Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 191 | Wednesday, December 4, 2019

EDGEDAVAO FEELING THE CRUNCH Serving a seamless society

A SHOWROOM OF LIFESTYLE PROPERTY P12

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

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Dad says PUJ drivers, operators to initially feel economic impact of mass transit system

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City’s plan to implement the mass transit system is expected to improve ridership in the city and at the same time adversely impact some sectors specially public transport drivers and operators.

The High Priority Bus System (HPBS) project, which is part of a comprehensive transportation plan of the city government in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to replace the public utility

jeepneys (PUJs) in the city.

In an interview, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said the people will feel the impact of the implementation citing that the most affected sector will be the jeepney operators

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Residents of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur are back on their feet as they collect newly harvested watermelons from a farm at the border of the municipalities of Magsaysay and Bansalan, Davao del Sur a month after the towns were hit by strong earthquakes. Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles after leading the Christmas Tree lighting of the Office of the President at the Malacañan Palace on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Duterte: I pray not P for myself but PH

Four alleged Davao robbery suspects nabbed in GenSan

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that he is praying every night, not for himself, but the whole nation.

The Chief Executive said in an interview that he regularly prays at night before he sleeps to ask God for the betterment of the country.

“Yes, for my country.

Wala na akong hinihingi para sa akin, sa sarili. Bansa lang (I don’t ask anything for myself. I make a wish for the country),” he said, when quizzed if he always says a night prayer at bedtime.

“Ako hindi na ako nagda-dasal para sa sarili ko.

Para sa bayan (I don’t pray for myself but the country,)” he added.

Duterte only has more than two years remaining

to serve as President.

He has repeatedly vowed to pursue a relentless crackdown on illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government in his remaining years in office.

If he were Santa Claus, Duterte said he would first bring gifts to “the poor”.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday, the 74-year-old President assured the public that he is still fit to perform his duties, despite his health problems.

He also guaranteed that there is no need for him to release a medical bulletin on his health, since

the 1987 Constitution only compels a president to disclose the real status of his health “in case of serious illness”.

Duterte earlier revealed that he is battling with muscle spasms, chronic back pains, migraines, and autoimmune neuromuscular disorder.

He also admitted that he has Barrett’s esophagus, a potentially serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Buerger’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs.

Duterte admits shortcomings as a father

Meantime, Duterte admitted that he has shortcomings as a father of his four children because the presidency is taking up too

much of his time.

“Medyo may pagkukulang ako even sa mga apo (I have shortcomings as a father to my children and even as a grandfather to my grandchildren) because I don’t have time,” the President said when asked how is he as a father to his children.

He made the remarks, as he revealed that his four children — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Veronica Duterte — are all his “favorites”.

Sara, Paolo, and Sebastian are his children with his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Veronica, meantime, is his only child with his long-time partner,

FDUTERTE, P11

Army seizes 14 powerful IEDs in manhunt vs. BIFF

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he military’s ongoing surgical operations against terror groups in Maguindanao has so far resulted in the recovery of 14 powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other war materiel.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said in a statement Monday the IEDs were found in different en-

campments of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the interiors of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

The all-out operation against the terror group in Maguindanao resumed on Nov. 24 following series of attacks launched by the BIFF against military personnel and installations in the province.

Aside from the IEDs, government troopers also recovered several high-powered firearms and bomb-making components in BIFF camps. The latest discovery included high-powered M16 rifles, improvised grenades, ammunition, and ingredients in making IEDs found in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona last week.

“The series of IEDs

found and recovered by our troops will not stop them from pursuing the BIFF whose members have scampered to the different areas in Maguindanao,” said Carreon, who is also concurrent chief of Joint Task Force Central.

He added that the terrorists are using IEDs in a “desperate attempt” to suppress military offensives in

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olice arrested four alleged members of a robbery gang from Davao Region following an encounter in a village here on Sunday night.

Maj. Rexor Jake Canoy, city police spokesperson, said Monday the brief firefight ensued as operatives were pursuing a group of armed men who were behind a reported robbery holdup incident in a house in 4th Street, Manansala Subdivision, Barangay San Isidro.

Canoy said the San Isidro police station received a call around 7:30 p.m. from a son of Mclean Sanz Suarez, reporting that they were just robbed at gunpoint inside their house by two unidentified men.

Canoy said a patrol team from the city mobile force company immediately responded to the scene and noticed a suspicious

Mazda pickup leaving the village.

He said the team chased the suspects and eventually caught up with them at a portion of Mabuhay Road.

“As the team was closing in on the pickup, the suspects suddenly fired at them and it led to a brief encounter,” he said in an interview.

The police official said the operatives eventually cornered the suspects, who were forced to surrender.

Canoy said it turned out that one of the suspects, identified as Ariel Apatan Gubantes, 30, of Kapalong, Davao del Norte, was hit on the hand and was slightly wounded during the gunfight.

The three other suspects were identified as Jose Antoque Jr.,51, of Bacaca Road, Davao City; Ricky Faulve, 47, of Baran-

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Notice of water service interruption-Dec. 5 & 6

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he Davao City Water District (DCWD) announced yesterday that there will be water service interruption tomorrow, December 5, and the day after, December 6.

The interruption of water service will occur from 8:00 PM of Thursday, December 5, up to 5:00 AM of Friday, December 6.

The service interruption will occur in some Bajada areas: Portion of J.P. Laurel Avenue (from corner Durian Hotel to

corner Trade School Drive), portion of Trade School Drive (from corner J. P. Laurel Avenue to corner Sobrecarey Street), Mitsuibussan Village, and immediate environs.

According to a DCWD press statement, water supply has to be temporarily shut off in the affected areas to give way to the tapping and installation of gate valve to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the water connection of Bormaheco, Inc. along J. P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada.

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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PNP, AFP tapped to secure Davao de Oro plebiscite

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resident Rodrigo Duterte directed the police and the military, as well as the other law enforcement agencies and government instrumentalities, to ensure the successful conduct of the December 7 plebiscite for the ratification of Davao de Oro province.

Under Memorandum Order (MO) 42 inked on November 28 but released on Tuesday, Duterte concurred with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the deputation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a referendum on the renaming of Compostella Valley to Davao de Oro. "Pursuant to Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the Constitution, the Comelec is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP,

for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections," Duterte said in the memorandum.

"By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, [I] hereby concur with Comelec Resolution No. 10616, deputizing the AFP, the PNP, and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, in connection with the 07 December 2019 Plebiscite in the Province of Compostela Valley," he added.

On April 7, 2019, Duterte signed Republic Act 11297 renam-

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Mall goers gather to check on the colorful Christmas lanterns being displays at the thurd level of Abreeza mall in Davao City on Monday night.

Lean Daval Jr

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

508 Manila flights canceled as NAIA closes for 12 hours

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total of 508 international and domestic flights to/from Manila were canceled as of Tuesday afternoon, latest data from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) showed.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal announced Monday night that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be closed on Tuesday (December 3), from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., in anticipation of the possible onslaught of Typhoon "Tisoy" (Kammuri).

He said the 12-hour period may be longer or shorter, depending on the wind situation.

Once airport operations resume, priority will

be given to flights originally scheduled from 11 p.m. onwards. Recovery flights will follow.

For the next three days, the regular schedule for runway maintenance (1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.) will be allotted to accommodate more recovery flights, Monreal added.

Meanwhile, local carriers have already canceled a number of their flights to and from airports outside Manila due to the typhoon.

"Tisoy" made landfall over Sorsogon late Monday night. It packs maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 205 kph.

