).

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio told media that the city government has allocated P54 million for the construction of the three-storey building of USEP annex campus that will be constructed in Barangay Malabog.

“Naa nata budget na P54 million for three- storey building USEP annex campus in Brgy. Malabog.

Ug naa na sa annual budget for 2020. Gisugdan lang nato ug ingon ana kay diri man gud sa gobyerno medyo dugay ang process

naay pre-bidding, bidding, suppliers, ug contractor,” she said.

Mayor Sara said USEP has committed to build an annex in Brgy. Malabog.

She also said the parties are also set to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). USEP reportedly has also started processing their documents.

“The city government of Davao, USEP, and Peace 911 sat down and discussed na puwede na sugdan. Gipadagan na sa USEP ilang papeles so ang kinahanglan na lang is an

COLLEGE, P9

BOC chief 'waiting for guidance' on reported exit from post

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A man walks by a pile of garbage which are mostly rotten vegetables at the vegetable bagsakan area at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr

MOU nga ginapatuyok na sa tanan parties. Nagamove na ang project,” she said.

Mayor Sara added that the city also allocated P1.5 million budget for the Feasibility Study (FS) of the school. She said the school is expected to be completed next year or early part of 2022.

The establishment of USEP annex was brought up after the discussion of Task Force Peace 911 in Paquibato area found out that there is a need to set up a college school in

ureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on Friday said he is waiting for further orders regarding his supposed exit as head of one of the top two revenue-generating agencies of the government.

“Going to the question kung anong balita (on what the news is), ako mismo hindi ko rin alam (I personally do not know anything) and I'm still waiting for guidance from the President (Rodrigo Duterte) and Secretary of Finance (Carlos Dominguez III),” he said in an interview.

The Customs chief refused to comment when asked what may be the reason for his replacement.

“Huwag na natin sagutin yun, hintayin na lang natin sagot ng Presidente (Rodrigo Duterte) (Let's not answer that. Let's just wait for the President's an-

swer). I am here because I am an appointed of�icial so depende na sa presidente ‘yan kung anong desisyon niya (it's up to the President's decision)” he said.

Before the news of his supposed replacement came out, Guerrero said his last interaction with Duterte was at a conference this week.

“Nagkita kami sa command conference last Tuesday sa AFP-PNP (Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police) and wala namang sinabi sa akin (We met a command conference of the AFP-PNP on Tuesday and he did not say anything to me),” the BOC head added.

Guerrero said as an appointee, he serves at the pleasure of the President.

Reports said Guerrero will be replaced as Customs chief by prominent Davao businessman William de Jesus. (PNA)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

Fishing vessels are anchored in Pujada Bay, one of the emerging tourist attractions of Mati City. The bay’s application as one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World is currently being validated by Most Beautiful Bays in the World Organization executives. Lean Daval Jr

Dept. Agriculture allots P2-B to fund entrepreneurship programs for youth

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved an initial PHP2 billion to fund two lending programs for young entrepreneurs to start their own agricultural enterprise.

In media release on Thursday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) would implement the agri-entrepreneurship programs for the youth, namely the Young Agripreneurs Loan

Program (YALP), and Micro and Small Agribusiness Loan Program (MSALP) — with an initial budget of PHP1 billion each.

“This is our way to attract the younger generation of Filipinos to be key players in attaining our vision of a food-secure Phil-

ippines with prosperous farmers and �ishers,” Dar said.

“We have to replace aging farmers with younger blood — our Pinoy millennials — who are the future of Philippine agriculture,” he added.

Under the YALP, agri-�ishery graduates and young hobbyists aged 18 to 30 years old are eligible to avail of its loans. They can borrow start-up funds of up to PHP500,000, with zero interest, payable in �ive years.

Meanwhile, for the MSALP, agripreneurs can borrow working capital or for �ixed asset acquisition, from PHP300,000 up to PHP15 million, for micro and small enterprises.

Both programs will be of�icially launched before the end of January.

“This has been one of my advocacies. Let us give our Filipino millennials the means to be part of our journey towards agricultural modernization and industrialization,” Dar said.

(PR)

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) slashed the central bank’s key policy rates by a total of 75 basis points in 2019 due to sustained deceleration of in�lation rate and �irm domestic growth.

These cuts are projected to encourage borrowers to take out loans as interest rates decline.

These are also seen as a boost to the government’s infrastructure program as more companies take part in the current government’s priority program.

On Wednesday, the BSP reported that outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), excluding placements in

the central bank’s reverse repurchase (RRP) facility, posted a faster jump of 10.1 percent last November from the previous month’s 9.3-percent rise.

In a report, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa attributed the increase in bank lending last November to the impact of the cuts in BSP’s key policy rates.

Monetary of�icials said the impact of these cuts has a lag of several months.

Mapa said impact of the rate easing is starting to feed into the economy.

He added before the improvement of bank lending last November, it was on the decline which

may be partly traced to the slowdown of domestic growth in the �irst half of 2019.

Growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), slowed to 5.6 percent in the �irst quarter of the year from quarter-ago’s 6.3 percent.

It further decelerated to 5.5 percent in the next quarter but recovered to 6.2 percent in the third quarter due to the catch-up spending program.

“Strong lending growth moves in line with our expectation for a photo �inish 4Q (fourth quarter) GDP to clock in at 6.6 percent, enough to lift full year growth to 6.0 percent,”

S&P Global eyes PH asset quality remaining firm

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redit growth in the Philippines is expected to remain stable with a growth of 10 to 12 percent this 2020 even as loans and economic growth are projected to be moderate.

In a Jan. 8, 2020 report, S&P Global said its credit growth forecast for the country this year is lower than the 15-percent expansion in 2018 but it pointed out this level is “still solid as policy cuts and approval of key infrastructure supports loan demand.”

“NPLs (non-performing loans) may continue to rise moderately, but Philippine banks have good coverage ratios and capital buffers,” it added.

S&P, P9

BSP likely to resume easing in first half: Fitch Solutions

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has scope to resume its monetary policy easing in the �irst half, with in�lation within target, a Fitch Solutions analyst said Friday.

The BSP cut the overnight borrowing rate by a total 75 basis points in 2019, which brought the benchmark back to 4 percent from 4.75 percent in 2018. The reserve requirement ratio or RRR for banks was lowered to 14 percent.

"With in�lation remaining below the mid-point of the target range, I think

there’s a bit of scope for the central bank to begin to ease again," Fitch Solutions Senior country risk analyst Michael Langham told ANC. "We’re seeing credit growth slowing still in the later stages of 2019 so I think there’s still a bit of room as rates remain high as what they were before the rate-hiking cycle in 2018," he said.

The BSP could be more "cautious" in the second half with in�lation seen to breach the 3-percent midpoint of its 2 to 4 percent goal, he said.

PH, other Asian markets urged to be wary vs. rising oil prices

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HS Markit Asia Paci�ic Chief Economist Rajiv Biswas said Asian markets, including the Philippines, should remain vigilant amid the surging crude oil prices due to the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In an e-mail, Biswas said a large number of Asia Paci�ic countries are vulnerable to the rapid increment in world oil prices, particularly industrial nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, and Singapore. These countries are heavily reliant on imported oil from Middle East.

