Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 180 | Wednesday, October 13, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

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A utility personnel cleans an area under a Carabao inspired art installation made from scrap metals outside Poblacion Market Center along P. Bangoy Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

TOO EARLY Comelec 11 calls on politicians: no early campaigning STORY ON PAGE 2

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte presides a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Palace. Malacañang assured that the Chief Executive ha no contact with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who tested positive for Covid-19. Presidential Photo

TOO EARLY

Comelec 11 calls on politicians: no early campaigning

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec 11) called on politicians not to campaign early even if they have already filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

“Just be fair. Antayin na lang natin yung campaign period para po mangampanya. Let’s not take the opportunity nga nag-file ngayon eh magka-kampanya, early campaigning na.

Although hindi naman bawal yan sa batas but we have the moral obligation to our constituents at sundin na-

tin kung ano yung sinabi ng batas,” said Lawyer Michael Abas, regional director of Comelec, in a statement.

Regarding on the peace and order, Abas stated that there were no untoward incidents reported since the filing of the COCs from October 1, 2021 to October 8, 2021.

“Generally peaceful.

And we are thankful to the PNP and the AFP for their assistance in seeing to it that yung activity po natin from October 1 to 8, 2021, ay maging maayos, particularly in Davao del Norte,” he stated.

In terms for the general situation, Abas added that it will be the same as the last 2019 election, although, only few supports accompanied their candidates.

“We’ll it’s almost the same because we we’re so lucky that everyone coop-

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grants (LSG) to former rebels (FRs) in the province of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.

Two hundred and thirty (230) beneficiaries received P20,000.00 each for their chosen individu-

al livelihood project. A total of P4.6 million worth of funds was disbursed.

Moreover, the Community-Based Services Section (CBSS) also provided an additional P3,000.00 for their food and transportation.

erated. Medyo peculiar today because what we call of “new normal” so kukunti lang yung pumunta para samahan yung kanilang kandidato. Overall, halos pareho lang po,” he said.

The provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental including Davao City are under the jurisdiction of Comelec 11.

For the provincial position in Davao del Norte, there are two candidates

DSWD is one of the lead agencies in the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 which addresses the root causes of communist armed conflict such as poverty, social inequality, and lack of inclusivity, among oth-

FTOO, P10

DavOcc town extends lockdowns in 2 villages

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he local government of Jose Abad Santos (JAS) town in Davao Occidental has extended the temporary precautionary lockdown in its two barangays until October 16 to curb the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a public post on Monday, Mayor Jason John Joyce said the municipality deemed it proper to curtail the movement of people by enforcing a total lockdown in Barangay Caburan Big and Barangay Caburan Small.

It can be recalled that on October 3, Joyce issued Executive Order (EO) 21020 placing the two barangays under a one-week lockdown from October 4 to October 9.

In his latest EO 21-022, Joyce stressed the need to extend the lockdown and further control the Covid-19 cases in their town because the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the Covid referral hospital of Davao Occidental, already has full occupancy of its Covid-19

beds.

He added that the municipality is currently experiencing a surge, with 392 total confirmed cases, 136 cases of which are active as of October 6.

“All residents of Barangays Caburan Big and Caburan Small are mandated to stay inside their homes and are prohibited from going out, except for urgent medical emergencies, and except for the following authorized persons outside of residence (APOR),” Joyce said in the EO. To limit the movement of all residents, officials of the affected barangays have issued food and medicine passes per family.

“This will be used whenever there is a need to buy and look for food, go to the hospital, or when an emergency situation necessitates. All households shall apply at the barangay concerned for issuance of FM (food and medicine) pass limited to two individuals per household. FM passes should be free of charge,” the EO added. (PNA)

ers. Through this, DSWD shall guarantee the implementation of social welfare and development programs and services towards addressing the various risks and vulnerabilities contributing to insurgency.

The attached photo was taken during the conduct of livelihood settlement grant (LSG) payout to 112 former rebels (FRs) held at Maco, Davao de Oro last September 10, 2021.

(PR-DSWD XI)

DSWD 11 releases livelihood assistance to former rebels he Deprtmentof Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field office 11 through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) conducted series of payouts last September for the provision of livelihood settlement

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

NEWS

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City Tourism Operations Office chief and airport monitoring head Generose Tecson says despite the challenges brought by the ongoing pandemic especially on air travel, Davao City has received a total of 3,842 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various countries since July. Edge Davao

24 houses damaged in DavOr due to TS Maring

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total of 24 houses mostly in coastal areas of two municipalities in Davao Oriental had been partially damaged due to huge waves caused by Tropical storm “Maring”, on Sunday evening.

A report from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office- (PDRRMO) operation center , indicated that a total of 769 families living in coastal areas of San Isidro and Governor Generoso of said province were preemptively evacuated due to threat of a storm surge.

PDRRMO in its latest report said that most of these families have already been sent home af-

ter it was declared safe.

However, these families, according to the PDRRMO, may need to go back to the evacuation centers in the event of strong winds and waves.

The PDRRMO is now maintaining close coordination with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of these two municipalities being the most affected municipalities for any resource augmentation needed.

Meanwhile, a fishing vessel has also been washed ashore in Barangay Tibanban in Governor Generoso due to huge waves. However, the ship, FB Leeward, has sus-

F24 HOUSES, P10

31 candidates for provincial positions in Davao Oriental

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total of 31 individuals have filed their Certificate of Candidacy for respective provincial government positions in Davao Oriental.

Former Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon was the lone candidate for Provincial Governor. The incumbent First District Representative of the province, Rep. Malanyaon served as Governor of Davao Oriental from 2007 to 2016.

The incumbent Governor Nelson Z. Dayanghirang filed his CoC for First District Representative, he is also the lone candidate

for the position.

Louise Philippe N. Rabat and Cheeno Miguel Almario filed their CoCs for Second District Representative of the province.

Running for provincial Vice-Governor are incumbent Vice-Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy Jr., and incumbent Mati City Vice-Mayor Ma. Glenda Monette R. Gayta.

Running for Board Members in the First District are Marietta D. Palmera, Anna Cheryl N. Castro, Andy A Monday, Karen J. Morales, Delmar M. Sulamin, Brian P. Cruz,

FCANDIDATES, P10

Nordeco to energize 45 sitios this year

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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orthern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc.(Nordeco), formerly Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco), is eyeing to energize 45 sitios/puroks this year through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

SEP is one of the projects of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) that aims to light up sitios/puroks in every corner of the country especially those in remote areas.

As of 2020, Nordeco has lighted up 462 sitios.

