Edge Davao 9 Issue 250

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

FIRST TO FALL. National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Ariel Arbitrario is being held in custody of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group inside the Davao City Police Office compound after he was apprehended at a checkpoint of Task Force Davao in Sirawan, Toril yesterday morning. Lean Daval Jr.

FIRST NDF MAN FALLS NDF consultant arrested in Davao City after Rody cancels talks

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

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adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE first-ever arrest after President Duterte on Saturday evening cancelled the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) took place in Davao City on Monday.

NDFP consultant Ariel Arbirtratio and his two companions were arrested at the checkpoint check point of Task Force Davao (TFD) in Sirawan, Toril at 9:00 in the morning of Monday, February 6.

President Duterte on

Saturday evening cancelled the talks with the communist movement following the cancellation of the unilateral ceasefire the government declared last year.

The series of attacks against government troopers made by the New People’s Army and the abduction of five soldiers last week were also seen as the compelling factors behind President Duterte’s decision to end the peace talks.

The President also told the members of NDFP panel and consultants who were previ-

ously released to subject themselves under the authority of the government of the Philippines and to go back to prison.

President Duterte added that he already alerted the intelligence community to monitor the location of NDFP members and consultants who were involved during the negotiations.

These include Arbitrario, Benito Tiamzon (NDFP panel member), Wilma Austria, Porferio Tuna, Jr., Eduardo Genelsa, Ma. Loida Magpatoc, Alfredo Mapano and Pedro Codaste.

The President also tagged the NPA as a terrorist group.

Waiting for notice The NDFP on Sunday said it is waiting for the formal notice from the government panel on the termination of peace negotiations.

“The NDFP hereby states that it is waiting for the formal notice from the GRP Negotiating Panel on its termination of the peace negotiations as mandated in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guar-

FFIRST, 11

Medical mission heralds Heart Month celebration Doc says heart disease still deadliest

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

I

N commemoration of Philippine Heart Month, the Philippine Heart Association in Southern Mindanao in partnership with Phil-

ippine College of Cardiology will hold a two-day public service event on February 11 to 12, 2017 at Davao City High School. FMEDICAL, 11

EDGEDAVAO Sports HORN: I’VE GOT SPEED P14

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

FIELD CONSULTATION. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday. ALBERT ALCAIN/Presidential Photo

CCRO leads celebration of civil registration month

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

A

S part of its mandate to enforce the Civil Registry Law, the Davao City Civil Registry Office has called attention to the importance of this year’s Civil Registration Month with the theme: “Makiisa, Makisali sa Dekadang CRVS.” According to Shirley Arendain, Registration Officer of CCRO, the celebration is in accordance to the advocacy of “getting everyone registered and of promoting awareness on the importance of civil registration in the lives of the Filipino.”

“The civil registration and vital statistics is important as it serves as a basis for formulation of health programs, population projection and policy-making activities of the government for social and economic growth,” Arendain explained.

The month-long celebration is also a reminder to the public, particularly parents, records clerk, midwives, medical practitioners and other stakeholders that registration is compulsory and it is their responsibility to provide correct and accurate information during registration to prevent erroneous entries in the civil registry documents.

In line with this celebration, the CCRO in cooperation with Philippine Statistics Association, slated various activities such as information campaign and launching sattelite office at SM Malls for inquiries of birth, marriage certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates.

“They can inquire, request for certified photocopies and they may claim the documents the next day,” she said, adding that those who has corrections

F CCRO, 11

2 senators back CBCP stand vs. killings, death penalty

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WO senators on Monday expressed support for the pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) making a stand against the use of illegal drugs, killings, and death penalty.

In CBPC’s pastoral letter, which was released Sunday, the country’s bishops said they are “deeply concerned” by the deaths and killings in the campaign against illegal drugs.

The country’s bishops acknowledged that “traffic in illegal drugs needs to be stopped” but “the solution does not lie in the killing of suspected drug users and pushers.”

“To push drugs is a grave sin as is killing (except in self-defense). We cannot correct a wrong by doing another wrong. A good purpose is not a justification for using evil means. It is good to remove

F 2 SENATORS, 11

PEACE MEANS FOOD Peasant leaders want GRP, NDFP panels back to negotiating table

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

“F

OR us farmers, a just peace means food for our families, education for our children and recognition of our right to the land we till.”

This was the statement made by Pedro Arnado, leader of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas leader in Southern Mindanao on Monday, February 6.

Arnado said Mindanao is considered by the government as the hotbed of ‘insurgency’ in the country – the reason why the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) must proceed.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday evening, February 4 ordered the members of the GRP panel to come home as he decided that the government is pulling out from peace negotiations with the NDFP.

The President added that peace talks with the communists will remain cancelled unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the country and the Filipino people.

But for Arnado, the imperative to go back to the negotiating table must be prioritized by the present administration.

“We call for the continuation of the peace talks and compliance to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law (CAHRIHL) to avoid rights violations of civilians,” he pointed out.

He said that at least 20 farmers and national minorities were killed during the ceasefire period.

Arnado also stressed that the government should realize that people in the countryside are supporting and even joining the armed revolution because of the systemic and chronic crisis that is worsened

by the government’s failure to address the most basic problems of the rural Philippines.

“Historically, it is the peasant masses that have made the ultimate sacrifices to achieve peace. Buhay na ang ibinuwis ng mga magsasaka para sa lupa at kapayapaan. The cost of peace is too expensive, farmers have paid it with their lives,” the peasant leader said.

Arnado further stated: “While the ultimate goal of the peace talks is to resolve the armed conflict and achieve cessation of hostilities, that wouldn’t be possible at this period when there are conflicting social classes and interests. Big land estates, haciendas and landholdings remain intact and under the control of a few landlord families. That is in contrast with the situation of millions of tillers.

The call of Arnado was also supported by the national leadership of KMP.

Joseph Canlas, national chairperson of KMP said in the same statement that the continuation of the peace negotiations is in the best interest of farmers who are pressing for genuine land reform, land distribution and real change under the Duterte administration.

“Farmers want the peace negotiations to continue. We want the peace talks to help address the problem of land monopoly, landlessness of farmers, unemployment and to realize the equitable distribution of social wealth,” Canlas said.

He added that the peace negotiation is a separate and distinct track of struggle to press for significant pro-people reforms.

“While the New People’s Army and President Duterte announced the termination of the unilateral interim cease-

will function as vice chairman.

The Regional and District Engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways , City Transport and Traffic Management Office, City Planning and Development Office , Davao City Water District General Manager, Philippine Long Distance

Telephone and the Davao Light and Power Corporation will serve as task force members.

Aside from eviction of occupants from dangerous areas such as esteros, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways and other public places such as sidewalks and roads, Mayor Sara

also ordered the demolition of their illegal structures.

EO 2 has also mandated task force members to periodically clean existing drainage lines, monitor drainage projects implementation, submit lists of drainage projects implemented and recommend solutions to problems relating to floods.

F PEACE, 11

Mayor orders removal of road & drainage structures

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AYOR Inday Sara Duterte on Monday created a task force that would clear the city›s road right of ways and drainage systems of vehicles and illegal occupants.

Under Executive Order No. 2, Mayor Sara will chair the task force while the head of the City Engineer’s Office

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Gov’t to carry out law enforcement ops vs. communists Duterte says

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HE government will not consider declaring an all out war against communist rebels after the peace talks were suspended, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday.

“No (all out war). Law enforcement (operations) only,” President Duterte told reporters in a chance interview after he visited the wake of soldiers killed in action in Cagayan de Oro City.

The President said he will no longer consider the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as communist groups but as terrorist groups.

Duterte expressed dismay over the rebels’ public announcement that they were lifting the ceasefire order February 10 yet they continued to kill government soldiers and policemen.

He was likewise appalled by the manner the soldiers were killed noting that one of them

sustained 73 gunshot wounds.

“Why do you do that? Ano ang sundalo aso? Eh ‘di wala ka man lang respeto na kalaban mo in the field of battle, there is always honor,” he said.

He urged communist leaders who participated in the peace talks to return home and go back to prison.

“And upon your arrival, I will arrest you and place you back in prison,” he said.

“Ngayon, kung ayaw ninyong bumalik, you are fugitives, I will cancel your passports and I will inform the international police for an international warrant,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said he is willing to accept other communist rebels who will surrender to the government.

“To all of you soldiers in the mountains, I am offering you peace. If you go down, I will find money to place you in settlements and I will proceed with the land reform,“ he said. (PNA)

ROUTINARY PRECUATION. A Criminology student intern inspects the food brought by a woman for a relative who is a detainee at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters inside the Davao City Police Office compound yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte scraps peace talks with CPP-NPAs T

NPAs raid plantation in Compostela Valley

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has terminated the government’s peace negotiations with the communists.

The President made this announcement on Saturday evening as he visited the tomb of his mother, Soledad Duterte, at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Davao City for her death anniversary.

It was also a day after he ended the ceasefire with the New People’s Army, citing the series of attacks by the communist insurgents against government troops in January this year.

Prior to this, the NPA has lifted its unilateral ceasefire last Feb. 1.

“I am scrapping the peace

talks with the communists,” he declared, explaining that he would “not honor” any argument that would violate the Constitution.

Duterte added that the peace talks would remain cancelled unless there is a “compelling reason” that would benefit the interest of the nation.

“This time it should end here – pwede ba o hindi?” he wondered and that he insisted that he denied making a promise to release the 400 political prisoners.

“I never promised – I said [CPP – NDF – NPA] leaders, so that leaders can go to Oslo to talk. Ngayon 400 ed di kung 400 lahat na lang, ano pang pag-usapan natin?,” he said,

adding that releasing the political prisoners is “practically granting amnesty.”

Duterte explained that amnesty is given after a successful talk and not before the conclusion of a peace negotiation and that one must not release all prisoners since they “committed a crime along the way against the Republic of the Philippines.

Duterte added that he is not interested with arguing with the rebels or talking to Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Maria Sison, who was also his former professor.

“As a matter of fact, if they issue a statement, I will not answer them,” he said.

He also directed govern-

ment negotiators, who had been engaged in talks with communists in Rome, to “fold their tents and return home” from overseas talks with the rebel leaders.

“As you can see, I walked the extra mile, released their leaders so they could go to Oslo to talk. Now they want 400-plus prisoners who fought the government,” he said.

He also lamented how the military men were attacked, despite the NPA supposing to be on a ceasefire.

The President cited the military protests against allegedly excessive attacks by the NPA, noting the police report that 76 bullets were used to kill 3 soldiers in Bukidnon.

F DUTERTE, 13

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE army reported on Monday that undetermined number of New People’s Army rebels raided a banana plantation Sunday evening in the province of Compostela Valley.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of 10th Infantry (Agila Division) said NPAs, on board five motorcycles assaulted a banana plantation owned by DOLE Stanfilco in Sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay Araibo, Pantukan town.

The rebels then burned the packing plant inside the plantation, Batchar added.

No one was reported hurt during the attack but the burning caused the banana plantation around P1 million in damages, he added.

In the same report, the 10th ID also reported of armed confrontation between the elements of 73rd Infantry Battalion and undetermined number of NPAs in Sitio Kisoy, Barangay Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental.

Batchar said the incident took place 10:20 a.m. on Monday, February 6.

No casualties were reported on the government side while pursuit operation is still on-going in the area, he added.

“We are guided by President Duterte’s pronouncements in dealing with the NPAs, who continue to attack civilian targets,” Major General Rafael C. Valencia, commander of 10th ID said in a statement.

He added that operations are underway to target armed terror groups including the NPAs, saying further that “We will not allow the NPAs, which was never a people’s army to continue sowing fear and terror on the people.”

Meanwhile, Batchar also reported of the surrender of an improvised explosive device (IED) made by a supporter of the NPAs in the province of Davao Oriental.

He said that a team leader of NPA supporters in Barangay Lambog, Manay town handed over to 67th IB troopers an IED on Sunday afternoon, February 5.

