Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 245 | Sunday-Monday, January 31- February 1, 2021

PORK: FILIPINOS’ MOST FAVORITE MEAT

AGRITRENDS P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Serving a seamless society

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

FUROR OVER LIQUOR Dabawenyo netizens react to liquor ban extension STORY ON PAGE 2

A man seems to be pondering on something very important as he wears stoic face while staring at the statue of a mascot of a popular food chain in Toril, Davao City on Saturday.

Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed a measure amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), in a bid to boost regulations on money laundering in the Philippines. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

FUROR OVER LIQUOR Dabawenyo netizens react to liquor ban extension

By MAYA M. PADILLO

T dia.

he extension of liquor ban has sparked negative reactions among Dabawenyo netizens on social me-

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has extended the 24-hour liquor ban in the city until March 31, 2021 through Executive Order (E.O.) No. 5, Series of 2021, which she signed on Friday.

The liquor ban under E.O. 71, Series of 2020, was also an extension of E.O. 59, Series of 2020, and E.O. 55-

B, Series of 2020, respectively.

E.O. 59 reimposes the 24-hour liquor ban in the city to prevent the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 through unbridled drinking sessions while E.O. 55-B imposes the curfew to avert the spike of cases during the holiday season,

MinDA seeks passage of law to protect ‘heritage trees’

T

he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is seeking the passage of a law that would protect centuries-old trees in the country.

In a statement Friday, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the proposed "Heritage Tree Act" seeks to impose stiff penalties and jail terms for any person who would endangers or damages the centuries-old trees.

Through a resolution issued in September last year, MinDA endorsed the mea-

sure to "secure the long and healthy existence of all heritage trees in the country".

The agency aims to encourage "integrative development" to institutionalize the sustainable development and management of Mindanao’s natural resources through public-private participation.

MinDA also believes that heritage trees not only have environmental purposes but also provide socio-economic benefits.

“The MinDA resolution,

FMINDA, P6

to support the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in its anti-criminality efforts, and to intensify terrorism surveillance and anti-illegal drugs operations in the coastal areas.

The following are among the comments/reactions of netizens. Their names that appear on Facebook page are not necessarily their real names as most accounts carry only account names.

A certain Jack Jones commented he is thankful that the mayor is not run-

ning for President as she has dictator tendencies.

Another netizen with an account name Bill Kelly posted of thinking leaving Davao City due to the said ordinance.

“What about people’s democratic rights? It’s easy for you to impose your laws like this.. But you are eroding individual’s ability to decide,” said Facebook user Jack Jones.

“Wa man japoy improvement. Liquor ban since Nov 2 pero number 1 man permi ang Davao sa

Covid. Unsay nabuhat ninyo? Wala diba?” Ynohtna Alined Zeñabi commented.

Account name JE Cam CO also commented the liquor ban is a useless ordinance.

“Masabtan man kung ibawal usa ang pag-inom sa mga bar or public places... pero in my opinion sobra lang ang measure na pati pagbaligya ug pagpalit og ilimnon kay ibawal pud. Napansin nako diri sa Davao murag kontra kaayo ang LGU sa alcoholic drinks,” said Horatio Velveteen.

Lim reported that in terms of the average monthly inflation rate of Davao region, it showed a downward trend from January to August 2020 then sharply rose to 2 percent in October last year, and decreased again until December 2020.

She said the average annual rate is recorded at 1.7 percent which was lower than the 2.5 percent inflation rate recorded in 2019 and the way within the target set by the Development Budget

Coordinating Committee within the range of 2 to 4 percent inflation rate for 2020.

“By commodity group lower inflation rates out of 11 commodities in 2020 while one remain unchanged which is the food and non-alcoholic beverages and three commodity groups registered slightly higher inflation rate,” she said during her presentation on Davao Region’s socio performance in 2020 on Friday.

According to E.O. 5 it is necessary to extend Executive Order No. 71 to regulate some activities that can contribute to local transmission in the City.

The reimposition of liquor ban aims to control the Covid-19 cases in Davao City because of the full occupancy of COVID-19 beds at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Apart from liquor ban, Mayor Sara also extended the curfew in the city until March 31 also under E.O. No. 5.

NEDA 11 sees better year for Davao Region

T

he regional office of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA 11) is expecting the inflation rate, employment and investments in Davao Region will improve this year.

NEDA 11 regional director Maria Lourdes Lim reported that for inflation rate, it is expected that prices of commodities will remain low and stable due to the stable supply of agricultural products.

Lim said the higher inflation rate in the region may be attributed to the temporary stoppage of businesses and services in the industry sector where the commodities of transport, recreation, and culture, housing, water and electricity, furnishing and maintenance of houses belong.

“The high prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco was attributed to the liquor ban imposed in Davao Region beginning

FNEDA, P6

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Colliers forecasts more integrated communities in Davao Region

By MAYA M. PADILLO

G

lobal real estate services company Colliers International Philippines said it sees more integrated communities to rise in the Davao Region this year.

Integrated communities are developments that house office, residential, leisure and institutional (schools and hospitals).

Joey Roi Bondoc, asso-

ciate director of Colliers International Philippines, said it is among their forecasts for 2021 and even beyond pandemic for Davao Region as there are a lot of companies

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) OIC chief Dr. Ricardo Audan lead the cutting of the ribbon during the inauguration of the Malasakit Center inside the SPMC compound on Friday. CIO

that are looking for an integrated communities.

“This will be the main strategy of developers in Davao Region in moving forward,” Bondoc said during the Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) 2021 Kickoff Virtual Event on Friday.

Among the factors that will pave way for the developments of integrated communities in Davao Region is the healthy demand for condo units in the region.

“The demand has been keeping in step with the supply. But it would be interesting to see how this pandemic affect the demand for condo units in Davao Region,” he said.

He said most of the condo units in Davao Region are concentrated in Davao City, where most of the businesses are happening as well as where most of the integrated communities are located.

Bondoc said BPO companies are also looking at Davao Region to open BPO offices.

“There is a strong coordination between ICT-Davao and BPO employees and this is crucial especially with the

expansion plans of BPO companies in Davao because they would be able to capture what the market really requires,” he said.

