Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 32 | Saturday, May 21, 2022 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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POULTRY BAN City gov’t temporarily bans poultry, by-products from AI-affected areas STORY ON PAGE 2

A man transports broiler chickens from an outskirts community to a public market in Davao City. The city government of Davao on Thursday afternoon has ordered a temporary ban on poultry and its by-products from Luzon and other areas with reported cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) or bird flu. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 32 • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte has his biometric information taken for the registration process of the Postal ID administered by the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) during the launching of the PHLPost’s Digital Innovation and Modernization at the Central Post Office Building in Manila on May 19, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Uy not hopeful Davao-Samal bridge will be completed in next admin

City gov’t temporarily bans poultry, by-products from AI-affected areas By MAYA M. PADILLO

Acting City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte signed Executive Order No. 19 Series of 2022 or “an order implementing a temporary ban on the entry of all live domestic and cap-

tured wild birds, and their products and by-products, including day-old chicks, eggs, semen, manure, and feathers, from Luzon (mainland Luzon and island provinces of Luzon) and other

areas with reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza into the City of Davao.” The order imposed requirements for the entry or movement of live domestic and captured wild birds, their products, and by-products from unrestricted regions into the City of Davao: for game fowls, ducks, pigeons, and captured wild birds, a Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) issued by a Veterinarian and concurred by

COVID19 vaccine booster doses for the mentioned eligible groups. The DOH cited that the vaccine dose may be either homologous or heterologous. Pfizer and Moderna will be used for the following COVID-19 vaccines with ap-

proved EUAs issued by the Philippine FDA administration of 2nd booster doses to Priority Groups A1 and A2. The 2nd booster dose shall be administered at least four (4) months after the third (3rd) dose or first (1st) booster dose. The administration of

he city government of Davao temporarily banned the entry of all Iive domestic and captured wild birds and their products and by-products from Luzon and other areas with reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza into Davao City.

LGU/DA-RFO Veterinarian certifying that: the birds were sourced from farms with no incidence of avian influenza (AI); the birds showed no clinical signs of AI on the day of shipment; the birds were kept in AI free area at least for the past 21 days; the birds were transported in new or appropriately sanitized containers. Other requirements needed are negative laboratory test results for avian

2nd booster doses to eligible individuals will start implementation on Wednesday (May 19), and will be done simultaneously nationwide, depending on the readiness of the implementing units and vaccination sites. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)

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Health workers, seniors may now get 2nd booster enior citizens and frontline healthcare workers ages 18 years old and above may now get their 2nd booster dose. The Department of Health (DOH) issued a memorandum citing the guidelines on the administration of the second

he Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) mayor Al David Uy on Thursday said he is not hopeful the multi-billion 3.98-kilometer Davao City-Samal Island Bridge project will be completed within the term of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Uy told Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Thursday that with only a little over a month before President Rodrigo Duterte ends his term, the Philippine government and its Chinese counterpart have yet to finalize the loan agreement for the construction of the bridge. The local chief executive said he is expecting the P19.321-billion bridge project will be completed at the end of term of Duterte’s successor but remains hopeful that construction will commence in the next administration. “It will take another president, another administration just in time when Inday will become our president. By then, we can already use the bridge,” he said in jest. Inday is outgoing Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, who is leading the vice presidential race by at least 22 million votes. The mayor said he is hoping the loan agreement will be finalized before President Duterte steps down on June 30. He said construction work will start once the loan agreement is approved. He said the budget for the bridge is 90% loan from China and the remaining 10% from the national bud-

get. He added that the budget for the road right of way acquisition (RROW) for Samal side will be taken from the Chinese loan while on the side of Davao City, it will be taken from the 10% national budget. He said the RROW acquisition will start in Davao City. “Once the loan agreement is finalized and the budget for the financing is already there, negotiations for the road right of way acquisition will start. The contractor for bridge construction will be mobilized also while the road right of way negotiation is ongoing,” he said. On January 14, 2021, the Department of Public Works and Highways and China Road and Bridge Corporation signed the design and build contract agreement after the Chinese contractor won the bidding and was subsequently issued with the notice of award on December 14, 2020. However, the DOF submitted on April 26 last year an updated loan application reflecting the revised financing ratio of 90% loan and 10% local fund to China International Development Cooperation Agency and Export-Import Bank of China. According to DPWH, the project will “provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between Metro Davao and Samal Island, enhancing internal mobility and external linkage to support the growth potential of Davao region.” It added that it would

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 32 • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

NEWS

An elderly man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at one of Davao City’s vaccination hubs. Senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers ages 18 years old and above may now get their second booster dose as the Department of Health (DOH) already issued a memorandum citing the guidelines on the administration of the second Covid-19 vaccine booster doses. Edge Davao

City College of Davao set to operate in August this year Continue efforts to improve gov’t services, Duterte tells PHLPost

resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday urged the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to continue its modernization efforts to ensure the “seamless” delivery of government services even beyond his term. During the launch of the Digital Innovation and Modernization of PHLPost, Duterte expressed confidence that PHLPost would never cease to undertake reform initiatives that would expedite government transactions. “In fulfillment of this administration’s Ease of Doing Business agenda beyond my term, I hope that you will constantly explore innovations and strategies that will further streamline, develop, and improve government services to the people for greater efficiency,” he said in a speech delivered at Manila Central Post Office in Manila. The PHLPost’s event showcased the 46 brand new vans that will be used to speed up the delivery of mails and improve the post office’s network capabilities in cities and municipalities nationwide.

