Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 228 | Thursday, January 12, 2023

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte signs a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Aboitiz Davao business units represented by Anton Perdices, senior vice president and chief operating officer of AboitizPower Distribution Unit and Rodger Velasco, president and chief operating officer of the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), for Project Bilis Davao, a program for the digitalization of the business processes of the city government of Davao to enhance and promote the city’s Ease of Doing Business, held at DLPC admin office along C. Bangoy Sr. Street in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

BEST FOR BUSINESS

City gov’t, Aboitiz Group push to make Davao City top business-friendly city

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The city government of Davao and power provider Aboitiz Group inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Wednesday aiming to make Davao City the most business-friendly city in Mindanao.

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, together with Anton Perdices, senior vice president and chief operating officer

(COO) of the AboitizPower Distribution Unit and Rodger Velasco, president and chief operating officer (COO) of the Davao

Light and Power Company (DLPC), led the signing of the MOA in streamlining business processes under the Project Bilis Davao through digitalization of the issuance of building and business permits, tax mapping, and the use of online payment channels.

The MOA signing was held at the at the Davao Light and Power Compa-

ny (DLPC) admin office in Davao City.

Perdices, who represented the business units of the Aboitiz in Davao City, said this aims to promote ease of doing business with the city and to attract more investors, encourage new businesses, and promote economic growth.

PBBM promises to speed up farm land distribution to beneficiaries

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday pledged to speed up efforts to distribute land ownership titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Marcos made the statement during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang,

where he also instructed the Department of Agrarian Reform to expedite the distribution of certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to farmers.

He also vowed to proved support to help agrarian reform beneficia-

ries improve their living conditions, according to a Palace press statement.

DAR earlier said it hopes to complete the the subdivision of around 34,500 collective CLOAs covering 345,089 hectares of land and issuing 134,000

individual titles to beneficiaries.

It also hopes for the approval of the Senate version of f House Bill (HB) 6336 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which

6 airports turned over by CAAP to BARMM

Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has vowed to improve the services of Awang Airport and five other airports in the region now that their management and control had been turned over to BARMM.

But retired Brig. Gen. Dionisio Robles, CAAP intelligence and investigation division chief, pointed out that “what we have just turned over are the land side management of the airport. The air side management and control will remain with the CAAP.”

“We will try our best to maximize the development of these airports, including those non-operational airstrips in BARMM,” Ebrahim said Tuesday during the turnover ceremonies for management of the six airport facilities from the CAAP to BARMM through the Ministry of Transporta-

tion and Communications (MOTC).

“Air connectivity is one of our major programs to improve the delivery of services to island provinces of BARMM,” he added.

Robles handed over the plaque to Ebrahim during the turnover rites held at the passenger waiting area of Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Awang Airport is also known as the Cotabato Airport.

Transportation Minister Paisalin Tago has expressed that his office will prioritize the development in terms of structure, management and services of these airports now under its jurisdiction.

“A good airport means good image for a particular country. If our airports are good, more tourists and investors will come and visit us,” Tago said in the vernacular.

Ebrahim said the transfer of management

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Anton Perdices, senior vice president and chief operating officer of AboitizPower Distribution Unit exhange pleasantries after signing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for Project Bilis Davao held at DLPC admin office along C. Bangoy Sr. Street in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Comelec 11 sets week registration for senior citizens, PWDs, PDL

Envi groups remain firm against WTE project

Environmental groups stood ground on their opposition to the Waste-To-Energy (WTE) project of the city government of Davao.

The groups renewed their expression of opposition during a people’s forum held on January 9, 2023, claiming that the facility will only impact people’s health and Davao City’s rich biodiversity, particularly the watersheds.

In the said forum, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific together with Ecowaste Coalition and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) - Davao and in partnership with Ecoteneo, Masipag Mindanao, Panalipdan Youth-Davao, and Saligan-Mindanaw stood together with affected farmers, residents, and concerned members of the community as they opposed the pending construction of WTE incinerator in Davao City.

In a statement, Gary Villocino of Masipag, a network of farmers in

Davao, stated that the construction of this facility will not only be dangerous to people’s health but will also destroy valuable agricultural land.

“Land that could be used to cultivate resources for the community,” he said.

Mark Peñalver of IDISDavao also stated that when it comes to WTE incineration, the bottom line is not only it is a dangerous way to produce energy, but it’s also incredibly harmful to the environment. What’s more, incineration is not a renewable or sustainable energy source.

“It produces more greenhouse gasses than coal. So not only is incineration a bad choice for the environment, but it’s also not a wise choice from a climate perspective,” he said in a statement.

The statement also quoted Randy Catubag Irog of the Mintal Resource Collectors Association (MiRCA) in Barangay Mintal, which stated that despite fearing repercus-

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec 11) announced on Wednesday that it has

The special registration will cover senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) slated in October this year.

Lawyer Gay Enumerables, assistant regional director of Comelec 11, said the entire week (from January 9 to 14) is a satel-

lite registration for the said sector.

