Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 11 | Tuesday, April 26, 2022

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VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

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Instead of going to school like any other child his age, this boy peddles boiled corn in Brgy. Sasa, Davao City on Monday to earn money to help his family.

Edge Davao

TRANSIT SUSPECTS

Most apprehended drug suspects are non-residents of Davao: DCPO STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte in his special video message at the Head of States and Government Meeting during the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit at the Kumamoto-Jo Hall in Kumamoto City, Japan calls for a “bolder vision” and “urgent action” to solve water-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Presidential Photo

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It’s time for bolder, urgent action to solve water woes, PRRD says

Most apprehended drug suspects are non-residents of Davao: DCPO

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported that most of the apprehended drug suspects are not from Davao City and were arrested mostly within the city’s boundaries and checkpoints.

“Nadakpan kasagaran sa mga boundaries nato, papasok ng Davao City and kursunada gyud sila na musulod in transit, its either passing Davao City. Kasagaran ani nadakpan sa check points nato and they are not from Davao City some from Maguindanao, South Cotabato. Malaki ang Davao City at maraming entry points puwedeng muagi sa dagat.

Marami din tayong maliliit

na daan na puwede mapasukan,” said Major Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of DCPO. Gaspan reported that based on DCPO’s anti-illegal drugs accomplishment from January to April 12, 2022, there were 566 arrested from the 466 operations conducted and DCPO has confiscated shabu worth P5,723,619.50 and P1,156,324.97 worth of con-

fiscated marijuana.

She added that 400 cases were already filed.

“Padayon ang DCPO sa paggukod hangtod sa mahurot kaning mga nag-engage sa illegal drugs,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gaspan reacted to vice-presidential aspirant Walden Bello’s claims that Davao City is the “drug center” of the southern part of the Philippines.

She said DCPO has the highest number of operations against illegal drugs and several accomplishments in the entire Davao Region in combating illegal drugs.

“This is so because of our intensified efforts in

combating illegal drugs,” she said.

Proof of this is the areas in Davao City identified as drug-cleared already such as Paquibato District and Barangay Los Amigos in Calinan.

“Dahil lahat pinapasok na natin kahit sa kasulok sulokan na areas dito sa Davao City and I think Paquibato considered na drug-cleared na and Barangay Los Amigos drug cleared na rin.

I don’t think Davao City is the center of drug trade dahil sabi ko nga most of the apprehended suspects, ang nadakpan kasagaran sa mga boundaries nato,” she said.

resident Rodrigo Duterte has called for a “bolder vision” and “urgent action” to solve water-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region, saying developing countries like the Philippines still face challenges to ensure people’s universal access to safe, affordable and accessible water.

In a video message during the heads of states and government meeting at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto City on Saturday, Duterte said countries in Asia-Pacific and its partners must forge “a strong alliance” to address water woes in the region.

“Excellencies, now is the time for bolder vision and urgent action. We need to decide wisely for ourselves and for future generations,” Duterte said.

Citing the Philippines’ case, he said there remains an “enormous challenge” to ensure enough supply of drinking water despite the abundance of water in the

country.

“This requires an urgent sense of community action in the region, an integrated and coherent policy and the resolve to create opportunities for investment and collaboration for technological solutions,” he told the participants of the water summit.

He suggested several other measures to address challenges such as creating a robust regime for sustainable water management, using the best available science in water resource generation and climate resilient infrastructure, and securing sustainable forest protection and watershed management.

Regional experts for technology development and transfer, he said, must also collaborate, and countries must promote transboundary benefits for the common people’s development towards 2050 and beyond.

He said solutions to water-related issues must

t least three passengers were hurt after a powerful blast rocked a unit of the Rural Tours Bus parked along the national highway here on Sunday morning.

The explosion occurred at about 8:45 a.m. at the back portion of the bus while some of its passengers, driver and conductor were having breakfast at a roadside eatery in Barangay

Making.

The blast was about a kilometer away from the regional headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) situated in this town.

“Bomb experts are still at the scene,” Lt. Colonel Joseph D. Macatangay, town police chief, said.

Pres. Duterte’s endorsement comes from the heart: Piñol A S enatorial aspirant Emmanuel Piñol emphasized to his critics who keep on asking about the endorsement made by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte to his candidacy in the coming May 2022 polls that he was indeed “endorsed from the heart.”

“Many are asking if I was endorsed by President Rody Duterte. My answer - If the endorsement was by raising a hand, it didn’t happen and I didn’t ask either. I have always believed that the endorsement is his to give, not mine to ask,” he clarified in a Facebook post

on Saturday (April 23).

In a video clip posted on his official social media account, it can be seen that Duterte relates his impression to Piñol’s work ethic when he was then the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

“I knew Manny, he is a

country boy and he works very well. I adored the level of energy that he purses into his work and he is a very industrious worker,” Duterte said in the clip.

Piñol then explained that he did not ask for it and the words that flowed from

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FIT’S TIME, P10

3 hurt as blast hits bus on stopover in Maguindanao

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EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

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Hundreds of vehicles and about 9,000 individuals join the “Supporters Motorcade” in Mati City on Sunday. The motorcade was a show of support to Mati City Michelle Nakpil Rabat and Tatak MNR team. Reports said it was spearheaded by volunteers and suppporters without any logistical support from Tatak MNR team. Contributed photo

Multi-layer security measures to be implemented at PRRD’s polling precinct ‘Abusive fact-checkers’ behind flagged FB posts: NTF-ELCAC

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he National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Sunday condemned the multiple flagging of social media giant Facebook (Meta) of its official posts and shared stories of government media agencies.

The NTF-ELCAC said even the government’s good governance posts and articles highlighting economic recovery programs and delivery of basic social services as well as “infrastructure projects to our communities, IP (Indigenous Peoples) areas, and the hinterland barangays” were also flagged as violative of Facebook community standards.

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy described Facebook’s move as “pathetic, cowardly, desperate, and lutang (floating)”.

“These describe the entities composed of a bunch of self-anointed, presumptuous, tyrannical, and abusive fact-checkers that set faulty, erroneous, biased, oppressive, and repressive

community standards for the social media platform Facebook. These so-called fact-checkers flagged posts and articles by the NTFELCAC and by government media entities, including official press releases of the Philippine government,” she said.

