Edge Davao 9 Issue 239

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

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Serving a seamless society

FIRST NATION. College students walk by a colorful mural of Mindanao tribesmen along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Indigenous materials and creations from Mindanao by Davao City-based designers gained a well-deserved recognition as they were highlighted during the staging of Miss Universe Tapestry Show at SMX Convention Center last Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

17,000 EVACUEES IN NEED OF FOOD Palace congratulates Rains subsiding but drinking water, blankets running out

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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ORE than 17,000 evacuees have sought shelter in evacuation centers in both Visayas and Mindanao regions despite the fact that flood waters began to subside, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

According to NDRRMC, evacuees were in immediate need of basic supplies such as food, drinking water, clothes, and blankets.

NDRRMC reported that evacuees were coming from Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas, including Negros Is-

land Region.

The agency also noted several evacuees from Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Regions.

“We still continue to provide assistance to our fellow countrymen led by the local government units and Social Welfare and Development Office,” the agency stated.

Some evacuees in the Caraga Region, according to NDRRMC, started to return to their homes as the weather condition were seen to be “improving.”

Brgy. Datu Montawal in

Maguindanao, on the other hand, was still suffering from knee-deep floods as of Saturday, prompting officials to place the municipality under a state of calamity with 6,200 families affected.

Flooding in the areas of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental also subsided with some evacuees returning home.

Meanwhile, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) - Davao Region tallied a total of 2,417 displaced families as of Friday.

According to OCD Region-

al Director Leoncio Cirunay, Davao Oriental has the most victims affected with a total of 2,000 families, while 247 were in Davao del Norte, 170 in Compostela Valley, and one in Davao Occidental.

However, the number of affected population who did not evacuate reached up to more than 3,500 families -- wherein Malita in Davao Occidental has 296 families, and Davao del Norte has 3,272 families.

Several cities in Visayas and Mindanao suffered flood-

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US President Trump

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

ALACAÑANG on Saturday greeted US President Donald Trump on his inauguration and in his swearing in as the 45th President of the United States of America.

Trump was sworn in 12 noon of January 20 (January 21 in the Philippines) in a ceremony that was witnessed by top officials of the United States – from the executive

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EDGEDAVAO Sports REPEAT Sec. Go tows team to WIN another win over IBP

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

SAFEKEEPING. Task Force Davao personnel inspects the bags and other belongings of a passenger bus at the TF Davao check point in Binugao, Toril, Davao City as part of the effort to keep the city and its residents from harm. Lean Daval Jr.

PH working with Southeast Asian nations vs. terror acts

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O prevent terror groups from launching deadly attacks against innocent civilians, the Philippines is now working closely with the militaries of Southeast Asian nations to prevent these lawless bands from slipping in each others shores.

This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a statement Friday.

He said this cooperation was highlighted by the signing of the Trilateral Defense Cooperation with Malaysia and Indonesia last July.

“That is why, as early as July last year, we have already signed a Trilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement with Malaysia and Indonesia to strengthen our joint efforts in fighting terrorism, piracy and other crimes and strengthen security measures in our com-

mon maritime areas,” Lorenzana stressed.

This decision was bore by the fact that terrorists are known to cross borders when launching their attacks.

“We assure everyone that our security forces are constantly monitoring possible terror threats to the country.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has long standing instructions to intensify its intelligence gathering and counter terrorism operations,” he added.

The DND chief said the agreement also reaffirms the continued efforts in enhancing existing cooperation among the three countries by strengthening mutual cooperation and collaboration among its militaries to address the growing non-traditional security challenges in the region.

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PH delegation to UNESCO leads meeting in human rights educ

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HE Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to UNESCO recently hosted the first meeting of the Platform for Human Rights Education and Training for 2017, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

The Platform is an informal, cross-regional grouping of UN member states composed of Brazil, Costa Rica, Italy, Morocco, the Philippines, Senegal, Slovenia, Switzerland and Thailand.

The group has been actively engaged in UNESCO

initiatives on Sustainable Development Goal 4 targets on inclusive quality education for all, especially global citizenship and the prevention of violent extremism through education.

During the meeting, members discussed the activities for the year, including possible joint statements and side events.

Coordinating the Platform Paris Chapter since 2015, the Philippines turned over the chairmanship for the first half of 2017 to Senegal. (PNA)

Solon: Women can be empowered via sports

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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OR more than ten years now, former Senator and now Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano has been pushing her Pinay in Action Incorporated (PIA Inc.) advocacy in her belief that woman empowerment across the Philippines can be shown through sports.

PIA, with its theme “empowering girls one goal at a time,” has been to several cities and provinces in the country to introduce games such as football to the Filipino girls. In the process it has helped discover

potentials in the field as a response to the call of the Philippine Sports Commission on encouraging grassroots programs in the country.

Cayetano said during the Kapehansa Apo View on Friday, PIA wants to bring sports even to those who cannot have immediate access to for the youth who are away from capital cities despite the children being very participative in sports here in the Philippines.

But even as football gained the fame it needed to attract fans and athletes in the country

for the past few years, whether in the school or professional leagues, Cayetano believes that there is still the lack of recognition for its female players.

“I started doing boys’ and girls’ football a few years ago, but recently, I decided to make an effort for football and girls only,” said Cayetano. “The reason is that I can see how football has been moving forward in the country, but there aren’t that many games for girls.”

And since football isn’t height-sensitive like volleyball or basketball, Cayetano be-

lieves that more girls can engage in the sport.

“I want to give football a little push and gain more attention for girls,” said Cayetano, an athlete herself.

She added that youth being engaged in sports also “boosts” the confidence of young female athletes and prove that girls could also excel in the field of sports.

PIA, launched in 2006, continued to grow as it featured other sports and fitness events like all women’s triathlon and running camps.

HE House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) has approved bills providing a free and culture-sensitive system of civil registration for IPs. The panel, chaired by North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, passed House Bills 575 and 4545 or the proposed “An Act Providing for a Free and Culture-Sensitive System of Registration Concerning the Civil Status of Indigenous Peoples”, which aim to collect, update, and create a database of the members of the ICCs and IPs. The bills seek to provide a civil registration system that is

responsive to the culture, customs, and traditions of the ICCs and IPs. Under the bills, the IPs shall be exempted from paying all fees in connection with the recording of birth, marriage, and death at the Local Civil Registry Office, and such exemption shall extend to any fine or fee for late registration.

Furthermore, the bills exempt ICCs and IPs from the payment of notarial fees and documentary stamp tax in cases where the recording of the birth, marriage, or death requires the execution of affidavits or sworn statements and similar documents.

Both bills mandate the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to include the ethnic origin in the conduct of a national census survey.

ANAC-IP Partylist Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr., author of HB 575, said members of ICCs and IPs are discouraged to register birth, marriage, and death events primarily because of financial burden.

He noted that the lack of a culturally sensitive system of civil registration leads to non-registration of IPs. “Because of the non-registration of their civil status, members of the ICCs and IPs are often neglected in the delivery

of basic social services from the government,” said Panganiban.

Panganiban further said there are no available data on the ethno-linguistics origin of the country’s populace since almost 60 percent of the 22 million members of the ICCs and IPs are not registered with the civil registration agency.

The PSA expressed support for the enactment into law of the bills which prescribe the procedures and guidelines for the registration of vital events concerning ICCs and IPs. It said the enactment is a step forward in “helping the ICCs and IPs maintain their cultural integrity.” (PNA)

House panel OKs free civil registration of IPs T

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GPH, MILF panel chairs visit Camp Abubakar

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T was a historic coincidence, as World Bank representative Matthew Stephens noted, that in the 11-year operation of the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF), it was only in Barira, Maguindanao that both heads of the peace panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came together to grace the turnover of MTF projects, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said in a release issued Saturday.

“This is very symbolic that, after almost 17 years after the all-out war, both panels came together here to show their support for peace and their commitment for

development,” Stephens said last Jan. 17 during the turnover of a PHP2.35 million Level II Water System; 120 cattle-dispersal livelihood project for women; and the completion ceremony of 70 basic literacy learners of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) under the MTF’s camps transformation program in Camp Abubakar, Brgy. Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao.

Government Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro Peace Accords chairperson Irene Santiago also reminisced that it was almost 17 years ago when she first set foot in Camp Abubakar, along with eight other women peace advocates to meet the late MILF chairman Salamat

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PASSENGER RODY. President Rodrigo Duterte is ushered to his seat as he takes a commercial flight from Manila to Davao City on Thursday evening. Here, the President greets the other passengers before taking a seat at the economy class section of the plane. TOTO LOZANO/ Presidential Photo

Dabawenyos urged: C Get rapid dengue test

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3,000 Kidapawan residents mobilized for clean-up drive

HE Davao City Health Office has called on Dabawenyos suffering from fever, even if the illness is just a day old, to immediately visit the nearest health centers so they could be subjected to rapid diagnostic test for possible dengue infection.

“Early assessment and referral are crucial as the dengue strain has become widespread,” said Dr. Josephine Vil-

lafuerte, the City Health Officer.

Villafuerte said that health centers in the city now use NS1 (non-structural protein 1) dengue test kits, which allows the rapid detection of the deadly mosquito-borne disease even if the fever is still on its first day.

She said the test is 90 percent accurate and reliable and should discourage those opting for home treatment for fe-

ver and those taking self-medication.

The availability of the test, she said, should also compel Dabawensyos to undergo early detection of dengue infection.

“It is for free in the health centers all over the city.

Dabawenyos just have to consult health officers as soon as they suffer fever or go straight to hospitals to avoid the dengue shock syndrome or hem-

orrhagic fever,” Villafuerte said.

The CHO has been conducting an intensified anti-dengue campaign that covers all of the city’s 182 barangays.

Villafuerte also reiterated the need for regular cleaning of surroundings, which entails eliminating stagnant water.

Dabawenyos, she said, should practice the 4 o’clock habit. CIO

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continued to rise.

Floodwaters beside the national highway linking Maguindanao and North Cotabato, particularly between Datu Montawal and Kabacan, reached the main highway, submerging communities near the Malitubog and Maridagao

rivers in North Cotabato.

Displaced families, numbering about 6,000, have sought refuge at the roadside with their valuables, watching helplessly as flood inundated their homes.

North Cotabato disaster workers and soldiers hauled

residents trapped in their houses in Barangay Malabuaya, Kabacan to safer grounds.

“The water suddenly rose, mahina lang man ang ulan kahapon (rain wasn’t even heavy at that time),” said one of the affected residents.

