Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 44 | Thursday, May 6, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

NEW HOOPS SPORTS P8

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CLOSING IN

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

A Task Force Davao personnel inspects a vehicle at a TF Davao checkpoint in Lasang, Davao City during the city government of Davao’s implementation of a lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 last year. The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force-Regional Task Force against Covid-19-11 released uniform guidelines to regulate entry and exit in regional borders of Region 11 on Tuesday. Edge Davao

Davao City Hospital Ordinance approved on final reading

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

Moro network presses Congress to extend BARMM transition period

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urges Dabawenyos to seek medical help whenever they feel anxious or unhappy due to rising concerns brought about by Covid-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

CLOSING IN Davao City Hospital Ordinance approved on final reading By MAYA M. PADILLO

NOTICE OF AUCTION The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule listed below Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magpahigayon ug subasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong iskedyul nga nakasulat sa ubos. BRANCHES DATE PAWNED DAVAO Sasa Maa Sandawa Matina

Panabo Main

Panabo Branch

November 01, 2020 to November 30, 2020

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION

May 26, 2021 (Wed) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Matina Branch VGM Bldg., KM. 6 Matina, Davao City

avao City is closing in on the construction of a Level III 100-bed Davao City Hospital that will soon rise within the University of the Philippines-Mindanao Campus in Bago Oshiro, Davao City.

This after the approval by the City Council on the third and final reading of the Davao City Hospital ordinance entitled “An ordinance for the establishment and construction of a Level III General Hospital in Davao City and appropriation of funds and other purposes.” Proposed by Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, the hospital will serve as a training center and as Covid-19 response and shall provide services for all kinds of illnesses, disease, injuries, or deformities pursuant to its classification under DOH Administrative Order No.2021-0012 of July 18, 2012. Following the approval of the ordinance, Villafuerte said they will assist the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to comply with documents in order to secure a Permit to Construct from the Department of HealthRegulations, Licensing, and Enforcement Division

(DOH RLED). It is stated in the ordinance that the city government of Davao shall appropriate the funds necessary for the construction of the hospital additional funding shall also be sourced from funds allocated for the city under Republic Act No.11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020 and the Health Enhancement Program of the national government. “Possibly a groundbreaking ceremony will be held with Mayor Sara, UP Mindanao and other relevant agencies soon,” Villafuerte said. It can be recalled that DOH has recommended starting with a secondlevel hospital and gradually expand into a third level medical training facility like the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), which is the biggest and most-equipped national government hospital in Mindanao.

n umbrella of Moro civic groups in the country pressed Congress anew on Tuesday to immediately approve the proposal extending for another three years the transition period in the Bangsamoro region, considering that time is almost running out before lawmakers adjourn their session. At the same time, the One Bangsamoro Movement, Inc. (1Bangsa), which counts at least 60 Moro groups as members, pleaded President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as priority measure the bill extending the transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as his gift to Muslim Filipinos for the holy month of Ramadhan. Alan Balangi-Amer, 1Bangsa president, said the favorable action of Congress and the President to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) until June 2025 will augur well in achieving genuine peace in Mindanao. “Various sectors had spoken loud and clear in endorsing the BTA extension,” he said in a statement. In a phone interview, Balangi-Amer said that majority of Muslim Filipinos in the country favor the extension of the transition period in the BARMM to sustain the gains of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The CAB is the final peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed in 2014 after 17 years of negotiations. “We need to sustain the trajectory of peace generally prevailing now over the Bangsamoro region and the rest of Mindanao, and that can be done by allowing the extension of the transition period in the BARMM for the implementation of the provisions of the peace agreement,” he said. Following the creation

of the BARMM two years ago, the government and the MILF are implementing the CAB’s normalization track, which includes the decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons and transforming recognized MILF camps into peaceful economic zones. Balangi-Amer stressed that Congress is mandated by the Constitution to build a just and humane society. “The Congress has now a very rare opportunity to perform that duty. It is now in the hands of Congress to give extra time for the Bangsamoro transition and be an instrument in building a just and humane society in Mindanao,” he said. He stressed the need for Congress to act immediately, noting that it has a few more session days before it adjourns sine die on June 4. As for Duterte’s certification of the proposal as a priority measure, Balangi-Amer said it “will complement the efforts in Congress for the timely passage of the bill.” In March, peace advocacy groups submitted to Malacañang one million signatures calling on Duterte to certify the transition extension bill as a priority measure. The term of the MILFled BTA, which governs the BARMM government, will end on June 30, 2022, when the new set of elected officials shall have taken their oath of office. Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC), earlier said that the calls to extend the transition period do not cover the personalities appointed to the BTA but only the term of the body. The MPC, a grassroots network of Bangsamoro, Christian and Lumad peace advocates in Mindanao, conducted a mid-term review of the transition from ratification of the Bangsamoro law on January 25, 2019 until September 30, 2020.

Another Bukidnon priest dies of COVID

he Diocese of Malaybalay announced Tuesday the death of another of its priests due to COVID-19 complications. The announcement said Fr. Pablo Salengua, parish priest of the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Dalirig, Manolo Fortich town, died at 12:15 p.m. It quoted that the attending doctor at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City declared him dead after days of bout against COVID-19 complications. The 67-year-old Salengua served as priest for 34 years. He served as chair of the Indigenous Peoples Apostolate (IPA) in previous commissions. Currently, he is a member of the IPA under Fr. Cris Aninloy. Salengua was the fourth diocesan priest in Bukidnon who died this year, and the second to succumb to

COVID-19. Fr. Diomedes “Jojo” Brigoli, of the Jesus Nazareno parish in Libona, died on May 1. Fr. Rene Regalado was shot in January by still unknown gunmen while Fr. Joel Tuquib died of cardiac arrest last month. Another priest in the diocese, 84-year-old Fr. Columbano Adag, OSB of the Abbey of Transfiguration, also died last month but not due to COVID-19. The Dalirig and the Libona parishes were both closed due to COVID-19 – for the death of Fr. Brigoli and the infection, and eventual death, of Fr. Salengua. The Diocese also locked down the Bishop’s House in Malaybalay City. But in a Facebook post today, the Diocese announced that all the tests conducted on all bishop’s house personnel turned out to be negative.

