Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 16 | Tuesday, May 3, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

WINTER WIN SPORTS P 8 edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

Vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio chats with her son, Stingray, before she takes the stage during the grand rally of Dumper Partylist at the Davao Crocodile Park in Davao City on Sunday evening. Edge Davao

NO COMING BACK I will not return to local gov’t and run for a position: Sara

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Rep. Claudine Bautista-Lim of Dumper Partylist flash the hand gesture campaign signs of UniTeam presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and vice presidentiable Sara Duterte-Carpio in front of the crowd during the grand rally of Dumper Partylist at the Davao Crocodile Park in Davao City on Sunday. Edge Davao

NO COMING BACK I will not return to local gov’t and run for a position: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

V

ice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bid goodbye to Dabawenyos and affirmed she will not return and run for a position in the local government.

“Mga Dabawenyo, manamilit nako kaninyo ug dili nako mubalik sa local government para muda-

gan ug position. Bisan unsa mahitabo karong May 9 elections gusto kong mahibaw mong tan-

an that it has been a great honor to have been chosen by all of you as mayor of Davao City. It is my pride to have servedn our country beside all of you.

Daghan salamat sa inyong suporta,” Mayor Sara said.

The mayor expressed thanks to all the Dabawenyos who supported her as

he National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has ordered a company occupying a portion of an ancestral domain in Quezon, Bukidnon to stop its operations on the disputed land.

Allen Capuyan, NCIP

chairperson, posted on Facebook on Saturday that a cease and desist order (CDO) has already been served to the Kianteg Development Corporation (KDC).

Capuyan posted a copy of the CDO received by one of the Kianteg’s se-

curity personnel guarding the contested site.

The CDO was served by the NCIP-10 team with Office on Empowerment and Human Rights Director Rey Dingal, and representatives of DENR, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Com-

not all mayors have been given so much support by their constituents.

“2010 wala ko ninyo gibiyaan, 2016 inyuha kong gitabangan sa Roxas Night Market bombing, pagka 2019 niabot ang pandemya ug nagtinabangay tang tanan para

mission on Human Rights, Department of the Interior and Local Government, police, Philippine Army, and members of the media.

“This resolves the petition for the issuance of a CDO filed by the Ma-

FNO, P7

NCIP issues CDO vs. ancestral land occupants in Bukidnon T

FNCIP, P7

It’s BBM-Sara; Pulong, Baste in Davao City

A

n overwhelming majority of the city’s 992,538 voters will vote for Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for President and Sara Duterte for Vice President, and her siblings Sebastian and Paolo for Davao City Mayor and 1st district Representative, according to the results of the off-campus, city-wide BlueVote 2022 survey of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), which also showed Robin Padilla as the top choice for senator.

The results of the survey, presented Friday noon, showed that for mayor, 86% will vote for Sebastian Duterte (Hugpong ng Pagbabago), 9.4% “cannot decide,” 3.8% are for Ruy Lopez and 0.1% each will vote for Joseph Elizalde and Teddy Mantilla.

Conducted on April 5 to 13 and 16 to 18, the survey had 1,594 respondents, a 95% confidence level and margin of error of plus or minus 2.45%.

For Vice Mayor,

Melchor Quitain, Jr. (HNP) is running unopposed but 76.1% will vote for him, 18.6% “cannot decide” and 3.4% will not vote for him.

For the first congressional district, 82.93% will vote for reelectionist Rep. Paolo Duterte (HNP), 12.65% “cannot decide,” 2.21% will vote for Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana, 0.2% for Jamal Kanan and 0 for Jovanie Mantawel.

Maglana, Kanan and Mantawel are independent candidates.

For the second congressional district, 55.5% are voting for Vincent Garcia, 30.4% for Danilo Dayanghirang, 9.7% “cannot decide,” 2.4% “honestly do not know” and 0.9% for Alberto Dulong.

For the third congressional district, 83% will vote for reelectionist Isidro Ungab, 13.5% “cannot decide” and 0.6% will vote for Abundio Indonilla.

Marcos-Duterte For President, 79.8%

FIT’S, P7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

NEWS

3

Muslims, young and old, attend a morning prayer as they celebrate Eid’l or the festival ending the holy month of Ramadan in Brgy. 23-C Mini-Forest, Quezon Blvd., Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

Sara wishes Muslims a joyous Eid’l Fitr

By MAYA M. PADILLO

PRRD: Informal settlement very serious problem in PH

I

nformal settlement remains a “very serious” problem in the Philippines, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Sunday.

“Nobody but nobody can solve it except the Filipino and ‘yung workers sa government nakatutok talaga(workers of government who are really focused on it),” Duterte said during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pampanga Provincial Hospital-Clark in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

He reiterated his call to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to ensure that all idle government-owned lands are distributed to the needy before he steps down in June.

“My orders to the Department of Agrarian Reform, basta lahat ng lupa ng sa gobyerno ‘pag may squatters na, ibigay mo

na (if there are squatters staying in government-owned land, just give it to them),” he said.

Duterte said he does not want to hear excuses about so-called plans to utilize the land in the future.

“Do not give me about – that a certain land or lot will be utilized by this department, blah, blah, blah. At magdaan na lang ang mga ilang administrasyon hindi naman ninyo nagamit, eh ibigay mo na sa tao(Many administrations passed and you did not even utilize it, so just give it to the people),” he said.

The government, he said, has enough money to purchase new lands should they be needed in the future.

“Do not hang on to a property that’s idle or ta-

FPRRD, P7

V

ice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio wished Muslim brothers and sisters a joyous celebration of Eid’l Fitr.

“Sa atoang kaigsoona in the Muslim faith happy Hariraya and we always pray for the mercy of Allah sa atoang nasud ug sa atoang isig ka tao Eid

Mubarak kaninyong tanan,” Mayor Sara said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

The Office of the Bangsamoro Mufti declared

that the Eidl’l-Fitr will be on May 2, 2022. The Ulama of Darul Ifta headed by Bangsamoro Mufti Abuhuraira A. Udasan, assigned groups to perform moonsighting evening of April 29, 2022.

The result of the moonsighting was that the moon crescent has

been sighted.

Based on the Hadith “Fast when you see it (the crescent of Ramadan) ad break the fast when you see it (the crescent of Shawwal), and if is obscured from you too cloudy, then complete Sha’ban a thirty days.”

erwise known as “an act to protect and promote the rights of public utility drivers, appropriating funds, therefore, and for other purposes,” which also proposes to establish the “Magna Carta for Public Transportation Drivers” once elected again.

“Ang isa sa pinaka-importante na bill nga akoang gusto ipadayon

kay ang magna carta for our drivers and commuters. Na-file na nato na atong 2020 pero wala pa gihapon na approve sa kongreso hangtod karon.

Mao gyud na ang akong gipaduso sa Kongreso nga ato gyud nang mapasa into a law kay daghan kaayo pa unta puwedeng mahimo para sa atoang public transportation,

drivers, pati na sa atoang mga commuters,” Lim told media in a press conference after the Dumper Partylist grand rally at the Davao Crocodile Park on May 1, 2022, which was attended by vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Mayoralty aspirant acting Mayor Sebastian “”Baste”

FSARA, P6

Dumper Partylist to push magna carta for public transpo drivers

R

epresentative Claudine Bautista-Lim of Dumper-PTDA (Philippines Taxi Drivers Association (DUMPER-PTDA) Partylist will be pushing for the establishment of the magna carta for public transportation drivers once reelected this coming May 9 local and national elections.

