Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 79 | Friday, July 15, 2022 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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PDEA 11 dismantles drug den in Ulas, urges brgy officials to monitor suspicious ‘newcomers’ STORY ON PAGE 2

A young boy seems to be unmindful of the scorching heat as he watches the construction activities near a bridge that is being built at the Sta. Ana Port portion of the Davao Coastal Road project in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon reiterates her position in enforcing strict regulations of all mining activities in the province during the Mining Industry Briefing with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) at the Provincial Capitol. Photo by Eden Jhan Licayan/DavOr PIO

PDEA 11 dismantles drug den in Ulas, urges brgy officials to monitor suspicious ‘newcomers’ By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Regional Special Enforcement Team of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 11 (PDEA 11) said on Thursday it has dismantled a drug den in San Agustin, Ulas in Davao City after a buy-bust operation conducted together with the National Bureau of Investigation 11- South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (SEMRO) on July 5, 2022.

PDEA 11 posted on its Facebook Page that the subject of the buy-bust operation identified as Alvin Digap alias Kadong, who was identified as a City Target Listed Drug Personality, was arrested for selling one piece heat sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as “shabu” weigh-

ing more or less one gram worth P6,000 to PDEA agent who acted as poseur buyer. During the operation, three drug den visitors identified as Edsel Dalagan, John Patric Neri, and Ramil Rival were caught in the act of having a shabu session inside the drug den and were also arrested.

Authorities intercept shabu, smuggled tobaccos in Davao City checkpoints

ask Force Davao in coordination with the Davao City Police Office scored early on Thursday, July 14 after accomplishing two apprehensions in separate AFPPNP checkpoints. Around 3:30am, the personnel of Task Group Lawin and Bunawan Police Station accosted at the Lasang Checkpoint a bus passenger identified as Mr. Bonifer Pastrana, 35 years old, single, a resident of Purok 4 Nalum, Bago Gallera, Davao City. The suspect yielded a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 2.30 grams with an estimated street value of Thirty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred (36,800.00) Pesos. Earlier, the joint check-

regulating mining operations in DavOr

overnor Corazon Malanyaon strongly reiterated her position in enforcing strict regulations of all mining activities in the province of Davao Oriental. During the Mining Industry Briefing with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) at the Provincial Capitol, Governor Malanyaon asserted the Provincial Government’s authority as an independent Local Government

Unit over the mining operations in the province. During the briefing, Governor Malanyaon checked the inventory of all existing mining tenements in the province and the status of mining operations and permits granted by the MGB. Gov. Malanyaon said, “Davao Oriental has never made mining a priority.” However, as sustainable mining is part of the national policy, it has compelled

the province to assert its rights over taxes and revenue generated from it, which some mining companies have failed to comply with. “If there are no taxes and our province is being expoited, anong benepisyo sa aming mga tao? (What is the benefit to our people). I am just here to protect the interest of my people and my province,” the Governor said. For the province to fully enforce mining regulations,

Governor Malanyaon appointed Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang, Jr. (Ret.), who is tasked with enforcing mining regulations and environmental laws in the province. Brig. Gen. Imbang served as the Commander of the 28th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, and later became the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philip-

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Peace effort leads 4 rebels to yield in Davao del Norte

T Gov. asserts prov’l govt’s authority in FBUSTED, P10

point operation of Task Group Falcon and Toril Police Station yielded a tobacco smuggler at the Sirawan Checkpoint. The authorities identified the suspect as Mr. Mark Anthony R. Depra, 24, single and a resident of Maitum, Sarangani Province, onboard a Public Utility Vehicle traveling towards Davao City. Intercepted from his possession were 25 reams of smuggled Astro and Fort Cigarettes with an estimated street value of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (PhP12,500.00). Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Darren E. Comia commends the troops for transcending

he Army’s peace initiative in Davao del Norte has been credited for the surrender of four New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents, the last of the dismantled rebel unit in the town of Talaingod. In a statement Wednesday, the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said the successful localized peace engagement resulted in a peaceful surrender of the four remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area. Capt. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10ID spokesperson, identified the surrenderers as Jimboy Mambay-an, former squad leader of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU), Tata Mambay-an, a former

medic, Onti Landahay, and Inggo Ebudan. They yielded to the 56th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade Tuesday. Jimboy and Tata were among the six remaining SRGU personalities after the downfall of Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5) on January 15, 2022, Tito said. “In the second quarter of 2022, the six remnants were already deleted in the official PSR (Periodic Status Report) due to being inactive/absence without leave status with SRGU as officially dismantled, hence making the PSR zero as of this date,” Tito said. He said the surrenderers brought along with

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NEWS

A motorcycle driver gets assist in pushing his vehicle through a muddy portion of the road in sitio Damitan in Brgy. Dalwangan, Malaybalay City on Wednesday (13 July 2022) as heavy rains made this area impassable to vehicles. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

DavNor lauded for piloting BP2P

he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI Regional Director, Atty. Vanessa Goc-ong this afternoon (July 13) lauded the provincial government of Davao del Norte for braving its way as the pilot area of implementing the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P) at the height of the pandemic. Addressing the BP2P Symbolic Turnover and Acceptance rites held in Davao City, Atty Goc-ong recalled that it was only Davao del Norte which accepted in March 2021 returning families from highly urbanized areas where high number of COVID-19 cases were recorded causing losses of livelihood and jobs. “Kaniadto Davao del Norte ra jud ang nidawat; Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat sa Davao del Norte tungod sa dakong suporta sa Davao del Norte (In the past Davao del Norte was the only one who accepted, We thanked Davao del Norte for the huge support),” she said. Atty Goc-ong explained that BP2P was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 114 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 06, 2020 aimed at giving beneficiaries “who decided to settle at their original hometown or in other resettlement areas, a wide array of opportunities for an improved quality of life.” Davao del Norte received six principal families with a total of 19 individuals who arrived in the province on March 19, 2021. They

were among the 73 families initially served by DSWD in 2021 under the BP2P at its early stage of implementation. DSWD already provided the six families with a total of P505,500 BP2P packages which covered Emergency Cash Assistance, Transitory Family Support Package, SLP Employment Facilitation, and Transitory Shelter Assistance. Based on records provided by DSWD XI, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided P186,000 consisting of TUPAD Cash for Work and Livelihood Grant. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the National Housing Authority (NHA) also extended their respective assistance to the six returning BP2P families. In a separate press conference this morning, Davao del Norte Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Department Head Nelson Plata, who also heads the Davao del Norte BP2P Technical Working Group (TWG), said that the Department of Agriculture funneled PhP 1 million to Davao del Norte for BP2P coursed through the KAAAGAPAY (Kawsa Alang sa Panginabuhian sa Barangay) Program of the PLGU. The six families are now living a much comfortable life in the municipalities of Sto Tomas and Asuncion and in the cities of Tagum and Panabo. (PIA XI/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

