Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 207 | Sunday-Thursday, December 29, 2019- January 2, 2020

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HIGHS AND LOWS

VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

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Yearender: Davao and Mindanao-strong business outlook in 2020 STORY ON PAGE 2

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

HIGHS AND LOWS

Yearender: Davao and Mindanao-strong business outlook in 2020

By MAYA M. PADILLO hat goes down must come up.

Davao Region and in general, Mindanao, had a bit of hardluck in 2019 but like anything coming off some lows, it’s time to look forward for a rebound.

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It’s curtain call for 2020 and with everything Davao Region and Mindanao went through in 2019, including but not limited to -- Martial Law, investment scams, polio outbreak, flooding, and earthquakes.

It was practically a roll-

er-coaster ride for Davaoeños.

Despite supporting the Martial Law originally proclaimed in 2017, Davao’s business community changed its heart and hoped it could be lifted earlier as some of the investors had put on hold their plans in Mindanao while Mindanao is under ML. Davao Region became the hotbed of investment schemes oper-

ations. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) monitored a total of 40 investment firms that fall under the genus of illegal Ponzi schemes designed to defraud investors of their hard-earned money. It was a hit-fast and crash-fast for the investment scams that even earned for Tagum City the infamous title “Scam Capital of the Philippines.”

In August, heavy rains were experienced in Davao City particularly in Tugbok District and Talomo District which resulted to the overflowing of Talomo River that caused major flooding in the northern part of the city.

The flooding displaced more than 500 families in Davao City.

On September 19, the

Department of Health (DOH) declared an outbreak of polio. Environmental samples taken from sewage in Manila on August 13 and in Davao River on August 22 have tested positive for the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

Then came the series of earthquakes that hit Davao Region and other municipalities and cities in Mindanao, which according to economist Adrian Tamayo tempered the growth of the economy not only in the region but the entire Mindanao.

OPTIMISM AMID SETBACKS Despite all these setbacks, business leaders expressed positive outlook for the year 2020 citing government’s focus on the implementation of the Build Build Build program, lifting of Martial Law in Mindanao, and support provided by the national government as contributors to the promising outlook.

Former Mindanao Business Council chair and Honorary Consul of Bangladesh for Mindanao Joji Ilagan Bian sees 2020 to be rosy, especially amidst the continuous h i g h spending on

the “Build Build Build” projects that focus on investments on infrastructure.

According to Bian, this gives additional boost to the confidence of the business sector to do its share on increasing its private sector portfolio on investments and these investments will be able to fuel more jobs.

Bian added that the credit conditions for the small and medium sized entrepreneurs must be made more favorable with lesser red tapes so that the economic growth will be more inclusive and will reach the country side.

“With this we will be able to largely reduce poverty also. Davao will continue to experience robust economic growth as this city remains one of the main focus of the Duterte administration. Growth will be experienced by all sectors of the economy.

There is now a greater move for Mindanao

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

SPMC is UHC ready

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Davao City Tourism Office head Generose Tecson bares that the tourist arrivals in the city reached 2.34 million from January to November 2019, contributing at least P51 billion to the local economy which also surpassed the 2.17 million tourist arrivals for the same period last year. Lean Daval Jr

Post-rehab plan for quake hit areas in Davao mulled

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he national government is now looking into establishing a post-rehabilitation plan particularly on housing for earthquake-hit areas in Davao Region.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told Edge Davao that the national government together with other government agencies are now looking into identifying areas feasible for housing project for the residents in the region whose houses were totally damaged after a series of earthquakes hit southern Mindanao.

“As of the moment we will look into the post-rehabilitation plan of the government especially on housing. We will check if puwede pa ba tukuran ug

balay para dili masayang ang housing. Mao na ang ginatun-an sa national government agencies sa karon,” Go said.

Go added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now also looking into establishing new roads or streets that were damaged due to tremors.

The Dabawenyo lawmaker is also hopeful that his proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), which is now in the committee level of the Senate, will soon be passed to

Davao City tourist arrivals reach 2.34 million, up 7.3%

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he City Tourism Office (CTO) here recorded at least 2.34 million tourist arrivals from January to November 2019, contributing at least P51 billion to the local economy, data showed.

CTO chief Generose Tecson said the record for the first 11 months of the year surpassed the 2.17 million tourist arrivals for the same period last year, or up by 7.3 percent.

Tecson told MindaNews Thursday the tourism figure could be higher since they don’t have data from self-styled accommodations, or those who rent their houses or rooms through online bookings.

She attributed the surge in tourist arrivals to the hosting of more meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

“For the city, we are

looking forward to having our MICE program in place, which would also mean the support of our front liners and tourism related establishments in ensuring that their services are on par with international standards,” she said.

Tecson stressed that the private sector played a key role in the increase of tourist arrivals, for providing the necessary accommodation and convention facilities for the MICE program.

The cooperation of our private sector partners is crucial, such as by ensuring that they have the required legal documents to operate their businesses, she said.

She also cited the growing investments in the tourism industry such as resorts, convention fa-

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scale up preparedness of the public in time of disasters and calamities.

“Nasa committee level na ito sa senado samantalang pasado na rin ito sa committee doon sa House of Representatives ang similar bill. Kailangan na po talaga nating i-scale up ang preparedness and resiliency against disasters. Napapanahon na din na dapat magkaroon ng sariling departamento na naka-tutok talaga dito sa mga ganitong pangyayari,” Go said.

In July this year, Go filed a bill creating the DDR. The salient provisions of the propose bill include: creates an empowered highly specialized and responsive Department of Disaster Resilience with clear unity of command and primarily responsible in ensuring

safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities.

“Sa pagpapatayo ng departamento na ito, mas magiging mabilis ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan, mas maibsan ang masamang epekto ng kalamidad at mas mabilis makakabangon ang ating mga kababayan. Kailangan ding magpatayo ng mga safe, permanent at dedicated na mga evacuation centers sa mga piling lugar. Kailangan kompleto ito sa mga emergency packs, katulad ng mga tubig, flashlights, gamot, kumot, bigas, de lata, atbp,” he explained.

The proposed DDR shall also concentrate on three key result areas namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and

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overnment-owned Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is ready for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program which ensures affordable and quality health benefits for every Filipino.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed UHC Bill into law (Republic Act No. 11223) that automatically enrols all Filipino citizens in the National Health Insurance Program and prescribes complementary reforms in the health system. This also gives citizens access to the full continuum of health services they need, while protecting them from enduring financial hardship.

SPMC chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo “Bong” Vega told Edge Davao that the hospital has been, for several years, preparing for UHC because he thinks “it is bound to happen.”

Among the preparations they made were a number of specialty programs they call “institutes” or standalone facilities based on medical condition.

“So if you have problem with cancer so you go to the cancer institute. If specialties are co-located in one area like a cancer patient would need a cancer surgeon or oncologist for chemo-treatment or radiation treatment are already in one facility,” he said.

As an apex or end-referral hospital, SPMC is now eyeing to provide sub-specialty care by training more specialists as well as prepare its workforce to become real specialists.

“That is the reason why we are opening up a lot of sub-specialists trainings wherein before can be accessed in Manila but can now be trained here in SPMC because we are an apex institution and this is where specialty and sub-specialty end-referral would be. This is the real intention of getting

this institution to become patient-centered,” he said.

This is the kind of outlook SPMC has in terms of being an apex hospital to provide necessary services especially in the next five years when the UHC will be rolled out.

