Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 234 | Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

Two men carry children on their back as they cross a portion of the beachfront near a coastal community in Brgy. 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City on Wednesday. A bridge for the Davao Coastal Road is being built in the area to circumvent the project off Sta. Ana Port. Lean Daval Jr.

FINAL STEP

Dad says WTE project just awaiting NEDA 11 approval

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao City First District Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo announced on Wednesday that Davao City’s Waste-To-Energy (WTE) project has been submitted for approval with the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority 11 (NEDA 11).

“The ball right now is naa pa gyud sa NEDA 11 and we are still waiting na maaprubahan sa NEDA 11 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will just comply. And if ever matagaan ta ug pondo

mas maayo kay ma-address ang atong problema sa basura because the last time na nag istorya ta nga 600 to 700 metric tons per day na basura ang atong ma-generate but right now naa nata sa almost 1,000

FFINAL, P10

Two dead, 5 hurt as gunmen attack MNLF community in Cotabato City

Two persons died while five others were injured when around 20 gunmen attacked a Moro community on the outskirts of this city before dawn Wednesday.

Major Sainodin Benasing, city police station 3 commander, said the 3 a.m. attack in Purok Pangilan, Barangay Tamontaka 2, resulted in the death of Pacundo Pangilan, 30, and Razul Abdulla, 34, both residents of the village and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Also injured in the attack were five civilians, including two minors, who were relatives of the slain MNLF members. Benasing said the gunmen, believed to be from adjacent Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte province, arrived in the

village and started strafing several houses, mostly owned by the Pangilan clan.

He identified the leader of the attackers as a certain Sammy from Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat. Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr., city police director, said the gunmen attacked Camp Datu Sumampao Tulawi, a community of MNLF members and their families.

The attackers fled after sensing police and soldiers backed by armored personnel carriers were closing in, Manalang said. “Rido” (family feud) is being eyed as a possible motive in the attack, he added.

Police and military peacekeepers have been deployed in the area to prevent the escalation of the conflict and ensure the safety of civilians. (PNA)

Social services, peace program for IPs in DavNor to be strengthened, expanded

Governor Edwin “Kuya Gob” Jubahib announced Wednesday that the provincial government of Davao del Norte would be doubling its programs and services for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) living in the province. This move is in line with his administration’s commitment to promoting the welfare and well-being of the IPs, who play a vital role in preserving the province’s cultural heritage.

“Karong tuig 2023, doblehon ug paningkamutan sa akong administrasyon na mapalapdan ang mga serbisyo ug programa para sa atong mga ka-igsuonang IPs sa atong probinsya. Ilabi na ang edukasyon, panginabuhian, programang panglawas ug labi na ang kalinaw aron maangkon ug mabati nila ang tinuod na serbisyo gikan sa atong gobyerno,” Jubahib said.

The governor’s state-

ment came after Datu Ariel S. Macla of Panabo City was selected as the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte.

Macla won against Datu Francisco Bucadon from B.E. Dujali after winning 15 out of 24 votes during the IPMR election held on January 9, 2023, at the VIP Lounge, Clubhouse, DNSTC, Mankilam,

Tagum City.

Social Services for IPs

For 2023, the provincial government has allotted P329, 000 for the implementation of the KADASIG Project (Knowledge, Advocacy, Development, Assistance Services for the Indigenous Groups), which covers the various training, skills enhancement programs, marketing, product enhancements, and promotions of IP-based livelihood projects. In terms of

education services, a budget of P1,11500.00 was allocated for the implementation of a basic literacy program for the government’s IP scholars.

Jubahib said that they would continue to work with local IP organizations and their tribal leaders to strengthen their efforts in promoting the rights and welfare of the IPs. He added that this would include providing training and capacity-building programs

for IP leaders and community members and supporting their traditional practices and customs.

In addition, the government will be setting up more IP-specific facilities in remote areas with limited access to government services.

“We will strategize to improve further the implementation of my administration’s Serbisyo Caravan program. Whatever gains

Davao City First District Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo says during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that the city is still waiting for the approval of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to implement the waste-to-energy project, which will cost over P6 billion. Lean Daval Jr.

CSWDO intensifies awareness of anti-child marriage law

45 disaster volunteer orgs empowered by CDRRMO

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), in coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense XI, initiated the accreditation, mobilization, and protection of 45 community disaster volunteer groups on January 13, 2022.

During the training, OCD XI introduced the portal where volunteers can process their accred-

itation and set up their profiles.

In an interview with CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran on Tuesday, he said that the 45 volunteer groups that attended the program have an average of 30 members each.

As mandated under RA 10121, there is a need to establish the necessary policies that will ensure the protection of the Ac-

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Lawyer Marlisa Gallo, CSWDO head, in an interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, said the CSWDO will help orient the cultural groups that practice child marriage so they could understand the law.

Gallo is referring to Republic Act No. 11596,

also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof”, which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 10, 2021 and was publicly released on Malacanang on January 6, 2022. Its IRR has been

signed by DSWD and various agencies on December 2022 but its official signed copy has not been published yet as well as its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

She said the CSWDO has already conducted a symposium for concerned indigenous groups last year and will conduct it again this month to intensify awareness of the said law.

She added the law aims to protect the emotional and health wellness of chil-

dren who are introduced prematurely to married life.

Based on the law, any person who arranges the marriage of a minor can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and subject to paying a fine of not less than P40,000 and if the violator is found to be a parent or guardian, the penalty increases to up to 12 years of imprisonment and they will be subject to pay a fine of not less than P50,000.