He mentioned that ICT-Davao is also providing an outline or curriculum based on what the market requires.

“This coordination between the ICT-Davao and the BPO players including developers should continue in moving forward,” he said.

He said BPO companies are eyeing Davao because of a lot of factors that include quality of manpower, cheap labor and cost of living- these contribute why Davao attracts a lot of investments.

“Davao will continue to be a storage of wealth so a lot of investors will continue to buy properties. We believe that Davao is one of the areas outside Metro Manila that will benefit from these big companies that will occupy new office spaces,” he said.

Bondoc also said that Davao Region is one of the country’s competitive regions with skilled workforce.

A1ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Land filling work is ongoing at a construction site for a township project of CebuLand Masters in Matina, Davao City on Saturday. Edge Davao

BSP eyes January T inflation at 3.7%

Positive growth for Philippines by Q2, off to ‘slow start’ in 2021: NEDA chief

T

he country’s monetary officials forecast the rate of price increases in January 2021 to stay between 3.3-4.1 percent, with the midpoint at 3.7 percent, an uptick from the previous month’s level.

In a Viber message to journalists Friday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said increases in the prices of fuel, meat, power rates in areas being serviced by the

Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco “contributed to upward price pressures during the month.”

He, however, said these

factors “could be partly offset by stable rice prices, lower prices (of) selected fish and vegetables as well as the continued appreciation of the peso.”

“Going forward, the BSP will remain watchful of economic and financial developments to ensure the delivery of its primary mandate of price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth,” he added.

Inflation rate last De-

cember rose for the third consecutive month to 3.5 percent from month-ago’s 3.3 percent, which authorities point to as the impact of the weather disturbances that hit the country since November.

However, average inflation last year stood at 2.6 percent, within the government’s 2-4 percent target band until 2024.

The BSP’s average inflation forecast for this year is 3.2 percent. (PNA)

to normal as the economy reopens,” Diokno said.

These mobility trackers, some of which gather reports from smartphone apps from within a country or across countries, allow monetary authorities to quickly see patterns of activity across economic sectors, he said.

Aside from giving authorities an outlook on the changes in the economy, Diokno said the mobility index could also be used to compare survey-based reports, such as the purchasing managers’ index (PMI).

He said the BSP, for one, uses mobility indica-

tors in checking sectoral forecasts for gross domestic product (GDP) growth “as they provide insights on how economic activity has evolved following the lifting of virus containment measures.”

Diokno said access to these important data to evaluate economic activity “is crucial amid the pandemic, which has limited people’s mobility and altered the functioning of the economy.”

“Mobility data offer much potential in providing inputs for policymaking. Indeed, the adoption of these high-frequency

indicators was particularly useful under the new economy,” he added.

During the same briefing, BSP Department of Economic Research senior director Zeno Ronald Abenoja said part of the measures they use to evaluate economic activities is to check on policy uncertainty indices.

Abenoja said they look for numbers of these policy indices and the frequency based on a certain time and use the data as a “proxy for activity as we await standard macroeconomic and financial variables.” (PNA)

Mobility indicators, big data now part of BSP’s macro monitoring

M

obility indicators and big data analytics will now be among the major components of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) macroeconomic surveillance system as it shifts into the New Economy.

In a virtual briefing on Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said central banks that rely heavily on standard economic and financial market data face challenges because of the pandemic.

“Data on mobility indicators offer a way for authorities to gauge the return of economic activity

he Philippine economy is off to a “slow start” in 2021 and will only see positive yearon-year growth by the second quarter of the year, the country’s acting socioeconomic planning official said on Friday.

“This year will be a slow start, and we will ramp up by the middle of the year starting the second quarter.

So let’s be realistic. In the first quarter, nothing significant [will] change,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua, director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

He said the biggest economic drivers are still under a general community quarantine (GCQ), second to the most relaxed of lockdown protocols as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.

Metro Manila and other provinces will continue to be under GCQ from Feb. 1 to 28 as the government seeks to contain the spread of the new variant of COVID-19 in the country.

Under GCQ, “at least 70 to 80 percent” of Filipinos are back to work, while transport and infrastructure development is moving, Chua noted.

“So those will continue to improve upon our growth quarter on quarter.

Of course, we don’t have a crystal ball in NEDA. I cannot tell you what is the optimal amount, but quarter-on-quarter looks very promising,” he said.

For his part, ING Bank

Manila economist Nicholas Mapa agreed that quarter-on-quarter growth suggests “economic activity slowly coming back to life.”

“Despite these gains, the Philippines will likely remain in recession in the early part of 2021 as the “Big Dip” continues,” Mapa said.

He added that stock market players have already priced in a double-digit surge for the second quarter, “owing largely to the low base set by the previous year’s performance.”

On Friday, the benchmark PSE index fell 3.5 percent as foreign funds sold off local shares on IMF’s downgrade forecast from 7.4 percent to 6.6 percent for the Philippine economy this year.

Economic managers are betting on a 6.5 to 7.5 percent GDP growth this year, looking to a strong comeback from the 9.5-percent contraction for 2020— the country’s worst performance since World War 2.

Growth this year, Mapa said, will be driven by the further reopening of the economy, ramping up big-ticket infrastructure projects, and monetary authorities keeping rates at record lows despite spikes in inflation.

He noted that inflation would be a challenge this year and that food and utility prices continue to rise, haunted by last year’s typhoons, the African Swine fever and higher global energy prices.

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY A2

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA 11) reports that prices of commodities in Davao Region in 2021 will remain low and stable due to the stable supply of agricultural production. Edge Davao

Opening of more economic activities to continue: DTI T

Agri dept. projects 1.62 MMT add’l rice production in 2021

D

epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said his office will continue to recommend to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) the opening of more businesses and economic activities.

In a public briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Friday, Lopez said the IATF will study which sectors can be opened gradually despite the postponement of easing the age restriction and retaining Metro Manila under general community quarantine (GCQ) status.

“Two meetings ago with the IATF, we created a small working group that will study which of the remaining sectors under Category 4, or those that are open only in MGCQ (modified GCQ) areas, can be re-categorized under GCQ,” Lopez said in Filipino.

