Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 136 | Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022

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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 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 PRAISESSUPPORTAND Residents of Sto. Domingo Subdivision in Bo. Pampanga, Davao City fill their containers with water delivered by a water deliver company after water service interruption lasted days causing shortage in majority of barangays in the 2nd District of the city. Edge Davao DCWD apologizes to Mayor Baste, Dabawenyos over water shortage WATERLESSWEEKEND

On the note na pati si May or Baste nadamay na, we really apologize sa iyahang opisina. Mangayo ta ug dis

ers, DepEd Spokesman Michael Poa said the SPED program also had no allo cation under the 2021 NEP but was eventually funded under the General Appro priations Act (GAA).

In a statement, the de partment said it initially allocated P532 million for special education (SPED) programs in its proposed 2023 budget.

The cut led to zero fund ing for several projects and programs, such as engineer ing activities for basic educa tion facilities, school health facilities, and the SPED pro gram.The lack of allocation for SPED “is a recurring circum stance every year,” DepEd said, adding that it would work with Congress “to find other ways” to fund the pro gram.In a message to report

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday (Ma nila time) assured Filipi no workers in the United States that the Philippine government is creating more opportunities to en tice them to return and use their skills and talent back home.Marcos made this pledge just a day before his participation in high-level discussions at the 77th Ses sion of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New“LetYork.us reverse the brain drain. Ibalik natin ang galing ng Pilipino sa Pilipinas (Let us bring back the talent of Filipinos to the Philippines) and help bring the Philippines to heights it has not reached before,” he said in his speech during a meeting with the Filipino community in the New Jer sey Performing Arts Center.

He said his adminis tration intends to “bring back” an education system that prepares coming gen erations for better jobs, especially when it comes to STEM (Science, Technol ogy, Engineering and Math ematics)

infrastructure program to sustain the momentum of the country’s economic growth.Hesaid they will also work on eliminating “inef ficiencies in the bureaucra cy” to enhance public ser vice and pave the way for ease of doing business.

This developed after a netizen named Tiara Ram boanga messaged Mayor Baste online “Most liveable city pa ba ta mayor? When we have to check in to hotels for a bath on wash rate may untag ireimburse nimo. When we have to curse but still no water was supplied in our street in our subdivi sion. What are your plans? Mas maka gutom gud wa lay tubig kesa kuryente. We can’t cook kase walang

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“Kailangan kayo ng ating mahal na Inang Bayan (Our Motherland needs you). I stand here before you today to invoke the quintessential Filipino spir it, the spirit of Bayanihan, and to challenge each and every one of you to con tribute meaningful change back home,” he said.

The Department of Edu cation (DepEd) denied Monday claims that it deliberately excluded fund ing for programs catering to learners with disabilities un der its proposed 2023 bud get as it also defended the “confidential funds” item.

DepEd explains zero SPED budget FDEPED, P10

He encouraged Filipi nos in the US to travel back to the Philippines and con tinue investing in condos, real estate as well as small and big businesses to con

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DCWD apologizes to Mayor Baste, Dabawenyos over water shortage

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

The problem of lack of water supply here in Davao City has become serious as even Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Dute rte echoed the frustrations of Dabawenyos who had to endure a “water-less weekend.”

In 2022, the program had a P297-million alloca tion in the NEP, which even tually rose to P560 million in the GAA.Inastatement, the DBM said that while the DepEd

Marcos also enjoined Filipino workers abroad to follow the footsteps of those who have carried out “impactful projects” that benefit their kababayans such as conducting medical missions in far-flung war riors, constructing school buildings and houses for indigents, and providing scholarships and funding to aid research efforts to find cures for rare diseases.

tubig. Liveable? Tanggala ang DAVAO LIFE IS HERE na poster sa Diversion kay murag sa imong reign nawala ang pagka liveable sa city. Hehehe. Go on, pamalikas murag deserve nimo mamalikas na sig ra man ka papicture dra pero wala jud kay aksyon. Hehe hehe. Yes, pogi ka pero wala ka naga work tarong. Hehe he. Be proactive. Summon DCWD.”

WATERLESS WATERLESS,

pensa kay mayor kung pati siya naapil ani na panghi tabo,” said Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod, deputy spokesperson of DCWD, during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Mon day.

WEEKEND F

Marcos tells US-based OFWs: Help gov’t reverse ‘brain drain’

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The Davao City Water District (DCWD) apologizes to Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and the Dabawenyos affected by the water supply problem that lasted days. Edge Davao

“Ang inconvenience na nahatag ani sa general public is immense and we really apologize for that.

“Unfortunately, despite our earnest efforts to advo cate for learners with special needs, [the proposed alloca tion] was not considered in the National Expenditure Program (NEP),” the DepEd said.The agency originally asked for an over P800-bil lion budget for 2023 but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allot ted P710.6 billion in the pro posed NEP.

2 EDGEDAVAO NEWS

Marcossubjects.saidthe govern ment will also “expand” the Duterte administration’s

EDGEDAVAO NEWS 3

The operation was

ing investigation, Universi ty of Mindanao expressed strong condemnation over the senseless and deplor able incident in the highest possible consternation and dismay.Italso mentioned that the hazing incident was reportedly perpetuated by students who are all mem bers of the AKRHO Alpha Delta Chapter fraternity.

dash cams either the dash cam doesn’t work or the dash cam doesn’t have a memoryLlanoscard.said making sure that the dash cam is func tional is very important to make ensure the passen gers are safe and even the drivers.“Naa pud nagbiya he from other regions na musulod sa Davao Region without special permits. Dako ni nga violation kay after three violations ma-impound ang ilahang sakyanan. Naa pud ta naki

It also said that all fra

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mind anao (BARMM) will now comprise six provinces (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindan ao del Norte and Maguin danao del Sur). BARMM’s other component areas are the cities of Marawi, Lam itan and Cotabato and 63 villages in six North Cota bato towns that voted yes to inclusion in the BARMM.

Mindanao now has 28 provinces, BARMM has 6 after split of Maguindanao into 2 FPAQUIBATO, P10

The Land Transporta tion Franchising and Regulatory BoardDavao (LTFRB-Davao) has intensified its campaign against driving violators through “Oplan Lambat Bitag” Anti-Colorum Opera tions and Inspection Moni toring over the weekend.

Paquibato Peace Builders receives 15 motorcycles from city gov’t of Davao

“It has come to our at tention that 4th year stu

public utility buses (PUBs), and twelve UV Express.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

velopment in Davao City. In her message, Peace 911 Focal Person Atty. Jo nah Margarette F. Presto said, “Kaning among giha tag sa inyoha, gamiton nato ni sabay sa atong pagpan ingkamot na naay kalinaw sa Paquibato, so samtang naa pa ko dria sa Peace 911, akong gi garantiya sa inyoha na naa jud ang gobyerno para sa inyoha.”

Mindanao now has 28 provinces with the ratification of Republic Act 11550 in Sat urday’s plebiscite, dividing Maguindanao into Maguin danao del Norte and Magu indanao del Sur.

The statement stated that the AKRHO Alpha Del ta fraternity is not a recog nized organization in the university, including all their illegal activities and roster of membership.

F’OPLAN, P10

With the ratification, Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Mangudada

The City Government of Davao, through Peace 911, distributed fif teen (15) units of XR150 motorcycles to the Paqui bato Peace Builders during the Blessing and Turnover Ceremony held in Baran gay Dalisay, Panabo City on September 16, 2022.

