DEFIANT. Fully-armed personnel of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Davao City station prepare to board a PCG speedboat to apprehend a crew of a small vessel at the Davao Gulf who defied the suspension of trips order for small sea vessels at Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao City on Monday. Trips bound for Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS) were suspeded as Davao Region was placed under signal number 1 due to Tropical Depression Chedeng. Lean Daval Jr
Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) spokesperson Ensign Ronald John Garcia said on Wednesday that some of their personnel are now undergoing training in preparation for their deputization in helping enforce traffic laws alongside the Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-Davao).
This is in relation to the plan of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to deputize the Coast Guard in augmenting and helping the LTO in enforcing traffic laws through Special Action and Intelligence and Committee for Transportation (SAICT).
“We just started our training last week. Hopefully, mag start ang coast guard mag impose sa batas trapiko in the month of August or September this year,” said Garcia.
Garcia said SAICT will play vital role in strengthening the integrity of the transport system.
“Since there is a surge in traffic incidence and illegal vehicles on the road DoTr requested assistance sa Coast Guard in collaboration with the Land Transportation Office to enforce traffic rules,” Garcia said.
UNMINDFUL. Workers are silhouetted as they conduct a maintenance job on the metal structure of a billboard in Lanang, Davao City on Saturday. LEAN DAVAL JR
The Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) is calling on billboard owners to check that tarpaulins are not dislodged and to ensure that it is not in contact with power lines which could cause power interruptions.
Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department head Fermin Edillon said on Wednesday that they are closely working with the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) to remind billboard owners/operators to check on the integrity of their billboard structures.
“Naa’y uban (tarpaulins) kung tan-awon nimo nakapilit pero guba diay ang structure so pag hangin muadto sa among linya. Pag i-survey walay makita kay kung tan awon mura ug walay problema pero pag hangin mubalik siya ug touch sa among linya. Sa Buhangin katong tarpaulin, natanggal niadto sa among linya. With these concerns we are closely working with OCBO na i-call ang attention sa mga billboard structure owners na duol sa linya kay it would really affect the lines of Davao Light,” Edillon said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
This developed after concerns of unscheduled interruptions were experienced lately by some Dabawenyos.
Edillon explained that Davao Light conducts scheduled and unscheduled power interruptions. Scheduled interruptions are posted on the Facebook Page of Davao Light to inform its customers.
“Scheduled interruptions naka-post na siya sa atoang Facebook kay para ma-inform ang mga customers sa mga interruptions na atong pagabuhaton,” Edillon said.
Edillon also enumerated other factors that contribute to unscheduled power outages.
He said most of the unscheduled power interruptions are caused by vegetation like what recently happened in Bangkal area.
“Sa kataas sa area ug sa kadako sa Davao City paspas mutubo ang vegetation, putlon nato karon, pagutyok nato ug balik taas na pud na ug abot na sa linya sa atong kuryente. Mao na gahangyo mi nga kung puwede walay gipangtanum nga punuan duol ilalom sa linya sa kuryente,” Edillon said.
Another reason for unscheduled power outages is collapsed trees and tree branches touching the power lines due to heavy rains or strong winds.
“Usahay naay punuan na mabali ug nag-touch sa linya that cause interruption,” he said.
The company seeks the support of its customers by contacting Davao Light if they see structures, trees, and vegetation that are dangerously close to power lines.
Edillon cited that trucks hitting the power lines also caused power outages.
“Maigo lang na gamay, unya mutarog so ang poste muuyog pud. Gamay na kalog naay ma experience nga mu-on and off ang inyuhang suga. But then again what is important
“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” – Socrates
***
On May 18, 1986, American financier Ivan F. Boesky delivered a commencement address at the School of Business Administration of the University of California in Berkeley and said these words: “Greed is all right, by the way. I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself.”
