Edge Davao 9 Issue 205 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016 CHANGE IN SCENERY. A young lumad boy who has cleft lip and palate eats ripe mango for breakfast at a lumad temporary shelter under Agdao flyover in Davao City yesterday. The Davao City Social Services and Development Office has started to extend services to the lumads by providing them with food, medicine and other services until December 10. Lean Daval Jr.

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DAVAO PRESSED TO DROP WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

N environmental watchdog on Monday appealed to the city government to reject the Waste-to-Energy plant facility proposed for the city recently. The environmental group, EcoWaste Coalition, has asked the lawmakers to reject the proposed facility because the group considers it as an “incinerator.” Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, former chief technical advisor of the United Nations Development Program on global environment waste projects said that the waste-to-energy facility would create extremely toxic substances that will stay in the envi-

ronment for hundreds of years. “Lawmakers must consider the long-term impacts of the facility on public health and the environment,” he added as all technologies related to waste-to-energy produces the most toxic substances known to science. Von Hernandez of EcoWaste Coalition, for his part, said that the proposal of Waste-To-Energy treatment promotes burning of otherwise valuable resources in fundamental conflict with our Clean Air and Ecological Solid Waste Management Acts. “Burning waste directly competes with smaller industries and communi-

ties engaged in recycling, composting and waste collection, undermining current government efforts to protect the environment,” he said. Meanwhile, Mylai Santos, EcoTeneo director said that there are no shortcuts towards ecological waste management. “It is better to be cautious in adopting technology and processes that are inappropriate in the local context and inconsistent with the country’s environmental laws,” she said. The local government hinted that that they did not sign the agreement signed with a foreign investor foe the construction of waste-to-energy

facility because city would not be able to meet the requirement because the city’s waste segregation ordinance However, several councilors are still interested in the waste-to-energy proposal and wants to know see how similar plants outside the city operate and determine their viability in Davao City. But EcoTeneo on its part said the city government should demand detailed feasibility studies on the impact of the project on the environment before agreeing to it. “The city might sacrifice more than benefit from these projects,” said Santos.

Suntrust launches Tagum sales office S By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ UNTRUST Properties Incorporated, developer of housing project Palm City, is now ready to serve its Tagum City costumers as the company launched its sales office and information center at Grand Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Apokon Road, Visayan Village, Tagum City yesterday. Gracing the event were Suntrust officials headed by Deanna Jean Claveria, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Jerry Rubis, First Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Suntrust partner PNS Land Corp. Chair Lemuel Podador, Tagum

City Councilor Jan Dmitri S. Sator, representative from provincial government of Davao del Norte, company personnel and “Suntrustees”, Suntrusts real estate agents. In an interview with Edge Davao, Claveria compared Tagum City to a jewel that continues to shine because of the infrastructure developments and investments pouring in the city. The executive vice president further commended the city’s urban development and warm treatment to investors.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

UPBEAT. Suntrust exectives led by executive vice president Deanna Jean A. Claveria (third from left), first vice president for Sales, Marketing and Business Development Jerry R. Rubis (leftmost) and assistant vice president – Davao Operations Engr. Leonora P. Gutierrez (second from left), together with PMS president Lemuel Podador (second

Slain boy’s ma sees no option except to leave

HE mother of the twoyear old boy who was believed murdered while in the custody of his relatives yesterday said that for lack of other option, she had to bite the bullet by working abroad to be able to provide for her two remaining children. “It is painful to leave them anew but I cannot find work here that would pay enough so I could provide for my children,” said Erlinda Cagalitan as she fought tears at the Kapihan sa Davao.

Murder charges were filed against Ronilo and Sara Jane Alca-in for the death of John Earl Cagalitan while in their custody. The city prosecution office has found probable cause to charge them for the murder of John Earl who was last seen by witnesses being manhandled by the couple. Cagalitan had two other children by her husband who died earlier. She said she found it ironic that she was able to pro-

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LTFRB sets bus rates in Northern Mindanao

HE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City has imposed effective Monday a previously implemented tariff to end the “fare wars” among three bus companies in Mindanao. Aminoden Guro, LTFRB 10 regional director, said that three big bus companies in Northern Mindanao – Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. , Super 5, and Pabama - had agreed to adopt the original LTFRB fare rates that were earlier approved.

Guro said that the LTFRB called the bus operators to a conference last week after receiving complaints by other bus operators that some bus companies had lowered the fare by as low as PhP 90 in the guise of a “special promo” rate. He said that while the practice has benefited the commuting public, it actually puts the smaller bus operators at a disadvantage since they cannot afford to keep up with the fare drop. Guro said that the buses

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from right) and treasurer Emmy Alegre (third from right), and Rosalio Ibañez Jr., executive assistant to the Davao del Norte Governor, lead the cutting of ribbon to mark the opening of Suntrust Palm City office in Tagum City, Davao del Norte yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DENR blamed for inept waste-energy advocacy By JIMMY K. LAKING

ROUPS opposed to a proposed waste-to-energy waste facility for Davao City minced no words behind the Environment and Natural Resources Department’s support for the system: “plain government ineptitude or laziness.” “The other reason is that there are vested interests involved,” said Von Hernandez, past president of the eco-waste coalition. He said that with the filing of cases at the Ombudsman against local government units for failure to implement the

Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Act, “the DENR under the Duterte administration could hopefully take notice in rejecting quick-fix solutions like waste to energy facilities.” Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, a former chief technical adviser of the United Nations Development program on global environment waste projects, said the government did not say it but waste to energy technology tended to produce dioxins---considered the most toxic—that is known to induce cancer in people in addition to

being expensive. Dioxins are known affect pregnancy, dysfunction of ovaries, affects reproductive organs, known to induce smaller genitals and decreases IQ of children. He said Japan which is known to promote the technology has one of the worst records in controlling dioxins. Emmanuel said dioxins once in the To make matters worse, he said the Philippines has no technical capability to validate the presence of dioxin in the environment. “The use of pol-

lution control devices such as filters and electrostatic precipitators merely move the pollution from the air into the waste water but do not disappear.” “There is no such thing as clean incineration,” he said. “It is lamentable that national government agencies are still pining for costly magic bullets to solve or waste problems, when proven, safe and sustainable solutions are already enshrined in our existing policies,” added Hernandez. Carmela Santos, a member of the eco-waste coalition, the

board of the National Economic Development Authority before its implementation. He added that the same process is required of the Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, a joint venture between Davao City and Mega Harbour involving 200 hectares of offshore areas running parallel to the entire shoreline of Poblacion and Agdao districts.

The agreement on the joint-venture project was signed last June 21 by Romero and then Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte before assuming the presidency. “Another Mega Harbour project involving the reclamation of initial 85 hectares in Consolacion, Cebu will undergo the same process and complete the Davao-Cebu-Manila

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Manila-Cebu-Davao port highway projects inked By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

HE Philippine Reclamation Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding (with the City of Manila to pave the way for the establishment of a shipping superhighway across the archipelago involving a network of world-class international ports. The 50-hectare reclamation in Tondo by Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc., the sis-

ter firm of Mega Harbour Port and Development Inc., the proponent of a similar but a bigger project in Davao City is expected to kick off in the second half of 2017, exactly a year after the signing of the agreement. According to Mega Harbour chairman Reghis M. Romero II, the MOU entails only a number of documentary requirements for its final review and approval by the

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Dureza laments pressure in bid to release prisoners

TOWING THE LINE. A Task Force Davao personnel inspects the bags and other belongings of passengers at TF Davao checkpoint in Lasang, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

AYING the government sticks to due process, Secretary Jesus Dureza lamented undue public pressure being exerted in a bid to force government to release political prisoners. “We are appalled at the accusation that we are not delivering enough because of perceived delay,” said the head of the government’s Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process. He said mass actions and media attacks served as good reminders for those in government to do more. “But putting undue public pressure on the government which has already taken unprecedented steps may not yield their intended results,” he stressed. Dureza said that contrary to perceptions, earnest efforts are being exerted to facilitate the release of prisoners. He clarified that the government, however, cannot be stampeded into releasing these prisoners because of necessary legal processes.