House Bill 5988 oth-

FDUMPER, P7

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

In bidding goodbye to Dabawenyos after announcing that she will not return and run for a position in the local government:

Mga Dabawenyo, manamilit nako kaninyo ug dili nako mubalik sa local government para mudagan ug position.

Bisan unsa mahitabo karong May 9 elections gusto kong mahibaw mong tanan that it has been a great honor to have been chosen by all of you as mayor of Davao City. It is my pride to have servedn our country beside all of you.

Daghan salamat sa inyong suporta.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Culture of vote buying For the millions of Filipinos, the elections is an opportunity to make money.

No wonder the elections is treated like fiesta for most of the electorate. It’s that time when money becomes the most attractive tool to win votes. Sad as it may seem, we have to live with the fact that vote-buying and vote-selling will always be a part of the elections.

According to research, vote buying and selling obstructs the democratic process but it remains pervasive in many developing democracies, including the Philippines.

Let’s face it, vote buying and selling is illegal but remains rampant because of poverty.

What promotes the illegal practice is the spate of misfortunes millions of Filipinos went through with the pandemic and recent natural calamities which caused many their jobs and livelihood. Almost 3.3 million Filipinos were jobless in December, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.6%, worse than 6.5% in November.

The hard life surely pushed Filipinos to look forward to the elections as their one-time-big-time way of recouping the losses to the

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

Vote buying could be harder to control now given more sophisticated means of transferring money, including GCash and online banking.

Is there hope for the country to break the culture of vote-buying and vote-selling?

For a country with a relatively young democracy, it is still a work in progress and will always be a work in progress. For democracy to flourish, it requires people to have confidence in themselves, in their leaders, and in the democratic processes, and who have the means for operating democratic institutions. Included in the tools that make democracy work are literacy, a willingness to abide by the rules of the game, and a rapid means of communication and transportation.

In every election, the voter is the one who wields power in an ideal democratic setting. If a voter accepts money from vote-buying candidates, it means the voter surrenders the power to shape the government by choosing leaders without external influences.

Sad, but it’s still very much an election culture.

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

pandemic.

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)

DAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 2985 VOL.14 16 • TUESDAY, • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3,MARCH 2022 9, 2022

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 44th Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

5

apply whenever animal-drawn carriages are operated upon any road or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of such carriages.

SECTION 79. LICENSE REQUIRED. No person, whether resident or not of the City of Davao, shall operate, ride, or propel an animal-drawn carriage, on any street, highway, alley, roadway, sidewalk, or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of such carriages unless such has been licensed and a license plate 5.0 cm x 7.5 cm (2 x 3) in size is attached thereto as provided herein. The license is renewable every January of the following year.

SECTION 80. REGISTRATION. All animal-drawn carriages owned by residents of the City of Davao shall be registered with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), through the Franchising and Regulatory Division through the issuance of license plates and upon payment of authorized amount to the City Treasurer’s Office.

Alberto T. Ungab - Temporary Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Pamela A. Librado-Morata Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar

- On Official Business - OB- Attended a meeting with the Commercial Attaché of Switzerland - On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0782-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 0334-12, SERIES OF 2012, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC CODE OF DAVAO CITY” IN CONFORMITY WITH THE AMENDED BICYCLE ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY”

SECTION 81. ATTACHMENT OF LICENSE PLATE. The license plate shall be firmly attached to the rear of the animal-drawn carriage or rear mudguard or frame for which it is issued in such position as to be plainly visible from the rear.

SECTION 82. LIGHTING, WARNING SIGNS. An animal-drawn carriage and bicycle operated at night shall be equipped with headlight visible at least 60 meters to the front and a rear red flex mirror or reflectorized tape visible for a distance of 60 meters to the rear.

SECTION 83. OPERATING AN ANIMAL DRAWN CARRIAGE ON PUBLIC ROADS. SECTION 84. PENALTIES. Penalties shall be imposed upon the driver or owner/operator of animaldrawn carriage for the violations indicated hereunder: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

No registration No plate number Not equipped with bell, horn No headlight No red light to the rear No red reflector on its rear Carrying more persons than it is designed and equipped viii. With electronic device such as confiscation of device car stereo, radio, and other devices that creates public nuisance

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS — The following provisions of the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City of 2012, is hereby amended to read as follows; SECTION 5. DEFINITION OF TERMS – When used in this Code, the following terms shall mean and is defined as follows: 5. Bicycle – a vehicle propelled by human pedal power or electric assisted bike (or e-bike), not exceeding 80 cm in width; a two-wheeled vehicle or trike propelled solely by human pedal power, and other two-wheeled vehicles which are propelled by human power, and alternately or mutually, propelled by electric power; 6. Bicycle Path or Lane - a generic term for any portion of a highway, road or street which is designated for bicycle or light mobility vehicle travel where motorized transport is not allowed; 67. Light Mobility Vehicles – refer to travel using electric assisted or non-motorized vehicles weighing not more than 100 kgs such, as but not limited to, Electric Kick Scooters and Segway excluding electric motorcycles weighing less than 100 kgs; 68. Shared roadway – a roadway which is open to both bicycle and motor vehicle travel which is unmarked by a bicycle lane; 69. Signed shared roadway – a shared roadway which has been improved and designated with a signage for bicycle or light mobility vehicle use or has a dedicated bicycle lane; SECTION 14. KEEPING AS FAR RIGHT AS PRACTICABLE – Unless otherwise provided for in this Code, a driver shall keep his/her vehicle as close as practicable to the right boundary of the thoroughfare except when there are two or more lanes marked on the thoroughfare available exclusively for traffic direction in which the driver is traveling and except when there is a designated bicycle lane. Heavy trucks/vehicles must slow down and let bikers pass through the bicycle lane to avoid adjacent movement.

SECTION 27. GIVING WAY DURING TURNS – (b) a driver turning to the right or left of an intersection shall give way to all pedestrians and bikers/cyclists; (c) a driver making a U-turn shall give way to all other vehicles, bikers/cyclists, and all pedestrians; SECTION 28. MOVEMENT TO OR FROM PARKED VEHICLES – (a) A driver who is about to drive or driving a vehicle into or out from a parking area or the boundary of a thoroughfare shall give way to all other vehicles and cyclists;

ARTICLE XIV OPERATION OF ANIMAL-DRAWN CARRIAGES SECTION 78. EFFECT OF REGULATIONS. The regulations applicable to animal-drawn carriages shall

PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00

The apprehending City Traffic Enforcer shall have the authority to confiscate the device to be deposited at CTTMO; The device shall be claimed by the owner/driver/operator within seven (7) working days upon payment of the corresponding fee of PhP 150.00, otherwise the device shall be up for auction. The proceeds of the sale shall go to the General Fund.

SECTION 85. TRAFFIC LAWS APPLICABLE TO OPERATING AN ANIMAL-DRAWN CARRIAGE. The provisions of this Code granting right to and imposing duties upon a driver of a vehicle shall apply to every person riding an animal-drawn carriage upon a road, except those provisions that by their very nature are not applicable.

