Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 168 | Thursday, October 31, 2019

MAVS EDGE NUGGETS 109-96 SPORTS P11 VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

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Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte lead the lighting of the cauldron to mark the start of the journey of the torch to the Philippine Arena for the 30th Sea Games on November 30.

Lean Daval Jr

FIGHTING FOR LIFE

Radio station manager critical after shooting incident

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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station manager of a media out�it in Sultan Kudarat is in critical condition after he was shot by an unidenti�ied gunman Wednesday afternoon.

As of 7:00 Wednesday night, Benji Abdul Cabal-

lero, 38, acting station manager of Radyo ni Juan

FM and provincial stringer for Remate tabloid, is �ighting for his life at St. Louis Hospital in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat after sustaining �ive bullets on his chest and other parts of his body.

In a post by one of Caballero’s associates,

the veteran broadcast journalist was reportedly on his way to work when the suspect �ired in front of his home at around 2:00pm.

Caballero is the admin behind the Lana Pusaka Tenelok Facebook account.

He is also the president of Sultan Kudarat provincial task force on media security.

“I hope and pray you are okay my friend Benjie Caballero, We are on it,” Usec. Joel Sy Egco of the Presidential Task Froce on Media Security, said in

his social media post.

Egco said: “Kakausap ko lang sa kasama nya sa hospital...(he is) critical but alive. May dumatingnna dugo from provincial (government). We are investigating and coordinating with Tacurong

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

BRP Conrado Yap arrives at Sasa wharf in Davao City for a port visit on Wednesday. BRP Conrado Yap is the newest commissioned vessel in the Philippine Navy which was a former Republic of Korea Navy Pohang-class corvette Chungju that served from 1987 to 2016. Lean Daval Jr

Davao City safety, security teams up for ‘Undas’ duty S

Special lanes for PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women set

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By ADAM B. MORRELL

n terms of safety and security, Davao City is all geared up for the long weekend commemoration of ‘Undas.’

Starting October 31, all security of�ices of the city will begin their respective massive deployment of personnel in the 35 listed cemeteries around Davao City under “Oplan Kaluluwa.”

Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) spokesperson police captain Nolan Tagsip, during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, October 30, said they will deploy over 2,100 policemen for the observance

of All Saints Day and All Souls Day in all burial grounds in Davao City including the ones located in far-�lung areas.

“We are on a full alert status po so lahat ng personnel namin and other security forces, deploy yan lahat,” Tagsip said, adding that DCPO will be reinforced by additional 1,000 personnel from other security forces including the Task Force (TF) Davao among others.

Under full alert status, all leaves from duty by

Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are cancelled to guarantee a 100-percent presence of personnel to perform police functions.

Visible assistance desk shall be provided by DCPO to address any complaints, said Tagsip.

Law enforcers will also conduct strict inspection to assure that prohibited items will never enter the cemeteries.

“Nag issue na rin tayo ng advisory on the do’s and don’ts sa cemetery,” the spokesperson said.

The security advisory they issued underscored the strict prohibition on bringing of deadly or

bladed weapons, loud speakers and liquor, and will monitor against gambling and selling.

The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice (CDRRMO), on the other hand, vowed to deploy around 1,000 responders to assist the existing security forces especially in natural calamity like earthquake and �lash�lood which newly struck Davao City in the preceding days.

Earlier, the Public Safety Security and Command Center (PSSCC) committed to deploy a total of 9,641 personnel from counterpart security units and force multipliers.

there's a constant reminder that even if a fault line has moved, but there are more fault lines in the province or region, there's still a chance of a powerful quake in the future.)

"Kailangan siguruhin natin 'yung itatayo nating mga bahay at gusali lalo na yung nasira kailangangan siguraduhing maayos para magwithstand ng malalakas na lindol."

(We need to make sure that the houses and buildings we construct, especially those that were damaged, could withstand strong tremors.)

The powerful quake in

Tulunan town in Cotabato left at least 6 people dead, scores injured, and forced residents to evacuate.

The tremor was the main earthquake following the 6.3 magnitude foreshock last Oct. 16., according to Solidum, which killed at least 7 people and injured 215 others.

A series of aftershocks is expected in the �irst 3 to 4 days but may continue up until Christmas, Solidum added.

A magnitude 5 aftershock hit the same town at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday, with an Intensity 5 felt in Kidapawan City, where there

were no fatalities and serious injuries reported, according to Mayor Joseph Evangelista.

"Maswerte po tayo for the 2nd time, I hope wala na pong 3rd time, wala ho tayong incident of death, may injuries po tayo manageable naman. Wala din ho tayong collapsed structure dito," he said.

(We're lucky that for the 2nd time, I hope there's no third time, we have no incident of death. We have injuries but they are manageable. We have no collapsed structure here.)

"Overall evaluation na-

Phivolcs: Another powerful tremor possible in Cotabato

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he Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said there was a possibility of another strong tremor in Cotabato, which has 4 fault lines, after Tuesday's 6.6-magnitude earthquake.

"Kaya nga ang sabi natin constant reminder na kahit nagkaroon na ng pagkilos 'yung isang fault pero kung may faults pa sa province o region, may malakas pa rin na posibleng mangyari in the future," Phivolcs of�icer-in-charge Renato Solidum said.

(That's why we said

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pecial lanes will be dedicated for some passengers at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) in anticipation of the in�lux of passengers leading up to the observance of 'Undas' on Friday and Saturday.

Bus operators will assign separate lines for Person with Disability (PWD), pregnant women, passengers with children and senior citizens.

DCOTT head Aisa Usop, on Wednesday, October 30, told media during the AFPPNP Press Corps Media Brie�ing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel that the number of passengers to board on buses will de�initely swell during 'Undas.'

"Makikita nyo sa terminal na meron silang nilagay na mga tali para ma separate yung regular passengers," she said.

Normally, DCOTT records 650 to 700 bus trips a day which is equivalent to 35,000 to 40,000 passen-

gers. However, during peak seasons, the number of bus passengers suddenly bloats to almost a hundred percent.

"Pag peak season we record around 1,200 to 1,500 bus trips a day equivalent to 50,000 to 70,000 passengers," Usop said.

Usop revealed that bus passengers are increasing each year.

Despite the expected overcrowding at the terminal, DCOTT also assured that the more than 1-hectare terminal is equipped with security resources.

Usop said CCTV cameras are installed around the terminal to monitor all activities of the passenger. She also �launted their x-ray baggage machines, walk-though machine and K-9 dogs to detect any form of threat.

Most importantly, there are personnel from the Task Force (TF) Davao and the Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) to monitor the security of the area. By Adam B. Morrell

PNP hopes PRRD to name new police chief soon

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he spokesperson of the Philippine National Police on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to name a new PNP chief soon.

PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said that even without a permanent head at the helm, the PNP's law enforcement operations and its programs continue under its police of�icer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.

"In the coming months,

if he is going to stay as of�icer-in-charge, it's going to have an effect on big projects of the PNP. We're hoping anytime soon the president would name a new chief PNP," Banac said.

Gamboa's name, along with Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar were �loated as the next PNP Chief.

"For the meantime, the management and supervision of the entire Phil-

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NEWS 3

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DepEd fears funds insufficient to repair quake-cracked schools

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he Department of Education said Wednesday it was scrambling for funds to repair hundreds of school buildings that were destroyed by a series of earthquakes in Mindanao.

The DepEd has requested funds from the National Disaster Coordinating Committee under the Of�ice of the President and is studying whether the agency’s own budget can be used to repair damaged schools, said Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

“Sa tingin ko, baka kukulangin [ang DepEd budget] dahil there are more disasters than I...planned for...

Sunod-sunod ang disasters natin, lalo na iyong series of earthquakes,” she said.

(I think the DepEd budget will not be enough because there are more disasters than I suppose planned for. Disasters came one after another, especially the series of earthquakes.)

Tuesday’s magnitude 6.6 quake added damage to some 200 school buildings in Cotabato province, its epicenter, which were previously cracked by a powerful tremor some 2 weeks ago,

said Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza.

“Halos 273 schoools o buildings ng DepEd ang nasira noong �irst quake noong Oct. 16, nadagdagan ngayon iyan,” she said in a separate DZMM interview.

“Meron tayong mga eskuwelahan na gaya ng Nueva Vida in M’lang na after the �irst quake, 10 percent na lang ang puwede nilang magamit, ngayong second quake mukhang wala nang puwedeng magamit,” she added.

(Almost 273 DepEd schools or buildings were damaged by the �irst quake on Oct. 16, these increased.

We have schools like the Nueva Vida in M’lang town where 10 percent of the structures can still be used after the �irst quake, but probably none can no longer be used after the second quake.)

Classes were suspended Wednesday in Cotabato to give way to the assessment of damage, said the governor.

Tuesday’s tremor also damaged school buildings in neighboring Davao region, said Briones.

DENR backs enforcement bureau for forest rangers

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n enforcement bureau must be established within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to effectively stop illegal logging and smuggling of wildlife species in the country, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

Cimatu reiterated the call on the heels of another death of a forest ranger in Nueva Ecija.

“This senseless attacks against forest defenders must come to an end,” he said in a statement.

“The proposed bureau will primarily bene�it our foresters who are exposed to various risks and dangers when they perform their tasks on the �ield,” he

added.

Forest ranger Ronaldo Corpuz who works in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija was shot multiple times by a still unidenti�ied gunman outside his house on October 25.

Three days before he was killed, Corpuz conducted a surveillance operation against timber poaching and illegal transport of forest products in the town of Rizal. This led to the seizure of lumbers from three individuals who were formally charged for violation of the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

A long-time DENR informant in Muñoz, Guadencio Arana, was also killed

DENR, P9

Population Commission 11 (PopCom 11) director Bai Agnes Sampulna shows a copy of 2018 Philippine Population Pyramid while discussing President Duterte’s call to proclaim a state of emergency on alarming-

ly high rate of teenage pregnancy in Davao Region and other population-related concerns during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Lean Daval Jr

Davao Region has highest teen pregnancy incidence

By MAYA M. PADILLO here are more cases of teenage pregnancy in Davao Region than anywhere else in the country.

