Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 57 |Wednesday, May 29, 2019

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NADAL CRUISES THROUGH, WOZNIACKI BUNDLED OUT

Serving a seamless society

SPORTSP11

MA LING ALERT VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

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Piñol wants recall of canned meat amidst swine flu fears A

griculture Secretary Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove from the shelves of retailers such pork products as Ma Ling that were manufactured August 2018 onwards as these may be contaminated with African swine fever (ASF).

PULL OUT. Cans of "Ma Ling" luncheon meat are displayed on a shelf at a convenience store in Davao City on Tuesday. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered grocery stores nationwide to pull out processed pork products including "Ma Ling" from countries affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF). The products will be "recalled and seized" in the markets around the country to prevent contamination. Lean Daval Jr

MATINA ENCLAVES FETES YEAR’S BEST

►INDULGE A1

PHILIPPINES: IN DEEP TROUBLE

►ENVIRONMENT P9

Piñol on Monday stressed the effectivity of the ban on the entry of pork and pork products took effect since August 2018, and "any other products shipped in after that should be recalled from the market".

He, however, admitted that there is lack of coordination among concerned government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and the Food and Drug A d m i n i s t ra t i o n (FDA) in preventing the entry of imported canned meats or processed meats in the country.

"The problem here is lack of coordination among implementing gov-

ernment agencies.

While FDA issued memorandum banning the sale of imported meat and meat products coming from infected countries, they still issue quarantine veterinary clearance," he said.

"We will make a clari�ication that once the DA issued a ban, the FDA could no longer issue license to transport," he added.

Piñol also appealed to meat importers to "voluntarily" refrain from importing from high-risk countries.

He de�ines high-risk countries as those which are contiguous to ASF-affected areas which may have the disease already

MA LING, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

NEW GENERALS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte greets the child of one of the newly promoted generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the oath taking ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

CDRRMO raises F La Niña concerns

Hong Kong registers highest OAV turnout in 2019 midterm polls

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he City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�ice (CDRRMO) asked the cooperation of Dabawenyos during disaster operations amid threat of a La Niña phenomenon which comes with heavy rains.

In recent years, swollen rivers dumped waters into various areas of the city, triggering forced evacuation, especially among residents of low-lying areas.

Alfredo Baluran, the chief of CDRRMO, emphasized the need for

the cooperation of the public to ensure their safety in times of calamity.

Baluran said residents of danger zones should heed the advice of the government agencies and to immediately comply in the event of a

preemptive evacuation.

“If there is a warning that we will give to them, they really need to comply with it. Our aim is to keep them safe. It may inconvenience them but we are concerned about their safety,” he stressed.

Baluran cited previous encounter with people who refused to vacate their properties during forced evacuation.

“We need to be mind-

ful if there is a heavy rain. They might be in danger if they will not evacuate once we asked them to,” he said.

In 2011, 25 people died when the Balusong River in Matina Pangi over�lowed due to heavy rains in the hinterlands.

We do not want similar incident to happen, which was why they are asking for everybody’s cooperation, Baluran said. CIO

ilipino voters in Hong Kong have registered the highest turnout in the recent May 13 midterm elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) data.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Of�ice for Overseas Voting (OFOV) data showed that the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong has recorded 36,009 overseas Filipino voters who joined in the overseas absentee voting (OAV) held from April 30 to May 13.

There are 87,969 registered Filipino voters, majority of them household service workers, in Hong Kong.

Dubai PCG posted

the second highest turnout with 28,487 votes, followed by Singapore (25,110), Abu Dhabi (15,806), Kuwait (15,558), Riyadh (14,616), Jeddah (11,484), Tokyo (11,484), San Francisco (9,630) and New York (9,045).

The Comelec said a total of 334,242 overseas voters or 18.34 percent of the 1,822,173 million registered voters participated in the midterm elections.

The �igure is higher than 15.63 percent turnout in the 2013 midterm elections but lower than the presidential elections in 2004 (64%), in 2010 (26%), and in 2016 (31%).

ous future for all Filipinos,” said Duterte in his speech.

“Let us be reminded that public of�ice is a public trust and for the nth time as echoed by the rest of the humanity of Filipinos, that public of�ice is a public trust,” he added.

Despite the many “daunting challenges” that lies ahead, Duterte is hoping the new government of�icials would “lead by example” and inspire colleagues to embody values be�itting of a civil servant such as honesty, humility, and simplicity.

Duterte also ap-

develop policies and social programs conscientiously, and treat everyone equally regardless of ethnicity, status, religious belief and political af�iliation since the public expected so much from them.

“With competent civil servants at the reins of our government of�ices, I am con�ident that we will maintain the program of government that you all desire and the public morale to the highest of expectations from our people,” Duterte said.

He also hoped that they “leave behind a legacy of real and tangible

people.

“Let us look forward to the future with optimism as we do our best in building a more secure, equitable, prosperous future for all Filipinos,” he added.

Duterte led the oath-taking ceremony of government of�icials from several agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Education (DepEd), Trade and Industry (DTI), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Customs, and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), among others. (PNA)

HONG KONG, P10

PDEA-11 cites Davao City’s PRRD to new gov’t officials: Fight corruption ordinance vs illegal drugs lmost 200 new programs and initiatives pealed to them to use change” as part of their government of- to realize a prosper- their resources wisely, mandate to serve the

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he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Davao regional of�ice has recognized the efforts of the City Government of Davao in combatting illegal drug by mandating establishments employing 10 persons and more to create a drug-free workplace program.

Mandating all establishments to create a drug-free workplace is covered by a city ordinance passed by the City Council in 2013. City Ordinance No. 0506-13 or the Mandatory Drug Testing in business establishments is a requisite for the renewal of business permits starting 2020.

Drug testing for employees is voluntary.

“This is a big help for us since those who will purchase illegal drugs are those who have money and they are the ones who work,” said Lawyer Ben Joseph Tesiorna, the Assistant Regional Director of PDEA-11.

This as PDEA awarded the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) for its relentless efforts to have a drug-free Davao City. The giving of the award is in line with the observance of the International Day of Dangerous Drugs and Illicit Traf�icking.

Tesiorna said the programs implemented

PDEA, P10

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�icials took their oath of of�ice on Monday before President Rodrigo Duterte, who reminded them that public of�ice is a public trust.

During the oath-taking ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Duterte expressed con�idence that the new of�icials would perform their duties to the best of their abilities and �ight corruption in their respective of�ices.

“I am con�ident that as you take your oath, you will also espouse our collective hopes and dreams and advance this administration’s

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

KWF bats for teaching tertiary-level Filipino

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he Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is advocating the use of Filipino, the country’s national language, as medium of instruction in the tertiary level.

Using Filipino to teach tertiary-level subjects is in line with the 1987 Constitution which mandates this language’s development as the of�icial communication mode of government and education, a KWF of�icial said.

“The most effective way of ful�illing the constitutional tasks is by using Filipino extensively as the language of instruction in the tertiary level and as the medium of communication in other �ields of knowledge and discipline,” said KWF Director General Anna Katarina Rodriguez in a

press conference Monday, citing the agency’s reaction to a recent Supreme Court ruling which upholds the Commission on Higher Education’s Memorandum 20 series of 2013 that excluded the teaching of Filipino, Panitikan, and the Philippine Constitution subjects in the General Education Curriculum.

While the Filipino subject would no longer be required in the tertiary level, universities had the academic freedom to teach them.

KWF urges that the new GEC courses “be

total of 11 senators have so far signed a committee report proposing an increase in excise taxes on tobacco products in a bid to reduce smoking prevalence among Filipinos and also to generate additional funding for the government's Universal Health Care program.

The proposal was contained in Committee Report No. 714 prepared by the Senate committee on ways and means. It seeks to raise the excise tax for every cigarette pack from PHP45 to PHP60 for the next four years.

The report proposes a starting rate of PHP45 in 2020 or an increase of PHP10 in the �irst year of implementation, followed

by PHP5 increase each year until the rate reaches PHP60 in 2023. Thereafter, the rate automatically increases by 5 percent.

Among the signatories

of the report include committee chair Sonny Angara, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, JV Ejercito, Pan�ilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Angara said his panel did a "balancing act" when it chose a gradual tax increase instead of an immediate PHP25-bump to the current rate in an attempt to reconcile the competing interests of the government, health advocates, the cigarette industry, and tobacco farmers.

Angara said the committee members consider the tobacco tax hike bill as an important legislation that would not only help reduce deaths and disabilities due to smoking, but also generate the much-needed revenues for the UHC program.

taught in Filipino and English but with preference for Filipino,” Rodriguez said.

She said KWF is also calling on colleges and universities nationwide to use Filipino as medium of instruction in all disciplines.

She said such institutions must also offer more and new courses on Filipino. Schools can avail of KWF’s free GEC retooling assistance wherein teachers can learn how to use Filipino in teaching GEC courses, she noted.

