Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 229 | Wednesday, January 13, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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City opens hotel-type Covid-19 isolation facility STORY ON PAGE 2 A worker washes one of the newly delivered bicycles at an establishment selling used bikes from Japan along Dacudao Avenue in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

Sara calls on BPO establishments to reveal workers with Covid-19

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminds the management of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Davao City not to hide their employees with suspected cases of Covid-19. CIO

QUARANTINE OPTION

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has called on to the management of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Davao City not to hide their employees with suspected cases of Covid-19. Despite preventive measures implemented, BPO companies are vulnerable to clustering cases of Covid-19 as employees usually stay for longer periods in confined air-conditioned areas, working close to each other and sharing desktop computers and headphones. “Sa atoa sa city government ginasulti nato sa ilaha (BPO) na dili nila itago ang kanang mga suspected cases nila so that maka assist ug tarong ang City Health Office sa pagpugong sa transmission,” the mayor said in a live broadcast interview. The mayor urged the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 11) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 11) to conduct constant inspections to these establishments for the enforcement of the minimum health protocols. Based on DTI and Interim guidelines on workplace

prevention and control of Covid-19, to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 in workplaces, all employers and workers shall wear face masks at all times and remove the same only when eating/drinking. Employers shall provide the appropriate face mask for workers. Inside the workplace, all work areas and frequently handled objects such as door knobs and handles shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly, while all washrooms and toilets shall have sufficient clean water and sopa, workers are encouraged to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes, nsoe and mouth. To minimize contact rate, establishments are encouraged to provide alternative work arrangements such as working-hour shifts, work from home, where feasible and on rotation basis. The mayor also urged the said establishments to provide proper ventilation in their workplaces. “Isa sa mga nakita sa research for this BPO establishments is kinahanglan adunay adequate na ventilation ang isa ka kuwarto to lower the risk of transmission,” the mayor said. Maya Padillo

ational Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., on Monday, said the government might begin to inoculate Filipinos against Covid-19 by the "third or fourth week" of February. During the Senate inquiry on the government's vaccination plan, Galvez said the initial vaccination of priority sectors might be pursued next month. However, he did not divulge which brand of Covid-19 vaccines will be used for the inoculation. Galvez said the initial batch of Covid jabs is expected to be delivered by Feb. 20. At the Senate hearing, Senator Win Gatchalian asked what pharmaceutical companies the government has chosen for the vaccination campaign. Galvez told Gatchalian that the government has already confirmed orders of vaccines from various pharmaceutical companies including Novavax, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Covax.

The government has already secured 40 million vaccines from Novavax Inc., 30 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccines, and 40 million doses of Covax vaccines, Galvez said. He added that the government has also ongoing negotiations with other pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer Inc., Johnson&Johnson, Moderna, and Russia's Gamaleya. Galvez said the government is targeting to close deals with other pharmaceutical companies on Jan. 11, to secure more doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the country. "If we will able to lockin all the documents, two weeks from now. This week we will have the signing maybe with J&J, with AstraZeneca, and also hopefully with Pfizer. All-in-all we can have at least 100 million doses and if we will be successful in our negotiation and consummate all the vaccines we can have 144 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine," Galvez said. (PNA)

City opens hotel-type Covid-19 isolation facility N

Gov't eyes vaccine jabs by end-Feb.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he city government of Davao has opened the first hotel-type Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) for Covid-19 cases in the city. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the facility is for those patients who do not want to be admitted to the different TTMFs provided by the city but can afford to pay the cost of quarantine services. “Meaning ani, katong mga pasyente na dili gusto muadto didto sa TTMFs,

naa sila option na muadto ani nga facility ug magbayad sila for their quarantine. The reason why ngano naa ta’y pay TTMF is because daghan nata na encounter na mga pasyente nga mag- dili dili sila ani gusto na lugar (TTMF), magpili pili sila. Unfortunately, dili man gud ka

makapili ug lugar kung asa ka ma-assign,” the mayor said in a live broadcast on Monday. The hotel-type TTMF offers a package inclusive of 10 days quarantine in a room with a toilet, complete with meals and medical staff to monitor the patient. It currently has a capacity of 29 beds. “Kung gi-assign ka as a mild or asymptomatic na patient and dili ka gusto muadto sa isa ka TTMF provided by the city government or didto sa atoang dome, they can opt to go to

resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday commended the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATFZH) for working hard to achieve the government’s goal of addressing hunger and poverty amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Duterte also extended his “warmest greetings” to IATF-ZH as it launched the National Food Policy (NFP) to highlight the task force’s virtual first anniversary. “I am pleased with the hard work and dedication of the men and women of ITAF-ZH in coordinating with the government’s efforts in addressing hunger and poverty across the country,” Duterte said in his message read by IATF-HZ chairperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles. Duterte said the institutionalization of the NFP “is indeed a welcome

development not only in our search for solutions to our decades-long problem of hunger and malnutrition but also in our efforts to attain longterm food security in 2021 and beyond”. “We celebrate this momentous occasion for your agency with optimism that we will soon overcome the difficulties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “I, therefore, urge you to continue your collaborative work with other agencies in crafting programs and initiatives that will improve the lives of the poorest and marginalized sectors of our society.” With the commitment of the IATF-ZH to address hunger and poverty, Duterte expressed optimism that the country will attain a “stronger and healthier future” for every Filipino. “Congratulations and

I wish you all the best,” Duterte added. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 101 on Jan. 10, 2020 that created IATF-ZH that formulates the government’s anti-hunger policies and ensures that government policies, initiatives, and projects on attaining zero hunger shall be coordinated, responsive and effective. The task force is part of an all-encompassing program to form a lasting and effective publicprivate partnership (PPP) that aims to achieve food security for all Filipino families. Other government officials who graced the event include Agriculture Secretary and Task Force vice chairperson William Dar, Social Welfare and Development Secretary and IATF-ZH co-vice chairperson Rolando Bautista, and Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

the hotel. Naa na giandam na package ang hotel inclusive of 10 days quarantine, food, and check-up, and medical staff,” she said. As of December 29, 2020, the city government’s isolation facilities for probable and suspect cases, along with the temporary treatment and monitoring facilities for Covid-19 positive cases have a total 2,194-bed capacity. The facilities are a mixed set-up of a hotel, public schools, gyms, and other facilities converted to isolation areas.

Nograles emphasized the involvement of all stakeholders “as integral in the sustainability” of the task force. “Ang problema natin sa kagutuman ay kayang masolusyan sa sama-samang pagkilos at pagtutulungan (Our hunger problem can be solved through united efforts and collaboration),” he said. “We are all responsible to end hunger.” Despite the pandemic and natural calamities, Nograles said the Task Force remains hopeful and diligent in ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind. Dar, for his part, said the agriculture sector needs a more focused approach to address the hunger problem. “There are many strategies that we need to pursue like further opening up the economy

Duterte lauds TF on zero hunger for ‘hard work’ to address poverty

FDUTERTE, P10

Almost 30K Dabaonons served by zero hospital billing in 2020

lmost 30,000 patients admitted in Davao del Norte provincial hospitals benefited from the extended zero hospital billing amounting to more than P28 million in year 2020 alone. Data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) says that a total of 29,838 patients benefitted from Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib's Zero-Billing policy. Davao del Norte PSWDO Department Head Rose Rapista explained that the Zero-Billing Policy is being

implemented in provincial district hospitals in connection with the Malasakit Program which involves the Office of the President, the Provincial Government and other national line agencies extending health and hospitalization assistance. The Malasakit Program allows patients to enjoy no bills for admission, medicine, laboratory, blood chemistry, and other services upon exit from the hospital. The Provincial hos-