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Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) survey result conducted in 2017, Davao Region has recorded the highest pregnancy nationwide at 17.9 percent. Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) is second at 14.7 percent and Region 12 (Southwestern Mindanao) is third highest at 14.5 percent. All three regions surpassed the national average rate of 8.6 percent.

Commission on Population and Development Regional Director Bai Ag-

nes Sampulna told media in Habi at Kape that Davao Region is among the highest �irst three regions in Mindanao having the highest incidence of teenage pregnancies in the country.

“Mataas pa rin ang trend ng teenage pregnancy sa Davao Region,” she said.

She cited As per record of the regional of�ice of the Department of Health (DOH) as of June this year there are 1,838 teenage pregnancies in Davao City

and a total of 7,636 teenage pregnancies in the �irst quarter of 2019 in Davao Region.

“In Davao City we cannot count it on Davao residents kasi may ibang hindi taga Davao na nanganganak. Marami ibang taga Probinsya who are minors na dito nagtrabaho at dito na rin nabuntis,” she said.

Due to the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy in the country, the national of�ice of the Commission on Population and Development has raised the red �lag against teenage pregnancy and even sought the help of President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an Execu-

DAVAO REGION, P9

2 of 3 confirmed polio cases are from BARMM

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Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) survey Bolton bridge on Wednesday for possible cracks after a strong quake jolted Davao City on Tuesday morning. Lean Daval Jr

tive Order (EO) declaring teenage pregnancy as a national emergency to avoid population crisis.

The two National Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) conducted in the Philippines in 2013 and 2017 revealed a decreasing proportion of girls aged from 15 to 19 years old who have begun childbearing down 9 percent from 10 percent. Despite this downtrend there were still almost 200,000 women between 10 and 19 years old who gave birth in 2017, according to the Vital Registration of the PSA. The PSA also revealed that

wo of the three con�irmed cases of polio in the country are from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) – the �irst in Marogong, Lanao del Sur and the third in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday that the third con�irmed case of polio in the country, 19 years after its supposed eradication, is a four-year old girl from Datu Piang . The second polio case con�irmed by the DOH was a four-year old boy in Laguna in Luzon.

A press release issued by the DOH on Monday quoted Health Secretary Francisco Duque as saying the girl did not receive any dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Duque said vaccination of children under 5 will be held in Datu Piang on November 4 to 8.

Duque said the girl in Datu Piang was initially reported as a case of acute �laccid paralysis (AFP) on September 26, 2019 at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center, as the patient exhibited signs and symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain.

On October 24, stool samples sent to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Japan tested positive for vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (VDPV2).

It also found that “the polio virus isolated was genetically linked to the VDPV2 from the con�irmed Polio case in Marogong, Lanao del Sur.” BARMM is composed of �ive provinces — Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi — and the cities of Marawi, Lamitan and Cotabato City, and

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

PH, China hold 1st oil and gas cooperation meeting

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BORDERLESS OPPORTUNITIES. MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Pińol leads the Mindanao delegation during the North Sulawesi - Mindanao Trade Mission and Business Networking Session on Tuesday in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. MinDA

Drones eyed for banana firms in Davao Region

By MAYA M. PADILLO on’t look now but drone technology or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle could be �lying over Davao Region’s vast banana plantations not for recreation but for helping improve agriculture.

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Drone technology has been considered as an ideal approach for precision agriculture among agricultural companies in Mindanao.

To help farmers improve production and address problems on Panama disease, Davao-based company New Hope Corporation, distributor of world-famous DJI drones, is now targeting banana companies for the use of drone technology.

Anthony Tan, CEO of New Hope Precision Agriculture Corporation told Davao media that they are now working for banana research with banana companies in Mindanao.

Tan said the research focuses on the ef�icacy of the drone technology.

“We have banana companies but mostly for banana research on the ef�icacy and mixing because when we go for drones for aerial you should know

how you are going for ultra low volume,” Tan said.

Small farmers under the Federation of Cooperatives in Mindanao (FEDCO) led by Executive Of�icer Ireneo D. Dalayon are now mulling of using drones in aerial spraying.

In terms of cost, it’s lower compared to a plane and it is good for small land holding and better than manual spraying.

Aside from cutting costs, the use of drones is expected to improve production as well as banana quality with a more precise spraying operation targeting leaves.

Fungicides control diseases such as black leaf streak, sigatoka leaf spot, and post-harvest diseases.

“We engage in research �irst before we get into something. Now if instead a group of farmers and large companies then probably we can do some experiments and get the

right minds together especially sa saging kasi mahal,” Tan said.

Tan said he was able to demonstrate their drone sprayer last in a banana related event.

“Just imagine, one hectrare of bananas will take about one day to spray but in drones it could spray one hectare of bananas in 10 minutes conservatively.

Fusarium right now is a big challenge and drone is the best way to go for the Panama disease,” Tan said.

Tan said they are currently working with the Philippine Rice Research Institute for rice seeding, chemical spraying and fertilizer application using drone. Another potential use of drones that was explored by PhilRice is aiding in the pollination of hybrid rice parentals during the seed production.

“One of the things that make us different is we always want to make sure na may ef�icacy tayo for the client. Expect that for a service that you are paying makukuha mo Yung ef�icacy na gusto mo. The thing is you are dealing with ultra-low volume chemical companies realized you

onsistent with its strong performance for the �irst two quarters of the year, pioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines (SPH) �inishes the third quarter with positive growth yet again, enabling the company to post 19 percent sales growth for the �irst nine months of the year over the same period in 2018.

The continued sales increase is the result of

the brand’s strategic marketing efforts, which emphasize numerous promotions and interactive events and are aimed at boosting product visibility.

SPH hopes to ride on this strong market and brand momentum to further strengthen its position in the market through the remaining months of 2019.

“Suzuki’s current standing in the Philippine automotive industry is a signi�icant milestone

for the brand. After securing the 4th spot in the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) ranking – the highest rank in the brand’s history – and climbing to the 5th spot in the local automotive industry roster last quarter, we at Suzuki Philippines can de�initely say that 2019 has been a monumental year for the brand,” shared SPH Director and General Manager for Au-

need to change the formulation and need to see whether it actually works in many seasons,” Tan said.

Tan said it is among their goals to urge Filipinos farmers to leave from older technologies into the new like drone technology.

“The core product we have is drone spraying.

With all these technologies coming in to agriculture how could we advance it and especially for the younger ones. Keep in mind the average age of farmers is 57 years old and climbing. The interest in farming amongst the young people is going down. Why? Because if you could take someone who likes going to the mall and takes them to the farm, the reaction is understandable but if you modernize agriculture and digitalized it like the modern way of spraying is simply �ly a drone,” he said.

Tan considered drone technology as a game changer in agriculture.

“In anyway you look at it this is a game changer it could bene�it human health, and open up careers for young people,” he said.

tomobile Division Keiichi Suzuki.

“These back-to-back achievements further fuel our drive to deliver on the brand’s promise of quality driving experience with every Suzuki vehicle,” he added.

Top sales drivers: Ertiga, Swift, Celerio The Ertiga, Swift and Celerio continue to excite and stimulate the market as Suzuki’s best-sell-

Suzuki Philippines maintains growth in Q3, introduces New Vitara

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SUZUKI, P10

he Philippines and China held its �irst meeting in Beijing on the proposal for both nations to conduct oil and gas cooperation amid competing claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

Only general details were provided on the Oct. 28 meeting, but a joint statement of the Philippines-China Inter-Governmental Joint Steering Committee on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development said the two sides had a "candid, in-depth and friendly exchange" on cooperation arrangements under the memorandum of understanding they signed last year.

Of�icials, led by Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Enrique Manalo and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, "agreed to further push forward communication and coordination on oil and gas development, with a view to achieving progress in accordance with the MOU," the statement said.

It did not say if they have already identi�ied the speci�ic areas where they plan to conduct exploration activities, if it will be in the South China Sea, or if it would include the Reed Bank, a resource-rich area within Philippine territory, but being claimed by China.

Manila and Beijing

have overlapping claims in the South China Sea and have �igured in tense confrontations in the past.

The Philippine government under then-President Benigno Aquino III sought to invalidate China's massive claim before an international tribunal, which ruled in favor of Manila in 2016.

Beijing has ignored and belittled the ruling, maintaining it has “indisputable” and “historical” claim over nearly the entire waters even as it encroaches on the territories of its smaller neighbors like the Philippines.

Unlike Aquino, his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte sought friendly ties with China in exchange for economic assistance, normalization of ties, trade and investments.

In November 2018, Xi Jinping made a state visit to the Philippines – the �irst for a Chinese leader in 13 years. It was seen as a high point in the two nations' relations that recovered after Duterte reached out to Chinese of�icials when he took of�ice in 2016.

It was during Xi's visit that the MOU on oil and gas exploration was signed.

The next round of meeting will be held in the Philippines in early 2020, with exact date and place to be determined and mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels, the joint statement said.

Cayetano vows fair hearings for ABS-CBN franchise bills

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peaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday said that the bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation will be tackled at the House of Representatives, and vowed that they will receive "fair" hearings.

This was after the same measure did not make signi�icant progress in the 17th Congress.

At least six measures have so far been �iled at the House aiming to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain broadcasting stations in the Philippines for another 25 years.

Cayetano said the House may start hearing these measures before the end of the year.

"De�initely we'll have hearings kasi may mga issues na kailangang i-resolve. But like any other hearing, obligasyon ng Congress, one, to be fair; patas na hearing," he said.

