er with Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza,
President and concurrent Educa tion Secretary Sara
Vice Duterte, togeth greets the crowd
before delivering an inspirational message during the culmination of Kalivungan 2022 in time for the 108th foundation anniversary of the Province of Cotabato held at the Cotabato Provincial Complex in Brgy. Amas, Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province on Thursday. Edge Davao STORY ON PAGE 2
P 15.00 • 12 PAGES@EdgeDavao edgedavao@gmail.comwww.edgedavao.netf EDGE Serving a seamless society DAVAO SPORTS P 12 VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 CHIEFNEW KEEP THE PEACE VP Sara reminds Cotabateños not to support terrorists, NPAs
A quick check with the prices of basic items showed
2 EDGEDAVAO NEWS
BARMM’s Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) is the lead agency in implementing the price freeze order.
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
BARMM freezes prices of basic goods amid flood calamity BARMM, P10
F
CIO
City gov’t of Davao’s vaccination figures up
Speaking before the crowd during the culmi nation of Kalivungan Festi val 2022 of the Province of Cotabato as guest of honor, Duterte urged the crowd not to support individuals and groups who want to disrupt the peace enjoyed by the adirectionkinahanglan“Saprovince.atoangpanaghiusaisalangangasaprovince,ascountryugdilinatohata
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Major Maria Teresita Gaspan says DCPO is recommending to the Davao City Council to create an ordinance penalizing individuals posting fake news on social media. Edge Davao
The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force has seen a significant increase in the number of individuals availing of the vaccination rollout for most popula tion age groups. Dr. Michelle Schloss er, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, said the city hit 102.39 percent in its first dose vaccination drive and 100.60 per cent in the second dose vaccination of the 80.67 percent, or 1,327,323 of the total population (1,531,004) as of August 26, “So2022.far, nagataas na gyud atoang output (So far, our output is increas ing),” Schlosser said during the COVID-19 Alert program of the 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) program aired on Wednesday, August 31. She said the first booster dose reached 42.53 percent while the second booster jab im proved by 8.14 percent. The city health official said, “We’re very happy also ang atong 12-17 al most 100 percent na fully vaccinated 12-17 almost 100 percent na fully vac cinated from our target. Ang atoang 18-59 years old, niabot na sa 125.72 percent (We’re also very happy that our 12 to 17 who are fully vaccinated is nearing almost 100 per cent from our target. The 18 to 59 years old vacci nation is now at 125.72 percent). In the pediatric five to 11 years old, Schlosser said that from seven per cent, the fully vaccinated number rose by 12.78 percent as of August 26. She added, “Medyo niangat gyud sya. Hope fully, magtaas pa ni sya (It slightly increased. Hope full, it will continue to im prove).”High vaccination turn out was also recorded among college students as it is a requirement for their face-to-face classes. Meanwhile, the Ba kuna para sa Katawhan sa Kadayawan held on Saturdays of August inoc ulated a total of 2,421 in dividuals - 855 on August 13, 676 on August 20, and 890 on August 27. Schlosser said the Vac cination Cluster and the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force sees the importance of holding vaccinations during weekends when Dabawenyos are mostly available to visit the vac cination sites. This is why they are discussing the possibility of extending the vaccination to Satur days or Sundays. The city’s district health centers are cur rently the ones catering to the COVID-19 vaccination from Mondays to Fridays.
FKEEP, P10
Hussein Biruar, MTIT director of the Bureau of Trade and Industry, said the products covered by the or der are canned fish, locally manufactured instant noo dles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, can dles, laundry soap, deter gent, and salt. “We are closely coordi nating with other govern ment agencies, manufactur ers, and retailers to ensure availability and continuous supply of basic goods in the market,” he Republicsaid.Act 7581, also known as the Price Act of the Philippines, provides that “prices of necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days once a state of calamity is declared in an area.” Aside from grocery stores, the MTIT also warned small stores and re tailers to refrain from selling necessities more than the specified prices.
gan ug higayon ug hatagan ug suporta ang mga tao na gusto gubaon ang atoang kalinaw na natagamtaman dinhi sa atoang probinsya ug sa atoang nasud. Let us not support terrorists and let us not support the New People’s Army,” Duterte said.In a previous state ment, Duterte condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) for “deceiving the youth into joining the armed struggle and waging a war they will never win because it is a war against their fellow Fil ipinos.”She also engaged in a word-war with the House of Representatives’ Mak
By MAYA M. PADILLO
KEEP THE PEACE
The Bangsamoro Au tonomous Region in Muslim Mindan ao (BARMM) announced Thursday a price freeze for basic goods across the re gion after it was placed un der a state of calamity due to recurring floods.
VP Sara reminds Cotabateños not to support terrorists, NPAs Vice President Sara Duterte reminded Cotabateños on Thursday not to sup port terrorists and the New People’s Army (NPA).
Dancers perform during Kalivungan 2022 costume parade and showdown held at the Cotabato Provincial Complex in Brgy. Amas, Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province on Thursday. Edge Davao
DCPO seeks ordinance penalizing fake news
By MAYA M. PADILLO
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
EDGEDAVAO NEWS 3
Anti-bullying ordinance out before F2F classes resume in November
FORDINANCE, P10
The Philippine Na tional Police sacked the chief of the Ma guindanao police hours after a town police chief in the province and a fel low policeman were killed in an ambush Tuesday morning.Brig. Gen. Robert Ro driguez, the PNP Direc torate for Personnel and Records Management, signed the memorandum relieving Col. Christopher Panapan as Maguindanao PoliceCol.Director.RoelRullan Ser mese replaced Panapan. Sermese used to be assigned with the Police Regional Office in the Soc csksargen region. The relief of Panapan came hours after the Am patuan town police chief, Lt. Reynaldo Samson, was killed along with fellow policeman Cpl. Salipudin Endab.As this developed, Lo cal Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos and the PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., arrived in a hos pital in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat and conferred awards to three cops wounded in Tuesday’s ambush.Abalos conferred the Medalya ng Kadakilaan and Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting to Senior MSgt. Reynante Quinalayo, Cor porals Rogelio dela Cuesta and Marc Clint Dayaday. Maj. Reggie Abillera, spokesperson of the Ma guindanao Police, said Samson and his men were out to arrest in Barangay Kapinpilan in Ampatuan a person long wanted for robbery. Failing to find the per son, Samson and his team turned back to their sta tion but were met with a hail of bullets along the way. Police investigators said the beleaguered po licemen managed to re turn fire and a brief fire fight ensued until teams of policemen arrived in the scene that sent the gunmenThescampering.policein the Bangsamoro region have
An official of the Davao City Police Of fice (DCPO) said the DCPO is recom mending to the Davao City Council to craft an ordinance penalizing individuals posting fake news on social media. son during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday.Gaspansaid the ordi nance may be correlated to the anti-fake news bill filed by Senator Tito Sotto. “Naa nay balaod ana ug ma-correlate ang local ordi nance sa national law. Mao na isa sa mga recommenda tion namo is adunay local legislation nga maka back up sa pag enforce ani kay dili gyud maayo,” she said. Gaspan admitted that the circulation of fake news online has detrimental ef fects on Davao City in terms of peace and order and safety and security. She said her office is tracking down those who spread bogus crime reports.