She said books that can be used are “Babasahin sa Kultural na Malayuning Komunikasyon”, “Ang Imahen ng Filipino sa Sining”, and “Pag-unawa sa Sarili”. (PNA)

11 senators sign report on tobacco tax hike

CLARIFICATION. Presidential son and Davao City congressman-elect Paolo Duterte clarifies that he never mentioned seeking the Speaker of the House post. "Pulong" said this after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to resign if he will vie for House speakership. Lean Daval Jr

ASU works double time to clear ditches, sidewalks

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he Ancillary Service Unit (ASU) has formed a “night shift team” for faster response to calls for assistance on clearing canals and sidewalks.

ASU chief Paul Bermejo said his of�ice receives at least three concerns per week mostly relayed at night time.

“Usually, the over�lowing of the canals happens at night time during heavy rain. Our night shift team will be there to respond to the

public’s concerns,” he said.

Bermejo said some of the canals in the city over�low because these are silted. He said his teams conduct clearing operations so that water would not build up that causes �looding.

“We immediately respond whatever time of the day it is. We will do the inspection and send the necessary equipment that the team needs to address the concerns,” Bermejo

PBSP supports TB control in BARMM

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he Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) reaf�irmed its partnership to strengthen the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP).

PBSP and MOHBARMM recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that enables them to continue to work together to support the Department of Health (DOHNTP) in the execution of the Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan.

WORKING TO END TB PBSP has been supporting the MOH-BARMM through the provision of

laboratory supplies and equipment, the hiring and deployment of competent medical and non-medical staff; and the conduct of regular monitoring and random on-site veri�ication and validation of both programmatic and �inancial reports.

The organization also provides technical and funding support in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT), TB-HIV and TB Community TB Care and Prevention (TBCP) activities, and gives feedback and recommendations based on the results of these activities.

The MOH-BARMM, on

PBSP, P10

said.

“We do not only respond to the clearing of the canals, but also to concerns relating to illegal construction of stores and other establishments placed above the canals and in areas where they are considered illegal,” he added.

He said ASU is also regularly conducting demolitions or putting structures of sidewalk vendors in places where they do not obstruct the �low of traf�ic. CIO

A

TB CHAMPIONS IN THE BANGSAMORO REGION - Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Ministry of Health recently reaffirmed its partnership to strengthen the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) at the MOH-BARMM office in Cotabato City. In photo (seated, from left) are Elidda R. Agnes, PBSP PMDT Leader for Mindanao; Elvin Ivan Y. Uy, PBSP Director for Operations; Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda, PBSP Executive Director; Dr. Alexander U. Ampatuan, BARMM Regional NTP Medical Coordinator; Gian Carlo Avanica, PBSP PMDT Program Officer for BARMM; and Suraida D. Amilil, BARMM NTP Nurse

He, however, noted that they also could not ignore the impact of raising the excise tax on the livelihood of tobacco farmers.

"We're legislating not so much a single sweet spot, but a ladder where we hope all stakeholders involved can make a smooth transition," Angara said in a statement on Monday.

"In essence, we're providing up to four years of graduated increases so that more of our tobacco farmers can shift crops; the tobacco companies can recast their �inancial projections; and the DOH (Department of Health) can catch up with its understanding," he added.

It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte has certi�ied as urgent Senator Manny Pacquiao's Senate Bill 1599, which seeks to raise the current unitary excise tax rate to PHP60 per pack with a yearly in-

11 SENATORS, P10

Coordinator. Witnessing the MOA signing are: (second row, from left) Garibalde Alvin Enriquez, PBSP MRC Regional Manager; Nudin S. Amil, BARMM HIV Coordinator; Ron A. Aray, Rabies, Leprosy, FNBD, and Dengue Coordinator; Saida Diocolano-Ali, Regional Public Information Officer; Euwan Hannah Abo, BARMM Technical Staff; Rohaida Balas, BARMM Finance Assistant; Sittie Sara Dumo, BARMM NTP Medical Technologist Coordinator; Sittie Rezhmeen M. Mustapha, Rabies, Schistomasis and Filariasis Assistant Coordinator; Mary Jay Infiesto, PBSP MRC Senior Program Officer, and Ymann Alleo A. Aron, BARMM NTP ITIS Staff.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

NAT’L FLAG DAY. Security personnel hoist the Philippine flag while singing the national anthem during the National Flag Day celebration at SM City Davao on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD approves LTFRB urged to set pick-up, drop-off points for UV Express Sagip Saka Act P T he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) must designate loading and unloading points for UV Express units to ensure ease of travel among passengers following the issuance of its latest directive limiting their operations on a point to point basis, a commuters’ welfare advocate said.

“Our suggestion is that the UV Express must not be patterned after point to point buses. A compromise solution for this is the LTFRB should designate loading and unloading points in between the origin and destination of the UV Express units particularly in areas that have high passenger demand,” lawyer Ariel Inton, president of the Lawyers for Commuters and Safety Protection (LCSP), said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday.

The LTFRB has issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2019-025, which abolishes the two-kilometer radius from the endpoints of the UV Express units in which they are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers.

Inton, who was a former LTFRB Board Member, explained that the policy is nothing new as UV Express services originally operate on their designated terminals with no unloading and loading between their origin and destination when it was autho-

rized as a public utility vehicle service in 2005.

A memorandum was issued by the LTFRB in 2009, which allowed UV Express units to pick-up and drop-off passengers within the two-kilometer radius from their endpoints as speci�ied in their franchises.

However, it has been observed that UV Express units were not using their designated terminals, as well as load and unload passengers between their endpoints.

“I agree with the premise of the LTFRB to limit the operations of the UV Express on a point to point basis to prevent the rampant loading and unloading of passengers anywhere outside their designated terminals. However, we must take note of the fact that UV Express

is being utilized by our commuters because it is an affordable transport service. Thus, the LTFRB should have come up with a decision that would not have inconvenienced the travel of these commuters,” Inton said.

The MC was issued on May 15, which was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and Board Members Ronaldo Corpus and Antonio Gardiola Jr. UV Express services that were found to violate the policy will be �ined PHP5,000 for the �irst offense and PHP10,000 for the second offense.

Suspension or cancellation of the franchise will be imposed for the third offense while the license of the driver may be suspended or revoked. (PNA)

resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Sagip Saka Act to help increase farmers’ and �ishermen’s income and reach their full potential.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11321 on April 17, 2019 yet reporters only got a copy on Monday (May 27).

The new law establishes the "Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program" which refers to “the comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and holistic approach in promoting the establishment of enterprises involving agricultural and �ishery products.”

The program shall be integrated and be made consistent with the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan, and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Plan.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall be the implementing agency of the program, which shall tap the assistance, expertise and resources of the following agencies such as the Philippine Coconut Authority, National Dairy Authority, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Agriculture Training Institute, Agricultural Credit and Policy Council, and the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

The law also entails the creation of the “Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council” to oversee the proper implementation of the program.

It shall be composed of (a) the Secretary of the DA or his duly authorized

9593 otherwise known as The Tourism Act of 2009 to allow the incentives scheme to tourism enterprises to be implemented for another 10 years.

Under the current law, TIEZA has only until August 2019 to grant its incentives.

The incentives include income tax holidays for a period of six years, a 5 percent preferential tax on gross in-

come, exemptions on all taxes and customs duties on the importation of capital equipment, and exemption of transportation equipment and spare parts from tariffs and duties.

"In the grant of incentives, it shall give equal preference to large investments, those with great potential for employment generation and those of local small and medium enterpris-

es. Registered tourism enterprises owned and operated by overseas Filipino investors shall enjoy the same incentives granted to TEZ operators and registered enterprises in general,” the law read.

To prevent abuse of the incentives, TIEZA may also coordinate with the Bureaus of Customs and Internal Revenue.

PRRD, P8

DENR eyes production New law gives TIEZA power to grant incentives of engineered fuel

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epartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) isn’t discounting the possibility of eventually ending Philippine importation of wastebased processed engineered fuel (PEF), an alternative to fossil fuel used in cement production.

DENR is looking into possible production of

PEF in the country so cement producers can buy this product from local sources instead of sourcing it abroad, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.

“They won't have to import PEF,” he said.

News reports this week cited Bureau of Customs as intercepting, in Misamis Oriental

DENR, P8

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law giving the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) sole and exclusive jurisdiction to grant incentives to tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) until December 31, 2029.

The new law or Republic Act 11262, which Duterte signed on April 10, 2019, amends sections of Republic Act

NEW, P8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

COMPETITIVE EDGE

5

Security Bank names Vohra as new president Foundation helps people through education D T uring the regular Board meeting of Security Bank Corporation (PSE: SECB) on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, Sanjiv Vohra was named as President and Chief Executive Of�icer effective July 1, 2019, subject to regulatory approvals. Mr. Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr., retiring President and Chief Executive Of�icer, will remain as Director and will chair the Executive Committee. Mr. Rafael F. Simpao, Jr. will be retiring as Director effective June 30, 2019 and will become a Senior Adviser to the Board.

