Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 133 | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

IOLE: MANNY TRANSITIONS WELL FROM A NEW OPPONENT

SPORTS P 8

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VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDSAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledges that those who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 cannot be arrested, saying there is democracy in the country. Duterte, however, warned that Covid-19 may just “circulate in the air for years” if they refuse to get vaccinated and observe minimum public health standards. Presidential Photo

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Covid-19 cases in Davao City declining but numbers of critical cases high STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

GOING DOWN

A total of 120 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) onboard PR528 from Kuala Lumpur arrived at the Davao International Airport on Monday evening. Photo courtesy of GeneRose Tecson

Covid-19 cases in Davao City declining but numbers of critical cases high

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bared on Tuesday that Covid-19 cases in Davao City are declining, however, the numbers of critical cases are high.

“Nagababa atong cases, however taas ang critical care utilization nato, meaning kanang severe and critical cases nato taas sila daghan sila sa atong hospitals,” the mayor said on Monday.

Based on the case daily report of the city government of Davao as of 6 p.m. of August 15, 2021, the city has a total

Covid-19 cases of 33,229 and of this number 3,557 (219 new) are active cases. The city has recorded 28,574 with 89 new recoveries and 1,098 with four new deaths.

Due to the declining number of cases, Mayor Sara said the city is now hoping that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will downgrade

the quarantine status of Davao City to just General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status with no more heightened restrictions.

“We hope to be downgraded to GCQ nalang wala ang heightened restrictions, hopefully mahatag na sa atoa sa IATF but of course we would accept kung unsa ang ilang i-classify nga community quarantine sa Davao City,” Mayor Sara said.

On August 13, 2021,

the IATF extended Davao City’s GCQ with heightened restrictions status from August 16 to 31, 2021.

On the other hand, based on the Regional Situation Update on COVID-19 in Davao Region as of 5 p.m. of August 16, 2021, the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao Center for Health Development reported 155 new cases of Covid-19 in the region bringing the total number of active

‘Parts’, ‘Bords’, ‘Albay, and ‘Pards’.

Galido said Omega is the intelligence officer of CPP-NPA Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID)and a former member of Regional Operations Command (ROC-R2), an Intelligence Unit of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and Squad Special Operations Group of SMRC. He said the operating team were about to issue

a warrant of arrest against Omega for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and robbery issued by the Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region Branch 14, Davao City, dated April 22, 2019, when the suspect fired shots at the government troops, prompting them to retaliate resulting in the killing of Omega.

Authorities were able to recover from the slain rebel a Caliber .45 pistol

with magazine, bullets, and various propaganda materials.

Omega was involved in various crimes including a raid in Cafgu detachment at Sitio Kamaruyan, Barangay Tagugpo, Lupon, Davao Oriental in 2004 and 2005.

He was also involved in an attack of several police stations in Magpet in 2005; Tampakan municipal police station; Dangcagan in 2007; and in Banay-Banay

FGOING, P7

2 minor NPA members surrender in Bukidnon

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wo minor members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to government troops on August 13 in Maramag,Bukidnon.

First Lieutenant Sancho Tomaquin, head of the Civil Military Operations of the Philippine Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion, identified the surrenderees through their aliases as Ruffa and Job, both 15-years old.

The two are regular members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NCMRC).

Tomaquin said the surrender of the minors was a result of the unit’s continued campaign against the terrorist group in the mountainous areas of Quezon, San Fernando, and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon.

The surrenderees revealed that they were recruited by a certain JunJun who befriended them and convinced them to work in a factory in Quezon, Bukidnon.

According to Tomaquin, the promised job never came and instead they were brought to the mountains where armed groups were waiting to receive them. Though afraid of joining the group, they were left with no other option.

He said fatigue, hunger and lack of sleep are among the reasons why they decided to surrender.

The former rebels also revealed that the continuous focused military operation by the Philippine Army in their known guerilla bases had caused them to be always on the run which prevented them from doing organizing works in their target barangays.

police station in 2008; Governor Generoso police station; New Corella in Davao de Oro; and Lupon Police station in Davao Oriental.

His group also raided the police station in San Isidro, Davao Oriental and he led the attack on the detachment in Luna Sur, Makilala, North Cotabato.

He is also involved in raids on army personnel securing the packing house of SUMIFRU in Luna Sur,

Makilala, North Cotabato; and abduction of Mayor Duna of Lingig, Surigao del Sur in 2011. (AMA) 6th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy lauded the operating team, adding the death of Omega is a big loss to the communist terrorist group, add up to their leadership vacuum and also have an adverse effect on the already dwindling morale of their mem-

F2 MINOR, P7

NPA intel officer in police raids in Davao Region killed

A

n alleged intelligence officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in joint military and police operation in Barangay Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato on Monday afternoon (August 16).

Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of Philippine Army’s 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade , identified the slain rebel as John Nebris Omega with aliases

FNPA, P7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

NEWS

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Lumads belonging to the Bukidnon tribe hold their annual ritual in Baleteon, Brgy. Dalwangan, Malaybalay City on Sunday (Aug. 15, 2021). This part of the ritual shows them offering leaves of kilala (a sacred plant) dipped in pig’s blood which they would later place on their doors as protection from death and diseases. They say this is akin to the Hebrew Passover rite on the eve of the Exodus. MindaNews photo by ARIES SANDINO M. MORDENO

Davao del Norte board joins clamor to replace Nordeco as light provider Sara: Mandatory swabbing not a requirement to early applicants

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio clarified on Monday that the mandatory swab testing is not a requirement for applicants who already underwent orientation for the financial aid of the city government of Davao.

“Gikan na sa suggestion sa Covid-19 Task Force, naapprove na na siya sa Covid-19 Task Force but prospective iyang application. Meaning dili siya pwede pangayuon na requirement sa mga tao na nakapirma na sa ilang kontrata o nahuman na sila sa

orientation. Pwede lang siya kung during the orientation na istoryahan siya o nahibalo naka na pagreceive nimo imong payout i-swab ka,” Mayor Sara said.

On August 6, 2021, Mayor Sara approved the proposed mandatory swab testing for recipients and beneficiaries of all financial assistance programs offered by the city. The mandatory swab test requirement will cover applicants who enrolled in any of the city government’s financial assistance program on

FSARA:, P7

Davao Region detects 4 more Delta variant cases

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he Department of Health in Davao Region has confirmed Monday that four more cases of Covid-19 with the highly transmissible Delta variant (B.1.617.2) have been detected in the region.

The DOH 11 in a statement said the new cases were part of the 30 specimens sent to the University of the Philippines –Philippine Genome Center (PGC) for genome sequencing.

One additional case is a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) from Cairo, Egypt with present

address in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. He arrived in Manila last July 18, 2021 and was swabbed and tested positive on July 24, 2021.

Currently, he is on strict home quarantine and still waiting for the repeat RTPCR test on August 17, 2021.