The typhoon is moving

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Dozens of passengers, mostly students, endure an hour of waiting for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City on Monday night. Lean Daval Jr

BCDA chief denies A alleged anomalies

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2K internally displaced persons in Maguindanao town get aid

he Philippine government is not on the losing end of the joint venture (JV) with a Malaysian company for the development of the New Clark City Phase 1A since all the processes are “transparent” and implementation are “above board”.

This, according to Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon in a press briefing held Monday to refute news reports alleging an anomalous transaction to the detriment of the government.

He said the BCDA did all the necessary legal processes before awarding a joint venture agree-

ment (JVA) with MTD Capital Berhad for the development of the New Clark City, the first phase of which pertains to the facilities that are now being used for the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

“The contract is very advantageous to the government because the government will not pay a single centavo to the developer until the sports fa-

cilities are completed and accepted,” he said.

The MTD, he added, financed the project partly through a commercial loan extended by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) “without any guarantees from the Philippine government, including BCDA”.

“The only guarantee submitted to DBP is a guarantee by MTD’s mother company in Malaysia,” he said.

He said athletes and the other delegates to the SEA Games are now enjoying the Athletics Stadium, the Aquatics Center, and the Athletes Village -- all built within an 18-month period.

Dizon said construction of these facilities

transpired without the government shelling out funds, pointing out that only when the project is fully implemented will the government pay for it.

This system, he said, was unlike the ones used in the other infrastructure projects in the past wherein even as the government had paid a huge amount, the projects remain unfinished.

While the sports facilities are not part of the original proposal for the project’s Phase 1, he clarified that the BCDA required the developer to include this as the country will host this year’s SEA Games.

The Office of the Government Corporate Coun-

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lmost 2,000 internally displaced persons received aid from the local government of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, on Saturday while another relief operation is forthcoming, officials said Monday.

Datu Anwar Kuit Emblawa, municipal information officer and executive secretary of Mayor Marop B. Ampatuan, said the families fled their homes when government forces and outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) clashed in Shariff Saydona Mustapha on November 24.

Government forces from Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) have launched surgical operations against Dawlah Islamiyah and BIFF in the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Saudi Ampatuan), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, also known as “SPMS” box, the area of operation of the BIFF. Rocky Romancap, Shar-

F2K, P11

Lawmakers eye 2020 national budget ratification by Monday

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Hawkers cross Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City using the pedetrian lane why pulling the goats they are peddling to establishments around the area on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

iff Aguak municipal social welfare office, said a total of 1,945 displaced families (11,600 individuals) from six affected villages of Shariff Aguak have received relief aid from the local disaster team as ordered by the mayor.

Each family received a package composed of five kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee, and noodles. Emblawa said the displaced families were also provided with safe drinking water to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases in evacuation sites.

“The drinking water is being provided for the displaced people daily,” Emblawa said. Emblawa spent some time talking to the affected families and said many of them really wanted to return home.

“The evacuees want to go home because they are productive in their communities than in temporary shelters,” Emblawa said.

He said mothers also

awmakers from both the upper and lower chambers expressed optimism that the common version of the proposed ₱4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 will be ratified by next week.

In a media briefing Tuesday, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Congress will “most probably” craft and sign a consolidated version by Monday.

“We are on track. I understand that in the bicam (bicameral conference committee) there will be very few points of disagreement,” Sotto told reporters.

“Most probably, it’s possible. Depende kung na-pirmahan lahat ng members ng bicam (it depends if members of the bicam have signed it),” he said when asked if the budget will be ratified by Monday.

Albay 2nd District Rep.

Joey Salceda echoed the sentiment, adding the two houses’ versions “are not very far from each other.”

“We can easily see (kung) ano ‘yung mga amendments ng Senate (what the Senate’s amendments are,” Salceda told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

“I think by Monday we will see the budget signed by the bicam.”

Sotto likewise shrugged off remarks on the alleged “dagdag-bawas” scheme in the 2020 budget. He noted it was “inappropriate” to tag the amendments as such.

This comes amid the reported realignment of funds in the national budget, including the proposed transfer of ₱3-billion from the National Food Authority to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“Alam naman natin pag sinabing dagdag bawas

FLAWMAKERS, P10

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

China no 'red button' to shut down PH power grid: NGCP

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nlike Wile E. Coyote hunting Road Runner in the Looney Tunes cartoons, China doesn't have a red button to control the Philippines' power grid, the Filipino-Chinese consortium that operates the system said Tuesday.

Contrary to fears raised by some lawmakers, China cannot just shut down the grid, or the transmission lines between power plants and distribution utilities, National Grid Corp spokeswoman Cynthia Alabanza said.

The NGCP, 40-percent owned by the State Grid Corp of China, operates the grid. A Filipino government company, TransCo, owns the grid infrastructure.

"There is no proverbial Wile E. Coyote Acme red button that you can press to shut down the grid. You have to call at the very least, 200 substation managers and have them shut off several breakers in each of these substations one by one," Alabanza said.

"It is not one button and it is not remote. It has to be

done manually," she said.

Alabanza said the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or the system that controls the grid is stand alone and not connected to the Virtual Private Network or VPN. However, VPN access may be granted to the supplier if there are repairs that needs to be done, but not to the system. Such access requires clearance, she said.

"There has to be a great level of security because this is a very critical facility," she said. "At no time will the main production system of the SCADA have access to the VPN." Alabanza said allegations that China can remotely access and shut down the grid are "baseless".

The State Grid Corp of China is limited to being a "technical adviser," an NGCP statement earlier said. Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp and Calaca High Power Corp, both from the Philippines, hold the remaining 60 percent.

ADB seeks to boost PH youth employment via $400-M loan

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Huawei plans to shift research center to Canada from US

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uawei Technologies Co Ltd plans to shift its research center to Canada from the United States, Ren Zhengfei, the founder of the Chinese telecoms equipment maker, said in an interview with Canada’s Globe and Mail.

Ren’s remarks came as Reuters reported on Friday that the United States is weighing expanding its power to stop more foreign shipments of products with US technology to Huawei.

The US Commerce Department in May placed Huawei on a trade blacklist, citing national security concerns.

Huawei’s “center for research and development will be moved out of the United States, and that will be relocated to Canada,” Ren told the Globe and Mail, adding that the company

will also manufacture some mobile network equipment outside China.

The Huawei founder wants to build new factory capacity in Europe to make fifth-generation (5G) networking equipment there, hoping to assuage fears stemming from US allegations that its product could be used by China for spying, the Globe and Mail reported.

Huawei was not immediately available to comment on Ren’s interview when contacted by Reuters.

The firm has previously denied it is a risk to US national security.

The company spent $510 million on the operations of its US research arm last year, according to the Globe and Mail report,

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he Asian Development Bank (ADB) seeks to bolster the employment of out-ofschool and unemployed young Filipinos through a $400 million loan it provided the Philippine government.

Its Facilitating Youth School-to-Work Transition Program, subprogram 2, will support policy reforms and government initiatives aimed at improving the employability of the youth, the Manila-based ADB said in a statement on Tuesday.

The program will build on the Labor department’s youth employment facilitation program called “Jobstart Philippines.”

“Many young Filipinos today are anxious about their career prospects in

a very competitive labor market. This program will enhance public employment services to help them transition from school to work,” said ADB Southeast Asia Regional Department Director Jose Antonio Tan III. Between November 2016 and March 2019, the Jobstart program benefitted 17,537 out-of-school youth, most of whom came from low-income households.

Another 393,500 young Filipinos were also given paid, short-term jobs during their school breaks through improvements in the government’s Special Program for the Employment of Students.

The ADB will launch a technical assistance pro-

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Dabawenyos continue to buy Christmas decorations at a shopping mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City weeks before Christmas Day. Lean Daval Jr

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

Duterte approves suggestions for easing business processes

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendations for improving the country’s global ranking in terms of ease of doing business, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Duterte made the decision after Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez reported during Monday’s Cabinet meeting in the Palace on the results of the Doing Business 2020 by the World Bank where the Philippines climbed 29 notches this year, ranking 95th from 124th.

