VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
www.edgedavao.net
EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
SHOW OF FORCE As coops thumb down repeal of tax exemption By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ
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OOPERATIVES from all over the country are set to unite to object to the repeal of Articles 60 and 61 of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, otherwise known as Republic Act 9510 that sought to delete the provisions granting cooperatives tax
exemptions. A Philippine Cooperative Center circular revealed that the gathering dubbed, “Simultaneous Show of Force (SSF)” is set to be held on Saturday, April 29, and aims to gather at least 10,000 participants. It is spearheaded by PCC
and in partnership with Cooperative Development Authority. Guesting during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on Monday at SM City Davao, CDA – Davao Extension Office Senior Cooperative Development Specialist Antonio C. Escobar
said although the agency appreciates the fiscal strategy of the government, particularly the proposed bill, however, stressed on the principle of social justice on the repeal of the said articles. The sector faces a great
F SHOW, 11
P 15.00 • 20 PAGES ASSISTANT. A young boy clings on to his father who is detaching his impounded motorcycle from its customized sidecar at the City Transport and Traffic Management Office in Davao City on Monday. A fatal accident between a truck and a ‘payong-payong’ that claimed four lives prompted the CTTMO to conduct a series of operations in Toril last week which resulted to impounding of hundreds of ‘payong-payong.’ Lean Daval Jr.
Davao Extension Office Senior Cooperative Development Specialist Antonio C. Escobar
SPORTS
STREAK OVER
Anflocor bucks Go’s 25, snaps Team Duterte’s streak 91-87
Davao girls squad see action in Singapore bootfest
2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
ICON TO ICON. President Rodrigo Duterte receives the Philippine Olympic Silver Medalists Stamp from Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General and CEO Joel Otarra during the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2017 at the Binirayan Sports Complex in Antique over the weekend. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Army, NPA clash scars Aliwagwag Eco Park
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HE clash between government troops and the rebel New People’s Army on Sunday morning damaged parts of Aliwagwag Eco Park, a premier tourist destination in Cateel, Davao Oriental, police said. Sr. Inspector Butch Kevin Rapiz, Cateel municipal police chief, said the base camp of the 67th Infantry Battalion at the park was partially burned while the zip line waiting shed near the patrol base was totally damaged. Rapiz said local police-
men reinforced the soldiers after barangay officials sought their assistance regarding the ongoing firefight in the area. A soldier was injured in the firefight. Aliwagwag Falls has been frequented by local and foreign tourists especially during summer, the peak of visitor arrivals in the province. It has become a popular tourist destination because of its 130 cascading waterfalls ranging from six to 110 feet high. Major General Rafael Va-
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Mandatory drug testing for gov’t workers in CDO pushed
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HE Cagayan de Oro city council is pushing for the approval of an ordinance requiring all city hall employees to undergo a mandatory drug test. City Councilor Edna Dahino said Monday that the ordinance, titled “Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance of 2017,” will not be limited to city hall employees but will include elected officials. Such drug testing shall be done at the full expense of the city government as a way of ensuring that those in the government service are physically and mentally fit, she said. According to Dahino, the proposed ordinance is pur-
suant to Memorandum Circular No. 34, Series of 1997 of the Civil Service Commission, and in accordance with CSC Resolution No. 97 4683, which states that the agency shall promulgate and adopt a policy on pre-employment like mental and physical medical examinations to ensure the highest degree of productivity of its employees. The ordinance provides that all officials and employees entering the government service shall be required to undergo blood tests, urinalysis, chest x-ray, drug test and neuropsychiatric exam, among others, if necessary.
Parents of 16 minors in gang riot to be sued By JECIA ANNE OPIANA
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OLICE authorities will file cases against parents of 16 minors for their negligence to look after their children who were arrested for attempting to engage in a gang riot April 22 in Bagong Buhay Village, Davao City. The police are also filing alarm and scandal charges against the suspects, as well as illegal possession of
sharp weapons. According to Davao City Police Office Spokesperson PSI Ma. Teresita Gaspan, the police is currently coordinating with the Barangay Council for Protection of Children in Barangay Paciano Bangoy where the 16 minors, aging 16 and 17, were about to engage in a gang riot. “As of now, the station is
also coordinating with the City Social Services Development Office particularly the Women and Children’s Desk in the barangay since they are in charge of this considering that the suspects are minors,” PSI Gaspan said in an interview on Monday. The 12 stations of DCPO have been intensifying their patrol in different areas of the city that are prone to
gang riots and calling on parents to discourage their children from being involved in gang activities. Currently, they are conducting intelligence study to identify the profile and background of the different gangs in the city. The minors, all males, are now in the custody of the women’s desk of Barangay Bangoy.
areas. “We recommended this before and I think its now time for the city to implement it,” he told reporters. The police official made the call after he was summoned by the city council to shed light on the cases of robberies involving stalls at the city’s central public market and other commercial establishments these past months. In some cases, the suspects were able to enter the establishments by destroying the padlocks of steel rollup doors of the outlets or “basag-kandado modus.” During the first quarter of the year, Layugan said they recorded at least 12 cases of “basag-kandado” in parts of the city.
He said a case each were recorded by the Pendatun, Makar and Lagao police stations, two by the Purok Malakas police station and seven by the Bula police station. The seven incidents reported to the Bula police station happened at the city’s central public market, he said. “I hope the city government can fast track the installation of the CCTV cameras to help prevent similar incidents,” Layugan said. Citing their earlier recommendation, he said they proposed for the purchase of quality and high resolution CCTV cameras. He said the captured images or footages of the security cameras should be “in
high quality” so investigators could easily identify the suspects. “We can also print the images of the suspects in tarpaulins and even post them later on in public places if needed,” he said. But aside from the local government, Layugan said owners of local business establishments should set up their own CCTVs or security systems to counter robberies and similar incidents. He said they should also use quality padlocks and establish a more secure locking system. “These suspects are usually afraid of noises so if they can set up booby traps or alarms, the better,” he added. (Allen V. Estabillo/PNA)
Police seek more CCTV cameras in GSC areas
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OLICE authorities in General Santos City are pushing for the installation of more high-resolution closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras in various public areas in the city in the wake of the rising cases of robberies and other crimes. Sr. Supt. Maximo Layugan, city police director, said Monday the presence of CCTV cameras could help deter the occurrence of various crimes, especially robberies, as well as fast track the resolution of some cases. He urged the city government to expedite the implementation of its standing plan to install CCTV cameras in key streets or roads, commercial areas, public markets, parks and other public
NEWS 3
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
AFP chief warns Abu Sayyaf it will suffer same fate as those in Bohol
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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines warned Abu Sayyaf bandits that they would suffer the same fate as their fallen brigands who were slain by government forces during a series of encounters in Bohol. The slain bandits were members of the estimated 11-man band of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Muamar Askali alias “Abu Rami” who made an incursion in Inabanga town, Bohol last April 10, reportedly to abduct some tourists for their kidnap-for-ransom scheme. However, this attempt fizzled out as they were neutralized by responding government forces resulting in the death of Askali and three other ASG members last April 11. “The AFP has sent a very strong message: do not attempt to propagate your nefarious activities,” AFP chiefof-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said. “You will suffer the same fatal consequences as these terrorists for attempting to bring in terror and havoc to this tranquil province of Bo-
hol -- or in other places in the country for that matter,” he added. In a series of encounters in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town last April 22, four bandits were neutralized one after the other in a running gun battle. The military said that at 12:50 p.m., Joselito Milloria, a former villager of Inabanga who became a Muslim convert (also known as Abu Alih) and later guided the terrorists to his former hometown, was the first to get killed. Seized from his possession were a Galil rifle, a M-203 grenade launcher and several rounds of ammunition. Operations continued and another armed encounter erupted at 8 p.m. Three more members of the ASG were neutralized. Two more high-powered firearms were seized--a M-16 and a M-14 with rounds of ammunition. The military is still on the hunt for an estimated three more bandits, reportedly wounded and running low on ammunition. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
Cimatu new member of Duterte’s cabinet
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ALACAÑANG has confirmed the appointment of former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Roy Cimatu as President Rodrigo Duterte’s new cabinet member. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Cimatu has been assigned as the special envoy for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) refugees. When President Duterte visited the Middle East, he mentioned his plans of making Cimatu a cabinet member.
Yesterday, in the president’s speech at the Palarong Pambansa 2017 in San Jose Buenavista, Aklan, the president said he gave heavier tasks to Cimatu. “Roy Cimatu is an Ilocano. Many, many years ago he was assigned in a division in Davao and we got acquainted there. And if things would not go well, he is a candidate for another… Now he’s a cabinet member. But this time I’d transfer him to a busier job,” Pres. Duterte said. — UNTV News & Rescue
SAVORING THE MOMENT. Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2014 Susan Batawan poses for a group of Mindanao artists during Dabawenya alla Prima of Visit Davao Fun Sale’s Art Mindanao at the activity center of Abreeza Mall on Friday
afternoon. Dabawenya alla Prima, which will feature Mutya ng Davao and Hiyas ng Kadayawan, is a season-long exhibit at different hotels and malls featuring Mindanao artists. Lean Daval Jr.
Grudge pushes 3 to behead buddy By JECIA ANNE OPIANA
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HREE people who voluntarily gave themselves up after beheading their drinking buddy in Calinan are now undergoing inquest procedure at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office for the crime of murder.
The three men told police investigators a long-standing grudge led them to murder Edmond Polo Yogue, 33, on April 18 in Calinan district’s barangay San Roque. The suspects Gualberto Cañada , 29; Nole Ampon
Talay,48; and Michael John Secadron ,20 who admitted to committing the crime of murdering surrendered to their purok leader on April 20 two after Yogue was reported missing. A spot report by Police
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Nabbed Davao cop in Bohol linked to driver
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UNCONCERNED. A ‘payong-payong’ driver seems to be ignoring the danger of being hit by large vehicles as he traverses his unregistered vehicle with passengers in tow along the Davao-Cotabato national highway on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.
Station 10 in Calinan revealed that the victim had been missing since April 18 based on the report of his sister Irica Polo Yogue. After a follow up investigation, it was found out that
HE Police Regional Office Region XI in Davao City set into motion a “deeper background check” on a ranking female police official who was arrested at a checkpoint in Clarin, Bohol on Saturday at the height of security operations against the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits there. Sr. Inspector Andrea dela Cerna, PRO-XI spokesperson, said they are investigating the background of Superintendent Cristina Nobleza, newly-assigned Philippine National Police deputy chief for crime laboratory in Region 11 or Davao region. Nobleza along with driver Reeno Lou Dungon were arrested at a police and army checkpoint in Barangay Bacani in Clarin, Bohol, where there is a heightened alert for the remaining members of the Abu
Sayyaf bandits who entered the area. Nobleza reportedly claimed she was on a tour in Clarin, but an investigation later showed text messages on her cellular phone from suspected Abu Sayyaf members asking for rescue. The car they were using also yielded canned goods, medicines, candies and ammunition. Dela Cerna said “Nobleza is undergoing advance investigation.” At a press conference in Manila, PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said Nobleza has an affair with driver Dungon, who is a confirmed member of the Abu Sayyaf Group. Nobleza is a Balik Islam. According to Dela Rosa,
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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
DOF execs in overseas trips hype RP’s bright prospects
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COOPERATIVES MATTER.CDA Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Section head Tony Escobar says Negosyo Center focuses in helping micro businesses and cooperatives and also plans to give technical training assistance to the fishermen in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Escobar graced the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.