FALMOST, P10

EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS 3

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 50th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRRD, Cabinet wants telcos sanctioned for child porn

resident Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet have ordered sanctions against internet service providers that have failed to stop online child pornography, reports of which nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Tuesday. Transaction reports related to online sexual exploitation rose from 19,000 in 2019 to 47,937 in 2020, when the Philippines went on varying degrees of quarantine restrictions to halt the pandemic. The median age of those involved in these transactions is 11, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. Duterte's Cabinet, which met on Monday, directed the National Telecommunications Commission to impose sanctions on internet service providers “for failure to fulfill their duty” under Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, he said. These duties include immediately notifying lawmakers within a week upon knowing that their services were being used for child pornography, providing authorities with details on users involved in the scheme, and intercepting or immediately blocking access to the materials, Nograles told reporters in an online briefing. The Cabinet, he said,

also called on lawmakers to do the following. Prioritize passage of bills that would exempt trafficking in persons from the Anti-Wiretapping Law Broaden membership of the inter-agency council on child pornography, and strengthen the body with additional plantilla positions and funding Impose obligations on internet service providers and tourism establishments in the campaign towards "destroying child" pornography "Hindi hahayaan ng gobyerno na madagdagan pa ang biktima ng sexual exploitation sa gitna ng kinakaharap nating pandemya," he said. (The government will not allow more to fall victim to sexual exploitation in the middle of the pandemic.) Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian earlier raised concerns over a report by news portal Philippine Online Student Tambayan (POST), which revealed that students held an online “Christmas sale” of their “sensual” photos and videos to earn money to support online schooling. The Department of Education said it was “deeply alarmed” over the POST report, adding that it would cooperate with other government agencies to prevent and address pornog-

FPRRD, P10

Eskwela Davao to conduct payout to Jr HS students By MAYA M. PADILLO skwela Davao will be conducting a payout to Junior high school students on January 19 to 21, 2021 at the People’s Park.

Those who are qualified to receive educational cash assistance are posted on Eskwela Davao’s Facebook account. Eskwela Davao is an educational assistance program offered for children whose families lost their jobs and livelihood due to

lockdowns and movement restrictions implemented by the city government as a countermeasure for the Covid-19 pandemic. There are 22,000 students who are qualified to receive the cash assistance based on the guidelines and amount: kindergar-

ten-P1,000 cash; elementary - P2,000 cash; junior high school - P3,000 cash; and senior high school- P3,000 cash Norman Baloro, program manager, reiterated that the said cash educational assistance program for Davao is a one-time cash assistance and is not a scholarship program but an aid from the city government of Davao. “Wala ta’y second or third tranche niini, once ra

gyod ni siya kay dili man ni scholarship program it's an aid only. Kung nakadawat naka og naa ang pangalan nimo na post og balik among gihangyo na ayaw na ug adto pa ug i-disregard ang maong impormasyon kay amng dawaton na naa mi lapses sa pag-encode ani ug para ma-avoid ang hassle,” Baloro said in his post. He reminded that they won't release the assistance if claimant does not have a valid ID.

Davao Oriental to roll out full-scale implementation of QR code system

tarting January 18, 2021, the Province of Davao Oriental will implement the Davao Oriental Digital Contact Tracing System (DAVOR-DCTS) requiring Davao Oriental residents and non-residents to present their Quick Response or QR Code in private and public establishments here. Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 Action Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo announced this during a Facebook Live on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the Province has already started distrib-

uting the cards containing the QR codes of Davao Oriental residents since January 07 in ten municipalities and one city, Dr. Bersaldo said. Those who had already received their QR codes were Davao Oriental residents who were included in the manual registration which started in November 2020, Dr. Bersaldo said. Covered in the initial registration were Davao Oriental residents of ages ranging from 15 to 65 years considered as Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR). Dr. Bersaldo explained that the province opted to implement the manual reg-

istration, which tapped barangay workers to collect the required data since not all residents of the province have access to the internet or own a cellphone or a computer. “This way, we ensure that even those in the hinterlands will be served,” he said. Meanwhile, those who were not included in the manual registration may still get their QR codes through online registration. The link for the online registration is set to be posted on Monday, January 11 on the Province of Davao Oriental Official Facebook page. Individuals who may

avail of the online registration include Davao Oriental residents who are below 15 years old and above 65 years old, Davao Oriental residents who currently live outside the province, and non-residents including tourists. Quarantine checkpoints at the borders of Davao Oriental will start requiring tourists of their QR codes in February 2021. In the next few days, the provincial government is set to release an executive order requiring business establishments and private and public offices to comply with the QR code system. They are expected to

FDAVAO, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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The latest Social Weather Survey (SWS) reports that 42% of Filipinos expect the local economy will be in better shape in the next 12 months as the government implements recovery programs. Edge Davao

BIR, BOC overshoot DBCC A revenue targets last year

Oil prices down over reemergence as China records rise of Covid-19 cases

he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) have collected a combined PHP2.43 trillion in 2020 despite the economic downturn resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to preliminary data from the Department of Finance (DOF).

A report by the DOF’s Revenue Operations Group (ROG) to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III shows last year’s collection of the two agencies was PHP246.39 billion or 11.27 percent over the PHP2.187-trillion revised target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on July 23 last year. For 2020, the BIR collected PHP1.899 trillion while the BOC reported collections of PHP533.88 billion, Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao of the ROG said in his

report during a recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting. Napao said the BIR’s 2020 collection was PHP213.84 billion, or 12.68 percent in excess of the revised DBCC target of PHP1.685 trillion for the year The BOC’s collection, meanwhile, was over PHP32.55 billion, or 6.49 percent more than the revised DBCC goal of PHP501.33 billion, he added. The original combined collection target for the two agencies was PHP3.255

trillion for 2020 that was set by the DBCC in December 2019. The target was then revised in May 2020 and again in July 2020 to reflect the economic realities resulting from the pandemic-driven global growth slump. In a statement, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said a preliminary report based on cash inflows to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) shows that total revenues for 2020 have already reached PHP2.84 trillion, which already includes non-tax revenues such as collections from dividends, fees, privatization efforts, and BTr income. The preliminary figures on revenues collected by the BIR and BOC are still subject to reconciliation with BTr data. BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said in a separate report during the meeting that tentative data show the bureau’s ex-

cise tax collections amounted to PHP289.98 billion in 2020, surpassing its target of PHP285.77 billion for the year by PHP4.21 billion or 1.47 percent. Collections from “sin” products led the pack, with excise taxes from tobacco products totaling PHP148.45 billion in 2020, followed by alcohol products with PHP75.94 billion, which both exceeded the BIR-set targets by 6.71 percent and 22.74 percent, respectively, Guballa said. The excise tax collection target for tobacco products was PHP139.12 billion and for alcohol products, PHP61.87 billion, last year. Excise taxes from sweetened beverages of PHP30.56 billion also exceeded the PHP28.54-billion target of the BIR for 2020, the report said. The BIR’s excise tax collections from minerals, automobiles, and cosmetic procedures were also

Monday. Last week, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., said the Charter change (Cha-cha) discussions should focus on amending restrictive economic provisions in line with the directive of House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico said while the initiative for Cha-cha aims to lift certain restrictions

in the economy, there are pending bills that can push for economic liberalization. Among these bills that should be prioritized include the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act, and the Public Service Act. “While it may be the

fastest option, inserting the provision ‘unless otherwise provided by law’ in sections of the Constitution that limit foreign equity to 40 percent in business ventures that are considered of critical interest to the Filipino people, could potentially weaken the country’s highest law by making it easier for ordinary legislation to amend the Constitution,” Yujuico said.

