Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 232 | Tuesday. December 14, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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LEADING THE WAY Davao City tops in LGU first dose vaccination coverage in Davao Region STORY ON PAGE 2

A vegetable grower cultivates his organic garden in Mintal, Davao City on Monday to make sure that his crops will grow well. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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President Rodrigo Duterte says during the United States’(US) Summit for Democracy convened by US President Joseph Biden Jr. the Philippine democracy is indeed a work in progress. Presidential Photo

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Bishop slams SMI for claiming religious groups support its Tampakan project

Davao City tops in LGU first dose vaccination coverage in Davao Region By MAYA M. PADILLO

ental with 79.7 percent and Panabo City, Davao del Norte with 75.6 percent. The following LGUs were recognised base on their efforts in fighting the Covid-19 through ongoing vaccination campaign in their respective communities.

“The continuing success of the vaccination efforts throughout the region gives us a glimmer of hope and victories to celebrate. We honor the hard work of our healthcare heroes who have been tirelessly working to provide access to the COVID-19 vaccines to every corner of the Davao Region,” said Dr. Annabelle Yumang, regional director of DOH 11.

DOH 11 emphasized that vaccination efforts not only protect people but also allow economic activities to reopen, supporting livelihoods and a quality of life for all. Meanwhile, based on the latest data from the vaccination cluster, the city already vaccinated a total of 1,171,050 for the first dose and 1,009,921 for the second dose.

terparts. The election hotspot list has four categories -- Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red but Dubria did not disclose specific towns and cities and their respective categories. He said only 3 percent out of the country’s 1,438 towns and about 5 percent of 146 cities are under the red category. Among those under the red category include

areas from the Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “So those are the figures translated into just 39 towns and seven cities. Those are the critical areas that we are focusing on,” he added. Green refers to areas

that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly, while Yellow are areas of concern, which means that these have a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, occurence of politically motivated election-related incidents and had been previously declared un-

avao City ranked first in first dose vaccination coverage among Local Government Units (LGUs) in Davao Region.

The Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) recognised the top 3 highest LGU first dose vaccination coverage as of December 3, 2021 as Covid-19 vaccination awardees led by Davao City with 88 percent coverage. Other LGUs recognised were Boston, Davao Ori-

Almost 550 towns, cities tagged as potential election hotspots

he Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 488 towns and 58 cities as potential election hotspots for next year’s national and local elections. Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, head of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, said in a news briefing Monday the data is still up for verification and subject for validation with their military coun-

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ishop Cirilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato has slammed the developer of the controversial $5.9 billion (P297 billion at current rates) Tampakan project for claiming in a legislative hearing that the local religious sector has thrown its support to the largest undeveloped copper-gold minefield in Southeast Asia. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato held a special session in Koronadal City on Thursday, December 9, regarding the petitions to lift the openpit mining ban imposed by the provincial government since 2010. It was aired live on Facebook. In his presentation, Roy Antonio, SMI corporate linkages manager of the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), the firm behind the Tampakan Project, claimed that the project has gained the support of local religious groups but did not name any. Bishop Casicas, who was able to make his presentation after at least five hours of sitting down and listening to the proceedings, vehemently belied SMI’s claim that the local religious sector has thrown its support to the Tampakan project. “I am the bishop here (South Cotabato), which has an 80 percent Catholic population…How can you claim that you have the support of the religious sector? We have been staunchly opposing the Tampakan project ever since,” he stressed. Casicas said the Iglesia

Filipina Independiente, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Anglican Church and the Episcopal Church in the province have joined the diocese in fighting the Tampakan project. Even on social media, Casicas said “the sentiment is against SMI.” “Vox populi, vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God,” he said, noting the Tampakan project does not have social acceptability. He challenged the mining company to match the signatures gathered by the diocese that petitioned the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to retain the open-pit mining ban. The bishop said that they have gathered at least 93,000 signatures since the campaign was launched in August, 40,000 of these from within the diocese. Antonio was not able to respond as it was already evening but earlier in the hearing, he invited the Diocese to designate a representative to a multipartite monitoring body. With the concurrence of the body, Vice Gov. Vicente de Jesus, Sangguniang Panlalawigan presiding officer, scheduled the resumption of the hearing on Monday afternoon, December 13. Earlier Thursday morning, Antonio revealed the revised production plan of the company — from “one big production scoop” during the projected 17-year lifeof-the mine to a phased extraction program.

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NEWS

A health worker administers Covid-19 vaccine to a Dabawenyo during the National Vaccination Days at People’s Park. Davao City was recognized by the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) as the top ranked local government unit (LGU) in vaccination coverage for the first dose in Davao Region as of December 3, 2021. Edge Davao

‘Bakuna By The Sea’ wins 3rd place in Pearl Awards

Health districts opened for booster vaccination of seniors

he Davao City Covid-19 Task Force announced that health districts in the city will be opened for the administration of booster dose for senior citizens in the second edition of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” slated on December 15 to 17, 2021. “Naa na tay health districts nga open na for booster dose for A-2, sa atoang senior citizens,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Covid-19 Task Force. Schlosser added that there is a need to plan the said vaccination activity because there will be separate lanes for booster dose, for pediatric, for different for adult individuals for the first and second doses. “Pero ubay-ubay na ang atong vaccination hubs karon nga naga-offer og booster dose for our senior citizens,” she said. Schlosser reminded the senior citizens to present their vaccination card or VaxCert to avail the booster dose at the most convenient site where boosters are provided. She added that those who lost their vaccination

card and do not have VaxCert yet can request a copy of their vaccination record at the Vaccination Cluster Office at the Teen Center located near People’s Park. Schlosser added that the second “Bayanihan Bakunahan” will still follow the concept of the first edition conducted last November 29,2021 to December 1, 2021. She added that all vaccination hubs are open for alll priority groups from A1 or the medical front liners, A2 or senior citizens, A3 or persons with comorbidities, A4 or essential workers, A5 or indigent population, and the pediatric patients (12 to 17 years old). Schlosser also said the city will also open the drive-thru vaccination hubs throughout the second “Bayanihan Bakunahan.” Meanwhile, a total of 75,476 residents were vaccinated during the first “Bayanihan Bakunahan” National Vaccination Days. Of the total number, 59,807 were inoculated for the first dose, 13, 751 with the second dose, and 1,918 were administered with booster dose. By Maya M. Padillo