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One

(These units will be used to complement our efforts in keeping peace here in Paquibato. So, while I am still here in Peace 911, I guarantee to you that the

The newly distributed motorcycles will be ben eficial to the 120 Peace Builders in the 13 baran gays of Paquibato District. Likewise, it will help them perform their duties in achieving inclusive and sustainable peace and de

Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), reported that a 19year-old male died while another student aged 18 years old survived the or deal in GaspanMandug.said the sus pects, who are students of the University of Mind anao (UM), are currently detained at Mandug Police Station.Inthe light of the ongo

That the hazing incident also happened outside of the campus premises of the university; it was deliber ately and inconspicuously held in the far-flung baran gay of Upper Mandug, Bu hangin.“However, since they are students at the univer sity, they bring disrepute to the name of the institu tion. The perpetrators dis respected the president’s strict instructions against hazing inside or outside the university,” it said.

FUM, P10 FMINDANAO, P10

joined by members of the Davao City Security and Safety Cluster including the Land Transportation Office 11 (LTO 11), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), Highway Patrol Group Region 11 (HPG 11), DCPO-TEU, and otherNonitoagencies.Llanos III, re gional director of LTFRB 11, reported that there are 18 (public utility vehicles (PUVs) that were seized and issued Inspection Re port Summons by the IRS: two public utility jeepneys (PUJ), two taxi units, two

dents from the College of Criminal Justice Education of the University of Mindan ao (UM) were involved in a violent hazing incident on September 18, 2022, result ing in the unfortunate death of one and serious injury to another who were both neophyte victims,” the UM statement, which was sent to Edge Davao, said.

Part of “Oplan Kalinaw” of the Davao City Police Of fice (DCPO), the LTFRB 11 conducted an Oplan Lam bat Bitag on September 16, 2022, at several check points in Davao City in Toril, Calinan, and Lasang.

A total of 707,651 vot ers voted yes to the split while 5,206 said no, Rex Laudiangco, spokesperson of the Commission on Elec tions said on Sunday morn ing. He said voter turnout wasAlso80.84%.because of the divi sion into two provinces, the

Residents of Sto. Domingo Subdivision in Bo. Pampanga, Davao City gather their water containers as they wait for water ration from authorities after water shortage is experienced in the area caused by a water service interruption that lasted days. Edge Davao

‘Oplan Lambat Bitag’ nets road violators

student reportedly died in a haz ing incident in Mandug, Buhangin, Davao City over the weekend.

UM student dies in fraternity hazing, school authorities condemn incident

“Ubay ubay ang atong nabitag. Mao na muhangyo ko sa atoang mga PUVs ug private vehicles na atoang sundon ang balaod,” Lla nos said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.Healso reminded the public not to ride in colo rum PUVs to avoid travel problems.Itwas also found out during the “Oplan Lambat Bitag” operation the com mon violation of drivers is they take for granted the

“Ang good news, maram ing isda. Ang masama, nasa loob ng municipal waters. Wala naman kakulangan sa fishing ground kaso hindi makapanghuli dahil nasa

The new rules define alternative workplaces as any location where work is performed at a location away from the principal’s place of business of the em ployer through the use of telecommunication and/or technology.This includes the employee’s residence, co-working spaces, or oth er spaces which provide for mobile working, among others.“These revised rules clarify and adequately ad dress issues and concerns

In separate advisories, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seao il Philippines Inc. said they will cut down prices per li

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. has welcomed the Phil ippine government’s issu ance of Sugar Order No. 2 directing the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar, amid the tem porary suspension of oper ations in some of its plants across the country.

WFH conditions should comply with labor standards, DOLE says

Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Philippines President Jonjon Santos said fuel pric es were affecting supplies in the market and there was no need to import more fish.

FRISING, P10

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alternative workplace with the use of telecommuting or computer technologies.

of the telecommuting sec tor,” Laguesma said in an emailed“Thisstatement.aimsto sustain our efforts for economic re covery,” he added.

O

Oil firms announce they will implement another round of pump price rollbacks to mark the third straight week of cuts for diesel and kerosene, while keeping gasoline prices unchanged. The prices per liter of diesel will go down by P4.15, and kerosene by P4.45. Edge Davao

of the IRR or Republic Act 11165 which was signed into law by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in January 2019.“[T]erms and condi tions of telecommuting shall not be less than min imum labor standards, and shall not in any way diminish or impair the terms and conditions of employment contained in any applicable company policy or practice, individ ual contract, or collective bargaining agreement,” the new rules stated.

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mag-import,” said Santos.

The revised IRR is in line with the scheduled review

Under the Telecommut ing Act, workers were given the option to report from an

“All time that an employ ee is required to be on duty, and all time that an employ ee is permitted or suffered to work in the alternative workplace shall be counted as hours worked,” it stated.

Rising oil prices affecting fresh fish supply in markets, say fish traders

not Thecarry.adjustments will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, for all the firms except for Caltex and Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 12:01 a.m.

appreciate the efforts and welcome this step forward as we work across sectors towards a sustainable solu tion in addressing the coun try’s sugar situation,” the Coca-Cola Philippines said in a“Westatement.lookforward to be ing able to normalize our bottling operations once we have secured a sufficient supply of Bottler’s Grade sugar,” it Coca-Colaadded. Beverages

gasoline by P0.45, diesel by P1.45, and kerosene by P1.70.Latest data from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that year-todate total adjustments stand at a net increase of P17.45 per liter for gaso line, P29.10 per liter for diesel, and P24.30 per liter for kerosene as of August 16, 2022.

4 EDGEDAVAO ECONOMY

Coca-Cola welcomes order importing 150K MT of sugar

“We are grateful to the government for heeding the industry’s call to im port Bottler’s Grade or premium refined sugar. We

Santos said that the 60,000 metric tons of fish the Agriculture Department imported during 2022’s first quarter had addressed the projected deficiency in sup plies.“Mayroon naman tay ong isda, hindi kailangang

(We have enough fish supplies. There’s no need to import.)However, due to the price increase of crude oil, some fishermen were choosing not to operate rather than lose money.

Diesel, kerosene down by over P4/liter, gasoline unchanged

According to the De partment of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the revised IRR—under De partment Order 237—was approved and signed by La bor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma last Friday, Sep tember 16.

Other firms have yet to make similar announce ments for the week.

Firms last week rolled back prices per liter of

Employees in workfrom-home arrange ments should be given the same terms and conditions mandated by the labor standards in the country, based on the re vised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Telecommuting Act.

il firms on Monday announced an other round of pump price rollbacks to mark the third straight week of cuts for diesel and kerosene, while keeping gasoline prices unchanged.

ter of diesel by P4.15, and kerosene by CleanfuelP4.45.and Petro Gazz will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which they do

The revised rules also state that employees under given the telecommuting option are not considered field personnel, except when their actual hours of work are not determinable within reasonable capacity.

In a report, Moody’s said the country had re tained fundamental strengths such as the sta bility of its banking system despite the peso deprecia tion. The peso weakened to an all-time low of P57.43 to $1 on Friday but is expected to gain from the increase in seasonal this quarter.

ways to modernize the bureau, both in terms of technologies and of ser vices,” said Tansingco, who was sworn into his new post before Remulla Thursday morning.

