Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 292 | Tuesday, March 28, 2023

A young girl comfortably sits as a pillion rider on a bicycle driven by her father while they traverse near Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao City, where the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao is being held on Sunday. Due to the road closures, some spectators and residents used bicycles to travel around the area where the race was being held.

Lean Daval Jr.

BETTER HOME

FPRRD, Sen. Go inaugurate ‘new’ House of Hope facility

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Former president Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the inauguration of the newly renovated House of Hope-Margarita Village in Bajada, Davao City on

“Yung bahay na dinonate ni Pangulong Duterte na one floor lang noon ay naging two floors na po,” Go said in his personal video after the event.

Children with cancer is an in-

spiration for the former president since he was the mayor of Davao City. He donated his property in Margarita Village to provide shelter for children with cancer. The building was built with the help

SoCot gov vows to appeal CA ruling allowing open-pit mining

South Cotabato Governor Rey-

of Salamat PRRD donors and supporters.

Dr. Mae Dolendo, founder of the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer (HoHF), personally thanked the former president and Go for the newly renovated facility as this will enable them to cater to more children with cancer.

“We are serving more pa-

FBETTER, P10

DICT: Phone users have 30 days left for SIM registration

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday reminded mobile users to register their subscriber identity module (SIM) cards as the April 26 deadline nears.

In a statement, the DICT said unregistered SIM cards by the end of the registration period

will be deactivated.

“[This will render] them unusable for voice calls, text messaging, and mobile data services. This action is part of the government’s effort to improve national security and curb fraudulent activities such as scams and identity theft,” it said.

While compliance with the

registration drive has increased over the past few months, it noted that roughly 30 percent of the estimated 168,977,773 active mobile users have been registered.

“As of March 26, 2023, the number of registered SIMs are as follows: DITO - 3,963,358; FDICT, P10

naldo Tamayo, Jr. has committed to appeal the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) allowing open-pit mining method for large-scale mining projects, including the controversial $5.9 billion project in Tampakan town, Diocese of Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas said.

In a statement issued Saturday, Casicas disclosed that he and a small team from the diocese, and Tamayo held a closed-door meeting following the confirmation that the CA had issued a decision favorable to large-scale mining projects eyeing to extract minerals using the open-pit mining method.

“(It was) a fruitful conversation,” the Bishop said of Thursday’s meeting held at the governor’s office in this city.

The CA issued the ruling on August 22, 2022 validating the province’s prohibition on openpit mining, which is contained in its landmark Environment Code approved in 2010. But the ban, the CA ruled, is limited only 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 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 Philippine government granted a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) to SMI in 1995. The 25-year FTAA was set to expire on March 21, 2020, but was extended by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for 12 years – or until March 21, 2032 – in an order issued June 8, 2016 but made known only in January 2020.

The FTAA is subject to renewal for another 25 years.

Based on the firm’s Mine Project Feasibility Study in 2010, the Tampakan Project could yield an average annual production of 370,000 metric tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold. The life of the mine was pegged at 17 years.

The provincial ban on openpit mining has been a stumbling block for the Tampakan Project, which is named after the town where the minerals are located.

Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) director Brigadier General Alden Delvo says during the launching of “Oplan Kilos” held at the Davao City Police Office’s (DCPO’s) Sandigan Hall in Davao City on Monday that the holding of the recently concluded Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao was successful despite some untoward incidents. Lean Daval Jr.

PRO 11 chief: Holding of Ironman successful despite casualties

Marcos admin vowed to fulfilling Bangsamoro peace agreement

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is committed to fulfilling all agreements under the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Under the Marcos Administration’s banner of unity, the national government is determined more than ever to fulfill the commitments it had made under all signed Bangsamoro peace agreements. It shall not waver from this commitment,” OPAPRU acting chief Secretary Isidro L. Purisima said in a statement for the observance of the ninth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on Monday.

He also added that OPAPRU “shall ensure” to push forward, sustain and build on the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Purisima also said this would be the key to building a better, brighter and more progressive future for the Bangsamoro people.

“As we commemorate the 9th Anniversary CAB’s signing, let us remember what has brought all of us to this moment — our willingness to let go of the past, go beyond our differences, and walk shoulder to shoulder in the name of peace,” he added.

Purisima also said the signing

By MAYA M. PADILLO

of the CAB put an end to decades of armed conflict between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He added the occasion was historic not only for the Bangsamoro people but the Filipino nation as a whole as the weapons of war fell silent.

“And residents who used to wake up to the sound of mortar fire would start hearing the hum of bulldozers, trucks and farming equipment,” the OPAPRU chief recounted.

“From the grounds of Malacañang where the CAB was forged, to the sprawling flatlands of Central Mindanao and the island provinces which used to be the site of fierce gun battles, our people rejoiced because they knew in their hearts that a new chapter in the nation’s history was dawning,” Purisima stressed.

He also added that the CAB is a document like no other because it embodies the dreams, hopes and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people who, for almost 30 years, fought for the right to self-determination and self-governance.

“Moreover, the agreement is also a testament of the sincerity,

Davao

del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib expressed disappointment to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president Emerson Dave Silutan, who is mired in a controversial road accident that took place on March 21, 2023, for allegedly manipulating the ongoing investigation.

Police Brigadier General Alden Delvo, director of the Police Regional Office in Davao Region (PRO-11), told media on Monday that based on his assessment, the holding of the recently concluded Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao Philippines was successful despite

some tragedies.

One of the casualties was a local triathlete, who died in the middle the race.

The victim, identified by some media outlets in Davao City as Jerry Kasim, was a veteran swim coach of Davao. According to re-

ports he suffered a heart attack during the swim portion of the race.

