Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 225 | Sunday-Monday, Jan. 8-9, 2023

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II believes security, public order and safety is still very much alive in Davao City despite the recent shooting incident involving a businesswoman in Mintal. Lean Daval Jr.

UNDER CONTROL

Rigo believes public order, safety still very much alive in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II believed security, public order and safety is still very much alive in Davao City despite the recent shooting incident involving a trader in Mintal.

Rigo issued the statement following the murder of Yvonette “Yvonne” Chua Plaza on December 29, 2022.

He also called on Dabawenyos to continue to be vigilant and help the authorities against criminalities.

“Tabangan nato ang atong mga kapulisan ug mga leaders nga ma-implement ang mga polisiya sa city to ensure public safety,” he said.

Rigo commended the authorities and the Special Investigation Task Force (SITG) for fast tracking the investigation to catch the perpetrators and solve the

case.

He is hoping that the same incident will not happen again and that the peace and order and safety of Dabawenyos, which is the legacy of his grandfather, former president Rodrigo Duterte, will be sustained.

Meanwhile, Rigo ex-

NPA fighter killed, another injured in Butuan skirmish

ANew People’s Army (NPA) fighter was killed while another was wounded in an armed encounter with troopers of the 65th Infantry Battalion (65IB) at the boundary of barangays Taligaman and Bugsukan here on Friday afternoon.

In a statement on Sat-

urday, the 65IB said they dispatched a team after residents alerted them to the presence of an undetermined number of armed men.

A 20-minute gunfight occurred and the rebels immediately fled, leaving behind a dead fighter and another wounded, who

was provided with first aid and later taken to a medical facility in Butuan City.

The identities of the fatality and the injured are still being determined, the 65IB said, adding that no one was hurt on the side of the government troopers during the skirmish.

Recovered from the

encounter site were two AK-47 rifles, one M16 rifle, an M203 grenade, a variety of ammunitions, a detonating cord, five mobile phones, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

In the same statement, 65IB commander, Lt. Col.

Public advised to choose legitimate travel agencies

Aprivate tourism stakeholder has advised the public to choose legitimate travel agencies when booking their flights and travel arrangements.

Pia Partoza Montano, a travel agency owner and the Davao Tourism Association Vice-President for the Travel and Tours Sector said a legitimate travel agency can help clients when they encounter problems during their flights particularly during the January 1 Philippine airspace shutdown which affected the country’s air traffic.

“If the affected airline passenger has a partner travel agent, call them. They can help you. They have your booking in their system. They will be the one to contact the airline on how to rebook,” Monta-

no said.

Though they cannot do it as quickly as you would want to as there are also people in the system but the burden of rebooking is on them.

Montano said it is very important that when individuals decide to get a travel agent for their trips, they must do a research of that travel agency. That is must be licensed and legitimate with a physical office.

“Number one kung meron ka suki na travel agent mas maganda yun kasi kilala mo na, you have already established a working relationship with that office. There are also selling cheaper airline tickets online so the burden of doing the research lies on the passenger,” Montano said.

Tagum, CdO to hold Black Nazarene processions

Some parishes in Tagum City and Cagayan de Oro will simultaneously hold their own Black Nazarene procession on Monday, Jan. 9.

Following the transfer of its own image of the Black Nazarene to the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro announced on Facebook that a procession or “Traslacion” will be con-

ducted on Monday at 6 a.m. Tagum’s Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Nazareno Parish will also organize its own Traslacion.

Similar to Cagayan de Oro’s procession, it will start at 6 a.m. on Monday. Check the “motorcade route” here.

Usually drawing millions, the mammoth Nazarene procession is suspended in Manila for a

P6

Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. gives instructions to top police officers of Davao Region after the former talked to the family of slain trader Yvonette Chua Plaza at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

New garbage trucks help ease trash collection hassle

By MAYA M. PADILLO

An official of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said on Friday that garbage collection in Davao City is no longer a hassle because of the additional garbage trucks of the city government.

Engineer Marivic Reyes, head of CENRO, said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday that 12 new units of com-

pactors are currently operating in the city.

“There are 12 units of compactors nga operational na karon but dili ginapa

biyahe ug gabii ug ang ilang coverage sa biyahe is daytime lang because of the situation sa atong sanitary landfill. Una ang accessibility sa road gabii man gud siya. Ikaduha, delikado sa landfill kung mag ulan. Katong old compactors maoy mu-recover sa gabii. Ang mga daan medyo durable pa,” she said.

She said three old units of compactors are still func-

tional and being deployed during nighttime to collect garbage.

Garcia also reported that the volume of trash collected for the year 2022 has reduced compared to 2021.

She said garbage collected in 2022 was 23,000 metric tons (MT), 1,460 MT lower than 2021’s 24,460 MT.

For January 1 to 3,

PAL extends options to passengers as flight ops returning to normal

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) has extended options to passengers as flight operations are nearly back to normal following the New Year’s Day power outage.

“We already have recovered ang flights karon so we are back flying and we extended some options to the passengers na puwede silang mag rebook and refund without penalties. We are glad that there are no

untoward incidents and it is back not really normal but as of now we still have several cancelations pa rin due to aircraft kasi schedule yan and as of now we are trying to make it really operational 100 percent,” said Paolo Rene Diaz de Rivera, channel activation manager of PAL, during the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC-Victoria Plaza on Friday.

