P 15.00 • 16 PAGESwww.edgedavao.netVOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

MILF JOININGWAR ON DRUGS

EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WAR ON DRUGS. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Ismael Sueno gives the details on the result of a meeting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the group’s plan to help the government stop illegal drugs in its area. Sueno faced the press in a news conference at a hotel in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

INTERIOR Secre-tary Mike Sueno announced yester-

day that the Moro Is-lamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be actively participating in the cur-rent administration’s campaign against ille-gal drugs in Mindan-ao as governments’ informant.

“The MILF will be helping us in iden-

tifying suspected drug per-sonalities and possible drug laboratories operating in ar-

eas that have the group’s pres-ence,” Sueno said in a press conference yesterday morning at Hotel Elena in Davao City.

This was after the MILF and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) sealed an agreement in a meeting Tues-day night for cooperation and coordination of the two par-ties on the efforts of the gov-ernment to reduce drug pres-ence in areas where the rebel group has presence.

The agreement, written in a two-page document was signed by Ad hoc Joint Action

Group (AHJAG) and Coordi-nating Committee on the Ces-sation of Hostilities (CCCH) chairmen Brig. Gen. Arnel B. Dela Vega and Brig. Gen Glen Macasero of the GPH and law-yer Abdul M. Dataya and Butch P. Malang of the MILF.

“We saw the willingness of the MILF in helping us erad-icate drug problems in their areas,” Sueno said

The MILF earlier passed a resolution to take immediate action against drug problems a year ago because of the alarm-ing growth in the number of

illegal drugs-related incidence it its area of presence.

“We got sincerity and com-mitment from MILF,” he added.

For his part, Catalino Cuy, spokesperson for security and police matters of the DILG, said the GPH and MILF agreed on five provisions.

Cuy, the former director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said the all the anti-il-legal drug operations of GPH and MILF will be anchored to Republic Act 9165.

“The Philippine Drug En-

Rebels have list of local leaders into drugs: Suenocrc@edgedavao.net

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

F MILF, 10

2 THINGS AT THE SAME TIME. Having a five-month old child didn’t stop this mother from earning a living as she continue to work as a manicurist while cuddling her baby at a park in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 20162 EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

PARENTAL DUTY. Parents, armed with umbrellas as protection to the scorching heat of an afternoon sun, gather at the main gate of Magallanes Elementary School in Davao City to fetch their children during the end of the morning class yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

FIFTY-ONE soldiers have been dismissed from the service since 2011

after they tested positive in illegal drugs, said 10th Infan-try Division spokesperson, Captain Rhyan Batchar.

Batchar told reporters during the AFP-PNP press conference on Wednesday that even before the pro-nouncement of President Ro-drigo Duterte to suppress il-legal drugs in the country in 3 to 6 months, the Armed Forc-

es of the Philippines (AFP) had already been conducting series of drug test to ensure that there are no members of the army who are into drugs.

“Prior to these series of drug test in the government security forces, the army has been conducting a series of surprise drug test in our ranks to see if there are sol-diers who are into this illegal activity,” Batchar pointed out.

He added that the recent surprise drug tests conduct-

ed by the 10th Infantry Di-vision manifest the army’s support to President Duter-te’s advocacy of cleaning the government ranks from ille-gal drugs.

“This is to show to our president that the army is with him in suppressing il-legal drugs in the country,” Batchar added.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), there were no soldiers tested positive of illegal drug used

based on their last surprise random drug test.

EMC spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey said that on July 6, the command conducted a surprise drug test, however no one was tested positive.

The National Bureau of Investigation in the region, on the other hand also conduct-ed a surprise drug test in their ranks on Monday.

Results also indicated that no one in NBI Davao re-gion is into illegal drug use.

TWO female public school teachers died while two others were

hurt after motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire at them Tuesday afternoon along Pa-galamatan road in Purok Ta-lainged, Barangay Tamontaka 1 here.

Police identified the fatal-ities as Sittie Usop Abdullah, 31; and Fahara Cabuntalan La, 29; both teachers of the Mokamat Elementary Public School at Barangay Tamonta-ka 4 here.

Another female teacher,

Aisah Karon Malugka, 34; and tricycle driver Fahad Abdul Wahid Abdullah, 20, were se-riously wounded in the same incident.

The victims were on their way home around 4 p.m. on-board the tricycle when over-taken and fired upon by the gunmen.

Concerned citizens brought the victims to vari-ous infirmaries in the city fol-lowing the incident.

Police are still establish-ing the motive behind the in-cident. (PNA)

WITH the Philippines winning its arbitra-tion case, Depart-

ment of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lo-renzana hopes China will com-ply with the ruling for the good of the entire region.

“I hope China will abide (with the ruling) because it will be good for the whole region if everybody will follow the rule of law, nobody can just cherry pick the laws that we are going to abide by it. We believe in a community of nations (that) exist side-by-side harmonious-ly,” he added.

However, Lorenzana de-clined to comment on the rul-ing’s effect on security of the disputed areas and whether the Philippines will now lift its construction moratorium at Ayungin Shoal, now that the United Nations Permanent

Court of Arbitration has ruled that the feature belongs to the country.

“I can’t answer that now because the government is still processing the decision of the tribunal which is more than 500 pages, the Solicitor Gen-eral just went through it,” the DND chief stressed.

“Many things need to be studied first, the President said there is no rush in decid-ing what to do, study this and wait for other developments and consult with (our) allies first on what do,” he further revealed.

At 5:00 p.m. Tuesday (Ma-nila time), the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitra-tion handed down its decision on the case which invalidated China’s claim over its “historic rights” to the disputed waters,

51 soldiers dismissed due to illegal drug use

2 female teachers dead, 2 others hurt in Cotabato shooting incident

DND chief hopeful Chinawill comply with UN ruling

DAVAO del Norte Police Director Senior Super-intendent Ferdinand Si-

fuentes confirmed two mem-bers of the Tagum City Police Office turned out positive in the use of illegal drugs in a random drug test conducted recently in his command.

Speaking to reporters at the Biz Talk @ Big 8 Hotel, he declined to name the two policemen but administra-tive charges are already filed against them which will be the basis for their dismissal from the service.

Sifuentes said even with the hard evidence lifted from the random drug test and the confirmatory test against these policemen, they still

have to undergo due process.“Based on the policies and

guidelines from higher office, they will be dismissed from the service,” Sifuentes said.

He said these cops can no longer return to any govern-ment service once decided that they are eventually out of the service.

Sifuentes said that the cur-rent campaign on illegal drugs by the police is calling for vol-untary surrender.

He said most of those who responded this call comes from the lower level of the society since they can be seen easily while those involved in illegal drugs coming from the middle and upper classes of the society tend to be hesitant

to come out since they take drugs often unexposed from the public view.

“If they want to voluntarily surrender, they are also wel-come anytime. We can also do their surrender discreetly,” Sifuentes said.

He stressed voluntari-ly surrender precedes real change in the behavior of drug users to reform.

Clodito Canada, director of the Philippine Drug En-forcement Agency in Davao del Norte revealed that Davao del Norte is classified as dis-tribution point of illegal drugs where activities are limited to street-level pushing in the ab-sence of identified secret labo-ratories.

He said illegal drugs come from other areas like the cit-ies of Cotabato, Marawi and Ozamis brought to Tagum City by land or through parcel and then distributed locally through street-level pushing.

Canada noted the problem like the limited number of re-habilitation centers for drug users. He stressed that first time offenders must undergo voluntarily drug rehabilita-tion.

“We are overwhelmed by the turn out of those who vol-untarily surrendered as the campaign against illegal drugs is intensified,” Canada said.

Mayor Alan Rellon of Tagum City said that without

Two cops positive of drug use in Tagum City, due for dismissal

F TWO, 10F DND, 10

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 3NEWSEDGEDAVAO

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

THE list of the narco-pol-itics in the country is ex-pected to be completed

before July 20.This was the statement

made by Department of In-terior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sue-no to the media.

Sueno said that as of the moment authorities are val-idating their intelligence re-ports on the list of narco-pol-itics in the country.

He said that the list will not only consist of chief exec-

utives of the cities and munic-ipalities, but as well as those barangay chieftains.

“The list will not only be limited to the mayors. It will be everyone in the govern-ment involved in narco-pol-itics from mayors down to barangay kagawad,” Sueno emphasized.

He told reporters that as of the moment, the numbers of the alleged narco-politi-cians are still changing as the authorities are verifying their reports.

He said they are expect-ing the list to be complete on or before July 20, or five days before the first State of the Na-tion Address (SONA) of Presi-dent Rodrigo Duterte.

“Before July 20 we can have the list of names of the local government officials in-volved in drugs,” Sueno said.

Meanwhile, DILG Under-secretary Catalino Cuy, as-sured the public that the list of narco-politics and police gen-erals involved in illegal drugs will be thoroughly validated.

“It will undergo thorough validation before it reaches the hands of the president,” Cuy pointed out.

President Duterte has been pronouncing in public that he already had the list of the 32 mayors who are into illegal drugs.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ron-ald dela Rosa even told the mayors publicly that he will give them a hard headed chief of police that will not follow their illegal activities.

A NUMBER of alleged victims of a local multi-level market-

ing company Jacama have sought the help of Davao City acting Mayor Paolo Duterte.

Around a hundred vic-tims met with Duterte at the City Hall recently and asked for assistance after losing a huge amount of money they ‘invested’ in the company that was ordered closed in January this year.

Jacama’s alleged modus is to attract victims by offer-

ing them a return on invest-ments in the form of goods and cash every 15 days after a certain period of time. One of the packages assured a victim of at least 150 percent increase in return on invest-ment.

The acting mayor has or-dered the chief of the city’s special anti-scam unit, Di-onesio Abude, to assist the victims. He said an investiga-tion will be conducted and it will also cover other alleged fraudulent activities in the

city.Abude’s group -- called

Task Force Bulatik, a Visay-an dialect for fraud -- will be the body designed to crackdown on companies or groups duping unsuspecting victims.

Lawyer Arnold A. Ro-sales, director of the Nation-al Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 11, said that they will be aiding the vic-tims in the filling of appro-priate charges against Jaca-ma. (CIO)

THE Department of Ed-ucation (DepEd) on Wednesday reminded

public schools nationwide that the collection of autho-rized contributions is purely voluntary.

In a statement, the DepEd reiterated its goal to provide all Filipino learners with free basic education in public elementary and sec-ondary schools.

This is pursuant to DepEd Order No. 41, s. 2012 which includes the imple-menting policies on the col-lection of voluntary contri-butions.

Under the guidelines,

these authorized contribu-tions include those made for Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Girl Scouts of the Phil-ippines (GSP), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Anti-TB Fund Drive, Par-ents-Teachers Association (PTA), and school publica-tion fee.

The contribution per learner for the BSP and GSP is PHP50, PHP35 for the PNRC, and PHP5 for the An-ti-TB Fund Drive.

The Department stressed that an excessive amount for the PTA contri-bution must be avoided.

”This contribution may

only be collected after the PTA presents to their mem-bers and to the school head/principal a report on the utilization of the previous school year’s collections and their proposed budget with program of activities,” DepEd said.

For the school publica-tion fee, no more than PHP60 may be collected from ele-mentary pupils and not more than PHP 90 for high school students.

The publication of the school newspaper, although not compulsory, is encour-aged to bolster the journal-ism program at the elemen-

tary and secondary levels.”DepEd maintains that

contributions should not be-come monetary constraints for parents and learners, and acknowledges the many expenses they incur just to send their children to school,” it said.

DepEd also reiterated that failure to settle these vol-untary school contributions must not be used as a basis for non-admission, non-pro-motion, or non-issuance of clearance to a student.

This Order is avail-able online at http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-41-s-2012. (PNA)

JAIL officials, in coordination with the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office (NC-

CPO), unearthed illegal drugs and deadly weapons during a surprise raid Wednesday at the provincial district jail facility situated at the capitol grounds here.

P/Supt. Bernard Tayong, NCCPO spokesman, said the 10:00 a.m. raid dubbed “Op-eration Greyhound” was con-ducted following reports that illegal substances such as sha-bu and other contraband were clandestinely slipped into the facility over the past few months.

As a result, the raiding team recovered 13 shabu sa-chets and numerous deadly weapons from prison cells 1 and 3 of the facility.

“The reports are now con-firmed not hearsays based on evidences recovered from the inmates”, Tayong said.

The provincial district jail housing some 900 inmates is situated about a kilometer away from the Office of the Governor and NCCPO head-quarters in the capitol.