“To further improve our rankings in the coming years, Secretary Lopez proposed to adopt the ease of doing business reforms, and asked concerned agencies to streamline and automate their processes.

This was approved by the Chief Executive,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo also said the President approved the recommendation to issue

an executive order pending the passage of the National Land Use Act in Congress.

The proposed legislation seeks to ensure the rational and sustainable use of land and physical resources, and is a priority of the Duterte administration.

Also discussed during the Cabinet meeting were the Justice department’s review of concession agreements with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc., especially the decision of an international tribunal ordering the Philippine government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion for losses incurred because of disapproved rate increases.

The President and his Cabinet also received updates on Typhoon Tisoy, government preparations for the tropical cyclone, and the cancellation protocol related to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, according to Panelo.

PAL considers ‘replacement’ flights for passengers affected by Tisoy

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lag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is considering mounting replacement flights to accommodate passengers affected by the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the company said Tuesday.

The carrier is now working to rebook affected passengers, but is also considering replacement flights, PAL spokesperson Maria Cielo Villaluna said in an interview.

“Pumasok na po tayo sa peak season, so we will endeavor to rebook them to the next available flight, but of course, may mga plano rin na tinatawag namin na replacement flight,” she said.

All terminals of NAIA are closed for 12 hours on December 3, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Typhoon Tisoy ravages across the country—particularly through the Bicol region.

PAL has since canceled flights, both domestic and international. “‘Yung mga affected passengers, you re-accom-

modate them sa system when they rebook, to the nearest possible (flight).

Kung masyadong malayo before talagang maasikaso lahat, everybody can be covered by their own second flight. Then the company will consider mounting a replacement flight,” Villaluna said.

“We will make an announcement kung tuloy ito, but nilalatag pa ito because we’re also monitoring the typhoon situation,” she added.

In the same interview, Villaluna said PAL will conduct recovery flights as soon as NAIA operations resume at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Recovery flights are the return flights of aircraft in outstations to the main hub in Manila. “‘Pag bukas ng aming regular flights mamayang gabi, ang priority siyempre ‘yung mga regular arriving flight, and then susunod na ‘yung recovery flight.

Binabalik sa hub ‘yung mga eroplano na sinecure mo sa outstations,” she said.

E-payment transaction value rise to 20% of total in 2018

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ombined efforts of both the government and the private sector to increase digital payments in the country have resulted in higher value of transactions that account for about 20 percent of the total as of 2018.

In his speech during the first Digital Payments Leaders’ Summit held at the central bank office in Manila on Monday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said value of e-payments in the country reached only 8 percent in 2013.

E-payment usage was only 1 percent in 2013 but has increased to 10 percent in 2018.

These figures are based on the latest study of United Nations-based Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA).

“As you can see, both usage and value have increased, indicating that it is not only being used more frequently, but also that it is trusted with bigger values,” he said.

Result of the study also showed that women are more advanced in adopting digital payments options, which Diokno said is a positive development since this “affirms that significant progress towards the shift from cash-heavy to a cash-lite economy is attainable.”

FE-PAYMENT, P10

CROSSING THE RIVER. Mothers and their babies cross the Rio Grande de Mindanao using a boat that also carries fresh bananas to be sold at the market in Pagalungan, Maguindanao on Monday. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA

MinDA looking for local producers who will join the B2B in Sulawesi

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is now looking for local producers who are interested to do possible trading with businessmen in Sulawesi in Eastern Indonesia.

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This is in line with the team-up between the Philippine Consulate General in Manado and the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta in close coordination with MinDA which aims to stimulate trade between Mindanao and Sulawesi.

Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, executive director of MinDA, told media they are now at the stage of finding local producers who would be interested to come in and do trading with them.

“Whoever will be interested and has the volume and has the quality that they require sila yung i-invite to talk directly to their counterpart,” she said.

Lopoz said they are eyeing to bring the local producers and meet their counterparts in Sulawesi in January next year.

Last October 28 to No-

vember 1 this year, delegation from the Philippines led by MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol along with the 40 businessmen and officials of MinDA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) were welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee and Consul General Oscar Orcine of the Philippine Consulate General in Manado.

The visiting delegation from the Philippines were on a trade and business mission to Sulawesi with business interests in agriculture, aquaculture, cement, coconut and coffee processing, construction and engineering, education and training, fish processing, game fowl breeding, gold and nickel mining, packaging services, and waste neutralization and management, among oth-

ers.

Over a hundred Indonesian government officials and businessmen led by the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi met with members of the Philippine delegation to explore import and export opportunities in a business-matching activity at Sintesa Peninsula Hotel in Manado.

Contracts and agreements were entered into during the trade missions and business mission, some of which should translate to actual exchange of goods and money before the year ends.

“Let me start the meeting with the Sabah Chief Minister. The agreement is for us to still look into some more like mango, banana, poultry and we are also looking at fertilizers kasi they are saying that they have a very cheap fertilizer that can boost our agricultural production in Mindanao,” Lopoz said.

Lopoz also said the agreement with the senior officials and ministers does not promote competition but complementation.

“It just not they import commodities from us but it is also possible that we will consolidate, if we are producing the same products, we can consolidate the product and market it throughout BIMP-EAGA,” she added.

During the trade mission the Philippine Consulate General in Manado dispatched one team to Gorontalo and another team to Makassar City to lead smaller business delegations to similar business matching events.

The two teams engaged Indonesian local trade officials and businessmen and presented to them opportunities to procure Philippine products and services.

During the week-long event, members of the Philippine delegation also visited a banana chips factory, cement warehouse, charcoal briquette factory, cookie factory, coconut processing plant, container ports, corn warehouse, herbal medicine factory, tuna canning factory, fresh tuna packaging facility, and wastewater treatment plant, among others.

opening ceremony.

The San Miguel chief said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade received a letter stating the concerns raised on the airport project’s contract.

“May pinadala na sulat sa kanya... Delayed na ‘yung groundbreaking dahil on hold,” Ang said.

Tugade told reporters during the viaduct opening ceremony that the issues raised by Dominguez regarding the contract were “not even a major concern.”

“It’s an issue of wordings and interpretation, kaya isinama sa Department of Justice review,” the

Transport chief said.

“Itong ‘yung MAGA (material adverse government action) and liability cap,” Tugade noted.

The MAGA clause entitles the private sector project proponent to compensation from the government in case of material adverse government action during the operation and maintenance of the concession and the proponent incurs additional costs or revenue loss.

“Ang liability issue … is in relation to performance and deliverable,” Tugade said.

Dominguez is not op-

posing the airport project, Tugade emphasized.

“Gusto lang niya makita ‘yung sinasabi namin na in favor of government maklaro. He is not making any objection,” he said.

On August 14, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formally awarded the contract to build and operate the Bulacan airport project to San Miguel Holdings Corp. , the infrastructure unit of SMC. Tugade and Ang signed the concession deal for the New Manila International Airport on September 18, a month and four days after

P735-B Bulacan airport groundbreaking on hold

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his month’s groundbreaking for the P735-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan was put on hold due to issues regarding the contract, proponent San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) chief said over the weekend.

Concerns about the project were raised by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “May mga bago na namang issue daw. Meron na namang tinatanong na kung ano ano,” SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said on the sidelines of the Alabang-Skyway viaduct

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VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

The ground and aerial shots of the majestic 193-feet Giant Christmas Tree of Tagum City during its grand lighting ceremony last December 1 at the Tagum City Hall Grounds. JP Cordovero/CIO Tagum

MSU-Gensan produces 17 LET 2019 topnotchers

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eventeen education graduates of the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus here landed in the top 10 of the September 2019 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), the highest in school history.