In his message, Chairman Alberto S. Villarosa explained that the organizational changes re�lect Security Bank’s focus on ensuring the continuity of the overall business strategy formulation and execution. He said, “With the appointment of Sanjiv Vohra, the Bank is manifesting the institution’s commitment to professionalism and to bringing in leaders who not only understand the Philippine market but the global markets as well.

The banking business is truly becoming globalized and cross-border transactions, partnerships and

alliances are now becoming the new normal. Sanjiv has deep experience in banking, having held a number of senior leadership positions in Asia, in Citibank, ABN AMRO Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Deutsche Bank and MUFG Bank, as well as experience in the domestic market during his eight years as Country Head of Citibank Philippines. I am con�ident that he can bring Security Bank to the next level.”

President-elect Sanjiv Vohra noted that he would be joining Security Bank at a time when it has

built up its Retail Banking business as a strong and sustainable third business pillar under the brand promise and commitment of BetterBanking. He said, “The Bank has made all the right moves in these last few years. I believe that Security Bank is in a very good position to take advantage of the growing domestic market while making the most out of the synergies available through its strategic alliances, including the partnership with MUFG. I truly feel privileged in getting this opportunity to lead this franchise.”

Chairman Villarosa added, “Sanjiv brings with him the experience that will support the enhancement of our BetterBanking commitment. He also brings with him a new perspective to our customer value proposition, as well as global best practices which will give a big push to our transformation and innovation journey towards becoming a world-class bank that goes

beyond borders.”

Retiring Director Rafael Simpao, Jr. contributed much to the growth of Security Bank, having served as Director from 1995 to 2019 and as President & CEO from 1995 to 2004. Meanwhile, Mr. Alfonso Salcedo, Jr. will have served as President & CEO from 2015 to 2019, overseeing the growth of Security Bank’s Retail Banking business.

Security Bank reported a net income of Php 2.38 billion in the �irst quarter of 2019, up 1.5% versus year-ago level and up 15% from quarter-ago. Total revenues grew 20% year-on-year to Php 7.6 billion. Net interest income from customer loans and deposits grew by 29% to Php 4.7 billion, driven by the continued expansion of retail loans and low-cost deposits. Retail loans expanded by 49% while low- cost deposits increased 11%.

Retail loans now account for 23% of total loans versus 17% a year ago.

of Filipino women actually use NFP, with only Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and Sympto-Thermal method (STM) posting 0.1 percent each, while the rest of the NFP methods had less than 0.1.

Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the intensi�ied implementation of the National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP) to expand the reach of the program, to include those in the workplace and marginalized sectors. This mandate also includes the promotion of all types of FP methods including modern NFP. Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III, MD, Executive Director of POPCOM said that, “POPCOM,

DOH, the LGUs and other key institutional partners will continue to expand the choices of Filipino women and couples to plan their families and their lives. The modern NFP methods are safe options that they can use for this purpose. These methods also promote shared responsibility among couples which can pave a way for them to strengthen their relationship.”

One of the major reasons for unplanned pregnancies among poor women and couples is their lack of access to family planning information and services. Given this, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RA 10354) promotes universal access

he Roland Torres Votacion Foundation, Inc., Dev Partners' Corporate Social Responsibility arm, recently celebrated its 1st Foundation Day last Saturday, 25 May 2019 at Ganatan Elementary School located in Arakan, North Cotabato.

The foundation handed more than 265 bags with school supplies to its bene�iciary student-scholars from Kinder to college and paid their full tuition fees for S.Y. 2019 — 2020.

The foundation’s main bene�iciaries are the Bagobo Tribe and aim to help scholars by giving them the tools they need to succeed.

The basic school bag for student-scholars includes papers, pencils, notebooks, scissors, glue, pads, and pens.

The foundation also allocated more than P177,820.00 (One Hundred Seventy-Seven Eight Hundred Twenty Pesos)

for school fees of Ganatan Elementary and Ganatan High School scholars.

President and CEO of the Roland Torres Votacion Foundation, Inc., Roland T. Votacion, said that this budget is purposely to paid all the necessary fees for the whole school year of the student-scholars of the foundation.

“Student[s] will now just go to school, study and enjoy the free education. There will be no other payments. Students and parents don’t have to spend money from their own pockets”, Votacion added.

The foundation also donated more than 250 types of books purposely for the Ganatan Elementary School library. The books were from donations. And at the same time, the foundation also handed assorted type of used and un-used clothes, toys, shoes, and other supplies to the community and a feast for all.

18% of Filipino women demand modern natural family planning services

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or Filipino women, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is deemed important as 18 percent still demand for modern NFP methods, alongside other Family Planning (FP), thus reiterating the country’s unmet need for FP. The month of May every year is marked as Natural Family Planning Month with this year’s theme “Pamilyang Planado, Panalo!” encouraging couples to plan their families. The 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) showed that poor and less educated women continue to have more children than they planned.

The highlight of the NFP month celebration

this year will be the launch of the Natural Family Planning Handbook and Manual, published by the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM). In addition, a signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between POPCOM and the Responsible Parenthood and All-Natural Family Planning (RP-ANFP) Network will take place on May 31, 2019 in Quezon City. The NFP Manual and Handbook will provide information about available methods for FP, with each method having an effectivity of about 95 to 99 percent. This partnership aims to widen the reach of users in terms of the NFP program implementation.

About 0.3 percent

to the widest range of family planning (FP) methods including natural and arti�icial methods.

To increase the use of modern NFP, the Department of Health (DOH), POPCOM, and Local Government Units (LGUs), are promoting modern Natural Family Planning (NFP), also called Fertility Awareness-Based Methods, which are scienti�ically proven to be effective using the changing body signals indicating their period of fertility. The NFP methods include Standard Days Method (SDM), Basal Body Temperature (BBT), Cervical Mucus Method (CMM) and Sympto-Thermal Method (STM), and Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM), These

methods do not require drugs or devices and can be used by Filipino couples to achieve their desired timing, spacing and number of children. Modern NFP does not include traditional and non-scienti�ic methods such as withdrawal, calendar, and rhythm.

“We enjoin all government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, media out�its, communities and individuals to celebrate Natural Family Planning month and support the campaign for a quality Population and Family Planning program in the Philippines. Dahil ang pamilyang planado, panalo!,” Usec. Perez concluded.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

EDITORIAL Is random drug testing in schools enough?

To make drug testing in schools mandatory or not is an issue that’s been going through two government agencies with different schools of thought.

At the moment, the operative law on drug testing in schools is the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly Section 36 (c). which stipulates: (c) Students of secondary and tertiary schools. – Students of secondary and tertiary schools shall, pursuant to the related rules and regulations as contained in the school’s student handbook and with notice to the parents, undergo a random drug testing.

With that provision of law clearly stated, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cannot do otherwise but deal with it.

The random nature of drug testing is supported by the Department of Education (Deped).

PDEA had been knocking on the doors of Deped to support its proposal to make drug testing mandatory from merely being random, but the education department is not about to give in.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

Just how effective mandatory drug testing will be in schools cannot be signi�icantly measured with accuracy unless the law is amended.

In Davao City, mandating all establishments to create a drug-free workplace is covered by a city ordinance passed by the City Council in 2013. City Ordinance No. 0506-13 or the Mandatory Drug Testing in business establishments is a requisite for the renewal of business permits starting 2020. Drug testing for employees is voluntary but the ordinance mandates establishments employing 10 persons and more to create a drug-free workplace program. This was recently commended by the PDEA for advancing the thrust to make establishments free from illegal drugs.

However, the progress of the campaign for a drug-free society may be making inroads in the workplace, there is much left to do in schools.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the current set-up is enough to prevent students from engaging in illegal drugs. Which leads us to think. Is it really enough? Or do we need out lawmakers to act on amending existing laws.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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ADAM B. MORRELL Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DEATH BEFORE BIRTH “I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is ‘abortion,’ because it is a war against the child. A direct killing of the innocent child, ‘murder’ by the mother herself. And if we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love… And we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts.” – Mother Teresa *** In the past, there used to be a very popular expression that went this way: “Patay kang bata ka!” Many people, particularly the younger generation then, said those words that were caught red-handed.

These days, the expression can be used to describe abortion, the intentional ending of a pregnancy.

At a Vatican conference on hospice care for terminal newborns and ministries for the parents of such children, Pope Francis reiterated the Catholic Church’s position: Abortion is always wrong. In fact, the pope called selective abortion an “expression of an inhuman eugenics mentality,” the Catholic News

Agency reported.

He posed these questions during the conference: “Is it legitimate to take out a human life to solve a problem? Is it permissible to contract a hitman to solve a problem?”

Around the world, the status of abortion varies from being legally banned to being available on request. In the Philippines, abortion has been a crime under the law since 1930. In fact, the 1987 Philippine Constitution further underlines this when it stated that the State “shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.”

