Edge Davao 9 Issue 237 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES PRESSING THE POINT. A personnel of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) carries a signage which will remind pedestrians to always use the pedestrian lane when crossing the street along San Pedro Street, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

SECURITY DOWNSIZED FOR MS. U BEAUTIES By JIMMY K. LAKING

ECURITY forces have downsized to a total of 2,000 the number of personnel that will secure the Ms. Universe contestants in their Davao stint but arrangements deployed during the ASEAN meeting will remain in place. “We are downsizing the number of personnel but not the security measures,” said PSI Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City police office. P/Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said at least 20 Ms. Universe are expected to hit town today6 (January 19). Security forces mobilized more than 4,000 military and police personnel to provide security to the launching of the ASEAN chairmanship

meeting in Davao City last week. Both lady officers said security measures have been readied to ensure the safety of the contestants en route from the airport, at the venue (SM-X Lanang), at the billeting areas, and the Eden Garden where they are expected to visit. The lady officers were joined by Maj. Ezra Balagtey of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Capt. Ryan Batchar of the 10th Infantry Division, both of the Philippine Army in updating the AFP-PNP press corps on the peace and order situation. The two military officers cited the accomplishments of their units in coping with insurgency, and on the war

against terror and drugs. Dela Cerna said the contestants will be cordoned where and whenever they go to prevent the public from mingling with them. The lady police officer appealed to the public and to Davao City residents to cooperate in clearing the streets, notably the national highways, of obstruction to ensure smooth and disciplined traffic during the duration of the Ms. Universe contestants visit. She said vehicle owners have been advised not to park their cars along the main thoroughfares. “The road-clearing will spare no one to ensure traffic is smooth,” she added. Dela Rey appealed to

Dabawenyos to cooperate in clearing the major thoroughfares from illegal structures and illegal parking of vehicles not only during the duration of the Ms. Universe contestants’ visit but for the whole year. “Sooner it become a second nature for us in helping maintain order and discipline in the streets,” she added. The Police Regional Office had earlier expressed elation that security measures set up for the ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship launching held out successfully without even a minor slip. The PRO said no untoward incident occurred the launching of the Philippine Chairmanship for ASEAN 2017.

HEARBCO disowns claims unveiled in Kapehan forum By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

HE Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative-1 (HEARBCO-1) has disowned the statements made by one Robert Mantilla during the Kapehan sa Dabaw that the

cooperative has no conflict with the break-away Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Inc. headed by one Mely Yu. The Lapanday Foods Incorporated issued this clarifi-

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PSA honors top athletes P15

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

DUE RESPECT. Outgoing Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Mostafa Ahmed Mohamed pays a farewell courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday. RICHARD MADELO/Presidential Photo

8, 692 families affected Davao’s urban biodiversity by floods in Lanao Sur

LOODING brought about by incessant rains the past three days has affected 8, 692 families in five towns of Lanao del Sur. In a report, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM – HEART) identified the affected towns as Bubong, Ditsaan Ramain, Taraka, Maguing, and Kapai. “A total of 8,962 families from 126 barangays in the five towns are currently affected,” Myrna Jocelyn Henry, ARMMHEART information officer, said on Wednesday.

The affected families per town are as follows: Bubong (2,100); Ditsaan Ramain (2,500); Taraka (3000); Maguing (1,000); and Kapai (362). The ARMM- HEART, however, maintained there were zero casualties and no displacement so far, despite the flooding. “The families decided to stay in their respective houses waiting for the water to subside,” Henry said. The ARMM- HEART is continuously monitoring the situation as relief goods are being readied for the affected families. (PNA)

Comelec gets close to 500,000 voter applications thru satellite registration

LOSE to 500,000 individuals are looking to register for the forthcoming Oct. 23 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections, the Commission on Election (Comelec) said on Wednesday. The poll body reported that they have received a total of 490,892 applications in satellite registration centers nationwide for the period of more than two months since the registration started. “A total of 490,892 applications for registration have been received for a period of nine weeks, from November 2016 to January 2017, during the ongoing satellite registration of voters nationwide,” the Comelec said in a statement. Data revealed that a total of 81,318 applications have

been received from regular registrants; while another 72,745 applications are for the SK. Aside from voter registration, the Comelec also received applications for transfer, reactivation, correction/change, reinstatement, and inclusion of records in the list of voters. The poll body through Resolution 10166 has directed all city and municipal Election Officers (EOs) to intensify the conduct of satellite registration by holding at least two or more in every barangay. The figure does not include those that have been filing their application for voter registration at the local Offices of Election Officers (OEOs) since November 7, 2016.

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to be studied by UM, CHED T

HE government through the Commission on Higher Education has allocated a P7-million research-fund to study the biodiversity of Davao City and its hinterlands. Dr. Milton Norman Medina, director for Qualitative Studies in the University of Mindanao, said the study brings the opportunity to push the advocacy of knowing the plants in our environment which may been seen but unfamiliar by name and importance to the current

generation. UM and three other universities are involved in the research. He said that through this study, they can pass on to the students the idea to become conservationist by knowing the local species in their surroundings. Medina recalled that in 2011, they formed a research team that would monitor the biodiversity in Mindanao. He said that from documenting the study, they came up with educational materials like brochure and pam-

phlets. “From then on, we brought the materials to the academe,” Medina said. He stressed that it is important to impart to the students the existence of endemic species which are vast especially in Mindanao but are not given significance. Medina said that aside from plants, there are also reptiles and amphibians that can be seen only here and need to be studied. He also stressed the importance of studying the

herbal plants which are greatly related to our cultural practices. “Herbal plants have cultural value to various tribes. Its scientific importance and cultural value cannot be separated,” he said. Medina said the current study headed by the University of Mindanao will run for two years with the allotment at P7 million which will cover not only the forest but also the fresh water-marine ecosystem. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

morning and be brought to a popular tourist destination to enjoy what Davao has to offer. According to the post, they will then be preparing for a fashion show gala entitled Mindanao Tapestry, featuring the crafted gowns created by local fashion designers using distinct and unique weaves of the islands at the SMX Convention Center Davao. The pre-show will start at 4:00 pm featuring local models on the runway with the attires created by fashion designers representing the island region. For the main show, candidates will be donning the

works of Rene Salud, Silver Tuzon, Emi Englis, Kenny Lagada, Alfonso “Boy” Guinoo, Aztec Barba, Benjie Panizales, Dojie Batu, Edgar Buyan, Wilson Limon, Egay Ayag. Designers at the foyer show will be Ronnie Nacua, Toffy Ledesma, Gil Macaibay, Mark Yaranon, Bamba Limon, Nicky de Asis, Richie Uy Delos Santos, Steffy Dacalus, Joey Hambala, Grand Crizzel Ravacio, Pepe Quitco, Che Aranjuez, Mark Sayad, Ivan Raborar, Wilfred Yee, Akmad Kari Jr., and Saidali Abdilla Jr. According to the organizing committee, two fashion

Names of 20 Ms Universe beauties in SM show bared By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

LL is set for the Mindanao Tapestry Gala to be held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere as the Miss Universe organizing committee revealed the names of 20 candidates who are expected to arrive today from Manila. The tapestry gala is described as part of the ancillary events for the live pageant set in Manila on January 30, 2017. In the Facebook page “Miss Universe in Davao”, the organizers of Mindanao Tapestry fashion show identified the candidates as Estefania Bernal of Argentina, Dajana Szinic of Austria, Stephanie

Geldof of Belgium, Violina Ancheva of Bulgaria, Zhenyin Li of China, Connie Jimenez of Ecuador, Veronika Bódizs of Hungary, Rulsitova Darina of Kazakhstan, Kristal Silva Davila of Mexico, Htet Htet Tun of Myanmar, Zoey Ivory of Netherlands, Andrea Melgarejo of Paraguay, Maxine Medina of the Philippines, Yuliana Korolkova of Russia, Hawa Kamara of Sierra Leone, Dijana Cvijetic of Switzerland, Jihan Dimack of Tanzania, Chalita Suansane of Thailand, Alena Spodynyuk of Ukraine and Deshauna Barber of USA. The candidates will be welcomed at the airport in the

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DCPO: Be disciplined motorists, pedestrians

HILE authorities started implementing the Road Discipline Task Force to help in the apprehension of traffic violators and confiscation of illegally parked vehicles in the city, the Davao City Police Office has reminded drivers and pedestrians anew to practice discipline on the road. Sr. Insp. Catherine Dela Rey, the DCPO spokesperson, told reporters Wednesday that the task force will coordinate with Land Transportation Office in its drive against violators of traffic laws. The task force, headed by the deputy city director for operations Supt. Ireneo Caburnay, would be composed of 12 police precincts, members of

Traffic Group and City Public Safety Company. Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan has initiated the task force and will also be implemented in the whole Davao Region. Last week, Gaerlan said that traffic management is also their primary concern, especially if there are significant events in the city. “So you observed that during the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ASEAN summit, we already started the road clearing operation,” Dela Rey said, referring to towing illegally parked vehicles and strictly apprehending road violators. Dela Rey added that the unauthorized road signages,

OICE out your desire for peace,” Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division commander, Major General Rafael Valencia urged the public amidst reports of incidents viewed to disrupt peace and stability. Guesting at Tagum Biz Talk at Big 8, Valencia pointed out that asserting something “need not be done through arms and violence but through peaceful means”. He viewed it as appropriate to let the people “voice out their opinion” especially their desire for peace. “As a community, you just voice your desire for peace,” he emphasized when asked about his opinion regarding the cry for peace of some sectors in Davao Oriental that was triggered by the killing last December of Copertino Banugan, a Mandaya tribal chieftain of

Sitio Sangab, Barangay Pichon in the Municipality of Caraga. Valencia also urged the people to openly support the peace process that the Philippine government is engaging with the Communist Party of the Philippines New People’s Army (CPP NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front saying, even President Rodrigo Duterte “is bending backwards to accommodate the rebel groups”. He revealed that members of the Philippine national government panel are in Rome for the 3rd round of talks with the CPP NPA, and that they are hoping to strike a bilateral ceasefire agreement in August this year. He viewed the bilateral ceasefire agreement as important as it would define the “prohibited and provocative

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ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea Dela Cerna provides the security details which includes the deployment of 2,000 police personnel for the Miss Universe

NEWS 3

activities in Davao City today. Dela Cerna graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Shout out for peace, army general says Cops ready for Miss U 2017 “V event: Mindanao Tapestry

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SURVEY SAYS. The Institute for Popular Opinion led by Adrian Tamayo (center) together with Milton Medina (right) and John Vianne Mucia (left) presented during the regular press conference at the Habi at Kape

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE Davao City Police Office said security and traffic measures are all set for Mindanao’s Tapestry of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant. In a press briefing on Wednesday, January 4, DCPO Spokesperson P/SI Catherine dela Rey said they have already coordinated with other agencies to ensure smooth traffic and strict security measures in Davao City and in various areas that the candidates would visit. “Everyone does not want the event to cause discomfort to the riding public, to the

commuters. So we have to do the proper coordination and make it as smooth as possible for both the contestants and for the usual commuters who ply the roads. That’s what we will do,” she said. dela Rey added that they are coordinating with the officials of Davao International Airport for the candidates’ arrival. Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson P/SI Andrea dela Cerna said they had not detected any threats that may disturb the Mindanao Tapestry.

in Abreaaza Mall on Wednesday the latest result of their survey indicating the high support of the people of Davao to the moves and programs of President Duterte. Alexander D. Lopez

“However, our region remains on high alert,” she said. The police officials also wanted everyone to cooperate with them to ensure the security. “Public vigilance, as well as adequate law enforcement, will guarantee the safety of the beauty contestants here,” dela Cerna explained. The officials were also briefed by the organizers that the candidates have limited activities and that security arrangements are better off as far as the police is concerned. ““We have been briefed that in no case na meron sil-

ang lakad na on their own. Wala silang time to do their own thing like shopping and the personal stuff,” she added. Dela Cerna added that the police personnel had undergone refresher course before they were assigned to secure the Miss Universe pageant. Meanwhile, more than 200 candidates from different countries will be joining the Miss Universe 2017 and that candidates visited several tourist destinations in the country, including those in Davao, Baguio, Vigan, Cebu and Batangas.