The university produced 12 top examinees, including the first two places, in the elementary level and five in the secondary, with the highest at second place, based on the LET result released on Sunday by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board for Professional Teachers.

Dr. Maria Theresa Pelones, dean of the College of Education of MSU-General Santos, said Monday the 17 topnotchers were the largest ever produced by the university in any board examination.

“This is the first in our history. Previously we only produced up to three topnotchers but now it’s totally different. It’s really amazing,” she said in a radio interview.

Joshua Canseco, a Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) graduate, was among the three first placers in the elementary level, with a rating of 92.60 percent.

Fellow alumni Novalyn Barte, the lone second placer, got a rating of 91.60 percent.

The other top 10 placers from the university in the elementary level were Dimple Mangalon and Darlene Navarro at fifth; Roselle Mondejar at sixth; Jessa Balcos, Nadja Dingli, Karla Quimson and George Rojas at seventh; Shekinah Grace Cabunilas and Jullymae Delgado at eighth; and, Sitti Zhaira

Sabinula at 10th.

In the secondary level, Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) graduate Julean Quefannie Faith Federizo, was among the four second placers who got a rating of 92.60 percent.

Meantime, Marchee Karen Diaz placed fifth; Nasser Sabandal was sixth; and, Efren Andraque Jr. and Joey Maravillas were at 10th place.

A total of 94 of the 161 BEED graduates and 219 of the 270 under the BSED program of MSU General Santos passed the LET. The PRC said some 28,973 elementary teachers out of 92,440 examinees (31.34 percent) and 54,179 secondary teachers out of 136,523 examinees (39.68 percent) successfully passed the exam given last September 29 in 29 testing centers in the country, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Pelones credited the feat to the support from the university administration, their faculty, partner review centers and the determination of their students to excel in the board examination.

She said they had been challenging their graduates to not only aim for a passing rating but become topnotchers as well.

“They took that challenge and we saw that they were really determined to achieve it. Eighty percent of this (achievement) was really from the effort of our students,” she said.

Pelones said the topnotchers will receive cash incentives from the university while the College of Education will give them a tribute “victory party.” (MindaNews)

PH’s tallest Christmas tree lights up in Tagum

A

mammoth of crowd filled the city hall arena to witness the grand lighting ceremony, last night December 1, of the city’s Christmas icon— the Giant Christmas Tree.

An estimate of 40,000 people, coming not only from this city but also from neighboring municipalities, trooped the city hall grounds and was in awe with the tree’s towering height beating its last year’s record of 186 feet.

Touted to be the tallest tree in the Philippines, 5,000 light bulbs decorated the 193 feet icon with 23 little stars representing the 23 barangays of Tagum

and the biggest star at the top symbolizing the omnipotent God with eight rays signifying the 8th City Council.

This year’s design is inspired with the Enneagram, a personality test which measures and identifies the nine personalities of people which blink at three different color representing Tagum’s Lumads, Christians, and Muslims inhabitants while

keeping its 10 layers indicating the developmental agenda of the city government dubbed as EAGLE WINGS. Prior to the lighting, a mardi gras themed presentation wowed the visiting crowd with the flamboyant dances of students from UM Tagum College, calming saxophone playing of Cegred Lou Bulotano and the sonorous singing numbers of the City Band singers, Loetscher Idul, and the Mindanao pride who competed in Tawag ng Tanghalan Rafaelo Canedo and Adele Nicole Yu. Councilor Alderson Rellon and Atty. Ana Alvarez also serenaded the people.

Since the lighting fell on December 1 which is the first day of advent, Mayor Allan L. Rellon hopes that this symbolic activity may bring inspiration and hope not only to Tagumenyos but to all Filipinos. Furthermore, he encouraged everyone to look on the positive side of things and not to dwell on the negativities of life.

Also present in the activity were Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez, the board members of the Province of Davao del Norte, Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, and the members of the 8th City Council. JP Cordovero/CIO Tagum

province.

Geo-resistivity survey is conducted to determine the characteristics of soil beneath the surface, especially its thickness.

Alqueza said they have applied for a P560-million loan from LWUA for the groundwater development project.

The loan was approved two weeks before the Magnitude 6.3 quake rattled Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao on October 16.

Alqueza explained the geo-resistivity survey

aims to identify potential groundwater sources after some MKWD water sources were destroyed by landslides as a result of the series of temblors last October.

One of those affected was Ilian spring located at Sitio Ilian in Barangay Buhay, Makilala town, one of the areas identified as “no build zones” or “high-risk” for landslides following the earthquakes.

Ilian spring used to supply 60 percent of MKWD’s water concessionaires in Makilala, Alqueza

said.

Some 100,000 individuals in Makilala were affected by the quakes.

The groundwater exploration was conducted in barangays Luna Sur, Luna Norte, San Vicente and Libertad, all in Makilala.

The MKWD has also identified potential groundwater sources in Matalam town and at least two areas in Kidapawan City.

Alqueza said that aside from the geo-resistivity

to 59 months for a total of 14,328. Their target is to immunize 17,448 kids under 5 years old.

During their visits to different barangays there were about 39 families who refused to have their children vaccinated of anti-polio due to religious belief and out of fear that

it may cause some illness to their children.

According to the Mati CHO they tried convincing the families that immunization cannot harm their children but still the families refused to budge in.

Another 475 kids under 5 deferred due to sickness and 889 were not in

their home during CHO personnel visit as of December 1.

But CHO said they will be going back for those who deferred and not at home children for the next remaining days of vaccination to make sure they are all vaccinated.

Geo-resistivity conducted on potential groundwater sources in quake-hit areas

E

xperts from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) completed on Sunday a two-day geo-resistivity survey in areas identified as potential ground water sources.

Engineer Sandy Alqueza, MKWD assistant general manager, said the survey is part of a long-term plan to improve their services in supplying safe drinking water to their growing concessionaires here and adjacent areas in Cotabato

FGEO-RESISTIVITY, P11

Mati City hits polio immunization target

T

he City of Mati Health Office has achieved 82% of its target of under 5 year old kids to be vaccinated with the anti-polio in all 26 barangays.

As of December 1, Mati CHO served 2,687 aged 0 to 11 months and 11,641 children aged 12 months

FMATI CITY, P11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

EDITORIAL Overriding reason According to research, e-cigarettes may help smokers quit regular cigarettes benefiting their long-term health. But young people who have never smoked traditional cigarettes are taking up e-cigarettes, which are available in over 1,500 flavours, including bubble gum and candy floss. In the United States, over 3.6 million children reportedly use e-cigarettes and the numbers are still growing.

The danger in vaping lies largely in promoting a smoking society.

Because of the highly addictive nature of nicotine, there is a risk that young e-cigarette users might switch to using traditional cigarettes.

Indeed, some healthcare professionals refer to e-cigarettes as a “gateway drug”.

If President Duterte is compelled to ban vaping, just as he had banned smoking in public places, that is because it is his sworn duty to protect Filipinos from health risks. While some smokers who used vaping to get out of tobacco smoking may not like this decision, there is still the overriding sentiment that it is for the welfare of more Filipinos.

And between the woes of a few who cannot kick the addiction and the risks to the majority who inhale second hand smoke--from chemicals or tobacco--there is no debating which weighs heavier.

Being ahead before something perceivable happens is better than having to wait for something to go wrong.

President Rodrigo Duterte made justification to his imposition of total ban on vaping nationwide, saying he is merely wielding his power to protect the public from health risks. President Duterte does not wish to be remembered as the Philippine leader who allowed health risks and did nothing to stop them. Thus, he had to order the prohibition against vaping devices for the reason that these are “another form of cigarettes” or what is also called “gateway drug.”

