Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 249 | Yearend Report January 9-10, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

MASSIVE YEAR SPORTS P 8 edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

2

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

I DID MY BEST “Knowing that I have done my best to fulfill my responsibilities as President and my promise of real and lasting change for the Filipino people, and of course, seeing my family succeed in whatever worthwhile endeavors they want to pursue,” he added.

They may have misunderstandings sometimes, President Duterte expressed that he is always proud of his daughter vice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. He is certain that the mayor will be a great leader of the country someday.

“Words are not enough to express how proud I am of Inday Sara, who I am sure will make a great vice president and

president someday. Although her time may be later than expected, I am certain that, as a national government official, she will create waves of progress that will do much good for the nation. I am confident that her strength, intellect, and resolve will bring forth positive change that will be felt by the Filipino people in the years ahead,” the President said.

The President is also optimistic that his sons Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will continue the brand of governance that he started in Davao City.

“With Pulong in Congress and Baste stepping up and taking the chance to lead our

beloved City of Davao, I am confident that both of them will continue the brand of governance and public service that the people of Davao City have come to expect from their local officials,” he said.

The President also vowed to give his full support to his partner First Lady Honeylet Avancena.

“I also could not be prouder of Honeylet for her efforts to help our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the past few years. She has my full and unwavering support for which she has done the same for me in these past few years,” the President said.

As he approaches the tailend of his political career, the President said he is wholeheartedly proud of what he has done for the country.

In 2021, Filipinos witnessed the completion of several major projects in the Build, Build, Build program. In Metro Manila, these projects have shortened the travel time between major business districts where heavy traffic is a usual inconvenience; while in other parts of the country, the program brought more opportunities and connected the people.

Earlier, Filipino masseurs belonging to the LGBT community were recruited by a fellow Filipino to work in Kuwait, only to end up being forced to provide sexual services to their customers. Some of them contracted venereal diseases.

After their repatriation to the Philippines, they filed in September 2018 a criminal case against a certain Santi Santero for qualified trafficking. The latter was sentenced to imprisonment for life.

These are some of the cases involving our migrant workers assisted by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who vowed to push for legislation that will establish a separate department for OFWs we now consider as modern-day heroes because of their huge contribution to the economy.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to materialize the decades-old dream of millions of Filipinos seeking

greener pastures abroad to have their own dedicated Cabinet-level department.

Republic Act 11641: Department of Migrant Workers On December 30 last year, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11641 that establishes the Department of Migrant Workers.

Among others, the law provides for the establishment of a Cabinet-level, department proper headed by a Secretary with regional and overseas offices. It shall also establish the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON Fund) to

handle legal and other kinds of assistance for OFWs in distress. The department is also mandated to provide full-cycle reintegration services for both documented and undocumented OFWs covering all stages of their migration--from pre-deployment through actual work abroad and their return to the country.

In addition, the DMW is mandated to establish onestop shops in its regional, provincial and field offices where various relevant services will be conveniently available, such as government clearances and permits, validation of

Pres. Duterte shares positive things in his life, family

BY MAYA M. PADILLO

A

tumultuous six-year ride at the Palace is what looms to describe President Rodrigo Duterte’s memorable tenure as the country’s 16th leader.

A term riddled with a bloody drug war, a massacre in Marawi, a couple of devastating storms and the scourge of the pandemic.

Name it, President Duterte’s term had it.

Despite that, the 76-year old former Mayor of Davao City was able to achieve his promise of change. He may have been criticized for handling the biggest crisis the country is facing, the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts, it didn’t make a dent in his popularity and people’s

acceptance. His popularity remains high months before his term ends.

President Duterte shared with Edge Davao positive things that happened in his life despite tough times in 2021.

“Let me begin by stating that what brings utmost value to my life, in addition to my family, is the good that we have done for the Filipino people. I am pleased that, in 2021, the administration has made great strides for the good of our nation,” the President said.

Department of Migrant Workers: an enduring Duterte legacy

Social and tourism ports all over the country were simultaneously inaugurated last year that is expected to improve the accessibility of coastal and island communities.

“It was a significant year for port development because we have seen the completion or expansion of more than a hundred and forty ports across the archipelago. We expect to see overall socioeconomic growth in these areas especially in the shipping, fishing, agriculture, and tourism industries,” the President said.

With his administration’s whole-of-nation approach, the President has made important strides in building sustainable and lasting peace with lower crime rates and weakened insurgency nationwide.

“Although we have a long way to go before we can truly eradicate rebellion and illegal drugs in the country, I am hopeful that with our unwavering efforts, the nation is poised to become an even safer place for Filipinos,” he said.

In 2021, his administration continues to address the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which not only threatened the

FI DID, A2

BY JONALLIER M. PEREZ PHOTO: THE OFFICE OF SENATOR BONG GO

“H

indi niyo na kailangang maghanap kung saang departamento kayo (dapat) pumunta at manawagan sa Facebook, sa radio at sa telebisyon. Itong panukalang batas na ito ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang hakbang para masiguro na matututukan ng gobyerno ang kapakanan ninyo. Pagpapahalaga po ito sa inyong kontribusyon sa bayan. Maraming salamat po sa inyo.” - Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, author and co-sponsor A litany of abuses Malik Darimbang was an overseas Filipino worker stuck in Saudi Arabia for six years after he figured in a vehicular accident in February 2014 that led to the death of a Pakistani national. Blood money was raised in 2020 that eventually led to his successful repatriation to the Philippines.

Rose Policarpio was incarcerated in Saudi Arabia for

six years after she was wrongfully accused of killing her Lebanese employer. The three culprits who broke into her apartment attempted to rape her, forcing her to flee. When she reported the matter to the police, she ended up being jailed instead. Facing the death penalty, she appealed for help to put up a legal defense. She was finally acquitted and returned to the country in September 2020.