“If world oil prices rise

sharply due to further escalation in the Middle East crisis, many Asian nations are also vulnerable to the impact of higher oil import prices on retail in�lation,” Biswas said. “(T)his could hit the Philippines economy through higher in�lation as well as rising oil import costs, which could further widen the current account de�icit,” he said.

Biswas said if world oil prices will rise sharply resulting in higher consumer prices, he forecasted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would likely postpone its plans to ease monetary policy until glob-

PH, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Trade deficit narrows to $3.34 billion in November

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he Philippines’ trade de�icit narrowed in November as both exports and imports declined, of�icial data released on Friday showed.

The trade de�icit declined by 18 percent to $3.34 billion (P169 billion) November compared to the same month in 2018. Total external trade for the month shrank to $14.54 billion, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Exports also declined by 0.7 percent to $5.6 billion in November 2019 from $5.64 billion while imports contracted by 8 percent to $8.94 billion,

the PSA said.

Larger imports compared to exports is a source of weakness for the peso, economists and analysts said. The trade de�icit is expected to persist as the country builds new infrastructure and as companies expand operations.

Japan was the Philippines’ biggest market for exports in November, followed by the United States, Hong Kong, China and Singapore, data showed.

China remains as the top import partner followed by Japan, the United States, Thailand and Korea.

PH lifts restrictions on importing Fukushima food

A worker sorts out fresh squids which will be delivered to various public markets in Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr

Global growth to recover to 2.5% in 2020, says WB

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lobal economic growth is projected to recover to 2.5 percent in 2020, up slightly from the post-crisis low of 2.4 percent registered in 2019, but downside risks persist, the World Bank said on Wednesday.

In its newly-released semi-annual Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said this projected recovery could be stronger if recent policy actions, particularly those that have mitigated trade tensions, lead to a sustained reduction in policy uncertainty.

Growth in emerging market and developing economies is expected to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2020 from 3.5 percent in 2019, while growth in advanced economies is estimated to slow to 1.4 percent in 2020 from 1.6 percent in 2019, in part

due to continued softness in manufacturing, according to the report.

“Nevertheless, downside risks predominate, including the possibility of a re-escalation of global trade tensions, sharp downturns in major economies, and �inancial disruptions in emerging market and developing economies,” the report said.

The report estimated that US economic growth will slow to 1.8 percent in 2020 from 2.3 percent in 2019, re�lecting the negative impact of earlier tariff increases and elevated policy uncertainty.

Growth in China is expected to moderate to 5.9 percent in 2020 from 6.1 percent in 2019 amid a slowdown in labor productivity growth and continued external headwinds, according to the report.

“A permanent and lasting resolution of trade disputes with the United States that builds upon recent progress could bolster China’s growth prospects and reduce reliance on policy support,” the report said.

The report also noted that the recovery in emerging market and developing economies is not envisioned to be “broadbased”, as about a third of emerging market and developing economies are projected to decelerate this year due to “weaker-than-expected exports and investment”.

Even if the recovery in

The passage of the Philippines’ 2020 national budget and its signing early this month can support the country to post a strong growth this year, which Moody’s Investors Service forecasts to be around 6.2 percent.

In a report, the debt rater said the country’s PHP4.1-trillion national budget this year, which was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last Monday, is 12 percent higher than last year’s PHP3.7-trillion national budget.

This year’s national

budget, it said, “will help sustain the Philippines’ rapid economic growth against an uncertain global backdrop, a credit positive.”

Last year, the government operated on a re-enacted for several months until its signing into law on April 15.

This affected government spending since new infrastructure projects were not implemented based on program.

However, the government implemented a catchup infrastructure spending program to address the im-

pact of the delay in the approval of the national budget on domestic growth.

Moody’s expects this year’s national budget, along with the extension of the validity of the 2019 budget for infrastructure program, to support �iscal expansion and domestic growth.

“We project the Philippines’ real GDP (gross domestic product) growth will accelerate to 6.2 percent this year from 5.8 percent in 2019, faster than most regional and rating peers and bucking the

emerging and developing economy growth takes place as expected, per capita growth would remain well below long-term averages and well below levels necessary to achieve poverty alleviation goals, the report said.

“With growth in emerging and developing economies likely to remain slow, policymakers should seize the opportunity to undertake structural reforms that boost broad-based growth, which is essential to poverty reduction,” Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, vice president for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions at the World Bank Group, said in a statement.

“Steps to improve the business climate, the rule of law, debt management, and productivity can help achieve sustained growth,” she added. (Xinhua) trend of lackluster global economic growth,” it said.

The government’s 2019 GDP target is between 6 percent to 6.5 percent, and 6.5-7.5 percent for 20202022.

Moody’s also projects further improvement of the country’s �iscal metrics on account of the structural improvement of revenues as a result of the tax reforms.

“We expect national government debt to remain stable and debt affordability to improve,” it added.

(PNA)

Moody’s: Signing of PH 2020 nat’l budget credit positive

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hilippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said Thursday his country has lifted restrictions on Japanese food imports imposed following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster due to lower risks of radioactive contamination.

Locsin said during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi in Manila that the Philippines had eliminated the need for radiation test results for shipments of some types of seafood and agricultural products from Fukushima and its surrounding areas on Wednesday.

"I look forward to safe Japanese food reaching many of the people of the Philippines," Motegi told a joint press brie�ing after the meeting.

The Southeast Asian country had required the test for beef and vegetables from Fukushima and Ibaraki, as well as seafood from the two prefectures along with Tochigi and Gunma following the

March 2011 triple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, triggered by a powerful earthquake and tsunami.

A total of 54 countries and regions took such measures following the crisis. With the announcement by the Philippines, that number falls to 20, with the United States, China and South Korea among countries maintaining restrictions of some kind, according to the farm ministry.

Motegi and Locsin also agreed to step up security cooperation, with an eye to countering China's militarization of arti�icial islands in disputed parts of the South China Sea, as well as on boosting economic cooperation including on infrastructure development.

Following the meeting, the two signed an agreement for Japan to provide a low-interest loan of up to 4.4 billion yen ($40 million) to reinforce major bridges in Manila.

Platinum Group Metals reports reserves of 43.3-M WMT

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lobal Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) on Thursday announced the proven and probable ore reserves estimate as of October 15, 2019 for the Platinum Group Metals Corporation Cagdianao Nickel Expansion Project at 43.3 million wet metric tons (WMT).

The result is lower by one percent or half a million WMT as against the previous year, despite active mine extraction which yielded 5.89 million WMT of shipped nickel ore in 2019.

The ore estimate is based on �ive out of seven deposit areas of the Cagdianao nickel expansion project.

“We are planning to conduct further exploration work within the next few years to extend the life of the mine beyond its projected eight years (of) mine life,” FNI Pres-

ident Dante Bravo said in a statement.

“We are also studying other potential resource commodities, such as limestone and chromite,” he added.

To ensure the optimal utilization of its ore reserves, the mining �irm is planning for the early extraction of its low-grade ore deposits that are located farther than CAGA2 and CAGA-4 to take advantage of the upward trend in nickel ore prices.

This estimate is proven to be viable based on the results of the economic assessment done in consonance with the Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC).

PMRC sets out the minimum standards, recommendations, and guidelines for public reporting in the Philippines of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Ore Reserves. (PR)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

Impediment

The Samal-Davao Bridge “dream project” could be in for more sleeps.

