Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 209 | Sunday-Monday, January 5-6, 2020

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Serving a seamless society

MEASLES OUTBREAK

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

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Mati City declares measles outbreak, 46 cases reported T

he City of Mati has declared a measles outbreak by health authorities after 46 cases were reported as of December 26, 2019.

A child with measles infection is confined at a hospital in Mati City.

The city’s health authorities declared a measles outbreak after 46 cases were reported since December 26, 2019. Mati CIO

Of the 46 cases, only 9 have been con�irmed so far while the other cases are still being veri�ied thru con�irmatory test.

Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr., Mati City Health Of�icer, convened on Thursday (January 2), the incident management team that would prevent the further spread of the viral disease.

Based on the data from the CHO, the infected patients are from 4 months old to 44 years old.

Fifteen barangays have so far been affected by the measles outbreak.

These are barangays Central, Matiao, Macambol, Badas, Don Martin Marundan, Don Salvador Lopez, Mayo, Lawigan, Sainz, Libudon, Bobon, Tagabakid, Dahican, Sanghay, Don Enrique Lopez.

The affected barangays have an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 population.

Dr. Catbagan said that they are now providing preventive and outbreak

management services to the affected population in the city.

He said that it is also important that for those af�licted with measles to remain in quarantine for at least two weeks to prevent further spread of the malady.

It was learned that the Department of Health has no available measles vaccine at the moment thus health authorities encouraged the populace to institute measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Authorities are also planning to set up isolation wards in the hospitals to prevent hospital-acquired infection.

Catbagan said that the lack of manpower due to personnel leave during the holiday season is also one of the problems their team have encountered.

Measles is spread when an infected person talks, breathes, coughs or sneezes tiny particles con-

MEASLES, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

Bombo sees 20/20 expansion of digital, terrestrial platforms

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ombo Radyo Philippines, a provincial brand with big dreams, is eyeing to expand its power and reach with more areas to conquer from its dominant presence in 24 key cities nationwide, as it holds its traditional Top Level Management Conference in Iloilo City from January 6 to 11, 2020.

Dr. Rogelio M. Florete, chairman emeritus of the 31-strong AM and FM radio stations network, disclosed that for the year 2020, in Bombo Radyo’s front burner is to set up AM and FM radio stations in several more cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, bringing its coverage to at least 30 key cities nationwide.

As the media mogul clears the way for leadership transition on to Ms.

Margaret Ruth C. Florete, the current network president/CEO, Bombo Radyo sees itself dictating the pace among its competitors by keeping “In Step with Digital Technology”, for this year’s TLMC Theme to highlight its disruptive presence in FB Live.

All area managers, station managers, news directors and chief technicians are to be assembled under just one roof to be given their marching orders

to use the strong Bombo Radyo content to conquer the digital platforms that are opened up to reach a worldwide audience.

Also, Ms. Florete invites all music loving Ilonggos not to miss the once-ayear chance to experience the 3rd National Bombo Music Festival during the live performance of the 12 �inalists on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the newly renovated West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Lapaz, Iloilo City.

The Bombo Music Festival is the network’s wide ranging contribution to music and forms a third of its tri-offering of Bombo’s corporate socio-cultural responsibility projects.

A 31-piece Bombo Symphony Orchestra will provide the beautiful live accompaniment for each of the Interpreters of the

�inalists for an unforgettable evening. A powerhouse board of judges will select this year’s Bombo Music Festival Champion and other top winners who will bring home bigger prizes and whose musical compositions has been playing in all Bombo Radyo & Star FM Stations and made available for listening or download in all digital platformsSpotify, I-Tunes, YouTube Music and Google-Music.

This year’s heavyweight jury is composed of Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, a pre-eminent musician and national artist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee in Music; Vehnee Saturno, certi�ied gold record producer and renowned composer; young hit makers and artists - Bituin Escalante and Myrus Ramirez as well as Jesuit composer Father Peter Pojol.

“Medyo nahuli because of delay in documentation,” she said, adding that the PCSO is slated to release 300 units more during the rest of 2020.

Apart from supporting the UHC implementation, PCSO will continue its charity activities, including donation of medicines, and administration fo chemotherapy and dialysis in far�lung areas, Garma bared.

In giving away patient transport vehicles, the PCSO gives priority to poor municipalities under the classi�ication of ‘C’ and ‘D’, according to the agency chief.

“What is very advantageous on the part of the recipients is that the ambulance units now are given for free unlike before wherein the local government units (LGUs) are still required to give 40 to 60-percent as their counterpart fund, “ she said.

“Ang hihingin lang po naming sa LGU as una, lalagyan nila ng drayber na well-trained; second, lagyan nila badyet ng gasolina at maintenance expense; at ikatlo, suportahan nila ang mga palaro ng PCSO tulad ng lotto, at sana all the way suportahan din nila ang STL, ” GM Garma said.

Garma: PCSO giving away 400 ambulances in 2020

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO) will be giving away more than 400 brand-new fully-funded ambulance units, also called patient transport vehicles, to quali�ied government hospitals nationwide during the new year.

This was bared by PCSO General Manager Royina M. Garma in an appearance during the yearend staging of Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Annex at Ecoland, Matina, Davao City. (Garma was a police colonel in the Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) and director of Cebu City Police Of�ice (CCPO) imme-

diately before becoming reportedly the youngest and only lady chief of the PCSO).

“Even though we are turning over 40 percent of PCSO’s charity fund for the implementation of the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC), we still have a substantial amount left for other PCSO’s charity activities such as giving away ambulances to government hospitals,” Ms Garma bared.

She said that this month of January 2020 alone, the agency is scheduled to release 104 ambulance units in addition to the 47 units that were turned over within 2019.

Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) executive director Charmaine Olea-Capili says during an interview that Mindanao will gain big in the creation of the nickel industry roadmap which is being pushed by PNIA to boost nickel production. Lean Daval Jr

Bombo Radyo chairman emeritus Dr. Rogelio M. Florete and network president and chief executive officer Margaret Ruth C. Florete.

Mindanao to benefit big from PH nickel industry’s roadmap

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osting several mining operations producing various mineral commodities including gold, copper, chrome, and nickel; Mindanao is seen to bene�it big in the creation of the nickel industry roadmap being pushed by the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) primarily to boost nickel production in the country.

Charmaine Olea-Capili, executive director of PNIA, told Davao’s business writers that the association is projecting about two million jobs to be generated in Mindanao with the implementation of the roadmap, which aims to create more mineral plants that can process raw materials from nickel into �inished and semi-�inished products in the country for export.

“Malaki ang bene�it ng Mindanao because majority of mining operations are in Mindanao. If you talk about regional economic growth, we are projecting right now you can generate two million jobs and imagine if you talk about velocity of money and how the rippling effect of coming up with jobs. You don’t just create jobs, you create businesses, create more global competitive advantage, aside from putting the Philippines in the global

sphere,” Capili said.

One of the major bene�its that can be derived from mining nickel is the expected boom in the production of electric vehicles in the Philippines and other parts of the world. It has been known that nickel makes electric vehicles cheaper, safer and more ef�icient.

The e-vehicle industry is seen to be one of the leading industries that will drive the increase in demand for nickel in the country.

According to Capili, the roadmap is on its way and in fact the industry’s stakeholders are advocating the creation of a technical working group which should be headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR).

She added that they are just waiting for the con�irmation of DENR. “DTI has already con�irmed and we have spoken to Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba and she is very happy that the nickel industry is coming up with a roadmap kasi sabi niya it will enable her to put the nickel industry roadmap in the national investment

MINDANAO, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Duterte wants mothballed Cotabato airport to operate

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Tagumenyos and visitors choose to celebrate the New Year’s Eve countdown in the New City Hall Grounds where various performances are showcased to entertain the spectators. The highlight of the night is the

15-minute Grand Fireworks display amounting to P500,000 which is said to be more striking than last year’s. Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

resident Rodrigo Duterte is giving the operation of the mothballed airport project in M’lang, Cotabato province a new lease on life, of�icials said.

Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco requested Duterte’s intervention for the airport’s operation, saying it would further boost the economic and tourism potentials of the landlocked province. “[The operation of the M’lang airport] would pave the way to a more brisk economic activity of the province, recognizing the need for fast transportation of agriculture products and improve trading engagements,” she said in a statement.

During the visit of President Duterte to quake-hit victims in M’lang early this week, he was briefed about the status of the mothballed airport facility, whose1.8-kilometer runway and terminal building

were completed 10 years ago.

Duterte wanted the M’lang airport to operate and instructed his close aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, to work out the opening of the facility, said Emmanuel Piñol, former Cotabato governor and agriculture secretary and now chair of the Mindanao Development Authority.

Go promised to personally oversee the completion and inauguration of the project before the Duterte administration steps down from power by mid-2022, Piñol said.

The M’lang airport, which was constructed starting in 2004, was a brainchild of Piñol.