Nordeco also vowed to

continue energizing farflung sitios through SEP despite financial difficulties because of the pandemic.

Nordeco recently conducted SEP virtual project conference for Davao del Norte beneficiaries held at QACS Gym, Tagum City that was participated

by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) project supervisor for NORDECO Emmanuel B. Galarse, Nordeco general manager Mario Angelo M. Sotto, NORDECO Management Committee, Task Force Duterte Northern Davao Power (TFDNDP) vice-chairperson director Alejandro Rodriguez, Representatives of the municipal and barangay local government, purok/sitio leaders, officials and project contractors of the Department of Public Works and High-

ways 11 (DPWH 11).

“Bisan naglisod kita sa pondo tungod sa pandemic,ang programa sa SEP nahatagan ug share gikan sa National Budget kun diin aduna kita’y allocation na P90 million ug 45 ka sitios ang makabenepisyo niini.

Ang atong kooperatiba wala naglantaw sa ginansya apan ang paghatag og serbisyo. Atong gilantaw nga mahimong smooth ang pag-deliver sa proyekto pinaagi sa inyong tabang sa pag-assist

Schlosser did not give how many individuals were contact traced and swabbed.

Close contacts of Mayor Sara in the past 14 days have been asked to self-monitor for symptoms and get a reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tested five to seven days from contact

after testing positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara thanked all her supporters through her Facebook Page for sending prayers for her fast recovery.

“Kahit ako po ay nasa quarantine, nababasa ko lahat ng inyong mga messages at dasal para sa mabilis kong paggaling. Ang mga

mensaheng ito ay nagpapalakas sa akin, hindi lang sa katawan kundi pati na ng loob, lalo pa at hindi madali ang mawalay sa pamilya dahil sa quarantine. Napakagandang inspirasyon ang inyong pagmamahal.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala at suporta. Huwag nating kalimutan ang

FNORDECO, P10

All close contacts of Mayor Sara contact traced: Covid-19 TF

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r. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said on Tuesday that all the close contacts of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio were already contact traced.

“Yes, fully contact traced na lahat and some are already swabbed na,” Schlosser told Edge Davao.

FALL, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar vows to run after smugglers of agricultural products following the agency and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) agreed to further elevate their partnership by strengthening guidelines and procedures on handling of imported food items. Presidential Photo

BIMP-EAGA ministers, partners review projects, deliverables T

he ministers of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), with the respective senior officials and development partners, convened in a virtual meeting on Monday to review the progress of the member countries’ implementation of major projects and key deliverables outlined in the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025.

The said projects focused on the parallel response, management, and recovery initiatives amid the ongoing global health crisis.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, also the BIMP-EAGA Philippines senior official said that

among the agreed projects and key deliverables are to expedite and expand priority infrastructure projects implementation, establish travel bubbles, improve transport and trade facilitation, implement the One Borneo Quarantine Initiative, promote SEZ (Special

Economic Zone) development and cooperation in economic corridors, promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, develop creative industries and support local communities, fast-track e-commerce and support startups, develop cross-borders value chain and promote high-value food industry, develop BIMP-EAGA Tourism Recovery Framework, promote green investments, sustainable urbanization and smart cities, and reskilling and upskilling for a competitive workforce.

“We will continue to rely on the strategic pillars in moving projects forward with economic corridors

providing spatial focus. Results-based monitoring and evaluation, as well as reporting, will be more structured to ensure that goals and objectives are met in a timely manner,” she added.

Lopoz said that they reaffirm their commitment to a more robust socioeconomic convergence across all sectors in the sub-grouping and the greater ASEAN. As the representative of the Philippines, Lopoz presented the highlights of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the sub-regions, as well as the key achievements and milestones under the strategic pillars, and then the status of

newable energy sources.

We are facing a confluence of factors. Oil is back where it was pre-pandemic. Natural gas is at all-time highs,” Salceda said.

In response to disruptions and price hikes in fossil fuels, he recommended that the country diversify its energy portfolio quickly.

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FBIMP-EAGA, P10

FDI net inflows hit $1.3-B, up 52% in July, BSP says

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he Philippines booked $1.3 billion in net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) in July, up 52 percent from the same month last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Monday.

“The said improvement brought the cumulative FDI net inflows to $5.6 billion, a growth of 43.1 percent from the $3.9 billion net inflows in the first seven months of 2020,” the BSP said.

FDI net inflows rose in July due mainly to the 61.1

percent growth year-onyear in investments in debt instruments to $1.1 billion from US$667 million, the central bank said.

“Similarly, reinvestment of earnings rose by 87.1 percent to $155 million from US$83 million.”

Foreign investments fell sharply last year as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses across the globe.

But even before the pandemic, FDI net inflows had

closure,” DOLE director Rolly Francia said.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion reportedly proposed last month a lower alert level to allow more businesses to reopen at a higher rate capacity and earn them funds to pay off their 13th-month pay obliga-

tions.

The labor department last year emphasized that despite the pandemic, employers are not excused nor exempted from paying their employees their 13thmonth pay.

“Dahil may time pa naman, I’m sure the Sec-

FFDI, P10

Faster processing of approval for 13th month pay ‘mandatory’ renewable energy plants sought amid COVID-19, says DOLE

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lawmaker appealed to the Department of Energy (DOE) to expedite the process of approvals for power plants, especially for renewable energy (RE), as the possibility of “energy crunch” looms due to the impact of oil price hikes.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the possible “energy

crunch”, or a rise in power and fuel costs, by mid-2022 can cause major problems for countries like the Philippines that import non-renewables for its energy needs, as it could dampen economic recovery.

“The world is facing what could be a year of price hikes on coal, oil, natural gas, and other non-re-

FFASTER, P10

he Department of Labor and Employment on Monday reiterated that payment of an employee’s 13thmonth pay is mandatory.

“The 13th month pay is mandatory, unless merong circumstances that would exempt specific or a particular company to pay, that includes

F13TH MONTH, P10

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ECONOMY

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Laborers work on the new Agdao Public Market building in Davao City on Tuesday. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reiterated that payment of an employee’s 13th-month pay is mandatory amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Edge Davao

Exec sees car industry hitting 295K sales target this year

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he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) remains hopeful to hit the industry’s sales target this year after recording an encouraging month-onmonth growth in September.

A joint report of CAMPI and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) on Monday showed that vehicle sales in September grew 35.6 percent to 21,493 units from 15,847 units in August this year.

In a statement, CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the favorable development last month will help the industry to achieve its sales target for this year.