“The cases are within the jurisdiction of the judiciary itself an independent and coequal branch of government,” he said. By way of reminder, Dureza said that “while we understand their angst and impatience, we are all forgetting that these efforts were never possible nor even imaginable in the previews times. He said it was only in the Duterte administration that these releases are all happening. He added: “President Duterte has exercised bold political will to quickly resuscitate the peace process from where it was. And he does so also mindful that there is a need to balance things taking into account the processes that must be observed and the whole citizenry that he must also engage and serve. As the President always says and does, this administration will walk the extra mile for peace. Yes, let’s all be in a hurry but let’s all keep the pace and be in step with him so we don’t stumble.”

Malnutrition in Davao declining, NNC reports OFW employment By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE National Nutrition Council in Davao recently reported a decline in malnutrition cases among children less than six years old in the region. The NNC 11 consolidated covering 2013-2015 showed a total of 40,299 underweight children from 0-6 years old preschoolers in 2013 and had a prevalence rate of 6.18 percent.

NNC has recorded 40,103 malnourished children in 2014, which showed a 6.14 percent decrease, while they tallied a total of 36,337 underweight kids that has a 65.44 percent prevalence rate in 2015, showing a 0.74 percent decrease from the preceding year. “It is good news for us in Davao Region,” said NCC-Regional Nutrition Program

coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson said Monday. However, she said the regional office would continue to provide adequate assistance to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the region. NNC is also considering the “stunted growth” as a challenge because more than 30 percent of the children’s population in the Davao Region has not reached the standard

height for their age. Ungson said it is easier to address the issue on underweight, but it’s always been a challenge to address stunted growth. “Genetic causes do not primarily contribute to the growth faltering of the child, saying it is based on the nutrients that the mother intake during and after conception,”

that the Maute group would cease to exist. Cabreros, however, said that the military is working hard to ensure that the terror group would no longer remain a threat to the communities in the area. “We cannot just predict it, but based on the success of our operations, surely our troops

can get the group anytime,” Cabreros said. He said that the government troopers from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division are continuously pursuing the local terrorists. Butig was freed from the control of the Maute group after several days of constant attacks and bombardment by

the military last week, leaving part of the town in the rubble because of mortar fires. More than 2,000 families had also fled their homes following the series of fighting between the terrorists and the government troopers. Cabreros said that the PA would lend a hand in the re-

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PA sees no timeline in drive against Maute armed group

HE military has set an indefinite timeline in its relentless assault to drive away the terror Maute group out of Butig, Lanao del Sur, a top military official said Monday. Maj. Gen. Harold Cabreros, Philippine Army (PA)vice commander, has given no assurance of the exact time frame

Rookie cop falls in drug buy-bust ops in Surigao

NOTHER rookie police officer in Surigao City was arrested in a police buy-bust operation against illegal drugs late Friday evening. A police raiding team led by Senior Inspector Ernesto Marcos Jr., of the Intelligence Section of the Philippine National Police here arrested Police Officer 1 Michael Niño Ballero Morales, 34 in the buy-bust operation in Purok 12, Sitio Kabalawan, Barangay San Juan. Seized from the suspect were 3.9 grams of suspected shabu valued at 36,000 pesos, drug paraphernalia, cellphone and 1,000 pesos marked money. Morales, assigned at the Provincial Police Office had gone AWOL (Absence without

official leave). Marcos said Morales is a high-value target listed as number 10 among suspects in the illegal drugs trade, who did not surrender under Project Tokhang. He is now temporarily detained at the Surigao City Police Station. Last Thursday afternoon, a raiding team from the Police Regional Intelligence Division Unit arrested a dismissed police officer and a companion during a drug buy-bust operation here. Arrested at Purok 7, Barangay San Juan was ex-PO3 Frederick P. Cosmiano, 41, who was previously assigned at the Surigao City Intelligence Division.

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back in RP pressed A N advocacy group for migrant workers on Monday has urged the government to provide employment opportunities and livelihood assistance to the thousands of workers who would want to return and work in the country for good. This was after an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) mother of the two-year-old child who died from battering arrived home last month to bury the son whom she left in the care of her nephew and the nephew’s wife while she worked abroad to provide for the family. “It is high time for the national and local government to seriously give attention to OFW parents – both men and women – to enhance the

existing programs of the existing agencies,” said Inorisa Silana-Elanto, representative of Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. (MMCEAI). She said that the new Overseas Workers Welfare Administration law or Republic Act 10801 which was enacted in May this year, can boost the government’s capacity to assist retrenched OFWs as reintegration program has been identified as one of the core programs of OWWA. Silana-Elanto pointed out that the government must take proactive steps towards absorbing the returning workforce. “While OWWA should be

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MIXED RESULTS. A lone pedestrian uses the dilapidated overpass while others continue to violate the Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance in Tibungco, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

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DOLE wants Russia as new OFW destination

ABOR and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III revealed on Monday the government is looking at Russia as the next work destination for skilled Filipino workers. Bello said President Duterte will discuss labor relations when he visits the socialist state and meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin early next year. “I already sent a memo to the President requesting him to include the possible deployment of skilled and professional workers to Russia,” Bello said. He also said that there is a demand for construction and

household service workers in the Russian republic. Bello said that because of the decline in oil price in the Middle East, there are fewer job opportunities in that part of the globe and Russia is a good alternative for skilled and professional workers who are looking for high paying jobs. “We noticed that there is a decline in the demand for OFWs in the Middle East. We have to look for other countries where there are demands for our OFWs,” he added. In 2014, there are about 4,000 OFWs in Russia who are working in construction, hotels, and households. (PNA)

Beijing groups eye PH as tourism destination T

Divinagracia said this is an offshoot of the previous sales missions made by former Tourism Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato. There is an influx of inbound travel to the Philippines and one of the cities benefiting from this is Davao, he added. Jean Rose Tecson, City Tourism Officer, said there is also a group of tour operators from Xiamen who is now in the city from Dec. 3-7. Meanwhile, a group of Chinese investors are set to

visit Davao City next year to check out opportunities in infrastructure, real estate and tourism. Earlier, Davao City Council Majority Floor Leader Bernard Al-ag said Chinese investors are also expected to visit the city next year to look for possible opportunities in real estate and other investments. “We offered them the Three Ridges Integrated Area Development (TRIAD) area as this has been classified as a tourism develop-

ment zone,” he said. TRIAD includes Barangays Catigan, Eden and Tagurano in Toril. The Department of Tourism in Davao Region (DOTXI) is also eyeing regular flights between Davao and Xiamen this month. This is in addition to the regular Xiamen-Manila and Xiamen-Cebu flights. It can be recalled that Xiamen Air brought some 80 Chinese businessmen and tourists to the city a few months ago to test the wa-

he Department of Finance is bracing for the likelihood of having to pay private companies tens of billions of pesos arising from bungled public-private partnerships dating as far back as the 1990s. Two such bungled ventures included the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificates (PEACe) Bonds and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) that figured in legal debacles for the government.

The Duterte presidency faces the unenviable task of paying—literally—for the “sins of the past” administrations, courtesy of previous and possibly future court rulings favoring contractors or concessionaires that presumably have scores to settle with the state. For starters, the government will likely have to cough up some P5 billion to pay RCBC Capital for the amount that the Bureau of Treasury kept back as final withholding tax —as so

ruled by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)—when these 10-year zero coupon PEACe bonds that it had issued during the past Arroyo administration matured in 2011. This is because the Supreme Court ruled that RCBC Capital was entitled to rely on a much earlier position issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 2001, which stated that the PEACe bonds were not deposit substitutes, and thus not subject to the 20% FWT. The BTr sold these notes

with a 10-year tenor in October 2001 through a public auction that was won by RCBC on behalf of the Caucus of Development NGO Network (CODENGO). In the case of the NAIA 3 project which got entangled in one legal dispute after another as an offshoot of the financial troubles that had buffeted the winning bidder Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO), the SC ruled last April 19—entered in the

and Juanito “Ricky” Tgabucba. Tan owns several companies, although he is mainly a rubber exporter. Cruz is a cooperative leader, security agency operator and former banker, while Milan is the top executive of the Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. Sazon operates many compa-

nies, while Tagabucba is top banana executive who recently retired and is now operating his own businesses. Topping the balloting was Boni Tan, who is the business chamber’s incumbent president. Tan and dela Cruz each served the chamber twice as past presidents. Sazon and Tagabucba are the

newcomers to the board of trustees. The newly elected trustees will join 10 other incumbent board members in a special meeting on December 6 at the chamber headquarters to elect the chairman, president, executive vice president , other vice presidents for sectors, cor-

porate secretary, corporate treasurer. The 10 other trustees are Sofronio Jucutan, Teresita Pascual, Belinda L. Torres, Luciano Frederick Puyod III, Capt. Ronald C. Go, Yvonne F. Cabada, Alvin M. Pinpin, engineer Wlifred “Evoy” Torres, Jocelyn Romero and Antonio M. Ajero.

