Edge Davao 9 Issue 265 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 9 ISSUE 265 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

DURIAN BACK. A trader rips open a Durian fruit for customers at his fruit stall outside Magsaysay Park in Davao City yesterday. Thousands of foreign and domestic tourists are expected to arrive in the city to taste the exotic Durian fruit and to experience the vibe of the 80th Araw ng Davao festival which will kick off tomorrow at Rizal Park. Lean Daval Jr.

INTERNET HOAX Magnitude 7 quake scare ruled out

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA HE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) of Region XI ruled out a magnitude 7 earthquake that is rumored to hit Davao City as an internet hoax.

This is because no technology (even in the United States or Japan) as yet can predict if and when an earthquake will strike, Engr. Janila Deocampo of PHIVOLCS Region XI told the Kapehan sa

Dabaw at the SM City Davao. She added that there are predictions that are based on history, if certain places have already experienced an earthquake, but not so far as predicting its exact place, date and intensity. Deocampo also said that the appearances of deep sea creatures do not necessarily predict shakings. There have been unusual animal behavior reported before an earthquake strikes but

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it is difficult to say (if these behaviors can predict earthquakes), she added. She said that this could be linked to other possible catastrophe but stressed that there had been no scientific study relating animal behavior and possibility of an earthquake. “The only thing left for us to do is to prepare,” reminded Deocampo. She also advised that everyone should not for-

get the “duck, cover and hold” practiced during earthquake drills. According to PHIVOLCS, Davao City has two known fault lines: in Ma-a area and New Carmen, the latter’s movement being the cause of the recent earthquake last February 23. Those planning to build establishments are advised not to build them on top of fault lines. “Build on the sides but

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Davao-Bitung air links to resume

To complement Davao-GSC-Bitung sea linkage By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

OMEO Montenegro, director for investment promotion and public affairs of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) disclosed on Friday that the Davao-General Santos-Bitung sea linkage is expected to attract airline companies in the Philippines to open direct flights to Indonesia. In an interview during the Davao-General Santos-Bitung, Indonesia Business Forum at the SMX Convention Center Davao, Montenegro named Pacific Airlines as one which is now revisiting a previous study

to determine the viability of Davao-Manado flights. “The situation now is different 10 years ago,” said Montenegro as he recalled the air connectivity between Davao and Manado which began on the late 1990’s and lasted only until early 2000’s because of the low demand coming from the two areas. The director added, the Davao/Gensan-Bitung shipping route launching on April 30 can be a “very good signal” for the airline companies because of expected increase of trade between Philippines and Indonesia. FAIR LINKS, 10

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QUALITY GEAR. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua try out the operational capability of one of the radios that the Chinese government donated for the government-owned media groups under the Presidential Communications Operations Office after a simple turnover ceremony at Malacañan Palace yesterday. EXEQUIEL SUPERA/Presidential Photo

Award-winning short films to be screened in Davao City By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

WARD-WINNING short filmmaker Jarell M. Serencio announced on Monday the launching of “Let’s Get Short”, a screening of award-winning short films in Davao City. Serencio, a Davao-born short film director, was awarded Best Director during the recent Metro Manila Film Festival for his short film “Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad (Stars in the City)”. His first achievement was with his film “Victor” which won Best Short Feature at the 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film

Festival and was also screened at the Bahamas Inetrnational Film Festival, Cinema Rehiyon, and San Francisco Film Festival. “The main idea is, ang daming short films na napapalabas pero ‘di po siya nakakaabot sa Davao City,” said Serencio during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao. According to the director, the films were recognized by award-giving bodies such as Cinemalaya, MMFF, as well as international film festivals.

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Zambo solon supports LGBT protection desks

AMBOANGA City Rep. Celso Lobregat is one with 22 other members in the House of Representatives in filing a bill, which seeks the establishment of Women’s and Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Protection Desks in police stations in the country Lobregat spearheaded his colleagues in filing House Bill No. 05082 entitled: “An act establishing LGBT Protection Desks in all Philippine National Police (PNP) stations nationwide, amending for the purpose Title VII of Republic Act 8551, as amended, otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.”

Lobregat on Monday said H.B. No. 05082 is very important especially in the present times, when the crimes against person is growing in number in urban and even rural communities affecting the LGBT community. Lobregat said it’s high time to amend the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 in order to cater to the protection of other genders in society. He noted that Section 57 in Title VII of Republic Act 8551 states that the PNP shall establish the women’s desks in all police stations all over the country to administer and attend to the cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual

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Army, NPA clash anew in DavNor, Sarangani By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

adlopez0920@gmail.com

KIRMISHES between government troopers and the communists New People’s Army were recorded in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Sarangani on Sunday, February 26, a report from the Philippine army said. Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of 10th Infantry (Agila) Division told reporters on Monday that a 40-minute gunbattle between the elements of 60th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels belonging to guerrilla front 33 erupted 10: 00 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Alungan, Barangay Sangayen, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. Two NPAs were killed during the encounter. Their

bodies were already recovered by the army for identification and disposition. Batchar added that 60th IB troopers also recovered two AK-47 rifles from the encounter site. “Two MG520 attack helicopters supported our ground troops during the encounter. Rockets were fired towards the position of the NPA rebels,” he pointed out. Another encounter took place by noon on Sunday in Sarangani province, Batchar said. Elements of 27th Infantry Battalion engaged in a five-minute encounter an undetermined number of NPA rebels belonging to guerrilla front 73 at 12:47 noon in Si-

tio Tulad, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba town, Batchar reported. “No soldier was hurt on these two incidents while pursuit operations are being conducted against the fleeing NPA rebels,” he said. The 10th ID also received reports that a number of families from the vicinity of encounter sites evacuated to safer areas. “The 60th IB and 27th IB are closely coordinating with the local police and the municipal governments of Asuncion, Davao del Norte and Kiamba, Sarangani respectively to address the immediate needs of the affected people in the area,” Batchar said. Military and PNP check-

points were also established to support the on-going pursuit operations. In a statement to the media on Monday, Major General Rafael C. Valencia, commander of 10th ID lauded the government troopers for their accomplishments. “We must press on the fight and put more pressure on the NPA until they finally realized that armed struggle is not the solution to our problems,” Valencia said. He added that the CPPNPA, who recklessly initiated the termination of the unilateral ceasefire, should bear responsibility for the suffering of some residents as a result of the renewed fighting in the countryside.

since her appointment to the position, “has consistently displayed unshakable faithfulness to the mandate of the department and has shown profound understanding of integral and holistic approach to resource conservation and environmental management.” “She has introduced stronger biodiversity protection programs, increased emphasis and support for more sustainable projects like community-based ecotourism, and

strengthened interagency collaboration towards clean air, clean water and transformative climate change policies – all within the framework of genuine partnership with environmental NGOs, church, academe, youth, farmers and fisherfolks,” the Catholic priest said in a statement. Gariguez added, “She has courageously enforced the country’s environmental laws, often at great personal risk, not for ambition but for unwaver-

ing principle and commitment to the Filipino people. She revoked a number of deeply flawed extractive operations that already caused great suffering to poor communities. As a result, the pressure to block her appointment and remove her from office has been mounting.” With this, he urged President Rodrigo Duterte to let Lopez stay as the head of the department since she support

CBCP civic arm backs Lopez’s confirmation as DENR chief

HE social advocacy, development and humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is pushing for the confirmation of Regina Paz Lopez as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). According to Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Secretary, National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, the DENR head,

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Manhunt on for suspects in murder of police officer

OLICE have launched a massive manhunt against two men behind the murder of a police intelligence officer in M’lang, North Cotabato Monday morning. Citing initial information, Supt. John Meredell Calinga, M’lang police chief, said Police Officer 3 Lovel Tan was inside his boarding house at 8 a.m. when two men riding in tandem on a motorbike arrived. One of them went to Tan’s boarding house where he was taking his coffee and opened fire. Tan died on the spot. In his report to Senior Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police provincial director Supt. Calinga said fol-

low-up operation is ongoing. Constantino Diazon, local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council officer, said the gunmen immediately fled using the same motorbike after killing Tan. Police recovered seven empty shells of cal. 45 pistol in the crime scene. Diazon believed the killing of Tan is drug related since he has been active in the police campaign against illegal drug personalities in M’lang. Police investigators have the initial information about the suspects but refused to give further details so as not to jeopardize police follow-up operations. (PNA)

Aussie envoy leads“Australia in Davao’celebration-launching

USTRALIAN Ambassador Amanda Gorely led the launching of “Australia in Davao” promotions in collaboration with partners who have lined up a series of events to celebrate the longstanding partnership with Mindanao, and with the city of Davao. “Over the years Mindanao has been one of the priorities of our development cooperation in the Philippines,” Ambassador Gorely said. “We continue to support programs in education, livelihood, peace and stability. Given the economic growth of Mindanao, we see opportunities to expand our bilateral engagement in other key areas such as trade and investment.” Trade ties between Australia and the Philippines are valued at approximately AU$ 3.982 billion per annum. More than 280 Australian companies have an established presence in the Philippines and have created 40,000 jobs. The total size of the Australian investment in the country is estimated at AU$10 billion covering a multitude of sectors and contributing knowledge sharing and economic growth. The Australian Embassy

partnered with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. hosted a business lunch forum to increase business engagement between Mindanao and Australia. Ambassador Gorely, together with the Australian Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner Elodie Journet were keynote speakers of the event. The Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade) conducted an Australian Food and Wine Appreciation Class for students of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (IChef). Dairy Australia scholars, as well as representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia and food importers shared their knowledge and expertise about Australian fresh produce, dairy, meat and wine. IChef worked with Workskills Australia to offer training programs suitable for an Australian apprenticeship and traineeship pathway. To honor the Australia Global Alumni based in the region, the Ambassador hosted a reception at the recently opened Australian-themed restaurant Bondi and Bourke.

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BUSINESS AS USUAL. A public utility vehicle traverses along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday seemingly unmindful of a transport strike waged in some parts of the country yesterday to express their opposition

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against the planned jeepney modernization program. Under the program, all jeepneys 15 years and older will no longer be allowed to register their vehicles and their franchises won’t be renewed by the LTFRB. Lean Daval Jr.