PEZA readies power subsidy for Arab firms in Mindanao Especially in Davao, ARMM, Caraga regions
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HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority is now in discussion with the energy department to prepare the initiative of providing power subsidy to investors that will be locating in economic zones in Mindanao. PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said it is a high time to grant such incentive as Middle East businesses are eyeing investments in Mindanao following the investment promotion roadshow of the agency and the visit of Pres-
ident Rodrigo Duterte in the Gulf region. “The DOE committed that locators in Mindanao will only pay P2.50 per kilowatt hour from the current rate of P6.00 per kilowatt hour since we have excess power in Mindanao,” Plaza said in Filipino. She mentioned three regions in the southern part of the country as pilot areas for the power subsidy, which include the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga Region, and Davao Region.
According to the PEZA chief, most of the prospective investments from the Middle East will be poured into these three regions, which have big population of Muslims. “Most of these Middle East investors would prefer Mindanao, because remember, these are Muslims. So they want to help the Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao,” Plaza said. “For years, we’ve been deprived of investments, development of our lands, jobs. So, most of the Middle East in-
vestors are interested in Mindanao,” She added noting that the Middle East businesses are looking at investments in sectors of tourism, agro-industry, and halal. Plaza stressed that through the power subsidy, other foreign investors will be enticed to come in Mindanao to set up their businesses. She added that this initiative is part of the goal of the Duterte administration to spur economic growth in the countryside.
are in a more stable and more progressive era. Now we are promoting Mindanao “as a basket of investment opportunity,” he said. Pizarro said that it helped that President Rodrigo Duterte, a Davaoeño, won the elections last year. After he took over the presidency in July, many countries have pledged to pour in their investments in Mindanao, Pizarro added. He said the United States Agency for International Development is currently ex-
ploring how it could assist in the possible expansion of the Laguindingan airport and the Mindanao Container Terminal, which are both located in Misamis Oriental. Pizarro added that Russia is also interested in offering a state-of-the-art agricultural technology to local farmers, whose produce they would buy. Antonio Uy, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president for Mindanao, said that the British Embassy and the Italian Cham-
ber of Commerce of the Philippines also committed to attend business conference that will be held at the Xavier Estates Country Club. The discussions will focus on latest technologies, agribusiness, global challenges and emerging opportunities for Mindanao. There will also be a business matching. Event chair Ruben Vegafria, an ex-Oro Chamber president, said they are expecting 1,500 delegates to the business convention. (Mark Francisco/ PNA)
of a paradise that our country should be proud of,” Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said. Angara made this remark after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that a total of P1.6 billion for the repair of the 1.3-kilometer runway of Rancudo Airfield, and P400 million for the construction of a fish port in the island. He, meanwhile, urged his colleagues to support his
measure, Senate Bill 944 entitled “Declaring Pag-asa Island Cluster in the Municipality of Kalayaan, Province of Palawan as an Ecotourism Destination and Protected Area, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.” Under the bill, the Pag-asa Island Ecotourism Cluster Governing Board shall be created composed of the governor of Palawan as its chairperson,
congressman of the First District of Palawan as co-chairperson, regional executive director for Region IV-B of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as vice chairperson, and the regional director for Region IV-B of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as co-vice chairperson. Also in the board are the mayor of the Municipality of
Russia, US, Britain,Italy set to join Minbizcon 2017
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nvestors from Russia, the United States, Great Britain and Italy have expressed interest to join the annual Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon), which is slated in Cagayan de Oro City on September 7-9, officials said. Oro Chamber President Robertino Pizarro said Monday the last time the city hosted the event was in 1992, when the main concern then among the island’s business groups was the power shortage crisis. “It is different now as we
Pag-asa Island seen as new tourist destination
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Senator has backed the decision of the Duterte administration to turn Pag-asa Island in the Spratlys into a tourist destination noting its potential because of its beaches and pristine white sand. “With its impeccable beauty, the island is an ideal tourist destination...the rich biodiversity and truly Filipino heritage truly reflects the beauty
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EY officials of the Department of Finance are attending the annual spring meetings of the World Bank this month in Washington DC to discuss with global investors, credit rating agencies and representatives of other countries the bright economic prospects for the Philippines under the Duterte administration. DOF Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran will join Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and NEDA deputy director general Rolando Tungpalan in discussing with credit rating agencies the Duterte administration’s plans to sustain the robust pace of the Philippines’ growth via a massive public investment program focused on infrastructure and human capital development. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that GDP growth reached 6.9 percent in 2016. Pernia has said he expected the GDP to have grown by 7 percent during the first quarter of this year. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon is also set to attend the World Bank Government Bond Market Conference and Technical Workshop on April 24-28, also in Washington DC to discuss with global inves-
tors and senior country officials major issues regarding emerging local bond markets. Finance Assistant Secretary and DOF spokesperson Paola Alvarez will also join the Philippine delegation to the World Bank meetings scheduled on April 20-24. According to the NEDA, it estimates the Duterte administration’s unprecedented infrastructure buildup, unveiled during the first “DuterteNomics” forum held in Manila last week, to create 106,824 jobs in 2017; 823,696 jobs in 2018; around 1.12 million in 2019; 1.23 million in 2020; 1.399 million in 2021; and 1.705 million by 2022. “Dutertenomics,” is President Duterte’s economic strategy to dramatically raise funds--in large part through his proposed tax reform program--and spend big on infrastructure, human capital formation and social protection to sustain the growth momentum, attract investments and create jobs, achieve economic inclusion and transform the Philippines into a high middle-income country by 2022, by which time poverty incidence will have been reduced to 14 percent. If “DuterteNomics” is sustained over the medium term, the government envisions the Philippines to be a high-income economy in one generation or by 2040. (DOF)
Sarangani prepares rollout of RP100-M farm project
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HE provincial government of Sarangani is gearing up for the full implementation of its P100 million diversified upland rice and white corn farming development project under the Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development Program. Jonathan Duhaylungsod, Provincial Agriculture Office head, said Monday preparations are underway for the rollout of the project in seven pilot barangays in the province in close coordination with the DA Region 12. He said the DA central office has already released the first tranche of the SAAD grant amounting to PHP25 million. “The procurement of the needed planting materials and farm supply packages are already underway,” he said. Under the program, Duhaylungsod said the local government will facilitate the planting of upland rice and white corn in selected sites within the pilot areas. He said they will provide technical assistance to the farmers and implement necessary support programs. The pilot barangays are Pag-asa in Alabel town; Tamban in Malungon; New Aklan in Glan; Kablacan in Maasim; Tamadang in Kiamba; Upo in Maitum; and, Kihan in Malapa-
tan.
These barangays are considered as among the province’s poorest based on the local government’s Community-Based Monitoring System and Social Welfare Indicators. Duhaylungsod said they have identified a total of 436 hectares of plantation areas for upland rice and 190 hectares for white corn. He said they are targeting to catch up with the start of the planting season in the coming weeks. Such move will allow farmer-beneficiaries to have at least two cropping this year, he said. Of the PHP100 million grant approved by DA, Duhaylungsod said around PHP25 million was allotted for the pilot implementation. The second tranche amounting to PHP25 million would be released by DA once the initial release is properly liquidated. “The second tranche will be used for the project’s expansion in 12 more barangays,” he said. He added the remaining PHP50 million was set aside for its further expansion, which will be implemented later on by DA-12. Sarangani Province, which is not a traditional rice-producing area, presently lists its rice sufficiency at only 39.5
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ECONOMY 5
Garcia-Albano proposes more int’l flights to Davao A
Mindanao legislator is calling for a more action-oriented aviation policy to build up direct airline routes between Davao and foreign
airports. Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (2nd district, Davao City) sees direct air access to be an imperative for the economic development of
the Mindanao region. “Davao is one of the four priority areas in the National Tourism Development Plan so we need international flights and
other solid initiatives to support this,” the lawmaker said. According to Rep. Albano, “we propose that priority be given to ne-
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Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano
DTI eyes accreditation of direct selling companies
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HE Department of Trade and Industry is eyeing to regulate direct selling companies by allowing to operate only those with accreditation from the agency. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said this is a proactive approach of the agency to avoid another pyramiding scam to happen. Lopez noted that direct selling is a legitimate activity, however, there are companies that are earning through the number of recruits, and not
through the products they are selling. “We want to have accreditation,” the DTI chief said. He stressed that direct selling companies should earn through selling products, and not by recruiting sellers and requiring them to pay high membership fee like what other networking and pyramiding companies are doing. Lopez said DTI will be discussing this initiative with companies engaged in direct selling business. (PNA)
NEAR AT HAND. SM Supermalls group brand manager Aron Dalaza (right) and SM Store marketing manager Alex Dela Peña provide additional updates on the mall’s upcoming three-day sale slated on April 28 to 30 during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.
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ARMM plans hospital annex in Maguindanao town
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ESIDENTS of Datu Piang and its adjacent towns in the province of Maguindanao will soon have a major health facility, said officials on Saturday. Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said the 25-bed capacity extension health facility of the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital was part of the PHP100 million Humanitarian Development Assistance Program (HDAP) of ARMM. The provincial hospital-annex will cater mostly to indigents who are the usual victims of natural and manmade calamities that affect Datu Piang and its adjacent
towns in Maguindanao’s first district. “On emergency cases, the nearest medical facility for the people of Datu Piang is about an hour away,” Ismael Piang, a resident, told reporters at the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hospital annex on Friday. “Once completed, the annex will serve the people of the towns of Datu Piang, Datu SAudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Datu Salibo and nearby communities,” said Maguindana health chief Dr. Tahik Sulaik. The province has one provincial hospital, four district hospitals and few municipal hospitals serving about 750,000 inhabitants. (PNA)
HOUSANDS of local and foreign tourists trooped to Dahican in Mati, Davao Oriental for the two-day simultaneous holding of Summer Fun and Summer Frolic, which end today, April 23. Mayor Carlo Rabat said they are expecting 7,000 tourists also to the “Amihan sa Dahican” and beach volleyball event. The Summer Fun sporting event, “Amihan sa Dahican” and Summer Frolic are held at the Menzi Beach Park and Campsite. The Summer Frolic is an initiative of the tourism sector. These events are aimed to boost the tourism industry of the city, Rabat said. ”We are happy we are known now for the summer
events,” Rabat told reporters in an interview on Saturday. Rabat underscored the benefits it could bring to Mati especially for vendors, hotels, restaurants and the transport sector. The mayor sees a daily spending of at least PHP2,000 each visitor. Last year, Rabat said both events drew about 10,000 visitors. ”Every year visitors are increasing even if there was no all-out campaign from the government,” Rabat said. He pointed to the word of mouth and postings of photos on social media using the hashtag “I love Mati” that encouraged people to visit Mati. The mayor said the white
Thousands visit Davao Oriental for weekend summer events
Comval observes Earth Day T T
O commemorate the Earth Day celebration, the province of Compostela Valley spearheads a mangrove tree planting in coordination with the local government unit of Mabini at Casilac Mangrove site in Barangay Pindasan, Mabini on April 22, 2017. “As we are celebrating Earth day, we reiterate our drive to protect the environment. We also have to thank and remember this day as a symbol of unity from our leaders and our people,” Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy said. The event is highly attended by provincial and municipal officials such as
Cong. Maricar Zamora, Mayor Reynaldo Dayanghirang; SP Members Arturo Uy, Joseph Jauod, Raul Caballero, Randy Opisan, Atty. Marie Jude Fuentes-Lopoz, Joanna Gentugaya, Vivencia Secuya, Kristine Mae Caballero-Ranon, and Nena Atamosa. Also joining in support to the Earth day are the different heads and representatives from the national government agencies such as DENR Provincial Head Chamberlain Babiera, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Phil. Information Agency, PNP, Philippine Army, among others. Youth volunteers also helped in planting
more than 200 mangroves (propagules) along the town’s coastline. Mabini is touted to be the Jewel of Davao Gulf with its mangrove forests, white sand beaches and rich coral reef. In fact, about 6,106 hectares cover the Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape (MPLS). “We are proud to have 46 species of corals out of the 72 species found in the country. Added to that, the ‘Humpback grouper’ can also be found in Mabini’s coastal waters,” MENRO Edwin Carmelotes said. The Humpback Grouper is a medium-sized and naturally rare fish specie and said
HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has completed the construction of P4.8 million fish landing and flea market projects in the town of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte Province. Sibuco Mayor Norbideiri Edding said the two proj-
ects would be inaugurated on Tuesday. BFAR and town officials are set to grace the inauguration of the projects. Edding said the two projects were built in a strategic place in Barangay Poblacion, Sibuco, where fisher folks and farmers could sell their catch and farm produce.
