Other than the traditional starting gun to flag off the participating athletes, there will be no other guns allowed for civilians during the Ironman 70.3 event on March 26 in Davao City.
Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11), disclosed on Wednesday that PRO 11 will be recommending the suspension of the “Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence” (PTCFOR) in Davao Region during the major sporting event that is expected to draw thousands in participants and spectators.
“We might be recommending
the suspension of PTCFOR a week before the Ironman event. Next week na yun at yun ang aming recommendation to suspend it in the entire Davao Region,” Gultiano said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Gultiano said as part of the preparation, PRO 11 has augmented almost 4,000 PNP personnel to provide security not
only for Araw ng Davao activities but particularly for Ironman events.
“We will be busy giving security sa Ironman na magtraverse from Davao City to Tagum City kaya napaka higpit na ng ating preparasyon diyan,” she said.
This year’s Ironman 70.3 will be composed of a 1.9-kilometer swim at the Davao Gulf, a 90-km bike ride from J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City to Tagum City and back, a half-marathon or 21-km run from Azuela Cove to NCCC VPlaza mall and back.
Meanwhile, Gultiano said the
FGUNLESS, P10Two gunmen riding a motorbike shot dead a businesswoman and wounded her husband in an ambush in Barangay Fatima, Gen. Santos City early Tuesday.
In a report, Col. Jomar Alexis Yap, General Santos City police director, identified the victim as Amelia Tajala, of Barangay Fati-
ma, Gen. Santos City.
Tajala was declared dead at the GenSan Medical Center while her husband Belgar, who was driving the Mitsubishi Montero (MFN-927), was critically injured.
The victims were heading to the city fish port area at about 4:45 a.m. where they are man-
aging a fish and money lending business when waylaid by the gunmen, who sped off in an unknown direction.
Police found 16 empty shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.
They said they have yet to establish the motive and identities of the perpetrators. (PNA)
The Department of Science of Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOSTPCIEERD) is developing Artificial Intelligence A.I. based technology to help in disaster risk reduction and management.
One of the projects is the DATOS or Remote Sensing Data Science which helps the disaster response agencies in knowing the extent of flooding.
“Immediately kasi in disaster management actually you want to know where the affected areas are. This means you have to come out where they are so you can provide the necessary response like rescue, evacuation things like that,” Dr. Enrico Paringit executive director of DOST PCIEERD said.
He added that AI is an improvement of the LIDAR based technology which will identify hazard areas.
“We have the source, the satellite imagery then we have to process it where the flooded areas. Now it can be done by the machines, automatically the data will be downloaded from the satellite then the AI machine will label which lands are flooded,” Paringit said.
He said the data coming from the sensors and satellite are being crunched by the AI machine DATOS.
The project began in 2017 with a budget of P80-million. The information shared by the DATOS AI is given to PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC).
“Before we do not know the what is happening on the ground, now down to the nearest barangay you will know the real situation,” Paringit said.
“The geo-hazard maps will show what will happen, the DATOS shows what is happening, for example there was a heavy rain last night, and when the satellite passes by, we will have data showing the extent of the flooding,” Paringit added.
For earthquakes the DOST PCIEERD are looking at using AI as Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) is planning an ambitious project to predict the occurrence of quakes at a very short lead time.
“For example, in Japan they are developing a warning system with an 8 second lead time, that’s a huge thing, where you predict an earthquake is going to happen in 8 seconds. It is still under development but if it is possible in other countries it could also be possible in our country,” Paringit said.
The same goes for volcanoes as Paringit said they will be looking at having sensors, networks and imageries for data then followed by intelligence to crunch the data.
“Artificial Intelligence is very important because it is the engine to data crunch those inputted from the sensors,” Paringit said.
The part of AI’s role is to help communicate to the people the situation and that the authorities should act given the situation in front of them.
DOST-PCIEERD is among the
By MAYA M. PADILLO
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed its emergency medical services (EMS) team to Davao de Oro after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the province anew on March 7.
In a press release on Tuesday, PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon assured that the PRC remains a reliable help to the Filipinos in times of distress as he encouraged the public to become members of its village-based Red Cross 143 volunteer system.
“Ang Red Cross po ninyo ay inyong maaasahan sa panahon ng sakuna, kaya naman inaasahan din namin na kayo ang aming maging mata at tainga, na magbibigay sa amin ng impormasyon ukol sa mga nangyayari sa inyong barangay (You can always rely on the Red Cross in times of disaster, and so we expect that you be our eyes and ears who will give us information on what is happening in your respective villages),” Gordon said.
With the EMS team, the PRC also sent medical tents, food trucks, a water tanker, and trained psychological first aid providers to meet the needs of displaced families.
The PRC Hot Meals on Wheels served arroz caldo to 1,220 in-
dividuals at Manat Gymnasium, the designated evacuation center in Barangay Manat, Nabunturan town, and at the Andap National High School evacuation center in New Bataan town, Compostela Valley province.
Meanwhile, the PRC water, sanitation, and hygiene team has set up a buffalo tank at the evacuation center for the immediate needs of families seeking shelter at the gymnasium.
Three PRC medical tents are also set up at the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital that served as the immediate evacuation area for patients of the hospital while a PRC ambulance is on standby as of March 13 at the Andap National High School evacuation center in case of medical emergency.
Psychological first aid was also provided by the PRC Welfare Team to 62 adults and 88 children at the Andap National High School evacuation center.
Around 6,000 individuals currently staying at the Manat Gymnasium, Andap National High School, and New Leyte Elementary School in Maco town also benefited from the PRC water tanker that has distributed 35,000 liters of water.