E-cigarettes are found to also contain nicotine and other potentially toxic substances that may have harmful effects on the public’s health.

In August 2016, a World Health Organization (WHO) report recommended that e-cigarettes be banned in indoor areas or where smoking is prohibited. This is because of their potential for non-users to be exposed to chemicals and e-cigarette aerosol in indoor areas. To date, over 20 countries, mostly in South America, the Middle East and South-East Asia, have banned the sale of e-cigarette products. Some countries have also banned possession of these products. Thailand has the strictest laws, while countries such as Australia, Canada and Norway have introduced many restrictions.

EDGEDAVAO

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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

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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 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

9

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

SEAFARER’S DIABETES AS COMPENSABLE ILLNESS DUE TO STRESS A seafarer’s diabetes is considered a compensable work-related illness due to the stressful work condition on board the vessel.

In Apolinario Zonio, jr vs.

88 Aces Maritime Services, Inc., (GR.No. 239052 October 16, 2019), the Supreme Court emphasized the principle that compensability pertains to the entitlement to receive compensation and benefits upon a showing that a seafarer’s work conditions caused or at least increased the risk of contracting the disease.

The POEA Standard Employment Contract provides that any sickness resulting in disability because of an occupational disease listed under Section 32(A) of the contract is deemed to be work-related, provided the conditions set therein are satisfied.

Section 20(B)(4) of the POEA contract , on the other hand, declares that if the illness, such as diabetes mellitus, is not listed as an occupational disease under Section 32(A), the

ailment is disputably presumed as work-related.

Compensability is not limited to Section 32-A’s listed occupational diseases. For as long as seafarers are able to show by substantial evidence that they suffered disabilities occasioned by a disease contracted on account of or aggravated by working conditions, compensation is availing.

The effect of the legal presumption in favor of the seafarer is to create a burden on the part of the employer to present evidence to overcome the prima facie case of work-relatedness. Absent any evidence from the employer to defeat the legal presumption, the prima facie case of work-relatedness prevails.

The Court pointed out that it is medically accepted that stress has major effects on a person’s metabolic activity, including seafarers who are exposed to various strain and stress physical, mental and emotional.

The effects of stress on glucose metabolism, the Court

said, are mediated by a variety of counter-regulatory hormones that are released in response to stress and that result in elevated blood glucose levels and decreased insulin action.

The Court underscored that stress is a potential contributor to chronic hyperglycemia or diabetes because of a relative or absolute lack of insulin as the increase in blood glucose on account of stress cannot be adequately metabolized.

To prove that his work conditions caused or at least increased the risk of contracting the disease, the seafarer showed that part of his duties as an Ordinary Seaman involved strenuous workload such as assisting in the handling and operation of all deck gear such as topping, cradling and housing of booms, aid the carpenter in the repair work when requested; scaling and chipping paint, handling lines in the mooring of the ship, assisting in the actual tying up and letting go of the vessel and standing as a lookout in the vessel.

The seafarer further stated that while inside the vessel for several months, he was exposed to physical and psychological stress due to his job, lack of sleep, heat stress, emergency works and homesickness for being away from his family.

The employer , on the other hand, failed to adduce any contrary medical findings from the company-designated physician to show that the seafarer’s illness was not caused or aggravated by his working conditions on board the vessel.

There was also no showing that the seafarer is predisposed to the illness by reason of genetics, obesity or old age.

Such being the case, the Supreme Court considered diabetes as compensable because the stress and strains he was exposed to on board contributed, even to a small degree, to the development of his disease.

In Manansala, , v. Marlow Navigation Phils. (G.R. No. 208314, August 23, 2017), the Court noted that diabetes is not among Section 32-A’s listed

occupational diseases. As with hypertension, it is a complex medical condition typified by gradations. Blood sugar levels classify as normal, pre-diabetes, or diabetes depending on the glucose level of a patient.

The court added that Diabetes “is a clinical syndrome characterised by hyperclycaemia due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin.” It can cause several symptoms depending on its type, Type 1 or Type 2. Patients with Type 1 diabetes show more prominent symptoms, while patients with Type 2 diabetes are mostly asymptomatic.

However, the symptoms between these two types may overlap. Other symptoms may even be inexplicit such as fatigue. Diabetes can lead to several complications, among which is suffering a stroke.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced; live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” – Indian proverb *** When we were still young, we really don’t know what will become of us. We have visions, dreams, aspirations, and wishes.

In some instances, there are those who already picture themselves as successful engineers, teachers, doctors, mathematicians, teachers, nurses, scientists, singers, thespians, and business tycoons.

From the little town where they grow up, they transfer to a city to finish the course which they have been longing for.

There are those who make it while there are those who fail to make a mark.

Some of those who finish college become successful in their chosen careers. They excel, they get awards and recognition, they are celebrated and become the toast of the country. But there are a few whose life remain the same; they never seem to grow despite all the hard work they have toiled.

Are these people a complete failure? Why they never take off? Why they think they are not successful in life?

Whatever happened? What’s

wrong with these people? You may be one of those asking these questions.

Before answering those questions, allow me to share the story told by Dr. Robert H. Schuller in his book, Discover Your Possibilities. I know what you are thinking now, but read the story below: A young soldier brought his wife out with him in one of the Army bases in California.

The only housing the couple could find was an old shack that had been abandoned by the Indians.

For the first few days, the wife found it tolerable, and even rather pleasant. After all, they had just married and they were together. But as days passed, it became lonely and boring. Then the winds came, and the sandstorms struck and the heat went up over 115°. To her, the situation became intolerable.

When her husband was assigned to spend two weeks deeper in the desert, she reached the bottom of her negative, lonely attitude. She wrote her mother, saying: “Mother, I’m coming home. I can’t stand it here.”

Within a week, she received a letter back from her mother with only these lines: “Dear Daughter, Two men sit

in prison bars: one sees mud, the other stars. Love, Mother.”

She read the lines over and over again, until she was ashamed of herself. That night, she thought how would the stars look like from the place.

She went out of her shack and discovered that there was no other place in the world where the stars shine brighter than over the deserts of California.

She was thrilled to see the beauty of the stars.

The next day, she decided to take a walk, to explore the place where she was staying.

She walked down the road to the Indians who lived in shacks not far from her. They had never spoken, and she was certain the Indians were hostile and unfriendly. But she was wrong. She found out later that they were friendly and even welcomed her with open arms.

The following day, several little Indian boys brought her seashells and told her the legend of how long ago the desert was the ocean floor. She became intrigued and started to collect seashells in the desert.

She was fascinated.

By the time her husband returned, she was already sort of an authority on the desert.

She even wrote a book on it!

She fell in love with the desert

and wept when she had to say goodbye to the most beautiful friends she had ever had – the Indians.

“Bloom where you are planted,” Dr. Schuller wrote.

“I have learned that in whatever circumstance, condition or place I find myself, with the help of God, I can turn it into a garden. You will begin to bloom when you exercise a deep beautiful faith that God didn’t make a mistake when he put you where you are.”

It is by finding your main purpose in life that you can bloom much better. “If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed.

Your passion will drive you there,” wrote Roy T. Bennet in The Light in the Heart.

But how will you know the purpose of your life? “Life is filled with unanswered questions, but it is the courage to seek those answers that continues to give meaning to life,” J.D. Stroube explained in his book, Caged by Damnation.

“You can spend your life wallowing in despair, wondering why you were the one who was led towards the road strewn with pain, or you can be grateful that you are strong enough to survive it.”

Still lost and don’t know your purpose here on earth?

