Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 98 | Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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Pulong’s son Rodrigo Duterte II leads aid distribution to fire victims STORY ON PAGE 2

Rodrigo Duterte II, son of Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, leads the distribution of assistance to the victims of Wednesday night’s Punta Dumalag 1 fire at Shanghai gym in Matina Aplaya, Davao City on Friday. The young Duterte represented his father in the said distribution of assistance. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte says his father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is doing fine and enjoying his retirement from politics. Edge Davao

aged.

“Ang nahitabo karon kay mu provide ug food packs, grocery, ug cash assistance for a week ang opisina ni Cong. Pulong once ma finalized na sa

City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),” he said in an interview.

The young Duterte, who is a namesake of his grandfather, former President Rodrigo Duterte, said the friends of his father also donated through the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong (PPP) program.

The office of Rep. Pulong usually extends assistance to the fire and disaster victims not only in Davao City but also in

other provinces.

Some of the fire victims were evacuated in Shanghai gym.

Meanwhile, fire victim Editha Suaybaguio, 71, thanked the city government of Davao for the immediate aid extended to the victims.

Suaybaguio is a resident of the fire-razed area for 53 years “Daghan nami ug nadawat. Salamat sa city government of Davao,” she said.

map to address the learning losses caused by the pandemic and bring us back on track to achieving the global goals on education,” UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said Thursday.

As convenor, Duterte will oversee the so-called “national consultations” and gather stakeholders from across the Philippines

to discuss the pandemic’s impact and sustainable public financing on education, as well as, ways to accelerate progress toward shared education goals.

“In preparation for the Summit, national consultations will be undertaken to develop a shared vision, commitment, and alignment of action across constituencies to transform education

between now and 2030,” UN Philippines said.

“As national convenor, Vice President Duterte will lead the national consultations and ensure that consultations are intersectoral and multisectoral, inclusive and results-oriented,” it added.

It said the national consultations are expected to come up with a “solid” Phil-

ippine statement for the summit.

The TES, to be held during the 77th UN General Assembly, is being convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and to maximize public awareness and engagement.

According to the in-

By MAYA M. PADILLO odrigo Duterte II, who represented his father Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, led the distribution of assistance to the victims of Wednesday’s fire in Punta Dumalag Uno in Matina Aplaya, Davao City at Shanghai Gym on Friday.

Based on the initial count from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao (BFP-Davao), a total of 174 families were affected in the fire and 124 houses were totally dam-

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alaingod Municipal Mayor Jonnie Libayao intends to prioritize programs and projects which his constituents express as their needs.

In a brief press conference during the recent founding anniversary celebration of Talaingod, Libayao made a candid statement that he had no specific priorities, but he would be giving utmost consideration to those that his constituents need.

“Ani sya; wala ko’y priority. Kung unsay kinahanglan sa tao, mao nay akung priority (I have no priorities. What the people need is my priority), he said.

Offhand, he had monitored the common need for a road network especially to the far-flung Ata-Manobo communities, economic opportunities and livelihood, and water system.

He noted as “a waste of money and resources” if the local government would be identifying projects which would not fit with what the constituents actually need.

Talaingod lies at the border with the province

Pulong’s son Rodrigo Duterte II leads aid distribution to fire victims

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Talaingod mayor to prioritize expressed needs of people of Bukidnon. Estimated to cover 65,683 hectares, the town is landlocked and mountainous. It only has three barangays of Dagohoy, Palma Gil and Sto Nino with an estimated population of about 28,000 majority of whom are Ata-Manobo.

“Sa sitio ug diin sa mga barangay, kung unsay gusto ninyo nga matabang sa gobyerno diri, so mao gyud kini atong i-hatag. Mao na atong gina himo. Bout pasabot, sayang ang kwarta sa gobyerno kung kita’y mag buot mga opisyal (In the villages and in the barangays, what you want the government to provide, that would be what we give. That means, it would be a waste of money if we, the officials, would be the one, deciding.), he said.

Libayao conveyed gratitude to Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib for opening up roads in far-flung areas but he said a number of villages in Talaingod have yet to be connected through roads.

He mentioned some villages such as sitio Pongpong,

ternational body, it offers an opportunity for inclusive, networked, and effective global dialogue on the types of coordinated actions needed to reverse the slide in progress toward Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 (quality education) following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that disrupted classes globally. (PNA)

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Sara named PH convenor for int’l educ conference

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ice President and Education chief Sara Duterte was named as the Philippines’ convenor for the United Nations Transforming Education Summit (TES) on September 19 in New York.

“I am optimistic that with Vice President Sara Duterte as national convenor, the Philippines will chart a strategy and road-

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NEWS

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City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude says during this week’s I-Speak media forum that 21 intersections will be closed from traffic for the Indak-Indak and Pamulak sa Kadayawan float parade. Edge Davao

Mayor Baste to talk to national agencies on HPBS, WTE projects 10 dead, 4 injured in Gensan road mishap

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ine persons died and five others were injured in a horrifying three-vehicle pileup here on Thursday afternoon, August 4.

The crash involved a cargo truck, a pickup truck and a utility van filled with passengers travelling home to this city from a team-building activity in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

The collision left a ghastly sight of mangled

bodies, twisted metals and the injured strewn all over the national highway in Purok 4, Batomelong, this city.

Police identified the fatalities as cargo truck driver Cesar Andaya, Noel Podadera, driver of the commuter van and its passengers Lalaine Joy Labang, Mylene Donaldo, Carlo Advincula, Regie Pag-ong, Ryan Jay Niñez, Salvacion Masugbod and Alfredo N. Abatayo.

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TF Davao intercepts illegal firearms in Bunawan, Sirawan checkpoints

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ask Force Davao in coordination with the Davao City Police Office on Thursday, August 4 arrested individuals possessing illegal firearms in different fixed AFP-PNP checkpoints of Davao City.

At 10:00am, the authorities apprehended a certain Mr. Rhendel Roba Yu, 38 years old, married, a resident of Purok 15, San Vicente Panabo City onboard a white Multicab bearing plate number MAK5784 at the Lasang checkpoint.

Yu was busted carrying a Taurus Cal .380 pistol with serial number KKD44335A, and magazine loaded with three live ammunitions.

Earlier around 3:20am, the troops assigned at the Sirawan checkpoint accosted a certain Sabila H. Sampayan, 50 years old, married and a resident of Purok Awal ,San Vicente Extension, Cotabato City, onboard a gray Innova bearing plate number NEN 2613 traveling towards Davao City.