Panelo says Palace nothing to do with De Lima’s arrest By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

HIEF Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo declared on Friday that the law of Karma has finally caught up with Senator Leila de Lima after using her office in effecting the arrest and detention of critics of the previous administration. De Lima was arrested Friday morning on the basis of a warrant issued by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court-Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero for protecting illegal drug trade at the National Bilibid Prisons. In his speech before delegates of Davao/General Santos-Bitung/ASEAN RORO Shipping Business Forum at the SMX Convention Center Davao City, Panelo said the senator is now reaping what she has sown years ago. “That fits the principle of

‘what you sow is what you reap.’ She is now reaping what she has sown. She used her office in effecting the arrest and detention of the critics of the previous administration,” Panelo said. Panelo criticized de Lima who has served as Justice secretary during the Aquino administration, for issuing “questionable” graft charges against former president and now House deputy speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The court dismissed the charges against Arroyo shortly after Duterte became president. He also recalled that the ouster of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona which was used as a warning to judges that they would suffer the same fate if they went against the Aquino administration. Meanwhile, the chief

Presidential legal counsel denied speculations that the case was “railroaded” by President Rodrigo Duterte himself, stressing that the judiciary is a separate but equally powerful branch as the executive. “The president, he was telling me about it yesterday, said ‘we have nothing to do with that’. There is a claim there is pressure from the government. There can never be pressure.,” he said. He added, if the senator is really innocent, she should have filed a counter affidavit to one of the three cases filed against her which in turn made it easier for the judge to determine a probable cause and issue an arrest warrant. “If politically motivated, there should have been no charges filed against her. The problem, she opted not to file

Jan. 25 is day of national remembrance for SAF 44

HOAX DEBUNKED. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) 11 Science research specialist 2 Engr. Janila Deocampo clarifies that a magnitude 7 earthquake that is rumored to hit Davao City is not true

as there is no technology yet that can predict when a tremor will strike. Deocampo made the disclosure during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

a counter-affidavit,” he said. The chief presidential legal counsel added that the government upholds rule of law as he pointed out out the judge actually took three days to study the documents filed against the senator before coming up with probable cause when it only takes one to two hours to study other heinous charges. The president, a lawyer himself, is one who is outraged by violations of the law or by any irregularity in the government. “He is one outraged by any abuse of human rights. He is known to be incorruptible. He has the political will. That’s why, he focuses on one thing. Everything he is asked, he said ‘there is only one platform of government I have. What the law is, you obey’,” he stressed.

RESIDENT Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 164 declaring January 25 of every year as a day of national remembrance for the heroic sacrifice of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in Mamasapano encounter in 2015. The 44 elite forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were part of the 392-member SAF team which carried out ‘Oplan Exodus’ to arrest international terrorist and bomb expert Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman. The SAF troopers were able to kill Marwan but the ensuing nine-hour firefight with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) fighters resulted in the killing of 63 people, including

44 SAF troopers. ”As the nation honors the memory of the SAF 44, their heroism also serves as a constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices being made by our valiant uniformed men and women in the line of duty,” stated in the Proclamation released by the Palace on Sunday. President Duterte asked the Filipino people to remember the heroism of the SAF 44 and “recall the daily sacrifices of our uniformed personnel for the sake of the continued peace and security of our nation.” Two of the 44 SAF troopers were awarded Medal of Valor by former President Benigno Aquino III while the remaining 42 will be conferred Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Medalya ng Kagitingan as directed by President Duterte. (PNA)

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IRR on anti-age discrimination in employment act completed

HE Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on Republic Act No. 10911 also known as the “Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act” is set to take effect on February 28, 2017. The IRR provisions was created through Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order (D.O.) 170, Series of 2017 which was signed by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on February 2, 2017 and was published in Manila Times on February 13, 2017. According to the DO, the IRR shall take effect 15 days upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation. D.O. 170 shall apply to all employers, publishers, labor contractor or subcontractors, and both registered and unregistered labor organizations. Section 4 of the IRR prohibits for an employer to: - To “print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, in any form of media, including the Internet, any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications, and discrimination based on age” -To “require the declaration of age or birth date during the application process; decline any employment application because of the individual’s age; or discriminate against an individual in terms of compensation, terms and conditions or

privileges of employment on account of such individual’s age” -To “deny any employee’s or worker’s promotion or opportunity for training because of age; forcibly lay off an employee or worker because of old age; or impose early retirement on the basis of such employee’s or worker’s age” -For labor contractors or subcontractors to refuse to refer for employment or otherwise discriminate against any individual because of a person’s age -For labor organizations to deny membership; to exclude from its membership; or to cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate any individual because of an individual’s age While Section 5 of the IRR sets exceptions when: -Age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary in the normal operation of a particular business or where the differentiation is based on reasonable factors other than age; -The intent is to observe the terms of a bona fide seniority system that is not intended to evade the purpose of this rules; -The intent is to observe the terms of a bona fide employees retirement or a voluntary early retirement plan consistent with the purpose of this Rules. Provided, That such retirement or voluntary retirement plan is in accordance with the Labor

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JOB INTERVENTION. Department of Labor and Employment 11 regional employment focal person Larielle Arce says 229 job starters from Region 11 are set to complete their first cycle of training under agency’s JobStart

First DOLE 11 jobstart graduation on March 1 By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

AVAO CITY – 229 job starters from Region XI are set to complete their first cycle of training under Department of Labor and Employment’s JobStart Philip-

Albay solon declares DOF’s CTRP as“best-studied tax reform law” R AW data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Bureau of Internal Revenue showing that 27.9 percent of taxes that high-income earners should pay the government are uncollected because of the currently flawed system, emphasize the need for tax policy reforms that would shift the tax burden from low- and middle-income households to the affluent sector. Thus, even if the BIR and the Bureau of Customs were to improve their collection efficiency to 100 percent, taxes collected by the government to fund the Duterte administration’s ambitious public investment program will still not be enough, given the inherent systemic flaws of the current tax system that the proposed Department of Finance’s proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) aims to correct. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who is supporting the DOF’s tax reform plan, cited Department data showing the rich shouldering 28.4 percent of the tax burden, but with a tax gap of 27.9 percent, representing the taxes that the BIR fails to collect from them. Meanwhile, taxpayers who are mostly compensation earners whose taxes are auto-

matically deducted from their monthly pay, bear most of the country’s tax burden, with minimal tax gaps of between 3.6 percent and 9.7 percent, data presented during a recent hearing of the House ways and means committee on the proposed CTRP show. According to data cited by the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) at the hearing, the tax gap from compensation income is around P30 billion, and a higher P67 billion from corporate income, while taxes that the BIR fails to collect from the VAT is about P153 billion. Salceda, an economist and the senior vice chairperson of the House ways and means committee, noted, though, that this tax gap is not more than 10 percent of the total tax revenue collections. “The so-called tax gap is not more than 10 percent. So how can you proceed in funding the very ambitious P8 trillion infra goal of the President? You cannot rely on tax efficiency regardless of whether how inefficient (or efficient) the BIR is,” said Salceda at the committee hearing, referring to the Duterte administration’s plan to spend some P8 trillion to P9 trillion over the medium term. He said the goal of the

Philippines program in Tagum and Davao City on March 1 and first week of April 2017,respectively. Jobstart is DOLE’s flagship program for the youth which aims to increase the employability skills of those who aged 18 to 24. Lean Daval Jr.

CTRP, particularly its first package that provides for substantial personal income tax (PIT) reductions and compensatory measures to broaden the tax base and increase collections from tax revenues, is to “capacitate” the BIR and the Bureau of Customs through reforms in tax policy that would enable them to collect the taxes that they are unable to collect because of the current outdated, flawed system. “It cannot be that we give you a (revenue) goal, but not give you the means (to accomplish it),” Salceda told BIR officials at the hearing. The CTRP’s first package is contained in House Bill No. 4774, which was filed last month by House ways and means committee chairperson Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. Salceda, who described HB 4774 now pending in the House committee as “the best-studied tax reform bill I’ve ever seen,” said the measure needs to be swiftly approved to sustain the country’s high GDP growth while addressing inequality. “Even if you collect everything under the current tax policy structure, it cannot [transform] the Philippines to an upper middle-income country,” Salceda said.

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pines program in Tagum and Davao City on March 1 and first week of April 2017,respectively. Guesting during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum

on Monday at SM City Davao, DOLE-XI Regional Employment focal person Larielle P. Arce said the 109 JobStarters from Tagum City and 220 in Davao were the first batch of

participants in the region who benefitted from DOLE’s flagship program for the youth. “The program aims to increase the employability

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2 PhilHealth board Mindanao’s power mix more members take oath coal, diesel now than hydro H N

EALTH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial today administered the oath of office to two (2) new members of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Pasig City. Sworn into office were Dr. Roy B. Ferrer and Dr. Roberto M. Salvador Jr. during the Board’s meeting at the PhilHealth Head Office. Ferrer takes over from Karen Ida Villanueva as representative of the Employers’ Dr. Roy B. Ferrer Sector, while Salvador assumes the reins from Atty. Noel Medical Center in Davao City. He Palomado as representative of worked as Medical Specialist PhilHealth members in the For- from 1993 to 2009, and as Medmal Economy. ical Officer IV at the Davao MedFerrer is a BS Biology ical Center from 1997 to 1999. graduate from the Ateneo de He was the President and Chief Davao University and obtained Executive Officer of Central Lab his Doctor of Medicine degree Diabetes, Wellness, Heart and from the Davao Medical School Kidneys, Inc. and eventually beFoundation. He has a Master of came its Chief Finance Officer. Science degree in Internal MedHe is a Fellow and Presiicine, Major in Diabetology from dent of the Davao Chapter of the the University of the East Ra- Philippine Society of Medical mon Magsaysay Memorial Med- Specialists in Government Serical Center — Institute for Stud- vice, an affiliate society of the ies on Diabetes Foundation. Philippine Medical Association From Year 2000 up to his ap- (PMA). For four (4) years, he pointment as PhilHealth Board also served as Board Member of Member, Ferrer was a Medical the Stroke Society of the PhilipConsultant at the Ricardo Limso pines — Davao Chapter.

