Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 219 |Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022

Inday Sa Dagat Advocacy (ISDA) NGO Foundation, Inc. founder Jerson Pardillo drinks water from the faucet of the organization’s newly acquired air-to-water equipment during its blessing and inauguration held along Queens Avenue in Royal Valley, Bangkal, Davao City on Wednesday. Pardillo said the air-towater equipment project, which will be deployed to disaster-hit areas, aims to help calamity affected communities by providing clean potable water. Lean Daval Jr.

EMPHASIS ON BOOSTER

Covid-19 deaths in Davao City mostly vaccinat ed but without booster shot

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The Davao City Covid-19 Task Force continues to push for Dabawenyos to get vaccinated and have booster doses as current data shows that Covid-19 deaths in the city involved those who are vaccinated but not boosted.

“Gahangyo ta sa mga katawhan nga wala pa nakapa-booster dose, please avail of your vaccines kasi the data that we have been showing every week nagapakita nga kasagaran atong

nangamatay dili bakunado ug kung bakunado man walay booster doses,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Covid Task Force over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednes-

day.

Schlosser reported that for the period of December 18 to 24, 2022, the city recorded four deaths wherein two of whom were unvaccinated and two vaccinated but did not receive booster shots.

“Katong usa sa unvaccinated kay senior citizen, ang usa kay nasa 50 to 59 years old age group and katong bakunado na walay booster dose surprisingly

naa tay 40 to 49 years old and 50 to 59 years old. This goes to show na importante ang bakuna ug booster doses labi na sa mga edaran na. It’s unfortunate na this yuletide season naay mamatay and it’s so sad, although, it’s only four only but still they are lives, and every single life matters and the only way that we can prolong our life in our battle against Covid-19

Peace efforts up after 3 killed in MILF infighting

More military forces have been deployed in Maguindanao del Sur’s town of Sultan sa Barongis after an infighting between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) groups broke out and killed three combatants.

“Normalcy has been restored and the local gov-

ernment is trying its best to resolve the family feud diplomatically,” Maj. Michael Ameril, town police chief, said in an interview Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the soldiers will serve as peacekeepers and ensure

the safety of civilians in Barangay Barurao, Sultan sa Barongis.

The firefight between rival Moro groups started at around 3 a.m. Tuesday and the exchanges of gunfire and mortars lasted for seven hours until Muslim religious leaders and MILF ceasefire panels inter-

vened.

“Efforts are underway to prevent another hostility,” Sultan sa Barongis Mayor Allandatu Angas Sr. said.

Involved in the hostilities are MILF armed groups led by Marhan Sali and Ustadz Daya.

Ameril said the group

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered the country’s telecommunications companies to submit incident reports on anomalies regarding their SIM card registration processes.

In a memorandum issued Tuesday, the NTC said the order was in response to “numerous incidents involving unsuccessful or incomplete SIM registration from the general public.”

The commission also noted several initial social

media reports from users that complained of registration sites being down or inaccessible.

The NTC also told telcos to file reports on these incidents, including the platform involved, number of subscribers affected, geographical areas, and actions taken to address these issues, “as well as actions to mitigate or eliminate future incidents.”

Telcos are required to submit the reports to the NTC within Wednesday,

FDA okays emergency use of Covid-19 bivalent shots

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine, said to be an “updated” booster shot against the Omicron variant.

FDA Director General Samuel Zacate confirmed on Tuesday that the agency had granted the emergency use authorization (EUA) for bivalent shots manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

Zacate, however, deferred to the Department of

Health (DOH) when asked about the priority group and its recommended use.

“For the approval, yes, it is confirmed, but for the details, all Covid-related issues are being channeled to DOH Sec. (Ma. Rosario) Vergeire for proper and streamlined communication with (the) public,” he said in a text message.

In a briefing Tuesday, Vergeire said the DOH is in the process of procuring the vaccines “because articles

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go graces the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2022 Gabi ng Parangal at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City on Tuesday evening.

Rep. Pulong lauds approval of free legal aid to soldiers, uniformed men

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Close to 500 employment permits issued to foreigners in R-11 this year

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-11) strictly enforces its Employment Regulatory Services especially on the issuance of Alien Employment Permit (AEP), in a bid to protect the welfare of Filipino workers as well as to address the possible cases of foreign nationals illegally working in Davao Region.

Th application for an AEP is the procedure used to assess whether a non-resident alien or foreign national’s application for employment conforms with the documentation requirements outlined in Department Order No. 221-2, Series of 2021: Revised Rules for the Issuance of Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals, as amended.

As of December 20, 2022, this year, DOLE-XI has issued 493 AEPs to foreign nationals intending to work with a Philippines-based employer for more than six (6) months, pursuant to Article 40 of the Labor Code, as amended. From the total, 85.2% or 420 foreign nationals were based in Davao City.

The top five (5) nationalities were Indian, Chi-

nese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Pakistani. Among the leading job positions were operations manager, marketing officers, and electrical specialists.

Since 2018, there is a significant increase of approximately 44% in the number of foreign nationals granted with AEPs.

