Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 285 | Tuesday, February 22, 2022 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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A vendor prepares pork choice cuts for customers at her meat stall inside Agdao Public Market in Davao City. The price of pork meat has increased by P30 in the past two weeks due to supply shortage caused by the lingering effects of African swine fever (ASF). Edge Davao

PULONG WING BAROG 2.0 pledges support to BBM-Sara tandem

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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PULONG WING A

Mayor Allan Rellon solemnizes the mass wedding ceremony of 50 Tagumenyo couples in a Kasalang Bayan at the Tagumpay Theatre inside the City Historical and Cultural Center on Monday. CIO Tagum City

Law enforcement support ops lead to neutralization of CTG leaders

BAROG 2.0 pledges support to BBM-Sara tandem By MAYA M. PADILLO

embers and stakeholders of Batan-on Alang kang Rody Gihapon (BAROG) 2.0 multi- sectoral group pledged support for the BBM-Sara tandem of Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr and Vice Presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the May 9 elections.

Alex Into, spokesperson of BAROG 2.0, said in an interview the group aims for the victory of the BBM-Sara tandem, which for them can continue the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte. “Ang tumong ani is mapadayon ang nabuhat ni

President Rody Duterte ug sa tan aw namo sa tanan nga nanagan karon, ang tandem lang ni BBM-Sara ang naay kapasidad na magpadayon sa programs ni Pres. Duterte. For six years nga naglingkod si Pres. Duterte, makasulti gyud ta na we are on the right track actually

ang gusto gani sa mga tao nga pa serbisyuhon siya pag usab pero bawal man sa atong constitution, mao nag eye mi kung kinsa nga tandem ang magpadayon sa iyahang programa,” he said. BAROG 2.0, which is backed by Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, strengthened its presence by conducting a summit with a theme “Panag-uban sa Pamulitikang Pangkatawhan” on February 20, 2022 at the Blue Lotus Hotel in Davao City. “After ani nga miting,

parallel man mi, sa amoa lang kung unsa lang makaya sa among parallel, dili gyud kami ang political machinery na maoy muplastada sa election, we are just volunteers. Kung willing sila mag volunteer, maghisgot mi kung unsa ang matabang namo para sa kadaugan ni BBM-Sara tandem,” Into said. BAROG 2.0 multi-sectoral group is composed of various sectors representing the youth, IPs, transportation sector, LGBT, riders, business sector, sports sector , and women sectors.

class from St. Scholastica’s College or the UP-PGH (University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital). Nor does it matter which awards she won. A medical license and an exemplary academic record do not grant anyone immunity from the law,” Gonzales said in a statement. RTF6-ELCAC likewise assured the Department of Health and all health care workers, especially doctors, that their contributions are highly appreciated but law enforcers must also perform their jobs. “Let the law enforcement agencies do their jobs and be reminded to never ever think that medical doctors

are immune from criminal prosecutions. Trust the legal and judicial processes,” the statement read. “Like you in the medical profession, we must also recognize the contributions of the other sectors in government, especially those who opted to work with the poorest of the poor and those who work to make our communities safe and secure from criminals and terrorists.” Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson for sectoral concerns, said Castro (alias Ka Yammy/ Ka Ami/Dok) is not a simple member of a terrorist organization.

“She is a Central Committee member of the CPPNPA-NDF (New People’s Army-National Democratic Front). She is also secretary general of a terrorist front, Karapatan-Caraga that lawyers for NPA (rebels),” Badoy said in another statement. Badoy said Castro “is in the inner sanctum of this terrorist organization and is one of the chief architects of some of the most atrocious crimes committed on the most helpless among us: human trafficking, recruitment, radicalization, kidnapping, murder, homicide, terrorist financing, sexual abuse, child abuse, slavery, etc. She is among the most guilty”.

Law will decide on doc’s fate, not academic records: RTF-ELCAC

nstead of condemning the arrest of a doctor, who has been identified as a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) official, the more important issue is how even innocent civilians are being victimized by communist terrorist groups, the Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6ELCAC) said Sunday. Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, RTF 6-ELCAC spokesperson, said Dr. Maria Natividad Castro was nabbed in San Juan City on Friday morning on the basis of a legitimate and judicially issued court warrant. “It makes no difference if she graduated top of her

series of law enforcement support operations conducted by the combined military and police forces have led to multiple neutralization of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders and members on February 17-18, 2022, leaving the CTG with dwindling manpower. A top communist terrorist leader identified as Dr. Maria Natividad Marian Castro alias Dok Nati, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee member and head of its National Health Bureau was arrested by combined forces of the 4th Infantry Division’s 401st Brigade, intel units, Joint Task Force (JTF) NCR, Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13), and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) on February 18 at her residence at San Juan City, Metro Manila. The said personality is wanted for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued at RTC Branch 7, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on January 30, 2020. LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), lauded the combined efforts of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for the successful arrest of Castro. “This is an ultimate example of the strong synergy among our security forces. Castro must face the charges filed against her before the court to give justice to the victims of her atrocities,” the EastMinCom Commander said. On the other hand, combined troops of the 402nd Infantry Brigade’s (Bde) intel units and Provincial Intel Unit of Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office figured in an armed encounter with the Communist Terror-

ist Group on February 18, which resulted in the death of a CTG leader and his wife, and the recovery of a Caliber .45 pistol with ammunitions, a hand grenade and personal belongings. The 5-minute skirmish came after the troops acted upon a report of the concern citizens on the presence of armed individuals in Brgy. Odiongan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, which prompted them to conduct intelligence operations. The two neutralized individuals were identified as Jelan Pinakilid alias Baking/ Matrix, and Darling Pinakilid alias Yandy/Ate. Prior to this, a CTG leader identified as Renerio Dablo alias Edoy was also killed by the troops of 402nd Bde’s 58th Infantry Battalion (IB) while two high-powered firearms were seized following a clash at the hinterlands of Sitio Minlanag, Brgy Lawaan, Gingoog City on February 17. The recovered firearms were composed of two M16 rifles with magazines and ammunitions, subversive documents and personal belongings. On the same day, the successful focus military operations launched by the troops of the 1001Bde’s 60IB and intel units also led to the surrender of two CTG members. They were identified as alias Randy and alias Arman, who brought along their high-powered firearms composed of an M16A1 rifle and a Bushmaster M16 rifle. The surrenderees divulged that they decided to return to the folds of the law due to hunger, fear, and stress caused by the series of encounter in their area. They also said that they were convinced to surrender due to reports of their former mass supporters on the military’s developmental efforts in their community and their good treatment with other former rebels.

