Edge Davao 9 Issue 235 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

UPBEAT. A worker uses a power spray to wash away dirt from newly-harvested bananas at a packaging plant inside a banana plantation in Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte. Banana industry in the province is now starting to thrive once again after the Chinese government has lifted the ban on the imports from the country late last year. Lean Daval Jr.

PORTRAYAL OF CHEAP RP WOMEN ASSAILED In packaging RP as lurid tourist destination By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Gabriela Women’s Party has expressed disapproval on how the Ms. Universe pageant and other beauty contests tended to ‘commodify’ women by using their image in commercial use, products and services. “Beauty contests are not okay if they tend to exploit women in a globalization-oriented trade regime,” said Rep. Luz Ilagan of the Gabriela Women’s Partylist on Monday. “We are opposing pageants and other festivals that exploit and commodify women, and use the contests to promote using women’s image in commercial use, products, and services in a globalization-ori-

ented trade regime,” Ilagan explained in Visayan language. She mentioned that they are seeing this year’s Miss Universe pageant hosting as another attempt to package the Philippines as a lurid tourist destination for cheap, easily exploitable women. While Ilagan said that the shows are fine, she said that organizers must change the form of the show that objectifies women in endorsing the tourism of the country. “Ayaw po natin iyong ginawang lurid tourist destination for cheap and easily exploited women and Philippines,” she said. Ilagan also stressed that

objectifying women is not the primary objective of the pageants. However, Gabriela clarified that its critique was on the pageant itself and not on the participants. “We lament that women with ideals and aspirations are being used to promote commercial brands under the guise of “women empowerment,” Ilagan said, adding that empowered women would continue to protest the deceptive pageant and push forward the real agenda of peace and justice. At the same time, Ilagan stressed that Davao City is lucky to have the Integrated

Gender Development Office to educate the women on their rights. The IGDD was created under the City Mayor’s Office following the passage of the Women Development Code on October 14, 1997, and that Davao City was the first to implement such rule. IGDD acts as the coordinating, regulating and monitoring body of the city government and focuses on gender-sensitive projects and activities. Ilagan also cited that Davao City has an ordinance dictating a “no swimsuit” policy for beauty contests held there to avoid objectifying women.

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Madaum union blames Lapanday for violence By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

EMBERS of Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative 1 (HEARBCO-1) yesterday denied their union was in conflict with the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Inc. (MARBAI) as claimed by Lapanday Foods Incorporated. Guesting during the

EDGEDAVAO Sports Horn confident of beating Pacquiao P14

Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on Monday, HEARBCO-1 member Robert Mantilla belied the statement of LFC legal counsel Atty. Leilani Espejo that LFC was only caught between the dispute of two parties, adding that they were not the ones who ordered the guards of LFC to shoot the members of MARBAI. FMADAUM, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. President Rodrigo Duterte speaks before dignitaries, delegates and guests during the launching of the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Sunday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

French envoy meets Mayor Sara to explore possible cooperation

FRENCH diplomat met with Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Monday to discuss possible business cooperation. The visit of French Embassy Deputy Head Laurent Le Godec comes ahead of a French business mission to Davao, which he considers as an important city in Mindanao. Le Godec said he was seeking the support of the City Government of Davao for the possible conduct of a business forum between French and local companies so they would be able “to find room to expand their economic cooperation.” Le Godec said the forum would be attended by a French

business delegation. This, he said, would enable French businessmen “to see for themselves what projects they can put up” in the city. Aside from the forum, Le Godec also told Mayor Inday that an Annual French Film Festival could also be held in the city for Dabawenyos to learn to appreciate French movies and culture. In the meeting with Mayor Sara, Le Godec underscored that France has long realized the potentials of Mindanao, particularly Davao City. He said the French government was also confident of the city’s future, in terms of economic and business environment. CIO

PNP elated at success of ASEAN launching By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Police Regional Office has expressed elation that security measures set up for the ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship launching held out successfully without even a minor slip. “We have no untoward incident in Davao City in the conduct of the launching of the Launching of Philippine Chairmanship for ASEAN 2017,” PRO 11 Spokesperson Andrea dela Cerna said in a press statement. There are about 4,000

law enforcers from different agencies in the region that were deployed to secure the events in the city, according to dela Cerna, and that the role of PRO 11 was to augment and assign cops to areas of the events. Part of their measures, she said, was maximizing their assets and resources through designating police officers for near the airports, hotels where ASEAN delegates are staying, and SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Pre-

miere where the launching happened. “We are commending the public, police, military, government agencies involved in the event, and particularly the public for cooperating in the said event,” dela Cerna added, Meanwhile, Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Chief Benito de Leon mentioned that the event went well as there were no security challenges. Although he said he is not in the position to provide

assurance as PSCC is only a small component of the security plan assembled by the National Organizing Committee, given the long preparation time and the enormous resources collected he said that the ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship launch was peaceful. “With the manpower, equipment and logistics support, there was extraordinary diligence exercised to ensure the safety of the delegates and the success of the activities,” De Leon said.

tutes the violation of the ceasefire,” Bello explained. He added that there is a guideline or definition of terms under the bilateral agreement to determine what hostile acts would be considered as a violation. Both GRP and NDF would also be discussing the Comprehensive Agreement on Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) in the third round of talks. However, Bello pointed out that they are not rushing on the signing of CASER since it is considered as the “most contentious” part among the agreements that will be signed by the both parties. CASER, being considered as the “heart and soul” of the peace negotiations, contains

the most important issues that must be tackled under the process such as agrarian reform, national industrialization, and foreign policy. However, Bello in a press release published by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) expressed his optimism that significant breakthroughs will take place next week. “We are prepared to sign side and other agreements while we are discussing contents and provisions of the primary substantive agenda,” Bello stated. Bello added that draft documents were submitted on Monday, Jan. 16 to President Rodrigo Duterte and the government panel will be heading

to Rome on Jan. 17. He stated that the GRP panel is ready to sign side and other agreements while discussing contents and provisions of the substantive agenda. Among the draft documents that Bello mentioned are the CASER, comprehensive agreement on political and constitutional reforms (CAPCR), and agreement on the end of hostilities and disposition of forces (EOHDOF). “We are ready to engage the NDF in discussing all substantive agendas including supplemental agreements needed to proceed and arrive at a peaceful negotiated political settlement to end the

ARMM exec reiterates stand versus transfer of erring cops Bello: GRP hopeful in forging with NDF ceasefire accord

UTONOMOUS Region for Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman has reiterated his position calling on the Philippine National Police to reconsider its practice of transferring erring cops from the Visayas and Luzon to the ARMM. “Erring law enforcers must be held accountable,” he said. “Sending them to the ARMM is not a disciplinary action.” He said that on the contrary, the practice tends to portray the ARMM as a region underserving of dignified and dedicated public service to include policemen. The PNP leadership has reportedly been transferring policemen from other regions to the ARMM, especially those suspected of being involved in

the illegal drug trade. Hataman said it was high time that practice should be stopped. “Hence, I am calling on the PNP once again to reconsider this policy,” said Gov. Hataman. He stressed, among other things, that the ARMM regional government has been exerting all efforts to rid the region of corruption and to implement relevant reforms for its constituents.” ”The region is in the forefront of confronting such issues as poverty, hunger, and the rise of terror groups, and we need the best of our country’s police on our side -- not the worst.” The PNP leadership has yet to react to Hataman’s appeal. CANDIDO APARECE JR.

HE government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) will strive to achieve the bilateral ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front (NDF) on its third round of formal peace negotiations on January 19 to 25 in Rome, Italy. GRP peace panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III told reporters during the ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship in Davao City that the government panel was hoping to settle with the NDF the guidelines for the acts to be considered as “hostile and violative of the ceasefire.” “The problem with unilateral ceasefire is that it lacks the definition of terms; you do not know what constitutes the hostile act and what consti-

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Rody launches ASEAN chairmanship in Davao By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Philippines, led by President Rodrigo Duterte, has launched its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday, January 15, in Davao City. As chairman of the ASEAN in 2017, the country will be hosting its year-long events and activities in different parts of the Philippines with “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” as its chosen theme. Heads of state and sectoral leaders from all over Southeast Asia will be attending to the Philippines to participate in these events, all with the aim of improving unity and harmony among the 10 member-countries of the ASEAN. Duterte, during his speech at the launching, emphasized that the Philippines’ chairmanship will focus on improving the lives of each ASEAN citizen. “For an ASEAN citizen, the ASEAN Community must provide opportunities for a truly better life,” he said, adding that the Philippines’ chairmanship will place the people at the

core. Duterte is also calling the public to take an active an constructive part during the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN. “It is our spirit of ‘bayanihan’ that has helped define us as a responsible leader of our region during this crucial time,” he added, pointing out that it is the ASEAN’s spirit of community that would enable the regional grouping to overcome challenges that it faces as a region. Other priorities that Duterte pointed out are the regional peace and stability, maritime security and cooperation, and inclusive and innovation-led growth. Sure to be a topic during ASEAN events is the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), parts of which are being claimed by 5 ASEAN member-states – the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. On the year of its chairmanship, the Philippines

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Palace: Ban of explicit websites part of bid to stop pornography

RESIDENT Duterte severely dislikes the propagation of porn sites as these have been used by several individuals to access explicit entertainment, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. Andanar on Sunday said that the porn sites should be banned because “these are being used by pedophiles and other people who subscribe and other individuals who subscribe to child pornography websites.” “What is important is that the President do not like these pornographic videos on the Internet,” Andanar said before the launching of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017 chairmanship

at SMX Convention Center in Lanang. He noted that Duterte has also disliked such unlawful activity despite the President being criticized for his sexist remarks during the election campaign. Andanar pointed out that child pornography is a crime and the government “does not want the youth – and even adults – to be addicted to those videos shown on the Internet.” Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told Edge Davao on Sunday that there is a law regarding child pornography that those websites are violating, which is Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Law.

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ADVOCACY. Former GABRIELA Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan (right) gestures while discussing the upcoming “One Billion Rising” movement, a national effort to raise awareness and bring about change against violence against women, set at Rizal Park, Davao City on February 14. Ilagan was joined by

GABRIELA Women’s Party nominee Bai Ali Indayla during the promotion of the event in this week’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Solid foundations behind ASEAN’s 50-year strong existence – Yasay By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

adlopez0920@gmail.com

ESPITE the turmoil and threats that engulfed Asia in the 60’s – the time when the Association of South East Asian Nations was born, still, the organization was able to get along those major challenges and, for the last 50 years, was able to stand, expand its membership and proved to be one of the

great assembly of nations in the world. This was the central theme of the message delivered by Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfector Yasay as he welcomed all the guests during the launching of the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang on Sun-

day, January 15. “It is not every day one event can rally leaders and members of the Association of South East Asian Nations for a momentous convergence – that delivers powerful message of the centrality of this great assembly of nations,” Yasay said. The secretary recalled the

birth of the association on August 8, 1967, when the Philippines took part in the signing of the ASEAN declaration, together with the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. “This document gave birth to ASEAN – a gathering of nations now considered as the

Filipinos could stop graft and corruption by being patriotic and by helping fight abuses in government. “A Filipino guy must be assertive; kayo lang ang makakahinto dito sa graft and corruption, hindi ako, kayo lang talaga,” the President told Davao City businessmen during the event in Marco Polo Hotel.

