Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 287 | Wednesday, March 22, 2023

ACTIVATE FRONTLINES

Newly-installed PRO 11 chief Delvo to strengthen barangay law enforcement

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Newly-installed regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) Brig. Gen. Alden Bacarra Delvo vowed on Monday to strengthen the Revitalized Police sa Barangay (R-PSB) by reaching out to the far-flung barangays particularly the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS).

The R-PSB, the brainchild of former PRO 11 regional director Police Lieutenant General Filmore Escobal, serves as an action plan of PRO 11 to address the insurgency problem in the country.

“I’m sure you are aware of the Revitalized Police sa Barangay, we will strengthen this program

as I see this as the most effective way to reach out to the frontlines.

Alam nyo ba kung saan ang frontlines natin? It is in the streets and far-flung barangays or GIDAS natin where government programs are not seen or experienced before” Delvo said in his message during the Turn-over

Thousands rally vs proposed DLPC expansion in 2 Davao provinces

Thousands of electricity consumers protested Monday the proposed takeover by the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) in some of the franchise area of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).

of Command Ceremony between outgoing regional director BGen. Benjamin Silo Jr. at PRO 11 Pulis Bagani Hall, Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido, Buhangin in Davao City on Monday.

Delvo, who formerly served as chief of the Area Police Command (APC) in Eastern Mindanao, was designated by Philippine National Police Commanding General Rodolfo Azurin and replaced Silo who was designated as the new head of the Civil Security Group.

Delvo was recognized as one of the top ten officers in the Philippines in 2009 while he was a young police officer in Davao City.

FACTIVATE, P10

Diocese in SoCot warns against activities of ‘defrocked’ priest

The Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato warned the faithful against activities officiated by one of priests who already left the Catholic Church for another religion.

“We regret to inform you that Fr. Alan G. Catigday has already left the Catholic Church,” Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas said in a

letter dated March 15 and made public Monday.

“He has decided to join another religion,” the Catholic prelate added.

Casicas did not reveal what religion the priest has joined.

“The Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Marbel are enjoined not to participate in

Masses and other Sacraments that he celebrates. These are not of the Catholic Church,” said Casicas.

The bishop added that they will continue to pray for the former priest of the diocese.

The Coalition Against the Privatization of Electric Cooperatives (CAPECs), which is backing Nordeco along with the National Center of Electric Consumers Cooperative (NCECCO), estimated that 4,000 individuals from Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro joined the peace walk and prayer rally.

CAPECs held the event in response to a motorcade-rally last week led by business owners in the city who joined the clamor for a new power utility to replace Nordeco, which they claimed to have been charging exorbitant rates to its consumers.

The rally culminated at the freedom park where speakers from different sectors took turns in lambasting the four bills in the House of Representatives that seek to let DLPC took over Nordeco’s franchise area in Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal and the towns of Kapalong, Asuncion, San Isidro, New Corella and Talaingod in Davao del Norte as well as the town of Maco in Davao de Oro.

Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez refiled House Bill No. 5077 that seeks to expand DLPC’s coverage to the cities of Tagum and Samal and the towns of Kapalong, Asuncion, San Isidro, New Corella and Talaingod in Davao del Norte and the town of Maco in Davao de Oro.

franchise area namely HB 6995 by Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maricar Zamora and Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Alan Dujali; HB 6740 by Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Margarita Ignacia Nograles; and HB 7047 by Marino Partylist Rep. Sandro Gonzales.

Aside from fiery speeches, the rallyists signed two tarpaulin-enlarged manifestos expressing their stand against DLPC’s expansion in Nordeco’s franchise area.

The event started with a morning mass at the Tagum Cathedral officiated by Bishop Medil Sacay Aseo.

Edgardo Masongsong, NCECCO secretary general and former National Electrification Administration head, said the rally should serve as “ice breaker to educate the 200,000 member-consumers of Nordeco to rally behind the cooperative they really owned.”

“They will now understand that what you have been fighting for is for the general welfare of all,” he said in his speech.

He said that electric cooperatives in the country were a brainchild of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. in 1969, with NEA as the supervising arm of the late president’s rural electrification program.

Masongsong established NCECCO during his time, a national organization that is “totally independent” from 121 electric cooperatives in the country. He envisioned NCECCO to build its own renewable energy plants for them to enjoy cheap electricity rates.

He warned Nordeco member-consumers that if they allow DLPC to take over several areas of its franchise, they will be consid-

The Diocese of Marbel has a population of 1.65 million Catholics and has 86 priests. (PNA) FTHOUSANDS, P10

Three other house bills pushed for DLPC expansion in the entire or parts of Nordeco’s

Councilor Bernie Al-ag, chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry of the City Council, says the city will soon be implementing post-audit and post-compliance approaches in approving business permits. Lean Daval Jr.

DOH 11 wants misconceptions about tuberculosis corrected

Dad to replicate Valenzuela’s business permit procedure

Councilor Bernie Al-ag told Edge Davao that the city will soon be implementing post-audit and post-compliance approaches in approving business permits.

Al-ag, chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry of the City Council, along with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, vice chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry; Councilor Bonz Andrei Militar, chairperson of the Committee on information technology, and department heads of the city government of Davao, went on a exploratory tour of Valenzuela City last week to benchmark its digitalization processes.

“We learned that digitalization gyud is the way to make it faster. There are other approach nga gihimo sa Valenzuela para maging paspas. One yung approach na post audit and post compliance wherein puwede ta maghatag ug permits na katong mga kulang nila na mga requirements tagaan sila ug time but they can start their business right away. Our basis is the ease of doing business na instead na maghulat ang mga tao na iinspect sila, duolon sila sa govenrment agency, tagaan na sila ug three

days sa government agency pag dili sila mu-respond sa application automatic approved. Mao to among learning during the benchmarking,” Al-ag said.

Al-ag is firmed that these approaches will be implemented in Davao City as these will be part of his proposed ordinance “Streamlining and Digitizing the Business Permit Applications” which is expected to be passed and approved next month.

The purpose of the ordinance is to make sure that businessmen will have a positive experience in their transactions in the city by streamlining procedures through digitalization.

“We will apply those principles and procedures. This will be passed in April. Gamay na lang mga tulo ka hearing na lang. We will do that,” he said.

This developed after the digitalization of business permit transactions and applications of the city government of Davao is hampered by what he calls “technical glitches.”