“Amidst the challenges, the industry’s optimism still lingers for a better sales performance in the fourth quarter this year. This is driven by the overall improved con-

sumer confidence resulting from a more buoyant economic condition and household spending, according to the recent government data,” he added.

Earlier, Gutierrez said the industry targets to end the year with 295,400 unit sales.

The target includes sales of imported vehicles.

For the first nine months of the year, sales of local car assemblers reached 191,605 units, increasing by 29.5 percent from the same period last year at 148,012 units.

In the same period, passenger car sales rose 38.3 percent to 60,982 units from January to September this year from 44,079 units in 2020.

Commercial vehicle sales improved by 25.7 percent to 130,623 units from 103,933 units.

Rediscounting loans availment down in end of September

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anks took out lower peso-denominated rediscounting loans in the first nine months this year amounting to PHP6.12 million compared to the same period in 2020, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported.

Data released by the central bank on Monday showed that end-September 2021 total availments under the Peso Rediscount Facility (RRF), which currently has a 2.5 percent rate, is way lower than the PHP26.9 billion year-ago.

“These availments represent the rediscount of

Production Credits that financed industrial processing (65.35 percent); and Other Credits that funded capital asset expenditures (24.81 percent) and permanent working capital (9.84 percent),” the BSP report said.

However, there was no availment under the Exporters Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF) during the same period, it said.

BSP said the last time the EDYRF was tapped by banks was in 2016, through a US dollar-denominated

FREDISCOUNTING, P10

DTI 11 intensifies price monitoring of new SRPs T he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has intensified its price monitoring activities following the release of the latest set of suggested retail prices (SRPs).

This new list of SRPs for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) must be followed effective August 29 this year. It can be recalled that the last time DTI issued an SRP bulletin was on September 30, 2019, which is two years ago already.

With the said list, the agency provides a guide of the prescribed prices of various consumer products, such as, but not limited to, canned and other food

products, bottled water, dairy, and common household or kitchen supplies.

From September 9 to 15, the DTI offices in Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao de Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental monitored 50 business establishments from the eight price monitoring activities they conducted.

The respective monitoring teams reported a 100% compliance among

those monitored. Meanwhile, the entire DTI 11 has already conducted 268 price monitoring of 328 business establishments throughout the region from January to September 15 this year.

DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi explained that in as much as DTI would like to keep the 2019 prices of the BNPCs, it is difficult to do so since certain factors have to be considered. Thus, the request for price increase was granted to the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This is to help them keep up with the high production cost and ensure the stability of supply

in the local market for the benefit of consumers. The price increase, however, is minimal, or just between 3% to 8%.

The regional trade official further shared that most of the necessary raw materials are imported, a scenario that has prompted the slight escalation in prices as well. It is worth noting that the international trading arena was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, many countries have been experiencing economic recession for a year now. ”We understand that this move may not be acceptable to the consuming

the BOC on Oct. 8 signed an agreement seeking to strengthen the “second border” inspections and create a technical working group (TWG) to review the 15-year-old guidelines and procedures on handling imported food items.

“This is a milestone in the partnership between the DA and BOC. Everything that we requested

were allowed and in sync with the other agency. My mindset and mechanism are now well in place. We agreed to continue to elevate our partnership,” Dar said in a virtual press briefer on Monday.

“Meron tayong mahuhuli (We will catch them),” he added.

Dar said the TWG is a combined teams of officials from both the DA

and BOC. “They will recommend yung (the) harmonization of guidelines, from first border inspection to the strengthening of the second border inspection,” Dar said.

Dar said some guidelines are needed to be harmonized for the two agencies to work accordingly and efficiently with

FDTI, P10

Heightened DA-BOC partnership boosts fight against smuggling

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epartment of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar vowed to run after smugglers of agricultural products after his agency and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) agreed to further elevate their partnership by strengthening guidelines and procedures on handling of imported food items.

This, after the DA and

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

On politicians campaigning early after filing their Certificate of Candidacy (COC):

Just be fair. Antayin na lang natin yung campaign period para po mangampanya. Let’s not take the opportunity nga nag-file ngayon eh magkakampanya, early campaigning na.”

Atty. Michael Abas

Regional Director, Comelec

EDITORIAL More time for discernment The unfortunate event fell on Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio after she tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. It came hours after the Friday madness when her legions of supporters waited expectedly for her filing of certificate of candidacy on the last day.

She ended up keeping her word of not filing.

It must have been hard for Mayor Sara to deal with the situation and weigh her decision. Although it is technically not over yet, we could feel like she bore the weight of the world on her shoulders. It’s not an easy decision to make if everyone just thinks about it. Running the entire country is almost a hundred times more than running Davao City alone. And doing that for the next six years is no joke.

Funny how other presidential wannabes presented themselves like this is as easy as going to the office and collecting your salary at every fortnight.

Mayor Sara for sure gave it a serious thought process. Who knows

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But before she even thinks about that, the next two weeks is already a battle for her to deal with. Covid is the new David who has slain millions including the healthiest and wealthiest of Goliaths. It is time for people to respect her privacy and pray for her health rather that thinking of pushing her to make that decision to run.

Like we said, it’s not an easy decision. It involves first and foremost her family who will be the first to make the supreme sacrifice for the next six years if she wins.

There will be some silence in the next few days before the issue heats up again.

No thanks to Covid, but there’s a reason for why things are happening.

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

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

she has come up with a final decision or has kept her mind open until the final day of substitution next month.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO WHY CLIMATE CHANGE MATTERS When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported all over the world, there were some reports that due to lockdowns, the world was recuperating from climate change as people were no longer traveling.

But a new report, United in Science 2021, said the temporary reduction in carbon emissions caused by global lockdowns “did not slow the relentless advance of climate change.” As the report said, “Greenhouse gas concentrations are at record levels, and the planet is on path towards dangerous overheating.”

After a temporary blip in 2020 due to COVID-19, carbon emissions “are rapidly accelerating” and “nowhere close to the targets set by the Paris Agreement,” the report observed.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 parties (including the Philippine government) at COP21 in Paris on December 12, 2015 and entered into force on November 4, 2016.

“We have reached a tipping point on the need for climate action. The disruption to our climate and our planet is already worse than we thought, and it is moving faster than predicted,” said United Nations Secretary

General António Guterres in a statement.

We are now just a month away from the most important global meeting of the year: The United Nations Climate Conference (COP26), which is scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland between October 31 and November 12.

There is a big choice to be made there, according to the UN Secretary-General.

So, why should climate change be a concern to us, Filipinos?

The Philippines, home to about 110 million people, is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, according to Dr. Rodel D. Lasco, a member of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the 2007 co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. For one, the country “has a long coastline where millions of people live including in urban centers such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.”

In 2007, the IPCC estimated that sea levels might rise by between 18 centimeters and 59 centimeters in the coming century. The Philippines ranks fourth in the Global Climate Risk Index. Fifteen of the 16 regions of the Philippines are vulnerable to sea level rise.

In a conference on strengthening river basin organizations in Davao City in 2015,

Lorenzo Tan, executive director of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), declared: “If you see rising sea levels, Mindanao is at ground zero.

Davao City is a case in point.

It was among the 12 key cities in the country that was included in the Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts study done by WWF along with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation Inc. “The study was conducted to help city planners assess the impacts of climate change in their communities, identify opportunities and decide on a sustainability strategy, site-specific interventions that will allow the city to retain its economic viability,” Tan told Business World.

Tan noted that Davao runs a close second to Cebu in terms of tonnage shipped through its ports. “Located along the relatively shallow channel between the city and Samal Island, these port facilities are a nerve center for Davao City’s economy, and serve a variety of ships handling both cargo and passengers,” the risk assessment said.

But sea level rise may create some havoc in the near future. “Davao should take a close look at the city’s shipping fleet and port facilities and take the necessary steps to ensure that they are upgraded to deal with

the impacts of climate change,” Tan suggested.

Sea level rise would also endanger the drinking water quality and agricultural productivity, according to the country’s weather bureau. This is due to possible salt intrusion in coastal soils and fresh water aquifers.

Not only people are at risk of being displaced by sea level rise, but “important ecosystems such as mangrove forests could also be lost,” warned Dr. Lasco, who is the country’s coordinator for the World Agroforestry Center.

Mangroves and coral reefs are at risk, too. Mangroves serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish. They also aid in natural land reclamation.

More importantly, they act as buffer or coastal zone stabilizers by reducing typhoons and storm wind damage.

The Philippines has about 27,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Two-thirds of these are in Palawan and the Sulu Archipelago. An estimated 10-15 per cent of the total fisheries come from coral reefs.

The Philippines is buffeted by typhoons every year, which kill scores of people and damage billions of pesos worth of properties. In recent years, stronger typhoons have become more frequent. “Climate change is

expected to exacerbate this extreme event,” warned Dr. Lasco.

Rising temperatures will also spur changes in rainfall patterns. “Weather patterns (in the Philippines) may change with projections of higher rainfall and drier summers,” Dr. Lasco said. “These could adversely affect millions of hectares of farm lands. In the rainy season, there will be more frequent floods and in the dry season, there will be less water available for irrigation. Overall, it threatens the food security of our country.”

The greenhouse effect is a natural warming process.

During the Climate Change Media Workshop some years back in Davao City, Dr. Rosa Perez said that carbon dioxide and certain other gases are always present in the atmosphere. These gases create a warming effect that has some similarity to the warming inside a greenhouse, hence the name “greenhouse effect.”

“Although the Earth’s climate has changed many times throughout its history, the rapid warming seen today cannot be explained by natural processes alone,” pointed out Dr. Perez who has a PhD in Meteorology from the University of the Philippines.

Man’s tampering with the environment has made the temperature change faster, scientists believe.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

RENAMING STREET ‘EXTENSIONS’ (PT 1) In renaming streets, even with the earlier passage of Republic Act (RA) 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, the authority to formulate policies and guidelines in naming streets, public plazas, etc. belongs to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Under RA 10086, the NHCP is ‘the primary government agency responsible for history and has the authority to determine all factual matters relating to official Philippine history’ with power to ‘undertake and prescribe the manner of restoration, conservation and protection of the country’s historical movable and immovable objects.’ Under the same statute, it is also instilled the task to ‘determine the manner of identification, maintenance, restoration, conservation and preservation of historical sites,

shrines, structures and monuments.’

Under the revised guidelines, the NHCP states in part: (i) no national road, school, hospital and other national property can be named or renamed by a local government; (ii) public roads, schools, bridges, buildings and other structures under the jurisdiction of the local governments may be renamed by the local government concerned; (iii) no public place should be renamed if the present name has attained a degree of historical association and has developed an importance of its own; (iv) names of places, which have been sanctified by long usage by the people, shall be retained and preserved; and (v) no portion of a street or road may be renamed if it would tend to disrupt the continuity of its present name.

Recently, the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Davao, after going through several NHCP rejections, made a breakthrough when the committee on education, science and technology, arts and culture chaired by city councilor Pilar Cañeda Braga, using history as basis, was able to convince the agency to finally allow the renaming of Jacinto Extension Street, from Elpidio Quirino Avenue up to Juan A. Sarenas Avenue (formerly Circumferential Road), first district of Davao City, to Leopoldo Abellera Street.

Following protocols, the Braga committee chair on education, science and technology, arts and culture, chaired by city councilor Pilar Cañeda Braga wrote the NHCP to apprise the agency of the plan. In two instances, the NHCP formally turned down the proposal, saying the idea to change a street

bearing a national hero’s name is contrary to its prevailing guidelines.

Despite the setbacks, the committee presented three historical developments that supported its position, namely: (i) before the war, only two city streets were named after heroes, namely: Andres Bonifacio and Jose P. Rizal. Bonifacio, while Calle Rizal; (ii) in the 1950s, the city came out with a development plan, influenced in part by the demographic rise and the declaration of certain city lands as disposable and alienable; and (iii) the proposed urban plan included the opening of new roads, especially streets connecting the coastline to the center of business and population. The first roads opened in the east were informally assigned names Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, and Emilio Jacinto. All these are

linked to Quezon Blvd.

The recommended city plan was purely an engineering perspective. The proposed roads did not carry names and there was no street name yet assigned. It was only when the road development was extended west, the opposite of Quezon Blvd. areas, that roads were assigned or temporarily named after heroes, Supreme Court justices, etc. Later, roads proposed as continuations of Mabini and Jacinto carried the term ‘extension,’ but again without a resolution or ordinance.

Historically, this was the first time a road named after a national hero but was ascribed informally the sobriquet as ‘extension’ that the NHCP, at the persistence of the committee, was allowed to be renamed under the revised guidelines in favor of a Davao luminary. (To be continued)

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

THE JOYS OF GARDENING WITH ACE HARDWARE HOTLINE #11223 I t can be said that gardening bloomed during the pandemic. The homebound discovered the joys of gardening, and became plantitos and plantitas almost overnight. And with more time in their hands, long time enthusiasts transformed their green spaces into amazing landscapes.

store or online. To order, dial ACE Hotline #11223 or click http://call-collect.acehardware.ph/.

Or shop online at ACE Hardware official stores in ShopSM, Lazada or Shopee. You can also get rewarded each time you shop, earn points and enjoy exclusive offers with ACE Rewards Card.

This is not surprising as gardening is both healthy and healing: a good source of vitamin D, a mood booster, and an enjoyable aerobic exercise. And of course, it provides nutritious veggies and fruits for your dinner table and beautiful flowers to decorate it.

Whether you’re designing a pocket garden in your condo unit, creating an aesthetic edible garden in your backyard by mixing edibles with existing ornamental beds and borders, or growing fields of flowers, ACE Hardware has a wide selection of high quality, affordable garden supplies, tools and equipment. And ever the Helpful Place, you can now purchase these - in the comfort of your home thru ACE’s hotline #11223 or ACE’s official online stores at ShopSM, Shopee and Lazada.

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Decker grass trimmers, Makita leaf blowers and ACE-branded garden tools that will help you keep your lawn lush, green and weed free.

ACE Hardware sprayers which you can use to apply water, fertilizers and pesticides products to your plants are also available.

Create the garden you’ve always wanted now with Ramgo seeds for fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables. Ensure your plants’ growth and nutrients with Ramgo soil conditioners that are best for seeds and seedlings as well as Ramgo fertilizers rich in nitrogen for cultivating healthy crops. Putting an eco-friendly and organic Vermicast soil conditioner in your potting mix is also a great addition.

Shop smart in all ACE branches nationwide and avail these gardening essentials thru in-

InLife Lazada

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L

ife insurance has a reputation for being expensive, too technical and hard to understand.

In order to address these concerns, Insular Life (InLife) partnered with the Lazada Marketplace to offer low-priced and easy-to-understand protection and accident products that one can obtain in as fast as a few clicks.

“This pandemic has made many realize that sickness and death may befall anyone anytime.

But we also understand the reservation that comes with acquiring life insurance. It’s full of technical jargon and may take several days before it gets approved. At InLife, we want to let people know that LIFE really means

Life Insurance is Fast and Easy. And this is what our Lazada products are here for,” said InLife Digital Distribution Head Geraldine G. Pascual.

She added that in order to help Lazada users purchase what could be their first insurance, InLife produced three videos that would explain to them how the products work,” The videos may be accessed via InLife’s YouTube account. They are about: InLife Lazada Protect Plans, which are term life insurance plans with accidental death and disability benefits, as well as accidental hospital income benefits; the InLife Premium Protect Plans, which are term life insurance plans with hospital income benefits, and the

InLife Shield Plans, which are comprehensive group accident plans with medical and surgical expense reimbursement benefits.

“We hope that after watching these videos, our kababayans would gain a better understanding of what life insurance means and why it is essential to own one,” Pascual added.

InLife’s Lazada products may be bought from the Insular Life LazMall Flagship Store.

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As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders. They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 57 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want.

Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife. com.ph.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

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wo days after celebrating Independence Day in 2017, residents of Davao City woke up with the sad news of nine people dead on the spot, 2 more pronounced dead-on-arrival and 8 others injured when a passenger van hit a 6-wheeler forward truck. The accident happened at Kilometer 21 in Budbud, Bunawan district.

The van, coming from Monkayo and going to Davao City, tried to overtake another vehicle. The driver didn’t see the speeding truck on the same lane that resulted in a collision and caused the sudden death of more than half of the 16 passengers.

“The speed limit ordinance of Davao City is aimed specifically at putting an end to deadly vehicular accidents in the city,” said Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte in a statement issued after the accident.

“When it was first implemented four years ago, we saw a remarkable decrease in deaths from vehicular accidents,” the eldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte pointed out. “This year though, we again observed an increase in incidents of vehicular mishaps.”

A day later, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported another road accident that happened along the Maharlika Highway in Atimonan town in Quezon province. Two persons, riding a motorcycle, tried to avoid a collision with a bus “that overtook another vehicle.”

According to the news report, the driver “lost control of his motorcycle” and he and his passenger were thrown but a coming “bus hit and ran over them. They died instantly,” wrote Delfin

T. Mallari, Jr. Not random acts of God Vehicular accidents need not happen, but they do.

“They are not random acts of God,” declared Dr. Jeffrey Runge, head of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “They’re predictable, and therefore they’re preventable.”

According to the data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018 road traffic accident deaths in the Philippines reached 10,624 or 1.74% of total deaths that year.

The death rate was 11.40 per 100,000 of population, which ranked the county No. 118 in the world.

The Department of Health (DOH) doesn’t contest this fact. As a matter of fact, it lists road accidents as one of the leading causes of death among children, overpowering other deadly diseases. In Metro Manila alone, about two children die daily due to road accidents.

Pedestrians and riders of bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds are the people most likely to be injured in crashes, studies show. They are also the most likely to die from vehicular accidents.

Usual victims: males Oftentimes, most of the victims are males, “because they are more likely to drive while under the influence of alcohol and to speed or

BIGGER PICTURE

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VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS

NEED NOT HAPPEN Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

engage in other reckless behavior,” studies show.

Twenty-one-year-old was having a drinking spree with his college friends that he had not seen for three years when his wife Marianne, 18, stormed in and said, “What happened to you? We won’t be able to attend the wedding tomorrow if we don’t travel now.”

The couple left, riding in a motorcycle. It was already late in the evening and Joseph was driving fast. What he didn’t know was that the road was being fixed. It was too late when he found it.

Their motorcycle flew and Marianne, who hit the steel that served as a barrier, died instantly.

Joseph was still breathing. Those who witnessed the accident immediately brought him to a hospital.

The doctors tried to save his life but after two days of being in a coma, Joseph finally succumbed.

Fourth leading cause of death Based on studies, vehicular accidents are the fourth leading cause of death.

On May 21, 1991, award-winning film director Lino Brocka (known for his thought-provoking movies like Santiago and Insiang)

met his sudden death in a car crash in Quezon City. At the time of his death, he was filming Sa Kabila ng Lahat.

On September 6, 1998 at around 12:15 P.M., on a Sunday, Filipino Italian-American recording artist Ric Segreto was riding his motorcycle from his home in Makati. The singer was killed in an accident on the Makati-Buendia Flyover, when he ran into or was hit by debris, possibly caused by workers on a construction project.

Another singer, Eddie Peregrina, was a leading matinee idol of the 1970s.

He died at the age of 32 after a freak car accident. His Mustang car collided with a trailer truck in EDSA Shaw underpass in 1977. He died a month and a week later – on April 30, 1977 – at Polymedic Hospital due to internal hemorrhage. His early and tragic death shocked his millions of fans nationwide.

Most hospital records revealed that vehicular accidents contribute about 40% of all types of accidents. “There’s no accurate figure on the number of deaths caused by vehicular accidents in the Philippines,” writes Atty. Romeo Pefianco in a national daily. “We only

read the usual death count repeated after a television or radio report.”

Common causes In an article published by website philkotse.com, identified five common causes of road accidents in the Philippines. These are over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, bad overtaking, improper turning, and jaywalking.

Let’s take a closer look at each: Over speeding: “Exceeding the speed limit is one of the common causes of road-related deaths and injuries in the Philippines because there are no designated officers to catch over-speeders,” the website explains. In addition, some drivers are not really aware of the standard speed limit law in the country.

There are drivers who also overspeed because of traffic issues. “With heavy traffic and long hours on the road, drivers become impatient and once they have the opportunity to drive faster to reach their destination on time, they do so,” the website observes.

Driving under the influence of alcohol: “Drinking alcohol with friends, relatives, and co-workers is among

the most common pastime and bonding moments of Filipinos,” states the website as the reason why people drink and drive.

“Alcoholic beverages are the so-called ‘downers,’ which means you will have a lower level of alertness and focus,” the website points out. Drunk driving was also cited by an Asian Development Study as one cause of road accidents.

Bad overtaking: “If you’re been driving for years and long-distance, you might have come to a point where you’ve seen road accidents due to bad overtaking or near-death situations because the driver overtaking almost collided with a bus or another car,” the website explains.

“This is a common scenario in the country because of failure to estimate the distance and time when overtaking,” it adds. “Again, some fail to give the right signal to the driver in front of them, as well as those at their back.”

Improper turning: Most Filipino drivers are not so fond of using the turn signal light; some do but it is already too late.

“The recommendation

FVEHICULAR, P10

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running for governor, two for vice-governor, 11 candidates will be vying for the five board membership seats in District I while 13 will also be vying. For congressmanship in District I, three will contest including one independent candidate while two will compete for congressmanship in District II. The list of candidates for provincial positions: vying for provincial governor are Roy Catalan of Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) and Edwin Jubahib of Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma.

For provincial vice governor are Franklin Gen-

tiles of Partido Para sa Demokratikong Reporma and De Carlo Uy of HNP. On the other hand in Davao City, the final list of candidates for local positions are the following: for mayor – Sara Duterte, Joseph Hannibal Elizalde, Teodoro Mantilla, and Ruy Elias Lopez; and for Vice Mayor- Sebastian Duterte.

For the House of Representatives: first districtPaolo Duterte, Jamal Ranon Kamal, and Maria Victoria Maglana while for the second district-Danilo Dayanghirang, and Vincent Garcia; for the third district- Isidro Ungab and Abundio Indonilla.

sa mga beneficiaries. Usa na tabang niini ang pagputol sa mga kahoy nga maagian sa linya kay aron

malikayan ang pagsablay sa linya ug malikayan ang mga power interruption,” Galarse said.

been declining from the record high $10 billion hit in 2017.

In 2020, FDI inflows cratered, contracting nearly 25 percent year-on-year to

$6.54 billion.

Economic managers have been pushing for reforms to the country’s business laws to attract more capital.

“RE is just 24 percent of our energy sources, when we are both a net importer of fossil fuels, and an excellent location for all sorts of RE. One problem appears to me to be the approval process,” he said.

He noted that the Renewable Energy Law imposes much more requirements on RE players than on traditional fossil fuel plants, which tend to discourage rather than encourage RE power plants.

“We may need to review the Renewable Energy Law to see how we can expedite approval processes. The pre-development stage also tends to be long, up to three years, so we have to see how we can move quicker with that stage,” Salceda said.

He said the ideal mix should be at least 40 percent renewable energy.

“Our international commitment is to get that up to 35 percent by 2030, but we

should do ourselves better by aiming for 40 percent, since almost all of our fossil fuels are imported,” Salceda said.

Salceda also suggested that DOE should be a more regular part of discussions on the country’s economic recovery.

“I’ve seen the national employment recovery strategy (NERS) and it says nothing about new power plants, which we sorely need, and which will definitely create new jobs. It’s not even in the National Employment Recovery task force,” he said.

He said approving the creation of pending power plant applications will create new jobs.

“You also need cheap power to create jobs. Moving forward, I hope the DOE is part of discussions on our economic recovery. Power costs remain an investor concern and a dampener on economic recovery,” he said. (PNA)

rediscounting loan.

Its rediscounting facilities aim to provide a boost to banks’ liquidity requirements by extending loans to banks, with the financial institutions using their own borrowers’ loans as collateral.

Among the eligible pa-

pers that banks can use to tap the facility include promissory notes, drafts or bills of exchange of commercial credits, production credits, or other credits like microfinance, housing loans, services, and agricultural with medium and long-term tenors. (PNA)

each other.

In previous reports, farmers from the Cordillera Administrative Region were forced to throw away tomatoes and carrots due to the entry of various agricultural products mostly from China.

The new measures on anti-smuggling efforts on

fresh and frozen agri-fishery cargoes will continue to have an “open-close” examination at the “first border,” Dar said.

He said the imported goods will now also be subjected to a stricter and 100 percent inspection once they arrive at the designated warehouses or “second border.”

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VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

24 HOUSES... FROM 3 tained no damage.

Tropical storm Maring, which had maximum sustained winds of 85 km/hour with gustiness of up to 105 km/hour and central pressure of 985

hPa, unleashed powerful winds, torrential rain and southwest monsoon-induced waves, destroying homes and left swathes of the affected areas flooded.

Orlando L. Masumpad, Art Benjie C. Bulaong, Nelson R. Dayanghirang Jr., Louis Arturo L. Monday, Elijah Paul E. Palma Gil, Lolito D. Juanillo, Ramon S. Bantayan, Arsenio V. Delagua.

Running for 2nd District Board Members are:

Stephen Paul L. Uy, Ruben T. Linsag, Annalouise R. Tambilawan, Enrico M. Antopuesto, Harold A. Montes, Ronaldo C. Japzon, Rotchie M. Ravelo, Daud V. Linsag, Shella Marie S. Go, Edwin R. Solatre, Omar F. Valles. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

pagmamahal sa ating Pilipinas,” the mayor posted.

Apart from the mayor’s fast recovery, her supporters are also praying that she will change her decision and run for president in the 2022 elections.

“Get well soon Inday Sara. We will pray for your immediate recovery. Still hoping for your decision to run for president. You are our only hope considering the kind of situations our country is facing right now.

