Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 290 | Sunday-Monday, February 27-28, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE THIRDY SHOW SPORTS P 8

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VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

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PRRD not endorsing presidential candidate STORY ON PAGE 2

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during a gathering of barangay captains of Liga ng mga Barangay-Davao City chapter at Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in New Matina, Davao City on Friday. The President said he preferred to stay neutral and not endorse any presidential candidate in the May 9 national elections. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

NO BET

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go chats with Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Barangay 5-A chieftain Edgar Ibuyan Sr, president Liga ng mga Barangay-Davao City chapter, during a gathering of Davao City Barangay Captains with President Rodrigo Duterte held at Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in New Matina, Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

PRRD not endorsing presidential candidate

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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resident Rodrigo Duterte emphasized he prefers to stay neutral will not endorse any presidential candidate in the May 9 national elections.

“I may or I may not but preferably I’d like to stay neutral. Ibig sabihin wala akong susuportahan na kandidato unless again having said it, I’ll say it again, there’ll be a com-

pelling reason for me to go out and tell the people what it is. I would like to bide my time, I’m not in a hurry,” Duterte said in an interview with Presidential Communications Op-

erations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday night.

He said if the people’s interest is at stake, then maybe he would choose a presidential candidate to support.

“But kung ano naman ‘yung maliliit na bagay lang ano ‘yun --- only those however little that it may look by some peo-

ple but in reality, it is the interest of the people which is at stake. Iyon talagang mapipilitan ako maglabas,” he said.

This is in line with the doubts of some people if the President will endorse presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong” Marcos Jr, the running mate of his daughter vice pres-

and an exclusive marina.

“We are seeing that this project will continue to help Samal Island recover from the effects of the pandemic by providing jobs and opportunities for investments,” said Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, DLI president.

Strategically located

in Caliclic, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Bridgeport will soon rise in a 13-hectare land, which is owned through acquisition.

Bridgeport has four components: Bridgeport Park, a 4-building condominium located at the highest point of Bridge-

port with the view of the gulf and Mt. Apo and will house 274 units priced at P7 million to P10 million per unit; Harbor View Estates, which is an open lot gated subdivision located near the beachside, with limited 22 lots at 400 to 600 squaremeters (sqm)

FNO BET, P7

DLI’s Bridgeport expected to provide investment opportunities to Samal

D

amosa Land Inc., (DLI) launched its mixed-use development project Bridgeport, which is inspired by the US East Coast community that will feature low-density condominium buildings, premium open lots, a condotel, commercial area and events place,

FBRIDGEPORT, P7

PRRD meets with city’s village heads

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resident Rodrigo Duterte met with the barangay captains of Liga ng mga Barangay in Davao City at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center on Friday.

“Gipatawag mi ni Presidente para mahimamat mi niya kay dugay-dugay na mi niya wala napatapok,” said Barangay 5-A Bankerohan Captain Edgar Ibuyan Sr. in a phone interview.

Ibuyan, who is also the president of Liga ng mga Barangay-Davao City chapter, emphasized that the President did not tackle politics during the meeting.

“Wala na siya lain na tuyo ug wala pud siya gi-isrtoya na pulitika. More on iyahang mga panahon na nag-uban, ang iyahang mga pagserbisyo ug pamaagi,” he said.

Ibuyan said the President also announced to the

barangay captains that his son Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is running for mayor in Davao City for May 9 national and local elections. However, he clarified that the President did not get their commitment of support for his son’s mayoralty bid.

“Nagpahibalo lang pud siya na mudagan si Baste.

Mao lang na siya. Wala mi niya gipa-commit na musuporta. Wala siya miingon na suportahi ninyo ug wala bisan kinsa na politicians,” he said.

It can be recalled that the young Duterte has withdrawn his reelection bid as vice mayor and replaced Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who also withdrew her reelection bid to run as vice president in November last year. By Maya M. Padillo

Sara gets Zamboanga Peninsula’s support

F

ollowing her visit in Zamboanga del Norte on Friday, Vice Presidential aspirant Sara Duterte on Saturday secured the support of the rest of the peninsula’s leaders.

Duterte first met with Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, who was with Sibugay First District Representative Wilter “Sharky” Palma II and their local party Arangkada Pusong Asenso provincial and local slates.

Vice Governor aspirant Priscilla “Ilang-Ilang” Co said that they “commit to support” Duterte’s vice presidential bid.

“We commit to support her. We want continuity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s programs,” Co said.

In a separate event, Duterte met with Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu, his wife First District Representative Divina Grace Yu and the local officials of the province.

The governor thanked Duterte for her help to Yu’s team in the 2019 elections.

“Ako lang i-emphasize nga magpasalamat ta kang Mayor Sara sa iyang suporta last election nga

FSARA, P7

3 VANTAGE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

In reminding the public that despite considerable decline of cases, not to get complacent as the threat of the virus remains:

Gayunpaman, huwag muna tayong maging kumpiyansa. Delikado pa rin ang panahon hanggang nandirito pa ang banta ng COVID-19.”

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL RIP One incontrovertible fact about the current pandemic is that so many community journalists have passed on although not necessarily due to COVID-19-related causes.

Still we will be missing them as friends, public servants and frontliners of the outstanding kind. Many of them accomplished celebrity status as millions of people listened, read, watched and believed what they said on the current state of affairs in our community. However most of them remained humble and unaffected, only a few who can be counted by fingers of one hand became swell-headed and arrogant.

Among those who have gone to the great beyond since the start of the pandemic sometime in January 2020 were local broadcasters Maximo “Dodong” Solis of Radyo ni Juan,

EDGEDAVAO

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PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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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

Print media persons who also died were Glorioso “Boy” Manigbas, Jose Jison, Marissa Te Eng Fo, Cha Monforte, Rolando Dinoy, Fred Alonso and Edgar ‘Doc Alternatibo’ Delibo.

Of course, the deceased media persons from the nation’s capital and other parts of the country who died of the COVID-19 and other causes during the pandemic are not included in this list.

We pray for the eternal repose of their souls. Requiescat in pace.

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

Rey Indig, Andy Javier of the old DXMT, Antonio H. Vergara of Bombo Radyo, Jun Gutierrez of Radyo Ukay, Bobby Mahinay and Rogelio dela Cruz a.k.a. Skippo Jack.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS ,

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

SERAFICA J. WEIS IBP DAVAO CORNER

This is a query from a complainant in a labor case lodged at the National Labor Relations Commission.

He alleges that as of January (no particular year 2021 or 2022?) , his lawyer sent/filed a “MOTION FOR EXECUTION”, (obviously he won the case). They (him and his lawyer) were just waiting for the Labor Arbiter to issue the “WRIT/WRIT OF EXECUTION”, but since January (?) and up to the making of this query, there was no positive feedback from the Labor Arbiter. He asks this question if there is a prescriptive / prescribed period or number of months for the “WRIT” to be issued. He constantly made follow-ups with the Labor Arbiter as he was instructed by his lawyer to do so. Just lately, he found out that his lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office is not handling his case any-

more. He says it has been almost three years now. (Is this period referring to the date the decision was rendered by the Labor Arbiter in his favor?)

