Edge Davao 9 Issue 107

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

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Serving a seamless society

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS by

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

RODY DELIVERS FIRST SONA Declares unilateral truce with rebels

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ and CHENEEN R. CAPON

“W

E cannot move forward if we allow the past to

pull us back.”

This was the opening statement made by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the opening of the 17th Congress on Monday, July 25.

Duterte’s first SONA, the longest in history, observers said, lasted one hour and 32 minutes.

“Finger pointing is not my way,” Duterte said, adding that he will not waste his precious time dwelling on the sins of the

past.

He presented the direction of his administration on fighting illegal drugs, corruption and crime, economic policies and governance and reiterated his commitment to fight illegal drugs without letup.

“I call on the Philippine National Police, the barangay chairmen, the mayors, governors and all those occupying seats in offices and authority not to lower their guard,” he stressed.

He asked authorities to double and even triple their efforts and vowed that “We will not stop until the last drug

lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars, or below the ground if they so wish.”

“Do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the Office of the President.

I will be with you all the way.

Abuse your authority and there will be a hell to pay for you would have become worse than criminality itself,” he said.

The president also said that he already ordered the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to hasten the conduct of investigation and adjudication of administrative cases against police officers

involved in criminalities and illegal activities, and conduct lifestyle checks on police officers and members “In this quest, I will put at stake my honor, my life and the presidency itself,” he firmly said.

He said his administration will also prioritize the rehabilitation of drug users by increasing the residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions in the country, saying his administration will also ensure to uplift the welfare of the Filipino people.

“My administration shall

F FIRST SONA, 10

Pimentel elected Senate president, Alvarez assumes as House speaker

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

WO sons of Mindanao took the leadership of both the upper and lower Houses as the 17th Congress of opened on Monday, July 25.

Twenty senators elected Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as the new Senate President, 3 voted for Senator Ralph Recto while Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the running mate of President Rodrigo Duterte, was absent during the voting.

Those who voted for Pimentel were Senators Recto, Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Franklin Drilon, Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Cynthia Villar.

F PIMENTEL, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

UNDER THE WEATHER. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio interacts with the reporters in a news briefing last Friday. Duterte-Carpio was not able to attend President Rodrigo R. Duterte ‘s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday as she was advised by her doctor in St. Luke’s Hospital that she needs complete rest for a couple of days. Lean Daval Jr.

5,000 militants rally in CDO to support President Duterte’s SONA

A

BOUT 5,000 militant groups from various areas in Northern Mindanao met in this port capital last Sunday to express their support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and civil society groups from all over the region, the group converged at the provincial capitol compound leading to a march-rally on Monday afternoon in the city’s downtown area of Divisoria Plaza here.

Group leaders said that the protesters are calling for the People’s Agenda through “CHANGE,” which stands for: Cancellation of all anti-people laws, Health and Social Services, Address root-case of civil war, National Industrialization, Genuine Agrarian Reform and free Education for all.

Wildon Barros, Bayan chair for Northern Mindanao,

said that the rally’s participants discussed the details of CHANGE at the Divisoria Plaza as they watched Pres. Duterte’s Sona.

“What we will be doing is not protest action, but support action, as we are just following up the promises made by Duterte during his campaign,” Barros said in a telephone interview.

He said they will wait and see if the President will really make good on the promises he made. “If he rejects our agenda, then we will stage protection actions until he will consider our appeal,” he added.

For its part, the Anakbayan in Northern Mindanao has reiterated its stand on scrapping the K to 12 education program, saying it did not raise the standard of education in the country, but on the contrary has burdened the parents and the students as it is actually denying them the right to free education. (PNA)

Police chiefs who fail to curb crime in their areas to get axed from post -- PNP

H

IGH-RANKING police officials who fail to step up efforts to eradicate crime in their localities can be relieved from their post within six weeks, according to Chief Superintendent Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, PNP director for operations.

“We give them our evaluation we tell them to beef up their efforts, double their efforts and on the first month we will be eyeing people to be relieved most especially chiefs of police (COPs) and PD (Provincial Director)and DRDO (Deputy Regional Director for Operations),” Cascola told reporters.

“There are COPs eyed for relief because they are doing nothing after the 6th week a lot of them will be relieved if they have no effort most especially in cities and first class provinces and municipalities (while), on the 3rd month RDs naman po ang aalis dyan kung hindi talaga magawa trabaho nila,” he noted.

Asked if the local officials are consulted on appointment of their COPs, Cascolan said that “we actually ask even the governors and mayors kasi parehas din lang. pumili man sila ng hepe o hindi kung hindi nagbigay ng efforts ang COPs

F POLICE, 10

Mayor Sarah fails to attend SONA M

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

AYOR Sara Duterte-Carpio failed to make it to the First State of the Nation (SONA) of her father President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday due to an illness.

The Davao mayor, who arrived Monday morning in Manila to represent the Duterte family, was advised by her doctor to rest for a couple of days.

According to City Infor-

mation head Jefry Tupas, Sara went to St. Luke’s Medical Hospital for a check up upon her arrival at the country’s capital.

“She was advised [to have] complete rest, at least for a couple of days by her doctor.

But there is nothing to worry [about]. The mayor is doing well now,” Tupas said in an interview.

He added the mayor deeply regretted her failure to at-

tend her father’s SONA “as she wants to be with the President during this very important occasion and proud moment for the Filipinos and the Philippines.”

Duterte-Carpio was supposed to represent her mother Elizabeth and brothers Paolo ad Sebastian.

She will instead be represented by her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Tupas said the mayor re-

iterated her earlier statement that the President’s SONA should detail how the promise of change he made during the campaign will be fulfilled, and how this promise can eventually create meaningful change and help uplift the lives of Filipinos across the country.

As of this writing, there was still no information if the mayor will file another leave of absence based on her doctor’s advice.

disclosed that the Supreme Court blundered when it caused the mistaken execution of Leo Echegaray, the first to die under the death penalty, in 1999.

The case against Echegaray had a fatally defective rape charge sheet, according to Panganiban.

He said the criminal complaint never alleged that Echegaray was the father, stepfather or grandfather of the victim – the qualifying condition for a death sentence.

In previous instances where the accused was found guilty of capital offense that was never alleged in the charge sheet, the Supreme Court either acquitted the death convict, ordered a retrial, or reduced the sentence to life in prison.

“Our trial courts are error-prone because they are run by fallible mortals and many judges are overworked and reckless, susceptible to corruption, or simply inept,” Atienza said.

“In fact, the last time we experimented on capital punishment, up to 65 percent of death verdicts were found to be erroneous, resulting in acquittals, retrials or the imposition of lighter sentences upon automatic review by the Supreme Court,” he added.

Even the Supreme Court is capable of blunders, as evidenced by Echegaray’s case, Atienza said.

“Here lies the big difference between executing a convict and putting him behind bars for life. If we imprison a convict and he is later exonerated, we can still set him free.

We can still correct the mistake. In capital punishment, we cannot rectify the error once the convict has been put to death,” he said.

Atienza said that while he strongly supports the President’s war on crime in general and on drugs in particular, “we totally disagree on the need for the death penalty.”

“The death penalty does not serve any purpose that is

not already being served by the punishment of life in prison,” he stressed.

The Duterte’s administration would achieve far more in suppressing rampant crime if it concentrated on purging the criminal justice system of corruption, and on improving the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, the prosecution service, the judiciary, the prisons, and the probationary system, Atienza said.

“Highly civilized nations around the world have long recognized that the certainty of swift capture and punishment of criminals is the best discouragement to other would-be offenders, and that lifelong incarceration is already adequate in serving the ends of justice and protecting society,” he said.

Due to mounting flaws, including Echegaray’s wrongful execution, Congress abolished the death penalty in 2006, or 12 years after it was last reinstated following public uproar against 13 heinous crimes.

Solon warns of high rate of mistaken executions in death penalty

O

WING to an error-prone judiciary, many convicts would be wrongfully executed once Congress revives the death penalty, a pro-life lawmaker warned on Sunday.

“We’re afraid the rate of wrongful executions could even be higher than that during President (Joseph) Estrada’s administration,” Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said.

Atienza made the statement shortly after House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez III said Congress would comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to prioritize the passage of a new law restoring capital punishment in the country.

During Estrada’s administration, seven convicts were put to death, and at least one of them was later found unjustly killed, implying a 15 percent wrongful execution rate, according to Atienza.

In 2006, then Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban stunned the nation when he belatedly

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Duterte to Senate: Review Paris pact

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

P

crc@edgedavao.net

RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has urged the Senate to review the economic impact of the Paris pact on climate change, in which the Philippines is one of its signatories.

“Mag-decide ang Senate.

Magbigay sila ng concurrence nila. Bigyan n’yo ako ng clear view anong mangyari kasi may plano ako maglagay ng industrial zones everywhere. Then, ang easy market ay China dahil sila ang may pera,” Duterte said in his speech during an inspection of the country’s first commercial biomass power plant project in Buluan, Maguindanao last Friday afternoon.

However, the president did not mention in his speech whether he will submit the treaty to the Senate for its eventual ratification.

Duterte, who earlier described the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as “stupid” and “absurd,” said he will not honor the treaty even though the country is one of the nations who committed to lower its carbon footprint.

He said during the sendoff ceremony for athletes last Monday that such a treaty will restrict the country from attaining national industrialization and economic growth.

The Philippines is now heavily reliant on fossil fuel as its primary source of power.

Duterte said rich countries should be blamed from being the largest emitters of carbon and other pollutants, while the Philippines is among the countries with very low carbon emission levels.

“We have not reached the age of industrialization. We’re now going into it. But you are trying to stymie [our growth] with an agreement that says you can only go up to here…

That’s stupid. I will not honor that,” he said.

In the meantime, Senate President Franklin Drilon said last week that the upper chamber will would no longer ratify the historic Paris Agreement on climate change after President Duterte declared that he would not honor the covenant.

Drilon said the president is the “architect” and “principal actor” of the country’s foreign policy, and therefore has the prerogative not to honor the agreement if he believes that it is not consistent with the national policy, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said in its report.

“If President Duterte, as a matter of policy, has decided that we will not ratify the agreement, then that is a prerogative that he has as Chief Executive,” Drilon stressed, adding that if he does not send to the Senate the treaty for ratification, then it is not binding on our country. That is a policy that his administration has adopted.”

President Duterte’s SONA sets change “P

RESIDENT” in, “His Excellency” out. Business attire in, formal long gowns out.

Change has indeed come to Malacanang where President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has begun underdressing the norm. Yesterday, we saw change knocking at the doors of the 17th Congress.

From fashion to food to message and messenger, the first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) under President Duterte kept everyone excited and grounded, and mindful of the work ahead, a complete departure from the procession of glitz and glamor and lavishness that used to mark the ceremony in previous administrations.

The Palace had reminded legislators, their spouses, and guests not to wear the long gown, but instead observe the business attire in order to downplay the display of opulence criticized as insensitive and immoral by the public.

