Edge Davao Vol. 16 Issue 43 | Tuesday, June 6, 2023

BAR ACHIEVERS

RMC rewards new lawyers with P50k each

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC), Inc. rewarded its 10 new lawyers with P50,000 cash each as an incentive for passing the 2022 Bar examination.

The distribution of the said reward, which was held on Monday (June 5, 2023), at the RMC boardroom, was led by RMC Inc. vice president for Finance Raphael Lorenzo Magno and RMC School of Law Dean lawyer Ramon Edison C. Batacan.

Last April 14, 2023, 10 out of the 17 RMC Bar takers passed the 2022 Bar exam. The list of the successful Bar passers are as follows: Verna Joyce Abril, Nic-

co Acaylar, Concepcion Sarenas Bartolata, Walbert Goling, Ophelia Delute, Faith Turno, Andrea Ivanne Mabborang, Shiela Cabazares, Kristel Saligan, and Nikki Erica Yngayo-Aller.

Batacan emphasized that the P50,000 cash incentive is a token of appreciation for the hard work exemplified by the new lawyers which will inspire others to follow their success.

“Because the real reward is

DLPC turns over first EIM laboratory to Samal

the title itself, the A-T-T-Y. I hope as RMC lawyers, you would be able to do justice to your profession and I hope all would become a good lawyer,” he said in an interview.

He is also hoping that the new lawyers will advocate to help indigent clients.

“As RMC lawyers I hope that you would be able to do justice to your profession. I hope you all become a good lawyer. And I hope that some of you would also go into advocacy, help indigent clients, I mean make your title an instrument of peace and justice,”

32 countries represented in Lanao del Norte’s Organic Asia Congress

This erstwhile war-torn town is hosting the 6th Organic Asia Congress on June 4 to 9 which is expecting an estimated 3,000 delegates, including some 500 participants from 32 countries.

The venue of the Congress is in Sitio Tangkig, Barangay Tacub,

Kauswagan, the town where President Joseph Estrada waged his “all-out war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March 2000.

Mayor Rommel Arnado said there would have been 34 countries represented but one delegate missed the flight while the

other failed to get a Philippine visa.

“Some of the countries have more than one delegate, like China (which has) 80 delegates, Taiwan 60, India 60 and Korea 25,” the mayor said.

He said there are participants

The Samal Senior High School in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is the first beneficiary of the donated Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) Laboratory, dubbed as “Project e.Lab,” of AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light) and its social development arm Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The EIM laboratory includes the refurbishment and conversion of a classroom into a workshop and assessment facility. It will be used by high school learners taking up Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) Course for them to become electricians and earn their national certification from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) recommended the school as a beneficiary since the school has yet to have a facility for the said course.

“This new EIM laboratory is more than just a physical structure; it is a symbol of our shared commitment to education and unwavering belief in the power of knowledge and transformed lives. It is a testament to our community’s unwavering spirit of collaboration and determination to provide all students with the very best possible learning environment,” Percival Villegas, the school principal of Samal Senior High School extended his

gratitude to Davao Light and the Local Government of IGaCoS during the formal turnover ceremony last May 9 at the EIM laboratory of the school.

The project aims to address the need of the community for skilled electricians who will support the island’s continuing progress. “Samal needs more skilled workers like you since a lot of businesses are still willing to invest in the island,” IGaCoS Mayor Al David Uy stated in his speech.

“We are equipping public schools with standard facilities to implement hands-on learning for students who wish to pursue a career in electrical works and engineering,” Anton Perdices, chief operating officer of the AboitizPower Distribution Utilities stated a big chunk of the Corporate Social Responsibility budget of the distribution utility is allocated to support the Department of Education’s Technical Vocational Livelihood strand.

Since 2014, Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation have donated EIM laboratories to 40 public schools. This is in line with the company’s transformative goal to give rise to solutions that pave the way for the development of cities that enrich people’s lives and help them realize their dreams and with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is to provide quality education for all.

Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Inc. vice president for Finance Raphael Lorenzo Magno (3rd from left) and RMC School of Law Dean lawyer Ramon Edison C. Batacan (rightmost) turn over P50,000 cash incentives to each of the 2022 Bar examination passers during a ceremony held at RMC along F. Torres Street in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

FBAR, P10

DMW 11 seeking collaboration with manning agencies on seafarers’ data

Sara lauds stakeholders help in BARRM during Ramadan

Vice President Sara Z. Duter-

te has lauded the efforts of stakeholders who helped the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the observance of Ramadan from March to April.

In her speech during the Soccsksargen stakeholders recognition day here on Sunday, Duterte, the concurrent Education Secretary, personally thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other joint task forces for allowing DepEd to reach and extend help to some 37,369 personnel.

“Thank you for allowing your teams to provide the manpower, transportation, and assistance during the distribution of food packs in Mindanao. Your assistance in times of crisis proved your commitment to protecting our country’s national security and ensuring the well-being of all Filipinos,” she said.

Duterte bared that in March this year, DepEd provided food packs to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

By MAYA M. PADILLO

(BARMM) through the Pahalipay sa Ramadan as an expression of solidarity to their colleagues for serving a month of fasting.

Pahalipay sa Ramadan is a message of gratitude that seeks to reach out to the teaching and non-teaching personnel in the BARMM.

It is in accordance with the fourth critical component of the DepEd’s MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa Agenda which highlights giving support to teachers for them to teach better, waving the flag of inclusivity and access in the department.

Duterte also handed the plaques of recognition to the stakeholders, hoping that it may serve as a reminder to all of the public servants of the immense power of unity and acts of kindness, cooperation, and community service.

“May our humble recognition inspire you to continue serving the country with dignity and pride and may the plaques of recognition remind you of how much the Filipino people value and appreciate your vital contributions, especially in helping rebuild comFSARA, P10

Lawyer

Angela Librado-Trinidad, regional director of DMW 11, said the move aims to address lack of data as some seafarers do not give information to their immediate family.

