Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 218 | Saturday, November 27, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

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WITH DRAWAL SIGNS? It may not be my time yet: Bong Go STORY ON PAGE 2

A family watches the 3D Christmas tree light show of NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza at the shopping mall’s car park on Thursday night. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte joins other leaders from Asia and European countries in the virtual 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

WITHDRAWAL SIGNS? It may not be my time yet: Bong Go

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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This is the reaction of most Dabawenyos after President Duterte’s long-time aide issued a statement on Thursday afternoon hinting that “this might not be (my) time yet.”

“Running for the Presidency is something I have never dreamed of. Iniiwasan ko ang posisyon na ito, but fate -- as I said -has a way of turning things around. Nagdesisyon ang

partido at si Pangulong Duterte and I accepted the challenge. Pero sa ngayon, baka hindi ko pa po panahon. Ako yung taong handang magsakripisyo para wala nang maipit, masaktan at mamroblema. Ayoko na pong mahirapan si Pangulo at yung mga supporters natin. Mahal ko po si Pangulong Duterte. Matanda na rin po siya at ayaw ko siyang bigyan pa ng dagdag

na problema,” Go said in the statement sent to media in the wake of reports he is backing out.

Go, however, said that he currently continues to seek guidance from the Divine Being for he believes that the Presidency is a matter of destiny.

“Kung para sayo yan, para talaga sayo yan. Naging kandidato na ako as Vice President for about 40 days hanggang sa nangyari po ang hindi natin inaasahan. At dahil sa mahal ko at ayaw kong masaktan si Pangulong Duterte at ang

commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction and five of his cohorts surrendered to the military in Sultan Kudarat Wednesday (November 24).

They surrendered at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tual, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

The names of the sur-

rendered local terrorists were not divulged for their safety. They are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 40IB headquarters.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario said the six handed over their firearms including an 5.56mm M16A1 rifle, 5.56mm Ultimax 100 light machine gun, 7.62mm M14 rifle, two 7.62mm Bar-

rett rifles, 40mm grenade launcher, and a heat rocket-propelled grenade.

Rosario congratulated the soldiers for continuously reaping successes, adding the command will step up its effort towards the end state of defeating all threat groups especially those that are connected with identified terror groups.

He said the successive surrenders weakened the terror group hence more

s presidential aspirant Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go withdrawing from the presidential race?

kanyang pamilya ay kinailangan ko pong magpaubaya,” he said.

However, in the past few days, according to Go his heart and mind are contradicting his actions.

“Tao lang po ako na nasasaktan at napapagod din.

O baka dahil sadyang napakarumi at ganun kainit lang talaga ang pulitika. Talagang nag-re-resist po ang aking katawan, puso at isipan. Pati po ang aking pamilya ay nahihirapan. Ako naman po ay isang probinsyano lamang na binigyan ng

of its members opt to abandon their armed struggle and return to the folds of the law.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central also said this development is a result of the joint efforts of the troops, police, and the local government of Datu Paglas.

“We hope that his remaining followers will be

FWITHDRAWAL, P10

Military, LGU facilitate stenciling of unlicensed guns in Basilan

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embers of Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) in partnership with the local government of Tuburan town in Basilan held ceremonial stenciling of unregistered firearms on Wednesday (November 24) at Tuburan Gymnasium in Barangay Tablas Usew.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) spokesman Major Andrew Linao, indicated in his report that a total of 75 firearms owned by the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) were subjected to stenciling.

These consist of 52 M16

rifles, 12 caliber 45 pistols, 2 Ingram, and 9 Garand rifles.

The said activity is in line with the authorities’ stiff implementation of the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in Basilan.

The firearms were returned to their respective owner after the stenciling and inventory.

Basilan Gov. Hataman-Salliman extended his appreciation to the military and local government’s efforts to free the province of Basilan from loose firearms and for encouraging the cul-

he City of Mati has donated anew equipment and materials to the Philippine Coast Guard - Davao Oriental.

Among the donated equipment were medical kit, life jackets, megaphones, search lights, diesel generator, and a desktop computer.

The donated equipment were turned over on Thursday, November 25, by City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat to PCG Mati com-

mander Lt. Junior Grade Elmar Mesina.

The total cost of donated equipment amount to P197,850.

December last year, Mayor Michelle also donated night vision binoculars, portable GPS, searchlights, lifebuoy can, megaphones, and heavy-duty flashlights to the PCG. Mayor Michelle said the PCG based in Mati has been a reliable partner

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BIFF commander, 5 others Mati City donates surrender in Sultan Kudarat equipment to PCG T A FBIFF, P10

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EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

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Davao Region bound travelers undergo inspection at the border checkpoint in Monkayo, Davao de Oro. Travelers are required to present pertinent documents upon passing through the said checkpoint. Edge Davao

TESDA 11, Nordeco hold training for IPs on electrical installation Rep. ‘Pulong’ assists 40 city fire victims

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ore than 40 residents in Davao City affected by fire received cash assistance from the Office of the First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

The 44 beneficiaries were among the families earlier hit by a fire at Purok 12, Barangay 5-A; Purok 13A, Barangay Bugac in Maa; and at San Lorenzo Village in Barangay Bago Gallera,

respectively.

Rep. Duterte’s office said that each beneficiary – comprising of house owners, sharers, renters, and boarders – were given cash assistance to help them purchase the necessities as they rebuild their homes from notch.

April Cadorna, who was among the victims of the fire incident in Barangay 5-A, earlier expressed her dismay over the incident.

FREP., P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA 11) in partnership with Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) extended training to Indigenous People’s (IPs) from Sitio Kapatagan, Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte by giving them skills training on electrical installation and protective devices.

Under TESDA’s energization project called TALA (TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso), the 50 IP trainees, consisting of 35 men and 15 women, underwent 14-day skills training, which started on October 12, 2021, on installing electrical and

protective devices leading to Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) NC II that was facilitated by the Regional Training Center - Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) in Davao City.

At the end of the train-

na ang taong kasalukuyan, ganito pa rin ang hinaing nila,” Escudero said.

“Once and for all, tapusin na dapat ng DOH ang pagkakautang nito sa mga frontliners at bayaran sila ng wasto at sakto. Mas maganda rin na ilatag ng DOH kung magkano na talaga ang naibayad at magkano ang dapat pang bayaran in the spirit of transparency,” he added.

Cristy Donguines, president of Jose Reyes Memo-

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Chiz to DOH: answer allegations of frontliners’ unpaid allowances

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orsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero has asked the Department of Health (DOH) to shed light on fresh claims by medical frontliners that many of them have yet to receive their long-delayed COVID-19 benefits due them under the law.