A study done by the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) found out that that one third of teen pregnancies worldwide result in abortion. In the Philippines, the numbers are unspeakable: 610,000 abortions annually, based on a study conducted in 2012.

As it is illegal in the country, abortion has made the practice very dangerous for women. In the 2012 study, over 100,000 women were hospitalized as a result. What is even more repulsive is that 3 women die every day due to unsafe abortion complication.

What is your stand on abor-

tion? I posed this question in my social media account. Most Filipinos, being conservative, are against it. But one of those that really gave a thorough explanation on the subject matter was Jonathan Watson, an American who has considered the Philippines his second home.

“I’m against it – unless the mother’s life is immediately at stake, or if the child isn’t viable,” he wrote in his opening statement.

Before probing deeper, allow me �irst to quote the words of Margaret Sanger: “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.”

Now, going back to Watson. “Many pro-choice individuals argue that choice should be given, as a woman should have bodily autonomy,” he said. “While I agree bodily authority is important, I feel the argument fails in the sense that it puts the value of autonomy over the value of life, which in essence is a form of hyper-individualism. It overlooks ethical responsibility for others with a �ixation on the self.”

Thus, in his opinion, the above thinking “is one of the toxic traits that have formed out from Western culture and has poisoned much needed liberation

movements with sel�ishness.

That’s not the only issue Watson is very much concerned. “Many pro-choice individuals also argue that choice should be given because the child will grow up in a �inancially-compromised, or in an emotionally-unstable home.”

This is what he thinks about this issue: “While this may be true for some, this isn’t the case for all who seek abortions. And while this is a possibility, its’ a fallacy of a slippery slope to automatically conclude such a result. And even if it were to happen, who is another individual to say ‘no’ to the life that belongs to another?

“That in itself violate bodily autonomy by depriving one the right to life,” Watson continued his explanation. “Furthermore, given this logic, the same could be applied to older living beings who want to commit suicide over a problematic life, which for most of us regardless of our views on abortion, would be a not-so-good thing to do.”

From there, he went to talk about rape, another issue which pro-choice raise during debates. “While it is something problematic to mental health, the existence of another born out of wrongdoing (rape, that is) is still divorced from that wrong-

doing, hence (the unborn child) shouldn’t take the blame,” Watson pointed out.

Watson is a man and those who commit abortion are women. So, what is his right to air his concern on the subject? “You can’t talk unless you’re a woman or have been pregnant,” women may tell him. “If you knew the experience maybe you will change your mind.”

He has this answer to that: “While experience could contribute to views, this would be an appeal to emotion rather than logic, and also appeals to gender essentialism.”

There are those who argue that pro-life is a religious stance. As such, it “should be kept private and not made into of�icial state policy.”

This is Watson’s thought on that: “While it is true that the Catholic Church of�icially has a pro-life stance within their dogma, this disregards the logical reasoning behind those who are pro-life with Protestant, atheist, etc. background. For these, its’ argued based either on a philosophical proposition concerning life at conception (for early abortion), or the fact that later abortion is unarguably a legitimate termination of life itself.”

I rest my case, your honor!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO’S FLORA AND FAUNA IN TAXONOMY Taxonomy is more than just a �ield of naming and classifying plants and animals; it is also a rich source of historical nuggets. Well-known personalities, for some reason, are honored by naming newly-discovered fauna and �lora, including cultivars and hybrids, after them.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal, recognized as botanist and zoologist, has three scienti�ic names to his credit. The animals, which he personally sent for classi�ication to fellows in the scienti�ic circles of Europe, are a beetle (Apogonia rizali), a frog (Rachophorus rizali), and a reptile (Draco rizali).

It was during the American occupation, though, when taxonomy became signi�icant.

Thousands of unnamed plants and animals were given scienti�ic labels chosen by eminent scientists that were enlisted by the colonial government.

Even the Bagobo, as a tribe, also got its share of credit. For instance, a common crane �ly was entered the registry as L. bagobo Alexander, while a bird discovered in 1930 in the Bagobo territory was named Collocalia esculenta bagobo Hachisuka.

An insect was tagged as C. escu-

lenta bagobo D. distinctus ssp., while the Bagobo rat of Davao del Sur is known as (Bullimus bagobus).

Even Davao district governor Edward Robert Bolton, murdered on June 6, 1906 in Lacaro, Malita, Davao Occidental, has been taxonomically honored. The terrestrial fern Cheilanthes boltoni Copeland found on rocks along the sea at Malalag, Davao del Sur, has been named in his memory, and, similarly, the Mt. Apo sunbird, called kapoya-poya among the Bagobos and was discovered at Tudaya, Santa Cruz, is now scienti�ically known as Aethopyga boltoni sp. nov.

House speaker and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was honored with a new blight-resistant potato variety bred by the Benguet State University. It was named Gloria Kamaptengan and sourced from the Centro Internationale de la Papa (International Potato Center) in Lima, Peru. It was originally codenamed 13.1.1.

A new orchid variety bred by former justice secretary Hernando B. Perez was named after his boss, former president Corazon Aquino. It was registered as Blc Cory Aquino (Brassolae-

liocattleya Cory Aquino) and was described as “a graceful but sturdy plant with yellow and green varieties that sport pink outer petals.”

2018 has had also its share of taxonomic developments.

A pitcher plant, one of four found in Mount Hamiguitan in San Isidro, Davao Oriental, was named after its town mayor, Justina Yu. Scienti�ically, the new species is now known as Nepenthes justinae. The other endemic pitcher plants of the area are the Nepenthes peltata, Nepenthes micramphora, and Nepenthes hamiguitanensis.

Call it luck or the product of political achievements, the Duterte family has also been honored appropriately with three varieties or cultivars of Bromeliad. Of�icially, the plants are registered as Neoregelia‘Rody Duterte’, Neoregelia ‘Inday Sara,’ and Neoregelia ‘Elizabeth Duterte.’

The ‘Rody Duterte’ cultivar, entered in the registry # 13584, is a “mature open rosette to 50 cm. diameter x 30 cm high” with “broad, black-spined, bronzegreen leaves with sepia black tips and reddish-brown concentric cross-banding; and a hot pink central cup at blooming.”

The ‘Inday Sara’ variety, on the other hand, is a “mature, open rosette to 34 cm diameter x 26 cm. high” with “broad, light green inner leaves with rosy red, random patches and partial concentric rings plus rounded, indented bright leaf tips.”

The Neoregelia ‘Elizabeth Duterte,’ meanwhile, is registered as No. 13967; it is a “mature, open rosette to 65 cm. diameter x 48 cm. high” and in “strong light, the plant turns fuchsia pink, and has glossy broad leaves with a deeper pink cup when blooming.”

But Sara has another feather on her cap. A team of biodiversityexperts from the University of Mindanao named a new Philippine hoya (a wax plant) species from Dinagat Province Hoya indaysarae (with pinkish color at its apex and measures 1.4 cm) in honor of the lady mayor.

The same team also honored the school’s president, Dr. Guillermo P. Torres Jr., with a newly-discovered beetle now scienti�ically known as Metapocyrtus willietorres. The insect can be found at an elevation of 1, 800 meters above sea level in the forests of Mindanao.

Balut Island, likewise, is proud of its Vexillum baluten-

sis and Tegula balutensis, both marine mollusks. The island of Sarangani has lent its name to a land snail scienti�ically known as Calocochlia saranganicaHidalgo discovered in 1887. Other sea creatures named after Sarangani are the Hydropsyche saranganica Ulmer (1951), Scelotrichia saranganica Ulmer (1951), Helicostyla saranganica Moellendorff (1890), andObba saranganica Hidalgo.

The rare conch alternately known as the bat volute (Cymbiola vespertilio matiensis) is named after Mati City. This shell, superbly colored in shades of red and discovered in 1903, is a large predatory sea snail and marine gastropod mollusk.

On the other hand, a magnolia from Samal carries the name Salvia samalensis, while an herb has been scienti�ically labeled as Montanoa samalensis J. M. Coulter. There is also a fungus called Graphis samalensis, and an insect known as the Metapocyrtus samalensis.

Scientists have also identi�ied a beetle that is endemic to the island-city under the genus Metapocyrtus Heller 1912, namely: the Artapocyrtusbifasciatus samalensis and Artapocyrtus falsoquadrulifer samalensis.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

SUBURBIA RISING

Sarangani abaca farmers NEW... FROM 4 group impresses WB team

K

iamba, Sarangani Province - From being small-time local player, the indigenous peoples here have become a bulk producer of quality �iber for domestic markets across the country.

The United Maligang Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (UMFMPC) composed mostly of the indigenous T’boli tribe had an impressive showcasing of their improved facilities, production, business plan, and marketing strategies when of�icials from World Bank visited them recently.

“It’s interesting to hear your stories and know that the project helped you a lot,” said World Bank Global Agriculture Martin Van Niewkoop.

“Knowing your stories, we believe that you can do better in the implementation,” Niewkoop added.

