Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 271 | Friday, March 3, 2023

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, together with AboitizPower Distribution Unit corporate services head Jokin Aboitiz, Davao Light and Power Company Inc’s president and chief operating officer Rodger Velasco, and acting City Administrator lawyer Mark Layug, leads the ceremonial switching-on of the San Pedro Street Underground Cabling Project on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

HEALTH MEASURE

Pulong bats for free annual medical checkups for all

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte pushed for a free annual medical checkup for all Filipinos to ensure that every Filipino has access to preventive care and is capable of addressing potentially serious health conditions, .

Rep. Duterte, together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap, filed House

Davao City signs trade deals with Jinjiang City

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste”

year.

The bill also known as the “Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act” entitled PhilHealth members to a free annual medical checkup that shall include blood sugar and cholesterol tests.

Laboratory and diagnosis tests shall be expanded, subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds.

health members under the Universal Health Care Act, free medical checkups should form part of their benefits,” Duterte said in a statement.

HB 5074 aims to promote health, identify risks, and ensure early diagnosis. The bill also states that PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows access to a free annual medical

Bill (HB) 5074 intending to automatically entitle every Filipino to free blood sugar and cholesterol tests each F

“With all Filipinos automatically becoming Phil-

US donates P182-million worth of bomb disposal equipment to PNP

The United States government on Wednesday turned over P182.3 million worth of bomb disposal equipment to the Philippine National Police.

The donated Explosive Counter Measures Kits include bomb suits,

digital x-ray machines, seven Ford Ranger pickup trucks, and tactical medical kits, the US embassy said in a statement.

The items are seen to “enhance the capabilities of the PNP (Explosive and Ordnance Division)/K9 Group to search, identify,

and neutralize improvised explosive devices and facilitate the collection of evidence to be used in legal proceedings.”

“We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer in our ability to fulfill our mis-

sion to keep our communities safe from terrorism and other forms of criminality,” PNP Director for Logistics Police Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay said.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said at the turnover ceremony

Duterte, on behalf of Davao City signed agreements with the Senior Adviser of the Jinjiang Municipal Government, Mr. Zhang Wenxian, further strengthening the relationship between Davao City and Jinjiang City in various areas of cooperation.

The parties signed the Framework Agreement between Davao City and Jinjiang City for Economic, Trade, and Business Development after the courtesy call of a 38-man delegation from Jinjiang, composed of government officials and high-ranking business executives, on February 28, 2023, at the Arcadia Event Center.

Among the companies present are Anta Sports Products Limited, a Chinese sports equipment multinational corporation headquartered in Jinjiang, and Panpan, a food manufacturing firm that focuses on agricultural production, distribution, and marketing of packed food items, which expressed interest in doing business in Davao City.

Also present during

the Courtesy Call is the Southeast Asia head of Xiamen Airlines, signaling their intent to resume the Davao-Jinjiang direct flight.

In his message, Mayor Duterte expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Jinjiang delegation and said that Davao City is open to any activity that will benefit its people. He also added that during his visit to Jinjiang in 2019, he envisioned having companies like Anta and Panpan to do business in Davao to open employment opportunities in the city.

He also said that the local government does its best to provide a conducive business environment for all businesses and make doing business easier and more convenient.

Mr. Zhang Wenxian said that he brought these businesses to Davao City with the aim of having them get acquainted with the city and eventually consider doing business here.

Davao City Investment and Promotion Officer-in-Charge April Marie Dayap, in her speech during the event, said “the

Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte and two other lawmakers push for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

(Philhealth) to provide free annual medical checkups for all its members.

Sen. Robin holds hybrid public hearing on constitutional amendments in Davao City

Flood-affected families in Agusan, Davao provs. get aid from OVP

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has sent food and relief goods for the families badly hit by the recent floods in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Davao de Oro.

“Thank you, Vice President Inday Sara (Duterte),” Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. said in a statement Thursday, adding that the food and relief goods will help the 1,000 families affected by the recent floods.

Cane received the assistance, consisting of 200 sacks of rice and 140 boxes of relief goods, through the staff of the OVP’s Disaster Operations Center (DOC) on Wednesday.

Cane said 170 sacks of rice will be appropriated to the municipality of Bunawan while 30 sacks will be sent to the affected families in San Francisco town.

He also asked the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to facilitate the delivery and distribution of food and relief goods.

The OVP also sent 100 sacks of rice for the flood victims in Agusan del Norte province on Tuesday.

Governor Maria Angel-

ica Rosedell Amante expressed gratitude to Vice President Sara Duterte for the food aid intended for the flood victims in the province.

OVP aid in Davao area

Meanwhile, some 331 families currently staying in different evacuation centers in Davao del Norte’s town of Carmen were also provided with relief boxes containing sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits such as alcohol, face masks and other sanitary items.

A separate 103 flood-affected families from the same town who opted to remain in their homes also received 500 sacks of rice from the OVP-DOC.

In Davao City, the OVP also delivered essentials to families affected by the Feb. 25 fire that hit two villages in the area.

Earlier this week, the OVP-DOC responded to the needs of 963 families or 3,000 individuals displaced by the fire that razed at least 1,200 houses in Barangay 21-C and Barangay 22-C, both situated along Quezon Boulevard of the city.

The OVP-DOC said it FFLOOD, P8

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Senator Robinhood Padilla held a hybrid public hearing on constitutional amendments and revision of codes at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on Thursday.

The public hearing was held in line with the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 3 seeking to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution via Constituent Assembly (ConAss).