The same penalty applies to anybody who officiates a child marriage.

Davao de Oro tops MinDA’s safety, security, trust ratings in Davao Region

Davao de Oro Police Office (DDOPO) ranked first in terms of safety, security, and trust ratings in the Davao Region, according to the Regional Trust, Respect, and Safety study done by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

Dr. Adrian Tamayo, chief of the Public Relations Division of MinDA, explained that based on the survey, which covered the fourth quarter (October to December) last

year, residents of Davao de Oro have the highest feeling of safety with the DDOPO with a rating of 91.6 percent. It is followed by Davao Oriental (89.8 percent), Davao Occidental (89.5 percent), Davao del Sur (89.3 percent), Davao City (89.1 percent), and Davao del Norte (88.7 percent).

“In terms of safety, unsa ang measurement and metric of safety is at any given time at any given place all across

Davao Region nga walay nahitabo? That is the question. Security is the feeling of being assured that no harm would come and absence of threats. Ang absence of threat na ginabati individual na siya so a person can feel a thing and another person can feel another thing,” Tamayo said during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

In terms of the trust, DDOPO received a 92

percent rating followed by Davao del Sur (90.1 percent), Davao City (89.9 percent), Davao Occidental (89.9 percent), Davao Oriental (89.8 percent), and Davao del Norte (89.6 percent).

“The feeling of trust means at any given time kung naa sila’y panginahanglan na police mahatagan sila ug adequate and appropriate na response or reaction. While the feeling of respect is that any given place and

time the police guarantee protection of their rights and properties,” Tamayo explained.

In terms of respect, DDOPO earned 92.5 percent followed by Davao Oriental with 91.1 percent, Davao Occidental (90.9 percent), Davao del Sur (90.7 percent), Davao del Norte (90.7 percent), and Davao City (90.5 percent).

As a whole, the safety rating is 90 percent, trust 91 percent, and respect 90 percent.

“In the study, we were able to reveal the relationship of these three metrics importante na kuhaon daan ang safety ang emotion na walay mahitabo sa ilaha ug ang respect or guarantee so that the people would provide trust instrument to the government, in this study is the police,” Tamayo said.

The said study was participated by 1,200 respondents

Dr. Adrian Tamayo, head of the Public Relations of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), shares during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel the result of the agency’s safety, respect and trust survey for Davao Region for the year 2022. The survey was in cooperation with Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11). Lean Daval Jr.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is intensifying its awareness campaign on anti-child marriage law in Davao City.

DTI chief presents PH at WEF as investment center in Asia

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual has presented the Philippines as an investment destination in Asia at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos, Switzerland.

In a statement Tuesday, Pascual said he met with senior executives of companies with business interests in the Philippines including Coursera, Chevron, Astranis, and She Loves Tech.

“We met with several business executives and presented our country as

an ideal investment destination in Asia. Similarly, we shared with them our improved business climate, which was fueled by the recent economic policy reforms that facilitate ease of doing business,” Pascual said.

The DTI chief also met with WEF executive com-

mittee members and head of International Trade and Investment to discuss potential cooperation with the Philippines.

During the five-day WEF meeting, Pascual will be joining the sessions on MSMEs Going Global, Next Generation Industrial Strategies, and Trade and Investment Leadership Lunch.

Pascual, along with other economic managers, will be joining President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the CEO Dialogue on the Philippines, which will

highlight the government’s programs on energy, food security, and digitalization.

“We see WEF as an opportunity to gather more FDIs (foreign direct investments) that will complement our country’s economic recovery initiatives,” he said.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon pointed out that the WEF is a good platform for the Philippine government

BPI, Robinsons Bank merger gets shareholders’ approval

The proposed merger between the Bank of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Gokongwei-led Robinsons Bank Corporation has secured the go signal from the Ayala-led bank’s shareholders.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, BPI said it held a special stockholders’

meeting on January 17 to secure the shareholders’ approval on the merger between the two lenders, with BPI as the surviving entity, subject to regulatory approvals.

“The proposed merger with Robinsons Bank Corporation will unlock various synergies across several products and service platforms and expand

the customer and deposit base of both banks,” said BPI president and CEO Jose Teodoro Limcaoco.

“Apart from growing BPI’s client and deposit base, and expanding synergies, the merger will increase shareholder value by providing BPI opportunities to collaborate across the Gokongwei Group’s ecosystem, which includes

market leading businesses in food manufacturing, air transportation, real estate and property development, and multi-format retail companies,” said Limcaoco.

The BPI chief added that the merger will also expand BPI’s access to the Gokongwei network, especially to the Filipino-Chinese market segment,

Int’l tourist arrivals doubled in ‘22: UN

International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022 over the previous year, and should reach near pre-pandemic levels in 2023 thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions, especially in China, the UN’s tourism body said Tuesday.

There were 917 million global tourist arrivals last year, up from 455 million in 2021, the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization said in a report, calling it “stronger than expected results”.

While the number of international arrivals last year was still just 63 percent of the level posted in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the UN body predicts it could reach 80 percent to 95 percent in 2023.

“A new year brings more reason for optimism for global tourism,” the body’s secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said in a statement.

The report said international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in

2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up.

“In the short term, the resumption of travel from China is likely to benefit Asian destinations in particular,” it added.

“At the same time, robust demand from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the region and beyond. Europe, in particular, will benefit.”