Since complainant stated that he and his lawyer were waiting for the issuance of a writ of execution, it may be safe to presume that the case has become final and executory, with no appeal having been taken by the losing/ adverse party.

The 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure as Amended provides, to wit: Section 21 Finality of the Decision or Order and Issuance of Certificate of Finality. (a) Finality of the Decision or Order of the Labor Arbiter - If no appeal is filed within the time provided under Article 223 (now 229) of the Labor Code, as amended , and Section 1 Rule VI of these Rules, the decision or order of the Labor Arbiter

shall become final and executory AFTER TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS FROM RECEIPT THEREOF

BY COUNSEL OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR THE PARTIES IF NOT ASSISTED BY COUNSEL OR REPRESENTATIVE (As amended by En Banc Resolution No. 11-12-Series of 2012) (b) Certificate of Finality Upon expiration of the period provided in paragraph (a) of this Section, the LABOR ARBITER SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF FINALITY. In the absence of return cards, certifications from the post office or courier authorized by the Commission or other proofs of service to the parties, the Labor Arbiter may issue a CERTIFICATE OF FINALITY AFTER 60 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MAILING (n) as Amended by En Banc Resolution No. 05-14, Series of 2014.

Presumably the above mate-

rial allegations were contained in their Motion For Execution.

Corollary to the above provisions cited, the DOLE Sheriff’s Manual on Execution of Judgments, (October 5, 2018) likewise provides, Rule IV The Writ of Execution Section 2. Execution Upon Final Judgment(a) The Officer may UPON HIS/HER INITIATIVE OR UPON MOTION OF ANY INTERESTED PARTY, ISSUE A WRIT OF EXECUTION on a judgment rendered within five (5) years from the date it became final and executory. (b) A final and executory judgment may be executed on motion within five (5) years from the date of its entry (in the book of entries of decision/judgment) . After the lapse of such time. and before it is barred by the Statutes of Limitations, a judgment may be enforced or revived by appro-

priate action. The revived judgment may also be enforced by motion within five (5) years from the date of its entry and thereafter by action before it is barred by the Statutes of Limitations.

To expedite the issuance of such writ, it may be good to reiterate the said Motion copy furnished the proper authorities who could check on it and may prompt the officer to issue the same without further ado.

You may have a right or cause of action, but if you sleep on it , it may go to naught.

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.

For more information and for further queries, you may contact the Legal Aid Office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Davao City Chapter at ibpdavao@gmail.com

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHO ARE FILIPINOS? Filipinos are people born in the Philippines. It’s easy to identify them when they are in the country. But what if these Filipinos are already living in another country? How will you know that person is a Filipino? Or, if he or she was born in another country, how can you identify that he or she is still a Filipino?

Carolyn Castro of Tambuli, the newsletter of Tanghalang Pilipino in Washington, D.C. compiled a list of dead giveaways. You might be a Filipino if you: Have a “barrel man” in your house and when you lift up the barrel the wooden man goes showing (of course you know what I mean)! Have a “Last Supper” quilt tacked on your dining room wall.

Have a “walking doll” that’s still new even though it was bought 15 years ago, because your mother kept it in the China cabinet and never let you play with it. Have an altar or a shrine in your living room. Have a “dirty kitchen” in the backyard or garage in addition to your regular one.

Have an out-of-tune piano, which no one in the family ever learned to play. Have a “Weapons of Moroland” shield for a wall decoration. Have carabao or big fork and spoon wood carvings in your house.

Cover your carpeted floors with plastic liners; ditto your mat-

tress and sofa. Have a tabo (dipper) and a pail in your bathroom; also, a pumice stone (panghilod) for scrubbing. Say “open” (for turn on) or “close” (for turn off) the lights.

Refer to your refrigerator as pridyider. Call all chewing gum “chiclets.” Have a hard time using prepositions (in, or, at) correctly; say “he” when you mean “she,” or vice versa. Say CR (for “comfort room”) instead of “restroom.”

Know what “chocolate meant.”

Use your fingers (instead of a measuring cup) to measure rice water. Own a turbo oven, a karaoke system and a pressure cooker.

Bought a karaoke system before the stereo. Dip fruit in salt before eating it.

Eat avocado with milk and sugar. Eat rice with spaghetti.

Enjoy pansit and pan de sal sandwiches; also, ice cream and bread sandwiches. Prefer “instant” (three-in-one) to brewed coffee and powdered dairy creamer to fresh milk or cream. Peel a siopao before eating it.

Use a fork and spoon in a Chinese restaurant and wipe your plate and utensils with napkins before using them. Can cut your meat with your spoon. Everything you eat is sautéed in garlic, onions and tomatoes. Can eat supper for breakfast. Have toyo (soy sauce) circles on your tablecloths.

You try to eject food parti-

cles from between your teeth by pressing your tongue against them and making a peculiar noise like tshick, tshick, or pphht. Wash and reuse disposable styrofoam cups, plastic forks and spoons, Christmas wrappers, gift boxes and, of course, aluminum foil.

Have bottles of toyo, patis, vinegar, chilies-in-vinegar, and banana ketchup on your cabinet.

Nibble a toothpick like dessert.

Wave that pom-pom on a stick around the food at a picnic table to keep the flies away. Turn around when you hear somebody say pssst.

Point with your lips when asked where something or someone is; the farther the person or object, the longer you stretch your lips. Bow low, put your hands together and point them in a direction you are walking, to pass between other people who are conversing. Can say hello by simply raising your eyebrow.

Are standing next to eight big boxes at the airport. Lug a life-size Santo Niño statue aboard the airplane. Make the Sign of the Cross before take-offs and landings. Bring baon to eat between in-flight meals. Are afraid to go to bed with your hair wet.

Wash your feet before going to bed. Always carry a handkerchief for blowing your nose.

Arrive one to two hours late to a party - and think it’s normal. Have

a car horn that can make three or more different sounds.

Have a crucifix or rosary dangling from your car’s rear-view mirror. Have crocheted car-seat covers. Decorate your car’s rear window with stuffed animals.

Make the Sign of the Cross when you pass by a Catholic church, and only a Catholic church.

Here are more: You nod upwards to greet someone. You put your foot up on your chair and rest your elbow on your knee while eating. You have to kiss your relative on the cheek as soon as you enter the room.

You collect items from hotels or restaurants “for souvenirs.” You smile for no reason. You flirt by having a foolish grin in your face while raising your eyebrows repeatedly. You go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.

You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.

You scratch your head when you don’t know the answer. You never eat the last morsel of food on the table. You know how to play pusoy and mahjong. You find dried up morsels of rice stuck on your shirt. You prefer to sit in the shade instead of basking in the sun.

You like everything imported or “state-side.” You check the labels on clothes to see where it was made before buying. You hang your clothes out to dry. You are

perfectly comfortable in a squatting position with your elbows resting on your knees.

You always offer food to all your visitors. You ask for a “pentel-pen” or a “ballpen” instead of just “pen.” You asked for “Colgate” instead of “toothpaste.” You say “Hoy” to get someone’s attention.

