Edge Davao Vol. 16 Issue 32 | Tuesday, May 23, 2023

NOT THE CURE

Ecoteneo reiterates: WTE project will not solve Davao City’s waste problems

By MAYA M. PADILLO

An advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation of Ateneo de Davao University, Ecoteneo, reiterated that the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) project is not the solution to Davao City’s waste problems.

“The WTE incineration is not the solution to our waste management problem. We have partners who use technology as a solution nung Black Soldier Fly,” said Mylai Santos, director of Ecoteneo, during Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday at SM City Davao.

Ecoteneo stood pat on its opposition to the WTE project, which it said will emit massive greenhouse gases and hazardous emissions that would make the climate issue worse.

Santos said pursuing this kind of development would only de-

stroy the environment. She added that rather than focusing on this project, the city should prioritize the more important problem brought about by the pandemic such as sustainable food and water supply.

“Sa panahon ba naman na nasa climate crisis tayo, we’re just counting years and why do we continue pursuing the kind of “development” that destroys our natural system for food production, destroys our critical water-

Amid swine’s blood fuss, Muslims seek slots at Gensan fish market

Amid the outrage triggered by the recent discovery of tuna soaked in pig’s blood to make them appear fresh in General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, the local Muslim community urged city hall on Friday to allow Muslims to sell fish at the public market.

ing tuna meat laced with pig’s blood.

“It’s deceptive. The Muslim community really felt bad upon learning they’re selling fish mixed with pig’s blood. That’s haram,” he told MindaNews.

Andang said that “there has been no Muslim fish vendors at the city’s biggest public market” as the stalls at the fish section have been awarded to Christian vendors.

Davao City breaks ground for IP women building in Paquibato

The City Government of Davao, in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy, on Friday held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bahayahay Learning and Workshop Center for Indigenous Women in Barangay Pandaitan in Paquibato District.

The Bahayahay project is a two-story multi-purpose building funded by the government of New Zealand. Dressmaking, beading, and basket-weaving will be taught in the center.

The learning center aims to assist women of the Ata tribe in the creation of their traditional crafts as well as their promotion to potential markets.

Aside from being a workshop for traditional craftsmanship, the Bahayahay workshop will also serve as an exhibition center where Ata women’s products will be displayed for clients.

New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell said the project was first conceptualized with then City Mayor and now Vice President Sara Duterte during New Zealand’s chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2021.

if you have the resources and the support, not only from your local barangay but also your city— in this case Davao City and we very much value the cooperation and support from Davao City under the leadership of Mayor Baste— if you have the support from international partners like New Zealand, then actually there’s a lot you can do as a community, even in a remote area such as here in Paquibato,” the ambassador added.

Peace 911 Focal Person Atty. Jonah Presto said the local government is committed to see the women entrepreneurs of Ata tribe succeed in their business ventures. She said the Peace 911 program will continue to promote women’s organizations as well as promote their products online and match them with the right markets.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in his speech, thanked the government of New Zealand. The center, Duterte said, will not only promote the Ata tribe’s products, but will also promote the preservation of traditional weaving and bead-work craftsmanship unique to the Ata tribe of Paquibato.

Duterte added that the Bahayahay and other initiatives geared at empowering women to take a more proactive role in the socio-economic activities in society will inevitably create a stronger and more equal community.

Sheik

Ibrahim Andang Jr., chairman of the General Santos City Muslim Religious Advisory Council, expressed disgust at the unscrupulous business practice of some fish vendors caught sell-

“We heard that has been going on for some time and now it’s confirmed by our authorities. It’s high time for the local government to allow Muslims to sell fish at the public market to assure fellow Muslims that what they will be buying is halal,” he added.

Another suggestion he dangled was the establishment of a halal section at the public market, noting that several major malls in the city have put up dedicated halal lanes in deference to the Muslim consumers.

Last May 15, the city govern-

“So out of that conversation with then Mayor Inday sprung the idea of something here in Davao City with the women of Ata tribe. We identified that they’re very good at craft, they’re very good at weaving but they needed a place to come together. Hence, we decided to build the center to make it easier for the women to come together,” Kell said.

“The immediate impact of this project is the demonstration value; to show that actually, if you organize yourselves the right way,

Duterte said he hopes to see Paquibato’s Ata tribe enjoy the same opportunities and strong sense of identity as New Zealand’s Maori.

Biyo Alma Omo, President of the Ata Women’s Association of FDAVAO, P10

Children wait for some passengers aboard a boat at the wharf in Jolo, Sulu to throw them some coins. Photo by GAMSON JR MAWALLIL QUIJANO

FNOT, P10

MinDA pushes for upgrade of workforce in Mindanao

Lanao del Norte town to host 6th Organic Asia Congress

The once war-torn town of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte will host the 6th Organic Asia Congress together with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) Organics Asia.

The convention will take place on June 4-9 at the five-hectare Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center in sitio Tangkig, a coastal village in Barangay Tacub.

Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, National President of League of Organic Agriculture, Municipalities, Cities and Provinces (LOAMPC) said the congress will focus on organic agriculture and production of healthy food to attain food security as a key to world peace.

Arnado said over 2,000 participants, including 251 foreign delegates from 35 countries, will attend the event.

He said Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., had instructed all local chief executives to participate in the convention to promote organic agriculture in their respective communities.

He said only 200 local government units, including Kauswagan,

are currently adopting organic agriculture.

Kauswagan’s From Arms to Farm Programme won the first United Cities Local Government Bogota Peace Prize on October 16, 2016 in Bogota, Colombia.

Arnado said the Philippines lags behind in terms of organic farming, which is supposed to be done by the government.