An official of the City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) on Tuesday suggested that transport cooperatives that will be affected by the looming implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) in Davao City may form a consortium to handle one route of the said project.
Luzminda Eblamo, officer-in-charge of the City Cooperative Development Office, said that CCDO is currently working on identifying a consortium of cooperatives that is capable of serving at least one route for HPBS and has financial capacity to do so.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) states that HPBS has 29 bus routes divided into four levels: Metro Davao forms the core services connecting all major commercial centers with five routes, Davao Inter runs eight routes connecting urban areas
directly to the central business of Davao. The Davao Feeder District runs nine routes that connect smaller centers and areas with more scattered populations to Metro Davao services, and Davao Local provides connectivity between the outer rural areas of the city and the main transportation system or integrated terminals.
“Yan ang aming gina work out we are trying to capacitate or organize a federation or a consortium of these transport coops but the challenge is are they ready to handle that route in terms of FCONSORTIUM, P10
TheProvince of Cotabato is accelerating the establishment of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA), which is currently in the land acquisition phase.
In her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño – Mendoza reported that through the Provincial Legal Office, the province has been able to notarize 41 Deeds of Absolute
Sale to facilitate the Transfer of Ownership to the Provincial Government and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
“The seven remaining others (ongoing negotiation sales with the owner) are still under the process of complying with documentary requirements for the eventual execution of the Deed of Absolute Sale,” she said.
Mendoza said 23 land titles have been transferred and are
now registered under the name of the Province of Cotabato and DoTr and a Notice of Award has been issued to the contractor for the expansion of the perimeter fence worth P32 million, which is at 85 percent completed since February 28, 2023.
Last year, the provincial government of Cotabato made a pitch to the three major airlines - Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines,
Holdings Corporation and several partners are planning to invest some PHP20 billion in the next three to five years to put-up various renewable energy (RE) projects that can produce around 300 to 350 megawatts capacity.
In a briefing on Tuesday, Alternergy president Gerry Magbanua said they have lined-up triple-play projects that use runof-river hydro power, wind and solar.
“In the next three to five years, we have representative projects for each of these technologies and that’s part of the PHP20 billion,” he said.
Among the current sources of Alternergy’s supplies come from
the Bangui Bay and Pillilia wind farms and the solar energy farms in Kirahon in Misamis Oriental and rooftop projects in various malls by Double Dragon Properties and SM Investment Corporation.
The company is also developing a battery energy storage in western Pacific, particularly in the Republic of Palau, and this is considered to be the largest solar hybrid project in the area to date.
Magbanua said they are still considering another project in western Pacific but declined to elaborate.
He said that for each of the projects that are in the line-up, 70 percent will be financed by loans and 30 percent by equity –a system they have implemented since their previous projects.
“For Alternergy, our mantra is not to own 100 percent of these projects. We will be inviting partners in the equity structure,” he added.
Of about PHP6 billion equity, he said around PHP3.5 billion will come from Alternergy itself while the balance will be provided by its partners. (PNA)
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla has downplayed the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the United States, saying it will not have an adverse impact on the country’s financial system.
“No. It will not trigger another financial crisis,” Medalla said.
The BSP governor was asked to comment on the shutdown of Silicon Valley Bank and whether it would cause another financial crisis in the country.
Last week, news broke that Silicon Valley Bank, which spe-
cializes in financing startups, was shut down and its assets were seized by US authorities after it took a loss of $1.8 billion in the sale of $21 billion worth of securities.
Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse was feared to trigger a potential spillover across the entire US banking system.
Medalla said that there is “no reported exposure of Philippine banks to Silicon Valley Bank.”
“Philippine banks have strong balance sheets,” he said.
The Bankers Association of
Digitizing the logistics sector through the use of technologies, such as supply chain management system and digitizing the process of customs filing, will help the country’s main port to alleviate congestion, according to a logistics technology firm executive.
In a press briefing in Taguig City Tuesday, AEB (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. general manager Frans Kok said the use of digital infrastructure is imperative as there are no more opportunities to physically expand the Manila Port.
expected to grow by 8 to 10 percent.
There is also an annual shortage of 50,000 pallet locations in local warehouses.
The current situation in ports across the country can further aggravate if digitization will not be applied, as businesses are aggressive in their expansion activities post-pandemic.
“We have seen the traditional players in the market grow, but we also see new players entering this market. It’s a business opportunity for them,” he added.
the Philippines (BAP) on Tuesday said the Philippine banking system is strong and stable amid the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the United States, described as the American banking sector’s biggest failure since the 2008 financial crisis.
BAP said banks “have diversified deposit bases that include all sectors of the Philippine economy, allowing them to continuously provide the liquidity needs of their clients.”
“Additionally, banks in the
Kok said this will provide timely data to manage the movements at the port, tracking and tracing of shipment, seamless communication across the supply chain and accelerate business processes, among others, to prevent bottlenecks.
“This is not just an issue that we’re working on in the Philippines but many of the developing countries face exactly the same issue. Most of the ports, historically have been built in the capital like Manila. But of course, from a supply chain perspective, that immediately gives him a congestion problem,” he said.
Kok suggested the need to focus on opportunities in cold storage business in the country.
He said the demand for warehouses and cold storage facilities boomed during the pandemic when mobility restrictions spurred the growth of electronic commerce, especially clothing, home articles and food.