“Right now we are in a default position because there are not much function in some of the local government hospitals around but if they are able to function and to provide necessary assistance in their community the network is going to be very efficient,” he said.

Vega described UHC as a transformative and a breakthrough in terms of the healthcare system in the Philippines.

“This UHC law means that all Filipinos will have PhilHealth and not only that it actually has also improve in terms of the sourcing of the funding of PhilHealth and this is mainly compulsory taxation, sin taxes and increased in the premiums for PhilHealth benefits. In other words every Filipino will have to enroll into a network and enrolment of a network would mean that they would be taken cared of health care in terms of preventive and the ordinary sicknesses and ordinary non-major diseases but they can be referred to secondary hospitals,” Vega said.

Challenges in the implementation of UHC such as formation of network among the primary, secondary, tertiary and apex or end-referral hospitals; and financing as UHC is something very new to the hospital providers, doctors and healthcare workers, according to Vega.

“If you want to see a specialist you can go for the specialist consultation at once but now with the UHC if you want to be processed and have your PhilHealth benefits then you have to process both with

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A street vendor sells plastic horns (torotot) at the sidewalk along San Pedro Street in Davao City a few days before New Year’s Day celebration. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

NEWS 5

PCSO open to probe on STL: GM Garma

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he Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said it welcomes the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) investigation on ranking officials outside the PCSO allegedly involved in corruption in the controversial small-town lottery (STL) program.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina M. Garma

Royina Garma, PCSO general manager, said the PCSO's records are open to the PACC to help out in the commission’s effort to ferret out the truth and identify government officials engaging in irregularities connected to the STL. "The records of PCSO are open for investigation. We will cooperate with PACC

because PACC and PCSO are one with the President in ensuring that funds due the government must be collected and should go to the intended beneficiaries," Garma said in a statement.

Garma issued her reaction to the announcement of PACC commissioner Manuelito Luna last week that their probe on anomalies in

the STL is not confined to PCSO officials but also covers officials in other government agencies implicated in the controversy.

Luna has refused to further reveal details so as not to preempt the ongoing investigation.

Insiders, however, bared that the PACC has been informed of the involvement of a ranking official who is allegedly benefiting from illegal STL operations.

The official – an undersecretary in the executive branch – has been reportedly receiving “millions in patong (payoffs)” from STL operators in Northern Luzon, Calabarzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

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PRRD's New Year wish is ‘lasting peace’ in PH D ays before the entire nation welcomes 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope that Filipinos would continue to enjoy a “comfortable life” and feel “lasting peace”, Malacañang said on Friday.

“The President first would like to greet all Filipinos a happy and pros-

perous New Year,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in an interview with Palace reporters. “His wish at the very inception of his presidency is to serve them and protect them, and to give them comfortable lives and lasting peace.”

Duterte will welcome 2020 with his family at his residence in Davao

City. Panelo said the President would stay home until January 2 next year.

Asked if the President has a New Year’s resolution, Panelo said, “Wala naman. Wala siyang nabanggit (There is none.

He has not mentioned any New Year’s resolution).”

About 93 percent of Filipinos are expected to welcome 2020 “with

hope,” while only 0.2 percent will face the new year “without hope”, according to the December 3 to 8 survey by private polling firm Pulse Asia.

Earlier Friday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar vowed that the Duterte government’s policies and programs

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that brought success to the country would continue to be implemented next year.

Andanar was also optimistic that 2020 would be “filled with achievements, progress, and prosperity for all of us.”

“As we face new challenges ahead, let us remain steadfast in setting and achieving our goals

while keeping in mind how we can be of service to others,” he said.

"Trust also that the PCOO, to complement the administration's work, will strive harder to continue to communicate these noteworthy services and programs by the government to keep the public informed and involved." (PNA)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 207 VOL.12 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29,DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 24-26, 2, 2019 2020

EDITORIAL

The loud Onvoice the rebound against drugs

Now it can be Duterte’sadrug is The decade is told, over President but it willRodrigo not go without loudwar thud, backed by majority Filipinos. especially the lastofyear 2019. In fact, for Dabawenyos, 2019 Results of a survey which showed majority of Filipinos are will go down rumbling literally andthat figuratively. stillThe satisfied

by President Duterte’s illegal drugs first quarter had the city oncrackdown the eventson map--stagings only goes to show that Filipinos are seeing the bigger picture--that of the Palarong Pambansa, the Ironman 70.3 and the on the general things, the drug warng is the better option various eventsscheme of theofmonth-long Araw Davao resulted for the nation rather than falling into a narco state. in the city filled to the brim by visitors. And then came the This is how the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey looked: elections saw were two satisfied Dabawenyos taking awar seatonindrugs the 79 percentwhich of Filipinos with Duterte’s Senate in President Duterte’s top aide Christopher “Bong” as against 15 percent who were dissatisfied. The remainingGo 6 and former top cop Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. Three percent were Davao undecided.

Duterte siblings--Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Vice Mayor Overall, the drug war received a net satisfaction rating of +64, Baste Duterte and Paolo Duterte--occupied the classified

by SWS as Congressman “very good.” This figure is similar to the “very three key positions in the city government and Congressional good” rating in September 2018 to March 2017 which ranged from district. +63 to +66 but 6 points below the “excellent” +70 rating in June andThe March 2019. Ponzi-like investment scams masquerading infamous This net satisfaction with the anti-narcotics campaign been as investment and securities put the entire Davaohas Region consistently rakingofhigh satisfaction either very good or excellent at the forefront a frenzied financial adventurism which in the past 12 survey rounds. eventually led to the expected mishap when President A close look atdeclared the results the for detractors the Duterte himself it isshould illegalprovide and called the arrest view of the silent majority who are satisfied with the drug war, of those involved.

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

most of which a family or a friend victims.

Then camehave theeither African Swinemember Fever (ASF) virusasfollowed most outbreak. common reason respondents remain satisfied by

by The the polio The ASF sent the local hog industry the drug war is that drug suspects have lessened at 42 percent, reeling as confusion over the animal-related virus affected followed by drug suspects have beenand arrested 18 percent, and the sale and consumption of pork pork at products. crime has lessened at 11 percent.

Rounding the top five reasons The last quarter was where the rumbling from under are: it diminished the drug trade at 8 percent, and protected everyone’s feet changed how Dabawenyos live. What usedthe to youth from drugs 6 percent. be an occasional occurrence became a regular thing.

Now where does this sit on the opinion of foreign groups and The first who strike of debunked what became a seriesdrug of big-time personalities have the Philippine war? It’s earthquakes was described by Mayor Duterte herself as either a wake up call or a slap on their faces. These entities continue “swaying and unfounded swinging.”belief The next bigdrug onewar wasis drilling and to stick to their that the a violation of dribbling. human rights and that it is creating a culture of impunity.

The temblors notbeen only downed several structures including The drug war has the biggest chatter against the Duterte public schools and residential buildings, it also shook local administration attracting the criticisms of some foreign countries economy as Recently, the property market dropped and investments and entities. the United States have stamped down the entry to its country of all personalities related to what it perceived stalled.

Amidst the damages and the fears brought by the to be “illegal” incarceration of Senator Leila de Lima who was quakes, it also brought out the best in Dabawenyos--the spirit charged for participation in the illegal drugsby trade the national of generosity and care for those affected the in disaster. penitentiary.