Article XV Operation of Bicycles and Light Mobility Vehicles

Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE — This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 0334-12, SERIES OF 2012, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC CODE OF DAVAO CITY” IN CONFORMITY WITH THE AMENDED BICYCLE ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY”;

PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00 PhP 100.00

SECTION 86. PROCESS OF REGISTRATION. Bicycle and light mobility vehicle registration is mandatory for the purpose of orienting the bicycle or light mobility vehicle users of the applicable traffic rules and regulations and penalties in case of violation.

Each registration is valid for one bike or light mobility vehicle and shall apply for only one (1) year for commercial use and three (3) years for non-commercial use.

In coordination with the CTTMO, the barangay where the bicycle or light mobility vehicle user resides shall process the application and subsequent registration. The barangay shall charge a fee of Twenty-five Pesos (P25.00) for each bicycle or light mobility vehicle registration.

Upon registration, the bicycle or light mobility vehicle shall be brought to the CTTMO’s impoundment area and barangay hall to ensure that it has the necessary minimum safety requirements required under this Code. Each registered user shall be informed of the provisions of this Code and the relevant traffic rules that must be followed.

SECTION 87. PROOF OF REGISTRATION. A water-proof sticker shall be attached as proof that the bicycle or light mobility vehicle has already been registered.

The barangay shall, on a quarterly basis forward the records of bicycles and light mobility vehicles registered in their area to the CTTMO. Within one year from the implementation of this Ordinance, all bicycle and light mobility vehicle users must be registered in order to use the shared roadways and signed shared roadways.

SECTION 88. MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. No bicycle or light mobility vehicle user shall be allowed to use shared roadways or signed shared roadways within the City of Davao without first complying with the following safety requirements: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Helmets or protective headgear; Reflectors or other warning lights; Bell or horn; Working brakes; Rider capacity – bicycles or light mobility vehicles made for single riders should not carry more than one passenger at a time; tricycles or tandem bicycles shall be allowed only for the capacity for which it is made; 6. Hands-free cargo – riders with cargo shall not carry the same with their hands while operating the bike or light mobility vehicle, nor place the same on their handlebars or along the wheelbase.

Cargo must be placed: a. In a wearable backpack; b. In a basket or carrier in front of the handlebars or behind the seat; c. On a trailer attached to the bicycle, provided it does not exceed 80 cm in width; 7. When riding at night, a bicycle shall be equipped with additional protective equipment such as, but not limited to, wearing of any reflective material visible from both sides, use of additional blinkers, lights or any other equipment that serves the same purpose, and is not a hazard to other road users.

8. Audio or electronic devices which distract the cyclist or light mobility vehicle user or which compromise safety are not allowed while operating bicycles or light mobility vehicle. Hands-free audio devices such as, but not limited to, earphones and earpiece

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

A delivery man traverses along R. Castillo Street in Davao City on his way to deliver an 11-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to a customer. Prices of LPG have gone down as much as P63.25 for 11-kilogram cylinder as contract prices of LPG in the world market decreased. Edge Davao

Gov’t, private sector promise to create more jobs for Pinoys

B

oth public and private sectors have committed to continue creating more jobs for Filipinos as the country recovers from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

During the 120th Labor Day Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Job and Business fair in Pampanga on Sunday, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said foreign direct investments (FDIs) that the Philippines secured last year would generate

more employment.

The Philippines logged its highest FDI net inflows last year amounting to USD10.52 billion.

This has leapfrogged the country from ranking sixth to fourth spot in Southeast Asia with largest FDI. Lopez added the an-

nual average of FDI net inflows during the Duterte administration grew three times to USD9.1 billion compared to the previous administration’s annual average of USD3.5 billion.

“Ang ibig sabihin noon, ‘yang malaking investments na ‘yan nagta-translate sa trabaho.

Nakita naman natin kung paano mabilis na maka-recover (It only means that those big investments will be translated into jobs. We have seen how

fast we have recovered),” the trade chief said.

He added with policy measures of the government amid the global health and economic crisis, the administration is successful in saving lives, jobs, and livelihood in the country.

Lopez also urged Filipinos, especially workers who are now out of their homes and facing the new normal, to get their booster shots to avoid another surge in Covid-19 cases.

FGOV’T, A3

NY-based IT-BPO firm Anthem expanding in PH

A

nthem, Inc., a New York-based company in the information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) specializing in healthcare services, is expanding in the Philippines.

A statement on Sunday said this investment plan was expressed by the company in a virtual meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Chairman Ramon Lopez, and DTI

Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Anthem Diversified Business Group chief operating officer Rajat Puri said the firm remains optimistic with the opportunities in the Philippines as it also eyes to explore prospects in the pharmaceutical technology sector.

Anthem Strategic Operations head Stella Aquino said it is looking into prospects in Iloilo as the prov-

Next admin will inherit ‘better economy’, higher debt: Diokno LPG price down by

T

he next administration will inherit a “much better economy” but with an increased debt-to-GDP ratio due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday.

In an interview with ANC, Diokno said the next administration would start office with tax and other economic reforms in place.

The Duterte administration has pushed for

the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP), which includes the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) and Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) laws, among others.

Before his tenure ends, Duterte had also enacted the amendments to the Retail Trade Act, the Public Service Act as well as the Foreign Investment Act. “This administration

will inherit a much better economy than what we inherited from the previous one. But at the same time, it is faced with an increase in public debt as a result of the pandemic,” Diokno said.

Before the pandemic, the Philippines’ debt-toGDP ratio was at 39.6 percent but it has ballooned to 60.5 due to the heavy borrowings to finance the country’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Despite the elevated borrowings, Diokno said the level is still manageable as long as the next administration ensures steady economic growth.

“But this level is pretty much manageable as long as we continue to grow between 6 to 7 percent within 2 years,” he said.

Diokno also recommended that the next administration prepare a “fiscal consolidation program” for the next 3 years.

FNEXT, A3

FNY-BASED, A3

P63 for 11-kg tank

P

rices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have gone down as much as PHP63.25 for11-kilogram cylinder as contract prices of LPG in the world market decreased.

In an advisory, Petron and Phoenix LPG said they implemented a PHP5.75 per kilogram rollback in LPG prices starting 12:01

a.m. Sunday.

Petron slashed AutoLPG prices by PHP3.22 per liter while Phoenix LPG cut prices by PHP3.20 per liter.

Solane-branded LPG also decreased

by PHP5.73 for 11-kg tanks.

Since February, household LPG prices increased

FLPG, A3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

ECONOMY

A2

A vendor takes advantage of the large crowd to peddle bottled water during a political rally at the Davao Crocodile Park in Davao City on Sunday. Edge Davao

30 farmer-entrep wannabes enroll in DAR farm biz school

Digital currency an ‘experiment’: BSP

B

angko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Monday said its central bank digital currency (CBDC) project would be an “experiment” and not yet a full-blown implementation.

In an interview with ANC, Diokno also clarified that, unlike cryptocurrency assets, CBDCs are issued by the central banks.

