Edge Davao | Vol. 11 Issue 217 | Tuesday, January 22, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

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ASF OUTBREAK AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOG RAISERS OF MINDANAO Page 2

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This 17-year old ‘flying voter’, shown here interviewed by reporters, was caught and beaten up by some residents who cast their votes in Cotabato City during Monday’s tension-filled Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite. The incident was one of many reported irregularities in Cotabato City. Armando Fenequito Jr.

TENSION-FILLED

Vote manipulations, threats, disenfranchisement mar Cotabato BOL plebiscite

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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OTABATO CITY -- Tension marred Monday’s plebiscite of the Bangasamoro Organic Law (BOL) after a voter complained that a teacher acting as election officer changed her vote.

The incident happened inside a polling center in Barangay Poblacion 1 at the Cotabato City

Institute. Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Siyadi, who was inside the center to cast her vote, told

reporters in an interview that she received a complaint from a certain Bella Roldan against a teacher who served as member of the plebiscite committee.

The mayor presented the complainant to reporters and asked her to narrate the incident.

Roldan alleged that the teacher identified as Bai Malejah Sulvan

changed her vote from NO to YES without her consent. Roldan said she reiterated that her vote was NO but Sulvan allegedly ignored her and asked her to just drop the ballot to the ballot box.

After the mayor presented Roldan, she escorted the complainant to the precinct were Sulvan served. In the ensu-

ing confrontation, Sulvan denied the allegation of Roldan against her and explained that she only asked the voter if she was unable to write. Roldan’s protestation came after she noticed Sulvan allegedly made alterations to her ballot.

Guiani told Sulvan that as election officer she is not supposed to med-

dle in the poll process because election officers should be neutral. Without categorically admitting to the irregularity, Sulvan apologized and proposed that she will just exchange her vote to the supposed vote of Roldan once she makes her turn to vote.

The mayor said the

FTENSION , P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

CONDOLE. President Rodrigo Duterte condoles with Teresita Sy-Coson, daughter of the late Chinese-Filipino business magnate Henry Sy, as he visits the wake at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City on Sunday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

AFP offer help to ASF outbreak an opportunity PNP, find missing UST coed for hog raisers of Mindanao

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and China.

“The government should explore the opportunity of Mindanao as an exporter of meat to other countries,” Santander said.

Aside from being ASFfree, Mindanao is “free from foot and mouth disease and avian influenza (bird flu)” because of the island’s good weather, he said.

“The ASF did not have a huge effect on our part, although we were seriously concerned about it,” Santander said.

He said that government agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Animal Industry-National Veterinary Service, National Meat Inspection Service and City Veterinarian’s Office, have given assurance to the public that no pork and other meats coming from ASF-banned countries will enter the premises of the country, especially in Mindanao.

The hog raisers head said that Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is eyeing to export pork and hogs to Asian countries affected by the livestock flu.

“Huge hog farms in Mindanao could potentially indulge in exports especially to Singapore and other neighboring countries,” Santander said.

According to the Livestock and Poultry Situation Report of the Philippine Statistics Authority 11 (PSA11), Davao region has a total 904,900 hogs, as of January 1, 2018.

in Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

EMB senior environmental management specialist Jay Kristoffer Bawi-in said a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) indicates Davao City generates 900 tons per day, making the city the biggest waste generator in the Davao region.

“Based on our study, every person in the city contributes half kilogram of garbage waste per day,” Bawi-in said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao.

He also said that out of

the 182 barangays in the city, only 112 barangays are reached by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) service trucks.

He said that 50 percent of the generated garbage of the city is biodegradable or capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.

“That is why, we should practice composting or garbage segregation, in order to reduce the burden of the garbage collectors of the city,” Bawi-in said.

He also encouraged the barangays to create a recov-

ery facility wherein all the segregations will be made before it will be transported to the sanitary landfills.

Bawi-in said that a landfill’s lifespan is usually targeted for rehabilitation of eight to 10 years. Davao City’s landfill is being readied.

“The rehabilitation project is having a hard time, because the city has still to identify a new place for the sanitary landfill,” he said.

The environment specialist also said there is an ongoing bidding for the designing and building of a landfill site in Panabo City.

RLL

he head of Filipino hog raisers downplayed the threats of the current global outbreak of the dreaded African Swine Flu (ASF) and instead look at it as an opportunity.

Backyard Raisers Association chairperson Felimon Santander said the ASF outbreak is an opportunity for Filipino hog raisers to export pork products to ASF-affected countries.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, which is responsible for serious economic and production losses in countries such as Latvia,

Davao Region lacks 47 sanitary landfills

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here are only two sanitary landfills in the entire Davao Region which is composed of 49 local government units, including five provinces, six cities and more than 30 municipalities.

Ideally, the ratio should be one landfill per LGU. This means that the region lacks 47 landfills.

The huge deficit, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENREMB), has to be addressed.

At present, the two landfills in the region are located

A

uthorities have expressed desire to help the parents of a University of Santo Tomas (UST) student who went missing after a supposed immersion with farmers last December.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Gen. Oscar Albayalde advised the family to coordinate with police personnel in searching for 18-year-old Rizza Divine Camingawan.

“We want to help the relatives of this student so talk to us and we will help you search for your daughter,” Albayalde said in a report published by the Manila Bulletin on Sunday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, in a text message to the Philippine News Agency, added that they will extend help to find the missing legal management student.

“Help will be given if the parents demand that we step in. Right now, it is a police matter and the concern of the school,” Detoyato said in a message on Monday.

Albayalde, for his part, said this incident only validates their belief that some students are being recruited by communist rebels to join them in toppling the government.

“This is what we have been saying before that we have recovered IDs of students during encounters with communist rebels.

Some of them are 22, 23 years old who were supposed to be in school but became casualties of this on-going war against rebellion,” Albayalde said.

The PNP chief also advised parents of other students who have the same experience to surface and talk to the police.

Rizza Divine’s father, Roland, initially went out to look for her and asked for help from the public but retreated his call saying his daughter is already home and later asked The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, to take down the story.

On Jan. 19, Luisa, the mother, refuted Roland’s statement clarifying that their daughter is not yet back with them.

Last Wednesday, Luisa shared that she would sometimes exchange messages with Rizza Divine but is not sure whether it is really her daughter she is talking to.

"Boses n’ya yung kausap ko, kaya lang may tumatawa (sa background). Tatlong babae naririnig ko. Kapag may itatanong ako sa kanya, may sumasagot ng isasagot niya (I recognize her voice but I can hear other people in the background laughing.

There were three girls. Every time I ask her something, someone else teaches her what to tell me)," the mother explained.

The League of Filipino Students (LFS) earlier confirmed Rizza Divine's participation in the immersion.

Immersions or integration programs, the LFS said in a statement, were part of the student organization’s orientation.

UST Simbahayan Director Mark Anthony Abenir said his office did not ap-

FPNP , P9

NEWS

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VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

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E. Visayas suspends classes due to‘Amang’

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ACLOBAN CITY -- Several local government units in Eastern Visayas on Monday suspended classes as Tropical Depression Amang threatens to cross Leyte and Samar provinces.

In the regional capital, Mayor Cristina Romualdez issued the class suspension order Sunday night to ensure the safety of learners. The region’s most populated schools are located in this city.

“In anticipation of weather disturbance and due to recent flooding of some areas in the city, a need for another localized cancellation or suspension of classes on all levels public and private schools should be implemented,” Romualdez said.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla has declared the suspension of classes in all levels in the entire province.

Mayors of several towns in Leyte and Ormoc City also issued similar executive orders.

In Northern Samar, Vice Governor Gary Lavin declared the suspension of classes in the entire province for elementary and secondary schools as a precautionary measure.

Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado also cancelled classes from kindergarten to senior high school in the entire province.

Class suspensions were also ordered in Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Sta. Rita, Hinabangan, Villareal, Marabut, Daram, Sta. Margarita, Paranas, and Gandara in Samar province; Biliran

Almeria, Kawayan, Naval, and Culaba in Biliran province; San Julian, Borongan City, Can-avid, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; and Maasin City in Southern Leyte.

Prior to Amang’s landfall, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) had already issued an advisory to all LGUs to be on alert for any possible flooding or landslide, and urged them to activate their respective emergency operation centers, conduct pre-emptive evacuation, and ask fishermen not to venture into open seas.

In Northern Samar province where the capital town of Catarman and Lope de Vega was badly hit by Tropical Depression Usman before New Year’s Day, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also convened its members to assure the public that all personnel, equipment and resources are ready and relief goods are already prepositioned in disaster-prone areas.

The quick-response and rescue teams that included personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Army are all on standby.

In the region, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 was hoisted since the weekend over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar provinces.

Also placed under Signal No. 1 are eastern Bohol, northern Cebu, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. (PNA)

ZERO WASTE. Jay Kristoffer Bawi-in, senior environmental management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau talks about the solid waste management system

being implemented by the different local government units in Davao Region including Davao City in connection with the National Zero Waste month. Lean Daval Jr

Religious sector shows support for BOL approval

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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he religious sector in Davao City demonstrated its solidarity with the Muslim regions on the day of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on Monday.

The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), along with the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council, the Al-Qalam Institute, Campus Ministry Office and Samahan Central Board, on Monday, initiated the Candle Lighting for Peace activity in support to the ongoing BOL plebiscite in some areas in Mindanao.

The ceremony was led

by ADDU president Fr. Joel E. Tabora, who was very

vocal on his support for the law, since it was signed

by President Rodrigo Duterte last July 2018.

Kristelle Rizardo, Al Qalam communications specialist, said that BOL is not only a concern for Muslims, but for every one residing in Mindanao.

“We organized this candle lighting event because we really see the need for long lasting peace in Mindanao,” Rizardo said.

“The push for a greater autonomy is not only for the Muslims in Mindanao, because it is a national issue. All the tax payers money in the whole country will be poured in these areas once the ratification will be approved,” she said.

Rizardo is optimistic that the BOL will get favorable votes, amidst the minor inconveniences and threats that some areas had encountered before and during the plebiscite.

Al Qalam, together with Salaam Movement (another ADDU Islamic organization), is active in boosting information educational campaign.

Cops change 60 teachers as plebiscite officials

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BOL PLEBISCITE. A resident of Barangay Lugay-Lugay, Bagua 1 in Cotabato City casts his vote for the Bangsamoro Organic Law Plebiscite on Monday morning.

Armando Fenequito Jr.

Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) member and Al Qalam executive director Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan said in a phone interview that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), one of the proponents of the law, assured that “the BOL will benefit everyone”.

“The BOL is not for the MILF alone, although it might be led by them,” Lidasan said.

The BTC commissioner, who is in Cotabato City during the plebiscite, said that the plebiscite was “generally peaceful”, despite some delays and confusion.

OTABATO CITY – Policemen trained to perform as election officers took the place of over 60 teachers here, who refused to show up in their assigned voting centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, due to alleged threats on their lives.

Lawyer Ernie Palanan, Maguindanao election supervisor, which includes Cotabato City as his area of supervision, said the teachers have earlier received threats via text messages.

“The teachers backed out from serving the plebiscite due to fear,” he told newsmen here in an interview.

The barangays include Rosary Heights 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10, all in this city.

He said the Commission on Elections-Maguindanao, in coordination with the Department of Education-Cotabato City, has fielded the said election officers to the concerned villages for the referendum to push through.

In other parts of the city’s 37 villages, disenfranchisement of voters, as in the past, remained a perennial problem.

In nearby Maguindanao province, no untoward incident has been reported so far in connection with the conduct of the plebiscite in its 36 towns. (PNA)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

Villar sees hike in rice production this year C

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Philippines regional coordinator for Mindanao Danilo Gumanao, together with Davao del Sur Chamber of Commerce, Inc. executive vice president Magdalene Su, walks members of the media through details of the upcoming disaster preparedness platform launch in Davao City during the Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Davao on Monday. The organization is partnering with the region’s business sectors. Lean Daval Jr

Barter trade to thrive under BARMM regime

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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he government’s barter trade office will cease to exist once the Bangsamoro autonomy will be able to set up its own barter trade mechanism, an officer of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) revealed on Monday.

Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of MinDA, said that Executive Order No. 64 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last October, had provided a "sunset clause", wherein the national government, through Mindanao Barter Council (MBC), will have its hands off in mechanizing the barter trade system. The barter trade office was set up under the Duterte admin-

istration through EO 64.

The EO also states that barter continues to thrive and evolve as a living tradition in Mindanao and in the larger eastern portion of Southeast Asia, or the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Barter, an ancient form of trading of goods and services for other goods and services,

without using money, is one of President Duterte's economic priorities, along with the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which is currently undergoing a plebiscite vote.

Montenegro said MinDA is eyeing to establish “barter ports” in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The Barter Trade Council has yet to determine other ports to be established in the future.

"We see the BOL implementation under the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) will provide new opportunities to see transformation under a new governance, with the ability to tap big-

ger resources," Montenegro said.

He said that the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) had signed a memorandum of understanding of safety standard and inspection of the non-convention ship sizes, recognizing wooden vessels as a mode of transportation for short distance areas.

"This complements our efforts for our barter trade. If these would not be allowed, barter trade would not go on," Montenegro said.

Currently, steel vessels are being recommended under the international shipping vessel especially in exporting goods.

EBU CITY -- Senator Cynthia Villar hopes that the country's rice productivity will improve this year with the passage of the General Appropriations Act for 2019.

Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, told local media in a short interview Sunday that the budget will be passed next week.

"Our PHP10-billion budget for agriculture is intended to improve our rice productivity this year," Villar said.

She said she hopes the country's rice production will eventually increase to six metric tons from the current four metric tons per hectare.

"Hopefully, ma-modernize din ang agriculture natin (our agriculture industry will also be modernized)," she added.

Villar was among the government officials who graced the Sinulog 2019 celebration at the Cebu City Sports Center, where the dance competition

contingents make their final performance.

"I'm happy to be here to celebrate the Fiesta Señor with the Cebuanos," the lady lawmaker said.

Villar, who has also attended the previous Sinulog events, said the festival has always been a nice experience "where you can see the culture and heritage of Cebu."

"I admire the creativity of the Cebuanos. And of course, it's for our Sto. Niño. Hopefully, with this festival, pagpapalain lalo ang mga Cebuano (Cebuanos would further be blessed)," she said in concluding her brief talk with media people.

Meanwhile, several showbiz personalities joined the grand Sinulog parade aboard the floats of different contingents.

They include Alden Richards, Regine Tolentino, Coco Martin, Yassi Pressman, John Pratts, Maja Salvador and Bea Alonzo, among more others. (PNA)

Senator Cynthia Villar briefly entertains questions from the Cebu media during the Sinulog celebration at the Cebu City Sports Center on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. (Photo by Luel Galarpe)

BSP, IMF hold financial gab Oil prices up for 3rd week in a row L T he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are co-hosting the Inaugural Regional Dialogue on Financial Stability (FS) for ASEAN Central Banks on Jan. 21-22 at the Philippine International Convention Center, with the theme, “Ensuring Financial Stability in the Region: Some Policy and Practical Issues.”