The said IED was turnedin to the EOD team for proper disposition, Batchar added.

DOLE monitors workers after closure of mines

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HEART MONTH. Philippine Heart Association Davao City chapter president Dr. Arnold Pasia provides the details of the organization’s upcoming 2017 Heart Month celebration of February 11 to 12 at the Davao City National High School. Pasia graced yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao.

Lean Daval Jr.

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is monitoring the situation in areas where the over 20 mining firms are located after the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) ordered their closure last week.

According to Dominique Tutay, Director of the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), they are ready to provide assistance to workers who will be displaced because of the closure of these mining firms.

“We are monitoring the situation if ever there will be

a displacement...nakaabang, handa ang TUPAD and livelihood programs,” she said.

The Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) is an emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and unemployed poor, for a minimum of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

At the same time, Tutay said the regional offices are also coordinating with the mining firms as well as the workers. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

DENR dared: Make mining audit public Cite Sec. Lopez’s conflict of interest

T UNDERSCORING. Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11 director lawyer Gomer Dy discusses the three new policies of the agency – the electronic transmittal of medical certificates, the five-year validity of driver’s license

and the do-it-yourself sell reporting- during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

DOT to showcase Mindanao tapestry dresses to Germany Local designs first seen in Miss Universe event

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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OURISM Secretary Wanda Teo disclosed on Friday that the agency plans to bring the creation of participating local designers during the Mindanao Tapestry Event of the 65thMiss Universe to Germany.

The Internationale Tourismus Boerse (ITB) in Berlin, which will be held from March 8-12, is the biggest travel show in the world, with more than 10,000 exhibitors from around the world taking part annually.

“We plan to bring the show

sa ITB Berlin,” Teo told reporters during a media briefing held in Seda Hotel Davao.

According to Teo, among the ancillary events held in different areas in the country, Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart liked the Davao show the most.

“Iyong comment ni Paula Shugart that the dresses were very nice, and she was very happy. Napakaganda daw ng mga damit (Paula Shugart said that the dresses were very nice, and she was very happy.

The dresses were very beautiful, she said.),” said Teo Meanwhile, Department of Tourism – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOT-ARMM) Regional Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar M. Dilangalen expressed her gratitude and optimism that the Inaul fabrics of ARMM will gain recognition during the ITB, adding that this will help provide economic support for the region.

The Mindanao Tapestry show in Davao held on Jan-

uary 19 at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere featured Mindanao textiles coming from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and ARMM which designers used as primary material for their creations.

These local designers include Renee Salud, as well as 10 designers from Mindanao namely Silver Tuzon, Emi Englis, Kenny Lagada, Alfonso “Boy” Guinoo, Aztec Barba, Benjie Panizales, Dojie Batu, Edgar Buyan, Wilson Limon, Egay Ayag.

rte is willing—as you put it—to spend his political capital on this (CTRP).”

As for the record Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds that Mr. Duterte has managed to secure in just six months in office, Dominguez said at the same forum that although the new government has indeed raised about P900 billion from China and Japan alone, this wouldn’t be enough to fund the Administration’s massive fiscal spending strategy, which would actually cost an estimated P8 trillion over the President’s sixyear term.

Addressing a claim that the government didn’t have to impose new taxes or increase existing ones in light of the huge ODA funds already secured thus far by the Duterte administration, Dominguez said: “Well, quite frankly, we’ve raised a total of something like P800 billion or P900 billion, and that will be spent over let’s say six years, right? Certainly, that’s not enough to cover the P8-trillion program that we need to spend on.”

“So we have to somehow pay for it, and the only way to pay for it is to have a tax reform program,” said Dominguez of the CTRP, the

first package of which—under HB 4774—is anchored on sizable cuts in the personal income tax (PIT) rates of low- and middle-income taxpayers along with revenue-offsetting measures, including broadening the Value Added Tax (VAT) base and adjusting oil and automobile excise taxes that have not changed in 20 years.

With the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by a high 6.8 percent in 2016, Dominguez said there is more reason for the DOF to aggressively engage in its proposed CTRP—and the Congress to swiftly act on it— so the Duterte government could raise enough funds for its unparalleled public spending program on infrastructure, human capital and social protection that would keep the Philippines among Asia’s fastest-growing economies in the years ahead.

He said the CTRP is integral to the new government’s high— and inclusive—growth strategy because “it needs to raise an extra P1.07 trillion till 2022 to close the infrastructure gap that has for long dulled the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination; spend more on education, health and skills training to im-

prove living standards and widen access to high-paying quality jobs; and on social protection to cushion the initial impact of reforms on the poor and other vulnerable sectors.”

The planned infrastructure buildup that the DOF aims to partly finance with would-be CTRP revenues include 64 projects for implementation by, or in the pipeline at, the Departments of Transportation (DOTr) and of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

These comprise 20 projects involving road construction and improvements; two involving bridge construction and reinforcements; four flood control projects; two dams; one road transport IT infrastructure project; 23 involving rail systems; seven airport development projects; two transport terminals; and three bus rapid transit systems.

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the incremental revenues that would be raised from Package One of the CTRP amounting to some P163 billion in 2018 is consistent with the planned increase in the budget deficit from 2.7 percent of GDP in 2016 to 3 percent of GDP beginning 2017. (PR)

HE head of the country’s national geological institution has called on Environment Secretary Regina Lopez to make public the basis for her directive on the closure of 23 mining operations and the suspension of five others across the country to enable future engineers and geologists to learn from her decisions and to determine how to best enforce responsible mining practices.

Dr. Carlos Arcilla, the director of the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Geological Sciences, said that while he agrees with the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that irresponsible mining operations should be shut down, he is puzzled as to why Lopez had not furnished the mining firms copies of the mining audit, which should have been the basis for ordering their closure and suspension.

“We are in agreement that the irresponsible mines should be closed. No argument on that.

That is the purpose of the audit -technical people checking whether the mines are fulfilling the obligations under law to protect the environment,” Arcilla said.

“We are interested to know what the bases are for closing mines -- we have to teach future geologists and engineers the correct and scientific ways to mine so as not to endanger the environment,” added Arcilla.

Arcilla also pointed out Lopez ’s glaring conflict of interest in handling the DENR portfolio, citing the case involving the massive oil leak at the West Tower condominium in Makati City that was caused by the First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC), a company owned mostly

by Lopez’s family.

Although the case is considered as one of the worst environmental disasters in the country, Lopez has not done anything to comply with a Supreme Court order directing her department

to oversee the full cleanup by the FPIC of the remaining pollutants in the groundwater and soil that spilled over to the rest of the Barangay Bangkal, where West Tower is located, Arcilla noted.

The oil spill had forced the evacuation of all residents of West Tower due to the danger of potential of explosion, and formed a huge underground plume comprising petroleum products containing carcinogenic benzene which have polluted the soil and groundwater of Bangkal, Makati’s most populous barangay.

According to Arcilla, the case was the basis of the issuance by the Supreme Court of its first Writ of Kalikasan.

“Secretary Lopez, already six months into her tenure as head of DENR, has not done anything to mitigate, publicize and lessen the suffering caused to the displaced people of West Tower and Bangkal,” said Arcilla, who was hired as head consultant of the Makati City government to investigate the 2010 oil leak.

He added that “in contrast, she has been very vocal in her desire to close errant mining companies, but she has not shown concern for a definitive case of massive pollution caused by a company which is owned by her family, showing deliberate conflict of interest.”

Arcilla noted that when Lopez announced the closure and suspension of the mining sites, technical personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) which conducted the mining audit, were barred from attending her press briefing.

“The basis for the mine closures have not been made public, and they have not been given to the mines that are to be closed,” Arcilla said. “This tells me that the main basis for mine closures is emotion, superficial impressions.”

Reporters who had asked for a copy of the MGB’srecommendations during Lopez’s press brief-

President fully supportive of tax reform IC asked to continue P

RESIDENT Duterte has given his full backing to the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which will play a pivotal role in his government’s ambitious agenda to dramatically reduce poverty, achieve economic inclusion and catapult the country into an upper middle-income economy by the time he steps aside in 2022, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “The President has already held three meetings with leaders of the Congress, and the basic subject of those meetings were the tax reforms,” said Dominguez at a recent Makati City forum. “And he has indicated his strong support for the tax reform program.”

Dominguez was referring to the CTRP, the first package of which—House Bill No. 4774— was filed in the House of Representatives last Jan. 17 by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs the House committee on ways and means that handles all revenue-related congressional measures.

When asked at the forum if the Chief Executive would put his political capital behind this tax reform plan, Dominguez replied, “Definitely, President Dute-

F DENR, 13

pro-consumer reforms T HE Insurance Commission (IC) should enhance its protection measures for consumers by building on the reforms and better regulatory capacity that it has put in place in recent years to avoid a repeat of the “ugly episodes” in the past when several preneed companies failed in succession, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

In his remarks at the agency’s 68th anniversary celebration, Dominguez also called on the IC to gear up for an insurance industry boom that will be one of the positive outcomes of the expected long period of growth on the Duterte watch.

With the IC’s primary job of assuring consumers of insurance products that their investments are safe, the Commission should help rebuild the public’s faith in companies that sell them insurance or pre-need products, Dominguez said.

“We have gone through ugly episodes in the past. One particularly troublesome episode was when several pre-need compa-

nies failed in succession. We have yet to arrive at a final verdict on whether these failures were due to bad management of the providers or bad policy on the part of government,” Dominguez said.

“At any rate, thousands of consumers, paying premiums with their hard-earned money, lost their valuable savings. That injury should not happen again,” he told IC officials and employees led by newly appointed Commissioner Dennis Funa.

Dominguez was referring to the near collapse of the pre-need industry over a decade ago, when a law lifting the cap on school tuition fees was enacted, making it difficult for many local pre-need firms, which sell mostly education plans, to meet the burgeoning costs of their maturing contracts.

“I am sure that because of the reforms instituted by the Insurance Commission and better regulatory capacity, the chances for failure have been dramatically diminished,” Dominguez said at the recent IC anniversary program at the IC main office in Manila. . (PR)

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ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

DA chief wants credit access easier for the Filipino farmers

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EPARTMENT of Agriculture Secretary and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Manny Piñol together with the members of the Council and ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola discussed ways to improve credit facilities making it more accessible and available for the Filipino farmer during a round table meeting held at the DA Central Office on the last day of January 2017.

“The absence of financing for farmers created a monumental problem in agriculture in the past,” Piñol said while emphasizing the need for a simple, fast, and reliable financing program for farmers and fisherfolks.

“Time is essential especially for farmers. A two weeks delay in planting means they may not be able to harvest on time especially before the typhoon season,” he added.

PUNLA or Program for Unified Lending in Agriculture aims to simplify and consolidate the agri lending programs of the government from around 7 down to 2-3 credit

facilities providing a more convenient and less complex lending scheme to farmers and fishers.

PUNLA with an initial funding of P200 million targets to boost the respective agri-fishery industries of the 10 poorest provinces in the country.

The program provides lending for farmers and fisherfolk groups with less stringent requirements, faster fund-releasing time and low interest rates.

Another lending program that was discussed was the SURE Loan Program with P1 billion fund pledged by President Duterte. The President’s commitment followed after the recent visit and assessment of Sec. Piñol in flood stricken provinces in Mindanao.

SURE provides two packages – the Survival Package of P15,000 for food and subsistence and the Recovery Package of P20,000 for the farmer and fisherman to be used for buying fertilizers and farm inputs and enable them to recover. Both packages are interest and collateral free and payable in three years. (PR/DA)

HE New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) on Sunday urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately start regulating the production and selling of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) in the country.

NVAP President Emer Rojas said it is high time for the DOH and the FDA to put restrictions on the growing popularity of e-cigs considering its adverse effects on public health.

“Putting its foot down on e-cigarettes is almost imperative for the DOH and FDA with more and more studies showing its adverse effects on one’s health,” Rojas said.