HE Department of Agriculture on Wednesday said the government will crack down on illegal fishing and would file administrative cases against local executives who fail to curb the illegal practice in their communities. In a press briefing at Malacañang, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal fishing would be as strict as its war against drugs and criminality. “In fact, during the last Cabinet meeting, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that mayors and barangay chairmen of towns and villages where illegal fishing is prevalent will be identified later on and we are giving them six months until June,” he said. “After that, the DA will file

administrative charges against all mayors and barangay chairmen who could not stop illegal fishing in their communities. This is part of our advocacy to protect our fishing industry,” Piñol said. At the same time, the Agri chief announced that the government has started an annual search for the most outstanding coastal communities in the country. “This is also part of government efforts to produce more in the fishery sector as well as to protect the fishing industry,” he said. Criteria for the award include the absence of illegal fishing, a self-proclaimed closed fishing season to allow the fish to spawn and produce more, a declared marine

Gov’t to crack down on illegal fishing: DA T

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Tax policy reforms needed to address PHL’s outdated tax system: Dominguez

E-MARKETING. Maria Celeste Noblefranca, chief executive officer of LogEx Business Solutions said that their company will forge partnership with farmers’ groups and cooperatives and help them to effectively market their farm products with the aid of electronic platforms and tools. Alexander D. Lopez

VM Duterte urges farmers to shift to abaca planting By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

AVAO City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte is calling the local farmers to grab the chance to plant Abaca as there is a growing demand for the said commodity. Abaca is considered as a viable alternative to wood for pulp and paper manufacture and is preferred material to plastic. “There is a high demand for Abaca fiber, not just in the Philippines but in the international market as well,” the vice mayor told the media in a closed-door meeting Tuesday.

Vice Mayor Duterte explained that the demand for abaca is high that whoever has a nursery for Abaca will earn from it, Duterte said some industries are shifting back to natural and environment-friendly raw materials. According to him, whoever is interested in intercrop abaca can ask for assistance from the Department of Agriculture and look for Ted Costales for consultation. “The city still has a huge area for Abaca Plantation, we

can still accommodate it,” he said, adding that it is not necessary for a farmer to only plant abaca in his or her lot as they can already intercrop abacas with the one-hectare land. An abaca fiber is also used as material to produce furniture and fixtures, textiles, handicraft, other industrial products from cosmetics, skin care products and toothbrush, sausage casing, stencil papers and currency notes, among others. The city was a major Aba-

ca producer in the early 1900s, with Japanese-owned plantations in the areas of Mintal and Toril. However, the Abaca plantations in the city declined due to conversion into residential areas, banana, coconut, or pineapple plantations. But Duterte said even with the mushrooming of farms dedicated to other crops, the city can still accommodate Abaca ventures. The project would help hasten the movement of goods and people, he said.

through” and cannot meet the prerequisites to high and inclusive growth, which are a growth rate of at least 7 percent per year, and driven by investments rather than by consumption,” Chua said at the briefing by DOF officials on House Bill 4774 before the House ways and means committee. HB 4774 is a revised package of the DOF-proposed tax reform plan that was crafted and filed by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs this panel. According to Chua, computations made by the DOF and the House committee showed that implementing the revised tax reform plan, provided that it would be approved before June this year, would yield a net gain of P41.5 billion in the second half of 2017. Legislated reforms in tax administration, if enacted on time, will raise another P48.1 billion in the second half of 2017, he added. The start of the full implementation of tax policy reform in 2018, which will net P162.5

billion, along with another P44.3 billion for that year from legislated tax administration reform, will raise a total of P206.8 billion, Chua said. In its statement issued last December 20, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said the “projected proceeds from the tax reform package—around P206.8 billion--will fund the government’s big-ticket development projects, particularly the infrastructure program.” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has welcomed Cua’s recent statement that the first package would likely be approved by the House ways and means committee in January this year. Dominguez said that “in the medium-term, tax reform is expected to help reduce the poverty rate from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022, lifting some six million Filipinos out of poverty, and helping the country achieve upper middle-income country status where per capita gross national income increases from $3,550 in 2015 to at

least $4,900 by 2022, close to where Thailand is today.” Once this momentum is sustained, the country would be well on its way to becoming a high-income economy by 2040 with a per capita gross national income of a least $11,000, which is where Malaysia is right now, he added. “To protect the poor and vulnerable, highly targeted transfers and subsidies will be provided as part of the ramp up of social spending from 37.3 percent of the 2016 budget to 40.1 percent of the 2017 budget,” Dominguez said. Chua said the revised tax reform package, which covers the lowering of personal income tax (PIT) rates and a corresponding set of revenue-compensating measures, will correct the flaws in our tax system. The House-modified Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion plan retains the DOF proposal of exempting from PIT payments those with a net taxable income of P250,000 and below and simplifying tax

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Wednesday said tax policy reforms are badly needed to update the Philippines’ tax system and ensure revenues to finance necessary programs and infrastructure that will sustain economic growth. In a statement, Dominguez said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have put in place several reforms within the first six months of the Duterte administration that can be implemented even without Congress’ approval. These programs include expanding the Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) list to top 3,000 corporations, which provide 75 percent of total tax revenues, from the previous top 2,800 corporations; simplification of forms and procedures for small taxpayers, improvement of the electronic payment system, and enforcing risk-based audits in the BIR. For BOC, it is now complementing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and is upgrading its electronic system for paperless transaction. Dominguez said these reforms are needed “but these alone will not be sufficient to generate the high level of revenues needed for the infrastructure buildup and other priority programs to keep the growth momentum and transform the economy into a truly inclusive one.” ”This is why tax policy reforms are needed,” he stressed. Thus, Dominguez is thankful to Quirino Lone District Rep. and House ways and means committee chair Da-

kila Carlo Cua, who recently disclosed that his committee will likely pass within this January the first package of the Finance department’s proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which was submitted to Congress in September 2016. The first package of the CTRP proposes the increase of excise tax on fuel products and vehicles. Its negative impact to the poor was proposed to be countered by targeted cash transfer, among others. Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua, in a briefing with the House of Representatives ways and means committee on Wednesday, said there is a need to adjust excise tax on fuel because this has not been adjusted for the last 20 years. He, however, stressed that to offset the impact of the fuel excise tax hike on the poor, the government plans to implement a one-year cash transfer to the bottom 50 percent of the population, which covers 10 million households, four million of which are already beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The Duterte government targets to increase infrastructure spending from 5.4 percent this 2017, to seven percent in the rest of the current administration’s term or until 2022, to lessen poverty and enable the country to be an upper middle income economy by 2022 and a high-income economy by 2014. ”This means there will be no letup in the Duterte administration’s commitment to spending on urban and rural infrastructure as a growth driver, to guarantee sustained high and inclusive growth,” Dominguez added. (PNA)

DOLE expands ban on Tax reforms to net P206.8-B in 1st year of implementation employment of minors

HE Duterte administration needs to raise some P366 billion a year over the medium term, of which some P206.8 billion is expected to come from tax reform in the first full year of its implementation, for it to mount an unprecedented investment strategy that would finally put the Philippines on an “irreversible” path to high and inclusive growth, Department of Finance officials (DOF) told lawmakers on Wednesday. Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that only with this sizable increase in revenues, can the government meet its goal of drastically reducing poverty and transforming the country into an upper middle-income economy in 2022 by spending big on infrastructure, human capital--education, health, life-long training, and research and development (R&D)--and social protection for the poor and other vulnerable sectors. “However, without this planned investment buildup via tax reform, the government will merely “muddle

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HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday expanded the coverage of the ban on the employment of minors in agriculture and livestock farming in a bid to prevent young people from exposure to hazardous work conditions. Based on Department Order No. 149-A issued by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, it classified other work and related farming activities such as plant propagation activities that involve grafting, budding and marcotting, and tending activities that involve weeding of soil, as hazardous and among the worst forms of child labor. Also classified dangerous are handling, spraying and application of harmful fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other toxic chemicals; and loading and carrying of heavy loads. The order also strengthens the existing ban on the employment of minors in farm activities such as clearing of land, plowing, harrowing, irrigating,

constructing paddy dike and cutting. “Child workers are compelled to help augment their families’ meager income by engaging in hazardous work. That is why the labor department will strictly monitor and assess occupational safety and health standards (OSHS) related to child labor,” Bello said in a statement. In making sure that OSHS is strictly followed, the DOLE chief noted that it would ensure that workers’ employment does not endanger their life, safety, health and morals, nor impair their normal development. The DOLE order also prevented minors to work in harvesting activities that involve cutting and picking, spreading for drying, hauling, topping, tumbling, tuxying, stripping, burning of field, sticking and classifying, threshing, loading and carting of produce. In post-harvest, young workers may not be employed in de-husking, scooping,

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ECONOMY 5

DC’s target economic growth in 2017 higher than in 2016

HE City Government of Cotabato targets a 7.5% increase in the city’s economic growth this year. This projection is following the possibility of another influx of investors—both foreign and local—in Cotabato City in 2017. As early as December last year, a number of well known Philippine companies and industries have been in communication with the city government and they have already sent their emissaries to look for potential locations. Secretary to the Mayor Aniceto Rasalan said, Cotabato City is being considered by these investors as a prospective expansion site for their businesses because of the several records that the city has broken when it comes to sales. Another significant consideration that these investors are eyeing is the city government’s implementation of tax holidays. A single investment worth 50 million and above can avail of the tax holiday for as long as 12 years. This means, these establishments shall only pay their business taxes after 12 years. The tax holiday depends on the amount of the investment. The bigger the investment, the longer the period of time of the tax exemption. “These incoming investors are not only Filipino. Meron investment coming from Malaysia, coming from Singapore and coming from Chin” Rasalan said. Rasalan also added that most of these industries include food manufacturing, retail malls, entertainment facilities, and food processing. Cotabato City is not set to open its doors to heavy industrial companies like those that manufacture chemicals, concrete products, and other similar industries as these are hazardous to the environment. The city government will ensure the ecological balance in the city in the midst of its economic development. The projected growth in the city’s economy for 2017 is higher than 6.8% growth in 2016. Last year’s development was due to the increase in business tax, real property tax and market income collection, aside from the several new investments that came in the city. The 6.8% growth was almost as high as the 6.9% national economic growth target set by the national government in 2016.