The innovation services offered by the PHLPost include the mobile application that will be used for online remittance, bills payment for all major utilities, merchant payments for government contributions, mail tracking, and mail service fee computation. The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which covers the digitalization of the PHLPost, as well as the experimental launch of postal cards with advanced financial features, are also part of the post office’s modernization efforts. The ERP will launch a new website, a mail management system with an automated letter sorting machine that can process 40,000 mails per hour, a corporate financial management information system, a financial counter system and a human resource information system. Restoring integrity Duterte said he is optimistic that the PHLPost’s initiatives would help restore its integrity. This, as he acknowledged the public complaints against the sup-

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

t least 1,000 students are expected to enroll at the government-owned City College of Davao (CCD), which is set to operate in August this year. Enrollment to CCD is expected to begin next month. Councilor Pilar Braga, Davao City Council’s Committee on Education chair, said in an interview that the city has now accomplished 95 percent of the requirements of the

Commission on Higher education (CHED). “We’re just streamlining some of the requirements. Many challenges since this is the first time and the first opening so natural lang to, normal lang nga daghan pa mi dapat hi-

moon,” said Braga, who is also the proponent of the resolution for the establishment of CCD. The CCD is located in Bago Oshiro, Mintal in a 5-hectare property of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) near the University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP-Mindanao). In 2020, the City Council approved through a resolution, which was certified by Mayor Sara

Duterte-Carpio as urgent, for the establishment of the CCD to cater to the less privileged. CCD will offer five courses: Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNEd), Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd), Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BS Entrep), and Bachelor of Arts in English or Filipino.

fected by the impacts of this project” it said. This is concerning the approval of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of South Cotabato to the proposal to lift the controversial openpit mining ban on May 16, 2022. The SP members also amended the Environment Code of the province on the second reading that allows all forms of mining, including open-pit, in the province.

The lifting of the ban now allows the operation of the controversial Tampakan Mining Project of the Sagittarius Mines Incorporated. The groups emphasized that the SP of South Cotabato did not consider the magnitude of the effects their actions have on the people and the environment, not only in South Cotabato. With this action alone, it will affect multiple watersheds of South Cota-

bato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Davao del Sur. Further, it will also threaten the ecological integrities of Allah Valley (102,000 hectares) in Sultan Kudarat, the watershed of the Padada River (120,000 hectares) in Davao del Sur, and the watershed of the Marbel River (122,000 hectares) in the Province of Cotabato. Meanwhile, the Diocese of Marbel considered the lifting of the open-pit min-

Envi groups call on Dabawenyos to join fight vs open-pit mining in SoCot

nvironmental groups Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and the Sustainable Davao Movement have called on the people of Davao Region to join in the fight against the lifting of the open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato. In a statement, the groups called on the people particularly those in Davao del Sur to participate in the issue, as “we will also be af-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 32 • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno bares that BSP has raised its inflation outlook for 2022 due to persisting upward price pressures such as higher oil prices, transport fares, as well as the continued meat and fish supply shortage. Handout photo

Majority of Filipino workers happier with hybrid work options —study

The latest study indicated that 59.6% of local employees want a hybrid work arrangement, with 96.6% of employers supportive, and 59.6% saying they are very supportive. It found that 89.2% of employees believe their overall well-being improved with hybrid working, with 92.2% of respondents saying they are

happier. The key drivers for improvement of their overall well-being include more flexible work schedules, and the reduced commuting time given by remote work options. Some 68.1% said hybrid work options have improved their physical well-being, with the majority saying they eat healthi-

er (76.3%), exercise more (71.1%), and are physically fitter (74.2%). Majority of the respondents also said there were improvements, with 78.7% citing better quality of work, 75.4% citing better productivity, 81.6% citing better job knowledge and skills, and 69.6% citing better workplace relations and attitude. “The last two years have shown that work is no longer where we go, but what we do. In a hybrid normal, employees and employers in Philippines are experiencing tangible benefits from improved employee well-be-

overnment agencies have the funds for their employees’ night differential pay but if they lack financing this will be sourced from the national budget, an official of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said. DBM Organization, Position Classification, and Compensation Bureau

Director Gerald Janda, during the Public Briefing aired over PTV4 on Thursday, said government agencies need to get the funds for this expense from their Personal Services budget. “Kung may kakulangan ay maghahanap po ng pondo sa GAA (General Appropriations Act) (If there is deficiency

then we will look for funding from the GAA),” he said. Janda said DBM will coordinate with the office of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Karlo Alexei Nograles to harmonize Republic Act No. 11701, which grants night shift differential pay to state workers, with that of DBM Budget Circular

ajority of Filipino employees are happier when they are given hybrid work options but less than 30% of companies are very prepared for this, according to a recent study conducted by global technology firm Cisco.

ing to better productivity and work performance,” Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Nicart said in an emailed statement. A number of local firms started to implement remote work options during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions were put in place to prevent full capacity in operations. Under a hybrid work arrangement, some 74% of respondents said they saved at least four hours per week working from home, while 37% said they saved eight or more hours a week.

No. 8, issued in December 1995, which has the same policy. He said government workers rendering work beyond their regular schedule of between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or those who need to put in additional work from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. of the following day will be qualified for the said pay.

Agencies have funds for night differential pay: DBM official G

Auto industry supports zeroduty on electronic vehicles

he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) has welcomed the proposal to suspend the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff on completely built-up electric vehicles, as this will help the growth and adoption of e-vehicles in the country. In a statement, CAMPI said the proposal to bring down e-vehicle tariffs to zero will complement the Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said EVIDA and the proposal to suspend the MFN tariff, as well as other initiatives that will liberalize the e-vehicle sector, would advance the development of the industry, which is currently at an early stage. “CAMPI supports all e-vehicle technologies including hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles. All (of) these have potential for fuel consumption reduction and vehicle emission

mitigation in the mid- to long-term,’’ Gutierrez added. He said the industry group is also looking forward to the gradual electrification of private vehicles by offering a whole range of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) e-vehicles. “OEM e-vehicle technologies are backed up by years of research and development. It cannot be oversimplified by focusing only on one component of e-vehicle drivetrain system. The performance of OEM e-vehicles is measured in accordance with international standards,’’ Gutierrez added. The industry group has been active in promoting the adoption of e-vehicle technologies since 2009. “While there are many factors affecting the widespread adoption of e-vehicles, the group is optimistic that EVIDA and the zero-percent tariff proposal puts the automotive industry in the right direction in terms of vehicle electrification,’’ CAMPI said. (PNA)

