Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 59 | Wednesday, June 22, 2022

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VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

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LONG WAIT OVER? Groundbreaking for Samal-Davao bridge project to take place July STORY ON PAGE 2 Mount Zynai 0304 Mining Corp. president and chief executive officer Leonardo Fernandez shows an iron ore to National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogened Esperon Jr. while explaining the steel making process during the groundbreaking for the corporation’s industrial park in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay where the country’s first steel smelting plant will be built. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

Vice President-elect Sara Duterte shows a gesture of respect to her father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, during her oath taking as the 15th Vice President of the Philippines at San Pedro Square in Davao City on Sunday.

The incoming Vice President bared that her father wished her “good luck” during the ceremony. Presidential Photo

LONG WAIT OVER? Groundbreaking for Samal-Davao DA declares SoCot bridge project to take place July a red zone for ASF

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ooks like the long-overdue “dream bridge” will finally come true as an official of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao disclosed that the groundbreaking for the P19 billion Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project is targeted to take place next month.

“We are working hard in this direction. I’m expecting it to take place next month in July. I think the

embassy, consulate general, and Chinese companies would come together with the Philippine partners to

start our groundbreaking at an early date. You might have already known this around 10 days ago my Ambassador has signed the agreement of the loan with the Secretary of Finance,” said Chinese Consul General Li Lin in an interview.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez recently signed a Frame-

our infrastructure projects initiated in two sub-villages formerly controlled by communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Mabini, Davao de Oro have been completed under the government’s Barangay Development

Project (BDP).

In a statement Monday, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said Sitios Manasa and Mascareg are recipients of BDP projects after they were declared insurgency-free areas by the provincial government and the military.

Sitio Manasa received a barangay health center, riprap for flood control, and a steel bridge, while Sitio Mascareg got itself an electrification project, the governor said.

“The residents of Sitio Manasa will no longer be

work Agreement and Loan Agreement for the project.

Xilian shared online that the Chinese government will provide a concessional loan of approximately 350 million US dollars to the Philippine government to finance the project.

“This loan will be divided in Chinese currency,” Lin said.

In January last year, the

worried about their safety in times of flash floods and health emergencies due to the newly installed riprap for flood control,” he said.

He said crossing the river during flash floods would not be a problem anymore

FLONG, P10

BDP projects in DavOr village spur dev’t in far flung areas F

FBDP, P10

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outh Cotabato’s hog industry is facing serious threats after the province has been placed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the red zone or infected area for African Swine Fever (ASF).

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. announced Monday that DA Region 12 and the Bureau of Quarantine already upgraded the province’s zoning status to red following the emergence of confirmed ASF cases in the last three months in at least two municipalities.

More than 400 backyard hogs have been culled since March in parts of Banga and Surallah towns due to the ASF contamination.

“The hog industry is one of our economic drivers and I’m worried because this problem, if not corrected, would greatly affect our economy in the coming months,” the governor said at the provincial capitol’s weekly convocation program.

Tamayo said the local government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office

(PVET), and DA have tried to contain the initial contamination but it continued to spread due to the uncontrolled movement of hogs from the infected areas.

He said some backyard farmers and growers did not heed the mandatory culling, and eventually slaughtered and sold possibly contaminated meat to others areas, causing the disease to further spread.

The first ASF contamination was reported in late March in Purok Riverside, Barangay Yangco in Banga town, affecting seven other barangays and resulting to the culling of over 200 hogs.

But the PVET said in a report on April 28 that the outbreak has already been contained and that it started to implement a 90-day clearing program in the affected areas.

On June 10, the municipal government of Surallah, which is adjacent to Banga town, also reported fresh outbreaks of suspected ASF in Sitios Aliwanay and Cabuling in Barangay Naci, with 187 hogs so far culled.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

NEWS

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Incoming Cotabato Province Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza (rightmost), enjoys a light moment with her daughter, incoming Cotabato Province 3rd District Representative Samantha Alana Taliño Santos (center) and her husband, TUCP Partylist Representative lawyer Raymond Democrito Cañete Mendoza, while waiting to take their oath at the Provincial Capitol Gym in Amas, Kidapawan City on Monday. Edge Davao

First smelting plant in PH to rise in Zamboanga Sibugay CSOs voice alarm on chemicals in thermal transaction receipts

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ivil society groups urged government and business sectors to help protect the workers and the public from the adverse effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting and cancer-linked chemicals present in thermal transaction receipts.

Thermal transaction receipts are the ones used in transactions either withdrawals or balance inquiries using automatic-teller-machines and cash registers in grocery stores.

Dr. Won Kim, EDC-Free Asia Project leader said samples obtained from government offices, local and global franchise stores, large supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores, banks, pharmacies and other sources in the cities of Davao, Makati, Manila, Quezon and Taguig were shipped to South Korea for analysis and were found to be laced with high concentration of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS).

“Based on the analysis conducted by the Wonjin

Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, 32 out of the 53 samples from the Philippines have BPA concentrations ranging from .92 to 1.86 percent which is way above the European Union’s limit at .02 percent. 13 out of the 53 samples have .61 to 1.12 percent of Bisphenol S,” he said.

Kim bared that the BPA is classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical and is linked to an array of side effects like diabetes, obesity, increased high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, infertility, other reproductive disorders, breast and prostate cancer.

“There is a need for stronger policies that will protect workers and the society as a whole from toxic chemicals, she said.

Lemuel Loyd Manalo, program director of the Interface Development Interventions for Sustainability said the test results are concerning as the data shows that thermal paper

FCSOs, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he groundbreaking ceremony of the first smelting plant in the Philippines on June 18, 2022 is expected to bring down the price of steel and for the country to compete in the steel industry with China.

Led by National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr, entrepreneur Leonardo Fernandez and Nicky Lin, a Chinese investor, the groundbreaking signified that the Philippines will be having its smelting plant that will rise soon in Barangay Sta. Cruz,

Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Through the joint venture of Mount Zynai 0304 Mining Corporation (MZMC) and Chinese firm Shenzhou Investor Corporation, the plant, which will be integrated with a steel mill, aims to produce 1.5

million metric tons (MT) of steel bars and steel products every year.

“This is the first smelting plant because we are processing the ore to steel bars. This is a very important project for the country because when you have the steel plant, you have 1,000 industries that will be created, you have 1,000 factories out of your steel plant because when you have the steel plant somebody will order, you give us the steel for the use of nails, steel

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2021.

Last month, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has tapped reelected Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco as the next secretary of the tourism department.

