Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 200 | Tuesday, December 17, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

ALAB PILIPINAS RALLIES TO BEAT SINGAPORE

Serving a seamless society

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

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KILLER QUAKE. Rescuers retrieve two bodies from the collapsed three-story Southern Green Marketing in Padada, Davao del Sur on Monday, a day after the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted parts of Mindanao. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

HELP NEEDED Davao del Sur official seeks help for quake victims

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

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avao del Sur Board Member Lanier Regidor Cadungog called for urgent help for his townmates in Padada,Davao del Sur, the epicenter of Sunday’s 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

In a Facebook post shortly after the strongest of a series of temblors in Mindanao over the last two months, Cadungog, who belongs to a family of Padada pioneers, asked for immediate assistance to the earthquake victims of the province most espe-

cially Padada.

“Nanawagan o sinserong kaming kumakatok po sa inyung taos pusong tulong sa mahal naming Probinsya sa Davao del sur lalo na sa nasalanta ng sunod sunod na lindol lalo na kanina lamang 6.9 magnitude. More structures and

houses collapsed. Until now we suffered powerful aftershocks, blackout, heavy rains and no signal and no internet connections,” Cadungog posted.

He said among the items that will come in handy for those who had to leave their homes are

tents, food packs, water, mosquito nets, �lashlights and medicines. Cadungog also asked for a standby ambulance.

Prospective donors, according to Cadungog, may course through their assistance to the Philip-

HELP, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Community responders formed after earthquake rocks Davao

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Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte gives updates on the effects of Sunday’s 6.9 magnitude earthquake to the city and the assistance that the city government of Davao will extend to the badly hit munici-

palities in Davao del Sur and nearby provinces during a news conference at Arcadia on Sunday evening. Lean Daval Jr

ocal disaster reduction and response units have created community-based frontline emergency responders in anticipation of future earthquakes and other disasters, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday.

In a statement, Nograles said that while there were minimal casualties in the quake which jolted many parts of Mindanao, he stressed that it “is always better to be safe than sorry.”

“Each sitio (sub-village), or each barangay nationwide, should have well-trained emergency responders and all communities should be taught on how to properly respond during all type of disasters and emergencies,” Nograles said.

To date, Nograles said the national government has already mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to ensure that

victims are immediately provided assistance.

“We will de�initely provide all the assistance needed for the family of the lone fatality. Medical assistance is also being provided for the 37 people who are initially listed as injured as a result of the powerful quake,” Nograles said.

He noted that security forces have been deployed to ensure that all those who are in evacuation centers are safe and the properties that they have left behind are adequately protected.

President Rodrigo Duterte is closely monitoring the progress of ongoing operations to thoroughly evaluate the damage of the quake, Nograles said.

All ground units have been ordered to work round-the-clock to make sure that everyone is safe and are ready for possible aftershocks.

He, meanwhile, urged

together with other concerned agencies.

Based on their initial report major cracks were found in some schools and establishments in the Davao City.

Ancajas said the drafting of the �inal report is still ongoing.

Davao City Engineer Joseph Dominic Felizarta has also advised tenants and occupants of establishments to be vigilant and coordinate with the city government if they see threatening damages in their building.

Occupants were told to vacate the buildings until an of�icial report from the City Engineer’s Of�ice or the building’s hired structural engineer declaring the buildings safe.

Davao City Administrator Zuleika Lopez also advised Dabawenyos to stay alert, focused, and never panic and always to be mindful because when there is a disaster.

She added that the public should never compromise our safety and most especially that of their loved ones and family.

COMMUNITY, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Davao Central 911 sent responders to conduct collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) in collapsed buildings in Padada, Davao del Sur from a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 that hit the town and other parts of southern Mindanao on Sunday.

Several shoppers and employees were reported trapped inside the three-storey Southern Trade, a commercial store in the municipality

of Padada, after the building completely collapsed when the magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit the town at 2:11 pm.

Engr. Luke Cadoyas,

Ungab: Let executive branch handle budget matters now

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ouse Committee on Appropriations chair Isidro Ungab on Monday said it is better to just let the executive branch handle matters related to the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for next year now that Congress has already approved it.

Ungab made the remark after he was asked to comment on allegations

by Senator Pan�ilo Lacson that congressmen made last-minute insertions into the 2020 national budget.

In an interview with reporters, Ungab said the ball is already with the Of�ice of the President as both the Senate and the House of Representatives have already rati�ied the report of the bicameral conference committee on the budget.

“I don’t want to comment any further because the next step will be with the Of�ice of the President.

Ayaw kong pangunahan yung ating executive department,” he said.

“I don’t want to in�luence their decision whether yes or no, with veto or without veto, or will it be accepted fully. It will now be the decision of the executive department, so sila na ang mag-decide,” he added.

Ungab said the executive department has very competent people to handle budget matters, including incumbent Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.

“Ayaw ko nang magsalita, I leave it to the executive department. Sila na ang mas nakakaalam na pagdating dito. Tapos na ang role namin, tapos na sa Senate, tapos na sa House.

So ball is now in their hands,” he said.

Lacson earlier said his of�ice received from the House through the Senate Legislative Budget Re-

UNGAB, P9

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) of�icer, said that four people who were near the building were injured when the incident happened, were also rescued.

As of Monday, MDRRMO continued its rescue and retrieval operations.

“Initially we sent responders to conduct CSSR for one collapsed building in Padada,” Central 911 chief Emmanuel Jaldon told Edge Davao.

The Davao City team is composed of mixed

rescue teams from the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), emergency medical doctor and �ire service auxiliaries.

The city also sent its USAR vehicles and ambulance, as well as search and retrieval tools and equipment.

Meanwhile, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�ice (CDRRMO) training of�icer Lyndon Ancajas said they are stepping up inspection and assessment of the buildings in the city

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Colonel Royina Marzan Garma urges Filipinos during this week’s Kaoehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao to help the agency hit its target collection of

P52 billion for 2020 by supporting lotto and other games so the agency could help fund the Universal Health Care bill and other charitable works. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Responders from Davao City Central 911 continue to inspect the three-storey South Green Commercial Building in Padada, Davao del Sur for possible signs of life of the seven persons reportedly trapped inside. Armando Fenequito Jr.

Residents in Davao del Sur T town sleep in an open lot

Senate targets sin tax, salary increase, anti-terror bills before Christmas break

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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earing that strong aftershocks or another earthquake might happen, residents of Barangay Guihing in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur opted to sleep in a tent set up in an open lot.

Mary Irene Paler, a Guihing resident, described the area as “tugwayanan sa baka” wherein they feel safer amid aftershocks following a strong earthquake that hit some parts of southern Mindanao including Davao del Sur last Sunday.

“Ang among balay ato paglinog grabe kauyog abi nako ug matumpag na. Walay kabutangan sa kakulba. Paglinog naa ko sulod sa balay kauban

mga bata akong mga adopted. Giseguro nako ug kuha ang gamay dagan sa gawas pero lahi jud diay pagkusog kaayo ang linog kay matumba jud diay ka pag modagan ka mao to nag-duckwalk ko paadto sa karsada. Didto ra jud mi hangtod pagka gabii,” Paler told Edge Davao.