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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his best to convince the national agencies as the said projects are significant as the city is getting bigger and becoming more progressive.

“I will do my best na to make the national agencies that we really need these projects for the city ug kini

atomg kinahanglan kay progressive ta ug gadako ta kinhangalan ma address amg problema sa traffic ug solid waste management nato kinahanglan gyud ug support,” he said.

Duterte has vowed to fast-track the completion of HPBS during his inaugural speech.

HPBS is a city government of Davao project that aims to shift from public utility jeepneys to bus systems to address the growing transportation demand and reduce traffic congestion. It aims to provide safe,

convenient, sustainable, and efficient public transportation for all.

Meanwhile, the city government of Davao started exploring WTE as a waste management option about four years ago as the existing sanitary landfill near full capacity.

In March this year, former Mayor now Vice President Sara Duterte reported that the city government of Davao was able to partner with DENR and secured P740 million of the needed P3.5 billion to supplement the available Japanese grant.

will be closed. These are based on the parade route provided by the City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO).

The 21 intersections that will be closed are the ones leading to Roxas Boulevard for Pichon Street: the corners of Bolton, Anda, and Pelayo; for Mabini: Aurora Quezon, Padre Gomez, Pag-asa, and Padre Faura as well as the corners of Ramon Magsaysay and Camus

Streets.

The closure will start along Jacinto corner Aurora, Pag-asa, Corner Padre Gomez, Corner Padre Faura then Zamora Street.

“Regulated sila kay kung dili mu-cross diretso sa Roxas so pwede sila makasulod pero kutob ra sila didto,” Abude said during this week’s I-Speak media forum.

The identified areas for the “Indak-Indak” exhibi-

tion are Veterans Rotunda located on the corner of C. Bangoy St., Ramon Magsaysay Ave., and Roxas Ave; the corner near Apo View and San Pedro Square.

Abude said a total of 937 CTTMO personnel will be deployed throughout the duration of the Kadayawan activities.

The CTTMO forms part of the integrated safety and security plan for Kadayawan. By Maya M. Padillo

ayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte vowed to talk and ask for support to the national agencies for Davao City’s major projects namely Waste-to-Energy ( WTE) and High Priority Bus System (HPBS).

“Mangayo ta ug support didto sa atoang national agencies. In fact next week muadto ko didto ug mangutana ko kung kaya ba nila suportahan labi na ang HPBS ug WTE kay mga nindot gyud ni nga mga projects,” Duterte said.

Duterte promised to do

CTTMO to implement expanded regulated closures on Kadayawan

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he City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will implement expanded regulated closures of roads and routes for the celebration of Kadayawan sa Davao which kicks off on August 15, 2021.

CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said 21 intersections from traffic for the Indak-Indak and Pamulak sa Kadayawan float parade

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A store attendant prepares a Korean soup dish for customers at the Davao StrEat Food Park along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Friday. The area is fast becoming destination for Dabawenyo food lovers due to its wide array of food choices. Edge Davao

Bamboo as mix of soapmaking used in DavNor

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oap-making technology using bamboo has been introduced to two municipalities in Davao del Norte by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) of the Department of Science and Technology.

As guest of the recent episode of the radio program Sayron Ta! Pakigsayod, Davao del Norte Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Director Judy Donna Nueva Ecija said FPRDI conducted the bamboo soap-making

on March 25 and 26, 2022 with bamboo planters from the municipalities of Asuncion and Sto. Tomas.

She said 30 individual bamboo planters of Barangay Binancian in Asuncion, and 30 also from Sto Tomas were trained on this tech-

nology using small pieces and chopped off parts of bamboos burned into charcoal and made as the primary ingredient of an anti-bacterial soap.

FPRDI partners to this training were the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), she said.

“Pwede sila maghimo sa sabon kay mapalit lang man ang ubang ingredient sa sabon, pwede sab nilang ibaligya ang charcoal.

(They can made the soap themselves as soap ingredients can be purchased or they can sell the charcoal),” she said highlighting the added value to chopped off bamboo pieces as waste materials of bamboo furniture-making.

Nueva Ecija also put emphasis on the anti-bacterial properties of bamboos saying “this is supported with studies by the FPRDI.” Nueva Ecija revealed that introducing the bamboo soap-making technol-

PCCI’s General Membership Meeting at Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City, Romualdez also committed to hold consultations with the PCCI regarding the priority legislative agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as outlined in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Majority of the prior-

ity measures spelled out

by President Marcos in his SONA are principally authored by no less than your House Speaker so I expect my fellow legislators to act on these bills with dispatch.

In fact, I am hopeful that we can approve most of these measures before the year ends,” Romualdez said.

He encouraged the business organization to

make its position very clear on these issues, as he vowed to hear all relevant stakeholders before passing these important bills.

“One thing I assure you, though. As stakeholders, you will be consulted in every measure that we tackle especially those involving commerce and industry,” he said.

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House assures passage of bills related to commerce, industry before year-end

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peaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday assured the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, that the House of Representatives will act on the Marcos administration’s priority bills related to commerce and industry before the year ends.

In his speech during

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Value chain opens doors to global market for SMEs

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he Department of Trade and Industry has seen the opportunities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Davao Region to take part in the business and trade in the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA) by increasing their participation in the value chain .

Guesting in one of the editions of the radio program Sayron Ta! Pakigsayod: Serbisyo Alang sa Katawhang Pilipino, Philippine Chairperson to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) EAGA for SME Working Group, Romeo Castanaga said bringing the SMEs as part of the supply chain in the growth area, enhances their position of gaining a global market, than exporting alone.

“Pero kung isa sya ka participante sa global value chain, supplier kaba ug raw material , supplier kaba ug sa logistics or supplier kaba ug any services, so directly or indirectly

participante ka ana nga global value chain. (But if it is a participant to a global chain, for instance as supplier of a raw material, supplier of logistics or supplier of any service, directly or indirectly, it can participate in the global value chain),” he explained.

As the connectivity of key areas within BIMP-EAGA were starting to open, Castanaga said the SME could again expand their business ventures, taking advantage of business matching that DTI had done at the height of the pandemic, as a leverage in identifying business prospects.

On the other hand, Castanaga had seen the presence of two special economic zones (ecozone) in Davao del Norte as an opportunity for the SMEs to supply materials, goods and services to the ecozone locators.

Castanaga was referring to the Hijo Resources

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ECONOMY

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Durian fruits are being sorted out and displayed by a vendor along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

Inflation quickens further to 6.4% in July, PSA says PAL closely monitoring impact of Taiwan-China rift on flights

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hilippine Airlines on Thursday said it is closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan after it issued an airspace closure notice.

