Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 229 | Friday, December 10, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

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STRONG ADVOCATE Sara supports calls to stop cutting down century-old trees in Marilog STORY ON PAGE 2

A city government of Davao employee assigned to release the ‘Pahalipay’ Christmas gift packs and gift checks scans the SafeDavaoQR code of a claimant at Felcris R. Magsaysay Avenue branch on Thursday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

A city government of Davao employee explains to some women how to register online to claim the ‘Pahalipay’Christmas gift packs and gift checks outside Felcris R. Magsaysay Avenue branch on Thursday. Edge Davao

STRONG ADVOCATE T

Sara supports calls to stop cutting down century-old trees in Marilog By MAYA M. PADILLO

The mayor sent a letter to Bagani Fidel Evasco, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 11

(DENR 11), informing him that the city government of Davao fully supports the request of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF)

and the Sustainable Davao Movement for the cancellation of the Private Land Timber Permit (PLTP) No. RXI-001-2021, issued by DENR 11 in favor of Ling Ling Wu Lee in Sitio Falcata, Barangay Salaysay, Marilog District, Davao City. This is concerning the petition spearheaded by the

Kalahi-CIDSS program. Cash-for-work is a short-term program that allows distressed/displaced people to gain temporary employment by engaging in or carrying out preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation, or risk

reduction initiatives and activities in local communities or evacuation centers. The recipients will collect P3,960 once they can complete the 10-day cashfor-work program. This is to address the adverse effects of the coronavirus

nvironmental groups have found an ally in Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on their calls for the stoppage of cutting century-old trees in Marilog District, Davao City.

Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), ECOTENEO, Save Macabol Initiative, and Students’ Environmental Alliance of Davao, and PEF that conducted an online signature campaign against the cutting of the 121 native trees in Mounts Macabol

disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There are 252 residents from Brgy. Langub, 378 from Brgy. Magtuod, 252 from Brgy. 18-B, 505 from Brgy. Dumoy, 1,673 from Brgy. Bucana, 378 from

FSTRONG, P10

Rep. Pulong Duterte’s office, DSWDDavao start cash-for-work payouts

ver 6,000 residents of the First District in Davao City will benefit from the cash-for-work project of the First Congressional District Office in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

FPULONG, P10

he armed men that military forces encountered earlier this week in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, were remnants of the group of slain New People’s Army (NPA) leader Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, a high-ranking military official here said. Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the group, with around 20 members, is reported to have been hiding in the boundaries of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur. “This group is under the late (Jorge) Madlos of the North Central Mindanao Region,” Cuerpo said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday night. He added that they are continuously pursuing the NPA group in the area. Madlos, one of the high-ranking officers of the New People’s Army (NPA), was killed in an encounter in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on October 30. On December 4, the military confirmed the

encounter with around 20 armed men and exchanged fire with them for around 40 minutes in the peripheries of Maguing town. War materials were recovered after the firefight including flags of the NPA. Cuerpo said the military is also verifying if the same group was behind the December 3 bombing of the transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in Maguing town, some five kilometers away from the encounter site. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

NEWS

Senatorial bet former Quezon City mayor Herbert“Bistek”Bautista says he is hopeful that he will be officially included in the senatorial slate of BBM-Sara Uniteam after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio verbally adopted him. Handout

DENR 11 vows to coordinate with city on nesting trees PRRD sticks with ‘friend to all, enemy to none’ policy: Palace

resident Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to accept the invitation of United States (US) President Joseph “Joe” Biden Jr. to participate in the Summit for Democracy is “consistent” with his independent foreign policy, Malacañang said on Wednesday. Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made this remark after Duterte welcomed the opportunity to share the Philippine democratic experience and commitment to democratic values and nation-building at the Summit for Democracy. China, which was not invited, dismissed the US-organized summit, noting that there is no fixed model of democracy. Duterte is known for also being friends with regional power China. The Philippines is one of the US’ oldest Asian partners and the US’ oldest security ally in Southeast Asia. Nograles, however, emphasized that the Duterte administration has always been consistent in its pur-

suance of an independent foreign policy. “Si Pangulong (President) Duterte has always been consistent naman in his foreign policy and even foreign relations. And to put it quite candidly and very consistently, the foreign policy of the President has never changed – it has always been a friend to all, enemy to none,” Nograles said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ “The Source.” He noted that Duterte has always insisted on a policy that will first and foremost serve the people and protect the interests of the country. “He stuck by that from the beginning of his term as President and the administration of President Duterte has always stuck with that – a friend to all, enemy to none,” he added. On Saturday, China held its own International Forum on Democracy as the powerful State Council issued a white paper called “China: Democracy That Works”, which described how China had developed its model of

FPRRD, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) is in hot water following the city government’s call through Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and environmental groups in Davao City concerning the cutting of century-old trees serving as nesting trees of the Philippine Eagle in Barangay Salaysay, Marilog District in Davao City.

In a public statement on the issuance of the cutting permit, Bagani Fidel Evasco, regional director of DENR, DENR 11 will endeavor to coordinate with the city government of Davao to

validate and clarify if A and D (agricultural) areas and titled properties of Sitio Falcata, Barangay Salaysay are covered on the declared conservation area as a follow-up action for this issue.

The agency will also monitor and validate the area with regards to it being a nesting and roosting site of the Philippine Eagle. Evasco also explained each issue involved about the petition that is propagating online for the cancellation of the Private Land Timber Permit (PLTP) and to stop the cutting of naturally-grown tree species as such are nesting trees of the Philippine Eagle and the cutting site is within the Makabol-Alikoson Watershed, which is considered as part of the Conservation

Area as per Davao City Watershed Code. He said under Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, DENR Administrative Order No. 2020-21 “Revised Guidelines in the Issuance of Private Land Timber Permit/ Special Land Timber Permit (PLTP/ SLTP) and DENR Administrative Order 2021-11 on the “Guidelines in the Processing and Issuance of Permits for the Cutting, Removal, and Relocation of Naturally Growing Trees”, DENR 11 issued PTLP No.

be adopted,” he said at the sidelines of his consultation with the mayors from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at Marina Tuna on December 7, 2021. Bautista said among the reasons for his recent visit to Davao City is to pay a courtesy call to Mayor Sara. His visit coincided with the

regional planning of the members of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City. “I texted her informing the mayor na I hope to see her someday, stay healthy sa family mo and Godbless. Sumagot siya na Holiday

bukas, bukas pala ang Holiday. Nagtanong siya kung pupunta ba ako sa LMP, I was not invited sa LMP pero gusto kong sumilip. Sabi niya okay, kung hindi ka invited sabihin mo ako ang nag-invite tapos magkita tayo pero pag hindi ka pa rin pinapasok, eh di punta ka sa kabila sa function

