LET THE CHILDREN SUFFER NO MORE

were provided services and long-term assistance such as livelihood grants for parents. There were also those monitored under the guidelines of DOLE Administrative Order 579-19. Lastly, a few of them were rescued through Sagip Batang Manggagawa.

“Child labor is an alarming issue that deprives children of their right to education, health, and a safe childhood,” said the DOLE in a statement. “Recognizing the urgency to eradicate this problem, DOLE XI has undertaken a comprehensive strategy aimed at rescuing children from exploitative labor and providing them with opportunities for a brighter future.”

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy echoed the same concern. “While the reduction is notable,” he said in one of his messages, “our work is far from over. We call upon all sectors of society to join hands and contribute to the cause by reporting any instances of child labor and supporting initiatives that uplift the lives of vulnerable children.”

It’s only five o’clock in the morning but 8-year-old Manuel is already wide awake. He is not getting ready for school but rather in going to the public market in Bangkerohan to sell vegetables. He has to walk about an hour to reach the market. Along the way, he would see children all heading to school.

“I wished I can go to school like them, but I have to work or my family would starve,” he said, adding that he would receive about P100 for selling vegetables at the end of the day. He knows to well that the money is not enough to help his family but it is better than nothing at all.

Manuel’s story is not unique.

“It is lamentable that there are children who are forced into domestic work, doing household chores in their employer’s home instead of going to school,” deplored Senator Loren Legarda. “It is a sad fact there are children who are forced to work to support their families and are deprived of their childhood and their right to education.”

What is even more blatant is that these child laborers are often paid below adult rates, even if they work adult hours, usually six days a week and even doing overwork time. In addition, they do not get the benefits guaranteed by law to regular workers.

As population continues to grow, many Filipino children are working and exploited. To think, Section 13, Article II of the Philippine Constitution has emphasized the importance of the role of the child in the Fili-

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA

Following the series of rebel attacks launched in the early 1980s in several towns of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in order to contain these bloody raids, drew an integrated security plan (ISP) that would give the governors, city and municipal mayors wider supervision over the police and paramilitary forces in their ju-risdictions to put in place military officers as acting overseers.

Installing military personnel to perform purely civilian functions is not new. Years earlier, the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, then affected by threats from the Ilagas and the Muslim Black Shirts, were placed under quasi-military governance to contain nui-sances, which were the spillovers of the Davao insurgency. Col. Carlos Cajelo was installed as North Cotabato acting governor with

Col. Benjamin Duque assuming the same designa-tion in Sultan Kudarat. Both active officers served only a couple of months in civilian assign-ments. Gen. Simeon Datumanong, a World War II veteran was appointed Maguindanao gov-ernor.

For the ISP to be effective and the desired results achieved, it was suggested that then Da-vao City Elias B. Lopez would temporarily go on furlough, and in his place an AFP official, for a maximum of three months, would take over and spearhead the hunt for city insurgents.

Only one name—i.e., Col. Rodolfo Biazon, commander of the Marines contingent—was suggested to take over Davao City Hall to stand equal to the situation. Given his expertise, training, commitment, and negotiation skills, he was fit for the challenge to remove the obsta-cles that jammed the promotion of peace and order. The officer, who grew up in the slums of Pasay City, was not an ordinary soldier. Among the insurgents, he was respected because of his pro-poor crusade, and among the rebel-infested villages, he was a folk hero.

Col. Biazon’s skill in addressing crucial challenges was nearly legendary. For instance, in Barangay Mandug, where his unit was posted, the insurgents were advised against staging an ambush of soldiers belonging to his company for fear this would be construed an affront to the grassroots. Obviously, the colonel’s persona and charm were not lost on the rebels.

In another incident, transport strikers blocking the access at Bankerohan Bridge were mouthing the usual communist lines, asking for the overthrow of the government and clam-or- pino family.

It said: “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

Stunted in height, child laborers look much older than their years. Most of them are exploited to the hilt. “Some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of the situation – the innocence of the child on human and labor rights, and cheap labor costs – by employing kids as laborers,” a lawmaker once pointed out.

Poverty and irresponsibility of some parents are cited as among the leading causes of child labor in the country. “First, some parents are really irresponsible that’s why children are forced to work. Second, parents do not have enough income... poverty,” said an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site.

