Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 226 | Tuesday, December 7, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

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Completion of Samal-Davao connector, other Mindanao projects pushed STORY ON PAGE 2

A Lumad mother and her children roam around the downtown area of Davao City to ask for Christmas gifts from establishments and pedestrians on Monday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol promises to push for the completion of the big-ticket projects committed for Mindanao if he wins as senator in the 2022 national elections. Edge Davao

Completion of Samal-Davao connector, other big Mindanao projects pushed By MAYA M. PADILLO

ormer Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol vowed to push for the completion of the big-ticket projects committed for Mindanao, particularly the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.

That is, if he wins as senator in the 2022 national elections. The start of the construction for the planned Samal-Davao bridge remains uncertain as loan negotiations between the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Chinese government are still ongoing and right-ofway acquisition is still in the assessment stage. “Ang status ana nagka-problema sa right of way ug sa bidding process. Mao na ang kasagaran problema sa mga dagko na projects,” Piñol said in a radio interview.

In January this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed a P19.32-billion contract with a Chinese firm for the design and construction of the 3.98-kilometer bridge project that will connect Samal Island to Davao City. Meanwhile, in February this year, Piñol has organized the Davao del Norte Infrastructure Monitoring and Advisory Group (IMAG) to oversee the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the connector project. The formation of IMAG was agreed upon during the

meeting between MinDA, Governor Edwin Jubahib, and project engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) involved in the Davao-Samal Bridge project. Piñol said the Davao del Norte IMAG will be the first of the monitoring groups to be organized in the different provinces of Mindanao to monitor the progress and development of key infrastructure projects especially those projects that suffered delays. Among big ticket projects committed for Davao City, Davao Region and Mindanao are the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP); SIDC; Davao Public Transport Modernization (DPTM); Davao City Coastal Bypass Road (including Bucana Bridge); Davao City Bypass Construction; Davao International Airport Moderniza-

tion; Davao City Expressway; Davao Sasa Port Modernization; Davao People Mover (Monorail); and Rehabilitation and Improvement of the Davao Fishport Project. “This is one of the advocacies that I will embrace, the completion of the committed projects for Mindanao. I will push the completion of the committed projects for Mindanao and akong pagtuo kinahanglan ug isa ka taga Mindanao na nakasabot aning problemaha ug sa panginahanglan sa katawhan sa Mindanao,” Piñol said. Piñol decided to run for a Senate seat under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) led by Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who are running for president and vice president. He served as agriculture secretary from June 2016 to August 2019.

Force Central (JFTC) units in Upi. Lt. Col. Jonathan Pondanera, 57th Infantry Battalion commander based in Upi, presented the surrenderers to 603rd Infantry Brigade (603rd IBde) chief Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat at the battalion headquarters at Camp Edwards in Barangay Mirab, Upi. “They belonged to the BIFF-Bungos faction and they handed over 12 high-powered firearms and five explosives,” Uy, concurrent head of

the JTFC, said quoting a report from the 603Rd IBde Uy lauded the decision of the BIFF surrenderers to choose the right path to peace so they can live quietly with their families. Since January this year, more than 300 BIFF members have surrendered to the 6ID. The military’s surrender program is in partnership with the local government of Maguindanao that provided livelihood funds for the

surrenderers to restart their lives with decent sources of income. “Together with our partners from the local government units, religious sector, and the community, our dream of a peaceful and developed South and Central Mindanao is within reach,” Uy said. He appealed to other BIFF members still in the field to come forward and peacefully return to the fold of the law. (PNA)

14 more BIFF members yield in Maguindanao

ispleased with their life as rebels, 14 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to authorities in Upi town of this province bringing with them high-powered firearms and explosives, a top military official here said Monday. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, said the 14 BIFF gunmen voluntarily surrendered Sunday afternoon to the Army-led Joint Task

Build sustainable permanent structures on Ayungin Shoal, Escudero urges DND

orsogon Gov. and senatorial candidate Chiz Escudero is urging the Department of National Defense (DND) to strengthen its presence in the Ayungin Shoal by installing sustainable structures in the Philippine territory. “Amid renewed aggressiveness from China, the Philippine government needs more than a rusting World War II-era ship to stand as the symbol of its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. It should invest in a more functional permanent structure to serve as our military outpost,” Escudero said. The BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine Naval vessel, has hosted a small contingent of military personnel to assert Manila’s claim to the disputed waters since 1999. The Philippine military ran the ship aground the Second Thomas Shoal or Ayungin Shoal, 196 kilometers from Palawan, in response to China’s illegal occupation of Mischief Reef. On November 16, the Chinese Coast Guard attacked two civilian supply boats carrying food for the Marines stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre. Following the water cannon attack, China reiterated its call for the Philippines to remove the ship from Ayungin Shoal. “Pagkatapos ng pamamahiya na naman sa atin ng Tsina, kailangan natin magpakitang-gilas naman. Baka isang dahilan na hindi nila tayo nirerespeto dahil nakikita ng Tsina na mukhang kawawa ang military outpost natin doon. Our soldiers—

and our nation—deserve better,” Escudero said. “Let us show our commitment to protecting our sovereignty by building sustainable and dignified structures that will allow our military to properly defend our rights to the West Philippine Sea. I strongly urge the DND to include this in their modernization budget for 2022,” he said. The DND has asked Congress for a P297 billion budget for next year, a huge chunk of which will be allocated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization and retirees’ pension. According to Escudero, Sec. 2 of the AFP Modernization Act states that it is “the policy of the State to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.” This includes the “relocation, improvement, and construction of bases and other facilities.” “The law is very clear on this: the modernization fund is there /precisely to equip and empower our military to defend our sovereignty. And nowhere is that more needed than in the West Philippine Sea,” Escudero said. The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China’s claims in the South China Sea based on the nine-dash line it uses to define its territory had no legal basis. Beijing, however, has continued to harass Filipino fishermen and aggressively conduct military activities in the area.

EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 11 (LTFRB 11) Nonito “Dondon” Llanos III bares that the central office of the agency is proposing to increase seating capacity of public utility vehicles from 55-60 percent to 70 percent. Edge Davao

LTFRB 11 to increase PUJ seating capacity to 70%

n official of the regional office of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB 11) revealed that the agency is set to increase the seating capacity of the public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Davao Region to 70 percent once the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approves its proposal. The current allowed seating capacity is around 55 percent to 60 percent following the 0.30-meters distance from one passenger to the other. “Naghulat na lang ta sa approval sa IATF na eventually musaka ang seating capacity sa mga sakyanan. We are waiting for the directive from the national government,” said Nonito “Dondon” Llanos III, regional director of LTFRB. LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III recently announced his proposal to adjust the maximum seating capacity of all PUJs from 50 percent to 70 percent in other regions following the continued decline of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines.

