Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 231 | Friday, January 15, 2021

LEGACY LEISURE BULLISH IN 2021 INDULGE P5

VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

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Davao TF Covid-19 recommends tighter border control, biosurveillance against new strain of Covid-19 STORY ON PAGE 2

A weak and undernourished Matigsalog girl wears a stoic face while being cuddled by her mother during a distribution of assistance from various government agencies initiated by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go in Bukidnon. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

NEW STRAIN THREAT Davao TF Covid-19 recommends tighter border control, biosurveillance against new strain of Covid-19

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City Health Covid-19 focal person Dr. Ashley Lopez has recommended for a tighter border control and biosurveillance through genomic testing to prevent the new strain of Covid-19 from penetrating the city.

Lopez gave the recommendation after the Department of Health (DOH) issued a statement on January 13, 2021, confirming the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 7 yielded positive genome sequencing results.

Prior to the issuance of the statement, Lopez had a discussion with vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meet- Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Wednesday night. PRESI- the secretary asked him to ing with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious DENTIAL PHOTO submit the specimens of Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) patients tested positive of Covid-19 this January to ensure that these patients are not carriers of the new variant.

The specimens were he Security Exchange yon ang forex. Yung Estares urged the return. Saan nya kukunin Commission (SEC) cryptocurrency na galaw. public to check if certain ang pera? Tingnan niya ang sent to the Research for Tropical Davao has warned Sinasabi nila international virtual currency platform if value ng product sa value ng Institute the public on illegal forex daw ang humahawak nun. registered with the Bangko return. Kung ang value ng Medicine (RITM) to check exchange (forex) trading.

Medyo alanganin kami dun Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) product ay equivalent siya if the new variant is already Atty. Katrina Jamilla kasi wala siyang tangible and SEC to not be duped. sa sinasabi niyang return,” present in the said samples through genomic test.

Estares, regional director of na asset na hahawakan “We have a department Estares explained. enomic testing or SEC 11, said forex trading, yung tao. They have to that do the monitoring SEC has been reminding sequencing offers a key to which is not yet regulated in rely on what platform of this kind of activity. the public to be aware unlocking the puzzle of local the Philippines, is the most ang ginagamit. Wala pang Ayaw namin na may mga prevalent scam at present. regulation diyan kaya wina- kababayan tayo na maloloko of various online scams transmission of Covid-19.

Forex is the conversion warningan namin yung dahil diyan dahil pag nagka- that are now become The process include taking of one currency into another mga tao not to engage to problema they cannot run more common and to take a “genetic fingerprint” of and is considered one of cryptocurrency activities. after them. May mga red precautionary steps to an organism and maps how the most actively traded Hindi mo nakikita kung sino flags yan usually. If it’s help distinguish fraudulent the DNA or RNA inside it markets in the world. yung may ari, sinasabi nila too good to be true such schemes from legitimate is ordered and by looking at the genetic sequence “Pinaka-uso nga- foreigners,” Estares said. as masyadong malaking investments. Maya Padillo of different cases, we can detect minute differences in each new infection.

“In anticipation of the possible entry of new avao City DOH director Annabelle funding and manpower protocol for our city to stay variant in Davao City, councilor Danilo C. Yumang strongly of the government afloat in this biggest health although, the cases in Davao Dayanghirang who recommended conducting which is now already challenge.

City is related to the surge attended the webinar series of seminars in exhausted, stretched out Aside from the but Sec. Galvez wants to appealed for everybody's coordination wiith the and continuously draining government’s vigilance, be sure and that we have cooperation to pro-actively DoLE for these concerned brought by this deadly virus, the only way to ascertain to submit specimens to help and comply with the companies and roll-out of the private sector's help is the strict implementation RITM to perform genomic health protocols in order to immediate inspection to highly needed. down the line is the private test para mahibal-an kung mitigate the spread of this all Call Centers to check It can be accounted that sector's share to police their ang strain sa virus is a new variant or an original deadly virus. on their respective health the city since day one of ranks day in day out without virus. We are submitting He mentioned in protocols compliance. this pandemic has kept up getting tired as this virus specimens tested this particular the BPO It may be noted that providing everything and seemed to be not tired at all. January to undergo the operating within the city Davao City Mayor Sara Dayanghirang congra- genomic test,” said Lopez in as one of the sources of Z. Duterte called for an as humanely as possible and to sustain this ardour tulates the DOLE , the DOH a live broadcast interview fast contamination. The unbeatable teamwork is to bank on the strong and the DTI for such a noble on January 13, 2021.