“He did not really drown right there. Nakita namo 20 meters away from start area. At 7:30 a.m. he was brought to the hospital and revived by 12 noon nabawian siya ng buhay. Dili nato gusto mahitabo ni, it was an accident and health issues,” Delvo said in an interview.

Another accident transpired in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, which was part of the cycling FPRO 11, P10

Davao police boosts fight against rape of minors

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) along with the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) and the city government of Davao is boosting its drive against rape of minors with the launching of Oplan KILOS at the DCPO’s Sandigan Hall in Davao City on Monday.

Oplan KILOS, which stands for Kababaihan, Kabatan-onan, Kalalakinhan Igiya Laban Sa Pag-

panlugos, aims to reduce rape cases specially involving minors in Davao City and the Davao Region.

DCPO director Colonel Alberto Lupaz told media on Monday that in 2018 rape cases in Davao City increased and although the cases continue to decrease since then it stayed as consistent top 3 in the city’s crime index.

“With this Oplan KILOS this is

our measure para maibaba ang mga kaso ng rape,” Lupaz said in an interview.

Lupaz said this will be implemented in the barangay level.

He said the program will identify pilot areas where rape cases are high and will choose 20 families to undergo seminars on rape.

“We will together with the barangay mechanism at palaka-

Sunrise Events Inc. general manager Princess Galura lauds the safety and security cluster of Davao City for the immediate response to the incidents during Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Bukidnon farmers shine in 1st NorthMin coffee competition

Sevenfarmers from the municipality of Pangantucan in Bukidnon dominated the first ever Northern Mindanao Coffee Quality Competition held earlier this month, according to the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 10 (DTI-10).

Manolito Garces, of Barangay New Eden in Pangantucan, won first place in the Arabica category, his coffee beans getting an 87.13% rating from certified Q graders, the experts skilled in sensory evaluation of coffee, according to a statement emailed by DTI-10 to MindaNews on Friday.

The awarding was held in Malaybalay City on March 18.

The Q graders noted hints of “raisin, blueberry, winey, cherry, plum, berries, mango, and floral” while cupping Garces’s winning coffee, according to DTI-10.

The other Pangantucan farm-

ers who won in the Arabica category were from Barangay Pigtauranan, namely, Aiza Inahan (second), Arnold Pina (third), and Marion Inahan (fourth).

Placing fifth was Joannah Dumaquita, of the MILALITTRA Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (MILFACO) of Barangay Miarayon in Talakag, Bukidnon; while sixth was Aurora Chiong of Claveria in Misamis Oriental.

In the Robusta category, yet another Pigtauranan farmer won first place: Primitiva Mahumot, with a rating of 84.38%, with cupping notes of “apple, honey, yellow cherry, grapefruit, unripe

mulberry, pineapple, clove, and molasses.”

Other winners in the Robusta category from Pigtauranan in Pangantucan were Ranel Balatero in second place and Marvin Dagohoy in fourth place.

Noel Duyongan from Kibenton in the municipality of Impasugong, Bukidnon placed third while Dennis Ong from Claveria, Misamis Oriental placed fifth.

“The Regional Coffee Quality Competition aims to identify and promote the best quality coffee in Northern Mindanao. It evaluates, assesses, and provides a platform to showcase the variety of the region’s quality coffee,” DTI-10 said.

The competition was held on March 14-17 at the coffee cupping laboratory of Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukidnon.

BUKIDNON,

Oil prices down for 2nd straight week

Motorists will be greeted with lower pump prices of petroleum products on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive week of cuts for gasoline and third straight for both diesel and kerosene.

In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said it will roll back prices per liter of gasoline by P0.85, diesel by P1.30, and kerosene by P1.90.

Cleanfuel will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which it does not carry.

The adjustments will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, for Shell and at 12:01 a.m. the same day for Cleanfuel.

Other firms have yet to make similar announcements for the week.

No penalty for payment of annual income tax return until Apr. 17: BIR

The Bureau of Internal Revenue said on Monday it has authorized the filing and payment of the 2022 annual income tax return (AITR) anywhere in order to expand services.

This was made possible with the release of Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 322-2023, which allowed taxpayers to settle their dues anywhere on or before April 17, 2023, without penalties imposed for wrong venue filing, the tax bureau said in a statement.

If filing cannot be made through eFPS, due to reasons mentioned in the circular, taxpayers should use the eBIRForms in filing, the agency said.

Meanwhile, payment of taxes due for the electronically filed returns through the eBIRForms can be made through any Authorized Agent Banks, Revenue Collection Officers (RCOs) in each Revenue District Offices (RDOs) or through the different Electronic Payment (ePayment) channels of the BIR, it said.

Oil firms last week rolled back prices per liter of gasoline by P1.20, diesel by P1.85, and kerosene by P2.00.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicates a year-to-date net increase of P5.50 per liter for gasoline and net decreases of P2.85 per liter for diesel and P3.65 per liter for kerosene as of March 21, 2023.

“I wanted to improve the services that we offer to the taxpaying public. My ultimate goal here is to provide each one of us the luxury of filing and paying our correct taxes at our most convenient time and place without any penalties involved. I am encouraging everyone, avoid the rush! File and pay as early as now before the April 17 deadline”, BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said.

The BIR said taxpayers required to use the BIR’s Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) should file their AITRs electronically and pay the correct taxes due through the eFPS-Authorized Agent Banks (AABs) where they are enrolled.