“Ang among ma-rec ommend is mag craft ang atong City Council ug local na ordinance or balaod na penalizing this mag post sa social media ug mga fake news para ma refrain ni kaning mga panghitabo nga nakahatag ug kakaulba sa atong mga kaigsoonan,” said Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, DCPO spokesper FDCPO, P10 Councilor Lorenzo Ben jamin “Enzo” Villa fuerte is optimistic that his proposed Anti-Bullying Ordinance will be approved before the full-blown faceto-face classes begin in No vember this year. The measure was al ready passed on first read ing.In July this year, Villa fuerte, chair of the Com mittee on Civil, Political and Human Rights for the 20th City Council, proposed an anti-bullying ordinance. In a privileged speech, he said “the fact that bullying exists not just in the traditional school setting but has ex tended itself in the work place and even in cyber space suggests that there is nothing normal about it.” “Before mag full blown na ug face-to-face classes, ma-approve na ni ug ma present na nako sa City Council para ma protek tahan ang atong mga bata. With the collaboration of the Philippine Nation al Police (PNP) and other agencies, we can make this ordinance the best as it can be and address the specif ic needs of Davao City as a whole,” he Villafuertesaid.said they al ready conducted a second committee hearing and that they learned a lot with regards to how to improve this anti-bullying ordi nance.The ordinance also aims to strengthen the al ready existing national law known as Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bully ing Act, which aims to pro tect children enrolled in kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools and learning centers (collective ly, “Schools”) from being bullied.“Kani ang limitation ani kay ang apil lang sa anti-bul lying act kay ang primary and secondary schools. Dili apil ang colleges, vocational FTOP, P10
Top cop in Maguindanao sacked after ambush of town police chief
The IT and Business Process Manage ment sector can generate 1.1 million new jobs over the next 6 years, an in dustry group said on Wednesday.
This would effective ly double the industry’s existing workforce of around 1.4 million. The sector can also grow 7 to 8 percent in terms of full-time employ ees, and 8 to 10 percent in terms of revenue by the end of 2022, according to the IT and Business Pro cess Association of the Philippines willhowever,Industry(IBPAP).leaders,alsosaidthesedependonhowthe
4 EDGEDAVAO ECONOMY
LPG prices down effective Thursday
IBPAP President Jack Madrid, said the most critical challenge is the “talent war” amid the mis match of supply and de mand for IT professionals. “We are in a global war for talent. The fact we have a young population, the fact that our country side, not just Manila, has excellent schools, we have an opportunity to may be do a better job of up skilling and reskilling our graduates.”Madrid said the sector needs the “full support of government to make this happen.”Hesaid the impact of the COVID-19 pandem FIT-BPM, P10 loans for high-value crops
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
production FLANDBANK, P10
State-run Land Bank of the Philippines said Wednesday it has ap proved P17.4 billion in loans for the production of high-value crops. The loans benefitted 1,220 borrowers nation wide, Landbank said in a newsTherelease.bank said the loans will finance the production of highland and lowland vegetables, fruits, as well as industrial crops including abaca and Spices,bamboo.legumes, and al ternative food staple crops such as soybean and root crops are also covered for financing under the Land bank’s “Sulong Saka Lend ing Program.”“Landbank aims to pro mote the diversification of crop yields of our local farm ers alongside ensuring food security. We will continue to support the production of high-value crops in the country through accessi ble and responsive credit assistance,” said Landbank president and CEO Cecilia Borromeo.Apart from increasing high-value crops produc tion, the state-run lender said farmers can avail of loans under the program to finance related projects such as the establishment of nursery, and budwood or mother and plant or parent clone gardens, as well as for the establishment of new plantations, and the replant ing, rejuvenation and reha bilitation of old trees. Financial support under the Sulong Saka Program extends up to post-harvest crop activities such as fer Philippines, as a whole, addresses challenges in upskilling, reskilling, learning laws, IT infra structure, and regulation.
L ower LPG prices will greet consum ers at the start of September on Thursday. In an advisory on Wednesday, Petron Cor poration announced it would implement a P1.75 per kilogram price reduction on its house hold LPG, beginning at 12:01 a.m. of Thursday. Solane will slash the price of LPG by P1.62 per kilogram, effective at 6Phoenixa.m. Petroleum is also reducing the price of its LPG by P1.75 per kilogram, effective at 12:01 a.m. At the same time, Petron and Phoenix will implement price roll backs on Auto LPG by P0.98 per liter and P0.95 per liter, fromholdanshowedpartmentmonthtracttheadjustmentsPetronrespectively.saidtheprice“reflectinternationalconpriceofLPGfortheofSeptember.”DatafromtheDeofEnergyretailpricesfor11-kilogramhouseLPGtankrangedP838toP1,024.