Since last year health workers, who have rendered services when the pandemic broke out, have been complaining of not receiving their allowances despite availability of funds and an order by President

Duterte to the DOH last August to pay the benefits and allowances of the medical frontliners.

However, a protest by the Alliance of Health Workers (AWH), which includes frontliners working in government hospitals, the other day brought to light again the issue of unpaid allowances.

“Kailan kaya mababayaran ng DOH ang mga allowances ng health workers? Nuong isang taon, ito ang hinaing nila; matatapos

FCHIZ, P10

ing, trainees were able to install their house wirings, safety switch breakers, and service entrance connections. Their output from the said training was also connected to the main feeder line of Nordeco wherein 20 electric posts were energized for the 50 households of Sitio Kapatagan.

“Nordeco goes beyond its mandate, not just giving electricity but empowering our communities through skills capacity training.

In this way, they will be able to participate in the attainment of Nordeco’s mission,” said Marilou R.

Impuesto, Institutional Services Manager of Nordeco.

It is the mission of Nordeco to improve the quality of Filipino lives through the developments brought by electricity.

TESDA has launched Project TALA in July last year, which is an initiative of TESDA aimed at energizing remote communities that are not yet connected to the power grid by training residents on photovoltaic (PV) system installation and maintenance and distributing complete PV system kits to those who can complete the course.

floods, and habitat for other wildlife species.

Environmental group Interfacing Development Intervention for sustainability (IDIS) is hopeful that this ordinance will serve its purpose in protecting the remaining trees in the city.

“We are very happy that the Save Heritage Trees Ordinance was already approved by the City Council.

More than saving heritage trees, this ordinance values the importance of trees

both economically and ecologically and their role in improving air quality, reducing floods, and providing habitat for wildlife species,” Atty. Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS, told Edge Davao.

The ordinance went through deliberation in the City Council Committee on Environment headed by Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. in February this year through the recommenda-

City Council approves Save Heritage Trees Ordinance he Davao City Council has passed the Save Heritage Trees Ordinance or the Ordinance Protecting Heritage Trees in Davao City.

The ordinance aims to protect, preserve and promote the importance of Davao City’s heritage trees located in urban areas of the city. It also highlights the economic benefits of trees and their ecological role in the improvement of air quality, reduction of

FCITY, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

Cebu Pacific workers prepare to gather passengers’baggages at the Davao International Airport. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia announced that they will reactivate flight and ground crew furloughed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

October budget I gap hits P64.3B

Investments in PEZA hit P4-T in 26 years

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evenues registered higher growth compared to government expenditures in October 2021, resulting in a budget gap of PHP64.3 billion for the month.

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Thursday showed that total revenues last month reached PHP253.1 billion, up by 10.9 percent compared to year-ago’s PHP228.2 billion.

Government spending rose by 9.60 percent to PHP317.4 billion against year-ago’s PHP289.6 billion.

Of the total revenues,

collections by the Bureau of the Internal Revenue (BIR) rose by 6.60 percent to PHP162.1 billion, while collections by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) posted a higher jump of 9.76 percent to PHP55.5 billion.

In the first 10 months this year, total revenues reached PHP2.49 trillion, up 5 percent compared to PHP2.37 trillion in the same period last year.

Expenditures posted a higher increase at 11.51 percent to PHP3.693 trillion from PHP3.312 trillion in end-October 2020.

This brought the 10-month budget deficit to PHP1.203 trillion, up by 27.94 percent year-on-year and accounts for around 65 percent of the PHP1.9 trillion full-year program.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said he expects a further increase in government spending as the country hastens the implementation of various infrastructure projects ahead

of the construction ban before the May 2022 national polls.

He said various programs aimed at addressing the impact of the virus-induced pandemic and the purchase of additional vaccines against Covid-19 are expected to increase government spending in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ricafort cited that continued easing of quarantine restrictions, especially now that the government has adopted the Alert Level system nationwide, is seen to boost government revenues.

tic demand,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement Thursday.

Against a backdrop of low and stable inflation and well-anchored inflation expectations, the BSP mobilized its monetary instruments, which include a cumulative 200-basis point cut in the policy interest rate, an initial scaling down of liquidity absorption operations, and a reduction in the reserve requirement by 200

basis points alongside other extraordinary measures.

“The immediate and timely policy actions undertaken by the BSP during the pandemic were aimed at supporting domestic demand, ensuring the continued functioning of (the) credit market and the financial system, and providing stability to the economy,” Diokno said.

Moreover, the BSP’s policy stance reinforced

the national government’s broader and direct efforts in mitigating the adverse impact of the pandemic on firms and households.

The present monetary policy stance of the BSP remains oriented towards supporting the ongoing economic recovery amid supply-side pressures and the presence of economic slack, as well as the continued downside risks to domestic

FOCTOBER, P10

Monetary policy plays key role in addressing pandemic’s impact

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onetary policy plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative impact of uncertainty and shocks caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Over the past year or so, the BSP decisively pursued an accommodative monetary policy stance to ease financial market stress and provide support to domes-

FMONETARY, P10

nvestments in Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have reached PHP4.02 trillion for the past 26 years, its director general Charito Plaza reported Thursday.

During the PEZA Investors Recognition Day 2021, Plaza said these investments came from 4,670 locators in 415 economic zones across the country.

PEZA ecozones continue to grow over the years from 16 zones in 1996.

PEZA locators are export-oriented companies, thus contributing a total of USD916.53 billion worth of exports for the past 26 years.

Plaza said PEZA has created more than 1.73 million direct jobs and over 8.63 million indirect jobs.

“It is also the very fabric of PEZA’s existence --to bring development to every Filipino family by creating sources of livelihood and income. PEZA has been ardently pursuing this for the last 26 years,” she added.

Plaza said PEZA aims to create more ecozones across the country and come up with new types of ecozones.

Since her leadership in PEZA, Plaza has been pursuing the creation of halal hubs and production zones; mineral processing economic zones; free trade zones in international airports and seaports; logistics parks; creative, culture and arts tourism special economic zones; renewable energy eco-industrial park; retirement homes and wellness and naturopathy villages; island capital cities of world special economic zones; knowledge innovation and science technology parks;

and defense industrial complex.

Excellence Award The PEZA has recognized various locators for their outstanding performances in terms of exports, community projects, environmental projects, and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

The outstanding employers for this year are Reed Elsevier Philippines, Concentrix Daksh Services Philippines Corp., Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc., JT International Asia Manufacturing Corp., ING Business Shared Services, and Brother Industries Inc. PEZA’s outstanding exporters for this year are Dyson, MinebeaMitsumi, Inc., Continental Temic, Concentrix, and Optum Global Solutions Philippines, Inc. PEZA locators such as Reed Elsevier, Brother, JTI, Continental, Philippine Sinter Corp., OnSemiconductors, Inc., QBE Group Shared Services Ltd., Canon Business Machines Philippines, Inc., and WeServ Systems international, Inc. received the Outstanding Community Project Award.