Travel in and out of China dropped dramatically from 2019 levels under Beijing’s strict Covid curbs which all-but shut China’s borders for three years before they were reopened earlier this month.

The restrictions had left a gaping hole in the Asian travel market, where countries from Thailand to Japan had depended on China as their largest source of foreign visitors.

Analysts expect Chi-

A fruit vendor displays pomelo at a makeshift stall along Tionko Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Manufacturers seek up to P5 hike in canned goods, hygiene product

PH open to assistance to ramp up digitalization efforts: PBBM

The Philippines welcomes any assistance that will help boost the government’s digitalization efforts, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday (Zurich time).

Marcos made the remark in an open forum at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, as he touted his administration’s digitalization initiatives and the improvements in bureaucratic efficiency.

He said his administration has stepped up efforts to establish a cybersecurity system, a crucial part of digitalizing the bureaucracy.

“The security has become a huge issue… that’s what we are trying to design now, a cybersecurity system for this sensitive information,” Marcos said.

The President also noted that local governments have stepped in to ensure the development of digital infrastructure to improve Internet connectivity that could reach all Filipinos nationwide.

“So, local governments, and some agencies within the national government, would really take on the initiative and started their own systems so as to be

able to communicate… So this has now got to be consolidated and put together,” he said. “And that’s where we are right now: forming the databases for government, forming the databases that can be used by the national ID, (and) establishing it now.”

The Marcos administration has activated thousands of previously offline areas under the Broadband ng Masa and Free Wi-Fi for All programs of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Marcos, however, acknowledged that the government still needs to do better in terms of connecting millions of Filipinos and advancing the digital economy, considering the country’s slow Internet connectivity.

“The connectivity in the Philippines is still pretty low. And it’s unfortunate because some of the studies we’ve made, the general consumer, if you want to call them that, talks to every facet of their lives through the Internet, except for government,” he said.

On Jan. 12, Marcos met

Several manufacturers sought a P5 price increase on canned goods and hygiene products, according to a report on Tuesday.

The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association said there was an expected price increase in personal hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioners, and bath soaps.

Manufacturers of candles and batteries have also submitted notices to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

They were asking for a price increase in the different products from P0.40 to P5.60.

“Meron as high as 20 percent na request. Inaaral para masigurado natin kasi we limit talaga the increases to at least 10 percent lang. Kung pwede doon na lang sila sa kanilang premium brands o wag na dito sa mga pinaka

mura,” DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.

Manufacturers said the price increase was due to the high prices of raw materials.

“Most of our raw materials are imported, we really have, need to develop the industries or our industries to produce the raw materials needed,” Steven Cua, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association president, said.

According to a group of bakers, the prices of cakes

and pastries would also increase.

“Sugar and egg yan ang numero uno ingredient exact science yan eh. Pag cinompute mo na ang egg is 300 grams ang sugar is 300 grams pag binago mo yan ng konti may problema ang cake natin,” Panaderong Pilipino president Chito Chavez said.

“Sana makagawa ang pamahalaan ng isang paraan para yung katulad namin sa industriya ng tinapay at makabili ng murang itlog,” he added.

House panel mulls higher duties on luxury goods, but sees problem in ‘billionaire tax’

The House of Representatives tax policy body is looking to impose higher taxes on more luxury items, but is not keen on a proposal to tax multi-millionaires and billionaires.

The House Committee of Ways and Means said it may add wristwatches, bags, and other leather items worth above P50,000 to the list of non-essential goods.

Private jets, luxury cars above P5 million, the sale of residential properties above P100 million, beverages above P20,000 per

bottle, and traded paintings above P100,000 may also be included, among others, according to Committee Chairman and Albay Representative Joey Salceda.

“The committee will definitely pass a measure expanding that list, but we will discuss which items can generate the most revenue for the least effort,” Salceda said in a statement.

Salceda said Section 150 of the tax code, as amended, currently imposes a 20 percent tax on the price of jewelry, perfumes, and yachts. The possibility

of raising this tax to 25 percent or 30 percent is also under consideration by the committee, according to the lawmaker.

“For now we are disposed towards retaining the rates. But an increase to 25 or 30 percent is also under consideration,” he added.

Salceda however said that a wealth tax on billionaires may be difficult to implement.

“It’s a morally sound idea, but it could be impractical. Net wealth is very mobile and our richest could

simply apply for a different citizenship from countries happy to take their wealth, or move their wealth elsewhere, to the detriment of our investment-hungry economy,” he said.

Taxing luxury consumption and immovable property such as high-value land (the Forbes Parks of this country) is much easier since these taxes are much harder to avoid. It also won’t cause the rich to move the rest of their capital away,” he said.

The lawmaker said that

Consumers shop at a supermarket along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. A supermarket group said several manufacturers sought a P5 price increase on canned goods and hygiene products. Lean Daval Jr.

OLIVIA

JASPER

JOCELYN

GREGORIO

“In terms of safety, unsa ang measurement and metric of safety is at any given time at any given place all across Davao Region nga walay nahitabo? That is the question. Security is the feeling of being assured that no harm would come and absence of threats. Ang absence of threat na ginabati individual na siya so a person can feel a thing and another person can feel another thing.”

DR. ADRIAN TAMAYO Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Public Relations Division chief

Known for his tough anti-communist stance, Col. Laudemer Kahulugan had his share of ugly monikers; he was even labeled a verdugo. As a young man editing one of Davao’s only three dailies, my opinion of the guy, up close and personal, was friendly even though tough-talking.