Al-ag also said that only one percent of business permit applicants took advantage of the city government of Davao’s online business permit application. By Maya

M. Padillo

The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) is hoping that misconceptions concerning Tuberculosis disease will be eliminated to avoid lowering the patients’ self-esteem.

Evelyn Uy-Gelito, National Tuberculosis Program and National Laboratory Professionals Council (NLCP) nurse coordinator of DOH 11, said on Monday that correcting the misconceptions about TB is among the goals of this year’s commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, 2023.

“There are still a lot of people who don’t know what TB is all about. There are still a lot of mis-

conceptions about TB and this is the time that we will correct these misconceptions,” she said during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.

Gelito cited that separating the utensils of people with TB and isolating them to avoid getting infected is misconceptions because TB is an airborne disease. She said family members of TB patients can come close and

can even hug them.

She said the most important thing is the patient undergoes treatment and takes the medicine every day for six months for those who are affected with ordinary TB and nine or more for those affected with drug resistant variant.

“There is no need na hiwalayin ang kanilang utensils or ipalayo kay basin matakdan because TB is an airborne disease. Remember isa lang ang atong ginhawaan na hangin, if malanghap nimo tong hangin nga naay bacteria of TB that is the time na magkaFDOH, P10

21 ex-rebels get P1.2-M livelihood aid in DavSur

At least 21 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have received over PHP1.2 million worth of assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in Davao del Sur province on Monday. Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the

Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion commander, said 19 ex-rebels received PHP65,000 livelihood assistance each, while two only qualified for the PHP15,000 immediate assistance during the distribution activity at the provincial coliseum in Digos City.

“We are thankful for the

continuing effort of our partner agencies and the provincial government of Davao Del Sur to mainstream these former rebels,” Balagtey said in an interview Monday.

The turnover was facilitated by the Davao Del Sur’s Provincial

By MAYA M. PADILLO FEX-REBELS, P10

Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Tomas Lorenzo (center) and chief operating officer Cathy Casares-Ko (2nd from left), chief finance Officer Jennifer Umali (rightmost), area sales head for VisMin Mae Valdez (leftmost) and partner Belinda Reyes, lead the grounbreaking of the showroom of Crown Residences at Tierra Davao at dusitD2 Davao in Stella Hizon Reyes Drive, Bo. Pampanga, Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

DAR farm business school in SoCot equips farmers to be agripreneurs

TheDepartment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) hopes to empower farmers to become “agripreneurs” through the establishment of a farm business school (FBS) in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

In a statement Monday, the DAR said the FBS will equip farmers with knowledge in sustainable farming.

Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and other farmers who will participate in the FBS program will be provided with interventions to innovate, develop and make their products more enticing to the market to make them become effective farmer-entrepreneurs.

DAR-South Cotabato Provincial Agrarian Reform Program

Officer Charish Paña said the program implementation would run for 16 weeks with 25 hands-on sessions.

“Ang mga ARB na dadalo sa FBS ay napakaswerte sapagkat halos nasa pintuan na lamang nila anglearning center. Hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa paaralan upang matutuhan ang mga napakahalagang leksyon na madadanasan nila sa programa

(The ARBs attending the FBS are lucky because the learning center is just around their door-

steps. They no longer need to go to school and learn the valuable lessons that they will experience in the program),” she said.

Maria Antonia Banting, vice chairperson of the Dolefil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBC), thanked DAR for the opportunity given to them.

Banting also conveyed the cooperative’s commitment and promised full participation in the course of the program.

“Sa programang ito, mapapaunlad ng ating mga magsasaka ang kanilang produksyon at kakayahang kumita sa sakahan (Through this program, our farmers will certainly improve their farm production and profitabili-

FDAR, P10

SEC to share data with other agencies vs money laundering

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday said it signed a data sharing agreement (DSA) on beneficial ownership with key government agencies in a bid to intensify the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

In a statement, the SEC said it signed the DSA with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)

last Feb. 28.

The deal will allow the SEC to give timely access to accurate and adequate beneficial ownership information to competent authorities, in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

FATF is an intergovernmental money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog that sets international standards to prevent such illegal activities.

The SEC said it collects ben-

Implementation of new check format deferred to May 2024

The implementation of the issuance of a new check format and specifications has been postponed to May 1, 2024 instead of May 2, 2023.

In its operating memorandum (OM) issued on Jan. 25, the Philippine Clearing House Corporation (PCHC) said the change in the implementation date was based on the recommendation by the Clearing Officers Club, Inc. and was approved by the PCHC Board.

“This deferment in implementation is effected with a view to allowing more time for bank clients to exhaust remaining checks or base stocks of printed checks in their possession,” the memorandum said.

These changes, it said, aim to “set a standard or uniform format of writing the date on checks in order to avoid misinterpretation of date of issue” and to “enhance check processing capabilities by providing banks better optical character recognition features that are needed for an automated check verification system.”

The memorandum said checks that still have the old format “with date of issue written in alphanumeric are acceptable for clearing provided they are dated April 30, 2024 or earlier and they are presented for deposit prior to the 180th day from issue date.”

eficial ownership information from its regulated agencies through a number of circulars it has previously released.

“Information gathered by the Commission through the aforementioned circulars play a vital role in identifying the natural person/s maintaining ultimate effective control of the corporation,” the regulator said.

The SEC said beneficial owners of a corporation are dis-

FSEC, P10

Citing the memorandum issued on Feb. 11, 2019, the latest memorandum said the new standards will adopt the month, date and year format on the issue date of the check.

It said the date format guide is indicated below the date line, the individual box is provided for each character of the issue date, the peso sign is moved out of the box vis-à-vis the amount in figures and there should be boxed white spaces for writing the date of issue, the amount in figures and the signature of issuer/drawer.

“The issue date in alphanumeric on old format checks may be written in any sequence, i.e. Month-Day-Year or Day-Month-Year or YearMonth-Day,” it said.

However, the memorandum said “alphanumeric Month-DayYear sequence is preferable for consistency with the MM-DDYYYY sequence prescribed for issue date in numeric format.”

“Notwithstanding the deferment, nonetheless, the date of issue on checks that are in the ‘new format’ (i.e., with boxed spaces) has to be written now in numeric format and strictly in the MM-DD-YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY sequence,” it added. (PNA)

A female Menuvu from Quezon, Bukidnon selling ethnic bracelets checks her mobile phone while waiting for customers at the capitol grounds in Malaybalay City on Monday, 20 March 2023. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Lean

Students urged to join free startups coaching program in Davao Region

Public Service Act IRR to take effect April 4

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11659 or the Amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) will take effect this April 4 following the approval of an inter-agency group, including the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The NEDA on Monday released the new rules on the liberalization of public services in the country.