Duterte stated that he has a limited time in office, but Filipinos are not bound by any time frame to defend themselves. He said they should also assert themselves by asking for the service they are entitled to. “I think that we should have a respite from corruption

if you want your country to grow,” he said. Only the people can combat graft and corruption because as president, Duterte said, he cannot micromanage everything. “Do not give bribes; I will eventually take notice of it if a commotion happens,” Duterte said. FDUTERTE, 10

Duterte renew call for end to gov’t corruption

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday renewed his pledge to implement zero corruption in the government under his administration. Duterte in a speech during the installation of the Board of Trustees and Officers of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) that

AFP to constantly adjust tactics to curb ASG threat

SNOBBED. Mely Yu (left) and Rey Delatori of Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, Inc. (MARBAI) reveal that Lapanday Foods Corporation allegedly ignored cease and desist order of the Department of Agrarian

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Reform (DAR). Yu and Delatori made the disclosure during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will constantly adjust its tactics in fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview late Sunday. He added adjustment in tactics will be done after six months which is in line with the self-imposed time frame set by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año on eliminating the ASG threat. “And if within six months, the ASG threat is still present or existing, after six months, then, we will have an assessment of the experiences, lessons made in fighting the ASGs and, we will come out with an adjustment (in tactics) that will be based on the previous semester,” Arevalo said in Filipino. He also said the AFP chief’s

commitment to crush the bandit group in six months is not ambitious as changes are now ongoing on operational commitments, procedures, leadership and compositions of the fighting teams. Arevalo declined to comment on whether new forces will be deployed in the ongoing anti-ASG operations due to security reasons. “I just cannot tell you about that yet, as of yet, but you can expect that, “ he added. Año earlier said that while Development Support Security Plan “Kapayapaan” is focused on the primacy primacy of the peace process, terror groups like the ASG, Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines and other lawless groups will feel the full brunt of the military’s combat power. (PNA)

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Palace on self-rated poverty: ‘Change has indeed come’

FIRM ON THE SADDLE. Alsons Aquaculture Corporation export manager Jose Ma. Cabrera says the 60 percent of their production goes to the markets in the U.S., Canada and Australia and the company plans to build an export

processing zone in the municipality of Alabel, Saranggani Province. Cabrera graced yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Du30 pledges firmer resolve for strong ASEAN community By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte pledged his firm commitment to build a strong and resilient Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community. “I say to you today in full humility: the Philippines – as ASEAN Chair - will remain steadfast in upholding the ideals and values we hold dear and in working for the realization of our shared aspirations,” Duterte told over 1000 guests, including the nine representatives of ASEAN member-states, foreign ambassadors, and delegates gathered during the launching of Philippines’ chairmanship for ASEAN 2017 on Sunday at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere Davao City. Tracing the first ASEAN Summit in 1967, the President sees its members have changed much “for the better”. “Lives have been improved. The march towards

sustainable development and inclusive growth continues to take place” said Duterte, adding that its members have established amongst themselves good neighborliness that allowed for secure and stable relations. Despite the changes that have taken place throughout the years, the President will not remain complacent as he stressed the very same burning desire to move forward together based on shared values. “We see the very same resolve to work together for a world that recognizes interconnectedness and respects sovereign independence,” he said. Duterte identified this as one of the important lessons that ASEAN can hold to the Asia-Pacific region and to our world. “But we too have learned many lessons,” he said. “One of them is that the unity and cooperation that

have defined ASEAN over the last five decades will be crucial to our collective success. We realize that, in truth, there is still a lot of hard work to be done for true transformation that will benefit all our peoples in the region,” he added. Duterte also recalled the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Summits in the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic in September 2016 where he announced Philippines chairmanship theme: “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”. “Simple, short, yet meaningful, this theme will guide us through our chairmanship and will define the Philippines’ contribution to the realization of the ASEAN Community,” he said. “We are all partners for change. Since 1967, we have endeavored to work together to bring about positive change for ASEAN’s peoples,” he added.

The President stressed that for an ASEAN citizen, the ASEAN community must provide opportunities for a truly better life. “We can work to strengthen the capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises, promote and protect the welfare of migrant workers, and ensure social protection for the vulnerable sectors of society,” he said. Duterte pointed out that particular attention will be directed to sub-regional mechanisms, including BIMP-EAGA which the Philippines will also Chair this year. Also, he said the government will continue to be crucial in pursuing development initiatives “at the grassroots”. Aside from that, the President stressed that the Philippines will be firm in its advocacy to promote cooperation between and among ASEAN neighbors and engage dialogue

in Davao, the diverse tourism activities, and priority government programs of the local government. The 10 investment areas are agriculture business sector; tourism and recreational facilities; light manufacturing and assembly; property development; health and wellness, educational, and sports facilities; environmental protection and green projects; information and communication technology; generation of new sources of energy; transportation and infrastructure; and public-private partnership projects. Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, speaking for City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte during the Philippines-Japan Busi-

ness Forum held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on January 13, said one reason for them to be confident and invest in the city is the stronger peace and security programs laid down by the administration of Mayor Duterte. The forum, held during Abe’s visit, was attended by at least 20 Japanese businessmen and representatives from such companies as Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Itochu, Sumitomo, Toyota, and Mizuho. Executives from Chodai Company Limited, Sumifru (Philippines) Corporation, and Concentrix, which have all established base in the city, also shared their business success stories to the Japanese delegation.

The city’s pitch was also supported by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez by presenting the country’s growth trajectory and investment opportunities, emphasizing that the Philippines should be a great trade and investment partner for Japan because of its growing and stable economy, improved competitiveness and investment grade, strategic location in Asia, and human capital advantage. He likewise noted several key programs that the administration of President Duterte has been undertaking, particularly the 10+1 economic agenda and the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy. CIO

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Davao expects more Japanese investments after Abe’s visit

HE Davao City Government is expecting an influx of Japanese investments after the successful visit of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Davao last week. “We are confident as Davao City has successfully gained more interest from the Japanese businessmen,” said Davao City Investment and Promotions Center head Lemuel Ortonio. He said Japanese businessmen should “invest, live, and play” in Davao City and take advantage of the city’s robust economy and ease of doing business. In a video presentation, Ortonio showed the top 10 preferred investment areas

ALACANANG welcomed on Monday a record low self-rated poverty rate, saying Filipinos have started to feel the change promised by President Rodrigo Duterte in the last May 2016. “Change has indeed come, and it is being felt by our people,” Presidential Communications Office (POC) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. For two consecutive quarters, Filipino families who considered themselves ‘mahirap’ or poor reached new record low, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey last December 3-6. In the third month of the Duterte administration last September 2016, the average self-rated poverty rate was 42 percent while in December 2016, it was 44 percent, both surpassed the previous record of 47 percent registered in 1987. “On the two-point increase in self-rated poverty nationwide, we take note the survey finding that self-rated

poverty rose in Balance Luzon,” Andanar said. “We thus factor in stronger-than usual typhoons that hit Luzon towards the later part of the year which may have affected the perception of our respondents,” he added. Last year, typhoon Karen damaged thousands of hectares of agricultural lands in Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol while typhoon Lawin destroyed houses and crops and displaced thousands in the northern part of Luzon. “The Department of Agriculture has been providing assistance to those affected farmers in the wake of two destructive storms last year,” Andanar said. According to the SWS survey conducted on 1,500 respondents nationwide, the self-rated poverty reading “has been either steady or declining for nine consecutive quarters from 52 percent in December 2014 to 44 percent in December last year. (PNA)

PH needs to invest 30% of GDP for 2040 vision

HE vision to transform the Philippines into an upper middle-income economy by 2022 and close to becoming a high-income one by 2040 will fall through unless total investments are raised from 24 percent to 30 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia, said that of this target, the public share of investments must rise 5.4 percent of GDP this year to 7 percent onwards by 2022. Pernia said that beginning this year, the budget for public infrastructure would be increased to 5.4 percent of GDP, which is equivalent to about P861 billion, while private investment is expected to contribute 18.6 percent of GDP, for total investments equivalent to 24 percent of GDP. “This is a significant improvement from historical lows, but this level will not be enough to help the country achieve its vision of eradicating poverty and becoming a high-income economy, where Malaysia is nearly right now, by 2040,” he said. Pernia said that to achieve this vision, the country needs to bring total investments from 24 to 30 percent of GDP, of which 7 percent of GDP will be contributed by the public sector. “Hence, an ambitious program focusing on infrastructure is necessary not only to raise the government’s contribution to investments, but also to fill the country’s massive infrastructure backlog that has been inherited from past governments,” Pernia said. “In order to raise enough

revenues to fund the government’s unmatched public spending plan, it needs to implement broad and deep reforms in tax policy and administration,” he added. “Without the tax reform, we will not be able to fund the needed increase in infrastructure spending beginning 2018.” According to Secretary Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the total infrastructure budget, both national and local, is projected to grow from P861 billion in 2017 to P1.898 trillion by 2022, or from 5.4 to around 7 percent of GDP. “These record levels of spending will align our country with its more vibrant neighbors and put us on track to achieve our vision of eradicating extreme poverty and transforming our economy into a high-income one by 2040,” Diokno said. Diokno reiterated, though, that the unprecedented levels of public spending in the years ahead can happen only if the government were to raise a lot more revenues, which will require major reforms in tax policy and administration. He recalled that the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) crafted by the Department of Finance (DOF) was submitted to the Congress lastSept. 26. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the DOF welcomes the recent statement of Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs the House ways and means committee tackling tax reform, that the first package would likely be approved by the panel in January this year. (PR)

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WELL-DESERVED. Edge Davao editor-in-chief Antonio Ajero (center) receives the plaque for Media Business Friendly Award from the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) represented by past presidents Bonifacio Tan (left) and John Gaisano during the organization’s 49th Annual Installation of officers and Board of Trustees at the

Phoenix taps Globe Business to boost workers’productivity

EADING independent and fastest-growing oil company in the country Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. (PNX) has tapped Globe Business, the corporate information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, for the use of G Suite to maximize business efficiency. Through the partnership with Globe Business, PNX was able to acquire G Suite licences that allow its employees to work better together via secure and reliable workplace tools for email, calendar, text and video chat, document creation, project websites, and online storage and sync. “We are a growing company, making it necessary for us to acquire a simple yet powerful office tool that would enable easier commu-

nication and collaboration among our different departments. Through the help of Globe Business and G Suite, it is now easier to keep track of our progress and to keep up with numerous projects. I recommend it to anyone who wants to level up their productivity at work,” shared Alfred Reyes, PNX’s AVP for IT. Since the establishment of its first station in Davao in 2005, PNX has expanded nationwide to build a wide network of retail stations and commercial and industrial clients. Its business covers the trading of refined petroleum products and lubricants to retail and commercial channels, operation of oil depots, storage and transport services. Its integrated logistic services include hauling and into-plane services of

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PLDT, Smart, TV5, Solar to bring Miss Universe to more Filipinos

EADING Philippine telecommunication and digital services provider PLDT and mobile leader Smart Communications together with broadcast station TV5 brought the much anticipated Miss Universe 2016 closer to Filipinos everywhere through the country’s most extensive and robust fixed line and wireless networks. In partnership with the Miss Universe Organization and official Philippine broadcast partner of Miss Universe 2016 Solar Entertainment, the PLDT Group will enable the best viewing experience of the pageant in the Philippines through its various terrestrial

and digital channels, across multiple screens at home and on-the-go. “With the Miss Universe crown currently in our homeland, the enthusiasm for and connection of Filipinos to the global pageant is now stronger than ever,” PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinansaid. “With the combined reach of PLDT, Smart and TV5, we are providing our countrymen more ways to enjoy the pageant. We are giving them exclusive access to behind-thescenes and key events such as the very popular swimsuit and long gown competitions, and of course, real-time viewing of the much-awaited coronation night. With our robust

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ECONOMY 5

Marco Polo Davao over the weekend. President Duterte administered the oath of office of the new set of officers and Board of Trustees. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao likely to host 6 more ASEAN meets A total of 118 meetings slated in PH

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

OREIGN Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay announced during the launching of Philippines’ chairmanship for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017 on Sunday that a total of 118 meetings will take place in “select cities around the country” within the year. Six of this, he said, will be hosted by Davao City. Speaking before1000 guests, including the representatives of ten ASEAN

member-states, foreign ambassadors, and delegates at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere Davao City, Yasay identified the substantial issues that will be addressed in the meetings that will be conducted. “These include promoting peaceful co-existence, advancing work on maritime security, working towards a drug-free ASEAN, bettering the quality of life, an equal access to opportunities enhancing an envi-

ronment that is conducive to business, prioritizing health and improve nutrition, highlighting connectivity and innovation, building a disaster-resilient region, and strengthening ASEAN’s worth and standing in the international arena,” said Yasay. The foreign affairs secretary stressed the importance of the meetings to be held as ASEAN accounts for the 3rd largest gross domestic product (GDP) in Asia

and 7th in the world. “The ASEAN is a region that has attracted around USD 120 billion in foreign direct investments,“ he added. According to Yasay, with the year 2017 as the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, the Philippines will also organize commemorative activities to celebrate this milestone. To start with, President Rodrigo Duterte and Yasay led the unveiling of ASEAN

term payment. The ODA from Japan and China, according to Dominguez, would be mainly used for infrastructure and development projects. He said they still need to consult their counterparts in the Japanese government whether their priorities match with the Philippines since Japanese ODA is a new offer. Dominguez added that they have already submitted a list of projects to China last November 29, 2016 while they are still discussing on the table regarding the JP¥1 trillion assistance offered by Japan. He added that they would

travel to China by the third week of January to discuss how to implement the projects presented to the Chinese Government. On why the country is receiving such big offers, Dominguez believes that “they see a lot of potential in the Philippine economy under Duterte’s administration,” and considers it as a possibility of the two countries to do business in the country. Dominguez added that they are prioritizing the infrastructure projects outside Metro Manila. He emphasized that the