He said the completion of the projects would boost the livelihood of fishermen and farmers in his municipality. He noted that few people were aware that farmers in Sibuco supply agricultural products to the other areas in the region. (PNA)
BFAR builds P4.8-M projects in Zambo Norte remote town T
A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP. Glan Mayor Victor James B. Yap Sr. offers Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Berlian Napitupulu a buko juice as his gesture of
welcoming him to the 7th Mahin Festival last April 21. Indonesians count among the town’s earliest inhabitants, principally on the coast in Pagang, Barangay Baliton.
With them is the mayor’s wife, Dr. Candelaria Yap. (Jake Narte/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
to be among those listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While the DENR Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service Coastal and Marine Management Division Region XI assessed the seascape’s coral reef ecosystem back in 2013. The study reveals that the MPLS still has 53.40 live coral cover or within the overall status of in “good condition”. Earth Day is an annual worldwide event celebrated on April 22 with various events held to show support for the protection of the environment. (Fe F Maestre/IDS ComVal)
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DavOr pours goods, services to far-flung barangays M
ORE than six thousand poor residents in four villages in Davao Oriental are “deeply moved” to have received “outpouring government goods and services right on their doorsteps” during the Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental (NLD) Barangay Outreach Caravan. A flagship program of Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, the caravan aims to bring government services closer to the
people. The latest recipients of the program are the villages in the City of Mati, namely Barangays Culian and Sanghay on April 19, and Barangays Libudon and Danao on April 20. The caravan saw the participation of twenty-six agencies from the National, Regional, Provincial, and Local level that have converged and offered social, medical, veterinary, entrepreneurial, and consultation services.
Residents of these villages who are mostly farmers say they are overwhelmed of the help, especially now that weather extremes have drastically affected their crops. “Seeing all these goods and services is truly a relief,” said one farmer. “This is my first time to receive free goods and services from the government and I am deeply moved because they really came here to serve us. We
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DOLE to assist OFWs claim T on unpaid wages, benefits
ABS-CBN apologizes to SSS for erroneous reporting on TFC’s Balitang Global report
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HE Social Security Commission (SSC), the governing body of Social Security System (SSS), over the weekend, took umbrage over the erroneous news reporting of ABS-CBN’s Balitang Global on the pension fund’s proposal for the mandatory SSS coverage of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). “The malicious innuendos in the commentary following the erroneous news report is unfair to SSS which is pushing for the mandatory coverage of OFWs which is for their own good and benefit. Contribution collections of SSS is used for members’ benefits,” said SSC Chairman Amado D. Valdez. The SSC threatened to sue ABS-CBN’s Balitang Global over the erroneous report and
irresponsible commentary. SSS issued the statement after an erroneous report came out at Balitang Global, a news program for OFWs in Middle East hosted by Henry Omaga Diaz and Zen Hernandez, aired on April 16 at The Filipino Channel (TFC) and on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) on April 17. The news program incorrectly reported in the introduction of the news report of Mye Mulingtapang about the mandatory coverage for OFWs pushed by SSS that SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc himself flew to Italy to personally explain and discuss the proposal to OFWs. Dooc, since his assumption in office in November
HE government assured a group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Saudi Arabia of assistance in claiming unpaid wages and benefits from their employers. The assurance was given by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod after meeting with a number of Filipinos formerly employed at Mohammad Al-Mojil Group (MMG) in the said country. With this, the DOLE official noted that they have to as-
sess the concerns of the workers, particularly their unpaid wages and benefits from their employers in the Middle East. The MMG workers were repatriated in August last year. They have not received their wages despite cases have been filed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Al Khobar against the company. On the other hand, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said they were doing the best they
could to assess the situation and coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which handles the case of the MMG workers. “We are in close coordination with DFA. They have hired lawyers, which will prioritize and personally handle the case for immediate resolution. However, they cannot give us an exact date on when the disbursement of the unpaid wages will be because the process of auction and liquidation of MMG assets are still on-going in the Middle East,” he explained.
Earlier, the DOLE and the Saudi Ministry of Labor signed an agreement which would hasten the repatriation of OFWs as well as the processing of their wages and benefits claims before the Saudi court. “OWWA is also balancing the situation. We have been assured that our counterpart in Saudi will act immediately on our claims. We signed the agreement before President Rodrigo Duterte and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi,” the OWWA official added. (PNA)
HE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised parents to choose carefully the aquatic toys that they give their children. “Aquatic toys are not safety devices. An adult should constantly supervise children using these toys,” the FDA said in its advisory number 2017094. The agency noted that aquatic toys, which are intended to bear the mass of a child and are used for play in shallow water, should be designed and manufactured to reduce any risk of drowning.
It warned that a child could drown if his/her aquatic toy deflates or if he/she did not use it properly. A child revived from near-drowning also runs the risk of developing permanent brain injury from lack of oxygen to the brain. The agency further warned that torn inflatable toys could cause a child to fall unexpectedly into the water. Stoppers on valves should not be detached and should be protected against being unintentionally removed, it said. To ensure the child’s safety, parents should read the toy’s labels and take note of
safety recommendations. They should choose toys suitable for the child’s age, abilities and skill level and follow instructions on assembly and use, as well as weight recommendations. Parents should constantly supervise their children as they play and check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should be thrown away or repaired immediately. The FDA called on the public to report any adverse incident from using a specific product. (PNA)
Environment group observes Earth Day
FDA to parents: Choose aquatic toys for children carefully T
UnionBank goes renewable U
NIONBANK became one of the country’s first financial institutions to “go green,” after its headquarters in the Ortigas Central Business District successfully shifted its power source to clean and renewable energy through AboitizPower’s Cleanergy brand. In a ceremony last Wednesday, April 19, 2017, UnionBank Chairman and CEO Justo A. Ortiz said the company is proud to have its long-standing commitment
to the environment translated into a push for renewable energy to support its offices and operations. Ortiz, together with AboitizPower President and COO Antonio R. Moraza, unveiled the symbolic marker at the UnionBank Plaza in Ortigas to show that the building is now “Cleanergized.” “Many of you may be wondering, why are we going renewable? As a bank, we aspire for enduring greatness, and sustainability is an enduring principle if we are to grow, to
prosper for a long, long time. The three pillars of our sustainability program are people, planet and purpose,” Ortiz said in his speech during the Cleanergy launch. UnionBank has always been at the forefront of various environmental projects and takes pride in developing programs that encourage fellow UnionBankers, customers and communities to support green initiatives. “We are happy to be part-
FUNIONBANK, 10
T
FABS-CBN, 10
HE Sustainable Davao Movement, a network of NGOs and POs committed to promote Davao City as a green city, planted mangroves and cleaned up the coast of Sitio Malamboon in Brgy. 76A to mark the group’s first anniversary and celebrate Earth Day. Formerly called Green Davao coalition, the group was formed to advocate the protection of Shrine Hills. It has now evolved into a network that discusses and lob-
bies environmental issues to appropriate government agencies. In 2016, SDM ensured the retention and implementation of the additional 10% provision of green space for every land developed when City Council members tried to amend this provision in the CLUP. In the same year, SDM also submitted Sustainable Development Agenda to Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpion. Some provisions of this have already been adopted as
part of the LGU program. The members of the SDM network are Interface Development Interventions Inc., the Ateneo de Davao University, METSA Foundation, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Masipag Mindanao, Matigsalog Tribe, Blissful Village, Agro-Eco Philippines, Ecoteneo, UCEAC, Youth for Climate Change, Cycle for Life, MISSION Davao, OROL-Gitib, and Save Shrine Hills Movement. (PR)
T’S the end of the road for fake scholars at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This according to TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong who vowed to put an end to fake scholars who were admitted in the agency during previous administrations. Mamondiong also warned Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) nationwide that they would be held responsible if proven that they are involved in facilitating fake scholarships in the agency. Mamondiong has created “technical audit teams” which will check the equipment and facilities of TVIs while the Barangay Kasanayan para sa
Kabuhayan at Kapayapaan (BKKK) scouts for scholars in every barangay. The “inspectorate teams” have also been activated and make the rounds of TVIs nationwide apart from the “Tendering System” in which training institutions submit their “bids” so that they could avail of scholarships from TESDA after they have passed the agency’s technical audit. Mamondiong said that his administration would not tolerate such illegal practice because it would pave the way for corruption. The TESDA chief said that the agency also loses a big chunk of its budget due to fake scholars. A report from the Com-
mission on Audit (COA) showed that fake scholars are widespread in the previous administration in which there was no training session held among institutions and TVIs. What surprised Mamondiong was that some TVIs could get a voucher or scholarship slot through cohorts inside the TESDA even without the proper training. Reports said that cohorts who serve as “operators” also get a share of money through the anomalous transactions with TVIs and training institutions. Mamondiong ordered the provincial and regional offices of TESDA to help arrest the suspects linked to the illegal transactions. (PR)
Days of fake scholars in TESDA numbered: DG Mamondiong I
8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
EDITORIAL
Equality before the law
E
QUALITY before the law is a fundamental right granted by the Philippine Constitution. It embraces the enjoyment of a right as well as one’s obligation to the government. Where the law found boxing superstar and now lawmaker Manny Pacquiao guilty of unpaid taxes amounting to P3.2 billion for his fights overseas from 2008-2009, not even his new stature as member of the Senate can obliterate that fact and deal with him ‘softly.’ No. Manny is not an exception. So when the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Senator Pacquiao will be settling his obligation to the government out of court, the legendary boxing icon is simply saying he is not above the law. What is due the government must be paid. Now in the another breath, owners of the Philippine Daily Inquirer are likewise liable under the law for unpaid taxes reportedly to the tune of P2 billion maybe a little lower than Senator Pacquiao, but just the same, it is an indebtedness due the government. The obligation is reportedly dated back to the Gloria Macapa-
EDGEDAVAO
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gal-Arroyo administration but was sat upon by the Noynoy Aquino administration. Is it due and demandable? Yes. Whatever it is that had that tax liability shelved for a good six years spell much about how the relationship of former President Aquino and the paper is. The regularity of articles criticizing and the Duterte administration should not be the motivation of the BIR to go after the owners of the paper. However, the law dictates that the agency must act on this matter in order to give the government a shot in the arm—P2 billion is P2 billion. As they say, you do not question the law. It may be hard but it is still the law. If Senator Pacquiao can be made to pay, say the least amount less discounts to 40 percent of his tax assessment, why can’t the Inquirer do? For sure, if the government will go after the Inquirer now, the paper will cry foul and accuse the government of being vengeful. What a sad story.
