Edge Davao 9 Issue 186

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES USED TIRE RACE. Young boys try to outrun each other in a race using old motorcycle tires inside Sta. Ana Port area in Davao City yesterday. Boys used to be crazy about this race before the advent of the internet and digital gadgets. Lean Daval Jr.

GOING GLOBAL MSMEs set to expand business in international markets

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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HEMED, “Growing Global MSMEs”, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gathered for the 3rd National MSME Summit on November 10 to 11, 2016 at the SMX Davao Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City.

The summit was spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) and in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) — Go Negosyo.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya viewed the summit as an opportunity to discuss gaps, challenges, and opportunities in developing and improving

the participation of MSMEs in the local and global markets.

“We also look at it as an avenue to come up with new strategies and identifying policy recommendations that will help the local enterprises move up the value chain,” she added.

The undersecretary pointed out that the country’s MSMEs, which make up 99.6% of the Philippine enterprises, have the potential to create productive employment and promote economic growth as they become part of the global supply chain.

“By participating and engaging MSMEs to various MSME development initiatives of the government, DTI aims to empower them to become more competitive and innova-

tive to foster their participation in the global markets,” Maglaya said.

Mary Ann Montemayor, MSME private sector representative for Mindanao and President of Davao Ecocrafts Association, stressed during her welcome speech the importance of DTI’s GO Negosyo’s Kapatid Angat Lahat Program, an initiative aiming to develop programs that partner MSMEs with established medium and large enterprises as part of their value chain in order to sustain inclusive growth.

“Kapatid Angat Lahat Program will largely assist our MSMEs to become sustainable entrepreneurs and not just surviving entrepreneurs”, said Montemayor with reference to

the program founder Joey Conception.

The summit highlighted sessions on promoting creativity and innovation, inclusive financing, enhancing productivity and efficiency, and entrepreneurial ecosystem for MSMEs. The event also served as the culminating activity of the various MSME activities and regional and provincial consultations conducted across the country as presented by USec Maglaya on the MSME Development Report 2011-2016.

The results of the recent report and the outputs of the summit were consolidated to craft the new framework for MSME development dubbed, “Philippine MSME Development Plan 2017-2022”.

EDGEDAVAO Sports

Bob Arum remains hopeful of rematch P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

VISIT TO MALAYSIA. A crowd of elated supporters use their smartphones to take a snapshot of President Duterte as he arrives at the Grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 9, 2016 to meet members of the Filipino Community. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./Presidential Photo

New traffic scheme to be implemented next week

A

NEW traffic scheme will be implemented starting next week in two major thoroughfares in Davao City to address road congestion.

The Davao City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will implement the ‘experimental loading and unloading segregation scheme’ along Pichon Street (formerly Magallanes Street) and a portion of McArthur Highway.

Engr. Froilan Rigor, speaking for the CPDO, said the experimental scheme will start on Tuesday.

“It will be implemented on Tuesday next week with signages indicating specific areas for predetermined routes, and we are asking for the public’s cooperation,” he said.

He said the scheme intends to modify and train the riding habit of the commuters, stressing that largely the riding public affects the attitude of the PUV drivers.

“This is our way of alleviating the traffic issue in the city without spending much.

Instead, we should bank on the people’s behavior,” Rigor said.

There will be separate stops for public utility jeepneys and taxis.

F NEW, 10

Fake cigarettes, smuggled items worth P65M seized

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UTHORITIES have intercepted PHP65 million worth of fake cigarettes and other smuggled goods in Davao City.

The team headed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Port of Davao, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) uncovered the illegal on Tuesday after conducting an inspection of eight different warehouses in Barangays Uyanguren, Sta Ana, and Obrero.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon issued a mission order to the enforcement team that conducted the operation.

Out of the eight warehouses, six of them were found to have contrabands stuffed in

2,542 boxes.

The confiscated items were imitations of cigarette brands Mighty & More and Two Moons, fake Baoma mosquito killer products, and whitening lotions.

Authorities conducted the inspection after receiving an intelligence report on bogus cigarettes which were being smuggled into the city.

According to BOC Inspector Jonel Pogoy, the confiscated goods allegedly belong to Taiwanese nationals Shi Yue Qun and Benedict Rene Tan. The seized goods were hauled and kept safe at the Port of Davao for processing, and will later on be destroyed.

(PNA)

Comelec to continue registration of voters

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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HE Commission on Elections in Davao region (Comelec-XI) said the agency is now gearing up for the continuation of the voters’ registration in January next year, in accordance to the provision of the Voters Registration Act of 1996, particularly Section 8.

Comelec Assistant Regional Director Atty. Marlon Casquejo told reporters that they are targeting to around 5 million newly-registered voters nationwide and from

20,000 to 30,000 new voters in Davao region.

Target on the number of new registrants in the region can be attained as the poll body will now have longer registration period, he added.

“We are expecting more than 55 million voters for next year’s elections, with the inclusion of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters aged 15-17 years old,” Casquejo said.

Comelec will also have

more satellite offices to reach targets as part of the preparations for the upcoming Barangay and SK elections.

“We have an average of 100 registrants in a day – hindi namin yun maaabot (quota) pag doon lang kami sa office,” he explained.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated on October 25, 2016, Comelec will conduct the registration period for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from No-

vember 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017 including Saturdays and Holidays except on December 24 and 25, 2016 and April 13 and 14, 2017.

Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections.

3,095,187 registered for the Barangay and SK elections.

The law on the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on October 15, 2016.

the blast that killed 15 persons and wounded 70 others.

Hao said the suspect voluntarily surrendered due to increasing police and military pressure.

With De Roma’s surrender, authorities now have custody of eight suspects involved in blast.

Authorities earlier arrested in Cotabato City last Oct. 29 the four members of Maute Group identified as Mohammad Lalaog Chenikandiyil alias Datu Boi, Jackson Mangulamas Usi

alias Abu Mansor, Zack Villanueva Lopez alias Haron and Ansan Abdulla Mamasapano alias Hamsa.

Authorities also defused an improvised explosive device (IED) found in the residence Chenikandiyil in Barangay Rosary Heights 7 in Cotabato City.

Chenikandiyil and the other three suspects were all arrested by the military and police in operations conducted in Ilang-Ilang St., Tamontaka, Cotabato City.

Recovered from Che-

nikandiyil and his group were assorted firearms and ammunition, a hand grenade and two IEDs made out of 60mm mortar and 105mm howitzer mortar.

The arrest was carried out based on the search warrants issued by Judge Bansawan Ibrahim of Regional Trial Court Branch 13.

Joint police and military operations last Oct. 4 resulted in the arrest of TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Factural, and Musaili Mustapha. (PNA)

Another blast suspect surrenders A

NOTHER suspect in the Sept. 2 Davao City bombing surrendered to authorities in Cotabato Thursday morning, a Philippine Army official said.

Army Spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the suspect was identified as Jerico Javier De Roma, 25, a member of Dawlah Islamiyah Fi Lanao Cotabato Chapter (Maute Group). He surrendered to authorities around 5:30 a.m.

De Roma was the driver of the group responsible for

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Cases of violence vs. media submitted to Malacanang

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STREET PROJECTS. Heavy traffic greets motorists and the riding public along E. Quirino Avenue as one portion of the street is closed due to the restoration of the road upon the completion of Davao City Water District’s water pipe rehabilitation in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

CENRO warns vs burning of wastes

By RIA VALDEZ

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HE City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Davao City warned the public against burning of solid and domestic wastes, emphasizing the practices’ damaging impacts to human health and the environment.

CENRO’s Virgie Pusod told reporters in a press conference at Davao City Hall on Thursday that individuals caught burning solid and domestic wastes will be fined P300 and to undergo

one day seminar on solid waste management.

“It doesn’t matter what (kind of solid or domestic waste) you burn, you will still be fined,” Pusod said.

A total of 29 violators were already fined last year but Pusod cannot figure out the exact number of persons caught this year.

But she hinted that the number of violations since January until October is lesser compared to 2015.

For the strict compliance of residents, CENRO deployed personnel and enforcers in various garbage collection points in the city.

She also encouraged residents to continue to report burning of solid and domestic wastes in the area.

to return in the country as he would be fetched by a team from the Philippine National Police (PNP) next week from the UAE, Aguirre said.

He said three PNP officers are set to leave on Sunday for Abu Dhabi for this purpose.

Aguirre said once Espinosa arrives, he will be brought to the PNP custodial center first before he could be turned over with his sworn statement to the WPP custody.

Kerwin’s father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was earlier tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the politicians linked to the illegal drugs trade, was shot and killed along with another inmate at the Baybay Provincial Jail last November 5.

Aguirre said that the government needs to be extra careful in securing Espinosa following the killing of his father.

The DOJ has already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the mayor’s killing during a supposed shootout with policemen serving a search warrant on gun charges.

Aguirre said Espinosa’s family also have to be secured

since he also expressed fears for their safety.

“I was told even the family because of what happened to his father, Kerwin is afraid of his safety as well as that of his family. So either we are going to accept him at the WPP kasama

Disposal of medical wastes Pusod also called the attention of medical facilities and hospitals in the city to dispose

medical waste in their respective septic vaults.

“We do not allow hazardous medical waste in the city landfill,” she pointed out.

A waste facility designed to dispose bio-hazard wastes especially from medical facilities is now operating in the city.

The Rad Green Solutions, she said now serves various private hospitals in the city through its bio-medical waste facility that feature located in New Carmen, Magtuod.

Kerwin Espinosa wants to be placed under WPP

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OLANDO “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr., the alleged bigtime drug lord in Eastern Visayas, seeks to be placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) once he returns to the country from the United Arab Emirates.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the statement after he received a letter from the Philippine ambassador to UAE Constancio R. Vingno Jr., saying Espinosa has expressed intention to be placed under the WPP. “He could qualify for WPP because he appears to be not the most guilty (in the drug trafficking crime). When there’s someone else from the government, then that person could be the most guilty,” Aguirre told reporters in a press conference.