China earlier escalated its military activities in areas surrounding Taiwan after the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In a statement, PAL said it is has received a Notice to Airmen from Taiwan aviation authorities regarding a specific airspace closure from 12:00 p.m. on Aug. 4

until 12:00 p.m. on Aug. 7.

So far, flights to and from Taipei on Aug. 4 operated on schedule by “utilizing a designated cleared flight routing,” the flag carrier said.

“Philippine Airlines assures that regular coordination is being carried out with Taiwan authorities,” it said.

Pelosi’s visit has prompted China to impose sanctions on Taiwan including the suspension of trade in select products.

Bill seeking to impose VAT on digital transactions filed

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bill seeking to impose value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions has been filed at the Senate.

Senate Bill 250, filed

by Sen. Pia Cayetano, proposes amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, to levy a VAT equivalent to 12 percent of gross receipts on the sale or exchange of services ren-

dered electronically.

The measure considers as “digital service” any service delivered or subscribed over the internet or other electronic network, which cannot be obtained without the use of information technology and where the delivery of the service may be automated.

These include online

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a briefing.

(The reason for the rise in inflation in July is the faster increase in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages) “Ang pangalawang commodity group na nagpakita ng mas mataas na inflation ay ang transport... ang pangatlong commodity group ay restaurant and accommodation services,” he added.

(Followed by the sec-

ond commodity group that showed faster increase in inflation which is transport, the third os restaurant and accommodation services) Food and beverage registered 6.9 percent inflation and a 64 percent share in the overall headline inflation, Mapa said. Transport posted 18.1 inflation while restaurant and accommodation services had 3.4 percent inflation, he added.

From January to July, the average inflation is at 4.7 percent, above the government target of 2 to 4 percent.

Inflation could remain elevated for the rest of the

year due to price pressures from global uncertainties such as the Ukraine war, the slowdown in China, disruptions in the global supply chain, and the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive tightening of policy rates, the BSP earlier said.

Some analysts said inflation could even breach the 7 percent mark in the second half of the year.

The BSP has so far hiked its benchmark rate by 125-basis points to tame inflation. The off-cycle adjustment in July brought the key policy rate to 3.25 percent.

claims in retaining her previously appointed position.

On August 2, Plaza claimed that PEZA is exempt from Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 1 issued by the Office of the President wherein “all presidential appointees whose appointments are classified as co-terminus” were deemed separated from service effective noontime of June 30.

In the later issued MC

No. 3, Presidential Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez clarified that government-owned and -operated corporations, government instrumentalities, and government corporate entities were exempted from MC No. 1.

The latest letter from DTI quoted this clarification, bringing attention to the last part, which read, “in relation to Republic Act 10149 or the GOCC Gover-

nance Act of 2011.”

Section 4 of RA 10149 excludes economic authority zones as GOCCs, GICPs or GCEs. “The Governance Commission on GOCCs, in a 2014 Memorandum Circular, confirmed that PEZA DG position was indeed excluded from the coverage of the law,” the DTI letter read.

DTI Secretary Alfredo

nflation in July accelerated further to 6.4 percent due to higher transport costs and select food prices, among others, the state statistics bureau said Friday.

July’s inflation was higher than June’s 6.1 percent but within the top band of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast of 5.6 to 6.4 percent, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Ang dahilan ng mas mataas na inflation ngayong Hulyo 2022 ay ang mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng food and non alcoholic beverages,” National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in

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PEZA leadership row continues

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) maintains that Teodora Panga is the new Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) officein-charge, in the latest letter in a series of correspondence between the agency and former PEZA chief Charito Plaza.

Dated August 4, the letter signed by Trade Undersecretary Atty. Hirminio Bagro III addressed Plaza’s

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On asking for support to the national agencies for Davao City’s major projects namely Waste-toEnergy (WTE) and High Priority Bus System (HPBS):

I will do my best na to make the national agencies that we really need these projects for the city ug kini atomg kinahanglan kay progressive ta ug gadako ta kinhangalan ma address amg problema sa traffic ug solid waste management nato kinahanglan gyud ug support.”

Mayor SEBASTIAN ‘BASTE’ DUTERTE

EDITORIAL Safer street foods Street food will always be a part of our lives. For two things, it is accessible and it is affordable.

For consumers, it is the perfect alternative to the pricey restaurants and the go-to meals for the busy individuals. Street food is everywhere. The moment one walks out of the office or school, outside malls, even in every street corner and villages, chances are there are food vendors selling barbecue and other dishes to-go.

We look at street food not just as a means of alternative dining and quick food finds, but also as an economic activity. Street food vendors comprise a huge chunk of the informal business sector in the city and it generates income to the forward and backward linkages of this economic activity. From a micro perspective, it may appear a small industry but in a macro perspective, it encompasses several sectors involved in the production process.

But while street food vending is a thriving industry, it also poses a lot of health risks. Last month, the hazards of street food reared its ugly head

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the national association of newspapers

Mayor Baste acted swiftly by setting up the necessary mechanisms to install safeguards to street food vending. Foremost of the measures is to require vendors to get a health card from the City Health Office (CHO).

Although the outbreak has been declared over, the city government is not putting its guards down. It is now pushing for a review of the Sanitary Ordinance as well as other related local laws to ensure that food vending is safe.

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

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

The diarrhea outbreak was also the first acid test of newly-elected Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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claiming at least six lives due to a diarrhea outbreak. The culprit was identified as the popular ‘isaw’ and tapioca sold at Rasay Street in Toril, Davao City where the epicenter of the diarrhea outbreak was identified. The diarrhea outbreak was reportedly caused by a foodborne microorganism, with Vibrio cholera as the pathogen of concern, which is the most likely vehicle of transmission is contaminated food.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DIVORCE: WHEN LOVE HAS GONE God Himself instituted the first marriage. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh,” the book of Genesis (2:24) recorded.

“What God has joined together, let man not separate,” Jesus replied when asked by the Pharisees if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife (Mark 10:9).

Although the Philippines is considered the only Christian country in Asia, more and more Filipinos are favoring the legalization of divorce.

A recent survey showed 60% of adult Filipinos backed divorce for “married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore, so that they can get legally married again.”

The results of a 2011 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that three out of five adult Filipinos want divorce to be legalized in the country.

The support of Filipinos for divorce in the country is, in fact, rising. From 2011 to 2014, the support in Metro Manila in-

creased from 52% to 67%, 54% to 62% in Luzon (outside of Metro Manila), 50% to 55% in the Visayas, and 44% to 55% in Mindanao.