She said the majority of the complaints that DMW 11 received is some of the seafarers who do not name their wives/spouses as beneficiaries.

“Spouses asked assistance kay kanang wala sila’y information and ikaduha wala sila gibutang didto na beneficiary ug ang gibutang katong dili tinuod na asawa. But in

Davao Region ang kasagaran reklamo kay gikan sa pamilya nga wala gi declare as beneficiary sa seafarers,” Trinidad said on Friday.

Trinidad said in the next few weeks DMW 11 is planning to meet with the manning agencies in the Davao Region and discuss how they could work together to ensure that information that is

relevant and are not subject to the data privacy act will be provided to the next of kin.

“Kay ang seafarer dili siya mananghid kung pila ang iyahang suweldo ug uban pa pero kung mamatay siya simbako didto man gihapon siya mu derecho sa iyahang hingtungdan. Kinahanglan ato ni siyang atimanon. Ang kasagaran namo madawat kay ang information request sa mga asawa kabahin sa ilang mag seafares na mga bana. Subject to the provision to privacy

Completion of Central Mindanao Airport gains more support

The completion of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA), located in M’Lang town in the Province of Cotabato, gained a supporter in the person of Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, who vowed to lobby for additional funds for the said project.

Cotabato 3rd District Rep. Ma.

Alana Samantha Taliño Santos said during her recent visit to Sen. Lapid conveyed his commitment

to providing necessary support for the CMA.

In her visit, she presented the current status of the airport, as well as the previous efforts that her “Team Serbisyo At Malasakit” and “Serbisyong Totoo” program of Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza have been exhausting to ensure that sufficient funds will be allotted for its completion.

“His office will be discussing with concerned agencies and officials to further lobby the prioritization of the said airport,” Santos said.

Santos reiterated her firm commitment to ensure that CMA will gain sufficient support for its completion.

Cotabato officials are lobbying for a P485 million fund to FCOMPLETION,

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte graces the Department of Education - SOCCKSARGEN (DepEd 12) stakeholders’ recognition day held at The Ritz Hotel in Bo. Obrero, Davao City on Sunday afternoon.

Vice President Duterte was the event’s guest of honor. FB page of Inday Sara Duterte

NorCot banana farmers forge pact with institutional buyer

Farmers are expected to generate more income from cardava banana production after they successfully forged a marketing agreement with LTA Foods Manufacturing, an institutional buyer in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The undertaking is a close collaboration and partnership between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to advance the agenda the commercializing the products of smallholder farmers in the area.

Evangeline Bueno, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, said the DAR is continuously looking for steady markets for the agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARBs) agricul-

tural products and assist their organizations in acquiring marketing contracts for a secure and sustainable market of their produce.

“The forging of marketing agreement was made possible through the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth of DTI,” she said.

The 11 recipient DAR-assisted ARB organizations in the various towns of the province

include Upper Pacao Farmers Association, Paruayan Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization, Camansi Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, and Malitubog ARB Organization of Alamada; Kitubod Farmers Association, and Kiloyao Consortium of MRDP-CFAD Beneficiaries Association of Libungan; Kimagango Farmers Association of Midsayap; Bato Farmers Association of Makilala; Lawili Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative of Aleosan; New Alimodian Integrated FA of Matalam; and Kisupaan Agrarian Reform Organization of Pres. Roxas.

During the signing ceremo-

Hog farmers association asks gov’t for ASF vaccine subsidy

The National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) on Sunday appealed to the government to subsidize or, at least, shoulder half of the cost of the vaccine against African Swine Fever, to help small and medium scale local hog farmers.

NFHFI President Chester Tan said that while there is still no definite price per ASF vaccine dose being released, he suspects it would be between P400 to P600, which is very high for

framers.

“Sana hindi maging totoo ito presyong P400 to P600. Napakamahal po. Hindi na ito affordable tsaka hindi na siya ganun ka-feasible. Kapag ganyan ang amount, ay baka hindi na gumamit imbes gusto ng lahat ay gumamit eh napakataas ng presyo,” he said.

(I hope this projected P400 to P600 price is inaccurate. It’s very expensive. It’s not affordable and infeasible, and farmers might be tempted not to use the

BOI foreign investment approvals surge Jan-May to over P400-B

Approved investments from foreign sources at the Board of Investments (BOI) posted a significant increase in the first five months of the year.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo told trade reporters in a Viber message over the weekend that foreign investment approvals surged in January to May this year by 7,076 percent to PHP403.86 billion from PHP5.63 billion in the same period in 2022.

Investment pledges from foreign sources now have the largest share in BOI approvals at 76 percent.

Trade Secretary and BOI chair Alfredo Pascual earlier said BOI approved three offshore wind projects worth PHP390 billion in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

Last year, the DTI chief’s letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) prompted the latter to issue an opinion that natural resources, including renewable energy, were not covered by the constitutional limitations on foreign ownership.

The DOJ opinion allowed the amendments to the Renewable Energy Act, particularly allowing foreign investors’ 100 percent ownership on renewable energy projects.

vaccine at all, even if they wanted to.)

“Ang hinihiling namin sa ating gobyerno, na sana magkaroon ng subsidy. Kung hindi man libre, sana ma-absorb nila... ma-shoulder nila ‘yung kahit na 50% sa commercial farms lalo sa mga small scale raisers,” he added.

We are appealing for government subsidy. If not 100%, at least, 50%, especially to small

The BOI approved PHP532.27 billion in investment pledges from January to May, more than double the project registrations last year at PHP205.73 billion.

The pledges came from 106 projects registered with the investment promotion agency, which are expected to create 18,883 direct jobs.

Big ticket projects approved by the BOI in the early parts of the year were renewable energy, especially offshore wind projects.

On Friday, Madrid-based BlueFloat Energy announced that it has chosen the Philippines as the location of its biggest offshore wind projects with 7.6 gigawatts of planned capacity.

