Edge Davao Vol 12 Issue 14 | Thursday, March 28, 2019

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EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

SPORTS ARCADIA FITNESS GYM

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INDOOR TRIATHLON IS ON

NCCC'S VICTORIA PLAZA. New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) chair Helen Lim (leftmost), NCCC Group of Companies chief executive officer Lafayette Lim (3rd from right) and LTS Malls, Inc, president Sharlene Faye Lim (2nd from right), together with officials from the city government of Davao led by Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag, flash the number one sign after the Davao City-based mall giant formally took over the management of the iconic Victoria Plaza on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

THE FUTURE

NCCC bares grand plans for Victoria Plaza after assuming ownership

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

A

fter formally assuming ownership of Victoria Plaza on Wednesday, March 27, New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) unveiled its grandiose plans for Davao’s iconic mall which included twin tower condominium, luxury hotel, corporate center and four-storey mall.

Sharlene Faye Lim, LTS Malls Inc. president, bared

the company’s development plans and design concept

Thousands flee fighting in 3 Mindanao provinces

►SUBURBIA RISING P5

of the sprawling 9.6 hectare Victoria Plaza complex in a symbolic takeover through a Hong Kong-based design consortium.

Lim provided a glimpse of the future of Victoria Plaza under its ownership in an audio visual presentation.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a video clip, congratulated the new owners and ex-

pressed his elation of the sale which involved two Dabawenyo families.

“What makes me glad is that the property was acquired by a family who runs a shopping mall,” President Duterte said referring the the Lim family.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was represented in the event by Vice Mayor

Mouthful Orgasm

► INDULGE A1

Bernard Al-ag, gave her message in the AVP. “I thank NCCC for the trust you have placed in Davao City as an investment destination since the 1990s,” said Mayor Duterte as she congratulated NCCC for expanding its footprint in retail business in the city.

Like many Dabawenyos, Mayor Duterte did not hide

her excitement of the plans of the new owners for their new acquisition. “As one of Davao City’s homegrown enterprises, we are excited to see what NCCC has in store for us soon,” she added.

NCCC, Davao City’s homegrown pioneering retail establishment New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC)

THE FUTURE, P10

DCWD turns over toilet facilities to Tambobong

► COMP.EDGE P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

LIVELIHOOD GRANTS. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the distribution of grants to the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on Tuesday evening. Joining the President is Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRRD still hopeful talks with Misuari‘bear fruit’

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte is hopeful of �inally getting a permanent resolution to the long-drawn Moro rebellion as he continues to negotiate with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari.

The President, who had met multiple times with Misuari in the last three years, said he has been continuously talking with him to address the problems with the 1996 peace agreement between the government and MNLF. In terms of law and order, he said Mindanao has so far gained some relief with the rati�ication of the Bangsamoro Organic Law

(BOL) “and our only problem now is brother Nur.” He said he was happy that the government was able to come to terms with the Moro Islamic Liberation, through its chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

Ebrahim now heads the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and acts as interim minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“As for Nur, maybe Allah will have mercy on us.

We will (continue to) talk until we come up with an agreement,” he said during the distribution of �inancial grants for poor families at the South Cotabato provincial capitol covered court here on Tuesday night.

Misuari has been advocating for federalism as the answer to the discontent among Moros that has led to decades of bloody rebellion.

The President, who met with Misuari last week, said the latter wants the shift to federalism to happen or he will go to war anew.

Misuari was charged

with rebellion and crimes against humanity after leading a deadly siege of Zamboanga City in 2013 that left over 200 people dead.

He was granted temporary liberty by President Duterte in 2016 as part of the peace efforts in Mindanao.

The President said he was tired with the con�lict in Mindanao and is committed to �inally ending it before his term ends.

“When will this end?

We’ve been �ighting since 1970. That would be about 60 wars in my life time...So let’s resolve this,” he said.

(PNA)

propriated in our budget,” Agabin said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Lahat ng mga nabanggit na probisyon sa loan agreement ay mangyayari lamang kung ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay hindi na makabayad ng utang nito (All the provisions in the loan agreement will only happen if the government of the Philippines fails to pay its debts),” he added.

Agabin challenged critics of the Chinese loan agreements to review the Philippines credit history and consult with experts

T

PDEA clears ex-PRRD adviser of drug involvement amid exposé The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday said they found no evidence to establish links of a former economic adviser to the illegal drug trade, questioning the integrity of the intelligence report which served as the basis for the allegation.

Former Sr. Supt. Eduardo Acierto in an exposé on Monday said he sent an intelligence report in 2017 to his superiors detailing then-economic adviser Michael Yang’s supposed drug ties, but claimed this was ignored.

Ex-PNP of�icial says Duterte adviser involved in illegal drugs. But in a press conference Wednesday, PDEA Public Information Of�ice chief Derrick Arnold Carreon cleared Yang and said the "Michael Yang"

identi�ied in Acierto's intelligence report hailed from Pangasinan, not Davao.

"Kami naman po we looked into our National Drug Information System, which may kapangalang po [si Yang] but it was traced to an information in Region 1 so taga-Pangasinan po 'yun," Carreon said.

Yang, a Davao-based businessman, has been identi�ied as a "consultant" of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"So we asked our Regional Of�ice 1 to validate this further... and looking into it, hindi naman po naiugnay 'yung personality na based in Pangasinan dun kay Yang [na ex-economic adviser]," the PDEA of�icial added.

Acierto, who once served

ings.

"Secretary Duque has assured the Comelec that all of�icials and employees will comply with all relevant Comelec Rules and Regulations in relation to the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

The development came after the Comelec requested the DOH last week to remove posters of Malasakit Centers in public buildings bearing the face of Go, an administration candidate.

Comelec wants Bong

Go posters removed from Malasakit Centers The Malasakit Center is dubbed as a one-stop shop for indigents needing medical and �inancial assistance from the government.

President Rodrigo Duterte has credited Go for conceptualizing the center.

Go, who has been accused of using government funds for his senatorial bid, earlier said he has told his supporters not to post such posters.

"Paulit-ulit ko na po sinabi, tanggalin niyo na

PDEA, P10

DOF says PH won’t fall into China’s debt trap DOH vows to take down Bong Go posters: Comelec

O

f�icials of the Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday allayed critics’ fears anew that the Philippines could fall into China’s debt trap saying the government never reneged on its debt obligations.

They made this assurance following concerns raised by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that China can seize patrimonial assets if the Philippines fails to pay the PHP3.69 billion loan extended by China to fund the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.

Finance Undersecretary

Bayani Agabin explained that Philippine laws, particularly Presidential Decree No. 1177, requires automatic appropriation in the national budget for debt obligation.

“May probisyon tayo sa batas PD 1177 na automatikong naglalaan ng pambayad ng utang na nakapaloob po ito sa taunang General Appropriations Act (We have a provision in the law, PD 1177 that automatically appropriates payment for debt in the annual) General Appropriations Act. Meaning all our indebtedness -- it’s automatically ap-

DOF, P10

he Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday the Department of Health (DOH) has assured compliance with election rules after the removal of posters of Malasakit Centers showing the photo of Senate aspirant Christopher "Bong" Go. The poll body said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has issued a memorandum to all DOH of�icials and employees reiterating the department's policy against campaign materials in public health centers, hospitals, and other build-

DOH, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

Aquino: Most celebrities on drugs watch list still popular

T

he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief on Wednesday said majority of the 31 celebrities on its drugs watch list are still popular.

"Lahat ito puro sikat, parang isa lang ang laos na, yung matanda na 'yun," said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino on ANC's Headstart.

(All of them are still popular except for maybe one.)

PDEA still probing alleged drug links of 31 celebs Aquino said that out of the 31 celebrities on PDEA's watchlist, 11 are actresses and the rest are male actors.

Many are also in their 20s and 30s.

"We identi�ied two pushers--yung isa pusher ng shabu, yung isa pusher ng ecstasy," he said.

(We identi�ied two pushers--one for shabu and the other one for ecstasy.)

Aquino said they cannot release the names of celebrities allegedly involved in illegal drugs without validating the list �irst.

"It's a long process and I hope time will come ma-validate din namin ito,

including the media na merong din kasama doon sa listahan namin,...hini-hinamay himay natin," he said.

(It's a long process and I hope time will come when we are able to validate this, including the media, which is included in the list. We are sorting this out.)

He added that the agency is still preoccupied with the narco-politics list, adding that it took them over a year to validate the names of 46 politicians. There are still names of other politicians undergoing revalidation, he said.

Politicians in Duterte's new narco-list deny involvement in illegal drugs "After ma-validate itong narco-politician, maybe that's the time we'll start validating these celebrities," he said.

(After we validate the narco-politician list, maybe that's the time we'll start validating these celebrities.)

He believes that the number of celebrities could reach 100 if the watch lists from other agencies like the Philippine National Police or the Armed Forces of the Philippines are combined with that of PDEA's.

NEWS 3

ALMOST PERFECT. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio interacts with members of media in this undated photo. The mayor has rated the recently-concluded 2nd Alveo Ironman 70.3 as “near perfect” and attributed the success to the support and cooperation of thr Dabawenyos. Lean Daval Jr

Second Ironman triathlon DILG, ULAP urge candidates not to pay campaign fees to NPA ‘near perfect’: Mayor Sara

A

s the campaign period for local bets kicks off on March 29, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) on Wednesday reminded candidates not to pay permit to campaign fees to the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a joint statement, the DILG and ULAP reminded aspirants in the May 13 midterm polls that “�inancing the NPA and their terror activities will make them criminally and administratively liable under our laws”.

The candidates have also been advised to immediately report to the authorities the extortion activities of the NPA, the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which is listed as terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

“The government exhausted all efforts in resuming the peace talks but with their continued perpetration of criminal activities including extortion, clearly they have shown that their agenda is fueled by sel�ish interest and the goal of overthrowing our democratic government and way of life,” the statement read.

