EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
f
@EdgeDavao
www.edgedavao.net
LOCAL SPORTS SPORTS P 4 edgedavao@gmail.com
P 15.00 • 12 PAGES
FORGING ALLIANCES BBM-Sara’s uniteam forges alliance with HNP, Lakas-CMD, PFP, PMP STORY ON PAGE 2
Workers seem to be discussing matters while working on the metal structure of a building along Chavez Street in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao
2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director ASec. Romeo Montenegro cites the agency’s initial assessment of the impact of the Mandanas Ruling implementation in Mindanao during the virtual Mindanao Affairs Committee Hearing on Tuesday. Edge Davao
FORGING ALLIANCES C
CHO to mobilize employees, contact tracers for ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’
BBM-Sara’s uniteam forges alliance with HNP, Lakas-CMD, PFP, PMP By MAYA M. PADILLO
T
he uniteam of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and his running mate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shored up its core by forging alliance with political parties Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
The alliance signing, which was held at Bayleaf Hotel in Pasay City on Thursday, was attended by the presidents of the said parties namely Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, president of HNP; Majority Floor Leader Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez,
president of Lakas-CMD; South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., president of PFP; former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, president of PMP. “This alliance does not only show our firm aspirations for the country. It also echoes loudly of our triumph
to peacefully unite and stand side by side in the pursuit of continued development and positive change for our fellow Filipinos and the Philippines,” said Mayor Sara in her message delivered online. Mayor Sara said the uniteam has done something remarkable in a time when political noise and bickering drown the issues and problems confronting the Filipino people that is, to forge a partnership as one organization, setting aside political rivalries and differences, to become strong partners of the people and the nation. “Our alliance is built on friendship, trust, and the commitment to serve the Filipinos and the country. As your vice
he Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and some private hospitals in Davao City have started giving booster shots to medical frontliners and healthcare workers. Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said private hospitals that are administering booster shots are Seamen Hospital and Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) Hospital.
The Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH) also commenced Covid-19 booster vaccination roll-out for health care workers (HCWs) on Thursday (November 25), at the DDH Audio-Visual Room. The vaccination activity aims to inoculate 200 DDH doctors and staff. The said activity was green-lighted by the City’s Vaccination Cluster Head and the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11). She said the activity will be cascaded to the other priority
groups. “Gaya ng dati sa first rollout nato nga naa ta prioritization. The same manner ang atoang buhaton,” she said. Based on the guidelines of the DOH on the administration of booster doses, health care workers are allowed to choose the Covid-19 vaccine brand with available approved booster shots for health workers namely single doses of Pfizer, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca vaccines and half the regular dose
presidential candidate, I am proud of this agreement that powerfully illustrates leadership transcending throughout political colors,” the mayor said. The mayor also told officials of PFP, Lakas-CMD, PMP, and HNP that there is no turning back. “And we shall move forward armed with the overwhelming support of the people and a political agenda that centers on the development of our great nation,” Mayor Sara said. The BBM-Sara uniteam supporters mounted a series of caravans including one held in Tagum City last week attended by the former Senator and Mayor Sara.
of a Moderna vaccine. For Sinovac: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna (half dose) while for Moderna: AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. For AstraZeneca: Pfizer and Moderna (half dose) while for Pfizer: AstraZeneca and Moderna (half dose). The DOH also advised healthcare workers to inform the vaccination site of their brand preference so that it can be prepared in advance. By Maya M. Padillo
SPMC, private hospitals begin booster shots to health workers T
ity Health Office (CHO) employees and contact tracers will be mobilized as encoders and staff for the upcoming “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” National Covid-19 Vaccination Days slated on November 29, 2021, to December 1, 2021. “We are mobilizing every single employee of the City Health Office. Since wala kaayo ta cases we are also going to mobilize our contact tracers to help out in the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” kasi pwede sila na mahimo natong encoders ug staff didto sa vaccination hub,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force. The “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” aims to vaccinate 15 million individuals in three days. The Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations, and private sector partners across the 17 regions of the country. “I believe we do have enough manpower but then again kung kulang pa, I believe na maka augment ta from oth-
er private sectors na partner nato kanunay sa mga lakang sa protection or vaccination,” Schlosser said. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed Proclamation No. 1253 formally declaring November 29 to December 1 as “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” National Covid-19 Vaccination Days. The proclamation read that “employees and workers of the government and the private sector, who will be vaccinated during the period, shall not be considered absent from their work, provided that they present proof of vaccination to their respective employers, subject to rules that may be issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).” Malacañang also announced that November 29 and December 1 are considered “special working days” while only November 30 is a regular holiday for the commemoration of national hero Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary. By Maya M. Padillo
Neutralized communist terrorists skyrocket to 2,000: EastMinCom
T
he number of communist terrorists neutralized in Eastern Mindanao skyrocketed to 2,000, during the period from January 1 to November 24, 2021. According to Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, out of this figure, 66 were killed during legitimate operations of government troops, 127 were captured, and 586 surrendered. A total of 1,200 of allies also withdrew their support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as a result of EastMinCom’s focused military operations. EastMinCom units also seized more than 600 high-powered and low-powered firearms in combat operations and through the surrender of former rebels.