Another new Delta variant case is a 38 year old pregnant woman from Tagum, Davao del Norte.

She was swabbed and tested positive at Davao Regional Medical Center last July 23, 2021.

Currently, she is still

FREGION, P7

T

he provincial board of Davao del Norte approved last Monday a resolution calling for the termination of the franchise of the North Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), formerly Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco), as electricity provider of six local government units ((LGUs) in the province.

The board during its regular session the other day unanimously approved in final reading the resolution which, according to Boardmember Franklin D. Gentiles, “will really arrive in Congress” so that the national legislators can resolve the issue.

“There was a request of the governor (Edwin Jubahib) to support the clamor of the six LGUs” for the termination of the franchise of Nordeco in the province, said Gentiles, the resolution sponsor, who is also the chair of the committee on public works, infrastructure

and public utilities of the provincial board.

Earlier, Governor Jubahib and the mayors of the six LGUs signed a petition calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Nordeco as their electricity service provider and replace it with Davao Light and Power Co. which has been the service provider of other parts of Davao del Norte such as Panabo City, Sto. Tomas, Carmen and Braulio Dujali – since 1976.

On December 18, 2020, Jubahib and the mayors of the six LGUs called on the national

government to pave the way for the cooperative to leave the remaining areas under its franchise in the province as soon as possible so that these could be served by Davao Light and “ not to ask unconscionable amount whenever there is a need for Davao Light and Power Co. to procure (its) properties and equipment.”

The only mayor who did not sign the petition was Eufracio Dayaday of Asuncion.

The petition said it was the result of the “growing clamor of the consumer-members…and civil society organizations to transfer its operation in favor of Davao Light as electricity supplier for “Nordeco is not transparent to its customers for the reason that there is no retail supply contract entered into by and between Nordeco and its customers.” The res-

olution claimed that the performance of the cooperative “is below par and could not meet the standard minimum required by law.”

Governor Jubahib, Mayor Allan Rellon of Tagum City and Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal have been pushing for the replacement of Nordeco, claiming that the cooperative was inefficient in the delivery of its service.

Aside from the LGUs, other groups that have joined the call included the Davao del Norte Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Samal Island Tourism Council, the Samal City Resort Owners Association, the Hugpong Manggama sa Isla, Samal Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the

ROFs were fully vaccinated while 17 received their first dose of either Sinovac or Pfizer vaccines.

“Sila ay nasa iba’t ibang hotel quarantine facility in Davao City,” said Generose Tecson, City Tourism Operations Office chief and airport monitoring head.

The passengers will be swabbed on the 7th day from their arrival and to undergo quarantine until August 29, 2021. They will

be allowed to go home on August 30, 2021.

The office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provided for the quarantine facilities, swabbing and onward journey of the OFWs. The ROFs were also given free SIM cards from Smart Telecommunications.

On the other hand, Tecson assured that the city still has enough beds

for these OFWs as well as those incoming. She said currently, there are 25 hotels in Davao City certified by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) as quarantine facilities for returning OFWs and ROFs. Tecson said presently, the city has received a total of 1,649 OFWs and ROFs since July 15, 2021 wherein 24 were tested positive of Covid-19. By Maya M. Padillo

FDAVAO, P7

120 returning overseas Filipinos arrive

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total of 120 Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) from Kuala Lumpur (KL) arrived at the Davao International Airport (DIA) on the evening of August 16. 2021.

The ROFs return via PR528 flight from the Malaysian capital.

Out of these passengers, 94 were Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and 26 were non-OFWs and their dependents. Also 24

“

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

On the drop of Covid-19 cases in Davao City:

Nagababa atong cases, however taas ang critical care utilization nato, meaning kanang severe and critical cases nato taas sila daghan sila sa atong hospitals.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL False experts, fake news At long last, no less than Malacañang Palace has addressed the matter of bogus experts peddling fake news that have stirred gullible people in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world to swallow hook, line and sinker.

Truth to tell, the pandemic came with a deluge of conspiracy theories, and fantastic false news and information peddled by fake experts. The most outrageous stories so far are those directed to discredit Covid-19 vaccines – that people will become zombies or will die two years after being vaccinated.

It is heartening to note that the seat of power in this country has spoken. It has urged the public not to believe “fake experts” who claimed that the Covid-19 vaccines are not safe and effective against Covid-19.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied claims made by Dr. Romeo Quijano, a retired professor at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, that Covid-19 jabs are “unsafe” and “more dangerous” than the virus causing the respiratory diseases.

Do not believe those who say vaccines are not effective and safe.

They’re fake experts, Roque said in Pilipino.

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“The whole world recognizes that vaccines approved by the WHO, the Philippine FDA and FDAs of different countries are safe and effective,” he said.

In a separate statement, the Department of Health slammed the spread of false and misleading information about vaccines, saying it is “irresponsible” amid the continuing threat of Covid-19 and the more infectious Delta variant.

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña, a member of the DOH-Technical Advisory Group, called it “unfortunate” that some medical professionals believe in conspiracy theories and engage in “sensational propaganda” without citing proper evidence.

The government authorities should now make a deliberate move to stop this form of rumor mongering because it costs lives and prolongs the pandemic.

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

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

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Citing health experts worldwide, Secretary Roque said all Covid-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work in preventing deaths and serious illness due to Covid-19.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO LEAPS OF FAITH “Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some of us go to Mecca; some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves.” ― Dan Brown in Angels & Demons ***

I am not sure if you heard this story before but allow me to share it again: It was almost dark when an atheist fell over a steep cliff.

Halfway down, he caught onto the single bush growing out of the hillside. He hung on for dear life. He could not possibly get back to the top. A hundred feet below was a heap of rocks.

In desperation, he turned his face toward heaven and shouted, “If there is a God, save me.”

A thunderous voice then replied, “If you really believe in God, let go.”

The atheist looked up, then looked down, and lost his nerve.

“Is there anyone else up there?” he screamed.

In Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert wrote: “There’s a reason we refer to ‘leaps of faith’ -- because the decision to

consent to any notion of divinity is a mighty jump from the rational over to the unknowable, and I don’t care how diligently scholars of every religion will try to sit you down with their stacks of books and prove to you through scripture that their faith is indeed rational; it isn’t.

“If faith were rational, it wouldn’t be - by definition faith,” she continued. “Faith is belief in what you cannot see or prove or touch. Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark. If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity; it would just be... a prudent insurance policy.”

“The whole course of things goes to teach us faith,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer and poet. “We need only obey. There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word. Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which flows into you as life, place yourself in the full center of that flood, then you are without effort impelled

to truth, to right, and a perfect contentment.”

To get things done, an ounce of faith is worth a ton of experience. English novelist Rudyard Kipling recounted how a battle was won by the fool raw recruits, the boys who stormed the fort like lunatics, while the old wise soldiers knew better and held back. “Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of the evidence,” Sherwood Eddy said. “Faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences.”