Through a Regional Advisory issued on November 25, 2022, DOLE-XI Foreign National Labor Inspectors (FNLIs) were able to conduct verification visit to 59 establishments as of December 20, 2022, that intended to employ foreign nationals.

Said visit ascertained veracity of the information and documents submitted in relation to AEP application, in which those identified establishments were found compliant with the AEP requirements as stated in D.O. 221-2021. In cases of non-compliance, establishments are expected to comply with the lacking requirements and carry out necessary actions to proceed with the application of permits.

DOLE-XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pen-

Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte of the First District of Davao City lauded the Congress for approving House Bill (HB) No. 6509 or the proposed “Free Legal Assistance For Military And Uniformed Personnel Act” saying it is a step closer to providing this legal protection to “uniformed personnel who are wrongfully accused and charged.”

In a statement, Duterte said providing free legal assistance to men and women in uniform facing charges in connection with the performance of their duties will help boost morale and productivity among the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),

the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies.

The bill reportedly was granted approval by the Lower House during the plenary session on December 7, 2022, through a voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).

Duterte said the recent

approval by the House of Representatives on the third and final reading of the said bill is a step closer to providing this legal protection to “uniformed personnel who are wrongfully accused and charged, especially when their job involves having to expose high-profile criminal syndicates.”

Jointly filed by Duterte and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, along with other similar measures, the bill also covers uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Free legal assistance

will strengthen our uniformed personnel’s morale, safeguarding them from unfortunate circumstances that may come with performing their sworn duties. This free legal assistance, in the premise that is not misused, could serve as an incentive and boost productivity,” it said.

Under the bill, any MUP facing criminal, civil or administrative charges involving service-related incidents before a prosecutor’s office, court, administrative body, or any competent body or tribunal, shall be entitled to free legal assistance.

The bill states that

VP Sara supporters launch new Air-to-Water Generator technology

The Inday Sa Dagat Advocacy (ISDA) Foundation, Inc, a local organization supporting Vice President Sara Duterte during the May 2022 elections, launched on Wednesday the Air-toWater Generator Machine (AWG) to provide potable water during emergencies

and disasters affected areas at the Pugad ng Agila Headquarters in Bangkal, Davao City.

Acquired by Jerson Pardillo, founder of ISDA, the P18 million worth AWG including the truck, is a technology in which this machine converts atmospheric air into potable

water that may be used for emergency purposes, specially during disasters.

“At a time nga nag-adto mi sa Cebu nakita nako ning isa ka machine ang AWG, naghunahuna ko nga mupalit kaha ko ani. Gamiton nato ni sa mga calamities. Simbako lang kung adunay bagyo o flooding

labi na diri sa Bangkal, kay ako sa Taal man ko sauna nibalhin lang ko diri,” Pardillo told media.

The first in Davao City and Mindanao, AWG is composed of three chambers wherein every chamber can produce 2,000 liters a day. All in all, 6,000

Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. leads the distribution of food packs initiated by Inday Sa Dagat Advocacy (ISDA) NGO Foundation, Inc., a local organization that supported the candidacy of Vice President Sara Duterte in the May 2022 elections, held at its headquarters along Queens Avenue, Royal Valley, Bangkal, Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Agri dept eyeing climateresilient programs for ‘23

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it is looking into developing more climate-resilient programs for the agriculture sector starting next year.

Rex Estoperez, the agency’s deputy spokesperson, said their budget next year would cover climate change programs in preparation for strong typhoons in the country.

The DA received a budget of P178 billion for 2023.

“Kahit anong gawin mo kung year-in and

year-out po mayroon tayong bagyo; at naiiba po, dati po na-plot natin kung kailan pumapasok iyong bagyo sa atin, so ngayon hindi na, anytime pumapasok iyong bagyo sa atin at napakalakas ng bagyo, so iyon ang ating ia-address,” said Estoperez during a public briefing.

“Ngayon ito ‘yung mga

priority areas na pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin,” he added.

The official noted that they aim to adjust farmers’ planting and harvest season to address production woes.

“Hindi lang naman doon sa areas, we have to change iyong atin pong season ‘no, ‘yung atin pong planting season/ harvest season para nang sa ganoon kung ma-address natin ito, iyong ating production ay hindi masyadong maapektu-

han,” he said.

“Iyong mga bagay na pong iyan, tayo po ay nagbabago ng ating strategy and then transform natin na, base doon sa instruction ng ating Pangulo –food security, but we have to consider iyong climate change.”

The Philippines is ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impact of climate change.

Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer.

DTI confiscates P64-M uncertified products worth in Jan-Nov 2022

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported on Tuesday it confiscated a total of 219,693 uncertified products worth PHP64.5 million from January to November this year.

The DTI said it intensified its market monitoring in cracking down on uncertified goods to protect consumers from substandard electrical and electronic products, mechanical and

construction materials, as well as chemical and other consumer products and systems.

During the DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau’s (FTEB) market monitoring last Dec. 16, it seized PHP418,578 worth of uncertified products in retail stores in Manila alone.

The 650 confiscated uncertified goods include LED bulbs, lavatories and water closets, electric fans,

electric rice cookers, electric food mixers and induction cookers.