Supt. Erwin Roquillo, pro-vincial jail warden, said the inmates were caught flatfoot-ed when the raiding team, in full-battle gear, stormed inside the compound.

Tensions ran high when police personnel beat a certain alias “Yamuta”, an inmate, but later appeased as the opera-tion continued.

Roquillo said an investiga-tion is underway to determine the people behind the shabu operation at the prison facility despite a strict security proto-col.

Last year, six jail personnel were relieved and probed due to alleged involvement in ille-gal drug operations inside the provincial jail. (PNA)

DepEd reminds schools on ‘No Collection Policy’

OPLAN DOUBLE BARREL. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Sr. Supt. Catherine Dela Rey (right) gives updates on the ongoing Oplan Double Barrel which resulted to 1,980 individuals surrendering to the authorities,

83 arrests, 10 neutralized and 59 buybust operations. Dela Rey, together with 10th ID spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar, graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at the Ritz Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

DILG: List of politicians intoillicit drugs exposed by July 20

ENERGY Secretary Alfon-so Cusi today said the Department of Foreign

Affairs together with all oth-er government agencies con-cerned will thoroughly study the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the arbitration proceedings initiated by the Philippines with regard to maritime en-titlements in the South China

Sea.“The DOF will be assess-

ing the over-all implications of the verdict in coordination with other agencies of the gov-ernment among them the De-partment of Energy,” Cusi said.

“The Philippines reiter-ates its abiding commitment to pursue a peaceful resolu-tion of disputes in the South China Sea and promote peace and stability in the region through diplomacy and con-sultations,” Cusi concluded.

DOE: We will follow DFA leadin studying Arbitral Ruling

Jacama ‘scam’ victims seek Duterte’s help

Police raid uncover drugs, armsinside Kidapawan provincial jail

ACTING Mayor Paolo Duterte has prohib-ited the conduct of

street parties and concerts in downtown Davao during the Kadayawan Festival celebra-tion.

The order is consistent with the festival’s central theme this year -- that is to focus on the plight of the 11 tribes of Davao City. Events to be held in public parks and other public places should only highlight the culture and traditions of the Lumads and the Muslims, said Duterte.

For the first time, the executive committee of the Kadayawan 2016 convened Wednesday morning to plan out this year’s festival.

In a meeting with the

members of the execom, Duterte ordered them to organize events that would highlight the city’s various ethnic groups. He earlier de-scribed the Indigenous Peo-ples and Muslims as the heart and soul of Kadayawan.

“I want the Poblacion area free from loud noise -- from concerts and parties,” he said. “Let us get away from these activities. Let us instead hold these events outside the downtown area.”

The city government in-tends to invite performers and artists who promote the culture of the people of Davao and Mindanao such as Popong Landero, Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios and other homegrown talents.

Parties, concerts not allowed in downtown Davao in Kadayawan

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 20164 EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA

A JOINT undertaking aimed to build houses for the beneficiaries of

the Modified Shelter Assis-tance Program (MSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was started in the province of Compostela Valley.

Called “Comval Bayani-han”, the project, which will be part of the Gawad kalinga Build 2016 (GK Build 2016) was jointly kicked off by the provincial government of Compstela Valley, the DSWD and the Uswag-Gawad Kalinga

in the region. The opening ceremony

was held in Poblacion Laak inside the parcel of land is donated by former-Governor now Board Member Arturo T Uy.

Board Member Uy, during the ceremony, reminded the participants on his grateful-ness for the continuation of shelter provision for the vic-tims of Typhoon Pablo.

The former governor also emphasized the importance of unity through voluntarism that, he said already became

the legacy of the province in helping its constituents espe-cially during the time of disas-trous calamities such as the typhoon Pablo.

After the typhoon struck the province in 2012, series of activities were facilitated in the area that provided homes to survivors whose houses were destroyed.

This time, the board mem-ber asked the new administra-tion of Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy to continue building houses through volunteerism.

Data from the provincial

government said around 722 houses still need to be built in the entire province of Com-postela Valley, summarized as follows: 150 houses in Laak town; 50 in Mabini; 100 in Maco; 150 in Maragusan; 41 in Mawab; 30 in Montevista; 51 in Nabunturan; and 150 in Pantukan.

The opening ceremony in Laak was also graced by the members of the provincial board of Compostela Valley and the municipal and baran-gay officials concerned. (Hon-eylyn Sayson,IDS/Comval)

Comval Bayanihan kicks off in Compostela Valley MORE water project

facilities will come even to the farthest

towns and villages in the Au-tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the next three years, officials said Tues-day.

In the next 35 months, more than 100 water supply facilities are to be construct-ed in far-flung communities, according to Sec. Don Loong of the ARMM Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

From 2012 to date, about 46 water supply projects have been completed across the re-gion which is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, La-nao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“That is a feat this adminis-tration can talk about proudly, so unprecedented,” said Loong.

“All projects are open to media scrutiny or civil soci-ety organizations monitoring

infrastructure projects in the region,” ARMM Gov. Mujiv Ha-taman said on Tuesday.

Loong said the water proj-ects are already in the pipeline for implementation.

“We will ask the communi-ties in areas where these proj-ects are to be implemented to help monitor the construction works based on implemen-tation programs and funding schemes,” Loong said.

The ARMM government has allocated PHP745 million for its 72 water supply proj-ects that were programmed in 2015.

“We are confident, barring all undue circumstances, such as bad weather and securi-ty issues, we can accomplish more during the second term of Gov. Hataman,” Loong said in a statement released to the press here.

Hataman was reelected to his second term in the recent May polls. (PNA)

THE provincial govern-ment of South Cotaba-to has strengthened its

crowd management and secu-rity-related arrangements as it expects more spectators in various events of the province’s ongoing 50th foundation anni-versary celebration and 17th T’nalak Festival.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Wednes-day she directed local law en-forcements to adopt tighter se-curity measures to ensure the safety of visitors as well as the smooth and orderly conduct of

the festivities.She said around 10,000

people showed up on Monday for the festival’s opening cere-monies and they expect the fig-ures to swell in the remaining activities.

Organizers earlier estimat-ed around 300,000 foreign and local visitors in this year’s fes-tivity, which runs until July 18, the province’s 50th or golden foundation anniversary.

The festival’s activities are centered in Koronadal City, the province’s capital and compo-nent city.

“We’re very overwhelmed with the thousands of specta-tors that have been coming in and the support from our stake-holders,” the governor said.

Abner Navarro, provincial planning and development of-fice head, said they expect a big-ger crowd at the culmination of the festivities on July 18, which is a regular holiday in the entire province.

He said the South Cotaba-to Provincial Police Office has already deployed additional police personnel to secure the activities and festival venues.

It included teams from the explosive ordnance disposal or EOD unit of the South Cotabato police, he said.

As an additionaal security measure, he said the festival’s security committee requested the tagging of all equipment of photographers and media workers who are covering the festivities.

Navarro said the move was based on a recommendation from the publicity and promo-tions committee.

“Aside from police person-

OFFICIALS are pushing for the development of this lakeside mu-

nicipality as an alternative eco-cultural tourism destina-tion in Region 12.

Mayor Bai Princess Man-gudadatu Sakaluran said Tuesday they are set to begin soon the crafting of the town’s tourism development plan, which will center on its natu-ral attractions and resources.

She specifically cited the

61.34 square-kilometer Lake Buluan, which it shares with Buluan town in Maguindanao and President Quirino in Sul-tan Kudarat.

The town could develop its lakeside areas along with its tilapia and bangus indus-tries to attract local and for-eign tourists, she said.

“We have available re-sources that could prime us to become a top eco-cultural tourism destination, when

properly developed,” the may-or said.

Aside from the lake, she said the town hosts vast fruit plantations as well as live-stock and agricultural farm areas.

She said their watershed and forest areas have diverse wildlife and other related re-sources.

“We have vast resourc-es for potential ornamental ferns production,” Sakaluran

said.The mayor said the es-

tablishment of a sustainable tourism industry and good governance could anchor the town’s economic develop-ment.

She said they will com-plement those moves by en-gaging in sustainable poverty reduction programs through linkages the national govern-ment and the private sector.

Sultan Kudarat town set sights on eco-cultural tourism dev’t

Far-flung villages in ARMMto receive water projects

SoCot steps up crowd management,security measures at T’nalak fest

IN its official report to the constituents of Compostela Valley, members of the 6th

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the province said they were able to pass 16 ordinanc-es and approved 1,570 resolu-tions.

The report was read by SP Secretary Thelma Yumang during the recent turn-over ceremony held at the SP Ses-sion Hall at the provincial cap-itol building in Nabunturan town that was witnessed by top provincial officials and the news members of the 7th SP of the province.

A total of 136 sessions, 134 of which were regular and 2 special was also conducted by the old SP members, as pre-scribed by the Local Govern-ment Code (LGC) stating that SP members, during their term shall conduct session once a week.

The legislative measures passed by the 6th SP comple-mented the programs, rojects and activities of the executive department of Compostela Valley to address the cluster is-sues stipulated that were pre-viously approved as the Exec-utive-Legislative Agenda of the province, that include adminis-trative governance, economic governance, social governance and health governance.

The report said eight mea-sures were approved by the old SP to address the concerns of administrative governance during the previous admin-istration; five for economic governance; one for social governance; and one for health governance.

Among the paramount legislative measures enacted by the 6th SP include the Pro-vincial Ordinance No. 20-2013 or the Local Investment and Incentive Code of the provinc-es that was enacted last July 15, 2013; the updated Provin-cial Ordinance No. 23-2014,

or the Revenue Code passed last December 4, 2014; and the Provincial Ordinance No. 33-2015 or the Gender and Devel-opment Code of Compostela Valley approved last December 4, 2015.

Yumang also recognized the iconic legislative measures passed by past SP in Compos-tela Valley, such as the Provin-cial Ordinance No. 12-2012 or the Environmental Code of Compostela Valley that was approved last May 16, 2012 by the 5th SP; and the Provincial Ordinance No. 09-2009 or the Code for Children in the prov-ince enacted last October 4, 2009 by the 4th SP.

The Health and Sanitation Code of the province is still on process by the technical work-ing group (TWG) and expected to be passed during the incum-bent members of the SP.

Special mention was also highlighted when the 6th SP enacted Provincial Ordinance No. 29-2015 or the “COMVAL i-RICE ORDINANCE” last April 9, 2015 that addressed the problem on malnutrition and provided the mechanism for the production and use of Iron Fortified Rice in Compostela Valley.

It was also during the term of the 6th SP that Provincial Ordinance No. 32-2015 or “RABIES CONTROL ORDI-NANCE” was passed in Decem-ber 2, 2015.

Vice Governor Manuel Zamora, who led the 6th SP said he will continue support-ing the leadership of Compos-tela Valley through the enact-ment and approval of ordi-nances and resolutions needed to pursue programs, projects and services that are intended for the benefit of the people of the province.

Zamora won another tern as vice governor of Compos-tela Valley last May local and

16 Ordinances, 1,570 resolutionsapproved by ComVal’s 6th SP

F 16 ORDINANCES, 10

F SOUTH, 10

F SULTAN, 10

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

THE Departments of Finance (DOF) and of Budget and Manage-

ment (DBM) are teaming up with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on finding ways to ac-celerate the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects by cutting from an average time of 29 months to below 20 months the time for proponents to actually start their infrastructure projects.

DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also assured around 600 business leaders during a recent economic fo-rum there would be no “hia-tus” in the implementation of

PPP ventures already in the pipeline, saying the new gov-ernment would never com-mit the mistake of the past administration in suspending this vital public infrastructure program for two years while it reviewed all then-pending projects.

“We have noted that a typical PPP project takes 29 months from the average to get started, and definitely we’ve been discussing with the NEDA, which is in charge of the PPP Center, as well as with the Budget Department that this process has to be speeded up and brought down to prob-ably below 20 months,” said

Dominguez at the ques-tion-and-an-swer portion of Business-World’s 1st Economic Fo-rum at BGC’s Shangri-La at the Fort Hotel in Taguig City.

D o m i n -guez said, “We’re going ahead with all of them, we will just assume that the previous administra-

tion did the right thing and then we will push ahead, so there will be no hiatus in time for the PPP projects that are already in the pipeline so we’re not going to review them.”

“We’re going to review the process of the approvals, and cutting down the red tape for getting all the approvals for all these projects,” he said.

