Edge Davao Vol. 16 Issue 50 | Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II distributes grocery packs from the Davao City

Congressional District Office to job seekers during the 125th Kalayaan Job Fair at the Annex event center of SM City Davao on Monday. Rigo represented his father, Rep. Paolo Duterte, who was invited as guest of honor of the said event. Lean Daval Jr.

LEAVE IT TO GOD

With VP Sara as top presidentiable in 2028, FPRRD says God will decide

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Former president Rodrigo Duterte spoke biblically on the fate of his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte as the next leader of the country.

In a study conducted by Social Weather Station (SWS) nationwide from April 15 to 18, 2023, VP Sara came out on top with 28 percent as the ideal candidate to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2028.

“I’ll leave it all to God. You

know, He decides what will and what will not happen. Its why it’ll be better off to seek the guidance from God because much to our desire really to, yung mga ambisyon-ambisyon kagaya ko, minsan natutuloy, minsan hindi. So, ang akin naman, I think the presi-

63 NorCot brgys under BARMM support creation of new towns

Residents of North Cotabato’s 63 villages now under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) fully support the establishment of municipalities within the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA).

quate delivery of basic services by the government.

dency was a gift from God. I thank the Lord for it. So, for the rest, I will just say that we’ll leave it to God,” said the former president in a live interview during “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” on SMNI on Monday night, June 12, 2023.

Following the vice president are: Senator Raffy Tulfo with 11% and former Vice President Leni Robredo with six percent; Rodri-

Single parents, breastfeeding moms included in gov’t food stamp program

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved the inclusion of single parents and breastfeeding mothers in the government’s food stamp program eyed for pilot implementation in July, Cabinet officials said on Tuesday.

Their inclusion will strengthen the First 1,000 Days Program which aims to address stunting through maternal nutrition and proper child-feeding practices, Pal-

ace briefer Daphne Paez said.

“Ang marching order ng Pangulo, dapat malabanan natin ang stunting at kagutuman at pagsanib-pwersa ng iba’t ibang programa ng gobyerno para hindi sila pieceby-piece ang turing [dito]” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian told Palace reporters.

“The new dimension that we bring to the table today is folding in the first 1,000 days into the pro-

gram... Ang gusto ng Pangulo natin is to add that dimension of stunting into the picture kasi irreversible ‘yun,” he added.

(The marching order of the President is we should fight stunting and hunger by joining the forces of various. government agencies so that the approach would not be piecemeal. The President wants to add that dimension of stunting

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament member Aida Silongan said in a statement Monday that the unified support was a compelling reason to expedite the passage of the bill, with a target approval date set no later than August this year.

The proposal seeks to address the aspirations and demands of communities that have expressed their desire to be grouped as separate municipalities within the BARMM, Silongan said.

The BARMM villages in North Cotabato are situated in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigcawayan which have a population of about 300,000.

The 80-member BTA, BARMM’s provisional lawmaking body, held public consultations for the first four bills seeking to establish the towns of Northern Kabacan, Kapalawan, Ligawasan, and Malmar.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim has included the measures as among the legislative priorities for this year.

Silongan noted that constituents in the 63 villages have been complaining of inade-

“Basic services are now absent in our barangay. We no longer receive services from North Cotabato since we joined BARMM in 2019 and as of now not all barangays are getting services from BARMM,” said Kagi Abdulkahar a BARMM SGA resident in Carmen, North Cotabato.

Adrian Manabilang, another SGA village resident in Pikit, North Cotabato, said they were not allowed to vote for local officials in the 2022 polls as they were not yet constituted as local government units.

“We were only allowed to vote for national candidates at that time. Creating towns for us is very important, so we can receive basic services from the government like health and social services,” he said.

Silongan said establishing municipalities within the SGA would improve the delivery of basic services and speed up socio-economic development by providing more effective and responsive local governance.

BTA Deputy Floor Leader Mary Ann Arnado said participants in the public consultations showed a consensus in favor of the bill and emphasized their desire for its prompt enactment.

Once constituted into new political units, Ebrahim is tasked with naming local officials from the mayor to town council members until the next local polls in May 2025. (PNA)

Former president Rodrigo Duterte says he will leave it all to God whether or not his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, will be president in 2028. Lean Daval Jr.

FLEAVE, P6

Rep. Pulong vows to support gov’t in providing employment

By MAYA M. PADILLO

City gov’t of Davao forms body for disaster assessment, response

To enhance disaster response and provide quick relief to affected communities, Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte has issued Executive Order (EO) 15 Series of 2023, establishing the Davao City Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Team.

EO 15, signed on June 8, 2023, aims to address Davao City’s vulnerability to natural and human-induced hazards, such as typhoons, floods, landslides, fires, crimes, terrorism, and bombing incidents.

RDANA Team’s creation is under the provisions of Republic Act

No. 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The law mandates Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) to institutionalize the RDANA as a crucial tool for effective disaster response.

The primary objective of the RDANA Team is to conduct immediate on-ground assessments of disaster-affected areas. This includes determining the type and extent of damages caused by the disaster, identifying secondary threats, evaluating the critical needs of the affected population, and assessing the local response capacities. Additionally, the RDANA Team will facilitate information sharing

among government agencies and establish coordination among concerned stakeholders and the community at all levels before and after each disaster.

According to Section 1 of EO 15, the RDANA Team will be deployed promptly after every incident, whether natural or human-induced hazard. The team’s assessment during the onset of a disaster will serve as a vital tool for swiftly providing relief and response requirements.

The composition of the Davao City RDANA Team, as outlined in Section 2 of the EO, includes the heads or duly authorized representatives from key agencies responsible for various aspects of damage assessment and response. These agencies include the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO), City Health Office (CHO), Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (OCPDC), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD), Ancillary Services Unit (ASU), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Davao City, and Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

The new EO outlines the speFCITY, P6

son Rigo Duterte stressed the promise of his father Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte to continue supporting government programs providing employment to Filipinos.