The “No Payment AITRs” should also be filed electronically. But taxpayers with “No Payment AITRs” are also allowed to manually file their 2022 AITR provided that they quality in any of the following:

• Senior Citizen (SC) or Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) filing for their own returns

• Employees deriving purely compensation income from two or more employers, concurrently or successively at any time during the taxable year, or from a single employer, although the income of which has been correctly subjected to withholding tax, but whose spouse is not entitled to substituted filing

Members of the Umayamnon tribe from Cabanglasan, Bukidnon display necklaces and other body accessories made of beads at the Kaamulan site in Malaybalay City on Saturday, 25 March 2023. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

F

P10

Over 1.3M foreign guests in PH in Q1 of 2023: DOT

LandBank opens P333M credit facility for coconut farmers

State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) opened a P333.3-million credit facility which coconut farmers can tap to boost their working capital and increase production.

Under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development (CFID) Lending Program, eligible coconut farmers and associations can use the financing for projects such as the establishment of intercrops and poultry or livestock integration in their farms.

Individual farmers can use the funds for working capital, increase production, and acquire machines and equipment, while cooperatives and associations can use it for financing for relending and rediscounting.

The lending program comprises P83.3 million from LandBank funds, and P250 million from the Credit Component Allocation under the Coconut Farmers Industry Trust Fund enacted in February 2021.

“The CFID Lending Program

forms part of the national government’s whole-of-nation approach towards providing meaningful investments to the coconut industry,” LandBank President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Borromeo said.

“LandBank remains committed to providing accessible and affordable credit to coconut farmers nationwide to help improve their livelihood,” she added.

The program is set to run until 2071 as it seeks to accommodate as many players as possible.

LandBank is mandated to promote countryside development while remaining financially viable. It implements the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP), provides assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk, and serves as an official depository of government funds.

In terms of assets, the lender was the second-biggest bank in the Philippines as of September

FLANDBANK, P10

Morethan 1.3 million foreigners have arrived in the Philippines so far in 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday.

“Ngayon, hindi pa natatapos yung ating first quarter, umabot na po tayo sa over 1.3 million international arrivals, tsaka over 90 percent noon yung international foreign guests,” said Secretary Garcia Frasco.

“So we’re seeing the momentum for recovery for tourism,” she added.

Frasco also noted that many tourist spots in the country seem

to be welcoming more visitors this year, after having been badly hit by lockdowns imposed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very happy to see, in many of our tourism establishments all over the Philippines, including our key destinations, yung iba record-breaking yung mga bookings nila, dahil some of them have even exceeded pandemic numbers but of course,

others are still recovering, that’s why we’re doing our very best,” she said.

“Last year, our numbers would show that we were a little over 30 percent recovery. But, we foresee that this year, we will be recovering up to 4.8 million international visitors and 100 percent recovery for domestic tourism.”

The Philippines recorded 2.65 million tourist arrivals in 2022. It is hoping to attract nearly 5 million visitors to the country this year.

NGCP warns of power outages after ERC denies extension of ancillary service deals

Possible power interruptions

loom as the Energy Regulatory Commission denies the request for the extension of the National Grid Corp of the Philippines’ month-to-month ancillary service agreements while the competitive selection process is ongoing, the NGCP said on Monday.

Ancillary services support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations and are necessary to manage power fluctu-

ations, the NGCP said in a statement.

The ERC refusal came after the NGCP’s acceptance and opening of bids for ancillary services (AS) on March 14, 15, and 16, 2023 for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, which are currently being evaluated, it said.

“Many of NGCP’s AS agreements have expired. We have resorted to month-to-month extensions of our existing agreements to ensure the sufficiency of services while the procurement pro-

cess is ongoing,” the NGCP said.

“With ERC’s denial of this interim arrangement, our hands are tied. The Philippine Transmission Grid shall be vulnerable to power interruptions resulting from an artificial lack of AS. Without an existing ASPA, NGCP cannot nominate power plants to provide the critical services,” it added.

The NGCP said it has appealed to the Department of Energy to intervene with the issue to avert power interruptions.

Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) breaks ground for the establishment of the first International Workplace Group (IWG) center in Cagayan de Oro City. Present during the groundbreaking ceremony were: (L-R) SM Supermalls’ Joey J. Blanco, Property Manager – SM CDO Downtown Tower and Mell C. Sagales, account manager – BPO management; Damosa Land president Ricardo F. Lagdameo and Lora V. Porras, assistant vice president for Commercial and Leasing; and RCW’s Matthew Carlo Roxas, operations manager and Jose Esquibal, construction manager.

BILLACURA Sports Editor

Senior Reporter

GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

On the inauguration of the newly renovated House of Hope:

“We are serving more patients and we’re very happy for the improved survival sa mga bata na may kanser lalo na dito sa Mindanao. When we started this program less than 10 percent lang ang survival ng mga kids and right now we are serving 10 times more than we did in 2004. Pero ang survival niya more than five times. This is sort of a miracle kay lisod magtambal sa bata na may kanser. Thank you kay Tatay Digong, Senator Bong Go, and sa lahat na mga nagsuporta.”

DR. MAE DOLENDO Founder of the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer (HoHF)

When one talks about the largest fire in history to hit Davao City, the attention immedi-ately turns to the February 9, 1964, blaze that burned enduring landmarks like the old Davao Mission Hospital (Brokenshire Hospital) while it was still proudly standing along Magallanes Street, in the same area where the Grand Men Seng Hotel now operates.

Eight years earlier, however, there was a more devastating conflagration, now almost forgotten. It was a conflagration that took eleven hours to contain, razed to cinders seven huge commercial blocks, left 10,000 people homeless, and cost US$10,000,000 in damage, roughly $112 million in today’s exchange, or P6.5 billion in Philippine currency equivalent.

The high cost of destruction, which affected Santa Ana wharf

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

THE LARGEST FIRE IN DAVAO HISTORY

and the Monteverde-Uyanguren district, was attributed to the volume of merchandise and commodities stocked in numerous warehouses and bodegas lining the city’s old busy port area.

