Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 56 | Thursday, May 20, 2021

NIÑOFRANCO’S NEW DIRECTIONS INDULGE P8

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

REGULATION

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

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Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and Bantay Bukid volunteers collect several face masks and face shields during a clean-up drive in Panigan-Tamugan watershed. This is on top of the recovered other types of solid wastes in the watershed area. Contributed photo

IDIS lobbies for regulation of activities in watershed area

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

Dabawenyo motorists are welcomed with a heavy traffic flow along E. Quirino Avenue caused by the Inter-Agency Response to Mass Shooting and Hostage Situation simulation exercise organized by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in coordination with other security and response agencies at the Davao City National High School on Wednesday. Edge Davao

REGULATION IDIS lobbies for regulation of activities in watershed area

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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reen group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) is urging the Watershed Management Council (WMC) and other concerned agencies to regulate activities in Davao City’s watershed area.

The group is recommending to WMC to strictly monitor the activities of the Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corporation, which is

situated in Lower Tamugan, Marilog District, in Davao City, wherein construction of its wastewater treatment facility is ongoing.

“IDIS recommends that it

should be strictly monitored especially the discharge of its wastewater into Davao River and also their compliance to the requirements under the zoning ordinance to which their certificate of non-conformance was conditioned upon,” said Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS in a text message.

IDIS also recommends for the stoppage of the operation of a public swimming pool developed at Purok Tuburan, Barangay Tambobong in

Baguio District, Davao City as the pool is located within the conservation zone and is in the upstream of Tamugan River of the bulk water source or the Aboitiz-owned Apo Agua Bulk water project.

“Stop the operation. IDIS is recommending that the activity should be stopped since it is located within the conservation area. Also to avoid accidents kay located ang resort under a cliff.

So, simbako, kung mag-

and very effective,” City Health Office Josephine J. Villafuerte said during the rollout of the Pfizer CVODI-19 vaccines held on May 17 at the Southern Philippine Medical Center.

Dr. Villafuerte noted that in the various vaccination sites the senior citizens were not afraid to be vaccinated and are

willing to be vaccinated.

She bared that the oldest vaccinee was a 99year old woman in Calinan.

“Hapit na siya mag 100 years old (she is nearing 100 years old) and she was so happy,” Villafuerte said.

“Pasalamat si Mayor na daghan na niabot na vaccines (Our City Mayor is thankful that there are

many vaccines that have arrived) and we will be opening more vaccination sites,’ Dr. Villafuerte said.

The City is now vaccinating A2 or senior citizens priority group and which has been beefed up with the arrival of Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines.

(PIA XI/RG Alama)

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BTA-BARMM approves region’s education code

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awmakers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslin Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday night passed into law the region’s education code.

After a rigorous eighthour deliberation at the BARMM plenary, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the region’s interim lawmaking body, unanimously approved Bill 70 or the proposed Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) on third and final reading during a special session.

The new law shall be known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Act 18, the third priority legislation passed by the 80-member BTA parliament since its establishment in January 2019.

BARMM Chief Minister

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FBTA-BARMM, P10

IP leaders of Mati receive 1st ever monthly allowance

Davao City to tap senior citizens E in vaccination info campaign

he city government of Davao aims to tap the senior citizens in helping raise awareness on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines to their fellow Dabawenyos.

“We will be using our senior citizens now to help us in disseminating the information that the vaccination is very safe

Ahod Ebrahim and BTA Parliament Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong led the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) following its approval at the plenary.

“The code shall provide for the establishment, management, and support of a complete and integrated system of quality education in the BARMM,” BTA Member of Parliament (MP) Rasol Mitmug, vice chair of the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, said in a statement Wednesday.

Rasol assisted colleague MP Mohagher Iqbal, concurrent BARMM education minister, in answering queries from other BTA members during the period of interpellation.

ighteen lumad leaders of the City of Mati have received their first-ever allowance from the City Government as part of the LGU’s incentive for the indigenous peoples.

Each of the tribal chieftains received their four-month allowance of P3,000 per month or P12,000 in total.

No less than Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat together with City Councilor Eric Rabat and IP Concerns Technical Staff Marilyn Yu Mon made the ceremonial handover of the cash incentives which is a

first in the province.

The monthly allowance is intended to augment the various expenses of tribal chieftains such as meals, travel costs in attendance to various meetings and activities.

The grant of incentives to IP leaders is in accordance with City Ordinance No. 468 series of 2021 otherwise known as the Public Infrastructure and Tourism-Related Establishments IP Accent Ordinance.

Among the IP recognized in the said

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

NEWS 3

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Colonel Kirby John Kraft says the Inter-Agency Response to Mass Shooting and Hostage Situation simulation exercise held at the Davao City National High School on Wednesday was rated 9 of 10 by the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Edge Davao

DPWH to start Bypass Road project tunneling works in July

5 Sarangani fishermen rescued from Crising

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ive fishermen from the province of Sarangani were rescued after floating off the open sea for more than a day.

The rescued fishermen were identified as Yolando Gino, 55 years old; Preceliano Cong, 31 years old, Arnil Sulas, 28 years old; Ronie Gino, 30 years old; and Gilbert Castanares, 42 years old.

The five went to the town of Baganga, Davao Oriental for some business on May 13 onboard their fishing vessel with two attached light boats.

On the same date they sailed back to Sarangani unaware of the incoming Tropical Storm Crising.

The five fishermen were already in the middle of the sea when they received the warning. They immediately searched for the nearest land, unfortunately their boat capsized after encountering huge waves.

The five decided to tie each other’s hands with available rope so that they will not be separated from each other. They held on to the capsized vessel for more than a day until they were

rescued by a passing vessel on the morning of May 15.

The five were brought to the nearby Barangay Macambol where they arrived on the evening of May 16. The five slept the whole day of May 17.

It was only on May 18 when their case was reported to the barangay officials of Macambol who in turn reported it to the Mati City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The CDRRMO readily dispatched a team to Barangay Macambol for assessment while food packs in the form of 5kg rice were also given to them from the CSWDO. During the assessment three of the five fishermen decided that they will go to Baganga since they have family there. While the other two will go back to Sarangani through some Saranggani fishing vessel present in the area.

As of now the five are staying on the fishing vessel of their fellow fishermen that are docked in the area. (CIO MATI)

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is targeting to start the tunneling works of the two 2.3-kilometer tunnel that will correspond to the central portion of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

Based on the Facebook post of Brosher Industrial Sales and Services, DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain reported that tunneling works using specialized equipment such as drill jumbo, concrete spraying machine, and articulated dump hauler is targeted to start by first week of July 2021.