BlueFloat executives said the company has yet to register the projects with the BOI despite securing the service contracts from the Department of Energy.

Rodolfo said the BOI has PHP1 trillion investment pledges in the pipeline for the year.

BOI targets to hit PHP1.5 trillion in investment approvals by the end of 2023. (PNA)

Freshly cooked pork chicharon are being packed and prepared by an attendant at a stall inside a mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

FNORCOT, P10

FHOG, P10

Diokno sees Maharlika Fund fully operational before end of 2023

DICT to boost connectivity, ICT job generation in rural areas

The Philippine government will focus on improving connectivity in rural areas to support the growing number of ICT jobs outside Metro Manila, a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) official said over the weekend.

With the advances and opportunities brought by the digital revolution, DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said the ratio of digital jobs in provinces is expected to increase to more than half a million by 2028.

“[N]oon 80 percent ng digital jobs are in Metro Manila and 20 percent pinaghahati-hatian sa probinsiya. Now we’re almost reaching a 50:50 mark (In the past, 80 percent of the digital jobs are in Metro Manila and 20 percent are spread across provinces. Now we’re almost reaching a 50:50 mark),” she said at the Saturday News Forum.

“We have a lot of digital jobs in the countryside and ang projection po ng ating industry is by 2028, we will probably have 55 percent of the additional 1.2 million jobs na (ang) madada-

FinanceSecretary Benjamin Diokno, the Marcos administration’s chief economic manager, said the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) —Philippines’ very first sovereign wealth fund— is expected to be operational before the end of the year.

gdag sa ating current number ay magiging nasa probinsiya na (our projection is that by 2028, at least 55 percent of the additional 1.2 million jobs would be in the province),” she added.

Sigue noted that gaps continue to exist as most investments and infrastructures are concentrated in Metro Manila.

These days, the connectivity projects of DICT are focused on marginalized and GIDA (geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas), Sigue said.

The DICT official said the agency has also started a national broadband project with a landing station in Baler, Aurora to cover the whole country.

It will take six years to fully cover the whole country, Sigue estimated.

The National Fiber Backbone Phase 1 Spectrum light-up at the Baler Cable Landing Station (CLS) will initially provide high-speed internet connectivity in Luzon.

The event, held in April, facilitated the initial 100 gigabits per second link-up between Los Angeles, California in the United States and City of San Fer-

In his weekly briefing, Diokno expressed optimism that the Maharlika Fund bill, after being approved by Congress early last week with the House of Representatives adopting the Senate version during the bicameral conference committee meeting, will be signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before he delivers his second State of the

Nation Address on July 24.

This as the measure is set to be enrolled and transmitted for the approval and signature of the President.

Once enacted into law, Diokno said, “We’re expected to prepare the IRR [implementing rules and regulations]. We’re expected to look for people to man the MIC [Maharlika Investment Corpora-

tion].”

The MIC, a government-owned company, will manage the sovereign wealth fund, MIF—a pool of funds sourced from state-run financial institutions that will be invested in high-impact projects, real estate, as well as in financial instruments.

“That’s the direction and I see this to be fully operational before the end of the year,” the Finance chief said.

The MIF bill states that the Maharlika Fund would be created using:

FDIOKNO, P10

DOF eyes sale of P2.5-B idle gov’t assets: Diokno

The government plans to sell more than 130 properties this year with a total value of PHP2.5 billion, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

In a recent briefing, DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the DOF’s Privatization Council is targeting to privatize 137 properties in 2023.

Some of these include the Emmanuel Community Hospital Inc. in Tondo, Manila (PHP368.4 million); Central Bank Board

of Liquidators in Antipolo City (PHP234.9 million), 21 lots of Technology Resource Center (PHP140.11 million), Elorde Sports and Tourism Development Corporation (PHP485 million), Technology Resource Center in Visayas (PHP100 million), NAFCO lots affected by the High Priority Bus System project (PHP117.2 million), and Wright Patterson Manufacturing Corporation (PHP107.1 million).

The Privatization Council ap-

proved the sale of six properties with a total value of PHP152.8 million during its meeting last May 31.

These include the AlAmanah Islamic Bank of the Philippines in Tugbok District, Davao City (PHP25 million), two different lots of Al-Amanah Islamic Investments Bank of the Philippines along Bato Road, Bato, Toril District in Davao City (PHP25.3 million), Central

Customers choose from a pile of mangoes at Bankerohan Market in Davao City on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Mango prices range from P50 to P90 per kilo. MINDANEWS PHOTO

In challenging new lawyers to advocate helping indigent clients:

“As RMC lawyers I hope that you would be able to do justice to your profession. I hope you all become a good lawyer. And I hope that some of you would also go into advocacy, help indigent clients, I mean make your title an instrument of peace and justice.” ATTY. RAMON EDISON C. BATACAN Dean, RMC School of Law

Mindanao, the country’s second largest island (after Luzon, of course), is noted for its mega-biodiversity, exotic wilderness and culture-tourism destinations.

“From east to west, one can easily embrace several pristine waters of Mindanao’s beaches, springs, rivers, and waterfalls; or be enthralled by the mysticism of the caves, the lithe grace of our lake waters or the lush vegetations within the ‘lungs of the earth’ – our vast and verdant forests,” said the book, B’yahe ta Mindanaw.

“Clinch the challenging heights and thrilling trails of hills and mountains; awesome cliffs, flora and fauna, animal sanctuaries and marine life. These are but few of what the island-region has to offer,” the book, published by the Department of Tourism (DOT), further stated.

Actually, the book is the Mindanao Tourism Situationer Guidebook, which provides travelers, researchers, investors, local folks and the general public glimpses of local history, basic demographic, socio-cultural data, useful information on transport services and tourism facilities located in Mindanao.

