Edge Davao 9 Issue 161

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ARREST WARRANT OUT. Davao city Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Catherine Dela Rey presents a copy of a warrant of arrest against self-confessed “Davao Death Squad” member Edgar Matobato for illegal possession of firearms at Camp Domingo Leonor yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

RODY MAINTAINS HIGH RATING: SWS

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

RESIDENT Duterte continues to draw wide support of the Filipino people despite the controversies he has been embroiled in, particularly the incidents wherein he lambasted a Western head of state and a major international organization since he assumed the highest position in the land.

The President’s satisfaction rating continued to soar as reflected in the Third Quarter 2016 survey conducted by Social Weather Station (SWS) released on Thursday, Oct. 6.

The survey was conducted from Sept. 24 to 27 using faceto-face interviews involving 1,200 adult respondents, aged 18 years and above.

The focus areas of the SWS survey included Metro Manila, “Balance Luzon”, Visayas and

Mindanao, where 300 respondents from each area were questioned.

“The survey question on public satisfaction with the President is phrased as follows: “Maaari po bang pakisabi ninyo kung gaano kayo nasisiyahan o hindi nasisiyahan sa pagganap ng tungkulin ni RODRIGO DUTERTE bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas. Kayo ba ay lubos na nasisiyahan, medyo nasisiyahan, hindi tiyak kung nasisiyahan o hindi, medyo hindi nasisiyahan, lubos na hindi nasisiyahan, o wala pa kayong narinig o nabasa kahit na kailan tungkol kay RODRIGO DUTERTE?” the SWS said.

The SWS said President Duterte gained a net satisfaction rating of +64 percent, which is categorized as “very good.”

“Among past leaders, only former President Fidel V. Ramos had a similar rating with + 66 percent in a survey done between Aug. 10 and Sept. 8 in 1992. Duterte fared better than his predecessors,” the SWS said.

SWS added that former President Benigno Aquino III garnered a “very good” satisfaction rating with +60 percentage in a survey conducted between Sept. 24 and 27, 2010, while Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had a lower satisfaction rating in a survey conducted last March 2001 with a “moderate” rating or +24 percent. But after she was sworn into office following the EDSA 2 uprising, she gained a “moderate” rating with +12 percent satisfaction rating in the August 2004 survey.

Joseph E. Estrada, on the other hand, had a “very good” rating or +60 percent in a September 1998 survey, while Aquino’s mother, former President Cory Aquino got a “very good” of +53 percent in May 1986, the SWS said.

In various areas surveyed, President Duterte gained an “excellent” rating with +85 percent in Mindanao, a “very good” or +62 in the Visayas, +58 in Metro Manila, and +57 in “Balance Luzon.”

The President also got a “very good” or +63 rating in the urban areas and “very good” or +67 rate from residents in the rural areas of the country.

Among the socioeconomic classes in the Philippine society, the President maintained his “very good” rating with

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PCSO donates 2 ambulances to Davao City government

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HE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over two units of ambulances to the city government of Davao Wednesday morning.

Each vehicle costs P850, 000.

The units will be used by Paquibato District hospital and the Southern Philippine Medical Center.

PCSO General Manager Ret. Gen. Alexander F. Balutan said that the two ambulances

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PCSO gives ambulance to Davao City and neighboring provinces. The distribution was lead by PCSO General Manager Alexander F. Balutan. The vehicles were received by City Administrator Atty. Zuleika T. Lopez on behalf of Davao City. CIO

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

Davao’s population grows by 1.74%: PSA

DOWNPOUR. Elementary students from Sta. Ana Elementary School shield themselves from the rain, as a heavy downpour on Wednesday flooded some areas in the city. Lean Daval Jr.

POPCEN 2015 figures now online T HE results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Census of Population (POPCEN) 2015 are now available online.

This was disclosed by Ruben Abaro Jr, OIC PSA OIC regional director, who said the POPCEN) 2015 data can now be accessed through the PSA’s official website.

“We don’t have a hard copy yet though,” said Aba-

ro during the Regional Data Dissemination Forum on the POPCEN 2015 yesterday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

He explained his office currently has figures on the population count but these still do not include population characteristics.

According to PSA official, some government agencies have already accessed the

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27th National Statistics Month opens

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HE 27th National Statistics Month (NSM) with the theme “Sustainable Development: Making Statistics Count” formally opened yesterday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.

The event was participated in by various national government line agencies which included the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) who hanged streamers at the venue to show their support for the event.

Rosendo Aya-ay, chief statistical specialist of the Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (SOCD) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), who welcomed guests to the activity, highlighted the PSA’s various initiatives relative to the NSM celebrations.

These included, among

others, the publication of 2016 Women and Child Statistical Guidebook on the Situation of Women and Children, as well the production and dissemination of brochures and flyers containing the Philippines’ latest socio-economic indicators.

The NSM celebrations also featured other activities such an orientation on the Sustainable Development Goals and Highlights of the Results of the Census of Population (POPCEN) 2015, as well as an exhibit set up by students of the Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus.

The observance of National Statistics Month began in 1990 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 signed by former President Corazon Aquino declaring October of every year as National Statistics Month. RIA VALDEZ

By RIA VALDEZ

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HE Davao Region’s (Region XI) population now stands at 4,893,318 as of Aug. 1, 2015 based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).

This was announced during the 27th National Statistics Month Opening Ceremonies and Regional Data Dissemination Forum on the POPCEN 2015 held yesterday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

According to Ma. Leah Magracia, supervising statistical specialist of the Philippine

Statistics Authority (PSA) XI, Region XI’s population grew by 1.74% annually from the period 2010 to 2015.

However, Magracia noted this figure is lower than the region’s population growth rate (PGR) from 2000-2010 which was pegged at 1.97%.

She bared Davao City, the only highly urbanized city in the region, has a population of 1.63 million and posted the highest PGR (2.30) among other areas in the region, surpassing Davao del Sur (1.84) and Davao del Norte (1.38).

In the meantime, Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XI, pointed out the population growth in the region could be attributed to various factors such as the net outcome of the natural fertility rate and the natural mortality rate of residents.

“We also need to account migration,” said Lim who cited the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as having a declining population mainly due to peace and order

issues which forced residents to flee the area.

However, she said the PSA learned that after POPCEN 2015 was completed, the ARMM posted the highest PGR among the regions at 2.89.

Lim said the population increase could be due to the improved security conditions in the area The POPCEN is conducted by the PSA every five years to update the population count and characteristics of the country.

up in the scheduled court hearing on violation of Section 31 of Republic Act (RA) 10591, commonly known as illegal possession of firearms,” Bernales-Lagro pointed out.

Bernales-Lagro disclosed that Matobato’s firearm, a Caliber .45 pistol, is licensed but the accused has no permit to carry the firearm outside his house in Brgy. Sasa, Davao City.

Matobato was scheduled to be arraigned before the Davao City Municipal Trial Court Branch 3 due to an ille-

gal possession of firearms and ammunition case filed against him sometime in 2014.

However, he and his lawyer Gregorio Andolana failed to appear during Tuesday’s court hearing.

According to MTC Branch 3 Judge Silverio Mandalupe, he will issue a warrant of arrest against the alleged gunman and cancel his bailbond.

To recall, Motabato has accused President Duterte of being behind the spate of ex-

Matobato’s counsel withdraws

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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AWYER Gregorio Andalona, congressman for three terms of North Cotabato, has withdrawn as legal counsel of self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) Edgar Matobato member, an official of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) revealed.

In an interview, Davao City Prosecutor Joy Bernales-Largo said Andalona sent a motion for withdrawal to the court on Tuesday stating that he was letting go of Matobato’s case.

“Atty. Andalona said in the

motion that he could not contact Matobato ever since he was covered by Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Witness Protection Program,” Bernales-Lagro narrated.

Bernales-Lagro, however, said that Andolana’s motion for withdrawal is still being reviewed by the court.

She explained the court cannot take action on Andolana’s motion, as he still has not received confirmation from Matobato.

“Matobato did not show

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

7 HIV-AIDS patients; cases on the rise

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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UT of the 234 reported cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases recorded in Davao City this year, seven of the patients have already passed away.

This was among the alarming facts revealed by Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, head physician of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) National Epidemiology Bureau during yesterday’s weekly i-Speak press briefing.

Ramiterre noted that among the patients who have been found HIV positive from January to June this year, 223 are male and 11 female.

She added the patients’ ages ranged from 14 to 48 years old and come from various sectors of the community.

“About 83 cases were classified as youth [15 to 24 years] this year of which 13 were reported to have been recorded as of June 2016,” Ramiterre said.

She disclosed that 1,661 cases have been reported in Davao since1984, adding the region is among the top five regions in the country with the highest number of reported HIV cases.

Ramiterre pointed out the highest number of HIV-AIDS cases involved bisexuals and homosexuals.

“There are 119 cases for homosexual while there are 96 cases for bisexual,” she said.

Ramiterre’s revelation confirmed previous medical researches which have shown that homosexuals and bisexuals are at greater risk of acquiring the disease.

She said the easier access to sexual services, unsafe sexual practices, and the carefree attitude of the younger generation are among the main reasons for the rising number of HIV-AIDS cases in the country.

“People vulnerable to the virus are those who engaged to risky sexual behavior, casual sex, multiple partners, frequent change of partners and the same sexual relationship (on the economic aspect),” Ramiterre said.

“It is our responsibility to educate the people and promote our programs so that they [people] will be aware what HIV-AIDS is since we belong in the public health sector,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Ramiterre said the RHWC provides free HIV testing as part of the DOH’s efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.

She said the HIV testing is highly confidential, adding the test can be done in their clinic or through outreach-based and barangay-based.

Ramiterre emphasized the need for people to be more vig-

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DSWD apologizes for spoilage of relief goods in Dumaguete

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday apologized to the public for the spoilage of relief goods in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.

“I apologize to the public that this has happened.

We have been trying the last three months under the new administration to assure people that what happened in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda — when rice meant for the typhoon survivors were allowed to spoil and then had to be buried secretly – would never happen again. So it is very disappointing that this happened,” DSWD secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said in a statement.

According to Sec. Taguiwalo, she learned of the incident a month after the rotten goods were disposed of.

The DSWD Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) threw away spoiled relief goods worthP170,981.20, the DSWD-NIR report bared.

The DSWD-NIR buried the spoiled relief goods which expired last June 2016 in an open dumpsite in Brgy Candauay in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

DSWD-NIR director Shalaine Marie Lucero ad-

mitted they carried out the disposal only last Sept. 2 in coordination with Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) of Dumaguete City.

The disposal was reported to Sec. Taguiwalo only on Oct. 2, the report added.

“The goods should have been disposed before they expired because we have a policy on the same. All food items about to expire in threemonth’s time should be used immediately for Food for Work (FFW) activities, supplemental feeding programs, and food assistance to clients of Crisis Intervention Units (CIU), and for our centers and institutions,” Taguiwalo said.

The secretary pointed out that a monthly report on stockpile resources with expiry dates should have been submitted every 30th of the month by the DSWD-NIR to the Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB).

“For purposes of monitoring readiness for any disasters and emergencies, FOs are also required to submit the weekly volume of the stockpile also to the DreAMB,” she said.

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HIV/AIDS PREVENTION. Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, medical officer of Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the Davao City Health Office (CHO), reminds the public to always practice ABCDE to prevent contacting HIV/AIDS and

other sexually transmitted diseases during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. ABCDE stands for Abstinence, Be Faithful, Careful Sex (Consistent use of Condom), D is for Don’t do Drugs and E for Education. Lean Daval Jr.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Dads to revisit AIDS ordinance

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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HE Davao City Council is eyeing to revisit an ordinance it passed 14 years ago which then aimed to address the rising number of Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the city.

Councilor Avegayle Ortiz, vice chairperson of the health committee, however said the ordinance, which was approved by the City Council in 2002, may have certain hoopholes.