Confirming a story from a military officer whose supposed disrepute preceded him, was always a daunting task to many journalists. But not for us. We had a nice experience with him while following up an insurgency story that transpired in Davao del Sur, the colonel’s turf. The man on the other end of the phone, to our surprise, was accommodating. One topic led to another until he invited us to attend the PC-INP Day on August 8, 1984 held at Digos.

Upon reaching the barracks and introducing our name, the sentry, obviously

ANTONIO

V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

RECALLING COL. KAHULUGAN

expecting my arrival, led me to the inner sanctum of the headquarters where a Mass was officiated. He motioned me to an empty chair beside a guy in plaid shirt who turned out to be the colonel.

The acquaintance over lunch lasted two hours but so much had been revealed about the man.

To take a ride home to the Digos terminal, we rode on the ‘salvage car.’ It was an impro-vised military jeep, replete with a hidden submachinegun adjacent to the drive gear, a few hand grenades neatly tucked nearby for easy access, and a handgun on the colonel’s waist with dual overextended magazines. As part of his personal security, an army vehicle escorted and tailed us.

When our newspaper’s newly renovated city office was inaugurated the following month along Magallanes

Street, the colonel honored our invite to join the even, one of the rare pri-vate occasions he privileged during his stint in Davao. He stayed well over two hours, not even taking a ship but chatting away with the young editorial team that was awed at his simplicity.

In early December that year, Col. Kahulugan, as part of the PCP-INP reshuffle, took over as the chief of the Davao City’s Metropolitan District Command (METRODISCOM), replac-ing Col. Geronimo Valderrama who was moved to Davao de Norte.

In just two weeks, he made his presence felt by rounding up fifteen members of a disrepu-table hold-up gang victimizing city residents. Shortly, there was a noticeable lull in the killing of cops, civilian home defense force (CHDF) members and military personnel since his as-sumption.

Col. Kahulugan’s time in Davao City was both ‘colorful and controversial.’ He was at-tributed the credit for stopping the tide of insurgency given his no-nonsense drive. He was quick to tell reporters that the results of his campaign spoke more than just words, and thanked the all-out cooperation between the military, the local government and the civilian population as indispensable facets of a strong anti-communist alliance.

Foremost among the notorious groups he neutralized was a hold-up gang led by a junior military office on absence without leave, whom the authorities arrested while attending a church baptism as a sponsor. The arrest would lead to the rounding up of all his lieutenants.

After retiring from the police-military service. Col. Kahulugan joined civilian life as chief security officer of Pure-

foods Corp. in Marikina City. But the stint was his last. On June 4, 1990, the insurgent assassins, long wanting to exact revenge on him, fatally shot him while driving to his office. The incident took place just two days before he could have celebrated his 57th birthday.

Police reported four young men perpetrated the crime. His .45-caliber pistol and a hand-held radio were carted away. That made him the second security officer at the company killed in just six months. His predecessor, retired army Col. Generoso Lintag, also died the same way.

Many of those who knew the man from a distance have only a vague impression about his personal drive to confront insurgency till the end. That determination to stay true to his military mission, sadly, cost him his life after leaving the service.

“Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” - HENRY FORD.

*******

Utter desperation was plastered all over the face of Sen. Cybthia Villar, chair of the powerful senate agriculture committee, during the senate probe of the soaring price of onions in the market.

Despite the presence of high ranking officials of the Department of Agriculture, Villar failed to elicit the appropriate reasons why the DA was helpless in curbing the skyrocketing price of onions.

All that came to pass was the insistent rationalization of the NEED to import the item from China, Vietnam or Thailand to help in lowering the current P700 per kilo of onions.

What rocked me off my chair

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

EXASPERATING ONION REVELATIONS

was the frank disclosure of a cooperative official of Occidental Mindoro who boldly stated that their province alone could supply the entire onion requirements of the whole country.

In so many words he declared: “Sa amin po sa Sablayan at sa San Jose, kung may suporta po sa gobyerno, di na po kailangan umangkat ng sibuyas dahil ang ani po namin sa probinsya ay kayang suplayan ang pangangailangan ng buong bansa ng sibuyas.”

The official whose name escapes me now said all the government has to do is to promise all onion growers and farmers in Occidental Mindoro that “it will purchase our harvest no lower than P100 per kilo.”

What floored me - for the second time - was the deafening silence of the DA officials present in the hearing. They were unable to confirm government

support to the challenge hurled against the continuing inflationary increase of local onions.

I am inclined to believe the Mindoro cooperative official whose revelation candidly described the DA officials as either lying or not telling the truth.

PBBM should fire those he appointed in the DA whose position became untenable because they refused to back down from the current policy of importation.

Villar and the other senators also could not accept the inability of the DA to arrest and charge scrupulous members of the cartel hoarding the commodity whose identities have been established from way back.

What made the matter worse was that the timing and date of the importation coincided with the harvest period.

Aside from Mindoro, onions are planted and raised in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and some parts

of the Ilocos region.

Onion farmers who attended the senate session urged the government to take a much bolder step because the middlemen are practically dictating the terms.

They also decried the odd fact that the DA, for many decades, knew that adequate cold storage warehousing facilities needed to be constructed to afford onion growers and other small farmers to store their produce.

The reactive position of DA officials validate the glaring fact of their inefficiency and lack of a sense of urgency.