In Davao City, poverty has also been cited as the reason why some minors are engaged in the flesh industry. “We cannot blame them for getting into that,” said Talikala, a non-gov- ernment organization, on prostituted children and women. “We also cannot decide for them. We can only let them realize what is right.” ing for the reduction in oil prices. Due to a transport strike, traffic flow was stalled. When told about the ruckus, Col. Biazon hurried to the place of the rally and met the protesters. Unlike the ‘maximum tolerance’ the police invoke, Col. Biazon, his six-foot ramrod stature visible from a distance, approached the protesters and asked if anyone was the child of a public transport driver. Several hands were raised while the other protesters, their eyes fo-cused on him, kept silent.

Most of the prostituted children come from dysfunctional families or they were sexually abused by someone they knew. There are also children who were victims of incest.

Birds of the same feather flock together, so goes a popular saying. That’s why it is not hard for them to recruit among themselves. For instance, when a girl sees that making money is easy by girls of her age, then it easy to recruit her.

Apart from poverty, there are other contributing factors why child labor is rampant and hard to halt, according to UNICEF. These are: increasing pattern of family breakdown and weakening of the extended family system and other support groups; and high population growth and changing family values and lifestyles which may lead to unwanted children, promiscuity and solo parenthood.

The other factors are poor enforcement of laws due to ignorance of the law, corruption or apathy; socialization of children into work; and support for children’s work in formal education.

Having gotten their attention, the colonel cleared his throat and started appealing to the hearts of the young strikers, telling them that blocking the road to traffic was not to the drawback of anybody but their fathers who had to drive all day to have food on the table for them. Obviously, the message resonated quite well. He followed his request by telling them to continue the protest but without obstructing the traffic, especially those delivering products to the public market.

The most inspiring display of leadership was in the 1984 student protest led by Danilo Dayanghirang, later city councilor. Cornered by Philippine Constabulary (PC) soldiers armed to the teeth at San Pedro Cathedral, the situation became tense. Luckily, someone relayed the incident to the colonel who showed up with his escorts. Upon seeing the troops carrying Ar-malite rifles, he admonished them for overreacting, telling them the protesters are unarmed students who are simply airing their grievances. he ordered them to return to their barracks.

The plan to appoint Col. Biazon as acting city mayor did not materialize.

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The penalty is prision correccional in its minimum or a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000 or both in addition to the civil action, which may be brought by the offended party.

Following online libel is online scam with 41 complaints reported in 2021 and 9 in 2022. Online scam is cybercrime activity that takes place over the internet or on email, including crimes like identity theft, phishing, and other hacking activities designed to scam people out of money.

Ranked third is the online threat or internet-based threats that expose people to harm online, with seven recorded complaints in 2021 and three in 2022, followed by Republic Act 9995 or anti photo and video voyeurism with 9 complaints recorded in 2021 and 5 in 2022.

RA 9995 or photo or video voyeurism, means the act of taking photo or video coverage of a person or group of persons performing sexual act or any similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person or persons without the latter’s consent.

Ranked fifth is illegal access or when a person accesses the whole or any part of a computer system without right, with three complaints recorded in 2021-3 and two in 2022.

To sum up in 2021: Online libel (first), Online scam (second), online threat (third), RA995 (fourth), and illegal access (fifth).

Meanwhile, in 2022, online libel ranked first, online scams came second, RA 995 ranked third, and online threat and illegal access tied in fourth place.

“Makikita sa trend na malaki ang gi-decrease from 2021 to 2022 like the online libel, which means effective ang ating awareness campaigns or ang community ay natututo na sila,” Amaba said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday.

He didn’t give complete records for 2023 as available data covers only from January to May, however, he said in that period the leading crime in Davao Region is illegal access followed by online libel and then online scams.

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FROM 4 for a coherent and rationalized implementation of projects and activities.

“Together with our partner agencies, we move towards the organization of the region’s processed fruits and nuts cluster to develop the industry and promote inclusive growth among value chain players,” the local trade chief added.

Meanwhile, DTI Davao City director Rachel S. Remitio, the agency’s regional coordinator for PFN, shared the direction of the industry for the next five years.

“As envisioned in the Davao Region Processed Fruits and Nuts Industry’s Strategic Plan, the stakeholders aspire to become one of the prime suppliers of best quality and market competitive PFN in the world. We are looking forward to the institutionalization of the Davao Region’s Processed Fruits and Nuts Industry Council,” Remitio shared.