ON-RENEWABLE energy accounts for more than half of Mindanao’s power mix, a reversal from what it used to be at least a year ago when renewable energy, mostly hydro, contributed majority of the island’s power source, a December 2016 report from the Department of Energy (DOE) showed. Romeo Montenegro, director for Investment Promotion, International Relations and Public Affairs of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said the reversal was noted

between late 2015 and early 2016, or the period when three major coal-fired power plants with a combined installed capacity of 700 megawatts (mw) were connected to the grid. Montenegro was referring to the AboitizPower Corp.’s 300-mw Therma South Inc. in Brgy. Binugao, Toril, the 300mw coal-plant of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation in Malita, Davao Occidental, and first 100-mw unit of the Alcantaga-led Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC). Of Mindanao’s total in-

PHL Trade Execs hold Health and Information Management Roadshow in Houston. DTI Undersecretary for Industry Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado (1st row, 5th from right), Board of Investments Director Angie Cayas (1st row, 4th from left), Consul General of PCG-LA Adelio Cruz (1st row, 6th from right) and DTI Philippine Trade and Investment Center- Los Angeles (PTIC-LA) Trade Representative Jose Ma. S. Dinsay (1st row, 1st from left) with representatives from the Healthcare Information

stalled capacity of 3,162 mw, the contribution of the non-renewable energy is 1,898 mw (1,070 mw coal and 828 mw diesel), which accounts for 60 percent of the energy mix, while the renewable sources account only for about 40 percent with a contribution of 1,264 mw (108 mw geo-thermal, 1,061 mw hydro, 36 mw biomass, and 59 mw solar). Majority of the hydro power source comes from the state-run Agus-Pulangui Hydro Power Complexes with an installed capacity of 982.1-mw

and composed of seven plants – Agus 1, Agus 2, Agus 4, Agus 5, Agus 6, Agus 7, and Pulangui 4. But Montenegro said hydro provides an unstable source of power as it generates power based on the amount of rainfall, which makes it less reliable for a baseload, or the power plants that can run 24/7. As of February 26, 2017, National Grid Power Corporation (NGCP) reported Mindanao posted a surplus of 436 mw. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) recently visited the Texas Medical Center in Houston Texas on 23 February 2017 as part of the 3rd leg of the Health and Information Management Services (HIMS) Roadshow in the United States. During the visit, the Philippine delegation conducted a business forum for Houston companies to promote the services from the Philippines and held various networking activities.

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Comval iRice earns place as pro-poor innovation

FTER being awarded as one of the 7 finalists during the first Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) innovation awards on February 20, 2017 in Malacañang Palace, Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy is now officially a member of the Innovators Society for Asia. Out of 104 nominations, Compostela Valley secured the second place during the award in Government Service Category positioning rice fortification as the province’s main innovation with Bayanihan para sa Kalusugan- Kusina ng Kalinga (BPSK-KnK) as central program to combat malnutrition. The national judging panel was composed of pool of experts from the field of sciences, business, economics and journalism. The panel is composed by Antonio Yap, BCYF Chairman, Alex Escano, BCYF Co-Chairman, Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña - DOST, Dir. Jerry ClavesillaDTI SMED, Mr. Benjamin Ramos - Business Mirror, Dr. Stan Padojinog - UA&P, and Mr. Jose Araullo - BCYF Trustee. The awarding ceremony

was graced by Undersecretary or Scientific and Technological Services Carol Yorobe. Gov. Uy received the recognition together with DOST XI Provincial Director Anthony C. Sales and DOST-Compostela Valley Provincial Director Kenneth D. Barroga. Iron Fortified Rice or Comval iRice is a project in collaboration with DOST XI in the year 2015. On the same year, a Provincial Ordinance No. 29-2015 sponsored by Gov. Tyron Uy during his term as board member was enacted to provide mechanisms for the use of Iron-Fortified Rice in the province. Comval iRice is a pro-poor innovation that has improved the nutrition status of many severely wasted and wasted school children proven after the evaluation conducted for BPSK-KnK Program. Compostela Valley by far, is the only province in the Philippines that has made bayanihan its flagship program using Iron Fortified Rice to end hunger and reduce malnutrition in the province. (Arianne Quinzon/PS, IDS ComVal)

Japan offers DavOr new techs, machines G

OVERNOR Nelson L. Dayanghirang met with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) representatives on Tuesday, February 21, to discuss the latest state-of-the-art technologies and machineries that will help alleviate the province’s socio-economic condition. The newly-introduced technologies include water treatment process through flocculation, self-cleaning toilet, subcritical plant, and solar panel converter. JICA delegates explained that water turbidity can now be treated using a clarifying agent to fit for human consumption, instead of using heavy and expensive machines. The self-cleaning toilet that features its capacity to

and during emergency situations”, Governor Dayanghirang remarked. In continued search for fastest method to reduce environment pollution, JICA ambassadors likewise presented subcritical plant that converts solid wastes like sewage sludge, medical wastes and

plastic materials into fertilizer. The machine can modify three tons of wastes per hour. The governor, together with other provincial personnel is now considering the launching of said equipment in the province. (Riza M. Golez/DavOr PIO)

He said donating blood reduces one’s risk of hemochromatosis, a health condition caused by excess absorption of iron by the body due to drinking alcohol or anemia; prevents cancer as the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels; leads to a healthier heart and liver; results in weight loss as one loses about 650 calories by donating; and generates new and healthy blood cells. Sinolinding’s appeal came after the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP-ARMM) launched on Friday the first of its four

blood-letting activities this year at ARMM’s Department of Health (DOH-ARMM). Blood-letting is a fundamental reason for the creation of the NVBSP through Republic Act 7719, or the National Blood Services Act of 1994, that promotes voluntary blood donation for a sufficient supply of safe blood. Baibon Piang, NVBSP support staff, said the volunteer team running the activity consists of DOH-ARMM officers, as well as medical technologists, nurses, and doctors from the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC).

The NVBSP caters to an average of 50 blood donors a day. The maximum amount of blood a person can donate every three months, or depending upon the physician’s advice, is 450 ml. Piang said families of patients in need of blood can go to the DOH-ARMM office and seek assistance from the NVBSP team. They however need to have a blood request from their doctor and that the blood would be replenished immediately through another donor coming from a member of the requesting family. (PNA)

ARMM health dept calls on employees to donate blood

AWARD. Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy received the award as one of the 7 finalists during the first Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) innovation awards on February 20, 2017 in Malacañang Palace. The province of Compostela Valley secured 2nd place in Government Service Category positioning rice fortification as their main innovation. (ComVal PIO Photo)

hasten conversion of human wastes into liquid form, and a solar panel converter which produces higher voltage compared to usual solar energy to electrical power converters are highlighted during the meeting. “This is especially convenient to use in remote areas

HE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Health Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. on Saturday urged the region’s employees to donate blood to boost ARMM’s blood supply. “More donors mean sufficient supply of safe blood to meet demands in emergency cases within the Cotabato-Maguindanao area,” Sinolinding said. To qualify as a blood donor, one must at least weigh 50 kg., must have a normal blood pressure, and should pass the hemoglobin test and physical check-up.

Cotabato jeepney drivers didn’t join transport strike

EEPNEY drivers and operators here did not participate in the nationwide transport strike to protest planned phase out of jeepneys but expressed sympathy with their colleagues, transport leaders said. While they opposed the looming phase out of jeepneys, George Mangansakan, president of Awang-Cotabato City Transport Operators and Drivers Association (ACCTODA), said his group agreed not to join the nationwide transport stoppage “because we do not want to inconvenience our commuters.” “We sympathize with them, we are with them but for two reasons, our members agreed to go on with our daily routines for two main

reasons,” Mangansakan said. “One, our drivers need to earn, and second,we do not want to inconvenience the students and other passengers,” he added. A few jeepney drivers held a simple protest, so simple that it only lasted five minutes. “We just paused to silently join our colleagues in their protest,” Absalom Sandig, a public utility jeepney driver, said in an interview. “This is voluntary, nobody forces us to join the strike no matter how short it was,” he added. Sandig stressed they have “moral obligations” to bring students to schools and office workers to their work places. “We just did that this morning, so no suspension of classes here,” Sandig added. (PNA)

DENTAL SERVICES. Among the free services residents availed of during the kickoff of the 13th National Dental Health Month were free feeding program, free toothbrush and toothpaste and free fluoride, sealant and filling applications which was sponsored in part by Colgate Philippines. There were basic dental education and awarding of certificates and gift packs for orally fit children. The provincial and Kiamba municipal health

offices also offered various medical procedures to the residents of Salakit. Among the services offered were basic blood and urine test where they checked for various diseases like hepatitis and syphilis. General consultation was also offered along with an extensive check up for pregnant women from the barangay. Free medicines were distributed. (Avery Rotciv Valois Camposano/KIAMBA INFORMATION OFFICE)

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EDITORIAL

Truth is looking at you Jim

S a musician, Jim Paredes is known to be a mild-mannered, cool-voiced artist everyone fell in love with. We wanted to remember Jim as that. On Saturday, Jim just transformed himself into a monster with an explosive mood trying to bully some calm and composed youngsters who probably grew up humming that faniliar line in his hit song: “batang bata ka pa at marami ka pang malalaman at maiintindihan sa mundo (you are so young and there are still a lot of things for you to learn and understand in this world).” Jim, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and a loyal Aquino follower, confronted the kids with his eyes wide and yelling at them. He was apparently annoyed when the youngsters appeared near the EDSA Shrine where he and partymates were assembled for the People Power commemoration. Given that Paredes and his group had the permit to use the area around the shrine, they never owned the entire EDSA to themselves, not on this day, not on any day. Jim’s actuations desecrated the shrine where the Filipino cele-

EDGEDAVAO

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brated freedom 31 years ago. The kids did not desecrate the shrine by staying there and sticking with their beliefs to stand by the President because it is the very same freedom of assembly and expression that is being celebrated by the occasion. Jim overreacted, to say the least. His emotions got the better of him. Look, Jim’s right to assemble and express himself was respected by everyone even if not everybody necessarily agree with him. It is his constitutional right and a blessing of democracy. Jim sunk that low to never understand that the very same freedom he is fighting for is the very same freedom he has trampled upon. Jim, look at the truth, you are no longer in your youth not to know nor understand. You have been this far. It is not too late to admit you have shamed the very same freedom millions of Filipinos, not just you and your partymates, fought so hard for. Be a matured, learned man, Jim.

