Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 72 | Thursday, July 6, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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CHARITY GOLF SPORTS P 8

PRELIM PROBE

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

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Prosecutor begins preliminary investigation of bar shooting case vs General’s son

STORY ON PAGE 2

A physically challenged person maneuvers his bicycle while traversing along the national highway in Lasang, Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. talks during the first meeting of his Cabinet at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacañang, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PRELIM PROBE T

Digitalizing 4Ps program to aid impact assessment, monitoring

Prosecutor begins preliminary investigation of bar shooting case vs General’s son

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11), told the media that a murder case had already been filed but a preliminary investigation is being conducted yet as requested by the suspect, Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew R. Pepino, 31, a doctor employed as non-uniformed personnel of PRO 11.

“Ngayon nagka-conduct ng preliminary investiga-

tion, pag sinabing preliminary investigation mag presenta ng ebidensiya itong mga parties to determine whether i-ho-hold talaga for trial itong suspect at sa ngayon the details of the case and affidavits are already prepared and already filed and the complaint was already filed before the Prosecutors office. A complaint for murder was prepared kaso lang may karapatan naman ang re-

spondent na mag request ng preliminary investigation,” Gultiano said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Gultiano said the fate of the accused, who is currently detained at San Pedro Police Station, would depend on the resolution/findings of the prosecutor.

“Ibig sabihin pag may preliminary investigation bibigyan ng opportunity ng prosecutor ang lahat ng parties, complainants and respondent, to present evidence whether there will be probable cause na guilty si suspect or i-hold sa trial.

Ang fate ni accused would depend sa resolution ni

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Vic Rodriguez on July 6, 2022.

“Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is one of the two greatest feasts of Islam,” the proclamation read.

“The observation of Eid’l Adha shall be subjected to the public

health measures of the national government,” it said.

The dates were chosen based on the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos following the Islamic Lunar Calendar.

The Muslim festival is

he City Prosecutor’s Office has started its preliminary investigation against the doctor involved in the killing of Amierkhan P. Mangacop, a 19-year-old student, in a shooting incident at a bar in Davao City over the weekend.

prosecutor. Ang tinitingan ngayon kung meron probable cause to believe na itong si suspect ay probably guilty sa charges laban sa kanya or meron bang probable cause to believe na guilty siya kaya i-ho-hold siya for trial,” she added.

The complaint for murder against Pepino was filed by police authorities on Monday and the Prosecutor has 15 days to resolve the investigation.

The PRO 11 is firmed with its stand not to impede in any matters to the legal procedure.

For this matter, we will let the fiscal decide sa resolution ng kaso,” she said.

She reiterated that PRO

traditionally celebrated with a pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest city Mecca, by doing acts of charity, and by having a feast.

Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, is the other great feast of Islam.

FPRELIM, P6

Malacañang declares July 9 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha

he Marcos administration has declared July 9 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha, one of the two major Muslim holidays.

The declaration was made through Proclamation No. 2, signed

by Executive Secretary

he Department of Science and Technology in Davao ration (DOST-11) said on Tuesday it gave a PHP1 million fund to the University of Mindanao (UM) here for its research on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The fund, granted through the agency’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOSTPCIEERD), aims to plot a visual system to improve the monitoring of the country’s 4Ps program.

The study will be completed in partnership with the Digos City government in Davao del Sur. Dubbed “e-4Ps Map”, the study seeks to address the gap as to how local governments can monitor the success or compliance rate of beneficiaries of the 4Ps program through a decision support-based data dashboard information and visualization system.

The dashboard would show statistical, graphical, and geospatial presentations on the effectivity of the service.

The study will be led

by Dr. John Vianne Murcia, UM’s Institute of Economy and Enterprise Studies director, in collaboration with the Digos City government.

Murcia said the project includes training 4Ps beneficiaries and the City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel in updating, verifying, and analyzing the data for the dashboard system.

“This project will help the government monitor the expected outcomes of the 4Ps, thus entailing accountability and transparency on their part,” he said.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the success of the program is currently measured through an impact evaluation report by the Philippine In-

FDIGITALIZING, P6

DepEd eyes full F2F classes

by November, says PBBM

V

ice President and Education chief Sara Duterte plans to implement full face-toface classes by November, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, he said Duterte announced her plan during their first executive meeting.

“First example of that, was Inday Sara’s announcement that we have a plan for full face-to-face classes by November, this year, September we will

start a phased face-toface schooling and with that, face-to-face will end up, in early November as already 100 percent attendance ng mga bata (of the children),” he said.

However, Marcos said they will be encouraging booster vaccination, especially among the youth, to combat the increasing threat of less harmful, yet more contagious Omicron variants.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH)

FDEPED, P6

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

NEWS

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Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Major Eudisan Gultiano says during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps. media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that a murder case had already been filed but a premiminary investigation is being conducted yet as requested by the last Sunday’s shooting suspect, Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew R. Pepino, a doctor employed as non-uniformed personnel of PRO 11. Edge Davao

Davao City Covid-19 positivity rate breaches 5 percent Sarangani Gov. Pacquiao promises to fight poverty

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ewly-elected Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao has vowed to fight poverty in the province which has been listed as among the country’s poorest.

The governor, younger brother of boxing idol and defeated presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, considers poverty as the biggest challenge confronting his administration.

“I will courageously face the monster of poverty in Sarangani Province,” remarked Pacquiao who had served two terms as representative of the province’s lone congressional district before seeking the gubernatorial post in the May 9 polls.

Erstwhile governor Steve Solon, a partymate of Pacquiao who served a complete term of nine years, took Pacquiao’s former post and is now Sarangani’s congressman.

For years, government agencies and non-government organizations have tagged Sarangani as among provinces in the country with the highest incidence of poverty.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2021 records

show that poverty incidence in Sarangani was at 42.1 percent.

The anti-poverty movement Zero Extreme Poverty PH 2030 (ZEP) cited in its website that Sarangani is among the top 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines with 36 percent of families in the province considered as poor.

ZEP noted that around 31 percent of Sarangani’s poor families “do not have proper water piping and well protection, which limits their access to safe potable water.”

A ZEP-United Nations Development Program COVID Pulse PH Survey in the first quarter of 2021 showed that seven out of 10 respondents in Sarangani expressed that their income worsened compared to the previous year, while 49 percent have lost their jobs or were forced to close down their businesses.

Pacquiao said that “armed with this commitment to improve the lives of the Sarangans, I am excited and eager to lead the province guided by our governance directions, that is to bring public service closer to the people.”

