Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 52 | Saturday, May 15, 2021

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SURVEILLANCE City targets sidewalk vendors, laborers for swab testing

STORY ON PAGE 2

A resident eats her breakfast atop a concrete dike while monitoring the water level of Talomo River in Taal, Bangkal, Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

SURVEILLANCE

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Thursday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

11 awards over P500k City targets sidewalk vendors, DOLE grant under TUPAD in DavOcc laborers for swab testing T

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he city government of Davao has its eyes trained on sidewalk vendors, laborers, and boat passengers at the Sasa Wharf and Toril Fish Port for the next surveillance swabbing activities.

The surveillance swab testing aims to track down possible Covid-19 infections as slight increase in the number of confirmed cases was recorded last week.

The sidewalk vendors,

laborers, passenger boat operators, and other labor workforce at the Sasa Wharf and market are scheduled to get tested on May 13, while laborers and other labor workforce particularly those at the

Toril Fish Port are on May 14, 2021.

The City Health Office ((CHO) will also be conducting swab testing on the victims of the Barangay Ilang and Barangay Tibungco fire incidents in their designated evacuation centers.

The city has intensified the surveillance swab testing by establishing swabbing corners in some district health centers.

CHO acting head Dr.

he proposed training facility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the ancestral domain of Manobo and B’laan tribes in Barangay Kalbay, Jose Abad Santos (JAS), Davao Occidental is not essential as there has been an existing facility situated near the province.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Brig.

Gen. Filmore Escobal said that based on the memorandum he got from the higher headquarters of the PNP Camp Crame, the proposed project is no longer necessary because of adequate PNP training facilities in the country.

“So, there is no need to establish a training camp there. Kahit nga ako, I am really at a loss to think

na bakit magkaroon ng training school doon. I don’t know other reasons but there are some reports or haka-haka na there’re other reasons why they need to inspect there,” he said.

It can be recalled that Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista has opposed the construction of the facility and housing project.

Ashley Lopez said that swabbing corners in some district health centers in the city are already operating.

“Atong swab units sa mga district offices are already open. Kasagaran sa mga district health offices nato naa na pud na silay swab units. Ato nang gi-mandate ang pag-implement sa ILI surveillance activities sa atong mga district health centers (The swab units

The project was initiated by a certain Gregorio Day, who claimed to be a provincial Indigenous Peoples mandatory representative.

Bautista said Day donated 30 hectares of land for the building of the PNP training facility and housing project.

Bautista insisted that the land under ancestral domain is owned by

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he Department of Labor and Employment XI (DOLE) through its Davao Occidental Field Office (DOCFO) awarded P534,600.00 grant under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for the Community Pabahay sa Barangay Program in Brgy. San Agustin, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental on April 30, 2021.

Through the partnership of DOLE XI and the Provincial and Barangay Local Government Unit of Davao Occidental, the joint project Community

Pabahay sa Barangay Program aims to provide shelter to the single parents, widowed, and povertystricken senior citizens of the said barangay.

The beneficiaries will build their own houses using the materials and equipment provided by the Province and BLGU and will be compensated through DOLE’s TUPAD. “We are delighted to be a part of this program. DOLE is hoping that through this project, our beneficiaries will have security and comfort. May this project be an opportunity for them to have a more productive life,”

members of the tribal community. In this case, he said, Day has no legal personality to donate the land that he does not own and has neither a legitimate title nor the title of Provincial Chieftain of the Manobo and B’laan tribes.

The governor even questioned the conduct of environmental and social

scanning inspection in the area by the PNP Composite teams from Special Action Force, Regional Police Offices 11 and 12 led by a certain Brig. Gen. Joselito Daniel from Camp Crame’s Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).

Accordingly, the purpose of the ocular

FDOLE, P7

PNP facility in Dav Occ not essential: BG Escobal T

FPNP, P7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

NEWS 3

Passenger motorboats plying Sta. Ana Port-Samal sea route are docked at Sta. Ana Port on Friday after the Philippine Coast Guard-Southern Mindanao issued an order temporarily suspending sea travel due to Tropical Depression “Crising.”

Edge Davao

DavNor IP Youth, SK tapped for ELCAC

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he Davao del Norte Indigenous People (IP) Youth and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) are now participating in the implementation of Executive No. 70 ‘Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)’.

During a recent Kapihan sa DavNor, IP Youth President, Datu Casey Jay Dansigan revealed that he has received a letter from the National Task ForceELCAC tasking him to be the facilitating authority in regards to programs for IP youth surrenderees.

“Mao na pud na ang tutokan namo karon. Diha na nato ihatag ang atoang mga benepisyo gikan sa goberno nga i-abot nato sa ilaha (That’s what we will focus on now. We will reach out to them the services of the government),” he said.

Dansigan explained that the IP youths who were recruited by the NPA were those who did not receive the assistances of the government. So by extending government service and assistance to the IP youth, it will help change for the better their perspective about the government.

He also called on to the IP youth in the far-flung areas to be wary and vigilant of the groups that are trying to recruit as they may lead to a rebellious path.

Similarly, SK Federation Chairperson/Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member, Hon. Emerson Dave Silutan, said that the SKs in the province have started to

conduct Youth Leadership Summit (YSL), an activity spearheaded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in their respective LGUs. Most recently, Silutan had a speaking engagement for a youth seminar in Braulio E. Dujali as there had been issues reported regarding NPA’s penetration in the municipality.

“Mao na ang atong mga kasundalohan, atong mga peacemakers, our SK, our community leaders, nagkahiusa sa pag disseminate sa maayong balita, sa pag encourage sa ilaha nga magpabilin diri sa gobyerno (That is why the army, the peacemakers, our SK, our community leaders have united in disseminating good news, and in encouraging to the youth to remain in the government’s folds),” he said.

Although he has received reports of NPA recruitments having occurred throughout the province, so far, Silutan is positive as he cited the youth audience’s participative energy during the Youth Leadership Summits in the municipalities.

Aside from YSL with the AFP, he cited SK’s involvement in Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terrorismo (KKDaT), which is an organization led by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He is thankful that SK has many partners to tap to ensure the success of their peace building efforts as part of their ‘9 centers of participation’. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)

City Planning Office continues ICBMS

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) continues its Intelligent Community-Based Monitoring System (ICBMS) household interviews and survey to the identified barangays.

The CPDO will commence on May 17, 2021 the second batch of ICBMS in the barangays Suawan, Malamba, Salaysay, Tamugan Riverside, Magsaysay, Buda, Lacson, Angalan, Dominga, Sirib, Subasta, Megkawayan, Inayangan, Dalagdag Balengageng, Dumoy Lubogan, Manambulan,

Tacunan, Talomo River, Biao, Guianga, Daliao, Lizada, Acacia, Mudiang, Ubalde, Paciano Bangoy, Wangan, and San Isidro.

ICBMS is a household survey initiated by the city government of Davao to generate baseline information in the areas of health and nutrition, sanitation, education,

housing, income and livelihood, and community participation.

In earlier interview, CPDO head Ivan Chin Cortez said it is the goal of ICBMS to enable the city through all of its frontline agencies to have a direct and purposive delivery of government services to the households in needs because it involves geo-tagging for faster identification of rightful beneficiaries against those who are constantly taking advantage of the city in times of disasters and

calamities.

With ICBMS, the data gathering is already digitized and is backed up by the city government server.

The CPDO started the survey last year in different barangays that include 1-A, 2-A, 5-A, Bago Aplaya, Bucana, Maa, Matina Aplaya, Matina Crossing, Talomo, Calinan, Los Amigos, Mintal, Tugbok, Centro Agdao, Leon Garcia, Sasa, Tigatto, Waan, Bunawan, Ilang, Lasang, Tibungco, and Sirawan.

Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST).

DOST’s assistance was sought by DepEd for its food processing center to offer food product development equipment and chemical, physio-chemical, microbial and sensorial laboratory analysis all for senior high school students and faculty who are into product development in the Province of Davao Occidental.

The funding assistance to procure equipment for the establishment of the facility is part of DOST XI’s roll-out of the CEST Project in Barangays Demoloc, Pinalpalan, Little Baguio, Manuel Peralta, Mana, Lais, Fishing Village, in the said Province to focus on all components, ensuring access to quality information that can be used to empower education and teaching techniques,

and provide opportunities to the marginalized sectors.

Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, CESO VI of DepEd Davao Occidental and Provincial Science and Technology Center – Davao Occidental Director, Ms. Maria Victoria I. Dado led the ceremonial signing of the MOA on May 4, 2021 at Lacaron, Davao Occidental. (Photo and text

by PSTC-Davao Occidental)

DOST XI forges agreement with DavOcc for Community Empowerment Project

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AVAO OCCIDENTAL – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center in Davao Occidental, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education (DepEd) - Davao Occidental Division for the S&T interventions to be implemented under its Project, Community

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte thanks the private sector for its assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Presidential Photo

Davao Region’s inflation F rose to 3.7% in April 2021

Dominguez welcomes UK support on plan for PH single-use plastics ban

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he year-on-year regional inflation of Davao Region slightly increased to 3.7 percent in April 2021. The current inflation was relatively higher as compared to the same month of the previous year at 2.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the purchasing power of the peso (PPP) which measures the real value of the peso in a given period relative to a chosen reference period declined to 0.78 centavos from 0.79 centavos compared to March 2021.

The uptrend of inflation in the region was primarily attributed to the higher annual increment in the index of Transport from 8.1 per-

cent to 12.2 percent.

Moreover, annual increases were reportedly higher in the indices of: • Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels, at 2.5 percent from 1.9 percent; • Health, at 2.7 percent from 2.3 percent; and • Clothing and Footwear, at 1.4 from 1.2 percent.

On the other hand, the index of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages slowed

down at 3.6 percent from 4.0 percent in March.

Meanwhile, the indices of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco; Communication; Education; and Recreation and Culture retained its previous rate at 8.2 percent, 0.2 percent, 0.1 percent, and -0.7 percent, respectively.

For selected food items, Fish index increased further to 11.4 percent from 1.5 percent in the previous month.

On the contrary, inflation for food items particularly Vegetables decelerated to -3.2 percent from 6.8 percent.

Also, inflation slowed

down in the indices of Food Products, N.E.C. (-4.1% from 2.2 percent); Rice (-5.4% from -1.3%); and Bread and Cereals (-3.3% from -0.2%).

For selected food items, Fish index increased further to 11.4 percent from 1.5 percent in the previous month.

On the contrary, inflation for food items particularly Vegetables decelerated to -3.2 percent from 6.8 percent. Also, inflation slowed down in the indices of Food Products, N.E.C. (-4.1% from 2.2 percent); Rice (-5.4% from -1.3%); and Bread and Cereals (-3.3% from -0.2%).

(PR-PSA XI)

rector Margot Torres said.

Torres said Filipinos’ attitudes on COVID-19 vaccines range from enthusiastic to undecided and averse, based on studies.

“The role of communication is to move Filipinos from a state of helplessness to a state where they want to get vaccinated…. Ngayon na may karagdagang proteksyon mula bakuna, ang pagbabalik ng inaasam na buhay ay as malapit na natin makamtan (Now that there is additional protection from the vaccine, our

return to the lifestyle we want is near),” Torres said.

Social media posts, videos, posters and other materials are available for free to all businesses who want to help educate their employees about getting vaccinated, Torres said.

The campaign’s “agile media strategy” kicks off on May 15. The campaign also aims to boost vaccine demand by offering perks such as restaurant discounts to those who already got vaccinated, Torres said.

Over 130 restaurants will also provide discounts starting June 1 to those who can show their vaccination cards, she said.

Once the vaccination program opens to the general public, the A Bakuna Sikat Instagram page will feature personalities who already got inoculated to inspire others to do the same, she said.

Torres said the program is also in line with the Department of Health’s Resbakuna Campaign.

Biz, media groups join forces for Ingat Angat Bakuna Lahat vax info campaign

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he country’s top businesses and media companies on Friday joined forces to launch the Ingat Angat Bakuna Lahat campaign, which aims to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated.

The multimedia campaign aims to educate Filipinos on the benefits of getting vaccinated with a focus on reducing vaccine hesitancy, stimulating vaccine demand and ensuring completion of doses, among others, McDonalds Philippines managing di-

FBIZ, B1

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has welcomed the support offered by the United Kingdom (UK) to the Climate Change Commission (CCC)’s advocacy on banning single-use plastics, along with UK’s continuing strong partnership with the Philippines on accelerating both infrastructure development and financial inclusion.

In a recent virtual meeting with British Ambassador Daniel Pruce, Secretary Dominguez said the Philippines would appreciate UK’s offer of technical assistance and support in effectively communicating to the public the importance and long-term benefits to the economy of banning single-use plastics.

He cited the need to raise public awareness on the dire effects of the climate crisis, and how every Filipino can play a key role in mitigating these by explaining to them how eco-friendly initiatives such as banning single-use plastics will benefit them and future generations over the long term.

Ambassador Pruce said the UK is ready to assist the Philippines in preparing for its contributions to the discussions in the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which could encompass a broad range of issues such as green finance, energy transitions and climate crisis resilience and adaptation strategies.

The COP26, which the UK is chairing this year, will be held in Glasgow,

Scotland this November.

It brings together signatory-parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez, the point person of the Department of Finance (DOF) on climate crisis concerns, said during the meeting with Ambassador Pruce that discussions are underway with the British Embassy on engaging with renewable energy (RE) investors to determine from them the possible Philippine policy gaps that need to be addressed to encourage the entry of RE investments to the country.

She said these discussions will be held with representatives from the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Assistant Secretary Alvarez underscored the urgency of attracting more RE investments into the country, given the government’s recent decision to impose a moratorium on new coalfired power plants.

During the meeting, Secretary Dominguez also briefly discussed UK’s commitment to implement the first phase of its Iconic Bridges Project for Sustainable Socioeconomic Development in Cagayan province.

Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency and Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

ECONOMY A2

Street vendors undergo swab testing at Magsaysay Park in Davao City in this undated photo. The city government of Davao has announced it will continue to expand its surveillance swabbing activities for sidewalk vendors, laborers, passenger boat operators, and other labor workforce at the Sasa Wharf and Toril Fish Port to track down possible Covid-19 infections as slight increase in the number of confirmed cases last week had been recorded. Edge Davao

PAGCOR remits P1.6B cash dividends to Nat’l Treasury

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espite the decline in its gaming revenues due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) remitted P1.6 billion in cash dividends to the National Treasury this month.

In a statement on Thursday, PAGCOR said its latest cash dividends remittance represents the agency’s entire net earnings for 2020.

In 2019, the state-run gaming firm remitted a total of P18 billion cash

dividends, which made it the third highest cash dividends contributor, next to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

PAGCOR said its remittance to the state coffers is part of its continuing support to the government’s revenue generation efforts to fund the various health and economic measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

“The current global health crisis is taking its toll on our income genera-

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PRRD thanks private sector for assistance amid drive for vax

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night thanked the private sector for its “tremendous assistance” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Maraming salamat po and I hope you continue.

This is our country, you are doing business here,” Duterte said in his second public address this week.

“If we can go out of this thing and balik sa ekonomiya natin, marami tayong

Fitch keeps 4% inflation projection for PH this year

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itch Solutions is keeping its 4-percent average inflation forecast for the Philippines this 2021 amid the cut in the central bank’s projection but sees average inflation next year to decelerate to around 3.4 percent.

In a report dated May 12, the unit of Fitch Group said these projections are above the midpoint of the government’s 2-4 percent target band until 2023.

On Wednesday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) slashed the central bank’s

2021 average inflation forecast to 3.9 percent from 4.2 percent but hiked the 2022 projection to 3 percent from 2.8 percent.

The cut in this year’s inflation projection factored in the impact of a lower tariff on pork importation while the reason behind the change in next year’s inflation projection is the rise in global oil prices.

Domestic inflation is still elevated due to supply constraints on pork meat because of the African swine fever, among others, and the rise in global oil

prices.

It decelerated to 4.5 percent in March and remained steady in the following month.

Inflation breached the government’s target band since last January and registered its highest so far this year last February at 4.7 percent.

Average inflation in the first four months this year stood at 4.5 percent.

Fitch Solutions projects the decline in demand-side pressures in the coming months that is expected to result in the

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pera kasi balik na naman sa negosyo kaya ‘yong tulong niyo ay kailangan namin at salamat naman,” he added.

Earlier, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III said the private sector shouldered the storage

costs for all COVID-19 vaccines entering the country, whether procured by the government or private firms.

Paying for the cost of storing the vaccines— some of which will require ultra-low temperature storage—is just one of the ways the business sector is helping the government in its drive to achieve herd immunity by vaccinating a sizable proportion of the

Philippines’ population against the coronavirus.

The private sector has also previously said it will donate half of the six million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine it procured to the government, with the remaining half to go to private sector employees.

Further, several corporations have also teamed up with local government units to put up vaccination sites across the country.

dent and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martha Sazon said “one company alone cannot solve the problem of accessibility.”

She said GCash’s input in the government’s financial inclusion program is on the inclusion part, as it does not partner with one company alone but several entities to further serve the public.

“We don’t compete. We don’t seek to compete with the banks. Rather, we want to enable them, in fact, to reach the customers that they didn’t reach before, they couldn’t reach before,” she said.

She said they have teamed up with the BSP

and several banks “because what we want is to partner so that together we can reach that inclusivity, that it would be more reachable for everyone.”

“We also believe that with their wealth of experience and our digital savviness and our creativity combined we can do more, we can be more bold in doing things,” she said.

She likened the shift to digital financial transactions to how Filipinos adopted the internet, wherein most Filipinos were introduced to this using their mobile phones and not the personal computers because of the availability of

Financial inclusion rising through gov’t, private sector collaboration

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he government’s bid for financial inclusion and digital payments partly gets a lift through collaborative efforts with the private sector, an executive of GCash said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said digital payments surged since the start of the pandemic last year because of movement restrictions and since then financial institutions, mobile wallet service providers and financial technology (fintech) firms have launched products that allow people to easily do financial transactions using their mobile phones.

In a virtual briefing Wednesday, GCash Presi-

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4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

In reminding the public to skip fiesta celebrations and similar gatherings amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic: Sinasabi ko lang na Mayo, maraming fiesta (I am saying that there are so many festivals in May),” he said.

“I do not attribute it to any other particular region or what but there are a lot of fiestas kasi (because we are in a) predominantly country.

So, ang hinihingi ko (So, what I am asking) is that you only not tone down but forgo kasi may batas (because we are implementing the law). Forgo to congregate, to crowd and to hold [fiesta].”

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

EDITORIAL Tempest at Isla Reta The Davao City Coalition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ ( LGBTQ+) has urged the Island Garden City of Samal ( IGACoS) to craft an ordinance banning all forms of discrimination against their members.

The call was made in the wake of an incident involving a certain Shannon Remotigue Gonzaga, a transgender, who was prevented from using a female bathroom at Isla Reta Beach Resort in Talikud Island last Saturday night (May 8).

Gonzaga identified himself as a transgender but resort staff members barred him from the ladies room and allegedly forced him to show his sexual organ to prove that he had undergone surgery and now possesses a woman’s genital.

Rejie Boy Mingming, convenor of the coalition, told media persons in a press conference last Wednesday (May 12) that in order to avoid a similar incident in the future it is high time for the IGaCOS local government to pass an ordinance protecting the LGBTQ+ community members from discrimination.

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To make a long story.short, all sides have said their pieces. It now behooves upon the government of IGaCoS, more popularly known as Samal, to posthaste craft the necessary ordinance that addresses the issue. That is, if there is no national law or a Supreme Court ruling that has settled the question.

While the island city’s lawmakers are debating the stipulations of the proposed measure, nothing can prevent the Department of Tourism, the city mayor’s office, the city police and the association of beach resorts and their employees from holding orientation seminars on how to properly conduct themselves while catering to thousands of visitors expected to swarm the island’s beautiful beaches in the coming normal and abnormal times.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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 ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent 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

For his part, Mario Reta, owner of the popular resort, clarified in a statement that the establishment cannot accommodate transgenders because it has no facility for them. To avoid being accused of discrimination, he said only girls, boys, lesbians, gays and transsexuals are allowed to enter the resort.

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.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY, 15, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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ATTY. MIGS NOGRALES IBP DAVAO CHAPTER DIRECTOR

FORCED RESIGNATION IS NOT VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION; IT AMOUNTS TO CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL. Dear IBP Davao, I need your help regarding my situation at work. I recently tendered my resignation at my job because I felt that it was impossibleformetostayemployed with my boss. I got infected with COVID-19 and although I have already recovered, I was treated differently by my boss and he stopped giving me work. Lately, he even refused talking to me whenever I would be in the area, with somewhat a hostile attitude in the rare instance that he decides to talk to me. He assigns most of my work to other people and whenever I get assigned to do any job, they are either the small jobs that require routine work or difficult and impossible jobs. When I tried to confront my boss, he even said if I am not happy with my job then I can just voluntarily resign. I have no means of income now and my wife is angry with me because she told me I should not have quit

my job, instead, I should have just stayed so that I can earn a living regardless of the discriminatory and hostile treatment. What should I do regarding this, Atty?

Sincerely, ARROW

Dear Arrow, Although it is entirely within the prerogative of every employee to voluntarily resign from their job for whatever reason, a fine line between voluntary resignation and forced resignation must be clearly drawn.

As provided under the Philippine Labor Code, an employee may terminate his relationship with his employer by serving a written notice on the employer at least one (1) month in advance. Failure to serve his employer a written notice may hold such employee liable for damages.

In such a case, this is what we commonly know as a “voluntary resignation” on the part of the employee – a free and voluntary act to end his/her relationship with his/her employer.

On the flip side, there are unfortunate instances whereby an employee is left with no other recourse but terminate his relationship with his/her employer due to certain unbearable instances and factors in the workplace which are brought upon by the employer. Here, although on the surface, it may seem voluntary on the part of the employee, it is in actuality a forced resignation equivalent to constructive dismissal.

As instructed by the Supreme Court in the case of Gan vs.

Galderma Philippines Inc., 701 Phil. 612 (2013), the distinction between constructive dismissal or involuntary resignation and voluntary resignation is as

follows: “Constructive dismissal is defined as quitting or cessation of work because continued employment is rendered impossible, unreasonable or unlikely; xxx There is involuntary resignation due to the harsh, hostile, and unfavorable conditions set by the employer. xxx On the other hand, "[r]esignation is the voluntary act of an employee who is in a situation where one believes that personal reasons cannot be sacrificed in favor of the exigency of the service, and one has no other choice but to dissociate oneself from employment. It is a formal pronouncement or relinquishment of an office, with the intention of relinquishing the office accompanied by the act of relinquishment. xxx” Thus, applying the above in your case, considering that your

former employer has created an atmosphere of hostility and unreasonableness which lead to your resignation, Philippine labor laws may treat your former employer’s actions as one of forced resignation, and, thus, the National Labor Relations Commission may rule that you were indeed constructively dismissed. Additionally, should your former employer raise the defense of voluntary resignation on his part, the burden of proof on the voluntariness of your resignation will fall on him.

The above legal opinion is based solely on the appreciation of the facts and problem given and stated above. The opinion may vary when other facts, circumstances, and situations are stated. For more information and for further queries, you may contact the Legal Aid Office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Davao City Chapter at ibpdavao@gmail.com.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

REGISTRATION OF TITLES, 1908 Land ownership in Davao has always been a subject of speculation. Brokers, though well verse in the art of dealing real estates, are often swarmed with tales on how prominent families have acquired their lands. A review of the cases filed in 1908 before the Court of Land Registration dispels some doubts about the issue and presents a better picture on how some affluent families in the region got hold of their properties.

On Jan. 22, 1908, twenty-five (25) registration of title cases from Davao area were heard by Judge S. del Rosario in the town of Davao. Six cases were filed by Chinese Francisco Villa Abrille Lim Chuan Juna, patriarch of the landed Villa-Abrille clan of Davao.

The court notices, though, did not reflect the area covered by a title, only the case number, name of applicant, location of property, metes and bounds, and the date of survey were cited.

In the instance of Villa Abrille, his case numbers were

3038, 3041, 3042, 3043, 3326, and 3327. Under Case No. 3038, the property for titling is between Cabacan and Davao rivers, Davao, and date of survey is Oct. 26-27, 1903. Case No. 3041 covers a Ma-a land measured on May 15, 1904, while Case No. 3042 is a property in sitio Tabading de Ilaya, Davao, surveyed on Oct. 25, 1903.

Meanwhile, Case No. 3043 is an estate in sitios Ybayo and San Juan, Davao, surveyed on Oct. 28-30, 1903. Case No. 3326 is a property at Calle Claveria and H. Cortes, Davao, surveyed on Nov. 22, 1906; Case No. 3327 is a land at Calle Claveria, Davao, surveyed on Nov. 23, 1906.

Another Chinese, Joaquin Prada Lim Sua-pan, holder of Case No. 2974, is the registration of title of a property along Calle San Pedro, Davao, surveyed on Dec. 20, 1903.

Case No. 766, applied by Francisco Sainz de Rozas y Ortiz, a Spaniard, refers to a land in sitio Baganga and Bitanagan, Mati, surveyed on Nov.

24, 1903. Juan Auad, a Syrian planter, had Case No. 3000, refers to a property at Calle Claveria corner Calle Pizarro, Davao, surveyed on August 1903.

Another Spaniard, Antonio Matute y Amasa, applied a registration of title under Case No. 3012, which covers four parcels of property, namely: (a) Tagulaya, surveyed on Feb. 4-9, 11-16, 1907; (b) Tagulaya, surveyed on Feb. 4-8, 1907; (c) Astorga, surveyed on Feb. 1316, 1907; and (d) Talicud, surveyed on Feb. 18-21, 1907.

Majority of the land applications were chiefly from Davao Oriental. Case No. 3433, in the name of Marcelina Balante of Cateel, Davao Oriental, covers a land in sitio Cauan-uan, Cateel, surveyed on March 10, 1906, while Case No. 3434, also in her name, refers to a property in sitio Catiuihan, Cateel, surveyed on Feb. 12, 1906. She also had Case No. 3435, which covers an estate in Calle Cervantes corner Calle Rosario, Cateel, surveyed on Feb. 10, 1906.

The other registrations of title filed by landowners from the town of Cateel are Cases No. 3436 to 3441. Case No. 3436, under Pilar Tindic, covers a land in sitio Macahigad, Cateel, surveyed on Mar. 1, 1906. Case No. 3437, under Pilar Nuñez, covers a property in sitios Saguinsing and Panopasan, Cateel, surveyed on Feb. 10, 1906. Case No. 3438, also in the name of Nuñez, refers to a land in sitio Caom-nay, Cateel, surveyed on Feb. 20, 1906.

Case No. 3439, under Laureno Locentes, covers a land in sitio Macahigad, Cateel, surveyed on March 1, 1906. Case No. 3440, also in Locentes’ name, is a property in sitio Sibahay, Cateel, surveyed on March 20, 1906. Case No. 3436, under Modesto Locentes, refers to a land at Calle Cervantes corner Calle Rosario, Cateel.

Meanwhile, Case No. 3456, under the name of Americans Milburn A. Maxey and Christian Ade, co-owners of a hemp plantation in Baganga, Davao Oriental, covers a property on the River Majanod, in sitio Bai-

san, Baganga, surveyed on June 8, 1905. Case No. 3381, under Estanislao Alvar of Baganga, refers to lot at Calle Concepcion corner Calle Wagner, Baganga, surveyed on May 21, 1905. Teodora Cervantes of Agdao, Davao, was the holder of Case No. 3321, which covers a land in barrio Agdao, Davao, surveyed on Dec. 29, 1906.

Teodoro Palma Gil, later three-time Davao congressman, was holder of Case No. 3144, covering a property in sitio Languan, Davao, surveyed on Sept. 14, 1903. Francisco Bangoy, donor of the sprawling airport property, had Case No. 3384, covering an estate at Calle Claveria, Davao, surveyed on March 27, 1907. Damaso Palacios, also a Spaniard, filed a title for property in Darong, Sta. Cruz, future site of his hemp plantation; land was surveyed on March 1-2, 1907.

To determine if the applications for the registration of titles were resolved and approved, more researches must be done to get copies of the decisions.

6 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

Swim your way to health at

LEGACYLEISURERESIDENCES

FACT: a swimming pool in your home increases its property value. You’ll be swimming in that gratifying thought if you’re looking at your home as an investment.

Although a swimming pool one of the amenities of any residential development, vertical or horizontal, one may depart from the ordinary swimming and go extraordinary. At Legacy Leisure Residences, the condominium’s pool is not just the usual adult lap pool but an Olympic size swimming pool. Not extraordinary enough? How about another pool? There is one for kids.

Not just a plunge pool but a

splash and spray pool park.

Two pools, how’s that for a home investment? Wise enough?

Legacy Leisure Residences is the maiden project of homegrown company, CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. The world-class development is designed to be a wellness-focused, resort-like vertical village. It will be an “everyday staycation” in the center of the city, and the specialized water feature aids in achieving this vision.

Aside from increasing estate value, a pool has numerous advantages. It’s a great way to cool oneself during the hot season and an excellent source of yearround recreation. The outdoor activity is a good way to

Swimming is healthy and therapeutic.

Haroon Caballero Cali triathlete and Holiday Gym & Spa’s resident instructor and trainer, _ Having a pool in the property means all the health benefits are at your doorstep.

bond with the family and the co-residents. Most importantly swimming is beneficial to your well-being.

Residents who are “water babies” will love Legacy Leisure’s pools. If you haven’t discovered your love affair with water yet, this future residence of yours might pave the way.

For Haroon Caballero Cali, bemedalled swimmer, triathlete and Holiday Gym & Spa’s resident instructor and trainer, Legacy Leisure can be a perfect residence, where can he can live, train and teach.

Summer and school breaks are always the best time to engage youngsters to an outdoor activity like swimming. It’s healthy, physically and mentally, and instills discipline,_ shares Haroon.jpg

Legacy Leisure Residences Olympic sized Pool, health & leisure at yoiur doorstep.

“Swimming has a lot of advantages. Health wise, the most important thing to know is that the strokes can save you from a stroke,” says Haroon.

Put the pool to good use and swim your way to good health.

“Swimming is a low-impact exercise. The weightlessness in the water allows more mobility and has less impact on the muscles and joints compared to jogging. It’s an ideal exercise for mature people, those suffering from arthritis or sclerosis. It’s even great for pregnant women.”

Haroon says the cardio activity exercises all the muscles in the body at the same time, including the most important one—the heart. The lungs are targeted

as well. Done regularly, it builds stamina and strength.

A lockdown during an epidemic poses a lot of challenges, like dealing with inactivity, improper diet and anxiety. As swimming is beneficial for the body and heart, it is the same for mental health. During prolonged indoor confinement the activity is a great stress buster, it improves sleep and the calorie burning prevents obesity.

“Over all, swimming is healthy and therapeutic. Personally, the beauty of having a private Olympic size pool is I can do competitive training at any time of day, any day.

As a teacher, I can teach aqua aerobics and hold private swimming lessons to the residents, young and adults.

By experience, Summer and school breaks are always the best time to engage youngsters to an outdoor activity like swimming. It’s healthy, physically and mentally, and instills discipline. Community wise, the pool is a good venue to establish good rapport with the neighbors.

Legacy Leisure is a place I can live in where I can grow as a person, an athlete and an instructor.”

Having a pool in the property means all these benefits are at your doorstep, the easy, private access to one lessens the risk of exposure to the virus.

Invest in your health, invest in Legacy Leisure Residences. It’s your winning move

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

VOL.14 VOL.14ISSUE ISSUE52 38••SATURDAY, SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 15, MAY 20211-2, 2020

Ata-Manobo tribal youth joins seminar on product packaging and labeling

D

AVAO DEL NORTE Ata-Manobo traditional corn-coffee is set to be introduced to the mainstream market in Davao Region. As a springboard, twenty-four (24) individuals mostly members of the Dagohoy Ata-Manobo Kabatanonan Organization (DAMKO) were trained on the basics of Product Packaging and Labeling at Bagsakan Center, Purok 4 Sitio Mangga, Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod last April 30, 2021.

Lectures were reinforced with a simulation-workshop on developing a sample product packaging and label for raw eggs.

Participants

acknowledged its significance in maintaining the goods quality and in gaining competitive market advantage.

“Packaging of the product is the silent seller because its presentation on the shelf creates a Buy Me psyche to the consumers”, DOST XI’s Technology Innovation and Packaging Innovation head, Mr. Arnel M. Rodriguez emphasized.

The activity concluded with the turn-over of product packaging using a biodegradable laminated kraft standup pouch as the new face of the corncoffee. “Dakol lagboy nu nuhulo ka kuynawa ko.

Dakol no salamat to DOST” (I felt so much happiness.

Thank you very much DOST), Ms. Genila C.

Lagare, DAMKO’s adviser, expressed gratitude on the government’s support to the indigenous people in Talaingod.

This undertaking is one of the series of interventions to establish a coffee processing facility under the DOST-Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology program with funding from the CongressIntroduced Increases (CII).

The project key partners are the Local Government of Talaingod through its Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), Department of Trade and Industry, and the Davao del Norte Investment and Promotion Center (DNIPC).

in our district offices are already open. Most of our district health offices have their own swab units. We have already mandated the implementation of the [influenza-like illness] ILI surveillance activities in

our district health centers),” Lopez said during the ‘Madayaw Dabaw’ program on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

District health offices in Tibungco, Toril, Calinan and Talomo can also

accommodate individuals for Covid-19 testing.

Lopez said that district health offices will conduct swab testing three times a week due to the limited number of swabbers and medical staff.

Engr. Arce D. Sinajon, Acting Provincial Head of DOLE XIDOCFO, said in his speech.

Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo also stressed

that projects like this are manifestations that DOLE offers more than just jobs to the community, the office aligns projects with

the priorities of the local government unit to promote gainful employment opportunities to everyone.

(PR)

inspection is to determine the feasibility of the project.

Likewise, there is a need to conduct environmental and social scanning before the PNP will recommend the project and in order to attain inputs and recommendations from all sectors in the nearby community.

“We received a memo that there will be an ocular inspection to be conducted by the team from DHRDD headed by General Daniel.So because of that memo, we have to provide security but it turned out after that memo, there’s another memo stating that the construction of the facility is not essential,”

Escobal added.

According to Escobal, an administrative case has already been filed against those PNP personnel from Region 12 who allegedly entered Barangay Kalbay without even coordinating with the PRO 11 for the conduct of said inspection in April.

nandez, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito will make up the majority of the 20 available spots for the women’s training pool ahead of two major volleyball events later this 2021 including the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi from Nov. 21-Dec. 2.

Paat, Laure, Marano, and Baron were part of the Philippine team that placed fourth in the SEA Games last 2019 in Pasig.

The Philippines, as announced by Suzara in an earlier online press conference, will be hosting the Asian Seniors Women’s Volleyball Championship from Aug. 27Sept. 4.

The volleybelles quickly answered the call among the 40 invited players for the national team tryouts last April 28.

In spite of it, the national team pool remains available for 20 people.

National team coach Odjie Mamon said he might need another setter, outside hitter, opposite hitter, and libero to complete the pool.

He emphasized that a libero from the professional ranks is needed right now as Nierva and Pepito are still in college.

Meanwhile, the core of the men’s team that won a silver in the SEA Games two years ago is back in the national team pool.

Jessie Lopez, Kim Dayadante, Ish Polvorosa, Josh Retamar, Mark Alfafara, Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, Jao Umandal, John Vic de Guzman, Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Jack Kalingking, and Ricky Marcos have been selected to the men’s pool.

Only Bagunas did not attend the April 29 tryouts but Coach Dante Alinsunurin has since been mentioning that Bagunas is a shoo-in.

Joining the returning Nationals are newcomers Nico Almendras, Ysay Marasigan, Joeven dela Vega, JP Bugaoan, Lloyd Josafat, and Manuel Sumanguid.

The all-pro pool was chosen from out of 31 spikers who joined the tryouts.

On the other hand, the entire beach volleyball squads from 2019 are back in the national team pool.

Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, and Ranran Abdilla have been chosen to join the men’s pool.

Joining them are Creamline teammates An-

thony Arbasto, Philip Bagalay, and AJ Pareja, Jade Becaldo, Calvin Sarte, and James Pecana.

Meanwhile, Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio, and Dij Rodriguez will headline the women’s pool.

Completing the women’s training squad are the Abanse Negrense trio of Jennifer Cosas, Alexa Polidario, and Erjane Magdato and the University of Santo Tomas troika of Babylove Barbon, Gen Eslapor, and Mer Jauculan.

“In selecting the members of the pool, we put into strong consideration the athletes’ skills and potentials to improve, and as importantly, their dedication to flag and country, and their visibly innate qualities,” Suzara said. “The positions and how the teams would be like in terms of strength and ability to respond while in distress were also considered in the selection process.”

“These men and women, may I say, are to become lethal in the next five months or so,” added Tonyboy Liao, the national team commission chairman.

(PNA)

SURVEILLANCE... FROMP2

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FULL... FROMP8

9 7

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 7th Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: 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 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 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

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan

- On Official Business

ORDINANCE NO. 0491-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 0291-17, SERIES OF 2017, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE 2017 REVENUE CODE OF THE CITY OF DAVAO”, PARTICULARLY ARTICLE 13, CITY TERMINAL FEES AND CHARGES, SECTION 389, REDUCING AND/OR LOWERING THE RATES OF STALLS TO FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DURING THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 0291-17, SERIES OF 2017, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE 2017 REVENUE CODE OF THE CITY OF DAVAO”, PARTICULARLY ARTICLE 13, CITY TERMINAL FEES AND CHARGES, SECTION 389, REDUCING AND/ OR LOWERING THE RATES OF STALLS TO FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DURING THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT”.

SECTION 2. AUTHORITY TO ADJUST AND/OR LOWER THE RATES – Section 132 of the Local Government Code of 1991 states, “The power to impose a tax, fee, or charge or to generate revenue under this Code shall be exercised by the sanggunian of the local government unit concerned through an appropriate ordinance.”

Pursuant to such provision, the City Council has the power to adjust and/or lower the previous rates it has imposed.

SECTION 3. ADJUSTED RATES – There shall be an adjustment, reduction and/or lowering of the rates in Section 389, viz.: FROM: Rental Charges

a) Category A

Stalls and stands traversing Candelaria and Maya streets with entrances outside the terminal

P 5,000.00 a month

b) Category B Stalls within the terminal

P 4,000.00 a month

c) Category C Rate for land use

10.00 sq./m. per day or a fraction thereof

TO:

Rental Charges

a) Category A

Stalls and stands traversing Candelaria and Maya streets with entrances outside the terminal

P 2,500.00 a month

b) Category B Stalls within the terminal

P 2,000.00 a month

c) Category C Rate for land use

5.00 sq./m per day or a fraction thereof

SECTION 4. PERIOD – The said adjustment, reduction or lowering of rate of the stalls shall only be applicable during the period covering the COVID Pandemic which shall revert back to the original rates upon the lifting of the state of public health emergency brought upon by Covid-19; SECTION 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.

ENACTED, February 16, 2021, 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/bern

APPROVED :

An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 0291-17, Series of 2017, otherwise known as “The 2017 Revenue Code of the City of Davao” particularly Article 13, City Terminal Fees and Charges, Section 389, reducing and/or lowering the rates of stalls to Fifty Percent (50%) during the state of public health emergency issued by the President

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Huawei partners with DOT to showcase CLIPPERS ... FROMB1 the beauty of Philippines worldwide

M

anila - HUAWEI has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) today to promote the Philippines’ tourist destinations, arts and culture to its more than 600 million users around the world.

Attendees present at the signing ceremony were Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo, and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Mr. Wang Zhihui.

The partnership aims to showcase the Philippines’ world-class tourist spots, Filipino products and tourism-related events to HUAWEI Themes users in over 170 countries and regions.

Under the MoU, HUAWEI Themes users can explore the Philippines curation series now under the “Pinoy Favorites” category on the app homepage.

The DOT will be the photo contributor under this partnership to provide source images related to the Philippines’ arts and culture. Among others, the

popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as beaches, islands, heritage towns, and deep seas will be featured in the app. Moving forward, DOT will also offer domestic tourism vouchers for hotels, attractions and tours to HUAWEI Themes users.

In her speech, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her gratitude to Huawei for supporting the DOT’s efforts in handling the pandemic’s effect on the tourism industry by lending its wide reach of smartphone users.

“Our strategy for the safe and gradual reopening of tourism in the Philippines will be greatly supported by this digital content partnership as it will offer Huawei users anywhere in the world with glimpses of our country’s beautiful destinations and allow them to customize their mobile devices with images of our tourism offerings,” Romulo-Puyat said. The Tourism Secretary hopes that through this project, Huawei smartphone users will be inspired to visit the Philippines once the government resumes international travel.

Meanwhile, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo emphasized that Huawei’s collaboration with the DOT is in line with the “glocalization” approach of Huawei Philippines and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS).

“Huawei has established an extensive cooperation with the government, local businesses and communities, to continuously bring innovative digital services to consumers and create greater social values,” he said.

“Through the collaboration, we will curate a series of Philippines-centric wallpapers and smartphone themes, including the scenery landscapes and tourist attractions of the Philippines, as well as creative themes created by local artists, photographers, cartoonists and animators,” Daniel Guo added.

The MoU will not only help promote beautiful places in the Philippines but will also open a door of opportunity for talented Filipinos. Mobile themes created by passionate marine environment artist AG Saño and digital artists Mariel Garcia, Nelvin Supilanas, Rehts Merejilla

and Mark Magnaye are now available in HUAWEI Themes.

HUAWEI Themes is one of the first self-developed apps by HMS, In 2020, it achieved over 1.8 billion total themes download. By end of 2020, 96% of the PH local top apps, including Gcash, Paymaya, BDO Digital Banking, UnionBank Online, and SSS Mobile, have integrated with HMS Core and onboarded to AppGallery.

Through the open HMS Ecosystem, Huawei shares a number of innovative capabilities with its partners from various sectors, including tourism, which enable high-quality, convenient and safe applications to reach every Huawei device user in a more direct way. Through this, Huawei is able to lower the connectivity cost and expand service coverage, bringing modern digital services to a wider user base. By providing localized service applications in more countries and regions, Huawei makes All-Scenario services more accessible to users, jointly improving service efficiency and digitization level of services.

arawi masons trained by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority with support from Holcim Philippines are leading the reconstruction of their community.

Close to 500 houses for families displaced by the conflict in Marawi have been built as part of the partnership to support the city’s rehabilitation by leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc., the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

By the end of April 2021,491 of the 1,057 housing units planned for the first phase of the project were either completed or under construction.

Holcim Philippines has supplied close to 72,000 bags of general purpose cement Holcim Excel to the project sites in Marawi through its plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Additional 85,000 bags of Holcim Excel will be used for the rest of the houses.

The reconstruction

is being led by Marawi residents, 116 of whom were trained and certified

by TESDA under Holcim Philippines ‘galing Mason program. The masonry skills and certification from TESDA will enable beneficiaries to explore job opportunities in other areas after completing the construction projects in Marawi.

Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez: “We are pleased that this partnership project with the UN-Habitat is progressing well and helping the City of Marawi rise again. This wonderful update is a welcome development as we join the nation for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The continued recovery of Marawi is a testament to the resilience of Filipinos, and shows how our products are making a difference in the lives of our countrymen and the progress of the nation.”

UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo: “Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters! The Rebuilding Marawi Project, funded by the Peo-

ple of Japan, is steadily moving forward towards its goal of providing permanent houses to 1,057 families affected by the 2017 Marawi Siege. The ongoing permanent shelter construction in four resettlement sites and the turnover of Hadiya Village to 109 families are project milestones made possible by various partnerships forged along the course of project implementation.

UN-Habitat is grateful for the strong partnership it has built with Holcim Philippines – access to cement is one major aspect of the

partnership that kept the construction of houses unhampered amidst the mobility restrictions posed by Covid-19 pandemic.”

The project is part of a multi-sector effort to rebuild Marawi after the devastating conflict there several years ago that displaced nearly 80,000 families. In addition to UN-Habitat and TESDA, the project is supported by the Government of Japan, the Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

abatement of food price pressures.

But as the global economy reopens, demand is seen to rise thus, the expectations for the continued elevated inflation rate, it said.

“That said, if the Phil-

ippines is still struggling to contain Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreaks in 2022, the recovery in domestic demand may take longer and rising demand-side pressures may not materialize,” it added. (PNA)

this service using mobile data.

“So straight from unbanked to a mobile-based

banking or mobile-based financial transactions. So that’s what we want to do,” she added. (PNA)

Marawi rebuild progresses M FITCH ... FROMA2

FINANCIAL ... FROMA2

of the Denver Nuggets with two games remaining.

LaMelo Ball had 18 points and seven assists for the Hornets in their regular-season home finale.

Charlotte never really had a chance with guards Terry Rozier and Devonte Graham combining to shoot 4 of 20 from the field and 2 of 13 from beyond the arc.

The Hornets entered the night tied with the Indiana Pacers for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, but own the head-tohead tiebreaker with Indi-

ana.

Former Hornets forward Nic Batum, who was booed relentlessly by fans during the game, gave the Clippers some breathing room with back-to-back 3-pointers to close out the third quarter and give the Clippers an 8477 lead.

Los Angeles stayed hot in the fourth quarter, using drives and kickouts to knock down open 3s and build a 21-point lead, sending fans streaming to the exits with about 4 minutes remaining in the game.

percent from the field and were 18 of 42 from behind the arc.

Los Angeles led 59-53 at the break.

Anthony Lamb completed an 11-2 surge with a 3-pointer as Houston took a 72-71 lead with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter.

Los Angeles scored seven straight points late in the period to lead by seven. D.J. Augustin ended that streak by being fouled while shooting a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left and he made all three attempts to bring Houston within 100-96.

The private sector and the government are also collaborating for a vaccine rollout program.

Facebook, Twitter and Google are among social media and technology platforms that committed their support to the DOH’s COVID-19 and vaccine information campaign.

The Philippines aims to inoculate 70 million out of

its over 100 million population to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19. The country started its vaccination drive in March.

A successful implementation of the country’s vaccination program will help hasten the country’s economic recovery, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua earlier said.

Clean Growth) later met with Secretary Dominguez to discuss climate crisis-related concerns, particularly on sharing UK’s expertise in pushing Philippine legislation on plastics use reduction.

During the meeting with Minister Trevelyan, Secretary Dominguez committed the Philippines’ participation in the UK-led Adaptation Action Coalition, which will act as a forum for developed and developing economies to share knowledge and best practices on local, regional and global solutions to deal with the climate crisis.

The Coalition is in response to the UN Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience and aims to turn

the commitments secured from this call to action into on-the-ground support for climate crisis-vulnerable communities.

Secretary Dominguez also separately met with Alok Sharma, the President of the COP26 and Member of the UK Parliament, to further explore areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the UK on raising the awareness of Filipinos over the urgency of climate action, and in finetuning the legislative measure that aims to ban single-use plastics.

They also briefly discussed how a “green industrial revolution” can give rise to new industries and create more jobs while effectively cutting carbon emissions. (PR-DOF)

tion due to the suspension of gaming operations. But through our prudent use of funds, we are able to support the government’s significant endeavors, especially our battle against COVID-19,” said PAGCOR chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo.

Domingo said the state gaming firm’s frugality in spending enabled it to save and remain as one of the government’s major partners in nation-building.

Deputy Treasurer-Officer-in-Charge Ed Mariño formally received PAGCOR’s cash dividends contributions at the Bureau of

the Treasury office in Intramuros, Manila.

“This latest dividends remittance from PAGCOR will help fuel further the national government’s economic stimulus program in light of the pandemic. We are thankful that PAGCOR has been a very responsive partner of the government in coping with the global health crisis,” Mariño said.

PAGCOR said its vice president for Finance Group Recto Baltazar, Jr. and assistant vice president for Fund Management Maria Cynthia Paz led the turnover of the agency’s cash dividends.

LAKERS ... FROMB1

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PAGCOR ... FROMA2

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS B2

PBA veteran Mac Cardona will see action for Zamboanga.

Cardona, Yu lead Zamboanga City roster for VisMin Cup Clippers cruise past F struggling Hornets

C

HARLOTTE, N.C. — Paul George had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Reggie Jackson added 19 points off the bench on five 3-pointers and the Los Angeles Clippers handed the slumping Charlotte Hornets their fourth loss in the last five games, 113-90

on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

Kawhi Leonard had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who are jockeying for playoff position in the Western Conference. The Clippers (47-23) remain in third place, one game ahead

FCLIPPERS, B1

ormer Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Mac-Mac Cardona will spearhead the Zamboanga City lineup that will play in the Mindanao leg of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup starting May 30.

Cardona, a former PBA champion and Finals Most Valuable Player, has been tapped by Coach Tony Pardo to be the leader of a stacked lineup looking to give preseason favorites Brew Authoritea and Basilan a run for their money.

Joining Cardona are fellow ex-PBA veteran Larry

Rodriguez and young guns Jhonard Clarito and Aaron Jeruta, who were his teammates with the San Juan Knights when they won the 2019 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League title.

Two more former PBA stalwarts, namely Gabby Espinas and Jaypee Belencion, were also named to the Zam-

Joining Pardo in the coaching staff are assistant coaches Ronie Gallo and Ken Basiri; strength and conditioning coaches Glenn Archangel and Robelino Sardena; and staff members Raymond Mapanao and Jaytone Rakim.

Also vying for the Mindanao pennant are Zamboanga Del Sur, Roxas, Pagadian, Ozamiz, and Iligan.

The winner of the Mindanao leg will take on Visayas leg champion Mandaue in the grand finals next month.

(PNA)

and was fouled, splitting two free throws with 0.9 seconds left, missing the second on purpose.

Armoni Brooks scored a career-best 24 points and Olynyk also had 24 for Houston (16-54), which has lost seven straight games and 44 of their past 49. Kenyon Martin Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lakers lifted last season’s championship banner to the rafters prior to the contest.

Los Angeles is one game behind the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers as it bids to avoid the play-in round. The Lakers are currently in seventh place and would be part of that round if the standings hold.

Houston standout Christian Wood (ankle) missed his

fifth straight game.

Montrezl Harrell scored 16 points for Los Angeles.

The Rockets faced a late eight-point deficit before Martin and Jae’Sean Tate connected on 3-pointers and Martin split two free throws with 47 seconds to play to bring Houston within 121120. Olynyk followed with two free throws with 22.9 seconds left to put the Rockets ahead.

Markieff Morris tallied 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alfonso McKinnie scored 10 points apiece for the Lakers, who knocked down 57.1 percent of their shots, and hit 7 of 20 from 3-point range.

Cam Oliver scored 17 points and Tate had 16 for the Rockets, who made 50.6

Lakers win third straight, edge Rockets in final seconds

K

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Reuters

boanga City roster as they look to regain the touch that made them stars in the National Collegiate Athletic Association during the 2000s.

Meanwhile, Jens Knuttel, Rudy Lingganay, Gino Jumao-as, Med Salim, and Kyle Neypes headline the homegrown players who will be part of the Zamboanga City lineup.

Completing the squad are Jonathan Parreno, Jayson Rebollos, Jeff Bernardo, Totoh Indahan, Jerome Ferrer, Wang Alvarez, and Niel Jumao-as.

yle Kuzma drove for the decisive layup with 6.9 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 23 points and 10 assists, Andre Drummond recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds and Kuzma had 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Los Angeles (40-30) won its third straight game.

The Lakers played without LeBron James (ankle) for the 26th time in the past 28 games. Anthony Davis (adductor) also sat out.

Houston’s chance to win was thwarted when Wesley Matthews forced Kelly Olynyk to fumble the ball.

Horton-Tucker recovered it

FLAKERS, B1

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 52 • SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Premier Volleyball League stars Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Aby Marano, Majoy Baron and Jaja Santiago lead the National Women’s squad.

FULL ON Women’s volleyball pool named

T

he 16 female spikers who attended the national team tryouts in Subic last month have been given spots in the national team pool for this year.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara announced on Wednesday that Premier Volleyball League stars Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Aby Marano, Majoy Baron, Jaja Santiago, Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, and current free agent Iris Tolenada, and college volleyball standouts Kamille Cal, Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Imee HerFFULL, P7