Flood victims in NorCot, Maguindanao rescued OVERNMENT forces and disaster workers in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces on Friday night rescued about 60 persons, including minors, women and pregnant mothers, after they were trapped in a roadside village as floodwaters

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DAREDEVIL ACT. A worker ignores the danger of falling as he scales a building through metal railing without protective gears along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

LOSE to 3,000 government employees and students congregated on public roads in Kidapawan City Friday to participate in the National Clean-up Drive.

The participants have collected at least 50 sacks of garbage from the national highway, overpass, and drainage canals that commonly clogged waterways.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista led other city officials; police and department managers in the activity that kicked off at 6:00 a.m. Friday.

Teachers and students of public and private tertiary institutions also participated in the event.

The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources segregated the collected

trash to be delivered to the newly opened sanitary landfill in Barangay Macebolig.

The National Clean-up Drive is on its 17th year since the signing of Republic Act 9003 or “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

Recently, at least 1,000 recovering drug addicts under the local government’s “Balik-Pangarap” program conducted the same initiative, which focused on the three-kilometer flanks of Nuangan River here.

An assortment of garbage was collected that included plastics, aluminum cans, old rubber tires and slippers, used diapers, and cellophane wrappers along the Nuangan riverbank. (PNA)

Norway lauds GRP, NDFP commitment to peace talks

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HE Norwegian government lauded the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) for their strong commitment to pursue the peace talks as it moves to more challenging and substantial part of the negotiations, the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Friday.

Speaking at the opening of the third round of talks at the Holiday Inn in Rome, Italy on Thursday, facilitator and Norwegian Special Envoy Elisabeth Slattum said members of both panels have shown great willingness, dedication and courage to work for peace in the Philippines.

Seeing the draft documents of the agenda items, Slattum said both panels are ambitious and want a better future for the Filipinos.

Based on the drafts, Slattum is positive that both panels are few steps closer to achieving a common goal of a just and lasting peace.

She cited few achievements of the peace talks.

In just a few months, Slattum said, the parties already made history with each side’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire; the release of 19 NDF consultants that boost the peace talks; and the reaffirmation of the previous agreements to accelerate a final peace agreement.

For the third round, Slattum hoped both panels would reach consensus on the socio-economic, and political and constitutional agenda items to address the root causes of the conflict.

Amid unresolved issues on the releases and bilateral ceasefire, Slattum urged them to jointly solve problems and work together for a common goal.Slattum reminded both panels that a peace process is not a zero sum game where there is one winner and one loser.

“A successful peace process is when both parties come out on the winning

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DTI execs to meet econ ministers in Switzerland

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EPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez will be meeting economic ministers of different countries in Switzerland, coinciding with his participation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.

Lopez, in a statement sent from Davos, said bilateral meetings were set with Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Swiss Trade Minister Schneider Ammann, Canadian Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, and European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

He noted that his meeting with Malmström will discuss the EU Generalised Scheme of Preference Plus and the second round of Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

During the four-day WEF Annual Meeting which start-

ed on January 18 in Davos, the DTI chief also participated in sessions such as The New Vision for Agriculture, Building and Strengthening Multi-stakeholder Partnerships; Innovation through Technology in Productions and Asian Market Outlook; High Level Session on International Trade and Investment; and Shaping the Future of ASEAN Production, ASEAN at 50: What’s Next?; and the ASEAN Regional Strategy Group Meeting.

Lopez also mentioned that WEF is a platform for the country to trumpet its economic gains and chairmanship of the 2017 ASEAN Summit.

“The WEF is a very opportune avenue to advance current thrusts of the Philippine Government as it chairs ASEAN, celebrating its 50th milestone anniversary this year,” the trade chief said. (PNA)

Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

Photo by Lean Daval Jr.

Market sentiment driving PH’s weakness: BSP official

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RANKING Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said the peso, despite its recent weakness remains firm because of the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals. ”We should emphasize that for an economy experiencing good external payments position the depreciation of the peso in 2016 and so far in 2017 is definitely market sentiment trade,” said BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo in a briefing Friday.

The local unit once again touched the P50-level to a US dollar Friday on increased concerns on the policies of US president-elect Donald Trump, who will have his inauguration early Saturday (Manila time) and the expectations for more increases in the Federal Reserve rates.

It, however, ended the week on P49.92.

Guinigundo cited that average deprecation rate of the peso in 2015 to 2016 is about 10 percent, lower than the more than 23 percent depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit and the 11 percent drop of the Chinese yuan.

He said the latest weakness of the peso is inconsistent against the continued strengthening of the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the robust expansion of the economy, improvements of public finance, low inflation environment and strong external payments position.

He pointed out that sans the expectation of at least three increase in the Fed rates this year, among others, “I think it will be the market fundamentals that will be more dominant in driving the exchange rate.” ”In other words it is market-driven sentiment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Guinigundo said Fed rate hike expectations this year and the possible approval of the Department of Finance’s (DOF) tax reform proposals have been factored in the BSP’s inflation forecasting.

He said the Fed rate hike expectations will likely generate pressures for capital withdrawals in the Philippines but stressed that if they need to implement measures to address it will be through macro-prudential measures and not monetary policy action. (PNA)

ELITE COMPANY. The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge owner Cathy Binag holds the citation given by the Philippine Tatler after the restaurant was awarded among the best restaurants in 2017. The White

House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge is the first only restaurant in Davao City and in Mindanao to receive such prestigious award. Lean Daval Jr.

Piñol: 600K has. of coconut needed to satisfy demand A

GRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Friday said farmers need to develop 600,000 hectares for coconut to meet ever increasing demand for the product.

Gracing on Friday the opening of the Diamond Processing Plant of Franklin Baker Company, Inc. in Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Piñol assured coconut industry leaders on government’s support to priority crops like coconut.

Piñol said current statistics show that four million coconut trees in the country are

already unproductive while some infested with diseases like the cocolisap.

“Our number two rank in the world as coconut producer may slide down further if we do not start replanting now,” he said.

There is a need to replace the old slow bearing trees with new ones and the only way to encourage our farmers to plant coconuts is to give them good price,” he said.

He acknowledged the support of Franklin Baker to the farmers as it continuously buys their coconut produce.

While coconut concerns

fall under the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), he said the DA will provide support in areas that they can collaborate.

He said there could be changes on the set-up “and we are awaiting the direction of the President.”

Piñol invited Franklin Baker to be part of the government initiated trade mission to Russia by the middle of this year, and also in May in the Middle East, saying the company should participate in major trade and investment missions abroad.

Meanwhile, Piñol said that

they will focus their programs on the basics of sustainable agriculture, adding that they already completed the First National Color Coded Agriculture Guide Map. He said this will guide the farmers on what crops to grow in their farms and what fertilizer to apply.

Piñol added they are also in the process of conducting a study on the National Food Consumption Quantification Survey.

He said the continuing survey will determine what foods Filipinos prefer and how much are consumed. (PNA)

tor, up by 21 percent; finance, up by 11.7 percent; private services, up by 8.6 percent; transportation and communication, up by 7.2 percent; trade, up by 6.8 percent; and manufacturing, up by 6.1 percent.

Total employment index of industries in Q3 last year, however, expanded by in a slower pace.

Employment index growth of industries in Q3 2016 inched up by 1.1 percent from 2.8 percent expansion in the same pe-

riod in its previous year.

Transportation and communication sector’s employment index has buoyed industries’ total employment index.

The sector’s employment index recorded a 6.5-percent growth in Q3 2016.

This is followed by trade, which increased by 1.8 percent, while real estate and finance both expanded by 1.4 percent in Q3 of the previous year.

Sectors of manufacturing,

electricity and water, and private services increased their employment index below 1.0 percent.

On the other hand, compensation index has maintained its growth at 5.9 percent in Q3 2016 from the same period in 2015.

Real estate and private services led the growth of compensation index of industries in Q3 2016 at 15.4 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively.

(PNA)

in” pulled down production in the crops and fisheries subsectors.

The crops subsector, contributing 50.98 percent to the total agricultural production, posted a 2.62-percent decline in output in October to December quarter.

Palay and corn production contracted by 3.62 percent

and 0.15 percent, respectively.

Output in the fisheries subsector also declined by 2.95 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. It shared 16.14 percent to the total agricultural output.

The PSA said the livestock and poultry subsectors, however, posted output increments during the period.

The livestock subsector, accounting for 17.85 percent of the total agricultural output, expanded by 3.41 percent. All components of the subsector posted output increments.

The poultry subsector produced 1 percent more output. It shared 15.03 percent in the total agricultural output during the period. (PNA)

Industries’gross revenue index up 6.8% in Q3 2016

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HE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that total gross revenue index of industries in the third quarter of 2016 has increased by 6.8 percent.

The growth of revenue index of industries in Q3 2016 was faster than the same period in 2015 at 4.2 percent.

According to PSA, the strong expansion in revenue index of industries in the said period was driven by robust growth of the real estate sec-

Farm output declines 1.11% in Q4 2016 due to typhoons

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HE agriculture sector contracted by 1.11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016 due to devastation brought about by typhoons, bringing the 2016 growth at negative 1.25 percent.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Friday said the destructive effects of typhoons “Karen” and “Law-

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Napocor earns P2.5B in 2016

S EYEPOPPER. Huawei regional business head Eric Chen shows the features of the new GR5 during the launching of the smartphone maker’s latest model in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Acceptance of 25-year ROP bonds underscores confidence in DU30 T

HE highly successful outcome of the Philippines’ $2 billion global bond sale this week underscores the continuing investor confidence in the leadership of President Duterte and his resolve to carry out sweeping reforms to realize his administration’s agenda for high and inclusive growth.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the tight spread achieved in this latest international bond transaction, in which the Philippines sold $2 billion worth of 25-year ROP bonds at a record-low yield of 3.7 percent, “indicates the market’s very positive perception of the country’s strong leadership and its economic performance and prospects, which is way ahead of the official risk ratings assigned to the Philippines by credit rating agencies.”

“I look at these results as a manifestation of the confidence of global investors in the leadership of the new administration, which has committed to pursue sound economic management and reforms to improve economic competitiveness, productivity and living standards as well as drastically reduce poverty,” he said.

Dominguez issued the

statement following the Philippines’ successful issuance last Thursday of the 25-year ROP bonds, which was oversubscribed and whose pricing achieved a historical record.

ROP bonds are bonds issued by the government in foreign currencies.

“I am very pleased with the highly successful outcome of the international ROP bonds offering launched yesterday, the first under the Duterte administration. It was very well received by the international capital markets and generated a new record for the Republic,” Dominguez said on Friday.

Against the US Treasury benchmark, the spread of the bonds is the tightest for a 25year ROP and the coupon of 3.7 percent was equal to a similar issue last year, already the tightest achieved for the same tenor.