“It is an honor to serve

as spokesperson for Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, a great leader and a good person. I thank for her trust and confidence in me,” Munsayac said in a text message.

Munsayac and Duterte were classmates in law school. Munsayac

bars,” said Leonardo Fernandez, chairman and chief operating officer of MZMC in an interview.

With the establishment of the steel plant, the country will be able to compete in the steel industry with China.

“China controls 70 percent of the steel industry of the world. Sila yung kumakain ng pinakamlaking ginagamit ng iron so 70 percent of the production control ng China. With the

was the Valedictorian of their law school class and is a practicing lawyer. In 2017, Munsayac assisted her in the establishment of the worldwide aggrupation Tapang at Malasakit.

It was in 2021 when

FFIRST, P10

Sara picks classmate in law school as new spox ice President-elect Sara Duterte tapped her classmate in law school as her new spokesperson.

Lawyer Reynold Munsayac will replace Mayor Christina Frasco as the spokesperson for Duterte starting Tuesday, June 21,

FSARA, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

A metal hanging bridge gives visitors unhampered view of the forest canopy at Cinchona Nature Reserve in Barangay Kaatuan in Lantapan, Bukidnon. The area serves as a nesting place of the Philippine Eagle. Photo taken on Sunday, 19 June 2022. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Oil prices could hit P100 per liter if hikes continue: DOE

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According to Energy Undersecretary Gerardo Erquiza Jr., the increase to P100 per liter is possible, but this is unlikely to happen in a single weekly increase.

“Kung based sa isang dramatic extreme reason, bigla na lang aangat at tataas, hindi naman po (aabot ng P100),” he said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

“Pero ang nangyayari dito, nagpapatong patong

patong, may posibilidad ‘yan kung tuloy tuloy na bawat araw, bawat linggo ay tumataas. Pero ‘yung biglaan ho ang pag-angat at pagtaas ng P100, ‘yun ho ay hindi naman mangyayari most likely,” he added.

(If the price will suddenly increase due to one dramatic extreme reason, it will not hit P100. But what is happening here is a compounded mix of factors, it is possible if price increases

will continue everyday, every week. But the suddenly increase to P100, that is unlikely to happen.)

Oil firms announced a price increase that will take effect on Tuesday — gasoline by P0.80, diesel

by P3.10, and kerosene by P1.70 — marking the third straight week of increases.

The latest data available from the Department of Energy indicate that the yearto-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P28.70 per liter for gasoline, P41.15 per liter for diesel, and kerosene by P4.85 per liter as of June 14, 2022.

Oil firms announced a price increase that will

home improvement and construction supply retailer is optimistic about its prospects under the new administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on the back of increasing renovation and construction activities as lockdowns amid the pandemic ease.

In a virtual press briefing Monday, Wilcon Depot Inc. senior executive vice president and chief operating officer Rosemarie Ong said the construction sector

is “really very alive and active now”, and this trend is expected to continue during the incoming Marcos administration.

“Many of the construction (activities) have been going back already. We are seeing a lot of activities, especially institutional and even private construction, so we are really seeing ramps in demand,” she said.

Ong said construction activities have been disrupted by the pandemic during the past years.

“Hopefully, it will continue and there will be no more disruptions in the coming months so that we will end the year on a high note,” she added. “And we have seen how the economy recovered (and) even for retail, more so with the home improvement. That has been very resilient during the past years because we are considered essential also.”

Wilcon Depot president Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said aside from home im-

ump prices of petroleum products could hit P100 per liter should the weekly increases continue due to a mix of factors, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday.

take effect on Tuesday — gasoline by P0.80, diesel

by P3.10, and kerosene by P1.70 — marking the third straight week of increases.

The latest data available from the Department of Energy indicate that the yearto-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P28.70 per liter for gasoline, P41.15 per liter for diesel, and kerosene by P4.85 per liter as of June 14, 2022.

Data from the agency also show that gasoline prices in Metro Manila have reached as high as P91.90, diesel to as high as P94.90 per liter, and kerosene as high as P97.34 as of June 14, 2022.

provement, people now also allocate a budget for travel with the easing of movement restrictions.

“I think there is also a bit of revenge tourism, especially local tourism because it is still a bit difficult to travel. So in that aspect, we also have our customers who build-up or upgrade their resorts, their restaurants.

There are also a lot of (people) going out to eat, going out to different places locally so I think that will also help us,” she said.

Payments digitalization shift to lower demand for currencies

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ayment system digitalization is expected to lower demand for physical currencies and this will reduce cost for banknotes and coins production, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In a virtual briefing on Monday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the emergence of contactless payment technology has revolutionized the retail payment system.

“The use of banknotes and coins is expected to taper off over time, particularly the low denomination currencies,” he said.

Diokno said the BSP, be-

ing the sole currency issuer in the country, ensures the timely and ample supply of good and quality paper bills and coins in the most cost-effective and efficient way.

He said the BSP has also teamed up with several counterparts overseas to compare notes, such as on currency forecasting.

Diokno said the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) on Jan. 8, 2020 approved the BSP’s forecasting framework, which utilizes econometric models that link a set of macroeconomic variables with currency management variables.

ir passengers are expected to hit 83 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year and the aviation industry’s return to profit is “within reach” in 2023, the International Air Transport Association said on Monday.

“Airlines are resilient.

People are flying in ever greater numbers. And cargo is performing well against a backdrop of growing economic uncertainty,” IATA director-general Willie Walsh

said in an upgraded industry forecast for 2022.

The air industry was sent reeling by the pandemic, with passenger numbers plunging 60 percent in 2020 and remaining 50 percent down in 2021. Airlines lost nearly $200 billion over two years.

While some firms in the sector went bankrupt, others—backed often by states— have emerged from the pandemic with profits intact.

Construction supply retailer Global air passengers to reach upbeat on biz prospects 83% of ‘19 levels this year: IATA A A

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

ECONOMY

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A meat vendor makes chorizo at a stall inside Agdao Public Market in Davao City. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has upgraded South Cotabato zoning status red or infected area following the emergence of confirmed African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in the last three months in at least two municipalities. Edge Davao

Korean firm invests P756M for cassava-based project in PH Gov’t reserves parcels of land for IT centers, industrial park

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utgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte has issued three new proclamations reserving parcels of land for Information Technology (IT) centers and an industrial park.

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1391 creating and designating a building and the parcel of land located along 1 Theater Drive, Circuit, Barangay Carmona, Makati City as an IT center. “...I, Rodrigo Roa Duter-

te, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby create and designate a building, with a gross floor area of 83,824 square meters, more or less, and the parcel of land upon which the building stands, located along 1 Theater Drive, Circuit, Barangay Carmona, Makati City, as an Information Technology Center to be known as the Circuit Corporate Center 1…” the proclamation read.