FBIR, P10

Cha-cha untimely amid pandemic, says PCCI

awmakers should focus on passing bills that will help in economic recovery and building the country’s resiliency rather than amending the Constitution, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said. “PCCI is cautious at the timing and manner by which the Constitution is being proposed to be amended,” the business group said in a statement

FCHA-CHA, P10

fter reaching 11-month highs last week, oil prices fell on Monday as China reported the most rise in daily coronavirus cases in more than five months, reigniting lingering concerns over weak demand. International benchmark Brent crude was trading at USD55.19 per barrel at 0702 GMT for a 1.42 percent fall after closing Friday at USD55.99 a barrel. American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at USD51.73 per barrel at the same time for a 0.98-percent decrease after it ended the previous session at USD52.24 a barrel. Monday’s price slump was spurred mainly by demand concerns after more than 100 people tested positive in Hebei province in northern China, one of the world’s largest oil con-

sumers. The government imposed partial lockdowns and travel restrictions in and around the province bordering the capital Beijing. Further weighing on prices, the number of US oil rigs increased by eight to 275 last week compared to the previous week, signaling greater short-term output and raising supply glut concerns. Political Risk and Oil Analyst Jose Chalhoub told Anadolu Agency that last week’s price jump was a direct impact of the recent decision of the OPEC+ deal to keep current cuts in January, as well as the upcoming stimulus package in the US. He recalled that the recent seizure of a South Korean vessel by Iran shows that geopolitical risks still weigh heavily on the oil

FOIL, P10

Electronics express see 7% growth with demand for ‘new normal’ tech

n electronics industry group said it sees increased demand this year for technologies that support the "new normal." The Semiconductors and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc (SEIPI) said demand for gadgets for distance learning and telecommuting, as well as e-vehicles and medical electronics, will increase and lead the sector to grow 7 percent this year. This is an improvement from an expected 5 percent to 10 percent contraction for the full year of 2020. SEIPI President Dan Lachica however also said

that while demand is picking up, the supply chain is far from normal despite efforts to augment capacity. Lachica said that while revisiting Charter change is laudable, lawmakers should consider tweaking existing bills like the CREATE or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, to make the Philippines more competitive than peers like Vietnam in the current business climate. "Vietnam is gaining the most FDI (foreign direct investments)," Lachica said. "While we are happy [the] CREATE bill lowers corporate income taxes, it

FELECTRONICS, P10

EDGEDAVAO

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More investments seen for PH after latest ratings affirmation

itch Ratings’ affirmation of its ‘BBB’ investment grade rating with stable outlook for the Philippines’ is expected to attract more investments given the country’s improved fundamentals. In a reply to e-mailed questions from PNA, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest affirmation of the country’s credit rating defies “the adverse economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that led to downgrades in the outlook and credit ratings of other countries around the world.” This development, he said, “signal(s) resilience and would also encourage the entry of more foreign investments/FDIs (foreign direct investments), amid improved economic and credit fundamentals of the country, thereby increasing international investor confidence/sentiment on the country and generating more employment and other business/economic activities in the country, as needed to help sustain economic recovery/rebound after the Covid-19 lockdowns.” “The improved economic and credit fundamentals of the Philippines

in recent years, amid attractive demographics, with the 12th largest population in the world at about 110 million, would make the Philippines a compelling investment destination and additional hedge for the global supply chain of various global/multinational companies looking for increased growth/ sales, thereby making the country as an attractive production and marketing hub, as well as an attractive entry point to the other free trade agreement (FTA) partner countries of the Philippines,” he said. Along with the improvement of the government’s fiscal performance, he expects the entry into the country of “more/bigger roster of international investments and international credit/loans at much lower cost and with better terms into the country, in view of the need to finance Covid-19 programs and other economic stimulus measures needed to help sustain the economic recovery, going forward.” The debt watcher’s latest rate decision on the Philippines comes after it affirmed the country’s ‘BBB’ rating but changed the outlook from positive to stable in May 2020.

ECONOMY 5

PRRD orders halt to mining ops in Tumbagaan island

resident Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a stop to all mining operations in Tumbagaan Island in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, and directed the massive rehabilitation of the area. In a virtual presser on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said Duterte issued the directive during Monday night’s full Cabinet meeting following reports that the island has been

devastated as a result of mining operations. “The island has, at this point, been mined out. And while rehabilitation efforts are underway, the President is issuing a directive to stop any and all mining in Tumbagaan

Island and to step up the rehabilitation of the area by planting more trees and other efforts of rehabilitation,” Nograles said. Nograles said more actions will be considered after more light is shed regarding the state of the island and the conduct of the mining operations in the area. He also stressed the President’s commitment to preserving the

environment, which is evident in his directives to ensure that mining companies comply with the laws, rules, and regulations that govern their operations. “Since the beginning of his administration, the President has repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting our environment and strictly implementing environmental laws,” he said. (PNA)

FMORE, P10

Fish kill destroys 200K kg of tilapia in SoCot town

round 200,000 kilograms (kg) of tilapia have been destroyed due to the massive fish kill in the last three days that hit anew Lake Sebu in South Cotabato province, officials said Monday. Christopher Ofong, Lake Sebu municipal information officer, said the fish kill has so far affected around 1,000 fish cages in the lake’s waters situated off Barangays Bacdulong, T’kunel and Poblacion. He said some 250 fisherfolk and 45 fish cage operators from eight sitios of the three barangays were directly affected by the incident based on the initial assessment conducted by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO). Fish cage operators were forced to conduct emergency harvests over the weekend to avoid further losses, he said. Ofong said they have not yet determined the value of the damaged tilapia but noted that it could reach around PHP20 million based on the prevailing average farm-gate price of PHP100 per kilo. “That is just the partial damage report. The assessment is still ongoing in the affected areas,” he said. On Monday morning, he said Lake Sebu Mayor Floro Gandam called an emergency meeting to discuss the impact of the fish kill, which was initially reported last Friday, and set the necessary interventions. The meeting was joined by concerned municipal officials and representatives

from the South Cotabato Provincial Environment Management Office and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. Ofong said the fish kill, as reported by the mayor and the MAO, was triggered by the occurrence of “Kemohung” or “Kamahong,” a phenomenon that is mainly caused by the sudden rise in the water’s temperature. “Kemohung,” which usually occurs during the rainy season, triggers the rise of sulfuric acid that eventually lowers the dissolved oxygen in the lake’s waters. Citing results of the water analysis conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Rudy Muyco, the town’s lake warden, said the dissolved oxygen of the lake was “almost at zero level.” Muyco said the fish kill continues to hit some fish cages on Monday. He noted the oxygen level of the lake “will naturally improve with regular heavy rainfall and eight to 10 hours of sunlight.” In 2017, a series of major fish kills blamed on such phenomenon hit portions of the 254-hectare mountain lake, destroying some 1.4 million kg of tilapia valued at around PHP126 million. Ofong said the municipal government is currently consolidating the available resources to assist the affected fish cage operators and fisherfolk. Among those discussed during the meeting is the

FFISH KILL, P10

A Sun Cellular subscriber tries to connect to the internet using a mobile phone on Tuesday. Some PLDT customers in Davao Region and nearby provinces have experienced slow or intermittent internet services due to a double fiber cut caused by a vehicular accident. Edge Davao