Earlier this week, National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr., also the NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson, called out the social media giant for flagging his post on April 14 due to alleged similar violations.

In his post, Esperon called on Filipinos to unite against the communist insurgency and all groups that support the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, but the post was restricted by Facebook.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya has likewise criticized the platform saying its move “is alarming, if not dangerous, as it has appointed itself as an omnipotent force that can censure at their discretion -- based

FABUSIVE, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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tualities na mahitabo and that is why buhusan ug tao (security force),” said Major Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of DCPO. During the midterm elections on May 13, 2019, the President cast his vote at polling pre-

cinct 1245A in DRANHS. He even signed the chair he used in the 2016 national elections.

Meanwhile, Gaspan said Davao City is under the category “green” which means there are no election areas of concern identified in the city.

“Wala usab ta election related violence in Davao City. In fact, nakalatag na ang atoang security plan for the upcoming local and national elections,” she said.

Gaspan said 80 percent

of DCPO personnel will be performing election duties like enforcing security and convoys.

“Eighty percent na strength ng DCPO will be performing election duties, especially on the day kasi nga 100 percent are expected na mag duty during the time at wala tayong leave,” she said.

She also said that DCPO will be deploying a minimum of two PNP personnel in each polling center. There are 263 identified polling centers in Davao City.

proposed residential component, but we don’t have an idea when they intend to start it,” Gacula said in an interview.

The property will be developed into a mixed-use complex that will include sports facilities and a condominium project in partnership with DMCI Project Developers, Inc. (DMCI Homes).

Gacula said currently they are doing the foundation works of the four-story

mall.

“We just started the foundation works and that is the current situation now and it will be targeted to be completed in 36 months.

It’s a four-story building with one parking basement,” he said.

The P4 billion NCCC mall is targeted to be completed in 2024.

The mall will carry a Philippine Eagle motif designed by architectural firm

Asya Design.

Based on the vehicular traffic impact study of the project, part of the complex will be used as an access road to minimize congestion of the two main roads.

It can be recalled that NCCC has also purchased the city’s iconic shopping mall Victoria Plaza and will be developing it into a mixed-use complex with residential and hotel components.

he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will be implementing multi-layer security measures at the polling precinct of President Rodrigo Duterte at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) in Matina Crossing, Davao City.

“Ang security plan is mao lang gihapon, inner layer, middle layer, ug outer layer. It will be a multi-layer security plan especially sa area kung asa mag-abot ang Presidente. Tight ang security kay himoon nato nga walay mga any even-

After NCCC Mall construction comes residential component

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he construction of the residential component within the three-hectare property of the New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) at the corner of MacArthur Highway and Ma-a Road will follow after the completion of the mall according to Joffrey Gacula, first vice president and construction director of D.M.Consunji, Inc, (DMCI).

“It is the plan. On the left side of the mall is the

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

A group of fishermen gathers near a beachfront in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur after a day of fishing. The Department of Agriculture has reported that it has already distributed P12 million of the P1.1-billion fuel subsidy for the fisherfolk and corn farmers nationwide to lessen the impact of a series of fuel price hikes on them. Edge Davao

DA disburses P12 million in fuel subsidy to corn farmers, fishers T others to have their names registered sa RSBSA. Patuloy naman po ‘yung registration dahil nakaka P12 million pa lang kami buong bansa,” he said.

(Our priority are those who were already registered. We’re still encouraging others to have their names registered in the RSBSA. The registration is ongoing because we have only distributed P12 mil-

lion nationwide, so far.)

Reyes noted that the P1.1-billion allocation for this program is funded through the P500 million from the 2022 budget, and the remaining P600M from the recently-approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

He said that about 300,000 corn farmers and fisherfolk will benefit from this program.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted the DA’s subsidy programs for eligible farmers and fisherfolk from the election spending ban, as confirmed by poll Commis-

sioner George Garcia on Wednesday.

Asked if the allocation of this fuel subsidy will resume this month, Reyes said, “Oo, itong katapusan. Itong remaining days and towards the elections.

Hanggang matapos, basically. Hanggang maibigay lahat.”

(Yes, the distribution will resume by the end of the month until we have distributed all the money.)

Aside from the fuel subsidy, Reyes said the DA also provides P5,000 aid under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance which was also exempted from the election spending ban.

fuel inflation and cut into households’ incomes and firms’ profits,” stated the report titled “Regional Economic Outlook for Europe”.

“Inflation is projected to hit a multi-decade high in many countries.

And new risks loom from escalating fighting and disruptions to critical energy flows,” it added.

The IMF said Europe-

an policymakers’ main challenges are caring for the refugees, helping vulnerable households and companies that try to cope with higher spending on energy, and improving energy security.

“The war and its aftermath will also add to the structural challenges facing post-pandemic Europe. In Ukraine, social and economic infrastruc-

ture destroyed by the war will need to be rebuilt, which will require large financing flows from donors,” it added.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on February 24, has drawn international outrage, with the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow. (Anadolu)

he Department of Agriculture has distributed P12 million of the P1.1-billion fuel subsidy for the corn farmers and fisherfolk nationwide to lessen the impact of a series of fuel price hikes on them, an official said Sunday.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said that registered farmers under the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and fishermen under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will be given P3,000 fuel subsidy.

“Ang priority muna ‘yung mga nakalista na.

So, we’re still encouraging

Russia-Ukraine war to have severe economic impact on Europe: IMF

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ussia’s war on Ukraine will have severe economic consequences for Europe, coming at a time when economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was incomplete, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a report on Friday.

“Large increases in commodity prices and compounded supply-side disruptions will further

Airline passenger volume expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels

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he Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it expected the volume of airline passengers to surpass pre-pandemic levels following the recent slowdown in COVID-19 infections in the country.

“Based on the data before the pandemic, the ride receipt actually increases by between five to eight percent every year. Right now there is an indication that it is increasing anew, and it might surpass the normal level in 2019,” CAAP spokes-

person Eric Apolonio said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Apolonio said that 42 CAAP supervised airports had commercial operations.

Of those 42 airports, 25 were night-rated.

Meanwhile, CAAP had added more personnel due to the influx of passengers this summer season and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants.