Nine retail firms in the capital were issued with Notices of Violation (NOVs).

Last Dec. 7, FTEB said eight establishments were issued with NOVs for selling uncertified goods such as electric kettles, electric food mixers, electric fans, electric grills, electric cookers, electric food processors, electric rice cookers,

electric juicers and self-ballasted LED lamps.

Some 609 uncertified products were confiscated amounting to PHP90,569.

“The DTI’s intensified enforcement operation is to ensure that household appliances and other consumer products in the market have undergone and met safety standards,” DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group

Jollibee Foods Corp said it will launch its global sustainability agenda in the first quarter of 2023 as part of its commitment to uphold sustainable business practices.

“Joy for Tomorrow “will focus on 3 main areasfood, people and the planet, the country’s largest restaurant operator said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The agenda also has 10 sustainable pillars, namely food safety, food quality, nutrition and transparency, employee welfare, farmers’ livelihood, community support, good governance, packaging and recycling, waste reduction and energy and water efficiency, JFC said.

JFC said each pillar would showcase initiatives and goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Jollibee Group President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said expanding the group’s sustainability initiatives would provide more value to its stake-

holders, including customers, employees, investors, suppliers and communities where their stores operate.

“Our Sustainability Agenda serves as an anchor for sustaining our growth momentum while contributing to create a better future for all,” Tanmantiong said.

“We want to serve food that people trust, treat the planet responsibly, and help make people’s lives better. We called it ‘Joy for Tomorrow’ because it reflects our commitment to continuously live our mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone—now and in the future,” he added.

JFC will integrate past programs such as the Food Safety and Quality Management Excellence Programs and the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) of the Jollibee Group Foundation, to the latest commitment under the agenda, Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Pepot Miñana said.

Still few shoppers are seen at a supermarket in Lanang, Davao City a couple of minutes after it opened on Wednesday. Dabawenyo consumers are expected to troop to the supermarkets and public markets in the city as the New Year’s day celebration gets nearer. Lean Daval Jr.

Jollibee Corp to launch global sustainability push in

Tourism revenues reach P149B under PBBM as of Nov: Palace

employees’ compensation claims

The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) has provided assistance to over 200,000 workers and/ or their families across the country who filed claims after experiencing work-related contingencies for this year.

In its accomplishment report released on Tuesday, the ECC reported that through its administering agencies -- the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government System Insurance System (GSIS) -a total of 204,187 EC benefits claims worth PHP1.22 billion were approved and released to claimants on the first semester of 2022 under the Employees’ Compensation (EC).

Of the number of claims, 79,474 were due to sickness; 10,272 were due to disability; 110,615 were under death and pension claims; 332 were for funeral benefits; 3,162 were for medical services including medical reimbursements; 35 for rehabilitation services; and 297 for the one-time financial assistance to qualified EC pensioners.

“ECC made sure to constantly revisit its existing programs and craft new ones that provide comprehensive solutions to the changing needs and demands of Filipino workers in both the private and public sectors; such responses to clients’ real time concerns include programs that boost the morale of all persons with work-related disabilities (PWRDs),” it said.

Quick response program

The ECC also said it has made great strides in 2022 in terms of expanding its program to workers who contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In addition to the primary EC benefits provided by the SSS and GSIS under the EC program, the ECC Quick Response Program (QP) in the form of cash assistance intends to provide workers and their families with immediate financial support, as an ancillary benefit.

Workers with approved EC claims from the Systems are eligible for

Revenues

generated by the country’s tourism sector reached P149 billion under the Marcos administration as of November, Malacañang said Wednesday, as COVID-19 restrictions continued to ease.

Based on its year-end report, the Department of Tourism recorded around 2.4 million tourist arrivals in the country or 75 percent of the agency’s target, Press Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil said.

The DOT’s low-end target for international tourist arrivals for next year is at 2.6 million. Its high-end target, meanwhile, is at 6.4 million.

The agency is also planning to focus on connectivity, convenience, and e-quality to drive the tourism sector in 2023.

This includes developing the National Tourism Development Plan 20232028, improving connectivity, boosting localities’ tourism infrastructure, and opening up a Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“These initiatives are under the DOT’s Seven-Point Agenda aimed at improving tourism infrastructure, establishing cohesive digitalization and connectivity, enhancing the country’s overall tourism experience and equalizing product development,” said Malacañang.

“The tourism department also plans to open Mindanao for tourism and promote Halal tourism, conduct Philippine national job fairs, and expand the tourism opportunity markets,” it added.

Aside from these, the DOT also plans to set up

a “cruise tourism.” This would involve some 136 ports of call in 40 islands, do regional travel fairs, and develop tourism circuits, the statement read.

More tourism information desks and tourist rest areas are also in the pipeline, including the improvement of accreditation standards “to ensure the competitiveness of the Philippine tourism sector.”

The app, the department said, will provide tourists a “convenient way with which they can book all the aspects of their trip into and around the Philippines.”

PBBM keen on more ecozone dev’ts; approves P91-B ecozone projects

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is optimistic on approving ecozone projects in the coming years as President Ferdinand R. Marcos targets ecozone development as a catalyst for growth in the country.