The recent survey also discovered that the majority of male and female Filipinos favor the legalization of divorce, regardless of whether they are single, married, or with live-in partners.

“Divorce isn’t such a tragedy,” wrote Jennifer Weiner in Fly Away Home. “A tragedy’s staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love.

Nobody ever died of divorce.”

In the Philippines, couples who want to end their marriage are given choices by way of legal separation (the state’s reprieve) or “nullify the marriage” (the Catholic Church’s absolution).

The Family Code of the Philippines (FCP), approved under Executive Order No. 2019, sets grounds to which a marriage may be annulled. Article 45 enumerates the following grounds: * No parental consent if either party was between 18 and 21 years at the time of mar-

riage; * Psychological incapacity; * Fraudulent consent, including non-disclosure of either party of a material fact before marriage, such as pregnancy by another man or a sexually transmitted disease; * Consent obtained by force, intimidation or undue influence; * Physical inability to consummate the marriage; and * That either party was afflicted with a sexually-transmitted disease found to be serious and appears to be incurable.

In general, there is still no divorce in the Philippines. Although there’s one exception: our Muslim brothers are allowed to divorce in certain circumstances. For those who don’t belong to the Muslim faith, the law only allows annulment of marriages.

Early in July, Albay First Representative Edcel Lagman filed House Bill No. 78 or an Act Reinstituting Divorce as an Alternative Mode for the Dissolution of Marriage. He filed a similar bill but was not acted upon in the 18th Congress.

In a phone interview with Philippine News Agency, Lag-

man said he is optimistic that “beleaguered and tormented wives can soon be liberated from irretrievably dysfunctional marriages or inordinately abusive marital relations.”

In the Senate, three senators – Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, and Robin Padilla filed their bills pertaining to the matter: Dissolution of Marriage Act, Divorce Act of 2022, and Divorce Act of the Philippines, respectively.

Marriage, indeed, is a serious matter. As defined by the FCP, “marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and woman, entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.”

“Marriage isn’t a love affair,” wrote Rosamunde Pilcher in Wild Mountain Thyme. “It isn’t even a honeymoon. It’s a job.

(It’s) a long hard job, at which both partners have to work, harder than they’ve worked at anything in their lives before.”

The Roman Catholic wants the sanctity of marriage; that’s why it is against divorce. For them, annulment is enough for the Filipinos. “Frankly and truthfully, a divorce code is no

longer necessary,” said a religious leader. “Article 36 (of the Family Code) is more compatible with our Catholic religion and the grounds for annulment in our covers a wide area.”

Annulments, however, are often a tedious and drawn-out process. The person behind divorceinthephilippines.blog explained: “The lawyers and the court system themselves are the true winners of this procedure. The cost of an annulment or divorce is only meant for the wealthy and those that can teeter on laws and bend them to form their own perception.

These facts alone are why divorce in the Philippines should be allowed.”

For another, legal separation does not allow for a couple to remarry. As the author of the aforementioned blog pointed out: “To be set free from an unhappy marriage is to allow citizens of any country to form their own lives. Freedom is something we all want. To allow a country to set the law for such freedoms is nothing more than an act which is incomprehensible. There are record amounts of unhappy marriages in the Philippines.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO DISTRICT, 1907 The Philippine Commission, on October 29, 1903, passed Act No. 21, but it was approved only on November 23, 1903.

The statute created nine Mindanao towns, including Mati, Davao, Cateel, Baganga and Caraga in Davao district. The Act consequently led to the identification and assignment of barrios and villages (hamlets or sitios).

By 1907, according to the US War Department Annual Reports, the district had morphed into a well-organized region with many settlements under the control of each of the municipalities. As the center of commerce and trade, Davao was the most populous and progressive.

As a town, Davao had influence over the ten dispersed barrios of Davao, Daliao, Lapnday, and Matina of Davao City; Compostela (a town in Davao

de Oro); Paguimikan (Haguimitan) and Samal of Davao del Norte; Santa Cruz and Malalag of Davao del Sur; and Talugutan (Talagutong, Don Marcelino) of Davao Occidental.

Davao also had thirty-one (31) villages under its authority, namely: Agdao, Agtun (Agton, Toril), Bacaca, Taloma (Talomo), Tugatoe (Tigatto), Maa, Lipadas, Dumoy, and Matina in Davao City; Astorga, Tagabuli, Tagulaya, Tagabuli, Tagulaya, Coronon, Patulangan, and Daron (Darong), in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur); Padada, Balutecay (Balutacay, Bansalan), and Digos, in Davao del Sur; Babac (Babak), Binoling, Peña Plata (Peñaplata), Sabang, Libuac (Libuak), Kamona (Carmona), San Jose, and Dungas, in the Island Garden City of Samal; Gerona (Ulip) and Jativa (Haguimitan) in Monkayo, Davao de Oro; Lais (Malita),

Lucaron (Lacaron, Malita), and Nahn (Nuin, Jose Abad Santos), in Davao Occidental; and Sirsoan (?) and Bagcaing (?), Mati, meanwhile had control of six barrios and ten villages in Davao Oriental. The barrios were Mati, Mayo, Luban, and Macanbahl (Macambol) of Mati City; San Ignacio of Manay; Santa Cruz of Baganga; and Tarragona (now a town), while the villages were Sigaboy, Anunciacion, Burut, Luzon, Nagaret (Nazareth, now Surop), Pandiguitan (Pundaguitan), and Tagabebe of Gov. Generoso; La Union of San Isidro; and Numancia (?).

Baganga, on the other hand, was given influence over four barrios, namely Baganga (now a municipality), Dapnan, Quinablangan (Kinablangan), and San Victor, of Baganga, Davao Oriental), and the village of Boston (formerly Dacungba-

nua, now a town of Davao Oriental).

For Caraga, it had eight barrios and three villages. The barrios were Caraga (now a town); Baculin (Baganga, Davao Oriental); Manay (now a town), Santa Maria (later Zaragosa), and present-day Zaragoza of Manay, Davao Oriental; Manoriago (Manurigao), San Francisco, and Santa Fe of Caraga, Davao Oriental and the villages of San Jose, San Luis, and Santiago of Caraga.

Cateel, in the interim, had authority over seven barrios, namely Aragon, Cateel (now a town), San Alfonso, San Antonio, Santa Filomena, and San Rafael, all of Cateel; and Palabujan (?).

The 1907 report also enumerated several tribal wards in the district, inclusive of headquarters.