During the pilot, set to begin in the fourth quarter, the BSP will test the use of CBDCs for wholesale transactions with select banks limited to the Philippines.

“We are going to do this on an experimental basis which will start in the fourth quarter of this year. We will experiment with some large financial

T

he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) confirmed 30 farmer-entrepreneur enrollees at the recent launching of the Farm Business School (FBS) here.

Charish M. Paña, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said that the 30 enrollees were sugarcane farmers and members of the Onica Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association.

“I am happy because aside from the various projects previously given to you, we have another project that will teach you how to manage your produce and how to develop this into business,” Paña

said during the launching ceremony.

Paña also expressed her hopes that all enrollees will take the FBS seriously for them to gain more knowledge in managing their farms that will somehow facilitate the upgrading and uplifting the status of their living.

Ramil Lumawag, FBS point person, explained that FBS is a kind of learn-

at a net increase of P15.45 per liter for gasoline, P27.35 per liter for diesel, and P21.55 per liter for kerosene.

Data from the same agency show that prices in Metro Manila range from P66.45 per liter (Pasig City) to P89.75 per liter (Muntinlupa City) for gasoline, and from P68.20 per liter (Quezon City) to P85.20 per liter (Pasay City) for diesel.

S

ing modality where learning takes place at a farm level through school setup in the community.

“With the FBS set-up, farmers will be learning the dynamics of farming as a business in their own local environment,” Lumawag said.

He said that the enrollees will undergo 25 sessions with a mix of theoretical and actual learning experiences before they will be declared as graduates.

In his commitment speech, Virgilio Dorado, Onica ARB Association

president, vowed to encourage the members of their association to faithfully attend every session.

“All of us are looking forward to this new endeavor. We are excited to receive this kind of support service from DAR where learning will occur right here in our community. We would like to assure you that we will give our best to complete the 25 sessions together,” Dorado said.

After the launching of FBS, the enrollees will meet every Wednesday

ter from P5.48 billion the same quarter last year, translating to a return on equity of 14.27%.

The lender attributed the increase to higher interest income from loans, along with the merger with UCPB which took effect on March 1, after securing the approval of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Landbank’s income expansion runs parallel with the country’s strong economic resurgence,” said President and Chief Executive Cecilia Borromeo.

“We will build on this growth trajectory to continue assisting key development sectors and

F30 FARMER, A3

Landbank net income jumps Oil price rollback set today 141% following UCPB merger

P

ump prices of petroleum products will be rolled back this week after two straight weeks of increases, equivalent to less than a tenth of the hikes so far this year.

In separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will cut down prices per liter of gasoline by P0.65, diesel

by P1.15, and kerosene by P1.15.

FDIGITAL, A3

Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which they do not carry.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, for all the firms except for Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 8:01 a.m. the same day.

The latest data available from the Department of Energy show that yearto-date adjustments stand

tate-run Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) opened the year with a 141% growth in its bottom line, as the company recorded one-time gains from its merger with the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).

The Landbank over the weekend said its net income grew to P13.2 billion in the first quar-

FLANDBANK, A3

A3 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

LANDBANK delivers P1.51-B in loans to rice farmers The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has released P1.51 billion in loans to a total of 9,126 rice farmers and cooperatives as of 31 March 2022 through the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF).

Implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), LANDBANK was able to fully disburse the allocated program fund from 2019 to 2021 under the ERCA-RCEF, designed to support small rice farmers cope with the decline in palay prices, coupled with challenges brought about by the COVID-19

GOV’T... FROMA1

pandemic.

Majority of the beneficiaries were from the rice-producing provinces of Region 2, particularly Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino, with LANDBANK assisting a total of 4,189 individual rice farmers and 28 cooperatives.

LANDBANK was also able to extend assistance to rice farmers in the Visayas and Mindanao, including the provinces of Capiz, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Occidental Mindoro, among others.

“As a vital contributor to the National Government’s sustainable development agenda, LAND-

Early last year, the government launched the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS), responsible for stimulating jobs creation amid the adverse impacts of Covid-19 to employment and livelihood.

Beyond 1M jobs On Labor Day of 2021, the NERS committed to recover 1 million jobs.

Lopez, the co-chair for NERS, said the task force has surpassed this target in the first quarter of 2022.

“My recollection is about 980,000 jobs already created, bulk of which actually are coming from the construction and IT-BPM (information technology and business process management), and now the recovering tourism and the restaurant sectors as we are reopening that particular sector,” he said.

Lopez also cited investment prospects of American companies following the high-level Philippine delegation to the United States last month.

US companies in data centers, renewable energy, battery, electric vehicles, IT-BPM, and telecommunications, among

others, are looking into investing in the Philippines, he added.

With the economic reforms done during the Duterte administration, Lopez said the Philippines increases its ability to attract more foreign investors and create more jobs for Filipinos.

“With this move, we will be able to again attract more investors and jobs,” he said during the Labor Day event.

For the part of the private sector, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the business community vows to generate more employment to sustain economic recovery.

“The Employers Confederation of the Philippines affirms the commitment of the business sector to be at the forefront of creating and providing employment to the Filipino workforce. The project will now be called ‘Beyond 1 Million Jobs: Create, Sustain, Transform’,” Ortiz-Luis said.

He added the business sector has contributed 600,000 jobs as of end2021in the 1 million jobs recovery target of the task force. (PNA)

by PHP12.62 up to PHP13.04 per kilogram, or around PHP138.82 to PHP143.44 for a regular 11-kg LPG tank.

According to the Department of Energy, the common price of an 11-kg LPG cylinder in Metro Manila reached PHP1,099. (PNA)

contribute to our collective recovery, to drive our broader thrust of serving the nation,” she continued.

The lender attributed the increase to higher interest income from loans, along with the merger with UCPB which took effect on March 1, after securing the approval of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange

Commission (SEC).

“Landbank’s income expansion runs parallel with the country’s strong economic resurgence,” said President and Chief Executive Cecilia Borromeo.

“We will build on this growth trajectory to continue assisting key development sectors and contribute to our collective recovery, to drive our broader thrust of serving the nation,” she continued.

LPG... FROMA1

LANDBANK... FROMA2

BANK remains steadfast in delivering much-needed support to the agriculture sector. Alongside the DA, the successful and timely delivery of loans to rice farmers under the ERCA-RCEF is a testament of this unwavering commitment,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

The ERCA-RCEF is a credit facility which aims to boost the productivity and income of small rice

NEXT... FROMA1

farmers, and cushion the initial impact of Republic Act No. 11203, also known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Under ERCA-RCEF, individual farmers may borrow up to 90% of their total project cost at a low fixed interest rate of 2% per year. The loan may be used to purchase farm inputs for rice and rice seed production, as well as farm machineries and equipment for production and

post-production.

DA-accredited cooperatives may also borrow under the ERCA-RCEF for the purchase of farm inputs for rice and rice seed production as a collective operation and working capital for rice and rice seed trading. The Progam also supports rice farming-related activities such as the acquisition of machineries and equipment, as well as relending and rediscounting of exist-

ing loans of small rice farmers listed in the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

As mandated by Republic Act No. 11203, LANDBANK shall continue to administer the ERCA-RCEF Program for the DA until 2024, and make available P500 million in loans annually to rice farmers registered under the RSBSA in 38 rice-producing provinces.