The House banks and financial intermediar ies panel on Tuesday approved a bill increasing the capital of state-run bank Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and cre ating a special holding com pany in order to expand government aid schemes to micro, small and medi um enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Thisis provided under the consolidated version of House Bill 1 or the Govern ment Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Dis tressed Enterprises for Eco nomic Recovery (GUIDE) bill, which provides a P100-billion capital stock to DBP, to be divided into one billion common shares with a value of P100 per share, which will be fully subscribed by the national government.ThisP100 billion is an increase from the existing P35 billion capital stock of the DBP.Likewise, the GUIDE bill authorizes the President “to approve the increase in capitalization of DBP upon the recommendation of the DBP Board and the concur rence of the Finance Secre tary, up to such an amount as may be necessary to at tain objectives of this char ter.”In addition, the GUIDE bill authorizes government banking institutions DBP and Land Bank of the Phil ippines (LBP) to invest in, or enter into a joint venture agreement to incorporate a special holding company (SHC).The SHC’s purpose will be to ensure that strategi cally important companies (SICs) will remain solvent or are earning more than their liabilities, as well as
Delivery men unload 50-kilo cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at an establishment in Davao City. Oil firms announced they are implementing a price cut on LPG products starting Thursday. Edge Davao sector eyes add’l new jobs
1.1M
Landbank OKs P17.4B
IT-BPM
House panel OKs bill expanding state-run banks’ assistance schemes for MSMEs FHOUSE, P10
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it may take two to three years before the country can achieve a stable salt supply.In a Laging Handa briefing, Agriculture Un dersecretary Domingo Panganiban said he has instructed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to de termine the expenditure breakdown of the previ ous PHP100 million allo cation for salt production. “Alamin kung nasaan ‘yung pera para malaman namin kung paano ga gastusin, dahil kinakail angan matulungan yung small fisherfolks natin na nagpapalaki o nagpo-pro duce ng asin sa buong Pil ipinas lalo na sa Oriental at Occidental Mindoro, dito sa Central Luzon, sa Pangasinan, sa Visayas at sa Mindanao (Identify where the fund is to know what how will it be spent, because there’s a need to aid our small fisherfolks in increasing their pro duction in the country, especially in Oriental at Occidental Mindoro, dito sa Central Luzon, sa Pan gasinan, sa Visayas at sa Mindanao),” he said. Once they secure the data on the allocated fund, Panganiban said the DA shall be able to distribute its aid to fisherfolk in the next coming months. “Medyo aabutin ng dalawa hanggang tatlong taon bago natin ma-sta
The Philippines will aim to export high er value products apart from com modities and intermediate goods as it attempts to narrow its trade deficit, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Wednesday.
Trade Secretary Alfre do Pascual said the Phil ippine Development Plan for 2023-2028 will look at reducing the gap between exports and imports.
ranging
PH to aim for high value exports: DTI
in August
F
Stabilizing PH salt supply may take 2 to 3 years: DA T he Department of Agriculture (DA) assured Wednes day that the drought in China, which may result in a decline in global rice supply, will not have any significant effect on the Philippines.Speaking at a Lag ing Handa briefing, DA Undersecretary Domin go Panganiban said the government has mech anisms in place to boost local“Maaaringproduction.di tayo masyadong maapektu han ng drought sa China dahil ang ating produc tion ay medyo maganda ngayong season na ito (We may not be affect ed by China drought be cause our production this season is good),” he said.DA Assistant Secre tary Arnel de Mesa ear lier said the agency has no supply shortage pro jections, as it expects “90 percent rice sufficiency for the third quarter of the Deyear.”Mesa noted that the country has at least 72 million metric tons for 46 days, while Pan ganiban noted that the supply will be stabilized as the harvest comes by October and November. Besides local produc tion, Panganiban said the DA can import rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries with ex cess local distributeaspricericeincreasejectedkulturahangHowever,Delayedproduction.cashaidtheSamaIndustriyangAgri(SINAG)proaPHP3toPHP4inthepricesofbyOctober.TheSINAGsaidaricehikemayhappentheDAwasunabletocashaidon time, during the planting season when farm input prices shoot Moreover,up. Pangani ban said only the cash aid via Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), worth PHP5,000 each, was not yet distributed due to some lacking require ments.“Hindi naibigay ng Landbank lang, ang DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines) naibigay ‘yung kanilang portion. Ang Landbank dahil ni-require nila ang De partment of Agriculture
DA: China drought won’t significantly affect PH
BSP sees inflation from 5.9 to 6.7% of our overseas Filipino workers and the dollar income in the BPO indus try,” Pascual said. The DTI said it will support industry de velopment through val ue-addition in previously identified priority clus ters: the industrial, man ufacturing, and trans portation (IMT) cluster; the technology, media, and (HLF)health(TMT)telecommunicationscluster;andtheandlifesciencecluster.“DTIwillpromotere source-based industries, particularly ore process ing,” Pascual said, echoing the Marcos administra tion’s plans to add value to the country’s mineral industry.TheDTI said the coun try has 2 billion metric tonnes of nickel, 1.1 bil lion metric tonnes of cop per, and 260,000 metric tonnes of cobalt reserves. “Exporters can be partners as the country pursues to be a produc er of semi-finished and FDA, P10 FPH, P10 STABILIZING, P10
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) bares that inflation in August is expected to range from 5.9 to 6.7 percent driven by the continued increase in key food prices. Edge Davao Inflation in August is expected to range from 5.9 to 6.7 percent, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi nas said on Wednesday. The BSP said inflation for the month was driven by the continued increase in key food prices, but could be offset in part by the decline in global oil prices, the reduction in electricity rates, lower meat and fish prices, and appreciation of the peso. Inflation in July hit 6.4 percent, after hitting 6.1 percent in June and 5.4 per cent in May as fuel and food prices continued to rise. “Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to mon itor closely emerging price developments to enable timely intervention that could prevent further broadening of price pres sures, consistent with BSP’s mandate of price sta bility conducive to sustain able economic growth,” the central bank said. The BSP has so far already raised its bench mark rate by 175 basis points in less than four months to 3.75 percent after keeping it at a re cord low of 2 percent in almost 2 years.