She even joked of calling Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to stop the quake.

“At this moment nilinog na sad. Hay naku

labad! Tawagan nato si pareng Qibs ipa- stop nato ning linog,” she said.

Paler said her family will only return to their home when aftershocks slow down.

“Until medyo wala na kaayo aftershocks ug kanang medyo hinay na nga makaya na sa kakulba diha pa mi mobalik ug tulog sulod sa balay. Pero grabe ang mga aftershocks mura pud ug dagkung linog,” she said.

On his end, Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas reported that there are no reported casualties and those sustaining injuries are minimal.

Cagas said they have established nine evacu-

ation areas for the 1,900 families that were affected by the tremor.

The mayor added that there are 12 partially damaged establishments, one totally damaged and one severely damaged.

“The fourth earthquake was the strongest and the longest and there were structures destroyed.

At sa mga bahay may walo na totally damaged.

Nagsimula na kaming naka-recover at nag-resume ng operations ang mga establishments dito, ngayon lumindol na naman so malungkot ang pasko ng karamihan sa amin dito,” he said.

Presently, Rapid Dam-

oughly,” Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said on Monday.

The still-unnumbered resolution, which was approved by the House committee on constitutional amendmentsbehind closed doors on Wednesday, proposes a �ive-year term for all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as for local of�icials (except barangay or village of�icials). They

can serve for up to three consecutive terms.

Under the Constitution, senators presently have six years in of�ice.

The resolution also proposes to increase the number of senators from 24 to 27 – three each from the following regions: National Capital Region, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mind-

anao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Rodriguez said the proposed amendments will prove to be advantageous as the Senate will have enough “representation” from various regions in the country.

“The senators, we're trying to have senators elected by region, which is why I'm appealing to senators to think about this. We need to

RESIDENTS, P9

Keep an open mind on cha-cha, Senate urged anew

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lawmaker called on members of the upper chamber to “thoroughly study” the resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution, amid reports that the Senate will keep its distance from charter change talks.

“It's just now, it's not a priority of the Senate as they have said. That's why we're requesting them to keep an open mind and study (the resolution) thor-

KEEP, P10

he Senate will likely pass a tougher anti-terrorism act, higher taxes on alcohol and smoking products, and the Salary Standardization Law before it goes on break Friday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.

Sotto said debates on the amendments to the sin tax reform bill are �inished, while interpellation on the Human Security Act was expected to be �inished Monday.

The Senate will also tackle the next tranche of the Salary Standardization Law, which aims to increase wages of teachers and public health workers, Sotto said.

"Iyang tatlo malaki ang pagasa na matapos by Wednesday," he said.

Teachers have been clamoring for a signi�icant increase in their salary following pay hikes for police of�icers, soldiers, and other uniformed personnel in 2018.

Sotto, meantime, said amending the Constitution through a constituent assembly is "not a priority" at the Senate after a House committee approved charter change last week.

Senators have said voting jointly with House members may technically dissolve the 24-member Senate as the chamber will easily be outvoted by the House with 304 members.

"Yung voting separately we’re really �irm on that atsaka 'yung Supreme Court palagay ko kakampi naman dun sa issue na 'yun," he said.

Mati CHO achieves target for polio immunization

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he City of Mati Health Of�ice has achieved its target rate of under 5 years old vaccinated for anti-polio in the city.

Mati CHO head Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr. said that based on the projected population of under 5-year old children in the city which is 17,488, they immunized 15,683 or about 90%.

Catbagan however said that based on their masterlist of actual population of under 5 children through the Operation Timbang which is only 13,234, they have actually achieved

118% coverage.

“All in all those are good numbers, we had a good run, best efforts. We thank the barangay of�icials and the people for helping us protect the children from polio. The door to door campaign by the Team of Community Health Workers assisted by the LGU , DOH to bring oral polio immunization to the people’s homes have improved immunization coverage which would give our children better chances of protection from Polio infection,” said Dr. Catbagan.

(Mati CIO)

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

EDITORIAL

Finding opportunity in disasters

Disasters bring out the best in people. It also bring out the shortcomings and the necessities.

There is so much to learn in disasters and Sunday’s earthquake opened people’s eyes to the reality that there is something communities need to know. While earthquake drills have made people equipped with the knowledge on how to react during earthquakes, responding to emergencies in the event of an earthquake was perhaps left out and not given as much importance.

After the ground rumbled to the tune of 6.9 magnitude on Sunday afternoon and left structures including a commercial building slumping down to the ground, not too many from among the shocked community in Padada, Davao del Sur knew what to do.

Engr. Luke Cadoyas, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�icer, said that while the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Of�ice immediately rolled out rescue and retrieval operations, he admitted that his team is not equipped and skilled.

Instead of sulking in despair, the government took this as an opportunity. Local disaster reduction and response units responded by creating community-based frontline emergency responders in anticipation of future earthquakes and other disasters.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles in a statement on Monday said that while there were minimal casualties in the quake which jolted many parts of Mindanao, he stressed that it “is always better to be safe than sorry.” According to the plan, each sitio (subvillage), or each barangay nationwide, will be required to have well-trained emergency responders and all communities should be taught on how to properly respond during all type of disasters and emergencies. In this most recent earthquake, the national government has already mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to ensure that victims are immediately provided assistance.

The disaster preparedness and emergency response process must come together-each being an integral part of the entire process. Community �irst responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained in First Person on the Scene (FPOS) �irst aid, administered prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

This is where the government needs to allocate resources for community �irst responder training as well as equipment which should cover all barangays in the country.

While people are saddened by the loss of lives and property in these disastrous earthquakes, the bright side of these disasters is for the government and communities to �ind opportunity to come together and build capabilities that will eventually save lives.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

5

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

LENI – A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE No matter how tactfully VP Leni portrays herself before the public eye, she gives away her true insincere self.

Her appointment as ICAD (Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs) co-chair came to me as a huge surprise because I had always sensed that her staunch oppositionist stance against the government’s intensi�ied anti-illegal drugs campaign – and her lack of expertise on the matter – did not jell even fairly well with government objectives.

My take was that she accepted her ICAD designation only as an opportunity to dig up more classi�ied information for her and the political opposition to use as “IEDs” versus the Duterte administration.

After she was exposed for her ignorance and expelled for her continuing repulsive attitude (she immediately met and consulted with US

of�icials reportedly involved in anti-drug operations), Leni has since threatened to reveal what she had picked up in her short three-week stint with ICAD. This childish tantrum re�lected what many assume as Leni’s willingness to be a stooge of the Yellow cult, even more than willing to lead the vain charge against the highly popular Duterte presidency.

Let me remind you of what the Dalai Lama said about wisdom. “Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as signi�icant an impression by remaining silent.”

On this we most probably recall a past Chief Executive who jestingly said: “Less talk, less mistake. No talk, no mistake.”

VP Robredo is nothing but a square peg in a round hole.

From the outset, it is very

clear that her contested election to the vice-presidency serves notice of dire consequences if she continuously peddles her political wares to the electorate.

Her unpatriotic attitude towards the Filipino people bares her sel�ish ambitions that, to achieve them, she is willing to put down this government with any means – fair or foul – and grab political power.

