Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 222 | Tuesday, January 5, 2021

METHANE EMISSIONS RISING PARTLY DUE TO AGRICULTURE

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VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

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Sara to survey groups: Remove my name from ‘Presidentiable’ list STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio respectfully suggests to Pulse Asia to remove her name from the choices of possible 2022 presidentiables candidates after topping the survey organization’s yearend survey results. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

Sen. Go lauds Kuwaiti court verdict on OFW’s slay case

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This red pick-up is part of the four-vehicle convoy of South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular during the ambush on Sunday afternoon, January 3, 2021, in Barangay Pandan, South Upi, Maguindanao. The mayor survived but a

security escort who was in this vehicle was killed. Four others were injured.

MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA

TICK ME OFF

Sara to survey groups: Remove my name from ‘Presidentiable’ list

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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espite consistently topping the list of Presidential candidates for the 2022 elections, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shruged off the discussion as she expressed no interest to run for President.

On Monday, the mayor revealed she has told poll firms to remove her name from the choices.

“The Presidential Elections of 2022 is farthest from the minds of many Filipinos as we focus firmly on how to survive the economic and humanitarian crisis still infront of us as we continue to battle the effects of Covid-19 on our people and our country.

Nevertheless, I respectfully suggest to survey orga-

nizations to remove my name from the choices,” the mayor said in a text message.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from November 23 to December 2, 2020, Mayor Sara garnered the most votes as ‘Most Preferred’ Presidential bet in 2022.

Twenty-six percent or 2,400 respondents of Pulse Asia’s November 2020 Ulat ng Bayan survey said they would support the

presidential bid of Duterte if the elections were held during the survey period last November 23, 2020 to December 2, 2020.

She also got majority preference from Mindanao with 58 percent, followed

by Visayas (29 percent), Metro Manila (16 percent), and the rest of Luzon (12 percent).

The 42-year old mayor is qualified to run as President citing the 1987 Philippine Constitution age requirement of at least 40 years old on the day of the election.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has repeatedly floated a “Duterte-Duterte” tandem in 2022 where Mayor Sara would supposedly run for

he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Western Mindanao has deployed more naval assets in the Sulu Sea to block vessels traveling from Sabah, Malaysia, where a new variant of the highly contagious COVID-19 was recently detected, as Sulu begins its 14-day lockdown starting Monday, January 4.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said the augmentation is in response to the decision of the Sulu provincial government to close its borders for 14 days from January 4

to 17, to prevent the entry of possible carriers of the COVID-19 variant from Sabah. Frontliners, however, such as health personnel, military and police will be allowed entry.

“We are maximizing our capabilities to keep the contagion offshore,” he said in a statement.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan earlier sought the help of President Rodrigo Duterte to help the provincial government prevent the entry of the COVID-19 strain detected in Sabah.

Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director-General of Malaysia’s Ministry

of Health, announced on December 23 that a new strain of COVID-19, dubbed A701B mutation was found from samples taken in Sabah.

The Straits Times of Malaysia quoted him as saying A701B is “similar to a strain found in South Africa, Australian and the Netherlands” but they have yet to ascertain “whether this strain has a high infectivity level and whether it is more aggressive than usual.”

President Rodrigo Duterte said Tan requested for a naval blockade in the Sulu Sea with the discovery of the COVID-19 variant in Sabah, which is about 30

president with her father President Rodrigo Duterte as her running mate.

In September 2020, Mayor Sara responded to a radio listener’s question on her plans for the 2022 Presidential Elections saying “politics is disastrous.”

Meanwhile, the mayor vowed to continue and finish the projects that have been started and at the same time start new projects to help boost the city’s economy and to provide employment.

In her New Year’s message, Mayor Sara assured that existing projects will continue to address the economic problems faced by the city due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. hours by boat from the Sulu archipelago.

The nearest Mindanao province to Lahad Datu, Sabah, where the samples of the new variant were found, is Tawi-tawi.

For centuries, Mindanao, particularly Sulu, Tawi-tawi and Basilan, have been known to have close trading and inter-people relations due to their proximity and cultural similarities and a shared history.

Tan noted that Sulu province has porous coastlines with the vast Sulu Sea separating it from Sabah.

He stressed that only the national government is

Sulu begins 14-day lockdown vs.new COVID-19 variant from Sabah

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enator Christopher “Bong” Go has welcomed the Kuwait court’s ruling, saying that justice must be served for Filipina domestic worker Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende.

“Alam mo, ako po'y nagagalak dahil nabigyan na po ng hustisya na matagal na nating inaasam (I’m glad that the justice that we’re longing for has been served,” Go said during a radio interview on Dec. 31.

Go made this comment after a Kuwaiti criminal court on December 30 sentenced to death by hanging a Kuwaiti woman for the death of Villavende in December 2019. The husband was sentenced to four years in prison for covering up and not reporting the crime.

“Pero hindi na po maibabalik ang buhay ng ating kapwa Pilipino na si Villavende. So, nakakalungkot man po, dapat noon pa 'yan eh (We cannot bring back the life Villavende. So, though it’s sad, this [ruling] should have been done long before),” he added.

The murder of Villavende prompted the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in January to approve a resolution imposing total deployment ban to Kuwait. This comes after it was found in the autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation that she was sexually abused and tortured.

The NBI also reported that Villavende’s brain, heart, and some internal organs were missing. She also incurred multiple traumatic injuries, including in the genitalia, which indicates that she was sexually abused.

Go, earlier, has expressed strong condemnation over the violent killing of the OFW in the hands of her Kuwaiti employer.

"Kinokondena ko ‘yung pagpatay kay Jeanelyn at (We condemned the killing of Jeanelyn and) despite the May 2018 agreement between the Philippines and Kuwaiti government, there are still reports of violence and abuses committed against our fellow Filipinos in Kuwait," Go added.

Citing Villavende's case, Go mentioned the pressing need for a separate department for overseas Filipinos which aims to put together concerned government agencies dealing with the overseas Filipinos under one umbrella.

If passed into law, Go said it will help in curbing issues and inconveniences experienced by overseas Filipinos and will also provide better protection for them as it will promote streamlined coordination among various officials and offices based abroad through the one country-team approach. “[It is] about time that we create a Cabinet-level, secretary-led department with an organization structured to work together as one team to protect the rights and advance the interests and welfare of about 10 percent of our population who reside abroad,” Go said.

He said distressed overseas Filipinos usually get help through media interviews or Facebook.

“Pero kung merong one country-team approach tayo, alam ng mga kababayan nating humihingi ng tulong kung saan pupunta.

Hindi na sila mahihirapan pa (But if we have one country-team approach, our countrymen know where to go to get help.

It will not be difficult for them),” he said.