“We accepted the $2 billion for new cash and bonds switch in accordance with our international capital fund raising program for 2017,” the finance chief said.

“With this transaction, the Republic has extended its excellent track record in executing liability management transactions,” Dominguez said.

National Treasurer Rober-

to Tan said, “Amid the volatility in global markets, we have managed to garner robust support from the fixed income investor community, a testament to the resilience of the Philippine economy as well as the strong faith that these investors have in the Duterte administration in executing and implementing reforms and strategies.”

“Once again, the liability management exercise has allowed the Republic to achieve significant cost savings that can be channelled towards productive areas that will benefit the country,” Tan said.

The successful return of the Philippine government to the international capital markets was in conjunction with a one-day Accelerated Switch Tender Offer for 14 series of USD bonds maturing between 2019 and 2037 amounting to $19 billion in total notional value.

Order books for the new 25-year global bond offering were approximately $4.5 billion. By geographical allocation, 33 percent came from Asia, 24 percent from the U.S. and 43 percent from Europe.

The newly issued Global Bonds were priced at par with a coupon of 3.70 percent after

an initial pricing guidance of 3.95 percent area.

This represented the tightest priced long-dated global bond offering ever issued by the Republic on a spread basis while the yield of 3.70 percent achieved by the Republic on this transaction was on the par with the Republic’s 25-year bond offering in 2016—a remarkable feat, considering the higher US interest rate environment currently versus last year.

The global issuance was the first international capital markets transaction for the new Duterte administration, continuing a strong track record of prudent liability management transactions.

Proceeds of the issuance will be used to fund the Republic’s tender offer and related expenses while the remaining amounts will be used for general purposes, including budgetary support.

The tender offer exercise targeted existing bondholders to switch into the new Global Bonds.

Bonds with a total notional value of $3.56 billion were submitted for the switch tender offer and the Republic accepted a market value of $1.5 billion from the submissions. (PR)

on the diffusion index (DI) system, which assesses results based on the proportion of those that tightened over those who eased standards, lending standards in the fourth quarter of 2016 tightened.

The BSP, which released the latest SLOS results Friday, said banks pointed to less favorable economic outlook, deterioration in the profitability of banks’ portfolio, and perceived stricter financial system regulations as the reason for net tightening. ”DI-based results indicat-

ed stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants as well as increased use of interest rat floors amid narrower loan margins, increased credit line sizes and longer loan maturities,” it said.

The tighter credit standards covered the large middle-market firms, it said.

Lending standards for households is also unchanged based on the modal approach but tightened based on DI approach, the BSP said.

The tighter credit standards were due to banks’ reduced risk tolerance and

deterioration in borrowers’ profile, it said.

In terms of loan demand, the SLOS survey result showed that banks continued to see stable over-all demand for both households and businesses based on modal approach but net increase based on DI approach.

The latter was attributed to needs for higher working capital and accounts receivable requirements for businesses and more attractive financing terms and higher household consumption for households. (PNA)

PH lending standards remain steady as of Q4‘16

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OST banks in the Philippines continue to have steady lending standards amid concerns on the over-all health of the domestic economy.

Results of the Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) for the last quarter of 2016 showed that based on modal approach, lending standards remain unchanged for the 31st consecutive quarters.

Modal approach analyses survey results by getting the highest number of responses.

On the other hand, based

TATE-OWNED National Power Corp. (Napocor) reported earning P2.5 billion last year from its P2.9 billion income in 2015.

Napocor mainly earns from its operations of Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) power plants.

The power company also said in a statement that it started the operations of 11 new generator sets, which has a total capacity of 3.3 megawatts, in SPUG plants in offgrid areas.

Napocor president Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta.Rita said the generator sets will provide power to 18,000 households in Apayao, Romblon, Antique, Cebu, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Tawi-Tawi and Iloilo.

The state-owned corporation also said it has awarded contracts for the installation of fuel oil storage tanks, which

will be useful in inclement weather conditions, for 24 SPUG power plants.

Napocor similarly awarded a P191 million contract for the supply, delivery and testing of 31 modular diesel generating sets, which will serve as a quick response unit for SPUG plants. It will be delivered to its offices in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan for Luzon, Cebu for Visayas and Davao and Zamboanga cities for Mindanao.

The project includes the design, furnishing, delivery to respective sites and testing of units including transformers and electrical equipment, with weatherproof and soundproof enclosures.

The power firm, meanwhile, said it has received its ISO 9001:2008 or the Quality Management System Certification by Certification Internationale. (PNA)

Angara informs DOF of Senate’s Sin Tax review

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ENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara has informed the Department of Finance (DOF) that the Senate set up last year yet its oversight committee to review the impact of the Sin Tax Reform Act on both revenue collections and public health.

In his capacity as chairperson of the Senate panel of the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (COCCTRP), Angara said in a letter to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that the Senate has already started the process of reviewing the Sin Tax Law. The Senate panel “has already been constituted” and has Senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva, and Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto as members, Angara said.

“We assure you that the COCCTRP is doing its best to fulfill its mandate to review the impact of the Sin Tax Reform Act and ensure that its revenue implications will help finance the Universal Health Care program of the government, and would contribute in addressing public health issues relating to alcohol and tobacco consumption in the country,” Angara said in his letter to Dominguez.

Angara, who also chairs the Senate committee on ways and means, said in his letter that he has also requested for information that will assist the panel in the review of the proper implementation of the Sin Tax Reform Act from several government agencies.

The agencies that have so

Angara far submitted data to the panel are the DOF; the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and of Customs; Departments of Labor and Employment, of Health, and of Budget and Management; Philippine Statistics Authority; National Tobacco Administration; and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Angara sent his letter to the DOF secretary in response to last December’s appeal by Dominguez to legislators to allow the Sin Tax Reform Law to “run its course” including Section 11, which states that “starting the third quarter of calendar year 2016, the Committee (referring to the COCCTRP) is mandated to review the impact of the tax rates provided under this Act.” Dominguez made his appeal ahead of this year’s adoption of a unitary tax system for tobacco products, as mandated by the Sin Tax Law. In his statement on the issue released last Dec. 8, Dominguez said the DOF considers “the Sin Tax Law or Republic Act 10351 to be a very good law.”

“Our position,” Dominguez said, “is to fully implement the law and let it run its course, including Section 11.”

7 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

Caraga steps up corporate rice farming T

ENSURING RICE SUPPLY. Jimmy Geronimo (3rd from left), chair of AGUS PINOY discussed with representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation the target commitment of rice supply for the 4Ps household beneficiaries in Caraga region. (DA Caraga)

ComVal officials ink 2017-2019 executive-legislative agenda

“A

S our covenant for the sustainable progress and development of our province, we have set aside our differences, both personal and political, to do collectively and achieve as a people, the agreed undertakings being embodied in this document...”

This is part of the manifesto in the “Executive and Legislative Collective Commitment for Sustainable Progress and Development” stating the commitment of both branches of the provincial government of Compostela Valley.

After a thorough deliberation that lasted past 10 in the evening, Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy and Vice-Governor Manuel Zamora finally signed the Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) for 2017-2019 on January 18, 2017 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

Also manifesting their commitment are the SangguniangPanlalawigan (SP) Members headed by Sr. Board Member Arturo Uy, League of Municipalities of the Phils.

(LMP) President and Pantukan Mayor Roberto Yugo, and DILG Provincial Director Noel

Duarte.

The significant event is also witnessed by the different department heads and their assistants, executive assistants and special program heads of the PLGU. The new ELA of the province is based on the governor’s development thrusts and priorities covering the subdivisions of local governance: administrative governance, social governance, economic governance, environmental governance, and valuing fundamentals of governance. This is part of the local planning processes

and structures mandated by the Local Government Code.

Each of the local governance has been identified with priority issues and provided with corresponding relevant and attainable solutions in terms of strategies and legislative measures.

“We therefore have that moral obligation to work for the people and do the best that we can so as not to frustrate them. It is incumbent upon us to recompense every Comvalenyo’s faith in us. And we have already started working on the gargantuan task that

has been laid before us. To make things in order, concrete and sustainable, we need to have a blueprint, and this is through the crafting of an ELA,” the manifesto further states.

For his part, the governor thanked once again the full support of the officials on his administration saying “I want to see a better Comvalenyo for the next generation and an improved quality of life in our province. To the legislative under Vice-Gov. Zamora, ‘saludo ko kaayo sa inyuha, the last 6 months was smooth sailing.”

(Fe Maestre/ IDS Comval)

T

good for six months. With that, a total of 17,314 beneficiaries will be catered by CRFP. “We did not hesitate to help the government’s initiative to provide available and affordable food for all because this is also our time to pay back from the assistance we have also received from the government. It is our honor to be a partner for this good endeavor,” explained Marilyn Aranas, Chairperson of SNMPC. With this partnership, DA will provide each FSP the appropriate farm inputs, technologies, and services to increase their farm productivity and ensure an adequate supply of rice for the targeted number of beneficiaries. The Land Bank of the Philippines will also establish a lending window for the FSP as they participate in the program.

“CRFP could provide additional income to local farm service providers and farmers. This promotes local food autonomy. In the light of the lifting of quantitative restrictions on rice by June 30, 2017, this program is a timely intervention to provide marketing assistance to the rice farmers,” said Director Leo P. Cañeda, a member of the Secretary’s Technical Advisory Group (STAG).

With President Duterte’s directive to the DSWD to provide rice subsidy to the 4Ps beneficiaries, the DA aims to contribute to its successful implementation by ensuring continuous rice supply through CRFP. (Rhea C. Abao, DA Caraga Information Section)

Dav-Comval-DavOr towns declare state of calamity, suspend classes

MANIFESTO SIGNING. Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy and Vice-Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora led the signing of the Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) for 2017-2019 Manifesto on January 18, 2017 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. They are also joined by the SP Members, department heads and their assistants.

(M. Lacasa/IDS ComVal)

Outreach Caravan reaches poor DavOr residents

HE provincial government of Davao Oriental is continuously pouring down aid and services to barangays, benefitting thousands of hapless poor constituents.

HE Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) commitment to ensuring available and affordable food for all, and help the farmers attain a decent income is intensified through various interventions and programs implemented on the ground.

The creation of the Corporate Rice Farming Program (CRFP) aims to provide a mechanism to support the implementation of special programs such as the rice subsidy scheme of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) particularly the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps.) In Caraga Region, DA has forged a partnership with the Farm Service Providers (FSP) in the region such as the Sto. Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) from Butuan City and Agusanon Para sa Bag-ong Pilipino Inc. (AGUS PINOY) Cooperative from San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to address the needed requirement of the program.