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he Board of Investments (BOI) reported Monday that Daesang Philippines, Inc. is investing PHP756.24 million in a project that will benefit local cassava farmers.

Daesang is putting up a tapioca starch manufacturing facility in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, which will start its operation by January 2023. It will hire some 492 workers.

The facility is expected to produce 33,000 tons of tapioca starch and 4,446 tons of tapioca residue annually “Daesang’s project will increase the cassava starch production capacity of the

Philippines by 9 percent from 370,000 metric tons to 403,000 metric tons,” the BOI said.

Tapioca is an extract from cassava roots. Tapioca starch and modified starch are used as raw materials for the food and beverage industry. This is also an emerging material for different industrial applications like polylactic acid commonly used for biodegradable

plastic films, bottles, and medical devices.

Tapioca residues, the by-product of cassava starch processing, are utilized for animal feeds.

As the manufacturing plant will need 500 tons of fresh cassava per day, Daesang located its project in the country’s second-largest producing region, which is Northern Mindanao.

This opens an opportunity for local cassava farmers to supply Daesang’s requirements.

Trade Secretary and BOI chairman Ramon Lopez said the new project is “making strides in modernizing our

country’s agriculture sector”.

Lopez said Daesang’s investment in the Philippines is a product of closer economic ties between Manila and Seoul, as the two governments are working on the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

“This is a breakthrough project for it reflects the strengthened economic partnership between the Philippines and South Korea, as we are on the path to finalizing the free trade agreement. We in the Board Investments, therefore, invite more Korean firms to invest here in the Philippines,” he added. (PNA)

ARTA officer-in-charge Ernesto Perez said the PBH is the “best platform” for all business-related government information and transactions, such as securing a business permit, licenses, and clearances.

Perez encouraged those who would register their businesses -- be it a company, sole proprietorship, or cooperative -- to use the PBH, as this is a centralized platform that bridges various processes

in different government offices.

While promoting streamlining and digitization in the government, this also helps in eliminating the long queues in government agencies in processing business-related documents.

“When you start a business, you want to start good,” Perez said.

“What we can do but really to provide for the right environment for those people.”

DTI transitioning with over P500B One-step, 7 days biz registration investment leads to next admin now possible via PH Business Hub

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday the agency will turn over more than PHP500 billion worth of prospective investments to the next administration.

Lopez told reporters that these investment leads could be realized in the next 18 months.

“These are actual pledges already. (These are) in various stages of preparation (like) site

identification, company registration, (and) IPA (investment promotion agency) application,” he said in a Viber message.

Lopez cited that these investment leads are from sectors of manufacturing, shipbuilding, agribusiness, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, information technology and business process management, and logistics.

He added that the main drivers for compa-

nies in investing in the country include the robust post-pandemic recovery and growth, market size, and young and competent workforce.

The economic reforms of the Duterte administration, particularly the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Public Service Act, were recently enacted into law, as well as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law.

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rom 13 steps and a processing time of 33 days, starting a business in the country can be done in one step within seven days through the Philippines Business Hub (PBH).

This, as the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and other government agencies launched the PBH, a revamp of the Central Business Portal (CBP).

During the PBH launch at the Quezon City Hall,

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

On the projected groundbreaking for the P19 billion Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project targeted to take place in July:

We are working hard in this direction. I’m expecting it to take place next month in July.

I think the embassy, consulate general, and Chinese companies would come together with the Philippine partners to start our groundbreaking at an early date. You might have already known this around 10 days ago my Ambassador has signed the agreement of the loan with the Secretary of Finance.”

Chinese Consul General Li Lin

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH When then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 183 s. 1993, it paved the way for the observance of June as National No Smoking Month in the country.

The aim of the presidential proclamation was to raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit.

Leading the celebration is the Department of Health (DOH).

This year, the DOH in collaboration with Vital Strategies and Smoke-free Philippines, launched a campaign rallying for smokefree beaches, parks, and tourist destinations.

“It is timely to shed light on the harms of tobacco to the environment,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III. “To further strengthen our campaign against the use of tobacco, we have included this initiative to protect our beaches, parks, and tourist destinations from the environmental ill-effects of this product.

“With this,” the health secretary continued, “we hope to further raise awareness and create new areas of impact in our overall effort to ensure the health of the Filipino people.”

Tobacco smoking is one of the world’s largest health problems.

According to the Global Burden of Disease – a major study on the causes and risk factors for death and disease published in the medical journal The Lancet – more than 8 million people died prematurely as a result of smoking in 2017.

At least 15% of global deaths are attributed to smoking, the global study found out. In some countries, it’s more than 1-in-5 deaths. Smoking deaths typically affect older populations; more than half of deaths occurred in people over 70 years old; 93% were over 50 years.

History records showed tobacco being introduced in the Philippines in the late 16th century during the era of Spanish colonization when the Augustinians brought cigar tobacco seeds to the colony for cultivation. In 1686, William Dampier visited Mindanao and observed that smoking was already a widespread custom.

A report by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance in 2014 showed the Philippines has about 17 million smokers – or nearly a third of the adult population. Nearly half of all Filipino men and 9% of women smoke.

The study said the habit costs the economy nearly $4 billion a

year in healthcare and productivity losses.

If you smoke, there’s no way you can escape from its consequences. “Tobacco is a known or probable cause of some 25 different diseases,” the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds.

Among the major diseases tobacco brings to people who smoke are lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema. Tobacco consumption has been explicitly linked to high incidence and gravity of cardiac disease.

The reason why cigarettes harm nearly every organ of the body is due to the toxins it contains. The United Nations health agency says there are some 4,000 known chemicals in tobacco smoke “When burned, cigarettes create more than 7,000 chemicals,” the American Lung Association states. “At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are toxic. Many of these chemicals are also found in consumer products but these products have warning labels. (But) there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke.”

Among the chemicals found in tobacco smoke and where these are also found: acetone (found

in nail polish remover), acetic acid (an ingredient in hair dye), ammonia (a common household cleaner), arsenic (used in rat poison), benzene (found in rubber cement and gasoline), butane (used in lighter fluid), and cadmium (active component in battery acid).

Here are more chemicals: carbon monoxide (released in car exhaust fumes), formaldehyde (embalming fluid), lead (used in batteries), naphthalene (an ingredient in mothballs), methanol (a main component in rocket fuel), nicotine (used as an insecticide), tar (material for paving roads), and toluene (used to manufacture paint).

