Edge Davao 9 Issue 147

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

P 15.00 • 32 PAGES LIGHT MOMENT. President Duterte shares a light moment with businessman Ramon Ang, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and Alfonso Tan during the wedding of Waldo and Regine Carpio at San Agustin Church in Intramurous, Manila on Friday afternoon. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PPD

DAVAO’S TOURISM RECOVERING:CTOO

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

HE City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) is optimistic that the city’s tourism sector will regain its lost momentum in the coming weeks.

According to CTOO Chief Regina Rosa Tecson, the city’s tourism industry is still at the recovery stage following the deadly Roxas night market blast last Sept. 2, which killed 15 people and injured 19 others.

Tecson revealed that hotel occupancy in the city decreased by 20 to 30 percent from Sept. 2 to 9 after the bombing incident “The hotel’s occupancy right now is at 75%,” she said.

Tecson said that despite the slowdown the sector is experiencing, tourism-related activities are starting to pick

up as Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio has encouraged not only the people of Davao, but visitors as well, not be cowed by the tragic incident.

“We have to give the credit to Mayor Sara Duterte because she has set the tone. She has boosted the morale of the public since the incident took place” she said, “She has rallied everybody and told them to on theirr feet and show that they are not afraid,” she added.

Tecson stressed that the confidence of tourists in the city has returned due to the

F DAVAO, 2

Coconut DNA and poetry: Not just another genetic story

Page 2

INSIDE

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

A SPECIAL MOTORING SUPPLEMENT

2 SPECIAL FEATURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

Coconut DNA and poetry: Not just another genetic story

By ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA

H

AVE you ever wondered why the coastlines of Davao, especially in regions facing the Pacific Ocean, are nearly drowned with coconut trees? The abundance of the palm throughout the archipelago has helped, in a way, savants trace its morphological history.

In local parlance, ‘use you coconut’ is an expression of common sense, but the fruit of the coconut, traditionally, is also associated with thriftiness or saving money for the rainy days.

In school, kids were taught how to remove the flesh inside the shell and turn it into a coin bank.

Which reminds us, albeit obliquely, of the great Filipino literary icon Jose Garcia Villa, the Comma Poet, who as a 17-year-old student at the state university composed the erotic paean to the coconut, Song of Ripeness, which caused his expulsion. He wrote: The coconuts have ripened, They are like nipples to the tree.

(A woman has only two nipples, There are many women-lives in a coconut tree.)

Soon the coconuts will grow heavy and full: I shall pick up one…many…

Like a child I shall suck their milk, I shall suck out of coconuts little white songs: I shall be reminded of many women. ..........................

I shall kiss a coconut because it is the nipple of a woman.

Researchers Bee F. Gunn, Luc Baudouin, and Kenneth M. Olsen, who published in 2011 the article ‘Independent Origins of Cultivated Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in the Old World Tropics’, which was condensed in ScienceDaily under the title of ‘Deep history of coconuts decoded: Origins

DAVAO p.1

strength of will and character shown by Dabawenyos, under the leadership of Mayor Duterte-Carpio.

“Since then people’s confidence towards Davao City increased that is why after Sept.

9, tourist arrivals increased and even hotel occupancy [are returning to normal],” Tecson

of cultivation, ancient trade routes, and colonization of the Americas’, wrote: “The coconut (the fruit of the palm Cocos nucifera) is the Swiss Army knife of the plant kingdom; in one neat package it provides a high-calorie food, potable water, fiber that can be spun into rope, and a hard shell that can be turned into charcoal. What’s more, until it is needed for some other purpose it serves as a handy flotation device.”

In today’s world, the applications of any and all parts of the coconut tree range from treating illnesses, beautifying the skin, curing minor and superficial irritations, removing stains, polishing articles, lubricating joints, improving internal digestion, to using as food condiment.

Before the discovery of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule, scientists analyzed the plant’s morphology, ‘the study of words, how they are formed, and their relationship to other words in the same language [and] analyzes the structure of words and parts of words, such as stems, root words, prefixes, and suffixes,’ in determining its evolutionary history.

Biologists originally classified two varieties of the coconut fruit, known as niu kafa (triangular and oblong) and niu vai (rounded and has sweet water when young), which are actually Samoan names for traditional Polynesian varieties.

These plants names, interestingly, is closer in sound and articulation to the Tagalog term for coconut, the niyog.

Niu kafa, in Samoan, literally, means ‘a strong rope from coconut fibers’ while niu vai translates to ‘coconut water.’ Arguably, it does not take rocket science to decipher that niyog’s morphology comes from the term niu, the equivalent of ‘coconut.’

added.

The CTOO chief also said that bookings for conventions and other major events to be held in Davao City are also starting to pick up.

Tecson urged Dabawenyos to help promote Davao and entice more tourists to visit the city.

The word ‘coconut’, meanwhile, comes from the Portuguese coco, roughly translated as the ‘grinning face of a monkey.’ Centuries earlier, the coconut was already recorded in Sanskrit but it became known only to the western world in the 6th century, when it was introduced in Egypt from the Indian Ocean. The itinerant explorer Marco Polo first saw the coconut while traveling in India and called it the Pharaoh’s nut.

To put the true history of the coconut in context, the three scientists gathered over 1,300 specimens from all over the globe, particularly in the western Indian Ocean where there was no available data yet. For each palm sample collected, 10 microsatellite regions were studied and classified according to their genetic makeup.

The genetic findings provided interesting discoveries: (i) the Pacific and Indian Ocean coconuts are genetically different from each other; and (ii) a third of the total genetic diversity can be divided between the two groups.

The article said: “In the Pacific, coconuts were likely first cultivated in island Southeast Asia, meaning the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and perhaps the continent as well. In the Indian Ocean the likely center of cultivation was the southern periphery of India, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Laccadives.

“The definitive domestication traits -- the dwarf habit, self-pollination and niu vai fruits -- arose only in the Pacific, however, and then only in a small subset of Pacific coconuts, which… speaks of origins of cultivation rather than of domestication.”

According to the authors, ‘the Pacific coconuts were introduced to the Indian Ocean a couple of thousand years ago by ancient

The coconut tree in full season (www.plantvillage.org)

Austronesians establishing trade routes connecting Southeast Asia to Madagascar and coastal east Africa’, adding ‘no genetic admixture is found in the more northerly Seychelles, which fall outside the trade route.’

On the other hand, ‘the Indian Ocean coconut was transported to the New World by Europeans’ while the ‘Portuguese carried coconuts from the Indian Ocean to the West Coast of Africa… and the plantations established there were a source of material that made it into the Caribbean and also to coastal Brazil.’

This means that ‘the coconuts that you find today in Florida are largely the Indian ocean type… which is why they tend to have the niu kafa form.’

They added: ‘On the Pacific side of the New World tropics, however, the coconuts are Pacific Ocean coconuts. Some appear to have been transported there in pre-Columbian times by ancient Austronesians moving east rather than west.’

In their studies, the scientists said ‘the clear genetic differentiation between the Pacific and Indian Ocean lineages allows us to conclude definitively that coconuts were brought into

cultivation independently in each of these regions. In the Pacific, the phenotypic diversity and population heterogeneity associated with a region extending from the Malay peninsula to New Guinea point to that area as a likely center of domestication.’

The biologists also found out: ‘Pacific coast ‘Panama Tall’ coconuts are characterized predominantly by the ‘Panama’ population component [that] is absent elsewhere, except in the Philippines where it occurs at a low frequency. This pattern is consistent with the previously proposed origin… through a prehistoric introduction from the Philippines. In contrast, the Pacific coast of Mexico, which was also populated largely

by Philippine coconuts… shows a genetic composition that more closely reflects the genetic heterogeneity of the Philippines. The small contribution of the ‘South Pacific’ component in Mexico may reflect early Spanish importations from the Solomon Islands…

‘Within the Pacific basin, human influence on coconut population structure is most readily detectable in the pre-historic intro-

duction of Southeast Asian coconuts to the New World coast. This introduction is estimated to have occurred ∼2,250 years ago, and our analyses are consistent with previous findings suggesting a Philippine origin; the low genetic diversity in Panama Talls provides further evidence of establishment through a founder event.’

The distribution of coconuts worldwide may be attributed to three factors, namely: winds that affect the movement of sea currents, intercontinental trading by long-haul merchants, and the product of overseas migration. As such, it was the Spaniards who brought coconuts to the Pacific coast of Mexico from the Philippines, a reason why there are Pacific type coconuts on the Pacific coast of Central America and Indian type coconuts on the Atlantic coast.

The Philippine coconut industry did not begin until 1642 with the passage of a Spanish edict requiring every local resident ‘to plant 200 coconut trees that can produce fiber for galleon rigs from coconut husks and caulking for the hulls from charcoal.’ It was only in 1899 when copra was sold in Europe to make soap and margarine.

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

BATTLE CRY. A billboard printed with “Stand Up Davao, Fight Terrorism” slogan stands tall along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City two weeks after bombing incident at the Roxas night market that killed 16 people and injured 66 others. Lean Daval Jr.

1,138 drug personalities killed, 17,319 arrested

T

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Saturday that 1,138 drug personalities were killed nationwide following the implementation of ‘Oplan Double Barrel’ from July 1 to Sept.

17 this year.

The PNP also reported that 17,319 drug personalities were arrested in 18,832 police operations over the same period.

Oplan Double Barrel was launched by PNP Chief, Dir.

Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to target both big-time and small-time drug pushers.

Dela Rosa earlier reported an 80- to 90-percent decrease in the supply of illegal drugs in the country since the start of intensified drug operations.

He also advised policemen not to break the momentum of the war on drugs since President Duterte is expecting the drug menace to be eliminated six months since he assumed office. (PNA)

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has advised those opposed to the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (village and youth council) elections to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court (SC) on the matter.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said Friday it would be proper for critics to bring their objections to the High Court so that the latter could decide on the issue.

“Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagkaroon ng pagpapaliban ng Barangay at SK. Siguro maganda na idulog nila sa Korte Suprema at nang madesisyunan ng Korte Suprema (This is not the first time that the barangay and SK polls have been postponed.

Maybe, it would be good for critics to bring the issue to the Supreme Court),” he said.

On Sept. 13, the Senate and House of Representatives passed on final reading their respective versions of the bill postponing the village and youth council polls from Oct. 31 to October 2017.

Critics are questioning the constitutionality of the postponement since it will extend the term of office of incumbent barangay and SK officials.

The Constitution provides that these officers should be elected and should not be imposed on the people by Congress through term extension.

Once the bill has been approved and becomes a law, it will allow incumbent officials to remain in office unless removed or until their successors are elected.