The Philippine Sta tistics Authority said the country’s trade defi cit further widened to a three-year high in 2021 as imports outpaced ex ports.Exports hit $74.65 billion last year while im ports hit $117.88 billion. “We have become complacent about closing this gap because we have favored the remittances
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 5EDGEDAVAO ECONOMY
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 20226 EDGEDAVAO VANTAGE In reminding Cotabateños not to support terrorists and the New People’s Army (NPA): Sa atoang theandnotsasanatagamtamanangtaougugugprovince,angkinahanglanpanaghiusaisalangdirectionasaasacountrydilinatohataganhigayonughatagansuportaangmganagustogubaonatoangkalinawnadinhiatoangprobinsyaugatoangnasud.LetussupportterroristsletusnotsupportNewPeople’sArmy.VicePresidentSARADUTERTE Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894
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Advertising Specialist SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance EDGEDAVAO Providing solutions to a seamless global village. NEILWIN L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Columnists: ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • MUJAHID NAVARRA • FRED C. LUMBA DENNIS R. GORECHO • VIDA MIA S. VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE • MOSES BILLACURA ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI MEGHANNGOTIANSE-TANSTA.INESFERINASANTOS Lifestyle edgedavao@gmail.com MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA Product Development officer Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe) LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Desk Editor ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent OLIVIA D. VELASCO President SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE the national association of newspapers GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Consultant MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter
HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
“I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, un less built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not ben efit all whom it affects.” - Napo leonThe*******Hill.recent controversyscandal if you will - about the illegal resolution issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administra tion (SRA) that called for the importation of 300,000 MTs of sugar was an indication that something is awfully wrong in our governance Consequently,system.an immedi ate congressional probe in both chambers has been called to determine the who, what and wherefore of the issue. Involved SRA officials have eventually turned in their res ignations after the Palace an nounced the President disap proved of the SRA resolution where his signature was signed “for” - in behalf of the President - by an undersecretary of the Ag riculture(However,Department.theimportation of sugar has not been totally set aside because there indeed was a great need as industry users declared.)Anyway, the issue actually boiled down to whether there was a shortage of sugar in the market and that there was a great need to import the com modity because prices of food items that are already utilizing sugar as an integral ingredient in their products are rising It turns out that after sub sequent raids of warehouses, news reports and photo releas es showed jam packed rows and tiers of bags of sugar were abun dantly stored therein. Reliable information ema nating within the industry - in cluding rice, vegetable and other agri producers - aver that hoard ing of food commodities occurs frequently during certain sea sons of the year. This ugly practice has actu ally become an accepted norm because traders and business men selling these products earn huge profits when they hoard and store them for a time to create a false shortage that unduly creates a high consumer demand.When this demand arises, those in control and possession of the hoard ask for a higher price - often twice or double the original purchase price - in or der to make an instant killing in the Wondermarket. why the DTI (Dept of Trade and Industry) is always caught napping. These business malpractices have been going on since as far back as I can remem ber in the early 60s. Hoarding creates inflation, however temporary. It hurts the many who are poor more than the moneyed few. Hoarding is an evil that the government must eradicate and permanently solve so that our economy can hope to withstand the global constraints and re straints, inflation included. Hoarding and the conse quent inflation it creates has also affected even other prod ucts in the market like fish, chicken, pork and beef. Do you see the domino prin ciple in effect here? There used to be an orga nized consumer group that I heard about that once in a while raises its voice and files com plaints against abusive busi nessmen. Has even its tiny voice been muted, huh? It is about time Pinoy con sumers got organized on a na tionwide scale to let their voices be heard collectively. The social media platform can be effectively used as a pub lic forum to ensure hoarders and shrewd traders exploiting the supply situation are properly identified and accurate informa tion reaches the proper author ities.The DTI is equipped with po lice power, is it not?. To my seventy four year old storehouse of memory, I do not faintly recall that someone has been jailed for hoarding. Just for the record, hoarding is a criminal offense. But even given that, hoarding has not ceased and the hoarders have even grown in numbers. They have also collaborated with shrewd smugglers to en sure they have a firm grasp of the goings-on in the market. Sen. Imee Marcos has openly declared the presence of syndi cates within the agriculture de partment.Sowhat gives? Putting these hoarders be hind bars - after due legal pro cess - will speak volumes of the government’s political will to re store sanity in our governance. We need to see the DTI prominently flexing its muscles. But as the much abused cli che goes: ‘Tulog sa pansitan ang DTI.’ (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) EQUALS INFLATION C. LUMBA SPECKS OF
Dame Sitwell sought astrologers to do her horoscope, the English poet al ways lied concerning her date of birth. She claimed half a dozen signs as her own, so it is doubt ful whether she ever had an ac curate horoscope chart. The word “astrology” comes from the Greek words astron meaning “star” and logos, which meanActually,“study.”
SIR Francis Bacon believed in it. So did Queen Elizabeth I, Charles de Gaulle, Ian Fleming, Galileo Galilei, and Dame Edith Sitwell. Yes, all of them – at some time of their lives - had faith in astrology. Influenced by French royal astrologers, the scientist Bacon became a practicing astrologer and advocated a “purification” of the science of astrology. Later in life, however, he renounced star gazing.On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth I had, as her personal astrologer, the famous seer Dr. John Dee, who utilized a crystal ball. As a reward for his occult services, she installed Dee as the chancellor of St. Paul’s in Lon don.One of De Gaulle’s earliest horoscopes, done before World War II when he was a French army captain, foretold that he was destined to rule France. Throughout his life, he occasion ally consulted professional as trologers and palmists. Although the creator of James Bond denounced occult ism in public, Fleming had one of his first horoscopes cast during World War II while serving in the British Intelligence Service.
astrology is the study of how events on earth correspond to the positions and movements of astronomi cal bodies, particularly the sun, moon, planets, and stars. Astrologers believe that the position of astronomical bodies at the exact moment of a per son’s birth and the subsequent movements of the bodies reflect that person’s character and, therefore, destiny. For many years, scientists have rejected the principles of astrology. However, millions of people continue to believe in or practiceNobodyit. really knows when astrology started. As one 20th-century writer, Don Cam eron Allen, has put it, “The lit erature of astrology is as vast as the history of man. No one scholar can possibly hope to untangle all of its intricately wovenHistoricalstrands.”records show that astronomical observations were carried out by Chaldean priests for thousands of years. These observations, which probably started before 2300 B.C, re corded the shape and relative brilliance of the constellations, their rising and setting, and the motion of the planets.
Astrologers create charts called horoscopes. A horoscope is illustrated by a circle, called the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the plane on which the earth or bits around the sun in a year. It is divided into twelve sections, called the signs of the Zodiac, which include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and AstrologersPisces.assign every planet (which in astrology in cludes the sun and moon) with a particular sign, depending on where that planet appears on the ecliptic at the time for which the horoscope is cast. Each planet represents basic human drives, and each sign represents a set of human char acteristics.Thehoroscope also is divid ed into twelve houses, which make up the 24-hour period during which the earth rotates once on its axis. Each house deals with certain areas of a person’s life, such as marriage, health, work, travel, and death. Astrologers make predictions by interpreting the position of astronomical bodies within the signs and houses of the horo scope.