This is the reason perhaps, Ortiz noted, why the implementation of the said ordinance has been quite “lukewarm.”

The AIDS ordinance was raised after members of the Davao City Police Crime Investigation and Detective Group (CIDG) arrested several commercial sex workers for possessing condoms.

According to the lawmen, the contraceptives were “prima facie” evidence of prostitution.

“I believe that we need

orient everyone on the provisions of the ordinance which allow distribution of condoms as a protective device against HIV-AIDS,” Ortiz said in an interview.

In the meantime, there have been renewed calls for the creation of a Davao City AIDS Council, which could help arrest the growing number of AIDS cases in the city.

Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, head physician of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) National Epidemiology Bureau, said HIV-AIDS cases continue to increase despite the government’s efforts to control the spread of the disease.

The issue of HIV-AIDS, she noted, has become a battle between the pro-life and prochoice advocates.

“I hope the AIDS council and the ordinance will be implemented to address this issue on public health,” Ramiterre said.

NO TO PROSTITUTION. Gina Aguilar Molon, City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) Children and Youth focal person, calls for a stop to the sexual exploitation of women and children by not patronizing prostitution. Molon made the statement during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall.

Lean Daval Jr.

Jalandoni, 81, resigns as NDFP peace panel head Ex security adviser Almonte finds Rody’s first 100 days‘exceptional’

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ORMER national security adviser Jose Almonte on Thursday described the first 100 days of President Duterte as exceptional, particularly in addressing insurgency, broken politics and monopolized business. ”Exceptional,” Almonte said when asked during a Malacañang press briefing to describe President Duterte’s first 100 days in office.

Almonte served as director general of the National Security Council (NSC) under former president Fidel V. Ramos, who is now President Duterte’s special envoy to China on the maritime dispute at the West Philippine Sea. He said the Philippines has had an internal war since 1946 and he commended President Duterte’s move to declare an indefinite ceasefire to give way to the peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Almonte also noticed President Duterte’s unconventional approach when he appointed known leftists to his Cabinet. ”This is the longest communist insurgency in the world.

And we are at the same time, having a problem of separatist movement in the South. So that’s number one. Number two is our broken politics,” Almonte said.

Almonte said President Duterte’s call for Congress to start immediately the discussion on the possible shift of government from the presidential system to federalism would fix the “broken politics” in the country. ”The problem is this -- only a small group, special group, in general, formulates the policies, national policies of this government and it is implemented for

the interest. And this happens, as you know, every after election. As we know, the center of political power, where we are in this country, is under the hands of this small group that funded the election,” he said.

Almonte also praised President Duterte for trying to break the “unholy alliance” between politics and business. ”If we cannot solve these three basic problems, we can never build a Filipino nation the way we want it to be. So these three must be solved and President Duterte is confronting it.

That’s the best for the nation,” he said.

Almonte also said if President Duterte could solve these three basic problems, other concerns like corruption, inequality and poverty will also be addressed in the future. ”It just so happened that what he’s doing is what I thought before. And that is why I am here to talk to you. I was asked. And the reason is I believe that he is doing the right thing on this,” he said.

However, Almonte expressed apprehension that addressing his three basic concerns would be derailed if the nation’s attention continues to focus on the extrajudicial killings and President Duterte’s colorful language. ”My fear (is that) the three fundamental things that President Duterte would like to address may be jeopardized because of these things that I have mentioned earlier,” he said.

With regard to the foreign policy that President Duterte wants to pursue, Almonte suggested that it should be a policy that would make the Philippines a friend of all nations, including its old ally the United States. (PNA)

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

ATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chair Luis G. Jalandoni stepped down as head of the group’s peace panel hours before the start of the second round of peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) on Thursday, Oct 6.

The announcement of Jalandoni’s resignation and changes in the composition of the NDFP peace panel was made in a press conference in Oslo, Norway.

“The national leadership of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has granted the long-standing request of Comrade Luis G. Jalandoni to resign as the chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel,” the NDFP said in a statement read before the members of the media.

The statement added the national leadership of the NDFP is grateful for the valuable service that Comrade Jalandoni has given to the

peace negotiations.

Jalandoni will continue to be involved in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations as a senior adviser.

As replacement, the national leadership of the NDFP has appointed Fidel V. Agcaoili as the new chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel and Benito Tiamzon as a new member.

Agcaoili has been serving as the vice-chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel for many years.

“I’ve been asking to resign since I became 70 years old 11 years ago. Now I’m 81, I think it is time for younger ones to take over the function of chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel,” Jalandoni said during a press conference.

He also expressed his pleasure for the years he acted as senior adviser, and grateful as well for the time he served as head of the NDFP negotiating panel.

The wide experience of Agcaoili and Tiamzon will be

of great help to the peace negotiations, especially during these times when the Filipino people have high expectations and are looking forward to the successful outcome of the peace talks, Jalandoni added.

“I think it’s a good time that I step aside and have Fidel (Agcaoili) serve as a chairperson and we are glad that Comrade Benito Tiamzon will be giving more strength to the panel with his wide experience and deep commitment,” he said.

Agcaoili said he was optimistic with the way the peace talks are proceeding , mainly due to the political will of President Duterte and the firm resolve of the NDFP and the entire movement to bring about reforms in the Philippine society.

Such opportunities also serve as challenges, as the peace talks move on. Among the issues the key issues that need to be addressed is whether the government will carry out the needed reforms

as proposed by the NDFP, particularly on those focusing on the economy, land reform and national industrialization, he added.

The NDFP also clarified the changes in the composition of the peace panel is their own decision and was not influenced by other parties, including the Duterte Administration.

“The decision was internal and an answer to the long-standing request of Chairman Jalandoni to be replaced as panel chair,” Agcaoili stressed.

Jalandoni’s said his health condition had nothing to do with his decision to step down as NDFP panel chair.

“My health right now is relatively okay though I have to take some medicines for diabetes. I still can help as a senior adviser,” Jalandoni said.

The GRP and NDFP panel are now in Oslo, Norway to continue the second round of peace talks that is scheduled to end on Monday, Oct. 10.

“The swift action of the Customs team assigned at the NAIA, which coordinated its efforts with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), led to the success of the drug bust operation,” he said.

The Customs officials and personnel assigned at the airport under the leadership of Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon deserve to be highly commended for foiling this brazen attempt to bring in illegal drugs into our country,” Dominguez said.

He said, “The close coordination among customs bureau personnel, NAIA employees

and the PDEA in this case shows that with government agencies working together, we can make significant strides in the war against drugs.”

According to a memorandum submitted to Dominguez

by Edgar Macabeo, the acting NAIA district collector, the street value of the cocaine haul is estimated at P25 million.

The apprehension and arrest of the suspect was done by the BOC-NAIA Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Group, Macabeo said.

“Passenger Mr. Jon-Jon T. Villamin was turned over to the PDEA while the apprehended suitcase remains with

Customs custody pending seizure proceedings. Simultaneous cases of drug smuggling will be filed against Mr. Villamin…,” Macabeo said in his memo.

The NAIA customs team was able to arrest Villamin following information relayed to Macabeo that a passenger onboard Emirates flight EK-332 would be arriving in Manila carrying narcotics.

According to Macabeo, the PDEA provided the canine sniffers and equipment to help detect the presence of illegal drugs inside Villamin’s black checked-in luggage, which ini-

Airport customs foils attempt to smuggle 4.8 kg of cocaine

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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III commended today Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon of the Bureau of Customs and the BOC team assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for successfully thwarting last weekend’s attempt by a 22-year old student to smuggle 4.8 kilograms of cocaine into the country.

The arrest of the student, Jon-Jon Villamin, who arrived via an Emirates flight from Dubai last Oct. 2, is “one more proof of the Duterte administration’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs,” Dominguez said.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

P36-M ‘anomaly’ uncovered ARMM intensifies anti-poverty drive in CDO’s biggest public school R O

FFICIALS of the City Central School, the largest public school here, stumbled upon an alleged anomaly involving P36 million of unliquidated earnings of the school’s canteen.

Dr. Arnold Tejero, CCS school principal, said the school administrator accidentally uncovered the alleged anomaly after taking over the school canteen previously ran by the teachers’ cooperative.

“The amount reportedly involved an unliquidated sale

of P120,000 per month for the last 30 years or equivalent to P36 million,” Tejero said.

According to Tejero, the school canteen reportedly earns P150,000 a month, 20 percent of which was remitted to the school.

He said that the Office of the Principal has taken over the school canteen after it was found out that the teachers’ cooperative has not entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to run the school canteen.

Tejero said that some members of the cooperative’s Board of Directors had argued that a MOA was immaterial because the school receives 20 percent out of the sales of the canteen or about P30,000 a month.

However, Tejero said that under DepEd Order 8 s. 2007, the “reporting and accounting of the proceeds from the operation of the school canteen shall be made by the parties concerned to emphasize transparency and accountabil-

ity.”

He said that the DepEd Order also provides that “the School Division resident auditor shall submit the audited canteen funds to the Schools Division Superintendent through the school head or principal twice a year.”

Tejero said that the CCS has over 10,000 pupils, 200 public school teachers, and a teacher’s cooperative with five members of the board of directors that operated the school canteen before. (PNA)

ANKING officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been directed to intensify the region’s anti-poverty drive aimed at uplifting the lives of poor families who are mostly living in impoverished communities.

ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia has convened a top-level meeting of heads of agencies directly involved in improving the lives of millions of ARMM inhabitants.

“The best way to combat poverty in the region is to properly deliver the programs and projects because these will have significant effects on their daily lives,” Alamia said.

She told department heads of line agencies and locally created regional offices that now is the time to face the challenge to improve peoples’ lives.

“It will take time to solve the poverty challenge, but we in the regional government must continue to lead the fight,” Alamia said.

Participants to the special meeting discussed the regional programs and projects aimed at alleviating poverty, especially in conflict affected communities.

Executive Director Baintan Ampatuan of the region’s planning and development office presented during the event ARMM’s medium-term regional development plan (MTRDP) for the period 2017 to 2022.

Ampatuan explained that MTRDP is a six-year undertak-

ing aligned with the national government’s Philippine Development Plan.

The strategic cluster convergence plan, a three-year initiative of the ARMM cabinet cluster to carry out the administration’s priorities for 20162019, was also discussed.

Alamia said the region has various programs and projects on poverty alleviation such as the Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment, Humanitarian and Development Action Plan, and Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy.

With the challenge to end poverty, Alamia said the regional government will improve its services in education, health, welfare, barangay, agri-fishery, infrastructure and non-infrastructure.

Two strategies were also discussed during the poverty reduction meeting. These include a strategy dubbed ‘Labanan ang Kahirapan sa ARMM,’ or the ‘Apat Dapat Program’, which focuses on key interventions concerning the four basic needs of every family, namely food, lighting, water and sanitation, and shelter.

Alamia said the region’s anti-poverty long-term strategy aims to balance the economy, particularly enhance the productivity of the farming sector in order to increase agricultural production in rural areas.

(PNA)

MGB-12 seeks relocation of folks in Lake Sebu village

Above picture: Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Talaingod Mayor Basilio Libayao with the students of Datu Jose Libayao Davao del Norte State College Extension Campus officially opens the

school. Bottom: Officials, Students, and Tribal leaders raises their right index finger as a testament to their One Vision, One Talaingod slogan.

IPs gets accessible tertiary education

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OME 40 Lumad Scholars officially started their classes at Datu Jose Libayao Davao del Norte State College Extension Campus last Monday, October 3, 2016 in the Tribal Municipality of Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The Campus was built to fulfill the long-time desire of the Ata Manobo community to have an accessible tertiary education in their area.

“With the extension campus we are hoping to fill that particular gap in Talaingod,” Governor del Rosario said.