Meanwhile, the Comelec estimated that an additional 5 million voters would register when it starts another round of voters’ registration. (PNA)

Comelec asks critics to talk to SC instead T

Norwegian kidnap victim released Hostage now in the house of Misuari: Dureza N

ORWEGIAN hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad was released by his captors earlier today, Saturday, at around 2pm somewhere in Patikul, Sulu.

He is now staying overnight at the place of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari in Barangay Kagay. Chairman Misuari volunteered to host his stay due to heavy

rains and nightfall. Men of Misuari and former Gov. Sakur Tan and other volunteers helped in the release.

I will fly him out of Jolo town tomorrow morning.

His first words when I spoke to him on the phone : “Thank you to President Duterte.”

His release from captivity capped months of

quiet, patient but determined efforts with the assistance of all sectors.

He was taken hostage by armed men in a Samal resort in Davao last year, September 21, 2015 with 3 others, namely John Ridsdel, Robert Hall, who were both beheaded, and Filipina Maritess Flor, whom I also recovered 3 months ago.

Photo from Siteintelgroup/Twitter

Rody’s sister wants De Lima to apologize J

By RIA VALDEZ

OCELYN Duterte, sister of President Rodrigo Duterte, doesn’t understand why her name was dragged in the Senate hearing last Sept.

15, which is investigating the current administration’s anti-crime efforts.

During an interview with Bombo Radyo Davao, the president’s sibling said that she is demanding an apology from Senator Leila De Lima.

“I went to Bombo Radyo because I feel helpless right now and I don’t know where to go to defend myself,” said Duterte, who name was men-

tioned in the Senate hearing wherein Sen. De Lima called in as witness an alleged member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS).

According to the President’s sister, Edgar Matobato was not a credible witness as he gave out conflicting accounts during his appearance at the Senate hearing.

In his testimony, Motabato claimed that President Duterte ordered the killing of a dance instructor who was allegedly dating Jocelyn.

The younger Duterte blamed Delima for calling on

Matobato as witness without first confirming the veracity of his allegations.

She also revealed the lady senator, who was then justice department secretary, had also asked her about the extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

“This [hearing] is just a [means for her to get] political mileage,” said Duterte, who added the senator had ulterior motives against the President.

Through her radio guesting, Duterte explained she wanted to clear her name,

as she stressed that she had nothing to do with the death of the alleged dance instructor.

“No one died,” she categorically said, adding that Delima was just being malicious.

Duterte, however, admitted that she didn’t know whom to sue for the false allegations levelled against her and her brother - Matobato or Sen. Delima.

When asked if she had already spoken to brother, President Duterte, she said she came to Bombo Radyo merely as a private individual who knew her rights.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Lacson to de Lima: Don’t take Matobato’s story as‘all truth’

S

ENATOR Paniflo “Ping” Lacson questioned Friday fellow Senator Leila de Lima for seemingly accepting the testimony of self-confessed former Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato as “gospel truth”.

“Being Chair, sa iyo nag-report ang witness, ikaw ang handler, ikaw man ang nag(brief). Pero huwag ka na magpadala na lahat na sasabihin niya hook, line and sinker, kukunin mo na as gospel truth.

Di naman tama yan (Being Chair, you handle the witness, you brief the witness but don’t make it look like you believe what he says hook, line and sinker, you take it as gospel truth. That’s not right),” Lacson said.

He noted that he did not get to ask as many questions as he wanted during the Senate hearing where Matobato was present, because he

lost interest in the manner in which it was conducted.

“Sabi ko nga, nawalan ako ng gana magtanong (I lost interest in asking questions),” Lacson said, adding that Matobato’s testimony sounded “dramatic” to him.

“Baka magmukha akong kontrabida na masyadong obnoxious. Baka magkaroon ng impression na ganoon (I might look like the villain who is too obnoxious. There might be that impression),” he further said.

Lacson, like Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, also maintained that de Lima should have informed him about presenting Matobato as a witness so that he could have helped her brief him.

Unlike Cayetano however, Lacson said that he did not believe that Matobato’s testimony was “100 percent lies” but

F LACSON, 10

Talomo brgy chair killed in ambush

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

B

RGY. Talomo Chairperson Artemio Jimenez was shot dead, while two of his companions were wounded during an ambuscade Friday afternoon along a busy road in Ecoland Subdivision, Davao City.

Jimenez was declared dead on the spot by responding police officers at around 3 pm, Friday after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Rogelio Navarro, Jimenez’ bodyguard, was brought to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) with a gunshot wound in his neck.

Soteo Laurel, Jimenez’ driver, sustained a gunshot in his waist area.

Based on initial police reports Jimenez and his group were traversing Ecoland Drive on their way to the Muslim Village in Bangkal when the incident happened.

As they were passing through the two-lane road, an SUV-type vehicle suddenly stopped beside their car, according to Laurel who was in the driver’s seat.

He said all of them were

caught by surprise, as they didn’t notice any vehicle tailgating them since they left Ateneo de Davao University.

For his part, Laurel remembered seeing an unidentified man aiming a gun at Jimenez and firing six rounds.

Laurel said he is uncertain whether the attack was “politically-motivated or drug-related.”

He also recalled hearing six gunshots but didn’t see the face of the suspected gunman.

Meanwhile, Talomo Police Chief Supt. Grecel Sagpang, said they are now following leads on the shooting incident.

“The suspects were able to escape but we are already searching [for] them,” Sagpang said.

To recall, Jimenez submitted himself to Senior Supt.

Michael John Dubria last month after his name was reportedly included on the drug watch list of the police.

He even voluntarily took a drug test conducted by Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) but he tested negative for illegal substance abuse.

Barangay Talomo chieftain Artemio Jimenez. Photo from Artemio Jimenez’s FB account

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

If credible, Matobato can help clear Felonia But defense team notes witness’inconsistencies

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

HE legal counsel of Police Supt. Leonardo Felonia, the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Cebu-based hotelier Richard Lim King is studying the possibility of using the statement of Senate witness Edgar Matobato to prove his client’s claim that he has nothing to do with the death of the Chinese businessman.

According to Atty. Caesar S. Europa, the statement of Matobato corroborates with the position of his client that he is innocent.

Europa added that Matobato’s statement can also be used by confessed gunman Paul Dave Molina Labang and his alleged accomplices brothers Rommel and Rodel dela

Cerna to show that they were not responsible for King’s murder.

“The testimony of Edgar Matobato corroborates the position of Col. Leonardo Felonia that he had nothing to with the killing of Richard King and that the self-confessed gunman and his companions were not the ones who actually killed Richard King,” he said.

However, Europa said he and his legal team are currently evaluating the credibility of Matobato since there were a lot of inconsistencies noted in his statement at the Senate hearing.

“We are still evaluating the credibility of Mr. Matobato’s testimony and the possible impact it may have to Col. Felo-

GO HOTEL’S 10TH. UDEVCO President Dennis Uy (fourth from left) and Robinsons Land Corporation President Frederick Go (fourth from right), together with (L-R) Davao City Tourism Office Head Generose Tecson, Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Cherry Uy, Department of Tourism (DOT) 11’s Eden David, Phoenix Petroleum Chairman Domingo Uy and former DOT 11

nia’s case,” he added.

Since the hearing on Felonia’s case began, Europa had been questioning the merit of the statements of Labang and the dela Cerna brothers in light of the Res Inter Alios Acta Rule of the Philippine Constitution.

According to remidiallawdoctrines.wordpress.com, the Res Inter Alios Acta Rule is an extrajudicial confession that is binding only on the confessant, is not admissible against his or her co-accused and is considered as hearsay against them.

Felonia, a police colonel and former chief of the Regional Intelligence Unit-Davao, is currently detained at the Davao City Police Office.

To recall, King, the owner of Crown Regency Group of

Hotels and Vital C Health Products Inc. was shot dead while having dinner inside his Vital C office in Brgy. Obrero, Davao City, on June 12, 2014.

Labang was tagged as the gunman, while the dela Cerna brothers were identified as his cohorts in the killing.

During the Senate hearing this week, Matobato, who claimed to be a member of the so-called “Davao Death Squad” recalled that King was killed in a Davao hotel, then corrected himself and said that the murder happened at McDonald’s Bajada branch.

Motabato also claimed that that he was tortured in 2013 so that he would admit to investigators that he was behind King’s death.

Director Robbie Alabado, lead the ceremonial cutting of ribbon to mark the grand opening of Go Hotel in Lanang, Davao City on Thursday afternoon. Go Hotel Lanang is the hotel chain’s 10th outside Metro Manila and second in Mindanao. Lean Daval Jr.

Senators mixed on BNPP revival S

ENATORS on Friday visited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) to see for themselves if the mothballed plant had potentials for revival.

Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said that he was still not in favor of reviving BNPP even after its inspection.

“We are for nuclear power because we see many advantages (from it), but the BNPP I am not too favor of this,” Gatchalian, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, told reports in an interview at the plant site in Morong, Bataan.

Gatchalian, who was accompanied by media to visit the BNPP, attended a seminar

led by former Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco, which enumerated the advantages of nuclear power plants over other plants.

Cojuangco, in his presentation, explained that nuclear power plants were the safest type of power plants compared to wind, solar and coalfired power plants which emitted more carbon dioxide and other poisonous heavy metals.

He said that nuclear power plants also required less capacity but provided cheaper power cost.

He meanwhile dispelled reports the BNPP was not safe, noting that it is tsunami-proof since it is 18 meters above sea level.

Gatchalian, however, said

that he would still prefer to construct a new nuclear power plant rather than revive the the 32-year-old plant since it would require almost the same cost.

The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier estimated that some P1.865 billion would be needed to revive the mothballed BNPP. He also cited the controversies that arose in the construction of the BNPP which he described as “a very emotional issue.”

The BNPP is a project of the late President Ferdinand Marcos which cost USD 2.3-billion (P108-billion) and was tagged anomalous.

In 2007, the Philippines completed the payment of the

debt that had been used to fund the BNPP’s construction between 1976 and 1984.

Gatchalian’s committee mates, Senators Nancy Binay and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito however said that they were both open to rehabilitating the BNPP. “The first step is visiting the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to see and discuss if it’s a potential source (of energy),” Binay said in a separate interview.

“It’s high time to finally decide what to do with the BNPP. We must remember that we continue to spend for this plant every year although it does not produce electricity,” she added.