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 EDGEDAVAO 7VANTAGE POINTS
“Because of their knowledge of celestial reckoning and their occasional success with divina tion, the Chaldean priesthood gained political power in Bab ylon, and by 650 B.C. they had great influence throughout the city-state,” The Book of the Bible states.The early Hebrews were familiar with some aspects of astronomy, probably because of the need to be familiar with celestial navigation while in the desert and because their cal endar was based on the lunar month.Throughout the Bible, astrol ogy and divination are treated with suspicion or outlawed alto gether. To resort to divination or to be an “observer of times, or an enchanter,” was to partake of the “abominations” of other nations (Deuteronomy 18:12). Astrology was a strongly held belief in ancient Babylon (now Iraq); it spread to the Med iterranean world and was used by the Greeks and Romans. It exerted a powerful influence in the Middle ChineseAges.astrology is based on a 60-year cycle and a lu nar calendar. Its signs change annually and are named after animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. “Differing forms of astrology developed in China and India, as well as among the Maya, but in the West the coming of Christi anity forced it to the sidelines,” says the World Facts, a micrope dia.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
He was very concerned about the date of his death, which his astrologers never revealed to him.Meanwhile, Galilei practiced astrology but was not always able to ascertain correct infor mation from the stars. In 1609, he prepared the horoscope of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and predicted that he would have a long life. The duke died a few weeksAlthoughlater.
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES! HOARDING
FRED
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COMPETITIVE EDGE
experience of commut ers as seamless as pos sible,” said President and CEO Borromeo. A total of 150 Pub lic Utility Vehicle (PUV) units in selected pilot sites in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Cebu will partici pate in the AFCS PPT. Only LANDBANK pre paid and credit contact less cards will be accept ed and processed in the 150 participating PUVs during the first month of the AFCS pilot testing pe riod. Once the necessary regulations or policy has been issued, the LAND
New SM scholar Erin Evangelio from Obando, Bulacan SM Scholars General Assembly in 2019 (File photo)
SM Foundation set to welcome over 300 new SM scholars
SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social good arm of the SM group, is set to award scholarship grants to more than 300 college freshmen for SY 2022-2023 this coming August 27 at 1:45-5:00 PM. The said event will be broadcasted live via SMFI’s Facebook page: @ SMFoundationIncOfthemorethan 300 new SM scholars, 40% are from the National Capital Region and 60% are from the provinces across the country. This makes the total current number of SM college scholars to more than 1,300. Under the flagship pro gram of SM Foundation, scholars enjoy full tuition and miscellaneous fees subsidy. They also receive monthly stipend and are exposed to various enrich ment activities and job opportunities at SM malls during their semestral or Christmas breaks. After graduating, they also have a chance to land their dream jobs in companies within SM.The program covers the following field of studies: Computer Science, Infor mation Technology, Engi neering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, and Electronics), Education (El ementary and Secondary); Accountancy, and Financial Management, among oth ers. SMFI, through its Schol arship program, provides deserving and qualified stu dents with access to college education and technical-vo cational studies since 1993. To date, SMFI has produced more than 8,000 schol ar-graduates.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LAND BANK) rolled out today the interim operation of the EMV-compliant Au tomated Fare Collection System (AFCS), geared towards the enhance ment and moderniza tion of the urban public transportation system in theThecountry.AFCS, which allows the convenient use of publicmentcardsitcontactlessEMV-compliantcredit,debandprepaidbankascashlesspayinstrumentsintransportmodes, will be tested under a real-time operation al condition in prepa ration for its full and commercial implemen tation.Transportation Un dersecretary Cesar B. Chavez, Land Trans portation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, Bang ko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, and LAND BANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borro meo, together with par ticipating public trans port operators, led the “Interim Operation
Launch and Tripartite Memorandum of Agree ment Ceremonial Sign ing” for the Automated Fare Collection System EMV Contactless Pi lot Production Testing (AFCS EMV PPT) Proj ect at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) in Parañaque City on 01 September“LANDBANK2022. fully supports the AFCS proj ect for convenient and safe cashless payments in our PUVs. Through LANDBANK Contactless Cards, we look forward to making the daily journey and payment
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DOTr, LANDBANK roll out automated fare system
BANK AFCS solution can also accept and process the EMV contactless cards issued by other lo cal banks.Commuters can pay for fares using LAND BANK’s Special Edition Transit Cards, Agent Banking Cards (ABC), General Purpose Re loadable (GPR) Cards, Provincial ID e-Cards, and Classic and Gold Credit Cards, among others.LANBANK already distributed more than 4.5 million LANDBANK contactless EMV cards which can be used in the AFCS solution, with an other 1.9 million cards available and ready for claiming by the account owners.Through the years, LANDBANK has grown into one of the leading universal banks in the country while remain ing faithful to its social mandate to promote in clusive and growth.recoveryacceleratednificantandtransportationtionportsdevelopment.sustainableLANDBANKsupthemodernizaofthecountry’ssystemsservicesasasigdrivertowardeconomicandinclusive
EDGEDAVAO COMPETITIVE EDGE
EDGEDAVAO PROPERTY
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A multi-purpose field where sports like archery, frisbee, and rugby can take place is also in the plan ning stage. Eventually a multi-purpose gym will also be built where indoor sports can be played, with specta tors.The world-class facili ties and thoughtful features for competitive athletes and believers in a healthy life style, all show Ayala’s com mitment to developing the Filipino athlete. To ensure nurturance while keeping fit, there are food estab lishments around Vermo sa Sports Hub, such as the Vermosa Food and Lifestyle Market, Mc Donald’s, Jol libee, Starbucks, and Chick en Peri-Peri.“These continued im provements have made AVSH grow into a viable venue for hosting key local and international sporting events,” said Vermosa Estate Head Jay “Hopefully,Teodoro.we can con tinue to make this place a home and training ground to more athletes and enthu siasts. This is for all athletes to realize their dreams and for individuals to move for ward in their pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle.” Teodoro added. For more information about Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, go to vermosa.ph.
Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, Training Ground, Home and Haven for Athletes and Sports Enthusiasts
It lets them do lock-in train ing so they can avoid the hassle of transporting to and from the training venue. We want our athletes to start preparing already for the 2024 Olympics,” Aragones said.