Aguirre said Kerwin must first execute an affidavit before he can be admitted to the WPP. He said that while the affidavit executed by his father lost its probative value, he could corroborate it through his own affidavit.

Espinosa, who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates after months of hiding is set

yung pamilya nya (Either we are going to accept him alone or we will also place his family under the WPP),” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson who spearheaded the probe on the killing of the

F KERWIN, 10

HE Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media submitted on Thursday to the Office of the President a detailed report, including all documents, on all existing cases of violence against media workers in compliance with the directives of President Rodrigo R. Duterte under Administrative Order No. 1.

Task Force Executive Director Joel Egco turned over the documents to Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra in simple ceremonies held at the Premier Guest House in Malacañang.

Present during the turnover rites were representatives from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Na-

tional Police (PNP), Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP).

Egco said that as per AO No. 1, the task force was directed to conduct an inventory of all cases of violence against media workers committed by state and non-state forces from all government agencies as well as non-government sources, specifically independent and non-partisan international and national human rights organizations and groups.

The Task Force was also directed to submit a detailed report within the first 30 days of its creation.

AO No. 1 was signed by President Duterte on Oct. 11, 2016.

The documents submitted by the Task Force were placed in two boxes that contained all necessary data on all existing unsolved and pending cases of

F CASES, 10

P10-M heavy equipment burned by armed men

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HIRTY five heavily-armed men, believed to extortionists, torched more than PHP10 million worth of heavy equipment in separate incidents in Sarangani and Davao Del Sur Wednesday.

This was disclosed by 73rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ronnie Babac in a statement Thursday.

He added the first incident took place 3:20 p.m. at Sitio Ulas, Barangay Alegria, Alabel Sarangani Province where private company Jun Yi Enterprises, which was based in General Santos City, was conducting quarry operations.

At this point, 25 armed men appeared out of nowhere and held at gunpoint the civilians and torched their backhoe and 10 wheeler dump-truck.

Damage was placed at more than PHP10 million. Investigations indicated that the suspects were extortion from

the company but the latter refuse to give in, triggering this attack which fortunately left no one hurt nor killed.

The second incident took place 9:00 p.m. at Barangay Manga, Matanao, Davao Del Sur. Initial reports disclosed that one Canter Elf Truck owned by Councilor Melanie Maniapao was intentionally burned at her residence.

Authorities are still determining the exact cause of damage in the second incident.

Around 10 men, armed with AK-47s and pistols, conducted this atrocity after which they immediately fled aboard four motorcycles.

“We will support the PNP in investigating the crime and closely monitor the whereabouts of the perpetrators to ensure that justice will be served to the owners of the heavy equipment,” he added.

(PNA)

CHRISTMAS DECORATION. Electricians from the City General Services Office (GSO) install Christmas decorations at Quezon Park in Davao City yesterday in preparation for the upcoming yuletide season. Lean Daval Jr.

5 SUBURBIA You, too, can fly in Sarangani P55-M abattoir in Kidapawan eyed I EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

SPENT so much of my childhood fancying of being a pixie or being able to try a magic carpet ride.

I have rocketed through a zip line and hopped in a helicopter but they were not even close to flying.

It was until a few days ago, overlooking the breathtaking Sarangani Bay and suspended in straps attached to an inflatable canopy, I was able to fly.

Thirty minutes away from General Santos City lies Safi Ranch Paragliding Fly Site, the largest paragliding arena in the Philippines. It is located in Sitio Seguil, Barangay Tinoto, Maasim, where it offers about five kilometers of ridge for

a year, from 7am to 1pm for flying makes it the paragliding capital of the country,” said Michelle Solon, provincial and regional tourism council president.

Last October 29-31, 23 international and local pilots and a thousand spectators gathered in the 1st SOX Paragliding Costume Fun Flying and Air Sports Festival in celebration of the National Fun Fly. Paragliding is the art of free flight and dependent on weather and wind conditions.

More than a thousand feet above sea level, I and my tandem pilot Darvin Villanueva who has long been an SPC

flying; comfortable trainers or rubber shoes, pullover and jeans.

After 10 minutes of soaring, we landed safely. The landing area is 300 ft. away which is perfect training ground for beginners.

Nine-year old Rain Oncada, a learner, is being taught of ground handling and kiting skills. Enrollment is open to all ages for P35,000.

On the first day, the skies looked like hosting an air parade with the mass takeoff rehearsal/synchronized flying of pilots.

Rounds of air parade and a costume flying contest was participated in by 17 pilots.

paragliding soaring and flying.

It was five years ago when paragliding was first introduced in this site by a group of paraglide enthusiasts –- the Sarangani Paragliding Club (SPC).

“Sarangani has the longest paragliding window in the country with 300 days

member, had a gentle takeoff because of the beautiful weather.

Tandem flight costs P3,500 which includes a video footage. But a promotional discount of P1,000 was given from October 29 to the 6th of November.

Proper attire is needed for

Winner Randel Raymundo represented a creative giant Christmas star in which he brought home the top prize of P15,000. Others resembled an eagle, a grim reaper, a dinosaur and there were some who wore a scuba gear, ski and a giant Deuter bag.

In accuracy competi-

The pledge or “Manifesto of Support” that signified commitment to work handin-hand to boost the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS program in Malita was also signed by the participants during the activity.

Aside from Malita, other towns in Davao region have also signified their commitment to implement the scheme under the Kalahi-CIDSS program.

These include New Bataan in Compostela Valley province and the towns of Cateel and Caraga in the province of Davao Oriental.

This procedure will also transition to LGU–led Community-Driven Development (CDD) implementation after the municipalities have satisfactorily completed the two cycles of program implementation.

“It is the goal of the program to provide well performing Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities the grant intended to support their efforts in integrating CDD approaches

and strategies in the Local Planning Processes to address poverty,” said DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

“I am truly overwhelmed how Kalahi-CIDSS program enriches the lives of the Malitanos, I have seen the influence and effect of the program to communities. The community volunteers’ skills were enhanced through its capacity building activities,” shared Jean S. Bautista, Municipal Area Coordinator for Kalahi-CIDSS, as she conveyed the message in behalf of Mayor Bradly L. Bautista.

Bautista added that on the third cycle of the program, the community volunteers should embolden their volunteerism in the program. She noted that the values and lessons that they learned during the first and second cycles must be applied properly.

Presently, the municipality of Malita has completed 35 sub-projects in 30 barangays with a total grant allocation of P 40,000,000.00.

tion, winner Carlaa Montero brought home the first prize by doing a perfect takeoff, airborne and landing stints.

“Paragliding is now one of the rising extreme sports in the country where it brings ecotourism and livelihood to the community,” said tourism regional director Nellie Dillera.

Other paragliding sites are found in Cavite and in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Way back 2012, Sarangani has been identified as a good flying site for paragliding. Armand Dard, a French national and a visiting paragliding professional instructor, told Sarangani Information Office then that “this is my second time in the Philippines and my first time in Sarangani. Last year I did some paragliding in Carmona, Cavite and also in Boracay but this place which I discovered one month ago is a better flight site.”

“It has comfortable take off and landing sites,” Dard noted. “It also has a big landing site comfortable for beginners and you can fly almost every day.”

Dard conducted paragliding international standard trainings to members of the Sarangani Paragliding Club.

“You ask what is the next big thing in Region 12, we are crossing our fingers -- but I believe in a heartbeat, it’s going to be paragliding in Sarangani.

It is definitely a #1forfun!” said Solon four years ago.

Sarangani hosted the International Paragliding Accuracy Competition (IPAC) in 2014 and a leg in the Paragliding Accuracy World Cup (PGAWC) in 2015. (Cherry Marie Irish D. Cruz/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

T

HE city government here, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), is bullish on the construction of a PHP55-million commercialized - Double “A” slaughterhouse for clean and safe meat expended in the locality and the rest of the region.

Once completed, the facility would have a capacity of producing 100 butchered livestock per day, which is also sufficient to distribute secured meat nationwide.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said talks are underway between the city government and DA Assistant Secretary for Livestock Dr. Enrico Garzon for the settlement of the project’s design and equity scheme for both parties.

The proposed project site is in a five -hectare government -owned lot in Barangay Kalaisan here.

It would become the

fourth Double ‘A’ abattoir in the region once it operates, Evangelista noted.

The project component includes the main meat cutting facility, cold storage, and water treatment facility to ensure water safety.

“This is very potential in generating revenue, employment, and can serve as a training center to those who wish to work abroad”, the mayor stressed.

He said preliminary documents such as the land use plan, building plan, and resolution from the local council and application of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are now being prepared for the venture.

The DA, for its part, is also drafting a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the proposed tie up. (PNA)

DSWD, Malita ink MOA on Kalahi-CIDSS LGU-led implementation

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HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the municipality of Malita in Davao Occidental province recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Local Government Unit (LGU)-led implementation of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

The formal signing was facilitated at the Sto. Rosario Parish Seminar Hall in Malita town.

Prior to signing, Fidel U. Diaz, Kalahi-CIDSS Construction of Classrooms for Lumad (CCL) focal person gave an orientation to the beneficiaries including some of the municipal and barangay officials in the area on the program and its underlying requirements.

Local chief executives and DSWD representatives confirmed their commitment to support Kalahi-CIDSS through the signing of the MOA.

From 2014, Kalahi-CIDSS has completed 338 community sub-projects in 27 covered municipalities in Region XI. Meanwhile, Kalahi-CIDSS has recently conducted an orientation on the institutionalization of Community-Driven Development – Local Planning Process (CDD-LPP) for cycle three implementation in identified municipalities in the region.

Attended by Local Chief Executives (LCEs), Vice Mayors, Sangguniang Bayan Representatives, and members of Municipal Inter Agency Committee (MIAC), the orientation aimed to assess the municipalities’ performance using the LGU Capacity Assessment Tool that measures good governance at the local level.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development program of the Philippine Government aiming to empower people through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance, and management of poverty alleviation projects. (DSWD)

DSWD extends aid to families displaced by flooding in Sultan Kudarat town

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HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office XII, continues to provide resource augmentation to the local government of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat to meet the needs of families affected by flooding due to heavy rains in the town that started on November 6.