This year, PEZA told the Philippine News Agency that the agency approved a total of 29 ecozone projects

amounting to PHP96.21 billion, 11 of which were registered during the first six months of the Marcos administration.

These 11 ecozones from July to December accounted for 94 percent of the total investment approvals for ecozone development this year, with total project costs of PHP90.65 billion.

The PEZA said the largest investment for an ecozone development this year amounted to PHP81.65 billion, which is a mixed-used special economic zone for manufacturing and tourism in Pangasinan.

Of the total approved ecozone projects this year, 13 were information technology (IT) parks and centers, 12 were manu-

facturing ecozones, two in tourism, one in agro-industrial and one in mixeduse for manufacturing and tourism ecozone.

“Part of the priorities of this administration is to build more economic zones outside Metro Manila,” said PEZA deputy director general Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal in a recent press

A vendor sorts imported grapes at a stall along Monteverde St. in Davao City on Tuesday (27 December 2022). Round-shaped fruits are now in demand as it is believed to bring fortune in the coming year. Mindanews Photo

P1.22B in

released in 2022, ECC says

JOCELYN

GREGORIO

REP. PAOLO “PULONG” DUTERTE

Though Protestantism was formally introduced in southern Mindanao in 1903, the first missionaries identified with the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church set foot in Davao only in 1937, the same year Davao was inaugurated as a city.

It was the husband-andwife tandem of Alfonso Nils Anderson and Mayte Landis, after spending over two decades in Japan before being assigned to Davao, earning the distinction as the first Adventist ministers to officially preach on behalf of their congregation. The couple was classmates at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, where they completed tertiary education in 1913. That same year, they decided to settle down and embraced the life of a missionary.

The denomination, one of several Adventist groups

in the U.S., traces its history to May 21, 1863, at Battle Creek, Michigan, USA, and counts among its numerous founders Joseph Bates, James White, Ellen G. White, and J. N. Andrews.

The Andersons, after a year of preparations, were promptly sent to Hiroshima in 1915 to head a mission station. Aside from preaching, Alfonso handled editorial jobs for two Japa-nese papers, the ‘Toki no Shirushi’ (Signs of Times) and ‘Shimei no Otozure’ (Tidings of the Message)., and was assigned as home missionary secretary and publishing secretary for the Japan Union (19191921).

An indefatigable worker, Alfonso taught Bible and History at the Japan Mission School (1921-1927), became the director of Tohoku Mission (1928-1934), and was a

Bible teacher at Japan Union College (1934-36).

Citing Charles L. Anderson, the couple’s firstborn, Bruce N. Anderson, president and board chairman for the Adventist Health California Medical Group, described Alfonso as ‘A fluent Japanese linguist, the mild-mannered, nearsighted missionary once had to calm an an-gry mob that had been inflamed by wild rumors accusing Koreans of poisoning wells in the aftermath of the 1923 Tokyo earthquake and was bent on attacking a Korean worker at the Adventist press.’

Given their exposure to Japanese culture and competency In Niponggo, the couple was hands down chosen by the Adventist World Church to open a mission in Davao, then the largest Japanese expatriate community outside Japan.

Prior to the Andersons, a number of Adventists had already reached southern Mindanao in 1920 under the supervision of the sect’s East Visayan Mission but not in the Davao region.

The Encyclopedia of Seventh-Day Adventists identified the first missionaries in Mindanao as Dr. and Mrs. Ulysses Charles and Ellen Fattebert, along with Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Stew-ard. But their efforts were chiefly concentrated in western Mindanao and adjacent areas.

When war broke out, the Anderson couple had to endure incarceration, first at the Davao Penal Colony and later transported to the Santo Tomas Interment Camp where they spent the next three years prior to the capitulation of the Japanese Imperial troops to the Allied Forces.

Weighing only 70 pounds (32 kilograms) after the war, Alfonso was close to death when he and other internees were rescued by troops from the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division on Febru-ary 3, 1945. Emaciated and permanently weakened by his brutal experience in the hands of the people he and his wife had worked with, he was hospitalized, eventually recovered, and flew home with his bette -half.

In 1946, having recovered by the trauma of war, he decided to retire, still emotionally positive about Japan and the Japanese people. Outside the ministry, he taught Astronomy and learned to write poems. He died on March 16, 1958, in Hinsdale, Illinois. Mayte Landis followed him on April 27, 1964. Their remains are buried in North Sacramento, California.

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it.” - HENRY FORD.

*******

It has always been the fascination of many who promise - as the old year passes - to be altogether a new person as the new year starts when the din and dust of fireworks have died down.

Many in the Christian world do it the traditional way, jotting down achievable resolutions that somehow halfway fade away because the desire dies and evaporates like cigarette smoke.

Book authors - like Catherine Ponder - have written voluminous works on prosperity concepts and ideas that if followed diligently would transform the person into a successful human being.

(There are even a number of pastors I know and have read their works who preach the prosperity gospel which I find sadly off tangent from

spiritual perspective.)

Ponder, in her book “The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity,” begins by inciting people to first nurture a desire rather than just wanting something of value.