You use a walis tingting or walis tambo as opposed to a conventional broom. Your house has too many burloloys. You have two to three pairs of tsinelas at your doorstep. Your house has an ornate wrought iron gate in front of it.

You cover the living room furniture with bed sheets. Your lamp shades still have the plastic cover on them. You have plastic runners to cover the carpets in your house.

You own a lamp with oil that drips down the strings.

You have an air freshener in your car. You have a family member that has a nickname that repeats itself, that is Junjun, Bongbong, Maymay, Lingling or Kaykay.

You put hot dogs in your spaghetti. You consider dilis the Filipino equivalent to French fries. You think that eating chocolate rice pudding and dried fish is a great morning meal. You order things like tapsilog, tocsilog, or longsilog at restaurants. You instinctively grab a toothpick after each meal.

Now, are you a Pinoy?

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

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

19th City Council 38th Regular Session Series of 2021

m. Old PUV units – refer to PUV units which already reached the mandatory age limit as prescribed by existing DOTr and LTFRB issuances, or PUV units which did not pass the road worthiness test. n. Operator – refers to the owner of a Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operating within Davao City under an approved and active franchise issued by the LTFRB, including those that are covered under provisional authority. o. Operator-Driver - refers to the owner of a PUV operating within Davao City under approved and active franchise issued by the LTFRB or any appropriate government entity, including those under provisional authority, who at the same tine is driving his/her PUV.

PRESENT: Councilor Alberto T. Ungab - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ABSENT: Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Sebastian Z. Duterte Nilo D. Abellera Danilo C.Dayanghirang Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata

- OB- Acting City Mayor - On Sick Leave - On Sick Leave - On Maternity Leave - On Domestic Emergency Leave

p. Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) – refers to vehicles that carry passengers, offering services to the public for a fee, and with valid franchise permit issued by the LTFRB. For purposes of this Ordinance, PUVs are limited only to Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), vans and buses with public transport routes within Davao City. Provided further, that similar vehicles servicing the PanaboDavao City and vice-versa route may be included. Provided finally that, taxis and similar public conveyances are excluded. In addition, and as far as practicable, motorized and non-motorized tricycles, and similar public conveyances may also be included. q.

Regional Secretariat – refers to the committee by the DOTr which is composed of representatives from Region XI Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which oversee the accreditation of interim scrapping facilities, facilitate cancellation of permits, and blacklisting of old PUV units for scrapping.

r. Scrapping Certificate – refers to the document issued by the Scrapping Facility to the operator stating that the old PUV unit/s was/were already disposed of. s. Scrapping Program – refers to the program under this Ordinance whereby an old PUV unit is discarded, removed from service, dismantled or scrapped. t. Social Development Program – refers to the government assistance, financial or otherwise, to be provided to the operators, drivers and allied workers and/or their families who will be affected by the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City.

SECTION 4. COVERAGE – The Ordinance shall apply to all operators, operator-drivers, drivers, allied workers and/or their families who are engaged in legitimate local public transportation service and who will be affected by the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects, and subject to eligibility requirements set forth under this Ordinance or as maybe determined by the Social Development Committee herein created.

ORDINANCE NO. 0736-21 Series of 2021

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE GUIDELINES ON THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLE MODERNIZATION PROJECTS OF DAVAO CITY that:

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Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled,

ARTICLE II Social Preparation SECTION 5. SOCIAL PREPARATION – In addition to the provision of this Ordinance, the modernization and scrappage programs of PUVs in the City of Davao shall be covered by appropriate orders issued by DOTr, LTFRB and other government agencies. DOTr and/or the LTFRB shall issue appropriate orders officially commencing the modernization and scrappage programs of all PUVs in the City. Accordingly, affected persons of the programs, who desire to avail of any assistance under the social development programs of this Ordinance, must participate in the social preparation activities and must register with the CSWDO.

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE GUIDELINES ON THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLE MODERNIZATION PROJECTS OF DAVAO CITY”.

For this purpose, the City Government of Davao, together with other agencies, shall provide comprehensive activities designed to help the people who will be affected socially and economically in the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. In the discharge of its function to deliver efficient and effective provision of basic services and facilities, the City shall provide an adequate and modern transportation to its people.

SECTION 6. ACTIVITIES TO BE PARTICIPATED PRIOR TO AVAILING THE PROGRAMS – The operator, operator-driver, driver, and allied workers must participate prior to availing of any assistance under this Ordinance on the following social preparation activities conducted by the Social Development Committee, to wit:

To improve the quality of life of the residents in relation to the city’s promotion of its “Life is Here.” campaign, it is the declared policy of the City of Davao to modernize, establish and maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient public transport system through the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects.

The City shall promote and improve the social and economic well-being of its people who will be affected in the implementation of this government project. It shall develop skills and capabilities to make them more responsive to their needs and become self-reliant.

The City shall endeavor to provide those affected persons with appropriate compensation, equitable opportunities to continue to be part of the transportation sector or effectively transition to new forms of livelihood.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS – As used in this Ordinance, the following terms are defined as follows: a. Allied Workers – refer to any person legitimately working within the transportation sector who provides a range of technical or support services therein, such as, but not limited to; transport cooperative office workers, garage keepers, and other similar transportation sector workers. For purposes of coverage of this Ordinance, the City Government of Davao, together with other government agencies, shall adopt appropriate guidelines in classifying Allied Workers who may be qualified to any of the Social Development Programs for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Projects of Davao City. b. Applicant Beneficiaries – refer to eligible members of the main applicant’s household. The main applicant must either be the (a) Operator; b) Operator/Driver; (c) Driver or (d) Allied Worker. c. Blacklisting – refers to the process by which the LTO disallows the registration and consequent use of unsuitable engines and chassis. d. CSWDO – refers to the City Social Welfare and Development Office. e. CTTMO – refers to the City Transport and Traffic Management Office. f. DOTr – refers to the Department of Transportation.

I. Social Preparation Activities a) Consultation Dialogue; b) Gender Sensitivity Training; and c) Life Skills Development, such as: i. Financial Literacy/Entrepreneurial Mind-Setting;and, ii. Personality Development II. Employment Facilitation and Advisory Services a) Career Counselling b) Job Matching and Placement/Skills Mapping SECTION 7. RELEVANT PERIOD FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TIMELINE FOR THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE - To avail the assistance under the social development programs of this Ordinance, persons affected by the implementation of any PUV modernization projects must submit an official application on or before the deadlines that the Social Development Committee may identify. In no case however, shall an application for eligibility be made or allowed later than January 1, 2023 or the year beginning the full operation of the HPBS. The applicant must have provided a minimum of continuous six (6) months of service to the PUV sector to which he/she may belong prior to the submission of his/her application to be eligible for assistance.

Once the PUV Modernization Projects application is granted, assistance agreements will be provided to the applicant. These agreements will outline financial assistance, non-financial assistance and/or scrapping program details to be provided to the applicant and its relevant beneficiary/ies. Upon receipt of the agreements, the applicant must register his/her acceptance of the agreements with the CSWDO within thirty (30) days.