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

On the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop all mining operations in Tumbagaan Island in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, and directed the massive rehabilitation of the area:

The island has, at this point, been mined out. And while rehabilitation efforts are underway, the President is issuing a directive to stop any and all mining in Tumbagaan Island and to step up the rehabilitation of the area by planting more trees and other efforts of rehabilitation.” Cabinet Secretary

Karlo Nograles

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7 EDGEDAVAO

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LIFESTYLE

THE IPHONE 12 IS HERE, AND YOU’LL LOVE IT MORE WITH GLOBE 5G HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DIARRHEA IS STILL A KILLER

While the country welcomed the coming of 2021, some people in barangay Butuan, about 15 kilometers away from the town of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental, were undergoing health problems after drinking contamMUCH like any other inated water. new iPhone series, “After I received thethe report, arrival of the iPhone I immediately talked with12 our has beenhealth hotly anticipatmunicipal officer to send a ed worldwide teamby tofans the barangay,” MayorinJacluding theposted Philippines. son John Joyce in his Facebook account on January 3. “We Now, the long wait is also prepared dextrose and over and devotees canother medicines.” finally get their hands Someonly of thephone victims,they mostly on the children, were admitted want, choosing fromin the district hospital and given oresol four new models – the (oral rehydration solution) and iPhone 12, Mini, Pro, some medicines. Oresol, accordand Pro Max. While the ing to the Mayo Clinic, is a formurevamped design, new la used to replace electrolytes and color choices, and wirefluids that are lost in the body. lessDespite charging the system immediate response the government, there are allofnotable, the most was one casualty. A 62-year-old exciting addition to the man from 12 sitioisMalwayog was adiPhone its 5G camitted in the hospital on Decempability, which enables ber 30. to Hedo died of renal failure users more with two days later. their phones at the light“Water is life,” the old provning-fast speeds thatisthe erb insists. After all, water one cutting-edge technology of those basic necessities in life. affords. “It is a grave moral shortcoming if Withcannot Globe’s continued people drink water with-

expansion of its 5G services in Metro Manila as well as key cities in Visayas and Mindanao, more users around the country can enjoy the countless enhanced experiences that the new iPhone offers in gaming, streaming, virtual reality, and more. Get your hands on this much-awaited iPhone series by pre-ordering it through Globe. Take your pick from among the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, “If I had eight hours to chop iPhone Pro, iPhone down a 12 tree, I’dorspend six 12 hours Pro Max, and avail of special sharpening my axe.’ (Abraham Linintroductory pricing and your coln). choice of payment options. (I am very certain that ALL

our lawmakers – not only in both Houses of Congress – but also all Sanggunians nation-wide are following and are aware of the contemporary developments happening in the United States today.) Our senators – I fear - have entered into a “zugzwang” position. KAPUSO SOUL BALLADEER “Zugzwang” is a situation in Garrett Bolden the New chess whereinwelcomes one player finds Year with his newest single and himself in a force majeure because original “Our he mustcomposition have to make theLove” uneasy under GMA Music. response that cannot be avoided. The player in put at a “Writing myzugzwang own song is was disadvantage but is Icompelled indeed an adventure took duringto make the move even meant losthe pandemic. I had theit time to be ing the game (oron making his posialone and reflect everything that tion weaker).around me, emotions is happening Take this initiative by Senate from my past experiences, and also Pres. Vicente Sotto, he of the ‘Eat experiences thatwho my friends shared Bulaga’ fame, has taken the to me in the past years,” he shared. cudgels for the discredited ABS “As writing I felt bill the same CBNI was by filing theit,first immefeeling when I lost my father. diately as we entered 2021I was that really and longing andbroadcast through seeks sad to grant the media company franchise the song, itthe feltrenewed as if I could turn it failedtime, to secure lastand year.spend more back see him, IS A TERRIBLE MISTAKE time THIS with him.” SOTTO HAS COMMITTED. According to the Kapuso singer,

out courting disease or death,” Worldwatch Institute’s Sandra Postel once penned. It was the physician Hippocrates, the ancient innovator of medical ethics, who advised that polluted water be boiled or filtered before being consumed. “About 80 percent of all diseases and more than one-third of all deaths in developing countries are caused by contaminated water,” deplored Elizabeth Dowdeswell when she was still the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. “At any given time, an estimated one-half of people in developing countries are suffering from diseases caused either directly by infection through the consumption of contaminated water or food, or indirectly by disease-carrying organisms that breed in water,” the United Nations said in a press statement. Diarrhea is one of those diseases. In 2008, the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) listed diarrhea as the fourth leading cause of deaths among children less than five years old and the third leading cause of illness among the children. “If the trend continues,” the United Nations health agency

surmised, “it is expected to cause 10,000 deaths every year.” Most cases of diarrhea, however, are self-limited but they sometimes can lead to serious complications. The Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic states: “Diarrhea can cause dehydration (when your body loses large amounts of water), electrolyte imbalance (loss of sodium, potassium and magnesium that play a key role in vital bodily functions) and kidney failure (not enough blood/fluid is supplied to the kidneys). “When you have diarrhea, you lose water and electrolytes along with stool. You need to drink plenty of fluids to replace what’s lost. Dehydration can become serious if it fails to resolve (get better), worsens and is not addressed adequately,” the Cleveland Clinic adds. Actually, there are several different ways to classify diarrhea. Acute diarrhea, the most common form, is loose watery diarrhea that lasts one to two days. This type doesn’t need treatment and it usually goes away after a few days. Persistent diarrhea is a type of diarrhea that generally persists for several weeks – from two to four weeks. Diarrhea that

lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time is called chronic diarrhea. “Many cases of diarrhea are due to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract,” writes Medical News Today’s Markus MacGill. “The microbes responsible for this infection include: bacteria, viruses, and parasitic organisms.” The most commonly identified causes of acute diarrhea are the bacteria Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Escherichia coli. Some cases of chronic diarrhea are called “functional” because although all the digestive organs appear normal, they are not functioning as they ideally should. Some other major causes of chronic diarrhea include: microscopic colitis, malabsorptive and maldigestive diarrhea, chronic infections, drug-induced diarrhea, endocrine-related causes, and cancer-related causes. But the question is: how will you know you have it? The website, webMD.com, states you may have diarrhea when you experience these: bloating in your belly, cramps, thin or loose stools, watery stools, an urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel move-

FRED C. LUMBA

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TERRIBLE LEGISLATIVE “PRIORITIES” Extended Lock-up, lower

Introductory Pricing In the first place, will the grantFor of a limited period, Globe help will ing the franchise renewal be offering the iPhone 12 series the Filipinos combat the threats of at lower cashouts. This repeatedmeans the CoVid19 that is being that you can get the iPhone ly reported as having mutated into

a new, more dangerous strain? If your answer is “NO” as I would presume, then we should condemn Sotto and 16 other senators (the senate is a boy’s club) who have signed and are supporting the proposal. Sotto’s rationale is weak, cit“Ourthat Love” is a song that relates ing a huge competitive inforhow love is something thatasshould mation gap was created GMA7 not be taken for granted. One monopolized the news broadcasts should always cherish the timeCBN. and following the “demise” of ABS the memories he or shemainstay shares with The Eat Bulaga comedian saidlove. GMA& news roll-outs people they lacked substanceako and “Nakaka-relate nangadequate sobalanced for the pubbra kasi it’sinformation a song that aids one’s lic to fully appreciate imporlonging for someone. It isthe from my tance thatI news information plays heart and dedicate it to everyone in their lives. who is going through the same If this is the case, did not Sotto feeling of love,” the All-Out realize that thesaid government itself Sundays mainstay. is at a zugzwang because whatevwho was onegovernment of the top er Garrett, PTV4 (the national 5broadcast finalists ofarm the first season of Theby headed today Clash, is humbled by his Sec. Andanar) does, it isexperinot commanding the attention, ences and feats he’s had sofollowing far in his and ofathe Filipino musicsupport career as Kapuso. He public was because it notMale onlyRecording has credibility named “New Artproblems but also creative ingenuist of the Year” at the 11th PMPC

cashouts Customers also have the opPolitical handlers of Sotto tion to choose longer lock-up failed to rein inatheir presidential with lower total cashouts andbewannabe who was ill-advised monthly payments. The iPhone cause he probably thought if ABS ity.