“Of course, supply chains were disrupted. There were less flights, there was less movement of goods. So, it was important that the goods were stored locally and stored for longer periods of time so that the government could ensure that there was sufficient food for everybody to eat. Cold storage is of course very important when it comes to perishable and fresh FBSP, P10
Kok said Philippine ports have to keep up with technology as the domestic logistics sector is
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) assured Tuesday of the continuous expansion and modernization of the country’s coconut industry.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, PCA administrator Roel Rosales said the administration under the agricultural helm of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is keen to boost coconut production.
“Gusto po nating mapalawak lalo ang industriya ng niyog sa Pilipinas dahil ito nga ay ating source of income… So tuluy-tuloy po ang pagtatanim natin at in this case, ang tinatanim natin is mas mahuhusay na uri ng pananim –ang tawag po natin dito ay coconut hybrid, ito po ay combination ng good quality ng tall variety at dwarf variety (We want to expand the coconut industry in the Philippines because this is our source of income… So, we are continuously planting at this case and we are planting excellent ones. It’s what we call coconut hybrid or the combination of good quality of tall and dwarf variety),” he said.
Rosales said this is the combination of the “best qualities” of both varieties which help the tree
ManyFilipinos are eager to travel again but they have become more “intentional” with how and where they spend their money as rising inflation shrinks funds for leisure spending, according to a study released by travel e-commerce platform Klook.
to bear more fruit at an earlier period.
He said the strategy can help meet the country’s need to produce both food and non-food industrial products.
Under the coconut expansion program, the PCA carries comprehensive strategies including hybridization, fertilization intervention for a quick turnaround and intercropping or farm diversification for farmers’ alternative source of income.
“May alternative income ang coconut farmer ‘pag medyo mababa po ang presyo ng copra. Pwede rin po tayong mag-alaga ng hayop, may mga programa din po na nauukol dito (We have an alternative income for coconut farmers if the price of copra drops. We can raise animals under an appropriate program for this),” he added.
The PCA said coconut farmers also benefited under the previous administration’s Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Fund.
This entails a comprehensive program for production, intercropping, training, calamity
At least 87 percent of Filipinos surveyed by Klook are eager to travel again, according to the company’s Travel Pulse study conducted in late 2022.
Out of this, 17 percent have made the bookings, which is considered moderate compared to other markets, Klook Philippines and Thailand General Manager Michelle Ho said in a briefing.
The study also showed that 44 percent of Filipino outbound
travelers now prefer longer durations with 6 to 9 days, Ho said. Forty percent prefer to travel by 3 to 5 days and 38 percent for 1 to 2 days.
“We realized how resilient the travel industry is in such as way that despite these macroeconomic conditions preventing people to have that discretionary spending that they used to have preCOVID, people are still choosing whatever savings that they have
to travel,” Ho said.
“We’re seeing that a lot of Filipinos are choosing longer duration for travel and that forms part of I would say traveling less frequently but more intentional. More intentional travel is the one thing that we’re seeing,” she added.
Although 79 percent of Filipino travelers surveyed are still anxious to travel, the study showed that 75 percent are “willing to spend some amount” to travel, Klook said.
Domestic bookings grew 87 percent in 2022, overshooting the pre-pandemic levels, the study showed.
FFILIPINOS, P10Former Energy Secretary Vicente Perez Jr. Tuesday said the proposed reduction to the onsite work in government offices will definitely cut energy consumption but the delivery of services must not be negatively affected.
Perez said he is amenable to the proposed four-day work week or four-day onsite and oneday work-from-home set-up in
government offices.
“So long as service is not compromised and there’s predictability as to what days they are working (and) service to the constituents is still a priority, I think we can manage,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
Asked for the plan’s possible impact on investors’ sentiments on government services, Perez discounted any problem, noting
that some companies are still implementing hybrid work set-up just like what was implemented when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Last week, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the Department of Energy (DOE) was considering to implement a fourday work week to lessen power consumption and promote energy efficiency.
On the recommendation for the suspension of “Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence” (PTCFOR) in Davao Region during Ironman 70.3 event on March 26, 2023:
the suspension of PTCFOR
the
“We might be recommending
a week before
Ironman event. Next week na yun at yun ang aming recommendation to suspend it in the entire Davao Region. We will be busy giving security sa Ironman na magtraverse from Davao City to Tagum City kaya napaka higpit na ng ating preparasyon diyan.”MAJOR EUDISAN GULTIANO Spokesperson, Police Regional Office (PRO
11)
One of the iconic landmarks incinerated when a fire hit Davao City’s central business dis-trict in 1964 was Brokenshire Memorial Hospital (formerly Davao Mission Hospital), then forty-five years old. Aside from daily newspaper accounts, very little is reported about the pulsating developments obtained inside the US-based United Church Board for World Minis-tries (UCBWM), a Protestant society handling the management and operation of the infirma-ry.
Four days after the fire, Paul R. Gregory, the ministry’s Pacific Area secretary, immediate-ly filed a report to the United States, an account (‘Davao Fire—Brokenshire Memorial’) that was later carried by ‘The Christian Sun,’ the sect’s publication; it was dated March 3, 1964.
Gregory, admitting there was a dearth of details about the incident, wrote: “The main building of the hospital was completely destroyed and with it the frame building currently used for some of the Nursing School classes. Most of the equipment has been lost, but there appear to have been no casualty.”
The reports of casualties, however, differed from that which were accounted by those who were at the fire scene. Accordingly, two unconfirmed deaths were traced to a patient who had a heart attack and another who was on the operating table when the fire struck.