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

Military vehicles from Army’s 4th Infantry Division help carry relief goods and construction materials from Surigao City to Siargao Island on Friday (18 February 2022). MindaNews photo by ROEL CATOTO

Electric cooperatives are being targeted: PHILRECA By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) formerly the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco) has found an ally with the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA) Inc, which opposed the granting of the franchise to the private power firms. This is about the granting of the congressional franchise to the Aboitizowned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), which will expand its operation to six towns and two cities in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro provinces under Nordeco. Last January 24, 2022, Congress approved House Bill 10554 before the 18th Congress would remove the municipalities of New Corella, Asuncion, Talaingod, Kapalong, and San Isidro, the cities of Tagum and Samal in Davao del Norte, and the municipality of Maco in Davao de Oro from the franchise coverage area of Nordeco. PHILRECA Executive Director Atty. Janeene Depay-Colingan said in a virtual presser dubbed “Continuing Challenges and Threats Against Electric Cooperatives and other Pressing Concerns in the Energy Sector” that the franchise

of some ECs is now being threatened as several power corporations that include MORE Electric and Power Corporation, Bicol Light and Power Corporation, Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) filed their applications for franchise or expansion of the franchise in the ECs’ areas. Colingan said electric cooperatives (ECs) are being targeted because of the issuance of Executive Order 156 series of 2021 or “Instituting Measures to Ensure Consistent and Reliable Electricity Service in Inadequately Served Areas, Improve Performance of Ineffective Distribution Utilities, and Achieve Total Electrification of the Country”, where the power to take over ailing or underperforming electric cooperatives was transferred from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to the Office of the President.

“We want to protect the future of electric cooperatives because our history has shown that our ECs have been instrumental to economic development. We want to make sure that the member-consumer-owners will be protected from incompetent heads of some government regulatory agencies,” she said. Colingan added that electricity consumers are in the middle of many issues surrounding the power sector from the direct impact of fuel price hikes to the losses of the government. “Access to electricity is considered as a universal commodity and a basic necessity in life. It is an important tool that contributes to the development of a community to national development. At the onset of the rural electrification program, NEA has provided legal, technical, institutional, and financial assistance to the Electric Cooperatives which in turn undertake power distribution on an area coverage basis. ECs have been organized as private, non-stock, non-profit, non-political entities owned and operated by the consumers they serve,” she said.

DOH 11 tells businesses to closely monitor public health standards

he regional office of the Department of Health (DOH-Davao Region) reminded bars and establishments in Davao Region to closely monitor the implementation of the minimum public health standards this after a video of people queueing and partying inside a bar in Ilustre Street, Davao City violating wearing of face mask and social distancing protocols has gone viral over the weekend. The viral video happened days after the city government lifted the modified liquor ban. “We need to closely coordinate and what we did we informed immediately our counterpart kung may na report na ganon na activities that there are areas that are not compliant to the minimum public health standards so we can inform our partners for timely and appropriate actions,” said Dr. Gerna Manatad, assistant regional director of DOH-Davao Region in a virtual presser on Monday. Manatad reiterated

that there is a need to closely coordinate and inform DOH-Davao Region’s counterparts of the areas and establishments that are not compliant with the minimum public health standards (MPHS). She said data and information sharing are important for DOH-Davao Region to come up with appropriate actions like contact tracing and matching data with the on-ground situation. “Yung action at pagimplement natin in terms of compliance sa minimum health standards and other containment could also depend on sa classification or alert level ng ating areas. So Davao City is on Aert Level 2, based also on the policy of the LGU it has lifted the liquor ban. What is our action here is we need to continuously monitor and inform the LGUs and even the community if there are establishments who are not consistently implementing the minimum health standards,” she said. The Inter-Agency Task

Force (IATF) has placed Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental in Davao Region under Alert Level 2 from February 16 to 28, 2022. Meanwhile, Manatad reported that there is a decreasing trend in the region’s positivity rate. She said the region’s average positivity rate in the first week of February was at 36. 2 percent and dropped in the second week at 20 percent and on the third week, it continued to drop significantly to 11.6 percent. “Zero positivity rate would be the ideal situation that means no one is being infected already but now our goal is to get it back to below 5 percent. With the decreasing positivity rate, we all need to keep our guard up, vaccination coverage up, if you want to keep the transmission levels low to our normal activities and to have also our normal way of life,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the decreasing trend of the Covid-19 positivity rate:

Zero positivity rate would be the ideal situation that means no one is being infected already but now our goal is to get it back to below 5 percent. With the decreasing positivity rate, we all need to keep our guard up, vaccination coverage up, if you want to keep the transmission levels low to our normal activities and to have also our normal way of life.”

Dr. Gerna Manatad

DOH 11 Assistant Regional Director

EDITORIAL Liberating It must have been a liberating feeling for both consumers and businesses that the long alcohol ban has finally been lifted

The COVID‑19 pandemic and its associated government measures to limit mobility impacted businesses engaged in alcohol consumption. While the path to recovery remains long and difficult, the lifting of the ban provides a welcome transition hopefully to a journey towards normalcy.

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the government moved to impose the ban along with curfew as it deems harmful alcohol consumption is a risk factor. The ban is related to the fact that not only alcohol consumption damages health, causes diseases and injuries, weakens response to COVID‑19, and leads to significant economic and societal costs, it also makes way for gatherings.

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Davao Region’s average positivity rate in the first week of February was at 36. 2 percent and dropped in the second week at 20 percent and on the third week, it continued to drop significantly to 11.6 percent. Amidst the euphoria of the liberating feeling from the cudgels of the liquor ban, it is still important that the government closely monitors the implementation and compliance to the minimum health standards.