UMFMPC received P35.7 million for their project named Enhancement of Abaca Production, Processing and Marketing of High Quality Fiber through the assistance of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

The amount is spent to fund the establishment of a processing center and warehouse , the ongoing procurement of 6-wheeler hauling truck, one delivery truck, 74 units of portable stripping machine/dying shed; 56 units of heavy duty spindle stripping machine; pressing machine for abaca baling and fork lift, among others.

DA-PRDP, a six-year rural development project, is jointly funded by the World Bank and national government through the DA with the counterpart of the local government units.

World Bank Lead Agriculture Economist and PRDP Task Team Leader Frauke Jungbluth said the purpose of their recent visit was to gather feedback from the project bene�iciaries which can be tackled in the forthcoming World Bank Mission, the bi-annual inspection and evaluation of WB funded project.

“We want to know if how far you have gone with the project and if the project really changed your lives,” Jungbluth told the farmer-bene�iciaries.

With DA-PRDP’s intervention they are now

producing of close to 1,000 kilograms of �ine quality �iber per hectare from the previous production of 500 kilograms. But their objective is to reach 2,200 kg per hectare after three years of full operation.

They have a total of 370 members with a total production area of 3,044 hectares.

The remote T’boli community is also a recipient of 4.3 kilometer Kayupo-Maligang Farm-to-Market Road, amounting P47.46 -million, which has solved the transportation woes of the community.

Farmer-bene�iciary Alvin Cabales, one of the UMFMPC Board of Directors, said the projects has drastically changed the lives of the community. It even encouraged them to expand their farms.

“Before, we use carts and horses to transport our products, but now, we have our own motorcycles to use for delivery to the market,” said Cabales.

“I already expanded my area for abaca production because of the opened opportunities,” he added.

(SBM/CUA)

Panabo Water District starts partnership with Prime Water Infra Corp on June 1

A

fter the signing of the agreement between Panabo City Water District (PCWD) with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation on March 14, Panabo Water District recently disseminated Information on its partnership to barangays in the City.

Prime Water will provide for the �inancing, development, rehabilitation, expansion, improvement, operation, and maintenance of the water supply and septage management system in the city.

This is the solution to the concern on the water supply

in the downtown area. Invited guests City Mayor Engr James Gamao and Vice Mayor Janrey Gavina supported the agreement after the City received numerous complaints on the service.

Prime Water Managing Director, Caroline Cadeliña said that they are investing P3 billion in the next 25 years.

In the �irst year, P200 million will be allocated as they will prioritize the improvement of treatment facilities and water quality in the city.

She further stressed that improving the water system in Panabo will entice more investors resulting to econom-

ic growth and better living standards of the locality.

Conceding that the capacity of the local water district is limited, PCWD's Chairperson of the Board, Dominador Casiño explained that with the tremendous complaints, insuf�icient water supply, and increasing population and economic activities in Panabo, entering into a JVA with Prime Water is the best solution in solving the city's water problem.

Prime Water is a Filipino-owned company and is one of the premier water utility solution and service providers in the Philippines.

It also encourages local government units to provide incentives for tourism enterprises through, among others, reductions in applicable real estate taxes and waivers of fees and charges

among others.

This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill 1616 and House Bill 8861, was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 6, 2019. (PNA)

representative who is at least an Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair (b), a representative of the Department of Trade and Industry, who shall likewise at least be an Undersecretary; (c) a representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; (d) a representative of the Department of Finance; (e) a representative of the Cooperative Development Authority; (f) a representative of a national organization of farmers cooperatives or association; (g) a representative of a national organization of �isherfolk cooperatives or association; and (h) two representatives from the agriculture, food,

restaurant and business sectors.

Within 60 days from the date of effectivity of the Act, the DA, in consultation with the DTI and the DOF shall formulate the rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. The law was passed by the House of Representatives as House Bill 8857 on January 28, 2019 and wasadopted by the Senate of the Philippines as an amendment to Senate Bill 1281 on February 6, 2019.

It will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Of�icial Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)

province, shipment originating from Australia and declared as PEF consigned to Holcim Philippines Inc. for this company’s use in cement production.

DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) con�irmed the shipment is PEF, as noted by the agency’s hazardous waste chief Gerry Sañez.

"PEF can be imported as it's tradable commodity and not mere waste for disposal," he also said.

Wood chips, tex-

tile, recyclable plastics, cardboard and paper are among waste materials that can be used in making PEF, said Irvin Cadavona, EMB environmental management specialist.

He said when burned, PEF emits lesser carbon dioxide compared to fossil fuel.

“As far as I know, there’s no PEF processing plant in the country yet but it’s good to have this so the commodity can be produced locally,” he said. (PNA)

PRRD... FROM 4

DENR... FROM 4

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

Petition for Change Party Applicant with Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

ANTONIO D. LIMASAC, Previous Owner.

ANTONIETTE A. LIMASAC, Petitioner.

Case No. R11-CP-EV-PJ-2019-5-1192 (99-XI-01192) x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF HEARING ANTONIO D. LIMASAC was a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: BAGUIO DISTRICT and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on November 25, 2019. In the petition filed on May 17, 2019, petitioner requests authority to change the party in the Certificate of Public Convenience stating that her father Antonio D. Limasac died inestate on March 18, 2018. In the same petition, petitioner likewise request authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JULY 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao. Petitioner is likewise ordered to publish the Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks as required under Rule 74 of the Rules of Court.

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

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

Davao City, Philippines, May 20, 2019.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR OIC-Regional Director

Petitioner, Antoniette A. Limasac Counsel, Atty. Albert G. Yenco

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MATINA ENCLAVES FETES YEAR’S BEST

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

The top performers for 2018

Through time, technology and transformations, human nature doesn’t change. We all desire to be appreciated.

In the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

With that as a corporate mindset, Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), Davao’s fastest growing homegrown real estate developer, gives recognition to its top performing agents and affiliates every year. It’s an open secret.

It’s a business philosophy that has worked wonders for the young but high-achieving company. Esdevco is the developer of such projects as The Matina Enclaves and Arcadia.

“Recognition is the best tool to motivate people and this has proven well for us,” said Esdevco president Glenn Escandor.

“True enough, without these people, we could not achieve what we have become in this very competitive industry.”

This year, Esdevco held the Matina Enclaves Annual Top Sellers Awards on May 20 at the Arcadia Events Center with no less than Escandor leading the distribution of awards along with project director Gerald Kent Garces.

The annual recognition fetes sellers for their sales performance in 2018 with cash incentives, appliances, gift certificates, and merchandises.

Host Sansu and DJ Billy Santos provided the entertainment with the Sweetjam Acoustic Band setting the mood of the affair.

More top performers for 2018

Esdevco project head Gerald Kent Garces offers a toast The Top Performing Sellers according to their rankings are Ryan Sayson, Reb/ Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Celeste Del Rosario/ Ortiz Realty-YBP, Juvy Deangkinay/ Ablas Realty, Ruena Ferrer/ Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Mary Jane Anillo/ Ablas Realty, Jiphanny Magada/Leuterio Realty, Filipinon Homes, Kristine Charisse Benson/ Leuterio Realty,Filipino Homes, Eliza Janine Ballesteros/ Leuterio Re-

Esdevco President Glenn Escandor with project head Gerald Garces and the awardees.

alty , Filipino Homes, Marjorie Osorio-Monecillo/Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Joseph Arthur Avila, Reb/Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Manfred Lawas/Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, and Ronald Mari Portillo/ Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes.

The Top Performing Brokers are Amenthyst De Guzman, Reb, Venus Magdamo, Reb, and Zelma Ann Banga, Reb. For Top Performing Real-

tors, the achievers are Explorer Davao Realty Co., Davao Dragon Vibe, Ortiz Realty,YBP, Villasor Realty,YBP, ZTR Realty, Hayana Realty, Fullworth Realty, Property Providers, Mega Pacific, and Polinar Realty.

Awarded as Top Managers are Shiena Mae Furog/ Furog Realty, YBP, Gilbert Monecillo / Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Merlita Romero/ Romero Realty, Hedelyn Hong/

Ablas Realty, Dollly Beth Relampagos/ Realty Options Inc. For the Top Sellers, the awardees are led by top performer Orpha Bañez/ Bañez Realty,YBP. The other top sellers are Shirley Pañamogan/ Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Merry Grace Estrada/ Explorer Davao Realty Corp., Jo-ann Maranian/ Leuterio Realty, Filipino Homes, Janine Princess Romero/ Romero Realty, and Boyd Yron Cabiladas/ Leuterio Realty,Filipino Homes.

The year’s Top Brokers are Lalaine Raughelle Corro, Reb, Veljean Villaraiz, Reb, Reyboy Gudmalin, Reb, Belinda Morales, Reb Rounding out the top performers are the Top Realtors for the year led by Leuterio Realty, Banez Realty, Ablas Realty, Furog Realty, Realty Options Inc., and Romero Realty.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Start them young

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

LIKE THAT of adults, cultivating children’s creativity takes a village to accomplish.