She has committed treasonous acts by going over to foreign entities to “spill the beans” regardless if the consequences of her actions negatively affect the nation and the Filipinos in general.

What else is she there for?

Leni has been poisoned by her LP handlers to believe that she is now the “new” face of the opposition, taking up the cudgels for her decimated comrades who have fallen and been discredited.

She is a childish fool who pretends she can handle the burdens and the reins of national government even if she cannot.

Can the VP, on account of her ICAD stance, be trusted at all?

That the approaching 2022 election heat is already warming up the political horizon makes us believe that the theatrical virus has bitten the VP. Because her position is just a heartbeat away from the top, it cannot be helped that this early VP Leni is already manifesting airs of presidential ambitions.She exudes this even as her handlers evoke messages artfully cloaked in politically correct styles that masked her un-proven capabilities.

However much her handlers try to ef�iciently re-de�ine her as a leader �it to become the next eligible presi-

dential contender, the journey to Malacanang is much thornier than is usually expected.

VP Leni needs to overcome and overwhelm the chorus of other political groups pushing for the presidential aspirations of Grace Poe, Ping Lacson, Cynthia Villar and Manny Pacquiao – senators all who are now being read as pre-positioning themselves for the 2022 presidential polls.

Malacanang is still holding its horses even as PRRD has publicly denounced the VP as un�it to become president, urging the voters not to vote for Leni if she ever runs for the presidency.

Be that as it may, all the Filipino electorate needs to remember is that Leni is a square peg that cannot �it in a round hole. ### (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

NO COMMUNICATION GAP, PLEASE! “When you give yourself permission to communicate what matters to you in every situation you will have peace despite rejection or disapproval. Putting a voice to your soul helps you to let go of the negative energy of fear and regret.”

– Shannon L. Alder *** “We can communicate an idea around the world in 70 seconds, but it sometimes takes years for an idea to get through one-fourth inch of human skull.” That statement comes from the mouth of American inventor and businessman Charles Kettering.

Virginia Satir, a family therapist, tells of a couple who came to her because their marriage of 20 years needed help.

After a number of sessions, she asked each to say openly what he or she resented about the other.

In a burst of emotion, the husband blurted out, “I wish you wouldn’t always serve me that damned spinach.” Recovering from her shock, his wife replied, “I loathe spinach but I thought you like it.”

Life is like that, too. A lot of people fail because they don’t know how to communicate well. There are those who become successful because they know how to convey their message well. Yes, communi-

cation can make or unmake a person.

A Fortune magazine article once carried this quotation: “It’s a shame when people can’t communicate. When they’re managers in your company, it’s a catastrophe.”

“The constant use of long, involved words proves too things,” ex-governor of New York Will Conway pointed out.

“One, that you’re learned; and two, that you’re ignorant of how best to communicate with people.”

It’s not enough that you have lots of ideas and something to say. “Communication is not just what you say,” reminds bestselling author John C. Maxwell. “It’s also how you say it. Contrary to what some educators teach, the key to effective communication is simplicity. Forget about impressing people with big words or complex sentences. If you want to connect with people, keep it simple.”

French statesman and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte used to tell his secretaries: “Be clear, be clear, be clear.” And that is what good communication is all about. “The great challenge in communicating is to understand the mind, the background, and the thinking process of your audience. If you know these, you can prevent

a lot of communication static,” Wayne Pennington assures.

In these days of modern technology, there are several ways of sending your message across to people. Be sure to �ind the best method.

Years ago, an elderly illiterate carpenter received some mail and he was very upset about it. A letter was a very unusual thing in his life and he was worried about what might be in it. So, he hurried over to the butcher ship and the rough-voice muscle man behind the counter read it aloud.

“This is a letter from your son,” he shouted, “and it says: Dear Dad, I am sick and haven’t a single centavo. Send me some money quick. Your son, Mario.”

In�luenced by the hard tones of the reader, the carpenter became red with rage and exploded. “Who does that kid think he is, telling me what to do? I won’t give him any money.”

In a �it of anger, the carpenter walked back home.

But along the way, he met his friend, the soft-spoken tailor.

He stopped him and con�ided, “I want you to see this letter my boy sent me.”

The tailor took the letter and read it aloud in his usual calm and cultured way. Suddenly, the message sounded

different to the carpenter. It came across as appealing and plaintive. It left the carpenter deeply saddened. “Poor Mario,” he said, with worry in his voice. “He’s in bad shape. I’d better send him some cash – fast.” So, he went to wire some money to his son.

Lesson of the story: the message can often depend on the medium!

Communication is not just talking but listening. “Listen with curiosity,” suggests Roy T. Bennett, author of The Light in the Heart. “Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply.

When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”

When communicating with someone, choose your words wisely. “Don’t use words too big for the subject,” British writer C.S. Lewis reminds.

“Don’t say in�initely when you mean very; otherwise, you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really in�inite.”

If you have something to say, say it. Remember what the famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said? “Much unhappiness has come into the world,” he surmised, “because

of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”

And this was what Lisa Kleypas wrote in Sugar Daddy: “Many times in life I’ve regretted the things I’ve said without thinking. But I’ve never regretted the things I said nearly as much as the words I left unspoken.”

Don’t think of what the other person might say or think. As American television personality Fred Rogers said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

Sometimes, you can communicate with a person through your heart and not through your mouth. Yes, it’s possible. Listen to what C. Joybell C. says: “You can talk with someone for years, every day, and still, it won’t mean as much as wat you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever… connections are made with the heart, not the tongue.”

6 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

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EDGEDAVAO

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8 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Bank exec sees Mindanao growth picking up in 2020

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(From left to right): Philippine National Bank Capital and Investment Corp. President and CEO Gerry Valenciano, Phoenix Petroleum Assistant Vice President for Treasury Reynaldo Phala, Phoenix Petroleum Chief

Finance Officer Ma. Concepcion de Claro, and Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. President and COO Antonio Nakpil

Phoenix Petroleum lists P3B commercial papers

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hoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. listed on December 11, 2019 Php 3 billion worth of shortterm commercial papers (STCP) with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx). The commercial papers is the third series (CP Series C) of its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered three-year Php 10 Billion Commercial Paper Program with PNB Capital and Investment Corp. as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter, and bookrunner.

The proceeds of the listed STCP will be used to �inance working capital

requirements for its importation and sale of petroleum products.

“As Phoenix Petroleum grows bigger in size and complexity, I am honored to be part of a team and an organization that continues to challenge themselves and learn. More than a fundraising activity, for us, the STCP program is a simple, ingenious approach in meeting working capital requirements in an ef�icient, cost-effective way,” Phoenix Petroleum Chief Finance Of�icer, Ma. Concepcion F. de Claro, stated during the listing ceremonies.

A pioneer in utilizing the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) IRR rule 12.1.2.5, Phoenix Petroleum issued and listed

the �irst of its series in December of 2018 for the aggregate amount of Php 7 billion (CP Series A) under the Php 10 billion Commercial Paper Program.

This was followed by the Second Series (CP Series B) worth the aggregate amount of Php 3.5 billion in August of this year.

