The inauguration of the new Binugao digital substation by Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) on Thursday assures residents of a reliable power supply.
AboitizPower subsidiary DLPC inaugurated the new substation located in Lower Binugao, Toril, Davao City aiming to address the growing demand for electricity in the southern part of Davao City.
With a capacity of 33 mega-
volt-amperes (MVA), the substation addresses the need for more load capacity by transforming electricity on a sub-transmission level voltage into a distribution level to make it stable and ready for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
The Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU) rejoices as two of its scholars under the Law School Educational Assistance Program made it to the 2022 Bar.
Atty. Michael H. Delgado and Atty. Hazel Dianne B. Estrosas passers of the 2022 bar were scholars of the city’s scholarship program since 2018 when they both started law school at the Ateneo de Davao University.
ed if not for EBSU because we cannot really afford Ateneo),” Estrosas said.
Finishing in the top 30 in the bar exams, Delgado said that learning the results is “a huge sigh of relief knowing that all the expectations have been met and all the struggles became worth it”.
He said that EBSU played a huge role in all of this.
The new Binugao substation can assist in carrying a load of a nearby substation when it trips due to an electrical fault, which can result in outages and give a more dependable service.
The facility has a switching station capable of interconnecting and switching between different supply lines making it more robust and less susceptible to interruptions.
Rodger Velasco, president and
FRELIABLE, P10
An officer of the 1001st Infantry Brigade bared that the peace and order condition in the area is manageable, as its leadership could reach farflung patrol bases in its area of responsibility to ensure proper assessment and to prevent the rebels from entering on places
the once influenced.
Colonel Ronnie Babac, commander of the 1001st Brigade of the Philippine Army revealed they have gone to Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan and far-flung areas of Mabini on Tuesday to have a better understanding of the situation.
“So far, based on the feedback that I gathered, elected officials revealed they haven’t seen any sighting of the rebels in the far-flung barangays. We also observed the increase of travel among residents from far-flung areas to the town centers to earn
Estrosas, who is currently working as Court Decongestion Officer at the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2, told the City Information Office that she is still very happy, overwhelmed, and grateful, adding that the resounding success would not have been possible if not for God, her family, her friends—and also EBSU.
“Very helpful gyud ang scholarship ng EBSU. We heard about the EBSU scholarship so we applied for it, we prayed for it. Full scholarship ang gihatag dili half so nakahuman ra gyud, so ang trabaho lang gyud namo is to study, study, and study para lang to remain a scholar and thank God malampuson, dili ko basta-basta ka graduate kung wala ang EBSU kay dili gyud namo afford ang Ateneo. (The scholarship of EBSU is very helpful. We heard about the EBSU scholarship, so we applied for it, we prayed for it. Full scholarship was given, not only half, so our only job is to study, study, and study to remain a scholar. Thank God, it is a success, I would not have graduat-
“Very big help kay while naga law school ko isa ka dagok na gyud ang nawala sa akoa which was the financial burden that came with studying law. Studies nalang gyud among i-focus dili nami mag worry sa mga bayaran, it is a huge burden lifted from our shoulders ([EBSU provided a] very big help because a huge burden was lifted from me, which was the financial burden that came with studying law. Studies became our only focus, we do not worry about the expenses, it is a huge burden lifted from our shoulders),” Delgado said.
Delgado said being a scholar enabled him to secure success as the grade requirement is to only have no failing grades.
Each EBSU full scholar according to EBSU Technical Assistant Emilio Domingo Jr. receives 50,000 for tuition and 8,000 pesos for books per semester.
He said that with the addition of Estrosas and Delgado, the EBSU has now produced a total of 10 lawyers. These lawyers though are not required to
Brig. Gen. Jesus P. Durante, the former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander, and Col. Michael D. Licyayo, along with other military personnel tagged in murder of model and entrepreneur Yvonette Chua Plaza, were arraigned on Tuesday before the military court constituted to hear their administrative charges, a military official said on Wednesday.
Maj. Mark Anthony S. Tito, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 10th Infantry Division, told MindaNews that the arraignment started 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Tito declined to discuss any information on the merits of the case for lack of authority but added that formal hearings have yet to be scheduled.
He said that officials from the headquarters of the Philippine Army can speak about the development of the proceedings before the General Court Martial.
In a press statement, Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of the Philippine Army, approved the administrative charges against the military officials and personnel and subsequently ordered
By MAYA M. PADILLOthem placed under General Court Martial.
The General Court Martial is chaired by the Court President, Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel M. Niembra, who is the current 10th Infantry Division Commander.
It said that Durante and Licyayo were transferred and detained in the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters, Camp Panacan, Davao City last Monday to appear before the military court.
Plaza was shot dead outside her rented house at Green Meadow Subdivision in Barangay Santo Niño, Tugbok on December 29, 2022.
Durante, who headed the 1001st Infantry Brigade, was allegedly the mastermind in what appeared to be a premeditated killing of Plaza while Licyayo, the brigade’s deputy commander, provided the gunmen the details of the victim’s whereabouts as well as logistics to execute the murder.
Other enlisted military personnel involved in the murder case are SSgt. Gilbert Plaza, SSgt.
The City Health Office (CHO) will be conducting mass vaccination to prevent a possible outbreak of measles, rubella, German measles, and polio among children from zero to 59 months old through a supplemental immunization activity slated on May 2 to 31, 2023.
Dubbed the Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity, it aims to boost children’s immune system by giving additional doses for added protection.
Dr. Julinda Acosta, chief of the Technical Services Division of CHO, encouraged the parents to get their
children vaccinated because there is a threat of an outbreak of measles and polio.
She also said immunization coverage among children has also decreased.
“Kaya daghan gihapon mga bata wala na kompleto ang ilahang mga bakuna ug naa pud ubay
ubay na mga bata wala gyud nabakunahan kaya para ang peligro sa outbreak aning sakita mapugngan ang posisble outbreak kaya gimugna ang supplemental immunization activity para matagaan ug additional protection ang mga kabataan laban sa sakit na tipdas ug German measles ug polio,” she said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday.
The vaccines will be available in the barangay health centers, barangay stations, health centers, clinics, and hospitals that are willing to join CHO for the said vaccina-
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The regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT 11) aims to showcase more of the country’s traditional cuisine in line with the month-long celebration of Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino on April 28 to 30, 2023 at Abreeza Mall.