HE city is being eyed as the new tourism and investment destination for Chinese nationals, with 20 bankers and their spouses from Beijing expected to visit for a four-day, three-night tour anytime soon. “This is the first organized Beijing groups to come here. We hope to get the market as these are Chinese big spenders and not just ordinary tourists,” said Alex Divinagracia, Vice President for Travels and Tours of the Davao Tourism Association .

GSC steps up measures vs. growing locust infestation Duterte admin may pay for‘sins of the past’

HE city government has stepped up its interventions against the worsening locust infestation that already affected around 2,500 hectares of farmlands here. Merlinda Donasco, City Agriculture Office (CAO) chief, said Monday they have expanded the implementation of the city’s food-for-work program to help control the spread of locusts in several farming villages in the city. She said they currently of-

fer two kilograms of rice for every kilo of locust that would be gathered by local farmers and other concerned residents. “We have tapped our barangays as conduits for the implementation of the food-forwork program,” she said. Donasco said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera earlier endorsed the expansion of the scheme to address the locust infestation, which mainly affected corn farms in the city’s 26 barangays. F GSC, 10

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5 entrepreneurs elected as DCCCII trustees

OUR businessmen and one lady entrepreneur were elected to the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. board of trustees during the 49th annual election of the multi-awarded business chamber held at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Lanang last Saturday.

This was announced by the DCCCII Comelec committee composed of lawyer Bienvenido Cariaga as chairman and Delia M. Ladao and Robert “Boyet” Quinto as members. All three are past presidents of the chamber. Elected were Bonifacio T. Tan, Antonio dela Cruz, Arturo M. Milan, Jennifer Sazon

AFTER THE POLLS. Members of the ‘COMELEC’ committee of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. –past presidents Delia M. Ladao, Bienvenido Cariaga, and Robert “Boyet” Quinto (seated 3rd, 4th and 5th from left)—pose for posterity with members of the DCCCII board of officers and a few active members after successfully supervising the 49th annual elections last Saturday at the Park Inn by Radisson. Also in photo are John Tony Ajero, John Gaisano, Cherry Faye Al-ag, John Tria, Roni Go, Yvonne Cabada, Danny Lim, BJ Jucutan, Alvin Pinpin, Dinky Puyod, Jocelyn Romero and Art Milan. CHAMBER ELECTION. DCCCII chairman John Y. Gaisano Jr., executive vice president Sofronio M. Jucutan and past president Delia M. Ladao cast their votes during the 49th annual election of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

NEWLY ELECTED DCCCII TRUSTEES. The newly elected members of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) are from left to right: Bonifacio T. Tan, Antonio del Cruz, Arturo M. Milan, Jennifer Sazon and Juanito “Ricky” Tagabucba. The 49th annual election was held at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Lanang last Saturday.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

EDITORIAL

Rebooting PHL-US relations

OOKS like the Philippines-United States relations could shift for the better. After the animated talk between US President-elect Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte, the souring relations could be bound for a reboot. This early, Malacanang is already positive that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States will have a reboot following that phone conversation last Friday. Trump, despite the wide criticisms, could be the US leader custom-made for Duterte. Trump supports Duterte’s strong war on drugs and respects the Philippines’ sovereignty. That is exactly what President Duterte wants from the US and other world leaders. To that, Duterte was thankful to Trump. Duterte appreciated the response he got from Trump and at the same breath, he wished him success. Duterte said he is sure Trump

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will be a good president. What Duterte admired about Trump is that, unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, the new American leader understands him and his war on drugs. Obama and some US senators got the ire of President Duterte after they ripped him on the alleged extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses in the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs. Trump, who is also notorious for his trash-talking style like Duterte, could change the Philippine leader’s stand on not stepping on US soil. He got a personal invitation from Trump to visit the US. Duterte himself made the same invitation to Trump. Now, with things looking up well for US and the Philippines, where would this put the future of undocumented Pinoys in the US and the BPO jobs outsourced to the Philippines that Trump wanted back? President Duterte sure knows how to play his cards.

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HAT is that drink produced from the roasted beans of the coffee plant? Elementary, my dear, it’s coffee. And according to some reports, eight out of 10 adults in the Philippines drink an average of 2.5 cups of coffee every day. People around the globe consume coffee – in all forms – 100 million bags (one bag weighs about 60 kilos). Total value of this consumption is US$10 billion, thus making coffee as the second largest traded commodity in the world after oil. Some countries largely depend on coffee as their primary source of national income. Brazil produces more coffee than any other country. Other coffee-producing nations are Colombia, Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Vietnam. Leading consumers of coffee are the United States, Germany, Italy, France, Australia and Japan The coffee tree (or bush) belongs to the genus Coffea. It probably originated in Abyssinia, the former name of Ethiopia. The word “coffee” may have been derived from the Ethiopian keffa or the Turkish equivalent word qahveh. The Arabs call the beverage qahwa, which means “strength.” The coffee’s use as a drink spread through Arabia in the 13th century and it became popular in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the Philippines, coffee was brought by the Spanish friars in 1740. Since then, the Filipinos have become coffee drinkers. “Today, it can safely be assumed that someone, somewhere, is savoring a cup, a

T was fun while it lasted. Ever since social media opened its portals to the dizzying world of communications and became a platform for some aspiring and would-be journalists, many Filipinos - mostly the young ones – to express their thoughts and ideas have turned to it like it was a most alluring bait that fish in the ocean bite with alacrity. Indeed, not surprisingly, available statistics say that 50 million Filipinos take to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram like fish take to water. I was one of them “crazy” souls that got hooked almost completely. Ordinary people who use the social media platform get to spend available personal time connecting with relatives, friends as well as establishing new ones and re-connecting with long lost acquaintances in a matter of seconds or minutes wherever they are around the world. While the objective for which these social media platforms were established was to create a web of fun and friendship among peoples of different races, creed and religion, they have also unwittingly spawned a breed of opportunists that made complete

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VANTAGE POINTS

Coffee, anyone? mug, or any of THINK ON THESE! coffee’s delicious concoctions, hot or cold, almost every hour of the day from sunrise to sundown,” wrote Antonio R. Reyes in an Henrylito D. Tacio article which henrytacio@gmail.com appeared in Philippine Panorama. There are a number of coffee varieties, but the four most common are Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa and Robusta. Here are some information taken from The Philippines Recommends for Coffee: The most important variety is Arabica, which accounts for 72 percent of world production. Arabica is an upland species and requires an average annual temperature of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius with 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters of rainfall. The berries of this shrub are oblong-ellipsoid; they are green in color, and later turn red or yellow when ripe. The size of the seeds range from 8.5 to 12.7 centimeters long. Arabica is an early bearer. Two years after transplanting, it produces berries. Generally, a full-grown and well-managed one-hectare farm can yield 1,000 kilos of green beans. This variety, however, is susceptible to coffee rust.