Dominguez also said, “We have lined up quite a number of (infrastructure) projects or implementations either through PPP or through gov-ernment budget methods.”

He noted that one of the Duterte administration’s key priorities is to ramp up spend-ing on infrastructure devel-opment, particularly outside of Metro Manila, to generate employment opportunities in the countryside, help decon-gest the nation’s capital, and achieve progress and inclusive growth for all.

In his speech at the Busi-nessWorld event, Dominguez said, “What we plan to do is to improve the efficiency of delivering basic services and infrastructure to benefit our communities. To accomplish this, we will need to cut redun-dancy in our procedures.”

Said Dominguez: “Among the things we aspire for in the

5EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

THE two governments of the Philippines and Indonesia should pur-

sue a bilateral agreement for the implementation of the long-stalled Davao-GenSan-Bitung (DGB) Roll-on, Roll-off (RO-RO) shipping route, a fol-low-up study for Asia RO-RO shipping network revealed.

“We need to talk some more and do it bilateral. We need to have bilateral agree-

ment as soon as possible,” said Ronald G. Sison, team leader of the study team from AL-MEC Corporation, a research firm contracted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), during the stakeholders meeting on the survey yesterday at the Pinna-cle Hotel and Suites in Davao City.

There should be govern-ment-to-government talks for

the project to push through because the business sector has already done its own part in the proposed project which will become the gateway of the Philippines to the rest of BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darus-salam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines – East Asean Growth Area) sub-region.

Sison said the issues on the project involved sovereign laws which are not within the

power of the private sector.The recommendation

came from the result of a fol-low-up study which was com-missioned last May.

The study was aimed to identify the issues and prob-lems that prohibited the sea route from being used for shipping services and for tourism purpose.

He said the proposed sea

Group calls for implementationof Davao-GenSan-Bitung RORO

crc@edgedavao.netBy CHENEEN R. CAPONMORE opportunity is

seen for coconut farm-ers in Mindanao as the

coconut-based products man-ufacturer Franklin Baker Com-pany of the Philippines will set up the world biggest manufac-turing plant in Darong in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur in the next five years.

“It will be the third plant of the company which will be involved in manufacturing of food-based coconut products,” Cesar Q. Galves, vice president for operations of Franklin Baker, said during yesterday’s weekly edition of Habi at Kape at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City.

Galves said the P2.5-billion facility will be utilized for the production of desiccated co-conut, virgin coconut oil, coco water, coco milk, coco flour and coco cream.

“The plant has the capacity to process 2 million nuts per day, higher than the current 550,000 nuts per day capacity for each of Franklin Baker’s ex-isting plants in San Pablo in La-guna and in Coronon in Davao del Sur,” he added.

With increasing require-ments for coconuts, he said, the company is eyeing to source out its supply from co-conut production areas as far as Basilan, Zamboanga and the peripheral areas of Davao.

The company is eyeing to expand its global market in Eu-rope and continue to supply its existing export market.

He said 55 percent of the

current manufactured prod-ucts of Franklin Baker go to the US while the remaining 45 per-cent are shipped to some areas in Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

Galves added that Mindan-ao-based farmers should tap this opportunity to increase their income.

Franklin baler, he said is pursuing efforts to help coco-nut growers and eliminating the participation of traders and middlemen in the value chain.

Galves underscored the importance of educating coco-nut farmers to become entre-preneurs and teach them with trader’s skills.

To assist farmers, he said, the firm is giving premium to nuts that are organic. “Farmers automatically get 50 centavos per nut on top of the P11 reg-ular buying price.”

Traders are buying nuts for only P7 each, leaving farm-ers with small earnings from coconut farming.

“Traders manipulate the supply and price of coconut,” he added.

Seen to be one of the key sectors that will allow the pro-motion of inclusive growth and inclusive business, Galvez em-phasized that farmers should increase their productivity by improving farm management.

He also encouraged farm-ers to apply organic fertilizer to their plantations to improve productivity. CHENEEN R. CA-PON

World’s biggest coco plantsoon to open in Davao Sur

Duterte admin to speed upPPP projects: Dominguez

DURIAN IS HERE. Durian fruit is starting to flood the market in downtown Davao City as harvest season is fast approaching in time for the the city’s celebration of Kadayawan sa Davao festival. Lean Daval Jr.

F GROUP, 10

F DUTERTE, 10Carlos Dominguez III

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 20166 EDGEDAVAOECONOMY

IT will not be long before people who transact using cheques need not wait for

three or more days to get their funds.

This, after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Clearing House Corp.(PCHC) signed Tuesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) operationalizing the Check Image Clearing System (CICS).

BSP Deputy Governor Vi-cente S. Aquino, during the MOA signing, dubbed as “mo-mentous” the signing of the MOA since it paved the way for

the use of truncation technol-ogy, which fast-tracks the pro-cesses to enable the fund bene-ficiary to get his money the next day eventually.

”The Philippines will not be at par with other countries that have successfully implemented cheque truncation system,” he said.

PCHC Chairman Abraham T. Co said the new system pro-vided enhanced security for cheques through watermark on logos and the design pattern.

He said the new system would use technology for faster cheque clearing.

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., in his speech during the event, said this de-velopment in cheque payments and settlement system was a big help since it was an import-ant factor on financial stability and the dynamic and growing economy.

”This is a pillar of busi-ness operations that fuels the network of transactions in the real economy. Absent this pil-lar, stakeholders are literally forced into bilateral means of settlement which take different forms across different counter-parties,” he said.

The central bank chief dis-closed that PCHC processes about 700,000 cheques daily, with average value of Php 135 billion.

With this volume, Tetangco said that one can see that peo-ple still rely on cash and cheque payments, which is also proven by the 2014 study by Better Than Cash Alliance that shows that only one percent of month-ly transactions in the domestic economy are done electroni-cally.

”At a time when technology has become scalable, portable

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Thursday stressed the Duterte ad-

ministration’s goal on the effi-cient use of government funds to improve delivery of basic services and infrastructure.

”To accomplish this, we will need to cut redundancy in our procedures,” he said in his speech during the 1st Busi-nessWorld Economic Forum held at Shangri-La at The Fort in Taguig City Tuesday.

Measures planned to achieve this goal include revi-sion of the procurement law to simplify and streamline the process, simplifying permit re-quirements for infrastructure projects, creation of prioriti-zation list and delineating de-livery responsibilities between national and local projects, and improving absorptive capac-ity of government agencies through better planning and project execution.

The current government also targets to cut income and corporate taxes, which Domin-

guez said was not only political in nature but “makes economic sense” since it would make the country more competitive in Asia.

He said the high tax rates in the country was counter-pro-ductive since the government collected lesser the longer this system was in place, thus, the need for more rational, equi-table and competitive tax sys-tem.

”No amount of public shaming could reverse this. The higher the tax barrier, the more conducive it becomes to evade tax due,” he said.

The Finance chief said the current tax system in the Phil-ippines “could hardly be called sustainable” and “not progres-sive” since “it relies on collec-tive from less and less people.”

He noted that 98.47 per-cent of tax collections come from voluntary tax compliance and only about three to five percent come from audit and enforcement activities.

BUSINESSES should look into improv-ing safety for online

transactions in order to boost the local electronic commerce.

At the Ureka’s Kapihan on Wednesday, UnionBank of the Philippines Executive Vice President Genaro Lapez said there is the need to de-mistify and democratize on-

line payment to encouarge more Filipinos to use online payment transactions.

Lapez mentioned a re-cent study that Filipinos make about 2.5 billion pay-ment transactions worth USD74 billion every month.

However, only 1 percent of the figures is transacted electronically as consumers prefer the traditional pay-

ment platforms due to finan-cial safety risk.

“This huge volume and the preference to transact-ing business the traditional way thus present a big op-portunity for reliable pay-ment gateways to come into the picture and offer a more efficient, frictionless experi-ence for business and con-sumers,” said Lapez.

“There’s really a need to advocate a more democra-tized ecosystem for online payment gateways to enable communities to start using technology and e-commerce as a level for sustained prog-ress,” he added.

Ureka is a consortium led by Unionbank that eyes inclusive e-commerce in the country. (PNA)

DESPITE some delays, a new source of hydro-power for Mindanao

will become operational by the third quarter of 2017, accord-ing to Boy Jabonillo, Vice Pres-ident for Business Develop-ment and the official spokes-person of the project.

The run-of-river hydro-power project in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon is now halfway to completion. The ground work of the project started in April last year.

“Despite continuous rain, excavation works within the 74-hectare construction area are due for completion in few months,” said a press state-ment released during a media tour by journalists from the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Ma-laybalay, Valencia and Davao.

“The installation of pipe-lines is scheduled to finish within this quarter while con-creting works which are fo-cused at the weirs and desand-ers are on time,” the statement added. “The two powerhouses are on soon to start rising.”

Hedcor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, is managing and operating the hydropower project which will generate an additional 68.8 megawatts of renewable energy to Mindan-ao grid.

Hydropower, a renewable energy, produces electricity by water movement. In the case of Manolo Fortich project, Hed-cor uses the run-of-river meth-od of producing electricity.

The British Hydro Corpo-ration explains the scheme in

this manner:The water is taken from

the river by diverting it to through an intake at a weir (a small structure built on the river bed to divert water to the main pipeline). In medium or high-head installations, water may first be carried horizon-tally to the forebay tank by a small canal or sometimes by a conveyance pipe.

Before descending to the turbine, the water passes through a settling tank (called “forebay” or “desander”) in which the water is slowed down sufficiently for suspend-ed particles to settle out.

The forebay is usually pro-tected by a rack of metal bars (a trash rack) which filters out water-borne debris; in some

New hydropower to operate in 2017By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Dominguez reiterates goal for efficient gov’t fund use

Filipinos demand safe online transactions to boost e-commerce

BSP, PCHC sign pact for electronic cheque clearing

THE Mines and Geosci-ences Bureau (MGB) on Wednesday said the

new round of audit of all op-erating mines in the country ordered by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz Lopez is being im-plemented to raise the bar on responsible mining.

MGB Director Leo Jasare-no, in an interview with the media, said they would im-pose a stricter set of criteria in their audit, which cov-ers some 105 metallic and non-metallic mines nation-wide -- including quarrying and small-scale mining.

“The comprehensive re-view will focus on the com-panies’ compliance with the requirements of the Mining Act of 1995, Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), Forestry Law, and other laws pertaining to mining. We want to see whether an spe-

cific violation would entail suspension of operations,” he said.

Jasareno said the new round of audit will look be-yond regulatory require-ments, but also on social and economic impact of the min-ing operations nationwide.

Citing the results of their initial review on mining com-panies, the MGB chief con-firmed that there are frequent violators of mining rules and regulations.

“You’ll be surprised with the number of companies vi-olating the conditions of their contract… majority of which were slapped with equivalent amount of penalty depending on the discretion of who con-ducted the review,” he said.

“With the new round of audit, there will be a list of criteria they need to comply with, otherwise they may face

Audit of operating mines to raiseawareness on responsible mining

F NEW, 10

F DOMINGUEZ, 10

F AUDIT, 11

F BSP, PCHC, 10

TUNA VENDING. A fish trader prepares special cut tuna meat an hour before consumers flock to Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City yesterday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 7EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

THIS July 15-17, 2016, SM Lanang Premier’s 3-Day Salebecomes

more fashionably exciting with a runway show that celebrates the wardrobe staple that never goes out of style.

Dubbed “#DenimCitizen,” the runway show is part of The SM Store’s celebration of July Denim Month. It is set on July 15, 6 pm at The Atrium, SM La-nang Premier.

#DenimCitizen showcases the latest denim collections and how denim can epitomize high fashion while maintaining great comfort, and timeless style.

Walking the runway are SM Youth Ambassadors Tom-my Esguerra and Richard Juan of Pinoy Big Brother, LA Agui-naldo, Janna Tee, Kyle Perry, and Kaila Estrada.

Mallgoers can grab great deals on denim wear at the SM Store or at the Atrium sell-ing areaand get the chance to meet and greet the SM Youth

GLOBAL information and communications technology solutions

provider Huawei Technolo-gies Philippines, Inc. supports the Global Filipino Schools Program of Globe Telecom, Inc. and Ayala Foundation, Inc. as it turns over 100 lap-tops for use of public ele-mentary schools under the program.

While Globe provides in-ternet access to both teachers and students in GFS schools, additional devices such as the donated laptops are needed to allow more students to ex-plore the internet and learn applications which are criti-cal in ushering 21st century learning in public schools.