Allow me to remind you the time when Alice encountered a cat in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The cat asked the little girl: “Where are you going?” Alice replied with a question: “Which way should I go?”

The cat, surprised by her answer, told her: “That depends on where you are going.”

Alice was bewildered as she really didn’t know where to go.

The cat said: “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”

Thomas Carlyle said it right: “The person without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder.” Rick Riordan, the man behind The Blood of Olympus, also said, “A wind that blows aimlessly is no good to anyone.”

That’s why you have to find your purpose and bloom there. “I realized then that even though I was a tiny speck in an infinite cosmos, a blip on the timeline of eternity, I was not without purpose.”

Deepak Chopra pointed this out: “Everyone has a purpose in life… a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of goals.”

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

AEP conducted consultative P735-B... FROM 6 meeting with DOLE inspectors

D

avao City – A consultative meeting was initiated by DOLE’s Alien Employment Unit (AEP) in response to the challenge of strengthening the regulatory aspect on the issuance of work and employment permits to foreign nationals and other programs under the Employment Regulatory Cluster of the Technical Services and Support Division (ERC-TSSD).

Participants of the meeting were new Labor lnspectors and their Mentors-Regular lnspectors. The objec-

tives of the activity were as follows: 1) To orient and refresh DOLE Programs and Services; 2.

To increase awareness on Livelihood and Employment Regulatory Programs ( DILEEP, AEP, WCP, PEA and DO 174 ); and 3) To gather information on issues and concerns with recommendations as a result of verification/validation of existing foreign nationals in Davao Region.

DOLE XI Agravante in his welcome message said, “Immersion is the best training as far as

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your job is concerned.

Learn the trade, widen your perspective, help other programs. Rest assured, to you, new inspectors, your mentors are just behind you.

Communicate with them regularly so that concerns can be addressed immediately. We will work always as a team.”

The activity was conducted by AEP Unit Head, Senior LEO Ediltrudes L. Cabiles and staff at The Ritz Hotel, this city on December 2, 2019. (By Eduardo P. Monreal, LCO-Designate, DOLE RO XI)

tungkol sa eleksyon ‘yun at saka nandaya ‘yun eh,” Sotto said. “It’s very inappropriate to call an amendment (as) dagdag-bawas.”

[Translation: We all know that dagdag-bawas is associated with cheating

in the elections.]

The Senate unanimously approved the proposed national budget last week, while the House of Representatives passed its version on September 20.

Senate Majority Leader

Juan Miguel Zubiri previously said that he hopes that the bicam would finish reconciling the two versions by the first week of December, so it can be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his approval.

The BSP recently launched the EGov Pay and piloted P2P payments using the machine-readable quick-response (QR) code.

“Through the help of

our industry partners, especially the digital payments leaders, we hope not only to achieve our goal of a cash-lite economy sooner than later. And

ultimately enable and empower more Filipinos to reap the benefits of a growing economy through digital payments,” he added. (PNA)

Gibson, RJ Barrett, and Dennis Smith Jr. -- combined for 18 points on 5-of-33 shooting. Barrett finished 0-for-9 from the

floor and did not hit a field goal for the first time in his career.

The Knicks missed 20 of their first shots, shot

27.1 percent in the first half and were shooting 25.7 percent through the third before finishing at 30.8 percent.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

SMC received the notice of award for the contract.

Under the concession agreement, San Miguel will undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of the new gateway.

The concession is for 50 years after the company completes constructing its initial phase.

San Miguel intended to start the construction phase by the end of 2019, and begin commercial operations in four to six years.

An unsolicited proposal from San Miguel,

the Bulacan airport was approved by the NEDA Board—chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte—on April 26 subject to the resolution of pending issues, including the joint and several liability agreements by San Miguel Holdings and parent San Miguel Corporation.

San Miguel’s P735-billion proposal to build and operate the airport went uncontested during the opening of bids last July 31.

Vital to decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)— now operating at overcapacity, the Bulacan airport

has a design capacity of 100 million to 200 million passengers per year, with four parallel runways for faster processing of flights and aircraft.

The project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 2,500-hectare airport in Bulacan. The development includes a passenger terminal building with airside and landside facilities, an airport toll road, and four runways.

It includes an 8.4-kilometer tollway connecting the airport to the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.

sion in their respective routines en route to winning 2 gold medals in the anyo (form) non-traditional arnis competition.

Clad in an Igorot warrior costume, Delfin wielded a pair of traditional swords while swishing his way to collect an average of 9.87 points. This merited him a mint in the eyes of international arnis judges.

“Talagang pinaghandaan namin para makamit natin ‘yung ginto na gusto naming kunin,” said the 25-year-old.

Aldeguer also wore an Igorot inspired costume while securing the mint with an average of 9.64 points.

Aldeguer, a pride of Rizal province, is a veteran of several Palarong Pambansa competitions.

Non-traditional arnis form allows performers to use acrobatic moves unlike the traditional method which is more faithful to the old method of arnis.

Vietnam’s Van Huynh Ngo finished second in the men’s non-traditional arnis, while Myanmar’s Yar Zar Tun and Cambodia’s Sila Chhem tied for bronze.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Tho Hoa Trieh secured the silver in the women’s non-traditional arnis, as Myanmar’s Waing Sheilar Ming and Cambodia’s Soulmala Eng settled for bronze.

Philippine arnis now has a total of 14 gold medals, breaking past its 12-medal prediction.

Chris Cuarto, noting that the new time table has yet to be finalized.

“Pag basa ang court madulas. In international rules they don’t allow palaruin ang hard court kasi it will be very dangerous to the players,” he said.

Officials are on a wait and see mode if weather will improve before noon, Cuarto said.

“As of now, we still have to see if kakayanin na maging okay ‘yung courts. If not, we have to reschedule it,” he said.

Other SEA Games events that were postponed due to typhoon Tisoy’s heavy rains and strong winds include: - Modern pentathlon (moved from Dec. 4 to 7 to Dec. 5 to 7) - Traditional boat race (moved from Dec. 7 to 8 to Dec. 6 to 8) - Canoe/Kayak (moved from Dec. 3 to 4, to Dec. 6 to 8) - Rowing (to start on Dec. 6)

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TENNIS

Some SEA Games tennis matches were suspended Tuesday morning as rains brought by typhoon Tisoy dampened the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center’s open courts.

A covered training court will be used for some of the tennis matches, but other games might need to be rescheduled, said tennis competition manager

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

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and the drivers.

“But there will be some place for them. Dili man pud abrupt because we are trying to consider the economic impact to them but whether we like or not, change has come. We cannot live anymore in the past. A lot of drivers will be affected but like I said dili nata puwede mupuyo sa mga nilabay na panahon kay dako na ug kausaban,” he said.

Dayanghirang also cited a number passengers being stranded from afternoon until nighttime due to shortage of jeepneys in the city.

“Ang ginatan-aw ni Mayor Inday ang implications sa mga pasahero.

Ginatan-aw pud niya ang comfort sa pasahero,” he

added.

The city government of Davao already discussed with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and private bus companies.

“If you notice there will be a changes in the landscape in the sense that the city government of Davao is moving for a mass transit so therefore there will be a lot of buses.

This is the instruction of the mayor that we should go to a mass transit and this will involve big bus companies. Naa na gipang-aprubahan na mga bus ang LTFRB upon the recommendation of the city government of Davao,” Dayanghirang said.

Honeylet Avanceña.

On November 21, the President acknowledged that his eldest daughter, Sara, is the “alpha in the family” as the presidential daughter is more dominant than him.

He also revealed that his sons, Paolo and Sebastian, are even afraid of their sister.

Despite this, Duterte dissuaded Sara from taking

on the challenge as his successor in 2022 and warned her that the presidency could merely “destroy” her.

