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MinDA to push for implementation of big-ticket projects for Mindanao STORY ON PAGE 2
A construction worker prepares the metal braces that will serve as support in the concreting of a portion of a road in the ongoing drainage system project along Dacudao Avenue in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao
2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 282 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio takes a “selfie” with the crowd during a motorcade in Ilocos Norte. Mayor Sara expressed gratitude to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia-lead One Cebu Party after she was endorsed by the latter. Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page
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MinDA to push for implementation of big-ticket projects for Mindanao By MAYA M. PADILLO
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The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on Thursday said it will push for the implementation of big-ticket projects for Mindanao,
particularly the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) and the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project, to the new administration come
July this year. “It will be the main agenda of MinDA to push for these big-ticket projects like the Mindanao Railway and Davao- Samal bridge and others. Gaano kalaki ang impact ng new government and new set of officers come July
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work Briefing New that one of their banner programs is the peace symposium, an information drive to prevent the infiltration of the Communist Party of the Philippine – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) amongst
the youth. “Bilang parte ng Strategic Communications Cluster of the Oplan Pagbabago Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), kami ay nagsasagawa ng peace symposium under ng aming
any establishments will be putting up that “WE ARE OPEN” sign on their doors soon.
first, malaki ang magiging role ng new government as they will play a big part in the continuance of the big ticket projects in Mindanao and MinDA will push for it kasi ayaw natin nahuhuli ang Mindanao when it comes to
peace communication units to insulate our youth from the armed struggle,” he said. Before the pandemic, Largado said that the group conducted these campaigns in partnership with the Department of Education inside school
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Internet services to get better in Maragusan
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ajor telecommunications companies will be providing better internet services in Maragusan soon. Maragusan Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola revealed during the Network Briefing News that Smart and Globe telecommunications companies have expressed plans of improving their services in the town. The chief executive bared that she received a letter from Smart Telecommunications stating that they will partner with the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORDECO) to utilize the electric posts for their ‘wired’ connections.
Globe Telecommunications has also asked permission from the local government unit to construct two towers in the area. “They (Globe) will also improve their transmitters na nilagay nila sa Maragusan,” Mayor said. The telecommunications services were tackled during the episode as the mayor had to do the interview via phone patch first, then switch later to online due to internet connection problems. Mayor emphasized that the geographical location of the town affects the delivery of the telecommunications services. (PIAXI/ Michael Uy)
campuses, “since noon rampant pa ang recruitment ng left leaning organizations sa education sector.” During the pandemic, the YFPM shifted to a virtual forum dubbed as Online Kalinaw Talks. Seeing the struggle
of internet connection among young Dabawenyos in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), who are directly affected by the communist armed conflict, the information drive was converted into
Davao de Oro youth group battles NPA recruitment thru info drive he Youth for Peace Movement of Davao de Oro (YFPM DDO) since its creation has been empowering fellow youth in the province through peace building activities. Jess Elton Largado, YFPM DDO president, stressed during the Net-
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EDGEDAVAO
NEWS
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Sara thanks Garcia-led One Cebu endorsement By MAYA M. PADILLO
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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed thanks to the endorsement of One Cebu Party, the local party of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia. “I am thankful to One Cebu Party and Governor Gwen Garcia for their support and endorsement of my candidacy for vice president,” the mayor said in a statement. On February 16, 2022, One Cebu Party expressed its long-standing support for and endorsement of the vice presidential bid of Mayor Sara. In a statement, the party stated that from the moment Mayor Sara filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) as vice president, the party had decided to support and endorse her candidacy. “We hereby confirm and reaffirm our commitment to work for and ensure her victory in Cebu in the May 9, 2022 synchronized national and
local elections,” it said. One Cebu Party was credited for helping deliver at least one million votes for President Rodrigo Duterte in Cebu in 2016 elections. It can be recalled that Mayor Sara declared her “openness” to run for a national post in Cebu City in June last year. “The Cebuanos have always been close to my heart as my family traces its roots to Cebu. I am also very thankful for the support of the Cebuanos for President Duterte in 2016. Together with One Cebu and the Cebuanos, we are hopeful for the victory of the Uniteam and our cause for unity and a better life for all Filipinos,” the mayor said.
Vice Gov. Lala witnesses turnover of land for CMES
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ice Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza of the Province of Cotabato witnessed the turnover ceremony of the land on which the Central Malamote Elementary School (CMES) stands on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The land is owned by siblings Uno A. Tolia and Kalima Ticoco Hadjiomar, who are residents in the area and who decided to give the land to the school so that the children from the said barangay can study peacefully. Public Schools District Supervisor of Matalam South District Armando M. Ayunan AL Hajj thanked
the siblings for their donation. He said that the school plays a big role in every student because it ensured their bright future and helps them from the quagmire of poverty. In her message, Mendoza stressed the importance of education to every young Cotabateños who will serve as an example as the next leader of the Province of Cotabato. She is also very grateful for the donation as it will serve as the foundation for the development of the youth. The turnover was also graced by board member Shirlyn Macasarte Villanueva, Barangay Captain
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Cholera victims in Caraga municipality get assistance
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ore than 900 households in the Municipality of Caraga, Davao Oriental who were affected by Cholera were able to receive help from the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental. Governor Nelson Dayanghirang visited the town on Feb. 14 and personally gave food packs which contained five kilos of rice, six pieces of noodles, 10 sachets powdered milk, 10 packs 3-in1 instant coffee and six assorted canned goods.
