Edge Davao 9 Issue 113 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

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Serving a seamless society

BACK AT THE HELM. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte appears to be eager to make up for lost time as he presides over the City Council’s session yesterday at the Sangguniang Panlungsod. It was Duterte’s first time to preside over a session of the 18th Council after serving for weeks as acting mayor when his sister, Sara, took a leave of absence. Lean Daval Jr.

CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS SARA’S 10-POINT AGENDA By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE 17th Council of Davao City passed a resolution yesterday throwing its full support behind the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio. The move signified the legislative branch’s desire to complement the priorities and programs of the Duterte-Carpio administration. The mayor, just like her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier bared the city government’s 10 top priority concerns. She intends her programs and plans for the next six years to focus on poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, solid waste management, health and education. Her administration will also look into ways of boosting the city’s agriculture and tourism sectors. Also included in the city government’s development

agenda is the implementation of strategies on transportation planning and traffic management, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation. In a separate interview with majority floor leader Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag of the city’s third district, he noted that Mayor Duterte-Carpio’s socioeconomic agenda will serve as a “guide of the City Council” in terms of legislation. Considered to be independent from the executive branch, Al-ag said the Council will also lay out its own legislative agenda for the next three years during the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) meeting slated to be held at the end of this month. “(The meeting) will spell out our concrete action,” he added. The ELA meeting is conducted whenever there are newly-elected legislators

and newly-appointed city administrators. According to Al-ag, among the salient features of the Council’s agenda, which will be presented during the ELA meeting, are policy and legislation on poverty alleviation. He said the Council would also focus on the passage of legislation that will lead to the creation of more jobs, which is among the mayor’s priority thrusts. The councilor believes that the creation of more jobs for Dabawenyos will provide a long-term solution to the city’s poverty situation. Alag added that his office would work on crafting policies that will entice more investors to venture into the city’s manufacturing sector, saying “We believe that manufacturing can be an engine of growth in job generation,” the councilor said.

City council moves to address rising dengue death toll By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

HE rising number of deaths attributed to dengue virus has alarmed the City Council here after the death toll has reached 25 beginning January of this year. Majority floor leader councilor Bernard Al-ag said the increasing number of dengue cases and the resulting deaths are now a major cause of concern that needs to be addressed as soon as possible Al-ag said the council’s committee on health is studying the feasibility of passing an anti-dengue ordinance as a measure to effectively address the

alarming dengue situation in the city. He recalled sponsoring a similar ordinance in 2004 when he was still the chairperson of the Committee on Health. However, it was not approved by the council back then due to the “strict provisions of the ordinance.” “Right now that the dengue cases are high, maybe the Committee on Health can re-file the anti-dengue ordinance,” he said, “We just need to adjust the measures that are applicable [to our] present time.” He said the council is looking at the possibility

of institutionalizing the 4’ o’clock habit, wherein all barangays will be required to conduct a cleanup drive every 4 P.M. to ensure that the dengue-carrying mosquitoes will be deprived of breeding grounds. According to Al-ag, the council will also monitor the implementation of the City Health Office’s (CHO) anti-dengue campaign. “We will look closely into the implementation of the proposed anti-dengue project of the City Health (Office),” he said, adding, “We already released their budget for the said campaign.”

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MAKE OR BREAK. A fuming Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio threatens not to release the Christmas bonus of some City Health Office (CHO) employees if cases of dengue in the city will not be reduced as number of deaths from the disease has ballooned to 25. Lean Daval Jr.

DSWD, LGUs assist families Mayor Sara: No Christmas bonus affected by storm‘Carina’

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) of Cagayan and Isabela in Region II, has provided a total of PHP953,800 worth of relief assistance to the families affected by Tropical Depression Carina. Of this amount, PHP559,800.00 was provided by LGUs, PHP385,000.00 by DSWD, and PHP9,000 by other providers. “It is important to immediately help those affected by the typhoon. We encourage the citizens to promptly report their situation to the local government unit or to our field offices,” said DSWD Secretary Judy

M. Taguiwalo. As of 5:00 a.m Monday, a total of 1,872 families or 8,326 persons were displaced by the storm. Out of the said number, 141 families or 463 persons are sheltered at 11 evacuation centers set up by the LGUs, while 1,731 families or 7,863 persons are staying outside evacuation centers in Regions 1 and 2. Even though ‘Carina’ has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Taguiwalo said DSWD disaster teams in the affected regions remain on alert to assist LGUs in the management of evacuation centers and in disaster relief operations. (PNA)

Davao City solon named head of House appropriations panel

HE House of Representatives on Monday announced the latest round of appointments to the chairmanship of several standing committees with Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles clinching the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. The appropriations committee is in charge of drafting the national budget, oversee all matters directly and principally related to expenditures of the national government, including payment of public debts and the abolition and classification of positions in government, among others. Other appointments in-

clude former Minority Leader and San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora as chair of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez as chair of the Committee on Legislative Franchises. Meanwhile, Leyte Representative Lucy Torres Gomez has been named chair of the House Tourism Committee, while Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco as chair of the Committee on Energy. Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made the announcements during plenary session.

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for CHO anti-dengue unit unless... A

N incensed Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte threatened not to release the Christmas bonus of some employees of the City Health Office (CHO) as deaths caused by dengue fever continue to balloon. As of June, the number of dengue fever deaths has reached 25 -- or an additional six new mortalities from last week’s 19. From January to

June, CHO has recorded over 4,000 dengue cases. The mayor said the tropical diseases unit of the CHO, which is handling diseases like dengue, should be responsible for these deaths. “Ihatag na lang nako ang ilang bonus sa mga simbako mamatay sa mosunod nga unom ka bulan,” Sara said Tuesday. Last week, the chief exec-

utive also threatened to suspend and replace employees of CHO if deaths caused by dengue will not be stopped. The mayor wants zero casualties from July to December. “We are expecting them to do something to reduce the cases and number of deaths in the next six months,” the mayor said. “Numbers should be lower than the statistics last year of

the same period.” And if they fail in this task, she said she will be compelled not to release the Christmas bonus of the employees concerned. “I think the tropical diseases unit of CHO will not receive their bonus. I will give their bonus to the families of those who God forbid will die in the next six months,” the mayor said.

“Despite our pro-active stance, the AFP remains supportive of the peace process (and) we hopeful that a long and lasting peace (will come out of the Oslo talks,” he said in Filipino. Padilla said this elusive peace is the long-time dream of the soldiery and the populace, very tired of this drawnout conflict. However, he also clarified that despite this desire for

peace, the AFP is committed to carrying out its constitutionally mandated task of protecting the people and country’s sovereignty. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared the unilateral ceasefire against the rebels during his first State-ofthe-Nation Address last July 25 in line with achieving the government’s goal of final and lasting peace. But the Chief Executive

ordered the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire after the 5:00 p.m. Saturday ultimatum he gave lapsed without being reciprocated by the rebels. “Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire dec-

of drug-trafficking and coddling, within 24 hours, otherwise an order of “shoot on sight” will be given if they resist and endanger the lives of arresting police officer,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. Reports said Espinosa has gone on leave since about two weeks ago. Two of Espinosa’s body

guards and his three employees were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted Thursday last week, July 28, at the tennis court near the houses of the mayor and his son at Sitio Tinago, in the village of Benoldo, Albuera. Police recovered at least Php 1.9 million worth of suspected shabu during the operation conducted against one Jose

Antipuesto, the caretaker of the mayor’s fighting cocks. Combined elements of the local police and the Regional Police Safety Battalion arrested Antipuesto, Jeffrey Pesquera, and Ernesto Espenido and the mayor’s bodyguards Jessi Ocares and Marcelo Adorco. The police said four other suspects escaped after they went inside Kerwin’s house. (PNA)

AFP still hopeful for peace despite resumption of fight vs Reds

ESPITE taking a more pro-active stance against the New People’s Army with the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire Saturday, the AFP is still hoping that a more lasting and just peace will come out of the Aug. 20 Oslo, Norway talks with the insurgents. This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a briefing Monday.

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President Duterte gives Leyte mayor, son 24 hours to surrender

RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday gave the mayor of Albuera, Leyte and his son, who are both being linked to the illegal drug trade, 24 hours to surrender or face “shoot on sight.” ”Today President Rodrigo R. Duterte demanded the surrender of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., of Albuera, Leyte and his son, Kerwin Espinosa, on the grounds

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

PNP launches 911 hotline

HILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday officially announced on Monday the activation of the hotline ‘911’ for emergency response nationwide. Dela Rosa said the use of the hotline in Davao City has been proven effective, as it would provide speedy response of police, firefighters, and medical personnel during emergencies. The PNP Chief said then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte wants to replicate the system’s success all over the country. ”Before I assume as PNP Chief, I already express my desire to have another emergency command nationwide that we have in Davao City I believe the 911 system is a good factor effectively to suppress drugs and illegal drugs in the city as I said we need to help and support the citizens to fight the

crime the police must work hand in hand with the community,” Dela Rosa said during the launching of the 24-hour hotline for citizen complaints and an emergency hotline which are now accessible to all Filipinos. ”August 1, exactly 1 month as PNP Chief we have now 911 emergency response number. Today, the first responders are the police because we are the one will receive calls for the assistance it take some time for other emergency response fire medical and disaster because that for the capability of LGUs to be able provide and sustain such services your police will answer first so I call for all chief police all over the country for the alert and responds routed by our 911 call centers to provide police assistance the people needed,” he explained, adding that 911 is number set which people all over the world can easily recall. He added the PNP will be the one to relay the concerns

WO partylist lawmakers on Monday called for a review of the party-list system law instead of its abolition, as they cited the numerous accomplishments of “true” partylist groups in previous Congresses. Reacting to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the abolition of the partylist system under a proposed federal government, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano and Akbayan Partylist Rep. Tom Villarin said it would be more prudent for a review or investigation on the party-list system law in order to institute needed reforms. Although he does not support the abolition of the partlylist system, Alejano said “I agree that the party-list law should be amended to weed wealthy opportunists out of the system.” “The Supreme Court stressed the party-list system is a tool for social justice. To abolish it completely without

conducting a comprehensive study of its implementation is to deprive the marginalized, the underrepresented a voice in the highest lawmaking body of the Republic,” he said. “It is a well-known fact that there are many well-meaning party-list groups that have successfully and actively pursued the interests of the sector they represent in Congress,” Alejano said. A comprehensive review of the implementation of the 21-year old law may help in preserving the “true” intention of RA 7941, he said. “I propose studying the background of the different party-list groups that participated in the election, the personalities that represent these party-list organizations, as well as their performance in the previous congresses to ascertain that they have promoted the advocacies of their parties,” Alejano said. Villarin said he fully sup-

MINDANAO FASHION. Kadayawan sa Davao 2016 co-chair Art Boncato (third from right), The Marco Polo Davao general manager Dottie Wurgler Cronin (third from left), Halifax Davao Hotel, Inc. senior vice president Francis Ledesma (second from right), Malaysian Consul

General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir (second from left) and his wife, and Davao City Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC) president Aztec Barba lead the ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the hotel’s Kadayawan Fashion and Fusion at the Heart of Davao exhibit on Monday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao City eyes top Partylist lawmakers: Not abolition, but reform literacy award anew T F PNP, 10

