Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 165 | Saturday, September 25, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 165 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

A health worker checks the blood pressure of 92-year-old Juan del Monte after receiving his first dose of anti-Covid vaccine during the dry run of “Bakuna Nights” at San Roque Central Elementary School in Bo. Obrero, Davao City on Thursday afternoon. Del Monte, who was the oldest to be inoculated during the first day of the evening vaccination program dry run, is the father-in-law of Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang. Edge Davao

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Nationwide simultaneous 9-day novena hold to intensify calls for Mayor Sara to run for president STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 165 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

A health worker administers an anti-Covid vaccine to a resident during the “Bakuna Nights” dry run held at San Roque Central Elementary School in Bo. Obrero, Davao City on Thursday night. The evening vaccination program aims to cater to Dabawenyos who cannot go to vaccination sites during the day. Edge Davao

NOVENA FOR SARA T

New staff deployed at Los Amigos lab

Nationwide simultaneous 9-day novena hold to intensify calls for Mayor Sara to run for president By MAYA M. PADILLO

President Rodrigo Duterte, but also the safety of all frontliners, and peaceful filing of the certificate of candidacy. For Cebu, the novena will be held at Sto. Niño and Simala churches every 8:00 a.m. up to September 30, 2021, then the 9th day will be in Simala on October 1, 2021.

Mayor Sara thanked those behind this nationwide novena. The mayor posted on her Facebook Page that she may not mention all of their names one by one, what matters is the situation of the frontliners is in their hearts. “Thank you also for your tireless support,” she posted. Meanwhile, the Ituloy and Pagbabago Movement (IPM) recently released a video ad entitled “Inday Will Always Love You”

that highlights her works as mayor. “Thank you so much po sa Ituloy ang Pagbabago Movement for the video Inday Will Always Love You. The message in this video is heartwarming. No matter where we are in the world, no matter what position we are in, we will be united in helping our neighbor and in loving our Philippines,” the mayor said. Furthermore, Hugpong Para Kay Sara (HPS)

unteers bared they collected a total of 3,704 pieces of mixed wastes varying from food packaging, plastic bags, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and glass bottles, toiletries, sachets, medical wastes, and other household wastes during the WABA. Through a cross-check analysis, the group stated that wastes of top manufacturers of food packaging and production-related companies are top polluters of the city’s riverbanks that include Liwayway Holdings Company, which is the manufacturer of pop-

ular junk food Oishi, Crispy Patata, and Rinbee; Procter and Gamble, which is a manufacturer of leading detergent bars and powders, dishwashing liquids, and disposable diapers; Prifood Corporation, which is one of the leading producers of junk food in the country like Super Crunch, Yip Yap, and Red Chili; Unilever, Coca-Cola Company, JBC Food Corp., Nestle Republic Biscuit, and W.L Food Products. The group also showed that based on the data of the overall classification of collected wastes cate-

gorized as non-biodegradable wastes such as plastic wrappers, bags, bottles, glass, and special wastes such as facemasks and used materials. The group stated that a total of 1,518 pieces of food wrappers or packaging of junk food, biscuits, and other packed snacks comprise 41 percent of the total waste collected. Plastic bags, pieces of cellophane, and sacks took the second spot with 15 percent or 553 pieces. On the other hand, detergents, soap, and shampoo sachets follow at 475

espite having thumbed down calls for Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for President, her supporters are not giving up. A simultaneous nineday novena with the intention for her discernment is ongoing and will run until October 1, 2021. Being led by SARA Duterte for President Movement, the novena, which commenced on September 23, 2021, not only intend to pray for discernment of Mayor Sara and

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he city government of Davao has deployed a new team at the government-owned Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory in Tugbok after its employees contracted with Covid-19. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced on Monday the outbreak of Covid-19 positive involving the personnel of the Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory. “Ang recent challenge nato sa atoang molecular laboratory was an outbreak of positive cases didto sa ilaha, so there was a point na nag quarantine sila and our health group is doing something na magbutang og murag rescue team, bag-ong personnel, to replace those who are positive and on quarantine,” the mayor said. Davao City Covid-19

Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser announced on Wednesday that the affected employees are currently in quarantine. “All of those employees na nagpositive naka-isolate na po sila, na-decontaminate na ang area and that is why as of the moment functional ang Los Amigos Molecular lab, there are also a new set of employees,” Schlosser said. Schlosser also announced that the said laboratory is back in operation after intensive disinfection. She said the disinfection of Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory was conducted to stem transmission of the Covid-19. She added that the situation at the laboratory has been mitigated and managed to allow operation. She said the operation of

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Wastes of popular brands identified as top polluters in Davao City’s riverbanks

astes of popular brands were found to be the top polluters of Davao City’s riverbanks this was after the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and Davao City Bantay Bukid volunteers recently conducted a four-day Waste and Brand Audit (WABA) at Panigan River in Brgy. Tawan-Tawan and Brgy. Carmen, Lower Tamugan River in Brgy. Gumalang, and Davao River in Brgy. San Rafael, Davao City. In a statement, IDIS and the Bantay Bukid vol-

pieces while plastic (PET) bottles, plastic cups, and high-density plastic containers follow at 402 pieces; and a total of 183 disposable face masks were collected. The lower percentile is composed of other residual wastes that include, among others, used clothes, glass bottles, tin cans, disposable diapers and napkins, cigarette buds, and deflated balloons. Lawyer Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS, said with these data, IDIS is alarmed by how the public manages their wastes and

by how they strongly implement or follow the laws. “How they manage their waste problem also reflects how they lead their respective barangay. Most importantly, these areas are critical to the future of Davao City - Panigan-Tamugan watershed being the next source of drinking water of the city” Peñalver said. Recently, the City Council passed two ordinances aiming to help in addressing waste problems in Davao City namely No to the single-use plastic ordi-

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EDGEDAVAO

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the Covid-19 hit personnel of Los Amigos molecular laboratory:

Ang recent challenge nato sa atoang molecular laboratory was an outbreak of positive cases didto sa ilaha, so there was a point na nag quarantine sila and our health group is doing something na magbutang og murag rescue team, bag-ong personnel, to replace those who are positive and on quarantine.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Not giving up Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s supporters are not about ready to give up.