“In the region, SNMPC and AGUS PINOY committed to providing rice supply to selected 4Ps program areas in the second semester of 2017 for Butuan City and the Province of Agusan del Sur as pilot areas for CRFP,” said Rebecca R. Atega, chief of DA-Field Operations Division.

SNMPC will serve 2,095 4Ps household beneficiaries in Butuan City while AGUS PINOY committed to served 15,219 beneficiaries for the Province of Agusan del Sur. Each household will receive 18 kgs of rice

Last January 18, some 3,000 poor residents in the village of Marayag in the town of Lupon benefited from a wide array of government services as part of the provincial government’s regular program

called Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan (NLD) ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan.

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang said his flagship program hopes to make

the government’s presence felt by the people especially those living in far-flung areas by mobilizing government resources in order to bring services and goods directly to the

F OUTREACH, 13

OUTREACH PROGRAM. Some 3,000 poor residents in the village of Marayag in Lupon town have benefited from a wide array of government services during the NLD Barangay Outreach Caravan. (Eden Jhan Licayan/DavOr Info)

S

OME towns in the northern Davao Region block of Dav-Comval-DavOr provinces have declared no classes and state of calamity due to intermittent rains for several days causing massive flooding.

Phone-in information as of 2:30 in the afternoon of Friday from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Davao Oriental revealed that the municipalities of Boston and Cateel had declared state of calamity.

In a separate phone inquiry, Boston Information Officer Judith Castres said that the municipal government declared on Thursday, Jan. 18, a state of calamity and suspended classes at all levels due to massive flooding.

Severely affected barangays were Cabasagan, San Jose, Caatihan, Simulao and Carmen. Due to intermittent rains experienced since December last year, a road in Cabasagan was rendered impassable and a school in the same barangay is now leaning towards a river below from its location due to soil erosion.

Castres also reported that rice fields in Barangay Carmen were already submerged under floodwater and that barangays San Jose, Caatihan

and Simulao would possibly be isolated if waters from a river in the area would continue to heavily overflow.

Meanwhile, PDRRMO Davao Oriental revealed in a phone inquiry that floods had affected 10 barangays in the municipality of Cateel as they experienced long period of continuous rains. Among these barangays were Mainit, Abejod, Sta Filomena, San Alfonso, San Rafael, San Vicente, Alegria including Cateel Poblacion.

PDRRMO had yet to gather the official figure of families affected by the floods as MDRRMOs were still on the process of determining especially in areas which experienced massive flooding. Poblacion Cateel on Friday was swamped with flood-water based on accounts of MDRRMO, PDRRO said.

Boston and Cateel are Davao Oriental east coast towns severely affected by Typhoon Pablo which casteed its fury in 2012.

On the other hand, Compostela Valley PDRRMO Raul Villocino in a text message at 1:30 on Friday revealed that classes were suspended in the municipalities of Mawab, Nabunturan, MOntevista, Monkayo, Compostela, New

F DAV, 11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

EDITORIAL

H

President’s call OUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez must have taken wanting to be a celebrity for his presence in concerts and one step further beyond his turf when he called singing along with a rock band. He also hit the PNP chief of for Philippine National Police chief Gen. Ronald some booboos committed in office.

dela Rosa to resign following the death of a Korean busi-

Whatever Alvarez has against Dela Rosa did not sound

nessman inside Camp Crame itself.

well as one of the President’s men.

one who could do better.

comes to the latter’s front liners especially so that Dela

Alvarez said that for an incident to happen under his

His impression on Dela Rosa being his personal percep-

nose, Gen. Dela Rosa should give up his post for another tion, Alvarez must not get ahead of the President when it Alvarez and Dela Rosa are both allies of President Dute- Rosa holds a very critical role in the war against illegal

rte aside from being both coming from Davao.

Alvarez’s statement appeared loaded with Dela Rosa’s

drugs.

The Speaker must trust his President’s wisdom when it

accumulated “shortcomings.” Alvarez accused Dela Rosa of comes to timing—when to pull the plug or when to keep it.

EDGEDAVAO

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I

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Bato is not to blame for the acts of a few ‘Pulis Maynila’ rogues

F memory served me right, the idea that a ‘pulis maynila’ is a law unto himself began in those days when the mayor had influence on who should be recruited as a policeman.

It began, I was told when one applicant had the temerity to ask how much was the monthly pay.

“Hijo,”the processing officers shot back: “Maliit lang. P5,000 monthly plus the city of Manila itself. Take it or leave it.”

That extra incentive, I was told, explains in part why not a few policemen in Metro Manila think they are a breed apart.

It explains why some preferred to lead a double life: as a uniformed government wage earner on one hand and as a shady character engaged in one irregularity after another.

The times have changed. But the culture remains, embedding itself into the system.

In the case of a group of a policemen based inside Camp Crame itself, it is ‘tokhang’ with kidnapping and one unfortunate victim was former Hanjin executive Jee Ick Joo who was abducted in October last year.

It seemed that even after his family

I

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

N the annals of Davao history, 1906 will always be remembered as a time of infamy. On June 6 that year, Lt. Edward Robert Bolton, the first American quasi-civil governor of Davao district, and his farm administrator, Benjamin Christian, were violently killed by a Tagacaolo ward in Lacaron, Malita, Davao Occidental. Angered by the twin slays, the American military launched a juez de cuchillo (manhunt) against the perpetrators.

But more than this bloody episode, there were interesting things that took place that same year. Whether encouraging or disparaging, the Seventh Annual Report of the Philippine Commission (1906, Part 2), released by the Bureau of Insular Affairs, provides fascinating details that until now have yet to find space in local publications.

For instance, by 1906, as a result of the development of hemp-growing in Davao, there existed already thirty-five (35) American plantations covering 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) that were planted with 3.5 million abaca hills. A quarter of a century later, these sprawling farms would occupy a total of 222,296 acres (89,960 hectares) out of the 1,322,687 hectares of agricultural land accounted for in the entire province of Davao in 1931.

The fast expansion experienced by the abaca industry in terms of area cultivated resulted in the rise in the demand for seedlings which exponentially also rose in prices. Because it took a longer time to grow

coughed REVERSED PUNCH out P5Mil(GYAKU ZUKI) lion, his kidnappers robbed him of his golf set and finally snuffed out his life inside the police headquarters Jimmy K.Laking itself. Just like that.

Now here comes the idea that PNP director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa should resign purportedly to save President Rodrigo Duterte from further embarrassment and to restore respect to the office of the PNP. This does not wash for a number of reasons.

First, it is the unkindest act that should be thrown at the PNP chief’s doorstep at this point and time. Second, it smacks of disloyalty considering that the House Speaker (who asked that Bato resigns) was as much a part of ‘Team Duterte’ as Bato.

Third, to give credit where it is due, there is nothing wrong with the PNP as an organization. It has in fact become stronger and it is solidly behind President Duterte’s war against illegal drugs and corruption.

But as the war against drugs had shown, the basket is not without its rotten tomatoes in the form of rogue policemen. Old habits die hard and the bright side is that their true colors are being revealed slowly but surely as this administration goes on its leisurely course.

It is a problem that has stared the government in the face even when Fidel Ramos, himself a former PNP chief, became president. It was there in 2010 under PNoy’s watch when a disgruntled PNP officer named Rolando Mendoza hijacked a bus full of Hong Kong tourists at the Rizal park that ended in a carnage when he opened up with a rifle, leaving eight tourists killed and several wounded.

It was there four years later in 2015 when 44 Special Forces police rangers were slaughtered in Mamasapano in exchange for a fingertip of the terrorist Zulfiki Marwan. In both cases, nobody asked for the head of PNP chief, although both incidents

clearly put the Philippines in a bad light.

In short if there is something wrong with the PNP, Gen. Dela Rosa had nothing to do with it because he merely inherited the organization. And as fate would have it, it is an organization where the rogue policemen appeared to have long been embedded into the structure, or how else would you interpret their utter disregard for life and for the organization in the furtherance of their actions.

De la Rosa was like Duterte a probinsyano cast into a bigger picture. He may appear like fumbling at the start but there is no questioning his resolve and his commitment to help rid this country of drugs and corruption.

It is certainly a tough row to hoe. And while the PNP director general may be able to pull through the cleansing of the organization given more time, Team Duterte should back him up all the way if we are to see meaningful change in the police organization. The least that the PNP head needed at this stage is to ask for his head which would be playing right into the hands of the scalawag. If that happens, kawawa si Inang Bayan.

seedlings into FAST BACKWARD harvestable plants, the preference shifted to the use of suckers, which required shorter periods to become maAntonio V. Figueroa ture.

The abaca boom also gave rise to new ideas, such as using artificial irrigation due to its likely impact “in stimulating early maturity and large yields of fine long fiber” and that by combining irrigation ditches and flume lines this will help “water the crops… and at the same time float the mature stalks to large cleaning mills, where all fiber will be graded and baled and waste saved, dried, and baled for market.”

Beyond hemp, the report also described the condition of the detention facility of the town.

“In Davao the jail is so infected with beri-beri [deficiency of vitamin B1] that prisoners are kept in time constabulary guardhouse. A period of six months, confinement in the Davao jail is equivalent to a death warrant. Every effort has been made to remove the cause of infection, but without success so far.”

That same year, a hospital was estab-

lished in Davao, which was managed by the Philippine Constabulary; its coverage reached as far as Mati City. Because there was no surgeon in both areas, the responsibility of looking after the sanitary and medical treatment of patients fell on Dr. Ames. A proposal to construct a hospital building in Davao was also broached with the primary purpose of extending medical services to Americans living in the area.

Given the plans, the Commission reported that the governor made an official request to retain Dr. Ames in Davao because his “services [to] Americans and natives are valuable and appreciated. He is doing much charitable word, and it would be difficult to replace him at this time. As he is near the head of the list and will soon be eligible for promotion, it is recommended that he receive his promotion but remain where he is.

He does not care for the position of district surgeon, but prefers to remain at Davao.”

In terms of law enforcement, two PC companies under Capt. Waldo B. Williams were deployed in Davao and Mati. Oddly enough, the Davao barracks, a former army headquarters, was a miserly structure constructed from wood and nipa, similar to Mati’s. Capt. Williams, as senior inspector, lived there with his wife, while the medical officer, Dr. Ames, rented a house in the company of his wife and three children. The company commander, meanwhile, resided in the hospital, an old, dilapidated government building on the verge of collapse.

The composition of the PC company was particularly interesting; it was composed of eleven (11) tribes which the American administrator pejoratively described in a racist remark as “a low order of but indifferent material for soldiers.”