Padilla, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, wanted to amend Sections 2, 3, 7, 10, and 11 of Article XII of the 1987 Constitu-

tion as well as Section 4(2) of Article XIV, and Section 11(1) and (2) of Article XVI.

“Sa kasalukuyan ang PIlipinas sa loob ng 83 economies sa buong mundo, pangatlo tayo sa pinaka mahigpit ang foreign direct investment. Base sa foreign investment attractiveness card noong 2020 ang Pilipinas ay nasa dulo, labing tatlo sa labing apat na ekonomiya sa Asia Pacific,” Padilla said.

He said the proposal has basis and not just a political grandstanding.

“Ito ay tunay na pangangailangan ng ating bansa at amendahan ang economic provision sa ating Saligang Batas. Magmula noong ‘90s sumisigaw na ang salitang globalization, ibig sabihin ang buong mundo ay nagkaroon na ng pag ne-negosyo. Trade investment.

Nakakalungkot tayong Pilipinas mahilig tayong sumama sa trade agreements. Binuksan natin ang bansa sa trade agreements pero ang nakakalungkot yung ating foreign investments, sarado pa rin. Binuksan natin ang ibang produkto

sa ibang bansa pumasok sa atin pero yung investment na galing sa ibang bansa hindi natin pinayagang pumasok dito. Dapat sabay yan na pumasok, trade and investment,” he said.

Amendments to the constitution can be proposed by one of three methods: People’s Initiative, Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), or Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

Meanwhile, lawyer Eula Pertubos-Arias of the Jose Maria College of Law said in amending the constitution it is ideal to go through Con-Con.

“Basically, the People’s

City, DLPC switch on San Pedro St. underground cabling project

Thecity government of Davao and the Davao Light Power Company (DLPC), Inc. officially switched on the San Pedro Street Underground Cabling Project on Thursday.

The switching on activity was presided by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, AboitizPower Distribution

Unit corporate services head Jokin Aboitiz, Davao Light and Power Company Inc. president and chief operating officer Rodger Velasco, and heads of the different utility companies. It marked the completion of the second phase of the city’s Underground Cabling Project.

The project covers 0.6 kilometers of San Pedro Street from City Hall Drive up to corner Quirino Avenue. It’s the second of five phases under the City Ordinance No 0152-17, series of 2017, which requires all telecommunications companies, DLPC, and all other persons involved to con-

vert overhead lines to an underground system.

It is also the goal of the project to improve the city’s aesthetics by constructing safer key city routes.

“The underground cabling project wouldn’t have been possible if not for the initiative of the lo-

Senator Robinhood Padilla, chair of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, leads the public hearing on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

Gov’t earmarks P4 billion for fuel subsidy of drivers, farmers: DBM

TheDepartment of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday said the Marcos administration has earmarked a total of P4 billion this year to provide fuel subsidy to drivers and farmers as the country recovers from the pandemic.

In a statement, the DBM said the allotted amount is charged against the regular budgets of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“As directed by Pres-

ident Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this administration will continue providing fuel subsidies to our kababayan, especially in the most vulnerable sectors — public transport and agriculture,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

“Kagagaling lang po na-

tin sa pandemya. Naiintindihan po natin na maraming naapektuhang drivers and even our farmers and fisherfolks (We just came from the pandemic. We understand that a lot of drivers and even farmers were affected). We are banking on our transport and agriculture sector to boost economic recovery. And so we need to provide them the help and boost they need,” added Pangandaman.

The DBM said a total of P3 billion was earmarked in the national budget to cover

fuel vouchers for qualified public utility vehicle (PUV), taxi, tricycle, and full-time ride-hailing and delivery service drivers nationwide.

The Budget department said the amount is P500 million higher than the P2.5 billion in the 2022 budget’s fuel subsidy program.

This aims to cushion the impact of high oil prices on thousands of PUV drivers, it said.

The program’s implementation is subject to guidelines issued by the

DA says selling onions direct to buyers to stabilize prices

To realize the administration’s food security targets, the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) said Wednesday it will secure direct transportation links between onion growers and buyers.

In a statement, the DA

said this is part of efforts to improve the logistics in the country’s agricultural value chain under the leadership of President and concurrent Agriculture chief Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to stabilize the prices of on-

ion in the retail markets and help farmers increase their income, the Department of Agriculture, through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, has strengthened its direct market linkage initiatives,” the DA said.

The agency said the initiative is set to benefit both the market vendors

DTI chief hopeful of GSP+ renewal

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Secretary Alfredo

Pascual is optimistic about the possible renewal of the Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) trade agreement with the European Union (EU) following a recent meeting with EU lawmakers.

In an interview with journalists on Wednesday, Pascual said the meeting was “a very productive” one and among the topics that were discussed include the country’s obligations with regards to labor, human rights, environment and governance.

and institutional buyers.

The DA added it is also working closely with its regional counterparts to address problems with transportation.

This included the utilization of Kadiwa delivery trucks to help farmers in the logistics.

“In Nueva Ecija, the

“And I explained that it doesn’t require EU obligation for us to follow the principles that they are looking for because our own Philippine government and Philippine agencies are very much aware of the principles and we are signatory to a number of international conventions already,” he said at the sidelines of

the formal opening of Mega Prime Foods Inc.’s (MPFI) state-of-the-art and worldclass manufacturing facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The trade deal will expire by end-2023.

Pascual said the government has always promoted governance and has a major program aimed at addressing governance issues and promoting the digital transformation of government processes.

“I told them with or without the requirements of EU, we are observing the principles that they are interested in,” he said, adding “I think I got a good feedback from them on my statement.”

Pascual said that with the bid to elevate the country to an upper middle-income country, there is a need to secure the renewal of GSP+ because the Philippines will not be eligible to that trade deal anymore once its status has been changed.