Whilst the President’s daughter has thumbed down calls for her to run for the presidency, hope springs eternal for her huge followers. For a start, there will be simultaneous nine-day novena organized with the intention for her discernment to run until October 1, 2021.

The movement is spearheaded by the SARA Duterte for President Movement. The novena commenced on September 23, 2021.

For Cebu, the novena will be held at Sto. Niño and Simala churches every 8:00 a.m. up to September 30, 2021, then the

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The movement is only the latest of a snowballing support for her to run, most especially that not one from among those who have declared their intentions to run appear to be a good choice to be at the helm. Among those who have openly declared were Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. Already, many have compared the narrative of Mayor Sara to that of his father. She is seen to have been doing almost the same political moves as her father.

Mayor Sara recently confirmed the report that she is staying ‘local’ in the 2022 elections but with the calls for support and the relatively “shallow” field, her turnaround could be expected. 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

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

9th day will be in Simala on October 1, 2021.

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 165 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – John Wooden ***

Do you know of some very talented people who suddenly fall apart when they achieve a certain level of success? The reason for that phenomenon is character. In his book, The Success Syndrome, author Steven Berglas writes that people who achieve great heights but lack the bedrock character to sustain them through the stress are headed for disaster. Berglas, an American psychologist, believes these people are destined for one or more of the following: arrogance, painful feelings of aloneness, destructive adventure-seeking, or adultery. Each is a terrible price to pay for weak character. “Someday, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life,” Phillips Brooks states. “But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, on the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall mis-

erably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long-continued process.” A life built on the sands of celebrity can be wrecked by the rains of reverses. A life built on the sands of materialism can be destroyed by the floods of adversity. A life built on the sands of pleasure can be blown down by the winds of disillusionment. Only the life that is built on the rock of character can withstand the tempests of time. A number of famous quotes about character down through the years have focused on one attribute: the hidden nature of character. “Character is what you are in the dark,” said Dwight L. Moody. “The measure of man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would be found out.” An unknown author penned these words: “The difference between personality and character: Personality is what you are when lots of people are around; character is what you are when everybody goes home.” A scorpion, being a poor swimmer, asked a turtle to carry him on his back across a river. “Are you out of your mind,” exclaimed the turtle. “You’ll sting me while I’m swimming and I’ll

drown.” “My dear turtle,” the scorpion laughed. “If I were to sting you, you would drown and I would go down with you. Now, where is the logic in that?” “You’re right,” the turtle agreed. “Hop on!” The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the turtle resignedly said, “Do you mind if I ask you Something? You said there’d be no logic in your stinging me. Why did you do it?” “It has nothing to do with logic,” the drowning scorpion sadly replied. “It’s just my character.” Character, someone once said, is not made in crisis; it is only exhibited. It was an anonymous caller who informed Erik that a certain priest named Bernard was delivering sermons aimed at subverting Germany’s racial policies. Erik knew little about the priest’s background and could not imagine what had compelled him to take this rash course. After all, the majority of churches, both Catholic and Protestant, had either supported the policies or remained discreetly neutral. Erik attended an evening service and found the church less than a third full. During his ser-

mon, Father Bernard proclaimed Christ’s love and asked those gathered to pray for the Jews. Several left as he preached. As Father Bernard was removing his vestments, Erik said to him, “You are gravely misinformed.” The priest looked at him with tired, sensitive eyes and said simply, “I know what is happening to the Jews. And so do you, Captain.” When the priest died in Dachau, Erik concluded, “I feel a bit sorry for him. He simply did not understand the need to run with the tide, to accept the inevitable.” Although Erik and Bernard are fictional characters in Gerald Green’s book, Holocaust, they make a strong point: Character does not bend to politics. Our character is what God knows us to be. Our reputation is what men think we are. “Promises must be kept, deadlines met, commitments honored; not just for the sake of old-fashioned morality, but because we become what we do (or fail to do), and character is simply the sum of our performance,” Howard Sparks commented. Many years ago, a boy was born in Russia who thought of himself to be so ugly, he was certain there would be no happiness for him in life. He bemoaned the

fact that he had a wide nose, thick lips, small gray eyes, and big hands and feet. He was so distraught about his ugliness, he asked God to work a miracle and turn him into a handsome man. He vowed that if God would do this, he would give Him all he possessed, as well as he might possess in the future. That Russian boy was Count Tolstoy, one of the world’s foremost authors in the twentieth century, perhaps best known for his epic War and Peace. In one of his books, he admitted that through the years he discovered that the beauty of physical appearance he had once sought was not the only beauty in life. Indeed, it was not the best beauty. Instead, Tolstoy came to regard the beauty of a strong character as having the greatest good in God’s sight. So many people spend enormous sums today on their physical appearance. Character, in contrast, is not a matter of money or of looks. It is a matter of doing what is right apart from money, and of standing up for what is right apart from appearances. “Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted,” says Alfred Adler.

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

AREN’T YOU BORED YET? “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” - MARCUS AURELIUS *******