Adding insult to injury, the report blatantly maligned the natives, saying: “To outward appearance they look well, but the only men in company who can be trusted with discretionary duties are those transferred from other places.”

The report, moreover, described Davao and Mati as having “fairly good harbors.” In Davao, in particular, ships dropped anchor around 400 yards from the mouth of Davao River. At Baganga, Davao Oriental, a station was maintained but Coast Guard boats, between October and May, shunned it owing to the habagat (northeast monsoon). Occasionally, a commercial vessel visited the east coast the area even if the monsoon rains were expected.

Davao, as a district, had four towns, including Davao, and was populated by fifteen (15) tribes whom the military did not consider as threats. This was the reason why there was only a small number of PC elements were assigned in isolated locations, confidently because “no combination of these tribes can be effected for the purpose of evil doing.” The only disturbance that threatened the constabulary up to that period was the killing of Bolton, which resulted in too much blood.

Davao town, circa 1906

10 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

P3.8-B free public education initiative is pro-poor : CHED T

HE inclusion of P8.3B for free tuition in public higher education in the 2017 budget is the necessary first step in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s election promise to help young people, particularly the poor, get university education.

This is the statement issued by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Prospero de Vera in response to a recent declaration of CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan that the P8.3B allocation will not help the poor because majority have stopped schooling and are no longer enrolled in universities.

This view, according to de Vera, is insensitive and elitist given the demand for access and equity in higher education by many Filipinos, particularly those coming from poorer households.

According to de Vera, studies all over the world show that higher levels of educational attainment are strongly correlated with better employment and higher income. Every poor Filipino student who is able to enrol in college, increases his/her chance to get employed, helps his/her family, and becomes a productive member of society.

Even if only 8% of students currently enrolled in higher education are poor, as Licuanan claims, the P8.3B infusion would still help close to 150,000 poor students complete their education. The new funding will also alert more students from poor households that they can enrol in universities.

Besides, what was the basis to say that only 8% of the poor are enrolled in higher education? How is “poor”

defined? And are the current tuition rates in the 114 state universities and colleges (SUCs) prohibitive only for poor households?

CHED officials have been asserting that the national government should increase investments in higher education. Now that the national leadership has added P8.3B for higher education, I find it surprising and even ironic that the CHED leadership says it is insufficient and won’t help poor students, de Vera added.

We should not look at the P8.3B additional allocation as a one-time stand alone fund to help students in SUCs. Close to P5.75B worth of scholarships and financial assistance is already imbedded in the regular CHED budget plus there is the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF).

Instead of questioning the impact of the new appropria-

tion of poor students, CHED should immediately draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the P8.3B fund and make sure it is linked with all other student financial assistance funds available in the CHED. This will ensure that on top of the free tuition, students can also get the much needed stipends for their day to day needs in time for the June opening of classes.

Once the free public higher education initiative is implemented this year, we can identify any gaps and compute the additional costs of providing assistance to students.

Then we can go back to Congress to ask for more funding to fully implement President Duterte’s commitment that no student will be barred from getting a university education on account of financial need, added de Vera. (PR)

Philippine and U.S. governments on maritime border security.

The course covered lectures and hands-on exercises on engine theory, operation of engine systems, and trouble-shooting techniques to help PCG maximize the use of their vessels and engines.

The PCG participants came

from PCG’s Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Northwestern Luzon, and Northeastern Luzon Districts.

The U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program provided funding for this course. EXBS has been supporting a variety of training courses for Philip-

pine Coast Guard personnel, both in the Philippines and in the United States. Total funding for the Philippines by the EXBS Program for 2016/2017 is US$ 590,000.

The EXBS Program is designed to help countries develop and improve their strategic trade and border control systems.

PCG men complete US course on motor maintenance

A

TOTAL of 19 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officers and staff graduate today from a twoweek course on Outboard Motor Maintenance Course (OMM). This course was delivered by a team from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as part of continuing collaboration between the

OWWA pleased with outcome of 2016 mediation report

O

WWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac is pleased with the outcome of the report prepared by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) on the implementation of the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Program for the period of January 1 to November 30, 2016 where OWWA disposed and settled OFW cases within six (6) days from filing.

The validated reports by SEnA implementers on December 14, 2016 were submitted to Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello lll.

According to Administrator Cacdac who practices a “hands-on management style”

particularly on matters involving the welfare and protection of OFWs, SEnA would lessen and/or eradicate the “turuturuan” system in filing cases where complaining OFWs are being referred from one office to another which in effect is detrimental to the interest of the public.

During the 11-month period, OWWA handled Requests for Assistance (RFAs) resulting from various cases, namely; contract violations/substitutions, non-payment of wages and overtime pay, payment of end-of-service benefits, mistreatment, maltreatment, poor living condition, retrieval of passport and/or travel docu-

ments, among others.

From January to November 2016, OWWA received a total of 5,382 cases and 5,557 RFAs. Out of the 5,382 cases, 5,067 were settled (with settlement rate of 91%) while out of the 5,557 RFAs, 5,273 were disposed (with a disposition rate of 95%), within 6 days from filing or within the 30- day mandatory period.

Not a single case was dropped by any OFW-complainant due to lack of interest.

Further, the monetary benefits awarded to 5,671 OFWs by the OWWA was recorded at P132,919,057.20.

The figures showing the

disposition and settlement rate in implementing SEnA is a good indication that the agency is capable to handle OFW cases.

This gesture, added by the OWWA chief manifests the “trust” and “confidence” from the OFW clients.

OWWA Chief Cacdac stressed that OWWA will continue to serve the interests of the OFWs the best possible way, at the soonest time, since he stresses that he always instill in the minds of the OWWA personnel that “urgency is always the order of the day in OWWA”, that is why every case of OFW is treated as important as any case for that matter.

(PR)

DISCOVERED. Davao Light and Power Company delightfully welcomed the newly found pawikan eggs last January 10, 2017 at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City. Pawikan tracks were spotted along the shore which led to the discovery of the nest. The mother pawikan is expected to be back in two weeks to lay her next batch of eggs. A female pawikan usually lays eggs three to five times in two-week interval during their mating season. (DLPC Photo)

SSS is new brand of people’s capitalism

“W

ITH proposed innovations in investments, the Social Security System (SSS) is shaping a new developmental ideology to give the working class an opportunity to be the richest in the country through their pooled savings in the pension fund,” said Social Security Commission (SSC) Chairman Dean Amado Valdez.

Speaking before the prestigious Rotary Club of Manila, Valdez said: “SSS’ approaches to its investments are shaping up a new developmental ideology that goes into the middle of those who are in the extreme right and left, suiting perfectly the people’s aspiration in pursuit of economic development.”

Dean Valdez said that the new brand of capitalism maybe the start of a peaceful economic revolution that will usher in the marginalized society to the economic mainstream.

“SSS is among the top companies with highest profit, therefore, our members and pensioners are the richest, collectively. The way we invest right now is that we make the rich, richer and the poor, poorer because individually we do not have the capacity to invest. Can we not give the working man a chance now through its pension fund?,” Dean Valdez said.

SSS plans to diversify assets by directly investing up to 25 percent ownership in a wide range of

industries, including infrastructure projects like toll roads, real estate and even lottery operations, which are being studied rigorously by the SSC. “For example, these innovative approaches of SSS in earning more for the pension fund may even result in the eradication of jueteng operations which is controlled by the rich. SSS plans to conduct lottery operations on its own and share the income from it to our pensioners,” Dean Valdez said.

“The return on SSS investments has an average of seven percent for 2016, and we hope to bring it up by 15 to 20 percent next year following the enhancements in investment practices and the new investing projects and activities we plan to carry out in the next several months,” Dean Valdez said.

SSS is pushing for amendments to its Charter specifically on the conservative provisions of the SSS charter on the investing capacities of the Commission.

The SSS charter provides for certain limitations on the powers of the Commission to invest its reserve fund. At present, SSS could only invest in private securities, housing, real estate, short and medium-term member loans, government financial institutions and corporations, infrastructure projects, foreign currency denominated investments and any particular industry that the Commission deems profitable. (PR)

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

A crab-filled affair DURIANBURG IS KNOW FOR MANY THINGS, the Philippine Eagle, Mount Apo, Durian, and Waling-waling. Recently however, there is one more icon that can come to represent the vibrant food scene of the city and that is Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps (BPBCS).

With a fun vibe, a messy and finger-liking kind of dining experience, plus truly delicious sea to table fare, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs definitely piqued, not the the favor of the local Dabawenyos, but also made Manilenyos travel the distance just to be able to have a taste of their fatty crabs and succulent shrimps. The demand was

so great that BPBCS finally opened their first restaurant at SM City North Edsa’s The Block making it the first Dabawenyo fullservice restaurant to go nationwide.

Wanting to come full circle in Davao City and

to thank Dabawenyo VIPs from the city’s southern districts, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs opened its third branch last January 20 at the ground floor of The Annex of SM City Davao.

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SM malls bring joy to more than 1,000 kids SM SUPERMALLS ACROSS MINDANAO recently brought joy to less fortunate kids through the “SM Cares Bears of Joy” program.

Cuddly bears donated by shoppers were distributed to more than 1,000 chosen beneficiaries.

Last December 30, SM City Davao surprised kids at the House of Hope and the Cancer Pediatric Ward at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). The group led by mall manager Lynette Angala-Lopez and group marketing manager Aron Dalaza distributed more than 50 SM Bears of Joy at SPMC. House of Hope is a temporary home for children with cancer which has served about 5,000 children and caregivers since its inauguration in August 2007. It has decreased treatment abandonment and provided a clean and healing environment for children with cancer.

The mall is set to give out more of the bears in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. SM Davao sold a total of 1,400 bears, half of which were donated by shoppers and business partners for distribution to

children in need.

Meanwhile, SM Lanang Premier delighted kids with SM Bears of Joy at the Tebow Cure Hospital, SOS Children’s Village Davao and Kumihara Learning Center on January 5. Headed by mall manager Therese LapeñaManalo, the mall donated 250 of the plush toys to the young

patients of Tebow Cure Hospital, a non-profit medical institution providing pediatric orthopedic and surgical care for the less fortunate, physically disabled children. SOS Children’s Village, which provides alternative family care for abandoned or orphaned children, received more than 100 bears. The re-

maining toys were allocated to young students of Kumihara Learning Center, a day care center located in Brgy. San Antonio in Davao City. All in all, a total of 600 teddy bears were distributed to the said beneficiaries.