SPMC experiences influx of patients By MAYA M. PADILLO

tients is due to Covid-19 or non-Covid-related cases. For non-urgent conditions, SPMC announced that its teleconsultation service remains open from Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm. Meanwhile, for Covid-19 cases based on the SPMC Covid-19 daily statistics, 29 individuals tested positive

out of 179 tested from the results that were released on July 11, 2022. SPMC’s positivity rate is currently at 14.53 percent. In terms of ICU bed utilization rate as of July 12, 2022, out of 59 total beds, 22 beds are utilized and for the ward beds, out of 201 total beds, 104 beds are being utilized. On the other hand, based on the regional situation update on Covid-19 in the Davao Region as of July 11, 2022, the Department of Health-Davao Center for Health Development reported that healthcare utilization

showed regional hospital capacity at 26.6 percent for non-ICU bed use and 27.9 percent for ICU bed use. There were only 23 of 418 Covid-19 adminissions were severe and critical. Out of the 23, only 3 (0.72% of the total admissions) were confirmed cases, while 20 were probable suspects. There were 174 new cases recorded in the past week, which is higher by 28.9 percent than the cases reported the previous week. There was one actual death case recorded in the past seven days.

City the Cacao Capital of the Philippines, as it continues to be the top producer of cacao beans for the entire region. “Ako tong nagpasa na mahimong Cacao Capital of the Philippines so during the time na nagpahuway ko for three years na-observe nako na sige ta ug kadaug sa Paris for the chocolates ug cacao beans but nakita nako wala’y volume. So i-prove gyud nato na Cacao Capital of the Philippines by increasing the productivity

as well as the quality kay medyo mao na akong nakita na ang atong mga beans medyo gagmay,” she said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday. Abella said there is also a need for the city’s cacao farmers to undergo training to boost production. “With the proper production protocols kay nag derive na ang poor quality because of the poor planting materials,” she said. Abella will be pushing also for the development

of the City Rice Processing Center aiming to boost the production of palay. In May this year, the Davao City Council approved the Rice Processing Center Ordinance proposed by Councilor Ralph Abella aimed at improving the production as well as the milling and marketing of milled rice. The ordinance also covers post-harvest facilities, provision of incentives and subsidies, and other support for rice farmers.

he Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said on Thursday that it is experiencing an influx of patients in its emergency department and is currently accepting only the most serious and critical cases.

In a public service notice posted on its Facebook Page, SPMC encourages its health care partners to follow the coordinated transfers by contacting its National Patient Navigation and Referral Center. However, the notice did not say whether the cause of the influx of pa-

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Davao councilor enumerates plans for agriculture, aquaculture industries

ouncilor Marissa Abella, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Food of the 20th City Council, announced her plans and programs to boost the said industries. For agriculture, Abella said there is a need to increase cacao beans production to maintain the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines” title given to Davao City. In 2020, former Agriculture Secretary William Dar has officially named Davao

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A customer tries on a stiletto heels inside a shop selling gowns and heels at NCCC VPlaza mall in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

Low corn supply impedes Davao food security amid inflation: exec Global oil supply up in June: T International Energy Agency of the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11). DA-11 records showed that the inflation rate for corn here has increased to 17.9 percent in June 2022 compared to the 4.8 percent inflation rate of the food item in the same month last year. Sibuan also noted that

the region only has 20 percent sufficiency of yellow corn and 50 percent for white corn. The DA-11, he said, has strengthened its partnership with the private sector to boost local production. “What we can do is to tie up with our partner farmer organizations who in turn will maximize our production so we would not rely so much on importing,” he said. He noted that becoming less reliant on food importation is one of the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. who also heads the Department of Agriculture. Sibuan said DA-11 continues to equip farmer cooperatives and organizations with agriculture machinery to hasten farming activities. With the current efforts of the agency, Sibuan assured the food supply situation in Davao Region remains “manageable”. In 2019, this city supplied 61 percent of Davao Region’s chicken production at 49,263 metric tons, according to the data from Philippine Statistics Authority. (PNA)

these are seen to be countered by the strong domestic demand. “We still believe, however, that the economy will continue to outpace our peers in the region and will expand by 6-7 percent this year,” he said. Dumlao said domestic demand grew by 11 percent in the first quarter and

this is seen as the economy’s main buoy against negative developments. “The country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound and we have a much better economic situation now than in the past crises,” he said. Dumlao said the country’s dollar reserves remain high at USD106.8 billion to

date, which is equivalent to around nine months worth of imports, and the external debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is still low at 27 percent. He attributed inflation which continues to rise mainly to high oil prices. The FMIC sees average inflation this year to be

he low supply of corn in the Davao Region has caused a plunge in chicken meat supply in the market as corn grains are considered a vital ingredient in poultry production, an official said Wednesday. “It is still due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia as these two countries are among the biggest suppliers of corn in the world trade. With a low supply of corn, our poultry feed manufacturers also find it hard to meet the necessary production level,” said Alex Sibuan, market specialist

FMIC eyes 6-7% growth for PH economy in 2022

irst Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) forecasts the economy growing between 6 to 7 percent this year and likely outperform regional peers. In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, FMIC president Jose Patricio Dumlao said there were unexpected events in the first six months of this year but