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City’s Covid-19 cases are on the rise again with the positivity rate breaching 5 percent, which is the acceptable positivity rate for Covid-19.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said as of today July 6, 2022 alone the city recorded 30 active cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 6.3 percent positivity rate.

This is the highest positivity rate that the city had since it was placed under

alert level 1 status in March 2022.

Schlosser added that From June 26, 2022, to July 2, 2022, the city’s positivity rate is at 5 percent, however, for this week the city is averaging 6 percent.

“We are consolidating our cases per week on a daily basis ang atong

positivty rate is 6 percent.

Daghan biya atong cases karon. Dako dako na siya becayse for many months single digit lang atong cases this is a jump off from the single digit to double digit.

Medyo dako dako ug ubay ubay. Dati kasi mag double digit man ta usually 10 or na alang siya between 10 to 20 karon medyo gataas gyud siya. We have to admit that our cases are increasing. This put us to 6.3 percent positivity rate for today. Previously, ang atong

positivity rate naga average lang to one percent to 1.5 percent then increased to three percent,” she said.

Schlosser reported that for the previous week, covering the period of June 26 to July 2, 2022, Davao City recorded a total of 102 active cases, and out of those active cases, 54 cases were asymptomatic, 43 cases are mild, two cases moderate, one case of severe and one case critical.

She added that the ma-

has not increased in its distribution rate, however, the rate na makita karon these are charges on generation and transmission charges,” said Fermin Edillon, reputation enhancement department head of DLPC on Wednesday.

He said this is due to the crisis happening in Ukraine and Russia affecting the increase of prices of petro-

leum products.

“Kani are heavily affected tungod sa panghitabo sa Ukraine-Russia crisis.

Because of that, nagsaka ang mga panaliton because nagsaka ang prices sa mga petroleum products. Sa amoang part wala mi nagsaka except sa generation and transmission charges,” he said.

Edillon said since June

the generation rate kilowatt per hour is at P11 compared to the previous month which was at P10 and this is before the Ukraine-Russia crisis started.

“Tan-awon nimo ang pagsaka sa mga kuryente dili lang DLPC ang affected ani. I guess tanan utility companies are affected.

Naay instances last year na

FDAVAO, P6

No power distribution rate hike from DLPC

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he Davao Light and Power Company (DLCP) confirmed on Wednesday there will be no rate hike in distribution charges.

However, the power company revealed that it implemented an increase in the generation and transmission charges.

“I clarified that Davao Light and Power Company

FNO, P6

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

On his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi:

Yes, I will meet with him and the usual agenda, I’m sure, will be to strengthen ties between China and the Philippines, and of course, to find ways to work to resolve the conflicts that we have.”

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS

ROE VS WADE AND ABORTION DEBATE IN THE PHILIPPINES Aside from politics, nothing has polarized nations than the issues of population growth control, abortion and contraception and their perceived consequences.

Abortion again became viral in social media with the recent overturning by the US Supreme Court of the doctrine enunciated in the 1973 landmark case of Roe v. Wade ( 410 U.S. 113).

I first encountered Roe vs Wade in my constitutional and criminal law classes at the UP College of Law in the early 1990s.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that the US constitution generally protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion.

The case noted that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects against state action the right to privacy, and a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion falls within that right to privacy. A state law that broadly prohibits abortion without respect to the stage of pregnancy or other interests violates that right.

The case discussed abortion rights in three periods of

the pregnancy.

In the first trimester, the state may not regulate the abortion decision; only the pregnant woman and her attending physician can make that decision.

In the second trimester, the state may impose regulations on abortion that are reasonably related to maternal health.

In the third trimester, once the fetus reaches the point of “viability,” a state may regulate abortions or prohibit them entirely, so long as the laws contain exceptions for cases when abortion is necessary to save the life or health of the mother.

However, the US Supreme Court recently overturned the Roe doctrine in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

It was a legal challenge to Mississippi’s 2018 Gestational Age Act, which had banned abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions only for medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities.

In upholding the Mississippi law, the Court has effectively ended the constitutional right to an abortion for American women.

The Court stated that Roe has “enflamed debate and deepened division” and that overruling it would “return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives”.

The majority opinion relied on a constitutional historical view of abortion rights, saying, “ abortion couldn’t be constitutionally protected. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision.”

In the Philippines , the Supreme Court ruled In the 1961 case of Geluz vs. Court of Appeals, (G.R. No. L-16439. July 20, 1961) that abortion, without medical necessity to warrant it, is a criminal act, and neither the consent of the woman nor that of the husband would excuse it.

The husband of a woman who voluntarily procured her abortion was not entitled to damages from the physician who performed the procedure since the fetus was not yet born and thus does not have civil personality under Article 40 of the Civil Code.

A child should be born before the parents can recover damages since personal injury

or death pertains primarily to the one injured.

Abortion also became a major issue on the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012/ R.A. No. 10354 (RH Law) that was enacted on December 21, 2012.

Cases were filed before the Supreme Court wherein challengers argued, among others, that the RH Law violates the right to life of the unborn since it would authorize the purchase of hormonal contraceptives, intra-uterine devices and injectables which are abortives.

In the consolidated case of Imbong v. Ochoa . et al ( G.R. Nos. 204819, Apr. 8, 2014), the Supreme Court ruled that the RH Law actually proscribes abortion, that it recognizes that the fertilized ovum already has life and that the State has a bounden duty to protect it.

The Court said that life begins at fertilization, not at implantation.

When a fertilized ovum is implanted in the uterine wall , its viability is sustained but that instance of implantation is not the point of beginning of life. It started earlier.

it found that the RH Law itself clearly mandates that protection be afforded from the moment of fertilization. It is replete with provisions to protect to the fertilized ovum and that it should be afforded safe travel to the uterus for implantation.

The RH Law also recognizes that abortion is a crime under Article 256 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes the destruction or expulsion of the fertilized ovum.

The Court said that the RH Law prohibits (a) any drug or device that induces abortion (that which induces the killing or the destruction of the fertilized ovum) , and (b) any drug or device the fertilized ovum to reach and be implanted in the mother’s womb.

As in every democratic society, we might be expecting more discussion on these diametrically opposed views.

(Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 09088665786.)

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WOMEN IN DAVAO’S POLITICS (2) The other elected Davao City councilors in the post-millennial era are Maria Isabel Suñga-Acosta (2001-04, 200407, 2007-10, 2013-16 and 2019-January 6, 2022), later appointed head of the Mindanao Development Authority; Angela Librado-Trinidad (2001-04, 2004-07 and 200710); Teresita Mata Marañon (2001-04 and 2007-10); Susan Isa-bel Reta (2001-04, 200407 and 2007-10); Rachel Zozobrado (2007-10, 2010-13 and 2013-16); Leah Librado (2010-13 and 2013-16); Marissa Salvador-Abella (201013 and 2013-16); Antoinette Principe Castrodes (2013-16); and Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte (2013-16).