CBN could get its franchise renewal, Sotto would automatically get the broadcast giant’s media backing in case he opts to run for a higher position in 2022. I don’t know if he has a stake in ABS CBN but the public suspects one or two of his relatives are for perhaps Star Awards Music,shareholders. “People’s One plus -one equals two. It’s Choice Award Favorite New Male that easy. Artist” at the Awit Awards 2020, Secondly, between introducand “Outstanding Achiever in the ing amendments to a limped and Music Industry” at the Philippine lame 1987 Constitution and the Top Choice for Excellence last year. franchise renewal, the former Now, Garrett is looking forwould greatly impact the lives of ward to telling more stories to his Filipinos as we grapple with the avid supporters and listeners as a economic and social problems cresongwriter with “Our ated by thebeginning CoVid19 lockdowns. Love.” He quipped, “I know I am Some uneasy sectors, notably new in this field of songwriting, but those who have been shielding after I finished doing this song, I the 1987 basic law from getting felt that it isand ready to be shared and reformed changed, continue be heard.” to peddle the idea that revising Love” willatbethis available the“Our Constitution time offor the streaming onisApple Music, “pandemic” uncalled for Spotify, and untimely. YouTube Music, and other digital constitutional storesToday, worldwide beginningchanges Janumust ary 11.be resorted to by our legis-

with global developments that are 36 months, 0%without interest us noticrapidly arising, Available for newour andreing them outright,both making sponse delayed and awkward. See, even the vaccines the DOH was supposed to purchase on time are not being acted upon promptly. Too much red tape and bureaucracy and too many indolent and incompetent officials. From where I sit, reforming restrictive economic provisions should be number one priority. Millions of OFWs and their families are suffering due to the decreased need for our workers to be employed overseas. Millions are also jobless or under-employed. How do you expect the national government to respond if its hands are tied? I am harping again for the nth time the compelling duty of our national leaders, particularly our lawmakers in the House of Representatives, to commence taking the first bold step. Cha-Cha (Constitutional Change) has earned notoriety since this was floated during the Cory Aquino regime, then in FVR’s term

tensibly looking only after their self-preservation. Little do our people know that they have been poisoned by the continuous barrage of lies presented by those who oppose it, in particular the Yellow cult because they were afraid of losing Cory’s “legacy” kuno. Filipinos should themselves make their voices heard and call upon the nation’s leaders, paging and pressing Pres. Duterte to proceed with and fulfill his campaign promise to amend the 1987 Constitution. The Constitution is the backbone of a nation. Without it, we are like in a rudderless Ship of State buffeted by strong winds of change and or adverse developments. Let us call on SP Sotto to change course. His pet bill is not only inane but also an act of betrayal to the Filipino nation. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

GARRETT BOLDEN SPEAKS FROM THE HEART IN NEW SINGLE

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) was conferred with the Gawad Kamagong award by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its valuable contributions to the environment and active participation in volunteer projects. LANDBANK Corporate Affairs Specialist Arnold Aldaba received the award on behalf of the Bank from DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda on December 15, 2020.

LANDBANK honored as first DENR Gawad Kamagong awardee S tate-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) was awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with the first-ever Gawad Kamagong award for the Bank’s unwavering support to environmental advocacy through long-term volunteer work. Considered as the highest recognition for volunteer partners, the Gawad Kamagong was awarded to LANDBANK

for implementing volunteer programs that support the protection and rehabilitation of watersheds and for uplifting the

livelihood of its partner community organizations. “LANDBANK has been a longstanding advocate for environmental preservation and sustainable development. We will continue to support inclusive countryside development by joining government partners in promoting environmental awareness, protection, and conservation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK was

porate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs for the environment, which includes the Manila Bay SUNSET Partnership Program, Inc. (MBSPPI), the Gawad Sibol Program (formerly Adopt-A-Watershed Program), and the “50@50” Program (50,000 trees for LANDBANK’s 50th anniversary year). LANDBANK Corporate Affairs Specialist Arnold Aldaba—who received the award as the Bank’s

representative—also became the first recipient of the Gawad Masigasig, a special individual award for demonstrating exceptional work in linking the Bank’s environmental programs with the DENR. DENR Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda led the awarding ceremonies held at the DENR Central Office on December 15, 2020. The recognition program was in celebration of the National Vol-

ful for the help extended by Therma Visayas and Aboitiz Foundation. The project will enhance the production capabilities of the organization which are composed of farmers from Barangays Bato, Awihao, and Cabitoonan,” SKFA President Jean Hilo said. TVI will provide upgraded equipment and seeds to help maximize the association’s production of pinakbet crops, comprising various vegetable ingredients in the dish such as eggplant, ampalaya, patola, and squash. A study conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organiza-

tion (FAO) points out that addressing food security starts from the ground. The FAO notes that the Philippines recorded the most number of food-insecure people in Southeast Asia from 2017 to 2019, which means approximately 59 million Filipinos suffer from moderate to severe lack of consistent access to food. While the project helps to enhance the crop production of the farmers in Toledo, it also creates opportunities for entrepreneurship in the future along with other enterprise development projects TVI has planned for

2021 onward. TVI also recently turned over various welding tools, equipment, and materials to the Cebu Technological University (CTU) - Pinamungajan Campus in Brgy. Pandacan, Pinamungajan, midwest Cebu. Dr. Redjie Arcado, campus director, said the equipment will beef up the university’s capability to shape skills-oriented and industry-prepared graduates. According to Arcadio, welding is among the most in-demand study areas at the campus, with over 1,000 students taking it up, including those from

FLANDBANK, P10

Toledo City to benefit from Therma Visayas projects

R SOWING SEEDS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. Representatives of the Sawod-Kaladman Farmers Association, Toledo City Agriculture Department, and Therma Visayas, Inc. inspect a farming system in Brgy. Bato, Toledo City prior to the turnover of farming equipment in November 2020.

among 49 organizations from government and private institutions, local government units, non-government organizations, academic institutions, cooperatives, and community and civic groups who were recognized for making outstanding contributions in support of the DENR’s programs, projects, and activities. Since 2001, LANDBANK has partnered with the DENR for various Cor-

esidents of Toledo City and the rest of Cebu province’s third district can look forward to a better year as projects launched by AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) during the last quarter of 2020 go into full swing. TVI, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, rolled out in November the Gulayan sa Barangay project in Barangay Bato, Toledo City, an initiative that aims to enhance the farming capabilities of the Sawod-Kaladman Farmers Association (SKFA). “We are very grate-

FTOLEDO, P10

9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

verybody has – and needs – blood pressure. Without it, blood can’t circulate through the body, giving vital organs the oxygen and food they need.