As global inflation and recession affects every citizen anywhere in this world, Ponder’s prose on prosperity thinking should be a welcome antidote.

Considered one of America’s foremost inspirational authors, Ponder wrote: “You are prosperous to the degree that you are experiencing peace, and plenty in your world. While prosperous thinking means many things to many people, basically it gives you the power to make your dreams come true, whether those dreams are concerned with better health, increased financial success, a happier personal life, more education and travel, or a deeper spiritual life.”

Russell H. Conwell in his “Acres of Diamonds” lectures said:

“I say you ought to be rich; you have no right to be poor. To live and not be rich is a misfortune because you could have been rich as well as being poor…We ought to get rich by honorable methods, and these are the only methods that sweep us quickly toward the goal of riches.”

I am putting emphasis on the phrase “honorable methods.”

Would you be shocked to know that Ponder describes poverty as a sin?

She said: “It is shockingly right instead of shockingly wrong for you to be prosperous. Obviously, you cannot be very happy if you are poor and you need not be poor. It is a sin. Poverty is a form of hell caused by man’s blindness to God’s unlimited good for him.”

Further, Ponder elucidates that poverty is actually a type of disease that is in acute phases that sometimes takes the form of insanity.

Why, but Ponder rationalized that poverty inhab-

its prison cells with thieves and murderers, driving men and women to drink, prostitution, drug addiction and suicide.

“It drives potentially fine, talented, intelligent children to delinquency and crime. It makes people do things they otherwise would never dream of doing,” she added.

Another revelation that got my nodding approval is when Ponder associated poverty with communism and the state of human affairs.

“Communism,” she evoked, “ one of the most dreaded movements in the world today, often gets a stronghold as a direct result of poverty. The governments which have become Communist-dominated have usually done so for financial reasons, believing it a way to financial security.”

Somehow this tugged into my heart as I connected present-day China with the above rationale.

In my own limited layman’s understanding, I agree with Ponder who wrote that

God’s promises of prosperity are embedded in the Bible.

In Jeremiah 28:11 the Holy Book says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Wow, this biblical verse solidifies Ponder’s perspective that as children of God, we deserve a divine heritage that only God can grant and bestow.

“You should be prosperous,” Ponder continued, “well supplied and have an abundance of good because it is your divine heritage. Your Creator wants you that way. That is the shockingly nice truth about prosperity.”

Isn’t this a fulfilling read to push our inertia to an elevated space where we can see the upcoming 2023 horizon?

I pray and hope I can write another sequel to this topic in the coming days, God willing.

CHEERS! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD

LIFESTYLE

LIVE AND WORK AT AEON TOWERS RESIDENTIAL OFFICES

BY NEIL BRAVO

An office space at the city’s tallest skyscraper? Anyone engaging into business or professional services would be making the right first step with the right location.

Good business is good location.

Add to that, the comforts of being in the heart of the city’s central business district and having a spectacular view of the city’s surrounds.

Consider yourself on top of the game.

If that’s your dream office, dream no more.

Aeon Towers Residential Offices is now under offer.

The locked down ride through the pandemic has taught us a lesson in doing business--that home and office can be one. As one.

Yes, working from home is one of the lessons we can keep from the pandemic. But let’s tweak the term a little bit. Working from home goes by the thought that there’s an office but people are ‘forced’ to work away from it because of the contagion.

That said, it may be more appropriate calling it a working home. Aha. Resi-

dential Offices, that the perfect fit. Many people have realized the benefits of working from home. Some professionals and businesspeople, rather than leasing office space, choose to invest in a property that may serve as both a residence and a place to continue to do business.

Simply, it means allocating an area reserved in a house for official business operations known as a home office.

Aeon Towers, located in J.P. Laurel Avenue, offers everything you need for a comfortable home office. You can expect top-of-the-line amenities like 24-hour security, a swimming pool, a gym and spa, and more. The building is also close to parks, public facilities, and services.

To know how you can acquire a residential office at Aeon Towers, send a message to Mr. Jester Hospotal (09173197513) or visit Aeon Luxe Showroom, 2nd Flr., Aeon Towers, Davao City.

EDGE

563 farmers in Pangasinan get land titles from DAR

ROSALES, Pangasinan – A total of 563 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in this province personally received their land titles from Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III, yesterday, December 28, 2022.

The distributed land titles, covering a total area of 217 hectares of agricultural

land, are located in Tayug, Sto. Tomas, Balungao, Rosales, Umingan, and Lingayen.

Estrella said that of the 563 ARBs who were awarded land titles, 88 were given electronic land titles (e-titles) issued under the agency’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling or Project SPLIT.

“The 88 ARBs under the Project SPLIT

were previously awarded lands under collective certificates of land ownership award (CCLOAs). This time, they were given individual e-titles after the department went through the process of subdividing the CCLOAs,” Estrella explains.

Estrella said the Project SPLIT will strengthen the ARB’s land tenure security and property rights to

their lands.

The remaining 475 ARBs were awarded regular land titles or CLOAs issued under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Estrella stressed that the distribution activities are anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s plans “to empower the farmers and boost the agricultural sector.”