But Emma Noreen, the hospital’s chief nurse who sent via cablegram a brief of the inci-dent, reported that no one was injured or killed. For his part, the Manila field rep-
resentative of the ministry accused the Manila newspaper reports as “inaccurate.”
Gregory continues: “Fortunately, the dormitory of the Nursing School is intact (and with it, the library, presumably). The students have been moved to the church (the implication is t that the church escaped damage despite the fact that the fire must have swept much of downtown Davao); and the dormitory is serving as an emergency hospital.” He also wrote that patients were evacuated across Davao River while others were transferred to the Davao General Hospital (where the Institute of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine (IPBM) now stands).
Notwithstanding the tragedy, Noreen remained optimistic in her account, declaring that the nursing school would be opening soon in affiliation
with the public hospital, and the reo-pening of the institute was to start in March with $45,000 in ministry funding for its opera-tion.
Gregory wrote that as soon as the first cable regarding the incident was received on Feb-ruary 10, 1964, the Division of World Service (DWS) promptly released US$2,000 “for the emergency needs in Davao,” sent through Dr. Frei, the Pacific Area secretary in Manila. He also declared that part of the reconstruction cost of the hospital should be covered by the in-surance policy.
Moreover, he wrote that continuous discussion with the Church World Service (CWS) in the Philippines and the Interchurch Commission on Medical Care (ICMC), a coordinating agency, was ongoing. He stated that James McGilvray, the medical secretary
of the United Presbyterian Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (UPCEMR), was contacting the chief of the Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland for emergency equipment for shipment to the Philippines, and grants to reconstruct the hospital.
The plan to reconstruct the hospice on the same site where it was burned did not materi-alize. Difficulty in raising money for the project and the new equipment fell short.
However, it was later decided to transfer the hospital to Madapo Hills after philanthro-pist David Jacobson, an American Jew honorably discharged from the military service, do-nated a big lot there and bequeathed most of his hemp plantation in Pantukan, Davao de Oro, to help fund the rebuilding of the medical institution.
When ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines merged with its sole competitor Uber Philippines five years ago, there have been several criticisms about how the merger resulted in fewer choices for the commuting public as well as higher fares squeezing their pockets.
Last year, online news outlets reported that Grab Philippines allegedly admitted to imposing fare surcharges “to discourage its customers from booking short trips.” The company, however, argued that the charges were in accordance with the guidelines set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In 2019, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) slapped Grab Philip-
pines with a PHP40-million penalty allegedly for its failure to fulfill its price commitments. It was also ordered to reimburse some PHP25 million to its riders.
However, with PHP6 million more yet to be refunded, the PCC last month said that it was looking to impose another round of penalty on Grab due to its alleged failure to fulfill its promise.
“They have not been complying but it is a game of itself,”
PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo was quoted as saying in a report. “They have changed their behavior a number of times already... It’s something that will continue to go on.”
To prevent monopolistic acts, the PCC has asked the House of Representatives to
give the competition watchdog more teeth in enforcing the antitrust provisions of the Philippine Competition Act. Meanwhile, Grab said in a statement that it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations.
“Grab Philippines remains fully committed to complying with its undertakings and commitments with the PCC, and doing right by its stakeholders—especially its millions of users,” it said, adding that it would work with the PCC to fully resolve the issue at the soonest possible time.
“Through its engagements with the PCC, Grab Philippines has provided the Commission a set of disbursement options, and is presently awaiting the PCC’s decision so that the cho-
sen option can be implemented immediately,” the ride-hailing firm added.
Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate’s Committee on Public Services, has signaled a looming committee hearing to probe into the alleged overcharging issue. In an interview, she underscored Grab’s monopoly of the transportation network vehicle service (TNVS), giving the commuters with no other choice.
With its recent acquisition of one of the three accredited motorcycle taxi operators, MoveIt, Poe said that Grab has the capability to dominate the transportation sector.
The TNVS industry has been in the country for years now, and no doubt, it has made public transportation easier and
more accessible to the commuters with its service already at the doorstep with just one click.
However, customers have been feeling this “no choice” situation where there is no other option left but to give in to the rates being offered. Other TNVS companies must unite to level the playing field, especially as competitions have proven successful in making the market competitive.
The weary and desperate Filipino commuters need a solution and we are banking on the government’s action to encourage more players to provide lower rates and better services for the Filipinos. Equally, we need the participation of the private sector in making such initiative a success.
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Every single day, women prove that they are key to making our homes, workplaces, and nation run efficiently. From taking care of their children and their families to their contributions to the workforce and beyond, women are making a deep and profound impact on our world.
In time for Women’s Month this March, it is important that we advocate the empowerment of all women. That’s why Araneta City stands by women and
#EmbraceEquity.
“Women are a cornerstone of our society,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City, said. “As we celebrate Women’s Month, we are proud to say that we stand behind women as they continue to push the limits and work towards finally breaking that proverbial glass ceiling.”
To celebrate and inspire women, the City of Firsts has several activities to help highlight their role in our society and our
nation. First is Claim it. Own it., an inspiring exhibit that showcases the incredible achievements of notable Filipinas with pioneering accomplishments across a wide range of fields. The exhibit takes place until March 12 at the Gateway Mall Activity Area.
There is also the Pop QC: Women’s Month Bazaar from March 17 to 19 that celebrates and promotes women entrepreneurship. This bazaar is led by women entrepreneurs, and it highlights a diverse range of products made by women from different parts of Quezon City. Held in partnership with the J. Amado Araneta Foundation and the local government of Quezon City, this event will be at the Ground Floor of Gateway Mall. Araneta City’s social media accounts will also be showing its support for every Pinay through a series of posts that aim to inspire, empower, and enable women to be the best they can be in whatever field they are in.