Just as both city’s leadership are anticipating the start of the project soon, another blockade got in the way. On Thursday, Mayor Sara Duterte announced that an oppositor has surfaced to oppose the project on the grounds of right of way. This oppositor family wants to �ile a Writ of Kalikasan against the dream project.

So it’s back to the waiting table again. What was supposed to be the year the project will �inally take off has changed complexion.

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ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Layout/Cartoons Cartoonist 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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The opposition will have to be dealt with �irst before any ground movement for the project begins.

A legal resolution of the case, once �iled, could eat up some time. That is why it is understandable if Mayor Sara and the people of both cities who have been longing for the bridge project to materialize felt disappointed.

While it is everyone’s right to make an opposition to a project based on good faith and legal grounds, it is also important for people to realize the bigger picture.

A speedy resolution of this matter is the best hope for this project.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

LOOKING BACK AT THE ECONOMY IN 2019, MOVING FORWARD IN 2020 Those wondering about our economic growth will do well to look at the numbers the country has achieved in 2019 : which provide an indication of more robust, durable and inclusive growth.

Already many economists like Nicolas Mapa of ING Bank have opined that growth in the coming year will be much better than 2019’s.

Yet, a look back at the past year will give us an indication of where the growth for 2020 will be. I would like to quote my good friend Men Sta Ana of Civil Society Group Action for Economic Reforms in his latest Business world Column Yellow Pad (https://www.bworldonline.com/the-risk-despite-the-growth/): “Underlying this growth are sound economic fundamentals. In�lation has been

tamed. Interest rates have been slashed. The currency has stabilized. Revenue efforts, thanks to the series of tax reforms, have risen.

Accordingly, the Philippine credit rating has secured investment grade, and the economic managers are aiming to get an A rating.

More importantly for development, unemployment and underemployment are at a historically low level. (In other words, jobless growth — a feature in the heyday of neoliberalism — is gone.) In the same vein, poverty reduction has accelerated — a decline in poverty incidence by more than six percentage points in a short period of three years, from 23.3% in 2015 to 16.6% in 2018.

Having a growth rate of 6% and above has been the norm since 2012. This is the longest high-growth streak

that the Philippine economy has experienced. And we can expect better performance in the years to come, especially in light of the durable reforms that have been put in place.”

With this, the institutions and reforms have delivered the hoped for results, creating a positive impressions of the economy in international �inancial markets, from where needed funds for projects and investments come. The BBB+ ratings are a good indication of this high regard.

What these mean, at least to me, is that political brickbats encountered by the administration will no longer have its effect on macroeconomic success. In other words, political diatribes can no longer affect investor sentiment. This, despite 2019 being an election year where

investor jitters tend to sway sentiment.

That said, the growth has been durable and dependable, to the point that it has been felt, and recorded even in areas as far as the once neglected Visayas and Mindanao.

The cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Davao have seen their skylines grow to accomodate property developments buoyed up by cheap interest rates. Even vehicular traf�ic has become a problem in these areas.

Unemployment in these areas are also noticeably low, feeding the sentiment that indeed the growth is inclusive since more and more can �ind jobs in the economy.

Build Build Build is not just for government.

On the horizon however, are the usual storms but

more importantly, geopolitical issues such as those we have seen in the Iran-US con�lict, natural disasters that dislocate residents and livelihoods and climate change that affects agriculture growth patterns that have their impact on food supply.

I will not dwell too much on them in this particular column, as the possibilities that they will have a profoud effect on our growth have yet to be ascertained, in the same way many fears of the TRAIN Laws excise tax causing spikes in in�lation have been disproven. Let’s wait and see.

What matters more at this point are not these obstacles or worries, but how well we have prepared and how willing we are to deal with them.

For reactions: facebook. com/johntriapage

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

INSCRUTABLE JOY “Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.” – Emily Dickinson *** They were unlikely duo.

Edward Cole was a billionaire health care magnate while Carter Chambers was a blue-collar mechanic. Both had one thing in common: they were diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

They were con�ined in the same hospital. Cole wanted a private room but he cannot do so since, in his own public statements, all rooms are double-occupancy for cost-ef�iciency. And so, they were in the same room.

During their time together, they managed to �ind common ground. Before he was diagnosed, he had a “bucket list” of places he wanted to visit. Learning that he had less than a year to live, he discarded the list, which Edward found.

The following day, Edward told him they will go together in accomplishing his bucket list. Edward, of course, will �inance the “road trip.”

If you are still wondering what I was talking about, it’s about The Bucket List, a 2007 American buddy comedy-drama �ilm directed and produced by Rob Reiner.

Starring were the two Holly-

wood A-listers: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

One of the most memorable scenes of the movie happened on top of the Egyptian pyramid were the buddies were drinking and chatting.

Carter asked Edward two questions after telling him some story about entering heaven’s gate: The �irst question was: “Have you found joy in your life?” The second question went this way: “Have your life brought joy to others?”

The �irst question is easier to answer. But the second one is tough, very tough. It’s very hard to know whether we have brought joy to others.

Joy – it as only three letters but a very powerful word. I am sure you have several moments in your life where you have experienced joy. For many, it might be the moment when they tied the nuptial knot, or the birth of their baby, or passing the board exam. To some, it may be winning the coveted award or having a home of their own.

But joy is different from happiness, which most people think joy is. Dictionary de�ines happiness as a sense of well-being or contentment. When people are successful, or safe, or lucky, they

feel happiness.

Joy, however, is something more than that. “Happiness is part of who we are,” wrote Tony DeLiso in Legacy: The Power Within, “Joy is the feeling.” Theopedia describes joy as “a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, con�idence and hope.”

In fact, there is a clear distinction between joy, pleasure and happiness. “I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy,” C.S. Lewis once said.

“I call it Joy, which is here a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy, in my sense, has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again… I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But then Joy is never in our power and Pleasure often is.”

Gautama Buddha stated, “When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” George Bernard Shaw himself said, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself

as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

Such vague, such inscrutable joy is!

It is by helping others that someone may experience happiness. True. And it is by doing so also that joy may be embraced. A Chinese saying goes this way: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go �ishing.

If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

The sole meaning of life, according to Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, is to serve humanity. “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give,” British Prime Minister Winston Churchill reminded.

“Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping,” said Oscar-winning Goldie Hawn (for Cactus Flower), “because giving gives you purpose. When you have a purpose-driven life, you’re a happier person.”

And that brings joy to your being.

Some people say you have to experience sorrow to experience joy. In The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran wrote: “Some of you say, ‘Joy is greater than sorrow,’ and others say, ‘Nay, sorrow is the greater.’ But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together, they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.”

“Sorrow prepares you for joy,” Rumi explains. “It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can �ind space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.”

Still having a hard time deciphering what joy is? “Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are,” said Marianne Williamson.

Here’s a �inal thought, from Terry Pratchett, author of A Hat Full of Sky: “Joy is to fun what the deep sea is to a puddle. It’s a feeling inside that can hardly be contained.”

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VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

AGRITRENDS

GROWING RICE ORGANICALLY

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

(Second of Two Parts) Mention Bohol and what comes to mind are the 1,776 Chocolate Hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers, the endangered tarsier (touted to be the oldest mammal inhabiting the earth), and “Sandugo,” the blood compact between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and chieftain Datu Sikatuna.