Speaking during the 125th Kalayaan Job Fair at SM City Davao’s Annex event center on Monday, Rigo, who represented his father Rep. Pulong, lauded government programs like job fairs to facilitate employment.

“Sa maka usa pa, ako mapasalamaton sa higayun na usab nga gihatag kanako aron kamo makauban. Ang pag pang empleyo ang usa sa pinakadako nga problema nga giatubang dili

Congressionallang sa atong nasud kung dili sa tibuok kalibutan. Nasayud man kita kung ang usa ka tao mawa-an sa panginabuhian, daghan dili maayo nga puwede muduyog kaniya - kagutom, depression, droga ug uban pang dautan nga mga butang. Busa kami ni Congressman Paolo Duterte, mapasalamatun gayud kami ug dili gayod kami magduha duha ug suporta pag maka dungog kami ug programa sa gobyerno nga

susama niini. Isip Pilipino, obligasyon nato atong isig kaingon. Kaninyong tanan, kami naghinaut nga karon adlawa na unta ang adlaw nga inyong gipangnadoy nga makakita ug trabaho. Unta dili kani ninyo usikan nga higayon kay kini hinaguan usab sa atong gobyerno,” Rigo said in his message.

The job fair was organized by the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 11).

Rigo also led the distribution of grocery packs to jobseekers.

Providing job opportunities is among the core programs of Rep.

DavNor marks anniversary as an insurgency-free province

The provincial government of Davao del Norte marked its first anniversary as an insurgency-free province at the DavNor Gymnasium on Tuesday.

“Karon adlawa isa ka dakong garbo sa probinsiya sa Davoa del Norte nga atong na sustain ang atong gain as insurgency-free province since 2022 nga na declare ta as well as the Davao Region as insurgency-free. Malipayon

kaayo ko ug angay lang nga magmalipayon kitang tanan sa probinsiya sa Davao del Norte tungod nga nahimo natong achievement nga ang Davao del Norte luwas na sa kahadlok, luwas sa dakong problema sa kagubot nga maoy hinungdan nga ang development sa atong probinsiya nahatagan ug dakong pagtagad ug karon ang atong ekonomiya sa probinsya adunay taas na pag-uswag,” said Governor

Edwin Jubahib in his message. He underscored that the insurgency problem is one of the things that has hindered the development of the economy in the province as well as in each of the barangays.

He thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 70, which seeks to institute a whole-of-nation approach in ad-

Vice President and Education Secretary pays a courtesy call to Brunei Darussalam Minister of Education Dr. Romaizah Mohd Salleh on Tuesday. VP Sara is currently in Brunei Darussalam to visit the country’s private and public schools and VOCTECH regional center as Council President ng Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). FB page of Inday Sara Duterte

On Vice President Sara Duterte as the top candidate for President in 2028:

“I’ll leave it all to God. You know, He decides what will and what will not happen. Its why it’ll be better off to seek the guidance from God because much to our desire really to, yung mga ambisyon-ambisyon kagaya ko, minsan natutuloy, minsan hindi. So, ang akin naman, I think the presidency was a gift from God. I thank the Lord for it. So, for the rest, I will just say that we’ll leave it to God.”

FORMER PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

Known as the iconic bird in mythology, the sarimanok is part of the Maranao cultural heritage. Embellished by later elucidations, the iconic symbol is depicted today as a feathered friend “characterized by its colorful feathers, scroll, leaf and other motifs on its head, and the fish that it carries on its talons or in its beak.” A talon usually refers to claws belonging to birds of prey, such as an eagle, hawk, falconet, kite, buzzard, or even an owl.

Bird symbols in Philippine mythology abound and their provenance is strongly linked to ancient Hindu tradition via the Madjapahit and Srivijaya empires that once ruled south Asia.

These domains, however, evolved from a much earlier kingdom, the Cham, a name im-mortalized in the name of Cambodia. The Cham, which dates to the second century AD, is a civilization whose imprints

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ORIGINS OF BIRD ICONOGRAPHY

are visible in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, in the Pacific Islands, and South America, chiefly through complex infrastructures such as Borobudur and Angkor Wat.

The Philippine scripts (i.e., baybayin) and the Golden Tara, a Buddhist-inspired icon un-earthed in Butuan are said to be influenced by the Cham culture.

Daniel de Guzman, in “The Role of Birds and Serpents in Philippine Mythology” of The As-wang Project, wrote of bird symbolisms that are smaller versions of eagle-like Hindu-inspired icons.

Among the Mandaya, their bird icons do not have names but possess the power of creation. To the Tagacaulo tribe, the limokon (turtledove) relates to the origin of mankind. Among the Mandaya, the same bird, when its song is heard, announces an incoming ominous

event.

Recent studies propose that the Cham civilization migrated to Sulu between the 10th and 13th centuries, citing the Yakans of Sulu as among its direct descendants. Through the Cham-pa people, via Indonesia, Sulu received civilization in its Indic form. (Champa is the old name of Vietnam.)

One of the most meaningful Cham legacies is the Hindu-inspired Garuda, an eagle-like bird. In iconography, it is either in bird form or in part-human shape with “an eagle-like nose, beak or legs, his eyes are open and big, his body is the color of emerald, and his wings are golden-yellow.”

A Garuda is a Hindu demigod depicting the mount (i.e., vahana) of the Hindu god Vishnu and is often described as the king of the birds and a kite-like figure.

Garuda icons in Philippine

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

“Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.” - MAYA ANGELOU. *******

This is one of the most dreaded events that I hate to happen.