Now, the good news. The

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

IT’S MORE FUN IN MINDANAO

DOT recently forged an agreement with two other government agencies – Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to boost Mindanao’s tourism industry, a report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) said.

Present during the signing of a memorandum of agreement was the tourism secretary herself, Christina Garcia-Frasco.

“(Mindanao) is a land of promise, a land of diversity and rich cultural heritage,” she was quoted as saying.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Undersecretary Angelito de Leon (representing DND) were also present.

“Through this convergence, the DILG commits to ensuring that our local policemen are properly deployed in tourist destinations,” Abalos pointed out.

The DND, on their part, will “prioritize the safety and security of tourists and assist in facilitating stakeholders’ involvement in tourism development projects.” In addition, DND “will integrate DOT programs in their promotional activities and help capacitate people’s organizations for community-based tourism initiatives, especially in

indigenous cultural communities.”

Davao region – composed of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental – tops the list as it has a multitude of tourist attractions and destinations.

“In all this region’s provinces, people get their fair dose of adventure whether it be the highland experience, through scenic mountain ranges and waterfalls, or the island experience, through the white sand beaches,” said a tourism brochure from the region.

Davao region has five festivals that are worthy to be enjoyed: Kadayawan in Davao City (August), Sambuokan in Mati City (October), and Bulawan in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro (March). July has two lively festivals: Kadagayaan in Tagum City and Padigosan in Digos City.

The one and only World Heritage Site in Mindanao, Mount Hamiguitan, is located in Davao Oriental. It is also home to durian, waling-waling and Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.

Northern Mindanao – composed of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental –has also its fair share of tourist attractions.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

One of the less discussed matters during the three-day Davao visit of President Ramon F. Magsaysay in September 1954 is the issue about the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA), the custodian and administrator of the public lands reserved for settlement under the abolished Land Settlement and Development Corpora-tion (LASEDECO).

LASEDECO was created under Exec. Order 355, issued by President Elpidio Quirino on October 23, 1950, dissolved the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA), the Rice and Corn Production Administration (RCPA), and the machinery and equipment depart-ment of the National Development Company (NDC).

Under Republic Act 1160, approved in 1954, NARRA was

imbued with the task of reset-tling dissidents and landless farmers, particularly rebel returnees, by providing home lots and farmlands in Palawan and Mindanao. During his first day of the visit, however, the President ordered a stop of the Davao project of NARRA after anomalies in the distribution of lands were reported.

The outburst resulted from a complaint of lawyer Amado Reclusado, representing the Panabo settlers, that Maj. Porfirio E. Jain, project superintendent, was seeking to oust them. As a result, the President summoned Lt. Col. Vicente Luna, Philippine Constabulary provin-cial commander, and ordered him to file charges against the superintendent for mauling the lawyer.

Reclusado, in his narration to the President, claimed NARRA was depriving the tenants

Bukidnon, for instance, is known for its Kaamulan Festival, which presents the rich customs and traditions of seven ethnic hill tribes: Talaandig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tiwahanon, Matigsalug, and Bukidnon.

Camiguin is noted for its sunken cemetery. A huge cross was installed in 1982 to mark the community cemetery which sank during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. The Lanzones Festival, which is celebrated every third week of October, is worth mentioning.

The South-Central Mindanao – encompassing South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City – boasts a lot of areas that tourists can visit. Lake Sebu is home to the Tbolis, a highland tribe that has its roots in South Cotabato.

General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Its tuna export is one of the biggest and largest industries in the country and in whole Asia.

The Caraga Region is among the most visited areas in Mindanao. It is composed of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the cities of Butuan, Surigao, and Bislig.

Siargao, a tear-drop shaped

island, is known around the world. It has world-class waves, sugar-fine white sand beaches, stunningly sapphire seas, turquoise tide pools, and hidden lagoons.

The Zamboanga Peninsula has the following provinces: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. The two cities – Zamboanga and Isabela – are also part of the peninsula.

Not to be missed is the Great Santa Cruz Island, where you can find the Pink Beach. Here, you can walk around the beach whose pink sand is the result of the pulverized red organ pipe corals that are washed up from offshore and mixed with white sand.

Finally, there’s the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It is composed of Basilan (excluding Isabela City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Cotabato City.

Tawi-Tawi is known for its natural zoos. Wild cattle, wild hogs, and monkeys abound in the forests of mainland island. Sulu is where the Tubbataha Reef is located. It is drawing divers from all over the world with its underwater splendor and rich marine resources

ENDING DAVAO’S NARRA PROJECT

of the settlement of lands they already cultivated; instead, new tenants were assigned on such lands. He also charged that the major mauled him for defending the rights of the original settlers.

He pointed out that 100 hectares of Panabo had been subdivided and were ready for dis-tribution, prompting Magsaysay to order that “There is no need for NARRA to take over the land if it is already subdivided.’’

But Maj. Jain managed to seek an audience with the President the following day and explained his side of the issue. He told the President on September 21, 1954, that NARRA was actually protecting the settlers from paying exorbitant fees to the lawyer in exchange for the patent rights, adding Reclusado was charging the settlers far more than what NARRA was

asking.

Given the conflicting claims, Magsaysay, the Official Gazette reported, “held up action on the NARRA controversy, pending an inquiry into the matter to determine the truth. Among the steps he had planned upon hearing the original charges against Jain were to abolish the NARRA project in Davao and relieve Agriculture Undersecretary Jaime Ferrer as NARRA acting general manager and board chairman.”

The President also ordered Maj. Jain to ensure that the “original settlers in the NARRA settlement were not disturbed before any attempt was made to place new set of tenants in the settlement,” adding the efforts of cleaning and planting the lots must be respected by the agency.

Magsaysay justified his relief of Ferrer by saying the action

was taken “if an inquiry should show that the charges were true and he had sanctioned Jain’s acts.”