“The entire week is for the vulnerable sector such as senior citizens, PDL, and PWD. Karon na entire week. Ang Davao City karon naa sila sa Ma-a sa City Jail for the PDL,” Enumerables said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

She added that there are also scheduled satellite registrations in the munic-

ipalities in the Davao Region.

“For Davao City, wala sila naggawas naa gihapon sa ilang opisina ang registration dinha sa Magsaysay Park,” she said.

Meanwhile, Enumerables reported that the number of registrants in Davao City has increased since the start of January this year.

“Ubay ubay na ang nagpa register. Pag start sa January ubay ubay na ang nag adto sa Comelec office,” she said.

She said as of the eve-

ning of January 10, 2023, Comelec 11 recorded more than 600 registrants from the Third District of Davao City. She also said data showed a high turnout of registrants from the Second District also.

“Nagsugod na ug saka ang turnout nato sa registration,” she said.

Registration for the BSKE commenced on December 12, 2022, and the Comelec sets the deadline for registration on January 31, 2023.

COMELEC,

SoCot exec offers P500K bounty for killers of four security men

The mayor of Polomolok town, South Cotabato province has offered a PHP500,000 bounty for anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest of gunmen behind the separate killings of four of the town’s civil security unit (CSU) personnel.

Mayor Bernie Palencia

said Wednesday the reward money aims to fasttrack the resolution to the killings, the latest of which claimed the life of a retired police major who served as the town’s CSU intelligence chief.

Retired Major Donald Cabigas, 56, was shot dead inside his liquified petroleum gas retail store in Ba-

rangay Poblacion on Jan. 9.

On Jan. 6, unidentified gunmen also shot dead two other CSU members along the national highway in Barangay Sulit, Polomolok.

They were identified as retired police officer Bonifacio Cabisada, 58, and Jessie Arciete, 56, both bodyguards of the mayor.

Pelancia said witnesses

told police that the perpetrators aboard a motorbike first spoke with the two CSU members before they were shot.

“The gunmen and the victims were seen talking to each other while traveling on motorbikes, so the theory was they knew each other,” he said.

Lawyer Gay Enumerables, Commission on Elections 11 (Comelec 11) assistant regional director, announces that Comelec 11 has set this week as registration for the vulnerable sector for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) slated in October this year. Lean Daval Jr.

On the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the city government of Davao and power provider Aboitiz Group aiming to make Davao City the most businessfriendly city in Mindanao:

OLIVIA

JOCELYN

GREGORIO

MOSES

“The rise of the digital age has transformed us all. It created a necessity for people of all ages to adapt and innovate digitally. It has since created the need for a more flexible way of doing things, including the integration of online processes in our dayto-day business.”

ANTON

The first concrete endeavor to install a privately-owned light and power company south of Davao City was in the late 1940s when the municipal council of Sta. Cruz, under Res. No. 290 dated November 15, 1947, granted Romulo V. Ramos a franchise covering the entire town after this was approved by the Provincial Board of Davao under Res. No. 185.

In the process, Ramos filed with the Public Service Commission (PSC) an application (Case No. 31457) to have a franchise and a corresponding certificate of public convenience and necessity issued, which the agency favorably decided on September 25, 1948.

Under the PSC ruling, the franchisee was authorized ‘to install, maintain and operate an electric light, heat and power service’ in Sta. Cruz town. On October 15, 1948, the requisite

ANTONIO

V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVSUR’S FIRST ELECTRIC FRANCHISE

approval of the President was obtained. Initially, as stipulated in the certificate, Ramos was allowed to confine its operations ‘only in the barrio of Digos and in the poblacion of Sta. Cruz’ based on the submitted plans of the distribution systems.

Eight months later, Ramos, on June 25, 1949, filed with the PSC another application (Case No. 50771) to install an electric plant in the barrio of Padada, then part of the town of Sta. Cruz.

Three days later, Alejandro D. Almendras filed an application (Case No. 50831) with the PSC on June 28, 1949, for the approval of an electric franchise in the barrio of Padada, which the municipal council of Sta. Cruz granted under Res. No. 82 dated April 18, 1949, and ap-proved by the Provincial Board of Davao under Res. No. 770 dated May 31, 1949. A day thereafter, under Executive Or-

der No. 236 dated July 1, 1949, Padada became a municipality.

Due to this, Almendras, a war veteran, was granted by the new town an electric fran-chise that would gain approval from the provincial board of Davao under Res. No. 948 on July 28, 1949. He also filed with the PSC an amended application for the franchise and the certificate of public convenience and necessity, to operate an electric light, heat and power service in the same town.

To address the issue, the PSC heard the applications of Ramos (Case No. 50771) and Al-mendras (Case No. 50831) and came up with a single decision favoring the former. As a result, a petition for review, which reached the Supreme Court, was filed by Almendras. The tribunal in its October 22, 1951, ruling, sided with Ramos, saying: ‘We cannot attribute to the

lawmakers [in Congress] an intention [resulting from the creation of the town of Padada] to lay down a rule which, though entirely purposeless, results in waste of time and money.’