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URING American rule, control in the import of narcotic drugs, classified alongside with merchandises, was particularly strict. Under existing laws at the time, the import of cocaine, opium, or its derivatives, which include, among others, the morphine and heroin, except when used for medicinal and scientific purposes, require authority from the government. Still, reports of illicit drug traffic found their way in the records of the Insular Collector of Customs. In particular, opium, mostly originating from China, arrived in the islands in various forms of packaging creatively made or designed to deceive port inspectors. Placing opium in tins was the most preferred way of hiding the illicit drug. Opium was brought to the country under differently labeled tin cans. The 1930 report of the Bureau of Narcotics, an agency under the US Treasury Department, identified the opium brands as 555, Crown, Beekee, Gold Coin, Three Goats, and Eagle, with Lion as the most popular. Most of the confiscated opium was transshipped via piers or through individuals known today as ‘drug couriers.’ The same report said 604 persons were arrested due to opium in 1930, 448 of them were Chinese and 156 classified as “natives.” As a result, 360 persons, including 16 deportations, were convicted of illegal trafficking of drugs. This is on top of the 335 pending cases, 99 acquittals, 165 dismissals, and 12 compromised. In the 1931 government report, Davao, pre-

AST February 23, Thursday, at 9:50 in the morning, a magnitude 4.6 tremor struck Davao City. At least two persons were reported hurt when a concrete waiting shed in front of a school building along Quirino Avenue collapsed. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), the earthquake’s epicenter was at “9 kilometers north of Davao City with a depth of 15 kilometers and tectonic in origin.” Was it the harbinger of the coming of “the Big One”? Last year, it was reported that the city, being part of Davao Region, is not spared from the destruction of a big earthquake that may be triggered by the Surigao-Mati fault. It was a big news last year when Desiderio Cabanlit, regional director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), announced that that a fault line – which stretches from Surigao City to Mati City with a distance of 320 kilometers – has been newly discovered. “A big earthquake as strong as, if not even stronger than, the so-called ‘Big One’ that Metro Manilans are preparing for is a possibility in Davao City in the immediate future,” wrote Antonio M. Ajero, editor-in-chief of EDGE Davao, who attended the press briefing at the Kapehan sa NCCC. Based on the Philvolcs study, it was found that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Compostela Valley in 1893. On April 15, 1924, another earthquake with 8.3 magnitude happened somewhere in Sigaboy, now known as Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental. In an interview with Ajero, Cabanlit explained that an earthquake with an intensity of 7.2 that happened in Compostela Valley will immediately be felt in Davao City “within less than a minute” and the magnitude will be about 7. “The shaking will just be as violent and the destruction caused by it will be just as intense as the

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Prewar Davao in opium trade

VANTAGE POINTS

sumably for the FAST BACKWARD first time, officially showed up in anti-narcotics accounts: “Customs officers, in searching the S.S. Bohol of the Compañia Maritima [a Filipino shipping firm] at Zamboanga, Antonio V. Figueroa on February 25, 1931, found in the crews’ quarters 18 onetael [37.7994 grams] tins of smoking opium. The vessel had just arrived at Zamboanga, coming from Davao. The vessel left Manila on February 17, 1931, and had visited the ports of Cebu and Davao. Each tin bore the word ‘Tonggee’ and Chinese characters. This opium is known as ‘Gold Coin’ brand, a good grade of smoking opium. It was not possible to determine who was responsible for this attempted unlawful shipment. The drugs were confiscated.” Interestingly, the customs police did not only seize opium in form of tablets, solutions, and pills, they also confiscated paraphernalia such as pipes, pipe heads, and syringes. Many of the drugs were also discovered inside bottles and packages. Official records in 1931 showed the convictions of 316 individuals, including nine deporta-

tions; 88 acquittals, 82 dismissals, nine cases compromised, and 434 cases reported, excluding the 208 suits pending before the courts. During the Commonwealth period, Davao once again surfaced in a document titled Summary of Illicit Transactions and Seizures, which was sent to the Secretariat of the League of Nations, the forerunner of the United Nations. It covered the period from April 1 to June 30, 1940. As indicated, it was the US that collated the accounts. In US Reports No. 940, it disclosed that on June 26, 1939, the authorities seized two onetael tins, each weighing 38 grams, in Davao City from Tranquilino Javier, a train passenger who just arrived in Iligan City. The suspect said the consignor of the opium was a certain Andres Martinez of Iligan City and the recipient was a certain Vicente Martinez of Davao. The appropriate case was filed in court. In Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs, issued in 1939 by the Depart of Public Instruction, certain discrepancies in details, especially the place of arrest, was evident. Subtitled The Case of Tranquilino Javier, the report, in toto, stated: “This case of opium smuggling which was discovered accidentally by the Chief of Police, was recorded in Midsayap, Cotabato. On June 24, 1939, Tranquilino Javier, a chauffeur by occupation, was arrested in Midsayap, Cotabato, for the crime of homicide through reckless imprudence committed at about 5 p. m. of the same day. While inves-

tigating the case, the Chief of Police ordered the removal of a box of mangoes from the car driven by Javier to his office with the idea of using the car to and from the scene of the crime. “In the morning of June 26, 1939, a provincial revenue agent with another chauffeur asked permission to use the car to take him to Davao City. This request was granted, but before starting, Tranquilino Javier informed the Chief of Police that he wanted to see the box of mangoes which he thought was still in the car. The Chief of Police, suspicious of the movements of Javier, ordered the latter to open the box in his presence. “Thereupon, he found besides the forty ripe mangoes, a small bottle of hair pomade and a folded issue of the Free Press of June 17, 1939, containing another package which upon further investigation was found to contain two small tins of opium, ‘Lion Brand,’ and a box of needles. Javier claimed that the two tins of opium were entrusted to him by one Andres Martinez. The latter, however, claimed to know nothing about the opium. A complaint for illegal possession of opium was filed against Tranquilino Javier. The case is still pending.” In the post-war period, illicit drug traffic took the form of heroin and morphine as opium derivatives. Later, hashish, marijuana, barbiturates, lab-produced meths, and drugs collectively known as ‘celebrity drugs,’ started to make headlines. According to official accounts, drug dependents and addicts in the Philippines have not hit the two million mark.

one in ComposteTHINK ON THESE! la,” Ajero wrote in his news report. Aside from those mentioned earlier, there were other major earthquakes that rocked Mindanao, according to data Henrylito D. Tacio from Philvolcs. henrytacio@gmail.com On August 16, 1976, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0, with epicenter traced to the Celebes Sea, triggered a tsunami in Moro Gulf. A major aftershock was recorded to have a magnitude of 6.8. A magnitude of 7.6 earthquake struck Lanao on April 1955 that killed 400 people. The intensity recorded in Dansalan was 8; in Dipolog and Ozamiz, 7; and in Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, 6. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Southern and Central Mindanao on March 7, 2002 killed 11 people. The Philippine Archipelago lies between two major tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. “Philippine Sea Plate is moving towards the Philippine Archipelago at the rate of about 7 centimeters every year,” Philvolcs explains. “The Eurasian Plate is being subducted along western side of Luzon and Mindoro at the rate of 3 centimeters per year except on Mindoro and northwest of Zamboanga where collision is taking place.” At the intersection of the two aforementioned plates is the Philippine Fault Zone, “which decouples the northwestward motion of the Pacific with the southwestward motion of the Eurasian Plate.” Movements along other active faults are reportedly responsible for the present-day high seismicity

of the Philippine archipelago. According to Philvolcs, at least 5 earthquakes per day occur in the Philippines. For almost four decades now, the country had been affected by 10 earthquakes with magnitude greater than 7.0. As such, the possibility of these destructive earthquakes occurring again in the future “is very strong.” The destructive effects of earthquakes are due mainly to intense ground shaking or vibration. “Because of severe ground shaking, low and tall buildings, towers and posts may tilt, split, topple or collapse, foundation of roads, railroad tracks and bridges may break, water pipes and other utility installations may get dislocated, dams and similar structures may break and cause flooding, and other forms of mass movement may be generated,” Philvolcs explains. Liquefaction, the process where particles of loosely consolidated and water-saturated deposits of fine sand are rearranged into more compact state, can also occur. Liquefaction prone areas can be found in beach zones, sand spits, sand bars, wide coastal plains, deltaic plains, floodplains, and former or existing marshlands and swamplands. Many strong earthquakes originate along faults that break the earth’s rigid crust. Called ground rupture, it is a deformation on the ground that marks the intersection of the fault plane with the earth’s surface. Landslides, the downward movement of slope materials either slowly or quickly, are most likely to happen. Hilly and mountainous areas, escarpments, and steep river banks, sea cliffs and other steep slopes are prone to landslides. Earthquakes can also cause tsunamis. “Tsunamis are giant sea waves generated mostly by submarine earthquakes,” Philvolcs says. “Not all submarine earthquakes, however, can cause tsunamis to occur.” “The only way to avoid disasters caused by earthquakes is to prepare for them,” wrote Ma-

ria Elena Paterno in her book Earthquake! This must be the reason why Philvolcs urged every Filipino to evaluate the structural soundness of home, office, and building they frequent. “Determine the safest areas both inside and outside,” said a Philvolcs primer. The primer also recommends that every home must be prepared for the eventuality. “Secure heavy furniture to prevent sliding or toppling over by affixing them to walls or floors with brackets or tying to grillwork. Keep heavy objects on lowest shelves. Check hanging objects (like ceiling fans, mirrors, heavy picture frames). Affix bolts or hooks on cabinet doors especially those in the kitchen to prevent them from flying open and allowing breakable items to spill out. Keep only very necessary chemicals and flammable liquids in unbreakable containers. Store them on low shelves.” The Philvolcs primer also suggests setting up an earthquake readiness plan at home. “Make sure your children, elderly members and house helpers are properly instructed on what to do. Practice drills with them. Familiarize yourself with First Aid procedures. Keep a manual handy in case you forget. Make sure everyone knows the locations of and how to switch off the electrical and water mains. At home (and at work), master the quickest, safest way out,” it says. The primer also recommends preparing a small bag – no more than 5-6 kilograms – for each member of the family. Among those that should be packed inside the bag are two changes of clothes, a blanket, a towel, basic toiletries, sturdy shoes, flashlight, batteries, a bottle of water, biscuits candy, a small radio, any medications for chronic ailment suffers, first aid kit, contact phone numbers and addresses. Important papers (passport, recent medical records, bank books, insurance papers, etc.) must also be included. It is said, and you should heed this, that natural calamities like earthquake happen when you have forgotten about them.

When ground shakes

10 NEWS

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Internet... FROM 1 never on top,” she said, adding in the light of new infrastructures being built in Davao City, investors should do well to consult their structural engineers before proceeding to build.

Davao Seismic Station located at the Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus serves as the earthquake monitoring system for the whole Mindanao.