“Smoking causes addiction to nicotine, a stimulant drug that is in tobacco,” says the website medlineplus.gov. “Nicotine addiction makes it much harder for people to quit smoking.”

That’s why if you haven’t started smoking, don’t do it! If you do, quit the habit before it’s too late.

“Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of health problems,” medlineplus.gov says. “The earlier you quit, the greater the benefit.”

“Some people can quit smoking just like that and suffer no side effects,” wrote Dr. Willie T. Ong, author of several books on

health. “However, for others, it can be a difficult process.”

Dr. Ong cited three factors responsible for the difficulty in quitting. “Knowing these factors will help you prepare yourself for the quitting process,” he said.

The factors were: (1) the number of cigarettes being smoked each day, (2) the people who smoke around the person who wants to quit, and (3) the real reason why the person smokes. “It could be due to peer pressure or for weight control,” Dr. Ong said of the latter.

“If you really want to quit smoking, you must identify the situations that trigger you to smoke, and do your best to avoid them,” Dr. Ong suggested.

As smoking is one of the world’s largest health problems, many countries have already introduced laws to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke in public places. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, a former smoker, bans smoking in public places.

The ban carries a maximum penalty of four months in jail and a fine of P5,000 pesos, both for indoor and outdoor smoking. It also covers existing bans on tobacco advertisements, promotions or sponsorship.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

TRIBAL DIVIDE: LINGUISTICS OR ETHNOLOGY Depending on sources, Mindanao is claimed to host eighteen major tribes: Subanen, B’laan, T’boli, Mandaya, Mansaka, Tiruray, Higaonon, Manobo, Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Obu, Banwaon, Kalagan, Dibabawon, Talaandig, Mamanwa and Manguangan.

For its part, Davao City recognizes eleven groups as “tribes.” Categorized as indigenous clusters are the Bagobo-Klata, Ata, Obu-Manuvu, Matigsalog, and Tagabawa while clustered as ‘Moros’ are the Tausug, Maguindanaoan, Iranun, Kagan, Maranao, and Sama. The classiications, however, need a revisit and should be subject to more academic debates.

Iranun and Maranao, for instance, should be fused because they are one and the same.

Historian James F. Warren of Murdoch University (Australia)

has made an extensive study on this. On the other hand, the Sama tribe, which is restrictive, should be expanded to Sama-Bajau.

In the case of indigenous factions, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples classifies the Bagobo as a major tribe, making the Tagabawa, Clata (Guiangan), and Obu its subgroups. In efect, the city should only have two principal tribes and five primary Moro groups.

Stripped of redundancy, the final listing of tribes present in the city should include only the Tausug, Maguindanao, Iranun-Maranao, Kagan, Sama-Bajau, Bagobo, and Matigsalog.

All other indigenous groups, for obvious reason, should be classified as subtribes or subgroups.

Classifying indigenous peo-

ples (Moro and Lumad) should not be left in the hand of bureaucrats and politicians. A thorough understanding of how socio-linquistic groups operate should be measured, among others, using the gradations of linquistics and ethnology.

Ethnology is defined as ‘the study of the characteristics of various peoples and the diference and relationships between them’ as opposed to ethnography, which is ‘the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures.’

On the other hand, linguistics is described as the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics.”

Andrew F. Gallman, in his dissertation “Proto-South-East Mindanao and Its Internal Relationship’ (1979), studies the

original sounds or phonology of several indigenous languages and their relation to each other dating to roughly 2,500 years ago. In particular, he delves into the data on the dispersal of Mandaya dialects in various areas of the eastern seaboard of Davao region.

He writes that four Mandaya dialects “are spoken to the north, east, and south of the (territories populated by) Mansakas’ For the Mandayan-Maragusan dialect, he got his data from Maragusan Valley, Davao Oriental, south of the Mansakas, while his facts on Mandayan-Kabasagan dialect came from Kabasaga, Boston area, northeast of the Mansaka region.

On the other hand, he gathered his information on Mandayan-Boso data originated from Boso, Mati, Davao Oriental, south of the Mansaka do-

main.

The role of linguistics in classifying tribes is significant. Experts in the field use lexicostatistical studies as foundation for an in-depth appreciation of how languages evolved. But more importantly, they conduct detailed probes of sound shifts and grammatical structures in establishing the scientific grouping of languages and dialects, which are helpful in cataloging tribes.

In David Thomas and Alan Healey’s Some Philippine Language Subgroupings: A Lexicostastistical Study’ (1962), the split of Philippine languages occurred some 700 B.C. But it was not around 100 B.C. that the Southern Philippine Family split resulted in the rise of at least nine branches. Mansaka and Kalagan languages belong to this break-up.

8

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

J & J PHILIPPINES CONTINUES TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF HEALTH

BY CHAMPIONING WOMEN AND MOTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY Manila, Philippines – The mission of the global Johnson and Johnson organization is to change the trajectory of healthcare. Here, in the Philippines, Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. (J & J Philippines) has made it its mission to help make healthcare more accessible and encourage better health among Filipinos of all ages and life stages. Central to encouraging this world of well among Filipino families are mothers who very often are its nerve center, who provide nurturing and care as she ensures that brighter future for her family.

Understanding this, J&J Philippines ensures that helping empower mothers to help shape healthier families is given focus each year, both in the workplace and through partnerships with individuals and organizations that are instrumental to success.

For decades, J&J Philippines has offered innovative products that address various delicate skin concerns of babies, demonstrating their proper use through initiatives such as The Baby First Bath Program where mothers are educated to choose the right products

for their babies in order to ensure optimal development of their newborn’s skin, combined with touch therapy for their overall development. Through an ongoing partnership with the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP) and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), frontliners are educated on caring for baby’s delicate skin. Last year, the program reached over 308,000 births or 29% of the estimated 1.05 million births in the Philippines and intends to reach 240,000 births in 2022.

On Mother’s Day this year, J&J Philippines celebrated mothers everywhere through #DiKaNagiisa, a campaign that communicates how motherhood knows no age, gender, status, and race, but is defined by the immeasurable love for their children. Central to the campaign was a video which tugs at the heart strings, featuring a diverse set of mothers singing a lullaby to their child. J&J Philippines’ ambassador Anne Curtis-Heussaff led partner Mombassadors and J&J’s own female employees in sharing the celebratory

Mothers’ Day video on their social media assets along with their own renditions of the lullaby.