FGOV’T, P8

A client withdraws from an automated teller machine of Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) branch in Davao City. BPI’s wealth management arm BPI Wealth said it won the bid to manage an additional Pag-IBIG Fund P1 billion portfolio. Lean Daval Jr.

Transshipment route between Tawi-Tawi and Labuan revived

APEC: Asia-Pacific region posts lower economic growth in 2022

The Asia-Pacific’s economy grew 2.6 percent in 2022, plummeting from the 6.1-percent growth recorded in 2021, according to a new report published by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Policy Support Unit.

The region’s economy is expected to pick up in the short term, with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to expand by 3.1 percent this year, according to a statement issued by the Unit and received here on Wednesday.

“The combination of an enduring pandemic, high inflation coupled with rising interest rates and debts, as well as the ongoing geopolitical issues resulted in a significant slowdown in the global economy during 2022,” said Carlos Kuriyama, the newly appointed director for the APEC Policy Support Unit.

“Both consumers and investors were cautious last year due to uncertainties and the gloomy economic outlook. As a result, demand and investment activities progressed slow-

ly,” Kuriyama said.

Inflation in APEC reached 5.8 percent in 2022, the highest rate to be recorded since the financial crisis in 2008, when it peaked at 6.6 percent.

The report projects APEC’s inflation to taper down to 3.9 percent this year, declining further to 2.7 percent in 2024.

“The sustained and broad-based increase in prices promoted an aggressive and synchronized response from monetary authorities across the world,” a senior researcher with the Policy Support Unit Rhea Hernando said.

“In APEC, we are seeing majority of the central banks increase interest rates to dampen price pressures,” she said.

Rising uncertainties also weakened merchandise trade in APEC during the first nine months of 2022.

Growth in the volume of APEC’s merchandise exports was flat, while merchandise imports grew by 4.3 percent as compared to

Thetransshipment route between Tawi-Tawi province and the Federal Territory of Labuan has been revived, with a locally-built wooden boat arriving safely early this week at the Malaysian island, MindaNews learned Wednesday.

Malaysian state-controlled news agency Bernama reported that the first non-convention size ship (NCSS), which it described as “kumpit” but popularly known as “lantsa” in Tawi-Tawi, arrived at the Labuan Liberty Wharf on Monday, February 27.

The 250-ton wooden-hull vessel was given a salute from two water cannons on two tugboats as it berthed at Labuan’s containerized port jetty, Bernama reported.

Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of the

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said the vessel was loaded with biscuits and sardine products to Labuan.

“The volume depends on the orders from the other side but are mostly food products, beverages and sardines,” he added.

With the arrival of the NCSS, the transshipment activity between Labuan and the southern Philippines is officially revived, Bernama reported.

Rithuan Ismail, Labuan Corp. chief executive officer,

and Azman Abidin, political secretary of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as well as members of the Labuan Chamber of Commerce (LCC) witnessed the historic event.

The LCC facilitated the issuance of transshipment licenses to New Quality Diamond, Nusa Aman Sdn Bhd and BGC Trading Sdn Bhd from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

Idjal Tahir, chief executive officer of Labuan Port operator Megah Port Man-

Biz sector calls for creative measures to soften inflation

Manufacturers and retailers of key commodities are calling for the institution of creative new measures to ease price pressures as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects last month’s inflation to likely hover around the 8.5 to 9.3 percent range.

In an interview Wednesday, Steven Cua, president of the Philip-

pine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, said local food producers need support to lessen the country’s dependence on imported produce.

He said an over-reliance on food that is shipped in from abroad inevitably translates to higher retail prices.

“We really have to develop our own food production capabilities to

protect the public against inflation,” he said.

Cua, whose group is composed mostly of medium-sized supermarkets nationwide, agreed that the BSP’s forecast accurately reflects actual price changes at the store front in February.

While volumes being sold by supermarkets remain largely unchanged despite price increases,

he said consumers are noticeably inclined towards lower cost or sale items.

Lucito Chavez, president of the Asosasyon ng Panaderong Pilipino, appealed to the administration to offer soft loans and other affordable financing options to struggling community bakers.

He said many small bakeries are becoming

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo Tria shares his thoughts on the economic provisions that need to be amended in the 1987 Constitution during the public hearing on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes presided by Senator Robinhood Padilla held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

On Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 3 seeking to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution via Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass):

Nakakalungkot tayong

Pilipinas mahilig tayong

sumama sa trade agreements. Binuksan natin ang bansa sa trade agreements pero ang nakakalungkot yung ating foreign investments, sarado pa

Binuksan natin ang ibang produkto sa ibang bansa pumasok sa atin pero yung investment na galing sa ibang bansa hindi natin pinayagang pumasok dito. Dapat sabay yan na pumasok, trade and investment.”

Senator ROBINHOOD PADILLA

Unlike land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a Filipino seafarer is required to make an allotment which shall be at least 80 percent of the seafarer’s monthly basic salary, payable once a month to his designated allottee in the Philippines.

The issue of seafarers remittances as mandatory while it is only voluntary for the land based OFWs was raised during the second “AHOY Training and Immersion Course” organized by the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) held from February 20 to 25, 2023 in Pasay.

ICMA is a free association of 29 charitable organizations working for the welfare of seafarers, fishers and their families. These organizations represent various Christian churches and communities that operate in more than 400 seafarers’ centers in more than 100 countries.

ICMA was founded in 1969 to encourage collaboration and mutual assistance among seafarers’ ministry organizations.