“We had also coordinated with airline companies to increase their employees in check-in counters because

FAIRLINE, P10

BOC-Davao Port to enroll more processes for ISO Certification

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Davao will be enrolling additional processes for ISO Certification for the year 2022 where the 1st Internal Quality Audit initiated by the Port of Davao-Quality Management Unit was conducted on April 20-21, 2022, to determine and discuss the added customs processes for ISO Certification.

On March 21, 2022, the said Port was awarded the

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification with 17 Customs Processes enrolled after successfully passing the Final External Audit conducted by TUV-SUD Philippines.

During the exit conference, the Port of DavaoQMU Team announced their recommendation for the additional 22 processes

FBOC-DAVAO, P10

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ECONOMY

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Vendors selling fruits along Monteverde Street in Davao City patiently wait for customers as business is slow on Monday morning. Edge Davao

12K jobs up for grabs at Labor Day job fair: DOLE SPLIT project to enable P44-B land amortization payment

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epartment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Bernie F. Cruz said that from the Philippine loan proceeds amounting to P19-billion, the country, through the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) can collect 44-billion land amortization payment from the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with the local government units (LGUs) to expect increase in the collection of real property tax.

“The projected land amortization payment and collection of real property taxes will be made possible through the Support to the Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project of the DAR which was funded by the World Bank (WB) with a total project cost of P24.625 billion comprising 78-percent loan proceeds amounting to P19.240 billion and 22 percent counterpart from the Philippine government amounting to P5.385 billion,” Cruz emphasized.

Cruz said that the SPLIT project aims to fast-track

the subdivision of lands previously issued with Collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CCLOAs) into individual land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

In the province of Sorsogon alone, the implementation of SPLIT project had so far generated a total of 114 computerized titles (C-titles) with a total area of 178.8907 hectares involving 112 ARBs. Cruz said that Sorsogon is one of the first provinces to launch Project SPLIT in 2021, and since it was launched in September 2021, the province has validated a total area of 1,240.4956 hectares for the landholdings located in its one (1) city and fourteen (14) municipalities.

Regional Director Rodrigo O. Realubit expressed his joy and appreciation in the significant milestones undertaken by Sorsogon in the implementation of Project SPLIT.

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A

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the department would be offering job opportunities for Filipinos nationwide on May 1.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital, which was es-

tablished in Pampanga’s San Fernando City, would also be operational on Labor Day, according to the DOLE. Health services for employment will be free for OFWs, including medical certificates and labo-

ratory exams.

Some services will also be free for the relatives of the OFWs, but the guidelines are still being ironed out.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the proposed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the transition committee of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its member agencies.

REIT, Inc., the REIT company of the country’s largest office landlord Megaworld, declared dividends of P0.243 per share to its shareholders based on its income for the first quarter of 2022. The cash dividends will be payable on May 31, 2022 to stockholders on record as of May 10, 2022.

MREIT’s dividend policy contemplates quarterly distribution of dividends.

Reflecting the resiliency of the company’s property

portfolio, the latest tranche of dividends is higher than the previous quarter’s P0.2399 per share.

“This dividend is just the first tranche of the total amount we aim to distribute for the year 2022. Not including the impact of the acquisitions scheduled for this year, we are looking at declaring dividends amounting to P1.00 per share, which translates to a 6.2% dividend yield versus our IPO price. At current prices, the yield is at 5.7%,”

says Kevin L. Tan, president and CEO, MREIT, Inc. The company earlier announced an expanded acquisition plan for the year 2022 amounting to P20-billion, with the deed of exchange for the initial acquisition of four prime properties worth P5.3-billion already signed between MREIT and sponsor Megaworld.

“We firmly believe that the benefit to MREIT investors goes beyond the dividend that they will get

round 12,000 job vacancies will be up for grabs at the Labor Day job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The creation of the DMW was signed into law last December 2021. The objective of the agency is to streamline the bureaucracy for overseas Filipinos with seven other agencies under several different departments “merging and transferring” to the proposed department which will now be tasked to “assume and perform all their powers and functions.”

as we target to deliver a total return of at least 10% per annum over the next three years. Our current acquisition plan is key to our achieving, if not outperforming this target,” added Tan. Once the new acquisitions are completed, MREIT’s portfolio will cover 18 office properties in four Megaworld premier townships: 1800 Eastwood Avenue, 1880 Eastwood Avenue, and E-Commerce

MREIT declares 1st tranche of quarterly dividends for 2022 M FMREIT, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

IN renewing call for the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers across the country:

Kapag dumating ang malakas na bagyo o kung anumang sakuna, sa mahihirap po talaga malakas ang epekto nito. Kada taon, iba’t ibang krisis ang hinaharap ng Pilipinas kaya naman dapat mabilis ang aksyon ng gobyerno upang mapaghandaan at maprotektahan ang buhay at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino.”

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL Act of Terror Members of a sepak takraw team were among those injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside the Rural Transit Bus that they were riding en route to Dipolog City.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has issued a statement condemning what it called an “act of terrorism.” According to reports, the bus made a stop at the Parang terminal in Maguindanao, where a passenger got off. They then stopped at a local eatery in Barangay Making in Parang when the IED exploded, leading to injuries to at least four passengers.

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This latest act of terrorism again reflects the wickedness of intent by its perpetrators and no amount of explanation can justify it.

It is just unfortunate that these players will have to live with the trauma throughout their lives.

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

Saddened by the incident, the PSC immediately made the statement voicing out its disappointment through PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez who himself is from Mindanao.

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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Davao City and Sto. Tomas

COMPETITIVE EDGE

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affected by flooding received support

A low pressure area hit Davao City on April 8, 2022 and set off heavy rains which flooded several barangays

such as Tigatto, Waan, Maa, Brgy. 9, and Brgy. 5-A. Additionally, a portion of Talomo and Matina Gravahan were

also affected. Separately, a landslide occurred at Marilog due to the heavy rains.

Overall, 7,262 families were

Sto. Tomas. Municipal Administrator Atty. Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña receives the sacks of rice donated for the flood victims of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

Davao City. Davao Light officers led by President and COO Rodger Velasco turn over 72 sacks of rice to the flood victims in Davao City through CSWDO Department Head II, Atty. Marlisa Gallo.

displaced by the recent flooding in Davao City.