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President Duterte wants to talk again with CPP-NPA-NDF

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Monday that the road to peace is always a bumpy one, but he remains hopeful his administration could resume talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). ”There is no negotiation that comes easy to us especially given the turmoil of our country. We are hoping that we could just talk, maybe we did not understand each other,” the President said during the mass oath-taking of his appointees in Malacanang. President Duterte lifted the unilateral ceasefire he declared with the communist rebels af-

ter the CPP-NPA-NDF did not reciprocate before the 5 p.m. ultimatum he gave last Saturday. ”The best way is really is to talk again and find out whether it is reachable or beyond our reach,” President Duterte said. ”I hope that we can proceed with the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, and I’ll be spending about 10 days after tomorrow,” he added. The President said he will also address the problems in Mindanao, particularly the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

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By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE government of Davao is once again eyeing to win the 2016 Special Award of Excellence in Literacy after being included in the award-giving body’s Hall of Fame by the National Literacy Coordinating Council (NLCC) in 2013. Newly-appointed and returning city administrator Atty. Zuleika T. Lopez said the special award “will cement” the city’s position as one of the outstanding local government units in the NLCC’s highly urbanized category due to its high literary rate. NLCC was formed by virtue of Republic Act 7165. “We’re hoping that we will

get this. Everybody, fingers crossed,” Lopez told reporters in an interview at the City Hall yesterday. The Special Award in Literacy is touted to be the country’s highest award in the field of literacy. Among the members of the council are the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Senate, House of Representatives, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippines Information Agency (PIA). Lopez said the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), led by chief Ivan C. Cor-

tez, will present to a panel the city’s programs and initiatives that are designed to increase the literary rate in Davao. The panel is composed of officials from different national government agencies. A representative from the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc., the official partner of DepEd, will also sit in the panel. The city administrator said that aside from a plaque of recognition, winners of the literacy contest will receive cash prizes during the awarding ceremony to be held in Bataan on October 9. Davao City has been the recipient of the National Literacy Award for three times, winning

in 2008, 2010 and 2012, The city became a Hall of Famer in 2013 after achieving a literary rate of 98.7 percent, which is higher than the national literacy rate of 92.3 percent. In 2012, the city government presented a wide array of literacy programs which enabled it to bag the award on that same year. These included initiatives on the establishment of civil registration in public schools, a mobile library-based literacy program, the establishment of pre-schools in indigenous areas, as well as the provision of scholarships to deserving students.

ORE than 500,000 suspected drug pushers and dependents in the country surrendered to police authorities, while almost 5,000 people were arrested from July 1 to Aug. 2 under the campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stamp out illegal drugs and criminality in the country. Under ‘Oplan Tokhang’, station commanders will ask barangay (villages) captains to submit a list of residents whom they believe could be involved in illegal drugs, including suspected these pushers, dealers, users and couriers. The police intelligence unit will then verify the report and check if these persons are indeed involved in drugs, as there are instances where barangay captains themselves are behind the illegal drug trade, while some merely list down names of their rivals.

During the said period, the PNP has knocked on 223,847 houses of suspected drug personalities that resulted in the surrender of 565,806 drug suspects, served 427 search warrants, and arrested 418 suspects. In addition, the PNP said 402 suspects were killed in various anti-drug operations. Meanwhile, the PNP is keeping tab of the performance of its line units in the implementation of ‘Project Double Barrel,’ another initiative aimed to address the nation’s illegal drug problem. According to PNP spokesperson Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos, the PNP Oversight Committee on Project Double Barrel held a conference-workshop in Camp Crame among Deputy Regional Directors for Operation (DRDO) and Chiefs of Regional Operations and Plans Divisions (ROPD) to con-

duct an initial assessment of Project Double Barrel by the Police Regional Offices (PROs). He said the PNP Oversight Committee reviewed the performance of each Police Regional Office based on Project Double Barrel Weekly Monitoring Reports since July 1. The reports indicated the number of houses visited; pushers and users who surrendered; drug personalities killed and arrested; implementation Search Warrants and Warrants of Arrest; and drug interdiction operations conducted. Carlos also said that all Police Regional Offices were directed to constitute and convene their respective Regional Oversight Committees - chaired by the Regional Director - to assess and evaluate the anti-drug campaign of the subordinate Police Provincial Offices and Police Stations un-

der its jurisdiction. These Regional Oversight Committees shall conduct similar assessment and evaluation of the lower units with particular emphasis on the categorization of Cities/Municipalities in terms of drug affectation; documentation of arrested/ surrendered pushers and users; internal cleansing efforts; Top 20 watchlist of drug personalities killed or arrested; local government executives and officials who are uncooperative to the campaign against illegal drugs; and budgetary requirements. The PNP may recommend to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and DILG the suspension of deputation of local chief executives who are uncooperative in the anti-drug campaign, or who fail to exercise their authority in leading the anti-drugs drive in their localities, Carlos said. (PNA)

565,806 drug suspects surrender under‘Oplan Tokhang’-- PNP

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6th Infantry Division now Dipolog biz group accepts examinees for PMA joins anti-drug war T

HE military’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao is now accepting applicants for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) entrance examination this month. Capt. Joann Petinglay, spokesperson of the 6th ID,

said the entrance examination for aspirants from the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and part of Lanao del Sur will be on August 21. Petinglay said the written examination will be held at the Notre Dame University.

Those qualified to take the examination are advised to submit during registration copies of their certified Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) birth certificates and High School Card Form 137. Petinglay said documents may be submitted to

the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff of the 6th Infantry Division, Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Petinglay, chief of the 6th ID Public Affairs Division, also advised interested applicants to visit www.pma.ph for more information. (PNA)

HANDS-ON LEARNING. Grade schoolers of Almendras Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur enjoy while exploring the web using the new computer units from Hedcor.

HE Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., (DCCII) has pledged its support to the Duterte Administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Atty. Paul Gudmalin, DCCII president, on Monday told the Philippines News Agency that the chamber, has long before expressed its sentiments against the drug menace. In fact, the organization has conducted lectures among local schools and in local government units (LGUs) to educate them on the “ills of the use of illegal drugs.” Gudmalin urged the active involvement of schools and LGUs, including the concerned authorities in putting an end to the sale and use of prohibited drugs. He said he is willing to join other groups that would conduct educational campaigns against illegal drugs. Earlier, the city government and the local police held a unity walk, dubbed as “Project Double Barrel,”

Zamboanga City to identify residents in hazardous areas

Suspected NPA rebel killed in Surigao T A

SUSPECTED member of the New People’s Army rebel group was killed, as authorities carried a rescue mission of three policemen and a non-uniformed personnel who were abducted last week at a village in Surigao del Norte province. Reports from Surigao del Norte Police reaching the regional police headquarters

here said police and military were conducting joint pursuit operations in Barangays San Isidro, Binucaran and Cagtinae in San Francisco town when they encountered about 15 armed men at Binucaran around 8 a.m. Monday. A 20-minute firefight ensued that led to the death of a certain Junard Quinto Casoy, 37. His cohorts fled to an unknown direction, the report

said. Recovered at the encounter scene were an AK-47 rifle believed to be used by Casoy, including five magazines, two improvised explosive device (IEDs) and gallons of rice. Police said Casoy has two pending warrants of arrest for charges of qualified theft and reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries. Additional troops were

deployed in the area to support the search and rescue operations and to pursue the abductors. Those kidnapped were identified as Senior Police Officer 3 Santiago Lamanilao of the Surigao City Police Office, Police Officer 3 Jayroll Bagayas, Poffice Officer 2 Caleb Sinaca, and Rodrigo Angob of the Malimono Municipal Police Station. (PNA)

marshland,” the swampy area has become a catchbasin of floodwaters from the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and North Cotabato. North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza has directed Marshita Capilitan, of the North Cotabato provincial social welfare and development office, to ensure that the affected 3,500 families from the seven low-lying villages of

Pikit will not go hungry. The affected families have received rice, canned goods and mosquito nets to protect them from the dengue virus. Additional relief goods will also be distributed by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), according to its focal person Tahira Kalantongan. The families fled to safer grounds with assistance from the municipal government af-

ter the marshland overflowed last weekend due to days of continuous rains triggered by a low pressure area. With the floodwaters gone, Kalantongan said the displaced families have started to return home. Agriculture officials are still conducting an assessment on the extent of damage wrought by the floods on the areas’ agricultural products. (PNA)

the blast. “Our troops were taking their dinner when the grenade exploded just outside the police outpost,” Cordero said. Two men riding tandem on motorbike was seen passing by the roadside detach-

ment located at the corner of Miracle Street and Sunset Drive when one of the suspects tossed the explosive then sped away, Cordero said. “Luckily, no one from the PNP was hurt in the attack,” Cordero said in a radio inter-

view. The town police chief believed the attack was an act of retaliation to the intensified anti-illegal drugs drive carried out by authorities in the town which led to the arrest of drug peddlers. (PNA)

N.Cotabato prov’l gov’t extends aid to flood victims

AMILIES that were displaced by flash floods which hit low-lying villages in North Cotabato have received relief assistance from the provincial government of North Cotabato. The week-long torrential rains resulted in flooded several villages in Pikit, North Cotabato, adjacent to the heavily silted Liguasan marshland. The marshland, also known as “Maguindanao

Police officers survive grenade attack in N.Cotabato

TEAM of police officers survived a grenade attack here Monday night after two men lobbed the explosive at 7:15 p.m. Chief Inspector Ronnie Cordero, Kabacan town police chief, said nobody was hurt in

to show their concern regarding the proliferation of illegal drugs that affect the moral fiber of the youth and majority of the populace. The unity walk was also participated in by different sectors of the city. The police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have profiled thousands of drug users and pushers who voluntarily surrendered for fear of being arrested since the start of the Duterte administration. However, Gudmalin cautioned the police to observe the proper rules of engagement and operation guidelines, as well as respect human rights in conducting raids and arrests of suspected drug personalities. So far, 10 suspected drug pushers have been killed in the relentless campaign against prohibited drugs in the province. Meanwhile, Gudmalin said the business community is alarmed anew on the rise of drug use-related crime incidents. (PNA)

HE local government is set to conduct a tagging to determine the exact number of residents living in hazardous areas in Zamboanga City. Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, told the Philippines News Agency that some residents are taking advantage of government relief assistance by pretending to be victims of calamities. “There are many people taking advantage of the government assistance although they are not among the victims since at present, we undertake tagging after the occurrence of calamity,”

Apolinario said. He said the tagging will be undertaken by his office in partnership with other concerned agencies and the academe utilizing the Light Detector and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. LiDAR involves the recording of laser pulses emitted across the earth’s surface. These recordings are then analyzed and interpreted to generate detailed, high-resolution 3D maps used in flood and hazard simulations. Apolinario said his office will have a complete database of the hazard-prone areas once the tagging is complete. (PNA)

DOH-Caraga to build rehab center for women in Butuan

HE Department of Health Regional Office 13 plans to build a rehabilitation center for women drug dependents in the city. This was disclosed by Alister Campos, a nurse from the Regional Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, based in Surigao City, during a recent forum. According to Campos, a letter request by the regional health office was sent to

the local government unit of Butuan, requesting the latter for a lot donation to be used as the site of the said rehabilitation center. The present drug treatment and rehabilitation center located at Brgy. Anomar in Surigao City can only accommodate 80 to 100 drug dependents, Campos said. Around 23,000 drug dependents have peacefully surrendered in the Caraga region. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Leyte bizmen sends wish list to Malacañang

STARTING ‘EM YOUNG. A young girl watches over her mother’s customized stall filled with onions, tomatoes, garlic and condiments located at the sidewalk of the Agdao Public Market. Lean Daval Jr.