On November 4, 2021, the IATF has approved the pilot implementation of the 70-percent seating capacity in all PUJs in the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring provinces. Also last month, LTFRB 11 lifted the use of plastic barriers on jeepneys and other public utility vehicles to separate passengers and reminded drivers and operators to keep the limited passenger seating capacity. Based on Section 2 of the Circular No. 11 series of 2021 posted by LTFRB 11 on physical distancing inside the PUJs, it stated that notwithstanding the non-requirement of the use of barriers in PUVs, the 0.30-meter distance between each passenger as required under LTFRB MC No. 2020-047 inside the PUVs shall continue to be observed. The maximum seating capacity per public utility vehicle under MC 2020-047, the number of passengers allowed (with a front-seat passenger) for PUJs is 13 from the original seating capacity of 23 and 22. By Maya M. Padillo

I will go to Comelec when I want to: Go By MAYA M. PADILLO

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go asked the people to respect his decision when he plans to go to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to personally withdraw his certificate of candidacy (CoC).

Following his recent announcement of his withdrawal from the presidential race in the 2022 national elections, his supporters were saddened while some people are urging him to immediately file his withdrawal to the Comelec. “Ngayon kung sino naman ang nagmamadali na magwithdraw ako, huwag ninyo akong madaliin dahil karapatan ko kung kailan ko gustong pu-

munta ng Comelec, kung next month, next week, o next year? Nasa sa akin na yun at pupunta ako doon na mag-isa at walang makakaalam. Wala pong dapat i-celebrate. Kung magpa-file yun ay i-celebrate mo andiyan ang supporters mo. Sino ba ang gustong mag-celebrate ng withdrawal? Nothing to celebrate pag withdrawal, please hayaan ninyo ako at respetuhin ang aking desisyon kung kailan

pha company, to the site for verification and confirmation. He said the firearms belonged to the NPA Far South Regional Committee Base operating in the foothills of the Daguma range. “This is a huge blow on the communist movement and I appreciate the efforts of civilian communities and local leaders for their right decision to help us,” Valencia said. “I assure you of your Ar-

my’s full support to all peace initiatives of the government in this part of Mindanao,” he added. The firearms are now at the 7IB headquarters in Barangay Kalawag 2 of this town. The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Army unearths NPA arms cache in Sultan Kudarat

ilitary forces rendered another big blow to the weakening strength of communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in this province with the discovery of their hidden 34 high-powered firearms and explosives in the mountains of Esperanza town. Lt. Col. Romel Valencia, 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) commander, on Sunday said the discovery of the arms cache buried in a shallow grave in a forested area of

Barangay Marquez, Esperanza, came after a tip-off from civilians. “Civilians are tired of atrocities by lawless elements so they are now helping government forces,” Valencia said in a statement following the discovery of the firearms Saturday in the southern periphery of the village. He said after receiving the information, Valencia sent 1st Lt. Sonny Telino, commander of 7th IB Al-

ko gustong pumunta ng Comelec,” Go said in an interview during the distribution of assistance to the members of the LGBTQ Coalition in Davao City at People’s Park. Go also thanked his supporters who are waiting for him to retract his withdrawal. “Nagpasalamat ako sa mga supporters ko at supporters ni Pangulong Duterte. Nandito ako na handang magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” he said. In a statement issued last week, Go said he had increasingly thought about what is best for the people, as well as for his family and President Rodrigo Duterte. “Sa ngayon, handa po akong magsakripisyo alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating bayan at ni Pangulong Duterte. Simpleng probinsyano lamang po ako na binigyan ng pagkakataong magsilbi sa taumbayan. Hindi ko inambisyon na maging presidente. Puro serbisyo lang po ako. Dahil ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo. Hindi rin po ako pulitiko. Hindi rin po ako nanggaling sa malaki o kilalang pamilya. Hindi ako nasanay sa madumi at mainit na klase nang pulitika. Marahil po’y hanggang dito lang po muna ako sa ngayon,”

he said. Go said his family doesn’t want him to run either. “Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya. Kaya naisip ko na siguro nga ay hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon. Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan talaga ang tamang panahon ko,” he said. Meanwhile, Go said after a heart-to-heart talk, President Duterte understood him and respected his decision. “Bagama’t isa siya along with the party na nagpatakbo sa akin sabi niya basta pamilya na ang pag-uusapan ay nire-respeto ni Pangulong Duterte. Totoo ang sinabi niya maraming mas nalungkot kaysa masaya sa mga supporters namin ng Pangulo. Mas nalulungkot at nasasaktan ako, hanggang ngayon, seguro na-traumatize ako dito sa pulitika. Di po ako pulitiko, mas gusto kong maalala ako ng Pilipino not as a senator but as a public servant,” he said. According to Go, so far President Duterte has not yet made a choice which presidentiables to support. He added that he will also support who the President will support in next year’s elections.

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the delay of big ticket projects in Mindanao like the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project:

Ang status ana nagkaproblema sa right of way ug sa bidding process. Mao na ang kasagaran problema sa mga dagko na projects.” Manny Pinol

Former Chairman, Mindanao Development Authority

EDITORIAL Burning questions With Sen. Bong Go verbally withdrawing from the presidential race, the burning question is who will President Rodrigo Duterte support now?

After the president’s long-time trusted aide announced his withdrawal last week, nothing has come out from the Palace on who he is going to support now. So far, President Duterte has not annointed anyone. Perhaps, there could already be some candidates serenading for his valuable support. The President appears not in a hurry.

So is Senator Go, who actually is still an official candidate as of this writing as he has yet to officially appear before the Commission on Elections and take his signed Certificate of Candidacy back.

EDGEDAVAO

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In his answer to the egging by these people, Sen. Go can only answer that he will go on his own time. No rush. The inaction leaves many uncomfortable in their seats. Which means one thing. They are scared of Sen. Go. Until such time that they get to see Sen. Go ripping his CoC to the bin, they won’t be sleeping soundly at night.

That’s the reality of it all. Their only prayer is that Sen. Go doesn’t wake up the next day with his brain telling him to leave his CoC untouched with the Comelec. Otherwise, it’s a dogfight. 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

That is another burning question that left many, especially from other parties, asking him to go and withdraw his CoC, close to dragging him to the Comelec office and forcing him to do so.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO TACIO SERAFICA D. J. WEIS THINK ON CORNER THESE! IBP DAVAO

DEADLY WATER In our place, when there was no electricity, there was also no water. The reason: electricity is needed to pump water. In short, no power, no water. But this was in the past. At least now, we have water even without electricity. Among the two essentials of modern living, water is more important. As Florian Gottein, executive director of the European Chamber Commerce of the Philippines, puts it: “We can sustain life without electricity, but we cannot sustain life without water.” The Philippines, with more than 7,000 islands, is surrounded by waters. It is surprising that we are experiencing water shortages every now and then. But experts say that it is just a “dry run” of what will happen in the future. Ideally, a person should have at least 50 liters of water each day to meet his basic needs – for drinking, food preparation, cooking and cleaning up, washing and personal hygiene, laundry and house cleaning. So, if there are four of you in the house, at least 200 liters of water is enough. Science has shown that life, as we know it, cannot exist without water. “There is no

life without water,” said Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Hungarian biochemist and Nobel laureate for medicine. Water is life, they say. But water can also be a means to end one’s life. The water you drink to quench your thirst may cause your life – that is, if the water is contaminated and loaded with virus or bacteria. The notion that water can carry disease first occurred to the ancient Greeks. The physician Hippocrates, the ancient innovator of medical ethics, advised that polluted water should be boiled or filtered before being consumed. An estimated 50% of typhoid cases in the Philippines are due to water pollution, sanitation conditions and hygiene practices, a World Bank report stated. Outbreaks are commonly associated with contaminated water supply systems. Typhoid fever, together with cholera and diarrhea, are here to stay as water is becoming a scarce commodity. A study conducted by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank released in 2013 said the Philippines was one of the 37 Asian countries that is “either suffering from low levels of water security or