“We know that women can do and achieve great and wonderful things. They have proven this time and time again. At Araneta City, we are proud to do our part to make our society more just for all women so that they can have the tools and knowledge they need to progress and build a better future for them and their families,” Go said.
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One of the leading providers in the leisure and entertainment industry, Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC) is now known as DigiPlus Interactive Corporation (DigiPlus).
LRWC, one of the top experts in the retail gaming market, announced today that it has officially changed its name to DigiPlus Interactive Corp. following its receipt of the SEC “Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation” which the SEC issued on 28 February 2023.
The company has been sharing its expertise in the retail gaming market for more than 20 years and has continuously provided world-class multi-gaming platforms with a strong dis-
tribution network of entertainment sites all over the country. Along with the name change, the company pledges better services and products from all of the company’s subsidiaries and related companies.
“The company welcomes this change because we strategically thought of and created a stronger identity that will help us become the best version of what we are as a company. Our new brand name reflects what we are all about: fun, innovation, advanced technology, digitalization and most of all, collaboration,” said Andy Tsui, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. President. “We’re very thrilled to share with all of you what we have prepared this year.”
Photos courtesy of DR. TEOFREDO
ESGUERRARight after the February 2023 twin earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Mami Mizutori, head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) issued this statement: “Of all natural hazards, earthquakes cause the deadliest disasters, accounting for 58% of total disaster deaths between 2000-2019.”
The UNDRR defines disaster as “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.”
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor, or temblor) is indeed a serious disaster. Last March 6-7, a series of light- to moderate-magnitude earthquakes shook Davao de Oro and other provinces in eastern Mindanao. The series followed the magnitude 6.0 earthquake in the province last February 1, which caused tension cracks, landslides, and structural damages.
From 1891 to the present, at least 11 strong to great earthquakes – ranging from magnitude 6.0 to magnitude 8.3 (offshore) – occurred in Davao de Oro and its vicinity, according to
the Philippine Institute of The most damaging earthquake that affected Davao de Oro happened on June 21, 1893; the magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Monkayo along the Philippine Fault produced numerous landslides, liquefaction, and long and wide cracks.
In his message during the First Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) this year, Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) believes and expects that by now, most Filipinos must have a deeper understanding and appreciation of what an earthquake disaster means.
“It is likely that we know someone, if not ourselves, who experienced the impacts of devastating earthquakes in the Philippines in the last two decades,” the science secretary pointed out.
Just like a thief of the night, earthquakes happen anytime, anywhere. Experts believe the
Philippines is now ripe for another “Big One,” a hypothetical earthquake of a 7.2-magnitude or greater. But most Filipinos don’t seem to mind it at all – until it happens.
The PhiVolcs says any active faults that have not generated any historical surface-rupturing events have higher potential to generate “The Big One.” The large quake can significantly affect the region and surrounding areas where it happens.
There are some reports that Metro Manila is apt for another big earthquake. Emmanuel De
Guzman, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction advisor for Asia-Pacific, admitted that he was unsure when the catastrophic disaster would strike but it is most likely to happen in the thickly-populated metropolis.
“The big earthquake is certainly coming. The question is when? No one can tell. It can happen today, tomorrow, or next year. But certainly, there will be an earthquake,” De Guzman, who previously worked with the Office of Civil Defense of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, was
quoted as saying by Philippine Daily Inquirer.
A study done by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said Metro Manila is not ready to deal with a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in terms of existing resources and given old building structures around and within the metropolis.
The 2002-2004 “Study for Earthquake Impact Reduction for Metropolitan Manila” said that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake triggered by West Valley Fault can kill around 34,000 people, injure
conduct of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) continues with a priority focus on loose firearms.
She said Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr., PRO-11 regional director, already issued the directive of “One Strike Policy” directing the PNP to prioritize securing politicians in their area of responsibility (AOR).
“Pagdating sa protection ng elected politicians natin dito ang aming regional director BGen. Silo ay nagpababa ng directive na “One Strike Policy”. Ibig sabihin kung merong politician masaktan, ma-injured o mamatay sa kanilang area of responsibility (AOR) immediately ma-relieve ang COP. We wanted to prevent incidents that happened sa Negros Oriental that is why we put the responsibility sa ating mga commanders for prevention na may masaktan na politicans in Davao region,” she said.
The incident that Gultiano was referring to was the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023.
Gordon said the PRC coordinates its response with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region XI and the Davao De Oro Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The Region XI OCD declared a red alert after a series of earthquakes hit Davao De Oro in Feb. 1 this year. (PNA)
Philippines continue to have capital and liquidity ratios that exceed the requirements set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP),” the bankers group said.
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Boracay is still a top destination in the country, followed by Tagaytay, Cebu, Clark and Subic but Klook said it is developing other cities such as Baguio and Iloilo and other areas across the country.
Ho said the platform is now present in 21 cities in the country, which is more than its footprint before the pandemic.
For international travel, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong are popular for Filipinos. Hong Kong bookings grew 230 percent in January after it reopened, the study showed.
DIGITIZING TRAVEL INDUSTRY
Ho said the platform is helping the sector scale up by increasing discoverability of tour operators and other tourism-related services by digitizing bookings for activities, events, transport, services and hotels, among others.
Overall bookings for water activities in Boracay rose 75 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 with 70 percent of total revenue coming from domestic market, Klook data showed.