When he was still the governor (1998 to 2007), Piñol said the provincial government acquired 62 hectares from the heirs of the late Don Tomas Buena�lor in Barangay Tawan-

Phoenix declares 2019 Dabawenya picked Torotot Fest a success 1st SAWP scholar

By MAYA M. PADILLO he 2019 Torotot Festival was declared successful by Phoenix Petroleum, organizer of this yearly celebration staged in Davao City every New Year’s Eve in support of the city government of Davao’s advocacy of celebrating the New Year in a safe, cost-ef�icient, and enjoyable manner.

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“It was a very successful event; the audience compared to last year was twice bigger,” said Ben Sur, corporate affairs manager at Phoenix Petroleum.

The Torotot Festival

was held at Rizal Park, participated in by individuals and groups from Davao City and neighboring areas.

Sur said the competitions namely Giant Toro-

Cancel travel to Iraq; ready in case of mandatory evacuation

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he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday called on Filipinos to cancel travel to Iraq and to "coordinate closely" with the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad in case of a mandatory evacuation.

"Filipinos in Iraq are strongly advised to coordinate closely with the Philippine Embassy and their employers in the event mandatory evacuation will be necessary," the department said in a statement sent through DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez.

The DFA also called on all Filipinos to “cancel, until further notice, any travel to Iraq in view of the current situation in the country."

The advisory came after the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, leader of Iran's elite Quds force, due to an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport.

Meñez said the situation in Iraq is being closely monitored and the DFA is "prepared to send a rapid response team should it be deemed necessary."

Meanwhile, the department asked all Filipinos in Iraq to immediately contact the embassy in case of emergency at (+964) 781-606-6822, (+964) 751-616-7838, and (+964) 751-876-4665; via email at baghdad.pe@dfa.gov.ph; and/or via facebook page: Philippine Embassy in Iraq.

Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US earlier urged all Americans to "depart Iraq immediately" and avoid its embassy in the country.

On Friday night, the United Nations called for restraint, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying the world "cannot afford" another war in the Gulf.

"The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf.

He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation.

This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement. (PNA)

tot, Torotot-Inspired Costume, and dance contests were also well-participated.

“Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte stayed with us and drew a lot of raf�le prizes during the event and Colonel Angel Sumagaysay of Public Safety Command was also present until the countdown and joined the big crowd in cheering and blowing their torotot (plastic horns) to welcome the New Year,” Sur added.

The holding of the yearly Torotot Fest is

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.’s way of supporting the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2019.

The festival aims to promote a safe Yuletide celebration by discouraging the use of �ireworks and �irecrackers.

Then mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte implemented a strict observance of the ban on �irecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices 17 years ago aiming to show the entire country that being safe doesn’t mean a boring New Year event.

SCHOLARSHIP CERTIFICATE & CHECK RECEIVED. June Grace Sarte receives her scholarship certificate and first check from DOLE XI . From L to R: Paul V. Cruz, OIC-Chief, TSSD; Maria Cecilia A. Gravino, Supervising

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une Grace A. Sarte, a BS Criminology student of Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), becomes the �irst ever scholar under the SAWP (Social Amelioration and Welfare Program) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) nationwide. The scholarship is granted under the 4-year College Educational Assistance (CEA) of the program for workers in the biofuel industry utilizing coconut as feedstock.

Ms Sarte will receive a P50,000-allowance per year for payment of tuition and other school fees, book allowance and monthly stipend. To continually quali-

DUTERTE, P9

fy for the scholarship grant, she should comply with the following conditions: a) maintain a passing grade required in the course enrolled, b) carry a full academic load for each term as prescribed in the curriculum, and c) adhere to the terms and conditions as stipulated in the contract.

June Grace A. Sarte, is a daughter of a worker at the Bioenergy 8 Corporation located in Sasa, Davao City.

The company produces coconut methyl ester (CME) or coco-biodiesel which is added to diesel (5 to 20%) as fuel enhancer. (By Eduardo P. Monreal, LCO-Designate, DOLE RO XI)

LEO, DOLE DCFO; Juliet D. Macalandag of Bioenergy 8 Corporation; Ronald Sarte - father of June Grace; the Scholar - June Grace Sarte; DOLE XI ARD Jason P. Balais; Cristita B. Coro, Senior LEO, DOLE DCFO.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

AirAsia PH increases flight frequencies of 8 routes in ‘20

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An AirAsia aircraft lands at the Davao International Airport in this undated photo. The airline company has announced an increase in the flight frequencies of eight routes in the first quarter of 2020. Lean Daval Jr

irAsia Philippines on Friday announced an increase in the �light frequencies of eight routes in the �irst quarter of 2020.

Beginning January, the carrier con�irmed it has already increased the frequencies of the following �lights: Clark-Iloilo; Iloilo-Clark -- from three times a week to daily; and Cebu-Kuala Lumpur; Kuala Lumpur-Cebu -- from three times a week to four times a week.

Starting March 29, on the other hand, four more routes will increase frequencies: Clark-Tacloban; Tacloban-Clark -- from three times to four times a week; and Cebu-Puerto Princesa; Puerto Princ-

BPI restores mobile services, web following interruption

Dar issues policy framework T for agri-industrialization

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epartment of Agriculture Secretary William Dar has issued an administrative order (AO) that stipulates the policy framework for inclusive agri-industrialization and his “new thinking for agriculture” strategy.

Dar said.

“We have directed all DA regional �ield of�ices, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations, DA-OSEC units, and foreign- and locally-assisted projects to adopt appropriate approaches and principles

as we implement our programs based on our “new thinking for agriculture” and its eight paradigms,” he added.

Also part of Dar’s marching orders for the new year is to conduct a comprehensive review and audit of the list of the farmer- and �isher-bene�iciaries to ensure sustainability and increase the bene�icial impact DA’s programs and projects.

The department would also develop a web-based information support system, called the Agri-Infor-

mation Support Portal, to provide more ef�icient sourcing of timely agri-�ishery information and data to aid in better policy decision making.

Dar said an agriculture public-private partnership support system—or his version of “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure and agribusiness ventures--would be established to formulate the necessary programs, partnerships and other mechanisms to hasten investments in much-needed agri modernization and industrialization. (PNA)

il prices soared more than four percent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a con�lict in the crude-rich region.

The head of Iran's Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was hit in an attack on Baghdad's international airport early Friday, according to Hased, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran.

Later, Donald Trump tweeted a picture of the American �lag, and the Pentagon said he had ordered Soleimani's killing.

Brent surged 4.4 percent to $69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 percent to $63.84 as investors grow

increasingly worried about a possible �lare-up in the tinderbox Middle East.

"This is more than just bloodying Iran's nose," said AxiTrader's Stephen Innes.

"This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war."

The killing of Soleimani is a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Iraq following deadly American air strikes on the hardline Hashed faction.

The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which of�icials from both countries have described to AFP as the

"coldest" in years.

It also comes as tensions between the US and North Korea worsen, with Kim Jong Un declaring a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere.

"We are waking up to a less safe world than it was only hours ago, especially if we combine this with simmering tension in the Korean peninsula," Innes added.

The drama sent investors rushing for the hills and safe-haven units rallied with the yen up 0.7 percent against the dollar and gold climbing more than one percent.

High-risk currencies retreated against the greenback, with South Korea's

won down 0.6 percent, Australia's dollar down 0.4 percent and the South African rand down more than one percent.

Equities sank into the red, having been enjoying the second day of the year rallying on trade optimism.

Hong Kong fell 0.2 percent, while Shanghai shed 0.1 percent. Singapore retreated 0.2 percent, Seoul lost 0.1 percent and Taipei eased 0.3 percent. However, Sydney, Wellington, and Manila held in positive territory.

Markets had all been well up before news of the strike, thanks to ongoing optimism fuelled by the China-US trade agreement, looser central bank monetary policies and easing Brexit worries.

he Philippines will be importing 35,000 metric tons of red onions until mid-February to cover a production gap equivalent to two months, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday.

"May gap of two months requirement so hindi pa sapat 'yung pro-

duction. That's why we need to bring in... We'll be bringing in for two months equivalent to 35,000 metric tons," Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a press conference, noting that an import clearance has already been issued.

"These red onions can only be brought in up until mid-February so that it

will not be in competition with the main harvest time starting March," he added.

One of the importers will be China, Dar said.

Asked why there has been a production gap, the Agriculture chief said: "It has been historically low production that's why we need to use more new technologies to increase pro-

duction."

According to Agriculture Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan, onion farmers harvest the yellow variety during the latter part of January and the red variety during the earlier part of March.

He assured consumers that there will be suf�icient

“Our ultimate goal is to double the incomes of small farmers and �ishers within �ive years through better public service, that is, in terms of greater effectiveness and ef�iciency, enhanced transparency, and stronger accountability,”

Oil prices soar 4% after Iranian general killed

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PH to import red onions to cover production gap

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PH TO IMPORT, P9

esa-Cebu -- from three times a week to daily.