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he “Moving Forward…the Bakuna by the Sea Story” of the city government of Davao won third place during the Pearl Awards of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines for Best Tourism Practice During the Pandemic held on December 12, 2021 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

City Tourism Officer Gene Rose Tecson attributed the award to the hard work of the private tourism stakeholders for heeding the call of the city government to set up a vaccination center for tourism front liners

despite the challenges brought by the pandemic. “BBTS showcased the strong partnership of our private sector and the city government of Davao,” Tecson said. In partnership with the Waterfront Insular

Hotel Davao (WIHD) and the Gatchalian family, this vaccination rollout is part of the city’s all-out initiative to fast track the vaccination of Dabawenyos to achieve herd immunity by the end of the year. Gatchi Gatchalian, president of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA), ascribed the success of BBTS to the partnership and collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors. “We were able to really work together and the spirit of ‘bayanihan’

really flourished where everybody was willing to contribute and help their resources with the same goal of vaccinating a lot of tourism workers,” Gatchalian told Edge Davao. He also recognized the efforts of officers of other tourism organizations who shared their resources, the doctors from the City Health Office (CHO) and the city’s vaccination core group for their help in the conduct of BBTS. At least 17,000 indi-

to answer for his acts using my national ID,” netizen Jaron Jay Cabanero asked the PSA through a public post on December 7. PSA-Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) quickly replied that nobody can use the lost ID. “That is the beauty of the national ID which has no signature of the registered name. They can’t use your ID because there is no signature which they can forge. Once it is verified through fingerprint or iris

scan, this will not match with their (other persons) fingerprints or iris scans,” the PSA explained. Cabanero was advised to go to the PSA to apply for a replacement of his national ID. Section 6 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the PhilSys Act states that issuance of a replacement ID due to loss has a corresponding fee. The same charges will apply to replacement ID due to damage or change of

entries. “Fees however, shall not apply to citizens presenting Certificates of Indigency issued by the City/Municipal Social Welfare Office,” the IRR stated. Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055 or the PhilSys 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

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Lost nat’l ID can’t be used by others

Philippine Identification (PhilID) card or national ID, when lost, cannot be used by non-owners because it has no signature that could be forged or copied. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) made the assurance in response to a social media query of a PhilID holder who lost the physical card. “My national ID was lost. What will I do? Please help. It might be used by others and I will be the one

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4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

In recognising LGUs for their efforts in fighting the Covid-19 through ongoing vaccination campaign in their respective communities:

The continuing success of the vaccination efforts throughout the region gives us a glimmer of hope and victories to celebrate. We honor the hard work of our healthcare heroes who have been tirelessly working to provide access to the COVID-19 vaccines to every corner of the Davao Region.”

Dr. Annabelle Yumang Regional Director, DOH 11

EDITORIAL Marching on The Davao Region is at pace in its campaign to bring the cases of Covid-19 down. We know it has been almost two years and the threat of yet another deadly variant is imminent but yes, the progress is worth celebrating. In its latest report last Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 11 said there were 27 more recoveries bringing down the region’s active cases to 754. In contrast, there were 8 new cases. That’s a winning number in the win-loss column against Covid-19.

By far, the DOH said the 99,786 total recoveries correspond to a 95.6-percent recovery rate out of the 104,370 confirmed cases logged since the pandemic was declared in March last year. Again, that’s a huge winning percentage. Davao City led the way in the recoveries category at 51,972 followed by Davao del Norte (18,677); Davao del Sur (10,921); Davao Oriental (7,314); Davao de Oro (7,203); and Davao Occidental

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This only means one thing: the government and LGUs weapon of choice -- vaccination -- is winning the war for us. Vaccination as a means towards attaining herd immunity has been the bright spot amid the dark clouds of despair that once enveloped us as we gave up our normal lives to the cruel pandemic. Along with the huge success health-wise reaped from vaccination, it is also worth mentioning that the economy has also liberated itself from the prison brought to fore by the pandemic. The economy is now grinding and slowly getting back to life.

There is still a lot of work to be done though, and we cannot let our guards down at this stage. If we keep on pushing for more vaccination coverage whilst stayig aware of the health protocols demanded of us, then we are moving in the right direction at the right pace. 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

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VANTAGE POINTS

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

ADDRESSING ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE In the Philippines, the value of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is estimated at $10 billion to $23 billion per year, according to a report from the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, “Addressing the illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines.” The huge amount “include revenue that should have been paid by illegal wildlife collectors and traders, the market value of resources involved, the ecological role of the wild-collected resources and the damage to their habitats incurred during poaching,” Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato told Philippine Star. As such, IWT is not just an environmental crime. “This is more than just poaching, illegal collection and hunting of rare, exotic, endemic and endangered species and wildlife,” Sato stressed. “We strong believe that IWT is a transnational crime alongside illegal drugs, arms and human trafficking.” Poaching occurs throughout the country, but the following sites are considered major poaching areas in the ADB report: Agusan del Norte, Aurora, Bukidnon, Bohol, Leyte, Mapun Island (located in southwestern Sulu Sea), Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Quezon, Samar, and Turtle Islands (lie in Sulu Sea). In the ADB report, Mati,

Davao Oriental has been listed as one of the transshipment points of wildlife in the country. Other areas mentioned in the report were Cavite (particularly Tanza, Rosario, and Bacoor), Batangas (Balayan and Calatagan), Lucena Port (in Quezon), San Jose (Occidental Mindoro), Matnog (Sorsogon), Allen Port (in Samar), and Madellin (Cebu), Liloan Port (Southern Leyte), Lipata Port (Surigao del Norte), Bacolod, and Dingalan (Aurora). Davao City has been included in the list of major confiscation sites of wild fauna in Mindanao. Other cities in the same list were Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Surigao, and Zamboanga. According to the ADB report, Balut Island in Davao Occidental is the main entry point of wildlife from Indonesia. However, the primary transshipment points and confiscation sites of wild animals from Indonesia were General Santos City, Glan (Saranggani), Lipata (Surigao del Norte), and Metro Manila. “The Philippines is one of the 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animal species,” said the Convention on Biological Diversity