“We likewise enjoin the Filipino people to be vigilant and to cooperate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to safeguard our communities from the opportunism of these terrorists and their front organizations,” it added.

In a press brie�ing on Tuesday, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said supporting the CPP-NPA through extor-

tion money is not helping the government’s efforts to �ight terrorism.

“Inuulit po namin, (We would say it again) being a supporter of terrorism makes you complicit and liable under the laws of the land. The current administration’s resolve in extinguishing terrorism in the country is resolute and we intend to sustain that,” Malaya said.

“We will follow through on the President’s directives.

In fact, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año himself recently said that the NPA will be wiped out in the next two years,” he added.

Año earlier directed the PNP to monitor the 346 national and local government of�icials who have been included in the DILG watch list for allegedly providing �inancial support to the CPPNPA through extortion money and permit to campaign fees.

Malaya emphasized that the DILG will not hesitate to �ile administrative and criminal charges against politicians who will be proven to be in cahoots with the NPA. “We will not hesitate to �ile criminal and admin cases against politicians who will support terrorism. And we will expose your names to the public,” Malaya said.

For his part, ULAP secretary-general Danilo Dayanghirang conveyed support for the DILG’s campaign against terrorism and violence.

“We are in unison with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary Año in denouncing this extortion scheme of the NPA,” said Dayanghirang, national chairperson of the Philippine Councilor’s League.

DILG, P10

M

ayor Inday Sara Duterte rated the ward to next year’s Ironman just-concluded 2nd Alveo Ironman event which will also be hosted by the city.

70.3 to “near perfect”.

“From the feedback of our partner, Sunrise Events, that this is a better competition compared to last year’s.

And, it is dif�icult to level it up for the next year,” Mayor Sara said when sought to assess the international triathlon event hosted by Davao City.

Mayor Sara attributed the success to the support

and cooperation of the Dabawenyos, the security forces who made sure that everyone was safe, and the other Local Government Units - Panabo City, Tagum and Carmen, who collaborated with Davao City in the sports event.

With this year’s overwhelming success, Mayor Sara is already looking for-

She said the city government listed the things that need further improvement.

“We hope to increase our tourist arrival through this event and hope that they spend their money here. The important thing is that they leave their money here because in effect, it strengthens our economy,” she said.

The Ironman event

that he branded the ACT as a communist front, adding that he never identi�ied any legal organization as "front" of the CPP. The NPA, the CPP's armed wing, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

"In fact, the CPP-NPANDF is one organization. Hinati-hati kunyari para magkaroon sila ng tinatawag na legal front (They were supposedly divided so they can have legal front). But that is an oxymoronic term. I have stated in one congressional hearing that fronts that push the agenda of an illegal organization such as the NPA cannot be called a legal front. In fact, it is an illegal organization," Lorenzana said.

"Sison is trying to wiggle out of his statement long ago that these organizations are their partners and allies.

Sorry, Mr. Sison, but it was you who identi�ied them for what they are," he added.

The defense chief's views were shared by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chiefof-staff for civil-military operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., who said Sison's comments are part of his "senile moments". "'Joma,' in his senile moments, has forgotten again what he has been declaring for a long time. In his own words he has repeatedly mentioned ACT as one of the CPP's front organizations, together with Gabriela, Bayan, Anakpawis, LFS (League of Filipino Students) and KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno)," he said in a message.

"All of these front organizations have indeed, after 50 years of dual revolutionary tactics and deceit, been duped," he added.

Parlade also admitted that some members of rebel front organizations have been hoodwinked into joining when their only intentions are aimed at getting

drew over 2,000 participants from 38 countries including three celebrities.

Dabawenyos also gave visitors a warm reception during Sunday’s event.

Markus Rolli from Germany was declared the new champion after �inishing the race in just 3 hours and 49 minutes.

Craig Alexander landed in second place followed by Tim Van Berkel, Timothy James Reed and Sam Betten. CIO

Defense, military officials debunk Joma for denying ACT as Red 'front'

D

efense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana and other ranking military of�icials on Tuesday debunked Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria "Joma" Sison's claims that the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and other progressive organizations are not part of the revolutionary movement.

"These organizations are fronts of the CPP-NDF (National Democratic Front) with the same objective of pushing the CPP’s armed struggle leading to a communist government.

He claims they are not NPA's (New People's Army) because the NPA has acquired notoriety for their terroristic activities but at the same time they are allies? Eh di pareho lang yun (Then that's the same), they belong to the same group," he said when asked to comment on the CPP founder's claims.

Sison earlier denied

reforms which include getting better bene�its at work, and a socially-just environment.

"After mulcting them membership dues, Joma would then red-tag them as his echelon of alliances.

Poor teachers are now associated with the Communist Party Group "Kaguma", within the front organization ACT. Now the non-violent self-respecting teachers are unfairly lumped with Joma's red minions.

That's how we all have been deliberately dragged

by Joma into this divisive mess. That’s also true with Anakbayan and LFS, where the CPP’s party group Kabataang Makabayan (KM) hides," he said.

"Yes, they literally hide, because during rallies, these innocent youth are unfairly exposed to the civil disturbance units of PNP, while the party members are at the back. Ask Joma that and we know he will deny it.

DEFENSE, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

TAKE OVER. New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) officials present the Victoria Plaza development and design concept during a ceremony of NCCC’s formal take over Victoria Plaza on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

eyes April 30 deadline PRRD delivers P13.2-M grant DOTr in talks with NAIA Consortium to poor families in S.Cotabato T

K

ORONADAL CITY -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte distributed here Tuesday night some PHP13.2-million worth of livelihood grants and �inancial assistance to poor families from parts of South Cotabato province.

The President personally handed over the assistance to bene�iciaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) anti-poverty programs in a ceremony held at the South Cotabato Provincial Capitol covered court.

Some 38 community organizations composed of about 1,000 poor families received checks for livelihood grants under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) while 300 other poor households got their cash subsidies under the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program.

Duterte, who was also here for the grand cam-

paign rally of senatorial candidates under the administration-backed Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), urged the bene�iciaries to use the grants properly, stressing that these were intended to make their lives better.

“Let us be clear. These were not given to you so you can buy liquor, get into gambling, and buy drugs.

We will not understand each other with that,” he said.

“When you get home, give some to your children and buy them good food.

Then use the rest for your daily needs,” the President added.

The event was also attended by Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs and Muslim Concerns Abdullah Mamao, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, and other national and regional of�icials of the DSWD. Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD 12 (Soccsksargen) director, said the SLP bene�iciaries received grants of between PHP300,000 and PHP450,000 as seed fund for their approved business enterprises.

She said these include rice retailing, �lower production, chicken egg production, cattle-raising, poultry production, bakery, and dressmaking.

Each bene�iciary group consists of 20 to 30 members, who are recipients of the national government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program for the “poorest of

LTFRB set to complete fare formula for PUVs

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he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) Board is now completing the creation of a formula on fare adjustments for public utility vehicles (PUVs).

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said a technical working group, together with the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance, is currently consulting with various transport groups for their inputs on the fare formula.

“We are awaiting certain data to be submitted from transport groups for us to come up with a �inal determination on the fare formula,” Delgra said in a press brie�ing on Tuesday.

The LTFRB chief said the formula will comprise of the movement of fuel prices multiplied by operating costs over income.

“What will trigger the adjustments is the movement in fuel prices. We need to also look on its impact to commuters. We have to balance the interests between the �inancial viability of the transport groups in this

case the PUJ (public utility jeepney) sector as against the transport costs of passengers,” Delgra said.

The LTFRB is expected to release the fare formula within the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, various transport groups have �iled a petition before the LTFRB, seeking for the increase of the minimum jeepney fares to PHP10 from PHP9 amid increasing fuel prices this year.

The Board has approved in October last year a fare increase from PHP8

LTFRB, P9

the poor” households, she said.

Under the program, each individual member of the SLP group may avail of as much as PHP15,000 in livelihood grant.

For the UCT subsidy, Taha said the bene�iciaries were from Barangays Poblacion, Lopez Jaena, and BS Aquino in Norala town.

The 300 households, who received PHP2,400 each, were chosen as representatives for the event of the UCT recipients in South Cotabato.

The subsidy program was launched by the national government to help poor households cope with the impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law Emma Sorsano, president of an SLP association based in Lake Sebu town, expressed gratitude to the government for giving

PRRD, P9

he Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to drop its negotiations with a consortium that is planning to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino Aquino International Airport (NAIA) if no deal is reached by April 30.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the talks with the NAIA Consortium have been dragging, resulting to delays in the rehabilitation of the airport.

“Tumatagal na ang usapan kaya ang sinasabi ko gusto ka nang lagyan ng cap.

By April 30 kapag di pa tayo nagkasundo-sundo gagawan na namin ang proyekto at DOTr ang ia-assign at itutuloy na eto (The talks have been dragging and I want to already put a cap. By April 30, if we haven›t reached an agreement, we will be the one to do this project. The Department of Transportation will be assigned and we will do it),” Tugade said in a press brie�ing on Tuesday.

Tugade said among the contentious issues that are

needed to be settled is the NAIA Consortium’s proposed automated people mover that will be installed within the airport.

He said the NAIA Consortium must submit details on improvements they are planning to implement in NAIA. “They are proposing many improvements such as the people mover. They must quickly submit their proposal,” Tugade said.

The DOTr granted the original proponent status in September last year to the NAIA Consortium on its proposed PHP102-billion NAIA rehabilitation project.

Asked if the department will consider a similar proposal by Megawide Corporation, Tugade said: “We will cross the bridge when we get there,” NAIA Consortium spokesperson Jimbo Reverente, meanwhile, said they will comply with the April 30 deadline set by Tugade.