Taiwan is just about two hours plane ride (or a little bit more) north of the Philippines.

There are (as of my personal recollection) close to 800,000 OFWs in Taiwan earning a living and receiving very decent pay which comfortably provides food, shelter and schooling to their families back home.

It is a quiet place to work far away from your love ones, unlike several other places where we know many OFWs - especially domestics - are being maltreated and a number even slain or killed.

Unceasing flow of negative news reports that China is gearing itself to attack Taiwan are emanating from various media sources.

A news dispatch speculated that perhaps Xi Jin Ping may follow the footsteps taken

mythology and iconography abound. Among the Maranao people, it refers to a race of winged, eagle-like people residing beneath the sea with big teeth and huge talons that can carry six men. They transform into humans when in their dens.

In Pampanga lore, the Garuda (i.e, garula) is identified as the winged assistant of Mariang Sinukuan, represented by a giant eagle that is supposed to be a purveyor of storms. Similarly, the artifacts collected from the Tabon Caves of Palawan depict the same bird-like image.

Garuda, a Sanskrit term, is also described as “either in a zoomorphic form (a giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (a man with wings and some ornith-ic features) … a protector with the power to swiftly travel anywhere… and an enemy of eve-ry serpent.”

To the Tagalogs, the mythical

fowl is represented by a small, azure color bird known as the tigmamanukan, the Philippine fairy bluebird regarded as the chief sky lord.

The American Museum of National History describes the eagle-like icon as having many faces: “In Hinduism, Garuda is a single character, but in Buddhist stories, there are many Garudas. The Hindu Garuda carries the god Vishnu on his back, while in the Buddhist world Garuda is an agent of the faith, wrestling with Nagas [i.e., serpents] until they become Bud-dhist.”

Garuda, as a cultural and national symbol, is espoused by Cambodia, China, India, Indo-nesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Suriname, Thailand, and the United States. Davao City, for one, adopts the eagle, a spitting image of the Garuda, as one of her symbols.

WILL TAIWAN BE ANOTHER UKRAINE?

by Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin who, despite clear visible warnings from the EU, NATO, the US and other Western nations, invaded Ukraine two years ago in February.

The military operations, as Putin worded it to avoid using war in his language, came two days after the end of the Winter Olympics hosted by Beijing.

In fact, Putin even visited Beijing and lent his presence during the closing rites of the quadrenial competition.

China is consciously weighing in on the American military presence in the Philippines where EDCA sites strategically rose from four to nine that allowed the pre-positioning of highly sophiscated weaponry and military equipment.

Although Philippine and American defense officials insist that these were meant to promptly respond to calamities, China, short of calling it a “b……t,” warned that the US may be fanning the flames of war.

The Chinese have been playing the cat and mouse game.

They have been continu-

ously building structures in the contested reefs and islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Despite a big number of diplomatic protest notes from the DFA, the Chinese Coast Guard have been driving away and scaring Pinoy fishermen who dare enter and fish into the nine-dash-line area that the Chinese stubbornly claim as a territory that is part of the China mainland.

India does not also like the Chinese attitude. It has huge trade relations with Taiwan where shipments of exports and import from both countries need to traverse the contested body of water (South China Sea) to reach the respective ports of destination.

Australia also is into a similar situation because it is also a trading partner of Taiwan. It does not like the presence of Chinese Navy and fighter jets doing reconnaisance around the tiny Taiwanese nation.

If any, the Chinese government may be lying in wait till a better window appears.

China trade routes also uses the same route to convey its exports to Europe (from South

China Sea passing through the strait of Malacca to the Indian Ocean).

If China invades Taiwan and unceremoniiously triggers a halt to the trade situation where the latter is engaged heavily and tied with, Beijing would also be endangering their own economic relations and status.

The Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, connects the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a wide expanse of east-west sea communication linkage that China itself considers as its “maritime lifeline.”

The US, India and other Indo-Pacific allies and partners, could use the maritime route as a chokepoint by installing a blockade that will disrupt the flow of Chinese trade, energy resources and raw materials sourcing.

India and China used to have a border conflict but the issue has died down without any significant posturing from each other.

Still, the Chinese keep bad-

gering the Philippines.

So, the answer to our headline seem to be a “No.”

At the moment, Taiwan is merely being cowed to toe the line by Xi Jin Ping in a variety of ways.

The Taiwanese Armed Forces may be in the ready but they know honestly well that if push comes to shove, they are a mismatch.

China possesses an unparalleled military superiority but the world looks unkindly of it because of its bullying tactics.

As inflation becomes global and recession is feared, China is better off enhancing their business and trading connections with the west as friendly and as harmnious as ever.

Much of China’s huge investments may not be earning good dividends. One such is in Pakistan where the country of 260M people is in danger of a civil war.

“Leave Taiwan alone” would be a good advice Xi Jin Ping should heed. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

BIR removes 26 workers, suspends 2 for violations

TheBureau of Internal Revenue said on Tuesday at least 26 employees have been removed and 2 were suspended since last year due to various violations.

In a statement, the BIR said the reasons for dismissal include grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, frequent unauthorized absences, falsification of official documents, gross neglect of duty, insubordination, and absence without official

leave.

“As we transform the BIR into an institution of integrity and excellence, we have removed 26 and suspended 2 erring employees. Keep in mind that you have no business working for the BIR if you fail to meet our standards

for Integrity and Professionalism,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui said.

The BIR said it intends to conduct regular investigations of its officials and will impose sanctions such as suspension and dismissal if necessary.

“We are committed to provide a new BIR to the public. One that has integrity and professionalism,” Lumagui emphasized.

GSIS offers condonation program to help recoup P45B overdue loans

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager

Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said on Tuesday the agency is offering a condonation program and has intensified collection efforts to recover P45-billion overdue loans from its members.