Under Presidential Proclamation No. 469 of 2018, the month of April has been declared Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino. The national celebration
of Filipino Food Month aims to appreciate, preserve, promote, and ensure the transmission of the vast Filipino culinary traditions and treasures to future generations and to support the various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.
Joyce Cesar, project officer of Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino of DOT 11, said this year they are hoping to engage the restaurants that have been in Davao City for a long time.
“Kasi technically they have dishes considered as heirloom dishes and we are also hoping that we could showcase more of the traditional cooking. Last year mao na ang pinaka challenge kung giunsa namo pag present ang famous “nilotlot”,” Cesar said during Wednesdays Habi at Kape media forum.
This year’s activity will be highlighted with cooking demonstrations and presentations of tribal
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TheAsian Development Bank (ADB) will fund 12 projects worth around USD19 billion in the country next year.
In the presentation of ADB Philippines Country Director Kelly Bird during the mapping the investment ecosystem forum in Taguig City Wednesday, eight of these projects are in Mega Manila and five projects are in Mindanao.
Bird cited that among these ADB-funded projects in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces include the USD123-million EDSA Greenways Project, the USD125-million Angat Dam Water Transmis-
sion Improvement Project, the USD175-million Metro Manila Bridges Project, the USD2.75-billion Malolos-Clark Railway Project, and the USD4.25-billion South Commuter Railway, which are all ongoing projects.
Three projects are pending for approval, which include the USD1 billion to USD2-billion Metro Rail Transit Ortigas to Rizal Line (MRT-4), the USD3.3-billion Laguna Lakeshore Road Transport Project and the USD4-billion
Bataan-Cavite Bridge Project.
“So you can imagine all the other infrastructure projects that the government has in Metro Manila and surrounding areas will be very different from what it is today,” he said.
In Mindanao, ADB-backed projects that are ongoing include the USD100-million Emergency Assistance for Reconstruction and Recovery of Marawi and the USD180-million Improving Growth Corridor in Mindanao Road Sector Project.
There are also three projects in Mindanao that are expected to
Oil prices fell on Wednesday, fueled by growing concerns that major central banks will continue their tightening cycle despite United States data showing a decrease in crude stockpiles, indicating a rebound in demand in the world’s largest consuming country.
International benchmark
Brent crude traded at USD84.36 per barrel at 9:48 a.m. local time (0648 GMT), a 0.48 percent decrease from the closing price of USD84.77 a barrel in the previous
trading session.
Concurrently, the American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at USD80.53 per barrel, down 0.45 percent from the previous session’s close of USD80.90 per barrel.
Markets are still pricing in a pessimistic scenario in which rising interest rates and high inflation dampen oil demand. Fears heightened after Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic pointed to “one more interest rate rise” to lower
high inflation.
“One more move should be enough for us to then take a step back and see how our policy is flowing through the economy, to understand the extent to which inflation is returning back to our target,” Bostic said in an interview.
The US Fed made a total of 425-point interest rate increases on seven occasions last year to fight record-high inflation that climbed to the highest level in
FOIL, P10
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) on Wednesday insisted that its proposed merger with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) needs to be legislated.
DBP rejected the statement by the GCG or Governance Commission on Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) that the merger of the two stateowned banks does not require legislative intervention.
“DBP stands firm on its position that unification of the two financial institutions requires Congressional action,” the bank said in a statement.
Several media outlets earlier reported that the GCG had informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of its legal opinion on the
planned merger.
But DBP said it has already filed an appeal with the Office of the President questioning GCG’s legal study, which the bank said was “legally erroneous.”
DBP also questioned the Department of Finance’s reasons for backing the merger, which includes the “elimination of perceived redundancy and inefficiencies in the two banks.”
LANDBANK’s mandate is different from DBP’s, the company said.
“DBP is to develop industry; LANDBANK, agriculture,” DBP added.
“We will explore all options and available remedies to strongly articulate our position that the
BDO Unibank Inc. is considering an 8 to 10 percent loan growth this year on expectations for continued revitalization of the economy.
In a briefing on Wednesday, BDO president and chief executive officer (CEO) Nestor Tan said they aim to continue the strong growth of loans, which in the first quarter of the year expanded by 8 percent year-onyear to PHP2.6 trillion.
Tan said net interest margins (NIMs) continue to get support from stable assets,
growth in the low-cost deposits and the hikes in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates.
Net interest income hit PHP43.3 billion and non-interest income reached PHP18.9 billion due to rise in fee-based and treasury and foreign exchange businesses.
The bank registered a net income of PHP16.5 billion, boosted by the broad-based growth of its businesses.
Tan said bank officials re-
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Wednesday said the PHP150 per day legislated wage hike being sought by the labor sector will not soften the blow of inflation for the vast majority of the country’s workforce, instead it only stands to benefit employees in the formal sector.
In an interview, ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the proposed Congress-mandated salary increase can only cover employees of private companies, which constitute only 16 percent of the total number of Filipino workers.
He said some 84 percent of the labor force derive their livelihood from the informal sector, and therefore will not be benefited by a law mandating a steep wage hike.
Ortiz-Luis said the across-theboard pay increase being sought by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) will also benefit executive and other managerial-level employees who are not as financially hard up as rank-and-file workers.
“It (legislated wage hike) will
The Board of Investments has already approved close to P500 billion worth of investments in the first quarter of 2023, meaning the agency is on track to hit its target for the year, said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
Pascual said the Q1 figure was 155 percent higher compared to the same period in 2022.
hensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which was recently ratified by the Senate.
only serve to widen the disparity between workers in the formal sector and the informal sector,” he added.
Aside from benefitting only a minority of employees, Ortiz-Luis said the 70 percent of companies in the formal sector belong to the micro enterprises category, and may not be able to afford an additional PHP150 a day on each person they employ.
He said many micro businesses were severely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and have only recently begun to embark on the painstaking path of recovery.
Meanwhile, TUCP announced on Wednesday it filed House Bill 7871, or the “Wage Recovery Act of 2023,” through House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
The labor union said it seeks to provide a legislated across-theboard increase of PHP150 in the daily wages of private sector employees nationwide, whose salaries have been severely eroded by inflation.