Structured as a “regional dialogue,” the event brings together Governors and other high-level officials from ASEAN member states, the BSP said in a statement on Monday.

Also participating are experts from the IMF, the World Bank, the Bank for International Settlements, and the South East Asian Central Banks Research and Training Center as well as bank CEOs and other government officials working in the area of financial stability.

In BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.'s keynote speech, delivered by Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier, he stressed "financial stability is ultimately about a thriving and well-functioning financial system. By this we mean that the financial

system efficiently serves the needs of all financial consumers -- especially the traditionally excluded, from corporates to households and to individuals -- while mitigating the build-up of systemic dislocations…

Financial stability is therefore more than just the absence of instability or preventing the next crisis. There is a positive side to it, which is to ensure that the financial system continues to be a transformative tool for the public. This is the compelling case for why the authorities should be engaged in this policy sphere.”

ocal pump prices are set to go up again Tuesday, the third increase in as many weeks.

Oil firms announced Monday that prices of diesel will increase by PHP0.40 per liter, gasoline by PHP0.10 per liter, and kerosene by PHP0.15 per liter.

According to industry sources, oil prices have gone up by 4 percent last week after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) bared its latest plan to cut production.

World oil market monitoring of the Department of Energy (DOE)

noted that OPEC members output in December 2018 already declined to 32.43 million barrel per day from 33.06 million barrel per day in November last year.

Meanwhile, DOE said it visited 115 fuel retail outlets nationwide last week to ensure the proper implementation of the second tranche of the oil excise tax.

Twenty-two of these retail outlets were located in Quezon City, 57 in other parts of Luzon, seven in Visayas, and 29 in Mindanao.

DOE said it also issued show cause orders to retail outlets that im-

plemented the increase in excise taxes earlier than expected.

The agency expected the implementation of tax hike between January 15 and February 1.

According to DOE, as of January 17, 1,639 retail outlets or 19 percent of the total 8,630 outlets nationwide implemented the excise tax hike under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

“We are vigilantly monitoring the implementation of the TRAIN law so that our consumers will be amply protected,” said DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi. (PNA)

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VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

ECONOMY

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MIAA posts P14.11-B gross revenue in 2018

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he Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Sunday said its gross revenues reached PHP14.11 billion in 2018, up 9 percent from 2017.

Of the total gross revenue, MIAA said PHP1.7 billion went to the national government.

MIAA attributes this growth to the increase in flights and passenger volume in 2018, particularly for the international flights.

Data sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) showed in 2018, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) had a total of 22,973,510 arriving and departing international passengers.

Domestic passengers, on the other hand, were 22,142,186.

Total international flights were 113,817, while domestic operations were 145,881.

In an interview with MIAA General Ed Monreal last December, he said the airport's two new rapid exit taxiways that

were opened last year have greatly helped in the operations. "(Rapid exit taxiways) help the aircraft to exit faster and transit to the four terminals of NAIA," he said.

Monreal also noted that these taxiways save time or aircraft movements per hour, as the aircraft would not need to wait or traverse the whole length of the runway, and just take the taxiway to exit.

NAIA now has four rapid exit taxiways -- two could accommodate a small aircraft, and two could accommodate larger wide-bodied aircraft.

Wide-body aircraft could accommodate more passengers, and MIAA considers this as a contributor to the huge volume of international passengers in 2018.

MIAA also cited the rise in the arrival of Chinese tourists since the government introduced the "visa upon arrival" option in NAIA as another contributing factor in the increase of international passengers.

(PNA)

4 Cebgo flights cancelled

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our Cebgo flights were cancelled due to bad weather, the Manila International Airport Authority said Monday.

As of 11 a.m., the cancelled flights were DG 6177/6178 Manila-Masbate-Manila

and DG 6009/6010 Manila-Basco-Manila.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has forecast light rains over parts of Luzon due to the northeast monsoon affecting the island. (PNA)

TOURISM PROMOTION. Miss Earth Philippines-Davao chief executive officer Malou Vales (center), together with MBV vice president Felix Lacida (right) and production director Joevin Abasies, provides the details of upcoming Miss Earth Philippines Southern Mindanao leg which will be held at Arcadia Sports Complex in Davao City during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday. One of the advocacies of the Miss Earth Philippines pageant is to promote the country’s tourist destinations. Lean Daval Jr

German firms remain keen on PH market T

he interest of German companies in the Philippines remains high, although firms are on the lookout for the “clouds” in the local market.

German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) Executive Director Martin Henkelmann told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that German firms see great potential for trade and investments in the country.

Henkelmann said German companies are keen on investing, particularly in the sectors of business process outsourcing (BPO), infrastructure and energy, as well as bringing in high-end machinery and exporting Philippine food products.

“The Philippines is a very interesting region as well for German companies. There’s great potential for both direction, and we have seen that the Philippine products are actually competitive in the German market,” he said.

He noted that the Philippines’ strong BPO industry is the main driver for German companies to outsource services here to cater to these firms’ En-

glish-speaking clients.

The government’s “Build, Build, Build” program also attracts German firms in the engineering and construction sector to explore investment opportunities here, the GPCCI executive said.

In the energy sector, Henkelmann mentioned that there will be a German business delegation coming to the Philippines next month to look for possible local partners.

“There’s a lot of sunshine but there’s a cloud for us on our side,” Henkelmann noted.

“We are a little bit worried about the TRAIN 2 law,” he said, pertaining to the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) of the administration, which targets to rationalize fiscal incentives.

“This will reduce the advantages in the PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) zones. They might

see some problems on this side,” he added.

Henkelmann said German companies want clear policies on the rationalization of tax perks given by the government, so that firms, especially in the export manufacturing, can decide whether to pursue their investment plans in the Philippines or not.

“And we’re a little bit afraid that if we don’t see this in 2019, because investments, which will be done in 2019, had been decided before where people were normally discussing too much the problems of PEZA,” Henkelmann said.

During the GPCCI’s economic outlook for the Philippines last week, Deutsche Regis Partners, Inc. chief strategist and co-head of research Rafael Garchitorena said there are positive developments in the local market for 2019, which he called “a break in the clouds” from last year.

“Last year is a bit of rough year for the markets,” Garchitorena said. “We hope that not all of a sudden this will be a deja vu.”

“We are granted a lot of

ATI CITY, Davao Oriental – The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) has warned politicians participating in 2019 midterm elections against paying permit fees to the New People’s Army (NPA) or the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in order to be allowed to campaign in areas claimed to be under the influence of the insurgents.

Davao Oriental Gov.

Nelson L. Dayanghirang, PPOC chairman of Davao Oriental, made the warning the PPOC discussed the problem which has been existing for years now.

Dayanghirang said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) , through Memorandum Circular 2018-11 warned local government units (LGUs) as well as candidates and their supporters against the outlawed practice of

giving huge though undetermined amounts to the insurgents so they will be allowed to campaign to voters without being harassed by the armed rebels. The DILG officials have reminded the citizens, including politicians. That giving any form of support to the rebels is a violation of law Earlier, the Davao Oriental also tackled the existence of anti-government schools specially in the hinterland areas

macro fundamental reasons to be positive for 2019,” he added, citing the market’s bullishness reflected in the local currency and the stock market.

He said the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is off to a running start this year, with the index improving by 7 percent in the first two weeks of the year and up by 17 percent from its November low.

In fact, PSE index closed last week in the 8,000-level.

He also said that the Philippine peso made a rebound from the bottom, after bouncing back by 4 percent from a low of PHP54.35 to a dollar, now placing in the middle of the pack among major currencies in Asia.

“We think there’s a continued rally in the economy even up to the second quarter of 2019,” Garchitorena added.