The IRR will facilitate the implementation of the PSA, which sets a clear distinction between the definition of public services and public utilities.

“With the IRR already in place, we see this as a landmark reform that will further improve the country’s position as an ideal investment hub, which will help enhance employment opportunities and allow more Filipinos to benefit from more improved goods and services,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan in a statement.

The RA 11659 enables 100 percent foreign ownership of public services, including airports, railways, expressways and telecommunications.

Studentsin the Davao Region aspiring to establish their own startup businesses are encouraged to avail the free three-month intensive entrepreneurship and technopreneurship coaching program of the Davao City-based business incubator Upgrade Innolab (Upgrade).

It retains the 60-40 ownership rule in public utilities identified in the IRR, which includes the distribution of electricity, the transmission of electricity, petroleum and petroleum products pipeline transmission systems, including sewerage pipeline systems, seaports and public utility vehicles.

The IRR prohibited investments from an entity controlled by or acting on behalf of a foreign government or foreign state-owned enterprises.

The IRR also has provisions safeguarding the country against national security concerns that may rise from merger, acquisition or any investments in a public service.

Moreover, with the implementation of the RA 11659 which was enacted into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 21, 2022, Balisacan said this will attract more foreign investments that will promote market competition, accelerate innovation and generate high-quality jobs.

He reiterated the PSA complements policies and measures, such as the

FPUBLIC, P10

Rob Gumba, Upgrade communications and marketing head, told MindaNews on Monday that the InnoVersity Business Leaders Program (InnoVersity), which is implemented under the Innovation and Development Accelerators Consortium for Startups (IDEAS Davao), seeks to help individuals develop “their business acumen towards building their dream startups.”

Registration is ongoing until March 31. Upgrade is the lead implementer of the consortium.

Gumba said the InnoVersi-

ty, which will start from April to June 2023, is an “ideation-to-validation” program where students will be taught about the fundamentals of starting and running a scalable enterprise, refine their startup ideas and validate their markets to see its potential for launch.

The program includes, among others, a series of learning sessions on entrepreneurial mindset, technopreneurship, design thinking, market research and validation, business model canvas and finance, and a deep men-

toring session.

He added that that they welcome participants in education, agriculture, sustainability and smart industries, to name a few.

Gumba noted that they hope to have around 50 startup teams, with five members each, for the learning sessions.

At least 10 teams will be picked for deep mentoring and incubation with partner technology business incubators (TBIs) in the city at the end of the program, he said.

He said that TBIs may assist and connect their incubates to potential investors or co-write proposals for possible funding.

“There is usually no direct funding or investments when startups undergo business incubation programs from the TBIs.

PH’s gross int’l reserves level dips to $98.2-B in Feb: BSP

The country’s gross international reserves level dipped in February, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Tuesday.

February’s GIR level declined to $98.2 billion from $100.7 billion the previous month, data from the central bank showed.

Despite the decline, the BSP said the latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

The level is also about 5.9

times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.9 times based on residual maturity.

Economic managers have said that keeping “hefty” reserves would allow the country to timely respond to external shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vendors are reminded by the personnel of the city government of Davao’s Demolition Unit to park their carts and sell their products at allowed areas only to not cause traffic along Bolton Street in Davao City Tuesday.

Daval Jr.

“We learned that digitalization gyud is

way to make it faster. There are other approach nga gihimo sa Valenzuela para maging paspas. One yung approach na post audit and post compliance wherein puwede ta maghatag ug permits na katong mga kulang nila na mga requirements tagaan sila ug time but they can start their business right away. Our basis is the ease of doing business na instead na maghulat ang mga tao na iinspect sila, duolon sila sa govenrment agency, tagaan na sila ug three days sa government agency pag dili sila mu-respond sa application automatic approved. Mao to among learning during the benchmarking.”

Reporter

GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

BILLACURA Sports Editor

GREGORIO

MOSES

On what they learned from Valenzuela City’s government digitalization processes:

the

COUNCILOR BERNIE AL-AG

Call it a Valentine surprise but an invitation dated February 14, 2023, from the Sangguni-ang Panlungsod of Davao has asked us to attend the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture hearing chaired by Dr. Pilar C. Braga. Of interest in the invite is Item No, 537, a request from the heirs of Tomas M. Tionko to rename Davao City National High School (DCNHS) to Tomas M. Tionko National High School (TTNHS).

In a letter dated November 14, 2022, the heirs of Tionko wrote an “urgent appeal” to change DCNHS’s title in honor of the man who donated the estate where the school stands. The property is a 28,804-square-meter prime land donated on October 30, 1939, out of “pure generosity and benevolence.” In 1950, another donation of 6.2 hectares was added.

The heirs cited parallel cases

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST

BACKWARD

RETITLING DAVAO’S CITY HIGH SCHOOL

of renaming as the basis for the appeal, mentioning, in par-ticular, the Matina Aplaya High School, now Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DANHS), and Catalunan High School, now Jesus Soriano National High School (JSNHS).

Renaming public buildings and places in honor of persons who have contributed to the development of a community is established by Republic Act 10086 which strengthens “peo-ples’ nationalism through Philippine history” by changing the name of the National Histori-cal Institute (NHI) to National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the guide-lines in renaming public places and edifices, both local and national, were revised, with the education department playing a collaborative role in case the change affects a government learning institution.

Under RA 1059, signed in 1954, bans “the naming of sitios, barrios, municipalities, cities, provinces, streets, highways, avenues, bridges, and other public thoroughfares, parks, plazas, public schools, public buildings, piers, government aircrafts and vessels, and other public in-stitutions after living persons… except when it is a condition in a donation in favor of the government.”

Under NHCP guidelines on the naming and renaming of streets, public schools, plazas, buildings, bridges, and other public structures, certain provisions apply suitably to the case.

Section 1, Part I, stipulated that “local government units cannot rename public place if the original name was created by an act of Congress or by a proclamation of the President of the Philippines.” In this case, the name DCNHS is an offshoot of RA

6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988, which classifies its change of name as “an act of Con-gress.” The use of “national” in the title is based on the intent to nationalize all public sec-ondary schools.

Section 2-3, Part I, of the revised NHCP guidelines, meanwhile, stipulates that the local legislatures of component cities and municipalities, prior to changing the name of streets, roads, schools, health facilities or any other public place or building within its territorial juris-diction, may consult first the NHCP. In Tionko’s case, Davao is not a component city.

