Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 169 | Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the ground breaking ceremony of the US$350 million Samal Island - Davao City Con nector (SIDC) Project held at Damosa Land property in Lanang, Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

BRIDGE FACTOR

By MAYA M. PADILLO

More than just a bridge connecting Davao City and Samal Island, the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC)

Connector is seen as the pathway to de velopment for the two cities and the en tire region.

Set back fr a number of times, the groundbreak ing ceremony for the P 19.23-billion China-funded Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project finally pushed through on Thursday at the Damosa Land Property, Brgy. Hizon

in Lanang, Davao City.

Significantly, the cer emony meant the project is not just imaginary blue print referred to in street language as “drawing.”

No less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the cere

mony, together with Vice President Sara Duterte and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. They also led the burying of the time capsule for the project.

Also in attendance were some members of the Cab inet including Department of Public Works and High ways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Governor

Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte, Chinese Consul Gen eral Li Lin, and officials of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which is the Chinese contractor of the project.

In his speech, Marcos said that once completed, the 3.86-kilometer, fourlane bridge will help devel op the economic potential of Davao City and IGaCoS, as well as enhance its res idents’ access to employ ment, education, and other

BRIDGE, 7

Innovation Summit to position Davao Region as a global hub for talents

The Davao City Cham ber of Commerce and Industry Inc, (DCC CII) and the ICT Davao Inc. will spearhead Innovation Summit slated on Novem ber 10 to 11, 2022 at Aca cia Hotel Davao, aiming to position the Davao Region as a global hub for sourc ing talents and ICT-related products and services.

The activity will fea ture 30 world-class speak

ers that will share their views concerning disrup tive and next-generation technologies, innovation in outsourcing services, innovator pitches, innova tion in Q-commerce and financial technology, and innovations in sustainable IT.

“The summit will fea ture different segments and one of them is dis ruptive and next genera

tion technology being of fered by partners abroad that are already used in the Philippines. Another one is the innovation and sustainable IT because of the call of the nation al government and local government units to do a massive digital trans formation of their opera tions,” said lawyer Samuel R. Matunog, chairperson for Innovation Summit

2022 and president of ICT Davao, during Wednes days at Habi at Kape me dia forum.

The summit will also highlight a pre-event Job and Training Fair, which will be conducted on No vember 8, 2022, at the activity area of NCCC Bu hangin. Three thousand potential job seekers with over 30 participating IT-

DPWH to conduct expropriation for Samal, Davao City properties

Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IG aCoS) told the media that the Department of Pub lic Works and Highways (DPWH) will be conducting expropriation for the prop erties in both Samal and Davao City sides, which will be affected by the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.

This came after op position from various groups persists despite the groundbreaking held on Thursday.

“Dili na malikayan in all government projects naa man gyud supak but I do believe naay himoon na expropriation ang DPWH. Nahatag na namo tanan documents nga kinahan glan ug ang expropriation will be with DPWH. I think Solicitor General ang mag lihok ana. I think it (ex propriation) is being done murag nagsugod na sila sa expropriation for both Sa mal and Davao City sides. In fact as early as 2020 naa nay mga istorya na kung mag ginahi gyud, expropri ation. Sa karon it is being discussed. Ganiha gipang utana nako ang DPWH ang sulti nila sa akoa they will start the expropriation,” Uy said in an interview during the groundbreaking of the SIDC project held on Thurs day at the Damosa Land Property in Brgy. Hizon, La nang, Davao City.

Department of Pub lic Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan assured that the proposed bridge has un dergone a very exhaustive project preparation and

has taken into account all the possible environmental and technical aspects that are best and most econom ical for the project.

“No less than the De partment of the Environ mental and Natural Re sources (DENR) has given its approval,” he said.

Bonoan also shared that the DPWH has faced many challenges preparing for the project and it could not be made possible without the support, assistance, and collaboration of the LGU concerned, DENR, and other government agencies.

Meanwhile, Uy ex pressed happiness that the bridge finally had a ground breaking.

“Dakong pasalamat para sa mga taga Samal una kay former President Ro drigo Duterte for starting the project and of course kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for making it into a reality,” he said.

Bonoan said the proj ect groundbreaking com menced the project imple mentation for a Design and Build under the Marcos ad ministration.

The Design and Build prepared by contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) identi fied a total of 97 boreholes – 63 for Davao onshore, 18 offshore, and 16 for Samal onshore.

“The SIDC project is significant to support the growth potential of the Davao Region as it connects the beautiful IGaCoS and the highly urbanized Davao City. The long wait is finally over and this long-planned project finally comes to its realization,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xillian, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Department of Public Works and Highways Sec retary Manuel Bonoan, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al

David Uy look at the diorama of the US$350 million Samal Island - Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony held at Damosa Land property in Lanang, Davao City on Thursday.

Edge Davao

PBBM leads SIDC groundbreaking, expresses optimism over bridge’s role in spurring development

Azuela Cove breaks ground for High Street Phase

As Davao City’s premier waterfront estate, Azuela Cove already offers a popu lar mix of shops and lifestyle destinations unrivaled in Davao. And yet despite this success, Ayala Land and the Alcantara Group continue to raise the bar in bringing the best retail experience to Davao City.

This October, the estate takes its offerings to a higher level. Now that Azuela Cove’s ‘The Shops’ has captivated the Davao market, Azuela’s team is unveiling the first phase of their ‘High Street’, a new lifestyle district which will link to the estate’s future boardwalk experience.

What is the Azuela High Street?

Azuela High Street is a mix of shopping and dining destinations in a vibrant park and waterside setting. It is a major phase in the project’s masterplan and

will culminate in the seaside amenity which will be un veiled in the final phase of the project’s development. Visitors will also find it easy to navigate their way around the estate through the High Street as its wide green spine will serve to interlink all re tail zones of the estate.

People of all ages are al ready in love with Azuela’s ‘The Shops’, anchored by G Center, the specialty depart ment store of the Gaisano chain, Pilates Plus Davao, Galerie Raphael, Young Liv ing Essential Oils Experience Center, and other lifestyle brands. “It’s really the right time to expand Azuela Cove. The market is ready and we’re very excited to offer something that will elevate the overall experience in our community. Drawing from the success of our High Street in BGC, we’re excited to bring the same vibrancy here

while leveraging the unique seaside location of Azuela. This will truly be some place special once complete.” says Yeng Tupaz, VP of Ayala Land and Sr. Estate Development Head.

What’s in store at Azuela High Street?

Since Azuela Cove is all about a vibrant urban lifestyle that’s one with nature, the Azuela High Street will be set beside a 1.8-hectare park and, lat er on, a 1.8-m boardwalk. These features will offer more picturesque views of the estate’s greenery and the Davao Gulf, bringing guests closer to lush gar dens and the sea.

Even before its launch, many predict the High Street to attract Davao’s young and active set. Where else can you find a shopping haven in a park, a foodie destination, and a boardwalk attraction

all in one place?

Indeed, the High Street is unlike any destination in Davao. Here, customers can shop and recharge at the garden courtyards and pa tios while strolling through canopied walkways and the seaside boardwalk.

“The High Street’s indoor and outdoor spaces are also designed to be seamlessly integrated,” Tupaz explained. “This way we can amplify the effect of our green spac es and you can expect to be surrounded by nature all throughout Azuela Cove as our indoor spaces are en veloped by garden and sea views.”

With a total gross leas able area of 3,800 sqm, the Azuela High Street will

feature flagship stores and many other leading lifestyle concepts. It will include more dining options with its curated mix of casual din ing brands from Manila and Davao, including specialty cuisines from the region.

Davao’s New Home for Active Nature Seekers

Azuela also advocates an active and healthy lifestyle, so this new area will have a 1.2 km jogging path, bike lanes, and a basketball court. With its active concepts, Azuela High Street will also offer abundant open spaces where regulars can hit their fitness goals or take a scenic stroll with family, friends, and pets.

“Azuela High Street brings Azuela Cove’s retail

experience to a new level,” says Anton Hechanova, VP of The Alcantara Group. “Commercial developments act as catalysts in key CBDs and townships. They create lifestyle hubs for customers and patrons to enjoy their shopping, dining, and so cial activities- all in one lo cation. We are very excited to start Azuela High Street and to bring to Davao a complete lifestyle retail de velopment.”

Discover more about Azuela Cove by visiting www.facebook.com/Azu elaCoveDavaoCity/ and https://www.ayalaland.com. ph/estates/azuela-cove. For leasing inquiries, please get in touch with jesrealgallogo. aviana@ayalamalls.com.ph.

(From Left to Right): The Azuela business development team:, Gayle Evaristo (Ayala Land Mindanao Business Dev. Manager), Paolo Quinto (Ayala Land Estate Manager), Dennis Cabrera (Alcantara Group Estate Manager), Bong Tungpalan (Alcantara Group VP), Anton Hechanova (Alcantara Group VP) and Yeng Tupaz (Ayala Land VP and Sr. Estate Dev. Head) - break ground for Azuela High Street, Davao’s seaside lifestyle district.

EDITORIAL

A Bridge Too Far

The groundbreaking that had been put on hold for countless number of times finally happened on Thursday and it took no less than the top executives of the land to ensure that the message is sent out loud--this “dream bridge” is happening.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte presided over the ceremony that broke ground the most anticipated infrastructure project in the region--the Samal Island-Davao City Con nector Project (SIDC). It took two administrations to even get this cer emony done.

The next months and years will be spent waiting this “dream bridge” will get off the ground.

Prior to yesterday’s groundbreaking, the connector was taunted as mere “drawing”--the street lingo for anything equivalent to a figment of imagination. It took a while to even have the simple groundbreaking rites. lt had happened and is still bound to happen. There is the opposition to the bridge’s landing locations which is yet a legal issue to be settled.

Instead of being the “dream bridge” it is touted to be, this connector is becoming to be a namesake of a 1977 film entitled “A Bridge Too Far.”

A Bridge Too Far is an epic war film depicting Operation Market Gar den, a failed Allied operation in Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II.

The film is based on a non-fiction book of the same name by historian Cornelius Ryan. The attack deep into German-occupied Holland began on Sunday, September 17 and lasted until September 25, when British forces surrendered and withdrew south across the Rhine River, abandoning the bridge.

The story of the SIDC is just as epic. It depicts of a long cherished dream nourished by residents of both cities not only for the ease of travel but also for the potential of spurring development in Davao City and Sa mal Island. But like any development projects, a price had to be paid. And this is where the oppositors of the project are pounding on like damage to the marine resources, and the contest on the landing area site.

The shoveling of the earth and the laying underground of its master plan are but ceremonial, the biggest test would be the legal obstacles and the logistical requirements this project will have to contend with.

When the euphoria of the celebratory ceremony will have died down and the photographs forming part of history, will the bridge be too far?

“We

who

very

this

“The fault dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves because we are underlings.”

KUWENTONG PEYUPS

the assistance of BUCOR in safeguarding the physical safety of the middleman men tioned by the confessed assail ant Joel Escorial.

More than the police, the entire Pinoy nation is not only in the dark as to where and what stage the procedural in vestigation of the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid is in right now.

The police, in a knee jerk reaction after the alleged gun man surrendered voluntarily and confessed to the crime, said the case is closed.

Not so fast, netizens and observers are saying.

The identity of the master mind must be established first and then arrested, convicted and jailed.

But then, the animosity be tween suspended BUCOR chief Gerald Bantag and the PNP has now surfaced because the lat ter kept insisting in media in terviews that they had sought

In media reports and broadcasts, Bantag showed a delayed communique that the PNP only sought the BUCOR’s assistance on Oct. 20, or two days after Villamor died.

We are all scratching our heads because the authorities are talking in circles and the police are themselves unsure because the identity of the mastermind cannot be deter mined due to the untimely death of Cristito Villamor, the middleman who is a kaba bayan of Escorial in Leyte.

Despite presidential in structions to speed up the Lapid murder investiga tion, the concerned probers seemed sidetracked by emerg ing developments such as the surprised appearance of Villa mor’s sister.

In succeeding media re ports, the sister, now in pro tective government custody,

claims she has text messages from her brother warning her to reveal these SMS should he die.

The lawyer for the Maba sa family, Atty. Bertini “Toto” Causing, said in a recent me dia interview that the sister appears to be insinuating for some compensation in ex change for confidential infor mation she has in her posses sion.

Now we don’t really know what and whom to believe as the clarity of the issues has be come murky and convoluted.

Of course, I always place my trust on the capability of our law enforcement agencies. In the end, they will be able to pin down the culprits.

A second autopsy report, ordered by SOJ Remulla, is ex pected to be disclosed Friday.

Bantag is furious and ac cuses the PNP of focusing on him as the latter kept saying to the media that the suspended National Prisons chief is one of the 160 persons of interest.

What about the rest, Ban

tag asks.

Even the combined investi gative prowess and cleverness of Sherlock Holmes and top French sleuth Insp. Closeau would find it difficult to solve this mystery, I might say.

Do Filipinos still wonder why this confusion is aris ing among police and other enforcement agencies when there is already an existing co ordination template?

Is there an apparent snafu? Who is to blame?

The bereaved Mabasa fami ly, says elder brother Roy, are in a quandary. They don’t know what to believe in anymore.

I don’t like to say this but it appears from my news moni toring that PNP chief Azurin is committing the mistake of al lowing himself to believe that zeroing in on Bantag could lead to the identification of the mastermind.

I think Azurin, with due respect, should first get first hand info from the middle man’s (Villamor) sister who is claiming to possess sensitive

text messages.

Retrieving the messages from the telecom company will certainly help in shaping the leads necessary to estab lish the mastermind’s identity.

Obviously the sister - like in action thriller movies that have the same genre - does not want to hand over the info with nothing material in return.

She fears for her life and her family’s safety. This is natural.

If a reward money of P6.5 million was raised just to get information leading to the ar rest of the suspected gunman, why not utilize this amount to get to the bottom of the puzzle?

The late middleman intel ligently made sure all bases were covered, just in case.

If for anything, the Lapid murder case could be an ex cellent biopic - starring either Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid or Robin Padilla - for Pinoy film producers to look into. (Email feedback to fredlumba@ya hoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

MADAPO HILL’S HISTORIC PAST

Madapo Hill has always been associated with numer ous noteworthy, historical events that date to as early as the Spanish colonial conquest of Davao. It was here that one of Datu Bago’s bronze can nons, the lantaka, was mount ed as a secondary defense in case the big guns fixed at the Tagum (Bankerohan) fortress were undermined or decom missioned.

When the Americans came, the knoll, due to its location, lush vegetation, and elevation, drew the attention of expa triates. Rev. Robert Franklin Black, the first Protestant missionary in Davao, built a residence and mission house there. Later. Dr. Charles Thom as Sibley, first medical director of the Davao Mission Hospital (now Brokenshire), also lived there with his family.

As Davao’s population grew, a gravity-dependent

reservoir that would provide water to the residents of the central business district was constructed on the hill. This is the same hill-ock where President Ramon F. Magsay say, on Sept. 20, 1956, laid the cornerstone of the new res ervoir of Davao Metropolitan Waterworks, the forerunner of today’s Davao City Water District.

During the war, some of the people who fled the city after Japanese forces arrived, initial-ly sought shelter in the area. When collabora tors reported the manhunt against individuals and fami lies tagged as anti-Imperialist, the area was quickly vacated, forcing families to seek refuge in the remote sections on the western front. Towards the end of the conflict, just as the city was about to be liberat ed, guerrillas made use of the place as a staging position for

am-bushes.

Forested and situated adja cent to a public cemetery, the hill became a go-to destination for insurgents in the 1980s when chased by law enforcers after committing ‘revolution ary’ crimes in the city proper. Given its terrain, any fugitive can always seek cover under the hill’s foliage or jump down to the riverbank where his pursuers cannot follow.

On October 10, 1988, in the post-Marcos era, it became the site of a famous murder. Oscar Bantayan, deputy secretary general of the National Fed eration of Labor and national council member of the Kilu sang Mayo Uno, was assas sinated by men alleged to be state-sponsored paramilitary forces. Predictably, the blame was placed on the fledgling first Aquino admin-istration.

Bantayan’s killing was at tributed to his strong stance

against the policies of the labor de-partment. He also partook in the drive for the non-use of pesticides in farms and plantations launched by Japanese consumer groups in 1985 thru the ‘Stop the Phil ippines Bananas Pesti-cide’ campaign that carped Stan dard Philippines Corp. for sup plying pesticides deemed illegal in Japan.

In 2021, the Nonoy Libra do Development Foundation, Inc. came out with a brief, poi gn-ant tribute to the fallen la bor leader, stating:

‘On October 11, 1988, la bor activist Oscar Bantayan, then national council mem ber of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), was gunned down by suspected state forces. He re mained a staunch defender of workers’ rights at a time when political repression swept the country. ‘He was relentless in calling to end contractualiza

tion, and increase the national minimum wage, among oth ers. He was in picket lines with striking workers fighting for regularization, and a source of motivation for labor leaders, factory workers, unions, and communities. His death was greatly felt by the labor move ment and the people, but his life of service inspired others to follow the same path.’

In 1993, chiefly in the 2010s, the sectarian UCCP Ha ran Sanctuary established on the hill’s grounds, became the provisional shelter for indig enous peoples dislocated by the armed conflicts between government troops and insur gents. These clashes seriously affected the dis-placed shelter occupants and were constant reminders of the dangers when the government and the social activists collided during protest actions at the knoll.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (from the play “Julius Caesar.”)

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

19th City Council

23rd Regular Session

Series of 2022

PRESENT:

Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Nilo D. Abellera Councilor Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Rodolfo M. Mande Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Councilor Alberto T. Ungab Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT:

Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte - On Official Business Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar - On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0988-22

Series of 2022

AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING LAND CONTOUR ALTERATIONS, RECLAMATIONS, AND/OR EARTH-FILLING IN WATERWAYS, DETENTION PONDS, RETENTION PONDS, LAKES, LAGOONS, WETLANDS, AND OTHER NATURAL PONDING AREAS IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that:

SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as the “DAVAO CITY WATERWAYS, PONDING AREAS, AND WETLANDS PROTECTION ORDINANCE OF 2022”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY

Protection and preservation of lagoons, wetlands and other natural ecosystems amidst rapid urbanization is a priority of the City for the benefit of future generations of Dabawenyos.

Waterways, detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas in the City of Davao are all essential in having a sustainable urban drainage system. It shall be protected and its use and development are regulated for the benefit and safety of the residents of the City.

Regulations as to land and water use are enacted and enforced for the general welfare of the inhabitants of the City. The safety, security and protection of life from the effect of natural climate related occurrences or from man-made activities aggravating climate related occurrences is paramount.

SECTION 3. RULES OF INTERPRETATION – In the interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance, nothing set forth herein shall be in derogation of the powers of national agencies. Interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be to harmonize it with national laws and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Davao.

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS –

EARTH FILLING – also referred to as “land-filling”. It is the process of transferring soil, rocks, and/or other earth materials, (including other artificial filling materials) to fill up another area resulting to alteration of slope, elevation, and ground level.

DETENTION POND – is a dry pond, intentionally excavated or a natural ground depression preserved in order for water to accumulate. It may serve to reduce peak runoff rates associated with storms. It is a flood control feature which serves to slow down water flow by holding it for a short period of time. Also referred to as “Retarding Ponds”.

LAGOONS – a body of water separated from larger bodies of water by a natural or artificial barrier.

LAKES – a large body of water surrounded by land. A natural inland basin of water relatively large in size.

LAND CONTOUR ALTERATIONS – includes all earth moving activities, removal or transfer of soil, rocks and/or other earth materials for the purpose or with a consequence of altering the natural contour of the land except activities deemed part of a legally permitted and authorized quarry operation.

MINOR EARTH-MOVING – shall mean minor earth-moving and/or land-filling for the sole purpose of levelling and/or compacting the soil in an individual unit or parcel of dry land or dried-up land intended as a property for residential use. It shall also include minor earth-moving and/or land-filling for and/or within an already existing settlement area, whether flooded or is prone to flooding, purposely intended as a flood prevention or

flood mitigation measure by its owner or occupant.

Earth-moving and/or land-filling for a proposed commercial and/or residential subdivision development shall not be considered as MINOR EARTH-MOVING.

PONDING AREAS – large areas where water from rainfall, flood waters, and/or storm runoff accumulates into a pool relatively large and deep. Ponding areas naturally serves as areas where water in excess of the capacity of natural or artificial drainage systems are accumulated and stored.

RETENTION POND – is a wet pond or a permanent pool of water where the level of water is determined by rainfall and the runoff from contributing areas. It serves as a wa ter-holding mechanism for flood mitigation.

WATERWAYS – under this Ordinance, refers to canals, creeks, channels, spillway and other similar passageway for water primarily for drainage purposes.

WETLANDS – an ecosystem flooded by water, permanently or seasonally. It includes areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil saturating the area. It includes swamps, marshlands, mangrove areas and the likes.

SECTION 5. COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall be enforceable in all public or private land in the City of Davao.

SECTION 6. COMMON REGULATION – Unless otherwise permitted under national laws and the provisions of this Ordinance, it shall be prohibited to introduce land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earth-filling of waterways, detention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas in the City of Davao.

The same prohibition applies to land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earth-filling activities indirectly designed or will consequentially cause obstruction of waterways, or destruction and damage to detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas in the City of Davao.

Subject to existing laws and the provisions of this Ordinance, no disposal of solid waste and construction waste and other waste or excavated materials shall be allowed into waterways, detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas.

Solid waste traps and other engineering designs to aid in the maintenance and efficiency of the waterways shall be established in every barangay of the City.

Provided further, that no commercial or housing structure is allowed within waterways and wetlands nor in areas within its immediate vicinity considered danger zones due to flooding from water runoff. Waterways shall always remain unimpeded and unobstructed.

Introduction of detention ponds and retention ponds along waterways to regulate water flow is encouraged.

SECTION 7. SPECIFIC REGULATION – Waterways, detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas situated in a proposed or existing commercial and residential subdivision developments shall be preserved and maintained as flood control mitigation facility. Only land contour alterations and other developments for the preservation and maintenance of the waterways, detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands, and other natural ponding areas as flood control mitigation facility may be permitted provided it shall not impede or obstruct water flow, decrease water retention/detention capacity, decrease volume of water flow capacity, or decrease water absorption efficiency of the area, as the case may be.

SECTION 8. ENFORCEMENT MEASURE – This Ordinance shall not be in derogation of the powers of national agencies on the issuance of permits and licenses under their authority. However, whenever required, the request for endorsements of no objection shall comply with the procedures and regulations provided herein.

No Land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earth-filling activity in the City shall be issued a certification and clearance by any office of the Local Government Unit without a resolution expressing no objection from the City Council. Applications for land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earth-filling activities submitted to the City Council shall be required a prior drainage and waterway assessment issued by the City Engineer’s Office and favorable endorsement from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Further, in order to ensure compliance with environmental protection measures, the provisions of this Ordinance, and other requirements, the City Mayor is hereby authorized to immediately issue a cease-and-desist order to all land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earthfilling activities undertaken without the resolution expressing no objection from the City Council.

No permit shall be issued by the City of Davao for the development of areas unless upon compliance of the provisions of this Ordinance.

SECTION 9. EXCEPTION – The foregoing notwithstanding, land contour alterations, reclamations, and/or earth-filling in the City of Davao under Section 9 hereof are exempted:

i. Minor earth-moving and/or land-filling for the sole purpose of levelling and/or compacting the soil in an individual unit or parcel of dry land or dried-up land intended as a property for residential use. Provided that, it shall not obstruct any waterway;

ii. Minor earth-moving and/or land-filling for and/or within an area already physically occupied as an existing settlement area or occupied for other lawful use, whether flooded or is prone to flooding, and purposely intended as a flood prevention or flood mitigation measure by its owner or occupant. Provided that, it shall not obstruct any waterway nor cause flooding to the property of another person;

iii. Activities and developments for irrigation, or related to agriculture, and aquaculture;

iv. When necessary in times of emergency when there is danger to life, limbs, or property;

v. In cases of measures for public safety; and vi. In cases of government infrastructure projects.

Provided that in cases of activities and developments in the said areas for public safety and/or government infrastructure projects, the necessity of the measure, activity, development, and the exhaustion of engineering interventions shall be presented to the Office of the City Mayor for information, verification, recording, and for proper coordination with the relevant departments of the City of Davao.

SECTION 10. IDENTIFICATION, MONITORING, AND ENFORCEMENT. – The City

shall, as far as practicable, immediately identify all existing and identifiable waterways, detention ponds, retention ponds, lakes, lagoons, wetlands and other ponding areas in the City of Davao, whether natural or artificial. A composite team from the City Planning and Development Office; the City Engineer’s Office; the City Environment and Natural Resources Office; the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office shall immediately be formed for this purpose which shall act as the monitoring and enforcement team in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; the Department of Public Works and Highways; the Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and a Non-Government Organization identified by the City Mayor. The City and its relevant departments and the barangays shall regularly monitor the said areas. National agencies shall coordinate with the City of Davao consistent with Republic Act No. 7160 for all projects, plans, programs, activities within or affecting the said areas.

SECTION 11. VOLUNTARY PRIVATE AGREEMENTS. – Any detention pond, retention pond, lake, lagoon, wetland, and other natural ponding area that has been identified and found within a private property may be covered by a written agreement between the lot owner and the City Government, stating among others, that the property owner had voluntarily approved and encouraged the preservation of the same and, as such, if the property owner decides to develop the land for commercial or any purpose, the detention pond, retention pond, lake, lagoon, wetland, and other natural ponding area shall be preserved by incorporating it to the development/architectural design. The property owner shall be entitled to incentives which may be developed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. For this purpose, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office shall immediately endorse to the Sangguniang Panlungsod an incentive scheme for its adoption and approval.

SECTION 12. PENALTIES – Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be penalized in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php 5,000.00) and/or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court.

If the offense will be committed by a corporation, partnership, or other juridical entity duly recognized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, managing partner or such other officer-in-charge shall be liable for the commission of the offense and shall be penalized under this Ordinance.

SECTION 13. ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS – For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Ordinance, any local government official or employee concerned who fails to comply with and enforce the rules and regulations promulgated relative to this Ordinance may be held administratively liable under existing laws, rules and regulations.

Business permits of commercial entities in violation of the cease-and-desist order issued under Section 8 hereof shall, upon investigation and observance of due process, be suspended for three (3) months unless otherwise declared by the City Mayor.

SECTION 14. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS – There is hereby created an inter-agency technical working group composed of representatives from the City Environment and Natural Resources (City ENRO); the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO); the City Legal Office (CLO); and the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) tasked to formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the proper and efficient implementation of this Ordinance. The inter-agency technical working group shall be under the control and supervision of the City Mayor and shall submit its proposed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to the City Mayor within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Ordinance. Thereafter, the City Mayor shall issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Failure of the inter-agency technical working group to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall not prevent the implementation and enforcement of this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall be deemed in full force and effect even in the absence of an Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

SECTION 15. APPROPRIATION – The City Government of Davao shall continuously appropriate sufficient funds for the implementation and enforcement of this Ordinance through an appropriation either in the City’s annual budget or in any of its supplemental budget, as the case may be.

SECTION 16. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If any provision of this Ordinance or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances is subsequently declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 17. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after posting and complete publication in a newspapers of general circulation in the City of Davao.

ENACTED, on the 21st day of June 2022, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

DCWD offices closed on October 31 and November 1,

Davao City Water District’s Matina, Bajada, and To ril offices and SM Lanang Premier collection center are closed on October 31 and November 1, 2022 in observance of Proclamation Nos. 79 and 1236 (All Saints’ Day), respectively. Regular operations will re sume on November 2, 2022.

Due dates for water bill payments in Zone 4 and 5 are moved to November 2 and 3, 2022, respectively.

The DCWD management assures the general pub lic that the operations of its technical departments and 24/7 call center will not be disrupted to ensure con tinuous water service and offsite customer support. Online water bill payment channels are also available via Landbank iAccess, Link.Biz Portal, and GCash.

For any water service concerns, customers may contact DCWD’s 24-hour call center hotlines at 2353293, 244-6767, 0927-798-8966, 0925-511-3293 or 0908-441-0653 and chat support in DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) or Facebook page (face book.com/officialDCWD). (Raynier Roy M. Paha motang)

Date

cashier’s check in amount

to Ten Percent (10%) of their bid price. Bids without accompanying bidders’ bond

be

disqualified.

1. The City Government of Davao reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any formality or technically thereof and to accept only such bids that are advanta geous to the Government.

2. Interested Parties who wish to participate in the public auction may secure the bid forms from Louela G. Cerna, Bids and Awards Committee Office, City Hall Drive, Davao City or call telephone no. 241-1000 local 275. Issuance of the Bid Form is from October 21-31, 2022. (working days only).

3. All bidders who have been issued the Bid Form have deemed accepted the terms and conditions established by the Bids and Awards Committee and assumes all risk attendant thereto.

CARMELITA S. BANGAYAN OIC – City General Services Office

Gov’t posts P179.8-B budget gap in Sept.

Lower year-on-year growth of spend ing against revenues resulted in the drop in the government’s budget gap in September 2022 to PHP179.8 billion from year-ago’s PHP180.9 billion.

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Wednesday showed that total ex penditures in the ninth month this year reached PHP468.6 billion, up 13.63 percent compared to the PHP412.4 billion posted in the same period in 2021.

However, revenue col

lections posted a higher expansion of 24.79 per cent to PHP288.8 billion over year-ago’s PHP231.4 billion.

For the first nine months this year, the bud get deficit went down by 11.09 percent year-onyear to PHP1.012 trillion over PHP1.139 trillion in the same period last year.

The latest budget deficit level of the coun try is 20.47 percent low er than the PHP1.273 trillion programmed for the first three quarters of this year.

The improvement was traced to the jumps in the revenue collections of both the Bureau of Inter nal Revenue (BIR), which collects around 70 percent of total collections for the government, and the Bu reau of Customs (BOC).

Revenues of the BIR last September grew by 12.58 percent to PHP173.6 billion and the BOC by

37.72 percent to PHP79.3 billion.

As of end-September this year, BIR collections inched up by 12.29 per cent to PHP1.73 trillion and BOC’s by 35.89 per cent to PHP638.5 billion.

BIR’s collection goal for January to September this year is PHP1.767 tril lion, making its total col lections in the nine-month period this year lower by 1.99 percent.

On the other hand, the BOC exceeded by 17.76 percent its collection goal for the period amounting to PHP542.2 billion. (PNA)

PBBM meets with GFI, DHSUD, bank execs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Wednesday hosted a dinner meet ing with Housing Secretary

Jose Rizalino Acuzar and officials of the government financial institutions (GFIs) and top banks in the coun try.

Marcos, in his official Facebook page, shared a photo of the meeting held at Malacañan Palace.

Malacañang has yet to release further details about the meeting.

The meeting was held

the same day when rep resentatives of the World Bank turned over the Framework for Resilient Housing and Shelter Pro grams in the Philippines to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) Public Housing and Settle ments Service.

The framework aims to guide the harmonization and identification of hous ing strategies, programs and activities of nation al government agencies

(NGAs), local government units (LGUs) and govern ment partners from the disaster response to the rehabilitation and recovery phase, the DHSUD said in a separate Facebook post.

The scheme was craft ed pursuant to the Nation al Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) Resolution 10 drafted in 2021.

The NDRRMC’s resolu tion designated the DHSUD as the lead for shelter and housing assistance pro

grams during response, rehabilitation and recovery.

Present during the turnover were DHSUD Un dersecretary Henry Yap; former World Bank Di saster Risk Management (DRM) expert and current Social Welfare Undersecre tary for Special Concerns Vilma Cabrera; WB DRM senior specialists Atty. Les ley Cordero and Marilyn Tolosa-Martinez; and key project consultants Fides Borja, Bernice Soriano and Atty. Madeline Ong.

PEZA eyes more high-tech investments from Taiwan

The Philippine Eco nomic Zone Authority (PEZA) aims to at tract more investments in high-technology industries from Taiwan following the country’s investment mis sion in the East Asian econ omy this week.

In a Facebook post, PEZA officer-in-charge and Deputy Director Gen eral Tereso Panga said the Philippines could bene fit from the technological advancement of Taiwan, whose economy is driven by a competitive manufac turing sector in the fields of electronics, machinery, pet rochemicals, energy, and information and commu nications technology (ICT) products.

“With the CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enter prises) investment and tax incentives in place, PEZA aims to target strategic and high-tech industries from Taiwan that will provide for ecozone product sophisti cation, export diversifica tion, labor-intensive and

high-skilled jobs, knowl edge transfer, enhanced local supply chain, and cre ation of industry clusters,” Panga said.

He said strengthening cooperation with Taiwan will benefit the Philippines, as the former is the seventh biggest economy in Asia and 20th largest purchas ing power parity in the world.

There are 108 Taiwan es companies registered in PEZA as of July 2022 with total investments amount ing to PHP32.87 billion.

These firms are en gaged in manufacturing of electrical machinery and apparatus, apparel, fab ricated metal products, radio, television, and com munication equipment and apparatus as well as real estate activities.

Top investors from Tai wan include Sunon Proper ties (PHP4.5 billion), Tong Shing Electronics (PHP2.9 billion), Kinpo Electronics (PHP2.1 billion), and its af filiate company Acbel Poly tech (PHP1.7 billion).

Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) says account holders can now transact for free in select ATMs located in 7-Eleven convenience stores. Edge Davao

DavNor banana farmers shift to corn due to Fusarium wilt

PH gets 4 investment leads in SoKor investment mission

At least four big com panies from South Korea are interested to invest in the country in the coming months follow ing the recent investment mission of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Aboitiz Infra Capital in Seoul.

PEZA officer-in-charge Deputy Director General for Finance and Admin istration Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal told the Philip pine News Agency in a Viber message Wednes day that these companies are in the sectors of elec tric vehicles and manufac turing.

“We are optimistic that PEZA has at least four big companies of (in vestment) lead(s) of new locators and one poten tial joint collaboration on waste management with South Korea,” he said.

Guiapal, who is also the manager for PEZA’s Promotions and Public Re lations Group, added that the South Korean firms have yet to finalize the amount of their possible investments here.

Last Oct. 19, PEZA, Aboitiz InfraCapital, the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Board of Investments (BOI), and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)–Seoul conducted the Philippine-Korean In vestment Forum as part of the government’s fiveday outbound investment mission in the East Asian country.

“This is a response to the call of President (Fer dinand) Bongbong Marcos to increase our FDI (for eign direct investments). An increase in investment means more jobs for Fil ipinos. And more jobs mean better and quality of life for our kababayans (fellow Filipinos). This is what (the) investment fo rum is all about,” Guiapal said.

As of June 2022, PEZA has registered 251 South Korean companies with total investments of PHP89.86 billion in eco nomic zones across the country.

Some 44,359 workers are employed by these South Korean firms and generated USD1.1 billion in export revenues as of August 2022.

Thelocal chief executive in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte has called on the na tional government to help small-scale banana farmers address the onslaught of Fusarium wilt or Panama disease.

In an interview Wednesday, Mayor Ro land Dejesica said the Panama disease has reached alarming levels, forcing farmers to shift to corn and threatening the long term viability of the town’s banana industry.

According to Dejesica, Sto. Tomas town accounts for at least 70 percent of the total banana planted

areas in Davao del Norte.

About half of that area, he said, has been convert ed as corn plantation.

Dejesica warned that the province’s billion dollar earner commodity of the province is on the brink of dying because the Fusarium wilt has not yet been thoroughly address.

The Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne pathogen, a

breed of fungus that is at tracted to banana plants. It can live in dormancy for 30 years to 50 years.

Its fungi block plants’ vascular system and de prive the plant of neces sary minerals, nutrients and moisture, causing it to turn yellow until it dies.

“We already asked the national government to look at our banana industry situation. We hope that they will extend help,” Dejesica isad.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, he said, has been briefed on the situation during a previous visit.

For starters, Dejesi ca said a research center should be established in order to study and under stand the causes of Pana ma disease.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), he add ed, should also provide regular assistance to the affected small growers.

“We are asking for technical assistance from DA. Our cooperatives did not sustain in providing the banana farmers their inputs because they can no longer afford the sky rocketing prices of fertiliz ers,” the mayor said. (PNA)

Bank official forcasts 2.8M downloads on lifestyle, payment app ‘til end of ‘22

An official of the Bank of the Philippine Is land (BPI) forecasts 2.8 million downloads on its latest lifestyle and pay ment app, Vybe, until the end of the year.

In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, BPI Digi tal Partnerships and Eco systems head Frederick Faustino said download ing of the app is currently available exclusively for BPI online users.

“We expect at least half of our 5.6 million app us ers to download the app because there are several value propositions that we see in the app. Apart from having the payment wallet for our BPI clients, it also houses our reward program,” FausHe said that for one, BPI clients who have credit cards issued by the bank can check for their rewards through the Vybe app.

For next year, Fausti no is optimistic that even non-BPI depositors will download the app, which gives users rewards every time he uses the app for payments.

He said an individual can download the app as long as he has a mobile phone number and will use his name for proper verification.

Faustino said the lat est app is intended for

micropayments, with amounts ranging from PHP200 to PHP500 per transaction.

Maximum amount that can be stored in the mo bile wallet is PHP30,000.

“The thinking is that if you’ll just want to use or keep it as a wallet, you will not put as much mon ey. Most likely you will put your money in your BPI deposit account,” he add ed. (PNA)

SM City Davao lights up its sparkling holiday park to kick start the holiday season on Wednesday evening. Edge Davao

ANFLOCOR celebrates 45th year with Anniversary Gala 2022

After almost 3 years of prohibited mass gather ings and events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AN FLOCOR comes back with a grand Anniversary Gala at the DusitD2 Davao Hotel last October 10, 2022. The Dusit Thani Ballroom was transformed into a sparkling, sapphire blue themed ven ue. The ANFLOCOR service awardees, along with the company’s principals and ex ecutives looked astonishing as they exhibited elegance in their formal evening attire.

The gala’s program be

gan with a message from the Chairperson of the ANF LO Group of Companies, Ms. Maria Linda F. Lagdameo, that highlighted the theme of the event and the awardees: “ANFLOCOR has become an epitome of resilience, of commitment, of success, all underscored by one big family. You’re here because you’re part of a distinguished group of employees whose hard work, dedication, and loyalty are recognized in all of this and more. Let tonight be a good example to our next generation of employ

ees and allow yourselves to become an inspiration to them so they, too, can look forward to taking their place in ANFLOCOR history when the time comes.” Mr. Vincent R. Floirendo, President and CEO of Agri Group, DAI, SE CURUS, and PITRADE, also sent his well wishes via a written message and ex pressed his appreciation for the loyalty and perseverance of the awardees.

The opening dance num ber of the JAZ Up Dance Crew took the centerstage as they performed a jaw-dropping

presentation. The audience was also treated to a surprise by selected ANFLOCOR ser vice awardees, when they showcased a traditional co tillion dance choreography to the tune of post-modern jukebox music that capti vated the hearts of their col leagues.

127 ANFLOCOR service awardees were given plaques of recognition and special to kens for their dedicated ser vice and valued contribution to the company. Ms. Lilian Beatriz P. Castillo, the SAVP of SSC Treasury, was com mended as the ANFLOCOR executive with the longest years of service (35 years) and Mr. Amador L. Maramara is the ANFLOCOR employee with the longest years of ser vice (36 years). A brief part of the program was also shared with 4 ANFLOCOR retirees, who were also recognized.

The venue was filled with smiles and satisfaction as the sumptuous array of food, open mobile bar, and the ser enade from Gap 69 band of Muzic’s Kool created the per fect combination of an ambi ence during dinner time.

Mr. Ricardo R. Floirendo, Vice Chairman of The ANF LO Group of Companies, had everyone in the audience in spired as he talked about the late patriarch of the Floiren do family and founder of the

business conglomerate, Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr., his teachings and legacy to his employees. “What has always been important to our found er is not only being bright or being well-educated. It’s integrity, loyalty, and what he used to always say, his favorite word: malasakit”. A ceremonial toast marked the culmination of ANFLOCOR’s 45th founding anniversa ry events, when everyone raised a glass in honor of the company’s significant mile stone.

The night ended in style, as every ANFLOCOR party

had. People grooved to the music, enjoyed good fel lowship, and celebrated the company’s resilience as “One ANFLOCOR”.

A Thanksgiving Mass was also held earlier in the day at the Damosa Diamond Tower. Fr. Rey T. Sabuero from St. Francis of Assisi –Quasi Parish ministered the Holy Eucharist and the Rite of Blessing to the ANFLOCOR service awardees in atten dance, while each of the AN FLOCOR departments and the rest of the Damosa-based companies sponsored the of fertory gifts.

Mr. Ricardo R. Floirendo, Vice Chairman of the ANFLO Group of Companies

Mr. Ricardo F. Lagdameo, President for Real Estate and Construction Group and Mr. Jose Manuel F. Lagdameo, Assistant Vice President of Kensington Ventures Inc. with ANFLOCOR awardees

services.

Marcos said the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time be tween Samal and Davao City from 50 minutes to just four and a half minutes.

Marcos said the proj ect is a testament to the strong and ever-growing foundation of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and China.

“It is for us to express also our gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China as they were an active member and have always been a depend able partner in this infra structure development pro gram. This is not the only project that we have de pended upon, concessional loans and even grants from the government of the Peo ple’s Republic of China, and it is clear to see the benefits that those projects bring to our people, our economy, and the Philippines,” he said.

He said in 2027, this bridge is also foreseen to ease the convenience of travel and transport, bringing forth gainful op portunities for many peo ple by providing a link between relatively farflung areas and economic centers, thereby ensuring smoother mobility of peo ple and goods.

Marcos said the project will provide easier access to tourism spots and en sures speedy recuperation

from the setbacks brought about by the pandemic.

He also said the project will help improve the peace and order situation in the area, as well as ensure fast er and more efficient aid distribution during times of calamities.

He also underscored the important role of the DPWH not only in ensuring the completion of this proj ect but also in the broader task of nation-building.

“At this juncture, I would also like to explain that this is --- I am only fortunate to have been sit ting as President when we broke ground for this very important project. This project actually was for mally begun by then Sec retary Mark Villar under the Duterte administration. And it began formally to put together the projects in 2018. So the previous administration had already been working on this proj ect for four years before we arrived this day. However, I am looking forward to also once again being the lucky one to open the bridge when it is finished,” he said.

Marcos said the bridge affirms his administration’s commitment and resolve to become a sturdy and purposeful link that bridg es gaps between physical and geographical barriers, but also the various social structures that need to be connected and fortified as one.

“We credit this project to all the people, both past

FROM 8INNOVATION...

BPO companies are expect ed to participate in the said job fair.

“There will be a job fair because there is so much demand for work in the in dustry and we believe that ICT-related job is a pover ty alleviation activity. Ang ating poverty threshold in Mindanao is about P11,000 for a family of five and ev ery person we employ in the ICT industry usually received a minimum of about P12,000 to P15,000 entry-level salary, so ev ery person we employ in the ICT industry brings his family out of the poverty

and present, who have worked very hard to realize this grand infrastructure for it is through the efforts of very many people work ing very, very hard and their compounded efforts that we will soon harvest fruits that will benefit all. Ladies and gentlemen, as your leader whose man date is predicated upon the message of hope and uni ty, let me underscore the significant message that is also encapsulated in this occasion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duterte thanked the administration of former President Ro drigo Duterte and former DPWH secretary now Sen ator, Mark Villar, for start ing the project. She also thanked the administration of Marcos for the continuity of the SIDC project.

The bridge will connect

2

threshold,” Matunog said.

Meanwhile, about 400 on-site participants from the various sectors com prising senior government officials, top-level execu tives, renowned academics, BIMP-EAGA sectoral dele gates, and business coun cils are expected to partici pate in the two-day hybrid event.

There will be 21 exhib itors and sponsors to net work directly with the del egates and showcase their products and services both on a digital platform and physical setup.

By Maya M. Padillo

the Samal Circumferential Road to the R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City.

In January last year, the Department of Pub lic Works and Highways signed a P19.32-billion contract with a Chinese firm for the design and con struction of the bridge.

Bonoan said this will be the first bridge that will go over an interisland connec tor.

“We are very happy that the project will now finally come to its realization. The bridge will foster economic development in the region particularly the Davao area and Samal, which is a tour ist destination in the Davao Region. This is also one of the projects that the Phil ippine government and the Chinese government are looking into,” he said.

CONTINUING...

I totally agree. With out referee’s courses and accreditation, our ref erees would tend to get stagnant because no one would test their abilities if they can really properly officiate the games. You see, in basketball, a lot of things can happen and without good referees, you will see a lot of chaos during games. Believe me, majority of the cases when a team loses a game, they always blame the referees.

Boy Cua, in his expe rience as a young team manager, saw this and he wanted to protect his referees by making them good referees. And the only way to make them good referees is to prop erly educate them. He did not mind then if he had to spend his own money because you know, Boy is “mayabang”, in a very good way. He does not want to be “mapahiya” because of the lack of skills of his referees. Sure, there have been problems with err ing referees but that’s how it is in basketball life and fortunately, it has been just isolated cases. Duna gyud magpa badlong nga referee pud, so he would call Attorney Francis Ca latrava, the referee’s com missioner to find a way to discipline those referees.

With the resumption of tournaments, I am also glad to know that our Davao referees have extra income these days. That’s additional money for their families. I was told that the Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Of fice has conducted and fi nancially supported tour naments and that means that Davao referees are able to earn an income.

I am happy that the basketball community is alive again!

But coach Ronel, I no ticed that there are only two female referees, so far. Yung si Mary Jane Rosales and Zyla Marie Celerinos lang. It would be lovely, if there will be more lady referees in the SBP-XI. What do you think? Hehe hehe.

Anyway, this corner would like to congratulate the SBP-XI led by Mr. Es candor for the successful conduct of the referee’s course and accreditation and hopefully, our refer ees in the region will do their best also to properly and smoothly conduct the games in order to avoid unnecessary protests after each game.

*

* * For comments, send an email to mpb_sports@ yahoo.com.

Continuing Boy Cua’s legacy in placing value on basketball education

One afternoon at the SBP-XI office in Matina, regional direc tor Regino “Boy” Cua shared a story of a conversation with his father, Mr. Cua Ceen.

“Sabi ko sa Papa ko Mo, kung puwede, mag work na ako sa kanya,” said Boy.

So, Boy, if I can recall it right, just spent one semester in col lege and made a big decision to help Mr. Cua Ceen run the rice and corn mill at that time. Un der his father’s watchful eyes, Boy has learned the ropes of the daily operations of the busi ness.

Boss Boy was probably around 19 or 20 at that time.

Manong Vic Sai, who orga nized tournaments then, told me that Boy Cua was actually the youngest team manager in the commercial basketball league at that time when the Cua Ceen Millers took part in the tournaments that they or ganized.

Not that Boy Cua did not value education, he did. He has his own reasons not to finish college. And we’ll just keep it that way.

I saw that he valued educa tion for his children as I heard him talk to them, on separate occasions, that they will receive a brand new car once they fin ish university. What a lovely reward, isn’t it?

When Boy was appointed regional director of the Basket

ball Association of the Philip pines(BAP)-XI (which was later renamed the Samahang Bas ketbol ng Pilipinas), he knew from the start that there’s a need to “educate” his referees. He started ordering FIBA rule books and had them shipped to his office for distribution to Davao referees.

Then, he requested the Manila office for them to send International Referees (IRs) to Davao to personally teach his referees how IRs officiate games. He even had in mind that probably, someday a Davao referee can become an IR in the future.

This is the legacy he had left to Davao basketball refer ees and I am so glad that the SBP-XI regional director, who succeeded him, Glen Escandor of the Royal Mandaya Hotel has

continued this legacy of contin ually educating referees.

Many thanks to coach Ronel Leuterio for personally over seeing things.

Just recently SBP’s Libera to Valenzuela and Emmanuel Faraon came from Manila to conduct the referee’s course and accreditation that was at tended by 350 referees from all over the region.

I was touched by coach Ronel’s words that this import ant aspect in amateur basket ball development started by Boy should continue because the late regional director start ed it all. He is glad that Glen Escandor has been helping him realize this project because basketball education plays a very vital role in the conduct of the sport.

Referee Mary Jane Rosales with SBP-XI’s coach Ronel Leuterio.(Contrib uted photo)