Launched in 2018 as a South Luzon-based multisports facility that would help hone and prepare na tional and aspiring athletes to reach their individual and collective goals, Ayala Ver mosa Sports Hub (AVSH) is already recognized as the go-to training facility south of the metro. Its multi-fea ture Sports Hub boasts of a FINA-standard Aquatic Cen ter with an Olympic sized pool, an IAAF-certified Ath letics Center with a worldclass track oval, a football pitch with natural tiff grass, and a gym operated by Santé Fitness Lab. In the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, AVSH was the playing venue for underwa ter hockey. Today, national athletes continue to train at the Sports Hub due to partnerships forged with the Philippine Athletic and Track and Field Association, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, World Ar chery Philippines and the Philippine Rugby Union. Vermosa Sports Hub facilities are constantly growing and evolving. The Aquatic Center now has a 25-meter warm-up pool and 240-seater bleachers around the Olympic-size pool. The installation of a lighting system has made
After the successful staging of the Green Run -- a multi-level run for elite athletes, training athletes, fun runners and fitness enthusiasts last July –Ayala Land’s 750-hectare Vermo sa Estate is stepping up development to make it a complete venue for an ac tive and healthy lifestyle down south.
the track oval ready for eve ning events. Also available is the Athlete’s Lounge that can also be a venue for sem inars and small gatherings like product launches. Soon to rise is an athletes’ dor mitory called The Athletes’ House. The initial phase will have 30 rooms, with 3 beds per regular room and 2 beds for PWD rooms, with a total of 87 beds.“The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub was built with athletes in mind,” said Mo ses “MJ” Aragones, Vermosa Project Development Man ager. “We want athletes to come here and consider it their training place and call it home.“The Athletes’ House aims to support the needs of elite national athletes who will train in the Sports Hub.
By Maya M. Padillo
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done by BOC, SRA and DA, including DTI, that we are saying a lot in) Quezon City, San Jose del Monte, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Misamis Oriental, sa Bukidnon, at ito ang nag papatunay na hindi ar tipisyal, ‘yung ano, kundi talagang hino-hoard lang ‘yung ating mga asukal na naka-stock na binili ng mga traders (this shows that it’s not artificial, but there’s hoarding of sug ar stock, bought by trad ers),” he added. Once proven, Pangan iban said the DA shall confiscate the hoarded supply and make it avail able to supermarkets and small sellers to sell it at a lowerBesidesprice. the supply of salt and sugar, the DA is currently consolidating inventories of white on ions nationwide, to de termine if there’s truly a supplyWhiteshortage.onions have been made available on line by some merchants, while consumers find a hard time buying them on markets.TheDA earlier said au thorities intercepted nine trucks of white onions in Misamis Oriental, which
DA... FROM 5 na magpalitrato ‘yung mga farmer sa kanila sa DA, na wala namang photographer ang DA (Only the Landbank has not distributed [yet], the DBP have already gave their portion. The Land bank requires the DA to take pictures of farmers, the DA have no photogra phers),” he Panganiban,said. however, assured he has instruct ed their regional offices to hasten coordination with the LBP and farmers for Senatordistribution.Imee Marcos, meanwhile, slammed the DA’s delayed distribution of cashDuringaid.her visit to the DA for the Young Farm ers Senaterites,CapitalChallenge-NationalRegionawardingMarcossaidthehadapprovedthe allocation with urgency long“Angago. tagal-tagal na niyang pinapangako, noong nakaraang admin istrasyon pa, kami naman sa Senado, mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro in-allocate na ‘yung mga pondong ‘yan, eh nasaan (This is long overdue, this has been promised during the previous adminis tration. We in the Senate have speedily allocated the fund, so where is it?)” she said in an
“Dako siya ug epekto es pecially sa atoang hisgutan an peace and order, safety and security considering nga hindi magandang biro na mag post ka ug unveri fied information ug gipang share ug nahimong nakap ahatag ug panic and fear sa atong mga kaigsoonan kay nagtuo sila na kini tinuod. That is why we encouraged ang tanan especially the netizens be responsible sa pagpost sa social media es pecially kung at stake ang atoang seguridad,” Gaspan said.Gaspan said these un verified crimes can have detrimental effects on the citizenry’s confidence in the safety and security clus ter which in turn can be damaging to the city police force’s morale. “I do not know if the intention is i-discredit ang atoang syudad or gover nance, but dili pa namo matumbok sa pagka-karon kung ingon ana or trip lang gyud nila na magpost ug wala na educate kung unsa kaning pagpost sa social media. Ug sa mga nagshare pud judgment call man na nimo na pagbasa pa lang murag dili man na tinuod. Ang uban man gud i-share dayon para makahatag ug awareness pero seguro log ical thinking na lang ba nga dili ba kaha ni makaapek to?” she said. The recent was the re ported kidnapping of two minors which went viral on social media. The said mi nors, including the 14-yearold, were allegedly abduct ed according to a post. However, they denied they were kidnapped and both admitted that they in tentionally left their homes for personal problems. The two minors also made a public apology for their action that caused so much confusion and fear to the Recently,public.
Police Re gional Office (PRO 11) Re gional Director Benjamin Silo led the investigation as well as the filing of a case for violating Article 154 or the “unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances” against Charles Japheth Lagradante, an 18-yearold student from Toril in Davao City for posting unverified reports of kid napping and robbery in cidents prevalent in some areas in Davao City “Magiging les son-learned talaga ito,” Gaspan said.
KEEP... FROM 2 TOP... FROM 2 LANDBANK ... FROM 4 abayan bloc, which she believes has ties with the CPP-NPA.Shewas reported claim ing that her tribal attire for Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, 2022 represents her re sistance to extreme acts of the TheNPA. administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. and Duterte will maxi mize their efforts to pro tect the Filipinos from the atrocities of the Com munist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).Meanwhile, Duterte of fered P30,000 for each of the participating groups of the costume parade and showdown and drum and lyre presentation as “pa halipay.”