They were pitifully stymied by the courageous challenge from the Mindoro cooperative official who confidently declared that the government need not import because the province of Mindoro could capably supply the country’s need for onions.

PBBM, being the concurrent DA chief honcho, should waste no time in exploring the suggestion.

Pinoy households have been reeling from the increasing price of onion, this being a much required spice that enriches the flavor and taste of our food recipes.

Whether unknowingly or not, Filipinos have allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by the current state of affairs when this should not be the case.

Hoarding is a crime of economic sabotage.

Those identified as cartel members should be hailed to court and appropriately charged.

But since the DA is not moving at all to hail the identified cartel members and hoarders to court, is it safe to suspect that some government officials are in cahoots with them?

EVENT

WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER AT SIX ELEVEN

The holiday season just isn’t over.

Six Eleven Global Services and Solutions, the first Davao-based solution-oriented contact center designed to provide quality services in sales, marketing, and customer support opted to ring in 2023 by pulling off an exhilarating shindig called Start-Up Party 2023 last January 7, 2023.

The employees of the “Fastest Growing MSME” awardee in Davao City transformed the company’s parking area into a party venue complete with a stage, lights, music and food stalls.

The event’s highlight

was the dance competition where I was one of the judges. All of the participating teams were each led by their operation manager (OM) and displayed excellent skills in singing, dancing, and even acting (yes, their dance contest has a bit spice of singing and acting).

Until now I really wonder how the employees managed to squeeze in given their hectic schedules the time to practice as it is common knowledge that most call center agents aim for 100 percent schedule adherence.

When the smoke of battle cleared, we, the judges, had a hard time selecting the winners as all the teams presented amazing dance pieces.

But the most anticipated part of the party was the recognition of the company’s loyal and outstanding employees for the last 15 years.

“We have been blessed the last year 2022 with more Clients, more seats, and more accounts and we

received awards one of the awards that were given to us was the BARANI Award, which is the “Hero Award” for the best response during the pandemic,” said William Wijanco, chief operating officer of Six Eleven and one of the outstanding employee awardees of the night, in his opening remarks.

All in all, it was an awesome party and the Six Eleven employees really personify the mantra “work hard, play harder.”

Six Eleven Global Services and Solutions is an affiliate of the JIB Group of Companies.

Thank you also to Life and Pictures by Jason Selgas for contributing some of the photos.

Mangroves in the Philippines, Asean countries facing uncertain future

future of the mangroves in the Philippines and other members of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) looms uncertain, according to scientists from the University of the Philippines –Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS).

The forecast was based on a comprehensive survey of over 300 mangrove studies across the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia. It has “found large gaps in our understanding of the current and future state of these already dwindling natural resources,” deplored Maria Gerona-Daga and Professor Dr. Severino Salmo III.

Gerona-Daga is a biology student currently pursuing her Ph.D. at UP while Dr.

Salmo is a biology associate professor at the same university.

The UP scientists singled out the Philippines as the second worst country in ASEAN in terms of mangrove losses. It suffered a 10.5% decline between 1990 and 2010, based on independent studies included in the survey. The country is surpassed only by Myanmar (Burma), which suffered a 27.6% loss between 2000 and

2014.

The years 2021 to 2030 have been declared as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aimed at preventing, stopping, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems around the world.

The findings of the new study are a stark wakeup call. “With the countdown well underway, the comprehensive survey undertaken by of existing mangrove restoration research helps identify ways to achieve the SEA region’s restoration targets and safeguard their biodiversity,” said a statement obtained by this author.

The study, entitled “A systematic review of man-

grove restoration studies in Southeast Asia: Challenges and opportunities for the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration,” is said to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The pioneering study provides a systematic and quantitative synthesis of 335 mangrove restoration studies in the region that were published before February 2022. In addition, the investigation has likewise identified regional successes and failures in mangrove restorations.

“As a region vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons and tsunamis, restoration programs should be designed to adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts,” the UP scientists suggested. “Technological innovations for science-based green-

gray coastal engineering are critical for facing changing climatic conditions.”

The researchers underscored the increasing need for mangroves’ adaptability to climate change. “This, in turn, creates the need for new technologies and innovations that can fasttrack the sustainable recolonization of mangroves,” they said.

The study suggests potential government policies to support continued research and community involvement in mangrove monitoring.

“Southeast Asian collaborations are essential in sustaining regional mangrove protection: establishing and strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries will enable the region to form unified goals and facilitate more sustain-

able restoration measures,” the two UP researchers said. “Sharing knowledge and other resources in the SEA region can also benefit countries with limited mangrove restoration research.”

To this end, Gerona-Daga and Salmo proposed an ASEAN journal focused on mangrove restoration, conservation, and management composed of a multinational scientific editorial board to share mangrove research to a wider platform efficiently and ultimately contribute to effective restoration practices.

“Our study aims to provide suggestions in line with international commitments of ASEAN-member countries,” Prof. Salmo said. “The pressing need

Mangrove forest.

The

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

What remains of the mangroves after a strong typhoon.

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tons per day,” Ocampo said during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday.

He added that even the Department of Energy (DOE) and the DENR expressed support for the project.

“Last December nianhi ang Department of Energy (DOE) and DENR kay naay gipahigayon na forum sa syudad sa Davao and we were glad to know that they are very eager to the WTE project kay nakita nila there is a need to address our waste problem,” he said.

Ocampo, chair of the Committee for Environment in the City Council,

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credited Community Disaster Volunteer (ACDV).

