Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 247 | Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

CHANGING LANDSCAPES

Damosa Land accelerates projects in Davao, Mindanao

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao-based property and real estate developer Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI) is accelerating its projects m in Mindanao including those in the Davao Region this year.

“Basically, we have ongoing projects in Samal, several in Panabo City, and Davao City. A lot of these projects are slightly de-

layed due to the pandemic but now we are very confident, we are moving forward, and we are launching them simultaneously

while completing the other projects. Medyo busy ang new year natin,” said Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, president of DLI, in an interview.

Lagdameo said DLI is eyeing to launch second or third quarter of this year a new subdivision project in Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

Barangay in Magpet town placed under ZOD status

“We’ve been planning this for a year now. We are positioning this to be a bit more upscale with bigger and fewer lots,” he said.

The development of Bridgeport, DLI’s newest mixed-use development, is also ongoing. The project features low-density condominium buildings, FCHANGING, P8

Davao City civil registrar to establish registration desks in IP communities

The Davao City Civil Registrar’s Office is set to establish registration centers in 16 far-flung barangays this year under its Indigenous Peoples Civil Registration System program.

Davao City has an average annual birth registration of 35,000, annual death registra-

tion of 8,000, and annual marriage registration of 10,000. However, these numbers do not accurately reflect the current population density of the city due to the undetermined number of unregistered citizens.

City Civil Registrar’s Office head Leo Anthony Braceros told the I-Speak

media forum on Thursday that previous efforts fall short in urging all citizens to register births, marriages and deaths, especially in far-flung areas with the highest concentration of IP population.

“We noticed na eveytime mag-conduct ta og mobile registration in very remote areas, naa

pa gihapoy mabilin na IPs na unregistered since we cannot stay there for long,” he said.

“That is why we decided to establish a civil registration system right there in their vicinity,” Braceros added.

He said that 16 locations in 16 barangays inFDAVAO, P8

Abarangay in the municipality of Magpet, Province of Cotabato was placed in the Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status after being verified by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on January 31, 2023.

The IPHO team led by supervising sanitation Inspector Emelinda T. Diesto and the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the said municipality surveyed every household of Brgy. Temporan to ensure that residents have toilets that conformed to the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).

The said barangay is expected to receive 20 pieces of toilet bowls and a P25,000 incentive from the Town of Magpet.

Brgy. Captain Rose O. Legaria thanked for the support of the provincial government and the local government of the town of Magpet in achieving the ZOD status.

She also thanked the barangay officials, BHWs,

and others for their efforts in inspecting the assigned sites to ensure that all households have clean toilets. She also expressed admiration for the residents for their cooperation and adherence to the set rules to achieve ZOD status.

The program is part of the goal of DOH in ending open defecation practices in the communities.

Health and sanitation are part of the key programs of Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza.

Mendoza emphasized that when people defecate in the open, in fields and waterways, the children will more likely get diarrhea, worm infections, and be undernourished.

“To reduce illness, it is important for us to raise awareness and promote hygienic and safe practices specially in the communities,” she said.

The verification will also be done in other barangays.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially receives United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III as part of the US government’s efforts to fortify its alliance with the Philippines. The meeting between PBBM and the US defense chief builds on recent defense-related talks and initiatives which was announced dur-

ing US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines in November 2022 and in the 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialog held in Manila in January 2023. Office of the President

SPMC docs to Dabawenyos: Undergo cancer screening

Strong quake jolts Davao City, Davao Region areas

Davao City was rocked by intensity 3 earthquake Wednesday evening.

In schools like Daniel R. Aguinaldo Elementary School (DRANHS) and Holy Cross of Calinan, some students reportedly fainted while several students of Holy Cross of Davao College were forced to evacuate their campus.

An electric cable near Almendras Gym also sparked during the shaking causing commotion among residents and passersby.

Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Alfredo Baloran said the students immediately regained consciousness and were fetched by their parents.

He also reported that no major infrastructure damage, loss of life, and injury were recorded in the city after the initial assessment. Baloran advised Dabawenyos to immediately report even hairline cracks they observe on their buildings.

“Kung naay mga ground-shaking, kagabii especially 6.1 sa epicenter, expect gyud ta nga naay mga after shocks kung naay paglihok sa yuta, ground shaking, dili lang gyud ta magpanic and always gyud tan-awon nato atong safety. After shaking mugawas ta adto ta sa safe area before nato tan-awon pagbalik atong establishments, amping ta kanunay labi na sa panahon sa kalamidad” Baloran said.

Based on the earthquake bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) the tectonic tremor was recorded at 6:44 p.m., 12 kilometers northeast of New Bataan with a depth of 27 kilometers with a 6.1 magnitude.