Sara bared in February that she was considering running for the 2022 president race, but the President on Friday claimed his daughter had already dropped her plan, considering that she would only be bombarded with criticisms. (PNA)

sel (OGCC) was sought for advice on some issues, such as the inclusion of the sports facilities in the overall development.

He said, “the OGCC never gave an unfavorable opinion” in the January 30, 2018 contract review by OGCC.” “The OGCC gave its comments and suggestions to which BCDA addressed and clarified. The OGCC, in response to clarifications made by BCDA,

unequivocally said that the ‘provisions of the executed JVA and the legal framework of the project are in compliance with the existing laws, rules, and regulations,” he said.

The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) also provided financial, technical, and legal aspects since the start and these include holding public bidding for the construction of the sports facilities, he added. (PNA)

which added that it has now trimmed the arm’s work force by 600 to about 250.

Separately, Ren’s daughter and Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested by Canadian police on a US warrant late last year, is fighting extradition to the United States on charges of

violating sanctions against Iran. She is currently out on bail.

Huawei has denied the charges and China has urged Canada to release her.

Commenting on her case, Ren said that it is an example of “obvious political interference from the US.”

Children already vaccinated with the anti-polio vaccine were color-marked on their left pinkie.

The anti-polio vaccina-

tion will run until December 7. Another round of vaccination is scheduled on January 20 to February 2, 2020. (CIO MATI)

survey, clearing operations in areas with damaged pipelines are still ongoing.

The water utility needs at least P82.7 million to restore and rehabilitate the pipelines and other facilities damaged by the quakes.

The amount will come from a loan that LWUA approved last week, Alqueza said.

From the amount, P25million was released to facilitate the clearing operations, he added.

As of November 30, the MKWD is supplying safe potable water to at least 53 percent of their concessionaires following the October quakes.

The restoration might be completed early next year, the MKWD said.

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gay Pida, Panabo, Davao del Norte; and Ramon Catamisan, 30, of Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

“They were later positively identified the victims as the same persons who robbed them,” he said.

Recovered from the suspects were the cellphones and other valuables taken from the victims.

Canoy said the operatives found inside the suspects’ vehicle two loaded .38-caliber revolvers, cellphones, four sachets of suspected shabu and various drug paraphernalia.

The police official said they are looking into the other circumstances of the reported robbery and why the suspects targeted the household.

“They were looking for a laptop during the incident so we will look into that,” he said.

The four suspects, who are detained at the San Isidro police station lockup, will be charged with armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia. (PNA)

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11

Central Mindanao.

Carreon said the military will continue doing

its mandate to protect the people even at the expense of its soldiers. (PNA)

westward at 25 kph, and was last seen 55 kilometers

east of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. (PNA)

worry about their children being exposed to various diseases while at evacuation camps.

Emblawa said that displaced families from the

neighboring towns of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Mamasapano are also being attended to by their respective local government units. (PNA)

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12 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

A showroom of lifestyle C

oHo (Condo Homes) by Vista Land recently inaugurated The Fontera showroom to help prospects and buyers in the process of deciding of acquiring a new home. Leading the opening were Jennifer dela Cruz, operations head of CoHo Philippines; Carlo Refamonte, Operations Head for COHO Mindanao; and Jan Christopher Gonzales, corporate communications head of CoHo Philippines.

Located in Tigatto, a rustic barangay of Buhangin District where hundreds of subdivisions and other rea[ estate development projects are currently concentrated,

the showroom will cater to transactions for the four CoHo development projects of Vista Land in Davao City namely The Terraces (Ma-a), The Fontera (Tigatto), The Acrop-

olis in Lanang, and The Evora in Communal. All the said CoHo projects will carry the same design of one bedroom model unit.

“This showroom is a cookie cutter where you go to different CoHo developments or CoHo showroom it’s the same.

You will see the same layout and interior when you go Metro Manila and Visayas and Mindanao we have the same showrooms in the investor’s lounge,” said dela Cruz.

The showroom offers more ways for prospects

to see the details of the product such as how the unit will look like once it’s completed. It also demonstrates how buyers get a better idea of what they want once they have a chance to properly visualize everything from the kitchen, living and dining room and bathroom to the bedroom. It also helps them in selecting the right products and design for their units.

CoHo’s unit configurations are bigger beginning at 30 square meters for one bedroom units, while two bedroom units are at 40 sqm. The unit layouts resemble a square and not the typical narrow layouts of most condominium units.

CoHo is Vista Land’s newest brand for beautiful, stylish, and high quality mid-rise of five to 15

FA SHOWROOM, P13

EDGEDAVAO 13

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

PNP... FROM3

ing Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro. Presently, Compostela Valley is the only province in Davao Region that does not bear the name "Davao."

The Davao Region is composed of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.

Compostela Valley

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy earlier said renaming the province would mean more investments.

Under RA 11297, changing the name of Compostella Valley to Davao de Oro will need the nod of majority of residents of the province through a plebiscite that will be conducted for its eventual ratifica-

tion.

Duterte's MO 42 directs law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies to "coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in the performance of their duties and functions."

The memorandum, signed by Duterte on November 26, takes effect immediately. (PNA)

gram in 2020 that will introduce funding schemes to employers to help them implement skills upgrade initiatives in their businesses.

“This new ADB loan seeks to address the skills mismatch between young

job seekers and the competencies demanded by employers,” said ADB Southeast Asia Senior Economist for Public Finance Cristina Lozano.

The bank noted that one in five Filipinos between 15 and 24 years

old, as well as one-third of young Filipino women, are unemployed or undergoing education and training.

The number is lower than the 18% average rate in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

storey residential condominiums in highly urbanized locations nationwide.

It is also looking to serve its primary target comprised of young professionals, starting families, and discerning investors with ages ranging from 25 to 45 years The brand also redefines city-living by providing a distinct and curated lifestyle experience.

While functional amenities such as clubhouse, swimming pool, function hall, fitness gym, landscaped gardens and open spaces are basic and inherent in every condo development, CoHo goes beyond by providing a revolutionary set of lifestyle amenities such as

a co-working space in an exquisite coffee shop; a super pantry in a fun, fresh and innovative supermarket; a breakfast table in charming boulangerie, a complete toolbox in a one-stop home improvement store; and an entertainment room with a world-class cinema.

CoHo’s condominium units are automation-ready as they are equipped with fiber optics that are available for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) service that will allow unit owners to conveniently control lighting, air-conditioning, and electronic devices through mobile phones. On top of this, the automation system comes with a closed-circuit tele-

vision (CCTV) camera and automatic alarm system that boosts CoHo condos’ unit security.

Realizing that today’s young generation wants to be “different” by embracing a new level of independence and a 360-degree freedom and live a life that they envision for themselves, CoHo aims to offer them a unique and curated city-living experience that empower them to create beautiful lifestyles in the beautiful CoHo vertical villages.

Vista Land has an unrivalled geographic presence in over 49 provinces and 147 cities and municipalities nationwide and still aggressively expanding.

ADB... FROM5

A SHOWROOM... FROM12

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

Marketing Assistant 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

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

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

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

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 14 EDGEDAVAO

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

SEE STORY ON P11

VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE55 21• SUNDAY-MONDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY,MAY APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 26-27, VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

A4 INdulge!

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

THE 30TH SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES ROUNDUP AROUND THE GAMES

Slaughter takes over Pogoy’s spot

G Hidilyn Diaz at the podium during the awarding ceremonies after she won the gold medal in women’s weightlifting at the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Must-win today for Azkals

T

he Philippine under-22 Azkals got some help in their quest to make the semifinals of the Southeast Asian Games men's football tournament after Myanmar struck late to steal a 2-1 win against Cambodia on Monday night at the Biñan Football Stadium.