Former OFWs undergo entrep training O

NE hundred eightynine former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) under its National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) through small business management training (SBMT) and financial awareness seminar (FAS). The training and semi-

nars serve as a pre-requisite for the beneficiaries to avail of provisions to jump start their own businesses. The training and seminars were held in New Corella, Davao City, Panabo City, Mati City, and Digos City. DOLE regional director Jofrey Suyao said that 48 out of the 189 who underwent the training and seminars from February to May 2016,

have already completed the requirements and availed of financial and starter kits assistance. Suyao said beneficiaries were covered under the NRCO’s Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP), which provides a cash assistance of P10,000 per beneficiary, while 32 are under the Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay program, which offers

free skills training with starter kits on basic baking and cake decorating, food and meat processing and beauty care. DOLE XI noted that most of the former OFW beneficiaries were either displaced, distressed, and undocumented OFWs. NRCO’s livelihood program is a way of encouraging former OFWs to become entrepreneurs instead of opting to work abroad. (PNA)

Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) in Makati Tuesday, Ahmad said the UK aims to strengthen ties with the Philippines by working closely with the new government. “We can be an active partner in areas that the new administration identified as pri-

orities” the British envoy said. He also welcomed the Duterte administration’s push for tax reforms, as well as its proposal to amend the Constitution. “The potential for the Philippines will be a lot stronger,” Ahmad said.

UK is the largest European investor in the Philippines with a net foreign direct investments stock of USD5 billion. Bilateral trade between the Philippines and France averages USD1.8 billion annually. (PNA)

HE Duterte administration is excited to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and other free trade agreements (FTAs), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told the Philippines News Agency. In a chance interview, Lopez said the administration is open in joining FTAs like the TPP as it will expand the global market for Philippine products and services. “We are studying our participation (in TPP),” he said, adding “We can’t afford to be left behind because we won’t be able to benefit from those benefits of participating TPP.” The TPP Agreement is a trade deal among twelve countries in the Pacific Rim which aims to promote economic growth in the region. The TPP is composed of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,

New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam. Lopez also mentioned the administration’s initiative to amend the Constitution shall consider easing some economic restrictions in order to meet the requirements of FTAs such as the TPP. Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose L. Cuisia noted that the move of the Duterte administration for a constitutional assembly is “a good opportunity” for the country to address its biggest challenge in joining TPP - allowing higher foreign ownership in different sectors. Cuisia added the country should also continue bilateral consultations with TPP members. Last year, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted technical consultations with six TPP members which included Australia, Canada,

Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, and US. US President Barack Obama, in his visit in Manila in November 2015 for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, has welcomed the Philippines’ interest in joining the trade deal, and has directed its trade ministers to work with Philippine trade officials to assist the country in its bid to join the TPP. Moreover, Cuisia said that Philippine industries need to prepare and be more competitive as the country eyes for TPP membership. “We should prepare ourselves,” the envoy stressed. “If it (the TPP) is ratified (by US Congress), when they will open up to second batch of countries, we should be ready for that second batch,” he added. Aside from the Philippines, other countries that expressed

interest to join the TPP include South Korea, Taiwan, Laos, Columbia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India. Cuisia likewise pointed out the TPP is also the only way for the Philippines to have a trade agreement with the US, as the latter no longer prefers single-country agreements but favors multi-lateral pacts like the TPP. “I’m hopeful that the secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez and Undersecretary (Ceferino) Rodolfo, who are quite familiar with it, will pursue the Philippines’ membership in the TPP,” said Cuisia. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that US is the country’s second export destination for merchandise in January to May 2016 with revenues amounting to USD3.52 billion, sharing 16 percent of the total exports in the said period. (PNA)

UK to beef up investments in PHL, says envoy RITISH Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said the United Kingdom will further increase its investments in the Philippines, as it identified the country as one of the “emerging powers” in the world. In a meeting with British

Duterte admin optimistic in joining TPP -- DTI Sec

HE Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry is seeking assistance from Malacañang for the expansion of the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE), the establishment of an ecozone, an increased funding support for tourism development in the area. Oliver Cam, one of the officers of LCCI said he presented the proposal to Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Diño during the latter’s visit to the province last week. “In line with the government’s thrust of countryside industrial and agricultural development, especially in our region, where we are primary agricultural and fishery dependent, we are really pushing for several key developments,” Cam said. On the expansion of LIDE, the chamber hopes to bring in more “inclusive types” of industry. “Right now the existing industry is the copper smelting plant, which their effect on the province is not inclusive simply because they import everything they export it all out,” Cam said. Although the smelting plant is expected to have a positive impact on the city and surrounding areas, Cam said the chamber wants to convince more industries to come in and establish operations in LIDE to generate more jobs “not only for Leyte residents, but also for Samar people.” LIDE is a 425 hectare special economic zone located in Isabel, Leyte, which was established in 1978 through Letter of Instruction 962. It is the home of two major industries, the Philippine Associated Smelting & Refining Corp and the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. Meanwhile, the establishment of an economic zone in the northern part of Tacloban is a long-term solution that will have a major impact on the

more than 80,000 city dwellers, according to LCCI. The northern part of the city has been identified as permanent relocation sites for families of supertyphoon Yolanda survivors in danger zones. The National Housing Authority, along with private donors are building 16,000 housing units in the northern part of the city. “The absence of livelihood is one of the challenges why it is hard to move these people to that area. There is no job in the north, but only houses. If you are moving people, you should not only focus on housing, but on holistic approach. That is why we are really pushing for the establishments of economic zone in that area,” Cam said. “These are all medium to long term projects that we are looking at, but this will have a great and long lasting impact to the region if we are able to diversify this type of infrastructure, in fact more resilient to our economy,” he added. LCCI is also asking the national government to support the region’s tourism industry which was able to bounce back after the devastation wrought by supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013. Cam, however, said funding for the proposed major tourism rehabilitation program remains a concern. DOT Eastern Visayas reported that in the aftermath of the super typhoon, the region’s tourism industry turned out to be the region’s most resilient industry, posting positive tourist arrival. From 731,000 in 2013, tourist arrivals in 2014 reached 964,000, showing a 31.9 percent increase. In 2015, visitors to the region reached the million mark, with 1.099 million tourist arrivals generating PHP9.4 billion in tourism-related receipts. “That is why we are really

EPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou have discussed plans and programs to boost economic ties between the Philippines and France. Manila and Paris both look forward to the re-activation of Philippines-France Joint Economic Commission (JEC) next year which will be held here. In 2015, former DTI chief Gregory Domingo and French Minister of State for Foreign Trade Mathias Fekl met in Paris to reconvene the Philippines-France JEC which focuses on expanding cooperation in areas of creative industries, tourism, sustainable development, aerospace, aeronautics. Lopez noted that France is significant trade and invest-

ment partner of the country. He added the European country is also an important market for Philippine products. Philippine exports to France in 2015 has increased by 25 percent to USD416 million from USD332 million in 2014. Top exports to France include electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies. The DTI chief also noted that France supports the development of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly startups and creative services. Only in April, a group of French entrepreneurs launched La French Tech in Manila to boost local information technology startups. La French Tech has included Manila in its list of global hubs. (PNA)

F LEYTE, 10

DTI chief, French envoy discuss ties

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Phl stocks climb above 8,000 pts T

HE local stock market breached the 8,000mark anew on Monday, as investors beefed up their equity portfolios ahead of the start of the second quarter earnings cycle. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) tracked Asia Pacific markets and advanced 106.70 points, or 1.34 percent to 8,069.81 from Friday’s 7,963.11 finish. Justino Calaycay Jr., head of marketing and research at A&A Securities, said investors increased their portfolios also ahead of the Chinese Ghost Month, traditionally believed to be a period of “price-weakness”, that would start on Wednesday. ”From a fundamentals standpoint, and underlined by the theoretical role of the stock market as a pre-cursor

of the general economic and business health, the persistent attempts at breaking the alltime record highs reflects an optimistic view of the road ahead,” he said. While the onset of the Ghost Month may temper investment flows, Calaycay said he does not expect it to alter the present bullish trend. “It is our position that investors can take advantage of any weakness in the price-action as a buying window,” he added. All counters finished in the positive territory, led by holding firms that surged 1.48 percent. Value turnover reached Php 7.3 billion as 2.26 billion shares changed hands. Advancers outpaced decliners, 120 to 82, while 41 issues unchanged. (PNA)

SM Prime income hits Php 12.6B S

M Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), the Philippines’ leading integrated property company, posted a 12-percent increase in its core net income to Php 12.6 billion in the first half of 2016, mainly driven by mall revenues. The company’s consolidated revenues surged 9 percent to Php 39.2 billion from Php 35.9 billion. “SM Prime’s integrated development program in the Philippines that is geared more towards provincial expansion sustained its financial performance in the first half of the year. SM Prime is well-positioned for higher growth given that the Philippines’ economic upturn is starting to spread in the provinces,” said SM Prime President Hans Sy. In the first half of 2016, mall revenues reported a 9-per-

cent increase to Php 23.6 billion from Php 21.7 billion of the previous year, contributing 60 percent to SM Prime’s consolidated revenues, of which 85 percent were accounted for by rentals. Mall revenues were driven by the 7-percent growth in same-malls sales and contributions from the new retail spaces that were added in the past two years. The mall operations in China, which accounted for 9 percent of mall revenues, generated Php 2.1 billion, up by 8 percent from Php 1.9 billion in the first half of 2016. Currently, SM Prime has a total of 58 malls in the Philippines and six in China with a total gross floor area (GFA) of 8.5 million square meters. SM Prime’s residential group, which accounted for 34

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

City’s first quarter revenues hit P3.5 B By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City’s revenue collection for the first quarter of the year reached P3.56 billion, which is 56.71 percent of the P6.279 billion total revenue and receipts targeted for collection by the city government for this year. “We’re definitely on track on our collection,” city administrator Zuleika T. Lopez said yesterday after getting an update on the state of the city’s finances from the heads of the City Treasurer, City Budget and City Accounting Offices. Data showed that 50.87

percent of the city revenue came from internal revenue allotment (IRA) which amounted to P1.811 billion, while the remaining 49.13 percent valued at P1.749 billion came from local sources, such as amusement tax, franchise tax, penalties and surcharges. Lopez said the bulk of the collection was recorded during the first quarter of the year, specifically from the payment of business and real property taxes. “We will push for more aggressive collection of taxes,”

she added. While the collection of real property tax (RPT) has improved during the last administration, Lopez said it will be a continuing challenge to collect property taxes. She explained that in as much as the city government wants to improve its tax collections, some of the properties in the city involve “complicated” issues, specifically on ownership and legality. Despite these challenges, her marching order to the city treasurer “is to really make sure that all collection is in

because we have targets to meet.” In the meantime, Lopez said she also met with the city’s department heads to check on whether the city has enough funds to support the City Council’s proposal to pass a P7-billion budget next year. Department heads have been directed to submit on Friday their proposed budget, including their programs, for consolidation. The city government is expected to release the consolidated report next week.