It also stated that four units of drill jumbo and four units of concrete spraying machine will simultaneously work at the north and south portal to complete two 2.3-kilometer long tunnels with a height of 8 meters and a width of 10 meters through the new Austrian tunneling method or sprayed concrete lining method.

The tunnel is part

of Contract Package 1-1 covering 10.7-kilometer of four lane highway awarded in the amount of P13.230 billion to the joint venture companies of Shimizu Corporation, Ulticon Builders Inc., and Takenaka Civil Engineering and Construction Co, Ltd. The contract for the initial civil works was signed on October 29, 2020 by DPWH and the joint venture of Shimizu Corporation, Ulticon Builders, Inc., and Takenaka Civil Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. The contract package with 37 months duration also covers the construction of bridges in three locations

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Police Office (DCPO) in coordination with other security and response agencies conducted an Inter-Agency Response to Mass Shooting and Hostage Situation Simulation Exercise to prepare the students and teachers to incidents like these.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng mass shooting at hostage taking. Ang mga biktima natin ay mga estudyante at mga teachers sa DCNHS. Ang purpose nito, nagkaidea si Mayor Sara dahil sa mga nangyayaring shooting incidents sa US kung saan ang mga biktima

and a 7.9-kilometer long cut and fill road.

In an email interview with Kiyo Kawabuchi, senior representative for JICA in the Philippines, last year, he admitted that health-related restrictions have caused delays in procurement, among other factors.

“Lockdown measures and border controls which prevented the travel and movement of Japanese nationals to the Philippines at the early stages of the pandemic affected the timely processing of the contract for (the first package),” Kawabuchi said.

Nonetheless, he said

ay mga estudyante at nangyayari sa mga schools at dapat prepare po tayo sa mga ganitong insidente kaya nag-conduct po tayo ng ganitong simex,” said DCPO director P/Colonel Kirby John Kraft in a phone interview.

FDPWH, P10

Dabawenyos being prepared for mass shooting, hostage-taking incidents abawenyos are being prepared from incidents such as mass shooting and hostage taking through a simulation exercise conducted on Wednesday at the Davao City National High School (DCNHS).

The Davao City

FDABAWENYOS, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

Budget and Management Secretary and Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) chair Wendel Avisado says impact of the increase in Covid-19 variants has been also factored in the reduction in the gross domestic product (GDP) target for this year. Edge Davao

Imported vehicle sales upbeat amid pandemic

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n industry group said on Tuesday sales of imported vehicles in the country have recovered for the first four months of the year compared to 2020 sales when Luzon was under stringent community quarantine.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported that sales of imported vehicles from January to April this year rose by 40 percent to 20,353 units from 14,572 units in the same period a year ago.

Sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles both increased by double-digit at 16 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

Total passenger cars sold in the January to April period reached 5,328 units this year from 4,574 units in 2020.

Light commercial vehi-

cles sold 14,314 units this year from 9,906 units last year.

For April alone, the industry group’s sales reached 4,496 units.

Of the said number, 1,087 units were passenger cars, 3,116 units were light commercial vehicles, and 293 units were commercial vehicles.

“They say you cannot emerge from challenging times untransformed. With these encouraging figures, I say we at AVID have boldly transformed ourselves and have become even better at what we do, which is to provide our customers an endto-end mobility experience that best suits the needs of the times,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

On the other hand, the impact of provisional safe-

FIMPORTED, P10

DBCC cuts ‘21 GDP target due to ECQ

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conomic managers have reduced their target of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) this year from 6.5-7.5 percent to 6-7 percent due partly to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 27 to April 11 in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus.

In a virtual briefing after the meeting of the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) Tuesday, Budget and Management Secretary and DBCC chair Wendel Avisado said impact of the increase

in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) variants has been also factored in the reduction in the GDP target for this year.

Avisado said DBCC members also expect economic growth next year to improve to between 7-9

percent and return to the pre-pandemic level of 6-7 percent in 2023 and 2024.

In the first quarter this year, GDP posted a 4.2-percent contraction, an improvement from the -8.3 percent in the previous quarter but weaker than the 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2020.

Avisado said the new growth targets were approved by economic managers taking into account the first-quarter domestic output.

“Our growth prospects and economic recovery

will be underpinned by three interventions to arrest the spread of the virus and help the poor cope with the impact of the quarantines,” he said.

These interventions are the strengthened implementation of the prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and recover (PDITR) strategy; and full vaccination of the people in highest risk areas like the NCR, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite or the NCR Plus, Pampanga, Cebu City, and Davao City.

for the past 26 years.

“When it comes to ecozone FDI (foreign direct investment), the Japanese have always been ‘ichi-ban’ or number one investor of PEZA,” Panga said. “Given the current 27-percent share and steady increase of Japanese ecozone investments even amid pandemic, we remain bullish that the Japanese will continue to be our number one investor in PEZA, not only this year but for many years to come.”

He said Japanese invest-

ments to the country can be further boosted by tapping more into the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) to improve market access to Japan.

Another prospect for the Philippines in getting more Japanese investors is the policy of the Japanese government to subsidize its China-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large export manufacturers to exit the Chinese market,

FDBCC, P10

Construction firm eyes more PEZA optimistic on Japanese ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects firms investments in ecozones

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onstruction firm D.M. Consunji Inc. intends to participate in building more projects under the infrastructure program of the government, optimistic about the construction staging a strong bounce-back with the start of coronavirus vaccines rollout in the country.

“Yes, we intend to participate in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects but as a joint venture partner and/or as a subcontractor considering that these projects will not allow DMCI to participate as a single enti-

ty,” DMCI Holdings chairman and president Isidro Consunji said in a virtual stockholders’ meeting Tuesday.

He cited Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) requiring Japanese participation while the pre-qualifications requirements of Asian Development Bank (ADB) will necessarily involve foreign partners.

Consunji said he is bullish about the recovery of its construction business unit “if we win some of the big-ticket items” in the government’s in-

frastructure program.

“This year, we expect a strong bounce-back from DMCI given its substantial order book, additional workers, and increased barracks capacity. Productivity is also higher because unlike last year, essential and priority infrastructure projects are allowed to continue even during ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” he added.

