Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 95 | Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

BIG SPLASH SPORTS P 12 edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

DRESS LIKE SARA Councilor passes measure encouraging gov’t employees to wear IP attire on Kadayawan STORY ON PAGE 2

A Dabawenyo reads from a mobile phone information about Monkeypox virus on Tuesday. The city government of Davao is now preparing measures to combat a potential monkeypox outbreak after health authorities detected the country’s first monkeypox case last Friday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

Mall goers look at one of the photos on display in the ongoing photo exhibit dubbed as “DIGONG- a photographic journey of the 16th President of the Philippines” at Abreeza Ayala Mall in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

DRESS LIKE SARA T

Davao City heightens family planning drive

Councilor passes measure encouraging gov’t employees to wear IP attire on Kadayawan

By MAYA M. PADILLO

C

ouncilor Al Ryan Alejandre passed a resolution encouraging the city government of Davao employees and national agency offices to wear Indigenous People’s (IP’s) inspired attire during office hours in the week-long celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw from August 15, 2022, to August 21, 2022.

Titled “A Resolution Encouraging Government Employees in Davao City, As Well As Employees Of The National Offices In Davao City To Wear An Indigenous People (IP)-Inspired Attire Or Accessory In Line With The Celebration Of The 37th Kadayawan Sa

Dabaw”, aims to pay homage to the culture and tradition as well as show appreciation to the eleven tribes of Davao City who comprise the city’s foundation of culture and tradition.

Alejandre mentioned in the resolution that there is also a need to raise the level

of awareness of the society in terms of the culture, especially among the youth.

“Hence, the wearing of an Indigenous People or IP-inspired attire or accessory will inculcate in the minds of the Dabawenyos to understand and appreciate the diversity of our city’s culture, traditions, and history,” he said.

Alejandre resolved that the copies of the resolution will be furnished to the City Legal Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Tourism’s Office, regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT), City Mayor’s Office, City Vice Mayor’s

U

the house of Abdulkadir Matuwa, 53, a farmer, at past 1 a.m. in Barangay Mangungkaling.

Abdulkadir, his wife Zahera, 32, and their fiveyear-old daughter, died in the incident, while a ninemonth-old baby was unharmed.

“The baby was in a hammock and was asleep when the attack happened,” Gerodias said in an interview with reporters.

“The baby is now with the victims’ relatives.”

Police recovered multiple empty shells for an M16 rifle.

Office, and all other offices/ departments concerned for information and guidance.

It can be recalled that Alejandre proposed an ordinance requiring city government employees to wear Indigenous Peoples (IPs) clothing every first Monday of the month.

Entitled an “Ordinance Requiring City Government Employees to Wear an Indigenous People Attire Every First Monday of the Month to Celebrate Local Culture” is still in the first reading at the 20th City Council.

His ordinance sprang

Police are still investigating the incident.

Mamasapano was the site of the bloody encounter in January 2015 between the police’s Special Action Forces (SAF) and Moro rebels that left 44 SAF personnel, 18 Moro gunmen, and civilians dead. (PNA)

FDRESS, P10

3 family members slain in Maguindanao gun attack

nidentified gunmen shot dead a Maguindanaon couple and their young daughter in Mamasapano town Tuesday.

Maj. Maximiano Gerodias, town police chief, said a group of armed men arrived and strafed

he city government of Davao, in partnership with the Department of Health, has intensified its family planning campaign in celebration of the Family Planning Month (FPM), starting with an open-access information drive at the NCCC Mall Buhangin on Monday.

The campaign, with the theme “Bata, Bata, Planado kang Ginawa,” promotes four central principles in family planning— birth spacing, drive to life, informed choice and planned parenthood, said DOH XI Local Health Support Division chief Dr. Raquel Montejo.

Montejo said birth spacing will drastically reduce health risks and complications for mothers by letting their bodies heal within a protracted amount of time before conceiving another child.

Drive to life refers to the efforts currently taken by the department to minimize the rate of maternal and infancy deaths due to complications during child birth.

Jerrielyn Lewis, the acting chief of City Health Office’s Population Division, said the local government is currently bolstering its community-level information drives in celebration of the FPM. She said because the pandemic has caused the city hospitals to reach their capacity, the CHO is promoting long-term contraception methods that do not require hospital-based procedures.

“Isa sa atong gina-advocate is kadtong mga

long-term na protection para sa pagbuntis. SDI or sub-dermal implants, mao na atong ginapaspasan karon in lieu sa atong ligation. Kay atong ligation hospital-based man so kabalo man ta na atong mga hospitals gina-gamit gyud for COVID patients (We are advocating for the longterm contraception methods. In lieu of ligation, we are really promoting SDI or sub-dermal implants.

This is because ligation is a hospital-based procedure and as we know our hospitals are being used to care for COVID patients),” Lewis said.

As of January to June of this year, 1, 568 clients had availed of sub-dermal implants from the City Population Office.

Lewis also said men in Davao City are now more amenable to birth-control procedures previously seen as “emasculating.”

Lewis said more men avail themselves of the No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV)-- a procedure that costs over P14,000 in private hospitals which the CHO offers for free every last Friday of the month at the Buhangin District Health Center.

“Ang kaning NSV equivalent ni siya sa ligation sa mga babae. Atong una, naga-offer ta og NSV sa area gyud but since February of this year, naa na ta’y fixed site (The NSV is the male equivalent to ligation. We used to offer the NSV in the communities but since February of this year, we now have a fixed site),” she said.

From January to July,

FDAVAO, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

NEWS

3

Kadayawan Execom spokesperson Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre passes a resolution encouraging the city government of Davao employees and the national agency offices to wear Indigenous People’s (IP’s) inspired attire during office hours in the week-long celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw from August 15, 2022, to August 21, 2022. Edge Davao

Dabawenyos warned against chemical spills

By MAYA M. PADILLO

More benefits, privileges for single persons sought

S

ingle persons will be provided with more benefits and privileges, such as scholarships, monthly subsidies, and flexible working schedule under a proposed law in the House of Representatives.