“On behalf of the Phil ippine IT-BPM sector and its 1.44 million Filipino employees, the IT and Busi ness Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) would like to express our appreciation for President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Mar cos Jr.’s clear understanding and vision of how indis pensable IT-BPM is to the economy,” it added.

the registration of IT-BPM enterprises from the Phil ippine Economic Zone Au thority (PEZA) to the Board of Investments (BOI),” the IT and Business Process As sociation of the Philippines said in a statement.

of officers and employees through training, semi nars and other career ad vancement programs.

near-term,” it added.

In addition, the Philip pines is also not significant ly exposed to Russia. Its do mestic market also supplies stable inflows from remit tances, it Bangkoadded.Sentral ng Pil ipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla said in response that “this affir mation will support the sustained recovery of the domestic economy.”

Damosa Land, Inc. president Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo (2nd from right), OP360 director for Legal and Compliance lawyer Tess Tan (rightmost), OP360 senior vice president for Global Finance May Jesseth Nalus (2nd from left) and Trends and Concepts chief executive officer Jose Bantiling pose for photos during the Diamond Tower site turn over to OP360 on Monday. Edge Davao

5EDGEDAVAO ECONOMY

The Fiscal Review and Incentives Board (FIRB) earlier ordered BPOs to re turn to their offices to con tinue enjoying perks from the government. PEZA-reg istered firms are mandated by law to conduct activities within“Afterecozones.twoyears of mak ing a case for what the ben efits of WFH/hybrid work are, it is great news that the FIRB will be facilitating a smooth paper transfer of

“This will not involve physically relocating their operations or giving up the incentives that they are currently enjoying. This is a wonderful outcome to IBPAP’s staunch advocacy for WFH/hybrid work, and we are extremely thankful to our partners in the gov ernment for listening to the sector and its employees in adapting to flexible work arrangements in the future of work,” the group said.

Justice Secretary Je sus Crispin Remulla said that the modernization of BI’s system is very much needed to “effectively track foreign nation als, especially the illegal ones.”For his part, new BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco also said that the bureau will head to wards modernization, as well as improving its ser vices, under his watch.

If signed into law, the “Bureau of paymentcilitiesmodernizationFundfund.identappointedBoardalsoModernizationImmigrationAct”willsetupa3-memberofCommissionersbythePrestoadministertheTheImmigrationTrust(ITF)willcovertheofBI’sfaandequipment,ofemployment

The WFH arrangement, initially implemented to ensure work during the pandemic, has “ushered in a new era of work for the sector,” the IBPAP said.

“We are looking at

Group lauds approval of BPO transfer to BOI for hybrid setup

“The BSP continues to have the necessary mone tary policy tools to address the current challenges of tighter global financial mar kets and volatile exchange rates and ensure our return to a target-consistent infla

FMOODY’S, P10

The

Moody’s

This, after the House Committee on Justice gave the green light for a P1.2-billion fund for BI to modernize the agency, touch up its pay scales, and further professional ize its officers and rankand-file employees.

“In Moody’s view, the rebound in economic activi ty since mid-2021 has been strong and will be resilient to the current challenges posed by the turn in global credit conditions over the

An investment grade rating indicates lower credit risks which allows a country such as the Phil

He also noted that as Commissioner, he will be leading the bureau in looking into e-services and man-less transac tions.“Not only will this up the level of the agency, but it will also serve as a major deterrent for illic it activities by removing opportunities for corrup tion,” Tansingco said.

Investor Service has af firmed the Philippines Baa2 rat ings with a stable outlook, citing its capacity to meet external debt payments, policy continuation and strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

ratio and the continuation of ongoing infrastructure projects, among others.

IT-BPM firms, which in clude BPOs, lobbied for the continuation of work-fromhome and hybrid work arrangements even after mobilit y restrictions were lifted.Finance Secretary Ben jamin Diokno on Friday announced that registered BPO firms may be allowed to transfer to the Bureau of Investments (BOI) from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to resolve the work-from-home issue.

Modernization, add’l benefits eyed for BI

power BI to collect im migration fees, fines, and penalties, and to retain a third of the said collection for the trust fund.

The approval of the transfer of business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to the Bureau of Investments, which does not have geographical limits in conducting businesses, is a sign that the government recognized the sector’s eco nomic contribution, an in dustry group said Monday.

Moody’s added that the policy continuity and com mitment to reform seen following President Ferdi nand Bongbong Marcos Jr’s win in last May’s election assure gradual fiscal re pair. It also noted the sig nificance of the economic team’s medium-term fiscal framework, which includes lowering the debt-to-GDP

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Bureau of Immi gration (BI) aims to modernize itself with a new commissioner in charge and a bill pro posing a trust fund for the agency approved at the House of Representatives.

Moody’s affirms PH Baa2 ratings with ‘stable’ outlook

ippines to access capital or debt at lower interest rates or lower costs to the public.

benefits, as well as fur ther professionalization

“The rating action is driven by Moody’s view that the challenging global credit conditions will not derail the Philippines’ on going recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, al though the severity of the pandemic shock has led to an erosion in the rating agency’s assessment of eco nomic strength,” the credit rating service said.

The bill, authored by Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, seeks to em

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 20226 EDGEDAVAO VANTAGE 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 RICHARD C. EBONA 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 MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor ” On the water supply shortage in Davao City: “Ang inconvenience na nahatag ani sa general public is immense and we really apologize for that. On the note na pati si Mayor Baste nadamay na, we really apologize sa iyahang opisina. Mangayo ta ug dispensa kay mayor kung pati siya naapil ani na panghitabo.” JOVANA CRESTA T. DUHAYLUNGSOD Deputy spokesperson, DCWD

The priest observed ‘a great servile fear’ the residents had toward their Protestant chief but he was open to telling them that the government respected Cath olic beliefs, and that as converts

sor Bing called on young boys and girls to start building the fu ture now. “If you enjoy the liberty and gains of freedom, you enjoy now, remember it was paid with the lives and blood of those who came before you,” she pleaded. The youth should treasure this freedom, and may do so simply by looking at their own families.

Chair Misuari obliged, join ing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and CM Ebrahim at the cere monial opening of the BTA. Also present were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez.CMEbrahim, happy that the MNLF and the MILF would “ work together for a united Bang samoro, bound by our common goal,” called on Marcos to com plete the peace process – stating that it could be one of his greatest legacies.Ican imagine the setting – all these masculine leaders sharing

they must adhere to the teachings of the Church in order not to in cur the ire of God. He also taught them on the necessary truths on the unity of a most perfect God, the Trinity of persons.