have barely begun to engage in the essential task of improving water security.” That sounds alarming. Wait till to read this: Local public utilities providing drinking water to local communities “were found to lack capacity in all aspects of sustainability, including effective functioning, financing, and demand responsiveness.” A World Bank report said that studies of groundwater quality in some parts of the country found 58% of the sampled groundwater were tested positive for coliform bacteria. Surveys done by some local government units have indicated that one half or more of their public water systems do not meet drinking water quality standards. A Philippine Human Development Report some years back said that one of every five residents in 24 provinces quaffed water from dubious sources. In Mindanao, the provinces included were Sulu, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Misamis Occidental, North Cotabato, Bukidnon, and Agusan del Sur. Not one of the provinces in Davao Region is included. But Davao City may soon join

the league as it is already experiencing water shortage. In a study done by the Japan International Cooperation Agency some years back, Davao City was one of the nine major cities identified as “water-critical areas.” Today’s “crisis in water and sanitation is – above all – a crisis of the poor,” declared the United Nations Development Program study, Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis. “Unlike the energy crisis,” commented Klaus Toepfer, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, “the water crisis is life threatening. The level of suffering and misery is almost beyond comprehension.” The United Nations Children’s Fund estimated some nine million people, mostly children, die annually from water-borne diseases. “The toll is equal to 75 large airline crashes daily,” Toepfer said. But this never made it to newspaper headlines. Installing a flush toilet in the home increases a newborn child’s chances of celebrating a first birthday by 59%. In the Philippines, out of every 1,000 kids, 27 never make it to their first birthday.

Such a tragic ending! In industrialized countries like Sweden or Japan, water-borne disease is a subject for history books. But in the Philippines, particularly in provinces where water insecurity is prevalent, it involves hospital wards and morgues. “All of these diseases are associated with our failure to provide clean water,” said Peter H. Gleick, director of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. “I think it’s terribly bleak, especially because we know what needs to be done to prevent these deaths. We’re doing some of it, but the efforts that are being made are not aggressive enough.” “Water isn’t just a commodity. It is a source of life,” reminds Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project. She believes water problems will trail climate change as a threat to human future. “We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources,” Postel says. “But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.” Water, not oil, is the progenitor of wars in the coming years!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

1987: TWO RADIO STATIONS ATTACKED! Less than a year after the Marcos dictatorship fell to a popular uprising in 1986, the threat to media figures supporting the Alsa Masa, an anti-communist movement, escalated. In fact, in 1987 alone, two Davao City radio stations known for their hostile commentaries towards the insurgents were attacked by the New People’s Army (NPA)! In the evening of January 17, 1987, Chito Herbolingo, broadcaster of DXMF Bombo Radyo, had just signed off from his regular program when he proceeded to the canteen beside the broadcast site to take dinner. Curiously, from a distance he observed three unfamiliar faces approaching his location. Instinct told him the strangers were not visitors but communist hitmen! The outsiders entered the

canteen and asked the security guard about the whereabouts of Chito. But before the sentry could respond, Chito told them to continue to the second floor where he was supposedly on board, thereby giving him time to escape. He belatedly became aware that by directing the strangers to the broadcast area he was putting his brother Joey in danger who was at the time was on board. Agitated by the mistake he committed, Chito managed to get hold of a landline phone nearby and tried warning the technician of the impending danger. But before he could ask to be connected, a gunfire was heard, then an explosion. Meanwhile, Joey, from his seat inside the announcer’s booth, observed the entry of men already with guns drawn.

When the intruders aimed their handguns at him, he dove for cover under the console. The firing was intense that the burst of guns being fired resonated on air for listeners to hear. The firing was followed by the explosion of a grenade lobbed at the booth. The men hurriedly left, most likely assured their prey had been eliminated. As a result of the attack, later attributed to the NPA hit squad, the booth and everything nearby were damaged. Joey incredibly survived the attack but not after absorbing fifteen shrapnel wounds in his body. Chito later got hold of the lady technician on the line only to be shocked when told that his brother had died from the assault. Seven months later, the bloodiest attack of any Davao

broadcast outfit was made by the NPA insurgents against the Abellera-owned radio station DXRA. It took place on August 27, 1987, and the raid left behind nine casualties, including five guests. Killed in the massacre were radio commentator Leo Palo Jr. and associate Cesar Maglalang, reporter Rodjie Sagado, technician Narcing Balani, and five visitors. Broadcaster Ferdinand ‘Batman’ Lintuan survived but would be assassinated two decades later. Akin to the DXMF violence, the perpetrators were identified as communist insurgents. Witnesses of the incident said the attackers used a Ford Fiera-type vehicle in raiding the radio outfit, then situated beside the Rizal Memorial Colleges along Ma-

gallanes (A. Pichon) Street. After completing the strike, they proceeded to assault the DXMF-Bombo Radyo Davao Broadcast Center at Bajada but unsuccessful in exacting harm on anybody. Fifteen years later a similar NPA-led attack took place. On May 22, 2002, a Molotov cocktail bomb was thrown at the Radyo Natin broadcast station in Baganga, Davao Oriental, destoying the equipment worth nearly a million pesos and igniting a fire in its building. Davao Oriental provincial director PNP Supt. Catalino Cuy attributed the incident to the communist rebels. Other sources, however, cited the radio’s criticisms against the then town mayor as possible reason for the incendiary attack.

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A pump attendant refills a motorcycle with gasoline at a station in downtown Davao City. Oil firms implemented a rollback of gasoline price by P2.40, diesel by P2.65, and kerosene by P2.70 starting today. Edge Davao

NY-based think tank projects PH economy to grow by 5.5%

lobal Source Partners, a think tank based in New York, is projecting that the Philippines’ economic growth this year will surpass the government’s target ceiling of 4% to 5%.

“The Philippine economy withstood a Delta-driven surge in Q3 [third quarter] and is set to end the year on a high note,” the think tank said in a research note. “We forecast GDP growth at 5.5% this year and next, bringing domestic output to pre-pandemic levels only by late 2022,” it added. The economy, as measured by gross domestic

product (GDP)—the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a specific period— grew 7.1% in the third quarter, a reversal from a contraction of 11.4% in the same period last year, albeit lower compared to the 12% growth posted in the second quarter of 2021. The July to September GDP print brought the year-to-date growth

to 4.9%, within the upper end of the government’s downwardly revised target band of 4% to 5% for the entire 2021. Despite the two straight quarters of positive GDP growth, the economy is still 5.7% short of the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. In peso terms, the first nine months of 2021 GDP was estimated at P13.32 trillion. This was lower than the P14.1 trillion economic output recorded in the same period in 2019. Global Source said its outlook was based on

it will roll back the prices per liter of gasoline by P2.40, diesel by P2.65, and kerosene by P2.70. Cleanfuel will implement the same price adjustments, excluding kerosene which it does not carry. The changes will take

effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 7, except for Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 8:01 a.m. the same day. Other firms have yet to make similar announcements. Latest data available

il firms are set to implement a big-time rollback in the pump prices of petroleum products today, to mark the fifth straight week of price cuts. In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said

two critical assumptions: “existing vaccines work against Omicron, the latest ‘variant of concern,’ in preventing severe illness; and national and local elections slated for May 2022 are conducted credibly and the results conclusive.” “Even against this backdrop, the year ahead will be quite challenging, having to contend with all the ills that followed COVID-19 out of Pandora’s box,” the think tank said. Global Source added that inflation and debt worries were top of mind,

from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P18.10 per liter for gasoline, P15.70 per liter for diesel, and P13.19 per liter for kerosene as of November 30, 2021.