Similarly, a localized thunderstorm hit the municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte on April 16, 2022 which flooded 11 barangays and affected 8, 776 families.

In response to the displacement of families due to flooding in the above-mentioned areas, Davao Light and Power Co. Inc., Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., together with other Davao-based Aboitiz business units, turned over sacks of rice to the Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at their warehouse in Maa, Davao City on April 13, 2022.

Atty. Marlisa Gallo, the Department Head II of CSWDO Davao City received the 72 sacks of rice from the President and COO of Davao Light, Rodger Velasco, Reputation Enhancement De-

partment Head, Fermin Edillon, and the head of the Panabo office of Davao Light, Paul Michael Cazar.

Meanwhile, on April 20, 2022, the Municipal Administrator of Sto. Tomas, Atty.

Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña received 47 sacks of rice for the families affected by the local thunderstorm in the municipality.

Last March, Davao Light also donated hygiene materials to families displaced by the swelling of the Davao River, which also caused flooding in multiple low-lying areas in Davao City. In the same month, the company also donated hygiene materials to Davao del Norte municipalities such as Dujali and Sto. Tomas. Davao Light, an AboitizPower subsidiary, aims to support local governments in building disaster resilient communities through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

Philippine Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board enter partnership to promote travel to Singapore The partnership will drive destination awareness and empower more Filipinos to experience Singapore though exciting promotions and campaigns

MANILA, 19 APRIL 2022 – Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flagship carrier of the Republic of the Philippines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to promote travel to Singapore.

The agreement was signed on April 19, 2022, in the presence of Stanley Ng, President of PAL and Keith Tan, Chief Executive of STB. To kickstart the partnership, the PAL and STB will commence work on a joint campaign featuring well-loved PAL inflight voice Inka Magnaye.

Inka will take her first overseas trip outside of the Philippines, visiting Singapore to discover the vibrant destination firsthand. As part of STB’s SingapoReimagine campaign, Inka’s trip will aim to reignite Filipinos’ passion for travel by showcasing how Singapore has reimagined itself through fresh and innovative experiences.

Apart from this joint campaign, passengers of PAL will also be entitled to

exclusive Boarding Pass privileges that provide special deals and promotions across a wide range of tourism establishments in Singapore, including Museum of Ice Cream, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, establishments on Sentosa, and more.

Capt Stanley Ng, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL said, “Philippine Airlines is thrilled to partner with Singapore, a destination known the world over.

With two daily PAL flights to Singapore and drawing from over eight decades of service in being part of the journeys of countless Filipinos, PAL is excited to explore and create unique opportunities for Filipino travelers to experience Singapore.”

PAL is now offering base fares to Singapore for as low as USD160 round trip. With PAL’s extensive domestic network, travelers throughout the Philippines can avail of daily flights from most domestic points to PAL’s Manila hub for easy connections to Singapore.

Keith Tan, Chief Executive of STB said, “As we welcome more Filipino travellers back to Singapore, Philippine Airlines is an ideal partner for STB to launch attractive promotions and campaigns. Now that fully-vaccinated travellers can visit Singapore easily, this partnership is

timely and an important part of our tourism recovery efforts. We have an exciting lineup of new experiences and events that await our friends from the Philippines, and we look forward to seeing them in Singapore soon.”

Since 1 Apr 2022, vaccinated travellers to Sin-

gapore enjoy a streamlined travel process, requiring only proof of vaccination, a pre-departure Covid-19 test, and a simple SG Arrival Card.

With a 92% vaccination rate1 in Singapore, travellers can visit Singapore with peace-of-mind. The partnership between

PAL and STB is thus apt to capture the rebound in tourist demand, and endear Filipinos to Singapore as a destination through exclusive promotions and deals.

As at 3 Apr 2022, 92% of the total Singapore population has completed the full vaccination

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PLACES

CLAUD MARU: YOUR CONNECTION TO NATURE Make no mistake about it, Marilog District is Davao City’s emerging destination.

Locals and tourists alike are heading up to Marilog enjoying the offerings and services of exciting spots now thriving in the area. Apart from the popular stops for “puto maya” and “sikwate” (rice cake and hot chocolate) and the view decks/ points, there are new places up there that need to be explored and experienced.

Claud Maru is one.

Claud Maru is all about making a connection with nature. Set in a 20-hectare property of lush foliage and untouched landscape (with the installation of some fixtures to make the property more attractive), it is an adventurous setting of very cold weather and flowing cool water.

Guests and tourists will be greeted with the sound of the stream, trees, ornamental plants, wildlife and foliage. Guests will be assisted by a beautiful Matigsalog attendant upon entering the premises.

Walking on the paths going to Claud Maru River and the natural plunge pool (stream pool) will allow guests/visitors to enjoy the rainforest and its habitat.

“It took us so long to develop the area because ayokong sirain ang aesthet-

ics at ang set-up ng forest.

Even bringing the materials is a challenge but I was very glad because I am with the IPs who really know the trail kung paano iakyat ang mga gamit,” said Alex P. Montañez, owner of Claud Maru.

When I visited the place on Maundy Thursday, I was told it is owned by Montañez, who is also known as Davao City’s “Billboard King” and owner of APM Ads and Promo Management.

When asked why he ventured into tourism-related business, he said the very core of opening Claud Maru last year is to help the Matigsalug Tribe in the area by providing them livelihood.

“The most important thing is I was able to employ around 18 of the MatigsalugOvu Manubu tribes here and they work six times a day.

Some in the construction, ang iba dito sa restaurant namin, ang iba sa maintenance.

Step by step, they are willing to learn. Mag one-one-year na sila dito sa amin working,” he said.

Not only that he provided employment but he also transformed this once NPAinfested area into a tourist

destination.

“This used to be an NPAinfested area but now with the presence of the farmto-market road, the government entered here with all the projects, babye na sila,” he said.

The hub of the property is the restaurant that serves authentic local dishes like its heavenly “tinolang native na manok” and the “balbacua”.

There’s the free plated menu for breakfast and lunch for guests staying overnight.