PH...
been executing the OneTime-Big-Time Implemen tation of Warrant of Arrest in the region with more than 3,000 arrest war rants yet to be served. After the ambush on Tuesday, Abillera said policemen and soldiers are now on the trail of the group of Guipar Ab dulkarim alias Command er Boy Jacket, whom they believed was behind the ambush.Abillera said Ab dulkarim is with his fol lowers Sala Tunda, Johari Abdulbasser Guinaid, Phepe Saptulah, Abdulrah Sapal alias Bro Sapal and Bobot Kamsa alias Borgo. Police said the police men managed to return fire and a brief firefight en sued until teams of police IT-BPM... FROM 4 ic, as well as the learning loss associated with the 2-year break in face-toface learning, could put a strain on human resourc es down the road. “It is important to address them now the new administration has expressed willingness to address this skills gap,” Madrid said. He said that as the country improves its in frastructure, it also needs to bridge the skills gap of its workforce to attract in vestments. Madrid said it is important the current administration, as well as the private sector and the academe come together to address the skills gap as soon as possible.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has placed the region under a state of calamity from August 18 to October 31 due to wide spread flooding caused by successive weather systems. (PNA)
ATMneeded,cardsintervention“digitalization”ofaffectedthegelistasecretaryAgricultureinterview.UnderKristineEvanexplainedthatrequirementwhichthedistributionLandbank,ispartofwheremonitoringforfarmersareacardlikenedtofunctions.
STABILIZING...
BARMM... FROM 2 that canned fish prices re mained at PHP25 to PHP30 each, while sugar is at PHP75 to PHP80 per kg. So far, the prices of goods in communities heavily af fected by floods remained stable, with no signs of op portunism taking place, Biruar noted. He urged the consum ers to report violators to the MTIT regional and provin cial offices to their hotline numbers made available on line, and at recognized gro cery and convenience stores regionwide.“Weare reminding the retailers that there should be no price movement on these goods while the price freeze is in effect,” he said, warning that penalties await violators proven to have vio lated the freeze order.
HOUSE... FROM 4 rehabilitate SICs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The growth of the in dustry will be intact, but it is a question of how much market share we will garner, because there is a lot of demand, even through the second half of this year, for Filipino Talent.”IBPAP is also batting for the sector to retain flexible work arrange ments.Madrid said employ ees will continue to de mand work-from-home, or butjustfromworkenactandworldallowedBPOoptions,work-from-anywhereandFilipinoIT-companiesmustbetoofferthem.“Weneedtoshowthethatweareseriousthatwearereadytoamorepermanentfromhome,workanywherelaw,notfortheITindustrymanyotherindus tries will also benefit from this,” he said. He added that the mix of onsite and remote work must be determined by the needs of the cli ent, the company, and the workforce.“Weseem to be lead ing the charge on what the future of work will look like and again there is no one size fits all.” The sector’s roadmap, including revenue targets, will be revealed at the IB PAP’s 14th International Innovation Forum at the end of September.
FROM 5 bilize, kung makukuha ‘yungPHP100 million ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, masi simulan agad natin ngay ong second half ng 2022 ang pagdi-distribute ng pera sa ating mga fisher folk na nagpo-produce ng ating asin (It might take two to three years before we stabilize, if we get the PHP100 million of the BFAR, we can immediate ly start the distribution on the second half of 2022 to our salt producers),” he said.The BFAR earlier said there is data, although subject to verification, showing that the Philip pines’ salt industry relies on importation by 93 per cent.Panganiban, mean while, insisted that there is hoarding in the supply of sugar, as it discovered supplies in its ongoing in vestigation.“Nakikita naman natin sa imbestigasyong ginaga wa ng Bureau of Customs, SRA (Sugar ingnakikitanaofpatiAdministration),RegulatoryngDA,ngDTI(DepartmentTradeandIndustry),maramingasukalangsa(Weareseeintheinvestigations
On the other hand, eq uity participation in the SHC may be offered to, and held by, qualified private sector investors, including multilateral companies and lending institutions, as may be determined by the Land Bank and DBP, provided that majority ownership of the total outstanding capital stock in the SHC will be held by the LandBank and DBP until such time that they have recovered or will be able to recover their invest ment in the SHC.
FROM 3 schools, graduate schools, workplaces, and other workplaces and cyberbully ing,” he said. His proposed ordinance aims to include all of those mentioned above. “Tanan apil ug this aims to protect our children, employees, and kabalo ta daghan gasulti mga bata nga naa man tay anti bul lying policies in place sa school, naay lain bata mag abuso. Mao nang gibutang namo ang bullying in other places. The spirit of this or dinance is to punish the sin not the sinner. Dili nato aim na i-punish ang mga bullies, ang atong mabuhat hope fully nag counselling ta sa ilaha apil na ang victims, parents kay kabalo ta na education starts at home,” he said.
DCPO... FROM ORDINANCE.3..
The GUIDE bill also man dates that DBP and Land Bank expand their loan as sistance program to MSMEs engaged in infrastructure, the service industry, and/or manufacturing business, as well as grant loans to local government units (LGUs) subject to existing rules and regulations.Further, the GUIDE bill requires DBP and Land Bank to rediscount loans and credit accommoda tions subject to applicable prudential standards and regulations of government agencies. FROM 5 finished products [from these minerals],” Pascual said.DTI will also collabo rate with the Department of Agriculture to improve value chains through upgraded transport and logistics facilities includ ing cold storage and cold chain facilities, Pascual said.
“Even if we have the infra, legislation that our investors want, there will be no jobs if we do not have the quality of skills in demand by the rest of the Heworld.”said the ability of the Philippines to gen erate skilled workers for the IT-BPM industry is im portant for the sector to move forward amid com petition from other coun tries for these services.
The bill defines SIC as “investee companies that are nationally significant,” or those with high economic returns or high employment potential, and are engaged in strategically important in dustries or sectors including agriculture, construction, education, food industry, healthcare, infrastructure, low-cost and socialized housing, manufacturing, power and energy, product distributor/retailer, ser vices, tourism and hospi tality, transportation and logistics, and water and san itation.These SICs must show proof of temporary solvency problems due to the pan demic, financial soundness prior to the pandemic, and credible and sound financial rehabilitation plan.