As per Article V of this Ordinance, an applicant will have 30 days to submit any grievance related to the PUV Modernization Projects assistance agreements. Grievances related to the agreement received beyond thirty (30) days will no longer be accepted.

An applicant can register to receive non-financial assistance and remain providing service as an operator, operator-driver, driver and allied worker at no penalty.

g. Driver – refers to the person driving a public utility vehicle for economic purpose, as an employee, by lease or any arrangement.

To receive financial assistance, the operator, operator-driver, driver and allied worker must demonstrate a minimum of six (6) months continuous service as provided in Section 8, Article III of this Ordinance.

h. Dropping of Unit – refers to the process by which the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) cancels the permit of an old PUV unit.

Any affected person can only submit one application to avail of any social development program under this Ordinance.

i. HPBS – refers to the High Priority Bus System. j. Interim Scrapping Facility – refers to existing facilities accredited by the DOTr that shall function as scrapping facilities with the capacity to dismantle old PUVs. k. LTFRB – refers to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. l. LTO – refers to Land Transportation Office.

ARTICLE III Social Development Assistance SECTION 8. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – Financial assistance shall be given resulting from the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City. a) Operator – An amount of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) shall be

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EDGEDAVAO given to the operator for every covered PUV, provided that, it is in good running condition and used as a PUV for at least six (6) months reckoned from the date of disenfranchisement of the affected PUV. Each PUV must be covered by a valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience as certified by the LTFRB. Operators availing of this assistance shall participate in the scrapping program under Article IV of this Ordinance.

b) Operator-Driver – An amount of not less than One Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (P180,000.00) shall be given to an operator-driver, provided that the PUV he/she operates and drives is in good running condition and continuously operated as such by him/her for the preceding six (6) months reckoned from the date of disenfranchisement of the affected PUV. Operator-drivers availing of this assistance shall participate in the scrapping program under Article IV of this Ordinance. c) Driver – An amount of not less than Eighty Thousand Pesos (P80,000.00) shall be given to the driver, provided that, he/she has been driving the PUV for at least six (6) months reckoned from the date of disenfranchisement of the affected PUV, provided further that, he/she must be included in the record of the CTTMO as a PUV driver or as certified by appropriate government agencies. Should there be more than one (1) driver for one PUV, the financial assistance shall be divided among them proportionately. d) Allied Workers or any person, other than those enumerated above, but who are found to be directly or indirectly affected by the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects, shall be given appropriate assistance or social development programs upon determination and approval of the Social Development Committee.

In order to avail of any government assistance or social development programs, the operator, operator-driver, driver, or allied worker must comply accordingly with the documentary requirements set forth in this Ordinance or as may be further required by appropriate government authority. The determination and approval of an application for financial assistance under this Section shall be subject to the determination and approval of the Social Development Committee.

SECTION 9. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS ORDINANCE. The following requirements must be submitted to the Social Development Committee to avail of the financial assistance under this Ordinance: I. For Operators and Operator-drivers: a) PUV Modernization Projects Application Form; b) Certificate of Public Convenience; c) If the applicant is not the franchise holder, he or she shall submit proof of ownership such as Deed of Sale, Deed of Donation or any related document; d) Sworn list of driver/s; e) Clearance duly issued by the LTFRB; f) Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by LTO or Certificate of Scrappage issued by the local accredited interim scrapping facility; g) Certificate of Attendance to Trainings duly issued by the CSWDO; and h) For operator-drivers, a valid driver’s license and Certificate of Eligibility issued by CTTMO, or by an appropriate government agency, shall also be required.

II. For Drivers: a) PUV Modernization Projects Application Form; b) Valid driver’s license; c) Certificate of Eligibility issued by the CTTMO, or by an appropriate government agency.

III. For Allied Workers: a) PUV Modernization Projects Application Form; b) Proofs of employment to a transportation company; and c) Any appropriate additional documents that the Social Development Committee may require.

IV. For the chosen relative up the 4th civil degree by consanguinity or affinity:

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Note: Requirements may vary based on the implementing TESDA Training Institution and the preferred course of the beneficiary.

For purposes of this Ordinance, any assistance that may be offered in the future by the government agencies above-mentioned shall be considered as social development assistance for the displaced PUV operators, operator-drivers, drivers, and allied workers. Further, any assistance offered by other government agencies may be included in the preceding list and shall be included in the social development programs of this Ordinance, upon determination and approval of the Social Development Committee.

SECTION 12. DUTY OF THE OPERATOR. – The operator must inform the Social Development Committee of any change/s in the list of drivers and allied workers he/she has submitted. Noncompliance with this Section may be a ground for the disqualification of the operator, drivers and allied workers from availing or receiving any of the assistance under this Ordinance.

SECTION 13. – PUBLICATION. To promote transparency, the list of the qualified beneficiaries shall be posted in City Hall, LTFRB, CTTMO or any two conspicuous places for a period of fifteen (15) days.

The implementation of the social development programs shall be announced on the radio, TV program and official Facebook of social media accounts of the City Government of Davao, LTFRB Region XI or the Davao City HPBS.

ARTICLE IV Scrapping Program SECTION 14. ENFORCEMENT OF SCRAPPING PROGRAM – The enforcement and implementation of scrappage and dismantling of PUV units shall be undertaken in any local accredited interim scrapping facility as may be established under LTO and LTFRB Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, Series of 2021. However, prior to the scrapping of old PUV vehicles, the unit must be dropped, cancelled, and blacklisted.

SECTION 15. PROCEDURES PRIOR TO SCRAPPING OF OLD PUV UNITS. – To properly effect the scrapping of old PUV units, the following measures must first be followed: a) It is required that the old unit must be officially dropped from public service. b) The operator of Cooperative/Corporation must, therefore, file a Petition for Dropping of Unit and surrender the “for hire” plates with the LTFRB Regional Office XI. c) Upon approval of the petition, the operator, corporation or cooperative shall furnish LTO Regional Office XI a copy of the Order of Dropping, together with the Letter of Intent, which includes the list of units for the immediate scrapping. The said list for immediate scrapping shall include the chassis and engine number of the vehicles and the name of the chosen interim scrapping facility as furnished by LTFRB XI. Further, the Original Certificate of Registration shall be surrendered to the LTO. SECTION 16. Upon completion of the dismantling/scrapping process, the scrapping facility shall issue a Certificate of Scrapping to the operator or cooperative/corporation. Such certificate shall be submitted to the Social Development Committee. A copy shall likewise be provided to LTFRB Region XI. SECTION 17. The operator, cooperative, or corporation of the scrapped units shall be paid of the appraised value of the scrapped unit by the accredited scrapping facility.

SECTION 18. In the event that the operator, including those who do not want to avail of any of the social development programs under this Ordinance and/or refuses to scrap an old PUV unit, but instead opt to reclassify and use the said unit as a private vehicle, the unit will be subjected to a roadworthiness test through the accredited Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (MVIC). Units that will not pass the MVIC test will not be allowed to be reclassified as a private vehicle and henceforth, be required to be scrapped, with its chassis and engine number blacklisted from the Land Transportation Office database pursuant to LTO-LTFRB Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, Series of 2021.