The NVAP official who is also an active cancer ambassador who advocates anti-smoking initiatives warned that the government cannot just sit idly while more and more people are now puffing on e-cigarettes and thus can get addicted to nicotine.

He cited a new University of California study that showed teenagers who smoke e-cigarettes are more likely to eventually move on to regular cigarettes.

Researchers conclude that youths, who were deemed to be at low risk of smoking cigarettes, may not have developed a regular smoking habit if they did not try e-cigarettes in the first place.

“Such studies simply show that e-cigarettes are actually encouraging, instead of discouraging, the youth to smoke and to consume nicotine,” said Rojas.

He said that lack of pre-

ventive mechanism and environment that can suppress possible addiction to the said new enemy is contrary to the growing worldwide trend for tobacco control.

“The current global trend is to really get rid of nicotine addiction by curbing tobacco use.

And some countries are actually finding success in it. But with the emergence of e-cigarette’s popularity, our fight may actually be neutralized,” said Rojas.

Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices designed to resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes and deliver nicotine with flavorings and other chemicals to users in vapor instead of smoke.

The wide range of flavors, such as bubblegum and blueberry, make e-cigarettes extremely appealing to young people.

Meanwhile, FDA has yet to come out with regulations on the production, selling, and marketing of e-cigarettes in the country.

It, however, issued an advisory back in 2013, which discourages the public from using e-cigarettes saying the FDA has not registered any such products.

In 2014, a bill was filed in Congress calling for the regulation of the manufacture, distribution, sale, importation and use of electronic cigarettes in the country.

Under the proposed measure, the DOH and the FDA is authorized to impose restrictions and regulations on the flavor, composition, advertising, and promotion of e-cigarettes.

(PNA)

DOH, FDA pressed to DENR sec wants Lunhaw Awards regulate e-cigarettes 2017 to be adopted nationwide T NEWLY-ARRIVED. A vendor attends to his stall of fresh fish for sale at Agdao Public Market in Davao city yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

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RGANIZERS of Lunhaw Awards 2017 are looking forwards to the presence of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Gina Lopez after she expressed interest in adopting the award to other parts of the country during her last visit in Davao City.

Co-organized by the City Agriculturist’s Office , City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Davao Association of Colleges and Schools, Davao City Water District, and the Interface Development Interventions, the event is an

annual search for green initiatives citywide.

Chinkie Pelino-Golle, acting executive director of Interface Development Interventions, Inc. said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao on Monday that Sec. Lopez said this after seeing the gallery of the previous Lunhaw Awards during her first visit in Davao City.

Aside from Lopez, Golle said they are looking forward to the presence of Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

As the deadline for submission of entries was extended to February 24 from February 6, Golle said the organizers want to expand its promotion to “recognize more individuals and establishments”.

Golle added that she is proud to say this is the first time a city has conducted and event which solely gives recognition to its residents for environmental protection and management.

According to Edmarson M. Sola of DCWD, residents can submit entries for seven categories namely, green building,

forest-based initiatives, organic agriculture, energy and water conservation, marine resource management, pollution control, education and advocacy.

Meanwhile, two new categories for this year’s awards are the outstanding environmental advocates and outstanding barangay or local government with environmental initiatives.

Formerly part of Araw ng Dabaw celebration, the Lunhaw Awards 2017 will be conducted separately on March 17, 2017.

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has directed local treasurers in areas hosting mining projects to assess the impact on the would-be affected local government units (LGUs) of the closure or suspension of 28 mine sites across the country.

Dominguez said he issued the directive because alongside the massive loss of jobs and its effect on the national economy, last week’s move by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) might imperil the fiscal state of the affected LGUs, given that mining companies account for a hefty part of the tax revenues collected by local governments in municipalities hosting mine sites.

“On the revenue side, our primary concern is the revenues of the municipalities. That’s why we asked the treasurers already to give us a quick-round assessment of how much is going to be lost in revenues,” he said in a chance interview by finance reporters.

Preliminary data from the DOF’s Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) show that at least 10 municipalities and one city would be affected by the DENR’s order to close down 23 mine sites, while one city and four municipalities would be affected by the suspensions.

In response to Dominguez’s directive, BLGF Executive Director Niño Alvina said

he has issued a memorandum “directing city and municipal treasurers in all localities hosting mining projects to submit their complete and updated reports by Friday, February 10.”

Treasurers of LGUs are under the supervision of the DOF through its BLGF. In Department Order 0492016 issued in September last year, Dominguez instructed local treasurers to include in their quarterly and annual financial reports to the DOF all environment and natural resources revenues and expenditures, particularly the payments made by the mining and other extractive industries to their respective LGUs. This DOF order provides

for an efficient mechanism for municipal treasurers in LGUs hosting mine sites to present their respective assessments fast enough given that they have been forwarding their Statements of Receipts and Expenditures electronically since 2011 and are now required to submit them through the web-based Environment and Natural Resources Data Management Tool (ENRDMT).

These assessment reports, Dominguez said, will aid the government in coming up with a comprehensive strategy to address the impact of the DENR move on the employment and fiscal situations in the communities where the concerned mining sites are located. (PR)

Local treasurers to assess revenue impact of mining firms’closure on LGUs

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6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

on fish cage Gov pushes creation of Moratorium in Lake Sebu sought anti-drug oversight body T

D

AVAO del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario asked the national government to create an oversight body that will oversee the concerted efforts of the national and local governments in the fight against the illegal drug menace.

On the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s position to ban the Philippine National Police from the nationwide anti-drug campaign because of corruption, the governor stressed the need to establish an oversight body to orchestrate the anti-drug efforts of national agencies and local government units around the country.

“Dapat talaga may national counterpart ang mga local anti-drug abuse councils,” del Rosario underscored, during the maiden meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-XI recently at the Provincial Capitol of Compostela Valley.

The governor revealed the dilemma of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (PADAC) ensuing from the absence of the anti-drugs oversight body that should monitor progress of drug operations.

He said that the respective barangay, municipal and city ADACs refer to the PADAC for their drug law enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation

efforts.

However, the PADACs are in a quandary as to what national agency they are supposed to directly address their concerns and issues.

He cited as an example the seamless coordination of the efforts of the national and local governments in relation to natural and man-made disasters, with the establishment of disaster risk reduction councils from the local up to the national level.

Del Rosario, as well, lamented the lack of proper administrative unit to take care of the records and perform other secretarial duties for the PADAC.

He also voiced the lack of clear-cut policy for the drug surrenderees, which leaves some LGUs to waste vital resources on rather ineffective interventions that are intended to in help the victims.

“Some LGUs use government resources for rather ineffective measures because we are not properly guided,” he said.

The governor further bared his intention to expand the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center, which can only accommodate 100 patients, to help reintegrate more reformed drug dependents into the mainstream of society.

BY NOEL BAGUIO

Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario stresses the need for the creation of a national anti-drug abuse body to oversee concerted efforts in the fight against the illegal drug menace. Lorde Apique

SoCot gets P527-M national grants A

ROUND P527 million worth of special projects funded by the national government are set for implementation this year in parts of South Cotabato province.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Monday such funding comprise the initial grants for the province that were approved for funding and implementation by various national line agencies.

“These are mostly priority infrastructure projects that will be implemented with minimal (funding) counterpart from the

provincial government,” she said.

A report released by the local government said some P366.926 million worth of projects are due for implementation under the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces, formerly KALSADA program, implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The lined up projects INCLUDE the upgrading of the Crossing Talcon-Aflek road worth P27.5 million and upgrading of Crossing Aflek-Malu-

HE provincial government of Maguindanao on Sunday started the week-long first ever provincial “Inaul Festival” with organizers showing optimism it will keep alive the fabric ethnic Maguindanaons have been patronizing and promoting for decades.

“Inaul” is a cloth prepared by hand by Maguindanaons using indigenous materials and has been famous as “malong” for Moro people.

This is what the Maguindanao provincial government is trying to preserve and give a boost through technical and

marketing interventions, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu said.

Recently, the colorful Inaul cloth hit the headlines when it was featured during the pre-pageant show of this year’s Miss Universe fashion show last month.

The festival will last until February 14 with a mountain bike challenge from this town to be participated by 500 bikers across the island of Mindanao.

“The biking competition will give bikers from the four corners of Mindanao a chance

Maguindanao kicks off‘Inaul Festival’ T

F MAGUINDANAO, 13

gong road worth P16.5 million in T’boli town; upgrading of the Maltana–Lambayong road worth P55 million in Tampakan; Upgrading of national highway Silway 8-Silway 7 road worth P36.6 million and upgrading of Klinan 6-Cannery road worth P64.9 million in Polomolok; upgrading of highway junction M. Roxas-Poblacion Sto. Nino road worth P55 million in Sto Nino; upgrading of Banga-Lamba-Derilon-Lampari road worth P66 million in Banga; and, upgrading of high-

way junction-Colungulo-Moloy Duengas road worth P42.4 million in Surallah.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lined up around P160.16 million worth of projects for the province’s 10 towns and lone city.

The preparation of the plan and programs of work for the identified projects are currently ongoing.

These are the concreting of the Sitio Lanas-Upper Sepaka farm-to-market road in Sition Modon, Barangay Upper Sepa-

F SOCOT, 13

SUPPORT TO MAYORS. Compostela Valley Governor Tyron Uy and Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga expressed their full support to the priority programs and projects of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)

HE provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for a oneyear moratorium on fish cage operations at the critical Lake Sebu following the massive fish kill that destroyed around P124.5 million worth of tilapia.

Siegfred Flaviano, Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) chief, said Monday, the move is in line with the needed intensive rehabilitation of the 354-hectare lake to address the worsening fish kills.

He said they initially submitted such recommendation to South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes.

“We need to implement a moratorium...set policies and a system that will ensure the proper management of the lake,” he said.

The official said they are set to consult and discuss their recommendations to Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio, members of the Sangguniang Bayan or municipal council and other local stakeholders.

He clarified that the proposed moratorium should be set by the local government since the lake is classified as municipal waters.

Flaviano said Lake Sebu is considered as overcrowded as the fish cages presently occupy around 20 percent of the lake area that is way beyond its carrying capacity.

Under Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fishery Code of 1998, only 10 percent of the total land area of inland waters is allowed for aquaculture development.

The municipal government of Lake Sebu, in coordination with the PEMO, conducted a clearing of illegal or unlicensed fish cages in parts the lake two years ago following a massive fish kill that then destroyed around P45 million worth of tilapia.

Flaviano said the clearing

of illegal fish cages and related structures at the lake should be sustained until the 10 percent allowable area is reached.

He said such move is included in the proposed fisheries code that they submitted to the local government two years.

But the measure has not been passed by the municipal council and remains pending, he said.

As of Monday, the Lake Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the fish kill, which started on Jan. 27, already destroyed some 1,383,416 kilos of tilapia.

With the farm gate price of PHP90 per kilo, the value of the damage has reached P124,507,440, said MDRRMO head Roberto Bagong.

He said it affected some 4,944 dish cages owned by 464 operators in Barangays Poblacion, Takonel and Bacdulong.

Bagong said the three affected barangays have already declared a state of calamity as a result of the fish kill.

He said Mayor Fungan and the municipal council is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the proposed calamity declaration for the entire municipality.

Fishery officials blamed the latest fish kill to “kamahong,” a phenomenon that is mainly caused by the sudden rise in the water’s temperature.

“Kamahong,” which usually occurs during the rainy season, triggers the rise of sulfuric acid in the lake’s waters that eventually cause the massive fish kill.

Last year, the municipal government of Lake Sebu recorded at least eight fish kills that destroyed around P1.4 million worth of tilapia. The last major fish kill in the area was in 2014. (PNA)

chapter in the province. The mayor’s league in Compostela Valley province is headed by Pantukan town Mayor Roberto Yugo. (M. Lasaca, IDS ComVal)

7 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Hypertension: When blood pressure goes up (First of Two Parts)

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

RMAN, a 32-yearold account executive in an advertising firm, was 27 when he was diagnosed of hypertension, more popularly called high blood pressure. With the increasing price of the medication he was prescribed, he took his medicine erratically, usually when he had symptoms only.