“It is Huawei’s commit-ment to bridge the digital di-vide where everyone can link up and openly collaborate. At the same time, we continue to work with our customers and partners like Globe to build

a better connected world. Through this donation, we hope to give an opportunity to teachers and students in different parts of the Philip-pines to enjoy high-quality educational materials right at their fingertips,” said Jacky Gao, Huawei Philippines Chief Executive Officer.

Fernando Esguerra, Globe Director for Citizenship said: “Globe believes in the power of technology to forward 21st century learning in public schools nationwide. We want to improve the digital skills among the teachers and stu-dents particularly in using technology and computer software, thus, this donation from Huawei would be of great help in increasing stu-dent engagement in the class-room and in enabling them to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.”

There are currently 20

public schools across the country which have been transformed into GFS centers of excellence even as Globe continues to forge partner-ships with the regional offices of the Department of Educa-tion to scale the program and cover all 221 school divisions nationwide within a five-year period. So far, GFS has ben-efited 41,038 students and 7,227 public school teachers who have been trained as Global Filipino Teachers.

AFI serves as the imple-menting arm of Globe this year for eight schools under GFS which include the benefi-ciaries of the donation such as Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Albay and Center of Excel-lence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) Batan-gas, among others.

“We wish to thank Globe and Huawei for this valuable partnership which will enable us to serve more young peo-

ple through various tools and techniques. Technology is in-deed a great enabler and with these gifts from Huawei, more young minds will enjoy the wonders of information and creative learning,” said Ruel Maranan, President of AFI.

Aside from providing support to the education ad-vocacy of Globe, Huawei also adopted the latter’s Project 1 Phone electronic waste re-covery and recycling program that aims to recover e-wastes from mobile phones and portable devices to promote proper disposal. Proceeds of P1P will also help build more Global Filipinos Schools across the Philippines.

Huawei has already turned over to Globe approx-imately 2000 kilograms of as-sorted e-wastes coming from old and decommissioned corporate assets and person-al donations from employees since January this year.

REGULATIONS, ranging from the 2015 Par-is Agreement’s wide

ranging guidelines to man-dates on nonroad vehicles, have all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

But as Ken Hunter , Founder and CEO of Hunter Ultrasonics, points out in a recent article, the measures to reduce pollution exclude a key part of the process – regular, thorough cleaning of engine

filters.Diesel vehicle owners,

operators and manufactures should call on governments around the globe to not just require Diesel Particulate Fil-ters (DPFs) on all diesel en-gines, but also provide guid-ance on proper maintenance and cleaning of those filters in all future standards.

This is an essential part of the equation to ensure trans-portation related carbon emis-

sion reduction goals are met.Active regeneration, an

increasingly common way to clean clogged DPF filters, is inefficient because it burns off particulates at high tempera-tures, which puts pollutants back into the air and defeats the purpose of having the filter in the first place and leads to increased downtime and lost productivity while the engine is rendered inoperable during the process.

It also increases fuel usage and costs.

Unless proactive cleaning guidelines and less harmful methods like Ultrasonic Clean-ing are adopted, pollution will only continue to increase.

To learn more about the Ultrasonic Cleaning process and how it can reduce DPF maintenance costs, extend en-gine life and lower fuel costs through improved efficiency, visit hunterultrasonics.com

PETROSOLAR Corp. received its certifi-cate of compliance for

the feed-in-tariff (FIT) of its 50-megawatt Tarlac solar power facility.

According to a statement from the power firm, the certificate was approved on Tuesday. The ERC backed the power plant last March 30, granting it the provisional au-thority to operate as a FIT eli-gible power plant.

Petrosolar is owned by PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), a subsidiary of Petro-Energy Resources Corp., at 56 percent and EEI Power Corp. at 44 percent.

PetroEnergy Resources Corp. president Milagros Reyes said the certificate testifies to their “satisfactory compliance to all technical, organizational, legal and financial require-ments to operate a solar power plant.”

Francisco Delfin, vice president and chief operating officer of PetroGreen Energy

Corp., also said the FIT certifi-cation will also allow it to remit to the national wealth royalty and ER 1-94 payments for the host communities. It is located at Central Technopark, Tarlac.

He further noted the proj-ect started exporting power to the Luzon grid earlier on Jan. 27, ahead the solar race deadline on March 15, 2016. It reached 80 percent elec-tro-mechanical completion last Dec. 23.

Its renewable energy pay-ment agreement, effective for 20 years at PHP8.69 per kWh, started on May 10.

The project was allocated a funding of PHP174.67 mil-lion.

The solar farm was built by Syntegra Solar as engineer, Conergy as designer and sup-plier of solar panels and re-lated equipment, Media Con-struction for initial site civil works, Phesco Inc. for the solar farm construction and Philcat-ech Enterprises for substation and transmission lines. (PNA)

PLDT subsidiary and wireless leader Smart C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

(Smart) is rapidly expanding the capacity of thousands of its mobile phone cell sites in 73 provinces of the country using the new radio frequencies that it has recently gained access to.

As of end-June, Smart has beefed up the capacity of 2,035 cell sites in 581 cities and mu-nicipalities in different parts of the country using the 1800 MHz frequency spectrum for-merly assigned to the telecoms businesses of San Miguel Cor-poration (SMC).

Smart is initially using the 1800 MHz to enhance the ability of its GSM or 2G net-work to handle more calls and text messages, particularly in dense urban areas in Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, in the Visayas, and Min-danao. This enables the telco to improve the mobile phone experience of the roughly 70 million Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers nationwide.

Smart has fired up added facilities using the 1800 MHz frequency in 264 cell sites in Metro Manila, 743 in North Luzon, 629 in South Luzon, 118 in the Visayas, and 281 in Mindanao.

The 2G network expansion complements Smart’s grow-ing use of the 700, 2300, and 2600 MHz frequencies also previously assigned to SMC, to strengthen Smart’s mobile data service throughout the country, particularly via LTE

(Long-Term Evolution). LTE is the fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone technology that currently provides the fastest wireless data service commer-cially available.

Smart recently announced it has fired up eight LTE cell sites using the 700 MHz spec-trum. Five of these cell sites are in Davao City, with one each in Tanay, Rizal; Bacoor, Cavite; and Manggahan area in Pasig City.

Smart plans to activate 360 cell sites with 700 MHz this year, initially in Metro Ma-nila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

Smart’s rapid network rollout using the additional frequencies is being undertak-en to comply with the directive issued by the National Tele-communications Commission (NTC) last May 27, 2016. The NTC ordered PLDT to imme-diately use the frequencies formerly assigned to the SMC telecoms businesses in order to improve its services within a year. It also required PLDT to prepare a three-year plan to cover the entire country.

Smart’s drive to boost data coverage and capacity across the country forms a major part of the PLDT’s capital ex-penditure program. PLDT has set aside about P43 billion in total capex for 2016. It has al-located an additional US$100 million to utilize the additional frequencies from the co-acqui-sition of SMC’s telecoms busi-ness.

Hunter Ultrasonics bares a betterway to clean diesel engine filters

Denim Fashion Show at SM Lanang Premier

Smart fires up over 2,000 sites using new frequencies, expands network nationwide

Huawei turns over 100 laptops to Ayala Foundationfor Globe Telecom’s Global Filipino Schools program

PetroSolar gets COC-FIT from ERC

Ambassadors with any pur-chase of top or bottom denims from the SM Men or SM Youth on July 15.

For shopping convenience, mall hours are extended from 10am till 11pm on July 15 to 17.

For event updates, check outSM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Insta-gram.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 20168 EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIALIs there something to celebrate?

AS expected, the Philippines received a favorable decision of the arbitration case it filed against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) of the United Nations Convention on

the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).The favorable decision gave the Philippines the right over the dis-

puted West Philippine Sea or South China Sea territory. The Tribunal concluded that, as between the Philippines and China,

there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources, in excess of the rights provided for by the Convention, within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’.”

After the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) handed down the decision on Tuesday, netizens rejoiced over the legal and moral victory over superpower China.

The decision favored the country’s rights over the territory and frowned on the fishing restrictions to Filipino fishermen in the area as well as China’s construction of artificial islands which the Tribunal regarded as harmful to the environment and natural habitat.

Moments after the decision, a group of Filipino-Chinese community cautioned over the celebratory mood and instead called for sobriety as the country ponders on the next move. China, for the record, had said it will not recognize the decision anticipating a non-favorable verdict.

Likewise, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay appeared somber when asked of the decision. He took the ire of netizens after referring to the disputed area as South China Sea instead of West Philippine Sea, al-though these two referential names are one and the same depending on which part of the territory you are coming from.

Which leads us to the question—is there something to celebrate about this decision?

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had said that whatever the result of the arbitration case, his position would be to hold bilateral talks with China instead of strong assertion knowing fully well China is not rec-ognizing the verdict.

Let us look at things this way. From President Duterte’s standpoint, the country can now use the favorable verdict as a leverage in the dis-cussion table when we meet China.

Any effort to battle China head on, at this point, may be regarded as heroic but suicidal. Duterte knows that too well. Which means, the the-atrical run to the border aboard a jet ski and planting the Philippine flag is just for scripted effect, no less than cinematic.

The President may not be celebratory as people would expect of him jumping over his pants, but you can be assured, he will be cere-bral.

Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCOGeneral Manager

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 VANTAGE POINTS 9EDGEDAVAO

WHEN it come to prayer, nothing is impossible. The Holy Bible points out, “What is impossible

to man is possible to Him.”God always answers our prayers!

That is the main reason why world’s box-ing champion Manny Pacquiao always prays before his fights. I usually pray, too: before and after sleeping, before eating, when I travel, and even when I am alone. Prayer is my way of talking with my God.

World famous evangelist Billy Gra-ham said prayer is more than asking from God. “Prayer is more than verbally filling in some requisition blank,” he explained. “It’s fellowship with God! It’s commu-nion with the Lord through praising Him, rehearsing His promises, and then shar-ing our needs.”

“The prayer power,” says J. Hudson Taylor, “has never been tried to its full capacity… If we want to see mighty won-ders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and dis-appointment, let us answer God’s stand-ing challenge, ‘Call unto me, and I will an-swer thee, and show thee great and might things which thou knowest not!’”

Christians around the world ought to pray. Jesus Christ Himself taught us how to do it. More often than not, we reason out that we don’t have enough time to pray – to talk with Him and to listen to what He wants us to do.

“How strange it is that you have time

to eat, to en-tertain guests, to visit peo-ple, and to do many other things, but you cannot find time to pray,” wrote W a t c h m a n Nee in A Bal-anced Chris-tian Life. “Last night, for in-stance, you acknowledged that a day had passed without you having really prayed. And hence you decided you would find time the next day to give yourself to pray.

“But on the next day, at the appointed time of prayer, someone turns up knock-ing at your front door and someone else is looking for you at the back door. How strange that at other times everything is quiet, but at the time of prayer, many odd things begin to happen. If you want to find time for other things, you have the time. It is only when you attempt to find time to pray that you cannot find it.”

In fact, don’t start you day without a word of prayer. Listen to the words of a poet: “I started early with my chores, but even so I started wrong. My labor yield-ed me no gain, I should have started with a song. I batted time this trying day to find my efforts were a loss. I had to leave

some plans undone, tasks multiplied and I grew cross. Tonight, I ponder while I rest – all day I fought rebellious tares. Yet that has always been my lot, when days do not begin with prayer.”

Someone once told me that he quits praying because God does not answer his prayers. He does! “There are four answers God can give to a prayer,” wrote Robert Schuller. “When the request is not right, God says, ‘No!’ When you are not right, God says, ‘Grow!’ When the time is not right, God says, ‘Slow!’ When every-thing is right, God says, ‘Go!’”

Yes, God answers all our prayers. There was this story of a little boy talking with a church pastor. “In the church, I heard different men praying,” said the puzzled boy. “It must be awfully hard for God.” The pastor asked gently, “Why? What do you mean?”

The two were walking in the town’s park. “Well, the businessman is praying for a mild weather,” the boy said. “The rice farmer is praying for rain. The corn miller is praying for a sunny day. Now, all three are godly men. How does God know how to answer all their prayers?”

“How is the weather now?” the pastor asked. “Cooler and mild,” the boy replied. “And last week?” the pastor again asked. “Let me see – on Monday and Tuesday it rained, and on Thursday , it was hot all day,” the boy answered.

Hearing the boy’s answers, the pastor

asked the little boy to stop walking for the meantime and sit in one of the park’s benches. “See how the Lord answered all their prayers?” Without saying a word, the boy nodded.