In a statement, the carrier noted the high demand for these routes.

“Our adjustments are well guided by data, and I am very optimistic about the tourism boost this will bring to our country in the summer months,” AirAsia Philippines chief executive of�icer Ricardo Isla said.

Isla added that welcoming the new year with additional �lights was the local carrier’s way of providing more options to guests, helping them tick off more destinations in their bucket list.

The carrier operates more than 500 weekly domestic and international �lights from Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Kalibo. (PNA)

he Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said �inancial services have been restored following an interruption that irked consumers Friday afternoon.

Bills payments and fund transfers were temporarily unavailable, the bank said in response to a surge in Twitter inquiries from consumers complaining of interrupted services.

BPI did not explain the cause of the service inter-

ruption. Services were restored at around 5:55 p.m., it said in an advisory.

"Financial transactions (bills payment, fund transfer, etc.) via the mobile app and website are now restored. You may resume doing your usual transactions," the bank said.

Consumers earlier expressed their disappointment by saying that the bank should have advised clients ahead of time.

LTFRB lauds GenSan’s public transport modernization efforts

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he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has lauded the city’s progress in the past two years towards the full implementation of the public transportation modernization program.

In a meeting with city of�icials and leaders of transport groups here Friday, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra said the city has gained headway in its efforts to rationalize and modernize local public transportation in partnership with transport groups.

He speci�ically cited the city government’s efforts to align its transport plan with national government programs while safeguarding the interest of the local transport sector and commuters.

Delgra acknowledged that the modernization of public transportation is a challenging process and the government needs the help of all concerned sectors to achieve it.

“Importante wala’y mabiyaan (No one must be left behind),” he said in a statement.

The city was the �irst local government unit in the country to complete its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LTPRP), a requirement under the national government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

It received a notice of compliance from the LTFRB in June 2018, a year after the launch of the PU-

VMP. Delgra commended the city government for supporting the transition of local transport groups towards modernization, especially in the acquisition of compliant units like electronic jeepneys.

The city government had opened a subsidy program under the Barangay Entrepreneur Support and Trust Ordinance that may be availed of by local transport cooperatives in their modernization efforts.

Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, the city administrator, assured the local government’s continued support to help fast-track the modernization of the city’s public transportation sector.

He said they were working on the clustering of tricycles into “pre-arranged and pre-studied zones” to rationalize their operations.

Zapatos said they were also aligning the city’s Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development Master Plan with the requirements of the public transport system.

Late last year, the city government helped facilitate a �leet management seminar to educate drivers and operators on properly managing their cooperatives.

Zapatos added that they would convene stakeholders of the city’s transport sector later this month for a Transport Operators and Drivers Association or Toda Summit. (PNA)

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Allianz Well! available through Maria Health

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PARTNERS IN HEALTH. (From left) Allianz Philippines chief marketing officer Gae Martinez and Chief Distribution Officer Chris Cabognason have signed an agreement with e-commerce technology company Maria Health represented by its Chief Executive Officer and co-founder

Vincent Lau, and vice president for strategy, Camille Packing. The deal paves the way for the inclusion of Allianz health insurance products on the Maria Health e-commerce platform, which provides visitors relevant information as they choose a product for their needs.

llianz Well!, a high value health insurance product that offers a coverage of up to PhP100 million, is now available through Maria-Health PH, after premier global insurance company Allianz Philippines entered into a partnership with the technology company. It is also the �irst international health plan on Maria Health that offers such a high coverage.

“Allianz believes in making insurance simpler to understand for everyone. This way, people can learn more about its bene�its and why it’s important for their �inancial security.

We are glad to have found a like-minded company in Maria Health,” said Allianz Philippines Chief Marketing Of�icer, Gae Martinez.

Maria Health is an e-commerce facility that

allows consumers to easily purchase health insurance plans. It shows comparisons of the different HMO providers so that consumers can easily identify which among their coverages would suit them.

Allianz Philippines’ partnership with the tech company is part of its continued efforts to make its insurance products more accessible and easier to understand for more Filipinos.

By making Allianz Well! available through Maria Health, Allianz Philippines makes it easier for consumers to learn more about the many bene�its that the plan offers. These include 24/7 teleconsultation and expert medical opinion services; inpatient hospitalization; ER assistance, the option of a

he distribution of P3-billion worth of cash assistance to small farmers in the country who bore the brunt of the drop in the prices of palay last year is ongoing, according to Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Friday.

"The P3 billion is now being given to those farmers in 33 provinces affected by the falling prices of palay," Dar said, noting that the distribution was �irst rolled out in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija last December.

"We're hoping that within the whole month of January maibigay na lahat," he added.

Those 33 provinces were recommended by the Philippine Rice Research Institute to receive �inancial aid after a thorough study on the impact of the changes in prices of

palay to the local farmers, he said.

Around 600,000 farmers are expected to receive P5,000 each from the said unconditional cash grant which was sourced from excess government funds in 2019, according to Dar. Another P3 billion of cash assistance will be distributed to farmers this year, he added.

Further, the Agriculture chief said that P5 billion-worth of farm equipment from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) is expected to be distributed to Filipino farmers before the harvest time in the dry season.

RCEF is part of the Rice Tarif�ication Law which President Rodrigo Duterte enacted in 2019, removing quantitative restrictions on rice imports and setting a 35% tariff for shipments

PIDS: Export diversification, product innovations pushed T

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he country needs to diversify its exports and market destinations and introduce more product innovations in a bid to boost its export performance, according to a paper released by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

In terms of the industrial exports, the research paper titled “Facilitating Structural Transformation through Product Space Analysis: The Case of Philippine Exports” said one short-run diversi�ication strategy is to focus on the products that are not yet substantially produced but the country has revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in.

“The starting points of the �irst strategy are the existing exports already produced (although not substantially, accounting for less than 0.5 percent of the country’s total exports) by the country and require less adjustments in the production structures,” it said.

Potential markets for these goods include Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

PLDT, Smart employees share blessings with quake victims

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o reach out to communities affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Mindanao, employees of PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications have initiated a relief distribution for families in Davao del Sur. Shortly after receiving their Christmas bonuses, the employees pooled their personal donations to purchase relief goods for 200 families in Magsaysay, Matanao, and Padada.

One of those who contributed to the donations was Smart national key accounts head Precy Katigbak. “Christmas is about giving. With the situation of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, especially during this time, we should do our best to help and provide relief to them,” she said.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam yung makatulong ka sa ibang tao na nangangailangan (Helping people in need makes you feel good).

But aside from that, the spirit of Christmas needs to be felt especially in trying times. We need to remind our brothers and sisters that despite the problems they face, there will always be hope,” added Jess Rubino, Smart area head for Northwest Mindanao network �ield services.

The contribution complements the relief work being undertaken by PLDT and Smart with the assistance of employee volunteers from the sales and network organizations.

Apart from providing relief assistance, Smart also continues to provide communications support through libreng tawag stations at hard-hit areas in Magsaysay, Matanao, and Padada.

The relief and communications aid are part of PLDT-Smart’s #SafePH program, which promotes preparedness and immediate response through net-

PLDT, P9

(OECD) economies and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, it added.

The paper said the agricultural sector can diversify into the production of goods with higher sophistication content as well.

In the short run, the country can focus on improving the production structure of agricultural goods which the country has RCA in, but are not yet substantially produced.

These include processed �ish and seafood, industrial oil, cereals/pasta/ bread, animal/vegetable fats/oil, and extracts/dye.

The paper further said another short-run diversi�ication strategy looks at products that are relatively

close to the country’s current production structure but the country has no RCA in.

Potential products include part/accessories of instruments/devices/ equipment, equipment/ devices/parts of electrical nature, minerals, parts/accessories of motor vehicles, products related to plastics, among others.

It added potential markets for these goods include OECD economies, ASEAN countries, Brazil, and Morocco.

Some OECD and ASEAN economies are markets for goods in the country’s current export basket such as integrated circuits, static converters, and photosen-

PIDS, P10

ALLIANZ, P9

PLDT and Smart employee volunteers distribute relief packages to residents affected by earthquake in Davao del Sur.

P3-B, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

EDITORIAL

Auspicious beginning

The Davao City ordinance on parking fees to be collected along certain streets started on Wednesday, the �irst day of January, 2020. It was generally welcomed by Dabawenyos fed up with the practice of city authorities in tolerating motorists who convert newly improved main thoroughfares and side streets into parking areas of their cars, thereby negating the purpose of easing traf�ic �low in the city at the expense of billions of pesos in taxpayer’s money.

The city government through the City Transport and Traf�ic Management Of�ice (CTTMO) started enforcing the ordinance along San Pedro Street, Ilustre Street, Pelayo Street, Iñigo Street, Villa Abrille Street, Monteverde Avenue and Duterte Street.