This development will surely transform the lives of the students and the community with new technological and knowledge that are unfamiliar to them.

However, the government of Davao del Norte and the school board made sure that the culture of the Ata-Manobo would be preserved.

“That is why in the curriculum, we are making sure that programs are in line with the cultural practices of the tribal people,” del Rosario said.

He added that it is important to preserve the culture and traditions of the tribe.

Out of the 40 scholars composing the first batch of students, 30 are 4Ps beneficiaries. The Provincial Government and the Municipality of Talaingod will sponsor scholarship of the remaining 10 students.

“Maswerte mo…kamo

gyud ang first batch sa mga estudyante sa atong bagong skwelahan diri sa Talaingod (You are lucky… because you are the first batch of students in this new school in Talaingod),” he stated.

Aside from free education, the scholars will also receive allowances.

“Dili lang matrikula ang libre, bisan ang allowance (Not only the tuition will be free but they will also receive an allowance),” he added.

The government earmarked P30,000 for the tuition , allowances and board and lodging of the scholars.

With this, he asked the students not to marry early and really pursue their respective careers after graduation.

“Ang abiso nako sa inyoha pwede man magminyo pero unahon ninyo muna inyong career, importante gyod na (My advice to you is that you can marry but I hope that you put your career first, that is important),” the governor said.

To formally open the school, del Rosario led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), together with the representatives of Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Municipality of Talaingod. (pioDavNor)

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HE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12 has recommended the relocation of residents in three upland communities in Lake Sebu town due to the hazards posed by the presence of ground fissures or tension cracks in the area.

Ariel Austin Acosta, MGB12 senior geologist, said Thursday their assessment showed the affected areas in Barangay Lamcade in Lake Sebu are considered as highly vulnerable to landslides.

He specifically cited portions of Sitios T’bob, Bong and Tekansad in Lamcade where the tension cracks initially emerged about three weeks ago.

MGB-12 and South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) personnel earlier conducted an ocular inspection and assessment of the affected sites.

Acosta said they tracked the global positioning system or GPS location of the three communities and found out that they are within the “red zone” of the geo-hazard map.

He explained that areas within a “red zone” are considered as highly susceptible to geo-hazards, and in the case of Lamcade, to landslides.

The ground cracks could aggravate due to the continuing rainy season and eventually cause landslides in the area, he said.

“Based on these findings, we recommended the relocation of the affected residents there to safer areas,” Acosta said in an interview over a local television station.

The Lake Sebu Municipal DDRRM Office earlier said around 60 families in Lamcade are considered at risk due to the presence of the tension cracks based on their assessment.

The local government had launched a series of information and education activities to properly inform residents about the dangers posed by the tension cracks.

Aside from Lake Sebu, Acosta said they are closely monitoring several upland or mountainous areas in South Cotabato due to the possible occurrence of major landslides.

He cited portions of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok and T’boli.

“We already alerted barangay officials and residents within the identified red zones in these areas,” he said.

(PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

1,100 LG units streamline BPLS S

OME 1,100 local government units (LGUs) have complied with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) to streamline business permits and licensing system (BPLS), Trade Secretarty Ramon M. Lopez said in an interview over a local radio station.

Lopez noted that as more LGUs comply with the JMC to cut processing time for BPLS, doing business across the country is now easier.

On Aug.30, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed the JMC to streamline BPLS -- cutting processing time for new business registrations to two days and one day for renewals.

The trade chief cited notable changes in business registration and renewal like the simplified two-page form which is more convenient for business owners to fill out, and the consolidation of permits from the barangay, municipality or city.

Business owners no longer need to secure a barangay permit for their business operation, as this is now consolidated and will be claimed in the municipal or city office.

The municipal or city shall remit the respective fee for the barangay.

Lopez stressed this is part of the Duterte administration’s initiative to enhance the business climate in the country by streamlining transactions among public offices that will also cut red tape in the government. (PNA)

ABUNDANT HARVEST. Market-goers purchase fruits at a makeshift store at Agdao Public Market in Davao City yesterday. Fruits are still flooding the city’s markets even after the harvest season last month. Lean Daval Jr.

Banana industry eyes Corruption not needed to prosper in PH - traders creation of 1M jobs M

ORE businessmen believe that engagement in corruption is not needed for their business to prosper in the Philippines, the results from the 2016 Survey of Enterprises on Corruption of the Social Weather Station (SWS) Survey show.

During the launching of the survey’s results in Makati City on Wednesday, SWS President Mahar Mangahas said 81 percent of the respondents in the 2016 survey answered “disagree” to the statement “to prosper in business in the Philippines today, one has to be corrupt”.

The figure was higher than 2015’s 78 percent and at 74 percent in 2006 during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Mangahas also noted that more enterprises are “becoming optimistic” the public sector can be run without compared to 33 percent who said “corruption is part of the way government works”.

This was a record-high figure for enterprises saying that “the government can be run without corruption” as this year’s result improved from last year’s figure of 62 percent and 60 percent in 2003 and 2005.

The survey also noted three best ways for private businesses to help in reducing corruption in the country. These include “never pay bribes,” “use honest business practices,” and “know the laws and rules of government transactions.”

Moreover, the respondents rated 35 institutions for their sincerity in fighting corruption.

The Securities and Exchange Commission was given the status of “very good”.

Nine agencies were rated with “good” which include

the departments of Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, Health, and Education as well as the Office of the President, Office of the Ombudsman, Social Security System, Civil Service Commission, and Supreme Court.

Likewise, nine agencies were rated “moderate” including the departments of Social Welfare and Development and Justice as well as Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections, Government Service Insurance System, Sandiganbayan, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and respective local government unit and barangay unit.

Eight got a “neutral” rating which include departments of Finance, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Agriculture, as well as Governance Commission on Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, Presidential Commission on Good Government, Trial Courts, and the Senate.

Six public offices were rated as “poor” including the departments of Budget and Management, Public Works and Highway, Transportation and Communication as well as Philippine National Police, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and House of Representative.

The Land Transportation Office was rated as “bad,” while the Bureau of Customs was given a “very bad” rating.

The survey -- which had 950 respondents from seven areas in the country including Metro Manila, Metro Angeles, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas, Iloilo City, Metro Cebu, Cagayan de Oro/ Iligan City, and Metro Davao -- was done from Feb. 2 to May 6, the last few months before the administration of former President Benigno S. Aquino III ended. (PNA)

I

T IS NOT impossible for the banana industry players to collectively create one million jobs for Filipinos across the nation.

This was the hope expressed by Domingo Ang of Marituna Restaurants fame who is the chairman of the Philippine Exporters Confederation-Davao Region speaking on the sideline of the Banana Summit opening ceremony at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City yes-

terday.

Phil-Export, whose president is Ferdinand Maranon of Sagrex Corporation, a company which export microwavable frozen saba banana to various part of the world, has collaborated with the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, the Federation of Cooperatives in Mindanao (Fedco) and the Department of Agriculture in staging the banana summit to tackle development issues confronting the industry.

“Actually, with the opening of the huge China market for bananas, we have unlimited room for expansion,” according to Ang, whose family pioneered in tuna canning in General Santos City during the heydays of RICSAN, a company engaged in fishing and processing.

He said many countries in Asia are now also planting bananas eyeing the China market but Filipino growers can see to it that we maintain our supremacy in banana

production through the creation of the proposed Banana Industry Development Council with no less than President Duterte at the helm.

Ang said that there about 300,000 to 500,000 jobs that can be immediately created won the banana industry value chain.

“We are talking about a one-billion dollar industry here,”Ang claimed, adding that “we can easily grow and expand if we put our act together.”

2016 National Banana Congress opens

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

T

HE 2016 National Banana Congress opened yesterday at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere Davao.

The three-day gab, themed “New Frontiers for Inclusive Growth,” is being attended by key players of the country’s banana industry.

The congress aims to address the major challenges being confronted by the banana industry such as the widespread damage caused

by Panama disease (Fusarium wit) on Cavendish and Lakatan varieties.

The event will also feature technical sessions focusing on pests and diseases that are affecting banana production; new banana varieties in the market; as well as local and international market dynamics, logistics and other related concerns.

The Congress will also feature a trade exhibit.

In a press statement, Ferdinand Marañon, PHILEXPORT Region XI President said there is now an overwhelming need to push for the passage of a National Banana Industry Development Act.

This law, Marañon said, will provide the development framework and implementation mechanisms that would lead to the optimum development of the banana industry in the country.

“The Banana Congress 2016 will also usher a free discussion of the Action Agenda, resolutions and Executive Order which would pave the way for the creation of a Banana Industry Development Council,” he added.

President Duterte is expected to attend the second day of the congress, where he will

discuss with participants the various issues affecting the industry and how these and how the national government hopes to address these concerns.

The congress is hosted by PHILEXPORT Region XI in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XI and Department of Trade, and Industry - XI, Mindanao Development Authority, Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc., Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Assoc.

Inc., and the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association.

HE new roadmap for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is now being finalized.

This was announced by Romeo L. Castañaga, Department of Trade and Industry - XI (DTI-XI) provincial director and focal person of the BIMP-EAGA Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) working

group, at the sidelines of the 2016 Banana Congress which opened yesterday at the SMX Convention Center.

According to Castañaga, the roadmap, dubbed “BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025,” is set to be approved during the Ministers Meeting slated from Nov. 28 to 30, 2016 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

He said the BIMP-EAGA

Ministers Meeting will be attended by cabinet secretaries who have been appointed by the presidents of their respective countries.

Castañaga said it was still uncertain if President Duterte will be gracing the event.

“Although we are hosting, it his option [to attend],” he said.

Castañaga said the five

areas of concern covered by the roadmap include connectivity of sea and air transport, trade facilitation including CIQs (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security), SME development, tourism, socio-cultural and environmental sectors.

“The finalization of the document will be on Oct. 12 to

New BIMP-EAGA roadmap up for approval T F NEW, 10

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 7

DOE: No more rotational Davao del Norte’s strategic brownouts till year end

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

M

INDANAO has sufficient supply of power to meet the demands of consumers, therefore eliminating the need for rotational brownouts, a top official from the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

According to DOE Undersecretary Benito Ranque, there will no longer be rotational power interruptions for the rest of the year.

Ranque noted that several power plants are now being constructed across the country that aim to supply the country’s growing electricity needs.

However, there are several power utility distributors who have refused to sign contracts with coal-fired power plants, as the former are waiting to be offered lower rates.

“In Mindanao, we have more than enough supply, the problem is that the power distributors refused to get supply from those coal plants,” he said.

The normal power capacity of Mindanao is now pegged at 2,200MW, while the peak demand is placed at 1,500 MW. Ranque said that with the

stablilization of the power supply in Mindanao, power interruptions will be a thing of the past unless a major power source will trip off.

He said the DOE make sure it will follow the guidelines set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with regards to the construction of coal-fired power plants.

“There is a lot of coal fired power plant being constructed, but we are making sure that we are following the guidelines of our DENR Secretary Gina Lopez,” he said.

The energy official disclosed the agency is eyeing to further lower the cost of electricity in the country to ensure that power will be more affordable.

He said they are targeting to balance the traditional power supply sources in the country with renewable energy (RE) such as geothermal and solar, among others.

As of the moment, the biggest source of power in Mindanao are the Agus and Pulangi hydro power plants.

location key to its dev’t: DTI

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

D

AVAO del Norte’s strategic location has helped pave way for the creation of more economic opportunities in the province.

Romeo L. Castañaga, Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte provincial director, in an interview, said the province is considered a “passageway” between the neigboring areas of Compostela Valley, Agusan, and Bukidnon.

Because of this key fea-

ture, he said, local and foreign investors have shown a keen interest in setting up shop in the area.

According Castañaga, Robinsons Mall of Robinsons Land Corp. opened April of this year, while the CityMall of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. is now under construction.