The Ata ward, stationed at

Bancas (Bangkas), was found in the villages of Atlanta, Bancas, Detroit, and Piedad. In contrast the Bagobo ward, with quarters at Cibulan (Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur), had control of the villages of Bayabas (Toril District), Cibulan, and Tibisan.

The Guiangan ward, with its H.Q. at Tagakpan, led Catalunan and Tagapan. The Mandaya ward, with base at Bangkiaoan, was given control of the villages of Atas, Bangkiaoan, Ding Ding, and Pagsabangan. For its part, the Moro ward, based at Lanang, held sway over Binaoan (Bunawan), Capuit (Cauit), Lasang, Libaganon (Libuganon), Madaum, Magnaga, Matiao, Piso, Sumlug (Lupon), and Tagun (Tagum). The Tagacolo ward at Malalag had authority over Balawag, Basiaoan (part of Santa Maria), and Santa Maria (now a town in Davao Occidental).

8

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COMMUNITY SENSE

Home Credit empowers Filipinos through financial inclusion Manila, Philippines | August 5, 2022— Home Credit, the leading consumer finance company in the Philippines,

strengthens its programs to promote financial inclusion and serve the unbanked and underserved Filipinos in line with the

Philippine government’s strategy to widen financial inclusion to more Filipinos.

In July 2022, the

Borrowing at the “point-of-sale” as offered by Home Credit is the first experience many Filipinos have of any kind of credit. Borrowers can apply for a loan at Home Credit’s thousands of partner merchants where they can purchase their digital devices. They can also apply for a loan through Home Credit’s app.

Seoul Vibe, drive back to 1988

Seoul Vibe is about the baby-drivers of Sanggye-dong who dreamed of the American dream during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Due to an external threat by prosecutor Ahn, the drivers are forced to create slush funds for Myeong-dong’s big-hand “Ms. Kang” to figure out her dirty secret. As a result, they become rising stars in the industry. The

Sanggye-dong friends, who were able to do everything with a “pony pick-up truck,” are now faced in severe danger. After facing the crisis, they wake up and upgrade “Pony+Sonata+Grandeur (local korean cars of the time)” to the level of SUPREME, defeating all the great evils of the time and leaving Korea to realize the American dream.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022-2028, the country first financial inclusion blueprints that is expected to transform the country into a more inclusive society with a more empowered citizenry in the next six years.

BSP’s 2020 Financial Inclusion Initiative report revealed that in 2019, only 29% of adult Filipinos own bank accounts and only 19% had formal credit.

31.2% of Local Government Units (LGUs) still do not have banking presence while 4.6% of LGUs are still considered underserved.

Despite the availability of digital financial services, BSP data also revealed that while 69% of Filipino adult own mobile phones and 53% use the internet, only 12% of mobile phone owners and 9% of internet users use their devices and the internet for financial transactions.

Home Credit Philippines believes that the key to accelerating financial inclusion is making finance more accessible to more people especially for the unbanked and un-

derserved Filipinos.

Among its key thrust for 2022 include broadening access to responsible finance, championing financial literacy and empowerment, and promoting innovation and digital inclusion.

In 2021, Home Credit Philippines signed a ground-breaking ESGlinked loan with Deutsche Bank to reinforce the company’s digitalization efforts with 60% of its loans availed by customers via digital channels to enable more equitable loan rates and terms to customers regardless of their economic or social background.

In 2022, Home Credit also inked a pioneering loan facility with Citi aimed at providing access to digital financial services to women with 120 million out of the 420 million of this loan facility are dedicated to women for the purchase of basic digital devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Home Credit has provided more than 18 million loans to its 8 million strong customer-base.

More than 70% of these loan applications were processed via Home Credit’s digital channels.

As June 2022 alone, Home Credit has served almost half a million new customers, over half were women and over a quarter of them were in the younger bracket.

Home Credit has also launched its flagship financial literacy radio block time segment in partnership with Praxis and the Manila Broadcasting Company in June which airs 2-minute financial tips across all DZRH stations nationwide. It’s set to launch its Wais sa Home financial literacy microsite featuring financial literacy quizzes and other resource this August and its Wais sa Home national roadshow aimed at expanding its financial literacy programs for youth across the country.

“Home Credit Philippines remains committed to support equitable post-pandemic recovery in the Philippines through our consumer finance services and solutions.

We believe that our financial inclusion programs and financial literacy initiatives builds on the bigger vision of empowering more Filipinos,” said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

man and General Manager Melquiades A. Robles, provided prompt assistance to 402 families of Barangay 311, Zone 31, District III, Sta. Cruz, Manila, that

were recently displaced by a fire incident.

The PCSO immediately distributed relief packs containing mats, blankets, rice, canned goods and

choco powdered drink to the fire victims who are temporarily residing in separate evacuation zones in the aforementioned barangay.

PCSO PROMPTLY AIDS STA. CRUZ, MANILA FIRE VICTIMS

On Thursday, August 4, 2022, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under the new leadership of Chairman Junie E. Cua and Vice Chair-

Barangay 311 Chairman Randy E. Guillermo (2nd from left) receives the relief packs from PCSO Team composed of Ms. Roselle S. Dela Umbria, OIC-Division Chief III of Public Relations and Communicatiom Division (center), Mr. Mark Lester F. Tejada, Information Officer I, (left) and Accounting and Budget Department representatives Ms. Maja Charlaine Anne Paz (2nd from right) and Jason Go (right).

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AGRITRENDS

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Bamboo shoots are edible and can be made into a mouthwatering dish.

B

amboo, the “poor man’s timber,” is extensively used in the banana and fishing industries. In the rural areas, bamboo is a popular construction material for houses, particularly the nipa hut. The bamboo shoots, with saluyot and coconut milk, are a hit among food connoisseurs.

But not yet fully exploited are the chemicals found in bamboo, which have been assumed to have healing properties.

This must be the reason why the Philippines is now exploring bamboo varieties that grow in rivers and volcanic areas as they may have huge economic potential for pharmaceutical-industrial products.

So much so that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in tandem with Cagayan State University (CUS)-Gonzaga are carrying out a phytochemical screening and DNA barcoding of economically important bamboo species in Cagayan Valley.

This is the first time such a study is being con-

BAMBOO IS NO LONGER

POOR MAN’S TIMBER Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Bamboo can be made into toys.

Bamboo, the tallest grass.

ducted, according to a press statement issued by DENR. The study is carried out as part of the objective of conserving and propagating the species in typhoon-affected Cagayan Valley.