Consider this, there is always a price to pay for freedom. With the end to the liquor ban comes the responsibility to keep everyone’s commitment to safety. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

The lifting comes at the heels of improved Covid-19 status.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH “Truth is always strong, no matter how weak it looks, and falsehood is always weak, no matter how strong it looks.” – Phillips Brooks ***

In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde commented, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” To which Alexander Solzhenitsyn contends, “We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable.” “Truth is tough,” pointed out Oliver Wendell Holmes in The Professor at the Breakfast Table. “It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch, nay, you may kick it all about all day like a football, and it will be round and full in the evening.” In his book, Reminiscences, General Douglas MacArthur – known in the Philippines for his famous quote, “I shall return!” – recalled a classroom experience he had as a West Point cadet. His class was studying the time-space relationship, which the great genius Albert Einstein later called his “Theory of Relativity.” The text was very complicated and Cadet MacArthur could

not figure out what it was all about. So, he just memorized the pages concerned. When he was called upon to recite, he dutifully reeled off almost word for word what the book said. The instructor looked at him in a puzzled sort of way and inquired, “Do you understand his theory?” It was a bad moment for the young cadet, but he stood up straight and answered bravely, “No, sir.” Hearing his answer, everyone in the class seemed to stop breathing. You could have heard a pin drop. The young MacArthur braced himself and waited. Then, the instructor said very slowly, “Neither do I, Cadet MacArthur. The class is dismissed.” “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander,” wrote American president Abraham in a letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. To which one sage added, “Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.” There is also truth to this statement by Arthur Schopenhauer: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” “So, what was it then exactly

this truth-telling?” asked Graham Swift in Mothering Sunday. “It was about being true to the very stuff of life, it was about trying to capture, though you never could, the very feel of being alive. It was about finding a language. And it was about being true to the fact, the one thing only followed from the other, that many things in life – of so many more than we think – can never be explained at all.” “Truth exists,” someone once said, “only falsehood has to be invented.” After all, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened,” dismissed Sir Winston Churchill. And Filipinos should listen to the words of Edith Sitwell: “The public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth.” According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.” “Telling the truth isn’t always easy; that’s one of the reasons people lie – it’s easier at that moment than telling the truth,” wrote Bill Vossler in his article, “12 Reasons to Tell the Truth.” I am sure you have not heard of it and so allow me to share some passages from Vossler’s article:

1. Truth is always right. “Lying is wrong,” he said. “It’s that simple. Every culture and religious system recognizes and teaches this moral truth.” 2. Lies will come back to haunt you. “You can’t hide from your lies; you can sweep them under the rug for a while, but in an hour, a day, a month or a year, they will wiggle back out on the floor into daylight for everyone to see.” 3. Lies weigh you down. If you lie to someone, you feel bad. You wonder what he knows and whether he’ll confront you or not. “In a way, you become a fugitive, running from the lie you told.” 4. Lies prevent you from developing as a person. “You might easily spend time, energy and worry on lies instead of concentrating on friendship, learning, joy and having fun.” 5. Truth enhances your reputation. “If you work hard at telling the truth, other people will notice. They will also respect you for it, because they know how difficult telling the truth can sometimes be.” 6. Truth will make true friends for you. “Friendship is built in shared interests caring for each other, and honesty, or telling the truth, among other

things.” 7. In truth, you will feel better about yourself. “Truth is a gentle, healing sponge that keeps your conscience clean and spotless, and you happy.” 8. Truth makes you a better person. “If you choose to tell lies, then you will probably begin to choose other wrong directions in life.” 9. One truth-telling makes the next one easier. “Telling the truth requires practice. Each truth-telling strengthens you for doing the right and truthful thing the next time.” 10. Your truth makes it easier for others to tell the truth. “Your being truthful makes it easier for others to be truthful with you, and it is through knowing these truths that you can make changes to accomplish many of the things you want to accomplish in life.” 11. You’ll be different. “Truth-tellers are few and far between.” 12. You have to live with yourself. “Because of being human, everyone falls short of always telling the truth. But if you try hard, and are gentle and kind and caring when telling the truth, you’ll gain friends, fame, and riches in your personal life that you can’t now imagine.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

RAID AT SKYLINE SUBDIVISION Forty years ago, military operatives led by Maj. Nelson Estares of the Philippine Constabulary cornered and killed Mindanao’s No. 1 communist party leader in an evening raid that coincided with the tenth anniversary of the declaration of martial rule. Jopson, a 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee and former chairman of the Community Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Mindanao, was an alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University. While pursuing a degree in Management Engineering, he joined the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and became its president. He went underground in 1972 after President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial rule. Jopson was later captured on June 13, 1979, at his Las

Piñas City residence. At Camp Crame, where he was detained, he was subjected to physical and psychological torture. Reuben Canoy, a deputy minister of information and Batasan Pambansa assemblyman during the Marcos regime, detailed the arrest of Jopson in ‘The Counterfeit Revolution’ (1980): “Edgar Jopson was arrested with 15 others by 20 officers and men of the 5th Constabulary Security Unit, or CSU. Forcing their way into Jopson’s house, they ordered everyone to lie on the floor, face down. The arresting officers carried no ASSO [arrest, search and seizure order]. Everyone was manhandled, including Edgar’s 4-year-old-son. The arresting unit ransacked the whole house, confiscating money, mattresses, household appliances, personal clothing. At CSU headquarters,

Jopson received fist blows on his chest, while another interrogator kept pressing a ballpen on Jopson’s thigh, arm, and chest. This type of interrogation went on for days, with beatings, stripping, strangulation and electric shock.” Jopson bargained with his captors, at times bribing them. Later, he gained the trust of his sentries. While being moved to a safe house close to his home, he escaped from his guards, aided in part by his familiarity of the place. He fled to Samal where he linked up with the cadres. Years later, news of Jopson’s location reached the intelligence community. On September 21, 1982, the tenth martial law anniversary, Maj. Estares and his men received news that Jopson had a meeting in a Catalunan Grande dwelling that doubled as a safe house. Accompanied

by his aide, Jopson also visited a doctor in another village that evening. It was 9:00 p.m. when the dragnet was cast after the undercover agents spotted Jopson and his aide returning to the bungalow. Maj. Estares wanted Jopson alive. To do this, he ordered some of his men to enter the bungalow via the front door while the rest took up a position at the back to ensure the targets could not escape. Tactlessly, as the first team started to move in, a soldier got stuck on the fence, his gun creating a noise alerting Jopson who, upon looking out of the window, saw men with white headbands carrying weapons and scaling the fence. The discovery alerted the cadres inside who scampered to safety. The bodyguard scaled the fence and jumped out of a tight fix and fled but Jopson hesitat-

ed to leap from the ledge of the wall, thereby giving the soldiers a clear shot of their prey. He sustained three fatal gunshots. Captured inside the house were Fr. Orlando Tizon, ex-parish priest of Calbayog City; Laura Cortez; Beatrice de Vera, wife of NPA commander Benjamin de Vera; and Nathaniel Arnejo. The death of Jopson left a void in the movement that resulted in a power play between NPA commander Benjamin de Vera and Rolando Kintanar, then the No. 2 CPP man in Mindanao. To add hype to Jopson’s slay, the military came out with a statement saying that months ago they uncovered a subversive plan to blow up public utility installations in the city and other urban centers in Mindanao that day when the Mindanao CPP chairman was killed.