On top of that, the Command also seized 87 anti-personnel mines and discovered 180 CTG lairs within the same period. The 3rd Infantry Battalion (3rd IB) seized two AK47 rifles from Guerrilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (GF Malayag, SRC2, NCMRC) during an intel operation launched at Sitio Trucut, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon on November 24, 2021. A former communist terrorist identified as Jeffrey Ardita alias Lingling, squad leader of Platun Dos/team leader of SPARU, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (Peddler), SRC2, NCMRC disclosed the location of the firearms after he surrendered to the troops on November 5, 2021.
B1
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
COMPETITIVE EDGE
PASKONG PINOY AT KULTURA S
anta wearing a barong and a salakot as he comes to town with a lechon . . . amazing foldable Christmas lanterns that bring the spirit of Christmas everywhere . . . translucent capiz shell ornaments in angel, star, and tree designs.
Light up someone’s Christmas the Filipino way! This foldable parol is made of fabric and packs flat to send to loved ones here and abroad.
Santa dressed in a salakot and barong with a Sorbetes cart
Starry starry night! Kulura’s Abaca Parol Collection will dazzle in the holiday sky.
Two icons – Santa and the Filipino Jeepney merge in this ornament that will surely charm its way to your tree.
This elegant, classic and festive capiz lantern lights up with a beautiful soft glow.
Israel Tourism and DOT to boost two-way tourism
I
srael Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov held a meeting with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in the Israel Pavilion at the World Travel Market (WTM) held in London. The two ministers, discussed about the great potential of both Philippines and Israel to see the tourists in each country. They also talked about the matters regarding the direct flights and how it will be a game changer to boost two-way tourism for both countries. According to Razvozov, Israel had reached an amazing and historic record in 2019, with (more than) 33,000 Filipinos arriving in Israel. “We are looking forward to seeing the Filipino tourists in Israel. In 2019
we had a record number of tourists from the Philippines – about 33,000. We hope to have at least the same numbers soon. The new direct flights will give a massive boost for the tourism between our two countries.” On the other hand, data from Department of Tourism that 22,851 Israelis visited the Philippines. Philippine passport holder is visa free to Israel up to 90 days. Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov also invited DOT Secretary Puyat to join the IMTM happening in February 2022. The IMTM is an annual tourism event that brought together travel and trade industry partners to introduce new attractions and tourist destinations.
Kultura’s curated Christmas decors made by local artisan will bring paskong pinoy close to your heart. Have these in your home or send these to your loved ones abroad who long to be home for Christmas, to friends who wish to add a homespun touch to their home office, or to foreign business associates who want to know more about our country. In the Philippines, the parol has become an iconic symbol of the Filipino Christmas and is as important to Filipinos as the Christmas tree is to Western cultures. Kultura’s creatively crafted lanterns will light up the Christmas skies at home and abroad. There are foldable fabric parols proudly made by the Kababaihan ng Maynila Foundation, available in red, green and gold; abaca lanterns made by empowered Sorsogon artisans; elegant parols made from capiz shells with a beautiful, soft glow when lit. Even Santa goes homespun dressed in a salakot and barong outfit. These Filipi-
Capiz shell ornaments in angel, star and tree shapes have a subtle natural sheen and look especially pretty when your tree is lit up at night.