Or is it?

For someone who loves watching the likes of Anthony Bourdain (may his delish soul rest in eternal peace), Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal, Genaro and yes, Ina Garten, the culinary realm has been a favourite escape universe. Personally, I love that one is able to understand how it is to work behind the kitchen doors and prepare dishes that are expected to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Last Friday, May 17, chef’s Con (Wilcon Reuyan) and Llerma (Llerma Javier) once again rolled up their sleeves and put on their aprons for another basic culinary workshop for kids aged 5 and up. For the dynamic chef duo, sharing (or imparting) their culinary knowledge and skills to kids allow them to help these kids be open and accepting to the many possibilities and opportunities in the real world.

The workshop has been ongoing for years. The duo normally schedules the workshop during the summer where the kids are free from academic responsibilities. “Not only do they have fun, they also learn to appreciate the culinary world”, Chef Llerma Javier said.

Participants came in early and were all so eager to get their hands

coated in flour and everything else in between. The moment they put on their apron and toque, the kids gave the chfs their full attention. “It is always fun to meet new kids and cook with them”, Javier added.

The 5 hour culinary workshop featured a lecture and hands-on demo

to the delight of the kids. The menu was a mixture of savoury and sweet – pizza, burger, rainbow cupcake and the oh so dreamy dream cake.

True enough, by exposing the kids in the art of cookery and baking at a very young age, we are actually helping them create and build a founda-

tion in the culinary arts in a fun and easy way.

Workshop inclusions included recipe handouts (so the kids and their parents can still bake at home), ingredients, apron, take home goodies and a certificate to keep them excited even after the workshop.

PHILIPPINE EAGLE PAIR TO FLY TO SINGAPORE UNDER SPECIE

THE Wildlife Loan Agreement between the Philippines and Singapore allows one live pair of Philippine Eagles to be housed at the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. The agreement that was signed on May 20, 2019 at the DENR Central Office in Manila, Philippines was led by Hon. Roy A. Cimatu, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Dr. Cheng WenHaur, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Life Sciences Officer of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and was witnessed by Mr. Dennis Salvador, Executive Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

“Sending this pair of Philippine Eagles to Singapore acts as a biosecurity measure to ensure the survival of the species as a fallback population in the event of catastrophic events like disease outbreaks or extreme natural calamities taking place in their Philippine habitats,” said DENR Secretary Cimatu during the signing of the agreement.

The PEF hopes that this lon program, a first for the Philippine Eagle, will start partnerships with other countries and organizations to adopt the species as well. Having other repositories aside from the Philippine

Eagle Center in Davao City considerably reduces the risk of the population being decimated completely.

“But this program only represents a small part of a comprehensive population management plan on the species. Given current threats, more intensive actions on protection and law enforcement need to take place in- country” PEF Executive Director Salvador said.

ONLY 400 PAIRS LEFT With no more than an estimated 800 individuals left in the wild and being reported as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the PEF has led the efforts to sustain its number for the past 31 years. The PEF is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, and employs a holistic conservation approach, working with different government agencies like the DENR, local government units, private organizations and indigenous communities living near eagle territories to implement different conservation strategies in saving the species.

To address the issue of the decreasing population in the wild due to hunting and deforestation, the Philippine Eagle Center, managed by the

PEF, was established. It serves as a captive breeding facility as well as a rehabilitation center for injured Philippine Eagles and other wildlife.

To date the PEC has produced 7 Philippine Eagles through Cooperative Artificial Insemination and 21 through the natural breeding method.

GEOTHERMICA AND SAMBISIG The Philippines will be sending two captive bred eagles conceived through the natural breeding method to pioneer the loan program. Apart from

being in excellent health, these eagles are considered to be in their breeding prime with female Philippine Eagle “Sambisig” at 17 years old and male eagle Geothermica at 15.

As captive bred eagles and a potential natural pair, Sambisig and Geothmerica are the best candidates for the loan program. Following international protocols, the Philippines is sending captive bred eagles which are more accustomed to human activities and are said to have more resilience in the face of stressful situations, as

opposed to thos eagles will be tra Philippine Eagle kennels. The pa out to Singapore Geothermica rently under a p cess which mean enclosures with between. This al other while prev harm should the sive. To date, the between both bi served to perch indicates a good pairing.

Philippine Ea and suspicious n their mates care dency to use the sharp beaks to a Geothermica adopted by Ener poration (EDC) Philippines, Inc companies have al contribution o over five years. G after EDC’s core energy while Do pines, Inc. name meaning “one v

EDAVAO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

KBO OFFERS KBO99 FOR FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION THIS JUNE TREAT your fathers to a whole month of movie viewing with ABS-CBN TVplus’ KBO new offering, KBO99 this June.

For only P99, viewers can now watch 4 weeks worth of TV premieres and well-loved blockbuster movies.

Don’t miss Arjo Atayde, Ketchup Eusebio, Joross Gamboa, and Jessy Mendiola’s fun movie, “ ‘TOL.” Watch the story of best friends, Lando (Arjo), Arthur (Ketchup), and Dimitri (Joross), whose friendship gets tested when their first love, Elena (Jessy) gets back to their lives. See if their friendship remain or will Elena cause their bond to break this May 31 to June 4.

Join Karla Estrada in her first lead role in “Familia Blondina” from June 7 to 12. She plays Cindy who married an American and had three children. But what she thought would be a fairy tale love story ends badly, so she goes back to the Philippines, with her

IES LOAN PROGRAM

se from the wild. The ansported from the e Center using large air is scheduled to fly e on June 4, 2019. a and Sambisig are curpairing attempt prons they are put inside h a partition screen in llows them to see each venting any physical ey become aggresere is no aggression irds. They are also obnear each other which d chance at successful

agles have a territorial nature. They choose efully and has the teneir powerful talons and attack intruders. a and Sambisig are rgy Development Cor) and Dow Chemical c. respectively. These e been giving an annuof at least P125,000 for Geothermica is named e business, geothermal ow Chemical Philiped its eagle Sambisig vision” or “unity.”

PARTNERING WITH WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE Geothermica and Sambisig will be quarantined for some time, upon arrival in Singapore as part of its biosafety protocols and to allow the birds to acclimatize to their new environment. The WRS will be launching their Philippine Eagle Campaign in November.

As one of the leading zoological facilities in the world, the WRS offers a unique platform to educate more people about the ecological and cultural value of the Philippine Eagle that will help in advancing the conservation mission even further.

The WRS will also provide funds to support local conservation of the species. The organization contributes to several conservation efforts through wildlife research and awareness campaigns.

“We are proud to be working with the WRS given its outstanding reputation in public education, animal welfare, conservation breeding and in-situ conservation, “ Salvador said.

They are active in conserving several other wildlife as well, including the Sumatran Elephant and the Burmese roofed Turtle.

kids in tow. Here, she meets Jobert Austria’s character who will try to open her heart once more.

Meanwhile, teaming-up for the first time in the big screen in Enzo Pineda and Winwyn Marquez in “Time & Again,” airing from June 14 to 18. Meet Apol, a writer and

waitress who falls in love with her customer, Ozi (Enzo Pineda).

Using the watch the can turn back time, she tries to be close with Ozi. Aside from the three fresh movies, Bayani Agbayani’s “Pansamantagal” and Teddy Corpuz’s “Papa Pogi” make their first TV airing this June. Also included in the line-up are films of acclaimed actor, Aga Muhlach, “Sana Maulit Muli,” “May Minamahal,” and “Seven Sundays.”

To avail this promo, simply register using any prepaid or postpaid SIM and text KBO99 JUN <TVplus box ID> to 2366.

GMA News’ Justiis snags nomination from Monte-Carlo TV Festival’s Golden Nymph Awards LEADING broadcast company GMA Network earns for the country a nomination at the 59th Golden Nymph Awards of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco thru GMA News’ “Justiis: Condominium Behind Bars”—once again becoming the only Philippine news organization to be nominated this year.

Nominated in the TV News Items category, Justiis: Condominium Behind Bars is part of GMA News’ special nine-part investigative series on the malaise confronting the Philippines’ judicial system. ‘Justiis’’ is a portmanteau of “justice” and “tiis”, a Filipino term that means to endure suffering and pain.

Reported by GMA News’ Emil Sumangil, Justiis: Condominium Behind Bars witnessed the sorry state of the highly-congested Sta. Rosa City District Jail where female inmates had to endure the heat and the cramped space. To expand their sleeping quarters, the inmates resorted to “condominium”-type bed accommodations, boring large holes on the ceiling to create a top-level, makeshift floor.

Twenty-eight programs from 17 countries were officially selected to compete for Golden Nymph Awards across six news and fiction categories.