The confirmed menu was a feast of native dishes given the chef’s orchestral swing: native chips in the form salted duck egg with dressing; mongo soup, paired with smoked fish with alugbati on grissini bread; fresh lumpia ubod in pouch; and chicken and spicy tuna empanaditas.

Other dishes approved were sotong goreng or deep

fried calamaris tossed in chili and bell pepper; crispy triangles of flaked chicken adobo and mushrooms; fried lumpia ubod; pandesal with kesong puti and beef steak served on the spot; penne with taba ng talangka sauce; balut pâté in profiteroles; and chicken skin crackling.

The menu is estimated to serve 800 people, including the 293 congressmen and 24 senators, whom the President ought to address every year on the opening of the joint session, as provided in the Constitution.

The SONA was highlighted the President’s speech.

The Palace earlier mentioned it wanted to center on the President’s message to the people.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar underscored, “It is a very powerful speech personally written by the President that will awaken the patriot in every Filipino.”

Acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza was tapped to direct the event, pro bono.

For their part, militants from the Left vowed not to march in protest as their tradition, but in support of the new President. A delegation composed of around 1,000 lumads from Northern Mindanao and Caraga also flew in to show their support for the President.

(PNA)

BATTLE AGAINST MALNUTRITION. NAOPA president Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang (second from right) believes the fight against malnutrition should start during the pregnancy of mothers. She also reported that the incidence of malnutrition in the region was reduced due to the various programs of concerned agencies such as feeding programs. Dayanghirang,

together with Regional Nutrition Program Council coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson (rightmost), Davao City Nutrition Program Council president Lynneth Demaisip (left), promoted the upcoming Nutrition month and Nutrition Fair set on July 27 at SM City Davao in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Hedcor’s 68.8 MW Manolo Fortich Hydro Project will soon generate additional clean and renewable energy for the Mindanao Grid. Construction work for the facility is now half way complete and is expected to be done by the second quarter of 2017.

Partnership to boost ecotourism in Davao Oriental, ComVal areas A A

DPWH-12 director orders drug test for all public works employees

BLOSSOMING partnership has began to emerge between the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Just recently, top local government officials from the Province of Compostela Valley visited to benchmark Davao Oriental’s eco-tourism sites.

Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, who led his team of officials and staff, said that benchmarking Davao Oriental’s tourism sites will help boost ComVal’s eco-tourism development.

“We have really learned a lot. I know we can do a lot more especially after what we have seen here,” said Gov. Uy, explaining that aside from benchmarking Davao Oriental’s projects, they are also interested in learning about Davao Oriental’s partnerships with the private sector and national agencies, specifically its successful implementation of tourism projects.

While both provinces are located within the Southeastern Tourism Corridor which is endowed with rich natural resources, Gov. Uy said it is crucial to develop tourism sites that can complement the provinces’ beauty and breathtaking landscapes.

Davao Oriental Governor

Nelson Dayanghirang, meanwhile lauded the previous administration under former Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, now Congresswoman of Davao Oriental’s first district, for initiating eco-tourism projects that have lured a huge turnout of tourists, as well as creating livelihood opportunities for residents.

While the initiative on eco-tourism development here in the province of Davao Oriental was the brainchild of Congresswoman Malanyaon, Gov. Dayanghirang’s efforts while still in Congress also largely complemented the former’s initiatives, particularly in terms of connectivity and road networks.

Dayanghirang has allocated funds for the concreting of major infrastructure facilities such as the roads leading to Pusan Point in Caraga town and Aliwagwag in Cateel, which are among the many key tourism sites here in the province.

As part of the two provinces bid to strengthen their complementation, various road networks have also been constructed to link the two areas, namely the Cateel - ComVal Road; Baganga - New Bataan Road; and the recently started Caraga – Maragusan Road.

DavOr, SurSur eye creation of ‘tourism loop’ The Province of Davao Oriental has over the years been partnering with its neighboring provinces to push for the region’s economic-tourism development.

Last year, top officials from

the Province of Surigao del Sur benchmarked Davao Oriental’s eco-tourism sites mainly to establish and enhance bilateral cooperation between the provinces.

Sharing the same tourism corridor, the provinces are seeking to complement each other’s efforts and resources in order to push tourism growth and competitiveness within their areas.

Meanwhile, Dayanghirang anticipates that the establishment of stronger partnerships that would lead to the creation of a tourism loop with neighbor provinces.

The governor said he hopes this tourism development would push through so that provinces in Southern Mindanao can offer more choices to travelers.

In addition, Dayanghirang said he is happy that “we have a President that comes from Mindanao, particularly in Davao Region so that efforts in building a niche in eco-tourism in our areas can receive much support that they really need”.

He also declared his administration’s commitment to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid to achieve peace and order in order to boost development in the province and surrounding environs.

sory for employers to enroll their workers with the PhilHealth based on Republic Act 10606 otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.

Jabay said the other complaint they have received was the non-remittance of PhilHealth contribution by some employers aside from the failure to enroll them with the agency.

He said the legal department of the agency has been decentralized “so any com-

plaint can now be acted by the regional office.”

He said that failure or refusal to register shall be penalized with a fine of not less than PhP5,000 but not more than PhP10,000 multiplied by the total number of employees. Same penalty applies to refusal to remit contribution.

“If the evidence warrants the filing of criminal case against the employer apart from administrative, the PhilHealth can go to the regular

court,” Jabay reminded employers.

He advised employers to comply with their obligation under R.A. 10606 to be able to help PhilHealth to increase its collection.

The employers are required to pay half of the employees’ monthly contribution. The monthly contribution is PhP200 or for a total of PhP2,400 a year.

Jabay disclosed that there are 1,828,867 PhilHealth members in the region. (PNA)

Dayanghirang and Congresswoman Malanyaon are also discussing plans of developing more potential tourism sites in the province, particularly the Curtain Falls in Baganga town and Mount Campalili in Manay town.

While the former administration has laid the foundations for world-class eco-tourism in the province, it is the duty of the present leadership to enhance them, the governor pointed out.

Dayanghirang added that one of his administration’s thrusts is to boost rural eco-tourism, as he considers this to be among the most promising local income generation schemes.

“We see it as a big help in terms of livelihood development,” he said.

He added that eco-tourism encourages awareness among locals and visitors in the protection and conservation of natural resources.

PhilHealth warns employers against non-payment of workers’health insurance

T

HE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) gave a stern warning to employers in the region, as he ordered establishments to enroll their employees with the government insurance agency.

Bryan Jabay, PhilHealth regional information officer, issued the warning as they have received reports that there are still employers who have not enrolled their workers with the agency.

Jabay said it is compul-

LL officials and workers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 12, including contractual and job order workers, will have to undergo an illegal drug use test, a regional public works official Monday said.

Engr. Reynaldo Tamayo Sr, DPWH-12 regional director, issued the directive Monday as his office is set to take part in the nationwide cleansing program aimed at ensuring that public servants are not involved in illegal drugs.

Tamayo told reporters that a mandatory drug test will be carried out by chemists from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“It will be held at the DPWH regional office and all district offices and other public works offices across the region,” he said.

Region 12 is composed of the provinces of North Cota-

bato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

Tamayo said that as far as he knows, no employee of DPWH-12 has been involved in illegal drugs, but stressed that the drug test is important to prove his initial observations.

Tamayo issued the order after an employee of DPWH in Maasin City, Southern Leyte was found to be a user of illegal drugs.

Allan Borromeo, DPWH12 assistant regional director, said any employee found positive of illegal drug use will be discharged from service after confirmatory tests are conducted.

All new applicants of DPWH-12 will be required to undergo mandatory drug tests before employment, he added.

(PNA)

Cotabato City cops implementing curfew nab teacher, 5 others in shabu pot session

A

TEACHER and five other individuals were arrested by police officers during the implementation of the city’s curfew hours Sunday night, a local police said Monday.

Senior Inspector Roel Zafra, spokesperson of the Cotabato City police office, said the six persons were caught in the act of sniffing methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in an abandoned house in Barangay Rosary Heights 13, Cotabato City at 8:00 p.m.

“Our police, along with Cotabato City Vice Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi and city police director Senior Supt. Danny Reyes, were implementing curfew hours when by chance they found the six in a pot session,” Zafra said.

Zafra identified the arrested illegal drug users as Shena dela Crus, 31, TahaKasim Musa, 35, Kamarudin Umandal, 30, teacher, Ramon Sungan, 19, Ariel Arcaria, Nelson Jarantilla, 30, all resident of Barangay Rosary Heights 13.

Seized from them were shabu paraphernalia.

Zafra quoted dela Cruz as telling investigators about the

existence of an illegal drug den inside the Chinese cemetery along Sinsuat Avenue.

She also revealed to investigators that a certain Police Officer 3 Macapagal of the city PNP intelligence unit and a certain Jean as the suppliers of their illegal stuff.

Zafra said the suspects are to be charged before the prosecutor’s office this morning.

To date, about 1,500 individuals have publicly confessed to be users of illegal drug and have expressed their desire to reform.

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt against a lone gunman who shot and critically injured a village official here on Saturday night.

Zafra identified the victim as Aquina Rangga Bokbok, 67, Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Rosary Heights 9.

Initial police investigation showed Bokbok was sitting in front of his home when an armed man arrived and without provocation, shot him five times.

The motive of the attack and identity of the suspect still remain unknown. (PNA)

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Malnutrition rate drops but ‘stunted’ growth PHP11.2-B Jalaur project gets among Davao City children remains high DA chief go-signal, says Drilon

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

W

HILE the number of malnourished children in Davao Region has gone down in the last three years, the number of children suffering from stunted growth still remains high, a regional health official said.

“More than 30 percent or a third of our children population are stunted. These are preschoolers who are suffering from long malnutrition,” National Nutrition Council 11 regional director Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday.

Ungson said this segment of the youth population has already completed its primary education, yet it has failed to attain optimum growth in terms of height.

“It is easier to address underweight, but it’s always been a challenge to address stunted growth.”

Ungson said children with stunted growth are those who are born underweight due to the mothers’ poor health and the lack of nutrition during her pregnancy, adding that these children also suffer from weak immunity, lower IQ and below average height.

To address these concerns, the council formulated a program that will focus on interventions on the first 1,000 days of the child, starting from conception until he\ she reaches two years old.

“Studies showed that stunted growth can be only addressed during the child’s first two years,” she said.

During these two formative years, children develop higher IQ and show improved health conditions.

Ungson said mothers have a huge role keeping their children healthy.

“It is essential for the mother to have good nutri-

tion during her pregnancy for her child to be healthy,” the nutrition official said, as she encouraged mothers to have at least four visits to the doctor for the prenatal checkups.

To prevent death among delivering mothers and their children, she said it is important for mothers to avail of services at the different public and private birthing facilities, instead of giving birth at home, where the risk of complications is higher.