With the roars and rumbles left by 2019, the beginning of However, thepresents real judgment have tofor come fromCity the Filipinos a new decade freshwill outlook Davao and an themselves, and by far the voice has been consistent. opportunity to rebound and to rebuild.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

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JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

THE SLEEPING GIANT NEEDS TO GROW The facts about agriculture have stared us in the face for far too long.

Philippine agriculture grew at an average of only 1.1 percent for the past 10 years. This, despite an overall gross domestic product growth (GDP) of 6.2 percent. What these numbers show is that this vital sector’s growth has remained flat and almost at the same level as our population growth rate.

That said, while we are happy that our agriculture growth recovered a bit in the last quarter from dismal performance at the

beginning of the year, it matters more that we fix the long term issues that has been causing its failure to grow at a rate that can ensure food supply for the public and in a manner that allows sustained livelihoods for farmers.

To discuss agriculture and seek solutions to its problems, we therefore will need to understand not only the topline growth numbers but more importantly, the inner workings or structures that create these numbers, or prevent real growth.

In short, its not enough

to know how low the growth is. We’d like to know why the growth is low.

For one, we are not naturally endowed with one land mass that allows low cost transport between provinces like it is in Thailand and Vietnam.

Being an archipelago means shipping and trucking, or double handling the commodity, paying more in the process. This, by itself is a challenge that adds cost to the retail price of rice.

Another problem is the lack of credit for farmers to allow them to finance their

crop growing activities.

This forces them to accept onerous payment terms from loan sharks, thereby leaving them with reduced after the produce is procured.

Still even worse is the lack of necessary skills to ensure greater productivity. Our rice farming methods are 19th century techniques combined with modern chemical fertilizers. This makes the farmer dependent on the fertilizers even more.

Then there is climate change that can upend even the most experienced

farmer armed with indigenous knowledge.

Thus, a revolution is needed for the rice sector to produce the abundant harvests that our people need. It will require better, more sustainable methods using less expensive inputs.

This goes for many other commodities. Its time to revolutionize agriculture, to wake that sleeping giant that ought to grow higher and faster than it does today to occupy a larger place in our country’s growth.

Agriculture needs to grow in order for us to grow.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WELCOMING 2020 “And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious, and great things.”— Rainer Maria Rilke *** It seems forever but before you know it, the 365 days of 2016 are gone. They won’t return and what remains are just memories – sad, happy, memorable and those you really want to forget.

There were days that you wanted to prolong but there days also that you want to end quickly. Time is gold, so they say. You have to spend it wisely. Merrill Douglas speaks of time as a resource, “You can’t buy it, rent it, hoard it, multiply it, make it or save it. You can only spend it.”

One day has 24 hours and one hour has 60 minutes. “Most of us spend 58 minutes an hour living in the past with regret for lost joys, or shame for things badly done (both utterly useless and weakening) or in a future which we either long for or dread,” Margaret Storm Jameson, an English novelist, once said. “The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what is it – a

miracle and unrepeatable.”

Let’s welcome 2020 with gladness. We have another 365 days to spend. It’s up to you on how to use them.

Someone described time as: “too slow for those who wait, to swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is not.”

Today’s generation may not understand this. In the past, in many homes, there is a certain door or panel that was reserved for measuring the heights of the children.

Generally, it was a hidden away door, that was left unpainted so as not to remove the little scratches and marks and dates and initials.

Over the years, the inside of that door had many lines and marks. Children would check themselves against their brothers and sisters and ask, “How much have I grown?” “Am I bigger than John?” “Pretty soon, I’ll be as big as Mike.”

Anyone can realize the advantage and interest of such a record. It made the children stand, walk and sit tall and straight. It made them want to eat health foods. It made them realize the importance of rest. It made them eager to show progress in bodily growth.

“Every New Year, we should stand against our measuring door and see how much we have grown spiritually,” Father Arthur Tonne,

renowned for his humor and published several volumes of Jokes Priests Can Tell reminds. “Perhaps you could start measuring on the inside of the church door – if you come there regularly.”

Ever heard of a key that would open a new you this 2020? Before answering that question, allow me to share another story. If you happen to visit Robert Schuller’s home, you will find a big, heavy, fireproof safe. “We don’t have any money or jewels to put in it, so we keep our birth certificates and passports there,” he explained.

One day, Schuller needed one of the papers. He asked his wife, “Will you get it for me? It’s in the safe.” But she replied, “I don’t know where the key is.”

The couple couldn’t find the key even after a thorough search. So, he finally put the safe in the trunk of his car and drove to a locksmith. He looked at it and told Schuller, “I think I can find a key for that.”

The locksmith returned with some keys, but none of them fit the lock. He said, “I really don’t know much about this business. I am only temporary here today.

The owner will be back tomorrow, if you could bring it back.”

And as he said that, he lifted it. He grabbed the edge underneath the lid and the lid opened up. It had been unlocked all the time. And

right on top, inside, was the key!

“The key to a new you is inside you, right now,” Schuller ended his story.

“You can choose to take it and unlock your God-given possibilities.”

One of the things most people do is make a New Year’s resolution at the start of the year. But before doing so, allow me to share this anecdote shared by Willi Hoffsuemmer: A poor lady found an egg, called her three children together, and told them, “Children, from now on, we’ll have nothing to worry about.

See, I have found an egg and here is what we are going to do with it. We are not going to eat it, but put it under our neighbor’s hen and let it hatch out into a little chick.

“And we won’t eat that little chick either. She’ll grow up, lay eggs, and hatch them.

Then, we’ll have plenty of chickens and plenty of eggs,” the mother went on. “But we won’t eat either the chickens or the eggs; we’ll sell them and buy a calf. We’ll raise the calf into a cow. Then the cow will have many calves and soon we’ll have a herd of cows. We’ll sell the cows and buy a farm, then we’ll keep on buying and selling, buying and selling…”

The lady was speaking with so much excitement that she dropped the egg onto the floor. “Many New Year resolutions are like

that,” Hoffsuemmer wrote, “people dream up a lot of ideal promises but many of them never even last until January the second. They are like that broken egg.”

So, if you want to do a New Year’s resolution, make a doable list. “You are the way you are because that’s the way you want to be,” Fred Smith once said. “If you really wanted to be any different, you would be in the process of changing right now.”

In his book, You Can Reach The Top, author Zig Ziglar shares this thought: “If you’ve made a commitment to do something and you encounter difficulty, look for a solution to the problem.

Without a commitment, you will look for an escape from the problem, and will generally find what you are looking for.”

He further wrote: “Most people who fail in their dream, fail not from lack of ability but from lack of commitment. Commitment produces consistent, enthusiastic effort that inevitably produces greater and greater rewards.

“Motivation give you the ‘want to.’ Training gives you the ‘how to,’ and the combination produces the necessary creative ideas to be more effective in realizing your dream. Commitment, discipline, and responsibility keep you going when the going gets rough,” Ziglar concluded.

8 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020

More awards, changing of the guard mark PAL’s 2019

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Round-shaped fruits start to flood Agdao Public Market in Brgy. Agdao, Davao City few days before New Year’s Day. Lean Daval Jr

MinDA to assist DavOro build bulk water facility

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will assist Davao de Oro, formerly Compostela Valley, construct a P300 million bulk water project next year to improve access to potable water, MinDA Undersecretary Janet Lopoz said Thursday.

She noted that MinDa allocated P500,000 for the feasibility and engineering study for the bulk water supply system.

Based on the agreement with the provincial government, Lopoz said the agency would assist the province in project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and skills enhancement for project sustainability.