What does prayer mean to you? Al-low me to quote Kenneth L. Wilson and tell me if his words are your own, too: “There’s something exquisitely about room service in a hotel. All you have to do is pick up a phone and somebody is ready and waiting to bring you breakfast, lunch, dinner, chocolate milkshake, whatever your heart desires and your stomach will tolerate. Or by another languid motion of the wrist, you can telephone for someone who will get a soiled shirt quickly trans-formed into a clean one or a rumpled suit into a pressed one.

“That’s the concept that some of us have of prayer. We have created God in the image of a divine bellhop. Prayer, for us, is the ultimate room service, wrought by direct dialing. Furthermore, no tip-ping, and everything charged to that great credit card in the sky. Now prayer is many things, but I’m pretty sure this is not one of the things it is.”

Again, prayer is not just asking some-thing from God. But it is also asking something for Him. One night, a little girl surprised her mother when she conclud-ed her prayer for her family and friends by adding, “And now, God, what can I do for You?”

WHILE we may all exult the rul-ing of the Permanent Commis-sion on Arbitration as a win for

the Philippine case against China on the disputed waters, the outcome definite-ly opens a new chapter in Fil-Sino rela-tions, and in our relations with the other interested parties within ASEAN. Malay-sia, Vietnam, Brunei and the rest have doubtless been waiting in the sidelines for the “Philippine outcome”. Their com-mon interests with China are about the same as ours, being major training part-ners as well as we are. The chess game has intensified, with the other players making their move. How will China re-spond to its more formidable adversar-ies? Can the Philippines take advantage of the movements of the other players? These are the titillating questions.

Winning is sweet, and What now?The nagging question for us is what

do we do now? China has already built its structures and positioned equipment and personnel. We have likewise rebuilt key components of our naval capability. I

hope this does not mean we are going to war. Indone-sia has re-cently flexed its own naval muscles near the region. We will not be surprised of Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei will do the same.

Having said that, it is assumed that things are going to be a bit more com-plicated. A lot more thought will now be waged in dealing with the situation. More and deeper thought will be need-ed to fortify the Philippine position as it surely needs to assert its rights to the ex-clusive economic zone vis-a vis the other interested parties. More common coop-eration among these same players with shared interests.

The ruling should welcome a new dawn for ASEAN partnership in our common waters

It is therefore time we explored oth-er shipping lanes to bring our products out, in order to shield our trade routes in case China attempts anything drastic to enforce whatever sovereignity it claims in light of its legal defeat. This also has the collateral benefit of developing our export capabilities and industrial mus-cle in regions other than Central Luzon and CALABARZON. The ports of gen-eral Santos and Davao, and their RORO and cargo links with Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and Kota Kinabalu need to be revitalized and established. Perhaps this is the opportunity to take advantage of. Maybe the terms SUDOPARIM and BIMP EAGA will become the new “buzznyms.”

Developing marine resources and joint patrols

This also means having a deeper re-spect for our marine resources, hectares of which have already been bludgeoned by China in reclaiming land near the Ka-

layaan isles. Our air and sea monitoring capabilities need to also be strength-ened, and our resolve and unity along with the rest of ASEAN needs to be iron-clad. These freedom of these sea lanes will and should be a common ground for all of Southeast Asia, as it is in their best common interest to enrich and protect, being at their doorsteps.

Perhaps the agreement made with Indonesia on the management of border waters is a template upon which joint respect for our common marine bound-aries and resources can be forged. We can have the same arrangements with Malaysia and Taiwan, with joint patrols against poaching, illegal fishing, terror-ism and piracy. These need not be limit-ed to the disputed waters, but for all om-mon maritime borders: the Celebes sea, and the northern waters off Batanes.

This time, we need to study our geog-raphy more and get to know our frontier provinces a little better. Likewise, we will now have a better understanding, and respect for what is ours.

Where everything is possible

China’s loss a bigger challenge for all of ASEAN

John Triaecisouth@gmail.com

MY TWO CENTS’

Henrylito D. Taciohenrytacio@gmail.com

THINK ON THESE!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 201610NEWSMILF... FROM 1

Group... FROM 5

South... FROM 4Duterte... FROM 5

Dominguez... FROM 6

New... FROM 6

Two... FROM 2

16 Ordinances... FROM 4

Sultan... FROM 4

DND... FROM 2

BSP, PCHC... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

route was identified as one of the priority routes, aside from the Dumai-Malacca and Bela-wan-Penang-Phuket routes, which can be formalized in three years as planned by the ASEAN committee on connec-tivity.

However, the operation cannot be started because interested shipping lines can-not secure permits from the Indonesian government, Ro-meo Montenegro, director for investment promotions and public affairs of the Mindanao Development Authority (Min-DA) earlier said.

Sison said seven shipping line companies from Indone-sia and Philippines had ex-pressed willingness to service the route since 2012, when it was proposed.

But regulatory constraints hold the project from pushing forward.

If implemented, the sea route is seen to expand trade, tourism, investment, employ-ment, income due to its close proximity, viability and long history of trading.

Sison added the sea route will open economic opportu-nities because of the better movement of goods and ser-

vices between the two nations.Respondents of the sur-

vey for follow-up study said the DGB sea route is “more cost effective alternative for Mindanao-based business-men who are currently using the circuitous Davao-Jakarta/ Singapore-Surabaya routes in transporting their goods in North Sulawesi and neighbor-ing areas.”

Results also revealed that the sea route will provide shorter transit time and faster trade which will reduce trans-port cost. This will entice more exporters and importers and improve trade activities.

The sea route is expected to “encourage investments with the free flow of interme-diate products and raw mate-rials as production inputs” and “strengthen economic cooper-ation and bilateral relation-ship with Indonesia.”

Sison said most of the in-frastructure problems in the ports in two countries are be-ing addressed by both govern-ments.

He said even businessmen from Luzon and Visayas are waiting for the sea route proj-ect because of its viability in market expansion.

short term are: revision of the procurement law to simplify and streamline the process; simplifying the permit re-quirements for infrastructure projects; creating a prioritiza-tion list and delineating deliv-ery responsibilities between national and local projects; and, improving the absorptive capacity of key government agencies through better plan-ning and project execution.

He announced in the same event that he has picked hold-

over Undersecretary Gil Bel-tran to be the “anti-red tape czar” in charge of speeding up processes at the Department of Finance (DOF) and its attached agencies, in keeping with Pres-ident Duterte’s very first direc-tive for all government offices to provide hassle-free frontline services to the public.

Beltran is DOF undersec-retary for policy development management and the depart-ment’s concurrent chief econ-omist. (DOF)

forcement Agency (PDEA) and other anti-drug units of the AFP, PNP, NBI, BOC and BID shall coordinate with AH-JAG and CCCH,” the document reads.

Cuy said the two agreed that there will be information exchange and sharing as well as submission of the MILF of a list of drug personalities iden-tified in all provinces in Mind-anao.

Drug-related informa-tion from the MILF should be relayed to anti-drug units through the AHJAG and CCCH of the government, he added.

He also pointed out the MILF is allowed to conduct information drive on the ill-ef-fects of illegal drugs in the MILF affected areas as part of its demand reduction activi-ties.

“Such information drive may be conducted in coordina-tion with the barangay, munici-pal, city or provincial and-drug abuse councils,” Cuy added.

Cuy said the agreement also encouraged other forms of cooperation between the GPH and MILF to complement the effort of the Duterrte ad-ministration against drugs.

“We wanted to be careful. We don’t want the Mamasa-pano incident to be repeated,” Sueno stressed, adding that

the death of 44-SAF members was a result of the lack of coor-dination on the ground.

Sueno also emphasized that there was an initial ex-change of information be-tween the two parties on Tues-day night and validation will be the next move on the line.

“They have the list of lo-cal chief executives and other elected officials in Mindanao involved in illegal drugs,” he said.

When asked if the MILF will include its members in-volved in illegal drugs, Sueno said, the rebel group is sup-portive of the Duterte’s move and is willing to cooperate.

The MILF and other law enforcement agencies will start joint anti-illegal drug op-erations against drug person-alities in Mindanao, with focus in ARMM and Central Mindan-ao by the end of the month.

“Six months will be too long. We will start our opera-tions by the end of the month,” he said. “We wanted this to be a religious activity.”

He said usage of illegal drugs is against the teaching of Islam.

Sueno said reports re-vealed that supply of drugs in Central Mindanao and ARMM are mostly coming from sup-pliers in Manila and Cebu.

cases, these are filtered out at the intake.

A pressure pipe (“pen-stock”) conveys the water from the forebay to the turbine, which is enclosed in the pow-erhouse together with the gen-erator and control equipment.

After leaving the turbine, the water is discharge down to a “tailrace,” a channel to which the diverted water is returned to its river of origin.

In Bukidnon, the new hy-dropower is the company’s first project. “It is the biggest capacity undertaken so far,” the statement said, adding that three rivers of the province are being harnessed: Tanaon, Gui-hean and Amusig.

So far, Hedcor manages and operates 22 hydropower plants and supplies the coun-try with 184 MW of clean and renewable energy.

The Bakun AC Hydro in Alilem, Ilocos Sur produces 70

MW while the Sabangan Hydro in Mountain Province has a ca-pacity of 14 MW.

The four hydropower plants in Bineng, La Trinidad has a combined capacity of 10.45 MW. The other seven hydropower plants in Benguet, including those in Tuba, Sabian and Itogon produce 23.70 MW.

In Mindanao, Hedcor has also hydropower plants in Davao City and Davao del Sur. In Davao City, the five Talomo plants are located in Mintal (1.55 MW), Calinan (1 MW) and Catalunan Pequeno (1.92 MW).

In Davao del Sur, four hy-dropower plants are located in Sta. Cruz: Sibulan Hydro A (16.50 MW), Sibulan Hydro B (26 MW), Tudaya Hydro 1 (6.60 MW) and Tudaya Hydro 2 (7 MW).

In Mindanao, more than half of its power comes from hydropower.

and affordable, this apparent reluctance to parlay the ben-efits of technology can only translate to further inefficien-cies via foregone opportuni-ties,” he said.

Tetangco said the bank would continue to work with industry stakeholders to pro-mote modernization in pay-ment system, among others. (PNA)

”This is not a very encour-aging figure, especially when set against the actual number of taxpayers in this country,” he pointed out.

With these, the govern-ment plans to expand the elec-tronic filing saturation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from the current 62.5 percent , the large taxpayer service (LTS) and the taxpayer segmentation.

On the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Dominguez said they had realized the urgency to rationalize the import permit requirements since having too many requirements slowed the flow of trade and unneces-sarily burden business opera-tions.

”Must of what ails the Cus-toms Bureau is self-inflicted. The sooner we address the problem of a flawed corporate culture at the Bureau, the bet-ter off we will be,” he said.

Dominguez said he had proposed the conduct of new

processes in ports other than the Port of Manila to address crowding in this particular port.

Also part of the reform program is the improvement of organizational capacity of both the BIR and the BOC through exemptions from the salary standardization law (SSL), increased fiscal auton-omy, relaxing bank secrecy laws and making tax evasion as predicate crime to money laundering.

Dominguez said he would also appoint Finance Under-secretary Gil Beltran as An-ti-Red Tape Czar to help in the government’s anti-corruption drive.

Beltran will be tasked to reduce the number of steps and documentary require-ments in transacting business with the DOF and all attached bureaus and these include pay-ing taxes, getting tax refunds, and acquiring tax exemption certificates. (PNA)

the effort of President Rodrigo Duterte, the drug menace is like termites that are gradually eating the moral fiber of our society.

He said the drug problem results in broken family ties

“We can only thank God that we have President Dute-

rte leading the way and thank God the people are supporting the campaign,” Rellon said.

He said 4,500 residents surrendered voluntarily during the first meeting con-ducted by authorities Satur-day in Tagum City. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

NEW NBI GUY. Newly-instaled National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 11 director Arnold Rosales says the agency is currently monitoring six investment scammers in the region. Rosales was among the guests of yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at the Ritz Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

stressing that its ‘Nine-Dash-Line’ claim has no legal basis.

The ruling also added that China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone through med-dling with Philippine fishing and oil exploration in the re-gion, allowing the illegal entry

of Chinese fishermen into the disputed waters and causing harm to marine environment in the region through its mas-sive reclamation activities.