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro, executive director of the coordinating agency of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) says Philippines Airlines (PAL) remains interested in launching the Zamboanga City-Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia-Zamboanga City direct flight once the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic ease. Edge Davao

PAL still interested in launching Zambo-Kota Kinabalu flights P hilippines Airlines (PAL) remains interested in launching the Zamboanga City-Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia-Zamboanga City direct flight once the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic ease, an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said. The twice weekly air service between these cities was scheduled for launch on March 31, 2020 but was set aside when international and domestic flights were cancelled to stop the spread of COVID-19. MinDA assistant secretary Romeo Montenegro

told the 12th MinDA Anniversary Virtual Media Conference on Thursday that the country’s flag carrier remains confident about servicing the air route between Zamboanga City and Kota Kinabalu, including other Mindanao areas to other parts of the BIMP-EAGA or

Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. “We were supposed to launch it together with PAL before the uninvited visitor, which was COVID-19, entered. It was put on hold,” he said. He said based on the discussions under the transport connectivity and air linkage cluster of the BIMP-EAGA, PAL “has remained optimistic and open to serving that route between Zamboanga and Kota Kinabalu once major airports open up and we resume back to our normal travels.”

It has been more than a decade since an airline company served the Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu route. BIMP-EAGA is a 28-year old sub-regional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia designed to spur economic development in the lagging sub-economies. According to the BIMP-EAGA website, this initiative intends to boost growth in trade, investments, and tourism through new intra-region shipping routes and air links as well as power interconnection projects.

and diesel prices up for the past seven weeks. Fish prices have been hiked by P20 to P40 per kilogram, vegetables by P10 to P20 per kilogram, and chicken by P20 per kilogram. “One million barrels daw ang kakulangan per day dun sa dapat sinu-supply ng OPEC,” Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said, referring to the Organization of the Petro-

leum Exporting Countries. “Walang nababago, alanganin pa rin. Wala naman increase na ginagawa ang OPEC,” he continued. (Supplies coming from OPEC have a deficiency of one million barrels a day. There are no changes, and the situation is still uncertain. OPEC has yet to make any increases.) Local pump prices have been hiked for the past seven weeks, and are set to be

increased once again this Tuesday — diesel by P0.60 to P0.70 per liter, and gasoline by P0.80 to P0.90 per liter. Abad noted that the government will not be able to automatically suspend excise tax rates on petroleum products, as the provisions covered by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) only included the years 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Food prices up amid successive increase of petroleum products

ood prices have started to increase as middlemen pass on the additional charges to consumers following the consecutive hikes in pump prices of petroleum products amid the global supply shortage. Prices of food products at the Marikina Public Market have gone up by P20 to P40 per kilogram, attributed to the higher delivery costs with local gasoline

CebPac partners with Waves For Water to serve Odette-stricken communities

taying true to its mission to aid in humanitarian assistance through its bayanijuan efforts, the Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) has yet again partnered with Waves For Water to deliver water filters to Odette-stricken communities. After severe tropical storm Odette made landfall and intensified into a category 5 super typhoon, it laid waste to 36 million homes and affected around 17.8 million people in the Philippines. With the destruction of essential infrastructure in its wake, people’s basic necessities, especially water, were at stake; giving a possible rise in cases of life-threatening dehydration and a spread of waterborne diseases. Global humanitarian aid organization Waves For Water was one of the first responders that immediately deployed water filtration systems to affected communities. To aid Waves For Water in alleviating this crisis, CEB has worked hand-in-hand with the organization by safely transporting these water filters, across six affected provinces, including Surigao del

Norte where the hardest-hit Siargao is located. The filters make it possible to drink from a water source without the dangers of bacteria, cysts, or protozoa passing through. “It has always been part of our Filipino Bayanihan spirit to assist in relief operations wherever we can. We all know Siargao was one of the destinations severely affected by the Super Typhoon Odette and we prioritized our response with the immediate transport of essential goods especially water treatment needs of the community.” said Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cebu Pacific. Waves For Water is an organization grounded on giving immediate, long term, and sustainable clean water solutions to those who need them most. With its emphasis on sustainability, the filters have the technology that helps minimize logistics costs thereby making it the most sustainable way of providing clean water. This has also resulted to the ability of eliminating single waste plastic; a goal that the airline has also endeavored to integrate in its operations.

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY A2

Mall goers check the products being sold at one of the StartUp market kiosks at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City. Edge Davao

DTI-Davao City office continues to develop more youth entreps LGUs’ Covid response spending hits P119 billion as of June 2021

ocal government units (LGUs) have spent PHP118.9 billion combined on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response measures as of June 2021, according to preliminary data gathered by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the BLGF said of the total, PHP76.44 billion came from LGUs own funds and another PHP35.44 billion from the Bayanihan Grant under the 2020 national budget and in view of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1), whose effectivity was extended up to last year. LGUs also utilized PHP4.93 billion of their unexpended cash balances of public funds held in trust that were transferred to the general fund (GF) of LGUs to support their pandemic response efforts. Another PHP2.14 billion spent by LGUs came from grants and donations, the BLGF said. Under Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act

(Bayanihan 2), the unexpended cash balances of public funds held in trust by the local governments were allowed to be transferred to the GF of the LGUs to support local government programs and projects in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, while RA 11520 extended the validity of the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) up to Dec. 31, 2021. The BLGF’s report was in line with Dominguez’s earlier directive to the bureau to monitor the pandemic-related finances of LGUs. The BLGF, in turn, developed an online reporting system for local treasurers to track the receipts and expenditures of all provinces, cities, and municipalities related to their Covid-19 programs, projects, and activities. “This reporting system was used to establish and assess baseline local finance data to serve as inputs in managing the Covid-19 response of the government,” BLGF executive director Niño Raymond Alvina said in his report.

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office here has vowed to continue with its interventions for the youth.