The Commission on Audit earlier flagged GSIS for the deliverables.

But Veloso said the existing P45 billion in overdue loans was an improvement from the previ-

ous P74 billion.

Removing another P3.6 billion in the first 4 months of 2023, GSIS was able to reduce that to P35.6 billion, Veloso said. Some of these loans date back to 1979, he added.

“Sinisigurado po namin isa-isa po namin sinusuri at sinusuyod lahat ng may pagkakautang sa amin. Yun pong nakakausap namin binibigyan namin ng reconciliation and condonation program... Nagdagdag kami ng collection

Economist

sees peso

stabilizing

at 55 to 56 level vs. US dollar

The Philippine peso is expected to stabilize between 55 to 56 against the greenback ahead of the expected pause in the Federal Reserve’s rate hiking cycle and continuation of the same decision for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) this month.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the local currency has eased to among its one-week lows since 2022 when it ended last week’s trading at 56.05.

tain its key rates after the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on June 13-14.

Another driver is the possible continuation of the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board’s (MB) decision to again keep the central bank’s key rates steady, similar to its decision last month, as domestic inflation continues to decelerate.

agents across the country para mapabilis ang pagkolekta,” he said.

(We make sure that we’re studying everyone who has existing loans, we give them reconciliation and condonation program and we make sure to add more collection agents across the country to speed up recovery)

Veloso added that the GSIS is in possession of the real estate assets of private firms with existing loans to the agency.

“(It) could stabilize at 55.0056.00 levels,” he said, weaker than the 53 to 54 he forecasts as floor levels earlier in the year.

Ricafort said the next resistance level for the local unit is around 56.30 while the major resistance level is around 56.35 to 56.95.

He said this range “need(s) to be protected vs. further upside or risk of higher inflation.”

Ricafort said among the factors seen to drive the foreign exchange market this week is the rate decision of the Federal Reserve which is expected to main-

Inflation rate last May slowed further to 6.1 percent from month-ago’s 6.6 percent and monetary authorities project the monthly figure returning to within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band in the last quarter of this year.

Despite the projected pause in the rate hiking decisions of both the Fed and the BSP, Ricafort said “the markets recently priced in a possible +0.25 Fed rate hike on July 26, 2023, as also signaled earlier by some Fed officials; as any future Fed rate moves (pause or hike) could be matched locally to maintain healthy interest rate differential at +1.00 to also help stabilize the peso exchange rate and overall inflation.” (PNA)

Mall goers buy “kakanin” at a stall of Davao City’s popular food store at SM City Davao on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

More than 10% bank lending growth seen after RRR cut

The reduction in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by as much as 2.5 percentage points is expected to boost growth in bank lending to above 10 percent in the near term, an economist said.

In a reply to emailed questions from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the cut in RRR can infuse at least PHP350 billion in the economy, which can be used for additional borrowings both for businesses and households as well as investments in various assets, such as equities and bonds.

“Thus, banks’ loan growth could again accelerate to above 10 percent year-on-year for the coming months (from +9.7 percent as of April 2023) and could happen soon since the latest cut on banks’ RRR shall take effect on June 30, 2023,” he said.

The RRR cut was announced by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on June 8, with the date of its effectivity set on the same day as the expiration date of the alternative RRR compliance measures put in place during the pandemic.

Specifically, the reduction in universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) and non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions (NBQBs) RRR is 250 basis points (bps) to 9.5 percent; digital banks, 200 bps to 6 percent; thrift banks, 100 bps to 2 percent; and rural banks and cooperative banks, 100 bps to 1 percent.

The BSP said the RRR cut is aimed at ensuring “stable domestic liquidity and credit conditions” once the RRR-related measures expire.

“This operational adjustment

is in line with the BSP’s ongoing efforts towards a more active and flexible approach to liquidity management through market-based monetary operations. This includes the inaugural offering on 30 June 2023 of the 56-day BSP Bill, which serves as an additional instrument for absorbing system liquidity,” it said.

The BSP clarified that the slash in the RRR “do(es) not constitute any shift in the BSP’s monetary policy settings.”

“The BSP continues to prioritize bringing inflation back towards a target-consistent path over the medium term and will continue to signal its monetary policy stance through the key policy interest rate, or the rate on the overnight reverse repurchase facility,” it added.

Ricafort said this latest development is expected to boost “growth in loans and other economic/business activities.”

“The RRR cuts are meant to neutralize also the de-facto tightening with the expiration, also by end-June 2023, of some regulatory relief measures, particularly those that allowed some loans, especially MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) loans and eligible loans for large companies, to be counted for the computation of banks’ reserve requirements since the pandemic started,” he added.

Ricafort said the amount of loans that were extended in line with the alternative RRR compliance is “around PHP336 billion as of end-2022 but could have grown in early 2023 (could be somewhat covered by the estimated PHP350 billion funds freed up into the financial system from the cut in banks’ RRR also by end-June 2023).”

FDI net inflows drop to $548M in March

Foreigndirect investments (FDIs) into the Philippines posted a double-digit decline in March as investors factored in concerns over slower economic growth prospects across the globe, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Tuesday.

Data released by the central bank showed that FDI net inflows stood at $548 million in March, 30.7% lower than $792 million the same month last year, and lower than $1.047 billion in February.

“The said decline resulted from lower net inflows from across all major FDI components amid investor concerns over subdued global growth prospects,” the BSP said in an accompanying statement.

Inflows of non-residents in net debt instruments fell by

37.2% to $389 million, net equity other than reinvestment of earnings dropped by 11.7% to $94 million, and reinvestment of earnings slipped by 0.1% to $65 million.