FNY-BASED, A3

WTO launches trade info platform for MSMEs

he World Trade Organization (WTO) launched on Thursday the Trade4MSMEs website, a tool aimed at helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) find trade-related information and improve their abilities to trade internationally. The Trade4MSMEs platform (https:// trade4msmes.org/) was also developed to support policy makers and researchers in designing measures tailored to the needs of small companies. The new platform, launched by WTO’s Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, will allow small businesses to access a diverse range of trade information brought together from a variety of sources. The website has two main sections: MSME Resources and Policymaker Resources. The MSME Resources is divided into MSME Guides and MSME Library. The MSME Guides section contains key infor-

mation on the steps that companies need to follow before exporting or importing goods or services, such as how to assess the export potential of the markets they are targeting and their readiness to export. It lists the key trade documents required for companies to export or import in various markets, contractual or intellectual property issues that need to be considered, and logistics and transport options. The guides also explain how small businesses can access trade finance, make the best use of digital tools, and deal with potential trade disputes. The MSME Library has resources about several topics involving trade, including trade in goods, trade in services, intellectual property, contractual disputes, digital technologies and trade, access to finance, capacity building, and regional trade agreements. The Policymaker Resources contains the Policymaker Guides and Policymaker Library, with information for policy mak-

FWTO, A3

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY A2

A porter unloads ice block, which are sold to fish vendors and market goers, at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

Global trade forecast for 2022 very uncertain, says UNCTAD PhilSys registrants may open LandBank account online

pening a Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) account may be done online by Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registrants. No initial deposit will be required, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Opening an account is voluntary but the PhilSys encourages registrants to do so to gain access to financial assistance from the government. “The PhiSys registrants can download the LANDBANKPay, a mobile wallet app, to be able to get a LandBank virtual transaction account,” LandBank said in its November 20 post. The virtual account can be used for bills payment, cash in/out, fund transfer, online purchase, and linking of LandBank Mastercard prepaid and credit cards. “Getting a LandBank transaction account is part of the goal of PhilSys for financial inclusion to speed up the distribution by local government units

of financial assistance in times of calamities and emergency situations,” the PSA said. Aside from the virtual means, PhilSys registrants may directly apply at LandBank kiosks located at registration centers by presenting a valid ID and the Step 2 transaction slip. Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.

It also seeks to boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)

lobal trade growth remains strong this year amid the pandemic but outlook for 2022 is still “very uncertain” due to a slowing economic recovery and disruptions of logistic networks and increases in shipping costs.

A report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the strong economic recovery of the first half of 2021 slowed down during the second half, with the economic growth of China in the third quarter below expectations and lower than in previous quarters. “Lower than expected

economic growth rates are generally reflected in more downcast global trade trends. Rising commodity prices and inflationary pressures may also negatively affect economic prospects and international trade flows,” the Global Trade Update said. The report said many economies, including

those in the European Union, continue to face coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-related disruptions. “These disruptions may negatively affect consumers’ demand and ultimately be reflected in trade statistics for the upcoming quarters,” it added. The UNCTAD also attributed this year’s outlook to disruptions of logistic networks and increases in shipping costs. It said the recovery this year has been marked by large and unpredictable swings in demand,

which have resulted in an increased stress on supply chains. “Logistic disruptions and high fuel prices have further contributed to supply shortages and spiraling shipping costs. In particular, the backlogs across major supply chain hubs that have characterized most of 2021 could continue into 2022 and therefore negatively affect trade and reshape trade flows across the world,” the report added. Other factors cited are global semiconductor shortage, geopolitical fac-

2022, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. EasyCall is among the pioneers in paging in the 1990s. It has now shifted to data technology and is also eyeing other digital offerings with the acquisition of TESI, it said. “We see the synergy be-

tween EasyCall and TESI, having EasyCall directly own TESI, and we hope to expand our services to help businesses unlock their potential through digital transformation,” ECP President Zaki Delgado. “We are very optimistic that through this new development with TESI, we

can build on our culture of innovation and provide the best digital solutions that address the needs of our customers,” Delgado added. The company said TESI has experience in delivery of professional services and in web and mobile app development, among others.

FGLOBAL, A3

EasyCall Communications to acquire tech firm TESI

asyCall Communications on Monday said it would acquire technology firm Transnational E-Business Solutions Inc (TESI) that specializes in software development and IT outsourcing, among others. The transaction is set to be completed in January

A3 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

Sarangani town fights Lumads’ fears on COVID-19 vaccines JAZZ... W hen the vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was rolled out in March this year in this first-class municipality with a predominantly Lumad (Indigenous peoples or IPs) population, Dr. Jec Pane, a member of the Tagakolu IPs, immediately volunteered for screening. no side effects after the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca-manufactured vaccine. Vaccination hesitancy With a population of a little over 100,000, Malungon, a landlocked municipality with vast rolling lands suitable for plantation crops such as mango, banana and oil palm, is dominated by Blaans and Tagakolus. Hesitancy by IP members to get inoculated was very high even before the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive could reach their town, having been bombarded with wrong information from social media, said Pane, who described the vaccination drive in their area as “very challenging.” The Lumads’ exposure

to incorrect information from social media beat the government’s information drive to convince them to get the COVID-19 vaccines, he added. The Lumads have easy access to social media sites as internet connection is accessible even in the mountains and this accessibility has been cited as a factor for their hesitance to be vaccinated. But the preaching of their religious leaders, mostly from Protestant churches, made the situation even more challenging. Several pastors have been campaigning against getting the COVID-19 vaccines, feeding into the fears that the Lumads initially obtained from the Internet, mostly from Facebook, Pane stressed. He said the Lumads also believed that “they would die if they get vaccinated,” based on reports produced by dubious news media portals that they believed without questioning. Pane noted the Lumads were made to believe, from the internet and ill-in-

formed pastors, that the COVID-19 vaccine contains microchips that will mark them as members of the “666,” which some Christians believe signifies the devil or the persona of the anti-Christ. Public health education To address the COVID-19 hesitancy among the Lumads, Datu Edmund Pangilan, provincial chieftain of the indigenous people’s political structure, said they have been going around the town’s 31 villages to present the communities the right information on COVID-19 vaccines. He noted that the local government unit, headed by Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino, a lawyer, has thrown her full support to convince Lumads in farflung areas to be vaccinated. The mayor had even joined sorties in remote areas to raise awareness on the government’s vaccination drive. To further convince their members to get vaccinated, Pangilan said most of the 60 tribal leaders in Malungon have been fully vaccinated.

SFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) units under LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, neutralized three more communist terrorists including a minor who yielded to the troops while more firearms were also seized on separate occasions in Eastern Mindanao. The two communist terrorists belonging to the Communist Terrorist Group’s Platoon Andoy, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC) identified as Mokong Mansumoy-at alias Pon, Squad Leader of Primera and Kumo Mansumoy-at alias Ulod, member of Squad Segunda were captured by the troops of 1003rd Brigade’s 27th Infantry Battalion (27th IB), 56th IB, and Intel units during an intel operation conducted at Sitio Sambulungan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on December 2,

2021. On a separate incident, a minor medic identified as alias Je-ann of the CTG’s Squad 2, Platoon 2, Guerrilla Front 30, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) also surrendered to 401st Brigade’s 75th IB in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on December 4, 2021. Alias Je-ann, 16, also turned over her AK47 rifle with four magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition to the troops. Meanwhile, another female minor identified as alias Joy, member of Squad 3, Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Southland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee also surrendered to the troops of 401st Brigade’s 75th IB on a separate incident in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on December 3, 2021. Alias Joy, 17, also endorsed her firearms to the troops composed of an AK47 rifle with two mag-

azines, and 11 rounds of ammunition. She disclosed that she went in hiding after she sustained a wound during an encounter with the troops of 3rd Special Forces Battalion at Sitio Paradise, Barangay Magsaysay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on December 18, 2020. Both the minor CTG members disclosed that they decided to capitulate after realizing that their future is only bleak at the hands of their communist terrorist leaders and that they want to start a new life enjoying their youth free from hunger and fear. LtGen. Almerol said that families of the two minors intend to file charges before the court and the Commission on Human Rights against CTG leaders for violation of Republic Act 9851 otherwise known as the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity”

and the International Humanitarian Law. The EastMinCom Commander added that troops will assist the families in fast-tracking the filing of charges so that justice will be served against those who are responsible. In another feat, more firearms and other war materials composed of an M16 rifle with 11 magazines and ammunition, another M16 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher, and 8 rounds of M203 ammunition, a Garand rifle with two clips and ammunition, two rounds of rifle grenades, a Baofeng radio with charger, and a solar panel, among others, were also seized by the troops of the 1002nd Bde’s 73rd IB, 10th K9 Team and Intel units, while conducting a pursuit operation against remnants of the now defunct Guerrilla Tala headed by Meredio Sambilad alias Yoyong/Boyaks at Sitio Kalnge, Brgy Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province on December 3, 2021.

“with expected tighter financial conditions globally limiting the maneuvering room for monetary and fiscal authorities and generally raising risks for emerging markets.” “Too, the US-China trade and technology conflict is lingering, creating additional uncertainties for trade and investments. In this environment, it is the paranoid’s instinct to

expect the worst,” it said. “We are rather clinging to the hope that the midyear political turnover will give rise to good and effective leadership, under which there will be macroeconomic policy continuity and micro/ meso level reforms to treat the pandemic’s scars and get the economy back to its pre-pandemic growth path,” it added.

ers, government officials and researchers and outlines important issues for MSMEs and highlights best practices. The platform provides information on international and regional initiatives aimed at MSMEs and contains links to data sources for analytical purposes. The WTO said the platform was developed with

financial support from the United Kingdom while additional funding from Canada will be available. Current partners include the Global Trade Helpdesk, International Chamber of Commerce and its Centres for Entrepreneurship, International Trade Center, and Google. Additional partnerships will be developed in the coming months. (PR)

He passed and was among the first residents to get inoculated against the highly-contagious disease. As a doctor, Pane was on top of the priority list of the Philippine government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive. But while getting jabbed was important to this medical frontliner, he also wanted to send a clear message to his fellow Lumads to get vaccinated, too. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and scientifically proven effective in fighting the disease,” he told MindaNews. Pane, chief of clinics of the Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Malungon, is among at least 200 medical frontliners in the municipality who are fully vaccinated. He said he experienced

EastMinCom neutralizes 4 terrorists, seizes more firearms

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as a head coach for quite a while,” Jazz guard Mike Conley said. “I just tried to stay up as high as I could and make sure it was contested. I told him (Garland), it was like playing against myself.” Bickerstaff didn’t second-guess his decision. “If I could do it over again, I would do the same thing and let him make a play,” he said. Garland scored 31 points, Allen added 17 points and 11 rebounds and rookie Evan Mobley had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who were back at home after beating Dallas, Miami and Washington. It was the first time since 1975 that the Cavs won three straight on the road over teams with winning records. “That’s a really good team and they made some shots,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said as his squad opened a four-game trip. “It’s a really good win for us — starting the trip with an early game in the East is not easy.” Utah opened its 15-point lead in the early moments of the fourth on Conley’s 3-pointer and seemed poised to put the Cavs away. However, as has been the case all season, Cleveland fought back. The Cavs reeled off 15 straight points to tie it 97-all on Ricky Rubio’s scoop shot with 8:43 left. Cedi Osman contributed to the flurry with a dunk, 3-pointer and steal.

“We never gave up,” said Rubio, who finished with 15 points. “We’ve been in every single game this season.” Mitchell had a chance to put the Jazz ahead by three, but Mobley came across the lane and blocked his layup with 22 seconds to go. The Cavs corralled the ball and called time to set up a final shot. Garland initially drove the lane, but got turned away. He wound up with the ball at the top of the key and launched his deep 3 that was long, and the Jazz survived Allen’s follow attempt. “I work on that shot every day,” said Garland, who has scored 30 points in consecutive games for the first time. “It felt good. I was open.” TIP-INS Jazz: C Hassan Whiteside (left glute bruise) missed his first game. ... Snyder said it doesn’t take long watching film for Mobley to stand out. “He’s going to be a star in this league, really soon,” Snyder said. “He’s a rare combination of size, length, quickness and skill.” ... Gay, who underwent right heel surgery in the offseason, isn’t technically on a minutes restriction. Gay is averaging 18.7 minutes coming off the bench. “There’s the challenge of getting back into game shape,” Snyder said. “Fatigue can be an issue, especially the way we want to play.” ... Gay topped 17,000 career points.

but New Orleans dropped their third game in the last five. Houston’s Daniel Theis netted 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting from the field, and Alperen Sengun finished with 10 points. New Orleans cut Houston’s eight-point halftime lead to five with 10:48 left in the third quarter, but Gordon single-handedly expanded it back to double digits by scoring the Rockets’ next 13 points over a span of 3:46 to balloon the lead to 72-61. In the fourth quarter, KJ Martin electrified the crowd with a massive putback dunk, which extended the Rockets’ lead to 98-87. Garrison Matthews, who

hadn’t scored since the second quarter, buried a corner 3 with 18.1 seconds left to extend the Rockets’ lead to 118-108. TIP-INS Pelicans: G Josh Hart (left knee soreness) missed his third straight game, though he did participate in some pregame shooting … Willy Hernangomez scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds off the bench for his second straight double-double. Rockets: G Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion) is considered day-to-day at this point, coach Stephen Silas said. … Rookie Jalen Green missed his fifth straight game with a left hamstring strain.

tors and the regionalization of trade flows, governmental policies affecting international trade, and debt burdens. The UNCTAD said global trade is expected to reach about US$28 trillion in 2021, indicating an increase of 23 percent compared to 2020. “Trade in goods is projected to reach a record level of US$22 trillion in 2021.