It was an entirely different story for the late Jeanelyn Villavende. She was killed by her Kuwaiti female employer, after which her brain, heart and other internal organs were reportedly missing. It is alleged that she was also sexually abused prior to her gruesome death. The Kuwaiti woman was sentenced to death in December 2020 while her husband was meted with a four-year imprisonment for covering up the crime.

job offers, availment of reintegration services and required seminars and workshops. Social and welfare programs will also be extended as part of its enhanced services. These shall include social assistance, education and training, cultural services, financial management, and entrepreneurial development for those who wish to reintegrate in the country after working abroad. OFWs in distress will also be provided with various psychosocial services, especially those who are victims of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment,

FDEPARTMENT, A1

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

3

4

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) On the implementation of the President’s directive to restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals in their respective barangays:

The President is merely exercising his authority as Chief Executive under the public health emergency. He was very clear in his directive that an arrest will only be a last resort. Pakiusapan muna na pumirmi sa bahay (Appeal for them to stay home). Barangay officials may only arrest the unvaccinated individual who refuses to cooperate and who are leaving the homes for non-essential purposes.”

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año

EDITORIAL Rough and tumble ride Imagine life inside a laundry machine, that’s how it was in the year 2021--a rough and tumble ride.

With the pandemic situation going up, down and up again, and threats of the virus mutating in variants we didn’t imagine, life was still far from normal entering the second year of the Covid-19 era. Businesses were still generally down except for a few who have managed to reopen.

Still, the situation was shaky and tough.

What dimmed the lights for many Filipinos was the surge in cases in the third quarter which kept us locked down in our homes.

The surge in Covid-19 cases in September saw cases peaking at 22,455 on September 13. This placed the country’s 7-day moving average of the country’s Covid-19 cases to 17,937 cases. The 7-day moving average, however, peaked in the week of September 6 when it reached 18,274. September 6 recorded the second

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

By late in the year, Davao City loosened up its restrictions as the alert level status improved and the cases were down. Vaccination was also up after an aggressive campaign by the city government beginning with the barangay vaccination and senior citizens vaccination. The vaccination drive also went as far as the rural areas.

Despite the easening of restrictions, new threats from the Omicron variant and the surge of cases by the yearend still jeopardized what could have been a slow but sure trek towards recovery.

As it stands now, normalcy, specifically in business, is not expected until two to three years from now. That’s how the market experts view the prospects.

The key, however, to reverse the tide is for Dabawenyos to continue to be resilient, obedient and compliant.

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

highest number of Covid-19 cases at 22,428.

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)

5

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

ATTY. EMILY ZEN CHUA IBP IBP DAVAO DAVAO CORNER CORNER

EXPROPRIATION Dear IBP Davao,

The government wanted to expropriate my land. I did not receive any of their notices nor did I attend any meetings in the barangay. I think the lot beside me should be the one expropriated, not mine but since my neighbor is a government contractor, he may have influenced the said government agency.

What should I do?

Mario

Dear Mario,

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment,

there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready.

The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back,” as aptly put by best-selling author Paulo Coelho.

It is best to meet with the representatives of the government agency at this point and discuss the project they are putting up in your community. Despite your allegations of corruption, you must agree with me that the project itself is for the benefit of your community, and not just one person. You may want to also ask them for copies of the studies made on why your lot was the one expropriated and not that of your neighbor and see if indeed there was

credible basis on the choice. Of course, you may question the discretion exercised by the government agency on its choice and you may hire your own expert to make a contrary study, if needed.

If indeed there is serious abuse of discretion on the part of the government agency, then you may file an administrative case against them, depending on where they are connected.

Your trusted lawyer can better explain to you your options on where to file the administrative cases. If you do not know any lawyer, you may visit the office of Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Davao City Chapter at Hall of Justice, Ecoland. We have a directory that lists all the

names and contact details of all lawyers practicing in Davao City.

On the other hand, in negotiating for the price of your lot, there are a number of factors considered for its valuation.

Let us take the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) as an example. Under the Implementing Rules of RA 10752, the compensation price for a negotiated sale considers the current market value of the land, replacement cost of structures and improvements found on the land, and current market value of crops and trees therein. You can ask your lawyer to clarify these matters and you may also do your own research. Unlike before, most

of our government’s website now are more informative and user friendly. Gone are the days when these websites have “under construction” sign on it. One bright thing this health pandemic has gifted us, I guess.

IBP Davao Corner is a weekly column of Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Davao Chapter, giving legal advice as part of its legal aid program. The above legal opinion is based solely on the appreciation of the facts and problem given and stated above. The opinion may vary when other facts, circumstances, and situations are stated.

You may send your comments and questions to ibpdavao@ gmail.com.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

CLIMATE CHANGE CONSEQUENCES Up to 20 typhoons normally pass the Philippines Area of Responsibility. In recent years, stronger typhoons have become more frequent. Sendong, Pablo, Yolanda, and Odette – to name a few.

Some scientists claim that the culprit for these stronger typhoons is global warming caused by climate change. “By the end of this century, tropical cyclones are expected to intensify, with a projected increase in the average instantaneous maximum wind velocity at the Philippine coast,” said the executive report of a recent World Bank publication, Getting A Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines.

The Global Climate Risk Index 2015 listed the Philippines as the number one most affected country by climate change.

“This is in part to its geography,” wrote the EcoWatch in its website. “The Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean, surrounded by naturally warm waters that will likely get even warmer as average sea-surface temperature continues to rise.”

With over 7,500 islands and situated in the so-called Ring of Fire, the Philippines has to bear the brunt of climate change. As early as 2010, a mapping assessment was carried out for each of the country’s provinces.

“Sixteen provinces of the Philippines ranked among the top 50 most vulnerable in Southeast Asia,” reports Hotspots!

Mapping Climate Change Vulnerability in Southeast Asia. “High exposure to climate hazards, especially tropical cyclones, floods and landslides, is the dominant factor behind the vulnerability of these provinces.”

Climate change, caused by increasing emissions of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide, is causing the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere to increase. As the air temperature rises, oceans absorb some of this heat and become warmer.

There is no turning back when it comes to climate change.

Some skeptics may dismiss it as unreal but it is already happening. In 2008, during the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dr. Simon Donner of the University of British Columbia embarked on a metaphor for climate change.

“The climate is like this big ship. We are all on this big ship and the problem is once you hit the brakes it takes a long time for the ship to actually slow down and stop,” Dr. Donner told the participants.