Ho-hum. Boredom seems to be catching up with me. The cacophony of noises erupting around us since two or three weeks ago have shattered the peace and quiet that I was enjoying, albeit temporarily. The season of folly has arrived. No need to make guesses. Everyone is talking about it, especially those in coffee and barber shops. The series of political declarations by pretentious aspirants for the presidency is an ominous sign that the Filipino people are about to become polarized again for the nth time. Yes, and for me, this has become a menacingly boring rou-

tine that has not been redounded for the intellectual benefit of the electorate. As this was being written, three have ceremoniously announced they were fit for the presidency:. Panfilo “PIng” Lacson, Emmanuel ”Manny” Pacquiao and Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso in this order. All three mouthed similar assessments of the current state of the nation, citing in metaphorical language that he is the “messiah” who can solve the ills bewitching the nation and uplift the economic well-being of every Filipino citizen. Lacson, the senator from Cavite, tactfully evaded using strong verbs and adverbs in his opening blurbs, hoping to appear statesman-like in his initial public appeal. PIng did not strike me like he was winnable. Pacquiao, the boxing icon and now senator from Sarangani, talk-

ed rather listlessly in his acceptance speech of his nomination by the Koko PImentel-wing of the PDP-Laban. Stammering though he was reading a prepared script, Pacquiao’s warrior-like aura disintegrated. His voice was flat and without energy, thus failing to seize the moment. Gee, his political handlers mismanaged the real context of the event. Pity. Moreno timed his announcement during the flag-raising rite at Manila CIty Hall with a well-arranged audio-video equipment and professionally directed program. Again, he acted like he was Sir Lancelot, ready and able to rescue a princess in distress like the proverbial knight in shining armor. I thought he was squirming most of the time though, with his naughty diatribes directed against someone residing beside the Pasig River. HIs colloquialism sits well

with Manilenos but the jargon of contemporary times has rendered it passe’. How can you not become bored if you hear the same song over and over again by the same type of people trying hard to master the lyrics and the melody, hoping to please a disinterested public? Lacson has Senate Pres. TIto Sottofor his VP while MOReno picked a low-key Dr. WIllie Ong as his partner. Ong has a wide following in the social media platforms being a well-known medical vlogger. Pacquiao is reportedly courting popular broadcaster Raffy Tulfo. In the next few days, I reckon VP Lenii Robredo, the Yellows and 1Sambayan including the unlamented ex-Sen, AntonioTrillanes will be having their own turn at the rostrum and do the same thing. Who knows but retired Asso-

ciate Justice Antonio Carpio may just make a surprising move and join the presidential derby? My sneaking suspicion is that Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara will be the last to speak out and formalize their political options. That is, if PRRD finally - and soon - makes up his mind NOT TO RUN FOR VP. Unlike those who preceded them, BBM and Mayor Sara are not in a real hurry to lay down their cards on the table until everything has been ironed out to the last detail. Ambition often creates illusions of grandeur, if not greatness. Mark Anthony, in his funeral oration eulogizing the assassinated Julius Caesar, said “the evil that men do is oft interred in the bones” of ambitious men. Anthony described Caesar as ”ambitious.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 165 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

The local government unit of Mati City conducts a livelihood training on buko pie making in Barangay Don Enrique Lopez in Mati City on September 23 and 24. Benificiary of the said program is the Don Enrique Lopez women’s association. Mati CIO

Next Malampaya can be found in Mindanao: PNOC EC official

s the Malampaya natural gas field is drying up, Mindanao might have the indigenous energy resources to energize the country.

In a webinar of Davao International Conference 2021 Thursday, PNOC Exploration Corp. (PNOC EC) vice president for upstream operation Jaime Bacud said Mindanao is rich in indigenous resources that can support

the country’s energy requirement. Bacud said Mindanao alone has three sedimentary basins waiting for exploration for oil and gas resources. These basins include Agusan, Cotabato, and the

Sulu Sea. “We still think that there is natural gas potential for these areas, and it could be where we could find the next Malampaya,” Bacud added. The Malampaya gas field, which supplies around 30 percent of Luzon’s power requirement, is the country’s lone natural gas source. As the government issued a moratorium on

No retrenchment, fleet reduction for CebPac

n executive of lowcost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) assured on Thursday there will be no retrenchment this year, and that it will also not reduce its fleet as it gears for travel recovery. “(There are) no retrenchment plans for Cebu Pacific,” CEB vice president for marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog told reporters in a virtual presser. It may be recalled that CEB had to retrench about 1,300 employees last year, as the airline industry was among the hardest hit by

the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Iyog said the airline is currently gearing for the gradual resumption of travel. Among the preparations is having its workforce vaccinated, as this helps in rebuilding trust in air travel. Currently, 96 percent of CEB workforce were already inoculated, and Iyog said the company targets to complete the vaccination by October. Compared to Philippine Airlines (PAL) that will slash fleet size by 25 percent, Iyog said CEB has no plans of fleet reduction.

About half of CEB’s 73 aircraft are operational. The executive said that since the start of the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) with granular lockdown, CEB has had an average of 40 percent load factor. CEB is cautiously optimistic, Iyog remarked, noting that passenger load has been improving. With this development, the airline will expand flights to Siargao from five times to six times weekly; Boracay from four to five times daily; and Bohol from

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new coal projects, Bacud said oil and gas exploration, particularly in Mindanao, could help in the government’s goal to achieve energy independence. “We still have a lot of natural or oil and gas resources that are still untapped. And this could be our way forward to get closer to what we call energy independence,” he added. (PNA)

PH fashion industry can benefit from bamboo

n environment advocate is promoting the increased use of bamboo in Philippine fashion to help boost the industry’s global competitiveness. Thread from bamboo

can be used in creating fabric designs that will help increasingly draw international attention to Philippine fashion, Climate Action and Sustainability Alliance con-

fever in the country’s hog industry. Inflation is expected to remain above the 2% to 4% target range until October, and could possibly reach 5% this month due to higher suggested retail prices, petroleum prices, electricity rates, and pork prices. It is then expected to decelerate within the central bank target band by November. “For 2021, for the remaining months of 2021, whereas before we were seeing the risks to the inflation outlook were broadly balanced, they have now tilted toward the upside,” Dakila said. Pump prices of petro-

leum products were hiked in the four weeks of the month, Meralco increased power rates for September, and pork prices remain elevated. “These numbers are really quite manageable, and since the pressures on inflation are short-term and they emanate on the supply side, as with previous episodes of supply-side shocks, these tend to be best addressed by non-monetary actions that could ease supply constraints,” explained Dakila. The inflation outlook for 2022 was revised upward to 3.3% from 3.1% previously, while the 2023

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BSP hikes inflation expectations, says Sept print could reach 5%

he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday hiked its inflation forecast for this year and the next two years, with the outturn expected to be above the target range until October. In a virtual briefing, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila, Jr. said the Monetary Board revised its inflation outlook for 2021 to 4.4% from the previous forecast of 4.1%. Factors considered in the revision include the potential supply chain bottlenecks, the faster-than-expected print in August, as well as the continued outbreak of the African swine