After attending a tension-filled meeting one day, Arman suddenly felt dizzy with nausea and vomiting. His blood pressure surged. His wife immediately brought him to a nearby hospital, and fortunately for him, his blood pressure was controlled immediately.

Filipinos suffering from high blood pressure – known in the medical parlance as hypertension – are increasing in number. In 1995, it was reported that about three million Filipino adults had hypertension.

Eight years later, in 2003, the figure surged to around 7 million.

“Based on the data, we are expecting the incidence to increase more in the next survey in 2013,” said Dr. Dante Morales, who was

Two in every 10 Filipino adults, 20 years and over, are hypertensive.

-- Food and Nutrition Research Institute, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

then the president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH).

True enough. The figure doubled to 14 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“Detecting high blood pressure is the first step in preventing and controlling it; when people know their blood pressure, they can take steps to control it,” said then Health Secretary Enrique Ona. Unfortunately, studies showed that 35-40% of those with hypertension are not even aware of it. This ignorance, experts claim, is due to the fact those hypertensives do not have their blood pressure level

checked.

What hypertensives are not aware of is that without knowing it they are courting for big trouble. “Hypertension, per se, does not kill,” points out Dr. Rafael Castillo, a cardiologist at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital. “But the complications are the ones that disable and kill a hypertensive.”

Dr. Esperanza Cabral, former health secretary and PSH past president, agrees.

“Practically nine out of 10 hypertensive patients have uncontrolled blood pressure which make them good candidates to develop heart attacks and strokes, or literally drop dead before they could realize what was wrong with

them,” she said.

Dr. Jorge Sison of the Council on Hypertension said blood pressure should be maintained if hypertensives want to avoid complications such as heart attack and stroke, which comprise 35% of total deaths among Filipinos, according to the health department.

“Hypertension is the leading risk factor for heart attack, or myocardial infarction,” writes Dr. Julian Whitaker, author of Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat, and Reduce High Blood Pressure.

“A heart attack occurs when part of the heart’s blood supply is suddenly reduced or cut off; usually do to a blockage in one of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart. The portions of the heart muscle that cannot get adequate oxygen and nutrients die. The more extensive the damage, the more serious the heart attack.”

After heart attack, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines.

Unknowingly, hypertension is the primary factor underlying strokes and stroke-related deaths. “Too much pressure can cause the bursting of a vessel – especially if that vessel has been weakened by age and the excess pressure of hypertension,” explains Dr. Whitaker.

“Hypertension also contributes to atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, the narrowing and stiffening of the arteries that increases the likelihood of blood clots cutting off blood supply,” Dr. Whitaker continues. “When either of these scenarios oc-

curs in an artery in the brain, the result is a stroke. There is a reduction in oxygen supply to that area of the brain, followed by cell degeneration and death.”

Stroke is not a heart attack.

“Don’t confuse a stroke with a heart attack,” explains Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, bestselling author of The Best Treatment. “A stroke is what happens when the blood supply to a portion of the brain is interrupted; a heart attack is what you suffer when the blockage is in an artery within the heart.”

A lesser-known outcome of hypertension is memory loss and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “It is believed that hypertension’s adverse effects on the brain are caused by the relentless pounding on the small vessels in the brain,” Dr. Whitaker writes.

The brains of patients with hypertension actually shrink – by as much as 20%, according to some studies.

Hypertension also accelerates the aging of the kidneys. High blood pressure damages the arteries and arterioles that supply blood and nutrients to the kidneys.

As these arteries become stiff and less elastic, blood supply to the kidneys is reduced or, in some cases, cut off, causing damage to the kidneys themselves.

“Severe high blood pressure causes kidney malfunction over a relatively short period of time; however, even milder forms of uncontrolled hypertension can damage kidneys over several years, with no evident

symptoms until severe damage has already occurred,” Dr. Whitaker claims. “Poorly controlled high blood pressure is responsible for approximately 25% of all cases of chronic kidney failure.”

What alarms experts about hypertension is that it may soon become one of the country’s biggest health burdens.

Dr. Anthony Rodgers of the University of Auckland in New Zealand wrote in a report for the World Health Organization: “We are seeing that conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol are much more prominent in developing countries than previously thought and contribute significantly to their overall disease burden.”

Even more alarming is the fact that hypertension now affects even younger people. In 2013, Dr. Ona reported that it already afflicts elementary students.

“We are reminding all people and even those who are elementary students to have their blood pressure taken because we have known cases of hypertension among elementary graders,” Dr. Ona was quoted as saying.

Now is the time to curb the increasing number of people with hypertension.

“Hypertension is truly a serious problem that requires more serious attention,” Dr. Cabral suggests. “It’s no longer acceptable that just any doctor can treat any patient with hypertension. Many cases of hypertension are more complicated than they seem.” (To be concluded)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

A

The price for peace

FTER President Duterte announced the lifting of the ceasefire declaration with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), the government’s peace negotiators remained in high spirits and optimistic that the peace process will push through despite the resumption of hostilities.

Secretary Jess Dureza mirrored everyone’s sentiments: “If there is anyone who passionately dreams of -- and works on -- bringing about sustainable peace in the land, it is President Duterte. His judgment calls are directed towards this goal.”

Secretary Dureza thinks that the president is “at the moment, clearly spoken on the directions we all in government should take.” Of which, Secretary Dureza can only say: “Let’s take guidance from these recent declarations.”

Angela Librado-Trinidad, a member of the GRP panel, took to social media to vent her sentiments.

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“Peace can never be an option, it is and must be everyone’s quest. The NPA and AFP might have decided to resume their war against each other, but our journey for peace must continue without letup. We owe it to our children and our children’s children.”

Indeed, the road to peace is not easy. And it’s price? Hefty.

Along the way, we will find a lot of obstacles. Humps and bumps. But we must not give up this fight. We have to hold on to that dream no matter how elusive it can get. There is no mountain too high for the determined.

Secretary Dureza and his team should not lose faith amidst this temporary setback. In the same manner that we hope, those from the other side will also stay the course on this journey.

For it does not take one party alone to want it so badly. Both sides must believe it can be done.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

Cutting through the confusion of mining (Part 1)

HERE seems to be a lot of confusion nowadays regarding mining. There is a belief that mining is done by investors and that these people, particularly foreign investors, will siphon off all the mineral wealth to feed their industries at our expense, leaving Filipinos bone dry with the short end of the deal.

Fact is that an estimated 1.2 million Filipinos, or about 1% of the populace, and about as many as our Business Process Outsourcing sector, obtain their living from mining. These includes those employed directly and indirectly in legally recognized mines, and involve all those who make their living directly or indirectly doing illegal small scale (and large scale) mining all over the country, from mining and quarrying operations (yes, that is mining), to the gold rush areas from Paracale, Camarines norte, to Pantukan, Compostela Valley. The volcanic nature of this archipelago allows these minerals to surface from deep in the earth, making it easy for man to explore and dig these for his use.

It would be dishonest and improper to look only at the legally operating mines. Per-

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

HE first and oldest congregational hospital Davao is today’s Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, named after American missionary Dr. Herbert Cecil Brokenshire, a graduate of Cornell University Medical College, New York, who was later appointed as its hospital director.

It was on August 4, 1902, when Rev. Robert Franklin Black set foot in Davao, becoming the first American Protestant missionary to serve the area. His wife, Anna Gertrude Granger, whom he married that same year on board the ship Siberias, arrived in Davao on Dec. 19, 1903, to accept the job of the Boston-based American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Rev. Black’s first year in Davao was lackluster. Enduring the challenge of curing malaria and cholera affecting local residents, he wrote the Board to send a medical missionary to address the illnesses. While awaiting answer from the U.S., Mary Matthewson (later Mrs. William Gohn), a young American nurse with the group of early American settlers who came to Davao, volunteered to open medical outreach clinic by the riverbank of Davao at Bankerohan in 1906.

Two years later, in response to Rev. Black’s call, Dr. Charles Thomas Sibley and wife, Annie Short, arrived in Davao on Feb. 24, 1908, and established a bamboo-and-nipa clinic along Magallanes Street (now Antonio Pichon Sr.) by the bank of Davao River.

Known as the Davao Mission Hospital, it was realized through the auspices of the Congregational Church of the U.S., but the construction of its first 36-bed building did not start until September 1910.

haps its time MY TWO CENTS’ to take stock of the entire mining constituency, from the poor miners to the richer ones, the legal and illegal, since their total contribution is more substanJohn Tria tial than we ecisouth@gmail.com are allowed to think.

The total contribution to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) officially stands at about 8.3 billion pesos, not even one percent of total GDP figures. The figure though, is disputed since it does not take into account the revenues from illegal or undocumented mining, mostly gold that is normally smuggled out of the country. Easily, you can add another half billion pesos to this figure. It also does not include the undocumented quarrying of sand from local rivers which help build our houses.

The families involved in mining, especially those doing illegal stuff, are mostly poor, though it still needs to be determined whether marginal or artisanal mining brings more to the table than, say, subsistence farming. The hunch is that it makes a little more for these families. Little wonder why they brave the dangers.

In many of these illegally mined sites, the technology is rather crude, the chemicals used to leach or ferret out the precious metals are mostly toxic (like smuggled cyanide and mercury), and make their way mixed with wastewater into our rivers. Just look at the Pantukan river.

The income derived from this natural wealth ought to benefit local residents, and it has been a challenge to make sure that this illegal mining is done properly, with the right safety procedures, gear, end environmental protection methods and standards akin to those of other mineral-rich countries. Go to many of the gold rush sites and you enter the wild west, with poor roads and almost absent sanitation. Had this wealth been regulated and managed, perhaps proper living facilities would emerge from the generated

wealth.

It must also include the means to monitor the generation and distribution of this wealth, which, by far, has lined the pockets of a few, while leaving the great mass of their workers impoverished, and left local streams and rivers acidic or otherwise poisoned.

Little has been done to control or regulate the illegal mining taking place, as these have been allowed to proliferate and root in the areas they operate. The quandary is that as these families are disallowed from mining, can government find ways to help them obtain decent lives outside of the unsafe and destructive trade?

Perhaps the new government would do well to look at the welfare of this long neglected sector, that has provided food on the table for generations, while being reserved to enrich a few. The desirable outcome is that those involved in illegal mining be encouraged to go legal, with the right documents to ensure safety, and the proper sharing of the wealth. More tax revenues and local income can stem from properly managed mines, if only past governments did their jobs.

Dr. Sibley, FAST BACKWARD the hospital’s first director who held the post until April 1916, described the medical institution in his book Our Chance in the Antonio V. Figueroa P h i l i p p i n es (1914): “The hospital building is small; its structure is crude; it was quickly built of unseasoned wood and is fit only for temporary use; a fine modern building is already planned in its place. But in this small building what miracles of healing have been wrought; what relief and comfort and new hope have been dispensed! And here the word of the gospel has been distributed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Visayan, and Tagalog, to patients of all these nationalities, besides great number of the semi-savage and really wild tribes.”

Although the primary mission of the Protestant Church of America in coming to the country was for the “Civilized Filipinos” who were “tired of the shams and forms of Romanism (Catholicism)” to learn from the pastors and mentors of the Congregational Church of America, they also saw the need to extend medical and educational assistance to the locals.

By Dr. Sibley’s account, in 1913 the Davao Mission Hospital cared for some 700 in-patients and its five dispensaries treated

around 13,000 cases. Among the patients attended to were 60 leper suspects, who found to be suffering from malignant tropical ulcers. Six of the cases “were in so frightful condition as to be beyond help” and were taken cared for in a separate location.