City Health Office (CHO) between the government In a statement, DOH partnership between the e-meeting and hopes to reported 68 active cases and the private sectors disclosed that the said government and the private intensify this type of virtual from this sector from to combat the pandemic. patient is a male resident of sectors particularly in the meet as a platform to beat December 1-31, 2020 alone. She cited that with the Quezon City who departed In the same e-briefing, limited resources both strict compliance of health COVID-19. for Dubai on December

Forex most prevalent scam at present: SEC Davao

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Danny lauds sectors efforts vs virus spread

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27, 2020 for business purposes and arrived in the Philippines last January 7, 2021 via Emirates Flight No. EK 332. The patient was swabbed and quarantined in a hotel upon arrival.

The positive test result was released the following day and the patient was referred to a quarantine facility in Quezon City while his samples were sent to PGC for whole genome sequencing. The patient was also accompanied by his female partner during his trip, but she tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival. The female is currently under strict quarantine and monitoring.

Both of the returning Filipinos had no exposure to a confirmed case prior to their departure to Dubai nor had any travel activities outside Quezon City (QC).

Immediate contact tracing was done in close coordination with the QC government, and the initially identified contacts are asymptomatic and currently under strict home quarantine.

The DOH continues to work closely with the QC LGU to ensure timely and effective measures are in place to mitigate transmission.

The DOH has also secured the flight manifest of the flight in question and contact tracing of other passengers is now underway. The DOH advises those who were aboard Emirates Flight No. EK 332 to get in touch with their BHERTs. Meanwhile, weekly genomic biosurveillance among incoming passengers, local cases, reinfected patients, and those with reported clustering of cases will be intensified.

The DOH has also coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the expansion of contact tracing to include thirdgeneration close contacts for known B.1.1.7 cases. All close contacts of confirmed

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DPWH accepts Chinese firm’s bid for Samal-Davao bridge

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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hinese Consul General Li Lin of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao disclosed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has accepted the bid of a Chinese construction company, China Road and Bridge C o r p o ra t i o n - P h i l i p p i n e branch, for the Contract for Design and Build for the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.

“The DPWH has accepted the bid of a Chinese construction company, China Road and Bridge CorporationPhilippine branch bid for the design and build using the concession load from China,” Lin said in a text message.

DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain earlier said that the Contract for Design and Build is currently being reviewed and perfected by DPWH and this will be submitted to the Department of Finance (DOF) as a prerequisite to loan negotiation with Chinese government and the subsequent approval of the loan.

The P23.04 billion bridge, which will span 2.8 kilometers, will be funded through official development assistance.

The final bridge landing

sites will be in R. Castillo Street, Agdao on the Davao City side and in Barangay Caliclic in Samal.

Apart from SIDC, another China-aid project, which is the building of the Davao River Bucana Bridge, is targeted to start third quarter of this year.

The agreement, which was signed in December last year by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Republic of the Philippines for the Chinese government to grant approximately $60 million for the Davao River Bridge Project.

Sadain said the agreement implementation is a requirement for the processing of the grant financing. He said once the funds become available, DPWH will procure for a design and build contract.

The two-way four-lane Davao River Bridge will be 477 meters long with the total route’s length of 1,340 meters and is located in the Bucana District at the mouth of the Davao River, spanning over the east and west banks of the river and connecting the coastal roads.

It will be constructed in Barangay 76-A Bucana to connect Segment B of the Coastal Road project from Times Beach to Roxas Avenue. Maya Padillo

Chongkee Uy hits Alvarez, defends Duterte’s policies

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hat was expected to be a grand reunion with his political leaders and supporters invited to his birthday bash on January 10, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was surrounded instead by guests from outside the province of Davao del Norte.

The event, which was highlighted by the launching of his “voters education advocacy”, was held in two venues – the Tagum City Covered Court and Hijo Plantation Beach Resort. Out of eight towns and three city mayors of the province, only the host City Mayor of Tagum, Allan Rellon, was present.