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lobal oil supply in June increased by 690,000 barrels per day (bpd) to around 99.5 million bpd, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly oil market report on Wednesday. The IEA said Russia’s resilience despite international sanctions bolstered the world oil supply in June and helped offset outages elsewhere due to operational issues and civil unrest. “Global output rose in June as a surprising increase from Russia along with higher US and Canadian flows more than offset steep maintenance-related losses from Kazakhstan and smaller declines from other producers,” it said. The daily crude oil production of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) group increased to 28.74 million bpd (mbpd) in June, with a rise of about 180,000 bpd compared to the previous month. During this period, OPEC natural gas liquids were recorded as 5.38 mbpd, raising OPEC’s total oil production to 34.12 mbpd last month. Non-OPEC production

saw a jump of around 500 million bpd to 65.34 mbpd in June. “From June through December, world oil production forecast to grow by 1.8 mbpd to reach 101.3 mbpd. Supplies from OPEC+ are expected to rise by just 380,000 bpd over the period, with higher anticipated flows from Libya, Kazakhstan and Gulf producers offset by a deepening decline in Russian output. Producers outside the alliance (nonOPEC+) are set to add 1.4 mbpd, with the US dominating the gains,” the report said. The IEA revised its global oil demand estimates for 2022 down to an average of 99.2 mbpd. “Higher prices and a deteriorating economic environment have started to take their toll on oil demand, but strong power generation use and a recovery in China are providing a partial offset,” it said. “A further 2.1 mbpd gain is expected in 2023, led by a strong growth trajectory in non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries,” it added. (Anadolu)

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ECONOMY

Pedestrians walk by a makeshift stall selling different kinds of “ukay-ukay” shoes along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City. Edge Davao

Give TRAIN, CREATE laws more time to see gains: DOF chief Global economic outlook has ‘darkened significantly’: IMF

he global economic outlook has “darkened significantly” and could deteriorate further, the IMF’s managing director said Wednesday, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and the rapid inflation it has caused, threatening widespread hunger and poverty. The warning comes just months after the IMF already cut its global growth forecast for 2022 and 2023. The Ukraine war hit as the world was struggling to recover from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has caused an acceleration of inflation that endangers the gains of the past 2 years. The international crisis-lender is “projecting a further downgrade to global growth” in 2022 and 2023, Kristalina Georgieva said in a blog post published ahead of the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers, scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Bali. “It is going to be a tough 2022 -- and possibly an even tougher 2023, with increased risk of recession,” she wrote. The IMF is due to release its updated World Economic Outlook later this month, which Georgieva said will

further downgrade the estimate for global growth from the April estimate of 3.6 percent. “We warned this could get worse given potential downside risks. Since then, several of those risks have materialized -- and the multiple crises facing the world have intensified,” she said. The outlook remains “extremely uncertain,” and Georgieva warned that the poorest will be hit the hardest. The risk of “social instability” was also increasing due to food and energy prices rising. ‘MULTILATERAL’ COOPERATION After a decade of low inflation, prices worldwide have surged amid strong demand for goods that outstripped supply as economies began to return to normal, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February and the sanctions imposed on Moscow pushed fuel and food prices up sharply. Ukraine and Russia are major grain producers, and Russia also is a key source of energy for Europe, and has throttled back natural gas supply to the region.

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France Castro titled Tax Reform Act for the Masses and the Middle Class (TRAMM), which according to the press release from the lawmaker, “aims to address imbalances brought by regressive tax reform laws, such as TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) and CREATE (Corporate

Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises).” “Rising prices and untamed inflation rates in the past few years all the more justify the need for a tax reform package that would reduce the income tax rates of the overburdened Filipino working class families,” the press release said. It added “reducing income tax rates for working families will not only improve their way of life, but also strengthen their purchasing power which will boost overall domestic demand for consumer goods.”

The Duterte administration pushed for tax reforms, citing the need to amend the decades-old system, which prevented the government from efficiently collecting correct rates. Under the TRAIN law, individuals with annual income tax of up to PHP250,000 would not be taxed starting Jan. 1, 2018 while those earning higher amounts will be taxed by a minimum of 20 percent of excess of PHP250,000. Previously, those earning not over PHP10,000 annually were taxed 5 per-

the President’s State-of-theNation Address (SONA). “Ang overarching objective nito (rightsizing) ay magkaroon ng maliit na burukrasya na agile at responsive sa makabagong panahon. Aayusin po ng programang ito ‘yung mga ahensya na mayroong repetitive functions or overlapping functions (The overarching objective of this rightsizing is to have a small bureaucracy that is agile and

responsive to this modern time. This program will fix the agencies that have repetitive functions or overlapping functions),” she said. Pangandaman said the proposal for rightsizing will determine which among the 187 government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) with about 2 million personnel may be streamlined through merging, re-

structuring, or abolition. She said that with the proposed rightsizing, the government will be able to save a significant amount of the budget which may be used to fund priority projects, such as building much-needed infrastructure, for social services, programs in the health sector, agriculture, among others. “Halimbawa po, kung 5

epartment of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno discounts the need to introduce further reforms in both the personal and corporate income tax systems, noting these have been amended a few years back. “We just amended both PIT (personal income tax) and CIT (corporate income tax). Let’s give the new tax systems a chance to operate. Too early to tinker with it,” he told journalists on Wednesday. Diokno’s reaction was made in response to the proposed measure by ACT Teachers Representative

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DBM supports rightsizing of gov’t agencies, personnel

epartment of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday the department supports the thrust of the Marcos administration for a lean, efficient, and responsive government workforce. Pangandaman revealed that a proposal to rightsize the bureaucracy is being polished for submission to Congress before the delivery of

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 79 • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

On the continued recovery of the Philippine economy:

The growth outlook is seen to be supported by the maintenance of loosened quarantine restrictions, as well as the positive impact of structural reforms, including CREATE (Corporate Recover and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law), FIST (Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer Act), PSA (Public Service Act), RTL (Rice Tariffication Law) and FIA (Foreign Investment Act).”

Finance Secretary BENJAMIN DIOKNO

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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

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

INCOMPREHENSIBLE VERBIAGE “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ‘Tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” – Mark Twain ***

We use words to convey a message every now and then. There are always two actors: the person who delivers the message and the receiver of the message. How you deliver the message matters but how the receiver understands what you mean is the main thing. The Bible states: “Unless you speak words easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken?” (I Corinthians 14:9). Most of those who use words are called writers – although they also come in the form of a journalist, reporter, scribe, chronicler, blogger, and fictionist. These are the people who use words as their main tools in writing and speaking. Again, the Bible states: “In the beginning was the Word…” It may sound obvious but be-

fore you write a word, think of what you want to say. Most people find writing a herculean task because they are confused with what they want to convey in the first place. Putting all your thoughts into words comes next. When you start scribbling those words, write them as if you were speaking out loud. As much as possible, use everyday words that sound natural and familiar. Avoids words and phrases that sound pompous or stiff. Avoid long, complicated sentences. When I was still in college, our professor told us: “Write the way you talk.” That statement becomes my motto when it comes to writing. Doing so will not only help you write plain English but also give your writing vigor and personality. “Have something to say and say it as clearly as you can,” advices Matthew Arnold, an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. On how to do this, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov illustrates: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show