Go has also been instrumental in the repatriation recently of overseas Filipi-

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South Upi mayor survives third slay try; 1 killed, 4 others injured

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he mayor of South Upi in Maguindanao survived an ambush Sunday afternoon but one of his security escorts was killed while three others were injured.

It was the third attempt on the life of Mayor Reynalbert Insular since July 2016.

The mayor’s four-vehicle convoy had just left Barangay Itaw at around 2:10 p.m. en route to Poblacion Romongaob, when armed men carrying high-powered firearms ambushed them in Barangay Pandan, following a roadside explosion. The police report said the ambush site was “more or less 400 meters away” from a detachment of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA).

Four persons, including students who hitched a ride in one of the vehicles, were injured, one of them in critical condition, a security escort of the mayor named Thelmo Divinagracia, 28 years old, who later died.

The four injured were identified as John-john Tumbaga, 30; Christian

Sase, 22; Ernesto Debang, and Leonard Betita, 20.

The mayor spent two days in Barangay Itaw which was attacked on New Year’s day by armed men believed to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

At least 13 houses in Itaw were set on fire by suspected BIFF members while around 300 families were displaced.

Troops from the 57th IB immediately deployed in the area of incident while two MG-520 assault jets were deployed by 6th Division.

This is the third ambush try on Mayor Insular. The first was on July 14, 2016, on his first term in office, when unidentified armed men fired a rocket-propelled grenade, but missed, while the mayor’s convoy was cruising along Kilometer 28 in neighboring North Upi town.

The second attempt was on June 22, 2020 when a roadside bomb exploded as the driver of the mayors

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Pinay nurse in UK receives medal for work during Covid-19 pandemic

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Diarrhea patients from Brgy. Butuan, Jose Abad Santos, who are confined at the Tomas Lachica District Hospital, receive food packs and hygiene kits from JCI Davao Gulf on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Julie Marie Buen/JAS LGU information office

Diarrhea outbreak: 1 dead, dozens hospitalized in Davao Occidental

By MAYA M. PADILLO diarrhea outbreak in Jose Abad Santos (JAS), a first class municipality in the province of Davao Occidental, that claimed the life of an elderly has been blamed on contaminated water.

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The outbreak left 33 individuals hospitalized and currently closely monitored at Tomas Lachica District Hospital.

In a statement, Department of Health (DOH) Davao Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Annabelle P. Yumang, confirmed reports of diarrheal cases in Barangay Butuan, Municipality of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental after verifying the information through a text message with Municipal Mayor Jason John Joyce early morning of January 3, 2021.

Based on the initial investigation, a total of 34 patients were admitted in Tomas Lachica District

Hospital. Among these admitted patients, one died, a 62-year old male Emilio Sumanday from sitio Malwayog, Brgy. Butuan with cause of death still subject for further investigation.

There are also 25 patients who are being closely monitored in the community.

Lachica disclosed that the probable source of infection is the contaminated water.

A team from Deprtment of Health 11’s Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit’s (RESU) is set to visit the affected barangay to collect specimens and continue the investigation together with the Provincial Health Office and Munici-

pal Health Office.

Dr. Cleo Fe Tabada, head of RESU, is closely coordinating with Dr. Amparo Lachica, municipal health officer, for the initial investigation and rapid assessment of the area, health status of the families affected, needs of the health facilities and the entire community.

From the Facebook account of JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce he posted that those who are confined to District Hospital in JAS, the municipal council will answer the medicines that are not available while those who will be referred to other hospitals, LGU-JAS will help each other, Provincial Government headed by Governor Claude Bautista, Congresswoman Lorna Bautista-Bandigan and Dumper Party-list Representative Claudine Diana Bautista.

“Just like our system in JAS, LGU-JAS will be the expense for transportation of patients from their baran-

gays to District Hospital in Poblacion or referral hospitals in Glan, Sarangani, Malita, GenSan, Digos and Davao. We already have an on stand-by vehicle that was traveled from Poblacion to Brgy. Butuan for emergency transportation.

Butuan is 1.5 hours away from the nearest hospital,” Joyce posted.

DOH 11 reminded the public the importance of safe-drinking water, use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrhea.

The health department also advised anyone experiencing three or more loose or liquid stools per day, to go immediately to the nearest facility for immediate health interventions.

Meanwhile, JCI Davao Gulf through its core program “Oplan Paglaum” initiative distributed food packs and hygiene kits to the patients.

yung mga nagpapakita ng negative RT-PCR test, they would still have to undergo the quarantine period, (at) kahit yung mga nabakunahan ngayon," Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

(We currently have no guidelines with regard to those already vaccinated.

Even those who present a negative RT-PCR test, they would still have to undergo the quarantine period, as with those who have been vaccinated.)

"We’re taking our cue po from the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19) . If they see there’s a need to adjust the policies already following this development, we’ll

be ready naman po to comply."

Filipinos who had a layover in the 21 areas on which Manila imposed travel restrictions will be allowed to enter the Philippines but will also have to undergo quarantine, Sandoval said.

"Kung galing lang po sila doon sa 21 countries at nag-layover po, meaning di po sila lumabas ng airport, hindi sila cleared ng immigration dun at merely nag-transit po, pwede na po sila papasukin ng bansa.

But they would still have to undergo po the regular procedures ng ating one-stop shop," she said.

(If they only had a layover in one of the 21 coun-

tries and did not go out of the airport, got cleared by the immigration there, and merely transited, they may enter the country. But they would still have to undergo the regular procedures set by our one-stop shop.)

"They need to be swabbed, yung RT-PCR test natin. At saka, meron din pong quarantine period...

Pwede na po doon na lang sa kanilang mga bahay, mag-home quarantine if negative po ang result ng RT-PCR nila," she added.

(They need to be swabbed for RT-PCR test.

And there's quarantine period... They can go on home quarantine if they get a negative RT-PCR test result.)

Filipino nurse in a care home in Surrey, England received an award from Queen Elizabeth for her courageous work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charito Leonardo-Romano, a staff nurse at Arbrook House Care Home, a private care home in Esher, Surrey, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). The award is given to community volunteers for their "meritorious" actions, according to the BBC. “It’s really overwhelming and it’s really inspiring,” the 47-year old Leonardo-Romano said.

The mother of three, who graduated with a degree in nursing from Wesleyan University in 1994 added: “A lot of nurses have died during the pandemic.

I feel for them. They are really the true heroes but being awarded this shows that the UK is indeed a diversified country and is recognizing Filipinos and all nurses who give service to their people, our people.”

Romano said she wasn’t expecting the award. It came as a surprise. She later learned that her manager was the one who nominated her.

“I thanked him because it was a team effort. We only had one goal and that was to make our residents safe and well-looked after,” she said.