Thus, it’s hard to imagine for visitors to think of organic rice being planted in the country’s tenth largest island (with a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometers and a coastline 261 kilometers).

However, a report from the state-owned Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said that farmers and non-government organizations in the island have been breeding since 1998 more than 200 organic rice “accessions” in the search for the most suitable breed �itting the challenges of climate adaptation.

Dr. Marina Labonite, the research for development director at the Bohol Island State University (BISU), said climate change-resistant

Photos courtesy of PCARRD

local upland rice were interbred with other breeds to produce organic rice that could stand the heat, brave the �loods, and withstand all these without inorganic fertilizers.

According to Dr. Labonite, the breeds are locals so they can’t be called as varieties yet.

These are placed in a seed bank, which serve as back up supplies for farm trials “to allow farmers to sow them in seedbeds for their own production,” she pointed out.

Today, Bohol is mobilizing to become a hub of the aromatic and nutritious organic rice.

“Local farmers are now gearing towards the production of organically-grown rice to respond to the needs of healthier living and to the country’s drive towards food security and environmental protection,” reports “Filling Up The Senses: Bohol’s Tourism and Organic Rice Production.”

The publication is released by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), a line

agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It features the success stories of two farmer-scientists – called “Magsasaka Siyentista” (MS) – who made the difference in growing organic rice.

“Farming aromatic rice the natural, organic way helped improve the quality of my farm’s soil and increase my income,” Primitivo R. Sarigumba, a 51-year-old farmer from Jimilian, Loboc.

The commerce graduate with a major in accountancy had been farming for 25 years already but it was not until he adopted organic farming that he found he could effectively decrease his production costs through the use of organic fertilizer.

“I didn’t worry about the high cost of seedlings because I knew the very low cost of organic fertilizers would balance off the costs,” said Sarigumba, who is now a member of science and technology-based farm (STBF) project which allowed him to further explore the world of farming and discover new ways

of increasing his yield.

The other farmer – Florencio L. Gentallan – is already deceased.

But the former civil servant was being looked up by farmers in the municipality of Maribojoc because of his in�luence in helping them improve their own farming methods.

Gentallan’s advocacy on natural farming resulted in the adoption of his farming practices by 30 local farmers.

“Going organic is going healthy and wise,” he was quoted as saying.

“With the utilization of natural materials from our farm, we are sure that what we consume is chemical-free. Not only that, we are also able to reduce the costs of our farm inputs; thereby increasing our income.”

The PCARRD publication features the science and technology interventions the two farmers adopted in growing organic rice.

“Through research and the application of new technologies, the traditional practices of the farmers were modi�ied and improved,” the publication explained.

Soil analysis: Most

farmers neglect soil analysis, which is considered as critical in evaluating the soil pH and fertility level. With the STBF, the two farmers were convinced of the advantages of the technology.

“Soil analysis reduces farm costs by preventing excessive and unnecessary application of fertilizers and avoiding nutrient imbalance in the �ield,” the PCARRD publication pointed out.

Land preparation: Rice straw from the previous cropping are scattered in the �ield, which is irrigated for two days until plowing time. After plowing, the mixture of chicken dung and vermicompost are dispersed.

“Using residues like rice straw, chicken dung, and vermicompost reduce farm costs by up to 74%,” the PCARRD publication said. In addition, these farm resources nourish the crops and the soil as well.

Seeding and transplanting: Planting only one to two 14-day old seedlings per hill reduces the number of seedlings needed in the farm – compared with the usual practice of planting four to seven 21- to 30-day old seedlings.

“The 25 centimeters by 25 centimeters distance between hills reduced the farmers’ need to 50%; thereby, reducing costs. Also, the competition among plants was also decreased,” the PCARRD publication said.

Variety: In Loboc, the varieties used on aromatic rice production are black rice, basmati, and malido. In Maribojoc, it’s the KACEDOB variety, which stands for “Kang Seding, gitanum in Dod0y ug inabagan ni Boy” (From Seding, planted by Dodoy with the assistance of Boy).

Fertilization: Only natural and organic fertilizers are used.

“When you use chemical fertilizers in your �ield, your gross income is high; but when you start computing your net income – by deducting all your expenses – you will realize how little your net income is. The main reason is the high cost of inorganic fertilizer,” explained Sarigumba.

Pest and disease management: Pests and diseases can be checked by any of the following: natural, cultural, botanical, ecological, and chemical approaches.

“All these measures except the latter, when integrated, become a perfect blend of pest management technology, with effectively curbs pesticide usage in the farms,” the PCARRD publication noted.

Po s t - p ro d u c t i o n : Traditionally, farmers harvest rice manually, thresh the harvested crops with pedal threshers, and clean the grains with winnowing basket.

Instead, the STBF recommends an automatic operation which uses the mechanical blower, which can shorten the operation to two days and preserve the good quality of the grains.

As a result of these practices, Gentallan increased his net income from P20,956 to P89,353 for one year (two croppings). On the other hand, Sarigumba’s net income more than doubled – from P25,400 to P59,600 for one year.

“The success of the STBF projects on organic aromatic rice production is proof enough of the province’s power to truly satisfy both its local and visiting tourists not only through its rich sceneries, but also through its healthy staple food,” the PCARRD publication concluded.

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

WELCOMING 2020 IN EDEN STYLE

FOR two decades now, it has been a tradition to welcome new year in style at Eden Nature Park & Resort.

Since the ban of fireworks in the city, Eden segued a grand balloon drop to set a colorful and cheerful year ahead. This year, it was an exquisite drop of banners, confetti blast and cold fire tricks instead.

Guests reveled a splendid evening of music and dancing at the resort’s Vista Restaurant which has also again proved to be a culinary destination for food enthusiasts. It was a night of pride for Davao’s top local talents like Mebuyan, composed of outstanding musicians like Gauss Obenza, Popong Landero and Rafael Ayala. Kaliwat Performing Artists Collective also gave spark to the entire show. Kaliwat means a generation of race. Their engagement with different indigenous communities in Mindanao and in Asia have inspired them to create stories, music and dances.

One particular part of the show is the contribution of Kultura Edeng. It is a school-based cultural performing arts group composed of students from Eden Nature Park’s adopted school Elias B. Lopez Memorial National High School. The resort has always been supportive of the community of Eden in which we operate.

As the year 2019 ended, Eden Nature Park & Resort looks forward to year 2020 with hope that Davao City will have a continuous success in achieving to be the best tourist destination in Mindanao.

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HONG KONG TO HOLD A SPECTACULAR FOUR-DAY CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

AS the Year of the Rat kicks off a new 12-year cycle, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is going to celebrate Chinese New Year in a brand new way – the “Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Carnival”.

Rather than simply staging the night parade on the first day of Chinese New Year, they, together with title-sponsor Cathay Pacific, have organized a carnival, that will run from the first day (25 January) all the way to the fourth day (28 January) of the Year of the Rat, which will be held at the Art Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District – also a first time for the HKTB’s Chinese New Year event.

In addition to the signature parade, the event will feature a variety of family-friendly elements for people to kick off an auspicious new year with their loved ones.

HKTB Chairman Dr YK Pang said, “The HKTB has been staging its Chinese New Year event for nearly a quarter of a century to spread happiness across the city. This year being the Year of the Rat, the leader of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, it is not only the beginning of a new cycle, but also marks the staging of the 25th edition of this signature event in Chinese New Year. This provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the much-loved festival in a new way. While enjoying the carnival, we hope the people of Hong Kong will share the festivities

with their families and friends living abroad. We will also certainly show to visitors from around the world with our fun, vibrant celebrations that Hong Kong remains an open and welcoming travel destination.”

Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Mr Ronald Lam said, “As the home carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has always sought to promote and showcase our home hub as much as possible, while also playing our part to help develop Hong Kong into a truly international city. We are delighted to once again be sponsoring this fabulous event for the 22nd year in a row as we celebrate the Chinese New Year.

We hope that both the people of Hong Kong and visitors from

all over the world will enjoy this spectacular carnival, and experience the rich and vibrant festive culture of this city. We look forward to another great celebration, showcasing the fun, jubilant atmosphere and energy that embodies the character of Hong Kong.”

Brand new four-day carnival pumping up festivities day and night The four-day International Chinese New Year Carnival is free to all. Both international and local performing groups will join the daily parades along the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade. Even if you miss the parades, you can enjoy their stage performances from day to night. The stimulating

programmes, along with the family-friendly activities, will guarantee festival-goers a great time whenever they join the event. The three highlights of the carnival are:

A highlight of the carnival is the participation of the greatest number of international performing troupes in the event’s history. The carnival will introduce 26 international perform-

ing t even ing t thou taki will on r Th com regio Ame them ing i time last team Hon inclu whic in re Tale raisi vatin of D cham from the s hip h A phot

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troupes, a record for the nt, plus 22 local performteams, adding up to over a usand performers. On top of ing part in the parades, they l provide stage performances roster from day to night.

The 26 international teams me from 19 countries and ons in Asia, Europe, the mericas and Africa. Among m, 22 teams will be performin Hong Kong for the first e, doubling the number of year’s event. International ms that are performing in ng Kong for the first time ude India’s V. Unbeatable, ch rose to international fame eality show America’s Got ent, will stun with their hairing flipping acts and capting dances; and NBC World Dance and HHI PH Varsity mpions UPeepz and VPeepz m the Philippines will steal spotlight with their dynamic hop dance moves.

Another highlight are the oto spots with giant in-

ENTERTAINMENT

CATRIONA, NEW PAGEANT FOR KIDS USHER IN NEW YEAR FOR “IT’S SHOWTIME” MISS UNIVERSE 2018 Catriona Gray is kickstarting the new chapter of her life by bringing her signature charm to noontime TV in ABSCBN’s “It’s Showtime,” serving as one of the special hosts of its new segment “Mini Ms. U.” “Mini Ms. U” is a pageant for little girls who want to unleash their inner beauty queen and showcase their wit, talent, and passion for their chosen causes.

“They’re really cute. And just to see them really performing so well on stage and having such high confidence at that age – it’s really amazing to see,” said Catriona, who is also taking lessons to improve her spoken Tagalog.

Each day, three charming young beauty queens will compete to become the daily winner, who will then have a shot at pursuing her advocacy or getting her wish come true in the weekly finals. The grand winner of the competition will have a chance at becoming ABS-CBN’s next child superstar.

“It’s Showtime” also brings good fortune to its madlang people with the new segment “Piling Lucky.”

Every day, the show opens its doors to fans who line up at the ABS-CBN Audience Entrance, from which the Lucky 100 will be drawn. From the Lucky 100, the Lucky 20 players will be brought to the studio to carry out challenges using their chosen lucky items in successive rounds.

In the end, only one out of the 20 players will remain to play the

ultimate game of luck and win the jackpot prize of P50,000. If no one wins the prize, it will be added to the accumulated jackpot prize money the next day.

“Tawag ng Tanghalan,” Philippine TV’s premier singing competition, also kicked off its fourth year on air as it continues to scour the country and other parts of the world to look for the singing superstar who will follow in the footsteps of grand winners Noven Belleza, Janine Berdin, and Elaine Duran.

The competition boosts the stakes for all contenders in its fourth year, which will place the daily winner or defending champion under the threat of the ‘gong’ in the daily faceoff round. Aside from the punong

hurado, other judges can also ‘gong’ a contender if four of them press their buzzers during the performance – a new feature called “power of four.”

Moreover, four industry legends will also be introduced as new members of its esteemed panel of ‘hurados’ soon.

Watch out for more surprises in “Mini Ms. U,” “Piling Lucky,” and the fourth year of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in “It’s Showtime,” which airs from Mondays to Saturdays on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167). For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or visit abscbnpr.com. To watch the program’s episode online, just download the iWant app (iOs and Andoid) or register via iwant.ph.

KUYA KIM BONDS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA CHILD STARS MAJO AND CARLO IN “MATANGLAWIN”

stallations and decorations.

Visitors and locals can take plenty of photos against various backdrops incorporating Hong Kong’s skyline, which is especially mesmerising during sunset. Photo hotspots include festive mouse cartoon characters and a giant inflatable of the caterpillar from children’s favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a picture book by American children’s literature writer Eric Carle.

And what is a carnival without food and games? The first Chinese New Year market will feature 15 booths serving food and fun workshops. Enjoy flavourful Hong Kong, American, Taiwanese and Korean snacks, including Korean fishcake skewers in soup by Kelly’s Cape Bop, a street food joint recommended

by Michelin Guide Hong Kong for five years in a row. There will also be workshops on balloon twisting and face painting are available to keep children happily busy.

KUYA Kim Atienza is starting the new decade with a furry adventure together with viral kid sensations “You Do Note Girl Majo” and “Gigil Kid Carlo” in this Sunday’s (January 12) episode of “Matanglawin.”

Kuya Kim and social media child stars Majo and Carlo, who are also known on YouTube as ‘Tambalang CarJo,’ go on a trip to the country’s ‘Bearseum’ filled with huggable teddies of all sizes where they are instantly enchanted in the furry wonderland as Kuya Kim throws fascinating trivia about teddy bears.

But the cuteness overload doesn’t stop there as the country’s most awarded educational program also shows yummy ‘street food stuffed toys’ that kids can play with like Ging Ging the Banana-Cute and Kweenie the Kwek Kwek.

Meanwhile, “It’s Showtime” BidaMan Dan and Jiro unite to let their creative juices flowing in their

quest to design tie-dyes using environment-friendly paint that comes from atsuete or annatto seeds, yellow ginger or luya, and the pigment of other plants.

Catch another fun Sunday with Kuya Kim this Sunday (January 12), 9:45 am on “Matanglawin” on ABS-CBN and iWant.

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MARCO POLO DAVAO HOLDS CGD CUP 2019

MARCO POLO DAVAO in cooperation with Philippines Shooters & Match Officers Confederation and Task Force Davao, successfully hosted the CGD Cup 2019 held at Region 11 Sphinx Shooting Range, Camp Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.

Secretary of Finance Carlos G. Dominguez together with Halifax Davao Hotel Inc. President Francis Ledesma and Marco Polo General Manager Colin Healy were present and participated in a shooting practice after the competition.

The CGD Cup 2019 is an annual sanctioned match on handgun, revolver and mini-

A4 INdulge!

A4 INdulge! rifle shooting competition which started in 2000 with participants only from Marco Polo Davao organized by Fran-

cis Suan with support from Sec. Carlos G. Dominguez. After two years of postponement during the Martial Law period, the participants now grew to a huge enthusiasts coming from all over Davao. Participants arrived

from various private groups as well as private and government companies like G.I., Alsons, Trigger FIST, and Right Eight Security Agency with the Philippine Army, Coast Guard, PDEA and Police personnel.