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EDGEDAVAO
R
EFORMING the outdated 1987 Philippine constitution is harder than anyone can think of. Federalism, though contentious and controversial, is a major issue that is beginning to take shape, considering that the president himself is taking up the cudgels for the movers of constitutional reforms and political change. For practical reasons, there is a need to strategically sequester it by focusing the thematic federalism movement on an area that has the greatest substantial support from the populace: Mindanao itself. If our suggestion is seriously taken up, Mindanaoans, who have mercifully agonized during the long decades of the unitary system, will actively go to the frontlines to pursue this course of action. For one thing, those in Luzon and in the Visayas generally did not go through the painstaking struggles Mindanaoans did, one
A
S population continues to balloon and fish catch in the open seas is dwindling, the Philippines – which has more than 7,000 islands – has to adopt new technologies to solve the problem.t Currently, more than 100 million Filipinos are occupying the 30 million hectares that comprise the total land area of the Philippines. In addition, the country is outlined by more than 18,000 kilometers of coastline, bordering roughly 70% of the country’s municipalities. Interestingly, our coastline is indented with several bays and gulfs that can serve as natural harbors. We are also considered “the center of marine biodiversity” with more than 400 species of coral can be found and over 2,200 species of fish are swimming in our waters. Unfortunately, destructive human activities – cyanide and dynamite fishing, coral harvesting, and cutting of mangroves – are wreaking havocs on our fragile coastal ecosystem, where most of the fish and other marine creatures are starting their lives before going to the oceans. “The past three decades have seen the rapid decline of the Philippine coastal ecosystem,” said Senator Loren Legarda in a recent press statement. Some 70% and 20% of mangroves and seagrasses are destroyed, respectively. Nearly 90%
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
VANTAGE POINTS
9
Federalism should begin in Mindanao harrowing decade after another since after the first Philippine Republic in 1946 was inaugurated. Though labeled by the late Pres. Ramon Magsaysay as the “Land of Promise,” Mindanao suffered ignominiously from a negligent central government, enduring more than 40 years of bloody Muslim secessionist rebellion and the creeping dread of the NPA atrocity. For their own political benefit and to discomfit their enemies and their cohorts on the other side of the political fence, the sitting central executive authorities in Manila and Malacanang conveniently sidestepped the meatiest and most vital concerns of the conflict that had already cost thousands of lives both from the government side and the enemies of the state. Today, as the present dispensation systematically gathers its staunch disciples and spread the gospel of federalism around the archipelago, the of coral reefs are under threat. The biomass of coastal fish stocks is only 10%-30% of its state in 1940s. It is unthinkable as fish is the main source of protein for the Filipinos. “An island nation, the Philippines necessarily depends, to a large extent, on its fishery resources for its food,” Legarda said. “Fish, which used to be among the cheapest sources of protein, is now more expensive than pork or chicken.” A new kind of revolution is needed to catch up with the demand for fish. “New technologies, new breeds and newly domesticated species of fish offer great hope for the future,” The Economist said in a recent report. That’s where “blue revolution” comes in. If you’re wondering just what is it, just remember the “green revolution” of the past. If you have forgotten, the “green revolution” refers to a set of research and development of technology transfer initiatives occurring between the 1930s and the late 1960s that increased agricultural production worldwide “On land, the green revolution allowed dramatic increases in crop production, with increased mechanization, and improved pest control and soil fertility through the addition of herbicides, pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers,” The
SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba political horizon appears sunnier and less cloudy. More respectable movants from the bench and bar led by the highly-esteemed retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno, from social blocs and interest groups espousing genuine change, media practitioners and constitutional reformists, from laymen-farmers
Something fishy
THINK ON THESE!
Henrylito D. Tacio
Economist explained. So, if the same technique can be adopted in the waters, the sobriquet “blue revolution” (refers to the color of the ocean) came into existence. “The blue revolution has seen companies breeding fish to improve traits such as their growth rate, conversion of feed into flesh, resistance to disease, tolerance of cold and poor water, and fertility,” said The Economist. Blue revolution actually refers to aquaculture, the farming of marine animals. Actually, it’s not a new thing. China did it first. No wonder, it leads in farmed fish production and other aquatic resources. “Aquaculture yields have increased from around two million metric tons in 1950 to almost 50
and the millions of OFWs crying for change are gathering themselves here and abroad. As meaningful developments continue to impact our lives, Mindanao will showcase how unity of purpose, collective aspirations and peaceful co-existence can be achieved as the island eventually becomes the first federal state or becomes subdivided into regional federal groups. Despite government lapses and oversights that normally occur in Third World governance, there is enthusiasm and excitement painted on the faces of peace-loving Filipinos over the positive results of the GRP-NDF/CPP/NPA peace negotiations at the Netherlands. Because of this turnout, Mindanaoans can hopefully expect less and less of violent armed confrontations between government soldiers and the NPA. A much-welcomed bilateral truce or ceasefire may be in
the works which, if it is inked beautifully, may meritoriously convince NPA cadres to return to the folds of the law. The theory is that in federalism, everybody – Jose, Juan, Pedro and Andres – will be empowered to actively participate in policy decisions of the regional/provincial government because of the principle of self-determination. Thus, in a federal type of government, those who previously did not have any voice or whose voices have been muted in policy-making of LGUs will have the opportunity to be heard, pro or con, of their sentiments. There are five more years left in the incumbent administration within which to strike and hammer in the progressive, people-driven federalism idea. Mindanaoans should be pleased and delighted. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
million metric tons today,” wrote Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, in Scientific America. In 1985, the country was listed fourth in global fish and aquaculture production. Twenty-three years later, its ranking went down to number 6. By 2013, the ranking even dipped to seventh. But still, to be ranked among the top ten in the world is still a good thing. “While we are rich in fisheries and coastal resources, among the poorest in our country are coastal communities with 4 of 10 coastal residents living under poverty line,” Legarda deplored. In fact, the poverty report of 2014 Philippine Statistics Authority said Filipino fishermen remain the poorest among the nine basic sectors. They have been living with an average earning of P178 a day, with no less to nothing to eat every day. A recent scientific meeting held in Visayas convened by the Department of Science and Technology reported that the “conservative monetary value” of the marine ecosystems in terms of contribution to the economy of the Philippines is estimated at US$970 billion to US$1.5 trillion annually, roughly P74.6 trillion. The above figures came from Dr. Ronald Mendoza, dean of the
School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University. He pushed for what he calls as “blue economy,” which defines as “a version of the green economy made relevant to the seas and oceans.” In an article, which appeared in Business Mirror, Dr. Mendoza was quoted as saying: “What we want out this (blue economy) is not just the extraction (of fishes), it’s actually the sustainable management of this particular resource.” Meanwhile, Dr. Sachs said aquaculture should not be considered as the ultimate solution to the problem of fish crisis. “Aquaculture brings its own ecological challenges: it can spread diseases from farmed to wild fishes, pollute nearby waters with excess nutrients, lead to habitat destruction (such as the clearing of mangroves for shrimp farming), and threaten genetic diversity through the release of farmed species into the wild,” Dr. Sachs reminded. Of course, he knows that there are better aquaculture technologies which are already evolving rapidly. “Public funds and prizes could promote research to advance them,” he suggested. Dr. Sachs concluded: “With sensible global policies, the blue revolution can indeed become a major force for improved human nutrition, economic well-being and environmental sustainability.”
10 NEWS
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
Army... FROM 2
lencia, commander of 10th Infantry Division, criticized the communist guerrillas for attacking a prime tourism destination. “The attack is a wanton disregard of the people’s safety and source of livelihood,” he said in a statement. About 40 fully armed rebels harassed the 67th IB assigned to secure Aliwagwag Falls on Sunday in Cateel town.
Valencia commended the 67th IB troopers for standing their ground, despite being outnumbered, and repulsing the NPA rebels. Residents in the area also reported to the military they saw the fleeing NPA rebels carrying at least two dead comrades and one severely wounded. Government troops recovered from the encounter site one M14 rifle.
sand beaches are not the only attraction that visitors can see but they can also visit the heritage site of Mt. Hamiguitan and experience the rich marine life such as sightseeing for dugongs (sea cows) and butandings (whale sharks) at the Pujada Bay. Earlier, Mati City Administrator Dashiel Indelible said the activities were designed to guarantee fun this summer and show the city’s strong
commitment to the protection of the environment and its implementation of the solid waste management program. The city government has been encouraging locals, visitors and event organizers to adhere to measures and restrictions to protect and conserve the environment. Along with the tourism activities is a clean-up drive participated by locals, event organizers and the local government. (PNA)
Thousands... FROM 6
UNDETERED. A worker braves the searing heat as he waters the plants at the old Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.
Grudge... FROM 3 on the same day, at about 8 o’clock in the evening, the mentioned suspects were having a drinking spree outside Talay’s house and offered liquor to Roberto Santillan who happened to pass by the place with his eightyear-old daughter. According to Santillan, it was Cañada who stood behind the victim armed with a bolo and hacked his nape. The witness attempt-
ed to stop him but he was threatened by Cañada that he would be next if he interfered. Fearing for his life and his daughter’s, Santillan ran away. From a distance, he saw Talay and Secadron helping each other carry the headless body towards the riverbank of San Roque, Calinan. Following the suspects’ confession, an ocular search was conducted, leading to the recovery of headless victim
Yogue which was hidden and tied to a mango tree beside the river of San Roque. It was only the day after when his head was recovered meters away, since it had been washed off the river. It was then discovered that three suspects harbored a personal grudge against the victim although it was not exactly mentioned if it was enough reason for them to cut off Yogue’s head.
Kalayaan, barangay chairperson of Pag-asa Island, commander of the Western Command of the military, and one each from the pro-environment non-government or-
ganization, academe, business sector, and the private sector. The Pag-asa Island (Thitu), located 480 kilometers off southwestern Palawan, ist effectively occupied by the Phil-
ippines and the second largest island in the whole of Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys). It’s the only Philippine-occupied island in the Spratlys that is inhabited by civilians. (PNA)
can’t even afford to buy sufficient rice because my husband is an underpaid laborer in a farm. It’s like receiving gifts right in our yard,” says Mayet Basa, a mother of two primary students and a one year-old baby girl. The Punong Barangays here underscored that NLD is “an example of the province’s good governance worthy of people’s appreciation and gratitude.” “This is the most fortunate occasion for us. We are in dire need of these services and the government has made us overwhelmed,” said Anecito Genardino, Punong Barangay of Culian. Putting social services as one of the major concern in these areas, food packs, day care school supplies, school bags and supplies were distributed. The advocacy on public health was likewise intensified. Aside from free medical consultation, check-up, and dental services, tarpaulins which promote public health awareness such as teenage pregnancy, AIDS, ill effects of
cigarette smoking, and rabies awareness were displayed on the venue of the two-day caravan. Diosdado Pahid, the Punong Barangay of Sanghay said that “bringing the government at the grassroots level is really commendable.” While the villages are primarily dependent on agriculture as a major source of income, the agriculture sector has also been given priority. Seedlings of cacao, mangosteen, durian, coconut, and banana cardava were distributed to farmers in the four villages. Seeds of corn and vegetables, and thousands of tilapia fingerlings were likewise distributed.
and Danao. He said that these road projects will pave way to the continued delivery of government services to these villages. Villagers who have long been suffering from armed struggle due to the area’s inaccessibility for public services will finally be addressed, says Punong Barangay of Danao Clemente Gubalane. As partner of the provincial government in reaching out to these conflict-affected areas, Col. Reuben Basiao, the Commander of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, has urged the residents here to cooperate with the government’s strengthened efforts towards peace and development. He added that the Philippine Army will always open its door to the insurgents who want to return to the folds of the government. The Governor has also asked the peoples’ unity as “the residents’ participation is the key to attaining true and long-lasting peace”. (Riza M. Golez/PIO DavOr)
Pag-asa... FROM 4 DavOr... FROM 6
Inaccessible No More During the caravan, Governor Dayanghirang has announced that a road project amounting to P246 million will be implemented covering the National Highway and the interconnecting road of Culian and Sanghay. Also, P86 million was allocated for completion of the road concreting in Libudon
Sarangani... FROM 4 percent. But the area has posted surplus production for white corn, with high consumption rate among residents in the towns of Malungon, Alabel, Malapatan and Glan. Through the project, the
provincial government is targeting to increase its upland rice production area to around 2,000 hectares from the current 1,200 hectares, and expand its white corn production areas by around 500 hectares.