Meanwhile, the displacement estimate of 10,000 individuals being affected is rather huge given that Davao City at the time only had 140,000 in population. To contain the blaze, fire-fighters with limited equipment used dynamite in checking the spread of the inferno.

The United Press (UP) reported a lower figure of 8,000 persons being displaced, and the Philippine News Service (PNS), the forerunner of today’s Philippine News Agency (PNA), pegged the damage at US$5,000,000, half of what the Associated Press (AP), a wire agency, stated.

The fire, chiefly reported by

the UP and AP through cables, got wide treatment in news outlets throughout the United States despite the limited details the papers carried. Wire agen-cy subscribers in other countries, like the Peterborough Examiner (‘10,000 Left Homeless In Fire At Davao’) of Canada and the Singapore Free Press (‘10,000 Homeless’) also carried the news.

Among the US periodicals that published the story are Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio); The Richmond News Leader (Richmond, Virginia); The Fresno Bee-The Republican (Fresno, California); Hawaii Tribune-Herald (Hawaii); Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas); Daily Republican-Register (Mount Carmel, Illinois); The Valdosta Daily Times (Valdosta, Geor-gia); and The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey).

Notwithstanding the cov-

erage, memories of the devastating conflagration seem to start fading from the memory of old-timers. What comes out as fresh in their minds was the 1964 blaze that flattened the entire central business district of San Pedro Street.

Consequent to this catastrophic port incident, President Ramon F. Magsaysay signed Proclamation No. 283 dated March 27, 1956, “reserving the parcel of land embraced therein for fire station building site purposes situated in the City of Davao.” The site is where the re-gional office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) now stands.

The edict, moreover, revokes Proclamation No. 256 dated February 14, 1956, which orig-inally set aside the present BFP property for building site purposes of the now defunct

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG

PEYUPS

San Marcelino, ZambalesBird-shaped flutes made of bamboo that can blow up multiple sound like birds are being sold by 14 year-old Aeta Earn to visitors at Lake Mapanuepe.

The small stick at the bottom controls the amount of air in the whistle and is moved up and down to make changes to the pitch, ideal for being loud and imitating birds.

Earn told me that he walked almost a day from their home in Pinatubo to Lake Mapanuepe to sell souvenirs made from bamboo like the flutes, penholders, bows and arrows so that he can save for his education as he wanted to be a policeman someday.

Earn’s story reminded me of Black Rainbow, a film about the journey of a 12-year-old Aeta in Porac, Pampanga for his education that bagged major awards in last year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Zig Dulay’s Black Rainbow won best film, best screenplay and the NETPAC award in the short film category.

Black Rainbow is a tale about an Aeta who dreams that the first step to a better life is through education. He chases his dream of going to school to learn how to read the legal documents given to their community and to understand why they are being forced to give up their ancestral lands to give way for mining.

The citation read: “for being a bright jewel of a short film, for being a cross-cultural masterpiece that touches the heart and reveals the universality of family, and community and the determi-

De-partment of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).

In appreciation for the presidential gesture, which is a way of thanking the Palace for fi-nally ensuring that similar port conflagration could be avoided in the future, the Davao port foreshore area that was reclaimed and developed into a park was named in honor of Mag-saysay.

Four years after the 1952 fire, The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) reported in its July 30, 1956, issue, that a big fire hit Davao again: “A roaring fire today burned to death six persons of the business district in the big Southern Philippine port city of Davao, Philippine News Ser-vice reported. Police said early estimates placed property damage at $1 million.”

In today’s peso-dollar currency exchange, the damage is equal to P650 million.

LAKE MAPANUEPE AND THE AETAS’ JOURNEY TO EDUCATION

nation of children to pursue their bright young dreams,”

Dulay stressed in his speech the value of storytelling: “It is not about how long or short, or how many films you have created, but how wide your audience is, how deep the mark of the film gives to the audience, including its relevance, meaning, and purpose, and the goal to give a voice to those seldom heard and give a platform to the marginalized especially to the indigenous people (IP) community”.

In 2017, the video of Norman King as the first Aeta to graduate from University of the Philippines Manila became viral. He marched up to the stage as a bare-chested man in traditional Aeta garb to receive his diploma on B.A. Behavioral Science . His diploma is a story of struggle filled with discrimination, poverty, and natural calamities.

King’s mother reminds him that he owes his growth to all the hardships he has faced, that a man who has fallen and risen is someone who commands respect and honor

An interesting scene in Black Rainbow was the chanting over the hills for Apo Namalyari to guide him on his quest for education.

Apo Namalyari is the supreme god and great provider of the Aeta people who have a strong spiritual connection with him. They consider Mount Pinatubo as sacred for it is said to be Apo Namalyari’s abode. It was believed that the drilling operations for geothermal power was the cause of Apo Nama-

lyari’s fatal wrath that he made the volcano erupt.

More than thirty years ago, on June 15, 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo was considered the world’s largest volcanic eruption that buried the region in ash.

Bursts of gas-charged magma exploded into umbrella ash clouds, hot flows of gas and ash descended the volcano’s flanks and lahars swept down valleys.

Water from intense rainfall mixed with loose volcanic materials created dangerous and destructive mudflows called lahars. It resulted in loss of lives and damage to properties in areas surrounding the volcano affecting more than 1.3 million people in 39 different towns and four large cities.

With an area of 670 hectares, Lake Mapanuepe is a freshwater lake in Zambales that was formed

from the Mt. Pinatubo explosion.

The lahars blocked all exit points of water going down the Mapanuepe Valley in Barangay Aglao and Barangay Buhawen as well as the river. As a result, the rising waters submerged the Mapanuepe Valley and Lake Mapanuepe came into existence. All structures in the two barangays were submerged during the violent eruption and only the sunken Buhawen church’s huge metal cross can be seen in the middle of the lake.