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DOF says P1 trillion ODA raised by Rody so far By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has been able to raise an unprecedented P1 trillion the total worth of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in only seven months of his administration. “It was the most significant amount of ODA that was raised by any president of the country in history,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III stressed Saturday, adding that the number was increased only from July 2016 to present. He revealed that it was the “largest amount raised by any new presidents of the country in history,” adding that price worth US$ 18 billion coming

from Japan and China, both equivalent to US$9 billion each. The amount translates to over PhP 890 billion worth of development assistance. Dominguez clarified that those are voluntarily offered by the two countries and not requests from the Philippine government. He added that there are ODA from other nations aside from assistance coming from China and Japan and that Dominguez has yet to include in their count. ODA is defined as government-provided financial loans for infrastructure projects with low-interest rates and long-

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6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

People decry NPA extortion in DavOr T

HE local government and its citizens are now closely working together to address the continuing atrocities and abuses committed by the rebel group, CPP New People’s Army NDF which includes the rampant extortion activities that has been hurting lowly civilians and scores of local businesses here. For the Philippine Army, they said “We have already submitted the reports of extortion activities in our area of operation and other violent incidents to higher headquarters and submitted them to the Government of the Philippines Peace Panel which will be brought up in the third round of the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF later this month,” said Cpt. Andrew Linao, Civil Military Operations Officer of the Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade. A group of local traders here have expressed their “deep concern” over the continuing extortion activities of the Communist rebels, forcing

them to pay “revolutionary tax” to the rebel group for fear of violent retaliation like the burning of their vehicles, heavy equipment trucks and destruction of properties. The local traders say that while trade and commerce in the province is now booming, theyfear of not being able to maximize its full potentials due to constant harassment by the lawless group. One local contactor of OPAPP-PAMANA government-funded project in one of the towns has complained that the NPA rebels has sent him an extortion letter, threatening to burn heavy equipment owned by his company if he does not pay‘mandatory’ taxes to the rebels. The CPP NPA NDF letter says the contractor’s road project is “illegal” as it was “pursued without proper coordination” with the rebel group. Business groups here said they are worried about their business’s future if the rebels continue to extort money from them, not to mention their

workers who are in danger of losing their jobs if these abuses go on. To these businessmen, the promise of a booming investment that would potentially help spur up development could vanish if the ‘bandits’ continue to force them to pay ‘revolutionary taxes’. Barangay officials and cooperative leaders are not exempted from extortion atrocities. If not high powered firearms the communist rebels demand for regular supply of sacks of rice, or else serious sanctions will be meted to them. “They claim to be the people’s champion in the fight against poverty and injustices and yet what they do is the exact opposite as they drive away developments that could have made huge impacts in the lives of the people, particularly in terms of socio-economic development,” said one businessman who refused to be named. “The rebels do not only extort the rich businessman

but even squeeze out money from the struggling poor who can’t even feed their families. They do this under the guise of protecting the poor and their sense of entitlement as the ‘real government’,” said a local trader, saying that what the CPP NPA NDF is doing is an extreme disservice to the masses whom they claimed to protect. “It’s absurd for them to call themselves protector of the poor

It will connect barangays Singao and Balindog in Kidapawan City with Barangay Libertad in adjacent Makilala town. City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said that the FMR is foreseen to boost economic development in communities in these local government units, specifically in providing opportunities for farmers to deliver their produce to ap-

propriate markets at shorter time and lesser expenses. The FMR, when completed, will also ease traffic in the city since it will also serve as an alternative route for heavy trucks. Ten percent of the project cost was funded by the Kidapawan City government. Said project started last March 2016 but had encountered some delays due to the

election ban. Mayor Evangelista said the Maligaya FMR is the first of the three major road projects that will be implemented in the city this year. The other projects include the Ninoy Aquino Road that will exit near the Collegio de Kidapawan campus and the Estañol Subdivision-Catholic Cemetery - Tamayo Street Circumferential Road. (PIA-12)

Monday they are currently working on a proposal for the expansion of the women’s cells in a bid to ease congestion problems. He said South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes had personally pushed such move and committed the needed funding for the project. “That is considered as one

of the major needs of the jail and we adopted it among our top priorities for implementation this year,” he said. The current population of the provincial jail, which is managed by the local government, stands at 1,236 based on latest records. The jail’s congestion rate has reached 167 percent, with

its ideal population only for 463 based on the existing cells and facilities. Sionosa said they completed last month the installation of 10 closed-circuit television cameras in strategic areas of the jail compound to enhance security operations. The security cameras

when they, in fact, oppress the poor,” said another. The situation led them to question the on-going ceasefire and peace talks, which they say is supposed to protect the interest of the people. Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang has vowed to pursue a comprehensive peace and development program for his people, saying that “without peace, there can be no real

development.” “We have already poured so much investment in strengthening our programs on tourism and investment and we cannot allow these threats to put our investments down the drain,” he said, vowing to continue establishing meaningful programs and projects that will benefit the people and improve socio-economic activity here. (PR)

P31M farm-to-market road to open in Kidapawan SK mayors reiterate support

P31-MILLION farmto-market road (FMR) that will connect a village from the town of Makilala to Kidapawan City is expected to be completed in April this year. The project, concreting of the 2.79-kilometer Maligaya FMR, is being funded by the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture.

SoCot allots P4M for new cells at provincial jail

HE provincial government of South Cotabato has allotted this year an initial P4 million for the construction of additional cells and other vital facilities at the provincial jail in Koronadal City. Ariel Sionosa, administrative officer of the South Cotabato Reformatory and Detention Center or provincial jail, said

LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE. Alma P. Borela (center), Department of Labor and Employment Sarangani Field Office head, is flanked by (from left) PESO and DOLE’s local manager Cristina Constantino-Lapaz and staff Josie Casiple during the distribution of livelihood assistance to some 28 beneficiaries on

FSOCOT, 10

January 9. Constantino said the DOLE-LGU project sharing led by Mayor Tessa Constantino and Borela was developed in an attempt to address the plight of poor and marginalized residents in the locality. (Apple Gella/ MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

to President’s war on drugs

ULTAN Kudarat province’s 11 municipal mayors reiterated on Monday their full support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s continuing war against illegal drugs. The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Sultan Kudarat chapter issued the declaration after attending a meeting called by the President in Malacanang last week. The statement of support was signed by the mayors of the municipalities of Isulan, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Lambayong, Columbio,

Lutayan, President Quirino, Palimbang, Kalamansig, Lebak and Esperanza. Lambayong Mayor Ramon Abalos, LMP chapter president, said they are 100 percent behind the President, Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies in efforts to totally rid the country of the illegal drug problem. He noted that the campaign, to be successful, needs the full support of local chief executives. “As local chief executives, we have a big role in the total

FSK MAYORS, 10

ARMM’s security sector vows support to council for protection of Lake Lanao

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is assured of support from the security sector in its efforts to protect the majestic Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur, officials said Friday. The inland body of water propels electric plants that supply three-fourths of Mindanao’s electricity needs. An inter-agency Watershed Management Council (WMC) formed in Cagayan de Oro City after a two-day workshop that ended Friday. Participants include representatives from the Lanao del Sur provincial government, from different law enforcement agencies and the military. The workshop was meant to ensure coordinated efforts on how to improve the security of the lake and address issues surrounding it. Chief Supt. Theodore Sindac, police regional director for

ARMM, said the police will provide all necessary manpower and logistics to assist the council and ensure environmental protection efforts. Lanao del Sur Governor Soraya Alonto-Adiong, council chairperson, told reporters the primary motive of the council is to complement the national government efforts to make Mindanao investment friendly with sufficient power supply, a major requirement of investors in putting their capital for investments. The management of Lake Lanao as primary source of energy in mainland Mindanao remains in the national government and was never devolved to ARMM after the regional government was crated in 1990. Forester Kahal Kedtag, DENR-ARMM regional, said DENR-Lanao del Sur provincial office will support all the council’s programs and activities. (PNA)

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Saving Philippine tarsier from extinction By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

HE natural forests of Bohol were once the only known habitat of the Philippine tarsier. But in recent years, it was discovered that the world’s smallest primate also lives in forested areas of Samar and Leyte and in the islands of Dinagat and Siargao. In Mindanao, sightings of tarsiers have been reported in South Cotabato and Sarangani (particularly in the forests of Maitum). In Davao Region, colonies of tarsiers have been found in barangay Bobon in Mati City, Davao Oriental and barangay Suaon in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. So, it’s not surprising that in the towns of New Corella and Asuncion, both in Davao del Norte, tarsiers also abound. In fact, two tarsiers (a male and a female) coming from the two municipalities were released at the Tagum Botanical Park in barangay San Agustin last year. A third tarsier was found by a farmer just near the park. “While tarsiers in Tagum are not really endemic to this rapidly urbanizing hub, the local government here is keen in offering its green parks as an alternative sanctuary to these tiny animals,” said Louie Bryan M. Lapat, the city’s information officer III. The Tagum Botanica Park occupies 31 hectares and is planted with local and introduced species of trees. Although hilly in nature, the park is blanketed with a canopy of trees. “While some parts of the park are devoted for human activities, a large part of the park is still devoid of human intervention,” Lapat said. “Because noise easily stresses tarsiers, the Tagum Botanic Park is a perfect place for them since it is peaceful and silent. It’s like an oasis from the hus-

tle and bustle of the city.” Although tarsiers may be cute and cuddly, they should not be kept as pet. In fact, they don’t fare well in captivity. “A tarsier sanctuary in Tagum may sound cool but a veterinarian said that it’s better to let the tarsiers live in their natural habitat,” Lapat pointed out. If there’s a local wildlife species that immediately comes to mind at the mere mention of the word “threatened,” it’s the Philippine tarsier. In 1996, the International Union Center for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals classified it under the “near-threatened category.” On the other hand, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the Philippine tarsier under Appendix II, which means trade of the species and subspecies “is strictly regulated.” “Both listing mean that the species is not yet threatened with extinction but may become so if appropriate conservation measures and trade regulations are not carried out,” explained Dr. Wilfredo S. Pollisco, who was then director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). PAWB is now known as Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). In 1997, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 1030 declaring the Philippine tarsier as “a specially protected faunal species of the Philippines.” As such, “the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine tarsier” and activities that would destroy its habitats are strictly prohib-

A tarsier sanctuary in Tagum may sound cool but a veterinarian said that it’s better to let the tarsiers live in their natural habitat

Louie Bryan M. Lapat, the city’s information officer III

ited. However, the law allows the possession of Philippine tarsier “for educational, scientific, or conservation-centered research purposes” upon the certification of the head of the environment department. Contrary to what old biology textbooks claim, the Philippine tarsier is not “the smallest monkey in the world.” In fact, scientists don’t even consider it a monkey or ape at all. It is classified as primate, of which monkeys and humans also belong. “The Philippine tarsier is found in various habitats, particularly in dense patches of bushes, tall grasses, bamboos, and small trees in tropical rainforest,” informed Dr. Corazon Catibog-Sinha, then the PAWB assistant director when interviewed by this author. Known locally as maomag or mago, Philippine tarsier can also be found in abandoned clearings with new growths of medium-height plants, both in the lowlands and at medium elevations. In the past, they used to be common in coastal forest near rivers and creeks. They have also been sighted at the base of the tree trunks and roots of bamboo but rarely in cavities at the tree tops. “The Philippine tarsier stands about 5 inches tall – small enough to fit snugly in the human hand,” described an ad published by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT). “Its tail is about 9 inches long and partly covered with fur, arching over its back when it hops on the ground.”

To communicate with each other, Philippine tarsiers generally make chirping sounds similar to those made by locusts. They also occasionally make loud, shrill calls and soft bird-like noises. One interesting fact about this primate is that they are considered nocturnal hunters (they normally sleep during the day and wake up at sundown). They are wellequipped for stalking insects, lizards and small amphibians at night. Their main hunting tools are their huge eyes, each of which is bigger than their entire brain. One point of interest: tarsiers do not feed on dead animals. The PAWB shares the following information about the Philippine tarsier: • The Philippine tarsier produces a strong smell during the breeding season. This is believed to be crucial for socialization and sexual communication. Estrus occurs at 24-day intervals, during which courtship and copulation take place. • After copulation in captivity, tarsier females have been observed to develop vaginal plugs – something like a natural chastity belt. • Tarsier pregnancy lasts for about six month, giving birth to only one offspring each year. A new born tarsier can already cling to branches; less than a month after birth the young starts leaping; in two months or so it is weaned from the mother. • In captivity, tarsier mothers carry their young with their mouths when disturbed. Mothers park their

young while they forage for good. No parental care has been observed in tarsier fathers. • A tarsier’s lifespan in the wild may reach up to 24 years. In captivity, however, a tarsier’s life expectancy is little more than 12 years. Many tarsiers taken from the wild and placed in captivity survive only for two to five years. • Some tarsiers captured and placed in enclosures have been reported to go wild, committing suicide by smashing their heads against objects. In the 1960s, Philippine tarsiers used to abound, particularly in Bohol. One account said: “There were so many that many tarsiers were run over by passing cars. People recalled that masses of tarsiers used to cross the roads at night, doing their slow hopcrawl on the ground.” But those were in the past. Today, their number is fast dwindling. The destruction of their known forest habitats is one of the main culprits. Indiscriminate and illegal logging, cutting of trees for firewood, kaingin (slash-andburn farming) and urbanization patterns have encroached

on the habitats of the tarsier. Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization showed that between 1990 and 2000, forested areas in the country decreased by 1.42% to 5,789,000 hectares from 5,871,000 hectares. In 2001 alone, the DENR recorded a loss of a total of 1,400 hectares of forestlands. The unabated hunting of the species by humans for house pets or for trade has contributed to its decline as well. Because of its adorable and benign appearance, many have been lured to keep the Philippine tarsier as pets. This demand fuels the capture and illegal trade of the animal further diminishing its remaining number. Philippine tarsiers also fell prey only to their natural enemies, such as civets and snakes. “While the hunting and trade of tarsiers are now prohibited by law, people can still catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures in captive breeding programs operated by private groups and local governments and sanctioned by the DENR,” the PLDT ad said.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

EDITORIAL

No to Martial Law: Duterte

HERE are two situations contemplated by law where Martial Law may be declared in the Philippines—invasion and rebellion. There are several limitations. To begin with, under the Constitution, martial law can be imposed for up to 60 days in circumstances. Further, there are additional limitations--the Supreme Court and Congress have the power to revoke it. Finally, there is the limitation where individuals have the right to express disagreement with the imposition before the Supreme Court. By any stroke of imagination, the provisions of law on the imposition of martial law are very stringent. However, President Rodrigo Duterte is not fazed by all the limitations when it comes to the problem on illegal drugs which has been proven to be the country’s biggest woe affecting four million people. He said so last Saturday night in Davao City during his talk before more than 300 businessmen from all over the country who attended the induction of officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. headed by banker Antonio dela Cruz as chairman and Capt. Ronald

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C. Go, a pilot and transportation entrepreneur, as president. In that talk, the President even raised the specter of a situation wherein the Supreme Court and Congress would disagree on the constitutionality of martial law if indeed one is declared. What if Congress says there are enough reasons for the President to declare Martial Law, but the Supreme Court argues otherwise? However, the President reiterated his previous position that he will not declare martial law. Earlier, he said that the martial law that strongman President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared did not improve the lives of the Filipino people. Yesterday, Malacanang corrected news reports that Mr. Duterte would declare Martial Law if the illegal drug situation in the country worsens. The President’s spokesman said Mr. Duterte has been misquoted again. The fear for Martial Law, because of its past horrors, is understandable. However, there is an assurance from President Duterte that he would not resort to such a move. This should be good enough for those who fear Martial Law.

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EDGEDAVAO

ERY recently, I wrote in this corner the scandalous goings-on within the halls of the Devastated Bank of the Philippines. Pardon me…I meant the Development Bank of the Philippines. I wonder if the local officials and employees in this area know or even have an inkling that, sooner or later, the DBP Employees Union and the Association of DBP Career Officers (ADCO) are on the verge of staging the very first protest strike against DBP management nationwide. I guess this could be my own scoop of sorts as not even the mainstream media have even noted nor observed such an indication. Could be earth-shaking, huh? I have been in constant touch with Jun Tirado and Mario Pagaragan, Jr., DBPEU and ADCO presidents, respectively, who firmly voiced their collective disillusionment as the matter has aggravated into alarming proportions. Pagaragan has, in fact, initiated the filing of plunder charges against the top DBP hierarchy who were appointees of the past PNoy administration for the alleged wholesale mismanagement of the DBP treasury

HEN there are trees, there is water also. It may not be a saying but that’s what most people believe. Before probing deeper, let’s talk first about water. The right to water is a basic human right. The UN Committee on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights affirmed this when it said: “Human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights.” Not all people in the world has this kind of right. When he was still the secretary-general of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan admitted, “The lack of access to water – for drinking, hygiene and food security – inflicts enormous hardships on more than a billion members of the human family.” Even in the water-rich Philippines, shortage of drinking water is inevitable. “The country’s water resources are rapidly being used up,” Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology, told me a few years ago. “If left unchecked, this may result in a nationwide water crisis.” Right now, water supply still outpaces demand. But the first Philippine Environment Quality Report by the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR) almost two decades ago warned: “Water quality has been deteriorating at a considerable rate with the onset of the ‘90s, indicating grave problems ahead.” Water crisis is more transparent in Cebu. Perhaps one of the reasons why water is so scarce in the island is because

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

DBP employees to strike? amounting SPECKS OF LIFE to some P10B. Pagaragan and Tirado, in behalf of their respective groups, have also attemptFred C. Lumba ed to seek presidential intervention on the matter. They went to Malacanang a few weeks ago in December hoping to get an audience with CabSec Leoncio Evasco. “We are hoping that Sec. Evasco could give us some of his precious time,” the two union officers prayed. Unfortunately, the season was a very busy one and so 2016 passed by quietly and without a honk even. Among other things, the two unions want immediate, prompt action from Pres. Duterte to prevent the unfathomable merging of DBP with LandBank as hastily

ordered in an EO issued by PNoy in 2015 that would have the latter as the surviving entity. Pagaragan, a DBP career vice-president, said the merger would, in effect, cover-up the wanton, injudicious expenses authored by PNoy appointees in the millions including payment to a contractor which were disallowed by the COA. “Pag natuloy ang merger, mapagtatakpan nila ang malaking salapi na kanilang nilustay,” they declared. DBP is now only a shadow of its once great, lofty and venerable standing as the most prestigious, most progressive and best-run government depository bank. Pagaragan, Tirado and other union officers are also the target of intrigues and harassment of high-ranking DBP officials whom the two unions have accused of conspiracy and collusion for bestowing upon themselves huge bonuses, perks and benefits that were thereafter disallowed by the COA. It would be a travesty of justice if Malacanang fails to prevent the DBP-LBP merger which is now undergoing and should

have been finalized by July 2016. The vigilance of Pagaragan, Tirado and their fellow union officers against abusive and well-entrenched DBP personalities displays a certain degree of nationalistic fervor as they have not flinched a bit in the pursuit of justice and equity. All union officers, they alleged, have been penalized, one way or the other, by the withholding or suspension of their allowances and other perks. This condition has driven them to penurious situations such that many of them have taken to sleeping in the DBP basement to save transportation money. Pagaragan, Tirado and their union members are exhausting peaceful remedies available before they raise protesting voices and lift strike placards in their own hands. “It is going to be nation-wide,” Pagaragan and Tirado jointly echoed, saying the strike could resemble that of the hollering winds that Typhoon Yolanda brought with her to wreak havoc to our shores. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

it has not forest cover to THINK ON THESE! speak of. Historical records show that in 1952, forests covered 8.6% of the province. By 1972, unchecked logging and s l a s h - a n d - Henrylito D. Tacio burning farm- henrytacio@gmail.com ing (kaingin) razed natural forests to only four square kilometers scatted in three adjoining watersheds. Today, the natural forest cover is totally gone! No trees, no water. Does it really follow? Do trees really produce water? “You ask an interesting question,” Dr. Patrick B. Durst, regional forestry officer of the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO), replied in an exclusive interview. “As with so many things related to forests and trees, the answer is not simple – certainly not as simple as many people would like to present it. “In the narrow sense, trees are not a source of water,” he emphasized. “In fact, as living organisms, trees are substantial consumers of water, particularly when healthy. This is why, for example, people sometimes plant fast-growing trees to help drain swamps; the trees consume water and draw down the water level.” In some instances, the more you cut trees, the more water you will have. Listen to the words of Dr. Durst again: “Water ta-

ble sometimes rise when trees are cleared from an area. Famous watershed studies at the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory in North Carolina since 1934, show very clearly that there was scope for increased yield by reducing forest vegetation.” Water use by trees is also at the heart of the argument of many against the use of eucalyptus trees in the past. In 1990, an estimated 10 million hectares, or approximately one-quarter of tropical forest plantations, were planted with eucalyptus. More than half of these were located in tropical Asia, including the Philippines. “As a fast-growing species, eucalyptus uses a lot of water and may contribute to a lowering of water tables,” Dr. Durst explained. “The same is true of most fast-growing tree species. It seems, not illogically, that you need a lot of water to produce a lot of wood quickly.” So, what role do trees play in “producing” water? Clearly, trees must be good for something when it comes to watershed management, or else foresters and water management specialists wouldn’t make so much fuss about trees. Here’s an explanation from Dr. Durst: “The answer is that trees (and more importantly healthy forests) are very important. The main benefit they provide is helping to intercept precipitation and facilitate its infiltration into the soil and ground water storage areas.” According to the FAO forestry expert, the trees also help reduce erosion of soil by “breaking the fall” (that is, the impact) of rainfall that might otherwise dislodge soil particles upon harsh impact.

First, trees (leaves, branches, etc.) intercept rainfall. But more importantly, healthy forests’ ground cover – organic litter, twigs, small plants and fallen leaves, among others – help trap water and hold it until it has an opportunity to soak into the ground soil. In addition, roots whether alive or decaying, provide additional pore space above that of normal soil texture for water to infiltrate into the ground. “This is the reason why local springs and streams maintain a healthy flow when surrounded by protected micro-watersheds,” Dr. Durst said. He urged foresters – and environmentalists, too – to be honest about the “relative benefits” of forests and other land cover for watershed protection. He said that healthy grasslands can be just as effective, or more so, in preventing soil erosion and aiding water infiltration. Of course, there are numerous additional benefits from forests that make them more valuable than grasslands. These benefits aside, one has to be realistic with regard to the limits of trees and forests to hold water. “Whenever there is a catastrophic flood, people frequently jump to blame deforestation as the cause,” Dr. Durst pointed out. “This is rarely the case, although deforestation can exacerbate the impact. “In reality, once soil becomes fully saturated with water (during unusually high rainfall), no amount of trees or other vegetation will hold the water from running off. There is simply no more room in the soil for water and it has to go somewhere – downstream.”

Trees for water

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 235 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Portrayal... FROM 1 “Nakaka-Mutya ng Dabaw nga tayo na walang bikini competitions,” Ilagan said. On the other hand, Ilagan said that it would be a challenge for the women’s group and others to educate the pub-

lic to continue the pageants without commodifying women. “Ang number one challenge talaga pwede naman tayo mag Miss Universe without objectifying the ladies,” she reiterated.

“Dili sa HAERBCO-1 ang mga gwardya (The guards were not hired by HEARBCO-1),” stressed Mantilla. Also guesting during the forum, MARBAI Chair Mely Yu reiterated Mantilla’s statement that they are not in conflict with HEARBCO-1, adding that Mantilla’s presence with them in the forum signifies their unified call against LFC. According to Yu, HEARBCO-1 board of directors has signed an agreement with MARBAI on April 2016 to respect the decision of Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) and abide by the Writ of Execution to return the properties owned by members of MARBAI. She added, as MARBAI members began to reclaim their 145-hectare area on December last year, “blue guards” of LFC shot at them causing injury to some of their members. Mantilla also denied LFC’s claim on MARBAI’s acquisition of HEARBCO-1’s equipment. “Dili tinuod nga gikawat sa MARBAI. Dili tinuod nga nagaway away mi, (It is not true that MARBAI stole our equipment. It is not true that we had a dispute.),” said Mantilla. The HEARBCO-1 member said many of their members want to withdraw their involvement with LFC because of the injustices they suffer with LFC. “Barato kaayo’g pinalitan, strikto pa gyud kang ayo… ang uban nga naa’y mupalit ug seven dollars, ang ila tig-kwatro lang. Kada karton mu-alkanse mi ug 45 pesos. (They buy our harvest for a very low price

and they’re also very strict…if other buyers would pay seven dollars, they buy ours for only four dollars. That’s why for every carton, we are 45 pesos deficit.),” explained Mantilla. He also pointed out that HEARBCO-1 wants an audit on their growing debt to LFC because they found out it is already nearing to Php1 billion, which according to him, an absence of transparency on the side of LFC. Mantilla is also questioning where such amount came from since their loan is not that substantial even if they add up the expenses for their equipment and development of land which was also loaned to them by LFC. He also disclosed that on the height of the dispute between the two parties, as claimed by LFC, LFC offered them Php6,000 to organize a counter-protest and disperse MARBAI themselves but he emphasized they did not accept the amount because they are one with LFC in their call for justice. He also mentioned that a signage was placed by LFC on the gates of the plantation which states that any member of the cooperative will be shot if they will enter the land which the cooperative originally owns. “Naa man gani to shoot to kill order,” stated another HEARBCO-1 member. According to Mantilla, the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) proves that both HEARBCO-1 and MARBAI are the true owners of the property being “claimed by Lapanday”.

Abella noted that it was the decision of both Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to bar access to explicit-theme Internet sites. “The main point of banning pornography sites is to address the issue on child pornography,” Abella said. It can be recalled that an explicit-themed site disclosed that Filipinos were the top viewers of that particular website – spending an average of 12 minutes and 45 seconds in watching pornographic films.

Several netizens who want to visit the famous pornographic sites on Saturday were surprised that they were prohibited from accessing such. DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said in a chance interview on Sunday that an anti-child pornography council which regularly monitors the sites had been recommending National Telecommunications Center (NTC) to shut down those websites. “That committee recommended to the NTC to block the sites,” he said. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

mainly assist in the monitoring of entry of contrabands, he said. At the jail’s main entrance, he said they deployed three K-9 units to help detect illegal items. “We also fortified the perimeter fences at the main gate area, kitchen and mess hall,” he

said. Sionosa said aside from the construction of additional cells, a workshop building for women inmates will also be built this year. He said the facility will serve as venue for various livelihood training programs. (PNA)

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GLIMPSES. Miss Universe event-Davao organizer Day Uyking of Red the Concepts provides some of the details of the upcoming Ms. Universe events slated in the city on January 19 during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

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armed conflict in the Philippines,” Bello mentioned, adding that the GRP panel its best to achieve reconciliation and lasting peace. He added that government is also ready to sign the supplemental agreement on the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that would

be included in the expanded role of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC). “We are challenging the NDF to formalize the unilateral ceasefire with a bilateral ceasefire agreement to give our communities and combatants a more secure environment for the peace process,” Bello said. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

The public, according to Duterte, must be confident in transacting with the government agencies whether in applying for land certificates or clearing packages at the Bureau of Customs (BoC). The President added that he would finish the fight against corruption and illegal drugs until the end of his term. “What I have is just a basic sense of my love for my country and for my children; you

get to realize how important your country is when you have children,” Duterte said. He also told Davao City businesspeople that he has brilliant people in his committee helping him move the country forward. “While I ensure peace and security, the cabinet members work on improving the economy and uplifting the lives of the people,” he said. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

aims for the completion of the framework of the South China Sea Code of Conduct with China. The Philippines takes on a leadership role in the ASEAN on the year of the regional bloc’s 50th founding anniversary. The ASEAN was founded in 1967, with the Philippines among the founding members.

ASEAN 2017 coin, stamp During the launch, Duterte also unveiled the ASEAN 2017 commemorative coin and unique stamp. One side of the one-peso

coin’s design features ten stars representing the 10 ASEAN member-states and the 2017 theme while the other side shows the Rizal Monument in Manila. “It is the Filipino symbol of courage and patriotism,” according to Duterte. The ASEAN 2017 chairmanship stamp is a limited edition stamp since only 101,000 copies of it will be disseminated, depicting the official logo and theme. The stamp may be purchased at the Manila Central Post Office starting Monday, January 16.

eradication of illegal drugs especially in our communities,” Abalos said in an interview. As show of support, he said the 11 municipal governments in the province are conducting another round of random drug tests for officials and employees. He said the move is also aimed to ensure that workplaces of local governments in the area are free from illegal drugs. The mayor said they will

also regularly monitor the progress of illegal drug operations in their areas and provide the necessary support to the police and other law enforcement units. In coordination with the barangay councils, he said they will assist also police units in terms of tips or intelligence information on local illegal drug personalities, especially those considered as high-value targets. (PNA)

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most successful, solid political and economic force in this part of the world,” he pointed out. Philippines, on that momentous occasion, was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso Ramos, the father of former President Fidel V. Ramos who, together with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also joined President Rodrigo Duterte during the launching. Top government officials, including cabinet members, senators, members of the House of Representatives, top military and police officials joined last Sunday’s launching of ASEAN 2017. Members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from the members of ASEAN also graced the celebration. Local officials from Davao region and nearby provinces in Mindanao were also present during the occasion. Yasay said the birth of ASEAN was coupled by great odds that were bravely faced by the founding members of the association – as 1967 was also the time full of distrust, suspicion and scepticism. Tensions and disputes during those years besieged the region that caused instability and insecurity, he added. “It was the height of the cold war and the threat of communism engulfing the region was serious. Economies were fragmented and mostly struggling. Southeast Asia, 50 years ago, was as desperate and divergent as can be,” Yasay recalled. Despite difficulties, ASEAN’s foundations have been solidly laid, Yasay said, as the might of the ASEAN declaration is drawn from the commitment of each country to make unity work.

“There was power in that vision as is now demonstrated by the important role of ASEAN, which countries and even empires can ignore at their own peril.” The aim and purposes of ASEAN were all about cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields and the promotion of regional peace and stability by cultivating respect for justice, the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations, he added. “Fifty years hence, we, the nations and peoples of ASEAN remain bound by the shared vision of a durable, peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” he emphasized. Moving forward, Yasay said the association will continue to take bolder steps to build and ASEAN community with greater political security cooperation, closer economic integration and a people-oriented and centered approach for social progress and cultural development. As he welcomed all the guests during the launching, the foreign affairs secretary also emphasized that it is not every day that the country is accorded with a singular and critical role of serving as chair of ASEAN and for Davao City and Mindanao to hold a regional event with great significance and magnitude. “We are brought together today by the unwavering commitment to work hand-inhand and cooperate as neighbours in our home region with one vision and one identity. It is on this note that I take singular honor and express great pleasure in welcoming you all to the launching of the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN,” Yasay said.

infrastructure developments would cover education, training, and other services that will make workers and citizens more competitive abroad aside from environmental projects. “So it’s not only hard infrastructure but also in education, science and technology, among others,” he added.

As for which projects that Japan ODA would be funding, Dominguez and other economic managers have to decide yet. “We are going to start lining up our projects starting on Monday to discuss in more details the terms from Japan,” he said.

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EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Sarangani ATV

ADVENTURES

I WAS SUPER STOCKED upon hearing news that an ATV park has opened in Malandag, Malungon Sarangani Province. 3DOE Ecopark and Restaurant is the latest edition to the outdoor adventures SOCCSKARGEN has to offer. This ATV Adventure Park is the first in South Cotabato.

Photos by KIM TIBLANI

FROM TOP: Giving two thumbs up for my first ATV adventure. Selfie time with the B’laan children. Muddy trails, extreme adrenaline, breath taking views, and river crossings are just par for the course.

3DOE offers different ATV adventure packages, newbies may want to try the first package which is a 45min farm trail. The second package is their Malandag Trails, which covers a one and a half hour ATV ride time. Both the first and second package have options for two-seater buggies is only available around 8am4pm. Their third package is the Lamlifew Heritage of Lumads package, its a 3 hour ATVenture for with snacks and coffee. For those who love spectacular views, the forth package is the Sanches Peak package which takes adventuristas to the highest peak of General Santos City. Its a 5 hour ATVenture, and includes snacks, with a little more, you can camp for the night and have breakfast at the campsite. Both the third and fourth package are set to depart 8am, 1pm, 4pm for overnight stays. You can also opt to use twoseater buggies for these

“

I loved every moment on this trip, maybe it was the adrenaline, because I didn’t feel tired.

packages as well. Opting for a full day of fun and adventure, I tried their fifth package which is a seven to eight hour ATV trail, with stop overs at Bucay e El Waterfalls and Faking Laraw. The package comes with snacks, and a bundle fight native chicken tinola/adobo (you can also request for exotic dishes). I got to the center around 7:50am and luckily, was blessed with a sunny day. Before riding the ATV Bikes, I was given a quick briefing on the do’s and don’ts on how to ride those big toys, ATV safety, and the route we’re taking. After the briefing, we were also asked to sign a waiver. The ride started promptly at eight in the morning with a briefing.

We were asked to expect and prepare our selves for muddy trails, extreme adrenaline, breath taking views, river crossings, and a one of a kind adventure. And boy where they right. Riding those ATV bikes is easy to get used to, since the bikes are automatic. So you just have to remember F for Forward, N for Neutral and R for Reverse, Gas/ Accelerate and the most important one of all, the brakes. I loved every moment on this trip, maybe it was the adrenaline, because I didn’t feel tired. I was up and running from morning to sun down. The trail is fun and a bit challenging, because you have to calculate which side of

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Actual maps may seem like a thing of the past with technology nowadays but maps like this surf map from MAPA PH helps a lot in visualizing the where one can go surfing in the Philippines. Planning your next surf adventure couldn’t be more exciting!

tips for

GREAT ADVENTURES THIS 2017

I JUST LOVE NEW BEGINNINGS. The start of the year always brings such enthusiasm and positivity to goal setting and planning. I was not a born planner and growing up, I’ve come to realize the importance of planning and the balance between that and being spontaneous – maximizing fun and still being responsible. As we settle into the daily grind of our postholiday season lives, I’d like to share a few tips that helped me maximize time for adventure without leaving behind the other priorities like work and family, etc. Plan Grab the official cal-

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endar for 2017 and mark all the holidays. If you’re a weekend warrior, spot the dates where there are long weekends and go file those vacation leaves already. While you’re planning your schedule, start setting your goals per trip too. What’s your priority? Do you intend to go on a food trip? Then your itinerary should maximize all the food stops. Your travel priority will define your itinerary. Make sure you don’t miss out on what you intended to accomplish. This also helps plan the photos you plan because we all want to keep memorable snapshots of our adventures.

Sometimes, what makes a great adventure is making friendships that will last lifetimes. With me in this photo are Dahican Boardriders - locals from Dahican in Mati, Davao Oriental. They frequently hang around Dahican Surf Resort and because of my frequent visits, most of them became actual friends and surf mentors. Photo by Johnlery Padero and spontaneous ones. this was when I was given they missed out on other Most of the time, it’s the an invitation to cover a attractions when they unplanned ones that eat surf competition some- reminisced about their chunks out of our bank where north. Accommo- trip to other people. accounts. dation, food and passage Having a travel fund for fees were all paid for and Ask spontaneous trips makes all I had to spend on was a The locals are your best it possible to maximize bus fare from my house to guides. They can actually Save the fun from your hard- the rendezvous point. even turn out to be your Once you’ve done the earned money. Think of If I had more money at best buddies. I believe initial planning, this is it as an emergency fund that time, I would have that locals know best. the perfect time to esti- except that you only use it chosen to extend my stay. They know the best buys, mate how much you’ll for adventures you did not I realized later on that best food and best spots in need for your trips. In life, plan but cannot pass. having a separate travel their areas. The best part there are planned trips A real life example of fund for unplanned trips is that they would love to are important. I blame my share it with you, if you too spontaneous self for ask nicely. not realizing this earlier Always remember that in life but better late than we are merely visitors in never travel! their home. If they feel like not sharing then we Research need to respect that deciIf we have time to share sion and their traditions travel posts on social me- or rules in the area. After dia then we surely have all, we all want the same the time to make a con- thing when we travel – scious effort to research great memories to share Visiting Malcapuya Island was not part of our original itinerary. In about our destination. Re- over and over again! fact, when we went to Coron we didn’t have an itinerary at all. It searching helps big time! For more travel ideas was liberating and thrilling not to be bound by a pre-made itinerary although it would have been cheaper had we joined tour groups. I’ve heard a lot of stories around Mindanao visit Careful research and adaptability to changing itineraries are of people visiting a place my blog: www.millenniimportant to have if you want to have great adventures for 2017! and only realizing that almermaid.com

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Hanging out with the B’laan tribe at the Lamlifew Heritage Museum and School of Living Tradition.

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the path you’ll be taking, which is not only testing your physical capabilities but your brain and reflexes as well. If your worried about the ride, fret not because professional trail guides will be with you the entire adventure. The ride got us immersed in culture as well, on our stop overs at Bucay e El Waterfalls, Faking Laraw and Lamlifew Heritage Museum and School

INdulge! A3 of Living Tradition. We got a taste of their B’laan snacks and dishes. Their native coffee are a must try! The B’laan children dancing and singing with a majestic view behind them. Trulls an adventure for the senses. For anyone who’ll be visiting Gensan, If your looking for a one of a kind adventure, I recommend you put this on your itinerary. Things to keep in mind

before booking your ATVenture: Packages are minimum 2persons and maximum 12 person per booking. Groups of 5 to 8 person can avail 10% discount. Groups of 9 to 12 person can avail 12% discount. To know their package rates, reservations, and other details call 09228631961. For updates like and follow their Facebook page: 3DOE Ecopark and Restaurant.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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partners to be more dynamic and vibrant stakeholders in the continued development of the region. Duterte identified the areas that will be prioritized by the association in this year’s summit. “In our work, we will be guided by the following priorities: We will place our peoples at the core; work for regional peace and stability; pursue maritime security and cooperation; advance inclusive, innovation-led growth; strengthen ASEAN resiliency; and promote ASEAN as a model of regionalism and as a global player,” he said. “This is a tremendous task but one that is not unachievable,” the President emphasized. The call for commitment In his speech, the Pres-

ident called for all ASEAN Member States to rededicate themselves and commit anew to the principles and purposes behind the establishment of ASEAN – “including adherence to the rule of law”. Duterte also appealed to on all ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners to be “unwavering” in their support for the ASEAN’s continued development and for its important role in the region’s security, stability and growth as well as to renew their dedication to the valued purposes and principles stated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation – “including non-interference” - in promoting regional peace and stability through abiding respect for the rule of law. “Now, more than ever, it is a time for real change through constructive engagements” Duterte emphasized.

commemorative coin and postal stamp while National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) led the singing of Philippines chairmanship theme song on Sunday. Other commemorative events which are still subject for confirmation are the landmark lighting activity on the 50 landmarks across the country, Communicating the Philippine Initiatives in ASEAN in the Field Of Information and Communication, ASEAN Sports Festival, TV Project Concepts, ASEAN Day Celebration: Coastal Clean-up and the People with Disabilities Summit. The information dissemination campaign about ASEAN integration through the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will be conducted whole year round. Yasay also mentioned that activities to celebrate the golden milestone of the founding of ASEAN will also take place in our Philippine embassies, missions and consulates across the globe.

Meanwhile, in a previous interview with Department of Tourism – XI Regional Director Robert Alabado, he mentioned that six or seven of the meetings will be held in Davao City. “The number is still indefinite since DFA will arrange the meetings. Kami sa DOT, we play a minor role,” said Alabado, adding that although DOT would be in charge of touring the representatives of ten ASEAN member-states around the city. In spite of that, the regional director expresssed his optimism that the meetings and city tour will result to potential investments in the region given that tourism accounts as one of the biggest income generating industries. With the theme, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” the foreign affairs secretary stressed the government’s aspiration to work closely on effecting positive change in the lives of the people of ASEAN.

Jet-A1 fuels to airports and airlines and refuelling of aircraft in key cities. Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group, Mike Frausing added: “Globe Business is all about using technology to maximize our clients’ operating efficiency which may translate to increased savings and profitability. Through G Suite, we are able to help PNX to increase productivity, reduce information technology cost by eliminating the need to purchase and maintain servers as well as keep their most important corporate data safe.” Powered by Google Cloud, G Suite allows users to communicate faster and more conveniently with Gmail. It provides storage for up to 30GB of email per user, advanced spam filtering, lightning-fast message search, integrated text, voice and

multi-person video chat. G Suite users can also arrange meetings and organize schedules with Google Calendar, experience hassle-free file management with Google Drive which can be accessed anytime and anywhere from any device, conduct real-time collaboration with Google Docs and Google Sheets, and make beautiful presentations together with Google Slides. At the same time, employees can create and share project website and intranet pages without any programming skills or technical support through Google Sites, connect to the right people, ideas, and information with Google+, and manage business critical information with Google Vault retention, archiving, and eDiscovery tool. To know more about G Suite, contact your Globe Business Account Manager or visit business.globe.com.ph

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How does the new Vehicle Excise Tax affect us?

HIS will be the biggest motoring headline for 2017 and one that will have a long lasting repercussion for the entire automotive industry. With the automotive industry enjoying a robust double-digit growth during the past few years, a new regulation is being proposed that may curtail this growth. This regulation is the proposed change to the current vehicle excise tax. In the late 1990s, several carmakers, most notably Ford, lobbied hard to change the vehicle excise tax from the engine displacement based system to the value based system that the industry is using today. The current structure levies an excise tax based on the net manufacturer’s price (this includes importation duties and tariffs): • Below P 600,000: 2 percent • P 600,000 to P 1,100,000: P 12,000 + 20 percent in excess of P 600,000 • P 1,100,000 to 2,100,000: P 112,000 + 40 percent in excess of P 1,100,000 • P 2,100,000 and over: P 512,000 + 60 percent in excess of P 2,100,000

Assuming all factors aside from the excise tax remains constant, it’s easy to determine what the new selling price of vehicles would be. The base is the net manufacturer’s price which is landed cost + importation duties + tariffs (if it’s built in the Philippines, then it’s Cost of Goods Sold or COGS). Carmakers then tack on the excise tax before putting their profit margin. In this case, the assumption is 15 percent split between the carmakers and its dealers (the global industry rates floats

of the increased excise tax will be shouldered by buyers opting for cars ranging from P 1.1 million upward. And that could put the brakes on the runaway success of the PPVs. That said, it won’t be surprising if some carmakers will simply take a hit on their profit margins to try to maintain their SRPs close to the levels where they are now. Some may even resort to tactics having them undervalue their importations drastically (although, the government does have a safeguard against this).

The government has stated two reasons for proposing this new excise tax structure. First, they see it as a way to reduce traffic congestion because it limits new vehicle ownership. This, they hope, will make people consider using public transportation instead. Second is that the administration is looking to spend big on infrastructure and they need to raise funds for the development of new roads and such. Increasing the excise tax levied to carmakers, they find, is the most logical step. The first reasoning makes little or no sense at all. Even if the tax on the best-selling vehicle segments were to increase, it won’t stop people from buying a second or even a third car. With bank loan rates at a record low, the additional price increase

means little or nothing to the would-be consumer (especially if the loans are stretched to five years). At the same time, increasing the tax on the highest vehicle bracket won’t really raise a lot of revenue given luxury players account for a small percentage of the total vehicle market. Some might even go the used car route. The second reasoning, the one about infrastructure development, makes more sense. If the government needs to raise much needed cash to improve road networks, bridges, overpasses, and what have you, then increasing the excise tax on new vehicles will fill up the government coffers. The question is: by how much? Well, that depends. The Philippine automotive industry as a whole has already warned that vehicle sales will slow down with the implementation of the new excise tax scheme and this will simply offset the supposed increase in government collection. But how slow is slow? Currently, carmakers are hitting 16 to 18 percent growth annually, more than double the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate of 7.1 percent (analysts say GDP is expected to soften to 6.2 percent in 2017-2018). Now, assuming car sales do pick up temporarily before the implementation of the new excise tax scheme (putting it at 40 percent or half of when Thailand implemented its first-car buyer incentive), it needs to drop 81 percent at the end of the first year of the new excise tax implementation for the government to collect less money compared to the current structure. Otherwise, as long as annual vehicle sales grow more than that, the government stands to collect more for the first year of implementation. This, of course, assumes that all other factors remain constant. Now, what does this all mean for the car buying public? Well, it’s simple. In exchange for better roads (and hopefully, less traffic), you will indeed pay more for your new car be it an entry-level car or a full-blown luxury SUV. But how much damage will it do on your wallet? The new Suggested Retail Price of SRP must be computed. To arrive there, it’s important to nail down the net manufacturer’s price + excise tax + margin + VAT.

wholesale margin as 8 to 14 percent and dealer margin as 7 to 10 percent). Finally, Value Added Tax or VAT of 12 percent is computed based on the total of the margin + excise tax + net manufacturer’s price. Clearly, there’s a huge increase percentage-wise in terms of excise tax collected, affecting lower-end cars the most. In this case, a vehicle selling below P 600,000 will see a 150 percent jump in taxes equating to about P 9,000 to P 14,000. The impact in SRP though is still fairly minimal: just 3 percent or P 12,000 to P 17,000. This is the reverse for cars worth around P 3.5 million. Tax increase could be just 23 percent (about P 748,000), but it will affect the SRP significantly by growing 7 to 27 percent (about P 963,000). Opting for the popular PPV or Pickup-based Passenger Vehicle like the Toyota Fortuner or Ford Everest? Well, the new excise tax scheme will mean an increase of about 27 percent in SRP or roughly P 422,000 additional. For the car buying public, it’s obvious that the new vehicle excise tax will mean more expensive cars, but it’s far from being “anti-poor”. In fact, cars below P 600,000 will still remain affordable. The big brunt

This analysis is quick and dirty and there could be other factors which could have both positive and negative effects on this proposed new tax scheme. Things like foreign exchange can possibly affect the net manufacturer’s price and a tightening of bank lending could result in a shorter lending period or lesser people having the liberty of financing. Even an increase in fuel prices and the corresponding inflation in the prices of basic goods could mean the deferment of a new vehicle purchase. Plus, it cannot be forgotten that this new excise tax scheme will affect the carmakers in more than just the excise tax. It can affect other factors such as corporate income tax collection, employment, supplier orders, and many more. This can reduce total government collection if taken as a whole. Plus, the new excise tax will dampen the rosy outlook of carmakers who signed up for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence or CARS program. Not only will the increase in excise tax may affect their ability to sell 200,000 units within a six year period, but some have already warned of full scale closure of their local production facilities. (www.carguide.ph)

network capabilities and the largest consumer base of over 75 million Filipinos, millions of fans can watch the pageant events via multiple platforms, whether on TV, laptop or mobile—whenever they want, wherever they want. For years, we have been revolutionizing the way entertainment is consumed in the nation, offering our subscribers an extensive entertainment portfolio featuring top digital entertainment partners. Miss Universe is one platform we would not miss out on.” PLDT and Smart will provide fixed broadband and mobile connectivity to power the Miss Universe pageant throughout their stay in the Philippines. With the country’s widest Fibr broadband network which delivers symmetrical speeds of up to 1Gbps and Smart’s superior mobile

LTE network, consumers can be assured of the best real-time Miss Universe experience. “The Internet and social media will undoubtedly play a substantial role in Miss Universe in the Philippines,” PLDT and Smart Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto said. “We are ready to contribute our top notch products and services to make it a more engaging experience for everyone. Miss Universe 2016 will be using PLDT and Smart’s services throughout their entire journey, while fans will be able to immerse themselves in not only the coronation night, but also on all the exciting events leading up to it. True to our promise of bringing the ultimate Miss Universe experience, our subscribers will get a chance to witness the coronation night live via free

ticket promos.” On top of the complete broadcast coverage of the coronation night, TV5 will give viewers access to the preliminary show, specifically the swimsuit and long gown rounds. “Filipinos can look forward to watching their favorite contestants compete even before the grand finale, which is something only TV5 can offer,” TV5 President and CEO Chot Reyes said. “We aim to bring the pageant to life by bringing it closer to the hearts and enthusiasm of every Filipino.” TV5 signed with Solar for the partnership which encompasses on-air, on-ground, and PR values—the blocktime airing of the Coronation Night on January 30, the exclusive airing of the long gown and swimsuit preliminary competitions on January 28 and 29 which will

also be available online on the same day, powered by PLDT and Smart. S o l a r Entertainment takes pride in collaborating with TV5, PLDT, and Smart in the hope of delivering the optimum broadcast quality coverage of this momentous event, showcasing the wonders and beauty of the Philippines, and giving our fellow Filipinos the ultimate Miss Universe experience. “Bringing Miss Universe to the Philippines is one of the top events that we have ever invested in. It is an opportunity that we did not want to miss,” said Mr. Wilson Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Entertainment Corporation. “For Miss Universe, we have jampacked activities that will be happening at the same time and we’re excited to share it with the viewers.”

Now, the government is looking to overhaul this excise tax structure, simplifying the computation in the process: • Below P 600,000: 5 percent • P 600,000 to P 1,100,000: 20 percent • P 1,100,000 to P 2,100,000: 40 percent • P 2,100,000 and over: 60 percent

PLDT... FROM 5

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DA, CDA ink MOU to promote coop A

GRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said creating more cooperatives among farmers and fisherfolk would boost cooperation to improve farm productivity and marketing of agricultural products. The Department of Agriculture and the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA), through chairperson Orlando Ravanera signed on January 11, 2017 an agreement promoting the cooperative movement among farmers and fisherfolk in a bid to enhance administration efforts to empower the farm sector to produce and supply sufficient and affordable food for Filipinos. Piñol considers the MOU a milestone in empowering farmers and boosting cooperation towards improved production and increased income. “If we empower our farmers and fisherfolks, they will be free from enslavement from traders and middlemen,” he stressed. Ravanera, for his part, said that the initiative is essential in the ASEAN integration as farmers and fishers will now have one singular voice. Other signatories are Undersecretaries Ranibai Dilangalen and Evelyn Laviña. “In view of our vision, there is a need for coordination between the DA and the CDA for the development and

organization of cooperatives,” the DA Secretary said after he and CDA chairman Orlando Ravanera signed the document. Pinol noted that the national government’s cooperatives development program started under the DA because of that principle. There are 20,000 micro-cooperatives across the country, most of them formed by farmers and fisher folk. Piñol further said he envisions the establishment of a national federation of farmers and fisherfolk’s cooperatives that will enable the country’s 14 million farmers to have a say in the direction of Philippine agriculture and government farm policies. Under the main provisions of the agreement, the DA and the CDA will cooperate in identifying and consolidating cooperatives formed by farmers, fisherfolk and rural women. They will also identify and implement capacity-building and training activities for cooperatives members nationwide to improve their capability to plan, manage, organize and implement their business. The DA will provide training programs through the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) to help promote the capabilities of cooperatives and farmers’ organizations, tough organizations and farm families. (PR)

Never miss a tropa thing with TNT Super Combo 30

RUE to its promise of keeping young Pinoy tropas connected, TNT has kicked off 2017 with the launch of Super Combo 30, an affordable promo that offers 100 minutes of Tri-Net calls, unlitext to all networks, and 100MB worth of mobile Internet – all for only P30, valid for three days. “Nowadays, there are many things we can do without, but there’s just no way we can survive three days without staying in touch with our tropa,” said Miriam Choa, TNT Marketing Head. “Keeping connected with our friends and loved ones has become a need, so we came up with a very affordable three-day offer that gives our subscribers their perfect dose of calls, texts and mobile Internet to boost their tropa connections,” she added. To enjoy TNT Super Combo 30, simply text SC30 to 4545.Atropa-perfect offer, Super Combo 30 covers all your communication needs so you’re always in the know about the latest updates and happenings in your tropa. With Super Combo 30, your tropas on TNT, Smart

and Sun are just a phone call away, so you can conveniently give them a ring for spur of the moment gimik and bonding sessions. Got an exciting story to share or a great idea for the next tropa outing? You can easily text everyone and engage them for days on end with Super Combo 30’s unlimited text to all networks. Super Combo 30 also gives you 100MB data for access to your top apps so you can post and share your tropa moments on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat, as well as keep tabs on the latest topics in your group chat on Viber and WeChat. With Super Combo 30, you can also readily play the latest viral video on YouTube forwarded by your tropa, or level up your play on the hit mobile games Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. Be sure to subscribe to TNT Super Combo 30 by texting SC30 to 4545 now! Also keep updated with the latest promos and activities of TNT by following its official accounts on Facebook (www. facebook.com/TNTph); Twitter (@TalkNText) and Instagram (TNTph). (PR)

MOU SIGNING. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Orlando Ravanera sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two government

agencies, which aims to strengthen and unite local farmers’ and fisherfolk’s cooperatives in the country. (Photo by Gian Carlo Luague)

DILG boosts info drive on shift to federalism N

EARLY 32,000 individuals from different sectors in the country have participated in the on-going federalism information drive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that started in August 2016. This is according to the DILG Task Team on Federalism, a group formed by DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno to educate the public about federalism, as well as train resource persons from local governments, civil society organizations and other partners on the federal structure of government. The team, headed by Undersecretary Emily Padilla, is at the height of holding a series of lectures, fora, orientations and symposia in order to in-

crease public understanding and support on federalism nationwide. Said activities are in collaboration with the People’s National Movement for Federalism (PENAMFED) – Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), a DILG partner from the private sector which advocates the shift to a federal structure of government. Padilla said that the team has already conducted several federalism summits in the cities of Antipolo, Bacolod, Caloocan, Cebu, General Santos, Iligan, Mandaluyong, Marawi, Marikina, Pagadian, Pasay, and Pasig, among others. Launching activities and symposia on federalism have also been held in the provinc-

es of Agusan del Norte, Batangas, Isabela, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Nueva Ecija, Quezon and Zamboanga Sibugay, she said. Fora and orientations with the different chapters of local and barangay leagues in the country such as the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and Philippine Councilors League (PCL) have likewise been carried out. “This year, we hope to be able to reach even the remotest towns to explain to them how change will be faster in a federal state,” said Padilla. These strings of promotional activities on federalism were attended by local chief executives, barangay leaders, the academe, faith-based communities, business sectors, and

students, among others. The DILG Undersecretary said the task team has also been providing capacity development and various trainings to regional directors, assistant regional directors, provincial directors, DILG field officers and focal persons including partners from civil society organizations, who will act as champions and conduits of federalism on the ground. “We shall continue to popularize President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision of a Federal Republic in 2017. Like good soldiers, we shall keep on making a pitch about federalism and comply with the President’s order to increase people’s understanding and elicit their support about this proposition,” said Padilla. (DILG)

tions. The program aims to deworm approximately 19 million school-aged children enrolled in public schools (Kindergarten to K12) and at least 23 million pre-school and school-aged children not enrolled in public schools in a month. “We would like to reiterate that the NSDM is not a new campaign for DOH. Last 2015, it was already administered to public schools and we will continue this campaign twice a year, particularly in January and July. We also ensure that all medicines distributed are certified by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We appeal to the parents and guardians not to believe in wrong information circulated in social media and

in the community. Let us verify our facts by consulting the nearest health facility regarding deworming,” health secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial explained. The administration of medicines is voluntary and will not be implemented without the consent forms filled up by the parent or guardian of the child in public elementary schools. Just like any other drug, taking deworming drugs may lead to minimal side effects like dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting. These effects are transient, minor, self-limiting and disappear after some time and can easily be managed with remedies like resting in a quiet room for a few hours and providing water mixed with sugar. Last July 2016, the DOH continued its National School

Deworming Month campaign in public schools nationwide. Latest data showed that 15,853,687 out of 19,250,273 or 82% of enrolled students ages 5-18 years old were dewormed while 7,875,599 out of 10,599,699 pre-school aged children (1 to 4 years old) were dewormed. Most of the regions in this country accomplished more than the recommended target by WHO which is 75%. “Let us not deprive our children of the protection among serious illnesses. Ask and verify facts on deworming from your nearest health facility. Makiisa sa National School Deworming Month at ating pahintulutang purgahin ng ating mga school staff and health workers ang inyong mga anak,” Secretary Ubial concluded. (DOH)

DOH: 19M school kids to undergo deworming

HE Department of Health (DOH) addresses fears and myths associated to deworming as it conducts a Harmonized Schedule and Mass Drug Administration in public & private schools nationwide against soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH). The National School Deworming Month (NSDM) is an initiative of the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepED) and Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) to conduct a nationwide, simultaneous effort to deworm all 5-18 years old children enrolled in public schools. School-aged children enrolled in private schools and children who are not enrolled may avail of the free deworming services at health centers, rural health units and barangay health sta-

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PRDP taps citizens in project monitoring T

O engage regular citizens in monitoring subprojects, the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has recently launched its Citizens’ Monitoring and i-Geotag initiatives. PRDP is a special project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and jointly funded by the World Bank and local government units that implements infrastructure and rural enterprise across the country. “Citizen’s monitoring and i-geotag is being introduced in

the project to complement its robust monitoring and evaluation through public disclosure and institutional capability of its stakeholders to immediately respond to various implementation concerns of its beneficiaries,” said DA Region XI Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. In the recent PRDP World Bank review mission’s site visitation in November, DA-PRDP, the provincial government of Compostela Valley province, and the Compostela Valley State College (CVSC) recently

entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to further strengthen the Project’s monitoring and evaluation. Oñate who is also the concurrent PRDP project director for Mindanao said the MOA formalize the tripartite partnership of the PRDP, the academe, and the provincial government in promoting transparency and accountability in project implementation. The MOA states that DAPRDP will provide technical assistance such as trainings

and software application for CVSC to promote social responsibility and accountability. The CVSC on the other hand will adopt citizens’ monitoring and geo-tagging as part of its extension program where faculty and students can integrate with their field of specialization. Meanwhile, the provincial grievance point person will validate reports submitted or forwarded by the community or organization. “Using PRDP monitoring

tools such as geotagging technology, stakeholders will be more organized and efficient in ventilating their concerns on project’s implementation in the region,” Oñate said. In its third year of implementation, PRDP deputy director for Region XI Maria Febe Orbe said, 11 subprojects were implemented amounting to P808-million. These are all farm-to-market road (FMR) projects of which six are in Davao del Norte, four in Compostela Valley Province and

TESDA, PCCI to ink accord on poverty alleviation

T MOA SIGNING. Governor Jayvee Tyrone Uy (center) leads the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held November in Compostela Valley Capitol. The MOA aims to strengthen partnership towards Citizens’ Monitoring of DA-PRDP projects in the province. Joining him are DA

Regional Director Ricardo Oñate, Jr. (1st-R) and CVSC President Christine Jean Garniera. Looking on are Provincial Planning Chief Romeo Celeste (standing extreme L) and PRDP regional and provincial monitoring focal persons. (Photo by: Noel Provido/DA-XI)

one in Davao Oriental. PRDP is also set to implement the P26-Million cacao production and marketing project in Subasta, Calinan, Davao City under its enterprise component. “Citizens’ monitoring system encourages public participation in PRDP subproject monitoring and will enable beneficiaries to better articulate their needs to various levels of government and in turn enhance delivery of public services,” Oñate said. (Noel T. Provido/DA-XI)

HE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will sign an agreement on today, January 17 which would help reduce poverty in the country. TESDA Director General, Secretary Guling “Gene” Mamondiong said that the memorandum of agreement would also contribute to the productivity and sustainability of enterprises and to the employment generation. “The PCCI in united with TESDA in its objective to create a pool of qualified, competent and job-ready workforce to contribute to the productivity

and sustainability of enterprises and to the employment generation and poverty reduction goals of the government,” Mamondiong said. One of the objectives of TESDA is to give high quality technical education and skills development so that the country can produce world-class skilled Filipino workers. The PCCI aims to provide focused advocacy for business growth and sustainable development by providing business services for the advancement of grassroots entrepreneurship, chamber development, international trade relations, business innovation and excellence, and operating efficiency. (PR)

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FIGHT DOWN UNDER. Manny Pacquiao is bound for the Hall of Fame and Jeff Horn could be on the way to greatness.

UPSET-MINDED Horn confident of beating Pacquiao By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, Australia – Where Jeff Horn is today, Manny Pacquiao was in the same footing 14 years ago. After winning the Pacquiao derby for his next fight, the little-known Horn is suddenly thrust in the limelight. Jeff Horn, who? That’s about the same story the legendary Pacquiao was when he went up against future Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome in Texas in 2003. That cold November night, the Filipino boxing legend first became known outside of the hardcore boxing fans with a devastating performance to stop Barrera in the 11th round. Pacquiao stepped up in weight to face Barrera for the

lineal featherweight title, and the odds were heavily stacked against him. Now, you know how it feels for Horn when just about the whole world is above you, and you are one like tiny bit on a high-power objective of a microscope? Yes, Horn isn’t even quite sure how he’s landed here. This is one fight he has nothing to lose. One that could propel him to stardom whether he wins or not. This is the fight that will begin a path that sets him up financially for the rest of his life. Pacquiao was much the same too back on that memorable Barrera night when he finally ‘arrived’ in the boxing world. The Barrera fight was considered by experts as the

greatest Pacquiao performance ever and HBO commentator, Larry Merchant, probably summed it up the best, when he said: “This is a fight that will shake up the boxing world”. The legendary boxing analyst couldn’t be wrong. Pacquiao would shake up the boxing world and rule it with five more division titles for a total of eight—no one in the boxing world has ever achieved this. As to Horn, he has reportedly moved past the contemplation stage. His management Duco Events and legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has sealed the deal for what could be the biggest fight in Australian boxing history. That, for now, is more

than enough for Horn to digest. “I guess I speak well, I translate to a lot of different people,” Horn says. “I don’t know ... I’m just glad he [Arum] likes me,” said the Brisbane schoolteacher in a recent interview with Sydney Morning Herald. The fight could happen in Brisbane, Horn’s home town, on April 23 depending on how the negotiations and how the Queensland government responds to the challenge of hosting the fight. Huge amount is necessary to put up this fight definitely. And that is the reason Arum is bringing Pacquiao around the world on his farewell tour. Given that the parties involved can come to the table with acceptable amounts of

to President Rodrigo Duterte, wound up 42 points marked with timely baskets down the stretch to lead the way for his team. The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief nailed six booming treys and drained eight shots from

within the arc in a great display of offensive firepower. Lawyer Armand Dioso made 21 points to pace the IBP. Warren Cloribel and Eugene Labor chipped in 14 and 10 for the Sec. Go-led squad which took minimal support

from guest player Mayor Oscar Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City. Moreno, a former chairman of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the sports national governing body, made 3 baskets.

HESS will make its debut in the 2017 ASEAN Para Games to be held from Sept. 17 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Chess is considered as one of the popular sports within the ASEAN Paralympic community and its inclusion in the biennial Games was based on the Expression of Interest (EOI) findings conducted by the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF), which endorsed the sport in a special meeting with the Malaysia Organizing Committee (MASOC) in Malaysia last

month. The meeting was attended by APSF President Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai and Secretary-General Charnvit Munikanond, MASOC Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Seri Zolkples Embong and Technical Chairman John Ng, who is also the deputy president of the Malaysian Paralympic Council. The 9th ASEAN Para Games has a total of 16 sports namely archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, cycling, football (5-a-side and 7-a-side), goalball, powerlifting, swimming,

table tennis, tenpin bowling, volleyball (sitting), wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball. The events and disciplines in each sport will be finalized after consultation with their respective International Federations (IFs) and technical delegates. An estimated 3,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries are expected to participate in the 2017 ASEAN Para Games which will have the biggest number of sports to be contested since the inaugural

Games hosted by Malaysia in 2001. There were 15 sports in Singapore (2015), 12 in Myanmar (2013) and 11 in Indonesia (2011). The ASEAN Para Games, which is a multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities, is held every after the Southeast Asian Games. (PNA)

Go’s squad downs IBP

EC. Christopher “Bong” Go made an impressive return on the hardcourt propelling his team to a thrilling 94-86 victory over the IBP in their friendly match on Friday at the Genesis 88 Gym in Ecoland. Go, the special assistant

Chess now included in 2017 ASEAN Para Games

money and Pacquiao signs off on the arrangement—the Brisbane fight is all good and the surrounds would be the famed cauldron of Suncorp Stadium, where the legends of Wally Lewis and Origin snake through every blade of grass. Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday Glenn Rushton, Horn’s trainer and another intriguing character in this left-field sporting production that’s dropped out of the sky like a cartoon piano, feels the time is right for another fable to be written. “I believe so – his doubters will have egg on their face,” says Rushton, who looks like a sensei from a 1970s kungfu movie but manages a $70 million investment fund when he’s not looking after fighters. “Naturally I respect Man-

ny Pacquiao for everything he’s achieved in the sport. But when you start to weigh it up, you will see what we have in Jeff Horn. You can’t see the future, but I believe we’re looking at a future legend. “Now, they’re saying, ‘Who the hell is Jeff Horn?’ After, they’ll know all about Jeff Horn.” It’s the same question they asked way back in 2003. “Who the heck is Manny Pacquiao?” In those days, even Michael Buffer could not pronounce his surname right. Although he has had two weight division titles tucked under his belt, Pacquiao was just coming out of his Manila base to fight in the United States on big stage. That gives Jeff Horn the rush. ROOKIE. Blackwater Elite rookie Mac Belo tries to get up a shot against Alaska’s Ping Exciminiano during the BlackwaterAlaska tiff on Sunday in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. PBA Media Bureau

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SPORTS 15

NBA needs to speed up games

VER the past five years, NBA decision-makers have toyed with all sorts of ways to speed up games and shorten the total amount of time it takes for two teams to play 48 minutes. Blow more horns to keep timeouts from running long! A 90-second pre-tipoff clock to cut down on time-wasting pregame handshakes! Literally cutting four minutes off the game! Before Thursday’s meeting between the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers at O2 Arena in jolly ol’ London, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated his league’s commitment to trying to shave every last second it can off of games, because … well, because today’s young people just can’t properly appreciate the truly bold and rich flavors of a timeout-filled tactical back-andforth. Silver said the NBA’s competition committee reviews such matters and takes them to the league’s full board of owners. “It’s something that we track very closely,” Silver said. “In the league office we time out every game, we know exactly how much time each possession takes and, again, we can also look at minute-by-minute ratings, so we know at what point fans are potentially tuning out as well.” Tuning out, or staring at their phones, or displaying insufficient grit and gumption to Robert Sarver, or acting as unsolvable riddles to Brian Shaw. Y’know: typical millennial stuff. NBA games don’t often drag on to the degree that many football or baseball games do, but the commish is right when he points out that, unless you’re talking about a tightly contested and well-played game between two solid teams, entertainment value can tend to wane the longer a game continues. The league and its stakeholders have experimented with some strategies to speed things up in recent years: the aforementioned 44-minute preseason game, downsizing from two shots to one on shooting fouls, D-League tinkering with things like increasing the number of fouls a team has to commit before they’re in the penalty (thus reducing free throws) and an “advance” rule allowing teams one chance during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to move the ball into the frontcourt (thus eliminating the need to take a timeout), etc. They have eschewed others, like adopting FIBA’s ban on live-ball timeouts or taking serious steps to eliminate the “Hack-a-Shaq” intentional fouling tactic rather than deploying half-measures. Many fans and journalists would love to see the NBA continue to streamline its approach to replay reviews. The league insists reviews have gotten faster and more efficient since the institution of a centralized review process headquartered at the

NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, N.J., before the 2014-15 season, but they still often seem to unnecessarily impede flow and gum up the game’s works. At least two NBA head coaches — Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons, whose teams squared off in Oakland on Thursday — suggested Silver and company take a long look at the replay system if they want to shorten games. Unlike the NFL challenge, Kerr doesn’t want to limit the number of times a replay can be reviewed. He’d just like to have a smaller list of instances in which referees are allowed to go to the replay. “For example, the clear path stuff is really costing a lot of time,” Kerr said. “Those things are reviewed every single game and I don’t know a single coach who actually knows what the rule is. I think referees would be better suited just letting the play happen as long as there’s no turnovers. If I grab you while the ball’s on the other side of the court, who cares?” Van Gundy takes an even more extreme view, according to Karl Buscheck of the San Francisco Examiner: “I’ve been one of the few who I’m an anti-replay guy,” Van Gundy said during his pregame press conference at Oracle Arena. “Let’s just go with the referees’ calls. That isn’t ever going to happen because they don’t want to watch [their mistakes] on ESPN the next day.” Echoing comments made by Kerr, Van Gundy questioned why the league alters its rules for the final two minutes of the game in the first place. “So, we really don’t care what happens the first 46 minutes,” Van Gundy said. “But we want to get every call right. Well, we don’t actually care if we get every call right in the last two minutes. We pick and choose the calls we want to get right in the last two minutes. So we end up in replay. So we want to get all the out-of-bounds calls right in the last two minutes.” During his extended critique, Van Gundy argued that the replay system should be scrapped altogether. “The issue is, the most important calls in our game are, ‘Was it a foul or not?’ And we’re not replaying that,” Van Gundy said. “So, the hell with it on everything else. In my opinion, let’s just play if we’re not going to review the most important calls. The NBA’s not going to scrap replay reviews, now that they’re here; it likely won’t significantly curtail the number of situations that can trigger them, either. (Certainly not after shelling out for the flat-screen palace in Secaucus!) But the process can be trusted tightened, and other adjustments can be considered to pump up the pace, especially in the closing minutes.

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN. Millennial fans have very short attention span these days.

FIFTH FIGHT? Manny Pacquiao (right) was knocked out cold by archrival Juan Manuel Marquez (left) in their last fight.

FIFTH EPISODE

Pacquiao wants fight with Marquez by end of the year

ESPITE promoter Bob Arum laying the foundations of a four-fight plan culminating in a massive US clash with Terence Crawford in November or December, it seems Pacquiao has his own blueprint in place. The 38 year-old Senator has turned to his friends at the government in a bid to secure funding to bring his Mexican nemesis to the Phil-

ippines as Pacquiao seeks a revenge mission following his devastating knockout in 2012. “I plan to rematch with (Juan Manuel) Marquez and I am looking to take the fight to the Philippines,” Pacquiao said in an interview with Freddie Webb and Boyet Sison on DZMM’s “Fast Break” radio show. “It will be good because

if we fought again for the Filipino fans. We are planning for the last quarter of the year here in the Philippines,” he added. Inactive veteran Marquez, 43, hasn’t fought since 2014, but had been linked to an encounter with Miguel Cotto until the Puerto Rican decided to face James Kirkland. A clash with Cotto still seems possible for the sum-

mer, plus Marquez has always dismissed the notion of another meeting with Pacquiao following two questionable scorecard decisions prior to his only victory of the previous four meetings. Pacquiao would have to offer a substantial sum, possibly seven figures to Marquez, hence his request to the Department of Tourism which is still being considered.

conference last week announcing the fight. Koncz told World Boxing News: “Manny even asked me if I agreed to that and I told him ‘of course not. You know me better than that.’” JeManny Pacquiao is demanding more money to fight Jeff Horn. Pacquiao had just arrived back at his Philippines home in General Santos City after a visit to the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. The prominent Filipino politician is said to have earned more than $A500 million from boxing over the past 22 years, including $100m for his loss

to Floyd Mayweather in 2015, $A45m for his win over Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, and $42m for his win over Miguel Cotto in 2009, the last time he won a fight by stoppage. Koncz said the reported purse of $US5m was not enough given the Filipino’s stature and drawing power. The Queensland Government is expected to announce as early as Tuesday its financial support for the Suncorp fight, which will lure an estimated TV audience of a billion people in 159 countries. Arum said Pacquiao had initially priced himself out of a bout with American Ter-

ence Crawford by asking for $US20m, thus presenting the opportunity for Horn in Brisbane. He said the $US20m Crawford demand had come for a fight on American payper-view but that a Horn fight would be shown in the US on free-to-air television, attracting a much smaller fee. But he said there was no truth to the $US5m reports, adding that the real figure was between “me and Manny’’. Arum said he was planning a trip to the Philippines to have Pacquiao sign the deal as soon as all financial arrangements had been agreed.

and-forth game with the Lakers, who lost their fourth straight despite 26 points from Lou Williams. D’Angelo Russell added 20 points for the Lakers. They have lost 20 of 25 since their 10-10 start to coach Luke Walton’s first season. After Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram missed a free throw that would have tied it with 1:33 left, the teams traded missed shots before Harris grabbed a deflected ball from Ingram, beat the shot clock and bailed the Pistons out of an aimless possession with his 3-pointer in front of the

Lakers’ bench. The Pistons won without two injured starters, wrapping up their five-game road trip with a bounce-back performance from their 33-point loss at Utah on Friday, their worst defeat of the season.

it go, and even Lakers fans had to applaud when it erased Los Angeles’ lead and put Detroit up 59-57 at halftime.

Pacquiao wants more than $7M for fight in Australia

OXING great Manny Pacquiao wants much more than the reported $7 million he has been offered to fight Jeff Horn at Suncorp Stadium on April 23. His financial adviser has told him not to sign anything until there is more cash on the table. While Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum told The Courier-Mail from Las Vegas that “it would be wrong to reveal Manny’s purse’’ as such matters were confidential, Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser, said he was “aghast’’ when he heard the figure of $US5 million at Horn’s press

Lakers bow to Pistons

OBIAS Harris scored 23 points and hit a decisive 3-pointer with 30.5 seconds to play, and the Detroit Pistons snapped a three-game losing streak with a 102-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. Marcus Morris scored 23 points and Andre Drummond had 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Pistons. They wrapped up their longest trip of the season by beating the Lakers at Staples Center for the first time in seven tries since Nov. 14, 2008. Detroit barely hung on down the stretch of a back-

TO THE BANK The Lakers led by 14 points during the first half, but Detroit stayed in it with 15 points from Morris and strong play by Drummond, who banked in a half-court shot at the halftime buzzer. Drummond held his hand aloft from the moment he let

ZU WORKS Lakers rookie center Ivica Zubac had four points and five rebounds in nine minutes while playing in his third basketball game in two days. Zubac played two minutes in a loss to the Clippers on Saturday afternoon and then was assigned to the Lakers’ D-League affiliate in time to put up 20 points and 10 rebounds in their game on Saturday night.

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