For the Environmental Performance Award, PEZA recognized WeServ, Brother, Denso Ten Philippines Corp., and TDK Philippines Corp.

PEZA has given the Covid-19 Response Award to TDK, Brother, WeServ, Amkor Technology Philippines, Inc., Asurion Techlog Center Philippines, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Inc., Conduent Business Services Philippines, Inc., Continental, Denso Ten Solutions Philippines Corp., HSBC Elec-

FINVESTMENTS, P10

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ECONOMY

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A fisherman in Barangay Mabua in Surigao City catches a 10.5-kilogram queen snapper on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Duterte admin ready to aid next presidency on economic issues DTI optimistic PH economy to grow 6% to 7% in 2022

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rade Secretary Ramon Lopez is optimistic of the country’s economic recovery as long as the proper management of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the reopening of businesses will continue.

In a forum of The Manila Times Thursday, Lopez said it is possible for the country to hit 6 to 7 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 2022.

“If all programs are set in place and the continuous recovery from the pandemic, we might be seeing 6 to 7 percent (growth) next year, being also an election year,” he said.

Lopez said people are becoming more optimistic nowadays as they are more confident in going out.

“We keep on hearing and we keep on reminding that we need to manage this, and I guess (everyone) is still following the public health protocol for us to maintain this kind of momentum we are seeing and not have the surge like what is happening right now in

EU (European Union) countries,” he added.

Lopez also cited the need to accelerate vaccination rollout, including booster shots.

With the easing of restrictions since last month, the trade chief is seeing GDP growth for the fourth quarter of the year to increase by 7 percent or higher.

“We need not to have speed bumps ahead of us,” he said.

Biz closures, shift to new enterprises Lopez said that based on the survey of his agency, 10 percent of business establishments remain closed.

Of the 10 percent closed businesses, 20 percent said they have permanently stopped their operations.

While some businesses are closing, many new enterprises are registering their businesses amid the pandemic.

“People still have to earn and find another livelihood.

So they must have closed that business but they are

FDTI, P10

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday the Duterte administration is ready to assist the new presidency during the transition period next year in addressing four primary concerns that will affect the Philippines’ economic stability beyond 2022.

These four issues involve prudent debt management in relation to growing the economy above 6 percent per year; inflation caused by global shortages; pandemic-induced inequalities; and climate change, he said during the BusinessWorld Virtual Economic Forum.

Dominguez said after going through a difficult ep-

isode amid the pandemic, the Philippines is poised for a strong recovery towards a more inclusive economy owing to the strength of its institutions and the firm foundations laid by the Duterte administration over the last five years.

On top of ensuring fiscal prudence, he said the Duterte administration also introduced numerous pol-

icy reforms to build a business-friendly environment, among them, the reduction of red tape; the digital transformation of public agencies; implementation of a National ID system; infrastructure modernization; and a rationalized corporate income tax and fiscal incentives policy through the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law. The remaining period of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term will be focused on rapidly modernizing governance; accelerating the rollout of the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program; and continuing with the market-friendly

reforms attractive to investments, Dominguez said.

“The Duterte administration will also ensure that the next presidency will be ably assisted during the transition period in addressing four key issues that will impact the Philippines’ economic stability.

These include ways on how to prudently manage the debt we have accumulated and grow our gross domestic product at a rate higher than 6 percent per annum as we have done. We need to deal with the issue of inflation brought about by shortages around the world,” he said.

“We need to manage

counterparts,” Dar said in a statement.

He said rice is now cheaper compared to preRTL years, benefitting millions of consumers and farmers.

“Despite the blabber and noise by detractors, we see the RTL and RCEF as testaments to what a sustainable policy can do to help ensure food security for more than 100 million

Filipinos,” he said.

He said data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) showed that the RTL has significantly brought down the retail prices of rice.

The regular-milled rice is now cheaper at PHP36 to PHP38 per kilogram (kg) or PHP2 to PHP8 less than in

FDUTERTE, P10

Rice tariffication law gamechanger’: DA

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espite criticisms, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Thursday said the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) is a game-changing reform policy that broke the decades-long inefficiency of the country’s rice sector and enhanced its prospect of being globally competitive.

“The RTL is a transformative reform that benefits

all industry stakeholders – most particularly farmers and consumers – as it liberalizes rice trade by imposing tariffs on imports in lieu of quantitative restrictions and provides a yearly PHP10-billion budget through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for six years to empower Filipino rice farmers and enable them to compete with their ASEAN

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

On reports he has withdrawn from the presidential elections:

At present, I continue to seek guidance from the Divine Being for I believe that the Presidency is a matter of destiny. Kung para sayo yan, para talaga sayo yan.”

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL False sense of security Vaccines reduce COVID-19 transmission of the deadlier and more infectious Delta variant by about 40 percent but the World Health Organization has a warning to fully-vaccinated people: Don’t fall into a false sense of security.

WHO’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said many vaccinated people were wrongly thinking the jab meant they no longer needed to take any other precautions.

Mr. Tedros insisted that fully-immunized people must stick with measures to avoid catching the virus and passing it on, adding that as far as the more contagious Delta variant the vaccines were not as effective against transmission.

“Vaccines save lives but they do not fully prevent transmission.”

Tedros bared that “data suggests that before the arrival of the

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Explaining further Delta’s dominance, the WHO head bared that 845,000 sequences uploaded to the GISAID global science initiative with specimens collected in the last 60 days, 99.8 percent were Delta, according to WHO’s weekly epidemiological report.

“We can not say this clearly enough: even if you are vaccinated, continue to take precautions to prevent becoming infected yourself, and infecting someone else who could die. That meant wearing a facemask, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds and meeting others outside or only in a well-ventilated indoor space,” Tedros clarified.

Heeding this WHO warning is a must. This is a matter of life and death.

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

Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission by about 60%. With Delta, that has dropped to 40 percent.”

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

GOING BACK TO BASICS If someone mentions the words “organic agriculture,” what comes into your mind right away?

Environment-friendly, natural, not using pesticides and other chemicals, sustainable, regenerative, and healthy – these are the words used to describe this method of farming which has recently captured the attention of many countries around the world.

“The deteriorating condition of the environment has contributed to the increasing vulnerability of the agriculture sector particularly to extreme weather events,” said the Department of Agriculture in a statement. “Predominance of chemical-intensive farming has contributed to at least 33% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is in this premise that the department aims to promote organic farming.”

These days, organic farming is no longer alien to most Filipinos – thanks to Republic Act No. 10068. When it was signed in 2010, the Act was touted as “a landmark legislation for the development and promotion of organic agriculture.”