It is a four-hour drive from Manila which is easily accessible through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Be ready for a bumpy, rough road trail going there through a vast area of lahar and river streams crossing.

It is a perfect place for pho-

toshoots, videography, and communing with mother nature.

Many visitors describe the lakeside as strikingly close to the idyllic New Zealand greenery countryside with its colors of nature – hills, lush open fields, flocks of birds, towering pine trees with cows, carabaos horses and goats grazing on patches of grass. The mountain is even reflected in the lake.

You need to bring your own camping tent and food if you want to stay overnight as there are no hotels or resorts and no restaurants in the area.

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

Philippine Airlines starts first non-stop Perth-Manila service

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – Philippine Airlines (PAL) made history with the touchdown at Perth Airport of the first nonstop flight from the Philippines today.

The new PAL direct flights, a thrice weekly scheduled service operating into the Western Australian capital every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, allows travelers to fly between Perth and Manila in just seven (7) hours. This saves travelers four to six hours in travel time compared to flying via other airline routes that require a stopover and flight connections in a third country.

The pioneer flight, designated PR 223, was flown under the command of PAL President and COO Captain Stanley K. Ng, assisted by a crew of three pilots and 6 flight attendants. Captain Ng is an experienced Airbus A321 pilot who served as the airline’s operations chief before ascending to the COO position.

“This new route expands Philippine Airlines’ footprint in Australia, making PAL the largest airline operator offering the most routes

from the Philippines to this very important region of the world,” said PAL President Captain Ng.

“We are thrilled to welcome Western Australians aboard our flights for the shortest hop to the island wonders of the Philippines, where friendly people, spectacular beaches, natural treasures, a rich history and great shopping opportunities are waiting to be discovered.”

“It is a great privilege to lead the maiden flight to Perth as pilot in command. This milestone journey celebrates the continuing recovery of our airline from the challenges of the pandemic. The flight symbolizes PAL’s determination to grow its network and conquer new markets,” Capt. Ng added.

Also on board the inaugural flight was the Australian ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu PSM. Other notable passengers include business and government officials, mining executives heading to Perth and Philippine media representatives.

“I am excited about this direct

flight from Manila to my hometown of Perth. Visiting this beautiful city has never been more convenient,” said Ambassador Yu. “You’ll be able to enjoy great food and wine, spectacular beaches and landscapes, and gorgeous weather.

Perth also offers world-class education and tremendous business opportunities. What is even more amazing is that there is no time difference between Manila and Perth, so you won’t suffer from any jet lag”.

“The new flights will further strengthen WA’s connection with the Philippines, and unlock new business and tourism opportunities within our state,” said Hon. Mark McGowan, Premier of Western Australia, in a public post last December after PAL announced the launch of Perth-Manila flights.

For the Perth service, Philippine Airlines is deploying a long-range Airbus A321neo that accommodates 12 passengers in luxurious full-flat Business Class seats along with 156 Economy Class passengers. The roomy A321neo cabin has personal

inflight entertainment (IFE) screens in each seat, and wi-fi will be available onboard.

The nonstop flights to Manila allow for easy connections to Cebu, Davao and other Philippine business and resort destinations. Travelers from Perth may also fly onward via nonstop PAL flights to the U.S. West Coast, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand.

The PR 224 Perth-Manila flight departs from Perth’s Terminal 1 International at 8:30AM local time every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and lands in Manila at 3:50PM.

The PR 223 Manila-Perth service departs from Manila’s Terminal 2 at 12:05AM, after midnight every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and arrives in Perth Airport at 7:15AM on the same days.

Philippine Airlines will work with WA tourism authorities to promote Perth-bound travelers from the Philippines, North America and other Asian countries, who will find a wealth of unique adventure and business opportunities in Western

Australia.

“Perth now joins Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in our Australian network, a milestone that underscores the growing trade relations and tourism activities that animate our two countries and help unite the Filipino and Australian people,” emphasized PAL President Captain Ng.

Employing its modern fleet of Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft, PAL offers a total of 21 weekly direct flights between Australia and Manila, including daily flights from Sydney, five weekly from Melbourne, and six weekly from Brisbane.

On March 15, 2023, the Philippine flag carrier celebrated its 82nd year in service as Asia’s oldest operating airline. Known for its caring personal service reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people, the airline is undergoing a long-term transformation process, introducing various product innovations and service enhancements to further upgrade the overall experience of its passengers.

Manulife Investment Management makes investing more accessible & exciting

Investors

can now access local & global funds for as low as Php 1,000 & enjoy frequent income payouts from select funds

Manila, Philippines - Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation (Manulife IM Philippines) announces that it has recently lowered its minimum investment amount for all its funds from PHP 5,000 to PHP 1,000 starting March 2023, making investing in local and global Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) even more accessible to more Filipinos. In addition, the following funds will shift from semi-annual to monthly income payouts starting August 1, 2023, allowing investors to see more frequent growth in their investments:

• Manulife Asia Dynamic Bond Feeder Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities issued by governments, agencies, supra-nationals, and corporate issuers located primarily in Asia, and aims to generate income by seeking to derive benefits from the interest rate, credit, and currency opportunities within a risk-controlled investment approach.

• Manulife Global Preferred Income Feeder Fund aims to provide regular income distribution and long-term capital growth by invest-

ing in preferred securities listed or traded in any regulated market worldwide. Preferred securities are known for sharing similar features with stocks and bonds, enabling investors to experience the best of both worlds. At the same time, their performance has historically shown a “low correlation” relative to stocks or bonds, meaning preferred securities can still offer attractive gains even when returns on other asset classes are declining.