The official admitted that the issues relating to the absence of water supply in several communities in the provinces pose a hin-

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t least 15 natural disasters linked to climate change this year caused damage of over $1 billion and seven of them cost at least $10 billion, British charity Christian Aid said Friday.

This year is set to be the second hottest year in history and each of the disasters in the report has a link with climate change, Christian Aid said.

"Extreme weather, fueled by climate change, struck every corner of the globe in 2019. From Southern Africa to North America and from Australia and Asia to Europe, floods, storms and fires brought chaos and destruction," it said.

drance to enhancing productivity and addressing poverty.

She said that MinDA would also help the local government access funds for the project.

Earlier, MinDA chair Emmanuel Piñol said the Development Bank of the Philippines would provide a P300 million loan to the province for the construction of the project, which will benefit households in Nabunturan, Montevista and Monkayo.

He said the project is part of the recently

Assembling its report from official figures, estimates by NGOs and aid bodies, scientific studies and media reports, the British charity said the disasters displaced millions and caused widespread deaths.

Seven of them caused damage of more than $10 billion (9 billion euros).

These included the floods that ravaged north India, typhoon Lekima in China, Hurricane Dorian in the United States, floods in China, floods in the Midwest and southern United States, typhoon Hagibis in Japan and the California wildfires, the costliest tragedy at $25 billion.

"These figures are like-

launched Mindanao Water Supply Program that aims “to contribute to attaining peace, prosperity and poverty reduction to isolated and remote areas in Mindanao through the provision of water supply for drinking and irrigation.”

The project seeks to “contribute to the weak agricultural productivity due to the lack of access to production areas, processing centers and farm-to-market roads, including access to water supply for drinking and irrigation,” according to a MinDa briefer.

Piñol said they are working to improve access to clean water in Mindanao.

“The launching of the Mindanao Water Supply Program intends to address an oftentimes neglected or overlooked problem in the country – the lack of access to safe and potable water,”

ly to be underestimates as they often show only insured losses and do not always take into account other financial costs, such as lost productivity and uninsured losses," it said.

Christian Aid said the overwhelming majority of deaths were caused by just two events, in India and southern Africa, which called it "a reflection of how the world’s poorest people pay the heaviest price for the consequences of climate change.

"In contrast, the financial cost was greatest in richer countries: Japan and the United States suffered three of the four most costly events."

he said.

Piñol also said MinDA plans to put up desalinization facilities in the island communities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Zamboanga Peninsula to bring safe and potable water to underserved communities there.

Under this new program, Piñol said the desalinization technology is one of the solutions being eyed by the government to increase people’s access to clean water, along with source development, communal water system, and household level water system.

He said the desalinization technology, which removes salt and other minerals from water, would be viable for the island-provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan in the BARMM,

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Greenhouse gas emissions are once again set to rise in 2019 after hitting a record in 2018, as extreme weather events -- made more likely as the planet warms -- struck seemingly everywhere this year.

These include Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, typhoon Hagibis in Japan, a deadly, record-breaking heatwave across much of Europe, wildfires in California and eastern Australia and floods in Venice.

The threat posed by climate change became so stark in 2019 that Indonesia, one of the fastest-growing economies on Earth, decided to move its capital to somewhere that wasn't sinking.

lag carrier Philippine Airlines harvested a new wave of international awards and a historic foreign airline investor in 2019, even as Asia’s oldest airline transitioned to a new management with a laser focus on regaining financial profitability while maintaining top-quality customer service.

PAL took in its first foreign airline partner in February 2019 – All Nippon Airways (ANA) - through its parent company ANA Holdings, prompting the election of an ANA representative (Mr. Ryuhei Maeda) to the PAL Board of Directors.

Other changes in the Board include the appointment of Vivienne K. Tan, the daughter of Chairman Lucio C. Tan, as director. Ms. Tan concurrently serves as PAL Executive Vice President/Treasurer, representing the Tan family’s new leadership generation. The family mourned the untimely passing of namesake Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr., who had been appointed head of parent company PAL Holdings.

Business processing outsourcing (BPO) expert Gilbert Santa Maria was anointed as PAL’s new president in July, following the retirement of long-time head Jaime J. Bautista. Mr. Santa Maria is currently leading a digital transformation initiative to ensure that the airline's needs are met by the most ideal technology solutions.

After re-certifying the airline’s 4-Star rating earlier in the year, ratings giant Skytrax announced that PAL won top honors as the World’s Most Improved Airline of 2019 based on a global survey of more than a million passengers.

The US-based Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) association also rated PAL a 4-Star Major Airline for 2020, based likewise on customer votes.

In September 2019, PAL Express was included in the list of Asia’s Top 100 Best Employers – for its employee engagement efforts, while PAL’s stir-

ring 2018 Christmas video “Regalo” bested eight other finalists to win two awards at the YouTube Ads Awards Philippines.

PAL was also cited as a “Talent Accelerator” for its trend-setting virtual reality (VR) training for cabin crew at the 3rd Annual IDC Digital Transformation Awards.

New aircraft were delivered in 2019: the last two Airbus A350-900s (dubbed Love Bus) – completing the long-range fleet – and a new 195-seat variant of the A321neo.

With a fleet of 97 aircraft, PAL was able to open regular flights to the capitals of Cambodia and Vietnam – five times a week to Phnom Penh and four times a week to Hanoi – as well as new domestic routes: Cebu-Zamboanga, Cebu-Dipolog and Zamboanga-Tawi Tawi.

Among the product and service enhancements launched in 2019 was an upgraded Premium Economy experience available on A350 and selected A330 aircraft – so passengers can choose to sit in an intermediate private cabin between regular Economy and Business Class.

PAL also introduced a new automated passenger service system – Altea Suite by Amadeus – to enhance the process of booking, buying tickets, checking-in and boarding flights.

In June 2019, the PAL Foundation facilitated the transport of two Philippine eagles hatched at the Philippine Eagle Foundation sanctuary in Davao by flying them to Singapore as part of a joint international project to conserve the endangered national bird.

The two eagles are now safe in their new home at Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park.

PAL capped the year as a major sponsor of the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. The flag carrier flew in technical officials from participating countries.

PAL will be 79 years old in March 2020.

Galvez: LPEs, best way to push forward peace with the Reds

L

ocal peace engagements (LPEs) being carried out throughout the country under the Duterte Administration’s Whole-of-Nation Approach have proven to be highly effective in achieving enduring peace, social justice, and development.

Through LPEs, the government is demonstrating its strong resolve and decisiveness to put an end to the local communist armed conflict by directly addressing the roots of the armed rebellion and involving all national and local government agencies together with key stakeholders - including the rebels themselves.

Operationalized through Executive Order

No. 70, the Whole-of-Nation Approach has likewise emphasized the need for greater synergy in the delivery of much-needed government services to remote, underdeveloped, conflict-affected areas across the nation to improve the general welfare and well-being of the people.

In light of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s recent ceasefire declaration with the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front (CPPNPA-NDF), there are those who believe the truce will sustain the gains achieved through the LPEs. “We support President

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

BUILDING BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES FIRST CONFUCIOUS INSTITUTE OUTSIDE LUZON

Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, President, Ateneo de Davao University.

Zeng Lu, Vice President, Huaqiao University.

By KENNETH IRVING ONG THE Ateneo de Davao University recently launched Mindanao’s first Confucious Institute in simple ceremonies at the University’s Finster Auditorium attended by university officials, officials from Huaqiao University headed by its Vice President, Zeng Lu, Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao, Tang Duokun, and members of the consular corps.