“BOI foreign investment approvals also accelerated to PHP 165.4 billion during the same period, marking a close to 4,000 percent increase,” Pascual said during an investment forum organized by the Management Association of the Philippines.
Because of this, the Trade chief said he is confident the BOI
will hit its P1.5 trillion investment target for the year, which is double last year’s approved investments.
The initial investment target for the year was P1 trillion, but because of optimism, DTI raised it to P1.5 trillion in February, in spite of global headwinds such as the global economic slowdown and high inflation.
One key factor for the optimism is the Regional Compre-
“RCEP will prove advantageous for the garments industry in the Philippines allowing them to source fabric and textiles from 14 other countries, including China, and export their products to a more extensive market,” Pascual said.
Expected investments are broad-based and cover various sectors, but among the biggest are in renewable energy, manufacturing, and information and communications, Pascual said.
The government is hoping to attract more investment into the
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government is looking at the option of importing rice to beef up the country’s supply in the event of natural calamities, such as typhoons and the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Marcos, however, assured that the country has ample supply of the staple grain to keep the prices stable in the market.
He also dismissed the possi-
bility of a repeat of the rice crisis in 2018.
“So, we are watching and waiting to see what the production levels are going to be after the last planting season before the harvest, for the upcoming harvest and what will be…” Marcos said in a media interview during an event in San Jose del Monte City.
“So ‘yun ang tinitingnan natin (That’s what we are looking at). We may have to import. So that’s
--- we’re keeping that option open,” he added.
The President said the buffer stock of the National Food Authority (NFA) had been depleted due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, which hampered the operations of most of the industries.
Marcos said the government is trying to figure out how to boost its buffer stock without causing the rice prices to rise
Consultant
“Davao City
undeniably one
the fastest growing economies. Entrepreneurs continue to choose Davao City due to its desirable business climate which includes reliable utilities, such as electricity and water.”
MYRNA DALODO-ORTIZ Chair, City Council Committee on Finance
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN.
*******
Our present troubles with China - her creeping hegemony in particular - would not have worried us had the Philippines maintained the two US military camps in Clark Field and Subic Naval bases up to this day.
But the nationalistic fervor existing at the time when Cory Aquino ascended the presidential throne via People Power and the strong support she got from the Senate pushed the leadership into booting out American military presence with finality.
For all intents and purposes, Clark Field and Subic were the largest American military installations outside of the continental United States.
Where was China when Clark and Subic were still actively functioning?
There were no problems with China then as we have
today because the strong military presence of the two US military camps have deterred - if not prevented - China from imposing its nine dash line as it is now strongly and stubbornly claiming in the coveted strategic South China Sea.
If there is such a congenital liar - as our politicians usually employ the term - China is it.
With a stoic stance, Beijing has been masterfully evading the ruling of the UN arbitration that gave the Philippines recognition of the EEZ in the contested West Philippine Sea.
Much as the DND wants to play with words and pull the linen over our eyes, the EDCA cannot dissociate itself from the historical past because the Philippines has satisfied its committment embodied in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty ever since.
Washington has effectively utilized its military requirements when it fought in Vietnam by using Clark and Subic as launching points.
Likewise, in 1975 when Is-
rael fought anew her Arab enemies, Washington militarily responded, sending swift air support from Clark to the S-O-S sent by PM Golda Meir.
What am I saying?
In effect, the government has since been pretending that the Philippines can stand on its own two feet without the United States assisting it. For awhile, it seemed like the Filipinos were convinced the political, religious and civil society groups that installed Cory and backed her administration in kicking out Clark and Subic did right.
There were no alarming threats then from our giant imperialistic neighbor living under the shades of the bmboo curtain.
But today those threats are for real.
The EDCA is a clone of the defunct Clark and Subic bases except that there are no tangible sites that the US can operate on its own like the former.
The EDCA is also the unimpeachable but quiet admission
that the Philippines committed a grievous mistake when the late Pres. Cory and her Senate minions threw out the Americans from Clark and Subic.
However, to be fair, the government is enjoying a far more favorable position viz a vis the EDCA because it is in the driver’s seat instead of being the passenger during the many decades of existence of Clark and Subic.
What is curiously lamentable is that the Philippines continues to be satisfied with receiving US military aid and equipment from the latter’s surplus arsenals aimed at “beefing’ up our military infrastructure.
It appears to me that this is a case of “damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
Can a beggar be choosy?
Or to be more precise, are we still begging and holding on to Uncle Sam’s seams?
Briefly, may i compared ourselves to Finland and Sweden who sit by the border of Russia whose aggressive military op-
erations against neighboring Ukraine has dragged on brutally for 14 months.
Finland has recently been accepted as a NATO member because the Finnish government pursued what Ukraine failed to do, realizing that it cannot defend itself against Russian invasion if it does not apply and become a full-pledged NATO member.
The Philippines is similarly in a paradoxical situation as Finland.
Pinoys, I would presume, now realize that without the aid of a friendly democratic superpower like the US, we cannot even hope to stand against the evil intent of a “super dragon.”
Question: Whatever happened to the AFP modernization program where idle military bases were sold to private companies with the end in view of amassing adequate financial resources to fund the program? (Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
Long ago, when logging was the lifeline that provided jobs and profits to laborers and in-vestors, respectively, the gulf of Davao was an aquamarine territory of thousands of massive logs, mostly headed to sawmills, and to ships at Santa Ana pier for shipping abroad.
For coastline residents of Ipil (where MATS, a collegiate school, is) and Lanang, particu-larly as the day slips into dusk, the sight of floating woods securely bound by irons and chains to keep them from separating, signaled the arrival of high tide, which was also the time when the cut trees were pulled upstream the Agdao Creek towards the yard of Davao Lumber Company.
The logs of Agdao also defined the kinds of businesses mushrooming along, near, or adja-cent to the creek. At the time, Gotamco Lumber, a known log-
ging firm in Manila, was on top of the list. But there were also peripheral lumbermills, like the Castillo Sawmill at Lapu-lapu Street (where the Warehouse now operates), that provided employment though to a lesser degree.