• Manulife Global Multi-Asset Diversified Income Feeder Fund targets to generate income through a wide range of traditional and non-traditional assets and a flexible investment strategy that seeks to provide a buffer against challenging market conditions across different regions.

• Manulife Global REIT Feeder Fund invests in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) listed and traded globally and in real estate securities and/or cash and cash equivalents. REITs typically generate stable rental income, offering attractive dividend options for investors. Even in the face of high-in-

terest rates, REITs tend to outperform other investments.

Manulife’s Asia Pacific REIT Fund of Funds, which invests in a diversified portfolio of exchange-listed REITs in the Asia Pacific region, will continue to have semi-annual pay outs but will have a lowered min imum investment amount of Php 1,000 starting March 2023.

Investors can receive their monthly income payouts via credit to their bank accounts or arrange for them to be topped up to their funds so these can grow further over time. Income payouts lower than PHP 100 or US$20 will be automatically reinvested into investors’ respective funds to enable them to earn more income over time.

Interested investors may contact a Manulife Wealth Specialist or visit www.manulifeim.com.ph for more details. These funds are also avail able on Manulife iFunds, an easyto-use one-stop digital fund invest ment platform that allows investors to manage their portfolios anytime, anywhere.

Manulife IM Philippines has 19 Funds available, providing investors

access to local and global investment opportunities depending on their goals, needs, and risk profiles. In 2022, the Company already became one of the country’s largest fund

managers, with more than Php162.6 billion in assets under management (AUM), a net income of Php84.3 million, and a customer base of over 13,000 investors.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Philippines Airlines President and COO Capt. Stanley Ng presided over the star-studded Gala Night event of the PAL Inaugural flight to Perth at the Westin Hotel in Perth, Western Australia on Monday night. Photo by Neil Bravo

By LEAN DAVAL JR

Spectacle and drama like no other

After three-year hiatus, Davao City has once again hosted Ironman 70.3 on Sunday.

Considered as the most anticipated event in Davao City and even the rest of the country, this year’s edition did not fail to awe the crowd as it attracted 19 professional triathletes and thousands of triathlon fanatics.

Portugal’s Filipe Azevedo captured this year’s elite Pro Men’s Division and Sarah Crowley of Australia took home the crown for the Pro Women’s Division.

Based on the reports of the authorities and the organizer, the 2023 Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao was a big success. Sad to say, the 2023 edition was the final installment of the three-year hosting of Davao City for this world renowned triathlon event.

Is there any chance that Davao City would still host another three editions of Ironman 70.3?

The answer is yes, according to an insider.

BETTER... FROM 2 PRO 11... FROM 3 DICT... FROM 2 BUKIDNON...

tients and we’re very happy for the improved survival sa mga bata na may kanser lalo na dito sa Mindanao. When we started this program less than 10 percent lang ang survival ng mga kids and right now we are serving 10 times more than we did in 2004.

Pero ang survival niya more than five times. This is sort of a miracle kay lisod magtambal sa bata na may kanser. Thank you kay Tatay Digong, Senator Bong Go, and sa lahat na mga nagsuporta,” she said.

Duterte complimented Go for having a very progressive mind.

“From the problem, he creates a bigger problem and comes up with a bigger solution. Yan ang mabuti kay Senator Bong Go,” he said.

Go said he learned this from the former president specially prioritizing the poor.

Meanwhile, the Ceres bus company donated a coaster bus for the House of Hope.

DAVAO... FROM 3

sin natin. Right after this we are planning to conduct social investigation,” he said.

He said incidence of rape is high in the areas where informal settlers reside that include Talomo, Tugbok, and Sta. Ana.

Meanwhile, PRO 11 director Brigadier General Alden Delvo said he also saw the rise in rape cases in Davao Region thats why it should be address this properly.

“For all we know nisaka ni siya during the pandemic but post pandemic naman ta karon there is still a rising trend, although, wala na nag number one ang Davao Region for rape cases but I am morally convinced na i-solve natin dahil karamihan na affected ay mga minors. Most of the perpetrators ay fathers or uncles. Nabalaka ko ug maayo ani,” he said.

Globe - 21,682,365; and SMART - 26,734,423. This brings the total number of registered SIMs to 52,380,146,” it said.

It advised the public to be vigilant during the SIM registration process and make sure to register through the official online portals of private telecommunications entities (PTEs).

Smart users must register at smart.com.ph/simreg or simreg.smart.com.ph; Globe users must visit new.globe.com.ph/ simreg; and DITO subscribers must register at https://digital. dito.ph/pto/download/app.

Anyone with questions or concerns about SIM registration may also contact the DICT through its hotline 1326. (PNA)

NO... FROM 4

• Employees qualified for substituted filing (those who are covered by Section 2.83.4 of Revenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended), but opted to file for an ITR and are filing for purposes of promotion, loans, scholarships, foreign travel requirements, etc

NO TO GHOST RECEIPTS

Lumagui also said the public should refrain from using “ghost receipts” in their filings. Certified public accountants involved in this practice may suffer both the revocation of their license and imprisonment, he said.

Unlawful schemes also expose the taxpayers, not just their CPAs, to tax evasion punishable by imprisonment, he said.

Lumagui said the BIR has set a target collection of P2.6 trillion for 2023.

Delvo said with the said program they are planning to invite different sectors including church, academe, LGUs and probably from the medical sector also to come and join in the workshop.

By Maya M. Padillo

route of the race.

Reportedly, an 18-year-old male got into accident with a cycling participant when he picked a water bottle at middle of the road.

As of this writing, the victim was reportedly in comatose.

“Ang dungog nako na istorya mitabok para mukuha sa water bottle then nabangga siya sa participant. Hopefully, he will recover,” Delvo said.