BIG HAUL. A fish trader lifts a 32-kilo tuna from a weighing scale before carving it up for customers at the Agdao Public Market yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Robinsons acquires HSBC calls for aggressive infra spending Minda hardware chain A G OKONGWEI-LED retailer Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) on Monday acquired a majority stake in a big box hardware store chain in Mindanao in a bid to strengthen its presence in the builders’ hardware business segment. RRHI, through its subsidiary RHI Builders and Contractors Depot Corp., purchased De Oro Pacific Home Plus Depot with three stores located in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. The stores have a combined gross floor area of about 9,400 square meters (sqm). The company also utilizes a 3,000-sqm warehouse in Cagayan do Oro that supports the three De Oro Pacific Home Plus Depot stores. “The purchase of De Oro Pacific Home Plus Depot stores demonstrate the bullish stance of Robinsons Retail

F SM PRIME, 10

group in the DIY business, which is currently riding on the sustained strong growth of the construction sector driven by the huge backlog in residential housing,” RRHI said. It did not disclose the purchase amount, but it noted that the acquisition would add to Robinsons Retail’s big box hardware store portfolio. In July 2014, RRHI acquired RHI Builders and Contractors Depot Corp., owner and operator of AM Builders Home Depot, which has been renamed to Robinsons Builders, a 17 big box hardware store chain based in the Visayas region. As of end June 2016, RRHI also operated 153 mall-based DIY hardware stores: 132 Handyman Do It Best stores, 19 True Value stores, and two True Home by True Value stores. (PNA)

N ECONOMIST of banking giant HSBC said rising infrastructure investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a positive development, as he urged governments to be more aggressive to deepen capital markets. In a research note, HSBC economist Joseph Incalcaterra said infrastructure investment in the region was strongest in the Philippines and Indonesia due to reform-minded governments. It can be recalled that the Aquino administration raised infrastructure investment to five percent of GDP from the previous level of about three percent. The Duterte administration has set infrastructure spending at 5.2 percent of the proposed 2017 national budget, and plans to increase this to seven percent before its term ends in 2022.

The research note said the timing of the infrastructure investment hikes of the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore “couldn’t be better” because of the steady decline of ASEAN growth since 2012. ”But now, greater infrastructure spending is helping to stabilize domestic demand and offset slowing global growth, which is why ASEAN is actually set to be a relative outperformer across Asia and the broader EM world,” it said. With this development, the report cited its projection for the sustained strong growth in the Philippines and Indonesia, which is also being attributed to the improving political situation and pro-reform momentum in the two countries. Some analysts said the increase in infrastructure investment in the region has long been delayed and Incalcaterra was one in saying this, noting HSBC’s estimate that “ASEAN-6

requires over USD 2.1 trillion in infrastructure spending by 2030.” ASEAN-6 groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei – the original ASEAN members. The research said low- to middle-income economies’ infrastructure spending needs to account for about five percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the countries that match this requirement are Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. The study pointed out that infrastructure spending in the Philippines and Indonesia faced hindrances due to bureaucratic hurdles and red tape, but these are being addressed now, “which explains the strong improvement in investor sentiment towards both markets.” “In the Philippines, fixed asset investment contributed to over five percentage points

of growth in the first quarter of 2016 (out of headline growth of 6.9 percent year-on-year), a record contribution, and this is before the spending increase planned by the new government.” Investment funding in the region remain the lowest in the Philippines and Vietnam because these countries have the smallest bond markets, the research said. However, it explained this problem can be addressed by private sector investment as well as support from multilateral agencies. With the infrastructure funding gap remaining big, the report said more aggressive moves were needed to boost public-private partnership (PPP) programs and to deepen capital markets. “Only then will we be able to truly fill ASEAN’s gaping infrastructure pothole,” it added. (PNA)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

Party-list matters

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez are on the same boat when it comes to the party-list system—that of abolishing it! Rightly so, that intent is forthcoming with the plan of the national leadership and the House for a Constituent Assembly setting to roll this month. But for his part, Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista wants the multiparty electoral setup reformed so it can maximize the intent for which it was included in the 1987 Constitution. Though one is encouraged to comment that the wayward direction the system has achieved is in part blamed on the failure of the electoral body to define clearly what ‘sectoral representation’ really means, the chair’s recommendation still deserves appreciation. Adding more knots to an already contentious multiparty initiative is Supreme Court’s numerous decisions that, for one, need to be revisited. Given that these verdicts are anchored on constitutional interpretations, amending the Charter may just make timely sense. Be that as it may, the issues that confront the party-list system are numerous, and these are not confined to the oversights and limitations that restrict the agencies involved in rearing the multiparty scheme towards lucrative directions. In Congress, for instance, party-list representatives, who are supposed to file bills that reflect the sentiment of the sectors they stand for, are not

EDGEDAVAO

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expected to deliver the goods. In passing bills, the party-lists are up against the majority and the perennial slow legislative ride before a bill makes it to the finish line. After, the presidential veto can stand as a stumbling block in its final hurdle. If one scrutinizes the outputs of sectoral parties in both houses of Congress, there is no arguing that most of them pass laws that serve other purposes, in the process abandoning the primary reason for which they sought public support and representation in an election. Returning the country to a two-party system is definitely a better and well-defined direction but with an anti-political dynasty law firmly in place. Under a Federal system, some ramifications are sure to affect this suggestion, but there are reasons to believe that better and more rational policies and applications may be adopted to find a middle ground whereby marginalized sectors (whatever that means) are heard. So much about politics through multiple parties; if the 30-year experiment on party-list system has yielded negligible results, there’s no arguing the same should either be thrown to the garbage pit or recycled with more finish and purpose. On hindsight, cultivating numerous, especially in nurturing out-of-tune voices, may just muddle what President Duterte has dreamt in terms of achieving harmony in the country’s political landscape. Think about it. ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor SONNY L. MENDOZA Associate Editor

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EDGEDAVAO

N December 3, the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) will be held at SMX Davao in Lanang. I already received an invitation and it said that the ceremony will “celebrate the finest talents from the field of journalism.” Now on its fourth year, GMEA is touted to be “the most anticipated premier award-giving body that gives recognition to excellence in journalism in Mindanao.” “Beyond the belief in media excellence in the daily coverage of developing events, Globe Telecom wants to further encourage media excellence in civic, investigative and explanatory journalism that would delve into such social concerns as freedom from ignorance, freedom from poverty and freedom from corruption,” it said. In a press release issued last October 30, about 58 entries -- of the 352 -- were shortlisted for various categories in print, broadcast (television and radio) and digital media. Like in the previous years, the entries explore and promote advocacies in business and entrepreneurship, information and communications technology, environment and disaster response, governance and social progress and youth and education. “The number of entries that we re-

HE choice of Santa Ana as the location of the port of Davao was chiefly due to the presence of export houses in that barrio, and the many abaca-pressing firms adjacent to the area. For one thing, there was already the Santa Ana pier that was mainly built from wood. But there were also other reasons why the new location was strategic in terms of administratively managing the various piers, docks, and jetties already existing in Davao. M.M. Saleeby, then manager in the Philippines of Hanson and Orth, a company engaged in hemp-buying, suggested in 1925 that the future new wharf, which at the time had already been allotted P100,000 for construction, be close to where the warehouses were. “Everyone is grateful for the prospective new pier, on which P100,000 will be spent this year, but we all hope it will be located at the end of the street where the export houses are, instead of beyond the old pier where traffic is always congested and where passage to and from the new pier work would only add to our transportation difficulties… “Besides the pier, other transportation and communication facilities are needed in Davao and warranted by the development there. For instance, the post office is in Davao while the export houses are all in the barrio of Santa Ana. We have to send our telegrams by messenger over this distance, two kilometers, and if after 5:30 p. m., when the post office will be closed for the day, he must then go on to the wireless station, a distance

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Globe media awards

VANTAGE POINTS

ceived this THINK ON THESE! year is a testament to the commitment of media practitioners to provide exemplary reporting in their respective fields given the vital role Henrylito D. Tacio of the press in henrytacio@gmail.com effecting positive societal transformation and nation building,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, in a press statement. The entries came from various media organizations in Zamboanga, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. There are nine award categories in contention: Reporter of the Year for Print, Explanatory/ Investigative Story of the Year for Print/Online, Columnist of the Year, Photojournalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year for Television, Explanatory/ Investigative Story of the Year for Television, Reporter of the Year for Radio, Blogger of the Year, and Social

Media Advocate of the Year. All three nominees for the Explanatory or Investigative Story of the Year for Print/ Online are from Davao: Joanna Paola Garado, “The woman warrior of Talaingod” (Newsdesk Asia), Jesse Pizaro Boga, “From the frying pan into another fryer” (Mindanao Times) and this columnist for “Davao City: Before and After” (EDGE Davao). About 12 were shortlisted for Reporter of the Year for Print. Only three are from Davao: Mindanao Times’ Jesse Pizaro Boga for “The future lies in education,” Sun.Star Davao’s Arianne Caryl Casas for “Cyberbullying” and this columnist for “HIV/AIDS cases in Davao growing” (EDGE Davao). Only 8 were nominated for Columnist of the Year. Davao is represented by Stella Estremera (Sun.Star Davao) and Henrylito Tacio (EDGE Davao) who are both cited for their columns entitled “Because they’re crazy that way” and “Getting Worse,” respectively. At least three photographers from Davao made it to the Photojournalist of the Year: Seth delos Reyes and John Quineth Rodriguez, both from SunStar Davao for “Playground” and “A sack of gift,” respectively. EDGE Davao’s Lean Daval, Jr. also

managed to get a nomination for his “School Bus.” According to the press statement, the judges’ decisions for print and broadcast categories are the following: content (50%), adherence to truth and responsible journalism as manifested in the accuracy, fair, and balanced presentation, and depth of reporting; style (25%) or the ability to communicate clearly and effectively as shown by the writing style, clarity, logical presentation of issues, coherence, and fluidity of ideas; and social impact (25%) which involves the impact of the articles on effecting change. The awarding was supposed to be last November 17. But due to some reasons, it was moved to December 3. But before the awarding, which will be held at night, a forum for Mass Communication and Journalism students in Davao will be held. It is Globe Telecom’s effort “to strengthen the media excellence” and “as a give-back to the community.” Some 250-300 students are expected to attend the 2-hour forum which will be headed by previous Globe Media Excellence Awardees. To all winners, congratulations in advance.

of two kilomeFAST BACKWARD ters more. “A branch telegraph station should be installed in Santa Ana. Failing this, there should be telephone communicaAntonio V. Figueroa tion to Davao and the wireless station. It now requires more time for our messages to pass between Davao and Manila than it does for them to pass between Manila and New York. For the former we ordinarily estimate three days. “A first class road is also badly needed north and south from Davao to connect the plantations with the capital and the port.” Two years earlier, H. Forst, general manager of Macleod and Company, one of the oldest American exporters of Manila hemp, also made a similar observation on the need to have a wharf capable of handling huge volume of cargo in Davao. In urging the American colonial government to be fair in appreciating the developments in Davao, he wrote: “There is really not one good port in the whole Gulf, for about three to four months during the year a very strong northeast monsoon blows steadily, which makes loading and unloading at the various plantations difficult and slow, as this must all be done by means of ships’ boats. The pier at Santa