"Number two, [we have] to bring those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and to see kung sino ang tama. Kung mali yung nag-a-accuse sa issue, then no problem.

Kung tama, ano ang resolusyon nun?" he added.

Cayetano said he recognizes the crucial role that media plays in the society, especially in help-

ing expose corruption and misdemeanors committed by government of�icials.

"Isipin mo kapag nawala ang media, e di lahat ng abuso sa ating bansa ay lalabas," he said.

"So there are issues that we have to tackle, and �irst and foremost is the freedom of the press," he added.

The original franchise granted to ABS-CBN Corporation is set to expire on March 30, 2020, or only about �ive months from now.

But while a measure has been �iled in the previous Congress to extend the network's franchise, it remained pending with the House Committee on Legislative Franchise since November 16, 2016 until it closed in June this year.

President Rodrigo Duterte has on many occasions threatened to block the broadcast network's franchise renewal.

This was after it supposedly did not air a political advertisement that was already paid for during Duterte's presidential bid in the 2016 elections.

Duterte has also said he was willing to enter into a compromise deal with ABS-CBN Corporation if the company promotes his bid for a shift to a federal form of government.

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

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ECONOMY

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Low water pressure to no water on November 1st

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ACCORD. Top officials of the Davao del Norte provincial government, Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc. (TADECO) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) execute a gesture of unity after signing a memorandum of compromise agreement to end the dispute over biosecurity facility installations against the spread of the deadly fusarium wilt or Panama disease threatening to wipe out the export banana industry in

the Philippines. In the photo are Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib (second from left), Mindanao Development Authority (‘MinDA) chief Sec. Emmanuel “Manny” Pinol, who successfully mediated in the dispute, former Rep. Ernesto Anton F. Lagdameo of TADECO and other signatories. The agreement was approved by the courts a day after its signing. AMA

Panabo RTC judge okays Tadeco-guv-BuCor accord

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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judge of a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Panabo City has approved the compromise agreement among the provincial government of Davao del Norte, Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) settling the controversy over the dismantling by the provincial government of biosecurity facilities located along roads inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farms in Sto. Tomas own.

This was learned from lawyer Nick Banga, �irst vice president of Antonio Floirendo Management Corporation (An�locor), mother company of TADECO, who said that Judge Dax Gonzaga Xenos of Panabo City RTC Branch 34 approved the agreement.

The accord was signed

by Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib in behalf of the provincial government, Assistant vice president for human resource Zeaus Apollo C. Vadil, representing Tadeco, and Albert Blanco, duly designated representative of Undersecretary Gerald Bantag, director general of BuCor. The document was signed in the presence of Davao del Norte provincial administrator Josie Jean C. Rabanoz and former Sec-

ond District Congressman Ernesto Antonio “Anton” F. Lagdameo, Davao Internationmal Container Terminal and Industrial ANFLO Group president, and BuCor’s Jacob Catro as witnesses.

Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” F. Pinol, chairman of the Mindanao Development Auhority (MinDA), who brokered the settlement agreement, upon the authority of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, annotated the signing ceremony done in the MinDA conference hall in the old terminal of the Francisco Bangoy Internal Airport in Sasa last October 23 Judge Xenos approved the document the following day.

The document was also expected to be submitted for approval to the Panabo City RTC Branch 4. RTC Branch 34 handled the civil case �iled by Tadeco against Gov. Jubahib, while Bucor �iled its own civil case also against the provincial governor before Branch 4.

In the compromise agreed, all three parties acknowledge that there is a need to protect the banana industry from the Fusarium wilt / Panama disease and shall put prime on the protection thereof. However, the general welfare of the people is imperative and a priority of the provincial government.

The agreement provide concessions of all parties more particularly the retention of the biosecurity facility while maintaining the accessibility of the contested roads for the public. “ The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) shall: a) Allow the operation and not summarily abate or demolish the biosecurity facilities to wit: Along Jct. Highway – Balagunan (11DAN141) / El Canto and Jct. Highway – Tanglaw (11DAN142) which is accessible to all types of vehicles and persons: - foot bath - tire dip

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it will help decongest the Ninoy Aquino Intenational Airport, Metro Paci�ic told the stock exchange.

"MPIC is part of a consortium that is trying to reach agreement with Government on the rehabilitation and further improvement of NAIA. In this

context, all airport projects serving the greater National Capital Region including Sangley Airport are of interest," the statement said.

Metro Paci�ic is also part of a “super consortium” that submitted an unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate NAIA together with Aboitiz

- shed of the biodiversity - gate - boom barrier - fence Along Jct. Highway – bugtong Lubi which is inaccessible tovehicles but persons only: - foot bath - shed of the biodiversity - gate - fence, provided persons can conveniently pass through b) To ensure unimpeded access of persons and vehicles enlist its own security personnel who will work closely with the needed security personnel from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the entrance and exit points of the three (3) subject roads at all times (24/7). Outposts for this purpose shall be established immediately after execution of the Agreement at the entrance and exit points of the subject roads under the management of PNP and AFP. c) Shall designate personnel from the Provincial Agriculturist f�ice to monitor compliance with Biosecurity measures.

This is conditioned upon the performance of TADECOof its responsibilities set forth in this Memorandum of Agreement; “.TAGUM AGRICUL-

InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp, Alliance Global Group, Asia's Emerging Dragon Corp, Filinvest Development Corp, and JG Summit Holdings.

President Rodrigo Duterte in June ordered the “immediate” rehabilitation of Sangley airport.

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Metro Pacific Corp. confirms 'interest' in Sangley airport

etro Paci�ic Investment Corp on Wednesday said it was interested in all airport projects that would serve the National Capital Region, including Sangley in Cavite.

All airport rehabilitation projects near the capital "are of interest" since

avao City Water District advises of low water pressure to no water on November 1, 2019 from 2:00 AM to 4:30 AM affecting some areas served by Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS).

Affected areas are some Buhangin areas: portion of Robinsons Highlands Subd. speci�ically Beverly Hills Street, Bread Subd., Carpio Compound, Panorama Homes, Pioneer Village, and Manuel M. Garcia Road (from corner Cabantian Road to Panorama Homes) and some Cabantian areas: Holy Trinity Village, Countryville Executive Homes, Dela Peña Village, BACAHOA Village, Victor’s Executive Homes, Emilia Homes Subd., and portion of Cabantian Road (from Holy Trinity Subd. to Emilia Homes Subd.).

DCWD’s Panorama Booster Pump under Dumoy WSS will be affected

by Davao Light and Power Company’s (DLPC) power interruption on the said date needed to facilitate the emergency shutdown of DLPC’s Ma-a substation’s power transformer. With the power interruption, the affected facility will not be able to operate and pump water, and in turn, will not be able to supply water to the affected areas.

Although the power cut is shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching

on of the affected facility, pressure build up, and line delivery, thus the longer duration of water service interruption.

On behalf of the DCWD management, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the schedule. Water supply may be restored earlier if DLPC’s work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

DCWD conducts �lushing after service works are completed. However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. Do not drink tap water immediately but if needed, boil water beforehand as safety precaution.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24hour hotline 235-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates.

Contact 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293, and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

China pushes back vs. criticism of its Belt and Road lending

T

he head of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank pushed back on Tuesday against US assertions that China's Belt and Road lending has unfairly saddled poor countries with unsustainable debt.

Jin Liqun, AIIB's president, said during an investment conference panel discussion that debt problems associated with China's massive infrastructure drive were often the result of long-standing �iscal mismanagement.

"The debt problems of these poor countries were accumulated over the years. I don't think it's fair to put it down to the Belt and Road initiative," Jin said at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

He appeared on a panel with World Bank President David Malpass, who as a senior Treasury Department of�icial in the Trump administration was highly critical of Belt and Road lending, telling the US Congress in December 2018 that it "often leaves countries with excessive debt and poor-quality projects."

Jin defended the program's purpose as being aimed at upgrading infrastructure to improve the growth and development potential of many countries.

"But we should learn from the history. For many countries I think the issue is

not whether you borrowed the money from outside, it's how you spend the money you borrow," Jin said. "You spend it well or not."

He said China borrowed heavily from external sources over the past 40 years, but spent the money "judiciously" and never experienced a debt repayment problem.

"You need to look at the debtor. The debtor will speak for themselves," Jin said. He added that multilateral development banks such as the AIIB and World Bank help debtor countries prioritize which projects they should pursue and which can wait.

Malpass agreed that it was important to invest in quality projects that bene�it a country's population and said there needed to be more transparency in infrastructure lending, including the collateral, liens and other terms to .avoid hidden clauses in contracts.

"The debt burden has been going up so fast that the end result has been quite a few projects that the people of the country didn't need," he said, without naming speci�ic cases.

In 2017, Sri Lanka handed control of its Chinese-�inanced Hambantota port to Beijing as it struggled with $8 billion in debt owed to Chinese state-controlled �irms. In 2018, Pakistan scaled back a Belt and Road railroad project to cope with mounting debt.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

EDITORIAL

Lighting up the flame

A day after the massive magnitude 6.6 earthquake (based on epicenter) hit most parts of Mindanao including Davao, the city dusted off from the damage and trauma of the temblor and lit the of�icial �lame of the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Indeed, resiliency is Davao City’s other name.

Wednesday’s torch lighting rites is symbolic as it of�icially signals the beginning of the hosing duties of the Philippines of the biennial sports conclave among member nations of the Asean. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, who was asked by a reporter why the choice of Davao as kickoff point of the torch run and lighting ceremony, could not also give a concrete answer but it is obvious deep inside the Dabawenyo sports of�icial knows the reason is the rallying point of this SEA Games hosting should be the resolve of President Rodrigo Duterte to accept the hosting after

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

original host Brunei Darussalam begged off.