CTTMO head Dionisio Abude Jr. told Edge Davao that some establishments, mostly banks, have appealed to his of�ice to relocate the bike racks to give space for their clients.

“We will consider the appeal of the establishments mostly banks to relocate the bike racks para sa ilang mga kliyente kay dagko pud ang amount ang ilang ginadala,” Abude said.

The public parking fee zones were established in line with City Ordinance No. 052-13, Series of 2013, an ordinance further amending Ordinance No.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

153-A, Series of 1990, entitled “An ordinance imposing Parking Fees on all vehicle owners and drivers for using certain streets in Davao City as parking spaces and for other purposes and the Comprehensive Transport and Traf�ic Code of Davao City.

The city has authorized and directed CTTMO to establish, mark, and designate portions of a thoroughfare as on-street public pay parking zones.

Abude said for the initial implementation at least 38 parking fee enforcers are being deployed. He also said the City Treasurer’s Of�ice (CTO) also deployed its own parking fee personnel.

Pursuant to the ordinance, a fee of P20 is collected for the �irst two hours and another P10 for every succeeding hour for light vehicles. For bicycles there will be P2 fee for �irst two hours and P1 for every succeeding hour, while for motorcycles, a P5-fee is imposed for the �irst two hours and P2 for every succeeding hour. For trucks and buses, the fee is P100 for the �irst two hours and P20 for every succeeding hour, Levelheaded Dabawenyos are hopeful the enforcement is an auspicious beginning leading to ending the unhealthy practice of using street portions as parking spaces, thereby depriving pedestrians and motorists of use of the roads and sidewalks for smooth movement.

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 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

BARMM’S GROWTH WILL HELP LIFT MINDANAO’S It looks like the necessary steps are already being undertaken to operationalize the means to release the economic potential of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Already, the �irst meeting of the National Gove r n m e n t - B a n g s a m o ro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in Davao City last Dec. 16 is a major step forward to realizing the BARMM vision.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and BARMM Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education had signed the Terms of Reference

(TOR) of the Joint Secretariat of the IGRB as co-chairmen of this intergovernmental body.

The heads of the Joint Secretariat for the national government and BARMM also signed the TOR. These next few months will be critical transition period for the BARMM. Because of this, innovative mechanisms will need to be established upon which the hoped for results will be achieved. Public interest and attention on this process will de�initely be high. Results are expected.

2020 will also be crucial because the country’s growth is also expected to pick up further and poverty will go lower as fore-

casted by different rating agencies. It is therefore vital that all regions in Mindanao grow as well.

This period will put in place the necessary programs that can harness the regions economic potential. Of particular interest is agriculture and food production.

This is because its ability to produce food will not only ensure a food secure region, but will lift many residents out of poverty with the incomes it will bring. Note that Muslim Mindanao is among the poorest regions in the country.

Any reduction in poverty in the BARMM will translate to better lives

for its residents and push our island’s growth higher over all. This will also help harness the gains of the peace process.

Another area is trade with the rest of Mindanao and Southeast Asia. Enabling the BARMM to pursue strong trade linkages will ensure its economic viability in the long term, as it is put in touch witg markets such as major Mindanao, Visayas and southeast asian cities.

We also hope that the barter trade councils be activated to strengthen trade between the Bangsamoro provinces and our neighboring areas in Malaysia and Indonesia.

We wish the BARMM

administration all the success.

Thank you for buying local products Several local producers of products in Davao have reported brisk sales from Christmas shoppers looking not only for bargains, but for unique gifts for their loved ones.

Of particular interest are new food items and craft based products and those coming from social enterprises.

Given a choice, let us prioritize local suppliers of the things we need.

This will go a long way to strengthen our economy further.

For reactions: facebook.com/johntriapage

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT “A beautiful smile without any reason is the smile of the existence.” – Mehmet Murat Ildan *** If you want to have peace with someone, smile. As Nobel Peace laureate Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.”

There is something about smile, indeed. Tessa Dare, author of A Lady of Persuasion, penned: “Oh, no. Don’t smile.

You’ll kill me. I stop breathing when you smile.”

So, why frown when you can smile. In Quote Me Everyday, Santosh Kalwar wrote: “I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today, and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.”

Roy T. Bennet, author of The Light in the Heart, shares the same view: “A smile puts you on the right track. A smile makes the world a beautiful place. When you lose your smile, you lose your way in the chaos of life.”

Internationally bestselling American author Dale Carnegie said that if you want to impress someone for the �irst time, you don’t have to spend much money on clothes and other material things.

In his book, How to Win Friends and In�luence People, Carnegie shared this story: “At a dinner party in New York,

one of the guests, a woman who had inherited money, was eager to make a pleasing impression on everyone. She had squandered a modest fortune on sables, diamonds and pearls.

“But she hadn’t done anything whatever about her face. It radiated sourness and sel�ishness. She didn’t realize what everyone knows: namely, that the expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.”

Carnegie was talking about smile. American steel magnate Charles Schwab thinks so, too. “(He) told me his smile had been worth a million dollars,” Carnegie wrote. “And he was probably understating the truth. For Schwab’s personality, his charm, his ability to make people like him, were almost wholly responsible for his extraordinary success; and one of the most delightful factors in his personality was his captivating smile.”

Perhaps Schwab heard of Iwan Goll’s thought. “The smile is civilization’s �inest adornment,” the author of Dreamweed said. “It signi�ies the willpower and duty to fashion mankind’s coexistence as quietly and agreeably as possible so that it will always appear friendly. For it is all a matter of appearance. The smile is cul-

ture’s diploma: it is the diplomat’s badge.”

Kathleen J. Edgar was right. “Smile awhile and while you smile – another smiles, and soon there are miles and miles of smiles and life’s worthwhile because you smile.”

One reason why smile is important is that it has the ability end �ights. “He smiled, and suddenly she knew that his words were true,” Julia Quinn wrote. “Everything would be all right. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but soon.

Tragedy couldn’t coexist in a world with one of his smiles.”

Another example was that of what Jodi Lynn Anderson wrote in Tiger Lily: “(She) made an attempt at a smile.

After having felt the need to glower at other children for most of her life, smiles never came easily to her face. But this one was half all right.”

Smile even your heart is aching. As Lauren Graham pointed out in Someday, Someday, Maybe, “Anyone can smile on their best day. I like to meet a man who can smile on his worst.”

If you want to become a successful businessman, you have to smile a lot. As one Chinese saying puts it: “A man without a smiling face must not open a shop.”

Carnegie puts an emphasis on that, too, in his book. “Your

smile is a messenger of your goodwill. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it.

To someone who has seen a dozen people frown, scowl or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Especially when that someone is under pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers or parents or children, a smile can help him realise that all is not hopeless – that there is joy in the world.”

Never underestimate the power of smile. At one time, I was mad as hell when someone took the book I bought. I left it on top of my table before I left for work. When I returned home, it was gone. I really don’t have any problem with it if the person who took it just left a note that he was borrowing it. At least, with a note I can always ask the person if he is already done with the book.

But what really got my nerve this time was the fact that I had some scribbled notes on the said book which I inserted. I was afraid that whoever took the book might just throw away the notes I had written.

I was about to give up when my niece came to my room. “I am very much sorry, uncle,” she said. I was surprised; what had she done to me, I asked myself. She took something from her bag and

with a big smile, “Here’s your book which I took without your knowledge. I forgot to leave a note.”

It didn’t matter if the book was lost. What mattered most was the fact that here was my niece and with a broad smile eased all those worries. “A smile is central to our evolution and one of the most powerful tools of human behavior,” explains Dr. Cacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, who has studied the importance of facial expression – including the variety and impact of smiles.

In 1872, Charles Darwin proposed in his book, The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals that facial expressions are biologically based and universal among humans.

However, the celebrated anthropologist Margaret Mead thought the smile was a cultural behavior that varied between societies.

“Smile and others will smile back,” Jean Baudrillard thinks. “Smile to show how transparent, how candid you are. Smile if you have nothing to say. Most of all, do not hide the fact you have nothing to say nor your total indifference to others. Let this emptiness, this profound indifference shines out spontaneously in your smile.”

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EDGEDAVAO

ENVIRONMENT

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO WATER CRISIS

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“W

orld demand for water doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is the same as it was in the Roman times.

Something has got to give.”

– Sir Crispin Tickell, former British ambassador to the United Nations and one of the organizers of the 1992 Earth Summit *** Meryl T. Lapinig is a mother of two, the youngest of whom is 6 months old. She lives in the water-stricken town of Bansalan in Davao del Sur. Her husband, Normel, is a seaman, and so she’s alone taking care of her family.

A day after an earthquake struck the town on October 16, water stopped from gushing the faucet.