He added that the goal of the IATF to place the en-

tire country under MGCQ in the first quarter of the year is “very much doable”.

However, the government has to observe the United Kingdom SARSCoV-2 variant situation in the country; the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the easing of age restriction and placing Metro Manila under GCQ. Moving forward, Lopez said they will continue the gradual and safe reopening of business and economic activities.

One of the sectors they are considering for reopening under GCQ areas includes some segments of the tourism sector such as

he Department of Trade Industry (DTI) has bared its e-commerce roadmap, eyeing the sector to value at PHP1.2 trillion or sharing 5.5 percent of the economy by 2022.

From 2020’s baseline value of PHP599 billion, or contributing 3.4 percent to gross domestic product (GDP), DTI targets e-commerce to grow its GDP share to 4.3 percent or infusing PHP850 billion in the domestic economy.

“Further, we hope to increase the number of e-commerce enterprises

from 500,000 in 2020 to 750,000 by 2021, and 1 million by 2022,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in a virtual briefing on Friday.

Lopez added that the country should take advantage how the pandemic boosted the local e-commerce industry.

“As our economy recovers from the pandemic, we can harness the fast-growing e-commerce in the country to boost our economic growth. We’ve already seen how e-commerce has come to our rescue – and was ready to fill the void left by brick-and-

mortar businesses unable to serve our people – because of the lockdowns,” he said.

The DTI chief said that in order to grow the e-commerce sector in the country, there should be a fast, reliable, and affordable communications network coupled with efficient financial and logistics systems and infrastructure.

The structure should also be put in place such as e-government, e-commerce institutions, skills capacity and trainings, he added.

The local e-commerce

museums and other tourist places that can still maintain the minimum public health protocol.

“That is a big consideration – to reopen other parts of tourism. We will study that. There is a chance to reopen it, but we will study it first,” he added.

Lopez also called on the public to strictly practice the minimum health standards in order to avoid the risk of contracting Covid-19.

He said that the strict compliance to the public health standard will help in reopening more business activities that will also allow economic recovery.

(PNA) environment shall also be secured by reinforcing improvements in regulations for internet transactions, established security standards, and well-informed online sellers and buyers.

“Building trust is our challenge. Unfortunately, the uptake of e-commerce has resulted in an increase in consumer complaints,” Lopez said.

According to the DTI Consumer Protection Group, complaints related to online transactions hit 15,947 in 2020. For January 2021 alone, online complaints reached 857.

DTI eyes e-commerce’s share of PH economy at 5.5% in 2022

T

he Department of Agriculture (DA) has projected 1.62 million metric tons (MMT) of additional rice production which is valued at PHP24.26 billion to attain a national yield of 20.44 MMT this year.

“This is coming from the intervention made last year with the distribution of inbred and hybrid seeds to rice farmers. It was purposely made to top-up the achievable production based on last year’s data,” DA Undersecretary and chief-of-staff Cheryl Caballero said during a phone interview on Friday.

The DA official presented the data during the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) Recharge PH briefer on Friday.

It showed that 943,793 bags of hybrid seeds were distributed to 395,130 farmers. These were planted in 728,890 hectares in various parts of the country for the first phase of the risk resiliency project (RRP1).

For the second phase of RRP, some 361,022 farmers were recorded as recipients to which they planted in 478,787 hectares.

On the other hand, there are 543,489 bags of inbred seeds distributed to some 533,116 farmers that were planted in 533,116 hectares. For the second phase, 192,526 farmers planted it in 225,401 hectares of land.

Caballero shared that the DA sourced the fund

from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and General Appropriations Act. For his part, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that the more than 1 million MMT increment in rice production is a solid guarantee they will reach 95 percent rice sufficiency level.

“Last year, despite perfect storm which includes the eruption of Taal Volcano, the Covid-19 pandemic, the African swine fever, and the series of typhoons, the country managed to attain a 19.4 MMT national yield. Pinakamataas sa history ng rice production sa bansa (highest in history of rice production here),” he said.

Dar said the import level for rice is starting to go down as local production continues to grow with interventions and assistance for seeds, fertilizer, and capacity building.

He also noted the efforts of the farmers, fishers, and stakeholders for positive growth posted by the agriculture sector in 2020.

Through their “One DA” holistic approach, the agriculture office said it will continue to roll out projects to empower farmers towards a food secure and resilient Philippines.

The RRP which was started in May 2020 was allocated with a PHP8.5 billion fund under the Plant, Plant, Plant Program in 16 rice-producing regions in the country.

DAVAO 4 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

On the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA 11) forecast that the inflation rate, employment and investments in Davao Region will improve this year: By commodity group lower inflation rates out of 11 commodities in 2020 while one remain unchanged which is the food and non-alcoholic beverages and three commodity groups registered slightly higher inflation rate.”

Maria Lourdes Lim NEDA 11 Regional Director

EDITORIAL

No compelling reason to fight

Manny Pacquiao is at the crossroads of an illustrious boxing career and he needs to decide now which road to take. Will it be the road to permanent retirement from the sport, or to continue fighting.

Last week, the Filipino boxing icon was technically “stripped” of his World Boxing Association (WBA) “super” welterweight champion for inactivity. Senator Pacquiao won the “super” title in July 2019 over American Keith Thurman but has not since defended the belt due to the pandemic.

So the WBA declared the Filipino boxing superstar as a “champion in recess” in its most recent resolution.

In handing down the decision, the WBA said: “Filipino Manny Pacquiao has been named Champion in Recess by the World Boxing Association WBA in a resolution issued by the Championships Committee, while Cuban Yordenis Ugas was promoted to Welterweight Super Champion.”

The basis for declaring Manny ‘in recess’ is Rule C.22-24 which states that “when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess.”

Before the WBA declaration, Manny had two bizarre fight plans. One was supposedly against MMA superstar Conor McGregor. The other is a

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

fight against youngster Ryan Garcia, the undefeated lightweight prospect.