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ECONOMY A2

A rice mill worker walks by sacks of rice collected after being sun dried in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Farmers expressed dissatisfaction over the decreasing farmgate prices of rice due to the entry of imported rice in the market. Edge Davao

DavSur expo features world-class local products, tourist destinations CebPac all set for domestic T travel recovery in Q4 of ‘21

ebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) will increase its flights in October to tourism havens Siargao, Boracay, and Bohol as the country’s leading airline push for domestic travel recovery, following the easing of quarantine restrictions. In October, the airline will expand its flights to Siargao from five times to six times weekly; raise its frequencies to Boracay

from four to five times daily; and bump up flights to Bohol from nine to 10 times weekly. “We believe reopening domestic travel and the promotion of responsible travel is critical to rebuilding the trust and travel confidence in the industry,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience

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he world-class and award winning local products and travel destinations in Davao del Sur are being featured and promoted in the first DavSur Travel and Trade Expo 2021. Despite the pandemic, the virtual edition of the provincial expo has been made possible through the initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry of Davao del Sur and the Provincial Tourism Development and Promotion Office. DTI-Davao del Sur Provincial Director Maria Victoria Placer explained

that the expo highlights the province’s globally competitive products as well as the tourism destinations, circuits and activities. Since its launch on Tuesday (Sept. 21), the virtual expo has been staging several activities such as the opening ceremony, webinars on entrepreneurship and financial

literacy and the Filipino brand of Service, and online show on tourist attractions and culinary products. “It is with utmost pride that we boast of several world-class and award winning local products,” Placer stated in her message during the opening ceremony. She cited the coconut sugar from Bansalan, virgin coconut oil, coconut and cacao chips in Padada, and the hand woven items and other products of the indigenous communities. She also mentioned

he Philippine capital joins other Asian cities on the list of 30 top startup ecosystems in this year’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER). In the GSER 2021, Manila ranks 30th in the regional ecosystem performance. Manila was also named as the 10th most affordable talent in the region and 20th globally. “The Philippine startup ecosystem is rapidly developing with stronger government support particularly in

high-growth services such as AI (artificial intelligence), Big Data, and fintech, among others,” the GSER 2021 said. It added government policies, such as the Philippine Innovation Act and the Innovative Startup Act, have helped the country to boost the local startup ecosystem. According to the report, the country’s startup ecosystem was valued at USD584 million, while early stage funding amounted to USD101 million. However, this is still far

from the global average of USD13.68 billion in startup ecosystem value and USD548 million in average early-stage funding. “Despite setbacks due to Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), startups remain a catalyst for innovation. Leveraging on our strengths, the Philippines will continue supporting startups by reducing barriers to entrepreneurship, providing the right conditions, and boosting their entrepreneurial potential,” Department of

the national champion, the Arabica coffee of Bansalan and the various pasalubong products and food stuff found from across Davao del Sur. Placer said that various tourism circuits will be promoted, “particularly in the mountain range of Mt. Apo, covering the areas of Sta. Cruz, Bansalan and Digos City as well as the mountain scenery in Matan-ao and the beaches along Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Malalag, Padada and Sulop.” “Through these initia-

Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafaelita Aldaba said. In a statement Thursday, the DTI said the pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce in the country, with revenues estimated to reach more than USD5 million this year and growing up to USD8.8 million in the next three years. “The continued emergence of fintech and e-commerce startups in the Phil-

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PH, South Korea eye Manila joins Asia’s top 30 cities for startups to sign FTA in October T

n official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Thursday the Philippines and South Korea are now finalizing the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and aim to conclude the trade deal next month. “We are now also in the final stages towards concluding the FTA with Korea. Hopefully, this can be done in time for the Asean-Korea Summit which will happen

towards the end of October,” Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said during the virtual 2021 European-Philippine Business Summit. Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency earlier reported that South Korea was expanding FTAs with emerging countries in Southeast Asia like the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as Latin American nations to reduce

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VOL.14 ISSUE 165 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

Water service interruptions in some Buhangin, Cabantian, and Catalunan Grande areas

avao City Water District advises customers of two separate sets of water service interruptions. First set is two schedules of low water pressure to no water in some areas served by Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS) in Buhangin and Cabantian on September 26, 2021 from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM and from 9:45 AM to 1:45 PM. Affected are portion of Buhangin (Beverly Hills Street in Robinsons Highlands Subd., Bread Subd., Carpio Subd., Panorama Homes Subd., Pioneer Village, and Manuel M. Garcia Road (from corner Cabantian Road to Panorama Homes) and portion of Cabantian (Holy Trinity Subd., Countryville Executive Homes, Dela Peña Subd., BACAHOA Subd., Victor’s Executive Homes, Emilia Homes Subd., and portion of Cabantian Road from Holy Trinity Subd. to Emilia Homes Subd.).

SEPTEMBER 26 AND 29, 2021

DCWD’s Panorama booster pump under Dumoy WSS will be affwected by Davao Light and Power Company’s (DLPC) power interruptions on the said date needed to facilitate their 138kV pole erection along Buhangin-Lapanday Road (Phase 3B: HB3 Hardware to Davao Basic Steel). Although the power cuts are shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the affected booster pump, pressure buildup, and line delivery, thus the longer duration of water service interruptions. Second set is no water on September 29, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM in some areas served by Tugbok WSS, particularly, in some Catalunan Grande areas (Hacienda Grande, Monte Maria Village, Forest View Village, Monte Maria Subd. Phases 2 and IIC, Skyline Subd. Phase III, St.