Rellon was described to have been surprised that what was thought of as a simple ceremony for the launching and birthday of Alvarez, the attendees surpassed what quarantine restrictions allow in a gathering.

Gov. Edwin Jubahib, who facilitated the event's preparation was the other local official present.

Guests from outside the province include LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty, Tarlac Rep. Noel Villanueva, Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane, movie actor, and exMakati Rep. Monsour del Rosario, and several board members from Bulacan.

A surprise appearance was Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan chair Lito Banayo.

Conspicuously absent were Davao del Norte Rep. Allan Dujali of the 2nd District and Vice Gov. Rey Uy. The two were rumored to have parted ways with Alvarez when he quit the ruling party PDPLaban and started taking a jab at Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HnP) leaders were reportedly not also amused with the manifesto that Alvarez posted as part of what was earlier announced as “voters education” advocacy.

Emblazoned in the manifesto is “We Need a Leader, 2022” and a litany of criticisms against how the Duterte government handled the pandemic crisis and other political and economic issues.

Former Davao de Oro Governor and now Senior Board Member Arturo Uy reportedly denounced what he described as blatant lies and distortion of what the government has done and been doing to address the complex problems brought about

of beatification skirting the 5-year Vatican-proscription period for canonization.

More importantly, Gus seems to be Superman, Batman, Thanos, Iron Man and the other avengers combined. My image of him was shattered - “TALL, DARK AND…ILONGO”.

So, I thought that I might as well attempt to present Gus, the way I see him in my best lights comparing my perception with the others; having known him since 1950, when we were in Grade 1 at the Ateneo de Davao. That was 71 years ago. Of the original classmates with roots still in Davao, and doing ZOOM every Wednesday, aside from myself are Gamay Sarenas, Dr. Alvin Babista, Dinky Munda, Jimmy San Agustin, and Dr. Ting Valdez.

This is how I know him and perhaps set the record straight.

That he loves to sing is true. That he was an excellent singer with a wonderful voice…is false.

But once he gets hold of the microphone in a karaoke bar, he goes berserk and won’t let go. That is the Gus Dacudao I know.

That he sings a wide variety of songs is fiction.

He memorized only one which was his paean to his wife Fe: “Two for the Road”.

(Fe sings much better). That is the Gus Dacudao I know.

He was a regular guy in college. Coming home from the Boys Scouts Jamboree in America – he taught me

the hit song then - “Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny, Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini” – which Lillian (Lim) Robillo, Flora (vda. De Aguinaldo y vda. de Leocadio) and I used to sing.

That is the Gus Dacudao I know.

That he was a good debater is not true. But he will drown and bully you with his arguments – whether logical or not, doesn’t matter because he was a walking encyclopedia.

That is the Gus Dacudao I know.

But here are the most important facts. He was a great lover – or at least a legend in his own mind.

Long before Gus met Fe, we both were enamored with two attractive, articulate, fantastically bright girls in college. We went on several dates until I noticed that the girls prefer Gus than me.

I was in love with them – but they were in love with Gus – and Gus was in love with his camera. I should know this. I still have photographs of one of them taken while we romped at the Dacudao beach. Gus was a photographer- an artist nonpareil. He was as passionate with his art as he was as bobo with his women. Until he met the 3rd girl.

Gus was ahead of his time - technologically. He had the first complete home theatre in Davao - imported stereo components installed in his room at their ancestral home in Washington St.

Pantaleon Alvarez

Augusto Dacudao, 76 BY: LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA ADED CLASS’60

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orn July 29, 1944, died January 5, 2021.

I have been attending the nightly rituals, novenas, and masses not so much as to pray for the repose of the soul of Augusto (Gus) Dacudao but to listen in on the tributes and accolades paid to him. Why these good words and beautiful thoughts, full of love and warmth are only expressed to the departed when he is no longer around to react is really a puzzle. Wouldn’t it have been better if these are said to him while he was alive and to his face and observe his reactions?

I think Gus will enjoy it better.