Estrella also announced to the ARBs the positive news about the approval of the final reading of House Bill Number 6336, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, by the House of Representatives. The proposed bill aims to free the ARBs from the financial burden of paying loans extended in relation to awarded ag -

ricultural lands under the CARP.

“When this law is enacted, ARBs who have yet to be awarded agricultural lands from the CARP will receive so without any obligation for amortization,” Estrella explained.

According to Estrella, the proposed law exempts estate tax payments on awarded lands to ARBs.

Bombo Radyo Philippines, reinforces its claim as the NUMBER 1 AND MOST TRUSTED RADIO NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY by holding its Top Level Management Conference 2023 in the cradle where it was founded, Iloilo City.

The five (5) days of strategic planning session as applied to the present

times is headed by its President and Chief Executive Officer, MS. MARGARET RUTH C. FLORETE.

Bombo Radyo Philippine has consistently been in the forefront of industry, constantly transforming itself to be of better service to its audience. Fresh from an equipment and logistics upgrade costing PESOS:

ONE HUNDRED MILLION (P100,000,000.00) prior to the pandemic, it has markedly increase its digital footprint with Digital Bombo Radyo goaded by the need to touch base and interact with its audience during the height of Covid 19.

The avid followers of Bombo Radyo Philippines

can be assured that the Network is aware of the needs of its audience. The strategic planning conference is meant to review performances, identify good practices as applied to all areas of operations, jettisoning those that are not responsive to the radio audience these times.

As the march of tech-

nology continues to be made available, Bombo Radyo Philippines and Digital Bombo will continue to make use of these developments so as to be of better service to its audience. This is your Bombo Radyo Philippines, the Most Trusted and Number One Radio Network in the Country!

EMPHASIS...

is to have our vaccines and booster doses,” she said.

Meanwhile, Schlosser is also happy with the continued decline in the number of cases.

From December 18 to 24, she reported that there are only 86 cases recorded and the majority are asymptomatic and mild cases.

“We can attribute this kay ubay ubay man ang atong nabakunahan sa atong primary doses but again we still have number of deaths,” she said.

On the other hand, she said that the strategy of the city when it comes to new

NTC...

FROM 2 Dec. 28, its memo further read.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan on Wednesday said that they have since received initial reports.

Salvahan also cited a report from Globe Telecom saying that it has about 20,000 registered subscribers on the first day of SIM card registration on Tuesday.

“Slowly, ine-enhance na po sila ng system nila, nag-request po sila ng period of 72 hours para po fully ma-enhance at ma-improve iyong system of registration nila on the part of Globe,” he also said.

Salvahan also addressed concerns on the use of selfies for the SIM card registration, saying

CLOSE...

FROM 2

variants of Covid-19 is still the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration (PDITR) strategies.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that a strain of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 which has been driving surges in China is now in the Philippines.

The DOH reported that four cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7 were detected in the country, based on the genome sequencing conducted on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).

PEACE...

FROM 2

of Sali, a sub-commander of the MILF 118th base command, first attacked the group of Commander Jaype Emran of 105th base command in Barangay Barurao, apparently to avenge the death of Sali’s relative during the skirmishes on Dec. 14.

FDA...

FROM 2

shown” that it could better protect the public against Covid-19, especially emerging variants.

The reformulated shot includes a component of the original SARS-COV-2

VP SARA...

that it was an added verification measure.

He noted that during the public consultations on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Card Registration Act, there were concerns on how to ensure the identity of subscribers using their SIM cards.

“Isa po sa mga napag-usapan diyan ay ang paglalagay ng selfie para magkaroon tayo ng post-verification process para po ma-verify natin [ang mga subscriber],” he said.

Salvahan added that some telcos will also be rolling out assisted registration in their stores, especially for subscribers who are not familiar with using their online registration platforms.

FROM 3

liters of water can be produced by the machine a day.

“Mura ni ug aircon. Ang aircon naay tulo. Kato iyang condensed water mao to ang atong gina collect down sa lines sa machine and pump in sa filtration system dumaan sa five stages filtration system that is why we can consider the machine very safe,” said Engineer Arman Capin, Board of Director of ISDA.

The technology is engineered in Israel.

“We tested the water sa private laboratory the result was good and suitable for drinking,” Capin assured.

Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., who graced the launch, lauded ISDA for providing AWG.

“They are all related (by blood); this is now a rido (family feud),” Ameril said.

Angas said the town government has provided initial food packs to families who fled their homes but have returned to their respective communities. (PNA)

REP...

FROM 3

those who have been granted free legal aid shall continue to enjoy this privilege even after their retirement from the service.

“Retired officers or uniformed personnel shall also be given free legal assistance for cases or charges involving service-related incidents committed by such retired officers or uniformed personnel while still in active duty,” it said.

an officer or uniformed personnel of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, or PNP shall be entitled to payment of actual travel and other expenses, including Special Counsel Allowance, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations,” it said.

strain from 2019 and the Omicron variant to provide the public with broader protection.

The Philippines targets to procure the vaccine by early 2023. (PNA)

Pardillo said AWG will not only serve the calamities-stricken areas in Davao City but will be deployed also in other areas hit by disasters and calamities.