Equity capital placements for the month came mostly from Singapore, Japan, and the United States, which were then channeled to manufacturing (27%), information and communication (26%), real estate (23%), and others (25%).

The latest figures brought

the first-quarter FDI net inflows down 19.6% to $2.042 billion from $2.542 billion the comparable period last year. Japan, Singapore, and the United States were the top country sources for the period.

This comes as the current administration — led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — has continued to conduct roadshows across the globe to entice more investments into the country.

Malacañang in December said Marcos’ foreign visits in 2022 alone have generated $23.6-billion in investment pledges. He has since visited more countries including the United States where $1.3-billion worth of pledges were reportedly secured.

AirAsia holds ‘Piso Sale’ for domestic, int’l flights

AirAsia on Monday announced it is holding a seat sale with fares as low as P1. The budget carrier said select domestic and international destinations are on offer with a base one-way fare of P1, not including

other charges. It said Kalibo, Davao, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran and several other destinations from Manila are on offer for P1.

Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Shenzhen and several

other Asian destinations are also on offer for P1 base fare. Terms, conditions, taxes and surcharges apply.

The booking period is from June 12 to 18, with travel from Sept. 1 this year to Oct. 8, 2024.

This freshly caught 60-kilogram yellowfin tuna sold for P12,000, or P200 per kilo, to a local fish trader in Barangay Kiambing, Maitum town in Sarangani on Monday (12 June 2023). MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO

Tubig Talino: Answer to Pinoys’ low iodine consumption

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Iodineis found mainly in animal protein foods and sea vegetables, and to a lesser extent in fortified foods like breads, cereals, and milk. “The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones,” said the Office of Dietary Supplements of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“These hormones control the body’s metabolism and many other important functions,” NIH further said. “The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy.”

The Philippines is one of the countries where adequate iodine status has been achieved. Thanks to Republic Act No. 8172 or an Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN), which was signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1995. The ASIN Law aims to promote the use of iodized salt to address the lack of micronutrients in the country. It also requires all salt manufacturers to iodize the salts they produce and distribute.

Despite this, iodine deficiency still remains an important public health problem in the country.

According to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), only 3 out of 10 Filipino households consumed iodized salt with enough iodine.

The ENNS revealed that only about one-third (33.2%) of household respondents used io-

dized salt with sufficient iodine levels or adequately iodized salt, while around one in two (55.7%) claimed to use it.

An earlier FNRI study found out that only 47.5% were aware of the benefits of iodized salt. Of this percentage, about 16.5% knew that salt being sold in the market is added with iodine, 14.3% learned that it’s good for the body, 4.7% good for the brain, and 0.8% good for pregnant women.

In response to the reported inadequate iodine intake of Filipinos, the DOST-FNRI developed “Tubig Talino,” a purified or ordinary potable water mixed with Water Plus Iodine (I2). It has reportedly a stable shelf life of six months.

The FNRI said that 5 milliliters (mL) of Water Plus I2 can enrich 19 liters of purified or potable drinking water. Drinking five glasses of “Tubig Talino” at 250 milliliters (mL) each day can meet 33% of the daily iodine requirement of the body.

Five years ago, the 8th National Nutrition Survey already reported that one of the interventions that can be considered effective in the control of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) in the country is the nationwide salt io-

dization program.

However, cost-effectiveness of this program was dependent on the amount of iodine in the salt that reaches the consumers at the household level and the salt intake of the households.

A study on non-usage of iodized salt, 40.6% of the respondents said that iodized salt has a different taste from ordinary salt and/or that they were used to using ordinary salt.

The DOST-FNRI noted the respondents’ feedback on the different taste between the iodized salt and ordinary salt and addressed this in its “Tubig Talino” technology. Those who have drank the water said the water has no discernible taste difference from regular water.

The “Tubig Talino” water can also be used in coffee, tea, milk, other beverages, and even in cooking.

“‘Tubig Talino’ can also be used in nutrition intervention programs, disaster relief packs, and other health and community projects,” said Geraldine Bulaon-Ducusin of the Science and Technology Media Service.

For those who are restricted to consuming salt, like people with hypertension and kidney disease, DOST-FNRI recommends eating iodine-rich foods instead to avoid IDD. Examples of these

foods are fish, shellfish, seaweeds, meats, bread and eggs.

An iodine deficiency can use uncomfortable and even severe symptoms, healthline.com states. They include swelling in the neck, fatigue and weakness, hair loss, feeling colder than usual, changes in heart rate, pregnancy-related issues, weight gain and learning difficulties.

People who become iodine deficient can suffer from goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland, according to the Global Alliance of Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Among the adult Filipino population, 8.9% have goiters by physical examination, according to the Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study.

Newborns who are severely iodine deficient can be impaired by cretinism which is a condition which has irreversible consequences of mental retardation and stunted growth, GAIN said.

Children born with iodine deficiency, GAIN said, can become afflicted by dwarfism or otherwise known as restricted growth. One of the famous Filipino personalities with dwarfism was actor Weng Weng, a stunt performer and martial artist. He was only two feet and 9 inches tall.

Pregnant women who do not consume enough iodine for themselves and their baby can

suffer from stillbirths and spontaneous abortions, GAIN said.

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of mental slowness and can significantly lower IQs of populations, GAIN said. “Mental impairment caused by iodine deficiency doesn’t just affect individuals but whole societies by reducing educational attainment, productivity and gross domestic product,” it added.

“Tubig Talino” may be the right answer to the low iodine consumption of Filipinos. After all, no one is spared from drinking water.

Water, like air, is a basic necessity of life and therefore human beings need clean drinking water to survive. Water maintains the health and integrity of every cell in the body. It also keeps the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through blood vessels.

You’ve probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That’s easy to remember, and it’s a reasonable goal. “But your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live,” says the Mayo Clinic.