In another interview on ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo on Sunday, Romano shared that up to now, their care home is zero COVID. Romano started to work in Arbrook House Care Home two years ago. The private care home prides itself on protecting its residents from COVID infection.

"None of our [42] residents have contracted COVID," she said. “Isa pa, kung maalala niyo, may shortage ng PPE sa (If you can remember, there was a shortage of PPE in) England. It was so heartbreaking at the time that you are dealing with infection, you don’t have anything to use to protect you.

We rallied, it was a team effort. All throughout the pandemic, none of our residents contracted COVID." A native of Cabanatuan City, Romano migrated to the UK as nurse in 2002,

where her family later joined her.

She said the recognition became even more meaningful after she survived COVID-19 in September 2020. Although she was asymptomatic, her whole family had to self-isolate and follow the quarantine protocol. She is also thankful for the support of her colleagues and the Filipino community who brought food in her house and offered help.

“I was one of those who tested positive. I was really scared. I didn’t have symptoms. I returned to work after 14 days. I tell you, when my family was isolating, it was mental torture. It was frightening,” she narrated.

She said she was inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 on Dec. 20, and is due for a second dose on Jan. 10.

"Kami po ang isa sa mga una. Yung iba, nagaagam-agam kung magpapabakuna nung ini-rollout po 'yun. It’s just an instinct to say yes," she said.

(We were among the first to be vaccinated. Others were second guessing whether to get vaccinated.

It’s just an instinct to say yes.)

"Luckily po, wala. Syempre sa umpisa, it’s sore but otherwise wala po akong sintomas."

(Luckily, I had none. At first of course, it's sore, but otherwise I have no symptoms.)

British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce congratulated Romano via tweet.

His tweet said: “Many congratulations to staff nurse Charito Romano from the Philippines.

Awarded British Empire Medal.

Two other Filipino healthcare workers were awarded by the Queen, Leonardo-Romano said, including Minnie Klepacz last October.

"Napaka-swerte natin dahil ang England, ini-embrace ang kultura ng Pinoy.

Tayo ay kanilang pinagkakatiwalaan, at tayo ay kanilang kinakanlong sa kanilang bansa."

(We're really lucky because England embraces the Filipino culture. They trust us and they care for us in their country.)

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Pinoys vaccinated overseas required to go on quarantine upon arrival in PH Saliva COVID-19 test has '99%'

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eturning Filipinos who have received a COVID-19 vaccine or have a negative swab test result will still undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said Sunday.

The Philippines earlier expanded its travel restrictions to 21 territories to prevent the entry of a more contagious coronavirus variant.

Several countries in the list, including the US and the UK, have begun their respective COVID-19 vaccination programs.

"Sa ngayon po, wala pa po tayong guidelines with regard to that (those already vaccinated). Even

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detection rate in US, says PRC

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he cheaper saliva COVID-19 test has a 99 percent detection rate in the US, the Philippine Red Cross said Sunday.

The non-government organization is still awaiting the approval of the health department's Health Technology Assessment Council for the country's COVID-19 testing using saliva, said former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, who now heads the Philippine Red Cross' biomolecular laboratories.

"Mas mura ang saliva [test], mas simpleng gawin.

In the University of Illinois, naka-1 million saliva test na sila at 99 percent ang

detection or concordance rate nila," she said.

(The saliva test is cheaper and simpler to do.

The University of Illinois has conducted 1 million saliva tests, and it has a 99 percent detection or concordance rate.)

Ubial added that the Philippine Red Cross' COVID-19 testing will continue even after government launches its immunization program, supposedly in the second quarter of the year.

"Pagdating ng vaccine, hindi naman po lahat mababakunahan agadagad. In fact, they’re say-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

Employers’ forum on COVID response slated on Jan. 5

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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) will be conducting an online employers’ forum regarding Response on COVID cases “Incidents in the Workplace,” this January 5.

The meeting which will be held via Zoom will tackle the procedures and the protocols for companies to avail of the services from government agencies to promote and protect worker’s welfare in the workplace.

With COVID19 cases

rising and the arrival of vaccines still being awaited, the DOH, DTI and DOLE are helping companies recover from the lost opportunities because of the pandemic at the same time helping protect the health and welfare of the workers as well as containing the virus.

The three Departments are inviting private companies to join the zoom forum, these agencies are hoping that private firms will join the said event. For companies interested in joining, they may contact DOLE-XI hotlines at 0963-9095876 or 0967-5335782. (PIA/RG Alama)

PHIC asks PRC for understanding over delayed payment of debt

Mist crowns the mountains in the background as two riders traverse the road to Barangay Kaatuan in Lantapan, Bukidnon on Sunday (Jan. 3, 2021).

MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

BARMM keeps economy ‘afloat’ amid pandemic

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he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains optimistic that better economic opportunities are at hand for the coming year, even amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ishak Mastura, chair of the BARMM’s Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), said the optimism is heightened by the entry of the PHP14-million internet Community Wireless and Power Corporation (CWPC) in the region during the first quarter of the year.

“It is a welcome development, and the town of Wao in Lanao del Sur will be the pilot area for the project site,” Investments He said the RBOI has recently approved the CWPC

application to invest in the region, the first-ever amid the 10-month economic crisis brought by the pandemic.

In 2019, the region recorded PHP4.1 billion, with the Lamitan Agri-Business Corporation investing in Cavendish banana plantations worth PHP1.8 billion in Basilan province.

Other investors were the JMI Sand and Gravel Truck Services Corporation with investments worth PHP1.4 billion in Maguindanao; the Maguindanao Corn Development

Emcor-Mati donates 3-wheeler vehicles for DavOr frontliners

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he spirit of giving this holiday season continues to flow in the province of Davao Oriental.

The provincial government received two units of “Bajaj RE three-wheeler” intended for Davao Oriental frontliners.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang received the vehicles from the executives of EMCOR Inc. in a ceremonial turn-over held at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court.

EMCOR Mindanao Territorial Head Ms. Rowena Nacario said that the turnover of these vehicles is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility in the last 62 years that the company has been running its business. “We give back to the community we serve,” she said, stressing her hopes that these vehicles “will be of great help to COVID-19 frontliners to assist in their continuous

efforts in combating the spread of COVID-19.”

“The pandemic arose with new challenges and difficulty that affected everyone including our company but the fervor of benevolence offset this and our philanthropic efforts continue to the new normal. We are happy to be of service,” she added.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang expressed his heartfelt thanks to the company for its generosity especially in this time of the pandemic. “It is an honor and privilege to accept this donation. These vehicles will be of great help to us, especially to our frontliners working at the hospital,” he said. “We have hospital workers leaving the workplace at night and they have a hard time getting a ride home because of the ongoing curfew. So, these units will help great-

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DSA-1 Corporation worth PHP515 million located in Datu Saudi Ampatuan of the same province.