“Pero priority ang Davao City. Mahalon nato ang atong silingan labi na dinhi sa Taal,” he said.

Meanwhile, ISDA also inaugurated the Pugad ng Agila Headquarters on the same day.

Duterte urged the Senate to pass its counterpart measure of HB 6509 once Congress resumes session next month.

HB 6509 mandates the leaderships of the AFP, PNP, BFP, BJMP, and PCG to submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) their respective revised organizational structures and staffing patterns for their legal offices to ensure adequate and effective free legal assistance to their qualified MUP.

“The government lawyer so designated to provide legal assistance to

DTI...

FROM 4

Ruth Castelo said.

The bill also states that “the government lawyer so designated to provide legal assistance to an officer or uniformed personnel of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, or PNP shall be entitled to payment of actual travel and other expenses, including Special Counsel Allowance, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.”

Duterte said under the measure, qualified MUP may also be provided, in the interest of justice, with private counsel at the expense of the government when necessary.

“If the measure is passed into law, it will also be applicable to all MUP with pending charges involving service-related incidents, he added.

FROM 3

soy said that while DOLE welcomes foreign nationals to have profitable careers in the country, the regional office is implementing stricter rules and regulations for the issuance of AEP to

continuously ensure that local jobs are protected and to afford Filipinos of gainful employment with respect to their competencies, abilities, and willingness to perform services.

“This will help tremendously during calamities in Davao City. Kay kung naay calamities, mawala man gud ang tubig. With this we will get water from the atmosphere, it is very safe. This will serve in calamities-stricken areas in Davao City,” he said.

“Nabuo nako ning ISDA building sa pagdagan ni Vice President Inday, pero sa wala pa nagdecide na mudagan si Inday ako na tong nagsyagit na mudagan siya ug president. Nagsugod ko sa Sara All in 2020, that time kuyog mi magcaravan sa whole Philippines. After a year gi-divert nako sa Sara Cares. Gihimo nako siya ug foundation then gihimo nako siya ug coop,” Pardillo said.

ISDA was also formed mainly inspired by VP Sara’s leadership; and intends to bring goods, services, and health access to remote areas and the underprivileged.

She said this DTI initiative aims not to restrict businesses but to ensure

JOLLIBEE...

the safety of consumers from buying uncertified products that did not undergo proper testing. (PNA)

FROM 4

“As one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world and the largest in the Philippines, Jollibee Group recognizes its responsibility and opportunity to impact sustainability issues in the

P1.22B...

FROM 5

an additional PHP10,000 for sickness claims and PHPP15,000 for beneficiaries in case of work-related death claims.

The ECC said as of November, a total of PHP112.1 million in cash assistance benefits were granted to a total of 11,168 beneficiaries.

More than 10,000 of these approved applications were due to Covid-19 cases.

It also considers alternative modes of disbursing cash assistance claims in addition to the traditional releasing of payment via checks for a faster and more efficient disbursement process.

“The benefit will be transferred directly to the

PBBM...

conference.

quick service industry. We remain committed in driving our business growth guided by our mission and values, with Sustainability as the backbone of our journey,” Tanmantiong said.

claimants’ electronic accounts. This is also to mitigate the risks of contracting diseases that can be acquired thru face-to-face interactions,” the ECC added.

Other EC programs are being offered to workers, particularly those who have become physically challenged as a result of a work-related illness or accident.

ECC continues to provide rehabilitation services such as free physical, psychosocial, and occupational therapy, provision of a prosthesis and other assistive devices, enrollment of PWRDs in entrepreneurship programs, distribution of business starter kits worth PHP20,000 and an additional PHP10,000 complimentary kit.

FROM 5

Most of the ecozone projects registered in 2022 will be located in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces), with eight ecozone development.

This is followed by the National Capital Region and Central Luzon with three ecozone projects each; three projects in Central Visayas; two each in Ilocos Region, Soccskargen Region and Caraga Region; and one each in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and

Davao Region.

Guiapal said PEZA launched its “3E strategies” to attract more investments in ecozones. These include engaging new markets, expansion of existing markets and emerging markets, especially engaging with the Gulf countries for halal hubs and Islamic financing.

To boost investment approvals and ecozone development in PEZA, the investment promotion agency said it will push for amendments to the PEZA law, which is already a 27-year-old legislation.

Athletes leave their mark on 2022

The world in 2022 has seen some outstanding achievements of athletes who left their mark on the year.

Argentine football superstar and 2022 FIFA World Cup champion Lionel Messi, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, World Cup silver medalist Kylian Mbappe of France, Real Madrid’s longtime French forward Karim Benzema, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, and US basketball superstar Stephen Curry were

among those who made a big impact in their respective fields throughout 2022.

Messi’s historic World Cup win

In 2022 winter, Argentina’s Messi led his national team to the World Cup triumph in Qatar which the South American nation had been wait-

ing for 36 years.

Before 2022, Argentina have won the World Cup twice.