Ana, constructed of native hardwood piles and timbers, was completed about a year ago and, considering ordinary wear and tear, should be good for three years more. “At low tide there are only sixteen feet of water at the end of the pier, which will prevent large ocean-going vessels from coming alongside. We all recall that the Shipping Board freighter Dewey loaded at Santa Ana and after a good deal of delay managed to take on about 4,000 bales of hemp. However, the vessel was loaded under difficulties; but with certain improvements, steamers of the same size should be able to take on cargo as cheaply and as quickly… “Davao should be made an open port as soon as possible. Immediate steps should be taken to improve port facilities so as to permit large steamers to call there. That means an extension of the present pier, or what would be much better-the construction of a concrete pier. Very little dredging would be required. Surely those Americans who have spent the best part of their lives in that isolated district and have given the best that is in them, are entitled to some consideration on the part of the government, and at a time when the future outlook is more promising than it has ever been before. “Zamboanga should not be favored at the expense of Davao. There is room for both. Direct shipment from Davao would not seriously interfere with interisland shipping. There is plenty of cargo which must be shipped south, and even with a monthly direct steamer there would be sufficient produce left to

fill tonnage now employed in the inter-island trade.” By 1940, the year before the Philippines was drawn in the global war, the Sta. Ana wharf, where the port of Davao was also found, was by now a bustling merchant quay. The 1941 Annual Report of the Insular Collector of Customs showed that the total gross receipts of the port from all sources in 1940 amounted to P791,170.93 compared to P658,501.78 in 1939, or an increase of P122,669.15. The value of its 1940 foreign trade, meanwhile, amounted to P17,571,411, with P1,484,019 representing imports and P16,079,519, for exports. In shipping, 1940 was a banner year. A total of 103 foreign-trading vessels entered the port. During the same period, 102 vessels engaged in the foreign trade were cleared as compared with 106 the previous year. Moreover, a total of 329 domestic vessels engaged in coastwise trade were entered during the year compared to 135 for the first six months of 1939. Also, a total of nine vessels were newly documented during the year, all for the bay and river traffic, while 106 vessels were licensed for the domestic trade during the same period. Today, the port of Davao has become one of the major seaports in the country, and its coverage includes piers, wharves, and small ports in Davao City and the Davao provinces where products, general cargo, vehicles, bulk cargo, minerals, and other transportable articles for maritime shipment, including interisland shipping, are handled.

Port of Davao (Part 2)

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

City council... FROM 1 On Thursday, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio threatened to sack officials of the CHO if the death toll arising from dengue cases will not be reduced. The mayor said she is deeply concerned and appalled at the high number of dengue–related deaths, as the CHO reported 25 mortalities from the over 4,000 documented cases since January. “I want to see a decrease from July to December, otherwise, there is a need to find new people for this job,” Duterte-Carpio warned in a statement released last week to media. “That the number of deaths could reach this high is definitely disconcerting and I am appalled because the government is supposed

to be doing everything to prevent the breeding of the mosquitoes carrying the virus,” she said. The mayor pointed out that dengue is preventable “if only efforts to prevent the spread were done efficiently.” “I have ordered a review on how the local government is fighting dengue and other preventable diseases. The agencies involved -- the City Health Office, particularly -- should always be on their feet, always to err on the side of prevention and not on reaction,” she said. Duterte-Carpio said she has ordered the CHO to closely coordinate with barangay officials in the implementation of programs aimed at eliminating dengue.

laration,” Duterte stressed. Prior the deadline, the President demanded a concrete explanation from the rebels regarding its July 27 attack against militia units in Kapalong, Davao Del Norte which killed one and wounded four others. “The NPA have missed a golden opportunity to manifest their commitment to the attainment of our citizen’s much sought peace throughout the land,” Padilla said. “This could have been what the Filipino nation had been waiting for -- the silenc-

ing of the guns that could have hastened development especially in the countryside. As things now stand, the AFP will abide by the ensuing orders of the Commander-in-Chief President Rodrigo Duterte following this development,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya said. “I am ordering all our forces to resume their normal mandated tasks and work to neutralize all threats to national security, protect the citizenry, enforce the laws and maintain peace in the land,” he added. (PNA)

President Duterte clarified that he has no plans of talking with the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group. ”I will not deal with criminals. I will not deal with persons of extreme brutality. There is no redeeming factor or reason for me to sit down and talk with criminals. Pareho lang rin ýan sa droga. They’re out to just derail the life of a nation,” President Duterte said. He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits have no ideology unlike the CPP-NPA-NDF and the MILF and MNLF. The President said he will give everybody involved in the peace negotiations a safe conduct pass once the said peace talks start with the communist and the Moro rebels. ”My desire is just to see my nation at peace and for everybody in this generation before I make my exit that we will leave in peace and leave a country that is prosperous for the next generation,” he added. President Duterte refused to react to the criticisms of communist leader Jose Maria Sison

that the President was hasty to lift the ceasefire. ”Hindi ko papatulan iyan eh. I am not an ideological poltergeist. I am the President talking properly to you to have peace in this land. Bakit man ako --- hindi naman ako insecure,” the President said. The President said his administration will pursue the peace talks with the communist rebels set on August 20 to 27 in Oslo, Norway. ”I cannot stop talking about peace. I am a President who is supposed to bring peace to his land. Whether it’s really Sison or not, whether I’d like to talk to Sison or not, it’s not important, it’s not relevant at all. The issue is, the left, not only Sison, but that includes Sison, the left, the entire leftist community or bloc dito sa atin. We cannot agree on all of these things. Merong right, left, center,” President said. ”Me, at this time, I just believe that I have to look for that peace for my land during my generation. If I fail, mahirap na, including Mindanao,” he added. (PNA)

percent of consolidated revenues, posted a 6-percent increase to Php 13.2 billion from Php 12.5 billion of the same period last year. The Commercial Properties Group, which contributed 3 percent of SM Prime’s consolidated revenues, recorded a 51-percent hike of Php 1.1 billion. Presently it has six office buildings, mostly at the Mall

of Asia Complex in Pasay City with an estimated gross floor area (GFA) of 371,000 sqm. The Hotels and Convention Centers business opened the 154-room Park Inn Clark in Pampanga last December. SM Prime also launched the 347-room Conrad Manila last June, situated atop of S’ Maison –a two-level high-end retail podium in Pasay City. (PNA)

AFP... FROM 2

CPP-NPA-NDF... FROM 4

SM Prime... FROM 7

LOANS FOR GOV’T WORKERS. The newly-installed head of Land Bank San Pedro branch pays the City Council a courtesy visit during yesterday’s regular session to reiterate the bank’s willingness to offer salary loans to councilors and government employees. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao... FROM 2

Earlier, Batangas Rep. Eileen Ermita-Buhain was named chair of the Committee on Accounts while Antipolo

Rep. Romeo Acop was named chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. (PNA)

coursed through the hotline to disaster and emergency response units. Dela Rosa said that as of 7:00 a.m., emergency hotline 911 recorded a total of 2,475 calls with 75 legitimate handled calls; 1,119 dropped calls; and 304 pranks calls. “We are currently tracking the prank callers and we will make sure that you will be unmasked,” Dela Rosa said. “I am also appealing to our people to refrain from making prank calls or test calls to our 911 hotline because this will clog up the lines and prevent the people with real emergencies to reach us,” he added. So far, police officials, firefighters and health responders have responded to various emergency situations and complaints coursed through the hotline such as ambulance assistance, vehicular assistance, drag racing, drinking in public places, harassments, illegal drug trafficking and riots, among others. He added that PNP’s 18 Police Regional Office (PROs), 85 Provincial Police Office (PPOs), 117 Chief of Police (COPs) and five districts if NCRPO are ready for emergency response. ”Right now we are 100 percent communication equipped yung ating kapulisan. yung ating communication system is up to the last responder kumpleto. Yung ating patrol car may radio connected doon sa police station. yung police station may radio to the PPO, yung province connected to the region and yung region connected sa NOC. So kaya kami very brave na i-launch ito ngayon for police emergencies ready na kami lalo na sa communications (Right now, our police is force is 100-percent equipped in terms of communication. Up to the last responder, we have complete equipment. Our patrol car has a radio which is connected to the police station. The police station has a radio connected to the PPO, the province is

connected to the region and the region is connected to the NOC. This is why we are very brave to launch it now for police emergencies. We are ready in terms of communications),” Dela Rosa stated. The PNP Chief warned prank callers and would-be callers to refrain from misusing the hotline, stressing that they will be tracked, unmasked and arrested for such act. ”We have our own way of knowing them but hindi natin sila masyadong bigyan ng importansya. madami pa tayong hinahabol na mga criminal, yan mga nanloloko lang yan kailangan natin sabihin na to refrain from doing such dahil it will result to clogging our lines and imbes na yung talagang legitimate na emergency calls and hindi natin naaaddress kasi nagkaclog up ang linya they have to refrain from doing such, (We have our own way of knowing them but we will not give them much importance. We are running after a lot of criminals. For those who do prank calls, we just have to tell them to refrain from doing such act because it will result to clogging of our lines. These block the legitimate emergency calls which we might not be able to address due to clogged lines.),” he added. He noted so far, the emergency hotlines charges P5 per call but as soon as the Executive Order (EO) from the Palace regarding the free use of the hotline is signed, the government will shoulder the payment for the said service. For his part, Andanar said the Office of the Executive Secretary is already drafting the EO regarding the arrangement. “I do believe the P5 that Globe and Smart is charging this is based on the good practices in the US,” Andanar said. ”I understand rescue 911 in the US they do charge and one of the reasons they charge is to discourage the prank callers,” he said. (PNA)

PNP... FROM 4

Partylist... FROM 4

ports calls for reform in the partlylist system and stressed that not all partylist groups are bad. He said that as a partylist in Congress, Akbayan has been successful in passing landmark legislations such as the Reproductive Health Law, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, and the Philippine Competition Act. “We continue to push for our advocacies in public health, labor and citizen empowerment among many others. It would be better if the President pushes for the abolition of political dynasties and the banning of political turncoats instead,” Villarin said. For his part, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the “voice of the people” must be respected in connection with the President’s call for the ab-

olition of the partylist system. “I think we should listen to the voice of the people because in the end it is the people who would decide whether or not they would agree to the proposal of President Duterte,” Alvarez said. Last Friday, President Duterte expressed his dissatisfaction with the implementation of Republic Act No. 7941 or “The Party-List System Act,” stressing that the party-list system has been abused by the rich and the powerful. According to the President, he would support its abolition in the proposed Constitutional reforms. “I will insist: No party-list. Inabuso na lahat yan eh. Ang nananalo ay yung may pera, representing the what? Security guards,” Duterte had said. (PNA)

struggling with our tourism effort because our office of tourism here is not given the budget. They just become creative

in trying to address the needs of our tourism industry here in the region,” the chamber official added. (PNA)

co-workers reach their own targets. During my stay at Teleperformance, I met several wonderful people who taught me things I needed to know about life that aren’t taught in school.” Mark says that even his classmates in UP noticed that his communication skills improved a lot, especially during class presentation and recitation. He also admits to being more confident after being exposed to the company’s corporate setting. He claims that although his job may be challenging, he was able to harness his problem-solving skills and now has a strong customer service mindset— something that is crucial in any business. Mark was even able to convince his sister, Prame, to work at Teleperformance. Both of them are now the family’s breadwinners, and are setting the right example to their younger siblings. Today, Karla and Mark

hope to be sources of inspiration to fellow young Filipinos. “Always look for the right opportunities, stay positive, fight for your dreams and never give up!” Karla shares. “Never lose hope. Whatever it is you are going through, you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve if you just hold on to your dreams,” Mark adds. Karla and Mark are the first members of their families to earn college degrees. They are both UP graduates, breadwinners, and now, are outstanding employees of Teleperformance Philippines. Rachel Cacabelos, Teleperformance Philippines vice president for human resource, salutes Karla and Mark. “You are the definition of hard work, talent and courage. Your enthusiasm to succeed in life will surely inspire thousands of young people like you to reach for their dreams. Teleperformance is very proud of you,” says Cacabelos.