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Francis Xavier Village, Bahay Pag-ibig Heights II, Villa Corazon Subd., Sea Gems Village, Seminary Road, Sitio Soriano, and along Catalunan Grande Road from Sitio Soriano to corner Monte Maria Village). DCWD needs to temporarily shut off water supply in these areas to give way to the tapping of a boundary valve and the District Metered Area (DMA) auxiliary pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the Tugbok WSS DMA Project. This project is among DCWD’s strategies to reduce non-revenue water or water loss. On behalf of the DCWD management, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to these schedules. Water supply may be restored earlier if DLPC’s and DCWD’s works go smoothly or

was recently launched claiming over 10,000 supporters from the Philippines, the Middle East, Canada, and the United States and pledged their support and urged Mayor Sara to reconsider her decision. HPS spokesperson Bernadette Herrera in a statement stated that the group while it

respects her recent statement, it still hopes that “Mayor Inday’s heart for the Filipino people will ultimately prevail.” Mayor Sara recently confirmed the report that she is staying ‘local’ in the 2022 elections following her spokesperson Liloan Mayor Christine Garcia Frasco recent

pronouncement that Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte are seeking reelection in the 2022 elections. In July last year, Mayor Sara announced she is open to run for national position in the 2022 elections. However, the mayor took a 360-degree turn and said she is not running in any national post following President Rodrigo Duterte’s acceptance of the nomination

nance and the ordinance regulating recreational activities in the watersheds. “We also urge our barangay local government units to strictly monitor their respective

jurisdictions and enforce their mandate under existing laws,” he added. IDIS and Bantay Bukid Volunteers are now calling the attention of the top polluters of the

city’s rivers to start shifting from throwaway packaging models to more sustainable reuse and refill systems and mainstream other community-based working models that aim to end depen-

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later if unforeseen problems arise. DCWD conducts flushing after service works are completed. However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. Do not drink tap water immediately but if needed, boil water beforehand as safety precaution. The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and Facebook page (www.facebook. com/officialDCWD) and dial telephone voicemail 235-3293 for the latest water service updates. For queries, customers may also call DCWD’s 24-hour Water Patrol Emergency Hotlines 244-6767, 0927-7988966, 0925-511-3293, and 0908-441-0653 or send a message to www.facebook.com/ officialDCWD (Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

as vice presidential candidate of PDP-Laban. On September 17, 2021, the President has formally accepted his nomination by signing PDP Laban’s certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) as the official vice-presidential candidate of the ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), for the 2022 national elections. dence on single-use plastics. IDIS and Bantay Bukid volunteers are also urging the public to manage their wastes properly and avoid using single-use plastics. 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: March 01 to Sasa Maa March 31, Sandawa 2021 Matina Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION Sept. 28, 2021 (Tuesday) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Quezon St., Tagum City

THE MANAGEMENT

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the said laboratory allows the city to continue the swab testing for the high-risk cases (F1 and those with Influenza-like symptoms) while the repair of the extraction machine at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is still ongoing. “Hopefully we are pushing that within this week, or early next week everything will be fully operational again,” Schlosser said.

Schlosser also reminded that F2 or F3 contacts of an RTPCR confirmed positive case of Covid-19 who cannot yet be accommodated at the swabbing centers can go to the private swabbing centers to know their status and while those who will feel Covid-19 symptoms could automatically go to swab centers as they will be part of the priority being persons with ILIs. By Maya M. Padillo

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ENVIRONMENT

ABACA PROVIDES LIVELIHOOD

TO LAKE LANAO FOLKS Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

ake Lanao, located within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is part of Lanao del Sur. With a surface area of 340 square kilometers, it is the largest lake in Mindanao and the second largest in the country. Scholars have been pushing for the lake’s inclusion in the World Heritage List of the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In 1992, then President Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed Lake Lanao – whose hydroelectric facilities provide 65% of Mindanao’s power demand – as a watershed reservation through Presidential Proclamation 971 “to ensure protection of forest cover and water yield for hydropower, irrigation and domestic use.” Despite this proclamation, the Lake Lanao River Basin (LLRB) continues to deteriorate. The Marawi-based Mindanao State University, in a study done in 2006, showed that the lake suffers from massive algae contamination brought about by indiscriminate logging, extensive land-use and farming. “Lake Lanao’s watersheds have been confronted with deforestation, unsustainable farming, limited economic opportunities, and limited development projects,” a recent press statement said. “All of these further worsen natural resources degradation

and poverty.” Something must be done now – before it’s too late. Enter BARMM’S Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) – of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – which has integrated a Maranao Ethnic Development Plan in its natural resources program in LLRB. Considered as part of their ancestral domain, LLRB is of significant historical and cultural importance to indigenous peoples, particularly the Maranao peoples who continue to live in areas surrounding the lake. “The Maranaos have kept their own culture in keeping with the environment under the Al Khalifa Islamic concept of people as stewards of nature,” the press statement said. “However, due to pervasive poverty, some residents have resorted to illegal resource extraction and con-

version of forests into farm lands.” This is why DENR has carried out extensive natural resource management (NRM) – with a budget of P78 million – in LLRB. As of the end of May, NRM includes a reforestation area of 145 hectares and agroforestry area of 1,300 hectares. Commercial tree plantation (CTP) covers 527 hectares; and conservation farming, 110 hectares. Forest trees planted under CTP are falcata and mahogany. For conservation farming, the trees include fruit trees such as durian, rambutan, lanzones and forest trees, together with cash crops and root crops. Agroforestry areas are planted with rice, corn, banana, and palapa or white dallion (a root crop used as an appetizer) and fruit trees and forest trees. Reforestation areas are planted with narra and lauan. One agricultural crop that has a good potential to be integrated into agroforestry systems is abaca. This shade-loving crop does not only offer sources of income but also prevents soil erosion. That’s why abaca is also one of the crops being planted around the vicinity of LLRB. In order to sustain the abaca project, the environment department has linked forest communities in Lake Lanao with abaca

exporter Newtech Pulp Inc. to bring hope of sustained livelihood while conserving the watershed. So far, three people’s organizations (PO) are now partners of Newtech Pulp in the supply of abaca fiber. Newtech Pulp has an abaca pulp manufacturing plant in Maria Cristina Balo, Lanao del Norte. The POs are Sunrise Producer Association, Wato Balindong Farmers’ Cooperative and Sania Farmers Association. These POs operate in Piagapo, Balindong, and Maguing all in the Province of Lanao del Sur. Newtech Pulp is sourcing abaca fiber from an estimated 200 hectares of abaca plantation that are under INREMP. “These people’s organizations used to harvest (rice and other crops like

abaca, and banana) just once a year. Their production in abaca is being sustained because they are now supplying directly to Newtech Pulp Inc.,” said Samsodin Taha, operations manager at INREMP’s Lake Lanao River Basin (LLRB). DENR is looking further in partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR-LDS), Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE-LDS), and Department of Agriculture (DA) for a future expansion of the abaca plantation. “If these three agencies will infuse investment into the abaca project, the LLRB abaca area can expand by three times more in the future,” Taha said. The INREMP – jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank and the