Unlike the Olympics where the world’s biggest cities bid for hosting, the SEA Games’ hosting is a responsibility of every Asean country. Hence, when the turn comes for the designated country to accept the torch, it is a sacred vow to be honored. While Brunei’s withdrawal was accepted by other Asean members, the resolve of the Philippines to take the torch is admirable. Given that the country did not have decent sports facilities anymore to host the competitions, President Duterte took the challenge and instructed sports of�icials and government agencies to make thing happen.

The rest, as they say, is history.

It is but �itting that the torch, which symbolizes the �lame of friendship which will govern all hearts of competing athletes, will begin its journey in Davao City.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Correspondent

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

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

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

TAX REFORMS FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND COMPTITIVENESS The proposals encased in package 2 of the Comprehensive Tax Refom Law, now called the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA) Law could achieve much lower tax rates for all businesses to as low as 20% from the current 30%.

It also seeks to make tax incentives more uniform, increasing conpetititveness of local �irms since they will enjoy the same incentives offered to foreign companies.

This is good for the majority of businesses classi�ied as Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), which effectively constitute 98% of our economic enter-

prises.

This is essentially a boost for them. This is especially a boost for us in the countrysides, as most of us are MSMEs. Added to this, with procedures making this simpler in TRAIN 1, particularly the 8% �lat tax on gross income, paying taxes has also become easier.

No longer must we be burdened with voluminous and confusing forms. We can thus expect more businesses to plan their tax payments better, and pay the right taxes.

In the end, there is better tax collection which allows

more government revenue.

With the earlier TRAIN 1 reform of exempting majority from paying individual income taxes more money is unleashed into the �inancial system.

What does this mean for the economy as a whole?

With a young population and new tax system that delivers more and better revenue while letting more income into the market due to lower tax rates, we can expect more money in the �inancial system, possibly lower interest rates, creating a greater demand for products and services in the economy which will drive more busi-

ness expansion.

This makes our economic growth more robust, and strengthens our credit ratings.

With respect to our country’s debt, better growth and a stronger tax system ensure that we can pay our debts better, which allows better loan payment terms to continue.

This, in turn can allow us to �inance the infrastructure we need to pish our growth further, the same way Thailand and Malaysia has, and Indonesia is currently doing.

Davao is conpetititve Congratulations to Davao on being adjudged Third most competitive Local gov-

ernment, and the only one outside Luzon to achieve this.

With further reforms such as the full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Law, we hope that many of our permit procedures will become easier, online transactions rather than the tedious process where �ixers and consultants were often required.

With the jump of 25 places in our ease of doing business in the world, such reforms force us to improve our processes.

This is what helps make an economy competititive.

For reactions: facebook. com/johntriapage

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

TRUE LOVE THROUGH THE YEARS “Everyone wants to know how you can tell when it’s true love, and the answer is this: when the pain doesn’t fade and the scars don’t heal, and it’s damned late.” – Jonathan Tropper in The Book of Joe *** Two years ago, I attended a golden wedding anniversary. I was not really interested to witness the occasion but my friend, who is the grandson of the couple, cajoled me join him. He is a person who doesn’t invite people if it is not really that important.

Since I had nothing to do at that time, I decided to go with him. I sat down at the church and met some of my friend’s families, relatives, and friends. When the ceremony started, everyone was silent. Some family members were in tears.

In the middle of the ceremony, one grandson stood up, went to the podium, and sang the haunting Kenny Rogers song. “I can’t remember when you weren’t there, when I didn’t care for anyone but you. I swear, we’ve been through everything there is.

Can’t imagine anything we’ve missed, can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do.”

Then, he belted out: “Through the years, you’ve never let me down. You turned my life around, the sweetest days I’ve found, I’ve found with you. Through the years, I’ve never been afraid.

I’ve loved the life we’ve made.

And I’m so glad I’ve stayed, right here with you through the years.”

This particular scenario came �lashing into my mind as I read the story forwarded to me by a friend through electronic mail. There was no author but just the same, read it and ponder: During the renovation of a house in Japan, someone breaks open the walls. (For the information of the uninformed, Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.)

Upon tearing down the walls, he found a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside was hammered into one of its feet! He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, because it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was �irst built!

The lizard has survived in such position in a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving! Indeed, it is impossible and mind-boggling!

He keeps wondering how this lizard survived for 10 years without moving a single step, since its foot was nailed!

He stopped his work momentarily and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating! Later, out from nowhere appears another lizard, with food in its mouth, suddenly feeding the stuck lizard.

He was deeply touched

and stunned at such a scene!

Imagine? The other lizard has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope! Pause for a moment and think: Will you do that to your partner?

If lizards – a widespread group of squamatereptiles with over 6,000 species – can do it, why can’t human beings do? Being married to the person you love is the best thing that ever happen to you. You belong to that person and that person belongs to you.

It all start with love, that feeling that comes from somewhere and nowhere.

Don’t believe in love at �irst sight because most of the time, nothing comes good out of it. As Linda Al�iori wrote in – take a deep breath, �irst! – The Art of Loving Intelligently: Discover the Five Love Myths Hurting Women Worldwide and the Reality About Them: “Love at �irst sight is extremely rare. It happens only in 4 percent in the world. What you truly want, it is true love. So, don’t rush it because it develops slow.”

Ah, love – that strange feeling. “Love, like everything else in life, should be a discovery, an adventure, and like most adventures, you don’t know you’re having one until you’re right in the middle of it,” pointed out E.A. Bucchianeri in Brushstrokes of a Gad�ly.

After love, comes court-

ship and then marriage.

Marriage should be forever.

Be sure to �ind the right partner for you. Women should not marry a guy because he is handsome, or rich, or because your parents tell you to marry him. The same is true with men. He should search for the right woman for him.

Marry the person who you will love even when you wake up in the morning, you may �ind him or her not good looking enough. “Happy marriages,” said American novelist Tom Mullen, “begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry.”

Once you’re married to the person whom you think is the right one for you, accept him or her, including the bad traits and habits. “What you are as a single person, you will be as a married person, only to a greater degree,” reminds Josh McDowell, an evangelical protestant Christian who authored over 150 books. “Any negative character trait will be intensi�ied in a marriage relationship, because you will feel free to let your guard down – that person has committed himself (herself) to you and you no longer have to worry about scaring him (her) off.”

Marriage is not always a bed of roses. Two people from different backgrounds usually clash but that’s alright. Opposite attracts each other, right? “Men marry

women with the hope they will never change,” commented Albert Einstein. “Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed.”

American poet Ogden Nash tells: “Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets.” However, he offers some advice: “To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup, whenever you’re wrong admit it; whenever you’re right shut up.”

Yes, there are marriages made in heaven — because from the beginning, God is in the midst of the union. Marriage, someone once said, is always a triangle: man, woman, and God. With that, marriage is bound to be forever. And husband and wife will live happily ever after. The Kenny Rogers song said it well: “I can’t remember what I used to do. Who I trusted whom, I listened to before; I swear you’ve taught me everything I know. Can’t imagine needing someone so but through the years it seems to me I need you more and more.”

Do you want to stay married to your partner forever? Learn wisdom from the words of American singer Bon Jovi’s spouse: “My wife tells me that if I ever decide to leave, she is coming with me.”

8 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

Davao IP tribe awards Hedcor for advancing its community

T The Provincial Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Team of Davao del Norte inspects a major crack at the beam of the Engineering Building of the DavNor Hospital - Kapalong Zone, following the 5.0-magnitude earthquake Tuesday morning. Nobags

DavNor assesses damage after strong earthquake

D

avao del Norte – No fatalities, major injuries or critical damage to infrastructures were so far reported in the wake of the 5.0-magnitude earthquake in the province Tuesday morning.

Damage assessment teams from various local government units started evaluating the extent of the destruction, after Governor Edwin Jubahib ordered the suspension of all classes in all school levels and work in all government of�ices following the strong quake.

The governor immediately raised the red alert status of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operation Center, while activating the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Team of

the Province to �ind out any casualty, injury or destruction.

The governor expressed relief that no casualty or major damage was yet reported as of 6:00 p.m., several hours after the tectonic quake, which epicenter was plotted at 25 kilometers southeast of Tulunan, Cotabato.

He said his administration has put utmost importance to the safety of every Dabaonon, as well as to the structural integrity of the buildings and infrastructures of the province.

28 BARMM LGUs to get seal of good local governance

C

otabato City (October 28, 2019) - Twenty-eight Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be awarded with the Department of Interior and Local Government's Seal of Good Local Governance this year.

This was announced

by Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, Bangsamoro Government spokesperson and interior and local government minister, during the Kapihan sa Bangsamoro early Monday, October 28, held at the MILG People’s Center in Cotabato City.

“We congratulate the 28, but we will have to work on the remaining LGUs. So hopefully, they can be part of the awardees of the SGLG,” Sinarimbo stated. “Ipagpapatuloy pa natin ang nasimulan.”

Sinarimbo said the encouraging result of the SGLG award screening is a collective effort of his of�ice with all the provin-

cial governors, and the city and municipal mayors. Last year, a total of 263 LGUs received SGLG award, including the 23 from the BARMM region.

BARMM currently sits at the top spot in Mindanao with the biggest number of LGUs compliant to the SGLG criteria.

“This is a very substantive increase. Overall in the country, we are number �ive in terms of compliance,” Sinarimbo said.

Apart from this, a total of 66 LGUs from the BARMM passed the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) this year, and two of which will be awarded the Presidential Award on the Seal of Child-friendly Local Governance.

“This means they’ve [the two municipalities] reached a certain percentage which would then entitle them to the Presidential Award,” Sinarimbo said.