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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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PUSHING... FROM1

e�its ang atoang syudad kung mag-create ta ug fourth district especially funds from the national government because our Congressmen have their own funds from the national government. So madungag na nga kuwarta sa atong lugar. Mao na ang primary bene�it,” she said.

The Mayor advised the council not to meddle in the process of dividing the districts of the city to avoid biases among them.

“I told them since mga politicians man ta dili ta manghilabot sa pagdivide sa mga distrito nato sa syudad sa Davao.

Managan gud ta ug mua-

gi ta ug election so naa jud ta bias sa pag-divide sa areas. I told them nga naay balaod, naa ta’y City Planning nga naay mga technical personnel who would know kung unsaon pag-create sa divisions. So gibuhat sa city planning and then gipasa sa akoa and out of courtesy, dili siya needed pero gipasa nako sa ilaha for their information,” she said.

Mayor Sara emphasized no action is needed from the Sangguniang Panlungsod to create a fourth legislative district because this is a job for the Congressmen.

“Karon na decision sa tanan to move forward.

Dili na sila mag-discuss ug didto ipasa na sa Congress and naa man ta tulo ka Congressmen sila na didto ang mag- conduct sa hearing ug ilahang study sa fourth legislative district sa Davao City,” she said.

Dayanghirang has originally proposed for an additional congressional districts in the city. According to him, the city is quali�ied for an additional district based on Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution wherein under the law, “Congress shall make a reapportion of legislative districts based on the standards �ixed in this selection.”

charge of Social Security Reform and Minister in charge of Trans-Paci�ic Partnership, as well as Japan and the United States’ trade negotiations in October 2018.

He also became Japan’s Minister for Human Resources Development and Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization.

Motegi graduated from the Faculty of Eco-

nomics, the University of Tokyo in March 1978 and completed his Master’s Degree at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in June 1983. (PNA)

to Gov. Nancy Catamco to work on the needed and “missing” documents so that the airport construction could resume.

“I am relieved that the real and true story is slowly unfolding. Of

course, everything was triggered by a Presidential inquiry on the status of the project and fast action of the young Senator from Davao City,” he added.

Earlier, Catamco or-

dered provincial of�icials to expedite the processing of documents to comply to Department of Transportation (DOTR) requirements needed to continue the remaining works in the project. (PNA)

lution of functions and powers to the autonomous government.

BARMM’s Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal is Dominguez’ counterpart.

The Mosque was designed by Architect Felino Palafox and is located at a �ive-hectare lot in Barangay

Kalanganan, this city. Brunei Darussalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah donated USD43 million for the construction of the mosque.

The management of the mosque, which was completed in 2011, remained under the DPWH since this city and the now-defunct

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) refused to assume management responsibility of the mosque.

Sinarimbo said the of�ice of the BARMM Grand Mufti will be tapped to manage the Grand Mosque.

(PNA)

Robredo, an ally of Aquino, said Monday that Duterte's drug war con�iscated only 1 percent of the 156,000 kilos of shabu that �looded the country yearly since 2016.

The �igure that the Vice President cited was a

"wild assumption" based on police estimate, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said.

"We are really in uproar about this... It's like downplaying the sacri�ices of all those people who put their lives and limb on

the line everyday," Carreon said of Robredo's remarks.

The Vice President's report will be "a challenge for us to prove that indeed we are making a dent on the illegal drug industry," he said.

government units (LGUs) of Buluan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and Datu Salibo.

“Moderate-high performance” rating was awarded to the towns of Datu Unsay, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Northern Kabuntalan, and Talayan.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEABARMM director, said

Thursday the LGUs with low rating may still improve depending on how they will perform in the coming months as far as the anti-drug campaign is concerned.

“Keep up the good work,” Azurin told of�icials of the LGUs with high performance ratings.

The province of Maguindanao has the most

number of drug-cleared and drug-free villages across the BARMM. The region is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan and 63 villages in North Cotabato, which are the newest members of BARMM. (PNA)

the said area to cater the Lumad senior high school graduates as well as for those that do not have the �inancial capacity to continue their studies in downtown area.

“So that students don’t need to go down to the Poblacion to study. The school also aims to help those students that do not have the �inancial capacity na magpadayon mag-esk-

wela ug college diri sa downtown,” she said.

Peace 911 is a peace and development initiative of the city government of Davao for Paquibato District.

Mapa said.

The economist particularly cited the investment momentum and durable investment activity which had been an integral part of

the growth pullback in the second and third quarters, and the recovery could be crucial to the fourth-quarter �inish.

“We expect the Philip-

pines to defy the odds and �inish the year on a strong note to complete the tale of two halves, �iring all cylinders going into 2020,” he added. (PNA)

DUTERTE... FROM2 GO... FROM2

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PH... FROM4

al crude prices stabilize.

Sectors in the Philippines that would be heavily exposed to any signi�icant rise in world oil prices include transportation-related industry such as aviation, road haulage, shipping, and logistics, he said.

“Jet fuel accounts for an estimated 25 percent of total operating costs for the airline industry,” he added.

Biswas said the rising crude oil prices would also hike petrochemical costs, affecting prices of downstream chemical interme-

diates and plastics.

He added higher cost of petrol and diesel would likely impact the agriculture sector as it is being used in tractors and other agricultural machinery as well as irrigation pumps.

(PNA)

already spanning for �ifty years amidst the groundbreaking Executive Order 70 issued by President Duterte institutionalizing the whole of nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end the local communist armed con�lict.

Immersing down to the grassroots, the Executive Order 70, since its implementation in 2018, has enabled the government to do multi-sectoral and participatory localized peace engagements in the communities, thus, providing for a better and effective peace framework as it seeks to address major issues and concerns of the people which consti-

tutes the mass bases of the NPA. Moreover, the said national directive, along with other programs and initiatives have resulted into declining mass base support, massive surrender of NPA rebels, zero recruitment in most areas, and reduced number of violent incidents and NPA attacks.

“During the past year, Davao Region has already made a lot of progress as far as initiatives on peace and order is concerned. As such, we could not afford our momentum to be halted and have all our efforts go down the drain,” said Governor Dayanghirang.

“These gains must be sustained in order to successfully end this commu-

nist armed con�lict,” the joint RPOC and RDC Resolution also stated.

However, both councils have expressed full support to the government’s strong resolve to attain sustainable peace in the country.

“Nevertheless, we strongly believe on the President’s genuine intention to end the long-running Communist insurgency and we remain committed in our oath to continue to push for initiatives, reforms, and programs that will bene�it our Dabawenyo constituents and to foster true and lasting peace in this part of our country,” added Governor Dayanghirang. By Karen Lou Deloso

(1,389,628) leads the voting among East guards, just ahead of Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving (1,351,997) and Boston’s Kemba Walker (1,331,577).

Other notables from the �irst week of fan voting, which began on Christmas Day: Boston’s Tacko Fall remains sixth in the East frontcourt balloting, Gold-

en State’s Stephen Curry remains fourth in the West guard vote so far despite being sidelined by injury, and Portland’s Carmelo Anthony is still holding the No. 8 spot in the West frontcourt race.