“In our case the ship is the Titanic and we are going to hit

the iceberg. It is going to be almost impossible for us not to hit the iceberg at this point. What we need to do is everything we can to put the brakes on, to slow the ship down and move the iceberg a little bit. The time for emission reductions isn’t as much now as it was 20 years ago.”

To think, the Philippines is a minor contributor to global warming. The World Bank report said that the country ranks 43rd in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions and 112th in terms of emissions intensity.

But the country has to bear the consequences of weather gone crazy. Take the case of food production. “Despite the technological advances in the second half of the 20th century, agriculture remains to be one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change,” notes Apple Jean C. Martin in policy advocacy.

“Climate change is more disastrous to the agricultural industry of the Philippines and its neighboring countries than in other parts of the world,” warned Dr. David Street of the US Argonne National Laboratory.

According to agriculture scientist Julian Gonsalves, agriculture and climate change are closely linked. “The agriculture sector is expected to suffer the most serious impacts of climate change, and food security, nu-

trition and livelihoods will be affected if we don’t act soon,” he told SciDev.Net. When it comes to agriculture, water is very important. But water resources are also vulnerable to climate change. “In a warmer world, we will need more water – to drink and to irrigate crops,” said the London-based Panos Institute.

“The link between water and food is strong,” says Lester R. Brown, president of Earth Policy Institute, based in Washington, D.C. “We drink, in one form or another, nearly 4 liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires at least 2,000 liters to produce, 500 times as much.”

This explains why 70% of all water use is for irrigation. An estimated 40% of agricultural products and 60% of the world’s grain are grown on irrigated land.

“Agriculture is by far the biggest consumer of water worldwide,” the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said. For instance, to raise a ton of rice, you need a thousand gallons of water.

Rice and fish are the staple food of Filipinos. It is alarming that fish caught from the oceans are also affected by the warming of the waters. A study released by the Worldwide Fund for Nature in 2015 considered climate change as “one of the main rea-

sons for the decline of marine species in the last 30 years.”

“Climate change is already having a profound effect on life in the oceans,” the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says. “Marine species tend to be highly mobile, and many are moving quickly toward the poles to stay cool as the average ocean temperature rises.”

In the Philippines, an estimated 10-15 per cent of the total fisheries come from coral reefs.

About 80-90 per cent of the income of small island communities comes from fisheries. “Coral reef fish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” says Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary.

Less fish is bad news for Filipinos as they are among the world’s biggest fish consumers.

After all, fish provides more than half of the protein requirement of the people. Each year, a Filipino consumes almost 30 kilograms of seafood.

“We still have enough fish now but with global warming we may have problems in the next five to ten years unless we do something about it,” warns Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, a fishery expert and an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology.

A1

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

DEPARTMENT... FROM2 rape and other sexual abuses, maltreatment and other kinds of abuses. Where applicable, hospital visitation and assistance will also be extended.

The new department shall also absorb the following agencies: Philip-

pine Overseas Employment Administration, Philippine Overseas Labor Offices, International Labor Affairs Bureau, National Reintegration Center for OFWs and National Maritime Polytechnic (from the Department of Labor

ERRATUM

In the NOTICE of EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE of REAL PROPERTY of the SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) versus ROMEO DIEZ married to MERLY DIEZ on December 6, 13 & 20, 2021 issues of Edge Davao, the Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-133583 published should be T-117915.

Our apologies.

ERRATUM

In the NOTICE of EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE of REAL PROPERTY of the SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) versus FORTUNATO BEIT married to YOLANDA BEIT on December 6, 13 & 20, 2021 issues of Edge Davao, the area of the lot covered with TCT No. T-124851 in the body of the publication should be 120 square meters and not 150 square meters as published.

Our apologies.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-12-1210 (2015-XI-01210) GUILLER G. RAMOS, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-12-244 (2002-XI-00244) CORAZON B. GALLO, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: COMMUNAL-BANKEROHAN with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on January 8, 2022. In the petition filed on December 22, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: MATINA PANGI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on January 22, 2022.

In the petition filed on December 21, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on March 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on March 1, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS Dir. NONITO A. LLANOS III, Regional Director, this 23rd day of December 2021 at Davao City, Philippines

WITNESS Dir. NONITO A. LLANOS III, Regional Director, this 22nd day of December 2021 at Davao City, Philippines

Atty. ERNEST BENZ S. DAVILA Attorney IV

Atty. ERNEST BENZ S. DAVILA Attorney IV

Petitioner, Guiller G. Ramos, #100 Guiho St., Dona Pilar Village, Sasa, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Raul C. Espina, Rm. 203 Villa-Abrille Bldg., R. Magsaysay St., Davao City

Petitioner, Corazon B. Gallo, No. 10, San Pablo St., Katos Ave., Kawayan Drive, Fatima Vill., Matina, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Napoleon F. Sango, Rm. 204, Caritas Bldg., CM Recto St., Davao City

and Employment); Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers (from the Department of Foreign Affairs); and the Office of the Social Welfare Attaché (from the Department of Social Welfare and Development). The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will remain as a separate office, attached to the DMW for policy and program coordination purposes.

Challenges and constraints There are millions of Filipinos working abroad and their remittances to the Philippines are a significant driving force in our national economy.

Prior to the enactment of RA 11641, the government managed their welfare and interests through a fragmented system divided among departments and agencies. This left an entire sector of our labor force open to abuse and distress.

In 2018, it is estimated by the Philippine Statistics Authority that a total of 2.3 million Filipinos are working as OFWs across many parts of the world, with the United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, Italy, United Kingdom, Qatar and Singapore as top destinations.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit

us, an average of 6,000 Filipinos a day leave the country to work abroad. In a research conducted by the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, the country ranks seventh in the world in terms of population of migrant workers and third in receiving remittances. We are also one of the leading countries in labor exportation.

In an estimate, around 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product comes from remittances from OFWs every year.

Despite this significant share, there was no single detached department catering to them alone. Prior to the enactment of RA 11641, various key services were handled by different departments and offices, such as: • Passport and visa issuances by DFA • Promotion of gainful employment opportunities, development of human resources, protection of workers and promotion of their welfare, including overseas workers’ benefits, security and career development as well as overseas employment, pre-employment services, licensing, etc. by DOLE • OFW social services by DSWD The long road ahead then

Sen. Go considered the enactment of this law as the best Christmas gift for the migrant workers so far. The signing by the President, however, was just a beginning in the decades-old campaign to establish this department. Much remains to be seen and accomplished.