Nobleza was assigned to the defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group of the PNP before she was transferred to the PNP Crime Laboratory in Davao.
Dela Rosa described Nobleza as “high risk” detainee and sought for her transfer of custody to the PNP Crame Detention Center.
ners with UnionBank in their quest to pursue renewable energy. This shows the capability of AboitizPower to meet the needs of our customers. Our portfolio of power plants allows us to tailor-fit solutions for our customers like UnionBank,” AboitizPower President and COO Antonio Moraza said. Cleanergy is AboitizPower’s brand for its renewable
energy portfolio. The company and its partners generate more than 1,200 MW of clean and renewable energy through its string of geothermal, hydro and solar power plants all over the country. The power for UnionBank Plaza will come from AboitizPower’s 420-MW MakBan geothermal power plant in Laguna and Batangas.
gotiating direct flights to Mindanao in aviation discussions with foreign countries and airlines, as a matter of policy and strategy.” In particular, she cited the goal of cultivating flights by international air carriers into Davao International Airport, which is well situated to offer connecting transport links to other areas of Mindanao and services the agri-business industry, along with
providing a gateway to tourism attractions in the region. In news interviews, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) revealed that there are air talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, and indicated plans to convene air talks with India, Japan, South Korea and Canada in coming months. These air talks could be ripe opportunities to take a more Davao-centric approach.
2016, has never left the country for any official business trip. SSS already called the attention of the hosts, writers and producers of the show and immediately admitted their
mistake through an official letter. The SSC is still deliberating whether to continue to file the case against ABS-CBN’s Balitang Global or to accept the apology. (PR)
Nabbed... FROM 3
UnionBank... FROM 7
Garcia... FROM 5
ABS-CBN... FROM 7
Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication 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 a PUJ Ordinary Regular Service
Case No. R11-EV-PJ2017-D-357 (2013-XI-00357)
MARY ANN G. DELIMA, Petitioner
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x
NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Ordinary Regular service on the route: CIRCULATION ROUTE 6 with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on November 20, 2017. In the petition filed on April 10, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MAY 8, 2017 at 9:10 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 one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao
Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.
WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Regional Director, this 11th day of April 2017 at Davao City. Atty. CATLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV
INdulge!
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
TRAVEL
EDGEDAVAO
Morning views from the hammock by the sea in Lianga.
Lianga at a glance I’VE BEEN TO LIANGA THRICE IN A SPAN OF THREE MONTHS. It baffles me how everytime I go back, something just happens that lures me even more to the place. Having been used to seeing white sand and crystal blue waters almost all the time when I’m in the beach, Lianga is a breath of fresh air literally! A quaint fourth-class municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur, Lianga has the charms of a small coastal town where almost everything is within walking or biking distance. Lianga is around 270 kilometers or some 4-5 hours drive from Davao City and almost 2 hours away from Tandag City. Lianga has been gaining popularity as an uncrowded surfing destination with the ongoing construction of its very own Gran Ola Eco Surf Camp in Lawis Beach. This excites me as I’ve come to discover Lianga’s versatility of gray sand beaches, rivermouths and our usual clear blue water reef breaks with the accompanying coconuts lining up the beach. The first time I saw Lianga was back in February this year during the east coast surf trip that I had the pleasure of joining where
we drove all the way from Dahican in Mati City up to Siargao Island, surfing non-stop for almost half a month. Surfing in Lawis Beach I only got to try surfing in front of Gran Ola Surf Camp that time and the conditions were lesser than the average, having decent waist-high waves on the beach break. Not one to complain, it was still a great experience surfing on a sandy bottom because I was used to falling on hard reef most of the time.
The welcoming view of Gran Ola Surf Camp in Lawis Beach, Lianga. We stayed just one night at the camp, pitching our hammocks in their spacious and breezy surf house which is just in front of the beach. It was so convenient sleeping there because every morning when I wake up, I’d just pop up out of my hammock to check if the waves were good and if they weren’t yet, I’d go back to sleep. Imagine waking up seeing a glorious sunrise each morning from the comforts
of your own snug hammock? That is one of the Lianga experience that I’ll never forget. Another unforgettable moment for me is the first wave I ever caught there because it was quite a long ride. I was so thrilled to realize I haven’t wiped out yet! Right from the beach on the surf camp, you can already see some of the islands from the famous Britania Group of Islands in San
The themed cottages in Gran Ola Surf Camp are already an icon where guests can have photos taken in front of their favorite countries. Agustin, Surigao del Sur. I’ve heard that a boat ride from Lawis Beach to Britania Islands can be arranged so you won’t have to drive all the way up to San Agustin anymore. I knew after the first visit to Lianga, I’d have to go back and surf more. The long beach break rides on fine sand was something my senses easily remembered. Even for beginners, the waves here were friendly
enough to not be intimidating (on smaller days as locals say it can get quite big too during the surf season). The Parola The second visit to Lianga was not so planned. Like all semi-spontaneous trips, the ones not thoroughly planned out seem to always push through. I found myself in the com-
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pany of younger generation surf enthusiasts on the way to Butuan to check out a locally shaped surfboard. Being mutual friends and family friends, it was during a trip back to Davao from Dahican that we thought of just going to Butuan for a roadtrip to check the surfboard out and if our companion, Charisse, decides to buy the surfboard we’d head straight to Lianga to test the board out. All in the name of friendship and surfing! This trip was the longest stay I had in Lianga. Two nights! (insert laughter) I wish it could have been a
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
week as the swell was bigger that time that my first visit but we all had city commitments to fulfill so we had to go home on the third day. One of the things I love about Lianga is that there’s always something to do, especially when it’s low tide. As if on cue, it was the full moon so the low tide was really at its shallowest. From Gran Ola Surf Camp, we inched our way across the reef and rock pools, over a manmade wave breaker and across a bigger part of Lawis Beach to the Parola or lighthouse. It took us a total of one hour to get back to the camp. Maybe because we
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Dahicabebes and Lianga local surfers from left: Patricia de Leon, Joey Bonglay, this writer, Wang Tan, Alex Solitaria, Charisse Sardinia and Mawe Bautista.
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spent around 15-20 minutes walking and the rest of the time to take photos! We had to walk the edge of the shoreline because the locals warned us of sea urchins if we took the shorter route, which was through the reef. Despite it being high noon and sweltering hot, the trek to Parola was worth it. The lighthouse is nestled on top of a huge limestone rock around 2-storeys high if I’m not mistaken. I wonder how they managed to get the lighthouse on top of the rock because there was no trail around the rock. Our companion, Mawe, who took rock climbing lessons back in college was the only one able to scour the jagged limestone edge to reach the top of the lighthouse. Good for him! We watched below as he made his way up the rock and took the spiral staircase to the very tip of the lighthouse where there was a solar panel that energized its light during the night. Again in my forgetfulness, I forgot to ask the locals around about the history of the Parola in Lawis Beach. Since I’m returning to Lianga for another trip,
The Parola in Lawis Beach, Lianga. this is priority in my todo list though, I’ve asked around and found out that the Parola has been around for ages.
Also lined up on my next visit is a trip to Lianga’s Bao-Bao Falls, the ruins in Pugad and its reef breaks for some quality surf time, if
the conditions are right. Read more stories at www. millennialmermaid.com
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EVENT
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Kids hunt for Easter eggs at Big 8
LAST APRIL 16, 2017, Big 8 Corporate Hotel organized its first-ever Easter event for the young ones which was dubbed “Easter Funday: Jazz Up Your Own Basket,” which was participated by some 60 children with their parents.
Kids were welcomed with free fun shots at the photo booth and greeted with a quick queue at the cotton candy cart for a fluffy treat which fueled their enthusiasm for the affair. They gladly obliged to bring colorful baskets that they will eventually use in finding that one golden egg that is equivalent to an overnight stay in the hotel. Registration started at exactly 12:00PM, showing them a short clip of what Easter is all about and then an extra kiddie flick was played in the venue with the very excited young guests. The event proper started around 2:00PM. Invited clowns began the program initially by a “Bring Me” game followed by showcasing their skills in magic tricks and in balloon twisting. The highlight of the event
began when they all proceeded to the garden area of the hotel to start looking for that one unique egg and also to gather as many eggs as possible. Three of the egg hunters who collected the most number of eggs won for themselves pool passes for the hotel’s Aqua Gen. Everyone was animated in scouring the landscape of the garden to collect colorful eggs. “I was only part of the audience but I got too involved in egging my daughter to go for the markers where eggs could have been placed,” remarked Ms. Russel, a parent during the exciting part of the event. The hunting did not last that long since the kids were all thrilled to come back to the venue, count all the eggs they found and see if they have that one golden one. Little girl Maria Isabelle Mende found that one precious egg and got a free overnight stay in the hotel to the delight of her mom. The special golden egg was hidden under a yellow balloon in the garden, a hint that little Ms. Mende figured out. Sumptuous kiddie meals were served and made everyone little happy diners. The
children’s event wrapped up with the awarding of the best decorated Easter basket and the hotel giving out baskets with pencils, sticker booklets and sweet treats. Finally, Easter commemoration with Big 8 Corporate Hotel was made memorable because of how the smiles of each child has brightened up everyone’s day CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Easter eggs that were generously spread all over the garden area of the hotel. Kids with their baskets full of eggs and enthusiastically looking for eggs. The golden egg and the give aways.