Another food for thought is that Gus and Fe’s circle of prayer warriors at the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), all came in droves and did the endless Hail Marys, the Our Fathers and the Glory Be to the Father. I think they have better access to God the Father and the heavenly saints than I. So tonight, I simply want to pay my last respects to the living not the departed; Fe, especially the kids, Joanne, Cecile, and Gerard who in some ways grew up with my Lara and Carlo. As far as Gus is concerned his

BCBP friends storming the gates of heaven with their prayers and incantations – St. Peter must have been overwhelmed, unable to stand the pressure and just have to open the pearly gates. Gus is perfectly alright where he is right now.

But I love the tributes from different people – many are also known to me.

But I am a little confused and a little embarrassed – hearing all those nice and wonderful things about Gus – that I am discovering that I really didn’t know Gus that much after all, despite our decades of friendship. That he was well love, a good family man, a good provider is of course a given. But the tributes I hear seem to be describing another man – not the Gus Dacudao, I know. From what I gather, he appears to be really destined for heaven, an “Ilonggo mangaranon”, but saintly – no doubt. You can almost see the halo on his head. One who has never committed a venial sin lest of all a mortal one. He was so pure of heart that one begins to believe that he never could even quarrel with his wife Fe. He was not human! He was deserving

NEWS 3

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VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

Arturo Uy. PNA by the Covid-19 pandemic and how the Duterte administration handled the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. “Pinapalabas ni Alvarez na wala ng ginawang mabuti ang pamahalaang Duterte upang matulungan at maibsan ang kahirapan ng mga mamamayan sa gitna ng problemang dulot ng pademya. Pinapalabas din niya na parang kasalanan ng gobyerno ang mawalan ng trabaho at mga OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) na yon nama’y dahil maraming negosyo na nagsara dahil sila rin ay naapektuhan ng pandemya (Alvarez makes it appear that the administration of Duterte is not doing anything to help and alleviate the difficulties of the people in the midst of the pandemic. He also put the blame on the government for why the OFWs lost their jobs when the real cause is that businesses [in other countries] closed because of the pandemic),” Uy said.

He added that through

Pete Ancheta and I used to stay hours listening to Ray Conniff and of course, “Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny, Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini” Our class 60 and I have some collection of anecdotes of ourselves, but we will reserve them for when I will write the last obituary for the last classmate. These will all be published in a book upon my demise. So, after Covid, our class 60 will meet without mask and shield and relive the colorful life of this “TALL, DARK AND… ILONGO”.

Let me end my tribute by describing that the ultimate measure of a man is not only a life well lived but that which he leaves behind: his progeny. The elegant Joanne, his eldest who produced

the initiative of President Duterte, Davao del Norte province, towns and cities were recipients of more of less PHP800-million under Bayanihan 1 and 2 and other augmentation funds to help those who lost their livelihood due to the pandemic.

The President, he said, saw to it that the province gets a substantial budget for infrastructures.

Uy, who is an incumbent pillar of HnP, denounced the group for putting the blame on Duterte for tension at the West Philippine Sea and loss of Scarborough shoal when the truth is the islands at WPS had been a subject of the multi-lateral claim and it was the administration of ex-Pres.

Benigno Aquino abandoned the Scarborough.

He said he is in accord with the diplomatic strategies of Duterte as Filipino fishermen can still fish in the traditional fishing ground and China opening their markets for Philippine products.

China, he added, is now the biggest buyer of Philippine Cavendish bananas thus saving thousands of jobs especially the agricultural workers in Davao del Norte.

He said because of Duterte, China extends cheap loans to the Philippines to finance infrastructure

FCHONGKEE, P7

an equally gorgeous first granddaughter - apple of his eye; Cecile, a shy and unassuming woman, a late bloomer – but what a bloom she turned out to be; and my favorite, Hardy or Gerard an impish little brother to my son Carlo, transformed into a maverick, politically aware young man who followed his dreams and pursued his one true love abroad. And above all to the gracious and loving specimen of a woman and a mother, Ofelia del Rosario Dacudao – the last woman in Gus life – who loved and cared for Gus to the very end. Such women are more precious than gems.

If we were not on Zoom my wife Sylvia, daughter Lara and son Carlo and I would drink a glass to her.