Montenegro identified the advantages of the connectivity to be launched between the two countries. “First is the increase of Philippine investment, second, the implementation of ASEAN Integration which results to piloting of Mutual Recognition Engagements (MREs) among product and professionals especially in the tourism professions,” he said. He recalled when PAL was still serving the Manado-Davao flights, students from Indonesia would fly to Davao City only to take up master’s degree because education is more affordable in the Philippines. Meanwhile, technical-vocational graduates from Mindanao had direct access to job opportunities in Indonesia because of the said air linkages. Aside from that, Montenegro also said Indonesians sought medical services in the Philippines for the same reason that it is more affordable than those in Jakarta. BIMP-EAGA senior official Arturo Boncato, Jr. said a consultation between the air sector is being done because there will be a need for the businessmen to fly straight to Davao or Gensan. “The best way to do that is by flying straight out of Sulawesi to Mindanao, so this is an opportunity for our air linkage partners to see and look at or maybe charter first (new) flights,” he added. Boncato further expressed his optimism on the DavaoGensan-Bitung route as it favors exporters from both

countries who will enjoy a shorter travel period for commodities and cheaper shipment costs. Under the current Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Bitung sea route, goods from Davao take about three to five weeks before reaching the destination while it will only take 1.5 days for the Davao-GensanBitung route. MinDa Chief Sec. Datu Abul Khary Alonto stressed that all these developments are geared towards supporting and sustaining our agriculture and agri-based industries, which remain as the prominent drivers of Mindanao’s economy. “Every step that we take towards Mindanao’s economic growth is always geared towards the advancement of our agri-based sector and their beneficiaries,” he stressed. Philippine Inter-agency task Force on ASEAN RORO Chief and Transportation undersecretary Fernando Juan Perez described the route as a “gold mine” because it opens up a lot of opportunities for exporters from both countries. “Hopefully, the business sector will see that this trade route is a gold mine. There is so much opportunity and they should take advantage of opening up this route,” he said. He added that he saw huge interests from the business leaders from both countries. “This route is going to fly, but we need the help of the businessman to sustain it. We need the help of the businessmen,” he said.

The reception brought together Dabawenos who studied and trained in Australia, and key business personalities from the city for an evening of appreciation for Australian food, wine and culture. Australia Global Alumni in Davao were excelling in business, the academe, in development work and in government service. “Australia Global Alumni play an important role in nurturing the strong relationship between Australia and the Philippines. They prove that our people-to-people links can create meaningful impact in encouraging trade and development in Mindanao.” Ambassador Gorely added. In Mindanao, Australia worked with local governments, local organizations and NGOs to support programs in education, technical vocational training, peace building and disaster risk. “President Duterte has done much to shine the spotlight on Mindanao, and we are pleased that Australia’s development cooperation in the region over the years align with the Administration’s economic

and development agenda,” said Ambassador Gorely. The Australian-funded Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) recently completed its road maintenance and rehabilitation including for seven provinces in Mindanao. The project rehabilitated 170.2 km of roads and help maintain 161.7 km of roads for a total investment of PHP 655 million, to help improve access to markets, health facilities and schools. The Australian Government also invested AU$92-million over five years to support to Basic Education Assistance in Muslim Mindanao (BEAMARMM) which has trained over 12,000 teachers, established over 800 learning centres, and provided technical and vocational skills to 11,000 out of school youths. Australia has also supported in humanitarian assistance to Mindanao in the aftermath of Zamboanga siege, providing permanent housing to up to 400 homeless families, and livelihood assistance including health, civil registration and psychosocial services to at least 1,000 families.

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TAKE ONE. Man Overboard Production founder Jarell Serencio announces upcoming series of events in celebration of the centennial year of Philippine cinema such as film screening and script writing activity during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Award... FROM 2 One of the participants of ABS-CBN and Ricky Lee’s first TV Scriptwriting Workshop in 2003, Serencio, wishes to share his knowledge and experiences to his fellow Davaoeños by bringing in Ricky Lee to conduct the film-writing workshop on March 11 at Cinemathique Davao. Serencio disclosed he is currently working on another project, a film grant from National Commission for Culture and the Arts. “It will be shot in Mt. Diwalwal,” said Serencio who added that the story will revolve around issues of child labor in the mining areas of Compostella Valley. Films will be screened in Holy Cross of Davao College on March 8, University of South-

eastern Philippines on March 9 and Cinemathique Davo on March 11. The films to be screened are the following: films Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad (Stars in the City) and Victor by Serencio, Mientras Su Durmida (As He Sleeps) by Sheron Dayoc, Pusong Bato (Stone-Heart) by Martika Ramirez Escobar, Lisyun qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) by Petersen Vargas, Entre Medio Del Fin (In the Middle of the End) by Ryanne Murcia, Pektus by Isabel Quesada, Fish Out of the Water by Mon A.L. Garilao, EJK by Bor Ocampo. Interested viewers may register in advance at the link posted in Let’s Get Short Film Screening event Facebook page.

skills of those who aged 18 to 24 considered as ‘NET’, not in employment, education and training with at least one year experience or no experience at all,” said Arce. Arce added, qualified “JobStarters” will undergo ten days of life skills training, up to three months of JobStart-funded technical training and another three months of work experience with a “matched” employer/establishment. The interns in return will be receiving at least 75% of the minimum wage in the relevant city/municipality. The DOLE-XI Regional Employment focal person also said the agency is looking at expanding its program to other areas in the region, particularly Digos City, Panabo, Davao del Norte, and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. “We were targeting 600 JobStarters for the second roll out which is now complete,” said Arce.

Arce expressed optimism that more establishments and companies will participate in providing platform for training to further decrease the unemployment rate in the region after the alarming fact that 50 percent of the youth, particularly ages 18 to 24, are still unemployed. “We need more employers, in the same way na wala pa nagstart ang atong 2017 na target na 600, but iready na nato atong partner establishments,” sad Arce who added at present, there are only five partner establishments in Davao City and nine in Tagum City. Jobstart Philippines is a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) implemented project in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the government of Canada. It is being implemented through the local Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of the target areas.

Code, as renumbered, and other related laws; or -The action is duly certified by the Secretary of Labor and Employment in accordance with the purpose of these Rules. Those who will be found violating the law will be penalized with a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000 or imprisonment of not less than 3 months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court.

If committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such. Moreover, Section 9 of the IRR says that all existing Collective Bargaining Agreements, employment contracts and company policies prior to the effectivity of the law shall be respected as agreed by the parties. Kriztja Marae G. Labrador

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Zambo... FROM 2 harassment, abuses committed against women and children and other similar offenses. It is further provided that municipalities and cities presently without policewomen will have two years upon the effectivity of this Act within which to comply with the recruitment of this provision. Section 60 of the same law

provides the administrative liability for the said purpose. The H.B. 05082 filed by Lobregat and his colleagues has already been reviewed by the Committee on Public Order and Safety who also recommended its approval. It is presently being reviewed by the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives. (PNA)

the people and environment. “It is in this light that we implore President Rodrigo Duterte to stand by his decision to appoint an environmental champion who has genuine care for the people and the environment,” said the (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines official. “Secretary Lopez’ presence at DENR portends the end of destructive practices and heralds the beginning of more sustainable ways of utilizing our natural resources,” he added. Likewise, Gariguez asked the Commission on Appointments (CA) hear the voices of the people including various civil society groups and grassroots communities. “Further, we call on the members of the Commission on Appointment to demonstrate resolute leadership by striving to hear the earnest cries of the grassroots over the

loud clamor of big mining companies,” he said. Gariguez added, “We urge them to protect the poor from further exploitation by putting the right person in DENR who can force the industry to do things differently and responsibly.” At the same time, he said that they will pray for Duterte and the members of the CA to be guided in choosing pro-people officials to serve in the government. “We uphold in them in prayer – our President and the members of the Commission on Appointment as they make a decision that is critical to the well-being of our country. May the wisdom of the God Almighty light their way,” Gariguez added. Earlier, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles wrote a letter to President Duterte to let Lopez stay as DENR chief. (PNA)

The Duterte administration’s goal is to reduce poverty rates from the current 21.6 percent to 14 percent to bring the Philippines at par with upper-middle income Thailand and China in terms of per-capita gross national income by 2022. It also envisions eradicating extreme poverty by 2040 and turning the country by then into a high-income economy like what South Korea and Malaysia are already today. “Is [the tax reform bill] just? I think, I’ve looked at it from the point of view of social justice. In fact, it makes our current system more just [than] unjust,” Salceda said. Earlier, Salceda said the first package of the DOF’s CTRP will ensure that “74 percent of the annual increasing nominal GDP that goes only to the country’s richest 10 per-

cent” would be taxed and the additional revenues go to the poor by way of unconditional cash transfers and other subsidy programs. The lawmaker said the DOF-endorsed tax reform program is the only way to make the tax system more efficient, equitable and pro-poor, as the government cannot exclusively tax the rich because such a measure would be immediately struck down as class legislation. Based on his calculations, Salceda said the tax reform bills they are proposing will have a total monetary impact of P354 annually on the country’s poorest households. Thus, under the tax reform bill, the poor will get back 1030 years of their total contribution to the tax reform package immediately in the form of targeted transfers.

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TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO The calm before the party. This night shot of Surf Shack’s al fresco dining area is definitely so inviting.

THE SURF SHACK Now serving stoke in Dahican IMAGINE sipping your favorite cocktail drink, feeling the cool white sand between your toes, hearing the sound of crashing waves and realizing that this ocean ambience is real. You are by the sea having the best gastronomic experience. Famished from surfing or swimming in the sea the whole day, the best way I know to recuperate is by having great food and cold drinks. If you’re an early riser like me, a hot cup of coffee is perfect company as I watch the sun rise from the sea’s horizon. Afterwards, a proteinrich breakfast for energy is ideal. I hate feeling hungry all of a sudden when I’m out in the water. I would always choose the waves over food most of the time since it’s quite a long way back to the resort I’m staying at. It used to be a bit of a challenge when it comes to food choices in Dahican. There’s only one place that serves decent restaurant meals, La-ne’s Kalapyahan which is located further down the Dahican beach stretch. It’s near the fork in the road right before the rough road begins. Fortunately, the tides have turned in our favor as we celebrated the soft opening of a new bar and grill by the beach. Located in the beach front area inside Dahican Surf Resort (DSR). The Surf

Shack is right smack in the middle of Dahican Beach which makes it very easy to find.

When I got the invitation to the soft opening, I underestimated what ‘soft’. I thought it would be just a little get together of the surfing community in Dahican and in Davao as half of Surf Shack’s crew were from Davao City. The bar was transformed into a dance floor. Complete with dancing lights, a smoke machine (I don’t know who came up with the idea but it During the day, the sandy space in front of DSR is a perfect place to lie down and watch people surfing in the distant beach break.

was amazing), a DJ who played all the perfect songs and party animals who just wanted to have fun. I’m not so fond of parties and this was the first party in Dahican that I ever found myself in. It was so fun! You knew almost everybody and if there was somebody you didn’t know, you’d be friends by the night is over. I can’t wait for more dance parties and chill nights by the sea in Dahican. The rest of 2017 is definitely going to be an exciting one with the adDSR guests, Dahican locals and surfing community get together for dinner prepared by Surf Shack’s Jek-Jek Ilagan. dition of the Surf Shack.