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11 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
SHOW... FROM 1
threat anew as the Congress under the Duterte administration is once again studying to put cooperatives under taxation through the repeal of the said articles. It can be recalled that in September 2015, cooperative members were enjoined to wage a massive campaign to oppose the proposed bills on the Rationalization of Fiscal Investment Incentives or House Bill 2765 authored by House Representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing and Senate Bill 2048 authored by Senator Loren Legarda which are still pending at the congress and the senate level. Article 60 of RA 9520 states that “duly registered cooperatives under the Code which do not transact any business with non-members or the general public shall not be subject to any taxes and fees imposed under the in the internal laws or any other tax laws.” Article 61 says that “cooperatives transacting business with both members and non-members shall not be subjected to tax on their transactions with members, including final taxes on members’ deposits and documentary tax.” Article 61 of RA 9520 further says that “cooperatives with accumulated reserves and undivided net savings of not more than P10 million shall be exempt from all national, city, provincial, municipal and barangay taxes of whatever name and nature. Such cooperatives shall be exempt from customs duties, advance sales or compensating taxes on their importation.” “So kung irepeal na sya, that is one provision that is included on the proposed bill, wala na’y kalainan ang cooper-
atives karon sa mga corporation and the partnership,” said Escobar. Escobar added, more than 80 percent of the country’s cooperatives are Micro enterprises who will be directly affected by these articles. “We don’t want that to happen because although indirectly, the cooperatives are the producers of the taxpayers. Because of these coops, we generate employment. We do not go the government to provide employment to its members,” said the CDA CDS. In a position letter signed by PCC Chairperson Hamilcar T. Rutaquio, he said that based on 2015 data, the 9,826 Cooperatives with 7,369,325 Individual Members provide 463,789 Direct Employment and pay/ withheld Taxes amounting to Php6,345,931,626.91. He added the loans provided by these Cooperatives are used by their members to build, maintain or grow their own business. These micro-businesses, in turn, provide more employment and contribute to the government’s coffers in the form of income taxes and business taxes. “Surely, cooperatives are tax generators rather than tax evaders,” stressed the PCC chair. Based on 2015 data, the Interest on Share Capital and Patronage Refund of the Cooperatives amounted to Php 8,214,135,844.50 or Php 1,114.64 Per Individual Cooperative Member. “If this measly amount shall be taken away by the proposed Tax Reform legislation, surely it goes against the Social Justice Principle and Poverty Alleviation pursuit of the bills,” said Rutaquio.
Hino provides transport solution to Dolefil H
INO Motors Philippines (HMP) recently turned over twelve (12) new Hino FG8J medium-duty trucks to Dolefil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBC), the fruit grower behind natural food provider Dole Philippines, Inc. “Hino Davao enhances the logistics capabilities of Southern Mindanao-based firms such as DARBC by offering quality Hino trucks and fleet maintenance support. Committed toward total support, Hino Motors Philippines
works hand in hand with dealerships to ensure customer satisfaction,” shared HMP President Mr. Hiroshi Aoki. HMP, together with Motormall Davao Corporation, delivered the trucks and chassis to DARBC Chairman Vincent E. Palma and DARBC Vice Chairman Leo P. Berrandoy at the DOLE Complex in Polomolok, South Cotabato. The ceremony was graced by Manila-based HMP President, Mr. Hiroshi Aoki, along with Business & Product Planning Advisor Tomohiro Oshita and Sales Operations & Planning
Advisor Kazuki Shimizu, who presented the symbolic key during the turnover. Also present during the turnover were DARBC Directors Jaime S. Arana, Reynaldo A. Mabanua, Jr., Editha S. Dacea and Andres G. De Leon together with Motormall Davao Corporation management group representatives, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO) Felipe S. Barroga, AVP/General Manager Valentino L. Dionisio and Marketing Manager Joel J. Romero. The HINO FG8J is powered
by a turbocharged inline-6 diesel engine making it a reliable business partner ready to meet all the demands of the logistics and shipment of goods. It supports a 6-speed, direct-drive transmission. HMP has been engaged in the assembly and exclusive distribution of quality Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines for more than 40 years. Known for providing safe, durable and reliable trucks, HMP complements the transport needs of businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises to big corporations.
Nissan launches super-sized Urvan N
ISSAN Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is looking to continue its strong sales momentum well into 2017. Coming from its highest first quarter sales since 2000 (5,277 units sold), NPI is entering into the lucrative premium van segment with the Urvan Premium. Representing 31 percent of NPI’s total sales last year, the NV350 Urvan has become a valuable member of the Nissan Philippines family. That said, NPI still sees tremendous growth opportunity for the NV350 Urvan since it only caters to 54 percent of the total van market (business-oriented or commuter van category). The remaining 46 percent, private users looking for a comfortable yet practical full-sized van, is what the Urvan Premium’s going for.
EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE
EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SEVERA ALONZO died on June 23, 2000 at El Rio Vista Village, Bacaca, Barangay 19-B, Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.53; Page No.11; Book No. XXIX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA.
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MAURO O. LOPEZ JR. died on February 10, 2017 at Brgy. Baguio District, Davao city has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.331; Page No.67; Book No. 139; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN. 4/25, 5/2,9
With that, the Urvan Premium is stretched in every dimension. It now measures 5,230 millimeters in length, 1,880 millimeters in width, and 2,285 millimeters in height. It can now stand toe-to-toe against its closest competitor, the Toyota Hiace GL Grandia. Unlike the GL Grandia though, the Urvan Premium fits more warm bodies with a total passenger count of 15. And thanks to its lengthened wheelbase, there’s ample leg room across all four rows as well. Though vans aren’t really known for their style, Nissan has given the Urvan Premium some striking exterior detailing including the trademark V-motion front grille, sharper looking headlights, and dynamic character lines on the front and sides. Front fogs light are standard. In addition, the Urvan Premium looks more modern thanks to the elimination of the unsightly side roof drip channel and shorter overhangs. Entering the Urvan Premium is made easier thanks to the extra-wide sliding door (passenger side only). With an opening height of 1,580 millimeters, there’s almost no need to slouch to enter while a Door Closure Assist closes the door without the need to exert too much effort. Inside, the Urvan Premium offers the comfort of individually reclinable seats covered in a suede-like tricot fabric material and a more luxurious gray-colored headlin-
er. The two-tone black and gray dashboard also enhances the feel of width and roominess. The Urvan Premium also lives up to Nissan’s reputation for providing unmatched cabin cooling with its dual A/C system with 14 individually adjustable air vents. In terms of powertrain, the Urvan Premium shares its engine with the award-winning NV300 Navara. The high-torque YD25DDTi engine generates 129 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and more importantly, 356 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 2,000 rpm. The sole transmission is a 5-speed manual. Further enhancing the ride is a net of safety features such as dual SRS airbags, seatbelts for all occupants (3-pt or 2-pt depending on the exact position), a child proof lock on the sliding door, a load sensing valve (LSV), and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist (BA). Maintenance is often not talked about when purchasing a new car, but Nissan is tackling this subject head on. Its commitment to customer service extends to aftersales service by offering a significantly lower cost of ownership versus the competition. Aside from offering the country’s first 3-year / 100,000km warranty even when used for business or commercial purposes, the Urvan Premium’s maintenance cost is up to 50 percent lower than other vans in the same segment.
12 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO
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Saving our endangered heritage TEXT AND PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO the species and subspecies “is strictly regulated.” “Both listings mean that the species is not yet threatened with extinction but may become so if appropriate conservation measures and trade regulations are not carried out,” explained Dr. Wilfredo S. Pollisco who was then the director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau when interviewed by this author. Waling-waling
W
HAT do Philippine eagle, Philippine tarsier and waling-waling have one thing in common? They can be found in some parts of Davao region and they are on the verge of extinction, that’s what. We regret losing something when it is already gone, so goes a familiar saying. And that what might happen to Philippine eagle, the country’s bird icon. Ecologists say that when the last eagle dies, it shall be the sign of the worst yet to come: The death of our environment. The Philippine eagle is second only to the Madagascar sea eagle in rarity. In size, it beats the American bald eagle; it is the world’s second largest – after the Harpy eagle of Central and South America. In the past, Philippine eagles abound in the forests of Mount Apo and other parts of Mindanao. They can also be seen flying over in the forests of Sierra Madre in Luzon and Samar and Leyte in the Visayas. Today, Philippine eagles inhab it those places but their number has dwindled. In fact, the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has declared the Philippine eagle as an endangered species. Less than 400 pairs of Philippine eagles can be found in the country and about half of them are living in the forests of Mindanao. The Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City houses more than a dozen pairs. “The Philippine eagle is the largest predator we have,” says Dr. Dennis Joseph I. Salvador, the executive director of the Philippine Eagle Center Foundation. “By using the Philippine eagle as the focal point of conservation, we are, in the process, saving wildlife and their habitat.” The Philippine Eagle Center is located in a far-flung area in Malagos of Calinan District in Davao City. It takes almost an hour to travel from the heart of the city to the center where you get to encounter Philippine eagles pl aced in cages. Efforts to save the Philippine eagle was started way back 1965 by Jesus A. Alvarez, then director of the autonomous Parks and Wildlife Office, and Dioscoro S. Rabor, anoth-
er founding father of Philippine conservation efforts. From 1969 to 1972, America’s famed aviator Charles Lindbergh spearheaded a drive to save the bird, which he called as the “noblest flier.” Within this time frame, several helpful laws were passed. Primarily a research facility, the Philippine Eagle Center is nestled at the rolling foothills of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. More than two dozen of Philippine eagles have been raised as part of foundation’s breeding program. Most of them are being induced to breed in captivity. Pag-asa is one of its noted attractions; it made the headline around the world as the first tropical eagle conceived through artificial insemination. Pag-asa is the Tagalog word for “hope.” “Pag-asa connotes hope for the continued survival of the Philippine eagle, hope that if people get together for the cause of the eagle, it shall not be doomed to die,” says Salvador, who was named one of the outstanding young men in 2000 for leadership in wildlife conservation.
Philippine tarsier Philippine tarsier, which served as the model of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, “E.T.,” is endemic to the country. Although they are more associated with Bohol, tarsiers can also be found in some parts of Davao region, particularly those forested areas near the seas. Known in the science world as Tarsius syrichta, tarsier derived its name from its elongated tarsus or ankle bone. It is a tiny animal, measuring about 85 to 160 millimeters in height, which makes it difficult to spot. The mass for males is between 80 and 160 grams, usually lighter for females. “The world’s smallest monkey” is an often-heard slogan. Actually, tarsier is not a monkey. In truth, its classification is
somew h a t problematic. Some scientists consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. But because they are closely related to lemurs, lorises, and bush babies, tarsiers are classified by others with the prosimians to which these animals belong. In the 1960s, Philippine tarsiers used to abound, particularly in Bohol. There were so many that many tarsiers were run over by passing cars. People recalled that masses of tarsiers used to cross the roads at night, doing their slow hop-crawl on the ground. Today, such is not the case anymore. They are on the verge of extinction. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. (PTFI) is spearheading a campaign to save the tarsiers. It has built a sanctuary just 14 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City. During the time of the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine tarsier was declared as “a specially protected faunal species of the Philippines.” Presidential Proclamation No. 1030 prohibits “the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine tarsier” and activities that would destroy its habitats. The 1966 International Union Center for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals classifies the Philippine tarsier under the “near-threatened category.” The UN Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the Philippine tarsier under Appendix II, which means trade of
The exotic waling-waling, which used to abound in the forests of Mount Apo. “The waling-waling’s beauty adorns our treetops, especially in Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga where it is endemic. But there are threats to its survival, as the flowers that grow and thrive in the wild are harvested for commercial and decorative purposes, and their habitat is destroyed by deforestation,” said Senator Loren Legarda who pushed for making the orchid the country’s second flower icon (after sampaguita). Waling-waling “is one of the finest orchid species endemic to the Philippines, desired by orchid growers and breeders alike for its showy and attractive flowers and ability to impart its vigor and floral characteristics to its progeny,” wrote Dr. Helen Valmayor in her book, Orchidiana Philippiniana. The waling-waling, named in “allusion to a moth in flight,” was discovered on Mindanao in 1882. It used to grow on tree trunks in the rainforests of Davao, Sultan Kudarat and other parts of the island. It is worshipped asdiwata (fairy) by the native Bagobos. Unfortunately, the exotic orchid is almost on the brink of extinction. “The waling-waling is almost extinct in the wild,” deplored Dr. Domingo Madulid, one of the country’s noted botanists. “Rarer varieties of this plant can only be found in expensive nurseries.” Recent surveys show that the waling-waling can be found in abundance no longer in the Philippines but in other countries, particularly Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Ha-
waii. It is the best orchid variety of the country, Madulid said. But most Filipinos didn’t know that it could be one of the biggest sources of dollars for the country. In the 1950s, the “systematic plunder” of wild plants, including orchids, started. Madulid said that long before the country was sending maids to Singapore and Hong Kong, upland farmers had been despoiling the forests and selling rare orchid varieties, such as waling-waling, abroad. For almost a century, waling-waling disappe ared in the Davao gardens. But thanks to Charita Pentespina, it has “returned” to its native home. Then a neophyte orchidist, Puentespina successfully pioneered in mass producing the waling-waling through embryo culture in 1985. During the 48th Araw ng Dabaw, the first waling-waling seedlings in compots (community pots) were sold to the public, which in no time generated interest among hobbyists and commercial orchid growers. Since then, the waling-waling has become a fixture in almost every garden in Davao. “The return of the waling-waling to every home garden in Davao and elsewhere in the country is one thing,” one noted author wrote. “It is another thing to see it bloom in its habitat at the foothills of Mount Apo.” Yes, waling-waling is endemic to the country. “Our national symbols are vital to our identity as Filipinos,” Legarda pointed out. “As we discover more about ourselves, we must also update the symbols that represent us. I believe that initiatives to do so increase the engagement of everyday Filipinos with the symbols of our nation, and aid in our nation-building process.”