In 2021, the agency dedicated 20 percent of its 118 Negosyo Center-based activities to this sector. This means that 24 of the 118 free webinars and training programs conducted last year were for the young generation, particularly those aged 15 to 35 years old. It is worth noting that DTI operates three Negosyos Centers in the city, which can be found in the following accessible locations: inside the local government unit’s Investment

Promotion Center (near People’s Park); beside the Toril barangay hall; and within the Calinan district offices. With these facilities located strategically in the different parts of their area of jurisdiction, DTI-Davao City director Rachel S. Remitio shared that they can reach more clients, adding that they were able to serve 708 youth participants last year. “Most of these beneficiaries are students, which is a good sign that the young

ones are interested to go into business. This further shows that they have the drive to learn the ropes of running an enterprise,” Remitio said. The local trade official said that the Negosyo Center activities for the youth sector were done in partnership with the academe. Specifically, these schools included the Holy Cross College of Calinan, St. Peters College of Toril, Lyceum of the Philippines, Davao Central College, Ateneo de Davao University, Malayan Colleges of Mindanao, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Southeastern Philippines, University of Mindanao, and

Philippine Women’s’ College (PWC) Davao. “The pandemic could have dampened our spirit, but we can always choose to look at the brighter side of it. There are opportunities we can tap, and we can learn a new thing or to while trying to develop a business concept. This is what we exactly adopted in our interventions for the youth,” Remitio said. Likewise, she emphasized that by providing them with knowledge beyond the four corners of their classrooms, they are being prepared for the realities and expectations of entrepreneurship.

then we talk about importation,” Manuel Lamata of United Sugar Federation, said. Based on the data of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), the country’s sugar production increased by 3% in the first week of February compared to last year. However, farmers said that if the importation would push through, the price of sugar would decrease, they would be unable to recover their investment. At least five million farmers and their families

would be badly affected in the Negros Region. “Eighty-five to 90% of the sugar farmers now are agrarian beneficiaries, marginal one to three to five hectares. Every time the price increase kaagad yung farmers ang binebweltahan (they immediately take it out on the farmers),” Joseph Edgar Sarrosa of Rural Sugar Planters Association said. The SRA earlier said the country would be importing 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar to augment a projected supply

shortfall for the year. The SRA issued the Sugar Order No. 3, series of 2021-2022 after assessing the damage caused by Typhoon Odette to sugarcane crops, sugar stocks at warehouses, as well as facilities and equipment of sugar mills and refineries in key sugar milling districts. Meanwhile, the Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) “enjoining and restraining” the SRA from implementing the said order.

Farmers criticize gov’t plan to import sugar

everal farmers have criticized a government plan to import sugar to augment the projected supply shortfall this year. Sugar farmers said there would be no shortage since it was the start of milling season or sugar production. “We have a lot of sugar in our bodegas, we are at peak of milling season. At the end of milling season in May, they should order a nationwide inventory, and then they will find out how much sugar do we have on the bodega. If we lack sugar,

DAVAO EDGEDAVAO EDGE

VOL.14 ISSUE 285 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Nurturing business leaders in the classroom By MAYA M. PADILLO

There’s this old quote that says “writers are made, not born, and so are great business leaders.” This is one of the goals of the Stockbridge American International School (SAIS) in preparing its young students to chase their dreams and to be more inclined to pursue their goals in the future whether to become ballerinas, astronauts, pilots, fashion models, or business leaders. SAIS is redesigning its curriculum for ease of adaptability and learning by embracing all the innovations in the different pedagogy of education. Carrying its mission of “Educating Young Global Business Leaders,” SAIS

is committed to molding the distinct qualities that all Stockbridge students are expected to live and be recognized as through the Stockbridge Advantage: Graduate Attributes (SAGA). “It’s a greater challenge for us since we are an international school and so we need to work with two sets of the curriculum one from the Philippine and another one from the international perspective. This is very advantageous to our students since their education even at a very young age is grounded on global citizenship and leadership. Plus, our focus on all levels of entrepreneurship and business,” said Joji Ilagan Bian, business lead-

er and chairperson of the JIB Group of Companies. SAIS’ SAGA is also grounded on its LIONS core values that stand for Leadership skills, Integrity, Open-mindedness, Nobility, and Stewardship in preparing the students to be global business leaders and entrepreneurs. SAGA is integrated into all facets of the students‘ learning experiences to ensure a holistic development towards global business leadership and entrepreneurship. It also empowered the learners to create their leadership journeys and legacies. “This is the SAIS SAGA or the journey of our students as their character and intellectual capacities

are being molded,” Bian said. It is the vision of Stockbridge to be the premier institution for excellent international education, nurturing, and developing future global leaders. Despite the pandemic, SAIS continues to nurture students by adopting online teaching. “So many milestones have been achieved this year despite the pandemic. Sais was accepted as a member of the prestigious International Schools Association based in Geneva Switzerland. You will notice that a Sais student is more confident; an articulate communicator and an adept young business person,” Bian said.

EARLY MOVE IN PROMO. The Aeon

Towers is offering early move in to unit buyers for as low as P500,000. This option is also open to new condo buyers. Follow Aeon Luxe Official FB Page for updates.

VOL.14 ISSUE 285 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

Lebron James nailed the game winner for Team Lebron.

LeBron nails All-Star Game winner, Steph wins MVP

LEVELAND — Steph Curry nearly upstaged LeBron James’ homecoming weekend by scoring 50 points with a memorable shooting display to lead Team LeBron to a 163-160- win over Team Durant in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time). But while Curry made 16 3-pointers and was named the game’s MVP, it was James’ fadeaway that gave his team the win in his 19th All-Star appearance.

James finished with 24 points. Joel Embiid led Team Durant with 36 points. Curry put on a jaw-dropping 3-point dis-

play in the third quarter of the NBA All-Star Game with seven 3-pointers. Moments after being honored as one of the league’s best 75 players, Curry showed how he’s helped change the game. Curry launched several of his 3-pointers from just feet inside the half-court logo. On one of his makes, Curry already turned and was running back to the other end before the ball swished through the net.