An culture promotion organization under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the Confucious Institute aims to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges.

In his opening remarks, Ateneo de Davao University president Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ said “The establishment of a Confucious Institute at the Ateneo de Davao University actively responds to the need

for the enhanced instruction in Mandarin, the common Chinese language, as well as for increased appreciation of Chinese culture in Davao City and in Mindanao. This is a demand of the growing cultural, social political and commercial interaction between china and the Philippines especially here in Mindanao. It is a demand as well of the ASEAN which has recently agreed to improve its relationship with China.”

He later shared how AdDU and Huaqiao University, vigorously supported by Chinese consul general to Davao Li Lin

and mayor Sara Duterte, signed a memorandum of understanding in Huaqiao Univertisty in Xiamen to work together to establish a Confucious Institute

Fr. Joel E. Tabora and Zeng Lu tour the Confucious Institute at Ateneo de Davao University.

Luzon.” he added “The curricular offering of Mandarin language and Chinese culture shall address the needs of improved bilateral, cultural and economic exchanges between Davao City and Jinjiang City, between China and the Philippines.”

The event was highlighted by a ceremonial signing, exchangin Davao. ing of university gifts and the “The Ateneo de Davao Uniribbon cutting of the Confuversity has the distinction of cious Institute at the second being the first Confucious Insti- floor of Ateneo de Davao’s tute in the Philippines outside of Finster Building.

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TRAVEL

The Emperor at Dorsett Grand Subang, Malaysia

Wah Lok at Carlton Hotel Singapore

USHER IN THE YEAR OF THE RAT WITH DELECTABLE DELICACIES AT WORLDHOTELS’ AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS

OCCUPYING the first and most prominent position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Rat is set to be one filled with good luck, wisdom and prosperity. In the spirit of joyful reunions and meaningful connections, WorldHotels – with a global offering of 300 luxury and upper upscale hostels and resorts – has curated a list of award-winning hotel restaurants for an unforgettable reunion dinner. With auspicious delicacies to ring in the new decade, the Lunar New Year menus will satisfy even the toughest food connoisseurs.

INDULGE IN DELECTABLE DIMSUM AT WAH LOK AT CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE With a smorgasbord of dim sum offerings and classic Cantonese dishes, celebratory meals at Wah Lok feature exquisitely crafted creations favoured by adults and children alike.

Established in 1988, Wah Lok is a top dining institution in the foodie city, with loyal local fans and a plethora of awards. Sitting in the stunning Carlton Hotel Singapore, travellers can satisfy their local cravings with classic favourites such as the Baked Barbecue Pork Buns and Steamed Crab Meat & Egg White Dumplings. For groups

of families and friends seeking an authentic reunion dinner experience, Wah Lok will also be offering a delectable CNY menu from 13 January to 8 February 2020. With an exquisite line-up of Oriental masterpieces, ring in the New Year with their signature Alaskan Crab Lo Hei and the traditional three-layer Longevity Poon Choi.

SEEK OUT AUTHENTIC CANTONESE DELICACIES AT JADE RIVER IN WHITE SWAN HOTEL, GUANGZHOU, CHINA A landmark in Guangzhou for authentic Cantonese cuisine, the

one Michelin-starred Jade River restaurant in White Swan Hotel is an all-time favourite among local gourmands and travelling patrons.

An oasis of tranquillity amid the hustle and bustle of the city, White Swan Hotel offers a luxurious Lunar New Year experience. With delicately hand-crafted dimsum creations and signature Cantonese dishes, indulge in the restaurant’s Spring Festival dishes such as Roasted Suckling Pig, Sunflower Seed-fed Chicken, and Steamed Garoupa. The Spring Festival menu is available from 25 January to 8 February 2020.

TASTE AWAR DISHES AT TH DORSETT GR MALAYSIA Named the B Subang Jaya, Th Grand Subang i spread of scrum lights featuring At the helm of t ecutive Chef Bry the Gold with D Salon Internatio (SIAL) Shangha rean creations. C cialty dishes suc Skin Yee San an Glutinous Rice c Emperor from 1 February 2020.

SAVOUR MOU STEAKS AT A STEAKHOUSE HOTEL TAIPE For an alterna celebration, A C fers the finest qu and service for t reunion with lov receiver of the M

UP AND ABOUT

DOH IV-A TAPS KONSULTAMD TO PROVIDE FREE PRIMARY HE

THE Department of Health Center for Health Development IV-A has tapped KonsultaMD to provide free primary healthcare services to residents of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON) especially those in far-flung areas who do not have immediate access to medical practitioners.

KonsultaMD is a dedicated platform where Filipinos with medical needs get easy access to primary medical care by talking to licensed, highly-trained and experienced doctors anytime, anywhere over the phone on a 24/7 basis.

“The lack of human resources is a very big problem for the Department of Health. Over the years, we have made so many interventions but it continues to persist. Most affected are those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). We have to do something by making use of technology such as what Konsul-

taMD is offering, to address the issue of human resources in order to give access to quality service to our people,” said DOH Region IV-A Director Eduardo Janairo.

Janairo led the the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with KonsultaMD, a Globe Telecom affiliate; and Globe Business, the enterprise

group of Globe which encourages the integration of ICT and governance as a means of improving the delivery of government services and exchange of information.

Under the agreement, DOH Region IV-A will initially make KonsultaMD services available to 80 Barangay Health Stations in CALABARZON,

(L-R) Municipality of Lobo Mayor Gaudioso Manalo, Globe Business Vice President for Sales Meanne Quiambao, Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera, DOH IV-A Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, Global Telehealth Inc. Chief Executive Officer Maridol Ylanan, and Municipality of Jomalig Mayor Rodel Espiritu. with 100 more expected to benefit from the services next year.

Each Barangay Health Station will receive a telehealth kit comprised of one mobile handset and subscription to KonsultaMD services which residents may use to get all kinds of medical advice from a professional doctor over the phone.

While Konsu to replace the ne interaction betw doctor to resolve doctors can give regarding health concerns and in primary conditi flu allergies, and counter medicat doctors can pro and nutrition co read laboratory “KonsultaMD the vision of pro affordable and q whenever and w don’t need to tra much anymore hospital for prim tions which can by calling our d partnership with Health, we are a achieving this d Ylanan, CEO of Inc. which oper

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019 - JANUARY 2, 2020

RD-WINNING HE EMPEROR AT RAND SUBANG,

Best Restaurant in The Emperor in Dorsett impresses with its mptious Cantonese decontemporary twists. the restaurant is Exyan Teh, who clinched Distinction Award at onal De L’alimentation ai 2019 for his epicuChinese New Year spech as Crispy Salmon nd Roasted Duck with can be enjoyed at The 15 December 2019 to 8

UTH-WATERING A CUT E IN AMBASSADOR EI, TAIWAN ative Lunar New Year Cut Steakhouse ofuality steaks, style those seeking a quiet ved ones. A proud Michelin Plate in 2018,

ENTERTAINMENT

KIANA RELEASES NEW SONG “HIDE MY LOVE” BREWS LARGER SURPRISES FOR 2020 A Cut Steakhouse in Ambassador Hotel Taipei, Taiwan.

A Cut Steakhouse in the Ambassador Hotel Taipei sources its A-grade cuts of meat from the United States and Australia while boasting a superb wine list. Be sure to also try the highly raved Tie Guan Yin Souffle to end off the perfect meal.