A CCTV footage from a store in Montevista, Davao de Oro captured the ground shaking causing damage to the goods and items inside the store was shared online.

Evening classes were canceled immediately in Monkayo, Davao de Oro.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

In line with the celebration of the National Cancer Consciousness Week, doctors of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) encouraged Dabawenyos to undergo screening which can detect cancers at early stage.

The National Cancer Consciousness Week is observed annually on the third week of January to create awareness for the prevention and early detection and treatment of cancer.

Cancer is considered a

major public health threat worldwide and a killer disease when not detected early.

Dr. Peaches Yu-dela Cruz, Medical Oncology fellow of SPMC, said on Monday that cancer is among the top 5 leading

causes of mortality and morbidity among Filipinos and that until now, it remains a problem in the country.

“Part sa cancer awareness program kay maghatag mi ug awareness bahin sa mga pamaagi sa pag-diagnose ug sayo sa cancer,” dela Cruz said during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.

Dr. Aldrich So, Level II resident of SPMC, enumerated that five common cancers and the screenings needed for early detection.

The most common in females is the breast cancer and for the screening it is recommended for females aged 50-years-old and above.

“We are offering mammogram and this is available sa mga hospitals. For 50 years old and above it is recommended every two years. However, if ikaw naa nay history possibly naa kay mga parente nga naay ingon ani nga sakit, it is recommended to do screening earlier.

Authorities investigating deaths of nine warty pigs in Bukidnon

At least nine warty pigs (Sus philippensis) died from still unknown causes within the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park last year, the chief of the Protected Area Management Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Bukidnon said on Tuesday.

The warty pigs, which

are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, were found dead in three areas—Barangay Kaatuan in Lantapan town, Barangay San Vicente in Baungon town, and Barangay Mapayag in Malaybalay City—according to Protected Area Superintendent Merlita L. Tabamo.

Five of them were

found dead in Kaatuan, three in September and two in November 2022.

Two each were found dead in San Vicente and Mapayag, Tabamo said. She noted that all of the nine animals showed no wounds and other indications that they were physically harmed.

Tabamo said her office had reported the incidents

to the eight local government units around Mt. Kitanglad Range and to Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque.

She also instructed the Kitanglad Guard Volunteers to be on alert for similar incidents during their monthly patrols.

The official added that personnel from the Provincial Veterinary Office have

Dr. Peaches Yu-dela Cruz, Medical Oncology fellow of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), says cancer is among the top 5 leading causes of mortality and morbidity among Filipinos and until now it remains a problem in the country. Lean Daval Jr.

FDABAWENYOS, P8

CAGRO targets to register more fisherfolks in first quarter of ‘23

The Davao City Agriculturist Office is keen on registering all fishermen and their boats for proper identification and benefits within the first quarter of 2023.

Agricultural Technologist John Necor, from the Fisheries Division of the DCAO in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio, said that Davao City has more or less 5,000 fisherfolks and 2,000 registered bangkas but this is not yet reflective of the actual population as there are still those who were not able to register.

“Based sa among data mga more or less five percent ang wala narehistro,

ang uban wala pa kaadto sa among opisina. Amo gyud paningkamutan sa first quarter ma-rehistro silang tanan (Based on our data, there are more or less five percent who have not yet registered and were not able to go to our office. We will do our best so that by the first quarter they will all be registered),” Necor said.

He said that aside from the registration being mandatory according to the law,

registration also offers benefits to the fishermen.

“Aside sa naa sa naa gyud na atong balaod na kailangan sila magregistro, isa pud na siya para mahibal-an nato sa Davao pila kabuok mananagat sa Davao pila kabuok bangka, pagmarehistro sila ato pud nang ginapa-insured sa Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) kay libre pa insurance sa PCIC para sa ilang bangka (Aside from the fact that registration is according to law, it is also one way of knowing how many fishermen are in Davao and also their fishing vessels. Once registered they will also be insured by the PCIC, the insurance

there is free for their fishing vessels),” Necor said.

He also said that the registration also stands as proof of ownership. Registration is also useful when they go outside Davao.

“Mahibal-an nga taga-Davao sila. Naa sila’y gigunitan nga papeles na registrado, naa sila’y lisensya sa pagpanagat (They will be identified as from Davao City. They will possess papers that are registered. They also have a license to fish),” Necor added.

Necor said that aside from fisherfolk and boat registration, their office, especially under the Fisheries Division, is prioritizing the

Investment pledges in PEZA surge to P6.4-B in January

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved PHP6.39 billion worth of investment pledges in January, 84 percent higher than the PHP3.48 billion projects registered in the same month in 2022.