The NAIA Consortium’s

rector for the Inclusive Finance Advocacy Of�ice Pia Roman-Tayag said.

She explained that “learning goes both ways,” noting the need for coordination of regulations and infrastructure.

“The important thing is that the services we deliver really bene�it (the target market) because that is what they need, it is want they can afford, (and) it is what will really address their everyday needs,” she said.

“I think that is responsible innovation and if we have that, we get the trust

and the certainty from the public to use the system,” she added.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, during the same event, raised the need to change the mindset of the �inancial access de�icient (FAD) group of the society to be able to increase the reach of �inancial services.

“When we change the mindset, that’s when we will realize that digital technology is the one that will help them in �irst, the know-how; second, on �inancing and �inancial access; and third is market access,” he said.

DOTR, P9

Public’s need for more access to financial system stressed

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trong tie-ups between the public and private sectors and better infrastructure would ensure the inclusion of more people into the formal banking system, increasing their access to �inance, especially with the help of technology.

This idea was stressed by regulators and market players alike during the Inclusion and Digital Transformation INDX Summit, which was spearheaded by the Fintech Alliance at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Tuesday.

“It’s really the collaboration,” BSP Managing Di-

5 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

14 GenSan cops relieved over P2-B investment scam

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Police Regional Of�ice (PRO)-12 (Soccksargen) has relieved 14 police personnel in connection with the ongoing investigation into the nearly PHP2-billion investment scam here.

Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 public information of�icer, said Wednesday the relieved personnel who were named as allegedly involved in the Ponzi-like investment scheme dubbed Pulis Paluwagan Movement (PPM).

He said the relief order was issued by PRO-12 regional director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco.

Relieved were deputy city police director, Lt. Col. Henry Biñas, Senior Master Sgt. Marigold Aranas, Master Sgt. Dervin Baluran, Master Sgt. Francis Gee Caravalle, Master Sgt. Roderick Ringon, Staff Sgt. Joemar Abella, Staff Sgt. Roger Agodania, Staff Sgt. Jeannette Dosdos, Cpl. Rhodora Bombita, Cpl. Richelle Reyes, Cpl. Joy Butchie Mae Caravalle, Cpl. Daisy Babe

Javierto, Patrolman (Pat) Kristin Buta and Patrolman Venus Amor Velasco.

“They were transferred to the RPHAU (regional police holding and accounting unit) while the investigation is being conducted,” he told reporters.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde relieved on Monday the chief of the PRO-12 directorial staff, Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., and city police director, Col. Raul Supiter in line with the investigation into the PPM. The two were transferred to the police holding and accounting unit of the Directorate for Personnel Records and Management in Camp Crame.

“This is a standard operating procedure to prevent them from in�luencing the investigation in any way and make it transparent,” Gonzales said.

He assured that the investigation into the PPM, which is spearheaded by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-12,

14, P10

PRO-12 executive assigned as acting GenSan director

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has designated a top of�icial of the Police Regional Of�ice (PRO-12) in Soccsksargen as acting police director in this city.

Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 public information of�icer, said Tuesday that Col. Oliver Enmodias, the deputy regional director for operations, has been appointed as of�icer-in-charge of the city police of�ice following Monday’s abrupt relief of Police Col. Raul Supiter.

Supiter and Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., the chief of the regional directorial staff, were relieved by PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde in the wake of the ongoing investigation into the nearly PHP2-billion investment scam that have victimized police personnel and local residents.

Gonzales said Enmodias will temporarily assume within the week as city police director until a permanent replacement is appointed.

He said the new city police chief was primarily tasked to lead the ongoing preparations here for the upcoming May 13 local and national midterm elections.

“He (Enmodias) was given the usual directives, mainly the maintenance of peace and order in the city, and the supervision of the daily police operations,” he told reporters.

Prior to his assignment in Soccsksargen, Enmodias headed the recruitment and selection division of the PNP Directorate for Personnel Records and Management (DPRM).

As deputy regional director for operations, he spearheaded the special in-

vestigation task groups on the bomb attacks in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat and in this city last year.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomed on Tuesday the immediate designation of Enmodias as acting city police director, which he said could prevent a “vacuum” in the local police’s operations.

“I have known him for some time being regional operations chief and aware how he performs,” Rivera said.

The mayor assured that the city government will continue to cooperate and provide the necessary support to the operations of the city police of�ice.

The mayor thanked Supiter for serving the city for over a year, noting that the latter “did his best, although there were also lapses.”

Supiter and Lukban were reassigned effective Monday to the police holding and accounting unit of the DPRM in Camp Crame.

Lukban will be replaced

by Col. Richie Posadas, who hails from PRO-7 or Central Visayas.

The relief came after they were tagged as allegedly involved in the Ponzi-like investment scheme, dubbed Police Paluwagan Movement or PPM. Most of its recruits were policemen, who were lured into investing their money for interests of up to 120 percent a month.

Lukban and Supiter’s speci�ic involvement remains unclear but both have repeatedly denied any knowledge of the scheme’s operation, which was reportedly based for some time at the city police of�ice before it started to collapse in January. (PNA)

‘BAKWIT.’ Lumad evacuees from Balaodo, Barangay St. Peter in Malaybalay City camping out in front of the provincial capitol in the city. The evacuees said they left their homes for fear of the Alamara paramilitary group. MindaNews file photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno

Thousands flee fighting in 3 Mindanao provinces

T

he hunt for communist rebels and Is- remnants of the Maute lamic State-af�iliated armed groups has group that seized Marawi displaced thousands of residents in Min- city in 2017.

He said the affected danao, a humanitarian agency said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said over 50,000 residents in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were displaced after military operations intensi�ied against armed groups identi�ied with the ISIS last week.

The bulk of internally displaced persons (IDP), numbering 39,600 individuals, came from Maguindanao where the military

has been �ighting the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters since February.

“The IDPs left their homes in their haste to escape the �ighting,” Meher Khatcherian, who heads the ICRC in Lanao del Sur, said.

Khatcherian said over 1,800 families or 9,000 individuals were displaced in Lanao del Sur last week as the military hunted the

families from Tubaran and Pagayawan towns in Lanao del Sur have �led to the nearby town of Marugong.

“Living conditions are dif�icult for those in evacuation centers due to limited access to water and sanitary facilities,” he said.

Khatcherian said food supply was running out, as the calamity funds of the local governments have dried up.

He said the ICRC has

rushed in additional food packs to the evacuees as well as medical supplies and is constructing toilet facilities.

In Bukidnon province, armed clashes had displaced around 180 families in Malaybalay City and San Fernando town since end-February, the ICRC said.

It said the evacuees slept on the �loor without mats and blankets in evacuation centers and lacked access to water and sanitation facilities. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

towns in the province.

More than 30,000 civilians have left their homes to safer grounds to avoid getting hit after hostilities between government forces and the local terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) erupted last March 11.

Affected are the towns of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Piang, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, and Shariff Aguak.

“Aside from giving aid to the affected families, the MSS-BARMM also conducted a medical mission to prevent highly communicable diseases

in evacuation centers,” Romancap said.

He said relief workers also distributed mosquito nets as preventive measures against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Shariff Aguak Mayor Maroup Ampatuan also ordered the town social welfare of�ice to conduct a feeding program to children, as well as adults.

“We have organized systems to ensure that IDPs get all that they deserve,” Romancap said, adding that the feeding is done on a daily basis.

The bene�iciaries were from barangays Bagong, Lapok, Malingao, Bialong of Shariff Aguak

municipality and barangays Pikeg and Pamalian of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development 12 (Soccsksargen) also extended aid that included six kg. of rice and eight canned goods per pack to each affected family.

“We are glad the government is attending to our needs. Life here is hard with extreme heat due to the weak El Niño and lack of water,” Amira Sabay, one of the IDPs, said as she hauled the relief goods to her temporary shelter in Barangay Bagong, Shariff Aguak.

(PNA)

BARMM social services office extends aid to Maguindanao IDPs

S

HARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao -- More than 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various villages here and in nearby Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, have received aid from the government, a municipal social welfare of�icer said Tuesday.

Farouk Romancap, Shariff Aguak municipal social welfare of�icer, said the Ministry of Social Services in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSBARMM) spearheaded the distribution of relief goods and provided basic services to residents displaced by armed hostilities in at least seven

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

EDITORIAL Fire prevention is everyone’s business The regional Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) of�ice in Davao City reported on Monday that there have been more than 50 incidents of �ire in the city this month which coincides with the Fire Prevention Month.

Is this a sign of failure on the part of the BFP? Before conclusions are drawn, the BFP clari�ied their responsibilities and role in �ire prevention and safety. While it is their duty to promote �ire safety and prevention, the agency also stressed the need for the people to understand their role in the bigger picture.

The business of �ire prevention is everyone’s business. The exercise of extraordinary diligence and utmost care in the household is everyone’s concern. We need to stress that the standard of care required in every household is that of more than the ordinary.

Everyone has to go the extra mile in ensuring safety beginning with the use of electrical appliances, naked lights, fuel, lique�ied gas, �irewood,

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

ADAM B. MORRELL Reporter

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. JAN MIKKO CANARIAS CHA MONFORTE Correspondent

DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Cartoonist Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO• DENNIS “GICO” R. G.GORECHO DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ MUJAHID NAVARRA • HAROLD CAVITE

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

charcoal, and other means of cooking. It entails people to educate family members especially children and the elderly on anything that could spark �ire within the home.

The BFP’s dilemma is that while rigid �ire safety requirements and inspection are required in commercial and industrial establishments, big buildings and high-rise residential condominiums, there is nothing of that sort with residential structures which are the ones with the high incidence of �ire. Requiring the same could also be a task too gargantuan for the BFP to cover given its current manpower.

Likewise, the cost for coping with required standards may be too high for the people.