Belgium bags first Winter Olympics gold after 74 years

elgium bagged Olympic gold in the Winter Games after 74 years as speedskater Bart Swings raced to victory in men’s mass start at Beijing 2022 on Saturday. Swings, 31, won a historic gold medal, which meant Belgium’s first Winter Olympic gold since 1948. Micheline Lannoy, and Pierre Baugniet, who died in

1981, claimed a gold medal for Belgium in St. Moritz 1948 Winter Olympics in pairs figure skating. The 1948 Olympics in Switzerland’s St. Moritz was the first Winter Games after World War II. On Saturday, Swings racked up 63 sprint points in 16 laps to beat South Korean pair Chung Jae Won, and Lee Seung Hoon at National

Speed Skating Oval. Chung had 40 points to get silver, and his compatriot Lee got 20 points to return home with a bronze medal. The 2022 champion, Swings previously won a silver medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. Beijing 2022 will run through Feb. 20. (Anadolu)

the event after finishing second as a rookie. Houston rookie Jalen Green and Orlando guard Cole Anthony failed to advance. Anthony couldn’t make his second dunk and appeared to hurt his thumb banging it against the rim. Meantime, Phoenix guard Chris Paul is expected to sit out a big part of the remainder of the regular season. Paul, who saw action early for Team LeBron in the All-Star Game on Sunday (Monday, Manila time), sustained the injury last

week in the win over Houston, the Phoenix Suns’ final game before the break. Tests on his right thumb showed an avulsion fracture, according to reports. The Suns are six and a half games ahead of the Golden State Warrior “I’ve had four hand surgeries in my career. It’s like my hand surgeon is part of my family, but things could be a lot worse,” Paul said ahead of the All-Stag Game. “I’m still blessed, grateful that we’re 48-10 and if I do miss some time, I know the guys will hold it down.”

Obi wins dismal slam dunk contest

C Obi Toppin topped the lackadaisical slam dunk contest.

LEVELAND — Obi Toppin won the slam dunk contest, earning a 47 on his final dunk when he needed to do little more than put the ball in the basket after Juan Toscano-Anderson couldn’t on his previous try. In a disappointing finish to All-Star Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), the four dunkers occasionally left the judging panel of Hall of Famers with expressionless looks on their faces. Toppin, a New York Knicks forward, beat Golden State’s Toscano-Anderson in the final round to win

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 285 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 36th Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: Councilor Alberto T. Ungab - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Nilo D. Abellera

- On Official Business - On Maternity Leave - On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0728-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND ALLOWING MOBILE FOOD TRUCK VENDORS TO OPERATE WITHIN THE DESIGNATED FOOD ZONES IN THE CITY OF DAVAO, AS AMENDED Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Food Truck Ordinance of Davao City” SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. It is the policy of the State to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Davao City by requiring that mobile food establishments provide its constituents with a consistent level of cleanliness, quality and safety. Towards this end, this Ordinance is enacted to provide reasonable guidelines and restrictions for mobile food establishments in relation to established restaurant businesses and to ensure the safe and convenient use of the public right-of-way. SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. 1. Mobile Food Vendor – shall mean any vending unit, truck, trailer, temporary establishment or pushcart that is not a permanent restaurant that serves food or drink to the public. For the purpose of licensing, mobile food vendors shall be defined as one of the following: a. Food truck Vendor shall mean a retail food establishment that reports to and operates from a commissary and is readily moveable, a motorized wheeled vehicle or a towed wheeled vehicle designed and equipped to serve food. b. Service Truck Vendor shall mean a service establishment which is readily movable, a motorized wheeled vehicle or a towed wheeled vehicle designed and equipped to provide services on the go. c. Mobile Delivery Vendor shall mean a vendor who delivers and sells perishable and non-perishable goods, which is readily movable, is a motorized wheeled vehicle or a towed wheeled vehicle designed and equipped to provide the perishable or non-perishable items to go. d. Ice Cream Truck shall mean a motor vehicle in which ice cream, popsicles, ice sherbets or other frozen desserts of any kind are carried for the purpose of retail sale on the streets of the city. e. Pushcart shall mean a non-self-propelled vehicle limited to serving commissary prepared or pre-packaged food and non-potentially hazardous food, unless the equipment is commercially designed and approved to handle food preparation and service. Pushcarts shall not be required to comply with mobile vehicular safety requirements. f.

Temporary Food Establishment shall mean a retail food establishment, other than a licensed food truck vendor or pushcart, that is not intended to be permanent and that operates at a fixed location in conjunction with a single event or celebration.

2. Commissary – shall mean an approved catering establishment, restaurant or other location approved by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which it is located in which food, containers or supplies are kept, handled, prepared, packaged or stored as related to a mobile food vending unit. 3. Extended/Mobile Food Permit – A food service permit acquired from the Business Bureau on a yearly basis that allows a mobile food vending unit to be allowed at preapproved areas. 4. Food zone – is an area approved by the City Government through the Mobile Food Vendor Committee (MFVC) for the specific operation of mobile food vehicles and/or pushcarts within the public right-of-way.

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5. Hours of Operation – are the designated time frame when mobile food vehicles are authorized to operate within the City right-of-way. 6. Vending Site – shall mean a mobile retail food establishment location at which a mobile food vendor is permitted to offer food for sale. Vending site shall not refer to the commissary or place at which the mobile food vendor unit is approved to be stored when not in use. 7. Pedestrian – is a person who is walking or otherwise traveling in the public rightof-way. SECTION 4. EXTENDED/MOBILE FOOD PERMIT – In case of mobile food vendors, this Section shall apply in lieu of the Business Permit requirement under Section 94 of the 2017 Revenue Code of Davao City. The term “extended/mobile food permit” shall be the business permit applicable for mobile food vendors. It shall be unlawful for any person or business to sell, or offer for sale, food of any type from a food truck, service truck vendor, mobile delivery vendor, ice cream truck, pushcart or temporary food establishment without first having secured a permit therefore from the City Mayor and paying the necessary fees to the City Treasurer. There shall be collected an annual fee at the rate provided hereunder for the issuance of an Extended/Mobile Food Permit to every person whether natural or juridical that shall conduct a mobile food business within the City of Davao. For purposes of the Extended/Mobile Food Permit, the following definition of business size is hereby adopted: CHARACTERISTICS: Cottage