On January 1, 2023, PAL through an advisory

canceled, put on hold, or diverted numerous flights to, from, and within the Philippines as a result of technical issues with the navigational air traffic management system for the Philippine airspace which has affected departures and arrivals of scheduled flights.

“All we have to do sa PAL was exerted our buong pusong alaga and delivered our services to the affected passengers, we

accommodated them for the next available flights para ma-catch up nila ang international flights. However, there are international flights na hindi na nila mahabol but still we accommodated them to the next available,” said Maricel Taberna, account executive of PAL.

Among canceled flights to and from Davao City were PR 2539/2540/2364

2023, garbage collected was 1,849 MT.

“Kung kuhaon nato ang average per day, naa ta sa 616.15 tons per day. Gamay pa lang ta ug nakolekta. In totality, nag decrease ang collection in 2022 com-

pared with 2021,” she said.

Meanwhile, Reyes said that most of the complaints received by CENRO are about the delayed collection of garbage.

“Example schedule to-

NEW, P6

In compliance with Republic Act (RA) 9510 or the Credit Information Systems Act (CISA), and the applicable provisions of RA No. 0173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the Social Security System (SSS) will be submitting your personal and loan information, based on available SSS records, to the Credit Information Corporation (CIC), starting on or before the end of CY 2022.

Personnel of the General Services Office of Davao City remove Christmas lanterns at the center island along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

Historically, the earliest agricultural school project introduced in the Davao region under U.S. occupation was organized in Lais, Malita, Davao Occidental. Its purpose was to address the shortage of elementary skills in blacksmith, woodwork, and associated trades that were in short supply in the province. The institute did not last long; for some reason, it was discon-tinued.

To replenish the skills deficiency, the equipment and organization of the school were brought to the town of Davao where it was reestablished in August 1914 as the Davao In-dustrial School, along with the defunct institute’s teachers and thirty boys.

To house the new undertaking, the provincial secretary-treasurer used the old scout quar-ters to house a dormitory, shop, and classroom.

Aside that the structure needing repairs, the restoration was made to fit the school’s demands. A garden was cultivated and planted with camote (sweet potato), cowpeas, mongo beans, and beans. Afternoons were used for academic classes while the mornings were for repairs and gardening.

To complete the targeted fifty pupils, recruits were brought in from various parts of the province. Due to a lack of room and equipment, the school administration was compelled to turn away some of the applicants. Expert carpenters and cabinet makers were also hired to manage the shop, each with two to five boys as apprentices. In no time, the shop produced large office desks, 20-foot dories, and kitchen cabinets.

The Philippine Craftsman, in its September 1916 edition,

DAVAO INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL

described the operations in detail:

“Blacksmithing and repairs to machinery are done under the immediate supervision of the principal of the school. Ten boys have been running out [of] a large number of bolos, rub-ber-tapping knives, and hemp-stripping pumps. These boys help the principal repair motors, dynamos, and pumps. One very difficult piece of work was accomplished, the straightening of the twisted crankshaft in the constabulary launch.

“From twelve to fifteen boys were assigned to gardening. Their vegetables were the won-der of the town, and the average cost per boy for food and clothing has been materially re-duced.

“Two boys were apprenticed to the tailor who makes the clothing for the school and they will be able to do all of the

school’s tailoring.

“An expert rattan furniture maker was employed and all boys not in shopwork devote a part of each day to making furniture for the dormitory. It is hoped that within a short time the school will be in a position to accept orders for chairs, for which there is a great demand in the province.”

Comprising the enrollees were boys representing the five tribes in Davao who were re-quired to stay in the dormitory, with the school subsidizing their food and clothing. Vacation time was irregular. It was the discretion of the principal to allow the students to visit their parents. Observably, all the students promptly returned to school after their leaves.

To ensure the health of the boys, regular hospital visits were done, and treatments were made for those in need.

Among those who were seriously infected with diseases such as ele-phantiasis, enlarged spleen, and malaria were boys belonging to the tribes. A physician was regularly assigned to handle the treatments of illnesses, many of them skin diseases.

The Davao Industrial School, the equivalent of today’s technical-vocational academy, is a historical reminder that then and now, blue-collar jobs and labor-intensive skills still define a progressive civilization. The only difference today is that manual labor, a fast-losing facet of a massively industrialized world, has yielded to the advances of technology and science.

Still, handcrafted articles, given their exquisite features, uniqueness, and finesse, command better prices in the global marketplace.

Many decades ago as we were growing up, January 6 was celebrated by the Christian world as the Feast of the Three Kings. The event being celebrated was the arrival of Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar in Bethlehem to offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newly-born child whom they came to worship.

Today, liturgically this is known as the Feast of the Epiphany (referred to as Theophany for Eastern Christians). Epiphany means the manifestation of a divine or supernatural being and for us Christians this feast celebrates the revelation of God incarnate in Jesus. Instead of referring to the three visitors as Kings, they are now more popularly known as Magi or Wise Men. Across the world the celebration can range from January 6 to whatever is the Sunday nearest this date. Thus in our country, it would be celebrated on January 8.

Except for Matthew (Mt 2: 1-23), the narrative involving the three Magi does not appear in the accounts of the three other Evangelists. It is a very brief account where the tyrant ruler Herod is also mentioned. There are very few details that help us know the wise men better except that they were from the

East and that their journey to Bethlehem was guided by a star. Otherwise, the narrative ends up as a mythical story shrouded in mystery thus leading to all kinds of conjectures.