Trade in services should be valued about US$6 trillion in 2021, still slightly below its pre-pandemic level,” it said. The report attributed the positive trend for international trade this year mainly to the strong recovery in demand due to subsiding pandemic restrictions, economic stimulus packages, and increases in commodity prices. (PR)

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SPORTS A4

WINNERS ALL. Jay Ar Maglente receives the road bike raffle prize (left) from Tara Rabat Gayta, Vice Mayor Glenda Rabat-Gayta and Board Member Eric Rabat. Right photo below shows the winners in the different categories of the first ever Tour de Mati Theo Cup over the weekend in Mati City. (CIO Mati)

Jazz squeak past Cavaliers for fourth straight victory

LEVELAND — Once the shot left Darius Garland’s hands, the Utah Jazz couldn’t do anything but hope it didn’t drop.

Sometimes, defense comes down to a simple wish. Garland missed a po-

tential game-winner with 2.9 seconds left as the Jazz, who got 35 points from Donovan Mitchell, survived

Rockets spoil Ingram’s 40 in win vs Pelicans

OUSTON, Texas — Eric Gordon and Christian Wood both scored 23 points, and the Houston Rockets beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 118-108, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) for their sixth straight win.

Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 40 points for the Pelicans — the most since dropping 40 against Brooklyn on Nov. 4, 2019. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds,

FROCKETS, A3

Cleveland’s late surge for their fourth straight win, 109-108, over the Cavaliers on Sunday (Monday, Manila time). Rudy Gobert had 20 rebounds and five blocks, Bojan Bogdanovic added 16 points and Rudy Gay had 15 for Utah, which made 20 3-pointers and gave away a 15-point lead in the fourth. The Cavs had a chance to win, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff put the ball in Garland’s hands. But his 28-footer was long, and Jarrett Allen couldn’t get his tip to drop as Cleveland had its winning streak stopped at four. “That last possession, I knew it was going to go to him because I’ve known J.B.

FJAZZ, A3

Jordan Clarkson scores seven points on 3 of 14 shooting. PHOTO: AP

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

IS NEPO A GONER? Not that the Russian challenger - Ian Nepomniachtchi - has nothing more left to show but down 0-2 (as this piece was being written) in the FIDE world championship, it will be a mountainous climb for him to recover lost ground. There are 4 more matches left to play in the 12-game classical phase. All Magnus Carlsen has to do to retain the title is draw all the remaining four. Yes, as simple as that. Meaning, to prevent this from happening, Nepo needs to play doubly aggressive and should not settle for nothing less than a win.

Yup, whether with the white or black pieces, the Russian’s back is already against the wall. Experts analyzing the matches agree that Carlsen is the better prepared player as the results are showing. The same people are saying Nepo should employ a different opening repertoire which should catch Carlsen off balance. I thought the Russian had missed some crucial winning moves in Game 6 where the longest game in chess history was recorded: 8 hours and 136 moves. If Nepo can win with the white pieces and draw with

black in the last four games, he has mathematical chances of equalizing. I believe that Magnus, champion since 2013, is the better player in classical games but Ian has better chances if the series goes into the rapid phase. American super GM FabIano Caruana, who lost to Carlsen in 2018, said the Norwegian will be difficult to beat because of the winning momentum he enjoys. I have observed that Magnus does not enjoy settling for draws. He has this “killer’s instinct,” an attitude that every chess player must possess if

he is to succeed and climb up into the elite circle. While others would easily conclude that a game is drawish, Carlsen exerts everything he has in his arsenal to eke out a hard-fought win, no matter how many hours it takes, no matter how many (thousand) moves would be necessary. That is the ideal mindset. Much like the legendary Bobby Fischer. He hated the Russians in control of FIDE during his era for instituting a championship cycle that benefitted homegrown Russian talents. He even forfeited a game in his world championship

challenge against then defending titleholder Boris Spassky. As history now has written, Fischer came out triumphant, thus proving to the sports world that the Russians are not invincible. But in this era where computer technology has greatly accelerated the game, aspiring players to reach the elite grandmasters level all over the world are emerging like mushrooms. To stay alive, Nepo must spring a surprise every playing day. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!.

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EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

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and private schools, universities, private offices and enterprises and other business establishments operating in the City of Davao, who are at least twelve (12) years of age, are encouraged to plant and support at least one (1) tree every year. d) Planting of native or endemic trees, including fruit bearing trees and Mangroves are encouraged. For purposes of this Ordinance, the planting of bamboo shall be considered as compliance to the provisions hereof and the planting thereof is encouraged along riverbanks.

19TH CITY COUNCIL 31ST REGULAR SESSION SERIES OF 2021 PRESENT: COUNCILOR EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. - TEMPORARY PRESIDING OFFICER COUNCILOR RALPH O. ABELLA COUNCILOR NILO D. ABELLERA COUNCILOR MARIA BELEN S. ACOSTA COUNCILOR WILBERTO E. AL-AG COUNCILOR DANTE L. APOSTOL SR. COUNCILOR CONRADO C. BALURAN COUNCILOR JESSICA M. BONGUYAN COUNCILOR LOUIE JOHN J. BONGUYAN COUNCILOR PILAR C. BRAGA COUNCILOR AUGUSTO JAVIER G. CAMPOS III COUNCILOR DANILO C. DAYANGHIRANG COUNCILOR JONARD C. DAYAP COUNCILOR EDGAR R. IBUYAN SR. COUNCILOR RICHLYN N. JUSTOL-BAGUILOD COUNCILOR DIOSDADO ANGELO JUNIOR R. MAHIPUS COUNCILOR MYRNA G. L’DALODO-ORTIZ COUNCILOR ANTOINETTE G. PRINCIPE-CASTRODES COUNCILOR J. MELCHOR B. QUITAIN JR. COUNCILOR ALBERTO T. UNGAB COUNCILOR JESUS JOSEPH P. ZOZOBRADO III ABSENT: VICE MAYOR SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE - ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS COUNCILOR BAI HUNDRA CASSANDRA DOMINIQUE N. ADVINCULA - ON DOMESTIC EMERGENCY LEAVE COUNCILOR PAMELA A. LIBRADO-MORATA - ON SICK LEAVE COUNCILOR JAFFAR U. MAROHOMSALIC - ON SICK LEAVE COUNCILOR BONIFACIO E. MILITAR - ON SICK LEAVE COUNCILOR MARY JOSELLE D. VILLAFUERTE - ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS

ORDINANCE NO. 0680-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE INSTITUTIONALIZING ARBOR DAY AND THE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF DAVAO Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as the “TREE PLANTING ORDINANCE OF 2021”. SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS.-

e. Tree planting activity shall be done preferably in: a) Public lands, forestparks, and watershed areas; b) Public parks in urban and rural areas; c) Riverbanks (preferably for bamboo); d) Public school grounds, gardens or other available areas within the school premises; e) Private schools, parks and lands with the consent of the owner thereof; f) Protection Water Use Sub-Zone; Mangrove Sub-Zone; Rivers, Creeks and Lakes Sub-Zone; Wetlands Sub-Zone; Marine Protected Area Sub-Zone; Production Water Sub-Zone; Aquaculture Sub-Zone; Municipal Fishing Sub Zone, for Mangrove tree planting. SECTION 5. CITY ARBOR DAY COMMITTEE. A Committee is hereby created which shall be composed of the following: 4 City Mayor or an authorized representative as Chairperson 4 City Environment and Natural Resources Office – Secretariat 4 Representative from the City Planning and Development Office 4 Representative from the Sangguniang Panlungsod – (Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources) 4 President of Liga ng mga Barangay 4 Sanggunian Kabataan Federation President 4 Representative from the Department of Education (DepEd)- Davao City Division 4 Representative from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 4 Representative from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 4 Representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 4 Representative from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) 4 Representative from the Department of Agriculture (DA) 4 Representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 4 Representative from the Philippine National Police (PNP) 4 Representative from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 4 Accredited Non-Government Organization and People’s Organization 4 Davao City Press Office 4 And others, as may be provided under existing laws. SECTION 6. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY ARBOR DAY COMMITTEE. a. Plan activities for the annual celebration of Arbor Day in the City;

ARBOR DAY refers to a one-day activity of tree planting and other forms of relevant activities held annually.

b. Delegate, as may be necessary, the implementation of activities for the annual celebration of Arbor Day in the City;

GREENING PLAN refers to the City’s contribution to the National Greening Program whereby specific activities relative, but not limited to, seedling production and tree planting are conducted.

c. Determine and declare the suitable day for the actual tree planting activity in celebration of the Arbor Day considering the suitable planting season, unpredictable changes of the weather, and availability of participants, or otherwise assign separate dates within a year for tree planting activity in case of impracticability of having a same day tree planting activity for all the offices of the Local Government Unit;

PLANTING OF TREE refers to the planting of perennial plant, either fruit bearing tree or forest tree that grows to a height of several feet including mangrove. MAINTENANCE OF TREE refers to nurturing of the seedlings after the planting until they are stabilized in the field. SECTION 3. DECLARATION OF DAVAO CITY ARBOR DAY. The celebration of Arbor Day in the City of Davao shall be on the 25th day of June of every year. The City Mayor is hereby granted authority to issue the necessary proclamations in accordance with Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10176. The City, however, may allow a separate day for the actual date of tree planting, whenever necessary, considering the suitable planting season, unpredictable changes of the weather, and availability of participants. SECTION 4. GENERAL PROVISIONS. a. The City Government of Davao, all its departments and offices, together with all the Barangays of the City, shall initiate tree planting activities every year in celebration of the Arbor Day of the City of Davao. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City Agriculturist’s Office, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, may identify the areas for the Tree Planting Activity and the trees to be planted. b. The foregoing notwithstanding, all able-bodied officials and employees of the City Government of Davao are required to plant and nurture one (1) tree every year as part of their duty and responsibility, whether it be planted in a common public tree planting site or in a private estate. c. All employees of National Government Agencies with office in the City of Davao, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations, public and private schools, universities, private offices and enterprises and other business establishments operating in the City of Davao may set a different day within the year to celebrate Arbor Day to conduct tree planting activities whether it be in a common public tree planting site or in a private estate. All able-bodied employees of National Government Agencies with office in the City of Davao and able-bodied individuals from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations, public

d. Formulate plans to achieve the intent of this Ordinance and introduce specific greening plans, programs, and activities to be enforced and accomplished within each and every year; e. Declare common public tree planting sites and special areas within the city to be planted with trees and/or areas where greening may be required, including center islands, walkways/sidewalks, promenades, open spaces, wetlands; f. Monitor and record the activities and projects undertaken under the Ordinance. g. Monitor and evaluate the different sectors on their tree planting activities; h. Recommend legislative measures to the Sangguniang Panlungsod relative to the grant of incentives, award, or recognition to active participating entities; SECTION 7. MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION OF TREES. The maintenance and protection of the planted seedlings shall be the responsibility of the respective department, office, or other participating entity in the tree planting activity in close coordination with the barangay which exercises jurisdiction over the tree planting site. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations, public and private schools, universities, private offices and enterprises and other business establishments operating in the City of Davao shall be responsible for seedlings planted in their respective planting sites. SECTION 8. FOREST AND MANGROVE PARKS. Subject to the provisions of the Watershed Code of the City and other existing laws and ordinances, public lands identified as common public tree planting sites are declared protected areas under the care of the City of Davao and are hereby declared as FOREST PARKS.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 224 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2021 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7,4, 2021

Identified common public tree planting sites for Mangroves are declared protected areas under the care of the City of Davao and are hereby declared as MANGROVE PARKS. Unless otherwise provided in the Watershed Code of the City and other existing laws and ordinances, the management of Forest Parks and Mangrove Parks established under Section 8 of this Ordinance shall be under the Parks System Board of the City of Davao. For this purpose, Section 6 of Ordinance No. 0218-09, Series of 2009, is hereby amended to include the Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the City Council as member of the Parks System Board. SECTION 9. PROHIBITED ACTS. - Subject to the provisions of the Watershed Code of the City and other existing laws and ordinances, the following acts within lands of public domain identified as FOREST PARK or MANGROVE PARK under Section 8 hereof are prohibited: a. Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom without a permit from the Parks System Board; b. Dumping of any waste products; c. Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the Parks System Board; d. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to cultural communities (of scenic value); e. Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition; f. Squatting, mineral locating; g. Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, and conducting any business enterprise without a permit; h. Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground or in bodies of water; i. Altering, removing, destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs; j. Burning or setting a fire in any part of the area as a mode of clearing or otherwise; k. Wood gatherer in the area shall not sell and distribute firewood or its derivative without the Barangay’s Certification that the wood materials were secured and taken from non-forest areas, which certification must be issued prior to such sale or distribution. For this purpose, no person shall deal with firewood and its derivatives for commercial purpose without a copy of the certification as required herein; l. No person shall, by act of or omission, let loose their farm and/or domesticated animals within areas identified as planting areas within the established park; m. Cutting of trees, and any form of excavation within the area of the park without prior clearance from the Parks System Board is prohibited. SECTION 10. ENFORCEMENT. The Barangay which exercises jurisdiction over the tree planting site may utilize their respective barangay tanod or volunteers in the enforcement of this Ordinance. As such, their respective enforcers shall receive either a monthly honorarium from the barangay or additional honoraria from the city, as may be allowed under existing laws. SECTION 11. PENALTIES. Subject to Section 13 hereof, violations of the prohibited acts under Section 9 hereof shall be penalized with: P2,500 fine for the first offense; P3,500 for the second offense and/or imprisonment not exceeding six months for the second offense; P5,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year for the third offense. SECTION 12. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT/CITATION TICKET.- An Ordinance Violation Receipt, otherwise known as “CITATION TICKET” shall be issued to violators of this Ordinance. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the provisions of Section 13 hereof on the “No Contest Provision”. If the violation of this Ordinance be deemed to have been committed by a corporation, partnership, or other juridical entity duly recognized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, managing partner or such other officer-in-charge, if known, shall be cited for the commission of the offense.