With its all-time cool weather, this is the best place to enjoy “balbacua” and ‘tinolang native na manok” partnered with “bulad” (dried fish) and sinangag (fried rice) while relishing the 360 degrees view of the mountain, pond, and the rainforest.

“I love to eat. My family loves to eat everywhere. I love to eat street food and in the markets. That is why we have this restaurant to relax after going around. It’s 360 degrees view of the forest.

You can hear the stream, left and right, you are in the rainforest. Relax ka talaga kahit lunch time na mainit ang simoy ng hangin, dito malamig

and the kind of food, Matigsalug food and pinoy food, we can offer. Ang pinaka achievement ko, masaya ang mga bata, sumisigaw sa pool at pag kumakain ng favorite food nila, pati yung seniors like our soup,” Montañez said.

And their coffee reminds me of that Pilipinas brand of coffee (P5 per pack) I drank in my childhood.

Montañez said he buys sacks of coffee beans produced by the locals there and then he processed them.

For those who want to stay overnight, there are A-frame houses with tents, which will surely make one feel like truly at a

summer camp.

Montañez is positioning Claud Maru as ecotourism highlighting educational features for the kids to learn how to plant strawberries, vegetables, and experience riding rafts, horses, and carabaos.

“We will be setting up farm, kalabaw, chicken, rabbits,” he said.

Part of the 20-hectare is the cattle farm and strawberry garden.

Claud Maru will soon offer Claud Maru mountain climbing, sunrise watching, hammock city, and one of the dreams of his parents, the rose farm.

Claud Maru is just an hour away from Davao City.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

ENVIRONMENT

9

Colorful corals: They are called “Eden beneath the waves.”

U

nless the world will do more to make them resilient to warming oceans, the ecologically-fragile coral reefs could be extinct by the end of the century, according to a United Nations agency.

“Our oceans are getting warmer because of increasing global carbon dioxide emissions,” deplores the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is behind an emergency bid to protect the world’s natural marine wonders.

Levels of carbon dioxide surged at “record-breaking speed” to new highs in 2016, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported. From 400 parts per million in 2016, carbon dioxide concentrations reached 403.3 ppm in 2016.

The levels of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas, also rose in 2016 but slightly less than in 2014. Nitrous oxide, the third most warming gas,

likewise increased slightly less in 2016 than over the last decade.

Climate change, caused by increasing emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, is causing the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere to increase. As the air temperature rises, oceans absorb some of this heat and become warmer.

“Climate change is already having a profound effect on life in the oceans,” the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says. “Marine species tend to be highly mobile, and many are moving quickly toward the poles to stay cool as the average ocean temperature rises.”

Most coral reefs face

CORAL REEFS:

GOING, GOING, GONE?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

by Darrell Blatchley

many other pressures, from pollution to overfishing and habitat destruction. But climate change is incomprehensible.

“Global warming means that local reef conservation practices are no longer enough to protect the world’s most important reef ecosystems,” said Fanny Douvere, head of UNES-

Beautiful coral: Corals don’t provide beauty to marine ecosystem, they also provide other benefits.

Eden beneath the waves: They provide income to those living near the coastal areas.

CO’s Marine Program. “But a healthy, resilient reef can regenerate after a bleaching incident and survive.”

When water temperature rises, corals expel the vibrant microscopic algae living in their tissues. This phenomenon is called coral bleaching. Though bleached corals are still alive and can recover their algae, if conditions improve. However, the loss puts them under increased stress, and if the bleaching persists, the corals die.

The Projections of Future Coral Bleaching Condi-

tions, published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), estimates that every one of the world’s reefs will bleach by the end of the century, with annual severe bleaching occurring on average by 2034.

“It means we really need to try to reduce our carbon emissions to save these reefs,” urged Ruben van Hooidonk, lead author of the report and a coral researcher with US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NASA).

Coral reefs, called “Eden beneath the waves,” are not

just beautiful ecosystems renowned for their biological diversity. They are also crucial to life on Earth, said Dr. Mary Hagedorn, a senior research scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute based in Hawaii.

“Almost 25% of all marine life lives on a reef at some point and so without them many species of fish that we eat wouldn’t exist,” Dr. Hagedorn explained.

“Corals provide natural protection for our coastlines, for example, against tsunamis.

“They also support’s people’s livelihoods in the form of fishing and tourism and contribute 350 billion dollars annually to the global economy,” she continued.

“So, there are many reasons we should save them.”

The coral reefs of the Philippines are not spared from destruction. In fact, the East-West Center in Hawaii sounded the alarm as early as the 1970s. At that time, the study disclosed that more than half of the reefs were “in advanced state of destruction.” Only about 25% of live coral covers were in “good condition,”

FCORAL, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO PRES. ... FROM2

Duterte’s heart is not mixed with politics.

“I have kept and treasured this 24-second video clip of the president praising me for my dedication and my work ethic. It is more than an endorsement already,” he added.

The former Agriculture Secretary said that the words of praise from Duterte will be his badge of honor as a public servant and will be a source of pride for his family.

Friendship beyond politics Piñol narrated that he knew the president for 11 years which started on Sept.

1, 2003, when then-Mayor Rody visited his province as a guest speaker during the Foundation Day of North Cotabato.

“The friendship was strengthened when he stood as the only Ninong of my youngest child, Bernhart Immanuel, and wedding Godfather of my eldest child, Dr. Ma. Krista. I consider him a dear friend until today, a friendship which will last beyond his Presidency,” he said.

Piñol bared that people around him tried to strain his friendship with the president by pointing out that even as Secretary

of Agriculture, he did not always agree with every program that he approved, most specifically the Rice Tariffication Law. “They were uncomfortable with me because I was noisy and they called me ‘mahangin’ for saying that the Philippines could be rice sufficient and even food sufficient.

I don’t know where these people, who benefited from his presidency now, would be after he steps down from office,” he added.

Piñol also assured that him being the ‘talkative’ Secretary of Agriculture, will always remain Duterte’s friend.

“Mr. President, my dear Pare Rody, thank you for giving me the opportunity of serving our people and for plucking me out of obscurity to become a champion of Food Security and Environmental Protection whose views are listened to by other leaders today,” he added.

Piñol further said, “I know you were not always comfortable with me because of my critical views and frankness. Remember this, my friend, only real and faithful friends would tell you the inconvenient truth.”

come from government and non-government stakeholders alike.