no-themed Santa ornaments carry gifts of Filipino icons such as lechon, sorbetes, bahay kubo and jeepney - bringing nostalgic childhood memories to you. There are also abaca wreaths and ornaments, as well as capiz shell nativity sets and angel candle holders. Now shipping worldwide check out www.kulturafilipino. com for all things uniquely Filipino holiday decor and have it delivered here and abroad conveniently. Let’s Support Local together! Kultura’s Christmas Décor are handcrafted by artisanal communities in the Philippines. Help preserve crafts and traditions and sustain these communities by providing them with opportunities for livelihood. The Christmas Décor Collection is available at Kultura Stores. You can also shop thru Kultura’s Website: http:// www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 09175174096 / 0967-6093407. Kultura ships here and abroad.
A star takes center stage in this abaca wreath
Santa is coming town . . . with Lechon! A homespun take on the Jolly Old Man.
Capiz Nativity Candle Holder.
Yellow abaca Christmas star with sinamay flowers.
Abaca wreath Christmas tree ornament.
Red abaca star ornament with tassel.
SEC-Davao orders Xian Coins, founder to cease operation
T
he Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a cease and desist order against XIAN COINS, its owner and founder CHRISTIAN ALBERT SORIANO GAZA, representatives, salesmen, solicitors, agents, uplines, enablers, influencers, and any and all persons claiming and acting for and on their behalf. The SEC will institute the appropriate administrative and criminal actions against any persons or entities found to act as solicitors, information providers, salesmen, agents, brokers, dealers or the like for and on their behalf. The Commission also prohibits XIAN COINS, its owner and founder,
its partners, operators, directors, officers, salesmen agents, representatives, promoters, and all persons, conduit entities and subsidiaries claiming and acting for and on its behalf from transacting any business involving the funds covered by this cease and desist order in its depository banks, and from transferring, dispos-
ing, or conveying in any manner, all assets, properties, real or personal, including but not limited to bank deposits, of which they may have any interest, claim or participation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, under its custody, to ensure the preservation of the assets for the benefit of the investors. XIAN COINS claims to be a centralized digital currency powered by the Etherium Blockchain that is exclusively traded by its coin holders. Holders of XNC are promised that they will enjoy a high range of price stability and appreciation of value due to the fact that it
is taking advantage of a single, centralized supply chain. Addressing Dabawenyos, SEC Davao Extension Office said “we hope you could help us share this information to the investing public, especially since the SEC Davao Extension Office has received numerous complaints against XIAN COINS representatives and agents operating in its AOR.” Should you have any information regarding any investment solicitation activity by any individual or group of individuals representing XIAN COIN, please send your report to the EIPD at epd@sec.gov.ph.
B2 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
AEON TOWERS SKYDECK TOUR. Ambassador HE Kazuhiko Koshikawa takes a quick tour at Aeon Towers Skydeck to see the breathtaking skyline view of Davao City. With him are Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa, Vice Consul Rie Mitsuhashi, 3rd Secretary for the Embassy of Japan in the PH Tomohiro Matsubara and Chief Officers from JICA Philippines. Also present were ALPI executives VP Sales & Marketing Almira Mariano, Johnny Abadilla, Security Manager and Jester Hospital, Project Development Manager.
Soccsksargen MSMEs post P35-M sales in trade expo
M
icro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) earned around PHP35 million in sales during a weeklong trade fair here organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Jude Constantine Jaugan, DTI Region 12 director, said on Wednesday the figure was based on the reported cash, booked, and under negotiation sales generated by the 24 MSMEs that joined the Yaman Dose Trade Expo from Nov. 15 to 21 at the SM mall atrium. “The recorded sales exceeded our original target of PHP10 million by 250 percent,” he told reporters. Dubbed the “Best of Soccsksargen,” the trade expo
showcased over 500 new and improved products of MSMEs in the region, especially those assisted by various support programs of the agency. The displayed products included fashion bags and accessories, banana chips, coffee, various processed fruits, processed aquamarine, face masks, face mask holder, embroidered shirts, personal protective equipment, tote bags, Tnalak bags, among others.