However, all is not lost. Coordination with stakeholders both in the public and private sectors can be done to institutionalize a comprehensive �ire safety awareness program including but not limited to intensive �ire drills and safety training for communities.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERALDE SANTOS MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN OROCITY MARKETING OFFICE MARKETING OFFICE LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager RICHARD C. EBONA EDMUND D. RENDON Product Development officer Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City General Santos Cagayan de Oro CityCity (Smart) 09382022120 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe) Tel: Mobile: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

STRUGGLE IS REAL “Everyone has hardship. Everyone has struggle. No one is immune. You can live this life focusing on your hardship and struggle. Or, you can choose to make the most of each and every moment you are gifted with.” – Akiroq Brost *** I have a friend who struggled recently after knowing a 17-yearold student who was “believed to have been raped before her face was skinned and her body dumped on a vacant lot” somewhere in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

He questioned whether life doesn’t really matter anymore. The horrendous scenario, as reported by Philippine Daily Inquirer, affected him so much that he wondered he would kill those who kill innocent people, “does it mean I’m no different from them?”

It reminds me of the law of retaliation: “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth.” It is the principle that a person who has injured another person is to be penalized to a similar degree, and that the person in�licting such punishment should be the injured party.

But the Holy Bible does not approve this; in fact, Jesus Christ repudiates that. Here’s what Matthew 5:38-42 said: “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

But I say unto you, That you resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Too hard to indeed. By doing so, life so it seems is unfair. It is hard to forgive and harder still to forget. But by putting salt over the wound is even harder to accept. But that’s what Jesus had said. He even offered His own life in order for us sinners to be saved.

We are nothing without God, our creator. It came to pass that there was this man who served his master with compassion and with honesty. But someone said that the man only served his master because the master protected him.

Hearing this, the master gave permission to that someone to take the man’s wealth, his children, and his physical health (but not his life). Despite all the dif�iculties the man faced, he didn’t say any bad words towards his master. He did anguish over his plight and cursed the day he was born.

Three of his friends came to him and gave advices. But their advices even added to the sufferings the man was experiencing. The master learned of this and so he rebuked the three friends.

Now, do you know who this man was? If you are still having

a hard time �iguring it out, it’s no other than Job. God, the master, restored him to an even better condition than his former wealthy state. He also blessed him with seven sons and three daughters.

Job situation reminds me of the words of Rainer Maria Rilke. In Letters to a Young Poet, the Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist wrote: “Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any misery, any depression, since after all you don’t know what work these conditions are doing inside you? Why do you want to persecute yourself with the question of where all this is coming from and where it is going?

“Since you know, after all, that you are in the midst of transitions and you wished for nothing so much as to change. If there is anything unhealthy in your reactions, just bear in mind that sickness is the means by which an organism frees itself from what is alien; so one must simply help it to be sick, to have its whole sickness and to break out with it, since that is the way it gets better.”

Life is a constant struggle. Just live a series, it comes one after another. We have to face each struggle and solve them ourselves – with a little help from friends sometimes. Tupac Shakur, author of The Rose That Grew from

Concrete, was damned right. “Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?” he asked. “Proving nature’s laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping its dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.”

Now, let me tell you another true story. Some centuries ago, there lived a German-Jewish philosopher named Moses Mendelssohn, a brilliant compassionate man with but one fault: he was a hunchbacked. But despite his condition, he fell in love with a beautiful and charming young woman named Gretchen, the daughter of a prosperous banker.

Mendelssohn waited a bit and then asked the father if he could see his daughter on the pretext that he wanted to say goodbye to her. The father agreed and so Mendelssohn went upstairs where the girl was busy with needlework.

She avoided looking at him during the conversation, but eventually the topic got around marriage. She then asked him whether he believed in the old saying that marriages are made in heaven.

“Of course, I do,” he replied. “And while we’re on the

subject I might as well tell you that something unusual happened to me. As you know, when boys are born the angels in heaven call out for all to hear. This little boy is destined to have this special girl for a wife. It is decreed for all eternity and no one may change it. So, when I was born, the angels made that announcement about me.

“But then they paused and added, ‘But alas, Mendelssohn’s wife will have a terrible hump on her back.’ Then, I should have shouted out loud before the court of heaven. Oh, Lord, no, no. A girl who is a hunchback will very easily become bitter and hard, and the object of awful jokes and hurts. No, Lord, a girl should be beautiful. O, Lord, please give the hump to me and let her be wellformed.”

“And you know what, Gretchen? God heard my prayer and I was glad. I am that boy and you are that girl,” Mendelssohn added.

Gretchen now saw Mendelssohn in a completely different way, and she became his faithful and loving wife.

To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of Robert White, author of Living an Extraordinary Life: “We are well advised to accept the reality that the great lessons in life often come to us through some form of extreme hardship.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO’S PEARL FARM On February 20, 2019, Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa, honored last year by President Rodrigo Duterte as National Artist, passed away. His demise would have remotely meant nothing for Davaoeños but the man, the pioneer of Philippine neovernacular architecture, which draws inspiration from the nipa hut, designed the world-famous Davao Pearl Farm Resort.

Manila-born Mañosa was born to a Harvard-educated sanitary engineer and a prewar actress. Early on, in his teens, he loved music and played jazz piano but later enrolled in Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas when his father, who later became a postwar director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, insisted.

After �inishing course, he vacationed in Japan where his pioneering concept in Filipino architecture was hatched, inspired no less by the infusion of indigenous culture in Japanese structural designs. Upon return, he started to experiment on native materials. His design is best described by a Filipino architecture historian:

“His approach to traditional design is based on the ability of the architect to identify the essential building elements and to translate them into a contemporary image. His architecture is not a mere mechanical mimicry of vernacular architecture, which many would think to be locked in time. He initiated a contemporary mode that uses and revitalizes the knowledge from previous generations, recovering age-old constructive methods and �inishing materials, emphasizing their optical and thermal qualities.”

Mañosa’s legacy includes the Ayala-owned Amanpulo Resort, the iconic EDSA Shrine, the Marcos-era Coconut Palace, the landmark Sulo Hotel in Quezon City, and the Banaue rice terraces-inspired San Miguel Corp. headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

In creating Davao Pearl Farm Resort, he introduced traditional motifs, tropical patterns, and indigenous materials mixed with modern structural technology. His creations are known for being environment-friendly and sustainable.

Prior to its transformation as a tourism destination, the famed

attraction, which is nestled on the edge of the Island Garden City of Samal, in Davao del Norte, was an actual pearl farm.

Historically, it was the �irst postwar venture in the region that focused in pearl culture.

In 1958, the Aguinaldo Development Corporation, owned by Daniel R. Aguinaldo, a wealthy Manila ecologist and trader, opened the now renowned resort as a pearl farm. Secured by numerous watchtowers installed to deter thieves, the farm, at its height, was home to 12,000 cultivated white-lipped oysters airlifted from Sulu that were targeted for export.

The oysters, with shells as large as dinner plate, manufactured white, pink, or gold-lip pearls (Margaritifera maxima Jamson). The farm also raised black-lipped oysters (Margaritifera margaritifera) and was co-managed by Japanese scientists who employed local divers to undertake the rigorous daily seeding of the farm.

With the declaration of martial rule in 1972, the infantile industry’s growth was distressed. The unusual interest shown by powerful people in

the project that led to the collapse of the venture. When the Japanese scientists abandoned the facility, Filipino technicians took over. Their lack of expertise in culturing pearl and de�iciency in capital hastened the closure of the farm.

Eventually, the af�luent Floirendo family bought the land; it was an investment that would positively affect the development of the island-city.

Initially, the new owners used the 14-hectare real estate as weekend recreational facility. Later, though, with coaxing from friends, they decided to develop it into a �ive-star accommodation.

The resort is a wealth of native infusions. Its six comfy Muslim-inspired Samal suites has two levels and are provided with a private beach, a veranda that overlooks the sea and exclusive stairs leading to the waterfront. On the upper part are the Hilltop rooms, called the balay, with their own loggia that provides a view of Davao Gulf and the luxuriant forest on the side.

At the resort’s central sector are the Samal houses built on the water, which are rem-

iniscent of the stilt houses of Sulu. Every abode has an unimpeded sight of the sea and the adjacent islands. On a clear day, Mt. Apo is visible from the dwellings, and any visitor can get a glimpse of sunset. Twilight is always delightful vista.

Beyond the stilt houses are the Mandaya quarters, which a visitor described aptly: “Sit among the palm trees, each has its own pocket garden and individual private balcony facing the beautifully kept white sand beach and the magni�icent Southern Mindanao sunset.”

At Malipano Island, just across the mainland, seven villas that look like bungalows integrate indigenous materials such as wood, coconut and bamboo.

Three other resort features offer different amenities: the three-layered lighthouse known as Parola (from the Spanish farola, streetlight) doubles as a jetty while serving as a lookout post for unwelcomed guests; the Maranao Restaurant that serves an array of dishes, mostly seafoods; and the Butik, a curio shop for tourists who want to bring home local memorabilia.

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

THE SPECTER of

EL NIÑO (Second of Three Parts)

Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

E

l Niño occurs in the Pacific basin every two to nine years and usually starts during the Northern winter (December to February), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA).

Late last year, the country’s weather bureau warned that the Philippines will again experience the “large scale oceanographic/meteorological phenomenon” by the �irst quarter of 2019.

In the past, the country’s El Niño Task Force – which the government launched in 1997 – has observed the following apparent signals of El Niño: delayed onset of the rainy season, early onset of the dry season, weak monsoon activity and less tropical cyclone occurrences.

All of these threatens farm production. Let’s take a closer look at history. The Policy Forum of the Center for Policy and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) recorded �ive El Niños between 1980 and 1995.