Sky Ranch in Tagaytay, meanwhile, sold over 50,000 tickets due to Klook’s instant confirmation, it said.
“Digital technology is a powerful tool that can benefit the majority if done right, and we will continue to introduce platform enhancements to improve our customers’ travel experiences and make it easier to discover and book anything via Klook,” Ho said.
She said Klook has also created value-for-money products to help Filipinos make the most out of their travel funds.
During the pandemic, the platform created the Klook Pass, which consolidates travel services, activities and other essentials into one pass, giving users up to 30 to 40 percent savings. This is available in Boracay, Ho said.
participants of the 1st AI Pinas Research and Development Conference and Workshop held on March 14-15 here in Davao City.
AI Pinas aims to create awareness on the value and applications of AI and AI Robotics in solving pressing national concerns like disaster risk reduction and disaster management. (PIA/RG Alama)
and AirAsia.
“The operationalization of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) is one of our administration’s priorities to spur the growth of commerce and agriculture and even tourism activities in the Province of Cotabato and even in our neighboring provinces,” Mendoza said.
The CMA is included in the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) priority infrastructure projects portfolio and is seen to “catalyze inclusive and balanced rural development in Mindanao… compliment General Santos and Awang Airports and will boost the economic activities of the area where many agricultural products, including highly-perishable fruits, come from,” according to MinDa.
Meanwhile, to complement the CMA the province is also establishing a Provincial Agro-Industrial Park (PAIP).
Through the Provincial Ordinance No. 565 series of 2015, the 27-hectare complex PAIP is situated in Barangay Pag-asa, M’Lang, and will house various agro-industrial food and non-food manufacturing.
“This agro-industrial marketing integration hub will cater to the processing of high-value crops and provides services and facilities that will generate added value to other commodities produced locally. Having a two-kilometer access road to CMA as an easy gateway for cargos, PAIP is also envisioned to create employment for Cotabateños,” Mendoza said. By Maya
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goods,” he added.
AEB established its presence in the Philippines in 2016.
It rolled out its warehouse management system, a cloudbased software application tailored to the needs of the industry.
AEB’s key partners in the Philippines include Royale Cargo Cold Storage, South Alps Cold Storage, Starkson Logistics, Starkson Packaging and 3MD Logistics.
Meanwhile, the company will hold the Supply Chain Trilogy 2023 this March 15 at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City.
This technology conference caters to supply chain leaders and logistics professionals for them to remain updated on industry trends, strategies and the latest technologies for the future of supply chain management and logistics. (PNA)
DAVIS... FROM 9
Staying alive
While VanVleet
former for Toronto, all four of the Raptors other starters finished with double-digit scoring tallies, with O.G. Anunoby scoring 24 points, Scottie Barnes 18, and Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl adding 12 apiece.
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their financial capacity? Because dako gyud ang costing ana specially buying buses. Possibly, if we have a consortium of cooperatives, we need to capacitate them and kinahanglan naay financial infusion and they can do this if they have a consortium coming from big cooperatives nga puwede maghatag ug financial infusion para sa ani nga programa if ever the government thru HPBS would give that cooperative a chance to have even at least one route,” Eblamo said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Tuesday.
Eblamo explained that operators/drivers have to be in their cooperatives for them to see the importance of being in a cooperative rather than in an organization.
“Sa ating cooperative sector we are trying our best to reach out operators kung unsa man ang puwede namo matabang sa ilaha. There is also a compensation package for operators and drivers. They have to be in their cooperatives kay importante nga makit-an nila ang importance ngano kinahanglan mag cooperative rather than an organization kay kung cooperative you are co-owners specially sa transport coops,” she said.
The HPBS will replace over 15 years old and no longer roadworthy public utility vehicles (PUVs) with low-floor city buses.
The government will offer as part of the social development package for impacted drivers and operators, owners of outdated jeepneys will also get a sum of money for each unit that is scrapped on top of the financial, technical, and livelihood assistance.
“Katong ma-displaced specially transport coops we will be there to support them in terms of livelihoods and katong ma displaced our office will be very ready to train them in partnership with TESDA. Kailangan natin i-hone ang kanilang skills. These displaced drivers will be supported by our office in terms of livelihood programs,” Eblamo said.
She is hopeful that the HPBS would start next year.
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Moreover, Rosales said local farmers are urged to form associations or cooperatives to improve the implementation of PCA’s expansion and modernization programs.
He also bared that another program would be launched for the welfare of coconut farmers.
“Let’s look forward to this – isa pang programa na magtataguyod ng scholarship, college scholarship para sa anak ng ating magniniyog at mga manggagawa (another program that will provide a scholarship or college scholarship for the children of our coconut farmers or workers),” Rosales said.
some 114,000 persons, partly damage an estimated 340,000 residential structures and cause the collapse of about 170,000 houses.
“Fire will break out and burn approximately 1,710 hectares and a total of 18,000 additional people will be killed by this secondary disaster,” the study said, adding that infrastructure and lifelines will suffer heavy damage as well.
But it’s not only Metro Manila that will experience the “Big One.” In fact, every region or province in the country is vulnerable to its own “Big One,” reminds PhiVolcs. This includes Davao Region.
Historical records showed a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Compostela Valley in 1893. On April 15, 1924, another earthquake with 8.3-magnitude happened somewhere in Sigaboy, now known as Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental.
According to the PhiVolcs official, an earthquake with an intensity of 7.2 that happened in Compostela Valley will immediately be felt in Davao City “within less than a minute” and the magnitude will be about 7.
Because of the country’s geographical location, earthquakes happen every now and then.
“Long before Filipinos settled in this country, earthquake faults were already in place,” writes Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, a professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences of the University of the Philippines. “These faults shaped our mountains, gave birth to volcanoes, and nurtured life with warmth from Mother Earth. They are the reason for our land’s existence, and we just can’t make them disappear.”
The DOST – which is responsible for the coordination of science and technology-related projects in the country – says three tectonic plates encircle the country: the Philippine Plate in the East; the Eurasian Plate in the West; and the Indo-Australian Plate in the South.
“The existence of several fault lines across the country is a manifestation of the movements of these tectonic plates,” DOST states. Geologists define fault lines as slip-ups or cracks in a volume of rock due to rock-mass movement.
A large fault within the earth’s crust is the result of the movement of tectonic plates. A rapid movement of a fault line may produce powerful energy that can trigger a very strong earthquake, scientists say.
The country has five active fault lines: the Western Philippine Fault, the Eastern Philippine Fault; the South of Mindanao Fault; the Central Philippine Fault; and the West or Marikina Valley Fault.
Each year, about 6,000 earthquakes are detected throughout the world, according to Grolier Encyclopedia. Of the total, 5,500 are either too small or too far from populated areas to be felt directly. Another 450 are felt but caused no damage, and 35 cause only minor damage. The remaining 15, however, exact a great toll in death and suffering, besides heavily damaging houses, buildings, and other structures.
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Diokno said another option is for workers to work four days in the office and a day at home.
He added that if proven effective, this measure will be implemented in other government offices. (PNA)
Nikola Jokic led the Denver scorers with 28 points as the Nuggets fell to 46-23, four games clear of second-placed Memphis in the Western Conference standings.
In other games Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers got back to winning ways after Sunday’s defeat to the New York Knicks with a comprehensive 123-108 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Big Easy.
within the 5-meter buffer zone from an active fault.”
Apart from ground rupture, intense ground shaking may happen away from the fault and cause buildings to topple if not built to withstand the sudden movement of the ground during an earthquake. “This hazard phenomenon is the most destructive of all the earthquake hazards,” Dr. Lagmay says.
Intense ground shaking, according to Dr. Lagmay, can cause land subsidence, making the ground elevation lower than it used to be.
“In flood plains and in coastal areas, the ground can liquefy if water in between sand and gravel mixes, turning land into slurry,” the visiting scientist at the Geophysics Department of Stanford University says. “If not firmly rooted in the ground, buildings on top of the liquefied material may tilt or collapse.”
Tsunami, a Japanese term which means “harbor wave,” happens when large ocean waves are produced when faults shift vertically. “The seismic event displaces the mass of ocean water and creates a train of waves that travel as fast as a jumbo jet toward coastal areas,” Dr. Lagmay says.
When the earth shakes, unstable mountains can fall apart and generate landslides. “Some landslides are small, scarring only the beauty of mountains. But the really big ones can travel from 2 up to 120 kilometers down slope ravaging everything in its path,” Dr. Lagmay says.
Sec. Solidum said that most Filipinos are aware that ground shaking does not kill, it is the collapsed houses, buildings, and infrastructures that kill. “Many of us know that collapsed houses, buildings, and infrastructures often are a result of flawed construction practices – meaning two things: old buildings that no longer meet current standards and the other where new buildings are unfortunately constructed that do not conform to current building standards,” he said.
Sec. Solidum argued that if Filipinos believe and accept that bad construction practices cause collapsed structures during earthquakes, then destruction and death due to the earthquake are preventable. “If bad practices are replaced by good practices,” he stressed.
“Destruction and death due to earthquakes are preventable,” he reiterated. “Let us allow the tools of science to assist us in making earthquake-resilient communities to prevent destruction and death.”
During his speech, Sec. Solidum shared some of the digital innovations and applications and tools that facilitate the interactive use of hazard and risk information for decision-making and action.
In the Philippines, at least 5 earthquakes per day occur, PhiVolcs reports. “Most are small and harmless,” Dr. Lagmay claims. “It’s the really big and shattering shakes that we need to learn to live with. Though they happen decades apart, the result is always catastrophic.”
Most people fear earthquakes because they don’t only destroy buildings and other facilities but also kill people. But “people can’t be shaken to death by an earthquake,” says Dr. Lagmay.
What kills people are these seven hazards: ground rupture, ground shaking, land subsidence, liquefaction, tsunamis, landslides, and fire.
“The quake takes its toll when buildings and infrastructure topple down, when mountains tumble, and when the ground and water bodies heave,” Dr. Lagmay reminds.
On ground rupture, Dr. Lagmay says: “Any structure that sits directly on top of a fault can be seriously damaged when the fault moves. For this reason, no buildings are allowed
Among those presented were the following: How Safe is My House, a self-assessment tool that every homeowner should take; the FaultFinder, which tells how far away the home or workplace or school is from a source of the earthquake; the HazardHunter, another tool that tells the natural hazards that can affect the neighborhoods; and the GeoanalyticsPH, a tool that shows maps and figures the hazards assessment of the neighborhoods.
Also included in the innovations are PlanSmart, which gives national and local planners the necessary information needed for their development planning needs; and REDAS (Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System), a software which teaches local planners to build the exposure database and the scenarios of earthquake, tsunami, and landslide hazards that they will use in their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).
“DOST continues to develop various applications to make science more accessible in decision-making for prevention and mitigation and encourage everyone to use them as our good practice,” Sec. Solidum concluded.
As Maria Elena Paterno wrote in her book Earthquake!: “The only way to avoid disasters caused by earthquakes is to prepare for them.”
With LeBron James sidelined, Anthony Davis once again stepped up for the Los Angeles Lakers with 35 points and 17 rebounds while Malik Beasley put on a three-point shooting clinic, making 7-of-12 attempts from beyond the arc in a 24-point haul.
The win keeps the Lakers firmly in contention for a playoff place with just under four weeks of the regular season remaining.
“We’re just trying to stay alive,” Davis said afterwards. “We came out with a mindset of having this as a must-win game.”
Davis had been determined to produce a big performance
against his former club, after blaming himself for the Lakers 112-108 loss to the Knicks on Sunday.
“Everybody did their job (on Sunday) except myself. That was on me,” Davis said. “I never want to have a performance like I did the other night and let my team down. I wanted to come out to-
night and make a difference.”
Cleveland, meanwhile, kept up their pursuit of Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference with a 120-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers scorers in the absence of Donovan Mitchell with 26 points as Cleveland improved to 44-27 to remain fourth in the East.
Meantime, the Denver Nuggets slumped to a fourth straight defeat on Tuesday as Fred VanVleet kept the Toronto Raptors’ playoff hopes alive with a virtuoso display in a 125-110 victory.
Toronto point guard VanVleet
finished with 36 points, including eight three-pointers, with seven assists and three steals to give Toronto a crucial win as they aim to remain in contention for a place in the postseason.
The Raptors went on the front foot from the outset, pouring in a franchise record 49 points in a remarkable first quarter to leave Western Conference leaders Denver shell-shocked.
That early scoring blitz was to prove decisive, with the Raptors jumping into a 24-point lead in the third quarter.
Although a late rally saw Denver close to within six points in
the fourth quarter, Toronto went on a late run to pull away once more and complete a wire-towire victory at the Scotiabank Arena.
“We came out with great pace, shared the ball, and the ball was moving,” VanVleet said afterwards.
“Obviously we were making shots but it’s a little bit easier whenever score is assisted. It was a good first quarter.
“We’ve just got to keep playing – we’ve been up and down, but we’ve been playing pretty good of late. We’ve got to keep doing it.”
It has been years - and so many conferences for that matter - that only a quartet of the 12 PBA teams get to figure in championship finals.
You know them well, don’t you?
Majority of basketball fanatics somehow have cheered only for Brgy. Ginebra,San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and TNT.
You see the proof when they play each other at the MOA, Araneta Coliseum or elsewhere.
The first three are wellknown sister teams belonging to the San Miguel Corporation, a conglomerate that has helped
the PBA survived the critical times it was in before.
TNT is the MVP franchise that has firmly challenged the dominance of corporate rival SMC such that the former likewise organized two more squads - Meralco and NLEX - to keep in step.
Until this was being written, the SMC ballclubs continue to dominate the pro league with TNT offfering stiff resistance.
So you understand now why when a three team trade comes up, the player most talked about is either taken by the Gin Kings or the Beermen or the Hotshots
The same scenario happens when TNT, Meralco and NLEX are involved.
This is to circumvent a long standing rule that sister teams cannot engage trades between themselves directly.
Anyway, I think serious PBA fans - not only the die hardswant some other team aside from the teams cited above to gate crash the Big 4 party.
Perhaps, it will do the PBA more good if Converge snares one of the championship trophies in the near future. Or NLEX. Or Meralco. And maybe a rejuvenated Rain or
Shine which is again under the helm of returning mentor Yeng Guiao.
Or even NorthPort.
The task looks very difficult because the best players in the league are already in the payroll of the Big Four.
Not only that.
The top bench strategists are also already contracted by these franchises because they can afford to pay them at least six figures in compensation and salaries, not to mention juicy bonuses when championships are won.
Maybe I’m imagining things
because if the current situation is to be crtically analyzed, another decade will perhaps pass before a gate crasher appears in the horizon.
Until then, it is an idea that can be nurtured.
Remember that Cone, Guiao and Reyes were once understudies and they gatecrashed the party when their individual time and oppotunity came.
I know this because I personally saw how Cone and Guiao did it. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
BY NEIL BRAVO
It’s back to the hoopdom as basketball-crazy Dabawenyos are expected to troop to the Davao City Recreation Center for the 86th Araw ng Davao Invitational Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
Title favorite De La Salle University opened its campaign in the 86th Araw ng Davao Basketball tournament with a convincing win over the Lyceum Pirates 77-69 on Wednesday at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Kevin Quiambao fired a teamhigh 15 points for the Green Archers while Davao boy Francis Escandor also had a big game scoring 10 markers in an inspired game before the home crowd. Quiambao went 6 of 12 from the field in the win over Pirates for a 1-0 record.
Fellow contender Adamson University also cruised to a breezy 74-56 win over Uncle Drew Cavite in their own match up to keep abreast as opening day winners. As usual, the sprite-
ly Jerom Lastimosa led the Falcons with 16 points, 3 steals and an immaculate 6 of 6 from the field.
The Green Archers and the Falcons are expected to battle it out for the title in this six-team tournament.
The third match up was won by Davao’s Team Blanca’s over FEU-Junex Tuna 83-69. Tosh Sessay led the Blanca’s with 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and 5 blocks in an all-around versatility.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas under the leadership of regional director Glenn Escandor. The Davao City government is throwing its full support on the event with the Royal Mandaya Hotel backing up.