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Alayda Ilil weaves table runners, clothes, scarfs, and – to cope with the pandemic – face masks, among others in their store at the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City on Thursday (19 May 2022). Originally from Basilan, she has been weaving for 14 years, learning the art from her grandmother. Her grandmother enalso passed down

ECONOMY

to her the Yakan patterns that they form in their products. She said she can finish weaving a table runner in two days. MindaNews photo by RIZ P. SUNIO

Gov’t settled P300B loan to BSP in advance — DOF Gov’t to pay in advance funding boost from BSP, Diokno says

he government will pay in advance the PHP300-billion bridge financing extended to it by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in January 2022. “The National Government will fully settle these loans tomorrow, 20 May 2022, ahead of the maturity schedule of 11 June 2022,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing on Thursday. The provisional advance

that the BSP gave to the national government last January was lower compared to the PHP540 billion that the former had lent to the latter several times in 2020 and 2021 as part of its pandemic-induced interventions. The BSP is mandated by its Charter, Republic Act 7653 or the New Central Bank Act, to extend a liquidity boost to the national government at an amount that

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BSP raises inflation forecast in 2022

he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday raised its inflation outlook for the year due to persisting upward price pressures such as higher oil prices, transport fares, as well as the continued meat and fish supply shortage. Inflation could average 4.6 percent in 2022, higher than the initial forecast of 4.3 percent, said the BSP. This will breach the government’s 2 to 4 target range. The consumer price index is also likely to hit 5 per-

cent in the next few months before easing back next year, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said. “The Monetary Board also observed the emergence of second-round effects, including the higher-than-expected adjustment in minimum wages in some regions. Inflation expectations have likewise risen, highlighting the risk posed by sustained pressures on future wage and price outcomes,” he said.

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ore than a month before the Duterte administration steps down, the national government has paid in full its P300-billion loan with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday morning, the Department of Finance (DOF) said. In a statement, the DOF said the national government settled the P300-billion provisional advances to the central way ahead of its actual maturity date of June 11, 2022. The Finance Department noted that repayment fulfills the goal of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to “unwind the pandem-

ic-related liquidity support from the BSP before the start of the next administration.” The provisional advances is a temporary measure under Section 89 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7653 or The New Central Bank Act that allows the BSP to extend short-term financing to the national government in the

amount of up to 20% of the state’s average annual income in the past three years. The grant of provisional advances had enabled the government steady access to cash for the uninterrupted delivery of large fiscal response and recovery measures despite the lower revenue collections and disruptions to financial markets experienced throughout the last two years, the DOF said. With the sustained economic recovery and consequent strengthening of revenue collections last year, the volume of the provisional advances was downsized

from P540 billion in 2021 to P300 billion in January this year, which is only half of the maximum available amount of P600 billion, it said. The Finance Department emphasized that early repayment was made possible by “the sooner than expected return of the economy to its pre-pandemic strength.” The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew faster than expected in the first quarter of the year at 8.3%, helping the national government achieve revenue collections growth of

MEs), especially the sari-sari store owners, on how to start their businesses properly, and how to sustain their venture. ‘’They have very good aspirations and objectives when they open sari-sari stores. However, there is a need to educate them on financial literacy, on ways of managing your inventories and making sure that you understand how to run your business. Those are the training they need so

they can expand and sustain their business,’’ De Los Santos added. After two years in hiatus due to pandemic-related restrictions, Puregold is holding Tindahan ni Aling Puring Convention from May 19 to 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. This annual convention for sari-sari store owners offers large discounts for Aling Puring members. Despite the pandemic,

Puregold was able to grow its Aling Puring membership by 15 percent--from 575,000 members at end2020 to 660,000 members at end-2021. De Los Santos said many Filipinos who were displaced from their jobs during the pandemic have ventured into livelihood activities like opening sari-sari stores. Aling Puring recruiters were also able to reach out to these new players.

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Next admin urged to strengthen training, education for micro biz

he incoming administration is urged to strengthen and expand training for micro enterprises for them to grow and make their businesses stable. In a press conference Thursday, Puregold Price Club Inc. vice president for operations Antonio De Los Santos said the next administration should invest more in educating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MS-

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 32 • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

On the opening of the government-owned City College of Davao:

We’re just streamlining some of the requirements. Many challenges since this is the first time and the first opening so natural lang to, normal lang nga daghan pa mi dapat himoon.”

Councilor Pilar Braga,

Davao City Council, Committee on Education chair

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PHILIPPINE FISHERIES MAY SOON COLLAPSE If we don’t watch out, we may not have enough fish, once dubbed “the poor man’s protein,” to feed our growing population. Like the other vital resources, Philippine fisheries are about to collapse – a victim of the almost unabated “plunder of the commons.” As defined, commons are those vacant lands and all water which are considered a God-given set of resources for the people to consume as much as needed. But in doing so, we have tended to abuse these resources even to the point of exhaustion. Despite our vast marine resources (220 million hectares of coastal and oceanic territorial water area), we are now experiencing a shortfall in fish supply. The unthinkable has come to pass: Early this year, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the government imported 60,000 metric tons of small pelagic fishes “to cover part of an expected shortage in local supply.” The importation was due to devastation caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai). But somehow, if the present rapid population growth and declining trend in fish production continue, fish would be out of reach of the common tao. Fishing has been an important source of livelihood for Filipinos, fish being the second staple food – next to rice. “About 62 per

cent of the population lives in the coastal zone,” says World Bank’s Philippine Environment Monitor. On average, every Filipino consumes about 98.6 grams of fish and fish products each day. The fishing industry provides employment to about one million Filipinos, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Our problem is population,” observed a noted newspaper columnist. “We are having more children faster than we can grow the food to feed them.” A former government official seemed to agree. “Demand for food is growing fast not because our incomes are growing but because our population is growing at an alarming rate,” he said, adding that about two million mouths are being added to be fed every year. If increased demand is met solely by marine capture fisheries, such increased pressure on the fisheries sector could lead to an eventual collapse of fisheries and the fishing industry, which employs more than one million people (about 5% of the national labor force). “All fisheries are showing decline in total catch and per unit effort (total number of fish caught per unit of time) despite increasing effort,” said the World Bank report. “Fish are harvested at a level 30 to 50 per cent higher