She had a hard time doing her daily chores like washing clothes and bathing her children. It was good a week after, the water again spurted.

But another strong tremor hit the town on October30. Meryl was so scared that she decided to live in a tent together with her cousins. But the bad thing was: water halted again from coming out from the faucet. Until today, water is still a big problem, although the �ire truck delivers water every now and then.

“I don’t know when we will have water again from our faucet,” she says. “We have this problem before but it happens only from time to time. Not like this when there’s no more water anymore for more than a month.”

Now, Meryl knows water is worth more than oil.

“Water, not oil, is the most precious �luid in our lives, the substance from which all life on the earth has sprung and continues to

depend,” wrote Maryann Bird in a Time feature.

Water is even more expensive than gold. “Water is worth more than gold and necessary for survival above all other resources on earth,” pointed out a feature published in South Review.

If the world runs out of oil and other fossil fuels, there are always alternative energy sources. People can live without the precious gold. But without water, the world is outright doomed.

“I do not want to be called the Prophet of Doom, but it pays to listen to concerned quarters who have been warning us that one of the �iercest battles in the future is on water,” said Senator Franklin Drillon during the First International River Summit held in Iloilo City in 2012. “Indeed, the possibility that there will be less water available for people and industries in the future is not remote in view of the droughts and famines experienced by many countries in the world.”

Although water is renewable resource, it is also a �inite one. Less than three percent of the world’s water is fresh, and more than 75% of this is frozen – mainly at the North and South Poles. Of the remaining freshwater available for man to use, 98% lies underground.

“Put in another way, if all the earth’s water were to �it in a gallon jug (4 liters), the available freshwater would be just over one tablespoon,” explains the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Philippines is not yet what hydrologists call a “water stressed” nation. That label applies to a country whose annual water supplies drop below 1,700 cubic meters per

person per year. When supplies drop below 1,000 cubic meters per person per year, the country faces “water scarcity” for all or part of the year.

With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a water-rich country. So, it seems unbelievable to have areas experience water problems. But the stark reality is that the problem really exists.

Water problem comes in three forms. The �irst one is water scarcity. In Metro Manila – home to more than 10 million people – many residents complain of this problem every summer. Some provinces likewise experience this kind of problem when there is a long drought.

During the rainy months, water is so plenty that �looding is a constant struggle. When there is a typhoon, a lot of buildings and bridges are destroyed as a result of �looding.

Some lives are lost.

Finally, there’s the problem of poor water quality which is brought about by domestic, commercial, industrial and mining waste.

On its website, Greenpeace cited 50 rivers out of the 421 rivers in the country to be “dead” as they were “unable to support any but the most robust life.”

It’s no wonder why water crisis is now common in most part of the country.

“Out of 105 million Filipinos, nearly seven million rely on unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources,” says Water.org, a global non-pro�it organization working to bring water and sanitation to the world. “Families without a safe water source in or near their home often spend signi�icant time and energy collecting water.”

Don Hinrichsen, an

award-winning American book author, considered water crisis as “one of the most pressing environment and development problems facing humanity.”

“It may very well end up being one of the main issues confronting humanity as we proceed further into the 21st century,” he told EDGE Davao in an exclusive interview. “We are already robbing Peter to pay Paul, as it were – taking water away from one set of users and give to another set.”

Water is used in different ways. Domestically, water is utilized by household for drinking, washing, bathing, cooking, watering of gardens and other domestic uses.

“No water, no life,” writes Dr. Willie T. Ong in his book, How to Live Longer. “Our bodies are made up of mostly water. The brain contains 74% water; blood contains 83% water; lean muscle has 75% and bone has 22% water.”

Water is also used for industrial purposes – in factories, industrial plants and mines, including the use of water as an ingredient of a �inished product. Water is likewise needed for recreational purposes like those in swimming pools, water skiing, golf courses and other similar facilities in resorts.

Agriculture, however, is the biggest consumer of water. “The challenge is not to get enough water to drink, but to get enough water to produce food,” Lester R. Brown, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Policy Institute, told EDGE Davao.

“We drink, in one form or another, perhaps four liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires 2,000 liters of water to produce, or 500 times

as much.”

Data presented by Agriculture Secretary William Dar during the recent World Water Day Summit showed agriculture to account for 80% of water usage in the country. By 2025, the water demand may increase to 72,973 million cubic meters.

For domestic and municipal uses, the water demand by 2025 is expected to be 8,573 million cubic meters while the industrial demand is 4,997 million cubic meters. These �igures were cited by the stateowned Philippine News Agency.

Are there some solutions in sight? The �irst thing Filipinos must do is to conserve whatever water they have. “Water conservation should be a way of life,” suggested Elisea Gozun, former environment secretary and a consultant for Asian Development Bank. “We don’t only do it when there is shortage.”

Water should be managed ef�iciently when it comes to agriculture. In the Philippines, 73% of its freshwater resources are used in farming. “We can have rain water impounding system for agriculture, which can also minimize �looding,” Gozun told ANC. “The �lood waters, or runoff galing sa mga kalye, nasa �lood control drainage.

Bakit hindi natin i-capture and store so we could use it in the future?”

This must be the reason why Emmanuel Piñol, when he was still agriculture secretary, batted for the construction of more dams to be used not only for irrigation but also as reserve reservoir for water supply.

“We are a country that has an abundance of water during the rainy season,”

Piñol was quoted as saying by SunStar Pampanga.

“The problem is, we do not have enough infrastructure to harvest this resource and save it for future use.”

According to Gozun, the Philippines receives about 2,400 millimeters of rainfall each year. Dar says the country’s rainwater harvest is only about 4.0%.

“We need to immediately consider rainwater harvesting as a major strategy not only for agriculture but for household uses also,” Gozun urged.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara also suggests rainwater collection as a practical and immediate solution to the country’s water supply problem. “As early as 1989, we already have this law intended to help alleviate water scarcity and drought down to barangay level, and yet no one seems to be implementing it,” he said in a statement.

Under Republic Act 6717, also known as the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Act of 1989, rainwater collection is done in rooftops, then puri�ied in a central treatment to be pumped, �inally, to various water lines.

Watersheds, which constitute about 75% of the country’s total land of 30 million hectares, must also be protected. “We cannot talk of providing sustainable water to the people unless we protect the sources of the commodity – the watersheds,” Gozun pointed out.

A DENR report, as quoted by Manila Times, said that 90% of the 99 watershed areas in the country are “hydrologically critical” due to their degraded physical condition.

Massive destruction of the once-productive forested

POSSIBLE, P9

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

The kids witnessed the Festival of Lights at the 3F Roof Garden.

AS each year comes to a close, Ayala Malls Abreeza reaches out to the members of the neighborhood it calls home by holding Barangay Kids Day, a party made just for the children of Poblacion District’s Barangay 20-B. The past year was no different as Abreeza once again partnered with the barangay office to gather 150 children from resident families for an afternoon of exciting shows, awesome gifts, and dazzling holiday magic.

On December 27, 2019, Abreeza’s Activity Center transformed into a celebration space for the neighborhood’s kids, who were all smiles from the opening games to the closing spectacle.

Following a welcome message

by Abreeza Marketing Associate Manager Jenny Perez, a series of games pumped the kids up for the events ahead. After digging into filling meals from Jollibee, the kids watched in awe as a magic and ventriloquist show unfolded right before their eyes. A dance performance by and photo opportunity with the lovable mascots of Jollitown then allowed them to get up close with Jollibee, Hetty, Popo, Yum, and Twirlie. After Barangay 20-B’s secretary Rogene Mae Luspo delivered her closing remarks, the kids were all treated to gifts from Toys R Us. To cap off the delightful day, Abreeza invited their little guests to

ALL SMILES AT ABREEZA’S ANNUAL PARTY FOR KIDS OF BARANGAY 20-B

A magic and ventriloquist show wows kids at Barangay Kids Day. witness the Festival of Lights at the last a little longer for the kids and 3F Roof Garden. There, Ayala Malls’ their loved ones. dazzling signature holiday light Barangay Kids Day is just one of show made the magic of Christmas the ways Abreeza gives back to the All smiles at Ayala Malls Abreeza’s Barangay Kids Day. community every holiday season.

Other annual December programs Abreeza supports are the Mindanao Trade Expo Christmas Bazaar and the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. Davao Branch Christmas Party, which are both staples on the mall’s holiday calendar.

For updates and more information on Ayala Malls Abreeza news and events, like @AbreezaMall on Facebook and follow @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveThe kids enjoy filling meals from Jollibee. abreezamall on Instagram.

The kids watch performances with laughter and glee.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

CATRIONA FINDS WAYS TO REACH GREATER HEIGHTS

IT’S BEEN months since Catriona Gray gloriously walked away with the Miss Universe title, but her road to success was very different from the other winners from the Philippines.