During the 1982-83 drought, palay yield plummeted by four percent. In 198687 events, yield went down by over one percent and during 1989-90 by less than one percent. In other episodes, there were no yield decline but yield increments slowed down.

“The �igures may not �irmly establish the negative relationship between El Niño

and crop productivity,” the UPLB policy forum writes in its 1997 paper. It suggested that “contrary to the practice in legal proceedings, it is senseless to wait for suf�icient evidence to incriminate the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Why wait for the probable damage before taking any action?”

In the Philippines, areas more vulnerable to El Niño phenomenon are classi�ied as “high vulnerable,” “moderate vulnerable,” and “low vulnerable.”

“High vulnerable” areas, which are major producers of rice and corn, are Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Western Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan Valley, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro Occidental, North Palawan, Rizal, Romblon, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz, southern portion of Negros Oriental, Zamboanga City, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato and General Santos City.

Those included in the “moderate vulnerable” areas are Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Abra, Mountain Provinces, Batanes, Isabela, Quirino, Mindoro Oriental, Southern Palawan, Quezon, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, northern part of Negros Oriental, Siquijor, southern Cebu, Bohol, Samar, southern part of Zamboanga del Sur, western part of Zamboanga del Norte, central part of Bukidnon,

Cagayan de Oro City, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Sarangani, and Davao City.

“Low vulnerable” areas are those provinces and cities not listed in either area, according to the El Niño Task Force.

Forewarned is forearmed, so goes a familiar saying. This must be the reason why the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) has come up with a compendium of materials on the abnormal weather entitled, The Fiery Fury of El Niño.

Since El Niño is equated with drought in the Philippines, PCARRD advised farmers to plant drought-tolerant crops in time of El Niño. Examples of such crops are sorghum, sweet peppers, asparagus, ube, tugue, alugbati, winged beans, cowpea, cucumber, kadios, camote, cassava, peanut, ginger, mung beans, and black peppers. The following fruit trees are also drought-tolerant: cashew, mango, citrus, tamarind, avocado, jackfruit, guava, and grapes.

Watering, if necessary, must be done only during the cool part of the day – not on windy days. To keep the crops moist, cover them with mulch.

Mulch is a layer of organic materials – usually – that is spread on the surface of the soil.

Where feasible, construct small water impounding reservoirs and other soil and water conservation measures

(trench and contour canals, for instance) to catch and store water from rain or divert water from source.

The Philippines Recommends for Water-Saving Technologies for Rice and Other Crops, published by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), said farmers can still vegetable crops even in times of drought and/or dry spells.

“Vegetable cropping after rice usually coincides with the dry season,” it noted. “This crop may use residual soil moisture, supplemented by irrigation, underground supplies, or tank storage. Farmers may also take advantage of the drop-in river levels to cultivate riverbanks.”

In water-scarce areas, farmers can make the most ef�icient use of available water. “To do this, the growers decide how much and which crops to plant, or whether to plant at all,” the book said. “However, it is unwise to plant crops that cannot be properly irrigated because there are no drought-tolerant or -resistant vegetable varieties in the market.”

The DOST publication said that irrigation and water use in vegetable farming varies with the production system and ecoregion. “Vegetables are known as succulent products,” it explained. “In general, these consist of more than 90% water.”

As such, vegetables require good water supply for optimal productivity. “They are

able to produce a crop during short periods of high moisture availability and respond well to controlled delivery of water, which enhances water use ef�iciency,” the book said. “On the contrary, drought conditions drastically reduce vegetable productivity.”

Here are more tips from the book on how to grow vegetable crops when water is scarce: · Proper water management planning must consider all uses of water, from the source of irrigation water to plant water use. It is very important to differentiate between crop water requirements and irrigation or production water system requirements. · Irrigation systems are rated with respect to application ef�iciency, which is the fraction of water that has been applied to the irrigation system and that is available for plant use. Applied water that is not available for plant use may have been lost from the crop root zone through evaporation. · For good crop production, there is a need for an appropriate match between the soil physical properties controlling water movement and retention and the irrigation system. This affects the amount of water that can be stored in the soil after irrigation, the depth of wetting, wetting pattern, and aeration status. · The characteristics of the irrigation system, crop needs, soil properties and atmospheric conditions must all be considered to properly schedule irrigations. Poor timing or insuf�icient water applications can result to crop stress and reduced yields. · Various crop management practices such as mulching, using shelters, and planting in raised beds help conserve soil moisture; and prevent or reduce soil runoff, erosion, and degradation. The use of organic materials as mulch can help enhance soil fertility, structure, and other properties. · Crop selection if important where water is expected to

be in short supply. Plants with shallow root system will require more frequent irrigation to maintain a healthy growth rate. Shallow-rooted plants include lettuce, pechay, onions, and most other bulb/root/tuber crops, celery, and cabbage family plants. Deep-rooted crops include tomato, corn, sweet potato, and melons.

Those with intermediate root depth are beans, peppers, squash, and cucumbers.

On the other hand, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) encourages farmers to plant drought-tolerant varieties. For irrigated lowland, for instance, farmers may consider planting several early-maturing varieties such as PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan), NSIC Rc130 (Tubigan 3) and NSIC Rc152 (Tubigan 10). Pagsanjan matures in 106 days with a maximum yield of 7.5 tons per hectare. Tubigan 3 matures in 108 days with a maximum yield of 7.6 tons per hectare while Tubigan 10 matures in 109 days with a maximum yield of 8.7 tons per hectare.

For rainfed lowland, farmers may choose from NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia). Sahod Ulan 1 matures in 106 days with a maximum yield of 5.5 tons per hectare. Rio Grande matures in 110 days with a maximum yield of 6.1 tons per hectare.

Sacobia matures in 116 days with a maximum yield of 4.4 tons per hectare. These varieties are also known for their drought-tolerant properties preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst.

Drought-tolerant varieties for the uplands include PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and NSIC Rc23 (Katihan 1). Pasig can yield up to 8.7 t/ha and matures in 112 days. Apo matures in 119 days with a maximum yield of 5.6 tons per hectare while Katihan 1 matures in 108 days with a maximum yield of 7.6 tons per hectare. (To be concluded)

INdulge!

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

DRAMATIC. Instagramable and sweet -- Apple dessert of salted caramel, puff pastry and walnut.

EXPLOSIVE. Mozambique langoustine poached in duck fat, coffee and lemon, Albufeira style dashi is nothing EXQUISITE. Their foie graas kombu-jime poached in broth of seaweed and umeboshi is a definite palate like its appearance -- the moment you take a bite, satisfier. you’d be in love.

SWEETIE. If apple is not your cup of tea, then try their wild strawberries and consomme, elderflower foam.

MOUTHFUL ORGASM A recent trip to Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore introduced my craving palate to a new restaurant. Dubbed as a ‘no pretense’ dining place, it focuses on marrying flavour pairings, textures and tastes of food ingredients in one bite.

A compact open kitchen where you can see the chefs in their most natural habitat and a large communal table to cater to anyone who heeds a mouthful orgasm — this is Table 65. Sentosa’s orgasmic dining place where you can expect curated modern European dishes served with the flavours of Asia.

Fairly new, the restaurant is the brainchild of celebrated chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot. This is their first restaurant outside of the Netherlands. The culinaire masters are behind critically acclaimed restaurant 212 in Amsterdam.

Table 65 gives a whole new meaning to palatable orgasm.

The robust flavours of the West is broken into layers with the marriage of familiar flavours of the East.

Their curated menu includes a profusion of ingredients prepped and cooked to open the palate to a deliciously interactive experience. And since they have an open kitchen, the chefs themselves would invite you to sit and interact with them as they prepare your

SHROOM LOVE. This plate of textured mushroom has a creamy center that will have you excited to eat.

CHEFS IN ACTION. The open kitchen allows you to see the action behind every dish.

EXOTIC. Any dish with Iranian Caspian Sea Caviar is heaven. meal.

Mind you, their ingredients are not your everyday dining staples -- case in point: a tablespoonful of Iranian Caspian Sea Caviar and freshly shaved black truffles. Their inclusion in the menu is enough to have you excited in great anticipation of what you’ll be tasting.

Despite the familiarity, you’d still end up shocked of the beautiful medley of flavours, texture and depth on your palate. From cold to hot to smoky, their curated menu is explosively orgasmic.

At Table 65, you’d expect to be aesthetically pleased, palate satisfied and holistically mystified. What they offer is more

LOVE ON A PLATE. Nothing is as exciting than a plate of Toh Thye San duck, mole madre, blueberry aigre-doux and sauce Rouennaise.

SHAVED. This does not happen everyday -- a Chef shaves fresh black truffle over a plate of turbot with choucroute, smoked eel and black truffle, oxidised wine and eel broth. than just food; they offer an intimately orgasmic experience that you won’t find elsewhere.

To say the least, the restaurant introduces visual projections on your dining plates thus elevating the experience to invoke the presence of senses.

Oostenbrugge and Groot Combo Chef Richard van Oostenbrugge started his career in Switzerland, where he worked

CREAMY COCKTAIL. The flavours of Asia are very prevalent on this glass of creamy cocktail specially made for the Royal Chef. with top chefs and mastered culinary skills of the highest level. As the co-owner of 212, Amsterdam’s first no-tablerestaurant, Chef van Oostenbrugge’s remarkable skills are the focus as he strips high-end dining of the unnecessary to create a gastronomic spectacle – concocting outstanding dishes that are full of flavour with delightfully surprising combinations.

Zaandam native Thomas

Groot had always wanted to become a chef. From his career in a neighbourhood brasserie, he chased his culinary dream in Amsterdam. He now coowns Restaurant 212, Amsterdam’s first no-table-restaurant with Richard van Oostenbrugge.

Restaurant 212 was awarded its first Michelin star in 2018.