“Our volunteers risk their lives during emergencies using their resources, thus providing a big help on the part of the City Government,” Baloran said.

He added that active volunteerism for disaster and emergencies began as early as 2000. However, the partnership strength-

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to highlight its initiatives in working with the private sector to achieve economic growth momentum.

“What we can promote is the way we engaged with the private sector, which is also among the top priorities at the World Economic Forum. So, when we

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believes there is nothing else that could dramatically reduce the worrisome waste problem in Davao City but the WTE project.

In March this year, former mayor and now Vice President Sara Duterte reported that the city government of Davao was able to partner with DENR and secure P740 million of the needed P3.5 billion fund to supplement the available Japanese grant.

Last year, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte was hopeful that the national government approves the P3-billion funding for the WTE project.

Ocampo said the project will cost approximately over P6 billion.

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ened even more when the CDRRMO was created and established in 2016.

Baloran emphasized in a separate statement that volunteerism is not an easy job as it needs dedication.

“Our role as an office is to capacitate our force multipliers during disaster and emergency deployments,” Baloran said. CIO

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of this program may have, I will see to it that this will be an inclusive program where our IPs in the province will benefit from this,” Jubahib said.

“We recognize the importance of the Indigenous Peoples in our province and we are committed to providing them with the support they need to thrive. We believe that by working with the IPs and our partners, we can create a brighter future for all,” he added.

“Oplan Kalinaw”

To maintain the status of an insurgency-free Davao del Norte, Jubahib underscored that his administration’s “Oplan Kalinaw” Program would have a more comprehensive

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nese airlines are likely to make significant increases to capacity from the end of March, with the start of the summer scheduling season.

China was the world’s largest outbound tourist market in 2019 and the removal of its virus travel restrictions “is a significant and much welcomed step to the recovery of the tourism sector,” the report said.

But the UN body warned that high inflation and interest rates, fears of a global recession and the “uncertainty derived

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the correct valuation of real property in the country is an essential step in ensuring that the rich are taxed properly.

“Instead of taxing highly mobile or movable capital such as cash, stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments, we can tax luxury real assets better. And we won’t have to create new taxes, because we are supposed to value those properties correctly anyway,” Salceda said.

International NGO Oxfam recently called on the government to impose a “wealth tax” to address inequality, noting that in the Philippines, the nine richest Filipinos have more wealth

weathered this Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, we have seen that the private sector has engaged with the government, and the LGUs (local government units) also coordinated with their own private sector,” she said. (PNA)

from the Russian aggression against Ukraine” could hamper the recovery of the sector in 2023.

“Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment,” it added.

STRONG SPENDING Europe, the world’s most popular destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals last year, nearly 80 percent of its pre-pandemic level, due in part to a “particularly strong” summer season.

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proportionately

distributed across the five provinces and one highly urbanized city.

MinDA conducted the survey in partnership with the Police Regional Office (PRO 11).

MinDA chairperson Secretary Mabel SungaAcosta and PRO 11 Regional Director PBGeneral Benjamin Silo Jr. signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August last year.

Tamayo said they will present the results of the survey to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and make it the basis in issuing advisory in Mindanao.

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peace and security component specifically for the indigenous communities living in the province.

“This initiative is in line with the government’s commitment to addressing issues that may contribute to conflicts, such as land disputes, access to resources, and other social issues, especially the issues of insurgency,” Jubahib said.

The government assured the IPs and the people of Davao del Norte that his administration is working towards achieving peace and justice and other services that can support peace-building efforts to continue raising awareness about the importance of peace-building efforts among indigenous communities.

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is to establish and consistently monitor the state of the mangroves for each country, protect mangroves through biodiversity conservation programs, and more importantly, to stop or limit coastal reclamation projects.”

Mangroves grow well in tropical countries, including the Philippines. “Mangroves are an important part of the coastal and marine ecosystem that includes the seagrasses and the coral reefs,” states the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

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of living trees.

“(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mollusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” a World Bank report on environment adds. “Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.”

than half of the entire population.

“Inequality experienced in the Philippines is starker with the 9 richest Filipinos having more wealth than the bottom half (55 million) of the population,” said Oxfam Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Geronimo, citing Forbes’ Billionaires List and official data analyzed by Oxfam.

According to Oxfam Pilipinas, based on the Forbes Billionaire List as of November 2022, the 9 richest Filipinos had a combined wealth of $30 billion.

This is higher than the combined wealth of the bottom 50 percent of Filipinos (roughly 55 million in-

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“which has been the significant advantage of our closest competitors.”

Following the special stockholders meeting, BPI and Robinsons Bank will sign the Plan of Merger and the Articles of Merger to formalize the transaction, subject to receipt of final regulatory approvals.

On effective date of the merger, BPI will issue primary common shares to the Robinsons Bank stockholders that will result in the Gokongwei-led bank’s shareholders owning ap-

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with the Private Sector Advisory Council on Digital Infrastructure to discuss the council’s digital infrastructure work plan.

Marcos and the PSAC members also tackled the “future plans in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.”

During the meeting,

dividuals) at $28.29 billion, based on World Inequality Database figures.

Geronimo pointed out that if a wealth tax is imposed on Filipino millionaires, the country could raise $3.8 billion a year.

“This amount is enough to increase our health budget by two-fifths,” she said.