“Kauswagan did not bid to host the event but was chosen by IFOAM Organics Asia and accepted the challenge and opportunity,” he said.

On August 18, 2022, IFOAM Organics Asia President Mathew Jhon represented by First Vice President Edgardo Uychat and Arnado signed the memorandum of understanding for the coherent, effective and transparent implementation of activities with Department of Agriculture officials.

On June 5, Arnado as the new President of Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture will receive the ALGOA flag during the handover ceremony from outgoing ALGOA President Song In-heon, Mayor of Goesan County, South Korea, Vic Anthony Joseph

FLANAO, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Mindanao

Development Authority

(MinDA)

executive director Janet Lopoz emphasized the importance of retooling and upscaling the workforce in Mindanao to meet the demands of emerging industries such as agribusiness, food processing, tourism, service-related industries, trade, and infrastructure services.

“As new industries are coming in, retooling and up skilling of our manpower needs to be prioritized so we can match the skills required of our growing industries,” Lopoz said in her message

during the 2nd Mindanao Development Forum on May 18 at the Acacia Hotel Davao.

She said it is among the agenda of MinDA to put in place a systematic and sequential approach

to skills upgrading from early childhood into lifelong learning and career mobility.

“I would also like to take this opportunity because I find it a fitting opportunity to share the recent news about the Mindanao State University in Marawi City representing Mindanao among the top universities in the country for 2023,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lopoz reiterated MinDA’s commitment to assist and collaborate with stakehold-

First ever community-designed park in Davao to rise in Matina

Kasadya Park, the first ever community-designed park in Davao City to be developed at Davao Executive Homes in Matina Crossing officially broke ground over the weekend.

The ceremony, which was highlighted with the planting of native flowering tree seedlings such as “malabulak,” was graced by Councilor Temujin ‘Tek’ Ocampo, Barangay Captain Joel Santes, Architect Jim Palma of

United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) -Kadayawan Dabaw Chapter, purok officials, Davao Design Society (DDS), Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), guests, and residents of the area.

The establishment of the park aims to provide a recreational space for the community while promoting environmental sustainability.

“For the residents, creating a

recreational and environmentally friendly park is a dream come true,” said IDIS executive director Mark Peñalver.

He also said this is the first community-designed park in Davao City thru placemaking, which is a planning approach capitalizing on the local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential.

“Through placemaking, we create public spaces that improve FFIRST, P10

Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) executive director Mark Peñalver says the first community-designed park in Davao City, which will rise in Matina Crossing, was conceptualized thru placemaking, a planning approach capitalizing on the local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential. Lean Daval Jr.

FMINDA, P10

PBBM admin’s infrastructure program trimmed to P8.2T

Thetotal investment cost of the Marcos administration’s infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs)—which include those initiated under previous administrations— has been trimmed after the economic team weeded out redundancies, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.

“The total investment value, we used to say P9 trillion, is now estimated at P8.2 trillion,” Diokno said during his weekly press chat.

In March, the National Economic and Development Authority Board (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., approved a total of 194 IFPs worth P9 trillion, consisting of 123 “new” projects and 71 from previous administra-

tions. Diokno said the administration’s economic team found “some redundancies, that’s why it was reduced…”

Meanwhile, the Finance chief said that of the total 194 IFPs, “68 projects are currently on-going implementation, 25 are approved for implementation, nine for government approval, 52 are under project preparation, and 40 are under pre-project preparation.”

Among the on-going IFPs and those approved for implementation, 19 are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

A total 79 projects are targeted to be completed by the end of the administration’s term in 2028.

The top three sources of funding for the infrastructure program are official development assistance, which has the biggest share at P4.51 trillion; followed by public-private partnership at P2.5 trillion; and the national budget or the General Appropriations Act at P850.58 billion.

The Marcos administration is earmarking 5% to 6% of the country’s gross domestic product for its infrastructure initiative.

DA to set P115/kg ‘cold storage price’ for red onions; P100/kg for white onions

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday that it will impose a “cold storage price” or wholesale price of P115 per kilo for red onions and P100 per kilo for white onions.

DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said that the cold storage price was discussed in a recent stakeholders meeting in a bid to lower the cost of the commodity in markets to P140 to P150 per kilo.

“Kung saan nila kukunin ‘yung kanilang mga sibuyas, ay mer-

on tayong itinakdang presyo... Parang cold storage price po ito kasi ang sabi nga natin, ang mga sibuyas ng ating mga magsasaka ay naibenta na sa mga trader. Ang mga trader na ito ay naglagay sa cold storage facility,” she said. (We have set a price on where the retailers get their onion supply. This is like a cold storage price as farmers sell their harvest to traders and the traders are the ones who put the harvest in cold storage facilities.)

“Ang cold storage price ay

P115 para sa red onions at P100 para sa white onions. ‘Yan ang presyo para makarating sa ating mga retailers ng tama para maibenta nila at P150 at P140,” she added.

(The cold storage price is P115 for red onions and P100 for white onions. That’s the wholesale price for the retailers so they could sell the onions at P150 and P140 in markets.)

Evangelista said the traders themselves have agreed to post

Thousands attend PH’s largest investment summit in Dubai

The 9th edition of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE) and the inaugural Philippines Economic & Investment Summit (PEIS) have concluded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a resounding note with an impressive turnout of thousands of attendees, including high-level delegates from both the Philippines and the UAE.

The event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Deira Creek, Dubai from May 12 to 13 showcased a wide range of properties in the Philippines, including residential, commercial, and industrial options.

Foreign investors were drawn to opportunities in such sectors as infrastructure, renewable energy, IT, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, stocks, mutual funds, insurance, and real estate investment products (REIP) in the country.