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

7 NPA rebels surrender to Davao Region authorities

even members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), including a commanding officer of the Pulang Bagani Command 8 surrendered to authorities and were presented to media members last Monday (May 3) at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 in Camp Catitipan, Buhangin, Davao City. The regional police identified the surrenderees through their aliases as Nene, Jane, Waway, Ben, Rogel, Nestor, and Ojie. Nestor is said to be a former commanding officer of Pulang Bagani Command 8, Southern Regional Committee in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, while Nene and Jane served as squad leader and supply- medic, respectively. Waway served as the leader of the Regional Political Committee, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) while the rest are full-time members of the NPA. Four of them surrendered to the Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office while others gave up to elements of the Philippine Army and Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB). The rebels also surrendered their firearms to the government forces. PRO 11 director Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal said that the surrender of the NPA members is only

proof that the government through the programs that are being delivered by the different government agencies are now being felt even in the hinterlands. “Because of the National Task Force-Ending Local Armed Conflict, all government agencies are now working hand in hand for us to be able to achieve the desire of President Rodrigo Duterte to end the insurgency problem,” Escobal said. According to him, these rebels were only victims of NPA’s deception and were used to hate the government through the radicalization efforts. “In Region 11, we can say that we are close to achieving the goal of the President to end the communist armed conflict before he steps down in 2022,” he added. For his part, Philippine Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Potenciano Camba said that the whole nation approach has brought into surface through several strategies which primarily aims to advance and sustain this framework and put an end to the 52 years armed conflict. “Sa ating mga rebel returnees, sana ay kasabay ng inyong pagbabalik-loob at pagsuko ng inyong mga sandata, ang inyong muling pagbabagong buhay at pagbangon muli na may pag-asa,” he said.

Department of Interior and Local Government 11 (DILG 11) director and Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) chair Alex Roldan reiterates that the local government units (LGUs) are going to implement the uniform guidelines to regulate the entry and exit in regional borders of Davao Region and they will set the date of its effectivity. Edge Davao

Local EOs to enforce uniform partial border closure rules By MAYA M. PADILLO

avao City’s request for the partial closure of Davao Region’s borders has been approved and it is only awaiting for the Executive Orders (EOs) from the mayors of Region 11 to set the date for the enforcement of the partial closure.

“The LGUs are going to implement it. Therefore ang executive order ng mayors ang mag set ng date. The IATF is just there to set the guidelines. Ang implementation is with the LGU which is coordinated by the RTF Covid-19,” said Regional Director Alex Roldan of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), who also heads the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF). The RIATF released a joint RIATF-RTF Resolution No.1 Series of 2021 on Tuesday, the uniform guidelines to regulate entry and exit in regional borders of Region 11. The RIATF and RTF find it necessary to provide a region-wide border control guidelines to regulate movement into and from Region 11 as an additional and pre-emptive measure against the surge of Covid-19 cases in Davao Region. The guidelines shall be applied only to inter-regional movement or movement from one region to another and shall be implemented at regional borders subject to adoption by the LGUs while the intra-regional movement or movement within the region shall be governed by

local issuances of respective LGUs. The Local issuances of respective LGUs shall continue to be in effect in their areas of jurisdiction and these guidelines shall only serve to regulate inter-regional movement applicable along regional border controls. Section 3 states that movement of the authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) shall be allowed if they are health and emergency frontline services and uniformed personnel; government officials and employees on official travel and business; dulyauthorized humanitarian assistance actors (HAAs), especially those transporting medical supplies and laboratory specimens related to Covid-19 and other relief assistance; persons traveling for medical reasons but not limited to attendance to burial or next of kin, watchers of medical patients, takers of licensure exams and other similar instances; and those going to and from the airport. The guidelines require returning residents of Region 11 that are Non-APORs (authorized persons outside of residence) to present ID showing residence or any

other proof of residence and negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours. The essential travel of non-residents into Region 11 will be allowed provided that any one of the proof of appointment, medical prescription/referral or any other docuyment showing proof of essential transaction will be presented. The traveler shall be only allowed to stay for a maximum of 24 hours within the region unless the transaction availed of requires more than 24-hour stay. Also proof of accommodation shall be presented by travelers staying for more than 24 hours at border control points. Section 5 states that tourists that are non-resident of Region 11 shall be allowed entry provided that they present negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours and resort booking confirmation. Section 6 states that travelers that are merely passing through the region shall be allowed to stay within Region 11 within a specified time and the entry point shall coordinate with the exit point that the vehicle/traveler shall be expected to pass thru within a specified time. Meanwhile, movement of cargoes and goods shall be unhampered, however, must observe up to a maximum of five persons only of personnel delivery vehicles and personnel shall undergo usual symptom screening protocol at the port of destination’s entry.

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

Cebu Pacific launches Super Pass, a promo which enable travelers to book and decide later where to fly. Edge Davao

CEB launches P Super Pass

Include BPO workers in A4 group for Covid-19 vax, PEZA asks IATF

By MAYA M. PADILLO

hilippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific launched on Tuesday Super Pass, which enable travelers to book and decide later where to fly.

The Super Pass, which is available from May 5 until May 12, 2021, and for only P99 (one-way base fare), this travel voucher can be used in any Philippine

destination in CEB’s widest domestic network for travel from May 12, 2021 to May 31, 2022. “You lock in your fare

strict government bidding process. “CPMP members were able to garner from the above-board procurement process only 27 percent of its monthly capacity for coveralls and gowns (815,000 units) and 69 percent of the monthly mask capacity or around 41.3 million units,” the groups said. They added these orders have been produced and delivered within the first two months of the year. “Clearly, the

utilization of existing domestic capacity was marginalized. Locallyproduced PPE products are not getting into the market, even if the products are supposedly made available for the sole nationalistic use of the Filipino people,” they said. Earlier, one of the bottlenecks that the local PPE makers cited is that government procurement is not in sync with the production capacity of the manufacturers as the government’s demand

FCEB, B1

hilippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Charito Plaza has requested the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to include workers in economic zones, particularly business process outsourcing (BPO) and other export-oriented employees, to be part of the A4 priority group for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination. “PEZA-registered companies, ecozone and industry workers are considered frontline

workers as they have continued working to ensure the unhampered service to contribute to the global supply chain,” Plaza said in a letter to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. Plaza said workers in the BPO and exportoriented sectors should be included in the fourth priority list for Covid-19 vaccine as these sectors remain open even during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). “PEZA has been hitting two birds in one stone since the beginning of this health crisis. As

is much higher than the local capacity. However, this can be addressed through coordination between the government and the industry so that the manufacturers can ramp up their production to meet the volume requirement of the government procurement. The industry players said this major bottleneck can be addressed by a comprehensive stockpiling program. “A comprehensive procurement program

which provides a gestational period for local manufacturers to source and stockpile on raw materials, within a calendar year should be in place. The government can plan the requirement projections to ably address the bottlenecks in the PPE supply chain management mechanism,” the groups said. They also call on the lawmakers to immediately pass the Philippine Pandemic Protection Act and

FBPO, B1

PPE manufacturers urge gov’t to set up stockpiling program

roups of personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers are urging the government to set up a program for stockpiling medical-grade PPE to ensure the availability of local supply of the products needed during pandemics. In a joint statement Tuesday, the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (Conwep) and the Coalition of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP) said a

stockpiling program would also ensure that locally-made PPE will be sold and consumed in the domestic market. Conwep and CPMP said through a stockpiling program, the government could buy more locally-produced PPE. The groups added member companies joined the nationwide g o v e r n m e n t procurement for PPE in the latter part of 2020, but local manufacturers’ capacity was not maximized due to the

FPPE, B1

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

ECONOMY A2

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Charito Plaza requests the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to include business process outsourcing (BPO) and other export-oriented employees to be part of the A4 priority group for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination. Edge Davao

Managing COVID-19 risks ‘crucial’ in improving employment situation

ffective management of risks brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is “crucial” in improving employment in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday. Unemployment ballooned in early 2020 when the strict lockdown was imposed due to the pandemic. In 2021, when the rise in infections prompted another lockdown, limited mobility was allowed and many industries were able to operate to mitigate impact on employment.