PEZA reported on Wednesday that its board

approved 19 projects last month.

These projects include 11 manufacturing enterprises, four facilities enterprises, two information technology (IT) enterprises, one domestic market enterprise, and one ecozone development.

The investment promo-

Int’l organization eyes ties with PH for sustainable packaging

The World Packaging Organization (WPO) is in talks with the Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP) to promote circular economy processes in the domestic packaging industry.

On the sidelines of ProPak Philippines at the World Trade Center in Pasay City Wednesday, WPO president Pierre Pienaar told reporters that implementing the extended producer responsibility (EPR) will encourage packaging manufacturers to make sustainable products.

Pienaar said packaging manufacturers are responsible for collecting and recycling their products after being disposed by consumers, and factories should maximize the use of the products through recycling in an EPR.

tion agency (IPA) said the largest among the projects is the ecozone development, which is an IT center to be located in Makati City.

The PHP4.12 billion IT center will be developed by a Filipino company, MJ Landtrade Development Corp.

“With the positive start

of the year, we are bullish with our outlook this year, targeting a 10-percent investment growth based on the initial locator sector targets,” PEZA officer-in-charge Tereso Panga said.

Panga said with the inclusion of ecozone develop-

“So those that make it must bear the cost of insuring and it comes back. And this has been implemented a number of years ago in Europe. So the EU (European Union) is doing it very well. And the countries like Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, they’ve been doing it for nearly 30

years, and it’s worked. And if it works there, we see no reason why it cannot work in other parts of the world,” he said.

Pienaar said WPO helped Indonesia in implementing the EPR system last year.

“And we believe, the WPO believes, if that can be successful in that nation, then there’s no reason why many other countries within Southeast Asia can follow a similar plan because we know it works,” he added.

Pienaar said packaging companies across the globe have seen the need to introduce and promote initiatives to create sustainable products and industry.

However, he said government’s support through policy will accelerate the adoption of a circular economy in the packaging industry.

Meanwhile, ProPak Philippines, an international trade exhibit for packaging industry, is back after three years of hiatus due to the pandemic.

Over 250 packaging companies from 25 countries participated in this year’s exhibit happening from Feb. 1 to 3. (PNA)

Financial advisors register for Sun Life’s learning session at Park Inn by Radisson in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

FCAGRO, P8

PH manufacturing starts 2023 upbeat

Philippine factories started the year on a high note, recording one of the strongest manufacturing performances in Southeast Asia in January.

S&P Global reported Wednesday that Philippine manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) last month was at 53.5, higher than the 53.1 score in December 2022.

S&P Global said the country’s PMI increased for three consecutive months, with score in January being the highest in seven months.

“Operating conditions across the Filipino manufacturing sector improved

solidly during January, according to the PMI data. Sharp upturns were noted in both output and new orders, as panelists cited increased demand for Filipino manufactured goods,” S&P Global economist Maryam Baluch said.

S&P Global also showed that the country’s manufacturing score last month is the second strongest in surveyed nations in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), only behind Thailand with a factory index of 54.5.

The report said that after the 11-month slump in exports, strong demand

FPH, P8

Global gold demand hit decade high in 2022

Global gold demand hit a new decade-high of

4,741 tons in 2022, thanks to robust central bank-buying and strong retail investment during the last quarter.

According to the Gold Demand Trends report from the World Gold Council on Tuesday, gold demand rose 18 percent from the previous year.

“Last year we saw the highest level of annual gold demand in over a decade, driven in part by colossal central bank demand for the safe haven asset,” said Louise Street, senior markets analyst from the World Gold Council.

PH debt at P13.42T as of December ‘22

ThePhilippine government closed the year 2022 with a trimmed running debt balance, thanks to a stronger peso and repayment of maturing obligations in December last year, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Thursday showed.

The end-December 2022 outstanding stood at P13.418 trillion, down 1.7% or by P225.31 billion from the end-November 2022 level of P13.644 trillion — which was a record-high.

Year-on-year, the government’s debt stock grew by P1.69 trillion or 14.4% from P11.73 trillion as of end-2021.

Central bank demand surged 152 percent yearon-year to 1,136 tons in 2022, a 55-year record high, the council said, adding “the majority of which was unreported.” Investment demand (excluding over-the-counter) increased 10 percent from a year earlier to 1,107 tons in 2022, led by a notable slowdown in exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows and strong gold bar and coin demand.

“Gold’s diverse demand drivers played a balancing act as rising interest rates prompted some tactical ETF outflows, while ele-

FGLOBAL, P8

The Treasury attributed the month-on-month decline in the debt level as of the end of last year “primarily due to the effect of local currency appreciation and the net redemption of domestic government securities.”