In the same year, the Wao Development Corporation also invested PHP306 million for a new pineapple packing plant in Wao municipality, Lanao del Sur; and also the Hong Kong Feng Sheng Heritage Philippines Inc. based in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur investing PHP100 million for the establishment of an abaca fiber processing plant.

Agriculture Agriculture sector chair Mastura said that if there is one sector that BARMM relies on heavily, it would be agriculture.

He said that while other RBOI registered firms were struggling to survive the economic crisis brought

about by the lockdowns to contain Covid-19, agricultural investments continue to “survive” amid the pandemic.

“The agricultural sector has somehow managed to assuage the crunch brought by the effects of Covid-19 in the region,” Mastura said.

He said the BARMM remains a good choice for agriculture-based investments in the south. Cotabato City as an investment center.

Finance With the recent turnover of Cotabato City as an integral part of BARMM, prospects also remain high for new investments to come in 2021, particularly in banking and finance.

Mastura noted that the city is situated in the heart of Central Mindanao, a

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tate insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) asked the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for understanding for its delayed payment of millions of debts for COVID-19 tests.

PhilHealth spokesperson Rey Baleña said the state insurer has to comply with the accounting rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit in processing claims.

“Humihingi kami ng pang-unawa sa Philippine Red Cross at sa publiko pagdating sa bagay na ito na bagamat may three days deadline, pero alam niyo kailangan talaga isa-isahin namin bawat claim,” he said.

According to Baleña, the Department of Justice already expressed its opinion on the matter that PhilHealth should observe the

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DavNor town lures early business permit renewals with perks, prizes

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erks and prizes await business owners who will apply or renew their business permit early as the Sto. Tomas town in Davao del Norte gears up for the opening of the 2021 “BOSS (Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) NI TOMAS” on Monday.

Jane Gatillo, head of the Business Permits and Licenses Office (BPLO), said Sunday her office is closely coordinating with the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO) to ensure they will be able to receive a token of appreciation from the Sto. Tomas local government unit.

Apart from that, Gatillo said BPLO and MTO had established 11 onestop-shop locations in various barangays to also fast-track the processing of business permits and licenses with a lesser risk from exposure of clients to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Those business permit applicants who missed their barangays' schedules will still be accommodated at the Municipal Recreation and Cultural Center. A separate team from BPLO will accommodate them to ensure that they are accord-

A customer checks miniature rice pots where boiled rice are placed by a restaurant in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

AGRITRENDS

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Methane emissions rising partly due to agriculture

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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hen it comes to climate change, carbon dioxide is the usual culprit. An important heat-trapping gas, it is released through human activities as well as natural processes like respiration and volcanic eruptions.

The Earth Science Communications Team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports that over the past 170 years, human activities have raised atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide by 47% above pre-industrial levels found in 1850.

“These billions of tons of additional carbon dioxide in our atmosphere will remain there for centuries, causing our planet to warm further, impacting on all aspects of life on earth,” meteorologist Michel Jarraud told the Agence France Presse when he was the Secretary-General of the UN World Meteorological Organization.

But equally important is methane, a potent gas which, per unit of mass, is 84-86 times stronger than carbon dioxide at warming the earth over 20 years and 23-34 times as powerful on a 100-year timescale, according to the Global Car-

bon Project, an international research program.

“Concentrations of methane have increased by more than 150% since industrial activities and intensive agriculture began. After carbon dioxide, methane was responsible for about 23% of climate change in the 20th century,” NASA reported.

Right now, there’s not much methane in the atmosphere – “about 1,800 parts per billion, about as much as two cups of water inside a swimming pool,” assured National Geographic’s Alejandra Borunda. “That’s about 200 times less concentrated in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.”

That seems like a breather. “But methane’s chemical shape is remarkably effective at trapping heat, which means that adding just a little more methane to the atmosphere can have big impacts on how much, and how quickly, the planet warms,” Bo-

runda warned.

In the past, when scientists talked about climate change, they never mentioned methane. In fact, in the first survey conducted in 1971 on the possibility of inadvertent human modification of climate, methane was disregarded.

“Methane has no direct effects on the climate or the biosphere (and) it is considered to be of no importance,” the report stated.

It wasn’t until in 2001, when the United Nations-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that methane was finally given the attention it deserves. “One of the most potent greenhouse gases on Earth,” the report of the Nobel-prize winning group said.

Methane gas is created naturally as a waste product of anaerobic bacteria (living with little or no oxygen). About 40% of methane emissions are produced by wetlands, including ponds, lakes, and rivers, respected scientists claim.

“Human activities account for about 60% of global methane emissions,” reports NBC’s Denise Chow quoting statistics from researchers of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Agriculture makes up roughly twothirds of that, with fossil fuel production and use contributing most of the rest.”

The contribution of the Philippines in methane emissions is paltry.

As of 2012, the website indexmundi.com reports the value for methane

emissions of the country was 57,170 kilotan (kt).

Over the past 42 years, the country’s contribution reached a maximum value of 57,219 kt in 2009 and a minimum value of 40,859 kt in 1983.

The Philippines, being an agricultural country, may continue to contribute methane emissions in the coming years. Rice is the staple food of Filipinos. On the average, Filipinos consume 114-120 kilograms of rice per capita per year.

That’s almost double of the world average of 65 kilograms per capita per year, according to Dr. Eufemio Rasco, Jr., former director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Rice fields are one of the major contributors of methane in the atmosphere. “Rice is a plant that grows best in wet soil, with its roots flooded,” explains L. Hartwell Allen, an American soil scientist at the Crops Genetics and Environmental Research Unit in Gainesville, Florida. “But flooded rice crops emit substantial amounts of methane to the atmosphere.”

Scientists explain that long-term flooding of the fields cuts the soil off from

atmospheric oxygen and causes anaerobic fermentation of organic matter in the soil. During the wet season, rice cannot hold the carbon in anaerobic conditions. The microbes in the soil convert the carbon into methane which is then released through the respiration of the rice plant or through diffusion of water.

On the other hand, decomposition of organic material in flooded rice fields produces methane, which then escapes to the atmosphere during the growing season. “Traditionally, farmers flood their rice fields continuously and incorporate 4-5 tons of rice straw per hectare at land preparation,” says a report released by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

“Every year, these practices release 5,883 tons of methane to the atmosphere.”

In Isabela State University, a study funded by PCAARRD showed that by using simple science-based strategies, farmers can contribute significantly to the reduction of methane emissions.

For instance, mid-sea-

son drainage of irrigation water reduced methane emission by 48 percent.

This emission is valued at P34.16 million, based on the 2009 World Bank price of US$12 per ton of carbon dioxide and exchange rate of P48 per US$1.

Meanwhile, composting of rice straw resulted in 64 percent less methane emission released in the air.