“Managing the current risks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic shocks will be crucial in continuously improving labor market conditions,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua. Chua said jobs lost during the strict lockdown last year have all been restored, with more opportunities offered. However, the Asian Development Bank earlier flagged that although employment is back to pre-pandemic

FMANAGING, B1

‘Kadiwa’ brings farmers’ produce to work stations

he Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Department of Trade and Industry ((DTI) in Region 11 launched the Kadiwa Diskwento Caravan on May 3, to bring farmers’ produce closer to the workers. In a statement Tuesday, DA-11 said the initiative is in partnership with the Association of Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) and Unifrutti Tropical Philippines, Inc. The Kadiwa

Gov’t fast-tracking contact tracing efforts, nat’l ID: NEDA

he Philippine government is recalibrating its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response to better manage risks and fast-track solutions on contact-tracing and the national identification (ID) deployment, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. “Instead of shutting down the entire economy,

we only close down the sectors or the areas with the higher risk and allow 98 percent of the people with no Covid symptoms or risks to continue working,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in an interview. Chua said the country saw a lot of businesses closed during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last year. “This year, we are see-

ing some reopening. When we imposed the ECQ in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus) area, we did not close public transport and allowed as many workers to go to work as possible,” he added. Chua said the government is intensifying the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Recover (PDITR) strategy during the ECQ and modified enhanced

FGOV’T, B1

Diskwento Caravan will run every 15th and 30th of the month. DA-11 said it is working with DTI-11 and ALU-TUCP to establish Kadiwa market outlets for other working establishments to serve more employees while

providing more doors for farmers’ produce in the region. The first to benefit the Kadiwa market outlet are the workers of Unifrutti Shipping Group, who managed to avail of the farmers’ produce that came from the far-flung areas of this city such as in the districts of Calinan, Marilog, and Paquibato.

DA-11 Director Ricardo Oñate, Jr. said the initiative will benefit both the farmers and consumers. “We want to highlight

our ‘Grow Local, Buy Local, Eat Local’ campaign. We deliver safe and affordable food right at your doorsteps while providing market access to our farmers’ produce in the hinterlands,” he said. Oñate added that through the active partnership with the Davao City Agriculture Office and its partner coops, they managed to buy the farmers’ produce right at their farms -- cutting their transportation cost and increasing income. (PNA)

PH urges ADB to ‘level up’, expand loan portfolio to support recovery, says DOF

he Philippines is urging the Asian Development Bank to “substantially expand” its loan portfolio for the next 5 years to boost recovery of developing member-countries from the COVID-19 pandemic. In a speech during the ADB Governors’ Seminar held Monday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the plea could mean increasing the lender’s capital base. “In order to be respon-

sive to critical needs, the ADB must level up. Specifically, there is a need for the bank to seriously consider a substantial expansion in its loan portfolio in the next five-year period. This will effectively support its member-countries’ recovery even if this brings forward the need for a capital increase,” Dominguez said. With its healthy macroeconomics fundamental and manageable debt-toGDP ratio, the Philippines has taken out loans in or-

der to boost its COVID-19 response capacity. Dominguez said the Philippines supports the call for developed countries, lenders and other global organizations to ensure accessibility of vaccines for low-income economies. He said there should be equitable distribution of vaccines to lower-income countries to achieve recovery, pointing out some “uneven” response to the

FPH URGES, B1

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

On the uniform regulations for the partial closure of Davao Region’s borders:

The LGUs are going to implement it. Therefore ang executive order ng mayors ang mag set ng date. The IATF is just there to set the guidelines. Ang implementation is with the LGU which is coordinated by the RTF Covid-19.” REGIONAL DIRECTOR ALEX ROLDAN

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) AND HEAD OF THE REGIONAL INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE (RIATF)

EDITORIAL Death of a whale An exasperating news story provides another unsettling image amid the raging pandemic --- the death of another wonderful creation of God, due to man’s criminally foolish conduct.

A 4,000-kilo Bryde whale, an endangered species washed ashore in Mati City, Davao Oriental Saturday (May 1), died later on the same day. Darrel Blatchley, owner and director of D’Bone Collector Museum, who went with personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to Mati City to check on the ill-fated mammal, confirmed the Bryde whale died of plastic ingestion.

Every year, whales are among hundreds of thousands of sea creatures, including dolphins and porpoises which get entangled in nets and lines and “die a slow and painful death though suffocation, starvation, exhaustion.” Also, 100,000 marine creatures die from plastic entanglement, while “approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastics.” For the record, China and Indonesia, both neighbors of the Philippines, are the top sources of plastic bottles, bags and other rubbish

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

We also have data about how much of the plastic waste that Filipinos throw away contributes to the pollution of our bodies of water that result in the killing of our marine creatures. The Bryde whale in Mati City is just one of the sea creatures washed ashore in the coastlines of Davao and other parts of the country. If at all, this clearly indicates the growing culpability of Filipinos in polluting our waters.

The good news is that it is not impossible for us to stop this irresponsible behavior. We simply have to put an end to plastic pollution by turning a new leaf in life. We must stop the bad habit of throwing plastic wastes to our rivers, drainage, canals and other bodies of water. Aside from this, there is a city ordinance against the manufacture of almost all plastic products. We submit that this is a good beginning. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

clogging up our oceans. It is said that both populous nations “account for more than a third of plastic detritus in global waters,” according to a report in The Wall Street Journal last February 12, 2020.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

After the expiration of the Six (6) years lease period, the remains shall be exhumed and transferred to an Ossuary under a new yearly contract which will have an Imposition Fee of Two Hundred Twenty Pesos (P220.00) and an annual renewal fee payable every January.