Duterte said access to water and its related services is rightly considered a basic human right, since it is a resource so vital for humans and ecosystems for survival and sustenance.

Meanwhile, Duterte commended the Japanese government for the continued initiative in successfully organizing the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

Introducing the President during the leaders’ meeting, Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E. A. Borje said central to the Philip-

pines’s position in climate change mitigation and adaptation is climate justice.

“To the least responsible, to those with the least resources, to those most exposed, we need to do more,” Borje said.

Borje also expressed the Philippines’s solidarity with all nations, which had to deal with water-related disasters brought about by climate change drivers.

Last week, Duterte in his Talk to the People program said developed countries must compensate developing nations suffering from the impacts of climate change. (PNA)

No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, he added.

Police said one of the injured passengers was a woman. She and the two others were brought by responding policemen to the

Parang District Hospital.

Macatangay said the bus driver and conductor, as well as other passengers, had a stopover in Barangay Making, Parang, Maguindanao for a quick breakfast.

(PNA)

on standards that they themselves created -- the legitimate posts of highly respected officials of the country.”

“The imprudence of FB to warn Secretary Esperon on a national security issue is unthinkable and downright offensive as the social media platform has taken on the role of Big Brother with the power to censure the social media posts of the NSA himself on matters of national security,” Malaya added.

Government officials raised alarm again as Facebook continuously flagged multiple posts of government media entities including the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and Radyo Pilipinas.

Since Saturday night, Facebook has been notifying those who have shared the news articles and developmental stories from PNA, tagging the posts as violations of the platform’s community standards on cybersecurity.

Editors and reporters’ accounts were not spared, that even vaccination updates are tagged as violators of community standards and shared stories are notified that “no one else” can see the post.

Roy Tan, Meta Asia Pacific head of politics and government outreach, told the PNA it is already investigating the issue.

Badoy said the platform’s actions will not be tolerated.

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while only 5% were in “excellent condition.”

Nothing much has changed since then. Right now, 30% of the country’s coral reefs are reportedly dead while 39% are dying.

Reef Check, an international organization assessing the health of reefs in 82 countries, said coral reefs which are in “excellent condition” in the country can be found only in the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, and Verde Island Passage off Batangas.

“Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines,” commented Don E. McAllister, who once studied the cost of coral reef destruction in the country.

The corals most people have seen are actually the dried and bleached skeletons of soft-bodied animals that live in the warm, sunlit waters of tropical seas and look more like plants and rocks than animals.

The main part of the real coral is the polyp – the extraordinary flower-like animal with a tube-like body and finger-like tentacles.

“Coral polyps get nutrition in two ways,” explains Lindsay Bennett, author of globetrotter island guide, Philippines. “They catch their food by means of stinging tentacles that paralyze any suitable prey – microscopic creatures called zooplankton – and also engage in a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae that live within the polyp structure.”

Science says coral polyps reproduce in two ways: asexually (by the division of existing individual polyps) and asexually (by combining egg and sperm from two different polyps). “This results in a free-swimming polyp

that will be carried by ocean currents to find a new colony and commence a new reef,” Bennet writes.

Most of the coral reefs are found in the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The richest reefs are located in the so-called “coral triangle,” which spans eastern Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands. Covering an area that is equivalent to half of the entire United States, it is considered “the epicenter for marine biodiversity.”

About 600 of the 700 or so corals known to man have been discovered in this region touted to be as “the Amazon of the Sea.” In the Philippines alone, more than 400 coral reefs are found.

There are three major types of coral reefs, according to Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). These are fringing type (those found on the edges of islands and which constitutes 30% of the country’s coral reefs); the barrier type (best exemplified by the Dajanon Reef of Central Visayas); and the atoll (of which the Tubbataha and Cagayan Reef in the Sulu Sea are ideal examples).

Because of their structure, coral reefs serve as shelter to fishes and shellfishes. Studies have shown that a single reef can support as many as 3,000 species of marine life. As fishing grounds, they are thought to be 10 to 100 times as productive per unit area as the open sea.

A document from the Cebu-based Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) said good to excellent coral reefs can produce 20 tons or more of fish and

other edible products per square kilometers annually.

The destruction of these reefs can greatly reduce fish production, marine scientists said. “Once destroyed, they produce less than four tons per square kilometers per year,” the CRMP disclosed.

The sustainable catch from a good reef over 10 years is about 200 tons of fish while from a destroyed reef is only 72 tons, it added.

“Despite considerable improvements in coral reef management, the country’s coral reefs remain under threat,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, former director of the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau.

“This means that fish and other marine life cannot be as productive as they were before,” said the International Marinelife Alliance (IMA) – Philippines. “Moreover, this will have a domino effect: fishermen will have fewer catches and lower income and there will be less fish and marine products for everyone.”

IMA identified the following as the primary culprits why coral reefs in this part of the world are on the brink of extinction: Siltation: This is one of the major problems coral reefs are facing. Siltation is the settling of silt or sediment from dirty water. It is caused by soil erosion which is the result of deforestation in the uplands.

Destructive fishing: For almost three decades now, destructive fishing has been practiced by fishermen.

Destructive fishing impairs the ability of coral reefs to produce fish and marine life. Moreover, the use of sodium cyanide and dynamite fishing in catching aquarium fish or live fish can damage coral reefs.

Pollution: Garbage and outflows from canals, ditches and pipes dirty the ocean water. These prevent the sunlight from reaching underwater depths. Like plants, coral reefs need sunlight in order to stay productive and healthy.

But the Filipinos themselves are the primary culprit. “Life in the Philippines is never far from the sea,” wrote Joan Castro and Leona D’Agnes in a report. “Every Filipino lives within 45 miles of the coast, and every day, more than 4,500 new residents are born.”

The Philippines is now home to about 110 million people. “Human activities are the major cause of coral reef degradation,” said a document that was circulated during the International Coral Reef Initiative held in Dumaguete City.

The pressure of human populations can be attested by visiting fishing barangays near a reef area. There are just too many fishermen and they overfish the reefs. Even if they use non-destructive fishing gears, they still stress the coral reef ecosystem.