Consequently, many have deconstructed the text and provided a deeper meaning to this narrative. Just this year on the Feast of Epiphany (celebrated at the Vatican with Cardinal Luis Tagle presiding and Pope Francis giving the homily), the Pope provided us his own reflection of the meaning of the Epiphany. Thus, his words:

“The Magi’s restless questioning and continuous journeying in dialogue with the Lord finds its end in the worship of God… Like the Magi, let us fall down and entrust ourselves to God in the wonder of worship. Let us worship God, not ourselves; let us worship God and not the false idols that seduce by the allure of prestige and power… let us love God and not bow down before passing things and evil thoughts, seductive yet hollow and empty.

“The purpose of everything is not to achieve a personal goal or to receive glory for ourselves, but to encounter God. To let ourselves be enveloped by his love, which is the basis of our hope, which sets us free from

evil, opens our hearts to love others, and makes us people capable of building a more just and fraternal world.”

We can further reflect on how this narrative relates to our contemporary life in our own society and focus our reflection on who were these wise men? The biblical reference indicates they were from the East, which should make it interesting for us Filipinos as we are in this part of the world – the East or the Orient. Some writers theorized that they came from the nearby countries of Israel, namely Persia (now Iran) even as far as India.

But why were they referred to as wise men? Relying on ethnographic data providing us data on the Oriental civilizations existing long before the West entered into its Industrial Revolution, there were advanced societies already existing in the Orient from China to India to the Arab countries. They had developed the various fields of philosophy and science, much earlier than the Western world.

Thus, we can conjecture that Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar – as they were guided by the star – had knowledge of astronomy if science had developed to that extent during

that era. There is, however, one better explanation that anthropologists would posit. Could they be shamans who had developed the gift of communing with the supernatural?

If they were coming from the East, what faith traditions had evolved in their societies? While there were established religions already during the reign of Herod in other parts of the world and in Israel (Hinduism, Judaism, etc.), Islam and Christianity were still to evolve. But were the magi also shamans who served as ritual officiants of their communities which were ensconced within an indigenous belief system? We know for a fact that across the world and through the centuries, shamans have developed a keen sense of understanding the mystical realm. Could this have been the case of the three wise men?

Perhaps it is futile to have the answer to this question even if there are theologians who would like to pursue this question in dialogue with anthropologists. However, we can expand the search of meaning and link it with our attempts to better pursue some of the pastoral challenges in our post-Vatican II Church especially in the discourses of inter-faith dia-

logue and inculturation.

A fundamentalist reading of the Matthew text would insinuate that as the magi worshipped the child as God, they had abandoned whatever faith tradition they belong and embraced a new faith. On the other hand, a progressive reading of the text allows for an encounter of faith traditions in dialogue with each other. Thus the Matthew narrative would be very useful for advocates of inter-faith dialogue, as one of the first events in Jesus’ early life pointed to the possibility of faith traditions entering into a dialogue with each other.

In this day and age, when there are still countries where different groups of believers –Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and others –are engaged in conflicts leading to the eruption of violence, the encounter of Jesus and the Magi provide the hope that a day will come when all faith traditions would learn to embrace the gift of an encounter that brings peace!

When that moment arises, all of earth’s people of goodwill can truly celebrate all together a feast of the Epiphany no matter what faith tradition they worship God (in whatever God’s name is invoked!).

Fuel price rollback expected Tuesday

Aftera series of increases, local oil industry sources said that they expected a rollback in petroleum product prices on Tuesday.

Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) Director Rino Abad said there was an expected decrease in the per liter prices of diesel, kerosene, and gasoline.

“Lahat ng products

nakaambang magkaroon ng decrease (All products are expected to have a price decrease),” Abad said.

For diesel and kerosene, Abad said the expected price reduction is over P1.50 per liter, while for

gasoline, the projected decrease is not over P0.50 per liter.

Based oil trading in the past four days, an oil industry source said that the price per liter of diesel may be slashed by P2.10 to P2.40.

Gasoline, meanwhile, may go down by P0.20 to P0.50 per liter.

Oil companies usually announce price adjustments every Monday, to be

implemented the following day.

Effective Tuesday, January 3, 2023, fuel firms implemented a per liter increase in gasoline by P2.90, diesel P2.10 and kerosene P3.05.

Year-to-date adjustments stand at a net net increase of P17.80 per liter for gasoline, P29.40 per liter for diesel, and P24.35 per liter for kerosene.

PH manufacturing posts growth in November ‘22

Volume and value indices of the domestic manufacturing sector continued to post growth in November 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) reported Friday.

Volume of production index (VoPi) in November last year increased on a month-on-month basis to 5.9 percent from 5.3 percent in October. This marked the fifth consecutive month of growth in VoPi.

“Out of the 22 industry divisions, 15 reported positive annual growth rates, which was led by manufacture of machinery and equipment, except electrical

with 68.5 percent annual growth rate. On the contrary, seven industry divisions posted annual decreases with manufacture of electrical equipment exhibiting the fastest annual drop of 54.5 percent,” PSA said.

On the other hand, value of production index (VaPi) rose at a slower pace last November to 12.6 percent from 13 percent in October 2022.

VaPi logged 20 straight months of growth since April 2021.

“Contributory to the annual increase of VaPI were the positive growth rates exhibited by 17 of the 22 industry divisions. Among these, manufacture of ma-

chinery and equipment except electrical posted the highest annual growth rate of 67.9 percent in November 2022,” PSA said.