Under normal conditions, our heart beats about 60 to 80 times a minute. Our blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when our heart relaxes between beats. Like the air pressure in tires, our blood pressure can change from minute to minute. The pressure in tires depends on the temperature and whether you’re driving. Our blood pressure changes with posture, exercise, sleeping, or even the level of our arm when the blood pressure is measured. A booklet from a blood pressure monitor gives this information: “Your level of blood pressure is determined in the circulatory center of the brain and adjusts to a variety of situations through feedback from the nervous system. To adjust blood pressure, the strength and frequency of the heart, as well as the width of circulatory blood vessels is altered. Blood vessel width is affected by fine muscles in the blood vessel walls.” A blood pressure measurement has two numbers: (1) the higher (systolic) number represents the pressure when the heart contracts and (2) the lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. The systolic pressure is always stated first, and the diastolic pressure second. For example, a blood pressure of 120/80 is stated “120 over 80.” The systolic is 120; the diastolic is 80. “When you’re sitting at rest, your blood pressure should be

lower than 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to be considered normal,” informs the book, To Your Health: A Guide to Heart-Smart Living, published by the American Heart Association. “A blood pressure reading equal to or higher than140/90 is considered high. Therefore, if your systolic pressure is 130 to 139 or if your diastolic pressure is 85 to 89, it should be watched carefully.” Just recently, I was admitted to a hospital. On my second day, the nurse was alarmed when my blood pressure shot up to 150/110. Ten minutes later, she checked my blood pressure again and it was still the same measurement. “Poor diet, lack of exercise, heavy-duty weight training, even innocuous-sounding activities such as public speaking can make your blood pressure leap,” notes The Doctors Book

of Home Remedies. “But when your blood pressure goes up and stays up, that’s cause for concern.” One in four Filipino adults has high blood pressure or hypertension, according to a national survey. Half of those people who reach the age of 60 are most likely to have hypertension, warns Dr. Willie T. Ong, author of Doctors’ Health Tips and Home Remedies. “High blood pressure, if uncontrolled, can be a deadly disease,” points out Dr. Ong, an internist and cardiologist. “It’s unfortunate that many people do not take the necessary steps to control it.” In 95% of patients, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown. “We call this primary or essential hypertension,” explains Dr. Ong. “In these patients, we can still treat and control the hypertension by addressing some of the risk factors involved. The risk factors we can still change include being overweight, cigarette smoking, high salt consumption, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol intake, and use of oral contraceptives.” In the remaining 5%, the high blood pressure is due to a specific disease such as kidney disease, illegal drug use, hyperactive thyroid or a tumor. “We call these cases secondary hypertension,” Dr. Ong says. Doctors, however, don’t differentiate between primary and secondary hypertension, because some secondary causes can be completely cured if the

main culprit is being addressed. “One clue that we are dealing with secondary hypertension is when a young apparently individual suddenly develops very high blood pressure.” Dr. Julian Whitaker, author of Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat and Reduce High Blood Pressure, wrote: “Secondary hypertension is serious business, but its underlying causes can often be corrected. Don’t forget that it accounts for only 5-10% of all cases of hypertension.” Dr. Ong also talks about the “white coat hypertension,” which happens when a patient is at a doctor’s clinic and his blood pressure goes up. But when he’s back at his home, the blood pressure goes back to normal. “We label these cases as ‘white coat hypertension,’ which means that the patient’s blood pressure shoots up upon seeing

LOWER YOUR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, PLEASE! By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

the doctor’s white coat,” Dr. Ong says. “No treatment is given to such patients except reassurance and occasional monitoring of the blood pressure.” If the blood pressure is not controlled and lowered down to normal levels, a person may likely end up having a heart attack. “Hypertension hurts the heart by pushing it to the limits,” Dr. Whitaker wrote. “Years of overexertion cause the heart to become weak and damaged – the pump just wears out.” Hypertension is the leading risk factor for heart attack. Medical science claims that 50% of all heart attack patients die before reaching the hospital. But studies show that the sooner the patient is brought to the hospital, the better are the chances of survival. “A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that carries oxygen to the heart muscle

is blocked because of clogged arteries,” Dr. Ong explains. “The heart muscle cannot survive with poor oxygen supply and begins to die.” Hypertension is also the primary factor in stroke, the second leading cause of death in the Philippines after heart attack. Around the world, the statistics on the prevalence of stroke is staggering. “One in six people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime,” deplores Dr. Romulo Esagunde, a neurosurgeon and board member of the Philippine Society of Ultrasound in Clinical Medicine Inc. “Every six seconds, stroke kills someone; and every other second, stroke attacks a person regardless of age or gender.” There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. “Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot (thrombus) or a fatty deposit blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain,” the US-based World Heart Federation points out. “About 80 percent of strokes are ischemic – due to a blocked

artery,” explains The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “Brain cells, thus deprived of their blood supply, do not receive enough oxygen and glucose (a sugar) which are carried by blood.” The other 20 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic – due to bleeding in or around the brain. “In this type of stroke, a blood vessel ruptures, interfering with normal blood flow and allowing blood to leak into brain tissue,” the Merck manual explains. “Blood that comes into direct contact with brain tissue irritates the tissue and can cause scarring, leading to seizures.” A lesser-known outcome of hypertension is memory loss and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “The adverse effects of hypertension on mental functioning have been verified in several large-scale studies,” Dr. Whitaker wrote. “It is believed that hypertension’s adverse effects on the brain are caused by the relentless pounding on the small vessels in the brain.”

Hypertension also accelerates the aging of the kidneys. “High blood pressure damages the arteries and arterioles that supply blood and nutrients to the kidneys,” Dr. Whitaker wrote. “As the arteries become stiff and less elastic, blood supply to the kidneys is reduced or, in some cases, cut off, causing damage to the kidneys themselves.” Those who are diagnosed with hypertension are advised to take maintenance medicines, which are classified into A, B, C and D, according to Dr. Ong. A stands for ace-inhibitors, whose generic names end with the common syllable “—pril” (Enalapril, for instance). “Ace-inhibitors are a must for hypertensive patients with diabetes or heart failure,” Dr. Ong says. Some people who take this develop a cough. Should this happen, the doctor may prescribe him angiostensin receptor blockers as an alternative; generally, they end with the syllable “—sartan” as in Losartan. B is for beta-blockers. “These drugs end with “—olol,” like metroprolol or atenolol. “In addition to having multiple benefits (also used in treating heart attack, angina, palpitations and migraine), they are also cheap,” Dr. Ong says. The negative side: they jeopardize the sexual performance of virile middle-aged men. C stands for calcium antagonists. “They are the most powerful drugs at the doctor’s disposal,” says Dr. Ong of the drugs which usually end with the syllable, “—pine” (Amlodipine is one example). These drugs can reduce very high levels of blood pressure without interfering with men’s sexual prowess. D is for diuretics. “Recent studies have shown that they may be as beneficial as the more expensive calcium antagonists,” Dr. Ong says. “Elderly patients respond well to low doses of diuretics but we have just to watch out for potassium depletion. So if you’re taking diuretics, take two bananas a day just to be safe.” How long should these drugs be taken? “Mild cases of high blood pressure may still respond with a change in lifestyle,” Dr. Ong says. “But more severe cases, treatment is for life.” – (Photo and infographics from WHO)