These food packs came from the Provincial Government. The Governor also said that the province will allot P20-million for the construction of a Potable Water System in the hardhit Barangay Santiago in Caraga. The Office of Senator Bong Go distributed cash assistance to the affected families at Bartangay Santiago. The Senator’s Office through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P5,000 each to
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National Inter-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19 (NIATF) chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez says classes in all levels may likely go face-toface this coming August based on the report of Education Secretary Leonor Briones that there has been no contamination from among the school children who have joined the pilot face-to-face classes. Edge Davao
Stricter regulations depends on people’s compliance: TF T he Davao City Covid-19 Task Force said the city government’s imposition of stricter regulations depends on how responsible residents are in following the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) and getting vaccinated. Davao City is currently under Alert Level 2,
which is a more relaxed classification compared to the previous Alert Level 3 status. Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser reminded Dabawenyos not to be complacent in following minimum public health standards and should also get two doses of the anti-Covid-19 vac-
cines and booster shots for an additional layer of protection. “Naa paman gud ang Covid kahit na mag Alert Level 2 or Alert Level 1 ta. Sa ngalan nga naay Covid, we have to be very vigilant dili gyud pwede na dili na ta mag-mask wala na’y social distancing, dili na magpabooster. Kay
mubo naman ang ato-ang alert level all the more mas i-heighten nato ang MPHS and magpabooster gyud ta,” she said. Meanwhile, based on the Regional Situation Update on Covid-19 in Davao Region as of February 16, 2022 the Department of Health-Davao Center for
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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 282 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez attends the Philippines National Day ceremony in the ongoing Expo 2020 Dubai hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government at the Al Wasl Plaza in Dubai. Lopez said construction companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are “very interested” to participate in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program despite the term of President Rodrigo Duterte will end mid-2022. Presidential Photo
Investors’ interest in Build, Build, Build projects remains very high C onstruction companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are “very interested” to participate in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program despite the term of President Rodrigo Duterte will end mid-2022. In a radio interview on Wednesday evening, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said he is confident that the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program will be continued in the next administration, thus, foreign investors remain
confident to invest in the construction industry. “We told them that many presidentiables are saying that Build Build Build will be their platform also. That’s why they can expect that this program will continue as they have seen the suc-
cess of the Build Build Build under the administration of President Duterte,” he added. Lopez is currently in Dubai for an official trip as he graced the Philippines’ National Day at the Expo 2020 Dubai. He also met with high-level officials from the UAE, where they have concluded agreements to further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. One of the results of the trip is the conclusion of the Investment Pro-
motion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) to facilitate investment flow between the Philippines and UAE. Lopez said that with the conclusion of the IPPA, the next step for the two countries will be the signing of the agreement. The DTI chief added that through the IPPA, the Philippines aims to get a good share of investments from the Middle East country as it has a sovereign wealth fund of around USD1.3 trillion. (PNA)
DOE reviewing terms of reference to study own national oil reserve
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he Department of Energy (DOE) is reviewing the terms of reference (TOR) for the public bidding of consultancy services to do the feasibility study as the government aims its own oil reserve operation. During the Laging Handa briefing Wednesday, DOE Assistant Director Rodela Romero said after the failed bidding in getting an adviser to
do a study on the establishment of Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), the agency still targets to finish the study before the end of the Duterte administration. In September last year, the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) said it aims the establishment of SPR that will involve crude oil and petroleum importation, storage, and distribution facilities
within and outside the country. Romero said the SPR program is a long-term plan and an oil contingency plan that aims to lessen the country’s vulnerability from the impact of supply and price disruptions in the world market. “So (it is an) assurance that we will be able to build the said strategic petroleum reserve through proper analysis,
wherein the government will not incur any losses,” she said in Filipino. A few months after the onset of the pandemic, DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi expressed his intention to build a stockpile of oil to take advantage of low prices of fuel products then, which plummeted below USD20 a barrel. The government aims
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PH can absorb data center demand as Singapore limits projects -- SKF
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he Philippines can absorb demand for data centers as the region’s data center powerhouse Singapore becomes more selective on this kind of projects in the future. In a briefing Wednesday, Santos-Knight Frank (SKF) Occupier Solutions and Services Manager for Data Centers lead Monica Gonzalez said the Philippines has available raw land to offer to in-
vestors as facilities with 10-megawatt (MW) capacity will require one to two hectares of land. Gonzalez said the country is also an attractive market for data center providers, with the Philippines being one of the top social media users in the world and growth of its digital consumption, e-commerce, and cloudbased services. “Data centers are
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PH banks not ‘under threat’: BSP responds to World Bank report
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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Philippine banks are not “under threat” following a World bank report warning that global economic recovery was at risk due to hidden debt. In a report released Tuesday, the World Bank cited the Philippines as an example of countries where bad or unpaid debt is becoming a problem. The multilateral lender said that in the Philip-
pines, the nonperforming loan ratio is expected to double to 8.2 percent in 2022. Diokno however played down the World Bank report. “I think the World Bank is referring to emerging economies in general, I think the Philippines does not belong to that group. I think we have prepared our banks and MSMEs, we have
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Laborers work on the construction of the public market in Palao, Iligan City on Wednesday (16 February 2022). The P538-million two-story building will replace the old market built on thise site in 1960. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
Tourism promotion under new normal launched in Caraga Lifting of mining ban to usher in manufacturing resurgence
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he Australia Philippine Business Council (APBC) said the impacts of lifting the open-pit mining ban will spill over to other industries like manufacturing. In a statement, APBC said the decision of the government to lift the moratorium will revitalize the mining industry, usher in the country’s manufacturing resurgence, and boost investors’ confidence in the Philippines. “The Philippines lifted a four-year-old ban on open-pit mining for copper, gold, silver, and complex ores in December 2021. This followed scrubbing of the 2012 moratorium on new mining agreements seven months earlier. These developments are expected to usher in significant benefits to the economy including manufacturing resurgence, and step up investor confidence,” APBC said. APBC president Rene Cabrera added that with the lifting of the moratorium, the Philippines
and Australia can further strengthen partnerships in the mining sector. “Mining is one industry that truly highlights the complementarity between Australia and the Philippines. The Philippines has vast untapped natural resources; Australia is a global expert in minerals development and production underpinned by responsible mining practices sought by the Philippine government and community. The potential for rewarding opportunities has always been there,” Cabrera said. APBC special advisor and former chair of OceanaGold Philippines Jose Leviste Jr. said Australian firms are “wellplaced to capitalize on these developments” in the Philippine mining industry. “The areas of opportunity include mineral exploration, mining equipment supply, engineering services, specialist software, and industry education and training,” Leviste added.
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s the country prepares to shift to the new normal after two years of closure due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Tourism in Caraga (DOT-13) on Wednesday formally launched “Caraga Na”, a new initiative to promote tourism in the region. DOT-13 Regional Director Nelia Arina led the opening of the threeday tourism promotion activity at the SM City here. In a statement, the DOT13 said “Caragan Na” is a call-to-action for a more proactive campaign for do-
mestic tourism. “This is also an invitation to all tourists to visit and explore what Caraga has to offer with its wide array of products – from conquering its mountainous terrain, frolicking in its crystal clear waters, be mes-
merized with its breathtaking landscapes, and getting the full dose of adrenaline rush from its various adventures,” the statement read. The initiative is also seen to sustain the agency’s efforts to promote regional circuits and tourism-related activities through a new tagline under the new normal. The three-day activity will showcase different tourist spots and destinations in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del
Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, as well as in the region’s six cities of Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig and Bayugan. The major tourism activities in Caraga were greatly affected due to the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the Covid-19 since March 2020. According to the DOT-13, the pandemic affected at least 80 percent of Caraga’s tourism industry.(PNA)
70 percent of adult Filipinos by 2023 sooner rather than later,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday. Diokno said monetary authorities estimate that from 2020 until the third quarter of 2021, about 20 million unbanked Filipino adults have been included in the formal financial system through the opening of basic deposit accounts (BDA) and active e-money accounts.
He said these additional numbers brought the banked adult Filipinos to 41 million, or about 53 percent of the total adult Filipinos to date. “We’re also optimistic that the result of the 2021 financial inclusion survey will validate the significant growth in ownership in the last two years,” he added. Diokno said the launch of the updated national strategy for financial inclusion “solidifies
the government’s commitment to achieving not only (the) account ownership target but broader financial inclusion objectives.” He said the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022-2028 recognizes as among the challenges in adding more adult Filipinos in the formal financial system, the economic, physical, and behavioral issues on financial conditions.
Deposit accounts, electronic money boost BSP’s financial inclusion bid
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he launch of more deposit account and electronic money (e-money) products helps the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) achieve its goal to have 70 percent of Filipino adults part of the formal financial system by 2023. “At the rate we’re moving and with the strong push by the government and the private sector, there is a strong likelihood that we’re going to get our target to onboard
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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 282 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
On the endorsement of One Cebu Party to Mayor Sara as vice president:
We hereby confirm and reaffirm our commitment to work for and ensure her victory in Cebu in the May 9, 2022 synchronized national and local elections.” Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia
EDITORIAL No more sweeteners Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio has ordered there will be no prizes, incentives, toys, food or whatever “enticers” in the rollout of vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 year old or what is referred to as pediatric vaccination.
idents, to the vulnerable sector and ultimately to the general population.
This time, the Mayor has put her foot down on these vaccination sweeteners, so to speak. No more. If they come, they will come. If they don’t it’s their choice.
But while the city government is taking away the candy from kids taking vaccinations, it should not hamper families from bringing their children to vaccination sites. The important thing is they get vaccinated and have the same protection adults are enjoying.
At some point last year, the city government incentivized the vaccination rollout to get more people encouraged to take their jabs.
The hard stance also comes with the fact that the city has made significant advancement in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination from the frontliners, to aged res-
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That’s the sweeter incentive. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief
NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor
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KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle
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LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ
OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales
There is reason to be excited of the coming weeks being under better conditions. Well, it has already started with the lifting of the modified alcohol ban and the bars have opened its doors to clients. That means, better days ahead for business.
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EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 282 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
VANTAGE POINTS
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
GO AHEAD, HUG A TREE February 14 is known as the day for lovers. Although it is not a regular holiday, the world celebrates it. But this year, the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR) commemorated Valentine’s Day with something different: hugging a tree. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu urged Filipinos to take part in the week-long Tree Hugging Campaign from February 14 to 18. Organized by the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), it wants to raise awareness on the importance of trees and nurturing forests as a measure to address climate change. “Trees help fight climate change and this event dramatizes the need to take immediate, drastic reductions in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which trees absorb,” said Cimatu, who is also the chair of the cabinet cluster on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. The Center for Global Development has identified developing countries – which include the Philippines – as among those that account for about 63% of the world’s current annual carbon emissions. The US-based non-profit Arbor Day Foundation claimed
that a mature tree can absorb about 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange in one year. “It’s only fitting that we show our gratitude to the trees this Valentine’s Day,” Cimatu said in a statement. “Hug a tree in gratitude for the gift they give us – the very air we breathe.” Speaking on the forthcoming May election, Cimatu urged all candidates to “be conscious of the environment when posting and disposing campaign-related materials during this (campaign) period.” He urged them to “refrain from posting these materials on trees.” He reminded candidates that under Section 9 of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act of 2001, posting campaign materials “may only be allowed in common poster areas in public places such as plazas, markets, barangay centers, and the like.” The law is complemented by Section 21(B) of the Commission on Election (Comelec) Resolution No. 10730 dated November 17, 2021, which said, “in no instance shall an election officer designate as common poster areas any trees, plants, shrubs in any public grounds.”
According to Republic Act 3571 dated June 21, 1963, violators of the law will be penalized. This was emphasized and expanded through Presidential Decree No. 903 dated July 6, 1976. “Any person who cuts, destroys, damages, or injures, naturally growing or planted trees of any kind shall be punished with penalty ranging from six months to two years imprisonment and a fine up to P5,000,” said Section 3 of RA 3571. Let’s protect our forests – whatever is left of them. “We have lost most of our forest of old over the past 50 years and, along with them, many of the ecological services they provide,” deplores Peter Walpole, executive director of the Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC). In 1934, forests comprised more than half (54%) of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. In 2010, the forest cover had gone down to 23% or about 6.8 million hectares, according to a report compiled by the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO). Based on the 2010 satellite images released by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), open forests accounted for 68%
(4.595 million hectares) of the country’s total forest cover, 28% are closed forests while the rest are mangroves. Most of the remaining mangroves can be found in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Caraga Region has the highest total forest cover in Mindanao, with 683,112 hectares. Davao Region is closely trailed with 428,716 hectares. The rest of the regions: Northern Mindanao (377,858 hectares), ARMM (301,894 hectares), and Zamboanga Peninsula (176,918 hectares). “Where have all our forests gone?” asked Jethro P. Adang, director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC). “Why are we losing our trees at a very fast rate?” The ever-growing population can be partly blamed. “The most likely causes were the increase in population – up from more than 500,000 in 1521 to around seven million in 1900,” the ESSC publication surmised. Today, the Philippines is home to more than 100 million Filipinos. “This was accompanied by the spread of commercial crops (abaca, tobacco and sugarcane) and by growth of
pasture lands for cattle raising as the Philippines became part of the world economy,” the publication continued. But logging – both legal and illegal – is seen as the primary culprit. “An important source of deforestation has been the dramatic expansion of destructive logging,” wrote Robert Repetto in The Forest for the Trees? Government Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources. “Logging is more than an ecological problem,” the book, Saving the Earth, published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, surmised. “It is a social, political and economic dilemma as well. At the root of the malaise are stupendous profits and the ease with which they can be raked in.” Upland migration and agricultural expansion had also contributed to the fast disappearance of the country’s forest cover. “Some 80,000 to 120,000 families cleared an estimated 2.3 million hectares of forest land,” Repetto wrote. “The spread of shifting cultivation largely reflects population growth and the economy’s failure to provide employment alternatives for the country’s rural poor.” Now, please hug a tree!
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
MATRIARCH OF RALOTA-BENDIGO CLAN (2) Matea Gonzales Almendras Ralota Bendigo’s matriarchate over three generations has also led to the entry into politics of her grandchildren. Outside the Ralota-Cagas lineage that has current control of politics in Davao del Sur and Digos City, the Bendigos have also left indelible marks in Davao politics by way of their progenies. Amancio Bendigo Jr., fondly called Nonoy, was the firstborn of the Almendras-Bendigo common-law union. He sired Rhodora who would later marry Prospero Castillo Nograles, a human rights lawyer and bar top-notcher who became Davao City’s congressman and the first House speaker from Mindanao in the history of the national legislature. Nograles’ two sons, Karlo Alexi and Jericho Jonas, followed in his footsteps.
Karlo Alexei replaced his father as a first-district congressman, serving a cycle of three terms (2010-13; 201316; 2016-19). He resigned from Congress months before his final term ended in order to assume the position of Cabinet secretary and acting spokesman of the Duterte administration. On the other hand, Jericho Jonas, Nograles’ third child, joined Congress in 2016 via the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party-list. He was reelected in 2019. Matea’s political genes on her father’s side are well dispersed in Davao region. Elisea Durano married Paulo G. Almendras who became the parents of ex-Davao governor Alejandro D. Almendras, Sr., the first full-fledged Cabinet secretary and senator from the region. Meanwhile, Alejandro Sr.’s
sister, Cecilia D. Almendras dela Paz, became vice mayor of Monkayo, Davao de Oro in 1964; she succeeded the municipal chief executive (1966-67) after he figured in a fatal car mishap months before ending his first term. In 1986, under the Freedom Constitution, she was installed as officer-in-charge (viceigovernor) of Davao del Norte and later as OIC-governor (December 1987-February 1988). Two of Almendras’ sons by wife Caridad Cabahug also joined politics. Alexis was a former Davao City councilor; he first served in 1981 and was appointed OIC-councilor in April-May 1986. He got his first post-Marcos mandate in 1988 and his second in 2001. To manage his share of the family’s inheritance, he moved to Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, where he served
two terms as vice mayor (200710; 2010-13) and municipal mayor (2013-16; 2016-19). Two of Alexis’ children also joined politics. Alvin Rey became a two-term municipal councilor of Sta. Cruz, while Aileen became vice governor and briefly as acting governor of Davao del Sur. On the other hand, Alejandro Jr. initially served as a board member before winning a congressional term (1995-98) in Davao del Sur which his father and namesake once represented. (Arthur, an elder brother, was killed in an ambush on March 21, 2005, in Darong, Sta. Cruz.) There are other political names that are closely linked to Matea on the maternal side. Her aunt’s first-degree cousin, Vicente Gonzales Duterte, was first appointed mayor of Danao
town before migrating to Davao where he was elected governor of the undivided province. In 1967, he replaced Alejandro Sr. as secretary of the Department of General Services. Beatriz, daughter of Severo Gonzales Duterte, the brother of Vicente, had a child named Beatriz Calderon Durano, who married Celestino N. Sybico, Jr., who represented the 7th congressional district of Cebu (1969-72). His relative, Prospero Sybico Amatong, a migrant from Dipolog City, became mayor of the municipality of New Corella and became governor of Davao del Norte. In 1988, following the creation of Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro), Amatong was appointed the first governor. He took office for only a day and resigned to run for Congress to represent the new province.
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EDGEDAVAO
EDGEDAVAO EVENTS
ALPI executives led by President and CEO Ian Cruz, VP for Sales & Marketing with Pagadian Mayor Sammy Co and daughter Councilor Sam Co during the BBM-SARA Uniteam headquarters inauguration.
Aeon Luxe Properties President and CEO Ian Cruz with presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte during the BBM-SARA UNITEAM headquarters inauguration and blessing on January 27 2022 at Aeon Towers, Davao City.
AEON TOWERS
FLASHES RED AND GREEN By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO
Aeon Towers is proudly flashing the red and green colors of BBM-Sara Uniteam. The iconic Davao City skyscraper has just been
officially named host of the National Headquarters of the leading tandem as the 2022 elections roll out its campaign period. Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. welcomed former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his runningmate Davao City Mayor Sara
Duterte-Carpio in the opening of the National Headquarters of BBMSARA UNITEAM at Aeon Towers. The inauguration and blessing drew the big names in national politics and business led by former Mindanao Development Authority chair Jess Dureza, former Cong. Anton Lagdameo, ALPI President and CEO Ian Y. Cruz, VP for Sales and Marketing Mara
Mariano, VP Operations Engr. Daniel Manalo, Business Development Manager Jester Hospital and Security Manager Johnny Abadilla. “We thank the owner of Aeon Towers Mr. Ian Cruz for his kind gesture of allowing us to organize the headquarters here in this brand-new building. Thank you to all for coming here and joining us in this event,” Marcos said.
Representatives from various LGUs, UNITEAM Multisectoral Alliance Movement and Federal Movement for all Sugbuanons and some Dabawenyos came to the event at Aeon Towers to show they support to BBM and SARA. “I hope that this headquarters will be a symbol of coming up togetherness which is the message of Uniteam-PAGKAKAISA which
we want to show strength and we want to show that our country is strong. We hope that this headquarters will be a haven for all friends and supporters what BBM and SARA represent,” Mayor Sara Duterte said. BBM-SARA UNITEAM Headquarters is located at the Ground Floor, Aeon Towers Commercial Arcade, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City.
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24 inmates in Davao de Oro now TESDA NC II holders
A total of twenty-four (24) inmates or “Person’s Deprived of Liberty” (PDL) scholars are now certified National Certificate (NC-2) holders after passing the national competency exam given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for their respective courses. The scholars took the free course in Animal Production (poultry chicken) NC II under the Special Training for Employment Program
(STEP) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Montevista, Davao de Oro. Provincial TESDA Director Jasmin J. Neri congratulated the scholars for finishing the 32-day skills training and now equipped with livelihood skills they earned from TESDA. She also underscored that the primary aim of the training was to make the inmates more competitive, restore self-confidence, and become pro-
ductive citizens in their community once they begin a new chapter of their lives outside the four corners of the jail facility. Jail Bureau XI Regional Director, JCSUPT Isabelo V. Cartin, Jr. together with Montevista District Jail Warden, JSUPT Len John R. Bernal, and DNAS Montevista Head, Nobernia O. Magpatoc recently led the awarding of certificates during the graduation rites held inside the provincial jail facility. This intervention pro-
gram is a manifestation that living behind the bars is not an ending, but rather a beginning of a better future for those who didn’t give up in believing themselves. (Rheafe Hortizano -Provincial Information Office, Photos by TESDA-DdO)Concurred na kon giuyonan sa SP DdO sa pagpanguna nila ni Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora ug Papa Gov Senior BM Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang appointment ni Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy sa mga reappointed, newly appointed/promoted nga mga Provincial Government Department Heads sa PLGU Davao de Oro nga maoy resulta sa “Newly Concluded Total Reorganization of the Provincial Government”. Ang Concurrence sa ilang appointments nahitabo kagahapong adlawa(Pebrero 14,2022) atol sa 136th Regular Session nga gipanguluhan mismo ni Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora diha sa SP Session Hall sa kapitolyo.
Sa mga reappointed concurred ang mga appointments nila PA Virgila S Allones, PHRMDO Head Lara Zaphire Kristy N Bermejo, PGSO Head Arceli Timogtimog, PBO Head Eva Jean Licayan, PASSO Head Engr.Abenir Labja, PLO Head Atty. Neil John Villarico, PHO Head Dr.Antonio Ybiernas Jr., PSWDO Head Josephine Frasco, PVO Head Dr. Rolando Simene, PEO Head Engr. Rhoderick Digamon, PDRRMO Head Joseph Randy Loy, ug PEEMO
Head Dr.John Edward Coloma. Concurred sad ang appointments sa mga Newly Appointed PG Department Heads nga sila PPDO Head Raymundo Pajarito, PACCO Head Ariel Mandawe, PAGRO Head Jaime Anter, PICTO Head Joyzel Odi, PIAO Head Placido Alcomendras Jr., ug PLGU PENRO Marilyn Perlas. (Gilbert Magadan Cabahug PAO-IPRD DdO, Photos from Sangguniang Panlalawigan Davao de Oro)
Industry leader is new head of policy and regulatory affairs at IBPAP The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) has welcomed long-time ally and industry trailblazer Celeste Ilagan as its Chief Policy & Regulatory Affairs Officer. The appointment comes as the organization ramps up its efforts in collaborative policy formation and fortifying regulatory relations. Before taking on the role, Ms. Ilagan was a member of IBPAP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and Legislative Committee (LegCom). She had oversight of all government-related initiatives and was mainly responsible for championing the IT-BPM industry during key discussions with policymakers and regulatory officers.
“Celeste is a critical addition to the IBPAP team and will be strategic in enabling the industry’s sustained and uninterrupted growth,” said Jack Madrid, IBPAP President and CEO. “2022 will be a pivotal year for the Philippines and the IT-BPM sector as we will be publishing Roadmap 2028. I am excited to work with her to build an even stronger partnership with the government on policy and regulatory matters.” Her experience on the legislative and government front extends from her time with the Board of Investments (BOI) where she was in charge of developing the agency’s country promotion agenda and implementing its programs and activities.
It was during her stint at BOI that the development and promotion of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector began in the Philippines. As part of the core investments promotion team, Ms. Ilagan helped many companies locate to the country. Prior to joining IBPAP, Ms. Ilagan was the SVP for Internal Communications and External Affairs at Straive (formerly SPi Global), the world leader in content technology, solutions, and services. She was also the Director of the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc. (PAMURI), which promotes the country as a foreign investment hub and an ideal location for establishing
the Regional Headquarters (RHQs) and Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQs) or multinational companies (MNCs). “IBPAP has been an integral feature of my professional career and personal advocacy through the years. The role of Chief Policy & Regulatory Officer is a unique opportunity to further contribute to nation-building and elevating the Philippine IT-BPM industry on the global stage,” shared Ms. Ilagan. “I look forward to working with Jack and the IBPAP team in this new role as we jointly strive towards reinforcing the Philippine value proposition through sound legislation, skilled talent, and a conducive business environment.”
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infrastructure kailangan natin connectivity within Mindanao with other areas in the Philippines and BIMP-EAGA,” said MinDA Secretary Mabel Sunga-Acosta in a virtual presser on Thursday. Undersecretary Romeo M. Montenegro, executive director of the coordinating agency of MinDA, said based on the monitoring done by MinDA’s project development team together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Davao City side for the SIDC project has been progressing in terms of the notice of taking issuances. “The Samal side ang wala pa because this will have to be anchored on the finalization of the loan agreement between the Department of Finance (DOF) and Chinese counterpart. Once that agreement is firmed up and signed that will already set into motion among other specific activities will be undertaken for the start of the project,” Montenegro said. Montenegro didn’t give details on the constraints of the loan negotiation between the DOF and the Chinese counterpart. “We don’t have specific details kung saan siya nagkaroon ng constraints sa loan as this is entirely up to the DOF. We have yet to get the latest on this but this is all up to the DOF to specifically iron
out,” he said. There are three major projects in Mindanao that had been included for China funding namely the MRP-Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) Phase 1 segment; the SIDC bridge project and the other one which is now being started particularly utilizing the GAA funding component the Rio Grande De Mindanao Siltation Control. “For the Mindanao Railway while this is also being eyed for China funding meron naman itong government counterpart under General Appropriations Act (GAA). As announced by the Department of Transportation, ang pag uumpisa sa MRP particularly TDD segment is going to be started,” he said. On the part of the SIDC connector project, it will still be awaiting progress and finalization on firming up with the China loan agreement by the DOF. “As stressed by the DOF, NEDA and DPWH these are among those priority ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects in Mindanao which the current administration is hoping to pursue in terms of finalizing specific details. We still have between now until June 30, 2022,” he said. He said even if there is a new government or administration after June 30, 2022 these projects are already cited as priorities especially here in Mindanao.
aCommunityPeaceSymposium. Theyouthgroupleaderbaredthatduringtheir forum,theyinvitedformerrebelstosharetheir experiencesandgivetips onhowtoavertthepersuasionofthecommunist group. Meanwhile,Largado alsoencouragedthegraduatesoftheirYouthLead-
ershipSummit(YLS)and YouthPeaceCamps(YPC) tocontinuetovolunteer and participate in their VolunteerCensusthrough fillingoutanonlineform. He also said that as ofnow,theyareconducting community needs assessmentforpossible FROM 5 outreachandlivelihood programssoon.(PIAXI/ APBC said the pros- the Philippines investMichael Uy) pects in the mining in- ment campaign, the coun-
Amelodin Ganion, barangay officials, teachers, and PTA officials. Dr. Feby U. Castro, the teacher in-charge of CMES, the 400 affected families. Financial assistance of P10,000 was given to each family of those who died in the Cholera outbreak. The Senator also gave food packs, jerrycans, face masks and vitamins to the residents of the barangay. Raffle prizes consisting of bicyclyes computer tab-
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Health Development reported 188 new cases of Covid-19 in the region bringing the total number of active cases to 5,672. Of these 188 new cases, 94 were from Davao City; 33 were from Davao de Oro; 37 were from Davao del Norte; three were from Davao del Sur; 12 were from Davao Occidental; and nine were from Davao Oriental.
There were also 257 new recoveries reported wherein 147 were from Davao City; 29 from Davao de Oro; one from Davao del Norte; five from Davao del Sur; and 29 from Davao Oriental. There were three death cases reported of which two were from Davao and one from Davao Oriental. By Maya M. Padillo
to buy oil when prices are low, stock it, and use it for domestic consumption when prices are rising. This could be a solution to the present oil price woes, in which prices have been increasing for seven straight weeks now. In a statement last week, senatorial bet and former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro
called on the DOE and the PNOC to fast-track the national oil stockpiling program and be more proactive on energy issues. Moreover, Romero said the DOE has proposed to Congress to give authority to the agency to put up the SPR, “whether commercial or strategic”, to address impacts of oil supply and price disruptions.(PNA)
looking for new locations for data center hubs here in Southeast Asia or the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region,” she said. This, as Singapore imposed a moratorium for new data centers in 2019 with its sector consuming a “lot of land and power”. Early this year, its Ministry of Trade and Industry announced the lifting of the moratorium, but it will be “more selective” in accommodating new investments. Singapore has 70 operational data centers with a total capacity of 1,000 MW as of last year. “This has pushed the interest to other countries in Southeast Asia that can absorb that demand such as Malaysia, Thailand, and now the Philippines,” Gonzalez said. “So for all these reasons, Santos Knight Frank
sees enormous potential in the country as a competitive, desirable data center location for international and regional investments.” According to SKF data, the current capacity of data centers in the Philippines is at 94 MW, with some operators having a combined capacity of 125 MW interested to put up their facilities in the country. Gonzalez said SKF’s outlook for the data center sector in the Philippines is that it will double its capacity in the medium term. “However, power supply remains a challenge for the country and could be a “speed bump” for the industry, but (the) government’s support to renewable energy shall address this issue,” Gonzalez added. (PNA)
thanked the donors and Mendoza for letting every Cotabateño benefit from her “Serbisyong Totoo” program.
dustry remain largely untapped, noting that the country has an estimated USD1.3 trillion worth of mineral resources. The copper industry is one of the five key sectors under the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Make It Happen in
try having the fourth largest copper reserves in the world. The DTI aims to attract foreign companies to invest in integrated facilities—from extraction to manufacturing of high-value copper products. (PNA)
lets and shoes were given during the distribution held on February 14. The Provincial Health Office recorded 590 cases of cholera with 7 deaths (as of Feb. 15). The source of the outbreak was pointed to a contaminated water source in the affected community. (PIA/ RG Alama)
The updated NSFI provides the framework for a broad-based growth and financial resilience through greater coordination between the public and private sectors to have increased financially-included and empowered Filipinos. Diokno said the latest NSFI “focuses on readucing disparities in financial inclusion; improving
health and resilience; empowering consumers; and increasing access to finance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including startups, and the agriculture sector.” “This is why the NSFI emphasizes the importance of developing market-enabling and innovation infrastructure,” he added. (PNA)
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Pyeongchang debut four years ago, the Philippine Sports Commission-backed Miller and his coach remained proud of representing the Philippines in winter sports’ grandest stage. “I’m really proud of Asa for the composure he showed this week,” Gregorak said. “The difficult hills, the difficult conditions and all the work and focus he put on to it—that’s all about being an athlete.” “You cannot guarantee the result but Asa proved to be a formidable Olympian,” he added.
Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation President Jim Apelar said he also remained proud of Miller for keeping the Philippines—a tropical nation—on the Winter Olympics map. “It’s disappointing, but that’s part of the game and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Apelar said. “We are here for a couple of things: competition and representation. So we can see positive things. We were able to raise positive things by raising our flag in the Olympics.” (PR)
bounds — has already missed 21 games this season, including 17 due to a knee injury. Russell Westbrook had 17 points and seven rebounds while Malik Monk added 13 points. Donovan Mitchell led Utah with 37 points, including five 3-pointers.
Utah trailed 33-29 3 1/2 minutes in the second quarter before taking the lead with 10 straight points over a two-minute span. The Jazz’s largest lead was 14 points with three minutes remaining in the third quarter before the Lakers rallied.
two in a row. The NBA’s leader in fourth-quarter scoring, DeRozan had 12 points in the final period to help Chicago come away with the win. DeRozan hit the 30-point mark when he nailed a 15-footer off a crossover to make it 10798 with 7:10 left. And he
made several big shots down the stretch. DeRozan hit a 3 with about 5:15 left after Sacramento pulled within two. He also converted a three-point play to bump the lead to 115-109 with 3:51 remaining, and the Bulls remained in control the rest of the way.
during the 2018 Women’s Martial Arts Festival and won 2 silver and 3 bronze medals during the virtual competition last
year. Coach Arias also led his team to back-to-back championships during the 2017 and 2018 Palarong Bicol.
helped them during this crisis, so I don’t see them under threat at the moment,” Diokno said. The BSP has said that the Philippine banking system is sound and stable, with the non-performing loan ration even declining to 4.3 percent in November 2021 from 4.4 percent in the preceding month. Diokno added that the country’s debt to GDP ratio remains manageable. “It is long term and most of it is based on fixed terms, so we don’t see any problem with the Philippines,” Diokno said. World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart meanwhile warned that the data points regulators are looking at may not have captured the true financial standing of lenders, or even borrowers. Reinhart said this was because of concessions made during the pandemic allowing for more debt restructuring and leniency in debt repayment. “Let me say this, hav-
ing studied financial crises for decades, it is often what we don’t see that really triggers a crisis,” she said. Reinhart noted that in the Global Financial Crisis, Greek debts were much bigger than initially thought. In the Asian Financial Crisis of 97, Thailand’s central bank was assumed to have much higher level reserves than was the case. “Now the concern we put forth is be very careful, take stock quickly, do stress testing, get a handle on non-performing loans because I think the forebearance policies that have been so helpful in providing support to households and firms during the pandemic, have had unintended consequences of making much more opaque the balance sheet of banks, and that could be a very negative surprise.” Philippine economic managers are projecting growth of between 7 to 9 percent this year.
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Lakers star LeBron James drives strong to the basket against the Utah Jazz. PHOTO: AP
Lakers lose Davis but beat Jazz behind LeBron-led comeback
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OS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers overcame an injury to Anthony Davis and rallied from a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 106-101 on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time). Los Angeles trailed 92-80 midway through the fourth quarter before
it went on a 19-4 run to snap a three-game losing streak. James had the last
10 points during the rally, including a thunderous dunk off an assist by Russell Westbrook to put the Lakers on top 96-94 with 2:08 remaining. Mike Conley tied it on a pair of free throws before James put Los Angeles in the lead for good on a 3-pointer with 1:24 left and snap Utah’s six-game winning streak. James has scored 25 points or more in a ca-
reer-best 23 straight games. Davis went down with 3 minutes to go in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. The Lakers said X-rays were negative and that he would receive treatment over the All-Star break. The Lakers’ next game isn’t until Feb. 25 against the LA Clippers. Davis went up to catch a lob pass and came down
on Rudy Gobert’s heel with 3 minutes remaining in the first half. Davis was unable to put any weight on his right foot and had to be helped off the court by teammates DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard into the locker room. Davis’ injury woes Davis — averaging 23.3 points and 9.1 rebounds — missed 17 games this season due to a knee injury. He was av-
eraging 23.2 points and 10.1 rebounds in the nine games since his return. He was off to another strong start against the Jazz with 17 points in 17 minutes before his injury. Davis had 17 points in 17 minutes when he was injured. He was down on the court for several minutes before being helped off. Davis — averaging 23.3 points and 9.1 re-
servative community in Tabaco City, where wrestling is often perceived as a male sport. It encourages schoolgirls to learn the sport, build physical and mental strength, and allow them to break the mold in sports development. PSC Commissioner Celia H. Kiram, who oversees the Women in Sports program, values the support of grassroots communities in helping the agency in its vision of promoting sports excellence nationwide and discover
new talents that would soon wear the Philippine tricolors. Arias is currently a DepEd Teacher II in Tabaco City and is consistently recognized for his significant contributions to school-oriented initiatives. He was cited as one of the Top 5 Outstanding Teachers in the City in 2017. As a coach, Arias led his martial arts team comprised of young girls with 17 medals (4 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze)
FLAKERS, P10
PSC’s Rise Up Shape Up DeRozan breaks Wilt’s record as Bulls down Kings features wrestling on Feb. 19
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HICAGO — DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points and broke an NBA record set by Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 125-118 on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time). DeRozan, who made 16 of 27 field goals, became the first player in NBA history to score 35 or more points and shoot 50% or better in seven consecutive games. Chamberlain did it in six
straight twice — during the 1960-61 and 1962-63 seasons. It was also DeRozan’s eighth game in a row with 30 or more points. It’s the longest such streak by a Bulls player since Michael Jordan did it in eight straight in January 1996. Coby White set a season high with 31 points and matched one with six 3-pointers. Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Bulls won their fifth straight. They also moved a
half-game ahead of Miami for the Eastern Conference lead even though Zach LaVine missed his third in a row because of soreness in his left knee. De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 33 points and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis added 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in his fourth game since a trade from Indiana. Harrison Barnes scored 17, but the Kings dropped their second straight after winning
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restling will take the spotlight in the upcoming webisode of the Philippine Sports Commission’s Rise Up Shape Up on Saturday. This weekly web series will feature Jonathan Arias on February 19, and his sports program called, “Teach Me Wrestling” which won the “Proyektong Isport Pangkababaihan” award at the 2021 PSC Gintong Gawad. Arias founded the program to challenge the status quo in a rural con-
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Asa Miller crashed out again in the men’s slalom race of Alpine skiing with a DNF in the ongoing Winter Olympic Games in Yanqing, China on Wednesday (Feb. 16, 2022).
CRUEL ICE
Miller crashes out again in Winter Olympics
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ANQING, China – Asa Miller just couldn’t solve The Ice River and for the second straight time and in his second consecutive Winter Olympics, he got a DNF (Did not Finish) in the first run of men’s slalom of Alpine skiing on Wednesday when the weather was better than the first time he was DNF in giant slalom three days ago. Teary eyed, Miller walked to the side heads bowed of the track that was cruel on 34 skiers—the 21-year-old Filipino-American included—who failed to complete out of the 89 starters. “I have a fault also,” said Miller, who was accompanied by American coach Will Gregorak at the Athletes’ Area before deciding to go by his lonesome to the wax cabin below the finish area. Austrian Johannes Strolz topped the first run by a slim margin over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen and Sebastian Foss-Solevaag. Strolz, 29, and already a winner of the Alpine combined last week in is first Olympics, clocked 53.92 seconds. Kristoffersenwas .02 seconds behind and FossSolevaag by .06. The Austrian described the snow as “a little uneven between being aggressive and icy in some spots,” but it was different for the two-time Olympian Miller who skied for 36 seconds before crashing out—more than twice the time he spent on the ice in the giant slalom at 15.90 seconds. “With this type of snow, the skis were not responding
very well for him so it’s very difficult to get his feeling on the skis and that’s how it goes sometimes,” Gregorak said. “You hoped that it wouldn’t happen in the Olympics, but that’s ski racing and that’s the nature of the sport, and that’s slalom racing.” Miller was flagged off at No. 65. In the end, 52 completed the race while one was disqualified. Another one didn’t start. “Skiing is one of those things where you have to think about it as a season long thing,” Gregorak said. “Nobody on any given day can guarantee what will happen to skiers or what they do over a season because there’s so much variability, where the Olympics is really the star of all races and that’s something we care about a lot. But it’s still ski racing, you cannot put too much in one race.” Six different skiers won the six World Cup slaloms this season with Strolz hoping to break the norm. He won the third World Cup leg in Adelbodden, Switzerland, last January 29. Despite failing to match his 72nd-place finish in his
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