Five industries recorded VaPi decrements in November 2022, with largest decline led by manufacturing of electrical equipment at 53.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the average capacity utilization of Philippine factories in November 2022 slightly increased to 72.5 percent from 72.4 percent in its previous month.

The PSA said almost all industry divisions reported that their average capacity utilization rate was above 60 percent, except for manufacture of paper and paper

products which only operated at an average of 56.8 percent.

Industries with highest average utilization rate in November 2022 were manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical products at 80.6 percent; manufacture of machinery and equipment except electrical at 80 percent; and manufacture of furniture at 79 percent.

MISSI is a special study conducted by PSA to provide flash indicators on the performance of growth-oriented industries. These surveys manufacturing establishments that belong to the country’s top 500 corporations. (PNA)

Antitrust body OKs AIA’s acquisition of MediCard

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved the planned acquisition by AIA Philippines Life and General Insurance Company Inc. (of 100% of shares in MediCard Philippines Inc.

Citing its decision released Friday, January 6, 2023, the PCC said it found that the proposed takeover will not likely result in substantial lessening of competition in the markets for individual and group health or medical coverage.

After the transaction, the antitrust watcher said that other health plan companies offering the same services remain to pose substantial competitive constraints on the merged firms.

“There will be no significant shift in the share of the parties in the market and the number of players will remain unchanged post-transaction,” the decision said, as cleared by PCC officer-in-charge Chairperson Johannes Bernabe, Commissioners Emerson Aquende, Marah Victoria Querol, and Michael Peloton.

The PCC said that while Medicard is among the top health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in the Philippines at the time of the merger holding 16.93% of the market share, it competes with Maxicare HealthCare Corporation that holds 36.29%, Asalus Inc. (Intellicare) with 26.12%, PhilHealth Care Inc. with 4.89%, Value Care Health Systems Inc. with 4.20%, and other HMOs compos-

ing 11.57% of the remaining share in the market.

The PCC said it expects that the current concentration of Medicard’s market shares will spread thinner when reviewed to compete with not only other HMOs but also insurance companies offering similar services and health plans.

Currently, 29 health maintenance organizations and 30 life insurance companies compete in providing individual and group health or medical coverage, it said.

In its market analysis, the PCC said its Mergers and Acquisitions Office also found that customers are able to switch easily to other health or medical coverage firms, since the majority of HMO plans run only for a year and policyholders are not barred from switching providers.

Moreover, with information on their product offerings readily available to the public, and agents constantly jockeying to secure a sale, customers can easily switch to another provider, the antitrust watcher said.

This low barrier to switch to different competing firms is indicative of a competitive market, it said.

The PCC added it observed that customers looking for group health or medical coverage have high bargaining power and can negotiate with service providers for better terms.

The high bargaining power of these customers pose sufficient competitive constraints as well for the merged firm, it said.

Roxanne de la Merced-Pasibe, hotel manager of Blue Lotus, delivers a speech during the hotel’s 3rd anniversary celebration on January 5 at the Sky View restaurant. Lean Daval Jr.

PBBM China visit to create more jobs, boost forex earnings: DTI

Flexible working hours good for business: UN

Flexible working arrangements like those introduced during the COVID-19 crisis are not only good for employees but also boost productivity and potentially a business’s bottom line, the United Nations said Friday.

In its first report focusing on work-life balances, the UN’s International Labour Organization evaluated the effects of working time, working hours and working time arrangements on the well-being of staff and also on business performance.

“This report shows that if we apply some of the lessons of the COVID-19 crisis and look very carefully at the way working hours are structured, as well as their overall length, we can create a win-win, improving both business performance and work-life balance,” Jon Messenger, lead author of the report, said in a statement.

The report examines the crisis response measures governments and businesses used as the pandemic

spread, aimed at keeping organizations functioning and workers employed.

It found that the larger proportion of workers on reduced hours helped to prevent job losses.

And it determined that the “large-scale implementation of telework” put in place around the world had “changed not only teleworking but also the nature of employment, most likely for the foreseeable future.”

The COVID measures provided powerful evidence, the ILO said, that giving workers more flexibility in how, where and when they work could be positive not only for them but also for businesses, including through increased productivity.

On the flip side, restricting flexibility increased costs, including because of increased staff turnover, the report found.

“There is a substantial amount of evidence that work–life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises,” it said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Friday said the coming in of more Chinese investors to the Philippines would translate into more jobs for Filipinos, enhanced foreign exchange earnings and lower cost of agricultural output.

Pascual, who accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his meetings with Chinese chief executive officers (CEOs) in Beijing during the President’s state visit to China on January 3-5, said there is huge interest from Chinese business owners

and investors to invest in the Philippines or expand their operations here.

Marcos earlier had roundtable meetings with CEOs from various sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, mineral processing and e-vehicles.

“The immediate impact

for Filipinos will be jobs because the importers would be buying products that are produced in the Philippines, and the (local) companies that are producing them will have to rev up or increase their production,” Pascual said in an interview.

“That means additional employment in the Philippines, and new investments also result in creation of new jobs in the Philippines,” the trade chief added.

The country’s foreign exchange earnings will also

benefit from the increase in the export of agricultural products, Pascual said, pointing out that investments would mean remittances to the Philippines.

On the supply side, another benefit would be reduced cost of agricultural output, he said.

Pascual noted that because China is the Philippines’ biggest trading partner, the country can avail of foreign trade agreement concessions, or preferential treatment with respect to tariffs.