Ungson said the health program will be piloted in the province of Davao del Sur, which include the municipalities of Hagonoy, Magsaysay, and the city of Digos.

“These areas have high a malnutrition rate,” she added.

Under the program, the Nutrition Council together with the Department of Health will fund the training of barangay health and nutrition workers.

“For the region, the council had allocated P800,000 for the training of health workers this year,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, provincial health officer of Davao del Sur, said the prevalence rate of malnutrition in Davao Region has dropped from 6.13 percent in 2013 to 5. 44 percent last year, which is still lower than the national prevalence rate of 20.1 percent based on the latest survey.

The number of malnourished children in Davao City has also decreased, and Davao City District One nutrition Program coordinator Lynneta T. Demaisip reported that the city has a total of 10,298 malnourished children, aged 0 to 71 months, with a prevalence rate of 4.2 percent, mostly coming from the districts of Paquibato, Marilog, Baguio, Calinan and the Poblacion area.

D

EPARTMENT of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol gave his go-signal for the implementation of the PHP11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP), Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said on Sunday.

“I thank Secretary Piñol for his support and commitment to continue the implementation of the Jalaur project. His backing is vital for the smooth execution of this decades-old project, which was mandated

by Republic Act No. 2651 in 1960,” Drilon said.

“Indeed, the implementation of the JRMP will play a crucial role in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s commitment to provide ‘free, sufficient and efficient’ irrigation system to our farmers,” Drilon said.

Piñol made a courtesy call on the Senate Chief on Thursday to discuss the Duterte administration’s projects, particularly its free irrigation advocacy.

In the meeting, Drilon said Piñol assured him that JRMP would “push through.”

The Agriculture secretary even said that “he will be on top of it,” Drilon added, in order to expedite its implementation.

Given Piñol’s support to the project, Drilon hopes that the National Irrigation Administration and other agencies involved in the project “can now get back to their feet and proceed with its implementation.”

“The JRMP will be vital in the administration’s advocacy of providing free irrigation for farmers since the project will provide uninterrupted irrigation water supply to 32,000 hectares of farm land and benefit more than 25,000 farm-

ers,” Drilon stressed.

“This project, which will be the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon, will increase the irrigated lands in the region by around 10 percent and the annual regional rice production by around five percent. It will likewise expand the production areas of sugarcane and other crops,” he underscored.

The Senate Chief also expressed his full support for Pinol’s free irrigation advocacy, saying, “It is high time the Congress pass a legislation that will provide for free irrigation system for farmers.”

“If we want to attain food security and rice self-sufficiency, then we must provide full and unconditional support for the poor farmers,” Drilon said.

He said that JRMP will augment agricultural production, stimulate agri-industrial activities, spur the local economy and the eco-tourism industry, increase employment opportunities and contribute to the development of the province of Iloilo and the Western Visayas, in general.

The implementation of the JRMP was mandated under Republic Act No. 2651 enacted by Congress in 1960. Phase one of the project, which consisted of rehabilitating the irrigation systems with an area of 22,340 hectares, was completed in 1983. But Phase two of the project was never implemented since 1988 due to lack of funds.

In 2012, the Korean government extended a PHP8.95-billion official development assistance to the Philippine government to implement the Phase 2 of JRMP. The country’s counterpart fund is PHP2.2 billion. (PNA)

Zamboanga Electric Cooperative signs up with Hedcor ONLINE WARRIORS. Online gamers are picture of intense concentration, as they get ready for the ROG Gaming Competition at SM City Davao yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

DOE: Nationalistic approach needed in dealing with Shell and other business partners

W

HEN asked to comment on the arbitration case filed by Pilipinas Shell against the Philippine Government, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi stated that, “We welcome this as an opportunity for the national government to effect real change and to come up with definitive and clear-cut policies in dealing with our partners.”

PNOC Exploration Corp., a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the DOE, has a 10% interest in the Service Contract 38 consortium with Shell Philippines Exploration BV and Chevron Malampaya LLC.

Shell filed a case against the Philippine government, specifically challenging the interpretation of the Commission on Audit in the computation of the 60-40 sharing of the proceeds from the Malampaya Project.

In a separate case, the Supreme Court, through a ponencia of Justice Marvic F. Leonen, decided that all service contracts must be personally signed by the President otherwise, such contract is void. The case is under reconsideration before the Supreme Court.

“This issue is not the concern of the Department of Energy nor of the Executive branch alone. The Supreme

Court, the Commission on Audit and even Congress have a stake here too.” Cusi clarified.

The newly appointed Energy Secretary pointed out that while there are benefits under a system of checks and balances such as ours in the Philippines, there are drawbacks too.

“In the end, a nationalistic approach is necessary to make a unified stand. This is in line with the Duterte administration’s vision of unity in our country.”

Cusi added that “ultimately, whatever mandate each branch or agency has, our bottomline is one and the same: to serve the best interests of

the Filipino people.”

The DOE will recommend to the President the necessity of aligning government institutions to work together and act consistently.

“The Philippine government must have a unified stand in all its decisions and actions just as we have shown in the West Philippine Sea issue.”

“The DOE will exhaust all possibilities and avenues to study options and bring before the President recommendations that will have one objective: to protect and serve the best interests of our Country and the Filipino people,” Cusi concluded.

A

NOTHER electric cooperative in Mindanao has recently added renewable energy into its supply mix, as the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative 1 (Zamsureco) signed up for a 3-MW renewable energy supply agreement (RESA) contract with the Manolo Fortich project of AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor.

Zamsureco 1, which serves Pagadian City and neighboring areas, is the second electric cooperative to secure a supply contract with the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich run-of-river hydro power plant project under construction in Bukidnon. The project is set for completion in 2017.

“It has been our intention to look for renewable energy capacity to better serve our stakeholders,” Zamsureco 1 board president Perla Sudiang said during the signing ceremony Monday in Pagadian City.

“When AboitizPower and Hedcor presented themselves, we immediately grabbed it and we are all happy about it. We are happy to be given a chance to be a partner of Hedcor.”

Hedcor owns and operates run-of-river hydro power

plants in Benguet, Mt. Province and Davao del Sur. Its power plants are capable of producing around 185-MW of clean and renewable energy.

In Mindanao, Hedcor supplies power to the Davao Light and Co. through the Talomo, Sibulan and Tudaya power plants and the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) through its Tudaya power plant.

In a statement, Hedcor President and COO Rene B. Ronquillo said the power plant project is 60 percent complete and is on track for its target completion next year.

“This project shows that AboitizPower will vigorously pursue renewable energy and we praise our partners Zamsureco 1 for adding renewable energy into their supply,” Ronquillo said. “We greatly value this partnership that is based on mutual respect, mutual trust and good friendship.”

Azucena Lagura, assistant general manager of Zamsureco 1, said the new supply agreement will help meet the area’s increasing demand for power, which will primarily cater to the needs of agri-business and light industries.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

ECONOMY 7

EDGEDAVAO

DA-12 official says farm equipment ready for distribution

A

KADAYAWAN UPDATES. Kadayawan Festival 2016 executive committee co-chair Art Boncato (left) bares that the city government of Davao is allocating P12 million for this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao celebration.

Algene Cutamora (center) and Glen Santillan of Davao Bloggers Society, a

partner of the Kadayawan Festival 2016 execom in the promotion of the events, joined Boncato in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

N official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 said on Sunday the equipment found

by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol at the DA compound in Tupi, South Cotabato are now ready for distribution.

Zaldy Boloron, DA-12 regional technical director, said most of the equipment at the DA compound, procured this year and the rest in 2015, can now be withdrawn by farmer organization-beneficiaries upon orders of Secretary Pinol.

Boloron also clarified why the equipment were kept at the DA compound.

He explained that due to El Nino, the intended farmer beneficiaries could not produce the 15 percent counterpart of the equipment that included tractors, water pumps, corn sheller, harvester and other postharvest facilities.

Boloron told reporters the compound has been used

by DA as an impounding area where the facilities are properly secured and well fenced.

The farmers’ assistance project requires farmer organizations to put up a counterpart fund as provided for by the implementing rules and regulations. “This will give the farmers a sense of ownership,” he said.

Most of the facilities were due for distribution in February this year but due to the election ban, the DA decided to postpone the distribution and scheduled it during the last week of June. However, before the dispersal took place, DA12 received an order form DA-Manila withholding the distribution.

Pinol has ordered all DA offices across the country to distribute the farm facilities to qualified and intended beneficiaries as soon as possible while the issue of 15 percent counterpart is being studied by the DA legal team. (PNA)

spa as there are the common destinations that most tourists asked from the drivers,” he added.

He said this improvement is in support to the area’s tourism industry.

According to Hao, Davao’s business climate is flourishing, the reason why the city’s taxi service industry needs to improve in order to accommodate the growing number of tourist arrivals in the area.

The application is available at the Google store and downloadable for free. For iOS users, the app will be released next week, he said.

Hao said this booking service is more efficient and convenient for the riding public.

“This will level up the current system that we are using through phone calls and text requests which reach a thousand daily,” he said. So far, he said they are getting a lot of positive feedback from people who have availed of the service.

(PNA)

Health Organization. “This means strengthening services at all levels, from community through hospital care back to the community, and linking them more effectively, so people get the care they need every step of the way. It’s also time to work more efficiently across sectors, to protect people from risky behaviors like tobacco smoking and unhealthy diet, and prepare them to age healthily.”

Reforms recommended in the study could help China continue to implement comprehensive reforms to reduce health spending. According to the study, without reform, health spending would increase in real terms from 3.5 trillion yuan in 2014 to 15.8 trillion yuan in 2035—an average increase of 8.4 percent per year.

Health spending would account for over 9 percent of GDP in 2035, up from 5.6 percent of GDP in 2014. More than 60 percent of the projected growth in health spending would come from increased inpatient services in hospitals.

Kadayawan 2016 visitors expected to reach 150T A

Davao taxi company launches net application for taxi booking

OURIST arrivals during this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City are expected to breach the city’s annual average of 150,000 visitors, although the conduct of the event will be modest compared to previous years.

Kadayawan chairman Arturo Boncato Jr., during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, said many local and foreign visitors are anticipated to flock to the city to witness the annual weeklong festivity, which showcases the rich cultures of the city’s 11 indigenous tribes, Boncato, a former tourism assistant secretary, said the increase in tourist arrivals is the result of the “greater attention” given to the

city following the victory of Dabawenyo President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The capability of the city to cater to the growing number of tourists has improved over the years largely due to the availability of connecting flights to Davao and the increasing number of hotels and other accommodation facilities, he added.

Dubbed as the “new capital region” by no less than tourism regional director Roberto P. Alabado III, Boncato said the local government has the competitive advantage to position the city as a prime destination for tourism and investment in this southern part of the country.