PBA party-list Representative Margarita Nograles filed House Bill 1364, otherwise known as the proposed Single Persons’ Welfare Act, which shall develop a comprehensive program of services for single persons and their dependents to be carried out by pertinent government and non-government agencies.

Nograles, in filing the bill, said it is not unusual in several Filipino families that the children who have already graduated from college and have begun working, or even those who stopped attending school to find work due to poverty, would eventually become “breadwinners” of their

families.

“In almost all cases nationwide, many of such single individuals’ function like a solo parent and bears the most burden in the family. The older children usually support the schooling of their younger siblings. The unmarried or single children, on the other hand, more often than not, support their parents especially when the latter are advancing in age or are in custody of relatives who have been limited by disabilities,” she said.

She further added that some single or unmarried individuals would likewise provide financial support to the children of their siblings or serve as guardians in cases where their siblings are abroad or are financially incapable of supporting their own children.

She said providing additional benefits and privileges to these single or

FMORE, P10

T

he Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) advised all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) and volunteer groups within the tributaries of Davao River along Suawan River to alert the residents to refrain from water activities to avoid untoward incident following a vehicular accident involving a tanker truck transporting corrosive chemical caustic soda that caused a spill in Barangay Suawan, Marilog District on Monday evening.

“I-refrain sa atong kaigsoonan na mag-activity sa Suawan River ug Davao River because during sa among assessment naa mi nakita na nangamatay na mga isda sa Suawan River ug naay tendency na tungod ni siya sa chemical reaction after sa chemical na nahulog sa sapa. For the meantime dili usa magswimming or other activities along Davao River kay basin ang chemical mag-adto sa ilang mga panit,” said Alfredo Baluran, CDRRMO chief, in a phone interview.

This while investigations by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11) and water sampling conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 11 (BFAR 11) are still ongoing.

The Suawan River connects to the Davao River.

“Na contain naman ang chemicals na nahulog ug ang atong gikabal-an kay basin mukusog ang ulan ug katong chemicals na nahulog sa yuta mupadulong

The city government of Davao is stepping up preventive and safety measures against the dreaded Monkeypox.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), Monkeypox is caused by a different microorganism that is different from Covid-19. It spreads mostly through intimate sexual contact with

specially sa strategies nato not just for health, since this is a worldwide outbreak and health emergency dako ni siya ug chance na mu-escalate pa,” said Dr. Kristy Jane Dinampo-Dayanan, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (EREID) of the City Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (CESDRU).

Dayanan presented measures against Monkeypox at the 20th City Council on Tuesday.

For prevention and control, the city government of Davao has been coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) on the list

FDABAWENYO, P10

City steps up vs Monkeypox those who have rashes or open lesions. It is not like COVID-19 which spreads mostly through the air.

Monkeypox symptoms are mild, and the disease is rarely fatal.

“For this Monkeypox, we really have to heighten and tan-awon ang tanan na angles because Covid-19 has been a very good teacher,

FCITY, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11) assistant director Delia M. Ayano (left, seated) and GeoPik Technologies, Inc. founder John Ryan Loyloy (right, seated) lead the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing that signals the start of the development of the former’s database management system. DTI 11

SEC cancels Flying Bear Lending license, corporate registration Economic managers cite T gains during Ramos’ term he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cancelled the lending license and corporate registration of Flying Bear Lending Corp., operating as Yopeso, Morepeso and Rapidpeso, over its failure to disclose its online lending platforms (OLPs) to the commission.

In an order dated June 8, the SEC Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) found that Flying Bear Lending continuously violated SEC Memorandum Circular No. 19, series of 2019 (SEC MC 19) on the disclosure requirements on advertisements of financing companies and lending companies and reporting of online lending platforms.

SEC MC 19 requires lending and financing companies to report their OLPs to the commission prior to their launch and operation.

Lending companies

must also disclose in their advertisements and OLPs specific information, such as their corporate names, SEC registration numbers, and certificates of authority.

The memorandum circular further requires companies to register their OLPs as business or trade names, and to report any OLP which they plan to develop, operate, or utilize no later than 10 days before their launch.

Flying Bear Lending failed to report the operation of its OLPs Yopeso and Morepeso to the commission.

The CGFD then ordered Flying Bear Lending to take down the OLPs from Google Play and other distribution services.

Flying Bear was also found to have similarly violated SEC MC 19 with respect to its other OLP, RapidPeso.

The CGFD also found that the company failed to comply with Republic Act 9474, or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007 (LCRA), and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

It failed to commence its operations within 120 days from the date of issuance of its CA, and that it failed to use at least 51 percent of its funds for direct lending purposes, violating Rules 3(e) and 3(f) of the LCRA IRR, respectively. “(The CGFD) holds that the number, nature, gravity, and duration of (Flying

T

enue, or 35.55 % higher against its assigned target of 3.35 billion pesos, posting a surplus of 1.19 billion pesos. This is also higher by 0.22% compared to the 2021 July collection performance of 3.55 billion pesos.

The said achievement is made possible through the strengthened collaboration and dialogues between its employees and stakeholders who continue to transact at the Port.

District Collector, Atty. Erastus Sandino B.

Bear Lending)’s violations, its non-compliance with this Department’s directives, and its failure to attend the hearing to explain its side all showcase (the company)’s flagrant disrespect for this commission and apathy for the very nature of lending business which is imbued with public interest,” the order read.

“Hence, the penalty of revocation of its CA is warranted in this instance.”

In addition, the CGFD has revoked the certificate of incorporation of Flying Bear Lending, due to its repeated violations of SEC MC 19 and the LCRA. “(C)onsidering the number, nature, gravity, and duration of (Flying Bear Lending)’s violations that warrant the revocation of its CA, (the CGFD) finds that the revocation of its primary license or cer-

Austria commends the performance of Collection District XII for their untiring excellent service. He also commends the Port’s stakeholders for their trust and support of the reforms and programs of the Collection District.

FSEC, P10

BOC Davao exceeds July target by 1.19 B

he Bureau of Customs, Port of Davao, has exceeded its July 2022 revenue collection target. Moreover, it has recorded its highest revenue surplus for the year 2022.