With only 104 congregational members assisting, the hospital served mainly the Catholic population of the district during its early years. To reach the remote regions, the personnel had to use water transport in making the hospital services “available to a very extensive territory comprehending practically the entire gulf region of the province of Davao and extending well up the Pacific coast.” Because the government did not have a formal sickbay to attend to public healthy requirements, the mission hospital also became a chief partner in the “care and treatment of a very large number of persons suffering from more or less repulsive diseases.”

In 1916, the hospital treated 462 patients and provided medical advice to 13,241 in its dispensary. During this time there was still no government medical institution that was serving the public. There was, of course, a provincial health officer who took care of the sanitary district of Baganga and the adjacent townships along the coastal towns of Davao Oriental, and, from time to time upon arrangement, the constabulary medical officer of Mati who was supervising dispensaries and was acting as public office in charge of the town and its nearby territory.

All in all, there were thirteen clinics maintained by the government. These were located at Holy Cross, La Union, Baganga, Caraga, Cateel, Madaum, Bunawan, Monkayo, Santa

Cruz, Malita, Davao, and Mati. For that year alone, 5,983 individuals applied for medical and surgical relief and received a total of 19,965 treatments.

Others who served the hospital after Dr. Sibley’s tour of duty were Dr. Lucius Case (1916-1920) and Dr. Roy St. Clair (19201924). Dr. Floyd L. Smith and wife Bessie H. Smith, Rev. Julius (1916-1928) and Mrs. Gertrude Elmer Augur, who organized and led the first Girl Scout troop in the Philippines, also dedicated their lives to the hospital; they were all American missionaries. In 1924, in an interim capacity, Dr. Pedro Santos was appointed as the hospital’s first Filipino medical director in acting capacity.

Two years later, Dr. Brokenshire took over as new director. Prior to his arrival, he was a surgeon at the Methodist Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. It was under his 14-year supervision that the hospital acquired many of its facilities.

When war broke out, he was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy, serving the military from August 1941 to Jan. 1, 1942. He was taken prisoner of war but still served heroically as a member of the Staff of the U.S. Naval Hospital Unit while being interned at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa for two years (1942-44) “with orders from the Japanese to establish a hospital for the treatment of the Filipino and American prisoners-of-war.”

He died at sea on Oct. 24, 1944 on board the Japanese ship bound for Japan, which was torpedoed by Allied Forces. Three years later, on Oct. 30, 1947, the Prudential Committee voted to name the rebuilt Davao Mission Hospital to Brokenshire Memorial Hospital.

Davao’s first mission hospital

EDGEDAVAO

10 COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

CSR 2.0’ projects form half of all DENR leads celebration of World Wetlands Day Aboitiz Foundation 2016 initiatives More sustainable CSR initiatives totaled 50% of 2016 projects

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HE Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the Aboitiz Group, worked hard to deliver more purposeful and impactful projects in 2016, implementing P123 million worth of “CSR 2.0” projects out of the total of P245 million allotted for all CSR projects in education, enterprise development, environment, and health & well-being.

This figure accounted for 50% or half of all Aboitiz Group projects in 2016—higher than the 16% and 7% allotments for CSR 2.0 projects in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In 2015 the Aboitiz Foundation began implementing CSR 2.0 projects, seeking to go beyond mere one-time doleouts (CSR 1.0). Under CSR 2.0, the Aboitiz Foundation began executing community projects that deliver longer-term benefits, are aligned to the Aboitiz Group’s core competencies, encourage team member en-

gagement, and are scalable initiatives with positive sustainable impact of national scope.

As the Department of Education’s largest private partner in education, the Aboitiz Foundation invested the largest portion of its budget here. To date, this has included adopting 35 technical vocational high schools and 10 special science elementary schools,

Smart World Caravan inspires OFWs in Singapore to become entrepreneurs

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ILIPINOS working in Singapore were exposed to business ideas and investment opportunities back in the Philippines at the 3rd leg of the Smart World Negosyo Caravan held there last month.

The event was staged by PLDT Global, through Smart World, the international brand of the PLDT group that provides products and services to Filipinos living and traveling overseas. This was done in partnership with the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), The Global Filipino Investors Singapore, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

“We hope that the success stories of our featured entrepreneurs will inspire them to start planning for their future and investing in the right business,” said PGC VP and Group Head for Global Operations, John Palanca.

Be Your Own Boss! A Smart World Negosyo Caravan was held last January 14, 2017 in AIA Tampines, Singapore. Business experts and franchisors flew in to give Singapore-based Filipinos tips and insights on different franchise opportunities.

“This is our way of providing our Overseas Filipinos with a viable option when they return home and decide to start a business in the country,” adds Palanca.

The event featured talks on Operational Efficiency: How to Effectively Manage Your Business by James Melon, Country Manager for PLDT Singapore; and Tapping Opportunities in a Growing Economy by Glenn Penaranda, Commercial Counselor of PTIC-Singapore. Sherill Quintana, PFA Director for South Luzon and president of Oryspa, presented the Overview of and Opportunities in Philippine Franchising; Federico Moreno, president of Xcess Salon, shared his learnings on How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur, and Dana Cuneta, Strategic Planning

Consultant of Francorp Philippines, gave tips on How to Invest in the Right Franchise.

“PFA has always been in the forefront in promoting entrepreneurship through franchising while advocating wise franchise investments through the seminars that we conduct,” said Quintana. “We are happy to partner with PLDT Global because Overseas Filipinos are a top priority in our efforts to educate the public on wise franchise investments.”

The event also showcased the Smart World digital products and tools that empower Overseas Filipinos to efficiently manage their daily lives while working offshore. “With the Smart World 4G Data SIM, our customers are able to enjoy reliable data connectivity for as low as SG$10.

It comes with SG$10 preloaded amount and 1GB worth of data.

The service, aside from allowing them to communicate with their loved ones back home, will also enable them to access and manage their businesses even while they are overseas,” said Melon.

Attendees were also encouraged to download the SmartLife Global and JuanaChat apps. “SmartLife Global is the global Pinoys’ digital connection to home from anywhere in the world. It allows them to pay personally and easily electricity, water, telephone, government services bills and many more back home. It also gives them access to latest Pinoy movies, entertainment, movies, concerts and OPM jams. With the JuanaChat app, on the other hand, our customers are able to enjoy clear Telebabad calls to the Philippines for as low as SG$10 for 7 days,” added Melon.

The event was made possible by the following: Metro Remittance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., BPI Family Ka-Negosyo, PNB, LBC, SSS, Philippine Airlines, Kata, Landco, CDC Holding, Gem Travel and Morpheus Hub. [PR]

constructing 932 classrooms and 246 Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pagasa (AGAPP) Foundation classrooms, rewiring 4,331 classrooms, and the donation of 1,695 stand-alone and 2,185 thin-client computer units. A total of 561 college students also benefited from scholarships distributed nationwide.

Under enterprise develop-

ment, the Aboitiz Foundation has to date provided P29.3 million worth of loans funded through leading microfinance institution Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. benefiting 2,597 individuals and donated 719 livelihood kits under Pilmico’s sustainable entrepreneurship campaign Mahalin Pagkaing

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HE role of wetlands on reducing disaster risks comes to fore as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the country’s celebration of World Wetlands Day (WWD) last February 2.

Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim said that this year’s theme, “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction,” highlights the role of wetlands as a natural safeguard against disasters, especially those brought on by climate change.

“The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts,” Lim pointed out. “We cannot emphasize enough how our wetlands can help protect communities, especially the poor who are most vulnerable and least resilient.”

Lim noted that the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, recently cited how the frequency of disasters worldwide has doubled, with 90 percent of them water-related.

“Wetlands, which include mangroves, are good natural buffers against stronger and more frequent typhoons, possible storm surges, and sea level rise,” Lim explained.

She added: “They also ensure water supply in times of drought. The ecological benefits of wetlands empower the poor communities and improve their resilience to these occurrences.”

“Just recently, the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (NOCWCA) was designated as the 7th Ramsar site in the Philippines, and selected as the 4th Flyway Network Site (FNS) under the East Asian-Australian Flyway Partnership. These twin developments are recognition of the country’s sustained efforts in conserving wetlands with international importance,” Lim said.

February 2 of each year is WWD, marking the date of adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The convention was named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was adopted.

Established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet, WWD was first celebrated in 1997 and has grown remarkably since then. In 2016, WWD was celebrated in at least 59 countries.

The BMB, which leads the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in the country, has announced activities in this year’s celebration of WWD. (PR/DENR)

PBSP CONFAB. Participating companies and organizations present sustainable solutions in their exhibit booths during the recently held ‘SOLB!: A Sustainable Solutions Fair’ in Makati City where they also answer queries from exhibit goers and potential partners. (PBSP Photo)

PBSP confab showcases solutions to societal woes

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PAINT that can knock out pollution from the air, a mobile digital laboratory for public schools, farmers supplying vegetables directly to a popular fast food chain, and a free website development workshop for small businesses – these are just a few of the sustainable solutions that companies presented during the country’s first “SOLB!: Sustainable Solutions Fair” held recently at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

With the changing landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), companies now respond in different ways to address more complex social issues. These expressions of corporate citizenship include philanthropy, strategic social investments, responsible business practices, and inclusive business.

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) organized the forum and exhibit dubbed “SOLB!: A Sustainable Solutions Fair” to present these whole range of CSR expressions, and provide companies a platform

to showcase their own sustainable solutions as well as the opportunity to network and form linkages to work together for a common cause.

These innovative solutions do not only address a societal problem but more importantly, contribute to the attainment of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The SDGs are a set of goals agreed upon by UN member states which aims to end all forms of poverty in 2030.

The milestone event was participated in by speakers from First Gen Corporation Inc., Jollibee Group Foundation, Nestle Philippines, Inc., Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., PLDT, Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., Unionbank of the Philippines, United Laboratories, Inc., XEPTO Computing, Inc., and the United National Development Programme. The exhibitors, on the other hand, were Citi Philippines, East-West Seed Company, Inc., Jollibee Group Foundation, Unionbank of the Philippines, PLDT SME Nation, Pacific Paint

(Boysen) Philippines, Inc., Meralco Foundation, Energy Development Corporation, XEPTO Computing, Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., Water Alliance and Zero Basura Olympics.

In the forum which tackled various themes such as “Sustainable Cities, Healthy People,” “Innovations that Support Education and Livelihood and Enterprise Development,” and “Inclusive Business,” the speakers shared how they came up with solutions to help address issues/problems or lessen its adverse impact.

Cleaner and healthier cities Given its significance in development, the biggest challenge in sustainability today could be energy security. With the issue on climate change taking center stage in global affairs, countries including the Philippines are seeing the importance of clean and renewable energy sources.

Although it could take the country 20 to 30 years to be able to fully rely on renewable energy, Jerome Cainglet, Vice Presi-

dent of First Gen Corporation is optimistic that this is possible as long as efforts to shift to this type of energy source are started as early as now. He pointed out that using natural gas which is cleaner compared to coal will provide the country a more reliable source of energy as it develops technology to address intermittency of solar and wind power.

“Natural gas-fired power plants not only can provide us a way to get sustainable energy, it also addresses the equity requirements for a sustainable development,” he said.

Converting to renewable energy will also solve the problem on air pollution because it leaves very little or no carbon footprint in comparison to conventional fossil-fuel fired power plants that bursts tons and tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. also presented their breakthrough solution on Metro Manila’s air pollution.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO Locals just wanna have fun.

Champion skimboarder Sonnyboy “Bayogyog” Aporbo (left) and Michael “Daggy” Bucong share a wave seated on their surf boards.

Chasing

WAVES

IT WAS AN ANSWERED PRAYER. Everything in the universe aligned for this to happen. I got to finally live a dream – surfing Mindanao one spot at a time.

I remember Bruce Brown’s classic surf movie Endless Summer II where renowned pro surfers Robert “Wingnut” Weaver and Patrick O’Connell chased the summer season surfing in different spots all over the world. I’m doing an ‘Endless Summer’ except on a local scale, chasing waves along the Pacificfacing coast of Mindanao.