According to Catriona, she was aiming for the pageant’s crown for reasons beyond mere personal ambition. Rather, she wanted the Miss Universe title so she could use it as a platform to boost her advocacies and causes, to give back to the community.

Throughout her journey, she showed how different she was, starting with signing up as an independent candidate for Binibining Pilipinas. She also formed her own pageant team, handpicking her own designers, mentors and stylists.

Along the way, Catriona had her share of naysayers and haters. She faced the grueling physical challenges of perfecting her walk and dealing with psychological pressure of carrying the hopes of over 100 million Filipinos during the pageant. This is the reason why it was such sweet triumph when she finally won the Miss Universe 2018 title.

Many Filipinos, especially millennials, draw inspiration from Catriona’s story of never giving up and finding new ways to reach her ultimate goal of being a beauty queen. Like her, they strive hard and seek innovation to achieve their goals and aspirations. “Many felt so ‘personally invested’ in my journey because they saw themselves in me, as I put myself out there,” Catriona shared.

“I wanted to share my journey, including the trials, the risk of joining the pageant, the motivation (which is my charity work), the people who helped me along the way, along with the failures, too,” she continued.

In chasing her own dreams, whether for a modelling career or for furthering her advocacies, Catriona looked for people, teams and organizations that could help her do just that.

“I choose my partners very carefully. For instance in the case of money matters, I chose to go with my most trusted bank, BDO. Their recent ‘Find Your Way’ campaign is deeply personal for me, and I am so honored that BDO saw my journey as a way of inspiring other people,” she shared.

“I’ve had several financial conversations with BDO officers and I am so impressed by their depth of knowledge and am using that to help me achieve my unique goals,” Catriona said.

“My dreams will continue to evolve! I would love to see myself pursuing music as a performer and recording artist with the goal of having my own songs and doing benefit tours. Also, I plan on pursuing business that has a community contribution,” the beauty queen added.

“I want to be known as a purposeful queen – to represent a person that not only strives for success, but realizes the responsibility of helping others achieve it also.”

EVENT

CRUISE TO THE NEW YEA PARTY AT PARK INN BY RADISSON DAVAO

IT was a memorable last day of 2019 as Park Inn by Radisson Davao celebrated the Cruise to the New Year Party! Families, couples, and groups enjoyed the party as it took them to the vibe of a cruise with the hotel’s nautical-themed party. It was held at the Lanzones Room which was vamped up with sailor-inspired decorations.

Guests enjoyed the surf n’ turf buffet that the RBG Bar & Grill prepared.

Just as how sailors celebrate, the New Year’s Eve turned into a night of musical fun as guests jammed with the High Intensity Band, and singer Ms. Lorraine Montaña who was also the night’s host. Everyone enjoyed the holiday and all-time favorite tunes which some were requested by the

guests. They were then greeted with surprises as each one had the fair chance of bringing home merry treats from the hotel’s

Dance groves were provided by High Intensity Band.

raffle. Guests won a variety of treats such as Christmas Cookies, wines, and food & drink gift certificates, and overnight staycations at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

A wine toast was headed by Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s General Manager Ms. Emelyn Rosales who shared her New Year wishes to everyone. After which, the countdown was participated by the guests and hotel staff as they got their torotots ready. Everyone greeted the New Year with the loudest cheer and music from the band as loved ones hugged and jumped for 2020.

It was truly a memorable cruise to the New Year at Park Inn by Radisson Davao last December 31, 2019. It was a vibrant evening with the buffet wave, party tides, and merry raffle treats that the guests will cherish and look for again ‘til The grill st the next New Year’s Eve Party!

EDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA NETWORK OFFERS ALL-OUT ENTERTAINMENT WITH NEW MUSICAL-COMEDY-VARIETY SHOW BEGINNING January 5, Kapuso viewers are in for a treat this New Year as the brightest Kapuso stars gather to bring all-out entertainment for the whole family on GMA Network’s freshest musical-comedy-variety program, All-Out Sundays.

Also dubbed as #AOS, All-Out Sundays redefines Sunday afternoon viewing experience of Filipino households with its world-class musical performances, exciting games and live sitcom every week that are sure to spread good vibes and kilig to its viewers.

Even more so, Sunday noontime becomes best family screen time with All-Out Sundays as it brings together some of the Network’s versatile and best performing artists on weekend primetime.

Set to bring all-out exceptional performances to your Sunday Musikomedya are Alden Richards, Julie Anne San Jose, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Mark Bautista, Rayver Cruz, Ken Chan, Rita Daniela, Gabbi Garcia,

AR

tation.

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Derrick Monasterio, Miguel Tanfelix, Kyline Alcantara, Migo Adecer, Mavy Legaspi, Cassy Legaspi and JD Domagoso.

Adding fun and excitement into the show are Golden Cañedo, Garrett Bolden, Jong Madaliday, The Clash Season 2 Grand Champion Jeremiah Tiangco and First-Runner Up Thea Astley and StarStruck 7 Ultimate Survivors Kim De Leon and Shayne Sava.

Spicing up the program with their amusing brand of comedy are versatile Kapuso stars Paolo Contis, Glaiza De Castro, Betong Sumaya, Kakai Bautista, Boobay, Super Tekla and Lexi Gonzales.

Sundays are about to get dreamier as All-Out Sundays launches its allmale dance group composed of five young and talented heartthrobs – Vince Crisostomo, Karl Aquino, Radson Flores, Abdul Raman and Kim De Leon.

All-Out Sundays is under the helm of Creative Directors Caesar Cosme and Rommel Gacho, Creative Consultants Perry Lansigan and Paolo Valenciano, Headwriter for Musical Rommel Gacho, Headwriter for Sitcom Vince De Jesus, Stage Director Rem Zamora and TV Director Miguel Tanchanco.

Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement and catch the premiere of All-Out Sundays beginning January 5, 12 noon to 2:30pm, on GMA Sunday Grande.

ABS-CBN BLOCKBUSTERS HIT VIETNAM PAY TV

Cakes at Cruise to the New Year Party.

Lechon at Cruise to the New Year Party.

BLOCKBUSTERS from ABS-CBN continue to capture new audiences abroad as they hit pay TV channel K+ in Vietnam, the country’s premiere free TV station VTV and premium French channel Canal+.

“I Love You, Hater,” the romantic movie top billed by Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, and Kris Aquino is set to premiere on Christmas Day, December 25.

In September, K+ also acquired and aired Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s “The Hows of Us,” the country’s highest grossing movie of 2018. This was followed by Antoinette Jadaone’s “Love You To The Stars and Back,” which also starred Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in October.

ABS-CBN’s content, popular for their heartfelt Filipino stories, are available across other territories through ABSCBN International Distribution, recognized in the global

arena as a reliable foreign content provider. It has been a premier source of high quality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world and has sold over 50,000 hours of content worldwide. Living up to this recognition, ABS-CBN International Distribution commits to add to its line-up of high-caliber programs and movies with cast and storylines that appeal to various cultures. Visit its website http:// internationalsales.abs-cbn.com.

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO Davao (SPCD) Saints and with 3-0 card, followed Mats College of Technol- by JMC Kings (2-0), Asian ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

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

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

14 12

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SEE STORY ON P11

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, 6 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY MARCH 24-25, 17-18, VOL.12 ISSUE 51 • TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13, VOL.12 ISSUE 109 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

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

A4 INdulge!

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

EDGEDAVAO 9

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

FEEDBACK... FROM1 taining infectious agents into the air. These are called small particle aerosols.

Due to their tiny size, small particle aerosols can travel long distances on air currents and remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours.

These small particle aerosols may be breathed in by another person.

Measles is also spread

by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by nose and throat discharges.

The virus is very infectious and droplets in the air may infect people entering a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left it.

Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sore

eyes, photophobia (discomfort when looking at light).

These symptoms usually worsen over 3 to 5 days, then a blotchy rash begins on the head and over the next day or two spreads down the entire body. The rash lasts 4 to 7 days.

Measles illness usually lasts about 10 days. (CIO MATI)

priority plan industry. She was happy because it was the industry that is really putting some effort in pushing the nickel industry roadmap because like government they cannot just do it alone and the industry cannot do it alone,” Capili said.

She added that they are also consolidating all the inputs of the government, business sector and the non-government organizations (NGOs) and academe as inputs to the roadmap.

In terms of sustainable mining, Capili said, next year, the mining stakeholders are going to release their contributions to the Social Development Goals (SDGs), which are integrat-

ed and indivisible, global in nature and universally applicable, and take into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.

“What we are going to do is we will gather the data again from our members. We focus on the community and the environment. For example sa SDG 15, ano ang level of compliance doon. On SDG 8 or about work ano lang level of compliance, as well as SDG 4 on education,” she said.

PNIA ensures that all mining companies in the Philippines are compliant and are practicing sustain-

able initiatives. In fact, as of June 2018 PNIA planted 5.3 million trees. According to Capili they allocated around 3 percent to 5 percent of their direct mining cost to the environmental protection program.