According to Boncato, this year’s Kadayawan Festival

will be simpler and indigenous people-centered, as ordered by no less than Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“We’re targeting to reduce the P12-million budget allocated for the celebration of the 31st Kadayawan sa Dabaw,” he said, adding that the private sector will shellout 50 percent of the funding for the activity, with the rest being shouldered by the city government.

Boncato said the bulk of the budget allocated for the event will be used to fund the prizes for its featured activities such as the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing competition) on August 20, and the Pamulak sa Kadayawan (floral float parade) on August 21.

“Our prizes for these two events can go up as high as P500,000,” he added.

Prominent personalities, including President Duterte and Ms. Universe Pia Wurtzbach, are expected to grace the event. However, there is still no confirmation on the specific details related to their arrival.

Meanwhile, Davao City Police Office chief for operations P/Supt. Angel Sumagaysay said all police units in the city will implement tighter security measures during the Kadayawan celebrations.

He reminded the public that firearms will be banned in all areas across the city and firearms should be surrendered to authorities upon their entry to the city.

HOMEGROWN cab company launched an android booking application for its taxi units aimed at serving better the riding public and initially provided 500 mobile phones to their taxi drivers.

For the project, Martin Hao, chief executive officer (CEO) of Southern Maligaya, Inc. said they commissioned local developer LEET Digital to create the application dubbed as TaxiLink, which the company founders, Dorothy Falcon and Myron Festejo, worked on the application for eight months.

Festejo said the application is simple and user-friendly and the only difference with other similar applications is that it is company based and dedicated to Maligaya fleet.

The application will regularly be updated, he added.

Meanwhile, Hao said they have also included places to be visited like the 30 restaurants “Eventually we will also include the list of hotels and

HINA needs to further reform its health system with a number of critical steps to meet the growing health needs of the population and further control spending increases, despite impressive achievements in healthcare reform and rapid progress toward universal health coverage. These include systemic and institutional reform and innovation, adoption of a tiered service-delivery system, a return to greater reliance on community health care and less on more expensive hospital care, according to a sweeping two-year study conducted by the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Finance, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China.

“The report’s recommendations, built on robust, comprehensive research and close collaboration by five agencies representing three partners,

will contribute positively to the formation of the 13th Five-Year Plan on health reform. We look forward to carefully studying and applying the report’s findings, so it will help us push ahead on health reform,” said Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council of China.

According to the study, Deepening Health Reform in China, Building High-Quality and Value-Based Service Delivery, China has lifted more than 600 million people out of poverty in the last three decades and achieved noteworthy successes in health.

Since the launch of the 2009 health reforms, China has substantially increased investment to expand health infrastructure; strengthened the primary-care system; achieved near-universal health insurance coverage in a relatively short period; reduced the share of out-of-pocket expenses—a major cause of disease-induced poverty—in total health spending; continued to

promote equal access to basic public health services; deepened public hospital reform; and improved the availability, equity and affordability of health services. It has also greatly reduced child and maternal mortality and rates of infectious diseases, and improved the health and life expectancy of the Chinese people.

As in much of the rest of the world, China also faces many challenges in reforming and developing its healthcare system.

The population is aging and there is a surge in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. The number of people over 65 years old in China is now at 140 million and is expected to increase to 230 million by 2030.

Infectious diseases have been replaced by non-communicable diseases as the greatest health threat to Chinese people, accounting for more than 80 percent of the 10.3 million deaths every year. Those diseases are ex-

acerbated by high-risk behaviors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyles and alcohol consumption, as well as environmental factors such as air pollution. At the same time, with higher economic growth and personal incomes, people are demanding more and better health care.

Those factors have led to rising healthcare costs. Yet the slowdown in the economy will make it difficult to keep up with the current level of growth in health spending. The study makes an urgent case for China to reform and start instituting a “people-centered” integrated healthcare system to meet new challenges. The government of China has also recognized the need for a strategic change in the health system, and has taken many concrete steps in this direction.

“Decades ago, China’s innovations in health such as barefoot doctors and cooperative health care showed the world it was possible to improve the health and

greatly increase the life expectancy for hundreds of millions of people,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Today, China can once again lead the way with cutting-edge primary health care reform that puts the patient first and shifts away from expensive hospital care that often does little to improve the health of people. If China institutes these reforms, we believe it will improve the health care system for all Chinese—or one in every six people in the world.”

The report recommends that China maintain the goal and direction of its healthcare reform, and continue the shift from its current hospital-centric model that rewards volume and sales, to one that is centered on primary care, focused on improving the quality of basic health services, and delivers high-quality, cost-effective health services.

“It’s time to put people first,” said Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

World Bank report recommends deeper healthcare reforms in China C

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

EDITORIAL A different SONA

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different SONA Yesterday’s State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo R. Duterte was a departure from the immediate past SONAs, in substance, in form and in atmosphere.

Gone are the usual scenes outside the plenary—anti-riot police, steel barricades, water cannons, burning of effigy, violent protests.

Gone too are the usual scenes at the entrance of the plenary—fashionable legislators and their spouses/partners, government officials and guests, and the gitzy red carpet walk walk.

Gone too are scenes inside--the powerpoint presentations and the poor’s representations. The long speech and

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the gallery calls.

In place is a President who came earlier than he was supposed to and in a barong with folded sleeves. Inside, the legislators were clad in simple, business attire.

And the speech? Yes, it was perhaps the SONA with the lightest mood. Not too serious, and not too verbuos. President Duterte was clear with his government programs and promises. His direction was clearly translated in his message interrupted by loud cheers from the gallery. Like he used to, there was more ad lib than the prepared text. He was just like talking to the audience.

But you can feel the sincerity and the passion. It was not a speech with emotional hang-ups, hate and or vengeance.

It was full of heart.

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EDGEDAVAO

L

ONG before the telegraph (introduced in Luzon in 1873) and telephony became a necessity in a modern world, the Philippines was already the envy of many countries in Asia. Only six years after the Americans took over the archipelago, the country had already a direct contact with the United States and was abreast with most of the news around the round that passed through the American cable system.

The first business the Americans troops did in 1899, aside from the clearing operations against colonial opposition, was built telegraph lines for cables and landline calls. Ernesto I. Corcino, in Davao History (1998), cited this development.

“2Lt. Ben Lear, Jr. led a detachment of 10 Troop ‘G’ men, 15th Infantry with four packed mules to head for Macar [a barangay in Gen. Santos City] from Davao via Malalag [a town in Davao del Sur] overland. They had instructions to build telegraph lines from the north to connect with the line under construction from Davao to Cotabato via Macar.”

In the last quarter of 1901 after taking over the American forces in Davao from Maj. Hunter B. Liggett, Jr., the first subdistrict commander, Maj. C.D. Cowles observed that when he arrived there was already 15 miles (24 kms) of telegraph lines linking Davao to Cotabato. Fund shortage, however, temporarily stopped the activity.

The lines followed the coastline of Digos City and ran southwest toward Macar. In the interior region there were telegraph roads where

D

RY season is out. Here comes the rain. So expect the usual aftermaths: floods and dengue fever. In fact, the Department of Health (DOH) is urging all Dabawenyos to watch out for the resurgence of dengue cases.

In her Facebook account, veteran journalist Prix D. Banzon of the state-run Philippine News Agency wrote: “Dengue is here. Let us be vigilant. See the doctor immediately if high fever persists within two days before it gets serious.”

From January to June this year, 40 people -- mostly children -- have already died from the serious form of dengue. Last year, from the same period, only 8 persons were reported to succumb to the disease.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so goes a popular saying. In the case of dengue, the earlier it is diagnose, the better. Aside from saving the lives of those who are infected with the dengue virus, expenses in the treatment can be minimized.

According to Engr. Antonieta Ebol, the dengue prevention and control program manager of the regional office of DOH, the cost of a complicated case of dengue range from P40,000 to P500,000 or “even more depending on the degree of complication.”

Known as ‘break bone’ fever due to the terrible bone and joint pain it causes, dengue is considered the fastest growing mosquito-borne disease in the world today, causing nearly 400 million infections every year.

Actually, there are two kinds of diseases caused by dengue virus -- classical dengue fever known for more than 200 years and is now resurging. The other new entity, called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), emerged in Manila in 1953.

The dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes -- eiterh Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. Most Aedes mosquitoes are found indoors rather than outdoors. The Aedes aegypti prefers to rest in shaded places while Aedes albopictus prefer to

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Telecom cords that bind

VANTAGE POINTS

9

communicaFAST BACKWARD tion poles were built to secure it from being hit by wagons.

Frederick Carleton Chamberlin, in The Philippine Problem 1898-1913, reported that the installation of telegraphic Antonio V. Figueroa lines and poles were done on schedule, so much so that in just a couple of years the country was already connected to the US mainland. He wrote: “On the fourth of July, 1904, a new cable, the only one that has ever run from the Islands to America, was opened…

“Each year a substantial addition to the system is seen. In 1910 over a thousand miles of new telegraph wire were laid down. In 1911 the addition was 255 miles and there were sunk 125 miles of new submarine cables; and in the ten years since the civil government took over the telephones, they have increased in wire three hundred miles annually, so that in 1912 there were 8008 miles in the Islands, with 6430 miles of telegraph and I986 of cables. Every important point in the Archipelago can now be reached by electrical communication by means of these 11,426 miles of wires at

rates that are fully as low as those we pay here in the United States.

“We installed the wireless… and powerful stations now exist at Manila, Cavite, Corregidor, Zamboanga, Jolo, Malabang, and Davao; while extensive plans are already projected for wider distribution of this newest means of communication.”

The war, as expected, ruined all these lines, rendering the city virtually separated from Manila and the abroad. With reparations coming in after Liberation and communication lines starting to connect again the national capital region to the outside world, some private investors and local governments thought of opening telephone firms in populated centers.

In 1963, the City Council of Davao approved Resolutions 664 and 2015 passed on Aug. 7, 1963 and Dec. 27, 1963, respectively, mandating the establishment of a city-owned and operated telephone system, which the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Inc. (PLDT) opposed, arguing that its special franchise to establish and operate a telephone system throughout the country, though not exclusive, was violated.

A case was also filed by the PLDT against the City of Davao and the Public Service Commission, with ITT Philippines, Inc. as intervenor. The phone company asserted its right under the special franchise and invoked the general welfare clause under the law, but this position was rebuffed.

A motion for reconsideration was filed but the Supreme Court, on Oct. 30, 1965, denied it.

In particular the high tribunal, citing Republic Act 4354, or ‘An Act to Reverse the Charter of the City of Davao and for Other Purposes’, enacted on June 19, 1965, argued that under the city’s Charter it “has power to operate and maintain a telephone system.” The SC stated: “The Philippine Commission’s Act No. 667 [which the PLDT invoked][ is an instance of delegation of power to grant franchise. It provides that any person authorized to engage in operating a telephone service has to obtain a franchise from the municipal council of the municipality through which its lines will pass. Davao City does not have to follow the procedure in Act No. 667, for, as stated, it has been empowered under its charter to directly grant the franchise to itself. A contrary view would be absurd: Davao City would have to file with its City Council an application for a franchise after said Council had authorized it to operate the telephone system.”