He, however, noted that “clouds are still there” for the Philippine economy. He pointed out that the country’s “twin deficit” -- in fiscal and current account -- is a concern for the economy’s long term growth. (PNA)

occupied by indigenous peoples through which the insurgents teach communist doctrines to innocent children.

The presence of anti-government schools ran by left-leaning militant organizations, supported by party-list lawmakers became a big controversial issue in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley (now renamed Davao de Oro) and Davao City. With a report from KAREN LOU DELOSO.

Bets told: Don’t pay NPA campaign fees M Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

EDITORIAL Manny’s true mark as champion

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ilipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao reiterated to the world he can still fight at the age of 40. But the real message resonating from the fighting Senator’s victory on Sunday is the positive image of sportsmanship and humility.

While he was vicious, aggressive and relentless in the ring during the 36 minutes of boxing against an opponent 11 years younger and two inches taller, Pacquiao was a class by himself after the fight when he was pressed with goading questions on live television. Pressed during his post-fight interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray, Senator Pacquiao said he doesn’t have any plan to try for the presidency. He denied he is eyeing to run for President in the future. He said the task as President is just too daunting--an admission that earned for him more praises for his humility.

Pacquiao, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, insists though that he is happy serving the country as a lawmaker and at the same time finding time to fight as a professional boxer

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ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent

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BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT Reporter

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

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

which has been his ticket to fame and fortune. His generosity has enmeshed him with the Filipino masses prompting talks of the possibility that he will seek the presidency in the future. Pacquiao rose from being a bakery hand to become the country’s most colorful sportsman aside from being the wealthiest the country ever produced in a sport that has seen many Pinoy world champions end up in crumbs, crutches or sickbeds. Pacquiao is the epitome of a disciplined athlete. He used his earnings to gain education and ultimately make a headstart in politics.

Today, it is not surprising if Pacquiao’s name is found in the paragraph where future Philippine Presidents are mentioned knowing the mindset of the Pinoy electorate.

However, Pacquiao has a journey to pursue for now.

Without any potential career-threatening injury to stymie him, his greatness--given his humility, faith and kindness--is still growing.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09382022120 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Is 2019 the year our economy soars?

T

he glowing forecasts of First Metro Investments Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) see the country growing between 6.8 percent and 7.2 percent this year on the back of higher consumption spending and lower inflation.

In a PNA news report, UA&P economist Victor Abola noted that the projected economic expansion is within the government’s 7 percent to 8 percent growth target for the year, with growth be-

C

onsidered as an endemic disease, cholera was one of the most destructive illnesses in the country’s medical history. In 1902, Manila was severely hit by the disease, and one of the epidemic’s high-profile victims was Apolinario Mabini, the country’s first prime minister.

Official records on file at the then Bureau of Health report that the outbreak started on March 20, 1902 and lasted until March 8, 1904, registering 166,252 cases and 109,461 deaths.

Efforts by the government to restrain it from spinning out of control proved successful and in the long run led to the conduct of significant researches that eventually contained it.

Five years later, the same year that a mutiny was staged by twenty-three Philippine Constabulary troopers in Davao, cholera hit town.

In his annual report dated August 23, 1909, Col. Ralph W. Hoyt, 25th United States Infantry, then governor of Moro Province, had a brief account of the cholera sweeping Davao.

“The District of Davao had an epidemic of cholera which ran its course, causing many deaths. The supply of labor for hemp plantations has caused no little anxiety, not only

ing driven by industry, construction, and manufacturing, and the “Sustained fiscal stimulus” from infrastructure spending, noting that our gross domestic product (GDP) likely grew 6.5 percent last year, while inflation is on a clear downward trend and is expected to taper off to 3 percent to 3.5 percent percent.

Note that our inflation will depend on two major factors: lower oil prices and higher food supply. In the latter, the rice tarrification law will definitely boost the rice supply, which,

MY TWO CENTS’ John Carlo B. Tria in turn, keeps the commodity price low.

Given these positive projections, the upward growth trend is clear. The ratings agencies also think so: none

of them are pessimistic.

With this, it seems like 2019 is the year the fruits of two years of build build build will start to ripen. This infrastructure stimulus also boosted our 2018 total domestic and foreign direct investment figures.

These figures indicate that the investor community has begun to take a fresh look at opportunities in the country. Even global e-commerce giant paypal opened its Philippine operations with 1,000 workers.

Other figures are

worth noting. Our unemployment and underemployment figures have also improved.

The latest SWS Survey on hunger shows a significant drop in the number of hungry. This means that the growth we are experiencing is more inclusive than it was before.

Looks like many are indeed optimistic and share the forecasts of FMIC and UA and P. The question for many of you is wether 2019 is a good year to expand or start new ventures. The answer is yes.

necessary to contain the spread of the disease.

Experts, moreover, are one in mind that while cholera is native to tropical regions, the Philippines has a shortage of studies and statistics to document the breakouts that hit the islands over the last century. In recent years, thanks to social media and the press, awareness about the disease has again been revived as a matter of precaution.

A social media entry dated July 5, 2016, written by Rickyrose of Pasay City, noted that during his visit to Davao, one of the places he dropped in on was a familiar dining spot along Salmonan area, in Quezon Boulevard. His post, titled ‘Typhoid cholera and dysentery,’ is reflective of the pervasive neglect many eateries show when it comes to keeping food clean and safe, especially those that are situated near areas where informal settlements thrive.

“House flies greeted us upon entering this restaurant,” he noted, “Grilled bihod [fish roe] priced at Php250 per piece, no way. We did not even bother to sit down and immediately left their premises. Diseases carried by house flies include typhoid, cholera and dysentery. Other diseases carried by house

flies include salmonella, anthrax and tuberculosis. House flies have also been known to transmit the eggs of parasitic worms.”

That same year, the city government and other state agencies raised a caveat that the quality of water in Davao River was contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria, “a Gram-negative, facultative anerobic, rodshaped, coliform bacterium… commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.”

The e. coli bacteria, medical experts say, can cause cholera, skin rashes, sore eyes, typhoid fever, and polio, to name a few.

1909 cholera in Davao

to the planters, but to the district and provincial authorities. A solution of this situation is now being sought by transporting, at the expense of the province, such laborers from the norther islands as the planters may be able to secure.”

In Cebu, residents there, even until now, attribute the deliverance of the region from the 1902 cholera to the venerated wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary found in the 1700s in the hills of Banawan, in the old town of San Nicolas.

The icon resembles the Our Lady of Guadalupe but without the rays and its provenance has been traced locally.

On July 16, 2006, the Holy See recognized the devotion to the Virgen de Guadalupe de Cebu and authorized its canonical coronation.

Cholera hit Manila anew in 1922 but not on epidemic scale given that strict quarantine measures were already put in place even if the disease was not contagious. Unrelated or not to cholera, a tourist was prompted to malign Manila as “the ‘pesthole of the Orient,’ when, as a matter of fact, it is the cleanest, healthiest and most sanitary city in the Far East, comparing in these particulars with many cities of excellent sanitary reputation

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa in the temperate zone.”

Part 1 of the 1915 Report of the Philippine Commission to the US Secretary of War provides a precis on the cholera history in the country: “Cholera has occurred in the Philippine Islands in the years 1882, 1892, 1902, and every year since. In 1914 it appeared in July, almost simultaneously in Manila and the province of Rizal.”

But when Dr. Victor G. Heiser, then Philippine director of Health, went on a furlough, Maj. E. L. Munson of the US Army Medical Corps was tapped to advise the bureau on how to suppressed cholera due to the “existence of a large number of cholera carriers, and the bureau found it necessary to isolate these persons in San Lazaro hospital [in Manila] for periods of about 10 days each,” which was

In 2017, the fear of cholera outbreak hogged headlines afresh when twenty-six lives, mostly indigenous people from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, died based on the initial results of the research conducted by the National Medical Solidarity Mission (NMSM) group.