“Cagayan is rich in natural systems, not only agro-ecosystems but grasslands, and others like waterfalls and volcanic areas where sulfur-rich soil is found,” said Jeff M. Opeña, the study leader of the Bamboo Characterization Project. “For example, we will study if the Bayog bamboo species carries different morphological and phytochemical characteristics when they are grown in sulfur-rich volcanic areas.”

Targets for the study are

the bamboo species that grow in two of Cagayan Valley’s volcanoes – the Smith Volcano (also called Mount Babuyan, which is politically located in Calayan Island) and Mount Cagua in Gonzaga.

“Bamboo has numerous industrial, pharmaceutical, phytochemical, medical, nutritional, and food advantages,” said Alvin Jose L. Reyes and Eddie B. Abugan, Jr. of the DENR’s Project Management Division (PMD). “Characterization of bamboo germplasm is an important connection between conservation of diversity and utilization of germplasms.”

Germplasms are seeds or living tissues that carry

genetic resources useful in plant breeding and conservation.

DNA barcoding is a modern and innovative way to characterize bamboo species. It hastens experts’ identification of the species that they desire to use based on traits – such as fast propagation or medicinal properties.

Bamboo has been traditionally characterized based on its flowering frequency or abundance – annual flowering, sporadic or regular flowering, and gregarious flowering.

“However, characterization using floral morphology posed a limitation and difficulty due to the requirement of a long period of time which can occur in years or even decades,” Reyes and Abugan said.

In addition, biochemical characterization through phytochemical (plant chemistry) screening enables experts in pharmaceuticals and medicine to detect plant secondary metabolites in bamboo which have utilization potentials in the industry.

“While primary metabolites include small molecules like amino acids and sugars, secondary plant metabolites such as alkaloids, anthocyanin, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids,

tannins, and terpenoids are studied for medicinal plant herbal purposes, among other possible commercial uses,” the press statement said.

During the time of Roy A. Cimatu as environment secretary, he ordered the extensive propagation of bamboo in Cagayan Valley in November 2020 to prevent massive flooding that plagued the province arising from Typhoon Ulysses.

Bamboo is also being planted in the rivers of Marikina and Bicol, both areas are usually flooded during typhoons.

Bamboo prevents soil erosion to which riverbank communities have been predisposed to danger.

Studies have shown that a hectare of bamboo retains 30,000 liters of water during the rainy season.

Bamboo plants are excellent cover for vegetating riverbanks to protect them from erosion. These have a root system called “rhizomatous” and come in clumps.

This rooting system helps keep soil together.

Aside from preventing flooding effects of typhoons and controlling soil erosion, DENR also aims to use bamboo as a tool to mitigate climate change. “The fast growth of bamboo enables

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Peroy, Mumunan, Badiatan, Semong.

Meanwhile, Libayao also intended to sustain the “insurgency-free” status of the municipality however, he had seen the need for continued delivery of government services as promised to indigenous people (IP) residents.

“Para ma sustain na.. mao na ipadayon kung unsay mga commitment nato didto sa kabukiran.

Kining pag-mintenar sa kalsada, mga health services. kung unsa pay dapat buhaton, nga ma sustenar. (To sustain it .. we have to continue what we have committed to <deliver> there in the mountainous <communities>, main-

taining the roads, health services. Whatever we need to do to sustain it.),” he said.

However, he admitted the limitations of the municipal government as he acknowledged the importance of the continued support for Talaingod from Governor Jubahib and even from 1st District Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez.

Libayao also said that he and his fellow local government officials will continue tapping national government agencies and other sources, for more funding support to provide the needs of his constituents. (PIA XI/ Jean Duron Abangan)

Intercepted from his possession were a Smith and Wesson Cal. 9mm Pistol engraved with serial number TAY 8974 and a magazine loaded with 18

rounds live ammunitions.

The suspects and evidences were turned over to the custody of the respective police stations for proper disposition.

Injured were van passengers Shiela Bantaculo, Regina L. Gadia, Jerel U. Villaruz and Jeraldine U. Villaruz.

Elbert G. Hayag, the pickup truck driver, was initially identified as one of the injured but was later removed from the list.

The van passengers were employees of the Tuna Exporters Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Tempco) in Barangay Tambler here.

They rented the van to ferry them home.

Hayag told investigators that he was tailing the commuter van while negotiating a curve towards the city proper, when he saw the van swerving to the opposite direction and heading straight towards the incoming truck.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Dominador Palgan Jr., chief of the General Santos

Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), said they will probe deeper into the incident.

TEU records show that more than one incident of road crash happens daily in this city.

Macario Gonzaga, director of the Land Transportation Office in Region 12 (Soccsksargen), said they will also conduct their own investigations, especially on the proliferation of unauthorized vehicles (colorum) conducting passengers.

Executive Master Sergeant Alberto Rosas of the Highway Patrol Group said in their estimates, there are more than 1,000 colorum utility vans operating in the Soccsksargen region.

There is also a rising number of rent-a-car businesses without the necessary government permits.

(Rommel G. Rebollido / MindaNews)

The priority measures related to the sector include the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act; Valuation Reform Bill; Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA); E-Government Act; Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law; National Land Use Act; Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry; (8) Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform

Act; and Amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. PCCI, according to its site, is “a non-stock, non-profit, non-government business organization composed of small, medium, and large enterprises, local chambers and industry associations representing various sectors of business, all working together to foster a healthier Philippine economy and improve the viability of business in the community.” (PNA)

ogy is part of Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of DOST

to maximize local resources that could become sources of income. (PIA XI/ Jean Duron Abangan)

Industrial Estate in the City of Tagum and the Anflo Industrial Estate in Panabo City.

He said DTI can link the local SMEs to these ecozone locators in terms of

sourcing raw materials. “So instead of looking for what they need from other areas, our SMEs would be providing them what they need,” Castanaga explained. (PIA XI/ Jean Duron Abangan)

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla has said another 50 or 75 bps hike is possible in the Monetary Board’s Aug. 18 meeting.

Meanwhile, both Medalla and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the economy is robust enough to absorb the im-

pact of the recent interest rate hikes.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri earlier said the economy has grown at an average of 6 percent for 10 years prior to the pandemic even though the average interest rate was close to 4 percent.

licensing of software, updates, and add-ons, website filters and firewalls; mobile applications, video games, and online games; webcast and webinars; provision of digital content such as music, files, images, text and information; and, advertisement platform such as provision of online advertising space on intangible media platform.

It also includes online platform such as electronic marketplaces or networks for the sale, display, and comparison of prices of trade products or services; search engine services; social networks; database and hosting such as website hosting, online data warehousing, file sharing and cloud storage services.