Finally, the tribunal pointed out that the law giving special franchise to PLDT, which is Act No. 3436, specifically Section 14, provides that the telephone firm’s “right to operate a telephone system shall not be exclusive and reserves the power to grant any other corporation, association or person franchise to operate a telephone system shows that public policy is not always in favor of monopoly in public utilities.”

The resolution of the case in favor of the City Government in time led to the establishment of the now defunct city-owned and operated Davao City Telephone System (DCTS), with the help of International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT), an American firm, as equipment provider.

rest in shrubs THINK ON THESE! and trees.

This is how the disease is spread to other people. After a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, “the virus circulates in the blood up to five days after infection,” Henrylito D. Tacio explained Dr. Eric Tayag, one henrytacio@gmail.com of the country’s experts on dengue. “They multiply in the blood cells, called monocytes. Later, the monocytes release chemicals that trigger leakage of plasma that results in shock.”

Medical science says there are four distinct, but closely-related, viruses that cause dengue.

Recovery from infection by one provides lifelong immunity against that strain but confers only partial and transient protection against subsequent infection by the other three. There is good evidence that sequential infection increases the risk of more serious disease resulting in DHF. Dr. Carmencita Reodica, when she was still the health secretary, told the media that there is no lifelong immunity to the disease. “Someone who has been ill of one type may get re-infected, especially if it involves another strain,” she said.

On why dengue usually affects children, Dr. Tayag shared this information: “Children are exposed more and earlier in life to bites of mosquitoes. Adults may already have been infected earlier during childhood thus the lesser chances for acquiring new infections. Dengue, therefore, is a childhood illness just like other vaccine-preventable diseases.”

The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. The World

Health Organization (WHO) says dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue its other name. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.

Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to DHF. With DHF, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding in the nose, mouth, and gums.

Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock.

Most people equate DHF with influenza and similar flu-like diseases. “There is usually rash in dengue while there is none in flu,” explains Dr. Allan Schapira, an epidemiologist who was then with the WHO regional office when interviewed by this author. “Fever caused by dengue tends to last almost a week, while that of flu disappear after 3-5 days.”

In the last 50 years dengue has spread from being present in a handful of countries to being endemic in 128 countries, where about 4 billion people live, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization. The incidence of dengue has likewise increased 30-fold in this time period.

But there’s good news. The world’s first dengue vaccine for human use has already been approved in three countries, including the Philippines, according to Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of France’s Sanofi. (The two other countries are Brazil and Mexico.)

“Prevention of dengue is an urgent and growing medical priority in the Philippines,” says Dr. May Book Montellano, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination. And vaccination, she adds, “is widely accepted as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce

the spread of infectious diseases like dengue.”

The Scientific American reported that the vaccine, which is designed to coax the body’s immune system into making antibodies against all four forms of dengue, is a live virus comprised of an attenuated yellow fever virus.

(Yellow fever virus and dengue virus have the same genus.) For the vaccine, however, the virus is genetically engineered to include genes encoding for dengue proteins.

The vaccine isn’t perfect yet but it could help. “In clinical trials it only reduced the chances of developing the disease by about 60 percent,” Scientific American said. “Also, it is only approved for use in people nine to 45 years old who live in dengue-endemic areas —not young children or the elderly. In fact, the vaccine seems to be least effective in children younger than nine years old, particularly among kids under 6, whose immune systems are especially vulnerable and might be part of the group who need the vaccines most.”

According to Sanofi, the vaccine prevents “9 out of 10 cases of severe dengue.” Cameron Simmons, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Melbourne, told Al Jazeera: “The evidence from the vaccine trials is that it can prevent hospitalization for about 80 percent of those who get vaccinated.”

For the vaccine to be effective, a person will need three doses with six-month gap for each dose.

“What we have seen in the efficacy trial is that in the countries where dengue is endemic, protection can start even after the first dose,” Dr. Bruno Guy, an immunologist in France, was quoted as saying by “Health and Lifestyle” magazine.

Dr. Bruno, however, added that dengue’s mortality rate is quite low. Only 2.5% of severe dengue can lead to death.

“It’s not a disease with high mortality like malaria,” he pointed out, “but a disease which has a high impact on healthcare system.”

Watch out for dengue fever

10 NEWS FIRST SONA... FROM 1

be sensitive to the state’s obligation to promote and protect the human rights of our citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable,” he added, and promised that social justice will be pursued even as the rule of law shall at all times prevail.

“My administration,” he said, “shall implement a human approach for development and governance as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental preservation and respect for culture.”

“Human rights,” Duterte emphasized, “must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy our country.”

On international relations The president said that as the country is still being confronted by internal security threats aggravated by the existence and activities of the terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf, the full force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be applied to crush the group that operates under the disguise of religious fervour.

He said the AFP will enhance its capability to search and engage Abu Sayaff and strengthen the country’s coordination with Indonesia and Malaysia to suppress the kidnapping activities of lawless elements, saying, “We will strengthen out counter-terrorism program by amending various laws on human terrorism, financing and cyber crimes.”

Addressing global warming is also a top priority of the administration but in equitable equation so it would not hinder the country’s industrialization.

“We also endeavour to develop corporate partnership with nations with common interests and concerns with the Philippines,” the president said, adding that the country will also maintain and sustain bilateral and multilateral consultations and dialogues.

The Philippines will also build deeper security dialogues with other nations to build greater understanding and cooperation, he stressed.

“With regard to the West Philippine Sea,” Duterte added, “we strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the permanent court of arbitration as an important

contribution to the on-going efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our disputes.”

for a span of six weeks whether he was chosen or not by the mayor he will be relieved but as a matter of respect actually we still confer with the mayors, cities and provinces.”

He said that the main basis for the relief these police officials will be the crime rate in their localities.

On the other hand, Cascolan said well-performing police officers will be promoted to posts in the national headquarters, regional and provincial headquarters, and also will also be given a chance to be a COP. Meanwhile, Cascolan expressed optimism that the crime volume will continue to

decline as the PNP intensifies its operations against drug-related criminal activities in the succeeding months.

From a high of 52,950 registered in January, the Total Crime Volume steadily dipped by 13 percent through the first and second quarters of the year, down to only 46,060 crime incidents in June.

In the PNP’s assessment, Cascolan said, the ongoing two-pronged national anti-drug campaign under “Project Double Barrel” is expected to further boost the overall anti-crime effort, citing the correlation of drug use to other forms of index crime involving crimes against per-

Police... FROM 2

On Peace Process The Philippines remains committed to work with its international partners in achieving peace and progress, Duterte said, and “We will vigorously address the grievances that time and again expressed not only by the Bangsamoro, Indigenous Peoples and the other groups for security, development and access to decision making and acceptance of identities.”

Duterte said enduring peace can only be attained if the fundamental needs of every Filipino are met.

To the Bangsamoro and the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the New People’s Army (NPA), Duterte said: “All of us want peace. Not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living.”

In a surprise pronouncement, the president declared unilateral ceasefire in the midst of his SONA and called on the leaders of the CPP-NPANDF to do their part.

“Let us end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes. We are going nowhere and it is getting bloodier by the day.”

The declaration of unilateral ceasefire, according to Duterte, was meant to immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of peace talks.

To the Moro people, Duterte also urged to end the centuries of mistrust and warfare.

“We express our willingness and readiness to go to the negotiating table. And yet we load our guns, fix our sights, pull the trigger. It is both ironic and tragic and it is endless,” he explained.

Duterte added that while the government and the rebels extol the bravery and heroism of soldiers and rebels killed during armed encounters, what he sees, instead “are the widows and the orphans and I feel their pain and grief. And no amount of cash assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of the human lives.”

EDGEDAVAO Economic priorities Just barely weeks in the Malacañang, President Duterte is envisioning to hand down a better economy to the next administration.

Inheriting a fast-growing economy from the last administration, the president said his plan to maintain the current macroeconomic policies and do better through formulation of effective monetary and fiscals policies.

Duterte also re-echoed the policy direction of his current administration to pursue tax reforms and have a more equitable tax system by lowering the income and corporate taxs to entice the entry of more investors.

Under his term, local government units and national governments agencies should enhance the system for local business registration and expedite the issuance of permits to only three hours.

For the development of the agriculture sector, Duterte said he will push for a nationwide soil analysis to optimize production.

The government will further distribute post-harvest facilities and construct more irrigation systems even as he pushed for the development of the aquaculture sector by promoting the development of fishponds in riverbanks and backyards.

Duterte plans to also increase public spending on public infrastructure like road networks and farm-to-market roads and for the development of an inter-island linkage, and also reiterated his plan of pushing for the implementation of the long-dreamt Mindanao Rail project, including the Manila Railway project, which will connect key point in Metro Manila; the Panay Railway Project; and the North and South Transit System.

For the aviation sector, Duterte said he will decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by diverting traffic to Clark International Airport, only with one condition: a railway system will be developed connecting Manila and Clark.

He also said he will also remove the mandate of the issuance of plates for motor vehicles from the hands of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and extend the validity of driver’s licenses from five years to three years. sons and crimes against property.

Over the last 21 days since Project Double Barrel was implemented in July 1, the PNP has recorded a national total of 3,213 arrested drug personalities during separate police operations by local and national PNP Units.

As of July 22, a total of 239 drug suspects were slain in police operations.

Under “Oplan Tokhang” or house visitations on residences of suspected drug personalities, 120,038 individuals voluntarily surrendered to authorities, among them, 112,902 drug users and, 7,107 pushers. (PNA)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Pimentel... FROM 1

Pimentel was nominated by Senators Sotto and Zubiri.

Senators Francis Escudero, Antonio Trillanes IV and Pimentel voted for Senator Recto.

With the new leadership, former Senate now include President Drilon was named as new Senate President Pro-tempore, Sotto as Majority Floor Leader and Senator Recto as the Minority Floor Leader.

Members of the majority block in the senate include Senators Sotto III, Zubiri, Drilon, Angara, Aquino, Binay, de Lima, Ejercito, Gatchalian, Gordon, Honasan, Hontiveros, Lacson, Legarda, Pacquiao, Pangilinan, Poe, Villanueva, Cynthia Villar and Pimentel.

Committee leadership in the Senate was already decided by the members of the majority block in a meeting on Friday, July 22.

The chairmanships in the Senate are as follows: Agriculture and Food –Pangilinan; Education – Aquino IV; Energy – Gatchalian; Environment – Villar; Finance – Legarda; Rules – Sotto III; Public Services – Poe; Labor, Employment & Human Resources Development – Villanueva; Public Order and Dangerous Drugs – Lacson; Ways and Means – Angara; Justice and Human Rights – de Lima; Health and Demography – Hontiveros; National Defense and Security – Honasan; and Trade and Industry – Zubiri.