Ramos’ victory was sustained after Congress passed a bill granting him a 50-year fran-chise for an electric light, heat and power system in the towns of Sta. Cruz and Digos under Republic Act (RA) 788, approved on June 21, 1952. It gave him ‘the right, privilege, and au-thority to construct, maintain, and operate an electric light, heat and power system’ to gener-ate and distribute electric light, heat and power in the two towns. The license was expanded under RA 3014on June 19, 1960 to include the towns of Bansalan, Padada, Malalag, Hagonoy and Lower Matanao.

On June 22, 1963, RA 3829 was enacted. Two old provi-

sions, as a result, were expanded. Under Section 1, the grantee was given the added ‘right and privilege to install, lay and maintain on all streets, public thoroughfares, bridges and public places within said limits, poles, wires, transformers, capacitors, overhead protective devices, and pole line hardware, and other hardware, and other equipment necessary for the safe distribution of electric current to the public.’

Moreover, in Section 2, the National Power Corporation (NPC). after having set up lines in areas adjacent to or over the territories covered by the Ramos franchise, ‘may make available its light, heat and power only after negotiation with and through the grantee.’

RA 3829 effectively terminated the municipal franchise granted to Ramos under RA 3014.

During a class recitation, I asked the students this question in my general ethics class: What is the root cause of the inequalities in Philippine society? The best answer came from Juleah Zardilla, who explained: “The inequalities in our country are a result of a system instituted by our colonizers. They favored the landed few in order to control the people. By exerting their political influence, the elite who took over from our colonial masters maintained their position in society and perpetuated the inequalities that denied ordinary Filipinos the opportunity to live decent lives.”

President Rodrigo Duterte’s legacy was his fight against the rule of the elite. The rectification of historical injustices, especially those that has been inflicted on the minority, is a difficult job since it will involve not only institutional changes, but also an improvement of the political culture and cultural norms of

the people. While it is true that people are frustrated and that the past administrations have not been able to create real opportunities for human progress and inclusive growth, the sentiments of people are mere symptoms. We have to go into the root cause of our problems if we want to overhaul any system of government.

Wataru Kusaka, a Japanese scholar whose work is anchored on moral politics, writes that reducing politics as the conflict between the elite and the masses hides the fact that inequality is rooted not only in unjust systems but also in uneven social structures that reveals a clash of values and the many struggles of a people against latent and obvious forms of oppression and injustice. A systemic analysis of the socio-economic conditions of people will yield reasons for the gross inefficiency and incompetence of the leadership, but it cannot explain

the reality of cultural bias or the historical contexts that embolden the resolve of the impoverished masses to fight for their rights and demand change from their government.

When it comes to politics, the late Dr. Romulo Bautista often reminded his students that we cannot legislate morality nor create a new set of values for the people to follow. Every society is value-laden and for this reason, it is important to look into local thinking and the sentiments of the community. Take note that when the Americans introduced their own brand of democracy into the Philippines, they have envisioned an independent Filipino nation that can stand on its own without Uncle Sam. What happened was, instead of improving the socio-political conditions of the ordinary people, the US model of democracy, according to Kusaka, simply “strengthened the power base of the elites in the country.”

The Americans took over from Spain a nation that was burning with the flames of nationalism but one that suffered from regional divide. Ilustrado politicians like Quezon, Osmeña, and Roxas would serve as the standard for the national leadership. The Philippine Revolution, essentially, was an exclusive affair of the Tagalogs. When the Spaniards left the country, prominent families acquired vast plantations that employed poor Filipinos. In turn, the wealthy lorded over the lives of the peasants and influenced the outcomes of elections. This feudal arrangement is the basis of what Benedict Anderson termed as cacique democracy. This model will however transform itself from being agriculture-based to being services-sector oriented, although the exploitation of the country’s labor force remains apparent.

The political structures in the country make manifest the

harsh reality that most politicians serve the interests of oligarchs. The latter finance the run for office of many of our leaders. For Paul Hotchcroft, this power to control and influence the socio-economic life of the population is called “rent-seeking.” Ending social and economic inequalities will require not only a reform in policy but also the dismantling of unjust power structures in the country and the introduction of an open, transparent, and inclusive model of governance. The perpetuation of the unjust rule of the elite is the reason for the failures of Philippine democracy. Indeed, the first president from Mindanao may have succeeded in disturbing the comfort zones of the elite, but beyond this very important legacy, authentic reform must be a collective endeavor that is meant toward social, economic, and political transformation.

PH external trade eases in Nov. ‘22

The country’s external trade in November 2022 eased on month-on-month basis, but trade deficit slightly went up.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday that the country’s total trade in November amounted to USD17.88 billion, lower by 4.5 percent from the previous month’s external trade of USD18.73 billion.

Despite the decline in total trade during the month, balance of trade in goods incurred a higher deficit amounting to USD3.68 billion from USD3.31 billion in October 2022.

Both exports and imports decreased in November.

Export revenues fell by 7.9 percent month-on-month to USD7.1 billion from USD7.7 billion, while imports slipped

by 2.2 percent to USD10.78 billion from USD11.02 billion.