Although the win gave Myanmar the top seed in Group A, the result meant a lot for the U22 Azkals, who took the bye on Monday, as they will return to action on Wednesday (today, December 4) still tied with Cambodia for second place.

Cambodia scored first as Sin Sophanat struck the ball into the goal

G

in the 21st minute, but Lwin Moe Aung forced the halftime deadlock after drilling a goal in the 27th minute.

Aung Kaung Mann won it for Myanmar as keeper Kimhuy Hul failed to completely save his shot in the 86th minute.

The ball already sailed into the goal line before Hul tapped it out.

Myanmar, which fin-

ished its group stage assignments, will enter the playoffs unbeaten with 10 points in total, while Cambodia stays at four points.

However, Malaysia also joined the logjam between Cambodia and the U22 Azkals with a 4-0 rout of Timor Leste at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila in a simultaneous kickoff.

Filomeno Junior committed a huge blunder in the sixth minute when his clearance went inside Timor Leste's own goal, giving a score to Malaysia.

Hadi Fayyadh then scored a brace in the 34th and the 43rd minutes before Akhyar Rashid sealed the win with an

Saturday's 41-point win over Charlotte.

Antetokounmpo shot 10 of 14 from the floor, hit three 3-pointers and did not play for the final 16:54, spending the entire fourth quarter cheering on his teammates, including his brother Thanasis.

The Bucks scored the game's first seven points and led by double-digits for the final 38:48. They held an 18-point lead after the opening quarter, led 72-45 at halftime, built a 100-62 lead through three quarters and posted their most lopsided win of the season.

Milwaukee improved to an NBA-best 18-3 and won a 12th straight game for the first time since 1982. The Bucks matched the fifth-longest winning streak in team history.

D.J. Wilson added a career-high 19 points and Khris Middleton finished with 16 points as Milwaukee shot 55.8 percent and hit 16 3-pointers Thirteen different players scored for the Bucks, who beat the Knicks for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings.

George Hill contributed 14, Donte DiVincenzo had 11 and Thanasis Ante-

81st-minute strike.

Cambodia officially stays in second place with the best goal difference at plus-4.

Malaysia jumped to third place with the second-best goal difference at plus-3, leaving the U22 Azkals in fourth with a zero in goal difference.

This means the U22 Azkals must beat Timor Leste by a huge margin on Wednesday back here at the Biñan Football Stadium for them to solidify their semifinal bid.

They can qualify if Cambodia and Malaysia draw at the Rizal Memorial Stadium or if their goal difference will be better than the winner of the Cambodia-Malaysia match. (PNA)

reg Slaughter will take the place of the injured Roger Pogoy in the Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

A back injury suffered during TNT’s PBA Governors Cup quarterfinal game against Magnolia forced Pogoy out of the 12-man lineup. The Philippine team secured a medical release for the guard.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone was choosing among the Ginebra trio of Slaughter, Art dela Cruz, and Scottie Thompson.

He decided to go with Slaughter, who won gold in the 2011 edition of the SEA Games.

Slaughter was previously dealing with a thumb injury but was deemed fit enough to compete for the Philippines.

Gilas opens its SEA Games campaign on Wednesday against Singapore.

WUSHU

Agatha Wong ruled the women’s taijijian event on Tuesday morning at the World Trade Center for her second gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Wong, performing fourth, garnered a score of 9.65 for her routine to move to the top of the

leaderboard.

She was eventually challenged by the last two performers: Vietnam’s Tran Thi Minh Huyen and Brunei’s Lachkar Basma. Tran got a 9.63, and Lachkar, the last wushu athlete to take the floor, got a 9.62, allowing Wong to hold on to her lead.

Tran and Lachkar settled for the silver and the bronze, respectively.

“Parang hindi pa nagre-register sa utak ko.

I’m still trying to think na parang, nanalo ba talaga ako kasi I’ve been through so much,” said the 21-year-old Wong after her triumph. “I’m very honored to have this opportunity talaga.”

Wong already won the gold in the women’s taijiquan event last Sunday.

She settled for the silver in taijijian two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, before upping her performance in front of an appreciative crowd of Filipinos in Hall A. ARNIS

Storm or no storm, our arnisadors continued to battle their Southeast Asian counterparts for the coveted gold medals.

Cordillera’s Crisamuel Delfin and Palaro vet Mary Alin Adeguer combined poise and aggres-

FSLAUGHTER, P10

Bucks topple Knicks 132-88

iannis Antetokounmpo totaled 29 points and 15 rebounds in 22 minutes Monday night as the host Milwaukee Bucks easily extended their winning streak to 12 games with a wire-to-wire 132-88 rout of the New York Knicks.

Antetokounmpo recorded his 20th double-double in 21 games, getting his latest one in 15 minutes into the first half when the Bucks asserted their will. The only time Antetokounmpo failed to get a double-double was two nights ago, when he finished a rebound shy in

tokounmpo finished with a career-high 10.

New York dropped to 4-17 and lost its seventh straight game. The Knicks played without leading scorer Marcus Morris (neck strain) and starting point guard Frank Ntilikina (back) and spent the first three quarters threatening to the break the team record for lowest shooting percentage -27.4 percent on March 11, 2013 at Golden State.

Julius Randle led the Knicks with 19 points but New York's other four starters -- Kevin Knox, Taj

FBUCKS, P10

Bucks center Donte Divicenzo blocks Knicks forward RJ Barrett.

16 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 191 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

UP CLOSE: DAVAOEĂ‘OS IN SEA GAMES

Dabawenya athlete Sydney Sy Tancontian (right) finished with a bronze in the women's +70kg division Kurash event in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

BRONZE FOR SYDNEY Sydney Tancontian settles for bronze medal in Kurash

By ADAM B. MORRELL

D

a b a w e n y a multi-athlete Sydney Sy Tancontian will cherish the bronze medal she won in the women's +70kg division in Kurash at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Although she did not bag the gold in her 'second' event, the 19year old Asian Sambo champion considers the bronze medal her most memorable. Tancontian also competes in her favorite event Sambo.

"It was fulfilling po lalo na po nakumpleto po kaming 4 habang naglalaro po kasi ang huling nakumpleto po kami sa tournament eh nung medyo mga bata pa po kami," the 2017 Sea Games judo bronze medalist said, pertaining to her mama, papa and little brother Chino, who will also compete in the biennial meet.

"Iba pa rin po talaga na andun sila, na nagchecheer sa akin, yung buong Pilipinas Sambo Team andun din po," she added.

To be part of Philippines' historic milestone and to spend quality time with her family was already like winning a gold medal. Earning another in the actual competition, said Tancontian, is already a bonus.

Her back-to-back bronze medal haul in the biennial event came after stopping Amanda Mutiara of Indonesia.

Tancontian's chance for a gold medal was taken away early by Vietnam's best bet in the weight division who eventually rule the competition on Monday afternoon at Laus Group Events Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga.

After showing toughness against Mutiara, Tancontian was stung by the shorter but heavier Tubkit Tappamaporn of Thailand, who took the silver.

Tancontian was forced to adjust from grappling to full standing after she was sent out from Pilipinas Sambo to reinforce the Philippine Kurash team led by legendary John Baylon.

"Hindi naman po ako nahirapan mag adjust kasi yung training halos magkakapareho lang naman po, focus lang talaga sila sa standing," the veteran grappler said.

With her vast experience in the Asian level, Tancontian was poised to win the gold medal in the Sambo Competition which will kick off on Thursday, December 5 at Angeles University Foundation in Clark.

Before the SEA Games, Tancontian went to various countries including Russia, where Sambo originated, Japan, Monggolia, China, Singapore and Indonesia among others, in preparation for this biennial meet.