“Why are we planting trees? Because we have the environmental protection enhancement program which is also mandatory for us. We are not just planting trees, we are also doing marine protection programs, coastal protection programs. For the trees the mandate or requirement for the mining company is if you remove one tree, you are required to plant 100 trees,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

tawan, M’lang in 2003 for the airport project.

The Arroyo administration funded the construction of the airport.

“The airport operation could boost the economic growth of Region 12 where many agricultural products, including highly perishable fruits, come from,” Piñol said in a statement.

He said the airport project was mothballed during the nine-year term of then governor and now Vice Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza.

Talino-Mendoza cited missing documents as the

reason behind the failure of the provincial government to turn over the 62-hectare property to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to Piñol.

Talino-Mendoza said that technical de�iciency, and not politics, was behind the non-operation of the airport during her term.

Catamco said the provincial government will submit to the DOTr the necessary documents for the airport to operate.

Once operational, the airport in M’lang town would become the second

airport to serve Region 12, after General Santos City, which is about three hours away by land travel.

The Awang airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which is also about three hours away by car from M’lang, is already serving parts of Cotabato province and Cotabato City.

Cotabato City voted to join the BARMM during the rati�ication of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January 2019. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews).

supply for the whole year, with 208,448 metric tons of red onions projected to be harvested in March.

Cayanan added that the DA also has efforts to provide cold storage facilities to onion farmers as there

is only one farming season for this crop which has a shelf life of only six to seven months.

Storm,89-88, in overtime.

Anderson scored the game’s last four points, including the winning spinning layup, as the Bandera clawed their way back from a 45-21 de�icit and seized control at 73-66, on a triple by Anderson, who ended up with 14 points.

Imus was ahead, 79-

77, entering the homestretch but Wysom’s Stefan Favis drilled in a jumper with 1.5 seconds left to force overtime.

Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, behind the guns of Alvin Pasaol and Anton Asistio, coasted to a 108-101 victory over Edmonton Team 2 in the

second game.

Zamboanga beat Imus Bandera, 88-72, in an of�icial game of the Lakan Season on Friday.

The MPBL delegation will be heading home on separate �lights on Sunday with Pacquiao, wife Jinkee and their children staying behind.(MPBL)

Senayan in Jakarta and went home with total of �ive gold medals, one silver, and �ive bronzes.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the team’s victory and from there, an era was born.

Despite the progress of the organization which apparently started from scratch, unforgiving circumstances were still on its way.

Then Tancontian �inally found the missing piece of his puzzle. He convinced

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles to become the chairman of Pilipinas Sambo.

“Sobrang laking impact ni CabSec sa Pilipinas Sambo,” Tancontian said.

Looking back on his struggles, Tancontian could only wish one thing and that is to shelter the authenticity of Pilipinas Sambo as a Davao-based organization.

“We want Pilipinas Sambo to be genuinely recognized as a Davao brand

kasi pinaghirapan ito ng mga tao from Davao City,” Tancontian said.

He also cited the support from the counterparts from Baguio and Manila.

The young organization, meanwhile, looks at 2020 as a year for developing grassroots.

Tancontian said they are planning to propagate the sport in the schools and host an international sambo championships in Davao City, where the organization was born.

MINDANAO... FROM2

DUTERTE... FROM3

PH TO IMPORT... FROM4

MANNY... FROM11

DAVAO’S... FROM12

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

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

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

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

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

PLDT... FROM5

work resilience, continuous availability of commu-

nication services, mobile solutions and activities to

help communities mitigate disaster risks.

second opinion, among other bene�its.

Allianz Well is just one of the many all-inclusive health plans that Allianz Philippines is making available through Maria Health.

Earlier in the year, Martinez had stressed the importance of using tech-

nology in the delivery of insurance products and services.

“Through technology, we have the opportunity to give our customers access to their insurance anytime, anywhere,” he said.

Allianz is the world’s number one insurance

brand, according to the 2019 Interbrand Global Rankings. Across all industries, it ranks 43rd in the world.

Allianz has likewise been declared the world’s most sustainable insurer from 2017 to 2019 by Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

from Southeast Asia.

The farmgate prices of palay spiraled down as the impact of the in�lux of imported rice.

Dar, however, maintained that the RCEF will be a game-changer once properly utilized.

He also appealed to the

critics of the Rice Tarif�ication Law not to nip it in the bud and instead give it a chance to be implemented.

watersheds by illegal loggers and uncontrolled land use from mining, overgrazing, agricultural expansion and industrial utilization have contributed to water depletion.

There is also a need to rehabilitate polluted rivers.

A report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) some years back classi�ied 37 of the 418 surveyed rivers as polluted. On the other hand, a study done by the Asian Development Bank counted 16 rivers to be “biologically dead” during the dry months. The Water Environment Partnership in Asia said water pollution’s

effect costs the Philippines approximately $1.3 billion annually.

Some 48% of water pollution came from domestic waste, 37% from agricultural waste (in the form of decayed plants, dead animals, livestock manure, pesticides and fertilizers), and the remaining 15% from industrial waste (mostly lead, mercury, chromium, and cyanide).

“Water isn’t just a commodity. It is a source of life,” reminds Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project. She believes water problems will trail climate change as a threat

to human future.

“We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources,” Postel says. “But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.”

Meanwhile, the husband of Meryl Lapinig has just returned from his stint as a seaman abroad for six months. He now helps his wife carry to water from the corner where it is being rationed to their house.

“I don’t know until when we will be doing this,” sighed Meryl. “But the big question is: when will our water supply be back to normal again?”

ALLIANZ... FROM5

P3-B... FROM5

WATER CRISIS... FROM8

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

SEARCA supports agri-biotechnology PIDS...

HARDEN... FROM11

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

midst local calls for the revocation of the commercial permit of golden rice, the leading farm research in Southeast Asia is supporting for favorable agri-biotechnology regulatory policies.

The Laguna-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in a press statement released on December 30, believed agri-biotechnology is the key to food security and in uplifting the lives of farmers in the region.

“We stand behind products of agribiotechnology that increase agricultural productivity to feed a growing population in the midst of dwindling natural resources and erratic changes in climate,” said SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio.

Dr. Gregorio, a national academician, said the region’s premier farm research center pushes for the advancement of science-based innovations on their important roles in addressing poverty and

food security.

“Due attention must be given to our resource-poor farmers by providing them access to information, best practices, and new technologies that gives them a �ighting chance to cope with the many challenges they face and to open up better opportunities for them and their families so that they can have better quality lives,” said Dr. Gregorio.

Just recently, the government has approved permit for use for food, feed, and processing of golden rice “after rigorous biosafety assessment.” It was “found to be as safe as conventional rice” by the Bureau of Plant Industry, a line agency of the Department of Agriculture.

Greenpeace, however, has �iled a petition for the permit’s revocation.

“While rice is self-pollinated, there is still the possibility of cross-pollination, another pathway for contamination,” it said in its website.

“If further studies reveal hazardous or unexpected effects of (geneti-

cally-engineered) golden rice, communities/countries where rice is a staple, may have their food and nutrition security at risk due to contamination and inability to recall and clean-up the crops,” Greenpeace added.

Golden rice has been questioned by interest groups due to the technology that inserted a gene into the grain that enables the staple to produce increased Vitamin A, helping reduce massive Vitamin A-de�iciency (VAD).

The Golden Rice Humanitarian Board said the development of golden rice was to prevent blindness that develops in around 500,000 people, mainly children, yearly.

“Nearly nine million children die of malnutrition every year. VAD severely affects their immune system, hence it is involved in many of these children's deaths in the guise of multiple diseases.

Malaria deaths in children under �ive years of age has been linked with de�iciencies in the intake of protein, vitamin A and zinc,”

the board said.

SEARCA believes the rice technology will have huge economic impact for poor farmers as they no longer have to invest more into the seed. The technology is being offered for free by humanitarian groups that helped its development.

Developers include Sygenta, the Philippine Rice Research Institute and International Rice Research Institute, among others.

“The technology is built into each and every harvested seed, and does not require any additional investment. Let’s consider the potential of a single golden rice seed: a single plant will produce in the order of 1,000 seeds; within four generations or less than two years, that one plant will have generated seeds (amounting to more than 10 to the twelfth power).”

“This represents up to 28-thousand metric tons of rice, which would be already suf�icient to feed 100-thousand poor people for one year,” said the GRHB.

second.

That's when Harden, and in a complementary fashion Capela, came alive.

Capela followed his three-point play at the 8:01 mark with a pair of dunks before Harden added a 3

and then three free throws.

That tandem continued to thrive, with Harden closing the half with a 3 and a layup lifting Houston to a 60-53 lead at the break.

Harden and Capela tallied 23 points in the period.

sitive/photovoltaic/LED semiconductor devices, color television receivers/ monitors/projectors, and crude/ re�ined copra oil.