He also instructed Maj. Jain organized the settlers into a farmers’ cooperative marketing association (FACOMA) so they would be able to get assistance from the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA) for their work animals and farm im-plements.

ACCFA was organized under RA 821 and approved on August 14, 1952. Under Exec. Order 129 issued in 1995, it was the outfit oversaw the purchase and exportation of ramie fiber.

(Born on January 9, 1899, in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Maj. Jain,a World War II guerrilla commander, is the son of Nicasio Jain and Clara Engoho. He died on Decem-ber 9, 1974, in Davao City, at the age of 75.)

Friday grill and chill at Park Inn by Radisson

Friday, being the most awaited day of the workweek is synonymous to leisure and having a good time.

And it got even better with of the newest go-to spot in the city.

Skip the usual eat-all-you-can treat or drinking session and enjoy something relaxing with the company of friends, colleagues, and family while savoring your favorite barbecue or satay at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

Davao City’s premiere hotel recently launched its newest poolside offering, Street Food and Grill at the pool deck on the second floor.

Unwind, enjoy good food, and leave all your worries behind with this fresh-from-the-grill saucy delight. Treat your palate to a poolside feast of mouthwatering grilled meat, seafood dishes, and favorite Filipino street food.

Apart from the unlimited grilled meat and seafood, don’t miss stopping by the street food station, salad bar, and dessert table.

While munching your fave BBQ, cool down with the soothing sound of acoustic guitar, melodic vocals, and heartfelt lyrics via live performances by the hotel’s resident acoustic duo, The Higher Frequen-

cy. Enjoy this limited offering at P850 net per person.

Towers of cocktails like piña colada, tequila sunrise, classic mojito, and beer are also offered at P750 net per tower, which is good for 5 people.

Look forward to a grillin’ and chillin’ weekend in the city’s best location with people you love.

Street Food and Grill happens every Friday, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Pool Bar.

They say life is good, especially on a Friday.

“Theprevalence of hypertension is 20% in the Philippines, and it increases year after year. It remains a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart and renal failure. The gravity of complications from hypertension also reflects the effectiveness of the awareness programs in the Philippines.”

That was what Drs. Deborah David-Ona, Dexter M. De Castro, and Aida C. Baltazar wrote in their collaborative paper, “The distribution of hypertension in the Philippine General Hospital after 4 decades (A comparative study).”

The above observation seemed to correspond to the actual experience of Dr. Meccar Moniem H. Elino, who works at the Department of Health for Health Development Zamboanga Peninsula.

“I was really astonished that 15 per 20 patients admitted in major hospitals in Sulu Province had an organ-end damage such as stroke and cardiovascular diseases which can be attributed to hypertension,” he said of the rates that happened in July 2022.

“It had astoundingly increased from 8 per 20 admitted patients from the previous month,” he pointed out.

Because of this finding, Dr.

Elino decided to conduct a symposium for allied health workers and practitioners in the province.

“Aside from its mortality-morbidity impact, we cannot wait to have economic impact and negative externalities such as increased public employee absenteeism and end-referral workforce or resource exhaustion,” he said.

What he really wanted to happen is “to fortify the health promotion at the community level by engaging themselves in the control and change in lifestyles and behaviors.” These can be achieved, he said, “because these diseases are preventable and controllable.”

It all starts with blood pressure (BP), which is defined as the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries (responsible for carrying blood from your heart to other parts of your body).

Blood pressure normally ris-

You can avoid dying from hypertension

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

es and falls throughout the day. It is measured using two numbers. The first number, called systolic BP, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic BP, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

During his lecture, Dr. Elino said a BP reading of 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) is within the normal range. “If your results fall into this category, stick with your heart-healthy habits,” advised the doctor who studies master in public management-health governance at Ateneo de Manila University.

But if the BP reading is 120129/80 mm Hg, then it is considered an elevated blood pressure, according to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA). If a person has a BP reading of 130-139/80-89 mm Hg, then he has hypertension stage 1.

“Hypertension is blood pressure that is higher than normal,” explained the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Having blood pressure measures consis-

tently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure or hypertension.”

In the Philippine setting, the Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines (Phil CPG) considers the above categories as borderline yet.

Hypertension stage 2, as per ACC/AHA, happens when the BP readings consistently range from 140-159/90-99 mm Hg or more than 160 over more than 100 mm Hg (>160/>100). Both of these

categories are classified by Phil CPG as hypertension or alta presyon.

A BP reading that is more than 180 over more than 120 mm Hg (>180/>120) is classified as hypertensive crisis. Here, the person experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, and change in vision or difficulty speaking.

When that happens, it’s already a medical emergency.

Measuring blood pressure.

Dr. Meccar Moniem

H. Elino

Dr. Elino

BAR... FROM 2 YOU CAN... FROM 9 DMW... FROM 3 32 COUNTRIES

he said.

Magno also said that monetary incentives given by RMC are one of the school’s avenues in recognizing the efforts of the students who hurdled the Bar exam.

“For the last batch of our passers, we gave P100,000 each. These monetary incentives are RMC’s way to express our happiness that they passed the Bar exam, as they also bring honor to the school,” he said.

Batacan also noted that the RMC School of Law has the cheapest tuition fee among the law schools in Davao City.

“We are the cheapest but we are not sacrificing the quality of our education. We have professors who teach in the Manila schools and even internationally,” he said.

The RMC Law School has paved its way to the law school community starting with only seven students when it was reinstated back in 2017 and now they have more than a hundred students.

Meanwhile, Mabborang is thankful to the RMC administration for providing everything they need during the exam from the food to the transportation.

Mabborang had just given birth when she took the Bar exam in November 2022. She is thankful to her family and RMC for helping her survived the examination.

“It was a big help for me during the exam. When I took the Bar in the morning, I brought my baby with me so that I can still breastfeed. Then the caregiver would take my baby so that I can continue my exam and after the exam, the caregiver would give back my baby to me. That’s how helpful and supportive RMC is to the Bar examinees,” she said.