(CBD) of the country profile of the Philippines. “The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the world’s flora,” the CBD added. “Species endemism is very high, covering at least 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial wildlife, while the country ranks fourth in bird endemism.” When it comes to biodiversity and conservation, most people think of eastern Africa, the Amazonian rainforest or Madagascar. But “on a per unit area basis, the Philippines probably harbors more diversity of life than any other country on the planet,” the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) said in its website. Unfortunately, the Philippines is also considered as “one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.” “This is because the Philippines continues to experience an alarming rate of destruction of these important resources brought about by overexploitation, deforestation, land degradation, climate change, and pollution, among others,” the BMB deplored. To prevent illegal trade and sustainably develop biodiversity, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently adopted

the automated permit issuance for the trading of flora and fauna to enhance global trade transparency in the long term. In compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Philippines has started issuing permits for the trading of flora and fauna electronically. It will be through eCITESPH.com. “So that information can be accessible anywhere thereby facilitating trade, the electronic permitting system will be integrated into the Philippines’ national single window system,” a press statement said. As such, international trade of the country’s threatened animal and plant will easily be monitored and controlled. “The system will improve control of international trade in endangered species. Automation of CITES processes will help enforce regulations, increase transparency, and facilitate processing and electronic data exchange with customs and other agencies,” explained Amelita Ortiz, BMB assistant director. “Electronic information exchange will reduce opportunities for corruption and the use of fraudulent documents in the trading of endangered species,” she added.

More than 38,700 species including 5,900 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants are protected under the CITES, an international treaty signed by the Philippines which was entered into force in 1975. Each species is under any of three appendices depending on the degree of protection they need. Each year, the BMB issues more than 1,500 permits on a tedious manual basis. But the new automated permit issuance system eases the burden of manual work. This is aligned with Republic Act 11032 of 2018 or “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery.” According to Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, the addition of two online learning platforms “enables the DENR to uphold its mandate of educating the people about the country’s wildlife resources despite the prevailing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic.” The BMB has introduced the eTraining Course on Basic Wildlife Law Enforcement (BWLE) and the Wildlife Philippines Podcast. This project is under the DENR-ADB/Global Environment Facility Project on Combating Environmental Organized Crime in the Philippines.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

MATI’S BLOODY 1980 VICTORY BALL February 23, 1980, a Sunday, will forever be recalled as the night when a bomb was detonated inside Mati City’s gym, resulting in the killing of two persons and injuring 67 others. Critically wounded was then assemblywoman Edith Nakpil-Rabat, wife of the provincial governor. It was a victory ball intended for the athletes of Southern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (SMRAA) who graced the games that day. The request to hold an event was made by the schools’ division superintendent but the governor turned it down because the meet was over and the players were going home. Still, the official approached Gov. Francisco G. Rabat’s wife, who acceded to holding the event in the quadrangle. In his first-hand account,

Gov. Francisco G. Rabat told Weekend, the Philippines Daily Express’ supplement, that he was the main target of the blast. In an interview published on January 6, 1985, the governor reminisced: ‘At exactly 10:45 that evening when the [closing] ceremonies were over, he dancing was about to begin; the presidential table was left vacant and we moved among the people. Maybe drinking San Miguel beer is a lifesaver—call of nature forced me to go to the comfort room which I would say was about 30 meters from where Edith and I were sitting down. ‘As I was coming out of the CR, I was met by Atty. Gene Bernados, our collector of customs of Mati and he offered me a bottle of cold beer and… congratulated me for a very successful

affair. So, I returned the compliments by sitting down with him for a while. After about two or three minutes [later], there was a big explosion and when I looked, I saw where it exploded and somebody dragged me outside; it was my security man. Before I realized it, it was my wife who was hit so I came back running.’ Rabat recalled hearing moaning and crying. When he saw his wife, he promptly lifted her and rushed her to the town’s Baptist Hospital where she was given initial treatment. He immediately called First Lady Imelda R. Marcos by long distance and was told an Air Force plane would be sent to Mati at 4:00 a.m. the next day. ‘It was pitch dark,’ the governor recalled, ‘and the airport had no light so I really commended the pilot and the

crew that came. Edith was given some injections in Mati but we had no provisions there— blood and other medicines… She was flown in a bigger plane to Manila the next day and she was in the intensive care for a couple of days; she stayed in the hospital for about six months and it took about two years before she could walk… The first thing she asked when she woke up was a mirror— that’s Edith for you!’ It took over two years before the bombers were identified. In September 9, 1982 (1983?), according to the governor’s recollection, two young guys were apprehended in Mati on the eve of the town fiesta. They confessed they were part of a five-member team that bombed the victory ball years earlier. They linked to the crime Aurelio Masangkay, alias

Baser, who also implicated two others. All of them were later turned over to the military. Rabat also narrated that Baser eventually confessed it was Catalino Castro alias Jack, an employee of the province, who contacted and gave him the grenade. Castro also implicated vice governor Emilio Dayanghirang and nephew Antero Dayanghirang. As a consequence, appropriate cases were filed against the suspects who ‘went into hiding for seven months.’ The cases became a source of discord and irritants between the Rabat and Dayanghirang political camps. Thirteen of the victims were Rabat’s relatives. Upon order of the court, the suspects were allowed to post bail. The motive of the bombing was supposedly an act of political vengeance.

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A sidewalk vendor fixes the shoe lace while waiting for customers along Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Sunday, 12 December 2021. As most of the establishments are closed on Sundays, vendors occupy the sidewalk to sell mostly ukay-ukay (pre-loved) items. MINDANEWS PHOTO

BSP says coordinating with banks on alleged hacking complaints PH eyes export of highT value products, services he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Sunday it is working with BDO and Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) following complaints on social media about accounts allegedly being hacked. In a statement, the BSP said it had been monitoring complaints since early last week. “We are in close coordination with BDO as well as UBP on this incident to ensure that remedial measures are being undertaken, including reimbursement of affected consumers,” it said. In a Twitter post, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno vowed that the central bank would “do everything to en-

he government is strengthening its monitoring of the economic activities of foreign nationals, including retirees, as the country continues to allow the entry of foreign labor even in the face of the pandemic. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Retirement Authority

sure the safety and integrity of the financial system as well as the protection of financial consumers.” In a statement, BDO said it was aware of the fraud technique that affected its clients, assuring that it was taking “additional security controls to block further attempts and continue to protect bank credentials.” The bank said it would also reimburse the losses of its affected clients.