How I ended up trav-

eling with 5 other surfers on this surf trip was a miracle. I just happened to be at the right place and the right time.

A schoolmate, Alex Solitaria who was organizing the trip with his friend, Joven Sambarde invited me to join them. They were quite unrelenting with the invitation.

I’m glad they were so persistent in wanting me to go with them. I couldn’t dare say no. This

LEFT: Alex Solitaria flying off a wave that just closed out on him in Dahican’s beach break.

For more surf action shots, check Alex’s Instagram (@ alexxsolitaria).

BOTTOM: The surftrip crew (from left) Sandy, me, Joven, Lisa, Alex and Bhrett. was something I only dreamt about. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go on a half-month trip surfing around Mindanao with a skilled and cool crew?

There were six of us on this surf trip. Main organizers were best friends Alex and Joven from Davao. Alex and I knew each other from high school despite being two years younger than me.

Surprisingly, we share the same story of leaving the corporate world to follow our passion.

Joven, who is back in the country for a vacation, has been Alex’ best friend ever since. He’s also a great cook and fire starter. We’d probably starve without him. Then

we have Sandy Santos, the only shortboarder in our group who works as a surf instructor in Siargao but originally is from Davao.

The other half of our crew, the ladies were halfItalian half-Japanese, Lisa Caldini who now lives in Siargao and Australian Bhrett Baker, a vegetarian and loves to make healthy veggie and fruit smoothies for us. Lisa has been surfing for around 5 years while Bhrett started surfing consistently since April last year.

All of them were skilled and experienced surfers who have been chasing waves even way before

MERMAID A3

EDGEDAVAO

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EVENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

A year of sharing for The SM Store THE PAST YEAR, 2016, was a year of sharing for The SM Store and SM Foundation as they launched three corporate social responsibility projects to help the less fortunate. The projects - Donate-A-Book, Gamot Para Sa Kapwa and Share-A-Toy – gave customers the opportunity to make a difference by donating school supplies, hygiene kits, and toys. These were in turn donated to schools, orphanages, hospitals, and day care centers around the country.

The SM Store San Lazaro Branch Manager Enrique Alvarez hands-over a backpack filled with school supplies to a Tanza Elem. School student.

Tanza’s Elem. School Superintendent Dr. Romulo B. Rocena is also shown in the photo.

Lliano Elementary School students were all smiles as they excitedly opened their backpacks containing pad papers, notebooks, writing and coloring materials as well as a raincoat.

NOW SHOWING

These heartwarming projects made a lot of children smile. For the Donate-A-Book project, over 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were turned over to Tanza Elementary School and to Llano Elementary School.

Gamot Para Sa Kapwa, on the other hand, gave away Sure Aid Hygiene Kits to students of different elementary schools here in Metro Manila and provinces, as well as to DWSD. These included the D. Tuazon Elementary School in Quezon City, Osorio Elementary School in Trese Martires, Cavite, Tungkong Mangga Elemantary School in Bulacan, Tayud Elementary School in Cebu and Mambuaya Elementary School in CDO. Share-A-Toy project shared joys with children as 88,203 toys were distributed to different hospitals, day care centers, and schools nationwide. Among these were the PCMC Hospital and Yakap Day Care Center in Quezon City, Almanza Uno Elem. School in Las Pinas, Carmen Elementary School in Rosales Pangasinan, Lias Elem. School in Pampanga, Bakod Bayan Elem. Scoll in Cabanatuan, Dalahican Elem. School in Lucena, Wawa Elem. School in Batangas, Jugan Elem. School in Cebu, Tugbok National High School in Davao and GSC SPED Integrated School in GenSan to name a few.

The SM Store and SM Foundation will continue their CSR projects in 2017, beginning with Share Your Extras.

Faith Andrea Sacay who has Biliary Artesia is loving the bear she got from the Share-A-Toy project of The SM Store and SM Foundation.

Thumbs up for the backpacks filled with school materials that Lliano Elem.

School students received from the Donate-A-Book project of The SM Store and SM Foundation.

The SM Store Trece Martirez Asst. Branch Manager Maricar Onate with SM’s Jayvee Bago and Laire Cayabyab tuned over Sure Aid Hygiene Kits to Osorio Elementary School headed by Principal Amanda Erni (2nd from Left), teacher Arnel Calleno and their students.

ENTERTAINMENT

LOVE STORIES OF ANNE-ERWAN, COLEEN-BILLY IN STARSTUDIO February 3 – 7, 2017

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STARSUDIO’S FEBRUARY ISSUE is a must have for fans of newly engaged couples Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff, and Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford as the magazine dishes out the two pairs’ full and detailed love stories.

As Anne is the last ‘It’ girl to get married, StarStudio asked the country’s top fashion designers how they envision her in her wedding gown.

The magazine also offers up an exciting wedding plan for the couple – from the wedding’s theme and style, down to food and cocktail ideas.

Fans also get to read the story on #BiCol’s biggest life adventure, right from the time Billy pulled off an intimate and lovely

proposal for his #bosslady, with exclusive interviews of Coleen’s father Jose and her cousin Ria

Atayde. Also, see in colorful photos their best adventures and know why you should try them too!

StarStudio adds more kilig vibes with the heartwarming love story of best friends-turned-lovers Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo. An exclusive treat is a set of the couple’s beautiful Cebu wedding photos.

Readers also get tips on the cool places to have a Valentines’ date straight from PBB Lucky 7 teen couples #KissMarc and #MayWard.

The new issue also brings journalist Atom Araullo to readers on a deeper and more intimate level through a feature on his photography.

All these and more in StarStudio Magazine’s February 2017 issue, available from ABS-CBN Publishing in newsstands nationwide.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

TRAVEL MERMAID A1 I did. And there was me, the kook or newbie surfer who like them shares the same passion of chasing waves. I only have one surfboard, my 6’11 funboard while the rest of them (except Sandy) all ride longboards.

It felt like a dream come true.

I’d be finally able to surf other places in Mindanao. The first destination in our itinerary was Dahican in Mati City, Davao Oriental. Being the nearest from Davao City, it’s the most accessible place to learn to surf.

Alex, Joven and I actually

EDGEDAVAO

learned to surf in Dahican. I guess this is why Dahican holds a special place in our hearts.

There’s always a sentimental attachment to a place that holds a lot of memories of firsts.

Like your first time to stand on a surfboard, your first time to catch your own wave, your first major wipeout and for some, the first time to break boards.

We spent a week in Dahican which was the same time a low pressure area (LPA) was coming towards Mindanao. For surfers, LPAs bring two things: big waves and strong winds. Some-

Australian Bhrett Baker surfing Dahican’s beach break on a longboard. You can check her Instagram (@bhrettelina) for more surf photos.

INdulge! A3 times when the LPA becomes a storm, the waves get really big, sometimes too big and for us beginners, it’s best to watch the pros surf from the safety of the shore.

Next stop will be further up in Surigao del Sur, which I fondly call Surigao del Surf because of the numerous surf spots found around the province. So stay tuned for next week’s adventure!

For more stories, check out my blog: www.millennialmermaid.com

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 250 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

FIRST... FROM 1

antees (JASIG) which defines the mode of termination,” Fidel Agcaoili, chair of the NDFP panel said in a statement posted in its website Sunday.

In the same statement, Agcaoili also made factual clarifications that include: 1. All 17 NDFP consultants released from detention last August 2016 are in the Philipppines and are not in hiding. Those who took part in the third round of formal talks in Rome, Italy from 19 to 25 January 2017 have returned to the country as of 31 January.

They are all protected from rearrest in accordance with the JASIG. 2. These consultants have been put under the effective jurisdiction of GRP courts because they were released only on bail and only for a sixmonth period. They have been required to secure court permission every time they went abroad to participate in the last three rounds of talks. Their bail renewal is due this month and, as reflected in the Rome Joint Statement of 25 January 2017, both their lawyers and the GRP have agreed to cooperate in this regard.

3. The Royal Norwegian Government in its capacity as Third Party Facilitator in the peace talks has been providing for the travel expenses and accommodation of the NDFP delegation in formal and informal peace talks since the

Army confirms arrest Meanwhile, the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division of the Philippine Army confirmed on Monday the arrest of Arbitrario.

“Joint police and military team arrested a top NPA terrorist leader and his companion in a Task Force Davao checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City. The arrested persons were identified as Ariel Arbitrario alias Marlon and companion Roderick Manuyac alias Coco,” said Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of 10th ID in a statement Monday.

Batchar said Manuyac has standing warrant of arrest on charges of murder with criminal case number 20502 issued

by Judge Virginia Tehano – Ang, RTC Branch 1 in Tagum City.

He added that Arbitrario, together with his brother Crispolo Arbitrario were first arrested last February 17, 2016 in a checkpoint in Tagum City on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Recovered from them during the arrest were firearms and explosives.

fires, it should not hinder the continuation of the talks that is gaining relevant developments with regard to discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) particularly agrarian reform and rural development,” he emphasized.

He added that based on

the reported outcome of third round of the peace talks in Rome, the government, in principle, acquiesced to free land distribution to farmers and farm workers.

“That alone, is a milestone with regard to pushing for socio-economic reforms and enough grounds to continue the talks,” Canlas said.

PEACE... FROM 2

NEWS 11

beginning.

“The NDFP stands firm in its commitment to struggle for a just and lasting peace in the country in accordance with the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people,” he added.

ERRATUM

In the January 1, 16, 23, 2017 edition of Edge Davao, EJF –REM CASE NUMBER 16,149-6 OF SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) had certain errors inadvertently printed. In the name of LUCIA NATANAUAN “LUCIA” was misspelled as “LUCIANA”, “FEBRUARY” was also misspelled as “FEBRARY”. On the other hand, under Transfer Certificate Title No.T-114138, the word” Eighty” must be deleted in the words of ONE HUNDRED” EIGHTY” FIFTY (150)SQUARE METERS. It must be ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) SQUARE METERS. Our sincere apologies.

The Editors

NOVEL SEARCH. Edmarson Sola of Davao City Water District and Chinkie Peliño-Golle of Interface Development Interventions invite entries for the upcoming 5th Lunhaw Awards, a search for sustainable local government unit practices, during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Medical... FROM 1

The first day will feature Training for Trainers and Basic Life Support or Hands-only CPR training. On the second day will be the medical mission, Zumba fitness marathon and poster making contest.

Speaking during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao on Monday, Dr. Arnold T. Pasia of Philippine Heart Association - Davao-Southern Mindanao said that the first day of the celebration is in support to Republic Act No. 10871 or “Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, proposed by Rain or Shine coach and former Pampanga congressman Yeng Guiao.

Nicknamed “Samboy Lim Bill” honoring former PBA legend, the bill was proposed after the incident when Lim

collapsed on November 28, 2014 while stretching during a PBA Legends exhibition game in Pasig. He was was reportedly unconscious for 23 minutes before reaching the hospital, where he slipped into a coma.

Section 3 of the Act, also known as “Basic Life Support for Basic Education Students,” mandates that “all public and private basic education schools operating nationwide to provide their students with basic life support training through the use of psychomotor training in an age-appropriate manner.”

For the second day, the medical mission will cover screening on Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), cholesterol, ECG, bone screening, body mass index, ankle brachial index, blood pressure screening and consul-

tation for adult and pedia.

Dr. Pasia said the event is also place Davao City in the list of cities promoting medical tourism.

He added that they are expecting around 500 to 1000 participants since more than 20 specialists and physicians coming from the city’s hospitals such as Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and San Pedro Hospital will be providing their service for the medical mission.

Deadliest disease Dr. Pasia said cardiovascular diseases remain to be the deadliest disease in the country as well as Davao City.

“Cardiovascular disease is the number one source of mortality and immobility, Heart attack, hypertension, stroke and

congestive heart failure,” said Dr. Pasia who added that these diseases can be hereditary or an effect of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Dr. Pasia said that men are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, citing his youngest patient at 29 years old, who has undergone an operation to remove the cholesterol blockage in his arteries.

