BY ALEX ALAGON
BY CARLA KRISTINE VIA/UM Intern
DAVAO City’s Sports Development Division opened more opportunities for young athletes through its ongoing Aktibo Dabawenyo summer sports clinic program, which kicked off last April and is expected to conclude in May.
The Aktibo Dabawenyo program gathers athletes ages 8-15 for a sports clinic with four events like judo, futsal, kurash, and water sports (kayak, stand-up paddleboarding, and dragon boat), to learn new skills under the city’s partner sports associations and clubs.
It is also an avenue for the SDD to not just train young athletes in the sports, but also to spot talented and potential athletes that may represent the city in regional, national, and international events.
“The [sports] clinic that we are providing is a training for them (young athlete participants). We don’t want to just introduce them to the sports, we want to train them so that, at least, we can identify those potential and talented athletes,” said Aktibo Dabawenyo’s program in-charge Irene Lumanas.
“This is a great avenue for our youth to be engaged in sports to avoid sedentary activities, considering it’s the summer [season],” she added.
Lumanas also said that despite recording some drop-outs from the summer clinic, a notable number of participants are seeing it through.
The four events for this year’s sports clinic were determined based on last year’s Batang Pinoy events, which were observed needing support from the city.
The program is in full swing with 5 out of 15 remaining judo sessions, 8 remaining sessions in 6 barangay futsal clinics, and 6 remaining sessions for the water-sports events.
Aside from the summer sports clinic, Aktibo Dabawenyo also held a friendship game with their 4 partner schools last March, and will be preparing for the School for Sports program from June to October of this year.
BY RHUELLA SALDUA/UM Intern
THE CITY Government of Davao’s scholarship program for local student-athletes is set to roll out in the second semester of this year, following the signing of an executive order by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte last week.
Under the executive order, the Davao City Athletes Scholarship Program will provide financial assistance to qualified athletes.
“It has been proposed and developed for a very long time, and we are very happy that it has finally been signed by Mayor Baste Duterte,” said Justine Marie Adovo, ATO NA scholarship in-charge.
Adovo also explained that the scholarship program will not be rushed in time for school opening in June to ensure the proper rollout and organization.
To qualify for the scholarship, the applicants must be bona fide residents and must be enrolled in any recognized school within the city. They should have represented Davao in regional, national, or international competitions and must continue to do so.
Other qualifications are maintaining good academic and athletic standing, being physically fit, and having a good moral character.
Interested applicants are required to submit the following requirements:
Completed scholarship application form (available in-office and online), Certificate of Residency, Medical Certificate (fit to play), Certificate of Good Moral Character, PSA birth certificate, Certificate of Enrollment, Parents’ Income Tax Return (if applicable), Latest report card or transcript of records, Certificate of Indigency from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and proof of participation in competitions (medals, recognitions, and certificates).
The program offers full and partial scholarships.
For college students, the full scholarship includes:
₱20,000 tuition per semester, and ₱5,000 athletic subsidy for sports equipment, and this will bring the total to ₱25,000 per semester.
The partial scholarship provides:
₱5,000 for sports equipment (college level), while junior high school and senior high school student-athletes will receive ₱5,000 per year. The applicants may choose their preferred schools, but scholarship amounts are fixed.
Adovo clarified that there is no limit on the number of applicants per barangay, and all interested athletes may apply as long as they submit complete requirements.
“In coordination with the City Sports Office and the Sangguniang Panlungsod through the Education Committee, we will evaluate all applicants fairly, and we will make sure that all deserving applicants will have the slots, and no political quotas or allocations will influence the selection process,” said Adovo.
The City has received numerous inquiries from student-athletes since the announcement, and many have visited the office to ask about the requirements and qualifications to fully prepare before the formal submission period.
The selected beneficiaries should not receive other scholarship grants. However, if they wish to give it a try, they may still submit their applications if they want to be considered.
Under the leadership of Mayor Sebastian Duterte and the Davao City Sports Office, efforts will continue to improve services for student-athletes in Davao City in balancing academics and competitive sports.
THE 10TH Infantry Division of the Philippine Army prioritized the well-being of its personnel by hosting a Health Care Symposium at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. on Wednesday, May 13.
The event coincided with the 6th Founding Anniversary of the 10th Station Hospital, operating under the theme: “Excellence in Care, Honor in Service: Six Years with Agila Troopers.”
Held at Agila Hall, the symposium served as a one-stop wellness hub for Agila Troopers and Civilian Human Resources.
The initiative brought together a network of partner agencies, private stakeholders, and organizations to offer a variety of free services, including medical and dental consultations (Conducted by the 10th Station Hospital and the 10th Dental Detachment); distribution of essential hygiene and care supplies; and physical and mental wellness support.
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, underlined that troop welfare is directly linked to operational success.
“Our soldiers remain mission-ready because of the continued support and care we provide for their health and well-being,” Luzon stated.
The symposium highlights the division’s ongoing mandate to maintain a healthy, resilient, and effective military force in the region.
VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte has slammed the attempt to take Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa into custody for the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the move a blatant violation of constitutional rights and due process.
Speaking from The Hague, Duterte maintained that foreign tribunals hold no jurisdiction within the Philippines unless local courts issue a corresponding order. She argued that bypassing the Philippine judiciary to enforce an ICC warrant directly violates the Bill of Rights.
“It has been all about abuse, intimidation, and violence,” Duterte said.
The Vice President further drew a parallel between the current situation and what she described as the “extraordinary rendition” of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming he had been forcibly removed from the country.
She noted that the elder Duterte only learned of the chaos at the Senate through television news and expressed immediate concern over the commotion.
Summary of the Senate Crisis (May 13, 2026)
- Senate Lockdown: The building was placed under total lockdown following an attempted breach by unidentified armed men who tried to enter the second floor at approximately 7:46 PM.
- Exchange of Gunfire: A skirmish erupted in the Senate hallways after the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) fired warning shots to intercept the intruders. Senate Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza confirmed no casualties or injuries occurred.
- Senator Dela Rosa’s Status: DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrived to personally secure the senators and explicitly stated, “There will be no arrest for Sir Bato tonight,” de-escalating the standoff.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed that the Articles of Impeachment remain secured and the chamber’s integrity is still intact despite the “infiltration” attempt.
Despite NBI director Atty. Melvin Matibag’s denial of his agents’ involvement, media footage, and videos from Atty. Israelito Torreon documented NBI vehicles and personnel at the scene.
The investigation deepened during late-night clearing operations:
Arrest of Personnel: One individual, identified as an NBI “volunteer,” was arrested inside the premises.
Senator Imee Marcos claimed the arrested individual was a “confidential agent” under the NBI Transnational Crime Division. He was reportedly apprehended after returning to the second floor to retrieve a tactical bag left behind during the skirmish.
But Matibag said the individual was not an NBI agent or employee but merely a “volunteer.”
In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distanced the administration from the violence, asserting that the government was not involved in the gunfire and had ordered the protection of all senators.
AN OFFICIAL from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said on Wednesday that Mindanao remains “safe and secure” amid the travel advisory issued by the Australian government.
The Australian Embassy on May 12, 2026, advised its nationals to “reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat, and Siargao Islands) and do not travel to other areas of Mindanao,” citing threats of terrorism and kidnapping activities.
During the Habi at Kape Media Forum on May 13, Asec Romeo Montenegro, MinDA deputy executive director, said peace in Mindanao is no longer an aspiration, but a reality.
“Compared to where we were 20 years ago, it’s an entirely different Mindanao that we are really having today, especially in the Bangsamoro region,” he said.
Montenegro added the security sector to safeguard progress and ensure the region’s development continues to flourish.
He cited a 2025 economic study that five in six regions in Mindanao posted a growth rate of GRDP much higher than the national average.
“This is definitely an indication that Mindanao is on the path today to transform a region once associated with conflict, now turning into a hub for energy, for agribusiness as well as for logistics,” he stressed.
Montenegro said that while they respect the caution of foreign embassies, the agency urges the embassies to issue advisories that truly reflect the actual situation on the ground.
According to MinDA’s latest Mindanao Safety Perception survey, the island posted an overall safety rating of 88.51% in 2025, a significant increase from 89.69% in 2024, higher than the 88% recorded in 2023.
Montenegro recognized that embassies have their own way of obtaining information, but based on the agency’s interaction with the security sector, there have been no major threats in the region.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Monteverde, Vice President for ICT and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed that negative travel advisories cascade to trade and commerce and to the tourism numbers.
“We do know that if there is a travel advisory, there will be limited activities for persons in travel, and of course coverage for insurance, etc,” she said.
Monteverde re-echoed Montenegro’s call for a re-evaluation if the advisory reflects the real situation.
“We see this not as a deterrent but something we need to work on and prove that it is the other way around,” the official stressed.
INFLATION in the Davao Region accelerated sharply to 8.9 % in April 2026, up from 5.9 % in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Davao data released on Wednesday.
PSA Davao reported rice, corn, and cereal prices drove food costs sharply higher, while transport costs jumped over 20% from 11.9% in March.
The figure is above the national inflation rate of 7.2% recorded for the same month and marked a reversal from the region’s 0.5% inflation in April 2025.
PSA reported that inflation was driven primarily by food costs, which climbed 11.3% year-on-year in April compared to the 5.9% recorded in March.
Under the category, rice and cereal prices surged 28.0%, while corn prices ballooned by 33.3%, compared to the same month last year.
For other basic goods, vegetables, tubers, and cooking bananas rose to 20.0 %, and fish and other seafood posted a 14.1 % increase.
Meanwhile, the transport costs also weighed heavily on households, as they recorded a 20.7% annual increase in April, up from 11.9% the previous month.
Meanwhile, the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels held steady at 7.0%, along with education services inflation, which remained at 8.1%.