“MinDA is tasked to provide strategic initiative and part of it are the safety and security. Now we have the tools and skills to conduct the survey. We aim to get the full picture of Mindanao because we will present it to the chief PNP and also try to bring in the security experts in Manila and present this to them so that when making advisory they would look on this because some of them dili upright and updated ang ilang understanding sa safety and security. We want this to be a message na para kung mu-check sila sa Mindanao ug Davao they are guaranteed na safe sila,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

Mangroves are communities of trees in the tidal flats in coastal waters, extending inland along rivers where the water is tidal, saline, or brackish. “There are 25 to 30 species of true mangrove trees and an equal number of associated species,” says Dr. Miguel Fortes, one of the country’s foremost experts on coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, when she was still the director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, said BMB has identified 42 species of mangroves in the country. None of them are facing extinction yet. But the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is considering putting 11 out of 70 mangrove species assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Unknowingly, mangroves also help protect people and even properties from destruction brought about by typhoons. Moises Neil V. Seriño, assistant professor of the Department of Economics at the Visayas State University, found this out after he and co-researchers conducted a study on the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“Our study shows that mangrove vegetation reduced the number of deaths and damaged houses during the Yolanda incident,” Seriño said. “This property and lifesaving effects of mangrove is robust. Mangroves can protect us (our lives, livelihood and properties) from damaging effects of typhoons.”

proximately 6% of the resulting outstanding common shares of BPI.

“The merger will be effective on the first day of the calendar quarter following the completion of the regulatory approvals which is expected to be on 1 January 2024,” it said.

“The parties are in the process of filing with the Philippine Competition Commission and will file shortly with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Securities and Exchange Commission,” the bank added.

Mangroves are very important to marine life, says Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish that nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves

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Gerona-Daga and Salmo believed the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a perfect opportunity to underscore the urgency of mangrove restoration. Mangroves provide a long list of ecological and socio-economic benefits, so much so that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) refers to them as “nature’s superheroes” because they not only provide livelihood and habitats to animals but also mitigate climate change and reduce the impacts of storms and other natural disasters.

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Elasto Painters and the Bossing.

Some Gilas stuff in play

The PBA has taken into consideration Gilas Pilipinas’ buildup for a busy 2023 calendar, including the national team’s stint in the Southeast Asian Games.

To make room for more training time, the league brought back Thursday night games to speed up the conference starting with the Jan. 26 twinbill.

Another reason why TNT and SMB have a very hectic start to their campaign is that they will fly to Japan for the EASL Champions’ Week.

The Gin Kings, on the other hand, have a relatively light yet still very busy calendar as they will play six games within two full weeks.

he also sought an update on the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act and ordered to speed up the digitalization of the national identification system that could be used for public and private transactions. (PNA)

Progressive lawmakers previously filed House Bill 258, seeking to impose 1 percent tax on the wealth of individuals exceeding P1 billion, 2 percent tax on the wealth of individuals exceeding P2 billion, and 3 percent tax on the wealth of individuals exceeding P3 billion.

On the other hand, to give way to Gilas’ FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game against Lebanon at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue town, the PBA will not hold a game on Feb. 24.

However, the release of the Governors’ Cup elimination round schedule hinted that Gilas coach Chot Reyes will build his Gilas core again around players from Ginebra, San Miguel, and TNT just like in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Tropang Giga will play their first nine games of the Governors’ Cup within a span of 25 nights, while the Beermen have a more compact schedule where they will also play their first nine games within three full weeks.

Fresh from beating Bay Area in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals in front of 54,589 fans at the Philippine Arena, Ginebra has been given three weeks of rest before swinging back to action.

PBA All-Star Week back Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the lull in action from March 9-14 is reserved for the return of the PBA All-Star Week.

This would be the league’s first All-Star festivities in four years or since Calasiao town in Pangasinan province hosted the event in 2019.

Iloilo City was penned to host the 2020 edition, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic forced the PBA to scrap everything.

The PBA is currently finalizing the details of the All-Star Week. (PNA)

Meralco-ROS game kicks off PBA Governors’ Cup

Ashowdown

between Meralco and Rain Or Shine will tip off the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Bolts and the Elasto Painters collide in the opening game of the season-ending conference at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Among the main headlines of the game is James Yap’s much-awaited return to ROS after winning a seat in the San Juan City council last May and whether Michael Qualls will explode

anew against Meralco.

Qualls sizzled for 53 points including the game-winner with six rebounds and three blocks as ROS edged Meralco, 122120, in their tuneup game on Monday at the Meralco Gym also in Pasig.

In the second game at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the arena formerly known as “The ULTRA”, NorthPort begins life with Bonnie Tan and

Pido Jarencio exchanging roles against Converge.

Tan will now be the Batang Pier’s head coach and Jarencio will now take the role of team manager.

Action will shift to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Jan. 25 with Blackwater battling NLEX at 3 p.m. and Jamike Jarin and Jojo Lastimosa making their debuts as Phoenix and TNT head coaches, respectively, at 5:45 p.m.

On Jan. 26 back at the PhilSports Arena, Terrafirma takes on Converge at

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

4:30 p.m., while NorthPort and Meralco collide at 6:45 p.m.

The PBA will then have three straight nights of action at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, beginning with a Jan. 27 twinbill featuring the Fuel Masters against the Bossing at 3 p.m. and the Tropang Giga against the E-Painters at 5:45 p.m.

Magnolia and San Miguel, two of the Commissioner’s Cup semifinalists, will make their Governors’ Cup debuts on Jan. 29 also

at the Ynares Center.