The event’s forums and panel discussions covered various facets of real estate investment, incentive updates, and Philippine economic forecasts.

One of the event’s highlights was the keynote presentation of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, which shed light on the Philip-

pine government’s strong commitment to transparency, good governance, facilitating a business-friendly environment, as well as fostering a well-rounded experience of living, working, and enjoying life in the Philippines.

“We are thrilled about the exceptional economic prospects that lie ahead of us. Our goal is to enhance the ease of doing business, governance, and processes at all levels, from grassroots to industries. This commitment will ensure a seamless and efficient business environment. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the people of the UAE for their unwavering belief in our country and for making us immensely proud to be Filipinos,” Abalos said.

“The most valuable capital we possess here is our people. With the government providing essential regulatory support, they act as the catalyst for attracting investments. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Karen Remo for her proactive initiative in this regard. This endeavor serves as yet another avenue through which we strengthen and promote our bilateral relations,” said Philippine

Workers of a courier company deliver parcels at an establishment seling gadgets inside a mall in Ecoland, Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

P150 across-the-board wage hike would increase inflation: Diokno

Sweden supports resumption of EU-PH free trade deal talks

Sweden’s Foreign Trade Minister Johan Forssell has underscored the need to resume talks between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to facilitate a freer flow of goods between the two parties.

The Philippines is benefitting from the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as more than 6,000 goods were slapped with zero tariff upon entering the EU market.

“But from our perspective, we have been, for many decades, a very strong supporter of free and open and rules-based trade. So I believe that when the time is right, we should also restart the FTA negotiations between the Philippines and European Union,” Forssell told reporters during his two-day visit here on May 18 and 19.

Forssell said an EU-Philippines FTA “must be the ultimate goal” of the two parties when it comes to boosting

trade ties.

It has been a decade since the Philippines and the EU launched exploratory talks on bilateral FTA.

There were two negotiations held in Brussels in 2016 and in Cebu in 2017, but talks have been on hiatus for six years now.

Meanwhile, Forssell said the economic growth, demographics, and the infrastructure program and the transition to clean energy of the Marcos administration make the Philippines an attractive destination for Swedish investors.

“The Philippines is really a key market for us, so it was important to come here,” he said.

Forssell said he aims to bring a Swedish business delegation to Manila and also to invite Filipino companies to look into investment and trade opportunities in Sweden.

He added there are currently 40 Swedish firms operating in the Philippines, including popular brands like H&M and IKEA. (PNA)

Raisingthe minimum wage by P150 across the Philippines would increase inflation by 1.4 percentage points, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned.

In his weekly press chat, Diokno warned of the potential inflationary impact of the proposed measure approved in principle by a Senate committee last week that grants a P150 wage hike for all private sector workers across the country.

“The implication of a P150 [wage] increase… It will increase inflation by 1.4 [percentage points],” the Finance chief said, citing estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“So who will benefit from

that? Who will eventually suffer?” he asked.

Diokno said that if inflation is estimated at about 5.5% for 2023, the proposed wage hike could drive it up to 6.9%.

The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has hiked its inflation assumption for 2023 to 5.0%–7.0% from the previous forecast of 2.5%–4.5%, “given the persisting high prices of food, energy, and transport costs.”

“Let’s just continue the

current system, which works naman,” Diokno said.

‘Napakababa, napakatagal’

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who proposed the bill approved in principle by the Senate Committee on on Labor, Employment and Human Resources, said that the wage increases being approved by the Regional Wage Board are too low.

“Ang nakita po natin, with due respect sa ating Regional Wage Boards, napakababa po ng mga increase nila at napakatagal bago nila aksyunan ang problema ng pagtaas ng bilihin, at ang sigaw ng tao para sa disente man lang na sahod. Kapag

DOF targets sale of more gov’t assets, mining rights

The government is planning to sell more of its assets this year, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

“Last year we already sold I think something like PHP1.5 billion assets, and then for this year, we’re aiming to sell more,” Finance undersecretary for privatization and corporate affairs group Catherine Fong said in a

briefing late Friday.

Fong said they are mostly looking at real estate properties.

“There’s still a lot under the ownership of government under the Privatization Management Office (PMO) that we’re intending to roll out faster. We’re aiming for higher than last year. Definitely double that or at least higher,” Fong added.

She said they are aiming just for PMO properties, adding however that there are still a lot of government assets for disposition.

Fong said they want to auction the 2.2 hectare Mile Long property in Makati City.

“Then we’re hoping to sell this year or next year some min-

A vendor fixes his display of fish at the wet section of Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

FP150, P10

demands

services:

“As new industries are coming in, retooling and up skilling of our manpower needs to be prioritized so we can match the skills required of our growing industries.”

JANET LOPOZ Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) executive director

In the award-winning 1967 movie, The Graduate, the character portrayed by newcomer Dustin Hoffman (who received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actor) asked some advice on career direction. “Plastics, my boy. Plastics,” he was told.

Businesses all over the world are heeding the advice. Unknowingly, no one knew at the time the other side of plastics, which are non-biodegradable. This means they don’t decay and become absorbed by the environment. Once discarded, plastic is likely to end up in oceans after being washed down in rivers, flushed down in toilets, or windblown from dumps.

Estimates from the United Nations said there is now 100 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans, with the vast majority coming from land-based sources. The implications of that are still not well known but there is growing and alarming evidence that it has begun to disrupt ecosystems and find its way throughout the food chain, including into humans.

Plastics “is in our air, our water, our food, our excrement,” Nina Butler, the chief executive officer

of More Recycling, a research and consulting company that works with the plastic industry on recycling, was quoted as saying by the media. “It’s very, very pervasive.”