The Philippine peso appreciated against the US dollar to P55.815:$1 as of

end-December 2022 from P56.598:$1 as of end-November 2022, the BTr noted.

Sought for comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the dropped in the running debt balance as of end last year “may have to do with the 1.4% appreciation of the peso that reduced the peso equivalent of US dollar/ foreign debts as well as the large maturities of government securities/Treasury bonds, essentially repayment of some government debts.”

Bulk or 68.62% of the

government’s running debt was sourced locally while the remaining 31.38% were foreign borrowings.

Domestic debt

The national government’s domestic debt totaled P9.2 trillion as of end2022, down 2.3% from the end-November 2022 level of P9.43 trillion.

“The lower level of domestic debt was due to the net redemption of government securities amounting to P217.95 billion,” the BTr said.

“Moreover, local currency appreciation against the US dollar trimmed P1.63

ADB backs supply chain financing for small, medium enterprises

The Asian Development Bank on Thursday said supporting supply chain financing for SMEs could boost job creation and development for the entire industry.

There is a “huge financing gap” that obscures the optimization of trade gains, especially with smaller firms that are farther down in the supply chain, ADB Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program

Steven Beck said.

“The past few decades, there is an enormous impact that international trade and supply chains have had on development in Asia and the alleviation of a lot of poverty in the region. But we’re not going to be able to maximize the gains from trade and supply chains in development if we aren’t able to fully include SMEs in that whole process,” Beck said.

“A study showed a $1.7-trillion gap years ago. We’re estimating that that’s increased to over $2 trillion globally, with of course small and medium sized businesses being the most underserved, especially those that are led by women,” he said.

Supply chain finance is a new innovation that takes a different approach in assessing and providing support to SME, which looks

where the firms are in the supply chain, he said.

He said the bank had also made a study on “deep tier supply chain finance” to stretch financing farther into the supply chain and “provide much more support to the smaller companies.”

This also has the potential to address resiliency concerns, especially during crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Becks said.

Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI), says the company is eyeing to launch new subdivision project in Catalunan Grande, Davao City in thesecond or third quarter of this year. Lean Daval Jr.

On plans by Davao-based property and real estate developer Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI)to fast track its projects m in Mindanao including those in the Davao Region this year:

“Basically, we have ongoing projects in Samal, several in Panabo City, and Davao City. A lot of these projects are slightly delayed due to the pandemic but now we are very confident, we are moving forward, and we are launching them simultaneously while completing the other projects. Medyo busy ang new year natin... We’ve been planning this for a year now. We are positioning this to be a bit more upscale with bigger and fewer lots.”

“CARY” LAGDAMEO President, Damosa Land Inc.

V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

S. PANES Director of Sales

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

M. PADILLO Senior Reporter MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor

RICARDO

Long-time residents of Davao City know this famous street that links Quirino Avenue to San Pedro Street by its old name Ponciano Reyes. Although officially listed as Cayetano Ban-goy Street after it was renamed, the daily commuters continue to call it by its original appella-tion.

Reyes’ name is scarcely mentioned in accounts. In 1907, he is mentioned as the English section editor of The Students Magazine, a publication of Filipino scholars enrolled in US learn-ing institutions. He first joined the Department of Mindanao and Sulu as an attorney acting as Register of Deeds before he was promoted to delegate (deputy governor), on January 1, 1915. Prior to this, he was appointed fiscal (prosecutor) of Capiz on June 28, 1910, and, two years later, assumed as

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

the fiscal of Iloilo on September 1, 1912.

In the 1918 census, while serving as judge of the Fourteenth Judicial district that covered the entire Mindanao and Sulu, Reyes was appointed concurrently a special inspector with the same authority and power exercised by the assistant directors of the survey. That same year, he met a horrible fate. On December 25, Quantico, the ship he was on, sank off Tablas Strait, between Romblon and Mindoro.

The sea mishap took place on Christmas day.

The interisland steamer, owned by the Robert Dollar Company, was sailing north of the channel when it was hit by a typhoon sweeping eastward.

Seventy-two passengers, includ-ing Manuel Lorza, of Lorza & Lozano, an Escolta dry store and a retail and whole-

DEATH IN THE ‘QUANTICO’

sale store in Zamboanga, and Henry Allard, a Daily Bulletin employee, went down with the 3,000-ton steamship. The victims included 18 passengers and 54 crew members.

Report of the incident, which was carried by the Manila Times, only reached Manila on the morning of December 28 after Captain Gisbert, skipper of the vessel, dispatched from Romblon a telegram to the shipping office saying ‘the steamer had gone ashore at 7 p.m., Wednesday night and sustained damage to an unknown extent,’ adding ‘the cargo could probably be salvaged.’