“Robinsons has invested more than P2 billion,” he said, the mall is now considered the biggest in the city.

Castañaga said the City-

Mall is being built with a total project cost of P355 million.

He added an SM Mall is also set to rise in the province by next year.

In the meantime, Castañaga announced the Tagum City government, in partnership with DTI, will establish a Negosyo Center to cater the needs of MSME’s in the city.

He noted this new center is in addition to the existing provincial Negosyo Center which caters not only to Davao del

Norte but to neighboring areas as well.

“The provincial (Negosyo Center) opened on Aug. 25, 2015, while the city (Negosyo Center) was launched on Sept.

29 this year,” said Castañaga.

He also announced that two more Negosyo Centers will be opened before the year ends - one in Panabo, which is set to open this month, and another in Samal, which will open its doors to the public by December of this year.

Cotabato City investments continue to grow: Mayor

I

NVESTMENTS in the city continue to grow, making the city the fastest growing city in Region 12, providing livelihood and employment opportunities to locals, officials said.

Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi said the total investments in 2014 amounted to P1.2 billion while in 2015, it was pegged at P1.3 billion.

Sayadi said this year, the total projected investments in the city is P1.5 billion.

“We can attribute it to the economic vision set forth by Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. since he was elected to office in 2010,” Sayadi said. Mayor Guiani who died two weeks ago due to a lingering illness, was Sayadi’s elder brother.

“We would like to thank the mayor and the investors who responded to his invitation,” Sayadi told reporters.

She announced that another bank is set to open its new

branch in the city, an indication of a strong and vibrant economy.

In the past three years, Cotabato City saw the dawning of malls and department stores and the first ever mall complex in the locality.

This month, the City Malls will open its new branch here, while Puregold had just made its department and grocery store available to the local market.

The Koronadal Commercial Center, a chain of malls with branches in Koronadal City, Gen. Santos City and Zamboanga City, will soon open here.

Foreign investors, especially from Muslim countries, have already set up shop in the city, making the investment climate grow at a faster pace.

According to local economists, this development could be attributed to the government’s peace initiatives in southern Philippines. (PNA)

Dev’t of REIT industry to help address housing backlog

T

HE Philippines needs to speed up reforms in the capital markets, particularly the development of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) industry, which is an important step in addressing the country’s estimated housing backlog of 5.7 million units.

Angel Ojastro III, Secretary General of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the country should catch up with neighboring ASEAN countries, which already have well-established REIT sys-

tems.

The REIT Act or Republic Act No. 9856 lapsed into law in 2009 but no property developers have launched their REIT vehicles due to issues on minimum public ownership requirement and taxation on asset transfers.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are currently reviewing the REIT law’s current implementing rules and regulations (IRR) with the hope issuing a new one. (PNA)

MAKING A LIVING. A hawker peddles his merchandise to motorists at the junction of Jacinto Extension and Quirino Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Dominguez’s reducing poverty via high growth is Duterte administration’s paramount concern F INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday (Manila time) here that securing a credit rating upgrade is only secondary to the Duterte administration’s “paramount concern” of pursuing its 10-point socioeconomic agenda that aims to “rapidly” reduce poverty incidence from 26 percent to 17 percent over the next six years.

In his remarks before a meeting with credit rating agencies at the sidelines of the WB-IMF Group Annual Fall meeting, Dominguez said President Duterte’s electoral mandate is to make all Filipinos feel the benefits of sustained high growth, hence his 10-point agenda that is meant to accelerate spending on pro-poor and growth-friendly programs to sustain the economy’s upward trajectory and ensure inclusive growth.

“While we greatly value a ratings upgrade to full investment grade, recognizing the hard work we have put in to achieve fiscal consolidation, this is only of secondary importance. In the economic plans we lay down, rapidly reducing poverty rates rank first priority,” Dominguez said.

He added: “Our people ex-

pect this. Our government fully intends to meet that expectation. We do not plan on failing the poorest of the poor.”

“The new administration in the Philippines commits 4o percent of public spending to poverty alleviation. Over the next six years, our goal is to reduce the poverty rate from the current 26 percent to just 17 percent,” Dominguez said.

“This goal cannot be accomplished without sustained economic growth. Over the next six years, driven by investments and targeted public spending, we expect to sustain GDP growth at 7 percent or more. By 2040, we expect the Philippines achieving high middle income emerging economy status,” he added.

Dominguez said postponed investments have to be attended to right away—as demanded by the electorate—which is why the Philippine government will raise its deficit spending, to make way for unparalleled investments in infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the most vulnerable sectors.

He said the government plans to relax its self-imposed deficit limits from 2 percent to 3 percent of its Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) over the next six years.

“We intend to make our economic growth more inclusive.

We will achieve this by investing more in our human capital, closing the infrastructure gap that raises the costs of production and trade, and transforming our agriculture so that it becomes a driver of growth rather than the poverty trap it has been,” Dominguez said.

Infrastructure spending would be increased to 5 percent of the GDP, as a way to help correct uneven economic progress in the Philippines, Dominguez said.

“The sustainability of our economic expansion makes [these] economic investments necessary,” he added.

Dominguez said that to help raise needed funds, the Department of Finance (DOF) is pursuing reforms in tax policy and administration that will discourage evasion and avoidance, broaden the tax system’s narrow base and make it more equitable.

“We have likewise proposed reforms in tax administration intending to make it simpler, fairer and more effective. By doing so, we expect to broaden the tax base and actually produce

more revenues than before,” Dominguez said.

The DOF last month submitted to the House of Representatives the first package of its proposed Tax Reform Roadmap for Acceleration and Inclusion Act in keeping with the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

Dominguez said the DOF tax bill was completed after the Department consulted with members of the Cabinet, legislators, former Secretaries of Finance, prominent economists, stakeholder and business groups, and with various foreign embassies, global financial institutions and joint foreign chambers signifying their support for the tax reform proposal.

This Package One of the DOF’s proposed comprehensive tax reform program includes lowering “oppressive” individual tax rates. Package Two, which will be submitted to the Congress soon enough, will include cuts in corporate income taxes, which are now among the highest in the region.

“The high rates only encouraged evasion and avoidance, narrowing rather than broadening the tax base,” Dominguez said.

F DOMINGUEZ, 10

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

EDITORIAL

F

Duterte ratings still ‘very good’

OR his critics, it will take another trip to the drawing board to strategize on how to put President Duterte down.

But by his own doings or inactions, let alone his constant oral misadventures, it could take just a matter of time.

Yes, President Duterte is still enjoying a high net satisfaction rating of +64 or very good” according to the latest survey conducted by SWS. But at a little above the .500 mark, it is also right to say the numbers are now vulnerable.

In the SWS survey results published yesterday on BusinessWorld, 76% of Filipinos said they were satisfied while 11% said they were dissatisfied. Meanwhile, 13% were undecided regarding the President’s performance.

According to SWS, net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 are classified as “excellent”; those +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”; +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and -70 and below, “execrable.”

It is still far from going down to the “poor” levels but if we look at how he fared right after the elections where he rated +79, the figures are really going down and his well-wishers and defenders think the decline must be arrested.

The SWS report further broke it down per region and expectedy, Duterte gained an “excellent” +85 net satisfaction in Mindanao, his bailiwick.

He also received a “very good” rating in all other regions: +62 in the Visayas; +58 in Metro Manila; and +57 in other parts of Luzon.

Duterte’s net satisfaction was “very good” in both urban (+63) and rural (+67) areas.

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The President also received “very good” net satisfaction ratings across socioeconomic classes: +56 in ABC and +65 each in D and E. Comparatively, during the same time period, most of Duterte’s predecessors received similar net satisfaction ratings.

Like Duterte, four former presidents received a net satisfaction rating of “very good”: Corazon Aquino (+53); Fidel Ramos (+66); Joseph Estrada (+60); and Benigno Aquino III (+60).

Former President Gloria Arroyo received a “moderate” +24 after she was sworn to office following Estrada’s ouster and a “moderate” +12 after winning the presidency.

The net satisfaction survey was conducted from September 24 to 27 and involved face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide.

The survey has a sampling error of 3 percentage points for nationwide results and 6 percentage points each for Metro Manila, “Balance of Luzon,” Visayas and Mindanao.

In a separate trust rating survey that SWS conducted from June 24 to 27 before his inauguration, Duterte received a net trust rating of +79, wherein 84% of those surveyed said they have “much trust”; 11% were undecided; and 5% said they have “little trust” in him.

These are but survey figures, but the President’s men cannot blink their eyes on the fact that the ratings are going down.

It is their (President’s trusted men) concern to try to keep the ratings up because if you ask the President about it, as he has always said, he does not give a damn.

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EDGEDAVAO

I

NTERESTINGLY, many parallels by partisan interests have been drawn between the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and current Senator Leila De Lima. Thus, many of her fans and Duterte detractors will probably try to portray her as the next Miriam Defensor Santiago to try to shore up her image in what will likely be a battle (again) of imagery above substance.

Her attempt to enlist the help of some NGOs by portraying herself as a victim of harassment and persecution may hurt some of these groups, since they are, in effect, allying themselves with a person under fire for allegations not about defending the rights of the oppressed, but oppressing others due to her alledged involvement in an evil trade.

This is perhaps the first instance when civil society groups have lent their support to such a person under whom drugs were trad-

N

EXT week, a National Coffee Summit will be held in Davao City at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang.

“The two-day summit will focus on developing strategies to promote the Philippines’ coffee industry,” wrote Jermaine L. Dela Cruz in a news report published by EDGE Davao. In addition, a discussion will be made on how to “develop and improved value chain around Robusta and Arabica coffees.”

The Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI) is organizing the event in cooperation with some national government agencies. The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/ VOCA) is also supporting the summit.

According to Davao businessman Philip Dizon, a PCBI director, the agency is developing a method on how to come up with a fine quality of Robusta coffee “that could compete those produced by Vietnam and Brazil.” Once that kind of coffee is available, the country’s export price will go up from 5 to 10 percent.

“As long as we do it properly – from seed selection, nursery management, (adhering) to good agricultural practices and value creation – we can assure we have the best coffee, at least one of the best in the world,” Lucky Siegfred Balleque, the provincial director of the Department of Trade Industry in Compostela Valley, was quoted as saying.

Coffee comes from an evergreen tree, which was first discovered in Ethiopia, where its red, cherry-like berries (generally containing 2 seeds per berry) was used for wine and food before A.D. 1000. Its beans are first grounded and roasted and made into a drink during the 15th century in the

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Sorry, but Leila is no Miriam ed and caught MY TWO CENTS’ in the Bilibid that was under her watch. Her own discovery of these facts during her term is enough to force the resignation of her counterparts in John Tria Japan. ecisouth@gmail.com That she allegedly acted as acting Prisons director is even more damning. She persisted on as DOJ Secretary regardless of these discoveries.She was elected Senator despite these allegations. Again, if this were Japan, she would have resigned early.

What many quarters find distressing and unbecoming of a Senator is her insistence in trying herself in public through press conferences and public statements. All public officials, especially those elected, ought to be beyond reproach, not publicly arguing about their reputations.

Sorry folks, Leila is no Miriam. Here’s why: 1. Miriam Defensor Santiago was never embroiled in accusations about drugs and the drug trade.

2. Sen. Santiago never engaged in pity party politics that De Lima she has immersed in. She fought the good fight for things she believed in.

3. She licked the wounds of her 1992 presidential defeat and moved on, working with successive governments to try to make the Philippines a better

place, focusing instead on her work as a legislator.

4. To figure Miriam Santiago in accusations of being in a sex video is unthinkable.

The recent stabbing incident in Bilibid prison revealing a big drug network within the national prison under her watch as Justice Secretary on, and many other considerations show that the tentacles of the evil trade are too wide and too long to be dealt with quickly.