There are now more options than the regular ‘wine and dine’ and events. The Surf Shack team is composed of car enthusiast Clayton Sanchez, surfers Windel Wabe, Jek-Jek Ilagan and Gabby Sibala who’s also the guy behind DSR. The Surf Shack serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and everything in between. For now, the Surf Shack meals are on soft opening mode and the bar is already on full swing just in time for the summer! More photos of the soft opening on my blog: www. millennialmermaid.com

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AirAsia expands network with seven brand new destinations

AIRASIA is flying to seven brand new destinations across the Philippines this summer. The world’s best low cost carrier for eight consecutive years will begin to fly from Cebu to Davao, Palawan, and Boracay/Caticlan and from Davao to Clark, Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay/

Caticlan in April 22 with intro- ductory fares now o n sale from as low as P399 only.

Philippines AirAsia CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said, “It’s an exciting time to spend summer vacations in the Philippines with AirAsia’s awesome connectivity travelers

now have easy access to the country’s amazing beaches,

gorgeous natural wonders, and majestic eco-tourism attractions via Cebu, Clark, and Davao.” To celebrate the new routes,

AirAsia is offering promo fares from as low as P399 for oneway and available now at www.airasia.com for travel period between April 22 to August 31, 2017. AirAsia will fly from Cebu to Boracay and Palawan daily while flights to Davao are scheduled twice daily. From Davao, AirAsia is also offering

daily flights to Boracay, to Palawan at three times weekly, and to Clark at four times weekly. “We feel strongly about supporting the growth and development of cities outside Metro Manila by providing more options and added convenience for travelers to fly to their desired destinations without going to the main airport in Manila.” Comendador added.

EDGE DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

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Gathering of future tourism agents By HENRYLITO D. TACIO and BON JOVI CABREROS THE PHILIPPINES, touted to be the Pearl of the Orient Seas, is home to 7,107 islands. “These islands come supplied with all the basic pre-requisites for the perfect holiday,” wrote Lindsay Bennett in the globetrotter island guide aptly titled Philippines. “Visually stunning, they offer a plethora of dreamy golden beaches, shimmering azure waters, cerulean skies, and gently swaying verdant palms, with the sun an almost constant companion.” It’s no wonder why tourism has become a fast-growing industry in the country today. Under the National Tourism Development Plan

(NTDP) of 2016-2022, “the Duterte administration is also hoping to attract 89.2 million domestic tourists and generate revenue of some P4 trillion from domestic and foreign travelers by 2022,” wrote Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo in a news report which appeared in Business Mirror. In addition, the NTDP “also targets the employment of 6.5 million people, which will raise the share of tourism jobs to 14.4 percent of total employment, and reach 702,000 poor beneficiaries.”

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In Mindanao, tourism is seen to lead economic boost in some tourist destinations, particularly those located in Davao region. With an increasing number of domestic and international tourists, mushrooming of accommodation, soaring number of exciting destinations in the region and doubling number of domestic and international flights, there is a significant need for more competent tourism and hospitality professionals. Because of this, the College of Hospital Education of the University of Mindanao – known for being a pioneer institution for hospitality and tourism education – recently convened the Great Mindanao Mix 2017. The objective was to promote unity of important stakeholders in the tourism industry. The three-day event combined two gathering simultaneously: the Third Mindanao Future Tourism Agents Summit and the Second Mindanao Hospitality Summit. “Mindanao towards accessible tourism for the global market” was the chosen theme. According to the organizers, the event aimed to gain insights on in-flight procedures and other innovations for differentlyabled persons, updates on tourism trends using Information Technology making the industry accessible to all, and knowledge on the different innovations to accessible tourism in Davao Region and Mindanao as a whole. In addition, the gathering was a way to provide better understanding on the ASEAN (Associa-

tion of Southeast Asian Nations) Mutual Recognition Agreement for tourism professionals and better perspective on global practices of accessible tourism. Additional objectives include the promotion of Davao as an accessible tourist destination for all, showcasing tourism talents through competitions, and the generation

of ideas to mold future talents in tourism and hospitality. The event culminated with a tourism skills competition and a research congress. At the Matina Town Square, tourism management students from Davao Region showcased their skills in various competitions: tour guiding, tour packaging, scenic pho-

tography, flight attendant showmanship and Mr. and Ms. Mindanao Future Tourism agents. Simultaneously, competitions for qualitative and quantitative researches were done at the UM La Spezia Hotel. This year, the University of Mindanao Tagum College emerged as champion in the tourism skills competition.

Japan’s best shows shine on GEM TV via SKY FANS OF JAPAN’S QUIRKY AND UNIQUE SHOWS are in for a treat as Sony GEM, Sony Pictures Television’s newest general entertainment channel that showcases quality shows primarily from Japan, debuts on SKY Cable and Destiny Cable. Sony GEM, initially available until February 28 for free to SKY subscribers, also showcases titles from China, Taiwan, and Korea. The channel is part of SKY Select, SKY’s on-top channel subscription service. Subscribers in Metro Manila and nearby areas can watch it on channel 116, while Regional subscribers can tune in to channel 222. In the line-up of shows to watch out for is the story of Saburo Aikawa (Hiroki Hasegawa), a promising surgeon from a small island who does not have a license to practice. He finds love and comfort in Akiko (Izumi Inamori), a nurse. Things turn upside down when he saves the life of a young visitor, also named Akiko (Fumino Kimura), who offers him a place in a big time Tokyo hospital. Will he choose the simple life with the woman who can protect his secret or the life of a high power city doctor with a woman who can offer him the world but risk exposing himself? Watch “Forbidden Practices” every Wednesday at 9 PM. Out to tickle funny bones is the romantic comedy series about a 30-year old, unmarried

woman with a floundering career as a screenwriter. Rinko Kamata (Yuriko Yoshitaka) and her friends Kaori (Nana Eikura) and Koyuki (Yuko Oshima) are “tarareba girls.” They regularly go out and complain about their mediocre lives. Rinko tries to turn her life around when an encounter with a blonde man makes her realize that making excuses like “If I was pretty, I would get the guy” is no longer acceptable as she is no longer a girl. Laugh with the “Tokyo Tarareba Girls”, showing the same week as Japan, every Saturday at 7:30 PM. There are also crime and detective stories that are not the usual, like “Dandarin Rules” as its main character is a labor standards inspector instead of a police officer or a lawyer. Rin Danda (Yuko Takeuchi) will do whatever it takes to bring exploitative employers to justice. The show airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9 PM. Sony GEM also feature variety shows that can entertain

any interest. Learn how to make life easier with everyday items on “TOKUSON: Life Hacks!” Watch it every Monday at 10 PM. Renowned actor and model Mocomichi Hayami presents his domestic side in “MOCO’s Kitchen” where he shares his personally crafted recipes to fit viewers’ requests every Tuesday at 10 PM. Last but not least, Mr. Ken Shimura is back with his animal friends in “Shimura ZOO Season 6,” Wednesdays at 10 PM. The season will feature a wide range of animals and the precious bonds between them and humans. After the free offering, Sony GEM will be available as a standalone addition for only P50 per month starting March 1. It will also be included in the Select Family Pack for P350 a month. To subscribe and to know more about SKYcable, log on to www.mysky.com.ph, text APPLY <space> your name to 23662, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 305-5456 for Davao and 533-6244 for GenSan.

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

11 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO

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Hope for the Philippine Eagles T

HE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) believes that saving the population of the Philippine Eagle is not a lost cause. Through the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s conservation breeding program, they employ cooperative artificial insemination techniques and breeding of natural pairs in order to contribute to the species’ population. Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is one of the private organizations that support the mission of the PEF through its Philippine eagle adoption program. This contributes to the PEF’s captive breeding efforts. “We fully support the Philippine Eagle Foundation in its efforts to protect and save our majestic national bird,” said Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy. “As a Davao-based company, we take pride in the Philippine Eagle and its significance in keeping a healthy and balanced ecosystem.” Philippine Eagle Foundation

Executive Director Dennis Salvador said, “Through our partnership with Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, we hope to accomplish more in our captive breeding efforts to augment the population of the species. We urge more private companies like Phoenix to join in this noble mission of protecting our national bird from extinction.” Phoenix’s adopted Philippine eagle, named after the company, is a natural pair to the female eagle “Marikit.” They have been paired for about seven years now. They are one of the four natural pairs at the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC). The pair has laid eggs in the past breeding seasons, but they were infertile. Philippine eagle Phoenix as part of a natural pair has a crucial role in the efforts to augment the dwindling population of the species. The PEF team is hopeful that in the next breeding season Phoenix and his pair can finally produce their first fertile egg. Philippine Eagles are monogamous birds – they keep only one

partner for life. Finding their pair takes time both in the wild and in captivity. At the PEC, pairing attempts are done in an introduction cage about 40 feet high. It has a partition in the middle to avoid the eagles from harming each other in the process. Philippine eagles are highly territorial and show aggression to each other if they are not compatible. “Once an eagle finds a suitable female eagle for him, he will court her by giving her twigs. It’s like giving roses to us humans,” said Rai Gomez, PEF Education Administrator. “Once the pair successfully copulates, they are able to lay an egg. It takes 56 to 60 days to hatch an eagle.” The PEF is hopeful for the success of every natural pair in the Philippine Eagle Center. Through the participation of corporations like Phoenix Petroleum, the PEF is able to look after the needs of the eagles in captivity by providing for their food, medicine, shelter, and veterinary care. (PR)

Pinay worker in HK wins car from Smart World

DOMESTIC helper in Hong Kong is about to change her life, and that of her family’s. Global pinoy Jocelyn Castañares won a new Toyota Vios, the grand prize for the Gifts of Christmas Promo of Smart World Hong Kong last December. The 45-year-old mother of two has been working in Hong Kong for the past five years with hopes of securing a better future for her family. With this unexpected blessing, she is already planning on coming back home to the Philippines for good. “Napag-usapan naming ipasok sa Uber ang napanalunang sasakyan para dagdag pangkabuhayan.

