Our pugilists push forward

JUST WHEN everything is downcast and gloomy, especially in sports, here come our brave pugilists holding their ground against world beater boxers and earn hard-earned victories in the process.

First on the list is veteran Donnie "Ahas" Nietes and supported by young yet aspiring world titlist Jerwin Ancajas who has campaigned in the United States where offers are plenty and prizes are very attractive to shy away from, and Mark Magsayo, another good boxer who's making a name for himself in world rankings.

If there is a field where we can excel where height is not a major requirement, it is in boxing. So, it is in this field where we must devote our funds and resources to train pugilists who could be world titlists. Agree?

Also, we excel in chess and we have bright prospects for world rankings. There is also no height requirement here either, only brain power which we inherently possess.

Now that the Tokyo Olympics beckons, we should be ready with our athletes-participants. In pole vault, we rely on EJ Obiena who is training overseas where there is plenty of world class compet i t or s.

But before we embark on our medal quest in the

Tokyo Olympics, we need to attend the Southeast Asian games where our Team Philippines will defend the overall title.

The chief of mission, the legendary basketball icon, Ramon Fernandez, sounded out calls for funding assistance even to local government units in order to bankroll the expenses of our teams in preparation for the coming Southeast Asian games.

education, agriculture, livelihood, environment and infrastructure.

Barangays and towns or cities from where the sand was derived from get 40 and 30 percent of the sand tax, respectively, based on the distribution authorized by the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).

Government and private projects as well as the timing of construction works in dry months have prompted the higher demand for sand, according to Romeo “Buddy” Dungca, chief of the quarry unit Kalam. Haulers or quarry operators towed more than P6-million worth of sand daily in three days last March.

Governor Pineda said that aside from the high demand for sand, the compliance of quarry operators and haulers with regulations was a “big key” to the increase in local income.

“I could not thank them enough for their partnership and cooperation in really turning Mt. Pinatubo’s sand a top-earner for the province,” the governor said. “Their taxes and fees go to good use.”

Associations of quarry operators had also donated ambulances, food packs, medicines and medical items during the health crisis.