Whether or not De Lima was involved in spreading these are important questions that need to be answered, with the end of finding lasting solutions to this evil.

How they are successful in defending themselves against the accusations, and whether lasting resolutions to these drug problems are achieved, remains to be seen.

Arabian PenTHINK ON THESE! insula.

Coffee later spread throughout Europe since the 17th century.

The introduction of coffee in the Philippines could be traced back Henrylito D. Tacio to the arriv- henrytacio@gmail.com al of Spanish traders in the early 1500s. By 1880, the Philippines was the fourth largest exporter of coffee beans, and when the coffee rust hit Brazil, Africa, and Java (Indonesia), it became the only source of coffee beans around the world.

The Philippines comes second to Japan in the amount of coffee consumed in Asia.

As surging demand for coffee among Filipinos continues to grow, the Department of Agriculture has groomed Mindanao as the country’s coffee production center, which could supply 80% of the country’s coffee requirements.

“If we can only increase production in our coffee farms, it would help make our country less dependent on imported coffee,” says Roy C. Alimoane, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. He adds that a coffee plant takes three years to grow. Once it matures, it bears cherries for about 50 years.

Last year, EDGE Davao reported that Davao region could become top coffee grower again. “The region has a potential to regain its position as an important source of coffee as it used to be 30 years ago,” a PCBI official was quoted as saying.

In the early 1980s, Davao region was the major producer of coffee in the country “because of the presence of many coffee planters and producers.” It was when the international organization for coffee collapsed and the price dropped considerably that farmers resorted to planting to other high-value crops.

The peace and order situation in the region was also partly blamed. “The insurgency problem also left big coffee plantations abandoned, leaving coffee produce to the hands of rebels,” the news report added.

Not to mention is the agrarian reform of the government. “Many coffee plantation owners were left with no other choice but to give portions of their lands to agrarian beneficiaries,” the news report pointed out.

As result, coffee production in the country went down. So down that it has to import from other coffee-producing countries.

“Philippines is a net importer of coffee,” the PCBI official said. “More than 54% of our coffee is imported from Brazil and Vietnam.

Majority of our imports are instant coffees.”

Aside from Robusta and Arabica, two other coffee varieties are grown in the country: Liberica and Excelsa. All the four varieties were introduced in the country directly from South America and Indonesia. Each variety has its own unique characteristics but all four require careful production management techniques.

The most important variety is Arabica, which accounts for 72% of world production. Arabica is an early bearer. Two years after transplanting, it produces cherries.

Generally, a full-grown and well-managed one-hectare farm can yield 1,000 kilos of green beans. This variety, however, is susceptible to coffee rust, which almost wiped out the coffee industry in the country.

The second most important commercially is Robusta, accounting for 27% of world production. The tree is more widely adaptable than Arabica, but it does best in warm equatorial climates. Large areas of Southeast Asia are suitable for its production. A well-tended one-hectare field can yield about 1,200 kilos per year of green coffee beans.

Liberica, commonly called “kapeng barako,” produces the biggest berry. It is noted for its very strong taste and color. Trees are upright with straight trunks. Berries are round and borne singly or in small cluster with thick and firm pulp. This variety is drought-resistant and bears berries 4-5 years after transplanting. A one-hectare farm planted to Liberica can yield about 1,000 kilos per year.

Excelsa is similar to Liberica except for its smoother, thinner and more rounded leaves with smooth edge. The berries are ovoid and a little compressed having a flat form. Like Liberica, its bearing age is 4-5 years after transplanting and has an approximate annual yield of 1,000 kilos per hectare.

“The Philippines is one of the few countries that produces the four varieties of commercially-viable coffee,” said the National Coffee Development Board. “Climatic and soil conditions in the Philippines – from the lowland to mountain regions – make the country suitable for all four varieties.”

According to the agriculture department, coffee thrives on a variety of soil types, soils that are deep, well drained and rich in organic matter. What is important to coffee is the presence of humus which can overcome the handicaps of soil type. The ideal soil type pH for coffee should be neutral or slightly acid. Coffee usually grows very well on forest soils.

Coffee break

10 NEWS RODY... FROM 1

+65 in classes D and E and a lower +56 rating among the ABC class.

Men also gave the President a score of +71 rate or “very good,” while women gave him +58 percent mark or a “very good” rating.

“The rating given by respondents to Duterte by educational attainment was from high school graduates who gave him the highest score of “excellent” with +71 percent, while college graduates gave him “very good” rating with

+65 percent.

On the other hand, elementary graduates gave the President a rating of +57 among , while non-elementary graduates gave him a +54 rating, the SWS said.

Based on the age groups surveyed, two age groups, namely respondents aged between 25 to 34 years old, and those aged between 35 years old and 44 years old, gave him an “excellent” rating or +73 percent, while the rest gave the President a “very good” rating.

were part of the request made

by Davao City for additional emergency vehicles.

Pacquibato District is one of the remote areas in Davao City. Majority of its residents are lumads. The Southern Philippine Medical Center, meanwhile, is the biggest government health facility in Mindanao.

City administrator Zulieka Lopez said the city government

is grateful for PCSO’s positive response to the request for more emergency vehicles.

“On behalf of our beloved Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, we thank the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for providing these ambulances,” she said. “These vehicles will definitely help the local government’s response to the emergency and health needs of the public.” CIO

tra-judicial killings when he was still the mayor of Davao City.

Motabato has also impli-

cated Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte in the killing of Cebu businessman Richard King two years ago.

data for their own development programs.

“Some access our website, some really write to our office,” said Abaro, adding students researchers can also use the data. .

According to Abarro most agencies who utilize the POPCEN data are the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who estimate the number of households in a barangay.

He noted that POPCEN data from the previous years have been very useful in the planning activities of government agencies.

For instance, he said the Department of Budget and Management uses the data for computing the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of local government units.

For her part, Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of the National Econom-

ic Development Authority (NEDA) XI said her office makes use of the POPCEN the POPCEN data for its planning activities.

“We use it for realistic and accurate planning,” said Lim, who explained that knowing the number of residents in a specific area helps NEDA determine the resource allocation local government units actually need.

“We will know how much we will provide in specific places,” she added.

In the meantime, Abaro said the PSA will propose a paperless method in conducting the census.

Under the new method, the enumerators would use tablets instead of pen and paper in encoding the information.

However, the PSA is still carefully studying the proposal, as the agency currently has 90,000 enumerators nationwide. RIA VALDEZ

13 in Makassar, Indonesia,” he said.

In the meantime, Castañaga highlighted the involvement of the SME working group in the crafting of the roadmap.

He explained the group has submitted two proposals the Growth Corridor Approach and Integrated Value Chain Approach.

Castañaga noted the twin proposals will ensure the increased involvement of SMEs and small cooperatives “in the development corridor and value chain.”

The Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is a sub-regional economic cooperation designed to spur economic

development in the lagging sub-economies.

Established in 1994, BIMP-EAGA covers the underdeveloped and geographically remote areas in the four-member countries namely, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines.

Specifically, the areas of concentration of the economic aggrupation include the entire sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, nine provinces in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the island chain of Maluku, and Papua (Indonesia); the federal states of Sabah and Sarawak, and the federal territory of Labuan (Malaysia); and Mindanao (26 provinces) and the province of Palawan (Philippines). JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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WOMEN’S ADVOCATE. City Council’s Committee on Women and Family Relations Chair, Councilor Avegayle Dalodo Ortiz gestures while answering queries from reporters during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

DSWD... FROM 3

In its report, the DSWDNIR disclosed 22,310 pieces of 3-in-1 coffee 20 gram-packs (worth P100,395); 45 pieces of instant noodles 55 grampacks (P225); 821 kilos of rice (P20,525); 484 cans of beef loaf (P7,139); and 4,186 cans of sardines (P42,697.20) were either damaged, spoiled, or expired.

Taguiwalo has ordered Lucero to submit a formal and comprehensive explanation on how the goods were allowed to spoil, and why the Central Office was not informed regarding the matter.

The secretary also instructed concerned offices in the central office of DSWD to coordinate and put in place concrete measures to ensure this incident does not happen again.

“These relief goods were purchased using government funds, and this immediately means that they are property of the Filipino people. I have

been previously assured that the DSWD and all its units responsible for stockpiling relief goods have established safeguards to prevent a repeat of what happened in the aftermath of Yolanda, but now it is evident that we need to ensure that safeguards are in place,” Taguiwalo pointed out.

She also released a memorandum addressed to all regional directors last October 3 on food stockpile management, reiterating the agency’s policy that all field offices must closely monitor the quality and expiry dates of all relief goods to prevent the distribution of expired relief food packs or items.

“While it is our policy for the regional stockpile to be maintained at 30,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) for any occurrence of disaster at any given time, the FOs should ensure that all the relief goods in our stockpile are of good quality,” Taguiwalo said.

ilant, as she urged all sectors of the community to take part in the government campaign to raise awareness on HIV-AIDS. “Individuals, regardless of the risk group they belong to, must protect themselves from HIV infection and its effects by abstaining, being faithful, consistent use of condoms and, early detection,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV is a retrovirus that infects and weakens a person’s immune system, making him or her highly vulnerable to infections.

The most advanced stage of HIV infection is AIDS, which can manifest from 10-15 years since he or she acquired the disease.

However, recent studies have shown that anti-retroviral drugs can slow down the progress of the disease.

HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal/vaginal), transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles, and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Besides lowering income tax rates, the first package of the DOF tax package also includes offsetting measures such as expanding the value-added tax (VAT) base by limiting its exemptions, ad-

justing the excise taxes on petroleum products, and restructuring the excise tax on automobiles, with the exception of trucks, buses, cargo vans, jeepneys, jeep substitutes and special purpose vehicles.

by committing to expedite their remittance reports and to extend assistance to JOs especially with their PhilHealth concerns.

At present, PRO XI, which

started the GES in 2008, has 37 public and private offices enrolled in the program, with around 15,255 JOs covered by PhilHealth. (PhilHealth/Kleah Gayle Dublin)

HIV-AIDS... FROM 3

Dominguez... FROM 7 PhilHealth... FROM 11

Airport... FROM 4

tially underwent an x-ray scan.

“Confirmatory x-ray scan was conducted after the PDEA canine sat on the black suitcase indicating the presence of narcotics. It showed images of hidden compartments plus the presence of organic particles inside the false compartment,” Macabeo said in his memo to Dominguez.

After dismantling the inner lining of Villamin’s suitcase, the team of Customs

and PDEA agents found white powdery substance inside plastic bags lining both sides of the luggage. Initial tests showed that the substance was high-grade cocaine.

According to immigration records, Villamin left Manila for Hong Kong on Sept. 24, then flew on Sept. 25 to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where he stayed for five days. He then boarded an Emirates flight for Manila via Dubai.

Since June 2015, the TechnoCart has reached 30 schools with 246 classes and 6,173 students. Independent evaluation showed the TechnoCart has helped improve students’ academic performance in various competencies.

Smart together with its employee volunteers have also been conducting tree-planting activities nationwide since 2003. Smart employees have planted more than 2 million seedlings and propagules for mangroves with the help of community stakeholders and volunteers from partner organizations.

Other activities aligned

with Smart’s environmental pillar include reducing electricity consumption, recycling batteries, and exploring environmentally sound solutions like marketing materials made from stone and recycled paper.

Smart has also partnered with the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, and USAID-ECOFISH for DALOY, an SMS hotline enabling concerned citizens to inform the police about maritime violations. It has generated 95,468 broadcast messages, and has resulted in 25 arrests and the seizure of more than 4,000 pieces of contraband worth nearly $135,000.

Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club 313 (105, 104, 104) Iloilo Golf 295 (90, 106, 99) Valley North 295 (102, 104, 89) Pueblo de Oro Golf Team 287 (101, 96, 90) Friendship: Alabang Ladies Golf Chapter 295 (95, 105, 95)

Wack Wack Golf 274 (99, 88, 87) Victorias Team 260 (97, 80, 83) Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club Team B 258 (89, 82, 87) Baguio Country Club 257 (92, 80, 85) The Orchard Team 2 241 (80, 86, 75) Port Moresby 217 (76, 74, 67)

The Hopman Cup was founded in 1989 and was played initially in its home in Burswood Dome from 1989 to 2012. The tournament has since ransferred to the Perth Arena from 2013 to present.

The tournament is a sanctioned event in the calendar of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), but individual player results are not included in the calculation of the tennis world rankings.

The competition receives extensive television coverage in Australia and is an important lead-up tournament to the Australian Open each January as part of the Australian Open

Series. The winning team receives a silver cup perpetual trophy and up to 2014 the winning team members were presented with distinctive individual trophies in the shape of a tennis ball encrusted with diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

In 2014 and 2015, the individual trophies were created in the shape of an intricate diamond encrusted tennis racket and ball, using just under an ounce of 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold and approximately half an ounce of pink argyle diamonds. These trophies are valued at $26,000.

Smart... FROM 11

Southwoods... FROM 15 STARS... FROM 15

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TRAVEL

EDEN MARKS 19 YEARS OF ADVENTURE EDEN NATURE PARK AND RESORT, ONE OF THE TOP, MUSTVISIT DESTINATIONS IN DAVAO, IS CELEBRATING ITS 19TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

To commemorate its 19th Anniversary, the resort will launch several promotional activities celebrating its standing as one of the premier tourism destinations in Davao City.

Having thrived in the hospitality business for 19 years is a major milestone for Eden.

The resort is now considered a major landmark in Davao City’s colorful history, providing exceptional and memorable travel experiences for its local and foreign guests. Eden aims to deliver a complete destination experience - with a touch of nature, adventure, gastronomic delighs and culture.

The 80-hectare man-made mountain resort is a sanctuary where guests can enjoy the best views of the city. Ris-

ing in the highlands of Davao City at almost 3,000 feet above sea-level, Eden is a treasure for those who love nature and has become a must-see ecological tourist site in Mindanao.

To celebrate its anniversary, Eden has launched exciting offers for travel aficionados from Oct. 1 to 29, 2016. The resort invites you to experience a relaxing vacation-cum-nature trip, where you can savor quality time with your family with an overnight stay in one of its Deluxe rooms for only P1,900.00. Avail of a 19% discount on Eden’s Family Cottages and Mountain Villas.

Dine at Vista Restaurant and avail of its 19+1 offer on Snacks and Buffet lunch Daytour Packages. A special 19% discount awaits guests who will take advantage of its various outdoor offerings such as the Skyswing, Skycycle, Skyrider, a Guided Shuttle Tour, and fishing at the Fishing Village.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation, Eden Nature Park is perfect choice for you and your family. Eden is

designed to complement the wonders of nature, a home to bountiful picturesque landscapes, a variety of natural attractions, and a host of recreational activities to suit your travel plans. Unknown to many, Eden is not only known as a breathtaking tourist spot, but also a food destination as well. It now offers a wide selection of dining outlets right in the very heart of the resort.

Through the years, the resort has welcomed adventurers, travelers, and nature lovers, which has given the local tourism an additional boost.

In order to keep up with times and the guests’ expectations, the resort commits to innovate in order to offer something new to its patrons. For 19 years, Eden has become a source of pride for the people of Davao – offering a memorable, exciting and pleasurable experience for its guests.

Eden Nature Park & Resort is a member of the JVA Group of Companies which is principally based in the Davao Region.

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EVENT

Korean Film Festival at bo

AS A PREMIER LIFESTYLE AND CULTURAL D TINATION IN MINDANAO, SM Lanang Premier become a top venue for international film festivals embassy events in the region.

For the fourth consecutive year, the mall hosted another successful run of the annual Korean Film Festival (KFF), one of the largest celebrations of Korean cinema in the country, from Sept. 15 to 18, 2016.

More than 3,000 people watched the free screenings of some of the greatest Korean films from 2012 to 2015 at SM Cinema 1.

A joint partnership between the Korean Embassy’s Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines and SM Cinema, the festival fostered cultural exchange, providing an opportunity for Filipinos to gain Korean Cultural Center Director OH Choong Suk speaks to the awareness of the Korean way of audience at the KFF Opening. life.

To open the four-day festival, a premiere night reception was held and attended by Korean Cultural Center (KCC) Director Oh Choong Suk, Chief of Staff Atty.

Raul Nadela, Jr., on behalf of Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, Malaysian Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, and Japan Consul-Director Members of Ikebana International-Davao Chapter 133 with Tomoko Dodo. their President, Arlene Puentespina (2nd from left) with young Wearing “hanbok” or tradiKoreans in hanbok.

tional Korean clothing, the Korean community – repres by the Davao Korean Associa flocked to the annualfestival its President Kim Chan Sam ficers of the Ikebana Internat Davao Chapter, headed by President Arlene Puentespina took part in the event.

SM Lanang Premier Mall ager Therese Lapeña-M Assistant Mall Manager Crisante, and SM Lifestyle E tainment, Inc. Branch Ma Noelle Martin welcomed gue the event.

“This festival has been go Davao for the past four year I am very fortunate to witne Filipinos interest in Korean ies in this city,” KCC Direct Choong Suk said to the huge which gathered on the fes premiere night.

With “Strong Hearts” a year’s theme, it featured five starring characters with s personalities and those who sue their goals and desires cou and min T h film clu Ode My ther, Bea Ins Con

8, 2016

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boosts cultural exchange

DESr has s and

e city’s sented ation – led by m. Oftionaly their na, also

Japanese Consul-Director Tomoko Dodo (2nd The Davao Korean Association with Korean Cultural Center Director and the Korean from right) with SM Lanang Premier Assistant Mall Manager Junjie Crisante.

Man- Embassy’s Counsellor for Culture and Public Relations Oh Choong Suk (center).

Manalo, Junjie Enteranager ests to

oing to rs and ess the n movtor Oh crowd stival’s

(L to R) Davao City Mayor’s Chief of Staff Atty. Raul Nadela, Jr.,, Korean as this Cultural Center Oh Choong Suk and the Malaysian Consul General e films Abdullah Zawawi Tahir (extreme right) grace the festival with another The Korean community in Davao attends the premiere night of the Korean Film Festival in SM Cinema Lanang Premier. strong guest. o purs with sion of Murder, How to Use Guys is a modern action film starring opment Council of the Philippines u r a g e with Secret Tips, and The Suspect. Gong Yoo of Train to Busan fame. (FDCP), Film Cultural Exchange Some of the featured films gave a deterSM Lanang Premier was also Program, the Korea Tourism Ornation. glimpse of Korean history and cul- the venue for the second leg of the ganization – Manila (KTO), and h e s e ture, while others highlighted the nationwide film festival, which un- the Korea Copyright Commission ms in- different aspects of the Korean ev- reeled in SM City Clark on Sept. 8, and K-Pop Davao. u d e d eryday life. Ode to My Father, the then followed by screenings at SM Keep up-to-date on exciting cule to movie shown during the premiere City Iloilo, SM City Cebu, SM Das- tural events at SM Lanang Premier.

Fa- night, is a heartwarming film that mariñas, and a culminating event Visit SM Lanang Premier’s official r, The depicts modern Korean history at SM Megamall. account on Facebook and follow @ a u t y from the 1950s to the present day The Korean Film Festival was SMLanangPremier on Twitter and s i d e , and the love that exists within the also supported by Korean Film Instagram for news and event upn f e s - family. Meanwhile, The Suspect Council (KOFIC), the Film Devel- dates.

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UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

Fatherandsonseeingeyetoeye “I SEE PATIENTS WITH EYE PROBLEMS. I do consult and treat eye diseases and specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of the leading cause of blindness which is Glaucoma,” shared 50-year old physician, Louie Gahol.

Perhaps fathers would like to have someone follow their career path but in Louie’s case, whatever his son decides on will be as great.

“Christian is only 14 years old and even at this point, I know my son is doing fine as far as his setting and achieving his goals. My wife and I guide and support him whatever he chooses to pursue.”

“My son and I see eye to eye. Young he may be, we are on the same level when it comes to values and principles. It is more on how we react to things that can sometimes differ which we try to discuss and get to talk about.”

Even if they are on the same wavelength, communication is still a key ingredient to a healthy relationship. To keep the lines always open in the family, they schedule trav-

el regularly, “This is when we can make memories together,” said Louie.

For 17 years now, Louie has been going to Rocky’s.

“Rocky’s opening in the malls makes men’s grooming very convenient. My first Rocky’s haircut was in 1999 at their Victoria Plaza branch. Intermittently, I would go to the Gmall branch as well.

Now I go to the Abreeza branch because it is more convenient for me and my son.”

Louie remembers the first time he took his son to Rocky’s Victoria Plaza in 2007, when he was five.

Since then, it has become a father-son Rocky’s routine

modern. I noticed that more services were also added, aside from just cut and shave. One thing that didn’t change though is their commitment to their clients, and their competent and personable barbers.”

On Rocky’s 20th year, the Gahol boys are thankful to be part of the celebration and extend their sincerest congratulations.

“I think the logo of Rocky’s has stayed true and will continue to be so. from when it started and I “I prefer us to have our would like to see it remain haircut simultaneously so despite its evolution. They we get different barbers have already created a folwho are available to han- lowing for the brand and this is one of its most recdle us at the same time.”

Louie’s first impression ognizable features.”

Their vision of the fuof Rocky’s was that it was very welcoming with its ture is clear, they’re sticklight and clean interior, ing it out with Rocky’s.

Rocky’s Barbershop the friendliness of the staff evident, and he knows the is the first barbershop to proprietor stands for qual- open in a mall in Davao ity of service. He admits City in 1996. All its five these are the reason why branches today are convehe became a loyal patron. niently located in malls“Seeing Rocky’s grow is Victoria Plaza, Abreeza impressive. From a barber- Mall, GMall, SM City & shop to a branch of barber- SM Lanang Premier in shops is a great feat. The Davao City, and Centrio interiors have changed Ayala Mall in Cagayan de through the years, becom- Oro City. 2016 marks its ing more minimalist and 20th year in the business.

Louie and Christian Gahol are the featured Father and Son personali-

ties for September in the 2016 Traditions calendar of Rocky’s.

October 5 – 11, 2016

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11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

Experts recommend holistic approach to urban resilience P

OLICYMAKERS should push for an integrated approach to urban environment resilience.

This is how Dr. Marife Ballesteros, acting vice president of state think tank Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), summarized the discussion on urban environment resilience last Sept.

22.

“When we look at resilience, we should not merely be concerned with the sectoral aspects but with the integrated policy approach,” she explained.

The said discussion was part of the Second Annual Public Policy Conference on Risks, Shocks, Building Resilience, which is the highlight of the celebration of the 14th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM). Resilience in agriculture, health, and macroeconomy was also covered during the one-day event.

The DPRM is celebrated across the country every September in view of Malacañang Proclamation No. 247 issued in 2002. It promotes public awareness and appreciation of the importance of policy research in the formulation of public policies, programs, and projects.

This year’s celebration

focused on the importance of building the country’s resilience, aptly captured in the event slogan, “Angkop na Kahandaan: Matatag na Ekonomiya at Lipunan”.

‘Most glaring’ problems in the Metro Ballesteros said that a clear understanding of the nature of resilience must first be addressed before policy recommendations can be made.

“Risks are complex, but so is resilience,” explained Ballesteros, who served as the moderator for the session on building urban environment resilience In order to specifically target urban resilience, studies should focus on the metropolitan areas, such as Manila, where urban environment problems are “most glaring”, she added.

A panelist also raised the need for an integration of disciplines, where social sciences must be combined with the natural sciences to maximize their strengths in crafting policy solutions.