Moreover, another trend that the city government would like to continue is the significant decrease in street crimes. As per latest report from the City PNP, crimes in the city for the last quarter of 2016 has decreased to more than 50% as compared to the same time in 2015. This has been duly recognized by the national government and in the recent meeting of the country’s mayors with President Rodrigo Duterte, he has personally commended City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi for leading the efforts in crime prevention. “General Bato dela Rosa was also present and he said Cotabato City has recorded one of the highest decreases in crimes in the whole country. We have also submitted already the accomplishment reports of the joint LGU-PNP ronda”, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said. Aside from the incoming investments in Cotabato City, major projects are also set to be implemented this year. Flood control projects are already in the pipeline. The dredging of the city’s main tributaries will continue this year to further prevent inundation in low lying villages. Widening of roads and rehabilitation of some bridges will also continue. This year, the city government will also endeavour in establishing an economic zone and a seaport. Though not yet finalized, city officials are working hand in hand with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and some private consultants for this project to materialize. An area in Barangay Kalanganan II was already identified to be the area of the ecozone and the seaport which, when already operational, will not only benefit Cotabato City but also its neighbouring towns as well. With all of these developments, the city government is expecting an increase in the migration of people from all over South Central Mindanao to Cotabato City. “This is already expected and we have prepared contingencies for it. If there is a need to increase our budget in terms of health and sanitation, we will do it. Also, we will continue to work with our PNP to further strengthen our campaign against criminalities”, the mayor added. By: Jehann Christie S. Andal & Penelope Anne Pedrosa, NDU BA-COMM

INTERACTION. Skydirect head Abigail Sy (center), together with Sky converged products/OTT and digital head Jerome Almirante (right) and Sky Davao general manager Jericho Marcos, share banters with the members

of local media during the launching of One Sky and Skydirect at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

EU withdrawal of GSP in RP seen to affect coconut, tuna products E

XPORTERS of coconut products and tuna will be mostly affected if the European Union will stop granting Generalised Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+) to the Philippines, a trade official said. Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada, on the sidelines of ASEAN Economic Community and Philippines-EU Briefing on Wednesday, said coconut products and tuna are among

the country’s top exports to the EU market. In particular, tuna products have higher current tariff rate at 20.5 percent compared to the zero-duty with GSP+. Current tariff rate of coconut products, on the other hand, is below 5.0 percent. Perlada mentioned that among the 10 ASEAN countries, the Philippines is the top import source for the EU of desiccated coconut and second largest source for prepared or preserved tunas,

skipjack and Atlantic bonito, whole or in pieces. He noted that EU’s import of desiccated coconut from ASEAN in 2015 amounted to USD182 million, in which 54 percent was imported from the Philippines. Also, EU’s import of prepared or preserved tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito, whole or in pieces, from ASEAN in the same year reached USD479 million. The country shared 30 percent of total exports of these marine prod-

ucts to EU in 2015. Moreover, the official stressed that the EU GSP+ is an advantage of the Philippines which other ASEAN countries do not have. As of last year, EU only granted GSP+ to nine countries including the Philippines, Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Kyrgyztan. The GSP+ grants zero-duty on 6,274 products from beneficiaries to EU market. (PNA)

and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation (HARVEST) Project was sealed by Landbank President and CEO Alex Buenaventura and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative to the Philippines Susumu Ito. He, in turn, signed the guarantee letter for the P1.76 billion deal while President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minster Shinzo Abe witnessed the signing in Malacanang Thursday last week during the

latter’s official two-day visit to the country. The 25-year JICA loan has a seven-year grade period with interest rate of 1.4 percent. ”The HARVEST project is seen to help create an enabling investment environment in the ARMM and other conflict-affected areas in Southern Philippines to help rev up the economy and raise incomes in these communities,” he said. Aside from the loan, Dominguez said JICA also plans to provide a USD6 mil-

lion (P290 million) technical grant for capacity building of eligible HARVEST beneficiaries and Landbank’s project management. The Finance department said the HARVEST Project, to be implemented from 2017 to 2022, will provide loans to large agribusiness enterprises, farmers’ organizations or cooperatives; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and corporation-managed farms supported by Landbank. (PNA)

was based on the adjustments set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Aside from the salary increase, she said the age limit of the prospective grantees or beneficiaries has been raised to 30 years old from the previous 15 to 25 years old. Esteban said grantees now also have the chance to get higher pays after their work days were extended from 20 to 78 days. The previous guidelines limit the maximum work period for grantees to 52 days.

“This is a very positive development for our continuing and new grantees as they will be getting more benefits,” Esteban said. She expects these changes will encourage more students and out-of-school youths (OSYs) to continue with their education. For this year, the official said they target to enlist 266 student- workers for the yearround SPES program. She said at least 50 slots were allotted for OSYs within the province’s 10 towns and

lone city. Application forms for the program’s summer component, which are set this April and May, will be released by February, she said. SPES is a flagship program implemented by DOLE to assist poor but deserving students and out-of-school youths intending to pursue their education to gain employment during summer, Christmas vacation or any time of the year. The initiative mainly caters to students in the tertiary, technical or vocational level. (PNA)

Japan commits P1.76-B loan for PHL A

GRIBUSINESSES in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other conflict-affected areas in the country’s second largest island got a boost after the signing of a 4.93 billion yen loan agreement between the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and the government of Japan. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, in a statement Tuesday, said the five-year Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust

SPES grantees in S. Cotabato get P20 daily pay hike

TUDENT workers in South Cotabato province employed under the government-supported Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) are set to receive a P20 increase in their daily wages. Merlyn Esteban, Public Employment Services Office provincial coordinator, said Wednesday the SPES grantees in the area will receive starting this year daily salaries of P290, up from the previous rate of P270. She said such development

EDGEDAVAO

6 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

LINIS OPISINA. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera poses with the Local Government Unit of Gensan (LGU) Linis Opisina Contest winners Monday, January 16, during the flag raising ceremony. The Linis Opisina contest is a yearly activity initiated by the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO) headed by Leah Y. Tolimao, department head. (Russell Delvo/ Gensan CPIO)

Former rebels complete ALS program in Camp Abubakar

FTER living the life of a rebel for 22 years, Khalil Nunting is now pursuing a fresh path in life - that is to earn an education for personal advancement and provide honest, hard-earned income for his family of five. Nunting, now 44 years old, is one of 70 graduate–members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from the Alternative Learning System of the government extended to former rebels. Nunting, who finished the ALS (Alternative Learning System) Basic Education Training Module, said he wants to pursue higher degree of education for his family. “I would like to become a mobile phone repairman to earn an income for my wife, three daughters and one boy,” he told newsmen on Tuesday during a side interview for the realization of the Camps program in Barangay Tugaig here. The Camps program supports the normalization process and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro by expanding socioeconomic assistance to communities in the six acknowledged MILF camps, namely Camp Abubakar as-Siddique, Camp Badre, and Camp Omar ibn al-Khattab in

Maguindanao; Camp Rajamuda in North Cotabato; Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte; and Camp Busrah Somiorang in Lanao del Sur. Another graduate, Ramla Macao, 52, wife of a former MILF rebel, said she feels proud of her accomplishment and also wants to pursue further studies. Macao also graduated from the ALS program Tuesday together with her two daughters. “I am really very happy I have not tasted education in the past,” a teary-eyed Macao said. Matthew Stephens, Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) task team leader, said he would look into the prospect of coming up with advanced vocational courses for the ALS graduates here by March this year. The MTF, a multi-donor grant facility, financed the three-part program for the former rebels through a budget of P3.5 million. Apart from the ALS program, the MTF assistance package also included the distribution of 120 cattle heads to MILF widows and 10 water tap stands in various parts of this former rebel camp. The MTF, established in 2005, has been working to

F FORMER, 10

Davao del Norte towns evacuate 7k residents S

OME 7,064 residents from five barangays of Kapalong and two barangays of B.E. Dujali were evacuated to safer areas as the Libuganon River overflowed caused by intermittent rains due to low pressure area (LPA) and tail-end of cold front. Affected barangays include Pag-Asa, Semong, Maniki, Suaon and Florida in Kapalong, as well as barangays Tanglaw and Dujali in B.E. Dujali. Some 730 families or 3449 individuals in Kapalong and 3615 in B.E. Dujali are now attended to their

respective evacuation areas set up by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMC). Glenda Delideli, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (PDRRMC), bared that the province is all set for any augmentation request from the affected municipalities. “On the go nata, atong mga gamit naka-ready na daan. Atong mga rubber boats, mga responders [ready na]. Gina-monitor nato ni since last

week pa gyud”, Delideli said. The pre-emptive evacuations were executed at 3-4 a.m. on Tuesday, as the water level in Libuganon continues to rise. Landslide incidents were also reported in barangays Florida, Sua-on and Gupitan with no significant damage or casualty recorded. Delideli added that no casualty was reported, while they are closely monitoring other low-lying portions of the Municipalities of B.E. Dujali and Carmen for possible occurrence of floods.

Earlier this morning, the Office of the Municipal Mayor Maria Theresa Timbol, released an executive order commanding a localized suspension of classes in pre-school up to high school levels in both public and private institutions within the poblacion area. All schools in barangay Tanglaw also suspended classes in all levels. The heavy rains were brought by an LPA formed in Zamboanga Peninsula with a tail-end of a cold front affecting Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

Red Tide Bulletin might be issued in April 2017 in the area, growing of Pyrodinium Bahamense-microtoxin, the red tide carrying microbes at 1,000 cells per liter of water is alarming. She clarified that it is their national office that issues the corresponding Red Tide Bulletin. “Eating shellfish from a Red Tide contaminated hab-

itat is dangerous to public health,” Aborque stressed. She said these microbes thrive favorably in dirty environment. Aborque advised the public to participate in coastal clean-up activities and not to rely solely on shellfish for food. She also urged the local government units from the city down to the barangays to regulate the operation of

shrimp culture in the area and to look deeply on the disposition of domestic wastes. In a text message, Fatma Idris, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the shellfish bulletin is not yet issued but the public is being warned because of the alarming growth of the red tide microbes in the area. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

ing ceremony. The official said the new satellite office will host various office and units of PRO-12 that are involved in the processing and issuance of licenses, clearances and other documents. He specifically cited the processing of firearms licenses, police clearances, regional intelligence division or R-2 clearances, and pension benefits of police retirees. The facility will also receive and process reports and other documents required by the regional office from provincial, city and municipal police stations and offices, he said. “It will be a fully operational and functional regional satellite office,” Train said. Train said they decided to establish a satellite office in Koronadal City to bring their services “closer to the people.” He said such move is in line with the policy directions of Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela

Rosa and President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Being the regional administrative seat and center of Region 12, he said Koronadal City is the most ideal and strategic site for the regional satellite office. Also known as Soccsksargen, the region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Train said the project’s construction will be supervised by the regional police’s engineering unit. He did not disclose the budget for the project, which will be implemented on a progressive basis, but noted that it will be funded through their unit’s savings and donations from local stakeholders. “We want the construction to start immediately so the project can be finished in two months. Our target is to open it by March,” he added. (PNA)

Red Tide organisms growing fast in DavOr Bay

HE public is warned against consuming shellfish from the Balite Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental due to the growing of the Red Tide organisms in its water. Loida Aborque, chief chemist and head of the Red Tide Monitoring Team of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Davao Region a corresponding

PNP-12 to open one-stop-shop facility in Koronadal

MASA MASID. Governor Dayanghirang vows his support in the fight against drugs, crime and corruption at the barangay level during the launching of the MASA MASID Program in the province of Davao Oriental. (Eden Jhan Licayan/DavOr Info Office)

HE Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 plans to develop its upcoming regional satellite office in Koronadal City as a one-stop-shop for various services of its offices and units. Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, said Wednesday they are currently working on a development plan that would eventually establish the new satellite office as a processing facility for various licenses and other related documents issued by their units. The construction of the PRO-12 satellite office is set to begin within the next few days in a 2,000-square meter lot donated by the city government of Koronadal at the regional center site in Barangay Carpenter Hill. Train and Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel signed a deed of donation and memorandum of agreement for the site on Tuesday during the project’s formal ground break-

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE DILG releases P981.4M Japan MIC, PCOO, PTV4 sign to 306 LGUs in CY 2016 MOC on traffic info project T VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

HE Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC), the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation concerning Road Traffic Information Pilot

Project through ISDB-T Data Broadcasting (i-TRIP ISDB-T Road Traffic Information Provision). The memorandum was signed on January 12, by Mr. Shigeki Suzuki, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs), MIC, Mr. George A. Apacible, Un-

BRIEFING. Secretary Datu HJ. Abul Khayr Alonto, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority briefs the delegation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan on the potentials of Mindanao as the next investment destination of the Philippines. He said the island-region is experiencing

dersecretary for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations Operations and Good Governance, PCOO, and Mr. Dino Antonio C. Apolonio, Network General Manager, PTV, at the signing ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Rodrigo Duterte.