FDENR, P10

‘Bistek’ meets Sara, hoping to be adopted by BBM-Sara Uniteam

ormer Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista is hopeful that the Uniteam of presidential aspirant former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will adopt him for the team’s senatorial line-up. “I cannot assume but I hope and I pray that I will

F’BISTEK’, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

A meat vendor prepares choice cut of pork meat at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. A pork producer group bared that the African swine fever (ASF) is again contributing to an increase in pork prices. Edge Davao

ASF again causing rise in pork prices: group

to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Meat inflation also eased to 10.7 percent nationwide in November, from 11.9 percent in October. But Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua noted that the uptick in pork prices in November “shows that we need to further ease administrative requirements for the unloading and distribution of

stocks to encourage more importation and help bring back pork prices to their pre-African Swine Fever level.” Briones however said the Department of Agriculture was mismanaging the ASF problem, as the agency culled herds suspected of being infected but has yet to compensate the hog-raisers. “Nangakong babayaran pero wala namang nababayaran,” he said. (They promised to pay, but they have yet to pay.) He said that because of this problem, some pork

producers have left the business for good, leading to a shortage in supply. Briones said that pork prices will continue to rise if government won’t address supply issues soon. “Pag hindi pa rin sila umaksyon ngayon, kitang-kita na nangyayari, next year lalo na magkakaproblema ang supply ng baboy, lalong mamahal ang bilihin.” (If they don’t act now, it’s clear that next year there will be a problem in pork supply, prices will further rise.)

gine life and fewer costs for repairs. The entire Seaoil lubricant product line now carries double protection against friction and corrosion. This includes the fully synthetic Extreme Mako engine oil, Seaoil Gasoline Engine Oil, GEO Supreme, Seaoil Diesel Engine Oil,

and DEOMAX diesel engine oil. As the first fuel company in Asia to partner with STP, Seaoil had brought the benefits of the Racer’s Edge to the pump at no extra cost to consumers. Every grade of Seaoil fuels, namely Extreme 97, Extreme U, Extreme 95 and Exceed

Diesel, have been powered with world-leading STP additives since 2013. “With STP additives charging up our lubricants as well, motorists can experience double engine protection friction and corrosion. Our customers have already experienced

he African swine fever is again contributing to an uptick in pork prices, the leader of a group of pork producers said Wednesday.

“Talagang marami ang nasalanta ng African swine fever at patuloy na nananalasa ang African swine fever,” Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines chair Nicanor Briones said. (African swine fever really continues to affect many.) Inflation in November slowed to a 4-month low of 4.2 percent, according

FASF, P10

STP, Seaoil partner for enhanced engine protection, efficiency

hrough an expanded partnership with world-renowned fuel and oil treatment brand STP, Seaoil Philippines has announced the release of its lubricants supercharged with STP additives. With rising costs of fuel and maintenance, this partnership brings longer en-

FSTP, P10

Global markets get boost as Omicron worries fade

ith fears fading that the Omicron variant will disrupt the global economic recovery, equity markets followed a buying-heavy course. While Asian markets started the midweek in positive territory, US’ S&P and Nasdaq indices registered their strongest daily rises in nine months. Technology stocks led the increase in the New York market. Analysts said Pfizer’s announcement that vaccines in use provide partial protection against the Omicron variant supported the rally in equity markets, adding the news flow of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak would determine the direction of the markets. Developments in China’s real estate sector remain unclear and Chinese real estate giant Evergrande has yet to make some bond payments. Analysts said Evergrande’s default was expected, and questions were

being raised about how it would affect other companies. On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden threatened to respond with “strong” economic measures if Russia escalates military aggression against Ukraine. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that if Russia invaded Ukraine, the US would increase its military support to Ukraine and its NATO allies in the region. On the Europe side, the 27-member bloc surpassed expectations and reached a gross domestic product growth rate of 3.9 percent in the third quarter on an annual basis. On Wednesday, Japan’s economy narrowed 3.6 percent in the third quarter. At the midweek, investors will follow statements from the European Central Bank’s governor and JOLTS (job openings and labor turnover survey) job figures in the US. (Anadolu)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

ECONOMY

DTI-Davao City monitoring team makes rounds to check the prices of Noche Buena products in the city. The other provincial offices of DTI 11 has been doing the same since the new SRP was released. DTI11

DTI 11 intensifies monitoring of prices of Noche Buena products Gov’t to repay P540-B BSP debt in advance

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has informed the Monetary Board (MB) that the national government (NG) will repay the full amount of its outstanding PHP540-billion provisional advances to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) this week, ahead of the January 12, 2022 maturity date, aside from downsizing its request for liquidity support to PHP300 billion next year amid an improved economic outlook. Dominguez, in a letter addressed to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, said the lower amount of PHP300 billion to be requested by the government as provisional advance in the second week of January 2022 signals to the market “that we are on track with the unwinding of liquidity support on firmer evidence of return to economic strength.” As head of President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic team, Dominguez revealed this NG plan as he lauded the “strong monetary and fiscal coordination between the BSP and the Depart-

ment of Finance in ensuring that the Philippines remain resilient in this crisis”. The extension of provisional advances is a temporary arrangement between the BSP and the NG to provide the government access to ample cash resources while revenue generation is weakened and fulfillment of the borrowing program is challenged by the scale of the borrowing need and the unpredictability of financial markets amid the pandemic. Under Section 89 of The New Central Bank Act (Republic Act No. 7653), the BSP may make direct provisional advances with or without interest to the NG to finance expenditures authorized in its annual appropriation, on condition that said advances shall be repaid before the end of three months, extendible by another three months, as the MB may allow following the date the NG received such provisional advances. Initially, the advances were in the form of a zero-interest repurchase agreement (repo) transac-

FGOV’T, P10

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Davao Region is intensifying its monitoring of Noche Buena products following the issuance of the new bulletin indicating the suggested retail price (SRP) of such for this year.

The agency emphasized that the business establishments, particularly the groceries and supermarkets, must strictly follow the latest set of SRPs to avoid the imposition of penalties. The Noche Buena products are the ingredients or food items that are frequently served during Christmas and New

Year’s Day celebrations. DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said that based on the newly released SRP bulletin, it is worth noting that most prices have remained the same. She further shared that while other products have posted an increase, this is only minimal.