Now on its 59th year, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival celebrates the very best of television and delivers marketing and public relations opportunities to producers and distributors looking to access a large group of international print and on-camera journalists to promote and support their sales to worldwide broadcasters. The Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony will be held on June 18 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

AGS wins big at SAP Awards In the photo from left to right are: AGS Customer Success and Strategic Accounts Revenue Head Christian Banzuela, AGS Revenue Head Percival Flores, SAP Business One Channel Sales Manager Kenneth dela Cerna, SAP Philippines Managing Director Edler Panlilio, AGS Delivery

and Customer Experience Head Jo-anne Fontanar, AGS Customer Success Manager Josenia Gonzales, AGS New Business Revenue Head Anna Galope and SAP Partner Business Manager Bing Buising.

SAP names AGS as Partner of the Year for 2018 and SAP S/4HANA Partner of the Year in SAP’s Partner Kick Off held at Shangri-La Bonifacio Global City. AGS is an ePLDT company that specializes in providing business management solutions for SMEs and Large Enterprises.

SAP S/4HANA is an intelligent ERP solution that enables com-

panies to capture every opportunity in today’s digital world, SAP S/4HANA removes common obstacles associated with legacy ERP applications, such as batch latency, complex landscapes, and manuallydriven processes. SAP S/4HANA is built to take advantage of SAP’s industry-leading in-memory computing platform, SAP HANA. The result is incredible flexibility and speed through a dramatically simplified data model.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

ENVIRONMENT

9

PHILIPPINES: IN DEEP TROUBLE Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

“Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly…” – Michael Jarraud, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization When the Pangi River in Davao City swelled to new heights in June 2011, 29 people lost their lives and 50,000 residents had to �lee their homes. In an editorial, the local daily Sun Star Davao commented: ‘‘The rapid urban development has caused encroachment into the city drainage, preventing the water from seeping into the soil with all the construction in the heart of downtown Davao.”

But those are only part of the problem. Former Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza, who is now back in the government as chief negotiator for peace process, believes that the constant �looding happening in Davao City is due to sea level rise. “My calculation is that (the sea level) has risen by one foot over a period of 20 years,” he wrote in his column, Advocacy Mindanao. “Hence, rain waters and �loods no longer easily �low or empty out into the sea.

They are clogged in the waterways and spill out into the riverbanks.”

“It’s really a disaster that is already happening… It’s a slow-onset disaster,” Narod Eco, who is part of the group of scientists tracking the problem, was quoted as saying by the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Eco was referring to the catastrophe now occurring in Pampanga and Bulacan.

Satellite monitoring done have shown that these two provinces “have sunk between four and six centimeters annually since 2003.”

The sinking is reportedly due to groundwater pumping. “The main culprit is catastrophic subsidence by groundwater being pumped out from below, often via unregulated wells for homes, facto-

ries, and farms catering to a booming population and growing economy,” the AFP reported.

Some parts of the country’s capital are not spared from the phenomenon.

Although it is happening at a slower rate, “sections of Manila along the shore of the bay are sinking too, with excess groundwater pumping being the most likely cause,” the AFP said.

The situation is indeed very precarious.

“The creeping by waters put people and property at risk, while the threat is ampli�ied by high-tides and �looding brought by the roughly 20 storms that pound the archipelago every year,” the AFP pointed out.

The catastrophe will even be more severe with the rising sea levels caused by global warming. It has been estimated that sea level rise within this century will affect a larger percentage of the country’s coastline compared with that of other developing countries of Asia and the Paci�ic region, according to a World Bank report.

“By the end of this century, sea levels in the region are expected to rise by about 125 centimeters, exceeding the global average by 10-15%,” noted the bank report, Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines.

“Even assuming the sea level in the region rises at the global average rate of about 100 centimeters, about 14% of the Philippines’ total population and 42% of its total coastal population will be affected by intensifying storm surges resulting from more intense typhoons.”

“In the Philippines, the impacts of storm surges, as-

sociated with sea level rise and more intense storms, are particularly signi�icant in terms of the percentage of affected coastal land area, population, and gross domestic product,” the bank report claimed.

A study co-produced by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Asia and the Paci�ic region on cities most affected by sea level rise has identi�ied seven urban areas in the Philippines.

Four of these cities are from Luzon (Manila, Taguig, Caloocan and Malabon), two are from Mindanao (Davao and Butuan) and only one from the Visayas (Iloilo). Some portions of these cities will be inundated with one-meter sea level rise.

The country’s weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, observed an increasing trend in the sea level rise in the country way back in 1965 yet.

The rise of sea levels is just one of the most certain outcomes of climate change. “A continuing rise in average global sea level would inundate parts of many heavily-populated river deltas and the cities on them, making them unhabitable, and would destroy many beaches around the world,” the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said.

The WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2018 said sea level continues to rise “at an accelerated rate,” as revealed by satellite altimetry. The global mean sea level for the previous year “was around3.7 millimeters higher than in 2017

and the highest on record.”

The sea level will continue to go up in the coming years. “Under a business-as-usual scenario, a 6-degree Celsius temperature increase is projected over the Asian landmass by the end of the century,” warned A Region at Risk: The Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Asia and the Paci�ic, the study report which ADB co-produced with Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research.

Once the problem sneaks in, there’s no turning back on it. Let’s take a closer look at Davao City, the home of the current president, as a case in point.

According to the publication jointly published by the World Wide Fund for Nature and Bank of the Philippine Islands,Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impact, the sea level rise is expected to create problems of the city’s ports.

“Located along the relatively shallow channel between the city and Samal Island, these port facilities are a nerve center for Davao City’s economy, and serve a variety of ships handling both carbo and passengers,” the publication stated.

Davao City will also face the problem of water crisis

in the form of salt intrusion.

“Davao has traditionally tapped surface water from its rivers as its main water source,” the publication said. “It prides itself in the relatively high quality of its drinking water. However, salt intrusion has already been reported in city districts to shore, especially in portions of the city where groundwater extraction continues. Sea level rise may aggravate this situation.”

Salty water is bad for one’s health. “The most common consequence of excessive salt ingestion is hypertension,” the World Bank report said. “Along with hypertension, there is a broad range of health problems potentially link with increased salinity exposure through bathing, drinking and cooking; these include miscarriage, skin disease, acute respiratory infection, and diarrheal disease.”

Scientists claim that for every meter the sea level rises, some three kilometers of inland would be inundated. The sea will literally rise to �lood the plains.

“The higher the seas rise, the more vulnerable coasts and islands become to storm surges, sweeping water over the land,” pointed out Peter Usher when

he was the coordinator of the climate unit of the United Nations Environment Program. “And even small increases in sea level will cut away great swatches of territory.”

As a result of human activities (fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, mining, refrigeration, livestock production and rice cultivation, to name a few), the world’s climate has been changing – not for the better but for the worse.

Because of these follies, the amounts of trace gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, chloro�luorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere have considerably increased.

Since these gases trap heat, they have been singled out as those that cause the shifting of climate all over the world, causing devastating consequences like sea level rise, stronger storms, �loods and droughts, melting of the ice caps, ocean acidi�ication, and looming food crisis.

As global temperature continues to rise so are diseases. “The state of our health as human beings is under threat but it is not a death sentence – yet,” said lawmaker Loren Legarda when she was still with the

PHILIPPINES, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO MA LING... FROM 1

but have not monitored or aware of it yet.

Instead, the DA chief urged meat importers to source out local products.

"We have buffer stock of meat for at least �ive months that are in the cold storage facilities," he said.

South China Morning Post earlier reported that about 1,500 fake "Ma Ling

brand" cans that were seized could contain meat from diseased pigs mixed with internal organs.

According to Assistant Superintendent Chan Yiu-wah of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau, the meat could be probably made in unhygienic and illegal plants in Sichuan. (PNA)

Wimbledon, which starts on July 1. “(I’ll be out for) two to three weeks, so I’ll do some �itness and everything that I can do to prepare my body for the tennis on the grass,” said the Czech.

Dutch fourth seed Kiki Bertens looked in �ine fettle, though, beating home player Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty saw off American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-3, while Britain’s Johanna Konta clinched her �irst Roland Garros win at the

�ifth time of asking with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over German Antonia Lottner.

In the men’s event, Australian Alex De Minaur, seeded 21st, beat the United States’ Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, although Georgian 15th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili fell to a surprising 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 thrashing at the hands of Argentinian world number 78 Juan Ignacio Londero.

Russian 12th seed Daniil Medvedev also exited the tournament, blowing a two-set lead to lose 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

ceps) is listed as "questionable."

Cousins tore the quad muscle in his left leg in game two of the

�irst round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 15. The injury did not require surgery.

NADAL... FROM 11

DURANT... FROM 11

VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

HONG KONG... FROM 2

Comelec is tasked to administer the elections nationwide while the Department of Foreign Affairs has been designated to implement the 2013 Overseas Absentee

Voting Act (Republic No. 9189) which provides for a system for citizens of the Philippines currently residing or working abroad to vote in national-level elections. (PNA)

by the City Government through CADAC are of big help to PDEA. CADAC action of�icer Michael Denton Aportadera said all the efforts of the city government against illegal drugs were being extended to cover the 182 barangays in the city. Programs are also aimed at helping drug reformists create a new life.