The CP Program also received the Best Debt Deal for the Philippines during the 2019 Asian Banking and Finance Corporate and Investment Banking Awards with Phoenix Petroleum and PNB Capital Senior Management attending the awarding ceremony in Singapore last July 2019.

D&L products help out firms amid possible single-use plastics ban

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ood and plastic input manufacturer D&L Industries has developed two proprietary product lines which can provide solutions to companies given the potential ban on single-use plastics in the country.

Lester Lao, managing director of D&L Polymers & Colours Inc. (DLPC) and First in Colours Inc. (FIC), fully-owned subsidiaries of D&L, said many businesses and jobs would be affected by the possible ban.

“So banning of (these) plastics, for us, is not the real solution to our pollution crisis. We have to teach the public that they have to dispose their litter properly. We have to sort, we have segregate, we

have to reuse, reduce and recycle,” he told reporters Thursday.

Lao said their proprietary product lines --Biomate™ and Biorez™-make plastics biodegradable and are certi�ied by international standards.

“Many cities would be banning (single-use) plastics. We do have a solution for the industry and the alternative will be to use biodegradable plastics,” he added.

Lao said Biomate is an additive developed by FIC which can be added to plastics to allow these to fully biodegrade over 90 percent within two years.

The product does not leave persistent microplastics, unlike others. It is suitable for plastics used

as primary packaging for perishable products such as meat, �ish, fruits, and vegetables.

Lao further said Biorez, on the other hand, is a compostable plastic material developed by DLPC which is “very suitable” for industrial composting.

The company said the product is a ready-touse compound that can be instantly molded into various single-use plastic applications such as �ilms, straws, cutlery, and cups.

Biorez can achieve 90 percent biodegradation within six months given proper environmental conditions in a composting facility.

“Single-use plastics I would say is up to 60 per-

cent of the total plastic consumption in the Philippines. That’s also the potential market that will lose business,” Lao added.

The company said single-use plastic products are those intended to be used only once before they are disposed of, recycled or thrown-away.

These are commonly used for disposable packaging and utility items, such as carry-out bags, food packaging bags or liners, drinking/water bottles, straws and stirrers, wrappers, and styrofoam-based products, among others.

President Rodrigo Duterte is considering a ban on single-use plastics in the country in an effort to save the environment.

(PNA)

bank of�icial on Saturday said that there will be continuing growth for Mindanao and Davao in 2020 in terms of bank investments by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

Genie Gloria, senior vice president and head of remittance of BDO Unibank, Inc., said they expect an increase in investments, particularly in Davao Region.

She said they cornered 40 percent of the market share as far as the OFW remittances are concerned.

“We have maintained this for the past eight years,” she added.

Gloria said 2019 is a good year for them as they were able to meet targets, deliver accounts to OFWs, and go around in collaboration with their af�iliated company like SM Supermalls, where they offer unique promos to the overseas workers and their families.

“Mindanao may not have the biggest number of OFWs but the number is progressing and the accounts are increasing,” she said.

She added that “we will do many things for Mindanao and we will have lots of focus here and go to different places on the island”.

Gloria admitted that there are hard to reach areas in this city but they have put up rural branches of their BDO Network Bank to penetrate these places.

“We will tap the mi-

cro-�inancing program of the BDO Network Bank where OFWs can access �inancing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gloria said OFWs are now becoming wiser in handling their �inances. “Part of our advocacy is �inancial education, making them realize the value of saving and investing,” she said.

“Raising their �inancial knowledge should start at the onset, meaning, we teach them what they can do with their hard-earned money by allocating a portion to savings and looking for investments which can serve their long-term goals,” Gloria said.

Through the BDO Remit, they also visit universities to teach young adults, whose parents may be an OFW, to take care of the money sent to them.

They likewise conduct �inancial education activities in various barangays to orient people, particularly the unbanked, about the importance of being a part of the formal banking system.

Since starting the �inancial education advocacy in 2014, Gloria said they have noticed a signi�icant improvement in the saving scheme of OFWs as indicated by the growth in their monthly savings.

“They are saving more now and they know their priorities and goals. For us, this improvement is a testament that this advocacy of ours is working well for them,” she said. (PNA)

Pharmaceutical firms, doctors are discrediting generic drugs - Duque

S

ome pharmaceutical companies and doctors are discrediting the potency of generic medicines in the market, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday.

Big pharma is making claims that their products are “more superior and effective” than the generic counterparts, Duque said in an interview.

He did not identify any company in particular.

“Marami kasing mga kuntsaba itong mga branded products, mga manufacturing companies na sinisiraan ‘yung generic,” he said.

“Sinasabi na ang kanil-

ang produkto mas superior, mas epektibo kaysa sa generic equivalent . Hindi naman totoo ‘yun,” Duque added.

The Health chief said he himself takes mostly generic drugs.

All medicines undergo safety, ef�icacy, and quality tests by the Food and Drug Administration. “‘Yung mga ibang … doktor na kakuntsaba rin, sinasabi nila, ‘Ay, hindi, walang epekto ‘yan’. Sinisiraan nila,” Duque noted.

The Health chief is challenging these doctors to prove what they are claim-

PHARMACEUTICAL, P10

China suspends planned addt'l tariffs scheduled for Dec. 15 on some US goods

C

hina has suspended additional tariffs on some US goods that were meant to be implemented on Dec. 15, the State Council's customs tariff commission said on Sunday, after the world's two largest economies agreed a "phase one" trade deal on Friday.

The deal, rumours and leaks over which have gyrated world markets for months, reduces some US tariffs in exchange for what US of�icials said would be a big jump in Chinese purchases of American farm products and other goods.

China's retaliatory

tariffs, which were due to take effect on Dec. 15, were meant to target goods ranging from corn and wheat to US made vehicles and auto parts.

Other Chinese tariffs that had already been implemented on US goods would be left in place, the commission said in a statement issued on the websites of government departments including China's �inance ministry.

"China hopes, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to work with the United States, to properly resolve each other's core concerns and promote

CHINA, P10

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EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

SAKUYA LUMINA AT OSAKA CASTLE

If there is one landmark in Osaka that is on every traveller’s checklist it is the iconic Osaka Castle. Originally built in 1583 and rebuilt in 1997, the castle is a concrete reproduction of the original and the interior is intended as a modern, functioning museum with the surrounding castle grounds serving as a public park.

While many travellers may visit Osaka Castle is the morning, the castle and its park shines in a different light come sundown especially in November and December as it opens its annual Sakuya Lumina night walks which I, together

with some friends, were looking forward to experience.

A unique outdoor multimedia immersion created by the same company who created the Singapore Zoo’s Forest Lumina, Sakuya Lumina transforms the Osaka Castle Park into a fun and interactive experience.

We started our night walk

The light tunnel at the beginning of the Sakuya Lumina experience.

Interactive mirrors add light doodles onto everyone’s faces.

Osaka Castle at night. with a short laser and light presentation on the story behind Sakuya Lumina, this was followed by a walk through a tunnel where we interacted with images of ourselves in funny light doodles generated off mirrors. From there we made our way through to the paths and to the park’s animated Stirring Stones, eventually meeting the characters of the story at the Portal Plaza told through vivid lights and At the Glowing River.

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The story unfolds at the Fox Shrine.