Ejercito was more upfront

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

STATISTICS FORUM. Edge Davao Chairman Antonio M. Ajero discusses the importance if statistics in accurate reporting during the regional dissemination forum on the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP) 2011 – 2017 updates and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The one-day event was participated by the national and regional pillars of the countries statistical system. At the presidential table are from left Lina V. Castro, PDSP consul-

tant; Josie B. Perez, deputy national statistician of the Philippine Statistics Authority; Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim of the National Economic Development Authority XI and Regional Director Ruben D. Abaro, Jr. of PSA XI. Photo

by Joey Sam Dalumpines

Mega Harbour to join DATE as int’l investor P

Seeks membership with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

ORT developer and operator Mega Harbour Port and Development Inc. is joining the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) as international investors are set to arrive in Davao City for business opportunities to be showcased at the 18th Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE).

Mega Harbour chairman Reghis M. Romero II revealed his company’s intent to seek membership with the DCCCI for its Davao port city project and enable his firm to actively

participate in Mindanao’s economic development and present its plans to international investors coming over to the DATE for business opportunities.

“Mega Harbour has been almost single-handedly syndicating international capital and inviting foreign investors for its various projects nationwide, but doing it as a member of the DCCCI, especially for Davao City and the rest of Mindanao, will make our efforts more meaningful and significant than ever before,”

said Romero, himself a finance guy and a pioneer in the use of asset-backed securities.

Becoming part of DCCCI’s growing membership will entitle Mega Harbour to join the meeting between the chamber’s members and the international business community during the DATE’s staging at the SM Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier on September 22-24.

“The international investors, just like Mega Harbour, can see the potential of Davao City to blossom into

an international investment destination,” Romero pointed out.As DATE’s platinum sponsor, Mega Harbour will host a lunch for DCCCI’s members and guests on September 23, when the company will present the details of its port city project.

It will also be on September 23 when the Davao Chamber will stage DATE’s parallel event The First Ever Agri Marketing Conference between the DCCCI members and the international investors.

Earlier, Romero revealed

plans to present at the DATE the Mega Harbour project and the strategic importance of a “modern, world-class, masterplanned and pro-nature port city” in opening up the entire South to international trade, tourism, and investments.

“In today’s era, not having a port of that kind could pose a formidable disincentive and a severe bottleneck to the supply chain (local and global), and prevent the entire South from optimizing its great economic potential,” Romero previously said, referring to forgone for-

eign investments and trade opportunities with vast overseas markets, including agri- and cruise tourism in an essentially archipelagic country like the Philippines.

“With this modern eco-friendly international port, Davao City can help the entire Philippines take advantage of its much-vaunted strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia and enable this city of bloom to blossom to its full glory as the capital of EAGA (East Asia Growth Area) and as

F MEGA, 10

6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

P38B for Davao infra projects

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

P38 B FOR INFRA. DPWH Regional Director Mariano Alquiza (right) and Davao City DPWH 2nd District Engineer Gene Lozano (left) announce the P38 billion allocation for infrastructure projects in Davao region for 2017 during a press conference on Thursday. (Alexander D. Lopez)

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Region 11 (DPWH-11) will implement P38 billion worth of projects in 2017.

Speaking before the members of the media on Thursday, DPWH-11 Regional Director Mariano Alquiza said a major portion of the agency’s budget next year will be used to widen national roads in the region.

He clarified the P38 billion allocation will have to go through the general appropriations act, including the types of projects that need to be budgeted for next year.

Aside from road widening, the DPWH-11’s other priorities for next year also include flood control projects.

Alquiza also gave updates on the current status of infrastructure projects being implemented in the region.

For 2016, the DPWH is carrying out 790 infrastructure projects worth P19.6 billion.

He said that as of July 31

this year, a total of 443 projects were already completed, 332 are still on-going and 16 have not yet started.

He said that of the on-going projects sourced from the 2015 allocations, 950 infrastructure projects started last year, 780 were completed, while 170 of these projects are still on- going.

The Davao region, he said, had a total budget allocation of P14.46 billion last year.

Of the 378 total projects in 2014, 363 were already completed while 15 are still being.

A total of P8.3 billion was allocated for the Davao region last 2014.

Alquiza also expressed optimism the problems of traffic congestions will be solved with the widening of road networks which will be given greater priority by the agency next year.

He also lauded the efforts of the men and women of his department for their major accomplishments within the last eight months.

HE Department of Finance (DOF) has been conducting consultations with various sectors to fine-tune its comprehensive tax reform plan prior to its final submission to Congress, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has said.

Dominguez told legislators at the House of Representatives hearing that this tax plan, which “balances policy trade-offs,” is part of the Duterte administration’s broader reform program for inclusive growth comprising seven components.

These seven components are reforming tax administration at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC); improving governance and reforming the budget; leveling the playing field by enhancing competition; simplifying business regulations; securing property rights; promoting food security; and addressing traffic, crime and vice.

“From now until the end of the month, we are conducting a series of consultations to further refine this proposal,” Dominguez said at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. The DOF has consulted former finance secretaries, legislators, economists, research and advocacy groups to help finalize the tax reform plan.

“Tax reform is needed because we now have a tax system that is inequitable, complex and inefficient,” Dominguez said.

“This program which will

be presented to the Congress this month will comprise four packages,” he said. “Each of the packages will correspond to a bill that balances policy tradeoffs. Other packages may be considered as needed.”

Dominguez said the structural weaknesses in the country’s tax system, which stem from several tax rates or bases that are not indexed to inflation and the grant of excessive exemptions and special treatment, continue to erode the level of collections, while highly restricted bank secrecy laws prevent revenue agencies from fully auditing and enforcing tax laws owing to lack of information.

He pointed out that the Philippines is one of only three countries in the world with bank secrecy laws for tax agencies. The other two are Switzerland, which is now changing its laws, and Lebanon.

The Philippines, Dominguez said, imposes some of the highest tax rates in Asia, but collects the smaller amount compared to other countries.

“Collections from the BIR’s 2,300 largest taxpayers comprise nearly half of our country’s entire revenue base,” he noted.

“All these structural issues mean that tax policy reform is necessary to achieve the larger goals of the administration and help ensure that all Filipinos benefit from higher economic growth,” he added.

Dominguez said the proposed tax plan need not burden the poor for it to transform the current tax system

NGO backs move to boost DOF sets consultations Mindanao’s RE resources toT fine-tune tax plan

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

T

HE Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) on Thursday threw its support behind the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)’s plan to bring back at least 50 percent of renewable energy (RE) resources to Mindanao’s energy mix by 2030.

MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romero Montenegro confirmed the agency’s longterm plan during a roundtable meeting with experts from ICSC and other Mindanao-based energy stakeholders.

Montenegro noted that fossil fuels, mostly coal, would account for 80 percent of Mindanao’s energy mix by 2018, which is a reversal of the situation in 2015 wherein the share of RE in Mindanao’s energy mix then accounted for almost 50 percent.

Meanwhile, ICSC Executive Director Red Constantino explained that continued dependence on coal creates massive opportunity costs for Mindanao’s development.

“Policy makers in and outside Mindanao need to bring MinDA’s crystal clear vision to fruition,” Constantino said.

Constantino noted that MinDA’s vision will bring about a more diverse energy mix in Mindanao, and lay the groundwork for a multibillion-dollar industry that will generate jobs, bring down electricity bills, and propel industrial development.

ICSC Senior Policy Advisor and former National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) Chairperson Pete Maniego stressed that coal power plants are no longer considered as viable investments in the power sector.

“Compared to solar, wind, and other renewable technologies, the leveled cost of electricity produced by coal is higher according to studies conducted by institutions in the United States,” Maniego explained.

Maniego added that apart from the harmful effects of greenhouse gases, “allowing coal to expand in Mindanao and the rest of the country would lock up power investments in the next 40 years,” He added that the continued use of coal would lock out far larger potential investors in renewable energy that could adversely affect the Mindanao power industry’s longterm development.

Maniego pointed out the shift from centralized to distributed power generation will enable the Philippines to take advantage of its consider-

able RE sources and advancements in smart grid technologies, while lowering costs in power storage.

When asked on the proposal to reactivate dormant nuclear power plants in the country, Constantino stressed that such a move will cause “massive destruction” in the country.

Constantino explained that “nuclear power plants are heavily subsidized, problematic [in terms of storage of radiation waste and maintenance costs], and definitely will not meet the needs of everyone.”

He proposed that Mindanao must utilize other renewable energy source to have a better return on investments, emphasizing that RE offers far greater economic opportunities than investing in coal, and hydro, and nuclear power plants.

with 186 seats. It is the airline group’s 172nd aircraft to be received from a total of 575 aircraft in its order book.

A celebratory event was held today to commemorate the arrival of this aircraft, which was attended by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, H.E. Christophe Pinot, French Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Victoria Marguerite Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Executive Chairman of AirAsia Berhad and

Group CEO of AirAsia X Berhad, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO; along with the rest of the AirAsia Group’s senior management.

Also present at the event were Kiran Rao, Executive Vice President Strategy & Marketing, Airbus and Allen Paxson, CFM Executive Vice President.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia said, “We are thrilled to receive the Airbus A320neo, which will ensure AirAsia remains at the forefront of our busi-

ness, with one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleet. The aircraft will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent and additional range capability of 500 nautical miles, which will be translated to low fares for our guests. This is further complemented with the extra seats installed, pushing the capacity up to 186 per aircraft.

“We are particularly pleased on the environmental element, where the fuel savings translates into some 5,000 tonnes less CO2 per air-

AirAsia to operate Airbus A320neo A

IRASIA, the world’s best low-cost airline becomes the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A320neo aircraft powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines. The official welcoming ceremony of the aircraft with registration number 9M-NEO was held yesterday (September 15) near Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Equipped with a Space Flex Cabin for an optimal passenger comfort and efficiency, the aircraft is configured

F AIRASIA, 10

F DOF, 10

7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

Pulses help reduce

greenhouse gas emissions Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

R

ICE-LOVING Filipinos can help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by eating lentils, beans, chick peas, and other pulses. That may sound something from Robert Ripley’s “Believe It or Not!” but the thing is, it is for real.

Pulses are annual crops that yield between one and 12 grains of seeds. The term “pulses” is limited to crops harvested solely as dry grains, which differentiates them from other vegetable crops that are harvested while still green.

Around the world, pulses are very popular. The global production of pulses increased from 64 million hectares in 1961 to almost 86 million hectares in 2014. Between 2010 and 2013, 173 different countries grew and exported pulses.

Globally, some 190 million tons of pulses contribute to five to seven million tons of nitrogen in soils.

Pulses are a low carbon footprint food, says the Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Pulses utilize soil bacteria to draw nitrogen from the air. This natural process replaces the need to add nitrogen fertilizers in pulse crops, which means pulses use half the energy inputs of other crops.

“When soil is fertilized with nitrogen in the form of manure, fertilizer, or crop residue,” a source explained, “soil micro-organisms convert some of this nitrogen into nitrous oxide, which is a powerful greenhouse gas.”

Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and represents around 46% of the greenhouse gas emissions from global agriculture, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

“Since greenhouse gas emissions related to crop production are largely driven by nitrogen fertilizers, nitrogen-fixing pulse crops have a lower carbon footprint compared to other crops,” says FAO, which declares 2016 as the International Year of Pulses.

Aside from fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil

natu r a l l y, pulses also in some cases free soil-bound phosphorus, thus significantly decreasing the need for synthetic fertilizers, FAO says.

Another good thing about pulses: When included in livestock feed, their high protein content contributes to increase food conversion ratio while decreasing methane emissions from ruminants. As such, pulses again reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change, an environmental threat unlike any other the world has faced, is thought to be caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases spewed into the atmosphere through human activities. Greenhouse gases refer to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other industrial gases.

Climate change has a huge impact on global food production and food security, the UN food agency states. “Changing weather patterns can cause an increase in natural disasters like droughts, floods, hurricanes, which can impact every level of food production,” FAO points out.

Unless urgent and sustainable measures are established, climate change will continue to put pressure on agricultural ecosystems, warns FAO while recommending to increase global pulses production by 20% from the current level by 2030.

FAO recognizes that pulses production has significantly lagged behind the rising demand in the developing world in spite of many benefits of pulses which are a “win-win for people and the environ-

ment – healthier soils, low carbon and water footprints, and greater household nutritional security, while also generating extra income for farmers.”

Pulse crops utilize soil moisture efficiently.

“When pulses are grown, they use one-half to onetenth the water of other sources of protein,” wrote A.Y. Hoekstra and A. Chapagain, authors of the book, “Globalization of Water: Sharing the Planet’s Freshwater Resources.” “Many pulse crops are adapted to dry environments, making them well-suited for areas that are prone to drought.”

That’s not all. According to the two authors, pulses extract water from a shallower depth, leaving more water deep in the soil for the following year’s crop. “This increases the water use efficiency of the entire crop rotation,” the authors pinpointed.

Another plus about pulses: they enrich the soil where they are grown.

“Pulse crops produce a number of different compounds that feed soil microbes and benefit soil health,” the source said.

“After pulse crops are harvested, they leave behind nitrogen-rich crop residues that provide extra nutrients for the next crop that is grown.”

This is the reason why some farmers use pulses in crop rotation. “Growing pulse crops in rotation with other crops enables the soil to support larger, more diverse populations of soil organisms that help maintain and increase soil fertility,” the source said.

Pulses have a long,

rich history. The first evidence of pulses comes from 11,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, a region in the Middle East which was home to some of the earliest human civilizations.

FAO recognizes 11 types of pulses: dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chick peas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils. Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses nes. Popular pulses include kidney beans, lima beans and butter beans.

Soybean and peanuts are excluded because they

are used mainly for oil extraction.

Perhaps not too many Filipinos know that pulses are very nutritious. “They are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible,” the FAO says.

Pulses are good for those who want to go on a diet or have diabetes. “Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fiber, which can

lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar,” the FAO claims. “Pulses have also been shown to help combat obesity.”

Aside from protein, pulses are also a good source of amino acids, fiber and essential nutrients like iron, potassium and folate.

Staple dishes and cuisines from across the world feature pulses, from hummus in the Mediterranean (chick peas) to a traditional full English breakfast (baked navy beans) to Indian dal (peas or lentils).

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

T

Asking too much

HE country’s passion for basketball is of no equal. So whenever a national team goes overseas and play in an international competition, expect the country to root for the team no matter the odds.

Despite basketball being a sport for the taller people, we never wane in our illusion of being in the world group of basketball nations and fighting it out in every game.

No question about it, we are mad about our basketball.

So when a group of young collegiate players replaced their professional predecessors in the Gilas Pilipinas national squad, not too many basketball experts raised eyebrows. The country has just risen to no. 27 in the world rankings when all of a sudden, the national team was disbanded to give birth to a new, raw and young one.

That team went off to Tehran, Iran for the FIBA Asia Challenge Cup and came home with a dismal 1-4 win-loss record, a very un-Gilas result.

That developmental team was not actually expected to win. It was built for the future. However, the problem is not with the developmental players but with the way the basketball leadership treat-

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ed the campaign. The team was given a young and inexperienced coach in lieu of the national coach who opted to sit at the bench of Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP. Here is the problem. While we set forth a developmental team composed of boys in a man’s league, we did not send them with the proper guidance. Instead of an experienced coach, we sent the son of a former national coach who became unpopular with the basketball community. The boy is too young to lead a young team, he may even lose his way finding the toilet in the huge gymnasium. It is too much asking from this boy to lead our national team.

The problem is that we hired a foreign coach who opted to serve another master and not the national cause. We have a bunch of brainy basketball coaches around, the fact that millions in this country practically breathe basketball, we would not run out of coaching resources.

Definitely, we are not against the shift to developmental. However, this nation could not afford to leave patriotism at the hands of a foreign mentor whose motivation is his livelihood and not the national interest.

ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor SONNY L. MENDOZA Associate Editor

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B

EFORE he departed Davao City for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos, President Rodrigo R. Duterte reportedly said “son of a bitch,” which was supposedly directed at American President Barack Obama.

Duterte’s expletive remark prompted the White House to cancel what was supposedly a meeting between the two top government officials.

In a statement read by presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Duterte expressed “regret” for the remarks he did. “While the immediate cause was my strong comments to certain press questions that elicited concern and distress, we also regret it came across as a personal attack on the US President,” the President said.

“Our primary intention is to chart an independent foreign policy while promoting closer ties with all nations, especially the United States with which we have had a long standing partnership,” Duterte added.

Again, the statement – just like the remark Duterte uttered before – made headlines all over the world.

To err is human, said Alexander Pope. Because we are human beings, we are bound to commit errors. No one is perfect in this imperfect world. Even if your intention is good, there are people who will find fault in what you do.

Of course you know Carl Sandburg, “one of the greatest American poets and biographers.”

He had filled many newspaper positions, won prizes and awards for poetry, given the world a

T

HE use of navigable waters in reaching internal settlements and crossing the gulf of Davao during the first decades of American occupation was an imperative. This was not merely due to the lack of roads and the inadequacy of contact facilities, this also had something to do with the limited means of transportation available to haul goods, people, and cargoes to destinations.

Using the open sea for transport, in fact, was the best option because travel was fast.

This preference was observed in the number of vessels registered at the Port of Davao, which had net weights ranging from a ton to nearly 28 times than that of the lightest motor launch.

In the Annual Report of the Insular Collector of Customs for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1927, a total of 57 licenses were issued in Davao to maritime transports; these were classified as sail, motor launch, and freight boat. Records for that year showed that the largest sailboat weighed 27.78 tons, named Inuayan, was built in 1925 and owned by Bruno Gempesaw, former municipal treasurer of Davao appointed on Jan. 15, 1899. The lightest was a motor launch, Alex, with only 1.11 tons in weight; it was built in 1926 and owned by M. Panuncialman.

Aside from the Gempesaw sailboat, there were five other transports that weight more than ten (10) tons. These are the sailboats (1) Lumba-lumba, weighed 26.95 tons, built in 1926, and owned by American R.E. McFie; and (2) Olotanga, weighed 11.06 tons, built in 1918, and owned by J.F. Yeager; motor launches (3) Angeles, weighed 21.87 tons, built in 1927, and owned

by Pedro S. Carriedo; and (4) Capt. Burchfield, weighed 17.10 tons, built in 1925 and owned by

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

To err is human

VANTAGE POINTS

9

great biography of Ameri- THINK ON THESE! can president Abraham Lincoln, and became famous as a singer of American folk songs.

But Sandburg, like any other human being, once Henrylito D. Tacio made a terri- henrytacio@gmail.com ble mistake.

In his famous biography, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years, he wrote: “Lincoln’s mother was standing at the door of their cabin singing ‘Greenland’s Icy Mountain.’” Quite a feat – the song was not written until twenty-two years after Lincoln’s death!

More often than not, writers are bound to commit errors. In his immortal novel, Robinson Crusoe, author Daniel Dafoe had his shipwrecked castaway to try to salvage some goods: “I resolved, if possible, to get to the ship; so I pulled off my clothes, for the weather was not to extremity, and took to the water” (Italics supplied).

After the naked Crusoe climbed aboard the ship: “I found that all the ship’s provisions were dry: and being well disposed to eat, I went to the bread room and filled my pockets with biscuits.”

Suddenly, Crusoe was wearing a shirt?

“If you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes,” former American president Bill Clinton said. “But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person.” That was what George Washington had in mind, too when he wrote a letter to Fielding Lewis. “To rectify past blunders is impossible,” he penned, “but we might profit by the experience of them.”

Thomas Alva Edison held a world record of 1093 patents for inventions. Perhaps, greatest challenge was the development of a practical incandescent, electric light. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t “invent” the lightbulb but rather he improved upon a 50-year-old idea.

In 1879, using lower current electricity, a small carbonized filament, and an improved vacuum inside the globe, he was able to produce a reliable, long-lasting source of light. The idea of electric lighting was not new, and a number of people had worked on, and even developed forms of electric lighting. But up to that time, nothing had been developed that was remotely practical for home use.

After experimenting more than 200 different substances, a colleague told him: “You have failed more than 200 times; why don’t you give up?” Edison replied, “Not at all. I have discovered more than 200 things that will not work. I will soon find one that will.”

After one and a half years of work, success was achieved when an incandescent lamp with a filament of carbonized sewing thread burned for thirteen and a half hours.

“All men make mistakes, but only wise men

learn from their mistakes,” commented British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. To which Albert Einstein might have added, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

Don’t worry about what other people will say about you and what you have done. “Take chances, make mistakes,” urges Oscar-winning Mary Tyler Moore. “That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.”

Here’s an advice from another Hollywood actress, Cybill Shepherd: “We have to keep trying things we’re not sure we can pull off. If we just do the things we know we can do, you don’t grow as much. You gotta take those chances on making those big mistakes.”

“No matter what mistakes you may have made – no matter how you’ve messed things up – you still can make a new beginning,” said inspirational author Normal Vincent Peale. “The person who fully realizes this suffers less from the shock and pain of failure and sooner gets off to a new beginning.”

Someone penned this thought: A doctor’s mistake is buried. A lawyer’s mistake is imprisoned. An accountant’s mistake is jailed. A dentist’s mistake is pulled. A pharmacist’s mistake is dead. A plumber’s mistake is stopped. An electrician’s mistake is shocking. A carpenter’s mistake is sawdust. A teacher’s mistake is failed.

A printer’s mistake is redone.

So, what mistake have you done so far?