The NHCP guidelines also declare: “A street, plaza or any public place may be named or renamed to honor a person or family who contributed to the welfare of the Filipino people” but with a caveat that the

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO

FLOWERS FOR LOLAS

Like other Filipina comfort women, Lola Hilaria Bustamante died still fighting without receiving justice.

Lola Hilaria passed away last Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the age of 97, ten days after the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) released on International Women’s Day a decision which found that the “Philippines violated the rights of victims of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War by failing to provide reparation, social support and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered.”

Lola Hilaria’s dreams of becoming a teacher crashed after she became a sex slave at the age of 16 in 1943. She was abducted by Japanese soldiers in Hermosa, Bataan and dragged her into a hut within a Japanese garrison and raped her.

She stayed in that hut along with other women for a year. During the day, they were forced to wash the soldiers’ clothes and cook the men’s meals. In the afternoon and evening, the men would come for them and sexually abuse them.

Lola Hilaria was one of the about 200,000 women from Korea, China, Burma, New Guinea, and the Philippines who were held in captivity and raped as part of one of the largest operations of sexual violence in modern history.

The victims have spent their lives in misery, having endured physical injuries, pain and dis-

ability, and mental and emotional suffering.

After more than five decades of silence, Lola Hilaria came out as one of the comfort women and joined Lila Filipina.

She was one of several plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government in 1993 at a Tokyo District Court. The Japanese Supreme Court dismissed the case several years after but Lola Hilaria continued in the fight for justice until her death.

The CEDAW Committee pointed out that Philippine government had failed to adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to prohibit all discrimination against women and protect women’s rights on an equal basis with men.

It noted that while Philippine war veterans, who are mostly men, are entitled to special and esteemed treatment from the government, such as health care benefits, old age, disability and death pensions , there was no such action with the comfort women.

The Committee found such actions as a breach of the Philippines’ obligations under the CEDAW as a State Party.

The Committee recommended that the victims must be provided with “full reparation, including recognition and redress, an official apology, and material and moral damages” proportionate to the physical, psychological, and material damage suffered by them and the gravity of the violation of their rights experienced.

Comfort women advocates Flowers for Lolas, Lila Filipina

and Malaya Lolas supported the CEDAW recommendation on the preservation of Bahay na Pula, or the establishment of another space to commemorate the suffering of the victims and honor their struggle for justice.

On November 23, 1944,the women from Mapaniqui. Pampanga, were ordered to walk to the Bahay na Pula in San Ildefonso, Bulacan which became a barracks where they became victims of military sexual violence and slavery. Upon reaching the mansion, the soldiers dragged the women, ranging from 13 to early 20s, into dark rooms and took turns raping them.

A two-meter high “Lola” statue was installed in December 2017 along Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard in Manila. It was an unnamed woman wearing a traditional Filipino dress, blindfolded, with hands clutched to her chest.

The statue was dismantled

by the DPWH on April 27, 2018, allegedly for a drainage improvement project, but seen as submission to protests from Japan. It was later declared missing in August 2019 when the artist, Jonas Roces, failed to deliver the statue for its reinstallation at the Baclaran Church.

Another comfort woman statue —of a young woman with fists resting on her lap—has been removed from the Catholic-run Mary Mother of Mercy shelter for the elderly and the homeless in San Pedro, Laguna, only two days after its unveiling in January 2019.

The remaining comfort woman statue owned by the late Nelia Sancho is now in its new home in Pandan, Antique.

Even if these are reminders of a painful past, the “Lola” statues honor the memory, courage and resilience of these Filipino women.

school’s old name should be placed underneath the new name in signages so as not to misguide people who know the school by its ancient appellation.

Renaming DCNHS to TTNHS is within the functions of the local government unit if the purpose is to honor donors and to perpetuate the memory of generous people who, with a commitment towards community advancement, extend their resources without monetary returns.

Gideon Lasco, a UP doctor and anthropologist, explains his stance on naming places after people: “Of course, we should continue to honor people by naming places after them—and this is especially for new constructions—airports, subway stations, dedicated bike lanes, and walkways. But they should honor not just political figures… but people from all walks of life.”

The Lola statues and the Bahay na Pula represent Filipino women’s dignity and stand as “a reminder that wars of aggression must always be opposed, and that sexual slavery and violence should never happen again to any woman, anywhere, at any time.”

From the more than 200 documented survivors in the late 1990s, less than 40 Filipino comfort women are still alive.

With Lola Hilaria’s death, the dwindling number highlights a sense of urgency for them to receive a formal, unequivocal public apology and just compensation from Japan as well as accurate historical inclusion while their voices can still be heard.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

ACCURATE HISTORICAL INCLUSION WHILE THE COMFORT WOMEN’S VOICES CAN STILL BE HEARD.

UBX partners with PGA Sompo for cyber insurance

UBX, the leading Open Finance Platform in the Philippines, has tapped global top insurance company PGA Sompo Insurance Corp. (PGA Sompo) to beef up its customer protection mechanism through

personal cyber insurance.

UBX will serve as the principal policyholder for its end-users who are covered by the group insurance. Customers are guaranteed financial protection against elec-

tronic fund transfer fraud, identity theft, online retail fraud, purchase protection, and other cybersecurity-related threats. This serves as an additional safety measure on top of the exist-

ing safety and security layers that UBX has deployed for its customers.

“While the use of technology in finance has grown exponentially these past few years, threats to security have increased as well. The trust and confidence of our clients are two of our most prized assets and we are committed to ensuring the safety of our users, most especially their financial security. Together with PGA Sompo, we can confidently give them peace of mind in using our open finance platform,” UBX President and CEO John Januszczak said.

This cyber insurance covers all end users of UBX platforms such as i2i, the banking-as-a-service platform of UBX; BUx, an end-to-end payment solutions platform; and Sentro, an online shop builder.

Among the top barriers that hinder users and merchants alike from digital adoption is security. For Philippine digital users, failed deliveries, incomplete deliveries, damaged products, and fraudulent transactions are usual experiences when transacting online. On the other hand, financial institutions usually go through down times as well when unexpected glitches occur which lead to paralysis of operations.

A big part of providing services requires an understanding of customer perspective and in the age of information, data is an important currency. Since it approaches

customer experience from an empathic perspective, UBX makes it a point to meet present demands by prioritizing data security, which is the primary concern of both corporations and individuals.