mentation and drying, in cluding the processing and manufacturing of crops, like roasting, grinding/mill ing, packaging, and storing, Landbank said. Apart from increasing high-value crops production, the state-run lender said farmers can avail of loans un der the program to finance related projects such as the establishment of nursery, and budwood or mother and plant or parent clone gar dens, as well as for the estab lishment of new plantations, and the replanting, rejuvena tion and rehabilitation of old trees.Financial support under the Sulong Saka Program extends up to post-harvest crop activities such as fer mentation and drying, in cluding the processing and manufacturing of crops, like roasting, grinding/mill ing, packaging, and storing, LandbankTradingsaid.and export ac tivities may also be financed under the program, it said. Landbank said individual small farm holders may bor row up to 90% for a produc tion loan, while a maximum of 80% may be borrowed by small and medium enter prises (SMEs), cooperatives, farmers associations and organizations, large agribusi ness enterprises and cor porations, organizationsnon-government(NGOs)and countryside financial institu tionsThe(CFIs).bank said its Sulong Saka Program can also fi nance up to 80% and 85% of the total project cost for the acquisition of fixed as sets and commodity loans, respectively.Localgovernment units (LGUs) may also avail of fi nancial support under the program, provided that the loan amount will not exceed their net borrowing capacity, as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).Term loans for work ing capital and permanent working capital are payable up to one year and three years, respectively, while loans for fixed assets and construction of facilities are payable based on cash flow but not more than its eco nomic useful life, it said. An interest rate of 5% per year shall apply, Land bank said.
La Salle wins PBA D-League title
The victorious La Salle Green Archers after winning the PBA D League title. Davao’s Francis Escandor (18) is a member of the team. Take Aim Photo
VOL.15 ISSUE 121 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 11EDGEDAVAO SPORTS
EcoOil-La Salle claimed the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup title on Wednesday after drubbing Mari nerong Pilipino, 91-78, in the deciding game of their best-of-three finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. EcoOil-La Salle near ly obliterated Marine ro from start to finish, leading for all but the first 13 seconds of the rubber match.
laboration with Dep-Ed and the LGUs because this is the proven formula that is universally ac cepted.Incontrast, the harsh reality is that not everything is ideally well because there are turfs and territories to scale and protect. Above all, the funding that NSAs seek annually from the PSC to finance their respective pro grams and projects (like national open championships) is already a big headache.Ealacannot afford to give each NSA what it wants because the PSC budget is not large enough to spread it equally among them. Aside from this, the athletes’ well being is most paramount which includes monthly allow ances plus medical and den tal needs that have increased through the years. There are many more ath letes’ concerns that have to be addressed (including improved billeting and dorm facilities, nu trition, education etc.) that the new PSC chair must look into. With still three more commis sioners to be named to complete a five-man PSC board, Eala is lucky to have renowned multi-award ed bowler Bong Coo make good company at the moment. Have a good day, Chairman Noli! (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL
Noli, as he is better and fa miliarly known, was a former PBA commissioner from 2003 to 2007.
The Skippers’ only bright spot was a 7-0 run midway through the second quarter that cut the Archers’ lead down to seven, wonthethere.neverinasandSalleHowever,37-30.EcoOil-Laquicklyrecoveredstretcheditsleadtohighas21,74-53,latethethirdquarterandlookedbackfromSchonnyWinstonledGreenArchers,whoachipforthefirst time since ruling the 2016 UAAP men’s bas ketball season, with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.Mark Nonoy and Mike Phillips each add ed 15 points with the latter also grabbing 16 rebounds for the dou ble-double.JuanGomez De Lia no’s 30-point explosion on 10-of-15 shooting including 7-for-7 from two-point range went down the drain as the Skippers failed to win it all despite taking the se ries opener. (PNA)
He has big shoes to fill as he replaces Wiiliam Ramirez, the guy who was responsible for the country’s overall triumph in the 2002 and 2019 SEA Games. With ideas galore in between his ears, his well publicized re sume speaks volumes of his cre ativity and capability. Like others before him, Eala is expected to produce impres sive and laudable results and thus fulfill the mandate embod ied in RA 6847, the law that cre ated the Philippine Sports Com mission.Anamiable fellow, Noli will however find the journey rather bumpy because he has to deal (and contend) with many NSAs that have ballooned to quite an unmanageableUnmanageablenumber.because to a certain degree, the NSAs - as they want to portray themselves - are autonomous and want to enjoy their autonomy to the fullest. Autonomy - and its definition - was a contentious issue in many previous years between the PSC and the POC. And I am not yet mention ing relations with the Philippine Olympic Committee that have gone sweet and sour through the seasons (depending on who sits as POC president). As someone who knows the PSC terrain through the years, I would advise - even if unsolicited - the good chairman may find the need to have coffee with the man he has just replaced for a one-onone tete’ a tete’. With the century-old quest for the elusive first Olympic gold already in the bag, I am not sure how Eala will run the country’s sports development agenda. For one thing, RA 6847 man dates an inclusive grassroots development program in col
Let us welcome the appoint ment - and arrival - of Jose Em manuel Eala as the new Philippine Sports Commission chairman.
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES! FRED C. LUMBA SPORTSNEWKENPSC BOSS
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Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala finally went to work on Thursday as the new Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman. CHIEF
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According to the renowned sports commentator, upon ar riving at the PSC office inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Com plex, he quickly met with Exec utive Director Guillermo Iroy and Commissioner Bong Coo regarding some matters that need to be addressed as soon as possible.“Today, I reported for work and had an initial meeting with officers of the agency, discuss ing matters from basic house keeping to urgent pending matters needing immediate attention and action. We tar get to have all these clarified and studied in preparation for the formal convening of the board,” Eala said in a state ment. “It was a productive first day at the office. There are many things to be done, but I am hopeful and eager to start working.”Healso assured that the gains the PSC had during the term of former chairman Butch Ramirez, highlighted by the Philippine team’s biggest Olym pic medal haul ever last year, would continue under his ad ministration.“Mynew administration will seek to ensure the sustain ability of the success of our pro grams for the long term. I will carry out the mandates of the PSC to develop and promote sports at the grassroots as a tool toward nation-building and unity, and ensure full and enhanced support for our na tional athletes in their contin ued quest to bring honor and glory to our country,” Eala fur therHesaid.also vowed that cur rent sports superstars such as Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and world No. 3 pole vault er EJ Obiena would continue to get sustained funding, even considering reaching out to the private sector. “We will continue with programs that will further strengthen our sports initia tives. We will create pathways for all to get involved in sports while ensuring that elite ath letes are provided with all they need to be successful. We will reach out to the private sector, similar to the golden years of the Gintong Alay program, to harness their support for all stakeholders of sports,” Eala said.
Newly-appointed PSC chair Eala reports to work New PSC Chairman Noli Eala.