If you think you are suffering from iodine deficiency, it’s time for you to drink “Tubig Talino.”

Tubig Talino is a combination of purified or ordinary potable water and Water Plus I2, a water and iodine premix. (DOST)

Tubig Talino is now being marketed. (Wilshan)

Photos courtesy of DOST and WILSHAN

NAIA T1 for International, NAIA T2 for Domestic flights starting June 16

Starting June 16, 2023, all Philippine Airlines international flights will operate at Manila Airport’s NAIA Terminal 1 while all Philippine Airlines domestic flights will remain at NAIA Terminal 2.

Passengers are encouraged to

arrive at least four (4) hours before their international flight and three (3) hours for their domestic flights. Doing so will give travelers enough time for immigration and security checks.

PAL allows early check in for

international passengers in NAIA Terminal 1 and domestic passengers in NAIA Terminal 2. Travelers to and from the Philippines are required to register through the E-Travel portal (https://etravel.gov.ph) within sev-

enty-two (72) hours prior to their scheduled time of arrival in or departure from the Philippines. For arrivals in the Philippines, Filipinos and foreign nationals are required to register on the E-Travel portal. For departures from the

Philippines, only Filipino nationals are required to register. For travel reminders, please visit https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/before-you-fly/ at-the-airport/pal-airport-terminal-international.

Aboitiz Group fosters inclusive economic growth; drives progress in ABAC’s commitment

With steadfast commitment to comprehensive economic and sustainable development, the Aboitiz Group steps up its strategies to advocate and drive progress in ABAC’s theme of Equality, Sustainability, and Opportunity. By incorporating these principles into their operations and initiatives, Aboitiz is actively contributing towards a more prosperous ASEAN region.

As the Philippines looks forward to hosting the ABAC 3 meeting in Cebu, the Aboitiz group acts as a key driver in advancing the shared goals of equity, sustainability, and opportunity. The invaluable expertise of Aboitiz President and CEO, and ABAC PH member Sabin Aboitiz, contribute significantly to the Aboitiz Group’s endeavors and enhance the alignment between ABAC’s vision and the strategies.

Sabin Aboitiz demonstrates the Aboitiz Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. The focus on exploring the viability of Nuclear Energy via Small Modular Reactors highlights the Group’s interest in advancing clean and efficient energy sources, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the integration of Climate Risk Scenarios underscores the Group’s proactive approach to understanding and addressing the potential risks and challenges posed by climate change.

“At Aboitiz, we believe that businesses have a crucial role to play in promoting equity, sustainability, and opportunity,” Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said. “Through our collective efforts, we are committed to making a positive impact on society and fostering a better future for

all,” he added.

Apart from being the pioneer of renewable energy in the Philippines with 1249.17MW of total net sellable renewable energy capacity, AboitizPower, the energy arm of the Aboitiz Group, has shown commitment in promoting equity and inclusion within the company. Testament to that is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) program which aims to push the envelope further in creating a safe and welcoming workplace for all. The DEIB program includes the establishment of resource networks for LGBT+, women at work, and “special life” team members, which include single parents and differently-abled workers.

Group wide, Aboitiz also implements several initiatives that further celebrates diversity and maintain an inclusive workplace. Among them are info sessions and people stories for Women’s Month, Pride Month, and Mental Health Month. Aboitiz also recognized the significance of showcasing the demographics within its workforce. The company boasts a balanced representation of male and female team members, fostering an environment that values gender equality and provides equal opportunities for all.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, AboitizPower, and Aboitiz InfraCapital are also proud member companies of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, a nonprofit organization advocating for workplace gender equality. Aboitiz understands that the overall success of the company also depends on the individual success of the team members. And by creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and

included, the Aboitiz group makes sure that no one is left behind on the journey towards progress.

Furthermore, the Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines plays an important role in the group’s digitalization path. Driven by its dedication to “Tech-Up Pilipinas” and fostering widespread economic growth, UnionBank remains unwavering in its assurance that nobody, be it its clients, employees, or fellow citizens, will get left behind.

Environmental stewardship also lies at the core of Aboitiz’s efforts, as

the company actively pursues envi-

ronmentally responsible practices and solutions that meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), the holding company of the Aboitiz Group, has placed sustainability at the forefront of its business strategy. The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, which is located at the tip coast of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City, is a huge part of Aboitiz’s sustainability efforts. The eight-hectare biodiversity park serves as a haven for migratory and local birds,

various mangrove species, a pawikan rescue center facility and a nesting ground for critically endangered sea turtles.

By partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Aboitiz continues to live out its sustainability efforts by also spearheading the protection and rehabilitation of the Boracay Wetland No.4. As a linear urban park, the Boracay Wetland will offer a range of recreational activities that incorporate eco-friendly tourism designs, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

IT’S UP...

FROM 2

go Duterte, 3%; Manny Pacquiao, 2%; Robin Padilla, 1%; Isko Moreno Domagoso, 1%; Bongbong Marcos, 1%; Imee Marcos, 1%; Sandro Marcos, 1%; Others, 4%; and unspecified names, 1%.

VP Sara, who also sits as education secretary, expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos for the survey ratings, however, emphasized that she was not yet considering the national elections in 2028.

She is currently in Brunei attending the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council. She is the council’s president.

REP. ... FROM 3

Pulong.

In January this year, Rep. Pulong personally asked the private sector to broaden job opportunities for senior citizens who are still able to work, to help them meet their financial needs while continuing to contribute to the country’s post-pandemic economic growth.

To encourage private firms to hire seniors, Rep. Pulong, together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano, filed a bill further increasing the amount of tax incentives for private entities employing elderly citizens.

Under House Bill 2384, the amount of additional tax deductions from gross income entitled to private firms employing seniors is increased from 15 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to 25 percent “regardless of whether the income tax return was filed under the itemized deduction or optional deduction system.”