The Port has collected 4.54 billion pesos in rev-

E

conomic reforms instituted during the Ramos administration paved the way for the government to embrace as a development vision the improvement of quality of life of every Filipino.

Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandama, in a statement on the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos on Sunday, said it is during the Ramos government that the country became known as the “tiger cub economy in Asia.”

“We remember President Ramos as a strong and decisive leader under whose administration government budgeting took on the mission of becoming an instrument for economic growth. In 1992, his administration’s Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) made improving the quality of life of every Filipino its development vision,” she said.

Ramos, 94, served as the country’s 12th chief executive from 1992-1998.

Pangandaman said the

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will honor the late President’s legacy “by continuing to work hard to achieve our common dream of a better nation for all.”

“May the Lord bless His diligent servant who worked hard for the upliftment of the Filipino people,” she added.

In a separate statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan also extended his condolences to Ramos family.

“While in the academe, I saw firsthand and closely followed how his economic and social reform agenda, which centered on opening the economy and people empowerment, paved the way to foundational economic transformation. He provided the country with much-needed stability against threats from within,” he said.

Balisacan said Ramos was also a visionary, noting that “his foresight and steadfastness enabled the Philippines to weather the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis

FECONOMIC, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

ECONOMY

5

Unmindful of the danger of being ran over by vehicles, a young boy sells fried peanuts to motorists along V. Duterte Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

DBM OKs P4.1B special aid for most vulnerable Metrobank post P15.6B net income in H1 of ‘22, up 33%

M

etropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank) saw a double-digit growth in its bottom line in the first six months of 2022.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Metrobank reported a net income of P15.6 billion in the first half of the year, up 33% year-on-year.

The lender attributed its first semester performance to “faster loan expansion, improving interest margin, robust fee income growth, stable operating costs, and lower provisions amid healthier asset quality.”

“The continued improvement in the bank’s performance cements our strategy as we enable various customers and businesses as economic activities accelerate. This also validates the recent recognitions we received from prestigious publications, naming us the country’s best bank,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee.

“Our focus on serving our client needs while actively managing risks and promoting efficiencies has driven our solid operating results, and will continue to do so in the medium term as the economy expands,” said Dee. Metrobank said its gross loans amounted to P1.3 trillion, up 9% yearon-year on the back of 12% growth in corporate and commercial lending and 16% increase in gross credit card receivables.

The ratio of non-performing loans (NPL) to total loans stood at 1.9%, down from the 2.3% a year ago and significantly below the industry’s 3.9% NPL ratio in May. The bank said its total deposits grew 13% to P2.1 trillion.

Net interest income increased by 6% to P39.8 billion.

Non-interest income grew 8% in the first half driven by an 18% jump in fees and other non-interest earnings.

FMETROBANK, P10

T

ing oil and global commodity prices as well as local shortages in select food supply that add on costs.

The second tranche allocation is expected to benefit over 4 million beneficiaries, the DBM said.

Under the program, each non-4Ps beneficiary identified by the DSWD would receive P500 per month for 2 months.

“This is good news, especially for the most vulnerable households, who will be the beneficiaries of the second tranche of the TCT Program,” Pangandaman said.

“Sila iyong mga kababayan natin na lubhang naapektuhan ng pagtaas ng gasolina at iba pang bilihin (they are the hardest-hit by the rising prices of gasoline and other commodities). We want them to know and feel that their government is here for them. We are ready to help them,” she added.

Pangandaman said aid would be extended as long as the government is able to cover the funds.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno in a separate statement said the TCT program would continue as the rising fuel prices remain a burden to cash-strapped Filipinos.

“The economic team has made sure that we have enough resources to provide targeted assistance to the most vulnerable households and sectors,” Diokno said.

“The Marcos administration stands ready to support the most vulnerable. We are prepared to implement necessary measures to make sure that they are cushioned from the impact of inflation,” he added.

deterioration of the industry.

“Data from the latest PMI survey indicated a loss in growth momentum at goods producers in the Philippines. Renewed contractions in output and new orders, albeit only mild, were recorded in July. The headline figure slipped to 50.8 in July to signal the slowest expansion since January,” S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam

Baluch said.

The report said Philippine manufacturers slowed down in July as output and new orders dropped last month.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and uncertainties in the global market continue to weigh on export demand, S&P Global added.

Manufacturers were also “unenthusiastic to make purchases” in July

as inflationary pressures mount further.

“Overall, muted growth across the Filipino manufacturing sector adds caution to the air as inflationary pressures continue to heat up,” Baluch said.

On the other hand, companies increased their headcount in the previous month, which addressed backlogs of work.

he Department of Budget and Management on Tuesday said it has approved the release of a special P4.1 billion allotment to help mitigate the impact of inflation to the country’s most vulnerable.

In a statement, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for cash aid to the poor through Targeted Cash Transfer.

Inflation rose to 6.1 percent in June, above the 2 to 4 percent target range, largely due to soar-

PH logs uptick in manufacturing score in July

T

he Philippines’ Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) in July 2022 registered a slight improvement, S&P Global reported Monday.

The country’s manufacturing performance last month was pegged at 50.8, lower than the 53.8 index in June this year.

PMI above 50 indicates improvement of the sector while index below the neutral score shows

FPH, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

On the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos:

A great statesman, mentor, and friend. I am one with his wife, Ming, his family, his friends, and the entire Filipino people in mourning the death of a great statesman, mentor, and friend. As we grieve for his loss, let us honor his legacy of service and his significant contributions to the country.”

Former President RODRIGO DUTERTE

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHY MANGROVES MATTER Last July 26, the Philippines joined the international community in celebrating the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The said celebration was adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.

The annual celebration is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mangroves as “a unique, special, and vulnerable ecosystem” and promote solutions for their management, conservation, and sustainable uses.

In his Facebook account, Dr. Severino G. Salmo III posted some of the important ecosystem services that mangrove forests provide.

First and foremost, “mangroves are a notable aspect of Filipino society.” In the Philippines, mangroves are known by several names: bakhawan in Tagalog, parakad in Ilocano, and katunggan in Bisaya, among others.