Dahil dito, puwede na syang magpahinga at umuwi para makasama naman niya ang pamilya niya,” said Bertino de Casto, husband of Castañares, who claimed the new car with motherin-law, Pacita, and daughter, Cristine, in Manila late in January. Prior to winning, Castañares switched to Smart World to be able to keep connected to her family in the Philippines, not knowing it would also give her this big blessing. Smart World is a prepaid local SIM card designed to provide reliable and affordable communications services to Overseas Filipinos based in Hong Kong. The Gifts of Christmas

NEW CAR. PLDT Hong Kong and Toyota Quezon Avenue, Inc. (TQAI) turn over the brand new Toyota Vios car won by Jocelyn Castañares, an OFW in Hong Kong, at the recent Gifts of Christmas Promo of Smart World. In photo are, from left: Teddy dela Paz, Sales Manager of TQAI; Lincoln Lim, President of

promo is part of Smart World Hong Kong’s goal to inspire Overseas Filipinos working in Hong Kong by providing them business opportunities that they can engage in when they finally decide to retire and return to the Philippines. This promo is in partnership with Toyota Quezon Avenue, which shares the same objective. “Raffling off a car to OFWs in Hong Kong is our way of helping them achieve their dreams. With the new car, Jocelyn will be able to realize her dream of having her own business, and of a better future for her family without her having to leave the country,” said Edith Gomez-Cudiamat, General Manager of PLDT Hong

Kong. “Jocelyn has finally been rewarded for the difficulties she experienced. May her family enjoy the ride and pride of owning a Toyota vehicle. May she continue to be an inspiration to all Overseas Filipinos, not just in Hong Kong, but in other parts of the world,” said Franklin Lim, executive vice president, Toyota Quezon Avenue, Inc. (TAQI). Since 2004, Smart World is the leading communication service used by millions of Filipinos across the world to connect to their loved ones in the Philippines. It is now available in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, US, and UK. (PR)

TQAI; Bertino de Castro, husband of Castañares, Pacita Castañares, mother; Cristine Castañares, daughter; Edith Gomez-Cudiamat, General Manager of PLDT HK; Franklin Lim, Executive Vice President, TQAI; and Alex Flores, Sales Manager of TQAI. (PLDT Photo)

Warm temperatures seen to trigger starvation in deep oceans by 2100

UTHORS of a new study warned Thursday that the deep ocean floor, as the world’s largest habitat, may face starvation and sweeping ecological change by the year 2100 due to warming ocean temperatures, increased acidification and the spread of low-oxygen zones. The authors, from 20 of the world’s leading oceanographic research centers, used the projections from 31 earth system models developed for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to predict how the temperature, amount of oxygen, acidity (pH) and food supply to the deep-sea floor from 200 to 6,000 meters below the surface will change. “Biodiversity in many of these areas is defined by the meager amount of food reaching the seafloor and over the next 80-plus years - in certain parts of the world - that amount of food will be cut in half,” said Andrew Thurber, an Oregon State University (OSU) marine ecologist and co-author on the study published in the journal Elementa. “We likely will see a shift in dominance to smaller organisms. Some species will thrive, some will migrate to other areas, and many will die.” “Parts of the world will likely have more jellyfish and squid, for example, and fewer fish and cold water corals,” Thurber noted. The earth system models used in the study predict that deep ocean temperatures in the “abyssal” seafloor, 3,000 to 6,000 meters deep, will increase as much as 0.5 to 1.0 degrees Celsius in the North Atlantic, Southern and Arctic oceans by 2100 compared to what they are now. Meanwhile, temperatures in the “bathyal” depths, 200 to 3,000 meters deep, will increase even more: parts of this deep-sea floor are predicted to see an increase of nearly 4

degrees in the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. “While four degrees doesn’t seem like much on land, that is a massive temperature change in these environments,” Thurber said. “It is the equivalent of having summer for the first time in thousands to millions of years.” As result, the over-arching lack of food will be exacerbated. “The increase in temperature will increase the metabolism of organisms that live at the ocean floor, meaning they will require more food at a time when less is available,” he noted. Most of the deep sea already experiences a severe lack of food, but it is about to become a famine, according to Andrew Sweetman, a researcher at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and lead author on the study. “Abyssal ocean environments, which are over 3,000 meters deep, are some of the most food-deprived regions on the planet,” Sweetman said. “These habitats currently rely on less carbon per meter-squared each year than is present in a single sugar cube. Large areas of the abyss will have this tiny amount of food halved and for a habitat that covers half the Earth, the impacts of this will be enormous.” The researchers believe the impacts on the deep ocean are unlikely to remain there. Warming ocean temperatures are expected to increase stratification in some areas yet increase upwelling in others. This can change the amount of nutrients and oxygen in the water that is brought back to the surface from the deep sea. This low-oxygen water can affect coastal communities, including commercial fishing industries, which harvest groundfish from the deep sea globally and especially in areas like the Pacific Coast of North America. (PNA)

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Aeon Towers topping off set today By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

EON Towers, the maiden venture of Davao-based realty development firm FTC Group of Companies, will formally stage its topping off ceremony today in elaborate rites.

Ian Y. Cruz, president of FTC Group of Companies, will lead today’s ceremonies along with invited guests led by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and HLURB regional director Atty. Miguel Palma Gil. Also gracing the ceremonies are Philippine Business Bank top brass Alfredo Yao and

Rolando Avante, Ian Campbell of Campbell and Associates, Altus Hospitality South managing director Pavan Gidwani and Michael Rabonza. “Finally, we have gone this far and high, and we are formally topping off,” said Cruz. 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 fitting 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, Aeon Towers will boast a 144-key Vivid Hotel and 144-key serviced apartment coupled with a 197-room high-end residential condominium; over 2,000 sqm of prime retail space, and at over 1,X00 sqm: the largest grand ballroom in Davao.

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DTI-OKB FORUM. Secretary Ramon Lopez (center left) led an investment forum last February 22 together with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Kazuhide Ishikawa (2nd from center L), Japanese bank Ogaki Kyoritso

Bank (OKB) President Tsuchiya Takashi (center right), BSP Monetary Board Member Valentin Araneta (3rd from center R), and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company President Fabian Dee Mizuho (2nd from center R). (DTI Photo)

AboitizPower eyes T more balanced mix

Philippine NGO strengthens awareness on hypertension

BOITIZ Power (AP) Corp. continues to push its balanced mix strategy into 2017 with several projects due for completion this year. AP President and COO Antonio Moraza said the company is set to complete several projects this year including coal and hydro plants, underlining the company’s strategy to have a wide and diverse portfolio of generating assets to help answer the country’s need for power. “That has always been part of strategy – to tap renewable energy as long as it is available and cost-effective for the consumers, but at the same time utilize the reliability of thermal power plants,” Moraza said. “We support the government’s efforts to bring in more supply from different technologies. At the end of the day this will encourage more options and competition for the lowest price and better service. The end consumers will be the winners,” Moraza said. Among the AboitizPower

The ongoing construction of Hedcor’s 69-MW hydro power plant in Bukidnon. projects due for completion in 2017 are the 69-MW Manolo Fortich hydro power plant in Bukidnon, and the 8.5-MW Maris Canal hydro project in Isabela through its subsidiary SN AboitizPower. The company is also in the process of completing, together with its partners, the 340MW Therma Visayas baseload power plant in Toledo, Cebu and the 400-MW Pagbilao power plant expansion. The

company is also in the process of commissioning the 8.8-MW biomass power plant in Lian, Batangas. AboitizPower has one of the widest portfolio of energy sources in the country. It has a significant array of renewable power plants – geothermal, large hydro, run-of-river hydro and solar power plants. The company also operates a number of coal power plants for baseload capacity

and oil-fired power plants for reliable peaking supply. The company is also pursuing projects in coal, geothermal and biomass to meet its target of achieving 4,000-MW net sellable capacity by 2020. In 2016, AboitizPower inaugurated its 300-MW Therma South coal power plant in Davao as well as its 59-MWp San Carlos Sun Power solar plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

also Chaired the discussions of the Power and Energy Infrastructure (PEI) Cluster during the two-day breakout sessions. According to Pulido, the key output of the cluster meeting is the formulation of the nine-year (2017-2025) Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster (PEIC) Roadmap for the different sub-sectors such as for Power Interconnection, Renewable Energy (RE), Rural Electrification and Sub-Regional Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) rolling pipeline project as input to the final BIMP-EAGA Vision 20172025 (BEV2025). On the power infrastructure connectivity of the Philippines to the sub-region, the

BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) presented to the Philippine delegates the proposed Sabah to Palawan Interconnection project. The BEBC, a private sector group, initiated the partnership with the Provincial Government of Palawan aiming to deliver electric power from Sabah to Palawan. During the meeting, the BEBC informed the participants that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding may take place by April 2017 and when this will be realized, “it will provide the needed capacity addition to the country,” Pulido said. In support of the Philippine Energy Sector 8-point

Agenda, Pulido also underscored the need to strengthen the resiliency of energy infrastructures in the sub-region. BEBC Brunei proposed a renewable energy resource assessment for each country intending to identify feedstock as fuel for a proposed biomass generating facility project. Pulido reported that “The Philippines will pursue coordination meetings between the private sector, National Government Agencies (NGAs) and the provincial Government of Palawan to be able to review existing policies and regulation on cross-border trading and to facilitate the timely execution of the proposed interconnection.” (PR)

DOE pushes for energy security in BIMP-EAGA meet

HE Department of Energy (DOE) expressed full support for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Power and Energy Cluster whose thrusts run parallel to the country’s own agenda of ensuring energy security, promoting a low carbon future, achieving total electrification, improving energy efficiency and conservation. Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi at the 2017 BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting was represented by DOE-Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III. As Head of the Philippine energy sector delegates, Pulido

HE Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) is set to embark on different activities to strengthen the “Blood Pressure Awareness” on adult and children to stem the tide of hypertension which remains to be the leading cause of death in the country and worldwide. The PSH made the announcement in a press briefing citing how half of the population of hypertensive Filipinos can be unaware of their conditions. It is estimated that more than 100,000 deaths annually among Filipinos could be directly attributable to high BP condition. An equal number of deaths may be indirectly linked also to high BP. In a press briefing during the Thursday opening of their 22nd Annual Convention (February 23-25), the PSH together with Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) cited that that there are many Filipinos who continue to be unaware or do not know that they have high blood pressure and can be compared to “walking time bombs.” “They are called as such because anytime, they could “explode” to develop complications like a massive stroke, acute myocardial infarction and even sudden cardiac death,” said Dr. Rafael Castillo, past president of PSH and Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH) and currently a member of International Society of Hypertension (ISH). Dr. Castillo said that, sometimes, a person may not be aware of his/her hypertensive condition and will just be surprised upon finding out because they are not aware nor feel any symptom/s attributable to high BP. Castillo warned that such was not an isolated condition and others therefore should be aware that monitoring their BP is very important. “It only takes a few minutes to have one’s BP checked. Everyone must know his/her BP, “ advises Dr. Castillo. The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study

done covering the 2003-2009 period described the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in rural and urban communities in the high, middle and low income countries. The multinational population study showed that less than 46.5 percent are aware they have high BP, while the control rate was dismally poor at 13.1 percent. “If more than 50 percent of adult people don’t know they are hypertensive, much more among our pediatric patients,” said Dr. Lynn Gomez, president of PSH. Gomez added that every time she has a pediatric patient with hypertension, the parent’s usual reaction is to ask why and how. In recognition of that “existing problem,” she said that they had laid down different activities to make the awareness campaign strong in the coming years. In celebration of the World Kidney Day (WKD) this March, Gomez said they will conduct more lay forum activities to spread awareness on hypertension among adults and children. She said that one of the topics will be centering on the “fast foods impact on children” in order to address the problem on obesity among children. She said obesity among children is also the result of a sedentary lifestyle wherein children nowadays are staying longer in front of televisions and the Internet, eating frequently on fastfood chains and busy on other modern gadgets. This lifestyle discourages children from actively moving which causes their body to store excessive fats, oil and salt. Professor Neil Poulter, ISH president, who spoke during the plenary session on “BP control: A Global Challenge,” agreed that hypertension among the young is increasing because of obesity and the existing system wherein BP measurement among children were not normally done. “Because we don’t measure kids and their proportion, we don’t know (how) high, we don’t know,” said Poulter. (PNA)