The second most important commercially is Robusta, accounting for 27 percent of world production. The tree is more widely adaptable than Arabica, but it does best in warm equatorial climates. Large areas of Southeast Asia are suitable for its production. The Robusta plant, noticeable for its umbrella-shaped growth, produces berries four years after transplanting. A well-tended one-hectare field can yield about 1,200 kilos per year of green coffee beans. The berries are smaller than Arabica, closely clustered and blood red when ripe with thin pulp and parchment. Liberica, commonly called “kapeng barako,” produces the biggest berry. It is noted for its very strong taste and color. Trees are upright with straight trunks. Berries are round, borne singly or in small cluster with thick and firm pulp. This variety is drought-resistant and bears berries 4-5 years after transplanting. A one-hectare farm planted to Liberica can yield about 1,000 kilos per year. Excelsa is similar to Liberica except for its smoother, thinner and more rounded leaves with smooth edge. The berries are ovoid and a little compressed having a flat form. They are borne in heavy clusters and usually bigger than Arabica but smaller than Liberica. Its bearing age is 4-5 years after transplanting and has an approximate annual yield of 1,000 kilos per hectare. “We are one of the few countries in the world that grows four varieties of coffee on a commercial scale although our total pro-

duction is only about one percent of the total global coffee production,” Reyes wrote. Interestingly, the country was the fourth largest exporter of coffee in the world in 1880. Ten years later, the Philippines became a net importer of coffee when almost all coffee farms were wiped out by a coffee virus. “Until the early 1950s, all efforts to revive the industry failed,” Reyes lamented. “It was only in 1995 when a national coffee development program was successfully launched through a special 5-year joint project between the Philippines and the United States governments.” Earlier, in 1975, the Philippines had the opportunity again to export coffee. This was due to the devastating frost which hit Brazil and the political and civil unrest that swept through Angola. Both countries were key suppliers of coffee around the world. “Over the past seven years, Philippine-processed coffee consisting of soluble and roasted and ground coffee has finally found a niche in the world market,” Reyes reported. As such, the Department of Agriculture has included coffee in its high value crops medium term development plan. “(Coffee) is an important agricultural resource and export product of the country,” the agriculture department says. “We are continuously exploring niche markets for our mountain grown Arabica, our strong barako coffee, and eventually, organically-grown coffee as well as special gourmet coffee,” Reyes pointed out.

utilization of SPECKS OF LIFE these portals like they were their own communication machines, advertising and marketing arms and promotional Fred C. Lumba windows. There were instances of what they called cyber-bullying by sinister persons or groups that inflicted emotional hurt on their victims who did not realize what they thought was innocent postings would put them in such a jeopardy. At present, it would appear that the number of trolls and bullies surfing the cyberspace looking for fun and prey has outnumbered social media users honestly just out there to convey a decent message to their friends, relatives and acquaintances. I just heard over the radio a victim of cyberbullying crying for justice after she was

unabashedly and unmercifully blasted with a torrent of inhuman language and threatened even with physical harm for posting her take on a highly contentious “political” issue. She most probably asked for it though. She forgot that there are always two sides of a coin, heads or tails. She opted for the “head” and quite naturally those who picked the “tails” ganged up on her. Not that I am taking the side of her bashers, I am saying that when a person publicly posts his/her take on a hot issue – a national concern at that - chances are there would be people from all over who would register replies and responses for or against her opinion. It just happened that people who were on the other side were more numerous and vocal and outspoken in refuting her opinion and she was “drowned” by the avalanche. Actually, I have ceased opening my FB account for almost four months now. My reasons? Well, foremost is that it took most of my precious personal time. While it was initially fun, FB surfing robbed me of the hours I would have instead used for reading

intellectually thought-provoking books and materials that comparatively offer more in terms of learning new things and stuff and increasing your knowledge. Secondly, I discovered that a higher percentage of social media users were not out there to contribute highly cerebral items of interest. There are also a few lecherous souls who think posting lewd pictures and videos on their walls or in timelines of other FB users are “laudable” and appreciated. And, thirdly, I think that while there are also intelligent discussions of issues on the social media platforms, these sometimes degenerate into political mudslinging particularly during the very heated 2016 presidential joust that clearly polarized the electorate. I chose to take a positive outlook. Every single day is filled with all kinds of situations that could upset you. But if you are positively in control of you character and circumstance, your positive habits will overcome the negative response that people contrary to your opinion do. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) God bless the Philippines!

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Suntrust... FROM 1 “We want to contribute to the development of the city and the province as a whole,” said Claveria who pointed out that 16.6% of the city’s income are contributed by real estate development by employing skilled workers for manpower, real estate agents whom she referred to as “Suntrustees”, construction businesses and the city’s commercial industry such as markets and malls. Claveria expressed her happiness for the reception of the market as she updated that 15 percent of the 1,200 units has been sold out. “I am inviting the people of Tagum City to drop by our sales office and see what Palm City has to offer,” said Claveria. Claveria hopes that the property will be completely sold out after five years.

In a speech, FVP Jerry Rubis said that due to its location beside the Provincial Capitol, Palm City is a strategic area for those who want to witness the sporting activities that Tagum City will be hosting in the future such as the SEA Games on 2019 and BIMP Games 2018. Suntrust Palm City is a 27.7ha three-phased modern housing project located at Purok Capitol, Brgy. Mankilam, Tagum City. It offers three house types: Abigail (88sqm duplex), Bridgette (120sqm) and Cathleen (150sqm with veranda) with price ranging from P3.5 million to P5.5 million. Palm City includes the following amenities: basketball court, park and playground, clubhouse and lap and kiddie swimming pool.

city government was wasting resources by insisting on the waste-to-energy facility. She noted that the city environment office cornered P456 million of the city budget while agriculture got only P66Million. Emmanuel was in town as main speaker in a public forum on waste to energy technology,

in coordination with the Sustainable Davao Movement, the Ecowaste Coalitioin and the Ateneo University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council. Hernandez has won the 2003 Goldman Environment prize for his advocacy work in banning waste incinerators in the Philippines.

lauded for being prompt in exerting efforts to provide relief and taking action [in taking care of Cagalitan’s situation], the huge number of migrant workers still longing to go home to work in the Philippines and be with their family still poses a big challenge for the government,” said Silana-Elanto. She pointed out that the reintegration program is not only for repatriated workers, but workers who also return for personal reasons. “There’s no such thing as forever in being an OFW, you have to plan [the] coming back,” said Silana-Elantro, and that going abroad is not a jackpot. She added that nobody wants to be away from our families, and there it’s a no-brainer choice really when it comes to working in the country and away from it. MMCEAI is also supporting Erlinda Cagalitan, the mother of the two-year-old son, in her quest to win justice for her youngest son.

being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Bahrain for 15 years, Erlinda Cagalitan, the mother of the two-year-old child who recently died from battering, now wants to stay home and personally take care of her two remaining children as long as she has a stable job locally. Cagalitan said that she wants to have a simple employment in Davao City so that she will personally take care of her two remaining children and as long as it is a work that will sustain the needs of her family members. “It is really not ideal if you have to leave your children and work in abroad – no mother would just simply want to be far from her children,” Cagalitan explained. However, she still needs to return to Bahrain soon to finish her contract and that she does not have a work locally yet. “I wish I already have a stable work here in Davao City, with the help of the government, as soon as I have finished my contract in Bahrain,” she hoped. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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Erlinda’s call Having had enough of

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Among the farm areas that were hit hard by the infestation were those in Barangays Bawing, Tambler, Tinagacan, Fatima, Sinawal and San Jose. Among those affected were grassy fields near the city international airport, which covers portions of Barangays Fatima and Tambler. The Civil Aviation Authority had raised concerns over the proliferation of locusts at the city airport as they could enter critical parts of aircrafts.

The local government monitored the infestation as early as September in six barangays in the city and eventually spread to other areas. Donasco said they have been spraying of pesticides in the affected farms and grassy fields that serve as breeding ground of locusts. Owing to this, she said they also launched public awareness campaigns to warn residents against consuming locusts due to possible pesticide poisoning.

INSURANCE. Porters haul goods onto an Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS)-bound passenger vessel at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City yesterday. Traders from IGaCoS are starting to pile up their stocks of merchandise in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Lean Daval Jr.

Manila... FROM 2 port network as the national backbone of this international shipping superhighway,” Romero said, citing the envisioned rise of First-World port cities in the strategic centers of the country’s three mainland regions. “Satellite ports in selected areas surrounding those three key cities will constitute the port network and help democratize the distribution of national wealth and economic opportunities to the less privileged, thus improving their quality of life,” Romero explained, referring to President Duterte’s commitment to the masses. “Going by the President’s policy, we will make the fruits of economic development, not just trickle down to the poor, but grow these right where they are,” Romero pointed out. Referring to the social component of the project, Romero said PRA is involving the provision of potable water and power supply, a quality road network, flood control system, sanitation facilities, a green and pollution-free environment and promotion of entrepreneurial activities, among others, for the coastal communities of Poblacion and Agdao districts. Constituting those communities up to Barangay Bukana are some 3,500 households or around 20,000 people. Romero said the latest reclamation technology would be used in the Davao project and similar undertakings of Mega

Harbour in other parts of the archipelago. “The technology involves the use of choice marine sands for the reclamation and the clearing and filtration of silts from the site to ensure the stability of the sea bed. The silts, which may contain mud and toxic chemicals from precipitated industrial wastes, will then be dumped into a pit especially built for this purpose. The site where the pit will be constructed will depend on the recommendation of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” the port and infrastructure magnate explained. Romero said the use of marine sands, instead of filling materials from land, would prevent water displacement that could make sea level rise and cause floods. “Mega Harbour is also conducting a vulnerability assessment of the critical infrastructure in the surrounding areas so as to make the project’s wholistic design adapt accordingly and effectively,” Romero stressed. Estimated to cost around P38 billion, the project implementation is expected to kick off in the second half of 2017, exactly a year after the signing of the agreement. At present, PRA is conducting all the environmental, geological and technical studies required to ensure public safety in every aspect and generate lasting benefits for the public.