Mabborang said she decided to take up law when her father, a police officer, died in the line of duty in an ambush incident in 2010 in Marilog District.

HOG... FROM 4

scale hog raisers.)

With President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as concurrent Agriculture secretary, Tan expects the agency would provide funds for the ASF vaccine.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Friday said the ASF vaccine was proven effective in clinical trials in six farms in Luzon.

In 2019, the ASF outbreak was first reported in the country. Thousands of pigs were slaughtered to prevent the disease from spreading. The disease has also reduced the swine inventory in the country.

DOF... FROM 5

Bank-Board of Liquidators in Pasay City (PHP1.9 million), and two Technology Resource Center in Visayas (PHP50.4 million and PHP50.2 million).

Diokno said within the first six months of the Marcos administration, the Privatization Council approved the final sale of PHP800 million worth of assets.

In contrast, the total sales collected from the previous administration from 2019 to 2021 amounted to PHP664 million.

Broken down, the government sold PHP594.7 million worth of assets in 2019; PHP54.9 million in 2020; and PHP14.06 million in 2021.

... FROM 2 law, we also provide information to their spouses and authorized representatives,” she said. She added that DMW 11 is currently collating the number of seafarers and manning agencies in the Davao Region.

from Maldives, Mongolia, Portugal and other European countries. This year’s theme is “Building World Peace through Organic Agriculture: Food security vital to peace building.”

The mayor said Matheo John, President of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement and (IFOAM Asia ) is also coming.

Arnado said about 70 per cent of the delegates will be billeted in Iligan City, 20 kilometers away.

He said security measures are being attended to by the police, military, coast guard and other government agencies.

Mayor Arnado and his wife Sonia, Vice Mayor Maximo Arnado Jr., and other officials led the ribbon-cutting rites at the entrance of the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center (KIOCC) followed by a mass at the Camp Shell on Saturday morning.

An Organic Youth Forum Special session on Organic Leadership Transcending Generations was on Sunday, while the AgriAqua Fair opened at 2 p.m.

Delegates will not only attend sessions but visit organic farming sites as well. (Richel V. Umel / MindaNews)

NORCOT... FROM 4

ny, Walter Calibara, President of Camansi Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, expressed his gratitude to the DAR and DTI and acknowledged the positive impact of the initiative.

“We are thankful for this opportunity to be linked to a bigger market. It would really benefit us farmers because we are assured of a good price and we can minimize the transportation expenses since our products will be picked up in our area,” he said.

Calibara added that they are looking forward to more opportunities that the partnership would bring to the farmers.

LTA Foods Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager Wilfred Abenza said that they are not only committed to helping the farmers buy their produce at a competitive price, but they will also provide technical assistance to improve the quality of their produce.

“Through this partnership, we also intend to optimize and enhance the quality of cardava bananas by educating them to improve their yield,” Abenza said.

The signing of the marketing partnership agreement was attended by the top officials and employees of DAR and DTI in the Soccsksargen region.

DICT... FROM 5

nando, La Union CLS.

This June, DICT is staging various activities to celebrate National ICT Month, the closing of which would be symbolically held in Sacol Island in Zamboanga City, a recipient of its free internet service program.

“Doon po magtatapos iyong ating (Our) National ICT Month sa (will end in) Sacol Island and I’m proud to announce that Sacol Island has been named by the International Telecommunications Union as a potential location to be a smart village of the world,” Sigue said.

Sacol Island has a population of about 12,000. (PNA)

“Don’t wait for the blood pressure to come down. Bring the patient immediately to a nearby hospital,” urged Dr. Elino, who is also a former internal medicine physician at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

tion, stress reduction, limit alcohol intake, tobacco cessation, and DASH (dietary approach to stop hypertension).

munities, and schools in the Bangsamoro,” she added.

Duterte also vowed that the Office of the Vice President and DepEd will be working hard in bringing more peace-building efforts to conflict-affected communities.

“By joining forces, we continue to propel our country towards sustainable, equitable, and inclusive progress,” she said. (PNA)

SARA... FROM 3 COMPLETION...

FROM 3 complete the said project from the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) budget.

Last month, Mendoza and Santos presented the appeal to Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

Based on data from the Office of Provincial Planning and Development, the P485-million cost estimate will cover the first phase of the airport, which includes the improvement of airside facilities such as the runway, passenger terminal building, administration building, water, and power supply systems, and concreting of the vehicular parking area and access road.

The CMA is targeted for operation by 2025 and is positioned to ease passenger and cargo access to and from the largely agricultural province.

DIOKNO... FROM 5

P50 billion from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)

P25 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)

P50 billion from the National Government

The contribution from the national government would come from the following sources:

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ total declared dividends

National government’s share of the income of PAGCOR Properties, real and personal identified by the DOF-Privatization and Management Office

NO... FROM 12

F55).

The Philippines is ranked fifth with 11 gold, 17 silver and 15 bronze medals, as of press time.

Meanwhile, three powerlifters were scheduled to compete later in the day at the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia (NPCC) Hall.

Denesia Esnara, who won two bronze medals in the women’s 50kg last year, will see action in the 55kg category. Others competing are Gregorio Payat (men’s 59kg) and Cherrylyn Sugue (women’s 67kg).

The powerlifting team had already won four medals, including a gold and a silver from Marydol Pama-tian in the women’s 41kg category, on Sunday. The other two silvers came from Paralympian Achelle Guion in the women’s 45kg category.

Indonesia leads the medal tally board with 39 golds, 33 silvers and 27 bronzes followed by Vietnam (26-21-29), Thailand (22-27-19) and Malaysia (19-13-7).

A person knows only if he or she has hypertension if the BP reading is accurate. Dr. Elino suggested that before the measurement is started, the patient must be placed in a quiet room. “No talking by patient or observer,” he said, adding that patients should have not smoked, drank coffee, tea or cola, and done exercise 30 minutes before the measurement. He must also empty his bladder.

