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A crew of a traditional Pinoy jeepney modified as mobile food stall parked along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City gets the order of customers on Thursday evening. The Pinoy jeepney food stall has became an attraction for diners and passersby in the area. Edge Davao
FAMILY PROFILING Profiling rolls out in barangays with low vaccination rate STORY ON PAGE 2
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President Rodrigo Duterte salutes past the color guard while on board the command car in the trooping-the-line ceremony during the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) 43rd Commencement Exercises at the Campos Grandstand, Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on April 21, 2022. The President is accompanied by PNPA Director PMGEN Alexander Sampaga. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
FAMILY PROFILING T
LTFRB-11 taps 46 groups for 3rd ‘Libreng Sakay’ program
Profiling rolls out in barangays with low vaccination rate By MAYA M. PADILLO
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he city government of Davao has started to roll out the family profiling in some barangays that have low vaccination rate last week.
Vaccination clusters will be bringing mobile barangay house-to-house vaccination including boosters to cover all those unvaccinated residents young and adults. Davao City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said based on their initial profiling data for the 5 to 11 years old group, 2,829 individuals are still unvaccinated while for 12 to 17 years
old there are 1,132 unvaccinated and for those aged 18 years old and above the unvaccinated is 2,675 and 9,620 individuals still do not receive their booster shots. “We continue to account for those na wala pa nabakunahan and this data will be forwarded sa atoang vaccination cluster so that they can use this also sa atoang mobile vaccination pod sa respective
barangays in partnership with USAID and UNICEF,” Schlosser said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR). She said this data from the family profiling activity can be used by the Vaccination Cluster to visit the households in the barangays with constituents that have not been vaccinated and boostered yet. “Every day naga dungag ta ug number or data as to kinsa wala pa nabakunahan ug na booster,” she said. The profiling aims to cover barangays that have not yet reached 50 percent
of their constituents who have been vaccinated. “Tanan istratehiya na maadto sila nato ginabuhat na nato. This family profiling data kay magamit siya sa atoang vaccination cluster para maadtuan ang respective barangays ug mga panimalay nga wala nabakunahan ug wala na booster. We still have barangays na wala pa nakaabot ug 50 percent ang nabakunahan sa ilahang constituents and that is one of the purposes of profiling,” Schlosser said. Meanwhile, the city will be conducting also mobile vaccination in the Business
designated vaccination hubs. “Majority of the remaining unvaccinated individuals are senior citizens and children above 5 years and above,” she said. She said despite the high number of vaccinated individuals in the city, they are still pushing to cover more individuals by including the vulnerable sector in its mobile vacci-
nation activities. “Senior citizens are part of the vulnerable population and the children 5 years old to 17 years old are a priority for vaccination,” she said. To pursue an even larger vaccination coverage, mall vaccination sites for 5 to 11 years old and 12 years old and above population groups have been extended on Saturdays starting this week.
Villafuerte added that they are also preparing for the rollout soon of mobile vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old. Data from the Vaccination Cluster showed that a total of 1,324,280 Dabawenyos have received their first doses, yet only 1,302,405 went on to get their second dose. The data are 86.50
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he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Davao Region (LTFRB-11) inked a deal Thursday with 46 transport companies and cooperatives here to launch the third and biggest phase of the agency’s “Libreng Sakay” program. The third phase of the program received PHP270 million in funding from the Department of Transportation (DOTr). “This is under the government’s Service Contracting Program (SCP) which has a total funding of PHP7 billion. We are blessed that we received a bigger portion this time at PHP270 million so we can hire more drivers who have severely lost profit when the pandemic was kicking in,” LTFRB-11 Director Nonito Llanos III said during the event. Originally initiated under Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the SCP was to provide temporary liveli-
hood to displaced transport workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The third phase of the SCP is under RA 11639 or the General Appropriations Act of 2022. Llanos said the contract will end on June 30. “It would be nice to have this program extended but since the administration is about to change, the decision to relaunch is no longer within our control. We just have to hope that the next leaders will consider this,” Llanos said. Jerry Sy, head of the Southern Mindanao Bus Operators Association, said in an interview the SCP has allowed many of the vehicle operators to continue their business and generate employment during the pandemic. “When the pandemic started and all forms of transport were prohibited, we were obviously among those that were heavily hit. Through the SCP, we now
percent and 85.07 percent, respectively, of the 1,531,004 total population here. The schedule for vaccination and their respective sites can be accessed through the official Facebook page of the Davao City Government:. On the other hand, Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser reiterated their call to unvacci-
nated Dabawenyos to get inoculated. “Despite the low turnout of positive cases here, unvaccinated Dabawenyos are still at risk of getting infected,” she said through the Davao City Disaster Radio. She said the virus persists in small numbers, emphasizing that the days when the city logged zero Covid-19 cases were inconsistent. (PNA)
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Davao City extends vax campaign to reach out to vulnerable sector
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he local government has decided to expand its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) mobile vaccination activities to accommodate the city’s vulnerable sector. On Thursday, Vaccination Cluster head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said they are pushing to vaccinate more Dabawenyos through approaches that are more convenient for those who cannot go to
NEWS
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Vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio is warmly welcomed by supporters during the UniTeam grand rally in Biñan, Laguna on Thursday night. HNP media
Davao City to pass MICE ordinance, will host MICECon 2022 in November Vaccinations in malls extended until Saturdays
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he vaccination rollout in malls has been extended until Saturdays to give unvaccinated Dabawenyos, particularly those who don’t have time to go to the regular vaccination sites on weekdays, the opportunity to get their jabs. Davao City Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said for five to 11 years old vaccination starts
at 10 a.m. on Mondays to Saturdays at SM City Davao, SM Lanang Premier, Gaisano Mall Bajada, Gaisano Grand City Gate in Buhangin, Gaisano Mall Toril, Gaisano Mall Calinan, and Gaisano Tibungco while vaccination for 12 years old and above population age groups are also scheduled beginning at 10 a.m. from Mondays to Saturdays at Gaisano
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TESDA to provide tech-voc trainings for Tomasinos
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o equip Tomasinos with practical skills and provide employment opportunities, the administration of Santo Tomas Mayor Ernesto Evangelista has requested various Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) from TESDA as the Evangelista administration’s ongoing post-pandemic recovery. The Evangelista administration has established its own training
center in Fd. Rd. 9, Brgy. Tibal-og, Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, focusing on providing technology-based community training programs based on the needs and requirements of their community. Dubbed as the “Training Center Ni Tomas,” the facility is expected to host and assist trainees during the conduct of various training programs under the “Balay Karunungan”
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By MAYA M. PADILLO