Both scenarios are odd in so many ways. First, fighting McGregor, who also fought Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring and lost miserably, means he will exploring the boxing versus MMA discussion which has not been a very attractive proposition considering the Mayweather-McGregor fight. The bout with McGregor fell through when the Irishman lost his UFC match against Dustin Poirier. Second scenario would have to be the ugly prospect of Manny, now 42 years old, will be fighting a kid old enough to be his son in 22-year old Garcia. That means, Garcia wasn’t even born yet when Manny fought his first professional fight on January 22, 1995 at the age of 16.

Against Garcia, it would not look good for Manny’s image and reputation to play as the spoiler to a young man’s rise. But it is not also remote that this kid will send Manny to retirement and that is not even being disrespectful.

Either way, there seems to be no compelling reason for Manny to return to the ring. He has become a far better individual after an otherwise phenomenal boxing career.

Those two fight options are trash.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL GRACE M. BORDIOS Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. DR. MAURO L. PUYOD Consultant Cartoonist Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

5

BDO NETWORK BANK, INC.

Balance Sheet - Head Office and Branches (as of December 31, 2020) ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

foreign bank)

foreign bank)

Amount Current Quarter Previous Quarter 2,473,129,227.76 1,445,244,076.36 380,279,925.30 84,095,210.98 1,169,023,875.83 1,452,291,859.24 3,046,511,084.65 3,055,686,923.81 334,419,030.71 335,276,284.87 29,407,987,406.30 27,291,553,716.17 29,616,852,197.31 27,561,159,427.08 208,864,791.01 269,605,710.91 614,039,893.94 295,442,626.17 1,950,030,817.14 1,909,123,804.57 3,826,556.54 3,911,499.86 1,380,028,447.57 1,231,045,670.23 40,759,276,265.74 37,103,671,672.26

33,450,774,957.59 381,777,777.76 777,646,174.28 34,610,198,909.63

29,799,608,435.36 392,684,076.25 773,920,021.20 30,966,212,532.81

5,806,871,778.55 (25,991,318.68) 368,196,896.24 6,149,077,356.11

5,806,871,778.55 (37,609,535.34) 368,196,896.24 6,137,459,139.45

40,759,276,265.74

37,103,671,672.26

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

Amount Current Quarter Previous Quarter 10,358,117.20 48,587,072.86 10,358,117.20 48,587,072.86

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 31,344,471,319.49 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 1,727,619,122.18 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 2,418,426,286.58 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 7.72 c. Net NPLs 1,102,066,860.20 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 3.52 e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 80.07 f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 71.44 Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 3,959,713,536.70 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 11.38 b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 0.03 Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 1.99 Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) 14.88 b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) 14.03 c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 14.03 Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00

29,379,759,131.00 1,818,599,703.92 2,738,190,913.66 9.32 1,601,578,594.73 5.45 76.26 66.42 4,115,783,607.54 11.39 0.02 4.61 15.38 14.53 14.53 0.00 0.00

We, Roger C. Basco and Jesus Antonio S. Itchon of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) ROGELIO C. BASCO Operations Group Head

(SGD.) JESUS ANTONIO S. ITCHON President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 25th day of January 2021 at Davao City, Philippines, affiant exhibiting their Driver LicenseNo. N03-08-001465 and SSS No. 03-6988730-4 respectively.

Book No. ______ Page No. ______ Series of 2021

6 EDGEDAVAO

NEDA... FROM2

March of 2020,” she said.

Moreover, she said restrictions of the movement of persons dampened the demand for travel and leisure services, restaurant services and other non-essential services.

On the other hand, employment rate is expected to improve this year due to the resumption of businesses in Davao Region.

“This may still at lower level compared to the preCovid employment rate recorded in early 2020, “ she said.

Lim also reported that the region’s employment rate is generally high except during the second quarter of 2020 when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed.

She said currently employment rate is 82.1 percent or 14.8 percentage points lower than the employment rate recorded during the same time last year.

Meanwhile, in terms of investments, according to Lim despite the setbacks due to the pandemic the

REPUBLIC O THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE O THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, -versus-

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expressed optimism on the business outlook in 2021 as government will continue to implement recovery plan programs.

“The inflow of foreign direct investments is expected to pick up,” she said.

Lim added that despite difficulties due to pandemic, NEDA 11 remains optimistic that there will be opportunities that will help Davao Region rise from the crisis. Maya M. Padillo

MINDA... FROM2

presented by Board Member Sherwin Mylil Begyan in the last MinDA Board meeting, was an offshoot of the controversy involving an attempt by infrastructure developers in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, to fell a 300-year-old towering Toog Tree to give way to a road widening,” Piñol said.

Piñol said the attempt to cut down the tree angered residents who viewed it as a heritage that "must be preserved and protected for the next generations".

The San Francisco residents, headed by a retired public works engineer Mauro Bravo, formed the advocacy group STOP (Save The Toog Tree Please) suc-

ceeded in stopping two recent attempts to cut down the tree.

The MinDA chief quoted Begyan as saying that "heritage Trees are our links to the past when Mindanao teemed with centuries-old hardwoods. The next generation of Mindanaoans must be given a chance to see these giant trees.” (PNA)

Westbrook bombed in three 3-pointers during his 26-point performance, but the Wizards were out-

scored 36-21 by the Hawks from beyond the arc.

Garrison Mathews added 10 points off the bench

for Washington, which lost its fourth straight in the opener of a three-game homestand.

YOUNG’S... FROM11

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 12-Family Court Davao City

R-DVO-19-01142-SP FOR: PETITION FOR ADOPTION

MERYLE B. PIALAGO married to FELSON S. PIALAGO Mortgagor/s.

IN THE MATTER OF TE ADOPTION OF JANNAH GLEE MAINOPAZ

EJF-REMCASENO. 17,858-21

SPOUSES GLENN L. SESICAN AND REGIELAND MAINOPAZ-SESICAN Petitioners

FOR: EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 as amended X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

Upon extra-judicial petition f¬or sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgage against MERYLE B. PIALAGO married to FELSON S. PIALAGO with postal address at POBLACION PRES. MANUEL A. ROXAS ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of December 11, 2020, the outstanding obligation of the mortgagors with the mortgagee amounts to P2,164,826,56 Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty, and other charges thereon from the said date up to the date of the foreclosure sale, publication, other foreclosure expenses; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on February 11, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and describe below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-405169 “A parcel of land (Lot 10, Block 8 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd148815, being a portion of Lot 338-B-2-C, described on plan (LRC) Psd-71201, LRC Cad. Record No. 317), situated in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx containing an area of TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY (280) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event that the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MARCH 4, 2021 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, January 13, 2021.