than the natural production capacity.” This phenomenon is happening not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world. “Although worldwide environmental degradation of the oceans contributed to the decline of marine life, overfishing is the primary cause of dwindling fish populations,” explained Peter Weber, author of Net Loss: Fish, Jobs, and the Marine Environment. As supply falls behind demand, fish becomes a more expensive food source. As such, fish is no longer “a cheap meat dish,” to quote a marketing slogan used in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. The Philippines is among the largest fish producers in the world. The commercial, municipal, and aquaculture fisheries account for 36, 30, and 24 per cent of the total fisheries yield, respectively. Its annual total fisheries yield is estimated to be worth around US$70- UD$110 billion (equivalent to about 2-4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic production over the years). “During the past decades, the people have enjoyed the abundance of the Philippine marine fishery resource,” the PSA said. “Ask the old fisherfolks how they culled their harvests. Many of them would say that fish sized with less than a foot rule will au-

tomatically be thrown back to the water. “Back then, they even had the luxury to choose the most palatable fish among the wide variety of species thriving in a particular fishing ground,” the PSA added. Then, modernization happened. “More and more municipal fishing boats became motorized. A lot of commercial fishing vessels became bigger and more powerful,” the PSA reported. “Fishing gears have evolved from a simple tool to highly-sophisticated fishing gadgets that could sweep the bottom of the fishing grounds of almost everything, including the precious coral reefs.” In the Philippines, an estimated 10-15 per cent of the total fisheries come from coral reefs. “Coral reef fish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” says Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary. As the population continues to balloon, the demand for fish – both for food consumption and other uses – has increased considerably. Consequently, many of the households from the coastal barangays have made fishing as their source of livelihood. “The increase in the population coupled with the improved fishing technology brought stress to the country’s marine and coastal ecosystem, thereby affect-

ing the fishery resource,” the PSA said. “We still have enough fish now, but with global warming we may have problems in the next five to ten years unless we do something about it,” warned Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero, a fishery expert and an academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology. Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures, which in turn causes climate change. According to Dr. Guerrero, climatic changes affecting the fisheries sector would affect the entire nation considering that fish is a staple food and millions depend on it for livelihood. His observation has been confirmed by a recent report released by the United Nations. “At least three quarters of the globe’s key fishing grounds may become seriously impacted by changes in circulation as a result of the ocean’s natural pumping systems fading and falling,” the UN report said. One day, we may wake up with no fish to eat anymore. So, let’s stop this madness of overharvesting our fishery resources. The statement of American President George W. Bush is a great reminder for all of us: “I know that human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.” Let’s give fish a chance to recover!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

TIM TEBOW CONNECTION Recently, in a visit to Boracay in Aklan, Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, a former Miss South Africa, described the island as ‘one of the most beautiful places in the world.’ It was an oft-repeated compliment that, as expected, elicited headline treatment in social media. Beyond the praise, however, Demi-Leigh has a subliminal connection to Davao City. She married in 2020 American athlete Timothy Richard ‘Tim’ Tebow, winner of the 2007 Heisman Trophy for being the most outstanding US college football player. But who is Te-bow? Over two decades earlier, Tebow’s parents, both Baptist missionaries, travelled to the Philippines and opened a ministry in Gen. Santos City. While there, his mother Pamela got amoebic dysentery and fell into a coma. She recovered and was later informed

of her preg-nancy. But the complications from her medications produced a dim prognosis. The doctors expected a stillbirth and recommended an abortion. As missionaries, his parents turned down the suggestion. On August 14, 1987, Tebow, with dyslexia (a learning disorder in reading and identifying speech sounds), was born in Manila. The choice for the national capital was obvious; it is where the more up-to-date medical facilities are found and specialist doctors are readily available. While growing up in Gen. Santos, his parents, during weekends and special events, occa-sionally brought him to Davao City where amenities from Manila are available. When his parents traveled to Manila or abroad, they would always fly from Davao. It was in 1990 when the Tebow family finally decided

to move back to Jacksonville, Florida, where Tim took up his studies. The youngest in a brood of five, Tim excelled as an athlete, especially in his running and throwing capabilities. In senior high, he built a reputation as a talented player and earned Florida’s ‘Football Player of the Year’ award. In college, his athletic star continued to shine by winning the country’s highest honor in college football. From thereon, he became a sports ce-lebrity. Prior to signing a US minor baseball league contract in 2016 with the New York Mets, Te-bow was offered a slot in the Aguilas del Zulia, a team playing in the pro baseball league of Venezuela. It was in 2010 that he finally cracked the roster of the National Football League and was eventually selected quarterback by the Denver Broncos.

Outside the rigidities of sport, Tebow remained committed to his philanthropic interests, inspired no less by his missionary parents. His first engagement, in collaboration with stu-dents from the University of Florida, was raising funds for Uncle Dick’s Orphanage in the Philippines. Later, Tim founded the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, the non-profit organization of his father; raised money for the pediatric cancer center at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida; and launched the Tim Tebow Foundation. For his efforts, he was accorded the honor as a ‘Great Floridian’ by the state governor in 2013. The charity has since become the conduit that revived Tim’s link to Davao City. In 2011, Tebow and his foundation partnered to establish the Tebow CURE Hos-

pital, conceived two years earlier, in the city. It started construction the following year and was inaugurated in 2014. The US$3-million sickbay with thirty beds and specializing in reconstructive plastic and surgeries, is Tebow’s 12th medical project globally. As a facility with a six-story, 3,600-square-meter area, it treats cases of deformities such as clubfoot, cleft lip and palate, untreat-ed burns due to chronic contractures, hydrocephalus and other conditions correctable with surgery.’ The hospital operates through donations and is managed by CURE Philippines, records, on a yearly basis, 4,955 outpatient visits and handles 1,200 surgical procedures. It also fea-tures a ‘Timmy’s Playroom’ for recuperating patients, chiefly children from indigent families.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