“If you compare the current SRPs with their 2020 level, it can be observed that most products on the list have remained to be the same. And if there is any increase, it is very minimal. Hence, it shows that we have a stable supply of these products in our local market,” Ambi said. The 2021 “SRP Bulletin: Mababang Presyo Para sa Inyo Ngayong Pasko” is effective starting on November 23.. This means that the concerned business establishments are not allowed to sell the identified Noche Buena products beyond the

here are now 17 million workers that are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 following the successful first national vaccination drive held last week, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday. “Because of the vaccination days program more people especially workers were vaccinated,” Labor Assistant Secretary Domi-

nique Tutay said in a television interview. “From 10 million prior to 3-day vaccination program, we now have 17 million fully-vaccinated workers.” Tutay said there are still more workers who need to be inoculated against the dreaded virus. “This is a big deal (the number of fully vaccinated) but if you look at the labor market there is much more to be vaccinated,” she

said. The Department of Health (DOH) earlier reported that it has administered over 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine during the first “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccination days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. The government is set to hold another national vaccination drive from Dec. 15 to 17, hoping to boost its target to fully vaccinate

prescribed SRPs from the said date. Should they go above the prescribed prices, the DTI Provincial Office in their area will deal with them according to the provisions of the Price Act. “With the new SRP Bulletin for Noche Buena products, they are mandated to follow since this is already the legal basis of DTI in determining if there is a prima facie evidence, or if there is a probable cause, for us to declare that a violation has really been committed,” Ambi explained. The local trade official

54 million Filipinos by yearend. “I think by December 31 of 2021 we are all confident that we will surpass the 54 million fully vaccinated, especially if we get the same support or even much more support for the second round ng Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in an interview over on Wednesday. (PNA)

FDTI 11, P10

DOLE says 17M workers now fully vaccinated vs. Covid-19 T

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

On his desire to be adopted by the Uniteam of presidential aspirant former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the team’s senatorial line-up:

I cannot assume but I hope and I pray that I will be adopted.” Herbert Bautista Former Quezon City Mayor

EDITORIAL Candidates and health protocols Politically-motivated commentators have Quezon City Local Government Unit (LGU). made a big issue about the alleged violations of health protocols by attendees of the BBM-Sara Well, this one is really a matter of enforcecaravan in Quezon City the other day ment. Authorities of QC and other LGUs should have the political will to enforce ordinances In a way, it was no big deal considering that they have passed regulating such activities. all political camps are guilty of the same offenses, if one is observant and has been following They should stop issuing ordinances if they those caravan and similar events conducted by cannot enforce the same. It is as simple as that. the aspirants. Just the same, the political groups should enThe organizers of the well-attended event deavor to discipline their ranks instead of tolwere accused of not coordinating with the erating the abuses.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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

SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER Perhaps not too many Filipinos are aware that every month, we observe National Lung Cancer Awareness Month every November. November is gone already but still many don’t know that we did observe it without much fanfare. The Department of Health led it with the theme: “Kalaaman sa Kanser sa Baga Palawakin, Pag-iwas at Lunas Ating Alamin.” The health department strongly advised Filipinos, particularly the younger generation, to stop smoking as research disclosed that smoking and secondhand smoke continues to be the leading cause of lung cancer. “Aside from lung cancer that one gets due to smoking, it weakens the immune system which is also a big factor for survival if one becomes infected with COVID-19,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said in a statement. According to Duque, there are several risk factors that may increase the chances of getting lung cancer. These include smoking, secondhand smoke, and other substances found at workplaces like asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, and some forms of silica and chromium. Smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. Family his-

tory (if a father or mother or relatives has the disease, the next generation may also have it), radiation therapy to the chest, diet, and lifestyle may also contribute to acquiring the disease. The Global Cancer Statistics 2020 said lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting 2.2 million people in 2020. In the Philippines, lung cancer is the second leading cancer site and leading cause of mortality among all types of cancer in the Philippines. “More and more Filipinos are dying of lung cancer,” deplores the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO). According to the PSMO, 8,143 men out of 100,000 men are diagnosed with lung cancer, and 6,473 die. Among women, 2,500 are diagnosed with lung cancer out of 100,000, and 2,043 die. “As more people smoke cigarettes, the number of Filipinos with lung cancer is most likely to rise,” it said. Lung cancer claims 25 lives each day, according to the Cancer Facts and Estimates of the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS). Some 240 Filipinos die each day due to tobacco-related diseases, PCS said. Many Filipinos think only ordinary people die of lung cancer. But what they don’t know is that many famous men and

women in history died of it. To name a few: Desi Arnaz, Yul Brynner, Joe DiMaggio, George VI, Betty Grable, George Harrison, Bob Marley, Ray Milland, Claude Monet, Jesse Owens, Patricia Neal, Boris Pasternak, and Harry Vardon. The lungs are two spongy organs found in the chest. They are responsible for delivering oxygen to the bloodstream. When you take a breath in, air moves into the lungs causing them to expand. “Most lung cancer originates in the cells of the lungs; however, cancer may also spread (metastasize) to the lung from other parts of the body,” explains Dr. Gary Sy in his column published in a national daily. Metastatic cancers, according to The Merck Manual of Medical Information, spread to the lungs most commonly from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testis, bone, and skin (melanoma). “There are many different types of growth or tumor that can occur in the lungs,” Dr. Sy says. “It is conventional to divide growths into benign and malignant, and primary and secondary. A benign tumor is one that is unlikely to spread to become life threatening, whereas a malignant tumor grows

rapidly, and spreads, thereby threatening life. This happens by direct invasion of surrounding structures or by spreading through the blood or lymphatic system.” A primary tumor of the lungs is one that has arisen first within the lung tissue; a secondary tumor is one that has arisen elsewhere in the body, but has then spread to the lungs. The symptoms of lung cancer are very non-specific. “This is the reason many patients with lung cancer present at an advanced stage of the disease,” Dr. Sy writes. “One factor hindering or delaying the early diagnosis of lung cancer is that the symptoms, such as cough, are common to other conditions.” The symptoms include: breathlessness, cough, and chest pain, lethargy, and weight loss. All these symptoms are very common and are present in numerous other conditions. Even coughing up blood (hemoptysis), which is thought by many to be a defining symptom of the condition, is not present in the majority of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. “Catching the disease early is the key to successful treatment,” Dr. Diana Edralin, country medical director of Roche (Philippines) Inc., told Manila

Standard’s Alena Mae Flores. “Symptoms do not show up until the later stages of lung cancer, but yearly testing can help achieve earlier diagnosis. This is why yearly testing is recommended for smokers or ex-smokers older than 55 years of age, who are the most at-risk for lung cancer. “It is best to consult your medical oncologist for more information on lung cancer, and learn more about the available and emerging treatment options,” she added. According to Dr. Edralin, treatment options for patients with lung cancer vary, depending on how it has grown and spread in the body. The main treatment for early-stage lung cancer is surgery to remove the tumor itself or the area where cancer has developed. Chemotherapy, sometimes coupled with radiation therapy, is another treatment of choice. Like other forms of cancer, lung cancer can also be prevented. “Lung cancer prevention involves proper diet and adequate exercise, avoiding pollution, and most importantly, avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke,” Dr. Edralin said. But “there is no way to totally prevent lung cancer,” Dr. Edralin pointed out, “and the fight against it is challenging.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