Such actions, according to the tribunal, had also caused the escalation of tension be-tween the two parties. (PNA)

national elections.The 6th SP of Compos-

tela Valley was composed of Honorables Ramil Gentugaya, Paul Galicia, Atty. Arvin Dexter Lopoz, Joseph Jauod, and Neri Barte for the 1st District; and Sr. Board Member (now Gov-ernor) Jayvee Tyron Uy, Atty. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (now Congressman), Cesar Richa,

Moran Takasan, and Macario Humol for the 2nd district.

Ex-officio members of the council include Indigenous People Representative Augus-to Blanco, Philippine Coun-cilors League president Raul Timogtimog and Association of Barangay Captains presi-dent Randy Opisan. (Honeylyn Sayson, IDS-Comval)

nel, additional force multipliers have been deployed at the festi-val venues,” he said.

At least 20 events were or-ganized by the provincial gov-ernment for this year’s festivity, which has been dubbed as the biggest and grandest celebra-tion in the province.

These are the T’nalak Food Garden and T’nalak Strip; Agri-Fair; Bahay-Kubo and Plants and Product Display; Regional Agri-Industrial, Technology

and Trade Expo; Mutya ng South Cotabato; LGBT Freedom Night; Mindanao-wide All-Star Cheerdance Competition; Awit Dula at Sayaw: Fun rides and circus; Musical Pop Solo Voice Competition; Hip Hop and Team Ballroom Competition; Motocross; Practical Shooting Competition; T’nalak Marathon and Fun Run; Golf Tournament; Governor’s Charity Ball; and. the T’nalak Festival Tri-People Grand Parade. (PNA)

“We’re looking at eradi-cating poverty by supporting human resource develop-ment through improved ed-ucation, training and decent work, and the development of our tourism sector,” she said.

Lutayan, which is a sec-

ond class municipality of Sultan Kudarat province, is located north of Koronadal City, Region 12’s regional cen-ter and seat, and is predomi-nantly inhabited by Maguin-danaoans and Iloko settlers. (PNA)

FOODEDGEDAVAOINdulge!

URBANISSIMO A4

SINCE THE BEGINNING, the Vikings chain of restaurants is known for their lux-ury buffet spread of massive proportions featuring gastronomic delights that allow guests to, as the company’s slogan says, “Eat like a viking.”

Proof of Vikings com-mitment to culinary ex-cellence is their recent participation at the Davao Culinary Cup help last month at SM Lanang Pre-mier where the Vikings Lanang team bagged a to-tal of four golds and three bronze medals and to cel-ebrate this achievement, Vikings Lanang held a

private luncheon for me-dia friends and food blog-gers last July 6 for a taste of the winning dishes. A competition where the best culinary creations are judged by the top chefs of the Philippines, this year’s Davao Culinary Cup was more competi-tive then the last. Accord-ing to Vikings’ Executive Chef Anton Abad, a lot of preparation and hard work was done by the Vi-kings culinary team just for the event. Lunch started with the bronze medal win-ning entry for the creative breakfast category where the Vikings team decided to serve My Own Ver-sion of Eggs Benedict. A creation of Chef Ray An-gelo Galcira, the break-fast platter is a Filipinized version of the classic eggs Benedict with a pan de sal taking the place of the English muffin, beef tapa taking the place of the sausage, and a sous vide egg drenched in Hollan-daise sauce infused with local spiced vinegar. A side dish of tempura fried kangkong and salted egg dip completed the hearty breakfast. The next dish served was Vikings’ Lasagna Mi-gnon. Competing in the pasta category and also taking home the bronze

Vikings’ GOLDThe Ginataang Sitaw, Kalabasa at Sigarilyas also had shrimp as well as pork floss for sweet and salty flavor pops of flavor.

Nutty and savory Chicken Pianggang.

Mangosteen Barbecue Crusted Parrotfish in briny and rich Sea Urchin Butter Sauce.

Vikings Bringhe Negra. Vikings chefs serve gold medal dishes.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIKE FOOD PAIRINGS – either you hit or miss it. The only difference? Food pairings holds no commitment...no strings attached. In short, easy to let go. Plus, you can always have a change of gastro taste without hurting an-other. <insert grinning emoticon>

Easy snacks on aLAZY AFTERNOON

A2INdulge! EDGEDAVAOFOOD

Committed to a certain taste and pairing? Experi-ment. Add a new flavour and enjoy your faves with a new flare. That’s what I did. My taste for food var-ies .. every so often that I’ll need a new notebook to write my gastro adven-tures on.

Peanut Butter& Peanut Pancakes By now, you probably know that I love my pan-cakes and not so much of peanut butter. But. . . we can always have a change of heart, right? Here’s one snack that’s easy to pre-pare healthy snack you can munch on all throughout the series of The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones.

1 cup all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking pow-der1 teaspoon baking soda¼ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon cinnamon powder¾ cup milk3 tablespoons butter, melt-ed2 egg whites1 tablespoon white sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 large banana, diced¼ cup smooth peanut but-ter¼ cup roughly chopped peanuts

In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. Can be done manu-ally or with an electric mixer. Set aside. In another bowl, com-bine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients. Do not overmix the batter. Gently fold in the banana pieces, peanut butter and chopped nuts. Mix. Lastly, gently fold in the whisked egg whites. Do it gently.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add some oil. Pour cupfuls of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook on both sides. TIP: Transfer pancake batter to a squeeze bottle for easy pouring.

Spiced Nuts I stock on these babies. The best thing? You can play with flavours pairing thus making it unique ev-ery single time. Try using pecans, almonds, walnuts

or a combination of ev-erything. Tip: add some chopped up dates and dried fruits too.

1 egg white, lightly beaten1 tablespoon water2 cups nuts (option is yours to keep it whole or halved)½ cup white sugar½ teaspoon salt1 ½ teaspoon ground cin-namon½ teaspoon cumin pow-der½ teaspoon ground nut-meg½ cup chopped pitted

datessesame seeds (fried or not)

Preheat oven to 350 de-grees F. Prepare baking sheet. Line with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, beat egg white with the water until frothy. Add in nuts and mix well. Use a spatula to coat and moisten the nuts. In another bowl, mix sugar, salt, cinnamon powder, cumin powder and ground nutmeg. In-corporate well. Sprinkle

over moistened nuts. Toss in sesame seeds. Spread flavoured nuts on prepared pan. Spread nuts on prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes, stir-ring once or twice to keep the nuts from charring. Do not burn the nuts. Store in an airtight con-tainer.

Flavoured Potato Wedges This simply screams freedom on my dictionary. Well, I normally prepare this when I’m at home and do not have any plans for the rest of the day.

Boiled potatoes, skin on, cut in wedgesMelted butter1 tbsp curry powder1 tbsp turmeric powder1 tbsp cinnamon powder

In a clean baking sheet, add potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Just enough to taste. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, curry pow-der, turmeric powder and

cinnamon powder. Coat potatoes with sea-soned melted butter. Toss to coat evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned.

For the dipJapanese MayonnaiseCapers, choppedlemon juicesalt and pepper

In a clean bowl, mix all ingredients. Chill.

Waffles Staying in and drown-ing in some Karim & Om-ran (yt:Karimchii) videos is so much fun with these. I love mine plain, with butter and honey – just like pancakes.

2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 ¾ cups milk½ cup vegetable oil1 tablespoon white sugar4 teaspoons baking pow-der¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat waffle iron. In a bowl, beat eggsuntil fluffy. Add in flour, milk, oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla extract. Mix well; do not deflate the air in the eggs to have fluffier waffles. Make sure to get rid of lumps. For added flavor, you can add some cinnamon powder and ground nutmeg. Spray preheated waffle iron with cooking spray (oil). Pour waffle mix onto iron. TIP: Transfer in a squeeze bottle for easy pouring). Cook until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Might be late but still Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sis-ters. Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit. Fol-low my messy foodaffairat-theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com and on Instagram at @iamleebai.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

Sneaker fest, street dance showdown and Rayver Cruz at SM City DavaoSNEAKERHEADS ARE IN FOR AN EXCITING TREAT as SM City Davao mounts its first Sneaker Fest on July 22 to 24 at the Annex Event Center. The event will be highlighted with a hip-hop showdown and an album tour pit stop by Rayver Cruz. An extravagant array of the most fashionable sneakers from leading brands will be available for grabs. Rare and limited edition kicks will also be showcased by the city’s most fervent sneaker collectors. To kick off the fest, sneaker fans can marvel in a visual art experience and get kicks-inspired at the Digital Art show. Street Dance Battle eliminations will commence on July 23 with the finals happening on July 24. A highly energetic convergence of the region’s best dance crews

is expected to take place at the event center on Saturday and Sunday. Capping off the 3-day festival is Rayver Cruz’s album tour on Sunday, 6PM. Admission to the events is free. For inquiries, interested parties may call the Marketing Department at 297-6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram for event and promo updates.

INdulge! A3EDGEDAVAO

Kasalang Filipino returns to Abreeza MallUP AND ABOUT

S O O N - T O - W E D COUPLES WILL BE DELIGHTED TO KNOW that the biggest annual wedding expo in Davao City once again finds its way to Abreeza Mall’s Activity Center from July 15 to 17, 2016. Abreeza Mall teams up with wedding information resource Kasal.com and the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group to bring Kasalang Filipino 2016, the premier Philippine wedding tourism fair roadshow, to Davao City. Entrance to the event is absolutely free. Now on its 11th year, Kasalang Filipino tours key cities in the Philippines with the objective of promoting the local wedding and tourism industry. True to its mission, this year’s Davao leg is set to be a showcase of the most notable wedding suppliers, tourist spots, and hotels in the city and in nearby vicinities. Participating this year are All of Us Cakes, Atelier de Marco, Bottoms Up, Big 8 Corporate Hotel, Camp Holiday Resort and The Venue Party Boat, Cocktails & Dreamsz Mobile Bar, Dazzle Event Planning & Design, D’Leonor Hotel, Eden Nature Park & Resort, Eight Productions, Ever Bilena, Floral Pink Designs, For the Love of Prints, Imagine

Fotofun, Knots Forever, Leticia by the Sea, Marlon Advincula Photography, MJ Mejoeve

Photography, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, September Blooms, The Organic Studios,

Tiny Pinili Hair and Makeup, and Waterfront Insular Hotel. In addition to the three-day exhibitor extravaganza, Kasalang Filipino 2016 will entertain guests with daily musical sets by local performers. The fair will also give local makeup artists the opportunity to show off their skills with a bridal makeup contest sponsored by Ever Bilena. The Davao leg of Kasalang Filipino 2016 is made possible with the support of national sponsors Ever Bilena and Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines, as well as local sponsors Pearl Farm Beach Resort and Eden

Nature Park & Resort Davao. Media partners are ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, Lifestyle Network, My Only Radio, Metro Weddings Magazine, Metro Home and Entertaining Magazine, Food Magazine, The Manila Times, and Business Mirror. For more information on Kasalang Filipino 2016, visit www.kasal.com. For inquiries and updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook.com/AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

R13

12:00 | 1:55 | 3:50 LFS/ *5:40 | 7:50 | 10:00 LFS

DUKOT

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Enrique Gil, Shaina Magdayao, Christopher De Leon

ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE/*ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Jennifer Lopez, Melissa Rauch, Simon Pegg/*Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway, Johnny Depp

July 13-14, 2016

12:20 | 2:45 | 5:10 | 7:35 | 10:00 LFS

IMAGINE YOU AND ME

Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza

Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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PG/*G

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12:45 | 3:05 LFS / *5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 LFS

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN/

*THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR

Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson/ *Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

A4INdulge!FOOD

medal, the dish that is a brainchild of Chef Ed-win Manabat was a cross between a Lasagna and a Fillet Mignon with the noodles, rib-eye steak, and bacon forming the fa-miliar layers of a lasagna. The flavors of this creative spin on a lasagna were meatier, accentuating the flavors of each individual component. For his Local Fish dish which also won bronze medal, Chef Vincent Gerope served a Mango-steen Barbecue Crusted Parrotfish, the expertly grilled parrotfish fillet was flaky and meaty which paired well with the tangy, sweet and salty mango-steen barbecue sauce. The addition of a Sea Urchin Butter Sauce together with some mashed potato added some richness to the dish but too much of the rich and briny butter sauce can make the dish a bit too salty. The golden stars of the lunch arrived in quick succession. Interestingly enough, all of Vikings’ gold medal dishes come from the much competed Filipino Cuisine category. The parade of gold started with a rich and creamy Ginataang Sitaw, Kalabasa, at Sigarilyas

followed by Vikings’ ver-sion Chicken Pianggang, a Mindanao chicken dish which utilises coconut meat and tumeric to flavor the chicken giving it a nice nutty taste. Wanting to bring the

Filipino dining experience to other corners of the ar-chipelago, the gold medal winning team composed of Ramil Solano, Aldrian Saraña, and Wilhelm Quirrante served their version of a Pampangeño

delicacy, Bringhe Negra. Bringhe is a localisation of the Spanish Paella and taking it one step further, Vikings’ version added squid ink as well as copi-ous amounts of squid, crabs, and shrimp for a true seafood feast. Lastly, the team played with a deconstructed ver-sion of Bangsilog, stuffing the bangus, garlic rice, and egg into a spring roll and frying everything together. Served with vinegar and a bright to-mato salsa, the Bangsilog Spring Rolls were a cre-ative and fun way to enjoy simple Filipino fare.