Jaugan said they provided guidance and related interventions to make the products market-ready, especially on a wider scale. During the fair, he said thousands of buyers visited the booths of participating MSMEs and the featured special setup display for over 50 products from those supported by their business development programs. The exhibitors comprised 16 food processors and eight homestyle and wearable manufacturers. Seven of them are from this city, five each from South Cotabato and North Cotabato, four from Sultan Kudarat, and three from Sarangani. Aside from the physical selling of products, Jaugan
said they organized a fiveday online selling via Facebook that attracted over 59,000 viewers. He said the participants, which were featured per province, recorded total sales of PHP342,000. Yaman Dose was considered the biggest trade expo organized this year by DTI12 in partnership with the local government units. It was the first major physical trade fair held in the region since 2019 after the scheduled event in November 2019, then dubbed “Treasures of Region 12, was scrapped due to the series of earthquakes that hit the region while last year’s edition was also suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)
derstandings. Another USD22.31 million sales were booked through the business matching activities organized by the Export Marketing Bureau and Food2China. “This year’s results show the continuously growing trade relationship between the Philippines and China. We are grateful to have the opportunity to showcase outstanding Filipino food products in the international market and are looking forward to expanding this relationship in other industries,” DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman said. The country’s delegation to the CIIE was represented under the FOODPhilippines
brand of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). The Philippine booth showcased healthy and organic products, tropical fruits, processed fruits and vegetables, healthy snacks, seafood and marine products, and other premium food products. “The Philippines is a great sourcing destination for food products because of its diverse agricultural landscapes and rich gastronomy. Especially with this pandemic, the demand for healthy products is high and the country is poised to be a leader in this category,” CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan said.
Among the Filipino firms that participated this year’s CIIE were AG Grays Farm, Agrinurture Inc., Avante Agri-Products Philippines Inc., B&C Healthy Snack Foods Inc, Castillo Import Export Ventures Inc, Century International (China) Co., CJ Uniworld Corp., Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures Inc., DOLE Asia Holdings Pte Ltd, DOLE Packaged Foods (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Eau de Coco, Eng Seng Food Products, Excellent Quality Goods Supply Co., Fisher Farms, Gerb Golden Hands Trading, Good Sense Food & Juices Corporation, Hancole Corporation, Hijo Resources Corporation, Innovative Packaging, and Island Fun Inc.
PH sells $597.34 million at China’s largest import expo
S
ales of the Philippine booth during this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), China’s largest buying expo, reached USD597.34 million, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported Wednesday. These sales came from the 40 Filipino food companies that participated in the 3rd CIIE in Shanghai, China from November 5 to 10. The DTI said the Philippine booth’s sales this year at CIIE surpassed last year’s value amounting to USD462 million. Of the total sales at the 2021 CIIE, USD575.03 million came from export deals through memorandum of un-
Japanese firms urged to invest in PH economic prospects
F
inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has showcased before Japanese investors the Philippines’ “brightening economic prospects” supported by a strong financial position and the Duterte administration’s game-changing initiatives, urging them to take part in the country’s shift to a “new and better” post-pandemic recovery. “The Philippines is more than ready for a new and better normal,” he said in stressing that business partnerships with Japan can be strengthened in the areas of infrastructure development, manufacturing, digital technology, renewable energy (RE) and research and development (R&D) activities. “We have gone through a difficult episode and proved that our institutions are strong enough to keep our people safe and prosperous. We have laid down firm foundations to ensure a stable recovery towards a more inclusive economy. We have what it takes to do this,” Dominguez said during the virtual Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) Wednesday attended by key government officials and business leaders from Japan. He said these “game changers” in the country’s business landscape include the fasttracked digitalization program across the Philippine bureaucracy; the timely passage of the corporate income tax (CIT) reform law; the establishment of a national ID system; measures to further improve the ease of doing business; the sustained modernization of the country’s infrastructure under President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature
program “Build, Build, Build;” and the government’s ambitious plan to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change. With the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections now declining at a steady rate amid the Philippines’ scaled-up vaccination drive, Dominguez reiterated the economic team’s earlier assessment that a full reopening of the economy can happen by the onset of the New Year. Dominguez thanked the government and the people of Japan for helping the Philippines battle the pandemic, through their budgetary aid and donation of 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. On top of being the Philippines’ biggest provider of official development assistance (ODA), he said Japan has also been a strong supporter of “Build, Build, Build” program through 26 ongoing loans that cover various big-ticket projects, including the country’s first-ever underground rail system --the Metro Manila Subway. Despite Covid-19, annual foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from Japan did not drop but even increased by 45 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period, making it the Philippines’ second-largest source of FDIs under the Duterte presidency. Japan is also the Philippines’ top export market, he said. “All of these facts show how Japan has become a valuable partner in our development story. We are optimistic that Japan will continue to play a key role in our economic resurgence,” he said.
