Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 185 | Tuesday, October 19, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

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IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

Davao City needs to be more attractive to remain an economic force: DCPDO STORY ON PAGE 2

Young boys play with their Siberian Husky at Crocodile Park in Ma-a, Davao City on Sunday afternoon. Dozens of families frequent the area during Sundays as it has a vast open space, which is safe for relaxation and family activities.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte looks at the a miniature model of the terrain of Marawi City as National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. shows the location of the ongoing projects under the Marawi Rehabilitation Program during the commemoration of the 4th Anniversary of the liberation of Marawi from terrorist influence at

the Rizal Park in Marawi, Lanao del Sur on Saturday. With them are Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

Davao City needs to be more attractive to remain an economic force: DCPDO

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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(DCPDO), believes it must continue to improve on its attractiveness as a business location by investing in securing a stable peace and order situation, educating

with business responsive curricula, cutting on red tape, offering a cost-competitive environment, and improving quality of life.

Cortez said the ease of selling Davao City to investors depends on the interest of the investors.

“Davao is a consumer-driven market. Those in the services industry, tourism, ICT, agriculture will have an easier time locating in Davao City. If they are

planning to use Davao City to capture the Mindanao market, then they are off to a good start but the establishment of linkage in other growth areas like in Zamboanga and Cagayan may pose logistical challenges with land travel as the more viable option,” Cortez told Edge Davao.

Cortez also said ease in doing business must become a reality if the city

tober 16) to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the Liberation of the said place.

“Today, as we remember that moment when Marawi City was declared free from months-long siege of our enemies, the more than 222,000 men and women of the Philippine National Police are with us in honoring those sacrifices,” Eleazar said in a statement.

Over 1,000 people died

in the five-month intense fighting, including at least 160 soldiers and policemen and more than 47 civilians.

The once busy and economically-vibrant Marawi City was reduced into debris and damaged buildings and structures, with experts estimating that billions of pesos were lost as a result of the siege.

“Maraming buhay ang nawala, maraming kabu-

hayan ang nauwi sa wala at ang dating masigla at maunlad na lungsod ay naging bakas at mukha ng digmaan,” Eleazar further said.

“But that fierce battle did not only leave a trail of death and destruction to Marawi City but more significantly it has also left a trail of sacrifice and courage of our brothers who fought for liberty and peace of the

ith a number of investment-friendly and big ticket projects such as Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector project, Mindanao Railway, and the longest road tunnel in the country, Davao City is a juicy prospect for investors.

But for the city to remain as an economic force in this side of the country, Ivan Chin Cortez, head of the Davao City Planning and Development Office

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Go: Gov’t committed to lasting peace, progress in Mindanao

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he government is dedicated to sustaining President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision of long-lasting peace and development in the country.

On Saturday, the President reiterated that commitment during the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Marawi from the Islamic State-linked terrorists who attacked the city in 2017.

“We, in government, are strongly committed to bring back the city’s glory. And we will continue to foster cooperation among concerned stakeholders so that Mara-

wi will be able to build back better and stronger,” the President said in his speech.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined the President and other officials at the city’s Rizal Park in honoring state security forces and the people of Marawi City for their sacrifice and courage.

They also witnessed the distribution of certificates of title for permanent housing units to internally displaced persons by the National Housing Authority and the turnover of a PHP76-million

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Tattoo artist nabbed Security forces, civilians honored in Marawi’s 4th liberation anniversary in drug buy-bust

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hilippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar honored the government’s security forces and the local residents of war-torn Marawi City for their sacrifice and courage in retaking the city from the hands of the ISIS-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 2017.

Eleazar who was in Marawi City Saturday (Oc-

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31-year old tattoo artist was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 at Purok 5, Block 3, Panacan Relocation, Panacan, Davao City on Friday morning (October 15).

The suspect was identified as Gershon Delos Reyes Malones, a resident of the said barangay.

Noli Dimaandal, PDEA

11 spokesman, said Malones was arrested by a PDEA agent for selling a suspected shabu worth about P10,000.

Also seized from the suspect were another 3 grams of suspected illegal substance, including several drug paraphernalia, and buy-bust money.

Malones will be facing charges for violation of Section 5, 11, and 12, of Republic Act 9165.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

NEWS

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A bus commissioned for the “Libreng Sakay” project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 11 (LTFRB 11) traverses with other vehicles along E. Quirino Avenue on Davao City on Monday. LTFRB 11 has announced that it is suspending the “Libreng Sakay”service starting Tuesday, October 19, 2021, as the appropriated budget intended for the said project was already exhausted. Edge Davao

Exhausted budget forces LTFRB to suspend ‘Libreng Sakay’ 61 more ex-NPA rebels receive housing units

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ixty-one more former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Davao Region recently received new housing units in Freedom Residences, Barangay Cuambugan ,Tagum City, Davao del Norte in a ceremony held on Friday (October 15).

The said housing project from the National Housing Authority (NHA) is under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive

Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

In a statement posted at NHA 11 Facebook Page, the beneficiaries are surrenderers who yielded to the government troops from 2020 up to 2021.

One of the recipients, “Ka Nelson,” from Paquibato District in Davao City, thanked the government for the housing units turned over to them.

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4 establishments in Mati fined for MPHS violations

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our food stalls along Dahican Beach in Mati City were given citation tickets by the Mati Police for violation of the minimum public health standards while conducting a grand opening Saturday evening, October 16.

Video post on Facebook showed that Shrimparty Food Stall owned by Johan Calderon conducted the grand opening of their establishment where cus-

tomers were seen side by side with each other but with no facemasks.

It was learned that the event was without a permit from the Mati Incident Management Team. The establishment also has no business permit from the city government.

Personnel from the Mati PNP visited the establishment Sunday morning and issued citation ticket

FESTABLISHMENTS, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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funds from the central office and if approved, will immediately resume the “Libreng Sakay” service.

“Libreng Sakay” has been servicing frontliners and APORs in Davao City,

Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.

LTFRB 11 recently opened the 24th route of the “Libreng Sakay” Phase 2 plying through Davao City to Davao Occidental.

Meanwhile, some of the frontliners expressed their gratitude for the service.

“Dako kaayo syag tabang sa among mga frontliners labi na sa mga shifting ug katong mga lagyo gud from Panabo, Tibungco, naa man gud mi kauban nga taga didto. So dako kaayo syang tabang sa ilaha, kay kami sa Engineering, wala man gud miy work from home.

So from Monday till Saturday gina pa overtime na sya. Helpful kaayo sya,” said Jeralyn Birondo of the Engineering Department of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Jennybeth Hisoler, a healthcare worker of Malita District Hospital, benefited from the “Libreng Sakay” Davao Occidental Route.

“Araw-araw apat hanggang limang bus ang babyahe na may rutang Davao City - Malita, Davao Occidental (vice-versa) and magbibigay ng libreng sakay sa mga healthcare workers at

was attended by Dr. Annabelle P. Yumang, regional director of the Department of Health Davao- Center for Health Development, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Dr. Prospero de Vera III, CHED Commissioner Dr. Aldrin Darilag, and DorSU President Roy Ponce.

The DOH has encour-

aged enrollment/master list of various Local Government Units (LGUs) for those aged 18 and over to provide an immunization schedule.

Following the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 141, which was approved on September 30, 2021, al-

lowed the vaccination of the general population or adults aged 18 years old and above.

Those individuals 18 years old and above are urged to register in their respective barangays for them to be given a schedule to be vaccinated for protection against Covid-19.

he regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB 11) suspended the “Libreng Sakay” service for health care workers and authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) starting midnight of October 19, 2021, as the appropriated budget intended for the said service was already exhausted.

“Hurot na ang appropriated amount for the region,” Nonito Llanos III, regional director of LTFRB, told Edge Davao.

Llanos said LTFRB 11 is still requesting additional

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250 tertiary students, scholars get vaccinated in Davao Oriental

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total of 250 Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grantees and institutional scholars of the Davao Oriental State University (DorSU) have been vaccinated over the weekend allowing the school to conduct limited face-to-face classes in the coming days.

Based on the post of DOH 11, the vaccination

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

A trader trasports jackfruits on his customized tricycle on his way to Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

P1.9B in pension loans OK’d as of end-August, says SSS T

he Social Security System (SSS) said it approved around P1.923 billion in loans under its enhanced Pension Loan Program (PLP) from January to August 2021.

The approved loans benefitted 43,424 retirement pensioners, according to the state-run pension fund.

SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio, however, said approved pension loans fell by 17%, compared with P2.311 billion approved in the same period last year.

“We can attribute the decrease in approved pension loans to the lower number of pensioner-borrowers this year. SSS records showed that there were 43,424 pensioner-borrowers from January to August 2021, which is 15% lower than the 51,121 borrowers in 2020,” she said.

“It is partly due to the restricted mobility for se-

nior citizens brought by the quarantine protocols.

Also, some of them are still repaying their pension loans granted to them last year.”

The pension fund said the SSS Bacolod branch has the highest amount of approved pension loans at P89.36 million for 2,649 pensioners.

SSS Cebu placed second with P44.87 million approved pension loans for 962 borrowers.

SSS Davao came in third with P38.26 million approved pension loans for 930 borrowers.

Completing the top five are SSS Bacoor with P37.38 million for 722 borrow-

ers and SSS Antipolo with P33.45 million for 651 borrowers.

Launched in September 2018, PLP aims to assist SSS retirement pensioners in their financial needs and prevent them from becoming victims of private loan sharks with higher interest rates and taking their ATM cards as collateral.

“We recognize that they need financial assistance to help augment their daily expenses, especially that we are in a pandemic. PLP can help cover expenses for their medicines, vitamins, and other healthcare needs,” Ignacio said.

Under the program, qualified retirement pensioners can avail of a loan equivalent to three, six, nine, or 12 times their basic monthly pension (BMP) plus the P1,000 additional benefit.

However, the loanable

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Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will increase prices per liter of gasoline by P1.80, diesel

by P1.50, and kerosene by P1.30.

Cleanfuel will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which

it does not carry.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19, for all the firms except Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 4:01 p.m. the same day.

Other firms have yet to make similar announcements.

amount should not exceed the maximum loan limit of P200,000. In addition, the net take-home pension of the pensioner-borrower should at least be 47.25%.

A pension loan equivalent to three and six times the pensioner’s BMP plus the P1,000-additional benefit will have a payment term of six and 12 months, respectively.

Meanwhile, a pension loan equivalent to nine or 12 times the BMP plus the P1,000 additional benefit will have a 24-month payment term.

The pensioner’s first monthly amortization will be due in the second month after SSS grants the loan.

For example, if the loan is given in August, SSS will deduct the first monthly amortization from the pensioner’s monthly pension in October, according to the

Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P17.85 per liter for gasoline, P16.50 per liter for diesel, and P14.19 per liter for kerosene as of October 12, 2021.

FP1.9B, P10

Another big-time oil price hike set today otorists will again be greeted by heftier pump prices of petroleum products on Tuesday, as firms announced Monday another big-time hike to mark the eighth straight week of increases.

In separate advisories,

World Bank exec praises PhilSys role in PH digital transformation

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he implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) has resulted in milestones for the country’s social protection and digital transformation, according to a World Bank official.

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, said PhilSys will catalyze improvements in the public and private sectors and “can be fundamental to the Philippines’ pivot to reviving the economy and getting poverty eradication back on track”.

Diop noted in an October 14 article on Philstar Global that the PhilSys project is crucial in trying times such as the Covid-19 pandemic and other crises.

“Social protection helps the poor and vulnerable in a country, especially in times of crises and shocks that may threaten the well-being of families. When Covid-19 hit and quarantines began, the Philippines needed a massive expansion of social protection coverage to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic,” he stated.

He said success in uti-

lizing PhilSys for social protection has a “significant demonstration effect” in accelerating digital transformation among government agencies and even the private sector.

Diop noted that “countries that already had good and inclusive digital infrastructure including internet connectivity, digital identification, digital payments, and integrated data ecosystems were better equipped to quickly adapt their social protection programs to meet urgent needs”.

In the Philippines, he said the delivery of social assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic presents a challenge.

“Fortunately, the country is moving to address digital infrastructure gaps, including through the development of the Philippine Identification System. PhilSys is one of the most complex but also game-changing projects undertaken in the country,” he added.

Diop cited that acquiring a Philippine Identification (PhilID) card or the national ID will provide Filipinos with seamless access to financial transactions.

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY

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Oil firms announce another big-time price hike on their petroleum products to mark the eighth straight week of increases. Gasoline is expected to increase by P1.80 while diesel and kerosene by P1.50 and P1.30, respectively.

Edge Davao

IMF chief says no fear of inflation ‘runaway train

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lobal finance officials are worried about rising inflation pressures but there it is little fear that it will become a “runaway train,” IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Sunday.

With supply chain bottlenecks growing in the face of surging demand, policymakers have focused attention on rising prices and whether they will linger or fade away in coming months.

“We are in a more somewhat more uncertain space now,” Georgieva said at the G30 central banking conference.

However, in advanced economies “policymakers have the tools” to deal with inflation, she said, so “there is no significant concern that this would be a runaway

train.”

Even so, finance ministers and central bankers gathered last week in Washington for the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank were more concerned than previously that the prices increases could be more than transitory, she said.

And major emerging markets like Russia and Mexico already have raised interest rates showing that “in these places their policymakers are sufficiently concerned already to take action.”

In the world’s largest economy, US Federal Reserve officials have signaled they will begin to pull back on stimulus by tapering its bond purchases in the last

FIMF, P10

SM to help 100 start-ups set up shop in its malls

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t least 100 small online businesses who want to expand to physical stores can take advantage of SM Startup Package launched last Oct. 15, the Sy-led mall operator said.

SM said it is looking for 100 small, micro and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) that have established online presence to set-up shop within its malls, SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Leasing Strategy and Operations Gina Katigbak told reporters.

Chosen tenants can avail of “friendly rental

rates,” free use of kiosks or carts, marketing assistance, financial assistance through BDO as well as mentorship program from SM group experts, the company said.

“This is a program that never before has been done and we’re invested in your growth. You’re the unsung hero during the pandemic… we’re excited to bring you to the mall,”

Katigbak said.

Tenants for the program don’t have to build anything, they will just have to bring their stuff and start selling, she added.

Despite the reported number of MSME closures in 2020, registration of online businesses surged with over 88,000 new registrations in 2020, data by the Trade Department showed, To qualify, a start-up should have: • An existing business operation for 3 years with no existing physical store • With 1 to 9 employ-

last November 2020 that aims to educate members, employers, and the general public through SSS module-based learnings. They can study these modules at their own convenience for free.

ExSSSel portal can be done by these simple steps: select a module, register online, study the module, take the post examination, and lastly, wait for their e-certificates.

In selecting a module, members and interested individuals can choose from: Module 1 (Sickness), Module 2 (Maternity), Module 3

(Unemployment), Module 4 (Disability), Module 5 (Salary Loan), Module 6 (Pension Loan Program)and Module 7 (Retirement).

Users can also open multiple modules simultaneously.

Members and other individuals can go to http:// bit.ly/ExSSSeL_Portal to register.

After selecting a module, they will receive an online registration form via Google form for them to fill out.

However, portal users must be reminded that they can only get their e-certificate after obtaining a pass-

ing rate of at least 80 percent after the post-examination.

The e-certificate will be sent to their registered e-mail address within seven working days from the time the participant took the post examination and submitted the evaluation form.

As of Aug. 31, 2021, SSS issued a total of 9,643 e-certificates to ExSSSeL users who have successfully completed at least one module available in the portal.

Sickness Benefit is the most viewed Module with 15,413, followed by Maternity Benefit Module with 9,255 views.

ees

“For those who already accessed the ExSSSel portal, we are grateful to your support to our online learning portal and rest assured that we’ll include another set of modules soon. We also encourage the rest of the learning enthusiasts, especially our members, pensioners, and employers, to explore the ExSSSel Portal to be fully knowledgeable on the SSS benefits and privileges,” Ignacio said.

For more information, visit any of the following SSS social media accounts like the SSS official Facebook

• Has a maximum of P3 million in asset size • With complete business registration and tax documents • Original and homegrown brands Those interested can just visit the SM Supermalls website, social media pages or scan the QR code in SM Start-up Package posters located at its malls, it said.

The 100 startups will be situated in prime mall locations within 13 regional malls in major cities, SM Supermalls said.

Pension loan, retirement benefit modules added in SSS portal

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he Social Security System (SSS) added the Pension Loan Program (PLP) and Retirement Benefit Modules in the ExpreSSS e-Learning (ExSSSel) portal last June and September 2021, respectively, where 1.8 million retirement pensioners can access a more detailed information about the programs.

“We know the vulnerability of our pensioners to the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) virus. This is why the SSS gave them an opportunity to pursue an additional e-learning experience at the comfort of

their homes, anytime and anywhere. With the flexible schedule, ExSSSel portal will help our pensioners to gain more knowledge about SSS at their own pace and time.

They can access it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They can also take the exam to assess their understanding, which makes it a more enjoyable and rewarding activity,” SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio said in a statement.

ExSSSel is an online computer-based training about various SSS programs which was initially launched

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

On Davao City as an economic force in Mindanao:

Davao is a consumer-driven market. Those in the services industry, tourism, ICT, agriculture will have an easier time locating in Davao City. If they are planning to use Davao City to capture the Mindanao market, then they are off to a good start but the establishment of linkage in other growth areas like in Zamboanga and Cagayan may pose logistical challenges with land travel as the more viable option.”

Ivan Chin Cortez

Head, City Planning Office

EDITORIAL

An exciting episode

Hope springs eternal in the human breast. This immortal line in Alexander Pope’s iconic poem An Essay on Man (1733-34) seems to aptly describe the situation of Dabawenyos loyal to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio are in. These are dyed in the wool convenors and members of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) who continue to be hopeful that Mayor Duterte Carpio, the chairman of the popular regional party, will finally decide to run for President in the 2022 elections.

This unshakable conviction of hope was lately articulated in a press conference last Thursday (October 14) by no less than Davao de Oro Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, HNP treasurer, and father Senior Board Member Arturo R. Uy, Run Sara Run convenor.

The group is willing to wait until November 15, the last day the Commission on Elections allows substitution of candidates, that Mayor Sara will reconsider running for reelection for mayor of Davao City and decide to run for the Presidency of the country instead.

This hope of Inday Sara finally taking the plunge is shared by millions of Filipinos in other parts of the country who believe that Mayor Sara has the capability of continuing the legacies of his father, outgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

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Election may no longer be as easy as a walk in the park. But given the resources available and her superior charisma (“compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion’), Inday Sara has arguably the best chances to win.

“Many of our countrymen are still hoping for the continuity of her father’s accomplishments. Among the presidentiables she is the best qualified,” says former governor “Chongkee” Uy, Jayvee Tyron’s father.

“No retreat, no surrender,” says Christopher A. Roldan, a rabid political supporter of the Inday Sara Movement (ISM), another group headed by Gov. Claude P. Bautista of Davao Occidental.

Whether or not Mayor Sara will decide to run will be known by November 15. But the wait for that decision has become an interesting, if not an exciting episode in the runup to the 2022 national election.

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

As to chances of winning the country’s highest elective office, the past several surveys indicate that the presidential daughter is the strongest in a field of half a dozen aspirants. But of course, the situation could change a bit in future surveys.

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)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO WHY PROTECT OUR TREES What do cooler weather, medicines, water, food, and birds have one thing in common? If you think they don’t have any common denominator, you’re wrong! What links them together is trees, that’s what.

But most people don’t think trees deserve their attention.

They are just trees, they are not humans, these people claim.

Yes, trees are not humans but they are still creatures. In fact, they are life in themselves.

When you live in the cities, you need to have an air-conditioner in order to make you cooler. But those living in rural areas, they don’t need it. When they are feeling hot, all they need to do is go under the trees. Aside from being free, trees also provide you with plenty of fresh air.

One of the biggest problems the world faces today is climate change. Aside from making the planet earth too warm for comfort, it also brings drought, flooding, sea level rise, depletion of biological diversity, and displacement of people.

One possible solution to the problem is planting trees – lots of them. By doing so, the excess carbon dioxide – the number one greenhouse gas identified as the primary culprit – floating in the atmosphere can be removed. This was actually

enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Reports and studies from the Nobel-prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate that “nature-based solutions, including healthy forests, could provide up to one-third of the emissions reductions required by 2030 to meet Paris Agreement targets.”

We need trees, particularly those found in tropical forests, because they provide us the much-needed medicines for our survival. Although they account for only seven percent of the world’s total land mass, tropical forests harbor as much as half of all known varieties of plants.

According to experts, just a four-square-mile area of rainforest may contain as many as 1,500 different types of flowering plants and 750 species of trees. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that active ingredients in 25% of all prescription drugs in the world today come directly from medicinal plants (most of them grown in tropical forests).

Trees are also very important because they help provide water. That’s why there is such a thing as watershed. “A watershed needs trees in order

to absorb rainwater when it channels into streams, rivers and eventually dams where human communities source fresh water,” Rappler’s Pia Ranada wrote.

“A typical tree breathes out 250 to 400 gallons of water per day through its leaves, humidifying the air,” Ranada explained.

“This process, called evapotranspiration, is responsible for most of the rain that falls inland, far from oceans. Thus, without trees, there is no rain and it is rain that supplies much of the freshwater humans need to live.”

Dr. Patrick Durst, former regional FAO forestry officer, seemed to agree. “The main benefit they provide is helping to intercept precipitation and facilitate its infiltration into the soil and ground water storage areas,” he said.

Durst also said that trees help reduce soil erosion by “breaking the fall” (that is, the impact) of rainfall that might otherwise dislodged soil particles upon harsh impact. Right now, soil erosion deserves the attention it needs.

“Today, the equivalent of one soccer pitch of soil is eroded every five seconds, and the planet is on a path that could lead to the degradation of more than 90% of all the Earth’s soils

by 2050,” Maria Helena Semedo, FAO deputy director-general for climate and natural resources, said in a statement.

FAO estimates that as much as 95% of food eaten by humans is directly or indirectly produced on soils. “Healthy soils are the key to food security and our sustainable future,” the United Nations food agency pointed out.

What about birds? Well, they carry with them seeds after eating those fruits and help spread in planting the trees.

They are indeed man’s ally but some of them are on the verge of extinction. The reason: their habitat, particularly the forests, have dwindled so fast.

A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, found out that due to deforestation and habitat degradation “more bird species may be endangered than previously thought.”

The State of Philippines Birds said that about 67% of the country’s birds spend their life or part of their life in a tropical forest. A study conducted

by FAO showed that a pair of Philippine eagles needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as a nesting territory.

“I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree,”

penned poet Joyce Kilmer some years ago. If he has to write the same poem, he may realize that he may not see a tree anymore in the future.

Where have all our trees gone?

More than 100 years ago, even after Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” our country, it was almost totally covered with forest resources distributed throughout its 30 million hectares. But deforestation mowed them to the extent that only few patches remain.

“From the late 1950s through 1973, deforestation in the Philippines reached 172,000 hectares per year.

Virgin forests have been especially hard hit, declining by 1.7 million hectares from 1971 to 1980 alone,” wrote Robert Repetto in his book, The Forest for the Trees? Government Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources.

Let’s protect our trees, in particular, or forests in general, from further decimation.

Even at the end of the world, so goes a saying, we need to plant trees. “A person without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless,” American President Theodore Roosevelt reminded.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

BRIEF HISTORY OF DAVAO’S CITY STREETS (PT 2) The Americans built a number of roads that would open regions outside the Spanish poblacion. The first thoroughfare is Quezon Boulevard, which links Washington area, then the administrative center, to the port of Davao. This coastal road, a project of American district governor Capt. Allen Walker, was called Piapi; it was completed in 1908. The boulevard was identified in post-war maps as Bonifacio. Later, the Americans renamed Calle Nueva (now Paciano Bangoy Street) to Bolton Street, in honor of Lt. Edward R. Bolton, the assassinated American district governor.

The Americans also constructed other roads and named them after American and Filipino heroes. To open the northern section of town to future settlements, a road was built from Santa Ana pier going northeast;

it was named Carpenter Street (now Leon Ma. Garcia, Sr.), after Frank W. Carpenter, the American governor of Mindanao and Sulu.

To connect Bankerohan area to the western section of town, Claudio Street, named after Private Tomas Claudio, the first Filipino to die in World War I, was constructed; it was eventually connected with Hospital Avenue, so named because the provincial dispensary was built there on a donated land.

Also opened was Rizal Street (Claveria to Legazpi), after Filipino national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Overall, the Americans open many roads towards settlements southward and northward from the town of Davao but consciously did not give names to most of them.

A number of anonymous city streets were later given names and new roads, due to

influx of new settlers, were also opened, chiefly on the eastern and northern sections, to accommodate new settlements.

Areas on the north and west and those in between, being swamplands, were being developed only in late 1950s and early 1960s. Waterlogged lands were declared alienable and disposable, allowing former public estates to be titled to private and corporate individuals.

Bonifacio (Piapi) Road was renamed Quezon Boulevard in honor of Commonwealth president Manuel L. Quezon who inaugurated the first Obrero District at the Piapi area. Signs of changing the names of streets with Spanish appellations started to surface, commencing with Calle Escario, which was renamed Bonifacio Street. Following the creation of hundreds of towns during the Quirino administration, town planning

took an important role in the development of new settlements. In cities, overwhelmed by the reconstruction going on and the surge of migrants wanting to resettle and enjoy the opportunities in their new destinations, new roads would define areas for residence, business, and town centers.

In the 1950s, the city government of Davao, coincident with the booming reconstruction and the rise of new settlements in lands classified as swampy, mangrove area, and public domain, became magnet for squatting. In no time at all, the issue of informal settlements became a problem for the local government. To address this, roads were opened based on an urban plan the city engineer’s office prepared. Secondary and tertiary streets started to manifest in just a few years.

Development on the east-

ern section of the city also commenced. Roads linking Claveria to Quezon Blvd were built and the city, as identification, assigned names of heroes to the thoroughfares. Streets opened in present-day Obrero, which traverse private lands, were named after estate owners and even after mythical and historical figures. The roads crisscrossing the western side were assigned names of Supreme Court justices.

As more roads were developed to link areas in the town proper, the city engineer’s office assigned street names, in consultation with decision makers and pioneers. Without benefit of local legislation, figures with no connection to the city’s history and culture started to find space in city streets. Even migrants with dubious contributions to the Davao’s progress found their marks.

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ENTERTAINMENT

ALDEN RICHARDS CONTINUES TO SCALE NEW HEIGHTS ALDEN RICHARDS is a name that needs no introduction. With an impressive thread of local and international recognitions, box-office hits, top-rating series, and chart-topping albums, the Kapuso actor has proven worthy of his title as Asia’s Multimedia Star.

Last October 15, Alden renewed his contract with GMA Network, proudly continuing his more than a decade-long journey as a Kapuso.

“I’m a homegrown Kapuso at isa yun sa pinagmamalaki ko because my dreams came true sa tulong ng GMA. It’s an honor to be part of people’s lives and I get to do it because of GMA,” Alden shares.

He added that he has always considered GMA his second home. “I’d like to celebrate this kasi every year na nadagdag sa taon ko with GMA is a milestone for me and it made me feel that I am in the right place.

Isang malaking karangalan po talaga maging parte ng GMA for 10 years. Here’s to another 10 years and I’m really looking forward po to more beautiful projects and opportunities with the Kapuso network.”

During the contract signing, top GMA executives showed their full support to Alden via Zoom, video messages, and their presence at Edsa ShangriLa Hotel.

GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Executive Vice Presi-

dent and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Films Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty.

Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development, Concurrent Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista, First Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno, First Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling De Jesus-Bodegon, First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan,

First Vice President and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Senior Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Consultant for Business Development Department II of the Entertainment Group Bang U. Arespacochaga, GMAAC Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun S. Ferrer, and GMAAC consultant Johnny Manahan all attended the momentous occasion.

Also in attendance was The World Between Us director Dominic Zapata.

Atty. Gozon has only good things to say about Alden, “Alden’s passion, hard work, and dedication are truly admirable.

He deserves to be called Asia’s Multimedia Star. Pinagpapala siya ng Diyos dahil sa kanyang magandang pag-u-ugali. Alden, sana ay tuloy tuloy ka naming makasama sa marami pang taon sa paghahatid ng saya sa ating mga Kapuso. Hindi lang dito sa Pilpinas, kundi pati na sa buong mundo.”

Duavit, on the other hand, is proud that Alden has remained grounded and humble despite

of his many achievements, “Sa kabila ng lahat ng tagumpay, sa kabila ng pag-aangat mo ng antas, ng husay mo, naging karanasan, at tagumpay. Isang bagay ang kapuna-puna na ibig kong banggitin ngayon - that you are the same person that I knew when you started and I know you to be now. This is very rare.

Ito siguro ay isa sa mga bagay na nasa Kagitanaan ng iyong tagumpay. Hindi ka nag-iiba.

Ang gusto kong iparating sayo ay ang taos puso naming pasasalamat because of the pride and the joy you bring all of us bilang isang Kapuso.”

Last June, Alden’s Reality: The Virtual Reality Concert earned a finalist slot at the prestigious 2021 New York Festivals (NYF) “World’s Best TV and Films” Competition.

On top of being a trusted brand ambassador, Alden has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Celebrities of the Decade at the 10th EdukCircle Awards.

He was recently given a Plaque of Appreciation for his participation in the benefit concert, Awit sa Pandemya, at the 12th Star Awards for Music, and ‘Movie Actor of the Year’ at the recently held 36th Star Awards for Movies by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

Alden is currently gearing up for the return of GMA’s top-rating series The World Between Us on GMA Telebabad on November 15. Fans are also looking forward to his exciting movie team up with fellow Kapuso actress Bea Alonzo.

ENJOY SPOOKTACULAR AIRCONSOLE GAMES WITH SKY FIBER FREEMIUMS KIDS may not be able to go trickor-treating outside for this year’s Halloween, but everyone can still have a fun celebration at home through SKY Fiber Freemiums.

Families with a SKY Fiber subscription can instantly enjoy popular Halloween-themed games at no extra cost with their FREE 6 months access to the AirConsole Hero gaming platform.

Existing SKY Fiber subscribers can activate their six-month free access to AirConsole Hero, while new SKY Fiber subscribers this month can avail the freebie right after installation.

More than 160 multiplayer games will be unlocked, including

a selection of spooky, quirky, and fantasy-filled adventures that are perfect for the Halloween vibe.

In Mega Monster Party, each member of the family can play a different monstrous character. No need to dress up as Dracula, the Wicked Witch, or Frankenstein’s monster, as you get to play them in this epic digital board game. Ace the minigames, collect monster minions, and use secret items to conquer it all in the final battle.

For those that want to immerse themselves in an eerie, apocalyptic world, Zombie Attack is the thriller game to try. All players have to work as a team and plot their next move to survive in the

friends are tasked to go to Earth and rescue the missing Orbees.

Bond with the whole family while solving puzzles and upgrading the Space-Time Machine together to fulfill the vital mission.

Inspire creativity among your kids in Space Vikings. Everyone is zombie-infested world. You can test how long you can last in the game’s Endless mode or fight for your life against the hoard of undead in Rescue mode.

Parents and their children can also have an out-of-this-world quest in BFF or Die. As colorful timetraveling aliens, you and your space

tasked to build their dungeons and add traps to protect their treasure from fellow mischievous Vikings.

If they fail to do so, their precious crystals might get stolen! Only the best strategist among the family can win this intergalactic defense game.

Have a memorable Halloween with your family while staying at home with these AirConsole Hero games. Go to www.mysky.com. ph/fiberfreemiums to learn more about the 6-months FREE access, which is worth P249/month for non-SKY Fiber subscribers. For new SKY Fiber subscribers, this freemium offering is available until October 31, 2021.

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GAME CHANGER

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PROFILE:

PORTRAIT OF 21-YEAR-OLD DABAWENYA AS AMAZON BOOK AUTHOR

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO courtesy of Reychelle Lagat

“I

used to think that life could happen as planned, even if not perfectly. But in the past few years, I have seen how the world could change in a few months, and even more in a few years. Most things in life are uncertain and unsure foundations…”

Those words came from the pen of Reychelle Moira K. Lagat, a twentyone-year-old Dabawenya who has travelled in several countries, including those in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. But what sets her apart from youngsters of her age is that she has already written two self-published books through Amazon.

“This means that I write the books, my mom and I go through them for editing, and my dad takes care of the covers and the layout,” Lagat explains. “We also have to meet some requirements that Amazon asked for. All Amazon has to do is provide the opportunity for printing the books and making it available worldwide.”

The first book was entitled, Puzzled Without You. “I did not know what I would feel as I shared this book with the world, but I can see now that God is doing great things, beyond what we ask or imagine,” she says.

In the book, she says she adds some “reflective questions after every chapter to make readers think and reflect on how to apply what they have read.”

She also says, “I hope and pray that this book will remind readers that if the world was a puzzle, it would be incomplete without each of us. And if our lives were puzzles, they would be in-

complete without God. The world would be puzzled without you, and you would be puzzled without God.” Printing the book was a herculean task. “My parents and I had to navigate through Amazon publishing and the whole process of printing,” she says. “It may sound like an easy process, but the four months of processing taught me a lot about patience and trusting God.” The second book was Rested in You, which highlights about finding true rest in Jesus. “In this season of pandemic and all throughout life, there are lots of struggles and battles people face,” she says. “As I learned to find rest in Jesus, I decided to write about what God was teaching me. (Through the book), I hope to encourage people to pause and rest, instead of feeling drained in this ‘hustle culture.’”

Although the second book was still self-published, they already learned their lesson with the first book. “It also took me four months to write the book,” she admits. “Since I hoped to have it out by my birth month as well, it took two months to finalize the book, re-read it four times for editing, wait for the forewords, and finalize its cover. We may have had some experience, but the process was still a challenge.”

If you are wondering

why her books have Christian themes, it’s because Lagat grew up in a Christian family. “I understand that being a Christian is not something passed down, but personally realized,” she says. “So even if I knew almost all the Bible stories as a kid, and memorized different verses and songs, it was accepting Jesus to be my Lord and Savior that really changed my life.”

Although Lagat was born in the Philippines, she literally grew up in the United States. Her mother worked as a nurse in the US when she was still single.

She returned to the Philippines when she married her boyfriend, whom she met in a church when both were still in high school.

Three years after they tied the nuptial knot, Reychelle came.

Reychelle was only eight months old when her mother brought her to California. Her father followed them a year later. From California, the family moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia where they lived for ten years.

“Living in Georgia was amazing,” she recalls. “A few things I tell people about are the four seasons change, the not-so-busy life, and the scenery. It was a wonderful place to experience full summer heat, soft spring bloom, cozy fall vibes, and cold winter view.

I loved experiencing every season, especially fall and winter.”

She bade goodbyes to all these when the family moved back to the Philippines in 2011. “My ten-year old, almost eleven-year-old self, was having a hard time wrapping her mind around

the fact that everything I was familiar with would be replaced with unknown places and faces,” she admits.

Not that she had not been to the Philippines yet.

In fact, she visited the country two times before. “Both times, there was a new experience and more memories made,” she recalls. “I got to spend time with some relatives, explore places like Eden Nature Park and Samal Island, attend two family weddings, and even spend time with my lolo before he passed away.”

Having lived in the United States and now in the Philippines (settling in Davao City) is quite unique.

“I spent half of my life in America and it is a country I hold dear,” she says.

“The culture in America is a little different from that in the Philippines, but both countries have things I love about them.”

Looking at it now, Lagat says, “I really am grateful to have two cultures, two countries, as part of my life,” she says. “I miss my friends and family, but thinking about everything God has allowed me to experience and go through helps me reflect on how I should think, act, and live.”

Are those experiences help her to become a writer?

“I have always been a bookworm,” she says. “I suppose it is in the imagination and excitement of reading that I feel like sharing my own thoughts, ideas, and feelings into words and stories, too. Growing up, I read more books and wrote more poems, short stories, and blogs.

“Throughout the years, I understood that because God gave me this passion (for writing), I will use it for His gory. That is what really motivates me to keep writ-

ing, I want to share exciting, encouraging, empowering, and even adventurous stories to bring hope and maybe even some fun.”

Just like most writers, Lagat has her own shares of favorite authors. “For fiction and fantasy, authors like Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Rick Riordan, Kathryn Lasky, Wayne Thomas Batson, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and many others, continue to inspire me in my own fiction and fantasy-themed stories,” she says.

“For non-fiction books, authors like Priscilla Shirer, John Mason, John and Lisa Bevere, Christine Caine, Sadie Robertson, and many others empower and encourage me spiritually, and inspire me to keep writing for God’s glory,” she adds.

Before Amazon, she used to write for Wattpad.

In her first year in high school, she had friends who were on Wattpad as readers. They enjoyed reading those different stories and this gave her an idea to write her own stories. “(My classmates) showed me how to use it and told me it was all free,” she says. “I did not have to pay or even ask for an editor. I could just write any story I wanted to. Since Hunger Games was big in that year, my first story was a fictional one inspired by Hunger Games. I also had to include my friends in the story, for they asked me to write about them, too.”

Lagat considers Wattpad “an amazing blessing in my life.” She explains, “I write stories I love, hoping that readers will be inspired and love them, too. It has been eight years since I wrote my first story, and God has shown me how staying faithful in the current season will lead to planted seeds growing and bearing fruits.”

Although she was aware of other stories reaching thousands and millions of reads, “I was excited and contented with the idea of hundreds of people reading stories from my heart.”

So far, she has written fifteen stories: four are Christian fantasy, ten are Christian fiction, and one is a compilation of short stories.

“Since writing is not limited, I try to write in different genres,” Lagat says.

“Inspired by action and adventure books, I wrote Serene, a story about a girl who lost her memory and ended up being a sought after spy who everyone thought was lost. I thought of reminding readers that knowing our identity is important. Without a sure confidence or identity, anyone can search and chase after unsatisfying, fleeting things.”

One memorable short story she has written was entitled Finding Christmas. “(It) is inspired by the storms and typhoons that have hit the Philippines, and set during the Christmas season. I wanted to encourage and remind readers that a lot happens in life, but there is also hope and room for better days.”

To those who want to follow in her footsteps as an author, she offers some advice. “Aside from gadgets needed for writing, I recently practiced, with all the social media platforms and projects I have been blessed to work on, to keep a notebook and schedule with me.

“Sometimes, I think of topics and have to decide whether to share it on the podcast, YouTube channel, blog, small group, or sage it for a book,” she says. “When this happens, I write down the ideas I have, and often find myself knowing where

FPORTRAIT, P10

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IMPROVEMENT... FROM 2

wants an easier sell. He added that cost competitiveness is an issue too.

“Our electricity rate is one of the highest in Asia as do our corporate income tax. A tax reform that will require tax rates to be proportional to the prevailing rate of return of the type of business should be considered as well as better rates for those that are labor-intensive,” he said.

Given these obstacles, according to Cortez the city goes back again to having a targeted type of strategy by focusing on the strengths as a location, the capacity of the available human resources, the availability of business inputs, and the absence of opportunities that businessmen see as their opening.

Cortez mentioned also the restrictions on foreign ownership may deter the entry of foreign investments in Davao City. Based on the Philippine law, the Philippines protects domestic industry, in part by capping foreign ownership at 40 percent in many fields

under the constitution and related laws and that full foreign ownership is permitted in retail, but heavy restrictions are imposed on paid-in capital and investment per store, discouraging entries.

“But there are certain business activities where foreign investors can own up to 100 percent of the company,” he said.

The next barrier he mentioned is the perception against Mindanao.

“It will be more productive to convince those who believe they are considered safe in the city. We must be aware that there are certain nationalities which may not be covered by their insurance once they step foot on our island,” he said.

Cortez said a targeted investment campaign to investors from countries must be conducted, which considers the relative safety of peace and order in the city rather than the threat that may exist in some parts of Mindanao to easily sell Davao City.

assistance from the Cooperative Development Authority.

“Importante sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kapayapaan, lalo na sa Mindanao.

Wala na po dapat na patayan.

Sino ba namang gustong magpatayan Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino? Masakit ‘yun (The President and I value peace, especially in Mindanao. Killings must stop. No Filipino wants to kill a fellow Filipino. That will be sad),” Go said in a statement on Sunday. “The government’s efforts in achieving sustainable peace and development across the country must be continuously pursued.”

Go, as a member of Senate Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation, also asked community members for continuous cooperation in ensuring that Marawi City remains supported even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the government will continue its efforts to address threats of terrorism and provide economic opportunities in Mindanao and address poverty, which

becomes a root cause of conflicts.

“Talaga pong magulo noon. Pero nakita naman natin matapos maresolba ni dating Davao Mayor Duterte ang kriminalidad, naging mapayapa na ang lugar at malaki na ang pag-asenso ng negosyo at kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan (It used to be chaotic there. But after former Davao Mayor Duterte addressed criminality, peace was achieved and business and livelihood improved),” Go said, referring to how the President turned Davao around during his tenure as mayor.

“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa mga kapatid natin sa Mindanao upang tuluyang makamit ang inaasam na kapayapaan at kaunlaran hindi lamang para sa mga kababayan nating Muslim kundi para sa buong Pilipinas (I will continue to serve our countrymen in Mindanao toward lasting peace and progress, not only for the Muslim community but for the entire country),” he added. (PR)

to Shrimparty Food Stall for the violations.

Three more food stalls were also given citation ticket for violation of City Ordinance 427 or the Disiplina Panahon sa Pandemya Ordinance — Tienda-

han Food Court, Frynally, and Josh Snack Haus.

The establishment owners were advised to settle their fines with the City Treasurer’s Office within five working days. (CIO-MATI)

few weeks of the year, but the benchmark interest rate is expected to remain at zero with no increase until late 2022 at the earliest.

The Bank of England so far has left its stimulus unchanged, but there were signs of dissent at its most recent policy meeting, when two of its rate-setting panel voted to stop the bond-buying stimulus as soon as possible to help quell inflation.

BOE governor Andrew Bailey said central bankers face a “very difficult balanc-

ing act” because they cannot address the underlying supply shocks with monetary policy, but have to respond to what is happening in the economy.

Failure to act to contain inflation risks undermining central banks’ inflation-fighting credibility, he said.

“We have...to preserve the huge progress we’ve made in terms of the credibility of monetary policy regimes. I mean that is absolutely critically important,” Bailey said at the conference.

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SECURITY... FROM 2 entire nation,” the Chief PNP stressed.

Eleazar believed that there were many stories of heroism that remain untold about how the government forces and the civilians tried to free the city from the hands of the rebels.

Despite a number of lives lost and the destruction following the battle, Eleazar stressed that the hostilities also left a trail of sacrifice and courage of our brothers who bravely fought to bring back freedom and peace not just in the city, but in the entire nation.

“Sacrifice and courage that transcend religious beliefs, sacrifice and courage that go beyond cultural borders, and sacrifice and courage that should always remind us that whatever our differences, we are all Filipi-

nos under one flag and one Republic,” he said.

The PNP Chief expressed confidence that Marawi City would bounce back and a new city would rise that is founded on the courage and service of the fallen and the surviving liberators, the unity of its people, and the cooperation of the entire nation.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi City liberated from terrorist influence on October 17, 2017.

The five-month battle claimed the lives of more than a thousand individuals, including police and soldiers, and left the city in ruins.

Currently, the national government’s rehabilitation efforts for Marawi City are ongoing.

APOR,” she said.

“Libreng Sakay” is a project of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and LTFRB under the second phase of its Service Contracting Program which aims to aid affected public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers in their everyday operational expens-

es amid restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic.

As of October 6, 2021, an average of 94 buses covering 898 trips daily caters to healthcare workers and APOR, allowing almost 300 drivers and personnel to augment their income during this pandemic crisis.

Meanwhile, the city government of Davao vaccination cluster sought consent from DOH to administer anti-Covid vaccines to school pupils age 12 to 17 years old enrolled in the five schools piloting the face-to-face classes namely Dalagdag National High School with Senior High in Barangay Dalagdag, G. Tajo National High School with Senior High in Barangay Lampianao, Saloy National High School with Senior High in Barangay Saloy, Mabuhay Elementary School now

Victor Bernal Integrated School with Kindergarten in Barangay Mabuhay, and Gumitan Elementary School with Kindergarten in Barangay Gumitan.

The school pupils who will be prioritized under the target age group shall be catered regardless of comorbidities and are enrolled in the schools recommended to pilot the faceto-face classes which have been suspended since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. By Maya M. Padillo

“We should thank the government for the help, in spite of what we have done, let us all take care of this house for this is the only one that can be inherited by our children,” he said in vernacular.

Early last week, a total of 52 former NPA fighters who surrendered in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte also received the same housing units from NHA. The ECLIP is a program of the government specifically designed to help former rebels start new lives. The program provides the beneficiaries with P15,000 initial cash assistance, P50,000 live-

lihood assistance, housing assistance, capacity building and training.

E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration that seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach, towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.

It provides social equity to former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan by devising a different modality of giving benefits and services to the former rebels, in order to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

SSS. Pension loans will only incur an interest rate of 10% per year until fully paid computed on a diminishing principal balance.

It has a lower interest rate than those being offered

outside with an interest rate as high as 20%.

Unlike some private loan institutions, SSS will not ask pensioner-borrowers to surrender their ATM cards with their monthly pension to ensure loan payments.

page at “Philippine Social Security System–SSS”; SSS Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates”; Insta-

gram at “mysssph”; twitter at “PHLSSS” and YouTube at “MySSSPhilippines.”

(PR)

PORTRAIT... FROM 9

to share the ideas.

“Sometimes, due to all the topics coming together, I make a separate section in my notebook for each platform. This way, I can write the ideas for the chapters of my books without getting confused with the episodes for the podcast or the new blogs I want to share.”

Now, what is her formula for writing a good story?

“I think that, depending on the genre and story I’m writing, it is important to get personal revelation or personal ideas,” she says.

“It’s great to be inspired by other authors, movies, and written works, but I think it is best to bring originality, authenticity, and purpose in what I write. In the morn-

ing, I make sure to finish my devotion or quiet time before I do anything else, including writing. Sometimes, God reveals things to me as I read His Word or read a devotional plan.”

Other techniques: “I also think that writing down ideas and envisioning the storyline and purpose are important,” she says. “Based on experience, it is easier to start a story than to continue it and find a good ending. I used to rely on my memory in finishing stories, but since I have more things to think of as I grow, I write story lines, characters, and ideas down in my notebook, instead of relying on my memory.”

EXHAUSTED... FROM 3

to Simmons up his return (“I’m not telling you that answer”) and Rivers was light on specifics on the All-Star guard’s first day back.

Of note, no decision has been made on Simmons’ status for Wednesday’s season opener at New Orleans.

“When he’s ready, he’ll play,” Rivers said.

The true test could come at the 76ers’ home opener on Friday against Brooklyn in front of 20,000 feisty fans amped to boo him out of the building. Hall of Famer Allen Iverson tweeted at Simmons, “Follow Gods plan and execute Lil bro @BenSimmons... #PhillyUnite #BestFansInTheWorld.”

TERTIARY... FROM 3

of Emerging Infectious Diseases), we will be able to do this tournament.”

He then told the participating ballers to “just play and entertain the people because we need 3x3 back.”

Just like the previous Chooks 3x3 legs, the full FIBA 3x3 rules will be implemented in the invitational as the league begins its mad dash toward putting the Philippines, currently 24th in the world in the men’s rankings, inside the Top 4, which

would merit automatic spots to the Paris Olympics.

“Ang importante kasi dito is mabigay natin yung (The important thing here is that we can give the) international standard of officiating in our league. Si Chooks kasi ang nagpapataas sa ranking natin kaya dapat (Chooks is the one boosting our world ranking so) we need to follow the same officiating as the international tournaments,” league technical head Hector Villanueva said. (PNA)

the UE Red Warriors squad that won seven straight UAAP titles during the ‘60s and also a part of the national team.

“Never did I ever imagine that I would be put in the stamp of our beloved republic,” Jaworski’s statement added.

The 75-year-old PBA legend, who became a senator from 1998-2004 following his basketball retirement, could not be in attendance as he is recovering from a rare blood illness as Dodot revealed in an interview with Anthony Taberna.

“How I wish I could be there present with all of you today to personally thank you for this wonderful privilege and honor,” Jaworski rued as his son further relayed.

Dodot, who would enter the political arena as well when he became a congressman in Pasig, then called for his father’s fans to continue praying for his health to become better.

“We continue to ask for people to pray that he will get stronger and he will be back to his normal self soon,” the younger Jaworski said.

Paeng, ‘Bata’ next?

Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said this is just the start of honoring those who have become local heroes in recent history.

In fact, Fulgencio bared that a new stamp series will be unveiled soon featuring modern-day legends who have been under-appreciated nowadays.

“In the next series, there will be surprise legends na never nabigyan ng pansin (who were never given attention),” he said.

He then revealed that bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno and billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes could be the next in line.

“Medyo naiyak sila na finally, na-notice sila (They were teary-eyed that finally, they would be noticed),” Fulgencio shared how the former world champions reacted to the news that they might also get their own stamps.

If plans push through, the probable Nepomuceno and Reyes stamps are set for a November 10 reveal as, according to Fulgencio, part of the unveiling of commemorative stamps featuring “10 world-renowned Filipinos.”

For now, everyone can cherish Jaworski’s legacy through their snail mails with his commemorative stamps.

“It’s very much appropriate that the opening salvo should be given to the one and only Robert Jaworski, the original ‘Living Legend’,” he added. (PNA)

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BACK IN BUSINESS. Representatives from the participating teams in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Invitational take a picture together as they gear up for the tournament set on Wednesday (Oct. 20, 2021) at the Laus Events Centre in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The tournament will tip off the new season of the premier professional 3x3 league. (Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go)

Chooks 3x3 kicks off with invitational tourney Simmons reports for practice but uncertain to play opener

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AMDEN, N.J. — Doc Rivers tried to play Ben Simmons’ return to the Philadelphia 76ers cool, just introducing the petulant point guard to the team at practice with a joke like the coach would use for any other player back from a drawnout absence.

“That’s how it is,” Rivers said.

Only problem was, this was no ordinary return from an injury or any other hohum excuse.

Simmons practiced on

Sunday (Monday, Manila time) and faced his teammates for the first time since his trade demand — in other words, he begrudgingly slipped on a Sixers jersey with a team he no longer wanted to play for; teammates he no longer wanted to play with.

Awkward much?

“No,” forward Tobias Harris said facetiously. “It was perfectly fine.”

Harris clammed up and declined to say what he said

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hooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 is back in business.

The country’s premier professional 3x3 basketball league returns as its new season ushers in on Wednesday.

A special one-day event, called the Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Invitational, will tip off the 2021 calendar for the said league.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 owner Ronald Mascariñas said this tournament slated at the Laus Events Centre in San Fernando City, Pampanga hopes to rekindle the flame of the league’s stakeholders as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has slowed

the league down as it aims to qualify outright for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The pandemic has really affected our goal of garnering valuable FIBA 3x3 points for the country in our dream of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” Mascariñas said. “For us to re-ignite the fire of our stakeholders and team owners, we organized this one-day tournament which has no entry fee. It’s about time 3x3

G Giannis Antetokounmpo is raring to go for the new season.

iannis Antetokounmpo sometimes looks like he might dunk from the foul line.

Other times, the Milwaukee Bucks forward struggles just to reach the rim with a shot from it.

Even with holes to fill in his game, Antetokounmpo is already among the best players in the NBA. He is a twotime MVP who could probably start drafting his Hall of Fame speech without ever adding to what he does now.

Listen to him for just a few minutes and it’s clear

basketball returns.”

Twelve clubs have accepted the challenge, namely HeiHei Manila, Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod, BRT Sumisip Basilan, Homegrown Grains Bocaue, AMACOR Mandaluyong, RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija, Pasig Kingpins, Adam Esli Pasay, MNL Kingpin Quezon City, Essen Immunoboost Sarangani, Zamboanga Valientes, and ARQ Builders Cebu.

The teams will vie for a PHP100,000 championship prize.

The second placer will get PHP50,000, while the third placer will take home PHP20,000.

A pre-tournament

meeting was held on Saturday where league officials discussed the rules of the invitational as well as the Covid-19 protocols set for the event.

“I commend the company for preparing for this event. I am so thankful to Chooks-to-Go for pulling off this event because it’s time to go back to normal,” league doctor Jefferson Pagsisihan said. “Definitely, it is possible to have this safe event for as long as the teams and the league will adhere to the rules of GAB (Games and Amusements Board) and the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management

that’s not his plan.

“I want to keep getting better,” Antetokounmpo states matter-of-factly.

That is coming from a player who had one of the finest NBA Finals ever, the unanimous MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 61.8 percent.

No player had ever reached those numbers.

Maybe because it’s just possible there has never been a player like him.

Antetokounmpo finished off Phoenix with 50

points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in Game Six, going 17 for 19 from the line. Few players have ever displayed such a mastery of their craft in seemingly every facet of the game.

Yet, Antetokounmpo is the same player who was mocked on social media during the postseason for shooting airballs on free throws, who had fans on the road counting to 10 or beyond to show that sometimes he wouldn’t even attempt the shot within the allowed time.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021

Former Pasig Representative Dodot Jaworski and PSC commissioner Mon Fernandez during the launch of the commemorative stamps honoring Philippine basketball legend Robert Jaworski on Saturday (Oct. 16, 2021). The Philippine Postal Corporation unveiled the ninestamp series with pictures of Jaworski playing during his prime days in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.

JAWO STAMPS PBA legend Jaworski honored with commemorative stamps

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he Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has unveiled a special commemorative stamp series featuring Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Robert Jaworski Sr. PHLPost launched on Saturday the nine-stamp series with pictures of him playing during his prime days in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.

Jaworski’s son Dodot and his sons, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Mon Fernandez, Jaworski’s bosom buddy during their days with Toyota, and current Ginebra stars Joe Devance, LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, Mark Caguioa, and Scottie Thompson graced the event along with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“Allow me to express my congratulations and appreciation to the Philippine Postal Corporation for issuing a series of special stamps entitled ‘Salamat: Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat’. It is, however, an even greater honor to be included in the list of people who have been chosen by your esteemed corporation to be considered legends of our time. Let me

express my profound gratitude for this great honor,” Jaworski said as relayed by his son, who was part of the Ginebra lineup during his final playing years during the mid-90s.

The unveiling of the new stamps is part of PHLPost’s tribute to Philippine sports heroes as the agency celebrates the 75th anniversary of the issuance of the first mail stamp in the Philippines.

PHLPost previously released a set of special stamps celebrating the successful Philippine team campaign during the Tokyo Olympics with gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the stamps.

This time, PHLPost expanded its tribute to Philippine sports heroes by adding Jaworski, who before steering the Tamaraws and the Gin Kings to multiple pro league titles was a vital member of

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