Leyte... FROM 6

UP Diliman... FROM 11

INdulge!

FITNESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE LIMELIGHT. So does tourism. But when you combine fitness and tourism, that’s a whole new ballgame right there. With Davao’s booming industries, it’s but proper to marry the abundance of Davao’s scenic spots and the aim to be holistically healthy in promoting and achieving the kind of life that’ll elevate life, itself, to greater heights.

Sun Made Brown Rice, one of the country’s leading brown rice brands, produces high-quality, mill-to-table fresh and affordable brown rice. Many consumers have made the switch and have since enjoyed the many benefits of eating the staple. Proven to aid in digestion and help shed some pounds, brown rice is a rich source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and help lower cholesterol levels. Walastik Apat Davao City (WapatDC) is composed of 4 cyclists, who come together. It’s main advocacy is to promote tourism in Mindanao. WapatDC is composed of Victor Magno, Paolo Serrano, Mikey Aportadera and Reggie Reyes. Mikey Aportadera, a media personality and one of the founders of WapatDC, shared with us what their group does to boost tourism in Mindanao– one pedal at a time. The partnership came to life when Carlo Lorenzana, Vice President of Sun Made, reached out to WapatDC. After meeting with Victor Magno, one of the founders of WapatDC, they realised that aligning health, fitness and tourism in events and other forms of promotions is possible. Now, you not only get to see the tourist sights; you help yourself achieve a healthier new, you. During the event, Sun Made Brown Rice Ambassadors were introduced to the public. Jesse Boga, Abby Jorda and Christian Yu are all into fitness and have shown how including brown rice in your diet can make a difference. On the other hand, Brazil Sayagao and business partner, Cheska, introduced their Sweet’s Hearty Meals Davao – an online food shop that advocates healthy, portion controlled meals within Davao. Sun Made supports WapatDC in giving them financial and promotional support, co-branding support and, by providing the group’s members with fresh and healthy brown rice everytime they ride their bikes to tour the city’s tourism spots.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Sun Made Brown Rice and WapatDC

Partners to boost Mindanao tourism By Leebai Sinsuat Ambolodto Photos by Lean Daval Jr.

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

STYLE

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

EDGED

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Personalized platinum ri every couple’s unique love “EACH WEDDING RING IS A WORK OF LOVE,” says Odysseus Suarez, owner and manager of Wedding Rings. This love, he shares, is reflected in the jeweler’s latest line of personalized platinum rings.

This begins with a bar or rod of platinum getting rolled, pressed, and laminated through a rolling mill machine until it is trimmed into the right dimensions. During this process, the platinum metal becomes denser, adding weight and durability, as it is compressed. The now elongated rod of platinum is subsequently molded into a ring based on the ring size requested, after which the rod’s two ends are laser welded together to close the ring. This is then filed and shaped according to the preferred design. The platinum ring is then polished and adorned with gems.

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ings express e story

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge! ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

PLDT HOME celebrates strongest connection with

Regine Series live in Davao ASIA’S SONGBIRD IS COMING!

OPM icon and PLDT HOME Ambassador Regine Velasquez is coming to Davao to perform live via the widely popular Regine Concert Series. Powered by PLDT HOME, the musical extravaganza is a show of gratitude from the country’s number one digital and multimedia services provider for the massive support Davaoeños have given throughout the years. The concert series, which was extended for a second year due to its unprecedented success, aims to help promote the titular Regine Telset Series—a set of limited edition landline phones available for only P99 per month—launched last year to

great acclaim, with stocks running out fast as soon as it was made available to the public. Its initial kickoff last April 10 at SM Bacoor in Cavite was followed by another full house gig at SM City Pampanga. From one jampacked mall to another and in response to insistent public demand, the Regine Concert Series is finally on its way to the Queen City of the South on July 30 for its much-awaited VisMin debut. The Cebu leg featured a 10-piece band helmed by awardwinning musical director Raul Mitra, with a special performance by Your Face Sounds Familiar first runner-up Michael Pangilinan. PLDT VP and Home Market-

ing Director Gary Dujali said, “The Regine Telsets, when bundled with PLDT HOME DSL, form the foundation of a digitally connected and smart home. PLDT HOME has been making it big in the hearts of Cebuano families, and we look forward to helping them forge the strongest connections with their families through powerful connections and world-class music.” After Cebu, the Regine Concert Series is scheduled for a Davao stopover on August 6 at SM Ecoland. Fans will witness a free world-class musical treat as Regine performs her well-loved hits. For more information on the Regine Telset Series, visit pldthome.com/landline.

Christian Bautista renews exclusive contract with GMA ASIA’S ROMANTIC BALLADEER CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA remains a loyal Kapuso as he signed last July 21 another two-year exclusive contract with GMA Network.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable; GMA Consultant for Business Development Department II Marivin T. Arayata; GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno; GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz; GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi S a nt i a g o -L a r a ; GMA Assistant Vice President for Talk, Variety, Musical and Specials Darling de Jesus, GMA Senior Program Manager Charles Koo;

and Christian’s managers Carlo Orosa and Stella Sison. After being welcomed by GMA’s top executives, Christian feels glad and fulfilled about his contract renewal with the Kapuso Station, “I’m very happy to be with great people, great family and a great support group. The last three years have been amazing, expanding, and building my talent in acting and hosting. I’m proud to be Kapuso.” He is currently part of the primetime series Encantadia as Apitong and he said it’s a dream come true to be one of the cast members of the requel. “I’m so happy to be part of Encantadia now. I really

had to do my best sa audition, to fit the role. I want it talaga. There are more guests coming, more twists. The fact that a star from Game of Thrones is in Encantadia, that’s a big thing.” During the contract signing, Atty. Gozon had nothing but praises for Christian, as he considers him as one of the talented and versatile artists of the network, “Tayo ay natutuwa na pumirma na naman sa atin si Christian. Mahusay kumanta yan, marunong umarte, we consider ourselves lucky to have an actor like Christian in our station. He is not just a singer, he is a good actor.” Meanwhile, Rasonable revealed that aside from Encantadia, viewers will see more of Christian in an upcoming Kapuso program. “He’s going to be included as part of a talent show that we’re producing very soon. We will tell you more about it when we’re ready with all the details. Sa GMA Pinoy TV, we are able to bring him to our kababayans out-of-the-country. He’s very well received, siyempre napakagaling na performer so talagang marami tayong pwedeng gawin with Christian dito sa Network.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

UP Diliman graduates share their Teleperformance stories of success S T

Surging stock market an advantage for SSS members eligible for Option to Sell Shares of Stocks Program

ELEPERFORMANCE, the world’s leading provider of outsourced omnichannel customer experience management services, feted two of its employees, who recently graduated from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. All Filipino parents dream of seeing their children graduate from college. But they know that achieving this goal is not easy, as sending a child – or children - to college is a huge investment. However, financial difficulties did not stop Karla Gonzales, 22, from achieving her dream of completing her Civil Engineering degree at one of the country’s top universities. Growing up in a single-parent household, Karla helped her mom sell vegetables in their small stall in at public market in Parañaque City. This was how her love for math began, as she was put in charge of the cash register, doing inventory and packaging their produce for retail. Karla was a good student and always excelled in her studies. As a scholar, she graduated second Honorable Mention from St. Andrews School Parañaque. She was also the recipient of the Andrean of the Year— an award given to the most outstanding student of the school. Karla admits going through difficult times, as challenges came one after the other. When it was time to enter college, Karla knew what she needed to do—find work to support her family and her schooling at the same time. “I learned from a friend that Teleperformance in Ayala, Makati had an account that ca-

ters to students working part time. I applied and immediately got accepted,” tells Karla. “I was the youngest employee in that account and my supervisor and colleagues at Teleperformance were all very supportive of me. At first, it was difficult to adjust to having two roles, but my supervisors gave me a work shift that suits my class schedule. Together, we made it work!” Karla adds. Determined to succeed, she took on each challenge that came her way and conquered all of them—completing school projects, acing exams while maintaining her excellent performance at Teleperformance, and even qualifying for her monthly performance incentive and being “valedictorian” of her batch during the training period. All of this this may sound easy, but Karla says this is far from the truth. There were times when she wanted to transfer to another school that was closer to home. However, her tenacity prevailed every time. “There was just too much hope and determination in me to finish what I’ve started.” Karla also explained that her exposure in dealing with international clients and working in a corporate setting at Teleperformance taught her to be more patient and confident. “I was able to enhance my communication skills, people skills, and work etiquette,” Karla says. Mark Gil Cato, 22, is also another success story in the making. Like Carla, he recently graduated from UP with a degree in Business Administration. With seven children,

Mark’s parents struggled to make ends meet. As the eldest child, Mark knew that he needed to succeed to lift his family out of poverty. Mark was excited when he learned that he passed his UP college entrance test. It dawned on him, however, that attending college would be difficult especially if one’s financial resources were limited. His dad was a store keeper at the Mandarin Oriental, which closed down in 2014, while his mom did laundry for neighbors. Mark shares, “I envied my classmates who are born into wealthy families. I saw my parents skip meals so we could eat. I felt their challenges to stretch the limited income and

ic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) implemented the program called “Assessment, Capacity Building and Rehabilitation of Selected Pablo Stricken Communities in Davao Region” in selected areas of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley Province and Davao del Norte. The consortium-member agencies and key players of the project include USeP, Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Southern Philippines Agri-business Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) and the University of the Philippines in Mindanao (UPMin). Among the interventions implemented under the SAFE Program included capability building trainings and seminars, as well as the provision

of planting materials, farming tools, fishing nets and boats for the farmers and fisherfolks. In his remarks during the signing, Generalao emphasized the need to sustain the project. She said that upon assuming the USeP Presidency she immediately allotted a budget for the initiative, and placed it under the Extension Division of the university. The SAFE Program of PCAARRD on the other hand is under its Technology Transfer Program Division (TTPD), which serves as a formal emergency response program and an institutional system for both emergency-or-hazard-related R&D and technology transfer. For his part, TTPD Director Dr. Melvin B. Carlos noted