me the glint of light on broken glass.” Oftentimes, writers come across some blunders. In some instances, they commit faux pas. “To err is human,” Alexander Pope urged us to believe. But still, writers have their pitfalls, according to Australia Post (AP). The mixed metaphor is one of these pitfalls. “We use metaphors all the time, often without realizing it. They cannot only be mixed, but unsustained, overdone, and overused,” AP stated. “(But) they can give life and sense to your writing.” Ex-president Rodrigo R. Duterte often uses metaphors. As he himself admitted in his recent speech: “I use similes, metaphors, hyperboles, and other figures of speech every now and then, to prove or stress a point.” Next is the cliché. “A popular phrase which tends to be used indiscriminately, and so becomes worn out and meaningless,” AP says. “Sometimes, a cliché might suit your needs perfectly, but many clichés are just boring.” Examples: play

second fiddle, leave no stone unturned. Jargon – these are specialist words and technical terms from science, art, trade or profession. When used out of context, they are a common source of misunderstanding. Feedback, interface, parameters, compounding; “whatever the jargon, it is usually ugly sounding and hard to understand,” AP says. If you don’t know what verbiage is, these are tempting words and phrases that sound important but are just padding. Examples include unduly, respectively, considerable, in connection with, in the first instance. “Cut this kind of language from your writing,” AP advices. Tete a tete, vice versa, apropos, hoi polloi, bete noire, pro rata, al fresco – all these are foreign words which have become part of the English language. “These are often misused, misunderstood, and misspelt,” AP notes. “Can you replace these with plain English?” What about punctuation? “Rely on common sense, and

put in stops to make the reader’s task easier,” AP points out. “Readers will always struggle on to the full stop before they pause to absorb the material.” Finally, poor grammar. “Using the correct grammar will become second nature if you read widely; you know something is right because it sounds right, not just because you know the rule,” AP says. Would-be writers must read. It is only through reading that you compound your vocabulary by encountering new words. American bestselling author Stephen King has this to say: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Nobel laureate and American writer William Faulkner also advises: “Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ISMAEL VELOSO, ‘FATHER OF DRMTC’ Recognized as the original postwar kingmaker of Davao, Rep. Ismael L. Veloso, a former city police chief, stands out as one of the most colorful figures to grace the political scene. In fact, he is credited for the many legislations he authored that have contributed much to the city’s growth. In particular, he authored House Bill No. 6121, filed in the 5th Congress which became Republic Act 1859, approved by President Carlos P. Garcia on June 22, 1957. Co-author of the initiative was Rep. Ricardo Y. Ladrido of Iloilo. Prior to its signing, the only major government health facility in southern Mindanao was the Davao General Hospital (DGH). DGH traces its history to 1917 when it was known as a 25-bed-capacity Davao Public Hospital, originally built along San Pedro Street, in an area

fronting the Davao City Police Office. After the war, it was moved to a donated lot along Plaridel Street (now J.P. Laurel). The bill paved the way to the opening of the Davao regional medical training center (DRMTC) as part of improving medical facilities and making specialty services available to many. Due to the country’s topography, the regional hospital serves “as training ground for medical personnel of provincial and emergency hospitals as well as personnel of other health agencies. In addition, the center would make available to smaller hospitals and health centers the skill of specialists.” In its approved form, the Veloso bill, as RA 1859, was titled as “an Act to establish a regional and medical training center in Davao City and appropriating funds therefor.” When the DRMTC became fully opera-

tional under the regional health office, the 300-bed training center was opened to “all patients requiring hospitalization for special medical services in the Mindanao and Sulu areas and who cannot be given such services in their local hospitals.” DRMTC was later renamed Davao Medical Center in 1986 and its bed capacity expanded to 600-bed and moved to a sprawling 12.8-hectare home at the junction of J.P. Cabaguio Street and J.P. Laurel Avenue as mandated by under RA 1859. Prior to this, it was the extension of the National Center for Mental Health, now renamed Institute for Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. Under DOH Administrative Order 157, it was chosen as medical center for Mindanao and Sulu. On November 19, 2009, under RA 9792, Davao Medical Center was retitled Southern

Philippines Medical Center with a 1,200-bed capacity; it was later expanded to 1,500, making it the country’s largest public hospital. The renaming was filed on February 12, 2009, in Congress under House Bill 5926, principally authored by Rep. Vincent J. Garcia of Davao City. Its permanent home near the Department of Health regional office XI was once a Japanese military HQs and training ground. A testament to its wartime history is the bunkers that have been rediscovered recently which the city wants to develop as a memorial and tourist spot. In honor of the Davao lawmaker’s achievements, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, on June 29, 2021, passed Ordinance 0629-21 renaming the Matina-Aplaya Road to Ismael Veloso Road.

Two months thereafter, city mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio approved it on August 24, 2021. The ordinance’s proponents are city councilors Alberto T. Ungab, as temporary presiding officer; Ralph O. Abella, Nilo D. Abellera, Maria Belen S. Acosta, Bai Hundre 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, Pamela A. Librado-Morata, Jaffar U. Marohomsalic, Bonifacio E. Militar, Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz, Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes, J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr., Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte, and Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III.

EDGE EDGE DAVAO DAVAO

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

AEON BLEU

COMPLETES YOU BY NEIL BRAVO

Naturally vibrant. Lush greenery. Tranquil yet sophisticated. That’s Aeon Bleu, the next signature project of local developer Aeon Luxe Properties Inc., builder of the iconic Aeon Towers. It’s the freshness of Aeon Bleu that makes it the ideal property. It’s complete and it’s right on the best spot.

Expected to rise from this development are six architecturally beautiful buildings along F.S. Dizon Road, Bacaca where innovation and smart living are combined to meet the needs of clients who are eyeing for a comfortable and secured lifestyle experience. This development in Davao City will have in-

stinctively-planned spaces designed for living, working and playing with the warmth of a one-of-a-kind outdoor and indoor leisure amenity right by your doorstep. Two of its towers are dedicated to the residences which is nearby the river, Tower 3 for the hotel operated condotel, Tower 4

Aeon Bleu Aerial View

for office and commercial leases, Tower 5 or Club Aeon will house the exciting indoor amenities of the community while Tower 6 is marked for an exciting tower development. Now on its pre-selling stage, Aeon Bleu offers an exciting deal with a Reservation Fee for as low as *P15,000 and *5% discount for Tower 1. It will be the first property to have six themed swimming pools with a tranquil view of the river and breathtaking views of Mt. Apo and Samal Island by the window of the condo units. Aside from that, homeowners may enjoy a jogging path by the boardwalk,

CLUB AEON GAME ROOM

Pool Aerial View

playground for kids, playpen for pets and BBQ pits as part of its outdoor amenities, a huge lobby area, an indoor basketball court, fitness gym, entertainment room and children’s playroom are also available to provide countless simple pleasures.