Year-on-year, total trade in November rose by 3.6 percent from USD17.26 billion in the same month in 2021.

Trade deficit narrowed by 21.9 percent from USD4.71 billion in November 2021.

For the same period, exports rose 13.2 percent from USD6.27 billion while imports slipped by 1.9 percent from USD10.98 billion.

“Of the top 10 major commodity groups, five recorded annual increases in terms of the value of exports,” PSA said.

Leading the exports growth in November last

year were mineral products, increasing by 51 percent; ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships, up by 23.1 percent; electronic products, up by 22.9 percent; cathodes and sections of cathode, of refined copper, up by 8.7 percent; and other manufactured goods, up by 4.8 percent.

Biggest losers in export revenues were coconut oil, which plunged by 35.2 percent; metal components, down by 19.2 percent; and chemicals, down by 15.1 percent.

Electronic products remained the Philippines’ top export in November 2022, accounting for 64.3 percent of the total export revenues.

“The year-to-date annual total export earnings --that is from January to November 2022-- amounted to

USD73.17 billion. This represents an annual increase of 7.0 percent from the yearto-date annual total export value of USD68.37 billion in January to November 2021,” PSA added.

Top export destinations for Philippine goods in November last year were Hong Kong, United States, Japan, China and Singapore.

Meanwhile, imports declined in November 2022 mainly due to the 10.1-percent decrease in imports of electronic products, which was also the top imported goods in the said month.

Other major commodity groups that contributed to the decline include transport equipment, down by 8.8 percent; cereals and cereal preparation, down by 5.9 percent; and industrial machinery and equipment, down by 3.5 percent.

PH issues $3-B multitranche global bonds

The Philippines on Tuesday sold a total of USD3 billion worth of 5.5-year, 10.5year and 25-year US dollar-denominated global bonds, with the latter a part of the Sustainable Finance Framework, the biggest for the government so far.

This is the second global bond offer under the Marcos administration following the USD2 billion triple tranche bond offering in October 2022.

The 25-year sustainable bond offering is the fourth environmental, social and governance (ESG) bond offering and follows those offered in October last year, the JPY70.1 billion four-tranche Samurai-bond in April 2022, and the USD2.25 billion triple-tranche bond offering in March last year.

The rate of the fresh 5.5-year and 10.5-year debt papers were priced at 105 basis points (bps) and 145 bps above similar

tenor US Treasuries, with a coupon of 4.625 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

The coupon rates are 50 basis points tighter than the initial price guidance of 155 bps area and 195 bps area, respectively.

In turn, the 25-year Sustainability bond was priced at 5.50 percent at par, 45 bps tighter than initial price guidance of 5.95 percent area.

The government is expected to settle the issuance this Jan. 17.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said results of the government’s initial bond offering this year “represents a strong vote of confidence by international investors.”

“It is a testament to the Republic’s sound economic fundamentals and the resilience of our economy in the face of volatile global financial markets,” he said.

DA okays importation of 21MT yellow, red onions

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday it has approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons of fresh yellow and red onions.

According to the approved order, these imported onions will only be delivered to selected entry points including the “Port of

Manila-South Harbor, Port of Subic, Port of Cebu, Port of Davao, and Port of Cagayan de Oro for strict monitoring purposes.”

In an interview, DA Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez said this move was in response to the tightening inflation amid increasing demand for onions.

“The sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) will be issued now to the applicants… So that one, we are balancing the volume of the harvest of the farmers and the peak season of harvest of the farmers also,” he said.

He said there were several revisions from the recom-

mended version in contrast with the approved measures for the issuance of SPSIC.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, he cited the change in import volume and the timing.

“Pinirmahan na po ni Senior Usec. Panganiban. At may mga pagbabago po doon sa mga rekomendasyon

natin, instead of 22,000 metric tons, naging 21,060 ang nilagay na volume. Tapos ‘yung ‘must-arrives’ dapat hindi lumagpas ng January 27 (Senior Usec. Domingo Panganiban already signed it. And there are changes in our recommendation. Instead of 22,000 metric tons, the indicated volume became 21,060.

And the ‘must-arrives’ must not be delivered beyond January 27),” he said.

The recommended volume was 22,000 metric tons, where 50 percent will be allocated for Luzon, and 25 percent each for Visayas and Mindanao, with the proposed timing reaching up until the first week of February.

Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim (middle) and retired Brig. Gen. Dionisio Robles, of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), during turnover ceremonies of the six BARMM airports on Wednesday (10 January 2023). MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA

Davao Region inflation rate declines to 9.3% in Dec. ‘22

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla is optimistic of an above 6 percent growth for the domestic economy this 2023 amidst projected slower global output.

During the Tuesday Club event in Mandaluyong City, Medalla said pent up demand in the tourism sector and car sales, among others, remain high and continue to be served as the economy is reopened further.

“The economy is strong and the pent-up demand will continue driving the economy this year,” he said.

The government’s growth assumption for this year has been slashed from 6.5 to 8 percent to between 6 to 7 percent primarily due to the expected slower growth in advanced economies.

Economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the first three quarters of 2022 averaged at 7.7 percent, exceeding the 6.5 to 7.5 assumption of economic managers.

Medalla said the 350 basis points uptick in the central bank’s key rates last year is not expected to immediately hit domestic de-

mand since people continue to spend following the lockdowns when the pandemic hit in 2020.

He said demographic dividend is a plus for the economy because of a large number of the population that can be part of the labor sector, which helps economic activities flourish.

Continued gains of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is also expected to bolster domestic growth, he added.

The BPO sector, which benefits from the availability of young and English-proficient Filipinos, is among the factors that prop up the economy.

Since it started around two decades ago, the sector placed the country as among the top 2 leading contact center outsourcing destination in the world, employing over 1.3 million workers and contributing around 9 percent in the economy’s annual output.

Medalla said the increased infrastructure spending of both the private and the public sectors are expected to further lift the economy given the longterm effect of having adequate infrastructure.

Davao

Region’s year-on-year regional inflation slightly decreased to 9.3 percent in December last year from 9.7 percent in November, the Philippine Statistics Office in Region 11 (PSA-11) said Wednesday.

In a statement, PSA-11 said the current inflation was the fourth-highest recorded inflation since January 2022 wherein the average inflation of the year stood at 7.4 percent.

The downtrend is primarily attributed to the decrease in the annual growth rate of fish and other seafood to 1.6 percent from 8.7 percent in November 2022.

The purchasing power of the peso (PPP), which measures the real value of the currency in a given period relative to a chosen reference period, declined to 0.84 centavos from 0.91 centavos compared to December 2021.

PSA also noted that the annual increases were higher in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco at

13.4 percent, clothing and footwear (5.7 percent), housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (7.9 percent).

Increases were also observed in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (7.6), health (6.4 percent), transport (13.7 percent), information and communication (1.3 percent), recreation, sport and culture (6.6 percent), restaurants and accommodation services (7.6 percent), and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services (7.2 percent).

Food sets also displayed slower annual growth rates

with rice at 5.2 percent, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (11.7 percent), corn (38.5 percent), fruits and nuts (10.5 percent), sugar, confectionery and desserts (50.6 percent), and oils and fats (29.3 percent).

Likewise, higher annual upticks were recorded in the indices of flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products and other cereals at 10.9 percent, vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses (20.4 percent); and ready-made food and other food products (9.4 percent(, the agency said. (PNA)

PH gets one-year extension to get out of FATF’s gray list

The Philippines has been given another year, or until January 2024, to meet the requirements that will help it exit the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) gray list.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla on Tuesday told journalists that they missed the first deadline, which is this month.

Medalla said the FATF committees or action groups have cited gains on legislations that aim to thwart money laundering and terrorist financing in the Philippines.

He said the country got excellent ratings on the legislations, except on the Bank Secrecy Law.

Medalla did not elaborate.

However, he said the

FATF also cited the low number of cases filed against anti-money laundering and terrorist financing violator and their eventual conviction.

He added this is the reason for the one-year extension for the government to review the implementation of its money laundering and terrorist financing law.

Medalla, who chairs the

Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), said he already had meetings with Department of Justice (DOF) Secretary Crispin Remulla regarding the law’s implementation.

“They said that if we’re only more diligent in having a system that truly brings out all the real prosecution and conviction, the numbers will be much higher,” he said.

Ayala Malls Abreeza general manager Janice Parreño shares updates on the upcoming offerings of the mall during this week’s Wednesdays at Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Lean Daval Jr.

BSP chief targets more than 6% growth for PH economy this year

LIFESTYLE

FEELING ‘DOÑA HIGH’ AT EDEN

December, I must say, was the busiest time of the year.

Whether it be for work or for personal reasons, December was a month to remember.

Aside from media and family gatherings, there’s also the high school batch gatherings which is always something we look forward too. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it’s overflowing with fun.

For us, classmates of section Diamond batch 1991 of the Doña Carmen Denia National High School (Doña High in short), it was the most wonderful time to meet up. We were a bit nostal-

gic because our school was the only public high school among the three secondary schools in Toril decades ago.

After our previous gathering, we decided to do it again to make kumustahan, maritesan, and many more last December 3, 2022, up there at Eden Nature Park and Resort.

Actually, the gathering was for classmates who are spouses, single parents, working parents, boyfriends/girlfriends, and singles who need a break from their daily grind. It’s 100% hit as it brought joy and happiness to each and everyone, especially to those who have just set foot at Eden for the first time.

Aside from it is one of the top tourist destinations in the country,

Eden has amenities and facilities that are perfect for recreational activities to promote teamwork and camaraderie, which was the purpose of our get-together.

The ever-competitive “Diamonds” formed two competing teams, Team Bobot and Team Bura. As expected both teams tried to outwit and outsmart the opposing team in every game they played. Whether fishing at the Fishing Village or being the fastest at skyride/skycycle and the Bamboo Maze.