Cognizant of the many struggles hounding the migrant workers, Go filed his first version of the bill on July 2, 2019.

It was one of the measures he first filed, together with the Malasakit Centers Act which now institutionalizes the program with the establishment of one-stop shops for all government medical and financial assistance programs in all Department of Health-run and operated hospitals and Philippine General Hospital. Presently, there are 149 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide, and have benefited more than three million particularly poor and indigent Filipino patients so far.

After several discussions with colleagues in the Senate, Go filed subsequent versions, the third and last of which, Senate Bill 1949, became one of the basis of RA 11641. Certified as an urgent measure

by President Duterte, the bill in its final form represented the unified position of various agencies under the Executive

NOTICE OF AUCTION

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 15 Davao City IN RE: PETITITON FOR CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH SP. PROC. NO. R-DVO-21-03883-SP (LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY NO. 89-7835) IN THE NAME OF QUINNE ANN FOR: PETITION FOR CANCELLATION EMBORNAS CASTARDO, OF LIVE BIRTH, ETC. QUINNY ANNE CREER EMBORNAS Petitioner, -versus CARLITO M. CASTARDO, MARY ANN GIRLIE EMBORNAS BUNOZ, and the LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY Respondents.

X---------------------------------------------------X

ORDER This is a verified petition praying for the Court to: 1) declare void the Certificate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registry No. 89-7836; 2) direct the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City to cancel the Certificate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registry No. 89-7836; and 3) uphold the validity of Certificate of Live Birth bearing Local Civil Registry No. 9845304 signed by Mary Ann Girlie Creer Embornas containing the name the petitioner allegedly has always used and prefers to use.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the petition shall be heard on March 4, 2022 at 8:30 A.M. at the session hall of this Court, which of date, hour and place, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and who cause, if they have any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published before the hearing date all at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. Further the Davao City Civil Registrar and the Solicitor General copies of this Order.

SO ORDERED.

The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule listed below.

Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magpahigayon ug subasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong iskedyul nga nakasulat sa ubos.

BRANCHES

DATE PAWNED

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION

July 01 to July 31, 2021

January 27, 2022 (Thur.)

9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sandawa Branch VGM BLDG., Sandawa St., Davao City

DAVAO: Sasa Maa Sandawa Matina

Davao City, Philippines, November 12, 2021.

branch that would be primarily affected with the establishment of DMW. Senator Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, submitted to the plenary the committee report and was co-sponsored by Go, among others. Finally, last December 14, the Senate adopted the measure on its third and final reading.

“Tapos na ang panahon na pinagpapasa-pasahan sila at hindi na nila kailangang mahirapan pa para lang makakuha ng tulong. Iisang departamento na lang ang lalapitan para sa mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo mula sa inyong gobyerno,” said Go. “Alam natin ang sitwasyon na pinagdaanan ng ating OFWs. Hindi nababayaran ang lungkot, lalung-lalo na kung napapalayo ka sa mga mahal mo sa buhay para lang may pangtustos ka sa gastusin ng iyong pamilya at mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang iyong mga anak. Dapat suklian natin ang kanilang sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng mas maayos at mabilis na serbisyo,” the Davaoeño senator added (Disclaimer: Although Mr. Perez presently serves as a communications consultant to the office of Sen. Bong Go, this article is his alone.)

(SGD.) MARIO C. DUAVES Presiding Judge

THE MANAGEMENT Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) Mortgagee,

EJF REM CASE NO. 18,182-21

- versus -

CRISPIN D. DE PAZ, (MARRIED TO MARINA DE PAZ) Mortgagor/s X--------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM or SSS, against CRISPIN D. DE PAZ married to MARINA DE PAZ, with postal address at 169 STARCROSS STREET, LOT 14, BLOCK 12, DAVAO FARMS VILLAGE, AGDAO, 8000 Davao City, to satisfy the indebtedness which the mortgagors failed and refused to pay as of September 1, 2021 in the sum of Php 1,030,151.20, Philippine Currency, including interest thereon, penalties and other charges, also secured by the said mortgage, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on JANUARY 20, 2022 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all its improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-105142 “A parcel of land (Lot 14, Block 12 of the subdivision plan Pcs-11-000432, being a portion of Lot 547-C-1; 547-C-2; 547-C-3; 547-C-4; 547-C-5 and Lot 547-C-6; all of Psd-32269), situated in the Barrio of Agdao, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) Mortgagee,

EJF REM CASE NO. 18,198-21

- versus - EUGENIO ERONICO, married to CHARITA ERONICO Mortgagor/s X----------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM against the mortgagor/s EUGENIO ERONICO married to CHARITA ERONICO, with postal address at LOT 7-E-2-A-A-21, # 21 Molave Street, Bayside Subdivision, Lanang, 8000 Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 1, 2021 amounted to ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY THREE PESOS & 84/100 (Php1,179,723.84), Philippine Currency, including interest thereon, penalties and other charges plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on JANUARY 20, 2022 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the real property/ies together with all its improvements found thereon particularly described below, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-132158 “A parcel of land (Lot 7-E-2-A-2-A-21, Psd-11-020014, being a portion of Lot 7-E-2-A-2-A, Psd-11019887), situated in the Barrio of Lanang, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED TEN (210) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on FEBRUARY 17, 2022, without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, December 15, 2021.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on FEBRUARY 17, 2022, without further notice.

ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff (SGD.) SANTI JULIAN SOLOMON Sheriff IV

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, December 15, 2021.

ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff (SGD.) ORLANDO S. ACOSTA Sheriff IV

A2

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

I DID... FROM2

health of the people but also derailed years of stellar economic performance.