More investments to sustain gains in employment condition: ECOP

Following the decline in unemployment rate in December 2022, a business group believes that the downtrend in joblessness can be sustained by attracting more investments into the country.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Friday, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. welcomed the 4.2-percent unemployment rate in De-

cember 2022, which is the lowest in 17 years since April 2005.

Ortiz-Luis lauded the government’s efforts to attract investments in the country, especially foreign investors.

He said the decision to put up and expand their businesses in the Philippines will create more jobs for Filipinos.

Ortiz-Luis said the recent foreign trips of President Fer-

dinand R. Marcos Jr. are expected to create more business activities and generate employment.

“At ang gobyerno naman ay napakaganda ng ginagawa ng gobyerno ngayon na nag-i-encourage ng investment (What the government is doing is good, the current government is encouraging investments),” the ECOP chief said.

Ortiz-Luis said these investments will help the

country to avert impacts of external economic headwinds, such as a possible recession in major markets like the United States and Europe.

“Hopeful ako na we will be spared from that dahil maganda ang direction ng ating pamahalaan ngayon(I am hopeful that we will be spared from that (recession) because of the good direction of our current government),” he added.

Delivery workers unload boxes of coupon bonds for an establishment selling school and office supplies along Bolton Street in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

LIFESTYLE

HOLIDAY MEDIA DINNER

WITH A TWIST

They say holiday gettogethers were created so everyone could collect memories.

These are the moments where one bond with colleagues and let loose from the pressure, stress and deadlines of everyday grind.

That’s just about what it was at the Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Holiday and Thanksgiving Media Dinner last month.

We did not just let loose, we painted the town red.

The invite told us to come in purple, magenta, or pink. The group composed of

media practitioners, lifestyle writers, vloggers, and influencers, did come wearing the colors of 2023.

What was supposedly a simple dinner has turned into a fun-filled gathering. We all became instant “Tiktokers” that night as someone in the group urged us to do a “Tiktok” challenge inspired by a popular dance “Tang Ting Tang Ting” by Titiek Sandhora. Everyone jumped in including Sven Toune, general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Davao and Liza Gamo, director of Sales and Marketing.

The fun did not stop there us we were made to play the physically exhausting yet fun balloon centipede race and the exchanging of gifts with a twist wherein one person was reading a traditional Christmas poem out loud and gave us direction where to pass the gifts, either left or right.

With all the surprises and the new games introduced to us, it was indeed one of the merriest Christmas soirees that we have attended.

Unless

watersheds are fully protected, Filipinos will never have a sustainable source of water in the near future. Already, some areas in the country are now experiencing water shortage.

A recent study released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) has identified the Philippines as one of the countries that will experience water stress in the coming years.

Water stress, as defined by the Washington, D.C.based think tank, is “the ratio between total water withdrawals and available renewable surface water at a sub-catchment level.”

Of the 161 countries surveyed by WRI, the Philippines was ranked 57th under the “business-as-usual” scenario. The country got a score of 3.01 which, according to the study’s water stress threshold level, is “high.” The ratio of withdrawals to available water is 40% to 80%.

While there is still enough water for every Filipino these days, the water scarcity will be felt by 2040 – that’s 20 years from now. “These country-level stress projections are intended to provide useful information about potential future water situations that can help drive improved water management at the international scale,” notes the WRI study.

Water is life in itself. “A person can survive only three to five days without water, in some cases people have survived for an average of one week,” says thewaterpage.com. “Once the body is deprived of fluids, the cells and organs in the body begin to deteriorate. The presence of water in the body could mean the difference between life and death.”

Only 2.5 percent of the water that covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface is considered fresh water. And only 1.3 percent is available for human use since most of the freshwater is trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas. Fresh water is drawn either from wells (tapping underground sources called aquifers) or from surface

flows (like lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs).

“There is no more water on earth now than there was 2,000 years ago,” states the US National Wildlife Federation, which has been working for years to protect water resources not only in the United States but throughout the world as well. “This limited supply of freshwater must meet the needs of a human population that has tripled in the last century and continues to grow at almost 80 million people per year.”

Ideally, a person should have at least 50 liters of water each day to meet his basic needs – for drinking, food preparation, cooking and cleaning up, washing and personal hygiene, laundry, and house cleaning.

Due to its geographic location, the Philippines has abundant water resources. The country’s average annual rainfall is about 2,500 millimeters, said a position paper written by Pacita F. Barba, of the National Water Resources Board.

On recent assessment, the dependable supply is estimated at about 126,000 million cubic meters per year (MCM/year). The groundwater safe yield of aquifers covering some 50,000 square kilometers found extensively in the plains of the three major islands is estimated at 20,200 MCM/year.

Currently, the water demands – and shortages – of many cities throughout the country are expanding. In a study done by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, nine major cities were listed as “water-critical areas.” These were Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Angeles, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

“The rapid urbanization of the Philippines, with more than 2 million being added to the urban population annually, is having a major

WATERSHED PROTECTION MEANS WATER PRODUCTION

Text and Photo

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

impact on water resources,” notes the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Water Development Outlook some years back.

In Metro Manila, for instance, residents often complain of lack of water during the summer months. In some parts of the metropolis, the water supply situation reaches a vulnerable state that the little amount of water some residents get is not enough even for emergency purposes like cooking and drinking.

It’s just a matter of time until the country will experience a water crisis as its watersheds continue to be destroyed. “A watershed is a watershed is a watershed,” said the late Paz L. Lopez when she was the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Most of these watersheds are located in uplands where forests used to abound. These uplands – which constitute at least 60% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares – are now devoid of forest cover. “Where have all our forests gone?” environmentalists asked.