American D.M. FAST BACKWARD Burchfield; and (5) freight boat Burchfield No. I, weighed 11.61 tons, built in 1925, and also owned by Burchfield.

Actually, Carriedo owned another Antonio V. Figueroa five (5) water transports, namely: motor launches Juanito II, 3.51 tons, built in 1925; Kwong Chio, 7.25 tons, built in 1925; Leonor, 7.88 tons, built in 1926; Paquito II, 2.92 tons, built in 1924; and freight boat Paquito No. 1, 4.09 tons, built in 1917.

Corporations were also granted licenses for water transports. Ohta Development Company owned the sailboat, Albay, 7.86 tons, built in 1913, and two motor launches, namely: Kentucky, 9.71 tons, built in 1918, and Talomo, 6.47 tons, built in 1922. Piso Coconut & Cattle owned motor launch P. Narding, 5.61 tons, built in 1917, and freight boat Karasu, 9.72 tons, built in 1917.

Philippine Foreign Trading Company registered freight boats P.F.T. No. 1, 5.14 tons, built in 1917; and P.F.T. No. 2, 4.76 tons, built in 1917; and motor launch Chuan Chio, 7.23 tons, built in 1917.

Viuda de Hijos de Palacios y Saez owned motor launch Burgos, 6.07 tons, built in 1919. Lasang Plantation owned motor launch Lasang, 4.30 tons, built in 1915.

Prominent Davao figures who owned licenses included: Desiderio Gil had motor launches

Columbian, five tons and built in 1922; and Hijos de Gil, 2.58 tons, built in 1925. Amadeo Matute, a Spaniard, owned three, namely: freight boat Monserrat 5.13 tons, built in 1920; and motor launches Luisa, 3.28 tons, built in 1928 and Monserrat, 2.17 tons, year built unregistered.

Kingking, 3.64 tons, built in 1917, was owned by Jose Galing.

Jesus Salao registered motor launch Jap Jeng, 7.83 tons, built in 1917, and a freight boat with the same name, 3.94 tons built in 1922.

Marcelino Maruya (after whom a town in Davao Occidental was named), owned motor launch Talagutong, 3.43 tons, but the date of construction is not registered. Antonio Gamir had two motor launches, namely: Gamir, 2.20 tons and built in 1926; and Tian Chin, 6.47 tons, built in 1922. Juana Conde registered motor launch Juaning, 1.94 tons, built in 1926. Ildefonso Mercedes owned Macgom, 2.45 tons built in 1926.

The Meding, 4.31 tons, constructed in 1918, was owned by Feliciano Iñigo. Japanese businessman K. Nakahama owned motor launch Aki Maru, 7.49 tons, built in 1928, and a freight boat with the same name, 4.04 tons, built in 1925. K. Akamine owned motor launch Kyuyo, 2.65 tons, built in 1925.

Interestingly, Chinese interests in maritime trading during the third decade of American rule were also reflected in the report. In fact, the number of license motor transports they owned was a fourth of those owners found in the registry for Davao. The Te Engfo family had four (4) transports, namely: motor launches Canton, 5.59 tons, built in 1924; Limukon, 4.96 tons, built in 1917; Tagum, 3.74 tons, built in 1919; and a similarly named freight boat, 3.58 tons, built in

1919.

The other Chinese or Chinese-sounding owners with licensed motor transports were: Ang Fao (probably a Vietnamese) owned freight boat Saigon, 4.32 tons, but year built was unknown and a motor launch with similar name, 5.67 tons, year constructed unknown. Tan Kem Kee had Song Bi, a freight boat, weighing 6.61 tons and built in 1926 and motor launch with similar name that weighed 6.0 tons and built in 1925. Ang Thim was the owner of freight boat Guan Seng, 5.80 tons, year built unknown; and motor launch with the same registered name, 5.14 tons, but the year of construction could not be found in the registry.

Meanwhile, Lim Sui owned La Fortuna, 4.93 tons, built in 1925; and freight boat with a same name, 5.29 tons, built in 1926.Toe Hio & Lim Juya Company registered in its name the motor launch Nee Shanghai, 3.69 tons, built in 1910; and freight boat B.B., 5.94 tons, built in 1920. Tan Chinco was the owner of motor launch Nanking, 6.13 tons, built in 1926, and a namesake freight boat, 6.46 tons, built in 1926. Uy Ling owned motor launch Peking II, 6.40 tons, constructed in 1925, and freight boat Peking No. I, 5.74 tons, built in 1925.

By 1930, Philippine Ports Yearbook reported that the number of overseas-based cargo vessels entering Davao Gulf had expanded. Among the notable shipping firms that docked at Sta. Ana Pier were Isthmian Steamship Line, Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line, Oceanic & Oriental Navigation Co., Osaka Shosen Kaisha Line, Prince Line, Silver Line (Kerr Steamship Co.), Tacoma Oriental Steamship Co., American Mail Line, Blue Funnel Line, and Dodwell Castle Line.

Ships galore in 1927

10 NEWS Lacson... FROM 4 was more like a mix of truths and lies.

He also said that he does not believe Cayetano’s claim that Matobato’s revelation is part of the Plan B of Liberal Party members, including Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, to impeach President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Mukhang masyadong malayo na ang kanyang projection. Tingin ko walang basehan. Kilala ko personal si VP Leni, nakaharap ko na rin siya, siguro twice, pero di naman ako ganoon ka-close sa kanya o kung sino man sa staff niya. Pero I don’t see her as one character na dadaan sa ganoon para siya ay maupo bilang pangulo (It seems like his projection has gone too far.

I personally know VP Leni. We are not that close but I don’t see her as one character who would go through that just to be president),” Lacson said.

“Para sa akin parang out of bounds. Just the same irerespeto ko opinion baka may info

si APC (Cayetano) di ko alam (For me, it is out of bounds.

Just the same, I respect the information APC has that I might not be aware of),” he added.

Matobato, 57, claimed that then mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte recruited him as a member of the Lambada Boys which eventually came to be known as the DDS, tasked to kill criminals in Davao City from 1988 to 2013.

He recalled how the group was ordered by Duterte himself to kill criminals and non-criminals alike, citing the killing of bodyguards of then mayoral candidate Prospero Nograles who ran against his daughter Sara Duterte in 2010; a certain Richard King who was allegedly a rival of his son and incumbent Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte over a woman; radio reporter and critic of Duterte, Jun Pala; and an unnamed fixer who worked at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) among others.

(PNA)

in saying that he wanted the BNPP revived immediately after it receives safety certification to operate as it would lower the price of power and provide more jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Maybe it only needs certification that it is safe. Either we operate it or we scrap it altogether,” Ejercito told reporters.

“For me, if we can revive the BNPP that would greatly change the game in the power sector. I think this can lower the price of power. In that way, investments would flow in,” he added.

He explained that the BNPP to date was the only power plant that would function 24/7. (PNA)

an icon of national pride. Thus, Davao City will then serve as the national model for the rise of similar ports across the archipelago,” Romero stressed, hinting at his plan to replicate the project in key areas nationwide.

Davao Chamber executive director Maan Doromal describes Mega Harbour’s participation in the event as very timely as the focus of this year’s DATE includes exporting.

The Davao Chamber is expecting foot traffic of 10,000 to12,000 trade visitors. Their number more than doubled

from 4,000 in 2011 to 8,856 in 2015, while sales surged by more than 550 percent from P61.5 million to a whopping P342.8 million over that fiveyear period.

“The numbers can grow even further as Mega Harbour takes shape and becomes operational in the few years ahead,” Romero added.

Mega Harbour is a subsidiary of the R-II Group of Companies, which is also engaged in infrastructure, housing and property development and environment projects, among others.

craft per year, in addition to the double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise” he added.

Kiran Rao, Executive Vice President Strategy & Marketing, Airbus said “AirAsia has set the benchmark for efficiency wherever it flies.

With the A320neo things are about to get even better, with a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. Meanwhile passengers will get to enjoy the same unbeatable levels of comfort of any aircraft in the single aisle category. The A320neo is the quite simply the most efficient single-aisle passenger jet in the world. We are confident that it will play a key role in enabling AirAsia to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading low-cost carriers.”

“We are honored to be part of this incredible team and excited to enter the next new phase of our relationship with AirAsia,” saidAllen Paxson, CFM Executive Vice President. “We believe that all of the benefits of LEAP technology — fuel efficiency, an improved environmental footprint, industry-leading reliability, low maintenance costs — will have a very positive impact on AirAsia’s operational efficiency and help fuel their continued growth long-term.”

AirAsia is Airbus’ biggest airline customer for the A320 Family with a total of 575 aircraft ordered. Of these, 404 are the A320neo Family, following the airline’s latest firm order for 100 A321neo aircraft placed at the recent Farnborough Airshow.

Senators... FROM 4

Mega... FROM 5

AirAsia... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

AUTUMN FESTIVAL. The Marco Polo Davao general Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin (center) welcomes guests during the hotel’s mid-autumn festival celebration on Thursday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

More Science, Math teachers needed:DepEd D

EPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones announced that many teaching items for Science and Math still need to be filled up.

The demand for more K to 12 educators is still high despite the employment of 195,302 teachers between 2010 and 2016, Briones said.

“We have a challenge in hiring Math and Science teachers. . . [We need] a huge army of teachers, we’ll recruit more,” Briones recently told members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations during the Department’s presentation of its proposed budget for 2017.

The Education chief also reported that DepEd was able to deter the anticipated massive displacement of teachers following

the full implementation of the K to 12 basic education. With the creation of 36,461 teaching items for the senior high school (SHS) program, DepEd already hired 3,950 displaced faculty of higher education institutions (HEIs), 928 of which have availed themselves of the Department’s “Green Lane” for speedy employment.

“We lack teachers. We are not displacing teachers,” Briones disclosed.

DepEd offers above entry-level salary grades to graduates of Science and Technology courses under the Junior Level Science Scholarships (JLSS) of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (SEI). As of June 21, 2016, 502 qualified in the scholarship, with 472 scholars availing themselves of the grant.

Per the Implementing Rules

and Regulations of Republic Act 10612, s. 2014, DepEd is mandated to ensure qualified graduates of the said scholarship with job placement as Special Science Teacher with salary grade level 13.

DepEd-hired scholar-graduates will also receive a teacher training program that will enable them to qualify to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Graduates of Science, Math, or Engineering course without LET certification, graduates of technical-vocational courses with necessary TESDA certifications, and practitioners with expertise in specialized learning areas offered by the K to 12 program are also encouraged to apply as part-time SHS teachers.