REIMAGINE FRENCH CLASSICS AT PIERRE GAGNAIRE À SÉOUL IN LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA To start the Lunar New Year on a high, locals and travellers can indulge in a spectacular dining experience at Lotte Hotel Seoul. Sitting on the 35th floor, the eponymous Michelinstarred French fine dining restaurant by internationally acclaimed Chef Pierre Gagnaire offers diners a fantastic view of the shimmering city and Bukhansan Mountain. Exuding French luxury, Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul is a refreshing change from the classic ten-course menus at Lunar New Year reunions. Serving artfully presented food made with 80% local ingredients, diners can look forward to the chef’s signature southern French cuisine and an impressive collection of over 250 wine labels.

EALTHCARE SERVICES

ultaMD is not meant ecessary face-to-face ween a patient and a ve a medical issue, its e straightforward help hcare questions and nformation on certain ions like cough, fever, d prescribe over-thetion. Moreover, the ovide health coaching ounseling, as well as and diagnostic results.

D was created with oviding every Filipino quick access to doctors wherever needed. They avel far and spend to go to a clinic or mary medical condin already be addressed doctors. Through this h the Department of another step closer to dream,” said Maridol f Global Telehealth, rates KonsultaMD.

On the other hand, Peter Maquera, Senior Vice President for Globe Business, said that for the Philippines to truly become a digital nation, everyone must fully take advantage of new digital opportunities and innovations to enable growth in every corner of the country.

“Several years ago, we took a view that we cannot be a company of just about profits. We needed to be responsible for everyone in the community. In view of this, we continue to look forward to having partners throughout the Philippines who can work with us in uplifting the lives of our countrymen. We are grateful to find like-minded government officials who share our aspiration,” he said.

The arrangement between DOH Center for Health Development IV-A and KonsultaMD is in line with the Universal Healthcare Law which was enacted early this year to ensure that each Filipino has access to holistic health care such as health promotion, preventive care, and curative care.

KIANA VALENCIANO ends 2019 on a high note while simultaneously setting her sights on bigger things this 2020, starting with the release of her latest single “Hide My Love,” produced under ABS-CBN Music’s Tarsier Records.

The track, a chilled out tune perfect for laid back listening, showcases the singer-songwriter’s soothing voice complemented by the record’s slow jam and soft beats. Its lyrics, however, present a realized sense of love, in which a person embraces the beauty of letting his/her love out for the world to see.

Reflecting on the process of writing the song, Kiana said, “This song came naturally when I was exploring different cities, meeting new people and learning about myself and the kind of love I want to give and receive. I see it belonging with Alternative R&B, Chilled R&B.” Fans were quick to vibe with the song, expressing delight over Kiana’s music. “Love it so much, Ate Kians!

What a year it has been for you and your music,” tweeted @chanelleureta13.

Angelo Quijano meanwhile voiced excitement on YouTube over witness-

ing the artist’s talent in the flesh.

“Yasss!!! Have a tour in Manila please badly want to watch you perform live!!!” he wrote.

“Hide My Love” was vocally arranged by Jesse Barrera, produced by Nick Pacoli, and recorded at Los Angeles, California in the U.S. This is the follow-up to the artist’s first full-length album “See Me” released early this year, which featured 10 self-written tracks, including the carrier single “5:30.” She has also dropped other successful singles such as “Circles” and

“Does She Know.”

This 2020, Kiana will undoubtedly continue to reach out to the world through her music, in continuation of ABS-CBN’s commitment to introduce the unique artistry of Filipino talents to the international music scene.

Show some love for Kiana’s “Hide My Love!” Listen to the song on all digital platforms, and watch its music video on Tarsier Records’ YouTube channel. For the latest on Kiana, follow Tarsier Records on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @tarsierrecords.

BEN&BEN BRINGS NEW FLAVOR TO BREAD’S “MAKE IT WITH YOU” INDIE folk-pop band Ben&Ben lends their unique musicality for a touching rendition of the song “Make It With You,” which will be used as the official theme song of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s return to television in 2020.

Originally sung by American soft rock band Bread, “Make It With You” reflects on the freshness and beauty of finding someone that you want to be with despite the uncertainty of love. It also evokes hope of togetherness, of wanting to be with a special person through thick and thin.

The band members were obviously thrilled to announce the new project

under Star Music, writing “ma, may teleserye theme song na kami huhu,” on their Facebook page.

YouTube subscribers were also ecstatic with the single’s release. “Bread fan here, Ben&Ben gave justice to this song, hope they could make more Bread covers,” Morris Isla posted as comment on the “Make It With You” lyric video, which is currently trending on the video streaming platform.

Meanwhile, LizQuen fans hailed the band’s beautiful rendition. “Ang gandaaaa,” LizQuen TFC Global posted on Twitter.

Ben&Ben rose to fame through popular hits such as “Kathang Isip,” “Leaves,”

“Pagtingin” and “Maybe The Night.” Just recently, the nine-member group was also named as one of the most streamed artists on Spotify in the Philippines for 2019.

Meanwhile, the LizQuenstarrer series “Make It With You” is set for an early 2020 airing on ABS-CBN. The story revolves around an OFW working in Croatia—

where some of the show’s scenes have been shot—and a young man finding joy in his life.

Listen to Ben&Ben’s “Make It With You” on Spotify and on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. For updates, like Star Music on Facebook at facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@StarMusicPH).

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UP AND ABOUT

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019 - JANUARY 2, 2020

REFRESH AND NCCC SUPERMARKET GIVE UPCYCLED CHAIRS TO DAVAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MATINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Barangay Matina received an early Christmas treat as Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) Refresh Mineral Water shared school chairs to the Davao-based school.

The chairs are made from used plastic bottles that were collected during the mineral water brand’s Refresh-ReturnRecycle program.

“We are really amazed by the project—making chairs out of recycled plastic bottles. It is the first time we saw the process of making these chairs. Thank you for the opportunity,” Jocelyn Universal Robina Corporations’ (URC) Refresh Mineral Water led by (third) Jewel Capones Moudang, Marketing Manager for Cold Beverages, and (second) Jezza Damada, NCCC Malls AVP for Operations, turn-over school chairs to Matina Elementary School represented by (third and fourth) Aura Aguilar Abitong, School Coordinator, and Jocelyn Lucena, Master Teacher 1.

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Lucena, Master Teacher at Matina Elementary School during a turn-over ceremony held in Barangay Matina in Davao City last December 12.

A SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIP Last August 2019, Refresh Mineral Water partnered with NCCC Supermarket in Davao City to place disposal bins in 30 NCCC Supermarket branches where mall-goers can return or dispose of used plastic bottles.

With the help of Winder Recycling Company (WRC), all collected bottles were repurposed into classroom chairs.

Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) Refresh Mineral Water and NCCC Malls partner to provide school chairs to Matina Elementary School in Davao City.

Present during the turn-over ceremony last December 12 (from second) NCCC Assistant Vice President for Operations Jezza Damada, URC Cold Beverage Marketing Manager Jewel Capones Moudang, and Matina Elementary School Master Teacher 1 Jocelyn Lucena.

Aside from its partnership with NCCC, Refresh Mineral Water has been conducting activities to further encourage people to practice proper waste management. Last September, it held a roadshow in select Universities in Luzon where students learned about the value of recycling.

For more updates about Refresh Mineral Water and its Refresh-Return-Recycle campaign, visit its Facebook page at Facebook.com/RefreshWaterPH.