Fan voting continues through Jan. 20. The starters for the game -- three frontcourt, two guards per

team -- will be determined through a system that gives fans 50% of the vote, players 25% and a media panel the remaining 25%.

Starters and the two player captains who will draft teams will be announced on Jan. 23. The reserves, who are selected

by NBA coaches, will be revealed on Jan. 30.

of talk—at least until Pacquiao lost to Jeff Horn in July of 2017, dropping the WBO welterweight title. Forget that it was a controversial decision that many felt should’ve gone to Pacquiao, this was supposedly proof positive that now, for sure, Pacquiao was done.

Except, he wasn’t “done.”

Resurgence A year later, Manny was delivering a one-sided beatdown to WBA “regular” welterweight titlist and Argentine power puncher Lucas Matthysse, scoring three knockdowns en route to a seventh-round TKO. Then came the win over Broner, who was no longer considered a top-level �ighter, but did still possess

high-end ability and the raw talent to be a good challenge for anyone on any given night. Pacquiao breezed past Broner with little trouble and proved to even the harshest critic that he still belonged among the very best in the sport.

His next win, against WBA “super” welterweight champ Thurman, proved that not only did he belong among the very best, but that he WAS among the very best.

The thirty year-old Thurman, who was in his second �ight following a long, injury-caused layoff, was ten years younger than Manny. Thurman also possessed a world class skillset that was built around high-end athleticism and a

well-regarded natural boxing instinct.

Pacquiao, though, dealt fairly easily with everything Thurman had and walked away a winner against a �ighter universally regarded as one of the three best welterweights in the world alongside Errol Spence and Terence Crawford.

Manny Pacquiao’s 2019 and the reaf�irmation, at 40 years of age, that he is still a great in the sport should be the story of the year. Maybe Broner and Thurman don’t earn him Fighter of the Year and maybe the Thurman �ight wasn’t quite bombastic enough to be Fight of the Year or Event of the Year, but what Manny did in 2019 certainly deserves major recognition.

adapt and getting back to his habits. To get back into your routine after the holidays, we recommend you to do a �irst light workout.

You can perfectly redo the exercises you did before your vacation, but you will need to adapt the load step by step. For example, if you were doing 80-kilo squats, you can restart at 50 or 60 kilos. Then at each new session, gradually increase (2 kilos for example) your charges until you get back to what you are used to.

Take the time to regain your marks without rushing your body before putting on the weights during

the next training. A �irst drive which is too abrupt can cause injury. In addition, you may have severe body aches the following days. That would be counterproductive if you’re looking to get your motivation back. Go ahead gradually, it can take one to two weeks to get back to your previous performances.

You will feel yourself when your body is ready to rework at full speed, just take the time.

Bottomline, the key words to get back into exercise after holidays period are: planning, nutrition and patience. It is normal

not to come back with the same abilities and performance when pausing. The important thing is to gradually resume good habits. if you haven’t enrolled in a gym, sign up with Arcadia Fitness Gym, owned by my good friend Glenn Escandor inside the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center.

This state of the art facility features the best training equipment and coaching in town.

I heard they offer holiday membership promo so this could be your best start.

Let’s get into the groove.

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LEBRON... FROM11

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

SUBURBIA RISING

Gov Dayanghirang supports calls against reopening of peace negotiations with communist party

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AVAO ORIENTAL – Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang stands in solidarity with his fellow local chief executives in the Davao Region in their strong opposition against the government’s impending reopening of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

Governor Dayanghirang, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and a member of Regional Development Council (RDC), said in a statement released on Monday that he stands with his fellow members of both councils to support the position of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who on December 23 last year, publicly asked the President to reconsider the decision to reopen negotiations with the NDFP, “given previous violent attacks by the groups against innocent civilians and the absence of indications that the CPP-NPA is willing to negotiate for a peaceful resolution of the con�lict.”

Governor Dayanghirang echoed the two councils’ sentiments that are

stated in the joint RPOC and RDC resolution which he signed together with other local chief executives and government agency of�icials in the region during their recent convergence meeting held on January 2. The contents of which emphasized that the peace negotiations have long been utilized by the CPP-NPA-NDF to recruit, reorganize, and re-arm in order to regain advantage while peace negotiations are ongoing.

The joint resolution cited the President’s Proclamation No. 374 s. 2017 under Republic Act 10166 declaring the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization following its violent attacks involving innocent civilians that occurred while peace negotiations are ongoing. Under the

Members of the RPOC during a council meeting in 2019 same grounds, the European Union and the United States of America also designated the organization as a terrorist group.

“I personally believe that the peace negotiations with the Communist party already tagged as a terrorist organization would not be a favorable move for our government as they will only use this window as a means to strengthen their forces and gain their foothold amid the impending lifting of the cease�ire agreement,” reads an excerpt of the Governor’s statement, adding that the 30 years of national peace negoti-

ations has not resulted to a peace settlement but, rather, this will only be exploited amidst the lifting of the cease�ire agreement between the government and the Communist group.

However, instead of the resumption of the peace negotiations, both councils are calling for localized peace engagements to be done at the local level with the local government units to take the lead in the localized peace talks.

Of�icials say they deem this approach more feasible to peacefully counter the violent long-running Communist insurgency

GOV, P9

RPOC Chairperson Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and RDC Chaiperson Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

11

Davis MRI negative

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has passed Dallas’ Luka Doncic for the overall and Western Conference lead in fan voting for the Feb. 16 All Star Game in Chicago.

Lebron shows way in All Star voting

I

t could be a Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis rematch in the All-Star Game.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has passed Dallas’ Luka Doncic for the overall and Western Conference lead in fan voting for the Feb. 16 game in Chicago, with about a week and a half left in the race. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the runaway leader in the Eastern Con-

ference voting.

The game’s captains -- James and Antetokounmpo held the jobs last year -- will be the All-Star starters who receive the most fan votes from his conference. James also was a captain the �irst time the format was used in 2018, then going up against a team picked by Golden State’s Stephen Curry.

Team LeBron beat Team Giannis last year, 178-164. Team LeBron

also won the inaugural edition of this All-Star setup, topping Team Stephen 148-145 in the 2018 game.

James’ lead over Doncic was 82,001 votes, the NBA said on Thursday when releasing the second balloting update. James leads the West frontcourt voting with 3,359,871, ahead of his Lakers teammate Anthony Davis (3,124,446) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard.

Doncic leads West

guards with 3,277,870 votes, with Houston’s James Harden second with 2,167,269 votes.

In the East, Antetokounmpo has nearly twice as many votes as anyone else. He sits atop the East frontcourt balloting with 3,259,383 votes -- well ahead of Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (1,784,211) and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam (1,730,763).

Atlanta’s Trae Young

LEBRON, P9

OS ANGELES (AP) -Anthony Davis plans to travel with the Los Angeles Lakers on their upcoming road trip after he bruised his buttocks in a nasty fall.

The Lakers announced encouraging news about their six-time All-Star's health Wednesday, a day after he left their blowout win over New York with a scary injury.

An MRI exam performed overnight on Davis showed no major concerns, and X-rays were negative.

Davis was extremely sore, but his injuries appear to be only bruises.

The NBA's sixth-leading scorer is expected to be listed as questionable when the Lakers open a two-game road trip Friday in Dallas.