At the end of the games, Team Bobot (Bebot, Ching, Marites, Jocelyn Villarojo, Jocelyn Narbay, and Liza Lizardo) beat Team Bura (Edber, Eufrocina, Lilian, Beth, Chel, and Nancy). As reward for their effort and competitiveness, both teams went home with cash prizes.

But the excitement did not end there. More cash prizes and merchandise were also given away during the trivia games.

Apart from the prizes and the marites, the Diamonds enjoyed Eden’s cold weather (all-year round actually), good

food, very clean amenities/facilities (we were given the Vista Lounge complete with coffee dispenser and water), and prompt service from the staff and free shuttle.

It was a get-together like no other and we’ll definitely do it again.

“On the average, Filipino men live six years shorter than women due to a variety of health issues such as prostate cancer – the third most common cancer among men in the Philippines,” states the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC).

Studies show prostate cancer makes up for 12% of all cancer cases among men in the country. In 2020, 8,242 news cases and about 3,164 deaths were reported.

“Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men,” said the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI).

Senator Raul Roco was 64 when he died of prostate cancer. Ross Rival was 62 when he succumbed to the disease in 2007. Both movie actor Nestor de Villa and Davao photojournalist Rene Lumawag were 75 when the disease snatched their lives.

“Prostate cancer affects the tissues of the prostate gland,” says Dr. Michael Jonathan Latayan, a urologist with the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center and Davao Medical School Foundation hospital. “It occurs when the cells of the prostate grow uncontrollably. This is the most common malignancy found in men.”

The pili-nut sized prostate gland is just under the bladder and surrounds the urethra. It has several functions, the

most important of which is producing seminal fluid, which is a component of semen. It also helps in the production of hormones and regulates urine flow.

“Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and may take decades to produce symptoms,” says The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “Thus, far more men have prostate cancer than die from it. Many men with prostate cancer die without ever knowing that the cancer was present.”

When it remains confined to the prostate gland, it may not cause serious harm. “There are some types of prostate cancer that grow gradually and may need minimal or no treatment, while there are types which are aggressive and can spread quickly,” Dr. Latayan reminds.

Just like most types of cancer, if it is discovered early, prostate cancer can still be treated. “If prostate cancer is detected early, there is a 90% chance of successful treatment,” says Dr. Latayan, a fellow of Philippine Urological Association.

The following men survived the disease, because they discovered the cancer early: Harry Belafonte, Warren Buffett, Robert De Niro, Rudy Giuliani, John Kerry, Ian McKellen, Ryan O’Neal, Colin Powell, and Ben Stiller.

“Prostate cancer usually

KEEPING AN EYE ON PROSTATE CANCER

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Illustrations from Mayo Clinic and National Cancer Institute

doesn’t produce any noticeable symptoms in early stages, so many cases of prostate cancer aren’t detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland,” says Dr. Latayan. “For most men, prostate cancer is detected during a routine screening such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal exam (DRE).”

A PSA is a blood test that measures the level of the protein made by your prostate in a sample of your blood. During a DRE, your doctor inserts a glove, lubricated finger into your rectum and feels the back wall of the prostate gland for enlargement, tenderness, lumps or hard spots.

If other tests raise concerns, a transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is performed to obtain a definitive or the prostate pathology. “When signs and symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread,” Dr. Latayan says.

According to Latayan, less than 5% of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. Among the symptoms are: trouble urinating, starting and stopping while urinating, and decreased force in the stream of urine.

Cancer in the prostate or the area around the prostate can also cause blood in the urine and semen. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in your pelvis, the following can be experienced: swelling in the

legs and discomfort in the pelvic area.

Advanced prostate that has spread to the bones can cause bone pain that doesn’t go away, bone fractures, and compression of the spine.

Prostate cancer has something to do with age. Most –more than 80% -- of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer, studies showed, are older. In the PCS study, it was found that the average age at the time of diagnosis was 66 years old.

Aside from age, another risk factor is family history. “Men with a single first-degree relative – father, brother or son – with a history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease, while those with two or more relatives are nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed,” says Dr. Latayan.

“The risk is even higher if the affected family members were diagnosed at a young age, with the highest risk seen in men whose family members were diagnosed before age 60,” Dr. Latayan points out.

Diet also plays an important role in prostate cancer. “A high-fat diet and obesity may increase the risk of prostate cancer,” Dr. Latayan claims. “One theory is that fat increases production of the hormone testosterone, which may promote the development of prostate cancer cells.”

Regarding high testosterone levels, Dr. Latayan explains, “Because testosterone natu-

rally stimulates the growth of the prostate gland, men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer than are men who have lower levels of testosterone.”

There are several treatments available against prostate cancer. “Treatment options vary depending on the grade and stage of the cancer,” Dr. Latayan says.

For low grade and early-stage cancers (localized), surgery is the gold standard of treatment. “Radical retropubic prostatectomy offers the highest cure rate for organ-confined prostate cancers,” says Dr. Latayan.

Other options include brachytherapy, radiation therapy, high intensity focused ultrasound and watchful watching.