3 VANTAGE
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
On the alliance forged by political parties Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP):
This alliance does not only show our firm aspirations for the country. It also echoes loudly of our triumph to peacefully unite and stand side by side in the pursuit of continued development and positive change for our fellow Filipinos and the Philippines.”
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio
EDITORIAL Well-grounded fears There’s a lot of sense in the fears raised by many social media influencers and netizens over the possibility of a disastrous effect of the lenient way minors are allowed to enter malls in Davao City starting last weekend. The fears are well grounded, they argue, because most of the children brought by their parents into the malls are unvaccinated. Many of the kids are also rambunctious and, yes, unruly at times. Observant Dabawenyos fear that if the authorities will not move to adopt stricter restrictions this unrestrained “invasion” of kids in the malls might turn out into a super spreader of COVID-19 infection. City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, a parent to minors herself, told Dabawenyos that authorities discussed the matter during the COVID-19 Task Force meeting last Monday, but no decision has been reached so far. Mayor Inday said the local authorities are particularly
EDGEDAVAO
Providing solutions to a seamless global village.
PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE
the national association of newspapers
Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com
We are reminded by the current experience of Israel, a country more advance than ours, which has began rolling out COVID-19 vaccination for kids aged 5 to 11 years last Monday after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said their country was experiencing a “children’s wave” of the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday’s newspapers reported that scientists and officials of Israel are now doubtful the country can reach herd immunity unless children are fully vaccinated. Earlier, the Prime Minister noted that about half of the recent confirmed COVID-19 cases were among children below the age of 11. Israel’s experience is enough example for us, Dabawenyos, to learn from. Let’s focus on inoculating our minor children first before they are allowed to invade shopping centers and all other enclosed public places. 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
worried about children aged 11 and below brought by parents to shopping malls.
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)
4 SPORTS
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 217 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
LOCAL SPORTS
House OKs bill strengthening local sports program for athletes
A
Larry Fonacier of Cavite Braves drives to the basket in the PBA 3x3 Second Leg. PBA
measure providing programs and incentives for the development of young athletes has hurdled second reading approval at the House of Representatives.
During Wednesday’s plenary session, the lower chamber passed through voice vote House Bill 10504, which seeks to strengthen local sports programs to develop young athletes. Siquijor Rep. Jake Vincent Villa, the author of the bill, said there is a need to train and develop athletes at the earliest stages of their exposure to certain sports and at a very young age. “The young promising athletes are the future of the nation’s sports program. The possibility of competing in the higher stages such as the Olympics is possible,” he said. “It is imperative for the nation’s sports program to start by helping our young athletes to develop and hone their skills.” He also said young athletes must be assisted by giving them financial incentives to help their development. The bill provides separate
funds for the strengthening of the grassroots sports programs that would support not just the young athletes, but also local sports and recreation organizations, as well as sports facilities. To further promote sports and its benefits among the youth, the Philippine Sports Commission shall allocate adequate resources to financially support the affiliation of young athletes in local sports club, recreation club, or sports organizations which facilities and activities can provide them the proper venue and opportunities for training and competition. The Get Started fund shall be used to assist young athletes, including those with disabilities as well as athletes who cannot afford to join any local sports club, recreation club, or sports organization by reason of financial constraints. Young athletes shall be provided with a discount voucher of
up to PHP3,000 annually to help pay for their registration, membership, participation, and training fees. The Get Going fund shall be used to support local sports clubs, recreation clubs, and sports or-
ganizations with funding of up to PHP50,000 annually for projects and programs that provide opportunities for more young athletes to become involved in sports. The Get Playing fund shall provide up to PHP500,000 an-
nually to assist local sports clubs, recreation clubs, and sports organizations in improving sports facilities and encourage more young athletes to become actively involved in the sports activity of their choice. (PNA)