The organic farming pro-

gram, as endorsed by the agriculture department, has five objectives. One is better farm incomes and sustainable livelihood for Filipino farmers: “Increased farm productivity, reduced expenses on external farm inputs, better incomes for farmers and reduction of poverty in the rural sector.”

Environmental protection is another reason: “Enhanced soil fertility and farm biodiversity, reduced pollution and destruction of the environment as well as prevention of further depletion of natural resources.”

Still another: improved health. By adopting organic farming, the health of farmers, consumers and the public in general are protected.

Another one is disaster risk reduction and resilience to climate change: “Improved resiliency to disaster risks and climate change vulnerabilities caused by human interventions and naturally induced hazards.”

The final objective is social justice: “Meeting the basic needs and improving standard of living for all, upholding human rights, gender equality, labor standards and the right to self-determination.”

“Organic farming means going back to the basics,” says Jethro P. Adang, director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in barangay Kinuskusan in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. In order for rice production in the country to be sustainable, the answer is organic agriculture, said Jessica Reyes-Cantos of the Manila-based Rice Watch and Action Network. “(Organic farming) won’t only retain soil productivity but it can make farming viable,” she explained.

“If farmers will have additional income from their land they will continue to plant rice.”

In Davao City, barangay Sibulan has been declared as the city’s first organic zone, a designated area for organic farming to thrive. Farmers who practiced the system are provided incentives.

“The barangay is home to the largest concentration of areas practicing organic farming in Davao City, including third-party certified organic farms producing banana, cacao and coffee for export to Japan,” reports Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS).

IDIS is a non-government organization promoting the protection of the city’s eight watersheds. It believes that a healthy watershed can provide clean potable water to Davao’s growing population. This is possible only if watersheds are well-protected.

If farmers practice organic farming in those areas where watersheds are located, then the water coming from these areas are clean and free from pesticides.

“Organic agriculture is essential to a healthy watershed because it promotes the use of environment-friendly methods which prevent further contamination of our water resources,” IDIS explained in its website.

IDIS has observed that pesticide-intensive plantations continue to flourish in Mindanao.

“In particular, banana plantations still use small agricultural planes to apply toxic fungicide to their crops,” it said. “The pesticide drift, dubbed as toxic rain, finds its way to communities near banana plantations, contaminating their water resources and leaving residues on backyard vegetable gardens.”

Fortunately, there are now

farmers who are shifting to organic farming. Take the case of the Espinosa family of Lower Mabuhay. During the Regional Organic Agriculture Congress some years back, they were recognized as the organic farming family. On their farm, chemicals are abhorred.

“I have one-hectare farmland and all that were planted are pure organic,” Janilo Espinosa, the head of the family, was quoted as saying. “All our animals were fed using organic-based feeds.”

It was his parents who opened his eyes to organic farming. “When I was a child, my family was into organic farming and I can still remember how we put up our garden,” he recalled. “When I got married, I continued my family’s legacy and raised my children through organic farming.”

One good thing about organic farming is that it keeps the family healthy. “Based on our own experience, compared to conventionally-grown food, organic food is much richer in nutrients,” Espinosa said. “It enhances the nutrients of the soil which is passed on to the plants and animals.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

OF TYRANTS, SYCOPHANTS AND CHAUVINISTS PIGS “A politician divides mankind into two classes: tools and enemies.” - FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE *******

Politics has never been a good subject to talk about.

Or is it?

Personally, I find politics an unforgiving subject.

Incessant talks, endless debates, unfruitful discussions.

Even unfaithful , self-seeking friends.

Sometimes, in the long stretches of time you casually ponder when this nation becomes new and fresh again.

You wonder why with so many natural resources and unlimited patrimony that are the envy of many neighbors, our country can’t seem to move forward.

You wonder why children of school age endure crossing rivers and long kilometric (hilly terrains) walks to be able to attend classes and get an elementary

diploma.

Since I was a young (then uncircumsized) boy, I have heard and been hearing of politicians running for the senate, for the VP and Presidential posts promising to build new school buildings to replace the old ones destroyed by the war.

Education and the literacy of our people was then the basic felt need of the time. Among all departments, the Dep-Ed receives the biggest slice of the budget pie.

These political contenders also promised to build more hospitals for the poor and indigents.

The Philippine General Hospital, established during the American regime in 1907, remains a quiet monument to the shifting attention given to our national public health care system.

So, when the Wuhan virus (Covid19) hit us, was the present number of medical clinics and hospitals enough to attend to the needs of those severely affected by the pandemic?

Looking back, where were those attractive and vote-getting promises? Flushed down the toilet, huh?

Tyrants, sycophants and chauvinist pigs permeate our society..

A tyrant is a one track-minded cruel and oppressive ruler.

With an iron hand, he conducts the affairs of the state with a whim and a snarl. He who sells his country is a tyrant. Sycophants surround a tyrant.

Sycophants are a dime-adozen self-seekers. They gravitate toward the powers-that-be to gain advantage by flattering their masters Chauvinists are people who exhibit excessive or prejudiced loyalty in support of an interest group or cause, with the biased belief that they are righteous and virtuous than the rest.

Chauvinism in short is fake and phony patriotism and nationalism.

MIx all these three personalities and we have the cream of our

political circles.

In our country Filipinos write down their choices every election year..

After the presidential term, the people are left with only hope to cling to, that the next one can do much better.

This is exasperating; this evil cycle.

(By the way - I digress - but is it true that a high ranking official of the previous administration was involved in the questionable quarrying deal with a foreign government where mountains were flattened (literally) to gather gravel and sand?)

Reminds me of Nelson Mandela. Jailed for 30 years for fighting apatheid in South Africa, he successfully led his poor countrymen and overturned discrimination and bias by the government then ruled by white people.. He was elected president subsequently. He said: “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”

Somehow, South Africa and the Philippines have similarities.

There is just one way I see to get rid of the above-cited evil trio.

Educate every Filipino.

We need to ensure that there is a school in every village with a reliable teaching faculty ready to discharge its noble duty.

When these school children come of age, they will be equipped properly - mentally, emotionally, even spiritually - on how to select the good and honest politicians to install in various government elective positions.

We must persist in educating the Filipino child now so that the next generation can grow up to meet the challenge and help permanently rid this country of the tyrants, the sycophants and the chauvinists that destroy the moral fiber of our nation.

Afforded the opportunity, this millennial generation and the next can make this country great again. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Mayor Rellon gives go signal to the construction of houses inside Mankilam Tagumpay Village

T

agum City – The development of the Phase I and II of the Mankilam Tagumpay Village finally kicks off after Mayor Allan L. Rellon gives the go signal to housing beneficiaries to start building their homes during the Groundbreaking Ceremony at Prk. Abaca, Mankilam, Tagum City last November 24, 2021.