What most Filipinos don’t know is that many coastal communities around the country rely on mangroves as their source of income and protection against

natural disasters like typhoons, floods and tsunamis.

“We want people to see that mangroves have value that extend further than what the public perceives,” wrote Dr. Salmo, an Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman. “They are one of the best ecosystems that can sequester (capture and store) carbon dioxide, a well-known greenhouse gas, that contributes to global warming and an altered climate.

More importantly, mangroves “serve as an important habitat to the variety of marine species, giving refuge to our biodiversity,” he further said.

Mangroves are very important to marine life, agrees Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology. After all, mangroves serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish that nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees. “(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mol-

lusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” a World Bank report on environment adds. “Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.”

Dr. Salmo also said: “(Mangroves) can filter wastewater discharged to our rivers and seas and have potential in the sustainable ecotourism industry.”

Yet, despite their importance, mangroves are not being protected as most people perceive mangroves as stinky and muddy areas.

But “they sure are worth protecting,” Dr. Salmo stressed.

Mangroves may appear resilient but they “are vulnerable to destructive human activities such as waste pollution and the conversion of natural mangrove stands to fishponds and other massive coastal reclamation projects.”

Mangroves, described as forests near the seas, are also “indirectly affected by human-induced climate change due to the strengthening of typhoons and rising sea level,” Dr. Salmo surmised.

Mangroves are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, on the boundary between land and sea. Globally, they cover a surface

of just 14.8 million hectares, or roughly equivalent to the size of Greece.

Unfortunately, more than three quarters of mangroves in the world are now threatened, “and with them all the fine balances that depend on them,” said Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General.

During the mangrove day celebration, she urged everyone “to become aware of the value, beauty, and vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems, and to commit to their protection.”

In a statement, Azoulay said: “From the intertwining roots to the tips of the branches, in a complex habitat, many species come to feed and reproduce, forming together one of the most flourishing ecosystems in existence. And we humans depend on these environments that slow down coastal erosion and are a source of food for many.”

From its original area of approximately 450,000 hectares in 1918, the mangrove areas in the Philippines went down to 140,000 hectares in 1991. It decreased further in 1994 to 120,000 hectares, according to Dr. Carmelita I. Villa-

mor, when she was still with the Ecosystems Research and Development (ERDB).

“There are 25 to 30 species of true mangrove trees and an equal number of associated species,” says Dr. Miguel Fortes, one of the county’s experts on mangroves and seagrasses.

Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, when she was still director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), says BMB has identified 42 species of mangroves in the country. One of them, Campostemon philippinense, is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species.

The IUCN is also considering putting several others of the 70 mangrove species assessed on its Red List of Threatened Species.

Although human health has always depended on the health of the planet, Ms. Azoulay said the importance of mangrove systems is now increasingly clear.

“The world is now waking up to the importance of mangroves – and other blue carbon ecosystems, including salt marshes, seagrass beds and coastal wetlands,” she said.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

PREWAR JAPANESE COMPANIES Over a decade since the U.S. military forces arrived in Davao in 1899, the first investments in town were chiefly held by for-eigners. Japanese businesses started to surface in 1907 follow-ing the establishment of Ohta Development Co. and later ex-panded after many of the American interests in abaca planta-tions were sold to Japanese investors.

Japanese investment heightened in the mid-1910s after Capt. James L. Burchfield, by now the richest American hemp pro-ducer in Davao, sold his farm. In 1920, as an offshoot of the burgeoning interest in hemp and labor, Japan opened a consular office in town.

The growth of Japanese firms operating in the province of Davao is reflected in the September 25, 1921 listing, which shows there were already forty-four (44) Japanese corporations contributing to the district’s economy, that is: Ohta Development Co.

(Mintal, Davao City); Mindanao Ag-ricultural & Commercial Co.; Manambulan Development Co. (Tugbok); South Mindanao Development Co.; Tween River Plantation Co.; Mintal Plantation Co.; Biao Plantation Co. (Tugbok, Davao City); Guianga Plantation Co. (Tugbok, Davao City); Riverside Plantation Co.; Talomo River Agricultural Co.; Mulig Agricultural & Trading Company (Toril, Davao City); Daliao Plantation Co.; Mindanao Reclamation Co.; Tagurano River Plantation Co. (Toril, Davao City); North Talomo Plantation Co.; Guihing Plantation Co. (Hagonoy, Davao del Sur); Lahi River Plantation Co. (Mabini, Davao de Oro); Bayabas Plantation Co. (Toril, Davao City); Bato Plantation Co. (Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur); Manuel Development Co. (Tugbok, Davao City); South Minda-nao Agricultural Co.; Catalunan Agricultural Co. (Catalunan Grande, Davao City); Tacunan Plantation Co. (Mint-

al, Davao City); Furukawa Plantation Company (Daliao, Davao City); Sirawan Plantation Co. (Sirawan, Davao City); Kato Plantation Co.; Akamine Brothers Plantation Co.; Takagi Farming Co.; Bunawan Planta-tion Co. (Bunawan, Davao City); Lasang Plantation Co. (Lasang, Davao City); Nanyo Plantation Co. (Panabo, Davao del Norte); Southern Davao Agricultural Co.; Matsuoka Devel-opment Co.; Panabo Plantation Company; Tuganay Plantation Co. (Car-men, Davao del Norte); Tagum Plantation Co.; Doman Planta-tion Co.; Panguit Plantation Co. (Tagum City); Hijo Plantation Co. (Tagum City); Pindasan Plantation Co. (Mabini, Davao de Oro); Southern Cross Plantation Co. (Pangasinan Pt., Davao Oriental); Piso Coconut & Cattle Ranch Co. (Banaybanay, Da-vao Oriental); Davao Farming and Trading Co.; and Nampi Plantation Co. Nearly two decades later, Kamohara Niroji, in Dabao Hojin

Kaitaku-shi (The History of the Japanese Development of Da-vao, 1938), came out with another list, purely agricultural in-vestments, of Japanese plantations in central Davao, referring to farms found near the Davao Gulf. He recorded 20 surviving plantations, some already included in the 1921 roster, viz.: Ohta Development Co. (Mintal, Davao City); Furukawa Plan-tation Co.; Bato Plantation Co.; Bayabas Plantation Co.; Biao Plantation Co.; Catalunan Agricultural Co.; Daliao Plantation Co.; Guianga Plantation Co.; Manambulan Development Co.; Mindanao Agricultural and Commercial Co.; Mintal Planta-tion Co.; Mulig Agricultural and Trading Co.; Riverside Planta-tion Co.; South Mindanao Agricultural Co.; South Mindanao Development Co.; Tagurano River Plantation Co.; Takunan Plantation Co.; Talomo Plantation Co.; Talomo River Agricul-tural Co.; and Tween River Plantation Co.