Although the dishes pre-sented were made specially for the Davao Culinary Cup, the culinary team of Vi-kings Lanang promise that the dishes will be perfected some more and the flavors and skills learned from the competition will make its way to the dishes they serve at Vikings. Congratulations to the cu-linary team headed by Chef Abad, and more power for the upcoming national com-petition for the gold medal-ists.

URBANISSIMO A1

Lasagna Mignon.

Breakfast in a roll, Bangsilong Spring Roll.

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 11NEWSAudit... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

suspension,” he added.Meanwhile, a coalition

of organizations and groups who acts as guardians of envi-ronment on Wednesday wel-comed the call of the DENR chief of a new mining law.

“ATM (Alyansang Tigil Mina) welcomes the pro-nouncements of DENR Sec-retary Gina Lopez on mining issues. Particularly, we sup-port the moves to immedi-ately conduct an audit of all mining project, a moratorium on mining applications, and her personal position against open-pit mining. Our alliance also believes that Secretary Lopez made the correct call in stating publicly that we need a new mining law,” the group said in a statement.

According to the group, the mining audit and the moratorium on mining appli-cations are provisions under Executive Order 79 of the Aquino administration, and so these administrative prior-ities are well past due.

“We commend Secretary Lopez for fast-tracking these audit and putting in place the moratorium within the first 30 days of the Duterte ad-ministration. We recommend to Secretary Lopez to ensure that the audit is not limited to technical and operational matters of mining projects but also look into social, eco-nomic, political, health and gender impacts of these min-ing projects to the host-com-munities,” it said.

ATM said it is also critical that pending/live legal cases or complaints against mining companies and their opera-tions are investigated as part of the audit.

“We categorically support the ban on open-pit mining policy, particularly in areas designated and identified by the DENR-MGB as ‘No-Go Zones’,” they said.

These no-go zones have been reflected in maps pro-duced by MGB, and should be strictly implemented, it added.

ATM believes that respon-sible mining remains to be a myth, and it has no legal defi-nition yet.

The proposed Alterna-tive Minerals Resources Bill (AMMB) otherwise known as the Philippine Mineral Re-sources Act (PMRA) pending in Congress is the group’s proposal to frame the legal and operational definition of responsible mining.

“We challenge both the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) and the DENR to seriously consider the AMMB as a starting point to discuss the concept of re-sponsible mining,” it stressed.

“We assert that responsi-ble mining cannot be reduced to ISO certification, as earlier proposed by DENR-MGB,” it added.

The group also expressed support to Lopez’s attempt to bring change to DENR.

“The mining-affected communities, their support groups, and even LGUs (local government units) are more than willing to submit re-ports, evidence, affidavits, pe-titions, testimonies, case stud-ies and other relevant infor-mation to push forward with her change agenda within the DENR, in alignment with the instructions of President (Ro-drigo) Duterte,” it said. (PNA)

A RE-ELECTED lawmak-er has appealed to his colleagues in the 17th

Congress to support the coun-try’s public school teachers by increasing their basic monthly salary to at least P36,000.

Rep. Raul Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City) said public school teachers are among un-derpaid workers in society. De-spite the fact that they are her-alded as molders of children’s future, they receive only less than twenty thousand a month each for their basic salary.

Del Mar filed a bill that seeks to upgrade the salary grade level of teachers in pub-lic elementary and secondary schools from the present Sala-ry Grade (SG) 11 to SG 20.

“Teachers are considered to be the prime mover of the

education system; hence, the government needs to give pri-ority to their interest and wel-fare,” Del Mar said.

Del Mar said based on the third phase of the Salary Stan-dardization Law (SSL 3), pub-lic school educators currently receive a minimum salary of P18,549. Government employ-ees under SG 20, meanwhile, have a basic monthly rate of P36, 567.

Del Mar pushed for the measure citing Article XIV, Sec-tion 4 [1] of the Constitution, which provides that the State recognizes the complementa-ry roles of public and private institutions in the educational system and shall exercise rea-sonable supervision and regu-lation of education institutions.

Article XIV, Section 5 [5]

of the Constitution also states that The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through the adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Under Del Mar’s measure, the upgrade in the teachers’ salary shall be adjusted in accordance with their qualifi-cations and length of service and shall not be prejudiced by across the board adjustments.

The bill mandates the na-tional government to allocate the necessary amount to fund the salary increase of educa-tors, provided, that the sala-ry increase of public school teachers shall take priority

over other non-educational and non-agricultural budget-ary allocations.

It also requires the Depart-ment of Education (DepEd) to immediately come up with the specific programmed budget needed to cover the expens-es for the upgrading in salary levels for all the corresponding teacher plantilla positions over a period of five years.

This is to allow the Depart-ment of Budget and Manage-ment (DBM) to make the nec-essary budgetary adjustments to facilitate the smooth imple-mentation of this Act.

The DepEd and the DBM are directed to promulgate the necessary rules and regu-lations to implement the pro-visions of this Act. (House of Representatives)

SENATOR Sonny Angara has stressed that the Con-gress should still priori-

tize the passage of a Freedom of Information (FOI) law de-spite the plans of the Duterte administration to issue an ex-ecutive order that would en-force FOI within the executive branch.

“President Duterte should be congratulated for imple-menting these very important rules on transparency. He is walking his talk. This shouldn’t, however, stop Congress from

passing a comprehensive law that will cover all branches of government, including the leg-islative and the judiciary,” said Angara, who has filed anew an FOI bill among his top priority measures.

The FOI bill mandates all government agencies to make available to the public for scru-tiny, copying and reproduction all information pertaining to official acts, transactions or de-cisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy development.

The proposed measure, however, provides for some exemptions including infor-mation that: directly relates to national security or defense; pertains to foreign affairs that would seriously jeopardize the diplomatic relations of the Philippines if revealed; were obtained in executive session; pertains to personal informa-tion that would clearly consti-tute an unwarranted invasion of one’s privacy if disclosed; pertains to trade secrets; and, were classified as privileged

communications in legal pro-ceedings.

Angara, who has been pushing for the enactment of FOI since his days in Congress, pointed out that the biggest challenge for FOI champions is convincing the grassroots that it is a much-needed measure.

“How do we convince a person living in a far-flung area, which has no Internet access, that a piece of informa-tion would make his life better. That’s the fundamental chal-lenge we have. (Senate)

Solon seeks to raise pay of public school teachers

Angara says EO won’t stop Congress from passing FOI Law

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

12CLASSIFIEDS EDGEDAVAO

EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 13EDGEDAVAO

2 REPORTERSEDGE DAVAO is in need of 2 reporters for

immediate hiring.

* College degree holder (Communication Arts graduate preferred, but not required)

* Capable of writing English news and feature stories on business and governance

* Has potentials of becoming editor

Submit application letter and curriculum vitae to:

Antonio M. AjeroEditor-in-Chief

Edge Davaoajero_antonio@yahoo.com

09274733467

EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTED IN the era of cloud comput-

ing, where most IT practi-tioners have become famil-

iar with the meaning of cloud and the benefits of scalability, flexibility, and potential cost savings it brings, there are en-terprises that are still hesitant to make the move. A com-mon objection is the lack of industry-level skills needed to manage the cloud. Enterpris-es encounter possible staffing and training hurdles since newly hired IT personnel may initially lack cloud experience or may go through a learning

curve before becoming a cloud expert. This is apart from the tedious migration and man-agement tasks that take up much of the IT department’s time instead of allowing them to focus on strategic areas of the business.

In line with its commit-ment in enabling enterprises to maximize the potential of cloud technology, ePLDT has expanded its portfolio of solu-tions to include Cloud Profes-sional Services.

The new service line from ePLDT, the digital enter-

ePLDT bolsters enterprise cloud adoption through Cloud Professional Services

prise enabler of the country’s leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT, Inc., provides enterprise customers access to expert consulting and support for their cloud envi-ronments. It is also introduced on top of the PLDT Cloud Infra-structure-as-a-Service offer-ing, allowing customers to get the expertise when and where they need it.

ePLDT’s Cloud Profession-al Services focuses on three main areas: Expert Cloud Con-sulting, with ePLDT handling the creation of a cloud strategy

roadmap and evaluating systems for migration so top-tier custom-ers can optimize the cloud’s benefits; Expert Cloud Deployment and Migration, which lets customers outsource the transition of select enterprise applications and services to the cloud for improved efficiency and scalability; and Ex-pert Cloud Systems Op-erations (SysOps), which includes managing and monitoring customers’ daily cloud functions such as capacity, net-work, backup and stor-age, maintenance and troubleshooting.

The introduction of these services aims to further boost cloud adoption in the Philip-pines.

NEWS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 201614 EDGEDAVAO

MOTORING

JASKIN PAWNSHOPNotice of Auction Sale

All Jewelry and other items pawned at Jaskin Pawnshop San Perdo Street, Davao City during the months of January to February 2016 if not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on July 27, 2016 at our pawnshop premises.

July 11,12,13, 2016

COMPACT crossovers are characterized by four general character-

istics: five doors, five seats, higher ground clearance, and a commanding seating posi-tion. The devil is in the de-tails though as every carmak-er, whether mainstream or premium, has put their own unique stamp on this proven formula. For a brand such as Porsche though, there’s extra scrutiny involved; after all, this is the carmaker that’s renowned the world over for creating poster-worthy flights of fancy. All eyes are set on the Macan—a com-pact crossover that blazes its own trail and doesn’t follow the lead of others.

The design brief of the Macan is fairly simple: cre-

ate a genuine Porsche in everything from design to driving dynamics while de-livering what’s required of a class-leading premium compact crossover. In that regard, it delivers beautifully. It’s all about sporty style and performance engineered for the racetrack injected into everyday driving.

It starts with the Macan’s exterior which lays bare the

dominant sporty genes of Porsche’s hereditary line. Compared to other cross-overs, it’s much more curva-ceous with a strong 911-like silhouette. It’s characterized by the integrated headlights with four-point LED daytime running lights, the large im-posing air intakes, and the stretched hood that flow onto the wheel arches. The side profile itself is muscu-lar while the roofline slopes distinctively down the back. Overall, it draws a custom-ary sports car profile that designers call the Porsche flyline.

Inside, the strong lin-eage continues. Porsche has always emphasized that the driver and car must form a single entity, and the Ma-

can harks back to that tra-dition. As the creator of the iconic 911, the ergonomic architecture integrates one into the vehicle. The essen-tials are all seen at a glance. The instrument cluster has a three-tube design with a central tach—just like a sports car. The ascending center console looks impos-ing and requires some time to master, but it allows easy

access to the most important vehicle functions while look-ing somewhat aeronautical inspired. Every surface too speaks of high quality with soft-touch plastics, padded leather inserts, and brushed aluminum accents.

One area where the Ma-can splits from its familial roots is in its packaging. It offers ample space not just for the pilot and co-pilot up-front, but it allows two (three in a squeeze) more friends to tag along for the ride. Compared to some compact crossovers, the rear quarters are a bit tight, but the seats themselves are comfortable. Finished in a combination of leather and Alcantara, they’re supportive, supple, and perfect for long drives

out of town. Plus, when not in use, it folds down in a three-way split for added luggage space.

Equally impressive is the Macan’s generous list of standard features. Typically, Porsche wants customers to dig through its long list of options to feel satisfied, but even the base Macan comes reasonably loaded. Outside, it features automatic bi-xe-

non HID headlights, 18-inch al-loys, power folding mir-rors, and LED rear lighting. Inside, the driver’s seat moves elec-trically, the tailgate has power operation, the climate control has three configurable zones, and the Porsche Communication Management or PCM now includes Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony. For safety and security, it even has front and rear proximity sensors with a rear parking camera. The only glaring thing missing is cruise con-trol.