Table 65 is located at 26 Sentosa Gateway, Hotel Michael, #01-104 & 105, Singapore

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

SM LANANG STARTS A STRAW-FRE

SM LANANG PREMIER is taking its sustainability efforts one step further by reducing plastic straws in its Food Hall.

This effort is in line with the No Plastic in Nature Initiative of WWF-Philippines, which is amplified through the #AyokoNgPlastik movement.

This makes SM Lanang Premier the first Davao-based corporate partner of the movement, which is being promoted by WWF Philippines to work with partners towards a future where “single-use plastics no longer harm nature.”

This partnership was launched on March 22 during SM Lanang Premier’s semi-monthly science, health, and wellness media forum called Connect.

“SM Lanang Premier is happy to be a part of this big effort on sustainability by WWF-Philippines. This partnership stays true to the same spirit that is in all of SM’s recurring initiatives on the environment,” said Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, regional operations manager, SM Supermalls Mindanao.

“By reducing the use of unnecessary straws, all of us are able to make a big step in reducing waste that often goes into our landfill and oceans.”

Aside from this, SM Lanang Premier remains true to the sustainability practices of the SM. Various initiatives of SM continues regularly.

These include inviting a sustainable shopping practice by promoting the use of eco bags in all of its affiliate stores. SM Lanang Premier also has an ongoing collaboration with a local recycler where the mall’s soft plastic waste are collected for a recycler to use in creating school chairs.

SM Lanang Premier also implements the CSR activities of SM Cares, a division of the SM Foundation, to to ensure best waste management through Trash to Cash, a recurring recycling activity. SM also creates learning spaces in the mall that invites students to learn about the environment through films in the annual Green Film Festival.

No Plastic in Nature Initiative Consistent with WWF’s network No Plastic in Nature Initiative, World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF –Philippines) is also working to stop plastics from entering our ecosystems. Apart from its corporate engagement, policy advocacy, and public campaign on reducing unnecessary use of plastic, WWF – Philippines is also one of the pilot countries in

Asia working with cities to become plastic pollution free. Building on its work in the Davao Gulf on establishing a network of marine protected areas, WWF- Philippines is currently engaging Davao City to be plastic smart through technical and policy assistance, corporate engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship, and education and citizen science.

To achieve its goal of eliminating

plastic waste in t reducing plastic oceans by 80 to 1 2021, WWF-Phi the way to end th for the businesse consumers to wo

Working toward Through the N Initiative in Dav

Globe Telecom guides schools on how to thrive in a dig WITH the goal of helping Filipinos build a better life through learning opportunities, Globe Telecom joined the biggest education conference of the year where company experts shared knowledge on how schools can thrive and remain safe in a digital environment.

In her talk about 21st Century Learning at Edutech 2019, Grace Anduiza, Globe myBusiness head for Business Development and Service Delivery, underscored the need for institutions, teachers, and students to embrace digitalization in order to be future ready.

“Schools need to harmonize the learning environment with the digital world and create a more interactive experience for the current generation of students who prefer to do everything on mobile devices. At the same time, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is not only a powerful tool which helps students develop a global mindset and make them globally competitive but it also allows school administrators to man-

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones (4th from left) and DepEd Director for External Partnership Service Dr. Margarita Ballesteros (5th from left) together with the Globe myBusiness team led by Grace Anduiza, head for Business Development and Service Delivery (3rd from left) at Edutech 2019 age resources more efficiently as well information that are kept securely go, and speed up manual and timeas streamline operations to reduce online, administrators may access consuming processes. cost,” she said. the school’s data whenever they need To promote digital learning and For instance, through centralized to, create reports and forms on the encourage collaboration among tech-

savvy students, vide fast and rel tion campus-wi and productivit students to crea in real time.

Teachers, on innovate learnin prove student’s customize their by branding the sonalizing inter even allow stud work and projec Meanwhile, M Head for Globe that the compan mote 21st centu the Global Filip Program which schools with IC new gadgets, an ture to uplift the education and b Filipino student As of end 201 expanded to all reaching 218 pu efitting 331,241 teachers.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

EE JOURNEY Abel Fulgencio, WWF Philippines Plastic Pollution Free Cities Project coordinator; Engr.

Jonathan Nick Santos, SM Supermalls Mindanao regional operations manager; Chrisma Salao, WWF-Philippines VP for Conservation Programs; Ricky Biyo, WWF-Philippines Project Manager, SMARTSeas PH Project - Davao Gulf; Kent Rebultan, WWFPhilippines Corporate Partnerships Officer; Czarina Constantino WWF-Philippines National Coordinator for Plastics.

the Philippines by waste leakage in the 100% by December ilippines believes that he plastics crisis is es, government, and ork together.

ds plastic reduction No Plastic in Nature vao City, SM Lanang

Premier has committed to begin their sustainable journey to address singleuse plastics in their business supply chain by reducing and later on eliminating plastic straws in its Food Hall.

This signifies the beginning of a collaborative partnership between these local businesses and WWF – Philippines in achieving a plastic pollutionfree Davao City.

Individuals can also take part in working towards a future where singleuse plastics no longer harm nature.

Everyone can be part of the #AyokoNgPlastik movement by engaging in online conversations at facebook.com/ groups/ayokongplastik Plastics in the Philippines The Philippines is a megadiverse country situated in the Coral Triangle – a geographical area with the richest marine biodiversity in the world - that provides important ecosystem services to the Filipinos, more than half of which are in the coasts. However, the country’s marine biodiversity is also threatened with a host of anthropogenic causes, including plastic pollution, among others.

In a modeling study conducted by Prof. Jenna Jambeck (2015), the Philippines has been identified as one of the five countries that contribute about 60% of the plastic waste leakage in the ocean. The Philippines is the 3rd biggest plastic polluter of oceans in the world. Single-use plastics, which are used on an average of 7 minutes, take more than 100 years to decompose.

Worse, they breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastic. These can be ingested by fish, and make it up the food chain to humans.

gital environment

schools may also proliable Internet connecide, affordable devices, ty tools that will allow ate, share and edit files

the other hand, may ng methods to imlearning experience, r own teaching content eir courses and perrface and lessons, and dents to submit homects online.

Miguel Bermundo, Citizenship, said ny continues to proury learning through pino Schools (GFS) h empowers public CT-trained teachers, nd critical infrastruce state of the country’s brighten the future of ts.

18, the program has 17 Philippine regions, ublic schools and benstudents and 11,666

Bermundo also imparted lessons on responsible digital citizenship which is necessary to ensure the online safety of students.

“With digitalization, Globe also sees the importance to educate the Filipino youth on the responsible use of technology, be it through gadgets, website browsing and interacting with social media platforms,” he said.

Through its Digital Thumbprint Program, Globe, offers four workshop modules for students in private and public high schools nationwide, namely: Digital Insight - provides activities for students to help discern proper online behavior; Digital Impact - tackles issues on technology’s impact on students’ social activities; Digital Discernment - teaches students to become critical thinkers when using the internet; and Digital Ambition - equips students with skills on how to use technology to help them achieve life goals.

Also at the EduTech event, Globe set up booths for participants to experience how various Globe myBusiness products and solutions can address the different needs of the schools.

Hannah Precillas debuts first single AFTER singing many memorable theme songs for notable Kapuso seryes and signing with GMA Music last October, Kapuso OST Princess Hannah Precillas takes her craft to the next level with her debut single, ‘Kung Walang Ikaw’.

Now a certified recording artist, Hannah treats this milestone in her career as both a blessing and an achievement, “When I was a little girl, ang pangarap ko lang talaga is kumanta in front of people, and now I get to sing my own song and fulfill my dream. I feel really blessed and grateful na nabibigyan ako ng mga ganitong opportunity.”

The pop single is heard on air as the theme song of GMA’s wellloved series ‘Hiram Na Anak’, and is an emotional track about love and the promises that come with it. But for Hannah, the song is not just for couples. “Ako nakakarelate ako dun sa kanta kasi para sa akin, it’s universal. Kumbaga, hindi lang siya about romantic love between two individuals pero in all forms like for your parents and friends. I’m sure marami ring

makakarelate rito in that way,” she shared.

Hannah also recorded one of the theme songs of GMA’s upcoming primetime series, Love You Two, and is also looking forward to making more of her own music.

Composed by Vehnee Saturno, ‘Kung Walang Ikaw’ is now available for download and streaming

on iTunes, Spotify, and digital stores worldwide.

Hannah rose to fame after winning in GMA Network’s reality talent show, Bet ng Bayan. She is also the voice behind the theme songs of top-rated series Onanay, Kambal, Karibal, Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, and Kapag Nahati Ang Puso.

Scarlet Snow dedicates ‘My First Prayer Book’ to underprivileged kids

CHARMING fouryear old Scarlet Snow Belo offers her “My First Prayer Book”—a read-aloud book for all ages—as a gift of gratitude to benefit kids as she donates its proceeds to Right Start PH. At a young age, Scarlet Snow already made steps into reaching out as she recently celebrated her 4th birthday with Right Start Community Development, Inc., an organization for underprivileged

Filipino children.

With the help of her “My First Prayer Book,” published under ABSCBN Books, she offers a fresh collection of stories and prayers with pictures and illustrations to guide kids such as herself to start their path with God. Parents Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo also included handy tips for parents on teaching their kids how to pray early.

The Belo-Kho family will also donate 100% of their book proceeds to the

Right Start Center, a place for children coming from the marginalized sector of the community that also delivers various mission work for the gospel of Jesus.

Scarlet’s “My First Prayer Book” is available in National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Book Sale, Lazada.com, Shopee.com, and other major newsstands for only P285.

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9 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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DEFENSE... FROM 3

This is just one of the reasons why Joma cannot see himself coming back. He is wanted by many people he has victimized. Many of them are now bene�iciaries of E-CLIP after availing of the localized peace engagement," he added.