The Hotshots take on the FiberXers at 4:30 p.m., while the Beermen battle the Fuel Masters at 6:45 p.m.

Ginebra, the newly-crowned Commissioner’s Cup champion, will make its own debut in the season-ending conference on Jan. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings battle the Elasto Painters at 6:45 p.m. after the 4:30 p.m. clash between the Hotshots and the Beermen.

The PBA will then hold four doubleheaders in seven nights at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, beginning with a Feb. 10 twinbill featuring Magnolia versus Phoenix at 3 p.m. and Ginebra against NorthPort at 5:45 p.m.

The main highlight of the MOA Arena treats, however, is the pre-Valentine’s Day “Manila Clasico” on Feb. 12 between the Hotshots and the Gin Kings at 6:45 p.m. right after the 4:30 p.m. clash pitting the

FMERALCO,

Basketball fatigue? Let’s shift gears, gents.

Fil-Am super GM Wesley So preserved his clean slate with another tough draw against Olympiad teammate Levon Aronian after four rounds of Tata Steel chess competition in Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands.

But that is not the main story.

Dutch number one Anish Giri, playing white, stole the show by upending world champion and top seed Magnus Carlsen in a Queens Indian opening. The loss will give the Norwegian sleepless nights as the latter was recently coming fresh from a dou-

GIRI DOWNS CARLSEN IN TATA STEEL TOURNEY

ble victory in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz tournament last December.

His first over Carlsen in 12 years, Giri sacrificed a pawn early and created positional advantage that effectively prevented Carlsen from castling. The shock win gave the Dutchman a share of the lead with 3 pts as Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusatorov kept pace by repelling Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo (so difficult to remember and spell these foreign names).

Dubbed the “Wimbledon” of chess and now on its 85th season, the tournament drew together

the ruling chess elites that included world number two Ding Liren, Fabiano Caruana, Richard Rapport and upcoming Indian prodigies Arjun Erigaisi, Ram Praggnanandhaa, Olympiad board one gold medalist D. Gukesh, defending title holder Jordan Van Foreest and German top player Vincent Keymer, among others.

The Cavite-born So, although holding a slim positional and material edge, could not squeeze a win in all his first three duels against Foreest, Rapport and Erigasi. WS was the 1917 champion.

Caruana and Pragnanandhaa are joint second with 2.5 pts. The

former drew with Rapport while the latter slew the Chinese master in round 4.

With 4 straight draws, WS has two points and shares third place with Carlsen, Ding and Erigaisi.

The players enjoyed a rest day yesterday.

Commentators of the tournament are hard put in pinpointing who among the contestants has the chips in their favor and who are the dark horses.

Anyone appears to have the arsenal to score a win or an upset if you may.

Giri’s win over Carlsen is considered an upset but the lat-

ter’s performance will still be measured when he crosses wits against the other entries who are individually equipped to score a win in the 13 round robin contest.

Carlsen, who has wrestled the champion’s trophy 5 times previously, is noted to always bounce back after a beating, so we’ll see when they return to the board today as the matches resume.

Foreest, the reigning and defending champion, appears to be a disappointment at this time because he has only 1.5 pts to show after 4 matches. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS

Ginebra’s Julian Malonso goes for a slam during Game 7 of the recent Governor’s Cup Finals. Ginebra will have three weeks off before plunging back to action in the Commissioner’s Cup.

PAC IN PAPUA

Papua New Guinea wants to host

Pacquiao-Mundine exhibition match

Executive Director of the PNGSF Al Veratau told the National newspaper, “The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation is partnering with the Oceana Fight Promotions to make sure we deliver the Manny Pacquiao-Anthony Mundine exhibition bout in Port Moresby. We’ve asked the Government to invoke the National Events Council to assist because it is a huge event in the 2023 sports calendar.”

Australian advisor Peter Maniatis added, “This will be the biggest global sporting event in the history of Papua New Guinea. Well done to the PNG Government and Maryanne Millie Oceania Fight Promotions.”

Meantime, newly crowned WBO minimumweight world champion Melvin ‘Gringo’ Jerusalem received his newly minted WBO championship belt this afternoon from WBO vice-president for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo Jr during the formal turnover ceremony followed by a press conference at the Bayfront Hotel here attended by Jerusalem’s managers husband and wife Nobuyuki and Marivic Matsuura together with Jerusalem’s promoter JC Manangquil.

Jerusalem captured the highly coveted belt from Masataka Taniguchi of Japan by a stunning second round knockout at the Edion Arena in Osaka last Jan. 6 that put the Philippines back in the boxing world title map.

Panoncillo said that the well-crafted sparkling-stone laden belt given to Jerusalem was only the second of its kind awarded to its champions after the latest design was approved by the WBO during its convention last October in Puerto Rico. Japanese star Naoya Inoue was the first to received it after the ‘Monster’ unified all belts by defeating former WBO bantamweight champion Paul Butler of England on Dec. 13, 2022 in Tokyo.

Jerusalem later said that he wanted to unify all belts and aim to fight WBA super champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong aka Knockout CP Freshmart of Thailand as a first step.

The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation is partnering with the Oceana Fight Promotions to make sure the Manny Pacquiao-Anthony Mundine exhibition bout happens in Port Moresby.

The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation has put its full support behind the proposed exhibition bout between boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and former world champion Anthony Mundine, tentatively scheduled for June.