Of the P567.56 billion proposed budget for 2017, P15.5 billion will be allotted to hiring

53,831 teachers. Meanwhile, P65.4 billion will be for the construction of 47,492 classrooms (including 10,000 classrooms for replacement); P43.9 billion will go to building of 17,562 laboratories; P7.3 billion will be for the provision of 7,260 TechVoc tools and equipment packages; P6.9 billion will be appropriated to 30,697 ICT packages (with maintenance and other operating expenses); P4.5 billion will be allotted to the purchase of 8,833 Science and Math equipment packages; P4 billion for hiring 13,266 non-teaching items; P3 billion for 55.8 million learning materials; and P2.5 billion for 51,492 sets of school seats (including 19,000 sets of seats as counterpart to LGU) as part of the additional basic resources to support the needs of the K to 12 curriculum. (PNA)

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it still has to detect any presence of the Abu Sayyaf in Metro Manila, despite threats from the terrorist group that is now the target of unrelenting military pressure in Basilan and Sulu.

“So far, based on our (intelligence) and monitoring, there is

T

still no ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) presence in Metro Manila and we hope to keep it that way,” AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Friday.

He also reiterated his message to the public to immediately report to authorities suspicious-looking persons and baggage in their areas so that proper

action could be taken.

The AFP offensive against the ASG started last Aug. 25 shortly after the bandits beheaded 18-year-old Patrick Almodavar in Sulu after his family failed to pay the group’s P1 million ran-

som demand.

Some 32 bandits have been killed in the ongoing operations in Sulu while scores have been wounded, as casualties among government troopers number 15 dead and 10 wounded. (PNA)

into a fairer, simpler and more efficient one, while also raising the revenues needed for the government to accelerate spending in infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the country’s vulnerable sectors.

DOF’s initial estimates show that the total tax reform package will generate a net of P368 billion, comprising a loss of P198 billion and a gain of P566 billion.

The proposed tax plan is bundled into four packages, the first being a reduction in personal income tax rates to

a maximum of 25 percent, except for the highest income earners.

To offset revenue losses from these tax cuts, the DOF has proposed to limit the exemptions to the value added tax (VAT) to only raw food, health and education; increase excise taxes on petroleum products and keep these in pace with inflation; levy taxes on sugary drinks and index these to inflation; relax bank secrecy laws in fraud cases and include tax evasion as a predicate crime to money laundering. (PNA)

and mitigation in relation to geo-hazards.

Placing premium on peace and development efforts, the provincial government is looking into further strengthening programs such as the Peace and Development Outreach Program which has already made inroads in sustaining peace in the province.

Meanwhile, programs on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation have also been given priority by the provincial government.

However, in order to strengthen these programs, the provincial government wants to tap the legislative branch’s support in the in-

stitutionalization of the City and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

Gov. Dayanghirang said he hopes that through the establishment of the ELA, the provincial government will be able to further address the issues in communities through complementation of resources and active participation of all sectors.

He said that the need for harmony between the executive and the legislative arm in the local government unit is necessary to promote the speedy implementation of priority policies and programs.

By Karen Lou Deloso

No ASG yet in Metro Manila says military DOF... FROM 6

DavOr... FROM 13

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF DURIANBURG HAS SEEN LEAPS AND BOUNDS THE PAST FEW YEARS with many start-up companies as well as international corporations taking root in the city’s bustling business districts. With the entry of new players comes the demand for office spaces that are comfortable, connected, secure, and located in a strategic address.

Last September 8 saw the start of a new innovation in work spaces in Davao City with the opening of Regus. A global workspace provider, Regus and homegrown developer Damosa Land, now offers modern comfortable office spaces with options to suit any budget and any working style.

The world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, Regus has a network of 2,850 location in over 1,000 towns and cities, across 107 countries, serving 2.3m members. The Regus center in Davao is located at the 4th level of Topaz Tower inside the Damosa IT Park at Lanang, and is the largest center in the Philippines so far, offering 346 seats, 52 offices and 3 conference rooms.

“With the rapid development of the Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) sector in the city, Davao is today one of the top BPO centers in the region. As we anticipate the influx of investors into the city, we are confident that this is the time to invest and grow with the city and the region.

Regus will support as an ‘incubator for investors,’ to establish and expand operations in Davao,” Regus Philippines country manager Lars Wittig said.

Wittig also sees the center as an incubator for small businesses start-ups who would like to test the waters of the Davao market as well as be a cost-effective solution for businesses to establish an office without too big of a capital investment. “The office spaces we provide are plug-and-play, the moment you sign up for a space you can technically move in right away,” said Lars, “The center is open 24-7, with air conditioning, basic furniture, and electricity also accounted for.”

Damosa Land Incorporated (DLI) Vice President Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo for his part, added that the Regus center at Topaz Tower is just another example of DLI staying true to its promise of help Dabawenyos achieve their goals.

Regus accommodates busines or working individuals who need an office space, meeting venue, business lounge and even virtual office. “This development will definitely spur more investments into the city. With the need for more office spaces that cater to both short and long term occupancy, we are confident to provide this need through Regus.”

Office spaces at Regus Topaz Tower range from individual cubicle offices, to four-desk spaces, eight-desk spaces or even bigger with low-density and high-density configurations. Clients may rent these spaces for short term or long term leases. The center’s conference rooms can also be rented out for meetings.

Aside from the Davao center, Regus also has three other centers outside Metro Manila—two centers in Cebu and one in Clark.

Regus

opens in Davao

TOP LEFT: The smallest office spaces available at Regus Topaz Tower can accommodate one person and is perfect for small solo start-ups.

TOP RIGHT: One of Regus Topaz Tower’s three converence rooms, which also have audiovisual and telecomunication facilities.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A common pantry/cafe as well as Thinkpods are available for tenants as well as visiting Regus Businessworld members to use. Regus Country Manager Lars Wittig and Damosa Land Inc., Vice President Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo. This bgger office space also features an area for the manager’s desk.

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 1

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

ENTERTAINMENT

Acoustic duo Migz and Maya releas

of “Stay,” “On “Suntok sa Na Kaya,” “I “Paano Ba Ma him,” Migz’s o Migz, who

BUDDING MUSICIANS MIGZ AND MAYA, Star Music’s newest acoustic duo are now ready to make their own mark in the country’s music scene with the release of their debut, self-titled album released by the label.

“Migz and Maya” received mainstream recognition when they recorded a cover of “Ambon,” a Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016 entry as the official theme song of the Star Cinema movie “How to Be Yours.” But even before this, they already performed in soldout shows as a duo and had their fair share of fame as up-andcoming artists individually.

Migz or Miguel Haleco, a music production graduate from the College of St. Benilde, became an online sensation for his song covers on YouTube and for joining a TV network talent search. Maya or Angeli Mae Flores, on the other hand, used to be a part of Pan-asian girl group Blush, joined a singing competition on a TV net-

work, and was a grand finalist in “Star for A Night” that saw Sarah Geronimo bagging the top prize.

Now that they have launched their debut album, the pair is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Star Music family.

“It is a dream come true. We are very honored, fortunate, and privileged. We feel a good kind of pressure on our side too, because we need to give it our best shot to impress and prove

ourselves to the people who will be supporting and listening to us,” they said.

Their album is a collection of acoustic, easy-listening original songs and covers, including “Ambon,” as well as the carrier single “Hibang,” a song entry from the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs Top 100.

It also carries their own unique and relaxing versions

the album to said, “We wan at ease as the very ‘easy-list latable.”

Maya, mea love story tha people can re that we can m

19, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

se debut album

ne More Chance,” Buwan,” “Paano Ipagpatawad Mo,” agmahal,” and “Liown composition. chose the songs on

ogether with Maya, nt people to feel as e album itself. It is tening’ and very re-

anwhile, said, “It’s a at we know a lot of elate to. So we hope make them through

the rollercoaster of love.

Completing the track list are “Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako,” “Para Lang Sa ‘Yo,” “Ikaw,” “Baby I Do,” “Hanggang,” and “Makita Kang Muli.”

“Migz and Maya” was produced by Jack Rufo, a former member of the band, Neocolors, and the composer of “O Pag-Ibig” from Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016. It can now be streamed on Spotify and is now available at all record bars nationwide for P199.

Digital tracks can also be downloaded via online music stores such as ABSCBN Store, iTunes, Mymusicstore.com. ph, Amazon.com, OneMusic. ph, and Starmusic.ph.

For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/starrecordsph and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph.

INdulge! A3 Lifestyle to air Emmy Awards Live, PARTNER EDGEDAVAO ESTABLISHMENTS Kimxi’s Metro Fashion Special Serving a seamless society

LIFESTYLE BRINGS HOLLYWOOD’S TELEVISION AND FASHION GLAMOUR CLOSER TO FILIPINOS NEXT WEEK with the live airing of the 68th Emmy Awards and the making of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim’s September Metro cover via a fashion TV special.

Filipino TV buffs can tune into Lifestyle on Monday (Sept.

19) at 7AM (pre-show) and 8AM (show proper) to catch the live airing of the Emmy’s to honor Hollywood’s finest television acts and shows from the past year.

Viewers are set to catch which among Emmy frontrunners “Game of Thrones” with 23 nominations and “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” with 22 nominations would take home the most number of recognitions this year.

All eyes are also set on “How to get away with Murder” star Viola Davis if she would run away this year with the Lead Actress in a Drama award against Emmy favorites Claire Danes (“Homeland”), Robin Wright (“House of Cards”), and Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”).

Meanwhile, fashion lovers are also in for a royal treat on Wednesday (Sept. 21), 8:30PM with the “Metro Loves London: The 2016 Big Fashion Issue TV Special,” which chronicles the making of Kim Chiu and Xian

Lim’s September Metro cover together with celebrity muse Andy Eigenmann, shot entirely in the regal city of London.

Celebrate the wonders of what life has to offer this month only on Lifestyle. Lifestyle is one of the channels of Creative Programs, Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN that aims to give Filipinos a complete lifestyle experience while gaining meaningful insights.

Lifestyle is available on SKYcable channel 52. For updates, follow Lifestyle on Facebook (facebook.com/lifestyletvph), Instagram (@lifestyletvph), and Twitter (@lifestyletvph).

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

Paying homage to folk dances

By Henrylito D. Tacio NOW SEEMS TO BE FORGOTTEN, the municipality of Bansalan is paying homage to folk dances.

“We want to instill among the minds of our youth today that we are very own dances that have been handed from one generation to another,” explains Geraldine E. Batal, the municipal tourism officer. “This is our culture. This is what we are and what we will be in the future.”

To give folk dances the recognition it truly deserves, it is the only activity of the Bansaulog celebration that is in competition. The rest are only presentation, which means there are no winners to be declared, including the muchawaited street dancing.