A team of biologists from the University of the Philippines who did a fecalysis (‘tests done on a stool sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract’) in the area initially classified the symptoms as “cholera-like.”

8 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

DavOr council tackles anti-gov’t. schools

M

ATI CITY, Davao OrientalThe Davao Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) is taking serious measures to save children, particularly Mandaya natives, from communist doctrines reported to be spread by anti-government schools established in some ancestral domains here.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang enjoined key agencies to step up efforts amid the “silent plague” that has been encroaching in the government’s educational system.

“This has remained unsolved for the past five years since it was granted permit to operate in the year 2014. Time and again, we are receiving consistent information on the ground that these non-government schools were indoctrinating their indigenous and innocent students with anti-government ideologies,” said Governor Dayanghirang.

As an intervention, the Governor, through the Local School Board, committed to increase the wages of para teachers assigned in government schools in these areas. However, the Governor recognizes that for the problem to be resolved, long-term interventions are required such as the construction of decent roads, establishment of government schools, hiring of permanent teachers, and alternative livelihood for parents as well as delivery of basic social services in these hinterland communities.

Governor Dayanghirang also requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to include a policy for 4 P’s beneficiaries that compels them to enroll their children only in schools operated by the Department of Education (DepEd).

DepEd Division Su-

perintendent Lorenzo Mendoza expressed his department’s commitment to help resolve the issue.

Although, the number of these schools are gradually disappearing as parents are opting to transfer their children to government schools, the authorities admit that policies and interventions must be set to prevent the reemergence of these “left-leaning” schools.

Currently, there are nine schools here identified to be spreading communist propaganda, all of which, according to the Philippine Army are located in the province first district.

These schools known as Salugpongan and MISFI, which purportedly are not even compliant to the DepEd curriculum, are considered to be perfect breeding ground for recruits and future leaders of the Communist New People’s Army and their legal fronts.

Attempts of removing these schools from the communities have been a long-time uphill battle for the Local Government Units, barangay officials

and tribal chiefs who are deeply concerned about the children’s future.

In response, the PPOC, last year, passed a resolution that requested the DepEd to revoke the permit to operate of Salugpongan, MISFI and other similar schools in the province who failed to comply with the requirement of K-12 program of the DepEd. Moreover, a resolution creating a Technical Working Group that would look deeper into these schools’ legality has also been recommended. The said TWG will be composed of the key offices and agencies that include the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, legal offices of the DepEd and the Province, Public Attorney’s Office, and the Provincial and City Prosecutor.

Governor Dayanghirang said it is high time to resolve the issue. But more importantly, he called on the local officials to stand up against the establishment of these schools. “We must prioritize the welfare of our youth,” he said. By Karen Lou Deloso

DEED OF SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSARIO P. BRAGANZA represented at this instant by its judicial Administratix LOURDES B. PASCUA ,the vendor ,The 75th IB PA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. REPRESENTED AT THIS INSTANT BY ITS PRESIDENT MAJOR FRANKLIN C. ESTRADA here inafter called the VENDEE, THIS DEED OF SALE EXECUTED and entered into by and between per Doc. No.496; PageNo.100; Book No.55 Series of 1992, of the NOTARY PUBLIC CAMILO F. NARAVAL

Jan. 22, 29 /2/5

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service.

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS Service.

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS Service.

DATU ALI GANI ABUTAZIL, Petitioner.

FLORENCIA H. REQUILLO, Petitioner.

MERNA R. DELOS SANTOS, Petitioner.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Case No. R11-EV-TX-2019-1-004 (2014-XI-00004) x---------------------------------x

Case No. R11-EV-UV-2019-1-368 (2009-XI-00368)

Case No. R11-EV-UV-2019-1-637 (2008-XI-00637)

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

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN REGION XI with the use of TEN (10) units, which Certificate will expire on February 5, 2019. In the petition filed on January 17, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same units previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS service on the route: DAVAO CITY – MONKAYO (COMPOSTELLA VALLEY) AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on November 04, 2019. In the petition filed on January 17, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS service on the route: DAVAO CITY – SIGABOY (DAVAO ORIENTAL)VIA TAGUM CITY, MATI CITY AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on February 13, 2019. In the petition filed on January 17, 2019, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 05, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 5, 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 local circulation.

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

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.

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.

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, January 18, 2019.

Davao City, Philippines, January 18, 2019.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR OIC-Regional Director (Pursuant to Office Order No. 2018-596 dated October 2, 2018)

Petitioner, Datu Ali Gani Abutzil Counsel, Atty. Albert G. Yenco

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR OIC-Regional Director (Pursuant to Office Order No. 2018-596 dated October 2, 2018)

Petitioner, Florencia H. Requillo Counsel, Atty. Marisue A. Llanes

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 5, 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 local circulation.

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, January 18, 2019.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR OIC-Regional Director (Pursuant to Office Order No. 2018-596 dated October 2, 2018)

Petitioner, Merna R. Delos Santos Counsel, Atty. Ernesto Raphael V. Robillo

INdulge!

This 2019, Collectors can find the finest local brands all under one roof at Design Orchard, the freshest shopping destination on Orchard Road.

Photo by STB.

EACH NEW YEAR brings in 365 days of possibilities to be discovered. Whether it’s feeding your passion for colourful festivals, shopping, food hunts or events, Singapore is one destination that should be on your list of countries to visit in 2019.

This year, Singapore’s calendar is filled with endless opportunities for visitors to indulge to their heart’s content. Ignite your passion and spoil yourself to a plethora of exciting and diverse line-up of activities that will take you on a magical journey – every single time.

HOURS OF ACTIONPACKED EVENTS FOR EVERYONE 2019 is the 12th year for the ever exciting Grand Prix Season Singapore -- 2019 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. Aside from that, this year’s roster also includes world-class sporting action such as the HSBC Women’s Champions Singapore, HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night Singapore and Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

Also this 2019, Singapore will once again host the JSSL Singapore International 7’s and the International Champions Cup where football fans can catch their favourite stars from the top international leagues as they face off in pre-season matches.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ART ON DISPLAY Culture Shapers can discover their inner creativity as 2019 kicks off with Singapore Art Week (SAW). For nine days in January, art takes over this beautiful green city transforming it into an absolute gallery

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO This year, action-seekers can look forward to more adrenaline-charged activities at the 2019 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. Photo by STB.

More reasons to visit with exhibitions, art trails, talks, art fairs and large-scale art projections. On its 7th edition, SAW will also introduce the S.E.A. Focus boutique art fair and the Frieze Academy Series.

Other signature arts and cultural activities for Culture Shapers include Singapore Biennale 2019, Children’s Biennale 2019, Art SG, Singapore Night Festival and Singapore International Festival of Arts.

SINGAPORE in 2019

CULINARY BOUNTY FOR ANYONE’S TUMMY This June, for the first time ever in Asia, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards will be hosted in Singapore. Foodies can indulge their passion for culinary adventures through a series of diverse programmes, curated to celebrate culinary innovation, diversity and sustainability including gala awards, bespoke dinners, interactive masterclasses and live discussions.

Also not to be missed is the Singapore Food Festival – where the best of local Singaporean delicacies will be displayed for everyone to enjoy.

FESTIVALS AROUND THE CITY With its multicultural and multi-ethnic background, festivals and cultural celebrations are held year-round with splendour. Singapore is where you can uncover authentic cultural experiences as Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India are transformed with festive decorations, bazaars and performances.