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ity Tourism Operations Office head Generose Tecson announced that the city government of Davao will be coming up with the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) Ordinance to strengthen its positioning as a major hub for MICE destination in the Philippines. Part of the goal of the ordinance is to create a Davao City MICE Bureau that will do the selling, promoting, and data analytics for Davao City. “Magko-concentrate
lang siya doon sa MICE such as data analytics, sales, how to sell Davao as MICE destination and promotion ang kanilang trabaho,” she said. Recently, the Universi-
ty of Santo Tomas College of Tourism and Hospitality Management turned over the Davao City MICE Strategic Management Plan to the city. “Plinano naming ito because we needed a direction for our MICE programs. Our consultants were from the University of Sto. Tomas College of Tourism and Hospitality Management. We did this for six months with our private sector. Right now, meron na tayo nun and with the help of Vice
Mayor Baste Duterte and Councilor Myrna Ortiz,” Tecson said. Meanwhile, Tecson said Davao City is now gearing toward hosting more conventions and one of them is the most anticipated MICE Convention (MICECon) 2022 slated in November this year. MICECon is the biggest and most highly anticipated gathering of professionals in the fields of travel, tourism, and MICE practitioners in the
te said he had met with police and military officials to warn them of the possible spillover of Russia-Ukraine conflict into the Philippines. “Nagwa-warning lang ako (I’m just giving a warning) that things might go overboard. Itong gulo na ‘yun. Isang pagkakamali diyan, may problema na tayo (If this conflict gets worse, we will have a
problem),” he said. Duterte did not give further details about his recent meeting with PNP and AFP officials but said he had instructed the Philippine troops to be “ready” in the event that Russia launches a nuclear war against Ukraine. “Kaya sinabi ko, tinawag ko ‘yung PNP pati yung armed forces. Sinabi ko kapag magulo na, tra-
baho na ng pulis pati army iyan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Be ready for that (I had a meeting with PNP and armed forces. I told them that if the situation becomes chaotic, the police and the army, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, must do their job. Be ready for that),” he said. Duterte gave the warn-
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Be ready for Russia-Ukraine war spillover: Duterte to PNP, AFP
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resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday told the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to brace themselves for a potential spillover into Asia of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. During the graduation rites of the PNP Academy “Alab-Kalis” Class of 2022 in Silang, Cavite, Duter-
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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III says Philippine economy needs to grow faster than its pre-pandemic level of around 6 percent for the government to reduce debt incurred due to Covid-19. Presidential Photo
PH economy needs to grow 6% to cut pandemic-related debt T “We’re not worried about the repayment. We have to really grow out of the debt. In other words, expand our economy by better than 6 percent per year, over the next five or six years,” he said. The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said it has raised around
USD22.55 billion in budgetary support financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), among others, and USD3.25 billion in grants and loans financing for projects and programs targeted to address the virus-induced crisis. The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has set the gross domestic product (GDP) target for this year to between 7 to 9 percent, while it is be-
tween 6 to 7 percent for 2023-2024. Dominguez said the volume of borrowings accumulated due to the pandemic is understandable given the need to boost financing amidst the drop in revenues because of the lockdowns. “So the next administration will have to design policies and stick to very strict fiscal discipline to grow out of debt,” he said. Dominguez, however, said “everything is in place in the Philippines to achieve that”, citing the
Policy, Planning and Research Fermin Adriano said smugglers resort to misdeclaration to get away with tariffs through a follow-up conversion using the “refined, bleached, deodorized” (RBD) procedure. “Yun ang tinatawag nating technical smuggling, kasi ‘pag na-categorize mo siya (That’s what we call technical smuggling because when it is categorized as) unfit for human consumption, it’s only animal feeds, automatically ang kanyang (the) tariff or tax
is zero, pero ‘pag (but if) fit for human consumption, 15,” he said. Although the DA has been described by some lawmakers as the “mother of all agri-smuggling”, Adriano insisted they have been intensifying efforts to identify culprits despite their inability, under law, to prosecute and charge smugglers. “We regret this description. The Department of Agriculture, however, fully supports the intent of the congressional hearing, and cooperating efforts of the
house committee to get into the bottom of the issue… In fact, we have been investigating the alleged smuggling of palm oil as animal feed, but it was processed as oil for human consumption as early as last year,” he said. The DA said they actually sought the assistance of the Anti-Red Tape Authority or ARTA, which conducted an investigation last January. ARTA then found huge discrepancies between volume imports recorded by the
he Philippine economy needs to grow faster than its pre-pandemic level of around 6 percent for the government to reduce debt incurred because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In an interview over Bloomberg television on Thursday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said there is no issue regarding the repayment of the debt incurred during the pandemic since these have favorable interest rates and terms, which is around 40 years.
FPH, P10
Palm oil smuggled as animal feeds processed as cooking oil, DA says
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he Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed on Thursday the cunning strategy of technical smugglers following the calls of several congressmen to immediately address the alleged smuggling of palm oil products in the country. During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, some lawmakers noted the country may have already lost PHP45-billion revenue from smuggling. In a virtual press briefing, DA Undersecretary for
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Two more US companies eyeing to expand in PH
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t least two companies based in the United States have expressed their plans to expand in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said. In a statement Thursday, the DTI said its officials led by Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects Vivencio Dizon, and FedEx vice president Ralph Carter met early this week in Washington D.C. to discuss the logistics firm’s expansion plans in the Philippines. Carter disclosed that the company targets to commence its expansion plan in Clark, Pampanga soon, expanding its current capacity by five times. The expansion plan aims to make the facility a transhipment point for packages, which DTI said “all arriving packages are sorted and reloaded back to designated planes flying to various destinations and will not pass through the Customs area”. In 2020, FedEx announced its return to the Philippines with its USD30-million gateway facility in Central Luzon. Carter said the company
also sought to have clear and flexible transshipment rules as it calls for Board of Investments’ (BOI) assistance to have an agreement with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) while the BOI is coordinating with BOC for the drafting of a Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) on transshipment rules. The DTI said the CMO on transshipment rules is an “important prerequisite to finalizing FedEx’s investment plan”. Meanwhile, the DTI chief also discussed the investment plan of ENDECGROUP, Inc. and Black and Veatch (B&V), through its subsidiary Diode Ventures, LLC (USA), for an integrated data center and renewable energy facility in the Philippines. Lopez told reporters in a Viber message that the companies are still finalizing their investment amount for the data center and renewable energy facility. “(T)he partnership between ENDEC and Black & Veatch through Diode Ventures is looking at investing initially in two hyperscaler data centers and solar energy projects.