The longest-serving lady city councilor in the post-Marcos period is Pilar Cañeda Braga, daughter of former Davao governor Gregorio Cañeda, who has so far served eight terms (1992-95, 1995-98,

2001-04, 2004-07, 2007-10, 2010-13, 2016-19 and 201922).

Elsewhere in Davao Region, women’s political inroads surfaced in the 1960s.

In the November 1963 polls, Cecilia D. Almendras-Dela Paz, sister of Alejandro D. Almen-dras, Davao’s first senator, won as vice mayor of Mon-kayo, Davao de Oro, and later, by succession, became its first lady mayor (July 12, 1966–December 31, 1967).

Two decades later, she was installed OIC-governor (January-February 1988) of Davao del Norte.

Among the five provinces of Davao, the eastern sea-board is regarded as the epicenter of gender politics when it comes to women. Since its inception in 1967, Davao Ori-ental has already been served by four lady governors be-tween 1991 and 2013. By succession, Josefina Cunanan Sibala assumed

as governor on August 13, 1991, complet-ing her predecessor’s term on June 30, 1992.

She was fol-lowed by Rosalind Ybasco Lopez (1992-95, 199598 and 1998-2001), Maria Elena Toroba Palma Gil (2001-04 and 2004-07), and Corazon Nuñez- Malanyaon (2007-10 and 2010-13).

Meanwhile, Bienvenida ‘Benben’ Saceda, ex-publisher of Digos Times, was vice governor of Davao del Sur, while Luz Mercado-Sarmiento became second governor of Da-vao de Oro. Maria Carmen Zamora, a three-term con-gresswoman, was also elected vice-governor of Davao de Oro thrice. After assemblyman Fely Santos’ win in 1978 as Davao’s first lady legislator, a parade of figures followed. Edith Nakpil-Rabat represented Davao Oriental in the regular Batasang Pambansa (1984-86).

Among the female politicos in the post-Marcos epoch are

M. Zamora, representing Davao de Oro; Palma Gil (1995-98 and 1998-2001), Malanyaon (2001-04, 2004-07, 2016-19 and 2019-22), and Thelma Z. Almario (1987-92, 1992-95, 1995-98, 2007-10, 2010-13 and 2013-16), represent-ing Davao Oriental; Mercedes Chan-Cagas (2013-16, 201619 and 2019-22), representing Davao del Sur; and Lorna Bautista-Bandigan (2016-19 and 2019-22), representing Davao Occidental.

Four female lawmakers from Davao Region have also represented the party-list system in Congress, namely: Andrea Ma. Patricia Mangrobang-Sarenas (Abanse, Pinay!, 1998-2001, 2001-04), Luzviminda Calolot Ilagan (Ga-briela: 2007-10, 2010-13 and 2013-16) Angelina Ludovice-Katoh (Akbayan, 2015-16), and Claudine Bautista (Dumper, 2019-22).

The cities and towns of

Davao also shared women of stature to politics, among them are Michelle Nakpil Rabat (2007-10, 2010-13 and 201922), city mayor of Mati; Justina MB Yu (1998-2001, 2001-04, 2004-07, 2013-16, 2016-19 and 2019-22), mayor of San Isidro, Davao Oriental; Veronica R. Rimando-Alvera (201316, 2016-19 and 2019-22), of Maco, Davao de Oro; Maria Theresa R. Timbol (2016-19 and 2019-22), of Kapalong, Davao del Norte; Virginia J. Peran-dos (2016-19 and 201922), mayor of Carmen, Davao del Norte; Evalina J. Jampayas (2007-10, 2010-13 and 201316), of Mawab, Davao de Oro; and Chelita C. Amatong (201619 and 2019-22), of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; and Lema P. Bolo (2013-16, 2016-19 and 2019-22), of Compostela, Davao de Oro. It was only in 2013 that Davao City got its first lady mayor in Sara Duterte-Carpio.

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) Reputation Enhancement Department head Fermin Edillon bares during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps. media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that the company will not implement distribution increase in the near future. Edge Davao

Gov’t urged to provide farmer subsidies this planting season A

side from offering their recommendations, food producers urged the new administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to look into the difficulties the agriculture and livestock sectors were facing.

Marcos, given the looming food crisis, called for the immediate implementation of the “Masagana 150” and “Masagana 200” proposals to increase food production.

These programs hope to produce 150 to 200 cavans of rice per hectare.

“These are good plans that we have to put into place. Let us operationalize them already, itong pina-

guusapan natin, first on the immediate short-term supply for the rest of the country,” Marcos said.

However, Bantay Bigas pointed out that Thailand, a rice exporting country, could only harvest 120 cavans per hectare.

Instead, Bantay Bigas proposed that, in the short term, subsidies could be given during the planting sea-

son so more farmers would plant crops and there would be more to harvest.

“Dapat tignan, i-analyze niya muna yung kapasidad ng ating agriculture ng sa ganoon makapagplano siya nang maigi,” Cathy Estavillo of Bantay Bigas said.

(He should first look into, analyze our agriculture capacity so that he can plan effectively.)

Apart from increasing the production of rice and corn, the President said it was also necessary to increase livestock production.

“The conclusion we have come to here is that we have to increase our

production and we talked about the ways that we can do it. I don’t know if we have enough time pati sa problema ng lifestock, baboy, at manok,” Marcos said.

Stakeholders of the agriculture sector, for their part, said that when the Department of Agriculture (DA) imported chickens, it was estimated that 30% of poultry farmers went bankrupt.

Furthermore, the decline in local supply coincided with the outbreak of avian flu in certain countries, so there were only selected countries or areas where they can import chicken,

FGOV’T, A3

PH should find niche market for e-vehicle production

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he Philippines should find a niche market in manufacturing electric vehicles rather than competing with its Asean neighbors, an industry player said.

AC Motors president Antonio Zara said the country can focus on the assembly of electric commercial vehicles rather than passenger cars since Indonesia and Thailand are already doing the small car seg-

ment.

“I suggest that we create our own niche. Let’s identify what these markets are producing or what will be producing, and then let’s define a niche that can fill the requirements of the Philippines and also maybe export to Thailand and Indonesia. But let’s not compete heads on,” Zara told reporters in a recent interview.

he Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Davao led by District Collector, Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria discussed trade potentials of Indonesia and Davao Region together with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City on June 20, 2022, at the Office of the District Collector, BOC Compound.

Highlighted during the meeting are the Port’s

trade activities in its areas of responsibility, border security accomplishments, its top import and export commodities from and to Indonesia.

Also, attendees of the meeting where Mr. Martin T. Hutabarat, Trade Attaché, Consul for Economic Section, Novita S.D. Supit, Port of Davao’s Deputy Collector for Assessment, Atty. Vicente V. Yutangco, Deputy Collector for Op-

FPH, A3

talks between BOC-Davao, Supply-side pressures to further Trade Consul General of Indonesia accelerate inflation, says BSP T

A

n inflation rate uptick to 6.1 percent in June was expected and it is seen to further accelerate mainly on the continued rise of commodity prices, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

The latest inflation print is higher than the previous month’s 5.4 percent, bringing the average to date to 4.4 percent, higher than the

government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target band.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the central bank said last month’s inflation rate is within the BSP’s 5.7 percent to 6.5 percent forecast range for June.

“This is consistent with the BSP’s assessment of a continued uptick in inflation in the near-term as supply-side pressures per-

sist,” it said.

The BSP has forecast inflation to average 5 percent this year, 4.2 percent in 2023, and 3.3 percent in 2024.

It said the rate of price increases has been forecast “to remain elevated over the coming months due to the continued rise in global commodity prices and more pronounced sec-

ond-round effects on domestic goods and services.”

“The balance of risks to the inflation outlook is likewise skewed to the upside for 2022 and 2023, with pressures emanating from the potential impact of higher global non-oil prices, the continued shortage in domestic fish supply, and pending petitions for trans-

FSUPPLY, A3

FTRADE, A3

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ECONOMY

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A worker sprays an organic flower-inducing substance on lemon trees in Brgy. Impalambong, Malaybalay City on Wednesday (6 July 2022). MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

1st Davao del Sur investment conference held in Digos City PH boosts interventions on supply sufficiency, agriculture productivity

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he Philippine government is committed to ensuring a stable food supply and mitigating the impact of rising commodity prices amid the global energy crisis, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

As reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Tuesday, the country’s headline inflation rate accelerated to 6.1 percent in June 2022 from 5.4 percent in the previous month.

This is within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast range of 5.7 to 6.5 percent for June 2022.

“The government must immediately address logistical constraints to complement the government’s Plant, Plant, Plant 2 program. As the country’s inflation rate continues to increase, we must continue fast-tracking our policies to make sure that Filipinos can still travel to work and bring sufficient and healthy food to their tables,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

Due to faster inflation in meat, fish, vegetables and rice, food inflation remained the main driver of the increase as it further climbed to 6.4 percent from 5.2 percent in May 2022.

The Livestock Development and Competitiveness (LDC) Bill is proposed to modernize the livestock, poultry, and corn sectors in the country.

Among the major provisions of the LDC Bill is the updating of the corn industry roadmap, along with the establishment of “competitiveness enhancement funds” for the livestock value chain.

Meanwhile, non-food inflation was recorded higher at 6 percent in June from 5.6 percent in the previous month. This was primarily driven by transport inflation’s increase to 17.1 percent from 14.6 percent in May, led by volatile international crude oil prices.

To mitigate the impact of higher fuel prices among low-income households, the Department of Social Welfare and Development started the distribution of the first tranche of the Targeted Cash Transfer program on July 4, 2022.

To help alleviate the burden of high oil prices on qualified tricycle drivers, the Department of the Interior and Local Government announced that over 600,000 qualified tricycle drivers are set to receive fuel cash subsidies under the Pantawid Pasada Program for

FPH BOOST, A3

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he first Davao del Sur Investment Conference was held in Digos City recently, in partnership with the provincial government and the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Sur with the aim to spur the economic development in the area despite the challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the sustained increases in the prices of petroleum products.

Glen Inas, the investment officer of the province of Davao del Sur shared the vision of the late Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas who saw Davao del Sur rising with investors.

He said it was the late governor’s dream to see the province as investment destination by first making peace and order as its cornerstone and is enjoyed by

many people today.

Inas said the recent declaration of the province as insurgent-free area since the last quarter of 2021 and the construction of farm-to-market roads leading to tourism and investment destinations have made investments a priority by the next provincial administration.

“The peace and order

and the completion of the farm-to-market roads are the recent efforts realized through the leadership of the late governor and Congressional representative Didi Cagas to boost the investments. Under the leadership of former Governor Marc IV Chan-Cagas, Davao del Sur was awarded as the third most competitive province in the region,” he said.

Engr. Ma. Victoria Placer, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry of Davao del Sur projected a brighter prospect for the province following the easing out of the COVID-19 protocols in the region, and the decline of COVID-19 cases.

She said that recently, the national government

also acted several measures by providing stimulus to help the economy recover and rebuild through the passage of the corporate recovery on tax incentives for enterprises that reduces income tax rates.

“Former President Rodrigo Duterte approved amendments to the retail trade liberalization act, public service act and the foreign investment act,” Placer noted.

She said that as the country moves towards economic recovery, the province is set for growth enticing more investors to propel its economic growth as it contributes considerably in jobs and income generation.

Placer revealed that

vices—quickened to 6.1% in June from 5.4% in May and the downwardly revised 3.7% in June 2021.

This is the fastest inflation print since the 6.9% recorded in October 2018 and the same reading seen in November 2018.

Sought for comment on the President’s remark, National Statistician and PSA chief Claire Dennis Mapa said, “The Philippine Statistics Authority stands by its report.”

The PSA releases inflation data of a previous month every first week of

the following month.

The agency’s statisticians calculate inflation by looking at the consumer price index (CPI), which is an indicator of change in the average retail prices of a “basket of goods and services” commonly purchased by households.

Marcos did not say why he disagrees with the PSA’s June inflation figures.

He, however, went on to say that the country’s inflation may cross the government target.

“Our targets were less

four percent or less. Unfortunately, it looks like we may cross that threshold. Tatawid tayo sa four percent [We will cross 4%],” the President said.

The then-Duterte administration’s Development Budget Coordination Committee set the full-year inflation ceiling at 3.7% to 4.7% range.

Year-to-date inflation so far this year is at 4.4%, still within the previous government’s target range.

With the rising infla-

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PBBM disagrees with 6.1% June inflation

P

resident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. does not agree with the government report stating that the inflation rate clocked in at 6.1% in the past month.

“6.1? I think I will have to disagree with that number. We are not that high,” Marcos said during a press briefing following his first Cabinet meeting in Malacañang.