In SM City General Santos, more than 400 bears were given to underweight and stunted

children identified by the City Population Management Office (CPMO). SM staff led by assistant mall manager Hermon Hernandez surprised the children from 26 barangays in GenSan as they gathered at the Oval Plaza Gymnasium on December 29. “It is our privilege and we are very thankful that SM has chosen us to be this year’s beneficiary. The spirit of Christmas is felt through this initiative. Truly, the bears bring pure joy to the kids,” said Ms. Judith Janiola, CPM Officer.

SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc., is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime. Every holiday season, it spearheads the SM Cares Bears of Joy program, which invites SM shoppers to share their blessings to the needy in the community by buying a pair of cuddly bears – one is his/hers to keep while the other will be donated – for as little as P200. SM Cares then collectively turns over the bears to charitable institutions, orphanages and the needy in the community.

For more information, visit SM Cares website on smcares. com.ph or check out its official Facebook account at www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares.

EDGEDAVAO KORONADAL PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

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Enjoy the Dinagyang Festival this Sunday on SKY Freeview SKY FREEVIEW is continuing the regional festival fever, this time, with the live broadcast of the 2017 Dinagyang Festival on Sunday, January 22.

The Dinagyang Festival is a celebration of the devotion of the Ilonggos to the Sto. Niño marked by a parade of AtiAti dancers. SKY subscribers

can join the revelry right at the comforts of their home by watching it on SKY Freeview on Sunday, January 22 from 8 AM to 2 PM. Just tune in to channel 211 in Mega Manila and channel 64 for those in Cebu, Bacolod, Baguio, Davao, General Santos, Dumaguete, and Iloilo. SKYdirect subscribers can tune in to channel 43 to view the

festivities.

Subscribers of SKYcable and One SKY plans can enjoy the festivities on demand via www.skyondemand.com.ph shortly after live broadcast.

Subscribers in Iloilo can also watch the coverage of the Kasadyahan Regional Fiesta on January 21, Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM. The Kasadyahan is a collection of the best

festivals found in Iloilo. It is a kaleidoscopic view of the different fiestas from the participating towns in the province.

SKY wants to bring the festivals closer to the people, no matter where they are. Watch the 2017 Dinagyang Festival this Sunday on SKY. For more updates and information please log on to www.mysky. com.ph/dinagyang.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EVENT URBANISSIMO A1

Staying true to the restaurant’s ‘It’s ok to be messy’ slogan, the opening event was like a grand picnic where family and friends of owners, Antho-

ny and Jennifer Ang, arrived to feast on over 300 kilos of crabs and shrimps.

Accompanying their entrees were sides of corn cobs, boiled potatoes, and sausages as well as other dishes such as Native

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Chicken, Sinuglaw with Green Apples, and Pomelo Salad. BPBC partnered with Nestle and came up with an all-you-can-drink Mixology Bar that compliments well with the delightful flavors of BPBC’s dishes. The Mixology Bar has six base flavors that you can mix up according to your liking to come up with your own flavor, this personalized way of drinking is exclusively available at BPBC branches.

The evening was made even more special with the launch of BPBCS’ Bucket Listers Loyalty Program.

It is a loyalty rewards program that aims to give back to their loyal customers both in Davao and Manila, and to create an avenue to encourage new users to experience fun, messy, and high quality sea to table seafood din-

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

ing experience that only BPBCS can offer.

It was hard to imagine Wwhat once started as a small branch along J.P. Laurel Avenue and between Davao Water District, and SM Lanang Premier has now continued to grow both inside Davao

and out to the Metro Manila, sharing the flavors of Dabawenyo food to the rest of the Philippines.

It was also revealed that will soon open three more branches in Metro Manila namely in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, OSquare Greenhills Shop-

ping Center, and Seascape Manila. Bringing Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimp’s guaranteed fresh sea to table dishes to more Filipinos.

Congratulations Anthony and Jen on the creation of a new proudly Davao icon.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

17,000... FROM 1 ing and landslides due to continuous rains caused by the tail-end of a cold front.

“The roads in the village of Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, remained impassable due to the landslide while there was still no electricity in the village of Casoon, Monkayo and all areas

of Compostela Valley,” Cirunay said.

Meanwhile, OCD-Davao, on Friday issued a memorandum to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and other agencies in Davao Region to change the alert status to red alert status.

Lorenzana issued this statement in the wake of US Pacific Command head Admiral Harry Harris announcement that there is a possibility of more terror attacks in the Asia-Pacific.

“We have also intensified our operations in the southern

Philippines by strengthening our naval and air assets in support of our anti-terrorism drive. We have also instituted changes in the AFP leadership, placing people with extensive experience in the Central and Western Mindanao areas,” he said. (PNA)

side,” she said.

Adding, however, that either side may not be perfectly content of the outcomes because some decisions they have to make will not be popular.

“Both sides make painful consensus along the way. Both sides need a great deal of courage,” she pointed out. “Much is at stake for both parties,” she said.

This is why, Slattum said, the peace process needs the patience, support, and involvement of the Filipino people.

She said it is not easy to negotiate peace; thus, most attempts failed miserably around the world. Most, she

said, find easier to continue with war rather than to continue working and sacrificing for peace.

Slattum, however, noted that once a peace negotiation is successful, the reward is immeasurable and for the longterm—the winner is the Filipino people.Continued support Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner also looks forward to a fruitful and constructive talks in the third round.

Forner emphasized the importance of dialogue and negotiations as essential parts of the process even in circumstances of armed conflict and strong disagreement. (PNA)

PH... FROM 2

NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Norway... FROM 4

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

EJF-REM CASE NO. 16,149-16

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) Mortgagee,

-versusLUCIA NATANAUAN, married to LEOPOLDO NATANAUAN Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed the above mentioned mortgagee against LUCIANA NATANAUAN ,married to LEOPOLDO NATANAUAN, with postal address at LOT 14, BLK. 3 , # 18 MARILAG ST., DOÑA PAZ SUBDIVISION, SASA, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of December 31, 2016 amounts to P 2,729, 757.44 Philippine Currency, including interest thereon , penalties and other charges and plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; the undersigned will sell at public auction on FEBRARY 09, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland ,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the real property together with all the improvements found thereon, particularly described below to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-114139 “A parcel of land xxx (Lot 14, Blk. 3 xxx Pcs -11-00047 , xxx) situated in the Barrio of Sasa , City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIFTY (150 ) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MARCH 09, 2017 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon , if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, JANUARY 9, 2017

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROV’L SHERIFF: (SGD.) JULITO J. ANGGOT Sheriff IV

Noted by: (SGD) ATTY FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER. Clerk of Court V & OIC- Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (Edge-1/16,23,30)

BULWARK. Taguig City second District Representative Pia Cayetano reiterates her support to the programs of President Duterte and shares to local media some updates of her own programs during Kapihan sa Apo View on Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

Palace... FROM 1 branch, the legislative and judiciary.

“We look forward to working closely with the new administration of President Trump anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law,” said presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Saturday.

Abella also wished President Trump success in the next four years of his administration and pointed out that the Philippines welcomes the new US President’s foreign policy direction.

“It promises a more placid and mutually beneficial relationship especially with long standing allies like us. We find resonance with their intention to seek friendship and

goodwill and reinforce existing alliances, without imposing America’s way of life on others,” he said.

He also stressed that the country’s diplomatic ties need to reflect the long-standing relationship between the two nations but under the terms and conditions that protect the people’s interests.

In his inaugural speech, President Trump said the US will not impose its way of life for everyone to follow as the country will seek friendship and goodwill other nations.

“We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world. But we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it

Soldiers and rescue workers from the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) and the Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART-ARMM) meanwhile rescued trapped residents in Barangay Butig, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao on Friday night, according to Myrna Jo Henry of HEARTARMM.

“About 10 families were rescued from Sitio Baytunina as of last night,” she said.

Badria Sulayman, a resident of Malabuaya, Kabacan, said it was the first time she experienced a sudden rise in floodwaters.

“The water reached as high as our necks! Lucky enough, the soldiers and men in orange uniform arrived,” she said in the vernacular. (PNA)

Flood... FROM 4

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LORENZA S. VILLEGAS who died on July 11, 2013 in Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.083; PageNo.18; Book No. LXXXI; Series of 2013, of the NOTARY PUBLIC MANUEL P. QUIBOD 1/23,30/2/6

shine as an example. We will shine for everyone to follow,” President Trump said in his speech.

Abella also clarified that the country’s priority remains to be the common good of the Filipino people and the national interest.

“While there is a promise of spring US-ward, as an independent and sovereign nation we will expand our collaboration with other friends and partners in the international community, in accordance with the principles of international law,” Abella said.

Rebuilding America Trump promised to rebuild America, as he told the American people: “I will fight for you with every breath in my body and I will never, ever

Dav... FROM 7

Bataan and Maragusan and that all MDRRMCs had been on alert status.

Villocino added that road clearing operation was on-going as since Friday, connecting barangay Ngan in Compostela town to Cateel in Davao Oriental.

He reported a number of evacuated families but the tally was not final yet.

In Davao del Norte, the PDRRMO in the province reactivated its incident command system (ICS) at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, ICS assigned commander Julius Vencio said in an interview.

One team of responders was sent Friday morning to Kapalong MDRRMO and was dispatched to barangay Katipunan to assist in carrying out evacuation of flood affected families.

As of 2:00 p.m. on the same day, Vencio revealed that that the road traversing Poblacion Kapalong was no longer passable by light vehicles due to continued heavy spill over of flood water from Liboganon River.

Classes were suspended at all levels in Kapalong as floodwaters heavily affected barangays Kaputian and Capungagan. Based on reports of

let you down.”

He also criticized politicians who prospered for the past years and the disappearance of jobs as factories in the US rusted-out.

Law and order also took center stage in Trump’s inaugural speech stating that crime, gangs and drugs “have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealised potential.”

“This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” Trump emphasized, as he told Americans “We will build our country with American hands and American labor.”

“We will bring back our jobs, we will bring back our borders, we will bring back our wealth, and we will bring back our dream,” Trump said.

MDDRMO Kapalong, flooding also affected barangays Pagasa, Florida, Mabantao, Maniki and Suaon.

A total of 3,272 families were listed affected or 15,169 individuals. Some of the evacuees were given shelter at Kapalong Gym while others were staying at barangay evacuation centers and some sought refuge in their relatives.

Classes were also suspended in the municipality of Asuncion which also lies along Liboganon River and in New Corella where Saug River flows by.

The Municipalies of Braulio E. Dujali and Carmen are keeping an eye on the flood water levels.

Along with the Braulio E. Dujali MDRRMO, the Braulio E. Dujali Emergency Response Team put up an incident command post in Lower Magupising for possible rescue operation due to rising water level of Liboganon River, information officer Pedeejel Moral said.