The national paper, in its December 28, 1918, edition (‘18 believed lost in wreck of interis-land steamer’) described the lost ship as ‘the best vessel in the interisland traffic.’ Before the Battle of

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

“Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” HENRY FORD.

*******

There. Henry Ford has spelled it for us.

Working together - cooperation and coordination - is the formula to achieve success and then sustainable progress.

While the President makes the effort to sell the country’s economic potentials before the international business community, officials in his government appear to be going their own way even as global inflation and the soaring prices of local commodities continue to harass and hustle every Pinoy household.

We do not see the Department of Trade and Industry actively cooperating with the Department of Agriculture in resolving the skyrocketing price of onion and the disman-

tling of cartels that control the supply chain in the market.

The dictionary defines “cartel” as an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition.”

A cartel is formed when a group or groups band together to control the supply of a product for their best (vested) interests.

It is crystal clear to every Pinoy that the horrifying adverse economic effects of the cartels have damaged our socio-economic environment such that even higher authorities and line agencies could not contain, suppress, disband and, more so, jail them.

The cartels have become powerful and influential. They have been in operation since the late fifties when shrewd business operators took advantage of the loose government policies as the Philippines was coming out of the

Manila Bay, the steamer was called Lyemoon, after the eastern entrance to the harbor of Kai Tak Airport, in Hong Kong. When it was acquired by the U.S. shipping board and then transferred to the insular government, it was renamed after a small town in Virginia, USA.

The paper added: ‘Vicente Madrigal [a Spanish-Filipino shipper] chartered the steamer for many months, and about three months ago it was turned over to the Robert Dollar com-pany. It was on its second run to Cebu, Zamboanga, and Davao, when it met disaster.’

An account in The Kahimyang Project reports the cause of the accident: “The typhoon was first moving west by north, then inclining northward as to be moving decidedly NNW, to the east of central part of the country, and finally recurving backward not only

to west by north but to west by south and even to WSW. The typhoon followed a sudden southward migra-tion. It was…very unusual, anomalous, and surprising in all of the Weather Bureau history.

“The forecasters…noted the fact that the typhoon was moving very slowly…as a sign that the typhoon was recurving northeastward, yet the opposite happened. The typhoon ap-proached the country the following day on December 25… Also called the ‘Christmas Ty-phoon,’ [it] was named Quantico in memorial to the interisland steamer…that was cast ashore and wrecked in Tablas Island (Romblon).”

Reyes was succeeded as secretary of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu by Teopisto Guingona, father of the second vice-president from Mindanao, Teofisto, Jr.

GETTING OUR ACTS TOGETHER

ruins of the Second World War. There are thousands of farmers cooperatives existing in the country and various other cooperatives but they don’t seem to factor in in the on-going food supply chain.

How is it that a country blessed with great natural resources and patrimony finds itself in poverty and its people in a state of penury?

Filipinos are politically polarized and this polarization is the answer as to why we cannot get our acts together.

Our political leaders appear to be great in making speeches but lack the executive action to implement what is good and profitable for the people.

The DTI and the DA are two of the most important line departments that, if only their respective officials act with dispatch, can together find long-lasting solutions to the problems besetting us in these contemporary times.

The decades old malpractice is that when the President is not looking, some mischievous officials attempt to sneak in some quick money schemes. When they don’t get caught the first time, they make another try, using their same old corrupt system that will then become a template for future corrupt transactions.

This is the vicious cycle PBBM must get rid of if he wants to leave a legacy of good governance..

Knee jerk reactions are what the people see from government officials when emergencies and calamities descend upon their offices. They stammer and reel from what they see as staggering headaches because they have no visions for the future.

Cooperation - getting their acts together - is the key to a nation’s progress and prosperity. There is no argument against this.

No matter how big and herculean the problem is - as a Chinese adage says - “many hands make light work.”

Which means that any presidential appointee who cannot perform his assigned task must be replaced - or fired.

Watch and listen attentively to Senate hearings live on FB or Youtube.

You can easily identify who among the resource persons representing a particular government agency is unqualified or reactionary. They stammer, search for answers or point to a scapegoat.

Wow, do Filipinos deserve these officials who are paid handsomely from taxpayers’ money?

Get your acts together, folks. Don’t wait for the President to boot you out. Oops! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

CHANGING... FROM 2

premium open lots, a condotel, commercial and dining areas, and an exclusive marina.

Ameria, a premier subdivision that offers its future residents a chance to live a contemporary, nature-filled lifestyle within Agriya – an agri-tourism site in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, is also underway.