EMBIID... FROMA4

The program should include efforts for reducing debt, continuing infrastructure programs, investing in human resources, improving the tax spending mix of local

governments and rationalizing the pension benefits of military personnel, he said.

The Philippines will hold its presidential elections on May 9.

ince has a strong base of nursing talent.

Legato Health Technologies, the local arm of Anthem, started its Philippine operations in November 2018 with investments of PHP950 million employing 1,000 personnel.

For the past four years, the company grew its headcount to 8,000.

“With the Duterte administration’s continued push for major economic reforms, supplemented by the country’s sound policies and systems in place, we are beginning to see increasing interest in many new sectors such as those related to telecommunications, broadband, interconnectivity, satellite services, and other digital infrastructure, such as data centers for hyperscalers and the corresponding renewable energy projects that are expected to serve as the source of power for these projects,” Lopez said.

He added the IT-BPO industry can reap the benefits of better connectivi-

ty in the country with the increasing investments in telecommunications infrastructures.

Rodolfo told Anthem executives that the BOI recently approved a telecommunications infrastructure project amounting to PHP155 billion.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX will also bring its first internet over satellite business in Southeast Asia to the Philippines.

SpaceX and BOI are also advancing their talks on the former’s investment plans here.

“Infrastructure developments in the countryside will mean better economic activities and more opportunities in other areas of the country. Regional development has always been one of the key priorities of the Duterte Administration that will ensure the long-term, inclusive, and sustainable growth of our economy, beyond administrations and across generations,” Lopez added.

(PNA)

until the completion of the 25 sessions. The series of training will be facilitated by trained DAR personnel who will take turns in handling the different sessions.

The FBS launching ceremony was also at-

tended by the city agriculture office representative Matthew Julius Alcebar, Dar Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers Mario Albete and Felerma Gimenez, and other DAR provincial and city personnel.

institutions limited in the Philippines,” Diokno said.

“We need to learn to walk before we run so that’s the purpose of this pilot, not a full-blown implementation of CBDC,” he added.

During the pilot, the BSP will consult with its peers to assess the impact of CBDCs, Diokno said.

DATA-DRIVEN FORECASTS Meanwhile, Diokno said the administration’s economic team is open to

revision in growth targets but it would be data-driven and would be officially made by the entire Development and Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier revised upwards its gross domestic product growth (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.5 percent from 6 percent while downgrading other forecasts globally.

NY-BASED... FROMA1

30 FARMER... FROMA2

DIGITAL... FROMA2

Embiid led the 76ers with averages of 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and assists and 1.5 blocks per game during the regular season. And even though he’s bothered by a right thumb ligament injury that will require offseason surgery, he also averaged 26.2 points and 11.3 rebounds in the six games against the Raptors.

He’s one of three finalists for MVP, along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. And earlier Friday, when the Heat began practice in preparation for the series with the 76ers, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra raved about Embiid.

“He’s extremely

skilled,” Spoelstra said.

“You’re talking about somebody that has great physicality and size that can punish you in that regard. But he also has finesse, he has shooting ability, deep range on his shot-making, he’s got touch that’s uncanny in the paint. And then you have that element of also being able to create and make open shots for other guys, but also be able to draw fouls at any point if you lose concentration.”

Embiid — from Cameroon — was the first international player to win the scoring title. Embiid also was the first center to win the scoring crown since Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-2000.

A supermax deal worth about $245 million over five years appears to be out of reach since he would need to be chosen All-NBA, MVP or Defensive Player of the Year to become eligible. The Bulls can offer a max contract worth more than $210 million over five years.

But LaVine didn’t seem too inclined to give the Bulls a discount so they might have a little more salary-cap flexibility.

“I think it’s important to me you get paid what you’re valued at,” he said.

“I see myself as a top guy in this league. I think I’ve proven that over the last four years.”

He also sees potential for the Bulls to become an elite team. Karnisovas has been aggressive in reshaping the roster since he was hired two years ago, acquiring Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan, Ball and Caruso as well

as drafting Ayo Dosunmu and hiring coach Billy Donovan.

But the injuries last season made it difficult to develop the continuity they needed to compete with the NBA’s best.

That’s a point the players as well as Donovan and Karnisovas mentioned the past two days. A major part of that would be re-signing LaVine.

“I don’t think Rome was built in a year,” LaVine said. “I don’t think you can be a championship-caliber team right off the bat. Maybe some teams are. But it’s tough.

It’s the first time a lot of us made the playoffs.

I think it was a really good experience. And not all of us got to really play together due to circumstances of COVID and injury. I definitely think this is a good team and has the potential to be a championship-caliber team.”

Diokno said it’s “good news” for the country.

The DBCC’s growth target for the year was set at 7 to 9 percent.

Interest rate hikes, which could start to happen in June, will also be data-driven, Diokno said.

“We really have to balance. Whether the recovery that we’re seeing is sustainable. That’s why we’re going to wait for the GDP number for the first quarter this year,” he said.

The country’s benchmark borrowing rate has been kept at its record low of 2 percent since November 2020 to support the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As for inflation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on oil and other commodity prices are reflected in the revised 4.3 percent average inflation forecast for the year, Diokno said.

LAVINE... FROMA4

SPORTS

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

A4

The Sixers begin battle against the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals likely without Joel Embid.

PHOTO: AP

Embiid out for Game 1

M

a mild concussion. Those injuries, for now anyway, have him listed as out on the injury report and will keep him there for the foreseeable future.

The 76ers open an

Eastern Conference semifinal series at Miami on Monday night.

The injuries stem from a hit Embiid took with 3:58 left of Thursday night’s game in Toronto, when the 76ers were up by 29 points and well on their way to getting an East first-round-clinching win over the Raptors.

He got hit in the face by a driving Pascal Siakam, and immediately took several steps back in obvious pain.

Embiid checked out moments later. Now, nobody knows when he’ll play again. He sat down for a postgame interview with NBA TV immediately following the game, and

gonna have to experience A through Z without making any fast decisions. I think that’s something me and (agent Rich Paul) are gonna go through and experience.”

Are the Bulls the leader to sign him? LaVine was noncommittal.

“You guys have been a really, really soft spot in my heart,” he said. “I have to do this as a business decision, as a man, to not just be viewed one way and be like I’m automatically coming back or I’m automatically leaving.”

The Bulls got off to a solid start this season en route to a 46-36 record and their first playoff appearance since 2017. But they were hit hard by injuries, with LaVine and guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso and forward Patrick Williams miss-

ing significant stretches.

They struggled down the stretch and got knocked out 4-1 by defending NBA champion Milwaukee in the first round.

LaVine averaged 24.4 points, made his second straight All-Star team and got his first taste of the playoffs in his eighth year. But it was hardly a smooth season for him.

He dealt with an early thumb injury and was in and out of the lineup the final few months because of a sore left knee. He had platelet-rich plasma therapy, a cortisone injection and fluid drained from his knee in Los Angeles before the All-Star break.

LaVine also missed the final playoff game after entering the health and safety protocols. He said he tested negative Friday after he “felt terri-

ble” the first two days.