FOR: Atty. Francisco M. Campaner – the OIC Clerk of Court/Ex-Officio Prov’l Sherif

X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

ORDER Petitioners filed a verified petition praying that they be allowed to adopt as their own child, JANNAH GLEE MAINOPAZ, minor, who was born on October 18, 2002 in Davao city, that proposed adoptee is the illegitimate child of co-petitioner Regieland Mainopaz-Sesican; that the adoptee be declared the child of the petitioners for all legal intents and purposes and the adoptee be allowd to use the surname of petitioners, SESICAN and that her name as appearing on her Certificate of Live Birth be changed from “JANNAH GLEE MAINOPAZ” to “JANNAH GLEE MAINOPAZ SESICAN”.

In the Manifestation previously filed by Social Welfare Officer ll Joel Paulino C. Caturan dated November 6, 2019, he favorably recommended the adoption of the said child of the petitioners.

WHEREFORE, let the petition be set for hearing on March 22, 2021 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at which date and time, all persons concerned may appear to show cause, if any, why the prayer in the petition shall not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

Notify all parties concerned and the Solicitor General through this Order.

SO ORDERED. Davao City, Philippines, January 15, 2021. (sgd) DANTE A. BAGUIO Presiding Judge

BRIX IAN J. NARBASA Sheriff IV Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION Branch 52, Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION Branch 8, Davao City

R-DVO-19-05581-LR

SP.PROC.NO. R-DVO-20-02972-SP

IN THE MATTER OF THE RECONSTITUTION OF REGIONAL COPIES OF LOST TRANSFER CERTIFICATES OF TITLE NOS. TCT NO. T-254949, TCT NO. T-254950 AND TCT NO. T-0254951 UNDER THE NAME OF DACON CORPORATION

IN RE: IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF MINORS JOSH TIFFTON MARQUEZ YAO AND LANCE GREGOIRE MARQUEZ YAO.

DACON CORPORATION represented by ROBERTO B. BATUHAN or JOY B. FAJARDO,

Petitioner

X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

ORDER The Ex-Parte Motion to Issue Order, filed by Atty. Redencio C. Villarivera, counsel for the Petitioner, is hereby granted.

A “Petition for Reconstitution of Original Copies of Lost Transfer Certificates of Title Nos. TCT Nos. TCT NO. T-254949, TCT NO. T-254950 AND TCT NO. T-0254951 Under the Name of Dacon Corporation” was filed wherein petitioner prays that after notice, publication and hearing, an Order/Decision be rendered to declare the Original Transfer Certificates of Title Nos. TCT NO. T-254949, TCT NO. T-254950 AND TCT NO. T-0254951 as having been lost and order the Register or Deeds of Davao City to issue new Original Transfer Certificates of Title to replace the lost titles.

WHEREFORE, finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given set for hearing on May 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.. Anyone interested in petition may appear and show cause, I any, why the same should not be GRANTED. Let this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

At least fifteen (15) days prior to the schedule hearing, let copies of this Order be posted at the expense of the Petitioners on the bulletin boards of the following: 1.

Hall of Justice, Regional Trial Court, Davao City 2.

The City Hall of Davao City 3.

Barangay Hall of Matina Crossing, Davao City Notify the Petitioner thru this Order.

The Hearing of the Petition set on February 5, 2021 is hereby ordered cancelled.

SO ORDERED Davao City, Philippines, November 12, 2020 (sgd.) RONALD S. TOLENTINO Judge

IAN BONN S. BOLIPATA Petitioner ORDER This is a verified petition for the adoption of minors Josh Tiffton Marquez Yao and Lance Gregoire Marquez Yao. Petitioner is hereby ordered to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines (OSG) with a copy of his petition and its annexes, within three (3) days from receipt of this Order, and to submit proof thereof to the Court, thereafter. Upon receipt thereof, OSG shall enter its appearance in this case within fifteen (15) days from receipt hereof.

The verified petition being sufficient in form and substance, the presentation and marking of petitioner’s exhibits proving compliance with jurisdictional requirements is hereby set on April 12, 2021 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the Branch Clerk of Court.

The marking of Petitioner’s other exhibits in support of this Petition including all the documents intended to be attached to the petitioner’s and their witness/es’ respective judicial affidavits is hereby set on April 23, 2021 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the Branch Clerk of Court.

The said judicial affidavits, together with the duly-marked attachments, shall be filed in Court not later than April 28, 2021.

Set the presentation of evidence for the petitioners to May 3, 2021 and May 4, 2021 both at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Social worker Mr. Joel Caturan is hereby directed to submit separate child case study and home case study reports to address, particularly, the following: i. the availability of the minor for adoption; and ii. the qualifications of petitioners, pursuant to Republic Act 8552, otherwise Know as the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998”,within thirty (300 days from receipt of this Order Petitioner is hereby directed to cause the publication of this order at their expense, once a week for three(3) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation, which has been selected after raffle, in the City and the four (4) provinces of Davao and submit proof of compliance thereof, within ten(10) dyas from reipt of this Order.

Any person interested or who seeks to oppose the instant petition may appear to state why said petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED. Davao City Philippines, October 13, 2020. (sgd.) GLENN DC. AQUINO Presiding Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES 11TH JUDICIAL REGION Branch 52, Davao City

R-DVO-20-01805-SP IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY ON THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ROSANNA PENDON BUTI BEARING REGISTRY NO. 2007-13596, PARTICULARLY HER YEAR OF BIRTH FROM 1959 TO 1956 IN ITEM NO. 3, ROSANNA PENDON BUTI Petitioner, Versus THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY

ORDER A Petition for “Correction of Erroneous Entry on the Certificate of Live Birth of Rosanna pendon Buti bearing Registry No. 2007-13596, Particularly her year of Birth from 1959 to 1956 in Item No. 3” was filed wherein petitione prays that after notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Local Civil registrar of Davao City to correct the year of birth in Item no.