To counter these adverse

effects, his government undertook a whole-of-nation approach that allowed them to procure and administer life-saving vaccines as well as distribute one of the largest aid programs in the country’s

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late SPS. PONCIANO B. PUDE and DIONESIA U. PUDE who died intestate on July 19,2013 and February 6, 2009 in Davao City without a will leaving parcels of land with TCT NO. 15425 located at Langub, Talomo district containing a total area of TWENTY NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY FIVE (29,995) square meters more or less and TCT NO. CL-3781 located at Matina Biao, Tugbok, District Davao City containing an total area of TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY TWO square meters more or less, executed among their heirs. Per Doc. 72; Page no. 16; Book No. 168; Series of 2019 of the Notary Public Atty. SALVADOR M. BIJIS.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TOURIST TRANSPORT SERVICE.

Case No. R11-NC-TT-2021-12-107 MINDANAO UNITED TRANSPORT SERVICE COOPERATIVE (MUTSC), Rep. by its Chairman, DELFIN N. ADORADO. Applicant x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING In the application filed on June 23, 2021, applicant requests authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate TOURIST TRANSPORT SERVICE for the transportation of passengers and reight on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN REGION XI accessible to motor vehicle traffic and vice versa with the use of TEN (10) unit.

NOTICE is hereby given that this application will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/ or oral evidence.

Davao City, Philippines, December 3, 2021.

Dir. NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director Petitioner, Mindanao United TSC (MUTSC), No. 391, Topaz St., Gem Village, Ma-a, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Wynda L. Buca, No. 56, DCOTT, Candelaria St., Ecoland, Davao City

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2021-11-408 (2011-XI-00408) ISIDRO C. ABESIA, JR., Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: TIBUNGCO VIA CABAGUIO AVENUE and for cargoes as dual service rom said place to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire March 19, 2022. In the petition filed on November 26, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on February 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Davao City, Philippines, November 26, 2021.

Dir. NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director Petitioner, Isidro C. Abesia, Jr., B29 L3, Vincent Heights Subd., Lanang, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Raul C. Espina, Rm. 203, Villa-Abrille Bldg., R. Magsaysay St., Davao City

history.

“With continuous vaccination drives and more economic stimulation programs underway, I am confident that we will recover and come back even stronger in the years

ahead,” the President said.

President Duterte ended his thoughts with this: “While the road ahead of us will surely be difficult, I am confident that as long as we demonstrate Bayanihan and mala-

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE SPOUSES JAIME MATURAN GONZALES AND CATALINA ILANO GONZALES

Pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late spouses JAIME MATURAN GONZALES and CATALINA ILANO GONZALES, who died intestate on July 11, 2014 and April 22, 2020 in Davao City, respectively, leaving a parcel of land situated in Davao City, containing an area of one hundred twenty (120) square meters more or less, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-244850 has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among their heirs. Per Doc. 186; Page No. 39; Book No. CDXIII; Series of 2021 of the Notary Public Atty. JOSE DIONISIO N. GUEVARA, JR..

Notary Public Atty. SALVADOR M. BIJIS.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS Service.

Case No. R11-EV-UV-2021-11-225 (2016-XI-00225) NOEL ROY B. GILOS, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a AIRCONDITIONED UV EXPRESS service on the route: DAVAO CITY - CATEEL (DAVAO ORIENTAL) AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate has expired last June 30, 2021. On October 18, 2021, Petitioner filed a Motion seeking the acceptance of the late filing of the Petition for Extension of Validity which was duly granted by this Board taking into account the issuance of MC 2010-034. In the petition filed on November 29, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on February 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Davao City, Philippines, November 29, 2021.

Dir. NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director Petitioner, Noel Roy B. Gilos, B14 L14, Pearl St., Pampanga, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula, c/o Rm. 213, 2/F SP Bldg., San Pedro St., Davao City

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-12-554 (2016-XI-00554) AGUSTIN B. SAGA, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

sakit in our endeavors, we will overcome all challenges and emerge as a stronger and more resilient nation.”

Amidst the whirlwind of the current political climate, President Duterte has decided

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE A. CERO and VICTORIA L. CERO who died intestate on JULY 14, 2006 in Davao City and January 11, 2019 in Tagum City, respectively, leaving a parcel of land situated in Barrio Pampanga, Davao City, containing an area of three hundred thirty (330) square meters more or less covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-114356 has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among their heirs. Per Doc. 961; Page no. 193; Book No. XIV; Series of 2021 of the Notary Public Atty. JANRIS JAY G. RELAMPAGOS.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2021-12-2371 (2001-XI-02371) CLEOFE V. SALCEDO, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: ECOLAND SUBDIVISION (SM CITY OF DAVAO) with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire December 7, 2021. In the petition filed on December 1, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: LASANG VIA BUHANGIN and for cargoes as dual service from said place to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire January 9, 2022. In the petition filed on December 2, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on February 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on February 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Davao City, Philippines, December 3, 2021.

Davao City, Philippines, December 3, 2021.

Dir. NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director

Dir. NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director

Petitioner, Agustin B. Saga, Purok 4, Quezon Blvd., Brgy, 37-D, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Napoleon . Sango, Rm. 204, Caritas Bldg., C.M. Recto St., Davao City

to retire from politics to focus on his family. Despite this, he is confident that the legacy of his administration will be felt for decades to come and that he has made the right decision.

Petitioner, Cleofe V. Salcedo, Panuntunan, Tibungco, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Napoleon . Sango, Rm. 204, Caritas Bldg., C.M. Recto St., Davao City

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-12-1407 (2003-XI-01407) NADOR A. MILALLOS, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: BUHANGIN VIA JP LAUREL AVENUE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on January 8, 2022. In the petition filed on December 22, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on March 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS Dir. NONITO A. LLANOS III, Regional Director, this 23rd day of December 2021 at Davao City, Philippines Atty. ERNEST BENZ S. DAVILA Attorney IV Petitioner, Nador A. Milallos, 60 San Antonio, Buhangin, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Marvin G. Camino, Rm. 202, New Borgaily Bldg., San Pedro St., Davao City

A3 Aldevinco closes as tenants transition to move to Poblacion Market Central

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

O

n the last day of 2021, after 56 years of operations, Aldevinco Shopping Center quietly closed its doors, ending the iconic local landmark’s five-decade history of operating along CM Recto St. and Roxas Ave. But as they say, when one door closes a new one opens; the same can be said for the Aldevinco tenants as they prepare to move to their new and upgraded home, Poblacion Market Central.