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

Failure to do so will cause the exhumation of the remains and moved to a common grave. 19 th City Council 46 th Regular Session Series of 2020

No physical improvement shall be allowed on the lots, niches and ossuaries. xxx xxx xxx To: Section 317. Imposition of Fees. – There shall be collected the following rental fees for a period of six (6) years for the rental of City cemetery lots:

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

A. Rehabilitated and Newly Established Public Cemetery a) Rental fee for Grave lots Adult section Children section b) Compartmentalized Niches Rental Fee Ground Level Second Level Third Level Fourth Level

Failure to do so will cause the exhumation of the remains and moved to a common grave. No physical improvements shall be allowed on the lots, niches and ossuaries. c) Rates for the use of Multi-Purpose Building for wake purposes are as follows: • Rental Fee for Space Php 1,500.00 per day • Table 15.00 each/day • Chairs 5.00 each/day • Electricity 300.00 per day

xxx

Article Sixteen. Sta. Ana Port (New Article)

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 REVENUE CODE OF DAVAO CITY TO INCLUDE THE IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL FEES AND CHARGES, PARTICULARLY SECTION 256 FOR THE CITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTER AND SECTION 317 FOR THE MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING FOR WAKE PURPOSES IN CITY-OWNED/OPERATED PUBLIC CEMETERIES, AND INSERTING ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS IN CHAPTER FIVE, NAMELY, ARTICLE 16, SECTION 392, FOR STA. ANA PORT FEES, AND ARTICLE 17, SECTIONS 393 AND 394,FOR MAGSAYSAY PARK AND OTHER SIMILAR CITY- OWNED REAL PROPERTIES”. SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS. There shall be an amendment to some provisions of Ordinance No. 0291-17, to wit: 1. Chapter 5, Article Three, Section 256 shall be amended and shall read as follows: From:

Article Three. – Fees for Library Services Section 256. Imposition of Fees. There shall be collected for services rendered by the Davao City Library and Information Center, the following fees: -

P 30.00/annum

- -

P 1.00/page 1.50/page

- - -

3.00/page 8.00/page 10.00/hour

Section 392. Rates for Imposition at Sta. Ana Port.- The following rates shall be imposed to any individual, group, association, NGOs or government entity or office who shall utilize the tents, facilities, and parking space at Sta. Ana Port: a. Rental Fee for Tensile Tents 1. Large Tents (Night Time rate) 2. Kiosks b. Rental Fee for Facilities 1. Tables 2. Chairs 3. Electricity

Php 1,250.00 per hour 10.00/sq.m./day Php 15.00 each/day 5.00 each/day 200.00 per hour

c. Parking Fee (for the first 3 hours): 1. Day Time Rates 2. Overnight

Php 40.00/vehicle 60.00/vehicle

Php 15.00/succeeding hour

Excess (after 3 hours)

d. Vehicle Entry 1. 4-wheeled vehicle 2. Tri-sikad

Php 15.00/vehicle 10.00/tri-sikad

Article Seventeen. Magsaysay Park and Other Similar City-Owned Real Properties (New Article) Section 393. Rates for Imposition at Magsaysay Park and Other Similar City-Owned Real Properties.The following rates shall be imposed to any individual, group, association, NGOs or government entity or office who shall utilize the parking space at Magsaysay Park and Other Similar City-Owned Real Properties: a. Parking Fees (for the first 3 hours): 1. Day Time Rates 2. Overnight

Php 40.00/vehicle 60.00/vehicle

Php 15.00/succeeding hour

Excess (after 3 hours)

Section 394. Exemption. – Any government entity or office occupying a space in Magsaysay Park shall be exempt from paying parking fees therein, provided the following requisites are met: 1. Only those government-issued vehicles may be subjected to exemption; 2. The office must inform the Park’s Board or the City Economic Enterprise of the details pertaining to the vehicle to be exempted. SECTION 4. RE-NUMBERING. – All succeeding sections shall be re-numbered accordingly.

To:

Article Three.- Fees for Library and Information Center Section 256. Imposition of Fees.- There shall be collected the following fees for the Davao City Library and Information Center: a. Library Fee (library card for in-house users) - P 30.00/annum b. Additional Fees: 1. Special Access Card - P 100.00/annum 2. Overdue Book - 1.00/day 3. Conference Room - 2,000.00/day 4. Machine Copy (short) - P 1.00/page (long) - 1.50/page c. Internet Services: 1. Printing Services – black (short &amp; long) - P 3.00/page colored (short &amp; long) - 8.00/page 2. Internet Fee - 10.00/hour A discount of Twenty Percent (20%) for internet fee shall be given to students. d. Rental Fee for Use of Space in the City Library Building: 1. Airconditioned - Php 25.00/sq.m./day 2. Non-airconditioned - 16.50/sq.m./day e. Advertisements 1. National Advertisers - Php 40.00/sq.m./day 2. Local Advertisers - 16.00/sq.m./day 2. Chapter 5. Article Seven, Section 317 shall be amended and shall read as follows: From: Section 317. Imposition of Fees. – There shall be collected the following rental fees for a period of six (6) years for the rental of City cemetery lots: A. Rehabilitated and Newly Established Public Cemetery a) Rental fee for Grave Lots Adult Section Children Section b) Compartmentalized Niches Rental Fee Ground Level Second Level Third Level Fourth Level

xxx

SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. The following impositions shall be included in the 2017 Revenue Code of Davao City:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 REVENUE CODE OF DAVAO CITY TO INCLUDE THE IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL FEES AND CHARGES, PARTICULARLY SECTION 256 FOR THE CITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTER AND SECTION 317 FOR THE MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING FOR WAKE PURPOSES IN CITY-OWNED/OPERATED PUBLIC CEMETERIES, AND INSERTING ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS IN CHAPTER FIVE, NAMELY, ARTICLE 16, SECTION 392, FOR STA. ANA PORT FEES, AND ARTICLE 17, SECTIONS 393 AND 394, FOR MAGSAYSAY PARK AND OTHER SIMILAR CITY- OWNED REAL PROPERTIES

Internet Services: 1. Hard Copy - black (short &amp; long) - colored (short &amp; long) 2. Internet Fee

7,040.00 8,800.00 7,920.00 6,160.00

ORDINANCE NO. 0433-20 Series of 2020

a. Library Fee (library card for in-house users) b. Additional Fees: 1. Borrower’s Card (books for take out) Overdue Book 1.00/day 2. Machine Copy - (short) - (long)

P 13,200.00 5,500.00

P 13,200.00 5,500.00 7,040.00 8,800.00 7,920.00 6,160.00

SECTION 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect. SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval. ENACTED, December 10, 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum. CERTIFIED CORRECT:

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

ATTESTED: EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/ray

APPROVED : ________________,

SARA Z. DUTERTE City Mayor

ATTESTED:

An Ordinance amending the 2017 Revenue Code of Davao City to include the imposition of additional fees and charges, particularly Section 256 for the City Library and Information Center and Section 317 for the Multi-Purpose Building for the wake purposes in City-Owned Operated public cemeteries, and inserting additional provisions in Chapter Five, namely, Article 16, Section 392, for Sta. Ana Port fees, and Article 17, Sections 393 and 394, for Magsaysay Park and other similar CityOwned Real Properties

6 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

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

This Ordinance shall call upon the City Engineer’s Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, the Committee on Public Works and Highways, the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways and other related agencies for the planning and conception of the tree line across the City from its initial phase until its completion.

19 th City Council 9 th Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

SECTION 7. GENERAL PROCEDURES – As elaborated in the above title, this Ordinance shall integrate urban canopy in the City’s traffic islands on the highway roads, along pavements, parks and playgrounds, and public areas right-of-way.

Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella 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 R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

Prior to mounting, related offices, such as the City Engineer’s Office and the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall be authorized to integrate the planting of trees and creating of treelines in the budget for the proposed structures and in the design of the road structures in the future. Upon its implementation, the overall management and general maintenance of these treelines shall be dispensed to the jurisdiction of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, particularly to the specific division who handles projects of similar nature. SECTION 8. COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS - This provision shall create the Davao City Tree Line Working Group, which will be responsible for strategizing, formulating, and implementing according to the mandates of this Ordinance, when their functions and responsibilities emanate. The Davao City Tree Line Working Group (DCTL-WG) shall be composed of the following: Chairperson - Co-Chairperson - Members:

The City Mayor or the City Administrator as her duly authorized representative Department Head, City Environment and Natural Resources Office

1. Department Head, City Engineer’s Office 2. Department Head, City Transport and Traffic Management Office 3. Chairperson, Committee on Public Works and Highways of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

ABSENT Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Nilo D. Abellera Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic

- - - -

4. Chairperson, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

On Official Business On Domestic Emergency Leave On Domestic Emergency Leave On Sick Leave

5. Representative, Office of the Vice Mayor 6. Representative, Department of Public Works and Highways

ORDINANCE NO. 0501-21 Series of 2021

7. Representative, Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau 8. Representative, National Parks Developments Committee

AN ORDINANCE INTEGRATING URBAN CANOPY IN THE CITY’S TRAFFIC ISLANDS ON HIGHWAY ROADS, AND ALONG PAVEMENTS, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND AREAS OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

The Davao City Tree Line Working Group shall have the following functions: 1. To conduct inspections on the traffic islands and pavements’ technical specifications;

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

2. To authorize relevant offices to include the mounting of trees in the budget of their proposed structures and in the design of road structures in the future;

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE- This Ordinance shall be known as the “TREE LINE ORDINANCE” of Davao City.

3. To research species of trees to be tended to ensure suitability; 4. To observe the pertinent traffic islands and pavements to identify the species of trees proportional to the islands or pavements’ size and capacity (whether small trees, medium trees or large trees) before mounting;

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is the policy of the Local Government of Davao City to protect and preserve the urban canopy within the territory of the City and to promote the development of a healthful ecology by enacting ordinances serving this purpose.

5. To resolve all issues of varying nature that may arise from the construction of treelines;

SECTION 3. SCOPE – This Ordinance shall be legal and in effect within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City.

6. To formulate guidelines on matters such as: o Provisions governing the removal of trees posing as a hazard to the public;

SECTION 4. PURPOSE AND INTENT – The enactment of this Ordinance is anchored upon the primary purpose of promoting the interest and welfare of the people of Davao City by integrating urban canopy in the City’s public streets, highways, parks and playgrounds.

o Role of the community; o Penalties for damaging of trees, either international or unintentional;

The planet faces a climate crisis due to various reasons. This is manifested through increasing temperature, rising sea levels due to rapidly melting polar ice caps and glaciers, frequent forest fires and droughts, to name a few. Climate change poses a threat, of which even the City does not have immunity.

o Damages caused by the roots to drainage, sidewalks, and roads; and o Shading in solar panels or collectors;

In response, the trees will contribute to the measures the City is taking to alleviate the detrimental effects caused by global warming and maintaining its status as an eco-friendly City. These treelines are also in support of the City’s urbanization as this will benefit all drivers who often cruise during the day in the heat, the commuting public who usually walk to arrive at their destinations, and the people who seek to spend their leisure time in parks and playgrounds.

7. To conduct regular surveillance upon the construction and planting of urban canopies; and

Ultimately, the legislative intent of the Ordinance focuses on making the City more conducive to environmental growth and protection, serving the purpose of promoting the welfare and interest of the people.

SECTION 9. FUNDING - The Davao City Tree Line Working Group shall have the necessary appropriation, which shall be included in the City’s Budget to support its activities and accomplish all of its deliverables.

SECTION 5. DEFINITION OF TERMS – For this Ordinance, the following terms, phrases and any derivations shall have the meaning given herein:

SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If any part or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional, any other portion or provision hereof not so affected shall continue to be valid and effective.

Large Trees – are those that reach a height of at least forty-five (45) feet or more with a mature spread of forty (40) feet or more. Medium Trees- are those that reach a height of at least thirty (30) to forty-five (45) feet with a mature spread of thirty (30) feet or more. Park – shall refer to a public area that promotes and fosters recreational and leisure activities. Pavement – shall refer to the paved area with a concrete surface on both sides of the road. Playground – shall refer to an outdoor area provided for children to play-in, and often open to the public. Sidewalk – shall refer to the footpath or footway along the road’s side and often designated for pedestrians. Small Trees – are those that reach a height of at least twenty (20) to thirty (30) feet with a mature spread of twenty (20) feet or more.

8. To provide continuing support to the CENRO upon implementation.

SECTION 11. REPEALING CLAUSE – Any City Ordinance, resolution, and its rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of Ordinance are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. SECTION 12. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect upon its approval, fifteen days after its full publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Davao City. ENACTED, on the 2 nd day of March 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum. CERTIFIED CORRECT: CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II) ATTESTED:

Street or highway – refers to the entire width of every public way or right-of-way when any part thereof is open to the public’s use, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Traffic island – refers to the narrow strip of the concrete island between roads often used to reduce cars’ speed driving through or to provide a central refuge to pedestrians crossing the streets.

cns/kjtq

Treeline – shall refer to the traffic island, the side of the pavement and both sides of national and city highways, if applicable, already planted with a row of trees.

ATTESTED:

Urban Canopy – shall refer to the collection of shrubs, trees, vegetation and associated natural features that make up the City tree canopy and its growing zone. SECTION 6. LOCATION – The planted trees shall be in the traffic islands, particularly those built on the highways, along the City’s pavements, public parks, playgrounds, and other areas of public rightof-way.

APPROVED : ________________

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer

SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

AN ORDINANCE INTEGRATING URBAN CANOPY IN THE CITY’S TRAFFIC ISLANDS ON HIGHWAY ROADS, AND ALONG PAVEMENTS, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND AREAS OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

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

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19 th City Council 34 th Regular Session Series of 2020

19 th City Council 7 th Regular Session Series of 2021 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

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

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan

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

Alberto T. Ungab - Temporary Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. 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 Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ORDINANCE NO. 0354-20 Series of 2020

- On Official Business

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE SUBMISSION OF 3D PRESENTATION OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BUILDING, A COPY OF THE BUILDING PLANS AND APPROVAL CERTIFICATION FROM THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL/CITY ENGINEER’S OFFICE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AS ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL AND LOCATIONAL CLEARANCE (PALC) AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (DP) FOR HIGH-RISE CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS, HOTELS, AND MALLS AS INDICATED IN ARTICLE XI, SECTION 1 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY

ORDINANCE NO. 0492-21 Series of 2021

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNT ON THE RENTAL FEE ON THE REST ROOMS IN THE DAVAO CITY OVERLAND TRANSPORT TERMINAL (DCOTT) FROM FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) TO TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P2,500.00) PER MONTH DURING THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNT ON THE RENTAL FEE ON THE REST ROOMS IN THE DAVAO CITY OVERLAND TRANSPORT TERMINAL (DCOTT) FROM FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) TO TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P2,500.00) PER MONTH DURING THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT”. SECTION 2. AUTHORITY TO ADJUST AND/OR LOWER THE RATES – Section 132 of the Local Government Code of 1991 states that, “The power to impose a tax, fee, or charge or to generate revenue under this Code shall be exercised by the sanggunian of the local government unit concerned through an appropriate ordinance.” Pursuant to such provision, the City Council has the power to adjust and/or lower the previous rates it has imposed. SECTION 3. ADJUSTED RATE – The existing rate in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) per month shall be reduced to Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00) per month. SECTION 4. PERIOD – The said adjustment, reduction or lowering of the rental rate of the restrooms in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) shall only be applicable during the period covering the COVID-19 pandemic which shall revert back to the original rates upon the lifting of the state of public health emergency brought upon by COVID-19.

- OB-Acting City Mayor

Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE- This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE SUBMISSION OF 3D PRESENTATION OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BUILDING, A COPY OF THE BUILDING PLANS AND APPROVAL CERTIFICATION FROM THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL/CITY ENGINEER’S OFFICE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AS ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL AND LOCATIONAL CLEARANCE (PALC) AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (DP) FOR HIGH-RISE CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS, HOTELS, AND MALLS AS INDICATED IN ARTICLE XI, SECTION 2. AUTHORITY FOR ENACTMENT– The Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the General Welfare Clause provision of Republic Act 7160 and the National Building Code of the Philippines. SECTION 3. PURPOSE– To ensure public safety and interest and to mitigate possible damages in case of earthquakes and other calamities; SECTION 4. COVERAGE– All applicants for projects for high rise buildings, hotels, malls, and buildings over 4-storey high required to secure a PALC/DP shall submit as additional requirements for their PALC application, a copy of the building plans, a 3D presentation of the structural integrity of the building to withstand an earthquake intensity as prescribed by the National Building Code. SECTION 5. TIME of SUBMISSION – Applicants shall be required to present during the scheduled committee hearing and during the plenary session, their 3D presentation of the structural integrity of the building to enable a thorough discussion of the building’s capacity to withstand earthquake intensity as required in the National Building Code; while the Building Plans and Certification from the City Building Official/City Engineer’s Office, as the case may be, shall be submitted on or before or during the hearing. Moreover, the approval certification issued by the City Building Official/City Engineer’s Office shall be used by the Applicant as reference for their building permit application, should there be no modification in their building plans.

SECTION 5. 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 6. DISQUALIFICATION OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER – The structural engineer engaged by the Office of the City Building Official to give the analysis/certification shall not in any way be connected with or have participation in the Building Plans to be approved or should not in any way be connected with the Structural Engineer who issued the Certification.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.

SECTION 7. LIABILITY - Liability for damages shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines and other applicable law and regulations.

ENACTED, February 16, 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS AND STANDARD FORMS – Upon approval of this Ordinance, the necessary Rules and Regulations for the proper implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), in coordination with the City Engineer’s Office and the Office of the City Building Official.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If any provision of this Ordinance is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao.

ATTESTED: EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/ray

ENACTED, on the 29 th day of September 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum. CERTIFIED CORRECT:

SARA Z. DUTERTE City Mayor

ATTESTED:

ATTESTED: ATTY. ZULEIKA T. LOPEZ City Administrator An Ordinance granting a Fifty Percent (50%) discount on the rental fee on the rest rooms in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) from Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) to Two Thousand Five Hundred (P2,500.00) per month during the State of Public Health Emergency issued by the President

ALBERTO T. UNGAB Acting Vice Mayor Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

ATTESTED:

APPROVED : ________________

EDGEDAVAO

Existing projects face derail with calls to defund NTF ELCAC: guv

avao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy on Tuesday said defunding the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) runs the risk of interrupting our development projects and derailing the momentum that the province has already started. “It is our humble plea to our legislators not to defund NTF-ELCAC in support of our local government units’ move to continue achieving peace through ways of peace,” Uy said in a statement. Uy, who is also chairperson of the Regional Development Council for Southern Mindanao, said NTF-ELCAC funded development projects through its Barangay Development Program (BDP), to address the needs of former conflictaffected areas. All projects, he said, are set to be implemented and completed by the local government units this year. BDP, a hallmark program of NTF ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities, has identified 822 barangays nationwide that were former guerilla fronts of the Communist

Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). Of the PHP19 billion total budget of the NTF-ELCAC, PHP16.5 billion is allotted for the development of the 822 barangays cleared of insurgency. Each recipient barangay would receive PHP20 million 2 of 11 guerilla fronts dismantled Uy said 113 of former NPA-affected areas in the province are now free from insurgency while 862 former rebels are now successfully reintegrated into the mainstream society. “From 11 guerilla units operating in Davao de Oro in 2016, we are now down to two weakened guerilla fronts,” he said. He said it is unfortunate to hear our legislators’ call for the defunding of the NTF-ELCAC, whose budget for BDP has been a great help in addressing the pressing issues and problems of communities long affected by conflict. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

City gov’t of Davao continues to ensure residents get mental health support

ayor Sara Duterte urged Dabawenyos to check on their mental health amid the ongoing pandemic. After more than a year of grappling with the deadly coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19), Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Monday, May 3, urged the public to seek medical help whenever they feel anxious or unhappy due to rising concerns brought about by the pandemic. This, after the local chief executive, was asked about her coping mechanisms in handling the COVID-19 situation in the city. “We have a psychosocial support. It’s a telemedicine for mental wellness. If you feel you need to talk to a person, please access that initiative of the health group of the response cluster of the Davao City COVID -19 Task Force,” Duterte said during her regular program aired via 87.5

FM Davao City Disaster Radio. Duterte said that Dabawenyos can still avail of the free telecounseling services of the Davao City government in coordination with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Davao City Chapter and the Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. Davao City Health Office (CHO) Assistant Head Dr. Marjorie Culas said that as of April 19, PHMA, which handles the telecounseling services, has already accommodated 77 individuals for counseling, 27 for actual session, 14 individuals were referred to psychiatrists while 15 have canceled their session. Aside from individual counseling, PHMA also caters to group counseling sessions. Currently, they have a total of 96 referred clients since the start of the teleconsultation services in December last year.

pandemic. The finance chief said there is a need to rebuild economies to adjust to the new challenges due to the pandemic such as accelerating the use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and increasing investments in clean and renewable energy for sustainable recovery. “This crisis is a great opportunity for the ADB to continue to demonstrate that it has indeed become

a more responsive, agile, and flexible institution as envisioned in its Strategy 2030,” Dominguez said. In the same event, ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa said governments should invest in education and health of its people to speed up recovery. The ADB earlier said the Philippine economy could grow at least 4.5 percent this year, lower than its initial forecast of 6.5 percent.

PH URGES... FROMA2

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

CEB... FROMA1

at P99 and then you can decide on when to travel and where to go later on,” said Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and customer experience of Cebu Pacific in a press conference via Zoom on Tuesday. Iyog said the introduction of the Super Pass came up after receiving insights from Cebu Pacific customers who booked flights but did not able to fly due to some constraints. “The customer insights is the inspiration of the CEB Super Pass. Just imagine that Cebu Pacific has a freebie sale and you know the feeling, while you are trying to get hold of that low fare, you already know who you want to travel with but you are a little bit unsure because you don’t how much are the good deals available in a destination and when you are able to get a good deal, filed for your leave at work pero bahala na you just pick the chance and book the flight as there is available low fare. What really important to you at that point in time is to book the flight at the lowest fare and get hold of that crazy sale fare. So you booked it and when the day arrives, you were not able to take the flight, you rebook it and have to pay a fare different or decide to not just fly and just forego the booking,” she said. Iyog said this is the common concern of their customers who were not able to use their booked flight. “This is the story we

often heard enough,” she said. The CEB Super Pass, which is CEB’s offering for its 25th anniversary, gives travelers options whenever they want, wherever they want in the country at a guaranteed low fare. Customers can purchase the CEB Super Pass in just four easy steps: all “Juan” has to do is go to https: //bit. ly/CEBSuperPass, input the number of passes you want, add passenger names, and pay! Payment may be settled via existing Travel Funds, or other online payment options such as credit cards. Once successful, CEB Super Pass will be sent via email, for keeping until customers already have a place and date in mind. Meanwhile, booking the CEB Super Pass can be done via the “Redeem CEB Super Pass” tab on the website as early as 30 days before the flight’s departure or until seven days before intended flight date, as long as seats are still available. The vouchers may be redeemed from May 5, 2021 to May 24, 2022, for travel between May 12, 2021 and May 31, 2022. Customers will also be able to purchase and redeem the pass via the ‘CEB Super Pass’ banner on the Cebu Pacific website or mobile app. A maximum of 10 vouchers per transaction is allowed, however there is no limit to the number of total vouchers each passenger can avail.

we give assistance and reprieves to our locator companies who play a big role in keeping our economy afloat, we are protecting the jobs and livelihood of our 1.5 million workers,” she said. According to the IATF, A4 priority group include commuter transport including logistics; public and private wet and dry market vendors, frontline workers in grocery and supermarkets, and deliver services; workers in manufacturing for food, beverage, medical, and pharmaceutical products; frontline workers in food retail, including food service delivery; frontline workers in financial services; frontline workers in hotels and accommodation; priests, pastors, religious leaders of denomination; and security guards or personnel assigned in the establishments, offices, agencies, and organizations in A4. The fourth priority list for Covid-19 vaccine also includes frontline workers in news media; customerfacing personnel of telecommunications, cable and internet service providers, electricity distributions, and water distribution utilities; frontline personnel in public and private basic education, and higher education institutions

and agencies; overseas Filipino workers scheduled for deployment within two months; frontline government workers in legislative branch as well as in law and justice, security, and social protection sectors; frontline government workers engaged in operations of government transport system, quarantine inspection, and safety inspection; frontline government workers in charge of tax collection, assessment of business for incentives, voter registration, national ID, data collection, and price monitoring; diplomatic community and Department of Foreign Affairs personnel in consular operations; and personnel of Department of Public Works and Highways in charge of monitoring government infrastructure projects. Plaza added PEZA is also helping ecozone locators to procure vaccines for their employees. “The ecozone vaccination program is one best way PEZA can contribute to the attainment of herd immunity, which will accelerate the country’s full reopening of the economy and transition to the new normal,” she said (PNA)

BPO... FROM A1

PPE... FROMA1

Stockpiling bills in both Houses. “Government policy to support the preferred purchase of locally manufactured medicalgrade PPE compliant with international standards directly supports the government’s initiative of job creation and preservation,” they added. Member companies of Conwep and CPMP are among the local manufacturers that shifted some of their production capability to the manufacturing of critically needed PPE, such as medical-grade face masks, coveralls, gowns, foot and head covers, and respirators, among others. At the onset of the pandemic, only one local manufacturer produced medical-grade face masks.

Through the investments of Conwep and CPMP companies that amounted to USD35 million, the country can now produce 60 million pieces of face masks, 10 million sets of PPE accessories, and 3 million coveralls and gowns in a month. Some 7,450 jobs were also saved as companies shifted to PPE making. “We sincerely hope that in our mutual commitment to address the country’s critical need for medical-grade PPE and support the retention of jobs in an economy greatly devastated by the pandemic, we would soon arrive with a stronger collaboration effort with the government to implement clear, immediate and responsive programs,” the groups said. (PNA)

levels, the kind of jobs created are of lower quality. Based on World Bank’s Impact of COVID-19 to Firms and Household survey, the country’s labor market needs “further improvement,” NEDA said. Around half of workers felt that their workplaces are safe, while around a third of firms said they have experienced some form of closure during the pandemic, the survey showed. Unemployment rate is at 8.8 percent in February, equivalent to 4.2 million jobless Filipinos, data showed. Chua said further impact on jobs could be mitigated using a 3-pronged strategy, including the safe reopening of the economy while adhering to public health protocols,

fully implementing the recovery package and timely implementation of the vaccine program. “All of us in government, the private sector, and the whole country need to rally behind the goal of safely reopening the economy. We will use transparent and credible data support to make all these important decisions,” he said. The Philippines has allocated P2.75 trillion or 15.4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in its recovery package. Its 2021 budget was also “designed” to achieve economic recovery, Chua said. The government has set a 7.5 percent growth target this year, higher compared to the ADB forecast of at least 4.5 percent. The economy contracted by 9.6 percent in 2020.

community quarantine (MECQ) period to facilitate the reopening of the economy. To strengthen the ‘detect’ and ‘isolate’ pillars, NEDA, the Department of Health (DOH), and some local government units (LGUs), with the help of data scientists from the Asian Institute of Management, are working on a solution to automatically determine likely close contacts of Covid cases and immediately notify these people via text message. “We have a manual system right now, and it takes seven days from detection to isolation. We are working to bring that down to 5.5 days. This could reduce the cases by more than half,” Chua said. In addition, the NEDA chief underscored how the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will aid in the vaccination rollout. “When it is the turn of the general population to be vaccinated, we intend

to use the national ID as another way to queue and register them,” he said. Providing an update on the online PhilSys step 1 registration system, he said: “We are reviewing our system so that we can increase the capacity to serve more simultaneous users per minute. We assure you that we are fixing this. We have experts all over the world helping us and we will relaunch the system as soon as we can.” Chua also reiterated the components of the threepronged economic recovery strategy: first, safely reopening the economy, while strictly adhering to public health protocols and intensifying the PDITR strategies; second, fully implementing the recovery package, especially those whose budgets have already been allocated but not yet fully spent; and third, ensuring the timely rollout of the vaccine program to cover the entire adult population.

MANAGING... FROMA2

GOV’T... FROMA2

SPORTS B2

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left.

Wizards make statement in team photo

ASHINGTON — Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Washington Wizards wore black T-shirts with one word in white capital letters on each — “accountability,” “equality” or “justice” — for their annual team photo. “It’s definitely a statement piece for us,” Beal, who is second in the NBA in scoring average this season, said in a video posted on Tuesday by the Wizards on Twitter (Wednesday, Manila time). “This is us just kind of choosing a few words that we kind of live by and we kind of hold ourselves to as

men and as teammates,” Beal added. His shirt said “Justice.” Westbrook’s said “Accountability.” “I think it’s amazing how we are, as a team, doing something a little different ... having shirts that actually have some substantial meaning behind it,” said Westbrook, who leads the league in assists and is assured of averaging a triple-double over the course of an entire season for the fourth time in his career. Washington has made a late-season surge to get itself in position to earn a play-in berth.

LaMelo steady in endgame as Hornets edge Pistons

ETROIT — LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and the Charlotte Hornets took another step toward the postseason with a 102-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time). Detroit trailed by two when rookie Killian Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds remaining, but he made just one of two free throws. Ball made his free throws at the other end, and Hayes missed

a last-second 3-pointer. Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points for Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to

make it at least to the play-in round. They are two games behind seventh-place Boston. Charlotte was without Miles Bridges, who was out because of health and safety protocols. “I don’t know the extent, the days. We have not confirmed that yet,” coach James Borrego said before the game. “What that means, for us down the road, I don’t know. He is out tonight, and we’ll just take it from here.” Terry Rozier scored 18 points for Charlotte and Ca-

leb Martin added 17. Sekou Doumbouya scored 20 points for the Pistons. Detroit trailed by five in the final minute, but Diallo made a 3-pointer, and Hayes drew a foul after a Charlotte turnover. TIP-INS Hornets: The Hornets were also without Devonte’ Graham (right knee), Gordon Hayward (right foot), Cody Martin (left ankle) and P.J. Washington (personal reasons).

Clippers halt 3-game funk

Kawhi Leonard had 13 to help the Clippers avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season.

OS ANGELES — Paul George and Marcus Morris scored 22 points each, and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied for a 105100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) to snap a three-game skid. Reggie Jackson added 18 points and Kawhi Leonard had 13 to help the Clippers avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season. George and Jackson hit 3-pointers in the final two minutes, snapping a 99-all tie and putting the Clippers in control. Fred VanVleet had 27 points and 13 assists to lead Toronto in his return after missing eight games with a sore hip. Pascal Siakam added 24 points and Khem Birch added 13 points and eight rebounds. Los Angeles led 88-84 early in the fourth when the Raptors ran off 10 in a row to go ahead 94-88. Jalen Harris and VanVleet sandwiched

3-pointers around baskets by Birch. The teams traded leads, with Jackson’s jumper tying it at 99-all. George’s 3-pointer put the Clippers in front for good after they rallied from six points down early in the fourth. The Clippers tied it in the third, when they outscored the Raptors 34-28. Siakam scored 11 straight points just before Morris and Leonard hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 71-all. But Harris made a 3-pointer that tied it at 82-all going into the fourth. TIP-INS Raptors: Kyle Lowry (lower back stiffness) sat out two days after scoring a season-high 37 points against the Lakers. ... Also out were OG Anunoby (left calf strain) and Chris Boucher (left knee sprain.) Clippers: Serge Ibaka has been out since March 15 with lower back tightness, but is back on the practice court. ... Amir Coffey was out due to health and safety protocols.

8 SPORTS

Beauty queen Ana Thea Cenarosa is the face of Philippine Netball.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 44 • THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

NEW HOOPS Pinoys embrace Aussie hoop game Netball

his basketball-crazy nation is just about to expand its hoop culture.

Enter Netball, Australia’s most popular women hoop sport. Just how popular Netball is in the land Down Under, just think about how many backyard basketball courts we have and you have an idea. ABS CBN Sports recently featured an extensive report on the emergin popularity of Netball in the country. “Curiously, netball is one of the early versions of basketball that has evolved into a full fledged sport. Thanks to Netball Singapore, the Philippines put up its own governing body for the sport in 2014, a game tailored for women for the time being,” the report said. The Philippine Netball Federation Inc. is led by president Charlie Ho and general secretary Bea Gonzales. The team has had its highs and lows in international competitions, the first of which was during the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore where the Philippines finished 6th. Being a developmental team, the Philippine Netball Federation Inc. is a work in progress. A sport designed for women, the team has had several familiar names try it. That includes former La Salle Lady Spiker Michelle Datuin and beauty queen Ana Thea Cenarosa. Cenarosa is probably best known by most as a runner-up in the 2019 Miss Earth Philippines and a former candidate of the 2020 Binibining Pilipinas pageant. She is also a former National University Lady Bulldog, where she once teamed up with Jack Aminam. In an interview, Cenarosa acknowledged she tried to divide her time between netball and beauty pageants. Now, she is devoting her time to the sport as she tries to do her part in making netball relevant. Given that she weathered adversity and defied the odds in the beauty pageant scene, she is probably the best person to lift awareness for netball in the Philippines. She came into her own establishing a name there, meaning the 29-year-old can

adopt the same formula to make the sport relevant, an interesting alternative for this basketball-crazed country. The Iloilo native is the team captain for the Philippines national netball team and is embracing the challenge. But given that the world remains under the mercy of the coronavirus, the squad is using the lull to go back to the basics. “Right now, we are trying to train three times a week via home workout. We went back to basics, building our body and muscles to keep ourselves in condition. Even with no court or physical activities allowed, we are trying to execute plays just in case everything gets back to normal,” Cenarosa said. She added that the team is doing its part to build the proper foundation for netball, including attending umpiring courses, coaching and table officials for this year since competitions are unlikely to happen in 2021. Cenarosa said it wasn’t easy in 2020, as she and her teammates dealt with the mental stress tied to staying at home during the pandemic. But having adjusted to that, Cenarosa is upbeat about what the future holds for the sport. Moreover, it is now the beauty queen’s advocacy to help build awareness in sports. Being an athlete, she believes sport can make an impact on anyone’s life. She explains how it made a difference in her life. “The impact that sports can give to our lives is very different. I apply it to myself, I try to encourage youth to play sports since it can help anyone grow as a disciplined and mentally tough individual to face reality,” Cenarosa explained. Like most sports that are limited right now, all the Philippine netball team can do right is try to stay in shape and hope that the world normalizes and competitions start once more. But as far as Cenarosa is concerned, the pandemic has helped her squad be more ready as it allows them to plan ahead and hopefully raise awareness of the sport, particularly for women who are looking for an alternative to basketball.