Singapore in 2019 will also see the return of the most anticipated circus act, Cirque du Soleil, with a new show, Kurios; a new edition of the visuallyarresting Rainforest Lumina at the Singapore Zoo; Disney events featuring Pixar as part of the third year of partnership with the Singapore Tourism

Foodies can relish in a mouthwatering feast of Singaporean flavors at the Singapore Food Festival in July.

Photo by STB.

Board; and art events such as the Singapore Biennale and the inaugural Southeast Asia (S.E.A.) Focus; the Singapore Bicentennial celebrations featuring a slew of events such as the Fort Canning Park experiential showcase, through the year to commemorate Singapore’s 200 years of history.

Two grand retail projects will also be launched this 2019: the Design Orchard (January), a one-stop retail destination where one can seek out

This year, action-seekers can look forward to more adrenaline-charged activities at the 2019 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. Photo by STB. exceptional locally-designed goods under one roof; and the highly-anticipated Jewel Changi Airport (end of March), an iconic lifestyle venue that boasts of world-class attractions, and all-rounded shopping and dining experience.

Not to be missed is the 14,000 square-meter Canopy Park nestled at the top level of the world-class attraction, a breath-taking 40m high Rain Vortex with elements of Canopy Mazes and Discovery Slides.

Raffles Hotel will also open its doors to guests this 2019 after a year of massive renovation.

For 2019, Orchard Road will again be the focal point as Christmas On a Great Street kicks off with dazzling lights, festive decorations, pop-up stores and performances. The Christmas Village will also be

offering delectable food and drinks, amusement rides, and nightly live performances.

Other year-end highlights include Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay, a yuletide extravaganza with magical light installations and festive markets promising an unforgettable experience; Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, the must-visit place as the city rings in the New Year with spectacular fireworks showcase, eclectic live events and more.

The Singapore Tourism Board is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, STB shapes a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. STB brings the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

Truly, in Singapore, passion is made possible.

EDGED

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EVENT

It’s so worth it! in Davao

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT FREE PIZZA and a night fueled with awesome live music — who would say no to that?

Dabawenyos were lucky to be treated to Yellow Cab’s third leg of “It’s So Worth It!: The Yellow Cab Pizza Tour” to Damosa IT Park last Saturday, January 19.

Yellow Cab, one of the world’s most loved pizza parlour, had a successful “It’s So Worth It!: The Yellow Cab Pizza Tour” run in Metro Manila and Baguio.

It was definitely worth it as pizza and music lovers gathered under one roof to witness the exciting, one night only, celebration that made everyone smiling from ear to ear.

Warming up the crowd was DJ Ryan, who dished out some nostalgic and upbeat mixes that got everyone on their feet. Next came one of the country’s promising acoustic group, One Night Life, who melted some hearts and ignited some feelings from the crowd goers.

Pilipinas Got Talent grand finalist Next Option, on the other hand, provided more swooning than expected.

The night was filled with merrymaking, music and food — as the star of the night, Yellow Cab’s iconic pizza, was paired off with Heineken beer to make the event even more memorable.

Getting everyone pumped up for a night of food, booze and music!

Limited edition Pizza Passes were also given to the guest, which they can use to redeem discounts for dine-in purchases made at selected Yellow Cab Stores.

On top of the treat, Dabawenyos also got to express their thoughts and goals for the year with the So Worth It! Wall.

“We’re grateful for the Dabawenyos, for the support they had poured on to Yellow Cab, that they’ve come out to support their local artist, and have fun with the treats we had in store for them,” Yellow Cab Philippines Marketing Operations Head Charlene Sapina said.

The So Worth It! Tour is set to make its final stop in Cebu City.

Over 1500 participants joined the parade.

Angels Walk for Autism 20 THIS YEAR’S National Autism Consciousness Week brought more focus and understanding on persons living with autism.

Happy smiles, happy tummy.

Partygoers at the It’s So Worth It The Yellow Cab Tour at the Damosa IT Park last 19 January.

Nothing is more exciting than seeing DJ on the deck mixing the best songs to get the party started.

Artists and Visitors flocked the Damosa IT Park for a night of food, booze and music.

In observance, SM Supermalls—through its CSR arm SM Cares—and Autism Society Philippines held Angels Walk for Autism 2019 on Sunday January 20 in SM Lanang Premier.

Angels Walk is a mall parade for a cause that aims to raise public awareness on the condition and create ripples of change that makes communities inclusive.

This year’s activity is guided by the theme “Pagtuon: Tugon sa mga Pilipinong may K* dulot ng Autismo” #kakayahan #kagalingan #kakanyahan #katalinuhan #kapansanan.

This continues to guide efforts

Mall employees cheer on persons with autism during the mall parade on Sunday.

and projects on public awareness through its core message that invites understanding of strength, competency, individuality, and intelligence despite disability.

This means finding ways to integrate persons living with autism in the workplace and in schools, giving them chances at various opportunities that everyone enjoys.

AutiSM at Work SM leads the way in creating these opportunities.

In partnership with Autism Society Philippines, SM Markets continues what it started in 2016: a workplace inclusion program for persons with autism (PWAs) called “AutiSM at Work.”

From one pilot store to 17 stores nationwide, SM Markets’ PWA participants (3 PWAs for

every store) have gon way from displaying on the supermarket becoming productiv ing their social skills more friends, inspir workers and delight customers.

Simultaneously, t in-store advocacy ca help educate custom to deal respectfully w workers with autism #AutiSMatWork p young adults on the be productive contri workplace.

“As longtime advo persons with disabil happy to support th and designed it to be as possible,” said Joj president, Savemore “The program do help persons with au productive work; bu

DAVAO

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VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

UP AND ABOUT

Oink it!

Starbucks celebrate Chinese New Year with new releases

By LEEBAI SINSUAT AMBOLODTO WITH the Chinese New Year only a couple of weeks away, Starbucks rolls in the most adorable mug and Starbucks card to welcome the Year of the Pig. Believed to symbolize wealth and luck, this 2019, the lucky Pig is here to share its good fortune to everyone.

k 2019

Pastel pink, red and yellow-gold themed merchandises abound the shelves of one of the world’s most loved coffee chain. On top of the list is their 12 oz Zodiac Pig Mug that has the cutest embossed pig plastered in front and a tail for a handle. The detailing, colours and texture makes this mug a must-have.

Also available are a wide range of tumblers that has the most adorable of designs.

Any celebration won’t be complete without the Starbucks Card. For this year’s Chinese New Year, Starbucks releases the Lunar New Year -- Year of the Pig Card covered in pastel pink with the cutest pink pig and pink flowers on the background. The whole card is accentuated with gold dots thus making the card pop.

The Lunar New Year -- Year of the Pig Card is preloaded with Php 300.

This year’s National Autism Consciousness Week brings more focus and understanding on persons living with autism.

ne a long g products shelves to ve, improvs, making ring other ting SM

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Add these amazing Starbucks Lunar New Year merchandise to your CNY celebrations.

Autism Society Philippines Davao. helped SM Markets employees become better professionals.

Because of the sheer scale of the program, the training and operations staff of SM Markets all over the country are learning first-hand how to manage this under-tapped group; and developing policies and practices to support them that are best in

class,” said Mona Magno-Veluz, national president, Autism Society of the Philippines AutiSM at Work piloted at Savemore Market Light Residences in 2016, and was eventually implemented at SM Supermarket Aura and Savemore Market Mezza. Now the group expands AutiSM at Work to

Angels Walk is a mall parade for a cause that aims to raise public awareness on autism.

SM mall employees join Angels Walk for Autism.

thirteen more stores including provincial branches like Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.