MADISKARTENG ENTREPRENEURS IN ACTION WITH BAJAJ Laguna remains CALABARZON’s retail business rising star as MSMEs get innovation in action! Pinoys are natural businessmen that even the pandemic did not stop us. It is evident when MSMEs blew up to 99.51% of businesses in Philippines based on the data recorded by DTI in 2020. This greatly affected sector found their way in discovering sariling

diskarte through Bajaj Three-wheelers, as we now call them Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs. Recently, an estimated foot traffic of 1,400 bayside goers went to the 1st Bajaj Mobile Food Festival, a 3-day weekend event that took place in Aplaya, Calamba City, Laguna where the Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs show off their unique business ideas Businesses present were CM Tea Hub Ice Scramble, Smokey Dogs Burger, Amberkrambol Ice Scramble, Kamino Megumi, King’s Corner Café and Iba Ka Pe.

King’s Corner Café’s side view built from Bajaj RE Three-wheeler

made from Bajaj Business Solutions. Linedup along the bridge-like walkway of Baywalk, Aplaya are seven (7) Bajaj Food Cart concepts with varying famous Pinoy favorite snacks from burgers, hotdog sandwiches, takoyaki, ice scramble, fruit refreshments and coffee latte.

It was reported that an average sale of Php 15,000.00 was counted by some of the Madiskarteng Entrepreneurs present in the event. This coming May 27 to 29, you are invited for the second leg of the Bajaj Mobile Food Festival organized by Motorcentral Sales Corp., an

authorized dealer of Bajaj Three-wheelers, happening at Metro Central Mall, Sta. Cruz Laguna. Get your own Bajaj Food Cart for as low as Php 25,000.00 down payment! Interested? Fill out form: https://bit.ly/BajajInquireNow to apply. To know more, visit www. bajaj.com.ph

SSS resumes updating of member’s contact information via My.SSS The Social Security System (SSS) announced today that member may update their contact information online starting May 16, 2022 after the state-run pension fund resumed the said online updating of record on the My.SSS portal. In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Regino said members using their My.SSS account can update or change their contact details, such as telephone number, mobile number, mailing address, foreign address, and e-mail

address, without visiting any SSS branch to file their member data change request. Those with no existing contact information except their mobile number may also update their contact details. On the other hand, members without registered mobile numbers with SSS need to visit any branch office to submit their mobile number using the Member Data Change Request Form, and set a branch appointment through their My.SSS account or they can do walk-in transac-

tions following the schedule based on the last digit of their SSS number. “We exerted all our efforts to expedite the completion of all the necessary IT enhancements for the My.SSS and provide our members a more convenient way of updating their contact information at the comfort of their homes or offices, 24/7. Moreover, it has always been our goal to give a better service to our members and help them facilitate their SSS transactions,” Regino said. The state-run pen-

sion fund has suspended the online updating of contact details on the My.SSS starting on August 3, 2021 to enhance the online portal and boost its security features to protect the confidential information of its members. The online updating of members’ contact details has now been reverted to give its members a more convenient and safer way of updating their SSS records. Members can update their contact information by logging in to their respective My.SSS account and

access the “Update Contact Info” which they can find in the “Member Info” menu. They can also update or change their contact numbers, e-mail addresses, and mailing addresses, except their home address, and submit them online. SSS will send a notification message to their existing or new e-mail address and mobile number. They just need to confirm their request to update their contact details by clicking the link sent to them. SSS members only have three days to con-

firm their request because the link will immediately expire after that period, and they will have to repeat the process once again. After confirming their request, the updated contact information will take effect after two days and SSS will notify them that their contact details have been updated. Regino urged all members to ensure that they provide their up-to-date contact information since communication about updates on their SSS transactions are based on these details.

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VOL.15 ISSUE 32 • SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

AGRITRENDS

The Pasonanca Natural Park (Wikipedia)

GROWING CACAO AS WAY OF PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY By HENRYLITO D. TACIO from DENR/USAID and Wikipedia

acao grows well in the Philippines as the country’s climate and soils are conducive to the crop. One good thing about cacao is that it can be integrated with other crops in a multistorey cropping system. In fact, forestry experts have identified cacao as an agroforestry crop. Agroforestry involves the deliberate growing of trees and shrubs with crops and/or animals in the same area. Today, acting as an interface between agriculture and forestry, agroforestry is considered to be a promising and sustainable approach to land use. In Zamboanga City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has chosen cacao as the primary crop to be planted around the vicinity of the Pasonanca Natural Park when it launched the Protect Wildlife Project. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), upon seeing that cacao farming can be a sustainable livelihood project for farmers living in the natural park, helped finance the project. Today, five years later, the farmers – who have formed into associations – are now supplying cacao beans to Kennemer Foods International (KFI), an agribusiness company whose cacao beans are raw mate-

rials for making world-famous Hershey’s chocolate Initially, the farmers are supplying 10 to 20 sacks of dried cacao beans per month. The volume is expected to increase next year. “By the middle of next year, we will have been ready to harvest from more cacao areas that we helped rehabilitate,” said Dr. Reynaldo C. Navacilla, field manager of Protect Wildlife project. The produce came from the estimated 8.2 hectares of productive cacao land which the farmers of Tolosa Buffer Zone Association (TBZA) and Salaan Buffer Zone Association (SBZA) have established together. The two associations have some 100 farmer-beneficiaries. The Pasonanca Natural Park is a protected area that preserves a major watershed in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Named after the village located in the city’s northern fringes, it contains the headwaters of the Tumaga River in the south-

ern Zamboanga Cordillera mountain ranges. Water is a key watershed resource. The park is said to be the source of water for nearly one million residents in Zamboanga City. If not protected and preserved, experts claim it may dry up and the city may end up having a water crisis. The Pasonanca Natural Park covers an area of 10,560 hectares of forest reserve and is the largest remaining old growth dipterocarp forest in Zamboanga. First considered a forest reserve (through Proclama-