She had a perfect life with Gus.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

A vendor displays the vegetables he is selling on a tarpaulin that he spreads out on a road pavement at Toril Public Market in Toril, Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

rates decline anew as DOE, USAID partner to promote TDF demand remains strong private investments in energy I

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he Department of Energy (DOE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have partnered to increase private investments in advanced energy technology to ensure energy security in the country.

The US remains a solid ally and one of the country’s major trading partners. We are hopeful that our collaboration to promote energy security and development will be sustained and even enhanced,” DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The virtual workshop

between DOE and USAID will set the targets and strategies for the ESP, update tasks and interventions of the government to lure energy investments from the private sector, identify potential partnerships under ESP, and improve the implementation of the program.

“This activity comes at an opportune time for the energy sector as it plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable economic development, especially now that the country is gearing to recover from the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” he added.

Cusi said the ESP will also help the country in deploying advanced energy technology and boost energy resiliency.

“We anticipate that the project will contribute to our shared goals with the US government’s AsiaEnhancing Development and Growth through Energy

s the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic accelerated the digital shifts, competition policy shall remain in place to ensure an inclusive digital economy, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chairman Arsenio Balisacan said Wednesday.

In a webinar of the Asian Development Bank, Balisacan said micro and small enterprises are faced with challenges of competing in the digital economy, as it is still dominated by established large enterprises.

“MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and the poor suffered unequal access to digital platforms due primarily to poor connectivity. For example, penetration of high-speed broadband connection is low primarily because of unstable, slow, and expensive internet connection,” he said.

Balisacan added 60 percent of households in the Philippines do not have access to the internet. There is also a low penetration to high-speed broadband connection.

In terms of penetration

to high-speed connection, the Philippines is lagging among its Southeast Asian neighbors, he said.

“The future of this market, the online platform, is that first-mover advantage is the key,” he added.

Since established enterprises still dominate the digital market, the innovators, or the new entrants, will face the challenge of acquiring a sufficient scale of the market.

“That’s where competition policy comes in. Because we want to ensure that innovation is

or Asia-EDGE Initiative to help combat poverty and foster economic progress,” Cusi added.

Joining the ESP workshop are representatives from the National Transmission Corporation, National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Climate Change Commission, Mindanao Development Authority, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and the Philippine Competition Commission. (PNA)

not precluded, the barriers to entry are eliminated so that first-mover advantage should not be (a) permanent feature of these markets, otherwise inclusivity will not happen,” Balisacan said.

He said poor access to cheap and highspeed connection will only exacerbate existing inequalities amid the fast growing digital economy.

There should be a proactive and whole-ofgovernment approach in addressing these challenges to make digitalization as a catalyst for inclusive recovery, he added. (PNA)

Competition policy shall remain in place to ensure inclusive digital economy

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nterest rates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF) slipped anew Wednesday due to strong demand.

Data released by the central bank showed the average rate of the sevenday TDF went down to 1.6470 percent from 1.6735 percent during the auction last Jan. 6.

Similarly, the rate of the 14-day facility decreased to 1.6673 percent from 1.6819 percent last week.

The BSP increased the offering this week to PHP550 billion from last week’s PHP530 billion but oversubscription remains thus, the full award for both tenors.

Specifically, the oneweek facility was offered

for PHP200 billion from last week’s PHP190 billion.

Bids totaled to PHP305.273 billion, resulting in a bid coverage ratio of 1.5264.

Also, tenders for the 14-day TDF reached PHP421.342 billion, higher than the PHP350-billion offer. Bid coverage ratio stood at 1.4305.

“The results in today’s TDF auction continue to reflect ample liquidity in the financial system,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said in a statement.

He added the central bank’s “monetary operations will remain guided by its assessment of liquidity conditions and market developments.”

(PNA)

City experiences post-holiday surge of Covid positive cases

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he Davao City Covid-19 Task Force has reported an increase in the number of coronavirus cases since January 7 or two weeks after the 2020 holiday season.

According to Dr. Ashley Lopez, the focal person of the Covid-19 task force, the city reverted to more than 100 positive cases a day compared to almost half the number of daily cases in the last two weeks of December.

“Since we are experiencing the postholiday surge, by January 7 we reached 131 cases. Most

of the following days from January 7 more than 100 cases are recorded daily,” Lopez said.