It is the mission of ICMA to promote unity, peace and tolerance as it is the duty of every chaplains, ship visitors, and volunteers and advocates for seafarers’ welfare to serve the stakeholders regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin.

Due to the high number of Filipino seafarers who visit port based welfare centers around the world, the training course allowed participants to gain a first-hand knowledge of Filipino seafarers’ social and cultural

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY

MARINO RIGHTS

ICMA AND FAMILIARIZATION OF THE CULTURE OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS

background and other institutions in the Filipino maritime sector so as to better serve them.

Some of the members organizations of ICMA include Stella Maris, Mission to Seafarers, Sailor Society, German Seemannsmission, among others.

Lectures were given by seasoned academicians, government representatives and maritime stakeholders along with familiarization tours in Intramuros, Quiapo, dormitories and centers.

I delivered a lecture on the protection of seafarers’ rights dealing with legal issues on disability and death benefits due to illness or accidents as well as illegal dismissal, nonpayment or underpayment of salaries and wages and illegal recruitment.

It is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five crew on board a vessel at any time.

The sea-based sector’s remittance comprises at least 22 percent of the total dollar OFW remittances.

Data from the website of the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the fluctuation in seafarers’ dollar remittances.

The data noted US$6,870,827,000 in 2017; US$6,139,512,000 in 2018; US$6,539,246,000 in 2019; US$6,353,522,000 in 2020; US$ 6,545,002,000 in 2021; and US$6,715,880,000 in 2022.

From the BSP records since 2017, the sea-based sector’s remittances increased in 2018 by US$731,315,000, then increased in 2019 by US$399,734,000, then decreased in 2020 by US$185,724,000, then increased in 2021 by US$191,480,000, and increased again in US$170.878,000.

In 2022, total OFW remittances amounted to US&32,539,430.00 where US$25,823,550,000 are from land based workers while US$6,715,880,000 are from deployed seafarers.

In terms of deployment, the records from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) show that the total number of seafar-

ers deployed overseas reached 376,663 in 2017; 337,502 in 2018; 507,730 in 2019; 217,233 in 2020; and 345, 517 in 2021.

Blogger Fred Uno of MarineCafe.com pointed out in an article that Filipino seafarers are being shortchanged in the conversion of their dollar remittances to pesos as he described such practice as “thievery” in the maritime industry.

Some unscrupulous manning agencies shave off at least one or two pesos from the foreign exchange rate, misleadingly calling the cut as “service charges.”

Some manning agents keep part of the remittances when converting the money to pesos by using an exchange rate that is usually one or two pesos lower than the official BSP rate.

Such tampering with the dollar-to-peso rate, he added, results to the shortchanging of Filipino seafarers since their families receive less than they should in allotments.

These practices are clearly

contrary to the letter and spirit of the POEA contract, which says that facilitation by the manning agency of allotments shall be “at no expense to the seafarer, and that “allotments shall be paid to the designated allottee in Philippine currency at the rate of exchange indicated in the credit advice of the local authorized Philippine bank.”

“The seafaring worldview is presupposed by the expression “We’re in the same boat.” Whatever their nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin might be, they realize that deep within, people are basically the same. Wherever they embark from and disembark at, they are bound to meet other seafaring people like themselves,,” says Bishop Ambo David, president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

(Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA

HOW WIDE WAS UYANGUREN STREET?

Who would have thought that the width of a city street in Davao would become part of a case that eventually reached the Supreme Court?

In 1953, the government supposedly widened Uyanguren Street (now Magsaysay Ave-nue), from 10 meters to 15 meters after a big fire hit the area on December 1, 1952, razing to the ground seven blocks and displacing, according to news reports, 10,000 people. The prop-erty affected belongs to the heirs of former Davao City mayor Leon Garcia Sr. who filed cases for payment.

On June 22, 1960, the heirs filed two separate petitions with the Office of the Auditor General for the payment of portions of lands taken and used by the government.

One claim was filed by Mrs. Milagros vda. de Garcia, solely for

herself, for payment amounting to P190,240.00 covering a land area of 2,378 square meters at P80.00 per square meter. The other claim was filed by Milagros vda. de Garcia including her children and it asked for P161,942.40 as payment for 2,024.28 square meters at P80.00 per square meter.

Overall, the total area purportedly taken by the government was 4,402.28 square meters.

To establish the claims, the Garcia family presented copies of transfer certificates of titles (TCTs) showing the description of their properties and the width of Uyanguren Street as only 10 meters, including a photostatic copy of a map showing the general condition of the street before 1953, the affidavits of some residents of Davao City, and proofs of payment of realty taxes.

Moreover, the Garcia family

also presented a document executed by Yee Dock Kiu and Yee Tock Sum dated January 19, 1953, giving the city a road right of way on their property ostensibly for the reconstruction of Uyanguren Street. It was signed by the mayor of Davao City instead of the director of public highways.

For their part, the city engineer, the commissioner of public highways, and the undersec-retary of Public Works and Communications opposed the claims, saying that Uyanguren Street had already existed with its standard 15-meter width since its construction before 1918.

To deal with the position of the claimants, the government presented documents, namely:

(i) Resolution No. 25 of the Davao City Appraisal Committee, dated December 7, 1960, showing the street was made prior to World

War II with its present standard width of 15 me-ters; (ii) official communications showing the building permits issued as early as 1946 is 7.50 meters from the road center, the same building line before the war; (iii) documents and offi-cial papers attesting that Uyanguren Street has been in existence since before the year 1918; and (iv) the indorsement of the city engineer of Davao, dated August 6, 1963, attesting there has been no change of alignment in any section of the road nor was there any widening ever made since the last World War.