Nabbed with him was Junie Estoque Matin-ao, 40. The former policeman was caught in possession of a large size of heat-sealed plastic sachet containing

suspected shabu. Cosmiano was dismissed from service last September when he tested positive for shabu. (MindaNews)

construction of the destroyed structures if needed. The vice commander visited the 4th Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag as guest of honor of the graduation of 248 soldiers here. The newly graduated

trainees would be deployed to the division’s battalions all over Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions. While there is no shortage of troops, Cabreros said the PA needs more soldiers to fill up the vacancies for those who retired or discharged from duty. (PNA)

Rookie... FROM 4 PA... FROM 4

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tect her employer’s children abroad but could not protect her youngest son. She works as a cashier in a restaurant in Bahrain with a monthly pay of P15,000. She said that aside from having to provide for the needs of her two remaining children, she had pay for the rental of the house where they staying with her parents. One is in college with the other one in high school. Inorisa Sialana-Elento of Mindanao Migrants, a nongovernment organization, said her group has counted more than 700 children of OFW in 12 barangays. “The welfare of these children is one of the concerns we are posing as a challenge to the Duterte administration so that

it could come up with a mechanism to see to those left behind by the OFW,” she said. She her organization has been also working with the Barangay Council for the protection of children to address the concerns of the families of OFW and their children. She said the organization has been working on profiling the families of the barangays they were able to reach. At the same time, she said the OFWs should not be blamed to insisting on seeking work abroad “because they have a special reason to go out.” “In the meantime, effort should be in place to ensure that their children are monitored and taken cared off in their absence,” she said. (JKL)

ply the Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and Maramag routes and the bus operators agreed to prevent any of the bus company from lowering the regular fares. Under the LTFRB - imposed tariff, the regular fare for the Cagayan De Oro - Malaybalay and vice versa route would be PhP 150, while the special privilege rate for students and senior citizens would be PhP 120; Cagayan De Oro - Valencia is at PhP 200, for students and senior citizens PhP 160; and Cagayan De Oro-Maramag, PhP 240

while the special privilege would be PhP 190 for students and senior citizens. He said that the LTFRB was optimistic that the bus operators would comply with the original tariff otherwise a penalty would be imposed to those who violate the LTFRB fare rates. Guro said that a penalty for the first offense would be a fine of PHP 5,000; second offense, PhP 10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days; third and succeeding offense, PHP 15,000 and cancellation of the franchise. (PNA)

she explained. Ungson mentioned that the decrease in malnutrition cases in Davao was achieved because of the efforts of the Scholars (BNS) who work to educate the community. “Let’s hope na bababa na talaga ang malnutrition dito sa ating bansa kasi ayaw ni President Duterte na may taong nagugutom,” Ungson said. She added that everybody also has its part in the nutrition program and that the participation of the household also has a role in promoting good dietary habit. The decline was also attributed to the help of the

Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD’s) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program – also known as 4Ps, because the families listed under the program are required to attend health sessions. She also cited the contribution of both Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Agriculture (DA) for implementing school gardening project, non-government organizations particularly Rotary Clubs, and Barangay Captains who provided a budget for nutrition programs which are used for feeding and food production at the local level.

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EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL #SquadGoals – I think this explains this perfectly. Photo by Bianne Yee

While shooting videos, this is Joshua Abella surfacing for air in Angel’s Cove in Talicud Island. Awesome shot by Ael Nayve.

The First

#OPENBOAT WHAT STARTED OUT AS A CURIOSITY-SPURNED EXPERIMENT ON FACEBOOK TURNED OUT TO BE A REALITY FILLED WITH FUN! Looking back at how the events slowly unfolded, I never expected that there were actually more millennials (and non-millennials even) who would be interested in joining the Open Boat. Last November 30, was the perfect holiday to launch the Millennial Mermaid Open Boat. Amusingly, I coined up the name “Open Boat” for what the event truly is – an open invitation to anybody interested in joining a day tour out at the Davao Gulf with the main purpose of enjoying the ocean in the most natural way possible, either snorkeling, skin diving or free diving. I never held many expectations when I started posting invitation on my Facebook page about the Open Boat. Although I knew that I had likeminded friends who also loved the sea, I wasn’t too sure if joining an organized event on a holiday would be all worth it for them. Pretty soon inquiries started coming in from strangers, friends of friends and even my old college buddies. After discussing with my

sister, we decided to own the idea and turn it into a reality. I’m so glad we did because now I can truly say that they’re a lot of us out there who just needed to find the perfect boat to get on to enjoy the ocean. I remembered how I felt when I first joined an open invitation for a fun dive around Davao Gulf. I was scared! I barely knew anybody except the person that invited me but I really wanted to learn how to free dive. It was quite intimidating getting into the deep blue sea with strangers who had all the gears and were suited up to perfectly fit the look of a legit free diver. Meanwhile, I was in my favorite surf outfit with my mermaid fins, all in its girly glory. Despite my intimidation, I dared ask questions and made it a point to learn. Thankfully, the free divers were so pas-

Channeling her inner mermaid, Dayanara Tan, goes for underwater cartwheels as she tries on my mermaid fins. Photo by Bianne Yee.

“

It was quite intimidating getting into the deep blue sea with strangers who had all the gears and were suited up to perfectly fit the look of a legit free diver.

sionate in sharing what they’ve learned that I finally felt braver and happier that I was doing it the right way. I wanted to share this experience with others like myself so, I decided to push through with the Open Boat. A fun and safe environment where others can learn to dive to their own comfort level and get that lovely

sun-kissed skin after a day out at sea. “We’re so thrilled to be part of the Open Boat experience! And we even got to swim with the Millennial Mermaid herself!” said an ecstatic Bianne Yee, one of the 21 participants. The smile on their faces after diving and as

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the first time I was able to dive better. “The Open Boat was really fun! It’s nice to meet people with the same love for the sea. Plus you unselfishly share your knowledge about free diving and

Mermaid A2

they were going home that day made my heart so full of satisfaction. Seeing their profile photos changed as soon as they went home made me remember how I felt

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The mandatory group shot before everybody gets busy in the water. The Open Boat crew’s goodies in the middle were lovingly provided by Harvey Lanticse and Sandra Palileo.

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you took time in teaching us hands on. Now I can finally do it thanks to you!” chats Ael Nayve, who found his way to the Open Boat by a random Google search. Keano Brion, also a recent graduate, said “Witnessing the pristine underwater scenery in Samal and Talicud made my Open Boat experience off the charts. I enjoyed diving wih my friend as well as the other diving enthusiasts who shared some tips and insights on skin/

free diving. I hope that there will be more diving events here in Davao.” I totally agree with him. Looking back, I guess the true joy in life is really about sharing what you love to others who feel the same way. I am looking forward to having more Open Boat events, maybe meet more free divers and learn from them even more. For more photos and stories about free diving and the Open Boat, head on to my blog: www.millennialmermaid.com

Probably the best part of riding the boat is when you and your friends can dip your feet into the splashing waves. Photo by Bianne Yee

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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68 schools in ComVal got 5,539 workbooks A

TOTAL of 68 schools in the province of Compostela Valley recently received 5,539 free copies of workbooks courtesy of the continuing implementation of Kalinga sa Kabataan Bayanihan para sa Karunungan Program (KKBPKP) of the provincial government. The 5,539 copies of “English Workbook for Grade 3” were personally handed over to school officials by Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy. The governor also told school officials that the provincial government is now working to extend copies of workbooks to more than 100

elementary schools in the area. The support provided by the provincial government was also in time with the celebration of “National Reading Month” that is being celebrated in Compostela Valley under the theme: “Nasa Pagbabasa ang Pag-asa.” Gov. Uy also emphasized that aside from the help that the workbooks will provide to the Grade 3 pupils, the same is also considered a pride of the province since its author, Mary Ann Rallos-Lagitao is a native of Compostela Valley province. Lagitao is an English Mas-

ter Teacher in Barangay Binuangan, Maco, Compostela Valley. The workbook carries the title “Have Fun in Reading” that was evaluated before its printing by the KKBPKP. The evaluation team were composed of Education Program Supervisor Dr. Hilda A. Opena and KKBPKP Program Manager Jennilyn E. Lansang. The printing of the workbooks was made possible through the funding from the “Tindog Comval Foundation”, the Special Education Fund (SEF) and donations from the KKBPKP program partners.

HE long-hyped 128.164-kms. K a p a l o n g -Ta l a i n god-Valencia, Bukidnon road is now passable! And it’s about 99% percent concrete now! Over the weekend a lawyer and his family from Nabunturan, Compostela Valley crossed the road riding their forward car and they exclaimed they conquered the route. Atty. Carlo Ancla posted on his Facebook a video of their travel up down the road that has not yet been officially celebrated by the government as one that is finally completed. The lawyer however said “it’s almost cemented” in reply to queries from among his Facebook friends. When they were already up in Barangay Gumitan in Kapalong town, Davao del Norte he posted: “(They) just passed Pantoran Forest Range. Some say it’s the Sierra Madre of Mindanao. It’s vast forest range stretches in four provincesAgusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Bukidnon. We conquered it via Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia route, surely shortening travel route from Comval to Bukidnon-Cagayan. You can save 60 kms.” Atty. Carlo reckoned he

did take 165 kms. of travel from Tagum City to Valencia. His wife Jo-Anne Tan Ancla commented that the short cut road can afford one from Nabunturan town to go daily for only three hours of travel to the famous Dahilayan Forest Park Resort in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The couple with two friends in tow were going to their rest house in the scenic mountain resort full of rest houses and fine trees in the place the locals call as “Epol” in Barangay Lorega, Kitaotao, Bukidnon. They cut in half their time with their “conquering” of the new route of Kapalong-Talaingod-Valen-

cia road as in the past they motored via Buda, Davao City consuming at least 6 hours of travel. The lawyer however advised friends to take the road starting early in the morning and be fully equipped for possible travel hitches like having machine trouble or flat tire. It’s still drab traveling there with you seeing the abundant forest and foliage and least sights of human settlement. So if one travels to Cagayan de Oro City from Nabunturan now using the Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia road, he can only take for about 6 hours, shorter than having about 12 hours, taking straight the Nabunturan-Davao City-

Buda-CDO route or 8 hours taking the Nabunturan-Butuan City-CDO route. Wow! The long road project started with a groundbreaking in Feb. 2008 during the time of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but construction started in 2011 with the release of the first tranche of its P3.516 billion budget as planned. This long road is a product of joint efforts of two DPWH regional offices- DPWH 11and DPWH 10, each of which concreted their respective roads meeting halfway at the border of two provinces. Region 11 side has 57.63 kms., while Region 10 has 70.534 kms. (Rural Urban News/Cha Monforte)

T least P4.7 million worth of post-harvest facilities have been turned over to coconut farmers in Davao del Sur, the Department of Agrarian Reform said yesterday. DAR Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong said the equipment would be used in a 669-hectare coconut farm in Magsaysay town. “At least 800 farmers

from the villages of San Miguel, Glamang, Tagaytay, Balnate, Bacungan and Malawanit, will benefit from this project,” Bistoyong said. The DAR will closely work with the farmers to help them improve production and raise their standard of living. The project was implemented under the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Ag-

riculture Development (MINSAAD) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The municipal government of Magsaysay provided 30 percent of the fund needed to complete the project. Kasya Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative chairman Eduardo Lopez Sr. thanked the DAR, MINSAAD and the local government for helping

them improved their lives. “We will continue to seek technical assistance from various government agencies, particularly DAR to improve our coconut and cacao production. We assure you that we will take good care of these facilities,” Lopez said. Aside from Lopez’s cooperative, the facility will benefit seven other farmers’ group. (Phil. Star)

DSWD provides relief aid Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia City road is now passable Talaingod IP communities T

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development said Monday it continues to give support to communities of indigenous peoples in the country by meeting their requests for food assistance. Last Nov. 30, DSWD-Davao delivered 2,091 family food packs worth PHP696,303 to internally displaced persons belonging to Manobo tribe families from Barangay Sto. Nino, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The distribution date coincided with the anniversary of the Salugpungan school, which was established by human rights and church-based organizations that advocate IP rights. A medical mission was also conducted by the Fr. Pops Foundation. The relief distribution was held in Sitio Tibucag and attended by members of the Manobo tribe coming from the different sitios of Talaingod. To ensure smooth and systematic distribution of family food packs, the field office sent two DSWD-Davao staff from the disaster unit to assist in the distribution process. The field office was acting in response to a feedback report proposed by PASAKA -- the Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao. Talaingod is the site of several Lumad schools that are recognized by the Department of Education. The school’s curriculum is dedicated not just for the improvement of students

from Lumad communities, but also to help the communities themselves. The schools implement agricultural programs and actively advocates for the preservation of Lumad culture and ancestral land. As such, the school is in solidarity with the Lumad communities against agro-economic ventures that stand to destroy their communities and their traditional way of life. Another delivery of family food packs is scheduled on Dec. 7 in Purok 4, Barangay Mangayon in Compostela Valley province. Two more planned delivery of FFPs will still be determined, but will be within the area of Caraga, Davao Oriental and Kapalong, Davao del Norte, as well as Compostela Valley. “We recognize the necessity to help our Lumad brothers and sisters in their defense of their ancestral lands and way of life. The DSWD will contribute what it can within its mandate and means to help them survive their difficulties as they continue their struggle for the recognition of their rights and welfare,” said Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. “We laud the efforts of our FO XI (Davao) as they reach out to Lumad communities and give them food and other material assistance. It is important that the DSWD performs its mandate to serve the poorest and marginalized sectors of Philippine society and give priority to their immediate needs,” she said. (PNA)

TOKEN FROM INDONESIA. Consul General Berlian Napitupulu of Indonesia hands over his token for Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon during the celebration of Munato Festival 2016 on November 25. (Kim Tiblani/ PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Coconut farmers receive P4.7-M facility A

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SM Prime opens th 60 mall in PHL L

ISTED property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) opened Friday its newest mall, SM City East Ortigas, its 60th in the country. The latest premier destination adds 80,000 square meters (sqm) in gross floor area (GFA), bringing SM Prime’s retail space to 8.6 million square meters. “We are delighted to open SM City East Ortigas just in time for the Christmas holidays. This mall is set to redefine shopping and entertainment, particularly in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Our new mall reinforces our commitment

to continue expanding in the country given the economy’s strong performance,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim. The new SM mall opened with almost 80 percent of its space leased out. SM Prime now has 60 malls in the Philippines, 22 of which are in Metro Manila, 29 in Luzon outside of Metro Manila, five in the Visayas and four in Mindanao. It also has six malls in China. In 2016, SM Prime also opened SM-Cherry Congressional in Quezon City, SM City San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan and SM City Trece Martires in Cavite. (PNA)

Water service interruption in some city parts Dec. 7-9

AVAO City Water District has scheduled three separate sets of water service interruption to give way to service improvement projects. First set is on December 7, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting the entire Bago Gallera Settlers Association (BAGASA) and portion of Sitio Saka Road from San Miguel Chapel to junction of Libby Road. DCWD’s Engineering and Construction Department crew will tap the newly installed 100mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 150mm diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at BAGASA Phase 1 to 4. Second set of water service interruption will be on December 9, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Affected are some portions of Agdao, specifically, Gotamco, Agdao Beach, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio, and the road from corner R. Castillo St. to Agdao Beach. This water cut is needed to allow the tapping of the newly installed 100mm diameter PVC pipeline to the existing 100mm diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Sitio Coreas, Brgy. Leon Garcia in Agdao. Last set is on December 9, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM affecting the entire Camella

Cerritos Expansion in Mintal. This water service interruption will give way to the tapping of the water distribution system to the existing 100mm diameter PVC pipeline for Camella Cerritos Expansion in Block 9 and portions of Block 2 and 11. Once completed, the projects involved in the three sets of water service interruption will allow for accommodation of additional service connections. The DCWD management asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruptions as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

Shakey’s to open 20 new stores in 2017, eyes PHP3.96-B from IPO

ULL service pizza chain, Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI), which is launching a PHP3.96-billion initial public offering (IPO), targets to put up 20 new stores next year, as it embarks on expansion here and abroad. SPAVI president and chief executive officer Vicente Gregorio bared this after the company signed a deal with a Middle Eastern partner for its first international franchise in Kuwait. “It’s 10 stores for the next seven years. The first store should be up in the first half of next year,” he told reporters.