KAPITAN INGGO’S ATROCITIES In the early eighties, one of the headline-hogging Muslim rebel leaders that is forever linked to Davao’s history was Abubakar Bautista Karsolo, alias Kapitan Inggo, head of the Philippine Liberation Organization (PLO). He was described as ‘a ferocious pseudo-mystic.’ While Kapitan Inggo’s PLO failed as a right-wing terrorist cum secessionist movement, its intent to create a separate Islamic state in Mindanao predates the agenda of the dreaded Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that played a role in the siege of Marawi on March 23, 2017. There is no detail when the PLO commenced and how the group managed to sneak into Davao. When he suddenly showed up in Davao, Kapitan Inggo changed his battlecry to anti-communism. Along with a

party of 200 armed cohorts, he pledged to banish Marxists from the slums of Agdao and Mandug. This earned him a slot in the New People’s Army (NPA) wanted list. He also fired at the picket line of striking workers from Lapanday Agricultural Development Corp. Sometimes, with his gang in tow, herded slum dwellers and lectured of anti-communist agenda. Kapitan Inggo’s campaign led to the threatening of Alexander L. Orcullo, an anti-Marcos activist, crusading newspaper editor of Mandawit, and popular barangay captain of Mandug, a remote village of Davao City. Knowing the Muslim rebel leader usually meant what he said, Orcullo’s family temporarily moved out to a safe shelter. Later, though, he decided to return only to be killed.

On October 19, 1984, Orcullo, who drove a car with his family inside, was stopped by a band of ten armed men who instructed him to get out. As ordered, he turned his back but was brutally shot once by each of the men. Although Kapitan Inggo claimed credit to the crime, the authorities did not prosecute him for lack of witnesses. According to the Philippines Daily Express, in its October 19, 1984 edition (‘Military linked to rebels accused of Orcullo Murder’), Orcullo’s funeral march was by far the largest to occur in the city’s history. A pre-burial estimate placed the expected mourners at 30,000. The attendees included opposition leaders Agapito ‘Butz’ Aquino, secretary general of the Coalition of Organizations for the Restoration of Democ-

racy (CORD); and younger brother of murdered opposition senator Benigno Aquino Jr., Leandro Alejandro, secretary-general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN); and Alex Padilla, secretary general of the National Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy (NAJFD). Kapitan Inggo was later associated with Davao Oriental governor Francisco G. Rabat after the he supposedly yielded to him and was tapped as a goon to intimidate voters. Interviewed on January 6, 1985 by Weekend, the Sunday supplement of the broadsheet Philippines Daily Express, Rabat denied the surrender and terrorism yarns. Rabat admitted that 16 persons from North Cotabato surrendered to him but they did not include the Muslim leader. He also doubted Kap-

itan Inggo was a Muslim. He suspected his group as an organized group whose crimes were blamed on the Bangsa Moro Army (BMA), the military arm of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the NPA. Two of the surrenderees were Abubakar Abas, also known as Kumander Gerry, and a woman named Salome, who was married to a certain Jimmy Labawad. Citing reports at the time, Rabat also heard that Kapitan Inggo, a former BMA commander, capitulated in Davao City to Capt. Dominador Villareiz, a PC-INP station commander who presented him to then PCINP regional commander Brig. Gen. Dionisio Tan-Gatue, and later interviewed by National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) regional head Capt. Adolf Borje.

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

SAIS KEEPS CHRISTMAS CHEER ALIVE ONLINE

The relaxing of restrictions, lower Covid-19 positivity rate, and the promise of booster shots may offer hope ahead of the holiday season but it’s the season to still be still especially for kids. With children home for the holidays, Stockbridge American International School (SAIS) holds a virtual Christmas Tree Lighting activity to create some hope and good cheer for its students on November 19, 2021. Carrying the theme “Believe in the Magic of Christmas,” the activity was participated by the school administrators, teachers, and students online. “As we are approaching Christmas Day and the New Year, I am beaming with pride and respect as I look at our Stockbridge learning community. Despite everything, there is so much to be thankful for - the gift of life, the gift of friends and classmates, and the gift of family and community and yes it may have been and continue to be a challenging year,

but together, we have risen above the situation with a grateful heart,” said Nicole Bian-Ledesma, chief operating officer of JIB Schools. This Christmas, Ledesma hopes that the students

continue to have a zest for learning and the teachers and staff continue to have the passion and drive for excellence. “Lastly, we continue to pray for everyone’s health and safety and that we can all see one another in school soon. On behalf of SAIS, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” Ledesma said. The lighting ceremony coincided with SAIS’ 6th year. It started operating in Davao City back in 2015 in its beloved campus in Mabini Street, Davao City. In 2018 SAIS moved to its new home in Ma-a where it offers early childhood (6 months old to 5 years old) and basic education (Kinder to Grade 12) programs. It is the only international

school in Mindanao that has a dual diploma program: a diploma from the Department of Education (DepEd) and international partners. SAIS takes pride in its very special equipment, great learning environment, very competitive, innovative, and research-driven curriculum. A school with a big heart, it focuses on inspiring and empowering the learners to be leaders and entrepreneurs with global competencies that will set them for lifelong success. “In SAIS, we aim to develop the skills like leadership, integrity, open-mindedness, and stewardship,” said Dyan Joyce Bian Cortez, international consultant of SAIS in an interview.

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hose were the days! Growing up in a small town, we used to play with other children. Among those we did were shatong, tigso, biros, tumba lata, and of course basketball. All these entailed running. “Those are really fun games, competitive, teamwork and socializing aside from being healthy games,” said Dr. Roy B. Ferrer, an assistant secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). When asked if he played those games, too, he answered affirmatively. “Of course. We are seven in the family: 5 boys and two girls,” said Dr. Ferrer, who is from Davao City. “All the games you mentioned, we played them.” Unfortunately, most of those games are now unheard of. You don’t see children doing those games anymore. “Instead of indulging in field sports and street games – which were popular during our era – today’s children are hooked on their computers,” Dr. Ferrer lamented. Not only that, most children are not eating healthy foods – thanks to fast foods and the availability of junk foods anywhere. Unlike in the past, children were eating boiled banana or ginanggang, suman, sitsiritsit, fried camote, and the like which were healthy. In those days, diabetes among children was unheard of. But today, the scenario has completely changed. More and more children are suffering from this debilitating disease. It has been found that Filipino children are now more prone to diabetes due to changes in diet and technology. In an interview on DZMM’s “Magandang Gabi Dok,” Dr. Susana Campos, a pediatric endocrinologist, said that fast food and candy commercials on television greatly influenced the children’s food preferences. This increases the risk of

children with diabetes. Throughout the world, the International Diabetes Federation reported that there are more than one million children and adolescents that are living with type 1 diabetes. Previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, it is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults although it can develop at any age. “With stress and challenges in life and with a sedentary lifestyle brought about by technology, diabetes is getting younger these days,” deplores Dr. Ferrer, who is nicknamed Sugar Doc as he is a diabetologist. “Children as young as five years old have been diagnosed with diabetes,” said the Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA), an umbrella organization of all associations involved in the care of the diabetic patients. Right now, no one knows exactly how many Filipino children are having diabetes. But Dr. Ellen Du, immediate past president of the Philippine Society for Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology told Manila Bulletin that “based on the registry of the Philippine Pediatric Society, there were around 3,000 cases of type 1 diabetes among the four million admissions from 2006 to May 31, 2021. “This is an underestimate because the data is only from pediatric training hospitals and this doesn’t also include those patients who were diagnosed in the clinics as outpatients,” she clarified. Johanah Co, a member of the International Diabetes Federation Young Leaders in Diabetes Pro-