By combining mid-season drainage and application of rice straw compost, methane emission is further reduced by 81 percent.

“By shifting to climate-change friendly farming practices, as what was done in the 7,789.34 hectares of lowland irrigated rice in Isabela, farmers can get incremental benefits amounting to as high as P138.95 million per year,” the PCARRD report points out.

Livestock, particularly the cud-chewing animals like cattle, are another major contributor of methane.

In 2006, it was reported that the amount of methane emitted by farm animals alone exceeded that of the iron, steel, and cement industries combined.

“Livestock are one of the most significant con-

FMETHANE, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

In his New Year’s message for everyone to work hard to achieve peace, saying human strength alone is not enough for it to be achieved:

May the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Prince of Peace, and cuddled him with such tenderness in her arms, obtain for us from heaven the precious gift of peace, which cannot be fully pursued with human strength alone. We begin this year placing ourselves under the maternal and loving gaze of Mary Most Holy, celebrated in today’s liturgy as Mother of God...The painful events that marked humanity’s journey last year,

especially the pandemic, taught us

much it is necessary to take an

interest in others’ problems and to share their concerns.”

POPE FRANCIS

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

7

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

LEARNING CRISIS (I am deathly worried about my granddaughter who is in kindergarten school. She was a pre-kinder pupil before the evil pathogen from Wuhan, China struck.

Today, with the IATF rules and regulations enforced everywhere accordingly, she cannot go to school physically where she regularly meets her newfound friends and schoolmates. Her social life is not complete and learning tools via modules are not enough to hasten her formative years.

Interacting is the missing link.

The threat of a newly-mutated corona virus strain is hovering over our heads. WE MUST PRAY FOR HELP FROM GOD ALMIGHTY.) There was already a learning crisis since CoVid 19 entered our lives and forthwith became the major reason for the government to introduce distance learning and correspondence.

Utilizing a crippled and inefficient internet services as the means to carry out its duties and functions, the Dep-Ed – praise Sec. Leonor Briones for her persevering educator’s mind – worked whatever instruments and vehicles avail-

able.

However, after PRRD announced he was foregoing the dry-runs for the face-to-face classes in selected areas due to the new strain discovered in the UK, the Dep-Ed is again on the spot.

Literacy in our country today is somewhat on the average if measured against the huge population compared to the late ‘50s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

During my elementary years (when there was no kindergarten but you can be the so-called “salimpusa” in Grade I), pupils spoke English it being the medium of instruction.

I recall that American tourists were then aplenty and almost every Pinoy in the street can converse with them when they inquired of something, directions and addresses, in particular.

I think we were considered ahead of our Asian neighbors then until our economy struggled (due to the endemic graft and corruption) and the education infrastructure suffered a big blow.

We cannot refute the decision of the President in deferring the face-to-face re-

sumption of classes. He is just acting on the side of caution.

He doesn’t want a repeat of the 2020 experience.

What I would suggest for the Dep-Ed to do is propose a scheme wherein ALL LGUs (province, cities and municipalities) where the effects of CoVid 19 are not severe (but light and scarce), be allowed to hold face –to-face sessions on a limited time, say one semester or 90 days.

Given the fact that everybody already has formed the habit of wearing face masks and face shields, including mastering the health protocols, there might arise a ‘modus vivendi’ so that children of school age may enjoy the experience of learning the ABC, Math and Reading in the portals of institutions of basic education.

I think the President may have to push harder for the telcos to cooperate and improve their services. This is an area that is a felt need today. A GREAT FELT NEED ACTUALLY. I also would suggest that the government utilize the national television network of PTV4, improve its transmission facilities so that the me-

dium can be effectively used for communication and information dissemination by the Dep-Ed. To this end, the Department of Interior and Local Government should instruct the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities to submit their recommendations – in coordination with the Dep-Ed and the IATF – and help ensure that their respective areas of jurisdiction can qualify as a selected area for the face-to-face dry runs.

Children of school age as well as secondary and college students are the ones suffering in this grievous situation. They are being deprived of the much needed useful information and education that is required of them when they seek work and jobs.

We cannot blame the DepEd if it summarily grants them passing grades and promotion to the next level. The circumstances call for it.

As of this writing, PRRD has already issued a ban against incoming passenger traffic from 24 countries, most especially from the UK where the first mutated strain of the pathogen was discovered.

We have suffered more than enough lockdowns already.

The poor have become poorer and the hungry have become hungrier.

The numbers of unemployed and idle people have doubled.

We have to do something better than just cowering in fear and staying indoors by the force of lockdowns.

We have to face the issue squarely.

Would we rather die in lockdowns or die earning a living?

Remember, only the few rich and the elites are surviving comfortably because they have the wherewithal to buy their provisions.

Who was it who said that a hungry nation sits on top of a volcano or something to this effect?

Yes, restlessness and restiveness could arise when people go hungry.

Remember the French Revolution and the guillotined Marie Antoinette.

Anyway. To be or not to be. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

MANUNGGUL JAR “SHIP-OF-THE-DEAD” AND THE JOURNEY TO AFTERLIFE The journey of the soul to the afterlife was closely associated by early Filipinos to maritime culture as represented by the “ship-of-thedead” burial container called Manunggul Jar. I saw the burial jar twice during my visits to two museums, the Palawan Cultural Center in Puerto Princesa, and National Museum in Manila.

The jar dates from 890– 710 B.C and was excavated from a Neolithic burial site in the Manunggul cave of the Tabon Caves at Lipuun Point in Palawan, During the webinar on maritime history sponsored by the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) last September, my fellow speaker historian Xiao Chua explained how the Manunggul jar shows the interaction between the Filipinos' maritime culture and their ancestors' religious beliefs.

The upper part of the Manunggul jar, as well as the cover, is carved with curvilinear scroll designs (reminiscent of waves on the sea) which are

painted with hematite.

At the top handle of its cover, there are two human figures in a boat representing the voyage to the afterlife.

The front figure is the deceased man with hands crossed on his chest which was a widespread practice in the Philippines when arranging the corpse.

The rear figure, on the other hand, is holding a steering paddle directing the boat and soul of the man to the afterlife.

Chua pointed out that many Filipino epics narrate how souls go to the next life and pass through the rivers and seas aboard boats, Early Filipinos believed that a man is composed of a body, a life force called ginhawa, and a kaluluwa (soul) which explains why the design of the cover of the Manunggul Jar featured three faces - the soul, the boatman, and the boat itself.

The kaluluwa, after death, can return to earth to exist in nature and guide their descendants.

Filipino ancestors re-

spected nature as they believe that even things from nature have souls and lives of their own.

Another Filipino artifact that exhibited the country’s maritime history is the Balangay which is one of the most ancient boats in the Philippines that used celestial navigation.