Bansaulog Festival is an annual celebration that falls on the week the town was founded. It comes from the two local words, “bansa” (derived from the name of the town, Bansalan) and “saulog” (which means “celebration”).

This year, Bansalan celebrates its Bansaulog Festival from September 12 to 18. The town is now on its 64th year but the Bansaulog, as a festivity, started only in the last decade. “We wanted something that most people from our town, especially those now living abroad, can remember,” Batal says. “Thus, Bansaulog came into existence.”

This year, the Folk Dance Competition took place on September 13 and was held at the town’s ABC Gym. Despite the threat of bombing – as a result of the incident that happened in Davao City a week earlier – people still came to see the competition.

The competition was held twice: once in the morning (for elementary level) and another in the afternoon (for high school level). Eleven school competed in the elementary category while only eight schools fought for the top three places in the high school category.

The eleven elementary school which competed were as follows: Bansalan Central Elementary School (which interpreted “Boling-boling”), St. Mary’s College of Bansalan (“Gaway-gaway”), Villa-Doneza Elementary School (“Libad”), New Clarin Elementary School (“Saut sa Rarug”), Mabuhay Elementary School (“Veneracion”), Dolo Elementary School (“Bakya”), Brighter Beginning Learning Center of Bansalan (“Subli”), Marber Elementary School (“Karatong”), Duterte Elementary School (“Tinikling”), Rizal Elementary School (“Tinikling”), and Managa Elementary School.

Those who competed in the high school division were: Libertad National High School (which interpreted “Binatbatan”), St. Mary’s College of Bansalan (“Lanceros”), Nazareth High School (“La Jota Quirino”), St. Therese School of Bansalan (“Lapay Bantique”), Mabuhay National High School (“Maglalatik”), Marber National High School (“Jota Gumaguena”), Pedro Arches National High School (“Maglalatik”) and New Clarin National High School (“Pitik Mingaw”).

The winners in the elementary category were: Villa-Doneza Elementary School, first place; Mabuhay Elementary School, second place; and Brighter Be-

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ginning Learning Center of Bansalan, third place. It’s the third time VillaDoneza won the top prize for three consecutive years.

In the high school category, the winners were: Nazareth High School, first place; St. Mary’s College of Bansalan, second place; and Marber National High School, third place. Nazareth was also the winner in last year’s competition.

Members of the board of judges were Angel V. Bisaga, Jr, a lifetime member of Philippine Folk Dance Society; Jessie C. Lazar, a member of Philippine Arts and Culture Educator Society; and Roderick Ramirez Villan, a national dance trainer and creative dance choreographer.

Winners were given certificates of recognition plus cash prize of P10,000, P8,000 and P6,000 for first, second and third, respectively. Non-winners were also given certificate of recognition and cash incentive of P4,000 each.

“I know that cash prizes we are giving are not enough,” said Mayor Quirina T. Sarte in her opening speech. “But we are happy that you are participating and that you have given much importance to our heritage.”

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

Power outages on Sept. 18 in Bunawan, Panabo, Carmen

D

AVAO Light and Power Co. (DLPC) will implement two short power interruptions today, Sept. 18, which will affect customers situated in San Vicente Substation, Panabo Feeders 1 and 2, and Bunawan Feeder 2, the power facility said in a statement.

The first power interruption will be for 15 minutes only and will start at 12:01 AM and end at 12:15 AM affecting customers from crossing Maryknoll High School up to New Malitbog in San Vicente Feeder 4.

The second power outage will be for 3- minutes, from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM affecting customers from Panabo Rice Mill up to Carmen, including Bry. San Vicente going to Panabo wharf.

Customers from Bunawan District Hall up to crossing Licanan will also be affected by this scheduled outage.

These service disruptions will be necessary to conduct preventive maintenance activity on Davao Light’s San Vicente 20MVA sub-station.

Davao Light apologized for the inconvenience of these scheduled power interruptions, as it committed to exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier.

However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our emergency service at 229-3572 for any power interruption that will fall outside the given indicated schedule.

USAID’s STRIDE Project to hold 2nd Synergy gab

T

HE U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development, through its Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Program, will hold the 2nd Synergy Conference on Sept. 21 to 22, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. at the Bonifacio Ballroom, Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

USAID’s STRIDE is the flagship science, technology and innovation program of the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Growth that aims to spur inclusive economic growth by boosting science and technology research.

In collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, this year’s Synergy will gather more than 300 science, technology and innovation professionals from the Philippines and the

U.S. to reinforce initiatives and partnerships forged at last year’s conference. Speakers include experts from the science and technology fields in the Philippines and the U.S. Carrying the theme “Valuing Creativity. Intensifying Innovations. Forging Connections,” the two-day conference features two major events: 1) an exhibit of products and services of Innovation and Technology Support Offices of select Philippine universities who are making gains in promoting intellectual property through inventions and innovative and creative products; and 2) a pitching competition for the STRIDE Prototype Research and Innovation Grant (SPRIG) of up to P1 million.

The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Philip S. Goldberg, and DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña are expected to grace the event.

TAGUM COOP BAGS SILVER AWARD. Tagum Coop Chairperson Monica L. Salido (first from left) and General Manager Juris D. Perez (second from left) receive the ACCESS Silver Certificate during the ACCU Forum in Incheon, South Korea.

Tagum Coop receives Int’l Brand in SoKor T

HE Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) conferred the A-one Competitive Choice for Excellence in Service and Soundness (ACCESS) Silver Brand to Tagum Cooperative (TC) last Sept. 9 in Incheon, South Korea.

This award was given during the Asian Credit Union Forum themed “Shaping our Future – Connect, Collaborate, Differentiate” at the Songdo Convention which was attended by 770 cooperators from 23 countries around the world.

Tagum Coop Chairperson Monica L. Salido and General Manager Juris D. Perez

received the ACCESS Silver Certificate, which cited the coop’s excellence in four core perspectives: Learning and Growth, Internal Business Process, Customer-member, and Financial.

Developed by ACCU, the ACCESS is a quality assurance tool with preset 84 indicators of excellence guided by the said four perspectives.

Tagum Coop first achieved the ACCESS Bronze in 2014, levelled up to Silver in 2015, and renewed the Silver this year (2016).

ACCU rebranded TC after the validation conducted by four auditors from July 18 to 20 showed TC achieving the

76 percent required rating for the Silver Category.

The validators carefully examined TC’s systems, procedures, operations, and other areas through the three-day visit across selected branches.

In a break-out session during the forum, Perez presented to fellow cooperators Tagum Coop’s Journey to ACCESS Silver highlighting the challenges the organization’s confronted, as well as the best practices it is implementing.

“Tagum Coop believes that to be ACCESS branded is one vehicle [to move] for another 50 years in the industry (cooperatives),” Perez said during the session.

Before the ACCU Forum, Perez also attended a pre-forum workshop for CEOs, Human Resources Officers, the Youth, and Women sectors.

TC Vice-Chairperson Fe Adlawan, directors Evelia Sator and Miriam Baloyo along with treasurer Rosalina Argent participated in the activity.

Meanwhile, the Philippine delegates to the forum and ACCU CEO Elenita V. San Roque congratulated Tagum Coop for its achievements.

After bagging the ACCESS Silver Brand Award, Tagum Coop plans to achieve the ACCESS Gold Certificate in 2017 in time for its 50th Golden Anniversary. (Tagum Cooperative)

Gio Abaquin, Head for Digital Mobility, Disruptive Business Group (DBG), the emerging technologies business unit of PLDT Enterprise. “Such innovative solutions let enterprises build their competitiveness, distinguish themselves from other industry players, and deliver superb shopping experiences to their customers.”

Aside from enhanced customer experience, the SMART Store Manager also offers a range of benefits for enterprises operations-wise. Not only does it eliminate the need to

invest in electronic registers or expensive software, it also frees up valuable store space -- usually taken up by cash registers -- to be used for other purposes such as merchandise display. Furthermore, the SMART Store Manager bundles the Mobile Application, Tablet, and SIM-based connectivity in one affordable package, so retailers can readily deploy their mobile POS in their stores.

“With an engaging, user-friendly interface and reliable connectivity to ensure that customers enjoy seamless shopping, SMART Store Manager truly creates an enhanced and differentiated digital retail experience for today’s Filipino consumer.” added Chet Alviz, Head of SMACS (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud & Security).

to hold‘ABLE’concert T

Retail, the Digital Way with SMART Store Manager Our Lady of Victory

R

ETAIL continues to be one of the Philippines’ most dynamic industries, a leading economic growth driver buoyed by the robust consumer spending and a market that has become increasingly sophisticated.

With local and global brands all vying for the attention of Filipino shoppers, success in the retail space may not only be determined by providing quality products and value for money, but also great customer sales experience.

The SMART Store Manager solution is one such offering from PLDT Enterprise that helps retailers enhance customer service delivery. It aims to improve the shopping process by enabling customers to check out their purchases

assisted by store personnel deftly managing transactions through the mobile Point-ofSale (POS) solution. SMART Store Manager also acts as a tablet-based menu, providing images that highlight the product or service customers are paying for, allowing them to fully appreciate the shopping choices they are about to make.

“SMART Store Manager is one of the many solutions of PLDT Enterprise that aims to support Philippine enterprises in growing their business,” said

HE Our Lady of Victory Training Center (OLVTC) will hold its first concert entitled ABLE: The Musicale (The Story of the Disabled, Who Were Enabled and Are Now Able) on October 1, 2016, 7:00 p.m., at the RSM Events Center inside the Philippine Women’s College of Davao Campus.

The musical event is part of the celebration of the OLVTC’s 35th Anniversary and its founder, Sr. Cecelia Wood›s 95th birthday.

ABLE will showcase the various talents of differently-abled persons who will be singing and playing musical instruments.

“All of the proceeds of

this event will go to OLVTC to sustain its programs that are aimed to improving the lives of its beneficiaries and making them able to become self-reliant and independent.” said Arturo Milan, President of the OLVTC. Sister Cecilia Wood of the Maryknoll Sisters established the OLVTC in 1981. More than six thousand handicapped persons including indigent youths have been beneficiaries of the OLVTC. Some of them are now working with OLVTC as trainers in handicrafts, metal crafting, and other skills-related trainings.

For ticket inquiries, please contact (082) 284-5360 or 284-5362.

12

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

EDGEDAVAO KORONADAL PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

13 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

DavOr strengthen teamwork of exec, legislative branches

D

AVAO Oriental provincial government officials, both from the executive and legislative branches, along with various departments, are strengthening their collaborative efforts in line with the goal to establish a comprehensive Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) that envisions to bolster local governance and the efficient delivery of public services.

In a meeting on Sept.