Core to J&J Philippines’ commitment to be a trusted partner of mothers across the country beyond events such as Mother’s Day, is the Johnson’s Mombassador Program which connects with Filipino moms to educate and inspire, establish a deep sense of connection and understanding of the multi-

ple challenges motherhood brings, as well as provide more information on the science and innovation behind JOHNSON’S® baby products that live up to its pure, mild, and gentle promise.

Brand-hosted eCommerce and Facebook live sessions such as those recently held by both JOHNSON’S® baby and Aveeno Baby have been successful in connecting with consumers through partnerships with eCom-

rales, senior director of SPI’s Group Sales.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen most, if not all of you, and there really is nothing quite like celebrating our small and big wins in person,” she added, underscoring the critical role real estate agents played in keeping the industry afloat during the pandemic.

Under the Shang Broker Ambassadors Circle, top sales performers will be honored every quarter and welcomed into the exclusive club, where they get to enjoy premium perks and experiences. SPI also opened the institutional recognition program to all accredited external brokers subject to

terms and conditions.

“We pay tribute to our partnership—stronger than ever and ready to power through a brighter 2022,” added Morales.

By all indications, real estate agents should gear up for a busier property market this year as the Philippine economy started opening up.

The office market alone, which bore the brunt of lengthy lockdowns and business closures, has finally turned a corner this year as pandemic restrictions eased and vaccination rates improved, allowing more businesses to reopen and a major bulk of the workforce to return to their offices.

For the first time in seven quarters, property consulting firm Colliers reported a positive take-up in office spaces in major business districts this year, with demand coming from traditional companies from the legal, engineering, construction, government and flexible workspace sectors, and the business process outsourcing companies.

But vacancy will continue to increase within the year with the completion of 821,900 square meters of new office space, mostly in the Bay Area, Ortigas and Makati CBD, Colliers projected.

SHANG PROPERTIES INC. CELEBRATES AGENTS, BROKERS WITH LAUNCH OF AN ELITE CLUB FOR TOP PERFORMERS

Celebrating the people behind the company’s resilience and the small and big wins it achieved in the past years, Shang Properties Inc. (SPI) recently gathered its brokers for the first ever Shang Broker Ambassadors Circle Appreciation Event.

The highlight of the inaugural affair held on May 20 at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City was the launch of the Shang Broker Ambassadors Circle, a recognition program meant to create a high-performance culture and healthy competition among brokers and to incentivize partners who go beyond standard quotas.

In unveiling the elite members-only initiative,

SPI executives lauded brokers for the extraordinary lengths they went through to deliver and thrive, guiding homebuyers find personalized and safe spaces amid industry disruptions and difficulties brought about by the pandemic.

Special Broker Awardees for the first trimester of the year were recognized at the event in a simple ceremony, which culminated in a party and a round of raffle draws.

“We are very pleased to have you here today as we extend our utmost gratitude to all of our brokers for withstanding the challenges we faced and for transcending boundaries with us despite erratic times,” said Rose Mo-

LEFT TO RIGHT: Robin Hwan (Broker Manager, Aurelia Residences), Jose Juan Jugo (Executive Vice President, Shang Properties, Inc.), Maribeth Chua-Lao (Representative of Conquer & Capitalize, Inc. - Top 2 Awardee for Aurelia Residences), Kitine Jorda and Caren Pestana (Representatives of 8 Infinity Realty Dev’t Inc. - Top 1 Awardee for Aurelia Residences), Adrian Rhaperty Chua (Top 2 Broker Awardee for Shang Properties, Inc.), Tracey & Rafael Nieto (Top 1 Broker Awardees for Shang Properties, Inc.), Rose Morales (Senior Director, Group Sales, Shang Properties, Inc.), Joseph Brimer (Sales Director for Broker Channels, Shang Properties, Inc.)

merce platforms. With the participation of medical experts and real moms, these Facebook live sessions have tackled numerous product-related questions, tips about motherhood and caring for baby, as well as busted myths related to baby care.

“J&J Philippines has a long-standing commitment to helping women thrive.

Special focus is given to mothers who are responsible for nurturing and caring for

their families and children.

Beyond the partnerships and programs that we pursue nationwide, we also empower our very own mothers in our own workplace. Across our organization, we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees and support them through various programs in fulfilling their responsibilities to their families,” shares Rezel Aquino, J&J Philippines Marketing Director.

Key initiatives focused on empowering mothers within the J&J Philippines workplace include those geared toward personal and work advancement; a Breast Milk Shipping Program for mothers who are on business travel; Employee Assistance Programs; Lactation Rooms for breastfeeding moms; a Child Care Center; Mommy Exercises at the Live for Life Gym; and various educational tools and information through the J&J Website and babycenter.com.

“As the J&J Philippines Mothers’ Day campaign communicates, Wala sa dugo ang pagiging nanay, kung hindi sa pagmamahal na tunay. By putting moms at the center of how we operate through all these years, we continue to listen and learn from them to understand how we can better support them in their roles. We embrace that mothers are the catalysts for a healthier world, and we are committed to help provide them with the right tools, products and information that will help them thrive,” adds Rezel Aquino.

Celebrate Diversity and Equality at Enchanted Kingdom!

Celebrate diversity and equality as we welcome everyone for an unforgettable PRIDE experience this month of June at Enchanted Kingdom, the country’s first and only worldclass theme park!

Enjoy endless memories with our Magic of EKquality promo. Get one Regular Day Pass for only P850 bundled with a FREE glow stick. Book your tickets until July 3 and enjoy your visit from June 3 – July 31, 2022 at the EK Online Store https://shop.enchantedkingdom.ph/.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

ENVIRONMENT

9

An adult pawikan released after being taken cared of.

WHERE HAVE ALL OUR MARINE TURTLES GONE? Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I

actually live near the area but this is my first time hearing that there is an (ecological park) in the middle of the city. I am amazed that we still have environmental sites that students can visit face-toface,” Ala, a Grade-12 student from Emar Human Environmental College, Inc. “I realized how careless some people are with their trash, not knowing that it will eventually end up in our seas,” she continued.

“Improper waste disposal has such a big effect on the creatures living in the sea, no matter how small the size of the trash is.”

Ala shared her views after hearing the story of the rescued pawikan named Agdao, who died after ingesting plastic. It was turned over to the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park but the veterinarians were unable to save the pawikan.

Ala is one of the 18 senior high school students from Davao City who joined the recent PawiCAMP held at sitio Punta Dumalag in Matina, Aplaya. PawiCAMP is an annual day camp dedicated to the protection and preservation of pawikan.

The island of Punta Dumalag is a nesting ground for marine turtles, locally known as pawikan.