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No matter what the results, Esquivel and Tokong, both Gwapitos riders congratulate each other for a job well done .

UPSETS AND COMEBACKS

UNDERDOGS TAKE THE LEAD IN DAY 4 OF THE LA UNION PRO IN the most unsuspecting of ways, the fourth day of the La Union Pro 2019 gave us thrilling back-to-back action on tricky four-foot waves here in San Juan, La Union.

The Men’s Open Shortboard quarterfinals felt like finals day with the intense matchups of our top Philippine surfers.

The passing storm generated better wave conditions. After a couple of snapped leashes in Round Two, the judges and crowd knew they had front row seats to one of the most exciting quarterfinals in Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT) history.

Round Three proved to be different as upset after upset came in the first two heats. Top contenders for the finals like Piso Alcala Jr., Philmar Alipayo and Jay-r Esquivel faced early exits in the quarterfinals—a big surprise for everybody.

Piso Alcala Jr. (Siargao) was up against fellow Siargaonon Eduardo Alciso in the first heat of the quarterfinals. Contrasting competition strategies were displayed—patience played key in Alcala’s rulebook, riding only three waves while Alciso, the opposite with six waves under his belt.

“I didn’t expect this at all!” exclaims Alciso. “All I remember before my heat was to make sure that I stay focused and pick out the best waves that come.”

During the final minutes of his heat, Alciso was able to nail the score that he needed to move to the semifinals.

Alcala currently sits at number one in the PSCT leaderboard for the Men’s Open Shortboard while Alciso is ranked fifth.

Moving on to the second heat of the quarterfinals, Jefferson’ Loloy’ Espejon, currently top 16, nabbed the semifinals slot from PSCT top 4 Philmar Alipayo, a previous champion of the Siargao National Surfing Cup. Espejon’s first time to make it to the semi-finals, he’s grateful to all his sponsors and friends who believed in him. “I can’t believe this just happened. I’ve been surfing with Philmar in Cloud 9 for almost nine years, and he’s such a great surfer,” Espejon adds.

Probably one of the biggest upsets came in heat three with John Mark Tokong and Jay-r Esquivel. An intense

battle between Siargao and La Union with two of the greatest surfers the Philippines have ever seen.

Reminiscent of the finals from the recently concluded 9th Guiuan Odyssey Waves in Calicoan Island, Samar where Esquivel won the championship against Tokong, breaking his winning streak from his epic victory in the 25th Siargao Cloud 9 International Surfing Cup. In the dying minutes of the heat, Esquivel needed to get a wave with a high-scoring potential to push him into the lead, but the buzzer sounded without him riding one. “It’s quite saddening, but then it’s okay. There’s always a next time and a next wave.” says Esquivel.

Both team riders for Gwapitos, Tokong mentions how proud he is to have surfed against Esquivel in another heat, even if it came a bit too early. “I knew Jay-r had the advantage of being a local here in La Union. I knew I had to pick the best waves to advance.” he adds.

Heat four of the Men’s Open Shortboard brought the emotions a little back to equilibrium with Baler’s Neil Sanchez versus Siargao’s Kent Brian Solloso. Both ranked fifth in the PSCT leaderboard, Sanchez secured his place in the semi-finals with his third wave,

posting the highest single-wave score of 7.00 points—the highest of the day.

“It’s great to be back surfing in the semi-finals,” says a grateful Sanchez.

“It’s my goal to get back to the top so I can be part of the Philippine Team again.”

By midday, it was time for the Women’s Open Shortboard semifinals. All eyes were on 9th Guiuan Odyssey Waves champion Jolina Longos of Siargao, returning local and national champion Nilbie Blancada (Siargao), La Union’s longboard queen Daisy Valdez and Gubat’s up-andcoming Vea Estrellado.

With only three waves, Blancada secured her spot in the finals with a combined heat total of 10.35 points and a single-wave score of 6.00 points, the highest in the Women’s Division.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” an excited Blancada says. “It was a bit scary out there, considering the current and wave size, but when I saw that set wave come in, I took it and did my best.”

The day’s thrills and action-packed heats are a telltale sign of an exciting finals day. With a forecasted swell of four-foot waves and better wind conditions, the next call will definitely be Nilbie Blancada another epic day of professional Philip- (Siargao) is back in the game. pine surfing.

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ENTERTAINMENT

“PBB OTSO” ALUMS LAUNCH NEW DIGITAL SINGLES FORMER PBB OTSO HOUSEMATES Lie Reposposa, Jem Macatuno, Shawntel Cruz and Kiara Takahashi are conquering new tasks as StarPOP’s newest artists, beginning with the launch of their respective digital singles “Sana Sana,” “Can’t Get Out” and “Reason Enough.”

StarPOP head Rox Santos hailed the four Starmates for their talent and said that even when they were still inside the PBB house, they were already seen as promising artists who could do projects under the youthful label.

Here are the three songs which were officially launched:

Awesome rail work on this wave by Baler’s Neil Sanchez.

“Sana Sana” by Lie Reposposa Bringing a new flavor to Angeline Quinto’s original song, Lie joked that she can relate to the track because someone she used to like now yearns for her attention. But in all seriousness, she said that being a recording artist is a dream come true for her. “I still can’t believe this is happening because I used to just dream about being on TV. Now I’ve been given this opportunity, you’ve all heard my song. I feel so blessed and happy.”

“Can’t Get Out” by Jem Macatuno Jem initially wrote his original composition in Tagalog while still inside Camp Star Hunt before it was translated by his co-Star Dreamer Ashley in English. The young singer-

songwriter, who previously joined “The Voice Teens” before being a housemate, shared his thoughts on writing songs about love. “The pain is already a part of love, so when it comes to music about love, you can either inspire or hurt a person. But that’s the goal of songwriting, to make someone feel something,” he shared.

“Reason Enough” by Shawntel Cruz and Kiara Takahashi Adult housemates Shawntel and Kiara said they were excited to collaborate together on “Reason Enough,” a meaningful song about allowing oneself to fall in love again originally sung by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. “It suits our voices and our genre, so when they put us together, they said we were perfect for the song,” Shawntel said.

For Kiara, the song transcends the

definition of a romantic love song. She enthused, “This song isn’t just about love, in general it could also be about family and friendship—having someone as a ‘reason enough’ to make you smile, make you feel loved.”

Lie, Jem, Shawntel and Kiara were all part of “PBB Otso,” the latest edition of Pinoy Big Brother where they were able to showcase not just their genuine selves but also their talents, among others. Lie went on to place 6th overall, while Kiara was hailed as the 2nd big placer.

Stream Lie, Jem, Shawntel and Kiara’s respective singles, “Sana Sana,” “Can’t Get Out” and “Reason Enough” on all digital platforms worldwide and on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. For more details, like StarPOP PH on facebook.com/starpopph, and follow it on and Instagram @starpopph.

GMAEXECJOINSJURYOFSEASIA VIDEO FILM FEST FOR CHILDREN

Jay-r Esquivel ripping on his homebreak.

Neil Sanchez (Baler) reminds us why he is Baler’s best shortboarder.