Philippine government – covers rehabilitation of six sub-watersheds in LLRB: Marawi-Saguiaran, Ramain, Malaig, West, Taraka, and Gata. Its livelihood enhancement includes provision of a turmeric processing machine for the Mapantao-Saguiaran People’s Organization and its mini warehouse. On the other hand, a solar drying pavement has been put up for Dimapatoy Farmers Association. Meanwhile, an abaca stripping machine has been provided for the Harith Tree Planting Farmers Association. Abaca is currently in demand all over the world. Used to be called “Manila hemp,” abaca is not actually a hemp. Unlike the Russian hemp or American hemp, both of which are

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venor-chairperson Corazon Claudio said Thursday during the Stories for a Better Normal online program that tackled the various uses of bamboo. “We can produce something different from what other countries are producing,” Claudio said. It might even be possible to combine bamboo thread with abaca and other Philippine fibers to produce truly unique fabrics, she added. Recalling a trip to China, Claudio said an outlet there sold clothing items that looked like silk but were purely made of bamboo thread. Expressing optimism about bamboo’s fashion prospects, she said the Philippines has 60 to 80 species of this grass, 20 of which are even native ones. “Now, we’re not yet producing bamboo thread in great quantity,” she said. Claudio noted that the country could do so by increasing the production and processing of bamboo for the fashion industry. In promoting bamboo, she highlighted the need to address various issues hindering the increased

production of this grass, such as absentee landowners whose properties are left idle instead of being used for bamboo production. “I think something has to be done about this. Encourage them to invest if they don’t want to come back yet and develop their lands,” Claudio said. She also raised the urgency for facilitating the system of processing and approving applications for the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA). The IFMA is a production-sharing contract between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a qualified applicant who receives from this agency the exclusive right to develop, manage, protect, and utilize a specified area of forestland and forest resources for 25 years, which is renewable for another 25 years, according to the department’s Forest Management Bureau. The country likewise needs more tissue culture laboratories to help produce more bamboo seedlings, Claudio said.

nine to 10 times weekly, by October. CEB also plans to resume operations in several international destinations: daily flights to Dubai starting on September 30; twice weekly to Nagoya, Japan beginning October 2; Osaka on October 4; and Fukuoka on November 5. Likewise, flights to Kuala Lumpur will resume on October 4. Meanwhile, Iyog said the carrier has been continuously working with the government for repatriation flights. She commented

that the airline prefers no passenger cap will be imposed on international airports like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The country’s main gateway has been imposing a cap of 2,000 inbound international passengers daily, in consideration of the quarantine capacity. “This cap is not enough to bring Filipinos, those stranded abroad, to the country,” Iyog said. The airline also hopes that the quarantine days for international travelers be reduced, she said. (PNA)

print is now projected at 3.2% versus the earlier projection of 3.1%. The Monetary Board also on Thursday decided to keep key policy rates unchanged: the overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2.00%, the overnight deposit at 1.5%, and the overnight lending facility at 2.5%. “On balance, the Monetary Board is of the view that prevailing policy settings remain appropriate

given the manageable inflation environment and uncertain growth outlook,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said. “The Monetary Board reiterates that, together with appropriate fiscal and health interventions, keeping a steady hand of the BSP’s policy levers will allow the momentum of economic recovery to gain more traction by helping boost domestic demand and market confidence,” he added.

ippine market highlights the important role of the government in addressing market failures and creating an enabling environment which is crucial in developing a robust startup ecosystem,” Aldaba added. Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency is committed to strengthening the startup ecosystem in the country. “We are moving forward

in finalizing the structure that will allow us to maximize the utilization and effectiveness of the Startup Venture Fund (SVF) that we are allocating for the development of start-up venture(s) in the country,” Lopez said. The GSER report also highlighted that the SVF is one of the reasons why startups should tap opportunities in Manila. (PNA)

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at Cebu Pacific. “We also know that the situation continues to be fluid, that is why we make it a priority to always make travel convenient for everyJuan, on top of providing the much-needed flexibility during this time,” added Iyog. For international destinations, Cebu Pacific will also resume its daily flights to Dubai on September 30. For Japan, Cebu Pacific will fly twice weekly to Nagoya starting October 2, and Osaka on October 4; and resume Fukuoka on November 5. Cebu Pacific will restart its flights to Kuala Lumpur on October 4. To encourage everyJuan to travel safely and affordably, CEB has an ongoing PHP 99 seat sale until September 26, to and from key cities like Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, Iloilo, and a lot more. Travel period began on September 17, and may be used to book flights up to June 30, 2022. CEB continues to offer the most flexible options with unlimited rebooking available for everyJuan, following the permanent removal of change fees in March 2021. Passengers are encouraged to travel re-

sponsibly and ensure their requirements are complete prior to proceeding to the Airport. Guests may refer to the list of travel requirements per destination via https://bit.ly/CEBTravel-Docs. CEB has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings. com for its COVID-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards. These include daily extensive cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, antigen testing before duty for all frontliners and crew members, and contactless flight procedures. These are all in accordance with global best practices and the highest safety standards. The aircraft are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA air filters, keeping viruses at bay. CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 32 destinations, on top of its eight (8) international destinations. Its 73-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two (2) dedicated ATR freighters and one (1) A330 freighter.