Aeon Bleu is strategically located 10 minutes away from downtown area and Davao International Airport with easy access to hospitals, shopping malls, places of worship, business establishments and tourist attractions.

AIRSPEED STRENGTHENS ALLIANCE WITH ASIA CEO Airspeed, one of the Philippines’ largest and most trusted logistics service companies, has renewed its partnership with Asia CEO for the 4th year. The ASIA CEO organizes the largest business forums and summits in the Philippines, including Asia CEO Awards, nation’s dominant business awards event. The Asia CEO Awards is the largest business awards event in the Philippines and the Pacific region. It acknowledges and rewards extraordinary leaders who have demonstrated outstanding achievements for their organizations and contributions to others. Throughout the years, the event has become a must-attend occasion for business leaders, promoting the Philippines as a premier business destination for global enterprises. Airspeed is sponsoring the Service Excellence Company of the Year Award for the 2022 Asia CEO Awards. The Airspeed Service Excellence Company of the Year Award will be presented to a business that gives utmost priority to the wants and needs of its customers and

stakeholders and makes it happen for them. Airspeed knows that no company can thrive, or even survive, unless it is revered by its patrons for its way of service. Airspeed, which has more than a thousand dedicated employees in its current pool, aims to raise the bar in service excellence of businesses across the country through sponsoring this award. Airspeed wishes to highlight as many companies as possible that provide exemplary service so it encourages Philippine-based organizations to submit their nominees at https://www.asia-ceoawards.org/nominations. The companies nominated must have accomplishments that demonstrate the organization providing high service level standards, and that the majority of these demonstrable results, major new activities, or initiatives have occurred within the current calendar year but may have begun earlier. Nominations will be accepted until August 15, 2022. To solidify the alliance, Airspeed also sponsors the Asia CEO Regional Forum.

The first of these series was the ASIA CEO CLARK 2022 held last June 10, 2022 at Marriott Hotel, Clark. Ms. Mariz Regis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Airspeed International Corporation, spoke at the event and tackled the ongoing infrastructure projects that will help in terms of improving the logistics in Clark, Central and Northern Luzon. Ms. Regis also shared how Airspeed

is making it possible for the region to improve its services and the transport of items. She also introduced a new service dubbed as KAHANGA-HANGA PILIPINAS, an online platform spearheaded by APDEC, one of the subsidiaries of the Airspeed Group of Companies. It is made to boost the heritage and culture of the Philippines by showcasing different Philippine regions and products. It allows cus-

tomers to easily purchase Filipino-made products online and get these delivered right to their homes. Ms. Mariz Regis announced that with these services, Airspeed will go above and beyond when it comes to making it happen for its customers and stakeholders. The ongoing partnership between Airspeed and Asia CEO has definitely been successful and more importantly, beneficial, not only for both organizations but for a corporate industry that will gain from the ideas, innovations, products, services, and information generated by the continued collaboration of two industry giants.

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More and more teenagers are now drinking.

THE PERILS OF

TEENAGE DRINKING Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Additional Photo: sparkandstitchinstitute.com

ighteen-year-old Marc (not his real name) recalled gulping “way too many” alcoholic drinks after a Friday afternoon class with two of his friends in a nearby bar. First, they ordered whiskeys, then more whiskeys. “It’s as if we were drinking only fruit juices,” Marc says. At 10:00 p.m., they decided to drink some beers. Marc was half-way off the bottle when he sudden-

ly had the urge to vomit. He stood up and before he could run, he was already vomiting. He did not know what happened next, but he found himself outside the

bar.

Ben, 20, was drinking with his buddies in a friend’s house in Davao City. After imbibing several rounds of beers, they went out and sprayed a neighbor’s front wall. The security guard saw what they were doing, so he alerted the owner who then called the police precinct. “Several patrol cars came and we were brought to a nearby precinct,” Ben

Alcohol refers to alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine, including all dilutions, purifications and mixtures.

says. A friend’s father had to help them out of the prison. Robert* remembers little of what happened that night except that he attended a party along with some of his friends in Tagum City. “I must have drunk at least 10 bottles of beer,” recalls the 21-year-old salesman who at the time the event happened was graduating from college. At around 1 a.m., they decided to go home. His friends thought he was alright and so they left him alone. “I really didn’t know how I got home,” he says. “I also didn’t know how I lost my mobile phone and my wallet.” A study done by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Philippines showed that two out of 10 Filipinos from ages 15 to 18 years drink alcohol. Six out of 10 are not content with just two bottles of alcohol. The WHO Youth Violence and Alcohol Fact Sheet said that 14% of 1524 years olds were reported to have harmed someone due to drinking. This is quite alarming. Alcoholism and violence are key public health issues among underage individuals and teenagers that re-

quire urgent attention. “(We recognize) the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being,” Representatives Eric G. Yap and Paolo Z. Duterte explained in its bill filed during the first regular session of the 19th Congress. The two congressmen filed House Bill No. 1753, known as the “Anti-Underage Drinking Act.” “Towards this end, the State shall undertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse and reduce underage drinking by prohibiting unqualified individuals’ access to alcohol,” the bill’s Declaration of Policy said. Any person of legal age found guilty of violating any provisions of the law shall be meted by a fine of P50,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 months. The same punishment shall be imposed to any establishments who violate the provisions. Establishments are those places used for commercial purposes such as bars, restaurants, dance clubs, hotels, retail stores, supermarkets, and other places with common business areas. “For succeeding offenses, both penalties shall apply in addition to the revocation of the license to operate a business connected with the selling of alcohol or alcoholic beverages,” the proposed bill said. Now, “if the violation… is committed by a corporation, partnership, association or similar entity, the president, general manager or most senior officers shall be held liable for the offense,” the bill said. The prohibited acts are as follows: purchase of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by unqualified individuals from vendors and other sources;