After the war, under Republic Act No. 8 issued on August 9, 1946, the national legislature authorized the President to enter into contracts or undertake the transfer to the government of as-sets under the Philippine Property Act of 1946. It also allowed the President “to designate an existing office, agency or instru-mentality… to take over and administer the properties acquired under the provisions of this Act and the disposition of these properties shall be made in accordance with the existing laws.”

On November 25, 1946, President Manuel A. Roxas signed Executive Order No. 29 designating the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation (NAOFC), created under Common-wealth Act. No. 332, “to take over and administer the properties and property rights located in or affecting properties” in the province and city of Davao already transferred to the govern-ment.

8

EDGE EDGE DAVAO DAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

BingoPlus supports Ms Philippines Earth BingoPlus, the first licensed online bingo game in the Philippines, found a new way to push its advocacy for a greener, safer planet by supporting Miss Philippines Earth (MPE).

The beauty pageant whose unique purpose is

to have its candidates and winners actively promote and help preserve the environment resonated with the gaming company whose driving philosophy is “Live responsibly and work with our community.”

BingoPlus will join

MPE in its environmental awareness programs and environmental protection campaigns nationwide, getting its people involved in MPE’s upcoming events that include tree planting, beach clean-ups and tourist spots promotion.

On its own, BingoPlus had embarked on relief programs for towns and communities ravaged by calamities caused by climate change. BingoPlus (www. bingoplus.com) helped provide basic goods and rebuild homes destroyed by Ty-

phoon Odette in Cebu and Bohol in December 2021.

“Initiatives conducted by BingoPlus under its mother company, Leisure & Resorts World Corporation are aligned with the goal of Miss Philippines Earth. We likewise believe in its 5R’s tenet: Re-think, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, and Respect,” said AB Leisure Exponent Inc. president Jasper Vicencio.

“BingoPlus is committed to the community it operates in. Bingo has been a major component of Filipino culture and is one of the traditional games to get the family together. Family bonding, socializing and entertainment get us through tough times and makes us upbeat about sharing positivity.

“As a company we aim to teach and create more livelihood programs so families can put more food on the table. We also aim to bridge and narrow the gap for students to gain access to better education, to promote health and wellness programs to benefit those afflicted with poor health; and to safeguard our environment and boost its sustainability,” Vicencio explained.

This year’s Miss Philippines Earth competition has the theme “ME Loves Fauna” and focuses attention on the importance of animal life to the biosphere and the ecosystem. It will be held live after two years of virtual staging as a result of the pandemic.

wide for her blood type until they got in touch with a representative from SM Foundation.

Another blood bank recipient is Marissa Araiz—a patient at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center who underwent hysterectomy.

With the operation scheduled at 7:00 a.m the following day, her daughter, Reece Ann Araiz spent the night looking for blood donors.

She recounted with gratitude that SM Foundation generously responded even if the call for help came in the middle of the night. By 2:00 a.m. she was able to secure the needed blood for her mother.

“We were at our wits end as we prepared for the surgery, the doctors, the

room, the medicines plus the many expenses that would be incurred plus the blood that was needed for the operation. The hospital asked us to look for the blood and we didn’t know where to go until someone suggested we call SM Foundation and in no time at all, we got an immediate response at 2AM. And to top it all, it was for free!” Reece Ann shared.

Aside from its bloodletting activities, SM Foundation also goes to grassroots communities to deliver its health and medical programs. To date, it has renovated more than 170 health and wellness centers and served more than 1 million patients during its medical missions.

SM Foundation’s blood donation drive generates 4,000 bags

In time for the National Blood Donors Month celebration, SM Foundation (SMFI) announced the success of its bloodletting efforts from February to June 2022, wherein more than 4,000 bags of blood were generated.

From these bags of blood, around 12,000 lives may be saved and extended – since one bag can help save up to three lives as it can be separated into three components: platelet concentrate, packed red blood cell, and fresh frozen plasma.

This social good effort is in partnership with the Department of Health - Philippine Blood Center (DOHPBC) and Philippine Red Cross (PRC). This is in support of the Republic Act No.

7719, or the National Blood Services Act of 1994 which encourages and promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood.

Following the necessary safety protocols, SMFI conducts its regular blood donation drive in SM malls nationwide to help address the depleting supply of blood needed by those with medical emergencies.

For this leg, SMFI was able to conduct its bloodletting activities in NCR, Baguio, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Bicol, Cebu, Leyte, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General

SM employees participate in the bloodletting activities.

Santos, Zamboanga, and at the SM Corporate Offices.

Stories of extended hope SM blood bank, which was established in 2011, has helped many Filipinos that are in need of blood and blood products. One of them is Sherynel Narboneta, a Senior Manager at SM City San Lazaro, who requested for six units of platelet concentrate or 1-unit plateletpheresis per transfusion for her fatherin-law, Rolando F. Narboneta.

Mr. Narboneta was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome which advanced into Leukemia. According to Sherynel, requesting for blood from the SM blood bank was smooth and very

convenient. While requests are granted depending on the availability of the type and kind of blood component requested, Sherynel said, “From our experience, we received a confirmation on the same day.”

As a way of giving back, she expressed that she is willing to donate blood in the future: “Having readily available blood for medical emergencies would definitely save lives.”

Gin Navarro, who works at a known convention center in Pasay, was one of the earliest victims of COVID. She experienced severe COVID and was required a blood transfusion but her rare AB blood type further aggravated their situation.