“We live by faith or we do not live at all,” pointed out British politician Harold Walker.

“Either we venture – or we vegetate. If we venture, we do so by faith simply because we cannot know the end of anything at its beginning. We risk marriage on faith or we stay single. We prepare for a profession by faith or we give up before we start. By faith, we move mountains of opposition or we are stopped by molehills.”

Now, let me share with you another anecdote which some people said American novelist Robert Louis Stevenson told first.

It seems a storm caught a sea-faring vessel off a rocky coast. The wind and waves

threatened to drive the ship to its destruction.

In the midst of the terror, one daring passenger, contrary to orders, made his way across the ship. Groping along a passageway, he found the pilot house. There he beheld an intriguing sight: the ship’s pilot was lashed to his post. Secure against the raging elements, he held the wheel fast, turning the ship inch by inch once more out to the sea. The pilot saw the man and smiled.

The daring passenger found his way below deck where the other passengers huddled. Encouragingly he told them, “I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well.”

His words remind me of the statement of British-born American philosopher Alan M. Watts. “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water,” he said.

“When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.”

The Holy Bible, wisest of all books, assigns high importance to faith: “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed… nothing shall be impossible unto you.” And what is faith? Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.”

“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation,” Elton Trueblood agrees.

And what faith can do? “Faith draws the poison from every grief, takes the sting from every loss, and quenches the fire of every pain; and only faith can do it,” J.G. Holland believes.

Faith in yourself is a religious thing, for you are God’s creation, His child. Believe in yourself and believe in Him. E. Stanley Jones commented, “Very often when I haven’t faith in my faith, I have to have faith in His faith. He makes me believe in myself and my possibilities, when I simply can’t. I have to rise to His faith in me.”

At one time, a woman who was inwardly collapsed said to Mr. Jones, “Well, I have no faith of my own, but I do have in your faith.” “Good,” Mr. Jones replied, “take faith in my faith as a first step, and then you will go on to something infinitely better – faith in His faith.”

If you are still at loss what faith is, here’s a word of reminder. “Faith is like a toothbrush,” said J.G. Stipe. “Every man should have one and use it regularly, but he shouldn’t try to use someone else’s.”

DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS THINK ON THESE!

INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY FOR COMFORT WOMEN It was thirty years ago, on August 14, 1991, when South Korean Kim Hak-sun became the first to give a public testimony about her experience as a comfort woman victim.

August 14 was later declared by the South Korean government in 2012 as the International Memorial Day for Comfort Women.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in described Japan’s wartime use of comfort women as “crimes against humanity.”

About 200,000 women from Korea, China, Burma, New Guinea, and the Philippines were held in captivity and many thousands more were raped as part of one of the largest operations of sexual violence in modern history.

The girls who were abducted, trafficked or brought to the Japanese soldiers’ camps had their own dreams and visions for the future that were shattered a damaged in utter injustice.

Due to their tender age then, it was a painful experience for them to be subjected to

sexual slavery, rape and other forms of sexual violence during World War 2.

The victims have spent their lives in misery, having endured physical injuries, pain and disability, and mental and emotional suffering.

A year after Hak-sun’s revelation, Lola Rosa Henson decided to come out on September 18, 1992 with her story, and to tell everyone what happened to her, with the hope that such an ordeal will never happen again to any woman.

She was the first such Filipina to tell the world about this inhuman practice of the Japanese during the war.

In the book entitled Maria Rosa Henson: Comfort Woman

by Yuki Tanaka, Nana Rosa narrated her ordeal in the hands of the Japanese soldiers.

“The soldiers came. My work began, and I lay down as one by one the soldiers raped me. Every day, anywhere from twelve to over twenty soldiers assaulted me. There were times when there were as many as thirty; they came to the garri-

son in truckloads.”

“I lay on the bed with my knees up and my feet on the mat, as if I were giving birth.

Whenever the soldiers did not feel satisfied, they vented their anger on me. Every day, there were incidents of violence and humiliation. When the soldiers raped me, I felt like a pig. Sometimes they tied up my right leg with a waist band or a belt and hung it on a nail in the wall as they violated me.”

“There was no rest, they have sex with me every minute. That’s why we’re very tired. They would allow you to rest only when all of them had already finished. Due to my tender age, it was a painful experience for me. Sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the evening – not only 20 times. ” I had the privilege to see and talk to Nana Rosa in person when I was a reporter while finishing my UP Law studies then assigned to cover the Lila Filipina, the organization of former Filipina comfort women.

Hak-sun died on December

1997 at age 74.

Lola Rosa Henson died on August 18,1997 of heart attack at the age of 69 . Her death came three days after the 52nd anniversary of the end of World War II. Eight decades since the war ended on August 15, 1945 , and thirty years after Haksun’s first appearance in 1991, the Japanese government still refuses to recognize its official accountability to the victims of sex slavery.

Many victims have died without seeing justice, with the Philippine government continuing to ignore the plight of “comfort” women. They remain unsupported and unrecognized by both the Japanese and Philippine governments.

Lila Filipina said in a statement that Japanese Official Development Assistance to flagship projects of the Duterte administration has made the Philippine government subservient to Japanese government dictates.

The group lamented the shameless kowtowing to the

demands of the Japanese government to remove all memorials pertaining to Japanese wartime atrocities, particularly the “Lola” statue removed from Roxas Boulevard in 2018 and the replica of the “Girl of Peace” statue in a private facility in San Pedro, Laguna.

From their original number of more than 200 in the late 1990s, less than 50 Filipina survivors are still alive. This highlights a sense of urgency for them to receive a formal unequivocal public apology and just compensation from Japan as well as accurate historical inclusion while their voices can still be heard.

Justice has not yet been given to these women such as Rosa Henson. Their fight for continues up to this day.

Peyups is the monicker of University of the Phillippnes or UP Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 133 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

SECTION 7. DUTY OF MEAT VENDORS OR SUPPLIERS OF MEAT PROCESSORS – The meat vendors shall ensure that there shall be no selling of clandestinely or illegally slaughtered, transported, undocumented or sourced from illegal markets or prohibited markets classified as ASF affected areas by the Government.

SECTION 8. REGULATIONS ON SWILL FEEDING

19th City Council 13th Regular Session Series of 2021

A. For swine raisers: 1. Practice strict biosecurity and good animal husbandry practices in respective farms;

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

CHAPTER THREE PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Alberto T. Ungab Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

- Temporary Presiding Officer

B. The table left-overs or food wastes/swill (“lamaw”) shall be properly prepared or heated using the abovementioned method prior to disposal, sale or transfer to swine raisers.

C. For all other concerned agencies and barangay officials in their respective jurisdiction: 1. Conduct information, education, and communication activities on ASF prevention especially the prohibition on swill/food wastes (“lamaw”) feeding.

2. Conduct regular monitoring of health status of swine.

3. Ensure that illegal market products (fresh, frozen or processed) are not being sold in the market.

4. Report any suspicious incident of mortality in pigs in respective areas for verification of the City Veterinarian’s Office.

CHAPTER FOUR PROHIBITED ACTS SECTION 9. PROHIBITED ACTS – The following acts are declared unlawful: a. Selling, transporting, offering or receiving for sale, distribution and storing of imported pork, its by-products, carcasses and boar semen originating from ASF affected areas which are included in the list provided by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City without the necessary permits and clearances from the appropriate agencies of the Government;

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar

2. Prohibit feeding raw/swill or food wastes (“lamaw”) to pigs, unless the raw/swill or food wastes is treated with proper heating or preparation method under “2019 OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code”.

(Temperature of at least 90°C for at least 60 minutes and continuous stirring)

- OB – Acting City Mayor

ORDINANCE NO. 0528-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SELLING OR ENTRY OF IMPORTED OR LOCAL PORK AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF) AFFECTED AREAS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF DAVAO CITY PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: CHAPTER ONE GENERAL PROVISION SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SELLING OR ENTRY OF IMPORTED OR LOCAL PORK AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF) AFFECTED AREAS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF DAVAO CITY PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is the duty of the State as well as the Local Government Unit to protect and promote animal health and welfare and secure the development of animal industry in the attainment of greater safeguard and food security and safety for the City’s animal and human population, improved public health and environment and enhancement of global competitiveness.

SECTION 3. COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall apply to all persons, One Person Corporations (OPCs), partnerships, ventures, corporations, cooperatives and associations engaged in raising, buying, trading, transporting domestic and imported animals and selling for personal and commercial use.

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS a. African Swine Fever (ASF) - is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, which is responsible for serious economic and production losses. b. ASF affected areas – defined as areas within or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines declared by the proper Government bodies as having tested positive for ASF virus using the recommended laboratory test. c. Biosecurity – refers to measures aimed at preventing the introduction and/or spread of harmful organisms (e.g. viruses, bacteria, etc.) to animals and plants in order to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. d. Boar semen - Boar semen is a suspension of sperm cells and secretions from the boar reproductive tract, including the accessory glands. The fluid portion of this suspension is known as seminal plasma and it helps to carry and protect the sperm cells. In boars, the semen also contains large quantities of gel. e. Carcass – the carcass of an animal, including part of the carcass and the meat, bones, hide, skin, hoofs, horns, wool, offal and other parts of an animal. f. Cold storage facility - an installation intended for the cooling, freezing, and cold storage of perishable food products and other perishables.

b. Allowing entry, transportation, distribution, storing, receiving for sale and selling of locally-sourced pork, its by-products, carcasses and boar semen originating from ASF affected areas within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City without the necessary permits and clearances from the appropriate agencies of the Government; c. Display of pork, its by-products, carcasses and boar semen through an exhibition sale in any place, open market or private yard sale or the sale of carcasses and boar semen in any of the said places originating from ASF affected areas without the necessary permits and clearances from the appropriate agencies of the Government. d. Sale of seized or confiscated pork, its by-products, carcasses and boar semen originating from areas declared as ASF-affected by the Government agencies. e. Refrigeration of unsold or excess order pork, its by-products, carcasses in cold storage facilities after the same had been withdrawn from the said facilities for sale, manufacture or display. f. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to resist, harass, intimidate, assault, impede or interfere with any inspector during the performance of his duties as prescribed under this Ordinance. g. It shall be unlawful for any authorized persons employed by the Government or persons employed by the local government unit for the purpose of meat inspection work, to engage directly or indirectly in the business of buying, selling and trading or otherwise negotiating purchases or sales of meat and meat products for his own account or as an employee of another person, firm or corporation. h. Performing any other acts prohibited under this Ordinance.

SECTION 10. PENALTIES – Any person who violates the provisions in the preceding section or any prohibitive provisions of this Ordinance shall be penalized as follows: a. First offense – Fine of ₱ 3,000; b. Second offense – Fine of ₱ 4,000; c. Third offense – Fine of ₱ 5,000, revocation or cancellation of business permit and seizure or impounding of vehicle used for transportation and operation. In addition, an imprisonment of not less than six (6) months shall be imposed.

SECTION 11. CEASE AND DESIST ORDER – The City Mayor is authorized to issue after proper notice and hearing which shall be summary in nature except in instances when the continued operation causes imminent danger to public health, a ”Cease and Desist Order” to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of selling, receiving or officering for sale, transporting, freezing, distributing, storing any pork and its by-products, boar semen, carcasses or parts or products, found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Ordinance should the continued operation of said entity pose risk to public health and endanger the animal population.

SECTION 12. CONFISCATION / FORFEITURE – Any pork, its by-products, boar semen and carcasses found to have been sold, transported, distributed, delivered, received or offered for sale and stored, not in accordance with any provisions of this Ordinance shall be confiscated and disposed of as provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations at the expense of the person, firm or corporation found to be in violation thereof.

SECTION 13. DISPOSAL OF CONFISCATED ITEMS – All confiscated or seized items shall be immediately disposed in accordance with RA 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000” and PD 856 or the “Sanitation Code of the Philippines” or other pertinent laws, regulations and issuances of the Republic of the Philippines.

The confiscated items shall be disposed of in a landfill area or in any area defined by the local government unit as appropriate area for disposal or by any other means as determined by the Office of the City Veterinarian.

h. Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) – it is a set of principles of good practices and minimum requirements for the commercial/ backyard rearing/ farming of animals for food use.

SECTION 14. IMPLEMENTATION – The City Veterinarian’s Office, National Meat Inspection Services, Department of Agriculture, DA - Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Trade and Industry , Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and strictly enforce the quarantine control protocol and food safety measures within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City. The City Veterinarian’s Office shall be given confiscatory powers to enforce this Ordinance.

i. OIE – Office International des Epizooties or the World Organization for Animal Health. It is an international organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

CHAPTER FIVE MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS

j. Pork – the meat of pig that is used for food, either whole carcass, fabricated or in the form of retail or choice cuts, whether fresh, processed, cooked, refrigerated or frozen.

SECTION 15. DURATION OF EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall be effective until the lifting of the ban by the Local Chief Executive or by legislative action with the recommendation of the City Veterinarian’s Office or by higher authorities, the Department of Agriculture or when the ASF disease has been completely eradicated.

k. Pork by-products – are fresh, frozen, processed or cooked products derived and/or processed from pork, whether cooked or uncooked, that includes alpha (pork fat), bacon, sausages, chorizo, tocino, hotdogs, corned pork, ham and the like. It also includes marinated or ready-to-cook pork meat, canned pork, and pork-based sauces intended for human consumption.

SECTION 16. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, a provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, all other provisions hereof not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

g. Exhibition sale – a public display of goods for sale, exchange, barter or trade, whether for profit or not.

l. Sale or distribution - any form of sale, conveyance or transfer of ownership of meat or its by-products. It may include sale or generous transfer of pork and/or its by-products from the owner, broker, store owner, stall owner, mall, or its agents or representatives to the recipient or third party. This also includes selling by means of internet or through online-selling. m. Swill feeding - is the traditional name for the feeding of food scraps to pigs. n. Unsold or excess order – the difference between the quantity of pork and its by-products withdrawn from the cold storage facility over the quantity displayed, sold, used for processing and manufactured outside the cold storage facility by the owner, vendor, seller, manufacturer or supplier.

CHAPTER TWO INSPECTION OF IMPORTED MEAT AND/OR MEAT AND BY-PRODUCTS COMING FROM OUTSIDE DAVAO CITY SECTION 5. EXAMINATION AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS – The City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) shall conduct examination and, when necessary, laboratory analysis of imported and local pork and its by-products brought from outside Davao City after the products are approved for release by the National Veterinary Quarantine Service at the ports or place of entry.

SECTION 6. CONFISCATION OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS – The inspectors shall seize, recall, confiscate, condemn or dispose by destruction or re-export at the expense of the importer, any imported carcass, pork and its by-products that has been prepared, sold, transported or otherwise distributed or offered or received for distribution in commerce, and found to be in violation of the prohibited acts under this Ordinance during inspection and laboratory analysis.

SECTION 17. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, resolutions, memoranda, orders and similar issuances, or part or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 18. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after posting and publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao.

ENACTED, April 06, 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: ATTESTED:

Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

APRIL 27 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

ATTESTED:

AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PROHIBITION ON SELLING OR ENTRY OF IMPORTED OR LOCAL PORK AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF) AFFECTED AREAS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF DAVAO CITY PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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LIVING

Beef Landang from Maguindanao tribe.

Piangang Manok from Bagobo tribe.

Linotlot nga palaka from Ubo Manovo tribe.

Linotlot nga nonno from Jangan tribe.

A SHOWCASE OF FESTIVE EATS AT DUSIT

Dusit’s Chef Alex Destriza.

ONE of the best ways to identify and celebrate one’s own cultural identity is through the food one eats.

This Kadayawan, a celebration of food and uniquely Mindanao dishes is again on the buffet table at the DusitD2 Davao’s Madayaw Café as it unveils its “Festive Eats” this August 19-21, 2021 from 5PM to 8PM. Highlighting the dishes of the tribal people of Davao City, the menu of the assisted buffet offers a window into the unique tribal flavors of Davao to guests. For starters there is Palapa and Pairen a seda a barilis and salad from the Maranaw Tribe.

From the Tausug tribe, there is the iconic Tiyula Itum or Black Beef Soup, and Pialam/ Steamed Fish and Piassak/ Cow Liver for the main dishes.

Other featured dishes are Sinagupan or yellow rice is from the Kalangan tribe, Linotlot nga Nonno/Shrimp cooked in bamboo from the Bagobo Tagabawa

tribe, Linutlot nga baki/Farmed frogs cooked in bamboo from the Ovu Manuvo tribe, and, my favourite, the Beef Landang from the Maguindanao tribe.

For diners with a sweet tooth, there is Wadjet Makadurian, a rice cake from the Sama tribe flavored by the King of Fruits, durian; Palikambing or Tibobol, a fried banana ball from the Tausug tribe; and Daral, a crêpe-like delicacy filled with sweetened coconut meat also from the Tausug tribe.

All the dishes were researched and adapted for the “Festive Eats” promotion by Disit Davao’s Chef Alex Des-

the pandemic, we decided to defer the offer,” shares DusitD2 Davao Hotel Manager Christoph Kuch. “Luckily this year of Festive Eats can push through and we hope everyone can come and enjoy.”

Dining at the Madayaw Café comes with all stringent measures in place and the conscious implementation of new normal guidelines together with a fully vaccinated team.

“With our team fully vaccinated and with all our safety guidelines in the property, we hope our guests feel safer and more confident as they dine and stay as well with us this August.

I personally appreciate the effort of the team to show the cultures of the region, as I am learning so much from it too,” says Hotel Manager Christoph Kuch.

Dusit HM Christoph Kuch and MarCom Faith Dimaano.

DusitD2 Davao’s Festive Eats able to celebrate fully, so we try is from August 19-21, 2021 at triza and his dynamic culinary team. “The festival should to give celebratory indulgence Php 994 net per person. highlight the tribes and their through our offers,” says Chef For dining reservations and culture, and that’s what we have Alex. other inquiries, guests may strived to achieve and share to “We wanted to offer Fese-mail fb.reservations@dusitour guests. We might not be tive Eats last year, but due to davao.com or call (082) 27 7500.

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A man conducts stenciling on a vehicle to obtain the impression of its engine and chassis numbers, which is one of the requirements for vehicle registration, outside an emission center along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

BIR reminds social-media G influencers: Pay your taxes

New Asia undersea data cable plan unveiled by Google, FB

T

he Bureau of Internal Revenue on Monday issued a memorandum circular emphasizing the tax obligations of social media influencers.

The bureau said it has received reports that “certain social media influencers have not been paying their income taxes, despite earning huge income from the different social media platforms.”

Some influencers are also not registered with the BIR or are registered under a different line of business and have not been declaring their

earnings, it added.

Influencers may be liable for both income tax and business tax, the BIR said.

Under income tax, gains or profits received by the social media influencer or services rendered or to be rendered irrespective of the manner or form of payment are included, according to the bureau.

“Therefore, if a so-

cial media influencer receives free products in exchange for the promotion thereof on his/ her/it YouTube channel or other social media accounts, he/she/it must declare the fair market value of such products as income,” the BIR said.

“Income treated as royalties in another country, including payments under the YouTube Partner Program, shall likewise be included in the computation of the gross income of the social media influencer and shall be subjected to

ARTA chief hopes next leader will continue EODB reforms

A

nti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director general Jeremiah Belgica hopes that the next leadership will continue the reforms in Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in government offices rolled out by the Duterte administration.

In a virtual forum Monday, Belgica said the country needs advocacy champions who will

continue the current administration’s battle, vision, and plans for ease of doing business, and undertake further improvements in providing government services.

Belgica said ARTA has laid out its architectural plan that aims to future-proof regulatory reforms.

“No regulatory reform will ever survive

the changes of the future.

Having a clear vision and architectural plan is a must,” he said.

He added ARTA has launched several measures to improve services of government offices with the transacting public.

One of these initiatives is the Philippine Good Regulatory Principles

FARTA, A4

the schedular or corporate tax rates.”

Resident aliens with income derived from Philippine-based contents are also taxable, the BIR said.

“Thus, the burden of proof that the income was derived from sources without the Philippines lies upon the resident alien. Absent such proof, the income will be assumed to have been derived from sources within the Philippines,” it said.

Social media influ-

FBIR, A4

oogle and Facebook on Monday unveiled plans for a new undersea internet cable connecting Singapore, Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.

The cable project dubbed Apricot would be some 12,000 kilometers (nearly 7,500 miles) and be operational in 2024 subject to regulatory approvals, the companies said in separate statements.

The project announced by the US firms and regional and global partners “will deliver much-needed internet capacity, redundancy, and reliability to expand connections in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Facebook engineering manager Nico Roehrich.

“The Apricot cable is part of our ongoing effort to expand global network infrastructure and better serve the more than 3.5 billion people around the world who use our services every month,” Roehrich added.

Earlier this year the companies announced another cable project dubbed Echo connecting the United States, Singapore, Guam and Indonesia.

“The Echo and Apricot cables are complementary submarine systems that will offer benefits with multiple paths in and out of Asia, including unique routes through southern Asia, ensuring a significantly higher degree of resilience for Goo-

non-monetary incentives to drivers who will complete their COVID-19 vaccines. No details on the distribution were disclosed.

The online food delivery platform said it also partnered with the Department of Health for its COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Campaign.

Foodpanda’s “It’s Worth the Shot” campaign aims to educate employees, partner riders, mer-

chants, and customers with materials produced by the DOH, it said.

“As a company that brings food and essential goods to millions of households, we believe that we all have a stake at helping ensure our collective safety and wellness in the community,” foodpanda Philippines Managing Director Daniel Marogy said.

The company said it

FNEW, A4

Foodpanda sets P3.5M for incentives, raffle in drive to get drivers vaccinated

F

oodpanda said it has set aside P3.5 million for cash incentives and raffle prizes to encourage more drivers to get vaccinated.

Delivery riders are considered economic frontliners and are part of the A4 priority group in the government vaccination plan, foodpanda said in a statement.

Foodpanda said it has prepared monetary and

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A porter pushes a cart full of containers that will be filled with water and will be used by a sidewalk eatery in Monkayo, Davao de Oro. Edge Davao

DOLE-Davao awards 1st safety seal certification

T

he Department of Labor and Employment XI awarded its first Safety Seal Certification to Therma South, Inc. (TSI) in its office in Brgy. Binugao, Toril, Davao City on August 11, 2021.

TSI’s application for Safety Seal Certification was approved based on the inspection and validation of its compliance with the minimum public health standards and other requirements of the Safety Seal Certification Program pursuant to DOLE-DOH-DILG-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular No. 20-01.

Mr. Abe Nisnisan, Vice-President for Operations and Maintenance of TSI, who received the award on behalf of the company, expressed his gratitude to DOLE XI for acknowledging their efforts to enforce strict and continual compliance with minimum public health standards.

“The pandemic has been really challenging but also forced us to do our best to protect our people. Aside from compliance, we are doing this because looking after our workforce’s safety and health has been our culture in TSI,” he added.

DOLE XI OIC-Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy, who led the awarding ceremony, praised the undertakings of TSI and recognized its

impact to the economy as a generator and distributor of electric energy. “Therma South, Inc. has established the desired standard of quality and may these efforts serve as example to other companies. We highly encourage the others to apply for this certification as we aim to safely reopen the economy.”

Also present during the awarding ceremony were DOLE XI-TSSD Chief Paul V. Cruz, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of the Labor Standard Unit Engr. Yolibelle Aviñante, and Vice-President for Operations and Maintenance-Toledo and Davao Plant Mr. John Dean.

The Safety Seal Certification is a voluntary certification scheme that affirms that an establishment is compliant with minimum public health standards set by the government and integrates its contract tracing with StaySafe.ph.

DOLE is the issuing authority of the safety seal for manufacturing, construction sites, utilities (electric, water, gas, air conditioning supply, sewerage, waste management), information and communication companies, and warehouses.

For the complete list of requirements, the applicants may visit www. dole11portal.org.ph. (PRDOLE XI)

BSP: Remittances hit 6-month high in June R emittances grew to 7.0% in June to mark a six-month high, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday revealed.

Central bank data showed that cash remittances — money transfers coursed through banks — rose to $2.638 billion from $2.465 billion the same month last year.

This is the highest in six months since cash remittances stood at $2.890 billion in December 2020.

Receipts from land-

based workers jumped 7.1% to $2.136 billion from $1.994 billion, and sea-based workers by 6.5% to $502 million from $472 million.

Year-to-date cash remittances climbed 6.4% to $14.918 billion from $14.019 billion.

“The growth in cash remittances in January to

June 2021 came largely from the United States, Malaysia, and South Korea,” the central bank said in an accompanying statement.

The United States accounted for 40.1% of overall remittances, followed

by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, South Korea, Qatar, and Taiwan, with a combined 78.4% of total cash remittances.

Personal remittanc-

es — the sum of transfers sent in cash or in-kind via informal channels — for June grew 7.3% to $2.936 billion from $2.737 billion.

The BSP attributed the growth to land-based workers with work contracts of at least a year, and sea- and land-based workers worth contracts of less than a year.

Year-to-date personal remittances rose by 6.7% to $16.616 billion from $15.573 billion in the first six months of 2020.

nancial institutions without physical branches and are regulated under the BSP’s newly launched digital banking framework.

“GOtyme will leverage the Gokongwei Group’s extensive ecosystem that is highly integrated into the daily lives of Filipinos — where they already shop, eat and spend family time,” said Jojo Malolos, president and CEO of

GOtyme.

The new digital bank said it will provide secure and easy onboarding through both an app and digital kiosks in malls and other retail establishments of the Gokongwei group “We believe the combination of this technology and the Gokongwei Group’s nationwide retail footprint provides GOtyme a clear path to

rapid growth,” said Nate Clarke, GOtyme’s coCEO. GOtyme is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2022.

The BSP has granted digital banking licenses to LandBank’s Overseas Filipino Bank (OF Bank), Tonik Bank and UnoBank.

CIMB Bank and ING Philippines also offer all digital banking services.

Gokongwei-backed digital bank gets BSP license

G

Otyme, a digital bank backed by the Gokongwei Group, has secured its license to operate from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the company announced on Monday.

Besides the Gokongweis, GOtyme also counts as partner the Singapore-headquartered digital banking group Tyme, the company said.

Digital banks are fi-

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COVID lifestyle may stay for ‘years,’ says Duterte

F

ilipinos may have to practice safeguards against COVID-19 for a few more years, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday, as the Philippines continued to battle one of Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks.

Duterte as an example cited the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which infected

some 500 million people.

He said the disease “was there for a long time, in the

air circling” and “changed the lifestyle of the people of Europe at that time.”

COVID-19, he said, also “changed the lifestyle of everybody in this planet.

“Suwerte tayo nakatikim tayo na noon makapasyal tayo, mag-inuman maski saan, nary a care about getting a virus

somewhere,” he said in a taped speech that aired in the wee hours of Tuesday.

“Matagal pa ‘to. Itong virus na ‘to will just circulate in the air for years. So itong mask, itong limited social contacts natin, nandiyan na ‘yan, ‘yong distancing, at sa bahay hugas.”

(We are lucky that

Code.

During the term of the late Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, a staunch anti-mining advocate and Casicas’ immediate predecessor, the diocese launched a campaign during the 2013 elections dubbed “Team Pabor-Team Ayaw,” which sought to educate local voters on the stand of candidates involving the $5.9 billion Tampakan project.

Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) is the developer of the Tampakan project, touted as the largest known undeveloped copper and gold minefield in Southeast Asia, through a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) granted by the national government.

SMI studies showed that the most viable way to extract the massive mineral deposits is through the open-pit mining method.

Casicas said they launched the signature campaign to retain the provincial ban on the open-pit mining method to protect nature and the integrity of creation.

The prelate noted that parishioners should sign the campaign on their own volition.

The signature campaign carries the slogan “Protect Nature, Protect Our Future.”

The campaign materials have translated versions in English, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Blaan and T’boli.

“We demand that the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of South Cotabato stands firm in its duty to ensure the safety, convenience and well-being of its constituents,” it said.

“The provincial Environment Code and its provision that specifically bans openpit mining must be upheld.

This is the right thing to do and to ensure that the future generations inherit a better society enjoying the fruits of a sound environment,” it added.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Alyansa Tigil Mina, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan and Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc., among others, supported the signature campaign.

Fr. Jerome Millan, the diocese’s Social Action Center director, said the 29 parishes in the diocesan territory would be at the forefront in encouraging the faithful to affix their signatures to the campaign.

“There will be a massive education awareness about why the open-pit mining ban must remain. They (parishioners) will be made to understand and not just sign the campaign for the sake of signing,” the priest said.

The diocese covers the entire South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and parts of Sultan Kudarat, which are all Christian-dominated areas.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan had started conducting consultations after the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from several towns in South Cotabato sought the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining. The IPMRs’ request was anchored on the economic contributions of the Tampakan project to the localities straddled by the venture.

Millan noted that lifting the provincial ban on openpit mining method will open the doors for the Tampakan project to proceed to the commercial production phase.

“Let us not allow that.

The Tampakan project is a big threat to food security and the environment in the area,” he added.

Edwin Jubahib.

Jubahib said the project was intended for IPs who were locked inside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Center who lost their homes due to NPA’s atrocities.

“Haran is not the solution. War is not a solution either. The real solution to improving your lives is through hard work and making use of your ancestral lands for your livelihood,” Jubahib said, as he vowed to provide livelihood assistance to the tribe.

“You need to strive hard.

Nothing will change in your life if you just sit all day and wait for assistance. You have

to work and send your children to school,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries was Datu Ginamao Andil who recently returned to the fold after six years of hiding at Haran Center.

Andil became a member of Salugpongan Ta’tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Council and eventually became a vice-chairman in 1990. He joined the NPA in 2002.

He was among the other tribal leaders who fought when the struggle ensued between the IPs, under the leadership of Datu Gibang Apoga, and the employees of Alcantara and Sons, a logging

concession over a misunderstanding of logging activities in Talaingod.

“We are grateful to the police and the army, especially to Governor Jubahib who is looking into the situation of the people,” Andil said.

The former NPA member vowed to work hard to bring back to their respective communities some of the IPs families still left in Haran.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PNA)

Marbel diocese launches signature campaign for retention of open-pit mining ban in SoCot

A

Catholic Church-led signature campaign to demand the retention of the controversial open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato was launched Monday, with organizers vowing to make mining an election issue for the sake of the environment, food security and for the future generations.

Diocese of Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas urged the parishioners, particularly the youth, to make the signature campaign viral as he stressed that areas without internet service will be reached through the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban or Basic Christian Communities.

“Definitely, the Diocese of Marbel will make mining and the environment an important issue during the coming elections. It will be part of the discernment in choosing the candidates,” the prelate said.

Casicas, however, noted that the diocese will have to collectively decide if the candidates will be singled out based on their position on the open-pit mining method, which the South Cotabato provincial government banned a decade ago through its Environment

Former NPA members belonging to Ata-Manobo tribe get new shelters

I

ndigenous peoples from the Ata-Manobo tribe who were victims of the communist terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) in Talaingod, Daval del Norte receive a total of 68 housing units from the provincial government Monday.

The housing project at Sitio Tibucag, Dagohoy, worth PHP17.25 million, was funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) with the province’s counterpart funding of PHP6 million.

The turnover was led

by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, OPAPP Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and Gov.

we experience roaming around, drinking anywhere, with nary a care about a getting a virus somewhere. This will last for a while more. This virus will just circulate in the air for years. So this mask, limited social contacts, distancing, and frequent washing of hands will be there.)

He continued, “Ganoon na ang buhay ng Pilipino, I think, for the next how many years, hindi na mawala ‘yan. Iyon na ang style. Wala na tayo ‘yung

BIR... FROMA2

sabing pasyal ng gabi, wala na.”

(That will be the life of Filipinos, I think, for the next how many years, that will not go away That will be the style. We won’t be frolicking at night.)

The Philippines has tallied some 1.7 million coronavirus infections and 30,000 deaths.

Malacañang earlier said authorities eyed a “mask-less” Christmas this year by ramping up the COVID-19 vaccination drive.

encers are also liable for business tax, which may either be percentage or VAT (Value Added Tax), according to the BIR. Self-employed individuals whose gross sales or gross receipts and other non-operating income do not exceed the VAT threshold of P3 million will have the option to avail of the 8 percent tax on gross sales or gross receipts and other nonop-

erating income in excess of P250,000, the BIR said.

Mixed income earners shall be taxable for all income earned from compensation and income earned from business or practice of profession, it added.

Social media influencers who fail to comply will be criminally liable and will be fined P500,000 to P10 million, the bureau said.

gle Cloud and digital services,” said Google Cloud vice president Bikash Koley.

“Together they’ll provide businesses and startups in Asia with lower latency, more bandwidth, and increased resilience in their connectivity between Southeast Asia, North Asia and the United States,” Koley added.

Google and Facebook this year halted efforts on a planned undersea cable that would have connected California and Hong Kong, due to tensions between the United States and China.

Last year, the US Department of Justice recommended that the planned cable proposed

by Google and Facebook bypass Hong Kong.

(PGRP) that will serve as guidelines among regulators in crafting efficient policies.

Belgica said the launching of PGRP will also usher the country to graduate from the starter stage of the Regulatory Management System.

The ARTA chief added the administration has accelerated the use of technology for government services. “(We are) using technology to solidify the gains that we are having.

In the recent months, several government agencies have come together to put up and push a once-in-a-

lifetime dream that we have,” Belgica said of the Central Business Portal (CBP).

The government aims CBP to be the primary end-to-end online registration platform for businesses.

It is a central system that receives applications and captures application data involving business-related transactions.

“It’s a single business portal that would allow (people) to register their business in one day. This is the vision of the Central Business Portal,” Belgica added. (PNA)

is also working with local governments to ensure riders were given access to vaccines.

Foodpanda is part of the private sector’s Ingat Angat Bakuna Lahat initiative for vaccine information.

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cases to 8,017.

Of these new cases, 107 were from Davao City, three from Davao de

Oro, 37 from Davao del Norte, 7 from Davao del Sur, and one from Davao Occidental.

The two are now in the care of 88IB in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development undergoing interview and stress debriefing for their enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

88th IB commander Lieutenant Colonel James Vingno, meanwhile said the comprehensive conduct of the Community Support Program (CSP) and intelligence driven Intensified Military Operation (IMO) by his troops in the guerilla zones have been instrumental in the rapid disintegration of the NPA formation in our area of operation.

Data showed from 88th IB, a total of 25 NPA regulars and 27 militia ng

bayan had already surrendered since January 2021.

“This is a clear indicator that we are near ending this 52-year insurgency problem.I strongly deplore the NPA’s act of recruiting minors to be combatants,” Vingno said.

He said the continuous recruitment of child warriors is proof of CTG’s disrespect to human rights and a clear violation of IHL. “I am also calling the attention of all the parents, let us monitor our children and join together in keeping our children from being recruited by the NPA,” Vingno added.

Since 2018, about 14 minors have already been saved by members of 88th IB. (AMA)

bers on the run following the series of setbacks they have suffered.

“As much as possible, we don’t want lives to be wasted, because we don’t want to see families suffering from the loss of their family members and loved

ones. Thus, I am making calls for the remnants of the communist terrorist group (CTGs) in South and Central Mindanao to surrender and accept the programs being offered by our government”, Uy said.

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August 6, 2021 and beyond.

“After August 9, 2021, sa tanang mga naga-access ug financial assistance sa city government of Davao, sa ilahang orientation, apil na na sultihan sila na mandatory ang swabbing during the payout. Di na mu-apply sa nagsugod na sa ilang Trabaho Dabawenyo na contracts but during orientation wala sila

nasultian na kinahanglan mandatory ang swab,” the mayor said.

The mandatory swab test policy is being provided in the Resolution No. 35 of the Davao City Task Force Covid-19, which aims to ensure that there are no threats of Covid-19 transmission during the release and distribution of financial assistance in the communities. By Maya M. Padillo

United Association of Tricycle Operators and Drivers of Samal.

Gentiles said the resolution specifically covers the LGUs that Nordeco serves in the province and that it is up to the other province, Davao de Oro, on whether it wants to continue to allow the cooperative to provide electricity to the province.

Davao de Oro was carved from Davao del Norte in 1998. It was formerly named as Compostela Valley.

A municipal government in Davao de Oro, Maco, has also joined the call after it passed a resolution on July 14 which pushed for the transfer of the service contract of Nordeco for the town also to Davao Light.

Mario Angelo Sotto,

general manager of the cooperative, has branded the move of the local officials as driven by their personal interests as he maintained that the cooperative has slowly improved its services.

Sotto, who President Rodrigo Duterte appointed as general manager of the cooperative in 2017, said that it has slowly improved its services after about two decades of in-fighting between two groups, one affiliated with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and another with the Cooperative Development Authority.

The courts eventually resolved the tussle in favor of the one affiliated with NEA which led to the creation of the task force headed by Sotto.

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Prioritize health workers’ risk allowances, PRRD tells DOH

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte ordered Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to prioritize the compensation and other benefits of healthcare workers.

“By the way, itong mga front-liners unahin mo na lang. If there’s enough money, bayaran mo na (By the way, just put these front-liners first. If there’s enough money, then pay them),” Duterte said during his pre-recorded Talk to the People on Monday night.

Some groups of medical professionals particularly from private hospitals have been complaining about the non-release of their special risk allowance (SRA) and the removal of their other benefits.

Duterte earlier signed Administrative Order (AO) 42, which

grants Covid-19 SRA of up to PHP5,000 per month to private and public health workers with direct contact with Covid-19 patients.

Duterte signed the AO “to recognize the heroic and invaluable contribution of our health workers throughout the country, who bravely and unselfishly risk their lives and health by being at the forefront of national efforts to respond to the pandemic.”

The government’s Bayanihan 2 budget has allocated at least PHP15 billion for the health workers’ SRA and hazard pay.

Last year, Duterte also signed AO No. 36 granting health workers directly attending to Covid-19 patients with risk allowance, covering Sept. 15 to Dec. 19, 2020. (PNA)

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an active case isolated at a Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) in the province.

Two of the four confirmed cases of Delta variant are residents of Davao Oriental who were both swabbed and

tested positive last July 10, 2021. They are scheduled for a repeat RT-PCR test.

Davao Region still has 8,079 Covid-19 active cases out of 59,994 recorded since March last year, with 1,961 deaths. (AMA)

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Manny Pacquiao in training.

Iole: Manny transitions well from a new opponent L

AS VEGAS — Twenty years ago, Freddie Roach was a nascent trainer. His mentor, Eddie Futch, had set him off on his own and Roach was proving to be a worthy successor to the master.

The star of Roach’s stable at that point was James Toney, the former middleweight champion who remained one of the most talented figures in boxing.

Roach was in Las Vegas to train a fighter on the undercard of an Oscar De La Hoya fight. A reporter approached Roach to ask about Toney, but all Roach could talk about was his undercard fighter.

He wouldn’t be an undercard fighter much longer.

Manny Pacquiao destroyed Lehlo Ledwaba that week to win a super bantamweight championship and to start an unmatched partnership that exists to this day.

On Saturday (9 p.m. ET, PPV) at T-Mobile Arena, Pacquiao will take on Yordenis Ugas in the main event of a Fox Sports PBC card in the Filipino senator’s first bout since defeating Keith Thurman for a belt in 2019.

He’s a few months away from a run for the presidency of his country and he’s rapidly

closing in on his 43rd birthday.

But Roach said the love of the game, the desire to succeed and the eagerness to take on all comers remains.

Social media was filled with fears for Pacquiao’s safety in June when he announced he’d fight Errol Spence Jr. in a welterweight title bout. But when Spence tore his retina and needed surgery on his right eye last week, Pacquiao never hesitated.

Had he opted to wait until Spence was healed, the entire card would have been scrapped. And if he had, he’d have had good reason: Ugas is a right-hander and Pacquiao spent nearly his entire camp preparing for a left-hander.

That he said yes so quickly and without reservation is one of the things that makes him arguably the most beloved figure in the sport.

“Manny has been the same way ever since I’ve known him,” Roach said. “He loves what he does and you can tell by the way he trains.”