Industry clustering requires the commitment and cooperation of government agencies, private sector businesses, and all the players along the value chain. “We, along with our partner agencies, will continue to yourself. And I hope you don’t pay attention to the tambaloslos),” he added.

Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the May 9, 2022 national elections.

Earlier this month, Duterte posted a cryptic message on Instagram, calling out someone to stop being a “tambaloslos,” a Visayan mythical creature with large mouth and penis believed to confuse or misguide people.

Netizens commented that “tambaloslos” also refers to useless or stupid person.

Duterte’s recent post came following her resignation from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

In a separate Facebook post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) wished Duterte good health and success in life.

The PCO also thanked the Vice President for serving the Filipino people, especially the youth.

“Mula sa Presidential Communications Office, isang maligayang kaarawan, VP Inday Sara Duterte! Hangad po namin ang inyong mabuting kalusugan at mas mayabong na paparating na mga taon. Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo sa bayan, lalo na sa mga kabataang Pilipino (From the Presidential Communications Office, we greet you a happy birthday, VP Inday Sara Duterte! We wish you good health and more bountiful years ahead. Thank you for serving the public, especially the young Filipinos),” it said.

Duterte, a lawyer, is the country’s third female vice president and the youngest to have been elected to the position. (PNA)

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“Their innovative financing solution, the Revolving Credit Line, provides non-collateral financing that’s free to open, free to maintain, and requires no commitment to use. This allows SMEs to access up to PHP20 million in credit, which they can use to seize global opportunities, expand business operations, or mitigate risks and cash flow gaps,” he said.

Senate concurred with the ratification of RCEP, making the Philippines the last country among 15 RCEP signatories to implement the preferential tariff deal. The trade deal was ratified last February.

RCEP is now the world’s largest FTA covering one-third of the globe’s population. The 15 countries’ combined gross domestic product also comprised one-third of the world’s economy. (PNA)

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Lachica said the industry is banking on the recovery of demand globally, especially with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, big data, and electric vehicles.

“There’s still a lot of demand for electronic products,” he added.

Semiconductor and electronic products are the country’s top exports, accounting more than half of the total export revenues. (PNA)

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The RDO-104 also recognized Trento municipal treasurer Luzminda Lanuza and municipal accountant Brylle Datoy for their “invaluable support through the prompt and proper remittance of withholding taxes” last year.

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courtesy call to Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte during his visit to Davao City.

The construction of a kidney transplant center in Davao City, which will be among the most modern in the country, was at the forefront of the conversation between Mayor Baste and Ambassador Szcepankiewicz.

The Polish envoy was accompanied by Mark Ryan Juanitas, CEO of OneMark Engineering Technologies; and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

The technologies offered by the Polish government to Davao also include water management solutions (from Polish Companies Symbiona and Nanoseen) which the city can specifically apply to the city’s septage management system.

In addition, Smart City Solutions (from Polish companies LUG Lighting and Seedia) are also imminent.

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to control rat infestations because of its ability to breed.

A pest control company Rentokil explained that “a female rat typically births six litters a year consisting of up to 12 rat pups, although 5-10 pups are more common. Rats reach sexual maturity after nine weeks, meaning that a population can swell from two rats to around 1,250 in one year, with the potential to grow exponentially.”

“Ang isa ka paresan, mama rat ug papa rat, kung magsige siya ug panganak kay per pair sa ilaga ang mahimo niyang anak is six. Kung muabot ug 13 months more than 2,000 total ang abuton sa mga ilaga,” Almador said.

Almador shared methods to control rat infestations in the rice fields. Cultural methods, which include hand weeding and hoeing, pruning, trapping and hand picking of insects and weeds. Plant at the same time as your neighbors.

“Daruhon ug maayo ang uma ug mabungkag ang balay sa mga ilaga didto. Hinluan ang palibot kau kung hugaw ang uma dunay kataguan ang mga ilaga pati sa atong panimalay. Sa uma dapat sabay sabay ang pagpananum. Kung tapad tapad ang pananum dapat synchronous ang pamaagi sa pagpananum,” she said.

Mechanical control measures include the use of snap traps, recurring catch-all devices that capture mice, and live traps.

“Maggamit sila ug mga pospos hangtod ma trap nila sa tunga ang mga ilaga. Blanketing ang tawag ana,” Almador said.

The chemical measure is the last recourse through the use of poison baits and zinc phosphide is considered the most toxic bait against rodents.