ARTICLE V Complaints and Grievances

a) PUV Modernization Projects Application Form; and b) Proof of family relationship, such as a Certificate of Birth or a Certificate of Marriage, or other related documents.

SECTION 19. COMPLAINTS – Any person may question the qualification of the beneficiary within thirty (30) days after the publication of the list of qualified beneficiaries to the Grievance Committee who has exclusive authority to hear and resolve all complaints.

SECTION 10. NON-FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Subject to applicable rules and regulations, the operator, operator-driver, driver, allied worker or any of their chosen relative up to the 4th civil degree by consanguinity or affinity, may apply for a non-financial assistance under this Ordinance.

The non-financial assistance shall include, but not limited to, the following: educational, employment and/or enterprise assistance.

SECTION 20. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE – There shall be created a grievance committee tasked to hear, settle and decide issues pertaining to the eligibility of an applicant for any of the assistance provided herein or any other issues relating to the implementation of this Ordinance.

SECTION 11. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. For purposes of availing the non-financial and in addition to the PUV Modernization Application Form, the specific documentary requirements set forth by each of the government agencies extending such assistance must be submitted. The requirements are the following: I. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program: a) b) c) d) e)

Duly accomplished CHED – Tulong Dunong Program Application Form; Proof of Enrollment; Certificate of Indigency from the CSWDO; Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate, if married; Photocopy of School ID.

II. Department of Trade and Industry-Displaced Drivers Operators Livelihood Restoration Program a) b) c) d)

High Priority Bus System Social Development Package Application Form Form 1: DTI-Assisted MSMEs – Profile Attendance that the beneficiary has attended the Basic Business Management Training Certificate of Completion.

III. Department of Labor and Employment –Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/ Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program a) b) c) d) e) f) g)

High Priority Bus System Social Development Package Application Form Daily Time Record Intake Sheet Accomplishment Report Barangay Certificate indicating that he or she is underemployed/unemployed Personal Data Sheet Government-issued ID

IV. TESDA Scholarship a) Duly accomplished Application Form or TESDA Learner’s Form; b) Properly and completely filled-out Self-Assessment Guide of chosen qualification; c) Three (3) pieces of colored and passport size picture, with white background, with collar and with name printed at the back.

The Grievance Committee shall be composed of the following offices to be represented by its department head or highest-ranking officer or their duly authorized representatives, to wit: a) City Legal Office – Chairperson b) CSWDO - Member; and, c) CTTMO – Member SECTION 21. PROCEDURE – The Grievance Committee shall formulate its own rules of procedure to insure speedy disposition of complaints.

SECTION 22. RESOLUTION – All complaints shall be resolved within sixty (60) days from the filing thereof, provided that, in no case shall the pendency of such resolution delay the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City of Davao.

ARTICLE VI Prescription, Disqualification and Forfeiture SECTION 23. PRESCRIPTION – To avail of the financial assistance under this Ordinance, the application must be submitted to the Social Development Committee within six (6) months reckoned from the date of disenfranchisement of the affected PUV, pursuant to the approved schedule of the implementation plans of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City.

Applicants for non-financial assistance under this Ordinance must submit their application on or before the specific dates to be set by the Social Development Committee.

Failure to submit an application for any of the assistance package within the aforesaid periods shall constitute as waiver to avail of any and all assistance provided or pursuant to the PUV Modernization Projects in Davao City.

SECTION 24. DISQUALIFICATION AND FORFEITURE – Any wilful and untruthful statement, concealment, or falsification made by the applicant PUV operator, operator-driver, driver or allied worker is a ground for disqualification and forfeiture to avail of any social development programs under this Ordinance.

ARTICLE VII Social Development Committee SECTION 25. CREATION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE –There is hereby created a Social Development Committee composed of the following offices to be represented by its department head or highest-ranking officer or their duly authorized representatives:

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Chairperson Vice-Chairperson Members

City Mayor or her duly authorized representative City Social Welfare and Development Office Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor City Legal Office City Transport and Traffic Management Office Department of Transportation Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board –XI Land Transportation Office XI SP Committee on Social Services SP Committee on Transportation and Communications

SECTION 26. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS –The Social Development Committee shall perform the following functions: a) To formulate policies and measures that are appropriate for the immediate release of the assistance; b) To formulate policies and measures that are necessary to effectively resolve any issue involving the implementation of this Ordinance; c) To accept, review and evaluate the application to avail of the programs under this Ordinance; d) To act on the resolutions made by the Grievance Committee brought before it on issues involving the eligibility of the applicant and on issues pertaining to the implementation of this Ordinance; e) To facilitate the conduct of social preparation, training, intervention or assistance to persons directly affected by the implementation of the PUV Modernization Projects in the City; and, f) To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental to attain the objectives of this Ordinance.

ARTICLE VIII Final Provisions SECTION 27. FUNDING – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance shall be charged from appropriations specific for the purpose of from any government funds available, subject to government accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 28. RULES AND REGULATIONS – The Social Development Committee shall promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Ordinance. Such rules and regulations shall take effect within fifteen (15) days upon approval of the City Mayor.

SECTION 29. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect.

SECTION 30. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after completion of its publication in a newspaper of general circulation for at least two (2) weeks in the City of Davao.

ENACTED, on the 5th day of October 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

ATTESTED:

APPROVED : ________________

7

4th ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’ slated on second week of March —DOH

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he Department of Health is targeting to conduct the fourth wave of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” national vaccination drive in the second week of March, a top DOH official said Saturday.

“Initial na proposal week ng March 7. Gusto kasi ng ating mga principal, lalong lalo na si Secretary [Eduardo] Año, na mas mapaaga ang paggawa ng bakunahan para mareach ang ating mga senior at saka ang mga hindi pa nabakunahan,” Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said.

On Thursday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced that the fourth wave of mass vaccination drive in March will prioritize senior citizens and children.

Cabotaje said the government wants to prevent the occurrence of an outbreak, similar to the one currently happening in Hong Kong, in the country that is why authorities want to boost the inoculation drive and begin such at the earliest possible time.

The Health chief earlier said that they will increase efforts for the inoculation of the primary series for those who are not yet vaccinated, and the booster shots for those who have completed the three to six month requirement.

The government fell short of the five million target of the third wave of the Bayanihan, Bakunahan III national vaccination drive that ran from February 10 to 18, the DOH said.

Despite falling short of the target, the government will bring vaccination

centers closer to the public and will also conduct house-to-house vaccination if possible, Cabotaje said.

Interviewed at the Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday, Cabotaje said as of February 25, 63 million Filipinos have so far been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or 70% of the targeted 90 million.

“In terms of our weekly performance, medyo mababa, nasa 300,000 to 500,000 per day pa lang tayo. So kailangan talagang pag-ibayuhin at [gumamit] ng ibang istratehiya para mapataas pa ‘yung ating jabs per day,” Cabotaje said.