In the region, Davao de Oro registered the highest inflation at 11.9%, closely followed by Davao Occidental at 11.8% and Davao Oriental at 11.5%.
Davao City posted the lowest rate in the region at 7.0%, in line with the national figure.
- 1 hurt, at least P2-M in property damage recorded
A LATE-AFTERNOON fire gutted two residential houses in GSIS Heights, Matina Crossing, on Wednesday, May 13, leaving one resident injured and an estimated P2 million in property damaged
According to Fire Senior Inspector Frances Mae Sendrijas, spokesperson for the Davao City Fire District, the fire broke out at Saturn Street around 5:44 p.m.
One 53-year-old male sustained first-degree burns during the fire. No fatalities or missing persons were reported.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declared a first alarm at 5:47 p.m. as the flames quickly engulfed the structures.
Both residential houses, each measuring 200 square meters, were totally damaged by the blaze.
The fire also displaced two families, consisting of 11 individuals (five from House 1 and six from House 2).
The flames were brought under control at 6:10 p.m. and firefighters declared a fire-out at 7:03 p.m.
BFP investigators are currently determining the cause of the blaze.
THE POLICE Regional Office XI has intensified security measures across the Davao Region following a travel advisory from the Australian government regarding potential terrorist threats in parts of Mindanao.
Despite the warning, police emphasized that the Davao Region remains “generally peaceful, stable, and secure,” with no direct threats currently being monitored in the area.
In compliance with directives from PNP Director General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PRO XI has deployed additional personnel to sustain “intensified police visibility” and proactive security operations.
B/Gen Leon Victor Z. Rosete said they increased monitoring of terminals and ports, including business establishments and tourist destinations.
They also enhanced coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and local government units.
While the PNP acknowledges that travel advisories are precautionary measures issued by foreign governments for their own citizens, PRO XI maintains that they treat such information with the utmost seriousness.
“We want to assure everyone that the Davao Region remains peaceful and that your police force continues to work 24/7 to keep our communities safe,” said Rosete.
Police authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station or through official hotlines to help preserve the region’s peace and order.
AT A time when many Filipinos are searching for clarity, purpose, and reliable truth amid global uncertainty, international theological education institution Zion Christian Mission Center (ZCMC) introduces a new digital learning platform designed to make structured Bible education accessible to everyone at no cost.
Recent studies on Filipino values reveal a significant shift over the past decade. While faith remains present, priorities have expanded toward health, work-life balance, and overall well-being. In a fast-paced, digitally driven world, many are now seeking a more holistic sense of direction that integrates both spiritual and practical aspects of life.
As the world continues to experience rapid change, information overload, and deeper questions about meaning, initiatives that promote guided learning and personal reflection are becoming increasingly relevant.
The ZCMC SPS (Self-Paced Bible Study) app is launched to highlight how faith education is adapting to the digital age. With the campaign theme, “Faith On the Go,” the SPS app demonstrates that spiritual learning can take place not only in traditional settings, but also in everyday spaces where people live, work, and connect.
A structured, Bible-centered study journey from Genesis to Revelation
With its simple, portable, and structured design for today’s busy generation, the SPS App allows users to study the Bible progressively from Genesis to Revelation through a guided curriculum led by real theology instructors. Developed by and for Filipinos, the platform is designed to meet the needs of local learners while remaining accessible to a wider audience. Lessons are available in both Filipino and English, ensuring inclusivity and better understanding across different users.
The program is fully Bible-based, with lessons drawn directly from Scripture as its primary source, without reliance on external references, ensuring a focused and consistent approach to learning.
The curriculum begins with foundational teachings of the Bible and gradually leads learners into deeper understanding, including the meaning of parables, key historical events, and the relationship between prophecy and fulfillment in the Book of Revelation. Through this step-by-step structure, SPS aims to help learners develop a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of Scripture as they progress through each level of study.
Faith learning for the modern generation, free for all
The SPS App responds to the realities faced by students and young professionals who often struggle to balance work, studies, personal well-being, and spiritual growth. As Filipinos place greater importance on health, balance, and overall well-being, accessible tools like SPS aim to integrate faith into everyday life in a practical and sustainable way.
By making theology education simple, portable, and structured, ZCMC encourages consistent Bible study not as an occasional activity, but as part of a balanced and meaningful daily routine.
Through SPS, learners can study anytime and anywhere, follow lessons guided by real instructors, track their progress through structured modules, earn certificates, and complete a clear path toward graduation—all completely free of charge. This initiative reflects a broader movement toward making purposeful learning more accessible through technology.
Developed by ZCMC, the SPS app provides progressive and guided Scripture education by combining structured lessons, real instructors, and digital accessibility, helping learners grow in faith wherever they are.
The ZCMC SPS App is available for free download on Google Play for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS. Users may also sign up directly at lms.zcmc-edu.com/signup. For those interested in onsite and online learning options, free classes are also available. Slots may be reserved at forms.gle/A2iPWiBCaSg73QTs5.
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