purchasing or obtaining alcohol or alcoholic beverages for unqualified individuals; and misrepresentation of a person’s age by presenting false identification or trying to pass as “of legal age” to purchase alcohol or alcoholic beverages. Two other prohibited acts: allowing the consumption or possession of any alcohol or alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age on an establishment’s premises, no matter who purchased the drinks at any time to a person under 18 years of age and selling, giving, or providing alcohol or alcoholic beverages to unqualified individuals. By unqualified individuals, it refers “to persons under age of twenty-one years of age, or those over twenty-one years old but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.” In the proposed bill, alcohol refers to alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine, including all dilutions, purifications and mixtures. It also includes whisky, brandy, rum, gin, tequila, and vodka and other similar products or mixtures. Also considered alcohol are malt beverages, mixed or fermented liquors, including tuba, basi, tapuy and lambanog. Alcoholic beverages are liquor or brew containing alcohol as an active ingredient. People have been getting drunk since early humans fermented the first home brew. But what alarms public-health officials is the fact that while illicit drug use has generally been declining, the prevalence of teenage drinking has been holding steady and even increasing. New studies show that some

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Another two pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets with suspected shabu in different sizes weighing at least eleven grams with a street value of P165,000, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the buybust marked money and boodle money were also seized during the operation. It also posted that the suspects will be charged for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Den), 13 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or Meetings,) and Section 14 (Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or Meetings), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “Last week nag-conduct ta ug buy-bust operation sa Ulas which resulted to the successful apprehension sa drug den maintainer and drug den visitors. Naa sila’y stock dinha ug mapansin nimo everytime na magconduct ta ug drug operations ug mga drug den musaka gyud sa 5 grams pataas ang ilahang supply na ma-confiscate,” said Nephi Noli Dimaandal, PDEA11 spokesperson, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday. Dimaandal added that the drug den maintainers will inform their customers through text on the availability of stocks. “Mao nagaadto gyud ang ilang mga parokyano dinha. Kung musulti ta ug drug den kung imo na i-sum up mao na ang onestop shop. Kung ikaw ang user muadto ka sa drug den ang imong dalahon kuwarta lang. Kung ang imong kuwarta is worth P300 or P500 tagaan ka nila worth 500 nga illegal drugs ug kompleto na didto naa na

ang paraphernalia, ang imoha didto mubayad ka lang and then makagamit ka na,” he said. He also attributed the success of the operation to the barangay stakeholders who gave PDEA 11 information with regards to the illegal drug activities in their respective barangay. “Ang atoang barangay sila na mismo ang nagahatag ug mga information why those drug personalities is ma-apprehend gyud nato through sa paghatag ug infomration sa atoang mga hotline numbers,” he said. Dimaandal urged barangay officials to activate and intensify their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and monitor the activities of their constituents. Meanwhile, Dimaandal said PDEA 11 is intensifying the Drug-Free Workplace Program in Davao Region. PDEA has partnered with business establishments as part of its effort to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs. This anti-drug advocacy program not only promotes a drugfree workplace, but also instills awareness of the modus operandi of drug syndicates such as using high-end subdivisions, hotels, and condominiums as drug laboratories, dens, and warehouses to conceal their illegal activities. “Ang gihimo namo wala nami nagpaabot nga mag send ug letter ang atoang mga stakeholders, business establishments ug uban pa na mga government agencies, kami na mismo ang nagaadto ug gina offer ang amoang program particularly sa drug-free workplace policy program,” he said. Dimaandal said PDEA 11 has set up meetings with stakeholders in Davao Region for the conduct of a drug abuse prevention program and drug-free workplace lectures at government agencies and workplaces in the Davao Region.

DOH 11 reminded the public to continue practicing minimum public health standards such as wearing of face mask, isolating when sick, double up protection with vaccination and boost-

ers, and ensuring good airflow. It also reminded the public that Covid-19 vaccination efforts are continuing throughout Davao Region.

“Approve na ni ang proposal and I think naa na ni budget and sa ato is the development of all the areas for rice production kay ang Davao City is only producing 10 percent for local consumption. Hopefully, we could identify all the other areas. Pero kanang 10 percent atoa sa nang ayuhon kay low productivity man gud. According to my husband the 1.2 tons ang kada ektarya ang gina-produce nato but with the use of the technology and the combination of natural and synthetic production, mu -yield gyud siya from 3.7 tons to 4 tons ang production,” Abella said. Abella added that she is also eyeing a proposal for the development of a Dairy Development in Davao City

with the collaboration of the National Dairy Authority. “Ug karon I am proposing to our beloved mayor kung puwede naa ta’y feeding programs sa mga estudyante,” she said. For aquaculture, Abella is recommending coming up with a cooperative for the fisherfolks along the coastal areas in Davao City to help them in acquiring big fishing vessels. “Kana pud kay nakita nato ang fisherfolks nato nga sige lang gihapon ug ginagmay and I was suggesting that we could come up with a cooperative sa mga fisherfolks along the coastal areas and hopefully they could come up with the big vessels para sa pangisda,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

their mandate to secure Davao City not only from threats but from illegal elements as well. The Commander also reminds the Dabawenyos to practice the four acts of the Culture of Security

(Report, Remind, Participate, Volunteer) to achieve an even much safer community. The suspects and the confiscated items were turned over to the designated police stations.

them an AK47 rifle and an M1 Garand rifle. Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, the 10ID commander, assured 10ID will “continue to support our friends rescued who saw greater good with the government, and we will help them in their transition back to the mainstream society with the hope of a peaceful and sustainable life.” The SRGU was officially dismantled on April 25,

2022. Likewise, 10ID along with other security and government agencies declared Davao Del Norte as an insurgency-free province on June 13, 2022. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

pines. “I requested General Imbang to help me see to it that everything that is due the provincial government will be given to us, especially concerning extraction and mining fees,” she said. While he would enforce the regulatory function of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Environment Planner Dolores Valdesco, ENRO Officer, will take charge of environmental protection, preservation, and conservation concerns. In the Governor’s Inaugural Address, she specif-

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ically stated her policy on Revenue Generation. “We will intensify the collection of real property taxes. We will undertake all measures possible to collect every centavo of the extraction and permit fees on sand and gravel, aggregates, stones, and ores sourced everywhere in the province, and which tax collection will be shared with the barangays, municipalities/ city. These are the only two major sources of revenue for the province; thus, extensive collection should be enforced,” said the Governor.