LaVine said he needs to get his knee back to 100% and he’ll have it re-examined soon after he returns home to Los Angeles. As for his contract? The Bulls clearly want to keep him.

“The thing is that we have a relationship with him, he knows exactly what to expect here,” executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said.

“We have a really good relationship with him. The last two years have been the best two years of his career, so we’ll see what happens.”

Karnisovas said the knee problem won’t impact negotiations.

LaVine’s four-year, $78 million contract is about to expire.

IAMI — Joel Embiid feared this would be the case. Turns out, he was right.

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time) that Embiid — the NBA scoring champion and an MVP finalist — has a right orbital fracture and

LaVine to explore free agency

C

HICAGO — Though he didn’t rule out re-signing with the Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine didn’t slam the door on joining another team, either.

The two-time All-Star played it coy. And with that, the offseason took a dramatic turn in Chicago.

LaVine made it clear on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) he plans to explore the market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, calling it a “big decision” for him and his family. The high-flying guard insisted he is keeping an open mind, as much as he has enjoyed his five seasons in Chicago.

He indicated he intends to meet with other teams when free agency opens, saying: “I plan to enjoy free agency. We’re

FLAVINE, A3

one of the first questions he got was about how he was feeling.

“I think he might have broken my face,” Embiid said. “It’s all good. It’s the playoffs.”

Thing is, it wasn’t all good. And Embiid’s diagnosis was spot on.

Barring a significant change, it would appear

Embiid won’t be able to start this series — at minimum. A similar fracture, to his left orbital bone, kept him out for about three weeks late in the 2017-18 season. He needed surgery and missed 10 games, including the first two games of a playoff series against the Heat.

FEMBIID, A3

Zach LaVine averaged 24.4 points, made his second straight All-Star team and got his first taste of the playoffs in his eighth year. But it was hardly a smooth season for him.

66

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE can only be used on one ear at a time.

SECTION 89. RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND OBLIGATIONS OF PERSONS OPERATING A BICYCLE OR LIGHT MOBILITY VEHICLE. The following shall be the rights, duties, and obligations of cyclists and light mobility vehicle users: 1. Every person riding a bicycle or light mobility vehicle on the designated bike lanes shall be granted all the rights of road users.

2. A cyclist or light mobility vehicle user may ride on any public road or a street except on highways or where a sign specifically prohibiting bikes has been posted such as an expressway.

3. As persons-on-wheels or bikes (POWs or POBs) who use a bicycle or light mobility vehicle, cyclists and light mobility vehicle users have optimal rights as pedestrians and share equal responsibility as motorists on the road.

4. A cyclist or light mobility vehicle user shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power or electric motor assisted, upon any road.

5. Cyclists and light mobility vehicle users must always observe the use of the proper safety equipment laid down in Section 88 of this Code and Section 7 of the Amended Biking and Light Mobility Vehicle Ordinance.

6. A trailer or semi-trailer may be attached to the bicycle provided it does not exceed 80 cm in width.

7. Hand signal within 100 feet right- or left-hand turn signals shall be given in not less than 100 feet from turn and/or while the bike is on full stop. If the hand being used for signaling is needed to control the bike, hand signaling may be undertaken intermittently, instead of continuously.

8. An audible signal shall be given before overtaking.

9. Parking in designated areas. When bike parking is available, this service must be maximized. Otherwise, a cyclist or light mobility vehicle user may park his/her bicycle in any place that does not cause obstruction to the mobility or safety of persons.

SECTION 90. OPERATING A BICYCLE OR LIGHT MOBILITY VEHICLE. Every person operating a bicycle or light mobility vehicle upon a designated bike lane shall utilize such lane direction except on reasonable circumstances, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same time.

A. Prohibited Behaviors. The following are the restrictions imposed upon cyclists and the right to use a bicycle: 1. No Overloading. No bicycle shall carry more persons or baggage that is more than what the unit is designed to carry unless when another regular seat or trailer is connected to it.

2. A cyclist must not carry anything on their hands while operating bicycle unless it is in a basket, bag or trailer designed for that purpose.

considered as shared roadways which are open to both bicycle and motor vehicle traffic.

Guidelines on the use of shared roadways shall be observed by bicycle users, motorists, and pedestrians alike.

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) shall also designate those roadways on which bicycle use must be prohibited.

SECTION 92. OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC LAWS AND DEVICES. Any person operating a bicycle or light mobility vehicle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer or any authorized traffic enforcer.

Whenever, authorized signs are posted, a person operating a bicycle shall not disobey the direction of such sign except when that person dismount from the bicycle, in which case such person shall then obey the regulation applicable to pedestrians. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any direction except that permitted for vehicular traffic on the same side of the bike lane.

SECTION 93. FLAGGING BY A POLICE OFFICER OR CITY TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CTTMO) PERSONNEL. Any uniformed police officer or any deputized traffic enforcer may stop, inspect and test a bicycle unit that is suspected to be unsafe and fails to observe the Minimum Safety Requirements laid down in Section 88 of this Code and Section 7 of the Amended Bike and Light Mobility Vehicle Ordinance. He may also stop any cyclist operating the bicycle in such a manner as to pose dangers to others.

SECTION 94. PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTY CLAUSE. – Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance committed by bicycle users shall be penalized by an administrative fine as follows, for each offense committed, without prejudice to the prosecution of other administrative, criminal, or civil actions as may be proper: A. B. C. D.

Non-registration Failure to renew registration No registration sticker Incomplete compliance of minimum safety Standard E. Failure to follow traffic laws and other offenses found under this Code

– P100 – P100 – P100 – P100 – P100

SECTION 95. CITY TRAFFIC CITATION TICKET – A City Traffic “CITATION TICKET,” shall be issued to VIOLATORS OF THIS CODE. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, and the specific violation committed. The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) personnel and such other appropriate enforcers as may be commissioned by the City Mayor shall have the power to apprehend violators of this Ordinance and issue citation tickets.

If found to have violated the following, such as, but not limited to: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Bicycle involved in a traffic accident resulting to injuries of a pedestrian; Unattended Bicycle; Bicycle obstructing road right of way; Illegally Parked Bicycle; and Other analogous cases.

The CTTMO or any authorized personnel shall cause the confiscation of the bicycle unit and deliver it to the city impoundment area as part of the apprehension procedure.

SECTION 156. RESTRICTIONS ON PEDESTRIANS. A pedestrian shall not:

3. A cyclist must not cling on to another vehicle while on the bike lane, or on any other part of the road.

(f) In standing or occupying the sidewalk, extend an arm or leg or any other object that may obstruct the passage of a cyclist/biker using the biking lane.

4. No hands-free cycling. At least one hand must always hold or be kept on the handlebars at all times.

SECTION 157. PEDESTRIANS ON THOROUGHFARES. Except when there is a sidewalk or footway, a pedestrian:

5. No biking on pedestrian lanes and sidewalks. Cyclists must unmount and walk the bicycle unit in using the pedestrian lanes or sidewalks.

(c) In getting on or off a vehicle, a pedestrian must stop, look or listen for a cyclist/biker who may be approaching, before opening the door.

6. Observe reasonable speed. No cyclist must go beyond what is a reasonable and prudent speed under conditions then existing.