“We are so trained as specialists, economists, political scientists, physicists, but the reality is that the problems we are facing are all interconnected,” said Dr. Emma Porio,

sociology professor from the Ateneo de Manila University who discussed risk and resilience in Metro Manila during the session.

“In a sense, when you think of urban resilience in the city, you have to think of the city as a system,” she added.

She explained policymakers should look at the interaction of the geophysical, political, economic, and social aspects so as to understand vulnerability, and the potentials of building resilience in Metro Manila.

PIDS President Gilberto Llanto earlier urged the policy makers to look beyond natural hazards and acknowledge that the sources of risks are many and that those risks are interconnected.

Porio also challenged the current manner of looking at the socioecological and political development in governance in understanding urban environment.

“Floods do not recognize political boundaries, but we always make planning and data analysis according to political administrative boundaries,” she explained.

‘Significant policy gap’ Apparently, the Philippines still has a lot to do in

terms of building resilience.

“There is a significant policy gap in terms of structures, laws, and mindsets,” Ballesteros said.

The session called for the review of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which Ballesteros considered “not adequate”.

Porio added the present governance system only reacts to the current needs of this generation. “It does not think whether your grandchildren will have resources in the future,” she explained.

In terms of climate adaptation, Porio said the government should come up with convergent and integrative ways of addressing the issue.

“Right now, what we have is a fragmented system of governance at different levels,” she added.

Porio explained that “our policymakers continue to put ourselves in an increasingly risky situation because of their decisions.”

Manila is considered the most exposed city to natural disasters in the world, according to the 2016 Natural Hazards Vulnerability Index from the United Kingdom-based risk analyst, Verisk Maplecroft.

PHILHEALTH GES SEMINAR. Representatives from the government and private sector pay close attention to discussions during a Group Enrollment Scheme (GES) Retooling Seminar conducted by the PhilHealth Regional Office 11 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Aug. 31.

Panelo

Panelo, guest speaker of Ambassador Club Davao Lawyer Partoza heads new officers

T

HE new officers of the Ambassador Club Davao-International headed by lawyer, businessman and gentleman farmer Antonio “Onie” B. Partoza Jr., will be inducted into office by Ambassador Renato “Rene” A. Florencio, international director for Asia and member of the management committee of International Ambassador Club (IAC), during appropriate ceremonies at the Marco Polo Hotel on Monday, October 10.

Aside from Partoza, other officers of the club to be sworn in by by Ambassador Florencio, are Dr. Ma. Lourdes “Malu” G. Monteverde, vice president; Don Elecci B. Torno, treasurer; and City Councilor Ma. Belen “Mabel” S. Acosta, secretary.

Past national and chapter presidents are also members of the club’s board of advisers, namely past national presidents Mike Inigo, former Vice Mayor Luis C. Bonguyan, Atty.

Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa-Abrille, and Dr. Roy B. Ferrer, past chapter presidents Antonio M. Ajero and Judge Isaac “Dodong” Robillo Jr. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo is the club’s guest of honor and speaker, who will be introduced by past national president Nonoy Villa-Abrille, a classmate in the University of the Philippines college of law.

Secretary Panelo is expected to speak on President Duterte’s policies, and legal matters, and issues concerning the presidency and the country.

P

agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH), Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), among others, attended the activity.

According to PhilHealth Regional Vice-President Dennis Adre, the program is part of a consistent drive and a giant step towards securing the benefits of workers who are not yet automatically covered by PhilHealth due to the nature of their employment status.

“This is a testament of support to President Duterte’s stride towards putting an end

to endo,” Adre said in his opening remarks.

Members under the GES enjoy the same employee privileges as regular employees, making them qualified to avail of a wide range of healthcare and hospitalization benefits that PhilHealth offers.

Adre also stressed the importance of the participants’ role in sustaining PhilHealth’s programs through the efficient remittance of premiums.

He noted the premiums collected from members translate to benefits that address the basic health needs of all Filipinos by covering their health care costs.

Even with the increasing

trend of health expenditures, Adre also gave the assurance that the government-run agency remains steadfast in its duty to provide adequate and quality health services for all Filipinos, in support of the Duterte Health Agenda under the banner “All for Health, Health for All.” Meanwhile, the activity featured discussions on the enrolment procedure and benefits availment process to further equip GES partners with knowledge on how the health insurance program works.

Participants also signified their support to PhilHealth

F PHILHEALTH, 10

Swearing in of 8 new members Another highlight of the night is the induction of eight new club members by Amb. Rufino “Boy” Mijares, Ambassador Club national president.

They are Sebastian “Anggie” L. Angliongto, lifetime honorary chair of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., an outstanding civic leader of long standing ; Antonio Nicolas “Tonyboy” S. Domingo, president of Santos Land Development Corporation; Oscar V. Grapa, director and group chief finance officer of Anflo Management and Investment Corporation; Engr. Fernando “Boie” Ongkingko Jr., retired DPWH district engineer and now a businessman; Michael Barba Corong, proprietor of M & G Customs Brokerage and Allied Services; Engr. Ismael “Maeng” D. Tabije, international technical consultant and engineering expert; Mark Joseph Mercader, engineering contractor; and Jackie Louie Solivio, motorcycle distributor.

Ambassador Club originated from Europe, particularly Switzerland.

The charter president of the Davao club was lawyer Antonio “Tonying” VA. Llamas.

Others who became president but are no longer active are Rogelio “Rolly” Santos, who became national president, former City Councilor Wendel E. Avisado, now the national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, former City Councilor Susabel C. Reta and Dr. Scott Nimmo.

Smart telco nominated as CSR company of the year

PhilHealth reaches out to GES partners P HILHEALTH Regional Office (PRO) XI conducted a retooling seminar and orientation for its public and private sectors partners at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City on Aug. 31.

The activity enabled the participants to revisit policies of PhilHealth’s Individually Paying Program, particularly under the PRO XI-led Group Enrolment Scheme (GES) where job order (JO) and contractual employees are enrolled in the health insurance program.

Seventy-eight representatives from various departments of the City Government of Davao and other national

Partoza

LDT mobile unit Smart Communications was recently shortlisted by the prestigious Asia CEO Awards for its Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the Year distinction.

The Asia CEO Awards recognizes the outstanding leadership achievements by individuals and organizations in the Philippines. The CSR award is for the company with the best projects on environmental protection and awareness, livelihood, and youth development.

Winners will be announced in a ceremony on Oct. 18 at Marriott Hotel Manila.

Smart’s CSR program draws its strength from partnerships with communities, and aims to use technology for

development. It has five pillars, namely education, disaster preparedness and response, health, environment, and livelihood.

Among its programs is the Smart TechnoCart, which aims to improve the literacy of kindergarten students in public elementary schools through online and mobile educational resources.

Each donated TechnoCart is 2ftx2ft tall and contains 20 tablets for students as well as a laptop, projector, tablet, and pocket WiFi for the teacher.

The tablets are preloaded with the Batibot mobile application, the country’s first app for kids in Filipino aligned with the kindergarten curriculum of the Department of Education.

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Hypertension goes up among Filipinos

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

ILIPINOS writhing from hypertension are increasing in number and most of them are walking time bombs which can explode anytime with serious complications.

In a report published in Medical Tribune, the Council on Hypertension (COH) of the Philippines revealed that the prevalence of hypertension in the country is steadily increasing: from 11% in 1992 to 25% in 2008. By 2012, the prevalence has risen to 28%.

“Because of the progressively increasing prevalence and the complications of hypertension, we need to study hypertension to know how to address and attack the problem in the Philippines,” pointed out Dr. Jorge Sison, the director of Philippine Heart Association.

Unfortunately, Filipinos with hypertension are not aware of their condition until they begin to suffer illnesses that have associated complication with hypertension. “Hypertension per se does not kill, but the complications are the ones that disable and kill a hypertensive,” said Dr. Rafael Castillo, a cardiologist at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital.

Complications Hypertension is the primary factor underlying strokes and stroke-related deaths. “Too much pressure can cause the bursting of a vessel – especially if that vessel has been weakened by age and the excess pressure of hypertension,” explains Dr. Julian Whitaker, author of Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat, and Reduce High Blood Pressure.

“Hypertension also contributes to atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, the narrowing and stiffening of the arteries that increases the likelihood of blood clots cutting off blood supply,” Dr. Whitaker continues. “When either of these scenarios occurs in an artery in the brain, the result is a stroke. There is a reduction in oxygen supply to that area of the brain, followed by cell degeneration and death.”

A lesser-known outcome of hypertension is memory loss and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “It is believed that hypertension’s adverse effects on the brain are caused

d e tection comes late in many cases so that in 59 percent of patients detected by physicians for the first time. “Which might be too late already,” he lamented, as the harm has already started even before these people get treatment.

by the relentless pounding on the small vessels in the brain,” Dr. Whitaker writes.

The brains of patients with hypertension actually shrink – by as much as 20 percent, according to some studies.

Hypertension also accelerates the aging of the kidneys. High blood pressure damages the arteries and arterioles that supply blood and nutrients to the kidneys.

As these arteries become stiff and less elastic, blood supply to the kidneys is reduced or, in some cases, cut off, causing damage to the kidneys themselves.

“Severe high blood pressure causes kidney malfunction over a relatively short period of time; however, even milder forms of uncontrolled hypertension can damage kidneys over several years, with no evident symptoms until severe damage has already occurred,” Dr. Whitaker claims. “Poorly controlled high blood pressure is responsible for approximately 25 percent of all cases of chronic kidney failure.”

Understanding blood pressure Blood pressure (BP) varies naturally over a person’s life. “Infants and children normally have much lower

blood pressure than adults,” notes The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Among adults, BP increases with age.

Activity temporarily affects BP, which is higher when a person is active and lower when a person rests.

BP also varies with the time of day: It is said to be highest in the morning and lowest at night during sleep. These variations are normal.

“When blood pressure is checked, two values are recorded,” the Merck manual informs. “The higher value reflects the highest pressure in the arteries, which is reached when the heart contracts (during systole).

The lower value reflects the lowest pressure in the arteries, which is reached just before the heart begins to contract again (during diastole).

Blood pressure is written as systolic pressure/diastolic pressure -- for example, 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). This reading is referred to as ‘120 over 80.’”

A person is said to be hypertensive if he or she has persistent elevations of BP: a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg (millimeters mercury) or a diastolic blood pressure of more than 90 mm Hg. An individual has a mild

hypertension if the systolic BP is between 140 to 159 mm Hg or the diastolic BP is between 90 to 99 mm Hg. When the systolic BP is higher than 160 mm Hg or a diastolic BP is greater than 100 mm Hg, a person is said to have a moderate to severe hypertension.

Hypertension is called the “silent killer” for its lack of symptoms and can go undiagnosed for years. In the Philippines, majority of those with hypertension don’t even realize they have high blood pressure.

“Practically nine out of 10 hypertensive patients have uncontrolled blood pressure which make them good candidates to develop heart attacks and strokes, or literally drop dead before they could realize what was wrong with them,” said Dr. Esperanza Cabral, who used to head the Philippine Society of Hypertension.

Studies have shown that only 14 percent of Filipinos with hypertension are aware of their condition. Of those who know they’re hypertensive, only half are taking medications; and of those who are taking medications, less than half have their blood pressure controlled to optimal levels.

According to Dr. Castillo,

Treatment High blood pressure with no known cause is called primary or essential hypertension.

“Between 85% and 90% of people with high blood pressure have primary hypertension,” the Merck manual states.

Although primary hypertension cannot be cured, it can be controlled to prevent complications.

“Because high blood pressure itself has no symptoms, doctors try to avoid treatments that cause side effects or interfere with a person’s lifestyle,” the Merck manual notes. “Before any drugs are prescribed, alternative measures are usually tried.”

For instance, overweight people with high blood pressure are advised to lose weight. “For people who are obese or who have diabetes or high cholesterol levels, changes in diet are important for reducing the risk of heart and blood vessel disease,” the Merck manual says. “Smokers should stop smoking.”

Reducing the intake of alcohol and sodium may make drug therapy for high blood pressure unnecessary.

“Daily alcohol intake should be reduced to no more than 2 drinks,” the Merck manual suggests. “Daily sodium intake should be reduced to less than 2 grams, or sodium chloride intake to 5 grams.”

Moderate aerobic exercise is helpful. “People with primary hypertension do not have to restrict their physical activity as long as their blood pressure is controlled,” the Merck manual says. “Regular exercise helps reduce blood pressure and weight and improves the functioning of the heart and overall health.”

Drugs that are used in the treatment of high blood pressure are called antihypertensives. “With the wide variety of antihypertensives available, high blood pres-

sure can be controlled in almost anyone, but treatment has to be tailored to the individual,” the Merck manual says.

“Treatment is most effective when patient and doctor communicate well and collaborate on the treatment program.”

Prof. Hermann Haller, the director of the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension in Germany’s Hannover Medical School said that for those undergoing medication, it is best to take medication every morning “because the early blood pressure rise in the morning.”

However, “It’s not enough that one takes something for hypertension,” Dr. Castillo said. “It’s equally important that BP be brought down to the desired levels and that the body’s vital organs including the heart, brain and kidneys are adequately protected.”

The recommended BP levels is less than 140/90 mmHg or within the 130/80 mmHg mark in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

According to Dr. Cabral, sustaining the blood pressure within the recommended level can save your life.

“There is as much as 50% reduction in heart attacks; 3540% lesser stroke risk; and 20-25% lower of myocardial infarction with adequate BP control,” the former health secretary pinpointed.

Perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself once you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension is to invest in a home blood pressure monitor. A daily measurement of your blood pressure can indicate whether your medication and home remedies are actually working to lower your blood pressure.

But even if you notice an improvement, don’t stop taking a doctor-prescribed medication unless you have your physician’s approval.

“Hypertension is truly a serious problem that requires more serious attention,” points out Dr. Cabral.

“It’s no longer acceptable that just any doctor can treat any patient with hypertension. Many cases of hypertension are more complicated than they seem.”

13 PROPERTY Matina Enclaves condos B,C now 80% complete D EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

ON’T look now but the first two condominium buildings and some additional amenities of the Matina Enclaves mixed use real estate project are now 80 percent complete.

Davao-based real estate development firm Escandor Development Corporation

(Esdevco) reported its most recent construction updates to its homebuyers and stakeholders.

“We are proud to announce that Buildings B and C of The Residences segment is almost complete. This means we are well on track of the scheduled turnovers,” said Gerald Kent Garces, project head of the Matina Enclaves.

Photos of the construction updates were released recently showing developments in all construction phases and building components.

The swimming pool of the Clubhouse at Matina Enclaves (CAME) is also nearing completion.

The vast residential

complex features three segments— The Plains (ready-to-build lots), The Courtyard (townhouse-type units) and The Residences (condominiums)—complete with exclusive amenities, perimeter fence, elevated grounds, underground drainage, park-themed walkways, multi-functional Clubhouse, kiddies and adult pool and the soon-to-be constructed Arcadia, a state-of-the-art recreational and leisure facility.

The Matina Enclaves is conveniently located at Quimpo Boulevard in Ecoland, a stone’s throw away from major shopping malls, universities, golf course and restaurant strip.

For inquiries and oculars, please visit its showroom at Genesis Building, Ecowest Drive. (NJB)

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EDGEDAVAO Sports 15 GenSan boxer fights Estrada in Mexico

VOL. 9 ISSUE 161 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 8, 2016

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HILIPPINE super flyweight champion Raymond “Tornado” Tabugon of General Santos City arrived early in Mexico last October 4 to face for-

RAYMOND “TORNADO” TABUGON

Southwoods-Masters closes in on PAL Ladies golf title

D

EFENDING champion Manila Southwoods-Masters is one round away from winning its sixth straight Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub title following another explosive showing Thursday at the Camp John Hay golf course.

The Carmona-based squad collected a tournament-best 155 to open a huge 35-point lead over Cebu Country Club going into the final round Friday.

Fifteen-year-old Mikhaela Fortuna mixed three birdies against the same number of bogeys to lead SW-Masters with 54, a point better than what she produced Wednesday.

Bernice Ilas, 14, and Sophia Chabon, 15 – turned in 52 and 49 points, respectively as SW-Masters totalled 460 points after three rounds of the four-to-play, three-to-count event.

After a poor 130-point effort Wednesday, CCC posted 146 points, but still faced a near impossible task of overcoming SW-Masters’ big lead.

Junia and Irina Gabasa led CCC with 52 and 49 points, respectively while Mary Kim Hong added 45. Ryoko Nagai did not count with 36.

SW-Masters caught everyone by surprise when it fielded its three gunners in the third round despite holding a commanding lead at the halfway mark.

“We thought CCC would field a strong team today. We didn’t want to give up a single point,” said SW-Masters playing captain Marie Claire Ong who nevertheless stopped short of declaring victory.

“We’re just hoping that nothing will happen bad to two of my players in the final round,” said Ong. Pauline del Rosario will lead the SW-Masters squad in the final round.

Meanwhile, Alabang Country Club (ACC) kept the lead in the Founders division after posting 136 points for 412 overall.

Christine Popp starred for ACC with 47 points and got solid support from Jocelyn Garcia 45 and Diane Jang 44.

ACC is 16 shots ahead of Valley Golf South with Tagaytay

Highlands Ladies Chapter and Rancho Palos Verdes tied in third spot with identical 357 points.

In the Sportswriters class, Eagle Ridge built a 15-point lead over Camp Aguinaldo.

Catalina Neish was Eagle Ridge’s top scorer with 43 points followed by Lita Samson 42 and Arlette Dizon 38.

Eagle Ridge has a three-day total of 369 followed by Aguinaldo 354 and Lady Eagles Australian/New Zealand Golfers 333.

Alabang Ladies Golf Chapter led the Friendship division with 295, 21 points ahead of Wack Wack.

Scoring for Alabang Ladies were Vivian Chua 34, Rachel Shah 31 and Gia Suarez 30.

Alabang Ladies has 295 points with Wack Wack and Victorias in second and third spot with 274 and 260, respectively.

Major sponsors of the 72hole championship include Solar Entertainment Corp., Airbus, Business Mirror, Mareco Broadcasting Network, People Asia and Manila Broadcasting Corp.

Other backers are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fonterra, Mega Fiber, Mastercard, Tanduay Distillers and Zalora.

The results: Championship: Manila Southwoods Masters 460 (153, 152, 155) Cebu Country Club 425 (149, 130, 146) Founders: Alabang Country Club 412 (145, 131, 136) Valley Golf South 396 (140, 125, 131) Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter 357 (127, 118, 112) Rancho Palosverdes 357 (125, 120, 112) Del Monte 214 (111, 103, 132) Manila Southwoods Legend 341 (110, 113, 118) Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club 332 (120, 101, 101) The Orchard Team 1 329 (131, 95, 103) Sportswriters: Eagle Ridge 369 (121, 125, 123) Camp Aguinaldo Team A 354 (119, 119, 116) Lady Eagles Australia/New Zealand Golfers 195 (98, 97, 138) Camp John Hay Golf Club 330 (106, 116, 108) Manila Golf & Country Club Inc. 329 (108, 103, 118) Davao City Golf Club 326 (109, 111, 106) Apo Golf 326 (115, 112, 99) Bacolod Golf & Country Club 314 (94, 97, 123)

mer world champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada of Mexico on October 8 at the Estadio Francisco León García in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico.

Tabugon and his team arrived via Los Angeles, USA according to his manager Jim Claude Manangquil, chief executive officer of the Sanman Promotions.

“Tabugon’s preparation is OK. And he is good to go for Oct. 8,” Mananquil said.

Tabugon, also a former International Boxing Organization Inter-Continental light flyweight title-holder, has a record of 18 wins with 8 knockouts, 5 losses and one draw.

“I expect Tabugon to fight hard like he always does. This is

a big opportunity for him” said Manangquil.

Estrada, a former WBA super world flyweight and WBO world flyweight champion is toting a record of 33 wins with 22 knockouts and only 2 losses.

The 25-year old Tabugon, however, is coming from a 5th round technical knockout loss against Makazole Tete in their battle for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super flyweight crown held July 29 at the Orient Theatre, East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Tabugon last won against Renante Suacasa by a 6th round TKO win to capture the PBF super flyweight title last March 8 in T’boli, South Cotabato.

“This is a big opportunity

STARS IN PERTH

for me. I am fighting a very good world class boxer but i will not be intimidated and will do everything to get an upset,” said Tabugon.

Estrada, on the other hand, last saw action when he retained his WBA super world flyweight and WBO world flyweight crowns via a 10th round knockout win against Hernan Marquez last September 26, 2015 in Mexico.

Estrada reportedly now also wants a rematch with WBC World super flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (46W-38KOs), who recently retained his title via a UD against Carlos Cuadras last Sept. 10 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, USA. DEBUTING IN PERTH. Roger Federer will kick off his 2017 season in Perth.

Federer, Kyrgios to play in Hopman Cup

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

O

njb@edgedavao.net

RGANIZERS of the annual team tennis tournament Hopman Cup here has confirmed that former world no. 1 Roger Federer is coming to play in January.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner Swiss will compete at the 29th staging of the Hopman Cup from January 1 to 7 as part of his buildup to the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion will join Belinda Bencic for Switzerland at the eight-team tournament which runs from Jan. 1-7.

The Hopman Cup is an annual international eightteam indoor hardcourt tennis tournament held in Perth, Western Australia in early January each year, which plays

mixed-gender teams on a country-by-country basis.

Eight countries will be playing in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

The championship is named in honour of Harry Hopman (1906–1985), an Australian tennis player and coach who guided the country to 15 Davis Cup titles between 1938 and 1969.

Australians Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova were also confirmed to return in defense of the title they won this year when they became the first home squad since Mark Philippoussis and Jelena Dokic in 1999 to win the Hopman Cup. Kyrgios says ‘’Australia

GOING FOR HISTORY. Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova of Australia will try to

F SOUTHWOODS, 10 become the first Australain team t win back-to-back titles.

hadn’t won it for a long, long time so, to be coming back there, it’s pretty exciting to be defending the title.’’

Also in the field will be Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe from the United States, and Petra Kvitova and Adam Pavlasek from the Czech Republic.

Former world No.7 Richard Gasquet will team up with Kristina Mladenovic for France.

Spain’s four-time Davis Cup champion Feliciano Lopez and Lara Arruabarrena will make their Hopman Cup debut next year.

And Heather Watson is back with world No.56 Daniel Evans to represent Great Britain.

The four teams join American’s Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe; the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova and Adam Pavlasek and Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Andrea Petkovic, as some of the biggest names in tennis are set to start the New Year in Western Aus-

tralia.

In total, four current top 20 players, nine current top 40 players and nine players who each recorded career-high rankings in 2016 will be vying for the Hopman Cup title in January.

The field boasts seven Grand Slam champions across both singles, doubles and mixed doubles and four Olympic medallists.

Kyrgios and Gavrilova aim to become the first duo to defend their Hopman Cup title in the tournament’s history.

Hopman Cup Tournament Director Paul Kilderry is delighted with the confirmed field for 2017.

“Four top 20 players and nine top 40 players will be in Perth in January,” Kilderry said.

“We have Roger Federer, 17-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, returning to Perth for the first time in 15 years.

“Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova will be back to defend their title for Australia.

The public loved these two and I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to putting on a show for the fans next year.

F STARS, 10

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