It is a type of lashed-lug boat built by joining planks edge-to-edge using pins, dowels, and fiber lashings.

The boats were finely manufactured without any blueprints and were taught to be made from one generation to another.

The Filipino balangay was used largely as trading ships up until the colonial era.

It was navigated by the old method used by the ancient mariners—steering by the sun, the stars, the wind, cloud formations, wave patterns and bird migrations.

The country’s maritime culture is reflected in its status as one of largest supply countries for all seafarers (officers and ratings).

However, despite its glo-

rification due to economic returns, a job of a seafarer is not exactly a walk in the park.

The maritime profession has always been identified as a high-risk workplace replete with health and safety hazards in relation to the risks of accidents, illnesses and mortality.

The seafarer is often mentally, physically and emotionally stressed, aside from being constantly exposed to a variable environment while working on board vessels that cross ocean boundaries.

The European Maritime Safety Agency reported 745 work-related fatalities among maritime workers and nearly 9,000 persons injured between 2011 and 2020, among other tragic statistics in this sector.

Under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration standard employment contract, in the case of a seafarer’s work-related death during the term of his contract, the employer shall pay his beneficiaries the Philippine currency equivalent to the amount of

US$50,000 and an additional amount of US$7,000 to each child under the age of 21 but not exceeding four children.

The amount usually is higher if the death is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The POEA contract is designed primarily for the protection and benefit of Filipino seafarers in the pursuit of their employment on board ocean-going vessels.

However, the right over death benefits has also become a long legal battle for some families of deceased Filipino seafarers.

As the employer does not hesitate to harness its immense resources to limit its liability, the claims process has become more litigious, allowing employers to question how the seafarers’ fate and misfortunes are work-related.

Atty. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

8 EDGEDAVAO SEN.GO... FROM2

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

no worker Malik S. Darimbang who had been stuck in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for six years after he got involved in a road accident which led to the death of a Pakistani national.

He also played a role in the subsequent granting of pardon to Roderick Aguinaldo, an overseas Filipino worker detained in Bahrain

for four years after he was convicted for the death of a foreign national in the country. Aguinaldo was sentenced to death until his pardon and released from prison as a result of the efforts of the Philippine government.

He also assisted in bringing back home in 2019 several OFWs from

Kuwait who were victimized by a Filipino illegal recruiter and were forced to engage in sexual services.

“Sila po ang tinuturing nating mga bagong bayani na naghihirap para lang mabigyan ng mas magandang buhay ang kanilang pamilya at makatulong sa bansa. Huwag natin sila pabayaan. Gawin natin ang

lahat para maisaayos ang serbisyo na dapat nilang nakukuha mula sa gobyerno (They are considered as modern heroes who work hard to give their families better life and to help the country. We should not forsake them. Do our best to give them better services they deserved from government),” he said. (PR)

strategic financial center having the most number of branches from both government and private banking institutions.

Cotabato City even has a Central Bank regional office in its downtown area, a government banking authority that many local government units cannot boast in Central Mindanao.

Mastura said the BARMM would also promoting the city to become the center of Islamic banking in the country with the anticipated coming in of the Malaysian-owned MayBank, through its subsidiarity MayBank Islamic.

Considered the largest in Southeast Asia, MayBank is eyeing to open a branch in the city next year.

“With the BARMM having an annual block grant amounting to PHP70 billion this year and PHP75 billion next year going through the banking system in Cotabato City, such volume of

money alone cements its role as the financial center of the region,” Mastura said.

Peace and order Another improving aspect in the BARMM is its improving peace and order situation brought about by the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that formed the 21-month-old region following the signing of the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) comprehensive peace agreement.

“The MILF is now pursuing the path of peace and development under the BARMM, and we are proving ourselves to be capable leaders of our Bangsamoro constituents,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the MILF-led BARMM said in a recent interview.

An estimated 12,000 former MILF members are undergoing the decommissioning process as among the key provisions of the Annex on Normalization of

the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that aims to help the former combatants become peaceful and productive citizens once more.

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) in Central Mindanao said that close to 200 combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group from the MILF, have yielded to authorities after witnessing for themselves the return to normal lives of their former MILF comrades.

“We welcome the BIFF’s return to the mainstream society,” Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the 6ID commander, said.

Fight against Covid-19 BARMM officials said that if there is one tough battle they are currently facing right now, it would be the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

The region’s Ministry of Health (MOH) believes that

perseverance and dedication remain the largest factor for BARMM’s record as having the least number of cases number of Covid-19 cases at the regional level.

“Our combination of hard work and effective contract tracing has been working against the virus,” Dr. Amirel Usman, acting MOH minister, said, adding that current active Covid-19 cases in the region are only at 86 as of Dec. 20, 2020.

Since March this year, the region has 2,497 Covid-19 cases, with 2,315 recoveries, for a 93 percent recovery rate.

Usman has expressed hope that the region can “flatten the curve” by the early part of 2021.

“The suppression of Covid-19 is tantamount to reopening and reviving of the regional economy that the constituents are eagerly yearning for,” he said.

(PNA)

accounting rules and regulations.

On Saturday, PRC chairperson Senator Richard Gordon said the debt of PhilHealth have piled up and reached P800 million due to its failure to pay on time. “'Di puwede kasi kung

kailan lang nila gusto magbayad dahil lalaki nang lalaki [ang utang]. Baka mapilitan kami itigil dahil bibili pa kami ng gamit tapos ime-maintain naman ang mga tao sa laboratoryo,” Gordon said.

“Nakikiusap [kami] sa kanila na mag-up-to-date

sila dahil tutumba ang Red Cross dahil sa kanila,” he added.

Baleña said PhilHealth still has P635.4 million debt to PRC after it paid P2.8 billion for the conduct of COVID-19 tests.

“Ayon po sa aming tala po, may outstanding ac-

count po kami na P635.4 million at kasalukuyan na po itong pinoproseso. Thirty-eight percent dito pinoproseso na namin,’ he said.

According to him, PhilHealth is readying this week to pay a partial amount that could reduce its total debt to around P500 million.

tributors to today’s most serious environmental problems,” said Henning Stienfeld, chief of livestock information, sector analysis and policy branch of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Livestock’s contribution comes from their manure and flatulence. “The population of beef cattle and dairy cattle has grown so much that methane from these livestock is now big,” commented Dr. Ralph Cicerone, an American atmospheric scientist and former president of the National Academy of Sciences.

“This is not a trivial issue anymore.”

The digestive system of

ruminant animals such as cattle and goats contain anaerobic bacteria and thus produce methane gas, according to medical science.

A single cow has been found to belch out 100 gallons of methane gas a day.

A recent study showed that emissions of methane from livestock are larger than previously thought.