from the issuance of the Ordinance Violation Receipt or “Citation Ticket” within which to voluntarily pay the fine or to voluntarily render community service. In case the violator opts to pay the fine, the fine shall be One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00), or otherwise in case of community service, the voluntary community service shall be sixteen(16) working hours. In either case, the offender shall be given an orientation in relation to this Ordinance. The violator, who avails of the No Contest Provision and opts to pay the fine imposed, shall secure an Order of Payment from the Office of the City Mayor or the City ENRO, as may be authorized by the City Mayor. All payments of fines shall be to the City Treasurer’s Office. After payment of the fine, the person cited for violation of this Ordinance shall present the Official Receipt issued by the City Treasurer’s Office to the City ENRO and a copy thereof shall be endorsed to the City Legal Office, which shall consider the case closed. The City Treasurer is hereby authorized to collect the fine under this Ordinance. In case the violator opts to voluntarily render community service, he/she shall secure from the Office of the City Mayor or the City ENRO, as may be authorized by the City Mayor, an assigned environmental protection related community service that will be required of the violator, including, but not limited, to clean-up activity, greening and tree planting activity, solid waste management activity, wastewater management activity, or Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) service. After the completion of the community service, the City Mayor or the City ENRO, as may be authorized by the City Mayor, shall issue a certification of completion of community service and endorse a copy thereof to the City Legal Office, which shall consider the case closed. If the violator had already availed of the No Contest Provision, he/she can no longer avail of the same and the corresponding complaint for the violation of the Ordinance shall be filed against the offender. SECTION 15. ESTABLISHMENT OF A NURSERY. – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the City Agriculturist’s Office shall establish a seedling nursery for the effective implementation of this Ordinance. All participating entities may coordinate and request for assistance from relevant local and national government agencies for the provision of seedlings for the conduct of tree planting activities. SECTION 16. MONITORING AND EVALUATION. – All tree planting activities shall be recorded, monitored and evaluated by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) shall adopt an appropriate monitoring system and shall submit a regular report to the PARKS SYSTEM BOARD. SECTION 17. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR). - The City Mayor or any designated committee or body duly authorized by the City Mayor may formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance. Provided that, absence of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall not prevent the effectivity and enforcement of this Ordinance. SECTION 18. FUNDING. – The City shall appropriate sufficient funds for the implementation of this Ordinance. SECTION 19. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provision hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect. SECTION 20. EFFECTIVITY. – The provisions of this Ordinance shall take effect upon approval. ENACTED, August 17, 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

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

SEPT. 24 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

SECTION 13. NO CONTEST PROVISION. – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance who does not wish to contest the citation and is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed upon him/her or in case of inability to pay the fine, is willing to voluntarily render community service prior to the filing of formal complaint with the Office of the City Prosecutor, such person shall be allowed to pay said fine with the City Treasurer or render community service as settlement for the citation. Any person who qualifies and successfully avails of the “No Contest Provision” shall be exempted from liability for violation of Section 9 of this Ordinance. SECTION 14. PROCEDURE IN THE AVAILMENT OF THE NO CONTEST PROVISION. – The person cited for violation of this Ordinance shall be given five (5) working days

AN ORDINANCE INSTITUTIONALIZING ARBOR DAY AND THE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF DAVAO

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 226 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

PINOY-STUDDED Kiefer Ravena of the Shiga Lakestars leads seven Filipino top-flight players and two Pinoy Division II players in the B.League All-Star festivities. PHOTO: JAPAN B.LEAGUE

9 Pinoys in B League team up in Asia All-Stars

he Asia All Stars side of the 2022 B.League All-Star Game will feature all nine Pinoy imports in the midseason spectacle to be held in Okinawa on January 14.

Kiefer Ravena of the Shiga Lakestars will be joined by seven other Filipinos in the Asia AllStars team. “Very much excited to play against the Rising Stars of the

B.League and of course with my Filipino brothers here and from the other different countries that are being represented in the B.League,” said the charismatic guard of the game set at Okinawa Arena. “It’s going to be a fun event. We’d like to thank the B.League for allowing us to showcase our talents as Asian Quota Players in the upcoming All-Star.” Joining him in the squad are his brother Thirdy Ravena of the San-En NeoPhoenix, as well as Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ Bobby Ray Parks, Niigata Albirex BB’s Kobe Paras, Toyama Grouses’ Dwight Ramos, Ibaraki Robots’ Javi Gomez de Liano, as well as second division players Juan Gomez de Liano (Earthfriends Tokyo Z) and Kemark Carino (Aomori Wat’s). Completing the Asia All-Stars lineup are Chinese center Wang Weijia of the Akita Northern Happinets, Indonesian winger Brandon Jawato of the Utsunomiya Brex, Korean shooter Yang Jaemin of the Shinshu Brave Warriors, and second division players Lin Chih-wei of Chinese Taipei (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka) and Liu Jin of China (Nishinomiya Storks). Handling the Asia All-Stars will be Ryukyu Golden Kings mentor Dai Oketani. Meanwhile, Shinshu’s Matthew Aquino will be part of the Rising Stars team which will be led by Utsunomiya Brex guard Kai Toews. Also part of the Rising Stars team are Takuma Sato (Chiba Jets), Taiki Osakabe (Alvark Tokyo), Keisuke Masuda and Satoru Maeta (Kawasaki Brave Thunders), Yuto Nohmi (Niigata Albirex BB), Ryogo Sumino (SeaHorses Mikawa), Takumi Saito (Nagoya

Diamond Dolphins), Eliet Donley (Osaka Evessa), Ryo Terashima (Hiroshima Dragonflies), and Koh Flippin and Keita Imamura (Ryukyu Golden Kings). Coaching the team is Chiba Jets assistant coach Zoran Martic. The league also announced the rosters for the B.League AllStar, set for Jan. 15 at the same arena. Yuki Togashi of the Chiba Jets banner the B.Black team as he was joined in the first five by Alvark Tokyo’s Ryan Rossiter and Sebas Saiz, Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ Ryusei Shinoyama, and Shimane Susanoo Magic’s Kosuke Kanamaru. B.Black’s bench consists of Naoto Tsuji and Nick Mayo (Hiroshima Dragonflies), Yuma Fujii (Kawasaki Brave Thunders), Shuta Hara (Chiba Jets), Leo Vendrame (SunRockers Shibuya), Seiya Ando (Shimane Susanoo Magic), and Trey Jones (Gunma Crane Thunders). On the other hand, Makoto Hiejima of the Utsunomiya Brex spearhead the B.White team as he will be side-by-side in the first five by his teammate Josh Scott, Ryukyu Golden Kings’ Jack Cooley and Ryuichi Kishimoto, and SeaHorses Mikawa’s Avi Koki Schafer. In B.White’s bench are Julian Mavunga and Naoki Uto (Toyama Grouses), Tenketsu Harimoto (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins), Yuta Okada (Shinshu Brave Warriors), Morihisa Yamauchi (SanEn NeoPhoenix), Yudai Nishida (SeaHorses Mikawa), and Ryoma Hashimoto (Levanga Hokkaido). Coaching B.Black is Chiba Jets head coach Atsushi Ohno, while Oketani will also call the shots for B.White.