around 5 to 5.2 percent, higher than the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band but within the central bank’s 5 percent projection. University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) economist Victor Abola forecasts second quarter growth to

be around 7 percent due in part to base effects. “There are also constraints on infrastructure spending. We saw that in the month of April. It’s going to be spread out a bit more closely to 7 percent growth in the second quarter,” he added. (PNA)

percent po ang maapektuhan ng programa, ang katumbas po nito ay PHP14.8 billion po kada taon na matitipid natin sa ating personnel services (For example, if 5 percent will be affected by this program, this is equivalent to PHP14.8 billion every year that we can save on our personnel services,” she added. Pangandaman said affected personnel may apply to positions that will be created as an effect of the right-

sizing. She said the government will also provide a retooling program for personnel so they may apply for vacant positions. Those who opt to retire will receive appropriate retirement benefits. The proposal for rightsizing, however, excludes teaching and teaching-related positions, medical and allied medical positions or those in the health sector, and the military as well as other uniformed personnel. (PR)

cent, those earning up to PHP30,000, PHP500 plus 10 percent of excess of PHP10,000, and so on. The CREATE law, on the other hand, is the government’s pandemic relief measure for local and foreign firms operating in the country. It aims to encourage more investors to put their funds into the domestic economy to help in the economic recovery. For one, it reduced

CIT from 30 percent to 25 percent, retroactive July 1, 2020. The rate of tax reduction will continue until it eventually ends at 20 percent starting 2027. Economic managers from the previous administration said these measures allowed the government to collect taxes used to enhance social protection programs and the government’s infrastructure investments, among others. (PNA)

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kids start drinking at 13 or younger. “Drinking by young people in the region is now a growing concern,” said Dr. Wang Xiangdong, the WHO regional adviser in mental health and control of substance abuse. “The age of initiation of drinking is occurring at younger and younger ages in many countries and areas throughout the region.” Statistics, however, are hard to come by. But recent surveys of drinking patterns among youth are “sobering”: A national survey from 1989 to 1990 among 15,082 Filipino high school and first year and second year college students found that about 36% of high school students and 34.9% of college students used alcohol in their lifetime. Of the surveyed high school students, 2.3% used alcohol that same day, and 5.6% used alcohol in the past two to seven days. Of college students, 3.7% used alcohol that same day and 16.2% used alcohol in the past two to seven days. The head nurse of the emergency department of one of the biggest hospitals – which has a college nearby – in Davao City admitted: “I have witnessed college students engaged in heavy drinking till the wee hours. During acquaintance nights, promenades, victory balls, and pre-graduation parties, it is a common site.” Many of these youngsters – some of them good kids – are involved in binge drinking. Some of them may be lucky but there are those who may end up in the hospitals or at worst may die in an accident. Call it getting tanked, sloshed, blotto-binge drinking is typically defined as consuming five or more drinks for a man and four or more drinks for a woman on a single occasion. That’s enough to impair judgment, impede coordination, remove inhibitions, cause slurring of words - and potentially put someone at risk of serious health or social consequences, lasting brain damage and even death. “Prolonged drinking of alcoholic beverages can lead to fatty liver, and over time, lead to cirrhosis,” explains Dr Kenneth Hartigan-Go, a medical toxicologist. So, every time a person drinks, he places himself at increased risk of harming himself or others - even if it is the very first time a person has drunk. Whatever the age, binge drinking puts a person at much higher risk of death or injuries from motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning and other hazards of poor judg-

ment and reduced coordination. Violence, vandalism, sexual assault, unprotected sexual encounters with the risk of unplanned pregnancy or infection from sexually transmitted diseases all increase. New research also shows that young people, whose brains are still developing, may be at greater risk than mature adults of lasting brain damage from heavy alcohol consumption. “We are seeing significant differences in abilities in the brains of young people who drink heavily on a regular basis,” says Susan Tapert, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California and one of the leading researchers using magnetic resonance imaging to assess the impact of binge drinking on the brain in youth. “Drinking to intoxication seems to be particularly associated with poorer functioning on tests of learning and memory and on visual-spatial tasks such as doing a puzzle,” says Tapert, who notes that since teenagers mature at different rates, the brains of youth anywhere between age 13 and the early 20s may be at risk. “As a mother, I’m concerned about my children’s potential to drink in adolescence and have lasting brain effects.” Another tragic danger of binge drinking - one often wrapped in stigma and silence - is the risk of death from alcohol poisoning, also called alcohol overdose. Alcohol is a central-nervous-system depressant, and it is fatally toxic at high levels. When blood alcohol levels climb rapidly, the body’s natural reflex is to vomit to purge itself of the poison. Drinking too much too fast can shut down key bodily functions such as gag reflexes, breathing, heart rate and brain function. The result can be choking on vomit, coma or cardiac arrest. Since drinking is an acceptable social behavior among Filipinos, most physicians don’t consider alcohol poisoning as probable cause of death. As a result, doctors or coroners end up writing “asphyxiation” or “cardiac arrest” as the cause of death. Unaccustomed to alcohol, young people often rapidly consume excessive amounts that push their blood alcohol concentrations to dangerously high levels. Since it takes at least 30 minutes for alcohol to be fully absorbed by the small intestine and enter the bloodstream, binge drinkers can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before passing out.

Inflation also has complicated policymaking: major central banks are raising interest rates to contain prices, but that increases borrowing costs for emerging markets and developing nations, which face high debt burdens. But Georgieva said fighting the price surge is critical, despite the recession risk. “Acting now will hurt less than acting later.”

Offsetting the effects of the war and the pandemic are top priorities, which can only be addressed through “multilateral” financial aid and debt relief, she said. “Reducing debt is an urgent necessity -- especially in emerging and developing economies with liabilities denominated in foreign exchange (FX) that are more vulnerable to tightening global financial conditions.”

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EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 11

The Philippine team looks to sweep its next two games. PHOTO: FIBA.BASKETBALL

Tough road ahead for Gilas I t looks like Gilas Pilipinas’ journey in the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup is in for rough sails.

After bowing to Lebanon, 95-80, on Wednesday, the Philippines’ road to the quarterfinals has been set with a road sign “Must-win” against India and possibly encounter Syria or Kazakhstan the rest of the way in Group D.

The loss compounded Gilas’ situation as basketball-crazy Pinoy fans have rued the appointment of Chot Reyes as coach. Many have casted doubts on the future of any Gilas squad coached by Reyes.