Lagdameo said DLI is also expanding the flexible workspace Regus Business center. Currently, there are two centers in Davao City and DLI is expanding it in Cagayan de Oro, which is expected to be operational in June this year.

DLI is the franchise

DAVAO... FROM 2

habited by IP citizens have been identified and studied. The 16 pilot civil registration desks will be established in Barangay Gumitan, Marilog

Proper and Baganihan (to cater to the Matigsalug tribe); Barangays

Salaysay, Magsaysay and Malamba (for the Ovu Manuvu); Barangay Dacudao, Baguio Proper and Tamayong (inhabited by the Klata tribe); Barangays Atan-Awe, Daliaon Plantation and Catigan (for the Tagabawa); and Barangays Mapula, Tapak, Malabog and Pandaitan (to serve the Ata tribe).

By putting up civil registration desks in these communities, with locations chosen with the help from tribal leaders to maximize accessibility, indigenous citizens will no longer have to wait for a mobile civil registration team to visit them nor will they have to venture far from their homes to the district registration offices.

However, distrust

DABAWENYOS... FROM 3 STRONG... FROM 3

partner of IWG, the leading flexible workspace provider with brands such as Regus and Spaces.

“We are eyeing to open Regus centers across Mindanao not just in CDO. We will have GenSan eventually and other cities as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lagdameo said that DLI has able to achieve 100 percent occupancy for the 16-story Damosa Diamond Tower between last year and the first quarter of this year. The tower now houses locators that include three brand new BPO companies, Anflocor Management and Investment Corporation, and DLI.

of outsiders from the tribes poses another challenge to have IP citizens registered. It is for this reason, Braceros said, that the office has chosen members of IP communities to serve as civil registration agents in soon-to-be established civil registration desks.

“Right now, there are 16 barangays taking part of the pilot of the project. The tribal leaders were the ones who selected candidates to become civil registration agents,”

The IP registration agents were given seminar workshop on basic civil registration laws. They were also trained on how to properly prepare birth certificate and making the right inquiries to clients to determine false from genuine information.

Braceros said that for the month of February, the Civil Registrar’s Office aims to deploy three civil registration agents to three barangays. CIO

Before you reach the age of 50 you have to seek medical attention. Aside from the mammogram we are also advocating that you do selfbreast examination,” So said.

Next is the cervical cancer and females aged 21-years-old and above is recommended to undergo pap smear to check for abnormalities that may be indicative of cervical cancer.

“However, once you do this and negative ang result or walay findings then the doctor will recommend, kung pila ka years na pud magpa-pap smear pag-usab. Where can you get this service? This is available sa atoang mga local health centers and hospitals,” So said.

For colorectal cancer (colon cancer) the screening is recommended for those aged 45 and above.

“Daghan ta ug pwede buhaton ani like colonoscopy ug uban pang mga procedures all you have to do is magpa-konsulta gihapon,” So said.

Prostate cancer screening can be done through Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which is used to monitor men after surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer to see if their cancer has recurred.

“This is very common (cancer) sa atoa pero dili

PH... FROM 5

from China revived the foreign demand for Philippine-made goods in January.

“Additionally, supply chain pressures also eased further, with panelists citing that improved infrastructure, more vendors and lifting of port restrictions helped with delivery times,” Baluch said.

She added the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) aggressive monetary stance has been effective as

kaayo common ginabuhat ang screening but we are still recommending and we are still advocating for it. Ang test ani is PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen ug ginabuhat ni ages 55-years-old and above. It’s just simple laboratory test,” he explained.

Lung cancer is also very common but according to him, screening is not being done in the Philippines because it is costly.

So said a-pack year of smoking is recommended, which is used to describe how many cigarettes a person had smoked in his lifetime, with a pack equal to 20 cigarettes. If a person had smoked a pack a day for the last 20 years, or two packs a day for the last 10 years, he has 20 pack-years.

He also said that if a person is a chronic smoker he has to consider screening for lung cancer and the recommendation of the US experts is the low dose CT scan.

“We need to be aware of the common causes of cancer. With the screening, we are trying to look for the disease even na wala pa tay ginabati or simtomas. The purpose is aron madakop nato ang sakit or cancer early mintras wala pay condition ang pasyente,” he said.

signs of easing pressures were recorded last month while demand has yet to be negatively impacted by the policy tightening.

“Overall, strong domestic demand fed into higher optimism for the year ahead. Moreover, the lack of Covid(-19) restrictions, greater investment in new products and undertaking new projects aided hopes of a prosperous year for the Filipino manufacturing sector,” Baluch said. (PNA)

INVESTMENT... FROM

ment as one of the government’s strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, PEZA vows to bolster ecozone ex-

Infrastructure damage has also been noted in some areas in Davao de Oro following the earthquake.

Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy “Dotdot” M. Gonzaga personally inspected the Mayaon bridge in Montevista with personnel from the Provincial Engineer Office and saw that the bridge has cracks and is no longer safe for motorists.

Personnel of Mawab MDRRMO observed cracks in San Roque Church, Mawab Public Library, and RHU birthing

facility.

Cabinuangan Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (BDRRMO) in New Bataan, Davao de Oro inspected the structural integrity of the New Bataan National High School on Thursday.

Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rommel Jandayan said the division will wait for the assessment of the provincial and municipal local government units if the school buildings are still fit to hold classes and offices.

AUTHORITIES... FROM 3

offered to help identify the cause of the deaths of the warty pigs. Aside from examining the carcasses of the pigs, they will also conduct tests on live ones.

Tabamo cited that based on their monitoring the warty pig population in Mt. Kitanglad Range increased in 2020 and 2021 but showed a decline in 2022.

She said if the deaths continued, it could affect the local population of the warty pigs, which play an important role in conservation by dispersing the seeds of some plant species.

She said they could not

say for now that the warty pigs were infected with the African Swine Fever or another kind of virus.

Bukidnon was not included as a hotspot of the ASF after the disease infected several hogs in parts of Mindanao starting in 2019.

But as a safety measure DENR-Bukidnon has issued an order banning the entry of swine, pork and pork products into the park effective Feb. 1.

Tabamo said the Kitanglad Guard Volunteers will enforce the order on all visitors entering the park. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno / MindaNews)

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Non-Rotarians are classified in the Open Category with another group is for Ladies.

There will be four winners for the Open Individual Category, Gross Champion and Runner Up, Net Champion and Runner Up. The same awaits the winners for the Rotarians in the individ-

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vated inflation spurred on gold bar and coin investment,” Street said.

4

pansion across the country.

“With the inclusion of the ecozone development program in the new Philippine Development Plan, we are positive that more ecozones will be approved and created, especially in the countryside. Ecozones can be shields to soften the landing of the headwinds, the external constraints, and all these global disruptions happening, especially during this time. The other side to this is that ecozones can be economic drivers to accelerate economic recovery and growth,” he added. (PNA)

CAGRO... FROM 4 development of more fish cases for more bangus production in the City.

Among the areas being eyed for expansion is Barangay Lasang.

“Ginahan-ay sa balaod, pagma-declare na as mariculture park, magsugod na siya og develop (The policy for this is being finalized, once the area is declared as a mariculture park, the development will start),”

Necor said. CIO

Jewelry consumption decreased 3 percent to 2,086 tons last year due to hike in gold prices in the fourth quarter.

Demand for gold in technology dropped 7 per-

ual category for each group. The total accumulated Stableford Points for the two day tournament will be the basis for the scoring. Team competition will be based on a five-to-playfour-to-count format with only the four best scores each day will be considered.

cent in 2022 as deteriorating global economic conditions hampered demand for consumer electronics.

Total annual gold supply ticked up 2 percent annually to 4,755 tons in 2022, while mine production rose to a four-year high of 3,612 tons. (Anadolu)

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billion from the peso value of foreign currency denominated domestic debt,” the Treasury added.

Year-on-year, the end-December 2022 local debt stock rose by P1.04 trillion or 12.7% from the end-December 2021 level of P11.73 trillion.

Foreign debt

Meanwhile, the government external debt amounted to P4.21 trillion, down 0.1% or P5.73 billion lower than the end-November level of P4.216 trillion.

The Treasury attributed the lower foreign debt “due to the P58.34 billion impact of currency adjustments on foreign currency debt valuation.”

“This offset the net impact of third-currency fluctuations against the US dollar amounting to P34.07 billion and the P18.54 billion net availment of foreign

loans,” it added.

Compared to 2021, the national government’s external debt grew by 18.3% or P652.34 billion from P3.6 trillion year-on-year.

Ricafort said the peso’s by 2% in January this year “could again help reduce the peso equivalent of the country’s US dollar/foreign debts.”

“However, the $3 billion (or equivalent to about P164 billion) global bond issuance in January 2023 could add to the national government’s outstanding debt stock,” the economist said.

Early last month, the Marcos administration raised a total of $3 billion or about P164 billion from its sale of triple-tranche dollar-denominated bonds, marking its second fund raising effort in the offshore debt market.

Lakers continue to try to move Westbrook, Beverley

TheLos Angeles Lakers have been in contract with the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the trade deadline this season, according to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico.