“A watershed needs trees in order to absorb rainwater when it channels into streams, rivers and eventually dams where human communities source fresh water,” Rappler’s Pia Ranada wrote.

“A typical tree breathes out 250 to 400 gallons of water per day through its leaves, humidifying the air,” Ranada explained. “This process, called evapotranspiration, is responsible for most of the rain that falls inland, far from oceans. Thus,

without trees, there is no rain and it is rain that supplies much of the freshwater humans need to live.”

Dr. Patrick Durst, former regional forestry officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said the main benefit trees provide is helping to intercept precipitation and facilitate its infiltration into the soil and ground water storage areas.

The tree also helps reduce erosion of soil by “breaking the fall” (that is, the impact) of rainfall that might otherwise dislodge soil particles upon harsh impact, Durst added.

“Trees, through their leaves and branches, intercept rainfall,” the former FAO official explained. “But more importantly, healthy forests’ ground cover – organic litter, twigs, small plants and fallen leaves, among others – help trap water and hold it until it has an opportunity to soak into the ground soil.”

In addition, roots –whether alive or decaying – provide additional pore space above that of normal soil texture for water to infiltrate into the ground. “This is the reason why local springs and streams maintain a healthy flow when surrounded by protected micro-watersheds,” Durst pointed out.

Father Pedro Walpole, of the Environment Science for Social Change, Inc., said that in a watershed, there is the interrelation of many resources. “There are (also) ecological services that a watershed provides such as delivery of water as part of the water cycle, stable land-water dynamics, nutrient cycles, and a diversity of life forms,” he explained.

As such, “watershed management is not just a matter of managing water but of managing the land that delivers the water and coordinating the people in that management,” Fr. Walpole urged.

Not all watersheds in the country are in pristine status, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) discloses. “Some are already affected by deforestation, pollution, and other unsustainable practices of humans, who are oblivious of the potential adverse effects,” it admits. “Climate change, ballooning population, and industrialization exacerbated the hazards to the sustainability of watersheds.”

To prevent further degradation on a national scale, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Aquatic Resources and Research Development (PCAARRD) convened several government agencies and came up with five steps in managing watersheds with the participation of surrounding communities:

Form a management team: Locals, as primary recipients of benefits of watersheds in the area, are likely to be interested in initiatives protecting their water source. A watershed project management team composed of at least a team manager and representatives from local government units, non-government organizations, state universities and colleges, and environment officials is formed to be part of the Community Watershed Stewardship Program.

Characterize the watershed: Characterization is done through geographic information system mapping

of the watershed, inventory and assessment of timber and water resources, evaluation of land cover and land use, and socio-economic, livelihood, and politico-institutional profiling of the communities and stakeholder analysis.

Assess the watershed’s vulnerability: Environmental hazards are identified and modelled out to illustrate possible impacts to communities. This will help people visualize what courses of action to take in times of emergency situations, such as disasters. More so, biophysical and anthropogenic factors as well as pollution sources which increase vulnerability are noted.

Equip watersheds with necessary instruments and conduct real-time monitoring: In instrumentation and monitoring, five aspects are closely observed, such as stream discharge, water quality, meteorology, biodiversity, and erosion and sediment yield.

Develop an interactive online database for learning watersheds: A web-based watershed management system database contains comprehensive watershed profiles, map compendiums, real-time monitoring and vulnerability assessment system, and other pertinent data.

“Watersheds play a multi-functional role in every community,” PCAARRD reminds. “Aside from providing water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes, watersheds in good condition serve as habitats to various plant and animal species and play ecological functions that keep flooding and other natural disasters at bay.”

NPA ...

FROM 2

tended his condolences to the family of Plaza. He said as a father, he too felt the grief of the victim’s parents.

Plaza, 38, just stepped down from a Mitsubishi Montero and was about to open the gate of her rented house at Purok 18,

PUBLIC ...

Buttercup Street of Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Sto. Niño, Tugbok district, was shot multiple times by motorcycle-riding men.

She died on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds on different parts of her body.

FROM 2

Montano said the City Government particularly the City Tourism Operations Office has been trying to crack down on flyby-night travel agencies but it is easy to open an unlicensed travel agency through social media.

“If that agency is purely online, without a physical office, that is the problem

TAGUM...

FROM 2

because you don’t have an address to go to when they are not responding to your messages online,” Montano said.

She advised the public to check with the Department of Tourism or the City Tourism if these agencies are accredited and licensed to do business before transacting with them.

FROM 2

Michel Mortejo, lauded the residents’ alertness and courage to report the presence of the NPA rebels in their area.

“The 65IB will continue to provide security to ensure the safety of the residents of Butuan

NEW...

FROM 3

day pero dili makuha on time kay giuna sa namo ang highway. In terms sa wala nakolekta karong semanaha murag dili na kaayo. Dawaton namo

City, especially those in the remote areas,” Mortejo said.

He also urged the remaining NPA insurgents to peacefully surrender as government programs and services are available to them. (PNA)

nga ang collection of garbage dili namo ma-perfect. Adunay delay usahay, aduna pud mu-recover kung dili makuha sa first shift,” she explained.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City Rtc1davocc@judiciary.gov.ph/(082)2992506

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (HDMF) EJF-REM CASE NO. 18,724-22 / Pag-IBIG Fund, Mortgagee, - versus -

NAIGEL S. MEDINA married to MA. LUZ S. MEDINA Mortgagors.