“Watchful watching is a way of monitoring prostate cancer that isn’t causing any symptoms or problems,” says

the Prostate Cancer United Kingdom. “The aim is to keep an eye on the cancer over the long term, and avoid treatment unless you get symptoms.”

For moderately advanced and advanced prostate cancers, hormonal therapy plays a significant role. “If urinary symptoms are present, a transurethral resection of the prostate combined with the hormonal therapy is recommended,” Dr. Latayan says.

All those treatments, however, have side effects.

“Prostate cancer treatments may seriously affect a person’s quality of life,” says the website, cancer.net. “These treatments can cause side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, which is when someone is unable to get and maintain an erection, and incontinence, which is when a person cannot control their urine flow or bowel function.”

A cross section of prostate cancer (cancer.org)

Text and photo

Dr. Michael Jonathan Lataya, a Dabawenyo urologist

This is how digital rectal exam is being done (Mayo Clinic)

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“The rise of the digital age has transformed us all. It created a necessity for people of all ages to adapt and innovate digitally. It has since created the need for a more flexible way of doing things, including the integration of online processes in our day-to-day business,” Perdices said.

Velasco explained that a Technical Working Group (TWG) will be formed that will be composed of representatives from Aboitiz, city government of Davao, and business sector.

In his message, Duterte said the Project Bilis

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This month’s succession of shooting incidents in the town was preceded by the Nov. 18, 2022 attack on CSU member Adonis Di-

PBBM...

“For 2023,

Davao serves as a significant platform to sustain the demand and the inevitable increased usage of online services specially with Davao City’s growing economy.

“Online transaction and payment systems provide a world of convenience for everyone compared to manual systems,” he said.

The mayor is optimistic that upon implementation, the project will encourage further innovation in the field of public service and effectively serve the best interests of the Dabawenyos, tourists, and investors.

of the aviation industry in the region “is a manifestation that the peace process is working and the BARMM government through MOTC is working hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders.”

He described it as “by-products” or “dividends” of the Mindanao peace process.

While the turnover rites were ongoing, incoming passengers of Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines were greeted by a chaotic arrival area at the terminal building that had been undergoing renovation for over a year

they keep issuing deadline for completion last year. Now they promised again to complete the job by April or March,” said Tago.

He vowed to monitor personally the development of construction works on a weekly basis.

Robles explained that CAAP will still manage the completion of the renovation since it was a pending project or ongoing at the time of the turnover to BARMM.

In October last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed a law postponing the December 2022 BSKE through Republic Act (RA) No. 11935 or an “act postponing the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang

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Kabataan Elections.”

The law reads “there shall be synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which shall be held on the last Monday of October 2023 and every three years thereafter.”

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onela, who was shot dead by gunmen in the municipal cemetery where he was assigned as security personnel. (PNA)

Baggage are claimed not in a conveyor but in a makeshift claim area at an open parking space fronting the airport terminal building.

Even Tago was upset over the long delayed renovation of the Cotabato Airport. He blamed the contractors of CAAP working on the terminal building’s renovation.

“Even in my speech I personally asked Gen. Robles to help fast-track the renovation. With due respect to the contractor,

Out of the six airports, three are non-operational airports. These are in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi; and Wao and Malabang in Lanao del Sur. While the operational ones are the Cotabato Airport; Sanga-sanga Airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and Jolo Airport in Sulu.

Tago said the MOTC is considering the conversion of the Malabang airstrip into a cargo airport for incoming goods bound to BARMM.

The Mapun Airport is being considered as cargo trading hub due to its proximity to Sabah, Malaysia. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

sions for disagreeing with the project, stated his disapproval and highlighted that there are more sustainable approaches that are helpful to the community and the environment.

“We collect recyclables and sell them for profit and WTE will only teach future generations to be lazy as it undermines recycling efforts if waste can be simply burned away,” he said.

The groups intensified their call to ban WTE when the Davao City Council unanimously approved in August last year the said project to be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The group emphasized that this is despite a national ban on incineration as provided for by the Ecological Solid Waste Man-

agement Act and the Clean Air Act.

The said facility is proposed to be constructed on a 10-hectare property in Barangay Biao Escuela in Tugbok District.

The group also stressed that the facility will stand close to the barangay’s school, and agricultural lands, and a few hundred meters away from the relocation site of the affected communities.

In June last year, Vice President Sara Duterte vowed to push two big-ticket projects that she initiated during her term as mayor in Davao City including WTE to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The project is said to help the city government in achieving a cleaner and greener city. By Maya M. Padillo

will condone unpaid amortizations and interests on distributed land.

DAR will deliver as expected and

we will continue to bring government closer to the people,” DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said in a statement.

Petecio-led PH team to compete in Bulgaria, India

The Philippine women’s boxing team will compete in Bulgaria and India before the 32nd Southeast Asian Games slated May 5 to 17 in Cambodia.

The team, led by Olympians Nesthy Petecio (lightweight) and Irish Magno (flyweight), will join the Strandja Memori-

al Cup in Sofia on Feb. 1827 and the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Women’s Championships in New Delhi

from March 15 to 31.

The Strandja Memorial Cup is the oldest international amateur boxing competition in Europe.

“All of us are busy training, we want to get good results in our first two competitions this year,” head coach Reynaldo Galido said in an interview on Wednesday.

Aside from the SEA Games, the national boxers are also seeking to compete in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, which is part of the qualification process for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Petecio, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, has expressed her

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

eagerness to see action in Paris.

“I really want to compete in the coming Olympics. Hopefully, I will get a slot,” said Petecio, who has been training with the team in Baguio City since Dec. 5, 2022.

As for her SEA Games campaign, Petecio said, “I cannot say if I will win the

gold medal in Cambodia but I will do my best to win a medal, especially the gold medal.”

Petecio settled for the bronze medal at the 2022 Vietnam SEA Games while Magno, who was eliminated in the round of 16 in Tokyo, managed to win the silver medal in Vietnam.

(PNA)

FIGURE THIS OUT, FOLKS

Had been trying to decipher why PBA Com. Willie Marcial allowed the Bay Area Dragons to enjoy having two imports that can alternately play in the Com’s Cup when the situation called for it.

This eloquently tells us how favorably the Dragons are being treated because Brgy. Ginebraeven if it can get a reinforcement assuming Justin Brownlee gets injured - would wait for several days before a new import comes along from the US as is customarily the practice.

The Dragons thus have a ready replacement, as what is on-going now because Nicholson is suffering from ankle injury and

could not play while Myles Powell is now physically available and has been reactivated for Game 6.

If BAD coach Brian Goorjian and his platoon are more than lucky to square the series (take Game 6) and bring the best of seven finals to a do-or-die seventh game, then readily they have always an import who can quickly suit up.

In fact, if Nicholson gets healthy by the time Game 7 is played, Goorjian is entitled to switch imports anew.

How about Ginebra?

If JB - for the sake of argument - gets injured in Game 6 and the Kings lose the game, how quickly

can coach Tim Cone get a replacement?

Would the PBA, say, allow Cone to “borrow” McDonald from Meralco or whoever now is available from the other teams practicing for the approaching Governors Cup?

If there is no rule that says so, then the Gin Kings - unlike the Dragons - will play without an import in the all-important game 7?

Isn’t this unfair?

Remember this is just a possible scenario I am bringing out to the fans’ attention.

I had n’t thought of this at the beginning of the Com’s Cup preliminaries because I assumed they

were given that entitlement by the PBA Commissioner himself.

JB has been enduring a slight ankle pain which he has ignored and continues to display A-one workmanship throughout, top scoring for the Kings and involving himself in rebounding, defense and assists, not to mention the countless blocks and steals he has produced.

Brownlee’s all-around skills are Ginebra’s bread and butter. Without JB, Ginebra would have succumbed in five games, if not to a sweep of the series.

But, lo and behold, there’s Stanley Pringle who proved to some doubters that he can hold

his own and produce the points to help Ginebra Snatch a win and how!

Considering the spate of complaints that have previously come from Goorjian’s boys in their individual social media comments as regards officiating, I hope the Dragons would not be sourgraping if and when Ginebra closes out the championship duel with a great victory in Game 6. Pardon me but that is how a tournament ends.

A victor is crowned champion and the loser ends up first runner-up. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio. (Contributed photo)

REDEMPTION

Brownlee to suit up for Gilas in SEA Games

Newly naturalized cager Justine Brownlee could begin suiting up for the Philippines in the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Asan Games.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is confident that Gilas Pilipinas can regain the gold medal in the 2023 SEAG in May.

This, as they expect Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee to suit up for the Philippines in the competition once his naturalization is completed.

“Babawiin natin ang 5-on-5 [gold in basketball]... Sila Brownlee na ‘yun, ‘di ba?” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, Tuesday.

The Philippines saw its stranglehold on SEA Games basketball gold end in 2022, when it was beaten by Indonesia in the final game of the tournament. But with Brownlee in the fold for the SEA Games, both the POC and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) are confident that they can take their place back at the top of the podium.

The bill on Brownlee’s naturalization has already been approved by the Philippine Senate on its third and final reading, and

now only needs the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to become law.

The process is expected to be finalized in time for the SEA Games in Cambodia, scheduled for May 5 to 17.

“Pasok na sa SEA Games ‘yun. Pinakamabalis na ‘yung pag-naturalize kay Brownlee, ‘di ba. Naturalized na. Sigurado [sinabi ng SBP na] magagamit nila si Brownlee,” said Tolentino.

Brownlee’s inclusion in the Gilas team for the SEA Games will be crucial if other countries are also fielding naturalized players, said Tolentino.

In the Hanoi SEA Games last year, former NBA player Marques Bolden was pivotal in Indonesia’s upset of Gilas Pilipinas, having been naturalized a year before the competition.

“Sila kasi ang bilis mag-naturalize eh. Thailand, Indonesia. Baka surpresahin na naman tayo sa Cambodia, baka sino-sinong ex-NBA ang andoon,” noted Tolentino.

Justin Brownlee in action for Ginebra in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. PBA Images.