The DSWD has already provided P1,260,600 worth of relief assistance, while the Kalamansig Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) extended a total of P421,600 worth of aid. However, additional relief supplies are still needed since 37 houses have been partially and totally damaged by the floods.

As of 6pm yesterday, report from the DSWD- Disaster

Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), the number of affected families in need of assistance reached to 4,214 or 21,070 persons in seven barangays in Kalamansig.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo already directed the FO-XII to maintain its coordination with the local government of Kalamansig for additional assistance.

“Our communication with the LGU of Kalamansig remains tight for request for technical assistance and resource augmentation. We will also assure that social workers and disasters teams will continue to assess the damages brought by the heavy rains for distribution of appropriate aid to displaced families,” she said.

EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Businesse to benefit from President’s trips P HILIPPINE businesses can benefit from the President Rodrigo Duterte’s visits to various countries depending on the country’s policies crucial to attract or retain investments.

“The state visits are useful (but) at the end of the day, (it is) still the domestic policy and the environment that will attract (investments),” said University of the Philippines (UP) Asian Center professor Aileen Baviera roundtable forum at

Lido Restaurant in Quezon City Wednesday.

Baviera thus underscored the importance of building infrastructure and creating environment conducive to investments.

“The bigger part is the homework that you need to do to attract them (investors), to keep them here,” she added.

President Duterte recently visited China and Japan as well as Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam and Laos. (PNA)

PHL exports recover in September: PSA A Agrarian beneficiaries ask DAR RALLY. Some 140 officers and members of the Davao Marsman Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DAMARBDEVCO) hold a peaceful rally against the revocation of their lease contract with the Marsman Estate Plantation, Inc. (MEPI) by the Presidential Agrarian Reform

FTER 17 months of decline, Philippine exports recovered and grew by 5.1 percent in September 2016, boosting total merchandise trade by 9.8 percent to USD 12.3 billion during the month.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) attributed the growth of exports to upticks in all commodity groups, except forest products.

Merchandise imports in August 2016 surged by 13.5 percent to USD 7.1 billion on the back of hefty increases in capital goods and consumer goods.

“Exports of manufactured products may continue to firm up in the near term, possibly riding on the growth of the global industry sector,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

Philippine exports for the period rose to USD 5.2 billion as revenues from manufactures (4.8 percent), agro-based (24 percent), petroleum (71.7 percent) and mineral products (4.7 percent) recorded year-on-year expansion.

Most Asian countries also posted gains in exports for September 2016, pointing to a recovery in global trade.

“Recent developments in China and Japan, which are the Philippine’s largest trading partners in Asia, provide good prospects for merchandise trade. The steady growth of China’s economy is a welcome development, and the Japanese government also appears to be on track in reviving its economy,” he said.

Aside from lifting the ban on bananas, China has announced its intention to buy more high-value commercial crops from the Philippines, like mangoes and coconut, as well as high-end fishery products like lapu-lapu, crabs and tuna, Pernia added Meanwhile, the NEDA chief also said that expected upticks in prices of petroleum crude might push up Philippine import payments in the near to medium-term.

The strong outlook of the domestic economy is also seen to prop up purchases of imported goods.

“Amid these mixed developments and with risks mostly on the downside, the Philippines will continue to focus on bringing Philippine exports to more diverse markets,” said Pernia.

He added the country

F PHL, 10

Council (PARC) whose decision to cancel the lease contract was recently announced by Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano. (Back view photo

by John Winston Anthony Y. Ajero I)

Rody’s help in PARC case

ARBs want Duterte to reconsider revocation of contract with Marsman

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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UNDREDS of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who are members of a multi-purpose cooperative are seeking the intervention of President Duterte to stop the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from revoking the cooperative’s lease agreement with a banana company as the revocation will deprive them of their livelihood and other socio-economic benefits that they and their family members are enjoying now.

The group seeking presidential intervention is the Davao Marsman Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DAMARBDEVCO) composed of 459 ARBs, or 60.3 percent of the 761 ARBs of the landholding previously owned by Mars-

man Estate Plantation, Inc. (MEP).

At least 140 DAMARBDEVCO members held a peaceful picket last Monday at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Davao regional office in Catalunan Piqueno, Davao City to dramatize their sentiments.

The group’s sentiments were earlier stated in a fourpage letter addressed to President Duterte, copies of which the aggrieved ARBs distributed to reporters covering the peaceful assembly.

According to Hermando H. Varona, DAMARBDEVCO vice chair, the revocation would deprive the members of the association of the parcels of land that would be distributed among them for free.

“In our contract (between the cooperative and the MEPI),

the company is donating the 800 hectares to the members of the cooperative provided that it be allowed to use it for 30 years. After that it will turn over the land to us for free,” Varona said, adding that the contract gook effect 14 years ago.

The cooperative officer said that they wrote the letter of appeal to President Duterte dated September 18, 2016, after DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano announced in a press conference on September 13th that the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) has decided to revoke or cancel the contract of lease, also called “lease AVA” between DAMARBDEVCO and MEPI. “It is a shock for us to learn that the lease AVA with MEPI, upon which our livelihood

F AGRARIAN, 10

BSP ups inflation target for ’16-‘18 T

AUTO MADNESS. BPI Family Savings Bank’s auto and personal loans retail lending group vice president Dennis T. Fronda delivers his welcome address during the opening of BPI Auto Madness Davao at the activity center of Abreeza Mall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

depends, is now revoked, especially since whatever misgivings and grievances we had with validity and terms of the lease AVA were settled when we entered into an amicable settlement and amendment thereof , in September 2013, after we initiated arbitration proceedings against MEPI. This settlement is embodied in an Award on Agreed Terms, which was subsequently confirmed by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 70, of Pasig on March 13, 2014. With the said award and confirmation of the court, we honestly believed that there is no ground whatsoever to question the lease AVA, much less to revoke or amend the same,” the letter stated.

Varona and other leaders

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) revised upwards its average inflation projection for 2016 to 2018 due partly to the big jump in the September and October inflation rates.

The latest 2016 projection is 1.8 percent, up from 1.7 percent during the MB meeting last September, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a briefing Thursday.

For 2017 and 2018, the new figures are three percent, from 2.9 percent, and 2.9 percent, from 2.6 percent.

Guinigundo attributed the hikes to higher rate of price increases last September and

October, which were both at 2.3 percent from last August’s 1.8 percent, due mainly to the impact of weather disturbances on prices.

He said rebound in the price of petroleum products in the international market was also among the factors in the upward revision of the inflation assumptions for the threeyear period.

Oil prices rose to around USD 50 a barrel last October but has declined to around USD 46 per barrel to date, given the tumult in the global financial market and the planned cut in production levels among members of the

F BSP, 10

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

ECONOMY 7

EDGEDAVAO

FOTON GROUND-BREAKING. TOP executives of FOTON-United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. and FOTON-Antara Ventures, Inc. pose for posterity after the ground-breaking of the future home of the car company in Panabo City with no less that City Mayor James Gamao as their guest. From left to right: Alvin Lu - VP for Dealer Development and External Affairs of FOTON - United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (partly hidden); Romel Diego - AVP for Retail Sales

Bank Financing also of FOTON; Eryx Guiang - SVP for Business Development of FOTON; and Thomas Harrison - SVP for PV & LDT Sales and Distribution, of FOTON;Panabo Mayor Gamao; Tomas Lorenzo, president of FOTON - Antara Ventures, Inc.; Ms Irene Montemayor - business partner of FOTON - Antara Ventures, Inc.; and Buddy Pratte, another business partner of FOTON - Antara Ventures, Inc.

Chickens for every MSME plan to create farming family

more jobs in 6 years

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday bared the accomplishments the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) Development Plan 2011-2016 during 3rd National MSME Summit at SMX Davao Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City.

In a report presented

by DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, she said that within the span of five years, 2.784 million employments were generated, exceeding the 2-million employment target to 139 percent.

“Before the end (of the

year), baka madagdagan pa (maybe it will still increase),” said Maglaya in an interview.

However, the undersecretary emphasized that despite the number of jobs generated, poverty is still widely felt.

With this, Maglaya bared that the new development plan being crafted will target to generate 1.5 million more jobs.

Aside from employment, the undersecretary reported that a total of 664,701 MSMEs (existing/expanding operations) were assisted; ₱69.439B domestic sales, US$108.953B export sales and 180.305B investments were

generated.

Additionally, based on the 2015 BSP report, the banking sector has provided direct lending of ₱204.71B for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and ₱291.07B for the medium enterprises.

Other accomplishments reported are the following: launching 355 Negosyo Centers as of October 2016; establishing 2,099 shared service facilities (SSFs) costing ₱1.081B with 91,116 beneficiaries and generating 52,820 jobs; yielding noteworthy breakthroughs on national priority industry clusters such as increasing Yokohama Tires Philippines

Incorporated (YTPI) local sourcing of natural rubber from 32% in 2015 to 50% in 2016, Coco Coir GeoNet Projects (NIA and DPWH), Cacao Awards/Recognition and organization of fairs and shops.

The MSME Development Plan 2011-2016 was crafted to help create an enabling environment for the establishment, development and sustainability of MSMEs; increase MSMEs’ access to financial products, services, and support programs; increase MSMEs access to domestic and international markets; and increase the level of productivity and efficiency of MSMEs.

their own schedules,” she added in a statement.

Tutay urged jobseekers to take advantage of these job fairs, saying that these are really effective in bringing together employers and job applicants under one roof.

“We encourage our jobseekers to join and participate in these job fairs for it speeds up the meeting of companies looking for potential employees and jobseekers seeking for employment,” she added.

With this, the BLE official reminded jobseekers to bring

with them the following documents before going to any of these job fairs: resumé or curriculum vitaé; 2x2 ID pictures (have multiple copies for multiple applications); certificate of employment (for those who were formerly employed); diploma; transcript of records; and authenticated birth certificate.

She added that the job fairs are in coordination with various employers, local government units (LGUs) through their respective PESOs, academic institutions, and DOLE

regional offices.

The remaining job fairs’ schedules for November are: Nov. 11: LGU President Quirino Municipal Hall Compound; Jose Songco Gymnasium, Cangatba, Porac, Pampanga; City Gymnasium, Valencia City, Bukidnon; Nov. 12: Waltermart Pampanga; Nov. 14: Don Ruben Gymnasium; Gov. Ben Palispis Hall, Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet; Nov. 15: Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Brgy.

DOLE to hold 23 job fairs in 9 regions T

HE Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday announced the conduct of 23 job fairs in nine regions this month.

According to Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay the job fairs are initially scheduled this month in Regions 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, Cordillera Administrative Region and Caraga.

“We expect the number of job fairs for November to increase as soon as other DOLE regional offices have finalized

F DOLE, 10

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is now mulling to provide the more than 2 million Filipino farmers in the country with chickens with a purpose of sustaining their livelihood and also serve as source of food.

Speaking before reporters in a press conference at the Apo View Hotel on Thursday, agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said “every Filipino farmer deserves a brood of

chickens.”

When materialized, the program will involve the provision of 10 hens and two roosters to every farming family in the country.

Such number of hens can produce approximately 150 eggs a month, and can produce around 45 chicks if at least 30 percent of such number of eggs are hatched, the secretary pointed out.

F CHICKENS, 13

Davao-based oil firm now open for business

By RIA VALDEZ

P

ETROFUSION and Energy Corporation (PEC), a new player in the fuel and lubricants distribution industry, officially opened its business in Davao City with the launching and blessing of its main office at Unit 66, 6/F Landco Corporate Center last November 8.

PEC is a homegrown oil company based in Davao City and is affiliated with RDR Fuels Trading and Services Inc. in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The company is also a partner and holder of exclusive distribution rights in Mindanao of the products of PTT Public Company Limited, a leading oil and gas brand from Thailand, Aside from its partnerships with big and interna-

tional corporations, PEC is also into marketing their own brand of fuel called “Fusion.”

This is according to Edgar Alerta, Vice President in Marketing and Operations of PEC. “Our biggest edge is, we not only make our own brand, but we are also dealers of different oil companies,” Edgar Alerta, vice president in marketing and operations of PEC told reporters on Tuesday.

The company has been into selling of petroleum products that include diesel, unleaded and regular fuels since 2015 when it was still based in Manila, Alerta added.

He also clarified that aside from their own product, PEC is also into dealership of fuel products from other oil com-

F DAVAO-BASED, 13

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

EDITORIAL

B

Roadmap to Federalism

ANGSAMORO first, then Federalism. That looks like the roadmap in the transition process to Federalism as being planned by the administration.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza bared this plan recently. The plan will have the passage of a new Bangsamoro enabling law moving alongside efforts toward implementing a federal form of government. That plan is aimed at what Secretary Dureza said “immediately addressing the historical injustices and end decades of armed conflict in Mindanao.”

The roadmap, Dureza revealed, will have the Bangsamoro law in place and make it operational as federalism will be a longer process.

The Bangsamoro enabling law will be drafted by the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to ensure inclusivity in the proposed legislation and the full implementation of signed peace accords.

By inclusivity means, Dureza did explain that when a new law comes out that will replace the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), it should come from the Final Peace Agreement that was signed in 1996 with the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and will likewise draw provisions of the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front).

Relevant provisions in the ARMM law and the IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) may also be inserted so that eventually the law, that the Congress

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would pass which would entrench and establish a new government unit for the Bangsamoro, enjoins everyone not only the MILF and the MNLF).

Last Monday, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the executive order establishing an expanded BTC that will be tasked to draft a new enabling law for the implementation of all signed Bangsamoro agreements.

The BTC was first convened in 2014 through Executive Order No. 120 which gives the body the mandate: to draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro; and to recommend to Congress or the people proposed amendments to the 1987 Philippine Constitution whenever necessary.

A close scrutiny of the CAB will tell us that powers between Central and the Bangsamoro Governments are significantly shared and well delegated.

Essentially, that is a feature common to federal governments.

Given that outlook, this could only lead us to one thing—the BTC would precede the transition to federalism, which is the advocacy of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Now, whether the BTC will be constitutionally compliant and will pass Congress, and then proceed to be a successful case in the implementation stage with the Bangsamoro are all, for now, speculations. These are important scenarios because without these events collaborating positively, the future of federalism hangs in the balance.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 181 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

So, you want to travel abroad?

S

INCE time immemorial, man has traveled. The Bible, for instance, is replete of people who traveled from one place to another. In the book of Exodus, Moses led his people out of Egypt.

In the New Testament, Paul chronicled his visit to various places through his epistles. Matthew wrote the story of the “wise men” who traveled from east to Jerusalem looking for the Holy Child so that they could worship Him. Today, traveling has become a major part of life for modern man. This is especially true in Asia, where you could go and see mesmerizing locations, eat exotic foods, and immerse in a totally different culture. “Travel broadens the mind, flattens the finances, and lengthens the conversation,” Lois Haase once said.

Here are some basic rules to keep in mind when traveling abroad: Secure a passport from any offices of Department of Foreign Affairs. A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies the identity and nationality of its holder for the purpose of international travel. A passport entitles the passport holder to return to the country that issued the passport. The elements of identity contained in all standardized passports include information about the holder, including name, date of birth, gender and place of birth.

Get a travel visa for countries that require it. A visa (from the Latin charta visa, literally “paper that has been seen”) generally gives non-citizens clearance to enter a country and to remain there within specified constraints, such as a time frame for entry, a limit on the time spent in the country, and a prohibition against employment.

Among the countries that are frequented by Filipinos and required a visa include the United States, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Egypt, and South Africa. However, there are less than 40 countries Filipinos can visit and most of these are the neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, some countries in South America, and in Africa.

Let’s take a closer look at Asia. In Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, a Filipino can stay up to 30 days without visa. In Israel, it’s up to 90 days but only up to 21 days in Cam-

H

OW did President Rodrigo Duterte react to the news that Donald Trump had just been elected as the 45th President of the United

States?

“Wala” (No reaction), Duterte’s Special Assistant, Secretary Lawrence Christopher “Bong” Go, said in reply to MindaNews’ query Wednesday afternoon when the President was about to leave Bangkok en route to Kuala Lumpur. By then, Trump’s opponent, former Senator and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, had phoned the Republican candidate that she was conceding the race to him.

But speaking before the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday night, Duterte said, in jest, that he does not want to quarrel with anyone because “andyan na si Trump” (Trump is here).

“Ayaw ko nga, sabi ko, makipag-away kay andyan na si Trump (I do not want to quarrel because Trump is here),” Duterte said, but quickly added: “I would like to congratulate President Trump. Mabuhay ka. Pareho tayo nagmumura. Konting rason lang mura kaagad. Medyo pare-pareho kami” (Long live. We’re the same. We’re fond of swearing even for a minor reason).

Duterte during the campaign had been described by international media as the “Philippines’ Donald Trump” or “Trump of the East” because of similarities in their manner of talking, like mouthing expletives, sexist remarks and profanities, among them. Duterte detested the comparison.

“Donald Trump is a bigot, I am not,” Duterte

bodia, Mongolia and Vietnam. In THINK ON THESE! Brunei and Hong Kong, a Filipino is allowed to stay only up to 14 days if he has no visa.

Get ready.

Get to know the country you’re visiting. Buy a travel book and a map of the city you’re going to. Henrylito D. Tacio Get phone num- henrytacio@gmail.com bers of your friends or relatives who may be living in the area (just in case you get lost).

Be sure to have all the necessary documents: a valid passport (check six months’ validity), visa (if the country you’re entering requires it), plane tickets, letters from your sponsors (if you’re invited), identification card, and other pertinent papers. If possible, make a check list and check all items you put into your luggage. That way, you won’t miss anything.

In addition, read up and make sure you know what you need to know. Before leaving, get some firsthand information from your government through its travel advisory. Ask friends or relatives for tips. Read news stories about the country you’re visiting. But don’t believe everything you read or hear.

Have yourself (and your companions) get vaccinated – if needed. There is no point spending hours choosing your swimwear, beach bag and flipflops if you barely think about the bugs and other health risks that could ruin your holiday. Infectious diseases can make you very sick, spoil your holiday and even kill or disable you. Vaccinations protect you against many travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A. Observe regulations when checking in. Be at the airport at least two hours before departure.

Carry-on luggage must fit under the seat or in an overhead compartment. Dangerous articles such

as compressed gases, explosives, flammable liquids and solids, and poisons and infectious substances, are not allowed in carry-on luggage.

Do not carry prohibited drugs. In most Asian countries, travelers found carrying illegal substances undergo the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Expect the unexpected. Losing a luggage is one of the most-often complaints of air passengers. If you lose your luggage while flying, seek help from airline personnel and present your luggage tags, advises the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA). If the airline locates your luggage, ask to have it sent to your hotel. If you lose your baggage outside the airport, inform local authorities.

What if you lose your travel documents? The PTAA suggests that you present photocopies of your documents – if you have them. Be prepared for delays. If you lose your plane ticket (these days, e-ticket is more preferable), inform your travel agent or airline so they can send you a substitute ticket. If you lose your passport and/or visa, you can no longer continue your trip. Visit the nearest embassy to arrange for temporary travel documents.

As a result of losing your visa or passport, you need to cancel or reschedule your trip. To do this, call your travel agent or airline. There is usually a last-minute penalty for cancellation. In some instances, penalty can be waived for valid reasons like sickness or death in the family – but be sure to present pertinent documents.

Pick your seat. A 2007 study by “Popular Mechanics” found passengers sitting at the back of a plane are 40% more likely to survive a crash than those sitting in the front. Although the article quotes Boeing, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a website on aircraft safety, all claim there is no “safest” seat. The article studied 20 crashes, not taking into account the developments in safety after those accidents. However, a flight data recorder is usually mounted in the aircraft’s empennage (tail section), where it is more likely to survive a severe crash.

Secure travel insurance. This is intended to cover medical expenses, financial default of travel suppliers, and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one’s own country, or internationally.

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are: medical emergency (accident or sickness), emergency evacuation, repatriation of remains, return of a minor, trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidental death, overseas funeral expenses, lost, stolen or damaged baggage, personal effects or travel documents, delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items), missed flight connection due to airline schedule, and travel delays due to weather.

Don’t be afraid of flying. “There’s still this mystique about flying,” said Ron Nielsen, a retired US Airways pilot who’s found a second career counseling people who are afraid to fly, was quoted as saying by “The Seattle Times.” “There’s a fear of being closed in, and there’s a fear of dying.”

A 10-year average of US National Safety Council statistics from 1996 to 2005 showed only two people died in commercial airline crashes per 10 billion miles traveled. That compares to a death rate of five people per 10 billion miles on passenger trains. And in cars, 81 people died for every 10 billion miles traveled.

Enroll in a frequent-flyer program. It is a loyalty program offered by many airlines. Typically, airline customers enrolled in the program accumulate frequent-flyer miles (kilometers, points, segments) corresponding to the distance flown on that airline or its partners. There are other ways to accumulate miles. In recent years, more miles were awarded for using co-branded credit and debit cards than for air travel. Acquired miles can be redeemed for air travel; for other goods or services; or for increased benefits, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access, or priority bookings.

“Airlines generally award one air mile for every mile flown on a full-price flight, and some airlines even give a reduced allocation on discounted flights,” informs the Asian edition of “Reader’s Digest.”

To end this piece, the statement of Paul Fussell seems to apt: “All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.”

a President of a country and we have this splendid relations with America and the fact that there are already millions of Filipinos (in America).”

“I cannot gamble an answer. Because either way, it would affect, you know, they might create a hostility here, antagonism here. So I am better off in saying that my favorite hero is Putin,” Duterte said.

Asked by the same reporter how he feels about being compared to Trump, Duterte said Trump was raising valid issues. “Trump is airing something which .. should also be a concern. One is terrorism. Everybody should be worried about terrorism. And of course, in this modern world, multicultural countries, there should be some, some semblance of, your know, acceptance and maybe, especially in the matter of religion, tolerance….”

He explained that “Americans somehow, not all, somehow provided the reasons for the terrorist, terrorism there right now…. With those images on TV and on the Facebook, you have created so much terrorism in your time. That is what I can say honestly, my observation about America. You have imported terrorism to your land.”

But Pimentel, the first Mindanawon Senate President (his son and namesake is the incumbent Senate President) added that with four million Filipinos in the US, “inevitably, their interests and their sentiments will most likely temper Presidente Duterte’s tendencies to fly off the handle in defining the new directions of Philippines-US ties.”

“In the meantime, let us focus on pushing for federalism as a means of speeding up our economic development and providing for the most expedient and doable way for our country to end the fratricidal war among the Muslim and other minorities that has caused the loss of so many lives of fellow Filipinos over a long period.”

Reiterating the need to adopt a foreign policy that promotes our best interests socially, economically and politically, Pimentel explained that “because of unwarranted Chinese incursions into the West Philippine Sea, we should realize that protecting our rights under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) needs US support.”

“We do not have the capability to repel Chinese creeping imperialism into our domains like the Scarborough Shoal by our lonesome,” he said.

He said Duterte is right in “befriending our erstwhile hostile neighbor,” describing it as a “good move but not to the extent that we, in effect, bow to their claims of ownership over the Scarborough and other shoals, islets etc. that are w/in our EEZ [exclusive economic zone] as defined by UNCLOS.”

Duterte to Trump: “Mabuhay ka” MINDAVIEWS

BY CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS said in March, referring to Trump’s proposals to ban Muslims entering the US and to erect a wall along the Mexican border.

The Democrats’ Clinton, wife of former President William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton, won by a slim margin the popular vote (59,882,064 votes or 47.7% over Trump’s 59,662,744 votes or 47.5%) but lost the electoral vote to Trump (279 against her 228). It takes 270 electoral votes to win the US Presidency.

“I say it is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said in his victory speech, as he called on the Republicans and the Democrats to work together.

Common friend: Putin Trump and Duterte have a common friend, though: Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Duterte referred to as “my favorite hero” last month when an American journalist asked upon Duterte’s arrival in Davao City from China, “who would you get along with the best in the White House, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump?”

Duterte replied he would like to answer the question candidly, honestly and truthfully “but I am

Clashing views For former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., “clashing views from two off-the-cuff thinkers (Duterte and Trump) who seem to spit out their views at the call of the moment, is bound to happen.”

10 NEWS New... FROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

Under the scheme, public utility vehicles are required to strictly unload and load passengers from corner Anda Street and Pichon Street, near Grand Menseng Hotel.

The scheme will also be applied in front of NCCC Mall in Matina for PUVs going south and Maa areas.

The scheme grouped PUVs according to routes: South 1 Group or S1 Routes: Calinan, Tugbok and Mintal South 2 Group or S2 Routes: Bago, Aplaya, Pangi Unloading and Loading Area: In front of NCCC Mall Allied 1 or A1 Routes: Jade Valley, Buhangin via JP Laurel, Bajada Allied 2 or A1 Routes:

Ecoland, Matina Crossing, Talomo, Ma-a, Agdao, Matina Aplaya Unloading/Loading Area: In front of Grand Menseng Hotel Maa 1 or M1 Routes: Maa, Magtuod, Langub Unloading/Loading Area: Beside NCCC Mall, Maa Road Circulatory 1 or C2 Routes: 01A, Route 01B, Route 05B, Route 09, Route 15 Circulatory 2 or C2 Routes: 02, Route 03A, Route 03B, Route 10 Unloading/Loading area: In front of Magallanes Elementary School It is expected that the scheme will also be implemented in other areas in Davao. (CIO)

violence against media under the PNP Task Force Usig and AO No. 35 of former President Benigno S. Aquino III. “We have also included recent cases of incidents of violence against the media like the alleged assassination attempt of a broadcast journalist in Pangasinan,” Egco said.

He said that the task force had also included data coming from the media as part of a move to further expand the sources of information.

“We would now harmonize all the data to come up with the guidelines that would

enable us to act effectively on all the cases,” Egco said.

Meanwhile, Guevarra said that the turnover of the report is not the end-product of the task force but only the beginning.

“After the inventory of all the cases, the task force would now act into these cases with priority given to unsolved cases. For pending cases or those undergoing trial in the various courts, the main concern of the task force is to ensure that investigations or court proceedings are actually moving to our satisfaction,” he said. (PNA)

DOLE... FROM 7

Dapdap Multipurpose Bldg.

Madapdap Resettlement, Dapdap, Mabalacat City, Pampanga; Nov. 18: Capitol Lobby, Isulan, Soccsksargen; 3rd Floor Mess Hall, Iloilo City Hall, Iloilo City; 5th Floor Abanao Square, Baguio City; Nov. 19: Covered Court, Pandi Residence I, Brgy Mapulang Lupa, Pandi, Bulacan; Nov. 23: Esperanza Gym-

nasium, Sultan Kudarat; Nov. 26: Bohol Cultural Center, CPG. Avenue, Tagbilaran City; Alturas Mall, Bohol; Nov. 28: SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City.

The public may also visit the www.philjobnet.gov.ph/ jobfair- schedule, for regular updates on the DOLE’s yearround job fair schedules and venues. (PNA)

of the cooperative gave a copy of their petition to Agrarian Reform Regional Director John M. Maruhom after they staged a short rally just outside the DAR regional office. Maruhom allowed the rest of the rallyists to stay inside the gymnasium of the regional office.

Later, DAMARBDEVCO manager Elsa Bo-o informed the media that Maruhom assured the group that he will submit copies of their position paper to President Duterte, who is the chairman of the PARC. and DAR Secretary Mariano.

Rizalito A. Abunda, a member of the board of directors, said that if the contract is revoked, “it would be very difficult for us to earn what we are earning now.”

“We need the status quo so that we will continue to live the comfortable life that we are having now,” he said.

In their position paper, the group said the PARC did not inform them that it would convene and decide to recommend the revocation of the contract. The PARC convened on September 12, a national holiday commemorating the Islamic pilgrimage month.

The position paper also pointed out that two other cooperatives – the Sto. Tomas Individual Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative and the Sto. Tomas Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative – which it claimed were the minorities, “had every opportunity to fully ventilate their side.”

“We, the majority that stands to be the most affected by the revocation of the

lease AVA, were left out and deprived of the reasonable opportunity to express our position for the consideration of the PARC in coming up with its decision,” it added.

The cooperative turned down the explanation of Secretary Mariano that the lease AVAs must be cancelled because the beneficiaries were not the ones controlling the land.

“It should be noted that we freely and voluntarily entered into the said contract as the new owners of the land.

We did so because as employees of MEPI, we experienced it was very efficient and effective into operating the plantation and maximizing the use of the land,” the ARBs argued in the letter.

It added that one advantage of the ARBs under the contract is “that we will not have to pay amortization for the lands awarded to us and will be given decent employment.”

It added that contrary to the position of Secretary Mariano, the farmer-beneficiaries have control of the land as lessors and they exercise the right to negotiate for better terms by availing of our rights under the arbitration clause (of the contract).

The banana industry stakeholders in the Davao Region earlier cautioned the department about its move to review the existing agri venture agreements (AVAs).

In a statement, the stakeholders said that the review, which Mr. Mariano ordered after assuming office, might impact on the trade agreements

that President Duterte secured when he visited China and Japan.