Dr. Robert Ginsburg, a specialist on coral reefs working with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, also said human beings have a lot to do with the rapid destruction of reefs. “In areas where people are using the reefs or where there is a large population, there are significant declines in coral reefs,” he said.

The environment department urges every Filipino to help save the country’s remaining coral reefs. “We must act now to save our remaining coral reefs, before it’s too late,” the DENR said in a statement published on its website.

these are the areas that start congestions, and to implement social distancing.”

He said it was a “good sign” that the airline industry was going back to normal.

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific had announced the resumption of local flights

from Cebu and Davao as it seeks to restore full pre-pandemic capacity during the summer season.

AirAsia Philippines had also increased its flight frequency during the Lenten season break in anticipation of the influx of travelers during the Holy Week.

to proceed to IQA S0tage 2 after 100% compliance, as seen through the audit.

Once complied with all the requirements throughout the year, the Port of Davao will have 39 customs

processes enrolled that will ensure quality government service.

The said Port aims for the ISO Certification for the newly enrolled processes in September 2022.

Plaza in Eastwood City; One World Square, Two World Square, Three World Square, 8/10 Upper McKinley, 18/20 Upper McKinley, and World Finance Plaza in McKinley Hill; One Techno Place, Two Techno Place,

Three Techno Place, One Global Center, Two Global Center, Festive Walk 1B, and Richmonde Tower in Iloilo Business Park; and One West Campus and Five West Campus in McKinley West.

fouled as Butler scored and then made the free throw. It was Collins’ third foul. Coach Nate McMillan opted to keep Collins in the game.

The 15-0 run, capped

by Vincent’s 3-pointer, left Miami with a 44-37 lead.

The Heat were not through, closing the half with an 11-0 run for a 55-41 lead at

the break.

Butler drove through the Atlanta defense for two late baskets in the half after Collins left the game with four fouls with 1:54 remaining. Collins, who scored 11 points, finished with five fouls.

Miami led 98-74 when McMillan pulled out Young and his other starters.

“This is the kind of information that we need to disseminate because it makes our works more relevant,” Realubit said.

Field Collector and Agrarian Affairs Specialist I (AASI) of the LBP Domingo Venus Jr. said that the DAR is doing a lot of help to collect payment from the ARBs who voluntarily pay their amortization and did not consider it as a burden.

Venus shared that during the collection of amortizations from the

first six (6) recipients of c-titles in Mabini, Casiguran, the government gained P65,355.56 and five (5) of these payees have already fully paid their amortizations and LBP will prepare the required documents for the cancellation of encumbrance in their titles.

Sorsogon Agrarian Reform Chief Nida A. Santiago said the payment of taxes and land amortization is an assurance to the ARBs that they are now the genuine owners of the land that they

till.

only to the ARBs in Sorsogon but to the realization of a more inclusive execution of the CARP in the whole province.

“Not only that it has fast tracked the issuance of individual titles for the ARBs, but it has created a renewed hope for them and an assurance of an uninterrupted tenure in the land that they have spent their lives on. As implementers, this gives us an assurance that we are doing a good job” she added.

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“For years, we have created a harmonious relationship with our CARP Implementing Agencies here in Sorsogon, one of which is the LBP, to whom the collection of agrarian reform receivables (ARR) is lodged,” added Santiago.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Mariam Jamoralin said the successful launch and implementation of the Project SPLIT has been advantageous not

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

11

Brandon Ingram goes 11 gor 23 in 36 minutes of action.

PHOTO: AP

Pelicans overpower Suns to even series

N

EW ORLEANS — Brandon Ingram scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns — playing without injured star Devin Booker — 118-103 in Game Four on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) to tie the firstround series.

Jonas Valanciunas reasserted himself in the middle with 26 points and 15 rebounds to help the Pelicans pull even heading back to Phoenix for Game Five on Tuesday night.

Booker strained his right hamstring after scoring 31 first-half points in the top-seeded Suns’ Game Two loss. Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 23

points and eight rebounds, and fellow center JaVale McGee had 14 points.

Chris Paul, who had 19-point fourth quarters in the Suns’ two playoff wins, was held to four points in 35 minutes. He had 11 assists, but committed three turnovers.

The Pelicans led 89-85 with 8:05 left and used a 12-0 run to ice it. Valanci-

unas, limited to six points in a Game Three loss, scored 10 points in a 3:34 span of the fourth quarter to help the Pelicans pull away. He punctuated his scoring spree with a 3-pointer from the left wing.

New Orleans had a 3523 advantage in the third quarter. Ingram was the catalyst, making 7 of 10 shots and assisting on two

other baskets as New Orleans took an 84-74 lead. His flurry started on the Pelicans’ first three possessions of the half, with a pair of 15-footers and a layup.

The Suns used a 20-10 run, with Mikal Bridges breaking down the New Orleans defense with three layups in the final eight minutes of the first half, to take a 51-49 halftime lead.

Heat close in on conference semis with rout of Hawks

Jimmy Butler goes 12 for 21 in 36 minutes of action. PHOTO: AP

A

TLANTA — Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 36 points in a dominant second quarter and the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks, 110-86, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) to take a 3-1 series lead.

The Heat can wrap up the first-round series in Game Five on Tuesday night in Miami.

Butler overcame a slow start. He made only 1 of 7 shots before hitting his final five shots of the first half to lead the turnaround.

Miami outscored Atlanta 30-15 in the second period, holding the Hawks to a season scoring low for the period.

Butler had 10 rebounds, four assists and blocked a shot.

Atlanta’s Trae Young scored only nine points with five assists and five turnovers as he was shut

down by Miami’s defense for the second time in four games. Young was held to eight points in Miami’s 115-91 Game 1 win.

De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 24 points.

Miami ended Atlanta’s six-game home winning streak despite playing without point guard Kyle Lowry, who was held out with a left hamstring strain.

Gabe Vincent had 11 points while sinking three 3-pointers in his fill-in start for Lowry, who strained his hamstring in the third quarter Friday night in a 111-110 loss to the Hawks.

Lowry’s status for Game Five is not known.

The Hawks led 37-29 before Miami took control with a 15-0 run in the second period.

A key in the Heat’s surge came on a Butler steal from Collins, who

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

The final score cards gave Mercita Gesta a unanimous decision win.