Further, the paper said it is imperative to promote an environment that encourages innovations as a way of doing business, noting that innovations are

correlated with the �irm’s productivity and employment growth.

“To facilitate product innovations, there is a need to ensure that process innovations are integrated into the various stages of good production. This will require increased servici�ication,” it added. (Philexport)

FROM 5

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF ROMEO A. JOVELLANOS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROMEO A. JOVELLANOS who died on August 19, 2017 at San Pedro Hospital Inc., C. De Guzman St., Davao City has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.124; PageNo.26; Book No.181, Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN. 12/23, 27, 1/6,2020

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

11

Harden triple double lifts Rockets past 76ers

J

ames Harden recorded a 40-point triple-double and Clint Capela won the matchup of talented bigs as the Houston Rockets rolled to a 118108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night in Houston.

Harden posted 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists and intermittently carried the Rockets when things went awry.

Capela added 30 points and 14 rebounds to outpace 76ers center Joel Embiid (20 points, 12 boards) and help send Philadelphia to its fourth consecutive defeat since a Christmas Day blistering of the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks.

Harden was spectacular throughout, converting 6 of 12 3-pointers while �inishing 12-for-12 at the free-throw line.

When the 76ers mounted one last desperate push with just under three minutes remaining, cutting the de�icit to 108-

102 on a Ben Simmons layup, Harden responded with back-to-back 3s to snuff that rally. It marked the �irst triple-double on the season for Harden.

Simmons tallied a triple-double for the 76ers with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists and added four blocked shots and three steals.

Tobias Harris added 24 points but Philadelphia shot just 6 of 27 from behind the arc and suffered multiple breakdowns attempting to defend Harden.

The 76ers were stout defensively in the �irst quarter, particularly in the early stages when Harden and Russell Westbrook started a combined 2-for11 from the �loor.

Philadelphia sagged off Westbrook and enticed him to shoot while thwarting Harden with an array of long-limbed defenders.

Houston shot 30.8 percent in the opening frame and trailed 27-20 entering the

HARDEN, P10

James Harden had 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists

Manny Pacquiao finds himself unguarded and fires another three-point shot in this bit of action in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Canada Invasion, Dec.28, at the Edmonton Expo Centre.(Photo by Moses Billacura)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the second half at Staples Center. Reuters

Davis sparks Lakers win

A

nthony Davis scored 46 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123113 victory over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Davis, who scored 41 points in the Lakers’ win over the Pelicans in their initial meeting on Nov. 27, hit 15 of 21 shots and made all 13 of his free throws as the Lakers won their fourth consecutive game.

Danny Green, who made 6 of 10 3-pointers for the game, had 20 of his 25 points in the �irst half,

and LeBron James �inished with 17 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds for Los Angeles.

Lonzo Ball had 23 points and Brandon Ingram had 22 for the Pelicans, who had their fourgame winning streak snapped.

E’Twaun Moore added 16 points, Derrick Favors had 15 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, and JJ Redick contributed 14 points for New Orleans.

It was the �irst visit to Staples Center in a Pelicans’ uniform for Ingram, Ball and Josh Hart since

Philippine Congressman Bobby Pacquiao on a fastbreak play as MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes (No.19) and actor Gerald Anderson (No.3) run to provide the support.

(Photo by Moses Billacura)

they were traded to New Orleans for Davis.

New Orleans battled back from double-digit leads in the �irst half before Los Angeles took control in the third quarter.

Davis sparked the burst by scoring 19 points in the third as the Lakers outscored the Pelicans 31-21 for a 105-83 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

New Orleans pulled within seven after a dunk

by Ingram with 2:25 left but got no closer.

The Lakers led by as many as 18 in the �irst half before the Pelicans rallied.

They sliced the gap to 64-60 on a bucket by Moore with 1:50 remaining in the second quarter, but the Lakers �inished the half on a 10-2 surge for a 74-62 advantage at the break.

Los Angeles shot 50 percent from the �loor for the game to 47.1 percent for New Orleans.

The Lakers made 14 of 29 3-pointers (48.3 percent) compared to 11 of 37 (29.7 percent) for the Pelicans.

Lakers reserve guard Alex Caruso missed the game with right calf soreness.

Edmonton, Canada—Manny Pacquiao settled for a double-double as the MP Team subdued the Edmonton All-Stars, 101-91, on Saturday, December 28 (Sunday, December 29, in Manila) in the windup of the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Canada Invasion at Edmonton Expo Center.

The MPBL Founder and CEO wound up with 33 points, including back-to-back triples that quelled Edmonton’s �inal rally, and 10 rebounds to go with seven assists and two steals that nearly duplicated his 31-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist effort in a 116-99 victory over Team Casey Calgary on Friday.

Playing without relief to satisfy the longing of the crowd, Senator Pacquiao was ably supported by younger brother Congressman Bobby, who accounted for 26 points and four rebounds in the third and last exhibition game.

With MP Team ahead, 83-67, Edmonton sprung to life with 11 straight points, the last eight by CJ Liwanag, to threaten at 8378 with still 6 minutes and 35 seconds left.

Batangas Athletics center Jhaymo Eguilos, however, completed a three-point play and Pac-

quiao, the eight-division boxing world champion who’s passionate about basketball, knocked in the triples to restore order, 94-78, less than �ive minutes left.

Davao Occidental Tigers star Mark Yee missed his usual double-double with nine points, 15 rebounds and two steals while Eguilos �inished with eight points for MPT, which also got seven points and �ive rebounds from Bicol Volcanoes’ Chris Lalata.

Other members of MPT, which was coached

by Cong. Dong Gonzales, owner of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, and assisted by MPBL Deputy Commissioner Zaldy Realubit, were Paolo Hubalde (Valenzuela Classic), Jeff Viernes (Batangas), Michael Juico (Pampanga), Aris Dionisio (Manila Stars) and Gerald Anderson (Imus Bandera).

Completing the team were MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, Operations Head Emmer Oreta and panelists Christian Luanzon, Martin Antonio and Rodney Santos.

In the opener, Anderson played the hero’s role as Imus Bandera Luxxe Slim thwarted Wysman

Manny settles for double-double as MP Team trounces Edmonton

MANNY, P9

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 209 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 5-6, 2020

Pilipinas Sambo chairman Karlo Nograles with some of the Sambo officials.

DAVAO’S OWN Pilipinas Sambo looks ahead for more glory in 2020

H

ardwork comes before results. That’s a time-proven formula for success, Davao-based National Sports Association (NSA), Pilipinas Sambo, parlayed that maxim to perfection.

Pilipinas Sambo showcased an exceptional performance in the historic 30th Southeast Asian Games that granted the fledgling organization a regular membership in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Perhaps, their successful debut in the 11-nation biennial sports conclave and gaining the approval of one of the biggest sports body responsible for the national athletes’ legitimacy and campaign overseas were just the beginning of the organization’s abundant harvest.

But behind the gold, silver and bronze medals and the commendable recognitions, was a man who planted the seeds and nurtured it with pure determination and perseverance.

In a span of three years, former national judoka Paolo Tancontian, father and founder of Pilipinas Sambo, has reaped what he sowed.

In 2015, Tancontian,

who is an outstanding judoka during his prime, took the biggest leap of his career and began his quest in the sport Sambo, a combat martial art originated in Russia which was made popular by the Last Emperor Fedor Emelianenko and the undisputed UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, from a fourtermer judo official in Davao.

The first two years of his quest was tough but turning back was not in his options. Fortunately, Tancontian has all the blessings from the FIAS or International Sambo Federation.

Realizing that two heads are better than one, Tancontian sought help from a decent lawyer in Paolo Augustin Claudio, who currently serves as the president of Pilipinas Sambo.

Claudio’s reinforcement was a game-changer but Tancontian’s life partner Janet Sy and cousin Ace Larida, who are now officials of the organization, gave all the support he needed along his way to prominence. Sy serves as the organization coordinator while Larida is the national head coach.

The first toughest challenge they had to go through was gaining the formal recognition of the POC, who was then steered

by Alfred Vargas.

The requirements entail a lot of financial resources as the organization needed to reap honors from international competitions. So Tancontian assembled his elite class athletes. With so little time for developing new members, Tancontian had to rely on his children Sydney and Chino, whom he taught grappling fundamentals.

Self-financed, Pilipinas Sambo campaigned in different countries of the world including Russia, Monggolia, India, and Indonesia.

Tancontian’s influence in the Philippine martial arts allowed him to recruit high caliber athletes including the legendary Rene Catalan, and URCC undisputed champion Mark “Mugen” Streigl among others.

Banking on that lean but mean team, the Pilipinas Sambo joined the First Southeast Asia (SEA) Sambo Championship held at the Lagoon Hotel Sultan,

FDAVAO’S OWN, P9