“For now we have ac-

tively enrolled more than 4,000 drug surrenderers and we are now implementing the drug-free workplace...hopefully all employees and establishments will be drug-free because of this,” Aportadera said.

“Our vision is that Davao City and hopefully the entire country will be drug-free in a few years’ time,” he added. CIO

senate. “We are alive and able to address the climate crisis. We can no longer deny the link between climate change and public health.”

A climate change awareness survey done in 2013 by the Social Weather Stations showed that eight out of ten Filipinos claimed to have “personally experienced” the impact of climate change in the last three years and 54% described their experience as “severe” to “moderate.” About 31% said they have “little experience.”

“Climate is changing and will continue to do so,” said Dr. Rosa T. Perez, a research fellow of the Manila Observatory, during the Climate Change Media Workshop for Mindanao-based journalists held in Davao City a few years back. “Currently, the impacts on many sectors are still unclear, but may become more pronounced as warming continues. So, we need to focus on understanding, adaptation, and preparation. We, Filipinos, should reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but for the right reasons.”

PDEA... FROM 2

PHILIPPINES... FROM 8

PBSP... FROM 3

the other hand, performs services as a Regional NTP Manager, a PMDT Treatment Facility, an Xpert Site, a TB Culture Center, an HIV Treatment Hub and an Administrative and Finance Overseer. It also ensures the continuous implementation of the TB Program and safeguards all equipment, �ixed assets, of�ice supplies, medical supplies, and other properties of the Program.

BARMM Minister of Health Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan lauded the partnership, which he believes signi�ies renewed action to �ight the challenges and he reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to address the TB problem in the entire region.

“We cannot just sleep at night comfortably or sit in our of�ices knowing that hundreds and even thousands of people are getting ill, or worse, dying with this condition,” Dr. Dipatuan said.

In 2018, there were over 170 noti�ied TB cases and more than 100 MDRTB cases in the BARMM. The challenges in the implementation of the TB program include low case detection, increasing rate of

lost to follow-up cases, and the low utilization of GeneXpert machines.

MOH-BARMM’s Technical Division Chief Dr. Sadaila K. Raki-in expressed gratitude to PBSP for the partnership which helps contribute to the country’s overall goal to end TB. “PBSP through the years have helped us and never abandoned the MOHBARMM. PBSP has been with us in supporting the TB Program even before 2015…Our focus is to end TB and there will be a time that TB will only be part of history. We must be thankful that we have been part of the legacy to end TB,” Dr. Raki-in said.

Meanwhile, PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda recognized the efforts of the healthcare providers in the implementation of the TB control program.

“Our work in TB control began in 2015. And in the last four years, despite it being challenging, we are also happy to say that the people under Dr. Ampatuan have really been trying to beat the odds in the BARMM. The challenge for us is the way we expand the work we do,” he said.

crease of 9 percent.

The Department of Finance said the measure

will help �ill in the PHP40 billion funding gap for the UHC. (PNA)

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VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

11

Vargas calls for early POC polls

P Former world number one Caroline Wozniack dusts off her shoes and goes from perfect in 1st set to French Open loss.

Nadal cruises through, Wozniacki bundled out

D

efending champion Rafael Nadal got his bid for a record-extending 12th French Open title off to the perfect start by brushing aside German quali�ier Yannick Hanfmann in the �irst round at Roland Garros on Monday.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion cruised to a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 victory on the rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a clash with another German quali�ier -world number 114 Yannick Maden -- in round two.

Nadal had suffered three consecutive semi-�inal defeats earlier in the clay-court season, but appeared to �ind his best in an Italian Open title success sealed with victory over old rival No-

vak Djokovic, while his French Open win-loss record now reads 87-2.

“It’s always amazing to play here, the new Chatrier is very nice,” the second seed said. “It’s been an important place in my career.

“I played a good tournament in Rome which was very important for my con�idence. Now we’ll see.”

The 32-year-old Nadal raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening set before a second break of serve in the eighth game sealed it after just 40 minutes.

The second set was over in a �lash as Nadal crushed nine winners past his beleaguered opponent.

The winning line honed into view when Nadal broke after a

Durant will not play Game 1

L

OS ANGELES -Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant will not play in the opening game of the NBA �inals against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday because of a calf injury, coach Steve Kerr reiterated on Monday.

Durant injured his right calf on May 8 in Game 5 of the Western Conference �inals against the Houston Rockets.

"KD's not playing Game 1," Kerr said after Monday's practice.

"I think we already announced that, and we'll see where it goes from here. This is where the fact that there's a lot of

days in between games during the �inals helps us, so we'll see."

Kerr said it has yet to be determined whether Durant would travel with the Warriors to Toronto when the team charter leaves Tuesday.

He said that Durant has been working out on his own but is not doing a full practice.

"He's been out kinda shooting some shots, but I haven't talked to (trainer) Rick (Celebrini) today, so I'm not exactly sure what he's done today."

Kerr also said that injured center DeMarcus Cousins (quadri-

lengthy game to take a 2-1 advantage in the third, and the Spaniard completed the job on his �irst match point as world number 184 Hanfmann blasted long.

Later in the day, world number one Djokovic will start his tilt for a fourth straight Grand Slam title against Polish youngster Hubert Hurkacz, before 23-time women’s major champion Serena Williams takes on Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko.

Wozniacki dumped out Earlier on Monday, former world number one Caroline Wozniacki collapsed to a 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss to Russian world number 68 Veronika Kudermetova in the �irst

round.

The Danish 13th seed had retired injured from her two previous matches in the lead-up to Roland Garros, and fell away badly after a strong �irst set.

“I think she got very lucky at the start of the second set and took advantage of the opportunities she got,” said Wozniacki.

“I ran out of steam in the end and made some unforced errors that I don’t usually do, so that was very frustrating.”

Sixth seed and twotime Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was forced to pull out before her scheduled opener against Sorana Cirstea with a left arm injury, but said she should be �it for

NADAL, P10

DURANT, P10 Kevin Durant will not suit up for Game 1 while DeMarcus Cousins is still questionable.

hilippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas made a surprise announcement on Monday by calling for an early election.

As per tradition, the general election of the POC happens right after a Summer Olympiad.

But in his speech during the general assembly, Vargas wanted the election to happen right after the Philippines �inishes hosting the Southeast Asian Games, which will take place before Christmas.

"In January of 2020, right after the SEA Games, let us hold early POC elections for all elective positions," Vargas said.

He said he called for an early election due to too much politicking in the organization, which

include the holding of secret meetings that he did not approve.

One instance, according to Vargas, is a recent "special board meeting" without his consent.

The people in attendance, including former president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and current �irst vice president Joey Romasanta, resolved to hand Vargas a letter and give him �ive days to answer all the queries listed in the said letter.

"I am offended by it.

I was insulted, vili�ied, and demeaned through insinuation, innuendo, and downright misrepresentation of facts," Vargas said.

He then vowed that he will "campaign hard for deserving candidates, who will �ight for reforms and good governance in POC." (PNA)

POC FEUD HEATS UP. Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas (middle) announces that the elections will be held in January 2020. He said he called for an early election due to too much politicking in the organization, which include the holding of secret meetings that he did not approve. (PNA file photo)

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SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.12 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019

NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO VIEW FROM THE OUTFIELD

LET’S GET READY TO SQUABBLE E

verything seems to be in disarray with the Philippine sports leadership, particularly in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) side. And with that, it is likely we will see the effects come the SoutheastAsian Games late this year at our very own backyard.

First, there’s the squabble within the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The sitting POC President Ricky Vargas has relieved Makati Rep. Monsour Del Rosario from the Chef de Mission position of the Philippine delegation as part of a major revamp. He also replaced some of�icials in the POC Committees including his chief rival former POC president Peping Cojuangco.

Second, Vargas has called for an advance POC elections right after the SEA Games.

With Monsour del Rosario out as CDM, the POC appointed POC chairman Bambol Tolentino as replacement.

The latter then offered the position to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez who declined the offer.

Chairman Butch, who recently celebrated his birthday, con�irmed that Tolentino offered him the said position.

“After some moment of introspection, and to �inally put to rest all speculations, I now issue this statement to humbly and of�icially decline the offer,” Ramirez said in a statement on Tuesday. “Thank you very much for considering this humble servant,” said Butch who was at the helm of the PSC when the Philippines won the Southeast Asian Games overall title in 2005 when it was also held in the country.

Even with him not serving as CDM, Chairman Butch assured that he and the PSC will still be there for the national team in the SEA Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.

“Whether or not I am CDM, I and the PSC will surely provide our full and sincere support to Team

Philippines especially in the SEA Games 2019,” he vowed.

We can only assume how it’s going to be when the competitions come and the athletes going to battle with the thought that the country’s Olympic of�icials cannot even do their acts together.

Oh well, what else is new?