The logs, which took days before they arrived in their intended destinations, were im-portant sources of livelihood for shoreline dwellers. People usually removed the bark from the timbers, and cut and sundried them before they were sold as firewood. At twilight and early morning, fishermen hunted small fish and crabs underneath them for food and vending.
During high tide, as soon as they are hauled upstream, the jointed logs turn to risky play-grounds for kids, many of them informal settlers, ecstatically hopping, shouting, and tagging from timber to
timber, playing in wild abandon, bursting in laughter, and chasing small edi-ble crabs rising from the bottom of the floating woods.
For the squatters at Soliman, the stationary logs waiting for their turn at the sawmill up-stream, were conveniently used as floating pontoons fit for making a shortcut to the Agdao public market, unmindful of being drawn into a slip that could result in head injury or unex-pected death if the victim goes underwater and unable to surface before the logs close ranks.
Shoreline dwellers and informal settlers along the creek always expected the coming of logs, a sign that the sawmills are again grinding and there is an abundance of bagasse for household cooking. Vendors at the Agdao public market consumed sawdust to fuel impro-vised stoves used in boiling
young corn, banana, and sweet potato for hawking.
But the logs of Agdao are now gone. The creek that was the waterway that brought them to a lumberyard has been developed into a short road to accommodate a terminal for commuters in the north. Similarly, the ter-minal is also gone given the traffic it generated when buses converged while waiting for pas-sengers. That bus station has now been transformed into a surplus clothing shelter we call ‘ukay-ukay.’
The mangroves that fed on the nutrients the seawater brought during high tide are also gone. More informal settlers have invaded the area between Soliman and the secondary road. The forest that separated Soliman from the Rose Marie settlement has also been buried after a logging company turned the swamps
into a dumping ground for sawdust.
Things are not what they were when the logs of Agdao were a sight. While today’s ob-servant individuals, especially environmentalists and anti-logging advocates, associate tim-bers to heavy deforestation, the logs that once clog the foreshore areas were an important part of the life of shoreline communities, and a short-term shelter for some creatures of the sea.
As the logs vanished, so are the sawmills and lumber dealers who sourced their stocks from nearby yards. The same lumbermills were also the go-to sources that oddly helped, though indirectly, the rise of squatter colonies in and around Agdao district. Still, those for-gotten logs, in big part, define the history of Agdao, the birthplace of Alsa Masa, an anti-communist movement.
Allan Ampoloquio may not ring a bell right now. He describes himself as “small-time businessman and advocate of regenerative farming and environmental protection.” Right now, he lives in Ma-a, Davao City.
“I am part of the many Davao residents who have to withstand flooding in our respective homes each time and many times over when Davao River overflows,” he said.
Actually, he is not from Davao City but from Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “My hometown is situated at the foothills of Mount Apo, a beautiful highland ecotourist destination but hiding behind an alarming soil health and water conservation problems,” he said.
“Mount Apo, Davao River Basin and its surrounding regions are facing enormous environmental strain with potential hazards that will severely affect communities in the lowlands,” he said, citing water scarcity, ground-water pollution and flash floods as possible problems.
“Run-off and sedimentation will also have repercussions in the health of Davao Gulf,” Ampoloquio said.
Like other parts of the country, Davao was also greatly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. “It has given me a different perspective,” he admitted. “I do believe that the nasty climate change phenomenon requires a response anchored on a program that tackles the very heart of the problem.”
He suggested “a nature-inspired solution” to a “nature-based problem.” As he explained it, “A true disaster-preparedness program must address soil and water movement instead of spending too much budget for hard and soft solutions.”
Thus, a man with a vision was born. He wants to save some parts of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, which has been decimated by erosion.
A soil can be formed in as little as 200 years, studies show. But the process normally takes far longer. Under most conditions, soil is formed at a rate of one centimeter every 100 to 400 years, and it takes 3,000 to 12,000 years to build enough soil to form productive land.
The soil is the world’s most precious natural resource. Unfortunately, unprotected soil is being washed out in a matter of seconds when there is a strong rain. “Without soil, there would be no food apart from what the rivers and the seas can provide,” said Edouard Saouma, former director general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Aside from soil erosion, another problem is the cutting of trees which were part of Mount Apo and those growing on the slopes of the Davao River Basin. Deforestation, experts explain, reduces the water holding capacity of the soil due to the lack of trees. This reduces the infiltration of water into the ground which increases the chances of flooding.
This brings another problem: the water crisis. When the area is devoid of trees, the evaporation level is disturbed which in turn dries up the moisture needed to continue the water cycle. The water cycle balance is greatly affected leading to drought in critical agricultural areas. In addition, deforestation decreases precipitation by affecting the aquifer resources.
The sad flight of upland women of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte is a case in point. This is the reason why he recommends to the Office of the Vice-President and Mindanao Development Authority to use vetiver grass as a mitigation solution to the problem of soil erosion and possible water crisis.
“I am for the use of vetiver for soil and water conservation, flood control, and ground-water recharge,” he said. “It is a valuable tool to combat climate change.”
As such, he is launching the Mount Apo and Davao River Basin Vetiver System Initiative. “I am blessed to have been guided and mentored by a team of world vetiver system experts from The Vetiver Network International (TVNI) headed by founder Dr. Richard Grimshaw,” he said.
Grimshaw, who is based in the United States, was a former admin-
istrator of the World Bank. Vetiver grass is not new in the country. It is being employed mainly for slope protection in civil works and projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“For over a year now, I have started vetiver grass mini-nurseries,” he said. “Lately, I partnered with local farmers for faster multiplication of this kind of grass. Together with fellow advocates, we have formed the Mount Apo Regenerative Farming Network (MARFN).”
The MARFN will not only address the problem which Mount Apo is facing but also the Davao River Basin. “(Both) are in the center of the onslaught of both man-made and natural forces,” he observed.
“These two distinct and separate systems are blessed with diverse and rich natural resources but share the same plight and environmental concerns,” Ampoloquio pointed out.
He said that the regions within the Mount Apo Natural Park and Davao River Basin “saw significant, if not ironic, changes in their landscape brought about by agricultural development and ecotourism.”
“Mount Apo, most particularly in the side of Davao del Sur, is a major watershed system in a supposedly protected area inside a national park,” Ampoloquio said, adding that “vast areas of forest” located in the park are “being cleared for agriculture.”