tives, we can create more jobs and livelihood for our people who will ensure a more inclusive and sustainable growth and development. And with our desire to build back better towards a post-pandemic future, this is one way of preparation.” Davao del Sur Governor Marc Cagas has shown support to the expo as he officially opened the virtual launch, saying “the provincial government shall remain committed to develop the sectors of tourism and trade, because these are the two best ways to practically help us cushion the effects of the pandemic.” The event is also in collaboration with the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI) and the Philippine Information Agency - Davao del Sur. MTEFI President Dr. Rosevic del Rosario-Cembrano has commended the public-private partnership of the trade and tourism

industries in the province. “We admire the initiative of public-private partnership. This truly will help the producers of handcrafted items processed food producers and travel destination operators especially during this time of pandemic that market outside the region is difficult.” The travel and trade expo, which runs up to September 30, is also in celebration of the National Tourism Week. Several other activities have been lined up in the coming days, such as webinars on social media marketing and management, selling and negotiation skills, data privacy and cyber security, which are aimed at improving the competitiveness of the local products and services. “Let us wave our flag to indicate that Davao del Sur is indeed open for business,” Placer stated. (PIAXI/Carina L. Cayon with reports from Franchette Delfin)

its reliance on major economies in terms of trade. Manila and Seoul agreed to pursue FTA in 2019 to improve market access for goods and services. The two countries have trade pacts through regional deals, such as the Asean-Korea FTA and the newly concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Rodolfo said the Philippines-Korea FTA has implications for European businesses, particularly in trade of high-end automotive vehicles. The FTA will make highend cars produced in South Korea more competitive

than those coming from Europe. Rodolfo added the DTI hopes that the European Union (EU) “will also take the cue from EFTA (European Free Trade Association)” that pursued and concluded a free trade deal with the Philippines. “We hope to see another FTA with Europe,” he said. Rodolfo said the Philippines has kicked off two out of the three pillars of the country’s strategy on strengthening economic partnership with Europe. These include enjoying benefits from the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, and the FTA with EFTA, he added. (PNA)

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derived from Cannabis sativa, abaca is a member of the banana family. “Abaca has been grown in the Philippines for centuries, long before the Spanish occupation,” reports the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida). “When (Ferdinand) Magellan and his companions arrived in Cebu in 1521, they noticed that the natives were wearing clothes made from the fiber of an abaca plant, noting further that the weaving of the fiber was already widespread in the island.” However, it was not until 1685 that abaca was known in the Western world. Then, in 1820, John White, an American Navy lieutenant brought abaca fiber samples to the US. A cargo of abaca was sent to Salem, Massachusetts under the label “Manila.” The Americans later became the largest abaca importers as the port of Manila was opened for international trade in 1834. “The Japanese also took keen interest in abaca for naval use,” wrote Ernesto Lawagan in an article which appeared in the defunct Mod. “They improved the method of production introduced by the Americans and put the abaca industry in the Philippines to a higher level of efficiency.” It was in the 1920s when the Philippines monopolized the world production of abaca fibers, which are obtained from the plant leaves. “In 1921, the U.S. Department of Agriculture decided to cultivate abaca in Central America, particularly in Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras, using the most outstanding Philippine abaca varieties. Much of these resulted in failure,” Lawagan wrote. After World War II, Furukawa Yoshizo, one of the prewar abaca plantation owners in Davao, started field-testing and successfully cultivating abaca in Ecuador. “Today, Ecuador is the only other country commercially producing abaca in the world,” Lawagan noted. “Costa Rica, on the other hand, is now developing modern harvest facilities as studies indicated that its land could accommodate high yields of the crop.” In later years, on the onrush of modern technology, abaca was no longer given importance and was relegated to the background. “The advent of oilbased synthetic fibers in the mid-1950s, which rapidly replaced the traditional usage of natural fibers, displaced abaca as prime cordage material and precipitated its almost total collapse,” Lawagan wrote. The Philippine abaca industry suffered a slump as prices hit rock-bottom that several farmers eventually phased out their plantations.” But thanks to the global shortage of many natural resources and the pollution being wrought by synthetic products on the environment, abaca stages a comeback. “Sig-

nificant breakthroughs in technology and processes took place in the ‘60s that brought about development of new uses for abaca, particularly in the use of pulp for the production of specialty paper products,” PhilFida reported. Agriculturists say the country’s agroclimatic conditions are perfect to grow abaca, which many people still mistake for banana plants. In the Philippines, abaca has been found growing in virtually all types of soils and climate. But it is found most productive in areas where the soil is volcanic in origin, rich in organic matter, loose, friable, and welldrained, clay loam type. Abaca is prized for its great mechanical strength, resistance to saltwater damage, and long fiber length – up to 30 meters. The best grades of abaca are fine, lustrous, light beige in color and very strong. These days, most abaca fibers are pulped and processed into specialty papers. This includes: tea and coffee bags, sausage casing paper, currency notes (the country’s Central Bank is using 20% abaca for peso bills: 200, 500 and 1,000), cigarette filter papers, medical/food preparation/disposal papers, high-quality writing paper, vacuum bags and more. Abaca also made news recently when it was reported that face masks made from abaca fiber have a filtration rate seven times better than cloth masks and have lower water absorption than the N95 mask. This was based on a study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology Region 10. Wearing a face mask is one of the health protocols recommended by the World Health Organization from being infected by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The 7XB face mask, as it is called, is a product of the Salay Handmade Products Industries, Incorporated (SHPII). This artisanal company based in Misamis Oriental has been producing world-class stationery products for the last three decades. “We have this strong, tear-resistant, and water-absorbent paper material that was introduced to us about five years ago,” SHPII’s Neil Francis Rafisura was quoted as saying by The Philippine Star. “We experimented by applying this strong material to make face mask or face cover. The material is based from 100% abaca fiber, the strongest fiber in the world.” According to Rafisura, the face masks are done manually. “The raw abaca fiber undergoes at least 15 processes before they are cut and sewn into face covers,” he explained. “It also has three layers: two layers of abaca-based filters in 90 to 220 grams per square meter and one layer of cloth.”