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A cargo vessel is being loaded with container vans carrying products for export at a private port in Brgy. Sasa, Davao City. The Department of Trade and Industry and several stakeholders again called for the ratification of the Regional Economic Cooperation Partnership (RCEP) saying the free trade deal will help the Philippine economy. Edge Davao
Innovate to unlock PH potential as high-income country: NEDA RCEP ratification seen P boosting PH recovery
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he Department of Trade and Industry and several stakeholders again called for the ratification of the Regional Economic Cooperation Partnership (RCEP) saying the free trade deal will help the Philippine economy. RCEP includes Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the 10-member ASEAN. It seeks to eliminate up to 90 percent of tariffs between signatories within 10 years of taking effect. The Philippines has yet to ratify its participation in RCEP after Filipino lawmakers deferred their decision on the matter. With elections coming up in May, a new set of lawmakers will have to be briefed on RCEP. Trade Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty said the Philippines needs to take part in the RCEP to boost trade and investment. “The RCEP region represents 50 percent of the
global manufacturing output, 50 percent of global automotive output, 70 percent of electronic products, 26 percent of GVC (global value chain) trade volume, 35 percent contribution to global export of electronics and machineries, 60 percent of GVC for electrical, machinery, petroleum, chemicals, textile, apparel, metal and transport equipment, and most interestingly, the main GVC hubs of Japan, China, and Korea,” Gepty said. In terms of foreign direct investments, more than 60 percent of the Philippines’ FDIs come from RCEP countries, Gepty added. He noted that the Philippines has moved up in ranking in Southeast Asia as a destination for FDIs and that membership in RCEP will sustain this. “And again that tells us that we cannot afford not to be part of this RCEP region, because the bulk of our FDIs are coming from these trading partners.”
olicies are now in place to use new technologies in unlocking the country’s potential to be a high-income economy, the government’s top economist said. During the online celebration for the National Innovation Day Thursday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Karl Kendrick Chua said the Philippine Innovation Act
will raise the country’s productivity through research and development, and using new technologies and processes. “This will enable us to shift from low-value added to high value-added activities and unlock the potential to become
a high-income country,” Chua said. He said to enable this potential, innovation should be one of the country’s priorities in its next Philippine Development Plan (PDP). “The national innovation agenda will highlight priority innovation areas and streamline the development, implementation and coordination of innovation policies and strategies in the country,” the NEDA chief added.
This year, the National Innovation Council and stakeholders will craft the National Innovation Strategy document guided by the Philippine Innovation Toolkit. “We still have a long way to go before becoming an innovation hub like South Korea or Singapore, but there is no doubt the Filipinos have the innate talent, grit, and creativity to make this possible,” Chua said.
said most Filipinos have drastically reduced their spending over the past two years. “If you take a look at FMCG, it really dropped significantly. So when we reflect back on the two years, it has been a long journey for a shopper --so from freedom to panic, and then come 2021, it seems like we were expecting that things will be better,” Deocareza-Lozano said.
She said the spending activities of shoppers are recovering, but have not yet reached the pre-pandemic level. Deocareza-Lozano said FMCG spending of households from classes D and E, which comprised 80 percent of the population, were the most impacted during the pandemic. Classes D and E expenditure on FMCG declined by 12 percent and 11 percent,
respectively, bringing the average FMCG spending level of all Filipino households in 2021 lower by 11 percent compared to the spending level in 2019. “Now for 2022, it’s going to be a different picture. We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic,” she added. Among the reasons for a better outlook for this year include the higher gross domestic product (GDP)
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Growth outlook for local FMCG ‘cautiously optimistic’ in 2022
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utlook for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is “cautiously optimistic” this year as the pandemic left a prolonged disruption in shopping habits among Filipinos, data, insights, and consulting company Kantar said. In a virtual press briefing Thursday, Kantar Philippines Worldpanel Division new business director Lourdes Deocareza-Lozano
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On plans to come up with the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) Ordinance to strengthen its positioning as a major hub for MICE destination in the Philippines:
We are really gearing towards more conventions here in Davao City kasi yun ang staple ng ating tourism, right now it’s to promote MICE in Davao City and we are going to finally host MICECon 2022 in November and hopefully launch our MICE program already para tuloy na tuloy na ang ating mga programs.”
Generose Tecson
City Tourism Operations Office head
EDITORIAL Walden’s antics Walden Bello stepped inside a closed legislative hall, sat on the chair reserved for the august body’s presiding officer and then banged the gavel--the symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a presiding officer. Why did he do that? Only Bello knows.
For one, Bello is not a member of the august body. Second, the body is not in session and hence, doors were closed. Third, he is not supposed to sit on the presiding officer’s chair. And fourth, he does not wield authority to hold and more so, bang the mallet. Here is a person who was declared “persona non grata” in the very same hall he disrespected, entering it without permission nor having any official business to do so. Bello is not a taxpayer of the city, nor a resident. He is only in the city on that day because he has to appear before the court for cyber libel charges. He is
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So how did he manage to get to the SP building much less enter the session hall? Easy, nobody noticed Bello. Nobody restrained him. He was free to roam without the “persona non grata” tag forced on him. Well, yes. This is the city Bello loved to despise. Did anyone hurt him, much less even touch him? No.
Despite his antics and for whatever worth it achieved for him, Bello just showed us his character. Someone who would breach simple rules of courtesy and respect. So just let Bello be Bello. Courtesy begets courtesy. Respect begets respect. 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
not a member of the City Council nor was he invited to appear before it, much less on a day the Sanggunian was not in session.