GMA Network Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz represented the Philippines as one of the jurors at the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children (SEAVFC) last November 27 to 30 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

SEAVFC is an annual video competition that celebrates the best in children’s television across the region.

Cruz joined an expert panel of media professionals from 10 countries–Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Other jurors from the Philippines include ABS-CBN Vice President and Head of Integrated Corporate Communications Kane Errol Choa and veteran broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad.

As a juror, she reviewed videos created for and by the children. The entries mirror the youth’s aspirations and desires as well as pride in family and traditions.

“Representing the country and GMA Network as a juror in this festival strengthens national pride during this time when we truly need to have more of it. The sharing and exchange of ideas among

the participating countries further enriched everyone’s knowledge of the Southeast Asians’ diverse yet comparable cultures. I thank Anak TV for this opportunity to serve the organization and to support its vision of ensuring child-sensitive and age-appropriate video programs in the Philippines and beyond,” Cruz said.

Aside from being represented in the Southeast Asia jury, GMA Network also won the Heart Award (Professional Category) for its television series ‘Sahaya’.

The series was top-billed by young actress Bianca Umali and showcased the richness of Philippine indigenous culture from the eyes of the Badjao people. The Philippines bagged four awards in the international film festival.

SEAVFC was inspired by the 2016 Prix Jeunesse International held in Munich, Germany. This festival is known for advocating excellence in children’s television around the world. Since its establishment in Germany in 1964, it has been promoting, celebrating and honoring the highest quality in youth and children’s television.

Seeing the limited representation of Southeast Asia

in the festival and recognizing that the region has a vast young population which will benefit greatly from such a project, Anak TV Inc., through its president Elvira Yap-Go, proposed the first Southeast Asia Prix Jeunesse.

The Philippines hosted the first two editions of SEAVFC

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sound.

An unforgettable experience for me was when we arrived at the Glowing River where we were tasked to look for the three joy spirits using the Augmented Reality function of our smartphones. Moving around the river of lights made the colour of the river change in relation to where I was going to.

After getting our selfie fill at the Glowing River, we arrived at the Fox Shrine where an actual statue of a fox deity was animated and staying with the story, we hurriedly walked to the grove of Smile Trees where we “harvested” smiles to help the protagonist go home.

The biggest treat was when we eventually arrived at Osaka Castle where we saw giant flowers with our smiling faces projected onto the castle’s walls. Even with the thermometer registering at a cool 6 degrees Centigrade, I felt a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing I got to see a different side to Osaka Castle through the magical Sakuya Lumina journey.

Sakyua Lumina at Osaka Castle in on from November to December. Tickets can be purchased at the park’s KyobashiGuchi entrance ticket center for 3,200Yen (Php1,480) for adults, 2,000Yen (Php1,018) for teenagers 13 to 17 and seniors 65 and above, while tickets for children from 4 to 12 cost 1,200Yen (Php555).

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Launghter and smiles are “harvested” at the Smile Tree grove.

Osaka Clastle clad in flowers and smiles.

Virtual hide and seek at the Glowing River.

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

Together with friends at the Sakuya Lumina.

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

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

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UNGAB... FROM2

search and Monitoring Of�ice a USB drive containing two �iles --- a “source” �ile and the “list” �ile.

He explained that a preliminary scrutiny of the last-minute insertions made by the House would indicate that the source �ile was the list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.219 billion that was apparently used as the congressmen’s “source” for their “list” of 742 projects worth P16.345 billion that were

inserted in the bicam report signed by Senate and House panels.

Ungab, however, could not answer such allegation as it is “not in [his] level.”

“Level ko sa Committee on Appropriations. Higher level yan sila,” he added.

The lawmaker said they are currently in the process of encoding the budget documents, and they hope to �inish it until Tuesday.

“After encoding, it will be sent to the printing

press and it will take about �ive to seven days in the printing press. Hopefully, after that time pirmahan na ni Presidente yung budget. I hope that before our break or immediately our break mapiramahan na ni Presidente,” he said.

“Anyway, by next year, I am very optimistic that January 1 we already have a budget for the operations of the government of the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

age Assessment and Needs Analysis in Digos City is ongoing.

As this developed, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista disclosed

there are no casualties and no major damage on school buildings, business establishments, and houses in his area.

“Yung mga nasisira da-

hil sa earthquake noong October 30 and 31, yun lang ang ni-re-assess natin ngayon especially yung mga establishments,” he said.

RESIDENTS... FROM3

ANNOUNCEMENT To whom it may concern:

This is to correct an information published on December 10, 2019, that a Seawind Condominium unit by Damosa Land, specifically Building 4, Unit 6E, purchased by Mary Claire Misoles under a Contract to Sell has been cancelled pursuant to Notice of Cancellation dated September 23, 2019, recorded in notarial registry of Atty. Roland A. Reyes as document no. 456, page no. 93, book no. 7, series of 2019.

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

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Palace: Up to Ombudsman to release Duterte SALN

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte is only required to �ile, not to publicize, his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Malacañang said Monday.

Duterte has a "different style" when it comes to the transparency of his wealth, his spokesman Salvador Panelo said as he argued that the Palace is not the re-

pository of the document.

"If he (Duterte) is hiding anything he would not have �iled any SALN," Panelo told reporters.

"That is the job of the Ombudsman to release [the President's SALN]," he added.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that Duter-

te's SALN for 2018 was yet to be made public since the April 30 deadline for �iling.

Under the country's charter, all public of�icials and employees, whether regular or under temporary status, are required to �ile a SALN. Making public the SALN of top government of�icials is important in ensuring trans-

parency and accountability as it helps in the lifestyle check of of�icials.

Panelo said media out�its seeking for a copy of Duterte's SALN should wait for the Ombudsman's directive.

"This President's style is different but he has not transgressed any law," he said.

pine National Red Cross Davao del Sur Chapter, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Davao del Sur Chapter, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Of�ice, Provincial Capitol, Provincial Disaster and Risk Management Council, Municipal Disaster and Risk Management Council, and Barangay Disaster and Risk Management Council for proper coordination.

On Sunday afternoon, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a magnitude 6.9 earthquake of tectonic in origin struck parts of Mindanao at 2:11 p.m.

Sunday.

A report by Mindanao-based news agency Mindanews quoted the state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA) which reported several shoppers and employees of the three-storey Southern Trade, a shopping center in Padada, Davao del Sur, are feared trapped when the building collapsed.

The PIA report quoted Engr. Luke Cadoyas, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�icer, as saying four who were near the building and were injured were rescued at around 3:30 p.m.

It was the �ifth quake above Magnitude 6 that jolted Mindanao between October 16 and December

15: Magnitude 6.3 on October 16; 6.6 and 6.1 on October 29; 6.5 on October 31 and 6.9 on December 15.

In its Earthquake Information No. 1, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially reported the epicenter at 6 kilometers northwest of Padada in Davao del Sur, with a depth of 30 kilometers but later amended it to 9 km northwest of Matanao also in Davao del Sur, with a depth of 3 kilometers.

The intensities recorded by Phivolcs were 7 in Matanao and Magsaysay towns in Davao del Sur; 6 in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato; General Santos and Koronadal cities in South Cotabato; Bansalan in Davao del Sur; and Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani.