The SCFLG is a recog-

28 BARMM, P10

Initial inspection report of the RDANA Team revealed minor cracks at the Provincial Capitol Building, some schools in Tagum City, as well as in several buildings of the Davao del Norte Hospital – Kapalong Zone.

Engr. Arsenio Camillada of the Provincial Engineer’s Of�ice, however, assured the continued structural soundness of the buildings.

But, a major crack on the primary beam of the hospital’s Engineering Building prompted the team to recommend a rebound hammer test to determine if the structures is still safe.

Braulio E. Dujali Mayor Leah Marie Moral-Romano also reported the emergence of minor cracks in three secondary schools,

Rural Health Unit and some residential buildings.

The local damage assessment team, however, recommended the closure of two classrooms in Dujali National High School and one classroom in Antonio V. Fruto, Sr. National High School with the appearance of several critical gaping cracks.

The other LGUs of the province are set to submit their RDANA report on Wednesday.

Several private establishments also announced temporary shutdown to facilitate thorough property inspection before resuming regular operations.

The governor is expected to lift the suspension of classes and work after completion of the assessment report.

he Indigenous Peoples’ Bagobo-Tagabawa recognized the hydropower �irm Hedcor as “Vanguard of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Welfare” for its vast contributions to the tribal communities in Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur. The award was part of the Municipality of Sta. Cruz’s �irst ever Datu Tongkaling Awards named after Datu Tongkaling who was a gallant leader of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe.

Datu Tongkaling exhibited his leadership through maintaining peace among his people and for bringing progress to the community.

Datu Gideon Tolentino, a tribal chieftain cites a similar reason as to why such honor was granted to Hedcor. “[Hedcor] continuously contributes to the community’s progress.

Their generation’s monetary shares help us fund our programs.”

“With Hedcor harnessing the Sibulan river, we now have the generation shares. We use these monetary shares especially for our tribe’s culture, such as through scholarships.

Our scholars help orga-

nize activities that help us preserve our culture and traditions” Datu Gideon adds, “Hedcor is granted the award because they really are a big help to the community.”

On top of the generation shares which grants them one centavo for every kilowatt-hour generated by Hedcor, the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe also bene�its from Hedcor’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities focusing on education, health, and enterprise development, among others.

Recognized efforts The awardees were carefully selected by the council of elders within the ancestral domain.

According to Elvira Lim, Municipality of Sta. Cruz’s Indigenous Peoples Representative, Hedcor was the �irst and only company among the nine awardees to receive such recognition.

Aside from Hedcor group, Hedcor’s Liaison Of�icer Christe Torres was also awarded the Datu Tongkaling Award for her contributions in promoting the Bagobo-Tagabawa’s culture.

DAVAO, P10

For more than a decade, Hedcor significantly contributes to the development of IP communities in Davao del Sur. From education to livelihood, health and well-being to infrastructure, the BagoboTagabawas enjoyed such.

Gov Dayanghirang is new RPOC Chair

D

avao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang is now Davao Region's new Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Chairman.

Governor Dayanghirang, along with other newly appointed government of�icials, took his oath during the oath-taking ceremony presided by President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday, October 28, 2019, at the Malcañang Palace.

As Governor Dayanghi-

rang takes the challenge of being the new RPOC chairman, he vows his commitment to continue the RPOC’s momentum in the implementation of policies and strategies that would boost the region’s peace and order.

He also committed to share his province’s effective peace and development strategies, particularly his province’s localized implementation of President Duterte’s Executive Order 70

or the Whole-of-Nation Approach to Attain Sustainable Peace and to End Insurgency which is now making headway in Davao Oriental’s peace and development efforts.

The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) is a special policy-making body and a government platform consisting of various agencies aiming for stronger collaboration between LGUs, law enforcement, and communities to �ight criminality, illegal

drugs, insurgency, and violent extremism.

Alongside RPOC Vice Chairman 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Jose Faustino Jr., Governor Dayanghirang will assume the chairmanship of the RPOC from his predecessor Compostela Valley Province (soon-tobe Davao de Oro) Governor Jayvee Tyrone Uy who now takes the lead as the new Chairman of the Davao Regional Development Council (RDC). PIO

INdulge!

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

BARISTAS UNITE AT THE 1ST PH NATIONAL BARISTA ASSEMBLY

WORLD coffee experts and leaders sees a brighter future for the country’s baristas, as they join together in a day of learning and fellowship over cups of the country’s best tasting coffees, at the first-ever Philippine National Barista Assembly.

The event, which was recently held at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, aims to unite Filipino baristas and bring back the Philippines on the global coffee spotlight through a sustainable coffee

economy.

Renowned world barista experts lead the line-up of speakers at the Assembly.

2018 World Barista Champion Head Judge, Ross Quail, talks about the “Factors affecting Specialty Coffee;” 2014 World Barista Champion, Hidenori Izaki, shares about the, “Ten tips to win in the World Barista Championship;” 2016 Berlin Comandante Champion, Joe Mc Taggart, discussed about “Grinding and Brewing;” and the 2014 Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardee and business speaker, Francis Kong, deliv-

ers a 2-hour free training on leadership.

The topics discussed at the Assembly are aimed at honing the baristas’ skills and character that will guide them to build a successful career and to be at par with baristas worldwide.

To provide a platform for coffee professionals, enthusiasts,

and baristas to showcase their skills, the Assembly features various competitions happening simultaneously, such as the Ultimate Barista Challenge, Comandante Grind and Brew Cup, and Latte Art Throwdown. The competitions aim to encourage baristas to bring out their potentials, creativity,

and skills in coffee crafting and related art. Moreover, it is also about inspiring everyone to elevate their skills and aim for excellence in their service and presentation to meet worldclass standards.

The Barista assembly is spearheaded by Michael Harris Conlin, president and CEO of Henry & Sons, and the country’s 2019 National Barista Champion and first Filipino to qualify at the World Barista Championship. Conlin is determined to spearhead activities that would bring together baristas from all over the country. Baristas who joined the pocket events, dubbed “Baristas Quest,” in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, are joining the event.

The event was carried out with support from Conlins Coffee World, Acaia, Comandante, Slayer Espresso, Astoria, Eurotel, Fujifilm Philippines, Fundador, The Bar Gin, Zabana, Lia’s Cakes in Season and Manila Standard.

For more information regarding the first National Barista Assembly, visit www. facebook.com/baristasquest or contact Tony Dy at 0917.153.1188.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

‘TAIWAN IN DESIGN’ SET TO GRACE TAIWAN EXPO 2019 IN DAVAO

‘TAIWAN IN DESIGN’ is a major project organized

by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) that seeks to catalyze business transactions between Taiwan and the Philippine through design.

The project will be featured in the upcoming Taiwan Expo 2019 in SMX, Lanang this November 8-9, 2019.

This design showcase will demonstrate the designs of Taiwan as an important added-value for their products.

The exhibit will run under the theme “enjoy design, enjoy life”, and will be presenting 50 select products that exhibit superior design and creativity. The products which will be featured in the expo are some of the most awarded in the industry. They have received global design awards among iF, Red Dot, Taiwan Excellence, GIA, Tokyo Design and more. The 14 Taiwanese manufacturers will demonstrate how Taiwan transforms life inspiration into product value and enhance the beauty element of life and business. The works that will be displayed will show creative design comprising of traditional Taiwanese culture with emphasis on science and technology as well as remaining environmentally safe and promoting green technology.

AVON PHILIPPINES OPENS BREAST CARE CLIN

CONTINUING its long-time crusade against breast cancer, Avon Philippines witnessed the unveiling of Southern Philippines Medical Center Surgical Oncology-AVON Breast Clinic on Friday, October 25 to assist and care for more women and patients in Davao City and the rest of Mindanao.

AVON Philippines, one of the biggest corporate supporters of breast cancer awareness, has donated P2.2 million for the renovation of the clinic and the procurement of an additional ultrasound machine through its partner, Philippine Cancer Society. With this additional equipment, SPMC—the biggest hospital in Mindanao—will be able to service up to 50 patients a day for breast cancer ultrasound diagnostics.

“The inauguration of SPMC Surgical Oncology-AVON Breast Clinic comes at such an opportune time as we observe the Breast Cancer

Awareness Month this October. We consider our partnership with SPMC as another historic milestone in our crusade against breast cancer since this is our first clinic outside Metro Manila,” said AVON Philippines General Manager Razvan Diratian.

“With the new facility, we can reach out to more Filipinas in Mindanao and make sure they lead healthy, happy lives now that SPMC can expand its breast care services and strengthen its collaborations with other local medical and civic organizations,” he added. “This project further reinforces AVON’s commitment in making sure that every woman knows about breast cancer and the importance of early detection in surviving this disease, while actively making significant contributions to this crusade.”

“We have a lot of kababayans who have no access to the medical help they need to diagnose and treat

breast cancer. Through the SPMC Surgical Oncology-AVON Breast Clinic, the hospital and its doctors as well as NGOs and corporations can reach out and offer help to women and other breast cancer patients,” added Dr. Rachel Rosario, Execu-

tive Director of Philippine Cancer Society.

The inauguration of the new facility was attended by AVON Philippines Executive Team member, Jasmine Mendiola, AVON Philippines PR and Communications Manag-

er on behalf of C Philippines CSR Rachel Rosario, of Philippine C Several offici tives from SPM event: Dr. Mark Maruya, Chairm ment of Surgery Chairman of th Section, Minda ogy Fellowship Dr. Borje, Dr. F Acosta, Dr. Enc Dr. Managaoil, consultants of t ogy Section; an Chief of Clinics Leopoldo J. Veg Chief.

“On behalf o Maruya, and D us here at SPMC Philippines and Society for prov

EDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

MOIRA SCORES NOMINATION AS BEST SOUTHEAST ASIAN ACT AT 2019 MTV EMAS

MOIRA DELA TORRE just keeps rounding up one recognition after another as she recently notched a nomination in the Best Southeast Asian Act category of the prestigious MTV EMA 2019 happening in Seville, Spain.