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REFRESH-RETURN-RECYCLE Refresh, a bottled mineral water made from 100% recyclable material, launched its Refresh-Return-Recycle campaign to encourage everyone to incorporate more sustainable practices in their lifestyle, especially on the proper disposal of single-use plastics. Aside from providing fresh and clean-tasting water, Refresh is doing its part in caring for the environment.

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

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HIGHS.. FROM2

to be more than a supplier of raw materials but to also be the processing and manufacturing hub of all its agricultural produce ; thus increasing also our exports activities,” she said in an interview.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) outgoing president Arturo Milan is optimistic that business in general will continue to be strong next year and this projection is based on the following favorable drivers like the lifting of ML in Mindanao due to the much improved peace and order, government intensifying implementation of its Build, Build, Build Program due to the timely passage of the national budget, the low inflation/interest rate environment, strong consumer spending due to lower unemployment rate and the continued attractiveness of Davao being the home of the President

Rodrigo Duterte.

However, Milan cited that there is a possible headwind that can deter business environment from really going strong and this is the series of earthquakes that happened recently as it could scare investors from putting in their investments in Davao. The first to suffer is the property sector especially the high rise condo and commercial buildings.

“Expectedly, there will be a shift of preference to subdivision development and other low rise property development. Second to be affected is tourism. I expect less people to travel for leisure to Davao and Mindanao for fear that they might be caught by the “Big One” during their stay. While this fear do exist however, I strongly believe this is very temporary and will prevail in the first half of the year until

the situation will stabilize,” Milan said.

Another possible headwind is the panama disease that’s plaguing the banana industry. Milan said if no solution can be found, many will lost their jobs as plantations will be forced to cut on their labor force due to low production output.

“Overall, business is still forecasted to be very good for Davao and Mindanao for 2020,” he said.

DCCCII incoming president John Carlo Tria believes that 2020 will be a good year for Davao and Mindanao economy as the year will see the entry of many private sector investments and expansion plans which will generate opportunities for businesses.

“Increased public spending on infrastructure and services with the 2020 budget will keep our growth strong and create

further opportunities,” he said.

Tria added that the implementation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) programs will startup economic activities in many areas and create new opportunities as well.

On his part, Mindanao Business Council chair and Honorary Consul of New Zealand for Mindanao Vicente Lao said Davao Region will continue to grow due to the support provided by the national government. He said Davao City will continue to have challenges on its traffic and drainage problems and sees a dispersal of developments to its neighboring municipalities like Sta. Cruz and Panabo.

“Mindanao will be thrust into global significance as food security and climate change becomes global issues,” Lao said.

cilities and international connectivity for the surge of tourist arrivals in the city.

Last October, the city government won the hosting rights for the Philippine Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, and Exhibitions/Events Conference (MICECon) 2020, dubbed as the biggest and most anticipated gathering of MICE professionals in the country.

The hosting, an-

nounced by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines at the culmination of the MICECONnect 2019 at The Peak, Grand Hyatt Manila on October 23, would boost the tourism push of the local government to position the city as the MICE capital of the Philippines in the BIMP-EAGA subgrouping, according to Tecson.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the

Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area.

According to its website, the TPB, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, markets and promotes “the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination, in strategic partnership with private and public stakeholders to deliver a unique high-value experience for visitors, significantly contributing

to increased arrivals, receipts and investments to the country.”

The TPB is also the organizer of the MICECon, which serves as a platform for MICE stakeholders to “learn from global experts new trends, approaches, methods and insights as well as draw inspiration and energy from their message to reach and fulfill new heights for the Philippine MICE and Tourism Industry.”

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and other island communities in Zamboanga Peninsula with little to no access to safe and potable drinking water.

For the technology, Piñol said the government can choose from the desalinization technology offered

by Israel, China or Italy.

He said another com-

ponent of the program is the development of the solar-powered irrigation system for agriculture. The implementation of the MinDA Water Supply Program will commence next year, which will be implemented in collaboration with local government units, according to him.

Duterte’s wish to ensure a peaceful holiday season for Filipinos and particularly all the combatants.

May this act of goodwill be considered by the other side as a step towards finally putting an end to the armed violence,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said in a statement.

Galvez, however, urged everyone to exercise caution in negotiating peace with the rebels. He recalled incidents in the past when ceasefires where blatantly violated and exploited by the left in order to push forward their agenda.

“As peace talks were being held at the national level, attacks were being carried out by the rebels.

In short, there have already been precedents.

We have to be prepared and make sure that such incidents are prevented at all costs,” Galvez said.

The former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff has joined a chorus of officials who feel that the resumption of peace talks between the

government and the CPPNPA-NDF may put the latter at a disadvantage.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio cautioned the Duterte Administration to always keep its guard up and learn from the lessons of the past, especially how the rebels have openly cast aside several ceasefire agreements as they launched attacks on government forces.

“Why the past peace negotiations sorely failed could only be blamed on the countless criminal acts and treachery of NDFP-CPP-NPA — displayed even during times when ceasefires were supposed to be in place,” Duterte-Carpio said in a statement.

“As spoilers of peace, we believe that the Christmas truce will be used by the terrorist groups as an opportunity to regain communities previously cleared of their presence, consolidate their forces, and derail the progress of existing government rural development projects,” she noted.

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the network. Meaning that they are the first contact of these patients before patients are referred to secondary care. When you talk of a system, you talk about the network of things going on. That there has to be a proper way of assessing patients getting into tertiary health care hospitals,” he said.

Through the network, admission of ordinary diseases that include dengue,

cough and cold, and pneumonia at SPMC will be decongest.

“If we take a look at government hospitals around like Digos Provincial Hospital or Tagum Regional Hospital or other provincial hospitals in the periphery they would have improve in terms of its network in other words it is able to provide necessary services then the gain here would

be decongestion at SPMC because we will be catering only now specialty and sub-specialty cases that cannot be handled within the periphery, “ he said.

In terms of financing, Vega said Davao City’s long running medical assistance program Lingap and the newly-established Malasakit Centers would still function because even if UHC pays for the hospital services it doesn’t

cover a lot of patients, although, expanded but very minimal.

“Besides even if you are hospitalized and there are things that are not within the resources of the hospital then Lingap and Malasakit can be of help. It’s not going to change in terms of assistance but this will actually boost or augment the UHC,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

tion member to a sports team joining an international meet. First, it was Rico Biliran of Mindanews, then Charles Maxey of Sunstar Davao, then Leonard Palo of Mindanao Mirror (but his passport was expired) that paved the way for Neil Bravo to go abroad instead (he is a Boy Scout, laging handa, hahahaha).

I also recommended the name of the late Edgar Arro of the Mindanao Times but the team did not push through at that time. Para ma “tatakan” ang passport and experience the beautiful experiences I had.

When Mayor Digong sent Butch Ramirez to the Arafura Games, that actually changed Butch’s perspective of the world of sports. He was no longer thinking local. He has started thinking international.

At the sports office at

City Hall, Butch posted on the wall a photocopy of the design of the Marrara Sports Complex, venue of the Arafura Games in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It was like setting a goal, that one day his political patrons will build a sports facility for the people of Davao similar to that of beautiful Marrara Sports Complex.

Years later, we finally had a UP Mindanao-Davao City Sports Complex.

Then came 2016, the “probinsiyano” mayor became presidente. Who else would he call to take care of sports development? Eh di si Butch.

Butch would work even harder this time as a second time chairman of the PSC. This is Mayor Digong, ladies and gentlemen, who does not like sports shenanigans. In fact, he hates them. And there’s

plenty of them in Manila, Manila, and that is why I don’t like coming back to Manila.