The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in the cities of Davao and Cotabato; Tulunan and Matalam in North Cotabato; and Glan in Sarangani; Intensity 3 in Kalilangan, Talakag and Dangcagan in Bukidnon; Intensity 2 in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog; and Intensity 1 in Zamboanga del Sur. Shoppers in various malls and department stores as well as movie houses in the quake-hit areas rushed out of the build-

ings, a number of them sustaining minor injuries.

Several malls and other establishments also closed after their customers left the buildings.

In Padada, Davao del Sur, Cadoyas told PIA they need assistance as his team is not equipped and skilled for rescue in collapsed buildings.

He said an old water reservoir located at the public cemetery also collapsed, injuring eight residents.

The two-storey Canlas Commercial building also collapsed but there were no casualties reported.

In Kidapawan City, which registered Intensity 6, shoppers in one of the biggest malls scampered for safety and some ran towards the exit points.

The management immediately ordered the closure of its mall when everyone was out of the building.

The Gaisano Grand Mall of Kidapawan had just opened for business last month after the management completed the retro�itting of areas damaged by the series of four above-Magnitude 6 quakes between October 16 and 31.

Shoppers said they heard and saw several broken glassware at the mall’s second �loor.

Children were the most

traumatized, a certain Caryl Joy, also a shopper, said.

“I saw children crying, looking for their moms.

Some of them were placed inside the play house while their parents were doing the grocery,” she said.

Other grocery stores and restaurants were immediately closed for business after the ground shaking.

In South Cotabato, Rolly Doane Aquino, operations and warning head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice, said that as of 3:50 p.m. there was no reported fatality across the province.

The 6.6-magntude earthquake that struck Mindanao on October 29 killed one person in Koronadal after falling debris hit him on the head.

Aquino said Sunday’s quake sent patients rushing out of their hospital beds to seek safety, just like what happened in October.

Also as a result of today’s quake, over a dozen individuals were rushed to the different hospitals mostly due to hyperventilation, Aquino said.

People inside the big shopping malls also rushed out of the malls that closed shop after the quake and succeeding aftershocks for safety. (With a report from Mindanews)

the public to pray for the immediate recovery of all the injured victims.

On Sunday afternoon, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Davao del Sur almost two months after a series of quakes shook parts of Mindanao.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) traced its epicenter nine kilometers northwest of Matanao,

Davao del Sur. Intensity 7 was felt in Matanao and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, and Intensity 6 in Kidapawan City, General Santos City; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani; and, Koronadal City.

It was recorded at Intensity 5 in Tulunan and Matalam, Cotabato; Cotabato City; Davao City; and Glan, Sarangani; Intensity 3

in Kalilangan, Talakag and Dangcagan in Bukidnon; and Intensity 2 in Impasugong, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; and Dipolog City; and Intensity 1 in Zamboanga del Sur. At least four persons were initially reported to have died while 14 people were injured.

Reports also showed there were roads and buildings that acquired damage.

Malacañang said the President and his family were “unhurt” when the earthquake struck.

Duterte was in his house in Davao City with his daughter Kitty while his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, was on her way home when the ground rumbled and moved.

Last October, three powerful earthquakes hit parts of Mindanao. (PNA)

have really, representation from all the regions of our country,” Rodriguez added.

Other amendments proposed by the House resolution include tandem voting for the President and Vice President in the elections, as well as a provision that would ease restrictions of foreign business ownership. The resolution also limits the ownership of mass media to Filipino citizens.

No discreet approval Rodriguez meanwhile shrugged off reports that the resolution’s passage was done in a “discreet” manner— noting that members of the opposition were invited in past hearings on the matter.

“De�initely not (discreet or secret),” the committee chairman said.

“We invited always the opposition, and the Makabayan bloc-- they have

been with us for the past �ive public hearings. We believe it was about time that we vote on it, because this issue has been discussed for four presidents already."

Rodriguez previously said the resolution was approved during an executive session as no resource persons were on board.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year admitted that passing federalism— one of his main

campaign promises in the 2016 elections— would remain shot, as many Filipinos still do not support the proposed shift. Malacañang on Friday, however, maintained the chief executive will not intervene in the measure’s passage.

The lower chamber passed a federal charter on third and �inal reading in the 17th Congress, but no counterpart measure was �iled in the Senate.

the stable development of US-China economic and trade relations," it added.

Beijing has agreed to import at least $200

billion in additional US goods and services over the next two years on top of the amount it purchased in 2017, the top

US trade negotiator said Friday.

A statement issued by the United States Trade Representative also on

Friday said the United States would leave in place 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods.

HELP... FROM1

COMMUNITY... FROM2

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ing against generic medicine.

Duque said a recent survey has revealed that 99% of Filipinos do not buy all their prescription medicines because the drugs cost a lot.

Branded medicines cost 22 times more than generic drugs, while generic brands are four times more in the country based on international reference.

In September, the Department of Health has recommended 122 drugs to be placed under the maximum drug retail prices (MDRP) to the Of�ice of the President.

Duque said the medicines on the list have the highest disease burden and costs, and some are drugs for special population or disadvantaged groups like persons with disabilities.

who was 9-for-23 from the �ield, including three 3-pointers. It was the 13th time Young has scored at least 30 points this season.

Atlanta, which has lost four straight, also got 12 points from Jabari Parker.

Atlanta led 25-24 after one quarter, but Los Angeles outscored the Hawks by eight in the second quarter and took a 55-48 halftime lead. The Lakers led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter when JaVale

McGee made one of two free throws with 5:40 remaining.

Atlanta lost shooter Kevin Huerter to a left shoulder contusion. It is the same shoulder Huerter injured in Denver on Nov. 12, and his status is day-to-day.

The Lakers play the fourth game of their �ivegame road trip on Tuesday at Indiana. The Hawks travel to play the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2019-12-037 (2015-XI-00037) FERNANDO M. CONCON, Petitioner.

Case No. R11-EV-UV-2019-12-421 (2014-XI-00421) BRENDAN V. CASTRO, Petitioner.

LAKERS... FROM11

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL ORDINARY REGULAR Service.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS Service.

x----------------------------------------------------x

x----------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: PANACAN VIA JP LAUREL AVENUE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on June 30, 2020. In the petition filed on December 2, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 8, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Atty. ARMAND B. DIOSO, Regional Director, this 3rd day of December 2019 at Davao City, Philippines.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS service on the route: DAVAO CITY - CATEEL (DAVAO ORIENTAL) AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on July 22, 2019. On September 17, 2019, Petitioner filed a Motion seeking the acceptance of the late filing of the Petition for Extension of Validity which was duly granted by this Board taking into account the issuance of MC 2010-034. In the petition filed on December 4, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 8, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Atty. ARMAND B. DIOSO, Regional Director, this 5th day of December 2019 at Davao City, Philippines.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR

Attorney IV/Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

Petitioner, Fernando M. Concon Counsel, Atty. Albert G. Yenco

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR

Attorney IV/Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

Petitioner, Brendan V. Castro Counsel, Atty. Randolf P. Esparagoza

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

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Nets snap Sixers’ win streak

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Delvin Goh (in red) is blocked by Alab Pilipinas players. ABL photo

Alab Pilipinas rallies to beat Singapore

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TA. ROSA, Laguna -Alab Pilipinas rallied in the fourth quarter to turn back the Singapore Slingers, 90-83, in its �irst ASEAN Basketball League game at home on Sunday night at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex here.