Mark Gil Cato

USeP and PCAARRD forge SAFE MOU

HE University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) represented by its President and former SMAARRDEC Director, Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao and the Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) led by its Executive Director, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the implementation of S&T Action Frontline for Emergencies and Hazards (SAFE) Program in Davao Region. The MOA is in support of USeP’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of the rehabilitation program for Typhoon Pablo-stricken communities in the region. In 2014, the Southern Mindanao Agriculture Aquat-

look for people from whom they could borrow money.” Like Karla, Mark saw an employment opportunity at Teleperformance Ayala. As an 18-year-old student with any professional experience, he was hesitant to apply. Nevertheless, he took on the challenge, and was hired as a customer service representative for an American account. “I met various trials at the onset, like in ‘nesting’ (supervised live call) and being re-profiled for another account. I eventually selected a full-time dayshift account and made sure to excel the second time around. My greatest achievement was when I hit my goals while helping my

F UP DILIMAN, 10

OCIAL Security System (SSS) members with overdue accounts for previous SSS loans used for investing in equities are urged to take advantage of recent stock market gains to settle their past due debt obligations through the SSS Option to Sell Shares of Stocks Program. SSS Officer-in-Charge of Member Loans Department Esperanza E. Salvado said borrowers with delinquent accounts under the previously-offered Stock Investment Loan Program (SILP) and Privatization Fund Loan Program (PFLP) should capitalize on the surging stock market. “The stock market performance this year has been highly encouraging. We call on delinquent SILP and PFLP borrowers to avail now of the Option to Sell Shares of Stocks Program to secure generous gains from unloading their stocks. More importantly, it helps stop their debt burden from further ballooning,” she said. Launched in February 2015, the Option to Sell Shares of Stocks Program enables borrowers to sell their stocks bought using their SILP and PFLP loans at the prevailing market price as determined by an SSS-accredited stock broker. The resulting proceeds, net of the broker’s commission, taxes and other fees, would be applied to the outstanding SILP or PFLP loan balance, and then to other delinquent member loans and housing loan, if any. Any excess amount from the sale of stocks would be refunded to the borrower. “If the generated funds from the sale of stocks are inadequate to cover the overdue SILP or PFLP loan balance, the member can pay the remaining amount in cash, or through deduction from salary loan renewal or from final benefit claims. But until the loan is fully paid, the usual monthly pen-

alties and interest will apply,” Salvado explained. Since the launch, the staterun pension fund has recorded a total of 1,115 accounts that have benefited from the Option to Sell Shares of Stocks Program as of the end of June 2016, while collections from these overdue SILP and PFLP payments have reached P63.56 million. “However, there are still nearly 7,700 SILP and PFLP accounts that remain unpaid. If their loans remain delinquent, the borrowers’ principal, penalties and interest would be deducted from their final benefit claims such as retirement, total disability or death,” Salvado noted. Among the companies whose shares of stocks are held by SILP and PFLP borrowers include Jollibee Foods Corporation, Manila Electric Company, San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Globe Telecom, Petron Corporation, Ayala Land and Union Bank of the Philippines. In the past, SSS members keen to invest in the stock market could borrow funds under the SILP, which was launched in the 1980s. Meanwhile, the PFLP was introduced in 1994 to serve as the lending facility for SSS members interested to buy stocks during the initial public offering for Petron, which was then government-owned, as well as to purchase Meralco stocks previously held by the SSS. To avail of the program, interested borrowers should submit their application form along with the required supporting documents to any SSS branch or to the SILP Section of the MLD at the 11th Floor of the SSS Main Office in Diliman, Quezon City. Supporting documents include the notarized Special Power of Attorney executed by

F SURGING, 10

USeP-PCAARRD MOU The signing of the MOUs during the PCAARRD 5th Anniversary and NSTW 2016 celebration signaled the start of a fruitful partnership between the government and non-government stakeholders. that the previous Pablo-Rehab program is a model project which highlights the objectives of the SAFE Project in terms of technology transfer. Among the agreements included in the MOU is to pursue cooperation and collaboration in the development and implementation of projects to establish appropriate mit-

igation and adaptation strategies for disaster and climate change resilient communities in Davao Region; support extension initiatives aimed at AANR disaster risk mitigation and adaptation in line with the SAFE Program; and identify farmers, farmer groups and like-minded institutions that can serve as co-implementers

and beneficiaries of the SAFE Program initiatives. The signing of the MOU was held on July 28, 2016 at the E.O.Tan Hall, PCAARRD Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, coinciding with the celebrations of PCAARRD 5th Anniversary and National Science and Technology Week 2016.

EDGEDAVAO

12 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Reshaping Mindanao’s cattle industry

ESCRIBED as a “mestizo,” Arob’s face is uncharacteristically white, while his buckskin orange body is growing fast. And with his good-looking muscular frame, he seems to be adapting well to his environment. Born in October 2014, Arob is among the 17 cattle that were conceived through artificial insemination conducted at the Mindanao Cattle Research and Development Project (MCRDP), in Bago Oshiro, Mintal, Davao City. Arob is actually the acronym of Dr. Antonio Obsioma, the MCRDP’s research leader. According to Obsiioma, the project aims to transform the local cattle industry through the cross-breeding of Mindanao native cattle with superior cattle breeds from the USA. “UP alumnus and US-DA retiree Dr. Cecilio Felix introduced the idea of improving our native cattle by trying to cross-breed it with a Hereford miniature breed from the US,” Obsioma said. Obsioma, who is also UP Mindanao’s vice-chancellor, said that while our native cattle breeds have adapted to the country’s warm climate and can tolerate extreme weather conditions, they are not as good as the breeds in temperate countries that can produce more milk and meat. “But the good thing with them [native cattle] even under adverse conditions they can reproduce,” Obsioma said, explaining that if the good characteristics of our local breeds are combined with superior foreign breeds, better offspring can be produced. Genetic Improvement This idea paved the way for the establishment of MCRDP whose goal is to conduct research on the genetic improvement of native cattle breeds through cross-breeding with the miniature Hereford bull. Using artificial insemination, the project aims to produce a foundation herd of miniature cattle crosses. “In developing our local breeds, we can attain genetic independence to sustain beef and dairy production and likewise increase income of smallholder livestock farmers,” Obsioma said. In 2013, the MCDP was launched through a Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Department of Agriculture in Region XI (DAXI) and UP Mindanao. The DA, through its livestock banner program,

“We have produced fast-growing and good-looking animals. We have not observed them having the difficulty adjusting to our local condition. They also look fertile and within the next few months some of the animals are ready for breeding,” provided P1.5-million to develop MCRDP’S livestock station located within the 200-hectare compound of UP Mindanao. “The amount went to the construction of the building, the purchase of native cattle, and other operational costs such as feeds and wages for caretakers,” said DA livestock program coordinator Marie Ann Constantino. As a joint undertaking of DA-XI’s livestock program and UP Mindanao, with support from the private sector, the breeding project has already produced miniature Mindanao beef cattle with improved characteristics obtained from superior breeds. “Since it would be expensive to transport live animals from the US, we just shipped the semen of Hereford cattle and did the cross-breeding through artificial insemination,” said Dr.

MEET AROB Dr. Antonio Obsioma (right) and Dr. Rafael Mercado shows off Arob, the 21-month old cattle developed by the Mindanao Cattle Research and Development Project (MCRDP) at UP Mindanao Campus. Arob is a cross between native cattle and Hereford breeds. Photo by Che Palicte. Rafael Mercado. Hereford cattle are bred widely in many countries and can be raised in various climates mainly for beef production. Mercado, who is also the DA-XI assistant director, said the cattle breeding project is line with the agency’s mandate to ensure the nation’s food security, against the backdrop of dwindling pasture lands across the country. “Ten years ago we had about 200,000 hectares intended for grazing, but now it is only close to 100,000 hectares. This means we have to find ways to cope with the increasing demand for beef cattle, and at the same time, maximize our existing pasture lands,” Mercado said.

Promising Results In just a span of four years, the MCRDP has produced 17 offspring of native and Hereford breed, nine of which are male and eight female including Arob. “We have produced fast-growing and good-looking animals. We have not observed them having difficulty adjusting to our local condition. They also look fertile and within the next few months, some of the animals are ready for breeding,” Obsioma said. He also observed that the animals are docile and easy to manage. “Although they are smaller compared to other breeds, they are meaty in appearance. They do not require too much space and they look efficient since they grow fast,” he added.

Based on the MCRDP, the miniature cattle grows to about four feet in height, and weigh between 227-300 kilos upon reaching their maturity at 14-20 months. Since the Hereford breed grows faster than the native breed, it is expected to produce more meat and milk. “This type of cattle developed by MCRDP can be grazed even in backyards. One farmer who owns a hectare of land can raise up to four cattle with an average weight of 500 pounds each. If you multiply that four times, that’s about 2,000 pounds of cattle being grazed in a small parcel of land,” Mercado said, adding women will not have a problem raising the animal due to its small size and docility. While the project shows promising results, Obsioma

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE The typical native cattle (left) and the crossbred cattle developed through artificial insemination by the MCRDP has white face and buckskin orange body. Photo by Che Palicte.

and Mercado admit that a lot of work still needs to be done before the crossbreeds can be commercialized. “As of the moment, we cannot talk of commercial production just yet. Our intention for now is to establish information about these crossbreeds and how they perform,” Obsioma said adding the research primarily intends to help small animal raisers. “If the private sector wants this [crossbreeds to be] commercialized, we already have the technology,” he added. As the breeding project moves forward, Obsioma said it needs additional semen not only of the Hereford breed but also of the Jersy breed. He added that more institutional collaborators are also needed to help in the project’s upcoming massive artificial insemination. Mercado hopes their proposal to expand the project will be approved soon “so we can reach out to other areas and tap more stakeholders in developing our local cattle industry not only here in Davao but in Mindanao and even the entire country.” Obsioma also hopes the DA will continue to carry out these types of innovative research projects. Citing the successful experience of the Philippine Carabao Center, he envisions the native cattle breeding program to be eventually institutionalized. As DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s goal is to increase farmers’ income and make food available and affordable for all, it’s about time to increase Arob’s tribe, and provide farmers higher incomes, while ensuring that consumers have a sufficient supply of high-quality meat products. (Noel T. Provido/ DA-XI)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Duterte tells firms to stop ‘endo’ P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday hit big businesses for their ‘lackadaisical attitude’ and wariness to put an end to contractualization. In a press briefing after the mass oath-taking of his appointees in Malacanang, President Duterte said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello has to field more people to inspects

companies and other business establishments “that fall under the category of one who has to do away with the contractualization.” ”My message to them is very simple: Do not wait for us to inspect. Stop contractualization. It will not do good for our country,” Duterte warned. ”I would like to assume that everybody who falls under

that category will honor what we are asking for the people. Huwag na ninyo akong hintayin na mahuli ko kayo because I will be unforgiving. You will not only lose your money, you will lose your plants. Don’t tempt me,” he added. He also warned the manpower and security agencies who will not follow his call to end the contractualization and

do not pay the benefits. ”I would like to tell you now: Magsunod kayo o ika-kansela ko ‘yung permit ninyo. Mamili kayo,” the President said. ”If you do not take care of the workers, then I cannot take care of you. Eh ano iyan eh quid pro quo, quid pro quo; tit-fortat. So iyan ang warning ko,” he added. (PNA)

the borrower authorizing the SSS to sell the shares of stocks; accomplished Broker Signature Cards; Customer Account Information Form; photocopy of

two government-issued identification cards with picture and signature; and Statement of Account issued by the SILP Section.