“A Google Earth satellite overview of Mount Apo will readily show this alarming state,” he deplored.
from Watsons. In addition to the surgery, Watsons Philippines employee volunteers conducted a hygiene orientation seminar on postoperative feeding and oral and lip care. They also provided Hygiene Care Kits with oral and hand care products to the kids who underwent surgery.
“We are proud to be a part of Operation Smile Philippines’ mission to change the lives of children. We’ve always believed that doing good is a community effort and that every smile and action, no matter how small, will contribute to a positive impact on the people around us and the community as a whole,” said Viki Encarnacion, PR and Sustainability Director of Watsons.
Since the partnership started in 2013, Watsons and Operation Smile have changed the lives of 2,152 children through free surgeries. The retailer aims to provide 3,300 cleft surgeries by 2030, part of A.S. Watson’s global commitment to bring 10,000 perfect smiles.
In the Philippines, one child is born with a cleft and lip palate condition out of 750 live births. Operation Smile Philippines has helped change the lives of many children born with this condition since 1982
Live Vivid: Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 12 series enabling users to enjoy everyday in high definition
Manila, PHILIPPINES – Xiaomi has finally unveiled the much-awaited Redmi Note 12 Series in the Philippines, with a grand launch held at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City and a fun after-party at the chic House Manila in Newport World Resorts. The exciting new lineup offers four incredible devices, including Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, and Redmi Note 12, with prices starting at PHP 8,999.
The newly launched Redmi Note 12 Series builds on the incredible success of its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11 Series, and delivers remarkable enhancements to the features that matter most to its fans. From an improved camera system to longer battery life, faster charging speed, and a more user-friendly design, the Redmi Note 12 Series offers exceptional value for its price. In addition, Xiaomi has also announced the release of Redmi Watch 3, a stylish new smartwatch featuring a bright and clear display, various sports and health functions, and accurate multi-system GPS connectivity.
Celebrating the release are the #TeamRedmiNote ambassadors, dance and lifestyle creator Niana Guerrero, ACEs of P-pop BGYO, and the M4 World Champions Team Echo. In true colorful fashion, BGYO debuted a new song and music video for “Live Vivid,” which also featured the other Redmi Note ambassadors. The song and video invokes a vibrant, youthful energy while showcasing the prowess of the Redmi Note 12 Series that suit this generation’s onthe-go lifestyle.
Headline-maker smartphone series
The headline-maker in the Redmi Note 12 Series is Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G1 with its powerful triple camera system. The flagship-level Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G boasts a 200MP main camera with OIS, ultra-wide camera, and macro camera, setting a new standard for upper mid-range smartphone photography. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G also offers a great photography experience, offering a powerful IMX766 sensor with OIS, ultra-wide and macro cameras for impressive shots even in low-light scenarios. With advanced AI software algorithms, accelerated image processing speeds, and other useful utility features, the overall camera usage experience is unparalleled.
Both Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G will delight users with their bright and vivid 120Hz Flow AMOLED displays, which are Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® supported. Together with their flexible P-OLED ma-
terials that enable slimmer bezels, both devices allow for an immersive visual experience.
Both smartphones are shipped with flagship-level charging speeds, with 120W HyperCharge2 on Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and 67W fast charge on Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, and a 5,000mAh long-lasting battery for extended daily usage even under heavy content consumption. Smooth and reliable 5G performance is ensured with MediaTek Dimensity 1080 high-performing chipset.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+5G (8+256GB) retails at PHP 21,999 and is bundled with a complimentary Redmi Buds 3 Lite as part of the pre-order promo, which runs from April 15 to 21, 2023. The Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, on the other hand, is offered in two options: the 8+128GB variant priced at PHP 16,999 and the 8+256GB model at PHP 17,999, both of which also include a free Redmi Buds 3 Lite for pre-order customers. Customers may purchase these devices online through Xiaomi’s official stores in Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop as well as Authorized Xiaomi Stores and partner retailers nationwide. For those who want flexible payment options, Home Credit financing is available at 0% interest.
Smooth, impressive performance every time
Every member of the Series exceeds expectations beyond their price segment. Redmi Note 12 offers impressive performance and enhanced entertainment experience. Boasting super-smooth 120Hz AMOLED displays, users are presented with stunning picture quality with accurate colors.
Powered by Snapdragon 685 Mobile Platform, operations are smooth and seamless, allowing for easy multi-tasking with enhanced power efficiency.
Watsons, the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer in the Philippines has been dedicated to uplifting the health and well-being of the local community. In the Philippines, Watsons has partnered with Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) for ten years to provide free surgeries and support children born with cleft conditions. Through this program, Watsons and Operation Smile have not only transformed the physical appearance of these children but have also improved their confidence and overall well-being, giving them a chance to smile brighter and lead more fulfilling lives.
Recently, Watsons supported Operation Smile’s 27th medical mission at Sarangani Bay Specialist Center in General Santos City. The mission aimed to provide safe, effective, and timely surgery and comprehensive care for children with cleft conditions. The medical mission was made possible by the efforts of 28 doctor volunteers and 25 employee volunteers
Watsons is inviting everyone to join them in transforming the lives of children born with cleft lip and palate conditions by supporting their partnership with Operation Smile Philippines. Donations can be made by cash in the cans located in Watsons stores, or by donating their Watsons Club
membership points at the cashier. This will allow everyone to become part of the collective effort to Do Good for these children and help them achieve perfect smiles and a brighter future. Join Watsons in this meaningful endeavor to help create a better future for these children and their families.
About Watsons Philippines:
Watsons is the flagship health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest international health & beauty retailer. Today, Watsons is the leading health and beauty brand with successful operations in 15 markets.
In 2002, A.S. Watson Group joined hands with SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Philippines; leading shopping mall developer. The partnership brought about the first Watsons stores in SM Megamall and The Podium (Ortigas). Today, Watsons operates 1000+ stores in the Philippines serving more than 100,000 customers per day.
Watsons strives to ensure that its customers get the best value for their money through monthly promotions, special offers, and continuous consumer marketing programs. Each Watsons store houses nothing but the best brands from top manufacturers all over the world and also carries its own competitively priced, high-quality private labels and brands. With more than 1000 brands ranging from medicines, cosmetics, and fragrances to personal care items and general merchandise, Watsons Your Personal Store delivers only the best health, wellness, and beauty solutions to each and every customer.
Insular Life (InLife) has received its 18th Life Office Management (LOMA) Excellence in Education Award for strongly promoting industry knowledge among its employees. The country’s largest Filipino life insurance company recently topped the 2023 recipients of this award for talent development through LOMA’s professional designation programs.
“InLife provides optimal learning and development opportunities to our employees so they can acquire
and reinforce industry knowledge and skills, and in turn deliver competent service to our customers and stakeholders. InLife also supports industry-related professional education to help strengthen the industry,” InLife President and CEO Raoul Antonio E. Littaua said.
With 18 LOMA Excellence in Education Awards, InLife has received the most number of this industry recognition than any other life insurance company worldwide. From the roster
of awardees since 2018, only two other companies based in the US and India followed InLife with their 14th and 11th recognition, respectively.
InLife’s latest LOMA Excellence in Education Award also positions the company among only 8% of the more than 800 LOMA member companies worldwide that qualified for the award this year. To qualify for the award, LOMA member-companies must achieve a high percentage of successful completion on all designation program courses in 2022, and at least 5% increase in course completion compared to 2021. InLife has been receiving this recognition since 1992.
Last year, 148 InLife employees passed their program courses. InLife currently has 38 Fellows from the Life Management Institute program (FLMI), a 10-course program that features management-oriented courses. The company also has three Fellows from the Secure Retirement Institute (FSRI), and 170 certificate holders from various management courses.
LOMA is an international trade association that offers learning and development to member companies to improve the management and operations of the insurance and financial services industry.
chief operating officer of DLPC, said with the new substation DLPC not only solve the power demand but also empowers the communities that DLPC serves by investing in the latest technology.
“It is truly a momentous event because this is our second digital substation. We have diversified our practices and services,” he said in his message.
Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chair of the Committee on Finance of the City Council, lauded DLPC for the new Binugao substation.
“Davao City is undeniably one of the fastest growing economies. Entrepreneurs continue to choose Davao City due to its desirable business climate which includes reliable utilities, such as electricity and water,” she said in her message.
DLPC continues future-proofing its distribution network by building smarter and more digital substations.
On December 8, 2021, DLPC launched its first fully digital substation in Davao City which is the P. Reyes substation, which uses Software Defined Networks (SDN), a type of telecommunications network that is more secure from cyber threats than traditional Ethernet networks.
Delfin Llarenas Sialsa Jr., Cpl. Adrian
N. Cachero, PFC Rolly Cabal, and PFC Romart Longakit. The latter remains missing, Tito said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
merger is unwarranted and ill-timed given the existing socio-economic milieu that necessitates a responsive and progressive development financing institution such as DBP,” the stateowned lender said.
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said merging the 2 financial institutions will create a bank that’s bigger than BDO Unibank in terms of assets.
The government also stands to save about P5.3 billion per year in the next 4 years from the merger, Diokno said.
However, Diokno also admitted that only 22 of DBP’s 147 branches will be retained in the merger, leading to the retrenchment of many workers.
Last year, LANDBANK completed its acquisition of United Coconut Planters Bank.
country following the amendments to the country’s investment laws, which liberalize foreign ownership in several industries.
The Philippines has traditionally been a laggard when it comes to attracting foreign capital compared to its neighbors in the region.
during harvest season, considering that the NFA is only allowed to buy from local farmers.
Under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 2023 supply outlook, the country’s total supply is at 16.98 million metric tons (MMT), which is sufficient to cover this year’s demand estimated at 15.29 MMT.
“This would leave the country with an ending balance of 1.69 MMT, which is equivalent to 45 days of buffer stock, instead of the 90day ideal buffer stock to stabilize the price of rice,” a DA briefer said.
Providing affordable food items to the grassroots
Marcos launched another outlet of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Program in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan to provide affordable agri-fishery commodities to consumers and a ready market for farmers and fisherfolk.
Marcos is envisioning the program as a platform to bring affordable food items to the grassroot level to manage food inflation, as well as provide more income opportuni-
a living. So far, the declaration that the area is insurgency free is holding,” he said.
Babac said the people can now do their daily chores and go out free from the threats and intimidation by the rebels.
He clarified that the insurgency free declaration is brought about by the regional resolution of the peace and order councils from the municipalities to the provinces in Region 11 where members are elected and other government officials.
Babac said they jointly declared with the military that their areas are insurgency-free.
He said the arrest of Eric Casilao in Malaysia practically solidifies their area as insurgency-free considering that he was a former leader of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee who had been in the area of responsibility of the 100st Brigade.
“The arrest of Eric Casilao has affected our declaration of our AOR as insurgency-free. It influences neighboring regional committees in Caraga and Bukidnon for them to consider, continued stay in the rebel movement or to abandon the armed struggle,” Babac said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem Dalumpines)
dishes.
“In cooking when we bring in the food, materials, and ingredients for cooking lisod na ipa-embrace sa new generation. But that should not stop us, we must continue promoting and we just have to continue our drive awareness until such time the dream is really to make heirloom dishes a food tourism product on its own. Maybe someday people will give premium to traditional cooking,” she said.
A nationwide activity, DOT 11 will handle the culminating activity, which will run for three days, and will include an exhibit, a seminar on the food story of Davao, and a gala night.
By Maya M. Padillomore than 40 years by mid-2022. It later made a rate increase of 25 basis points on Feb. 1, followed by another hike of 25 basis points on March 22 that carried its benchmark funds rate to a range of 4.75 percent to 5 percent.
However, demand rebound expectations rose, alleviating concerns about falling demand, after the American Petroleum Institute (API) announced late Tuesday an estimated decrease of 2.67 million barrels in US crude oil inventories, more than the market expectation of a 2.46 million-barrel draw.
The US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) data on oil stocks will be announced later on Wednesday, and if the decline in stock levels is confirmed, prices are expected to rise. (Anadolu)
ties for farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Ginagawa namin ang lahat upang paramihin ang ating mga
Kadiwa hanggang umabot na kahit sa malalayong lupalop at lahat ng ating mga kababayan ay makaramdam ng kaunting ginhawa dahil nga sa pagbaba ng mga presyo ng bilihin (We are trying our best to open more Kadiwa stores so that it could reach even the farthest areas and every Filipino could at least experience a bit of relief as the prices of basic goods go down),” he said.