This statement was later picked up in Oliver Stone’s award-winning film, Wall Street (1987), spoken by Gordon Gecko. “The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good,” said Michael Douglas, who portrayed the role and received an Oscar trophy for his performance. “Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.”
During tough economic times for both rich and poor nations, this kind of thinking will definitely destroy the world, according to Pope Benedict XVI.
“If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart,” he warned, adding that the rich people become richer, while the poor individuals become poorer.
“What is mine is mine, what is yours is mine, too.” That seems to be the mantra of most people. But that should not be the purpose of life. Jay Leno reminds, “If you think of life as like a big pie, you can try to hold the whole pie and kill yourself trying to keep it, or you can slice it up and give some to the people around you, and you still have plenty left for yourself.”
A teacher and the school principal were standing near the playground where the children were frolicking to their heart’s content. The teacher asked the latter, “Why is it that everyone wants to be happy, but so few ever are?”
The principal looked at the playground and replied, “Those children seem to be really happy.” The teacher answered back, “Why shouldn’t they be? All they do is play. But what keeps the adults from being happy like that?”
“The same thing that can keep children from being happy,” the principal said. Then, without saying a word, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of coins, and threw them among the playing children.
Suddenly, all laughter stopped. The children tumbled over one another, fought and argued. The principal told the teacher, “Well, what do you think ended their happiness?”
“The fighting,” the teacher answered. “And what started their fighting?” the principal inquired. “Greed,” the teacher replied.
God created this world for everyone to enjoy. “In this world there’s room for everyone, and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone,” said Charlie Chaplin in the movie, The Great Dictator. “The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose stepped us into misery and bloodshed.”
Mahatma Gandhi echoes the same concern: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.” As Seneca pointed out, “To greed, all nature is insufficient.”
Why is this so? “Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction,” American psychologist Erich Fromm explained.
Janwillem van de Wetering commented, “Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.”
This reminds me of the story of Jonathan, the only son of an affluent family. When his father died, he inherited all that his parents had and became the heir of the land. But he wasn’t contented; he wanted more land.
Once, a stranger came by, apparently a man of means and power, and offered to give him all the land he could walk around in one day, on condition that he would be back at the spot from which he started by sundown.
Early the next morning, the boy set out, without eating any breakfast or greeting anyone. His first plan was to cover six square kilometers. When he finished the first six, he decided to make it nine, then twelve, then fifteen. That meant he would have to walk 60 kilometers before sundown. By noon, he had covered 30 kilometers. He did not stop for food or drink. His legs grew heavier and heavier.
About 200 yards from the finish line, Jonathan saw the sun dropping toward the horizon. Only a few minutes left. He gathered all his energies for that one last effort. He staggered across the line, just in time. Then, he reached for his heart and fell down in a heap – dead. All the land he got was a piece six feet by two.
“From top to bottom of the ladder, greed is aroused without knowing where to find the ultimate foothold. Nothing can calm it, since its goal is far beyond all it can attain. Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned,” French sociologist Emile Durkheim reminded.
“The point,” to quote the words of American businessman Donald Trump, “is that you can’t be too greedy.”
Artist Jerry Ramos arranges the sculptor of his mentor, Dante Pintor, hours before the opening of Duaw Davao's Davao Tourismo Arts and Food Trucks Bazaar at Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday. LEAN DAVAL JR
Sen. Bong Go with a member of the Pilipinas Alas volleyball team.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, continues to champion Filipino athletes as he partnered with the Philippine Sports Commission in providing financial support to the Alas Pilipinas Women’s Volleyball Team.
In a ceremony in Manila City on Wednesday, June 26, Go, together with the PSC, personally handed over financial support worth 200,000 pesos to each of the 14 volleyball players and 9 coaching staff.
This came after their bronze victory in the Asian Volleyball Challenge Cup, which Go personally witnessed last May 29. This support also aims to help them prepare for the upcoming International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Challenger Cup, set to take place in the Philippines next week.