The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier reported that inflation— the rate of increase in the prices of goods and ser-

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these imports were expensive, and it will take a while before these imports could be shipped in.

“Ang hamon ngayon kay Pangulong Marcos papapaano mo hahayaan yung sistema ng WTO na mayroong pumapasok na importasyon pero hindi mawawalan ng loob yung mga producers,” Bong Inciong of the United Broilers Raisers Association said.

Last month, the prices of eggs climbed by P50 per tray

at the Commonwealth Market amid the limited supply as some local vendors were affected due to the increase in imported breeders.

“He should meet with us para makita niya talaga kung gaano kalalim itong problema… at para makapag-suggest din kami kung ano ‘yung pwedeng solusyon, kung ano ang makakatulong sa amin, para kami ay bumalik ‘uli sa production,” Gregorio San Diego of Philippine Egg Board Association said.

With the plan of the government to slash duties for imported e-vehicles to zero for a limited period of three to five years, Zara said “it’s a little and it’s too late” kind of incentive if the Philippines aims to compete with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Zara also called on the government to release the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Industry Development Act (EVIDA), also known as the EV law.

“We would like to appeal to the government to really finalize the imple-

menting guidelines. We already have the EV law, it’s there but the EV law is motherhood. It’s generic. It does explain the intention of the government which is to promote EV. We, as (a) carmaker, though we appreciate that intent, we cannot make specific plans and commit resources until we have clear implementing guidelines,” he said.

Zara added since the EV law requires companies to electrify a certain percentage of their fleet, this supports the need to manufacture e-vehicles here for utilitarian use. (PNA)

port fare hikes due to elevated oil prices,” it added.

The BSP said the weaker-than-expected global recovery and the possible reimposition of local coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions due to a spike in infections continue to be the main downside risks to the outlook.

It assured the public that monetary authorities are “prepared to undertake necessary policy actions to bring inflation back to a target-consistent path over the

medium term and deliver on its primary mandate of price stability.”

“The upward adjustment in monetary policy rates in May and June should help temper inflation expectations. At the same time, the BSP reiterates its support for the carefully coordinated efforts of other government agencies in implementing non-monetary interventions to mitigate the impact of persistent supply-side factors on inflation,” it said. (PNA)

tion, Marcos said that “we have to think about interest rate levels.”

Interest rates are among the tools used by central banks to stabilize inflation through controlling money supply by raising borrowing costs.

Higher borrowing costs could make consumers and businesses spend less, therefore reducing economic activity or lowering demand and eventually lowering prices.

In a separate statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that “it is prepared to undertake necessary policy actions to bring inflation back to a target-consistent path over the medium term and deliver on its primary mandate of price stability.”

“The upward adjustment in monetary policy rates in May and June should help temper inflation expectations. At the same time, the BSP reiterates its support for the carefully coordinated efforts of other government agencies in implementing non-monetary interventions to mitigate the impact of persistent

supply-side factors on inflation,” it said.

The central bank, in May and June, hiked key interest rates for a total of 50 basis points.

“So we are having to be careful because essentially our economic policy right now is monetary— our monetary policy right now is essentially to use interest rates to hold, to take control of the inflation rate,” Marcos said.

“The increase in commodity prices is again something that happens —the forces that have pushed the commodity prices up are again beyond our control,” the President said.

Marcos said that “much of our inflation is actually imported inflation.”

“It is imported because it is the inflation on the products that have suffered inflation that we import. So sumama na ‘yung inflation nila doon sa atin. So we have to --when we analyze, we have to make those categorical differences so that we’ll better understand really what the situation is,” he said.

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compilation of more than a dozen American studies analyzing the effects of erosion on land productivity found that losing an inch of topsoil reduces corn and wheat yields by an average of six percent.

“The world grows 95% of its food in the uppermost layer of soil, making topsoil one of the most important components of our food sys-

tem,” wrote The Guardian’s Susan Cosier.

“Soil is related to the earth much as the rind is related to an orange,” explains an American geologist. “It is the link between the rock core of the earth and the living things on its surface. It is the foothold for the plants we grow. Therein lies the main reason for our interest in soil.”

erations, Atty. Dante A. Maranan and the District Collector’s Chief of Staff, Joyce S. Semacon.

District Collector, Atty.

Austria expressed his gratitude to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia

for its continuous support to BOC Davao as it provides better trade facilitation opportunities for the transacting public and at the same time, boosts the economic performance of Davao Region and Mindanao.

despite the economic challenges, Davao del Sur will continue to be investment destination and expansions taking place in Sta. Cruz and Hagonoy.

“Digos City came out in the latest most competitive cities index as the most competitive city in the entire country together with the municipalities of Sulop, Bansalan, Magsaysay, Sta. Cruz and Hagonoy,” she said.

Placer bared that Davao del Sur has the best potential prospects for agri-business, manufacturing, energy, tourism and other services.

She said Davao del Sur aggressively opens up to more investments in facing the new normal head-on.

Governor Yvonne Cagas used the acronym legacy for setting the direction of investments in Davao Del Sur, where L stands for legislative support, E for ease of doing business, G for green and resilient businesses, A for agricultural hotspot, C for the Cagas brand of service and Y for Yvonne Cagas at your service.

She stressed that as far as the province is concerned, its infrastructure, resources, policies and procedures are already in place.

“Investors, I appeal to you, invest in Davao del Sur and make it an investment destination of choice.

Together, let us make this happen!” Cagas said.

Retired Major General Reuben Basiao, former commander of the 10th

Infantry Division and head security of all the San Miguel Corporation interests in the region who spoke in behalf of Ramon S. Ang, the president of the SMC congratulated the holding of the first investment conference in Davao del Sur. He underscored the efforts of Ramon Ang in pushing for investments despite the pandemic ranging from the provision of food, alcohol, vaccination, protection of workers, continuation of jobs, road construction and rehabilitation like the Tarlac-Pangasinan Expressway, Skyway Stage III, the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, the MRT-7 that will commence operation early in 2023, clean-up of the Pasig River and Bulacan to mitigate the flooding and many agro-industrial complexes.

Basiao revealed that Barangay Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur is home to the San Miguel Brewery which supplies beer to any point in Mindanao while the biggest SMC poultry-farm will be built in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. “Davao del Sur makes a big difference in the lives of the residents not only in the province but the whole of Mindanao in the post pandemic due to its ideal weather patterns for agricultural production, vast coastline and ease of doing business and other policies implemented by the provincial government through good governance,” he said. (PIA XI-Davao del Sur-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Tricycle Drivers.

The Libreng Sakay Program for all the passengers of the Edsa bus carousel has been extended until December 2022.

The Department of Transportation will implement Libreng Sakay for Students Program LRT-2 and the Philippine National Railways in the first quarter of the school year 2022-2023, or from Aug. 22, 2022 to Nov. 4, 2022 considering the resumption of face-to-face classes.

“To further conserve energy and ensure everyone’s safety amidst the

rising number of Covid-19 cases, we must also consider the need to promote alternative work arrangements where these have been proven effective and productivity-enhancing, as well as to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation,” Balisacan said.

“In the long term, alternative modes of transportation may alleviate transport fare pressures and reduce the reliance on global fuel. It will also promote greener and more sustainable transportation moving forward,” he added. (PR)

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“Without soil, there would be no food apart from what the rivers and the seas can provide,” pointed out Edouard Saouma, former director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The soil is the world’s most precious natural resource. Yet it is not valued as it should be. Gold, oil, minerals and precious stones command prices which have led us to treat soil as mere dirt.”

Soil, aptly described as “the bridge between the inanimate and the living,” consists of weathered and decomposed bedrock, water, air, organic material formed from plant and animal decay, and thousands of different life forms, mainly microorganisms and insects. All play their part in maintaining the complex ecology of a healthy soil.

In the humid tropics, starting from a sandy base, a soil can be formed in as little as 200 years. But the process normally takes far longer.

Under most conditions, soil is formed at a rate of one centimeter every 100 to 400 years, and it takes 3,000 to 12,000 years to build enough soil to form productive land.

“This means that soil is, in effect, a non-renewable resource,” says the United Nations food agency. “Once destroyed, it is gone forever.”

Although soil erosion does occur naturally, the process is slow. However, man’s intervention has increased the rate of natural erosion.

According to Dr. David Pimentel, an agricultural ecologist at Cornell University, exposed soil is eroded at several thousand times the natural rate.

“The removal of one millimeter of the soil is so small that it goes undetected,” said Dr. Pimentel. “But over a 25year period, the loss would be 25 millimeters, which would take about 500 years to replace by natural process.”

“No other soil phenomenon is more destructive worldwide than is soil erosion,” wrote Nyle C. Brady in his book, The Nature and Properties of Soils. “It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching. More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil.”

According to FAO, the world is losing the equivalent of a soccer pitch of soil every five seconds, and the planet is on a path that could lead to the degradation of more than 90% of all the Earth’s soils by 2050.

“We’re approaching a critical point at which we need to start acting on soil erosion or we are not going to be able to feed ourselves in the future,” said Lindsay Stringer, professor at England’s University of Leeds.

Authors Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf contend soil erosion threatens crop production. In their book, Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy, they explained: “The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways. It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production.”

The two authors continued: “When farmers lose topsoil, they may increase land productivity by substituting energy in the form of fertilizer. Farmers losing topsoil may experience either a loss in land productivity or a rise in costs (of inputs). But if productivity drops too low or costs rise too high, farmers are forced to abandon their land.”

A recent study by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution concluded that approximately 30% of the world’s arable crop land has been abandoned because of severe soil erosion in the last 40 years.

“When soils are depleted and crops are poorly nourished, people are often undernourished as well,” Brown and Wolf contend.

“Failure to respond to the erosion threat will lead not only to the degradation of land, but to the degradation of life itself.”

The good thing is that the Philippines has a sustainable farming technique called Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT).

Developed by Watson and his Filipino counterparts at the MBRLC in the 1970s yet, it has proven that SALT can minimize soil erosion.

A study conducted at the MBRLC showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. A SALT farm, on the other hand, erodes at the rate of only 20.2 metric tons per hectare per year.

The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range.

Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10 to 12 metric tons per hectare per year.

In comparison, the nonSALT farm has an annual soil loss rate of 194.3 metric tons per hectare.

“Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever,” Watson pointed out.

Aside from threatening crop production, soil erosion also affects water supplies. “Soil captures, stores and filters water – so when soil erodes, less water can move through it,” the FAO explained. “Without soil, the quality of drinking water in lowland areas may decrease, as the water was never adequately filtered through soil upstream.”

Soil erosion likewise damages infrastructure located in lowland areas. “With less soil to absorb heavy rainfall, floods may become more frequent and intense,” FAO said. “When soil is not held together by plant roots, it can be easily moved by wind or water. As a result, loose and eroding soil can make floods and landslides more severe.”

Now, if a nation like the Philippines has to survive in the next century, it has to stop soil erosion now. “A nation without soil is effectively bankrupt,” FAO surmised.

“A nation with appropriate land-use patterns and farming techniques, where erosion has been controlled and contained, is poised on the springboard of development.”

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Most of the uplands in the country are now devoid of forests and turned into farms.

The Aedes aegypti is the type of mosquito that carries the dengue virus (today.duke.edu).

STOP SOIL EROSION NOW

OR FACE STARVATION SOON Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

f the present administration wants to address the food crisis which the country will soon be facing, it has to address first the problem besetting lands, the primary resource of farm production.

The Philippines has a total land area of 30 million hectares. Currently, the country is home to about 110 mil-

lion people. Most of the lands are classified as uplands since their slopes range 18 degrees upward.

When there’s heavy rain, lands are eroded causing landslides.

Aside from dwindling land resources – due to surging populations – the areas suited for agriculture are experiencing a crisis which most Filipinos notice but never pay attention to: soil erosion.

Soil erosion is a longterm phenomenon. It’s like the sands through an hour-

glass. People know what’s happening, but they’ll worry about it tomorrow. But by then, it may be too late!

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than any outside enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Harold R. Watson, an American agriculturist who received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding.

“It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Watson knows. He was the former director of MBRLC; he is now retired and back in his hometown in Mississippi. He came to the Philippines in the 1960s and during that time, he sounded the alarm of deforestation and soil erosion.

But people laughed at him. They told him, “We’re never going to run out of trees!” That was before several presidents, other Asian governments, the United Nations – and countless farmers – recognized the value of his insights.

When Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” the Philippines in 1521, forests blanketed 95% of the country.

When the Ormoc City, Leyte

SALT is a sustainable way of farming, which helps control soil erosion.

tragedy happened – which left 8,000 people dead – timber cover was only 18%.

In 1971, Watson opened to the public the MBRLC, a research and demonstration farm. In the beginning, they floundered. “When I got here, I had no idea what the problems were up in the hills,” said the American who spent almost half of his life in the Philippines. “Farming looked pretty good on the surface.”

Soon, Watson discovered that the problem was the surface: It was washing away.

Loggers – both legal and illegal – were hauling trees out of the once-lush mountains, leaving behind denuded hillsides. Tribal people and migrants were using “slash and burn” methods (kaingin) to clear and farm the uplands, and topsoil was disappearing faster than what can be replenished. The result: low production, hunger, and hopelessness.

“Most of these farmers don’t have a vision to see five or 10 years down the line,” Watson said. “Most live for one more day, and don’t lift their head up. They’re not

thinking about erosion. It’s ‘What can I get out of the land today, right now?’”

Soil scientists claim 58% of the country’s total land area are susceptible to erosion. “For one, the magnitude of soil erosion in cultivated sloping areas has reached an alarming proportion,” deplored Angel C. Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and also a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.

Soil erosion is not a new phenomenon.

Archaeological sites of civilizations, studies showed, were undermined by soil erosion. The fertile wheat-growing lands that made North Africa the granary of the Roman Empire are now largely desert.

The lowlands of Guatemala that once nourished a thriving Mayan culture of five million people were drained of their fertility by soil erosion.

That human life should depend for its existence on less than a meter of mixed organic and inorganic debris may come as a surprise to modern man. Yet it is so. A

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VOL.15 ISSUE 7270 • THURSDAY, 7, 2022 VOL.15 ISSUE • TUESDAY, JULY 4,

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 10th Regular Session Series of 2022 PRESENT: Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

ABSENT:

Alberto T. Ungab - Temporary Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Rodolfo M. Mande Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte

- On Official Business

ORDINANCE NO. 0899-22 Series of 2022 AN ORDINANCE EFFECTING THE COLLECTION OF FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) SOCIALIZED FEES IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11222, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “SIMULATED BIRTH RECTIFICATION ACT” AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known and cited as “AN ORDINANCE EFFECTING THE COLLECTION OF FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) SOCIALIZED FEES IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11222, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “SIMULATED BIRTH RECTIFICATION ACT” AS RECOMMEMDED BY THE CITY SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.”

SECTION 2. AUTHORITY - Section 129 of the Local Government Code of 1991 states, “Each Local Government Unit shall exercise its power to create its own sources of revenue and to levy taxes, fees, and charges subject to the provisions herein, consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy. Such taxes, fees, and charges shall accrue exclusively to the local government units.”

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS

(a) Administrative adoption – refers to a process whereby a person assumes the parental authority of a child, from the biological parent or parents. It permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation to the adoptive parents.

(b) Socialized Fee- a fee recommended and collected by the City or Municipal Social Welfare Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office and the Office of the Civil Registrar which shall not exceed Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00).

SECTION 4. SOCIALIZED FEE – There is hereby imposed a Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) socialized fee for administrative adoption proceedings. Provided further, if the applicant of the administrative adoption proceeding is an indigent, the said fee shall be waived.

SECTION 5. WAIVER – Section 13 of Republic Act 11222 provides that fees shall be waived if the petitioner/s is/are found to be indigent as defined by law.

SECTION 6. REPEALING CLAUSE – All ordinances contrary to or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.

ENACTED, March 08, 2022, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED: Acting Vice Mayor Temporary Presiding Officer cns/ser

Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

APR 29 2022 APPROVED:_________________,

ATTESTED:

AN ORDINANCE EFFECTING THE COLLECTION OF FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) SOCIALIZED FEES IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT 11222, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “SIMULATED BIRTH RECTIFICATION ACT” AS RECOMMEMDED BY THE CITY SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

PRELIM... FROM2 11 did not give special treatment to Pepino.

“Nakakulong ang suspect at wala tayong binigay na special treatment.

Ang suspect is detained at San Pedro Police Station.

The Police Regional Office 11 condoles with the family and the victim, unfortunately, our personnel is involved in the incident,” she said.

Mugshot not for public When asked why there is no mugshot of the suspect released, Gultiano explained that mugshots are not public documents and can be publicized only if the respondent consented to them.

Administrative case Gultiano said PRO 11 will be filing an administrative complaint against Pepino.

“We will be filing an administrative complaint against Pepino. Lahat naman may due process at bibigyan natin siya ng chance to answer the allegations and complaints.

We have a unit in-charge in filing administrative cases against our non-uniformed and uniformed personnel,” she said.

Bar co-owner?

There are reports

that Pepino is allegedly a co-owner of Lugar Bar where the shooting incident occurred. However, Gultiano cannot confirm if he is part owner of the bar as there has no information given to PRO 11 with regards to it.

“There are no report yet that PRO received as to who owns (bar) kasi ang focus ngayon ng investigation ay ang shooting incident. Probably, ongoing yan since may statement si Mayor Baste (Duterte) about the strict implementation ng liquor ban. I think the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will be having a meeting with the bar owners and all para mapag-usapan,” she said.

Gultiano added that it is irrelevant in the case as to who owns the bar because the incident took place outside of the bar.

However, based on the videos circulating online showing Pepino already fuming inside the said bar.

Voices in the background are requesting the guards to let them out because of the tension.

Mangacop can be seen also in the video, wearing a helmet, just passing by.

“Ngayon na nasa preliminary investigation na yan at malalaman na natin kung ano ang maging resolusyon ng fiscal,” she said.

Justice for Amier Mangacop A Facebook Page “Justice for Amier Mangacop” vehemently condemned the killing of the victim who was shot three times.

Based on the page’s account, Amier and his cousins were sleeping at their aunt’s house in Davao City when his cousin called and requested to be fetched at the Lugar Cafe and Bar on the corner of Tavera and V. Mapa Streets.

The page claimed that Mangacop’s cousin just asked to be picked up and taken home because he was afraid to go home alone. The page denied reports that these young people were all drunk or high, they were just at home sleeping and not drinking and were not high on drugs.

It said that when Amier arrived, there was already an ongoing commotion at Lugar Café and Bar involving other people.

jority of the cases are vaccinated but did not receive their booster doses. Also, three of the four deaths from June 26 to July 2, 2022, were unvaccinated while the other one was vaccinated.

As of July 2, 2022 Buhangin District had the most number of active COVID-19 cases with 30 followed by Talomo (28),

Poblacion (17), Agdao (11), Bunawan (six), Toril (four), Tugbok (three), Baguio (one), and Calinan (one).Marilog and Paquibato districts each had zero COVID-19 cases.

“This is a reminder to us kasi naa ta karon sa Alert Level 1 so it might affect us. So kung gusto nato mag remain sa Alert Level 1 we have to con-

tribute and in contributing we have to always follow the minimum public health standards and also kinahanglan ta magpabakuna. Kaning pagtaas sa atoang rate dependent sa discipline, cooperation, ug sa contriobution sa bawat tao sa isa ka area particuarl sa atong city.

We have to be on guard at all times,” she said.

nagsaka ang coal especially na majority sa mga base loads sa mga planta nato diri ang main source sa fuel is coal,” he said.

Recently, the Upper House passed on second reading House Bill (HB)

10554 (Committee Report No. 609) or an act expanding the franchise area of DLPC of the AboitizPower subsidiary to include Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Asuncion,

Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

These areas are currently covered by the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco). By Maya M. Padillo

stitute for Development Studies (PIDS) every three years.

The amount of cash grant provided can also be adjusted upon recom-

mendation of PIDS to the National Advisory Council every six years.

The 4Ps is a central poverty reduction program of the government

that provides conditional cash transfers to poor households to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspects of the lives of Filipinos. (PNA)

gave the green light on the booster shots for ages 12 to 17 years old.

Former Education secretary Leonor Briones, meanwhile, assured earlier that vaccination against Covid-19 will not be made

mandatory for learners nationwide.

Briones also made it clear that for schools to qualify for face-to-face classes, they must comply with measures by the DOH. These include parental

consent, DOH health assessment, and the go-signal from the local government unit.

As of mid-June, around 38,000 schools nationwide are nominated for face-toface classes. (PNA)

point but a netted service return gave the Italian the set.

Sinner, relentlessly unleashing winners from all corners of the court, stunned the top seed again with breaks in the third and seventh games on his way to a two-set lead.

However, Djokovic is no stranger to Grand Slam adversity, having twice come back from two sets to love down as recently as last year’s French Open.

The second of those stunning recoveries came in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

A break in the fourth game of the third set enabled Djokovic to cut his quarter-final deficit.

In control, the 35-yearold leveled the tie with a double break in the fourth set as Sinner took a worrying tumble on his ankle scrambling to the Centre Court net.

DAVAO... FROM3

NO... FROM3

DIGITALIZING... FROM2 DEPED... FROM2

DJOKOVIC... FROM7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

SPORTS

7

Midfielder Jessica Miclat of the Philippines battles Australia’s Mackenzie Hawkesby during the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship match in Manila on July 4, 2022.

Pinay booters all pumped up after big win, face SG side A fter conquering powerhouse Australia on Monday, the Philippine women’s national football team looks to make it two in a row when they battle lower-ranked Singapore in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Filipinas will bring plenty of momentum into the match after their historic 1-0 victory against Australia on Monday night.

Sarina Bolden broke

the deadlock in the 60th minute, scoring with her head off a long throw-in

by Eva Madarang before some fine defending by the Filipinas secured three points in their first

match of the competition.

“For us to match [Australia], even in the first half,. was really pleasing.

But we addressed a few things at halftime, and the players came out raring to go and showed that they could compete and even improve throughout the match, which is really important,” Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic said.

“I’m really pleased with the result and the performance,” he added.

Stajcic commended the effort put in by the Filipinas on defense, as they held the young Aus-

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Championships July 5, 2022. Tolga Akmen, EPA-EFE

tralians to just a handful of chances throughout the match. The Matildas didn’t feature their senior team, but they still had plenty of experience: six members of the Australian team have been capped by their senior squad.

Post-match statistics showed that while Australia had more possessions, they managed just four shots -- only one of which was on target.

“To limit Australia to maybe four chances throughout 90 minutes is really an amazing ef-

fort. I don’t think you can underscore how big an effort that is, to keep a team like that down to just four or five chances throughout a match,” said Stajcic.

While he was pleased with the Filipinas’ performance, Stajcic also stressed that they must be quick to switch their focus to their next match.

They play Singapore, a team ranked 132nd in the world by FIFA, on Wednesday night.

“This is a good building block,” said Stajcic of the win against Australia.

“Come midnight, we really have to switch focus for the next game,” he stressed.

Singapore battled 85th-ranked Malaysia to a goalless draw in the first game of the tournament on Monday afternoon, amid rainy conditions at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Kick off is at 7 p.m.

At 4 p.m., Australia will try to bounce back against Thailand, also at the Rizal Memorial. Meanwhile, Indonesia will play Malaysia at the Imus Grandstand at 7 p.m.

efending champion Novak Djokovic battled back from two sets to love down to defeat Jannik Sinner and reach his 11th Wimbledon semifinal on Tuesday.

Djokovic triumphed 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and will face either Britain’s Cameron Norrie or David Goffin of Belgium for a place in Sunday’s final.

It was the seventh time in the Serb’s career that he had recovered from two sets to love at the Slams.

“Huge congrats to Jannik for a big fight, he’s so mature for his age, he has

plenty of time ahead of him,” said Djokovic.

“The first two sets compared to the next three were like two different matches. He was the better player for those first two sets.

“But at the end of the second set I took a toilet break, gave myself a little pep talk, tried to gather my thoughts.

“I broke early in the third set. I saw a little bit of doubt start to come into his movement. I have many years’ experience of playing on these courts and coping with the pressure.”

Djokovic is bidding to go level with Pete Sampras as a seven-time Wimbledon champion and stand just one off Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight.

He appeared set for a routine afternoon when he swept into a 4-1 lead in the opener and had a break point for 5-1 against the 20-year-old Italian.

Sinner, the 10th seed, saved it and rallied to move 6-5 ahead, carving out an opportunity to serve for the set.

Djokovic saved a set

Djokovic reaches semis D

FDJOKOVIC, P6

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 72 • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

Col. Jun Pedro receives his Class A gross trophy.

Contributed photo by Roland Jumawan

CHARITY GOLF

Gotan, Fanlo pocket overall gross, net titles

By NEIL BRAVO

R

yan Gotan and Richard Fanlo emerged as the big winners in the recent 1st Commissioner’s Cup Open Golf Tournament held June 30 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Gotan topped the field to take home the overall gross trophy while Fanlo had the best overall net score to snare the hardware.

Jhing Torres won the Ladies gross champion trophy besting Maribel Lee while Leanne Quilat took the net champion’s trophy beating runner up Rutche Albers.

Col. Jun Pedro ruled the elite Class A division to win the gross championship over Oying Caturan while the net championship went to Randy Arevalo who turned back

the challenge of Butch Cordura.

In Class B, Bong Tesado won the gross title after besting Cocoy Ames while Korean expat Hyu Sen Lee won the net title over Verne dela Cruz.

In Class C, Mikel Martinez defeated Paolo Escalona for the gross title while Cocoy Junsay bagged the net title over Cocoy Santos.

The charity event is organized by Randy Policarpio Jr. 12 sacks of rice were donated to the caddies of Apo Golf and Country Club.