DENR Protect Wildlife project donates cacao processing facility to the community (DENR)

Farmers undergoing training on cacao farming (DENR)

tion No. 199 issued by President Corazon Aquino), it was reclassified as a natural park (through Proclamation No. 132 issued by President Joseph Estrada). Inday Campaner, protected area superintendent at Pasonanca Natural Park, said the DENR’s vision is for the Pasonanca Natural Park to become recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park. ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN Heritage Parks are selected based on their “unique biodiversity and ecosystems, wilderness and outstanding values in scenic, cultural, educational, research, recreational and

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influenza (ELISA Test), New Castle Disease (ND) free certification, shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), livestock handler’s License from BAI, and registration of transport carrier from BAI. For game fowls: transport/movement of game fowls from Davao City to other provinces is allowed. However, due to the dynamic of avian influenza (AI) situation, transport movement of game fowls back to Davao City is prohibited unless AI negative test result is taken from the area of origin. For broilers, ready-to-lay pullets, and day-old chicks: requirements include VHC issued by a veterinarian and concurred by LGU/DA-RFO veterinarian certifying that the birds were sourced from farms with no incidence of AI; the birds showed no clinical signs of AI on the day of shipment; the birds were kept in AI free area at least for the past 21 days; the birds were transported in new or appropriately sanitized containers; negative laboratory test result for AI (ELISA Test), and shipping permit from BAI. For eggs, (hatching eggs, table eggs, and embryonated eggs/ “Balut”) requirements include VHC issued by a Veterinarian and concurred by LGU/DA-RFO veterinarian certifying that: the birds were sourced from farms with no incidence of AI; the birds showed no clinical signs of AI on the day of shipment; the birds were kept in AI free area at least for the past 21 days, and the birds were transported in new or appropriately sanitized containers. For meat including but not limited to fresh and frozen meat: Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC/Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI) issued by National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and shipping permit from BAI.

For uncooked processed meat and meat products requirements include a shipping permit from BAI; manufacturers and distributors of these products shall secure the License to Operate (LTO) of the meat processing plant or Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); If no LTO and CPR from FDA, the LTO issued by NMIS which is still valid shall be honored. For cooked processed meat and egg products (including but not limited to liquid egg, and powdered egg): shipping permit shall no longer be a requirement, and manufacturers and distributors of these products shall only secure the LTO and CPR from FDA; while the movement of poultry dung/manure shall not be allowed. The order was issued after the avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain was detected in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province, and the Municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur Province, respectively in March 2022, and on April 04, 2022. On February 22, 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Animal Industry – Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (BAI-ADDRL) conducted a test of affected birds in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-Time – PCR) and were tested positive of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain, commonly known as bird flu. Meanwhile, the DA through Memorandum Circular No. 06 series of 2022 issued on March 7, 2022, provided guidelines on the movement of domestic and captured wild (ornamental) birds and poultry products and by-products during the avian influenza outbreak.

also provide ease of access to tourism activities in Samal, enhance community access to employment, education and other social services and alternative routes during emergency situations and disasters. The construction of a

toll-free four-lane bridge – with two lanes each direction – can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day between Davao City and Samal crossing over Pakiputan Strait, according to DPWH. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

posed shortcomings of the PHLPost. “I hope that these innovations, digital and all, will bring back the integrity of the Post Office,” Duterte said. “Karamihan kasi dito (Many of the post offices) — noon (it’s in the past), not now — many years ago, the complaint of the public was that fundamentally, ‘yung mga packages nila nabuksan, nawala (their packages were either opened or missing), all sorts of you know things that would make a person unhappy.” He said the PHLPost’s efforts to improve the government services will boost the country’s global competitiveness and stimulate economic activities during the period of dig-

ital transition and recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. He said the Covid-19 pandemic has “opened avenues for innovative products and systems that cater to the needs of consumers in the new normal, where data and technology now drive the market.” “With the success of this project, I thus commend the PHLPost for ensuring responsive and people-centered governance, placing Filipinos at the heart of their operations towards building a high-trust society,” Duterte said. Duterte hoped that the PHLPost’s pursuit for change and progress would gain “more momentum” in the coming years.

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tourism.” As such, they become significant sites for conservation. Strengthening the conservation program in Pasonanca is important as new flora and fauna species are being discovered in the protected area. Among the most recent discoveries were the mistletoe and amorphophollus. The USAID financially supported the Protect Wildlife Project with the aim of rescuing wildlife and conserving the flora and fauna in the protected area. Protect Wildlife is a consortium of agencies helping the watershed natives to learn agriculture and agroforestry in exchange for destructive wildlife practices. The cacao farms of TBZA and SBZA have helped forest communities within the Pasonanca Natural Park to sustain a livelihood for themselves. “Some of them used to poach wildlife in the area. Some of them used to get firewood in the forests in order to produce charcoal sold to bakeries downtown. With a livelihood now, the majority of them no longer do these destructive practices,” said Navacilla. Aside from KFI, another market for their cacao beans is the JAS Agri-ventures Inc. The Kasanyangan Center for Rural Development & Microfinancing Inc (KCRDMFI) has supplied UF18 and W10 varieties of cacao seedlings to the communities. KCRDMFI also supplied the farmers with fertilizers. Lorna Guerrero, president of TBZA, said the farmers’ group needs support in maintenance of the cacao trees to make them bear fruit. They need fertilizers, pesticides, and perhaps

sustained technical assistance for best agronomic practices in cacao farming. Nevertheless, numerous organizations continue to aid the farmers. The USAID provided the coffee grinder to them. In addition, the USAID gave each farmer a set of three tools (including knives and pruning tools) for maintaining their farms. Some members of the TBZA and SBZA have also been producing their homemade tableyas sold at P120 per pack. Around 50 packs are produced per month. As to their agroforestry and intercropping practices, the farmers are able to help conserve soil, reduce soil erosion, and stabilize slopes in the mountains. Intercropped with cacao are coffee and vegetables. The project’s livelihood program ensures that the communities in the buffer zone become protectors of the watershed especially during critical times, especially during the pandemic. “DENR distributed 5,400 ready-to-plant vegetable and fruit tree seedlings and 1,500 Acacia mangium seedlings to Tolosa and Salaan people’s organizations in the park’s buffer zone as part of the government’s livelihood assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the USAID reported. The Zamboanga City local government unit hires around 120 forest guards in the protected area. In addition, it allocated P1 million yearly for the conservation of the park, being known as habitat of Philippine eagle and the Zamboanga bulbul, flagship species of the park. Pasonanca Natural Park is also home to a reported

