Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 215 | Friday, Dec. 23, 2022

Tourism Promotions Board chief operating officer Maria Margarita Nograles and Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., representing Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, do the ceremonial shaking of hands after signing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for MICECon 2023 held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

HOSPITAL PROJECT

Health care is one of our best investments: VM Quitain

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Apart from infrastructure and peace and order, the city government of Davao is widely investing in healthcare.

Recently, the city government broke ground its Davao City Public Hospital (DCPH) at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) campus at Mintal, Davao City.

The ceremony was

attended by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., UP president Danilo Concepcion, UPMin chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and officials of the city government of Davao.

“One of the best, if not

the best, investment that any city can make is definitely in healthcare. This hospital can and will be able to cater to a lot of Dabawenyos once completed as a Level 3 hospital,” Quitain told Edge Davao.

The DCPH will provide health care and medical intervention for Dabawenyos and is expected to decongest Southern Philippines

Medical Center (SPMC).

For 25 years the DCPH operations will be under the city government, after which it will be turned over to UP.

Proposed by Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte through an ordinance entitled “An ordinance for the establishment and construction of a Level III General Hospital in Davao FHOSPITAL, P10

OWWA 11 holds gathering of OFW family circle leaders

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Davao Region gathered around 80 leaders from the different leaders of OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) family circle groups in the region

for a OFW Family Circle Leaders and OFW Desk Officers Meeting.

The meeting held on Wednesday at the Grand Regal Hotel is a capability building activity designed to capacitate the OFW fam-

ily circle leaders, says OWWA-XI OIC regional director Carmelo Elaya.

“It’s a formation process so they will know what it takes to be a leader, that is what we are tackling in today’s event,” Elaya said.

Among the topics discussed in the meeting include the nuances of leadership, training on leadership development and sharing of good practices between the different

P42.5M drugs seized in Davao Region in 2022

Police authorities in Davao Region seized illegal drugs worth P42.566 million during simultaneous anti-criminality enforcement operations conducted from January 1 to December 21 this year, an official of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao said on Wednesday.

During the AFP PNP press conference, Major Eudisan Gultiano, Police Regional Office 11 spokesperson, said that the confiscated drugs were mostly methamphetamine or shabu and marijuana.

She said most of the anti-criminality operations of the police in the region were centered on illegal drugs.

She that authorities have conducted 139 operations for this month, confiscating illegal drugs with an estimated value of P4.8 million.

Gultiano added that the relentless operations against illegal drugs would continue even during Christmas and

New Year.

“When it comes to law enforcement operations, we will continue even during this holiday season. We will have a number of operations,” she said.

She said there is no memorandum from the Philippine National Police to revive the controversial Oplan Tokhang (“tuktok hangyo” or knock and plead), a controversial anti- drug campaign of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte that he started when he was still mayor of Davao City.

Gultiano said the value of prohibited drugs seized in the region increased due to the heightened operations of the police against its trade.

She said police conducted a total of 2,161 operations this year.

“This is an indication that we are more relentless in our anti-criminality enforcement this year of 2022,” she said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. says one of the best, if not the best, investment that any city can make is definitely in healthcare and Davao City Public Hospital (DCPH) can and will be able to cater to a lot of Dabawenyos once completed as a Level 3 hospital. Lean Daval Jr.

CAAP-Davao reminds public of restrictions at Davao Int’l Airport

Cotabato kicks off yearend relief to families in crisis

The yearend relief for vulnerable families in crisis by Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza of the Province of Cotabato recently commenced in the towns of Carmen and Kabacan.

At least 20,228 beneficiaries from 17 barangays of the town of Kabacan received 10 kilos of rice each from the provincial government and 24,283 families received from the town of Carmen.

For Kabacan, the province conducted relief distribution in barangays Aringay, Salapungan, Dagupan, Katidtuan, Bangilan, Bannawag, Malanduage, and Pisan while the barangays from Carmen were Habits, Gen. Luna, Kilala, Aroman, Kibudtungan, and Kimadzil.

The said distribution was led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of the provincial government in collaboration with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Local Government Units (LGUs) of the two

towns.

The next round of yearend relief distribution will be in the towns of Aleosan, Pigcawayan, and Midsayap.

The provincial government of Cotabato is targeting to cater 400,000 vulnerable families in crisis.

The province has allocated P146,800,000 to buy 80,000 sacks of rice to be distributed to each Cotabateño family.

“If we invest in social services, we invest in our people thereby uplifting their lives specially the poor and the vulnerable families. We will make sure that our support will be for all specially the poor, needy, and families in crisis,” Mendoza said.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Davao (CAAPDavao) reminded the public of the welcome and send-off ban at the Davao International Airport (DIA).

This is after a post on the “Laking Davao” page with photos where individuals can be seen waiting for some friends or family outside DIA went viral.

The post has a caption saying that the DIA does not allow those without private vehicles to enter and yet can’t even provide

chairs for those who are waiting for their families.

Rex Obcena, manager CAAP-Davao, reiterated the permanent ban on welcome and send-off groups in the city’s airports, seaports, and bus terminals as announced by former Mayor Sara Duterte on February 10, 2020, and took ef-

fect on February 11, 2020.

“Una sa tanan dili ni siya bag-o na policy and as far as DIA is concerned and in all transportation hub sa Davao City in fact kani na policy was implemented in 2020, Nagpagawas ang city government of Davao ug policy guideline sa tanan transportation hub sa Davao City including airport, seaports, bus terminals but more particular sa airport kay if you notice wala tay facility to shelter atong large crowd of people and at the same time

medyo limited ang atong land site pag naa tay overcrowding dinha sa sulod ma hamper ang mobility sa atong mga pasahero and at the same time katong mag sakyanan na gahatod sa ilaha but with that policy in placed since 2020 gahatag ta ug gamay na consideration ug ga allow ta one to two maximum of two nga magsundo or maghatod sa sakyanan man o walk in kay para wala sila’y masulti nga ga-discriminate ta,” Obcena said over Davao City

DOLE-11 issues 493 working permits for foreigners in 2022

The Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Region 11 (DOLE-11) has issued 493 Alien Employment Permit (AEP) to foreigners this year.

By Maya M. Pa-

It is among the programs of “Serbisyong Totoo” of an improved and strengthened delivery of basic social services, protection and care by providing support, assistance, or aid to the disadvantaged, distressed, or vulnerable persons or groups, which may include relief, free hospitalization in government hospitals, mortuary assistance, medical mission, and mental health programs.

dillo

In a statement Thursday, DOLE-11 chief Randolf Pensoy said they have strictly enforced employment regulatory services on the issuance of AEP to protect the welfare of Filipino workers

and address possible cases of foreigners illegally working in the region.

AEPs are issued to foreigners intending to work with a Philippines-based employer for more than six months under Article 40 of the Labor Code, as amended.

Of the total 493 AEPs issued as of Dec. 20, Pensoy said 85.2 percent or 420 for-

eigners were based in the city.

Based on DOLE-11 records, the top five foreign workers here comprised Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Pakistani nationals.

Among the leading job positions for foreigners were operations managers, marketing officers and electrical specialists.

“Since 2018, there is a significant increase of about 44 percent in the number of foreign nationals granted with AEPs,” Pensoy said.

AEP applications are filed at the DOLE regional office that has jurisdiction over the intended workplace within 10 days from the date of signing of the contract or before the start of employment. (PNA)

A police car adorned with holiday decorations crosses a downtown intersection in Davao City Wednesday (21 Wednesday 2022), just a few days before Christmas Day. MindaNews photo by YAS D. OCAMPO

DavOcc cited as 2nd fastest growing economy in 2021

Theprovince of Davao Occidental was cited as the second fastest growing economy in the entire region in 2021, based on the results of the Provincial Product Accounts of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

In the recent dissemination forum on the results of the first-ever released PPAs covering the period 2018–2021, PSA Davao Occidental chief statistical specialist Jessie Madulin has announced that the economy of Davao Occi-

dental grew by 6.4 per cent in 2021 from a negative 1.8% in 2020.

This represented an increase in the value of the Gross Provincial Domestic Product (GPDP) of PhP32.4 billion in 2020 to PhP34.4 billion in 2021, Madulin

bared.

“It is worth noting that Davao Occidental is one of the 16 provinces among the 46 pilot provinces in the country that had already surpassed the 2019 pre-pandemic level, with 2021 GPDP higher than the 2019 GPDP level by 4.5 percent,” he stated.

The province of Davao de Oro is the fastest GDP growth with 7.4%, while Davao City ranks third with 6.0%, Madulin also disclosed.

The PSA started releasing annually the sub-regional level economic performances following the identified pilot provinces and highly urbanized cities in the 2021. Davao Occidental was one of the pilot areas for PPA compilation in 2022.

Madulin reported that of the 6.4% growth in 2021, the top contributor was services with 2.8%, closely followed by the industry with 2.6%. The

CAAP: Airports ready for increase of travelers over Christmas holidays

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday said all the commercial airports it operates are ready to handle the expected increased volume of air passengers during the Christmas and New Year seasons.

In a statement, the CAAP said its Director General Captain Manuel Anto-

nio Tamayo directed all of the area center managers of the agency to make sure that the passenger terminal buildings (PTB) under their jurisdiction will be able to accommodate the influx of passengers.

The directive encompasses the provision of enough chairs, baggage carts, operational escalators, and clean toilets in-

side the arrival and pre-departure areas and sufficient lights for parking areas and access roads within the airport, the agency said.

Coordination between the CAAP Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), the PNP Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP), and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) have also been made to ensure

that airport terminals are ready to control meeters and greeters, it added.

Additionally, Malasakit Help Desks are also stationed at the terminals to assist and provide information for passengers, according to CAAP.

“We enjoin our airport managers and staff to be fully prepared to receive

BIR chief orders suspension of all audit, other field operations

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has ordered the suspension of all audit and other field operations of the BIR.

The order is in connection with examinations and verifications of taxpayers’ books of accounts, records, and other transactions for the period December 16, 2022, to January 8, 2023, according to the issuance of Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 55-2022.

Under the said RMO, no written orders to audit and/ or investigate taxpayers’ internal revenue tax liabilities shall be served, except in the following cases:

• investigation of cases prescribed on or before April 15, 2023

• tax evasion cases

• processing and verification of Estate Tax returns, Donor’s Tax returns, Capital Gains Tax returns, and Withholding Tax returns on the sale of real properties or shares of stocks, together with the Documentary

Stamp Tax returns related thereto

• examination and/or verification of internal revenue tax liabilities of taxpayers retiring from business

• monitoring of privilege stores or “tiangge”

• other matters or concerns where deadlines have been imposed

During the said period, the BIR said its examiners and investigators were directed to do office work on their cases and to finish the reports on those cases with already completed fieldwork.

They are also reminded to direct all their efforts to ensure maximum revenue collection throughout the year, it said.

“Thus, the service of Assessment Notices, Warrants, and Seizure Notices should still be affected,” the BIR said.

“Taxpayers may also pay voluntarily their known deficiency taxes without the need to secure approval from concerned Revenue Officials,” it added.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) says all the commercial airports it operates are ready to handle the expected increased volume of air passengers during the Christmas and New Year seasons. Lean Daval Jr.

FDAVOCC,

Gov’t fiscal deficit narrower by 3.71% to P123.9B in Nov —BTr

Philippine government’s

Placements in renewable energy (RE) provided a big boost to the 11 percent annual jump in Board of Investments’ (BOI) approved investments so far this 2022 as they aim for PHP1 trillion worth of investments by 2023.

Data released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday showed that BOI-approved investments rose to around PHP729 billion so far this year from PHP655 billion in 2021.

Projected employment growth is around 454 percent to 260,000 from last year’s around 47,000.

“The 2022 BOI Approval levels clearly indicate that despite the lingering effects of the pandemic, especially in the first year of the year, coupled with global decline in investments due to the Russia-Ukraine war, investors continue to have strong confidence in the Philippine economy,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a briefing on Wednesday.

DTI, in a report, explained that BOI-registered projects rose in terms of capital but these are not necessarily labor intensive.

“But the impact on improvement of competitiveness will general additional investments, economic activity, and employment,” it said.

In terms of sectors, the power sector, particularly RE, posted a 56 percent annual rise by investment cost and was followed by the information and communications, particularly data centers and telecommunication towers, at 28 percent.

Others include the information technology – business process management (IT-BPM), manufacturing, and mass housing, and transportation and storage.

Investments also increased for projects related to electric vehicles (EVs) such as charging stations, lease of electric vehicles, and operation of electric vehicle transportation network vehicle services (TNVS).

The national government budget deficit stood at P123.9 billion, down 3.71% from the P128.7-billion fiscal shortfall posted in the same period last year.

The wider deficit resulted from the 16.67% year-on-year acceleration in government revenues,

which outperformed the 10.24% increase in state spending.

The year-to-date budget shortfall, meanwhile, amounted to P1.236 trillion, 7.23% lower than the P1.33-trillion fiscal gap seen in the 11-month period a year ago and accounted for 75% of the

P1.7 trillion full-year fiscal gap ceiling.

This resulted from the higher gain in revenues, which exceeded the increase in government spending during the January to November period.

“Year-to-date revenues climbed to P3.3 trillion, P503.1 billion or 18.1% above last year’s number and representing 99% of the P3.3 trillion goal for 2022,” Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters in a Viber group message.

Tax revenues, for

the 11-month period, amounted to P2.960 trillion, up 17.5% from P2.519 trillion year-onyear.

Meanwhile, non-tax revenues rose from P255 billion to P317.7 billion by 24.6%.

“Year-to-date, the national government spending reached P4.513 trillion, about 91% of the P5-trillion full-year program, and was 9.9% higher than the previous year’s 11-month total of P4.106 trillion,” Diokno

Higher sugar prices, imports during peak season surprises producers

The order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr to expedite the importation of over 64,000 metric tons of sugar is untimely since local millers are in full swing, which means there is enough supply, a group of sugar producers said Thursday.

Philippine National Federation of Sugar Workers Secretary General Butch Lozande said importation should be done by March or

April when the estimates of production yield are known.

“Ang position namin talaga wala na munang importation this year. Siguro kung meron man, idetermine natin next year...Ang makikita ng kulang ay March to April, kung saan nakita na natin ang approximate production sa year 2022-2023,” he said.

(Our position is no importation this year, if there’s a need, let’s determine next

year by March or April, when we know the approximate yield of year 20222023)

There have been 2 batches of imports earlier this year, on top of the almost 3.8 million metric tons of local produce. This should be enough to cater to the over 2 million metric tons of estimated consumption for the year.

The DA argued that the imports would lower the

prices of refined sugar. But Lozande said there could be manipulation at play.

“Yun ang pinagtataka namin, we suspect na merong manipulation and supply sa pricing nito, kasi bumaba na ito ng October eh, bumalik naman nitong November, papasok ng December,” he said.

(We suspect there’s manipulation in supply and

The

fiscal balance saw a narrower year-onyear deficit in November as growth in state revenues outpaced the increase in spending during the period, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.

BOI-approved investments up by 11%; P1 trillion eyed for ‘23

Tourism Promotions Board chief operating officer Maria Margarita Nograles delivers a speech during the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for MICECon 2023 held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

JOCELYN

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” - ABRAHAM H. MASLOW.

Good for you if you still maintain a positive mind as the world spins like a top amidst the chaotic environment that we live in.

This season should be a season of hope as the birth of our Lord Jesus is collectively celebrated in the entire Christian world.

But times have changed. A U-turn in attitude and lifestyle is on-going.

People are beginning to think and act differently.

Many are growing cynical and weary as the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on, creating havoc, economic difficulties and mental anguish in the lives of citizens directly - and indirectly - affected.

Others are clinging to traditional values, hoping for mate-

EXPECTING ANYTHING FOR THE COMING YEAR?

rial benefits that will redound to the family.

The United Nations is just a shadow of itself as its general assembly is swayed here and there by the world powers.

In this part of the world however, Pinoys should be thankful that our archipelagic location saves us from the threat of stray killer missiles falling and hitting us like what happened some time ago in Poland.

Have you thought about this?

Currently, the PBBM administration is focusing on building six million housing units for the next six years, which is providential for those who badly need a roof above their heads.

WOW, ONE MILLION HOUSES EVERY YEAR!

This should be the most welcome news that Pinoys should care about.

We can grow hungry for a while and miss one meal several days a week or a month but the comfort the homeless

get from having his head secured with a roof above it is much more cherished and aspired for by millions of our poor and needy countrymen.

The truth is that Pinoys are not expecting too much because every government is helpless in curbing the growing world-wide inflation and the constrictive recession.

So, why worry about something that is beyond our control?

Why not pray to the Lord God Almighty instead?

Anyhow, let us imagine that SIX MILLION families get benefited by a housing unit in the next six years during the incumbency of PBBM in Malacanang.

Can you just imagine how the landscape would look in every area where housing units for the poor are being erected and granted to every deserving Pinoy family?

Do you imagine the positive developmental effects in the community and in the LGU concerned?

Let us not doubt that the idea will not succeed.

Instead, let us collectively believe and support that the development agenda in housing is pursued to the letter because the poor and the needy are the objects of this noble and humanitarian project.

If the previous administration focused on its campaign against illegal drugs trafficking and organized crime, the PBBM government stresses a great human need that every Pinoy badly needs.

A roof above their heads.

Perhaps, PBBM has learned a good lot about the housing problem that arose in Tacloban City where his first cousin is the local chief executive.

After typhoon Yolanda’s destructive wrath claimed the lives of thousands of Leytenos and destroyed unquantifiable properties during the era of the late Pres.Noynoy Aquino, the rehabilitation program - housing et al - moved and grinded so slowly that until lately, the

housing facilities meant for the victims were reportedly not yet totally solved.

(There were rumors and unabated talks about massive corruption during those years but nobody - it now appearshas been pinpointed to have profited immensely from the Yolanda housing project.)

Somehow, 2023 may be coming in a differently prosperous way.

Combined with a definitive and solid government development program on food security and agricultural productivity with an eye to create a manufacturing industry that will generate employment and income opportunities for thousands of daily wage earners, Pinoys can positively expect something good not only in 2023 but also in the ensuing years.

Anne Frank said: “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” (Email feedback at fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Davaoeños always associate the name of the late Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. with ba-nana, abaca, Ford cars, and hogs. His piggery, the Nenita Stock Farm, used to be southeast Asia’s biggest with a population of roughly 25,000 pigs. But only a handful knows that he, too, was one of the country’s illustrious owners, breeders, and horse-racing aficionados.

Passing by daily at his three-story corporate headquarters at J.P. Laurel Avenue, a com-muter easily overlooks the manicured horse landmark at the center of a pond that guards what was once the permanent home of Davao Motor Sales (DAMOSA), Floirendo’s first Da-vao venture and, at the time, the biggest distributor of Ford cars in southern Philippines.

The don’s fascination with

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

THE HORSE AT DAMOSA

horses is more than just a sporting hobby. During the war, he earned a living using the domestic animal to transport travelers on his calesa, a horse-drawn cart. Years after the war, he transitioned into breeding livestock for domestic and interna-tional derbies.

Along with the late House Speaker Ramon V. Mitra, Jr., he was a leading member of the respected Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (PHILTOBO).

One of his thoroughbreds was a broodmare named Vang’s Girl, born in 2008 in Australia. Its pedigree was from Magic Albert (Australia) and Fun in the Chateau (Australia), sold by Mane Lodge, as an agent, to the tune of $9,759, or roughly P400,000 at the time. Formerly owned by G. R. Williams, Mrs. V. C. Williams, and the Laing Racing Syndicate, it was trained by

Neville Layt.

In the 2003 31st PCSO Presidential Gold Cup Race, local racing’s holy grail, at the San Lazaro Leisure Park, the country’s newest and most modern horse racing complex, in Car-mona, Cavite, Floirendo, Davao’s first Datu Bago awardee, generously donated P500,000 of the P2-million top prize of that year’s Gold Cup winner.

La Union-born Floirendo’s contribution to the horse-racing industry, though low profile, was finally recognized after his death on June 29, 2012, the feast of San Pedro, at age 96. Less than four months after his demise, the 2012 Don Juan Derby paid tribute to him and was posthumously honored by the Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM), where he was chairman emeritus, and the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI).

The following year, on August 10, 2013, the world-class 1,800-meter San Antonio Park horse race track was launched in the Nenita Farms in Marapangi, Toril, Davao City, where the Floirendos operate the Empire Joy Stud Farm that breeds pure thoroughbreds of winning stocks from England, U.S., and Australia. It is the first of its kind in Mindanao and the first outside Manila.

Given his passion for horses, he was installed as honorary chairman of the Davao Horse Club, the brainchild behind the Davao Horse Show & Competition. The first Kadayawan sa Nenita Farms was held at his horse-breeding ranch in 2013.

Seven years earlier, his first-born son and namesake, Rep. Antonio R. Floirendo, Jr., in honor of his father’s love for horse-racing, filed on Feb-

ruary 16, 2006, House Bill No. 4487 titled ‘An Act granting the Mindanao Jockey and Country Club, Inc., a franchise to construct, operate and maintain a racetrack for horse racing in Davao City.’ It lapsed into law on Janu-ary 14, 2007.

On December 4, 2022, Floirendo, in a batch of ten that includes the late envoy and beer mogul Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco, would be inducted into the Hall of Fame Awards of Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM). Cojuangco owned ‘Manila,’ the best long-distance turf horse in American racing history, and the U.S. Eclipse Award recipient for out-standing male turf horse.

Next time you pass by DAMOSA, take a quick look at the verdant-green galloping horse and think about what it inspires.

CELEBRATION

AEON TOWERS DECKS FLOOR FOR THE HOLIDAYS

BY NEIL BRAVO

Christmas is just around the corner and Aeon Towers is ready to take out the Grinch and turn this Christmas into the best one yet after two years with the pandemic.

If you walk into the main ground floor of the iconic skyscraper, you can easily feel that holiday vibe.

Aeon Towers made sure the building is rocking with Christmas bits and pieces.

The ground floor, we must say, is just kris-kring-

ly-riffic!

Fast backward to December 5, the Christmas lights were officially switched on for the holiday display, welcoming guests and passers-by to come and snap some photos. Most of these images are up on Instagram and Facebook as one of the top

picks for Christmas snaps.

For the centerpiece, Aeon Towers went with the traditional giant evergreen tree. This was adorned with classic Christmas bits in the green and red tones.

The holiday cheers would not stop there. There’s more surprised

to come on Christmas day itself.

That should be enough reason for ever to visit Aeon Towers at J.P. Laurel Ave, Bajada, Davao City. It’s time to bring the family and friends to view Aeon Towers’ beautiful holiday decorations and snap the memories for keeps.

EDGE

Go bats for reintegration programs for returning migrant workers

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s outreach team provided relief to overseas Filipino workers and their families in Digos City, Davao del Sur on Sunday, December 18, as part of the senator’s efforts to assist those whose lives and livelihoods have been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic.

As he continues to prioritize the welfare of migrant workers, Go reiterated the importance of strengthening reintegration programs for returning OFWs, such as livelihood support, wellness and financial literacy programs, and other similar projects, pursuant to the Department of Migrant Workers Act.

The Senate version of the Act, Senate Bill No. 2234, was authored and co-sponsored by Go in a bid to improve coordination among agencies dealing with the concerns of Filipino migrant workers and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of critical public services to OFWs.

“Itong mga OFWs natin, napakalaki po talaga ng naitutulong sa kanilang mga pamilya at pati na rin sa bansa. Kumakayod sila arawaraw, malayo sila sa kanilang mga pamilya, para lang siguraduhin na may makakain ang kanilang mahal sa buhay. Kaya kailangan nating gawin ang lahat upang masuportahan sila at ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Go cited.

In his video message for the beneficiaries, Go asked them to remain supportive of the government as it continues to strengthen its

efforts to ensure that more Filipinos are protected from the virus and to help the country return to normalcy soon.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the senator likewise urged those eligible to get vaccinated and boosted immediately.

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Ginagawa po lahat ng gobyerno para po malampasan natin ang mga krisis na ito,” Go expressed

“Ngayon, habang patuloy po ang pagbabakuna, kailangan po ang kooperasyon, kailangan po ang disiplina ng bawat isa. Sumunod tayo sa mga health protocols. Unti-unti na pong sumisigla ang ating ekonomiya kaya ‘wag natin ito pabayaan,” he reminded.

Go’s team mounted the relief activity at Dawis Beach where 300 OFW families were assisted. The team distributed masks and shirts to each beneficiary and also gave away shoes, cellular phones, umbrellas, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Go then offered additional assistance to those with medical concerns and advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at Davao del Sur

Provincial Hospital in Digos City or Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

Signed into law in 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act, which Go principally authored and sponsored, mandates the establishment of the centers in every Department of Health-run hospital nationwide and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila where particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical assistance programs by the government.

“Meron na po tayong 153

Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa na handang tumulong sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD. Tutulungan ho kayo hanggang maging zero balance po ang inyong billing,” Go explained.

To further improve the province’s healthcare system, Go also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers in Digos City and Matanao.

Super Health Centers

will offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

To help create more economic opportunities in the province, Go, as Vice Chair

of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Digos City, Bansalan, Hagonoy, Magsaysay, Malalag, Padada, and Sulop; and the development of a bat cave in Matanao.

“Ako naman po, sisiguraduhin kong mapagsilbihan po kayong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Maayong Pasko ug malipayong bagong tuig! Naghinaot ko na ang Ginoo mohatag nato og maayong panglawas ug kauswagan para sa atong tanan,” he concluded.

Bridging the workforce readiness and skills gap in PH

Together we will support even more young people worldwide to unlock opportunities.”

Helping upskill the next generation of leaders

SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) has recently committed to its continuing partnership with UNICEF in support of Generation Unlimited (GenU) for an additional three years to help prepare young individuals for the workforce.

In recent years, there has been a decrease in the proportion of young people in employment. Despite the increase in the population of people ages 14 and 24, growing by over 30 percent to 1.2 billion in just two decades, their participation in the labor market declined by 12

percent. According to a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), this number is expected to decline with time.

Apart from this reality, a recent report by GenU, PwC, and UNICEF noted that young people worldwide find it difficult to join the labor force because they cannot identify or acquire the skills needed for today’s job market. This contributes to a global skills gap and exacerbates youth unemployment. Less than a quarter of youth in lower-income countries are also estimated to

be on track to attain the necessary skills to thrive in school, work, and life.

In a recent statement, Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer of GenU said, “today’s young people are three times more likely than adults to be unemployed, which makes for a very uncertain future for all of us. To keep up with the ever-changing demands of the labor market, young people need a full set of skills to compete locally and globally. I am delighted that SAP and GenU are continuing our long-standing partnership.

Leveraging GenU’s signature program Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), the partners will pilot a new program that supports ‘learning to earning’ pathways in the digital green economy for marginalized youths, helping them acquire new skills to flourish.

Among many countries across the globe, the Philippines is the only country selected for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), along with Nigeria and South Africa. This new program, to be piloted in early 2023, aims to provide more than 500,000 young people with foundational and digital skills acquisition opportunities by the end of the first year to transform their life trajectories.

The partnership will also

support SAP’s “educate to employ” initiative, which aims to educate youth on soft skills and foundational knowledge. This initiative includes honing SAP skills using the student zone on the SAP Learning site, where students can learn about the latest SAP solutions for free via this site, which would help them gain the knowledge they can usethat can help to kickstart their careers.

SAP and UNICEF first joined forces in support of GenU in 2019 and have since reached three million young people in India, Turkey, and Vietnam with transformative education models.

“Education is one of the key priorities in the Philippines, especially regarding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). With the plans laid by the current administration, especially as it strengthens its government digital transformation initiatives, we believe

that upskilling talents, particularly their digital skills, is likewise integral. In collaboration with UNICEF and GenU, this new program adds to SAP’s projects and initiatives, geared toward helping upskill Filipino talents, particularly among the youths,” said Rudy Abrahams, Managing Director, SAP Philippines.

Meanwhile, SAP has also been collaborating with ASEAN Foundation to equip youths with data analytics skills to create solutions for the ASEAN region’s pressing social issues through the ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ADSE) competition.

The Philippines is one of the active participating countries in this program. It complements the country’s current programs geared towards upskilling young Filipinos and empowering ASEAN youths with essential digital skills, collaboration skills, and the ability to communicate ideas and think critically.

To further improve the province’s healthcare system, Sen. Bong Go supported the establishment of Super Health Centers in Digos City and Matanao.

HOSPITAL...

FROM 2

City and appropriation of funds and other purposes,” the Level III 100-bed Davao City Hospital will soon rise within the University of the Philippines-Mindanao Campus in Bago Oshiro, Davao City.

According to the ordinance, the DCPH is envisioned to be a 100-bed Level III Training Hospital that will provide services for all kinds of medical care. The services stipulated are consulting specialists in Medicine,

OWWA...

Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology (Ob-Gyne), and Surgery. In addition, it will have Emergency and Out-patient Services with a Respiratory Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit. The ordinance also mentions Isolation facilities, a General Intensive Care Unit, Surgical/Maternity facilities, a High-risk Pregnancy Unit, Ambulatory Surgical Clinic, a Dental Clinic, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a Dialysis Clinic.

CAAP...

FROM 2

OFW family circle groups.

The OFW family circle are community-based organizations within Davao region. They are present in municipalities and the barangays and act as support system for OFW families living in the localities.

Elaya said for the meet

HIGHER...

they picked leaders of OFW family circles per province.

“Kasagaran mga presidents sa grupo ang naa diri (mostly of those attending are presidents of the groups). For each province in the region, we picked 15 leaders,” Elaya said. (PIA/ RG Alama)

FROM 5

pricing since the price had already gone down then it went up again in November, entering December)

“Which is para sa amin, it should be medyo bababa na siya kasi nasa full swing tayo ng milling, pasok sa peak season ng milling, December, January, February - wala tayong dapat ik-

abahala in terms sa supply kasi lahat ng mills sa buong bansa ay operational,” he added.

(When it should be going down since we are in full swing in terms of milling. In terms of supply, there’s nothing to worry about because all millers nationwide are operational)

FROM 3

Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday.

Obcena appealed for a little patience and understanding from the public as they are bound to implement the policy of the city to ensure and maintain security inside the airport.

He said they prioritized those passengers who are elderly, PWDs, pregnant women, and persons that need special care by providing them with a small place to rest.

“Unfortunately, kaning naandan nato sa mga kababayan daghan gyud ang maghatod pa so necessarily naa gyud mabilin sa gawas. Overall wala ta’y facility to cater large crowd and we cannot jeopardize kay ang primordial concern nato is the maintenance of the security inside the airport. Balikon namo gina- discourage namo ang maghatod ug pirting daghana ug magsundo na halos isa ka baryohan. Gina discourage gyud nato na,” he said.

Obcena said they are now looking at the possibility of providing shelter for those who cannot enter the airport in coordination with the City Engineers Office (CEO) upon the instruction of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to avoid an overcrowding inside the airport.

“Ginatan-aw nato karon ang posisibility nga

makahatg ta ug facility diha sa gawas. Ginatan-aw nato na karon but we have yet to meet again with the technical staff of the city,” he said.

He also mentioned the proposal of putting up a public terminal through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at the DIA.

“Ang Davao airport is one of the airports sa Pilipinas in the pipeline for possible PPP which intends to put up a public terminal parehas sa Terminal 3 sa Manila and if that pushes through that would be a big development sa atoang airport facility but right now ang among project na ongoing and impending implementation is that expansion that caters more sa needs sa atong mga pasahero,” he said.

It can be recalled that Dabawenyo business tycoon Dennis Uy’s Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corporation was eyeing to modernize DIA.

Chelsea Logistics has submitted an unsolicited proposal for the multi-billion DIA development project and was granted the original proponent status for the airport modernization project in May 2018.

The proposal was reported to have undergone several repetitions between and among NEDA, DoTr, CAAP, and the proponent.

DAVOCC...

FROM 4

agriculture, forestry, and fishing also contributed positively with 1.0%.

From among the 16 industries in the province, leading was construction which contributed 1.9%.

The wholesale and retail trade industry followed with 1.5%; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (1.5%); and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1%).

The rest of the industries also contributed positively to the growth of Davao Occidental’s economy, Madulin stated.

In terms of their growth rates, construction recorded the fastest growth of

AIRPORTS...

23.4%, followed by the human health and social work activities with 19.9%; while mining and quarrying recorded 13.2%.

Madulin explained that the PPA is a mechanism to compile the GPDP and Gross City Domestic Product (GCDP), complementing the GDP at the national and the GRDP at the regional level.

“PPA is very advantageous especially to our government planners in crafting policies and programs for the economic development of the province,” he stated. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

FROM 4

and send off passengers and to also be ready in case of flight delays. Let us take care of our passengers. Let us provide a convenient, safe, and secure travel experience this holiday season,” said Tamayo.

CAAP operates and maintains air navigation, other similar facilities, and national airports such as Iloilo International Airport, General Santos International Airport, Davao International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, among others.

With the resumption of commercial flights at Loakan (Baguio) Airport and Borongan Airport, the

additional international flights to and from South Korea at Kalibo International Airport, and the easing of travel restrictions nationwide, passenger volume is expected to increase even more especially during the holiday season, the agency said.

Before the pandemic, in 2019, CAAP said its operated airports served 29,258,258 passengers with passenger volume reaching 2,537,774 in December.

Meanwhile, From January to November 2022 alone, CAAP-operated airports have already catered to around 18 million passengers.

FROM 5

said.

In an emailed commentary, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said that the new administration’s economic team has also “acknowledged the need to narrow the budget deficit and curb the increase in the national government’s outstanding debt.”

“Disciplined government spending also helped narrow the budget deficit, partly through no more lockdowns prospectively as a matter of policy priority, as well as recent signals to curb/rein in on unnecessary government expenditures/wastage/ leakages to help narrow the budget deficit and temper the increment on the outstanding national government debt,” Ricafort said.

Akaho belongs to, also admitted that Mr. Akaho lost by KO. Mr. Akaho said that the damage he received was not due to the impact of the punch [that] hit the back of his head. He took a break and tried to fight again, but he gave up because he couldn’t and admitted that it was his KO defeat. Both Mr. Casimero and Mr. Akaho acknowledge Casimero’s KO victory,” the letter reads.

GAB then commended the Korean commission for “reaffirming KBM’s commitment to sportsmanship and fair play.”

“GAB commends KBM chairman John Hwang and his team for their decisive action and stellar leadership. GAB supports KBM’s decision and will continue to support the said commission in its boxing regulation functions,” GAB further stated.

With the no contest overturned, Casimero improved his record to 32-4 with 22 knockouts, while Akaho settled to a 39-3-2 win-loss-draw card. (PNA)

GAB welcomes overturning of Casimero-Akaho decision

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has welcomed the Korea Boxing Member’s Commission’s (KBM) decision to give former three-division Filipino world champion John Riel Casimero a knockout (KO) win in his controversial fight against Japanese opponent Ryo Akaho.

The KBM overruled the initial decision of the referee to declare the 10-round bout on Dec. 3 a no-contest after Akaho seemingly told the referee that he could not continue after Casimero accidentally hit him in the back of the head.

“The Games and Amusements Board welcomes the decision of the Korea Boxing Member’s Commission to change the result of the December 3, 2022 fight between John Riel Casimero and Ryo Akaho from ‘no contest’ to

‘Casimero win by KO’,” GAB said in a statement.

In a letter sent to GAB, the KBM said Akaho himself admitted that retiring from the match was not because of Casimero’s wrong punch but because of the damage already inflicted

on him especially after Casimero launched a barrage of punches after he was knocked down earlier in Round 2.

“Mr. Akaho admitted that [it] was a KO defeat. Yokohama Hikari Gym, where

FGAB, P10

BALDWIN OUTCOACHED MONTEVERDE

Without an iota of doubt Ateneo’s bench strategist Ted Baldwin totally outcoached his UP counterpart Goldwyn Monteverde in the winner-take-all championship Game 3 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Monday.

How else do you explain the 40 minutes of catching up that the Fighting Maroons frantically did as if they were not the league’s defending and reigning titleholders.

No wonder that when the final buzzer that officially declared the Blue Eagles the victors with a convincing 75-68 score, JD Cagulangan was photographed covering his face, with his head bent and obviously shedding tears for the

loss.

Can’t blame him. He played a spartan game until the very end.

Ateneo ominously took charge in the opening seconds with a three by point guard Padrigao and sped to a nine-zero lead, prompting UP to call for time.

Gonzales buried a jumper to put the Maroons in the scoring column with Cagulangan and newly-declared UAAP MVP Malik Diouf adding two baskets to make it 10-6.

But a 9-point spree by the Eagles, spiked by Gomez twin triples, increased Ateneo’s lead to 19-6. Then Galinato subbed in for Diouf but Ateneo continued to pound on the weak UP defense.

Not surprisingly, Baldwin’s boys enjoyed a 16-point bubble at the end of the first, 30-14.

Tamayo and Spencer each sank a trey and Diouf’s FTs somewhat gave life to UP’s offense but Ateneo quickly responded with Kouame, Koon and Gomez alternating at the hoops for a 41-23 advantage.

As Galinato and Alarcon were starting to make their presence felt, Baldwin rested Kouame for Geo Chiu who threw in a 3 and Padrigao continued his impressive backcourt orchestration to give Ateneo a 15-point margin at the half, 47-32.

An 11-4 binge in the third enabled UP to lessen the deficit to 8

and as the Diliman squad continued chipping away, the conclusion of the pivotal third seemed to be swinging in the Maroons’ favor, 52-60.

That might have worried Baldwin and his coaching staff as Spencer Alarcon, Diouf and Henry Galinato combined for 10 points against Kouame’s 7 markers to maintain the Eagles’ 8-point spread, 70-62, 20 seconds remaining in the game clock.

Despite a furious rally, capped by an inverted four-point herculean job by Alarcon at the freethrow line that trimmed the deficit to three at 67-70 with 12 ticks to go, Ateneo’s remarkable court composure told it all and Ateneo could

not be denied.

Overall, teamwork, bench contribution and team chemistry did it for the Blue Eagles.

It was a redemption Tab Baldwin could not have deserved better.

THE SCORES: ATENEOKouame 19, Padrigao 12, Gomez 12, Andrade 10, Ballungay 4, Koon 4, Quitevis 4, Daves 4, Chiu 4, Ildefonso 2, Lazaro 0.

UP 68 - Spencer 14, Alarcon 12, Galinato 12, Tamayo 11, Cagulangan 9, Diouf 7, Gonzales 2, Lucero 1, Abadiano 0,Fortea 0, Lina 0.

Cheers! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

Exciting action in the ongoing Arcadia-Ateneo Reunion Cup at the Arcadia Gym.

‘Meeting’ DATBA’s Doc Maui by chance

Auntie Carmen (Igpit-Diamante) told the family members to pay a visit to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary Chapel located at the White Sand Beach in Barrio San Pedro, here and offer our prayers.

After that, uncle Pol Diamante, a long-time Kaabag at the Sto. Nino Parish, started to tell us a little history of the place and how the family made its fortune in the banana industry and then built the Divine Mercy Sanctuary that has been used for free by churchgoers.

Being a Bol-anon and coming from a pioneering family in Panabo, auntie Carmen would always take the opportunity to visit a church and offer a prayer. In fact, the family has been attending the Misa De Gallo.

When uncle Pol eventually recalled the family name, Puyod, I started to talk about Mauro Puyod, or Dr. Mauro Puyod to others, to friends, Doc Maui, who is a dentist by profession and who dearly loves editorial cartooning and mountainbiking.

The staff present at the gate confirmed that it is indeed the Puyod Family who owns the Sanctuary and told me and auntie Carmen that Doc Maui’s ashes was laid to rest there.

So surprised, that I shouted Maui’s name telling him that I am around and would like to say Hi!

Before Mauro’s passing, he has been planning to visit the Alberta Province’s Banff and Jasper towns in the summer to test his mountainbiking skills in Canada.

So, I told him in one of our FB video talks that he is always welcome to come, a good excuse for me to take a break and go back to the mountains again.

You see ladies and gentlemen, Doc Maui is a good friend to sportswriters that started when he promoted the Davao All-Terrain Bikers Association (DATBA)

in the 1990’s. We became part of the PR team when DATBA organized the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Grown Area (BIMP-EAGA) Mountainbiking Competition in Samal Island.

But Doc Maui “left” this world early and the planned trip to Canada did not happen.

If he happens to be around the Sanctuary, we could have again raised our glasses of beer and talk about mountainbiking all over again.

But Doc Maui “left” too early.

Uncle Pol said that it is always “sayang” for good people to leave this world early. And I totally agree.

Davao sportswriters have very easy access to mountainbiking news because Mauro was quick to give us an update before. He would even drop by at the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum to give us an update.

That’s Mauro.

We always talked about the good things in life, mountainbiking development and how our beer tastes so good when it is ice cold, LoL.

What I am saying, dear friends in the sports community is that life is short, so we must do what needs to be done.

And since it is just a few days before Christmas, let us be reminded to be like Doc Maui, always sporting a positive attitude despite the challenges in life, always wearing a wide smile when seeing friends and share a bottle or two of San Miguel Beer, when necessary, LoL.

To you Doc Maui, I will raise my bottle of San Miguel Beer and say, see you around my good friend and keep on mountainbiking Up There.

* * *

For comments, email mpb_ sports@yahoo.com.

San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross drives to the basket against a Bay Area Dragons defender in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis. PBA

PANABO CITY --- Perhaps it was by fate that I found myself roaming inside the Divine Mercy Sanctuary.