“Now, history seems to be making up for all those times of exclusion. And it is now mandating that the two main branches of our tripartite governmental setup, namely, the executive and the legislative departments be led by individuals from Mindanao,” Pimentel said in his message after assuming the Senate presidency.

The new Senate president said he was greatly gratified seeing for the first time that the President of the country and the leaders of Congress all come from Mindanao.

“It had never been this way before, my dear friends. In fact, for a long time, the people of Mindanao have felt excluded from the center of political power that defined policies and programs for the progress and development of the nation,” he added.

Pimentel also vowed fairness as his guiding principle as president of the Senate.

The new Senate president said senators had already agreed on the essential elements of the program of government for change, which include the dedication of all members of the Upper House for all-out search for peace; the move for the adoption of a federal system of government; support to the all-out war against crime, drugs and corruption; reform taxation system that is more just and progressive; the strengthening of the rule of law and our justice system work; and work to reform the budget and declare a war on waste.

Senate president Pimental also vowed that the Senate will work for sustainable and inclusive economic growth; protection of the environment; the delivery of quality education and quality health care; to fight abuse and the abusive; to focus on the needs and the situation of the helpless and impoverished members of Philippine society, especially the sick, the elderly and the children; and to support the legislative initiatives President Duterte envisions as necessary to promote the public welfare.

Meanwhile, in the lower House, a total of 251 members of the House of Representatives of the 17th Congress elected Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez as speaker.

Alvarez was challenged by other nominees for the speakership that include Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. Suarez got seven votes, Baguilat with eight while 22 House members chose to abstain from voting.

Among those who voted for Alvarez was Rep. Lorna Bautista Bandigan of the lone district of Davao Occidental.

In a text message to EDGE Davao on Monday afternoon, Rep. Bandigan said Mindanao will be given priority now that the new leaders of the lower House and the Senate come from the island.

Aside from the members of the PDP-Laban, Alvarez also gained support from the Northern Alliance composed of lawmakers from Northern LuRepublic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK Service.

Case No. 2016-XI-01016 (2003-XI-01980) (2004-1053) HELEN B. UY, Petitioner-Vendor ROLANDO C. MARIANO, Petitioner-Vendee

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by HELEN B. UY in favor of ROLANDO C. MARIANO of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a TH FREIGHT TRUCK service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY and from said place to any point in MINDANAO accessible to motor vehicle traffic and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate is still valid and subsisting up to May 4, 2019.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on AUGUST 8, 2016 at 10:20 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 Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 20th day of July 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

zon; from the Visayas bloc; and from members of the Party List Coalition.

Alvarez said in his speech that among the priorities he will work for is the revision of the death penalty; the amendment to the Pangilinan law or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act; the granting of emergency powers to President Duterte to address the traffic woes in Metro Manila and Cebu; and the creation of a Constitutional Convention or Commission to pave the way to a shift in federal form of government.

Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rudy Fariñas was also named the new Majority Floor Leader while elected as new House Deputy Speakers include: Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Eric Singson (PDP-Laban); Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Nationalist People’s Coalition); Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro (National Unity Party); Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu (Nationalista Party); and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo (Liberal Party).

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

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK Service

Case No. 2016-XI-01015 CARVEY O. SY, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant requests authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK SERVICE for the transportation of freight on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on AUGUST 8, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a 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 Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 20th day of July 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

The Fragrant Harbour and the legendary

MARCO POLO HONGKONG HOTEL

I AM SURE MANY TRAVELLERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG, particularly Fragrant Harbour’s dazzling lights, vibrant streets, and sumptuous food offerings which never fail to bring many of us back and wanting more.

When I became the lucky recipient of a gift certificate for a two-night stay at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel last year, I was able to convince my travel buddy Otoi to spend at the hotel two more extra nights to complete our annual Hong Kong summer sojourn.

Located along Canton Road at the heart of the commercial, shopping and entertainment district of Tsim Sha Tsui, the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel has an unmatched location, as well as a spectacular view of Victoria Harbour, which I later found out, would be the view I would be waking up to thanks to the Harbour view, Continental Club floor room that was given to me.

The room assigned to me was spacious and well-equipped. It had universal power outlets, an in-room safe, Nespresso coffee maker, LED cable TV, walk-in closet, and separate shower and bathtub. Club floor access gave us means complimentary use of the Marco Polo Club lounge where breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails are served.

Although I was tempted to just laze around in my room while enjoying the view while laying down on my ultra comfortable bed, the main reason for travelling is really to go out and immerse oneself in one’s chosen the destination.

For the shopaholics, the Marco Polo Hong Kong is actually part of Hong Kong’s largest shopping center, Harbour City. Exciting finds from affordable brands to luxury goods are just a mere ABOVE: The Marco Polo Hotel group’s signature Earl Grape Iced Tea is served at with a breathtaking background of Hong Kong’s Victoria footstep away from the hotel’s doors. In Harbour. The Earl Grape Iced Tea is also available at the Marco Polo Urbanissimo A4 Davao.

TOP: Hong Kong’s exciting light show as seen from my perfect vantage point, the Harbour View Room at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel.

ABOVE: The Slow cooked Wagyu beef cheek with Barolo red wine sauce on mashed pumpkin at Marco Polo Hong Kong’s Italian restaurant Cucina literally melts in your mouth.

LEFT: Explorers will love the complimentary Handy smartphone which functions as a free WiFi hotspot you can bring along with you. It also has concierge functions and also allows for unlimited calls to the Philippines.

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

E

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Below the Surface:

MANSUD WALL IT ALL STARTED WITH A DEEP UNQUENCHABLE DESIRE TO BE WITH THE OCEAN. As a little girl, it didn’t matter how as I could be with the ocean that was enough for me.

At first it was venturing beyond the platonic admiration of what was on its surface. After all, that’s almost what we always see – the endless expanse of the ocean’s surface.

Next, I allowed myself to play with the waves on the shore. It was during these hours that I knew how dynamic the ocean could be. Chasing after fish, diving in after waves and jumping off my father’s back to the deeper waters – these were warm memories of the ocean for me.

TOP: Using a monofin, now popularly known as a mermaid fin, this free diving enthusiast explores the edge of the 45 feet drop, which Mansud Wall is known for.

RIGHT: Another free diving enthusiast, on one single breath, carefully dives above some of the coral formations that can be found around Mansud Wall.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3 The clear waters surrounding Talicud Island make it one of the best places to go snorkleling.

Here, an enthusiast is surfacing for air atop the shallow part of the reef after diving to a depth of around 10 feet.

L Fast forward to the present days, I find myself still continuously drawn to the sea. Only realizing later in life, my love for the sea has earned me the moniker that probably embodies best the ocean’s daughter, a mermaid.

Saying yes to almost all forms of water-related activities, there were some that I stood by; I couldn’t get enough of being in the water.

My friend, Anne invited me to join her crew of free diving enthusiasts, Dive Ta Bai, for a day tour around Davao Gulf.

Being around real free divers

in the sea.

Looking back on my first free dive, I thought I already knew a lot of fish, seeing them in pet shops and in the market. After exploring Mansud Wall for a whole afternoon, I realized I barely knew fish at all. I barely even know the names of corals and even our dive spots nearby.

Realizing this, I think I need to explore our backyard more often. Guilty of focusing too much on other places, I missed the equally wonderful underwater sights here in Davao Gulf.

Go on and explore responsibly what Davao Gulf has to offer. There are a lot of dive shops around Sta. Ana Wharf that offer tours at affordable rates.

Also, don’t forget to bring extra eco-bags to place trash in and keep our oceans clean.

For more saltwater adventures check out @ferinasantos on Instagram and www.mermaidsdosurf.wordpress.com.

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

for the first time was intimidating. Never been one to shy away, we arrived bright and early at Sta. Ana Wharf. After the headcount, the boat took off for Talicud Island’s Mansud Wall.

While traveling, the organizers gave a short orientation and free diving tips that encouraged us to try and have fun. Traveling for an hour, we wasted no time, got our masks on, jumped out of the boat and started exploring the spot.

Starting from the shallower end, we opted to snorkel the whole length of the area first.

I was surprised that Mansud Wall had wonderful reef and coral formations that stretched further than two Ol y mpic- si z e d pools. I didn’t see any corals or reef damaged by anchors. There were still quite a lot of fish swimming all over the reef, mostly juvenile but they

were still so breathtaking to swim with.

It felt like swimming in between the colors of the rainbow. There was so much color around blending perfectly. Even the fish seemed welcoming and didn’t try to attack us as we poked our masks among the corals.

After chasing fish around the reef, we decided to head deeper. There was a little crevice among the reefs. In the middle was like a road-like path made of sand, with equally towering reef to either side.

It was fun playing with the sand – scooping it at the bottom and trying to hold as much while surfacing for air. Up and down we went, swimming beside corals so much bigger than myself.

The day was ending and with heavy hearts and burnt skin, we had to head back to Sta. Ana wharf before 5pm because the boats weren’t allowed to go beyond that point out

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

TRAVEL Urbanissimo A1 fact, the hotel has many different direct access points to Harbour City, meaning heat nor rain cannot spoil your shopping day. Guests staying at the Marco Polo Hong Kong also get exclusive discounts and perks when shopping at the Harbour City.

Food lovers will enjoy the many food offerings in the area from local dimsum, to Japanese cuisine, and even Western-style fine dining. One such Western-style restaurant one should try out is Cucina which happens to be located at the sixth floor of the Marco Polo Hotel.

Headed by Michelin Star trained Chef de Cuisine, Chef Andrea Oreste Delzanno, Cucina is one of Hong Kong’s top restaurants and gives diners the ultimate Italian dining experience. The breath-

taking views of Victoria Harbour, while one is having great food, make it a must-do experience.

For explorers, the hotel is the perfect starting point for adventures, as it is just a short walk to Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui MTR terminal where one can take the train to shopping areas like Mong Kok, Causeway Bay, and areas beyond. My favourite route to Central or Wan Chai is through the iconic Star Ferry whose terminal is right on the doorstep of the Marco Polo Hong Kong. Not only is it cheap and quick, but it also gives passengers an unparalleled view of Victoria Harbour.

All of these I was able to do, and share all my travel experiences without data roaming charges, thanks to the Marco Polo’s Handy Smartphone, a revolutionary hotel amenity that is available at all Marco Polo

Hotels in Hong Kong. The Handy is a smartphone that comes with unlimited data and functions as a mobile hotspot which guests can tether their gadgets to. It also comes pre-loaded with software designed to guide tourists on happenings throughout Hong Kong. For the business traveller, the Handy also provides unlimited phone calls to the Philippines from Hong Kong free of charge.

My Hong Kong trip this year may have been short, but my stay at the Marco Polo Hong Kong made it an unforgettable one, making me understand why the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel is an iconic landmark and a must stay luxury experience when visiting the Fragrant Harbour.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel and food stories.