This one could be in for the same tragic fate as the squad that lost the gold medal to Indonesia in the recent Southeast Asian Games. The top three teams in the pool advance to the playoffs, and the 15-point defeat to the Cedars has dented the chances of of Gilas earning the top seed and booking an outright quarterfinal berth.

The Filipinos must now win one, if not both, of their games against India on Friday and New Zealand on Sunday to even have the chance to be in the mix. But the road will only get a lot more tougher from there. Early clash vs Japan or Iran If the Philippines wins only one game and finishes

third in Group D, there’s a high chance that it will be in a collision course against the Group C’s No. 2 which would either be Japan or Iran. Akatsuki Five have been impressive with former Toronto Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe leading the charge, while the Iranians remain dominant with Hamed Haddadi still going strong at 37 years of age.

If the Philippines miraculously gets through that challenge, waiting in the quarterfinals will be Group A’s top seed, which right now is looking more and more to be defending champion Australia. It’s a tougher road to be in, which emphasizes the importance of Gilas’ games against the Indians and the Tall Blacks.

combined for 22 championships as head coaches in their leagues. Cone has 24. Yet for the last couple of weeks, Cone was an assistant coach for the first time in his life. He was on the Miami Heat staff during NBA Summer League, looking for new ideas, new things to teach, different ways to think about the game. “It’s just been eye-pop-

ping for me,” Cone said. “Honestly, the whole reason I’m here is to bring things back, introduce them to our league. Because you know, anything that’s good, it’s copied. So I’m going to bring things back, do some things over there that’s new, other coaches will pick it up and hopefully that’ll elevate all of us in our league and ele-

vate the level of basketball.” Cone’s presence was just part of this year’s international feel to Summer League, which almost always has some sort of element that serves as a reminder of the game being a global one. China and Croatia sent their national teams to Summer League in past years, and this summer, there were no fewer

than 86 international players on the rosters in Las Vegas — meaning roughly one in every five players in the league were born outside of the US. And the world is watching: For example, when Fanbo Zeng of China got his first basket of Summer League for the Indiana Pacers, it became national news in his country. “He’s got a great feel for the game,” Pacers assistant coach Ronald Nored said. Some of the foreign-born players in Las Vegas will be on NBA rosters this season. Others will end up in the G League, and many will play overseas. Cone’s future wasn’t in any doubt: He headed back to the Philippines on Thursday to resume his season. He coaches Barangay Ginebra in the Philippines Basketball Association, perennially the most successful team in the league. And this experience will make his star shine a little more brightly, especially given who he was spending time with in Las Vegas. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is a Filipino-American.

Basketball is the national sport in the Philippines, and the Heat are always huge news there because of Spoelstra — who has visited his mother’s homeland in the past amid great fanfare and will be back next year as part of USA Basketball’s coaching staff for the Basketball World Cup if the Americans qualify as expected. Cone, like Spoelstra, is an Oregon native. They’ve known each other for years. The seeds for Cone joining the Heat summer staff were planted a few years ago when a player from the Philippines came to Las Vegas for work with another NBA team. “I was on the phone with Spo and he goes, ‘Why aren’t you here, doing that with us?’” Cone said. “That was like three years ago and then the pandemic happened. Last year, we were in the playoffs in my own league back home, so I couldn’t come. This year, we spoke again, and the subject was brought up. Lo and behold, I’m here. And I mean, it just has been an amazing, amazing experience.”

With Heat stint, Cone hopes to help bring PH basketball to another level

AS VEGAS — Tim Cone is the Phil Jackson of coaching basketball in the Philippines. He’s the Gregg Popovich. He’s the Bill Belichick. Technically, those comparisons sell Cone a bit short. Jackson, Popovich and Belichick — a trio that’s among the greatest coaches in recent decades across pro sports — have

Tim Cone observes as the Miami Heat see action.

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Thirdy Ravena in action against Lebanon at the FIBA Asia Cup on Wednesday. FIBA Media

WRONG FOOT Gilas falls to Lebanon in opener T

he Philippines fell to Lebanon 95-80 in its opening game at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday.

Wael Arakji led Lebanon with 20 markers while Hayk Gyokchyan and Jonathan Arledge added 38 combined points to give their country a 1-0 record. SJ Belangel led Gilas Pilipinas with 17 points. He got some support from Bobby Ray Parks and Carl Tamayo, who had 15 points apiece. After an impressive first-quarter performance, Gilas surrendered the lead to Lebanon midway in the second period off a jumpshot made by Gerard Hadidian. The Lebanese squad continued its run and built a 37-30 lead after another basket from Hadidian. Just before the first-half ended, Thirdy Ravena sustained a cut above his left eye after a bad fall where his face hit the ground. He was wheelchaired out of the court. He returned to the match in the second half. Lebanon strung more points right after the incident to end the second quarter with a 46-39 lead, outscoring the Philippines, 24-12. A fade-away basket from Arledge at the 5:42 mark in the third stretched the lead to double digits, 61-51. The Lebanese spurt continued with Arakji’s layup and a free throw for a 21-point separation, 79-58. Gilas had a mini-run in the payoff period with an 11-0 run, capped by a floater from Poy Erram at the 5:25 mark, 71-82. The Philippines even cut the

deficit to just 9 after a three-point play from Belangel, 74-83, but Gyokchyan halted the run with a finger roll, 85-74, with 3:25 left to play. A trip to the charity line by Arakji secured the win for Lebanon, restoring a 14-point gap. The Philippines will next face India on Friday, July 15, and New Zealand on Sunday, July 17 in Group D. Chot tempers expectations as Gilas in ‘very tough group’ in FIBA Asia Cup The top team in each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, while the secondand third-seed in each group will battle in a playoff to determine who progresses to the final eight. The Philippines finished in second place in the 2013 and 2015 editions of the tournament, but finished seventh in 2017 which saw Australia and New Zealand participate for the first time. The 2021 FIBA Asia Cup was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCORES: LEBANON 95 -- Arakji 20, Arledge 19, Gyokchan 19, El Darwich 10, Khayat 7, Chamoun 6, Hadidian 6, Ezzedine 5, Mansour 3, Mezher 0, Zeinoun 0. PHILIPPINES 80 -- Belangel 17, Parks 15, Tamayo 15, T. Ravena 10, Chiu 6, K. Ravena 5, Navarro 4, Erram 4, Abando 4, Quiambao 0, Abarrientos 0. Quarters: 22-27, 46-39, 7958, 95-80.