10 EDGEDAVAO DUTERTE... FROM2

and creating more jobs, creating more livelihood opportunities, including income-generating

opportunities much more to the lower sectors of our population,” he said. (PNA)

pitals that have implemented this program are those in the Kapalong Zone, Carmen Zone, and Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS) Zone. In year 2020, the Kapalong Zone gave services under the zero-billbing policy, to 15,208 patients worth 16,752,409.30 pesos. On the other hand, Carmen zone gave service to 6,527 patients worth 7,623,353.96 pesos while Island Garden City of Samal Zone gave service to 8,103 patients worth 4,089,203.50 pesos. In a news release, the Provin-

cial Information Communication and Knowledge Management Office (PICKMNO) said that the implementation of the Zero-Billing Policy was a follow-through of Jubahib’s promise, upon taking office, to give free hospital service and medicine to the poor sector of the province. The success of which was done through the Governor’s efforts in getting funding from the National Government along with the work of the Malasakit personnel of PSWDO. (Lifted from PICKMO/Jan Vincent Leuterio/ PIA-XI/jmda)

raphy among students. The agency has repeatedly said students are not required to have gadgets or internet con-

nection to participate in distance learning since schools could also use printed modules, television, and radio to deliver lessons.

secure the QR code scanning system which will be released by the province .Dr. Bersaldo assured that whatever personal data provided by the residents are protected under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

The implementation of the QR code system serves as a supplementary tool for contact tracing and for regulating the influx of tourists. (Karen Lou Deloso, Provincial Information Office Davao Oriental/ JMDA)

above target in 2020. Meanwhile, the BOC collected a total of PHP145.85 billion in duties and taxes from 12.72 billion kilograms (kg) of petroleum products in 2020, preliminary data show. Including coal and coal products, the total BOC revenues

from oil products amounted to PHP171.07 billion. Taxes and duties from nonoil commodities such as motor vehicles, telecommunications equipment and food products, accounted for PHP342.42 billion of the BOC’s total collections for 2020. (PR)

market, aside from the decisions on supply and demand by the main players. He added, however, that "in the coming months, the story could change and prices might not sustain their current positive momentum with the pandemic

still present, more production coming from Libya, the potential rise of Iranian oil production depending on the moves by the Biden administration in the US and how OPEC and non-OPEC behave while the global economy is still in pain." (Anadolu)

He added the PCCI supports the lawmakers’ initiatives to further open the economy to enhance the country’s competitive position globally, attract more foreign investors to set up and expand their businesses here, addressing monopolistic and uncompetitive behaviors, and un-

der-investments in some sectors critical to public interest. “(B)ut this should be done in a deliberate and careful manner that will continue to make the Constitution withstand various economic interests but especially the test of time,” Yujuico said. (PNA)

needs to adjust provisions like lower cap pf PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) incentives," said Lachica. "For example - the cap for

PEZA IPA incentives is at P1 billion ($20 million) an expansion alone already costs $100 million or (P5 billion). We need to move up the number," he added.

declaration of the municipality under the state of calamity to allow the use of its quick response funds to address the problem, he said. “The MDRRMO and the mayor’s office will immediately issue

the recommendation and report to the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) once the three affected barangays make their calamity declarations,” he said. (With a report from Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

unteer Month which promotes volunteerism as a tool for development in both the government and the private sectors. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the offi-

cial LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@ LBP_Official), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank. com).

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DAVAO... FROM3 BIR... FROM4

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VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

GSIS names Bayad Center as payment solutions partner for loan settlements

ayad Center, the country’s biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform, has been named as the official payment solutions partner of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for loan settlement. In a virtual partnership signing, the two financial institutions expressed their mutual aim to make GSIS loan repayment more accessible, convenient, and secure for all members and pensioners especially those in the provinces. “Enabling simple and hassle-free over-the-counter financial transactions for borrowers is one way of helping them meet monthly obligations. It is our hope that they will be able to reap the full benefits of their loans, and at the same time efficiently manage and repay them on time. Ultimately, we want Bayad Center to be readily avail-

able for every Filipino’s financial needs, providing meaningful payment and financial services wherever they may be,” Bayad Center President and CEO, Lawrence Ferrer explained. By the first quarter of 2021, all Bayad Center Branches and Authorized Partners will be able to process all types of GSIS loans such as the Enhanced Salary Loan (ESL), Emergency Loan Assistance (ELA), Summer One Month Salary Loan (SOS), Emergency Loan (EML), and GSIS Financial Assistance Loans (GFAL), to name a few. This feature will also be available through Bayad Center’s digital partners soon. According to GSIS President and General Manager, Rolando Macasaet, “We understand that times have been difficult as we grapple with the on-going pandemic, economic challenges, and natural calamities. We partnered with Bayad Center because we

both believe that the provision of affordable financing must go hand in hand with a convenient payment system to be able to truly provide support and assistance.” Mr. Macasaet also assured GSIS members that their personal data will be safe and secure with Bayad Center’s Tatak-Sigurado guarantee. Bayad Center has over 40,000 payment touchpoints across the nation, so borrowers don’t need to travel far or miss a day at work to visit GSIS offices. On top of loan settlements, a wide range of over-the-counter financial transactions can be done at Bayad Center such as bills payment, ATM cash withdrawal, medical reimbursement, airline ticketing, claiming remittance, and more. For partnership inquiries, kindly email us at billeronboarding@bayadcenter.com.

In that same month, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its BBB+ rating with stable outlook on the country, and Moody’s Investors Service affirmed its own rating at Baa2 with a stable outlook. In June last year, Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) upgraded its investment-grade rating on the Philippines from BBB+ to A-, with a stable outlook. Fitch Ratings said its latest rate decision on the country “balances modest government debt levels relative to peers, robust external buffers and still-strong

medium-term growth prospects, notwithstanding the deep pandemic-induced economic contraction, against relatively low per capita income levels and indicators of governance and human development compared to peers.” It said the pandemic’s impact on the domestic economy is greater than earlier expectations “due to the domestic infection rate and government policy measures to curb the spread of the virus.” Fitch Ratings added the pandemic negatively affected private

consumption and investment thus, the 10-percent contraction of the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the first three quarters of the year. It forecasts full-year 2020 print to be around -8.5 percent, citing improvement in economic indicators in the last quarter. “We expect economic activity to continue to recover in the coming quarters, and project GDP to expand by 6.9 percent and 8 percent in 2021 and 2022, respectively,” it added. (PNA)

the industrial technology and technical-vocational programs. The CTU-Pinamungajan Campus is currently working on getting a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and later with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), endeavors that this latest project can greatly support. TVI Deputy Plant Manager Noel Cabahug said the project aims to provide quality technical education to CTU students that come from different areas in Cebu’s third district, adding that “this will help graduates of the university to gain an advantage in acquiring employment oppor-

tunities in different industries here and abroad.” House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, representing Cebu province’s third legislative district, praised AboitizPower, TVI and the Aboitiz Group’s initiatives and added that the organization has “always been a model corporate citizen not only here in Cebu, not only in Visayas, but all over the country.” “You do not only advance business, but you always try in any way you can to advance the communities that you have graced with your presence. We now feel what it is like to be in a community with Aboitiz here in Toledo, in Pinamungajan, and

other neighboring municipalities,” Garcia added. AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. is the operator of the 340-megawatt Toledo Baseload Power Plant located in Brgy. Bato, Toledo City, Cebu. TVI is certified in three ISO standards namely, Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety Management (ISO 45001:2018). The facility is an 80-20 joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corporation and Vivant, Corp. respectively. Together with Therma Luzon, Inc. and Therma South, Inc., the three primarily compose the Coal Business Unit of AboitizPower.