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)
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
SO, WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? Every now and then, we received e-mails from people all over the world: some are trivial, others are very interesting. There are few which are very intriguing which caught our immediate attention. Here’s one of the most intriguing: “I’m a 28-year-old engineer who works in a government office. I’m very attracted to one of our officemates, who’s not only very handsome but neat as well. He’s 30, and his name is ‘Paul.’ Paul also seems to be interested in me. He hasn’t asked me out or explicitly said that he’s interested, but a girl knows. Sometimes I talk with him during lunchtime and he certainly doesn’t seem to mind. Anyway, I’m not sure if I should ask him out for a date or see a movie together, or wait until he will tell me. Please help.” Yes, she’s seeking advice from me. But I don’t know how to respond to such a dilemma. “Never give advice unless asked,” reminds a German proverb. She did ask me. And the words of Carolyn Wells came to mind: “Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to
give than to receive.” But on second thought, P.G. Wodehouse also advised: “I always advise people never to give advice” But on second thought, Brendan Francis declared: “People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to see our own way more clearly.” British novelist Agatha Christie pointed out: “Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that’s no reason not to give it.” Yes, I’m completely lost. Will someone give me some advice, please! The words of Francis Bacon came haunting: “He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” Adlai Stevenson added: “We should be careful and discriminating in all the advice we give. We should be especially careful in giving advice that we would not think of following ourselves.
Most of all, we ought to avoid giving counsel which we don’t follow when it damages those who take us at our word.” Looking for advice? Why not ask your favorite celebrities? Here are some from our file: “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” – Harry S Truman. “If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married.” – Katharine Hepburn. “Often you just have to rely on your intuition.” - Bill Gates. “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” - Lucille Ball. Of course, you probably know who Rick Warren is. Yes, he is the man behind the best-selling, The Purpose Driven Life. Recently, a close friend sent me “the greatest advice,” which Warren himself has penned. Read it below: “Don’t date because you are desperate. Don’t marry because you are miserable. Don’t have kids because you think your genes are superior. Don’t philander because you think you
are irresistible. “Don’t associate with people you can’t trust. Don’t cheat. Don’t lie. Don’t pretend. Don’t dictate because you are smarter. Don’t demand because you are stronger. “Don’t sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better. Don’t hurt your kids because loving them is harder. Don’t sell yourself, your family, or your ideals. Don’t stagnate! “Don’t regress. Don’t live in the past. Time can’t bring anything or anyone back. Don’t put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right. Don’t throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking. “Learn a new skill. Find a new friend. Start a new career. Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life’s more hasty decisions. “To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless. To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy. To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy. Don’t bring another life into this
world for all the wrong reasons. “To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be. Simplify your life. Take away the clutter. Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons. Don’t abandon your responsibilities but don’t overdose on duty. “Don’t live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family. Be true to yourself. Don’t commit when you are not ready. Don’t keep others waiting needlessly. “Go on that trip. Don’t postpone it. Say those words. Don’t let the moment pass. Do what you have to, even at society’s scorn. Write poetry. Love Deeply. Walk barefoot. Dance with wild abandon. Cry at the movies. “Take care of yourself. Don’t wait for someone to take care of you. You light up your life. You drive yourself to your destination. No one completes you - except YOU. Mr. Warren ended his greatest advice with this line: “God is good all the time!”
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
WHO KILLED KAPITAN INGGO? One of the most notorious Muslim bandits to hog Da-vao headlines in 1985 is Kapitan Inggo, supposedly a member of the People’s Liberation Organization (PLO) and self-proclaimed killer of opposition leader Alexander L. Orcullo whose declared name is Abubakar Bautista Barsolo. An account appearing in People’s Daily Forum, a local paper citing Mandug sources, reported that Kapitan Inggo was ‘reportedly slain by fatigue-clad men (on) October 9 at Waan, Mandug.” It even described the circumstances behind the incident, saying five armed men initially ap-proached an aide of Kapitan Inggo at Waan and asked if they would be allowed to talk to him. The request was granted but it also signaled an am-bush. The report narrated: “While approaching the armed men who
were reported clean shaven, a burst of gunfire was heard by workers of the Lapanday Development Company (a banana plantation) and residents of the river bank there. Kapitan Inggo was fatally hit and his men fought back.” Was Kapitan Inggo killed? If so, who killed him? News of his death immediately circulated about town but was cautiously received by skeptics in the absence of confirmation from military and barangay authorities. The only available details of the incident were unclear and loose and largely embellished if not contrived. Over a month later, Mindanao Daily Mirror, another lo-cal paper, reported that Kapitan Inggo’s death has been denied by its sources, adding the bandit was still alive in Davao del Norte.
Killed in the supposed encounter at Waan was the bandit’s righthand, Usman Sali. Contrary to the earlier account, the story placed the time of the incident in September 1985, a month earlier than originally reported: “[Sali] was taken to the Davao Medical Center by the Marines but died along the way from gunshot wounds inflicted by a .30 caliber WW II carbine.” According to Mandug residents, Kapitan Inggo, with a band of around 200 fully-armed men, was also a member of the Bangsa Moro Army (BMA), the armed unit of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). He was, in some accounts, a ‘formidable Muslim terrorist’ who originally resided in Sirawan, Toril District. According to information, he surrendered to authori-ties in
1983 to Lt. Domingo Villareiz of the Tugbok police station and, as a rebel returnee, was assigned to recruit at least 5,000 Muslims to form the bulk of a paramilitary unit attached to the integrated civilian and home defense force (ICHDF) under the Davao Metropolitan District Com-mand (Metrodiscom). Its task was to assist the military in its counter-insurgency operations against the NPA rebels. This narrative affirms another unconfirmed claim that Kapitan Inggo was authorized by the military to help in the hunt for subversives and insurgents in the remote ar-eas of Davao City. Aurelio A. Peña, in an article (‘Who Is Kapitan Inggo? Who Are Behind Him?’) dated November 23, 1984, that appeared in People’s Daily Forum, reported: “This supposed ‘tie-up’ be-
tween the military and the BMA group of ‘Kapitan Inggo’ was denied…by Brig. Gen. Dionisio Tan-Gatue, head of the police regional com-mand, when around 200 armed men allegedly led by Abubakar Barsolo was sighted last August 2 at sitios Uy-on Uno and Uyon Dos by residents of Mandug. Mean-while, Col. Geronimo Valderrama, head of the Davao Metrodiscom also claimed during the dialogue…that he can swear before the Holy Bible and the Koran that he has ‘nothing to do with Kapitan Inggo and his group of PLO terrorists.” (Sources: Ed Pagkalinawan, “Conflicting accounts on death of Kapitan Inggo Reported,” People’s Daily Forum, November 3, 1985, 1 & 8. “Aide, not Inggo Reported Killed,” Mindanao Daily Mirror, November 12, 1985, 1 & 10.)