Davis was hurt when he fell hard on his back and tailbone after trying to block the shot of New York's Julius Randle in the third quarter of the Lakers' sixth straight win, 117-87 over the Knicks on Tuesday night.

Davis pounded the court in pain and stayed down for about two minutes while his teammates gathered around him. He eventually rose with help and walked off the court slowly, but under his own

power.

After the game, the Lakers' Danny Green called it an ''ugly fall, man. It's probably going to take some time, seeing how long it took for him to get up and walk out of here, the way he's walking out of here.''

The news might not be as bad as the Lakers feared, however.

The team initially diagnosed the injury as a bruised sacrum - the lower part of the spine. But the Lakers altered their diagnosis to a soft-tissue bruise after the MRI, which likely means the injury is less serious.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers (30-7) were off Wednesday. They play the Mavericks on Friday and at Oklahoma City on Saturday before returning to Los Angeles.

Davis will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but he is widely expected to re-sign with the Lakers. He is averaging 27.7 points and 9.5 rebounds in his �irst season with Los Angeles after the team traded most of its young core to New Orleans for him. ''He's one of our pillars,'' Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. ''He's our present. He's our future. He's one of the best players in the world, so obviously he means a lot.''

Anthony Davis sustained only bruises from a hard fall against the Knicks.

16 teams in PIA Cup Manny’s resiliency must be the year’s top story

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UMAGUETE CITY – A total of 16 women’s football teams from across the country are vying for the 5th Pinay in Action (PIA) Cup, a 9 versus 9 Women’s Football tournament, which will be held at the Perdices Coliseum here from Friday to Sunday.

The PIA Cup, a project of Senator Pia Cayetano, aims to “empower women through sports and to challenge all provinces to come up with a 9-a-side (nine players per team) or 11-a-side tournament,” said Ayra Malabayabas, project manager of Pinay in Action, during a press conference at a local hotel here Thursday afternoon.

Malabayabas said that usually in women’s football, the matches are just for 5-a-side or 7-a-side events, and “that is a big challenge that we want to bring to the provinces” to increase the number of players on each team.

The teams vying for this year’s 5th PIA Cup are, from Luzon: UP Women’s Football Team X (Manila); UP Women’s Football Team Y (Manila); University of Sto. Tomas A (Manila); University of Sto. Tomas B (Manila); From the Visayas: Bayawan City Football Club (Bayawan City, Negros Ori-

ental); Futboleras Football Club (Negros Oriental); Silliman University Women’s Football Team (Dumaguete City); Kachella Football Club (Dumaguete City); Tayud United Football Club (Cebu City); and Sibulan Football Club (Dumaguete City); And from Mindanao: UP Mindanao Women’s Football Team (Davao); Red Corals United Football Club Hermusoras (Zamboanga City); Dapitan Football Club (Dapitan); Dipolog Bad Bonitas (Dipolog); FC95 Iligan City (Iligan City); and Stone�ield Football Club Damas (Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental).

This is the second time for the PIA Cup to be held here, the �irst being in January 2018.

It is organized in partnership with the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Regional Football Association (NORSIFA) and supported by the city government headed by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, and local sponsors.

While the games reel off here Friday, the of�icial KickOff Ceremony with Sen. Cayetano is set Saturday morning at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum, with Mayor Remollo and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo expected to join her. (PNA)

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ost in the rush to hand out year-end awards and “best of 2019” recognition was, perhaps, the biggest and most obvious “best of” of the year—the story of Manny Pacquiao.

More precisely, 2019 was the year that the Filipino Icon achieved the most unlikely of accomplishments— he reestablish himself as an elite-lev-

el world class �ighter. Not only did he beat Adrien Broner in a one-sided affair, but, more impressively, he beat universally-regarded top 3 (and some insist number one) welterweight Keith Thurman via thrilling twelve-round split decision.

Some of us had been asserting all along that that the multi-division world champ had nev-

5TH PINAY IN ACTION CUP. Ayra Malabayabas, project manager of Pinay in Action; Dr. Dinno Depositario, Assistant Dumaguete City Administrator; Coach Roger Banzuela of the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Regional Football Association (NORSIFA); and Coach Edwin Cabalida, also of NORSIFA, are

er STOPPED being an elite-level world class �ighter. But we were shouted down by a legion of media “experts” who insisted that Manny should hang up his gloves and walk away from the sport before suffering some sort of permanent injury. Some of these guys were practically begging for him to retire.

The push to force

Pacquiao into retirement came in 2015, after he lost decisively to archrival Floyd Mayweather in a big-money mega-�ight.

The loss, according to some, proved that Manny was a shell of his former safe, a faded great that had little left in the tank.

Wins over Timothy Bradley and Jessie Vargas, however, quieted that line

MANNY, P9

shown from left to right during a press conference in Dumaguete City on Thursday (Jan. 9. 2020). Dumaguete City will be hosting the three-day women's 9-a-side football tournament from Friday to Sunday. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 214 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

BACK INTO FITNESS NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO VIEW FROM THE OUTFIELD

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tell you what, it’s not just you. It’s everyone.

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to face the ugly truth standing right in the mirror in front of us.

That extra bulge down there. The softer �lab. The heavier feel.

It’s all guilt feelings sinking in now.

Like it or not, it’s time to hit back to �itness mode again.

However, it’s easier said than done.

It is not always easy to get back into exercise after holidays. Reason is, we quickly lose our good habits like going to work out and maintaining a good diet. The next thing, we realize we have lost that desire, that motivation.

The bad side about holidays is that they are indeed an open door to “fatty food” and alcohol. This often has effects on our physical state. Indeed, back home, it is not uncommon to feel a bit heavy, clumsy and lacking of energy.

This condition is usually caused by the excesses of the holidays, which makes

the return to daily life even harder. Your motivation to go back to sports and eat healthy can be so low.

So how do we get back?

Let me share this three simple tips from �itness site pretatrain.com.

1) Set a deadilne The �irst thing to get back into exercise after holidays is to set a deadline. You must choose a day when, no matter what your level of motivation, you will resume your physical activities. We advise you to decide on this date a few days before returning home. In this way, you will have the time to be conditioned to the idea to resume your routine on this precise date. Choose preferably a day when you will not be too busy. In this way, it will be easier to return to the room getting back to your physical activity. You can also choose a speci�ic time when you know you will have time to go and do your sport. Once done, do not push back the time or day of your workout. In this case, you will only postpone the problem overnight and cause a vi-

cious circle of discouragement.

2) Get back to a healthy diet To make it so much easier to return to your physical routine of exercises after the holidays, it is also essential to resume a healthy diet. Once again, the feeling of heaviness that you may feel when you return from your va-

cation may be due in large part to your many dietary differences. As a result, if you regain good nutrition, you will feel lighter, more energetic and in a better mood.

This will greatly facilitate you to get back into exercise. As you can imagine, it is easier to �ind some motivation to the resumption of the sport if

you feel �it. As with sport, we recommend that you set a deadline. We recommend that you return to a healthy diet on the same day of your workout.

However, if the motivation is really low, you can also advance in stages. For example, you can change your diet two days before your �irst session. As a result, the bene�its of a bal-

anced diet have already restored some energy, so it will be easier to resume your physical activity.

3) Getting back step by step Once back in the room, avoid to take back your workouts where you left them. Your body has been resting for a period of time, so it takes time to

BACK, P9