Meanwhile, organizer Princess Galura, general manager of Sunrise Events Inc., lauded the safety and security cluster of the city for the immediate response to both incidents.

“Ang importante is we were able to respond immediately. Everybody is aware of the danger and things can happen in the race. Things changed, like in the morning the weather, ready kami sa heat tapos yung current ang lakas pala. Ang importante sa Ironman group at sa city government of Davao is gaano kabilis naka respond sa mga ganoong sitwasyon,” Galura told Edge Davao.

NGCP... FROM 5

“We have always conducted the procurement of AS with good faith, with the best services for the least cost as a primary motivating factor. We have done much to improve the procurement process, but above all else, we must be able to provide these services.

“With this disappointing development, our hands are tied. If we sign interim extensions, we expect the ERC to issue us yet another show cause order. If we do not, we will be unnecessarily subjecting consumers connected to the grid to avoidable and damaging fluctuations or worse, interruptions,” the NGCP said.

The NGCP earlier said reserves are thinning as demand peaks during the dry season.

FROM 4

Twenty-one Arabica and Robusta coffee beans from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were submitted as official entries, according to DTI-10.

The competition was organized by the Regional Coffee Council of Region 10, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10, Rural Agro-enterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project, ACDI/VOCA Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise (PhilCAFE), Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project, Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CMU. (MindaNews)

LANDBANK... FROM

5

2022 with P2.761 trillion.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), coconut production posted a 1% increase in the fourth quarter of 2022, but the whole sector saw a full-year drop in production to mark the third straight year of contraction.

SOCOT... FROM 2

Casicas said Tamayo committed to explore legal options toward appealing the CA decision limiting the scope of the open pit mining ban.

The governor also promised to lobby the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to honor the province’s open-pit mining ban not just on smallscale mining but large-scale mining operations like the Tampakan project.

According to the Diocese’s statement, the governor assured the Bishop that he was “anti-open pit mining, including large-scale mining.”

“The people of South Cotabato opposing the Tampakan mining project are hopeful that the governor will maintain his opposition to open-pit mining, which is an environmentally destructive mining method. We will hold him to his promises and assurances that he has made to us,” Casicas said.

About two weeks ago, the prelate prodded the governor’s office for clarification over reports that the CA had already rendered a decision on the appeal against the decision of Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Vicente Peña rendered in October 2020, which upheld the open-pit mining ban as a valid exercise of the police power of the province.

“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.

The provincial government received a copy of the CA decision on September 15, 2022 but no announcement was made about the ruling until Casicas blew the whistle in another statement furnished to MindaNews last Thursday.

During the meeting with the governor, Casicas reiterated the importance of upholding the full extent of the Environmental Code, which covers large-scale open-pit mining.

LAKERS... FROM 11

Beasley scored 18 points apiece, but Anthony Davis managed just 15 points and nine rebounds as the Lakers (37-38) failed to get above .500 for the first time since Jan. 9, 2022.

The Lakers were without D’Angelo Russell, who missed his second straight game with a right hip injury. Los Angeles went 8-5 in James’ absence, but his return will force an adjustment of the chemistry built by his teammates in his absence.

“We came out a little flat, turned the ball over early, just weren’t aggressive enough, physical enough,” Ham said.

VOOCH TOSSED

The Bulls largely controlled Davis even after Nikola Vucevic was ejected in the second quarter with two quick technical fouls when he argued what appeared to be a good call against him. Donovan jokingly wondered how Vucevic could be ejected when he was arguing in his native Serbian.

“Obviously it was a bad decision by me to react the way I did,” Vucevic said. “My mistake. I’m just glad my teammates came through for us. I obviously overreacted, for sure.”

MARCOS...

FROM 3 commitment and determination of both parties – the GPH and MILF – to seek a common ground and agree to work together to ensure the welfare of the Bangsamoro people,” the OPAPRU chief pointed out.

He also said CAB paved the way for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organization Law (BOL), which operationalized the CAB, and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao (BARMM) and its regional government.

“However, what is most remarkable about the CAB is that it has given rise to a different breed of servant-leaders. Once considered military tacticians and grizzled fighters, they have now taken on a new mantle, and that is, of dedicated public servants,” Purisima emphasized.

And under the able leadership of BARMM Chief Minister Balwag Ebrahim Murad, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is demonstrating that the MILF is more than capable of handling the reins of governance, he added.

“They have now become agents of peace and development,” the OPAPRU chief noted.

He also said the BTA’s Parliament has passed crucial legislation that is now uplifting the lives of its people, and transforming once conflict-ridden and conflict-vulnerable areas in the region into show windows of peace and development.

“The National Government, in partnership with the BARMM Government is also implementing the Normalization Program under the CAB, which is helping former MILF combatants make the successful transition as peaceful and productive members of society,” Purisima pointed out.

He added that the dividends of peace are now also being felt by the families of MILF members as well as their communities, as socio-economic interventions are continuously being provided to them through the various joint GPH-MILF peace mechanisms. (PNA)

Lakers fall short in Lebron’s return

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 19 points off the bench in his return from a month-long injury absence, but Zach LaVine scored 32 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 118-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday (Monday, Manila time).

DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for the Bulls, who easily overcame James’ return for their seventh win in nine games. LaVine hit 11 of his first 14 shots to lead an offensive effort that snapped the Lakers’ three-game winning streak despite the return of the NBA’s career scoring leader.

James sat out 13 games with

right foot soreness, missing four weeks during the Lakers’ run at a playoff berth. The team provided few updates on his recovery, and his return came with little advance warning.

“I felt confident in the workouts that I had this week,” James said. “And the day after the workouts, when I woke up, stepped out down off the bed, I

could possibly play today. And after my workout early before the game today, I knew I could play.”