The housing project is one of the banner programs of the Rellon Administration which is being led by the City Housing and Land Management Office (CHLMO). It can be recalled that the Mankilam Tagumpay Village is a 14-hectre housing development project which is divided into two; Tagumpay Balai Residences with a total area of 5.2 hectares and Mankilam Tagumpay Village with a total area of 9.2 hectares.

The 848 beneficiaries of the Mankilam Tagumpay Village will receive a standard 60 sq.m. lot each and will only have to pay 5 pesos per sq.m. monthly for the next five years. The groundbreaking ceremo-

ny serves as a go signal for beneficiaries to start building their dream homes.

However, they will have to shoulder the expenses on raw materials but Mayor Rellon also emphasized that they can ask for assistance from the LGU subject to availability of needed materials.

The land development is set to start next year according to a CHLMO official.

The event was attended

by Mayor Rellon himself, Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, 1st District Board Member Rod Laguna, City Officials, Department Heads, and LGU employees. Ziyarah Manalo/CIO Tagum. (By Tagum City Information Office)

Mayor Allan L. Rellon reminds the 848 beneficiaries of the Mankilam Tagumpay Village that they should cherish this extraordinary gift which could not be availed by everyone. This is years-long dream of the beneficiaries and Mayor Rellon finally gave them the go signal to build their homes during the groundbreaking and take-off ceremony for phase 1 and 2. Vinz Davo/CIO Tagum

Mayor Allan L. Rellon, Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, Hon. Dmitri Sator, Hon. Cyril Alba, Hon. Renante Robles, and other officials led the ceremonial dropping of time capsule which signifies the start of the construction until its full realization. Vinz Davo/CIO Tagum

Breaking boundaries,

not its body U sers worldwide are raving about Samsung’s latest revolutionary foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Z Flip3 5G, particularly on their groundbreaking form factors. But to produce the durable and dependable foldables users have come

to love, Samsung had to design an innovative way of developing and testing the devices.

With no time-tested blueprint to follow, Samsung spent years conducting thousands of trials, relying on diverse perspectives, and developing a fresh new

approach. As a result, the tech company has been able to develop all-new materials like Armor Aluminum and optimize existing components on the layers of the display panel to maintain the highest durability standards yet.

Samsung’s high-tech, innovative tests include environmental chamber, water resistance, S Pen usability and folding test.

Environmental chamber tests ensure that features, such as video playback, and components, like cameras work properly in a variety of climates — from dry to humid, and hot to cold.

Water resistance tests establish the high quality

of the very first water-resistant foldable smartphone by even testing in different folding positions, including Flex mode.

With S Pen drawing tests, Samsung ensures the performance of the digitizer underneath the foldable display including where it folds. And to ensure that the new foldables live up to their namesake, the Galaxy Z Series devices undergo rigorous folding tests to outlast 200,000 folds — or around five years of use if folded and unfolded 100 times a day.

The enhanced folding tests reflect actual user patterns in real-world scenarios such as folding and unfolding using both hands.

Take a look at the video for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the testing procedures Samsung uses to ensure that the latest Galaxy Z Series devices meet the highest standards possible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpWHBvxmDV0 The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G retails at Php 87,990 SRP for 256GB (Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, and online-exclusive Phantom Green) and Php 95,990 for the 512GB variant (Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and online-exclusive Phantom Silver). Buy now for as

low as Php 3,666.25/month at 0% for up to 24 months via credit card payment.

The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, on the other hand, is priced at Php 52,990 SRP for the 128GB variant and Php 56,990 SRP for the 256GB variant, all available in Cream, Green, Lavender, and Phantom Black colorways. Get it now for as low as Php 2,207.92/month at 0% for up to 24 months via credit card payment.

Unfold new ways to work, play, express, and socialize with Samsung’s latest foldable devices. Visit samsung. com/ph to get yours now!

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Fishermen in barangay Tagas, one of the 29 barangays of the Municipality of San Jose Camarines Sur. They rely on fishing as their source of income and major source of livelihood but can catch only two pieces of small fish even after so much hard work and wasted time. They would divide and bring the catch to their hungry families after fishing. (Photos by Rhoy T. Cobilla)

PHILIPPINES FAST LOSING ITS FISHERY RESOURCES

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

Rhoy T. Cobilla

lthough the sun-drenched and beach-haven Philippines is a country with vast water resources, it is running out of fish. So much so that a “closed-fishing season” is observed during certain months of the year.

From November 15 to March 15, fishing sardines, herring and mackerel in selected areas of the Visayas is strictly prohibited. In Davao Region, the government imposed a closed fishing season policy in Davao Gulf from June 1 to September 1.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a line agency of the Department of Agriculture, believes the “closed-fishing season” is one of the most significant legal instruments on managing fish stocks in the country.

In the Davao Gulf, Southern Mindanao’s fishing ground, the “closed-fishing season” is seen as a biological way to help improve the fish stocks due to a perennial decline in fish catch.

Davao Gulf is considered to be the 10th major fishing ground in the country. But fish stocks swimming in the waters are declining.

During the economic performance presentation in 2019, the National Economic Development Au-

thority (NEDA) said there was a 7% decline in the output of the fishery sector in the region from P2.05 billion in 2017 to P1.9 billion in 2018.

Declining catch This has confirmed the study conducted by the WorldFish Center some years back. A collaborative effort of the BFAR, local government units (LGUs) and the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the decade-study looked at the volume and quality of the harvests of 10 commonly fished species in the gulf: matambaka, tamban, moro-moro, caraballas, bilong-bilong, lapu-lapu, danggit, molmol, talakitok, and maya-maya.

Except for “maya-maya,” the harvest numbers for the species have been falling. “At the current rate of decline,” the study surmised, “the caraballas, bilong-bilong, molmol, and danggit may all disappear completely from Davao Gulf within a decade.”

To ensure that there’s a steady supply of fisheries in the market for the public as a result of the “closed-fishing season,” the agriculture department has approved the importation of 60,000 metric tons of fish in the last quarter of the year. “(The importation) is a balancing act to enhance and sustain the development of our fisheries sector as well as provide our fellow citizens affordable fish on their table,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. According to Dar, the policy decision is the agriculture department’s way to ease the pressure on food inflation. “This (importation) benefits most of our poor countrymen whose purchasing power has been reduced due to the economic slowdown and the

COVID-19 pandemic,” he explained.

Staple food Fish is the country’s second staple food next to rice.

Fish provides more than half of the protein requirement of almost all Filipinos.