Meanwhile, due to the hormone estrogen, females are at lower risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease.

“Exercise is actually good for the heart because it lowers down blood pressure, increases the HDL which is actually good cholesterol”, said Dr. Pasia.

“That’s why to have regular exercise, we have to do it two to four times a week,” he stressed.

on their birth certificated may approach the officers in the sattelite offices to know the proper proceedings and requirements.

“There are still people who are shy to go to our office to register, so it is part of our initiative to go to the hinterland areas of the city to register them,” she said, adding that a specialized program for the Indigenous People through mobile registration will also

be highlighted by the CCRO officers.

The annual observance of this activity is anchored on Presidential Proclamation No.682 “Declaring the Month of February of every year as Civil Registration Month.”

CCRO has also noted the increase in corrections for birth certificates, and registration for marriage license, marriage contracts, and death certificates.

Their data showed that there were 5,760 marriage license in 2016, an increase of 1.07% compared to 5,699 marriage licenses in 2015.

CCRO also recorded 8,478 marriage contracts in 2016, an increase of 7.14% compared to 7,913 contracts in 2015.

Meanwhile, Arendain reported that there was a decrease of registration of birth certificates in 2016 which recorded 44,020, a 3.25% decrease compared to the 45,500 registrations in 2015.

There is also a 10% increase noted for death certificates in 2016 which has 12,417 while there were 11,341 certificates filed in 2015.

CCRO has also tallied a 16.47% increase in the cor-

rections of birth certificates in 2016, noting that 2015 has 3,114 corrected files while 2016 has 3,627.

Under Republic Act 9048, the city or municipal civil registrar is authorized to correct a clerical or typographic error in an entry and change the name or nickname in the civil register without need of a judicial order.

“Out of these statistics, we could generate information and it would help then policy makers and the government,” she said.

Arendain calls the public to support this activity and consider the importance of civil registration for an effective and vibrant civil registry system in the city.

the drug problem, but to kill in order to achieve this is also wrong,” the CBCP said.

They meanwhile urged the government to solve the root cause of the drug problem and criminality which is poverty of the majority, the destruction of the family and corruption in the society.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, in a statement, reminded the government to uphold its responsibility to protect Filipinos, promote

their welfare, and make them safe.

Pangilinan also said that the government must not “lose faith” in the capacity of people to change.

“Killing, whether by criminals or the State, is never the solution to the country’s continuing problems of poverty, high prices of basic goods, and insufficient decent jobs. Killing will destroy our essence as a happy, hopeful, and striving nation,” Pangilinan said. (PNA)

CCRO... FROM 2

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PEPITO CONSTANTINO DE LEON who died on November 1,1997 in Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE with DEED of ABSOLUTE SALE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No314; PageNo.63; Book No. 31; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ANTONIO L. LAOLAO JR. 2/7,14,21

2 senators... FROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

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Aeon Towers prepares for topping off

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

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EON Towers, the maiden high-rise development venture of Davao-based firm FTC Group of Companies, is set for its topping off ceremonies this month.

“We will make the formal announcement of the topping off once we receive the report from our engineering team,” said Ian Y. Cruz, president of FTC Group of Companies, the Davao City-based developer of the iconic skyscraper.

The 33-level Aeon Towers is now on the concreting stage of the 33rd level, the summit of the future tallest building in all of Mindanao.

“Only the remaining 33rd level of the premier residential-commercial building project being completed concreting,” said Cruz.

As the scheduled topping off nears, excitement over the property is also escalating especially with those who have bought in units.

Topping off is the conclusion of construction works from ground to the top level.

“Our future residents can’t wait to get into their units. On our part, we are also excited that we have already accomplished this far,” said Cruz.

The next phase after the topping off would be the fit-

ting of furnishings and fixtures.

The company hopes to fast track the turnover of the project and possibly move on to a next tower project of the fledgling Davao-based real estate firm.

The 4,574-square meter condo has every luxury and convenience homebuyers would find in a suburban home with select, elegant fixtures.

From the view of Aeon Towers’ residential units, one is treated to the best panoramic views of Davao

City—the island view on one side facing Island Garden City of Samal and the Davao Gulf, and the city view on the other side with the vast expanse of Davao and Mt. Apo in the horizon.

Designed by Syndicated Architects Far East Associates with Ian Campbell and Associates as project and construction manager, the condominium has been tastefully decorated in a sophisticated but comfortable and convenient

style.

The condo has been laid out in a rounded edged shape around the building’s core to maximize its views of the south, west and north

sides of the city.

The premium residential units and the skydeck infinity pool and offices are located at the summit of the building.

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PBSP... FROM 10

“What we thought about is what if we put air purifiers along major roads? We worked with a company called Cristal who is the world’s leader in ultra-fine titanium dioxide technology. The number one application of their technology is to reduce nox (nitrogen oxide) emission in power plants.

We said how about we use that base technology and put that in a paint so that we could take out the nox that still goes out in the air. That’s how BoysenKNOxOUT Air Cleaning Paint came to be,” said Johnson Ongking, Boysen’s Vice President.

The air cleaning property of the paint is activated by the sun’s ultraviolet rays that react with the photocatalyst and helps break down pollutants which in turn contribute to the reduction of risk among city dwellers to develop respiratory diseases.

Another notable business involvement on promoting healthy communities is the maternal and child health initiatives of United Laboratories, Inc. (Unilab).

“It is part of our DNA as a company to ensure that we’re able to engage different stakeholders to be able to reach out to, not just in terms of marketing our products, but also be more engaged in various issues on health,” said Claire Papa, Unilab’s External Affairs Director.

Unilab partnered with the city government of Quezon City in conducting trainings for midwives, as well as the LGU and the city health department to help them comply with the Department of Health’s directive on lying-in clinics.

Their project also grants the Seal of Excellence to lying-in clinics who comply with government standards to help mothers choose the right facilities. Likewise, they encourage non-compliant clinics to adhere to the standards.

I.T. learning for kids Part of the SDGs is ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all. This is what XEPTO Computing, Inc. and Smart Communications is addressing with their innovative education projects.

One of XEPTO’s digital classrooms allows teachers to access content from DepEd’s Learning Resource Management and Delivery System (LRMDS) and makes them available even without internet. Aside from DepEd’s LRMDS, learning materials from CHED and other schools such as the Khan Academy and University of California (Berkeley) are also accessible. The digital classrooms are infused with XEPTO cloud infrastructure and set up in such a way that teachers and students can easily run it.

“Xepto believes that the real challenge in education is educational infrastructure that will allow content and learning to move from the teachers to the learners. To help accomplish this, XEPTO developed digital classrooms in partnership with the Department of Education,” said XEPTO Chief Executive Officer Paco Sandejas.

SMART Communications is also making a difference to less privileged kids through their Technocart. This mobile digital laboratory for public elementary schools helps develop literacy in early childhood education.

It contains student tablets, laptops, SMART Bro pocket wifis and teacher tablets. The Technocart has now reached 42 public school beneficiaries, 11,419 beneficiary students, and 421 teachers.

Stephanie Orlino, Smart’s

Education Program Head said, “For schools that have no internet connectivity, Smart developed the school-in-a-bag so teachers can bring multi-media content to their students. It has tablets, a smartphone, laptop, hard drive, LED TV, Smart Bro pocket wifi, and solar panel.”

Doing business with the poor Companies also presented their models on Inclusive Business where the poor, particularly farmers, are involved in their business operations as suppliers.

“As we know, the farmers who put food on our table are among the poorest in the country. As a food company that utilizes farmers’ produce, we were in the position to do something about this. In 2008, Jollibee Foods Corporation launched the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) which aims to increase farmers’ income by linking them to the supply chain of Jollibee,” said Gisela Tiongson, Executive Director of Jollibee Group Foundation.

Currently, 12 farmer groups from six provinces are delivering to JFC crops such as onions, bell peppers, salad tomatoes, calamansi and hotchili. Last year, they delivered 800 metric tons of produce which amount to about P36 million gross income and is equivalent to 20 percent of the company’s annual vegetable requirement.

Nestlé, on the other hand, initiated an inclusive project in their own backyard by tapping people from nearby households to manufacture face masks and lab gowns for the company, hence providing additional source of livelihood.

Livelihood empowerment especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is also what the Unionbank of the Philippines is advocating through “UREKA.” Through the project, they help SMEs put up their own websites for free which they can use to engage in e-commerce and reach out to a bigger market.

“A group of painters were able to sell their artwork outside Baguio through online selling. Now, they have buyers from Cebu, Davao and across the country,” shared James Morris Ileto, Vice President of Unionbank’s Center for Strategic Partnership.

PLDT SME Nation also promotes e-commerce among SMEs by helping them build their online presence.

Francis Oliva, PLDT SME Nation’s SME Community Partnership Head said, “In this digital age where 101 million Filipinos are online and mobile every day, SMEs need to tap to this potential market.”

Promoting business solutions By sharing these initiatives, PBSP hopes to encourage other companies to come up with their own innovative solutions or even replicate it in their communities, in a bid to collectively respond to the country’s biggest concerns including poverty.

“I hope today was an opportunity for you not just to meet other people, get to know what they are doing, but really to find those connections that will allow us to make our own solutions. I hope our collective efforts rise up to become one huge wave that lifts the marginalized and the poor to live lives with dignity. As we say in PBSP, Business United, Lives Uplifted,” said PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Antonio Laguda.

SOLB will also be held in Cebu and Davao this year. (PR)

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Maguindanao... FROM 6 to feel the peace we now have in the province,” Mangudatu said.

All the 36 local government units of Maguindanao are participating.

It will also highlight cultural programs such as “Sagayan”

and traditional street dancing events and an Inaul loom-weaving contest.

“Local and foreign dignitaries are expected to be around to witness the activities related to our culture and traditions,” Mangudadatu said. (PNA)

ka in Surallah town worth P26 million; concreting of Purok Crossing-Purok Bagong Buhay road worth P36 million, and concreting of Purok Paga-asa II-Barangay San Isidro-Purok Masagana road in Barangay San Isidro and Katipunana in Sto. Nino worth P25.5 million; concreting of Purok Hechanova, Paraiso-Purok Upper Tinongkop road in Tantangan worth P24 million; and, the construction of a building for abaca weaving and warehousing in Barangay Klubi, Lake Sebu worth P4.5 million.

Under the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), three projects worth PP40.7 million are due for implementation this year.

These are the P17.93 million dried green coffee beans production and marketing project, P12.05 million integrated cacao production, pro-

cessing and marketing project, and P10.7 million fresh mango production and marketing project.

Another PP3.48 million worth of heavy equipment intended for the ongoing cassava project under the PRDP are set for release in the coming weeks.

Fuentes said the provincial government only needs to come up with a counterpart funding of P24.23 million to facilitate the implementation of these projects.

She said the construction and upgrading of farm-to-market roads will mainly shorten the travel time and lessen the operational cost for farmers, giving them not only convenience but additional income.

“These projects will greatly benefit the poor and marginalized sectors, especially the farmers in remote areas in the province,” she said. (PNA)

Atin, benefiting 705 families.

Under environment, the Aboitiz Group remains on track to growing nine million seedlings by 2020 (revised upward from an initial goal of three million seedlings by 2015, met a year ahead of schedule) after ending 2016 with 3.8 million trees planted groupwide (with an average seedling survival rate of nearly 80% as of end-2015), a part of which was planted under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ National Greening Program.

Further, the Aboitiz Cleanergy Center, the country’s first and only renewable energy education facility, and the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an eight-hectare outdoor biodiversity park and marine protected area, has to date welcomed 28,791 and 3,763 visitors, with the latter being home to 8,517 planted mangroves, 2,726 discovered and 2,655 transferred pawikan eggs from 17 discovered nests, 1,876 released pawikan hatchlings, and 55 discovered bird species.