“Revised calculations of methane produced per head of cattle show that global livestock emissions in 2011 were 11% higher than estimates based on data from PICC,” the Agence France-Presse reported.

This is indeed very alarming. “As our diets become more meat- and

dairy-rich,” Prof. Dave Reay of the University of Edinburgh commented, “so the hidden climate cost of our food tends to mount up. Cows belching less methane may not be as eye-catching as wind turbines and solar panels, but they are just as vital for addressing climate change.”

Although non-toxic, colorless and odorless gas, methane is highly combustible. Scientists claim that mixtures of about 5 to 15 percent in the air are explosive.

Some experts warn that a holocaust is likely to happen should methane violently reactive with oxidizers, halogens and

some halogen-containing compounds. Earth’s atmosphere is made up of 21% free oxygen, and some 2% of halogen and halogen compounds.

Will it be the end of the world? “If global warming continues unchecked,” wrote one environmentalist in his blog, “and the regions of the earth where there is a 5-15% concentrations of methane gas in the atmosphere reaches the temperature of 53 degrees Celsius, which is the flash point of methane gas, it could result in the spontaneous ignition of atmospheric gases and wreak unimaginable destruction to our planet.”

Wolves.

Russell keyed a third-quarter comeback for Minnesota, which led 84-83 before the start of the fourth. Russell had 10 points and six assists in

the third, while Beasley had 11 and Jarrett Culver added 10 in the quarter as the Wolves' offense finally found some rhythm without Towns.

With Jokic and Mur-

ray together, Denver took control with a 20-2 run in the fourth and didn't look back. The Nuggets outscored Minnesota 41-25 in the quarter, while Jokic had seven points and three

assists.

The Wolves allowed at least 120 points for the fourth straight game, and surrendered at least 40 points in a quarter for the second straight game.

surrounding regions asked the central government to declare a state of emergency in their areas over the rising number of cases.

The spike in infections comes with just over six months to go until the rescheduled Olympics, with public opinion in Japan

still favouring a further postponement or outright cancellation over holding the Games this summer.

But Japan's govern-

ment and organisers are insistent the event can go ahead and have drafted extensive coronavirus countermeasures.

BARMM... FROM4

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NUGGETS... FROM9 WORLD... FROM9

SULU... FROM2

fully equipped with the capacity and logistics to prevent the COVID-19 variant in Sabah from spreading in the Sulu archipelago.

Tan said the lockdown maybe be lengthened, depending on the situation.

As of January 2, Sulu, a predominantly Muslim province with a population of 825,000 as of 2015, recorded 248 COVID-19 cases, 10 of them active, 226 recoveries and 12 deaths.

Vinluan commended the decision of Sulu to implement a lockdown starting Monday, January 4, as a measure to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 variant from Sabah.

Additional troops have also been deployed to secure the borders with Sabah to stop the entry of passenger vessels coming from the eastern Malaysian state, he said.

According to him, personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao will conduct patrols in the borders of Sulu and Tawi-tawi provinces and the Zamboanga peninsula, also as part of security measures.

Sulu is a known lair of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group, which has been engaged in kidnapping activities in the Sulu Sea and the waters off Sabah. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

vehicle was about to park at the back of the town hall. The mayor had just arrived from Cotabato City and had opted to stay

home. The driver proceeded to the town hall to park the vehicle. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)

Romano wants to share the award to her family, colleagues, fellow frontliners and the Filipino community in the UK, one of the communities gravely affected by COVID-19.

According to the Philippine embassy, some 88

Filipinos died of COVID-19, more than 50 are frontliners.

“Its always a challenge working in a foreign nation. I dedicate it to a lot of people. I cannot own it and of course, all glory to God,” she said.

Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals who have history of travel in one of the 21 areas will not be allowed to enter the Philippines, Sandoval said.

"If traveling with a foreign national, their spouse or children, but nanggaling sa 21 countries, kahit po may travel history sila dun within 14 days, hindi po

papapasukin yung foreign national dito po sa bansa," she said.

(If the Filipino is traveling with a foreign national, their spouse or children, and came from one of the 21 countries, if they have travel history there within 14 days, the foreign national cannot enter the country.)

ing only 20 percent of the world’s population can be vaccinated within 2021. So, may tinitingnan sila up to 3 years na vaccination para maka-herd immunity tayo.

So, tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang testing," she said.

(When the vaccine comes, not everyone will be inoculated immediately.

In fact, they’re saying only

20 percent of the world’s population can be vaccinated within 2021. So, officials are looking at up to 3 years of vaccination to achieve herd immunity. So, our COVID-19 testing will continue.)

The Philippines as of Saturday reported 476,916 cases of COVID-19, with 27,721 active infections.

ed appropriate assistance while renewing or applying for a business permit this year,” she added.

Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said a no-contact policy and simplified business permit renewal process that are compliant with Republic Act 11032 would be enforced strictly in this year’s BOSS

NI TOMAS as it “diminishes red tape, help the businesses, and specifically avoid mass gatherings that could trigger the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).”

RA 11032 is also known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”. (PNA)

ly our employees,” said the Governor.

The turn-over of Bajaj RE is in coordination with JVR Foundation and EMCOR’s sister company Trimotors which is in charge of the importation, assembly, and distribution of Bajaj RE. Over the past few months, EMCOR Inc. has already distributed a total of 30 units Bajaj RE in dif-

ferent Local Government Units in Mindanao.

Aside from the Bajaj RE vehicles, EMCOR Inc. has also donated various equipment in different areas in the country. These include a fully-equipped and furnished isolation facility in Davao City, relief goods for tricycle drivers, and photocopiers to the Department of Education.

KLD-PIO

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PINOYS... FROM3

SALIVA... FROM3

DAVNOR... FROM4

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9

Curry pours in career-high 62 as Warriors blast Blazers

S

Anthony Davis had 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Lakers ground Grizzlies for third straight win

L

eBron James had 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away late to defeat the host Memphis Grizzlies 108-94 on Sunday.

Anthony Davis had 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, Montrezl Harrell added 16 points and nine boards and Wesley Matthews contributed 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-6 3-pointers for the Lakers, who won their third in a row. Dennis Schroder added 11 points.

Kyle Anderson scored 18 points and Jonas Valanciunas chipped in 14 points

and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones also scored 14, while Desmond Bane had 13.

Schroder's bucket with 4:54 left gave the Lakers a 95-85 lead. A 3-pointer by Bane pulled Memphis within five with 4:07 remaining but it got no closer. Los Angeles outscored Memphis 31-19 in the fourth.

In the first, a 17-0 surge by the Grizzlies allowed

them to wipe out a ninepoint deficit and take a 36-25 advantage after one quarter.

In the second, the Lakers rallied. They closed the half on a 20-9 run for a 5654 edge at the break. Los Angeles outscored Memphis 31-18 in the second quarter.

