It was a happy Friday for the children with cancer at the House of Hope as they received toys and food from birthday celebrant First Congressional District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
The distribution of gifts, which was led by Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II on Friday.
“We are very happy and grateful that Rigo and Congressman Pulong has chosen our kids at House of Hope and our SPMC Children’s Cancer Institute as beneficiaries of their generosity. We celebrate this important birthday milestone in their lives, and we wish them
gram.
The kids at the House of Hope are very close to the heart of the Dutertes. It is a personal advocacy of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
more abundant blessings, good health and joy in the years to come,” said Dr. Mae Dolendo, founder of the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer (HoHF).
HoHF, a non-profit organization to help support kids with cancer and their families, provide transient homes and opportunities to continue school from a hospital-based education pro-
In 2019, the former president donated his home in Margarita Village along J.P. Laurel Avenue to the children with cancer.
Former Mayor Sara Duterte has kept the yearly tradition of the city government of bringing joy to the children with cancer every holiday season by treating children to Christmas surprises from food to entertainment.
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accommodate 5,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDL).
city jail facility lies within an eight-hectare property in Barangay Wangan in Calinan district. The current Davao City Jail in Maa is already congested. Designed to accommodate 700
people it now houses 3,000 PDLs.
According to Jail Senior Inspector Ellen Rose Saragena, chief Community Relations Section of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology they will soon be transferring the PDLs of the male dormitory of the city jail in Maa to the mega facility.
“For now, we have 3,100 PDLs in the male dormitory it’s very
congested because the facility is good for 700 people. We are just waiting for the construction to be finished,” Saragena said.
They are still waiting for water and power connections in the new jail facility. Saragena said the challenge in connecting these utilities is that the jail is far and the nearest community to the
The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a ruling that dealt a blow to the campaign against open-pit mining in South Cotabato, but activists remained unperturbed and vowed to sustain their opposition to the destructive mining method.
In a decision dated August 22, 2022 but circulated in the province only this week, the CA declared that the open-pit ban in South Cotabato is valid, but its application is limited to small-scale mining operations.
“Further, it is clarified that the ban on open-pit mining does not apply to large scale mining operations of the said province, particularly the Tampakan Project,” the ruling by the CA’s 23rd Division based in Cagayan de Oro stated.
The controversial Tampakan Project, touted as the largest untapped copper and gold minefield in Southeast Asia, is being developed by Sagittarius Mines Inc., which revealed that the most viable method to extract the shallow minerals is through open-pit mining. The CA 23rd Division issued the ruling following the petition filed by B’laan Indigenous Cultural Communities consisting of the
indigenous peoples of the (sic) Bongmal, etc, et. al. against the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.
The petitioners questioned the decision of Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Vicente Peña rendered in October 2020, which favored the prohibition on open-pit mining contained in the province’s environment code.
“Section 22 (b), which bans open-pit mining in the province of South Cotabato is not invalid, but rather legal and consistent with DAO (Department Administrative Order) 2017-10 (issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources), the Local Government Code (of the Philippines) and above all the Constitution,” the judge had ruled.
Diocese of Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas blew the whistle on the CA decision, urging South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. to hold a public dialogue over the ruling, which neither he nor the provincial government did not announce to the constituents.
“Notwithstanding the pronouncement of the Court of Appeals, we remain firm with our
The chance for Davao City to host another Ironman 70.3 event depends on Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, according to City Sports Development Division head Mikey Aportadera during the opening of the third and last installment of Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao Philippines at the Azuela Cove, Lanang on Friday.
The City Council approved on Tuesday a resolution ensuring that landowners will not cut old, heritage trees in the conservation and protected area in Davao City.
Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Environment and natural resources, passed a resolution closing and terminating item No. 197 entitled “Letter Complaint of Anaceleto Moran Jr., Attorney-In--Fact, relative to the private land covered by TCT NO. 146-2016018903 owned by Ling Ling Wu Lee, located in barangay Salaysay, Marilog District classified as a conservation zone by the City Planning and Development Office” and requesting the DENR to include in their requirements for the issuance of cutting permits a clearance from the CPDO.
Ocampo said the resolution aims to protect and preserve nature, especially in the countryside where the Philippine Eagle and other endangered species habituate.
Ocampo mentioned in his resolution that during the committee hearing held on January 25, 2023, Moran manifested that they requested permission to cut the old grown trees in the parcel of land in question. However, the CPDO issued a complete stoppage of the operation due to a violation of the provisions of the conservation zones.
The resolution also mentioned that Ronald Baguihanon, representative of the Department of Natural Resources-City Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) explained that the lack of coordination in the issuance of the cutting permit and that the said agency already issued an official statement on the said matter.
It also stated in the resolution that the chairperson requested and reminded the body to coordinate the issuance of permits. Baguihon also requested Watershed Management Council (WMC), Interfacing Development Intervention for Sustainability (IDIS), CENRO, and CPDO
FRESOLUTION, P6
The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno officially joined as a regular member of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI, on March 24, during the RDC XI Full Council meeting held in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental.
Also in attendance were Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon, RDC XI chairperson; Arturo Milan co-chairperson; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI Director Maria Lourdes Lim Vice Chairperson; and NEDA Asst. Regional Director Gilberto Altura, secretary.
Local chief executives in the Davao Region also joined the RDC XI meeting held at the Don Paco Rocamora Golf and Country Club.
During the full council meeting, Magno vowed that he will lobby the concerns of Region XI to SAP Sec. Anton Lagdameo and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Earlier this month, RDC XIII also invited Magno to be a regular member of their council.
Prior to the full council meeting, Magno met with City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat to discuss the housing projects in the city under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program.
“OPAMINE has an existing agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Develop-
“After this event, Mayor Baste will still evaluate and we’ll see. Hopefully, we will find more participants and more partners in the staging of the Ironman event here in Davao so we will make proper announcements that will happen after the event,” said Dwight Tristan Domingo, assistant city administrator for administration.
The city government of Davao has forged a three-year agreement with Sunrise Events Inc. for the Ironman hosting in 2018. In the same year, the city hosted the first Ironman 70.3
on March 25, 2018, attracting some 1,800 participants, including international athletes and celebrities. In 2019, the city also hosted a successful and well attended event.
However, hosting its last Ironman in 2020 did not go ahead due to the pandemic. The event just resumed this year.
Princess Galura, general manager of Sunrise Events Inc. expressed interest to come back to Davao City.
“For the Ironman group, I would like to be back in Davao City because the spirit of sport
is so strong here. Then coming from the pandemic and elections, isang malakas na boom power. We want to come back,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ironman Philippines will race to Dapitan City for the 5150 Dapitan on September 10, 2023. The city is preparing to host the triathlon for the first time, building the framework for 11 months before the major sporting event, which includes a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike race, and a 10-kilometer run race across the Zamboanga Peninsula.
On hosting the Ironman 70.3 race again in Davao in the future:
“After this event, Mayor Baste will still evaluate and we’ll see. Hopefully, we will find more participants and more partners in the staging of the Ironman event here in Davao so we will make proper announcements that will happen after the event.” DWIGHT TRISTAN DOMINGO Assistant City Administrator
The request by the Tionko clan to rename Davao City National High School (DCNHS) af-ter
Doña Vicenta Monteverde Tionko (not the original retitling in honor of philanthropist Tomas Monteverde Tionko) ended amicably on February 23, 2033, the joint hearing of the City Council’s committees on Education, Science and Technology, and Arts and Culture hearing co-chaired by councilors Dr. Pilar C. Braga and Al Ryan Alejandre.
The ‘urgent appeal,’ as the letter of Tionko’s heirs called for, raised a furor, the loudest was heard inside the DCNHS campus itself. So emotional was the outcry that on the day of the hearing the education department (thru a rep), school principal and faculty, and alumni association, with many attendees carrying palpable grey hairs on their heads, trooped in
at-tendance.
Inside the Fuschia Room on the third floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the air was emotional but not hostile. Even the manifestations were polite and calm, and so were the heirs of Tionko, led by Neil Dalumpines, who conveyed to amend the original request from Tomas to Vicenta after a scrutiny of the records pointed to the latter as the true donor of the school site.
Online, the change of name drew several, at times acerbic, comments. A few volunteered the idea that DCNHS is covered under Republic Act 10066, otherwise known as the Cultural Heritage Act, but the statute only protects physical structures, not the title of the institution.
But the irresistible sentiment is losing one’s identity as an alumnus, which is evocative of the Mapua
Institute of Technology case when the new owners wanted the school’s name changed. As a concession, MIT was retained but Malayan Colleges was adopted in the new branches.
There were also remarks about why it took 69 years for the Tionko heirs to request for the change of DCNHS name since the approval of RA 1059, which allows the naming of a school in favor of the donor of the land where the structure will be built. Another query was: Is the donation of land enough to alter the historicity of the school’s iconic name?
The more rational suggestion was the proposal to put a marker inside the DCNHS prem-ises declaring that the estate, which is the school site, is donated by Doña Vicenta M. Tionko.
An interesting disclosure during the public hearing is the revelation
that the Tionko dona-tion only forms a third of the entire school campus, that two-thirds belong to another owner. The documents, however, say otherwise and favor the Tionko clan.
Ably steering the committee, Dr. Braga, the longest-serving city councilor, kept everyone in a civilized air. In the end, a compromise was met, with the DCNHS name, despite the laws favoring the heirs, remaining unperturbed and will continue to fly with the escutcheon of the city safely embossed on her wings.
The atmosphere after the compromise was sealed and signed was unlike any; it was more of the meeting of minds and the reunion of friends. There were no losers and winners; in fact, the heirs earned more than what they bargained for, and the hurriedly done accord reflects a lot more
We have evidently attained herd immunity against COVID-19, one of the first to do so among nations, as indicated by the normalcy of our health system, and the business-as-usual disposition of the populace. It is not something to rejoice, however, because we have not attained herd immunity from grinding poverty. We are back to normal in fighting it with no vaccine in sight to help us.
In fact, the situation is getting worse. The raging corruption in government services spikes the prices of basic commodities – rice, sugar, onion and, even, salt, almost beyond the reach of the common wage earners. The fossil fuel crisis pushes us deeper into the quagmire.
If the present and our immediate future look bleak, credit that to our stupidity and dumb choice of people to lead us and run
our government, whose competence and credibility are very much wanting.
For instance, our president who also has tasked himself as the food security czar of the country as concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, has not dented the food security issue that bedevils us. He of course makes promises here and there in addressing any problem like he’s still in the peak of the election
campaign, as he also collects strings of promises in his international junkets.
The time is already to deliver not anymore to make promises to improve the lot of the Filipino.
It’s tax season again. Earlier, PBBM has the audacity to encourage the people to religiously pay their taxes but is mum on the long overdue billions of taxes the Marcos family owed to the government despite the mandamus of
about the good intentions of all parties involved. From the tone of seriousness, the hall later erupted into a festive applause as the deal was finally reached.
The agreement carries three highlights: (i) a monument of Doña Vicenta M. Tionko will be erected inside the campus; (ii) the main building of the school will be named Tomas M. Tionko Building; and (iii) make every October 30 as the commemorative day of Doña Vicen-ta.
The signatories, among others, include Tomas H. Tionko, Jr., Geralyn Tionko-Dalumpines, Shiela Tionko-Lacsa, DCHNS principal Evelyn Magno, DCNHS alumni association president (and retired brigadier general) Leoncio A. Cirunay Jr., DCNHS batch vice-president Oliver Autor, and Supreme Student Government president Elisa May Curias.
the Supreme Court. Ordinary people would squirm and grow cold in such an imbalance. But the calloused one may not even blink an eye.
How long shall the people agonize from poverty and such depravity?
(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph.D., is retired professor and former chancellor of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.)
TheShared Service Facilities (SSFs) project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is believed by Senator Sonny Angara to have provided significant contributions to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since its inception and as such should be expanded and institutionalized to benefit even more entrepreneurs.
In a statement on Friday, Angara said the SSFs were introduced by the DTI to provide MSMEs around the country with the machinery, equipment and tools that they need, under a shared system, to boost their productivity and encourage innovation.
“Sa sampung taon na pinapatakbo ng DTI ang SSFs project, napakadami na ang natulungan nito at napakalaki ang ambag sa kapakanan sa ating lipunan. Makikita natin ito sa libo-libong mga maliliit na negosyo na lumakas ang produksyon at kita sa tulong ng mga (In 10 years that DTI have immplemented SSFs project, a lot have been helped and it has a big contribution to the welfare of the
society. We can see this in thousands of small businesses that have boosted its production and income with the help of) SSFs,” Angara said.
Before the Senate adjourn its regular session on Wednesday, Angara delivered his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. (SBN) 761 which seeks to institutionalize the DTI’s SSFs program citing the many success stories that have been recorded since the program was first introduced in 2013.
He said, a total of PHP4.3 billion has been allocated in the General Appropriations Act over the past 10 years for the SSF program of the DTI.
Latest data from the DTI shows
that 3,484 SSFs have been established across the country, benefitting 580,000 individuals and creating over 317,000 new jobs.
“Marami sa kababayan natin, taglay ang galing, talino, diskarte, pagkamalikhain at lakas ng loob para magtayo ng sarili nilang negosyo, kumita ng malaki, at umasenso sa buhay. Ang problema madalas, wala silang materyales, kagamitan, at kasangkapan para makabuo ng mga produkto o maghain ng serbisyo na pwede nilang pagkakitahan, ibenta sa merkado o i-export sa ibang bansa. Ito ang nais punan ng SSFs ng DTI (Many of our people have the mastery, strategy, creativity, and guts to put up their own businesses, earn big, and improve their lives. The problem is that somtimes, they do not have the needed materials, equipment, and facilities to create a product or provide services which they can earn from, sell in the market, or export abroad. This is what SSFs of DTI aims to address),” Angara explained.
Oil prices are expected to decrease for the second week in a row, as global recession fears continue.
Kerosene prices will take the biggest cut at P1.60 to P1.90. Meanwhile, diesel prices will
decrease by P1.10 to P1.40, while gasoline will take the smallest drop at P0.70 to P1.
Analysts attributed this to the closure of some banks in the United States and Switzerland, which lessens demand for oil.
Several business groups said Friday the government can shift the budget for the proposed constitutional convention (con-con) to priority projects and measures that will address the current challenges of Filipinos.
In a joint statement, the Filipina CEO Circle, the Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines, Justice Reform Initiative, Makati Business Club, Philippine Women’s Economic Network, Inc. and Women Business Council Philippines said the financial cost of con-con based on National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) estimate would be between PHP14 billion to PHP28 billion, which funds could be spent on pro-people programs.
As proposed by House Bill 7352, 300 con-con delegates will get PHP10,000 per day, or a total of PHP3 million per day, or PHP400 million for seven months, this amount could be invested in various social programs of the government.
at PHP14 billion is higher than the proposed budget for school buildings (PHP13.9 billion), farm-to-market roads (PHP13.1 billion), Rice Comprehensive Enhancement Fund (PHP10 billion), basic education facilities (PHP9.8 billion), computerization program for public schools (PHP8.9 billion), agricultural machineries, equipment and facilities (PHP5.9 billion), and budget for 10,000 additional teachers (PHP2.7 billion).
The organizations added the recent reforms of the government, such as the amendments to the Public Service Act, Foreign Investment Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act can achieve substantial economic gains, which political debate can derail.
The business groups said these economic reforms have addressed the top concerns of the business community.
“Kasi nga po ang sinasabi nila na kapag nagkaroon ng banking crisis, magkakaroon ng recession so babagsak ang demand, so nandun po ang fear no?” Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said.
“We believe these funds can be better used on agriculture to address the high inflation, transportation to enable Filipinos to get to work and home in much less time, and needed social services like health, education, and social security,” the business groups said.
Citing data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the business groups said the low-end budget for con-con
“We believe that these reforms, combined with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to revive local and foreign investment, can accelerate recovery and job growth at a time when the Philippines and the world face serious economic headwinds. Investors look for stability when making investment decisions. The possibly lengthy and fractious process of amending the Constitution may make investors take a wait-andsee attitude for an extended period of time and therefore derail the impact of the reforms,” they said.
The Australian government, through the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, will help the Philippines to attract investments in key infrastructure projects.
At the launching of the P4I in Pasay City Friday, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines
Hae Kyong Yu PSM said the P4I will provide infrastructure advisory support to the Philippine government especially in choosing what type of financing strategy should be used in a particular project, which projects should be prioritized and what technologies should be utilized.
The P4I will also help various government agencies in crafting regulatory frameworks that will make key infrastructure projects attractive for investments from the private sector.
“We know infrastructure investment requires a strong regulatory environment… The private sector definitely needs the right incentive to invest and innovate while the government
needs to ensure that standards are met, that assets are managed efficiently,” Yu said.
Aside from providing advisory services to make infrastructure projects attractive to the private sector, the envoy said this partnership between Australia and the Philippines can facilitate potential financing from Australian companies and institutions.
“Australia has a compulsory superannuation system, which means 10 percent of everyone’s salary goes into superannuation fund, which is like a pension fund which is currently at AUD3.4 trillion level and is expected to grow to AUD9 trillion in the future. All that money needs somewhere to invest,” she added.
Yu said infrastructure projects in the Philippines can attract these funds from Australia when the government can provide the right policy and sound business environment to lure investments. (PNA)
Alexander Sibuan, DA-11’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) officer, said they are currently monitoring and validating in the downtown, Talomo, and Toril areas for stores suspected of manipulating the weight of rice per sack.
The DA-AMAD issued letters of inquiry on March 24 to store representatives who allegedly violated Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act.
Sibuan said store representatives were directed to explain
their side within three working days.
For administrative charges, they will be advised to close their stores and all their rice stocks will be confiscated.
For criminal charges, the violator may face jail time from five to 15 years with a penalty of PHP5,000 to PHP2 million, depending on the court’s discretion. (PNA)
Any adjustment in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) will be done once domestic inflation rate is on sustainable downward path, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla said.
In an interview with journalists on Friday, Medalla said cutting the RRR now will confuse the market given the increases in the central bank’s key rates to help address the elevated inflation rate.
“I have this scenario. Inflation is still above 4 percent but clearly
on a downward trajectory and everybody believes that that downward trend is unstoppable, then we can cut,” he said.
The rate hikes are aimed at, among others, limiting excess liquidity into the system to help tame strong domestic demand, which will be countered by an RRR cut since this will infuse additional liquidity into the domestic economy. The last time the BSP reduced banks’ RRR was in 2020 when universal and commercial bank’s (U/ KBs) RRR was cut by 200 basis
points to 12 percent.
During the same year, RRR of thrift banks (TBs) and rural banks (RBs) were cut by 100 basis points to 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
Monetary authorities earlier said they aim to bring down big banks’ RRR to single digit by this year.
Medalla said the right timing to slash RRR is when the markets are convinced that domestic inflation rate is already back within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band.
About 70 Filipinos die daily from tuberculosis (TB), a serious illness caused by bacteria affecting the lungs.
In her speech during the World TB Day Friday, Department of Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire described the disease as curable with 1.6 million recorded deaths in 2021.
“We are only one of the eight countries that account for twothirds of the estimated global cases. The Philippines is also the fourth-largest contributor of TB cases at 7 percent of the global total,” she said.
“For every 100,000 Filipinos, an estimated 650 individuals were infected with TB in 2021,
a huge difference from our 554 per 100,000 from the year prior.”
TB incidence is predicted to increase by 130 percent and TB deaths by 170 percent by 2025.
According to the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report 2022, the Philippines is one of the top 10 countries that accounted for more than 90 percent reduction in case notification of people who are newly diagnosed with TB in 2021 compared with those in 2019.
In terms of TB treatment, Vergeire disclosed that the National Capital Region has reached its target treatment enrolment followed by Calabarzon,
Department of Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire
Central Luzon, and Western Visayas with high enrolment rates.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Administrative Region continue to lag.
“Our problem with TB is a vicious cycle. This disease primarily affects the poor as poverty exposes individuals to TBs risk factors, such as poor nutrition,
crowded, and poorly ventilated environments, smoking, alcohol use disorders, HIV, and diabetes,” she said.
Studies show that the number of unemployed and the number of people living under the poverty line increase when the poor are infected with TB due to its treatment cost.
TB, as a major health equi-
ty issue, could be addressed by improving access to health care services and the living conditions of Filipinos.
Vergeire said the Philippine Acceleration Plan for TB employs a whole of system, a whole of government, and a whole of society approach and recognizes the role of other national government agencies. (PNA)
There is no stopping Cebuana Lhuillier, the undisputed leader in the Philippines’ micro financial services industry, in its pursuit of financial inclusion and financial mobility for Filipinos with the launch of Cebuana Lhuillier Advance.
In partnership with Advance, the country’s leading provider of on-demand credit for employees, Cebuana Lhuillier Advance addresses financial stress, one of the most widespread concerns holding people back at work, by enabling employers to provide on-demand financial assistance to their employees. It is very convenient on the part of the employers, especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as it comes without cost or liability to them. It also simplifies the salary deduction process and allows them to provide salary loans to their employees without disrupting the cash flow used to manage and grow their business. More importantly, companies may use the product to increase and improve employee productivity, engagement, and retention.
Through its mobile app, Cebuana Lhuillier Advance provides employees with 24/7 instant access to much-needed cash that will come in handy for emergencies and daily needs. Once their company gets enrolled in the program, employees receive a revolving line of credit that is automatically replenished upon repayment. Users have three convenient short-term repayment periods to choose from, ensuring that transactions are not heavy on the pocket come payday.
“At Cebuana Lhuillier, our mission has always been to provide Filipinos with excellent products
that address their financial needs and help them in their financial wellness journey. I am very excited about this new product as it not only benefits the end-users but at the same time, companies, especially MSMEs as well,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Jaime de los Angeles, Advance CEO and co-founder, shares the same excitement. “We are elated
to partner with Cebuana Lhuillier, the undisputed leader in the microfinance industry. Now, even more companies and employees will benefit from Cebuana Lhuillier Advance. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will make towards narrowing the national credit gap.”
Cebuana Lhuillier Advance is the latest thrust of the company to beef up its roster of products
as it cements its leadership in the microfinance industry. It is also the first addition this year to its microloans product portfolio with several more to come within the year.
For more than three decades, Cebuana Lhuillier has grown from being the country’s most trusted pawnshop into one of the most innovative and largest micro financial services provider in the Philip-
pines, offering money transfer, microinsurance, microloans, banking, and more recently with micro-savings, jewelry selling, and a slew of digital products such as ProtectNow, eCebuana, Quikz, and Cebuana from Home. The company also boasts the widest network, with more than 3,000 Cebuana Lhuillier branches, 30,000 domestic partner branches, and three million international partner locations.
Cargill is taking bold steps in leading the coconut-planting community in Bohol to rehabilitate their typhoon-damaged farms, rebuild their livelihoods and ensure good future for their children.
MANILA, March 17, 2023 – With the goal to replant 100,000 coconut seedlings in Bohol, Cargill, CARE Philippines and local partners kick off the RISE Coco (Recovery Intervention for Severely Affected Coconut Farming Communities of Bohol by Super Typhoon Odette) project with a commemorative tree-planting
ceremony in Brgy. Cabanugan, municipality of San Isidro.
Super typhoon Odette (Rai) felled more than 10 million coconut trees in the country and gravely affected the copra industry. San Isidro is one of the municipalities that suffered a devastating economic loss with 130,000 felled coconut trees. Most of these trees had produced copra for over 50 years, causing uncertainty to coconut farming families in the municipality.
“Sixty percent of my constituents are coconut farmers dependent
on the coconut industry. This project has given them hope to persevere for their children who will benefit from the replanting of coconuts on their farms,” Mayor Diosdado Gementiza said.
100 coconut seedlings were carefully selected from the farmer-managed nursery in the barangay and were planted during the ceremony. These were part of over 20,000 coconut seed nuts and seedlings propagated and prepared for planting across 10 nurseries in partner farming communities in San Isidro, Calape,
Catigbian and Loon municipalities. The remaining seed nuts will be consolidated in the coming months, with propagated seedlings to be planted at the coconut farms of partner farmers to reach the 100,000-tree mark by the end of the year.
The RISE Coco project focuses on rehabilitating 700 hectares of coconut farms by replacing the damaged coconut trees in farms managed by 1,000 farming households from the four municipalities in Bohol. This is being done through farmer-led propagation of seed nuts in community-based seedbeds and nurseries, farmer training on sustainable agriculture, provision of alternative livelihoods while waiting for the coconut trees to bear fruit, and establishment of farmer cooperatives for improved access to markets and corporate buyers.
At its core, Cargill is committed to building resilient agricultural communities and helping farmers thrive. RISE Coco underpins that commitment by creating connections that advance the productivity and profitability of Filipino farmers. As Cargill gears up to mark its 75th year of operations in the Philippines, it is more determined to accelerate its efforts to create more value for farmers and support a more sustainable local coconut industry.
Jonathan Sumpaico, Cargill’s Copra and Palm Origination Commercial Director, added, “Cargill is committed to improving the livelihood of communities where we operate while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable coconut oil.
We are proud to partner with CARE Philippines in the RISE Coco project to ensure coconut farmers who have been affected by the typhoon will rebuild their livelihoods, in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way, and continue to benefit as our partners for economic development.”
RISE Coco is a partnership project with CARE Philippines, with active participation from Cargill employees across all project areas. With the project, Cargill is creating sustainable value that is aligned with the national thrust to revitalize the coconut industry as outlined in the Philippine Coconut Industry Roadmap 2021-2040. It is implemented in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), which has provided technical assistance through its Bohol Division Office to ensure alignment with PCA standards; and the Cebu-Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center (CRRC), which supports CARE in carrying out the project on the ground.
David Gazashvili, CARE’s Country Director shared that the financial and technical oversight of Cargill, the established partnership with CRRC, the working relationship with the PCA and the support of the local government units have paved the way for the upscaling of the project.
“We also commend the efforts of our partner communities who are now managing their nurseries, learning valuable good agriculture practices from trainings and applying these in the rehabilitation of their farms and livelihood and sustaining it for their children,” he added.
mega jail facility still has no power and water connections.
“We are just waiting for the budget to be downloaded and for the City Government to help us so it will be completed,” Saragena said.
The space that will eventually be vacated by the male inmates in Maa will be taken over by the annex jail facility where LGBTQ, the elderly and those who are sickly are being kept.
She said the BJMP has plans of making it a self-sustaining jail as currently only two hectares of the 8-hectare property is being
REPUBLIC
OF
utilized.
“Meron pang six hectares it could be an agricultural area pero planning stage pa lang as it is not yet occupied,” Saragena said that the plans will be more definite if they are already in the property.
She hopes that this year they can move in, but it all depends if the water and power are already connected to the new jail and the budget for these will be released.
“I hope that we can move in as soon as possible kay kung makita niyo ang current jail luoy jud siya (if you look at the current jail, it is pitiful),” (PIA/RG Alama)
PHILIPPINES
TRIAL COURT
REGION
OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL EJF REM CASE NO. 18,811-23 FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND MORTGAGEE, - VERSUSGIOVANNI L. GALINDEZ, MORTGAGOR/S. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY
Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund against the mortgagor/s GIOVANNI L. GALINDEZ, with residence and postal addresses at LOT 21, BLOCK 36, DECA HOMES TIGATTO, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of January 12, 2023 amounted EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN PESOS & 99/100 (Php844,647.99), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and other charges, plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on April 28, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:
TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2014073219
“A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 21, BLK. 36 OF THE CONSOLIDATION-SUBDIVISION PLAN
PCS-11-005103, BEING A PORTION OF THE CONSOLIDATION OF LOT 469-C-3, LOTS 469-C-5 TO 14, XXX XXX), SITUATED IN THE BARANGAY OF TIGATTO, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO, XXX XXX, CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.”
All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.
In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MAY 19, 2023, without further notice.Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real properties and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.
Davao City, Philippines, March 20, 2023.
stand that open-pit mining operations in South Cotabato pose a great risk to the integrity of the environment of our province and its neighbors. At stake are the health and livelihoods of many,” Casicas said in a statement.
“We trust that the governor shall exert his best efforts to defend the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. It is of vital importance that the true meaning and heart of the ordinance is not in any way compromised or defeated,” the prelate added.
Casicas stressed that openpit mining, especially large-scale operations, stands to encroach on closed and open canopy forests, some of which are considered integral woodlands.
Certainly, large-scale open pit mining operations will erase vast areas of agricultural lands, destroy the remaining watershed, and will cause massive and destructive flooding in Mindanao, he said.
With its 30 parishes, the clergy and the laypeople, Casicas urged Tamayo to join them in “the moral imperative to act together decisively in order to save our common home.”
Speaking on local radio early this week, Tamayo confirmed the CA ruling.
“It did not invalidate the openpit mining ban in South Cotabato but limited its scope to small-scale mining operations,” he said in the vernacular.
Based on the same CA decision, he added that large-scale open-pit mining operations are vested in the national government under Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
According to the governor, “the provincial government could no longer question RA 7942 before the SC because the High Tribunal has already affirmed its validity.”
In June 2022, Tamayo vetoed the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining, which was passed by the previous composition of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that caused an outrage and triggered peaceful march protests in the streets of this city.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY
PHILIPPINE BUSINESS BANK, INC. EJF REM CASE NO. 18,807-23
MORTGAGEE, - VERSUS -
OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER - VERSUS - ACT 3135 AS AMENDED ARNEL M. TAN, MORTGAGOR/S. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE
SALE OF REAL PROPERTY
Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, and other applicable laws of the mortgaged real property filed by METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST CO., against ARNEL M. TAN with postal address at PUROK 12, ST. LUKE STREET, CROSSING BAYABAS, TORIL, DAVAO CITY, to secure the payment of a loan with total outstanding balance of Php 1,315,231.37, Philippine Currency, inclusive of interests and penalties as of August 31, 2022, for breach of the terms and conditions of the Metrohome Promissory Note Metrohome Loan and Mortgage Agreement, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on April 14, 2023 at 10:00
A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:
TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2012009734
“A parcel of Land (Lot 14, Blk. 38, of the Consolidation-Subdivision Plan (PCS-4790 xxx), Situated in the District of Toril, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of FOUR HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT (498) SQUARE METERS more or less.”
All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.
In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MAY 12, 2023, without further notice.
Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real properties and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. 16 March 2023, Davao City, Philippines.
ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER Clerk of Court V Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff
to be part of their evaluation team for the issuance of the cutting permits.
“Despite the explanations of the various agencies, Moran was not satisfied and invoked the authority of the owner over his property. The chairperson elaborated that all lands, even though privately owned, are under the jurisdiction of the State,” it said.
Ocampo’s committee recommended the closing and termination of the said item and requested the DENR to include in their requirements for the issuance of cutting permits a clearance from CPDO, without prejudice for the
ment (DHSUD) which is the implementing agency for the 4PH program of the president. As relayed to us by Mayor Michelle, the City of Mati would like to participate to the 4PH program of the President, and we will help them,” Magno said during the media interview after his meeting with Mayor Rabat. He said that an estimate 18,000 Mati residents are to benefit from the national housing projects.
parties to elevate the matter to the proper court.
It can be recalled that Ocampo also expressed alarm on the reported cutting of trees in Sitio Kibalang, Barangay Marilog Proper, Marilog District to make way for the construction of a new school building.
Ocampo said this matter will still go through the committee hearing.
In 2021, the 19th City Council passed Ordinance No. 0784-21 series of 2021 also known as “An ordinance protecting heritage trees and all other trees in the city of Davao and for other purposes.”
By Maya M. Padillo“Hopefully we can start within the year. The sooner that the Local Government of Mati produce the two requirements which are the land and the list of possible beneficiaries, the sooner we can start the program,” Magno said. The 4PH program is one of the priority programs of President Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos, Jr. that envisions to construct 6.15 million housing units for the Filipino people in the span of 6 years. (OPAMINE)
Republic of the Philippines
Local Civil Registry Office
Province of Davao Oriental Municipality of Governor Generoso
Publication Notice
R.A. 10172
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
CCE-0002-2023 Date: February 8, 2023
In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that YUSOF SALLIH PAGHUNASAN BELLO has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of entry in child’s sex from “Female” to “MALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of YUSOF SALLIH PAGHUNASAN BELLO at Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental and whose parents are BIENVENIDO B. BELLO and URSULA D. PAGHUNASAN.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than two weeks (14 days) after the last publication.
CUBELO
MERELLA J. SISON MARRIED TO ROMEL V. SISON, MORTGAGOR/S. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY
Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended filed by PHILIPPINE BUSINESS BANK, INC. against MERELLA J. SISON MARRIED TO ROMEL V. SISON with postal address at BLOCK 2, LOT 22, # 15 SEALION ST., SEASIDE SUBD., MATINA, APLAYA, DAVAO CITY and BLOCK 20, LOTS 7 & 11, ELENITA AVENUE, ELENITA HEIGHTS SUBD., BRGY. CATALUNAN, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the indebtedness which the mortgagors failed and refused to pay as of January 13, 2023 in the sum of (Php=12,746,396.00), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and other charges; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on April 14, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit:
TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2018018335
“A PARCEL OF LAND OF THE SUBDIVISION PROJECT (LOT 9, BLK. 20 OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN PSD-11-071717, BEING A PORTION OF LOT 2, PCS-11-002330,) SITUATED IN BARANGAY TUGBOK; CITY OF DAVAO; ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY (250) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.” TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2018018334
“A PARCEL OF LAND OF THE SUBDIVISION PROJECT (LOT 11, BLK 20 OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN PSD-11-071717, BEING A PORTION OF LOT 2, PCS-11-002330,) SITUATED IN BARANGAY TUGBOK; CITY OF DAVAO; ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY (250) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.”
All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.
In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on MAY 12, 2023, without further notice.
Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real properties and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.
Davao City, Philippines, March 15, 2023. ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER Clerk of Court V Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff (SGD.) SANTI JULIAN G. SOLOMON
(Sgd.) CRISANTA T. CRODUA Municipal Civil Registrar
The public is hereby notified that the intestate estate of the late ESTELA M. PADILLA who died on September 12, 2021 at Davao City, which estate consists of one (1) parcel of land situated in the Barrio of Sasa, Davao City, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR (164) SQ.M. more or less, embraced in and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 128120 has been the subject of an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Deed of Sale by and among her heirs, as duly ratified, acknowledged, and entered as Doc. No. 26; Page No. 7; Book No. II, Series of 2023; in the notarial registry of REA LYNN V. ANG, a duly-commissioned Notary Public in Davao City, Philippines.
ILOILO CITY -- Rupert Zaragosa ruled the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge presented by MORE Power, closing with a one-over-par 71 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara on Saturday.
It was the worst score for the 25-year-old former prodigy from Davao but it hardly mattered after opening the day with an eightshot lead.
“I’m very happy about my first win,” said Zaragosa, his shirt drenched with sweat and water. “This win is for my family and loved ones.”
On hand to greet Zaragosa on the 18th green was his girlfriend Pamela Mariano and fellow pros Jerson Balasabas and Albin Engino who doused him with water.
The nine-shot victory ended a string of come-from-behind triumphs that marked the start of both the men’s and women’s tours.
Whatever hopes his pursuers were nursing were quickly dashed when Zaragosa birdied 4 and 6. He parred the next six holes and countered a bogey on 13 with a birdie on 14.
Zaragosa had the luxury of closing his round with three bogeys. What made the day interesting was the exciting battle for second place won by Tony Lascuna whose back-to-back birdies from
12 helped cushion a double bogey on 15 and a bogey on 16.
“I’m so tired. I’m happy to finish second,” said Lascuna who carded a 70 for 4-under overall.
Guido van der Valk turned in a 73 and finished on 3-under, his round marred by back-to-back double bogeys from 16.
“I’ve always thought Rupert is a good golfer,” said Van der Valk.
Only three other players finished under par after 72 holes.
Jhonnel Ababa climbed to a share of fourth place with Sean Jean Ramos on 2-under while Balasabas wound up on 1-under.