Designated representatives can submit the needed documents to the SSS as long as they have an authorization letter duly signed by the correspond-

ing loan borrower. For more details, borrowers can contact the SILP Section of the SSS MLD at 435-9862 or 920-6401 local 5887 and 5915.

Surging... FROM 11

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARILOU SAN MATEOGAVIOLA been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE executed among her heirs per Doc. No.131; PageNo.27; Book No. I; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC RENE RIZZA B. BERNARDO-MAMBURAM 7/27,8/3/10

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE AND ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FRANCISCO MAISO and MARIA JAMITO-MAISO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE AND ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.125; Page No. 25; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA. 7/27,8/3,10

Water service interruption schedule in Cabantian, August 5–7

AVAO City Water District announced that the 24-hour rotational water supply in Cabantian will be temporarily suspended on August 5-7, 2016 to give way to the rehabilitation of Cabantian Production Well No.2 due to low water yield. From 9:00 AM of August 5, 2016 until 11:00 PM of August 7, 2016, water supply in the following areas will be cut off: Cabantian Road (from Deca Homes to Cabantian Reservoir), Mountain View Village, Northcrest Subd., Suraya Homes, Cabantian Elementary School, Purok 32, Kasilak Village, Forestal Road, Arendain Village, RDL Staff House, Green Orchard Village I, II and III, Leonora Garden Heights, D’ Achievers Village, Canaan Village, Purok 39, Dacudao Village I and II, Ananda Marga, Hidalgo Subd., Celerina Heights and Amakan Village; and these Communal areas: Victors Subd., Puroks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, Green Valley, Ilumina Estates, Communal Barangay Hall, Communal Elementary School, Blue Diamond Village, Iglesia Retreat House, D’Leonor Inland Resort, Aspen Heights and Catitipan Homeowners Assn. Low water pressure to no water will be experienced in the elevated portion of Deca Homes and Emily Homes Subd. in Cabantian. Areas affected by the 24hour rotational water supply

that will have water on the said schedule include: Dela Peña Street, Bacahoa Village, Remedios Heights, Emilia Homes, Cecilia Heights, Victors Executive Homes, Priscilla Estates, Country Homes Subd., Greenland Subd. Chula Vista, Holy Trinity Village and Countryville Executive Homes and non-elevated portions of Deca Homes and Emily Subd. in Cabantian and portion of Ciudad de Esperanza in Communal. The 24-hour rotational water supply schedule will resume after the rehabilitation work on August 7, 2016. Any changes in the 24-hour rotational water supply schedule will be announced following improvement in water yield. On behalf of DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado apologized to affected customers and ensured that the water utility is continuously working to improve water supply delivery in the affected areas. They are also advised to call DCWD Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293), 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for the schedule of water delivery. For queries and further updates, the general public may also visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) or official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater). (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 â&#x20AC;¢ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

COMING BACK? According to trainer Freddie Roach, it’s the money that will bring back Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather to fight another time.

ALL ABOUT MONEY

PH-Mighty Sports sweeps Jones Cup Money issues will bring Manny-Floyd back P H

ALL-OF-FAME boxing trainer Freddie Roach will not be surprised to see both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. return to the sport sometime in the near future, as he anticipates both men running into financial trouble down the line. Mayweather and Pacquiao were the highest paid athletes in the world last year, when they faced each other in the “Fight of the Century” in May that became the most lucrative fight in the sport’s history. Mayweather fought again in September 2015, beating Andre Berto in a one-sided bout, and then retired afterward with a perfect 49-0 win-loss record. Pacquiao, for his part, fought in April 2016, beating Timothy Brad-

ley via unanimous decision. The “Pacman” retired after beating Bradley, but will likely fight again in November 5. “Manny still has a lot of fight left in him,” Roach told Jenna J of On the Ropes Boxing Radio in an interview last week. “The way he trained for the last fight, and the way he fought the last fight (against Bradley), I know he has at least two really good fights left in him.” Roach is not surprised that Pacquiao is planning a comeback, and won’t be surprised, either, if Mayweather returns as well. “To be honest, I think both come back because of the money issues,” Roach said frankly. “Manny is too generous, and he gives his money away.”

“And Mayweather seems to spend a lot of money,” he added. “He just bought a house in (Los Angeles).” “I think the money issue could help both of them, so Manny can build more hospitals, schools and churches. Manny is a really good guy.” Mayweather, for his part, may just need money because of his gambling habit, noted Roach. “When you can bet a million dollars on basketball games, to me, that’s maybe a little bit reckless,” Roach said. “But Mayweather seems to be able to do that. If you can bet a million dollars, you better be able to lose it, because you don’t always win.” One solution for these “money issues,” if they do arise, is for Pacquiao and Mayweather to face each

other in a rematch, Roach suggested. “There’s a lot of money on the table still,” he pointed out. “I still think the fight does really well. If we get Mayweather after our next fight, it’s like a dream come true.” According to Roach, Pacquiao “wants the rematch really bad,” and that the Filipino fighter still believes that he won his fight against Mayweather in 2015. Pacquiao was not in peak form during the “Fight of the Century,” as he later revealed that he was fighting with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. “I still was a little disappointed in Manny’s performance (against Mayweather),” Roach admitted. “But now he’s 100%, and I think at 100%, he will destroy him.”

HILIPPINES-MIGHTY SPORTS capped its dominant run to the 2016 William Jones Cup championship with a 10480 rout of Chinese Taipei B, completing an eight-game sweep of the annual tournament on Sunday in Taiwan. PH-Mighty Sports routed its opponents by an average margin of 17.4 points–a feat they accomplished while playing eight straight days. PH-Mighty Sports became the fifth Philippine representative to win the Jones Cup title after Gilas Pilipinas achieved it in 2012, the Philippine Centennial Team in 1998, San Miguel Beer in 1985 and Northern Consolidated Cement in 1981. Korean Basketball League player Dewarick Spencer scored 27 points and nine rebounds to lead

Siargao lass bags championship in Indonesian surfing competition

PH-Mighty Sports eyes D-League, ABL A M

IGHTY Sports, the country’s representative to the William Jones Cup Tournament, may have completed a perfect run to the championship but the apparel company doesn’t plan on stopping here. Days before it completed its title run, the team received an invitation to join the Merlion Cup in Singapore slated September 21-25. Charles Tiu, who was tasked to handle the team in

lieu of head coach Bo Perasol, confirmed this development during the press conference. Perasol will not be available to call the shots for the team as he will be busy handling the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who will be competing in the UAAP that time. “We’re joining a tournament in Singapore, a club team from Taiwan is also joining, the Samsung Thunder from Korea is also partic-

ipating, the Shanghai Sharks and a club team from Singapore,” Tiu said. After the Merlion Cup, the coaching staff and the management will meet anew to ponder the team’s direction. So far, joining the D-League and the ABL are being given consideration, according to Tiu. “I don’t know if we’ll start with the D-League, that’s one option. May offer rin kami to join the Asean Basketball League. May offer rin to join

the Global ABA Tournament. But for now, yung Merlion Cup muna sa Singapore. There’s an offer from Taiwan in September also pero medyo dikit kasi siya sa Merlion Cup,” Tiu added. In the Merlion Cup, Mighty Sports will be fielding in three imports to join the nine local players. “We’re looking at players who will join the PBA Draft and possibly some of the Gilas cadet members,” added Tiu.

the team against Chinese Taipei-B. He was helped by former PBA import Mike Singletary who finished with 21 points and seven boards. Former NBA player Al Thornton came up with 13 points while Hamady Ndiaye tallied 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Ex-Ginebra import Vernon Macklin also came up with an all-around game of 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. PH-Mighty Sports pulled away with a 30-16 opening quarter and never looked back, even expanding its lead to 30 points against the young Taiwanese team. Sunday Salvacion scored six points, Leo Avenido contributed five points and Larry Rodriguez made two points as all of the team’s six Filipino players were able to play in the wire-to-wire win.

SURFER from this town won the championship in the four-day Quiksilver Padma Challenge which concluded last Saturday in Padma, Indonesia. The event’s media officer Tim Hain said 23-year-old Nelbie Blancada bested 12 topnotch surfers from Australia, Argentina, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan, to bag her first title on Indonesian waters. “In the final round Blancada dominated the game, finding the righthander perfect to rip apart and score big points,” Hain said on Sunday. “Finally I did good at Padma! I’m shocked that I won. The waves were really good

in the final and when I would hear my scores getting better it would motivate me to surf even better. I was nervous for sure but so happy now,” she added. Blancada got the prize of 5 million Indonesian rupees and a trip ticket to Gold Coast in Australia to join the Quiksilver Pro next year. She will undergo a training session at Surfing Australia High Performance Training Centre in Casuarina. Last July 19, Blancada’s compatriot Philmar Alipayo won the championship crown in the West Sumbawa Pro 2016 in Indonesia. (Roel N. Catoto/ MindaNews)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 113 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

MEDAL DROUGHT

PH HOPEFUL. Talaingod, Davao del Norte native Charly Suarez is one of two Pinoy boxers in Rio.

Can the Pinoy boxers end PH’s medal drought?

HE Filipino boxers in this Rio Olympics will still have to rely on the luck of the draw if they are to achieve their goal of giving the country its first medal in 20 years. No Filipino athlete has brought home a medal from the Olympics since Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco took the silver in the light-flyweight class of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Many thought that Velasco did enough to win the

gold against Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov Bujilov. The bout was scored 19-6 when it was closer inside the ring. Boxing competitions here in Rio de Jaineiro will run from Aug. 6 to Aug. 21. Medals will be at stake in 10 weight divisions for men and three for women. The Philippines only has two boxers competing here in Rio. Light-flyweight Rogen Ladon and Dabawenyo

lightweight Charly Suarez, first-time Olympians, will get the chance to end the medal drought for the Philippines. Ladon and Suarez will see action on Aug. 6 but are still awaiting the results of the draw days before the start of the competition. Head coach Nolito Velasco presided over a light training session for the two Filipino boxers Saturday afternoon at Pavilion 5 of the Riocenter Convention Center.

It was a light session compared to the normal grind these boxers go through, kicking it off with a couple of rounds of shadow boxing and sparring and a few more on the bags. The two boxers cooled down by running back to the Athletes Village which is less than a kilometer away from the training venue. Velasco, elder brother of the 1996 silver medalist Onyok and 1992 Barcelona

Olympics bronze medal winner Roel, is eagerly awaiting the results of the draw. “We are hoping for a better draw,” he said in Filipino. “Let’s hope that we don’t cross paths with the other favorites. We don’t want the championship bouts in our opening bouts,” he said. Ladon is ranked third in his division while Suarez is just in the lower rungs. “If we get the breaks in the draw, then we get better

chances of winning medals here,” added Velasco as he walked back to the Athletes Village. “But our boxers are ready for whoever is put in front of them,” said Velasco. Ladon and Suarez flew into town from Las Vegas last Thursday and had no problems settling down in Rio, with hardly any jet-lag, unlike the other Pinoy athletes. Velasco said the boxers are well rested and ready to go.