CHILDREN ARE NOT

SPARED FROM DIABETES By HENRYLITO D. TACIO gram, was 13 when he was diagnosed with diabetes. “I knew something was wrong because I would always be thirsty, I would get tired easily and ants were attracted to my urine,” he told Philippine Star. “That’s when my parents decided to seek medical help.” Because diabetes is almost always associated with adults, children are neglected of being diagnosed with diabetes. “A doctor cannot tell that a child is diabetic until he starts to complain and usually that is already late as far as complications are concerned,” said Dr. Ricardo Fernando, founder of the Institute for Studies and the Diabetes Foundation. “(Diabetes) has no cure,” Dr. Fernando stressed. “What doctors can do is just minimize the complications or push its onset a little later because the disease is more manageable among older people.” Parents need to know more about diabetes – or else they may lose their children from complications of the disease. “The silent plague is haunting our children, and it’s time we broke the age misconception, talked about it more and took it very seriously,” urged Terence Repelente in an article which appeared in Philippine Panorama. Most children, however,

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suffer from Type 1 diabetes. “Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms (of either types) can help a child to get an early diagnosis, which in turn gives a chance of a better outcome,” wrote Honor Whiteman for Medical News Today (MNT). The MNT considers diabetes as “a metabolism disorder.” Metabolism refers to the way the body uses digested food for energy and growth. Most of what one eats is broken down into glucose. Glucose, a form of sugar in the blood, is the principal source of fuel for our bodies. “When our food is digested, the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream,” MNT explained. “Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present – insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.” Insulin is a hormone released from the pancreas. “After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells. As soon as glucose enters the cells blood-glucose levels drop,” MNT noted. Type 1 diabetes – which appears during childhood or adolescence although it can start at any time – occurs when the pancreas is

unable to produce insulin. “Without insulin, sugar cannot travel from the blood into the cells, and high blood sugar levels can result,” Whiteman wrote. The most common symptoms include: increased thirst and urination, hunger, weight loss, fatigue, irritability, fruity smell on the breath, and blurred vision. Girls might develop a yeast infection. Type 2 diabetes – formerly called adult-onset diabetes – is less common among children, but it can occur when insulin is not working properly. “Without enough insulin, glucose can

accumulate in the bloodstream,” Whiteman wrote. The symptoms include: urinating more often (especially at night), increased thirst, tiredness, unexplained weight loss, slow healing of cuts or wounds, blurred vision (as the eye’s lens becomes dry), and itching around the genitals (particularly for girls). The website healthline. com says diabetes in children is most common in those aged 10 to 19 years old. A child may have an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes if he has a sibling or other close relative with

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and Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA). The campaign has reached over 1,400 signatures. According to Change .Org MMACA is an 8,819-hectare “Conservation Area” which supports the lives and livelihoods of more than 6,000 residents of Brgy. Salaysay and its resources have also sustained the Indigenous Obu Manuvu ways of life and culture. In her letter, the mayor stated that the city government is supporting the saving of the 121 trees covered by the said permit that are within the MMACA, which under Section 8 of the 2007 Watershed Code of Davao City and identified as an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA). “As a biodiversity area, the MMACA is home to various vulnerable species of birds and other wildlife endemic to Mindanao. It is also the nesting site of the national bird, the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, which the PEF and other organizations have been continuously protecting for many years,” it said. Mayor Sara also said on her letter that as a watershed area, the forest area of the MMACA replenishes the aquifers of the Suawan-Kulafu-Sub-Watershed within the Davao City River Basin. “It is for these reasons that we express support for the efforts of the aforementioned organizations and we hope that your office may look into the said matter for we believe that the protection of our national resources is our mutual concern,” the letter said. Meanwhile, during a consultation held on November 26, 2021 at the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Salaysay and spearheaded by DENR 11, Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), WMC, PEF, IDIS, and elders of Brgy. Salaysay Council, DENE-CENRO assured that all the selected 121 tree species for logging are “old trees” and are dying and prone to morbidities. Moreover, DENR-CENRO promised

that they will be planting trees such as Molave, Narra, and Mahogany for the reforestation at Makabol. A certain Atty. Coronel, who represented the landowners during the consultation, reasoned that the 121 tree species are old trees that have morbidity and are dying, which will inevitably fall and damage the area of impact. Atty Karbonel said that it’s much better to let DENR-CENRO cut the trees technically and carefully than to leave them to die and fall over, which may destroy other trees upon impact in the future. PEF Manager for Culture-based Conservation Jimbea Lucino questioned DENR-CENRO and Atty. Coronel how old these “old trees” were that was geotagged for logging, to which the two recipients could not give a proper response–knowing that scientifically by biologists and experientially by the Obu Manuvu elders that the indigenous trees are slow-growing and take hundreds of years for them to be considered Mother/Old trees and that trees (especially hardwood species) do not die of age. In a statement, IDIS said the strong position of the city government of Davao through Mayor Sara highlights the significant role of local government units (LGUs) in conservation efforts and the promotion of local autonomy, especially the management of its natural resources. “Indeed, we need to protect our watershed for the present and future Dabawenyos and, we need to conserve the nesting ground of our critically endangered Philippine Eagle. As Philippine Eagle symbolizes not only the pride of Davao or the Country, it also symbolizes the aspirations and efforts of all organizations and communities working towards its protection,” it said.

democracy. The document challenged the US and West’s definition of democracy, noting that each country has different systems and development models of democracy. The US-organized Summit for Democracy will focus on

challenges and opportunities facing democracies and will provide a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective commitments, reforms, and initiatives to defend democracy and human rights at home and abroad, according to its website. (PNA)

Briones said the government should instead test pigs for ASF instead of

simply culling all those who have come in contact with ASF-infected hogs.