Ababa fired a 65, Ramos shot a 67 and Balasabas matched Zaragosa’s third-round 63.
Alone in seventh on even par was Jay Bayron who checked in on 72.
Engino and Richard Sinfuego were tied on 1-over after similar 70s while Michael Bibat rounded out the Top 10 on 2-over following a 73.
The tour takes a three-week break before it returns on 17 April at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.
THE ADVANTAGE OF FILIPINO-FOREIGN ATHLETES
The recent ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the Ilagan City Sports Complex have clearly shown that the majority of Filipino-Foreign athletes have shown their dominance.
Why has this been the case?
Well, there are a lot of factors to consider.
We must admit that Filipino-Foreign athletes trained at a young age, with better facilities and coaches, nutrition including sponsors, abroad.
Unlike in the Philippine situation, we have athletes whose first priority is to break away from poverty. So, they become athletes in order to become school varsities. That would mean, free board and lodging, tuition and allowance, thanks to the school sports directors who discovered them through their contacts. Once they earned a university degree, they have to find work to support themselves and their families.
I don’t mean to belittle our athletics program, but this has been the reality.
If and only if they perform
well, they get the chance to compete in the National Championships, and in the process gets recruited to the national team.
The Filipino-Foreign athletes would go through the same process, but on a better route.
In the first place, they are not driven to get out of poverty. The support system is already in place. Support system means parents can afford to back them up, the schools have complete facilities, professional coaches and nutritionists are available. On top of that, they have a vibrant athletics program, especially in the U.S.
That reminded me of David Buenevacz of the UCLA who was the first Filipino-Foreign athlete that we encountered during the Philippine National Games in Cebu City many moons ago.
I remember him competing in Cebu after being invited by then Philippine Sports Commission chairman Popoy Juico through PATAFA president Go Teng Kok. David stayed in the Philippines and represented the country in the SEA Games.
As expected, he made his mark in the throwing events. But as to their plan for the Olympics, of course, everyone in the sports community know that did not happen. After the SEA Games, David was no longer in the sports stage. Life happens, as they say.
If you take a close look at the news report of our good friend Jean Malanum, you can see the names of the Filipino-Foreign athletes at the top. In fact, some of them registered better times that would actually qualify them to represent the country to the SEA Games this coming May.
But that decision falls down to PATAFA officials, if they will be sent to the SEA Games, so we’ll see.
In the Davao athletics scene, we are lucky to have two rubberized ovals available for training. One at the privately-owned University of Mindanao and the other one at the government-owned Davao City-UP Mindanao Sports Complex.
The Davao City Track and Field Association (DCTAFA) re-
cently organized the Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Meet at the UM Campus, thanks to the generosity of UM big boss Willie Torres for the use of the world-class track oval.
Sa una, yuta ra na, pero karon, rubberized na gayud.
This begs the question of how can we be at par with Filipino-Foreign track and field athletes?
We can actually do that in Davao. The training facilities are available, what we will need is to funnel training money to the DCTAFA.
Regular competitions should be organized whole-year round, not just two to three days, and that’s it, then wait for several months for another track meet.
We are glad that Milo, our favorite drink since 1974, has continued to support running competitions, from local going up to the nationals.
If not for Milo, our runners cannot look forward to competing in a national race.
Therefore, athletics should be continually supported because
the cost is less compared to backing team sports.
Do not get me wrong. We still have to support team sports. But if we would like also to win medals in the international stage, individual sports is the answer.
That has been proven by weightlifting. If you go to Zamboanga City, you will see that the weightlifting program has been in place there for several decades.
So, emerged the great Jaime Sebastian in the 1970s. And eventually, Hidilyn Diaz. Both are from far-away Zamboanga.
Now, with two world class track ovals in Davao, I believe we can produce star athletes who can perform better than Filipino-Foreign athletes.
Give DCTAFA the training money, and you’ll get the results in a few years time.
Right Kenneth Sai and boss Willie Torres?
* * *
A14-year old boy from the Bayanihan Baguio Benguet triathlon team captured the Ironkids race on Saturday, the prelude to the big race on Sunday in the much-anticipated Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao.
Euan Arrow Ramos negotiated the swim stage in 3 minutes and 45 seconds and the run stage in 7 minutes and 30 seconds for a time of 11:59 with a 44-second transition.
The dusky Ramos took the 1315 age group title besting Carron Paulter Canas who finished 21 seconds behind in 12:20 while Angelo Rafael de Vera of Davao’s TRIAD team took third place in 12:33.
Al Dustin Bersabal topped the 11-12 division in 10:17 followed by Christy Ann Perez who took second place in 10:35 while Henry Ezekhiel Gowas third in 10:51.
In the 9-10 age category,
Francis Gabriel Batican ruled the race in 10:49 followed closely by Fraizer Ygot in 11:05 while Earl Pearson would up third in 11:16. Jashiva Earl Arsua clocked 8:04 to emerge the winner in the 6-8 division besting Mitch Raine Salva who crossed the finish as second in 8:18 while Scarlett Amelia Bagaipo timed 8:40 good for third.
In the Relay Race, Team BAGAS 1 won the 11-15 division with a combined time of 10:51 beating Team Tandag Yellow Fins (13:08) and Team Pampanga Blue Marlin (14:42).
Lone entry Team BAGAS 2 clocked a combined 7:54 to officially take the 6-12 title.