They had to search far &

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

COMMUNITY SENSE

9

The University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao flies its flag at half-mast to mourn the passing of former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos on July 31, 2022

UPMin mourns

death of FVR President Ramos signed Republic Act 7889, which created UP Mindanao

Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos holds a lighted candle during his visit to UP Mindanao on February 22, 2008, at the Kick-off of the UP Centennial celebration in UP Mindanao

The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) mourns the death of former president Fidel V. Ramos, who signed Republic Act 7889, an act creating the University of the Philippines Mindanao, into law.

Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao said the flag at the campus in Davao City will be flown half-mast for 10 days, starting the morning of August 1.

Ramos died last July 31, at the age of 94.

Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos is first in line at the candle-lighting ceremony during his visit to UP Mindanao on February 22, 2008, at the Kick-off of the UP Centennial celebration in UP Mindanao. Next in line are Rogelio Cuyno, first UP Mindanao chancellor, Sebastian Angliongto, John Gaisano, Melchor Quitain, representing city mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Carolina Santillana, Teresita Guillen, Niceto Poblador, Crisostomo Serrano, and other alumni and officials.

“President Ramos’s contribution to the establishment of UP Mindanao has led this UP constituent university to produce several generations of leaders and experts in Mindanao and beyond. We are forever grateful,” Murao said.

The 12th president personally attended the reenactment of the signing of RA 7889 in Davao City on February 21, 1995, and returned on February 22,

2008, to receive a certificate of appreciation from the UP Mindanao constituents.

On July 3, 1996, President Ramos also signed Proclamation 822, which reserved 204 hectares of land in Bago Oshiro and Mintal, Davao City, which now functions as UP Mindanao’s campus.

Aside from this, he also signed Proclamation 1252 and Proclamation 1253,

creating the Laak (Davao de Oro) and Marilog (Davao City) land reservations for UP Mindanao’s research, instruction, forest rehabilitation and protection, biodiversity conservation, crops and livestock production and management, and upland communities training and development.

FVR will be remembered for his immense contributions and programs for national development.

Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos displays his Certificate of Appreciation awarded

by UP President Emerlinda Roman during his visit to UP Mindanao on February 22, 2008, at the Kick-off of the UP Centennial celebration in UP Mindanao. Witnessing the awarding are (left-right) Prof. Sylvia Concepcion, UP Mindanao vice-chancellor for administration, Prof.

Emma Ruth Bayogan, vice-chancellor for academic affairs, and Chancellor Gilda Rivero.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

3 family members slain in Maguindanao gun attack Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Maguindanaon couple and their young daughter in Mamasapano town Tuesday.

Maj. Maximiano Gerodias, town police chief, said a group of armed men arrived and strafed the house of Ab-

DRESS... FROM2

dulkadir Matuwa, 53, a farmer, at past 1 a.m. in Barangay Mangungkaling.

Abdulkadir, his wife Zahera, 32, and their five-year-old daughter, died in the incident, while a nine-month-old baby was unharmed.

“The baby was in a hammock and

up following Vice President Sara Duterte’s grand entrance wearing a traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa ensemble during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday wherein many praised her for promoting Davao City’s culture, however, there were others have

called out what she wore and called it a “cosplay”.

He said the vice president wearing the tribal attire in the SONA must be a learning experience for all the Dabawenyos to learn the difference between cosplay and paying homage to the culture and tradition.

gihapon sa sapa that is we requested the CENRO to conduct preventive mea-

sures kung mukusog ang ulan nga ma-contain ang chemical,” Baluran said.

unmarried individuals with independents will enable them to have more time to attend to various family matters.

“This is to recognize their sacrifice and their financial and moral contribution for the strengthening of the Filipino family,” she said.

The bill refers to a single person as any individual who is not legally married, or to anyone who was previously married but whose

marriage was subsequently annulled or legally separated, and who exercises custody on or financially supports someone not his or her child.

tificate of incorporation is likewise appropriate,” the CGFD said.

The revocation of Flying Bear Lending’s CA brings to 38 the total number of financing/lending companies with cancelled licenses due to various violations of SEC rules and regulations.

To date, the SEC has also revoked the primary registration of a total of 2,083 lending companies for their

failure to secure the requisite secondary license –a certificate of authority to operate as a lending/ financing company– pursuant to the LCRA, and for other violations.

and be among the continent’s “Tiger Cub Economies.””

“We will continue to honor and build on his legacy as we pursue the country’s long-term vision of a matatag (stable), maginhawa (convenient), and panatag na buhay (secure life) for every Filipino,” he added.

Ramos graduated from the United States Military

Academy at West Point in 1950.

Prior to becoming one of the country’s Presidents, Ramos served as the Chiefof-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 1986-1988 and the Secretary of National Defense from 1988-1991, both of which were during the first Aquino administration. (PNA)

DABAWENYO... FROM3 MORE... FROM3

SEC... FROM4

Thesinglepersonsshall beentitledtobenefitsand privilegessuchasscholarships,monthlycashsubsidyofPHP1,500forthose earningminimumwages, andflexibleworkingscheduleandatleastonceaweek workfromhomeschedule.

(PNA)

Thecommissionalso ordered81onlinelending applicationstoceaseoperationsforlackofauthority tooperateasalendingorfinancingcompanylastyear.

(PR)

ECONOMIC... FROM4

was asleep when the attack happened,” Gerodias said in an interview with reporters. “The baby is now with the victims’ relatives.”

Police recovered multiple empty shells for an M16 rifle.

Police are still investigating the in-

cident.

Mamasapano was the site of the bloody encounter in January 2015 between the police’s Special Action Forces (SAF) and Moro rebels that left 44 SAF personnel, 18 Moro gunmen, and civilians dead. (PNA)

the CHO has catered to over 50 men who underwent the NSV procedure. Lewis said men from other areas like Panabo and Tagum have availed themselves of the NSV. Lewis added that the city’s constant education and information drives were able to instil behavioural and cultural shift in the communities.

“Napababa nato ang ideal na numero sa miyembro sa pamilya. We recommend at least two children per family for them to be able to provide tapos makafocus sila sa pagpadako. (We reduced the ideal number of family members. We recommend at least two children per family for them to be able to provide and so that they can focus on raising the

children),” she said.