STP-powered fuels and will now appreciate the improved protection and maintenance from Seaoil Lubricants,” said Seaoil CEO Francis Glenn Yu. As the leading brand in oil and fuel treatment, STP has been in the business of keeping engine parts clean, cool and protected against corrosion, wear, and rust for more than 50 years. STP also has a long history in the NASCAR racing circuit, not only with title sponsorships but with supporting NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. “As a long time partner, SEAOIL has always delivered on our STP brand promise on science, technology, and performance. STP’s racing heritage helps us fuel the way for future growth. We’re excited to be at the starting line with SEAOIL Lubricants and looking forward to winning the race with customers,” said

Scott Meczkowski, Senior Manager of STP marketer, Energizer Holdings. Seaoil lubricants powered with STP additives are available in all 600 stations nationwide, as well as for ordering online via Seoil’s official store on Lazada and Shopee. The lubricants line is also carried by the Seaoil LubeServ vehicle service centers and its new service, LubeServ on Wheels. LubeServ on Wheels brings expert mechanics straight to the customer’s location. The service is currently available in the areas of Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, and Cainta. Aside from light repairs, LubeServ on Wheels offers package costs for the customer’s preferred lubricant products, plus consumables and labor. (PR)

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Thegroupishopefulthat DENR11willlistentothepositionofthecitygovernment ofDavaoandthepetitionsof theenvironmentalgroupsand lookthroughonthismatter.

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Brgy. 22C, 378 from Brgy. 21C, 252 from Brgy. 36D, 505 from Brgy. Matina Aplaya, 378 from Brgy. 8A, and 1,362 from Brgy. Talomo. They will receive their payout this month. Duterte’s office said that the residents are employed

temporarily to work such as cleaning and sanitizing public places and barangay offices; collective livestock, or vegetable and fruit gardening; cleaning vital roads, among others, before the payout.

RXI-001-2021 on August 18, 2021, to Ling-Ling Wu Lee. He said the private property covers 12.2 hectares in Sitio Falcata, Macabol, Brgy. Salaysay, Marilog District, titled under (TCT) No. 146-2016018903 issued on October 20, 2016, and emanated from Homestead Patent issued on January 15, 1975. Homestead patent can be issued on agricultural lands based on Commonwealth Act No 141, otherwise known as the “Public Land Act’: enacted in 1936. Evasco added that the permit covers selected 121 trees namely Agoho (22 trees), Bagtikan (four), Lauan (15), Tanguile (44), and Ulian (36). Trees to be cut are those to be affected by intended land development. He also answered several issues tossed against the DENRDavao Region for the aforementioned action such as the PLTP issuance was based on the report and recommendation by the ProvincialandCommunityEn-

cordingtoRA7161otherwise knownas“TheRevisedForestry Code of the Philippines.” HealsosaidthattheDENR 11PLTPissuanceisbasedonthe landclassificationasA&Dand ownershipastitledproperty. “AtthetimeofPLTPapproval,DENR11wasnotawareof anytelemetricdataappertains tothenestingtreesclaimed byPEFinsidethecontested property.DENR11through itsConservationandDevelopmentDivision(CDD)hasbeen monitoringeightconfirmed PhilippineEaglenestsitesin theregionincludingBrgy.Salaysay,MarilogDistrict,DavaoCity, particularlybetweenSitioIndaohongandSitioTaupan,”itsaid. EvascosaidDENR11isnot privatetothemetesandbounds ofthedeclaredConservation AreaandEnvironmentallyCriticalArea(ECA)inBarangay SalaysaybasedonDavaoCity Watershed Code. HealsosaidthatLeehas voluntarilystoppedthecutting oftreesintheareaeversince PurokLeaderOliverAncapoy postedthroughsocialmedia aboutthisissueinOctoberthis year. HeaddedthatDENR11will issueasuspensionordertothe issuedPLTPtothiseffect. “DENR11remainscommittedtorenderpublicservice withutmostqualityandintegrityandshallalwaysconsider thewelfareofthegeneralpublic tobebalancedwithourwildlife conservationmeasuresespeciallythePhilippineEaglesand theforestecosystemfunctions asawhole.Theofficeisalso committedtoimplementingits mandateandpriorityprograms guidedbylaws,rules,andregulations,” it said.

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vironmentandNaturalResourcesOffice(PENROandCENRO) anchoredon-groundvalidation, assessment,timberinventory, andthoroughreviewonthe applicationrequirements.He emphasizedthatthesamewas supportedwithclearancesfrom concernedBarangayandTribal CouncilsandEnvironmental ComplianceCertificateissued bytheEnvironmentalManagement Bureau (EMB 11). Hesaidthegrantofpermit tocutnaturallygrowntreesis subjecttoconditionsthatthe applicanthastostrictlycomply withthetreereplacementratio of1:100.Hence,theapplicant isresponsibletoplant12,100 seedlingsandpaymentofforest chargesforeverycubicmeter oftimberharvested/utilizedac-

‘BISTEK’... FROM3 room ng Uniteam,” he shared. “Sabi niya have you talked with BBM? Sabi ko I have not talk with BBM. Sabi niya kung gusto mo you can sit down para makapag-usap kayo, sabi ko sige Mayor Inday it would be an honor. Sabi ni Mayor Inday kasi si BBM ang nag-iisip kung sino sino ang magiging 12 senatorial line up nila. Sabi ko please Mayor Inday that would be good and I’ll be honored to be part of your team,” he added. When asked if he is interested to be part of the BBM-Sara Uniteam, he just answered that the filing of the certificate of candidacy (CoC) for senatoriables is over. “Tapos na ang filing nga mga senador, nabasa na natin ang cover-cover candidates di ba? Meron din intriga sa mga common candidates. Then I realized, because I got to talk to a lot of people, naikot ko na ang

buong bansa, sabi nila walang masama because practically the political system is there,” he said. Bautista is included in the Senate slate of the tandem of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III who are running as president and vice president, respectively. Meanwhile, Bautista and Mayor Sara have known each other because Davao City and Quezon City have signed a sisterhood pact. Both mayors have renewed their sister-cities agreements in 2018 at the Quezon City Hall. The agreement between the two cities aims to further promote mutual development in the environment, human resources, and community development, advancement in science and technology, education, sports, tourism, trade, and disaster risk reduction.

added that the DTI offices throughout the region will continue to do regular rounds among the business establishments in their respective areas of jurisdiction. This is to ensure that consumers will get their money’s worth and enjoy the holiday season without overspending. Meanwhile, she advised the public to shop in advance the unperishable products to avoid the holiday rush. Likewise, she reminded everyone to stay vigilant by checking the price

tags based on the SRP list of the consumer products they are buying. They need to read the labels carefully and compare the prices of different brands as well.

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“RestassuredthatDTIwill alwaysstaytruewithourcommitmenttoprotecttheconsumers.Whilewedoregularmonitoringofseveralproducts,we wouldliketorequestthepublic tofileaformalcomplaintifthey havewitnessedorexperienced anyviolationoftheirrightsas

consumers,”Ambisaid.