Neither team led by more than four in the third quarter. Two free throws

by Harrell gave the Lakers a 75-73 lead with 51.6 seconds remaining before Gorgui Dieng's jumper tied the score with 30 seconds left in the third. Harrell's floater put Los Angeles up 77-75 heading into the

fourth quarter.

Lakers center Marc Gasol played against the Grizzlies in Memphis for the first time since he was traded two seasons ago to the Toronto Raptors. Gasol, who received four stitches for a cut above his eye after a collision with Brooks, finished with seven points and six rebounds.

Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) missed the contest.

Kyle Kuzma started in his place, scoring nine of his 11 points in the first half.

The Grizzlies played again without Ja Morant, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.

tephen Curry exploded for 21 of his career-high 62 points in the first quarter Sunday night, helping the Golden State Warriors take a lead they never relinquished in a 137-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in San Francisco.

The game was a rematch of a 123-98 Trail Blazers win on Friday night in a game also played at the 2-year-old Chase Center in San Francisco.

Curry topped his previous high of 54 with two free throws with 2:23 to play.

He wasn't done. With the Warriors comfortably ahead, Curry bombed in consecutive 27-footers, the second of which came with 42.2 seconds left to cap his 62-point night.

The 50-point night was the NBA's first of the season, while the 60-pointer was the first for a Warrior since Klay Thompson had 60 in 2016.

The last Warrior to record more than 62 points in a game was Rick Barry with 64 in 1974.

Curry's record-setting night came in the same game in which his streak of consecutive free throws made, which dated back to last season, ended at 80.

Damian Lillard was on hand for the performance, leading Portland with 32 points.

Seeking their first win of the season, the Warriors trailed 9-2 before Curry hit three shots, including a

3-pointer, in a 17-3 flurry that gave Golden State the lead for good.

Curry had 31 points by halftime and 45 by the end of the third period, during which the Warriors led by as many as 20.

The Trail Blazers, who were wrapping up a California swing in search of a third win in four games, didn't go quietly. They closed within eight on two occasions in the fourth quarter, the last time on two free throws by Enes Kanter with still 2:53 to play.

But Andrew Wiggins hit a 3-pointer 17 seconds later, ending any suspense other than Curry's final point total.

Curry finished 18-for-31 from the field overall and 8-for-16 on 3-pointers. He also shot 18-for-19 at the foul line.

Wiggins added 21 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. 17, James Wiseman 12 and Eric Paschall 10 for the Warriors, who shot 55.7 percent.

CJ McCollum (28) and Kanter (24) backed Lillard for Portland, which shot 41.8 percent. Anthony chipped in with 10 points.

Kanter was the game's leading rebounder with 12.

The Warriors' Wiseman also recorded a d o u ble-double with a team-high 11 rebounds.

World no.1 badminton player tests positive for Covid-19

T

OKYO, Japan -- Badminton world number one Kento Momota tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, prompting the withdrawal of all Japan's players from this month's Thailand Open, Japan's Badminton Association said.

"Momota has tested positive for the coronavirus, and the association has decided not to send any players, including Momota, to Thailand," an association official told AFP. Momota was looking to make his international comeback in Bangkok after almost a year out following a car crash that left him with serious injuries.

National broadcaster NHK said the 26-year-old tested positive at Narita airport ahead of the Japan team's departure for Thailand.

An association official confirmed that none of the other 22 Japan players tested positive, but said the entire team would withdraw nonetheless.

The shuttler made no immediate comment on his social media accounts

Steph Curry exploded for 62 points against the Blazers.

Nuggets rip Wolves

Badminton world number one Kento Momota tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. about the diagnosis.

Momota won the All-Japan championships last week in his first competition since his accident last January, when the vehicle taking him to the airport after he won the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driver.

Momota feared his career might be over after fracturing an eye socket in the accident, and admitted his "spirit was almost

broken" after undergoing surgery.

The rescheduled Thailand Open is one of three tournaments taking place in Thailand this month, following disruptions to the badminton world tour schedule last year.

Momota came from behind to beat world number 11 Kanta Tsuneyama in the final of last week's All-Japan championships in Tokyo, giving him his

third straight national title.

He is one of Japan's brightest hopes for a gold medal on home soil at the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Games this year.

Momota's positive test comes as Japan battles a third wave of infections that has seen record numbers of cases in the capital and nationwide.

On Saturday, the governor of Tokyo and three

FWORLD, P8

M

INNEAPOLIS — Jamal Murray scored a season-high 36 points, Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-109, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).

Murray kept Denver afloat while Jokic dealt with early foul trouble for the second straight game. Murray scored 26 points in the first half, including 16 in the second quarter. Jokic then helped the Nuggets over-

come a Minnesota lead at the start of the fourth to pull away and snap a two-game losing skid.

Malik Beasley, the former Denver draft pick traded to the Timberwolves last season, scored a season-high 25 for Minnesota. It lost its fourth straight game without Karl-Anthony Towns, who is out with a left wrist dislocation.

The teams will complete home-and home set Tuesday night in Denver.

D'Angelo Russell finished with 18 points and seven assists for the

FNUGGETS, P8

10 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 222 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

MODEST TARGET

PBA eyes 2 conferences in 2021 T he Philippine Basketball Assocation (PBA) is eyeing to stage at least two conferences in 2021, according to commissioner Willie Marcial.

Marcial said that the league remains hopeful for a return to a full three-conference season in 2021 if the health crisis improves especially with the development of vaccines around the world.

“Titignan natin kung kakayanin natin ang three conferences,” said Marcial during an interview with Noli Eala in his Power and Play program. “Pero kung hindi, baka two. At least two conferences lang ang magagawa natin.”

The PBA has already booked an April 9 opening for the 2021 season, although it is still not clear whether it will still be held under a bubble set-up just like last year in Clark. The league has only calendared a Philippine Cup for now.

The PBA has already broached the idea of

holding a closed-circuit set-up where teams will be strictly monitored and only allowed to travel from home to game venue or practice venue and back during the season.

Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua, meanwhile, suggested a Metro Manila bubble in which the games will be played in either the Smart-Araneta Coliseum or in smaller venues.

At this point, Marcial said he remains unsure on whether the second conference and, if possible, the third conference, will be played with imports.

Marcial said the PBA could consider bringing in imports if a large number of the population in the United States where teams usually recruit im-

PBA is setting its target to hold at least two conferences in 2021. ports have inoculated.

“By June, July, makikita na natin ang galawan. One,

papayag ba na magdala ng imports dito? Two, kapag nandito na ang imports,

may quarantine pa ba?

Baka may vaccine na sila pagpunta dito. Malaking

bagay ‘yun kung ano ang sitwasyon nila,” said Marcial.