Php 499,999.00 and below

Small

Php 500,000.00 up to Php 1,999,999.00

Medium

Php 2,000,000.00 to Php 9,999,999.00

Large

Php 10,000,000.00 and above

The following shall be the graduated fixed tax applicable for mobile food vendors: Cottage Php 2,000.00 Small Php 5,000.00 Medium Php 8,000.00 Large Php 10,000.00 SECTION 5. TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENT. The fee for the issuance of an Extended/ Mobile Food Permit shall be paid to the City Treasurer upon application before any business or undertaking can be lawfully begun or pursued or within the first twenty (20) days of January of each year in case of renewal thereof. For a newly-started business or activity that starts to operate after January 20, the fee shall be reckoned from the beginning of the calendar quarter. When the business or activity is abandoned, the fee shall not be exacted for a period longer than the end of the calendar quarter. If the fee has been paid for a period longer than the current quarter and the business activity is abandoned, no refund of the fee corresponding to the unexpired quarter or quarters shall be made. SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 1. Supervision and Control Over Mobile Food Vendors. The City Mayor shall supervise and regulate all establishments and places subject to the payment of the extended/mobile food permit fee. The Mayor shall prescribe rules and regulations as to the mode or manner by which they shall be conducted in so far as may be necessary to maintain peaceful, healthy and sanitary conditions in the City. (1.a) Prior authority to close and/or open mobile food vending business – A closure order may be issued by the City Mayor through the Business Bureau to any mobile food vendor in violation of any provision of the Ordinance or existing laws, ordinances and orders. In adherence to due process, no establishment shall be closed without the observance of the two (2) notices. However, business establishments operating without the necessary extended/mobile food permit shall be summarily closed upon notice of inspection. The closure shall be effective through the posting of a closure notice and/or padlocking the unit. The closure notice attached or the padlock used in the closure of the business shall not be deliberately detached nor removed by the taxpayer concerned. Failure of the taxpayer to observe such regulation shall be a ground for perpetual disqualification to secure an extended/mobile food permit or a business permit and payment of fine under Section 448 of the Revenue Code of 2017. A closure order may be lifted upon order of the City Mayor, through his authorized representative, provided a business permit has been issued in favor of the taxpayer concerned and a letter request to lift the closure order addressed to the head of the Business Bureau had been given due course. When public safety or interest requires, the City Mayor or his/her duly authorized representative shall cause the immediate revocation and cancellation of the extended/ mobile food permit without prejudice to the immediate closure of the establishment and the filing of an appropriate criminal case/s as the circumstances warrant. 2. Application for Extended/Mobile Food Permit; False Statement. An application for a Mayor’s Permit shall be filed with the Office of the City Mayor through the Business Bureau. The form for the purpose shall be issued by the same Office and shall set forth the requisite information including the name and residence of the applicant, the description of business or undertaking that is to be conducted, and such other data or information as may be required. 1. For a newly-started business; a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j)

Name of the mobile food vendor: Type, make, model, and license plate number of vending unit; Owner’s contact information; Operator’s contact information; Paid-up capital of the business as shown in the Articles of Incorporation, if a corporation or partnership, or a Sworn Statement of the capital invested by the owner or operator, for a sole proprietorship; A Certificate attesting to the tax exemption if the business is tax exempt; Certification from the office in charge of zoning that the location of the new business is in accordance with zoning regulations; Tax Clearance showing that the operator has paid all tax obligations to the City; Barangay Clearance/s; List of proposed operating locations and time the mobile food vendor will be in operation;

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k) Valid Identification of the owner or operator, or in case of a partnership or corporation, the Valid IDs of the senior or managing partners and that of the President or Corporate Secretary; l) Health Certificate for all food handlers, and those required under this Code; m) Signature from property owners indicating consent for the use of their property; n) Signature of applicant indicating agreement to comply with the requirements listed in this article; o) Other pertinent documents, information or data as may be required or mandated by an existing Ordinance or laws for that matter. The City may not issue an extended/mobile food permit unless a clearance is first obtained from the barangay or barangays where the mobile food vendor wishes to operate. For such clearance, the Barangay/s may impose a reasonable fee. The application for clearance shall be acted upon within seven (7) working days from the filing thereof. In the event that the clearance is not issued with the said period, the City may issue the said clearance or permit. 2. For renewal of existing Extended/Mobile Food Permit; a) The previous year’s Mayor’s Permit; b) Original copies of the annual or quarterly tax payments; c) Original copies of all receipts showing payment of all regulatory fees as provided for in this Code; d) Available Financial Statement of the previous year; e) Barangay Clearance/s; f) Other pertinent documents as may be required by existing law or by the Committee. Upon submission of the application, it shall be the duty of the proper authorities to verify if other City requirements regarding the operation of the business or activity such as sanitary requirements, installation of power and light requirements, as well as other safety requirements are complied with. The permit to operate shall be issued only upon compliance with such safety requirements and after the payment of the corresponding inspections fees and other impositions required by this Ordinance, the Revenue Code and other City tax Ordinances. Any false statement deliberately made by the applicant shall constitute sufficient ground for denying or revoking the permit issued by the Mayor, and the applicant or licensee may be prosecuted in accordance with the penalties provided in the Revenue Code and other Laws. An extended/mobile food permit shall be refused to (1) any person who previously violated any Ordinance or regulation governing permits granted; (2) whose mobile food truck or business establishment does not conform with zoning regulations, and safety, health and other requirements of the City; (3) who has unsettled tax obligation, debt or other liability to the government; (4) who is qualified under any provision of law or Ordinance to establish or operate the business applied for. Likewise, an extended/mobile food permit shall be denied to any person or applicant for a business who declares an amount of gross sales or receipts which are manifestly below industry standards or the Presumptive Income Level of gross sales or receipts as established in the City for the same or a closely similar type of activity or business. 3. Issuance of Permit; Contents of Permit. Upon approval of the application for an extended/mobile food permit, two (2) copies of the application duly signed by the City Mayor shall be returned to the applicant. One (1) copy shall be presented to the City Treasurer as basis for the collection of the extended/mobile food permit and the corresponding business tax. The extended/mobile food permit shall be issued by the City Mayor upon presentation of the receipt for the payment of the extended/mobile food permit and the official receipt issued by the City Treasurer for the payment of the business tax. Every permit issued by the City Treasurer for the payment of the business tax. Every permit issued by the Mayor shall show the name and residence of the applicant, his nationality and marital status; nature of the organization, that is, whether the business is a sole proprietorship, corporation or partnership, etc.; location of the business; date of issue and expiration of the permit; and other information as may be necessary. The City shall, upon presentation of satisfactory proof that the original of the permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed, issue a duplicate of the permit upon the payment of One Hundred Pesos (Php100.00).