To date, SM Markets has accommodated 69 exceptional individuals. The program is complemented by disability sensitivity training for all frontliners and in-store information for customers.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

TENSION... FROM 1

case will be pursued. She explained that teachers serving in the plebiscite have been briefed during seminars leading up to Monday’s voting.

While the confrontation was still ongoing, a commotion happened outside the precinct after some voters caught an alleged flying voter.

The suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was mauled by some people but Guiani intervened and insisted that the suspect should be turnedover to the police.

When asked why he went to the said polling area, the suspect admitted that he was told to vote in the area by a certain Ustadz Nasser. He did not elaborate. The mayor recovered from the suspect some identification cards allegedly issued by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Guiani immediately

asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to look into the incident and act on it.

The incidents came at the heels of military disposal bomb experts disarming a live hand grenade found near the gate of a public school serving as one of the polling centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan, city police director, said the grenade, found sans its safety lever and pin, was discovered by a store owner near the gate of the Roxas National High School along Barangay Rosary Heights 12 in Cotabato City at about 5:45 a.m.

“Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team quickly conducted a ‘blast-on-site’ strategy to rid off the grenade,” Lebanan said.

Guiani likewise

claimed that there are more than 90 teachers who were supposed to serve as members of plebiscite committee were not able to perform their duties after reportedly receiving threats via text messages. Policemen trained to perform as election officers took the place of over 60 teachers, who refused to show up in their assigned voting centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, due to alleged threats on their lives.

Lawyer Ernie Palanan, Maguindanao election supervisor, which includes Cotabato City as his area of supervision, said the teachers have earlier received threats via text messages.

In other parts of the city’s 37 villages, disenfranchisement of voters, as in the past, remained a perennial problem. (With reports from PNA)

First, while not as lightning quick as he was once the dynamo in 2008 to 2012, Manny is a more intelligent fighter now. His boxing IQ is excellent. His aggressive style which was once susceptible to counter right hands has been effective with polished feints and disciplined jabs. Manny, experts noticed, is now

a much more elusive target leaving opponents difficult angles while he dances around the ring.

Is the Manny Pacquiao Show here to stay?

Sunday's fight wasn't a classic given the quality of opposition Broner presented. But his continued existence to fight the younger fighters of this

generation, as compared to retired rival Floyd Mayweather, who dismissed an outrageously outmatched Japanese MMA fighter in his last fight, proves he isn't fazed with the current crop of champions.

24 years after he first fought as a professional boxer, the Manny Pacquiao journey continues.

LIFE... FROM 12

NEWS Grenade disarmed near Cotabato plebiscite center

EDGEDAVAO

COTABATO CITY – Military disposal bomb experts disarmed here Monday a live hand grenade found near the gate of a public school serving as one of the polling centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in this city.

Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan, city police director, said the grenade, found sans its safety lever and pin, was discovered by a store owner near the gate of the Roxas National High School along Barangay Rosary Heights 12 at about 5:45 a.m.

“Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team quickly conducted a ‘blast-on-site’ strategy to rid off the grenade,” Lebanan said.

He said additional secu-

PNP... FROM 2

rity forces were deployed to the area following the incident. Polling centers were set to open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. for the referendum.

The school has some 10 voting precincts that would cater to some 500 electorates. The city, which has 37 villages, has 749 voting precincts established in 33 voting centers across the city.

The city also has 113,551 registered voters.

As this developed, 33 polling precincts in Cotabato City are without plebiscite committee (PlebCom) members as they did not show up during the distribution of polling materials at the city hall at 6 a.m.

Perdausse Ali, legal adviser of the Department of Education – Cotabato City, said several of the teach-

9

ers had received threats on their mobile phones regarding their serving the referendum.

Concepcion Balawag, city schools’ division superintendent, said though that they have reserved teachers to serve in the referendum. On Sunday night, grenade explosions also rocked the residence of Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judge Angelito Rasalan of Upi, Maguindanao, in this city.

No one was reported hurt in the incident that occurred at about 9 p.m. just outside the compound of the magistrate’s house along Sta, Maria St., Barangay Rosary Heights Mother.

Police probers are currently looking deeper into the latest bombing occurrences here. (PNA)

prove nor receive an application for any off-campus community development project in relation to Rizza Divine’s immersion.

“Every off-campus com-

munity development or community immersion activity undergoes through proper protocol…anything contrary to this is not supported, not promoted, not

approved. [If there] is no faculty supervision, [the activity will] not be allowed to push through,” Abenir said, as quoted in The Varsitarian report. (PNA)

ally forcing the overtime.

Worst, White incurred his fifth foul early into the overtime session, paving the way for Balkman and Ramos to pounce the now small-ball Mono inside the

paint despite guards Jason Brickman and Moses Morgan and winger Mike Singletary keeping the team afloat.

Balkman put up 38 points, 10 in the overtime

period for Alab, which reopened a half-game lead over Saigon, which beat Malaysia at home in Ho Chi Minh, 78-65, for first place in the standings at 8-2.

(PNA)

ALAB... FROM 11

10 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

New-look Nissan Juke

N

issan Philippines just enhanced the Juke for 2019 with the New N-Sport Edition.

With all the attention focused on their best-sellers like the Navara, Terra, and Urvan, it’s not surprising that you may have missed out on the fact that Nissan Philippines’s still hard at work improving other vehicles in their lineup. Case in point is the new for 2019 Nissan Juke N-Sport.

For those keeping score, the 2019 Juke N-Sport was previewed last November and marks the third series of special edition Juke models that feature both exte-

rior and interior enhancements.

Like previous Juke N-Sport, the 2019 model features the same front and rear skirts, and rear spoiler. This year though, changes have been made to the decals. The asymmetric two-stripe motif on the hood has been swapped for a three-striped one with a thick center strip. Meanwhile, at the back, rear wing is made to “merge” with the Juke’s rear fender with a stylized decal that reads, “N-Sport.”

Like before, Juke N Sport has illuminated kick

plates.

But new for 2019 are leather seats with color a c -

cents that match one of three exterior accents: Yellow Spark, Gun Metallic Gray, or Octane Red, a new 6.75-inch Blaupunkt Touchscreen Display Audio System with

Phonelink Connectivity and dashcam.

The 2019 Nissan Juke N-Sport comes in one of three colors: Black Obsidian with Yellow Spark, Pearl White with Octane

lable blocks. ALH uses a camera to detect oncoming and preceding vehicles, but instead of switching off the high beams entirely to avoid impairing other drivers’ vision, ALH shuts off only the LEDs shining in their specific direction. So, the high

beams remain on at all times, enhancing visibility and safety at night when most fatal traffic accidents occur.

ALH also comes with wide-distribution low beams, which add LEDs to the sides of the headlamps to shed light where conven-

Red, and Gun Metallic Gray with Burnout Black and is now available at all Nissan dealerships nationwide with a suggested retail price of: P 1,131,000.

Mazda recognized for adaptive LED headlights M

azda’s ALH or Adaptive LED Headlights technology was recognized by the Japan Machinery Federation (JMF) by bestowing it with the METI (Ministry or Economy, Trade, and Industry) Minister’s Award.

The honor is given to companies, universities, research institutes, and R&D managers who are

deemed to have “significantly contributed to the progress and development” to industrial technology through excellent research and development.

In the case of Mazda’s ALH system, the JMF recognized the H i ro s h i m a - b a s e d carmaker’s efforts to democratize is headlight technology which is typically reserved only for

luxury cars. In the case of Mazda, ALH is available on a vast majority of its vehicle line-up such as the Mazda6, MX-5, CX-5, and CX-9.

Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) features LED array high-beam technology that splits the LEDs into independently control-

tional headlights do not. Highway mode, meanwhile, is another ALH feature that automatically adjusts the forward aim of the headlamps upwards when travelling at highway speeds to illuminate road signs and potential obstacles earlier.