Consequently, the auditor-general denied the two claims on May 15, 1964.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the Garciasfiled their motion for reconsideration and sup-plemental motion for reconsideration dated October 26, 1964 and No-

vember 17, 1964, re-spectively, which were similarly denied on October 10, 1966.

Expectedly, the ruling of the General Auditing Office was contested and it reached the Supreme Court which, in its March 17, 1975, ruling, argued:

“The facts upon which the Auditor General based his decision or ruling against the peti-tioners are clear and incontrovertible. We have read and re-read the records of the case and this Court cannot find any flaw in the findings of fact of the Auditor General to warrant nul-lification of his decision. As borne out by the records of the case, his findings are supported by evidence substantial enough to adequately support his conclusion.”

The decision appealed was affirmed without special pronouncement as to costs.

HEALTH... FROM 2 US... FROM 2

check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded the quality health care services that they deserve.

“Investing in free medical checkups for every Filipino will help save lives and ensure that no one gets left behind when it comes to health care,” Duterte said.

Section 4 of the bill mandates PhilHealth to establish a system that allows access to a free annual medical check-up and ensures that Filipinos shall be accorded the quality of health care services that they deserve.

He added that not only that the bill will capacitate every Filipino to detect early potentially serious

SEN. ... FROM 3

Initiative is already out of the table because based on the previous discussions masyadong, is almost impossible, logistically impossible, and budget constraints as well. Between the Con-Con and the ConAss, my personal belief is we should opt for the Constitutional Convention. Why? Because in Con-Con we have the participation of the people whereas when we say Con-Ass, it just the Congress and for me, the process of the proposing amendment to the constitution is it will be a big part of the history,” she said.

Arias, who is among the panelists during the public hearing, said at the very onset, there should be people’s participation in proposing amendments.

“How can we participate? Of course, in ConCon people will vote for who will delegate to the Con-Con. Why also ConCon? Because we have to

GOV’T. ... FROM 4

DOTr, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the DBM.

Beneficiaries will be validated and identified by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the DBM said.

On the other hand, the agency said P1 billion is appropriated to

DA ... FROM 4

DA-AMAS and DA Regional Field Office III-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division provided logistical assistance to Valiant Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (VPMPC) and the Bagong Pag-asa Multi-purpose Cooperative, both based in Bongabon, which is an onion-producing municipality,” the DA said.

The DA said it has transported thousands of kilograms of red and white onions to several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces from Feb. 22 to 24.

“A total of 4,260 kilograms of red onion and

medical conditions but it will also benefit Philhealth because it will reduce the expense of paying for coverage of pricey medical procedures that are frequently associated with treating life-threatening diseases.

According to the statement, under the bill, Filipinos can avail the free medical checkups in any government-run hospital or medical institution.

“On top of free cholesterol and blood sugar tests, the three lawmakers also proposed the inclusion of expanded laboratory and diagnostic tests in the free annual medical checkup benefit “subject to the availability of Philhealth funds,” it said.

put some sense or some level of integrity in the process of proposing amendments. Why? Because let’s face it the people has a certain level of distrust in the politicians kahit ngayon nga masyado nang maugong why would the Congress be the one to propose amendments, that is why if we have people’s participation we can have a certain level of integrity to the process of proposing the amendment,” she added.

The hearing was also attended by officials and representatives including the business chambers, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), tourism sector, and the National Economic and Development Authority 11 (NEDA 11).

Participating online were Senator Francis Tolentino and former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco B. Belgica.

provide fuel assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.

The amount was earmarked to provide fuel subsidies to more than 312,000 farmers and fisherfolk with P3,000 per beneficiary, to ensure unimpeded agricultural production and fishing operations, according to the DBM.

610 kg of white onion were delivered to the L. Sanchez Farm, Batangas City Rural Improvement Club Marketing Cooperative, Ridad Integrated Farm, Agripreneur Farmers and Producers Association, as well as to market vendors of Guadalupe market and Las Pinas City public market,” it said.

Besides easing the transport situation for farmers, the move also intends to lower the actual market price by eliminating the unreasonable markup usually incurred between the farmgate and retail price.

in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City that the transfer of equipment “underscores the increasingly strong relationship between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies.”

“This year, the United

DAVAO... FROM 2

sister city relationship we have with Jinjiang City in the People’s Republic of China is one of the most important partnerships the city has.”

“Over the years, this resulted in many programs and collaborations that benefitted both Davao and Jinjiang. And today’s Signing of the Agreement is a clear manifestation that the relationship between the two cities continues to grow,” Dayap said.

Apart from the Framework Agreement, two more agreements were signed between high-ranking business executives from Jinjiang and local organizations and companies here in Davao.

A Memorandum of Collaborating and Facilitating the Resumption of Davao Flight was signed between Xiamen Airlines and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII). The

CITY... FROM 3

cal government of Davao City to create an internationally competitive image of Davao, opening doors to sustainable development and progress, as well as enhancing safety within the Central Business District,” said Velasco in his message.

He said because of the city government of Davao’s directive to the utility companies with overhead lines to place all electrical, telecommunication, and internet wires and cables, DLPC, along with the other utility companies in coordination with the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) commenced the

SLIGHT... FROM 10

States has invested more than Php 276 million ($5 million) to provide specialized training and equipment to the PNP in the areas of explosive ordnance disposal, crisis response, digital forensics, investigations, and intelligence fusion,” she said.

document was signed by Xiamen Airlines Quanzuo Branch General Manager Mr. Hu Bin and DCCII Executive Vice-President Ms. Belinda Torres.