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EDGEDAVAO
WOMEN
FAITH OVER FEAR How Vanessa Patiño – Ong fights cancer with grace. Hearing cancer in a diagnosis can shake one to the core. You go through a roller coaster of emotions and stages of denial, fear, doubt, and vulnerability.
Vanessa Ann Patiño – Ong found out about her lung cancer in 2017. Even before her diagnosis, this mother, artist, and businesswoman was already living a healthy and active lifestyle. She has always been mindful of what she ate and followed a pescatarian diet. A life-threatening illness was far from her thoughts until the doctor dropped the C-bomb. “It was just an incidental finding when I had my abdomen checked. I felt a severe pain, and I thought it was due to appendicitis. I headed to the emergency room and underwent a CT scan. The scan also showed a portion of my lungs. The gastroenterologist then advised me to see an oncologist. I went for a second opinion with an oncologist in Manila. After a series of scans, tests, and biopsy, I was told I had stage 4 lung cancer.” Rather than letting the bad news dampen her spirit, Vanessa focused on what mattered most. She was determined to fight cancer for her family and those dear to her. “The first thing that came to mind were my three daughters—Zoe, Caelie, and Isobel—who were still too young to grow up without a mom.” WILL TO LIVE It was important that she inform her family about her condition right away. More than ever, she needed their support and prayers. “My husband, Randall, and I decided to tell our two older children first. We only informed our youngest about my condition when she was already old enough to understand.
Vanessa Ong’s artworks on display.
I messaged my close friends that I am determined to fight this illness, and I asked them to pray for me.” Vanessa has always found solace in faith. She surrendered her worries and fears to God and turned to a particular life verse for hope and courage. “God is faithful; He will not let you be tested beyond your strength. But with your testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:1)”. Vanessa took a proactive stance and set her mind and heart on possible solutions. She braved the battle without letting the odds rob her of her hope, joy, and will to live life to the fullest. JOURNEY TO HEALING “I preferred to have my treatments done in Davao because I wanted to be close to my family. I gave full trust to my oncologist, Dr. Arthur Lui. He had just returned to Davao to practice after years of being based in Canada. His plans were concrete, and he always had options. I was the first to use immunotherapy, which was added to my chemotherapy treatment. I always had scans and monitoring every three months.” Vanessa recalls facing several stumbling blocks. “Some scans showed that cancer became resistant to medications. I had to
LEFT: Vanessa Patiño-Ong ABOVE: Vanessa stays strong by working out. change my treatment again and took oral medications, which worked for a while.” “Because of the pandemic, it took a year before I went for a checkup with my neurologist in Manila. I found out I had to undergo a Gamma Knife procedure again because of brain metastasis.” The side effects of some oral medications included body aches, cough, and loss of appetite. “I took those medications for a few months since my cancer progressed. But right now, I’m doing chemotherapy and immunotherapy and taking targeted medications.” LIFE GOES ON In spite of all discomforts and challenges, Vanessa never wavers. There are no guarantees in life, as with cancer, but there
is no reason why she shouldn’t enjoy life’s pleasures or pursue whatever sparks joy and bring inspiration. She maintains an active and healthy lifestyle and engages in activities that help improve her overall well-being. This stylish BTS ARMY makes time to bond with loved ones and indulges in different forms of relaxation— from baking to painting, tablescaping, and Ikebana. “Art inspires me to stay creative and not feel sorry for myself,” she reveals. “It helps me maintain a positive outlook. I paint subjects that make me happy, like my Ikebana arrangements, travel memories, and flora and fauna, to name a few.” She had her first solo exhibit in Davao City in April 2021. Her second solo exhibit opened in Cebu last April 2, 2022.
ROOTED IN GRACE Friends and family continue to rally behind Vanessa and storm heaven with prayers. “My husband is my rock. He takes good care of me and has always been so supportive. Cancer treatments are expensive, and I’m lucky that my in-laws are also very supportive. I’m grateful for my family, friends, and prayer warriors.” Adversities also bring to light other missions and purposes. Vanessa decided to use her talent to help others and donated proceeds from her first solo exhibit to aid cancer-stricken children at the House of Hope. The battle is not over, and Vanessa is still undergoing treatments. Yet she remains calm and collected and radiates positivity—proof of her strong faith and belief that God is with her throughout the journey. “To those who are going through a storm, put your trust in God. Stay positive and always choose faith over fear.” --All photos courtesy of Vanessa Ong.
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ENVIRONMENT
9
SEA LEVEL RISE
Isla Verde: This “island” will definitely be vanished from the map.
Flooded Bankerohan River: Flooding will be constant as the climate keeps warming.
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f nothing is done soon to curb the effects of climate change, Davao City is in big trouble.