“More than just giving them the technology to enhance their operations, we want to make sure that businesses, organizations, and financial institutions are protected from external threats as they undertake their journey towards digital transformation,” Marc Gorospe, Business Lead for Insurtech at UBX, explained.

Gorospe added that it is high time to add to the layers of security across all UBX platforms as the number of its clients and customers continue to grow, cementing its position as the preferred open finance platform in the Philippines.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has recently mandated banks and financial institutions to strengthen their policies on customer confidentiality and security. Now more than ever, major players in finance are required to double their efforts in achieving this goal.

“As advocates of financial inclusion, we are always on the lookout for like-minded individuals and institutions who are just as committed to putting the trust and confidence of their clients and customers above anything else to guarantee an equal and level playing field for all,” said Januszczak.

Max’s Group sets historic organic income at 163% of pre-pandemic

Manila, Philippines — Max’s Group, Inc. (“MGI” or the “Group”), the largest casual dining restaurant group in the Philippines, is reporting its operating results for the full year 2022.

The Group’s strategies developed and executed during the course of the pandemic have accelerated its profit recovery posting an all-time high organic net income for 2022 surpassing pre-pandemic levels amidst COVID lockdowns, market changes and commodities risks faced throughout the year. Full year organic net income in 2022 for MGI totaled P622 million, 38% higher than the 2021 statutory net income of P451 million which includes a P377 million gain from the sale of a subsidiary. In terms of organic profitability, the 2022 financial results reflect an 8x multiple versus 2021 and outperform pre-pandemic 2019 by 63%.

“Our commitment to our stakeholders is to not only recover during the pandemic but come out stronger,” stated MGI Chief Executive Officer Robert F. Trota. “Despite the challenges that the organization has faced since the first lockdown in 2020, our business model has been tested and proven, with consistency of executed strategies as evidenced in our recovery.”

The Group’s resurgence was strongly backed by its strong core portfolio of brands across its local and international store network. Dine-in brands Max’s Restaurant and Pancake House secured a significant boost in sales as restrictions continued to relax, while off-premise brands Yellow Cab Pizza Co. and Krispy Kreme sustained their pandemic-proofed resilience.

In addition, MGI has further strengthened its manufacturing capabilities with the commissioning of its consolidated commissary, which expanded the Group’s growth potential into manufacturing and its food retail and business to business (B2B) seg-

ments as an adjacency to its core. MGI products are already present in supermarkets and convenience stores. This segment is gaining traction as MGI aims to be a leader in the growing food retail category to supplement its core restaurant and commissary businesses.

MGI’s system wide sales

(“SWS”) generated from both company-owned and franchised stores for the full year amounted to P17.60 billion, growing 41% from the same period last year with 2021 sales of P12.52 billion. Consolidated revenues of the Group for the year amounted to P10.98 billion, a 44% growth from P7.64 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Local same store sales growth

(“SSSG”) soared by 43% while global SSSG increased by 36% proving opportunities were maximized as the market continues to open, bolstered by continued relaxed restrictions and holiday demand surge in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter, SWS reached P5.04 billion, a 29% increase versus same period in 2021 of P3.90 billion. Revenues likewise grew by 39% for the period, up by almost a billion pesos to P3.21 billion from P2.32 billion in the same quarter of the prior year.

Local market sales jumped by 33% in 4Q 2022 versus the same period last year as consumer confidence, mobility, and economics continue to revive. Meanwhile, the international business reported a solid 15% growth despite labor challenges in the North America market, with new agreements in place to further expand global reach in other markets.

“Our business now stands on a stronger foundation. Our commitment to our shareholders was that we will be more than ready when the market is ready. The remastered fundamentals that started in 2020, coupled with our strategic pivots, are not only seen in our financial perfor-

mance but on how the Group has evolved”, noted MGI President Ariel P. Fermin. “We remain focused on serving our guests in our core restaurant business, and have built key partnerships with our customers in our adjacent B2B platform. We continue to be an attractive and reliable choice for our shareholders, business partners, and our employees,” added Fermin.

As the Group strategically and proactively placed measures to counter market volatility and rising commodity prices, gross profit margin was stable at 34.5% for the quarter.

Strengthened supply chain capabilities provide end-to-end upsides in procurement, manufacturing and logistics. Full year gross profit posted was at P3.8 billion, at par with 2019. In terms of margin, 2022’s gross profit

was at 34.3% which is higher by nearly 700 bps from the 2019’s 27.4%.

“MGI’s re-engineered economic model has set a historic all-time high organic net income despite the pandemic. Our consistent performance quarter on quarter has proven financial viability and sustainability of the business,” noted MGI Chief Finance Officer Maria Rochelle S. Diaz. “We have outpaced ourselves versus pre-pandemic even with a tempered topline.”

Margins for full year 2022 and in the fourth quarter alone reflect historic highs as compared to pre-COVID benchmarks. Full year margins are up, with record-high earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and net income margins at 19.8% and 5.7% as compared to the organic 2019’s 16.4%

and 2.6% margins, respectively. For the fourth quarter, the Group EBITDA margin of 22.0% and net income margin of 6.1% are up by 284 and 333 basis points, respectively versus organic margins in the comparable period in 2019. The Group posted net income before tax (NIBT) of P855 million and a 7.8% margin in 2022 which are purely coming from operations. This surpassed 2021’s statutory NIBT by 60% at P535 million and is 5x of its organic NIBT of P158 million. Moreover, 2022 organic NIBT is 31% higher versus 2019’s.

As of 31 December 2022, the Group’s store network covers 14 territories, with 612 Philippine sites and 66 stores situated across various locations in North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

WATER HYACINTH: TURNING NUISANCE PLANT INTO PROFITABLE PRODUCTS

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Photos by Rhoy Cobilla

It is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, it may rise above the surface of the water as much as one meter in height. The leaves are 10-20 centimeters across, and float above the water surface. It has long, spongy and bulbous stalks. The feathery, freely hanging roots are purple-black. An erect stalk supports a single spike of 8-15 conspicuously attractive flowers, mostly lavender to pink in color with six petals.

Experts call it water hyacinth but to most Filipinos it is simply known as “water lily.” Water hyacinth (scientific name: Eichornia crassipes) is considered the most productive plant on earth as it

yields more than 200 tons of dry matter per hectare per year under normal conditions. On water containing high concentrations of sewage, it yields up to 657 tons of dry matter per hectare.

“The plant is far more productive than the crops that have been carefully cultivated by man under near-ideal conditions of fertilization, irrigation, and pest control,” wrote John Bunton in an article which appeared in Far Eastern Agriculture.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) calls water hyacinth an “invasive alien species” (IAS).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature defines IAS as “plants or animals that are introduced by man, accidentally or intentionally, outside of their natural geographic range into an area where they are not naturally present.”

Water hyacinths have been threatening inland bodies of water. “(They) thrive in water with

poor quality,” said an official from the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), a DENR line agency. Among the country’s water hyacinth-infested waterways are the Liguasan Marsh in Central Mindanao, the Pasig River in Metro Manila, and Laguna de Bay.

Water hyacinth was introduced in the Philippines as an ornamental garden pond plant due to its beauty. But today, it is considered a pest as 10 plants could produce well over 650,000 offspring within eight months.

In Laguna de Bay, for instance, water hyacinth is considered a nuisance. “These plants now cover some 20% of the lake’s surface area,” said the Laguna Lake Development Authority. Their proliferation threatens survival of aquatic

species there since these plants block sunlight’s penetration into the water.

That is just one of their ecological impacts. Water hyacinths also reduce biological diversity, impact native submersed plants, and alter immersed plant communities by pushing away and crushing them. They likewise alter animal communities by blocking access to the water and/or eliminating plants the animals depend on for shelter and nesting.

The physical problems brought about by water hyacinth are now common knowledge. Water hyacinth mats clog waterways, making boating, fishing and almost all other water activities impossible. Many large hydropower schemes are suffering from the

The water hyacinth is cleaned first

This is how water hyacinths are harvested

Before they are made into profitable products, water hyacinths are dried first

ACTIVATE... FROM 2 DOH... FROM 3 THOUSANDS...

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He reminded the commanders and provincial directors to always guide their personnel so they will not go astray.

“We have enough bad eggs in our ranks but I know Davao is different,” he said.

He also cited the survey result conducted by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in October last year wherein PRO 11 received high ratings in terms of safety, trust, and respect in the Davao Region.

“We have the highest approval ratings. Alam nyo ba yung MinDA, is doing a survey on us, so tingnan natin if we are faring well,” he said.

He also urged the uniformed personnel to propagate the “Buhay ay ingatan, droga ay ayawan” (BIDA) program.

“Remember also that in Davao Region drugs have no place in Davao that is why the drug war went nationwide with former president Rodrigo Duterte. And it is still the mandate of the PNP chief Police General Azurin. This menace is still the number one enemy of the country right now,” he said.

Meanwhile, Delvo thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approving the recommendation of Azurin, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whom he considered his mentor.

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ty),” she said.

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Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said the FBS, which provides education to ARBs on how to improve farm production and marketing strategy, is in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to help improve the livelihood of the farmers. (PNA)

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The amount of seed fund that the startups may get, if ever there are indeed investors which is rare for early-stage startups, depends on many factors, including valuation, needs and due diligence,” he said.

According to a briefer, InnoVersity is designed to spur the interest of participants “in entrepreneurship and technopreneurship as a catalyst for social impact, mainstream a culture of innovation in addressing social problems, and promote technopreneurship as an alternative career pathway for the youth.”

Topics will include Psychology of Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development Goals and Impact Business, Design Thinking,

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pan (silver, 400m hurdles), Andre Cada (bronze, 800m), Fritz Lantaco (silver, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m), Keay Sismar (silver, 2000m walk), Jake Villaluz, Andrean Cabacang, Dharlie Baguisan and Johnny Meder (gold, 4x100m relay), and Kenneth Alipan, Andrean Cabacang, Ej Sanchez and Johnny Meder (gold, 4x400m relay.

Also in the women’s category are Bernadette Mendiola (silver, 100m, gold, Long Jump & Triple Jump), Angeline Reponte (silver, 200m & bronze, 400m), Cris Garcia (bronze, 200m), Andrea De Guia (silver, 400m), Angelica Villanueva

ered mere rental payers and no longer member-consumer owners. Masongsong recalled purported bad experiences in the past wherein the DLPC tried operating in Samal Island, but when they found that they are not raking profits, they turned it over” to the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Nordeco’s former franchise name.

In his video message, Allan Laniba, general manager of Leyte III Electric Cooperative III and Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, urged electric cooperative consumers to make a definite stand against DLPC’s expansion into Nordeco’s franchise area.

“We cannot be neutral. We have to make a choice if we are for the people or privatization,” Laniba said.

In a manifesto, CAPECs cited several rejoinders, including respecting Nordeco’s franchise; national government’s priority and equal treatment to Nordeco; the take-over will eventually result to a monopoly of private-for-profit; NEA to continue to adhere in improving the socio-economic status of the people; repeal the EPIRA law; and, Nordeco and 120 other cooperatives in the country be given tenable support and assistance to the fullest extent of the national government. (Chris Panganiban / MindaNews)

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tinguished from legal owners, which are defined as natural or juridicial persons, who, in accordance with the law, owns or has the controlling ownership interest over the corporation, or has the ability of taking relevant decisions within the corporation and imposing those resolutions. The deal will also protect personal and sensitive data by incorporating measures provided under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other related circulars issued by the National Privacy Commission, the SEC said.

Design Sprint, Team Work and Dynamics, Technology Design, Business Model Canvas and Development, Market Validation, GoTo-Market Strategy, Finance 101, and Pitching, it said.

It added Upgrade has partnered with the Singapore-based youth-focused startup accelerator Reactor School, Malaysia-based business accelerator E3 Entrepreneurs Hub, and several universities in Davao Region through IDEAS Davao. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

(gold, 400m hurdles & bronze, 800m), Kate Mcdowell (silver, 800m, 1500m & 3000m), Lyka Catubig (gold, 2000m walk, 5000m & 10,000m), Sharoh Marcojos (silver, 2000m walk), Princess Pudy (gold, Javelin Throw), Sophia Bangunan (silver, Discuss Throw & Shot Put), Meah Joy Bagay (bronze, Discuss Throw & Shot Put), Angeline Reponte, Cris Garcia, Bea Burbe and Bernadette Mendiola (gold, 4x100m relay), and Angeline Reponte, Angelica Villanueva, Kate Mcdowell and Andrea De Guia (gold, 4:400m relay). | via Clifford James L. Danduan; (PR)

roon ka ug TB but it doesn’t mean nga magka TB dayon ka puwede pud na how strong ang inyong immune system. No need na ihiwalay during the course of treatment ang utensils nila. Sa TB program kung naay isa sa member sa family nga naay TB i-avoid nato nang i-low ang self-esteem sama sa pagpalayo, puwede ka mag hug,” she said.