(Our weekly performance was quite low at 300,000 to 500,000 jabs per day. We really need to double our efforts and use other strategies to increase our jabs per day.)

idential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio; or will he be endorsing Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso who has high hopes to get the endorsement of the President for his presidential bid.

The President admitted that some candidates have sought his support and all sent an emissary, however, he respectfully just declined.

“I am not in a quandary but I --- isip ko kasi it’s not easy to come out tapos matalo pa ‘yung in-endorse mo. Maybe the --- a choice would be ever na ‘yung sinuportahan mo iyon ang manalo.

Ideally it should be in that kind of environment or situation,” the President said.

He reiterated that currently nobody is in his mind.

“And people would ask anywhere out of maybe just to please you, ganoon ‘yang tao eh, “Oh Presidente, sino’ng kandidato mo? Sino bang kandidato natin?” he said.

Meanwhile, the President also commented on PDP-Laban, which is the most dominant party, is left with no presidential candidate for the incoming elections.

“Well, simply because wala rin kaming makita,” he said.

He added that the party has previous projections about a certain “man” who wanted to run as President.

“I do not want to give an assessment or evaluation because may mga --- mga projections kami about this man pero noon pa sinabi. Sinabi ko na sa kanya noon --- early nung nagbisita dito --- sabi ko, “Adre, hindi ka manalo.”

At sabi ko noon sa Davao

sinabi ko, “Huwag mong sayangin ‘yang pera mo”.

Pero wala pa ‘yun, wala pang survey, nag-aano pa kami. Tingin ko it was a tall order. It was really a tall order from what he is --- was to the presidency. If you can understand it’s an idiom, I think, a tall order. Iyan ang --- I cannot find the appropriate words to say,” he said.

The President also shared that he and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio talked only once since months ago. He added that they do not talk about politics except once.

“Pero ayaw ko na lang i-discuss kasi hindi kasi maganda. It was between father and daughter. But it was also a conversation about politics pero sa amin na ‘yun. Lessons learned along the way. So hanggang ngayon wala akong masabi sa bagay na ‘yan,” the President said.

each; Shipyard, which is a 1,200 sqm nautically-inspired events place that can accommodate 500 guests; and the Marina for docking and mooring of boat and watercraft which will be operated by

Davao Boat and Leisure Club.

Lagdameo said Bridgeport Park will be developed first. Construction of building A is targeted to commence in 2024 and is expected to

be completed in 2025.

With a master plan of 10 to 15 years for the whole project, Bridgeport also offers plenty of green areas for parks and playgrounds. By Maya M. Padillo

nakapadaog nato halos tanang Team Yu diri sa Zamboanga del Sur,” governor Yu said.

Yu called on his constituents to show the Davao City mayor the love and support she needs for her vice presidential bid.

“Karon, panahon na pud aron ibalos nato ang iyang pagsuporta sa atoa last election, tagaan nato siya ug pinaka-dako nga suporta gikan sa atong team,” the governor added.

Duterte said she needs

the elected leaders to support her advocacy in uniting the Filipinos especially after elections.

“Human sa election kinahanglan ang mga napili nga leaders birahon tanang Pilipino pagawas sa kalisod. Walay color pink, yellow, green, blue o pula. Pare-pareho tanan birahon pagawas sa kalisud nga hatod sa pandemya,” Duterte said.

She also thanked the supporters who lined up on the streets and joined the crowd in all her activities for the day.

“Dili mabayran ang kainit sa inyong pagmahal ug suporta sa akoa.

Daghan kaayong salamat.

Naka-lima mi ka events diri sa Pagadian City.

Nabati namo nga ang mga tao ana gyud ang ilang suporta dinhi sa akoa ug especially sa UniTeam,” Duterte added.

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Senatorial candidate Robin Padilla joined Sara in her Zamboanga provinces’ leg of the Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride. HNP Media

NO BET... FROM2

BRIDGEPORT... FROM2

SARA... FROM2

DAVAO A1 EDGE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A resident wades through seawater near a community-operated fish cages in Marina Aplaya, Davao City. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging investors to venture into large-scale production in aquaculture in support of the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP). Edge Davao

DA entices investors to venture into large-scale fish production

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging investors to venture into large-scale production in aquaculture in support of the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP), a five-year comprehensive framework for promoting the optimal development and long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.

The CNFIDP for 20212025 includes a 10-percent reduction in post-harvest losses within five years, and an 80-percent compliance

with hygiene and sanitation standards of all fish processing establishments in the Philippines.

“For large-scale aqua-

culture, the attractiveness of local production and private sector investments are better compared to rice, given higher returns and you can do value-adding in fisheries like export,” DA Undersecretary for Agri-Industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

Caballero said a favorable ecosystem is a must to allow local businesses to thrive and become more efficient and competitive globally.

“There should be market-driven, more efficient and technology-driven private sector investment,” she added.

Currently, the fisheries sector contributes about 18 percent to the Gross Domestic Product in agriculture, according to DA data.

The trade and marketing subsector agreed to prioritize interventions, such as market linking, capability development, and improving access to credit, the CNFIDP states.

domestic network, which includes destinations such as Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo, among others, it said.

Below are the steps on how to use the Travel Fund: Remember to keep your Travel Fund booking reference on hand.

Choose your new flight and book as usual. The owner of the Travel Fund must be included in your booking.

On the payment page, select “Travel Fund” and input the booking reference of the fund you want to use.

Cebu Pacific said it continues to offer flexible products that enable its guests to fly easy and safely, such as the CEB Flexi, a flight add-on that allows passengers to voluntarily cancel their flights for free, up to two hours before departure, and store the value of the booking in a Travel Fund.

This may be purchased via initial booking for as low as P499, it said.

On top of this, the airline said it continues to offer unlimited rebooking as it permanently removed change

CebPac tells clients to use travel funds before expiry

B

udget carrier Cebu Pacific urged its customers with existing travel funds to use them before expiring.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said passengers with “Travel Fund” may book flights before its expiry date, by choosing a flight schedule up to one year later.

A Travel Fund is the value of bookings stored in a virtual wallet that can be used to pay for any transaction on Cebu Pacific’s website—be it for flights or add-ons, such as baggage allowance, travel

insurance, preferred seats, meals, and many more.

The airline said it has an ongoing Juan Love “Sama-summer together” seat sale that offers domestic flights for as low as P88 oneway base fare.

The seat sale runs until February 28, 2022, for travel from now until July 31, 2022.

The “Travel Fund” is accepted as a form of payment, Cebu Pacific said.

Travelers planning trips this year can book flights across the airline’s widest

BSP: $15M ‘hot money’ entered PH in January

F

oreign portfolio investments (FPIs) or “hot money” yielded net inflows in January as the economy gradually recovers despite the stricter quarantine measures imposed during the period amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show.

Central bank data showed that FPI last month posted a net inflow of $15 million, a reversal from the net outflows of $4 million recorded in December 2021.

Foreign portfolio investments are also called hot money because of the ease by which the funds enter and leave markets.