Pundits say the way you sit and the way you hold your arm can affect your measurement. Your blood pressure is different when you’re standing versus lying down. The correct position is seated in a chair with your back flat and your feet flat on the floor, Dr. Elino said.

The left arm is the best to take your blood pressure if you are right-handed. Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. The left arm should rest comfortably at heart level; it should not be hanging in the air.

A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff. “Use the correct cuff size, such that the bladder encircles 80% of the arm,” Dr. Elino said, adding that the cuff should fit right. If it’s too loose, you could get false low blood pressure readings; if it is too tight, your reading might be inaccurately higher.

Validated electronic devices may be used for BP measurement. But for auscultatory readings, he suggested either the stethoscope diaphragm or bell. “Use a palpated radial pulse obliteration pressure to estimate systolic blood pressure, then inflate the cuff 20-30 mm Hg above this level for auscultatory determination of BP level,” Dr. Elino instructed. “Deflate the cuff pressure 2 mm Hg per second, and listen for Korotkoff sounds.”

Korotkoff sounds – named after Nikolai Korotkov, a Russian physician who discovered them in 1905 – vary in quality from tapping, swooshing, muffled sounds, and silence. The pressure at which the first Korotkoff sound is noted signifies the systolic pressure, while the pressure at which the Korotkoff sounds are no longer heard marks the diastolic pressure.

According to Dr. Elino, the health worker taking the measurement should record BP in both arms during the first visit. “Use the arm that gives the higher reading for subsequent readings,” he said. “Separate repeated measurements by one to two minutes. Use an average of more than two readings obtained on more than two occasions.”

During his lecture, Dr. Elino also identified the risk factors for hypertension. These are: dietary salt intake, lack of physical activity, weight gain and obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption, and acculturation and chronic stress.

Other risk factors include dyslipidemia (imbalance of lipids) and diabetes, sleep-disordered breathing, family history of hypertension, old age, and ethnicity.

Right now, there is still no cure for high blood pressure. However, it is important for those with hypertension to take steps that matter, such as making effective lifestyle changes, Dr. Elino said.

He suggested seven evidence-based points: weight loss, physical activity, sodium restric-

Weight loss: Maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 (kg is a person’s weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in meters squared).

If a person loses 10 kilograms, his BP goes down by 5-20 mm Hg.

Physical activity: Engage in regular physical activity (example: brisk walking) more than 30 minutes per day on most days. Doing so will lower his BP by 4-9 mm Hg.

Sodium restriction: Reduce dietary sodium intake to maximum 100 mmol per day. That’s about 2.4 grams of sodium or 6 grams of salt. The BP goes down by 2-8 mm Hg.

Stress reduction: Practice a stress-reduction modality such as meditation. BP reduction: 5 mm Hg.

Limit alcohol intake: Restrict daily consumption of alcoholic drinks to a maximum of one drink for women and two drinks for men. BP reduction: 2-4 mm Hg.

Tobacco cessation: Incorporate cessation modality of choice. BP reduction: 2-4 (after one week of cessation).

DASH eating plan: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat (reduced saturated and total fat) dairy products. BP reduction: 8-14 mm Hg.

Fortunately, there is a wide range of drugs that can lower blood pressure. “The aim is to find the particular drug or combination of drugs that will lower your blood pressure to a safe level and prevent problems,” writes Dr. Robert Buckman, author of What You Really Need to Know About High Blood Pressure. “The doctor will tailor treatment to you as an individual, so do not be surprised if you find that you are taking completely different drugs from someone else with the same condition.”

There are different categories of drugs used to bring high blood pressure within a normal range and they work in three different ways. The first ones are called diuretics and they reduce the amount of fluid in the body by increasing urine flow. Reducing body fluid means that there is less for the heart to pump around the body.

Beta-blockers, on the other hand, reduce the heart’s workload by preventing the stimulating effects of stress, slowing the heartbeat, and reducing its force. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Other drugs act on the widening and narrowing of the blood vessels. These group includes ACE inhibitors, which block the formation of the hormone angiotensin that causes the blood vessels to narrow; angiotensin II inhibitors, which block the effect of angiotensin; calcium channel blockers, which relax the blood vessels; and alpha-blockers, which also relax the blood vessels.

If you are 60 or older, medical experts recommend that you start drug treatment if the systolic blood pressure is 130 or higher. Once you start taking medications, don’t stop taking the prescribed drugs.

As Dr. Ramon Abarquez Jr., founding president of Philippine Society of Hypertension, puts it: “Once established, hypertension is for life. Compliance to prescribed medication and clinic follow-ups are mandatory to prevent target organ damage.”

Heat equalizes in in Game 2

DENVER — Duncan Robinson flexed and then flashed his mean face after a cutting layup. No disrespect meant. The Miami Heat forward was just having a little fun in the fourth quarter.

Because for the opening three, Robinson hadn’t taken a single shot. Turns out, he was simply saving his best for when his team needed him most.

Over a nearly two-minute spurt in the fourth quarter, Robinson scored all of his 10 points to spark a rally that sent the Heat to a 111-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) in Game

Two of the NBA Finals.

Robinson’s surge helped turn an 83-75 deficit into an 88-85 lead that Miami wouldn’t relinquish in tying the series at one game apiece.

“I surprised myself with the fact that I pulled that one out,” Robinson said about his spur-ofthe-moment pose. “Mostly just try to play with a certain level of joy. I feel like I play my best when

I’m having fun.”

Robinson’s line through three quarters was nearly seven minutes of play and a whole bunch of zeroes — zero shots, zero rebounds, zero assists. He did have one foul.

But in the fourth, he was 4 of 5, including two 3-pointers, to help the Heat do something no other team has done this postseason — beat the Nuggets at home.