Alab came back from 13 points down midway through the third period by dropping 40 points in the �inal 10 minutes to steal the win.

Khalif Wyatt scored 20 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter including three straight triples that turned the game around for good to lead Alab, who moved up to 2-1.

Newly signed Sam Deguara added 12 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, two

blocks, and one steal in his Alab debut.

Xavier Alexander put up 26 markers, 10 boards, seven dimes, three steals, and two blocks for Singapore, which only made its season debut on Sunday night.

Anthony McClain added 25 points, 12 rebounds, and �ive blocks, while Marcus Elliott came up with 11 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and one steal.

The Slingers’ chief tormentor was Alab shooting guard Wyatt who hit four three-pointers in the �irst �ive minutes of that decisive �inal quarter and eventually scored a game-high 28 points.

Slingers coach Neo Beng Siang said: “We’re obviously disappointed with the loss but we have to give

Lakers hurdle Hawks for 7th straight win

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eBron James scored 32 points to lead the visiting Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-96 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday and extend their road winning streak to 14 games.

James made 12 of 21 from the �ield, four of them 3-pointers, and added 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks to help the Lakers extend their overall winning streak to seven.

The Lakers’ road winning streak is the longest by the club since they won 18 straight away from home during their NBA record 33-game winning streak in 1972-73. Their only road loss this season was in their own building, when the Clippers were the “home” team at Staples Center, which the teams share.

The Hawks, who lost to the Lakers by 21 last month in Los Angeles, were in the

game until the end.

Atlanta got as close as 98-96 when De’Andre Hunter hit a pair of free throws with 19.1 seconds, but James made one of two free throws with 15.2 seconds left to extend the lead to 99-96.

Atlanta rookie Cam Reddish missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 10 seconds remaining, and the Lakers’ Danny Green grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made two free throws to nail down the win.

The Lakers also got 27 points and 13 rebounds from Anthony Davis, who picked up his 12th double-double.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo both added 11 points.

The Hawks got 30 points from Trae Young,

LAKERS, P10

credit to Alab. They came back and shot pretty well in the last quarter.

“We played pretty good defence in the �irst three quarters, but (in the �inal quarter) the players (over-committed) too much at times.

“We needed to get ourselves up on defence because when we are up, we’re not giving easy shots or easy threes, that’s the way they can come back.”

Slingers swingman Xavier Alexander led his side with 26 points and 10 rebounds but crucially missed half of his 12 freethrow attempts and committed four turnovers.

McClain and Elliott had mixed debuts for the Slingers. The former, a 2.13m centre, had a decent out-

ing with 25 points and 12 rebounds while the latter, who was the 2017 ABL World Import MVP, had an indifferent start with his new club.

Elliot managed just 11 points after connecting on only four of his 21 �ield goals, including going one from seven from beyond the arc.

The two local starters Delvin Goh and Leon Kwek had 12 and three points respectively.

The Slingers had been hoping to get off to a winning start after last season’s disappointment where they came agonisingly close to their �irst ABL title, only to miss out after an 84-81 loss to CLS Knights Indonesia in the Finals title decider. (PNA)

pencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points as the Brooklyn Nets capitalized on Joel Embiid's absence and led most of the way in a 109-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night in New York.

The Nets led for the �inal 41:54 in the �irst meeting between the teams since the �irst round of last spring's postseason.

Embiid averaged 24.8 points in the four games he played in that series but sat out with an upper respiratory illness and missed his sixth game of the season.

Dinwiddie helped the Nets improve to 10-5 without Kyrie Irving (right shoulder impingement) by shooting 9 of 21 from the �ield and adding six assists. It was Dinwiddie's fourth straight 24-point game and 13th since being elevated to the starting lineup to replace Irving.

Joe Harris added 16 for the Nets, who led by as many as 23 and shot 45.3 percent. Garrett Temple added 13 while DeAndre Jordan posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds as the Nets scored 64 points in the paint and outrebounded Philadelphia 52-38.

Ben Simmons scored 20 points for Philadelphia, which saw a �ive-game

winning streak stopped and lost for only the second time in its past 11 games and were held under 90 points for the �irst time this season.

Tobias Harris added 17 for the 76ers, who shot 43 percent and missed 21 of 26 3-point attempts.

Josh Richardson was held to 11 points and Al Horford �inished with 10 as he started for Embiid at center.

After taking a �ivepoint lead through the �irst quarter, the Nets took their �irst double-digit lead when Jordan's tip-in made it 38-27 with 7:58 remaining. The Sixers were within 49-41 on a basket by Simmons with 3:12 left, but Brooklyn held a 57-43 lead by halftime.

Dinwiddie's dunk over Harris put Brooklyn up 64-52 with 8:28 remaining and the Sixers were within 66-58 on a jumper by Harris with seven minutes left. Philadelphia missed nine straight shots until a 3-pointer by Mike Scott with 80 seconds left and 11 of its �inal 13 shots to end the quarter as the Nets took an 83-66 lead into the fourth.

The Nets �inished off the game when Dinwiddie hit a 3-pointer with 6:29 remaining to push the lead to 99-76.

HOOP FANATICS. Fans of both Agro Industrial Foundation College and Holy Cross of Davao College came in droves to cheer for their school in the finals of the 2019 Collegiate Sponsors League Escandor Cup on Sunday at the Davao City Recreation Center. CSL photo

Anthony Davis clears the board. He had 13 for the night along with 27 points.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

RAISING THE BAR SBP leadership takes Davao collegiate hoops to new level

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

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avao City's basketball landscape has transformed dramatically.

From the days where only a handful watch the games played in campus covered courts, collegiate basketball in Davao City has turned up notches high. Now playing in major venues in the city that are �illed by adoring fans to the rafters and a live video online coverage at that, things are really looking up.

The roadmap was built by visionary and dedicated basketball patron Glenn Escandor, who was appointed

by President Rodrigo Duterte to be his sports adviser aside from being the region's director for the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).

The past three years have seen a remarkable change in the collegiate basketball scene.

"It's a product of long-

term planning and commitment. When we prepared the roadmap, we asked for everyone to be part of this program. Now, we are getting there," said Escandor who envisioned Davao City to have a UAAP-type basketball competition.

On Saturday, Agro Industrial Foundation Colleges proved the balance of power in the Collegiate Sponsors League exists as the Sailors took away the title from the grasp of Holy Cross of Davao College in a thrilling �inale that had fans from both sides turning up the intensity inside the jampacked Davao City Recreation Center.

The Sailors along with dethroned champion Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders and MATS Navigators will qualify to the upcoming PCCL Mindanao Finals on February 2.

CHAMPIONS. 2019 Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League champion Agro Sailors with Presidential Adviser for Sports and Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas regional director Glenn Escandor and executive officer Ronel Leuterio. The Sailors along with dethroned champion Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders and MATS Navigators will qualify to the upcoming PCCL Mindanao Finals on February 2. CSL photo