3 from 1959 to 1956.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on March 12, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. on which date and time, all persons concerned may appear to show cause, if any, why the prayer in the petition shall not be granted.

Let this order be published at the expense of the Petition in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Petitioner is further directed to furmish the Solicitor general with a copy of the Petition and the latter is directed to appear for the State.

Notify all parties concerned through this Order.

SO ORDERED DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINE, OCTOBER 6, 2020 (sgd.) RONALD S. TOLENTINO Presiding Judge Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City BDO UNIBANK, INC., Mortgagee, - versus -

EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,857-21

CHANDA C. BACCOL, as Attorney-in-fact, of GINA B. ISHI /Debtors/Mortgagors, X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

AMENDED NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against CHANDA C. BACCOL, in her capacity as Attorney-in-Fact of GINA B. ISHII Debtors/Mortgagors, of legal age, Filipino , with postal addresses at 113 Daisy Street, Landmark III Subdivision, Sasa, Davao City and Unit 321 Nottingham Bldg., Camella Northpoint Davao corner J. P. Laurel Avenue Bajada, Davao City, Davao Del Sur to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of December 7, 2020, the subject obligation is the amount of PESOS: TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED THIRTY TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE and 52/100 (Php 2,232,655.52), Philippine Currency, to date, said obligation remains unpaid despite repeated demands of mortgagee, inclusive of interests and penalties and other charges and expenses relating to the foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on FEBRUARY 18, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency, the following real property with all its improvements found thereon particularly described below, to wit: CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017-000413 “Unit 321-A residential type condominium unit number 321 at Nottingham Building of Camella Northpoint, situated in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of TWENTY ONE (21) SQUARE METERS, more or less, at the third floor level and a ledge area of ONE POINT TWENTY square meters (1.20 sq.m.) more or less, located at the third floor level with a total area of TWENTY TWO POINT TWENTY square meters(22.20) sq.m.more or less.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on March 11, 2021 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the herein above-described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, January 19, 2021

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER The OIC Clerk of Court / Ex-Officio Prov’l. Sheriff:

(sgd.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS

Sheriff IV

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 44th Regular Session Series of 2020 PRESENT: Councilor Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Sebastian Z. Duterte Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ORDINANCE NO. 0429-20 Series of 2020

AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING THE FEES AND ESTABLISHING POLICIES FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A CITY-OWNED AND OPERATED CREMATORIUM Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING THE FEES AND ESTABLISHING POLICIES FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A CITY-OWNED AND OPERATED CREMATORIUM.” SECTION 2. COVERAGE - This Ordinance shall apply to the crematorium duly owned and operated by the City Government of Davao and all those that may hereafter be acquired by the City of Davao.

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION OF CREMATORIUM - The administration, operation and maintenance of all City-owned and operated crematorium shall be under the control and supervision of the Head of the City Economic Enterprise, who shall be the Crematorium Administrator and shall ensure that the provisions of this Ordinance are strictly enforced and complied with.

SECTION 4. IMPOSITION OF FEES - There shall be collected the following fees for the City-owned and operated crematorium: 1. Cremation Service Fee Adult - P20,000.00 Youth (12-18 years old) - P15,000.00 Children (below 12 years old) - P10,000.00 Cremation of Bones/Remains - P10,000.00 Infant - P7,500.00 2. Other Fees

Cremation Permit - P100.00 SECTION 5. EXEMPTION - In cases where the cause of death is COVID-19, they shall be exempted from the payment of the above-mentioned fees.

SECTION 6. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS - The following documents shall be submitted to the Crematorium Administrator upon application for cremation: 1. Duly Accomplished Cremation Schedule Form; 2. Death Certificate; 3. Cremation Permit; and 4. Official Receipt evidencing payment of necessary fees.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid by competent authority, such judgment or action shall not affect or impair the other sections or provisions hereof.

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE - All other city ordinances, Executive Orders and rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby deemed amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect upon approval.

ENACTED, on the 3rd day of December 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

ATTESTED:

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

JAN 08 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

7

Pag-IBIG home loan releases hit record-high amid pandemic

T

he Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) said it has reached a record-high of PHP12.11 billion worth of home loan disbursements in December 2020 amid the economic downturn posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement Friday, Pag-IBIG said the amount of home loan disbursements has increased up to six percent or PHP640 million higher than PHP11.47 billion posted in December 2019.

Housing czar Sec. Eduardo del Rosario said Pag-IBIG was able to provide homes to more of its members even during the pandemic.

“Our home loan takeouts in December is the highest for a single month in PagIBIG Fund’s history. Because of it, we were able to finance the acquisition of 12,275 homes for our members in December alone, which is also a record-high,” del Rosario, also Pag-IBIG Fund board chairperson said.

Del Rosario said the

agency has released about PHP63.75 billion for home loan applications within the year 2020, “allowing 63,750 members to acquire their own homes.”

Of the total amount, some PHP7.1 billion or 11-percent were released as socialized home loans for the benefit of 16,975 Pag-IBIG Fund members who belong to the minimum wage and low-income sectors, he added.

Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Moti said their disbursements from September to December were near to “pre-pandemic” levels despite slow releases in March and April.

“We released more than PHP6 billion to PHP7 billion in home loans every month, reaching its peak in December when releases reached over PHP12 billion,” said Moti. “The year 2020 may not have been record-breaking in terms of numbers, but it was a story of grit and resiliency as we were able to bounce back quickly.”

Pag-IBIG said it could have achieved another milestone year in 2020, if not for the pandemic, as the loan releases in January and February were higher by 17-percent compared to the same period in 2019.

“Home loan releases dipped to PHP3.8 billion in March and P883 million in April. But, as restrictions were eased, home loan figures started to recover in as early as May when disbursements jumped to PHP1.2 billion and rose even higher to PHP2.9 billion in June,” he added.

Moti then attributed the recovery in the latter half of the year 2020 due to the easing of quarantine restrictions.