The statement said: “(The) government policy and consistency also play a very vital role in the stability of supply of banana and strategic direction of investors who are contemplating to invest in large-scale banana farming.”

In a previous statement, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said the review of the AVA has worried its members because these are contracts and with government intervention, this might allow them to stop their plan to expand in the country.

Stephen A. Antig, executive director of the association, earlier said: “Regulating these agreements will just drive away the companies.”

The President’s visit to Japan last month resulted in a P5-billion deal between banana exporters and importers which stakeholders said would provide better source of income for agrarian reform beneficiaries and even former communist rebels who have left the armed movement.

In that agreement, the Japanese fruit distributor Farmind Corp. will e help farmers have livelihood activities through the industry, said Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez who claimed that the company’s president Tatstuo Horiuchi.

Speaker Alvarez said he asked Horiuchi “if he could help the Philippines, especially the CARP [Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program] beneficiaries, the rebel return-

ees, if they could commit to buy quite a number of fruits coming from the Philippines at a good price.”

Horiuchi was quoted in the report as saying that his company would even source about 20 million boxes of bananas from the Philippines, or about a third of the volume of the Japanese market.

Former Agriculture secretary and presently Bohol Rep. Arthur C. Yap said the increase in the demand for Philippine banana in the international market would even need about 25,000 hectares to be added to about 85,000 hectares at present.

Congressman Yap, who was with Mr. Duterte’s delegation to Japan, said: “Two-thirds of poverty is in the agriculture sector. That’s why we welcome this news from Farmind, that they want to procure at least 20 million boxes every year.”

The country is also expecting more volume for two other crucial markets, China and Iran with Mr. Duterte visiting China even before his visit to Japan.

The banana import to China has suffered a boost after the country early last month lifted its ban on the fruit which it issued in Mach due to sanitary and phytosanitary issues.

Last year, China imported about $157.5 million of bananas from the Philippines.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III was also reported to have met with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammad Tanhaei with the latter assuring the Philippines that his country would increase its banana imports from the country.

Cases... FROM 4

Agrarian... FROM 6

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

RECYCLED SIGNAGE. Employees of the city government of Davao walk by an old Christmas greeting signage which will be cleaned and used for this year’s City Hall Christmas decorations. Lean Daval Jr.

Kerwin... FROM 4 Albuera town mayor says the government must protect Kerwin once he is brought back to the Philippines, as he can identify his protectors in government.

Sought for a comment on

the ongoing Senate hearing, Aguirre urged Senator Leila de Lima to inhibit in the investigation on Mayor Espinosa’s killing since she was implicated by the latter in Kerwin’s illegal drugs operations. (PNA)

would maximize opportunities from existing free trade deals, most notably the recently signed Philippines-Eu-

ropean Free Trade Association agreement, along with improved bilateral relations with China. (PNA)

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Another factor is the weakness in the Philippine peso, Guinigundo said.

The local currency has depreciated to 48-level to date after starting the year at 47-level because of volatilities due mainly to the anticipations for an increase in the Federal

Reserve rates.

“We’ve seen how the peso depreciated in recent months and this is expected to contribute to more inflationary pressures for the next two years,” Guinigundo added.

On Thursday, the local currency finished the trade at 48.66, sideways from the previous day’s 48.59 close. (PNA)

hospital points out.

It’s also possible that health conditions related to stress — such as anxiety, depression, and isolation from friends and family — may be linked to heart disease, “but there’s no evidence they’re linked to high blood pressure,” the Mayo Clinic says.

consequences of high blood pressure can be compounded by tobacco use, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, lack of physical activity, as well as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes. The presence of multiple risk factors will more alarmingly increase the odds of heart attack and stroke for affected individuals.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Amado I. Nazal, medical director of Pharex Health Corp., urged hypertensive patients to comply with the medication schedule even when symptoms are not surfacing. He also advised to maintain a healthy diet aside from taking the prescribed medication.

“Without complying with your therapy, your health will eventually deteriorate, leading to a lower quality of life -- or even death,” Dr. Nazal told Vital Signs, a monthly publication for health professionals. “Embarking on a lifestyle journey is not one-time travel -- it is a life’s worth of adventure you can give to yourself, and someday, you’ll thank yourself if you did.” (Photos from the net)

PHL... FROM 6 BSP... FROM 6

HEALTH... FROM 12

Do something Hypertension be controlled -- but only if you find it first. As Dr. Enrique Ona, former health secretary, puts it: “Detecting high blood pressure is the first step in preventing and controlling it; when people know their blood pressure level, they can take steps to control it.”

However, Dr. Ona also emphasized the need to tackle other risks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in addition to high blood pressure. “Addressing high blood pressure should be addressed with the other risk factors under the total risk approach for managing NCDs,” he said.

“This is because that NCD risks factors add up, and the health

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

ARTS AND CULTURE

EDGEDAVAO

Rebel with a cause DAVE RAPHAEL IBAO OR WHAT HE APTLY BRANDNAMED HIMSELF, “DABO”, LOOKS LIKE THE STEREOTYPICAL YOUNG, “STARVING” ARTIST THAT LIVES A HIPPIE LIFE BY THE BEACH SIDE, with nothing but a backpack full of art paraphernalia and a surfboard tucked under his arm, and a free-spirited “dude” that sleeps on a hammock under the stars—the epitome of a wanderlust bohemian artist.

Surprisingly though, Dabo wasn’t born that especially awesome…he grew up like everybody else in Davao City—went to one of the best schools, proceeded to college and like everyone else, conformed to Davao’s lifestyle and society.

“After graduating in Ateneo high, I took up architecture in their university but was not able to continue due to personal reasons and besides that, I played musical gigs all over the city that preoccupied me and fuelled my passions more,” Dave reminisced.

Deciding to quit the university, he decided to commit to his artistic hunger and enroll in Philippine Women’s College’s Fine Arts painting course under the tutelage of the local and internationally established painter, Sir Rodney Yap. “When I was a child in school, I have been really active and recognized in art contests but I had no formal training then, it was only during in my painting classes that I really learned how to nearly perfect my linedrawings in order to come up with realism style art. Ironically though, since my mind was free of art theo-

ries and technicalities before Art College, I was easily able to create abstract paintings. However, now, I find that my mind is rigid with rules that I need to learn how to break them in order to come up with abstract style works that I deem good enough,” the young artist states.

During his years in PWC, Dabo has won numerous recognitions for art contests joined by the school. One of which is Shell’s major annual art contest where Dave became one of the national finalists.

Although he is young and is slowly but surely making his mark in the city’s art scene, Dave’s works and potential style is evident of great things to come. “I still can’t say that I have already developed my own style, I am still in my journey in really discovering my true “signature”.

For now, I am exposing myself to numerous inspirations and mediums through experimentation,” Dave confesses.

The artist’s works are truly a chameleon of styles that is flexible for

THEKATCLOSET A4

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NO

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EVENT

SCARED T

By Neil Bravo Photos by Gabriel De Cadiz

THE ROYAL MANDAYA HOTEL’S BALLROOM was transformed into energy-filled Halloween blowout last 31.

Dubbed as “Ex-FEAR-ience the beat!”, the A Eve-themed party featured adrenalin-inducing t the collection of electro beats spun by Davao’s m DJ Torch along with DJ Adonis and MC LEM, a ral set up and so many flashing lights that one’s nona simply would just lose it.

Bacardi took charge of the Bar that night an of all bourbons just raised the energy level notch Guests came in with their spookiest costumes night wore on, some ghouls are just a lot creepie creative they deserved to take home the bounty

by The Royal Mandaya Hotel and the event’s spo GM Benjie Banzon and savvy marketing wiz M doing the honors.

Juhn Juhn Catre’s creation of “Dantalion” costume contest in the Adult category running 92.33% score from the judges and won P3,500.

Gilbert Glen Tura’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” came with 88.33% winning P2,500, and Orly Espedilla place in “Serafina” with 86.67% and won P1,500 In the Kid’s category, Jovanne Siacor won in na” costume, earning 93.33% of the scores and P2,000. Daniella Ang donned a “Maleficent” and took second place with P1,500 while Jay-Ar J raded with a “Dark Evil Queen” and got a 88% good for third place and P1,000.

OVEMBER 11, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

TO THRILL

S ROYAL a raging October

All-Hallows tracks from master mixer supernatus inner Wi-

nd the beast hes higher. s and as the er and more y thrown in onsors with Meg Jolejole

topped the g away with

e in second a took third 0. n a “Serafitook home for 90.33% Janarin pascore that’s

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGE DAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

A4 INdulge!

ARTS AND CULTURE THEKATCLOSET A1

any purpose and theme.

Still, his inner voice still radiates through his personal interpretation and dignity. Dabo’s living style and artistic goal is very transcendent for his age and goes against the grain of our society’s norm. He is active and freely gives his time and effort when it comes to promoting, not only Davao’s indigenous culture, but also modern environmental and societal problems.

“A few months ago, a group of artists and I went to conduct an art workshop for the prisoners at Davao City Jail and painted a big mural of hopes and dreams for their rehabilitation program,” Dave humbly shares. The artist, out of his own time and materials, painted a mural in dedication to the conservation and planting of mangroves upon hearing about the news about the government’s plan on destroying a particular area

by Magsaysay Park. “The way I see it, Davao is so full of potential to become a great Art City, if only people will support locally and learn to appreciate our own people more.

We need to create more programs by ourselves

for ourselves in order to help different sectors of our city,” Dave passionately says. And with that, I agree with him a hundred and ten percent!

We may not have been all born awesome, but it is in our power and responsibility to create our own awesomeness. We can all be good rebels with different causes that can help our city be greater than great!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Megaworld nets BPI Family Auto Madness P9.27 B in 9 months

back in Davao, Cebu B

PI Family Savings bank is again all set to help fulfil another Filipino family’s dream of getting their own car as it brings its second wave of mall-based Auto Madness sorties to a complete circle in the cities of Davao and Cebu this week.