CHILDREN... FROM9 Type 2 diabetes, shows symptoms of insulin resistance, including dark patches of skin, and overweight or obese. “Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children tend to develop rapidly over a few weeks,” Whiteman wrote. “Type 2 diabetes symptoms develop more slowly. It may take months or years to get a diagnosis.” According to Whiteman, children and adolescents with diabetes usually experience four main symptoms, but many children will have only one or two. In some cases, they will show no signs. “If a child suddenly becomes more thirsty and tired or urinates more than usual, their parents may not consider diabetes a possibility,” Whiteman said. “Doctors, too, since diabetes is less common among very young children, may attribute the symptoms to other, more common illnesses. For this reason, they may not diagnose diabetes at once.” Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious consequences of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, MNT reports. “DKA is the leading cause of mortality in children with Type 1 diabetes,” Whiteman wrote. “If insulin levels are very low, the body cannot use glucose for energy. Instead, it begins to break down far from energy. This leads to the production of chemicals called ketones, which can be toxic at high levels. A build-up of these chemicals causes DKA, where the body becomes acidic.” As for Type 2 diabetes, younger people also seem to have a higher chance of complications, such as kidney and eye disease, earlier in life than children with Type 1 diabetes. “There is also a greater risk of high blood pressure and high

cholesterol levels, which raise a person’s risk for blood vessel disease,” Whiteman said. For Type 1 diabetes, treatment involves lifelong insulin use and blood sugar monitoring. In addition, diet and exercise management must also be observed to help keep blood sugar levels within the target range. “If your child has type 1 diabetes – especially a young child – you’ll be involved in diabetes care on a day-to-day basis, from serving healthy foods to giving insulin injection to watching for and treating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. The parents also need to stay in close contact with their child’s health care team. “They will help you understand the treatment plan and how to help your child stay healthy,” CDC says. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes can be managed through a change in diet, more exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. In some instances, a child may need medication. Diabetes has been identified by both the WHO and Department of Health as one of five noncommunicable diseases that kill more Filipinos; the other four are heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic diseases that affect the airways and lungs. “(All five diseases) take almost 300,000 lives in this country every year,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III pointed out. “While these diseases affect different parts of the body in different ways, they often share common origins. The good news is, many of these factors are avoidable.”

were attacking the rim. I think defensively, besides the first 14-point avalanche on Tatum’s part, we locked in from that point forward.” Tatum scored 14 of his 34 points in an incredible early first-quarter blitz for the Celtics, who dropped to 1-2 on their four-game West Coast trip. Jaylen Brown sat out his third straight game with a strained right hamstring, and nobody else managed more than Robert Williams III’s 13 points for Boston. “I feel like our energy was great, especially starting off the game,” Williams said. “We just weren’t ready for the punch in the second half, so we’ve got to clean it up. ... We tend to lay back and get comfortable when the game is going our way, and it’s something we need to break.” The Lakers got a much-needed comfortable victory in the 296th edition of the matchup between venerable franchises with a record 17 championships apiece and a record 12 NBA Finals meetings. Boston and Los

Angeles split their season series 1-1 for the fifth straight campaign after the Celtics beat the Lakers last month behind Tatum’s 37 points. Westbrook staked the Lakers to a 19-point lead in the third by scoring 15 points in the quarter with a series of dominant drives against whatever Boston guard had the bad luck to be matched up with him. After a tentative start with his hometown team, Westbrook is averaging 23.5 points, 8.9 assists and 6.9 rebounds in the Lakers’ last eight games. “I think at the beginning of the year, Russ was a little bit passive,” Davis said. “He was trying to get guys involved, pass the ball. ... We told him, ‘The more you’re aggressive, the more it will open up for everyone else.’ The last seven to 10 games, he’s been very, very aggressive, and when he does that, it opens up the floor for everyone else as far as shooting. He’s just been in attack mode. That’s why we brought him here, to be Russell Westbrook and not anybody else but that.”

tion in the amount of PHP300 billion, granted in March 2020 and fully repaid in September 2020. The provisional advances were then converted to a zero-interest three-month loan in the amount of PHP540 billion, granted in October 2020 and fully repaid in December 2020. These were again accessed in January 2021, extended in April 2021, and fully repaid in July 2021. The latest access of provisional advances was in July 2021, which was due in October 2021 and extended to January 2022, but will be fully repaid this December 2021. National Treasurer Rosa-

lia de Leon had recommended the early repayment of the PHP540-billion provisional advances, which will be settled on December 10, on the basis of favorable cash position brought about by promising revenue collections and overwhelming support in the recent Retail Treasury Bond (RTB) offering.

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“We have seen economic recovery already begin to take root as more businesses embark on a safe reopening with the successful rollout of the government’s mass vaccination program,” Dominguez said in his letter to Diokno dated December 1.

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SPORTS

AD glad to see Westbrook in attack mode, not passive

OS ANGELES — Unlike most of his Los Angeles Lakers teammates, Russell Westbrook grew up a Lakers fan who personally understood the yearly importance of their rivalry series with the Boston Celtics. Leading a dominant victory over the Celtics while wearing the Lakers’ gold jersey for the first time clearly made for a special night for the veteran guard. “As a player like myself, you want to make sure you approach all games the same while also understanding the significance of this particular game,” Westbrook said. “That makes it a good win for us.” LeBron James scored 30 points, Westbrook added 24 points and 11 assists, and the Lakers beat the Celtics, 117-102, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) in the latest chapter of the

NBA’s most storied rivalry. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who produced one of their best recent performances in their fourth victory in six games overall. With James and Westbrook playing dominant floor games, Los Angeles made 56.5% of its shots in the first three quarters and throttled Jayson Tatum’s supporting cast defensively. “I just like the way we competed tonight on both sides of the floor,” James said. “We had a lot of intensity, a lot of ball movement. Guys

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Russel Westbrook had 24 points and 11 assists, and the Lakers beat the Celtics, 117-102, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

MOSES BILLACURA CLEAN SLATE

WHY I WOULD LIKE THE NEXT PRESIDENT TO BE FROM MINDANAO If I sound too selfish, please, I beg your forgiveness. But, let me go straight to my point. Without a national leader sitting in Malacanang, who is from Mindanao, don’t expect a Mindanaoan to be appointed in the government’s national sports agency. Since 1990, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has, so far, seen the appointment of three commissioners to the Board. First, it was coach William “Butch” Ramirez during the time of President Erap, thanks to the indorsements of Mindanao political leaders. If you can recall, manong Fred Lumba, a columnist of Malaya then, was the name that was supposed to be appointed but when the official announcement came out, it was Ateneo de Davao sports director and former Davao City Sports Development Division officer-in-charge Ramirez. That’s politics, my friends. Then came Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP)-Davao City commissioner and former Davao City sports consultant Leon “Binggoy” Montemayor during the time of President Gloria M. Arroyo. When Mayor Digong won in the presidential race in 2016, naturalmente, who would be appointed? It must be from Mindanao! Butch Ramirez’s appointment was not a surprise. Naturalmente, the good chairman tagged along sports editor and Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) president Charles Raymond A. Maxey, who was given the commissionership and tasked to oversee the Mindanao Island. My 300 plus Ilocano relatives may not like what I will write but forgive me, this is the reality with politics. The PSC is under the Office of the President. If Mayor Inday Sara is the President of the Republic, naturalmente, the PSC will be headed by a Mindanaoan.

If former Senator Bongbong Marcos wins as president, I would not expect a Mindanaoan to be the next PSC chief. I would expect an Ilocano, of course. Unless there are some negotiations to be done or the presence of a strong lobbyist group, you may see Butch Ramirez doing a hat-trick! My only agenda? The continuation of the Sports for Peace Program in Mindanao. When chairman Ramirez went home and was no longer with the PSC, luckily, Mayor Digong was around to have him back as sports consultant, Ateneo de Davao University welcome him back with open arms as sports director and we got our DSA adviser back! The only problem was that we don’t have the same financial resources. Coach Butch opened a small office of the Sports for Peace Movement and it was run by volunteers. Asa man ang uban tung panahon naa pa sa PSC si Butch Ramirez? Nangawala na! You get my point? It’s human nature for those who are in power to be “attractive” in whatever shape or form. And if they are no longer in power and considered “retired”, people who used to hang out with him also got “tired” for reasons that are too obvious. They are not his friends when the flow of milk and honey has stopped! Na hubas na. Di na gani mo bisita sa balay sa Bangkal, kung naa pa bay dukot nabilin sa kaldero. Naturalmente, that’s what life is all about. If you check our history, since 1898, it was only in 2016 that we have a President from Mindanao. And from what I heard, Malacanan Palace was like Davao City Hall because almost everyone there was speaking Bisaya. What would you expect? That’s how it is.

Long time ago, some of my Ilocano relatives would be in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos, naturalmente, they are Ilocanos! Di ba ana lang? Let me be frank with you. I was raised to be apolitical by my old man Marcial, who is a public school teacher. So, I grew up having only one partido in my mind, Sports, that’s it. When my great grandmom Claudia Lucero attempted to bring presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos to my old man, he politely declined. Ipa ila ila ra gud unta to. He has maintained his apolitical stance. Wala lang. Di lang gud siya. This is in contrast to his cousin, radio broadcaster Berting Belocura, who was deeply into politics. However, as I grew up, I have come to understand and accept, that without the help of political leaders and their trusted lieutenants, a sports agenda can never gain traction and in the process be never a reality without their help. Papang Marcial was even surprised to see me serving City Hall during the third term of Mayor Digong. “I never thought you’ll be interested to be in government”, he said. I replied by saying, “I’m just helping Butch Ramirez”. So, I have to take a break from my teaching post at Holy Cross of Davao College, my beloved alma mater who has given me so many opportunities, to focus on Sports Development Division management, although I have continued to be a sportswriter. Luckily, we have Butch Ramirez as our mentor and with the guidance of City Hall executives like chief-of-staff Patmei Bello Ruivivar, Oca Casaysay and Tisay, Jun Escalada, Lina Justol, among others, we were able to “survive”. You see, we are from the private sector and entering a “strange territory” called City Hall was very challenging. The sports community in Davao are very well versed of what happened

that year, a history in the making, that saw a “corporate takeover” of a sports office that has become very unpopular among sports leaders. Ang nabilin sa Room 10 that year was only the utility worker. So, as you can see, the PSC has become a very successful sports agency because Mayor Digong is president and City Hall executive assistant and sportsman Bong Go has become a Senator. Ana lang. You’ve read and seen it on TV, heard over the radio, their sterling accomplishments by backing the various sports organizations and building the needed sports infrastructure. The flow of milk and honey has continued to flow that benefitted the sports sector in the country. Busog lusog. Sa tinood lang, there was a high expectation that Mayor Inday will run for President but this has not happened. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against former senator Bongbong Marcos. I don’t want my Ilocano relatives to get mad at me or my beloved dead family members would visit me in my dreams, telling me to remove the photos of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos that have been hanging on the walls of my Mamang Lolita’s room. Naturalmente, for a Mindanao-born and sports observer like me, I worry that the PSC Boys will not be able to continue the Sports for Peace Program, simply, because there will be a new leader along the already clean Pasig River. A president from Mindanao naturally secures a noble program to be continued because they know what’s going on. The Sports for Peace movement is the only sports program that has been designed to be long-term, life-long that will have a long-lasting impact to the next generation of Filipinos.

The other Manila-based programs, sure, they are okay, but they have not been that impactful to the peacekeeping efforts by the PSC Board of Commissioners. For example, Professors Ed R. Fernandez, our executive director, and Henry C. Daut of the Philippine Sports Institute have been planting sports seeds in Jolo with the help of Father Romeo Saniel of Notre Dame College of Jolo and his team of volunteers. If this is not sustained for the next six years, that sports seeds will dry up and die. That’s my only reason why the next president should be from Mindanao. However, if Bongbong Marcos reads this and understands the sentiments of sports for peace volunteers in Mindanao, especially those who are in Jolo, then we hope that he considers keeping the movement going should he win the presidential race next year with Mayor Inday as VP. Allow me to refresh our memory as to why the Sports for Peace Mindanao was born. “VISION Peoples celebrating life in sports. MISSIONS Our mission is to make sports a vehicle to strengthen the emotional well-being of individuals, the character of peoples and the souls of the nation; to make sports a way to promote dialogue, harmony and understanding among nations and communities of different cultures, traditions and beliefs; to make sports an avenue for people to share cultures, values, and beliefs thereby fostering greater understanding, respect, and brotherhood among nations and communities. GOALS A stable human resource development program and a strong advocacy programs to make sports a way of life and an intervention in conflict areas to promote peace.” Agyamanak.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 229 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

SEVENTH MISS Kai sstill out due to kn knee soreness

t has been a run of seven straight games that Kai Sotto has missed. The Filipino teen is still unavailable for the Adelaide 36ers for their Thursday game against the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena as he continues to heal up from knee soreness. The 7-foot-3 center has already missed Adelaide’s first two games of the National Basketball League season, where it lost to the Perth Wildcats, 85-73, last Friday, and its home debut against the Illawarra Hawks, 81-71 last Sunday, as well as the last four outings in the preseason. Aside from Sotto, the 36ers are also missing the services of Sunday Dech, who continues to recover from his quadricep injury.

Kai Sotto with Filipino fan from Perth Eugene Tan Espanola at the RAC Arena in Perth. Photo from Eugene Espanola.

Kai Sotto remains out as the Adelaide 36ers play their third game of the NBL season. Emmanuel Malou, who also missed the first two games of the campaign due to knee soreness, is finally back in the roster for coach CJ Bruton. Adelaide will once again rely on Daniel Johnson, Cameron Bairstow, and Dusty Hannahs in the game as it looks to earn its first win of the season.