The President also awarded interventions amounting to PHP15.793 million for several farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Bulacan province. The Dulong Bayan Farmers Association based in San Jose Del Monte City received PHP5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-National Rice Program for the construction of warehouse with mechanical grain dryer. It also received PHP5.5 million from the
render service to the city as counterparts to their program but they are very welcome to work at the City Government.
Currently, there are 21 scholars under the Law School Educational Assistance Program.
Estrosas advised the scholars who continue to strive hard for their studies to not neglect their health, persevere, endure, be patient and diligent and remember the reason why they study law. Even if such a question is still unanswered, they need to persevere because if it is for them, it will be given by God.
“Be mindful of the privilege that you are assured with your expenses. It will actually give you an extra boost to do much better,” Delgado said. CIO
tion activity.
Acosta said barangay health workers will also conduct door-to-door vaccination.
She said CHO is targeting to immunize 161,799 children aged nine months to 59 months old for measles and rubella and 189,995 children aged zero to 59 months old for oral polio.
It can be recalled that after the Davao River tested positive for the poliovirus in 2019, CHO issued a warning to Dabawenyos to stay away from the river and maybe public swimming facilities.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), which performed sampling and testing on August 22, confirmed the poliovirus’s presence in the Davao River.
be approved this year. These are the USD380-million Agus River Basin Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project, the USD380-million Tagum River Basin Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project, and the USD924-million Davao Public Transport Modernization Project. (PNA)
main optimistic about the sustained robust performance of their businesses.
“I think we have the right franchise, the right balance sheet to generate income that will allow us to fund our growth,” he said.
He, however, said they are “a little bit more careful” due to concerns “about the collateral damage from rising interest rates, rising inflation.”
“Asset growth will not be in the mid-teens as we’ve seen historically because of high interest rates but we may see some improvement in business activities kicks up,” he added. (PNA)
“Workers can no longer afford to wait for the regional wage boards to act. Since late last year, TUCP was already calling on the wage boards to address the steady decline in the real value of wages,” Mendoza said in a statement. (PNA)
DA-National Livestock Program for the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) implementation.
On the other hand, the Biyaya ng Matangtubig Irrigators Association, Inc. of Baliuag town, the Sta. Catalina Matanda Bata Irrigators Association of San Ildefonso, and the Magmarale Farmers Field School Marketing Cooperative of San Miguel each received PHP1.764 million worth of rice combine harvester from the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. (PNA)
The upper slopes of Davao River Basin are not spared from man’s disturbance. “(It has) almost the same topography, rolling-terrain and forest-cover as that of Mount Apo,” he said. “(Now, these) have also seen significant transformation in the form of ecotourism, agricultural production and human settlements.”
Both are now experiencing several environmental problems. “The pressure being exerted in these areas coupled with climate change are enormous, presenting a problem of higher magnitude,” Ampoloquio said. “A strain in the region’s soil and water resources.
“In the pursuit of food sustainability and economic development, the practice of conventional agriculture has exposed the precious topsoil,” he said. “The absence of trees and forest cover has presented not only problems of soil sheet erosion and soil degeneration but unprecedented flooding in the lowlands.”
German dramatist thinker Gotthold Lessing once remarked, “In nature, everything is connected, everything is interwoven, everything changes with everything, everything merges from one into another.”
As such, Ampoloquio is batting for vetiver grass as a possible solution. “It might not be the ultimate solution or remedy and may need other programs or systems to work, but vetiver as a living plant, a vegetative hedge against soil erosion as well as soil and water conservation, is a documented success,” he said.
He admitted is not a panacea. For one, planting vetiver grass will not automatically make the soil fertile and porous. “It takes a combination of factors,” he said. “The long roots of a mature vetiver grass (up to 4 meters), vertical orientation, the beneficial microbes and fungi living and proliferating within the vicinity of roots/soil of the grass, and the mulching effects –all these make magical results.”
The use of vetiver grass does not end there. For soil and water conservation such as rain-water harvesting and ground-water recharge, vetiver grass perfectly complements the concept found in permaculture, he said.
All these benefits, he believed, make vetiver grass “cost-effective, allin-one solution for soil erosion, flood control and ground-water recharge.” He added that it “will cost the government a tiny-fraction of what is being
spent (currently) on disaster-preparedness.”
Vetiver grass, locally called rimoras or moras, is a perennial grass that grows in tropical places like the Philippines. It appears in dense clumps with leaves that are erect, have rough edges, and are rather stiff.
Vetiver grass (known in the science world as Chrysopogon zizanioides) is easy to grow with minimal maintenance. Each plantlet can grow up to 30 centimeters in width. The roots can grow from 3 to 4 meters deep which enables it to control soil moisture and nutrients effectively.
If allowed to grow further for a long period of time, vetiver grass can live up to 10 years. Once established, it is not easily killed by cogon grass. It can be planted as a hedgerow (planted in a row) across the sloping contour of a farm. It forms a dense barrier that slows down and spreads rainfall runoff.
Based on a study conducted by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), it was found that vegetable yield in areas with vetiver grass is higher compared to areas not planted with vetiver grass. The presence of vetiver was observed to minimize soil loss in the area.
Vetiver grass contributes much to the control of topsoil erosion, according to a study done by Visayas State University (VSU). The transported soil is accumulated along the vetiver hedgerows where it is trapped. Vetiver grass has an expanded/dense base which can serve as a physical barrier preventing soil and water from passing through.
Vetiver grass is not a good soil erosion controller unless A-frame is used in locating the contour line of a sloping farm. Once grown, it does not grow anywhere except in the contour line where it is planted.
Vetiver grass can also be used as an effective measure to prevent the occurrence of landslides in sloping areas. In addition, it can likewise prevent soil erosion in riverbanks. Results of VSU study showed that less water passes through the vetiver hedgerows during heavy rains once they are established.