Internet-based telecommunication; online training such as provision of distance teaching, e-learning, online courses and webinars; online newspapers and journal

subscription; and payment processing services are also covered.

“As the country moves towards digitalization, so too must our tax regime.

The government needs to catch up with the trends and constantly expend an all-out effort to strengthen its revenue-generating capability to aid our country’s economic recovery from the adverse impacts of COVID-19,” Cayetano said.

“This bill, which was based on the measure transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate in the 18th Congress, aims to level the playing field between traditional and digital businesses by clarifying the imposition and collection of value added tax (VAT) from digital service providers, which are required to help government monitor and collect VAT from persons engaging businesses on their digital platforms,” she added.

Pascual also questioned Plaza’s statement that PEZA is exempted from the memo.

Pascual said, “Lahat naman government instrumentality, ibig sabihin lahat exempted?”

PEZA is not recognized by the a government commission as a GOCC, but Plaza claimed that the court identified it as a government instrumentality in a case against Lapu-Lapu City in 2014.

Plaza in her letter also claimed her position was never vacated.

DTI responded by reiterating the MC No. 1 which automatically separated presidential appointees from their service on June 30.

“Deputy Director General Tereso Panga, as the most senior career official in the agency, was under clear legal obligation to assume position of OIC by virtue of MC No. 1. He did not have to wait for a designation,” the letter read.

MC No. 1 stated that vacancies will be filled by the next in rank and most senior official as OIC. According to Pascual,

Plaza is no longer head of PEZA. “Kung sino man nagraraise ng issue, let him or her prove herself that she has the right issue. I don’t need to comment,” he said.

“Secretary Pascual was not interfering but was merely exercising his duties and functions in issuing the Department Order to address the controversy occasioned by your actions,” DTI replied to Plaza in the letter.

Plaza previously asked the trade secretary to “refrain from further interfering in this matter,” when she sought clarification from the Office of the Secretary regarding the PEZA leadership role.

“As an alter-ego of the President, the Secretary was well under his rights to step in and clarify the lines of authority in PEZA, which we reiterate, is an agency attached to the DTI,” the letter added.

Panga as deputy general of PEZA is the most senior official of the agency. Based on Pascual’s order, he will be OIC until December 31, 2022 or until a replacement has been appointed by the president.

the event (1:09.870).

Gary Bejino lost by a touch to Thailand’s Aekkharin Noithatto and settled for a silver in the men’s 50m butterfly S6 event in 35.440 seconds to the former’s 35.300 seconds before securing another silver in the men’s 50m freestyle

(34.40).

The duo of Russel Cundangan and Mary Ann Taguinod likewise took the silver in the J1J2 women’s team event of judo.

With the combined five golds of athletics and swimming, the Philippines raised its overall

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it to store more carbon from the atmosphere making it important in climate change mitigation,” states the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB).

In 2013 to 2014, ERDB conducted a study assessing the carbon sequestration of four economically important bamboo species: “bolo” (Gigantochloa levis), “buho” (Schizostachyum lumampao), giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) and “kawayan-tinik” (Bambusa blumeana).

The study revealed that bamboo can store 39.8 to 44.3 percent of carbon in its total biomass. In addition, its carbon sequestration ability is almost comparable to trees (47.66%) which makes it an ideal element for reforestation efforts.

There’s a big demand for bamboo these days. After all, Executive Order 879 mandates that 25% of the annual school desks of the Department of Education should be made of bamboo.

EO 879 is the law behind the creation of Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC).

DENR is also promoting its use as lumber substitute using engineered bamboo.

While it has extensive use as raw material in many industries, the Philippines’ bamboo export actually slowed from a high of 106,000 kilos in 2011 to 35,000 in 2015 and even further lower to 8,00 kilos in 2018, according to Statista.com. Exports just picked up to 66,000 in 2020.

The DENR bamboo project is seen over the long term to help boost bamboo exports.

The environment department is also pushing for the creation of mini “bamboo forests” in all of the country’s more than 1,500 cities and municipalities in an aim to create a nature-friendly, export-oriented bamboo lumber industry.

So many innovations have been done in recognition of the importance of bamboo in the country.

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office I (DOST-I), through its Provincial Science and Technology Center in Pangasinan awarded a Bamboo Splitter Machine to the kaing (bamboo basket) makers of Barangay Pasima, Malasiqui, Pangasinan early this year.

The kaing industry is one of the promising development fronts in the municipality of Malasiqui and the Bamboo Splitter Machine is one of the identified appropriate science and technology interventions that can help improve the bamboo splitting process of kaing production and make it

more effective and cost efficient.

Traditionally, the kaing makers use the jungle bolo and a mallet to break the bamboo. Aside from requiring a significant amount of production time and resulting in unequal split sizes, the splitting procedure utilizing a sharp bolo driven by a mallet creates a risk of accidental cuts on employees.

With this upgrade, bamboo can be split in seconds in uniformed proportions and it reduces the incidence of accidents.

Meanwhile, the moisture meter for bamboo developed by the DOST’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) is now out in the market.

The FPRDI moisture meter is a handheld device that reads the amount of water present in non-timber products. It is specially calibrated for several bamboo species that are widely planted in the country and are used for engineered bamboo. These include “kawayan tinik” giant bamboo and “botong” (Dendrocalamus latiflorus).

“Knowing the moisture content is crucial in maintaining the quality of bamboo products. Raw materials must have the same moisture content prior to gluing and finishing to ensure that the final product will not crack or split,” explained project leader Dr. Marina A. Alipon.

Stressing the importance of determining the right moisture content (MC) to lessen the chances of insect or fungus attack, Dr. Alipon also underscored the need to maintain the moisture level of products bound for export.

“For exported local bamboo products to perform well, their MC must approximate those prevailing in the country of destination, otherwise the material will distort, shrink, or crack while in service. The fastest and most convenient way to determine the MC is through the use of a moisture meter,” she added.

The bamboo business, however, is labor intensive, more so during the first two years of operation. Studies have shown that labor alone eats around 90 percent of the total production cost.

But the beauty of bamboo growing lies in passing the first two critical growing years.

“If the bamboo survives, you are assured of money for the next 30 to 50 years,” says a bamboo grower. Another good thing: the price of bamboo does not suffer from severe fluctuations unlike pork and chicken. In fact, they are priced depending on the diameter, volume and distance traveled.

medal tally to 19 golds, 16 silvers and 34 bronzes, just one gold shy of the 20 golds the PH para-athletes won in the 2017 edition of the meet held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Philippines was poised to add another gold in the men’s P1 team event after FIDE Master

Sander Severino and Jasper Rom downed their separate rivals in the fifth and penultimate round at the Lo-rin Hotel.