A study done by Project LUPAD (League of Unmanned Philippine Aerial Drones) showed that coastal areas and even those in higher elevations in Davao City will be under water should warming of the planet continue. Based on projections, among those that will be inundated are the areas along the coast: Toril, Talomo, Boulevard, Agdao, Sasa, Lasang and Matina. Even those in higher areas are not spared like Buhangin, Magtuod, Catalunan, Lampianao and Mandug and those particularly near the Davao River. Aside from Davao City, some other portions of Davao Region will also be under water. A big part of Davao del Norte and some areas of Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur will be deluged with water. This will happen only if all of the world’s ice melted which would create a water layer at 216 feet above the ground. “If we keep burning fossil fuels indefinitely, global warming will eventually melt all the ice at the pole and on mountaintops, raising sea level by 216 feet,” said a report published by National Geographic. The forecasts made by Project LUPAD are not surprising anymore. When he was still alive, Council Leonardo Avila III told participants of a seminar that
Agdao district, Panacan, Sta. Ana wharf, part of Lanang, Bajada and Matina areas, the whole downtown area, including the City Hall, “will be completely under water.” All those aforementioned areas “will virtually be part of the Davao Gulf,” Avila said. As a result, 40% of the city’s population will be forced to evacuate to higher areas. Since the downtown area is already inundated, businesses have also to be relocated to higher areas. Already happening Some people think this will happen in the future. Unknowingly, it is already happening. In fact, former Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza believes that the constant flooding happening in Davao City these days is due to sea level rise. “My calculation is that (the sea level) has risen by one foot over a period of 20 years,” he wrote in his column, “Advocacy Mindanao.” “Hence, rain waters and floods no longer easily flow or empty out into the sea. They are clogged in the waterways and spill out into the riverbanks.” Lorenzo Tan, executive director of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), seemed to agree. In a conference on strengthening river basin organizations in Davao City in 2015, he declared: “If you see rising sea levels, Mindanao is at ground zero. “But let’s not talk about the ice, let’s look at Davao City and when we look at
IS IMMINENT Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO
Davao City, we look at the Davao River, and at other rivers surrounding it. Has Davao City looked at the areas around it to make itself ready?” Tan was quoted as saying by Philippine Daily Inquirer. The WWF head knew what he was talking about. Davao City was among the 12 key cities in the country that was included in the Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts study
done by WWF along with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation Inc. The impending sea level rise may create some havoc in the near future. “Davao should take a close look at the city’s shipping fleet and port facilities and take the necessary steps to ensure that they are upgraded to deal with the impacts of climate change,” Tan suggested. According to a recent
study, whose findings were published in Nature, the world’s oceans are now rising far faster than they did in the past. The current sea-level rise rate – which started in 1990 – is 2.5 times faster than it was from 1900 to 1990. The study found that for much of the 20th century, sea level rise was about 30% less than earlier research had figured. “But that’s not good news because about 25 years ago the seas started
rising faster and the acceleration in 1990 turns out to be more dramatic than previously calculated,” wrote Seth Borenstein in a dispatch for Associated Press. “We’re seeing a significant acceleration in the past few decades,” study lead author Carling Hay, a geophysical researcher at Harvard University, was quoted as saying. According to the report written by Borenstein, pre-
Davao City: Project LUPAD showed some areas in Davao City that will be inundated in the future.
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Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Davao City and is currently waiting for their available schedule for vaccination. “We have a meeting with BPOs last week and we are partnering with them kay isa sila sa pinakadaghan ug employees dinhi sa Davao City and we want to make sure na kanang ilang mga employees are fully vaccinated and boostered. We will be conducting mobile vaccination sa ilahang respective BPO offices and we are waiting for the schedule na available nila,” she said. Schlosser also said they will also bring the mobile vaccination to the restaurants and other private establishments including malls to cover their employees.
“All other establishments na mag-request ug mobile vaccination labi na sa mga naa’y nag wait na vaccinees. Even if 50 lang ka na vaccines, we will be visiting that establishment para mapaduol na gyud sa ilaha ang vaccination,” she said. She said although the data is showing that most Dabawenyos are already fully vaccinated it is not enough as they still need to get their booster shot. “Kinahanglan ta magpa booster mao na atong ginapa-paspasan ug ginapa-stregnthen ang activity nato that is the reason why we are going down to their respective offices kay para mapaduol sa ilaha ug wala na’y rason na mudili sila kay wala sila’y time,” she said.
have operations and we can now offer jobs to our drivers, and other staff,” he said. “We are also abiding by the DOTr’s mandate of modernizing our units to increase road safety,” he
added. As of Wednesday, the number of routes offered in the “Libreng Sakay” program has reached 61 with schedules that will be announced soon. (PNA)
program. Scholarship programs will soon be provided through TESDA to provide disadvantaged youth and adults with job training skills and schooling to better prepare them to continue their education or enter the workforce. “We need to invest in our people, the To-
masinos. Samtang atong ginapakusgan ang technical-vocational education, maningkamot akong administrasyon na maplastar nato atong training center na naay TESDA certified trainers para kita na mismo ang muhatag og trainings na libre sa katawhang Tomasino,” Evangelista said.
Philippines. “We are really gearing towards more conventions here in Davao City kasi yun ang staple ng ating tourism, right now it’s to promote MICE in Davao City and we are going to finally host MICECon 2022 in November and hopefully launch our MICE program already para tuloy na tuloy na ang ating mga programs,” she said. It can be recalled that Davao City bid in 2019 and won to host MICECon 2020, however, it was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic. “Ngayon, we are going to go through with it and we are hoping to have 500 participants both buyers and yung mga gustong
mag-observe,” she said. Tecson said the hosting of MICECon 2022 aims to show how prepared Davao City is in conducting MICE events, not just face-to-face but also hybrid. “When it comes to MICE, Davao City is very much prepared. Meron tayong mga protocols regarding MICE events which we follow and most of our venues and event organizers they already know what to do,” she said. She also said that there will be also a women’s international convention that will happen in Davao City in June this year that will be participated by 150 delegates. By Maya M. Padillo
ing, as he acknowledged that there is a possibility that the Russia-Ukraine crisis might get out of hand. He reiterated that it would be a “serious problem,” in case Russia ramps up its offensive against Ukraine by using nuclear weapons. “Kaya pag ganoong magulo (If it becomes uncontrollable), it’s war. We may be dragged into or something might really happen
also kasi kasama-kasama iyan eh. Inyong problema na (that’s the possible effect. That will be your problem),” he said. “Kung hindi mangyayari, magpasalamat tayo sa Diyos (If it will not happen, let’s thank the Lord).” Troops commended Duterte, nevertheless, lauded the Philippine troops for living up to their mandate to serve and protect the country, despite the recent global
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recovery of the domestic economy, which beat the government’s 5.5-percent target for 2021 after it expanded by 5.7 percent. He said risks for this year include the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war.