“Naay chronic hilo or ang epekto inanay lang ug dili dayon matiurok ang ilaga example Racumen,” Almador said.

Almador reminded farmers to always remember the precautions when handling poisons for rodents for safety.

Almador also said CAgrO has not yet received complaints from the farmers against rat infestations in their farms. By Maya M. Padillo

Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran go head to head for the second outright semifinals berth in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The two teams are expected to go all out for a win at the close of the eliminations at 4p.m

Letran earned a shot at the coveted seat by pulling a stunner against University of Perpetual Help System-Delta on Tuesday.

La Salle has one foot in the semis with its 4-1 record but Letran (3-2) could foil the defending champs’ bid for a direct passage into the Final Four with another victory.

In the event the Knights and the Archers finished the elims with a tied record, Letran will advance and join semifinalist in waiting Marinerong Pilipino on the strength of the winner over the

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ident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the MIF is a sovereign wealth fund that will be used to invest in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects. The fund is expected to generate income for the government and help promote economic development.

Under SB 2020, the MIC shall have its principle place of business in Metro Manila, but may maintain branches and agencies in other areas within and outside the country.

It shall have an authorized capital stock of PHP500 billion, with common shares of PHP3.75 billion, to be subscribed by the national government, its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) or government financial institutions (GFIs) except Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

Landbank of the Philippines (Landbank), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and the national government will each contribute PHP50 billion to the fund.

The MIF bill was immediately discussed by senators and members of the House of Representatives by convening a bicameral conference on Wednesday to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House of Representatives’ versions of the measure.

Filipino translation

During the period of amendments of the measure early Wednesday, Senator Robinhood Padilla cited the need to make documents relating to MIF and MIC be translated into Filipino language and be made available and accessible to the public to allow ordinary Filipinos to understand the bill.

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especially the energy reduction in state-owned and leased buildings and facilities that are covered by the mandate to at least have 10 percent energy savings. “In the IAEECC meeting held on 23 March 2023, the DOE has proposed to the committee a resolution that encourages other rule,

Notwithstanding, La Salle will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

“We want to focus on just getting better. It’s a building block on where we want to be. Gusto lang namin ay mag-improve as we go along,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario.

“We’re not concerned with the standings at this point.”

For his part, Letran coach Rensy Bajar encourages his wards to grab the opportunity.

“Kahit paano, tsansa namin ito para sa No. 2. May pag-asa pa. We have to (capitalize) on this opportunity,” Bajar declared.

Perpetual U, Centro Escolar University and PSP Gymers have been relegated in the quarterfinals but which two teams get the luxury of the twice-to-beat advantage depends on the result of the La Salle-Letran game. (PBA D LEAGUE)

He cited Sec. 6, Art. 14 of the 1987 Constitution that mandates the government to “take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.”

His suggestion, along with his proposal that a copy of the measure, once it has been approved and signed into law, be published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, was accepted by Villar.

Put politics aside

Just before the bicameral conference on MIF bill started on Wednesday morning, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano went live on Facebook urging critics to be non-partisan in looking at the measure.

“A senator close to former President Aquino filed this in 2016 and I was thinking myself what if during the Duterte time, this was a priority? So, I look at the bill without partisanship -- meaning if it’s good for the Aquino administration, if it’s good for the Duterte administration -- why would it be bad kung (if it’s under the) Marcos administration?” Cayetano said.

He also defended Villar, who was with him in the bicameral conference venue in Makati City, as sponsor of the MIF bill.

“Hindi naman siya napilitan lang i-defend to (He was not forced to defend this). Remember, Mark is a finance person. Before his life in public service, he is a good businessman. I remember, nag-masters pa to sa Singapore eh (He got his masters in Singapore). So, whether in the academe and in practical, he knows finance,” Cayetano said.

He also stressed his neutrality on the measure, reminding the lawmakers’ of the Senate’s duty to pass a law with the proper safeguards.

“Precisely para hindi ma-abuse at magamit sa masama. Meaning ‘yung public funds [ay] para sa publiko (Precisely to prevent it from being abused or be used in evil. Meaning the public funds will only be for the public),” he added. (PNA) the adoption of FWA (flexible work arrangement) for all government entities as part of the GEMP to minimize the impact of steep global prices of petroleum products, reduce the consumption of the whole government of both electricity and fuel, and alleviate traffic congestion,” the DOE said.