UP AND ABOUT

Silkair introduces All-Time Favourites menu to delight business class travellers

SILKAIR, THE F U L L - S E RV I C E REGIONAL WING OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES, is proud to announce the official launch of the All-Time Favourites menu, offering Business Class customers a specially curated selection of meals to choose from when travelling on flights leaving from Singapore that are 3 hours and above.

With 20 meal options across Asian, Western, and Singaporean cuisines, customers can now book their favourite meals up to 24 hours in advance to ensure a piping hot All-Time Favourite on their flight. The All-Time Favourites bookings can be done seamlessly via the respective SilkAir or Singapore Airlines websites, or through travel agents and the SilkAir or Singapore Airlines reservations offices, and will be available for all meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“We have always put our customers at the heart of our business, and make it a point to continuously improve our services and offerings to meet the needs of discerning travellers.

The launch of the All-Time Favourites service is testa-

ment to that,” said Mr. Foo Chai Woo, Chief Executive SilkAir. “The dishes we have curated for the All-Time Favourites menu is a reflection of SilkAir’s multicultural Singaporean heritage and also pays tribute to the 49 diverse destinations that we fly to. Our All-Time Favourites dishes will allow our customers to enjoy the best specially curated meals that SilkAir has to offer, and we hope that this added convenience will truly make it a joy to fly with us.”

Along with the launch of the All-Time Favourites service are a few new additions to the inflight offerings for Business Class travellers.

Customers can now indulge in refreshments like freshly-squeezed orange juice and champagne upon

boarding the flight. Handmade chocolate pralines have also been added to the menu for a truly indulgent experience, alongside a new hot beverage offering of Masala Tea when flying with SilkAir. All-Time Favourites like the Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice, Fried Carrot Cake, and Fried Hokkien Mee are among the Oriental inflight menu offerings, along with Muslim favourites like the Roti Jala, Mee Rebus, and Ikan Assam.

For those who enjoy Indian delicacies, delectable dishes like the Chicken Tikka, Mutton Masala, and Fish Biryani will tingle your tastebuds. Customers who prefer Western meals can look forward to dishes such as classic Blueberry Pancakes, Roasted Salmon Fillet, or Grilled Beef Tenderloin.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

TOP LEFT: The Marco Polo Hong Kong’s Harbour View rooms give the perfect vantage point to appreciate Victoria Harbour’s billion dollar view.

LEFT: With the Star Ferry terminal, MTR, and Bus stops just a short walk away, the Marco Polo Hong Kong is the best place to stay when in need of a Hong Kong expedition.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Ignacio de Loyola: First Filipino film to be shown in Vatican comes home

T

HE first Filipino-produced film to be shown in the Vatican, Ignacio de Loyola will have its Philippine premiere on 27 July 2016.

“The film highlights the dramatic life of a soldier-saint’s conversion from a life of vice and violence, continuing through his near-fatal injury at the Battle of Pamplona, his attempts to turn his life towards the light, his intense struggle with guilt and depression, his trial before the Inquisition, and his ultimate vindication,” said the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Ignacio de Loyola was produced by Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It was shot primarily in Navarra and the Basque Country in Northern Spain last year.

Special effects and

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

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer of Unit with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJDUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. 2016-XI-01000 (2001-XI-02006) LERMA P. JORDAN, Petitioner-Vendor

ALEXANDER P. JORDAN, Petitioner-Vendee

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by LERMA P. JORDAN in favor of ALEXANDER P. JORDAN of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ – DUAL Ordinary Regular service on the route: PANABO CITY-DAVAO CITY and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on November 28, 2016.

In the same petition filed on July 14, 2016, petitioners likewise request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on AUGUST 8, 2016 at 09:00 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 Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional th Director, this 15 day of July 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

post-production were done in the Philippines. Renowned Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab created the musical score, which were interpreted by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ateneo Chamber Singers.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius on 31 July, the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) has scheduled block screenings for its students and alumni on 27 and 28 July 2016 at the SM City Cinemas in Ecoland, Davao City.

ADDU President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, “requests everyone in the community to join myself, the Jesuit Community, and one another in watching Ignacio de Loyola, produced masterfully by our very own Jesuit Communications (JesCom).”

“Bring your family and friends to be inspired by Ignatius’ enduring saga of courage, hope, and faith,” added Fr. Tabora.

St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. Jesuits, as society members are called, are engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in 112 nations on six continents.

They work in education, intellectual research, and cultural pursuits. Besides giving retreats and ministering in hospitals and parishes, Jesuits also promote social justice and ecumenical dialogue.

The Philippines is home to 9 Jesuit schools, including Ateneo and Xavier Schools and universities.

Damosa Land Partners with CREBA to host Lamudi Forum D

AMOSA Land, Inc. (DLI), a member of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association (CREBA), spearheaded the group’s general monthly meeting for July, which highlighted specific strategies companies could adopt to become more globally competitive.

CREBA, the largest real estate umbrella organization in the Philippines, has worked closely with DLI, one of the top homegrown real estate companies in Davao, to achieve their shared goal of contributing to the real estate industry’s progress. During a recent seminar organized by CREBA, its members were updated on some of the most efficient and innovative ways to bring in sales - through the use of online media.

Lamudi, an online classi-

fied site for property selling, was invited to facilitate the coaching and open discussion with the participants.

“There is a big difference between being online and becoming successful online,” said Christopher Watine, the Head of Training and Development of the website that offers sellers, buyers, landlords and renters a friendly platform to search or post properties on the internet. He also discussed how to deliver excellent customer service.

The seminar focused on how leads could be converted to sales, particularly through online media. Establishing a business and being competent online especially in the real estate industry is crucial, as information is expected to be readily available on the web, a fact that was stressed to partic-

ipants of the seminar.

With the advanced technology and extensive engagement of people on social media and web portals, CREBA alongside DLI; hope that more real estate brokers and property specialists will maximize all available online tools. This could result to a more extensive client reach, quicker sales, and greater exposure within the industry.

With a more efficient sales and marketing strategy, CREBA emphasized among its members the need to maintain quality service among its the customers, regardless of whether they are potential, current or past clients.

Cherrylin Casuga, Regus Davao’s General Manager, presented the company’s business solutions. In her talk, Casugo explained that Regus is a

multi-national corporation is offering not just office spaces for various business but also facilities, services and technologies needed by business establishment.

“It’s actually nice that we continue to have these kinds of events together,” DLI Vice President, Ricardo “Cary” Floirendo Lagdameo expressed.

He added, “I think this is really good for both parties and for the industry.” He also presented DLI’s portfolio which covers residential and commercial to industrial, tourism and mixed-use ventures.

The forum was attended

by CREBA members, real estate brokers from Davao, Real Estate Management students from Holy Cross of Davao and University of Mindanao, and officers of DLI, Lamudi and Regus.

From left to right: CREBA Davao Chapter President, Engr. Joel Lao; VP for Damosa Land Inc., Mr. Ricardo F. Lagdameo; General Manager of Regus Davao Ms. Cherrylin Casuga; Head of Training and Development of Lamudi, Mr. Christopher Watine; and Lamudi Head of Corporate Partnership.

PMA-Davao calls for more Chapter-members T

HE Philippine Marketing Association (PMA)Davao Chapter is inviting its members to participate in the the 47th National Marketing Conference dubbed “Hello ASEAN” on July 28-29, 2016 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport City.

“The Hello ASEAN marketing conference will feature

stories and scenarios from top tier business experts and practitioners, marketing masters and disrupters, including CEOs of Philippine, Asian and global brands that have successfully launched or grown their businesses in the ASEAN trade sphere,” PMA Davao President Mr. Anthony M. Aguelo said in a statement.

PMA National Vice President Mr. Alex Flores served as the Inducting Officer of the PMA-Davao Chapter Oath taking last June 25, at the Holy Cross of Davao College.

This year’s PMA-Davao Officers are: President- Mr. Anthony M. Aguelo; Ateneo de Davao University; Vice-President: Mr. Jessie S. Singson, Mars Philippines Inc. ; Board Secretary-Dr. Susan S. Cruz, Holy Cross of Davao College; Treasurer-Dr. Janine S. Betonio,Rizal Memorial Colleges; and Membership Committee Head Ms. Roxan C. Paguyan-SOS Children’s Village Davao. PMA-Davao council advisers are Danilo Te and Prima Hilot.

Other members of the PMA-Davao Chapter include representatives from the Philippine Women’s College;

University of Mindanao; University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan; Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology-Mati and Central Mindanao Colleges-Kidapawan.

The Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) is a leading association of professional marketers in the Philippines. It aims to develop and promote marketing as a science and profession guided by the universal principles of ethics, corporate citizenship and social responsibility, and serves as a policy-making and recommendatory arm of the government on marketing-relat-

ed issues.

PMA-Davao is still open to accepting more individual and institutional members.

For interested parties, please coordinate with the organization’s membership committee headed by Roxan C. Paguyan of the SOS Children’s Village Davao, and Chapter President Anthony Aguelo of the Ateneo de Davao University. (PMA-Davao)

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13 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Matina Enclaves responds to high condo demand

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

ITH the current rising demand on both the conventional residential and the high-rise properties in Davao City, homegrown real estate firm Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) is gearing up for the launch of its fifth condominium project inside the sprawling Matina Enclaves.

Project head Gerald Kent Garces said the company is now ready to launch its fifth condominium project as the remaining inventory for the first four buildings is down to 5 percent.

The remaining unts are all on Building 4 of The Residences, the condominium sector of the mixed use complex, an initial venture into real estate development of the Escandor family who are into security services and hotel business, among its diverse businesses.

After its launch last May 15, Building 4 inventory is already down to 5%.

Davao City is experiencing a boom in the property market prodded by the victory of former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the country’s President last May. Garces said the launch of Building 5 is aimed at infus-

ing 230 additional units. These units are a combination of Studio, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom units).

Building 4, nearing sold out status, is set for construction by mid next year while its turnover has been set by mid 2019.

Building 5 is also penciled for construction by the third quarter next year and its turnover eyed on the last quarter of 2019.

Sales have been brisk also since President Duterte used the Matina Enclaves clubhouse as his temporary office prior to assuming office last June 30.

Garces likewise gave updates of the construction of Matina Enclaves with Building 1 set for turnover by December this year.

He said that the piling for Building 2 will soon be completed while structural activity is set to start by August.

Construction of Building 3 will also start the piling phase during the 4th quarter of the year.

Across the road, the Arcadia project is also on-going on its excavation and structural preparation. Arcadia is the recreational building which is designed to complement the community inside the Enclaves.

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

Big bikes roar as Norminring th marks 5 anniversary in Davao

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

M

ORE than 280 big bikers from various parts of Mindanao converged in Davao City on Saturday, July 23 to join Norminring Motorbikes celebrate its 5th year anniversary and the Mindanao Bike Night 2016.

“This celebration coincides with the birthday of our Chief Executive Officer Jondi Lacson,” said Norminring’s chief operating officer Daniel J. Sunga.