“I was stunned and overwhelmed because of the blessings. I thought at one point that my streak of success is coming to an end because of lost opportunities, but soon the blessings started pouring in again. This is the cherry on top—because now even Kapamilyas abroad can show their support,” she said.

Moira is nominated alongside Indonesia’s Rich Brian, Malaysia’s Yuna, Singapore’s Jasmine Sokko, Thailand’s Jannina Weigel, and Vietnam’s Suboi.

She maintains though that while being recognized by an international award-giving body is indeed a feat, there’s more to her career than raking in accolades. She stressed, “All of this is just a huge bonus, but I really, really will stand by this that my greatest award is being able to reach out to people through my music.”

The multi-awarded singer-songwriter recently took home the major honors at Awit Awards 2019 such as album of the year for “Malaya,” music video and song of the year for “Tagpuan,” and best collaboration for the song “Knots” with Nieman.

Moira’s song collaboration with Daniel Padilla—Dan Tanedo’s “Mabagal”—was also hailed as big winner in the freshly concluded Himig Handog.

of Dr. Vega, Dr. Dr. Tan, and all of C, we thank AVON d Philippine Cancer viding quality medical

The Kapamilya singer also recently released an exciting collab with Ben&Ben entitled “Paalam,” and she is set to do another collaboration, this time with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, for the theme song of the upcoming film “Unbreakable.”

The “Ikaw At Ako” hitmaker is also set to release a new album under ABS-CBN Music International during the first quarter of 2020. The thrilling project includes collaborations with foreign artists and producers like Us

The Duo, HARV, and DJ Flict and will feature a more pop-infused sound mixed with folk elements. She is part of the rich roster of Kapamilya artists who are gradually breaking into the international music scene as ABSCBN continues to champion Filipino talent on the global stage.

Vote as many times as you can for Moira as the Best Southeast Asian Act at the MTV EMA 2019 at www.mtvema.com/en-asia/vote/. Voting ends on November 2, 6:59pm PH time.

METRO CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF HONORING STYLISH, INDEPENDENT WOMEN

NIC IN DAVAO

Ces Francisco, AVON R Lead; and Dr. , Executive Director Cancer Society. ials and representaMC also graced the k Edward Anthony man of the Departy; Dr. Alex Tan, he Surgical Oncology anao Surgical OncolTraining Program; Fabiosa-Reyes, Dr. carnacion-Rongo, and Dr. RV Chiu, the Surgical Oncolnd Dr. Ricardo Audan, s who represented Dr. ga, SPMC’s Medical

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

assistance to our breast cancer patients in Davao and other provinces.

The renovated facility and the new ultrasound are a big help for SPMC to serve more women and save more lives,” said Dr. Audan in his message.

“We’re very grateful to AVON and PCS for their unconditional support.”

The launch of the new facility was held less than a year after AVON, PCS, and SPMC signed a partnership on November 12, 2018.

For the past 25 years, AVON has been at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer, organizing annual initiatives to raise awareness on the disease and the breast selfexam as the surest way to detect it early. This year, the company teamed up with Color Manila for the AVON Pink Light Night Run & Walk last October 19 at the Filinvest City Events Grounds to raise awareness about the disease and funds for the Philippine Cancer Society.

ON its 30th anniversary, Metro honors 30 cover girls who helped it make an impact as a lifestyle and fashion magazine over the last three decades.

These beautiful, strong and independent women have graced its pages and have inspired the female market Metro has loved and served over the last 30 years. The magazine has also been a part of their professional and personal journeys, as it bears witness to how these amazing women have overcome challenges and have transformed their lives to become role models for the Metro woman.

Join Metro as it honors extraordinary cover girls through career and personal milestones groupings—from 1989 to 1999 for Vanguards, from 1999 to 2009 for Icons, and from 2009 to 2019 for Luminaries.

The reunion kicks off with the fierce and ageless Vanguards: Angel Aquino, Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach, Claudine Barretto, Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo, Joey Mead King, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Tweetie de LeonGonzalez.

Read about their journey and their remarkable stories on Metro.Style and check out Metro.Style’s website, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and YouTube channel for more details. #Metro30

A4 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

STAYCATION IDEAS WITH A TWIST TO LEVEL-UP YOUR LONG WEEKEND TAKING a much-needed break occasionally and allowing oneself to escape the demands of hectic weekdays and simply unwind are the things to look forward to on a weekend. After a series of daily deadlines, waking up to the sound of an alarm clock, and spending long hours of travel stuck in traffic, finally R&R days are coming!

As the long holiday break pave the way for that relaxation you’ve been waiting for and a time to bring the family together, you can make your family bonding even more entertaining by spending it indoors.

Aside from several options of outdoor activities, there are alternative ways to enjoy the holiday break by creating memorable with everyone in the comfort of your own home.

How to make the most of your long weekend staycation with your family and loved ones:

A4 INdulge!

Family Food If the family that eats together, stays together, why not make it more fun and creative?

The reality of today’s family is that most are busy with work and school that quality family time is often compromised.

Make lasting memories in the kitchen by trying to revive your grandmother’s recipe with a new twist. You can also experiment with your own fusion recipe while taking turns cooking breakfast, lunch, merienda, and dinner. Try making coconut chicken curry or chicken afritada with pineapple that would surely surprise the whole family.

Cooking together gives families a time to share, bond, reconnect, and fill tummies together. Food coma guaranteed!

Be a Televisionary Bring your TV watching to

A4 INdulge! the next level in style. Watch all your classic favorite movies while you’re dressed up as your favorite characters. Feel the emotions of a movie even more with the magic of the BRAVIA TVs. The technology enhances contrast, color, and clarity to the highest level with the 4K Processor X1. TV watching with the whole family will never be the same with an experience that brings out the emotion in every scene and breathes out every color in the detail. The Sony BRAVIA brings out the world of entertainment, brilliantly clear whether it’s the latest movie, your all-time favorite series, or the most intriguing documentary that you’re watching. With the heightened excitement that

TV watching brings this can just be the newest weekend family tradition.

Game On! When it comes to healthy competition and rivalry within the family, it should be done with a great value of fairness and some creativity through playing classic and newly released video games to see who deserves the throne of being the best player in the household. Battle it out and make it a staycation to remember with a state-of-the-art gaming experience. The Sony BRAVIA lets you enjoy optimized graphics with Picture Mode: Game that is developed in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

Worldwide Studio which delivers more natural color and detail for graphics as the developers originally intended making it more life-like only with a twist.

Feel the rush and the excitement 10x more while playing with the whole family. Divide and conquer the heat and traffic with this staycation idea.

Whether you’re planning for an upcoming staycation or if you feel the need for a staycation to recover from a vacation, make sure that your planned activities would be enjoyable for you and your family. If you want to make the most out of your weekends, you can count on Sony BRAVIA to be your family’s staycation partner to level up your family entertainment.

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 9484 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 5-6, 2019

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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FIGHTING... FROM1

City PNP.” The police is yet to issue statement on the

shooting.

Meanwhile, Caballero’s friends in the media

offered prayers for justice and his fast recovery. with details from Newsline.ph

tin, hindi ganun kalaki ang pinsala na nangyari po dito sa Kidapawan City."

(Our overall evaluation is the damage was not huge here in Kidapawan

City.)

Evangelista said authorities' agenda for Wednesday would be to assess the integrity of at least 6 establishments hit

by the tremor.

"I hope in the next how many days balik normal na po ang lungsod ng Kidapawan (the city would be back to normal)," he said.

ippine National Police, the of�icer-in-charge General Gamboa is doing well and he's performing. In fact, he conducted a revamp already and designated some of�icials on top posi-

tions and he's on top of the situation," Banac said.

Duterte has yet to pick the next PNP chief after Oscar Albayalde stepped down earlier this month following allegations he

protected his men who were accused of selling seized illegal drugs.

On Monday, Duterte cited honesty as his "only standard" for choosing the next PNP chief.

by motorcycle-riding suspects on September 11.

In El Nido, Palawan, forest ranger Bienvinido Severino Veguilla Jr. was hacked to death by a suspected ille-

gal logger on September 4.

Cimatu, during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives, previously said that forest rangers are being trained to use

shotguns amid threats to their lives.

He, however, pointed out the need for a law that would enable the DENR to arm forest rangers.

adolescent mothers give birth to 24 babies every hour.

“In Davao Region, hindi pa naman tayo alarming but then we are going there. Pag hindi natin na stop yung growth na ganito, we will really going to that alarming situation. That is why we are calling for the campaign kasi pag hindi ito na control papunta na tayo sa emergency. Habang maaga pa kumbaga agapan na natin and not wait for the situation na doon na tayo. We should have a pre-emptive move na para hindi tayo aabot doon. Because we are almost there,” Sampulna said.

To intensify efforts on curbing teenage pregnancy, the commission re-

cently launched “No More Children Having Children” campaign nationwide.

Sampulna said among the efforts they are doing now in the region to stop teenage pregnancy is promoting the establishment of teen centes in public and private schools as well as teen centers in the community for the out -of- school -youth.

According to her there are 103 teen centers in Davao Region established presently and that they are targeting to open more teen centers in all schools and communities in the region.

“We also gathered children with the help of teen faciliators who will identify and address their con-

cerns,” she said.

They are also conducting parents education through the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) in different schools.

“Hindi lang mga bata dapat mga magulang din must be oriented on adolescent health. Dapat alam nila ang mga dapat limits ng isang adolescents. We tapped the schools for this and we give lectures. We wanted every parent to join the training para maopen ang heart nilasamga kabataan,” she said.