The 2-kilometer stretch

of white sand peninsula is part of the 37-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) that was established through Council Resolution No. 02504-03. Swimming is not allowed in the area.

The Aboitiz Group, which owns eight hectares in the southeastern portion of the island; the total land area is about 37 hectares.

As its corporate responsibility, they decided to convert the place into a biodiversity learning center, which would be managed by its subsidiary, the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC).

They called it Aboitiz Cleanergy Park. As a rescue center facility for the endangered pawikan, it works in tandem with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government unit of Davao.

“Our aim is to influence the youth and the community to be environmentally aware and to protect en-

Eggs and fetus of marine turtles as exhibited at Aboitiz Cleanergy Park.

dangered species like the sea turtles. We also conduct annual mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities as well as seminars with other institutions and the MOHSG participants,” said Glenn Robledo, Vice President for Community Development of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao, Inc. JCI Davao is a long-time partner of Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in organizing the annual PawiCAMP. “This is part of our support to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (14), which aims to conserve life below water,” Robledo added.

Marine turtles are among those creatures that live below water. They belong to the order Chelonia, an order of reptiles that has existed and flourished since

prehistory with very little change in their basic structure.

Of the eight species of marine turtles known to man, five of them can be found in the Philippines.

These are the Green Sea (known in the science world as Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Leatherback (Dermocheyls coriacea).

The three others, which cannot be found in the country, are the Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), Flatback (Chelonia depressa), and Black Sea (Chelonia agassizi).

Unfortunately, all eight species are listed under the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species

Aboitiz Cleanergy Park is where caught marine turtles are placed for recuperation before releasing them into the seas.

of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means the trade of these species and subspecies is strictly “prohibited except for educational, scientific or research and study purposes.”

The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has also classified the eight species as endangered. This is so because “their populations are in danger of ex-

tinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate.”

The Philippines is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and implements the Pawikan Conservation Project nationwide through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of

FWHERE, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO LONG ... FROM2

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed a P19.32-billion contract with a Chinese firm for the design and construction of the bridge.

Once completed, the bridge, which is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km, is expected to provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between Davao City and Samal Island, improved transportation efficiency, promote internal mobility, and stimulate tourism potential.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte has expressed hopes that the P19 billion Davao-Samal bridge will be realized in three to four years.

She also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration for initiating the project, which is funded by the People’s Republic of China.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Duterte administration dahil they really endeavored na masimulan na ‘yong Davao City connector. And, hopefully, in the next three to four years, we’ll see that bridge will greatly benefit the Island Garden City of Samal and open Davao City as well sa mag interested na pumasyal dito sa areas namin because it will make it very convenient for them na merong bridge diyan,” she told media on Monday.

On the other hand, Duterte also mentioned that Davao City’s big-ticket projects that are currently under development will continue even as she steps down from the Mayoral seat and these include the P74-billion high priority bus system (HPBS) project and the planned

P2.5-billion Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility.

Duterte has taken preliminary measures to ensure the continuation of these projects by issuing directives to Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, who is also the project head of both the HPBS and WTE. “Meron kaming meeting with the one in charge of the HPBS and WTE. I initially gave him instructions to make sure na from the Duterte administration nakikipag-usap na siya doon sa dalawang departments, DENR and DoTr, so that from those offices ma-endorse siya during the transition papunta sa President Marcos na administration. So yon pa lang ‘yong ginanagawa namin sa ngayon. But I will endeavor to push for the two projects in the administration of President Marcos,” she said.

The HPBS project, which aims to provide a cleaner and more convenient intercity transport system in Davao while curbing carbon emissions with the use of hybrid and electric buses, has secured funding from the Asian Development Bank and is currently in its contracts-bidding phase.

The city government of Davao has acquired a property in Biao Escuela in Tugbok District for the WTE facility site. The WTE project was planned through the coordination of Davao City and its sister city Kitakyushu, Japan. This project is the city government’s response to the waste management problem as the city’s landfills are approaching full capacity.

Munsayac

SARA ... FROM3 resigned

as

Commissioner and acting chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to help campaign for Duterte in the vice presidential race in May 9 elections.

The statement from Duterte’s camp said Munsayac’s professional portfolio is highlighted by his unquestionable integrity and dedication to governance and public service, and the Vice President-elect is confident that he will be able to bring this experience to his

FIRST ... FROM3

establishment of the steel plant, the Philippines can lower down the cost of construction. Imagine the cost of bringing the ore to the port, loading the ore to the vessel, vessel going to China at magkano ang freight na magastos mo diyan? Then ginawa nilang (China) steel billets tapos kinarga sa barko, dumating sa Madaum (in Tagum City), inakyat sa Mahayag (in Davao City) at naging steel bars. Imagine the freight costs,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said it is a 60-40 partnership wherein 60 percent for the Filipino capital and 40 percent from the Chinese partner.

“What we are discussing is 60 percent of the production is for the domestic market and 40 percent will be exported,” he said.

Fernandez added that the construction of this one billion US dollar plant will take four years and

VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

WHERE... FROM9

new duty.

Meanwhile, Duterte is grateful for Mayor Frasco’s help in the timely and effective communication of her messages to the Filipinos through the media.

“She was committed to the truthful dissemination of information, and her duty as the spokesperson was marked with intelligence and grace,” it said.

Duterte wished the incoming Secretary of the Department of Tourism all the best in her new role in nation-building.

the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

But despite sincere efforts by the government and some environmentalist groups to save marine turtles from becoming extinct in this part of the world, the decimation of the endangered species continues unabated.

“All of the species found in our country are endangered except for the Hawksbill which is critically endangered,” said Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, founder and director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines (MWWP). “The only sure thing is that marine turtle populations are under tremendous threats and if these are not stopped, extinction is imminent.”

Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources believes so, too. “Unless we, Filipinos, seriously take on the task of protecting the much-endangered marine turtles, these ancient creatures will soon be gone (from our waters),” Haribon, a pioneer of the environmental movement in the Philippines, said in a statement.

Overhunting has been cited as one of the main reasons for the decline of marine turtle population in the country. Since the dawn of history, meat of marine turtles has augmented the diet of man.

Seventeenth century seafaring men used turtles as ship’s provisions – their ability to stay alive for months without food and water ensured a steady supply of fresh meat without storage problems.

Marine turtles are also hunted for their commercial value. In the past, the country was one of the major exporters of turtle by-products, such as turtle wall décor, jewelry pieces, shell-backed guitars, and bags and shoes.

“We can dramatically reduce this demand if we ourselves desist from patronizing these products,” said Haribon.

“Put a stop to the massacre by becoming aware of the plight of marine turtles.”

Aside from overhunting, another factor that endangers the survival of marine turtles is the wanton gathering of marine turtle eggs.

Mistakenly touted as having aphrodisiac prowess, the eggs taste just like boiled chicken eggs.

The degradation of their habitat has also contributed to the decimation of marine turtles in the country. The ruin of the territories results from increased effluent and contamination from coastal development, construction of marinas, increased boat traffic, and harvest of nearshore marine algae resources.

Marine turtles are likewise decimated by plastics.

About 20% – or half a million tons – of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste the Philippines generates annually leaks into the oceans, according to the 2015 report on plastic pollution by the Ocean Conservancy.

“Plastics endanger marine life and other animals, because they can mistake a piece of plastic for food when it isn’t,” a study pointed out. After eating plastic, they starve and die. Another study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that ingesting even a single piece of plastic can be deadly for these marine animals.

Some years ago, some fishermen found off the coast of barangay 78 in Davao City a dying green sea turtle, which was brought to a non-government organization for treatment. Hours later, it died and American marine biologist Darrell Blatchley found plastic bags which were extracted from the turtle’s stomach.

A report from the Ocean Conservancy ranked the Philippines third (after China and Indonesia) among the countries with the highest source of plastic ocean pollution, generating 1.88 metric tons of mismanaged plastic garbage annually.

The journal Endangered Species Research also reported that marine turtles “being tangled up in lost fishing nets, plastic twine and nylon fishing line, as well as six-pack rings from canned drinks, plastic packaging straps, plastic balloon string, kite string, plastic packaging and discarded anchor line and seismic cable.”

Dr. Brendan Godley, professor of Conservation Science at the University of Exeter and leader of the study, commented: “Plastic rubbish in the oceans… is a major threat to marine turtles.

We found, based on beach strandings, that more than 1,000 turtles are dying a year after becoming entangled up, but this is almost certainly a gross underestimate. Young turtles and hatchlings are particularly vulnerable to entanglement.”

Marine turtles are also being threatened by climate change. “Potential impacts of global warming, such as projected sea level rise, can lead to shoreline erosion of small, low-lying tropical islands,” MWWP says. “Waves running up the shore during storms will wet the nests and increase egg mortalities at rookeries in these small islands, possibly decreasing the overall reproductive success of the marine turtle population.”

Unknowingly, most Filipinos don’t know that tourism may also play a big part in making marine turtles extinct. “Tourism in natural places that does not take into account the effect they have on the environment is the threat,” explained Dr. Yaptinchay. “In the Philippines, where it seems that every inch of our beaches will soon be developed for tourism, this will become a big threat for marine turtles.”

According to Dr. Yaptinchay, development of the coast where buildings are to be constructed will displace marine turtles from one of their most important life cycle habitats, referring to the nesting beach.

“Lights, infrastructure, noise, domestic animals, and pollution will not only disturb those nesting females but also their hatchlings,” he said. “Marine turtles will not nest when disturbed.”

Studies have shown that marine turtles spend most of their life in the sea and get all the things they need there.

They even mate in the sea.

But when the time comes to lay their eggs, the females return to shore, usually in the same place where they were hatched.

“If you imagine a firsttime nester approaching its place of birth, how much do you think of its birth place or nesting beach remains over the last 35-50 years?” Dr. Yaptinchay asked. “I would guess there would be very little space left for it to nest and enough disturbance devel-

oped to shoo it away. We are preventing them from fulfilling their life purpose. For me this is very tragic.”

In some instances, some tourism facilities view marine turtles as attractions.

“This is fine if you view marine turtles from a distance, but most (beach owners) are greedy and would take a turtle and put it in a tank for secured viewing for their guests,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

But what he considered as worrisome is when beach owners would tie the turtle to a tree. “This has happened and is still happening,” deplored Dr. Yaptinchay.

Under sections 27 and 28 of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act, a penalty will be imposed by the DENR to people who are pictured riding, sitting, and tying pawikan in the post. In the past, some resorts located in some islands believed they were helping marine turtles by keeping hatchlings in containers and allowing them to grow for a few months before releasing them into the open sea.

“What they do not realize is that they have just disrupted the whole life cycle of the turtles,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

“Hatchlings are supposed to be in open pelagic waters for the first decade of their lives.

Again, an important phase in their lives is affected.”

Right now, the environment department is intensifying its efforts in protecting the endangered marine turtles from becoming extinct.

“Marine turtles serve as a barometer of our planet’s health,” says the DENR’s Pawikan Conservation Project. “It is possible that in a world in which marine turtles cannot survive may soon become a world in which humans struggle to survive.”

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which regulate fishing in the country and enforce laws that protect the marine species found in the country, urges Filipinos, especially the Davaoeños, to help and support marine wildlife sanctuaries in the country in preserving and protecting the endangered living treasures found underneath the Philippine waters “so that the future generations can still witness the existence of pawikans and to sustain the balance in the ecosystem.”

is expected to be fully operational in 2026. He also said the company will start the site development next month.

Fernandez said the focus of the drilling for the ore exploration and processing will be the 15,000 hectares of property owned by an Indigenous People (IP) community Pigsalabukan Gokom de Bayog in the Municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur where a huge deposit of ore was discovered by the partners of Fernandez.

“We are targeting around 500 million MT of the mineable reserve, when you have 500 million MT of the mineable reserve, you can design for a three million production target and if you have a three million production target it will eat up your 100 hectares land.

Isang daan na ang industrial park mo,” he said.

He said that a thousand

hectares of the remaining property of the IPs under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) will be reserved for agro-forestry, agriculture production, and other community development projects The Mount Zynai Integrated Steel Mill and Smelting Plant is part of the Mount Zynai Industrial Park (MZIP) Project, which is a 15 to 50-hectare industrial complex that will also serve as the administrative and operational center of MZMC as well as for local and foreign locators in the steel manufacturing and downline industries.

MZIP will also house the iron ore crushing facility and industrial laboratory.

“Ang industrial park natin, we designed that around 50 hectares but kaya pa hanggang 100 hectares,” Fernandez said.

Nicky Lin, chairman of Shenzhou Investor Corpo-

ration, said he is looking forward to the success of the partnership.

“Kining maong oportunidad, dili lang Subanen ang makabenepisyo, dili lang taga Diplahan, dili lang taga Zamboanga del Sur, kundili tibuok Region 9 ang makabenepisyo niini.

Dako ang maong pagpasalamat tungod kay wala mi nahimong pakapin kundili kabahin gyud mi sa pag negosyo kay lage ang tanan mining companies anaa sa ancestral domain. Nagpasalamat mi nga dunay ingon ani, transparent na pamaagi sa pag negosyo, ug nagpasalamt mi sa investor. Mao ni ang basehanan tungod sa partnerhsiop sa IP ug sa mining company,” said Timuay lucenio manda of Pigsalabukan Gokom de Bayog.

Fernandez said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Diplahan signed a resolution of no objection to the project.

as the new steel bridge is now serving the area.

For Sitio Mascareg, the residents benefited from 60 solar streetlights to make their night travels easier and safer.

Last year, Davao de Oro received PHP1.3 billion from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) for BDP projects.

At least PHP20 million was earmarked for each of the 65 barangays in the area that were cleared of communist insurgency.

Sitio Manasa chief Medardo Baclaan has acknowledged the government for the projects, noting that despite their place being far and within the valleys, the government never fails to address their needs.

“This is good news for us, our livelihood in the hinterlands will no longer be at risk,” he said.

A hallmark program of

the NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, the BDP forms part of the government’s whole-ofnation approach in fighting the rebellion waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the countryside.

The program aims to eradicate the root causes of the insurgency, poverty, disease, lack of education and opportunities, and social injustice in remote communities across the country identified to have been influenced by the communist ideology.

Uy said under the program of President Rodrigo Duterte’s NTF ELCAC, the 65 former insurgency-hit areas in the province have obtained peace and “are now enjoying the bright future ahead of them.” (PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

11

Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva (left).

PBA Images

Abueva suspended for 1 game T he Philippine Basketball Association has slapped Calvin Abueva with a one-game suspension plus a PHP10,000 fine for his “unsportsmanlike conduct” during the Sunday night game between Magnolia and Ginebra at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The six-foot-three forward was penalized on Tuesday following two technical fouls for his antics on John Pinto, the second of which became a “hot issue” overnight, in which he bumped into Pinto after he was whistled for a foul with 9:15 left in the game.

When he was eject-

ed from the court, Abueva quickly changed clothes upon returning to the dugout and swiftly headed for the exits but not without him being overheard shouting “Japan! Japan!

Bye PBA!” He then took into Instagram his protest about the second technical foul,

saying, “Bigyan ako ng malinis na video kung meron o wala. Kung meron man, aalis ako sa Magnolia kung mali ang tawag na yun (Give me a clean video to see if I did something wrong or not. If I did, I will leave Magnolia if I did wrong).”

Abueva has since de-

leted the post but not without some keen followers taking a screen capture of his rant.

Upon assessment, the penalties have been meted.

Abueva will serve his ban on Friday when the Hotshots battle the Phoenix Fuel Masters also at the MOA Arena. (PNA)

“I’ve been practicing for the past three or four days and have been practicing well. But unfortunately in matches you can’t just not hit certain shots. In the next couple of days hopefully I’ll get the chance to test that and hopefully it will be fine.”

Murray made it through to the third round at Wimbledon last year despite an injury-disrupted preparation.

His form on the grass at Surbiton, where he reached the semi-finals, and Stuttgart has edged the 35-year-old back up to 51 in the world.

And he is confident of performing well at the All England Club, as long as he is not hampered by injury.

“Going into Wimble-

don last year I’d gone in with hardly any proper practice at all, hadn’t really played much in the build-up to it and the fact I got through a few matches was a great effort considering what I was able to do in the build-up,” added Murray.

“I was in a good position against Berrettini as well before the issues so that for me is the biggest thing.

“I practiced really well the last few months and worked on a lot of things with my team. I’m in a good place tennis wise. Physically I do feel good overall, I just unfortunately got this slight injury, which is frustrating.”

Wimbledon begins on June 27. Agence France-Presse

Andy Murray hopeful of being fit for Wimbledon L

Britain’s Andy Murray leaves the court at the end of the men’s singles first round tennis match against Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka on Day 1 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on September 27, 2020. File photo. Anne-Christine Poujoulat, AFP

ONDON -- Andy Murray faces a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon next week, but believes he is in a better position than he was ahead of the championships last year.

The three-time Grand Slam champion was forced to pull out of last week’s tournament at Queen’s due to an abdominal injury suffered in losing the final of the Stuttgart ATP event to Matteo Berrettini.

“The positives are I’ve been able to practice but there are certain shots I’ve not been able to practice, so that has obviously disrupted my preparations. The injury is healing but still not perfect,” said the two-time Wimbledon winner.

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VOL.15 ISSUE 59 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

Go and PSC Chairman Butch President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong ts Training Center project which is Spor e Ramirez break ground the Philippin in sports. Presidential Communipart of the Duterte administration’s legacy cations photo

INCENTIVES FUND

POC to establish incentive trust fund for nat’l athletes

T

he Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will establish an exclusive special incentive trust fund for national athletes who win medals in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympics.

POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced on Monday the creation of the fund after the POC awarded checks representing the body’s incentives to medalists in last month’s Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The POC, Tolentino said, will use as seed money the PHP2 million left from a total PHP13 million sourced from the body’s principal supporters -- Manuel V. Pangilinan’s MVP Sports Foundation, Ramon S. Ang’s San Miguel Corp. and Charlie Gonzales’s Ulticon Builders Inc. “This trust fund is another milestone for the POC, it has never been done before and we are establishing the fund to motivate and inspire our athletes when they compete abroad,” said Tolentino, who also presided over the POC Executive Board meeting at the Knights Templar Hotel.

The POC financial incentives to the Vietnam SEA Games totaled PHP11 million -PHP5.82 million for gold medalists, PHP3.2 million for silver

medalists and PHP1.97 million for bronze medalists.

There were 227 Filipinos who bagged medals in Vietnam - 52 golds, 70 silvers and 105 bronzes.

“All donations from private corporations will automatically go to that incentive trust fund for athletes,” Tolentino said.

POC secretaries general Edwin Gastanes, Bones Floro, Carl Sambrano and auditor Chito Loyzaga and board members Dave Carter and Charlie Ho, as well as Athletes Commission’s Nikko Huelgas attended the meeting with treasurer Cynthia Carrion-Norton, first vice presidents Al Panlilio and Richard Gomez and board members Pearl Managuelod and Dr. Raul Canlas joining online.

MVP Sports Foundation head Jude Turcuato turned over the checks to the medalist athletes including Eumir Marcial, Agatha Wong and Merwin Tan. Individual gold medalists will be receiving PHP100,000 each, PHP30,000 for silver medalist and PHP10,000 for bronze medalist. (PR)