Barangays Tanglaw and Kabay-angan of Braulio Dujali and Mabaus of Carmen are catch-basins of floodwaters from Liboganon based on info of PDRRMO Davao del Norte. (PIA 11, Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

EDGEDAVAO

12 PROPERTY Finishing touches for Matina Enclaves’ Condo 1/B

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

I

njb@edgedavao.net

T’S going to be a big start for the year for realty firm Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) with Matina Enclaves’ The Residences Building 1-B nearing completion.

According to the recent update released on Saturday, Building 1/B is 91 percent complete and remaining works consist of architectural finishes.

Thee latest update is

based on the January 14 company report.

“ESDEVCO’s Matina Enclaves Building B is now 91% complete as of January 14, 2017. With only the architectural finishes left to accomplish,” the report said.

Matina Enclaves project head Gerald Kent Garces said they are excited over the nearing completion of the first building, one of the five condomini-

um buildings sold out so far by the Davao-based firm.

“Future residents of The Enclaves Residences Building B will surely enjoy the comfort of living in the exclusive community in the heart of the city,” said Garces.

Esdevco also released an update on its sales. As of January 21, Building E is already sold out.

“This just proves how Matina Enclaves is one of the best places to invest and set your new address without worrying about the city has-

sles,” Garces added.

Matina Enclaves is couched adjacent to the Davao City Golf Course and nestled in the luxurious space of the city to give future residents the sanctuary of living in the exclusive community they deserve.

The sprawling mixed use residential estate is one of the fastest-selling pieces of property in Davao City today. The proj-

ect is riding on the crest of the current property boom in the city.

Building 1-B, the first of five buildings under the “The Residences” wing of Matina Enclaves already in the market, is set for turnover once completed.

Building 1/B is the first tower of The Residences segment of the Matina Enclaves project and is due for turnover soon. Only the final details of the building is undergoing completion.

The Matina Enclaves is the initial venture into real estate business by the Escandor family, a native of Davao, known for their success in hotel and security agency business.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

DepED strengthens nationwide drug education program T HE Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening its National Drug Education Program (NDEP) in an effort to protect students from the scourge of illegal drugs.

“The DepEd has been implementing the NDEP for years now to prevent drug use and abuse among students.

The department sees the need

to continuously strengthen it because of the rampant cases of drug-related incidents in the country,” DepEd NDEP focal person Girlie Azurin said in a release issued Saturday.

The program provides a holistic approach in preventing and eliminating the menace of drugs in the country and enables all sectors to work collaboratively with the

school system. It has five components used by the DepEd to create awareness on the ill effects of illegal drugs: curriculum and instruction; co-curricular and ancillary services; teacher and staff development; parent education and community outreach; and research, monitoring, and evaluation.

Education Secretary Le-

Hashim and try to persuade the MILF, as well as the Estrada government, to prevent the bloody all-out war in 2000 from happening.

“I think April yun, of course, maalala niyo kasi kayo yung naapektuhan ng mas malaki (I think it was April, of course, you will remember because you were the most affected here),” Santiago said.

“It was different then. We passed roads with big rocks.

It was not yet cemented.”

In 2001 up to 2004, Santiago became a member of the peace panel negotiating with the MILF. “I am not new with your struggle, I have been with you since 1977,” Santiago said as she expressed her joy upon seeing many women graduating from the ALS as she has been organizing Muslim women and serving Muslim communities all over Mindanao since 1977.

Incidentally, it is also the

first time for MILF Implementing Panel chair Mohagher Iqbal to set foot again in Camp Abubakar since the 2000 war.

“Ito ang unang pagpunta ko dito (This is my first time to come here) for almost 17 years. The last time was on 24 April 2000 when we had a briefing with the late chairman Salamat Hashim,” Iqbal recalled.

The government implementing panel chair further emphasized the need to transform former MILF camps into normal, productive communities.

“I have just asked a graduate here on what she wants to be and she answered me she wants to be a teacher, but when I asked again if she wanted to become a lawyer she answered me ‘yes’,” Santiago said, sharing her conversation with one of the women ALS graduates.

“That is the reason why

we came here: to give you equal opportunities to dream as high as the others. That is what we mean by normal -- to dream what you really want to reach and not to think that it is hard because you are living in Moro communities.”

She urged the community never to lose hope, saying that if there is hope, there will be peace.

Iqbal, for his part, called on the community to “take ownership” and treasure the projects because development needs intervention from the people themselves, citing verses form the Holy Qur’an: “Allah (SWT) does not change the conditions of the people unless they change what is in their hearts... Man shall have nothing than what he strives for.”

“The government has been helping so much, we cannot deny that, but it cannot be complete if we do not help ourselves,” he said. (PNA)

GPH... FROM 4

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onor Magtolis Briones, in a recent interview, assured that the program will be age-appropriate.

“We are implementing it at the present curriculum but we are developing enhancements. I have already instructed the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction to look into it,” Briones said.

The DepEd has also es-

tablished the Barkada Kontra Droga Chapters in schools; intensified anti-drug abuse information campaigns; supported the activities planned by the designated regional and schools division NDEP coordinators; and involved parent-teacher associations and student organizations in drug abuse prevention activities.

To enrich the NDEP, the

department will allocate funds for the replication of modules and teaching aides, and develop other supplementary instructional materials.

The DepEd has partnered with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB) and other government and non-government agencies in its anti-illegal drug initiatives. (PNA)

ESIDENTS living near the Lasang River in Barangay J.P. Laurel were evacuated on Wednesday night, January 18, due to increasing water level and possible soil erosion brought by continuous downpour.

According to Prosper D. Dajalos, Jr.,Officer-in-Charge of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the water level in Lasang River is still normal, but the swift water current and landslide threat prompted them to enforce a pre-emptive evacuation to forty seven (47) families

along the riverside.

Residents are now temporarily sheltered at the barangay gymnasium until further notice.

A family in Barangay Santo Niño was also evacuated due to waist-deep flooding in Bitang area of the said barangay.

Based on the 24-hour monitoring of Panabo CDRRMO, the rainfall on January 18 reached to 92.8mm, as the tail end of a cold front continue to bring heavy rain in Mindanao, causing ankle-deep flooding to some areas in the city.

CDRRMO said they are

in close coordination with city officials, police, and barangay functionaries, for the evacuation efforts, while elements of the 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army will assist in rescue and response operations.

As of January 20, 5a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said, Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms. The public is advised to stay updated on the latest weather bulletin and keep the drainage systems free from garbage regularly. (Vikki J. Amorio – CIO Panabo)

communities – a commitment he shares with the national government under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte whose main thrust is to provide services straight to the people.

Some twenty-three provincial offices and national line agencies have participated in the Outreach Caravan, bringing with them various services ranging from medical checkups and dental services, distribution of food packs and school supplies, legal consultations, provision of seedlings, and conduct of lectures on various government programs, disaster preparedness and climate change, among many others.

Various projects were also turned over during the caravan, including the 54 housing units to families whose homes were destroyed at the height of Low Pressure Agaton in 2014, which caused heavy floods that swept away houses in the village.This housing project was implemented through the Modified Shelter Assistance Program of the Provincial Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

National government agencies have also turned over various projects to the barangay whichincludea concrete bridge that will benefit some 670 households and a daycare center from the DSWD and a small impounding water system from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In support to agriculture, the Provincial Agriculture Office turned over 20,000 cacao seedlings, 100 bags of corn seeds and 200 packs of vegetable seeds.

The Bureau of Fisheries

and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also distributed 20,000 tilapia fingerlings to the residents for their inland fishponds.

Considered a suitable area for agriculture, Governor Dayanghirang vowed to pour down agricultural support to Barangay Marayag and other nearby villages to help augment the short supply of fruits and vegetables in markets in the City of Mati, thus boosting livelihoods of local farmers.

Bonifacio Sedario, 79, who has received various services on Wednesday’s caravan, expressed his gratitude to the government’s effort of bringing services to their village.

“Like most people here, I am happy and overwhelmed of all these aid and services,” he said.

er and support each other in order to achieve genuine and long-lasting peace that we have dreamed of for so long,” the governor said, stressing his hopes ofsustaining the province’s relatively peaceful state.

He also reminded his constituents that the government and its partners care more about its people and that violence is never the answer to conflicts.

“A place without peace could never achieve progress,” he stressed.

In order to foster longterm peace, the provincial government vowed to address the lingering problem of poverty.

Governor Dayaghirang said that “even as we address the problems that challenge our peace, the government intends to make more meaningful programs that will uplift the lives of the poor.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army, who served as one of the main partners in the implementation of the Outreach Caravan, said that their forces will continue to serve as bridge to communicate the people’s needs to the government through the Peace and Development Outreach Program.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, commanding officer of the army’s 28th Infantry Battalion said they will continue to strengthen their partnership with the provincial government and other national agencies to deliver services to the people.

Zagala added that despite the enemy forces’ attempts to disrupt peace and recover their lost bases in the area, the military assured they will stand to protect the people and the peace that has been achieved so far. (Karen Lou Deloso/DavOr Info)

Continuous downpour prompts pre-emptive evacuation in Panabo

R

Outreach... FROM 7

Unity for Peace Since the provincial government started the outreach program in December 2016, at least 8,000 residents have already been reached by the program, including those in the village of Marayag.

Governor Dayanghirang said he aims to cater at least three barangays each month starting on areas that belong to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) communities with a marginalized population and physically and socio-economically separated from the mainstream society as these areas are considered vulnerable to insurgencies.

During the caravan, Governor Dayanghirang has called on the people to cooperate with the government.

“We live in the same province and whateversocial unrest that erupts here would directly affect us all. What we can do now is to work togeth-

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

Jr. NBA returns to PH SBP submits SEABA hosting bid J T R. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska returns this year to the Philippines from Jan. 20-May 14 as part of the league’s effort to encourage youth basketball participation.

Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches participants the fundamental skills and core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. In addition, Jr. NBA Philippines will introduce a court refurbishment initiative that will revitalize a community court through the NBA Cares platform.

The Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska is free and open to boys and girls ages 1014 and is comprised of four stages: skills clinics in schools and communities, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and an NBA experience trip.

The skills clinics will be held nationwide from January through April with stops in Bacolod, Batangas, Cagayan De Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Metro Manila and Subic. The Regional Selection Camps will be held in Cagayan De Oro (Feb. 11-12), Lucena (Feb. 25-26), Cebu (March 11-12) and Metro Manila (April 1-2), with the top 37 boys and 37 girls advancing to the National Training Camp in Manila on May 12-14, which will feature an NBA and WNBA player or legend. The program will culminate with the selection of 16 Jr. NBA All-Stars, comprised of eight boys and eight girls, who will embark on an overseas NBA experience trip with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia.