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

third year due to COVID-19.

It was replaced with smaller activities, including a Walk of Faith on Sunday where thousands are expected to join.

PAL...

FROM 3 Davao-Iloilo-Davao-Cebu; PR 1815/1816 Manila-Davao-Manila; PR 1819/1820 Manila-Davao-Manila; and PR 2823/2824 Manila-Davao-Manila.

On January 2, PAL advised that flight operations were beginning to return to normal following the restoration of the Manila air traffic management system after aviation authorities successfully resolved the

power outage problem that affected flights to, from, and within the Philippines.

The airline also informed the public that it will take some time to fully restore normal schedules as the airline repositions aircraft that had been held back or diverted to other airports and adjust flight timings based on revised clearances in coordination with the local authorities.

By Maya M. Padillo

JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 11 rtc2davao11@judiciary.gov.ph

1.

a. the entry of Petitioner’s MIDDLE NAME should be corrected from “BLANK” to “PLAZA”;

b. the entry of Petitioner’s LAST NAME should be corrected from “PLAZA” to “AMPLAYO”;

c. The entry of Petitioner’s FATHER’S LAST NAME should be corrected from “AMPLAYA to AMPLAYO”;

2. ALLOW Petitioner to use the surname of her father PETER MARGALLO AMPLAYO and she be legally known as RIZZTERLYN PLAZA AMPLAYO.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing before this Court, sitting at the Hall of Justice, Candelaria St., Ecoland, Matina, Davao City on April 25, 2023 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at which place, date and time any interested person my appear and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper published in the City of Davao and of general circulation in the said City and the provinces of Davao as determined by raffle in accordance with law.

Furnish a copy of this Order, the Petition and its annexes, private respondent Peter Margallo Amplayo, public respondent Local Civil of Davao City, and Davao City, and the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City.

SO ORDERED.

Given this 12th day of December, 2022, in Davao City, Philippines.

NANETTE GUSTILO LEMANA Presiding Judge

EXTRA-JUDICIAL

SETTLEMENT OF

ESTATE AMONG HEIRS OF JOHN A. ZIMMERMAN WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, NOTICE is hereby given that the late JOHN ABELLANA ZIMMERMAN, who died intestate on November 3, 2022 in Davao City, leaving the following properties to wit:

1. Motor vehicle described as:

Make : Toyota Type of Body : Wagon

MV File No. : 1101-00000746353 Engine No. : 1NRG030076 Chassis No. : MHKM5EE2FKK014299

2. Savings Account at the Land Bank of the Philippines-San Pedro Branch with the following account details:

a. Landbank San Pedro (Davao) Branch – Account No. 1477-0933-41

b. Landbank San Pedro (Davao) Branch – Account No. 1476-1758-32

That the above-mentioned properties has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS executed among his heirs. Per Doc. 31; Page No. 8; Book No. 10; Series of 2022 of the Notary Public Atty. MARIA BERNADETTE M. PEPITO.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

BDO UNIBANK, INC. EJF-REM CASE NO. 18,736-22 Mortgagee,

FOR: EXTRA-JUDICIAL - versus - FORECCLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER SPS. RICHELEUS DELA CUESTA RAPAL ACT 3135 as amended and LORILYN REPUTANA RAPAL Mortgagors. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLCOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against its debtors/mortgagors Spouses RICHELEUS DELA CUESTA and LORILYN REPUTANA RAPAL with postal addresses: (1) Roxas Extension Barangay 031-D District I, Davao City 8000 and (2) Block 12 Lot 39 Phase 2, Camella Davao, Barangay Communal, Buhangin, Davao City 8000, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 16, 2022 amounted to Php 2,331,934.08 including interest, penalties and expenses incidental of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on February 10, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real properties mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-146-2021012682

“Lot No: 39, Block No: 12, Plan No: PCS-112402-006436 Portion of: Consolidation of lots 73, 74, & 75, pls-375 Location: Brgy. Communal, Davao City, Island of Mindanao. Area: SIXTY SIX SQUARE METERS (66), more or less”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MARCH 10, 2023 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. January 3, 2023, Davao City, Philippines.

FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND, against the mortgagors NAIGEL S. MEDINA married to MA. LUZ S. MEDINA with postal address at 2610 Papaya St., Sto. Domingo, Sasa, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 16, 2022 amounted to THREE HUNDRED FIIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTEEN PESOS and 98/100 (PHP357,618.98) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and other charges as plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on February 10, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real properties mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-449714

“A parcel of land (Lot 31, Block 22, Pcs-11-002129, being a portion of Lot B (LRC) Psd-130686 & Lot 1916, Davao Cadastre), situated in the Barangay of Cabantian, Davao City, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of EIGHTY ONE (81) SQUARE METERS, more or less, xxx”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MARCH 10, 2023 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Davao City, Philippines. December 29, 2022.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND EJF-REM CASE NO. 18,726-22 OR (PAG-IBIG FUND), Mortgagee, - versus -

NAIGEL S. MEDINA married to MA. LUZ S. MEDINA Mortgagors.