Slated to open this year along C. Bangoy Street in the former location of the Madrazo Fruit Stand, Poblacion Market Central is a celebration of the city’s promising art, retail, and food scene. Aside from your favorite Aldevinco shops, the new commercial development will also feature more retail brands, a food hall, and establishments for essential services.

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), the developer behind Aldevinco and Poblacion, aims to continue Aldevinco’s legacy of promoting local and Mindanaoan culture, heritage, and identity through Poblacion Market Central.

In line with this, Poblacion’s seminal debut was hosting Mindanao Art 2021, the biggest celebration of creativity featuring the works of over 300 artists from all over

the region, which attracted thousands of art enthusiasts last October.

With the exhibit’s wide reach, Mindanao Art 2021 has garnered more sales than its two past installations. “The public demand to see the artworks has been overwhelming,” says Kublai Millan, a prolific Mindanaoan artist and the President of Lawig Diwa Inc., which is the organizing body behind the event. He adds, “Through the exhibit, we have created citywide appreciation and expanded cultural consciousness while putting food on the artists’ tables.”

It is in the same vein that Poblacion Market Central reopened its doors last December to hold its first-ever Christmas event entitled Pasko sa Poblacion, where a curated mix of some of Davao’s best art, retail and food brands were invited to set up pop-up shops. Local artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to showcase their works and products as the perfect gifts for Christmas while providing customers with an exciting array of shopping and

Kublai Millan’s“Prosperity Paintings”will remain on display at Poblacion Market Central until Mar

Aldevinco Shopping Center quietly closed its doors on December 31 as tenants prepare to move to their new and upgraded home, Poblacion Market Central dining choices.

At the moment while Poblacion Market Central is on soft opening, Aldevinco shops, Fasta Pasta, Hootsa, Luckydog PH, MJ, Lilo & Kent Landscaping and Ornamen-

tals/ Naye’s Garden and Green House will continue their pop-up stores until March this year. Also staying on until March is Kublai Millan’s impressive 73-piece exhibit entitled “Prosperity

aq by Hey Monday Deli will be joining Poblacion’s pop-up line-up on the 3rd and 4th weekends of Jan

Paintings”.

Soon joining Poblacion’s pop-up line-up is Taq by Hey Monday Deli. The highly-followed resto on Instagram is slated to do pop-ups on the third and fourth weekends of

Poblacion’s bazaar features Aldevinco products alongside other local retail brands

January. Talks with other retail and food brands are also underway to give customers more shopping and dining options to look forward to as Poblacion Market Central gears up for its grand opening in March.

Customers can likewise look forward to the launch of Poblacion’s virtual mall developed in partnership with Ideahub IT Solutions Inc. to offer customers more ways to shop, as well as to assist tenants in the ever-changing business environment. As a preview, a microsite for the pop-up shops is in the works to allow customers to conveniently browse and buy items online and have their orders delivered to their doorstep.

Poblacion Market Central is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. Per IATF’s Alert Level 2 guidelines, walk-ins of all ages are welcome provided that minimum health protocols are followed. No prior booking is required.

Damage to agri due to ‘Odette’ climbed to P11.5 billion, says DA

T

he damage brought about by Typhoon Odette to agriculture has climbed further to P11.5 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported.

Latest tally by the agency indicates that the damage and losses to the sector following the calamity’s onslaught in the Visayas and Mindanao mid-December last year amounted to P11.5 billion, higher than the P11.1 billion reported as of Thursday.

The typhoon affected 405,921 farmers and fishers, with volume of produc-

tion loss at 257,672 metric tons (MT) and 435,447 hectares of agricultural areas in CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Agricultural commodities wiped out by the disaster include rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, and fisheries.

The DA, likewise, noted that damage has been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machineries and

equipment.

“These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” it said.

The agency has earmarked P2.9B worth of readily-available assistance to be provided to Odette-hit farmers and fisherfolk, broken down into: P1 billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas P828 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers

P500 million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for 20,000 farmers and fisherfolk at P25,000 each P314 million worth of rice seeds, P129 million worth of corn seeds, and P57 million worth of assorted vegetables P47 million worth of assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) P6.6 million worth of animal stocks, drugs and biologics for livestock and

poultry 15,000 coconut seed nuts and available funds from Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) The DA said a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice land have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53 million prior to Odette’s landfall.

As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IVA, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric

tons amounting to P82.55 million, it said.

The Agriculture department said its Regional Field Offices (RFOs) are conducting assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector.

“The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs (national government agencies), LGUs (local government units) and other DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management)-related offices for the impact of Odette, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance,” it said.

A4

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez bares that a local pharmaceutical company is eyeing the manufacture of Molnupiravir, an oral medicine said to reduce severe symptoms of Covid-19. Presidential Photo

DOF secures $800 million funding for booster shots

T

he Department of Finance on Friday said it has secured some $800 million (P40 billion) in financing to fund the procurement of COVID-19 booster shots.

The funding was sourced from several multilateral development banks (MDBS), the DOF said in a statement.

The DOF said it signed a $250 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank and another $250 million with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in December.

Another $300 million

loan was signed with the World Bank in December, it added.

For the loan deals with AIIB and the ADB, the DOF is waiting for the opinion of the Department of Justice on the effectivity of the financing agreements, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said in a live televised report to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We expect everything, we expect (these loans) to be effective around, towards the latter part of January.

So that will give us funds to purchase our COVID booster shots,” said Agabin.

Meanwhile, as of Dec. 30, the Bureau of Customs was able to clear shipments of 201.44 million vaccine doses.

As of Jan. 7, a total of 210 million COVID-19 doses have arrived in the country.

ODETTE RELIEF Agabin said the DOF

had also initiated efforts to withdraw funds from the World Bank’s Disaster Risk Management Development Program with a Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (CATDDO4) to support relief efforts and rehabilitation in the provinces hit by typhoon Odette.

Tax filings and payments in regions under a state of calamity due to last year’s strongest typhoon was also extended by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Agabin said.

Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Ruth Castelo said in an interview.

(Aside from their commitment as to supply of manufacturers and retailers, they also have a commitment that they will not hike prices due to temporary stock-outs we experienced recently…

It’s not enough reason to raise prices.)