But Gregorio stressed that while there are a lot of franchise inquiries from other countries, including ASEAN, New Zealand and Australia, the company has been cautious on these deals. “The focus of the company is still to develop and expand the brand here in the Philippines. We will be very careful in doing that international expansion… We have seen others grow and expand and then scale down because it did not work. We want to be having profitable franchisees, local or international,” he reasoned.

FSHAKEY’S, 13

ABOITIZ FOUNDATION COMMENDED TWICE. Recognizing its valued contribution and support, the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social development arm of the Aboitiz Group, was recently honored by the Manila Science High School and the Department of Social Welfare and Development on two separate occasions. The Aboitiz Foundation was recognized for its support in realizing the Manila Science High School’s vision and mission in providing quality education by supporting students through scholarships and financial assistance during the school’s 53rd founding anniversary, and it was also recognized by the DSWD for its “invaluable contribution in delivering humanitarian assistance and quality social protection programs for the poor” during DSWD-NCR’s 38th anniversary. Both honors were received by Danny Cerence, Aboitiz Foundation AVP-Operations.

The Aboitiz Group has long been supportive of the country’s public education system, believing this is where the Group can make the biggest impact. The Aboitiz Foundation’s most important goal is to achieve universal public education by establishing more Aboitiz BetterWorld schools that promise a better learning environment. It is also an organization of compassionate service, one that can be counted on to provide assistance to those in need as part of its thrust to promote Health & Well-Being for a BetterWorld. It is among the first to respond during disasters while providing access to medical services through the help of Aboitiz business units. In 2015, the Foundation provided essential relief packs to 4,669 families affected by typhoons throughout the year, with 114 team member volunteers nationwide.

Biz group sets Minbizcon 2017 in Cagayan de Oro T

HIS early, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. has started preparing for the Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) 2017, the largest gathering of businessmen and stakeholders in Mindanao, to take place here, a businessman said Monday. Newly elected CDOCCII president Robertino E. Pizarro said that the local business group has expressed optimism about the brighter prospect for Northern Mindanao in 2017. “The Oro Chamber expects more investors to invest in Northern Mindanao as the ‘Minbizcon 2017’ sets in Au-

gust here next year,” Pizarro said. Pizarro said that with President Rodrigo Duterte coming from Mindanao, it would be fruition for both domestic and foreign investments to settle down here. “The President has been busy enticing investors abroad. I am confident that 2017 will be a big year for us because we are the gateway to Northern Mindanao,” he said. Pizarro said that Northern Mindanao has more than 300 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which has generated PHP 3.16 billion in new investments in the last quarter of 2016.

He said that the CDOCCII has also increased by an additional 28 members this year or 7.9 percent over that of 2015. Pizarro said that the business sector in Cagayan de Oro has collectively support the Duterte administration’s investment drive and Minbizcon would be one such avenue “on how to make lasting impressions to would-be investors.” The annual gathering usually tackles topics as broad as discussions on economic issues, policies and opportunities concerning the socioeconomic welfare of the whole island. Recognized as the most relevant business gathering in

Mindanao, Minbizcon bridges the organization to local counterparts in the domain of trade and cooperation. The Minbizcon has provided the CDOCCII an opportunity to ink agreements with the United States Agency for International Development for a PhP 15-million agro-forestry project; built partnerships with the Departments of Science and Technology, and Social Welfare and Development; generated PhP 1.2 million in sales from its yearly exhibit output called ORO BEST; and, successfully lobbied for the expansion of the highway leading to the local airport here. (PNA)

see the overall emergency preparedness, response and consequences management for all natural and human induced disasters that may occur during the hosting of the event. “We will be in-charge in responding to various scenarios being the head of the TG Emergency Preparedness and Response,” Mazo said. She said other RDRMMCs in the country are also mobilized and coordinated to ensure the safety of the delegates who will be attending the conference. Mazo said the launching

program of the ASEAN will be in Davao City, while other areas like Boracay in Western Visayas and Cebu City in the Central Visayas area are also preparing, respectively. “It will be a test of capability in ensuring the safety of everyone from the billeting areas, its surroundings towards the venue of the events,” she said. Mazo said the RDRRMC will handle response in both major and minor incidents while the activity is going on in Davao Region. She said all resources

needed are being readied coupled with the organization to ensure effective response. “All the provincial disaster offices are involved since local and regional incident management teams have to be organized. With their presence, more responders, fire trucks and more ambulance are on standby to assist in times of contingency,” Mazo said. She said the SMX-Lanang and Marco Polo Hotel are the primary places of convergence for the ASEAN conference. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

RDRRMC braces for holding of ASEAN 2017

HE Office of Civil Defense XI rallied all line-government agencies to prepare for the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in January 2017. Liza Mazo, director of the OCD XI said the preparation involves planning on emergency preparedness and response contingency review. She said that as lead agency of the Task Group Emergency Preparedness and Response, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 11 through the OCD 11 shall direct and over-

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Beijing... FROM 5

ters. Tourism Assistant Secretary Eden David earlier said Davao is a viable market for Chinese tourists in the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) tourist sector. She added there are other feeder markets that go to Xiamen and a regular flight between Xiamen and Davao will help push the traffic between the said areas. Jazmin Esguerra, previously the country’s attache to China and now tourism consultant for the region, said it is possible to recapture the Chinese market now that a better relationship has been established after President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China. With the lifting of the travel advisory against the Philippines, Esguerra said the Philippines should try to get its share of the 120 million Chinese travelers (3015 travel data) with a total outbound expenditures amounting to USD194 billion. Esguerra however said “we have to start again, more than 400 countries are promoting to the Chinese market so we have to start at the bottom again.” She said it is not too late for the country’s tourism sector to lure the Chinese market but it will depend on the quality and quantity of promotions that will be done by the government. “There are more than 620 million internet users and

more than 80 percent mobile device users in China so social media has a huge impact in the decision-making process of the Chinese tourists in choosing their destinations,” she said. The top 10 outbound destination of Chinese tourists in 2014 are Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Macao, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and France. “There’s a problem in Thailand since they are in mourning and has limited tourism promotion and offerings and we should take advantage of this because we are nearer. They will come here for beach holidays, shopping and the Philippine Eagle Center because they do not have that,” she said. Esguerra, however, said the Philippines is more expensive than Bali in Indonesia and Thailand so we offer perks and improve our tourism products and experience. This is a big challenge considering that the tourism budget has been reduced by 40 percent this year, she added. Among the tourism products in the Davao Region which could lure the Chinese tourists are its natural environment including the beaches and the mountain resorts but the experience has to be enhanced by bringing in fresh fruits and vegetables to cater to health-conscious tourists as well as organic and grilled food. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

Shakey’s... FROM 12

NEWS 13

Gregorio said they will focus on expanding in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as in provincial Luzon. “Just here in VisMin (Visayas-Mindanao), we are underpenetrated,” he noted. “There are (also) still opportunities outside extreme northern Luzon and southern Luzon.” SPAVI hopes to end 2016 with 184 stores, with the opening of 17 new stores this year. It expects to open 20 more new stores next year, bringing the total to 204 stores by December 2017. “After next year, we are

still seeing 12 to 15 new stores added to the system, which will sustain the growth,” Gregorio said. He further said the company has been posting double-digit growth for the last 13 years bolstered by new store openings. “How do you continue to grow? The main thrust to sustain this kind of an upward trajectory is to expedite our expansion for new stores,” he said. Meanwhile, SPAVI is offering 351.9 million shares, including an over-allotment option of up to 45.9 million

shares from December 2 to 8. Offer price is PHP11.26 apiece. Listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange is set on December 15. The country’s leading chained full-service restaurant intends to use 87.3 percent or PHP940.3 million of the net proceeds from the sale of primary shares to repay debt. The remaining PHP137 million will fund the capital expenditures for its commissary expansion and for relocation of its corporate headquarters. Eduardo Francisco, president of Banco de Oro Capital

& Investment Corp., said the share sale is “oversubscribed”. “We are confident that we will do very well despite the Fed rate increases, OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ deal to reduce production). This is a very stable company with good growth prospects so we are sure it will (also) do very well post-IPO. IPO substantially is oversubscribed so we are happy about that,” he said in an interview. BDO Capital was tapped as one of the joint lead managers and joint domestic underwriters. (PNA)

book of entries of judgments on May 20 and upheld in a follow-up resolution on June 21—that the government must pay this contractor $326.93 million in just compensation. The Supreme Court had nullified the PIATCO contracts but ruled that just compensation was incidental because of the structures already built by PIATCO before the deal was voided. On top of this amount, the High Tribunal also directed the government to pay PIATCO an extra amount equivalent to a 12-percent legal interest from September 2006 to June 2013 plus six-percent interest from July 2013 up to the time the government will have made full payment. Just recently, the BTr transferred some P20 billion to

the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for payment to PIATCO’s just compensation for the NAIA 3 project as directed by the SC. The government is liquid at this point, but paying for these pecuniary claims will mean setting aside for such possible court-ordered payments huge amounts of taxpayers’ money that should otherwise be used to augment the budget for the Duterte administration’s accelerated spending over the next six years on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the poor and other vulnerable sectors. The DOF is now looking at other cases that might similarly give the Duterte administration financial headaches in the near future. In an open forum during

a recent public engagement in Davao City, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he has, for one, directed the BIR to review all tax-related issuances in the past to preclude potential legal challenges in the future that could cost taxpayers billions of pesos more in payments to claimant-contractors. When the BIR decided to impose the 20 percent FWT on the bondholders in 2011, Dominguez said, “the banks did not take this sitting down and went to court. And recently, they won the case all the way up to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said that we have to return the P4.9 billion… we have to pay P1.4 billion in interest.” “I think there are more cases of similar nature which will come up soon. So I asked

the BIR to please review all the issuances so that we avoid burdening the public by collecting taxes that are not fair, that we are going to lose in court anyway and that we are going to burden our taxpayers by paying penalties and interest,” Dominguez said. “Every time I sign a check for some mistake that has been made in the past, my hands almost bleed,” he added. One possibility is that the Duterte administration may have to shell out money, too, to compensate other private concessionaires if and when the various international arbitral tribunals rule in their favor in the cases that they had filed against their government partners for alleged violations of their concession agreements. (DOF)

Duterte... FROM 5

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EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

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is best Mindanao LI’L PANDA SHINES Zambo finisher in Batang Pinoy 6-year old Tan wins gold in Malaysia Karatedo tourney By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

AKE way for the “Li’l Panda.” Six-year old Atsuko Kaiyel Tan, the smallest member of the Philippine delegation, stood tallest in the 3rd Malaysia Mayor’s Cup Karate Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday. The diminutive Tan, daughter of Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao manager Rommel “Kung Fu Panda” Tan, impressed the judges with her advanced kata routine to win the gold in the 6-7 year old category. The Davao Christian School standout, Davao’s 2016 So Kim Cheng Athlete of the Year Awardee, bested a Malaysian in the finals of the tough field composed of eight participants. “It was not easy. We came here worried abiout Kaiyel’s sister Yuki who is still in the hospital. But she was really determined,” said the father-coach in an online interview. “As a father and coach, I am proud of her achievement.” Tan now has three in-

GOLD MEDALIST. Atsuko Kaiyel Tan of AAK Davao, representing Philippines, stands at the center of the podium after winning the gold medal in the 3rd Malayssia Mayor’s Cup Karate Championships in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. ternational gold medals to her name after winning the 2015 and 2016 Milo Malaysia Cup kata gold medals. The tournament attracted 13 countries and a total of 45 clubs and 450 entries. Team AAK Philippines finished with six golds, six silvers and five bronze medals in the tournament. The other Pinoy gold medalists in the kumite competitions are Paolo

Gorospe, Joan Lumbao, and Renzel Asistido. Winning silvers are Mathee Lazo, Adam Bondoc, Oliver Mañalac, and Johan Cancela while Bash Mañalac and Fiona Grande finished with bronze medals. For kata, the other gold medalists are Mathee Lazo and Paolo Gorospe. Joan Lumbao and Renzel Asistido won silver while Adam Bondoc, Fiona Grande and Daniel Cancela took home

bronze. The delegation was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission with their travel tax excemption. Tan also thanked Jay Ramirez, Marvin Te, Caoile and Bandejas Travel Agency, Claudia Villaluna, Benjamin Lim, Beefit Gym under Jimmy and Vicky Javier, and Davao City Sports Council Inc. president Dexter So.

HE Zamboanga City delegation landed third place in the just concluded week-long 2016 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Cebu City grabbed the championship with 42 gold, 30 silver and 31 bronze medals while Baguio City won second place with 38 gold, 30 silver and 30 bronze medals. Dr. Cecilia Atilano, Zamboanga City sports development officer, told the Philippines News Agency on Saturday that the city’s delegation bagged 34 gold 20 silver and 25 bronze medals. Atilano said most of the medals the athletic delegation of this city came from the pencak silat, weightlifting, wrestling, and karatedo sporting

events. She congratulated the local athletic delegation despite they only grabbed the third place in the 2016 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy. Zamboanga City has sent a 245-man delegation including 52 coaches and officials. The athletes, who competed, were 17 years old and below. They competed in the 26 sports events which includes the following: archery; arnis; athletics; badminton; baseball; basketball 3-on-3; boxing; chess; cycling; dancesport; gymnastics; judo; karatedo; lawn tennis; pencak silat; rugby football; sepak takraw; softball; swimming; table tennis; taekwondo; triathlon; volleyball; weightlifting; wrestling; and, wushu. (PNA)

ILIPINOS Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales missed the chance of playing in the 2017 Australian Open after losing in the quarterfinal of the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off tournament on Saturday at the Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Centre in Guangdong, China. Alcantara bowed to fifth seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran of India, 4-6, 1-6, sending the Indian to the semifinal round

where he will face tournament top seed Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.Lee will be up against third seed Chinese Wu Di, who advanced to the semifinal after pulling off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Indian N. Vijay Sundar Prashanth. Top players from the Asia-Pacific region are competing in this tournament to earn a wild card in the main draw of next year’s Australian Open scheduled January 16 to 29 in Melbourne. (PNA)

Alcantara, Gonzales fall in Aus Open bids F

31 players from 12 countries in freestyle football tourney

ABAWENYOS will play host to the 4th Asian Freestyle Football Championship 2016 at the SM Lanang Premier fountain court area, Dec. 9 and 10, This was announced by Edgar Te of the Maharlika Sports Development Institute, Inc. said a total of the 31 players from 14 countries, many of them world champions in the unique sport event, are now in Davao City for the world competition. Powerhouse participation Among those who have arrived for the tournament are: Philip Warren Gertsson of the Philippines, who was the Asian champion in 2014 and Asian runnerup in 2015; Carlos Iacono of Argentina, who was the Argentina World Tour 2014 and Red Bull Street Style World Champion, 2016; Erlend Fagerli of Norway, World Open European and Norwegian champion 2016; Syzmon Skalshi of

Poland, Polish Champion 2016, World champion, Red Bull Street Style World Champion in 2014; Lukas Skoda of Chech Republic, artist, liaison and network manager of Freestyle Football Federation (F3); Steves Elias of Canada, director of F3 North America and Hoai Nam Nguyen, secretary general of the F3 of Asia. The countries represented aside from the Philippines, he said, are Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Iran, Japan and Vietnam.

Sponsors Te thanked the city government of Davao under Mayor Sara D. Carpio, the Liga ng mga Barangay, Davao chapter, SilkAir, Generation Aamzing from Qatar, Park Inn by Radisson, SM Lanang Premier, Davies Paint, Homitori, Gerflor Schreder and Smart.

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