For only the second time in his 20-year, 1,958-game NBA career, James wasn’t a starter. He came in as a reserve midway through the first quarter, doing his standard pregame chalk toss while receiving a standing ovation from Lakers fans. James got a field goal in every quarter, and he finished with eight rebounds, three assists and five turnovers in 30 minutes.

“You could see him getting his rhythm, his timing, his finishes, all of that,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “He’s a savvy

veteran, one of the greatest ever to do it, so it’s not going to take all that much.”

Chicago largely controlled play despite James’ return, streaking to a 20-point lead in the second quarter. Los Angeles briefly got the lead down to single digits down the stretch, but got no closer.

“There are going to be swings, and that was the encouraging part,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I’m seeing a response back competitively.”

Patrick Beverley had 10 points and five assists in his first game against the Lakers since they traded him last month. Beverley has been outspoken about

his desire to hurt the Lakers’ playoff hopes during this homeand-home series between the teams, but Davis and the other Lakers just smiled at his provocative talk.

When Beverley made a little hook shot with 1:12 left to boost Chicago’s lead back to double digits, Beverley slapped the floor and made the dismissive “too small” gesture sometimes used by NBA players to taunt their opponents, in this case James.

“I was just playing basketball,” Beverley said. “Obviously it’s good to see some old teammates, old coaching staff.”

Troy Brown Jr. and Malik

= BRGY. GINEBRA

These three elements are integral components of a team that will be hard to beat.

Brgy. Ginebra displayed all these qualities when the Gin Kings muscled the San Miguel Beermen to submission, 121103 for a 2-0 lead Sunday before a roaring crowd of PBA fanatics.

One more win and coach Tim Cone and his boys would be happy to sweep the best of five series for its fifth appearance in six finals of the Govs’ Cup.

The Kings were just awesome inside and outside that resident import Justin Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger

shared top scoring honors with 32 apiece while MVP Scottie Thompseon registered a triple double of 21 pts., 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

San Migs’ Cameron Clark and company - CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Moe Tautuaa, Jericho Cruz, Simon Enciso and Vic Manuel - were mesmerized by the Kings’ superior display in firepower, passing and ball distribution that someone lost his cool and shove the high flying, slamdunking Jamie Malonzo but cooler heads prevailed before anything physically undesireable happened.

May napikon yata sa bench ng SMB.

‘JunMar, please come back soon,’ Beermen fans were overheard praying.

Well, Cone is also missing Japhet Aguilar’s services. So, ‘parehas lang,’ a Ginebra supporter crowed.

Coach George Gallent needs to go back to the drawing board.

While Meralco equalized by subduing TNT for a 1-1 tie in their own semifinal duel, Tropang Giga’s chances of securing a finals slot is in jeopardy.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa is quick to explain that the month-long

fasting of his import Rondae Hollis Jefferson in observance of Ramadan is not the reason for the latter’s endgame miscues.

RHJ appeared sluggish in TNT’s narrow 117-124 loss to the Bolts. He missed a severaj freethrows, including a critical one in the last 7.6 seconds.

Although he tried very hard to impose his will, RHJ could not contain a resurgent KJ McDaniels who put in 39 markers and 20 huge rebounds. This was the old KJ that we used to see and watch during his heydays with TNT - aggressive, determined and dominating.

We’re not prejudging Gallent and his gritty Beermen. But how and why did you allow Ginebra to lead by 24 when you have always made life difficult for anyone of your opponents anytime?

SMB literally needs a miracle to get out of the hole it is in. Come to think of it, and barring unforeseen circumstances, the manner JB and party dominated their sister team in all aspects of the ballgame, It is all over but the shouting. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

FLAKERS, P10

Lebron James finished with 19 points, got a field goal in every quarter, and added eight rebounds, three assists and five turnovers in 30 minutes.

Punishing Ironman race ends in triumph, tragedy MIXED FORTUNES

But the heat online did not even come close to the heat during the covering 1.9-kilometer swim, 90k bike, and 21k run.

Felipe Azevedo and Sarah Crowley came through with the biggest races of their career to rule the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao pro category that was marred with a participant’s death and an accident during the race on Sunday which ended at the Azuela Cove in Davao City.

The Portuguese finished the grueling race in three hours, 51 minutes and 10 seconds, while Crowley from Australia breasted the finish tape in 4:20.15.

Crowley admitted it was her toughest race yet with the heat just too much to bear.

“That was a hot one. Super proud to win this one. Honestly (I) was running to survive on that run, probably the hottest run leg of my career,” said Crowley in her Facebook account.

Crowley took the lead in the later stages of the bike stage and never looked back to pull away in 4 hours, 20 minutes and 15 seconds in the women’s category.

American Lauren Brandon was second at 4:22:50 while third

was Lottie Lucas of UAE at 4:25:10. Crowley also congratulated Brandon and Lucas for making the podium. She also praised the organizers “for making it such an awesome race experience.”

Finishing second in the men’s pro race was Serbian Ognjen Stojanovic who clocked in at 3:52.29, while Taiwanese Chun Chang completed the top three in 3:57.13.

Over 1,700 triathletes from 46 countries endured the grueling heat and competition of this presitigous international triathlon event organized by Ironman Philippines and Sunrise Events.

Despite the resounding success, the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao was marred with a death from a participant, while another triathlete and a spectator were involved in a serious accident during the race.

A Filipino male participant allegedly suffered a ‘heart attack’ during the swim portion of the race.

According to the organizers’ official statement, the participant was transported to the nearest hospital for treatment. However, he succumbed to death afterwards.

Sunday’s social media newsfeeds were flooded with images of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 race from proud race finishers to the gritty winners.

Sarah Crowley of Australia (center) wins the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao (women’s pro category). | Photo from Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao.