Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 77 | Sunday-Monday, JUne 13-14, 2021

REBOUND SPORTS P8 VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

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NO JOKE We must not let our guard down, Covid-19 is real: Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

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A pedestrian waits for a public utility jeepney (PUJ) in front of a concrete fence painted with a mural of children wearing masks to help remind Dabawenyos to always wear mask and follow health protocols specially now that Davao City is considered as Covid-19 epicenter due to the surge of cases. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

NO JOKE

President Rodrigo Duterte urges Filipinos to continue to be inspired by the examples set by the nation’s heroes in pursuit of the common good amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the country marked its 123rd Independence Day. Edge Davao

We must not let our guard down, Covid-19 is real: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ovid-19 is real.

That’s the short, straightforward warning of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as she urged Dabawenyos not to let their guard down despite the availability of the vaccines and the ongoing inoculation.

“And while we now already have vaccines, and the inoculation of our population is ongoing,

we nonetheless must not let our guard down because the threat is real, the numbers are rising,

The National Task ForceEnding Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) along with the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) insisted that the operation taking back the Talaingod IP children from a “bakwit school” in University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu was a rescue and not a raid.

This was made clear during a recent forum discussion at Provincial Pavilion, Tagum City, where the parents of the IP children and the children, themselves, insisted that the manner in which they were taken to Cebu was deceptive.

The statements of the parents and the rescued

and the consequences otherwise will be dire,” the mayor said in her message in celebration of the 123rd Independence Day on June 12, 2021.

Mayor Sara said for more than a century into the independence, Davao City joined the rest of the world in facing a common enemy that is Covid-19, and salute the modern-day heroes, frontliners, who continue to

place their lives on the line in order for Filipinos to be free of this disease.

“I hope that the essence of our fight for independence – to be steadfast, constant, and strong despite the battles and challenges that come our way – may remain with us as we endeavor towards the future. In the same way that our heroes fought for

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LTFRB 11 gives cash aid to drivers, operators

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and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB XI) Regional Director Nonito “Dondon” Llanos bares during the live interview in One Davao Virtual Presser today, that they are continuing their services to the drivers and operators by conducting orientation, signing of contracts and giving payout to the beneficiaries of the PUV Service Contracting Program in the region until June 30, 2021.

Llanos shares that the Bayanihan effort has started December last year until June 30, 2021 and proposing to be extended due to existing budget.

As of June 8, 2021, nine hundred forty-nine (949) were oriented, two hundred fifty-eight (258) have received their initial payout amounting to P4,000 each and the total cash aid has reached to P1,620,000.00.

Llanos emphasizes that the program aims to help

the drivers and operators which also requires them for an online application and registry before starting their daily rotation and right after their end route.

“Drivers nga nagdagan sa existing sa usa ka rota. And programa kay technology base kini.

Adunay application na idownload og mo-onboard sila didto. Makita sa application kong nisubay ba sila sa rota” (Drivers that transporting to existing one route. The program is technology base wherein an application must be downloaded and that the driver have to on board. It can be seen in the application if they are following their route).

Llanos also divulge that the initial payout which amounting to P4,000 that the driver could spend to buy a mobile phone and download the LTFRB application for them to be online everyday while traversing their daily route.

our character as a nation,” Duterte said in a short video message at the Independence Day rites Saturday morning.

“Each of us have been called upon to be heroes in our own right in fighting for our survival and devoting ourselves to the common good just as our heroes did more than a century ago,” he

said.

He added, “With their noble example inspiring us we look forward to a brighter future filled with hope that we will overcome the challenges brought by this pandemic. May the patriotic fireball continue to burn in our hearts.”

The Philippines

NTF-ELCAC, IPs maintain Cebu PRRD to Pinoys on Freedom Day: operation a rescue not raid Emulate heroes to beat COVID-19 children are congruent in that a group of people from Haran came to Talaingod proposing to the parents to take their children to Haran for education and that they will be returned home after a month, to which the parents approved and gave permission.

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday urged Filipinos to continue to be inspired by the examples set by the nation’s heroes in pursuit of the common good amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the country marked Independence Day. “The challenges of the past year have tested

FPRRD, A2

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

Senator Christopher Lawrence“Bong”Go says he hopes the Senate will pass the bill that he filed seeking to establish the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority. Contributed photo

No Covid vaccine-related deaths in Davao City: CHO

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r. Ashley Lopez, acting head of the City Health Office (CHO), disclosed that there are no Covid-19 vaccine-related deaths recorded in Davao City.

Lopez issued the statement to clarify earlier remarks he made on Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI).

“The cases mentioned during the recent media interview remain being thoroughly investigated and most likely coincidental.

Covid-19 vaccines released and used have been given EUA by the FDA, therefore they are safe and effective.

Let us support, commit, and participate in the vaccination program because in the end we will be able to realize the benefits of Covid-19 vaccination,” Lopez said said in a statement.

As of June 8, 2021, a total of 102,359 Dabawenyos have been inoculated with first doses of three different Covid-19 vaccines.

Of the 102,359 who got their first doses of Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer vaccines, a total of 29,534 are frontline health care workers who belong to the Priority A1 of the national government’s vaccination

program while 53,778 are senior citizens under the Priority A2 group and 19,047 are persons with comorbidities.

Among the 29,534 medical frontliners, 20,310 received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine while 8,559 got AstraZeneca vaccines, and 665 had Pfizer vaccines.

A number of senior citizens in the city were inoculated with the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccines with a total of 37,722 while 10,090 were injected with Pfizer vaccines and 5,966 received Sinovac jabs.

The first dose of the Sinovac vaccines was given to 11,825 persons with comorbidities while AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were administered to 6,670 and 552 A3 individuals, respectively.

Meanwhile, in an advisory issued on June 9, 2021, the city government of Davao discouraged walkins at the city’s vaccination sites due to the rising cases of Covid-19 in Davao City.

Dabawenyos are advised to coordinate with their respective District Health Office for their vaccination schedule. By Maya M. Padillo

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the administration to the A4 group, or frontline personnel in essential sectors, the arrival of these vaccines will ensure that the most number of Dabawenyos will be vaccinated at the soonest possible time, leading us to a faster vaccine rollout to the rest of the community,“ said the acceptance message of Davao City Mayor Sara

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Decreased bus trips at DCOTT under MECQ B

By MAYA M. PADILLO

us trips at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) has decreased as the city is placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Aisa Usop, manager of DCOTT, said in a virtual presser that from 600 bus trips a day, currently, there are 180 to 200 bus trips a day during MECQ. “Medyo okay na sana ang number of trips natin na 600 bus trips a day. During the start of the pandemic nagbaba at naging 300 to 500 bus trips na lang but noong nagdeklara na isara ang mga borders natin, bumaba na naman

FDECREASED, A2

New Pfizer vaccines to beef up Davao City vax program he newly arrived Pfizer vaccines coming donated by the United States government thru the COVAX facility will beef up the vaccination program of the City Government of Davao.

“We are grateful for this additional doses now that we are in the preparation in extending

NEWS

Duterte read by City Health Office OIC Dr. Ashley Lopez.

Around 210,600 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines arrived on June 10 and 11 in Davao International Airport.

The City Government is ramping up its vaccination program with 21 vaccination sites including

FNEW, A2

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

In revealing that the current daily Covid-19 cases in Davao City has exceeded their expectations:

Kay naa ta sa surge ang atong expectation sa atong daily cases exceeded our expectations. Honestly, nakuratan gyud ko.

Labi na tong niabot ta ug 200 then nisaka ug more than 300 cases. Wala ko ga-expect na ingon ana ta kadaghan. Although, this is a pattern that is expected because katong miaging October ug November ang first surge na nahitabo sa Davao, mao na ang pattern: nauna ang NCR, ninaog ug Cebu, tapos pagka-October ninaog ug Davao.

Ang trend karon mao lang gihapon.”

DR. ASHLEY LOPEZ ACTING HEAD OF CHO

EDITORIAL Stricter, please Police authorities have arrested a total of 4,255 persons for various in just five days of the 15-day modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Davao City. Capt.

Rose Aguilar, Davao City Police Office spokesperson, bared the arrests were made from June 5 to 9.

Non-wearing of facemask and faceshield topped the list of infractions with 2,736 arrests. These are followed by 571 violations of the curfew hours, 721 social distancing and 180 pillion riding without barrier. Mercifully, and incredibly, only three people got caught violating the liquor van.

With all these , there is little wonder why there’s a scary surge of Covid -19 infections which have overwhelmed our

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Aguilar said DCPO has intensified police visibility to make sure that minimum health protocols that have been prescribed more than a year ago ssare observed. She is right. One reason there’s an unchecked spike of COVID-19 cases is that our enforcers have not been very strict in implementing the minimum health rules like wearing facemask and faceshields and observing physical distancing.

We can be under ECQ, MECQ, and any other form of restrictive regime, if our enforcers will continue to be lax in their job, nothing will work. That’s the long and short of it.

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

hospital system in the city.

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)

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, , JUNE 13-14, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

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ATTY. MIGS NOGRALES IBP DAVAO CHAPTER DIRECTOR

UNFAIR COLLECTION PRACTICES OF ONLINE LENDING COMPANIES Dear IBP Davao,

I would like to ask lang po yung case ng kaibigan ko. Nagloan po ako sa isang online lending company and nakalagay sa contract payable in 6 months.

May mga due date po na medyo nadelay ng bayad for a couple of days. One day may isang collecting agent na tawag ng tawag and nanghaharass. Also, nanakot din po na ipopost sa social media para sumikat and nangyari po ito sa last payment nila. Later on, nag post pud siya sa social media. Fully paid na ang utang and now ilang years na ang nakalipas at may tumatawag na naman at sinabing hindi pa daw nababayaran ang interest sa late payment. Nagnonotify through text dun sa lending company na nakapagbayad and yet wala silang acknowledgment and hindi nagreach out agad na may kulang pa na di nabayaran dahil sa late payment charges. Anu po and pwdeng ma kaso ko sa kanila attorney?

Lalo na ngayon na pandemic at

mahirap ang situation at bakit ngayon lang naginform na may kulang pa. At anu din po ang gagawin dun sa tauhan nila na nagthreaten during those days.

May screenshot as evidence dun sa conversation sa kanilang collecting agent.

The Perplexed Debtor

Dear The Perplexed Debtor,

Your situation is not new.

In fact, there has been a number of increasing cases in the Philippines where the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission has reported an increase in the number of complaints against online lending companies since 2019 due to the unfair collection practices of their collection agents.

First, the online lending company through its collection agents has committed unfair debt collection practices, which is prohibited under Memorandum Circular No. 18, series of

2019 issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) dated 20 August 2019, particularly under Section 1, subsections a, b, d, and g, to wit: a. The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person; b. The use of threats to take any action that cannot legally be taken; c. The use of obscenities, insults, or profane language the natural consequences of which is to abuse the borrower and/ or which amount to a criminal act or offense under applicable laws; d. Disclosure or publication of the names and other personal information of borrowers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except as may be allowed under Section 2 hereof; e.

Communication or threatening to communicate to any person loan information, which is known, or which should be known, to be false,

including the failure to communicate that the debt is being disputed, except as may be allowed by under Section 2 hereof; f. The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or obtain information concerning a borrower; and g. Making contact at unreasonable/inconvenience times or hours, which shall be defined as contact before 6:00 A.M or after 10:00 P.M., unless the account is past due for more than fifteen (15) days, or the borrower has given express consent that the said times are the only reasonable or convenient opportunities for contact.”

Second, the company has likewise committed a violation of Section 25 of the Data Privacy Act for the Unauthorized Processing of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information for the public-shaming of you as a supposed delinquent borrower. Violators of this Section could be penalized by im-

prisonment up to three years to a fine of up to P2 million.

Lastly, the acts of the collection agents may also be liable for cyber harassment penalized under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Shaming, threatening, and harassing debtors are against the law and I hope you find your justice and you file your case against this particular online lending company so that others who are in the same boat as you may also receive justice.

IBP Davao Corner is a weekly column of Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Davao Chapter, giving legal advice to the public as part of its legal aid program. The above legal opinion is based solely on the appreciation of the facts and problem given and stated above. The opinion may vary when other facts, circumstances, and situations are stated. You may send your comments and questions to ibpdavao@gmail.com.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PLASTIC PRODUCTION HAS FALLEN When a novel coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China, the world was watching attentively not knowing that once it has scattered throughout the world, it would become a pandemic.

In March last year, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – as the World Health Organization (WHO) called it – came into the Philippines.

Since then, SARS-CoV-2 – the name of the virus – “conquered” most areas of the world.

People were infected and some of them even died. All over the world, the economy plunged.

People were staying at home; they were afraid of being infected.

Lockdowns were implemented; quarantine and isolation became the words of the day.

Everything about COVID-19 is bad news. But there’s one good news about the pandemic: it has made global plastic production to decline. For the first time since 2008, plastics production all over the world decreased, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) news report.

Actually, this was not the first time it happened. In fact, it is the third time since World War II that output has fallen, the industry federation PlasticsEurope reported.

Previously, “output fell during the oil crisis in 1973 and during the financial crisis in 2008.”

Due to “the impact of

COVID-19 on the global economy,” global output slipped to 367 million tons in 2020 from 368 million in 2019. That’s a 0.3% decline, PlasticsEurope noted.

This is indeed good news.

“Plastics are a clear and present danger to the future of our planet,” says Céline Cousteau, TreadRight Ambassador.

Since they were introduced in the 1970s, plastic bags have infiltrated the lives of human beings.

“Globally, we carry home between 500 billion and a trillion every year – about 150 bags for every person on earth, or to put it another way, a million every minute and rising,” wrote Caroline Williams in New Scientist.

In the Philippines, the socalled “sachet economy” has contributed to the proliferation of plastics. Products sold in single-use sachets include instant coffee, shampoo, soy sauce, cooking oil, food seasoning, and toothpaste.

Name it, there’s a sachet for it!

“Because they are easy to sell – ribbons of single-use products hang from neighbourhood stores even in the most remote communities – large multinational manufacturing companies continue to market them,” the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) observes.

According to one research group, the Philippines discards 60 billion plastic sachets each year.

That’s about one sachet per person per day on a per capita basis.

“The problem with plastics has been escalating for decades, and the Philippines has been identified as the world’s third largest contributor of plastics in the ocean,” WWF said. “Plastic pollution has always been a huge issue in the Philippines with the continuous generation of plastic wastes and poor waste management.”

About 35,800 tons of garbage, which include plastics, are generated each day by Filipinos, according to a position paper written by Alicia Castillo and Suchiro Otoma.

“On average, each person in the country produces about 0.5 kilogram and 0.3 kilogram of garbage every day in the urban and rural areas, respectively.”

Another report – from the National Solid Waste Management Commission and the World Bank – said 2.27 million tons of garbage are collected every year out of the 2.7 million tons produced. “Of this, 386,000 tons are still leaked into the ocean,” the report said.

“An absence of garbage collection services in secondary cities and many of the country’s smaller islands is largely to blame for the overwhelming amount of plastic coming from the country,” Froilan Grate, executive director of the Philippine branch of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Al-

ternatives, was quoted as saying

by South China Morning Post.

A news report said single-use plastics for food and cosmetics are one of the main contributors to plastic waste in landfills and in oceans. Around 40% of all plastic that is produced is used for packaging, and the World Economic Forum estimates that 95% of this is not recycled after its initial use.

That’s horrendous, indeed.

“Following the trajectory of plastic production and mismanagement, United Nations reports predicted that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish,” Environment Secretary Roy E. Cimatu said in a press statement.

In the award-winning 1967 movie, The Graduate, the character portrayed by newcomer Dustin Hoffman (who received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actor) asked some advice on career direction. “Plastics, my boy. Plastics,” he was told.

Businesses all over the world are heeding the advice. Unknowingly, no one knew at the time the other side of plastics, which are non-biodegradable. As a matter of fact, plastics are materials made to last forever.

“Disposed plastic materials can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and longer,” wrote Barry E. DiGregorio in an article.

Plastics “is in our air, our water, our food, our excrement,” Nina Butler, the chief executive officer of More Recycling, a research and consulting company that works with the plastic industry on recycling, was quoted as saying by the media. “It’s very, very pervasive.”

Jonas Leones, DENR undersecretary for policy, planning and international affairs, said the effects of plastics can be devastating for marine biodiversity. “Small litters like candy wrappers end up in our oceans,” he said. “It is eaten by marine species, clogging their stomachs and causing their death.”

Plastics are also hazardous to human health. Two broad classes of plastic-related chemicals are of critical concern for human health: bisphenol-A and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are known as phthalates.

Exposure to these two chemicals, said a study conducted by the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute, is linked to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments.

The blatant use of plastics has to stop – now! “It is high time we refrain from using disposable plastic products that are used in minutes, but persist in the environment forever,” Cimatu stressed.

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EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

Sony Announces New WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless Headphones

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ony today announces WF-1000XM4 – the latest truly wireless model in the critically acclaimed 1000X series. The WF-1000XM4 headphones take industryleading noise cancelling and audio quality to the next level. Made to fit every ear, they offer a personalized experience that adjust to every situation.

Even clearer sound, even less noise The WF-1000XM4 provides industry leading noise cancellation – now even better. The newly designed Integrated Processor V1 provides even better noise cancellation.

Specially developed by Sony, the Integrated Processor V1 takes the noise cancellation performance of Sony’s acclaimed QN1e chip and goes even further. Improved noise cancelling performance and Bluetooth® ‘System on Chip’ technology delivers the industry’s highest level of noise cancelling yet uses less power than its predecessor.

The WF-1000XM4 features high performance dual noise sensor microphones for excellent noise cancellation. By having two noise sensing microphones per ear – one feed-forward, and one feed-back – ambient noise is heard and analyzed, resulting in highly accurate noise cancellation.

A newly designed 6mm driver unit with a 20% increase in magnet volume also improves the WF1000XM4’s noise cancelling capabilities. The increase in magnet volume and the high compliance diaphragm gives improved performance in low frequencies and enhances noise cancelling by generating a high-precision cancellation signal to the low frequency range.

Industry-leading Noise Cancellation Newly developed Noise Isolation Earbud Tips provide an improved fit with the WF-1000XM4. The new earbud tips are made from a unique polyurethane foam material that is soft and elastic, which maximizes the surface contact area between the earbud tip and the ear canal. This eliminates gaps to insulate sound and reduce noise, as well as improving adhesion to the ear canal for a more stable fit.

Even on windy days you’ll stay totally immersed.

Automatic Wind Noise Reduction mode detects when it’s windy and automatically suppresses it.

Automatic Wind Noise Reduction mode Exceptional sound quality The WF-1000XM4 now supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless , thanks to LDAC, Sony’s industry-adopted audio coding technology. LDAC transmits approximately three times more data (at the maximum transfer rate of 990 kbps) than conventional Bluetooth® audio, allowing you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio con-

tent in exceptional quality, as close as possible to that of a dedicated wired connection.

Thanks to specially designed 6mm drivers, they reproduce a dynamic sound despite their small size, and the high compliance diaphragm reproduces a rich bass range.

The Integrated Processor V1 also enhances sound quality and reduces distortion and enables LDAC codec processing and DSEE Extreme™.

Using Edge-AI, DSEE Extreme™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. Dynamically recognizing instrumentation, musical genres, and individual elements of each song,

such as vocals or interludes, it restores the high-range sound lost in compression for a richer, more complete listening experience.

Speak-to-Chat An even smarter listening experience Speak-to-Chat received widespread praise for its innovation when it was first introduced on the overhead model, the WH-1000XM4.

The feature is now available on the WF-1000XM4 and lets you have short conversations without taking out the earbuds . As soon as you speak to someone, Speak-toChat automatically pauses the music and lets in ambient sound so you can conduct a

Program of the CAB. A welcome development for meaningful transformation Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the good news from PHIC President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Dante A. Gierran that MILF members have been included as PhilHealth beneficiaries is a “welcome development in the Bangsamoro peace process.”

“We are pleased that PhilHealth has favorably considered our request and included in their proposed FY 2022 budget the premium health care for the MILF BIAF combatants” Galvez said.

“We are sure this will be positively received by our legislators who have been closely monitoring developments in the peace process, particularly those happening under the Normalization Track,” he added.

Galvez explained that the premium health insurance for the former combatants will form part of the socioeconomic package to be provided for them under the Program on Normalization.

“In order for our decommissioned combatants to become productive civilians, we have to provide them with much-needed basic services that will help uplift their socio-economic well-being,” Galvez stressed.

“Health insurance is one of the most important benefits under the socioeconomic package, especially now that the country is in the midst of a pandemic where people need health coverage,” he added.

OPAPP Undersecretary David Diciano, chair of the Government Peace Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro Peace Accord, said that the forging of institutional partnerships among line agencies through the ICCMN is a major milestone of the Bangsamoro peace process.

On April 24, 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed EO 79 “Implementing Annex on Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

“Since its creation, the ICCMN has achieved significant milestones, particularly in pooling resources from various line agencies through its sub-clusters, and leveraging them so that we can fulfil our commitments under the Annex on Normalization,” Diciano pointed out.

“The GPH peace panel expresses its gratitude to PhilHealth for partnering with us so that we can help our MNLF brothers and sisters make the successful transition to peaceful and productive civilian life and uplift their socio-economic well-being,” he

added.

The ICCMN is co-chaired

by OPAPP and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary representatives, together with 17 other member-agencies.

Normalization programs in full swing The four components of the Normalization Track under the CAB include security, socio-economic development, confidence-building measures, and transitional justice and reconciliation.

Among the major accomplishments under each component are the following: Under the security component, the Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) will soon establish more Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs), which includes the JPST soon to be set up in Brgy.

Pangao, Munai in Lanao del Norte.

To date, 316 JPST members have been officially activated and deployed across the region.

JPSTs are tasked to help maintain peace and order in areas mutually agreed by the GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels.

Meanwhile, the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGs) has disbanded eight private armed groups operating in the province of Maguindanao and General Santos City

within the first two quarters of this year.

Also under the security aspect is the program for small arms and light weapons (SALW) in which the OPAPP organized a series of consultation meetings provincial governments to obtain their support and design a program that would encourage the active participation of residents in reducing and managing the number of SALW in their respective localities.

In November 2020, OPAPP signed Memoranda of Agreements with the provincial governments of Cotabato and Maguindanao, and the municipality of Patikul in Sulu, wherein OPAPP turned over a total of PhP 43.5 million in funds to the LGUs in recognition of their significant role in peacebuilding and in support of their programs on dispute resolution.

Under the socioeconomic development component, the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants (TFDCC) continues to provide rice subsidies to decommissioned combatants.

The distribution of these rice subsidies is being carried out by the TFDCC in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The assistance aims to ease the burden among the

conversation – handy if you want to keep your headphones on, or your hands are full. Once your chat is over, your music starts playing again automatically .

Speak-to-Chat recognizes and reacts to your voice. It is based on Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which combines four microphones and sensors with advanced audio signal processing.

‘Quick Attention’ mode is available on the WF1000XM4 so if you want to listen to an announcement or say something briefly, you simply place your finger over the left earbud to decrease the volume instantly and let ambient sound in.

The WF-1000XM4 also feature Adaptive Sound Control, a smart feature that senses where you are and what you’re doing – for example, travelling, walking or waiting – then adjusts ambient sound settings for the ideal listening experience. You can opt to have Adaptive Sound Control learn to recognize places that you frequently visit, like your office, the gym, or a favorite café, and tailor sound to suit the situation.

The headphones come with instant pause and play for a seamless experience.

Just take the earbuds out of your ears and the music stops thanks to a proximity sensor that detects when you are wearing one or both earbuds. Simply pop them back in and the music starts again.

PHIC earmarks P58.8-M health coverage for MILF combatants to be decommissioned under Phase 3

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ASIG CITY --- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) has included in its proposed budget for FY 2022 the enrollment for health insurance premium of 14,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF BIAF) members who will undergo the third phase of decommissioning.

In the proposed budget totalling PhP 58.8 million, the annual premium contribution per member (combatant), including their qualified dependent, was placed at PhP 4,200.00.

This is in addition to the premium health coverage given to the 12,145 MILF-BIAF members who were decommissioned under Phases 1 and 2 in 2015 and 20192020, respectively.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process’ (OPAPP) request for the inclusion of MILF members in PhilHealth’s coverage is pursuant to Executive Order No. 79 which established the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN).

The ICCMN is anchored on the Duterte Administration’s Whole-Of-Nation approach to ensure the timely, appropriate and efficient delivery of programs and projects under the Normalization

12,145 decommissioned combatants and their families who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TFDCC, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is conducting a needs assessment of decommissioned combatants and their families to determine what their specific needs are so that the joint task forces will be able to plan and provide the appropriate socioeconomic interventions for them.

Under the confidence-building component, the Joint Task Forces for Camps Transformation (JTFCT) Secretariat is working on the completion of the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for MILF communities.

In adherence to COVID-19 health protocols, the program beneficiaries will be provided with TUPAD IDs and reference numbers so they can claim their cashfor-work payment through DOLE’s remittance partner.

Meanwhile, the Camps Transformation Plan (CTP) was completed in January 2021 and was presented to the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panels in February 2021.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 42nd Regular Session Series of 2020 PRESENT: Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan - 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

ORDINANCE NO. 0419-20 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT VEHICLES (UAV) REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT UNITS (RPAU), OR ANY REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (RPAS) IN THE CITY OF DAVAO Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE- This Ordinance shall be known as “DRONE REGULATION ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY.” SECTION 2. COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall cover all Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV), Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Units (RPAU),within the territorial jurisdiction and airspace of Davao City SECTION 3. EXEMPTION – The unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV), Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Units (RPAU) of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or those used by other government agencies for the purpose of emergency response, national defense, public safety and public security shall be exempt from the coverage of this Ordinance; provided they made prior coordination with the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC).

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS – As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean: a. Drone-any powered, Unmanned, Aircraft vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Unit (RPAU) which would be subject to remote control by the controller; b. No-fly zones – are areas within the territorial jurisdiction or airspace of Davao City which have been declared as areas prohibited to drones, Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Unit (RPAU). For a particular time or event, or in specified areas within the City, in the interest of Public safety and security; c. Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) – a remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot stations, the required command and control links and any other components as specified in the type design; d. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Controller – means a person who manipulates the flight contrls of a remotely piloted aircraft; e. Recreational/Hobbyist Use – is the use of a drone, Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle ( UAV), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Unit (RPAU) or any component of a Remotely Piloted Aircrft System (RPAS) for recreational puposes where no profits is made from the use thereof; f. Private Persons – shall refer to natural or juridical persons not execising any official governmental function at the time the activity is conducted; g. Controlled Airspace – an airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification; h. Prohibited/Restricted Airspace – an airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth in which flight of aircraft is prohibited, as published by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) or by other applicable laws and regulations; SECTION 5. REGISTRATION – The Davao city Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) shal manage the periodic registration of all Drones and remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) oerated by private persons, used for non-commercial, hobbyists, recreational and/or sports purposes, within the territorial jurisdiction and airspace of Davao City, with the assistance and coordination of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Davao City Office.

All owners of drones and Remotely iloted Aircraft System (RPAS) already registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Davao City Office shall also present their registration with the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) for the purpose of documentation.

SECTION 6. PROHIBITED ACTS 1. No person shall be allowed to operate a drone, at any time, within the territorial jurisdiction or airspace of Davao City without compliance with registration or obtaining a special permit; 2. No person shall falsify, forge, or in any manner misrepresent compliance with the registration requirements; 3. No person shall transfer, alter, tamper with or modify in any manner a registration already granted; 4. No person shall operate a drone, whether registered or unregistered, in prohibited or restricted airspace, no-fly zones, or other areas prohibited by law or regulation, unless specifically permitted by the proper government authority exercising control or jurisdiction in the area.

SECTION 7. CREATION OF THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP (TWG) Chairperson: City Mayor’s Office Secretariat: Davao City Public Safely and Security Command Center (PSSC) Members: 1. Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Peace and Public Safety 2. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Davao 3. Davao International Airport Representative 4. Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group Davao 5. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 6. Task Force Davao 7. Davao City Police Office 8. City Tourism Operations Office 9. Department of Tourism 10. Private Sector Representative from Commercial Drone Users 11. Priivate Sector representative from Hobbyist Drone Users SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS –The technical Working Group shall,within thirty (30) days after the Ordinance has been approved, draft the necessary Implementing Rules And Regulations for the approval of the City SECTION 9. PENALTY – Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be punished as follows: a. For Non-registration, or transfer, falsification or alteration of issued registration: 1st Offense 2nd Offense

- a fine of P3,000 - Confiscation of Drone and a fine of P 5,000

b. For Operating in No-fly zones or prohibited or Restricted Airspaces: Immediate confiscation of Drone and a fine of P 5,000 Provided, that the operation of a non-registered drone over prohibited/restricted airspace or a no-fly zone, shall constitute two separate offenses under this Ordinance.

Provided that the PSSCC, DCPO, TFD or any law enforcement agency shall be allowed to use any reasonable means necessary to obtain possession of, or confiscate any drone found within the prohibited/restricted areas or no-fly zones.

Provided further, that prosecution under this Ordinance for non-registration of the drone or the operation of drones in prohibited/restricted areas or no-fly zones, shall not be a bar to further prosecution for other offenses under Philippine laws.

SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE –Any Ordinance, local issuances or rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified, accordingly.

SECTION 11. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If for any reason, any section of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid,the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. EFFECTIVITY – This ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon approval, posting and publication in newspaper of local circulation.

ENACTED, on the 24th day of November 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

February 11 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV), REMOTELY PILOTED AERIAL UNITS (RPAU), OR ANY REMOTELY PILOTED AERIAL SYSTEM (RPAS) IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

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OPAPP doubts motivation behind call for peace talks resumption

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he Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process extended its condolences to the families of the victims of separate NPA attacks in Masbate City, Masbate, and Buenavista, Quezon which happened last past week.

“It has come to our attention that certain groups are citing these senseless acts of violence to revive their call for the resumption of national peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)”, OPAPP said in an official press statement.

“What we find disturbing is that the CTG’s wanton disregard for the rule of law and its disrespect for human

rights were exactly the reasons which compelled President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate national peace talks with the former,” it said.

“So what we want to know at this point are their real motivations in pushing for the resumption of the national peace talks. What is really their endgame?,” it added.

“Over the past five years, President Duterte has pushed forward the

Comprehensive Philippine Peace Process, and has made it one of the major pillars of his administration’s Peace and Development Agenda.

“Following the termination of national peace talks with the CTG, the President issued Executive Order No. 70, which mandated the use of a Whole-of-Nation Approach to end the local communist armed conflict.

“Under E.O. 7O are 12 lines of effort that specifically address the root causes of the communist armed conflict, which clearly disprove the allegations by the left that the government has failed to address the plight of the people, especially in the countryside,” the statement continued.

Taxpayers urged to use BIR app for tax queries, other cincerns BPI-Philam remains top bancassurance firm in PH

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ancassurance leader BPI-Philam once again emerged as the country’s top bancassurance firm in terms of premium income, retaining the spot for the eighth consecutive year according to the Insurance Commission (IC). In the recently released statement, the IC announced the 2020 rankings, where BPI-Philam gained the recognition with a total premium income of Php16.30 billion. It also ranked first among bancassurance firms in terms of New Business Annual Premium Equivalent (NBAPE) with Php2.83 billion.

“We are grateful to have yet again gained this milestone, especially considering how tough the past year has been.As one company, our strength lies in our people, empowered by the technology that we incorporate in our business processes, so we attribute this success to our continuous efforts to accelerate digital transformation.

It inspires usto further strive to innovate in providing our clients the best guidance they need from us, especially during these difficult circumstances,” said BPI-Philam

CEO Surendra Menon.

To ensure that it remains connected and accessible to consumers, BPI-Philam reinforced its already comprehensive digital initiatives to make acquiring and managing insurance policies safe and more convenient.

Through this, the company is able to maintain operations with minimal to no interruptions despite the limitations of the quarantine protocols.

BPI-Philam Strengthened its iPad-based iPoS (interactive point-of-sale) platform to accommodate completely digital transactions for consumers applying from home. Together with its parent company AIA Philam Life, the bancassurance firm launched the Coffee Closing project. It is a three-step process that allows customers to get insurance protection for themselves and their families within just 20 minutes— even before their cup of coffee gets cold.

Guaranteeing Customers a safe and convenient experience, BPI-Philam upgraded its self-service online platforms to guide policyholders in navigating their plans in a few easy taps.

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AVAO CITY- The Bureau of Internal Revenue Davao Region has encouraged the taxpayers to seek assistance should they have any tax-related queries through the newly launched Chatbot application named “Revie”.

Revie derived from the word revenue is the agency’s chatbot application that aims to assist taxpayers with basic questions related to primary registration requirements, eServices, BIR forms, zonal value, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and among others.

Assistant Revenue District officer Abolhasan Balindong, said in a virtual press conference recently that Chatbot Revie will provide taxpayers accurate tax information or feedback and utilizes a comprehensive knowledge database.

“Despite the current situation, the challenges of this pandemic, we are striving hard to give the best, give quality services to our taxpayers. That is why, the present administration under the leadership of BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay is really doing his best to satisfy our taxpaying public because we believe that a well satisfied taxpayers is a compliant taxpayers and will result in more revenue collection,” Balindong said.

SSS: Applications for renewal of pension loans available online

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he Social Security System (SSS) reminds qualified retiree-pensioners who would like to renew their loans under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) to submit their applications online through the My.SSS Member Portal.

SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the online facility for the PLP was added in the said portal since September 2020 to provide an easier and safer channel for SSS pensioners to benefit from the

loan program.

The state pension fund said community quarantine lockdowns imposed by the government to stem the increasing infections due to COVID-19 limited the mobility of pensioner-members and affected transactions with SSS branches, including PLP applications.

SSS said it disbursed P787.27 million in pension loans to 17,585 retiree-pensioners from January to March 2021, representing a 43.8 per-

cent and 44.1 percent decline, respectively. During the same period in 2020, PLP releases amounted to P1.4 billion for 31,467 retiree-pensioner borrowers.

“For the most part of the first quarter of 2020, those who would want to apply for the PLP can easily do so through our branches. But the first quarter of this year was a different story. Quarantine restrictions are imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19,” Ignacio said.

A2 EDGEDAVAO

NO JOKE... FROMP2

the country’s liberation more than a hundred years ago, let us also find the courage and the resolve to liberate ourselves from the clutches of this deadly virus and become a stronger and more resilient Davao City,” she said.

Mayor Sara encouraged the public to work as one and to abide by the health protocols in place by the city government of Davao.

“Because it is only when we each do our part that we can emerge victorious from this and commence the healing and recovery of our communities,” she said.

The city government of Davao didn’t hold rites but only played the national anthem in commemoration

of the Independence Day. It can be recalled that Mayor Sara ordered the banning of face-to-face nonessential government office events due to continuing surge of Covid-19 in the city through Executive Order No. 31 signed by her last month.

The said EO prohibits all face-to-face non-essential events until after the lifting of the state of calamity due to Covid-19 that include inaugurations, celebrations, ribbon-cutting, blessing, turnover, groundbreaking activities, launches, press conferences, oathtaking programs, photo opportunities, honors, testimonial programs, summer outings, and all other similar activities.

continues to grapple with the problems brought by the COVID-19 pandemic including its impact on the economy, the healthcare system, and people who lost jobs and livelihood.

The pandemic also saw countless heroes stepping up to the plate, including health workers attending to COVID-19 patients despite risks, and groups organizing community

pantries to provide food for the needy.

As of June 11, the country has recorded a total of 1,300,349 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 22,507 deaths.

Duterte is expected to take part in Independence Day rites in Bulacan later Saturday, only the second time he is participating in the day’s commemoration as President.

the mega vaccination site in Azuela Cove that can cater to 1,000 vaccinees per day. Currently they are inoculating A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbildities).

The city is hoping to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19.

“It is our hope that thru our wholehearted and serious commitment in fighting COVID-19. we may emerge from this adversity as more steadfast and more resilient nation in years to come,” the Mayor’s message reads. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

match long.

Angel Guirado opened the floodgates for the Azkals with a 12th-minute goal off a cross from Oliver Bias.

Guamanian defender Marcus Lopez then faltered right at the hour mark when he failed to clear out a Manny Ott free kick and instead headed the ball into his own goal.

Mark Hartmann, play-

ing off the bench this time, sealed the Azkals’ win with an 88th-minute free kick strike.

The Azkals bolstered their hold of third place in Group A with 10 points, four points clear of the Maldives, which was playing China as of posting.

The Azkals will take on the Maldives in their final match for the second round on Tuesday night. (PNA)

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NEW... FROMP3

REBOUND... FROMP8

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the deceased couple CONSUELO M. SAMSON and FAUSTINO A. SAMSON who died on February 26, 1999 and December 4, 1992 at Davao Doctors Hospital respectively Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.368; PageNo.75; Book No.192 Series of 2021, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN.

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

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Thereafter, the children were taken from Talaingod which, according to the parents and the children, was the last time they had contact with each other until the rescue operation.

The IP parents, with the help of NTF-ELCAC and other concerned agencies, have filed various cases, including kidnapping, against the Bakwit School 7 (the collective name of the respondents of the case).

Although the initial case fell through, the IPs and NTFELCAC continue to work together to strengthen their

legal offensive against the respondents.

In addition to the testimonies of the IP parents and the children during the forum discussion, former members of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) also detailed the connection of Bakwit Schools to the CPP-NPA-NDF. They explained that the Bakwit Schools serve as training ground to radicalize the children and the youth to eventually become part of the CPPNPA-NDF’s manpower.

They said that it is also a place where the CTGs

ang number of trips natin and noong nag-declare na naman tayo ng MECQ, mas lalong bumaba from 300 ang recent numbers of trips for today is more than 180 to about 200 the highest bus trips a day,” Usop said.

The latest number of trips are very far from the 700 to 800 bus trips prior the pandemic. She said during peak days, trips reached from 1,500 to 1,600 bus trips a day.

“DCOTT is an income generating terminal pero gusto ko pa rin na maalagaan natin ang health natin kaysa maglaki ang income natin. We are catering passengers not only from Davao City but

also the entire Mindanao including Visayas and Luzon, but sad to say, kung puwede lang kung hindi importante huwag na lang tayong magtravel for your safety,” she said.

Meanwhile, Usop discouraged bus drivers to pick up passengers along the highway.

“Bawal gyud unta ng mag-pick up ug passengers.

In fact, mao bitaw diri gyud nato gipasulod atong mga passengers sa DCOTT because we have our baggage x-ray machine ug walk through machine. Ang problema nato paggawas sa atoang bus from DCOTT naa gyud mag-pick up na mga buses,” she said.

exploit the IPs to conduct fundraising activities and earn funds from foreign sources.

The former members’ testimonies were in line with the experiences of the IP children while they were in Bakwit School in USC, Cebu according to Larry Mandacawan, one of the IP students rescued.

Police Regional Office XI Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, said that the situation in the Bakwit

NOTICE OF AUCTION

DECREASED... FROMP3

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of MARTIN SAMSON who died on February 16, 1970 at Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among HIS heirs, per Doc. No.369; PageNo.75; Book No.192 Series of 2021, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN.

School is similar to the one in Haran.

On the experiences of being in Haran, Awing Apuga, who was deployed as the Head of Education Committee of the Municipal Revolutionary Committee (MRC) of Talaingod, revealed that many IP children died during their conduct of rallies.

“Some of these IP children, we buried them in the roads we walked on as we made our way to UCCP Haran,” Apuga recalled.

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: December Sasa Maa 01, 2020 to Sandawa November Matina 31, 2020 Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION June 24, 2021Thu) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sandawa Branch VGM Bldg., Sandawa St. Davao City

THE MANAGEMENT Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS), Mortgagee,

- versus -

EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,921-21 INOCENCIO A. AWID married to PERLA AWID Mortgagor/s.

X---------------------------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE & SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROBERT F. LAO who died on June 14, 2015 in Davao City has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS leaving the following real properties described as follows: TCT NO. T-422105, T-399154, T-399153 ,T 146-2016001575 executed among his Heirs, per Doc. No 124; PageNo.26; Book No.III Series of 2021, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. EMMANUEL A. MAHIPUS,MNSA.

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee against the mortgagor /s INOCENCIO A. AWID married to PERLA AWID with postal address at # 120 HORNBILL ST., LOT 17, BLOCK2, DOÑA PILAR VILLAGE , SASA Davao City , to satisfy the indebtedness of the mortgagor/s which as of March 01, 2021, amounts to NINE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY NINE PESOS 42/100 (P915,979.49) Philippine Currency, including interest thereon, penalties and other charges and plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on July 8, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property with all its improvements found thereon, particularly described below to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-102009

“A parcel of land( Lot 17, Block 2 , PCS-11-000532, being a portion of Lot 4-A & B, PSD-11-012835), situated in the Barrio of Sasa, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) Square meters ,more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on July 29, 2021 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, May 20, 2021

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC

Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

ALBERT C. ABEJARON Sheriff IV

VOL.14 ISSUE 77 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 13-14, 2021

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Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) head Aisa Usop bares that bus trips from and to DCOTT decreased from 600 a day to 200 a day after Davao City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Edge Dava

DTI processing 600 safety seal applications

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is processing 600 applications of establishments securing a safety seal, a good housekeeping seal to ensure that the business establishment is following minimum health protocols.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Friday, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency has approved more than 150 safety seal applications since it was rolled out early this year.

He added that not all applications for Safety Seal are automatically approved as the DTI has to do a physical inspection to ensure that the store complies with the minimum health protocols, which include proper ventilation in the establishment.

“We have about 105 applications that were disapproved. But that does not mean they will never get the Safety Seal. They

just have to comply (with the standards),” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino.

In the joint memorandum circular implementing the guidelines on safety seal certification program, establishments that are covered by DTI are groceries, supermarkets, membership shopping clubs, convenience stores, construction supply and hardware stores, outlets of logistics service providers, barbershops and salons, and service and repair shops.

Tourism-related establishments like hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, other accredited accommodation establishments, travel and tours services, meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) venues and facilities, and restaurants inside hotels and resorts can apply for their Safety Seal certificate with the Department of Tourism.

DITO close to hitting 1 million subscribers T hird telco DITO Telecommunity Corp.’s number of subscribers is approaching one million a few months after its official launch in March, an executive said on Friday.

At a virtual press conference on Friday, DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said, “As of today, we are close to hitting one million subscribers.”

To be exact, DITO Brand and Marketing director Jasper Evangelista said that as of June 10, the so-called third telco player has around 890,000 subscribers already.

“When we introduced DITO last May 17 in NCR (National Capital Region) and in other locations, we were just at the half-million subscriber mark, and in just

three weeks, we found ourselves about to hit a million subscribers,” Tamano said.

“We are optimistic to reach one million soon,” he said.

For his part, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said the concentration of areas served by DITO continues to be in the Visayas and Mindanao “as we started rolling out in those areas but Metro Manila is fast catching up.”

“As of now, we cover 100 cities and municipalities — that is commercial service.

Starting tomorrow, [June 12] we will add 23 cities and municipalities more. By the end of June, we will approximate about 150 total cities and municipalities,” Santiago said.

The DITO chief technology officer reiterated that the telco is targeting to catch at least 30% of the market.

Independence Day To commemorate the 123 years of Philippine independence, DITO will be available in 123 areas in time for June 12.

The 23 new areas are as follows: Dagupan City and Manaoag in Pangasinan Magalang in Pampanga Pandi in Bulacan La Paz Tarlac Calauan and Victoria La-

after six months, and that is payable for two years, which means you have six months not to pay and you have 18 months to pay your loan, zero interest,” she explained.

This program is primarily for those businesses that have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and not for those who will start a business, Banlasan clarified.

“Ang atong available na kwarta karun (Our available fund now) is really

for those who are victims of COVID-19 na mga businessmen,” she said during a radio program episode of “Gobyernong Balitaan” over Energy FM Digos in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency Davao del Sur/Davao Occidental.

Banlasan mentioned that the office of Davao Occidental Congresswoman Lorna Bautista-Bandigan is also offering a loan assistance of up to PhP100,000 to those affected businesses.

She said that those who

want to avail of the Congressional fund will only be required to submit a barangay clearance.

For the regular P3 program, the requirements include business permit to prove that the business operated in 2019, and other documents that show that the business has been severely affected by the pandemic such as loss in inventory and income.

Banlasan said that interested applicants can apply online through the Small

guna Taysan and Balete in Batangas Bacolod City and Pulupandan Negros Occidental Moalboal, Bogo, San Remigio, Sogod, Alcantara, Santander, Ginatilan in Cebu Kidapawan City and Makilala in North Cotabato Santa Cruz and Bansalan in Davao del Sur Malaybalay City in Bukidnon In the issue of connectivity in currently covered areas, Santiago said, “We ask our subscribers to please not expect 100% coverage yet.

There are of course isolated areas in the covered cities and municipalities that may experience intermittent service as we ramp up optimization of our network.”

Business Corporation website. The national office of DTI will assess and approve the applications.

For those who have difficulties accessing online, she encouraged the businesses to visit the DTI provincial office in Malita.

“You can come here…

Just bring your documents and we will assist you…

This is for everybody who are so much affected by COVID-19,” Banlasan urged.

(PIA-XI/Antonino Oblianda)

DavOcc MSMEs urged to avail of gov’t loans with zero interest

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he micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Occidental province were urged to avail of the loan program offered by the government with zero interest to cope up with effects of the pandemic.

Joycelyn Banlasan, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Occidental, said there have been available loan assistance intended to assist MSMEs affected by the impacts of

COVID-19.

Banlasan cited the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) monetary assistance that offers loans up to PhP1 million with zero interest to those businesses that have been severely affected by the pandemic.

“This is a very good program of the government where you can avail of loan by up to maybe as high as one million. This is zero interest, again zero interest with six months grace period. You can only pay

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A pedestrian walks by an establishment selling ready-to-wear clothes along Bolton Street in Davao City on Saturday. Edge Davao

DTI-DavOcc backs MSMEs affected by the pandemic S

Landbank onboards 3.8 million unbanked nat’l ID registrants

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he Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Occidental has continued to provide assistance to support business sectors in the province to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DTI-Davao Occidental Provincial Director Joycelyn Bansalan said, “Nagpadayon gihapon ang among assistance (Our assistance has continued). But very focused on addressing the effects of Covid and at the same time to proactively minimize the effects of Covid to our business sector.”

Banlasan said that they are helping micro, small

and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local artisans by facilitating product development such as packaging, marketing, and promotion.

She bared that they have been assisting in the development and promotion of locally-produced products, like the Adlai grain, which is primarily found and cultivated in the province.

The agency has also been maintaining its One Town One Product (OTOP) Pasalubong Center that serves as a one-stop-shop for all locally-produced products in the province in coordination with the local government units.

The OTOP Store Balay Pahalipay website is also available for online transactions that is directly linked to the local producers, Banlasan mentioned during an episode of the “Gobyernong Balitaan” over Energy FM Digos in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency Davao del Sur/Davao Occidental.

Aside from product development and promotion, they have also provided, both

food and non-food sectors, machinery and facilities in a form of shared-service facilities to boost production and help communities.

To develop the province’s aquaculture industry, they have provided facilities for fish drying and food processing, adding to the building that the provincial governor has given for the storage of the facilities and produce.

Similarly, local artisans have also given sewing machines and beads.

To improve the quality of cacao in the province, they have provided a fermentation facility and a facility for chocolate processing, and a coco-sugar facility for coconut.

(PIA-XI/Antonino Oblianda)

Philippines and help the recovery in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, which fell 24.6 percent in 2020,” the unit of Fitch Group said in a commentary dated June 10 and released on Friday.

It said CREATE Act will put the Philippines’ CIT level at par with other countries in the region such as Malaysia, 24 percent; Indonesia, 22 percent; and Thailand and Vietnam, both at 20 percent.

The report said the impact of the said law on government revenue is seen to be countered by the bid to increase the tax base and

collection rates “while other tax and grant incentives will be rolled back.”

It, however, noted the need for other measures to boost investors’ sentiment, noting that tax reform alone will not address the issues regarding how the country attracts FDIs. “The likely disruption to government infrastructure investment again in 2021 will delay much needed logistical improvements and spending on utilities that are needed to support business hubs. Other challenges, such as labor skills and government policy uncertainty also need addressing

post-elections due in 2022 and could determine the success of the CREATE bill in boosting the economy’s long-term growth outlook,” it said.

Meanwhile, Fitch Solutions expects the government’s budget gap to remain high, at 7.7 percent of gross domestic product (GPD) this 2021 and 6.5 percent of GDP next year, because of pandemic-related financing requirements.

It, however, discounted this as an issue in the near term vis-à-vis the public debt outlook as it forecasts a fiscal consolidation in the coming years.

tate-run lender Land Bank of the Philippines said Friday it has boosted its efforts to onboard unbanked Filipinos in the formal banking system in support of the national government’s financial inclusion agenda.

In a statement, Landbank said it has onboarded a total of 3,794,882 unbanked National ID registrants for transaction accounts as of May 31, 2021.

Of the said number of onboarded individuals, 1,071,177 have already received their Landbank Agent Banking Cards (ABCs), the lender said.

The cards, which were provided free-of-charge and with no initial deposit requirement, form part of the Landbank’s ongoing partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to co-locate in the Philippine

Identification System (PhilSys) rollouts nationwide and provide unbanked registrants with their own transaction accounts.

The Landbank ABCs are given to unbanked PhilSys registrants through Landbank account opening booths at designated co-location areas.

As of end-May 2021, the lender has co-located in more than 850 PhilSys registration centers in 32 pilot provinces nationwide.

It said that account holders can use the Landbank ABCs to cash-in, cash-out, and transfer funds at any Landbank branch or agent banking partner.

They can also withdraw cash at Mastercard-accepting ATMs, perform cashless transactions, shop online, and receive government subsidies digitally.

PH’s gross int’l reserves level CREATE law, other measures to boost PH recovery: Fitch at $106.98 billion in May: BSP

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itch Solutions is optimistic that the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act will help boost the Philippines’ economic recovery, citing its impact on investors’ sentiment.

CREATE Act, which was signed into law on March 26, gradually lowers corporate income tax (CIT) from 30 percent to 25 percent for big businesses and to 20 percent for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“The removal of the tax uncertainty should prove a boost to foreign investor sentiment towards the

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he country’s gross international reserves (GIR) level slightly declined to $106.98 billion as of end-May compared to April’s $107.71 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

The number is “more than adequate” external liquidity buffer equivalent to 12.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income, the BSP said in a statement.

“The month-on-month decrease in the GIR level reflected outflows mainly from the foreign currency withdrawals of the National Government from its deposits

with the BSP to pay its foreign currency debt obligations and various expenditures,” the central bank said.

Outflows were partly offset by inflows from the BSP’s foreign exchange operations and income from investments abroad and the upward adjustment in the value of its gold holdings due to the increase in the international market, the BSP said.

The country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, including its adequate GIR levels, helped the country swiftly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, BSP Gov. Benjamin Diokno earlier said.

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Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Kagawaran ng Pananahanang Pantao at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that GOLDEN BRIA HOLDINGS ,INC. represented by Ms Anna Mae Escalante has filed with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, a sworn registration statement for the sale of memorial plots at GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARKTAGUM PHASE 1 & 2 located at Barangay La Filipina and Barangay San Agustin, Tagum City Province Of Davao del Norte specifically identified/described as LOT 42-B PSD-115920 and LOT H, PCS-21268; that the registration statement and all papers attached thereto are available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon and upon proper application; and that copies thereof shall be furnished to such person upon payment of the proper fee.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from last day of publication.

Davao City Philippines, 25th May 2021

ATTY. RM MIGUEL T. PALMA GIL OIC, Regional Director

National team standout and Olympic-bound boxer Irish Magno (right).

PSC show features women in sports

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nother exciting webinar series for women in sports fans and enthusiasts as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) brings in two virtual episodes of Rise Up Shape Up went online over the weekend.

The episode on MTB features two pro cyclists - Staff Sgt. Alfie “Pursuit King” Catalan and Sgt. Alvin Benosa will share an overview of mountain biking which will serve as the beginners’ guide to better appreciate the sport.

Catalan won gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games and is now serving as the captain of the Philippine Army cycling team while Benosa is the reigning champion of the Timberland King of the Mountain, 7-11 Trails, and Bataan Padyakan.

Joining them in the program are PhilCycling head coach Ednalyn Hualda and female cyclist Avegail Rombaon.

“MTB allows people to have a form of exercise while also giving them a venue to destress around nature.

This activity strengthens the physical, emotional, and mental health, which is why it is highly enjoyed by many,” explained PSC oversight Commissioner for Women in Sports Celia Kiram.

“Combatting Fears in Sports and Life” will be the topic on Sunday’s episode as the agency invited top-notch professionals, sportsmen, and women as guests to discuss extensively the relationship between fear and athletic performance.

Irish Magno, the Philip-

pines’ first woman boxer to qualify for the Olympics provides an insider’s viewpoint on how she prepares her mind for any high-pressured competition. The episode will also have a roster of elite sports coaches sharing firsthand insights on how they attain a balanced life.

“The episode will be a great learning time not only for athletes but also for the rest of Filipinos who need to conquer fear in these trying times,” said Kiram.

PSC’s Rise Up, Shape Up is a weekly web series streamed via Facebook and YouTube every Saturdays at 10:30 AM and Sundays at 7 PM. For more information on Rise Up, Shape Up, visit its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/riseupshapeup and YouTube page https://www. youtube.com/riseupshapeup.

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3-0 FOR THE AZKALS. Angel Guirado (No. 8) and Mike Ott celebrate after the former scored a goal for the Philippine Azkals against Guam in the second round of the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Sharjah Stadium on Friday (June 11, 2021). The Philippine Azkals moved closer to securing a place in the third round of the AFC qualifiers with their 3-0 win over Guam. (Photo courtesy of PFF)

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Azkals maul Guam to solidify hold of 3rd place

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he Philippine Azkals inched closer to securing a place in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a 3-0 win over Guam in the match that was part of the second round of the joint AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Friday night.

A far cry from their 0-2 loss to China early Tuesday (Philippine time), the Azkals played more

fluid against a Guamanian squad that was overpowered almost all

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