With their victories, the Filipino wood pushers were assured of their fifth gold regardless of the outcome of the final round.

(PR)

VOL.15 ISSUE 98 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022

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SPORTS 11

PAL flight PR8541 to Surakarta’s Adi Soemarmo Airport, flown with an Airbus A321CEO jetliner, carried the Philippine para-athletes with their coaches, secretariat, and officers of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA).

Team PH flies PAL to Indonesia

P

hilippine Airlines mounted a special flight to Surakarta, Indonesia, last July 26 to transport The Philippine team participating in the 11th ASEAN Para Games.

PAL flight PR8541 to Surakarta’s Adi Soemarmo Airport, flown with an Airbus A321CEO jetliner, carried the Philippine para-athletes with their coaches, secretariat, and

officers of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA).

Composed of 136 differently-abled athletes, the

URAKARTA – Angel Otom bagged two more gold medals, including one in record-breaking time, to emerge as the country’s first triple gold medalist as the Philippine para swimmers emerged with four golds at the Jatidiri Sports Complex pool in Semarangin here in the 11th ASEAN Para Games Thursday.

Picking up from where she left off, Otom was a runaway winner in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5 event in 48.070 seconds, nearly eight seconds faster than the 17-year-old mark of 56.80 set by Singapore’s R.T. Goh in the Manila Asean Para Games in 2005.

She finished so far ahead of Vietnamese tankers Thi Sari Nguyen and Thi My Thanh Dan, who were second and third in times of 1:14.150 and 1:32.460, respectively.

As an encore, the 19-year-old pride of Olongapo City added her second mint in the women’s 50-meter freestyle S5 event, leading the way from start to finish in clocking 41.40 seconds, much to the delight of her parents Marlou and Mila Otom, who flew all the way from Manila just to watch their daughter perform.

“I am so happy but it has not sunk in yet that I am the country’s first triple gold medalist,” said Otom of her outstanding achievement as a rookie in the biennial sportsfest.

“Iba po talaga na makita namin na manalo ang anak naming si Angel. Ito po pala ang feeling nananalo ang anak namin (It’s a different feeling to see our daughter, Angel wins),” chorused Otom’s parents in witnessing their daughter see action for the first time.

Philippine Team is competing with 10 other Southeast Asian countries in the bi-annual multi-sport event hosted by Indonesia.

The Filipino Para Athletes are competing in sports such as Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Chess, Goal Ball, Judo, Powerlifting, Seating Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wheelchair Basketball.

They have won 53 medals so far, bringing honor and

Swimmer emerges 1st PH triple gold medalist S

Ernie Gawilan scooped up his second gold medal in topping the men’s 200-meter individual medley SM7 in record-breaking fashion as well in 2:49.530, sinking the 14-year-old mark of 4:00.02 by Salungyoo Rawin of Thailand in the 2008 Bangkok Games.

A pleasant surprise was rookie Marco Tinamisan, who won the swimming team’s fourth mint in topping the men’s 50-meter freestyle S3 event in 54.660 seconds in the outing supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Over at the Manahan Stadium, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan secured his second gold in ruling the men’s 400-meter T5 race in 1:06.20 while teammate Rodrigo Potiotan Jr. finished third but did not get a medal since there were only three entries in

FSWIMMER, P10

recognition to the country and representing the triumph of Filipino talent and skill over adversity. The PH Team has already claimed 19 gold, 20 silver, and 33 bronze medals.

“Thank you so much.

The team safely landed,” commented Walter Torres, Chef de Mission 11th ASEAN Para Games, and the Philippine Paralympic Committee Secretary-General as the ath-

letes arrived in Surakarta.

“This is indeed a milestone not only for us but for PAL as well.”

The special PAL service is a first-of-its-kind charter utilizing an entire aircraft for such a mission involving specialized care and handling. The task was achieved through the concerted action of various operational, commercial and customer service teams within PAL to ensure

the safety and well-being of all participants with their varying needs and concerns.

The two-week competition will run until August 7. The athletes are set to return on another chartered PAL flight.

It is an honor and a privilege for Philippine Airlines to transport our Filipino athletes who carry the nation’s flag in global competitions.

TRIPLE GOLD MEDALIST. Rookie Angel Otom takes a bite at her gold medal after winning the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5 event on the way to emerging as the country’s first triple gold medalist in the 11th ASEAN Para Games at the Jatadiri Sports Complex pool in Semarang, Indonesia on Thursday (Aug. 4, 2022). The Philippines has now 19 gold, 16 silver and 34 bronze medals. (Photo courtesy of Team Philippines)

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SHOCKER The Philippines national chess team to the World Chess Olympiad.

PH upsets Israel in World Chess Olympiad

T

he Philippines drew strength from Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla’s masterful effort as it pulled off an upset 2-2 draw with fancied Israel in the sixth round Wednesday night to stay in the hunt in the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Barcenilla turned back GM Tamir Nabaty in 64 moves of a King’s Indian encounter on board two to save the day for the Filipinos, who were tied at 14th spot with 10 others with nine match points.

GM Mark Paragua was the last to finish as he tried his best to eke out a win but ended up splitting the point with GM Avital Boruchovsky in 59 moves of a Four Knights Game that sealed the stunning standoff.

Grandmaster Darwin Laylo earlier drew with veteran GM Ilya Smirin on board three, which came after International Master Paulo Bersamina lost his way right in the opening and never recovered to succumb to GM Evgeny Postny on the last board.

The 11-round, 12-day biennial event took a much-needed breather yesterday before plunging back into battle in the seventh round Friday when the Philippines, which is being sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, clashes with powerhouse

fifth pick Poland.

National men’s team coach GM Eugene Torre is expected to field in an all-GM roster versus the Poles with GM John Paul Gomez expected to replace a shaken Bersamina in the lineup.

In the women’s side, the Filipinas battled the lower-ranked Ecuadorians to a 2-2 standoff, a result sealed by a defeat by Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza to WIM Anahi Ortiz Verdezoto on board two.

WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido delivered the lone win on board four while WIMs Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Marie Antoinette San Diego were held to draws on second and third board, respectively.

The split sent them sputtering down a 13-country tie at 48th place with seven points and was scheduled to play Bolivia tonight in a match where WGM Janelle Mae Frayna is expected to be injected back into the roster in place of Mendoza. (PR)