AMINA RASUL SHE TALKS PEACE

MOBILIZING MASCULINIST STATES IN ASEAN

“Look at the gender relations within your family, and you will see that there are privileges, discriminations, and subordi nations. There [may be] those suffering from violence. Ask yourself, ‘Should I just be a silent witness?”Please Click, Play and Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3UevH9j Apple

Closing the episode, Profes

range of issues including but not limited to gender mainstream ing and the protection of migrant workers.When questioned on the ef fectivity of the ACWC (and of the ASEAN itself), Professor Bing came to its defense. “I feel priv ileged to be a part of this body where we can make a dent,” she began. “We can influence policy directions and decisions of the key stakeholders in the region: the 10 member states.” The dominance of masculinist states in the region makes it difficult to instantaneously address gender issues of pressing concern (e.g., VAWC). The question, there fore, becomes: How does one convince what Prof Bing calls “a masculinist state” to mobilize its financial resources in sup port of programs and campaigns to systematically put an end to VAWC? The solution is only fur ther complicated by the ASEAN’s reliance on consensus. It’s no wonder that the ASEAN seems to make decisions slowly when the 10 members states have such diverse — and occasional ly contradicting —government systems, from a true monarchy to democracies.“Nothingismade easy,” Pro fessor Bing said. The Commis sion is often confronted with formidable states, but she be

a stage, vowing to support peace. What were the women thinking, I wonder?Which leads me to the con versation I had with Dr. Lourdes ita Sobrevega-Chan of Ateneo de Davao on “She Talks Peace.” Prof. Bing is the Philippines’ Women’s Rights Representative to the As sociation of Southeast Asian Na tions (ASEAN) Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children (ACWC) and has served as such since 2017. She is the Chairperson of the Ateneo de Davao University’s Research Council. In this week’s episode of She Talks Peace, Dr. Bing Chan gave us an inside look on her experience advocating for women’s rights among masculin ist states.“TheACWC is a human rights body of the ASEAN,” Professor Bing explained. “As such, it is dedicated to studying the partic ular situation of women and chil dren in the region.” Each ASEAN member state has two represen tatives in the Commission—one for women’s rights, and the oth er for children’s rights. Together, the representatives work to end violence against women and children (VAWC) in the region through such instruments as joint statements, declarations, and similar documents. The body is concerned with a wide

Shehttps://apple.co/3BrS02EPodcasts:TalksPeaceisnow on

As one of the Jesuit priests as signed in Davao, Fr. Raimundo Pe ruga knew the travails he had to endure given the vastness of the territory surrounding the gulf. In March 1914, while staying at San ta Cruz, Davao del Sur, he lived at the house of William Gohn, an American planter who briefly took over the province as gover nor. His first visit to the place was in October 1912.

In his recent stay, Fr. Peruga

was determined to reach Melilla, which he had not still visited; it was where an evangelical pastor had made religious inroads. He observed that while in Santa Cruz no one approached him for bap tism or inquire anything about religion; he construed this as a bad sign. He decided, instead, to go up the hilly Melilla village and evangelize.Someresidents had doubts that given his age, already 74 years old, the priest would be able to negotiate the steep paths. But he was unfazed in pursuing his purpose amid difficulties and at whatever cost. Gohn, a town councilor, offered him a horse he could use for his trek. To ensure that he’d get the attention of the village head, he asked Gohn to write a letter of recommendation. Armed with this and accompa nied by a sacristan and a guide,

Due to lack of material time, he had to postpone the baptisms and marriages in the morning of March 17, 1914, because it was already night when he finished his lectures. The next day, he said the Mass, administered the bap tisms, and officiated marriages. Thereafter, he retraced his foot steps to town, hopeful to take the next boat ride for Davao.

His Santa Cruz visits, which brought him to Coronon, Astor ga, the town center of Santa Cruz, and Melilla, netted him 16 cat echetical lectures, 33 confessions, 55 infants baptized, 41 adults christened, and 18 weddings sol emnized.

cident, he wrote: ‘I went straight to his house, notwithstanding that he was not a Catholic. I told him who I was, and what was the purpose of my trip, begging him to receive me in his house for a few days… He told me that he, as a farmer, had to go several times a day to direct and encourage his workers; but that, even if he was absent due to his obligations, he put his en tire house at my disposal… and with complete freedom, to enter his house at all hours. I thanked him for his favor, accepting it with special gratitude… we got along and understood each other, and I gained more affection and love for him day by day, and he put more trust in me. And so, the sev eral times that I have visited the neighborhood of Santa Cruz, I have always stayed at [his] house.’

CONVERSION IN SANTA CRUZ ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

Fr. Peruga had only kind words for the man. During his first visit, he initially opted to live in the rickety convent but had to desist given the leaks from the rain. Hungry and suffering from the heat, he took shelter in a mis erable hut but observed the own er was not generous, not even offering a glass of water. He, how ever, asked him about the biggest rancher in the locality and was pointed to Gohn. Recalling the in

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 EDGEDAVAO 7VANTAGE POINTS

lieves that there is no state so formidable that it cannot be penetrated. Professor Bing as sured that major milestones are being made slowly but surely, as the ACWC’s consultations go be yond their ranks and reach the tables of state leaders. However, mobilizing masculinist states to strive toward the protection of women, cannot be done by the ACWC alone. All states, however formidable, are sensitive to pub lic opinion. With this knowledge, women’s groups can strengthen their ranks and let their advo cacies be heard by their govern ments.For one, women and civil society groups have been dis cussing the draft of ASEAN’s Re gional Plan of Action for Women, Peace, and Security. ACW and the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) are responsible for the draft plan, envisioned to be ap proved at the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in November. We at the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy have been work ing with UN Women-Indonesia to organize consultations that will surface recommendations from civil society organizations (CSOs) in ASEAN member states, particularly women and youth (#WPSASEAN). And CSOs have much to say indeed.

September 11 (9/11) may have been a day of tragedy for the United States but in Muslim Min danao, it was a day of unity. Bang samoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), traveled to Davao City to visit Nur Misuari, chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). “This is a great day, a great day for the Bangsamoro homeland,” Misuari said accord ing toMindaNews. The two lib eration front leaders talked, the first time in over two decades. CM Ebrahim invited Misuari to attend the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Au thority (BTA) in Cotabato City on September 15.

the priest, carrying only a travel trousseau with a portable altar inside it, hiked to the mountain hamlet.Fr. Peruga’s small party reached the village at 10:00 AM. Without delay, he sought out the chieftain, greeted him, and showed Gohn’s letter, remember ing: ‘He read the letter, in which he was instructed to protect me. Surely that letter tasted like a burnt horn; but, no matter how much it weighed on him, out of concern for its author, he had no choice but to dispatch a sheriff or cop to the fields, warning the peo ple that the Catholic missionary was waiting for them in town.’

Twitter and Instagram! Follow our pages to interact with us, and to get updates on the latest pod cast humananaomocracy,ippineRasulsectiontagram.com/shetalkspeace/shetalkspeaceTwitter:episodes.https://twitter.com/Instagram:https://www.ins(MindaViewsistheopinionofMindaNews.AminaisthePresidentofthePhilCenterforIslamandDeanadvocateforMindandtheBangsamoro,peace,rights,anddemocracy)

“All these and more will start to unfold in the coming days as we continue spreading

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 20228 EDGEDAVAO

Through the campaign, SM Supermalls encourages Filipi nos to support the advocacies of individuals and organiza tions that provide opportuni ties and create livelihood for their communities. For this year, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philip pines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, UNICEF, and the

The launch event held at SM North EDSA The Block was attended by SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sot to, and select councilors of the city; Spark PH Founder Mica Teves; GSP President Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson; designer Zarah Juan; and Brownies Unlimited Marketing head Dustin Ngo.

“We want to create a cir cle of happiness in all our SM malls by featuring products of cause-oriented programs which we will offer to our shoppers who, in turn, give them to friends and family, and ultimately, benefit the commu nities that created these prod ucts,” said SM Supermalls Presi dent Steven T. Tan.

For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM Megamall, along with 9 other SM malls, is collab orating with Brownies Unlim ited and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. For every purchase of a special GSP-themed box of brownies in-mall and via the SM Malls Online App, one girl will be sponsored with a GSP membership for a year.