time this season. The Knicks (5-6) were coming off a 1-2 homestand. They lost their third game in a row, including two the past two nights. New York shot only 9-for37 (24.3 percent) from 3-point range and failed to reach the 90-point level for the third game

in a row. The Hornets built a 17-point lead in the first quarter only to have the Knicks pull ahead 3837 in the second quarter on a Barrett hoop. That was a shortlived advantage for New York. Charlotte held a 5750 halftime lead, aided by

Hayward's 10-for-10 free-throw shooting before the break. Knox drained five first-half 3-pointers, and his 17 points before the break helped keep the Knicks within range. The Hornets closed the third quarter on an 8-1 run for an 8268 edge.

low Champion Oubaali to make a voluntary defense of his World Title in February of 2021, based on the WBC’s determination that he is medically cleared and fit to do so. Based on the availability and medical clearance of the WBC World Champion, WBC Interim Champion and Nonito Donaire, the WBC will reassess the overall situation of the division and will issue a more definitive order (later this month).” Oubaali and Donaire have both said they still want to fight and their respective teams are

preparing for a bout that will soon be rescheduled. Oubaali (17-0, 12 KOs), of Moroccan descent and a 2008 and 2012 Olympian for France, has defended his bantamweight world title twice since winning the vacant belt by unanimous decision over Rau’shee Warren of Cincinnati, Ohio in January 2019 on the Manny Pacquiao-Adrien Broner undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs), 38, from the Philippines now living in Las Vegas, who has won

world titles at flyweight, bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight, is aiming for a third bantamweight world crown having won the WBO and WBA titles. He has not boxed since November 2019, when he boxed in the Fight of the Year, a fiercely-fought decision loss in the bantamweight unification fight with Naoya Inoue in the World Boxing Super Series Finals. Oubaali’s unanimous decision win over Takuma Inoue was on the undercard of that event. (Philboxing.com)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 229 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) grabs the rebound.

Giannis powers T Bucks past Magic

NBA not stopping season despite Covid-19 threats

iannis Antetokounmpo scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half to lift the visiting Milwaukee Bucks to a 121-99 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday. Antetokounmpo show no ill effects of the back spasms that prevented him from playing in Milwaukee's 100-90 win over Cleveland on Saturday. The reigning, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player ignited scoring surges in the second half and danced around foul trouble for the Bucks, who outscored the Magic by a 35-17 margin in the fourth quarter. Khris Middleton col-

lected 20 points and 10 rebounds and Bobby Portis finished with 20 points off the bench to send Milwaukee to its fifth win in six games. Middleton made 9 of 17 shots and Portis went 9 of 13 for the Bucks, who shot 50.5 percent (46 of 91) from the floor. Orlando's Nikola Vucevic recorded 28 points and 13 rebounds for his third straight double-double and eighth of the season.

Aaron Gordon had 21 points and eight assists for the Magic, who have dropped three in a row and five of seven since starting the season with a franchise-best 4-0 record. The teams were meeting for the first time since Milwaukee defeated Orlando in five games during their Eastern Conference opening-round series. Antetokounmpo opened the scoring in the third quarter and later added a finger-roll layup and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the Bucks' lead to 73-62. Cole Anthony answered by scoring by scoring seven of his team's next 10 points

and Gordon sank a 3-pointer to trim Milwaukee's lead to 80-78. Undaunted, Antetokounmpo began the fourth with a reverse layup before he joined Portis in draining a 3-pointer to push the Bucks' advantage to 94-86. Brook Lopez converted a three-point play and Pat Connaughton, Middleton and Bryn Forbes each sank a 3-pointer as the lead ballooned to 110-88 with 5:54 to play. The Bucks' bench scored the final seven points of the first quarter and Jrue Holiday strung together seven straight points to ignite a late surge to help Milwaukee secure a 63-54 lead at halftime.

he National Basketball Association (NBA) said it is not planning to temporarily halt the 2020-21 season, despite teams struggling to cope with the impact of rising COVID-19 cases and injuries. Sunday's game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat was postponed because the Heat did not have the league-mandated eight players available after contact tracing protocols left them shorthanded. Miami said earlier that guard Avery Bradley would miss the game due to the NBA's pandemic health and safety protocols while Boston would have had only eight players available, with nine players missing out due to injury and COVID-19 protocols. "We anticipated that there would be game postponements this season and planned the schedule accordingly," NBA spokesman

Hayward helps Hornets top Knicks for 4th straight win

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) grabs the rebound.

Mike Bass told ESPN. "There are no plans to pause the season, and we will continue to be guided by our medical experts and health and safety protocols." The Philadelphia 76ers, who faced Denver Nuggets on Saturday, also had the minimum eight players active due to injuries and virus concerns. The NBA had postponed the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets last month. The current season has a reduced 72-game schedule. The 2019-20 season was completed in October last year after a four-month delay due to the pandemic, with teams competing in a bio-secure bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The Los Angeles Lakers captured a record-tying 17th NBA Championship on Oct. 12 with a victory over the Heat.

ordon Hayward scored 28 of his 34 points in the first half and the Charlotte Hornets picked up their fourth consecutive victory by defeating the visiting New York Knicks 109-88 on Monday night. Devonte' Graham added 19 points, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges each provided 13 points and Terry Rozier had 12 points for the Hornets. Charlotte committed only 10 turnovers. Hayward shot 11-for-17 from the field, hitting both of his 3-point attempts. Charlotte rookie guard LaMelo Ball, a 19-year-old who became the youngest player in NBA history to produce a triple-double two nights earlier, pulled in a game-high 14 rebounds to go with eight points,

seven assists and three steals in a reserve role. This was the first meeting of the season between the teams, though Charlotte has won five straight matchups with the Knicks, including a threegame sweep last season. Kevin Knox II, coming off the bench, poured in 19 points to lead the Knicks. Elfrid Payton posted 15 points, Austin Rivers had 13, Mitchell Robinson scored 12 and Julius Randle and RJ Barrett both contributed 11. Barrett shot 5-for-18 from the field, missing all five of his 3-point attempts. Robinson had 11 rebounds, part of New York's 49-37 edge on the boards. The Hornets (6-5) are above .500 for the first

FHAYWARD, P10

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VOL.13 ISSUE 229 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

FLASH FORWARD

Former four-division champion Nonito Donaire in training

ormer four-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire’s much-anticipated fight with WBC world bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali could take place now that the World Boxing Council has reinstalled the latter as titleholder. The WBC reinstated Oubaali in a letter which stated that it would “remove the Champion In-Recess designation from WBC Bantamweight World Champion Nordine Oubaali.” The letter repeated its policy that the interim champion would not automatically become the mandatory challenger without the WBC’s orders per BoxingScene.com. The “champion in recess” mark was given to him last November after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from his title defense against Donaire. The WBC made Oubaali, age 34 years of Lens, France, a “champion in recess” and approved Donaire’s fight with for-

mer bantamweight titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez, who was willing to substitute on short notice for the vacant WBC title on December 19 in Uncasville, Connecticut. But Donaire was also tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before the bout and even though he claimed the test result was a false positive he was still replaced by countryman Reymart Gaballo this time for the vacant interim WBC bantamweight belt. Gaballo then won a disputed split decision. With Oubaali and Donaire having both withdrawn from the title bout due to COVID-19, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman recently issued a letter to the various boxing enti-

Former four-division champion Nonito Donaire in training. ties informing them of the situation of Oubaali’s title. “The WBC will con-

tinue to monitor Champion Oubaali’s and Nonito Donaire’s condition with

views of determining when they will be medically cleared and fit to return

to the ring,” the WBC letter added. “The WBC will al-

FFLASH FORWARD, P10

FPANDEMIC, P10