8 at the Provincial Capitol, different departments and agencies presented their programs and projects which are anchored on the provincial government’s vision of further developing the province’s socio-economic sector and maintaining peaceful as well as resilient communities.

Supporting the policy directions of the new administration under Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, the programs laid out by the different sectors will guide the crafting of the Executive-Legislative Agenda which the province will undertake in the next three years.

“The ELA translates into action the commitment of the Province, during the first 100 days, at the very least, of my incumbency,” said Gov.

Dayanghirang, in a message conveyed by his representative Vice Governor Niño Sotero Uy. In his message, the governor stressed the need to harmonize the thrusts of the different branches of the government, a move that will best serve the interest of the people. He said that government programs must be brought closer to the people especially at the grassroots level.

Gov. Dayanghirang said his government’s policies are largely influenced by the successful programs implemented by the previous administration under former Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon.

“We need to continue what has already been started,” he said, noting the provincial government’s successes in making Davao Oriental a leader in the various aspects of governance.

Among the highlights of the discussion between the various departments were ongoing efforts to boost the local agriculture sector by enhancing the province’s Food Intensification Program, which aims to increase production of mainstay crops such as rice and corn, among others.

It also involves the es-

tablishment of techno-demo farms of different commodities that will further enhance the skills of farmers, thereby increasing production and yield.

Through the support of the legislative branch, the agriculture sector hopes to strengthen private-public partnership, agricultural extension, market development with emphasis on public investments at the same time encouraging private investments to increase quantity and improve quality of products geared towards meeting international standards, among many others.

The provincial government also seeks to prop up Davao Oriental’s eco-tourism sector which will not only help boost the local economy, but would also help the preservation and conservation of the province’s natural resources.

Among the priority concerns of the environment sector are reforestation and watershed development and management. To address these issues, the sector plans to further push for biodiversity and forest management, pollution control, natural resource use regulation, and climate change adaptation

F DAVOR, 10

14 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

Matina Enclaves: Building a self-sustaining community

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

HERE’S no question condominiums are fast emerging as an increasingly popular housing choice for Filipinos for a variety of reasons — lower costs and prime inner city locations chief among them.

This also means condo living is changing like never before.

It starts from the basics.

For many buyers, proximity to transit is essential, while others prefer a location in the heart of the city. Some want a parking spot, and others are OK with a nearby

car-share service. Many want on-site recreational facilities, while for some, recreational facilities are one of their must-haves like swimming pool, basketball court, gym and a clubhouse.

Interestingly, the condominium concept off old had been eradicated with the evolving development in condo construction.

Today, countless condo dwellers who were once very skeptical about highrise living, have converted to loving the walkable convenience of downtown, and the main-

tenance free lifestyle that a condominium provides.

That is why major condo developments are turning into creating self-sustaining communities and not just building condominiums.

This is the overall vision of the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) when it launched its maiden venture into real estate development via the Matina Enclaves.

Today, the Matina Enclaves project has been the epitome of condo-living in a self-sustaining community.

“It is essentially a neighbourhood within a neighbourhood. The project combines residential condos with subdivision type townhouses, and an abundance of creative amenities in one community that benefits a variety of lifestyles,” said Gerald Kent Garces, project head of the Matina Enclaves.

As the trends in condo development may have seen condo developers increasingly thinking about lifestyle and designing projects that appeal to residents looking to live in a particular neighbourhood for very specific reasons, the Matina Enclaves is ahead of its time.

Think of unique common spaces, walking paths, and amenities like clubhouse,

pool, gym, bowling and billiards center, restaurants and shops. Amenities that afford residents more freedom; expanded spaces for a variety of lifestyle choices, encouraging them to step outside of their unit and enjoy their new community.

These amenities at Matina Enclaves add value to the

home investment put in by every resident who value every penny they earn.

Then there’s the bells and whistles that might be something as simple as green features such as energy efficient appliances and lighting — valued inclusions for those who buy a unit to live in.

All these cut into the bot-

tom line—a lifestyle everyone dreams of.

At the moment, five condominium buildings—the first four already sold out— have been up for sale at the Matina Enclaves’ The Residences segment.

Building B is already 78 percent complete and will be ready for turnover soon.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 147 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2016

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WRIGHT MOVE Fil-Canadian to sign up for Gilas M

ATTHEW Wright was among the 24 players named to the Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 pool for the Fiba Asia Challenge, but never made it in time to join the national team in the disappointing Tehran, Iran campaign.

Still, Wright told online sports network Spin.PH on Friday he is set to formalize a deal with the country’s basketball program by signing a multiyear deal.

“I am with Gilas,” said Wright when asked about his commitment to Gilas at the end of Mighty Sports’ practice on Friday. “I will sign with them after this tournament and when they arrive from

Iran. I’ll be in the Philippines for the next couple of years.”

But for now, Wright, who played for the Philippine Youth team in 2008 with good friend Norbert Torres, said his focus is on trying to help Mighty Sports win the championship in the Merlion Cup starting on September 21 in Singapore.

The Fil-Canadian sniper added he is confident his team can win it all in the tournament last ruled by the AspacTexmaco of Indonesia 20 years ago.

“I’m confident with our team. We have very talented guys. We have size, we have good locals who are ready if they need to play. We like our odds,” said the the 25-year-old

Wright, who won the Asean Heritage MVP plum in the last Asean Basketball League (ABL) season.

A former NCAA Division I standout with St. Bonaventure, Wright will play alongside prolific imports Al Thornton, Dewarick Spencer, and Hamady N’Diaye.

Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu is pleased with the addition of Wright to a team which is eyeing to duplicate its gold medal finish in the Jones’ Cup a few months ago.

Tiu even lauded the Dragons star, calling him “among the best shooters in the country.”

“We wanted him even for

ARIN Cilic held his nerve to beat big-hitting Lucas Pouille 6-1, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 and draw Croatia level against France at 1-1 in their Davis Cup semifinal on Friday.

Earlier, Richard Gasquet won the opening tie against Borna Coric in straight sets to heap the pressure on the big-serving Cilic.

But the 2014 US Open champion fended off the threat from the 22-year-old Pouille, who is considered one of the rising stars of tennis.

Cilic was serving for the second set at 6-5 and 40-0 up but made two big unforced errors on his forehand as

Pouille broke back to force a tiebreaker, which Cilic eventually clinched with an ace after wasting set points.

Pouille, a US Open quarterfinalist last month, made an early break and then held for 3-1 on his way to comfortably winning the third set.

But Cilic took Pouille’s first service game of the fourth set and then led 4-2 before saving two break points in the seventh game and then hitting two aces to win it and move 5-2 up.

Cilic clinched victory in the next game on his first match point when Pouille double-faulted.

“I felt the intensity of the match especially in the first two sets,” Cilic said. “Lucas

wasn’t too bad in the opening two sets but I managed to push him back and felt I was hitting my ground strokes well from the baseline.

“But the moment I lost a little bit of focus he was there and I had to work hard to stay in control of the match. I had to get my rhythm back at the beginning of the fourth set and getting that break early on was crucial.”

France started brightly and quietened the home fans at the Kresimir Cosic Hall in Zadar.

Gasquet, who found out he would play in singles after Gael Monfils left the injury-hit France team on Wednesday, was in complete control against Coric and prevailed

6 - 2 , 7-6 (5), 6-1, limiting his mistakes to just 13 unforced errors.

The 17th-ranked Frenchman, whose previous match ended in a straight sets loss to Kyle Edmund in the first round at the U.S Open first round, said winning the second set tiebreak was the “key to the match.”

After Coric failed to serve out the second set, Gasquet erased a 3-1 deficit in the tiebreak. Down 6-3, Coric saved two set points but buried a backhand into the net and Gasquet took a two-set lead.

6-3, 6-4, in five hours and seven minutes to gain a measure of revenge after losing the Olympic final to Murray last month. It was the longest match of both players’ careers.

Pella beat Kyle Edmund, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, meaning the Argentines can clinch victory with a day to spare in Glasgow if they win the doubles on Saturday. Federico Delbonis and Leonardo Mayer are scheduled to play the Murray brothers, Andy and Jamie.

Whether Andy Murray plays is open to question.

Being taken the VENGEANCE. Martin Del Potro ended Andy Murray’s 14-match winning streak in the Davis Cup, coming through, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, in five hours and seven minutes to gain a distance against Del measure of revenge after losing the Olympic final to Murray last month.

Potro was exactly

what Murray didn’t need at the end of his long summer of tennis in which he won both the Wimbledon and Olympic titles for the second time. He looked almost out on his feet at times in an energy-sapping final set, and couldn’t handle the barrage of forehand shots by the rejuvenated Del Potro.

“I’m very proud of how I fought, I did fantastic,” Murray said. “I fought for every point, tried as best as I could. That’s all you can do.

“It was very fine margins.

That happens in tennis and sport sometimes. It could have gone either way.”

Del Potro gained the crucial break in the fifth set at the third opportunity, reaching Murray’s angled volley with a forehand winner down the line to go 4-3 ahead, and he served out for the match, clinching victory with an ace and a big

Croatia levels with France 1-1 M

WRIGHT MOVE. Fil-Canadian Matthew Wright is signing up a long-term pact to play for the Gilas.

the Jones’ Cup. I put him a m o n g the best shooters in the country,” Tiu said.

Phoenix import gets fined

T

HE PBA has sanctioned Phoenix Fuel Masters import Eugene Phelps for the second time in 10 days after yet another infraction involving him and game officials.

Phelps on Thursday was fined P1,600 for “pointing an accusing finger” during Phoenix’s 96-87 defeat to Ginebra on Wednesday.

Just last September 5, the high-scoring Phoenix import paid a P1,000 fine for exactly the same reason on top of a P3,000 fine for flopping.

Phelps’ teammate Michael Miranda was also penalized P3,000 for flopping.

Argentina takes 2-0 lead over GBR

A

RGENTINA was in sight of a first Davis Cup final since 2011 after taking a 2-0 lead over titleholder Britain thanks to singles wins

by Juan Martin del Potro and

Guido Pella in the semifinal on Friday.

Del Potro ended Andy Murray’s 14-match winning streak in the Davis Cup, coming through, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (5),

FINED. Phoenix import Eugene Phelps gets another fine in less than 10 days. growl.

Murray had never previously lost a home singles match in the Davis Cup. Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, is a force in tennis once again after returning from three wrist operations that nearly ruined his career. He is Argentina’s top player but is ranked a lowly No. 64 on his comeback trail, meaning he had to play Murray in the

opening match.

“I cannot imagine this moment in my career,” Del Potro said. “This was the type of match I was missing when I was at home.”

Argentina is playing its 11th Davis Cup semifinal in 15 years. The south American country has never won the team event, finishing runner-up in 1981, 2006, 2008, and 2011.

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