The so-called “sachet economy” in the Philippines has contributed to the proliferation of plastics. Products sold in single-use sachets include instant coffee, shampoo, cooking oil, food seasoning, and toothpaste.

“Because they are easy to sell – ribbons of single-use products hang from neighbourhood stores even in the most remote communities – large multinational manufacturing companies continue to market them,” the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) observes.

According to one research group, the Philippines discards 60 billion plastic sachets each year. That’s about one sachet per person per day on a per capita basis.

“The greatest environmental challenges facing the world.” That was how British Prime Minister Theresa May described those single-use plastic items like plastic bags, straws, and coffee stirrers.

“We have to confront this material and our use of it, because so much of it is single-use dispos-

able plastic and this is a material that doesn’t go away. It doesn’t return to the planet the way other materials do,” Sherri Mason, chair of geology and environmental sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia, told Associated Press.

Plastics are materials made to last forever. “Disposed plastic materials can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and longer,” said Barry E. DiGregorio in an article.

Plastics are also hazardous to human health. Two broad classes of plastic-related chemicals are of critical concern for human health: bisphenol-A and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are known as phthalates.

Exposure to these two chemicals, said a study conducted by the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute, is linked to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments.

A new report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is giving a respite from what doomsayers claim as a lost cause.

If only governments and companies make deep policy and

market shifts using existing technologies, the world could “successfully” cut plastic pollution by a full 80% by 2040.

“Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy” is a solution-focused analysis of concrete practices, market shifts, and policies that can inform governments thinking and business action.

The UNEP report lays out a roadmap to dramatically reduce the risks brought about by plastic pollution “through adopting a circular approach that keeps plastics out of ecosystems, out of our bodies and in the economy,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen in a press release.

These can be achieved only “if we follow this roadmap, including in negotiations on the plastic pollution deal, we can deliver major economic, social and environmental wins,” the UNEP head pointed out.

To reduce plastic pollution by 80% globally by 2040, the report suggests first eliminating problematic and unnecessary plastics to reduce the size of the problem.

Subsequently, the report calls

for three market shifts – reuse, recycle and reorient and diversity products.

It said that promoting reuse options, including refillable bottles, bulk dispensers, deposit-return-schemes, and packaging take-back schemes, among others, can reduce 30% of plastic pollution by 2040.

“To realize its potential, governments must help build a stronger business case for reusables,” UNEP said.

The UN agency also believed plastic pollution can further be reduced by additional 20% if only recycling becomes a more stable and profitable venture.

“Removing fossil fuels subsidies, enforcing design guidelines to enhance recyclability, and other measures would increase the share of economically recyclable plastics from 21% to 50%,” it said.

On reorient and diversify, UNEP stated: “Careful replacement of products such as plastic wrappers, sachets and takeaway items with products made from alternative materials (such as paper or compostable materials) can deliver an additional 17% decrease in plastic pollution.”

CONGRATULATORY TARPS FOR NEW LAWYERS OF MARAWI AS THE CITY OF STREAMERS

from General Santos Extension.

Marawi City - After the release of the results of the 2022 bar examinations, Marawi City will again be flooded with huge congratulatory tarpaulins for its new lawyers.

When I visited Marawi last February, I was really amazed on the proliferation of eye-catching tarpaulins as high as a person , in houses, buildings, commercial or residential, even along highways, confirming its status as the City of Streamers. One can seldom see houses and buildings with no tarpaulins.

The results of the November 2022 bar exams were released last April 14, 2023 where 3,992 successful examinees comprise 43.47% of 9,183 takers.

Last year’s bar exam was the second to be held digitally and across multiple testing sites across the country. Laptops were allowed in taking the exams, gone are the traditional hand-writing of essays.

The Mindanao State University (MSU) College of Law noted in its Facebook account that there are 81 new MSU lawyers , 19 from its main campus in Marawi City, 29 from Iligan Extension, and 33

The interplay of streamers and culture was discussed In a 2015 research paper by Monara Hamiydah Maruhom of Marawi State University entitled “The Maranao Streamers and Tarpaulins as Tools of Communication: An Ethnographic Study”.

The study noted that symbol is one of the important things that a particular group of people share the same culture.

The Maranao folk are popularly noted for being verbal as evidenced by the different types of streamers, billboards and tarpaulins hanged and posted all over the City of Marawi and the Province of Lanao del Sur, where they are dominant.

Approximately 90 percent of the Maranao families use streamers/tarpaulins on special occasions as part of their culture to honor people.

For the Maranao folk, the study stressed, it is like nothing happens if the achievements of their kins and comrades are not made known in public through streamers or tarpaulins.

For instance, if somebody is to be enthroned as a Sultan, the

public must be informed at least two weeks before the occasion by hanging streamers and posting tarpaulins otherwise his enthronement is considered illegitimate or null.

Likewise, if someone passed a certain board examination, greetings through this medium is everywhere, otherwise, rumors will spread all over the place that he did not pass the said examination. Streamers and tarpaulins are very important media in confirming any kind of achievements among the Maranao folk.

The messages in the streamers, tarpaulins, billboards, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and websites “all speak and reflect his sacrifices and achievements that need to be conveyed to his community of one brotherhood, united in blood, aspirations and in one faith which he tenaciously hold on, practice and will defend no matter what at all cost.”

The study underscored that “ the Maranao, his ethnic identity which is further strengthened by his faith in Islam makes him survive against all odds just like any order Filipinos who cross new boundaries to attain the ‘impossi-

ble dream’ ”.