Extinction is forever “Of all the global problems that confront us, species extinction is one that is moving the most rapidly and the one that will have the most serious consequences,” contends Dr. Peter Raven, a well-known American biologist. Unlike other global ecological problems, Dr. Raven stressed, the crisis is completely irreversible. “Extinction is forever,” deplores the Romebased Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines has one of the most unique and diverse wildlife species in the world. “A few decades ago, the wildlife of the Philippines was notable for its abundance; now, it is notable for its variety; if present trend of destruction continues, Philippine wildlife will be notable for its absence,” said Dr. Lee Talbot who said
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SAVING... FROM 12 those words when he was the director of Southeast Asia Project on Wildlife Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The vanishing status of Philippine eagle, Philippine tarsier and waling-waling is a wake-up call for Filipinos. “It is about time that we Filipinos should stop making ourselves intentionally blind to the real status of our wildlife resources,” deplored Dr. Dioscoro Rabor, a noted Filipino wildlife expert. “We should face the fact that our country is no longer rich in forests and consequently, of wildlife which used to be a normal component of our forests.” In the 1990s, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines warned against an ecological debacle in the country should deforestation continued unabated. No one listened; it was business as usual. “Most of the (Philippines’) once rich forest are gone,” reported the Sustainable Forest Management published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “Forest recovery, through natural and artificial means, never coped with the destruction rate.” Where have all our forests gone? “A people without children would face a hopeless future,” American President Theodore Roosevelt said centuries ago. “A country without trees is almost as helpless.” In a span of 15 years – from 1990 to 2005 – the Philippines lost roughly a third of its re-
maining forest cover, a lawmaker pointed out. Bad news for Philippine eagle. A pair of the critically endangered bird needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as a nesting territory, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. “The forest is its only habitat,” Salvador claims. “W ithout the forest, the species cannot survive over the long term.” The dwindling of Philippine forests has posed a grave and significant threat to the survival of Philippine tarsiers because this results in the destruction of their natural habitat. “It stays at the edges and right inside dense vegetation of different types, including inside patches of dipterocarp forests and secondary forests, preferably among dense bushes and low under-growths,” the environmental group Haribon Foundation reports. Deforestation is also the cause why waling-waling is on the brink. “It is very difficult to make a census of killed or destroyed species of forest trees, epiphytes and other plants on ground,” the Haribon says. “But anyone who happens to be in cutting areas in the country will be frightened and scandalized by the sight of various plants killed and trees felled.” Plunder Taking out waling-waling from their natural habitat is another reason. “Many unscrupulous commercial plant collectors and some garden fanciers here and abroad, blinded
13
EDGEDAVAO by greed, lust for profit or sheer personal satisfaction, are not bothered by the delicate existence of plants they collect from the wild,” the Haribon laments. In an attempt to save, protect and regulate the trade of country’s wild flowers and plants, the government passed Republic Act 3983, which “prescribe conditions under which (wild flowers and plants) may be collected, kept, sold, exported, and for other purposes.” While the country is moving toward the conservation of its endemic plants, many environmentalists believe it is too slow. “But with the full support of both the government and the public, we can be optimistic that significant result can be achieved,” the Haribon says. Meanwhile, deforestation should be unbated now – before it is too late. Heherson T. Alvarez, former head of environment department and a senator, pointed this out. “We have laid to waste millions of hectares of forest land, as though heedless of the tragic examples of the countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, where large areas have become barren, if not desertified,” he said. “If we have not, in fact, reached this state, we are almost at the point of irreversibility.” Dr. Ernesto Guiang, who has been trained in forest ecology and forestry economics and business management, echoed the same concern. “We are now at the eleventh hour,” he said. “We have to pay attention to the handwriting on the wall with respect to our forests.”
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14 COMPETITIVE EDGE
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
Agrarian reform beneficiaries seek Rody’s help as‘last resort’
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FIRST CONTAINER BARGE TERMINAL LAUNCHED. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), in partnership with the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently launched the development of the country’s first container roll-on roll-off barge terminal in Tanza, Cavite. To be built on a six-hectare property, the soon-to-be Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT) will facilitate off-the-road seaborn transport of containers between ICTSI’s Manila International Container Terminal and Cavite. The project is in line with DOTr’s national transport plan, which aims to utilize nautical highways more efficiently for the movement of goods. Phase 1, which will cost USD 30 million (PhP 1.5 billion), features an annual capacity of 115,000 TEUs
– equivalent to 140,000 fewer truck trips on city roads each year. The terminal will be integrated with other major Luzon port facilities for more cost-effective and time-bound access to the Cavite market. Photo shows the project inauguration with (from left): Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific and MICT, Arthur R. Tugade, DOTr Secretary, Enrique K. Razon Jr., ICTSI Chairman and President, former Cavite Governor Juanito Remulla Jr., and Tanza City Mayor Yuri A. Pacumio. Behind them can be seen the area where the terminal will rise and the southern portion of the Manila Bay where the causeway will be constructed. (ICTSI Photo)
DOF sees key role under RP economic break-out O
VER a century after its inception during the Philippine Revolution, the Department of Finance is once more at the center of a “revolutionary situation,” this time entailing the rapid modernization of the country’s infrastructure and the simultaneous overhaul of its tax policies to attain true economic liberation for Filipinos, Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Monday. Speaking on the occasion of the DOF’s 120th anniversary, Dominguez sought anew the swift passage of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program to ensure a “robust and recurrent” revenue stream that will let the government “stimulate the economy without sacrificing prudence.” “If we are able to achieve a breakout, a shift to a higher plane of economic growth, the DOF should have played a truly revolutionary role,” Dominguez told employees at the Department’s flag-raising ceremony. “We will help redefine what government can do.
We will help liberate millions from poverty. We will shift our economy so that it becomes truly inclusive.” The DOF was founded on April 24, 1897 with Baldomero Aguinaldo as its first Director of Finance. Dominguez said that like its predecessor in the Philippine revolutionary government, the current DOF can help the government accomplish this grand mission if it is infected “with a certain degree of audacity.” “We must test the limits. We must think out of the box. We must accomplish our tasks with zeal and determination,” Dominguez said as he congratulated DOF employees for their “good work” and “profound commitment to the good of the nation.” “I urge all of you to continue working to improve the way we do things in this organization. Let us aspire to be at the cutting edge of modern governance. That will enable this agency to meet the great challenges we must sur-
mount,” he said. Dominguez pointed out that the CTRP submitted by the DOF to the Congress less than 90 days after the Duterte administration took office aims to accomplish “several things in one blow.” These include lowering personal income taxes to strengthen the purchasing power of consumers while encouraging investors to come in, and supporting the government’s ambitious program to accelerate spending on infrastructure and social investments, especially in training “a large demographic wave of young Filipinos” to be globally competitive. The CTRP, Dominguez said, would make sure the government could carry out these goals without endangering the country’s fiscal sustainability. “In order to achieve our infrastructure goals, our fiscal policy needs to be expansive,” he said. “While we may accept a certain level of deficits, those must be properly managed. A robust revenue stream will
ensure that public borrowing will not spiral out of control.” “This is the reason the comprehensive tax reform package must be passed. It will enable government to stimulate the economy without sacrificing fiscal prudence,” he said. Before the Lenten break of the Congress, the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua already agreed in principle to tackle the CTRP bill as a package, which puts to rest concerns that the Congress might abandon the revenue-generating measures of the proposal and only pass the revenue-eroding portion, particularly the lowering of income tax rates. Dominguez said the DOF finds itself today in “another revolutionary situation” where the government has “a chance to shift our development to investment-led growth, dramatically reduce poverty rates and break out into a higher growth regime.”