Members of a local sepak takraw team were hurt in a bus explosion in Maguindanao.

PCADG Bangsamoro.

ACT OF TERROR

PSC condemns Maguindanao bus explosion that injured sepak takraw team

M

ANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Monday condemned what it called an “act of terrorism” in Maguindanao that resulted in injuries to members of a sepak takraw team.

The team members were among those injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside the Rural Transit Bus that they were riding en route to Dipolog City.

According to initial investigations, the bus made a stop at the Parang terminal in Maguindanao, where a passenger got off. They then stopped at a local eatery in Barangay Making in Parang when the IED exploded, leading to injuries to at least four passengers.

“The PSC strongly condemns the act of terrorism which ended up hurting and injuring four Sepak Takraw athletes and one coach in their bus ride to Pagadian City from Cotabato City to participate in the national qualifier for the ASEAN School Games,” PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said in a statement.

“There is no justification for purposely causing pain on any person, especially ones which

could possibly become fatal like this bombing,” he added. “This cowardly act aimed to terrorize the public included athletes among its victims, whose budding athletic futures are unfairly dimmed by this horrible atrocity.”

“Terrorism has no place in sports.”

The Philippine Sepak Takraw Federation, Inc. (PSTFI) also condemned the bombing, and said that they will reach out to the victims “for any help we can provide.”

“Our grassroots sepak takraw clubs in Mindanao are now in touch with each other to provide any assistance to the victims,” said PSTFI president Karen Tanchanco-Caballero.

Those injured were rushed to a local hospital. Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage to determine the identity of the passenger who got off the bus before the explosion, as he is now considered the primary suspect.

VOL.15 ISSUE 11 • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

GM Wesley So, now a Dabawenyo Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan placed sixth in the finals of the 400-meter freestyle.

The Philippine team expects to make a splash, especially after their superb performance in the recent 2021 Para Dance Sport Polish Open in Łomianki last October 9-10.

San Miguel Beermen center Junmar Fajardo drives to the basket.

PBA

STAYCATION FOR NESTHY Wesley So has captured the 2021 US Open Chess title.

Tzaddy Rangle said he is now ready to compete in the buildup for the Asian Cup Qualifiers.

M

T

anny Pacquiao will reveal his retirement plan shortly after confirming his next contest is on the way to being approved.

his basketball-crazy nation is just about to expand its hoop culture.

Enter Netball, Australia’s most popular women hoop sport. Just how popular Netball is in the land Down Under, just think about how many backyard basketball courts we have and you have an idea.

ABS CBN Sports recently featured an extensive report on the emergin popularity of Netball in the

UPBEAT BIG ENDIN

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa works out at the Arcadia Fitness Gym during a recent visit. (Arcadia photo)

T

he final line up of the 4th batch of enshrinees to the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame (PSHOF) have been selected Friday, March 12.

Vladimir Putin may succeed in conquering Ukraine (no, hold it, not yet though) but Russian sports and athletes are the ones suffering the backlash.

FIFA (International Football Federation) and the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations have banned Russia from taking part in the World Cup and European tournaments as part of the sanction imposed upon Putin for making the unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

Russia is one of Europe’s football superpowers, challenging the likes of Germany, Italy, France,

is expected to widen his lead over Domont, the world No. 2 with 10,020, in the eKata rankings.

Meanwhile, Fatima Hamsain, one of de los Santos' proteges, won the other two golds.

Hamsain, ranked number 46 in the female under-16 division, first stunned world No. 6 Jelizaveta Vasiljeva of Latvia in the final of the said category, 24.1-23.8.

She made waves in the female under-18 division by winning over Marie Zinecker of Germany in their own gold medal duel, 24-23.5.

Thanks to the under-16 gold, Hamsain will leapfrog significantly in the world rankings.

"This will further boost our standing in the eKata world rankings," de los Santos said. (PNA)

MISSING THE

FGODFATHER, P10

John Riel Casimero (left) and Nonito Donaire (right).

T

he Philippines pocketed three gold medals in the Inner Strength International E-Tournament following the release of the finals results on Thursday.

James de los Santos solidified his status as the world No. 1 in the men's seniors category after winning it all in the said division.

De los Santos defeated Nejc Sternisa of Slovenia, 25.4-24.6, in the gold medal match.

He first defeated George Phillips of Great Britain in the quarterfinals before beating outright semifinalist Matias Domont of Switzerland for the right to face Sternisa.

With the win, de los Santos, who before the tournament has already amassed 19,470 points,

FRED C. LUMBA

PH karatekas dominate Inner Strength event

SPORTS KEN

QUO VADIS, RUSSIAN ATHLETES? the UK and other outstanding teams in the continent but all this has come to an end. The Kremlin’s best footballers have always been serious contenders in many World Cup competitions.

In the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), opposing players of Russian tennis entries have refused to play against them while in chess, FIDE (International Chess Federation) has decided through a council resolution to strip Russia of its traditional right to host the Chess Olympiad scheduled in Moscow this July.

Would you believe that

Ukrainian GMs have enlisted in the Ukrainian reserve corps as members of the Territorial Defense Group that will resist the Russian invaders in various cities?

By the way, Ukraine just recently captured the 2021 European Chess Championship last November.

(Oh, just an aside, Russian GM Sergey Karjakin has become the object of ridicule on social media after he voiced his agreement with Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.)

And, yes, one active Ukrainian athlete is former world lightweight boxing title holder Vassily

Lomachenko who has also volunteered to become a Territorial Defense Group member.

In athletics, World Athletics Federation president Sebastian Coe has lambasted the Russian leader for the sinister attack on Ukraine that has brought unimaginable difficulties and hardships to millions of innocent Ukrainians.

Already, as the UN High Commission for Refugees has reported, more than half a million Ukrainians have left their country, moving in haste to nearby Poland, Romania and Moldova and wherever they are welcome.

With the pandemic on the way out (or so it seems), Europe and North America are again beehives of sports activities where prestigious international tournaments are normally held.

The economic sanctions on Russia will now be slowly felt by the Russian population, thousands of whom bravely protested in the streets following the initial raid by Russian tanks into the eastern portion of Ukraine.

Call it collateral damage, ugh!

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!