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND, against the mortgagors NAIGEL S. MEDINA married to MA. LUZ S. MEDINA with postal address at 2610 Papaya St., Sto. Domingo, Sasa, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 16, 2022 amounted to THREE HUNDRED FIIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTEEN PESOS and 98/100 (PHP357,618.98) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and other charges as plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on February 10, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real properties mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-449714

“A parcel of land (Lot 31, Block 22, Pcs-11-002129, being a portion of Lot B (LRC) Psd-130686 & Lot 1916, Davao Cadastre), situated in the Barangay of Cabantian, Davao City, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of EIGHTY ONE (81) SQUARE METERS, more or less, xxx”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MARCH 10, 2023 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines. December 29, 2022.

ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

ATTY.

ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

(SGD.) SUNNY D. MAURILLO Sheriff IV

Brownlee, Thompson win BPC, Best Import awards

Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson were named the top performers of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup, announced before Game 4 of the finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday.

Brownlee won Best Import in the mid-season conference while Thompson took his second Best Player

of the Conference award.

Both also topped the media and player votes.

Brownlee dominated the statistical points (SP) race with 829 points and swept the media and player votes with all 30 reporters and 13 player representatives giving him the first-

place votes for 460 more points for a total of 1,289 en route to his third top import award and second in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Magnolia’s Nick Rakocevic finished second with 940 points, while San Miguel’s Devon Scott was third with 788.

Congress approved Brownlee’s naturalization last year that will make him eligible to play for the national team once the law is signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Thompson finished second to NorthPort’s Robert Bolick in the SP race but

secured all first-place votes from the media and all but one of 13 players’ representatives votes for an overall 917 points.

Fellow Gin King Jamie Malonzo was second overall with 673 points and Bolick third with 558 points.

(PNA)

Jerusalem stops Taniguchi, wins WBO minimumweight title

Melvin Jerusalem captured the WBO minimumweight title on Friday by knocking out Japan’s Masakata Taniguchi in Osaka.

With the win, Jerusalem ended the Philippines’ world title drought in boxing.

Jerusalem dropped Taniguchi with a crippling right straight in the second round.

Taniguchi tried to stand up but remained wobbly on his feet. The referee then decided to stop the fight at 1:04 in Round 2 after seeing the Japanese unfit to

continue.

The Michael Domingo-coached Jerusalem jacked his record to 20-2-0, with 12 wins coming by way of stoppage.

The 28-year-old Taniguchi fell to his fourth career defeat in 20 fights.

DOUBLE WIN. Scottie Thompson (left) and Justin Brownlee were awarded top performers of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup before the start of Game 4 of the finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday (Jan. 6, 2023). Both topped the statistical points and vote categories to win the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import awards. (Courtesy of PBA Images)

The Philippines’ Melvin Jerusalem captured the WBO minimumweight title on Friday by knocking out Japan’s Masakata Taniguchi in Osaka.

Jair Lynn Mangubat (taekwondo), Arjay Libosada (hurdles) are just a few of the many outstanding athletes who were recently recognized in the “Agila Awards” organized by the University Student-Athletes’ Organization of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).

Office of the Students Affairs and Services director Dr.Jose Alther M. Rivera, a former outstanding Davao City athlete in the 1990’s, has been instrumental in the holding of the awards with the strong support of university president Dr.Lourdes C. Generalao and VP-Academic Affairs Dr.Bonifacio G. Gabales Jr.

The “Agila Awards” made me curious after learning about it because we all know that being a student-athlete at a government-funded university is not a walk in the park. These stu-

dents have first to conquer the academic challenges and then, second, train hard for sports competition. Third na ang mga love life noh? Or basi, wala na, for the meantime ba, LoL.

I am really impressed that the USeP has been able to produce outstanding athletes.

USeP is also into team sports like futsal, esports, dancesport, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis and sepak takraw.

Preparation for individual sports, as you all know, is logistically better, compared to team sports and yet USeP has been able to develop its student-athletes in the team events.

Student-athletes have been a source of athletes for the Davao City contingent in the national games for many years. Asa man di ay mo hulam ug athletes ang City Hall? Kon dili sa mga schools. If not for the sports program that has been in place by the schools, Davao City could not have a good representation to the national championships.

So, salute to the school own-

USeP’s Agila Awards

ers, president, sports directors, and their coaches for preparing their student-athletes for bigger competitions.

City Hall’s sports division does not feed the student-athletes, does not train them, does not even take care of them when they get injured. City Hall sports is a funding agency.

So, the major role in the development of the student-athlete is with the school officials.

Just imagine if the school athletes decided not to play for Davao City, can the City sanction them? City Hall cannot do anything.

That is why, it is important

that strong relations and coordination should be ongoing between City Hall and school sports officials, with the assistance of course of the local National Sports Association (NSA) heads.

So that is important.

I also noticed that aside from the Agila Awards, Dr. Rivera and his team have also established a strong connection with university graduates by organizing tournaments for them with basketball, chess and volleyball as their games for this year.

This is another brilliant idea Dr.Rivera because the alumni association can be a source of

help in the development of the student-athlete.

In sports development, funding is key. Lack of funds will mean that sports excellence can never be achieved.

So, my salute to the organizers of the Agila Awards!

I wish that you will grow bigger and create big waves in the sporting scene not just for the City of Davao but for our country.

Who knows, USeP athletes can be recruited to the national teams. O di ba, mas bongga?

* * *

For comments, please email mpb_sports@yahoo.com.

Some of the winners of the first ever Agila Awards of USeP

Ian Villegas (long jump), Princess Mamparo (chess), Rina Kawano (karatedo) and John Talite (taekwondo), Ron Mena (arnis), Dara Leopardas (swimming), Hannah Balangan (taekwondo),