SECTION 3. REPEALING CLAUSE — Any Ordinance, local issuances or rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified, accordingly.

7. Stop at safe distance from school buses and streetcars when people are embarking/ disembarking.

SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE — If for any reason any section of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

8. Ride together with the flow of traffic. Bikes are not allowed to counter flow.

B.

VOL.14 ISSUE VOL.15 2985 ISSUE • WEDNESDAY, 16 • TUESDAY, MARCH MAY 3, 9, 2022

Duties and obligations to cyclists: 1. Pedestrians must keep their arms to themselves when standing on the sidewalk.

Extension of arms or legs pose hazards to cyclists using the bicycle lane.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY— This Ordinance shall take effect 15 days upon approval, posting, and publication in a newspaper of local circulation.

ENACTED, on the 23rd day of November 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

2. Look out before disembarking. In getting on or off a private/public vehicle at the pavement, pedestrians must look out first in case cyclist or light mobility vehicle user is headed towards the direction of the vehicle that the person is riding on/off from.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

3. Pedestrians must give way to moving cyclists in embarking/disembarking a vehicle.

4. Maintain safe distance and do not blow horn. Motorized vehicles, especially heavy vehicles must maintain a safe distance from cyclists using the bike lane. Blowing of horn must be done sparingly and not within close range to the cyclist.

5. Safe distance at all times. All motorists, especially motorcycle riders must keep a safe distance of at least 1.5 meters distance from cyclists at all times. During inclement weather, motorists driving adjacent to the bike lane or in cases of roads with no bike lane must slow down to provide wiggle room and avoid splashing muddy water on cyclists.

SECTION 91. BICYCLE LANES, SHARED ROADWAYS, AND SIGNED SHARED ROADWAYS.

ATTESTED:

February 4, 2022 2021 APPROVED : ________________, Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq ATTESTED:

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall designate the bicycle lanes on shared roadways, provided that it allows a direct travel from the north to the south of the City and vice versa, passing through the Central Business District.

Bicycle lanes on signed shared roadways are for the exclusive use of persons on bicycles, except those which may be exempted by this Code or the Amended Bicycle and Light Mobility Vehicle Ordinance; Only City-operated buses under the High Priority Bus System as well as medical, safety and security motor vehicles may use a bicycle lane on a signed shared roadway.

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall designate the highways, roads, and streets in the City that are to be

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 0334-12, SERIES OF 2012, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC CODE OF DAVAO CITY” IN CONFORMITY WITH THE AMENDED BICYCLE ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY”

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

7

GCash honors workers with innovative and relevant digital financial solutions

F

ilipino workers are known all over the world for their hard work, reliability, and resilience. To honor their invaluable contribution to nation-building, especially on Labor Day, GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, has introduced innovative and relevant digital financial solutions to help Pinoy workers secure and grow their hard-earned money while making their lives better and easier.

Through products like the new GCash Padala, GCash Send Money,

GSave, GCredit, GInsure, GGives, and GLoans, Pinoy workers now have access to financial products and services developed to suit their needs and lifestyles.

“We salute our Filipino workers — here and overseas as they are the lifeblood of our economy. At GCash, we honor their hard work by constantly looking for innovative digital solutions to make their lives better and richer, while ensuring no one is left behind,” said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon.

Aside from the GCash Send Money feature

which allows workers to send money for free to over 55 million registered users, the new GCash Padala feature allows them to remit funds real-time anywhere in the Philippines, to families and loved ones who have no GCash account. It’s secure, fast and affordable — receivers only need to show one Valid ID to claim transactions through over 60,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide.

In line with its mission to push for financial inclusion among Filipinos, GCash partnered

with CIMB Bank to help workers grow their money through GSave, which offers 5% interest per annum until June 30, 2022.

To help extend the purchasing power of Pinoy workers, GCash offers GCredit, which is the GCash user’s personal credit line within the GCash app. This feature gives users access to credit of up to PHP100,000.

Short on cash but need to stock up on your essentials? No worries - GCash allows Filipino workers to shop for anything they want and pay for them

nobo-Pulangihon Indigenous Cultural Community/Indigenous Peoples praying for an order enjoining the operators and owners of the KDC,” the order read.

The CDO covers all persons claiming rights over the land and all illegal occupants of the property in view of the expiration of the Forest Land Graze Management Agreement (FLGMA) and the absence of the Free and Prior Informed Consent from the recipients of the ancestral domain.

The occupied property is part of the 1,111-hectare land in Barangays Butong and San Jose.

In an online message to the Philippine News Agency, Federation of Free Farmers chairperson and former Agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor, said the CDO will be instrumental in the return of the displaced tribe members to their ancestral home.

“Hopefully, this development will pave the way for the early repossession by the Manobo-Pulangiy-

ons of their land,” Montemayor said.

Since 2017, about a thousand families belonging to the Manobo-Pulangihon tribe have been living in makeshift shelters beside the national highway in Quezon, just a few meters away from their ancestral land, after they were driven away by KDC. In 1986, an entity called Cesar Fortich Inc. secured a 25-year FLGMA from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that expired in 2018.

Sometime in 2007, Cesar Fortich Inc. changed its name to KDC and reportedly appointed Pablo Lorenzo III, Quezon’s incumbent municipal mayor, as its general manager.

On April 19, 2022, some of the tribe’s members entered the contested land together with presidential candidate Leody de Guzman and senatorial aspirants Roy Cabonegro and David D’Angelo when armed men fired at them, wounding five persons.

(PNA)

lagang hindi talaga magamit (that can no longer be used). Kung magamit man (If it does get used), it could be about two administrations from now.

So pagka ganoon sabi ko ibigay mo na at magbili ang gobyerno ng ano bagong lupa tutal hindi naman nawawalaan ng pera ang gobyerno sa totoo lang (In that case, I said just give it away and the government can buy new lands. Anyway, the government will never run out of funds),” he said.

Duterte has repeatedly jested about being the President who has given the most in terms of land distribution.

To date, government-owned lands were distributed to qualified beneficiaries across the

country, particularly in geographically and isolated areas infiltrated by the New People’s Army.

On Feb. 15, 2019, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 75 which orders all agencies to identify government-owned lands that can be distributed to beneficiaries.

Under the EO, DAR was directed to acquire all government-owned lands devoted to or suitable for agriculture but are no longer actually, directly, and exclusively used for the purpose for which they have been reserved so they can be distributed to qualified beneficiaries.

Last month, Duterte expressed hope that his successor will continue the land reform program of his administration. (PNA)

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 3, 2022, a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan).

Through Proclamation

No. 1356, the President stated that it is necessary to declare a holiday in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.

sa Covid-19 response sa atoang syudad. Daghan kaayo ko ug ikapasalamat kay dili tanan na mayor gitagaan ug ingon ana na suporta sa ilang mga kauban. It was a pleasure to have made memories with all of you mga Dabawenyos. And it is indeed my pride again to make history with all of you,” the mayor said.

She also thanked those individuals and groups who composed songs for her and made rosaries, paintings, drawings, tarpaulins, t-shirts, and masks as support to her.

“Daghan kaayo ang inyuhang gipangbuhat para ipakita ang inyuhang paghigugma sa atoang nasud ug pagsuporta kanako,” she said.