BDO added it advised online banking users to update their passwords as a measure to prevent fraudsters from accessing accounts. BDO is looking into each case and will respond to those affected, it said in a statement, while Edwin Bautista, the president of Unionbank, told Reuters its clients were among the banks that received funds from BDO accounts. Fewer than 10 Unionbank accounts that received funds from BDO accounts had already been frozen, Bautista said, adding that the bank was taking legal steps against users who per-

mit use of their accounts for criminal activities. The banks have not yet been able to estimate how much was diverted. Criminals have occasionally targeted the Philippines’ banking system. Meanwhile, the Bankers Association of the Philippines called on the public to be even more vigilant in light of the recent cybercrime incidents. BAP President Jose Arnulfo Veloso reminded everyone not to give their personal information, such as the one-time password, to other people, as this can prevent cybercriminals from stealing money.

(PRetA) last week signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the free exchange of foreign national data between the two agencies at the DOLE Central Office. “This data-sharing agreement will facilitate the exchange of information between DOLE and PRetA for better coordination, rendering of services, and mon-

itoring of foreign nationals within our purview,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement on Sunday, highlighting the shared goal of the two agencies of monitoring the economic activities of foreign nationals in the country. Under the agreement, PRetA can now verify the employment information of their Special Resident Retir-

ee’s Visa (SRRV) holders or those foreign nationals who choose to retire in the Philippines, through DOLE’s Alien Employment Permit (AEP) database. The labor department issues AEP to authorize a foreign national to work in the Philippines. “The pressing challenges of the pandemic impel us to forge solidarity and co-

ey stakeholders will focus on high-value products and services in crafting the new Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) for 2022-2027 while the country works to tap into its unrealized export potential. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency is spearheading the drafting of the new PEDP “with an overarching goal of transforming the Philippines from an exporter of commodities and intermediate goods to an exporter of high-value products and services.” “The new PEDP will also lay out aggressive and disruptive strategic directions with targeted and focused priority products and services for promotion that will accelerate the integration and expansion of Philippine exporters in the global marketplace, both physical and digital,” he said during the recent virtual 2021 National Export Congress. The plan will be anchored on more comprehensive data analysis to ensure that policy and strategic directions are evidence-based and takes into account the impact of the

coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the emerging trends as a result of the reconfiguration of global value chains. “Demonstrating the strong determination to recover from the impact of Covid-19, more than 3,700 Philippine exporters have access (to) new markets in 2021 taking into consideration the global developments and the need to accelerate recovery,” Lopez said. Lopez said the future of Philippine exports holds a “lot of potential” but challenges remain. Citing the export potential assessment of the International Trade Centre (ITC), he said the Philippines has an unrealized export potential of USD49 billion, with USD20 billion caused by product markets specific frictions which can be unlocked and realized through instituting reforms in the area of trade facilitation, among others. Lopez said the DTI and the Export Development Council, in coordination with various government agencies, have been working on a joint memorandum circular that aims to accelerate the recovery of the export sector.

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ECONOMY A2

DTI-Davao del Sur OIC Provincial Director Maria Victoria Placer presents the agency’s Prosperity Plan during the recent Digos City Stakeholders Consultative Forum at Crisbelle Crown Center, Digos City, Davao del Sur. DTI11

DTI-DavSur increases stakeholder engagement via consultative fora T

o ensure that the agency’s programs, activities and projects are Regulation on 0% VAT for exporters’ truly responsive to the needs of its local purchases signed, BIR says stakeholders, the Department of Trade he new Revenue Reg- controversial RR 9-2021, and Industry (DTI) – Davao del Sur ulation (RR) that will which took effect in June conducted a series of stakeholders conallow exporters to and implemented the 12 sultative fora throughout the province. continue to avail of zero percent VAT on indirect ex-

value-added tax (VAT) rating on their local purchases of goods and services will be issued soon, according to a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official. Larry Barcelo, Officer-in-Charge and Assistant Commissioner for BIR Legal Service, informed the House Committee on Ways and Means in an online public hearing on December 6 that the amendatory RR has been signed and will be published soon in a newspaper of general circulation. “There is yet no number on that RR and [we will still] publish it, but it was signed by both the Commissioner [of the BIR] and the Secretary [of Finance]. It implements the VAT zero-rating of local purchases of goods and services under Sections 294 E and 295 D of Title XIII of the CREATE Act as well as Section 5, Rule 2 and Section 5, Rule 18 of the CREATE IRR. So next week siguro (maybe) this will be published,” Barcelo said. The new RR amends certain provisions of the

ports and sale of services previously taxed zero percent VAT. Implementation of RR 9-2021 was suspended by the BIR in July through RR No. 15-2021 to make way for amendments following vehement objections from exporters, domestic suppliers, and other stakeholders, who said imposing the 12 percent VAT would kill the pandemic-hit industry. However, RR 15-2021 states that the postponement is solely due to the Covid-19 pandemic and new amendatory regulations would be published. Refund system Thus, the Export Development Council -Networking Committee on Legislative Advocacy and Monitoring (EDC - NCLAM) wrote to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to express support for the eventual implementation of the VAT policy “provided that the preconditions for the removal of VAT exemption are satisfied and an enhanced VAT refund system is in place”.

The stakeholder consultations, which was organized by the respective Negosyo Centers, were conducted recently in Digos City and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Magsaysay, Hagonoy, Kiblawan, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Bansalan and Matanao.

The said activities sought to solicit inputs and recommendations on how DTI-Davao del Sur can improve in its implementation of various programs, activities and projects. It also aimed to outline the priority interventions and their cor-

responding budget for 2022. As inputs for each consultative forum, DTI-Davao del Sur officer-in-charge Provincial Director Maria Victoria R. Placer presented the DTI Prosperity Plan, including the agency’s programs and services. In the meantime, the Negosyo Center business counselors presented their respective accomplishments and activities in 2021. Business Development Division OIC Sarry Kinoc, Jr. then facilitated

the open forum wherein the stakeholders were given the opportunity to discuss their issues and concerns and identified the possible interventions to address the problems. Placer noted that all stakeholders were well-represented in the fora. These included the local government units (LGUs), private sector, academe, women, LGBTQIA+, indigenous peoples group, persons with disability (PWDs), farmers and fisher folks, among others.

are Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Covid-19 Monitoring, including those under the Department of Trade and Industry; complaint inspections; OSH standards investigations; technical safety inspections, such as inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, and mechanical and electrical wiring installation; and inspection of any establishment or industry as directed by the agency. Such activities shall be conducted in strict observance of minimum public health standards.

DOLE regional directors must ensure that all results of inspection activities are uploaded to the Management Information System before the end of the year. In preparation for the resumption of inspection activities, regional directors are also directed to submit the list of inspectors recommended for inclusion in the 2022 General Authority and foreign inspectors recommended for issuance of the 2022 travel order. “Consistent with the

minimum qualification standards, the labor inspector recommended for General Authority must be holding at least a permanent Labor and Employment Officer III plantilla position and must have attended and passed the 10day basic training course for labor inspectors,” Bello stated. The labor inspector must also have a “very satisfactory” performance rating for the last two periods and must have no pending administrative or criminal case.

DOLE suspends labor inspections to settle pending standards cases

o settle pending standards cases and prepare the inspection program for 2022, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has suspended all inspection activities this month. In Administrative Order No. 269, series of 2021, Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed all DOLE regional directors to temporarily cease all labor inspection activities starting December 1, according to a news release on Sunday. Exempted from the suspension of inspection

A3 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

UP AND ABOUT

LEGACY LEISURE TOWER 2 NOW 97% SOLD, TOWER 3 OFFER NEXT

AS of November 30, Legacy Leisure Residences has sold 97% of Tower 2, the first tower opened for sale. “In November, there is approximately a 21% increase from the reported sales in June 2021,” said Wesley Bangayan, VP for sales and marketing. “We are looking to sell out the room inventory of Tower 2 by the end of the year.”

Legacy Leisure Residences, the first development of CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc, a joint venture between two of Davao’s prominent business names—Yap and Bangayan. As its first major project project, CrisRon aims to set the bar high in condominium development by creating a themed vertical residence. It encapsulates resort living and embraces wellness, said the developer. The residential community’s open space will be unparalleled in the city. By going the opposite direction on the building code requirement and appropriating almost 70% of the 2.4-hectare property to open space, it will offer residents space to live and play, an oasis within the city. The contents of the open space will be impressive as well. To highlight the resort living theme, Legacy Leisure will have an exciting line-up of outdoor amenities that will include an Olympic size swimming pool, water spray park for kids, several sports grounds for basketball, tennis and golf, jogging track, outdoor picnic area with a barbecue pit and green areas. “The features unique to

The clubhouse and Tower 2 are being built simultaneously.

Tower 3, beside the water spray park, will open to the market on the first quarter of 2022. construction. The first tower’s foundation work and walling on the second level are in its final stages and will be 100% completed this month. “Simultaneously, the twolevel, 612-square meter clubhouse is under construction. The foundation work is done and we are on the initial stage of the building’s framework. We are looking to finish this building in the second quarter of 2022.” The clubhouse will be the first building residents and Aerial view of the Legacy Leisure Residences ongoing construction. guests will see upon entering the property. As the core of Legacy Leisure, it will connect Legacy Leisure makes it easy Legacy Leisure is also the condominium’s essential for the investors to decide that building trust. components together. It will they want to be a part of the It is vital for us that invescommunity,” said Bangayan. tors, existing and prospective, serve as the receiving area and the gateway to the living “But we want to give credit trust the CrisRon product. spaces and the amenity area. to our business partners— the This is why even during the “Looking forward, we will real estate brokers. Through constantly changing comopen Tower 3 to the market by the pandemic, a time of unmunity , the developer stuck certainty, our partners were to their construction timeline, the first quarter of 2022. Tower 3’s interior composition will able to convince people that making the necessary schedLegacy Leisure is a wise inule adjustments while abiding differ a little from the previous tower as it will be designed to vestment. And we at Legacy with the health protocols. Bangayan said that they are fit two room types only: oneLeisure want to deliver on that finalizing the initial phase of bedroom and two-bedroom promise.” the Legacy Leisure Tower 2 units,” shared Bangayan.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

t all started with a Private Land Timber Pe (PLTP) issued to Ling-Ling Wu Lee on August 18, 2021.

What Lee wanted, according to some reports, was to cut 121 native trees – 22 agoho, 4 bagtikan, 14 lauaan, 44 tanguile, and 35 ulian – in Mounts Macabol-Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA), which the Watershed Code of Davao City has classified as “environmentally critical area.” What is even more alarming is that the area – which is located in sitio Falcata, Macabol, barangay Salaysay in Marilog District – is a reported nesting site of the endangered Philippine eagle. When the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) learned all these facts, it said that it will issue a suspension order to the issued PLTP. “DENR 11 remains committed to render public service with utmost quality and integrity and shall always consider the welfare of the general public to be balanced with our wildlife conservation measures especially the Philippine eagles and the forest ecosystem functions as a whole,” said Bagani Fidel Evasco, DENR regional director. “The office,” he added, “is also committed to implementing its mandate and priority programs guided by laws, rules, and regulations.” When Mayor Sara Z. Duterte learned of the situation, she personally wrote a letter to Bagani about it. “Please be informed that the City Government of Davao fully supports the request of both organizations,” Mayor Duterte said, referring to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM). SDM was ecstatic with the support of the mayor. “Our efforts and calls, together with the people in barangay Salaysay and the

thousands of those who supported our online signature campaign… did not fall on deaf ears,” it said in the social media account. “The strong position of the City Government of Davao highlights the significant role of local government units in conservation efforts and the promotion of Local Autonomy, especially the management of its natural resources,” SDM added. Dennis Joseph I. Salvador, in his Facebook account, was not contented with just the suspension order but instead he wanted the permit to be canceled. “Perhaps you think that by just spending the cutting permit (of the trees), you could resume operations when we’ve turned our bucks?” asked the PEF executive director. “How hard is it to stand by your mandate?” The brouhaha has brought three important issues: trees, biodiversity eagle and watershed. All these were discussed by Mayor Duterte in her letter. “As a biodiversity area, the MMACA is home to various vulnerable species of birds and other wildlife endemic to Mindanao,” she wrote. “It is also the nesting site of our national bird, the critically-endangered Philippine Eagle, which the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and other organizations have been continuously protecting for many years.” Mayor Duterte also talked of it 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,” she pointed out. Professor James W. Grier, when he “learned of the issuing of a permit to harvest old-growth trees

ENVIRONMENT

PLEASE, DON’T CUT

THOSE TREES! Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

for commercial purposes near a long-established, productive, and well-studied Philippine eagle nesting territory,” he wrote an open letter which was shared by Salvador. “That area should be left in its natural state to the fullest extent possible, including leaving old and even fallen trees naturally in place,” said Prof. Grier of the Department of Biological Sciences in North Dakota State University. Prof. Grier had firsthand experience with the Philippine eagle and was among the first to travel to and help study the nesting eagles at barangay Salaysay. The Philippine eagle – known in the science world as Phithecophaga jefferyi and described by famed American aviator Charles Lindbergh as “the world’s noblest flier” – was declared by then President Fidel V. Ramos as national bird (thereby dislodging maya as such). The Philippine eagle is second only to the Madagascar sea eagle in rarity. In size, it beats the American bald eagle; it is the world’s second biggest after the Harpy eagle of Central and South America. The bird icon was being collected in the country as early as 1703, but it was

not until 1896 that it was “discovered” in Samar by the English naturalist, John Whitehead, who called it the “Great Philippine eagle.” Unlike most animals and humans, Philippine eagles are monogamous and bond for life. Once an eagle reaches sexual maturity – at around five years for female and seven years for males – it is bound for life with its mate. They can be seen soaring in pairs in the skies. A pair of the Philippine eagles needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as nesting territory, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Salvador said massive deforestation has turned the Philippine eagle into an endangered species. “Deforestation is terrible,” he deplored. “The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of the forest has made it lose its natural habitat.” When Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” the Philippines in 1521, forests blanketed 95% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. When the Ormoc City, Leyte tragedy happened – which left 8,000 people dead – timber cover was only 18%. “Where have all our for-

ests gone?” Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Davaobased Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, wondered. As a result, biological diversity (biodiversity for short) is on the brink of extinction. More than 400 plant and animal species found in the country are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle. Of all the global problems that confront us, biodiversity loss will have the most serious consequences. “Extinction is forever,” FAO declared. “The one process that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats,” explained Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson. “This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.” Deforestation has also destroyed watersheds, which constitute about 75% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. “We cannot talk of providing sustainable water to the people unless we protect the sources of the commodity – the watersheds,” said Elisea Gozun, former environment secretary. “A watershed needs trees

in order to absorb rainwater when it channels into streams, rivers and eventually dams where human communities source fresh water,” Rappler’s Pia Ranada wrote. “A typical tree breathes out 250 to 400 gallons of water per day through its leaves, humidifying the air,” Ranada explained. “This process, called evapotranspiration, is responsible for most of the rain that falls inland, far from oceans. Thus, without trees, there is no rain and it is rain that supplies much of the freshwater humans need to live.” It’s just a matter of time until the country will experience a water crisis as its watersheds continue to be destroyed. “A watershed is a watershed is a watershed,” said the late Paz L. Lopez when she was the DENR head. A DENR report said that 90% of the 99 watershed areas in the country are “hydrologically critical” due to their degraded physical condition. Massive destruction of the once-productive forested watersheds by illegal loggers and uncontrolled land use from mining, overgrazing, agricultural expansion and industrial utilization have contributed to water depletion.

EDGEDAVAO

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19TH CITY COUNCIL 34TH REGULAR SESSION SERIES OF 2021

service for REPEAT OFFENDERS of any of the prohibited acts mentioned under Section 44 paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (12), and (16); For the purpose of determining repeat offenders under this section, the prohibited acts mentioned under Section 44 paragraphs 1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (12), and (16) are classified as a single class of violation. FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php5,000.00) for every violation of Section 44 paragraphs (10), (11), (13), (14) and (15); The violator shall make known his/her availment of the “NO CONTEST PROVISION” within SEVEN (7) working days from issuance of the Citation ticket.

PRESENT: COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR COUNCILOR

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

VOL.14 ISSUE 230 • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. - TEMPORARY PRESIDING OFFICER RALPH O. ABELLA NILO D. ABELLERA MARIA BELEN S. ACOSTA BAI HUNDRA CASSANDRA DOMINIQUE N. ADVINCULA WILBERTO E. AL-AG DANTE L. APOSTOL SR. CONRADO C. BALURAN JESSICA M. BONGUYAN LOUIE JOHN J. BONGUYAN PILAR C. BRAGA AUGUSTO JAVIER G. CAMPOS III DANILO C. DAYANGHIRANG JONARD C. DAYAP EDGAR R. IBUYAN SR. PAMELA A. LIBRADO-MORATA DIOSDADO ANGELO JUNIOR R. MAHIPUS JAFFAR U. MAROHOMSALIC BONIFACIO E. MILITAR MYRNA G. L’DALODO-ORTIZ ANTOINETTE G. PRINCIPE-CASTRODES J. MELCHOR B. QUITAIN JR. ALBERTO T. UNGAB MARY JOSELLE D. VILLAFUERTE JESUS JOSEPH P. ZOZOBRADO III

ABSENT: VICE MAYOR SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE COUNCILOR RICHLYN N. JUSTOL-BAGUILOD

- ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS - ON DOMESTIC EMERGENCY LEAVE