Of the top 30 of the 2022 bar exam, eleven were from University of the Philippines (UP) including the five top-notchers led by its valedictorian Czar Matthew Dayday with a score of 88.8083 percent. UP is also one of the top 3 performing school with an overall passing rate of 94.27 percent, and a 95.02 percent passing rate among first-time takers.

Among the group of biggest schools or those with over 100 takers, ADMU had the highest passing rate at 96.74 percent, followed by San Beda at 96.67 percent, UP at 94.27 percent, USC at 91.43 percent, and the University of Santo Tomas at 78.09 percent.

The previous batch 20202021 yielded 8,241 out of 11,402 (72.28 percent) aspiring lawyers who passed.

The highest passing rate was the 1954 Bar, where 75.17 percent passed.

The lowest was in 1999 with 16.59 percent with a total number of 660 successful examinees. My bar buddy and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay was the topnotcher. Marawi landed in headlines

due to the so-called “ Marawi siege” that was a five-month-long armed conflict in Marawi that started on May 23, 2017, between Philippine government security forces against militants affiliated with the Islamic State , including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups.

The estimated casualties reported were as 978 militants killed; 12 militants captured; 168 government forces killed; 1,400+ government forces wounded and 87 civilians dead.

The battle left the city in ruins with 95 percent of the structures within Ground Zero ( 4 square kilometres) of the main battle area to be heavily damaged or completely collapsed.

May the tarps be reminders that lawyers are expected to uphold the ethical and moral values that are essential to the fabric that holds society together.

(Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. 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.)

PLASTICS, IT SEEMS, ARE FOREVER!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE! ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS

Iloilo City is famous for its colorful Dinagyang Festival, the UNESCO World Heritage site, agesold Miagao Church, the irresistible La Paz Batchoy, and the delectable pancit molo.

The City of Love is also known for its friendly people and modern establishments, particularly hotels that definitely give visitors a fantastic vibe.

I, along with another media practitioner from Davao City and influencers from Cebu City, raised a toast on May 5, 2023, for Courtyard by Marriott’s monthlong anniversary celebration with the theme “Hugyaw: Singko Fiesta.”

The celebration, which was held at the grand ballroom, had a fiesta vibe and was opened with a modern dance interpretation of Ryan Cayabyab’s Limang

Raised a glass in the City of Love

Dipang Tao.

Guests were treated to a feast of well-loved Ilonggo dishes that include batchoy served in a young coconut and pancit molo served in bamboo stem.

Top clients, producers, and industry partners were also recognized during the affair.

Marriott Manila general manager and Multi-Property vice president for the Philip-

pines Bruce Winton sent his congratulatory message through a video.

Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo is located within the Iloilo Business Park near a convention center, shopping area, and some of the city’s attractions.

The hotel is poised to become a contemporary haven for business trips and vacations in the country.

TCL to host Asia-Pacific launch event, located for the first time in Bangkok

TCL will present its brand-new 2023 product range including the Mini LED QLED TVs, Domestic Appliances, designed to inspire.

[Manila, Philippines] -

TCL, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world’s top two TV brand, is excited to announce its Asia-Pacific launch event, to be held on 25th May, 2023, at the exclusive Centara Grand at Centralworld in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. This will be the first time TCL has hosted a launch event with -

in the whole Asia-Pacific region, and the brand plans to announce a number of significant updates, including its business roadmap for 2023 and an exciting lineup of innovative new products, including TCL’s 2023 latest TV line up and smart home technologies.

Renowned for its visionary approach to inspire greatness

through the power of technology, TCL will proudly debut its brand-new 2023 product range including the Mini LED QLED TVs, air conditioner and other domestic appliances to the region. Ever-evolving alongside its customers, TCL’s latest advancements will help us live smarter, healthier, more seamlessly connected lives. In line with its brand signature,

Enjoy guilt-free shopping at 0% interest, P300 off your purchase at SM Store with Home Credit

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“Inspire Greatness”, TCL will illustrate its vision to create technology for a better future that brings people together through outstanding industrial and aesthetic design, intuitive user experience, and sustainable manufacturing materials and practices.

TCL also understands the ability access to innovative technology has to expand imag-

inations and ignite passions for its millions of consumers all over the world. Alongside its extensive new product range, TCL will also offer integral ESG (Environment, Social, Government) updates and sustainability commitments as well as present highlights from its Global IP portfolio, to further inspire audiences in the region and beyond.

ASUS introduced three new ultra-thin and light Zenbook laptops, Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304), Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404), and Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404), during the Zenbook OLED Series: Incredibly Slim and More event on May 18, 2023.

This new Zenbook lineup is redefining the meaning of ultraportable, a new chapter in Zenbook’s heritage that boasts ultra-thin and light features, powerful and uncompromised performance with the industry-leading 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor with Intel® Evo™ verification, vibrant ASUS Lumina OLED display, durable Military Grade Standard, and a leap to the next generation of eco-friendly and sustainable technological advancements.

“The new 2023 Zenbook series offers incredible and uncompromised performance designed to empower every Filipino individual to help them achieve their goals. We are confident that the 2023 Zenbook series can provide more with less harm to our environment, adhering to the Zenbook heritage and taking ASUS to a brand new milestone, says ASUS Philippines Country Manager George Su”.

No. 1 OLED laptop brand, ASUS, announces three #IncrediblySlim Zenbook laptops, combines productivity and sustainability

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sheds instead of prioritizing what we need to prioritize coming out from this pandemic which is sustainable food supply, sustainable water supply that restores the watershed,” she said.

Davao City’s WTE project is still up for final approval by the national government and has yet to secure the full funding needed to set up the facility

In March last year, former city mayor and now Vice President Sara Duterte reported that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has agreed to allocate P740 million for the P3.5 billion government counterpart fund needed to supplement the P2-billion grant provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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Paquibato District, said the center will help their association and their community in the production of their crafts and ensure an alternative source of income to their farming livelihood.

Omo said that their community is determined to pass on their traditions to the younger generations through the preservation of their crafts.

“Naa man gyud na sa among kultura. Kung unsa to ang maong nakat-unan, mao to among ipasa sa among kabatan-unan para mapadayon, mapreserba (We do have this in our culture. What we were taught, we will pass on to our youth for them to carry on and preserve),” Omo said. CIO

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Ferdinand Ver.

“Thanks to your unwavering support, the event has now reached its 9th edition. This year, we proudly introduced the Philippine Economic & Investment Summit, expanding the array of investment options and tools available for both institutional and retail investors. And by doing so, NPM (New Perspective Media) Group can further reinforce and strengthen the economic and social ties between the Philippines and the Middle East by providing a platform that can bring forth better and wealthier future, for everyone,” said Remo, CEO and founder of NPM Group and chair of PPIE and PEIS.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,

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ing rights still owned by the government,” she said.

Fong said that for now, what’s hindering the government from auctioning one of the mining rights is the verification of the content of mine itself.

“A lot of the feasibility studies are still desktop. So we’re having the valuation done, but definitely there are a lot who are interested. We’re being assisted right now by the German government, and we’ve also received offers from the US government and Australian government to assist us in assessing the value of the mines and to help us in packaging it for auction, so definitely there’s a lot of local and foreign interest once we’re ready to auction the mines,” she said.

Fong said the government

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ment, through the Market Enforcers and Inspection Team, caught four stall owners selling tuna meat coated with pig’s blood.

In an interview with local Brigada News TV, Mudin Puyat, a market inspector, said they padlocked six stalls selling sliced tuna parts leased to four stallholders due to the presence of pig’s blood in their products.

“They use the pig’s blood as artificial coloring to make the tuna products appear fresh,” he said.

Pig’s blood was also found at the ice boxes where they stored the tuna meat, he added.

Puyat said they conducted an inspection following a complaint from the General Santos City Market Vendors’ Association that some fish vendors have been doing unscrupulous business practices, including inaccurate weighing scales.

With the public outrage not just from the Muslim community, the local government padlocked stall numbers 140/141 (one stallholder), 139, 143, and 145/146 (one stallholder), all at the fish section of the Central Public Market.

In a statement, the GenSan LGU said the market committee is still deciding whether to revoke the lease agreement issued to the four erring stallholders.

This city, touted as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, hosts six of the country’s seven tuna canneries and exports large mature sashimi-grade fresh tuna to the United States, among others.

The mature tuna stocks that do not qualify for the export market are distributed and sold in various domestic markets of the country. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

NPM Group has been actively promoting financial literacy among Filipinos through PPIE.

The remarkable turnout of attendees in this year’s edition further cements the event’s reputation as the largest and most trusted international expo and conference dedicated to Filipino investment, spanning nearly a decade.

The two-day event also aimed to enhance the financial literacy of overseas Filipino workers and promote Philippine investments to foreign investors through panel discussions and activities catered to the specific needs and interests of the attendees. (PR)

currently has four mining rights.

“We have four, as I understand, they’re quite big, but some are still under litigation, so we’re not prepared to auction it out yet, but at least one already has a clean title, so we’re going with that [Basay Mine] first, but we’re still in the process of validating its actual value,” said Fong.

Fong explained that the government is looking at not just outright auctioning the Basay Mines but also asking development partners to assist them on a possible joint venture.

“There’s a technical term for it in mining, some sharing agreement. We’re trying to get assistance on the modern good practices in the mining industry on how to sell it, we’re trying to package it in a more responsible way,” she noted. (PNA)

ers in the shared goal of positioning Mindanao for sustainable and inclusive peace and development.

“We need to ensure that growth is inclusive and is evenly distributed across all sectors in Mindanao,” she said.

She said the digitalization of Mindanao is one way of leveling the playing field and ensuring that the island has inclusive growth.

“MinDA is here to assist, to walk with you, in our shared goal of pushing forward and strategically positioning Mindanao in a sustainable and inclusive peace and development,” she said.

Secretary Mabel Sunga-Acosta, chair of MinDA, said the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF), which is only the second in a decade, aims to harmonize and coordinate national and local government development programs.

“The MDF shall provide a venue for government to discuss its development priorities and to lay down areas where development partnerships can be most useful, leading to increased efficiency in development interventions and contributing to the sustainable and inclusive development of Mindanao,” she said.

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the wholesale price of onions in cold storage facilities.

Based on DA’s latest price monitoring, local red and white onions cost P160 to P200 per kilo in select markets in Metro Manila.

There is no data available as to the price of imported medium-sized red and white onions as DA noted that they are not currently sold in markets.

The agency announced on Friday that it is looking at setting a suggested retail price (SRP) for onions by Monday, May 22.

Evangelista said the DA is targeting to implement and enforce the SRP by Tuesday.

This, as DA also prepares to issue an order to import white onions in May as it rushes to prevent another price shock similar to what the country experienced in 2022.

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umaaksyon naman sila, napakababa ng increase, between P5.00 to P16.00 lang,” he said.

(What we’ve seen, with due respect to our Regional Wage Boards, such low increases and a long time before they take action on increasing costs and the public’s cry for a decent wage. And when they take action, the increase is so small, only between P5.00 and P16.00.)

The last legislated minimum wage increase was in 1989, at P89.00, before the passage of the Republic Act 6727, which created the Regional Wage Boards.

The highest minimum wage in the country is in Metro Manila, which is currently pegged at P570.00 per day.

The lowest is in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is at P316.00 for non-agricultural and P306.00 for agricultural.

Minimum wages in the regions are determined by Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards pursuant to Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.

urban livability, people’s health, happiness, and well-being. We conducted a placemaking workshop with the Davao Executive Homeowners Association. We let them envision and design a park that they would want. Tapos si Arch. Jim Palma ang naginterpret/illustrate sa design. So, it is a community-designed park,” Peñalver said.

Peñalver said the budget for its development is from IDIS through its funding agency MISEREOR.

“But we will also raise funds thru sponsorship. For more collaboration,” he said.

IDIS said the groundbreaking ceremony marked the first step towards enhancing the community’s overall well-being, presenting an opportunity for physical activity, social interaction, and a deep appreciation for the environment.

Its development is through the partnership with the UAP - Kadayawan Dabaw Chapter, Davao Design Society, and the Davao Executive Homes Association (DEHA). Maya M. Padillo

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Tagupa, Operations Officer IFOAM Asia said.

The Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center has accommodation facilities, a kitchen and a cafeteria, two landing zones for helicopters intended for health emergencies, and a media center with internet connection.

Arnado said they have held coordination meetings with various government agencies as well as with the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.

“The efforts towards the last week of May will focus on simulation activities such as testing of venue facilities and equipment, power energy source, potable water system, organic food tasting, mobility and traffic management, and tour guide simulation,” he said.

Colonel Sandy Vales, Police Director of Lanao del Norte said security arrangements, including an incident command center, are being worked out with the military, Office of Civil Defense and other agencies. (Richel V. Umel/ MindaNews)

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our sponsors and friends of the Alumni Association but most especially you golfers for your support and strong participation to make this tournament possible. We are looking forward for your continued support on our next tournament” says Gavin Tulio, Chief Project Officer, and Tournament Chairman.

The proceeds of this tournament will be used for the Medical and Dental Outreach Program of the ABKA in Sitio Puting Bato Community composed mainly of our IP brothers and sisters in Baganihan, Marilog District Davao City.

Youthful students and alumni of Ateneo ABKA came in full force to support the event. From the registration to the documentation up to the awarding program. It was an evening filled with fun, food, drinks and laughter while golfers were entertained by an acoustic band. Every golfer enjoyed and were glued to their seats for the two rounds of raffle prizes which the organizers made sure that no one would leave the hall without a raffle prize in tow.

five games, then fifth-seeded New York in six, and now on the brink of denying the No. 2-seeded Celtics a second consecutive East crown. And the Heat let Boston know how much they were enjoying this one.

Mindful that Boston’s Al Horford directed a timeout signal toward the Miami bench during Game One when the Celtics were on a second-quarter spurt to build a comfortable lead, Butler did the same to Horford as the Heat were running away in the third quarter of Game Three.

Besides, the Heat rallied to win Game One anyway. There was no rally required in Game Three by the Heat. There was barely one attempted by the Celtics, for that matter.

Boston got within 61-49 when Marcus Smart had a three-point play on the opening possession of the second half. The rest was all Miami, which immediately answered with a 28-7 run to open a 33-point lead at 89-56, which had the building rolling. The lead was so big, and there was so much time left, that the sellout crowd of 20,088 actually was subdued a bit by the time it was over.

They might have been yelledout. Or maybe they were saving it for hockey on Monday night, when the Florida Panthers — another No. 8 seed on a magical playoff run in South Florida — will try to take a 3-0 lead in their East finals series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Robert Williams made his first shot, meaning he made 12 straight to start the series. He missed his second attempt. … The Heat encourage fans to wear white to playoff games, and Tatum also arrived in an all-white suit. … Smart appeared to throw a punch in the third quarter, but missed and after review referees determined he did not deserve a flagrant foul or a technical (which would have been his second of the night).

Heat: Robinson made five 3-pointers and now has 124 in his Heat postseason career, passing LeBron James (123) for the most in Miami history. ... Butler’s steal with 7:17 left in the first quarter was the 2,000th in Heat postseason history. … Shaquille O’Neal, at the game as part of the TNT broadcast crew, greeted former teammate (and now Heat executive) Alonzo Mourning and got a long ovation when introduced during a second-quarter time out. ... Vincent’s previous career best was 28, set in a Jan. 12 win over Milwaukee.

CONFUSED DOLPHINS?

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, a regular at Heat games this season, tried to get the pregame crowd going by waving one of the giveaway towels. Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins was at the game — wearing green shoes on a night Miami was playing the Celtics, though it should be noted he was born in Massachusetts.

LOVE HURT

Miami’s Kevin Love checked out 4:47 into the game after what the Heat said was an undisclosed ankle injury. He went to the Heat locker room for evaluation, returned to the bench area later in the first half, and started the second half.

QUOTABLE

“The lack of mental toughness. It’s embarrassing … that was an embarrassment for the Celtics.” — TNT’s Charles Barkley at halftime, with Boston trailing 61-46 and after being down by as many as 22 points.

Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso

Heat steamroll Celtics to close in on NBA Finals

MIAMI

— Gabe Vincent scored a career-high 29 points, Duncan Robinson added 22 and the eighth-seeded Miami Heat moved one win from the NBA Finals after rolling past the Boston Celtics, 128-102, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) in Game Three of the Eastern Conference title series.

Caleb Martin scored 18, Jimmy Butler finished with 16, Bam Adebayo had 13 and Max Strus added 10 for Miami, which leads

the series 3-0. Every team in NBA history that has won the first three games of a best-of-seven has ultimately prevailed; the Heat are

8-0 in that situation.

Jayson Tatum scored 14 and Jaylen Brown added 12 for the Celtics, who won three times on Miami’s floor on the way to winning last season’s Eastern Conference finals — but simply never had a chance in this one and basically emptied the bench for the fourth quarter.

Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard each had 12 for Boston. Game Four is Tuesday in Miami.

FRED C. LUMBA

May be, may be not.

We don’t have to go back historically just so to find a good reason why the Lakers can still overcome the Nuggets.

At 0-3, the Showtime team is in a such deep hole that only the most fanatic like Jack Nicholson of One who Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest will continue pledging his deep loyalty.

If this team battling Denver were composed of KAJ, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Michael Cooper, Mychal Thompson, Byron Scott and A.C. Green, I will most likely still throw my support behind them.

But no. This Lebron James-led squad is of different stuff.

They did not grow up together and molded collectively by the former coach of the year Pat Riley.

Imagine playing at home and needing to nail Game 3 to give them more breathing space. Hey, James and AD choked, infecting D-Angelo Russel and Lonnie Walker who watched Jamal Murray sink those threes from all angles.

Only Austin Reaves somewhat provided outside firepower and Riu Hachimura’s futile guarding efforts who tried putting the cuffs on big guy Nikola Jokic.

The NBA Finals start June 1, and the way things are going, that might mean the league is about to go a few days without games. The Western Conference finals could end Monday; Denver leads that series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0. And now, the East finals could end Tuesday.

There’s never been a season where both conference finals ended in sweeps; it happened in 1957 in the division finals immediately

CAN JAMES & AD SURVIVE?

Let’s us not talk about statistics here anymore.

Regardless of how many points, rebounds, assists and blocks the Laker duo produced in Game 3, the fact remains that everyone in the Laker roster - including coach Darvin Ham - failed to contain Murray, Porter and Brown from pouring in the points that mattered most.

Coaches are of the agreed opinion that a win is a win regardless if you won by one point or 20.

James, AD and the LA boys were in control for much of the game but they cooled off in the

pivotal third and fourth quarters.

Know what?

Ham allowed Jokic to do his thing inside the paint and underneath the basket, collaring rebounds with impunity and penetrating the interior defense.

Take Jokic out of Denver and the whole offensive and defensive systems will collapse.

Meaning, the two-time MVP must be boxed out of action.

Hachimura looked so puny with his 6’8” frame he couldn’t even budge the fella even just an inch away from the action.

I kept on chattering about giving Tristan Thompson adequate

preceding the title series, when Boston beat Syracuse 3-0 and St. Louis beat Minneapolis 3-0. Of all the 3-0 series leads in NBA history, this one might be the most unexpected — a No. 8 seed in the Heat, a team that struggled just to get into the playoffs, a team that was less than 3 minutes away from being eliminated in the play-in tournament, getting past top-seeded Milwaukee in FHEAT, P10

time to take on Jokic. Were it not for this guy, James would not hav achieved his championship ambitions in Cleveland.

Yes, Jokic is the problem. The Lakers crowd him inside but the Nugget center has such a pair of eagle eyes he could see the open man. Boom!

I think - as did James and AD did versus the Warriors - Jokic et al would rather clinch the semifinal victory back home for a final 4-1 tally fso that Denver fans can savor the feat with pure and ecstatic euphoria. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Gabe Vincent (2) scored a career-high 29 points as the Miami Heat moved one win from the NBA Finals.

TIGHT FINISH

Team Villorente-Gumapac tops Ateneo’s ABKA Golf tourney

The pair of Mark Villorente and Vincent Gumapac took the Overall Gross team diadem in the 2nd Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knight Association (ABKA) Golf tournament held last May 19 and 20, 2023 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Seven-handicapper Villorente and his partner 5-handicapper Gumapac garnered 156 Molave points nipping the tandem of Karlo Mercado and Anton Nitorreda by 5 points. Not to be outdone, Mercado and Nitorreda took the Overall Net title to share the limelight.

“We are blessed with a fair weather after being threatened earlier on the first day it drizzled a little at past noon and on the second day the rain came after all the golfers have holed out at past 4 o clock’” says Jay Ian Molder, the tournament director.

For the Individual category, Andrew Bautista tamed the soggy fairways of Apo with his masterful 73 to take the Overall gross trophy while youthful Zues Sara carded a 3 over par 75 for the overall net title.

Toffee Tionko and Ian Paquin took home the Class A title for Gross and Net, respectively, with Tony Bautista and Leo Fusilero finishing runners up.

For Class B Division, Mark Oropeza edged out Godfrey Costi-

nar for the low Gross title while Miguel Dizon took home the Net title followed by Enzo Naranjo as runner up.

Meanwhile, Edge Davao columnist Chito Malabanan took the Class C Net plum for his gross score of 82 or 44 Molave points edging out the 84 score of Cocoy Santos. Pittjun Batu outscored youthful Cole Te Siong for the Class C Gross diadem.

Dennis Salvador and Atty Elmer Pasion took the Senior Golfers division title for Gross and Net while the Ladies division were dominated by Sally Antivo and Leann Gabrielle Quilat who took the Gross and Net Title, respectively.

The other winners for the Team Competition are Class B Gross Champ (Renz Yamyamin and Marco Fuentes) Net Champion (Ace Salazar and Jerson Tico)

Class C Gross Champ (Ricky Pahang and Jomari Amador) Net champ (Pat Barcelona and Aman De Castro)

“We are very grateful for

Edge Davao columnist Chito Malabanan with his Class C net trophy.