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Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. 11 Libby Road, Bago Gallera Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service. Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-9-1400 (99-XI-01400) VALENTINO B. PATINIO, Petitioner x--------------------------------x

x--------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: MA-AAGDAO with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2021. In the pertition filed on September 15, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use o the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: BANGKAL with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 5, 2021. In the pertition filed on September 8, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use o the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on November 16, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address. At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation. Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence. Davao City, Philippines, September 16, 2021.

NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director Petitioner, Valentino B. Patinio, Blk. 23 Lot 37, Deca Homes Subd., Cabantian, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Raul C. Espina, Room 203, Villa-Abrille Bldg., R. Magsaysay St., Davao City

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on November 9, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at this office at the above address. At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation. Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence. Davao City, Philippines, September 9, 2021.

SPORTS

Dabawenyo rookie Alvin Pasaol of Meralco drives to the basket. PBA

Ginebra on the brink of ouster

eralco put Ginebra in danger of missing the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals after dealing them a 79-66 romping in the final day of the elimination round on Thursday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. The Bolts quickly clobbered the Gin Kings in the first half, opening a 47-32 lead entering the intermission. Ginebra somehow

found its way back in the game after holding Meralco to just eight third-quarter points, but the latter recovered in the fourth quarter to pull away.

HILADELPHIA — The rift between the Philadelphia 76ers and their star guard was shattered beyond repair. There was no turning back, the deal was done — Allen Iverson was traded to the Detroit Pistons. Team president Pat Croce had tried mending the relationship between Iverson, the franchise star, and coach Larry Brown but found both sides unwilling to bend on the thornier aspects of their disagreements.

“It was a horrifying experience,” Croce said. None more so than when Croce took the call from general manager Billy King in his Ocean City, New Jersey, home in the summer of 2000 saying that a trade had been reached with the Pistons and that Iverson — his habitual tardiness and clashes with Brown on the rise — had played his last game with the Sixers. “I couldn’t protect Allen,” Croce said. “If he wasn’t go-

Mac Belo and Alvin Pasaol each scored 15 points for the Bolts, which finished the first round of the conference with an 9-2 record even as they enter the quarterfinals as the second seeds with a twice-to-beat advantage. Stanley Pringle put up 19 points, four rebounds, one assist, and four steals, while Christian Standhardinger added 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and one steal for the Gin

Kings, who must now hope that the NorthPort Batang Pier would beat the Alaska Aces later Thursday to get to play in the eighth-place playoff against the Phoenix Fuel Masters. Otherwise, Ginebra would become the first team to be eliminated early into the season-opening conference after winning the championship the previous year since Shell got ousted after the preliminary phase of the 2000 edition. (PNA)

ing to listen to the coach and if he was going to be late for practice or miss practice, I couldn’t do anything about that.” The next call Croce made was to Iverson, with a simple message: “You’re going to be traded, Allen. I can’t protect the front porch if you leave the backdoor open. There’s no way.” That was that — until it wasn’t. Sixers backup center Matt Geiger refused to waive a contract clause that would have earned him a 15% pay raise if he was traded. Unable to find another combination that worked, the deal was off. And he didn’t pout that season. He didn’t whine because things were said by his coach that hurt his feelings. Years before his famous diatribe about practice, Iverson was on his professional best behavior in 2000-01 and led the Sixers to the NBA Finals while he won MVP.

“He exceeded everything he said he was going to do,” Croce said. “He never missed practice, he never was late for practice anymore. I’m never going to say he loved practice. I’m telling you, he strength-trained, he did everything that was asked for him.” Two decades later, the Sixers are again on a collision course for divorce with another mercurial guard, Ben Simmons. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Simmons — with $147 million and four years left on his contract — said in a meeting last month in Los Angeles with key franchise figures including team president Daryl Morey and coach Doc Rivers that he wanted to be traded. Rivers went on ESPN this week and tried to make peace in public with Simmons, stating his case for the three-time All-Star to return to the team that made him the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft.

Simmons, 76ers beyond repair P

NONITO A LLANOS III Regional Director

Petitioner, Abraham V. Ramos, #118, Talomo Proper, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Marvin G. Camino, Rm. 202, New Borgaily Bldg., San Pedro St., Davao City

Ben Simmons could be headed out of Philly.

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Panabo City pride Jerwin Ancajas could be moving up in weight.

Davao City’s bike lane network and my not so sketchy memories of cycling leaders’ work

MOVING UP?

Ancajas opens up possible Pinoy rivalry at bantamweight

abawenyo IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is thinking of moving up in weight.

The latest on the Panabo City native is to climb up to the bantamweight ranks for a possible collision against either WBO bantamweight king John Riel Casimero or WBC champion Nonito Donaire Jr. Ancajas, who is due to fly to the US on Friday, believes he has what it takes to go toeto-toe against Casimero and Donaire. “Nakita ko sa laban nila ni Jonas (Sultan), nakita ko na may butas din siya kung paano siya labanan,” said Ancajas of the blonde haired Casimero. “Kay Sir Nonito din naman, may mga butas din. Pero sa taas ng ring na ako usually nag-aadjust.” He said the good thing about all-Filipino boxing matches at such high level is that they can show the whole world the type of fighter they are. “Talagang umangat na ang antas ng Philippine boxing.

Makikita ng buong mundo na may mga Pilipinong maghaharap sa championship,” said Ancajas. The “Pretty Boy” of Panabo City, Davao del Norte has already experienced fighting as a 118-pounder. But the last time he fought as a bantamweight was in 2015 when he knocked out Paul Apolinario. Boxing: Eyeing late-year ring return, Jerwin Ancajas set to fly to Las Vegas for training camp Before climbing the bantamweight class though, he wants to at least figure in a title unification bout at junior bantamweight. “Hihintayin muna natin ang title unification. Kayang kaya ko pang tumimbang ng 115,” said Ancajas. Team Ancajas will join Sultan in Las Vegas, where he is expected to fight sometime in November.