The memorandum will facilitate joint efforts to develop the road traffic information system, which aims at mitigating traffic jams in the Philippines through the dissemination of real-time traffic information via terrestrial digital TV broadcasting network. (PIA/MIC)

an unprecedented improvement of its economy in the recent years, with numerous business prospects and opportunities under President Duterte’s administration.

MinDA top official briefs Japan’s PM team on regional investments A

TOP government official from the southern island of Mindanao briefed the delegation of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe on the region’s investment potentials at a business forum held recently at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here in the city. The forum, attended by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Abe is organized by the De-

partment of Trade and Industry in partnership with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center. “Mindanao has been experiencing unprecedented improvements and significant developments in our economy in recent years,” said Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). He added the island-re-

gion’s Gross Regional Domestic Product growth posted a 7.5 percent increase in 2014 which surpassed the national average of 6.2 percent. More than 200 key Japanese government officials, private sector representatives and businesspersons from Mindanao participated in the Philippines-Japan Business Forum, which showcased Mindanao as the next investment destination in the Phil-

ippines. Prime Minister Abe earlier pledged $8.7 billion worth of business opportunities and private investments for the country, upon his arrival on Thursday. “Today’s forum is timely, since we will be able to update the Japanese delegation on the ongoing development initiatives in Mindanao and its prevailing business climate,”

es in their phone numbers or email addresses,” he said in a statement. The list which includes over 3,000 importers that have outdated/incorrect phone numbers or email addresses in their system is published on its website, Bureau of Customs | Department of Finance: Bureau of Customs and Facebook account, @bureauofcustomsph. The BOC reported that upon verification, phone calls made to 1,206 importers reveal incorrect or non-working numbers, while e-mails

to 2,365 importers bounced back. Pursuant to Section 7 of Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 11-2014, failure of the importers to update the bureau’s Account Management Ofﬁce (AMO) of their updated email address and/or contact details within 30 days from the date of the list’s posting will cause suspension of their accreditation. “Their E2M Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) access will also be deactivated in accordance with Section 8.b of the said CMO,” he add-

ed.

F MINDA, 11

BOC to importers: Update contact details or face sanctions

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday ordered over 3,000 importers to update their contact information including phone numbers and e-mail addresses or face sanctions. According to Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, stakeholders should amend their contact details to ensure effective communication between importers and the Bureau. “This is one of the ways to better serve the importers, so they should also do their duty by informing us of any chang-

With this, the importers identified in the list are required to submit the following documents to AMO:· Letter request to BOC-AMO for the amendment of CPRS data/information on email addresses and/or phone number/s;· Print out of importer’s CPRS profile as amended; and· Print out of VASPS’s email notification of ‘STORED’ CPRS profile. For further instructions and other details, importers may call AMO thru its hotline numbers 0921-2304-519 or 0915-0525-442. (PNA)

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released P981.4 million to 306 local government units (LGUs) last year under its performance challenge fund (PCF) program. “For 2016 alone, PCF was able to confer P981.4 million to a total of 306 LGUs, all earmarked for their respective projects. Of the 306 LGUs, 43 are provinces which got P4 million each, 51 are cities which took home P3.4 million each, and 212 are municipalities which received P3 million each,” the department said in a news release issued Tuesday. Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno explained that the program encourages LGUs to be business-friendly, socially-protective, competitive, environment-protective, climate change-adaptive and disaster-resilient. The PCF is managed by the Bureau of Local Government Development, which is headed by director, Anna Liza Bonagua. The department also granted P30 million to 30

LGUs in 2010; P490 million to 397 LGUs in 2011; P987 million to 560 LGUs in 2012; P990 million to 734 LGUs in 2013; P470 million to 248 LGUs in 2014; and P982 million to 254 LGUs in 2015. The grants total P5 billion for 2,689 local development projects, 2,500 or 93 percent of which have already been completed. The remaining projects are in different stages of implementation. Sueno further said that the 2,689 PCF projects consisted of 863 projects that supported the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; 1,388 that pushed for local economic development; 123 projects that facilitated compliance for ecological solid waste management; 313 for disaster risk reduction and management; and two projects that enhanced transparency and accountability, all subsidized with a total of P4.930 billion as of Dec. 29 last year. The PCF recognizes good governance performance in transparency, accountability, participation and service delivery. (PNA)

SSS pension hike to benefit workers L

ABOR Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III expressed support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s grant of Social Security System’s across-the-board pension increase, saying the additional amount is a much-deserved incentive for the two-million pensioners’ most fruitful years in service. Bello said workers’ additional contribution to the SSS, which will fund the pension increase, should be considered as their long-term savings, and not an expense. In May this year, a 1.5 percent increase in contribution will be implemented or 12.5 percent from the current 11 percent. In peso value, the additional total contribution will range from P15-P740, equally shared by employer and employee. “We must bear in mind that an actively paying SSS member can avail of social benefits and loan privileges,” Bello said. SSS is putting in place measures to ensure fund sustainability, including legal actions to reduce contribution delinquency, and executive intervention needed to improve collection. Bello said DOLE will continuously observe stricter implementation of the Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS), specifically on monitoring the establishments’ compliance with mandated social benefits, specifically, SSS PhilHealtn and Pag-Ibig payments and remittances.

“This is one way of safeguarding and protecting the rights of our workers. It is also the employers’ legal and moral responsibility to their employers,” he said. Apart from assessing the establishment’s compliance to General Labor Standards (GLS), DOLE regional offices also check if employers follow the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) and other related labor laws and issuances. This covers provisions on wages, hours of work and other non-monetary benefits as well as the standards that refer to the conditions of work premises, required personal protective equipment (PPE) and health programs, and other related laws dealing with occupational safety and health. The LLCS also puts in check the workplace’s observance of labor rights and key indicators in the country’s decent work profile such as observance of minimum wage, overtime pay, holiday pay, night shift differential pay, service incentive leave pay, 13th month pay and other monetary benefits prescribed by law. The OSHS on the other hand checks if the establishment is registered with the DOLE, implements the use of personal protective equipment, has an established safety and health committee, and complies, among others, with the administrative reports on safety and health. (DOLE)

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

A bank for OFWs

ABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III brought the good OFWs wherein 15 government agencies are converged in news of establishing a bank solely for the country’s one center to process OFW documents within a timeline of OFWs during a recent gathering of the YMCA-Davao 72 hours. The OFW bank plan will involve the conversion of PhilCity. Bello sounded off President Duterte’s promise made ippine Postal Savings Bank (Postal Bank) into an OFW dedduring his visit in Japan where he told a huge OFW audi- icated bank. PHLPost is under the Office of the President (OP) and ence that the government will open a bank solely for them. has been fully relying on its own revenues to continue opNow it’s shaping up. Secretary Bello paid tribute to the OFWs for their con- erations. For the President’s plan to materialize, it could require stantly increasing remittance which has grown to US$28 billion as of last year and without which the country’s the OP or the Department of Finance (DOF) to infuse about P2 billion to P3 billion in capital to PHLPost. economy would have collapsed a long time ago. It is widely believed that Postal Bank, if given a “shot in Establishment of the OFW bank is now being finalized and is expected to open for business in August or Septem- the arm,” would be able to better deliver services to OFWs ber this year. This is in addition to the one-stop shop for and their families than commercial banks.

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VERY year, large-scale floods in the lowlands affect the personal and economic fortunes of millions of Filipinos. To many people involved in developing disaster-reduction strategies and flood-mitigation management, it appears that the intensity of floods has increased in the country in recent decades. Last January 16, heavy flooding left thousands of students and workers to be stranded in some areas in Cagayan de Oro City, according to a report from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department. It must be recalled that the same city suffered severe flooding when tropical storm Sendong (international name: Washi) hit Mindanao dropping a month’s worth of rain in only a few hours. It was “unprecedented and overwhelming” described an official of the Philippine Red Cross, who was quoted by Philippine Daily Inquirer. But the heavy rains were just part of the disaster. “The extent of the disaster brought about by Typhoon Sendong in Southern Philippines was magnified because most of the forests in that region were heavily denuded due to logging and mining,” said science journalist Ernesto Lawagan. Nereus Acosta, then presidential adviser on environment, seemed to agree. In an interview with the Inquirer, he said the deforestation of watersheds in Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon, which feed into the major rivers of Mindanao, had worsened the effects of heavy rains. Now, the big question is: should deforestation always be blamed for the recent floods in the country? “Whenever there is a catastrophic flood, people frequently jump to blame deforestation as the cause,” deplored Dr.

ENTURIES of foreign colonization and long decades of suffering due to gross ill- governance, corruption and unmitigated poverty have left the moral fiber of the people and the nation in tatters. Constraints such as fear, doubt, conflict and uncertainty have clouded our vision for the positive transformation of this country. Foreign direct investments which have largely contributed to the economic growth and development of our neighbors such as Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, including China for that matter, have not been pouring in as expected. From the looks of it, despite wellplanned efforts by the incumbent administration to cleanse our society of the illegal drugs trade (and the consequent criminality it breeds) so that sanity and security reign in the streets, communities and villages, stalwarts of the political opposition remain on the lookout to subtly thwart them. This is very ironic. Filipinos are still in the so-called “middle of the road” mentality – confused and ill-prepared to take on new concepts and ideas because they think

VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

The usual culprit Patrick Durst, THINK ON THESE! the regional forestry officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). T h e FAO-published book, Forests and Floods: D r o w n i n g Henrylito D. Tacio in Fiction or henrytacio@gmail.com Thriving on Facts?, said so, too. “In many countries, there is widespread belief – including among many foresters – that forests can prevent or reduce floods,” it said. “Therefore, an immediate, frequently drawn conclusion is that floods occur because forests have been cleared or degraded.” There were some theories that the reason why a huge flood happened during the time of Noah was because the prophet and his sons were cutting a lot of trees to make an ark. But such claim was an exaggeration because the whole world, as the Bible reported, was flooded. Genesis 7:23 said: “Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped out from the earth.” The cause of the flood: incessant rain. “For forty days, the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the water increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water” (Genesis 7:17). So another question comes out: Are recent floods caused by nature or by human

activities? “It is commonly believed that forests are necessary to regulate stream flow and reduce runoff, and to some extent this is true,” the FAO publication pointed out. “But in reality, forests tend to be rather extravagant users of water.” Contrary to common notion, forests have only a limited influence on major downstream flooding, especially largescale events. “It is correct that on a local scale, forests and forest soils are capable of reducing runoff, generally as the result of enhanced infiltration and storage capacities,” the FAO publication explained. “But this hold true only for small-scale rainfall events, which are not responsible for severe flooding downstream areas,” the publication continued. “During a major rainfall event (like those that result in massive flooding), especially after prolonged periods of preceding rainfall, the forest soil becomes saturated and water no longer filters into the soil but instead runs off along the soil surface.” Some recent studies showed that only 8% of the country’s original forest cover remains today. At the current rate of deforestation, local experts say that the country’s old growth forests would be wiped out by 2025, twenty five years ahead of the worldwide deadline of 2050. “Deforestation is a symptom of a bigger problem,” says Nicolo del Castillo, an architect by profession who teaches at the University of the Philippines. “I probably sound baduy (tacky and outdated) but I see the problem in the prevailing system of values, that is, the greed, the need to be the biggest, the wealthiest, and sometimes you feel hopeless. I am an optimist, but possibly there will be more tragedies and maybe then more people will wake up.” Experts believe that floods will contin-

ue to wreak havoc Cagayan de Oro, Metro Manila and other low-lying areas of the country. More devastating floods will happen due to climate change. Normally, the country experiences tropical cyclones of up to 20 a year. In recent years, stronger typhoons have become more frequent. The book, Hotspots! – Mapping Climate Change Vulnerability in Southeast Asia, has identified the top ten most vulnerable provinces. These are Manila, Benguet, Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Rizal, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Abra, and Albay. Davao del Sur – of which Davao City is part of – ranks 28th. Davao Oriental is 61st while Davao del Norte is 68th. Fortunately, Compostela Valley (which will soon be called Davao de Oro) and Davao Occidental (it was not yet a province when the study was done) are not included in the list. “High exposure to climate hazards, especially tropical cyclones, floods, and landslides, is the dominant factor behind the vulnerability of these provinces,” the 84page book explained. Senator Loren Legarda, the chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, believes climate change is a clear and present danger. “It is a national security concern,” she said. “Demanding immediate government action to address its impact is the very least we can do in remembrance of the Mindanao flashflood victims who would have hopefully issued a wake-up call for everyone.” As such, she urged that action be taken to implement the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP). “With the more destructive disasters that have come before us, it is high time that the NDRRMP be immediately launched as this outlines the specific strategies to reduce disaster risks,” she added.