“Let us keep in mind that family planning should really be the goal of every couple. Parenthood gives you the responsibility to mold someone into an individual. So family planning should really be the kickoff in the family,” she added.

The CHO called on all couples, both those who plan to start a family and those who do not, to visit the city’s health centers where they can avail of free family planning or birth control consultations.

Dabawenyos who wish to learn more of the CHO’s family planning services can visit the City Population Office’s Facebook page: https://www. facebook. com/CityPopulationOfficeOfDavao CIO

of international travel passengers, most specifically, those coming from endemic countries with cases of Monkeypox.

The city has also designated the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) as the primary facility for isolation of Monkeypox cases needing hospitalization as well as designated BSP Camp in Malagos as the isolation facility for mild cases.

The isolation, treatment, quarantine, and reintegration will follow the national guidelines such as isolation of at least 21 days for the suspect and confirmed cases and quarantine for close contacts.

For contingency plan, isolate suspect cases with symptoms of Monkeypox, rule-out other diseases and test for Monkeypox, treat symptoms and isolate for at least 21 days, and advise households and establishments on the Minimum Public Health Standards (not only for Covid-19 but also for Monkeypox).

The city government of Davao has also intensified an information drive regarding Monkeypox to the District Health Offices, barangay health workers (BHWs), and barangay health emergency

response teams (BHERTs).

Dayanan said it is also one of the plans to capacitate barangay tanods and the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) through training.

“One of our plans also is to capacitate the barangay levels in coordination with the CDRRMO katong ilahang mga barangay tanods, Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC). Nagpabuhat pako ug activity plan, pre-approved na ni CDRRMO chief Fred Baluran for the trainings,” she added.

DOH has detected the first confirmed case of Monkeypox in the country. The case is a 31-year-old Filipino national who arrived from abroad last July 19, 2022.

The case had prior travel to countries with documented Monkeypox cases. The case was tested and confirmed positive for Monkeypox via Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR, done at the DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on July 28, 2022.

The case has been discharged well, and is undergoing strict isolation and monitoring at home. By Maya M. Padillo

DAVAO... FROM2

CITY... FROM3

BIG... FROM12 backstroke S7 in 1:21.13 for the other swimming medal of the day in the stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The country’s track and field team likewise continued to have a productive campaign Tuesday morning at the Manahan Stadium here with runner and newcomer King James Reyes and veteran thrower Jesebel Tordecilla in boosting the athletic haul to four golds, and counting.

Reyes topped the men’s 5,000-meter race T46 event, his time pending confirmation from meet officials, while Tordecilla took the gold with her heave of 14.21 meters on her third attempt.

A gold medalist in the women’s javelin throw T54 last Monday, Cendy Asusano added a bronze to her collection in the women’s discus throw, which was the same medals won by Ron Russel Mitra and Evaristo Carbonel in the men’s long jump T20 and men’s discus throw F11-13, respectively.

With the production

of swimming and athletics combined for the day, the PH para-athletes had nine gold, six silver and 15 bronze medals as they pressed to eclipse the tally of 20 golds, 20 silvers and 29 bronzes in winding up fifth overall in 2017.

There might be more golds in the offing later in the day in athletics as well as chess where FIDE Master Sander Severino winning their fifth and penultimate round matches to virtually ensure the country of at least four mints in the P1 and B2-B3 classes.

Severino, who bagged four golds in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games, bested fellow FIDE Master Maksum Firdaus of Indonesia while rookie Bernardo repulsed Vietnam’s Duong Hien Vuong to seize top spot in their respective classes with 4.5 points apiece.

Severino was up against National Master Henry Lopez while Bernardo was taking on teammate Arman Subaste in the final round scheduled in the afternoon.

2023.

Apart from the hosting plans, the SBP president also shared the unified Philippine basketball commitment to put together the best team for the FBWC 2023.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes presented to the SBP board his roadmap in building the men’s basketball team. Reyes identified the best players from the PBA, UAAP, NCAA, and different international professional leagues with the aim of performing in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, reclaiming the gold in the Southeast Asian Games, and competing against the world’s best in the FBWC 2023.

As for the PBA, Asia’s pioneering professional league is also going all out in supporting the SBP and Gilas Pilipinas. The PBA will only stage two conferences next season to give way for Gilas Pilipinas’ preparation for the World Cup so that the team will be able to train for three months to build chemistry and familiarity.

The UAAP and NCAA have also committed to make sure that players selected from their leagues will be able to join the national team for the same period.

To further strengthen the program, SBP added Tim Cone, head coach of Barangay Ginebra and the winningest coach in PBA history with 24 championships, and UAAP champion coach Goldwyn Monteverde of the UP Fighting Maroons as assistant coaches. With Reyes at the helm, two other veteran international coaches, Nenad Vucinic and Jong Uichico, complete a solid coaching team.

The SBP has its eyes on the prize that is the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as it targets not just a great showing for Gilas Pilipinas Men but an unforgettable hosting of the event as well.

“We only have 389 days from the actual tipoff and I do appeal to all the stakeholders in basketball to come together and really unify in this effort,” Panlilio said. (PR)

Hiring activities of local manufacturers increased for three straight months.

Philippine-based manufacturers expressed optimism for the next 12 months despite challenges in the global and local market, such as demand, inflation, and logistics

challenges.

“Despite the downside risks to growth arising from greater inflationary pressure, the outlook for the coming 12 months strengthened in July, with firms upbeat and remaining hopeful of a better global economic climate,” Baluch said. (PNA)

Despite volatile markets, the bank said it managed to post P3.4 billion profit from trading income from strong customer driven flows.

Metrobank is the country’s second largest private universal bank with consolidated assets of P2.7 trillion and total equity of P303.4 billion.

PH... FROM11

PH.. FROM5

METROBANK... FROM5

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

SPORTS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan (right) nips compatriot Rodrigo Potiotan Jr. for the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter T52 race in the 11th ASEAN Para Games at the Manahan Stadium Monday in Surakarta, Indonesia. Handout photo.