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

THE PHENOM. (Left photo) Davao City’s three-time Athlete of the Year winner Atsuko Kaiyel Tan, 7, won two gold medals in the recent Manuel Veguillas Memorial Invitational Karatedo Tournament held at the SM Mall of Asia over the weekend. (Right photo) AAK Davao won a total of 4 golds, 1 silver and 11 bronzes in the tournament under head coach Rommel Tan. AAK Davao photo

Ball out 4 Pac-May 2: It’s to 6 weeks time for a rematch L

M

anny Pacquiao did enough in the ring against Adrien Broner Saturday night to justify a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.

He’s going to get it, too. For the same reason Pacquiao and Mayweather made a combined $600 million for their first fight in 2015.

People are going to pay after the 40-year-old Pacquiao dominated the 29-year-old Broner. Certainly enough people to get Showtime, promoters and both boxers on board.

Oh, sure. Floyd Mayweather played it coy after Pacquiao’s unanimous decision over Broner Saturday

night in Las Vegas.

During an in-ring interview after the fight, Showtime’s Jim Gray asked if Pacquiao wanted to fight Mayweather, who in 2015 beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision.

“Tell him to come back to the ring and then we will fight,” Pacquiao said. “I’m willing to fight again with Floyd Mayweather if he’s willing to come back to boxing.”

With that, Gray turned to the stands of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in which Mayweather was sitting.

“Floyd, you’re staying out of the ring, but you’ve got a camera there,” Gray

said. “Are you going to accept that challenge? A simple nod will do. Yes or no, Floyd?”

Floyd’s head stayed motionless, but with a hint of a smirk. In truth, Mayweather has been lining up this fight since September, when he and Pacquiao announced they would fight again.

They simply needed a strong enough showing to sell Pacquiao-Mayweather II to fans who were fleeced with the $99 PPV fees and exorbitant ticket prices in 2015.

The fight was a dud. But Pacquiao’s camp claimed Pacquiao had fought with an injured right shoulder, and that surely will be part

of the new narrative for the marketing team.

It sounded dubious, and a 2017 loss to Jeff Horn dropped Pacquiao’s marketability. That shifted with Pacquiao’s seventh-round TKO of Lucas Matthysse in July. And then came Saturday night’s dominating performance against Broner.

Several times he exhilarated the crowd when he rocked Broner.

“I really don’t believe that my career is over,” Pacquiao said. “... Manny Pacquiao’s journey still continues.”

Thanks to boxing fans, his journey will end when that last nine-figure check is deposited in the bank.

last year's ASEAN Basketball League Finals at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday night.

Down 13 in the third

quarter, Alab rallied back and eventually pulled away in the extra five minutes as big men Renaldo Balkman and PJ Ramos took advan-

tage of Malcolm White's foul troubles.

After letting Mono open a 58-45 advantage with 5:34 to play in the third, Alab went on an 18-3 run to take a 63-61 lead with 1:13 left in the quarter.

The home side then threatened to pull away in regulation after holding to an 84-79 advantage with 2:14 left in the fourth period.

However, Mike Singletary and Frederick Lish scored back-to-back triples to put the visitors back up, 85-84, with 1:30 to go.

Balkman scored on a field goal to give Alab the lead back, 8685, and appeared to be holding on after forcing a miss from

os Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball will be sidelined four to six weeks with a sprained left ankle, the team announced Sunday.

The severity of the injury -- a Grade 3 sprain -was detected through an MRI exam.

Ball was injured during Saturday night's 138-134 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. He left the arena in a wheelchair, and X-rays taken at a Houston hospital were negative, according to the team.

Ball was hurt when he turned his ankle while beginning to drive against Rockets forward James

Ennis during the third quarter. Ball fell to the floor in heavy pain and was later carried to the locker room by teammates Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson.

Ball had eight points and 11 assists in 22 minutes when he exited.

The second-year-pro is averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 47 games.

The Lakers, who host the Golden State Warriors on Monday, also remain without forward LeBron James (groin) and point guard Rajon Rondo (finger).

Alab repeats over Mono Vampire

A

lab Pilipinas survived a gritty challenge from Mono Vampire and prevailed in overtime, 110-100, in the rematch of

Sacred Heart School won over host Ateneo de Davao University to win the 12-Under Inter-Ateneo Invitational basketball league held at the Ateneo De Davao Matinez Hall over the weekend, 61-36. Two other Ateneo schools competed in the tournament with Xavier University finishing third place after winning against Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Koii Canarias

Mono.

But Ethan Alvano opened an opportunity for White to give Mono the lead again after fouling him with 32.2 seconds left.

White, however, made a split from the line, eventu-

FALAB , P9

A masked Ray Parks Jr. was on target for Alab Pilipinas.

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 ISSUE 217 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

LIFE BEGINS AT 40

Manny proves at 40, he still has some fight left

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO of his total connects. That is more than twice the percentage than was the case in his last five fights which was at 20%.

Slowing down at 40?

It didn't show.

Mann y , whose r e cord

Manny Pacquiao lands a crushing left to the jaw of Adrien Broner in the ninth round. MP Promotions photo

M

anny Pacquiao skipped, danced, prowled across the ring, bobbed, weaved, and hit some heavy bombs. He took a few punches too.

And he's 40.

How many fighters have proven they can fight at 40?

You can count them by the fingers. Bernard Hopkins, George Foreman, Bob Fitzsimmons, Archie Moore, Thulani Malinga and Vitali Klitschko. Hop-

kins is the oldest man with a world title at 49.

Foreman won the world heavyweight title a decade after losing to Muhammad Ali at the age of 44. Fitzsimmons was champ at 40, Moore was titleholder until he was 44, and Thulani won a second at 42.

Klitschko reigned until he was 40 his brother Wladimir attempted to make it as a 40-year old champion in 2017 but lost to Anthony Joshua. Then, if you go

back in time, the earliest post-40 champ was Bill Richmond who started his boxing career in 1804 at the age of 40.

Hopkins was the ultimate post-40 standard.

Until Sunday. The Filipino boxing legend could be on track to be the best fighter beyond 40.

In his first fight at 40, the fighting Senator definitely fought like the Manny of old and not an old Manny.

Against a fighter 11 years younger, Manny controlled the range the fight with Broner. Based on punch stats, he had 30.9 attempts per round and a 30-11 lead in connects.

Manny also displayed a retooled arsenal shifting from his usual head-hunting ways to a body puncher. He scored far more heavily to the body than had been the case in his last five bouts with 47 of 112 total connects or 42%

now stands at 61-7-2, 39 KOs, went on a blistering pace throughout the 12-round contest in his return to the venue of the world's biggest boxing cards with 47.3 punches per round while Broner, who claimed after the fight that he beat Manny, could not pull the trigger from start to finish as he averaged 24.6 punches per round. That should put him back to his senses.

The American nicknamed "The Problem" had prob-

lems connecting as he was limited to single-digit total connects in every round (eight in round four was his best) while Manny exceeded double-digits five times (with 19 in round seven being his best).

What was noticeable in Pacquiao's transformed fighting style at 40 is his return to his more aggressive ways. Engaging the bulkier Broner and going for the kill whenever the opportunity presented.

His jaw-breaking left to the head of Broner in the 9th round could easily put down the toughest fighters today but credit to Broner, he stood his ground and survived on his feet.

In sum, the Pinoy future Boxing Hall of Famer who gave away two inches in height, landed 112 of 568 punches thrown for 20 percent, besting Broner, who hit 50 of 295 for 17 percent.

What did Sunday's fight reveal of the 'new and old' Pacquiao?

FLIFE , P9