Below is a look at the Jr. NBA in the Philippines By The Numbers: · 133,000 – The Jr. NBA Philippines Facebook page has more than 133,000 followers.

· 57,000 – More than 57,000 players have participated in the Jr. NBA Philippines. · 3,000 – More than 3,000 coaches have participated in the Jr. NBA Philippines. · 94 – 94 Jr. NBA All-Stars have been selected. · 64 – Jr. NBA clinics have been conducted in 64 municipalities and cities across the Philippines. · 10 – 10 current and former NBA and WNBA players have participated in the Jr. NBA Philippines: Tina Thompson, Ruth Riley, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, B.J. Armstrong, A.C. Green, Luc Longley, Muggsy Bogues, Gordon Hayward, Nerlens Noel and Norris Cole. · 2 – Two Jr. NBA Philippines alumni, Aljon Mariano and Raphael Banal, are currently playing in the Philippine Basketball Association. · 1 – One Jr. NBA Philippines alumnus, Kobe Paras, plays for Creighton University, an NCAA Division I team.

The 2017 edition of Jr. NBA Philippines will begin the search for the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year Jan. 20 in Manila, led by Jr. NBA Head Coaches Craig Brown and Chris Sumner with Alaska Power Camp Coach Jeff Cariaso. Fourteen Jr. NBA coaches will be selected as finalists and trained at the National Training Camp, with two Jr. NBA Coaches of the Year awarded with an NBA experience trip.

“Jr. NBA has provided worldclass basketball instruction to communities across the country and produced a roster of athletes competing both on the local and international stage,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “We are grateful for our partnership with Alaska, which supports our mission of instilling the core values of our game and promoting an active lifestyle among youth in the Philippines.”

HE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) sought Southeast Asia Baketball Association (SEABA) for the formality of the latter’s decision to make the Philippines the host of this year’s SEABA Championship.

In a statement on Friday, the SBP said it submitted a letter to SEABA president Erick Thohir asking for the confirmation of a verbal move to

name the Philippines the regional cagefest host.

Thohir verbally approved a proposal made by SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan that the Philippines should be this year’s SEABA meet host in front of SEABA CEO Agus Mauro.

Also as per the statement quoting SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, included in the letter is a request on the terms

and conditions of the SEABA Championship hosting rights.

Once formalized, the Philippines will host the SEABA Championship for the first time since 2001 and third overall.

In the said year, a national team composed of Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) stars dominated the SEABA Championship, romping its opponents by 40 points

or more in the elimination round and the semifinals before beating Thailand, 90-73, in the final.

Overall, the Philippines has won seven SEABA championships, but the rise of the Asean Basketball League strengthened the other ASEAN nations that they have now given the Philippines a run for its money, making this year’s edition an interesting tournament. (PNA)

who was told in 2012 by Bernard’s father, John, that he was not good enough to practice with his son – was angry with members of the crowd throughout his triumph and then aimed fire at Tomic’s support crew afterwards.

When asked by The New Daily if that awkward history made his win sweeter, Evans said:

“No. He [John] came to the changing room after and said ‘well done’. It was nice of him.

“John was fine, but the rest of his team acted like complete idiots in the box, screaming at me when I was getting my towel.

That’s why I was upset.

sorship contract with Nike, Dan Evans is more than content to carry on playing in the £13 plain white Uniqlo T-shirts he has had to buy himself. “I’m happy with these shirts at the minute. I think they look alright,” he said on court after beating Bernard Tomic, but then added: “One shrunk in the wash a bit so I had to change it.”

Tomic-killer Evans: He had to buy his own shirt

B

ERNARD Tomic’s support team were the subject of heavy criticism after the his straightsets exit from the Australian Open on Friday.

Englishman Dan Evans proved too good for the 27th seed on HiSense Arena, posting a 7-5 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3) victory in two hours and 48 minutes.

The unseeded Brit –

NO SPONSORSHIPS Having lost his spon-

SHIRTY ISSUE. Britain’s Dan Evans had to buy his own shirt because he has no apparel sponsorship at the moment.

Melo may waive Pia Cayetano leads Bike for Hope ‘No-Trade’clause

C

ARMELO Anthony has made his position clear. He wants to stay in New York, and to try to win a championship in New York, as a member of the New York Knicks, and he is not interested in waiving the no-trade clause in his contract to facilitate a move somewhere else just because the Knicks are struggling right now.

If team president Phil Jackson and company, though, were to decide to make their struggles, shall we say, a little more official? Well, then, the 11-time All-Star might ponder changing his tune.

Trading Anthony would be exceptionally complicated. The Knicks would need to find a suitor for whom ‘Melo would be willing to waive the NTC, and — given the 32-yearold’s not likely to be enthused about playing for anything but teams with a shot at contending if he’s already going to be leaving New York City and uprooting his family — that limits the pool to semi-realistic title contenders.

Said suitor would have to be confident enough that Anthony is likely to continue producing at an All-Star-or-close-to-it level for the balance of his contract to be willing to fork over the kind of assets Jackson would seek in a rebuilding effort: young, cost-controlled talent with star upside and unprotected first-round draft picks. The acquiring team would also have to be able to offer both a more stable environment than Madison Square Garden

(easy enough!) and a large enough role for Anthony to avoid going from the No. 1 option in New York to a complementary piece on a smaller stage (not necessarily so easy for an established contender). Finding a team that checks all of those boxes is … well, as CBS Sports’ Matt Moore detailed earlier this week, it’s basically impossible.

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

S

PORTS enthusiast and former Senator Pia Cayetano led hundreds of cyclists in an advocacy bike ride from Davao City to Tagum City in Davao del Norte on January 22.

Cayetano told reporters on Friday that the advocacy ride called “Bike for Hope” hoped to promote environmental awareness, healthy lifestyle, and road safety.

She added that it also to encourage everyone to “use their energy and time to sports instead of doing activities that are not good for a person - including drugs.”

Several cycling groups

from all over Mindanao and different regions across the country joined Cayetano in a 50-kilometer bike ride from SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City to Tagum City in Davao del Norte early morning Sunday.

The bikers arrived at around 9:30 a.m. at the Davao Del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DDNSTC) and that some riders also opted to complete the 100-kilometer route by biking back to the starting point in Davao City.

Cayetano said that Bike for Hope is part of culminating activities for the annual multisport fundraising event

of Cayetano’s Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation (GSF) at the DDNSTC. “We also held several sports activities such as triathlon, football, and track events for differently-abled and indigenous children,” she added.

Bike for Hope was started

by Cayetano in 2003 in memory of her late father, Senator Rene Cayetano who was a health buff who played many sports activities and instilled to the public the value of embracing a healthy lifestyle.

The bike ride has been held in several cities and provinces such as Ilocos, Baguio, La Union, Laguna, Camarines

Sur, Cebu, Palawan, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.

Bike for Hope Davao is a joint effort of Pinay In Action along with Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation and the Provincial Government of Davao Del Norte, City Government of Davao, Nestle, Century Tuna, Smart, Chevrolet, Magic Nationwide, Race.ph, SM Lanang, Speedo, Nike Athletic Club, The Catalog Shopper, Vamos, Coca Cola, Seda Abreeza Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, University of Southeastern Philippines, Pepper’s Iberica, Ning Nang Food Service, Royale House Tagum, and Vital Water.

In the said co-hosting bid, the first made known so far, both the Philippines and Indonesia will host the group stages, while the former, being the lead co-host, will be the site for the semifinals and the final.

Following the success of the historic EuroBasket 2015 in four countries,

FIBA decided to open a multiple hosting option for the 2023 FIBA World Cup and its succeeding editions.

The last time the FIBA World Cup was held in Southeast Asia was when the Philippines hosted the event in 1978.

The SBP also submitted a hosting bid for the 2019

FIBA World Cup but was edged out in the final round of deliberation by China.

The official list of candidates for the 2023 FIBA World Cup hosting rights will be revealed in February, while the eventual host/s of the said event will be named in December.

(PNA)

PH-Indonesia co-hosting of FIBA World Cup 2023 pushed

Would Carmelo Anthony eventually consider moving on from New York? (AP)

A

LANDMARK moment was made on Wednesday when the SBP announced that it submitted a hosting bid for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This time, however, the Philippines’ top basketball body found an ally in Indonesian counterpart PERBASI.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 239 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 22 - 23, 2017

REPEAT WIN Sec. Go tows team to another win over IBP

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

A

njb@edgedavao.net

LITTLE break from work, is just what the doctor ordered for Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go who is probably one of the busiest man in the planet.

Getting his weekend off from work as the President’s trusted aide, Go put on his basketball sneakers and played like a man possessed.

The sweet-shooting cabinet member torched the hoops with 49 points

in leading his team to a back to back wins against IBP, 93-80, in Game 2 of their basketball friendly match on Friday night at the Genesis 88 Gym. Go displayed his usual voracious appetite for rainbow shots drilling in eight triples for the night.

Those flurry of bombs which came from different spots and with different looks at the basket took the toll on the ambitious bid of the IBP cagers to

equalize on their new series.

Michael Peloton provided backup firepower for Go just when the defense collapse on the chief marksman in the see-saw battle against the hard fighting IBP side.

Peloton banked in 10 baskets in a variety of ways for the Go-led squad which beat IBP in their first encounter for the year, 94-86.

Also playing for Go’s squad was Presidential

Assistant for Sports Glenn Escandor who played well dishing off assists and setting up Go. IBP was led by Baguio with 20 points and Paguican with 13.

IBP fought hard and managed to keep within the striking distance behind its fast-pace plays.

But the lawyers fell short to employ a much better perimeter defense that kept them at bay in the end.

Go, who had 42 last game, got off to a hot start and sustained his sharp shooting down the stretch to carry the loads of his team.

Escandor, Warren Cloribel and Eugene Labor also chipped in a combine 25 points for the victory. (With report from Rico Biliran)

Westbrook snubbed in All Star N

B A scoring leader Russell Westbrook, averaging a triple double this season, adopted a relaxed tone Friday about miss-

ing out on a starting spot in next month’s NBA AllStar Game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard was snubbed when the starting lineups were announced Thursday for the February 19 showcase of elite players in New Orleans.

Golden State’s Stephen

Curry and Houston’s James Harden received the coveted Western Conference backcourt berths after they and Westbrook were level for the two spots, but he was eliminated on a fan voting tie-breaker.

“It is what it is,” Westbrook said Friday. “That’s the nature of the business,

the game. I just play. I don’t play for All-Star bids. I play to win championships and every night I compete at a high level, and it’ll work out.