Consunji said the firm’s order book reached PHP58.7

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n official of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said the agency remains optimistic on investments from Japanese companies despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In his personal social media account, PEZA deputy director general Tereso Panga shared that Japanese firms invested PHP716.22 billion from 1995 to April 2021, accounting for 27 percent of the total PHP2.63-trillion investment approvals in PEZA

FPEZA, P10

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY

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Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, chair of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), says the Philippines can compete with the rest of the world in producing two very important commodities that are actually in-demand in the local market during the 1st Mindanao Avocado and Jackfruit Industry Development Convention. Edge Davao

DITO gets 25-year-franchise with Duterte’s signature

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law Republic Act 11537 granting Dito Telecommunity Corp.a new franchise less than two years before its old franchise under its former name Mislatel expires on April 24, 2023.

Dito is a joint venture of Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp., Udenna’s subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., and Chinese stateowned China Telecoms, Corp.

With its franchise , Dito is mandated “to operate and maintain all its stations, lines, cables, systems and equipment for the transmission and reception of messages, signals and pulses in a satisfactory manner at all times.”

“On behalf of Dito Telecommunity Corporation, our Chairman and Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer Dennis A. Uy, Udenna Corporation, China Telecom, and our shareholders and partners, we would like to express our gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for signing into law RA 11537, which renews for another 25 years the franchise granted to Dito,” Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said in a statement.

“We equally would like to thank the esteemed members of the Senate and House of Representatives who recognized the importance of providing the Filipino people with affordable, fast, and reliable connectivity that they truly deserve,” he added.

The law obliges Dito to improve and extend its services in areas not yet served and in hazard and typhoon-prone areas as

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Sr. analyst acknowledges BARMM growth prospects

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keen observer of Southern Philippines development trends has recognized the capacities of Muslim Mindanao to ultimately overcome its backwater history to pursue long-lasting stability and full progress.

Georgi Engelbrecht, senior analyst for Philippine affairs under the International Crisis Group (ICG), wrote in a recent paper that “the Bangsamoro … has untapped economic potential that lies in stark contrast to the present reality of poverty.”

The ICG is a Brussels-based think-tank and advocacy group with offices in seven countries.

In his report released by the ICG, Engelbrecht admitted that “investments in the Bangsamoro, both national and international, will inevitably require time, and will be contingent on the quality of the BARMM’s governance and security environment.”

However, he conceded that “innovative approaches such as facilitating more sub-regional trade through increased port connectivi-

ty in the triboundary area, and allowing a barter trade mechanism to operate freely could be beneficial for BARMM, the Philippines, and Malaysia’s Sabah region.”

BARMM stands for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, an entity created in 2019 following the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Its transition timeline is today being widely and aggressively petitioned by many sectors to be extended from 2022 to 2025.

Engelbrecht added that “Manila could also support the BARMM by working with its neighbors to develop joint projects on

fisheries, environmental preservation, and Islamic microfinance to further stimulate the local economy and bolster food security, particularly in the maritime communities of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.”

Muslim Mindanao is responsible for producing the country’s largest share of cassava and seaweeds.

“Domestic and foreign market demand for seaweeds, especially its derivative, carageenan, has been strong, as these are used for a wide variety of commercial and industrial products such as dairy products, cosmetics, and food technology,” a report by the National

4,360 doses to Virac.

Cebu Pacific, likewise, said it transported 6,000 doses to Bacolod, 28,800 to Butuan, 46,400 to Cotabato, 28,800 to Cagayan de Oro, 5,000 to Puerto Princesa, and 30,800 to Zamboanga on May 18.

The carrier has also safely delivered COVID-19 vaccine doses from Manila to Davao, Legazpi, and Tacloban in the past weeks.

“We are glad to keep supporting our government in the rollout of its vaccination program. Having carried over one million

vaccine doses is a milestone not only for us, but more so for the whole country as this is testament to the efficient distribution efforts in place. We look forward to carrying more vaccines across our widest domestic network as we all work together to curb the spread of COVID-19,” said Xander Lao, chief commercial officer at Cebu Pacific.

The transported vaccines were subject to strict handling guidelines which entail storing them in temperature-specific refriger-

FANALYST, P10

ADB-backed project to help LGUs CebPac says it has delivered over boost revenues: Sec. Dominguez 1M COVID-19 vax since March 21

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Tuesday an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project designed to boost the revenue-raising capacity of local government units (LGUs) will help the Philippines continuously build its fiscal resilience as it undertakes its program for economic recovery from the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Dominguez said the Local Governance Reform Project (LGRP) supported by the ADB is both a “timely and much-needed” initiative

as LGUs are at the frontline of serving vulnerable communities and the “catalysts for building a new economy,” especially during these challenging times.

“At both national and local levels, we need to optimize our revenue generation powers and improve tax administration to raise necessary funds for our Covid-19 response efforts and economic recovery program. Even as we stretch resources to stimulate the economy, we must continuously build up our fiscal resilience,” said Dominguez at the first meeting of the

Interagency Governing Board (IGB) for the LGRP held virtually via Zoom.

Dominguez, who chairs the IGB, said the project will help boost the revenue collection capacity of LGUs via the adoption of new digital tools and improvement of institutional development and policy support for property tax valuation and collection.

He said the LGRP is in line with the Duterte administration’s goal of empowering LGUs and strengthening their local resource mobilization and public financial management.

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udget carrier Cebu Pacific said Tuesday it has carried over one million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 12 key domestic destinations since March this year.

“This adds to the airline’s ongoing collaboration with the government to safely distribute more vaccines across the country,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

The airline said it carried 81,400 vaccine doses to Tuguegarao on top of 9,800 for Masbate on May 14, while on May 17, it flew

FCEBPAC, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

On the Duterte administration’s decision not to take the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling on the South China Sea before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) because it is already part of the international law and doing so would only risk turning Manila’s loss of possession into Chinese right:

(President Rodrigo R. Duterte) is right not to take it to the UN where China has the votes, as the proud authors of the Arbitral Award keep insisting for purposes of the coming election campaign because they will be in the news. The UNGA (General Assembly) will just turn our loss of possession into Chinese right.”

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY TEODORO LOCSIN JR.

EDITORIAL

Illegal mountain resort

Davao City’s Watershed Management Council headed by City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio herself has recommended the closure of a swimming pool resort established in the mountain fastness of barangay Tambobong in Baquio District.