“The Lakers continue to search for trades centered on guards Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley,” Amico wrote. “They have been in contact with the Hornets lately, sources said.”

The Lakers appear to be at least canvassing the league for a potential move

ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline, and NBA insider Chris Haynes believes that Rob Pelinka could have another move up his sleeve to improve the roster.

The Hornets are having a rough 2022-23 season, and they could look to sell off veteran players such as Gordon Hayward, Kel-

ly Oubre Jr. or even guard Terry Rozier at the deadline. Right now, Charlotte is in the No. 14 spot in the Eastern Conference with a 15-37 record.

Since Westbrook and Beverley are both on expiring contracts, the Lakers may be able to attach them to a draft asset to acquire a rotation-caliber player from a team like Charlotte.

Los Angeles already made a move to bolster its forward depth by acquiring

Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks.

While the Lakers are still on the outside of the play-in tournament picture in the Western Conference, they are just three games out of the No. 5 seed. If the team can make a run in the second half of the season, it could push itself into a playoff or at least a play-in spot.

Westbrook and Beverley have both played big roles for the Lakers this season, but it was reported that Los Angeles has concerns about Westbrook’s “playoff viability” this season.

Since neither of the guards has shot the ball well from beyond the arc this season, the Lakers may view a player on the Hornets as a better fit around LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the stretch run of

the 2022-23 campaign. Both Oubre and Hayward are solid wing scorers, but Hayward has been injury-prone in recent seasons. Oubre has also been banged up in the 2022-23 season, as he tore a ligament in his left hand.

There could be other players that the Lakers are focused on in Charlotte, but it’s unclear what draft assets the team would be willing to part ways with to make a deal come to fruition.

Pinoy para chessers take share of lead with third straight win

Another day, another smashing result. For the third straight day, the Philippines pulled off a smashing victory this time against host Serbia in the first FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities in Belgrade.

The Pinoy para chessers scored a massive 3.50.5 win over Serbia in Round 3 for a perfect 3-0 record and a share of the three-way lead.

The Filipinos earlier shocked Uzbekistan and Czech Republic and are now tied with Hungary and India at the top.

Asean Para Games gold medalist and FIDE

Master Sander Severino beat Mile Bjelabovic in Board 1 while Arena Grandmaster national master Henry Lopez settled for a draw with Stefan Mitrovic in Board 2. Playing coach James Infiesto, who replaced NM Darry Bernardo, saw action for the first time and turned back Luka Bulatovic in Board 3.

Fellow Asean Para Games gold medalist Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza also won by shading Vladan Petrovic in Board 4.

The Filipinos will face Hungary next in the pivotal fourth round which would determine who stays atop the leaderboard.

Patrick Beverley and Russel Westbrook.

Sander Severino and Davao’s Henry Lopez. The Philippines’ top two board players.

ROTARY GOLF

9th Rotary Golf tourney set Feb. 9-10 in South Pacific, Rancho Palos Verdes

BY CHITO MALABANAN

The Rotary Club of Matina will host this year’s 9th Philippine Rotary Open Golf Tournament to be held in the South Pacific Golf Club and Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club courses on February 9 and 10, 2023.

RC Matina Past President Arwin Ardon graced the weekly DSA forum held at SM Annex Ecoland on Thursday to announce the tournament.

A total of 10 Rotary districts nationwide will converge in Davao City for this event which will coincide with the ROTACON Convention to be attended by various Rotary District Governors from all over the country.

“This will be the third time that RC Matina will host a big time tournament of this magnitude ‘ says Arwin Ardon , tournament Chairman . But this time we plan to surpass what we have achieved in the previous tournaments by giving our guests and local players the best tournament we can offer” PP Ardon added.

A sizeable field is expected to participate in the two-day event that offers trophies for the winners in the Team and Individual categories

“Stableford System will be applied basing on the latest WHS Handicap as reference “ says tournament director Soc Cadayona ( RC Matina Past President ). All golfers will be challenged during the first day at the South Pacific Golf and their skills again will be tested on the second day at the Rancho Palos Verdes . Shotgun start which commence at 8:00 am will be applied both on the two courses during the two day tournament.

Team competition among Rotarians will be classified into two Divisions, the Inter Club and the Inter District while the Individual category, Rotarian golfers will vie for honors in 6 groups. Group 1 ( Handicap 0-10) , Group 2 (11- 20) and Group 3 ( 21-36). The other three groups are Seniors (60-69 years old), Super Seniors (70 and above ) and the special Governor’s Division (A and B).

Rotary Club of Matina executives Soc Cadayona and Arwin Ardon graced the weekly DSA forum held at SM Annex Ecoland on Thursday to announce the 9th Philippine Rotary Open Golf tournament.