“Looking at the bigger picture, the improvement in numbers does not only mean increased homeownership among Filipinos. It also means that Pag-IBIG Fund is able to take part in ensuring the safety of our members and their families, especially during this time of a pandemic,” Moti said.

tal organizations are batting for raising swine. Among the advantages of raising this livestock include the following: · From the standpoint of the efficient production of meat, pigs are superior to cattle, goats, or sheep when the feed they are eating is of a high quality. However, when the feed is of lower quality, swine is not as efficient as ruminant livestock. · Pigs are voracious eaters of crop by-products, offal of livestock and poultry, kitchen leftovers, restaurant refuse, and grain damaged by rain or fire. Pigs convert

these efficiently into pork. · Pigs of all classes, except young piglets, can tolerate all kinds of feeds, even (to some extent) low quality, highly fibrous foods. Pregnant sows can be fed with freshly cut forage or corn soilage mixed with a small amount of protein food concentrate to reduce cost while improving the sow’s reproductive efficiency. · Pigs can produce two litters per year or as many as five litters in two years. · Pigs can contribute a considerable amount of fertilizing manure to the soil.

A mature pig can produce

600 to 700 kilograms of manure annually. The nitrogen content of fresh pig manure ranges from 0.55-0.6%; the phosphate content, 0.5%; and the potassium content, 0.4%.

But “despite being dynamic and technologically advanced, the local pig industry is still confronted with inefficiency of production due to low sow productivity, high mortality due to inefficient diagnostic tools, and lack of native pig genetic resource conservation, improvement and utilization initiative,” said the PCAARRD.

PORK... FROM8

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

BUBBLE...

FROM 10

day night.

On the other hand, BDO UNIBANK, INC., athletes from three com Mortgagee, bat sports – karatedo, tae- versus - kwondo, and boxing – have

EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,861-21

likewise pushed through MICHAEL A. ROBLEDO, JR. with their training ahead of /Debtors/Mortgagors, the qualifiers for the Tokyo X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X Olympics.

The PSC said the trainNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY ing for the Olympic qualifiers is “at the forefront of Upon extra-judicial petition sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the efforts at this time.” above-mentioned mortgagee against MICHAEL A.ROBLEDO, JR.,with postal addresses at 1.) Sitio Kaimito, Barangay Miranda, Babak, Island “We only have IATF Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; and, 2) Blk. 10, Lot 12, Phase 1, go-signal to resume training Illumina Estates Subdivision, Cabantian, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage for the Olympics as of now,” indebtedness which as of November 16, 2020, the subject obligation has amounted to PESOS: ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY NINE PSC national training direcTHOUSAND FORTY TWO & 47/100 (P 1,179,042.27), and plus other legal tor Marc Velasco said. expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the These national athletes Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on March 4, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, are inside a training bubble Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH and/or Manager’s Check and in at the Inspire Sports AcadePhilippine Currency, the following real property with all its improvements found my in Calamba. thereon particularly described below, to wit: “The training must be in TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017016979 a bubble setup, especially for contact sports,” Velasco LOT NO. : 12 BLOCK NO. 10 PLAN NO.: PCS-112402-005623 PORTION OF : LOT 1 AND 2, PCS-11-005066; added. “We want to field LOCATION : BARANGAY OF CABANTIAN, CITY OF a competitive team for all

DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX scheduled games. We know AREA : ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY SQUARE METERS

(180) MORE OR LESS how important it is to resume formal training. HowAll sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated ever, we also find ourselves time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall in unique times at the mobe held on March 25, 2021 without further notice. ment and we work on what Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the we can and are allowed to title of the herein above-described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, January 22, 2021 do.”

Most of the national For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER athletes from these sports The OIC Clerk of Court / Ex-Officio Prov’l. Sheriff: are expected to be called

up anew for the SEA Games

(sgd.) JOSEPH T. CASTRO , JR

Sheriff IV training. (PNA)

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Pork: Filipinos’ most favorite meat

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

S

wine, hog or pig – that’s how they are called. Unearthed archaeological evidence showed that pigs were domesticated from wild boar as early as 13,000–12,700 BC in the Near East in the Tigris Basin; they were managed in the wild in a way similar to the way they are managed by some modern New Guineans. Remains of pigs have been dated to earlier than 11,400 BC in Cyprus.

What most Filipinos don’t know is that swine production is a staggering P191-billion industry. In fact, it ranks next to rice with 18.28% contribution to the total value of agricultural production, according to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

“Swine production plays a major role in ensuring the country’s food security by providing about 60% of the total animal meat consumption of Filipinos,” the Laguna-based PCAARRD said, adding that in terms of volume of pork production and the number of breeding sows, the Philippines ranks eighth in the world.

It is understandable. After all, pork – the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig – is one of the most commonly consumed meats of Filipinos. It is eaten both freshly cooked and preserved. Curing extends

the shelf life of the pork products. Hams, smoked pork, gammon, bacon and sausage are examples of preserved pork.

In rural provinces, “lechon” (roasted pig) is a popular tradition shared to celebrate important occasions (like fiestas, Christmas, weddings, and parties) and to form bonding, especially during birthdays.

A report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said that an average Filipino consumes about 14.2 kilograms of pork – that’s 2 kilograms more than the world’s average pork consumption.

In the Holy Bible, eating pork was prohibited in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament, some scholars said that it is no longer forbidden. What is sinful are those that come out from the mouth.

But whether eating pork is verboten or not, Filipinos have been eating meat since time immemorial. “The Philippines, before it was

even called the Philippines, has always favored pork,” wrote Gela Velasco, author of an article, “The History of Meat in the Philippines: Why Our Markets Carry Chicken, Beef and Pork but Not Horse or Crocodile.”

“Pig meat was often raised as offerings to the gods to curry their favor. Pigs are also considered indigenous to our lands, with the Tagalog word ‘baboy’ also having variations in the Indonesian ‘babi’ and ‘bawi’ in Malayan. The existence of these similar words in neighboring countries is important because they confirm that pig was a pre-colonial food source in Southeast Asia.”