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regulations and requirements and shall obtain and maintain any and all licenses required by any other health organization or governmental organization having jurisdiction over the subject matter. 4. The Extended/Mobile Food Permit issued under this Ordinance do not allow selling of alcoholic beverage. 5. Food vending shall only be conducted from the mobile vending truck and customer seating shall not be provided by the mobile food vendor. 6. Except for ice cream trucks, a mobile food vendor shall not make sounds or announcements to call attention to the vending unit either while traveling on the public rights-of-way or when stationary. 7. Mobile food vendors shall not be located within fifteen (15) feet of any street intersection or pedestrian crosswalk or ten (10) feet of any driveway or any other places designated by the Committee. 8. The placement of the retail mobile food establishment shall not impede the flow of traffic, be placed on the right-of-way, or cause any potential safety hazards to pedestrians or vehicles. SECTION 8. MOBILE FOOD VENDORS COMMITTEE. There shall be established by this Ordinance a Mobile Food Vendors Food Committee consisting of nine (9) members. 1. The City Mayor as the Chairperson; 2. The Business Bureau Head as the Executive Director; 3. Central 911 Operating Officer, Member; 4. City Health Officer, Member; 5. City Planning and Development Officer, Member; 6. City Transport and Traffic Management Officer, Member; 7. Davao City Investment Promotion Center Officer, Member; 8. A representative from the mobile food vendors, Member; and 9. A representative from the Restaurant Owner’s association, Member; The Mobile Food Vendors Committee shall meet as required. A special meeting may be called by any of the committee members. The Committee is empowered to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Ordinance. Furthermore, additional conditions and guidelines may be imposed by the Committee with the end goal of effectively regulating mobile food vendors in the City. It shall also be the responsibility of the Committee to coordinate with the appropriate national agencies to ensure the seamless and orderly operation of mobile food vendors in the City. The Committee shall have the following functions and responsibilities: a) Draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Ordinance which includes, but is not limited to the following matters: a. Barangay consultation and approval from the Punong Barangay where the mobile food truck will park and operate. b. The allowed type, make, model or design of vending units; c. The required equipment, machinery, tools, apparatus, facilities, or appurtenant; d. The allowed areas for operation of mobile food vendors and/or the establishment of “food zones”; e. The required practices to ensure that the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Davao City is protected. b) Provide advice and policy directions, including mediation; c) Review and approve the plans and programs in the implementation and enforcement that may hereafter be drawn or prepared for the operations of mobile food vendors. SECTION 9. Surcharge for Late Payment. – Failure to pay the fee prescribed in this Ordinance within the time prescribed shall subject a taxpayer to a surcharge of twenty-five percent (25%) of the original amount of the fee due. Such surcharge shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as the tax due. SECTION 10. PENALTY. Any mobile food vendor who violates any prohibition or requirements under Section 7 of this Ordinance or the duly published Implementing Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Mobile Food Vendors Committee shall be penalized with an administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) for each offense. Three separate occasions when the authorities find any violation within the year shall be enough reason for the revocation of the Extended/Mobile Food Permit.

4. Posting of Permit. Every permittee shall keep his permit conspicuously posted at all times in his unit. Upon demand by the City Mayor or City Treasurer or any of their duly authorized representatives, the permittee shall immediately produce the permit.

SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION. The Local Government of Davao City shall allocate funds for the implementation of this Ordinance.

For non-posting of business permit in a conspicuous place within the unit, a penalty of Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) shall be imposed.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All ordinances contrary to or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

5. Duration of Permit and Renewal. The extended/mobile food permit shall be granted for a period of not more than one (1) year and shall expire on the thirty-first (31st) of December following the date of issuance unless revoked or surrendered earlier. Every permit shall cease to be in force upon revocation or surrender thereof. The permit issued shall be renewed within the first twenty (20) days of January or unless the Committee provides otherwise. It shall have a continuing validity only upon renewal thereof and payment of the corresponding fee.

SECTION 13. 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 the full force and effect.

6. Revocation of Permit. When a mobile food vendor refuses to subject his unit to inspection or to pay an indebtedness or liability to the City or abuses his privilege to do business to the injury of public moral or peace or used the said privilege to convict any unlawful acts or unlawful manner, is a nuisance, or is permitted to be used as a resort for disorderly characters, criminals or place used for prostitution, the City Mayor may, after investigation and notice, revoke the extended/mobile food permit. Such revocation shall operate to forfeit all sums which may have been paid in respect of said privilege, in addition to the fines and imprisonment that maybe imposed by the Court for violation of any provision of the Ordinance governing the establishment and maintenance of mobile food business and other existing laws, and to prohibit the exercise thereof by the person whose privilege is revoked, until restored by the City Mayor. Refusal to subject a business establishment to inspection, cancellation of Franchise Agreement/Dealership Agreement or want of lawful possession of the property/ies of which extended/mobile food permit was issued shall be sufficient ground for cancellation or termination of the business permit. 7. Upon recommendation of the Licensing Officer and with the approval of the Head of the Business Bureau, the office is empowered to adjust and increase taxpayer’s capital investment every five (5) years or as often as necessary to effect the increase of capital investment. SECTION 7. PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND REQUIREMENTS.

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval. ENACTED, on the 28th day of September 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

DEC. 8 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq ATTESTED:

1. No owner of mobile food truck shall employ any cook or food dispenser without a Food Handler’s Certificate from the City Health Officer, renewable every six (6) months. 2. Vendors selling cooked and readily edible food shall have them adequately covered and protected from dust, flies and other insects, and shall follow strictly the rules and regulations on sanitation promulgated by the City Health Officer and existing laws and ordinances. 3. The mobile food vendor shall comply with all the national and local health and safety

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND ALLOWING MOBILE FOOD TRUCK VENDORS TO OPERATE WITHIN THE DESIGNATED FOOD ZONES IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 285 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

The Philippine men’s under-23 national team. PFF photo.

BOOTED OUT

Young Azkals bow out of AFC U23 tourney

he Philippine men’s under-23 national team exited the 2022 AFF U-23 Championship on a high note, claiming a 2-1 triumph against Brunei on Sunday night at the Prince Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Second-half goals from Dennis Chung and Sandro Reyes propelled the Young Azkals to victory, although they were unable to advance to the knockout phase of the tournament. The Philippines finished in third place in Group A with one win, one loss, and one draw for four points. Timor Leste topped the group on seven points with two wins and one draw, having beaten hosts Cambodia, 1-0, also on Sunday night. Cambodia finished second in the group with six points on two wins and a loss, but also failed to advance to the semifinals. “At least we finished on a high, we finished with a

win, so I’m pleased about that,” said Philippines coach Stewart Hall after the match. Hall rued their many missed chances, including poor execution off corner kicks in the early goings of the match. Despite dominating possession, the Philippines could not find the back of the net and Brunei held them to a goalless draw at the half. The breakthrough came in the 48th minute courtesy of Chung, as the Philippines finally converted off a corner kick. Ten minutes later, Reyes doubled the lead, his left-footed strike fizzing past the goal-keeper into the lower right corner.