ing ban in South Cotabato not only sad but a tragedy that hit the province and remains hopeful and will continue to call on the people of South Cotabato to make their voices of opposition louder against open-pit mining. On the other hand, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo promised to review the amendment of the Environmental Code. During the solidarity march of environmental groups to uphold the ban on open-pit mining in South Cotabato on Thursday, Tamayo promised that

he will be forming a technical working group (TWG) that will review the process of the amendment of the Environment Code and the effects of this policy change to the people and the environment. He said his decision will be based on the reports created by the TWG. “Pag-aralan ko ang lahat ng puwedeng pag-aralan at kausapin lahat ang kausapin para maseguro na ang deissyon ng inyong gobernador ay naayon pa rin sa tama at maayos na desisyon,” he said in his speech. By Maya M. Padillo

12.6% over the same period. With the strong revenue performance, the deficit only reached P317 billion, leaving the government at a strong cash position, the DOF said. “The advance payment of the national government’s P300-billion provincial advances from the BSP underscores the continued strong fiscal position of the Duterte administration despite the financial challenges from the pandemic and, later, the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Its solid mac-

roeconomic fundamentals--made even stronger by the game-changing reforms carried out by President Duterte during the COVID-19 crisis to further liberalize the economy and attract investors--will return the Philippines soon enough to its pre-pandemic path of rapid and inclusive growth,” said Dominguez. The DOF said the government was already able to raise 35% of its full-year financing requirement of P2.212 trillion at the end of March.

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96 highly threatened species. Aside from the two species mentioned earlier, other species found in the park include Mindanao bleeding-heart, Philippine kingfisher, Philippine leafbird, and little slaty flycatcher. The natural park is also home to the Mindanao broadbill, azure-breasted pitta, celestial monarch, southern silvery kingfisher, blue-capped kingfisher, spotted imperial pigeon, giant scops owl, Japanese night heron, Chinese egret, rufous-lored kingfisher, Philippine dwarf kingfisher, and Philippine cockatoo. Pasonanca Natural Park is located just 10 kilometers north of the Zamboanga City proper. There are a few resorts, a hotel, cottages and restaurants near the park’s entrance. As it is an ecotourism – trekking and adventure – site, the Protect Wildlife Project installed monuments and markers on strict protection and multiple use zones. “Park signage was installed to remind nearby communities of prohibited activities in the strict protection zone and to promote agroforestry in buffer zones. Signage was installed along marked boundaries, where the threat of encroachment is high,” the USAID said. The Protect Wildlife project also supports the Zamboanga City Anti-Wildlife Trafficking Task Force. In like manner, it helps in the enforcement of environmental laws in Zamboanga City. Chocolates come from the seeds of cacao (called cocoa), which was first cultivated by the Mayans around the 7th century A.D. Known in the science world

as Theobroma cacao, cacao literally means “Food of the Gods” in Greek. The Mayans carried the seed north from the tropical Amazon forests to what is now Mexico. In the 16th century, the Spanish planted cacao across South America, into Central America, and onto the Caribbean Islands. In the 17th century, the Dutch transported the cacao to other places around the globe like Java, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, New Guinea, and the Philippines. “In 1670, Spanish mariner Pedro Bravo de Lagunas planted the first cacao in San Jose, Batangas,” reports The Philippines Recommends for Cacao. After that, cacao growing flourished in various parts of the country – until pod rot wiped out plantations of it. Cocoa beans are a major agricultural commodity traded worldwide. The European Union and the United States are the two biggest finished chocolate product consumers, accounting for three-quarters of total chocolate consumption, according to a position paper written by Adam Keatts and Christopher Root. Other significant chocolate consumers are Russia, Japan, and Brazil. “Though the majority of cacao is consumed in North America and Europe, demand is growing more rapidly in Asia where strong economic growth, particularly in India and China, is resulting in more people being able to afford luxury foodstuffs such as chocolate,” Keatts and Root wrote. Now, this is one of the good reasons why growing cacao is a good investment against the trafficking of endangered fauna living in Pasonanca Natural Park.

Bersamina in rapid chess; archer Jennifer Chan and Paul Marton dela Cruz in the mixed team competition; judokas Keisei Nakano and John Viron Ferrer, and wrestlers Roni Tubog, Alvin Lobreguito, and Jhonny Morte. Another judoka, Megui Kurayoshi, settled for the bronze, along with Janella Mae Frayna and

Antoinette San Diego in chess, the team of Paul dela Cruz, Flor Matan and Johan Olano in archery’s men’s team competition, weightlifter Rosegie Ramos, taekwondo’s Israel Cesar Cantos, karatedos Ivan Agustin, the kata team of Nicole Dantes, Rebecca Torres, and Sarah Pangilinan, and Ramon Misu. (PR)

“Given recent developments, inflation could likely exceed 5 percent in the next few months,” he added. The BSP Monetary Board hiked the country’s benchmark interest rate, used by banks to price loans, by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent from 2 percent to mitigate the rising prices Inflation quickened to

4.9 percent in April. Diokno, however, emphasized that inflation could revert within target range by 2023 “as domestic and global supply pressure ease.” BSP’s Department of Economic Research (DER) said average inflation could settle at 3.7 percent next year.

is equivalent to 20 percent of the latter’s average revenues in recent years. The first of these during the pandemic was the PHP300 billion made through a reverse repurchase (RRP) agreement in March 2020. Under the deal,

the BSP will buy PHP300 billion worth of government securities, which is redeemable for three months but can be extended up to six months. This was followed by three PHP540-billion provisional advances until 2021.