About 71% of the swine population are raised in backyard farms while 29% are in commercial farms. In almost every rural household in the Philippines, swine raising is a very popular enterprise, according to Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. After all, no other backyard animal has the same versatility as the swine. In the past, a farm family almost always invested their wealth in a pig. After all, out of pigs you can get pork, bacon, and sausage. They also acted as refuse bin, eating all the scraps and family’s leftovers. When asked if the head of the family has any money, the usual reply is: “I don’t have. All my money is in the pig.”

When people stopped raising pigs, they made a replica where they could “put their money in.” In the time, the practice of saving money in a pig came into existence and was called a “piggy bank.”

Pigs are not only for eating. The by-products of pork have varied uses.

Pigskin, for instance, is used for the manufacture of shoes, razor strops, belts and other leather goods.

The inedible fat (excluding lard) is utilized in the manufacture of soaps, animal feeds, lubricants, leather dressing, candles, fertilizer, shaving cream, and chem-

icals.

Hair from hogs also has uses: toothbrushes; mattresses and upholstery for furniture, cars, and passenger airplanes; air filters; baseball mitts; and parachute seat pads.

A number of pharmaceutical products are made from swine glands. Physicians are known to use insulin, liver extract, and other medicines, made in whole or in part from hogs’ glands. They use these preparations to treat people afflicted with diabetes, anemia, and arthritis.

The collagen of connective tissues like sinew, lips, head, knuckles, feet and bones is made into glue and gelatin. Gelatin is used in canning hams and other large cuts and in baking, ice cream making, capsules for medicine, coating for pills and photography.

As of April 2020, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the total swine population was 12.71 million heads.

This was 0.2% lower than the 12.73 head stocks registered in the same period in 2019. While population of swine in backyard farms decreased by 1.8%, the stocks in commercial farms registered an increase of 2.6%.

“Of the total swine inventory, 62.3% were raised in backyard farms while the remaining 37.7% were from commercial farms,” PSA said.

The decrease of raising swine in the backyard was probably due to African swine fever (ASF). But Filipino farmers who raise swine in their backyard said they will again raise swine once ASF is controlled.

“The strong growth in demand for pork has the potential to increase income opportunities and alleviate poverty among rural and agricultural households in the Philippines, where rural poverty remains high,” a position paper said.

The PCAARRD, the Department of Agriculture, and some non-governmen-

FPORK, P7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

9

Manny Pacquiao during his fight against Keith Thurman. Wendell Alinea, MP Promotions/File

Pacquiao declared 'champion in recess' due to inactivity M anny Pacquiao is no longer the World Boxing Association (WBA) "super" welterweight champion.

This after the WBA declared the Filipino boxing superstar as a "champion in recess" in its most recent

resolution.

"Filipino Manny Pacquiao has been named Champion in Recess by the

Young's 41 points carry Hawks past Wizards

T

rae Young stalled a Washington rally with his fourth 3-pointer of the game and added a fifth shortly thereafter, helping the visiting Atlanta Hawks hold off the Wizards 116-100 on Friday night.

Young went for 41 points in a head-to-head with NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal, propelling the Hawks to a fifth win in their last seven games.

Beal, who began the day with a 35.4-point scoring average, had 26 points for the Wizards, tying Russell Westbrook for teamhigh honors.

After leading by as many as 23 in the third quarter, the Hawks found themselves in a game after the Wizards ran off 11 straight points to get within 102-92 with still 5:08 remaining. Rui Hachimura had five of the 11 points, including a 3-pointer.

But Young countered with a 3-pointer at the 4:53 mark, then added another 29 seconds later to help the Hawks pull away.

Young finished 10-for18 from the field, 5-for-9 on 3-pointers and 16-for17 at the free throw line en route to his second-highest point total of the season.

He had a season-high 43 at Minnesota last Friday.

It was his eighth time over 30 points this season.

John Collins chipped in with 17 points, Clint Capela with a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double and Danilo Gallinari with 11 points off the bench for the Hawks, who were coming off a 132-128 overtime loss at home to Brooklyn.

Beal's 26 points left him four shy of a seventh straight game with 30 or more. He shot 10-for-26 overall, but missed all eight of his 3-point attempts.

FYOUNG, P6

World Boxing Association WBA in a resolution issued by the Championships Committee, while Cuban Yordenis Ugas was promoted to Welterweight Super Champion," the WBA said in its official website.

"Rule C.22-24 states

that when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess."

Pacquiao won the "super" title in July 2019 when he dominated American

Keith Thurman.

But the boxer, also a sitting senator, has not defended the belt since then due to the pandemic.

Pacquiao is reportedly working out a fight against rising lightweight Ryan Garcia, but it is rumored to be a

10-round exhibition match.

He was also rumored to be eyeing a crossover match against MMA superstar Conor McGregor, but the bout fell through when the Irishman lost his UFC match against Dustin Poirier.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles against Washington Wizards guard Raul Neto (19) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters

10 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 245 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1, 2021

BUBBLE SETUP

PSC in talks with POC for athletes’ training for SEAG

P

hilippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Mon Fernandez said Friday he is discussing with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) about possibly resuming the practices for national athletes who will compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

“As the CDM (chef de mission) and a PSC commissioner, I am as interested as everyone for our teams to resume formal training and we are working on it,” Fernandez said.

Athletes from four sports have been given the green light to push through with their training this month amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic ahead of the competitions they would join.

The Gilas Pilipinas Men were the first to begin their practice in the buildup for the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Despite needing to give up the hosting rights for the matches for Group A, where Gilas Men are placed, and Group C due

to the travel ban in place to curb the spread of the more transmissive Covid-19 variant from the United Kingdom, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) assured that the national team will still be in action next month, even if it needs to travel to Doha.

“We’re confident that our Gilas Pilipinas Men’s team will be ready for competition come February as the SBP continues to work with the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) to seek their guidance about the protocols necessary for our team to travel to and from Doha,” SBP president Al Panlilio said on Thurs-

FBUBBLE, P7

Dabawenya boxer and Olympic hopeful Nesthy Petecio in training. Nesthy Petecio FB page

FPANDEMIC, P10