ORDINANCE NO. 0706-21 Series of 2021

CENRO shall provide the procedure for the availment and compliance of the “NO CONTEST PROVISION” and may allow the Barangay to monitor compliance with the voluntary community service. The City Treasurer is hereby authorized to receive the amount under this Ordinance. In case the violator opts to voluntarily render community service, he/she may be assigned to a community service 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. A monthly report of violations of this Ordinance, including a copy of official receipts for payments or certificates of completion for community service issued in relation to this Ordinance shall be furnished to the City Legal Office. Any qualified person who successfully avails of the “NO CONTEST PROVISION” and had complied with the provisions hereof shall be exempted from liability for violation of this Ordinance. SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect. SECTION 5. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, resolutions, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY - The provisions of this Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication. ENACTED, on the 14th day of September 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum. Certified Corred:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE NO. 0361-10, SERIES OF 2010 INTRODUCING A “NO CONTEST PROVISION” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as “An Ordinance Amending City Ordinance No. 0361-10, Series of 2010, Introducing a “No Contest Provision” and for Other Purposes”.

ATTESTED:

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

APPROVED : ________________, 2021

SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. SECTIONS 45 and 48 of City Ordinance No. 036110, Series of 2010, are hereby amended to read as follows: A. Section 45. PENALTIES. a) Any person who violates Sec. 44 pars. (1), (2), (3) and (16), shall, upon conviction, be punished with a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and/or community service for not less than one (1) day to not more than fifteen (15) days, at the discretion of the court; b) Any person who violates Sec. 44 pars. (4), (5), (6) and (7), shall, upon conviction, be punished with a fine of not less than Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) day but not more than fifteen (15) days, at the discretion of the court; c) Any person who violates Sec. 44 pars. (8), (9) and (12), shall, upon conviction, be punished with a fine of not less than Three Thousand (P3,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than fifteen (15) days but not more than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court; d) Any person who violates Sec. 44 pars. (10, (11), (13), (14) and (15), shall, upon conviction, be punished with a fine of not less than Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court; 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 liable for the commission of the offense penalized under this Ordinance. In addition to the penalty provided for above, business permits of establishments shall be suspended or cancelled by the City Mayor. B. Section 48. CITATION TICKET. A citation ticket shall be issued to violators of the provisions of this Ordinance. The citation ticket shall state, among others, the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the corresponding fine or penalty, including the substance and the options under the “No Contest Provision” of this Ordinance. SECTION 3. NO CONTEST PROVISION. City Ordinance No. 0361-10, Series of 2010 is further amended to include a new Section 48-A to read as follows: Section 48-A. NO CONTEST PROVISION. – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance who does not wish to contest the citation and shall voluntarily pay the following amount or in case of inability to pay the amount, is willing to voluntarily render community service and, in either case, attend the orientation detailing the provisions of this Ordinance, such person may be allowed to pay the following amount with the City Treasurer or render community service as settlement for the citation; FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (Php500.00) or FOUR (4) working hours of community service for FIRST TIME OFFENDERS of any of the prohibited acts mentioned under Section 44 paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (12), and (16); ONE THOUSAND PESOS (Php1,000.00) or EIGHT (8) working hours of community

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der Comelec control. Category Orange, meanwhile, means areas of immediate concern where there is serious armed threat; while Red means areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under the Yellow category with serious armed threats that it may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) dec-

laration of Comelec control. The PNP was earlier tasked by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to identify election hotspots to ensure an orderly and peaceful polls. Meantime, newly appointed Philippine Army chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner said defeating

the insurgency would allow them to focus more on helping the Commission on Elections in ensuring that the May 2022 polls are “orderly, honest, and credible.” He ordered intelligence units to step up their operations, as he vowed to push needed resources to all Army units. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

viduals belonging to various tourism-related establishments that include accommodation, spa and wellness, restaurant, travel and tours, tourism transport land and sea, and events were inoculated since the start of BBTS from June to September this year. “Thanks so much too to the Gatchalian family and

Waterfront Hotel for offering the use of the Garden Pavilion and shouldering the logistics of the vaccination center. Teamwork and collaboration at its best,” Tecson said. In September this year, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian conducted a walk-through in the vac-

cination site in the Garden Pavillion of WIHD. Mayor Sara thanked Gatchalian for initiating the BBTS, which was part of the corporate social responsibility of Gatchalianowned WIHD that aims to inoculate workers and stakeholders of the tourism sector in Davao City. Write to EDGE DAVAO EDITORIAL

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

agencies where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)

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LOST... FROM3

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

LeBron dominates as Lakers maul Magic

OS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 14 of his 30 points during Los Angeles’ spectacular third quarter, and he added 11 rebounds and 10 assists while the Lakers rolled past the Orlando Magic, 106-94, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) for their fifth victory in seven games.

Talen Horton-Tucker scored seven of his 19 points as Los Angeles utterly dominated a close game out of halftime, scoring 23 consecutive points while holding the Magic to 2-for23 shooting in the third quarter with their field goals scored nearly 10 minutes apart. Los Angeles rode that 36-10 advantage in the third to its second straight win and moved two games above .500 for the first time in four weeks. Russell Westbrook had 19 points and James secured his 101st career triple-double in the final minutes as the Lakers won their second straight with second-leading scorer Anthony Davis sidelined by left knee soreness. Coach Frank Vogel said examinations of Davis’ knee found it structurally sound, and the team anticipates him returning to action soon. Cole Anthony scored 21 points for the Magic, who went 0-5 on their West Coast trip despite rallying in the fourth quarter. Franz Wagner added 20

points and seven rebounds, but the Magic responded to Saturday night’s last-second loss to the Clippers with a solid first half and a catastrophic third quarter in their 12th loss in 13 games. Orlando dropped to 5-23 despite hitting 13 3-pointers. Los Angeles’ 23 straight points comprised its longest run of the season, and the Lakers turned a small halftime deficit into a 25-point lead while holding Orlando without a field goal for 9:48. James scored 13 points in the first four minutes after halftime, slicing up Orlando’s defense with 3-pointers and dunks alike while also making two crowd-pleasing blocks at the rim. Neither team took a substantial lead in a first half highlighted by James’ spectacular chase-down block of R.J. Hampton’s layup attempt in the second quarter. The Magic hit nine 3-pointers during the first half in another significant step for one of the NBA’s worst-shooting and lowest-scoring teams.