Dominguez said that while the Philippines is not directly affected by the war, it is affected by the rise in the prices of oil and commodities in the international market. (PNA)
Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), in contrast to the actual goods entering the country reported by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). For instance, the 2016 record shows BAI has recorded 2,421,000 kg of palm oil import volume, higher than BOC’s 1,181,000 kg; while it shoots up to 55,488,000 kg for BOC, and 40,632,000 kg BAI in 2020. “Noong (Last) 2016, if you look at the data, 2 million lang, halos (almost) 2 million lang ang ini-import, suddenly in 2020, naging (it grew to) 40 million, so there’s something wrong, if you use your common sense, if you look at the market, there’s a flood of cooking oil,” Adriano noted. ARTA has recommended that agencies perform their own investigation following the discrepancies discovered. “Wala sa batas natin
‘yun e, na pagkatapos noon, umalis na sa port, nakuha na, walang nagfollow-up, ano bang ginawa nila? Pero nakita natin ‘yung loophole na’yun, gumawa ngayon ‘yung Bureau of Animal Industry ng rules na requirements na mula ngayon kailangan na… they should submit a utilization report (That’s not included in the law, that after they’ve left the port after it was claimed, no one’s doing a follow-up on what they are doing next. But we saw that loophole, and now the BAI created rules, requiring them to submit a utilization report),” he said. The DA, meanwhile, mentioned it has started tightening protocols through a stricter requirement for utilization reports, coordination with other agencies for smugglers, the boosting of local competitiveness, and the ongoing efforts on digitization. (PNA)
Grand Mall Toril, and NCCC Mall, Buhangin. Meanwhile vaccination site at Abreeza Ayala Malls is open from Monday until Sunday. “Wala na sila’y rason na dili sila makaadto ug wala sila’y time,” Schlosser said. Schlosser said the Crocodile Park and People’s
Park vaccination hubs continue to operate from Mondays to Saturdays. Schlosser also said that it’s inevitable for anyone to get infected but being fully vaccinated and boostered reduces the risk of suffering from severe to critical symptoms of Covid-19. By Maya M. Padillo
For the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said the agency puts science, technology, and innovation “at the heart” of its industrial policy. Aldaba said the enactment of the Philippine Innovation Act indicates the government’s strong
commitment to pursue innovation to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth. “Innovation is the key to economic growth. It leads to improvements in competitiveness and productivity, and is the secret sauce for the success of many advanced countries,” she added. (PNA)
growth forecast for the Philippines, as well as new shopping habits that Filipinos developed in the past two
years, such as value for money, new channel missions, e-commerce, and sustainability. The return of face-toface classes will also help in the recovery of FMCG spending. “The year 2022 will see
brands, especially in the FMCG industry, become cautiously optimistic about their growth prospects,” Deocareza-Lozano said. “FMCG companies must be able to assess and understand the changing behaviors of Filipinos in order to attract them to choose their products and buy them as frequently as possible.” (PNA)
challenges. “I commend you for remaining true to your mission to keep citizens safe amidst the recent struggles and uncertainties that the world is facing,” he said.
Duterte on April 8 held a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amid their concern over a possible spillover of war into Asia.
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vious research showed that between 1900 and 1990, the seas rose about two-thirds of an inch a decade. The new study recalculates the 19001990 rate to less than half an inch a decade. Old and new research both say that since the 1990s seas are rising at about 30 millimeters a decade. Troubling implications “The implications are troubling – accelerated ocean warming, ice sheet collapse and sea level rise – all point to more and more sea level rise in the future, perhaps at a faster rate than previously thought,” noted Jonathan Overpeck, co-director of the Institute of the Environment at the University of Arizona. “This will make adaptation to climate change more difficult and costly.” One of the consequences of sea level rise is making groundwater become salty in taste. “Salinity intrusion into groundwater resources occurs naturally to some extent in most coastal regions via the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater including through canals and drainage channels,” said a World Bank report. Health studies show salty water is bad for your health. “The most common consequence of excessive salt ingestion is hypertension,” the World Bank report said. “Along with hypertension, there is a broad range of health problems potentially link with increased salinity exposure through bathing, drinking, and cooking; these include miscarriage, skin disease, acute respiratory infection, and diarrheal disease.” Salt intrusion is indeed bad news. In Davao City, for instance, the sources of water are in danger of becoming salty. “Davao has traditionally tapped surface water from its rivers as its main water source,” the WWF/BPI report said. “It prides itself in the relatively high quality of its drinking water. However, salt intrusion has already been reported in city districts to shore, especially in portions of the city where groundwater extraction continues. Sea level rise may aggravate this situation.” One of affected countries The Philippines is among the many countries most affected by climate changes in the world. Accelerating rise of sea level is the biggest threat as the country is home to more than 7,100 islands. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), an increasing trend in the sea level in the country was observed way back in 1965. According to research conducted by the Philippine Country Study to Address Climate Change, the Manila Bay is already subjected to several hazards, including flooding and storms. “Shoreline changes due to reclamation for housing, ports, coastal roads, buildings and other urbanized development are high, adding to an increased threat of inundation,” the study said. It is still going on. “By the end of this century, sea levels in (Asia and the Pacific) region are expected to rise by about 125 centimeters, exceeding the global average by 10-15%,” said Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines, a World Bank report. “Even assuming the sea level in the region rises at the global average rate of about 100 centimeters, about 14% of the Philippines’ total population and 42% of its total coastal population will be af-
fected by intensifying storm surges resulting from more intense typhoons,” the bank report stated. “In the Philippines, the impacts of storm surges, associated with sea level rise and more intense storms, are particularly significant in terms of the percentage of affected coastal land area, population, and gross domestic product,” the bank report added. Findings of the study produced by the New Jersey-based science organization Climate Central said that the land currently occupied by 8.6 million Filipinos could be inundated by the end of the century as the sea levels continue to rise. Climate change Sea level rise is one of the certain outcomes of climate change. It was Dr. James E. Hansen of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration who first raised the problem of climate change. In 1988, he told an American Senate hearing that the greenhouse effect “is changing our climate now.” Andrew Griffin, in an article which appeared in Independent, wrote: “There is a 90% chance that the world’s temperature will rise 2°C to 49°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, despite measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The greenhouse effect is a natural warming process. During the Climate Change Media Workshop some years back in Davao City, Dr. Perez said that carbon dioxide and certain other gases are always present in the atmosphere. These gases create a warming effect that has some similarity to the warming inside a greenhouse, hence the name “greenhouse effect.” Dr. Perez explained human activities that emit additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere increase the amount of heat that gets absorbed before escaping to space, thus enhancing the greenhouse effect and amplifying the warming of the earth. “Although the Earth’s climate has changed many times throughout its history, the rapid warming seen today cannot be explained by natural processes alone,” pointed out Dr. Perez who has a PhD in Meteorology from the University of the Philippines. Man’s tampering with the environment has made the temperature change faster, scientists believe. “While human activities during the past century have damaged a long list of nature systems, most of these problems are local or regional in scope and can be reversed in years or decades if sufficient effort is exerted,” wrote Christopher Flavin in his book, Slowing Global Warming: A Worldwide Strategy. “Climate change is very simple,” noted Dr. Robert Watson, who used to head the Nobel-prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “We are increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and thus their concentrations in the atmosphere are going up. As these concentrations increase, the temperature of the earth rises.” “Our lifestyle has led to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” notes the fact sheet circulated during the workshop mentioned earlier. “These gases trap heat from the sun, making the earth warmer. Manifestations of a warmer world include rising mean temperatures, sea level rise and increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts and greater rainfall.”