The net inflow in January this year resulted from the $731-million gross inflows and $717-million gross outflows for the month.

In particular, the $731 million registered investments last month reflected a decrease of 45.1% or by $600 million compared to the $1.3 billion recorded in December 2021.

Majority of investments or 68% registered were in Philippine Stock Exchange

(PSE) -- listed securities mainly in holding firms; property; banks; food, beverage and tobacco; and telecommunications; while the remaining 32% went to investments in Peso government securities (Peso GS) The top five investor countries for the month were the United Kingdom, United States (US), Luxembourg, Switzerland and Malaysia with combined share to total at 82%, according to the BSP. The decline in registered investments or gross FPI inflows was offset by the lower $717-million gross outflows for the month, which decreased by 46.4% or by $619 million than the $1.3 billion recorded in December 2021.

The US received 75.1% of total outflows, the BSP said.

Year-on-year, registered investments declined by 23.1% or $220 million from the $952 million recorded in January 2021.

Similarly, gross outflows were lower by 16% or $137 million than the outflows recorded a year ago of $854 million.

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY A2 IN THE... FROM8

City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) chief Generose Tecson urges tourism establishments in Davao City to process their certificates and mayor’s permit before organizing meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions

City Tourism to Davao tourism firms: Renew permits before MICE events T DOE says high oil prices will cause demand drop, rollbacks to follow

A

Department of Energy official said Saturday that the agency seeing light at the end of the tunnel amid the continuous spike in petroleum prices brought about by tight global supply and the invasion of Ukraine

by Russia.

DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said that while pump prices are expected to increase in the coming weeks, the higher cost of fuel will eventually discourage demand.

“Kapag masyado nang mataas ang presyo ng petrolyo, ang bumababa ay demand. Kapag bumaba ang demand below one million na problema natin, posibleng in a matter of days o months, magkaroon ng oversupply at magkaroon ng rollback,” Abad said.

(When prices are too high, demand will drop, and if it goes below the-one million [barrel] supply deficit, possibly, in a matter of days or months an oversupply will occur and there will be rollbacks.)

Abad said this citing the outlook of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries-International Energy Agency (OPEC-IEA) that

there will be a supply shortage of one million barrels per day.

“Wala tayong magawa sa [one-million-barrel shortage] dahil kahit anong gawin ng international countries, ayaw tuminag ng OPEC ... lagi lang silang nasa 400,000 barrels [each day] per month,” Abad said.

(We can’t do anything about the one-million-barrel shortage because OPEC sticks to its output of 400,000 barrels each day per month.)

He said the DOE is still pushing for the suspension of excise tax on petroleum, adding that the technical working group under the House committee on ways and means has already drafted a position to suspend excise taxes.

“Ang kabuuan na excise tax sa gasolina ay P10, P6 pesos sa diesel, at P3 sa LPG. Ito ang mga maximum amount na maaaring temporarily i-suspend... subject to full discretion ito ng ating Congress,” Abad said.

(The total excise tax for gasoline is P10, diesel P6, and LPG P3. These are the maximum amounts that can be temporarily suspended… subject to full discretion of Congress.)

he City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) on Friday urged establishments here to process their certificates and mayor’s permit before organizing meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions (MICE).

CTOO chief Generose Tecson said in an interview that such processes are necessary as the city continues to fight the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The Public Safety and Security Command Cen-

ter also needs the registration information to strategize security plans.

“It is a reminder to our organizers, especially for [those] that are doing MICE. They need to seek Special Mayor’s Permit at least 15 working days pri-

or to their event,” Tecson told the Philippine News Agency.

She said quite a few organizations are already conducting MICE now that the city has been downgraded to Alert Level 2, which allows 50-percent indoor capacity and 70 percent outdoors.

Most establishments also require proofs of full vaccination.

“There are more than 50 events that were organized since 2022

started. We are anticipating more as the restrictions are easing up,” Tecson added.

She reminded business owners that their permits can be revoked if they are not renewed at once.

Renewal of business certificates should be every January, Tecson said.

Davao City only has 475 active Covid-19 cases, including 42 news infections, as of Friday.

(PNA)

Premier. PEP Talks stands for Personalities, Events, and Places.

The media forum will be held once a month to provide tourism and lifestyle-related updates to the media and the entire Davao Region as a whole.

On its first run, the guest speakers were DOT-11 Regional Director Tanya Tan and Deo Antojado and Niño Orteza, Directors of Zegen, who provided detailed discussions on the state of the tourism sector in Davao

Region and updates on Araw ng Dabaw activities, respectively.

“With the monthly press forum, we hope that we can better showcase not just our tourism destinations, products and services in the region but as well as updates on our industry and extending our reach in disseminating information with the support of our friends in the media,” Regional Director Tan said.

Meanwhile, SM La-

nang Premier Assistant Mall Manager Precious Ann Legario said that SM is committed to support the communities it serves in revitalizing economic activities. This includes programs in tourism as well as those for the MSMEs. Nousagi Japanese Pastry, one of the eight startups who launched their booth at the SM Lanang Premier’s StartUp Market on February 16, also sponsored the event along with the mall.

Media forum launched to help revive tourism, promote local businesses

A

media forum focusing on tourism and lifestyle topics was officially launched on February 25 at SM Lanang Premier’s The Greenery to help the tourism sector bounce back from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and promote micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The media forum dubbed as PEP Talks was launched through the partnership of the Department of Tourism-11 (DOT-11) and SM Lanang

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

AEON TOWERS’ ‘STAYCATION IS THE NEW VACATION’ VIBE Let’s admit it. Everyone loves to go on vacation.

As they say it, once you get bitten by the travel bug, you never stop.

But given the life we’ve been through to the pandemic the past two years, there’s nothing we can do but just keep it as it is, on the wish list.

Hoping, praying it happens one day.

On the other hand, let’s come to think of it. Vacations aren’t always the most rejuvenating of experiences?

Look, we usually go on vacation to relax and experience something new and fresh. And sometimes we choose to have a fun-filled trip – perhaps packed with adventures.

However, if your main purpose for taking a vacation is to get some well-deserved rest, then you may be disappointed. Just think of all the preparation and planning that must go into every trip -- the packing and unpacking and then when you return home, you may need several hours to unpack your stuff.

Duh. The other side of travels.

What’s abundantly clear, is that the time spent on planning and traveling drains your personal energy. Booking flights and hotels, packing, unpacking, traveling time, etc, all deplete your mental and physical energies.

Vacations are nice, but if they can also be an energykiller, is there an alternative way to spend our spare time?

Yes, there is. It’s called staycations.

Let’s Google what that means. So it says staycation is “A holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.”

Staycations offer similar things to what vacations do (e.g., relaxation, refreshment, experiencing new things), but because they don’t involve long traveling, they cost you a lot less. It’s not just financial savings, you’ll also cut out the time and stress of planning, that typically make up the preparations for a vacation.

Let’s take a look at the great things about taking a staycation.

Give you almost 100% of restful time with little to no prep.

This is one of the reasons that staycations are more refreshing than vacations.