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EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

FASTEST WOMAN. The Philippines Kayla Richardson proudly displays the flag after winning the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter run.

Remaining PH bets in SEAG reminded of health, safety

ANOI – National team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez on Thursday urged the county’s remaining campaigners in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games not to let their health and safety guards down as the sportsfest enters its critical homestretch. “I urge our remaining athletes to remain vigilant and not be complacent with regards to the health and safety protocols they must

follow to compete in the Vietnam SEA Games. They cannot let their guards down,” said Fernandez. “Let not all of their

hard work, sacrifice, time and effort go to waste. They trained intensively and came here to compete and not wind up as mere tourists,” the Philippine delegation point man stressed. He was grateful that there have been no reports of athletes and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 since the action in the 31st edition of the regional meet went full blast six days ago. As a standard procedure, athletes and coaches are required to take antigen tests for the virus a day be-

fore their performances so they can participate in their respective events once the results show they are negative, according to Fernandez He said that the contributions of the remaining athletes were important in fueling the Philippine drive to hit the target of finishing third overall in the medal standings with hostilities winding up on Sunday. Despite a paltry fourgold haul last Tuesday, the Filipino bets clung to third spot with 38 golds, 50 sil-

events are over and returning to the country. The PSC official said that athletes and coaches are required to take antigen tests 24 hours and, in special cases, to undergo swab tests 48 hours before returning to Manila. “The tests are for free and will be conducted by a medical group at the assigned hotels of our Philippine delegation,” he said, adding that the delegates need to show a certificate of the test results upon their arrival in Manila.

RSC (referee stopped contest) win in their men’s middleweight semifinals bout. The now professional boxer Marcial fights Timor Leste’s Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho in the gold medal bout on Sunday. Ladon, of Bago City in Negros Occidental, barely beat Thanarat Saengphet of Thailand through a split decision to move to the finals in the men’s flyweight category. The three-time SEA

Games champion Marcial delivered heavy combinations to the body and head of Yeasungnoen, urging the referee to stop the fight at the 1:54 mark of the second round. “I engaged him because I knew I could take his punches so I focused on counterpunching,” said Marcial, who added that he didn’t spar during their training camp in Thailand to avoid being scouted by the SEA Games boxers. (PR)

Marcial, Ladon enter gold medal round in SEA Games

Eumir Felix Marcial (File photo)

vers and 66 bronzes. “But if any of our remaining national athletes, especially our top medal prospects, test positive, how can they contribute to the country’s cause? Sayang naman ang pagpunta nila rito,” Fernandez, a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, noted. Meanwhile, he announced that he issued a memo to the entire Philippine delegation last Monday on the health and safety protocols for the SEA Games participants whose

AC NINH, Vietnam – Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial rocked his opponent from Thailand while Rogen Ladon survived a tough battle as both Filipinos entered the finals of their respective divisions in the 31st Southeast Asian Games boxing competitions on Thursday at the Bac Ninh Stadium. Marcial, 26, gave 21-year-old Peerapat Yeasungnoen of Thailand a beating of a lifetime and scored a second-round

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SLOWING DOWN Lebron Lopez drives against Vietnam defenders in men’s basketball.

Measly medal charge pushes Philippines down to 4th in SEA Games

ANOI – For the third straight day, Filipino athletes struggled in their quest for the gold on Thursday, leaving the Philippines locked in a tight race with Singapore for fourth overall in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here. The men’s bowling team of Merwin Tan, Christian Dychangco, Ivan Malig and Patrick Nuqui started the day on an auspicious note, adding the team-of-4 gold to the singles triumph of Tan last Monday. As the day wore on, however, Pinoy athletes stayed unusually silent, until judoka Rena Furukawa Lanoy edged Chu Myat Noe Wai of Myanmar 1-0 in the finals of the women’s minus 57kg class at the Hoai Duc Gymnasium. The twin gold raised the haul of Team Philippines, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, to 40, counting the victory of the women’s Wild Rift squad late Wednesday, the first esports gold for the country here. But it was not enough to prevent Indonesia from dislodging the Philippines at third and left the Filipinos, who were limited to four golds last Tuesday and three last Wednesday, battling for fourth against the Singaporeans. As Vietnam steamed full ahead to the overall title with a harvest of 150-90-82 at press time, Thailand, once jostling with the Philippines for second, improved to 62-65-95 with Indonesia moving up to third with a 42-60-56 harvest. The Filipinos, aside from 40 gold medals, also had 57 silver and 78 bronze medals, their silver medal production spelling the difference in the fight for fourth. Singapore had a 4041-53 tally for fifth. Expected to lift up the sagging Pinoy spirits here is Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, who is favored to lift the 55kg

weightlifting crown Friday against six pretenders. In women’s basketball, the Gilas women’s squad rolled to its third straight victory, whipping Vietnam 118-87 behind the 25 points of Khate Castillo and moving within two more wins of clinching the gold. Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and boxing teammate Rogen Ladon also triumphed to reach the finals. Marcial, 26, the favored bet in the middleweight class, gave 21-year-old Peerapat Yeasungnoen of Thailand a beating of a lifetime, scoring a second-round RSC (referee-stopped-contest) win at the Bac Ninh Stadium. Marcial, who won his second professional fight last April 9 despite being knocked down four times, fights Timor Leste’s Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho in the gold medal bout on Sunday. Ladon, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, barely beat Thanarat Saengphet of Thailand, prevailing in a split decision to move to the finals of the men’s flyweight category. One of the eight silver medals won by the country came from marathoner Christine Hallasgo, who gamely battled cramps but still lost her crown to Indonesian Odekta Naibaho Elvina, who ruled the lung-busting race in 2:55.280. Hallasgo, who triumphed back home in 2019, clocked 2:56.07 for second, with Vietnam’s Ngoc Hoa Hoang Thi third in 2:57.350. Aside from Hallasgo, also winning silver medals were Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and International Master Paulo

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