Mangliwan wheels to gold

F

ilipino para-athletes got off to a promising start in the first full day of action in the 11th ASEAN Para Games on Monday in Indonesia.

The country got three golds from para swimming and two from para athletics, with Ernie Gawilan and Roland Sabido delivering early in the day.

In the afternoon, Angel Otom added swimming’s third mint in a memorable ASEAN Para Games debut in ruling the women’s 50-meter

backstroke event in a time of 41.68 seconds.

Veteran thrower Cendy Asusano added the third gold in early morning action in ruling the women’s javelin throw F54 with a heave of 13.72 meters.

“Masaya po ako kasi hindi ko akalain na makukuha ko ‘yung ginto sa unang bato

pa lang,” said Asusano, hoping to duplicate a golden treble she achieved in the 2017 Games with the discus and shot put still scheduled for the succeeding days.

Team captain Jerrold Mangliwan regained his men’s wheelchair 100-meter T52 title with a victorious time of 19.18 seconds.

A Tokyo Paralympic Games veteran, Mangliwan led a similar 1-2 finish for the Philippines in the event after being challenged by newcomer Rodrigo Podiotan Jr., who placed a strong sec-

ond and settled for the silver medal.

Two-time Asian Para Games silver medalist Achelle Guion was forced to play second fiddle in the women’s 45-kilogram division of powerlifting with a hoist of 70 kilos behind hometown bet Ni Nenga Widiasih, who took the gold with a lift of 97 kilograms.

Also contributing a bronze medal each for athletics were Joel Balatucan, Daniel Enderes Jr., Arman Dino, and Jesebel Tordecilla in the men’s shot put F55,

men’s 5,000-meter T20 race, men’s 100-meter T47 race, and women’s discus throw F55, respectively.

Swimming also contributed another bronze in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, while veteran powerlifter Marydol Pamati-an also had bronze in the women’s 41-kg class with a lift of 70 kilos.

Overnight, table tennis also made its modest medal contribution with two bronze medals in the men’s team Class 4 through Billy Cartera, Racleo Martinez,

and Darwin Salvacion and in the men’s class 8 doubles courtesy of Jobert Lumanta and Jayson Ocampo.

Counting the silver in men’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball last Sunday, the Filipinos now boast an early overall medal tally of five gold, four silver, and nine bronze medals.

The country’s standard-bearers aim to surpass the haul of 20 gold, 20 silver, and 29 bronze medals, good for fifth overall, in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in 2017.

PH hosting of FIBA World Cup 2023 draws support

T

he preparation of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (FBWC 2023) is now shifting to a higher gear as the federation received a total commitment from basketball stakeholders in the country.

The Philippines is set to host the FBWC 2023 along with Japan and Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 2023.

In an SBP board meeting led by chairman, Senator Sonny Angara, on Monday, president Al Panlilio presented the plans for the staging of the event to the different board members from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and other major basketball organizations.

“Showcasing the Philippines, this will be the biggest basketball event to be hosted in the country. Since 1978, we have not hosted a tournament of this magnitude,” Panlilio said in a news release on Tuesday.

The SBP formed a local organizing committee composed of industry stalwarts and experts to prepare for the competition. There will be 40 games in the qualifiers at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Area, and 12 games for the final phase at the Philippine Arena.

Among the slated activities are One Year To Go and Tissot Countdown Clock Launch on Aug. 27, 2022, the FBWC 2023 Draw event in April 2023, the Official Ball Launch, the Opening Ceremonies, and the Competition proper until Sept. 10,

FPH, P10

Dabawenyo cager Alvin Pasaol of Meralco Bolts scores on a drive. PBA

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 95 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2022

Ariel Joseph Alegarbes splashes his way to victory in the men’s 50-meter butterfly S14 event in the swimming competition of the 11th ASEAN Para Games Tuesday at the Jatadiri Sports Complex pool in Semarang, Indonesia.

BIG SPLASH

Rookie Pinoy swimmer splashes to record golden double in ASEAN Para Games

S

URAKARTA, Indonesia - Ariel Joseph Alegarbes made a splashing debut in the 11th ASEAN Para Games Monday, capturing two gold medals in record-breaking style at the Jatidiri Sports Complex pool in Semarang.

In front of a lean yet animated Filipino crowd, among them his father Abner, Alegarbes had an unforgettable outing in ruling the men’s 100-meter backstroke S14 event in thrilling fashion, surging in the last 10 meter to win the race by a touch in one minute and .03.01 seconds.

He nipped Malaysia’s Muhammad Imaan Aiman, who had wrested the lead at the 75-meter mark but lost team and settled for silver in 1:03.20, while Thailand’s Mrjirachot Chuvong was a distant third and took the bronze medal (1:11.68).

Barely taking a breather, the 18-year-old Victoria, Negros Oriental pride was back at the pool, but this time led from start to finish in handily winning the men’s 50-butterfly S14 in 26.43 seconds, completing a golden double in his rookie stint in the biennial meet.

On top of being the country’s first double gold medalist in the meet, Alegarbes established new meet records in both events, first smashing the five-year-old mark of 1:03.60 in the 100-meter backstroke set by Indonesia’s Muhammad in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games.

He also bested by nearly

four seconds the joint record of 30.01 seconds held by Malaysian W.Y. Chung and Indonesian D. Nugruho also set in the same Games held in the Malaysian capital.

“I feel like I am about to explode because I was not expecting this. This is for my father who led me into swimming. Without him I wouldn’t be here,” said Alegarbes, who suffers from ADHD with learning disability with dyslexia, while handing both mints to his delighted father.

“Of course I am very proud of my son and I am glad to witness his accomplishment,” said the elder Alegarbes, who left his work as a construction worker to look after his son after learning of his son’s physical challenge at an early age through the advice of his late psychologist brother.

Alegarbes’s success was a brilliant follow-up to his winning one gold and one silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly S14 and 100-meter backstroke S14, respectively, in the Asian Youth Para Games held in Manama, Bahrain last December.

Veteran Ernie Gawilan, who won the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 event last Monday, settled for silver in the men’s 100-meter

FBIG, P10