VOL.15 ISSUE 9 • SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022
SPORTS
EDGEDAVAO
11
Thee Barangay Ginebra are Kings again. PBA
Ginebra wins PBA Govs Cup title Y ielding the All-Filipino crown earlier in the season, no way the Barangay Ginebra Kings would let this one slip away, too. Justin Brownlee and his teammates extended their domination of the Meralco Bolts in their PBA Governors’ Cup finals rivalry, staying on the throne with a 103-92 victory before a delirious crowd of over 20,000 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Friday night.
As most of the series, the quartet of Brownlee, LA Tenorio, Christian Standhardinger and Scottie Thompson did most of
the damage as the Kings snuffed the fight out of the Bolts and made it four-of-four in their titular disputes.
Brownlee shrugged off a two-point firsthalf showing and came through with 22 in the second half while Tenorio saved his best for last and exploded for 30 in their series clincher. Standhardinger buckled down to work early and collected double-double numbers with 19 markers and 13 rebounds while Thompson also made an impact with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Gin Kings defended the crown they won before the league and the whole world were hit by the
pandemic. Sponsored content: It was their second back-to-back Governors’ Cup championships in six years, allowing them to tie Alaska Milk and Magnolia as the league’s second winningest ballcubs with 14 crowns each. “Barangay, wow! I’m so honored to be part of your family. For many years, I’m not part of your family. Now, I’m part of it, and it’s amazing,” said coach Tim Cone, the author of Ginebra’s 4-of-4 title runs in the Governors’ Cup and six in all in the last six years. Cone, a multi-titled
coach with Alaska and Magnolia earlier, bagged a 24th crown overall. “It’s such a delight and joy to bring these guys to the Promised Land in front of you. You made it happen,” said Cone, addressing their diehards that once again served as their virtual “Sixth Man” in their latest conquest. With their firm desire and resolve, the Kings finished off the Bolts, ending the fourth installment of their best-of-seven showdown in six games. Sponsored content: The Kings rallied from 1-2 down and claimed
the crown with a sweep of Games Three to Six. “The difference between us and them is Justin Brownlee. If Justin was on the other side, who knows what would’ve happened,” said Cone, giving Brownlee much credit. “I hope we’ve brought joy pagkatapos ng pandemic. And I hope there will be more to come,” Cone also said. The Bolts fought the Kings tooth and nail through the first three quarters but melted away and thus remained in search for the elusive first PBA title.
Grizzlies topple Wolves T
The Memphis Grizzlies stunned the Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-95, on Thursday and take a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series.
he Memphis Grizzlies clawed back from a 26-point deficit to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-95, on Thursday and take a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series. Down 26 points in the second quarter and 25 with 3:10 left in the third, the Grizzlies held their nerve in Minneapolis, where they out-scored the Timberwolves, 37-12, in the fourth quarter to match the fourth-largest comeback in NBA playoff history. Desmond Bane scored 26 points and Brandon Clarke added 20 -- 12 of them in the fourth quarter -- off the bench for Memphis. Ja Morant connected on just five of 18 shots from the field but put together a triple-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Memphis, who used a 21-0 fourth-quarter scoring run to turn the tables on the Timberwolves.
“Everybody stayed with it, stayed resilient throughout the whole entire game,” Bane said. “Whether we were up, down, whatever -- it was enough to get it done.” Minnesota led, 47-21, with 10:28 left in the second quarter when the Grizzlies mounted their first charge, trimming the deficit to seven points at halftime. The Timberwolves regained the upper hand with a quick start to the third quarter, taking a 73-50 lead on Jaden McDaniels’ three-pointer with 4:28 left in the period. D’Angelo Russell’s three-pointer with 3:10 left in the third put Minnesota up 79-54, and despite the Grizzlies’ scoring surge to end the period they trailed by 16 going into the fourth. Bane drilled a three-pointer with 8:33 to play to cap a 21-0 scoring run that tied the game at 83-83.
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The final score cards gave Mercita Gesta a unanimous decision win.
PINOY RISING
PH boxer Gesta drops Golden Boy fighter twice en route to win
L
OS ANGELES -- Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta came out strong on Golden Boy’s Fight Night on DAZN, dropping highly rated Joel Diaz Jr. twice in the first round. The ensuing 9 rounds turned into an action-packed match-up with the Mandaueborn fighter landing vicious left hands throughout the match. The final score cards gave Gesta a unanimous decision win. “I wasn’t expecting (the knockdown) too but since I haven’t fought for a while, I think the feeling, excitement after I saw his punches, I just want to jump and get in there. But I gotta give it to him,” said Gesta. “He’s tough, he made it all the way to the 10 rounds. Although there’s a lot of time I kind of hurt him, he remained, stayed there being a brawler. It’;s not bad for my first comeback fight after a while not fighting.” Gesta had plenty of motivation going into this fight, where he was listed as the B-side. Aside from anticipating his first
child in August, he dedicated the fight to a family friend Obie Sibug who passed away from COVID-19 earlier this year. Mercito Gesta triumphant in return “Obie is really important on my team. He’s kind of like a dad to me, too because I’ve known Obie before my parents got here, he’s like their age. He’s kind of like a dad to me, he always thinks about me, and he’s on the team. And of course we’re so devastated when he passed away. That’s why I dedicated the fight to Obie,” said Gesta. With a big win, the 34-yearold now improved his record to 33-3-3 and hopes it can open the door for another world title shot in the lightweight division. Despite a few bruises, Gesta is actually open to trying to squeeze in one more fight before his wife’s due date in August.