Sampulna also cited health risks among teenage mothers such as premature delivery, low birth weight of the baby, neonatal complications and congenital anomalies.

63 villages in North Cotabato. Cotabato City and the villages in North Cotabato voted for inclusion in the BARMM during the plebiscite early this year Samples from another suspected case were sent for testing, awaiting results and con�irmation. The DOH did not say where the suspected case is.

The DOH has scheduled a vaccination campaign in Datu Piang, on November 4-8 to vaccinate 4,254 children aged 0 to 59 months.

The DOH, World Health Organization, and United Nations Children’s Fund were set to meet with local of�icials of Datu Piang on October 28-29 “to discuss the outbreak response.”

Duque urged all parents and guardians “to ensure that all of your children are protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases.”

MindaNews sought Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and Health Minister Saffrulah Dipatuan on the steps they have undertaken and the steps they would undertake especially given that two of three

con�irmed polio cases are from their region but as of 9 p.m. Monday, they had not sent a reply.

Ebrahim had earlier called on residents in the BARMM to have their children vaccinated.

In a video done before the October 14 launch of the the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” (Synchronized Polio Vaccination) campaign and posted in the Bangsamoro Government’s website, Ebrahim urged residents to have their children under 5 vaccinated.

He lamented the return of polio 19 years after its supposed eradication, noted how “unfortunate” it is that “the recent re-occurring cases were reported and the �irst was right here in the Bangsamoro.”

Shifting to Filipino, Ebrahim said that as Muslims, their obligation is to take care of their health, including ensuring vaccination against preventable diseases.

He cited a 2018 fatwa titled “The Legitimacy of Vaccination in Islamic Jurisprudence,” where several ulama (religious lead-

er) said vaccination is halal (permissible) and urged Muslims to have their children vaccinated.

According to the DOH, polio is a highly contagious disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route, caused by the poliovirus and may result in life-long paralysis and even death, but is vaccine-preventable.

The vaccination campaign “aims to boost immunization coverage against polio by giving three doses of the oral polio vaccine to all children �ive years old and below, regardless of their immunization status.” It said full vaccination against the poliovirus is the best way to prevent the transmission of the disease.

The �irst round of the vaccination campaign started October 14 to 27 in the National Capital Region and in Mindanao’s Lanao del Sur, Davao City and Davao del Sur; the second in all regions of Mindanao from November 25 until December 7 and the third from January 6 to 18, 2020.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

PHIVOLCS... FROM2

PNP... FROM2

DENR... FROM3

DAVAO REGION... FROM3

DAVAO REGION... FROM3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

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

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

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

PH DRAGONBOAT... FROM11 medals at stake,” said Escollante, adding that the World Cup will serve as their gauge in their preparation.

“I’m glad that this World Cup came at least a month before the SEA Games. At least we can see where we are right now in terms of preparation and what are the areas we need to improve on as we head to the Southeast Asian Games.”

“As we know, the SEA Games will be held in the

country. We have an advantage over the climate, the wind condition and the boats. We want to come up with a good �inish and make the country proud.”

Escollante said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), through chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, is behind them all the way.

“Chairman Ramirez and the PSC have been very supportive. They gave everything we need from �inan-

cial support to equipment and other kind assistance,” Escollante said, adding that they would make some adjustments in the positioning of their crew after the World Cup. “The World Cup will serve as our gauge. We may not win it all, but at least we can check our time and make some adjustments.

I’m glad that the PSC is here to support us in this exposure trip.”

and setting up the TEAM WATANABE to back up her training with sports science experts.

“Slots in the Tokyo Olympics are our bigger targets,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said. “We are looking at more Filipino athletes qualifying in the Tokyo Games after gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.”

“But we should not forget that the SEA Games are also just around,” Ramirez added. “The PSC is all out in its support to the athletes for a better placing this time as we are hosting

the biennial meet.”

Watanabe who is a three-time Sea Games gold medalist in her weight class is eyeing her 4th gold medal in the 30th Sea Games.

She won bronze at the age of 15 in the Jakarta Sea Games in 2011, then later dominated the next three editions, winning the golds In her weight category in Myanmar in 2013, Singapore in 2015 and Kuala Lumpur SEAG in 2017.

The Judo competition will be held on December 4-7 at the Laus Group Events Center in San Fer-

nando, Pampanga.

Carter is also con�ident of the Philippine Judo Team's chances of winning six to seven golds out of the 16 judo events in the 30th biennial games with the six Filipino-Japanese judokas suiting up for the team.

The other �ive FIlipino-Japanese judokas competing in the Sea Games are Maria Takahasi, Heisei Nakano, Shugen Nakano, Shin Matsumura and Riyoko Salinas.

The �ive local judokas are also capable of podium �inishe and a possible gold medal output in the SEAG.

ing the highest number of sports in the history of the games, at a total of 56.

During the closing ceremony of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the symbolic SEA Games

Federation council �lag was handed over by outgoing Malaysian Olympic Committee president HRH Tunku Tan Sri Imran to then-Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)

president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, who in turn passed the �lag to then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who will be the Chairman of organizing committee for 2019 games.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

ing vehicles. The three award-winning models combined accounted for 56 percent of total sales from January to September this year.

The well-loved family vehicle Ertiga still dominates the Suzuki auto sales chart with a 34 percent share. This 7-seater vehicle forti�ied its position as the top-favorite Suzuki vehicle with the release of the Ertiga Black interior version, which drove sales up even further.

Aside from its fuel ef�iciency and spacious interior that complement the body’s elegance and modern style, the Ertiga demonstrates good engine performance that is powerful and cost-ef�icient, making it an ideal vehicle for practical Filipino families.

Swift kept its position as the second top-selling Suzuki model with an 11.4 percent share of total sales. This hatchback remains the millennials’ top choice among Suzuki vehicles. With its sleek and stylish design that is very recognizable on the road, millennials can de�initely

identify with this fun and compact Suzuki hatchback.

Accounting for 11 percent share of sales, the Celerio ranks third among Suzuki’s top-selling vehicles. This hatchback, known for its space and roomy dimension, can accommodate up to 254-liters worth of cargo with an uncompromised 5-seater capacity. Alongside its remarkable fuel ef�iciency that ups the ante for its category.

SPH debuts New Vitara to Philippine driving arena Another vehicle from Suzuki Philippines that stunned the market this year and won the 20192020 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards’ Compact SUV of the Year: Best Value for Money award is the Suzuki Vitara. Committed to continue its legacy and stand �irm to its promise to provide value-packed and affordable products to more Filipinos, Suzuki proudly debuts the improved and upgraded New Vitara. This CBU Unit from Magyar Suzuki Corporation (MSC HUNGARY) is available in GL+, 6 speed

Automatic Transmission and GLX, 6 speed Automatic Transmission variants.

Suzuki has made several improvements and upgrades in both the exterior and interior of the New Vitara. It is now equipped with newly designed grills, lower bumpers and new rear combination lamps, all of which create an expressive exterior. The new stylish suede front and rear seats, cluster meter and premium-feel cabin create a comfortable yet stylish interior vibe.

“The New Vitara will surely appeal to car enthusiasts looking for an improved version of the classic Suzuki vehicle. It is our pleasure to bring another modi�ied Suzuki vehicle to the Philippines. The New Vitara will certainly deliver an exceptional driving experience to Filipinos – the Suzuki way,” shared Keiichi Suzuki.

For more information about Suzuki Philippines and its automobiles, please visit www.suzuki. com.ph and like them on www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH.

Torres shared on a Facebook post that she did not foresee this recognition. She added that the trust of the Bagobo-Tagabawa has led Hedcor to render generous and sincere

partnership with the community.

Through continuous collaboration, Hedcor’s facilities in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz now contributes a total gross capacity

of 57.37MW of clean and renewable energy to both Davao City and Davao del Sur--a feat Hedcor attributes to its host barangay Sibulan and the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe.

DAVAO... FROM8

PANABO... FROM5 TURAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC. (TADECO) shall: a) Not require gate pass and/or identi�ication cards for all passers-by along: 1. Jct Highway-Balagunan (11DAN141) / El Canto and 2. Jct. Highway – Tanglaw (11DAN142) 3. Jct. Highway – Bugtong Lubi b. Ensure full and unimpeded access of persons and all types of vehicles 24/7, to wit: For all types of vehicles and persons: 1. Jct. Highway – Balagunan (11DAN141) / El Canto; and 2. Jct. Highway – Tanglaw (11DAN142) For persons only: 1. Jct. Highway – Bugtong Lubi c. Refrain from erecting additional structures that would unduly ob-

struct the access of the people on any portion of the concerned roads; d. Enlist its sown security personnel who will work closely with security personnel from the BUCOR at the entrance and exit points of the subject roads. “ BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS shall: a) Provide security personnel at the entrance and exit points of the subject roads; b) Ensure unimpeded access of vehicles and persons at any time of the day or night (24/7) c) Enlist security personnel from the PNP and/or Armed Forces of te Philippines if circumstances warrant.

The parties also agreed to create a joint monitoring committee composed of two representatives each from the provincial government.

Tadeco and BuCor “to ensure faithful compliance of the responsibilities of the Parties under this agreement. Schedule of meetings, security arrangements and other related concerns shall be agreed upon by the members of the committee immediately after the signing of this agreement.

Any disagreement in the enforcement or in the interpretation of this agreement shall be resolved by the Joint Monitoring Committee.

A scheduled ceremonial road opening was successfully undertaken by the agreeing parties in one of the biosecurity facility in barangay Tanglaw, Sto, Tomas town the following day.

It was done by Secretary Pinol, Gov. Jubahub, Congressman Lagdameo and top of�icials of the BuCor and Tadeco/

nition system for LGUs nationwide being implemented by the Council for the Welfare of Children based on twelve criteria. It was launched on October 2014.

The SCFLG twelve criteria include the percentage reduction in the deaths among children below �ive years old or under-�ive mortality rate; percentage reduction in

the number of children under-six with below normal weight; and completion rate for elementary schooling, among others.

BARMM has a total of �ive provinces (Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindnaao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi), three cities (Cotabato City, Lamitan City, and Marawi City), 116 municipalities, and 2,590 barangays including the 63 barangays

in North Cotabato.

The SGLG awarding ceremony will be held at the Malacanang Palace on November 5, 2019. Meanwhile, the SCFGA will be held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center on November 4, 2019. (Bureau of Public Information) Visit the of�icial website of the Bangsamoro Government here.

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11

Watanabe gets closer to Tokyo Olympic stint

F

ilipino Japanese Kiyomi Watanabe, the country's top female judoka is almost assured of qualifying in next year's Tokyo Olympic Games.

Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter said that only the top 26 judokas in the world in each weight class will qualify to compete in the Tokyo Olympiad next year Watanabe is currently ranked 23rd in the world ranking in the women's -63kgs and all she has to do is to join all remaining Olympic qualifying tournaments to maintain her ranking.

Carter said that Watanabe's chance of directly qualifying in next year's Tokyo summer games is highly probable because several countries have more than one judoka in the top 26 of the women's 63-kilogram division and countries are only allowed to

�ield one entry per weight class in the Olympics.

Carter said that countries like Japan has four judokas in the top 26 while Great Britain Has three.

Other countries like Netherlands, Slovenia, China and Brazil have more than one.

Watanabe is competing in Osaka world championships next month just before the SEA GAMES which is the last Olympic qualifying for the year.

Watanabe is set to compete in three more qualifying tournaments next year just before the cut off in July.

Carter is con�ident of Watanabe's chances of achieving her dream to compete in the Olympics especially with the full support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in funding her training and international competition

WATANABE, P9

Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) battle for the ball at the Pepsi Center. Reuters

Mavs edge Nuggets 109-96

T

im Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber scored 14 points apiece off the bench, Kristaps Porzingis had 10 points and 14 rebounds, and the visiting Dallas Mavericks beat the Denver Nuggets, 109-106, on Tuesday night.

Luka Doncic was held to 12 points but nine Mavericks players scored in double �igures in handing the Nuggets their �irst loss of the season.

Paul Millsap had 23 points and eight rebounds, Will Barton had 19 points and 11 boards, and Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Denver.

Jamal Murray and Gary

Harris had 16 points each for the Nuggets, who lost the lead two minutes into the fourth quarter and never recovered.

READ: Young Warriors are struggling, face huge learning curve Hardaway opened the fourth with his third 3-pointer to cut the lead to two, and after Mason Plumlee stretched it back to four, Jalen Brunson’s layup closed the Mavs to within two. Delon Wright then converted a three-point play and a layup and, when Dorian Finney-Smith put home a driving dunk, Dallas was up, 95-92, with less than nine minutes to play.

Brunson hit a layup

and a free throw, Porzingis’ bank shot put him in double �igures and Hardaway’s fourth 3-pointer gave Dallas a 103-94 lead with seven minutes to play.

Murray answered with a step-back 18-footer and Millsap’s offensive rebound and 3-pointer -- his fourth of the night -- pulled the Nuggets within 103-99 with 5:11 left.

After Doncic split a pair of free throws Millsap’s follow slam cut Dallas’ lead to 104-101. After each team had a couple of empty possessions, Kleber, who had seven rebounds, converted a three-point play to push the lead to six. Millsap hit a layup and Harris a corner

3-pointer to make it 107106 with 1:40 left.

Kleber was called for goaltending on Murray’s layup with 1:05 left but the Mavericks challenged and it was reversed.

Doncic hit a driving layup to make it 109-106 with 47.1 seconds left and Jokic lost the ball out of bounds with 29.2 seconds left. Doncic had a chance to seal it but missed two free throws with 26 seconds left.

The Nuggets got the ball and called a timeout to set up a play. Murray’s 3-point attempt with 3.8 seconds left missed everything and the Mavericks ran out the clock.

T

in the canoeing and kayak events of the prestigious biennial meet set from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 at the Maalawan Park in Olongapo City.

Escollante, a member of the national women’s volleyball team that clinched the gold medal in the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore,

said they are hoping for a golden performance in the 1,000-meter and 200-meter mixed standard boat events as well as 500-meter men’s four-seater event following their impressive preparation in the past couple of months.

In fact, the national

paddlers are set to leave for Ningbo, China today to compete in the 2019 ICF Dragonboat World Cup, where the best athletes from around the world will be seeing action.

“We are eyeing to win at least three of the six gold

PH Dragonboat competes in 2019 ICF World Cup

Filipino Japanese Kiyomi Watanabe (blue) is competing in Osaka world championships next month just before the SEA GAMES which is the last Olympic qualifying for the year. Kyodo News photo

he national paddlers will seek a glorious �inish when they compete in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

National team head coach Len Escollante said they are gunning for three out of the six gold medals at stake when the compete

MOSES BILLACURA

PH DRAGONBOAT, P9

CLEAN SLATE

WOMEN BASKETBALL REFEREE DEVELOPMENT I had the privilege of attending many meetings by the Basketball Association of the Philippines-XI Regional Board and later renamed Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-XI presided over by the late regional director Regino “Boy” Cua. During those meetings, I see lawyers Reuben Abarquez, Nonot Dayanghirang, Francis Calatrava, and Linda Tesoro. And usually Boy Cua would invite some members of the Davao Sportswriters Association to keep the sports scribes updated of what’s going on with amateur basketball development in the region.

The main topics would normally consist of the busy schedules for elementary, high school

and college leagues, participation to regional or national competitions and sometimes international tournaments, and referee development.

Atty.Calatrava, the referees’ commissioner, would talk about his report to the Board members but �irst, he would crack some jokes, ang uban corny hehehe.

Referee development is one area that the lawyer-referee would like to be strengthened.

And with Boy Cua agreeing to it, what happens next is he will invite International Referees (IRs) from Manila to come to Davao and hold referees’ refresher course.

During those years of basketball activities, I could not

remember seeing one lady referee joining the course. I don’t know why I failed to even ask the Board about it. We’ve been covering men’s and women’s basketball for years and I have not thought of the idea of having women referees in the region.

It should have never been a man’s world. Women should also be very much involved in basketball of�iciating. My apologies Ladies.

However, when coach Ronel Leuterio informed this corner that they have started developing women referees for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-XI now headed by regional director Glenn Escandor, I am very happy.

“Panahon na rin na meron ng

women referees,” said Leuterio.

Leuterio has recruited Mary Jane Dayandayan and three others.

Mary Jane, however, is the only that is currently active.

“Na encourage ako ni coach Ronel hanggang na gustohan ko naring mag referee,” said Mary Jane.

She said aside from getting the exercise that she wanted, she also has been earning good money in the process.

A referee’s job has never been easy. Some players would threaten them and unfortunately, by some fans too. “Sala sa referee, wala ni pito ug klaro”, a statement like that is what you will normally hear. And sometimes worse, “Na bayaran tong

referee sa pikas team”.

That reminds me of one hot-headed player hitting a referee that resulted to his banishment from BAP-organized leagues.

Because of the nature of their work, referees must always be in tip-top shape. Physically ready, mentally alert and always updated with the rules.

Regional director Escandor has given his blessings to develop women referees in the region under the watch of his secretary-gen It’s about time indeed coach Ronel.

And I hope to see one day that there will be women International Referees from Davao.

Right boss Glenn?

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

Women's World Boxing Championship gold medalist Nesthy Petecio, a native of Davao del Sur, carries the torch of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Wednesday's torch lighting rites at SM Lanang. Lean Daval Jr.

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30th SEA Games torch officially lit in Davao T

he 30th Southeast Asian Games Torch Run of�icially kicked off on Wednesday at the SM Lanang in Davao City.

The torch run formally commences the hosting duties of the Philippines leading up to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. the biennial regional multi-sport event which will be hosted by the country from 30 November to 11 December 2019.

The torch run event, which is the �irst leg of a series, saw the 2019 SEA Games torch lit for the �irst time. The torch is inspired by the national �lower Sampaguita and features the country's symbols.

The torch lighting activity was followed by a fun run of around 2,500 participants, and a relay that saw eight torchbearers pass the SEA Games torch and �lame from one to another.

The lineup of torchbearers included medalist athletes from Davao who will compete in this year’s SEA Games: Sydney Tancontian gold medalist, 2019 Asian Sambo Championship; Mikee Selga bronze medalist for wakeboarding, 28th SEA Games; and Nesthy Petecio, who recently won the gold medal in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGCO) COO Ramon Suzara highlighted the importance of the event as it “signals the start of the SEA Games’ Philip-

pine stay and the journey of the SEA Games �lame.”

The �lame was of�icially handed over to the Philippines by 2017 SEA Games host countty Malaysia, in a ceremony held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.

The event in Davao was graced by PHISGOC Senior Managing Director Jojit Aim, Philippine Sports Commission commissioners Charles Maxey and Celia Kiram, Philippine Olympic Committee board member Cynthia Carreon, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Senator Bong Go, a staunch supporter of Philippine sports.

The Torch Run will make its next stop in Cebu City on November 16, and �inally in Clark on November 23.

This year's edition will be marked by the �irst major decentralization in the history of the SEA Games, with competition venues spread in 23 cities across the country, divided into 4 clusters, all located on the island of Luzon (Metro Manila, Clark, Subic/Olongapo, and a fourth cluster consisting of stand alone venues). This will be the fourth time that the Philippines will host the games and its �irst time since 2005. Previously, it had also hosted the 1981 and 1991 editions of the games. This edition is most notable for being the �irst edition to include e-sports and obstacle course as well as hav-

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