Sunga likens the event as payback time to their clients and the riders who, for the whole year, have chosen Norminring when they level up their motorbikes, acquire new units and complete their safety gears and equipment.

Normingring Motorbikes is the exclusive distributor Ducati and Royal Enfield.

The store also offers brand new KTM, Kawasaki and Italjet motorbikes.

“We are the pioneer in selling multi-brand premium and

global brand motorcycles. We have the brands of motorbikes that every rider aspire and wanted to own,” said Manny Perez, the store’s chief adviser.

Perez added that the company is making sure that it has a good mix of products with different price ranges, engine sizes and types of models to cater to the riding style and budget of their clients.

Aside from the tour around the major thorough-

fares of Davao City, members of the Mindanao Confederation of Big Bike Clubs (MCBBC) who joined Norminring’s celebration were also offered free dinner and drinks during the evening program that featured live bands from the city and Manila.

Club members were delighted when door prizes were offered by Norminring during the evening event and a grand prize of one unit Italjet scooter during the raffle.

National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs president Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal City also joined the celebration and updated the club members on the upcoming national convention of big bike riders slated in April next year in Koronadal City.

The national convention will be joined by more or less 2,000 to 3,000 big bikers coming from various parts of the country and even abroad.

“The Mindanao Bike Night was a fellowship of all

motorcycle enthusiasts in the island. The activity also promoted camaraderie and brotherhood among us,” Sunga said.

As of this writing, the club members are also waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte to come and join the celebration.

“We also invited the president. We already sent invitation through Bong Go. We will also celebrate his victory during the last election,” Sunga added.

ber of motorcycle-riding people in Mindanao,” he added.

Perez also lauded the financing programs that are available for clients who wanted to own motorcycles.

“The purchase of motorcycles now is affordable because there a lot of banks and financial institutions offering special deals and financing for motorbikes.”

Many known and famous personalities in Mindanao also promote motorcycles as they themselves prove to the public that they own and ride in motorcycles.

“President Duterte is a motorbike rider. That’s a lot of perception in terms of motorcycle riding. If the president rides motorcycle in Mindanao – that for me is an indication that it is safe to ride in motorcycle here,” Perez said.

He said that bike riders in Mindanao fully support the president’s drive against illegal drugs, saying that “We do not tolerate drug users within our ranks.”

The Mindanao Bike Night was a fellowship of all motorcycle enthusiasts in the island.

The activity also promoted camaraderie and brotherhood among us Growth of motorbike sale in Mindanao “The growth of our motorbike sales has grown five times since the time we started five years ago,” Perez, pointing out that the company’s advocacies helped them grow as one of the big dealers of motorbikes in the island.

Perez said the first advocacy that they follow is the promotion of safe motorcycle driving.

“Because we sell motorcycles, we also promote safe motorcycle driving. Whenever you are on the ride you need to always have the full and proper gear, proper training and managed driving by respective traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

The second advocacy of Norminring is on moto-tourism that he explained: “We want to promote Mindanao as the safest and best venue for motorcycle riding. In Mindanao we have wide roads and nice infrastructures, less traffic. You can go around Mindanao. This will change the perspective of Mindanao that it is a dangerous place.”

He added that in every ride and tour in the island, they take photos then post and share the pictures in their Facebook accounts – a way of promoting the various places and tourist spots in Mindanao.

“The third advocacy is camaraderie. As riders we have to be always together to help and protect each other. There’s safety in numbers. Anywhere there are club members and if one needs help there are always those who are ready to lend their hands to help,” Perez said.

The fourth advocacy that Norminring live to is in line

International event As part of its moto-tourism advocacy, Norminring is planning to sponsor a motorbike ride and expedition to Sabah, Malaysia this year.

“We are still finalizing the

with its corporate social responsibility – that every year the company, together with the riders would donate a school building, a classroom or a multi-purpose room.

“Last year we donated a classroom in Tacloban in Visayas. In 2014 we donated P150,000 for a classroom ins a school in Cateel, Davao Oriental. We also donated a day care center in Dapitan and school supplies in Zamboanga City,” Sunga said.

Another factor that Sunga emphasized on the growth of Norminring’s business in selling motorbikes is on the increase of the number of their branches.

“We have four branches now. Last month we opened Dipolog City. Davao City is the main store and we also have Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga City. Next month

we will open our new branch in Kidapawan City,” Sunga said.

In a macro perspective, Perez pointed out that the growth of motorcycle sales the island is that the government is doing the right thing for Mindanao.

“A lot of people are investing in Mindanao,” Perez said as he also attributed the Department of Tourism (DOT) on its efforts to promote Mindanao.

“There are many places in Mindanao especially the tourist destinations that are already familiar to the people in other parts of the country because the DOT strengthened its program on promotions,” Perez said.

“Mindanao has a lot of resorts and more will be opening. There’s a higher disposable income and bigger num-

details of this event,” Sunga said.

The initial plan is a 10-day motorbike ride that will be open to all clubs in the country that will start in Zamboanga City.

“From Zamboanga City the riders will take a boat direct the Sabah and then go for a round in the island and go back by boat to Zamboanga,” Sunga said.

The event will also serve as a venue to invite big bike riders from Sabah to come to Mindanao for a tour and introduce them to the premier areas and tourist spots in the island.

“We are now coordinating with the concerned agencies of the government and also with the Malaysian Embassy.

We will inform the motorcycle clubs when the specifics of the events are finalized,” Sunga said. #

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 107 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016 MVP. Francis Ganriel Escandor of Genesis-Esdevco receives his MVP trophy from Atty. Francis Calatrava of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Lean Daval Jr.

CHAMPS. The Genesis-Esdevco team led by skipper Glenn Escandor (81) and mst valuable player Francis Gabriel Escandor (18) receive the championship trophy. Lean Daval Jr.

THREE-PEAT Genesis-Esdevco routs White House in Game 2 87-64

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

G

KD leads USA past China 106-57 in pre-Rio match

K

EVIN Durant scored 19 points, Klay Thompson added 17 and the US basketball team rolled to a second straight blowout exhibition victory, 106-57, over China on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).

DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points in his hometown, and DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points and seven rebounds in another impressive performance to open the Americans’ pre-Olympic tour. While they’re still learning their teammates’ tendencies and solidifying player rotations, the newly assembled US team looked remarkably cohesive for long stretches against an overmatched opponent with no current NBA players.

Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan scored 12 points and led a strong defensive effort with three blocks for the Americans, who held the Chinese to 30.9 percent shooting.

After opening their showcase tour by trouncing Argentina in Las Vegas on Friday night, the US team posted another rout

at a packed Staples Center.

The Americans haven’t lost a game since the 2006 world championships. They’re 47-1 in exhibitions since NBA stars took over the roster in 1992, going undefeated since 2004.

Anthony was the only holdover in the Americans’ starting lineup from Las Vegas. Krzyzewski put Paul George in with Anthony, Jordan, Kyle Lowry and DeRozan, whose family watched from courtside.

Jordan got the exhibition off to a rousing start with a blocked shot on China’s first possession and an alley-oop dunk on the other end for the Americans’ first points.

Both teams had early shooting struggles, but the Americans took charge with impressive speed late in the first quarter.

Durant, one of the two returning American gold medalists from London, heard boos from the LA crowd during pregame introductions. He quickly found his outside stroke with 14

points and four assists in the first half, and Cousins overpowered the Chinese down low for 12 first-half points on the way to a 55-29 halftime lead.

The Chinese team’s most recognizable name to North Americans is Yi Jianlian, the Milwaukee Bucks’ choice with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 draft. He spent five seasons with four NBA teams before heading back to the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

the Best-of-Three finals series.

Escandor hit a total of five from beyond the arc and his father Glenn backed him up with five of his own to underscore the Realtors’ firepower.

Quarterback Gio Binoya had six points but it was his playmaking skills that had the Genesis-Esdevco squad playing like a well-oiled machine.

The Escandor father-son tandem dropped

15 points right in the opening quarter to give the Realtors the upperhand which they never relinquished throughout the game.

The duo again closed out the series with 12 points in the fourth period as Francis fired 9 and Glenn hit his fifth trey.

In the battle for third, Premia forged a winnertake-all Game 3 after turning back DASIA 9088 in Game 2.

Go, DC boost series lead with Game 6 win

T

EAM Duterte-Cayetano defeated IBP, 86 - 82, in Game 6 to boost its lead in their basketball friendly series on Friday at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Christopher “Bong” Go banked in 42 points to lead the way for DC which now up, 4-1, in the series.

The sweet-shooting special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte nailed 7 triples and accounted 11 points a t

the foul line.

John Flores scored 13 baskets for DC which won two straight games after tasting its first loss in Game 4 of the series.

Playing its brand of play, IBP displayed another great balance offensive attack.

But the lawyers just fell short down the stretch to drop another close match.

Four players finished double digits with Gil Ciudadano leading the pack this time with 18 points.

Chok Cadiogan made 15 as Ongkiko and Baguio had 14 and 10 respectively.

Mans Carpio and Dela Victoria chipped in a combined 16 points for the IBP’s losing cause.

DC and IBP have been able to put up a thrilling series despite the former leading 4-1.

The last four games of the series went down the wire with the inaugural game ended in a 85-85 draw.

ONE ON ONE. Kevin Durant of the USA applies pressure defense on Chinese star Yi JIanlian.

Tour champ Froome gets emotional in speech

A

RIDING HOME THE CHAMP. Team Sky with Chris Froome celebrate as they approach the finish line of the final stage of the 2016 Tour de France. AP

njb@edgedavao.net

ENESIS-ESDEVCO coasted to its third straight title after dominating White House 87-64 in Game 2 to wrap up the 2016 Escandor Group of Companies basketball tournament at the Genesis Gym on Sunday.

Six-foot-two do-it-all Francis Gabriel Escandor drained 34 points to almost singlehandedly carry the threepeat-seeking Realtors to a lopsided clincher in

FTER the beer and champagne celebrations, Chris Froome delivered a sobering and emotional message from the Tour de France winner’s podium on the Champs-Elysees.

Ten days after the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed 84 people, Froome — a Kenyan-born British rider who often trains on the French Riviera — reminded everyone what the Tour stands for.

“These events put sport into perspective but they also show

why the values of sport are so important to free society,” Froome said on Sunday in a prepared speech. “We all love the Tour de France because it’s unpredictable but we love the Tour more for what stays the same — the passion of the fans for every nation, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through sport. These things will never change.

“Thanks for your kindness in these difficult times,” Froome added, switching to French as

he addressed the local fans. “You have the most beautiful race in the world. Vive le Tour, Vive la France.”

Cheered on by thousands of fans undeterred by the recent spate of violence across Europe, Froome celebrated his third Tour title in four years. He finished safely at the back of the main pack in the final stage, arm-inarm with his teammates during the mostly ceremonial leg ending on the cobblestones below the Arc de Triomphe.

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