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If bites could kill (Last of Three Parts)

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“P

LEASE, our son needs help!” pleaded Rina as she carried her son Noel to the hospital. The nurses, who were having lunch that hot Friday afternoon, immediately quit eating and tried to calm the mother of the 9-year-old boy from Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

“What happened,” one of the nurses asked. Rina then shared this story: Five days earlier, Noel had a fever and was complaining of abdominal pain. The parents thought it was due to some kind of “wind” because the child had not eaten. The fever, however, was on-and-off for four days. Despite the treatments, their son’s condition was getting worse. That was when the parents decided to bring the boy to the hospital. By this time, Noel’s breathing was rapid and the pulse was beating fast. His skin was cold and clammy. Chest X-rays showed the boy having an abnormal build-up of fluid in the lungs. He was breathing difficulty. Doctors told the parents that their son was in a state of shock. The boy was immediately brought to the emergency department. Inside the intensive care unit, the boy started bleeding profusely despite the blood transfusion done by the doctors. Early Sunday, at about three o’clock, Noel died due to the complications of dengue fever.

Four types “There are four serotypes of dengue viruses, which may be characterized by varying clinical presentations, ranging from self-limited dengue fever to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome,” wrote ShuWen Wa in an article which appeared in Journal of Biomedical Science. “Known for its potentially life-threatening complications, severe dengue virus infection can lead to vascular leakage,

thrombocytopenia, and hemorrhage, although the detailed mechanisms are not fully established.” Fortunately, children in the future would not be experiencing what Noel had gone through. Thanks to a dengue vaccine that can protect children and adults from the disease – “from the severe form of dengue and from being hospitalized from dengue,” to quote the words of Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding. A vaccine has been alluded to as one of the best ways to obliterate dengue. “Many biotechnological approaches have been used in attempts to develop dengue vaccines candidates, including live attenuated vaccines, infectious clone-derived vaccines, recombinant live vector systems, subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines,” reports the 2002 State of the World’s Vaccines and Immunization. Finally, after more than 20 years, the Sanofi Pasteur has developed such kind of vaccine. “There are several challenges in the development of this vaccine,” said Dr. Capeding, who heads the Department of Microbiology and the Dengue Study Group of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. For one, there is no animal model for the disease. For another, there are four dengue virus serotypes hence a need for a

combined tetravalent vaccine. Other challenges include a need for demonstration in the absence of protection and the need for large studies and long-term follow-up. Dengue vaccine The Sanofi Pasteur dengue vaccine is described by Dr. Capeding as “a live, attenuated, recombinant, (and) tetravalent.” It means the vaccine “will protect individuals against 4 serotypes of dengue.” “Prevention of dengue is

an urgent and growing medical priority in the Philippines,” says Dr. May Book Montellano, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination. And vaccination, she adds, “is widely accepted as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like dengue.” The Scientific American reported that the dengue vaccine, which is designed to coax the body’s immune system into making antibodies against all four forms of dengue, is a live virus comprised of an attenuated yellow fever virus. (Yellow fever virus and dengue virus have the same genus.) For the vaccine, however, the virus is genetically engineered to include genes encoding for dengue proteins. The vaccine isn’t perfect yet but it could help. “In clinical trials, it only reduced the chances of developing the disease by about 60 percent,” Scientific American said. “Also, it is only approved for use in people nine to 45 years old who live in dengue-endemic areas —not young children or the elderly. In fact, the vaccine seems to be least effective in children younger than nine years old, particularly among kids under 6, whose immune systems are especially vulnerable and might be part of the group who need the vaccines most.” According to Sanofi, the vaccine prevents “9 out of 10 cases of severe dengue.” Cameron Simmons, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Melbourne, told Al Jazeera: “The evidence from the vaccine trials is that it can prevent hospitalization for about 80 percent of those who get vaccinated.” For the vaccine to be effective, a person will need three doses with six-month gap for each dose. OL Trap While the dengue vaccine is still far from perfect, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is

promoting Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap (OL Trap), a simple but effective vector control method to lower the population of dengue Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, thus reducing dengue cases and controlling dengue transmission. Developed by DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), OL Trap works by trapping the eggs and larvae of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes in their laying site with active organic solution and killing them in the process before hatching

and going to adult stage. The science department is working with various government agencies in promoting the tool. “It’s not rocket science,” said Undersecretary Jesus Lorenzo Mateo of the Department of Education. “The OL Trap is a very simple technology but is effective in helping decrease dengue cases among schoolchildren.” Guffy fish On the other hand, the Asian Development Bank promotes the use of the larvae-eating guppy fish as bi-

ological control against the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Known as million fish, it can eat up to 102 mosquito larvae a day, according to one study. “(The fish) offers a viable alternative to using chemicals and can reduce the scale of costly emergency response activities to contain epidemics,” said Gerard Servais, health specialist of the Manila-based bank. “The study we’ve made has shown that the guppy fish don’t have an impact on the biological quality of the water. It’s safe, even for drinking water.”

“Prevention of dengue is an urgent and growing medical priority in the Philippines... and vaccination, is widely accepted as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like dengue.” – Dr. May Book Montellano, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination

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ROUSING START Ateneo opens Escandor Cup with win over JMC By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

E W LY- C R O W N E D SM NBTC champion Ateneo de Davao University took off where it left last week as the Blue Knights opened its 4th Emilio Escandor Cup campaign with a rout of Jose Maria College 78-50 on Sunday. Francis Gabriel Escandor once again led the Blue Knights’ assault coming through with 16 points, splitting the lane almost at will like TEAM STANDINGS W L GROUP A Ateneo 1 0 DCNHS 1 0 JMC 0 1 PWC 0 1 ACD x x Emar x x

a runaway train. The Blue Knights, who will be representing Davao in the NBTC Nationals next month at the MOA Arena, jumped off to a 18-12 first quarter lead before blowing it up to a 38-21 spread at the lemontime break. Axel Doromal also shone for Ateneo as he added 12 markers while Dariel Manliguez and Ion Angeles chipped in 11 apiece. In other games, Davao

GROUP B DJA 1 Ford 1 DRANHS 0 Agro 0 Holy Child x Holy Cross x

0 0 1 1 x x

Jones Academy gave newcomer Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School a rude welcome with a 106-61 mauling while Davao City National High School eked out a 76-64 win in its league debut and Ford Academy of the Arts

dropped Agro Industrial Foundation College 71-53. Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) board of trustee member Glenn Escandor formally opened the tournament held in honor of the late Col. Emilio Escandor.

UNSTOPPABLE. Francis Gabriel Escandor fired 16 points for Ateneo. Lean Daval Jr.

SLIPPERY. Axel Doromal eludes his defender in this bit of action. Lean Daval Jr.

Bornea wins bloody title fight in Gensan I

T was a battle that made the boxers dig in deep and the crowd stand and roar in excitement. Young prospects Jade Bornea and Raul Yu had a tentative start but Yu’s length gave Bornea a little bit of trouble in the opening round. Bornea, representing Gensan’s Sanman/Amoy boxing stable, shifted his stance to southpaw in the second round and landed effectively with his right hook. Bornea continued to fight left handed in the third when it was obvious that Yu had no trouble handling him when he shifted back to an orthodox stance. In the 4th, a cut opened on Bronea’s left eyebrow and Yu, representing Cebu’s ALA gym, saw his chance and cornered and pum-

meled him on the ropes. Yu continued to press the action in the fifth round and it took Bornea near the end of the fifth to mount an offense. But it was still anybody’s fight past the halfway mark. In the sixth, cheered on by the home crowd, Bornea counterattacked but Yu remained aggressive. Yu’s edge in power was evident in the seventh, when he landed at will against a retreating Bornea. But Bornea’s corner managed to control his cut, which would become crucial in the endgame. Early in the eighth round, a clash of heads opened a gash on Yu’s right eyebrow. The ring doctor allowed the fight to continue and the cut bled profusely obstructing his vision.

CEREMONIAL JUMP. SBP 11 regional head Glenn Escandor presides over the ceremonial ball rites. Lean Daval Jr.

DeRozan powers Raptors past Blazers

EMAR DeRozan scored 33 points, Serge Ibaka added 18 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 112-106 on Sunday night. The Raptors won their third in a row and wrapped up a second straight season sweep of Portland. They previously had beaten the Trail Blazers 95-91 in

Portland on Dec. 26. Damian Lillard scored 28 points for the Trail Blazers, who got 18 from Maurice Harkless. Up 98-96 with 4:41 remaining, the Raptors scored the next six points, with back-to-back jump shots from Ibaka and a pair of free throws from DeRozan putting them up by eight with 3:16

remaining. The Trail Blazers answered with six straight converted free throws sandwiched around a three-point play from Cory Joseph, before Lillard drove on Ibaka and converted the layup to cut the lead to 107-104 with 1:42 to play. But DeRozan scored the next

four points, hitting a jump shot and two free throws to put the Raptors up by seven with 30 seconds to play. In a back-and-forth first quarter featuring 11 lead changes, Portland took control, overcoming 12 points from DeRozan to emerge with a 28-25 edge after 12 minutes.

MEN’S CEREMONIAL TEE OFF. The 70th Regular Men’s PAL Interclub golf tournament officially opened with the ceremonial tee off at Rancho Palos Verdes, led by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana (right photo). A total of 82 teams are seeing action in the Men’s Interclub to run March 1 to 4 at Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo Golf in Davao City.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 265 â&#x20AC;¢ TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017