They act as genuine breaks from work and life pressures.

Instead of losing time and energy preparing for a vacation, a staycation will provide you with high-quality resting time.

This bring us to the staycation offer from Aeon Towers, the most exhilarating view you can get from a stay-

cation at a price within reach.

Consider this: Executive Room with in-room automation system at P3,499 per night for a Studio Suite and P3,999/night for a one-bedroom Standard Room. If you need a bigger space, you can enjoy the royal treatment in a 2-bedroom Executive Room at P8,999/night or a 2-bedroom at P11,999/night.

All offers include com-

plimentary breakfast, complimentary one-time minibar consumption, access to club aeon amenities (6th floor pool, fitness gym and coworking spaces with Wi-Fi connection).

Inquiries via Aeon Towers Staycation Units FB Page or call 0927-280-1305 | 0918617-9570 or Front desk direct line: (082)238-2425 | 0968575-8518 | 0926-685-8412.

SPORTS

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

Nick Kay shows the way for Australia. PHOTO: FIBA.BASKETBALL

Rose return delayed by another ankle procedure

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EW YORK — Derrick Rose had another procedure on his right ankle on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), just as it appeared he was close to returning to the New York Knicks.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose wasn’t in pain but was feeling discomfort. The 33-year-old point guard had recently begun practicing fully after he had surgery on the ankle in December.

“He actually went through practice pretty well,” Thibodeau said. “So, just one of those things.”

No timetable was given for Rose’s return and Thibodeau said he had no details other than the

procedure had gone well.

He said he believed it was to clean up the area where the previous surgery had been done.

Thibodeau said he didn’t believe Rose’s absence would change anything with Kemba Walker’s status after it was decided this week he would be shut down for the season. Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley were the point guards available Friday against Miami, with rookie Miles McBride a possibility going forward.

Rose helped jumpstart the Knicks last season after arriving in a midseason trade, finishing third in voting for the Sixth Man Award.

A4

Australia routs Chinese Taipei T

he Australia Boomers hardly broke a sweat in its 98-61 rout of Chinese Taipei to kickstart its campaign in the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers on Friday at Okinawa Arena.

Nick Kay did it all for the Boomers with 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while 22-year-old Alex Mudronja had his breakout with

13 points, five boards, five dimes, and two steals to earn their first victory in Group B. Five players reached double digits in scoring,

with all 12 deployed by coach Rob Beveridge making at least a field goal as Australia finished the game on a 57-percent shooting from the field and a 42-percent clip from deep.

The Boomers were quick to seize control of the game with a 3011 lead before breaking away from the Tai-

wanese and extending the final margin to 37 points.

Chinese Taipei leaned on naturalized player Will Artino who poured 14 points and eight rebounds in the defeat.

The Taiwanese side will next play Japan on Saturday, while Australia takes its crack at the Akatsuki Five on Sunday.

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

IS FIDE FEELING ANY PRESSURE? A barrage of anti-Russian sentiments flooded the social media after Pres. Vladimir Putin ordered “military operations” against Ukraine several days ago.

In sports, FIDE officials are being put under the microscope, with suggestions that the Chess Olympiad scheduled in Moscow this year be suspended and relocated.

FIDE is intending to call an extraordinary meeting to “review all its planned events in Russia” in reaction to the Ukraine invasion.

The current FIDE president is - not surprisingly - a Russian, Arkady Dvorkovich, a former deputy prime minister.

GM Ian Nepomniatzchi, the losing Russian challenger in the recent FIDE World Championship, tweeted that he is “saddened by the event.”

He just entered the finals of the Airthings leg of the 2022 Meltwater on-line Champions ChessTour, defeating countryman Andrey Esipenko in the semifinals.

Arguably, FIDE must be twiddling its thumbs, even fidgeting I would suppose, as to what rationale it will proffer to assure the chess world that competitions and international tournaments will proceed as calendared.

Several outspoken grandmasters have denounced the

Russian military aggression and strongly want FIDE to issue its stand regarding the matter, A sense of propriety dictates that Dvorkovich should take a leave. But personally, I do not see him resigning or temporarily taking a leave because he is a Russian and he will always stand by his boss, Putin.

While we may agree that sports should be shielded from political intrigues and partisanship, the circumstances prevailing do not tell us so.

However, FIDE cannot but exercise a minimum of executive decorum and avoid being drawn into a verbal skirmish with de-

tractors and critics of the Russian attack.

For one thing, FIDE, from hereon, should shy away from holding international tournaments in Russia because most grandmasters who are of foreign citizenship might be persuaded by their respective federations not to take part.

Without the participation of elite GMs from the US, UK, Norway, France, Poland, Hungary and other countries that are in sympathy with Ukraine, FIDE-organized tournaments may lose their prestige and attraction.

I have suspicions that big companies may also shy away

from sponsoring these FIDE-calendared contests in support of the sanctions imposed by the US, UK, France, Germany and other EU countries and NATO members.

Wow, however I calculate, sports usually becomes the innocent and unsuspecting victim of these cruel wars and conflicts.

The late Bobby Fischer, American world titleholder in 1972, if I recall, hated the Russians so much because FIDE had always manipulated the championship cycle to ensure a world champion emerged from the then USSR. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 290 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2022

THE THIRDY SHOW Thirdy Ravena scores 15 against India. PHOTO: FIBA.BASKETBALL

Ravena puts on a show with Gilas for home fans

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hirdy Ravena knows how it feels to be home home.

The San-En NeoPhoenix guard in Japan’s B-League felt the love from a highly appreciative crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday as he got showered with the loudest cheers in his return to the Gilas Pilipinas squad.

“Just playing for this crowd in Araneta in your home court, it feels amazing especially playing for the country,” he said with a big smile on his face.

Ravena gave the fans a reason to keep on clapping, delighting them with his play in the Philippines’ 8864 victory against India where he dropped 15 points and two assists in the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.

He drained three three-pointers in the second quarter to give Gilas a slight bump and slowly but surely pull away.

“It’s been a while since I represented the country on a Fiba event, so I’m very excited to be back,” he said. “I guess the opportunity just came. My teammates were setting me up real well. I just took those opportunities and I’m just lucky that my shots were falling in. I’m just happy that it was a team win and we wre able to pull it off against India.”

Curiously, this was the first time that Ravena played with the Gilas

seniors team in front of the home crowd.

But as delightful as the feeling of this triumph is, the 6-foot-3 guard is well aware that the job isn’t over with New Zealand up next on the Philippines’ slate on Sunday.

“We’re definitely learning from our mistakes. Although we won this game, I feel we still committed turnovers that we could have avoided,” lamenting on the 17 turnovers that the home side committed, largely due to too much unselfishness and at times, its consistent desire to put the game out of reach.

Doing so in the next game against the Tall Blacks, Ravena understands, would be nothing short of catastrophic for Gilas.

“We’ll make sure everything is well taken care off for the next game against New Zealand,” he said. “It’s gonna be a dogfight. They’re very tough team, physical and skill-wise very good as well. So we still have a lot to work on in a very short span.”