Mayor Sara capped the rally by serenading the crowd with the song

“Tag-ulan” by Afterimage.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara topped anew in the latest vice presidential survey conducted by pollster Pulse Asia a week before election day.

Pulse Asia released its vice presidential survey results, with Mayor Sara leading with a 55 percent rate followed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III with 18 percent, Senator Francis Pangilinan with 16 percent, Dr. Willie Ong with 3 percent and Manny Lopez with one percent.

On the other hand, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari announced his official endorsement of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Mayor Sara in a gathering with MNLF members on May 1, 2022.

Duterte.

Among the provisions of the HB include the right to a living wage, prohibition of the boundary system, maximum hours of work including rest periods, minimum Benefits that include holidays, rest days, overtime pay, night shift differential pay, five days service incentive leave, 13th-month pay, maternity/paternity pay/ leave, retirement pay, and other similar government-mandated benefits.

The HB also aims to provide drivers the right to security of tenure, protection from the fluctuation of oil prices, Public Utility Drivers’ Insurance, and health checkup requirement to show fitness to operate.

Meanwhile, Lim is hopeful to get the same support given by the Dabawenyos to the Dumper Partylist this

coming elections.

Lim said that Davao City gave her the votes in 2019 that made Dumper Partylist win in the 2019 elections. She said the party received majority of the votes from Davao City and Davao Region.

“Una sa tanan ang Davao City ang naghatag sa amoa ug boto atong 2019 mao nang nakadaug gyud ang Dumper Partylist atong niagong elections,” she said.

Lim said the grand rally, which was also graced by celebrities including master rapper Andrew E. and Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas, was the party’s way of saying thank you to the Dabawenyos.

“Isa sad ni sa among demonstration ug support para sa Dabawenyos ug para sa incoming VP Sara Duterte,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

NCIP... FROM2

NO... FROM1

PRRD... FROM3

SARA... FROM2

DUMPER... FROM2

later with the GGives and GLoans features. With the GGives feature, customers, especially the hardworking laborers, can now shop from their favorite brands, treat themselves on their payday, or buy gifts for their loved ones, buy big-ticket items up to PHP 50,000, and pay for them later through easy “gives” or installments.

On the other hand, the GLoans feature on the

GCash app allows eligible users to borrow funds of up to PHP 50,000 with no documents required and get it in the form of actual cash in their GCash wallet, which Filipinos can use for emergencies, travel, small business, home renovation, gadget, and lifestyle upgrade.

With all these features now within their easy reach, Filipino workers really have a lifeline with GCash!

are voting for Marcos, 13% “cannot decide, 2.1% will vote for Vice President Leni Robredo, 1.6% will go for Senator and world boxing icon Emmanuel Pacquiao, 0.9% for Isko Moreno and 0.8% for Ping Lacson.

For Vice President, 89.3% are voting for outgoing Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, 6.61% “cannot decide,” 1.1% will vote for Senate President Tito Sotto, 0.4% for Willie Ong, 0.3% “refused to answer,” 0.2% each for Walden Bello and Robredo’s running mate, Francis Pangilinan.

For the Senate race, Davao City residents are voting for Robin Padilla (40.6%), Mark Villar (40.5%), Alan Peter Cayetano (36.5%), Raffy Tulfo (33.3%), Harry Roque (32.1%), Loren Legarda (31.5%), Migz Zubiri (31.2%), Jinggoy Estrada (28.7%), JV Ejercito (25.8%), Chiz Escudero (25.1%) Gilbert Teodoro (21.5%) and Sherwin Gatchalian (20.5%).

Abolish anti-dynasty provision More than half of the respondents (51.5%) agreed with the ADDU that “the anti-dynasty provision in the 1986 (sic) Constitution should be abolished,” out of which 27.7% strongly agreed. This statement was among those framed by the survey under “backdrop items and general perception on selected national, political and socio-economic issues.”

The ADDU Blue Vote apparently referred to the 1987 Constitution’s Article II, Section 26: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

The Duterte political dynasty is well-entrenched in Davao City.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte, initially appointed as OIC Vice Mayor, won as mayor for three consecutive terms (1988 to 1998), served as representative of the 1st district from 1998 to 2001, was mayor again for three consecutive terms (2001 to 2010), vice mayor to his

daughter Sara (2010 to 2013), mayor again (2013 to 2016) and President from 2016.

Sara and Paolo entered the political arena in 2007, Sara as Vice Mayor to her father, Paolo as barangay chair of Catalunan Grande who would join the City Council in 2008 as president of the association of barangay chairs. Sara served as mayor from 2010 to 2013, took a break from 2013 to 2016, when her father returned as mayor, returned as mayor from 2016 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2022. Paolo served as Vice Mayor to his father from 2013 to 2016 and to his sister Sara, from 2016 until he resigned on Christmas Day 2017, citing his failed marriage with his first wife, his having been implicated in a 6.4 billion peso shabu smuggling, and his public squabble with his daughter.

Awareness of candidates Of those surveyed, more than half chose a candidate even as during the survey dates, they had not seen a copy of the official list of candidates for the position they are voting for.

“Have you seen any official listing of all the Presidential candidates?” the survey asked. The answers: for President (51.4% No, 48.5% Yes).

Asked the same question for other posts, more than half replied they had not seen a copy of the official list of candidates: for Vice President (52.3% No, 47.7% Yes), for Senators (66.2% No, 33.7% Yes), for representative in their congressional district (55.8% No, 44.1% Yes), for councilors in their district (56.2% No, 43.7% Yes).

The survey showed that the respondents had seen a copy of the official list of candidates for mayor (54.3% Yes, 45.7% No) and for vice mayor (50.6% Yes, 49.3% No).

There are four candidates for Mayor of Davao City – Sebastian Duterte, Ruy Elias Lopez, Joseph Elizalde and Teddy Mantilla. Melchor Quitain Jr. is the lone candidate for Vice Mayor.

IT’S... FROM2

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 16 • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

Alessandra Nagayo receives her trophy. Ella Nagayo photo

WINTER WIN ‘Swingderella’ tops Canada JunGolf tourney season opener

BY NEIL BRAVO

P

laying under sub-zero conditions, Canada-based Dabawenya golf sensation Alessandra “Ella” Nagayo opened the 2022 season of the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) with a smashing triumph in the Season Opener last April 16-17 in Ontario, Canada.

The 18-year old Nagayo, daughter of Philippine Labor Attache to Canada and former city councilor Atty. Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo, kept her game adrift despite the biting winter cold and snow at the Silver Brooke course. She carded a 7 over par 79 in the opening 18 holes before closing out with a better scorecard in the final round of the 36-hole tourna-

ment with a four over par 76 and 155 total.

“It’s not her best scores but she played better than the field.

The conditions were just too tough,” the elder Nagayo told Edge Davao.

Julia Alexander Carew of Oakville, Ontario finished second two strokes behind at 157 while Olivia Chan of Richmond Hill was a far third at 205. Arielle Dhamija was fourth with a 221.

Nagayo, nicknamed “Swingderella”, has represented Canada in several international team tournaments since moving to Canada from Australia. She began her career as a jungolfer at the Apo Golf and Country Club