On average, every Filipino consumes about 98.6 grams of fish and fish products, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

“Fish protein is generally recognized as a valuable ingredient in a balanced diet,” said Dr. Veravat Hongskul, who was then the FAO regional fishery officer when interviewed by this author. “It is of high biological value and contains essential amino acids not normally found in staple food.

“The oil from the fish,” he continued, “also con-

tains essential fatty acids, which are necessary for the proper development of the brain and the body. Where staple foods are available, a small quantity of fish can contribute significantly to increasing consumption by improving the overall palatability of the food and add to its nutritive value.”

During his time, French novelist Jules Verne suggested that when the world reached the limits of food production on land, man could turn to the oceans.

Unfortunately, many countries have been doing just that over the past several decades.

“Between 1950 and 1989, the fish catch expanded more than four-fold, climbing from 22 million tons to 100 million tons,” Lester R. Brown reported

in his feature, “Facing Food Scarcity.” “During the six years since then, the catch has leveled off. Contrary to the prognosis of Jules Verne, we reached the limits of the oceans first.”

Overfished It is happening in the Philippines already. The major fishing grounds in the country are West Palawan waters, Sulu Sea, Visayan Sea, Moro Gulf, Davao Gulf and others. From 1992 to 1995, these fishing grounds constituted more than 65% of the total commercial fishing catch. (The fishing industry provided employment to about one million Filipinos or around 3% of the country’s labor force in 1998.)

Today, the scenario has completely changed. Most

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pagkakataon ng Panginoon at ng mamamayang Pilipino na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo.

Hindi po ako isang pulitiko.

Hindi ako nanggaling sa malaki o kilalang pamilya. I am only a simple public servant from the province na walang ibang hangad kundi ang magserbisyo po sa aking kapwa tao,” he added.

Go said he leave his fate to God and the Filipino people and vowed to do his best every day to serve selflessly and tirelessly.

He said he is willing to make the supreme sacrifice for the good of the country, and the sake of unity among his supporters and leaders.

“Nakakataba ng puso yung suporta at hindi po namin kakalimutan yan pero totoong

tao po ako at sinasabi ko lang ang totoong nararamdaman ko. Marami namang paraan upang makatulong sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Ako naman, kahit saan man ako ipadpad ng aking tadhana, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo. Kung anuman ang aking magiging desisyon, ipapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang lahat alang-alang sa kung ano ang makakabuti sa bayan,” he said.

In September this year, Go was officially nominated as the 2022 election standard-bearer of a PDP-Laban faction backed

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

However, Go filed his candidacy as president but under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party due to the unresolved row between the two factions of the ruling PDP-Laban party.

ture of peace in the communities.

Last September 15,2921, the Army also facilitated the stenciling of 229 assorted loose firearms in Tipo-Tipo town in said province.

Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr. WestMinCom chief said the move will aid in the conclusion of menaces instigated by the possession of undocumented firearms and ammunition.

enlightened by the surrender of their field commander,” Uy said.

The Joint Task Force Central continuously intensifies its security operations against the BIFF and other terrorist

groups in Central Mindanao, Uy added.

This year alone the security campaign in Central Mindanao is gaining significance with already 237 neutralized BIFF personalities.

of the local government in

continuing fight against illegal fishers in the bays of

Pujada, Balete, and Mayo thus the LGU’s support. (CIO MATI)

rial Medical Center Employees Union-AHW, claimed that healthworkers in DOH-retained hospitals only received 30% of their meal, accomodatiion and transportation allowances from September to December 2020, while the “remaining 70% were withhed by the DOH.” Frontliners in some private and LGU hospitals are also in a similar situation, Donguines claimed despite an appeal made last August.

Under Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan 2 law, P13.5 billion was appropriated for the accommodation, free meals, transporation and risk allowances of public and private hospital workers.

Bayanihan 2 also included compensation for frontliners who contract COVID-19 while performing their duties, from P15,000 for mild cases, P100,000 for severe cases, and P1,000,000 in case of death for the family of the health worker.

“Pasayahin naman natin ang Pasko ng ating mga frontliners bilang pagtanaw ng utang loob sa kanilang mga sakripisyo noon at sa darating pang panahon,” Escudero said.

“Hindi naman pwedeng puro papogi na lang ang DOH sa harap ng TV at kay PRRD. Sabayan din sana ng DOH ito na tamang serbisyo at pagtugon sa mga pangagailangan ng ating mga health workers na dapat at sapat,” he added.

tronic Data Processing Philippines, Inc., Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc., Nestle Business Services AOA, Inc., Nexperia

Philippines, Inc., Quantrix Enterprises, Inc., Teradyne Philippines Ltd., and Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc.

the inequalities exacerbated

by the Covid-19 pandemic --both within the country and among countries. And finally, we need to address climate change without stretching the fiscal space of the country,” he added.

During Maybank’s 25th

anniversary held Wednesday night, Dominguez said climate finance involving both adaptation and mitigation projects will become a principal concern as all countries will be engaged in transitioning their economies by way of actual projects on the ground.

opening another businesses. Of course, they have to continue to earn, to pivot, (to) look for new businesses. That is the reason why we have the data, over the

years, the number of businesses that are renewing and registering new businesses, we count them all, the numbers continue to grow,” the trade chef said.

2018; well-milled rice is also cheaper by PHP2 to PHP5; and premium and special rice are sold PHP1 to PHP6/ kg less than in 2018, the data showed.

Several milestones have also been achieved through the sustained implementation of the RCEF in combination with the DA Philippine Integrated Rice Program (PIRP).

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She said that she was not able to save any things from their house.

“Walay na salbar gyud kay nag iyahay na ang mga tao ug hinakotay sa ilang mga gamit unya layo pud akong ugangan.

Ang bata ra gyud akong gisiguro bitbit pa gawas sa balay,” Cadorna told the local radio correspondent.

Rep. Duterte’s office said that the releasing of cash assis-

tance was arranged accordingly to ensure that the COVID-19 minimum health protocols were strictly followed by their personnel.

The fire victims from different areas expressed their gratitude to the First Congressional District Office, especially to the young congressman, for the initiative and effort to provide the assistance amid the ongoing pandemic.

tion of IDIS after conducting its Citizen Science Project entitled “Save Heritage Trees: Mapping the Urban Heritage Trees in Davao City through Citizen Science”.

“This ordinance stemmed from a study conducted by IDIS last year with our citizen scientists. The efforts of everyone who participated in the study has paid off and we now have an ordinance protecting not only our heritage trees but all other trees in Davao City.

We hope that through this ordinance, our remaining trees in the urban area will be protected.,” Peñalver said.

One of the objectives of the study is to collect data on the existing heritage trees in the city and utilize it for lobbying for a policy that will ensure its protection.