For health and well-being, the Aboitiz Foundation has to date constructed 15 health centers and 20 daycare centers and donated 49 water systems to host communities nationwide. WeatherPhilippines Foundation, meanwhile, has deployed 792 automated weather stations, and trained 3,060 individuals on basic Weather 101.

“Thanks to the active efforts of our partners and team members, we were able to significantly champion more CSR 2.0 projects in 2016. We will continue building on our progress and deliver more shared value to our beneficiaries as we help advance business and communities that are safe,

sustainable, and empowered,” Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President, said.

SoCot... FROM 6

CSR... FROM 10

Duterte... FROM 3 The military and the NPA traded blame for the collapse of the ceasefire. The NPA claimed it launched 20 offensive operations against the military to fight supposed deployment against the rebels.

The military accused the NPA of violating its own ceasefire.

Six soldiers and an NPA rebel have been reported killed since the violence resumed on January 23. The NPA said it also took 5 soldiers as “prisoners of war.”

“I told the soldiers to prepare to prepare for a long war to prepare for a long war, I said [peace] will not come in our generation,” he reiterated, citing that the country has been facing the insurgency for almost 50 years.

The armed insurgency in the country, which began in 1968, is considered as one of the longest running outbreak in the world, which has claimed roughly 30,000 lives according to the military.

ing last Thursday quoted Lopez as saying: “I’m gonna think about it, because if I don’t agree with it then I’m not gonna give it to you.

Because I don’t agree with it, so why will I give it to you? If it’s not resonant with the principles on which DENR runs, and it’s not consonant with my own observations of my going [to mining sites], why will I give it to you if I don’t agree with it?”

When reporters insisted on getting a copy, Lopez was quoted as having said: “I’m not going to show you…because I don’t want anything complicated, and I don’t want to rock the boat. Just leave it already, I’ve made my decision and accept it. That’s what you write about, don’t try to make things complicated.”

Arcilla said Lopez apparently had not considered the people whose livelihood and jobs would be affected by her arbitrary decision. “Does this mean that the suffering of the people who will lose their jobs are not included in Secretary Lopez’s

definition of suffering?”

Arcilla pointed out that engineers and scientists who have spent years studying mining and other extractive industries, should be the ones relied upon in cleaning up the mess caused by irresponsible mining practices.

“Those who claim they are the only people who can clean the environment and the only people who love the environment and this country, without adequate training are seriously misguided.

They are even dangerous if they dictate policy. People who are ignorant and do not know they ignorant and are self righteous are truly dangerous to society,” Arcilla said.

To demonstrate Lopez’s clear bias against mining, Arcilla noted that in the case of the tailings spill of Philex Mining Corporation a few years ago, the DENR chiefimmediately ordered the firm not only to clean up the spill but to pay a fine totaling more than P1.4 billion.

DENR... FROM 4

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HE’S GOT SPEED. Jeff Horn thinks he has the speed to beat Manny Pacquiao.

HORN: I’VE GOT SPEED Jeff Horn thinks he has the tools to beat Manny

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, Australia – Don’t talk speed when you’re talking about Manny Pacquiao.

If there’s a patent in boxing for that, the eight-division world champion owns it.

That’s the best trait in his DNA. Not Jeff Horn though. The lucky guy who gets thrown next into the ring across Pacquiao’s corner believes he has the speed to beat the eight-division world champion whose ratatat punching speed made him a legend in

the prizefighting business.

“I think I’ve got the speed, I’ve got a similar style to his, so I’m a good mover,” Jeff told RingTV.com in a recent iterview. “It’s going to be harder for him to lay those shots on me because he’s fought a few guys that don’t move as well.”

Thrilled at the prospects of geting a crack at the fighting Senator from the Philippines, Horn thinks Pacquiao is ripe for the taking.

“I definitely don’t want to say I’m going to stop Manny Pacquiao,” Horn was quoted

as saying by boxingnewsonline.net. “But, yes, I do think I’ll win. I’m very confident of that.”

The Brisbane former Olympic quarterfinalist has been compared to Chris Algieri whom Pacquiao dismissed in 2014.

Like Algieri, Horn is described as clean-cut and educated with no tattoos or piercings. And yes, he probably doesn’t need to fight to earn money. He has a college degree and worked as a secondary school teacher.

Warriors fine despite Kerr ejection

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EAVE it to the Golden State Warriors to turn perhaps their most uproarious night of the season into something laughable and, if we’re all in this together, learnable. Aww. GSW coach Steve Kerr was ejected partway through the third quarter of his team’s eventual 109-106 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, a nearhome defeat pitched in the sometimes-friendly confines of Sacramento’s home building.

After a series of either-way calls went against the Warriors, followed by a Draymond

Green technical foul, Kerr went troppo on his way off of the court on Saturday night.

Neither the Kings or Warriors exactly took off in Kerr’s absence, with the Warriors being helmed by lead assistant (and former Cavaliers, twice, and Lakers head coach) Mike Brown. The game went on to overtime, where Stephen Curry could not provide the heroics in the final moments: After the contest, though, few could take their eyes off of Kerr’s ejection, which came after just a single technical foul.

Draymond Green, who moved to fourth place on the NBA’s 201617 list with 10 technical fouls on the season with his third quarter contribution, was particularly chuffed at watching his coach and sometimes combatant go bonkers on referees Matt Boland (especially), Bill Spooner and Jacyn Goble.

Less chuffed was he during the fourth quarter and overtime, especially during a third quarter timeout (with Kerr already in the locker room), as Green and first-year Warriors teammate Kevin Durant got into on the visitor’s bench:

The Australian is described by boxing experts as tough, sturdy, disciplined fighter with a lot of confidence and charisma. Much like Algieri. The only difference is that appears to be more flat-footed than Algieri and his fighting style is very unconventional.

Horn moves well but he promised not to play ‘hide and seek’ with Manny. He will be out there in front of the Pacman even if that is the most dangerous thing to do.

Horn also appears to

have more power than Algieri and with his solid amateur pedigree, looks more poised and well-tooled technically.

However, Horn will have to convince his backers, primarily the Queensland government to work on getting the fight sealed for the April 22 playdate at the 52,000seat Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Otherwise, Pacquiao’s camp will be looking towards Dubai.

According to reports, the Australian group initially of-

fered a guarantee of $5 million for the fight then raised later to $7 million. That money may not be enough. Last November, Pacquiao reportedly earned just $4 to 6 million in the Jessie Vargas fight.

Pacquiao’s biggest paycheck was the $150 million in the Floyd Mayweather fight in 2015.

At the rate things are going, the fight must be sealed this week to give Pacquiao his usual lead up of two months training camp. Otherwise, the deal is going pffft.

MARKED MAN. Davao boy Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra is shadowed by Alaska’s Chris Exciminiano during the two team’s match in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night at the Ynarez Stadium. PBA Media Bureau

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PH netters win Davis Cup tie F

ILIPINO ace Ruben Gonzales played a steady baseline and solid net volleys to demolish his Indonesian foe in straight sets and power host Philippines to adva n c e in the next round of Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group II first-round tie at the Philippine Columb i a n Association (PCA) shell-clay court.

Gonzales, 31 and a 15-year veteran of Davis Cup, scored a fiery 6-2,63, 6-4 win against David Agung Susanto, Indonesia’s top player.

“I thanked Coach Karl for believing me, and also for everyone for giving me this opportunity to play for our country and I’m grateful for it,” Gonzales said who is flying on Monday (Feb. 6) for Australia for the Aus-

tralian Challenger and week after to Japan for another netfest.

“I didn’t felt any pressure.

I was focusing one point at a time,” said Gonzales who posted a 5-3 advantage on the third and final set capped by his forehand and backhand passing shots t h a t

amazed the crowd.

Gonzales who took control the two-hour match right from the start further said “I just worked on my play patternshitting

my forehand and backhand shots.”

“Every match is important to me,” said Gonzales whose back-to-back victories improved his rankings in this world’s prestigious tennis tournament on its 106th edition this year.Philippine Davis Cup team captain Karl Santamaria for his part said: “Ruben played very solid play. very sold game all throughout, I would call it a workman like professional game.”

“You see in the second set, Susanto was feeling tired and it was also the factor on the game,” said Santamaria adding that only when in thirds set that (Ruben) was bothered on the call of of some close calls by line officials.

“I told him to get back, stay focus and finish the game and he did.”

It was Gonzales who scored a sweet revenge for the host Philippines, winning three straight sets victory, 6-2,6-2, 6-4 against Indonesia’s Aditya Hari Sasongko on Friday’s second singles match. (PNA)

ACE NETTER. Ruben Gonzales came up big when needed.

Season ends for slam dunk king Lavine

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NE of the NBA’s highest-flying young talents has been grounded. The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Saturday evening that shooting guard Zach LaVine has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that will require surgical repair and knock him out for the rest of the 2016-17 campaign.

The injury appears to have occurred midway through the third quarter of the Wolves’ Friday loss to the

Detroit Pistons when LaVine came down hard and awkwardly on his left leg after driving to the basket for a tough layup.

LaVine was clearly in pain on the ground, grabbing his left knee, but was able to get to his feet and make his way to the Wolves’ bench as the team took a timeout. Somewhat remarkably, he returned to the court, took the free throw he earned after being fouled by Detroit center Andre Drummond, and played the next 5 1/2 minutes before

HIGH FLYER. Zach LaVine is out of the season after suffering a torn left ACL.

coming out with 1:47 remaining in the third.

He’d try to give it a go again to start the fourth quarter, but checked out of the game just 47 seconds into the final frame and wouldn’t return, finishing with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, four rebounds and four assists.

After the game, coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters that LaVine had suffered a left knee contusion and would be re-evaluated when the team returning to Minnesota. A Saturday morning MRI revealed the tear. Neither a date for LaVine’s surgery nor an expected timetable for his return has yet been set.

News of LaVine’s injury elicited sympathy and well wishes from many of his teammates and NBA peers.

Don’t know you personally but love your talent homie.

Have a healthy and speedy recovery @ZachLaVine!! Minor set back/major comeback.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 4, 2017 I haven’t met a harder worker than him. I know you will come back stronger than before. @ZachLaVine ????

— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) February 4, 2017 Prayers up for my little brother @zachlavine. The way you work I know you’ll be back better than ever!!! Love — Jamal Crawford (@ JCrossover) February 4, 2017 Praying for the brodie @ ZachLaVine for a speedy recovery!

— Langston Galloway (@ LangGalloway10)

ONE HANDER. Ion Angeles of Ateneo de Davao University sails in for a one-handed floater during the Ateneo de Davao University-Emar Learning Center

match in the ongoing SM-NBTC basketball tournament at the ADDU Jacinto Gym last Sunday. Ateneo won this one 87-78. Lean Daval Jr.

End of the road for Tiger?

T

IGER Woods left these parts for yet more medical examinations and consultations regarding his back, it was left to his former coach Butch Harmon to express the fears of an entire sport.

‘Right now, my concern is that someone I have admired for so long, and who I believe is the best player who ever lived, might not be able to play at any kind of level again,’ said Harmon.

Like everyone else, Harmon was shocked by what he saw at the Omega Dubai

Desert Classic, where Woods looked for all the world like a man playing hurt in a first round 77 — he denied as much after the round — before withdrawing an hour before his second round teetime, citing back spasms.

Woods withdrew an hour before his second round in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Friday, leaving thousands of spectators bitterly disappointed.

A record crowd had gathered to see if Woods could somehow recover from his opening 77 to make the half-

TIGER WOODS. Nowhere his old form.

way cut. As it turned out, a back spasm that began on Thursday night and was still troubling the 14 time major champion on Friday morning meant he never even got the chance.

Woods only returned to the game in San Diego last week after three back surgeries in the previous 18 months. Now, after three unconvincing rounds and more back trouble, the future looks bleak for the 41-year-old, although his manager Mark Steinberg sounded a hopeful note.

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