In order to show respect to the “patron”, any sports bureaucrat would do his or her best to make good the marching order.

And chairman Butch, always had that in mind.

Under the Duterte administration, the sports for peace program was revived, national athletes are happy athletes these days, bright boys like Prof.

Henry Daut runs the Philippine Sports Institute, the Mindanao office of the PSC was re-opened and is now headed by Prof. Ed Fernandez.

Then came the hosting of the SEA Games.

Oh yes, you hear a lot of troubles besetting the hosts but silently working very hard to ensure the success are the men and women of the PSC.

And the result was outstandingly beautiful.

The Philippines won the over-all championship trophy!

And who was so delighted and proud of the result? The patron, Mayor Digong, the presidente.

Mao na, pwerte gyud mong swerteha mga national athletes karong panahona.

But the work actually is not over. With newly-built sports facilities, a program must be set in place to keep the sports program going and use those beautiful sports venues whole year-round.

Yet, Mayor Digong’s term will be over in a few years’ time, in 2022.

The question is who would continue the sports legacy left by the Mayor Digong administration?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Abangan!

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building forward better.

The DDR is empowered to call upon all relevant government instrumentalities for assistance.

A disaster resilient fund will also be established to finance DDR’s operations, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, recovery rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and activities formulated in the national level.

The national disaster operations center will also be established with its corresponding alternative command and control centers. A disaster resilience research and training institute will be created also to provide training and to collect, consolidate, manage and share knowledge and information resources to boost disaster resilience.

The bill is intended to repeal the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC) and mandated the Office of Civil Defense,

an organization within the Department of National Defense, to be the council’s secretariat and coordinating arm.

Disaster-related responsibilities are currently shared among various government agencies. The bill states that the DDR will be assigned to “be primarily responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities.”

When DDR is approved, the existing Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) offices will be renamed as Local Disaster Resilience Offices.

“Madalas pong tamaan ng bagyo, lindol at iba pang kalamidad ang ating bansa.

Kung may iisang ahensiya po na nakatutok dito, mas maayos, mabilis, at maasahan ang serbisyong maibigay ng gobyerno para rumesponde at ihanda ang bansa sa mga ganitong hindi inaasahang pangyayari.

Ilagay natin sa isang departamento lang ang lahat n g mga may kaugnayan ng ahensiya katulad ng civil defense, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS , etc,” he said.

Luna had earlier bared that the PACC probe on shenanigans in the STL during the time of former PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan involved some 15 PCSO officials. Garma, not included in the probe as she had only assumed the PCSO top post last July, had also

welcomed the PACC probe on the PCSO. Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay earlier revealed that P225 billion is lost annually due to illegal STL operations since only 10 percent of STL operations in the country are legal.

PCSO.. FROM5

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VOL.12 ISSUE 207VOL.12 • SUNDAY-THURSDAY, ISSUE 164VOL.12 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER ISSUE 78 •29, THURSDAY, 2019-JANUARY OCTOBER JUNE 25-26, 27, 2, 2019 2020 EDGEDAVAO EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS BRACE FOR BATTLE MOSES P. BILLACURA CLEAN SLATE

4 games up as Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League resumes Saturday

OF SPORTS PATRONS A AND SPORTS LEGACY

By ADAM B. MORRELL

heavy four-game bill Royal Mandaya Hotel, Dais on its way as ac- vies Paints, Mandarin SPC tion in the Collegiate Branch, Max's Fried ChickSponsors League (CSL) en and PTT Lubricants.

Escandor Cup resumes on Meantime, the Saturday, October 26, at Agro-Industrial Foundathe Davao City Recreation tion College of the PhilipIn our culture, and pines Butch, then aSailors basketball Center.

(AIFCP) and willin the UM and Wildcats shared justThe likecurtain in any raiser culture coach sports direcfeature a "David versus the in bracket A the world, it is common tortop of spot Ateneo de Davao Goliath" match upmen as oddsa 2-0 record each, to see brilliant and with University. on favorite Jose noticed Maria Colthe CJC Red women being by followed Thenbycame opportulege (JMC)or Kings takes paon Lions The MCTrebusiness political nitieswith like1-0. becoming the struggling Brokenshire Navigators landed on trons. gional director, commisCollege of Davao (BCD) the fourth spot with 1-1, And since these pa- trailed sionerbyand eventually dribblers at 3:00pm. the defending trons visions the on champion chairmanHoly of the PhilipThehave clash between Cross of how to build their busipine Sports Commission, San Pedro College (SPC) Davao College (HCDC) nesses their an agencywith under Stallionsorand the commuvisiting Crusaders 1-2,the DM-Ofnity, fice of the President.0-1, Cor they Jesu usually College would (CJC) MACSP Mariners seek the assistance of the SPCDAtSaints that0-1, time, of Digos City Red Lions andMayor SPC bright women.

Digong with was 0-2. not even the will gomen afterand at 4:30 pm, Stallions followed The bracket B, meanSuch byis thetheexciting case President of the Repubbattle William between traditionis currently led by of “Butch” while, lic of the Philippines. al powerhouse teamsgenSt. the In Holy2005, Cross chairman College Ramirez, a humble John Pauland II sportsman College of ofRamirez Sasa (HCCS) tleman and Spartans his team Davao Padada, (SPCD) Saints 3-0 card, from Davaoand del with delivered the followed over-all Mats College of Technolby JMC Kings (2-0),for Asian Sur, who started serving championship the ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of as sports consultant of Philippines in the South6:00 pm.

Aeronautics and TechnolMayor east(AISAT) Asian Games.

At Digong, 7:00pm, the the politun- ogy (1-1), Ateical patron. beaten University of Min- neo Idewas Davaosupposed Universityto Being as (Addu) cover Blue the Knights SEA Games at danao (UM)identified Wildcats will (1-2), Manny Pacquiao says at 40, hebut is not finished yet.

Mayor thateven time the PSC stake its Digong’s clean slate man againstin BCD (0-1), UM Penaplata sports, this hasof opened executive director DMMA College South- (0-1), and Rizal Memo-then, ern Philippines for (DMMACColleges (RMC)Iroy Jr., opportunities coach rial Atty.Guillermo SP) Mariners to wrap up Bulldogs (0-2).

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGEDAVAO

who just celebrated his birthday on Thursday (Dec.26), tempted me to go somewhere else. “Gawas sa, aron ma tatakan imong passport. Wa man nay tatak pa, maski usa”.

True. So I flew with the Philippine Team to the Asia Pacific Games in Melbourne with the help of a business patron, basketball regional director Regino “Boy” Cua. Hence, the “tatak” on the passport.

This kind of generosity actually inspired me to give to others the chance to cover an international sports event. Having “sports patrons” of my own, I would normally make recommendations SEE STORY ON P11 to embed one Davao Sportswriters Associa-

EDGEDAVAO

University of Mindanao will tryo to make it three in a row on Saturday as action in the Collegiate Sponsors League (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, VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, President Rodrigo Duterte meets with the Philippine Surfing Team, including Roger Casugay who saved his InVOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, 2019 donesian rival during the competition, at the Malacañan Palace on Dec. 10, 2019. Casugay helped Indonesian Arip Nurhidayat back to shore after the latter broke his ankle leash and was swept by big waves at Monaliza Point in San Juan, La Union Friday last week. (Presidential Photo)

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

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FOF SPORTS, P9