“Itong financial support from PSC… ay para makatulong sa kanila. Pero ang importante dito ay ang drive to win. At stake dito ang ating flag, ang ating bayan. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na give your best,” said Go in an interview.
“Karangalan po yun para sa ating bayan kaya dapat po ma-increase po ang suporta at incentives mula sa gobyerno para sa ating atleta. Maliit na halaga yan kumpara sa kanilang hirap at sa karangalan na dala dala nila habang-buhay para sa ating bayan,” Go further stressed.
The financial support from Senator Go and the PSC is similar to the assistance given to athletes representing the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics which was turned over last week. Each competing Filipino Olympian received 500,000 pesos.
“Alam ko hindi rin kayo ang pinakamalaking team (sa volleyball) pero yung puso ninyo, yung pusong Pinoy niyo ay lumalaban at yung masarap po diyan ay yung pinagpaguran at pinagpawisan ninyo ang inyong laban,” Go, being a sports enthusiast and athlete himself, encouragingly shared in his speech.
Alas Pilipinas Volleyball players include Anne Anjel Canino, Julia Cyrille Coronel, Julia Melissa De Guzman-Morado, Arrah Ella Panique, Thea Allison Gagate, Vanessa Gandler, Ejiya Laure, Dawn Nicole Macandili-Catindig, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos, Cherry Rose Nunag, Dell Palomata, Cherry Anne Rondina, and Mereophe Sharma.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff is composed of Jorge Edson De Brito, Ronwald Kris Dimaculangan, Eduardo Ortega, Grace Gomez, Joyce Antoniette Palad, Justin Santos, Norman Montalvo, Hollie Reyes, and Angelica Bautista.
Aside from the financial support, Go also offered shoes and watches to the athletes.
“I am proud of Alas Pilipinas and I will continue to support Philippine sports, lalo na yung mga grassroots talaga,” he added.
Assistant Coach Dimaculangan expressed his gratitude, noting that such support motivates the athletes. “Wala naman kaming ine-expect but to represent well the country and the flag. Kaya with this financial support and non-financial support given by the PSC and Senator Bong Go and other senators, we are very grateful,” he said.
“At the same time, it boosts our morale to push more. Kasi before walang support, binibigay na namin best namin what more na meron (support)… If we compare it to before, yung support (before) ay sabihin na natin na enough naman, it’s just that yung (additional) ngayon is overwhelming. From the players, coaches, and the entire team of Alas Pilipinas, masaya talaga,” he added.
Assistant Coach Palad also shared her thanks to the PSC and Senator Go, highlighting that, for the longest time, they received attention but not enough support they needed, saying that the financial assistance they receive is “morale boosting” for everybody.
“We’re not as good as most of our neighboring countries because we don’t (get the opportunity) to train as much we could and hindi nabubuo agad yung team namin pero ngayon everybody wanted to build the team, everybody wants to continue, and this support will really help the team,” she added.
Senator Go’s sports advocacy goes beyond supporting elite athletes. He is also dedicated to promoting grassroots sports development throughout the country. He believes this approach will establish a strong foundation for future generations. This advocacy aligns with his mantra: “Get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit.”
A key initiative in this effort is Republic Act No. 11470, which Go authored and co-sponsored. This law established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Tarlac, to provide specialized education and training for aspiring student-athletes.
Additionally, Go led the passage of Senate Bill No. 2514, known as The Philippine National Games (PNG) Act which he principally sponsored and is one of its authors. Approved on the third reading by the Senate, this bill seeks to institutionalize an inclusive platform for national sports competitions, extending to the grassroots level to help identify and develop sports talents if enacted into law.
Senator Go has also successfully pushed for an increased budget for sports programs as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. This funding aims to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
Go then thanked the PSC, led by PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, Commissioners Bong Coo, Edward Hayco, Walter Torres, Matthew Gaston, and Executive Director Paulo Tatad, as well as Philippine National volleyball Federation SecGen Don Caringal who was also present among others, for their continued support and shared advocacy.
“Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa PSC, sa ating buong commission, kung ano po ang pangangailangan ng athletes natin, kung may reklamo sila o pangangailangan sila, tugunan agad natin, suportahan natin. Kasi mas importante talaga yung morale support,” urged Go.
Through these initiatives, Senator Go continues to support Filipino athletes, ensuring they receive the recognition and assistance they deserve as they strive for excellence on the international stage.
“Isang beses lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang tulong ang pwede nating ibigay sa kapwa, o anumang karangalan ang pwede nating ialay sa bansa, ay gawin at ibigay na natin ngayon,” he said.
Earlier that day, Go was in Nueva Ecija. As an adopted son of the province, he assisted barangay workers and indigents, and inspected the evacuation center he supported in Santa Rosa. He likewise gave support to more indigents in Lupao.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy akong susuporta sa ating mga atleta at patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he ended.
Eladio Aviola, chairman of PIADI Multi-Purpose Cooperative, checks the printing machines being showcased by Canon Philippines during its TechVoyage Roadshow series at Seda Abreeza in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has vowed to assist Japanese tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd. to fully source rubber sap from local suppliers as it plans to expand its production in the Philippines.
In a briefing with trade reporters on June 24, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said his office aims to help Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. (YTPI), Yokohama Rubber’s unit in the country, increase its local sourcing of raw rubber from the current 51 percent to 100 percent.
Pascual met the company’s executives in Tokyo last week during the three-day Philippine Economic Briefing from June 19 to 21.
Pascual said Yokohama, which is the country’s lone tire producer, eyes to invest around USD60 million (PHP3.5 billion) to boost its production by 5 percent, or additional 500,000 tires annually, from the current 10 million tires per year.
“The sad part is that the sourcing of natural rubber in the Philippines is not fully met by local suppliers. That is why, we committed to help them to source the rubber in Mindanao so they can add value to the tires they are producing locally,” he told reporters.
The DTI chief said his office will be in talks with its counterpart in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to explore opportunities in supplying more raw rubber to the tire manufacturer.
Pascual said 12,000 metric tons of raw rubber valuing nearly PHP1 billion are being sourced by YTPI from the Philippines, with a potential to supply 30,000 MT more.
“In terms of value, that’s also a billion (pesos). That’s additional revenue to the farmers in Mindanao,” he added.
Pascual also believes that the country has sufficient supply of rubber to meet the demand of the Japanese tire producer.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, rubber production in the second quarter of 2023 stood at 112,590 MT, with BARMM leading the rubber production in the country with a total output of 43,150 MT, or 38.3 percent of the total production. (PNA)
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discuss matters with Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa during the latter's birthday celebration at Camp Crame on January 22, 2017. ALFRED FRIAS/Presidential Photo
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday criticized the House inquiry into the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying “there is no clear statement” in the resolution about it being in aid of legislation.
Congressional hearings or investigations are part of the oversight function of the legislative branch and are usually conducted to help lawmakers see gaps in the law that need to be addressed.
Dela Rosa initially said that he respects that House lawmakers are “free to do their thing.”
But he later said in the interview that it was not the legislature’s territory to conduct investigations into Duterte’s war on drugs, pointing out that it had long been looked into even before former Senator Leila de Lima was detained.
He added that the Philippines’ criminal justice system is already investigating the drug war deaths during Duterte’s time.
“Dapat hindi na ‘yan kanilang turf ‘yung pag-iimbestiga dahil ang ginagawa nila ngayon is no longer in aid of legislation kundi para mapanagutin kuno ang mga pulis na involved diyan sa war on drugs,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the ongoing congressional probe.
(That’s not their turf to investigate because what they are doing now is no longer in aid of legislation but supposedly to hold the police involved in the war on drugs accountable.)