CITY ... FROM 3 SINGLE...

FROM 2

into the picture because that’s irreversible.)

Gatchalian described the first 1,000 days from pregnancy until lactation as a “crucial period.” He said studies showed that stunting already happens by the time some children reach daycare.

“Irreversible na. Ang paradigm shift natin... attacking the problem sa first 1,000 days,” the DSWD chief said.

“Yung nasa sinapupunan pa siya, wala pa tayong ganoon ka-aggressive na programa and if I may boldly stay, it is going to be in this administration that we are going to tackle even before they get into the facilities,” he said.

(It’s already irreversible by then. Our paradigm shift is attacking the problem in the first 1,000 days. Starting at nutrition from the womb, we have no program as aggressive as that yet.)

About 1 in 5 Filipino children aged 0 to 23 months old and 28.7 percent of children below 5 years old are stunted, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

He said his agency aims to halve these figures by 2028 or the end of the Marcos administration.

“If you want a human capital na magtatrabaho and they are intelligent, they will pass school, you really need to feed them well during their early life years kasi dun yung growth and development na kailangan nila,” Herbosa said.

The pilot run of the food stamp program aims to cover 1 million poorest families, the Department of Social Welfare and Development earlier said. Target beneficiaries will receive food credits worth P3,000 to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD-accredited local retailers, added the agency.

NUGGETS... FROM 7 DAVNOR... FROM 3

dressing communist insurgency. The whole-of-nation approach addresses the root cause of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social packages by the government, facilitating societal inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors in the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

Jubahib also lauded the Duterte administration’s creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) under EO 70, which aims to address the core issues and concerns “that have fueled dissent and discontent among our poorest of the poor that has been the breeding ground for exploitation and recruitment by the CPP-NPANDF communist terrorist organization.”

“Tungod sa NTF-ELCAC mao ni ang susi nga adunay pagsinabtanay ang gobyerno ug ang katawhan, especially in the people living in the far-flung barangays. Klaro kaayo nga ang good governance maoy exact words para mahuman ang atong problema sa insurgency,” Jubahib said.

The celebration carries the theme “Celebrating Insurgency-free Davao del Norte: Sustaining the Gains for Progress and Long-lasting Peace.”

The activity was also graced by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, military officials, officials from the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG 11), and former rebels. By Maya M.

Padillo

cific duties and functions of the RDANA Team. The overall coordinator, represented by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief or their authorized representative, organizes and deploys multiple RDANA Teams as necessary. The lead agencies for families/individuals affected, agricultural damage, infrastructure damage, poultry and livestock affected, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are assigned to assess the impacts and damages in their respective areas of responsibility.

To ensure timely reporting, the RDANA Team must submit their assessment report to the City Mayor through the CDRRMO within 24-72 hours after a disaster occurs. It will serve as the basis for evaluating the need to declare a state of calamity for a particular barangay or the entire City of Davao. Suppose the magnitude of the disaster causes considerable damage to lives and properties.

In that case, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) will convene and recommend the state of calamity declaration to the City Council.

EO 15 also states that all expenses to support the activities of the Davao City RDANA Team will be funded by the Office of the City Mayor and/or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (DRRM Fund).

Implementing the EO 15 Series of 2023 is expected to strengthen Davao City’s disaster response capabilities and facilitate a more efficient and coordinated approach to assessing damages and addressing the immediate needs of affected communities. By establishing the RDANA Team, the city aims to mitigate the disasters’ impact and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.

half-time despite going 1-for15 from 3-point range, the worst-ever NBA Finals shooting half from beyond the arc.

A Murray jumper gave Denver an 81-76 lead with 6:43 remaining while the Heat began the fourth quarter hitting only 2-for-14 from the floor and going scoreless for more than five minutes.

Butler, who had struggled all night, sank back-to-back 3-pointers and made three free throws after a controversial foul on Denver’s Aaron Gordon was upheld on video review.

Butler and Jokic traded hoops and Butler followed with two free throws to give Miami an 89-88 lead.

Bruce Brown answered with a rebound basket to put Denver ahead 90-89.

“Those last three or four minutes felt like a scene out of a movie,” Spoelstra said. “Two teams in the center of the ring throwing haymaker after haymaker.

“It will probably rank as our hardest, competitive, most active defensive game of the season, and it still fell short.”

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stole a pass by Butler and sank two clutch free throws with 24 seconds remaining to give Denver a 92-89 edge.

“For me it was all about defense,” Caldwell-Pope said. “We’ve got to get stops. Defense was going to win us a championship. I always told them that.”

Butler missed a 3-pointer, Brown grabbed a rebound for Denver and then made two free throws to seal the victory with 14 seconds remaining.

Nuggets win first NBA title

DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets sealed their first title in franchise history on Monday, defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 to end a 47-season wait for a maiden NBA championship.

Nikola Jokic scored 28 points with 16 rebounds as the Nuggets won the best-of-seven NBA Finals 4-1 to bring the Mile High City an NBA crown as a sellout crowd roared in delight and pondered what more the young squad could achieve.

“I’ve got news for everybody out there. We’re not satisfied with one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterwards. “We want more.”

The championship filled the final gap in the impressive resume of Serbian star Jokic, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and five-time All-Star center in his eighth NBA campaign.

Two days after countryman Novak Djokovic won the French Open for his record 23rd Grand

Slam tennis crown, Jokic was named the NBA Finals MVP.

“For us he’s the best ever of course,” Jokic said of Djokovic. “Now we have our NBA championship. It’s a really good moment to be a Serbian.”

Jokic delivered on a night when the team struggled with early shooting futility but blanked Miami for more than five minutes of the fourth quarter.