Brainwashing children ACT has been in question for protecting a supposed educational institution, the "Salugpungan", which reportedly brainwashes indigenous people’s children into becoming rebels.

The school is operating on the ancestral domain of tribal leaders but even with tribes’ disagreement for them to operate on their lands, "Salugpungan" schools that are manned

by NPA rebels have abused their stay and intimidated harmless tribe groups.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives last January 28, Datu Joel Dahusay of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte said he is willing to risk his life because he is the only one in their community of about 1,000 individuals who has education, something that led him to know and learn of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.

The IPRA recognizes and promotes the rights of ICCs/IPs of the Philippines.

“Sinabi ko sa NPA, may karapatan kami, dala ko yung libro ng IPRA. Ang sabi nila huwag mong gamitin ang IPRA kasi maraming gusot yan. Kahit maraming gusot, at least alam ko na ito pala ang karapatan naming mga tribu (I told the NPA, we have rights and I

carry with me the book on IPRA. They told me not to use the IPRA because it has many defects. Even if there are many defects, at least I know now of the rights of the indigenous) tribes,” Dahusay said in the hearing.

“Bakit tayo aalis na taga-rito. Dito tayo. Yung mga tribu natin ginagamit para sa kanilang pwersa para mapalakas ang kanilang mga gawain, mga interest nila (Why would we leave?

We will stay here. Our tribes are just being used to strengthen their forces and boost their activities and their interests),” Dahusay added.

Meanwhile, AFP public affairs of�ice chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, said Sison is contradicting himself when he said that ACT and other militant organizations are not part of the communist movement.

"He is just contradicting himself. Signs of a desperate old man trying to ful�ill his obsession of overthrowing the government through a revolutionary dual tactic of using front organizations and armed struggle. However, he denies it, the facts are looking at him straight in the eye. We can compare his narrative to the story of 'the boy who cried wolf'," he said.

"Nobody believes him anymore, except maybe those who are hoping to replace him when he succumbs due to old age or frustration. His 30 plus years of absence already detached him from reality," he added. (with reports from Christine Cudis/PNA)

them the chance to eventually get out of poverty through their hog fattening project.

“We will do our best to grow and sustain this for our families and communities in Lake Sebu. It’s hard to earn money but it is harder to see our families starve and we can’t do anything about it,” she said.

Fuentes lauded the DSWD for including the

province’s poor households as among the priorities of its assistance programs.

She thanked the President for making sure that these grants are delivered properly to the bene�iciaries.

“On behalf of the people of South Cotabato, especially the bene�iciaries, thank you sir, for giving time to visit our people,” she said.

(PNA)

proposal involves the expansion and interconnection of the existing NAIA terminals, upgrade of airside facilities, development of commercial facilities to ensure ef�icient airline and airport operations, enhancing passenger comfort and experience, and elevating the status of NAIA as the country’s premier interna-

tional gateway.

The consortium consists of seven companies namely Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp.; Alliance Global Group, Inc.; Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp.; Filinvest Development Corp.; JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and Metro Paci�ic Investments Corp. (PNA)

to PHP10 for jeepneys in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon regions due to the increase in fuel prices brought about by higher excise taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. However, the LTFRB has ordered in December a rollback of the minimum jeepney fares to PHP9 due to declining oil prices

during that time.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed the LTFRB to come up with a formula that will set clear guidelines when the fares should be adjusted.

This will ensure that fare hikes will become automatic rather than relying on petitions that will be �iled by transport groups. (PNA)

PRRD... FROM 4

DOTR... FROM 4

LTFRB... FROM 4

DCWD turns over toilet facilities to Tambobong

D

avao City Water District turned over public sanitation facilities to the Barangay Council of Tambobong on March 15, 2019 at Sitio Subsub in Barangay Tambobong. These facilities consist of female and male toilets that require less water as they use Vertical Helophyte Filter System technology which allows �iltration and reuse of wastewater.

This donation is part of DCWD’s Alay Palikuran – Improvement of Public Sanitation and Hygiene Project which provides sanitation facilities and promotes water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) in response to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.

Anchored on the Public Sanitation and Hygiene Upgrading Program (PUSHUP) under DCWD’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, the donation of these facilities is DCWD’s way to address the water quality and gender-based issues as veri�ied through the gender analysis conducted

by DCWD. This endeavor received support from the local government unit through the Cash-for-Work project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This is also part of the agency’s Convergence Strategy aimed to alleviate poverty by complementing programs that help poor individuals and communities.

Gracing the turnover ceremony were DCWD’s Community Relations and External Affairs Department of�icer-in-charge Ruth G.

DCWD turns over toilet facilities to Tambobong. (From L) MTCDA President Datu Cesar Lamonay, DCWD Community Relations and External Affairs Dept. office-in-charge Ruth G. Jabines, DSWD Convergence team head Glen M. Balbin, and Tambobong barangay captain Exequil M. Salandao Sr. test the faucet in one of the sanitation facility’s cubicles.

Jabines, DSWD Convergence team head Glen M. Balbin, Tambobong barangay cap-

tain Exequil M. Salandao Sr., and Mt. Tungkaling/Cultural Development Association

(MTCDA) president Datu Cesar Lamonay. (Camille Margarette U. Solon)

These toys were donated to thousands of less fortunate children from various schools, orphanages, local hospitals and churches. Among these were the Eugenia Ravasco Day Care Center and kids supervised by the Paranaque Development Foundation Incorporated (PDFI).

Less fortunate kids all over the country received toys from the campaign, as these were distributed in the Camp Aquino Station Hospital, Cabanatuan City Day Care Center and Marilao Central School in North Luzon; and the Likha Molino IV Elementary School, Felicidad Sy Pediatric Ward and Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission Inc. (LASAC) in South Luzon.

These also brought joys to the VisMin area through the Life Care Community Services Foundation Inc. and Jeepney Bata Children Ministry in the Visayas and Communal Elementary School and Northern Mindanao Medical in Mindanao.

Share-a Toy is one of the ways The SM Store and its customers team up to share blessings to the less fortu-

nate. Other upcoming 2019 store based projects include Donate-A-Book and Give the Gift of Wellness.

SHARE-A-TOY AT THE SM STORE

T

he SM Store recently brought smiles and joys to thousands of kids around the country as they received new bundles of toys- educational board games, plush toys, play sets and novelty items- from the Share-A-Toy campaign.

In this joint project of The SM Store and Toy Kingdom, booths were set up in all The SM Store and Toy Kingdom branches nationwide where shoppers had the chance to donate new and pre-loved toys for the bene�it of the less fortunate children. Big hearted and generous shoppers donated 53,139 toys at all The SM Store and Toy Kingdom branches nationwide.

Each donation entitled the customer to a Php 50 discount coupon which can be redeemed for every minimum Php 500 single-receipt purchase of regular-priced toys at any branch of The SM Store and Toy Kingdom. Coupons are valid until December 31, 2019.

14... FROM 5

will be extensive and conducted in a fair manner.

The National Bureau of Investigation-Sarangani district of�ice has also launched a separate investigation based on the complaints from civilian victims.

PPM, which started last year, allegedly had the approval of the involved police of�icials and even operated for some time at the city police headquarters in Camp Fermin Lira before it started to collapse last January.

Most of its recruits were policemen, who were lured into investing their money for interests of up to 120 percent a month.

Its alleged master-

mind, who was identi�ied as a certain Sheila Agustin, has since gone into hiding and is reportedly now out of the country.

In a statement released by law �irm Yap, Bansiloy and Sanchez (YBS) here, it said Agustin “maintains her innocence and vehemently denies that she is the mastermind behind” the PPM. YBS said their client “undertakes to return the capital investments, after due veri�ication, of civilian personnel only, who directly deposited an amount to the account of our client, starting January 2019, provided there was no pay-out made yet.”

(PNA)

10 EDGEDAVAO THE FUTURE... FROM 1

consummated the landmark deal in a signing ceremony held on March 12, 2019 at the PNB Financial Center in Manila between NCCC Chairman Helen A. Lim, and Malls president Sharlene Faye A. Lim and of�icials from the Lucio Tan-owned Philippine National Bank (PNB) via the former owners, the Limso family.

PLANT-INSPIRED An of�icial of a Hong Kongbased design company presented a design concept detailed with a mix of iconic medium and high-rise buildings inspired by some exotic and endemic plants of Mindanao to rise within the mall complex.

Walter V. Melicor, chief �inancial of�icer of the Elements Habitare, told reporters in an interview during the formal takeover ceremony Wednesday held inside Victoria Plaza’s Cinema 5, which currently houses the Harvest House City Church, that the development would have �ive phases.

Melicor, a native of Mati City in Davao Oriental, said the �irst two phases would have a �ive-star hotel, a condominium and serviced apartments; a twin-tower in phase 3; NCCC headquarters in phase 4; and a four-story mall in phase 5.

COMPONENTS The designs of the most iconic components of the 9.6ha development, such as the twin-tower, NCCC corporate building and mall took inspiration from the exotic plants of Mindanao, he said.

He added the design of the twin tower would be inspired by the pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant found in Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental province and other forests of Mindanao, the corporate building by the exotic mangosteen fruit, and the mall by the petals of the waling-waling plant en-

demic to the island.

Melicor’s team designed some of the world’s iconic buildings, among them Marina Bay Sands of Singapore, Galaxy Macau, a casino resort in Macau, and Okada Manila, a luxury hotel casino in the Philippines.

Melicor said the Lim family would decide if it wants to retain the old structure of the mall, but added the current conceptual design might require a total demolition of the old structure to give way to a new one.

He said the current structure might not support the proposed expansion of the mall.

“We are moving forward to the future. The sentimentality will always be there, in the place but not in the building. I think the building — we have to enhance and make it iconic building at par with the world,” he said.

RETAINING THE OLD But NCCC president Sharlene A. Lim assured the old mall building would be retained but it would have a facelift.

She said the company plans to proceed with a phaseby-phase development of the old Victoria Plaza Mall as it did for its NCCC Mall in Maa before a massive �ire destroyed it on December 23, 2017. The �ire incident killed the mall’s key custodian and 37 call center agents of Survey Sampling International.

Lim added the company plans to develop the dilapidated cinemas into a family entertainment center, where the restaurants located at the periphery of the mall’s parking space will be relocated.

The mall tenants, including ukay-ukay vendors, would be provided a space, she said.

She said NCCC Depart-

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

ment Store and Supermarket would eventually take over the department store and supermarket of the Victoria Plaza.

She said the Victoria Plaza has over 300 tenants at present.

Inaugurated on March 16, 1993, the Davao Sunrise Investment & Development Corporation of the Limso family previously managed the Victoria Plaza, a premier mall of the Dabawenyos in the 1990’s.

On the start of the devel-

opment, Lim added her family plans to “get this running sooner.”

She said NCCC welcomes players to invest in the mixeduse development.

“A lot of people are interested in coming in and sort of doing this vision to life. Starting today, we can start talking to people about it openly kasi nga before medyo hush-hush kami,” she said. (With a report from Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

as the of�icer-in-charge of the now-defunct PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, also alleged that Yang and a certain Allan Lim were behind the large shabu laboratory discovered in Davao City in 2004.

Carreon also belied this and said that based on PDEA's records, Yang's name was not included in

the report about the said shabu laboratory.

"Wala po doon 'yung pangalan ni Mr. Yang. So ibig sabihin mukang hindi po totoo 'yung sinasabi ni Acierto."

Duterte on Tuesday lashed out at Acierto, whom he claimed was just being used by members of the opposition.

po mukha at pangalan ko sa posters at tarps. Huwag niyo na po ikabit iyan. Itulong niyo na lang sa mga nangangailangan,” he said last week.

(I’ve repeatedly said this: Remove my name and face in the posters and tarpaulins. Don’t put them up.

Just use the money to help those who are in need.)

“As far as ULAP is concerned, we will just follow the directive from the DILG and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the proliferation of terrorism and in curtailing this ex-

tortion scheme of the NPA,” he added.

ULAP is an umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units and locally-elected government of�icials. (PNA)

PDEA... FROM 2

DOH... FROM 2

DILG... FROM 3

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SERAFIN T. NACILLA who died on December 20, 2016 leaving personal properties as follows: BDO Savings Account No. 860356310 ,Sports Utility Vehicle with plate number AAH1823and Certificate of Registration No. 203242830 has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with waiver of rights executed among his heirs, per Doc. No. 412; PageNo.84; Book No.3 Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. JANIS H. ESPARCIA MARCH 28, April 4, 11, 2019

DOF... FROM 2 before jumping into conclusions that the country is in danger of falling into China’s debt trap.

Moreover, he said none of the foreign loan agreements include the surrender of Philippine assets to the lender country.

Agabin reiterated that the Philippines did not offer any of its natural resources as collateral in securing the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.

“Ang waiver of sovereign immunity ay hindi nagpapahintulot sa sinumang dayuhan o foreign party na kunin o angkinin ang ating mga likas na yaman. (The

waiver of sovereign immunity does not allow any foreign party to claim our natural resources),” Agabin said.

The Chico River irrigation project aims to provide a stable supply of water to around 8,700 hectares of agricultural land in the provinces of Kalinga and Cagayan.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven also rejected concerns that the Philippines will fall into China’s debt trap the same way Sri Lanka did, stressing the Philippines does a better job in managing foreign loans.

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

PEP RALLY. (Left photo) Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez greets Dabawenyo Olympic para athlete Ernie Gawilan as other members of Team Philippines (right photo) take a group photo during the Go Pilipinas Go rally at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark on Tuesday.

PSC opens second S Nutrition Hall

SBP supports Kai’s NBA dream

N

ational athletes residing at the PhilSports Complex are the new recipients scienti�ic nourishment, as the Philippine Sports Commission opened its second Nutrition Hall in Pasig this Monday.

Following the opening of the newly-reno-

vated Nutrition Hall at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last March 15, PSC Chairman William Ramirez announced the canteen’s soft opening and “is now ready to accommodate both national athletes and coaches.”

The PSC Nutrition Unit gave nutrition as-

sessment for the athletes and biometrics registration a week prior to opening.

“Our athletes deserves to be given the best and scienti�ic nutrition for their speci�ic sports, that is why we pushed the renovation of our canteens in both

Rizal Memorial and PhilSports,” added Ramirez.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, a.m. and p.m. snacks will be served from Mondays to Saturdays.

Para-athletes from cycling and dragonboat were among the �irst clients of the Nutrition Hall last Monday.

sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today. I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.

I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement,” McGregor wrote on

Twitter.

McGregor is one of the most famous �ighters in the UFC history, who fought 25 times, gaining 21 victories, and lost four times.

He won his �irst UFC title in 2015 and became

the �irst �ighter to hold two UFC titles in different weight classes.

McGregor left the sport �ive months after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a brawlmarred �ight in Las Vegas. (TASS)

McGregor retires from MMA

P

opular Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer Conor McGregor has announced his retirement at the age of 30.

“Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the

MOSES BILLACURA

amahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president, Al Panlilio, expressed support on behalf of his organization for Kai Sotto’s decision to train in the United States.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas fully supports the decision of Kai Sotto to start training in the US to pursue his goal to enter the NBA by 2021 or 2022,” Panlilio said in a statement on Monday night.

The seven-foot-two Ateneo High School star announced earlier in the day that he will “start training full-time” overseas and forego his last two playing years with the academic institution.

“I strongly feel (with his [father Ervin’s] advice and the advice of other experienced mentors) that leaving immediately to start my training and getting the right exposure will go a long way to help realize my dream,” Sotto’s statement added.

Panlilio then assured that the SBP is “closely coordinating with the management team of Kai to

ensure that all his needs are addressed and his stay in the US will be worthwhile and fruitful.” (PNA)

Kai Sotto

CLEAN SLATE

DATU UCHIDA, DAVAO CITY BASEBALL AND INES MALLARI In 2009, philanthropist Datu Tatsuo Uchida San and his grandson coach Yusuke San of the Datu Uchida Development Foundation with the help of ma’am Ines Mallari of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School came in contact with University of Mindanao sports director Joaquin “Boy” Sarabia, the regional director of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association.

So it turned out that Datu Uchida San, a Davao-born Japanese businessman, and his group of friends from the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club wanted to give something back to Davao.

And the best way, among other things, is through a sport that they love. Baseball.

Here’s the beauty of it.

They wanted the public schools to bene�it from it.

I played little league baseball because of my classmates and friends and we are all in a public school. Either we use worn out balls, dented bats and sometimes, our catcher does not have a baseball mask. Ana lang, duwa duwa.

When my late father Boy learned about it, he aggressively discouraged me to stop playing because of the “dangers” of the sport. Walay helmet, ma igo imong ulo sa pitcher, walay shin guards, ma igo imong legs, matamakan ka sa spike shoes.

For an 11-year-old kid, sakit gyud tinood pero lingaw playing with your classmates and

friends.

Because my late Papang Marcial, a public school teacher, taught us to always honor our father and mother, so follow na lang ko. I shifted to my father Boy’s favorite sport, tennis, na sosyal na ako sport. Goodbye baseball.

Anyway, that has been my experience, along with other little boys playing baseball in a public school. We never had brand-new that smells so good Spalding gloves! Oh yeah, humot kaayo basta brand-new gloves, right editor Neil Bravo (who played catcher for Ateneo de Davao)?

Datu Uchida, his family and friends were heaven sent to little league baseball devel-

opment in Davao. And so the Davao City Baseball Association was born that year and up to this very day, our Japanese friends have continued to show their love to Davaoenos through baseball.

When I learned that ma’am Ines received the Datu Bago Award this month, I felt so happy and very proud.

It’s a well-deserved award for a Davaoena of Japanese ancestry who have continued to work in maintaining strong ties between Davao and Japan.

Ma’am Ines was the link between the Uchidas, Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club and Davao City baseball.

Ma’am Ines did the leg work, making connections with

little league baseball stakeholders and reached out to Davao sportswriters to make sure that the partnership becomes successful.

You see ladies and gentlemen, in the conduct of establishing strong relations between two countries, sports is one effective method and yet you need someone to broker that partnership.

Ma’am Ines, our Madam Ambassador in baseball development, did an outstanding work for the City of Davao and for Japan.

We are very proud of you ma’am Ines. Congratulations!

“Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu”.

We are forever grateful.

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.12 ISSUE 14 • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

INDOOR TRI Arcadia Fitness Gym Indoor Triathlon is on

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

T

Arcadia Fitness Gym has launched the city’s first ever indoor triathlon challenge starting March 26 and ending on April 12.

he Triathlon course and challenge is taking another shape.

Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center has of�icially commenced the Arcadia Fitness Gym Indoor Triathlon challenge for gym members from March 26 to April 12.

The unique triathlon features 1.5-kilometer rowing, 10-kilometer cycling on stationary bike, and 5-kilometer running on treadmill.

Everyday from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, gym members may take the energy-sapping challenge. Every member is entitled to one entry only.

Winners of the Arcadia Indoor Triathlon

will receive one month free membership for the �irst placer, Sunday lunch buffet for one for the second placer and Gym merchandise for the third placer.

The �itness-based challenge comes at the heels of the highly successful Ironman 70.3 Triathlon hosted

by Davao City for the second straight year on Sunday. Gym members can experience an equally tough experience indoors with this �irst ever competition of this kind.

Organizer Inna Escandor said participants should be �it for the challenge and must have the proper training, gear and hydration system.