The Davao leg will be held on Nov. 10-13 at the Abreeza mall, while the Cebu is sched-

uled to begin on Nov. 11 until Nov. 13 at Ayala Center Cebu.

Davaoenos and Cebuanos who dream of having their own cars will have the chance to make it happen at the BPI Family Auto Madness, as BPI Family Savings Bank brings the car buying experience closer to everyone, with over 20 car models to choose from all under one roof over. Own-

ing your dream car is also made affordable through special rates and exclusive deals from BPI Family Auto Loan and partner car dealers.

BPI Family Auto Loan enables you one to own your dream car the soonest possible time through expert financial advice from BPI Family Loan Advisors present in any of the BPI Family Auto Mad-

ness sites, fast and easy application process, and affordable monthly payment terms.

With BPI Family Auto Madness, Davaoeno and Cebuano families may find the best way to make this Christmas season meaningful and complete.

For more details about BPI Family Auto Loan, visit bpiloans.com.

P

ROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. on Wednesday said its net income surged by 11 percent in the first nine months of 2016 on strong rental sales.

Net income reached Php 9.27 billion in January to September from Php 8.35 billion during the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues grew 5 percent from Php 33.53 billion to Php 35.26 billion.

“Our fundamentals remain strong and we are happy to see that our anticipated aggressive growth in our rental businesses continues,” said Megaworld treasurer Francis Canuto.

Rental income, which comes from the company’s expanded office and commercial retail portfolio, soared 15 percent to Php 7.41 billion in the first nine months from Php 6.44 billion during the same period last year.

During the past months, Megaworld has opened new malls and commercial centers in its various integrated urban townships, particularly Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill, Forbes Town Center, Iloilo Business Park, The Mactan Newtown, and Twin Lakes; and new office towers in McKinley West, Uptown Bon-

ifacio, The Mactan Newtown, and Iloilo Business Park.

It also expanded its hotel portfolio with the introduction of another local hotel brand, Belmont Hotel, which launched its first hotel in Newport City late last year, in addition to its homegrown Richmonde Hotels in Eastwood City, Ortigas, and Iloilo.

“What we are now witnessing is the transition of Megaworld from being just a builder into becoming a landlord. This means that the company will be insulated from any cyclicality from the residential business while having steady or even higher growth moving forward,“ added Canuto.

Earlier this year, Megaworld unveiled its 21st integrated urban township, the 140-hectare Maple Grove in General Trias, Cavite.

The development’s masterplan is to have an eclectic mix of residential, office, retail and institutional components in an environment friendly community.

Another vast township is scheduled to be launched before year-end, bringing the company’s number of townships across the Philippines to 22 this year. (PNA)

Chinkee Tan to hold seminar in Davao Sparkle safely this Christmas season P O

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

NE of the best gifts that everyone prays for on this holiday season is the safety and wellness of our loved ones.

There can be no better blessing than being part of a healthy family celebrating each Christmas and New Year.

As part of our family, Davao Light and Power Company would like to give you some thoughtful reminders for your safety this Yuletide season: 1. Protect yourself. Always be on the look for fallen power lines, bare wires, or any power cord which may cause electrocution upon contact.

Always assume that these lines are live and potentially dangerous.

Keep clear by a distance of 10 feet from overhead wires and avoid touching anything that is in direct contact with power lines such as Always look for authentic ICC stickers when buying Christmas lights.

ladders, especially when putting up those Christmas parols.

2. Check everything. Check each set of lights before plugging them in. If they are not new, chances are they may be broken, frayed or some of its bulbs may have already burned out. Check as well the wattage of your replacement bulb and make sure it is of the same wattage.

3. Examine what you purchase. When buying new Christmas lights, make sure that they

have authentic Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers either on their boxes or on the wires. You should also see to it that the labels on the box include the name, address and trademark of the importer or the distributor of the Christmas lights.

These precautions will assure you of products that passed the electrical safety tests.

4. D.I.Y. only what you can.

The safest way to avoid electrical accidents is to have accredited electri-

cians handle electrical problems beyond your fixing knowledge and skills. Making sure that your wirings at home are properly maintained is the best way to keep your house safe from possible fire and electrical disasters.

These steps may take a few more minutes of your time when you shop or decide on your holiday decors but will keep your home and family safe from the harm that neglect may bring. Have a bright Christmas!

OPULAR wealth coach and motivational guru Chinkee Tan is coming to Davao City to hold a seminar “How To Become A Master Prospector” on December 13.

The event will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at D’Leonor Hotel in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

Tan is a wealth coach and motivational speaker whose been active in the direct selling industry from 1992-2006.

Occasions First and Chink + is calling out all entrepreneurs, students, young professionals, online sellers, real estate agents, marketing professionals, car dealers, brokers, freelancers, direct selling companies and multi-level marketing companies as the seminar will teach how to motivate prospects to join business ventures or buy the products one is selling.

Tan will also teach the techniques on how to master the art of prospecting.

Tan is also a Bestselling Author of five books on finances, positive lifestyle and prosperity, he is also a radio personality in a segment on 92.3 NewsFM entitled “Chink Positive.” He is one of the most trusted voices on Money Matters and serves as a Resource Speaker for Major Broadcasting Networks such as GMA7 and ABS-CBN. Occasionsfirst Events Connection is an event-organizing venture providing clients with hassle-free solutions for specialized events. It has successfully catered corporate events, bazaars, trade fairs and seminars.

Interested parties may buy their tickets at Macho-Mucho SM Ecoland, The BoardRoom in JJS Commune, Obrero, H & R Tavels Abreeza and in House of Nails, The Shoppes at Woodlane, Diversion Road, Ma-a.

For inquiries, call at 0923 822 8425/0948 920 5709 or e-mail at occasionsfirst@ gmail.com.

12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Control that blood pressure!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

BOUT 76% of Filipino business owners are highly stressed, according to a survey conducted by the Grant Thornton International. The result: less productivity and more work absenteeism.

Aside from affecting one’s work, work-related stress may also have an impact on his or her quality of life (QOL), the study found out. Defined as “the general well-being of individuals and societies,” QOL has a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, politics and employment.

“Prioritizing work over quality of life could only do harm than good,” said Thomas Marcelo G. Agana III, president and chief executive officer of Pharex Health Corporation.

“The quality of your work, for one will be affected. When that happens, everything will follow.”

Work-related stress, he pointed out, may lead to poor work output and eventually affecting employees and customers.

But work-related stress may not only affect the output but also the health of the person. Foremost is hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Currently, 28% of Filipino adults have hypertension or high blood pressure.

Out of the 28% of Filipinos with hypertension, 9% are unaware of their disease and 19% are unaware of it, according to Dr. Jorge Sison of the Council on Hypertension.

Stubborn problem Health authorities consider hypertension a stubborn problem because it involves so many of the body’s interlocking systems, and lying at the center of it all is the heart. Blood travels through our body by flowing through arteries, carrying oxygen-rich blood from our heart to other tissues and organs. Once oxygen is delivered to our tissues and organs, oxygen-poor blood travels back to our heart through our veins. Our heart then pumps this blood into our lungs, where it is replenished with oxygen. After returning to our heart, the blood is pumped out into our arteries again.

Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by blood against artery walls as it circulates through our body, explains Dr. Willie T. Ong, an active consultant in cardiology at the Manila Doctors Hospital and Makati Medical Center. Normally, people have certain standards of BP, with a reading of 140/90 considered the median or average. The upper number, called the systolic, refers to the pumping capability of the

heart, while the lower number, termed the diastolic, refers to the pressure exerted by the blood vessels all over the body.

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. The Merck Manual of Medical Information says that 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.

Many things can cause blood pressure to rise. When we are asleep, our blood pressure is low because our body needs less oxygen-rich blood when it is at rest. On the other hand, when we are exercising,

our body’s demands are greater, and so our blood pressure increases.

“It is perfectly normal for your blood pressure to rise and fall in response to your body’s needs throughout the day,” says Dr. Ong.

Complications Majority of Filipinos with hypertension, however, have no symptoms and many 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, past president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension.

Dr. Rafael Castillo, a cardiologist at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital, noted that detection comes late in many cases so that in 59% of patients detect-

ed 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.

“Hypertension is the leading risk factor for heart attack, or myocardial infarction,” informs Dr. Julian Whitaker, author of Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat, and Reduce High Blood Pressure. “A heart attack occurs when part of the heart’s blood supply is suddenly reduced or cut off; usually do to a blockage in one of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart. The portions of the heart muscle that cannot get adequate oxygen and nutrients die. The more extensive the damage, the more serious the heart attack.”

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. Whitaker.

“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.”

The Department of Health reports that heart disease and stroke remains the leading causes of mortality, comprising 35% of total deaths, among Filipinos. Philippine Health Statistics data show that in 2009, about 167,000 Filipi-

nos died from heart disease and stroke. Half of these tragic deaths are likely related to high blood pressure.

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 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.”

The Mayo Clinic clarifies that until now, there’s no proof that stress by itself causes long-term high blood pressure. It may be that other behaviors linked to stress — such as overeating, drinking alcohol and poor sleeping habits — cause high blood pressure. “However, short-term stress-related spikes in your blood pressure added up over time may put you at risk of developing long-term high blood pressure,” it Minnesota-based

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

Chickens... FROM 7 In his estimate, each farming family will have an additional income of P4,500 per month if the program is implemented.

As an initial approach, Piñol said he already directed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to start a nationwide immunization program to all

chickens in the country starting next year.

The aim is to eradicate avian diseases such as fowl pox, NCD (Newcastle Disease) and Avian Influenza.

Immunization will also give chickens high chances of survival when these are distributed to farmers.

panies such as Shell and Caltex.

Fusion, he added, are now being sold to public through Caltex stations nationwide.

PEC is also planning to establish its own gas stations in the country and solely distrib-

ute its own Fusion products to customers, he said.

To start, the company is now studying the restoration of old gasoline stations in Tagum City as well as in the town of Makilala in North Cotabato.

Davao-based... FROM 7

JASKIN PAWNSHOP Notice of Auction Sale

All Jewelry and other items pawned at Jaskin Pawnshop San Perdo Street, Davao City during the months of March to June 2016 if not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on November 17, 2016 at our pawnshop premises.

Nov. 09,10,11, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

NBI files raps vs De Lima, 17 others T HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed several charges before the Department of Justice against former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima and 17 others, including former government officials and inmates for their alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said the charges were based on the findings of their investigating panel from the affidavits of witnesses who appeared before the House Committee on Justice, the NBI also conducted interviews and collected documentary evidence to support their complaint. ”We filed cases against 18 individuals the basis yung iba nagbigay ng individual statements assisted by counsel, yung iba from house probe affidavits,” Lavin told reporters.

In a 20-page complaint, the NBI asked the DOJ to conduct preliminary investigation on De Lima for violation of Sections 5, 26 (b), and 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165), qualified bribery (Revised Penal Code) and Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), violation of An Act Punishing the Receiving and Giving of Gifts of Public Officials and Employees

(Presidential Decree 46) and Section 7 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).

Also charged were former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Franklin Bucayu, former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan, NBI Deputy Director Rafael Ragos, De Lima’s former security Joenel Sanchez, her former driver Ronnie Dayan, a certain Wilfredo Elli, Jesusa Francisco, Lyn Sagum, Julius Rejuso and a certain Alias George are facing a complaints for for direct bribery and violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, PD 46 and Section 7 (d) of RA 6173.

The high profile inmates namely Jaybee Sebastian, Herbert Colanggo, Engelbert Durano, Vicente Sy, Wu Tuan Yuan alyas Peter Co and Jojo Baligad are facing raps for violation distribution of illegal drugs which is punishable under RA 9165.

“It is evident from the revelations of numerous witnesses as detailed in their sworn affidavits that herein subject Senator Leila De Lima [and the other government officials in the complaint] were fully aware of the unlawfulness of their actions yet, still actively conspired with their superiors,” the complaint stated.

The NBI said De Lima from January to November 2014 received PHP3 million every month in drug money from

Colanggo which she allegedly requested to raise money for her upcoming senatorial bid, adding that the amount was received by the then DOJ chief through her security aide, Sanchez.

It said that from March to May 2015, De Lima also received PHP10 million from Sebastian coursed through Sanchez.

It added that in the latter part of 2014, De Lima attended a meeting held inside Sebastian’s ‘kubol’ inside the NBP attended by Baligad, Rodolfo Magleo, Jaime Patcho and German Agojo where the said gang leaders were ordered by Sebastian to produce funds for De Lima’s senatorial bid.

It was also in this meeting, the NBI said that the drug operation was “centralized” with Sebastian as the head.

De Lima claimed that she could not tolerate the illegal activities being conducted inside Bilibid which was why she started the series of raids inside prison.

But the NBI said if De Lima wants to clean Bilibid, “this panel could not possibly fathom the idea that upon the culmination of the raid, Jaybee Sebastian, regarded by numerous personalities as the most powerful and influential drug lord inside nBP was peacefully left to himself inside his ‘kubol’ without so much as a cursory search.”

“These circumstances

only cement the allegations propounded against her that Jaybee Sebastian, the figurative goose that lays the golden eggs, enjoyed her protection,” the NBI said.

Baraan according to the complaint received PHP1 million sometime in 2013 from Sy for his transfer from the Sablayan Prison Farm in Occidenta Mindoro to the NBP, PHP1 million in 2011 from Sy for the transfer of inmate Co to Iwahig in Palawan and PHP600,000 in 2014 from Sy for Co’s release from ‘bartolina.’

Baraan also allegedly received from PHP150,000 to PHP500,000 from Colanggo’s talent manager Renante Diaz which was coursed through Francisco and Sagum As to Bucayu, the NBI said he also received a weekly “tara” from high-profile inmates beginning in his term of PHP100,000 each while in 2013, he received PHP100,000 to PHP200,000 two to three times a month from Sy. From January to November 2014, Bucayu received according to the NBI PHP1.2 million each month.

Ragos on the other hand demanded a weekly payment of PHP100,000 from high-profile inmates Co and Froilan Trestiza in 2013 while in December 2012, he also received from Trestiza PHP200,000 in exchange for his transfer from the ‘bartolina’ to the maximum security compound. (PNA)

14

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

BRING IT ON

Bob Arum hopeful of rematch

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

OOKS like things are looking up to a rematch of the fight the world wants to see. Again.

Popular boxing portal TMZ Sports reported yesterday on its website that rumours are rife Mayweather is on the verge of confirming his comeback.

The talks came after Mayweather was spotted at Pacquiao’s recent victory.

TMZ said new WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank remains hopeful a rematch deal can be done.

“I haven’t spoken to Mayweather yet, but he was at the fight and seemed to enjoy it so I’m optimistic about

it,” Arumwas quoted telling TMZ Sports. “I’d have to say it’s more favourable than not that a rematch will happen but I’m not certain of it. I haven’t spoken to Floyd or his people yet.”

Asked on his thoughts on Pacquiao’s form and whether he could prepare for Mayweather alongside his duties as Filipino Senator, Arum replied: “I think Manny looks, really, a lot better now.

The two boxing superstars squared it off in 2015 in a fight the world was dying to see. Mayweather kept his unbeaten streak but the win remained cloudy as Pacquiao virtually fought with just one good arm after he injured his shoulder in train-

ing.

“I think we could work all of it out, I really do and I think this time I give my guy Pacquiao a hell of a lot better chance,” said Arum.

TMZ reported that on negotiations for the return, which is not expected to generate monies anywhere near the first meeting in 2015, Arum said: “I think Mayweather, like last time, will fight on percentage. I think he’s open to relying on the public just like Manny is.

“The biggest was the first fight. I don’t think this will exceed the first fight but I’m hoping this will be the second biggest (pay-per-view) of all time,” he joked.

The report said if the

fight happens, it will be on the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

A date of May 6 could be workable for ‘MayPac II’ to take place in Las Vegas, although the two ring legends could face competition from Canelo Alvarez who has made the Cinco de Mayo weekend date his own since Mayweather retired.

To make the fight happen without the complexities of Alvarez’s own schedule, there is the possibility of Canelo featuring on the undercard with a view to facing the winner in September 2017.

Pacquiao has earlier said he would fight Mayweather again “if that is what the fans wanted.”

REMATCH? Top Rank boss Bob Arum believes star fighter Manny Pacquiao is in a better position than in 2015 to inflict a first loss on Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Wolves get first road win

Parks cut from Knicks’ NBA D-League roster Z B OBBY Ray Parks will not be playing for the Westchester Knicks in the upcoming season of the NBA D-League.

After taking him as their eighth and last pick in the

2016 D-League draft, the Knicks bared that Parks was among the team’s final cuts, along with fifth round pick Dane Miller and tryout player Gabe McCray, in finalizing the roster for the new season.

Each D-League team is allowed to submit a lineup of at least 10 players and reserve three slots for NBA affiliate teams to fill up, plus two spots for injured or inactive players.

Parks returned to the draft after his former Texas Legends team, where he averaged 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 32 games last season, chose not to bring him back in their lineup this year.

ACH LaVine scored 37 points and Andrew Wiggins added 29 as the Minnesota Timberwolves won their first road game of the season, defeating the Orlando Magic 123-107 on Wednesday night.

A night after collapsing defensively against Brooklyn, the Timberwolves bounced back with an impressive performance in which they led the Magic by as many as 30 points in the first half. Orlando played better in the second half, cutting the deficit to 11 late in the fourth quarter but Minnesota always seemed to have an answer.

The Magic (3-5) struggled defensively and in the interior with second-year center Karl-Anthony Towns dominating with 20 points and 11 rebounds to help Minnesota (2-5) snap a three-game losing streak.

Nikola Vucevic led the

Magic with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Elfrid Payton had 18 and Evan Fournier added 13.

Five Timberwolves scored in double figures with Gorgui Dieng scoring 12 points and reserve Shabazz Muhammad contributing 13.

Minnesota shot 45 of 87 from the field and 13 of 23 from 3-point range with LaVine knocking down seven for the game, while limiting Orlando to just 38 of 85 shooting for the game.

The Magic easily played their worst half of the season, allowing Minnesota to shoot 59 percent from the field and 69 percent from 3-point range in a half in which they trailed by as many as 30 points. Magic coach Frank Vogel was clearly frustrated, calling several timeouts and experimenting with his rotation, but none of it could prevent Orlando from going into halftime trailing 74-47.

Knicks rip Nets 110-96

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BLUE KNIGHTS. Zhou Go (left) and Lex Blanco (right) provide some offensive for the Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights in the recent 2016 Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) hosted by ADDU in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

ARMELO Anthony scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter, Kristaps Porzingis added 21 and the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-96 on Wednesday night.

Rookie center Willy Hernangomez had a season-best 14 points, Derrick Rose also scored 14 and the Knicks climbed out of a 14-point hole to take the first meeting of the season between the New York rivals.

Brook Lopez and Justin Hamilton each scored 21 points for the Nets, who wilted on the second night of back-to-back games after a strong first half.

Normally a good fourth-quarter team, they were outscored 38-25 while struggling to run their offense without an experienced NBA point guard.

New York, which came in allowing 109.8 points per game

to rank 26th in the league, had more problems on that end in the first half but dominated the second.

And the Knicks got strong performances off their bench, with Brandon Jennings posting 11 assists and Hernangomez shooting 6 for 7.

The Nets, who set season highs for points and shooting percentage (55.3 percent) in their 119-110 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday, stayed hot for the first half of Wednesday’s game. They shot 55 percent, led by as many as 14 and brought a 55-50 lead into the break.

They led by nine midway through the third before Anthony drove the baseline and then turned to his jumper. He made five of them and then a pair of free throws, putting up 14 points in the final 5 minutes to give the Knicks a 72-71 lead.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 186 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016