they are SPECKS OF LIFE safely ensconced in their traditional shells. This attitude, this status quo, has got to change. You see, you may Fred C. Lumba disagree but I believe strongly that the biggest binding constraint staring the Filipinos today is the 1987 Constitution. IT IS NOT ONLY FLAWED. IT WAS ALSO HASTILY PASSED UNDER A REVOLUTIONARY ATMOSPHERE. While most countries around the world periodically update the fundamental laws of their land to keep pace with the advancing globalization, the Philippines remain inert and cold to suggestions that we institute reforms in our economic system via constitutional change. In Switzerland, Norway and other parts of Scandinavia and Europe, they apply and

utilize people’s initiative every now and then to facilitate changes in their constitutional deficiencies and adapt to world-wide developments, political and otherwise. Here in our midst, capitalists who control industries are into monopolies or duopolies and thus have no compulsion to take part and reform the system that is making them richer and richer. Why should they? Their hold onto their current lofty economic status translates into raw political power. He that holds the purse, holds the reins, right? The GDP growth trumpeted by the previous administration has not been felt by the majority of the people because this has not created the expected livelihood and employment opportunities to impact on the people in the countryside. As you can see, millions of OFWs, to this day, continue to seek and work overseas. In short, the quality of life of most Filipinos has remained much to be desired. In fact, in a new SWS survey, a big chunk of Filipinos (44%) rate themselves as being poor. Wealth distribution, despite the big numbers displayed in the indexes of the

stock exchange, has been as inequitable as yonder. While the institution of the K-12 school curriculum seeks to uplift the educational norms, our constitution deters the entry of prestigious foreign institutions of learning which, to my mind, could provide impetus and friendly competition to elevate our teaching standards. The inability of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to appropriately rectify the scandalous, illegal entry of stolen money from the Bangladesh Central Bank that stealthily flowed into the country via the casinos, calls for a prompt change to the current anti-money laundering rules and statutes, including replacing the people sitting there. An evil cycle seems to permeate our society. Where is equality? Reminds me of poet John Donne who, in the service of King James I as a church minister, wrote: “Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes.” Should we wait for death to come for the status quo to be taken down? (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

Who needs the status quo?

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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cation on Monday night, citing as proof a December 14, 2016 statement attributed to HEARBCO-1 Chairman Guillermo A. Tuyor. In that statement, Tuyor clarified that in the light of incidents in the areas under HEARBCO-1 in Barangay Madaum, the coop officers and members “disagreed with actions of the break-away group.” In the same statement, Tuyor also assured HEARBCO-1’s commitment to honor its contractual commitments with Lapanday Foods Corporation. LFC added that Yu’s group had initially accepted the validity of the agreements between HEARBCO-1 and LFC “but then turned vicious and destructive in their attacks against the HEARBCO-1 and LFC.” On the claim made by Mantilla that it was not HEARBCO-1 that hired the guards who were responsible for allegedly shooting of individuals claiming to be MARBAI members, LFC stressed that the security of the HEARBCO-1 area is a major concern for the cooperative, and it hires and pays for this security. “When Mely Yu’s group started its harassment and disruptive activities, Lapanday sought local police assistance to ensure the peace and order in the HEARBCO-1 areas,” said LFC. It added that the ensuing tension caused by the breakaway group of Mely Yu had jeopardized operations, also as several armed men were seen in the area, who most likely have been responsible for instigating the violence. According to LFC, it has “in fact welcomed the results of the police investigation into this alleged shooting incident that cleared Lapanday of any involvement”. The company firmly stated that MARBAI has deprived members of HEARBCO-1 “who are themselves agrarian reform beneficiaries” their means of livelihood when Mely Yu and her breakaway group, along with their supporters illegally occupied a portion of HEARBCO-1 plantations on December 9, 2016. “They destroyed some 20 hectares that were rendered useless, in. During this illegal occupation, they also resorted to stealing farm equipment and tools which have remained unaccounted for as

well as the illegal harvesting and selling of fruits to buyers who, together with Mely Yu, are now subject of various criminal cases,” said LFC. HEARBCO-1 also stressed that the security sweep conducted on 31 December 2016, when the supporters of Mely Yu’s group abandoned the area, was conducted on the direction of and for the benefit and protection of HEARBCO-1. They added, it was their members who were deprived of their lands which they illegally occupied and must be allowed to return to their lands. The fixing of the destroyed portions of HEARBCO-1 registered lands has started with the clearing of the site to prepare it for farm rehabilitation. LFC said that it has always participated in any forum or meeting, including those convened by the Department of Agrarian Reform and the House of Representatives, that had already previously conducted several public hearing in relation to agri-venture agreements (AVA), cooperatives, and the agrarian reform law, among others. Lapanday said that it will participate, maintain and assert its lawful and rightful position in any forum where it is invited. On Yu’s statement that MARBAI has sent a letter to Fidel Agcaoilli of National Democratic Front (NDF) asking their assistance in settling the dispute with LFC, LFC emphasized the on-going peace talks between the government and the NDF, while laudable, “do not have any jurisdiction on the contracts that are, as between the parties and by law, already ruled as legally binding.” The company also clarified that there was “no truth nor basis” to the claim made during the Kapehan sa Dabaw that HEARBCO-1 was offered Pesos 6,000 for alleged dispersal activity. “The truth was HERABCO-1 issued Resolution No. 105, Series of 2016, which was received by LFC on October 16, 2016 for a request for the financial needs of its members for the Christmas season,” said LFC. “This request was made much earlier than when Mely Yu and her breakaway group conducted their latest disruptive activities in HEARBCO-1 registered farm lands,” the company added.

acts”. Noting that the much bigger table of peace negotiation is spread throughout the Filipino community, Valencia reiterated his call for people

to support the peace process, and he shared his hopes for issues and concerns of the rebel groups to be resolved in a peaceful manner. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

sanctuary, no garbage in their coastal waters, and a mangrove protection area. “The most outstanding coastal communities will get a Presidential Award called Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) and will receive PHP20 million that could be used for livelihood and other income

generating projects in the said community,” Piñol said. Meanwhile, the second placer will get PHP8 million and the third placer PHP5 million. Regional winners will get PHP2 million each. Awarding ceremonies would be held on February 1 in Malacañang. (PNA)

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NO IFS OR BUTS. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Catherine Dela Rey says authorities will aggressively implement the road clearing operations to instill discipline to vehicle and motorcycle

owners in the city. Dela Rey made the statement during yesterday’s AFPPNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

One more bill reimposing death penalty filed in Senate

NEW measure that seeks to reimpose death penalty on persons involved in the illegal drug trade has been filed in the Senate on Wednesday. Under Senate Bill No. 1294, Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian seeks to amend Section 11 of RA 9165 to impose capital punishment on persons convicted of possession, sale, distribution, importation, and manufacture drugs. These include marijuana (10,000 grams or more), shabu (1,000 grams or more), opium, morphine, heroine, cocaine, cocaine hydrochloride, marijuana resin, marijuana resin oil, ecstasy, and LSD, and

other drugs as determined by the Dangerous Drugs Board (200 grams or more). The measure also seeks to increase fines and penalties imposed for offenses under RA 9165 involving smaller quantities of drugs. Gatchalian, an ally of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, said that his bill was his commitment to the Duterte administration’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs. The neophyte senator, who was also three-time mayor of Valenzuela City, said that he and Pres. Duterte were both “mayors at heart” and had “the same perspective” in terms of solutions to eliminate drug trafficking.

The Election Registration Board (ERB) will be the one to decide whether to approve/ disapprove the application for their inclusion to the list of voters. The continuing voter registration will run until April 29,

2017 except on April 13 and 14. The Comelec is looking to register additional five million voters for the coming elections, including three million for the village polls and two million youth voters. (PNA)

consolidate international development assistance for the socio-economic recovery of conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. The Community and Family Services International (CSFI), a humanitarian organization committed to peace and social development, is the implementing arm of MTS programs

in Mindanao. Government of the Philippines Peace Panel Chair for the Bangsamoro Irene Santiago, who was special guest in the activity here, had expressed confidence that the MTS-CSFI programs in the area would further produce positive response to the local communities. (PNA)

suggests that high intake of deep-fried, well-done red meat may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding for oneand-a-half to two years might slightly lower the risk of breast cancer, some studies show. Exercise also seems to lower the risk. Unlike in the Western world, where most breast cancer victims are old, those from the Philippines are getting

younger. “It’s very peculiar for the Philippines why it’s like that,” observes Nikoy de Guzman, a breast cancer survivor who is the collaboration chairman of the icanserve Foundation, Inc., an advocacy group championing early detection of breast cancer. “Frankly speaking, despite all the advances, we really don’t know why there’s a high incidence.” – (To be concluded) Photos taken from the net

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“As local chief executives, we have both seen firsthand the kind of damage the illegal drug trade can do to entire communities if drug lords and king pins are allowed to continue their despicable operations with impunity,” Gatchalian said. “Passage of this law will stop the illegal drug trade in its tracks and make sure that these despicable people will pay the ultimate price for their crimes against the Filipino people,” he added. Aside from Gatchalian, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, has previously filed a measure to revive death penalty. Some other senators who have openly expressed being

in favor of the reinstatement of death penalty include Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Pimentel, however, said that the passage of the death penalty bill will not come easy in the Senate as in the House of Representatives where it expected to face less opposition. Last December 7, the House Committee on Justice approved the committee report on the reinstatement of the death penalty bill or House Bill No. 1 in a vote of 12-6-1. The measure is one of the priority bills of President Duterte. (PNA)

designers namely Gil Macaibay and Mark Yaranon of Region 10 backed out due to the unfortunate flood incident in their area. The event is sponsored by Phoenix Petroleum, Metro Shuttle, Eden Nature Park, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, SM Lanang, SMX Convention Center and the Fashion Designers Guild of Davao. Meanwhile, agency partners Department of Tourism, LGU-Davao and the Philippine

National Police are coordinating for a smooth and efficient handling of the candidates in time for their departure in the evening. Tickets for the Mindanao Tapestry Gala are available in SM Lanang Premier at the Phoenix Photo booth (contact nos. 0917.893.8258). For more details and updates, visit the official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MissuniverseinDavao.

including those along the national highways were pulled out, explaining that those are “traffic hazard.” She said the operation will include motorcycle riders who have no license, no helmet or using improvised muffler (bora- bora). Dela Rey also reminded the vendors not to encroach the road to avoid accidents. “This will be an aggressive approach to implementing the road law, iimpound na namin ang unregistered motorcycles and vehicles and then we’ll strictly apprehend those drivers na walang lisensya,” she said. Dela Rey added that they are slowly implementing the

said law to remind the public, both pedestrians and motorists. “We should not complain that we arrived late in our destinations just because we’re stuck in the traffic or we got apprehended by the police officers,” she said. Dela Rey added that everyone must be disciplined to avoid the hassle. The smooth traffic flow has been one of Mayor Sara Duterte’s priorities. In her “Byaheng Do30” initiative, the mayor asked the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to enforce local traffic laws such as jaywalking. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Food and travels of

Friends enjoying nature at Lake Apo.

MOST OFTEN, THE ANSWER LIES WITHIN. And that 95% of the time, we just need some wide, open spaces to reconnect with our selves. Not being melodramatic; just telling what the heart forgets to acknowledge. Nah, this is not about ‘fixing’ anything; this is about exploring the many options we have.

Suman at Sikwaate from Seagull Mountain Resort.

Davao City is home. Yes. For many of us. Still, even at home, we long to escape the mundane familiarity we have been used to. We want to explore the many other options. Though Davao is packed with adventures from every corner, going over the comfort zone is also a necessity to keep the fire burning. Come tag along as I take you on a trip with my Family and friends as we explore nature and the many delicious food finds we stumbled along the way. Of them, do you have a favourite? Fresh Strawberry Jam at Bemwa Farms Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Davao City Likened as the Baguio of the South, Bemwa, as it is commonly known, boasts of cold weather, fog and fresh, organic produce that you cannot find in the city. To state, Bemwa Farms is where you would want to be when you want some fresh strawberries. Yes, we also have them here fresh. Not only strawberries but crunchy fresh lettuce, fresh eggplant and a personal favourite herb, fresh basil. Of the many other things sold at the farm, go ahead and try their fresh strawberry jam – made with fresh strawberries and wild, pure honey. It is thick, yes, and not overly sweet. The right consistency if you are one to spread some butter and jam on your toast. Also, perfect as a strawberry vinaigrette over those fresh crunchy lettuce. For the Strawberry Vinaigrette: In a clean bowl, scoop

Fresh Basil and Strawberries from Bemwa Farms.

over 2 tablespoons of fresh strawberry jam, ½ of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Taste as you go to achieve that ‘personal taste’. Drizzle over lettuce, carrots and apples. Tip: Visit the farm early in the morning to join the strawberry picking. Suman at Sikwate at Seagull Mountain Resort Davao-Bukidnon Road, Barangay Lorega, Kitaotao,

Bukidnon Located along Buda Road (Bukidnon-Davao Road), Seagull Mountain Resort has an elevation of 4,000 feet. Naturally cold, the place is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. At the mountain resort, you can opt to spend the night, go swimming or just take in the majestic view from the top. Aside from the many beautiful scenic spots, they also have a restaurant that serves uberjuicy steaks and sizzling dishes. What’s the one thing you need to try? Definitely their suman and sikwate. Their suman and sikwate is a rustic take on the classic favourite that is normally served by our elders during the cold, winter nights. At the Phoenix Gas Station (some meters way from the mountain resort), their version is one of texture and depth. It’s crunchy yet malagkit, bland yet sweet. The addition of hot sikwate (pure chocolate drink)

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GMA unveils new drama line-up

GMA NETWORK soars even higher this 2017 as it delivers a new roster of trendsetting and pioneering programs that will surely excite and captivate the hearts of Kapuso viewers. Produced by the GMA Drama Group, these shows are top billed by only the brightest, hottest and up-and-coming Kapuso actors and actresses in Philippine show business. First on the list is the original primetime soap Meant To Be. This romantic-comedy series revolves around Billie, portrayed by Barbie Forteza, a struggling millennial who meets four guys with different nationalities: Ken Chan as the Chinese-Pinoy Yuan, Jak Roberto as the Pinoy Macoy, Ivan Dorschner as the Fil-British Ethan, Addy Raj as the Indian Jai. All four boys will fall in love with Billie. Joining them in Meant To Be are Manilyn Reynes, Sheryl Cruz, Tina Paner, Keempee de Leon, Sef Cadayona, Mika dela Cruz, Stephanie Sol, Zymic Jaranilla, and Ms. Gloria Romero. Under the helm of LA Madridejos with Renei Dimla as head writer and Hazel Abonita as Program Manager, Meant To Be premiered last

January 9. The primetime series is also a clear winner in nationwide ratings after consistently beating its competition during its pilot week. For its Valentine offering, the Kapuso Network brings to light the much awaited soap Destined To Be Yours starring the phenomenal love team—Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. In the story, Alden breathes life to the character of Benjie, a hardworking and charming architect who wants to acquire a piece of land owned by the family of Sinag played by Maine. Sinag is a loving daughter who works in a radio station in their province. She deeply cares for the environment and the community she belongs to. Anticipation is high for the first ever primetime soap of Alden and Maine which will definitely be an exciting treat for viewers of all ages. Completing the powerhouse cast are Lotlot de Leon, Gardo Versoza, Dominic Roco, Sheena Halili, Ina

Feleo, Juancho Trivino, RJ Padilla, Koreen Medina and Boots Anson-Roa. This also marks the comeback of Ms Janice de Belen to the Kapuso Network. After her successful directing stint on the big screen, budding female director Irene Villamor gets her first and biggest directorial job on the small screen as she sits at the helm of this heart-warming primetime show. Showcasing a story of love, triumph and forgiveness is the

original Afternoon Prime series Legally Blind. Kapuso actress Janine Gutierrez tackles her most challenging and mature role as a rape victim who gets blind and who will become a lawyer to seek justice from her perpetrator. She will be paired with two of the Network’s talented leading men: Mikael Daez, Rodjun Cruz. Adding star power to the Afternoon Prime soap are Chanda Romero, Lauren Young, Marc Abaya. Legally Blind is under

the helm of actor and TV director Ricky Davao. Another intriguing drama that will surely make the viewers’ glued to their televisions screens is the remake of the successful TV series Impostora. It is also the first GMA-produced TV drama adapted by a foreign country. This soap tells the story Nimfa, an ugly street vendor who willingly undergoes surgery and complete facial reconstruction to pretend to be Rosette, a wealthy and beautiful but unhappily married wife seeking to escape her husband. This highly controversial drama is top billed by Kapuso versatile leading lady Kris Bernal and playing opposite her are versatile actors Rafael Rosell and Ryan Eigenmann. GMA Drama unveils another original show using the elements of interview, dramatization, actual videos and photos with Case Solved. Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes is tapped to host this newest docu-drama as he presents to the viewers the know-hows of crime prevention. Catch these as well as many more original offerings on GMA Network this 2017.

Ayala SureSeats partners with Globe Digital Ventures NOW SHOWING

January 18 – 19, 2017

LIVE BY NIGHT Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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1:20 | 4:05 | 6:50 | 9:35 LFS

XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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DARKROOM Ella Cruz, Bret Jackson Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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11:40 | 2:10 | 4:40 | 7:10 | 9:40 LFS

CONSTANT MOVIEGOERS now have a more convenient way of planning their movie dates and buying their tickets online as SureSeats seals its recent partnership with Globe Digital Ventures at Raffles Hotel, Makati.

Reinforcing the telco’s ties with its Ayala Corporation family, Globe Digital Ventures signed a contract with Ayala’s Sureseats for Globe Digital Ventures’ acquisition and management of its movie schedule and ticketing website, SureSeats. com. This latest partnership allows patrons to experience a faster and hassle-free process of purchasing movie tickets to Ayala Malls Cinemas with the technology that also powers GMovies. “At Globe, we continue to strengthen our proposition to offer services that will enhance our customers’ digital lifestyle. Innovations like GMovies alongside our strategic partnerships allow us to achieve our objective and provide services that will upgrade the connected experience,” said Ernest Cu, President & CEO of Globe Telecom. “We are very excited with the partnership of Ayala Malls Cinemas with Globe. We look forward to a rejuvenated Sureseats.com that will elevate the customer experience of our cinema patrons and bring significant growth in mem-

bership,” said Amir Precilla, General Manager of Ayala Malls Cinemas. SureSeats is a complete online ticketing service for all Ayala Malls Cinemas in the country, allowing customers to reserve and purchase their movie tickets ahead of time. This kind of service lets everyone plan ahead, choose their preferred cinema, date, time, and even their seats. Through the partnership with Globe Digital Ventures, SureSeats users will be able to experience a new level of digital convenience and enjoy a more rewarding

user experience. “Partnering with Sureseats - a pioneer brand in the online convenience space for Ayala malls movie theaters, is a milestone for us as we are certain we can take the Sureseats brand to a whole new digital entertainment experience,” said Glenn Estrella, Vice President of Globe Telecom Digital Ventures. Through this partnership, customers can simply enter the cinema without the need for falling in line nor having tickets printed. For more information, visit www.sureseats.com.

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verily complements the suman in all of its grains. Tip: Try adding just a tiny bit of brown sugar to your sikwate and let the sweetness from the suman make wonders to your palate. Boxed Biscuits at the Monastery of the Transfiguration Malaybalay City, Bukidnon The Monastery of the Transfiguration is one of the most visited religious communities in the Philippines.

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Located in a hill, you’d surely be in awe as you come face to face with their vast, wide open green spaces, fresh smell of pines and of course, the pyramid structure (Magnum Opus) place of peace and prayer. This is also where Benedictine Monks live and pray every day. Aside from the place of prayer (If you happen to visit, go on the second Sunday of the month, hear the mass and eat breakfast with the Monks), you’d love the fact that they have a number of

delectable food finds you’d surely would want to take home. Of which, their Monk’s Blend coffee, which is grown, produced and processed by the Monks themselves, is on everybody’s list of things to buy. Also, they sell tubs of peanut butter, pinato, polvoron, pastillas, dried roasted peanuts and alamang. But of them all, their boxed biscuits and cookies is one to munch on. Aesthetically packed, you’d love their Lengua de Gaato, Hearts to Bite Cookie

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Hearts with Creamy Butter taste and Cashew Cookies. Also try their Rumball and Crinkles. Any of the biscuits and cookies goes very well with their coffee. Personally, I love them with a cup of tea.

Want to know my latest food finds? Follow me on Instagram @ iamleebai and I’ll make you hungry in a snap. For missed features, you can read them on my blog theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com. Happy munching, #royalistas!

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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sacking of products, charcoal making, hauling of products as led by animal guide, loading and unloading of packed farm products, coconut kilning and de-meating from shell or core, sealing and carting of produce for warehousing and transport to market and all ancillary work such as clearing, cleaning, and recycling of farm waste in its preparation as animal food and other related processes. In livestock farming, the work and related activities that are declared hazardous to minors include: rearing such as collecting, loading, unloading and transporting of feeds, maintenance and care of large and/or dangerous animals,

collecting and disposal of dead animals, animal manure and other waste materials, administering of vaccines and vitamins, and handling of disinfectants used for cleaning animal pens/enclosures or for disinfecting animals. Likewise, minors are not allowed to engage in harvesting activities that involve catching or collecting, ranching, and milking in preparation for warehousing or transport to market, and post-harvest activities including the packaging and processing of dairy and other animal by-products in preparation for warehousing and transport to market; and working in slaughterhouses or abattoirs. (PNA)

payments in order to increase the take-home pay of most Filipino taxpayers and make the system fairer and more equitable. The P82,000 exemption for 13th month and other bonuses will remain. The revised package also includes lowering the rates for estate and donor’s taxes, expanding the value-added tax (VAT) base, but retaining the exemptions enjoyed by senior citizens and persons with disabilities, adjusting automobile and fuel excise taxes. Complementary reforms to this revised tax package include introducing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, indexing the motor vehicle user’s charge to inflation, and granting an amnesty to past estate tax cases. It also proposes indexing the motor vehicle user’s charge to inflation and granting an amnesty to past estate tax cases. The estate tax, which is a tax imposed on the privilege of transmitting properties upon the death of the owner, will also be reduced from the current maximum rate of 20 percent to 6 percent under the revised tax reform plan. Moreover, the revised

plan also includes legislated administrative reforms in the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and of Customs (BOC) such as fuel marking to prevent smuggling, the use of e-receipts, the mandatory connection of the point-of-sale system to the BIR, and the relaxation of bank secrecy laws for investigating and combating tax fraud. The Duterte administration’s target is to ramp spending on infrastructure to P1.83 trillion, education and training to P1.27 trillion, health to P272 billion and social protection, welfare and job generation for the poorest of the poor to P509 billion by 2022 for a total amount of P2.2 trillion in investments. This would mean an estimated additional investment of P1.07 trillion for infrastructure, P718 billion for education, P139 billion for health, and P267 billion for social protection each year over the next six years, Chua said. “Tax administration, which includes improvements in both the BIR and BOC is equally important and is in fact the priority for 2017 before the tax policy reforms are fully implemented in 2018,” Chua said.

Secretary Alonto said. Mindanao’s annual investment from 2001 to 2010 only averaged US$125 million, but it leaped to US$1.2 billion average annual investment between 2011 to 2015. Secretary Alonto said the ten-fold increase in the last four years was buoyed by a capital investments in the energy sector with US$3.5 billion from 2011 to 2014. “Mindanao has bountiful natural wealth as it is touted as the “Food Basket of the Philippines,” he said while adding, “it is blessed with favorable agro-climatic conditions, with fertile soils, and rich biodiversity which makes it suitable for food production and agribusiness development. As of 2014, Mindanao’s agricultural land area represents 36 percent of the Philippines’ total farm area but yields 43 percent of the country’s total farm produce. The island-region accounts for 89 percent of the

country’s pineapple production, 82 percent of the bananas, and 74 percent of coffee. The country’s 99 percent production of rubber also comes from Mindanao. As for the country’s livestock industry, Mindanao contributes 39 percent of the country’s production of goats and 44 percent of its cattle. Just days ahead of Abe’s arrival, a group of Japanese investors from Ernst & Young LLC already met with MinDA officials to explore possible partnerships on infrastructure, industrial park and renewable energy projects in Mindanao. “Clearly, there are numerous opportunities and business prospects in Mindanao that we can seize and take advantage of under the current administration,” said Alonto while adding “the future of Mindanao looks exciting that makes the region as the country’s next investment destination.” (PR)

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PHLPost launches ASEAN commemorative stamps T

HE Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched the ASEAN commemorative stamps during the official launching of the country’s chairmanship of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations Summit 2017 led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the SMX Convention in Davao City Sunday. “As a founding member of ASEAN, the Philippines chairmanship and hosting of the ASEAN is a historic and important milestone event as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of this regional organization in 1967,” said Postmaster General Joel Otarra. He expressed hopes that the postage stamps will spread awareness and educate the public about the ASEAN, giving them basic understanding of what it is and its purpose. Likewise, the stamps are visual tool that document important people, places and events and serve as excellent primary resources for teaching about the country and its culture.

The “ASEAN 50, PHILIPPINES 2017” Commemorative stamps feature’s the official logo and this year’s theme: “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” Some 101,000 copies of the stamps are available at P12 each. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises the Philippines,

Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Vietnam. It is committed to intensifying community building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration, in particular by establishing an ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Econom-

ic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community as its main pillars. The stamps, commemorative folder and official first day cover are now available at the Manila Central Post Office and in area post offices nationwide. For inquiries, please call PHLPost (02) 527-0108 or 527-0132. (PHLPOST/PIANCR)

loan with Banco de Oro. The Metrobank loan that matured last July 6, 2016 was fully paid three months ahead of time, while the BDO loan that will mature in 2020 was fully settled before the year 2016 ended. Also, its affiliate Primex Land, Inc. was able to wipe out all its bank obligations of P300 million five months ahead of maturity. “Eliminating our already low debt levels help make Primex a fundamentally stronger company especially at a time

when the market is expecting a rise in interest rates. Additionally, our debt-to-equity levels should now be among the healthiest and lowest among the most valuable 20 listed property developers in the country,” said Primex Chairman Ernesto O. Ang. Ang noted that the company was able to prepay bank obligations amid recent record profitability supported by steady and robust cash flows coming from foreign and institutional investors. “Our current financial po-

sition even allows us to pay dividends to shareholders which we are planning for 2017, on top of our acquisition and upcoming development projects,” he added. The early settlement of the bank loans is expected to bolster the company’s financial standing in the domestic lending market. This shall also lead to the banks’ higher trust and confidence in the group, resulting in lower lending rates and increased allocation of funding. (PNA)

Primex Group pre-pays P1.8-B bank loans

ISTED property developer Primex Corp. on Tuesday said it has prepaid all its bank obligations amounting to P1.8 billion as of Jan. 3, 2017 following record profitability. Primex has an approved loan with Metrobank of P300 million which is due to mature in April 2020. Its subsidiary, Primex Realty Corp., the owner and developer of a 31-storey residential tower in Salcedo Village Makati, prepaid both its term loan with Metrobank of P700 million and its P500 million

PAL’s Clark hub operates to Cebu, Davao starting Jan. 30

TARTING January 30, flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) Clark hub will operate to and from Cebu and Davao. PAL will have non-stop flights between Clark and Cebu four times weekly (Monday/ Wednesday/Friday/Sunday), the company shared on Tuesday. Flight PR 837 departs Clark at 7 a.m. and arrives in Cebu at 8:15 a.m.; PR 838 leaves Cebu at 8:55 a.m. and touches down in Clark at 10:10 a.m. Customers can also look forward to non-stop service between Clark and Davao thrice weekly (Wednesday/

Friday/Sunday). Departure from Clark via PR 831 will be at 10:50 a.m. and arrival in Davao will be at 12:45 p.m., while PR 832 departs Davao at 1:25 p.m. and arrives in Clark at 3:15 p.m. On March 26, the PAL Clark hub will have its thrice weekly (Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday) operations to and

from Puerto Princesa. Flight PR 877 leaves Clark at 10:50 a.m. and arrives in Puerto Princesa at 12:20 p.m.; PR 878 leaves Puerto Princesa at 1 p.m. and lands in Clark at 2:30 p.m. It may be recalled that PAL started its Clark – Boracay (Caticlan) – Cebu flights in mid-December 2016 and Clark

- Incheon flights in the first week of January 2017. “We aim to cater to the flight needs of northern Metro Manila, central and northern Luzon residents. Now, they will be able to experience the convenience of easy travel from their homes to the Clark Airport,” said PAL president and chief operations officer, Jaime Bautista. He also noted that travelers from abroad and domestic outlying stations may fly to Clark and see the popular travel spots in Luzon. The carrier offers free baggage allowance, free snacks for domestic flights, and hot meals for international travels. (PNA)

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Every woman’s worst nightmare By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“Despite the high incidence rate, the number of breast cancer survivors is also steadily increasing worldwide because of better disease awareness and the practice of regular screening that helps detect the disease at an earlier, thereby, more curable stage.” -- Dr. Felycette Gay Lapuz, Philippine Society of Medical Oncologoy

HE first noticed the lump in her breast in the last week of December 2006. “Initially, I felt a pain in my left armpit,” recalled Rosalinda E. Villaseca, the founding president of the Davao-based Mindanao Cooperative Cancer Society. She reckoned the pain must be due to the stressful driving she did from Panabao City to Davao City and then back to Panabo again. Days passed and she forgot all about it. Then, while waiting for some companions in their office, she happened to read a health feature in a magazine. She was alarmed; the lump in her breast must be something else. Three weeks after she felt the lump, Villaseca immediately went to see a physician. She was praying that what she was thinking about was just that – a thought. But everything crumbled when the doctor diagnosed her of having a breast cancer. Villaseca was totally terrified upon hearing the diagnosis, but later on she realizes that everyone has to die anyway. “I accepted it fully as His will,” she said. Considering that she was already 62 years old at that time she was diagnosed, “I am ready to return to Him as our life in this world is just borrowed.” Around the world, breast cancer is the leading killer of women ages 35 to 54. “There are about about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year,”

the World Health Organization (WHO) reports. “Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries.” In Asia, the Philippines is at the center of the battle against breast cancer. Aside from having the highest incidence rate in the region, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the most cases of breast cancer, according to a document released by the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC). Both the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI) considered breast cancer as the most common form of cancer in the country – particularly among women. “One out of every 13 Filipino women is expected to develop

breast cancer in her lifetime,” the AHMC document stated. A press release from the Body Form Philippines, Inc. said that 3 out of 100 Filipino women will contract the disease before age 75. The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology also said that one out of 10 will die before reaching the age of 75. The Geneva-based United Nations health agency reports that one out of four women who are diagnosed with breast cancer die within the first five years. What’s even alarming is that most women only consult a doctor when it is too late. Had it not been for Dr. Judy Fuentes, her obstetrician-gynecologist, movie actress Liezel would never know she had breast cancer. After all, there were no symptoms but Dr.

Fuentes insisted that women her age should undergo breast examinations annually. She did and after subsequent tests, she was diagnosed of having a cancer. After battling of the cancer for seven years, she died at the age of 47. Breast cancer usually begins with formation of a small, localized tumor. “Some tumors are benign that they do not invade other tissue; others are malignant or cancerous,” explains The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative and Conventional Treatments. “The potential for a malignant tumor to spread is common to all cancer. Once such a tumor grows to a certain size, it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system.” In early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. As a tumor progresses, a woman may experience pain or tenderness in her breast. She may also observe swelling in the armpit. But the most apparent symptom is a lump in the breast. More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered as a lump by the woman herself. Generally, a lump in the breast can be known through breast self-examination (BSE). One local study reveals that only 54 percent had ever done a BSE, of whom only 27 per-

cent are still practicing it at an average of 9.2 times a year. Some of the reasons given for not doing the BSE: “no symptoms,” “busy,” “don’t know how,” “don’t like,” “don’t think important,” always forget,” “afraid,” and “not aware.” Aside from lump, other indicators include a noticeable or indentation on the breast; a change in the contour, texture, or temperature of the breast; a change in the nipple, such as an indrawn or dimpled look, itching or burning sensation; and unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or another color. Although the precise causes of breast cancer are unclear, there are some known risk factors. The risk factors that most fact sheets and bulletins on breast cancer identify include family history (mother, sister, daughter or relatives), genetics, early and repeated

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exposure to relatively high doses of radiation, and longterm post-menopausal estrogen replacement. Women who started their menstrual cycle at a younger age (before 12) or went through menopause later (after 55) have a slightly increased risk. Also, women with no children or having the first child after age 30 increases the risk of breast cancer. Other risk factors include having a dense breast tissue, being overweight, and drinking alcohol (the risk is proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed) and smoking. Women should watch what they eat. Recent studies have shown that cooking methods like boiling food in coconut milk have been associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer in the country. Another study

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of Marketing Assistant Qualifications: • Graduate of business or any other related courses • Female • With pleasing personality • Fast learner • Can work with minimum supervision

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Account Executive Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 237 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

LTO to implement DIY registration process T

HE Land Transportation Office or LTO just signed Administrative Order 2017-035 which aims to streamline the car registration process by allowing dealers to report motor vehicle sales via a “Do-It-Yourself” or DIY system. The DIY system removes one of the biggest bottlenecks in the car registration process. In the current system, only LTO employees can encode new vehicle sales into their system. This means only a handful of employees encodes hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually. Apart from streamlining the car registration process, it also eliminates the Request for System Updates (RSU) of buyer’s information or vehicle details. Though the DIY system still requires authorized dealers / dealer representatives to go to their respective LTO Re-

gional Office, it eliminates the direct participation of LTO personnel during the sales reporting procedure. The new procedure is outlined below: A User ID shall be issued to the Authorized Representative of the Dealer and can be used solely on behalf of the Dealer he/she represents. The Authorized Representative shall proceed to the Regional Office (DIY Sales Reporting Unit) to directly report the Dealer’s motor vehicle sales to the LTO using the facility for sales reporting. No sales shall be uploaded in the LTO system unless the same has been validated in the system. If the sales validation is correct, the Authorized Representative shall personally encode the buyer information such as the buyer’s name, address, invoice number, date of sale, and amount

of the unit. Thereafter, the Authorized Representative shall upload the said information in the LTO system and approve the transaction. If the validation of data is incorrect or has a discrepancy, the transaction is terminated and will be voided. The Authorized Representative will be advised to conduct further validation with their sales to rectify the discrepancy. The Dealer shall be solely responsible for any errors, intentional or not, in the sales reports processed through the DIY facility. Theoretically, the DIY system cuts new vehicle registration timeline from the current set-up which takes more than 30 days to just 7 days. That said, this all depends on the implementation set-up such as the number terminals available, etc. So now, all we need to worry about is just the number plates itself.

Hyundai sets record sales in 2016 A

TTRIBUTED mainly to the steadily rising demand for automotive vehicles in the country, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, hit record sales ending the year 2016. Hyundai closed its Full Year 2016 sales with a 53 percent growth as compared to the previous year. Vehicle sales reached 8,674 units in the 4th Quarter alone, equating to a 62

percent Year-on-Year increase. As the front runner of HARI’s growth, the PC segment grew at a double-digit rate of 53 percent for the full year. Led by the Eon and Accent, the two name plates remain as part of the top selling passenger cars in the country. The Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) segment was not far from the spotlight as it pushed to grow 52 percent of the same period from the previous year, with the well-

loved Grand Starex passenger van leading the company’s LCV sales. Amidst the proposal to increase taxes on both fuel and automotive vehicles, a strong macroeconomic foundation, higher disposable income, and an upbeat rating in auto-buying intentions, has kept an opportunistic view as the demand for automotive vehicles continue to show no signs of a slowdown. “Emulating the vitality of the country’s economy and its fast-growing automotive industry, 2016 proved to be a promising year for Hyundai. We can only look forward at 2017 with endless potential, as the company will continue to please the market with its lineup of modern premium products and services,” said Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, HARI President and CEO.

GUTSY LEE... FROM 16

to beat Corteza in the 8-ball race to 15, winner breaks semi-final. However, the talented Dabawenyo cue artist showed too much tenacity under pressure in one of the greatest comebacks in WPS history. Corteza has been playing superb 8-ball pool lately. Corteza took down two of the sport’s best on Tuesday, first outlasting a typically stingy Mika Immonen in the final 16, 15-13, then holding off a furious late charge by Japan’s Naoyuki Oi in the quarterfinals to escape by the same score. Against Oi, Corteza had cruised to a nearly insurmountable 14-8 lead. But breaking for the match and a spot in the semis, the Filipino came up dry. Oi proceeded to park Corteza in his chair for the next 30 minutes, closing the gap to 14-13. Corteza needed to stop the bleeding, and quickly. So he called a legal timeout and headed to the men’s room. “I was up 14-8 and I was thinking I was going to win the match,” a smiling Corteza said afterward “I broke hard in the next rack, but I didn’t

get a ball down, then he runs five racks in a row. Then I took a time out. Then when we got back to the table, he broke and didn’t make a ball. Then I ran out. It was really good timing.” Corteza has won 4 gold medals in his favorite 8-ball event in the biennial Southeast Asian Games. “Actually we play a lot of rotation pool in the Philippines and this much harder than 8-ball,” Corteza said. “After you play rotation, 8-ball seems easy. You just have to get a good break.” Against Chinakov, Corteza will be meeting another young turk of the game. At 23, Chinakiv logged in a terrific day of pool on Tuesday, first beating Greece’s Alexander Kazakis, 15-10. In the quarterfinal against England’s Karl Boyes, the Russian surged back from an 11-7 deficit to take 8 straight racks and an impressive 15-11 win. His win over Chua prevented an All-Pinoy finale. Chinakov, was a prodigy player at 13 years old and won the World Jr. 9-ball Championship in when he was just 15 years old. (with a report from WPS Media Bureau)

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YEAR’S BEST PSA honors top athletes

ATHELETE OF THE YEAR. Olym[ic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz could be the runaway choice for the year’s top honors.

OP achievers of the year 2016 share center stage once as the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) honors them during its traditional Awards Night presented by MILO and San Miguel on Feb. 13 at the LE PAVILION in Pasay City. Hidilyn Diaz, who ended the country’s 20-year medal drought in the Olympics by winning a silver in weightlifting of the Rio De Janeiro Games, looms as the leading choice for the coveted Ath-

lete of the Year award during the formal affair. Last year pro boxers Nonito Donaire Jr., and Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes along with golfer Miguel Tabuena were the joint recipients of the highest honor bestowed by the Philippines’ oldest media organization composed of editors and sportswriters from both the print and online portals. President Duterte has been invited to be the guest speaker of the night. President’s Award,

Kyrgios slammed: ‘Not in this era’ T

WO-TIME Australian Open champion Jim Courier has hailed the return of “wild horse” Nick Kyrgios to big-time tennis as box office for the sport, but tempered expectations the Aussie is ready for grand slam glory. Courier couldn’t have been more impressed with Kyrgios’s first-round Open win on Monday night, describing the 21-yearold’s 6-1 6-2 6-2 romp over Gastao Elias as “just batting practice”. The 85-minute clinic was Kyrgios’s first ATP or grand slam match since serving a threeweek suspension for tanking at the Shanghai Masters last October and Courier can’t wait to see more. “It’s obviously very, very positive thus far for Nick,” Courier said while commentating on the Seven Network. The American Davis Cup captain said with golden era of the Big Four coming to an end, it was critical X-factor

stars stepped up to take over from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, whose domination over the past decade Courier believes will never be repeated. “So you need something different and this kid is so different. We need something to keep the interest, to hold the public when they’re gone,” Courier said. “This guy Kyrgios is a ticket seller. There’s no question about it. Whether you love him or hate him, more people are paying attention. “He’s still a wild horse in may ways, doing it his own way, but he’s good for the game. It’s hard to argue otherwise.” Like Federer, though, Courier doubts whether Kyrgios is ready to win the Australian Open despite career-high grand slam ranking and hot start to the summer. While Federer has questioned Kyrgios’s ability to beat “four, five amazing players” in consecutive best-of-five-set encounters, Courier has a different reason for doubting Australia’s big home hope. Asked if it was possible for a coachless talent to win a grand slam title, the former world No. 1 said: “Personally I don’t think so, no.”

WILD THING. Nick Kyrgios made light work of Portugal’s Gasto Elias in round one. Source:AP

Lifetime Achievement honor, Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, Mr. Basketball, Mr. Golf, Mr. Football, and Ms. Volleyball will also be handed out as part of the two-hour program backed by Smart, Foton,

Mighty Sports, Philippine Basketball Association, ACCEL, Gold Toe, SM Prime Holdings Inc., Globalport, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, and MVPSF. Athletes who earned Olympic berths through qualifying tournaments are likewise to be cited, among them tracksters Eric Cray, Marestella Torres, and Mary Joy Tabal, weightlifter Nestor Colonia, Ian Lariba, boxers Roger Ladon and Charly Suarez, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora, and golfer Miguel

Tabuena. The PSA will also recognized major awardees in different sports and citations to various personalities and entities in the annual rite backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Federal Land. Not to be missed out are the organizations recognition to young promising achievers such as the Tony Siddayao Awards and the Milo Male and Female Junior Athletes of the Year, as well as posthumous awards to those dearly departed friends of the local sportswriting community.

FAREWELL FIGHT. Manny Pacquiao wants to end his career with a fight at home against bitter rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao wants fight with Marquez in Manila

ENATOR Manny Pacquiao is looking beyond the scheduled fight with Jeff Horn on April 23 Australian time. He is charting his last quarter assignment against his Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao asked the Department of Tourism to fund his fight at the end of the year with P 3 billion or $ 60 million. According to DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, they would only grant the said amount if Manny would fight popular fighters like him. The names of Marquez and Floyd Mayweather cropped up. The fight with either of the two big names would be easier to sell. Manny in a separate interview

chose to fight Marquez than Mayweather. Floyd has been preoccupied with some verbal and social media tussle with Conor McGregor hoping to lure the mixed martial arts audience in his fight with the world’s most popular UFC fighter. A healthy PacMan of course is more dangerous than the Pacquiao with a torn rotator cuff. It’s much safer to fight an MMA fighter who had just secured his boxing license in a boxing match. Pacquiao would want to fight a tiff that could create a colossal impact on the fans and viewers. His remaining bouts are limited to four and he cannot waste it by fight-

ing bums. Aside from Mayweather, the fighting senator has to settle a score with Marquez. The Mexican Dynamite is hinting a comeback. But against Pacquiao he said he will no longer fight him because he already knocked the senator out and had nothing more to prove. During their fourth clash, Pacquiao was ĺeading in the judges’ scorecards when the shocking KO came. Marquez, his nose bleeding and had difficulty in breathing, even admitted he could be stopped anytime had he was not able to strike Pacquiao’s face and send him to the canvas first. Marquez will not be giving any chance for Pacquiao

to win again by not fighting him for the fifth time. He said he was robbed of victory three times. He would be afraid of being robbed again especially if the fight will be held in the Philippines. Marquez is already 43 years old and has not fought since a unanimous decision win over Mike Alvarado in May 2014. That is more than two years of inactivity which could be his disadvantage against Pacquiao who has fought twice last year. But one thing is sure, being a counterpuncher and not a runner, Marquez will give Pacquiao one helluva fight. PacMan should determine what price is right for JMM to face him in the Philippines. (Philboxing.com)

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GUTSY LEE Davao’s Corteza shoots for World Pool Series 8-Ball title By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

AVAO’S Lee Van Corteza pushed himself to the brink of another world pool title after a scintillating performance that saw him virtually rise from the grave.

Corteza came down from four racks down in his semifinal duel with Britain’s Darren Appleton to forge a best-offive tiebreak. He beat Apple-

ton after sinking the final shot and earned a championship battle against Russia’s Ruslan Chinakov for the Molinari Players’ Championship of the

World Pool Series in New York on Wednesday (PH Time). Chinakov advanced to the finals after beating 23-year old Filipino upstart Johann

WAR. The Philippines’ Lee Van Corteza (right) of Davao City will battle Russian Ruslan Chinakov (left). WPS photos

Chua in the other semifinals. Brandishing his legendary English pool background, Appleton was clearly the favorite

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