“He can be one of those guys who just breaks a game open,” said Heat forward Kevin Love, who started Game Two, scoring six points and grabbing 10 re-

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Yes, the Heat have stolen Game 2 (111-108) and have taken away the home court advantage from the Nuggets in the best of seven NBA Finals in Denver.

I thought Nikola Jokic exhausted himself in producing 41 points that were negated completely by the aggressive defense and exemplary outside shooting of Gabe Vincent (23 pts), Dam Adebayo (21 + 9 rebounds) and Jimmy Butler (21+ 9 assists).

In doing so, the Serbian star actually outperformed himself, doing all the things he can like there was a need for someone like Hercules to accomplish the job. The guy was all over. Who is the

bounds, after not playing a minute in Game Two. “We’ve seen that from him throughout these playoffs. His consistency and confidence has been there.”

Robinson had a forgettable Game One when he went 1 for 6 from the floor. He just kept his cool and didn’t read too much into one poor shooting performance.

He had a streaky series against Boston in the Eastern Conference finals, too. In Game Three of that series, he had 22, then two in Game Four and 18 in Game Five.

That’s been his season in a nutshell. He’s been in and out of

the rotation all season.

“He does a lot of things that people don’t know he has,” Love explained. “They see him as a shooter, but he is cutting to the hoop, he’s putting the ball on the floor, he’s hitting a drop pass to Bam (Adebayo) and he’s using his size to get to the rim on those cuts and put the ball down.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see. We needed all of those contributions tonight.”

Max Strus chipped in early, with four 3-pointers in the first quarter. This after going 0 for 10 in Game 1.

OMINOUS GAME 2 MIAMI WIN IN DENVER

coach who will not love and adore him?

Denver submerged Miami in Game 1 (104-93) so convincingly that I also entertained the idea that a 2-0 Nugget bubble was not too farfetched.

But Eric Spoelstra had something else in mind.

He put in Kevin Love as a starter in lieu of Caleb Martin. The veteran one -time champion responded with four treys and, together with Adebayo. helped in defense against Jokic.

The two time NBA champion coach knew they could not stop the Nugget bigman from putting in the points but they could

prevent and limit his gang from producing the necessary artillery support.

The stats sheet showed that Jamal Murray, who made 26 and 10 assists in Game 1, had just 18; Michael Porter Jr was limited to 5 and 6 rebounds (after 14 and 12 in the opening match) and Aaron Gordon contributed 12 points after 16 in the first outing.

This is actually not something new. Veteran championship coaches know the many ways to skin a cat.

Jokic’ facial expression after the loss told the entire Denver effort.

He was s-o-o-o-o disappoint-

ed. Spoelstra saved the fourth period for a 12-minute Miami run that would tire out the Denver guards.

Duncan Robinson flashed his accurate three-point sniping with three consecutive tosses; Kyle Lowry calmly orchestrated the attack with deft pick and rolls; Jimmy Butler came in well rested with 8 minutes left in the final phase, penetrated the Denver interior defense and produced 8 straight points to help sustain a Miami six-point lead, 99-93.

Spoelstra’s boys sunk 17 shots from beyond the arc for a 48.6%

shooting, improving the Heat’s measly 33.3% in Game 1.

If Miami can maintain its tough defense as the Heat did in Game 2, the possibility that Spoelstra’s impressive bench tactics may produce positive results. He has out-strategized Michael Malone in the latter’s home turf.

The Fil-Am former coach of the year will definitely work harder to ensure that Games 3 and 4 will result in Miami’s favor.

Otherwise, the Nuggets can regain homecourt privilege again.

(Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Duncan Robinson flexes and then flashes his mean face after a cutting layup.

NO LUCK

Gawilan settles for bronze, PH adds three golds at ASEAN Para Games

PENH, Cambodia -- Davao’s two-time Paralympian Ernie

PHNOM

Gawilan settled for a bronze medal in his first event even as the Philippines bagged three more gold medals, including two in swimming, at the 12th ASEAN Para Games on Monday.

The Samal-based Gawilan, nicknamed the “Dabawenyo Torpedo” finished third in the men’s 100m backstroke S7 category.

Gary Bejino came up with another record-breaking performance, this time in the men’s 200-meter freestyle S6 event at the Morodok Techo National Stadium’s Aquatics Center.

He clocked 2:38.55 to erase the old mark of 2:45.99 set by Myanmar’s Aung Myint Myat last year in Indonesia.

Channi Wongnonthaphum of Thailand took the silver medal in 2:53.10 while Thanh Hai Do of Vietnam settled for the bronze medal in 2:54.23.

“It’s my first time to compete in the 200m freestyle event and I’m happy that I won the gold,” said the 27-year-old native of Tabaco, Albay province.

Bejino, who delivered the country’s first gold medal after claiming victory in the 400m freestyle last Sunday, has four more events -- three individual and one relay (4x100 medley).

“I think that I have a good chance. I will do my best,” said

Bejino, who won three medals at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ariel Joseph Alegarbes also won the men’s 50m butterfly S14 in 26.69 seconds, beating Malaysians Bryan Lau Sze Kai (27.060) and Muhammad Imaan Aiman (27.530).

It was the second medal for Alegarbes, the Philippine delegation’s flag-bearer during the opening ceremony parade, after winning the silver in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday.

Edwin Villanueva (men’s 50m breaststroke SB7) also finished with a bronze.

In athletics, Cendy Asusano registered 13.74 meters in the women’s javelin throw F54 event to collect her second gold medal.

Her compatriot, Marites Burce, got the silver medal in 11.96m while Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy won the bronze (11.56).

The other silver medalists in athletics were King James Reyes (men’s 1500m T46), Jolan Camacho (men’s long jump) and Jesebel Arevalo (women’s javelin throw

Arvie Bernardo Arreglado of the philippines win bronze of event 100m men T47 final at main stadium 12th ASEAN Para Games Phnom Penh Cambodia on June 5, 2023.