World Tuberculosis Day is a day to pay attention to people affected by TB. Following the annual celebration of World TB Day every March 24, it aims to inform the people of the methods to prevent this disease and strengthen people to cooperate in the fight against the said disease.

In line with this, DOH 11 will be holding an awareness campaign on March 23, 2023, at SM City Ecoland, Davao City. The CallKaLungs Hotlines will also be launched at the same time to provide accurate answers about TB.

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Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Before receiving the assistance, the 19 beneficiaries underwent additional orientation from the training they had during the three-month Tupad Pangako Program, a deradicalization intervention for their reintegration into mainstream society.

“Jane”, a former medical officer of the communist New People’s Army Guerilla Front 51 - Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, thanked the government for the help given to former rebels like her as she transitions into a normal life with her family.

“This will be of great help for us to restart our lives and become responsible citizens of this country. I know that the process will be hard, but with the help of the government,” she said. (PNA)

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amendments to the Foreign Investments Act (FIA), the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA), the passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ratification, amendments to the IRR of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law, approval of the NEDA Joint Venture (JV) Guidelines and the administration’s efforts in promoting the Philippines as an investment hub.

“We are confident that the Philippines will be able to attract much-needed capital and technology, sustain its highgrowth trajectory, and generate high-quality jobs enabling rapid poverty reduction in the next six years,” Balisacan said. (PNA)

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ment. The “minor injury” pertains to an apparent groin injury he suffered during the Gin Kings’ Commissioner’s Cup Finals battle against the Bay Area Dragons.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone later said when Tenorio decided to take a break from playing that he aggravated it, defining it as sports hernia, only for the point guard to finally come clean.

Tenorio, however, said he has already gone surgery and is now about to start getting further

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effects of water hyacinth.

Currently, there are several popular control mechanisms for preventing the spread of or eradicating water hyacinth: biological, chemical and physical control. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

Physical control, using mechanical mowers, dredgers or manual extraction methods, is used widely. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed a machine that scoops up the plants to put them in good use.

Developed by engineers from the DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center, the machine – called the Water Hyacinth Harvester – can collect and hold up to 25 kilograms of water hyacinth per load. When full, the harvester discharges the collected plants to a dumping site or an assisting barge.

The harvester mechanically removes water hyacinths using a specially-developed conveyor system. “Mechanically removing the plant is the better alternative because chemical methods are hazardous to plants and animals,” according to the research team.

In some parts of the world, several researches have been done to make water hyacinth into a profitable crop instead of a serious pest. In Kunming City, the provincial capital of China’s Yunnan Province, Dr. Zanwin Wang, an associate professor at the School of Development Studies in Yunnan University, thinks of turning the nuisance plant as the waste material for producing biogas.

In Dianchi Lake, water hyacinth grows profusely because of the polluted water. To find out whether biogas is really feasible, Dr. Wang assessed a proposed biogas project designed to use the water hyacinth. The study wanted to find out whether biogas is cost-effective to control the noxious weed, help clean up water pollution, and generate a source of renewable energy.

“Compared with the current water hyacinth control method, the use of water hyacinth to produce biogas has two major advantages,” said Dr. Wang, who headed the study. For one, the biomass of water hyacinth is used rather than disposed of as a waste. For another, the emission of landfill gas is avoided.

In particular, the government can spend less on the control of water hyacinth’s expansion as water hyacinth is used as a raw material of biogas. Currently, the government pays $16.80 per ton for the collection and disposal of water hyacinth. In comparison, it only spends $10.71 per ton for using water hyacinth in producing biogas.

Due to its improved environmental and economic performance in controlling the expansion of water hyacinth, the use of water hyacinth in biogas production “can be a potential option to respond to policies on water pollution control, renewable energy development, and carbon emis-

treatment.

“I have completed my surgery last week and will soon undergo treatment for the next few months,” he added.

The 38-year-old playmaker, though, reiterated that he is still not calling it a career, and he hopes that he can still make a return to the PBA very soon.

“I have given not only 17 full years to the PBA, but have dedicated my whole life to basketball. I have committed my body and health for the love of the game. It

sion reduction,” the study pointed out.

In the Philippines, some cottage industries have sprouted –thanks to water hyacinth. Some products made out of the nuisance plant include trays, chests, bags, traditional bags, hampers, cabinets, lamp shades of various shapes and sizes and even dining tables and slippers.

A study made by some researchers from the De La Salle Araneta University reported that water hyacinths provide livelihood for hundreds of families in Las Piñas, so much that the waterways of the city have been cleaned up.

“This project shows a lot of creativity of Filipinos because of different products produced from water lilies,” said the Villar Foundation. “The industry has become so successful that our Zapote River is now free of water lilies and fish have begun breeding here again. We are now getting our water lilies from the Laguna de Bay.”

Water hyacinth can also be used to aid the process of water purification either for drinking water or for liquid effluent from sewage systems. In a drinking water treatment plant, water hyacinths have been used as part of the pretreatment purification step. In sewage systems, the root structures of water hyacinth (and other aquatic plants) provide a suitable environment for aerobic bacteria to function. Aerobic bacteria feed on nutrients and produce inorganic compounds which in turn provide food for the plants.

Using the water hyacinth as animal fodder is a traditional practice in many areas of Asia, including China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. In Malaysia, fresh water hyacinth is cooked with rice bran and fishmeal and mixed with copra meal as feed for pigs and ducks. However, it is suited to all animals as water hyacinth has high water and mineral content.

In China, it is common practice to mix water hyacinth in a pig swill containing a variety of other vegetable waste matter. The mix is boiled for hours until it is reduced to a mash. Coconut meal, fish meal and groundnut cake plus corn and rice bran, are often added to the mash.

Water hyacinth is also a good feed for fish. For instance, the Chinese grass carp is a fast-growing fish which eats aquatic plants. It grows at a tremendous rate and reaches sizes of up to 32 kilograms. An edible fish with tasty white meat, it eats submerged or floating plants and also bank grasses. The fish can be used for weed control and will eat up to 18-40 percent of its own body weight in a single day.

Another agricultural use of water hyacinth is by turning them into green manure or as compost. As a green manure, it can be either ploughed into the ground or used as mulch. The plant is ideal for composting. After removing the plant from the water, it can be

has been my passion and love,” he said.