Thousands of drug suspects were killed under Duterte’santi-drug campaign that Dela Rosa implemented, which is the subject of an International Criminal Court investigation looking into alleged crimes against humanity.
The House Committee on Human Rights has said it would invite Dela Rosa and Duterte to attend its inquiry.
Dela Rosa said that he would not attend the probebecause Senate President Francis Escudero had told him that he does not need to.
Dela Rosa said he would show up at the hearing if Duterte decides to appear.
“Out of courtesy to my former boss. Nakakahiya naman he will be the one answering all the questions na dapat ako ang magsasagot. Kailangan puntahan ko talaga. I fear the time pag dumating tayo sa punto na ‘yan that I will be breaking the time-honored and institutionally enshrined tradition of both houses ‘yung interparliamentary or inter-chamber courtesy,” he said.
(Out of courtesy to my former boss, it would be embarrassing if he has to answer all the questions that I should be answering. I really need to be there. I fear the time when we reach that point where I will be breaking the time-honored and institutionally enshrined tradition of interparliamentary or inter-chamber courtesy between both houses.)
Chambers of Congress generally observe inter-parliamentary courtesy and invite, but do not summon, colleagues to hearings and inquiries.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to import at least 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar in September to ensure a stable supply and prevent price hikes in the retail market.
In a dinner discussion with members of the media on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the target import intends to cover the gap before the milling season in October.
“Dapat by September, may arrival tayo (By September we should have an arrival), at least 200,000 (metric) tons, refined, for the gap before harvest and refining,” he said.
Laurel said the DA will finalize its sugar order in the second week of July since current sugar stocks are expected to drop in August.
The agriculture chief assured that the move underwent consultations with stakeholders.
The DA proposal was backed by United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) President Manuel Lamata.
“This will fill in the shortage before harvest season starts in September. Harvest this coming crop year will be delayed due to El Niño, and when we were consulted about this matter, we approved the proposal,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) assured close monitoring of the country’s buffer stock and market demand trend to prevent a repeat of the August 2022 situation, where refined sugar stocks dropped to 27,000 MT, and retail prices went as high as PHP120 per kilogram.
Prevailing prices of refined sugar in Metro Manila range from PHP74/kg. to PHP92/kg, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch).
It said the monthly demand for sugar ranges from 180,000 MT to 240,000 MT.
As of June 9, the country has around 436,229 MT of physical sugar stock and 380,835.70 MT of refined sugar stock. (PNA)
Swimmer Kayla Sanchez has qualified to the Paris Olympics.
Swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Harold Hatch, and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe have qualified for the Paris Olympics, increasing the roster of Team Philippines to 18.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is still waiting for a letter from the International Golf Federation (IGF), which will confirm that Bianca Pagdanganan (No. 35) and Dottie Ardina (No. 55) qualified. The top 60 is the cut off for the Olympics.
“Great news, and we can even ask for more,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Tuesday. He is in Metz, France overseeing the pre-Paris training camp at La Moselle with chef de mission Jonvic Remulla.
“Each day, as the countdown to the Olympics dwindles, the morale goes higher and higher,” he added.
Sanchez, who will be returning to the Olympics this time representing the Philippines, has entered the women’s 100m freestyle while Hatch will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly.
Watanabe, on the other hand, qualified through the continental quota in the women’s -63kg event. She will be making her second Olympics appearance after Tokyo.
Tolentino said he is waiting for an official announcement from World Athletics on who will join world’s No. 2 men’s pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena in Paris. “We’re expecting more.”
The Philippines is celebrating its 100 years of participation in the Olympic Games.
“We’re chasing more history, we’re setting the ante higher,” said Tolentino, hoping to duplicate or surpass the one gold, two silver, and bronze medals achieved in Tokyo.
With 20 athletes, the country has surpassed the Tokyo Olympics where Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal.
The other Paris qualifiers are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando; boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; and gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar. (PNA)