The study received 288 submissions and 260 geotagged trees from citizen science volunteers in Davao City.

In a statement, IDIS said earlier this year, the group forwarded the result of the study and participated in drafting the ordinance about the protection and conservation of the remaining heritage and all oth-

er trees in the city.

IDIS said its citizen science volunteers, and the political will of its green champions, Councilors Diosdado Mahipus, Jr. and Pilar Braga, the Ordinance Protecting Heritage Trees, and all other Trees in the City of Davao was approved.

“In addition, our citizen scientists, who have been very helpful in the data collection was recognized and appreciated by Councilor Pilar Braga during her privilege speech in the City Council,” the statement read.

IDIS came up with the proposal when the Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) announced the “rehabilitation and replacement” of dead trees on the entire center islands from the corner of St. John Paul II College to corner of Ecowest Drive wherein a total of 16 Acacia trees will be “removed and replaced”.

The removal was expected to reduce the traffic congestion and improve the drainage system as the city government plans to develop the said area.

By Maya M. Padillo

This, as more businesses are now able to operate and people have started to flock to the malls, parks, and other areas, thus boosting the economic activities, he said.

“An important development being anticipated for the country’s fiscal and economic performance would be the timely approval of the 2022 national budget by lawmakers by early December 2021

or before the Christmas holidays/break to avert the risk of a re-enacted budget for next year, especially for funding various Covid-19 programs and to continue help pumpprime/stimulate the economy through increased infrastructure spending and other government projects as important pillars of the country’s economic recovery program for 2022,” he added. (PNA)

demand associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Current accommodative policy settings provide ample stimulus to domestic demand that continues to work its way through the economy through private consumption and investment, particularly as public health restrictions continue to ease.

The latest third-quarter growth print supports the view that the Philippine economy is

on track for significant recovery over the next few quarters.

The timing of monetary policy normalization will depend primarily on data outturns over the next few quarters.

Looking ahead, the process of gradual normalization of the BSP’s extraordinary pandemic-era measures and monetary policy settings will be outcome-based rather than anchored on a particular date.

Both senators even recalled Obiena apologizing to PSC chief of staff Marc Velasco through a phone call for getting dragged into the off-track drama.

Following Velasco and Obiena’s conversation, the PSC assured the public that protecting the national athletes remains a top priority.

“The PSC was created with the athletes in the heart of its being, to protect their welfare and ensure a conducive environment for sports excellence. We have been dedicated to fulfilling this mandate. We remain vigilant in the dispense of our tasks, part of which is protecting our national athletes and ensuring the proper use of any financial assistance given to any organization like the PA-

TAFA,” the statement read.

‘Stop the tirades’ The PSC called on both PATAFA and Obiena not to post statements from hereon as it looks to resolve the row as soon as possible.

“While we wish for the matter to be handled with confidentiality, we are bound by duty to mediate and call both parties to the table in the interest of truth and arresting the damage this tussle has done on our country’s image in the international sporting world. We now demand the parties to refrain from issuing statements to the public and on social media. We hope the imposition of this moratorium will allow this proposed dialogue a chance to help all of us arrive at a proper resolution on this matter,” the PSC further stated.

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of these fishing grounds are overfished.

Unless something is done soon, fish production may soon collapse. Dr. Salome Bulayog, an associate professor of the department of economics at the Visayas State University, said the aquatic marine resources of Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, for instance, have been deteriorating in recent years.

Home to a variety of fishes, Sogod Bay is a major fishing ground for the 11 municipalities that surround it. Mangko or frigate tuna (scientific name: Euthynnus affinis) is its major fishery resource. Seasonal influx of this shallow-water tuna species has provided food and livelihood to the people of Sogod and nearby municipalities.

“Frigate tuna used to abound in Sogod Bay and was a major source of income in the 70’s until the 90’s,” said Dr. Bulayog, who headed the study. “But today, fishermen could hardly catch fish.”

“Likewise, reef species population is also dwindling,” added the study. “Fishermen have to spend longer to catch a kilogram of fish; some even have to be farther from the shore.”

This is indeed bad news for fish-loving Filipinos. “We are running out of fish and running out of time. For a country known for marine biodiversity, there are very few fish left to catch,” deplored Vince Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

“Like the other vital resources such as forests, Philippine fisheries are about to collapse,” deplored Jethro P. Adang, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Coastal ecosystems Fishery experts claim that all fishing activities depend on a fragile resource base which, if mismanaged and overexploited, can easily collapse.

“The past three decades have seen the rapid decline of the Philippine coastal ecosystems,” Loren Legarda, then a senator, said in a privilege speech some years back.

Coastal ecosystems refer to mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs.

“Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are among the world’s most important and most endangered ecosystems,” says Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, a marine scientist and the first Filipino to receive the prestigious International Biwako Prize for Ecology. “They are also the major life-support and protective ecosystems of the coastal zone.”

Coral reefs, for instance, are the marine equivalent of rainforests. The Philippines has 27,000 square kilometers of coral reef area within a 15- to 30-meter depth, one of the largest reef areas in the world. Almost 55% of the fish consumed by Filipinos depend on coral reefs; 10%-15% of the total marine fisheries production comes from coral reefs.

Yet, the country is losing its

coral reefs. For instance, a survey conducted in 1991-1992 by the Regional Fishermen’s Training Center in Panabo, Davao del Norte at Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf had shown that most of the shallow or inshore coral reefs “were totally damaged because they are exposed to greater pressure.”

Mangroves – communities of trees in the tidal flats in coastal waters, extending inland along rivers where the water is tidal, saline or brackish – are not spared from denudation. Studies show 70% of the country’s mangroves are already destroyed.

Mangroves are very important to marine life. They are home to 68 species of fish (including bangus, kitan, tilapia, eel, and mullet, to name a few), 54 species of crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, and prawns), and 56 species of gastropods.

“Fish use the spaces under the mass of prop roots of mangrove trees as ‘delivery rooms,’ and the offspring of many marine species spend their growing period in the mangrove swamps before moving on to the open said,” says Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, a fishery expert and an academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology.

With the rampant mangrove denudation and coral reef destruction, seagrass beds – those discrete communities dominated by flowering plants with roots and underground stems – have become the “last frontier” of the country’s coastal resources.

“The whole central portion from low tide to the reef is inhabited by seagrass,” says Dr. Anitra Thorhaug, an American biologist who pioneered efforts in restoring seagrass habitats in the Philippines. “Yet corals and mangroves have reserved areas, seagrasses none.”

Seagrasses in the country covers an area of 27,282 square kilometers. They are widely distributed throughout the country – from Bolinao Bay (Pangasinan) in the north, Palawan and the Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor area to the center, and Zamboanga and Davao in the South.

“Seagrass beds are declining worldwide,” says Fortes. In the Philippines, 30%-50% of seagrass has been lost in the last 50 years.

Other causes Aside from the destruction of coastal ecosystems, another factor that contributes to the depletion of fishery resources in the country is the siltation and sedimentation of the water ecosystem due to deforestation, mining and other human activities.

“Besides bringing in poisonous and toxic substances into the water, silts and sediments lead to shallowing of the riverbeds killing phytoplanktons and other aquatic organisms, which are responsible for photosynthetic activities,” the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Perhaps, by now, you know the reasons why fish population is declining and fish catch is also dwindling.

shots since 2017. He also played for Kia Sorento, which drafted him in the second

round of the 2014 Annual Draft, before being trade to Blackwater in 2016.

100th with the Suns for coach Monty Williams, who is in his third season with the club.

“We know we can win ugly games,” Williams said. “We know we can win slug outs. I wish we could win by 30 every night. But they have a really good team. We’re just finding ways to win.”

Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Cedi Osman added 23 points for Cleveland, which dropped its fifth straight. Darius Garland scored 19 before fouling out late.

Paul finished with 17 points and JaVale McGee added 13 points and 12 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.

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Meralco Bolts players celebrate after winning the second leg of the PBA 3X3 tournament.

PSC not taking ObienaPATAFA impasse ‘lightly’ Magnolia gets Laput in trade with Terrafirma

J

ames Laput, the tallest player in the 2020 Annual Draft at 6-foot-10, is heading over to the Magnolia Hotshots.

The 24-year-old player from Perth, Western Australia, who was drafted 8th overall by Terrafirma, has been dealt by the Dyip to the Hotshots for point

guard Justin Melton and big man Kyle Pascual.

Melton played eight seasons with Magnolia and won four championships.

The 5-9 playmaker was also named PBA All-Star Weekend co-champion in 2014.

Pascual on the other hand, played for the Hot-

FMAGNOLIA, P10

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Wednesday said it is taking the impasse between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and EJ Obiena seriously and has already talked to both parties way before Chairman William Ramirez issued his statement on the issue.

“On this issue between the PATAFA and national athlete EJ Obiena, we assure everyone that we at the Philippine Sports Commission did not take the matter

lightly,” the PSC said in a statement.

“Even before issuing our previous statement that ‘we shall intervene when appropriate,’ we have already quietly started a series of separate dialogues with each of the concerned parties, with the quick and

just resolution of the issue in mind,” it added.

Ramirez on Sunday said the PSC would only step in “when it is appropriate”.

The remark did not sit well with the Senate as it tackled the PSC’s proposed 2022 budget on Monday with Senator Pia Cayetano lashing out at the agency for what she called a “hands-off approach” on the issue.

The Senate, however, softened its stance and brought back the PSC budget to the plenary on Tuesday after Ramirez met with Cayetano and fellow senator Joel Villanueva.

“He immediately rec-

ognized that what we did by taking the floor in supporting EJ is the right thing to do, and he actually thanked us for this opportunity to explain their position where they’re coming from,” Cayetano said during the plenary session.

Villanueva told the plenary: “The chairman is committing himself that the entire PSC will do their part as they understand where EJ Obiena is coming from, the situation, and perhaps the anxiety that our national treasure is experiencing, and the chairman will do everything he can.”

Phoenix’s streak started with a win at home over Cleveland on Oct. 30, which came after a 1-3 opening to the season for the defending Western Conference champions. The surge has also corresponded with allegations of racism and misogyny surfacing against Suns owner Robert Sarver.

“That’s just coincidence,” Paul said of the timing. “Our plan wasn’t to start out 1-3. We’ve got a great group, a great locker room. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

For nearly a month, the Suns have won in a variety of ways and Wednesday they improved the NBA’s best road record to 7-1.

It wasn’t easy.

The young Cavs gave the Suns everything they could handle, and if not for Paul, a couple calls that could have gone either way and Cleveland’s Ricky Rubio missing three free throws in the final seconds, the streak might have ended.

The win was also the

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Suns defeat Cavaliers for NBA best road record 7-1

C The 24-year-old James Laput from Perth, Western Australia, who was drafted 8th overall by Terrafirma, has been dealt by the Dyip to the Hotshots for point guard Justin Melton and big man Kyle Pascual.

LEVELAND — With the Suns’ long winning streak in serious danger, Devin Booker and Chris Paul knew exactly what had to be done.

Phoenix’s season is still rising.

Booker scored 35 points, Paul had 12 assists and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds, and the Suns extended their winning streak to 14 games by holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120115, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

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12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 218 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

Dabawenyo world champion Jerwin Ancajas hopes to ring in the new year as the new IBF and WBO Junior Bantamweight World Champion.

UNIFIER Ancajas faces Ioka in Dec. 31 title unification fight

J

erwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs), from Panabo City, Philippines, and Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs), from Tokyo, Japan, will put up their dukes and their respective IBF and WBO junior bantamweight world titles, when they collide in a world title unification battle on Saturday, December 31, at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Promoted by Shisei Boxing Gym, Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, TGB Promotions, and Knucklehead Boxing Promotions, Ancajas vs. Ioka – the New Year’s Eve test to be the best of the 115-pound division -- will be the latest chapter in the storied Philippines-Japan boxing rivalry.

The two warriors boast a combined record of 60-32 (37 KOs) – a sterling winning percentage of 92% with victory by knockout ratio of 62%.

This will be the 10th title defense for Ancajas, who has reigned as IBF junior bantamweight champion since 2016. The ultimate road warrior, fighting in his opponents’ backyard is nothing new for Ancajas who has made title defenses in Macau, Brisbane, Belfast, Mexico, the Philippines, and throughout the U.S. He will have his hands full against Ioka, a four-division world champion who has held world titles in minimum weight, junior flyweight, flyweight, and junior bantamweight divisions dating back to 2011.

“This is my Dream Fight! I have waited six years for a signature fight to prove to everyone in boxing that I am one of the best 115 pounders in the world,” Ancajas said. “I have been to Japan, sparring in the past, and love the people of Japan and the boxing fans are some of the best in the world. They respect all fighters and root for the best man to win.”

“I have been working with Jerwin since he was ten years old. I am very excited that finally the fight is happening,” said Joven Jimenez, Ancajas’ manager and trainer. “My goal, since Jerwin won the IBF World title in 2016, was to get him a major title unification fight.

We have worked so hard for this moment, and we will not be denied.”

“We are very happy that Jerwin Ancajas, one of our first world champions, is getting this tremendous opportunity to unify his IBF title with the WBO title,” said Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions. “Jerwin has waited a long time for this type of fight and come December 31, he will ring in the new year as the NEW IBF and WBO Junior Bantamweight World Champion!”