“It was amazing effort by the team,” Jokic said. “It was an ugly game. We couldn’t make shots. But at the end we figured it out, how to defend and we scored 90 points. That’s why we won. I’m just happy we won the game.

“It’s good. The job is done and we can go home now.”

Michael Porter Jr. added 16 points and 13 rebounds and Jamal Murray added 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets.

“We had the belief from the get-go,” Murray said. “It’s just great to see it through.”

“To do it with this group of guys, nothing could feel better than this,” Porter added.

Jimmy Butler led Miami with 21 points while Bam Adebayo added 20 and 12 rebounds.

Denver was the playoff top seed in the Western Conference while the eighth-seeded Heat, who had to win a play-in game just to reach the playoffs, lost in the finals for the third time in 10 seasons.

“One hell of a basketball team that we couldn’t really find enough solutions to be able to get us over the top,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

With their seasons on the line, players brought intensity

and

Injuries hurting Gilas at start of practice

Gilas Pilipinas has finally begun training for the FIBA World Cup.

However, as early as the first real practice on Monday night, injuries started taking a toll on the national team.

Only 10 players were present during the training session at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City -- brothers Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Ange Kouame, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, CJ Perez, Japeth Aguilar, Rhenz Abando, Chris Newsome and Poy Erram.

With Edu and Erram relegated to observer roles due to their respective lingering pains, Gilas called it a night after just an hour.

Some of the players not in attendance are also resting their own injuries

With the countdown to the Aug. 25 start getting nearer every day, coach Chot Reyes admitted that the injury woes have already disrupted their calendar for the buildup.

“It’s already affected the schedule. We’re already on a... the best way to put it is on a cramped schedule. But wala na tayong magagawa (we can’t do anything about it). The reality is that injuries are a part of it,” Reyes said at the conclusion of practice.

Adding to the early woes, Reyes confirmed that Carl Ta-

mayo won’t join the national team practice for the FIBA World Cup.

Reyes said that the camp of the newly crowned Japan B.League champion relayed to them his decision earlier in the day.

“Today, we already got word that Carl Tamayo is going to beg off because he doesn’t think he’s going to be fully healthy to go through the entire process, and we respect that. So that’s one person less,” Reyes said after Gilas finally swung to practice at the Meralco Gym.

Reyes then bared that Tamayo has a knee injury, but he also allayed fears that it could be a dreaded one.

“His MRI (magnetic resonance image) did not show any significant injury, but I think he needs to get some work done on his knee. I think he needs to get some PRP (platelet-rich plasma) next week,” Reyes said.

While he added that Tamayo could join the practices as early as the week after his knee treatment, Reyes rued that Tamayo would not make it in time for Gilas’ Lithuanian trip.

Tamayo is one of the players Reyes included in his “23 for ‘23” Gilas Cadets pool in 2018 and one of only six who eventually made the World Cup pool.

With him begging off, Gilas’

pool is now down to 20 players.

While Reyes said that he is open to call up more players to the Gilas pool, the concern is their upcoming Lithuanian trip.

“There’s no hard and fast number for the pool. We can always add guys or subtract guys from the pool. But the question is right now, we’re preparing for Lithuania, so I don’t think there’s enough time to get somebody in and get his visa for Lithuania,” Reyes said.

However, he added that the anticipation of injuries is the main reason behind putting up a pool.

“That’s why we have a pool because precisely of all these things,” Reyes said. (PNA)

The Denver Nuggets celebrate after winning the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in Denver on Monday.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic of Serbia (C) is congratulated by his teammates after being named Finals Most Valuable Player after the Nuggets won the NBA championship in Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA, June 12, 2023. John G. Mabanglo, EPA-EFE.

physical defending over the final minutes to create an electric atmosphere inside Ball Arena.

The Nuggets, down by as many as 10 points in the first half, pulled within 51-44 at

ON TO THE FINALS

La Salle gets job done, earns return trip to Finals

The defending champs got the job done by routing University of Perpetual Help System Delta, 108-91, in Game 2 on Tuesday to complete a sweep in the best-of-three semifinal series at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Determined and motivated, the Archers raced to a 28-13 advantage early on and never gave their overmatched opponent any chance to keep the game close.

La Salle will face the winner of the other semifinal series between Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda in a best-of-three finale.

Prince Ray Alao fired 12 of his 22 points in the first half as Green Archers stretched the lead 51-36.

JC Macalalag, stepping up in the absence of the injured starting guard Evan Nelle, scored 11 points while Kevin Quiambao, Bright Nwankwo and EJ Gollena chipped in 10 apiece during that back breaking attack.

“This is a venue to show and apply what we’re learning. Masaya kami sa pinakita namin this playoffs but we’re not contented yet,” said deputy coach Gian Nazario, who is handling the team in the tournament on the instruction of head coach Topex Robinson.

Perpetual, which finished the elims at No. 3, never recovered from its sluggish start and with it went whatever chance it had of evening the series.

John Abis led the Altas with 21 points top gun Cyrus Nitura misfired and bled for only four points.

The Scores:

EcoOil-La Salle 108 - Alao 22, Macalalag 11, Quiambao 10, Gollena 10, Nwankwo 10, Austria 9, B. Phillips 9, M. Phillips 8, Nonoy 7, Cortez 5, Escandor 3, Manuel 2, Abadam 2, David 0.

Perpetual 91 - Abis 21, Pagaran 19, Ferreras 19, Razon 11, Ramirez 8, Roque 5, Nitura 4, Sevilla 2, Boral 2, Barcuma 0.

Quarterscores: 30-17, 5136, 86-59, 108-91.

Ecooil La Salle earned a return trip to the Finals of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

LaSalle forward Francis Escandor drives to the basket amidst heavy traffic.