The DTI official also reiterated that the supply of paracetamol will normalize this weekend as committed by drug manufacturers and retailers.

“Itong weekend na ito

normal na ‘yung supply natin so wala nang dapat ipag-alala ang consumers,” Castelo said.

(Consumers should not worry as supply will normalize this weekend.)

Earlier this week, netizens have raised concerns on social media about their difficulties to purchase paracetamol brands and anti-flu pills as these were out of stock in drugstores.

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) on Tuesday said that a temporary shortage of certain paracetamol

brands was being experienced in some areas.

“With the heightened vigilance against the Omicron variant, and a number of people getting sick due to various reasons, we are experiencing a temporary shortage of certain brands of paracetamol in some areas,” PHAP said in a statement.

Local pharmaceutical giant Unilab Inc. apologized to its customers over the temporary shortage of some medicine brands in selected drugstores due to “extraordinary [high] demand.”

DTI: No paracetamol price hike despite COVID-19 case surge, pharma firms say

D

espite a high demand that left a number of drugstores in Metro Manila and other areas out of stock, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Saturday said the price of paracetamol will not increase.

“Aside from the commitment as to supply ng manufacturers and retailers natin, meron din silang commitment na hindi magtataas ang presyo nito dahil sa temporary stock-outs na na-experience natin recently… Hindi siya sapat na dahilan para itaas ang presyo,”

Local firm eyes manufacture of Covid-19 drug Molnupiravir

A

local pharmaceutical company is eyeing the manufacture of Molnupiravir, an oral medicine said to reduce severe symptoms of Covid-19, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People Thursday night, Lopez said if it pushes through, the drug will be more accessible and affordable to Filipinos.

“If this will be locally produced, it will be affordable because it will be like generics. So that these antivirus drugs, those that will kill the virus, will be accessible to our countrymen at a lower price compared to imported ones,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Molnupiravir

and injectable antiviral drug Ronapreve.

FDA Director General Oscar Gutierrez said Lloyd Laboratories applied for a certificate product registration for locally manufactured Molnupiravir on Dec. 22, 2021.

The said drug is given only to patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 and with mild and moderate symptoms.

It should not be taken for prophylactic reasons, Gutierrez added.

“It should not be a substitute for vaccination,” he said.

Aside from Ronapreve and Molnupiravir, the government eyes to bring in another antiviral medicine, Paxlovid.

On January 4, Gutierrez said the Philippine government and Pfizer signed a Confidential Declaration Agreement as the pharmaceutical firm will discuss its plan to apply for EUA for Paxlovid. (PNA)

6 After another pandemic year, Davao Region emerges stronger, resilient

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

By MAYA M. PADILLO

F

or majority of Dabawenyos, the year 2021 was a year of uncertainty and unseen loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic -- loss of lives, livelihoods, jobs, and opportunities. But for the optimists, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

The Covid-19 pandemic may be a bad reminder for all of its highlighted challenges, however, it also defined opportunities to some regions like Davao Region, which is now being considered as one of the Philippines’ economic pillars at the start of 2022.

With the reopening of businesses, continuous rollout of vaccinations and booster shots, and confidence of local business-

men in Davao Region, despite the threat of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, optimism is high that the region’s economy will bounce back stronger, brighter and faster than it is expected.

“Davao Region has always been resilient and the strong partnership of both public and private sectors have always been a key driver in implementing innovations, real actions, and solutions that will benefit all,” said Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma, co-chair of the Davao Investment Conference 2021 (Davao ICon 2021) and chief operating officer of JIB Schools.

Davao Region is enjoying growth despite the pandemic

Damosa Land, Inc. first vice president and Davao Icon 2021 chair Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo

and this was attributed to the robust manufacturing, real estate, tourism, and agribusiness sectors highlighted during the Davao Investment Conference 2021 (Davao Icon 2021).

Davao ICon 2021 chairperson Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo pointed out that the region’s growth will serve as a major draw for investors before and after the pandemic.

“We grew by an average of 5.5 percent -- better than the average of 4.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the same two decades. In the 10 years before the pandemic, Region 11’s average growth was even more impressive at 7.3 percent, hitting a high of 9.2 percent in 2016, and faster than the national GDP growth rate of 6.4 percent,” he said.

Townships, mixed-use developments, and subdivisions are thriving in Davao Region but what is seen as investment magnets are the important infrastructure developments namely the Davao City Bypass Road, the Davao Coastal Road, the Mindanao Railway, and the expansion of the Davao International Airport (DIA).

“The staging of the Davao ICon had successfully proven that Davao Region remains to have a robust economy amidst the pandemic - Davao remains to be the 5th biggest economy in Mindanao as of 2020,” Ledesma said.

Business leaders agreed that real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and agribusiness have been

JIB Schools chief operating officer and Davao ICon 2021 co-chair Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma increasingly drawing in investments in Davao Region.

“The discussion and sharing of success stories have highlighted the diversified economy of Davao. This has greatly boosted economic morale and investors are now eyeing for opportunities most especially in the real estate, manufacturing, tourism, and agribusiness industries,” Ledesma said.

With the pandemic still

playing a predator, Davao Region aims to continue welcoming more investors and new businesses.

“The challenges we face today embolden us to build a stronger region for the future.

We welcome change and leverage technology in the pursuit of development in the areas of real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and agribusiness,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in

her speech during Davao ICOn 2021.

Nearly two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, business leaders and chief local executives of the local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region are heading into 2022 and who are facing the strong headwinds of the Omicron variant are hopeful that some good will come out of this very difficult time in the city, region, and country.

7

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

Riding high despite the pandemic Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) Mortgagee,

EJF REM CASE NO. 18,193-21

- versus ROLANDO L. PEREZ, married to JULIET Q. PEREZ Mortgagor/s X-----------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against ROLANDO R. PEREZ, married to JULIET Q. PEREZ, with postal address at LOT 68, BLK 3, Jellyfish Street, Phase 4, Zone 9, DDF Village, Mandug, 8000 Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of October 1, 2021 amounts to ONE MILLION SIX THOUSAND SIXTY TWO PESOS & 92/100 (Php1,006,062.92) including interest thereon, penalties and other charges, and other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on JANUARY 20, 2022 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the real property/ies together with all its improvements found thereon particularly described below, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-76680 “A parcel of land (Lot 68, Block 3, Psd-11-005735, xxx), situated in the Barrio of Lapanday, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on FEBRUARY 17, 2022, without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, December 9, 2021.

ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff (SGD.) RONNA M. NEMEÑO Sheriff IV

I

By MAYA M. PADILLO

n this time of the pandemic, the only positive thing is to be tested negative of Covid-19. But believe it or not, the pandemic years haven’t been all that bad. While the years 2020 and 2021 seemed especially hard, there were also silver linings because out of quarantine or staying home and lockdown is a bonus quality time with family.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and retired Police Lt. Colonel Angel Sumagaysay, head of Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), will help us remember the good by sharing the positive things that happened in their lives in 2021.

For Mayor Sara, the positive thing that happened to her is the Covid-19 itself as it gave her the time to breathe.

“Covid-19 forced me to think about the things that are an important example, how to spend our time here on earth, the value of self-love, the value of saying no, and many more,” Mayor Sara told Edge Davao.

From the start of the pandemic in March 2020 up to the present, Mayor Sara continuesly spreading positivity to the Dabawenyos by giving funny advice including tips for the brokenhearted and sharing tips on dealing with boredom due to lockdown in her radio program via Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

While many Dabawenyos were stuck at home when the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last year, the mayor utilized the social media platform to help those in need and to provide entertainment.

On his part, Go considered bringing the government closer to the people through improved people-centered services and programs as the most positive thing that happened last year.

“In sum, of the many accomplishments of this administration,

perhaps the most positive thing in our lives as one people is that we can bring the government closer to our people through with improved people-centered services and programs, a government genuine “malasakit”, particularly for the poor, the needy, the hopeless and the helpless,” he said.

He also cited the Duterte administration’s well-calibrated approach in managing the pandemic as a positive thing last year.

“Although the threat of the Covid-19 on the health of our people, especially with emerging variants, such as Omicron, remains, I am confident that our pandemic response mechanism is better prepared now compared to what we had in early 2020 when the new disease came to our shores. Since day 1 of this global health crisis, our government, under the able leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, adopted a well-calibrated approach based on good science,” he said.

Go is also proud of the government’s promptness in making huge strides in battling Covid-19.

“We were also able to enact on time the General Appropriations Act of 2022, equipping the government the necessary resources to continue to combat the pandemic, finish the remaining projects of the Duterte Administration and ensure an inclusive total post-pandemic recovery, among others,” Go said.

Meanwhile, Sumagaysay is thankful for the year 2021 for the city can effectively manage the peace and order where no significant incident occurred on criminal-

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go ity, terrorism, and insurgency that may negatively impact the economy of the city.

“The efficient partnership between the security cluster with the medical sector was a significant factor in the enforcement of Covid-19 Task Force and IATF guidelines. I am also thankful for the general cooperation that the people of Davao exhibited,” he said.

A silent worker who is working closely with the mayor, Sumagaysay helped in ensuring peace and order and managing the Covid-19 pan-

demic.

“We shall continue supporting the city government of Davao as well as our continuous coordination with the members of the security and safety clusters to strengthen the security of the city and ensure that the tranquility enjoyed by the Dabawenyos is not disturbed,” he said.

2021 is over, and everyone is taking their painful but important lessons into the new year. Practice gratitude and continue to observe the minimum health protocols.

8

MASSIVE YEAR

VOL.14 ISSUE 249 • JANUARY 9-10, 2022

Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio was the brightest mark for Davao sports in 2021.

2021 is PH sports’ best year yet

BY NEIL BRAVO

2

021 should go down the wire as the greatest year for Philippine sports.

The reason is simple. One glittering Olympic gold.

It took one big lift from a courageous girl from Zamboanga City named Hidilyn Diaz to break the long dry spell for the country in the quadrennial Olympics and it happened in the most trying of times for athletes. Diaz’s journey to the Olympic gold in women’s weightlifting took her through the Covid-19 lockdown era that forced her to train inside hotel room instead of the gym using duffle bags as makeshift weights.

When Diaz successfully made the lift, she also lifted the spirits of her countrymen have been drawn into an abnormal life with the pandemic.

But while Diaz made it as the biggest hero of the Olympics for the country, Davao also went a

breath away from an Olympic gold with a gritty female boxer in Nesthy Petecio copping a silver medal.

Still, the Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur athlete’s silver medal shone like gold for her fellow Dabawenyos who celebrated her historic feat.

Petecio’s smashing performance in the Olympics earned for her a windfall and inspired aspiring Dabawenyo athletes to strive to excel in their chosen sporting arenas.

Two other Mindanaoans won medals in the Olympics and they are Eumir Marcial of Zamboanga City and Carlo Paalam of Bukid-

non. Proof that Mindanao is actually the factory mill of sports talents and polished only in the Big City.

2021 also saw Dabawenyo world boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas defend his IBF superflyweight title on April 10, 2021 against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez winning by unanimous decision (UD).

In the local front, the year saw young karatekas like Heleina So emerge as bright prospects for Davao City amidst the pandemic’s clampdown relegating them to online competitions.

Aside from So who was consistent all throughout the year,

Robert Dayanan Jr. also shone by clinching two gold medals in the E-Fantom International Karate Championship 15th ASKA Open on November 27-28.

The 9-gold harvest highlighted a 17-medal romp for the Davao City karate club mentored by veteran sheehan Rommel “Kung Fu Panda” Tan. The Dabawenyos also won 5 silver medals and 3 bronzes.

Veteran James Infiesto also earned for himself a National Master’s title in chess from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

The 53-year old Infiesto, an active sports leader with the Phil-

spada Davao, received his certificate on September 8 from no less than NCFP President Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. The NM title came 34 years after the then promising woodpusher out of Ateneo de Davao University competed in the Grand Finals of the 1987 National Juniors Chess Championship.

With all the restrictions and the tough protocols, the year 2021 still squeezed out the finest performances from our athletes and while there may be some controversies and losses too, what remains is that the Filipino athlete’s resiliency will carry him through the adversity.