Meanwhile, the time is ticking. “It is high time for this government to act and to adopt a nature-based and bioengineering approach and solution to a nature-based problem,” said Ampoloquio.
while Tyus Jones had 10 points and eight assists filling in for Morant. Dillon Brooks added 12 points and Luke Kennard had 13.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Reserve Rui Hachimura had another strong performance with 20 points. Anthony Davis struggled mightily after posting a double-double in the opener, going 4 of 14 and finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers, winners of 11 of their previous 13, had a four-game winning streak snapped. Now they head home for Game 3 on Saturday night after never leading by more than three, and that came on the first points of the game.
Memphis took control in the first quarter with a 22-8 run, with back toback 3s in the span of 10 seconds from rookie David Roddy, then Kennard, who also drew a foul for a four-point play.
With Bane scoring 10 points, Memphis led 30-19 after the first. Jackson made his first 3 with 58 seconds left, and the Grizzlies went into the half up 59-44 after outscoring the Lakers 29-25 in the second.
Hachimura scored 11 in the third and helped the Lakers trim a Memphis lead that reached 66-46 to 73-67. The Grizzlies finished the quarter on a 10-4 run to push the lead to 83-71 going
finals while Antetokounmpo was out with a hyperextended left knee.
The success of Lopez inside opened things up for everyone on the perimeter.
Connaughton sank a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to put Milwaukee ahead 62-41 with 5:29 left in the second quarter. Butler ended that
into the fourth.
The Lakers never got closer than 94-88 in the final quarter on a James’ layup with 3:10 remaining. Memphis scored five straight to push it back to double digits.
TIP-INS
Lakers: They wound up outrebounded 49-47, though they matched Memphis’ scoring in the paint at 50 apiece despite being outscored there 38-20 in the first half. ... Austin Reaves had 12 points after having 23 in the opener. He was 5 of 12 in this game. ... D’Angelo Russell had five points, shooting 5 of 11 after having 19 in Game 1.
Grizzlies: Jackson was presented his trophy as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year before tipoff. ... Injuries now have kept Morant out of four of the Grizzlies’ last five playoff games, dating back to last year’s conference semifinals.
X FACTOR
Tillman had more points in the first quarter than he managed in all of the opening loss. He made his first six shots before missing his seventh, a 3 trying to beat the buzzer that hit off the right rim. He finished with a season high in rebounds.
Reserve John Konchar had his moment too, going way up to block all ball on a shot by Davis in the second quarter.
spurt by making two free throws, but the Bucks scored the next 13 points –including seven from Ingles - to grab a 32-point lead.
The Bucks led by as many as 36 in the third quarter. The Heat outscored the Bucks 37-20 in the fourth quarter to make the final score somewhat respectable.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Xavier Tillman scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies tied their firstround Western Conference series at 1-1 Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93 with All-Star guard Ja Morant sidelined by an injured hand.
No. 2 seed Memphis sat Morant after he tested the right hand originally hurt April 7 in a win at Milwaukee and aggravated driving to the basket in the opening loss to the Lakers. He had more exams on the hand before being declared inactive and watched from the bench with his hand bandaged.
MILWAUKEE — Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence while trouncing the Miami Heat 138-122 on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time), tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point attempts to tie the NBA record for 3-point baskets in a postseason game. Pat Connaughton, who didn’t even play in Game 1, added a playoff career-high 22 points while going 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back. The two-time MVP suffered the injury on a hard fall after getting fouled late
in the first period during a drive to the basket.
“We’ll continue to monitor him and expect for him to improve and still continue to be optimistic that soon he’ll be ready to play,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game.
The Bucks also were missing guard Wesley Matthews, who had strained his right calf in Game 1. The Heat didn’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his right hand in Game 1 and likely won’t return this season unless Miami reaches the NBA Finals.
For at least one night, the Bucks didn’t miss Antetokounmpo at all as they capitalized on a dramatic turnaround in 3-point shooting. In Game 1, the Bucks went 11 of 45 on 3-point attempts while the Heat were 15 of 25.
This time, the Bucks made more than half their 3-point shots in a record-ty-
ing performance.
Joe Ingles scored 17 points for the Bucks and was 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen added 16 points apiece. Bobby Portis had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler scored 25 points for the Heat, who host Game 3 on Saturday.
The Bucks initially thrived by relying on the same formula they used the last time they played a home postseason game without Antetokounmpo. They gave the ball to Lopez early and often.
Lopez, who scored just 10 points in Game 1, had 14 by the end of the first quarter Wednesday. During Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, Lopez had scored a playoff career-high 34 points to help the Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 of the East
FWITHOUT, P10
Morant’s teammates more than made up for his absence. The Grizzlies led by as many as 20 and had fans waving their towels chanting “Whoop That Trick” with 30 seconds left with this series guaranteed a return to Memphis
for Game 5. The Grizzlies were able to dribble out the final seconds for the win.
Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, scored 18 points for Memphis. Desmond Bane had 17,
Ahead of the Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM) for the 12th ASEAN Para Games on May 28, Philippine Sports Commission’s Walter Torres, the Team Philippines Chef de Mission, expressed high hopes on the medal chances of national para-athletes set to compete in the Cambodia-hosted event in June.
A 259 Philippine Para team delegation – comprised of 174 strong and talented para-athletes – will participate in the 12th APG slated from June 3 to 9 in Phnom Penh.
CDM Torres is optimistic that the national para team can surpass the country’s showing at the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 in Surakarta, Indonesia with 28 gold, 30 silver, and 46 bronze medals for fifth place in the 11-nation tournament. Torres was also the CDM on that edition.
“We would like to do better than last time. Our team will definitely give their best because everybody wants to win,” said CDM Torres.
The Philippine contingent will compete in 13 sports: athletics (23), badminton (9), boc-
cia (8), chess (22), cerebral palsy football (10), goalball (12), judo (4), powerlifting (11), sitting volleyball (14) swimming (12), table tennis (21), wheelchair basketball (23), and esports (5) as demonstration sport.
“Pray for the success of our athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Excellence doesn’t just mean the number of medals won, it can also mean the development of one’s personality, character and leadership so that he or she becomes a positive influence on others,” CDM Torres said.
The PSC, in coordination with the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), is scheduled to host the send-off party for the para-athletes on May 21 at the Multi-Purpose Arena (MPA) in Pasig City.