Messi, 35, won the only missing piece in his trophy room with the win against France, as he now owns every top-tier title, club, and international tournament, including the Copa America, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

On Dec. 18, Argentina beat France 4-2 on pen-

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

alties to secure the World Cup.

After the historic win, Messi’s Dec. 19 Instagram post titled “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!” has received over 73 million likes -- the most likes a post has received so far on the social media platform.

Mbappe, who rallied France in the historic final against Argentina, scored eight goals in the tournament in Qatar to win the Golden Boot award.

But the 24-year-old

returned home with a silver medal.

Mbappe, who won the 2018 World Cup, scored 12 goals in the tournament’s history and now he has to score five more goals to beat German forward Miroslav Klose, who is still the record holder.

Having already retired from the game, Klose, the 2014 world champion, scored 16 goals in four editions (2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014) to be the World Cup’s all-time top

scorer.

Messi’s biggest rival Ronaldo made history even though Portugal failed in the World Cup.

The Portuguese star became the all-time top scorer when his hat-trick on March 12 was enough to secure a 3-2 victory for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 37-year-old attacker had 807 career goals to break Austrian-Czech player Josef Bican’s 805-goal record.

Even as Bay Area Dragons coach Brian Goorjian vows to “hit back” in Game 2 of the Com’s Cup Final Series versus Brgy. Ginebra yesterday, sorry that we are unable to report the results today because of time constraints.

The 69-year old American-Australian mentor thought the three fouls called against Zhu Songwei very early in the game told against his forward’s performance. Zhu had put in 5 points at that time.

Goorjian had to sit Zhu on the bench and this contributed, ac-

GOORJIAN WANTS FAIR

cording to him, to the 96-81 loss in the Finals opener.

He added that Nicholson was double, triple teamed but no fouls were leveled against Ginebra players.

Goorjian did not like the apparent double standard on defense, especially on Nicholson who was limited to just 27 pts, his lowest.

In post game interviews, the Dragons bench tactician said “they guarded Nicholson like that but there was no penalty.”

The burly ex-NBAer produced

just nine free throws in 39 minutes on the floor.

How game officials and the commissioner’s office will react to Gorjian’s plea will have been shown in yesterday’s Game 2.

I understand where this fellow is coming from.

The Dragons seemed too gentlemanly enough not to swap hard physical fouls with their hosts because Goorjian’s boys seemed to have a different understanding of the PBA rules.

Nicholson himself had some “good words” about how Stand-

OFFICIATING

hardinger and the rest of Ginebra players defended him.

In so many words, the Dragons high scoring forward told the sports media that he had been around basketball a long time that he knows the kind of defense allowed and disallowed.

“I don’t know why it is allowed here,” referring to Ginebra’s physical play without the refs making the right calls.

These accusations may or may not fall on deaf ears but if we take Goorjian seriously, he will resort to the kind of physical game

Ginebra is dishing against his platoon.

The Dragons did not come here to play goodwill games.

Yes, they are in part goodwill ambassadors but make no mistake about it.

They are taking part to win the championship trophy because they know they can beat all the PBA teams if officiating is fair and just.

Oops. This hurts. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Argentine football star Lionel Messi, Spanish tennis legend Rafa Nadal and Golden State Warriors prolific guard Steph Curry left a huge mark in sports for 2022.

‘Dickie’ Bachmann. PBA Media Bureau

SPORTS RIGODON

Richard Bachmann replaces Noli Eala as PSC chair, 2 Commissioners named

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Richard “Dickie” Bachmann as the new chairman of the PSC replacing Noli Eala, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.

Press Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed the appointment to the media. The Palace, however, has yet to release Bachmann’s appointment papers.

Bachmann replaces Eala, who led PSC since August 30 of this year.

Prior to his post, Bachmann was named as the basketball commissioner of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Bachmann went to De La Salle University from 1986 to 1991, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, Major in Business Management. He also played for the Green Archers.

Bachmann was also the PBA 3×3 chairman.

Meantime, Eala said he is leaving the Philippine Sports Commission “at peace” after his brief stint in the sports agency.

Eala will be replaced by Bachmann as announced by Malacañang on Wednesday.

“My brief stint in the PSC gave me an opportunity to once again serve with passion in a field I hold close to my heart,” Eala said in his

statement.

“With all humility, I can say that I gave dignity and respect to the position of Chairman and worked tirelessly for Philippine Sports.”

Eala thanked President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the opportunity to improve the country’s sports affairs and said he accepts the decision made by the president.

The former PSC chair also thanked the sports leaders who supported him and wished the upcoming chair the best.

“As I leave, I am at peace knowing that in the months I served, I cared for all our athletes and Philippine Sports like no other,” said Eala.

New PSC commissioners

The PSC also announced that new commissioners will join the sports body.

Walter Francis Torres and Edward Hayco were appointed as commissioners to the body.

According to the PSC, Torres served as the chef de mission to the 2022 ASEAN Para Games and is the Philippine Paralympic Committee secretary-general.

Meanwhile, Hayco served as chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission for 12 years.

The two will join bowling legend Bong Coo as commissioners of the agency.

Call it a quick substitution. In just four months, the Philippine Sports Commission will pass on to a new leadership.

Richard