“Sadly, there are things beyond one’s control. But with my faith, I am lifting everything to God now and I believe there is a higher purpose as I go through this part of my life. I am not yet retiring from the game I love, and with the help of the best doctors in the Philippines and Singapore, I believe I can touch a basketball once more and return stronger,” Tenorio further said. “I will see everyone very, very soon.” (PNA)

Tenorio reveals battle with colon cancer

Lewis Alfred “LA” Tenorio revealed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.

The Ginebra point guard admitted that his battle with cancer is the real reason why he had to sit out the rest of the PBA Gover-

his real health situation a secret.

As heavy favorites, San Miguel Beer and Brgy. Ginebra expectedly trounced their quarterfinal rivals - Converge and NLEX respectively Sunday and will collide against each other in the semis on Friday.

Pity that Converge did not make it despite bringing in - as a last ditch effort - Tom Vogdanovich - as replacement import from the New Zealand Tall Blacks.

If you are a beer drinker, I’m pretty sure you’d pick the Beermen; conversely, if you are a Ginebra fanatic, you must be a gin drinker. LOL!

Regardless of your choice, all basketball fans will be treated to another “Great Battle” - and get

“I would like to issue a statement about my health status by firstly apologizing to my teammates, some coaches, the PBA, the fans, the media and even some friends. As most of you are aware I have been nursing a mi-

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

nor injury since the Finals last January. I used that as the reason for my sudden absence. My sincerest apologies to all. With my profession in sports tied in health and entertainment, it will be very difficult to keep the real reason a secret any longer and will only

lead to unnecessary gossips, fake news and misinterpretations. I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. The initial testing three weeks ago led me to instantly miss practices and games,” Tenorio said in a state-

nors’ Cup after the league’s “Iron Man” streak that lasted for 744 games since he turned pro, apologizing to everyone for keeping FTENORIO, P10

GINS, SMB - BAKBAKAN TO THE MAX

their money’s worth - when these sister teams clash against each other.

I do not think coach George Gallent will mainly rely on Cameron Clark to make a big difference for SMB because obviously he has a lot of talents to produce a win.

On the other hand, Gins mentor Tim Cone depends heavily on the performance of JB. If Brownlee is handcuffed, expect the Kings to go down.

Consider that Japeth Aguilar, and LA Tenorio are the main players Cone had conveniently relied on for the last several championships the Gins won and several other finals they had qualified

into.

But Aguilar and Tenorio are out of commission and this will tell heavily on the shoulders of Brownlee.

Yes, Christian Standhardinger and newcomers Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray have been recently sparkling somewhat but the latter two lack the championship experience that the Beermen lineup has.

Because JuneMar Fajardo is likewise out of the Gov’s Cup semis, assume that the Beermen and the Gins are on equal footing.

Except that when you match each team on a player versus player basis, the resume of San

Miguel Beer players overwhelms to a certain degree those of their Gin counterparts.

Meaning, in a best of five duel, SMB has the edge not only in experience but also in manpower.

Clark and Brownlee will try to outdo each other but a lot is expected from their teammates to produce the difference.

Tough defense is every coach’s first preference. Without it, no team can survive a championhip challenge.

Shooting and point production are built-in facets of the game but modern basketball techniques (like the NBA) show that a tough defending team can eke out a win

over a sharp-shooting opponent anytime.

Aside from Clark, Gallent proudly parades his boys, thus: Terrence Romeo, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Vic Manuel, Chris Ross, Simon Enciso, Jericho Cruz, Moe Tautuaa, Bulanadi, Brondial.

Aside from Brownlee, Cone rolls out his roster: Scottie Thompson, Standhardinger, Malonzo, Gray, John Pinto, Stanley Pringle, Von Pessumal, Aljon Mariano, JD Dillinger, Raymund Aguilar, Onwubere, David. Guys, take your pick. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com..) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Barangay Ginebra’s point guard LA Tenorio (Courtesy of PBA Images)

WILDCATS RULE

UM athletes shine in Araw ng Davao Athletics Festival

University of Mindanao dominated the 86th Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Festival 2023 held over the weekend at the UM track oval.

The UM tracksters were simply ahead of their class in both the men’s and women’s division capturing a total of 14 golds -- 9 in the women’s category and five more in the men’s category.

UM’s Bernadette Mendiola carried the fight for the Wildcats as she scored a double-gold performance winning the and women’s long jump and triple jump events. Mendiola leaped to a distance of 5.16 meters to win the women’s long jump. Jane Mecailla of Bukidnon Sprinters (5.07m) was second followed in third by Rosemarie Olorvida of Leyte (4.76m).

Mendiola came back later to record 10.33 meters to rule the women’s triple jump. Olorvida (9.99m) and Hope Charity Cabuhayan (9.97) finished second and third, respectively.

The other gold medalists for UM were Princes Mae Pudy (javelin throw), Lyka Catubog (10,000 meter walk), Darling Baguisan (long jump), Johnny Meder (400-meter run), and the quartet of Meder, Adrian Cabacang, Jaked Villaluz, and Dharlie Baguisan (4x100meter relay).

Pudy threw a distance of 37.2m to bag the women’s javelin throw while Catubig ruled

the 10,000m walk at 47:42.23.

In the men’s event, UM’s Darling Baguisan recorded the best jump of 6.56m. Second was USEP’s Ian Villegas (6.52m) followed by Villanueva’s Ridel Patayan (6.42m). Meder clocked 52:45 to win the men’s 400m. Apo’s Vince Dabalos (53:44) was second followed by Joselito Hapitan (53:90) of Southeast Asia Institute of Technology Inc.

The UM quartet of Meder, Adrian Cabacang, Jake Villaluz and Dharlie Baguisam clocked 43.52 to win the 4x100m.

Nathaniel Kian Jumilla of Smile Suralla and Mary Jane Pagayon of Davao City NHS emerged as the top athletes in the boys and girls’ division.

UM bagged the overall team title in the seniors category after amassing 5 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronze in the men’s division, and 9 golds, 9 silvers, and 5 bronze in the women’s division to claim the top of the table.

The medalists in the men’s division are UM’s Dharlie Baguisan (gold, 100m, long jump), Johnny Meder (silver, 200m; gold, 400m), Andrean Cabacang (bronze, 200m), Kenneth Ali-

UM tracksters celebrate after ruling the Araw ng Davao Athletics Festival.