Please take good care of yourself!” Lalaine Kho posted.

Lea Martinez commented that may the Lord touch the mayor’s heart and praying that she will be the next president of the country.

“Healing be upon you Mayor Inday Sara in the name of Jesus! Praying for the protection of the whole family and the people that surrounds you. May the

Lord touch your heart and give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding because we are still hoping and praying that you will be our next president. Wala mi na wad-an og pag laom. We thank also Tay Digong for his service to the Filipinos.

Dili ka namo malimtan Tay,” he commented.

“We will support you all the way, prayers whole family we Will pray sa Ginoo ubanan ka permi sa tibook nmu mga lkaw ug desesyon, we love you ... Madam Inday Sarah we need you more ikaw ra among kusog ug kakampi. god bless you always,” Jamella Inti posted.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) extended its prayers of good health and speedy recovery to Mayor Sara following the unfortunate news that she has recently contracted Covid-19.

retary or the Department will issue an advisory as to how best companies, especially those reel-

ing from the pandemic, should address paying or not paying the 13th month pay,” Francia said.

public, even if the increase is just minimal. Nevertheless, we have to understand, too, that since 2019, the inflation rate has gone too high already,” Ambi added while emphasizing that the global health crisis resulted in the high cost of raw materials used to manufacture the BNPCs. Amid this recent development, Ambi assured the public of DTI’s continued commitment to provide a safe consumer environment by doing regular price monitoring. It is their goal to only provide quality and safe products at reasonable prices or within

the mandated SRPs. She also warned the business establishments, saying that any violation against the approved SRPs will be dealt with accordingly. They may be made to explain and/ or penalized, whichever is deemed applicable based on the existing guidelines and procedures.

“We aim for value for money when you buy basic necessities and prime commodities. We, therefore, encourage consumers to be vigilant by checking the present SRP and monitored prices through the DTI e-Presyo page,” said Ambi.DTI11

cooperation with partners.

“Despite the pandemic, activities to promote trade and investment are being conducted in a new normal.

The business matching session and forum, as well as webinar, provide an opportunity to establish a network among the private sector and potential business investment as well as sharing on recovery support,” she added.

During the meeting, the BIMP-EAGA ministers ex-

pressed support for collective efforts to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic to their economies and communities, thereby come out as a more united, resilient, and stronger sub-regional cooperation.

The high-level assembly aims to provide strategic policy directions in connectivity, food basket, environment, tourism, and socio-cultural and education pillars. The Philippines is this year’s country host.

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is to switch the turn signal light on at least 30 yards before the turning point,” the website says. “This way, you will give the car at your back a chance to slow down at a proper distance. Failing to do so will cause collision; worst, the collision of multiple cars.”

Jaywalking: Road accidents happen not just because of motorists but also because of individuals on foot. “Jaywalking is the number one reason people are hit by cars. Instead of using the overpass and proceeding to designated pedestrians, people just choose to cross anywhere,” the website says.

The ADB study also cites the following as causes of road accidents: overloading, self-accidents, road defects, hit and run, and using cellular phones.

Despite all the reminders, vehicular accidents still happen.

Several laws To curtail road accidents, several laws were passed. In 2013, then President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10586 – also known as The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 – a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3365 and House Bill No. 4251.

In the provision “Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol” (DUIA), the Act penalizes operating a motor vehicle while the driver’s blood alcohol concentration level has, after being subjected to an alcohol breath analyzer test, reached the level of intoxication.

In “Driving Under the Influence of Dangerous Drugs and other similar substances,” DUID refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle while the driver, after being subjected to a confirmatory test, is found to be positive for use of any dangerous drugs.

In Davao City, due to the alarming steady increase in traffic accidents on the highways, thoroughfares, streets, and roads, then Mayor Duterte signed Executive Order No. 39, which set the speed limits for all kinds of motor vehicles within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.

Violators can be fined or arrested, if warranted, and their vehicle impounded under the provisions of Republic Act 4136 (the governing traffic law of the Phil-

ippines) and the city’s traffic ordinance.

As a result of the implementation of Speed Limit Law, there was a significant drop in road crashes from January to December in 2014.

On the other hand, the national government is implementing Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) that was passed recently. The law “prohibits motorists from using communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped at a traffic light or an intersection.”

Another law passed during the time of Rodrigo R. Duterte is Republic Act No. 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act. It mandates the use of child restraint systems for children 12 years old and below with a height of 4 feet 11 inches and below.

Wearing a crash helmet by motorcyclists, on the other hand, reduces the risk of brain damage – which leads in many cases either to death or to mental disabilities.

“Wearing seat belts can reduce the risk of death or serious injury by 50 percent in the event of a crash,” points out Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

“This is the most effective priority measure for injury reduction and the easiest to implement to protect vehicle occupants in a road crash.”

Getting worse Meanwhile, the WHO said road crashes kill more than 1.2 million people and seriously injure or disable as many as 50 million worldwide every year. And the situation is getting worse.

Globally, it is estimated that there are now roughly 100 million families coping with the deaths or disabilities of family members who were injured in a road traffic collision, recently or in the past.

“They are coping with grief for the dead and care for the disabled,” the UN health agency said. “Often, they are also living with reduced incomes, increased expenses and the burden of dealing with police, courts, insurers, medical systems, and other bureaucracies.”

Rivers downplayed potential issues in the locker room, should Simmons return.

“Other than that first 10 minutes of ‘welcome back’ and taking the crap from your teammates about missing camp and stuff, guys want to win,” Rivers said. “They want to win and they look at Ben as a guy that can help them do that.”

Could Simmons actually start Oct. 20 opening night in New Orleans?

“My guess is when, if he comes, I think he’ll be ready to play,” Rivers said.

Rivers defused the sit-

uation, opening his pregame press conference by saying, “Hello, everyone, I have a statement to make.” As questions about Simmons kept coming before the Sixers played the Brooklyn Nets, Rivers said, “you guys know we have a game today, right?”

The Sixers played without injured point guards Ty Maxey and Shake Milton.

So, what about the point guard situation?

“Well, we don’t have one,” Rivers said.

Help, still perhaps implausible, might be on the way.

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Pinay sets more national marks in Finlandia Trophy

T

een Pinay figure skating sensation Sofia Frank finished 18th among 26 competitors at the Finlandia Trophy in Espoo, Finland and set national records in only her second international stint.

Frank, 16, scored 53.30 in the short program and 94.79 in the free skate, for a total of 148.09.

“Sofia Frank, 16 years of age, raises the bar once again,” the Philippine Skating

Union said. “She is now the official holder of the country’s best scores for short program, free skate, and total scores.”

“Thank you for inspiring the future generation of figure skaters in the Philippines,” the

Player of the Week plum

Consistency is the name of the game for Ian Sangalang, who has proven his worth time and again as the steady anchor of Magnolia throughout its PBA Philippine Cup campaign.

Calm, cool, and collected, the 29-year-old Sangalang quietly and effectively played his role in the paint especially in the ongoing semifinals series where the Hot-

shots are on the cusp of a return trip to the finals as it hold a commanding 3-1 lead over No. 2 seed Meralco.

The versatile big man posted a near double-double average of 16.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games spanning the period Oct. 4-11 to earn the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week (POW) honor.

Sofia Lexi Jacqueline Frank of the Philippines performs during the women’s short program of the Finlandia Trophy Espoo International Figure Skating competition in Espoo, Finland, on Saturday. Heikki Saukkomaa, Lehtikuva / AFP

federation said.

Russian figure skaters swept the podium, with Kamila Valieva winning gold after totaling 249.24, followed

by Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (233.30) and Alena Kostornaia (218.83).

Meanwhile, Filipino figure skaters Michael Christian Martinez and Christopher Caluza finished 24th and 25th in the men’s competition, with scores of 156.78 and 156.24, respectively.

Sangalang earns PBA Best The Hotshots went 2-1 last week, with the 6-foot-7 Sangalang tallying 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in their two victories.

It’s the second POW citation for Sangalang this conference after also anchoring the Hotshots’ unbeaten start last July at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

A lot has changed since then after the

Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang goes to the basket. (Courtesy of PBA Images)

league embarked on a month-long hiatus and then transferred playing venue at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) gym in Bacolor, Pampanga for its restart amid the unwavering challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Sangalang stayed the same, backstopping gunners Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Calvin Abueva in the Hotshots’ bid for a third All-Filipino finals appearance in four years.

The former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP put up 16 points and 10 rebounds in Magnolia’s 92-78 Game 2 win for a 2-0 lead before registering 15 markers and seven boards in a narrow 91-86 loss in Game 3.

Sangalang was instrumental anew in the Hotshots’ crucial 81-69 Game 4 win for a mammoth 3-1 series lead with 17 points and 11 rebounds, his eighth double-double for a league second-best behind June Mar Fajardo’s 12.

Sangalang beat out teammates Lee and Abueva as well as Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, and Fajardo of San Miguel in the weekly honor handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat.

Others who received votes aside from Sangalang were Romeo and Fajardo. (PR)

11

Rivers downplays potential Sixers’ locker room issues

P

HILADELPHIA — The 76ers and representation for disgruntled All-Star Ben Simmons are working toward a resolution of the guard’s holdout that could potentially see him rejoin the team.

“Clearly that’s what we want, or we wouldn’t be talking if that wasn’t part of it,” coach Doc Rivers said on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Simmons missed training camp and the preseason in the wake of his offseason trade demand that had left the Sixers without their three-time All-Star — and Simmons out millions in lost salary and fines. The 25-year-old Australian still has $147 million and four years left on his contract.

Rivers said he has not talked to Simmons during the holdout, only Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. Sixers President Daryl Morey has fielded offers for Simmons but has yet to find a package to his satisfaction that would keep the Sixers among the Eastern Conference’s best teams.

Morey and Rivers have been publicly optimistic since the start of training camp that Simmons would play again for the Sixers. Rivers said he did not know if the situation could be resolved this week.

“We’ve said from Day 1 what we’ve wanted,” Rivers said. “We’d love to have him back. Other than that, honestly, there’s

nothing to report.”

Rivers said conversations with Klutch “have been good throughout, honestly” and there was no animosity on either side.

The bottom line of the holdout may very well be about the bottom line; the more games and practices Simmons misses, the more money he loses. Report to Philadelphia and, even if he never plays, the financial bleeding starts to ease up.

Simmons, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, had been paired with Joel Embiid as the franchise cornerstones as the Sixers chase their first NBA championship since 1983.

Simmons, though, took the brunt of the blame for the top-seeded Sixers’ second-round exit in last season’s playoffs. He shot 34% from the free-throw line in the postseason and was reluctant to attempt a shot from anywhere on the floor late in games.

Rivers and Embiid both made pointed comments about Simmons following the Game Seven loss to Atlanta.

Rivers said his “I don’t know” response to if Simmons could be a championship point guard was taken out of context. Embiid has refused to back down and said in camp the melodrama was “weird, disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives.”

FRIVERS, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 180 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

Nonito Donaire celebrates after beating France’s Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight title. File photo.

Esther Lin, Showtime.

BIG LEAPB

Donaire signs with Probellum promotions

antamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire has signed with Probellum, an upstart promotion headed by former Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer.

He is the latest fighter to have joined the new company, after Probellum initially announced the signing of Regis Prograis, Badou Jack, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Eduardo Hernandez and Brandon Moore.

“Richard Schaefer has always been a ‘fighters first’ promoter,” Donaire said in a statement. “I am convinced that with his vision, leadership skills and passion for the fighters, he will elevate the sport and most importantly continue to empower fighters.”

“I am proud to be part of Team Probellum and continue my relationship and friendship with Richard,” he added.

Probellum previously won the purse bid for the John Riel Casimero vs. Paul Butler, in what will be Casimero’s mandatory defense of his WBO bantamweight title.

Casimero and Donaire have been involved in talks about a potential unification fight, with Donaire putting his WBC bantamweight title on the line.

Schaefer, who worked for over a decade with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, touted Donaire as “one of the greatest fighters in boxing.”

“A future Hall of Famer and four-division and nine-time world

champion, but it is not just his talent in the ring but his personality, charisma and values outside of the ring which make him the champion and role model he is,” he said.

“I am fortunate to call him my friend. It is a pleasure and an honor for me to have him join Probellum and I can’t wait to help him unify the bantamweight division and conquer many more world titles,” he added.

Details of Donaire’s first fight under the Probellum banner will be announced in the near future, but in the meantime his wife and manager, Rachel, expressed their trust in Schaefer’s leadership and vision for the company.

“Every person I have spoken to who had worked with Richard had the utmost respect and admiration for his passion for the fighters,” said Rachel Donaire.

“Richard is a man I would follow into the fire as his knowledge, experience and compassion to fighters is unrivalled,” she added.

Donaire brings with him a 41-6 win-loss record to Probellum. The Filipino has won world titles in four different weight divisions, and most recently won the WBC bantamweight belt after a sensational knockout of French boxer Nordine Oubaali in May.