The recommendation is based on the negative report of the WMC’s Watershed Multipartite Monitoring Team (WMMT) citing the resort’s several violations of the Watershed Code and related ordinances regulating business establishments in the city. The team is composed of nine city and national government agencies and one environmental advocacy group. The government agencies represented in the inspection and monitoring of the swimming pool resort are the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), City Administrator’s Office, City Health Office (CHO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Agriculturist Office (CAO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 11, DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Davao City Water District (DCWD) and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc.

During the inspection, the team found out that the pool is located within the conservation zone and in the upstream of Tamugan River which is being tapped for the P12-billion bulk water system by the Aboitiz-led Apo Agua Infrastructura and DCWD. Near the pool is a reservoir with a capacity of 10,000

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For these multifarious violations the erring resort must be padlocked immediately.

The WMC should likewise investigate the failure of the barangay government of Tambobong to stop this patently illegal business operation. One thing that the WMC can do is to activate the barangay watershed management council of Tambobong and all other barangays located within watershed areas. Under the Watershed Ordinance, the WMC and the BWMCs are empowered to run after illegal activities within protected zones.

This move is imperative since there is now a proliferation of mountain resorts in the protected areas of the city. Just a few weeks ago the WMMT has also reported its discovery of more than a dozen cottages of what appears to be another resort near Tamugan River. In the cottages’ vicinity the inspection team also found solid wastes left by irresponsible resort-goers guaranteed to pollute Dabawenyos’ future source of drinking water.

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

liters that provides potable water to certain sitios of Barangay Tambobong for domestic use. The team also found solid wastes such as shampoo, soap wrappers, food wrappers and many more pollutants near the riverbank. When confronted the swimming pool management failed to present a business permit, building permit, barangay clearance and a use permit from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

NEW CIRCUS IN TOWN “When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.” - Winston Churchill 1Sambayanan is another notso-fresh-out-of-the water acronym that is trying to capture the Pinoys political imagination and eager support.

Coined by retired Associate Justice Antonio - the man who would have been Chief Justice but surprisingly failed to land it as appointing authorities bypassed him on several occasions - it seeks to form a “grand alliance” among opposition groups seeking to vanish the Duterte magic in the 1922 presiential balloting.

The Grand Alliance was actually the political gang organized by the Young Turks in the mid60s to battle the two-party system then long lorded over by the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party.

Led by the emerging tandem of Sens. Raul Manglapus and Manuel Manahan, the GA sought to inject a new political mindset

among the young idealistic generation who were then in search of a new face in the marquee of Philippine politics.

At the time, then Pres. Diosdado Macapagal of the LP was singularly being mentioned as the favorite to win the 1965 presidential elections there being no possible opponent from the Nacionalista to defeat his re-election bid.

(Until Ferdinand Marcos bolted the ruling LP and joined the opposition Nacionalista party to eventually become the standard bearer.

Manglapus and his GA boys lost but they hurt more of Macapagal’s re-election hopes than the Nacionalista underdog bet that catapulted Marcos to Malacanang).

Carpio knows his political history but I doubt if he would be able to gather together as one opposition bloc all the perceived enemies of the Duterte administration.

Already, former senator Antonio Trillanes has sounded his horn provided that VP Leni - whom he said he was backing - would not be contesting the presidency altogether but might

instead run for governor of Camarines Sur. Unfortunately, just as quickly as Trillanes made his confession that he was salivating to become president, Robredo contradicted the former senaor, releasing a pres statement saying she has not abandoned her plans about joining the presidential derby.

Other presidential wannabes perceived to be waiting for the right opportunity to express their ambitions in public - Richard Gordon, Grace Poe, Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto are still holding their horses.

Losing 2016 vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos has already announced his desire to run in 2022, without citing the poistion he would be aspiring for.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, though urged by her millions of fans and die-hard supporters in the social media, is yet to wave even a hint.

October first week is the filing of COCs, just less than 5 months away.

Already, boxing icon and Sarangani senator Manny Pacquiao has all but officially declared his

presidential intentions. His people have been all over the place recruitng political officers, coordinators, media writers, etc. for his national campaign organization.

People may not know but they better be not ignorant.

Carpio has been making the headlines since even before retiring from the bench. He has continuosly harped on the flat disinterestedness and nonchalance of Pres. Duterte to enforce the UN arbitral decision favoring the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, originally known as the South China Sea. Carpio was even provoked by Duterte to accept a public debate, hastily hurled by the latter during his “Talk to the Nation” press conference sometme ago.

The former magistrate, as my political sense tells me, is half-successfully agitating the public to take notice of him with the anti-Duterte mainstream media ably providing the media space in both broadcast and print.

This leads me to conclude even prematurely - that Carpio put up 1Sambayanan as his own political platform even if he had

initially declared that it was intended to gather all opposition groups and those dissatisfied with the performanc of the incumbent Malacanang tenant under one banner - and that is 1Sambayanan.

Brilliant, huh?

Trillanes already took the bait, hook, line and sinker as well as VP Leni who could not even identify where her residence is established.

Carpio and the opposition, I reckon, know that for their challenge against Duterte and his hordes of die-hard backers to be successful, hinges on undivided commitment to national unity, progressive sustainable government platforms and the integrity of its membership.

1Sambayan aims to achieve these - albeit looking like a Don Quixote battling the windmill.

Carpio must realize the opposition is decimated, a spent force after Otso Derecho plunged deep into the abyss of political setback in the 2019 mid-term polls.

1Sambayanan may be a misnomer. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

SAMULCO, LONGEST THRIVING COOP One of Davao region’s most successful credit unions, Santa Ana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAMULCO) has a foreign component to its creation. Initiated

by Canadian priest Fr. Gerard Loiselle, PME, the coop is patterned after Caisse Populaire of Quebec, Canada.

Caisse Populaire (literally, credit union) is a coop operating like a financial institution but owned by its members. Aside from extending investment, lending, and insurance services, it also provides personalized services but cannot provide the same level of funding as banks.

The coop, starting as Sta. Ana Parish Cooperative Credit Union (SAPCOCU) and later the first in southern Mindanao to use an automated teller machine (ATM), was an offshoot of the pecuniary issues affecting parishioners needing financial help for hospital bills, medicines, education, and emergency. Seeing the problems recurring, Fr. Loiselle pooled several persons

to organize the coop, inspired by the hugely successful Caisse Populaire at home.

With an initial capital of only P242, the coop was launched on Feb. 26, 1967, and held office under the roof of Sta. Ana Parish.

Conceived as a community opentype cooperative, it was registered on March 29, 1967 and commenced serving with 21 members.

SAMULCO’s rise was a magnet for inspiration and competition. Over the decades, wannabees threw their hats into the race arena, some falling on the wayside while others, due to efficient management, frugal use of resources, patronage of members, and, above all, satisfactory service to the clientele, grew to become billion-peso lending institutions.

Over the decades, the coop's loan portfolio has grown, expanded and diversified to include self-reliant credit, salary, educational, petty cash, grocery, pension, reward plus, and calamity while its services now

include Dayong Special Savings Deposit, SAMULCO Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center, SAMULCO Buying Club, Laboratory Cooperative, Forest Lake Memorial lots, SAMULCO Village, and scholarship program, to name a few.

During its 46 th General Assembly held on April 7, 2013, the coop was honored with a message from President Benigno S. Aquino, who acknowledged its role as partner in improving the lives of people, saying: SAMULCO has been at the forefront of providing the livelihood and financial assistance services necessary for the empowerment of your stakeholders in Davao City. Your socio- economic programs speak well of your established partnership with local government in revitalizing the countryside; we are grateful to have you as partners in uplifting the lives of our countrymen and making them productive members of society. May you be able to sustain your Cooperative’s success and promote inclusive

economic growth and equitable progress for the benefit not only of your locality, but of the entire nation.

Illuminated by the glow of hope and renewal and by a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability, we shall carry on in the straight and righteous path. Together, let us show conviction in our noble endeavors, as we seek to achieve lasting peace and prosperity.

When the coop celebrated its 50 th year in 2017, there was so much to celebrate. The figures that defined its success were tremendous. The homegrown credit union, up to that period, declared an affiliation of 35,000 active members and had assets that nobody even dreamed of.

The records at the time displayed awe-inspiring gains: P7 billion in total loans, P12 million in healthcare services extended, over P200 million mortuary assistance granted, 360 individuals employed, over 300 scholars, and thousands of lives of members

touched, chiefly women.

Its journey towards excellence was given further impetus when the Cooperative Development Authority, the state agency that handles coop registrations and affairs, extended the life of the credit union by another half century.

Before it was known as SAMULCO, the coop underwent several reincarnations. Starting as Sta. Ana Parish Cooperative Credit Union, Inc. (SAPCOCU), it was renamed Sta. Ana Community Cooperative Credit Union (SACCOCU), then Sta. Ana Credit Cooperative (SACRECO), and eventually as Santa Ana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAMULCO).

The coop now owns four buildings situated along Monteverde Avenue, Magsaysay Avenue, Puan, and Buhangin, Davao City. Its journey has been chronicled in From Strength to Strength: The Story of Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative, a book launched during its golden anniversary.

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

NIÑOFRANCO’S NEW DIRECTIONS

WHEN one thinks of a Davao fashion brand, the name Niñofranco is usually the first name that comes into mind.

The brainchild of young fashion designer Wilson Limon, Niñofranco has been making waves not just locally but all across the Philippines with its contemporary ethnocentric collections and oneof-a-kind pieces, made collaboratively from the heart of Mindanao.

More than just utilizing ethnic patterns and materials, Niñofranco is proud to collaborate with different Mindanaoan tribes, fusing modern fashion with traditions and beliefs.

As part of the brand’s evolution, Niñofranco recently moved its design studio to a new and bigger space along Gen. Luna Street and this is where I was able to catch up with the young designer to talk about the past year and what he sees for the coming year.

Niñofranco comes home “2020 has been a challenging year for fashion but thankfully, with the help of our regular clients, we were able to weather the storm” shared Wilson. Not resting on his laurels and always seeking new opportunities, the young designer is taking a leap of faith and is introducing two

new product lines.

Born out of the need to expand the opportunities and livelihood that Niñofranco can give to their partner ethnolinguistic communities, the brand focused on the organic art and culture that their

LEFT: Inside Niñofranco’s new design studio. ABOVE: Niñofranco Home Solehiya basket collection. is, what Wilson shares, is his personal passion and love of scented candles. “I would collect many different scented candles and use them at home to create a mood. Eventually me and a close friend decided to create our own scented candle collection and thus Vesta was born.”

“Vesta is the culmination of months of mixing waxes, experimenting wicks, testing hundreds of scents, and a few burns in the kitchen and our skins to create the kind of candles we want to smell in our abodes and spaces” said Wilson “By developing scents through countless iterations, we were able to get every whiff - from rough to auspicious - just right.”

Vesta by Niñofranco candles are made of soy wax that are not only environmentally sound, but also burn slower than ordinary paraffin wax. Soy candles also burn cleaner creating less soot.

“Our soy wax is made from environmentally friendly, renewable resources; whereas paraffin wax is made from petroleum and is non-renewable” shares Wilson.

Vesta by Niñofranco comes in five classic scents: Sea Breeze, Fresh Bamboo, Coffee Bean, Lavender, and Green Tea. And five premium scents: Black Sea, Oakmoss and Amber, Mint Mojito, Himalayan Bamboo, and Clean Cotton.

partners often inspire from the natural earth. This is how NIñofranco Home came to be.

“I was on a trip to Lake Sebu when I noticed how the local

Spreading to markets beyond While Niñofranco is settling down into its new home. Wilson is excited for the upcoming months. “While we may still be in a pandemic, I am looking forward to participate in some international markets” shared Wilson. “We hope to sell some pieces in LA for Pinoy Pride there soon.”

Wilson also reveals that he is also doing many collaborations with other Davao designers. Creating new and interesting pieces that highlight contemporary Dabawenyo designs, and thoughts matched with traditional artisan skills.

LEFT: Vesta by Niñofranco scented candles. ABOVE: Designer Wilson Limon. people wove “solihiya” for screens and furniture pieces” shared Wilson. Solihiya is a woven rattan screen with a sunburst pattern that used to be frequently present in many older Filipino furniture. “I wanted to push the limits of solehiya and to experiment, explore, and create varia-

tions and reiterations in our pieces.”

The first offerings from Niñofranco Home, the collection includes a solihiya foldable basket and a solihiya tray in three different stains. The solihiya pieces are airy and light with a fresh tropical look, while also harkening back to lazy Sundays at a plantation.

The second new product line

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AGRITRENDS

9

YES, YOU CAN GROW ASPARAGUS IN THE COUNTRY

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

sparagus, known in the science world as Asparagus officinalis is an exotic, perennial herb, whose potential for export has been overlooked until the late 1980s, when it surfaced as one of the major promising dollar earners for the vegetable sector. Asparagus is produced primarily for the international market. It is grown for its shoots and spears, which are either cooked or processed.

The English word “asparagus” is derived from classical Latin, but the plant was once known in English as sperage, from the Medieval Latin sparagus. This term itself derives from the Greek spharagos or asparagos, and the Greek term originates from the Persian asparag, which means “sprout” or “shoot.”

Although it derives its name from the ancient Greeks, it was the Romans who were hooked on this vegetable. They documented detailed growing instructions, they enjoyed eating it in season, and they were the first to preserve it by freezing. There is a recipe for cooking asparagus in the oldest surviving book of recipes, Apicius’s 3rd century AD De re coquinaria, Book III. Asparagus was first cultivated about 2500 years

ago in Greece. The name is a Greek word, meaning stalk or shoot. The Greeks believed asparagus was a herbal medicine which, among other things, would cure toothaches and prevent bee stings.

Second century physician, Galen, described asparagus as “cleansing and healing.” Claims for medicinal benefits of asparagus persist to this day. The Romans became great lovers of asparagus, and grew it in high-walled courtyards. In their conquests, they spread it to the Gauls and Germans, and from there, the rest of the world.

Originally, asparagus was used by ancient Greeks and Romans to relieve toothaches and prevent bee stings.

The Elements of Materia Medica (1854), edited by a University of Pennsylvania

professor, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones.

He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.

Often regarded as rare and expensive, asparagus can be a regular fare in the Filipino diet. “The trick is to plant them in your backyard,” suggests Ma. Angelo Sumilang in an article published in Philippine Star.

Unknowingly, asparagus production started in the country in 1989 yet. But since it was considered a temperate climate crop, the vegetable was grown only to such places as Baguio and Mountain Province. The introduction of new tropical varieties made it to be grown in other parts of the country.

Asparagus grows best in soil that is deep, loose and light. It demands high fertility, plenty of organic matter, good drainage, and an abundant supply of moisture. It grows well in areas where rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the country like Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Bondoc Peninsula, Bohol, Sulu, Misamis Occidental, and the eastern parts of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Ecija.

Asparagus also grows well in dry areas where wa-

ter supply is constantly available. The desired average daily temperature of the area should be 53 degrees Fahrenheit to enhance the growth of the spears.

The period of harvesting and the cutting season differ in various sections of the country. The spears may be harvested at an earlier age where the growing season is long, relatively cool, and the rainfall is evenly distributed.

Where the growing season is short and warm, spears should only be harvested after the crowns have had two full years of growth. Harvesting is usually done on the 13th month of operation.

Asparagus can be harvested for a period of 270 days within a year. While the seedlings are still young, the first harvest period could yield about 10 kilograms per day per hectare for 30 days. Cutting should then

be stopped for a month and then resumed the following month for the second harvest. The yield could then be 20 kilograms per day per hectare for 60 days.

For the succeeding harvest periods, cutting could be done for three consecutive months followed by a month of rest. The average yield this time could be 40 kilograms a day per hectare.

Although the asparagus may remain fairly attractive in appearance for several days, its quality deteriorates fast at warm temperature.

It should, therefore, be sold within 12 to 24 hours after harvesting, unless refrigerated.

When it has to be kept overnight without refrigeration, submerge the tied bundles almost to their tips in ice water.

Fresh asparagus may also be stored for a limited

period. After cutting, precool the spears at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A high relative humidity of 95 percent should be maintained to prevent moisture loss.

According to Sumilang, asparagus reaches 10-15 years of maximum productivity.

What’s in an asparagus, anyway? Plenty, nutritionists claim. Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin. Asparagus has no fat, contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium.

Among vegetables, asparagus is reportedly the leading supplier of folic acid.

A 5.3-ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folacin, which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and

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REGULATION ... FROMP2

landslide luoy ang nagaligo sad sa baba,” Peñalver added.

The group is intensifying its call of regulating various recreational activities and to continue the protection of Panigan-Tamugan Watershed as several face masks and face shields were found during the clean-up drive conducted last week.

This is on top of the other solid wastes recovered in the watershed area.

In a statement posted on its Facebook account, IDIS explained that majority of masks are made of longlasting plastic materials that, if discarded, will survive for decades to hundreds of years in the environment.

As a result, they can have a variety of adverse effects on the environment and people.

Bantay Bukid volunteers, who were partners of IDIS in the clean-up drive, also pointed out that one of the reasons for the current increase of improperly disposed wastes in the area is the presence of various recreational activities within the Panigan-Tamugan.

The group stated that, currently, several people are doing their laundry and swimming in the river and that these activities are unregulated and unmonitored. In addition, volunteers also saw built structures such as cottages in the area, which encourages the influx of people in

the river as it is used for recreational activities along the riverbanks.

These activities were also reported of the representatives of nine government agencies and one advocacy group the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Administrator’s Office, City Health Office (CHO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc., City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Agriculturist Office (CAO), Department of Environmental and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11), D E N R- E nv i ro n m e n t a l Management Bureau, and Davao City Water District (DCWD) that conducted inspections and monitoring in the watershed area.

The WMC, which is headed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, has been working on the problem for months, getting reports from the Multipartite Monitoring Team Committee and conferring the owners of the mentioned businesses.

Headed by City Administrator Zuleika Lopez, on the city mayor’s behalf, is mandated by the City Watershed Code to exercise certain duties and power including the stoppage of any activity in the watershed area that violates provisions of the code.

DABAWENY0S... FROMP3

The simex was participated by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), Task Force Davao, Bureau of Fire Protection 11, Department of Local and Interior Government 11 (DILG 11), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and support units of the Philippine

National Police (PNP) such as the anti-kidnapping unit that portrayed as the negotiator, SWAT, and the Police Station 2 of DCPO. According to Kraft, the simex received a 9 rating out of 10 from the DRRMO. “So there is room for improvement pa rin and we need still need to practice until everything is perfect,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

These also include cut in the timeframe for the detection and isolation of Covid-19 positive cases from seven to five days, and the eventual Congress’ approval of the proposed PHP170 billion worth of supplementation social protection financing for those who are greatly affected by the pandemic

and to fund the improvement of health protocols.

Spending program was also increased from PHP4.66 trillion to PHP4.74 trillion while it is seen to rise to PHP4.95 trillion next year, to PHP5.11 trillion in 2023 and to PHP5.4 trillion in 2024 amid the higher requirements caused by the pandemic.

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guard measures on imported vehicles and the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified ECQ in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces were seen in the monthon-month performance of the industry.

AVID’s total sales in April 2021 compared to its previous month declined by 13 percent.

Passenger car segment sales dipped by 21 percent, while light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 15 percent.(PNA)

billion while workers hired hit 1,938.

It is currently participating in the construction of “Build, Build, Build” projects including the North South Commuter Railway (depot and viaduct), Skyway Stage 3 Section 1, NLEx-SLEx (North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway) Connec-

tor Road Section 1, Cavite– Laguna Expressway, and LRT (Light Rail Transit) Line 2 Masinag Extension.

Meanwhile, as part of its pandemic response, Consunji said the engineering conglomerate ordered over 30,000 jabs for its employee vaccination program.

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During the deliberation, he said students within the BARMM would still take the National Achievement Test, although the region has been given powers for its own assessment of students.

Rasol added that teachers in the region would still receive training from the Department of Education but the Ministry on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education BARMM may also provide localized training for mentors.

“Anything in the national system still applies to BARMM since our educational structure is a subsystem of the DepEd (Department of Education),” Mitmug said.

Meanwhile, Iqbal said new textbooks and materials would still have to be made on the integration of the Bangsamoro history in the curriculum.

He pointed out that the newly passed BEC would cover and govern all education systems, whether formal, nonformal, and informal, public and private learning institutions in all levels, to be collectively referred to as the “Bangsamoro Education System”.

The BEC was filed and introduced by Iqbal in October last year and went through a series of committee hearings and consultations for more than six months.

ordinance are the tribes of Mandaya, Kagan and Manobo.

The tribal chieftain of Barangay Buso, Gualberto Cagunan, delivered

his gratitude to the administration of Mayor Michelle for giving the tribal sector the attention they have been yearning for years. (CIO MATI)

JICA, DPWH, and the contractors and consultants are determined to fast-track the construction.

“Despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), JICA together with DPWH and other government agencies, the contractors and consultants, are all committed to work together to address the pandemic’s impacts and complete the project as soon as possible for the benefit of the Dabawenyos and the entire Mindanao,” he said.

Kawabuchi also said that it is expected that Japanese technology such as excavation techniques for tunnel construction will be applied for Filipino engineers and skilled workers to take advantage of acquiring technical knowledge and expertise in the building of the tunnel that will be the longest in the country once completed.

The bypass project is being funded under Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) through JICA, with the 34.830 billion yen (about P16 billion) loan agreement signed June 16, 2020.

The entire bypass road with a total length of 45.5 kilometers is divided into six packages: package I-1 (10.7 km), package I-2 (12.8 km), package I-3 (6.1 km), package II-1 (2.7 km), package II-2 (3.5 km), and package II-3 (9.7 km).

It will start from DavaoDigos section of the PanPhilippine Highway in Brgy Sirawan, Davao City going to Davao-Panabo section of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Brgy J.P. Laurel, Panabo City, The bypass road project aims to mitigate congestions in Davao City with the travel time of one hour and 44 minutes via Pan-Philippine Highway Diversion Road to be reduced into 49 minutes.

Economic Development Authority reveals.

The area is also the

country’s fourth largest producer of corn, and the sixth of coconut.

ated containers to maintain potency and efficacy up until arrival at their designated stations, it said.

To date, Cebu Pacific said it has flown over three million vaccine doses, two million of which were picked up from Beijing in coordination with the Department of

Health.

Cebu Pacific operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 32 destinations, on top of its six international destinations.

It has a 74-strong fleet, which includes two dedicated ATR freighters and one A330 freighter.

he added.

Panga said with the enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE) into law, the Philippines becomes competitive in attracting new FDI with the reduction of corporate income tax to 25 percent from the previous rate of 30 percent.

“But this will have to be

complemented by better governance, more stable economic policymaking, quality labor, adequate infrastructure, and overall ease of doing business in order for the Philippines to improve its FDI performance and keep up with competition for FDI attraction vis-avis Asean top 5 economies,” he said. (PNA)

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ANALYST... FROMP5 CEBPAC... FROMP5

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ASPARAGUS ... FROMP9

prevention of liver disease.

Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause

paralysis and death among babies.

Asparagus is also one of the richest sources of rutin, a drug which strengthens capillary walls

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Philippine Sports Commission at sa lahat po ng nagtulong-tulong. Isa po itong magandang project para lalong gumaling ang ating mga atletang Pilipino (We would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission and everyone who helped. This is a good project so that our Filipino athletes will become even better),” Garcia said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, was also present and assured his support for PSTC. “Kapag nagtutulungan po ang ating mga atleta at ang ating gobyerno ay malayo po ang ating mararating. Rest assured na suportado po namin itong (If the athletes and the government help each other, we can go further. Rest assured that we will support this) PSTC,” Go said.

Ramirez said after many months of weighing options and offers, the PSC accepted the offer of Bataan given the strate-

gic location of the venue and its significance if the country’s history where the heroic “laying down of lives” for flag and country of simple citizens mirror the sacrifice that athletes go through in their journey towards their goals.

Republic Act 11214, the law which created PSTC seeks “to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country’s quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations,” was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last February 2019.

Ramirez was joined by PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram, and PSI National Training Director Marc Velasco.

Meanwhile, Garcia was joined by 2nd District of Bataan Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Municipal Mayor Maria Angela Garcia and Emmanuel Pineda. (PNA)

Ramirez.

Coo maybe the youngest in the Philippine team who aspire to become an Olympian, but he knows from deep within that this is what he really wanted ever since he started in the sport – to raise the flag and make the

country proud.

“Dreams don’t work unless you work for it.

We’re chasing the dream right now and the dream is the goal. I’ll do my best and hopefully, I’ll make it to qualify in Tokyo Olympics.” exclaimed Coo.

the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines,” the law read.

The signing of RA 11543 came ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.

Kouame, a 6’10” center of the Ateneo de Manila University, came to the Philippines in 2016 to try out for the Blue Eagles. He was named University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Rookie of the Year in 2018.

Last month, FIBA announced that the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers will be held in Clark, Pampanga from June 16 to 20.

Teams from Groups A, B, and C will play their window matches.

Group A includes the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia, Group B is composed of Chinese Taipei, Japan, Malaysia, and China, and Group C is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, Guam, and Hong Kong. (PNA)

former Indiana University star Cody Zeller with 17. The Hornets finished the season with six straight losses.

The difference: Indiana’s playoff experience, which showed right from the start.

With McDermott leading the charge, Indiana started 7 of 11 from 3-point range, continually beat the Hornets to loose balls and stayed in front

of Charlotte on defense.

Indiana pulled out to a 23-9 lead, and then extended the margin 40-24 after one, 69-45 at halftime and 76-45 early in the third quarter. The Hornets were never close after the opening minutes.

The Pacers finished 16 of 35 on 3s and shot 55.2% from the field overall.

determined by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or its legal successor, in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission.

The 25-year franchise will be revoked if Dito fails to operate continuously for two

years.

The franchise also requires the company to submit an annual report to Congress on its rollout, development, operation and/or expansion of businesses, audited financial statements, among others.

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Ateneo center Ange Kouame.

Patrick Coo: chasing the Olympic dream for flag

“I

am proud to be racing for the Philippines.

It has been a dream” said the 19-year-old BMX racer Patrick Coo who will try to book an Olympic ticket this year as he competes at the UCI BMX World Cup 2021 – a Tokyo Olympic Qualification tournament in Bogota, Colombia from May 29-30.

The teenage cyclist is born and raised in Bellflower, California. He started racing at 6 and will try to qualify in the pinnacle of most sports next to London Olympian Daniel Caluag which represented the country in 2012.

“Danny has always been a great man and inspiration to me. He is my biggest motivation. After watching him in the 2012 Olympics, it something that I also want to do. Put our country on the map.” shared Coo. “He always told me to ride for fun and raise my heart out and that’s all that matters,” Coo

added.

In 2019, Coo won the title in the Asian Juniors BMX Championship in Malaysia and became part of the Philippine Cycling team last year.

“We have a lot of talented Filipino cyclists and one of them is our teenage BMX cyclist Patrick Coo. We are counting on him,” said PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez. PSC gave almost Php 1.2 million financial assistance for Coo’s campaign in Colombia.

The sports governing body also approved additional funding of Php 321,298 thousand pesos which covers the airfare, accommodation, allowance, visa fee, insurance, COVID swab test, and entry fee of Coo’s entourage along with national coaches Ednalyn Hualda and Frederick Farr.

“Patrick has a lot of potential, not only for this year but in the next Olympic cycle in Paris, France,” added

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Kouame granted Filipino citizenship A teneo center Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame has been granted Filipino citizenship through naturalization, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said on Tuesday.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is elated to announce that Angelo Kouame’s Filipino naturalization is now official. The SBP extends our appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing it into law and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Bong Go for their assistance,” Panlilio said.

He also thanked Senator Sonny Angara, who is also the SBP chairman, and Congressman Robbie Puno, also the SBP vice chairman, for authoring the legislative bills pushing

Pacers move a step closer to playoffs

I

NDIANAPOLIS — Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers routed the Charlotte Hornets, 144-117, in the Eastern Conference’s first play-in game on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Led by Sabonis and Doug McDermott, who scored 16 of

his 21 points in the first quarter, the ninth-seeded Pacers snapped a franchise-worst nine-game losing streak in the postseason. They also moved within one victory of making a sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

Indiana will visit the loser of Tuesday’s other play-in game, No. 7 Boston against No. 8 Washington,

SPORTS 11

on Thursday.

It was Indiana’s first postseason win since a blowout victory against Cleveland in April 2018. And the Pacers won this one despite losing forward Caris LeVert to the league’s health and safety protocol.

Charlotte was led by Miles Bridges with 18 points and

FPACERS, P10

for Kouame’s naturalization.

Panlilio also thanked Senators Joel Villanueva and Dick Gordon for joining Angara in making the Senate bill possible.

“The SBP thanks all our allies in both houses whose support has been crucial in pushing this legislation to further strengthen our Gilas Pilipinas Men,” Panlilio said.

He said Kouame is now working on what is left to be done for FIBA to clear him for Gilas’ upcoming tournaments.

“We are confident that

he’ll be able to play during our hosting of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia,” Panlilio said.

He said the more important thing, however, is to have Kouame on board for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines will co-host with Indonesia and Japan.

“Although Kouame’s presence is crucial for these two tournaments, having him as an official member of the squad in the upcoming games is an early investment as we build towards the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup,” he said.

He said Kouame’s naturalization is a highlight of “a great day for Philippine basketball.”

“We’re thankful for the full support of our basketball community,” Pan-

lilio added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday signed Republic Act (RA) 11543 granting Philippine citizenship to Kouame.

According to RA 11543, Kouame shall take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before a duly authorized officer.

The Oath of Allegiance shall be registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the newly-signed law said.

The BI is directed to issue a certificate for Kouame’s naturalization upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance.

“Mr. Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, privileges,” and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto under

FKOUAME, P10

Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists, and the short-handed India

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 56 • THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

BREAKTHROUGH

PH Sports Training Center to rise soon in Bataan

T

he training ground for future national athletes is soon to be built in Bataan.

As some sort of a birthday gift on Tuesday, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez received a deed of donation from no less than Bataan Governor Albert Raymond “Abet”

Garcia for the site of the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC).

“I am so happy and excited about this newly forged partnership with the Provincial Govern-

ment of Bataan. This will give our national athletes a new home as they continue to bring pride and honor to our country,” Ramirez said during the ceremonial signing and turnover rites at The Orient Bataan in Mariveles, Bataan.

In particular, the Bataan provincial government donated 250,000 square meters of land in Bagac for the PSTC. The state-of-the-art sports

hub will feature numerous facilities for administrative, sports science, medical, and dormitories for athletes and coaches; with sports amenities for 39 Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

A PHP3.5 billion budget has been set for the construction of the facility.

The PSTC is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

FBREAKTHROUGH, P10

LAND DONATION. Sports officials and local government leaders of Bataan pose for photo opportunity after the ceremonial signing and turnover of the deed of donation for the land donated by Bataan for the site of the Philippine Sports Training Center at The Orient Bataan in Mariveles, Bataan on Tuesday (May 18, 2021). Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (seated 3rd from right) joined the Philippine Sports Commission officials led by chairman William Ramirez (2nd from left) and Bataan Governor Albert Garcia (4th from left). (Photo courtesy of PSC)