A Project Cooperation Framework Agreement between Anta and SM was also signed by Anta Southeast Asia President Mr. Wang Huayou and Shopping Center Management Corp. President Mr. Steven Tan.

The signing of the agreements was also witnessed by city officials including Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on International Relations Chair Councilor Javi Campos and City Information Office Officer-In-Charge Mr. Harvey Lanticse. Campos, in his opening speech, said that he is hopeful that the visit of the delegation from Jinjiang will open more opportunities and collaborations. CIO

works in burying wires and cables underground in the key areas of the city.

DLPC started the underground cabling works at San Pedro Street in March 2021.

Meanwhile, Fermin Edillon, head of reputation department of DLPC, said the company is targeting to complete the underground cabling at Magsaysay Avenue next year.

“Ongoing ang underground cabling about 45 percent complete na, which means limpyo and hapsay na ang dalan,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

TRANSSHIPMENT... FROM 5

agement Sdn Bhd, said the vessel would be loading a consignment of 125 tons of sugar and 112.5 tons of rice for the southern Philippine market, referring to Mindanao.

Idjan said the consignments are owned by New Quality Diamond.

“Depending on the weather condition, the second kumpit will be arriving in one week to load the same consignment,” Bernama quoted Tahir as saying.

MinDA, the Philippines’ coordinating office for the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP–EAGA), shared on its Facebook page the Bernama report.

Barter trade exchanges between Labuan and Mindanao were halted in 2016 after four decades of operation, Bernama reported.

Rithuan said that Labuan Corp. fully backed

Kim Tae Soo to shoot 112 and 225 overall. Other scorers were Kim Tae Won 28, Young Sook Kim 27, and Beejay Chua 21. Forest Hills matched Alabang’s output to stay in third place with 224.

74th PAL Men’s Interclub Day 2 complete scores

Championship – Manila Southwoods 274(141133), Eastridge 262(127135), Cebu 256(126-130), Del Monte 240(113-127), Valley Golf 237(116121), Tagaytay Highlands 232(119-113), Pueblo de Oro 212(111-101), Sta Elena 202(114-88)

Founders – Alabang 233(120-113), The Orchard 225(113-112), Forest Hills 224(111-113), Riviera 219(114-105), Wack Wack 215(107-108), Villamor Air Base212(110102), Camp Aguinaldo 211(120-91), Negros Occidental 210(116-94), Southern California Redhawks 208(109-99), Team Brookside 200(99-103), Camp John Hay 200(99101), Apo 189(90-99), Aviator – Alta Vista 217(101-116), Cebu Country Golf 2 209(96-113), Zamboanga 203(101-102), Summit Point 197(94103), Manila 196(95-103), Eagle Ridge 194(86-108), Sherwood Hills 191(9794), Britanikka 1 184(79105), Rancho Palos Verdes 174(76-98), Tagaytay Midlands 174(76-98), Fairways and Bluewater 170(79-91), Up Tee Jots 167(82-85), Lumbia 157(65-92), FilAm Fairway 1 152(68-84), Guinhalaran 149(72-77), Bacolod 147(61-86), Golden Gate 144(73-71), Fil Am

FLOOD... FROM 3

will be providing food for the victims for a week.

In addition, the Kalusugan Food Truck, a program of the OVP that seeks to help children suffering from malnutrition, hunger, and poor development, continues to serve as the mobile food kitchenis now in the two fire-affected areas in Davao City.

BIZ... FROM 5

Hawaii 144(71-73), Fil Am Fairfield 143(54-89), Iligan 142(63-81)

Sportwriters – Club

Filipino Inc de Cebu 194(102,92), Davao 183(105-78), Sarangani 181(85-96), Seattle 178(75-103), Camp Evangelista 176(94-82), South Cotabato 171(83-88), West Highland 167(81-86), The Firm Eagle Ridge 166(8185), Filam LA Team 1 165(86-79), Negros Intl 158(80-78), Leyte 157(9463), South Pacific Davao 156(77-79), San Juanico 146(71-75), Lanang 144(72-72), Filipino Golfer in the Middle East Dubai 139(98-41), Silicon Valley Golfers Link 136(59-77), MSU Golf & Country Club Marawi 1 125(66-59), PGA British Columbia 113(6657), Pearl Kai Hawaii 90(55-35), Yokohama Eagles 76(44-320, Friendship – Alta Vista 171(81-90), Apo 151(80-71), Eagle Ridge Lagitek 142(80-62), Liloan 141(62-81) Davao City Team B 141(71-70), Edwin Andrews Air Base 141(6576), Van City 141(75-66), Veterans 131(66-67), Paraiso Golf Players Association Team B 124(68-58), Greenhills West 121(6162), Cotabato 119(49-70), Baguio 114(59-55), Filipino Golfers in the Middle East UAE 113(58-55), Mt Malindang 104(5549), Green Tee Club Riyadh 103(52-51), Paraiso Golf Players Association 95(35-60), UAE Filgolfers 87(41-46), Fil-Am Golf of Sacramento 84(40-44), Caaga 79(45-34), Fil Oz Sydney 28(16-12)

At least 623 families from Barangay 21-C and 360 families from Barangay 22-C have been identified by the city social welfare office as internally displaced. The affected residents are seeking temporary shelter at the Barangay 21-C gymnasium and Barangay 22-C covered court, respectively. (PNA)

the revival of the transshipment activity.

“We have done our part in making sure the transshipment activity is revived and running smoothly. Labuan needs to diversify its industry to boost its economy, and local authorities will do their part to facilitate,” Bernama quoted Rithuan as saying.

Tawi-Tawi is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It is being positioned as BARMM’s gateway to the BIMP-EAGA with the servicing of the Cotabato–Tawi-Tawi direct flight last year. Cotabato is the seat of power of the Bangsamoro government.

BIMP-EAGA was formed in 1994 with the goals of promoting trade, investment and tourism in the less-developed states and provinces of the sub-economic grouping.

“victims of economies of scale” and are unable to compete with large corporate bakeries.

Chavez said big baking corporations, some of which are foreign owned, are able to bulk purchase raw materials at preferential prices.

“Small bakeries cannot price themselves out of the competition despite their higher cost for the same raw mate-

APEC... FROM 5

the same period last year, when these expanded by 14.4 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the value of merchandise trade exports and imports grew by 14.5 percent, showing greater resilience due to the relatively high energy prices in 2022, driven in turn by supply shocks.

rials, so they are forced to moderate their price increases to the point of only breaking even,” he added.

But Eastern Petroleum chairperson Fernando Martinez said there is reason to be optimistic because of recent developments in the world petroleum market, which is reportedly the origin of world inflationary pressures.

“We expect a modest growth of trade volumes in APEC this year following the slowdown in global demand,” Kuriyama said.

In contrast, commercial services trade performed better in 2022, with exports and imports growing by 13 percent and 15.6 percent respectively in the second quarter of last year.

Suns win in KD debut, Tatum powers Celtics

Kevin

Durant shook off pre-game jitters to score 23 points in his Phoenix Suns debut, helping his new team to a 105-91 victory in Charlotte that halted the Hornets’ five-game NBA winning streak.

Durant was acquired from Brooklyn in a blockbuster trade three weeks ago but was sidelined until Wednesday with a sprained knee ligament.

As Durant announced his arrival in the Western Conference, back in the East the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics continued to jockey for dominance.

The Bucks beat the Orlando Magic, 139-117, their 16th straight victory which keeps them half a game ahead of the Celtics atop the conference.

The Celtics, with 41 points from a resurgent Jayson Tatum, beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 117113, in Boston.

Durant was efficient playing restricted minutes, scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in less than 27 minutes on the floor.

He added six rebounds, a pair of assists and a couple of blocked shots, complementing new teammate Devin Booker’s 37 points.

“I’ve played in almost a thousand basketball games, but today I was nervous,” admitted Du-

rant, who scored his first points as a Sun with a silky layup less than two minutes into the contest.

“A new team, new group, I want to do well, want to play hard for them and be coachable.

“So I was thinking about all of that today. But once the ball was tipped my teammates were incredible in making me feel comfortable and I just tried to go out there and play my game.”

Phoenix is in fourth place in the West, 10 games behind conference leaders Denver and three behind the third-placed Sacramento Kings.

Even as he continues to return to full fitness, Durant showed what an asset he can be as they try to climb the table.

Durant scored 12 points in the first half as the Suns took a 16-point lead.

The Hornets, whose rising star LaMelo Ball had season-ending surgery on a broken ankle earlier Wednesday, had trimmed the deficit to six points going into the final quarter.

Durant started the period and helped the Suns

pull away.

“Man, I missed the game,” Durant said. “I’m glad my knee’s back right, I’m glad I’m on the road to playing more and more minutes each game.

“I’m looking forward to what we can build from this.”

In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points to lead the Bucks, who knocked down 26 three-pointers.

Milwaukee’s winning streak is their longest since they won 18 straight in the 2019-20 season, and it’s the longest in the league since the Suns won 18 in a row last season.

In Boston, the Celtics turned the tables on a Cavs team that beat them twice in overtime early this season.

Tatum, who was ejected late in Boston’s loss to the Knicks in New York on Monday, bounced back to notch his ninth 40-point game of the season.

“Got off to a good start and just kept staying aggressive,” said Tatum, who added that it “just felt good to get back home.

“All Star break, Indiana, it’s been two weeks since I slept in my own bed,” he noted.

Knicks keep rolling

Al Horford added 23 points and Jaylen Brown scored 16 for the Celtics, who withstood a 44-point outburst from Cleveland

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

As a parent, the personal advancement of the family - the children in this case - is primary concern.

Therefore, when superboy Kai did not suit up for the 6th window of the FIBA WC Asian qualifiers - following his contract signing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League - we assume that his folks chose for him to advance his personal career first.

After splitting the two matches - one win over Lebanon and one loss versus Jordan - coach Chot Reyes announced no one is a shoo-in for the final Gilas roster for the 2023 August FIBA World Chamnpionships proper which the Philippines is

co-hosting alongside Japan and Indonesia.

Particularizing the slot for the naturalized player, Reyes wants to know categorically from the 7’3” Pinoy slotman whether he is suiting up or not.

It is a good and timely question because it will afford the SBP, Reyes and the coaching staff to promptly scout for a big man (like Andre Blatche) should Kai reneges on his patriotic duty.

The ball is in Sotto’s court.

If he nods and wears the national uniform, Reyes, Cone and deputies will find it easier to decipher the situation they are in.

Enjoying home court edge

guard Donovan Mitchell, who soldiered through an apparent right thigh injury suffered early in the third quarter.

Elsewhere, the Knicks won their seventh straight, trouncing Brooklyn, 142-118, at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson scored

30 of his 39 points in the first half for the Knicks -who seized control with a 47-point first quarter and sailed home.

Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points and James Harden added 23 as the 76ers beat the Heat 119-96 in Miami, despite the late scratch

KAI SOTTO: COUNTRY OR CAREER?

happily, Gilas must survive the group preiminaries and move into the quarters where the battle becomes tougher. If Sotto is in (Japhet and Fajardo are also healthy and will play), Reyes can pick out JB over JC without incurring some bashing from his basketball-crazy countrymen.

JB’s 41 point output was no joke, guys. You saw Jordan field in taller and heftier Falcons against the small-sized Pinoy quintet and you witnessed how the Ginebra import sniped from all angles and penetrated the narrow defensive fortress of the enemy.

Ok, in my previous piece, i picked JC because his legend-

ary reputation (NBA Sixth Man) precedes him. The opponent will be wary of Clarkson. His touted NBA numbers as a Utah Jazz star point guard are also not a joke.

Anyway…JC or JB won’t matter as long as Sotto plays. This is how Reyes’ argument goes.

The center space won’t have a vacuum as Japhet (6’9”) and many-time PBA MVP JunMar (6’10”) will strategically complement Kai in that regard.

Basically, basketball is about successfully putting the ball on the floor - amidst the defensive pressure - and dribbling it into the front court.

Without adept and expert

of star center Joel Embiid with a sore left foot.

The injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers -- with LeBron James sidelined by a foot injury and Anthony Davis held out to manage the stress reaction in his right foot -- beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-117.

ballhandlers (India for instance), a team will suffer a lethargic handicap that could ultimately lead to a sorry loss.

Bless his soul, Reyes is so lucky he has plenty of skilled and athletic frontliners to choose from.

(That is why I see no reason why the Philippines cannot successfully stamp its superiority and reclaim its basketball diadem in the Cambodia SEA Games.)

Yes, Pinoys highly appreciate the heroic deeds of those who put the country over and above personal career. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Dodo Catacutan (left) and Arnold Clavio show off their trophies after winning the print and broadcast divisions, respectively of the Philippine Airlines media golf tournament at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Cebu City on Monday.

SLIGHT SKID

Matina boys drop to 2nd as Cebu mounts attack in 2nd round

BY NEIL BRAVO

HOW THE DAVAO TEAMS FARED IN ROUND 2:

Davao City Golf Club -- 2nd (Sportswriter)

Rancho Palos Verdes -- 9th (Aviator)

South Pacific -- 12th (Sportswriter)

Lanang -- 14th (Sportswriter)

Apo -- 12th (Founders)

Relentless.

That sums up how the home team Club

Filipino de Cebu spent round two of the 74th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub Sportswriter division on Thursday

Cashing in on their vast course familiarity, the Cebuanos scored 92 points and a 194 total to wipe out Davao City Golf Club’s overnight 6-point lead. The Matina boys could only muster 78 for the day to to go 11 points down with a 183 total over 36 holes.

Jerson Lebosada topscored for Davao with 24, followed by Elizer Junior Villarosa (20), Rodolfo Luna (18) and Alvon Tesado (16). Jean Pierre Baranquias’ 11 did not count.

The other Davao teams made minor movements on Day 2. Rancho Palos Verdes inched up from 12th to 9th in the Aviator class, South Pacific and Lanang went 12th and 14th in the Sportswriter division, and Apo was at the tailend of the tough Founders division at 12th.

Eastridge cuts Southwoods’ lead

Defending champion Manila

Southwoods saw its overnight lead reduced to 12 points by main challenger Eastridge Golf Club halfway through the 74th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub golf team championships on Thursday.

Eastridge, a team reinforced by top Davao golfers, outscored the Carmona-based squad, 135133, at the more difficult Club Filipino de Cebu as both squads braced for the final half of the race.

Veteran Junjun Plana, the top scorer at the Cebu Country Club on Wednesday, failed to count with 28 points but the rest of his teammates picked up the cudgels to make sure Southwoods remains comfortably on top.

Ryan Monsave and Lanz William Uy each shot 35 points to lead the defending champions while Shinichi Suzuki and Masaichi Otake contributed 34 and 29, respectively.

“We were five points short of our target today, but we kind of expected this. We could not pos-

sibly get the best score every day,” said Southwoods non-playing captain Thirdy Escano.

However, he stressed the importance of doing better against Eastridge when they return to Club Filipino de Cebu on Friday.

“I don’t care about the score as long as the boys beat Eastridge,” he said. “That’s the only time I can get a good sleep on the eve of the final round.”

Eastridge struck through Ronel Tagaan’s 36 points to make its move.

Tagaan, one of a handful of former Davao caddies in the team, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys to score the day’s best effort.

Zachary Villaroman, the 15-year-old son of renowned coach Carito Villaroman, bounced back from a poor performance at CCC with 35 points.

Chris John Remata added 34 while Edison Tabalin chipped in 30.

Southwoods has a 36-hole total of 274 while Eastridge has 262.

Pre-tournament favorite Cebu Country Club posted 130 to keep its hold of third spot with 256.

Jacob Cajita sparkled for CCC with 36 while Jufil Sato added 35. Bayani Garcia and Jon Joseph Alvarez rounded out scoring with 30 and 29, respectively.

Rounding out the standings in the championship division were Del Monte 240, Valley 237, Tagaytay Highlands 232, Pueblo de Oro 212 and Sta. Elena 202.

In the Founders division, Alabang extended its lead over Orchard by eight points after collecting 113 points also at Club Filipino de Cebu.

Anthony See led Alabang with 33 points followed by Christopher Popp 30, Juan Ibazeta 26 and Marc Lamberto Reyes 24.

Alabang now has 233 points.

Orchard drew 36 points from

Eastridge’s Ronel Tagaan makes a putt at Club Filipino de Cebu during the second round of the 74th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships in Cebu City on Thursday. Tagaan shot the day’s best score of 36 points. (Photo by Alan Tangcawan)