LeBron James goes 12 for 20 in 37 minutes of action. PHOTO: AP

Giannis stars as Bucks beat Knicks

N Giannis Antetokounmpo goes 7 for 16 in 32 minutes of action. PHOTO: AP

EW YORK — Khris Middleton scored 24 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had his first triple-double of the season to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-97 victory over the short-handed New York Knicks on Sunday (Monday, Manila time). One of seven Bucks in double-digit scoring, Antetokounmpo had 20 points, 11 assists and 10

rebounds. Bobby Portis Jr. added 19 points, Rodney Hood had 14, Jrue Holiday chipped in 13, Grayson Allen contributed 12 and Pat Connaughton netted 10. “We’re seeing different guys come in and make plays and make shots,” Allen said. “Different guys are going off each night or there will be stretches when somebody hits some big shots.

Tonight it was (Portis) for a stretch, then (Hood) coming in and getting 14 off the bench. That’s huge.” Milwaukee (18-10) never trailed as it won its second straight game and 10th out of 12 overall. “We talk a lot about being unselfish and making the right play, having high-IQ guys that are willing to make the right pass,” Bucks coach Mike

Budenholzer said. “It was a good team effort.” New York (12-15) has lost three in a row and seven of 10. In his first NBA start, Quentin Grimes scored 27 for the Knicks and set a team record for the most 3-pointers made in a game by a rookie with seven. Grimes’ 27 points were the most points by a Knicks rookie in a game since 1996-97.

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

MARVELOUS MAGNUS Monitoring till the wee hours the recently-concluded FIDE world championship in Dubai, was like taking part as a flagellant in the season of Lent. To say I enjoyed watching the lopsided contest would be rubbing salt to the wound. Hey, I had expected the Russian challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi to put up a grizzly-like battle against the hugely-favored defending champion Magnus Carlsen. But the lopsided score of 7.5 3.5 told it all. We can only scratch our heads and ask: why? Nepo could not make a clear headway but was doing fairly im-

pressively in the first five games which were all drawn. Unfortunately, his impatience surfaced and miscalculated and fell, losing in Game 6 where I thought he had opportunities to win the contest. Carlsen ably thwarted Nepo’s attacks with precise defense to eke out a hard fought win in136-moves, the longest in chess history. After that loss, Nepo was never the same again. I wonder why he employed Petroff thrice in the series, a defense that allowed Black to draw but hardly gave him a good chance to score. He should have played the Sicilian more.

Nepo is known in the chess circuit as an aggressive player who uses unorthodox moves but in this duel, he became a tamed lion. In the succeeding games, a forlorn Nepo just literally waved the white flag. He had lost his energy and was assumed to be going through the motions. Magnus Carlsen, winner since 2013, is thus the only five-time world champion. In 2013 as the challenger, he wrested the FIDE tiara from India’s Vishy Anand and defended it successfully against the latter two years later. Carlsen’s confident compo-

sure was evident. He appeared like he foreknew his foe’s next move but nevertheless diligently studied his replies before making the official move. Carlsen never winced a bit even when at one point, he spent something like more than 40 minutes to make a move. Give credit to the Carlsen team who helped the Norwegian prepare for his defense. Among them was super GM Daniil Dubov, among the top 20 GMs in the world and a compatriot of Nepo who is now bearing the brunt of criticism from just about everyone in Russia. Born Sven Magnus Oen

Carlsen in Tonsberg, Norway, the 31-year old titleholder took home 60% of the 1.2million Euros prize money which translates to (at the current exchange rate of 55 php to 1 euro) P39,600,000. And more. Carlsen also earned a lot from sponsors whose logos he wore in his jacket’s breast pocket area and shoulders. The question that lurks in most Filipino chess fans’ minds now must be: Where will Fil-Am super GM Wesley So be in the next cycle of the FIDE world championship? (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 232 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

NO MERCY Nonito Donaire improves to 42-6, while Reymart Gaballo is now 24-1.

Donaire wins battle of Pinoy fighters

n a battle between a legend in the making and a world beater, the veteran prevailed. Sadly, it had to be two Filipino fighters clashing each other.

Nonito Donaire made short work of compatriot and mandatory challenger Reymart Gaballo to retain his WBC bantamweight title on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Sunday, Manila time) in a statement win that lined him up for a possible rematch with Japanese rival Naoya Inoue. The 39-year-old champion scored a fourth round knockout against his fellow Filipino with a solid left hook to the body from which Gaballo failed to recover. Referee Ray Corona waved the fight at the 2:59 mark of the fourth as he counted Gaballo out after the challenger failed in his attempt to get up from the knockdown. Donaire then ran over and climbed on the ring ropes with both hands raised, aware the impressive win could be his biggest meal ticket in setting up another showdown with the unbeaten Inoue, generally considered as the best fighter in the bantamweight division today. The ‘Filipino Flash’ gave Inoue, the IBF and WBA title holder, a handful in their first meeting in November of 2019, despite losing by unanimous decision in their title fight in Saitama, Japan. Despite the win in what was

later adjudged as the 2019 Fight of the Year, Inoue was left with a broken nose and a fractured orbital bone. “There’s no mercy,” said Donaire afterwards, admitting he was trying to set up his left hook for the kill by going to the body as instructed by his father Nonito Donaire Sr. and wife-trainer Rachel. “I had to set it up by bouncing up and down, left and right. And so I opened up with the body which landed with that left hook.. But a lot of it was to the right, to the right in the earlier rounds.” While the five-division champion knew Gaballo has a lot of heart, he also thought the fight was over from that point. “That was tremendous punch that lander on him,” Donaire added. Donaire, defending the 118lbs crown he won over Nordine Oubaali last May, raised his record to 42-6 (28 KOs) as he continued to impress as the oldest bantamweight champion ever in boxing history. Gaballo, 25, had his moment in the fight and tried to stay with Donaire in the early rounds. But he was simply outclassed by the champion, who dealt him his first career loss in 25 fights.