The proceeds of the up cycled tote bags will be given to the women PDLs in Camp Karingal, and the marginalized women of Barangays Sto. Cris to, Greater Lagro, and Pinyahan in Quezon City. The tote bags will be sold in the following SM malls:SM Aura Premier

EDGEDAVAO

SM Supermalls begins 100 Days of Happiness

Juan, the designer, was the brainchild of the upcycling ini tiative. “During the elections, there were tons of election campaign wastes. I wanted to do something and I thought I have my platform– my designs. If my designs can actually solve this problem, then it’s worth while. Then I pitched the idea to Maica Teves, the founder of Spark PH. From there, we gath ered all the help we can– from the Quezon City LGU who will help us collect tarpaulins, the women communities that can help us create, and SM Super malls who can provide us the platform to distribute.”

New SSS contribution payment schedule for farmers, fisherfolk, self-employed persons in the informal economy to start soon

SM HelpingMegamallacommunity of artistsAnd in the south of Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia fam ily will be partnering with the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists in selling painted Christ mas cards to the shoppers.

Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative, among others.

ry, and fishery workers. Of these, Regino said there are only about 636,000 registered with SSS.

Officially starts the Christmas countdown by creating a circle of happiness among Filipinos

ficiaries in this program. And apart from helping the women in our communities, we are also able to help the environment by upcycling 70 tons of election tarpaulins that we’ve collected.” said Mayor Belmonte.

tributions for all months of a year for full protection through the various ben efit and loan programs of SSS,” Regino said.

“We have reached an other milestone in our his tory and there is no better way of celebrating this momentous occasion than showcasing new programs that will benefit our mem bers and their beneficiaries. This strengthens our com mitment in fulfilling our mandate of providing social security protection for the

next 65 years and beyond,” ReginoSSSsaid.would offer a new contribution payment schedule for farmers, fish ermen, and other self-em ployed individuals in the informal economy. It will allow them to pay contri butions for any of the last twelve (12) months in the current“Unlikemonth.ordinary work ers, our farmers and fisher men do not have a regular monthly income from their produce. Their earnings coincide with the harvest ing seasons. That’s why we crafted a separate contri bution payment schedule for them aligned with their earnings,” he said.

Another program is the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP) which promotes the spirit of Bayanihan by encouraging individuals and groups to subsidize the monthly con tributions of SSS members.

SSS marks 65th anniversary with the launching of new programs for its members

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan giving his welcome re marks during the launch of 100 Days of Happiness

erage, the SSS chief said self-employed members also have additional cov erage from the Employ ees’ Compensation (EC) Program for

skilledmillionthatAuthoritythebanks.posittheytheBankingthroughhaveShopeePay.orthementtionspaycontingencies.work-relatedReginosaidtheycouldtheirSSScontributhroughdigitalpayplatformssuchasSSSMobileApp,BayadGCashmobileapps,and“TheyalsotheoptiontopaytheinternetbankfacilityoftheSecurityandUnionBankofPhilippinesaslongashaveanexistingdeaccountwiththesaidThelatestdatafromPhilippineStatistics(PSA)showedthecountryhas9.4self-employedagricultural,forest

The Social Security System (SSS) encourag es all farmers, fisherfolk, and other self-employed persons in the informal economy to register with SSS and pay their contri butions under a new and more flexible schedule.

Equipping young girls to lead and build the future, one box of brownies at a time

SM City Fairview SM City North EDSA

happiness across all SM malls around the country. Let us not waste our next 100 days and use it to make one another happy by giving. Today, let the countdown begin to a hundred days of happiness!” Tan closed.

A Happiness Walk was done to showcase the upcycled tote bags that shoppers can buy in SM malls. Joining the Happi ness Walk were men and wom en of substance including select Girl Scouts members, Jeremy Lapena and Bernce Sevilla of the Downs Syndrome Associa tion of the Phils, Mylene Abiva

Regino said that if a farmer pays his SSS con tributions on October 28, 2022, under the new pro gram, he can still pay his monthly contributions in the past 12 months before October 2022 or from Oc tober 2021 to September 2022.Regino said that un der the existing payment deadline of remittances, self-employed members such as farmers, and fish erfolk who will pay their contributions on October 31, 2022 can only pay their monthly contributions for July to September 2022.

To kickstart the Christmas countdown, SM Supermalls be gan its 100 Days of Happiness last September 16, where they aim to create a circle of hap piness with 76 participating malls, shoppers, the marginal ized communities of women, persons deprived of liberty, artisans, cause-oriented orga nizations, and select local gov ernment units.

had set a new contribution payment scheme aligned with the harvesting sea sons of the farmers and fisherfolks. Based on a study by SSS, farmers and fisherfolk usually have two harvesting seasons in a year and about four to five lean months.

This is the second time SM Supermalls has started a hol iday countdown campaign. In 2021, the biggest mall network in the Philippines showed the world more than a hundred ways of giving through 100 Days of Caring. Underserved communities surrounding the 76 SM malls were provid ed with their urgent needs through in-kind and monetary donations by the malls, its var ious business units, and the em ployees.For the list of all partner institutions and their beneficia ries visit www.smsupermalls. com and follow @smsuper malls on all social media ac counts.

“We have a lot of young girls across the country and they’ve had such difficult times during the pandemic. Our membership dropped signifi cantly. By buying a box, you can sponsor a girl for one year and

“Our farmers and fish erfolk do not have a regu lar monthly income from their produce, unlike or dinary workers. They only get their earnings on a sea sonal basis, so we devised this scheme that allows them to pay their SSS con tributions for all months in a year,” Regino said.

SM Southmall

“We saw that the cur rent payment schedule for self-employed members, which also includes farm ers and fisherfolk, is not suitable for them,” he said.

He explained that SSS

COMPETITIVE EDGE

In partnership with SM Supermalls and Brownies Unlimited, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines launch GSP-themed brown ies from September 16 to December 15, 2022. For every purchase of a box of brownies, in-mall and via the SM Malls Online app, one scout will be sponsored with a year’s free membership.

zonyear,ing.personsginalizedmadesellandVoteernmentpartnerednership,ertyenOnlinenationwideBrowniesahealthcaremembersablevaccines,convenientwide.itshelpedRecently,Lim-Yuson.SMSupermallstheGSPvaccinateall70,000membersnationByprovidingthemwithandsafeCOVID-19SMSupermallswastoensurethattheGSPhaveaccesstoqualityservices.SMshopperscanpurchaseboxofbrowniesfrom46UnlimitedbranchesandtheSMMallsApp.GivingmarginalizedwomandpersonsdeprivedoflibhopeforthefutureApartfromtheGSPpartSMSupermallsalsowiththelocalgovofQuezonCityforitstoToteprogram,SparkPH,bagdesignerZarahJuantoupcycledtarpaulinhandtotebagssewnbymarwomenandfemaledeprivedofliberty.“ChristmasisallaboutgivWeareveryhappythatthisthecommunitiesofQueCityareincludedasbene

she can learn so many things like being independent, loving her country more, and helping her community,” said GSP Pres ident Nina

Men and women of substance from the Quezon City LGU, SM Supermalls, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Brownies Unlimited, Spark PH, and Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines

of WomenBiz, media celebri ties Ces Oreña Drilon, and Gina Pareño among others.

The Social Security Sys tem (SSS) commemorates its 65th anniversary this September by launching six new programs to benefit its members.SSSPresident and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino said that the pension fund will be imple menting these new inno vative programs to ensure social security coverage for informal economy workers, help members save more for their retirement, and for employers and members to settle their contribution and loan delinquencies.

He added that self-em ployed SSS members are entitled to social security benefits such as sickness, maternity, retirement, dis ability, funeral, and death. They also qualify for loan programs, including sal ary, calamity, and educa tionalAsideassistance.from SSS cov

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino said the new contribution payment scheme would allow farm ers, fisherfolk, and other self-employed individuals in the informal economy to pay contributions for any of the last twelve (12) months in the current month.“We want to help our farmers and fishermen to have social security cov erage from SSS. They are among the most vulner able members of our so ciety. By offering them a flexible way of paying their SSS premiums, we provide them greater opportunity to pay social security con

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 9EDGEDAVAO

say a cup of coffee is enough to warm one’s cold heart.Maybe that’s one of the many reasons behind this infectious phenomena that is happening right now in just about every corner of the country. Millenials, Generation Z and X, the oldies alike -- they all love coffee.

Thousands of “coffee craze soldiers” gath ered to enjoy the taste and aroma of the pop ular Philippine coffee varieties - the Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa, Liberi ca or the Bara ko - which were all dayduringshowcasedthetwo-event.

There’s no right or wrong time for them to sip their coffee. Morn ing, afternoon or eve ning is caffeine time. Either hot or cold brew, during sunny or rainy days.Evident of this love and passion, and you may also say addiction, for this glorious bean was witnessed during the Philippine Coffee Expo 2022 held at SM

Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center last September 14 to 15.

Safe to say, Pinoys nowadays are not only passionate of basket ball and K-drama but coffee too. And for sure it’s not only a fad or a trend because all the indications say it’s here to stay.

It’s all coffeeabout

BY LEAN DAVAL JR

LEAN’S LENS

They

“In fact the moment na nibuto ang kaning panghi tabo his office got in touch with us immediately and ang ilahang emphasis is to make sure na kung dili namo makaya na mabalik dayon ang tubig we find ways to augment our water supply katong mga areas na walay tubig, find ways na ma minimize ang mga apektado na mga lugar and since Sept. 16 we have been coordinating with them ang atoang mga ef forts, ang atoang areas for delivery and updates nato onsite,” she

The school hopes the in cident will serve as a grave warning to all concerned.

“Right now wala gi hapon ta naghunong sa atoang water delivery ef forts since last Friday we have augmented our water delivery fleet on a daily ba sis, ubay ubay ang atoang ginahatdan ug tubig and even now padayon gihapon ta despite that naka full blast na ang operation sa Talomo Sump considering na ongoing gihapon ron ang atoang recovery,” she said.

The JAO 2014-01 is the revised schedule of fines and penalties for violations of laws, rules, and regula tions governing land trans portation.“Katong huwebes naa ta’y nadakpan na nag over charge na biyahe sa Toril murag P24 ang tama pero naningil ug P30. Ato lang sundon ang balaod. Daghan na magreport sa ato na dili na ihatod sa tinud-an ay, mag cutting trip na ba. Lain biya ni ang LTFRB kay kuridas ang mga penalties.

“P150supplies.million can al ready procure 150,000 arm chairs, or about 3 million textbooks, or 4,286 laptops for teachers at P35,000 per unit,” ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said in a statement.

PAQUIBATO... FROM 3

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 202210 EDGEDAVAO

InCONFIDENTIALexplained.FUNDSaseparatestatement,

man to ang ilahang take sa atoang operation because dili lalim na mawad-an ug water supply. There are some challenges kaning sa among operation which has prevented us from pag restore dayon sa ilahang water service,” she said.

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the DepEd defended the P150-million confidential expenses under its pro

sureDavao.bycampaigncounterinsurgencyinDavaoCityledtheCityGovernmentofTogether,letusenthattheCTGcanno

Builders are composed of former members of the Communist Terrorist Group Underground Mass Organi zations (UGMO). They were organized, trained, and mo bilized as peace advocates. Likewise, its objectives are to safeguard the cleared areas from re-entry and resurgence of the CTG, to support community peace and order, and to promote government peace pro grams and initiatives.

The budget depart ment also considered a P1.2-billion surplus under the DepEd’s School Mainte nance and Other Operating Expenses.“Wedeemed that the program support or ad ditional allocation for the smooth implementation of the SPED may already be accommodated within the same program, and that a separate budget for the pur pose may no longer be nec essary,” it Agenciessaid. can realign items “to accommodate the requirements of any pro gram that is in dire need of additional resources” even during the budget’s execu tion, the DBM

Mayor Baste replied to the strongly-worded post: “Ingon ana gyud ka kabu lok nga tan-aw nimo nag kaproblema ug tubig diha tungod sa duha ka bulan nako nga nilingkod kong mayor? Ingon ana gyud ka kabulok nga tan aw nimo wala nako ni ginapang utanan sa DCWD ug Apo Agua? Maayong adlaw maam. God bless you.”

MINDANAO... FROM 3

“Dapat tulungan ang

Davao City but the whole Davao Region.” MGen Mem pin Theadded.Paquibato Peace

ta na mga windshields nga nangabuak na. Some of the people will say these are minor violations pero dako ni nga delikado sa pagbi yahe sa PUVs. These are the common violations,” he added.Meanwhile, on Septem ber 15, 2022, the LTFRB also apprehended a driver for overcharging. A Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) penalized overcharging with a P5,000 penalty on the first offense, P10,000 and impounding of unit for the second offense, and P15,000 and cancellation of CPC or franchise.

“I take this opportunity to extend my condolenc es to the grieving families and friends here and back home. I can promise you that this heroism of yours, our kababayans, will not fade into obscurity,” he said.

loob ng municipal waters. Kapag lumayo naman, ma hal ang krudo,” said Santos.

Duhaylungsod clarified that the City Mayor’s Office is always on top of the situ ation concerning the water problems in the city.

Currently, DCWD’s re covery efforts are ongoing, and has deployed a team to help those areas that are identified as critical spots in theDuhaylugnsodrecovery. report ed that as of Sunday the Talomo Sump 2 was full blast already and DCWD has been operating all of the needed booster pumps to reach its desired pres sure for normal operation.

Marcos reiterated the need for unity, one of the key messages during his presidential“Pagkakaisacampaign.parin ang

posed 2023 budget, saying such item was “allowed for all civilian offices” and had a legal basis under a 2015 joint circular issued by the DBM.At a budget hearing at the House of Representa tives last week, Vice Presi dent and Education Secre tary Sara Duterte said the funds were intended to ad dress illegal activities target ing students.Thelatest DepEd state ment enumerated these “threats,” including sexual abuse, involvement in illegal drugs, and recruitment into insurgency and terrorism, among others.

She said there were re ports that more areas were already supplied with al though at low pressure or no water at all.

She assured that DCWD is trying its best to restore the water supply for its cus tomers.“With respect to the sentiments of the custom ers sa nahitabo over the weekend on our end we understand kung unsa

The new Maguindanao del Sur has 24 towns: Am patuan, Buluan, Datu Ab dulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, DatuMontawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapa no, Mangudadatu, Pagalun gan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Shar if Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan and South Upi. Its capital is Bu luan. (MindaNews)

A similar “confidential” fund is included under the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2023 budget, which Spokesperson Reyn old Munsayac said was in tended for security-related programs.TheAlliance of Con cerned Teachers (ACT) has said the confidential funds could be used to “fill in the many shortages” in public school

government will always be here for Meanwhile,you.)

Matanog, Northern Kabun talan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mas tura and Talitay. Its capital is Datu Odin Sinsuat.

tribute to creating jobs and building a better life for all Filipinos.Toprotect the rights and welfare of Filipinos in the US, Marcos direct ed the Department of Mi grant Workers to conduct a systems review on how government can serve the needs of distressed Filipi nos.He also instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that for eign service posts remain responsive to their needs, especially in the delivery of passports and other con sularMeanwhile,services. he also rec ognized the Filipino nurses in the US who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

LOYZAGA... FROM 11

RISING...

‘OPLAN... FROM 3

tu will serve as Governor of Maguindanao del Sur while Vice Governor Ainee Sinsuat will serve as Acting Governor of Maguindanao del Norte until a governor is elected in Mangudadatu2025. is the wife of former Sultan Kudarat Governor Suhar to “Teng” Mangudadatu . Their son, Datu Pax Ali is the incumbent Sultan Kudarat Governor. Sinsuat is wife of Datu Odin Sinsuat mayor Lester, who had ear lier served as Maguindanao ViceTheGovernor.new province of Maguindanao del Norte has 12 towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan,

mga mangingisda, hindi lang ang mga municipal fisherman, dapat pati ang commercial tulungan din sa krudo. Dapat ayusin ang ac cess sa fishing ground para naman mapakinabangan ng mga mamimili na pwede namang hulihin sa tamang fishing ground,” he added.

COCA-COLA...

suggested to retain the SPED item in the proposed 2023 budget, “no sufficient documentation was provid ed to support the same.”

(There is a need to help fishermen, not just the mu nicipal fishermen, the com mercial ones should also be helped with fuel prices. They should be given help getting to fishing grounds as this would benefit consumers.)

“UM is sternly intoler ant of fraternities and haz ing which only foster the culture of violence, which is an anathema to the core values and conducive learn ing environment that the university upholds since 1946,” it said.

DEPED...

MOODY’S...

tion path,” he added.

“Oras na lang ang gina hulat for the full recovery of our operation which is af ter the full blast operation yesterday would be around 48 to 72 hours. But within that period although mag low pressure to no water gihapon sa critical areas during non-peak hours of water usage or katong ika late night to kadlawon posible na sila na magka tubig,” she

(The good news is, there is plenty of fish... The bad news is that fishing is lim ited to within municipal waters due to fuel prices. There is no shortage of fish ing grounds but it is within the municipal waters. When you go further out, fuel pric es make it Santosexpensive.)explained that municipal fishermen alone could not meet the demand for fish.

10ID Com mander MGen Nolasco A Mempin lauded the City Government of Davao along with the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 27th In fantry Battalion, and 89IB for leading the way in sus taining peace in the city. “We are fortunate to have superb sustainment efforts in our

However,said.she said that upon the return of the peak hours, even if the use of wa ter increases, it is possible that the supply will be lost. She advised customers es pecially in critical areas to keep storing water in clean and covered containers while the recovery of the operation is still ongoing.

ating sigaw. Hindi natin makakamit ang hinahan gad nating pag-unlad ng ating Inang Bayan kung tayo ay watak-watak. Ito ng mensahne na dala ko para sa inyo, pagkakaisa ang kailangan sa pagunlad ng ating bansa. Kayangkaya kung sama-sama (Our cry is still unity. We cannot achieve the development we seek for our Mother land if we are disunited. This is the message I bring for you, unity is necessary for the development of our country. We can do it if we do it together),” he said.

The university is also offering its unqualified grief to the victims’ fami lies.“Finally, we express again our deepest condo lences to the family of the victims and shall extend whatever means of assis tance during this time of bereavement. The uni versity supports fully the investigation of the law enforcement agencies and upholds whatever legal liabilities imposed upon the perpetrators,” it said.

Dili karon panahon sa pag nilamangay apan panahon karon sa pagtinabangay,” Llanos said. By Maya M. Padillo

Duhaylungsodsaid. shared the chronology of events that transpired over the weekend. He said water supply went offline at 9:50 p.m. on September 15, 2022.DCWD found a way to partially operate for boost er pump by September 16, 2022, at 4 pm, despite the setbacks in terms of pro curement, an alternative solution was found.

Aside from addressing the UNGA, Marcos and the Philippine delegation are also expected to meet in vestors and other business leaders.There are around 4.3 million Filipinos living and working in the US, accord ing to Philippine Ambassa dor to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.Thisworking visit marks the President’s third overseas trip following his state visits to Indonesia and Singapore early this month. (PNA)

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FROM 2 MARCOS... FROM 2 UM... FROM 3

The convo is being cir culated online and received various reactions from the netizens.

Finally, the booster pump was up and running by 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Moody’s, however, not ed that the prolonged mo bility restrictions, including the delayed reopening of face-to-face classes, have posed economic scarring which could cut potential growth if left unaddressed.

According to the com pany’s director for Corpo rate & Regulatory Affairs Juan Lorenzo Tañada, their plants in Bohol and Iloilo have followed with the tem poraryAccordingsuspension.toa copy of the order posted on the SRA website and signed by President Ferdinand Mar

longer re-infiltrate not just

pandemic, exacerbated by the temporary shutdown of face-to-face classes. In-person classes is cur rently being rolled out na tionwide.Nevertheless, the econ omy has sufficient mo mentum to support a 6.6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2022 and 6.2 percent for 2023, Moody’s said.

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WATERLESS...

Philippines Inc. has tem porarily suspended opera tions in Davao; Imus, Cavite; Zamboanga; and Naga City, Camarines Sur amid the problems in sugar supply.

cos Jr. as secretary of the Department of Agriculture and chairman of the SRA board, 75,000 metric tons will be allocated to industri al users.The other 75,000 met ric tons will be for consum ers.SO 2 mandates that sug ar traders participating in the import program shall ensure that their respective allocated volumes shall ar rive in the Philippines not later than November 15, 2022.

ment, Escollante gladly accepted the role, saying: “It’s a privilege so I will be doing my best to carry out my “Itask.”thank the POC for the trust, and rest assured, I’ll do my best to deliv

The World Bank and other organizations have flagged the country’s learning crisis due to the

er with excellence,” said Escollante, who won the Best Setter award when the Philippines won its last gold medal in wom en’s volleyball during the 2003 Singapore SEA Games. (PNA)

The DBM added that as of June 30, the SPED pro gram under the 2022 bud get “has an obligation rate of 1.13 percent or only P6.35 million out of P560.202 mil lion“Thisallocation.”funding provision will still be valid until De cember 31, 2023,” it said.

ternities have been banned from the university since the enactment of the Re public Act 8049, or the An ti-Hazing Law.

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national squad in the FIBA Asia and in the ensuing FIBA windows qualifiers.

his appointment as “anoth er milestone in my career”.

and canoe-kayak

Gilas.While this is true, however, Navarro has been under-utilized and has been riding the bench for sometime now.

If we can rationally piece to gether the puzzle without sans emotional outbursts, I think all this hullabaloo started after the Philippines lost her crown to Indo nesia in the basketball finals of the SEA Games a few months ago.

In particular, the case of Wil liam Navarro who was prevented by the SBP from joining a Korean ball club because the former still has a live contract until 2023 with

“I want to express my appreciation to POC Pres ident Bambol for his trust and confidence in me to be the head of the Philip pine delegation for Cam bodia SEA Games,” said the 64-year-old Loyzaga, who is current president of the Philippine Amateur Base ball Association of the Phil ippines. The former Philip

The trio says this is a violation of the players’ fundamental right to pursue “life, liberty and happi ness.”Yes, opportunities like these are hard to come by.

FLOYZAGA,

Loyzaga’s deputies

The electrifying loss must have shocked and shaken SBP that it was eerily quiet and did not issue a statement until several days later.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Monday named baseball federation head Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga as Team Philippines chef de mis sion (CDM) to the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Cambodia.

Some former Gilas players and PBA stars are shooting arrows at the SBP that are raising quizzical eyebrows.SJBelangel, RJ Abarrientos and even NBA hopeful Kai Sotto have questioned the wisdom of SBP in preventing Pinoy cagers from pur suing their dreams (read:careers) elsewhere where there is MUCH greener pasture.

Gilas center inked an offer sheet to strut his wares in Japan.

Loyzaga named Team PH CDM to 2023 SEAG, Davao’s Tancontian is deputy

regional

Es collante. The three will officially exercise their functions af

program director, who was sud denly replaced by now TNT coach Chot Reyes, said to be SBP’s fairhairedThereboy.is now a continuing exo dus of outstanding PBA players to neighboring professional leagues in Japan (Japan B. League), South Korea (Korean B. League) and Tai wan.For his part, former Gilas cen ter Greg Slaughter has slammed the PBA for conducting a dialogue with Japan B. League officials in the pretext that it was protecting the interest of the league when it (PBA) did not examine his case against Northport which gave him a contract run-around.

And then the lamentable (or deplorable?) performance of the

GOD

Basketball fans, what is going on?Have you noticed some kind of upheaval or restlessness within our basketball community?

P10

Basketball being the national sport and pastime - in the same breath that Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia go gaga over footballPinoys did not take lightly these losses that stung our collective pride.Even the much touted inclu sion and presence of 7’3” Sotto and NBA standout Jordan Clark son failed to bail Gilas out of the rut when it lost to Lebanon in the third windows qualifier in Beirut,Iguess this loss to the Leba nese was most painful because everyone believed Gilas could beat them anywhere, departureAndUnfortunately,anytime.notso.thenthere’stheuntimelyofTabBaldwin,Gilas

meet set from May 5 to 16 were Philippine

As expected, like underpaid PBA stars Ray Parks, Kiefer Rav ena, Matthew Wright et al who signed lucrative contracts to play overseas, the seven foot former

Letran’s NCAA MVP Renz Abando likewise signed up with a foreign team before concluding his NCAA years.

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 11EDGEDAVAO SPORTS

PHILIPPINES! FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN SBP, PBA NIGHTMARES

of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second largest city.

Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga has been designated as Team Philippines chef de mission (CDM) to the 2023 South east Asian Games (SEAG) in Cambodia.

La Salle’s Justine Baltazar did not join the PBA draft and opted to sign a compensation package that surely was twice or thrice PBA teams can offer a rookie.

I don’t think this ‘poaching’, a term used by PBA officials, will cease because outstanding cagers hoping to see action in the PBA, are already being enticed by whopping compensation offers that are difficult to refuse.

pine Basketball Association player also served as com missioner of the Philippine Sports“It’sCommission.abigchallenge for the Philippines to perform well, as well as the other countries, because of the number of sports favoring the host country,” added Loyzaga, who was appoint ed deputy CDM in the 2010 Asian Beach Games in Mus cat,TancontianOman. described

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the God Al mighty and to the people who believes in me. With the trust and responsibil ity vested in me, I am gen uinely grateful. I accept this challenge with humil ity and determination,” he said.Though she was sur prised with the appoint

Appointed as in the sports Sambo Federation presi Paolo Tancontian head coach and international technical official Leonora “Len”

The

“Their handling of their respective NSAs [national sports associations] and their management skills make them deserving of the posts,” said POC chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolen tino in a press statement released to the media.

Some things are not alright.

dent

ter the POC General Assem bly on Sept. 28.

I feel sorry for our basketball nation.The bottom line is money. Do you agree? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) BLESS THE

Something is not alright. Or should I say it in the plural?

The 32nd edition of the SEA Games will feature 608 events in 49 sports to be held in the capital city

PRAISES AND SUPPORT

EDGEDAVAO

The lawmaker from Davao also filed a Senate Resolution congratu lating EJ who has recently topped the Golden Fly Series at Liechten stein after clearing 5.71 meters.

Go said he is happy that Obiena has overcome the controversies he went through earlier this year that saw him removed from the nation al team by the athletics sports as sociation.“Naalala ko noon na may mga naging balakid kay EJ Obiena. We even had a hearing last Congress in the Committee on Sports to help settle the issue. Masaya ako na naresolba na nga po ito at pat uloy na ang pakikilahok ng ating world champion sa international competitions. Patunay na kapag nagkakaisa po tayo, malayo ang ating mararating.” Go said. “Muli ko ring binibigyang-diin ang aking walang humpay na suporta at pan gako para isulong at palaganapin ang nationwide grassroots sports program, sa tulong po ng Finance natin, Senator Angara, full support po siya sa ating mga sports pro gram. Alam naman po natin kung gaano ka-husay ang mga atletang Pilipino lalo na kapag nabibigyan lamang sila ng tamang oportuni dad, pag-alalay at suporta.”

He assured the pole vault star that he and the rest of the mem bers of Senate will keep working to guarantee that the government supports him and the rest of the country’s athletes to ensure that they are able to compete and re main competitive on the interna tional

Bong for accomplishments, vows support

Go fetes EJ Obiena

“Magtulunganlevel. po tayong lahat upang muli nating maibalik ang ating bansa sa mapa ng isports,” said Go.

(Senator) Ma’am Pia ng pagdinig tungkol doon sa naging problema, masaya po ako, finally naayos na po yung gusot,” Go added.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go hailed Filipino world no. 3 pole vaulter Ernest Joh “EJ” Obiena for his recent conquests on the world athletics stage.

VOL.15 ISSUE 136 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 202212 SPORTS

Obiena went on a recent string of victories in international com petitions highlighted by a win over reigning world champion Armand Duplantis.TheFilipino athletics star com peted in Switzerland on Septem ber 12 where he bagged another gold medal and set a new meet-re cord of 5.81 meters. He won the sil ver medal in Germany on Septem ber 4. Two days earlier, in Belgium, Obiena astounded everyone by defeating a world champion and clearing 5.91 meters to win the gold“Withmedal.these triumphs, it is no doubt that EJ deserves the recogni tion and commendation of this es teemed hall. Salamat sa iyong mga pagsisikap na magbigay ng karan galan sa ating bansa. Ang panalo mo ay isang inspirasyon para sa lahat ng iyong mga kababayan lalo na sa panahon ngayon na napa karami ng hamon na kinakaharap ng bansa at ng buong mundo,” said Go in his privilege speech.

“I would like to express my sin cerest gratitude and deepest admi ration for the country’s best pole vaulter and among the best in the world, Ernest John “EJ” Obiena,” said the chair of the Senate Com mittee on Sports.

“Ang panalo mo ay panalo ng sambayanang Pilipino kaya naman proud na proud kami sa iyo. Bilang Committee Chair on Sports, nan didito po ako. Full support po ako sa inyo. Nung nagpatawag po si

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