And speaking of drives, the Macan must have perfor-mance built in as standard; after all, it’s expected from the purveyors of the 911. This starts with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cyinder mo-tor that generates 252 horse-power and 370 Nm of torque. There’s a subtle hesitation in power delivery, but once it delivers the goods, it deliv-ers them with a knockout punch. The century mark ar-rives in just 6.7 seconds and terminal velocity is at 223 km/h. The entire experience actually livens up because of the lightning response of the Porsche Doppelkupplung or PDK. This dual clutch auto-matic features quick up- and downshifts letting the driver experience motorsport-style gear changes. It also incorpo-rates a coasting mode which reduces fuel consumption. And speaking of fuel effi-ciency, it does 6.02 km/L in the city (average speed 16

IF there’s one thing no-ticeably missing during the 2016 Honda Civic’s

April launch was the avail-ability of Modulo styling kits. Well, the wait is over as Honda Cars Philippines has officially launched the Civic Modulo variants.

With over 2,300 res-ervations thus far, the all-new Civic is enhancing its sporty appeal with the new Modulo variants. Each of the three Civic Modulo vari-ants come equipped with a Front Under Spoiler, Side Under Spoiler, Rear Under Spoiler, Exhaust Pipe Fin-isher, and of course, a Mod-ulo emblem. Inside, they all get a Side Step Garnish.

Further differentiating

the three variants, the 1.8 E CVT Modulo adds a deck lid spoiler while the RS Turbo Modulo Sport receives a set of matte black Modulo alloy wheels in a 17-inch diameter.

Honda is now accept-ing reservations of the Civ-ic Modulo variants with the following SRP: P 1,143,000 (1.8 E Mod-ulo); P 1,445,000 (RS Turbo Modulo); and P 1,510,000 (RS Tur-bo Modulo Sport). These three vari-ants join the rest of the Civic line-up whose prices remain unchanged: P 1,088,000 for the 1.8 E CVT and P 1,398,000 for the RS Turbo.

New Modulo variants for 2016 Civic

Review: 2016 Porsche Macan

km/h) and 16.12 km/L on the highway (average speed 52 km/h).

The electromechanical steering is weighty and re-sponsive; perfectly matching the sporty characteristics of the Macan’s suspension tun-ing. It still cannot negate the laws of physics when being thrown into a corner at high speed, but there’s a great de-gree of neutrality, balance, and willingness to rotate that’s un-heard of in this segment. The

rear-biased all-wheel drive system also allow for increased driving dynamics and stabili-ty. It works its magic, sending power in an infinite split to the set of wheels that need it the most. Together with the mixed tires, it offers great traction and agility. Though not expected of it, there’s even a dedicated Off-Road mode that re-calibrates the drivetrain (throttle, gear-box, torque split) to maximize traction for temporary off the beaten path excursions.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

AROUND 500 partic-ipants are expected to see action in the

2016 PCA (Philippine Cu-bers Association) Mindanao Championships at the Felcris Centrale this coming August 13-14 in time for the annual Kadayawan Festival, which will feature 15 different cate-gories as well as a number of side events.

According to Richert Jay Pinca, the Chief Admin Officer of the organizing PCA Davao Chapter, ‘Speed-cubing’ or the international competition, which traces its roots from the old school Rubick’s Cube has already evolved by leaps and bounds and has found a number of enthusiasts here in the coun-try, particularly here in Mind-anao, who have found a new kind of thrill and excitement by incorporating some vari-ety and time control in their practice.

‘This competition has gone a long way since the

conception of the Rubick’s Cube way back in the 80’s. Now there are a number of shapes and sizes for cubes and there’s the part where speed and time control have been introduced to the whole practice or process of solving each specific pattern,’ Pinca said.

For the Mindanao Cham-pionships, there will be a multitude of events for the girls and boys divisions of this unique and fairly new kind of mentally charged competition namely, the 2X2, the 7X7, 3 X3, 4X4, 5X5, 6X6, the Pyraminx (triangle shaped), Megaminx (Octa-gon), the Rubick’s Clock, the Square-One, the 3X3 One Handed, 3X3 Blindfolded, the 3X3 Multiple Blindfold and the 3X3 and 7X7 Solve By Feet.

‘We’re really hoping to break our record last year in Tagum City which was 300 participants. We’re in-viting students from various

schools here in Davao City as well as other enthusiasts to join this event which will also be having an Art Compe-tition based on Speedcubing, a Model Search Contest for Speedcubing, a Puzzle Ex-hibit, and a Product Launch by China based cube makers Mofangge and Qiyi Toys. We will also be giving away spe-cial awards and prizes for the school with the most num-ber of participants and the Youngest Cuber,’ Pinca said.

In closing he cited that some of the country’s nation-al record holders for Speed-cubing from Luzon and the Visayas will be gracing this affair which is also being held in partnership with A.P.P. Events UNLTD, Mo Fang Ge, X-Man Design, Qiyi Toys, the WCA, Guhit Pinas, the Valk, I Am A Cuber Enterprise and Felcris Centrale. For more info contact 09392980158 or 09169034148, 09778359800 or 09165518840.

15SPORTSEDGEDAVAO

Arum prepares for Pacman’s ring returnMANNY Pacquiao

isn’t ready to give up his night job just

yet.Pacquiao, who said be-

fore his last fight in April that he would retire, now plans to return to the ring in No-vember against an opponent who has yet to be selected.

Promoter Bob Arum said on Tuesday (Wednes-day, Mania time) that Pac-quiao got permission to take a break from his new duties as a senator in the Philip-pines to take another fight. It will be held Nov. 5, likely in Las Vegas.

“He likes to fight and he likes the attention,” Arum said of Pac-quiao’s return.

Pacquiao looked impressive in his last fight in April, return-ing from a layoff to

knock down Timothy Brad-ley on his way to a unan-imous decision. After the fight he wavered on his pre-vious plans to retire.

“If you ask me to come back I don’t know,” Pacquiao said. “I may be enjoying re-tired life. I’m not there yet so I just don’t know.”

Pacquiao, who was for-merly a congressman in his native country, was elected to the Senate in May and there were fears that in-creased duties would pre-vent him from fighting again.

But Arum said the

h e a d of the Sen-a t e t o l d Pac-

quiao he was free to fight after the country’s budget is settled on Oct. 15.

“He would train in the Philippines and leave on the 16th to come to the US, train for two weeks and then come to Vegas,” Arum said. “The only issue is getting an arena for the fight.”

Arum said he is talking with MGM Resorts about an arena to host the fight. He had reserved the Mandalay Bay arena for Oct. 15, but Pacquaio can’t leave his Sen-ate duties that early.

The fight also could be at the UNLV campus arena, he said, though UNLV would have to move a scheduled basketball ex-h i b i t i o n f r o m t h e date.

There were reports that Pacquiao might fight Adrien Broner, but Arum said he wanted the same money as Pacquiao, which was a non-starter. Another possi-ble opponent would be Jesse Vargas, who fights for Top Rank, and holds a piece of the welterweight title.

Pacquiao was off for nearly a year after losing in May 2015 to Floyd May-weather Jr., healing from a shoulder injury. But he seemed reinvigorated after beating Bradley in April in a performance that got good reviews from most, includ-ing trainer Freddie Roach.

“When I see Manny Pacquiao like that, this is the best Manny Pacquiao,”

Roach said after the fight. “He hasn’t missed a beat. I would like to see him fight again.”

PACQUIAO COMEBACK REVENGE will be the foremost motivation of the Cebuana Lhuilli-

er-Philippine Davis Cup team when it hosts Chinese Taipei in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie on July 15-17 at Philippine Columbian Associ-ation shell/clay courts.

Led by non-playing team captain Karl Santamaria, the PH Cuppers appeared as guests during Tuesday’s Phil-ippine Sportswriters Associa-tion (PSA) Forum at Shakeys Malate where they vowed to get back at the Taiwanese who beat them the past three ties.

“In our minds we prefer to use it as motivation. It’s about time we win against them,” said Santamaria who was joined by recent Wimbledon doubles semifinalist Treat Huey, recent ITF France Futures 13 doubles champion Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon.

“All of them here were part of the three setbacks,” said added Santamaria, who said the Philippines still holds a 4-3 edge over the visitors in all Da-vis Cup encounters.

“I would like to invite ev-eryone to come out and watch the matches. Obviously it’s for our advantage,” said Gonzales who in the recent tie against

the Taiwanese played five setter against top gun Lu Yen-hsun that lasted for four hours.

“I can’t guarantee a victo-ry but definitely I will give my best, last year I played four-hour, five-set match in singles, I will give the same effort this time and hopefully get a good results,” added Gonzales.

Huey, who is ranked 24th in the world, assured the crowd of “some great tennis this weekend,” but maintained that Chinese Taipei is still the favorite.

“We lost to them last three times. It’s time to get our re-venge,” said Huey who part-nered with Belarusian Max Mirnyi in finishing in the semis at All England Clubs after bow-ing to top seeds and World No. 1 pair Nicholas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.

“They are a little bit of a fa-vourite going to the match and we hope to make an upset this weekend,” Huey added.

Santamaria is keeping his cards close to his chest and won’t reveal who are playing in singles and doubles, but added that, “we will do whatever we feel is best for our campaign.”

Drawing of lots will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. also at PCA.

SPEEDCUBING, THE TRACK LEAGUE AND ONE BIG FOOTRACE. The guests during last Tuesday’s weekly SCOOP (Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines) Dabaw Sports Session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel (from left) TRMH Gen. Manager Benjamen Banzon, Hunat Dabaw 4 Chair Megzyl Rose Jolejole, Blue Knights Track League Season 2

Tournament Manager Airnel Abarra and Philippine Cubers Association Davao Chief Admin Officer Richert Pinca along with photographer Ricardo ‘Boy’ Lim, Beefit Gym’s Jimmy Javier, SCOOP president and Mirror Sports Ed Leonard Paul Palo and other members of the PCA. (Anna Calixijan/SCOOP DVO)

500 contenders expected in 2016 PCA Minda Championships

DAVIS CUP. Treat Huey (middle) leads a Philippine team seeking to end a long losing streak against Chinese Taipei in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie.

PH netters face Chinese-Taipei

NOT THIS YEAR. Manny Pacquiao says no comeback fight will happen this year contrary to reports.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 99 • THURSDAY, JULY 14, 201616 EDGEDAVAOSports

STRONG START ON A day that was near perfect,

Alessandra Christine Nagayo was in fighting distance in terms of

scoring, if only there were not too many good ones in this level.

Brandishing a steady driver and put-ting with surgical precision, the 12-year old Nagayo fired her best ever round in international play finishing with a re-spectable six-over par 78 and just nine shots adrift of the leaders at the start of the 2016 IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego, Califor-nia on Tuesday (Wednesday PH Time).

Nagayo, daughter of former council-or Rachel and businessman-nurse Dan-ny Nagayo, started jittery in the frontside of Bernardo Heights Country Club open-ing with four bogeys and a double in the par 4 5th for a six over 42 coming out. But on her return to the clubhouse in the backside, Nagayo waxed hot. She scored regulation pars from the 10th to 14th before hobbling with a bogey 5 on par 4 15th. She quickly recovered her touch in the hole with a birdie on the par 3 16th before downing pars in the par 5 17th and the par 4 18th.

Nagayo was fresh from an 8th place finish in a warm up tournament last week also in California.

Japan’s Tsubasa Kajitani and Fre-mont’s Borina Sutikto sizzled with iden-tical 3 under par 69 to take a share of the lead. Three others broke par with Cheuk Yee Chloe Tan of Hongkong at two under (70), Alexa Pano of Florida and Phanarai Meesom-us of Thailand (71).

Over at the Carlton Oaks Country Club, another Dabawenyo Zeus Sara fin-ished with a six over par 78 and tied for 36th.

The IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships is the largest interna-tional event in the world and is unique for its international representation and cultural diversity.

The tournament was first held in 1952 and in its inaugural year, 475 ju-niors participated in the event repre-senting seven countries and 20 states. Today, the tournament has grown to 1200 participants representing 56 coun-tries and 42 states.

Ella Nagayo fires her best round, tied for 29th, 9 strokes off leader

njb@edgedavao.net

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

BIG EASY. Ella Nagayo of Davao City and Team Philippines relaxes before the start of her round as she watched the other competitors.

TEE OFF. Ella Nagayo tees off from hole no. 1.