the Duterte administration’s focus on reversing the current income inequality between Metro Manila and the countryside by filling the infrastructure backlog and improving connectivity among the country’s regions. “The opportunities are already there. It is just a matter of providing infrastructure. Once you start connectivity, naturally it will attract investments,” Dominguez said. When Fox asked how the UK government could assist
the Philippines, Dominguez told him the UK could help the country catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors in investing heavily in infrastructure. He informed Fox that the government plans to develop a second international airport, build high-speed trains between Manila and Clark in Pampanga, and possibly connect it to a commuter rail system in the South, along with improving Luzon’s ports to help decongest Metro Manila and encourage investments
in the countryside. For regions highly dependent on agriculture, the government will improve existing, and build new, irrigation systems, among other measures to boost farm productivity, Dominguez said. Fox told Dominguez that the Philippines can look into UK’s £4.5-billion export-import facility to explore financing options for its massive infrastructure program. “We hope that you can tap this rather under-tapped resource,” Fox said. (DOF)
UK urges RP to avail itself of London’s export-import facility
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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox have discussed ways to expand Philippine exports to the UK and how our government can tap UK’s £4.5 billion export-import facility to help source funds for the Duterte administration’s unprecedented public investment program. In their recent meeting, Dominguez took the opportunity to explain to Fox
FTER failing to serve the Department of Agrarian Reform’s “writ of installation” twice last week, farmer-members of the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Inc. will seek the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte as last resort to reclaim the disputed 145-hectare banana plantation in Brgy. Madaum, Tagum City from the management of Lapanday Foods Corp. In a telephone interview Sunday, Linda Dayahan, member of the board of MARBAI, said they will seek help from Duterte after the LFC refused to honor the writ of installation issued by Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano for the second time last week. The contested property is part of the 1,323.9272 hectares previously owned by Hijo Plantation Inc. and awarded to the Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative-1 (HEARBCO-1) in 1996. The MARBAI broke away in 2010. Mariano was supposed to execute the writ on April 17 but did not succeed when police authorities refused to provide assistance due to some questions of technicalities in DAR’s order, including the lack of operation plan. “Our message to Duterte is that we hope he would hear us out in this dispute, so we could go back to our land. Even he himself said that farmers must be honored because they are the ones who provide food. Without us, we would all go hungry,” she said in Cebuano. She said they would continue to assert their rights over the disputed land and even warned the 159 farmers would risk entering the barricaded plantation despite the presence of some 800 armed guards. In a statement on Tuesday, LFC opposed DAR’s order as the disputed property was awarded to HEARBCO-1 members and added it cannot “be dispossessed of the land
and its existing management contract over the area” because Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 approved the Compromise Agreement between LFC and HEARBCO-1. RTC Branch 14 issued a Writ of Execution on December 9, 2015 and Alias Writ of Execution on November 21, 2016.It said the court recognize and upheld the company’s right to manage and possess the contested land area. “This DAR action defies the final and executory orders of the Court. Ironically, the members of this breakaway group participated in the resolution of the legal dispute. Thus, they are bound by the subsequent legal orders that have now become final and executory,” it added. MARBAI chair Mely Yu and her group were former officers and members of the HEARBCO-1 before they were removed in 2010 and were replaced by a new set of officers. In January 2011, Yu and her group were banned from entering the premises by the security guards of HEARBCO 1. They formed MARBAI, which consisted of 157 members, and filed a petition for reinstatement and accounting of harvest against HEARBCO 1. On October 18, 1999, HEARBCO 1 entered into a Banana Sales and Marketing Agreement with Hijo Plantation for a period of 10 years starting October 18, 1999 up to September 2009 at a price of $2.10 per box at 13 kilograms per box. Thereafter, a Deed of Assignment of Banana Sales and Marketing Agreement was executed by and between Hijo Plantation, Inc. and Global Fruits Corporation. But the following day, October 19, a supplemental agreement was entered into by and between Lapanday Foods Corporation and HEARBCO 1, amending the BSMA executed between the coop, Hijo Plantation and Global Fruits Corp. (Antonio L. Colina IV
Globe Telecom in talks with accredited third-party vendor partners on employee regularization
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LOBE Telecom is currently in talks with its accredited third-party vendor partners on the regularization of all contractual employees in support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s campaign against all forms of illegal contractualization. “As a sustainable organization, one of our purpose is to ensure that our people are treated right. Thus, we have requested all our accredited third-party vendor partners which are providing us with staff augmentation and managed services, to issue the regularization papers of their employees to ensure that everything is in
accordance with labor laws,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe legal counsel. Globe is working closely with DOLE to comply with its requirements involving its operations. The government agency has given the company until May 16, 2017 to address any manpower-related concerns. DOLE is actively pursuing the regularization of workers in response to President Duterte’s campaign promise to end the practice of continuous job contractualization. On March 16, 2017, it issued Department Order No. 174 on contracting and sub-contracting. (PNA/PR)
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
SPORTS15
Libranza raring to go in first overseas fight F
ILIPINO challenger Genisis “Cobra” Libranza is raring to fight undisputed International Boxing Organization (IBO) world flyweight champion Moruti “Babyface” Mthalane on April 28 at Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa. Libranza, who holds a record of 11-0 with 8 knockouts, will be flying on April 24 to South Africa from Manila together with chief trainer and manager Raides “Nonoy” Neri. I’m now excited for my first fight abroad. I think my opponent has the power,” said the 23-year old Libranza. “I’ve been studying his moves and style by watching his past fights on Youtube,” said Libranza, a native of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.
Mthalane has an impressive ring record of 32 wins with 21 knockouts against only two losses, both knockouts, and no draw. However, Mthalane has not been on the ring for more than a year now. Mthalane last fought and won via a 9th round TKO on Renz Rosia last Dec. 12, 2015 in South Africa to keep his IBO world flyweight crown in his second title defense. “He has not fought for so long, so I think we have the advantage,” said Neri. Libranza, on the other hand, previously scored a 3rd round technical knockout against slugger Ronerex Dalut, who has been forced to retire from boxing due to a broken jaw after the fight held on Dec. 17 at Robinson’s Place in Gen-
eral Santos City. Libranza also stopped former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight champion Jetly Purisima in the 3rd round last June 4 at the Almendras gym in Davao City. Libranza is now only weighing 114 lbs., which is only two pounds over the required weight limit. Neri is confident that Libranza will make the 112 lbs. by just eating proper food like fruits and limiting his water intake. He’s on a proper diet and he will get the weight upon our arrival in Cape Town,” said Neri, who is also the dietician and one of the Filipino assistant trainers of eight-time world di-
guy. I’ve believed in trusting these guys all year long. We say it every game that it’s not going to be just one or two guys that win this game. On different nights, it’s going to be different guys that step up. That was the case tonight.’’ Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook had a triple-double by halftime and finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. The Thunder said Westbrook joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to claim three consecutive playoff triple-doubles. Steven Adams scored 18 points for Oklahoma City, and Victor Oladipo had 15. The Thunder again struggled when Westbrook rested in the second half, and Westbrook wasn’t interested in explaining why . He took over a question directed at Adams and defended the team. ‘’Don’t split us up,’’ Westbrook said. ‘’Don’t try and split us up. Don’t try to make us go against each other or make it ‘Russell and the rest of the guys, Russell against Houston.’ I don’t want to hear that. We’re in this together. We play as a team.
That’s all that matters.’’ Westbrook had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists at the break. He grabbed the 10th rebound in the final second of the second quarter, and the Thunder led 58-54 at intermission. Meanwhile, Harden made just 2 of 9 shots and scored just six points in the first half. The Thunder opened the second half with a 10-2 run, but Houston closed to 7773 at the end of the third quarter. Houston pulled ahead in the fourth, but Adams made the first of two free throws with 21.7 seconds remaining to cut Oklahoma City’s deficit to four. He rebounded his missed second free throw and found Westbrook for a 3-pointer that cut Houston’s lead to one point. But the Thunder lost track of Nene on the other end, and he converted a three-point play. Gordon’s two free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining made it a four-point game.
vision champion Manny Pacquiao. (PNA)
ONE ON ONE. Jayson Castro of TNT Katropa beats Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson to a step in this action during the TNT-Ginebra game in the ongoing PBA Commissioners’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Center. Ginebra won this one. PBA Images
Rockets a win away from disposing OKC
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AMES Harden’s shot was off, and one of the most unlikely players on Houston’s roster came to the rescue. Nene scored 28 points on perfect shooting from the field, and the Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-109 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. The 6-foot-11 center from Brazil made all 12 of his shots and had 10 rebounds. It was an impressive performance from a reserve who averaged about nine points per game in the regular season. ‘’He puts the work in,’’ Harden said. ‘’He’s a true vet. He’s in the weight room. He’ doing all the proper things to get his body and his mind right to go out there and compete at a high level every single night. Tonight, it paid off.’’ Harden finished with 16 points on 5-for-16 shooting, but he had other help, too. Eric Gordon and Lou Williams each scored 18 points, and Trevor Ariza finished with 14. Houston can close out the series Tuesday at home. ‘’That’s what a team is for,’’ Harden said. ‘’It’s not just one
DOUBLE TEAMED. Lebron James slices through the Indiana Pacers defense eluding Paul George.
James leads Cavs in sweep of Pacers
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EBRON James stuck to the old script Sunday. Again, he bailed out the Cleveland Cavaliers. And again, he sent the Indiana Pacers home for vacation. On yet another milestone day for basketball’s king, James’ crowning achievement was making the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:08 to play and helping the defending champions hold on for a series-clinching 106-102 victory at Indiana. ‘’You have to mentally challenge yourself every year and go out and try to do what’s right - putting your body on the line, putting your team on the line and trying to be successful,’’ James said. ‘’It’s very hard.’’ But the four-time MVP makes it look easy. He finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. By winning his 21st consecutive first-round game, James broke a tie with Michael Cooper, Magic Johnson and James Worthy for the longest streak under the NBA’s current playoff format. By sweeping a series for the 10th time, James broke a tie with Tim Duncan for the most in a career, accord-
ing to Elias Sports Bureau. By going 13 of 25 from the field, he pulled into a tie with Kobe Bryant for the fourth highest postseason field goal total with 2,014. And by holding on for the win, James improved to 52-0 in the playoffs when his team takes a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter. James considered the milestones a footnote on a day the Cavs blew a 13-point lead and allowed the Pacers to come all the way back and take a 102-100 lead with 1:31 to go. ‘’They were giving it all they had,’’ James said. ‘’Obviously, a loss would have ended their season. We just had to weather the storm once again.’’ Of course that’s when James took the cue and came to the rescue. He made the long 3 to give Cleveland the lead, poked the ball away from Young on the next possession, grabbed the rebound when Paul George missed a 3 with 1.9 seconds to go that could have forced overtime and, of course, made 1 of 2 free throws to seal the win. Now Cleveland takes a seven-game winning streak into the conference semifinals
against either Milwaukee or Toronto. For Indiana, it will go down as yet another tormenting chapter in their rivalry with James. James’ teams have eliminated the Pacers four times in six years and completed the first-four game sweep in Indiana’s NBA history. Cleveland finished the season 7-1 against the Pacers, winning the last four with a defensive stand, a rare 25-point game from three players, the largest second-half comeback in playoff history and now James’ knockout punch. Lance Stephenson led the Pacers with 22 points. George had a series-low 15. ‘’It’s real frustrating to continue on losing to the same team or same person,’’ George said. ‘’Ultimately, he (James) is who I’m always going to have to see and face.’’ The Pacers sure didn’t make it easy, though. They charged back from a 96-83 deficit with a 7-0 spurt early in the in the fourth quarter. Then they methodically continued chipping away until Young tied the score at 100 and then gave them the lead.
16 EDGEDAVAO Sports Bong Go fired 25 points for Team Duterte.
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
STREAK OVER Anflocor bucks Go’s 25, snaps Team Duterte’s streak 91-87
HE streak is over. A n flocor hacked out a thrilling 91-87 win over a winded Team Duterte end a winning streak that has ran since the start of the year.
The Anflocor cagers did it by bucking the “not so usual” numbers of Secretary Bong Go in their friendly basketball game on Saturday at the Genesis 88 Gym. With the Duterte side struggling on its pace after playing doubleheader for
the night, Anflocor banked pushed on the gas to defeat the depleted Team Duterte. Anflocor’s reliable marksman To-Ong scored 22 points to lead the way for Anflocor. Santos chipped in 17 while Pahamotang and Yap had 12 and 11.
With some lawmakers suited up, Team Duterte gave Anflocor run of its money rallied behind Go, the sweet-shooting special assistant to President Duterte, who had five treys to finish with 25 points. Go’s mighty effort fell
short as the team ran out of steam after playing back to back games without break. JR De Guzman made 16 baskets as Alvarez had 14 for Team Duterte. Team Duterte defeated Lawmakers, 68-63, in their first game.
Davao girls squad see action in Singapore bootfest By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO
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njb@edgedavao.net
AVAO City will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming JSSL Singapore International 7-a-side football tournament to be held intwo venues in Singapore. The squad, composed of an all-Ateneo de Davao University players, will be coached by veteran Reynayn Ravanes with Analou Ingles as assistant. Bannering the Davao City-Philip-
pines squadare Jasmin Cassandra A. Agustin, Glenne Danielle T. Dela Torre, Julianna Cassandra B. Del Mundo, Isabelle Renee C. Taojo, Akia Domini S. Cayabyab, Minerva Lian D. Evasco, Princess Graillet T. Juan, Samantha Hope J. Salise, Lacy Therese J. Uy, and Jelena Marie M. Pido. Ravanes told Edge Davao in a message that the team will leave on April 27 for Singapore for the three-day tournament. “We hope to make good in this tournament. I can-
not make any predictions for now because we have no idea of the competition yet. However, we will give it our best,” said Ravanes.
The action start on April 29 through to May 1 at two venues in Padang Cricket Club Singapore and United World College.
Coach Reynayn Ravanes (second from left) with her Ateneo de Davao players.