He said that the increase in the number of cases is the effect of the holiday season when people flooded grocery stores in preparation for Christmas.

Lopez added that according to their forecast, if Dabawenyos have not heeded the city government’s call to stay at home during the holidays, the New Year surge would be expected by the third week of January. (CIO)

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Personnel from the 2nd Engineering District Maintenance Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways remove uprooted bamboo plants that clogged the waterway of Barongison Bridge connecting the municipalities of Bacolod and Maigo in Lanao del Norte Wednesday afternoon (13 January 2021). Heavy rains from a low pressure

COVID-19 spurs calls to boost protections for homeworkers

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he dramatic global shift to remote working during COVID-19 lockdowns has underscored an urgent need for greater protections for homeworkers, many of whom are paid far less than those employed outside the home, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

About 7.9 percent of workers - 260 million people - were home-based before the pandemic, but this figure has more than doubled, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

"Homeworkers have been invisible for too long. But the explosion in homeworking during the pandemic has highlighted the poor working conditions experienced by millions worldwide," ILO economist Janine Berg told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Homeworkers earn on average 13% less than nonhomeworkers in Britain, 22% less in the United States, 25% less in South Africa and about 50% less in Argentina, India and Mexico, the ILO said in a report.

The UN agency looked at challenges faced by "industrial homeworkers" producing goods such as clothing, electronics and handicrafts, whitecollar teleworkers and the growing numbers doing service jobs via digital labor platforms.

These jobs, where workers are paid by the task, include processing insurance claims, online content moderation, copyediting and annotating data for artificial intelligence systems.

Homeworkers do not have the same level of

social protection as people working outside the home, and are less likely to be part of a trade union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the ILO said.

They face greater health and safety risks especially when handling tools or chemicals like glues, and have less access to training than other workers, which can affect career prospects.

Berg, the report's coauthor, said a key issue was the classification of many homeworkers as independent contractors, putting them outside the scope of most labor laws.

The ILO called on governments to extend labor and social security legislation to homeworkers in the informal economy.

It also highlighted particular challenges around employment protections for digital platform workers, who are spread around the world and may work in a different country to the online platform and the client.

Many earn less than the minimum wage and if their work is rejected they have no independent arbiter.

The report recommended using data generated by their work to monitor working conditions.

Berg predicted advances in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic would lead to a permanent increase in people working from home using the internet, email and videoconferencing.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing - some people really like it. But it's about being aware of the potential risks," she said.

"The pandemic has added urgency to these issues."

ECONOMY A2

area caused the river to overflow Tuesday evening, subsiding only around 4 a.m. the next day. MindaNews photo by RICHEL V. UMEL

DOF executive cites need for review of PH food programs

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he government’s food programs need some enhancement to address any weather-related supply constraints that results in price upticks, a Department of Finance (DOF) official said.

In an economic bulletin, DOF Undersecretary Gil Beltran cited further acceleration of domestic inflation rate in December 2020 to 3.5 percent from month-ago’s 3.3 percent, which was traced to

the impact of typhoons on several agricultural products.

The rate of price increase of vegetables posted the highest jump at 19.73 percent last December from the previous month’s 14.62

percent.

Rice, which has been posting deflation in the past months, posted a 0.10-percent inflation rate last December.

Meat inflation accelerated to 9.95 percent last month from November’s 8.15 percent, which Beltran attributed to the impact of the African swine fever (ASF).

Among the regions, he said Cagayan Valley and Bicol registered the highest inflation rate at 6.6 percent

due to the devastation brought by the strong typhoons last November and December.

Beltran thus highlighted the need to restrategize the Department of Agriculture’s food programs “so that unaffected regions can supply alternative supplies of vegetables to typhoon-battered regions immediately after a typhoon.”

“Likewise, a stronger program to stamp out ASF needs to be set up,” he added. (PNA)

He said the private sector can also help in procuring COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and other smaller businesses.

Montinola said that for MAP, they will "organize committees in exploring possibilities" on vaccine sourcing, and "use the first quarter of the year to figure out what we can propose."

He noted the private sector should also focus on getting back the furloughed and the "half-work, halfpay" employees into

"active status", as well as supporting small businesses to recover.

"Around 50 percent of employees are in retail and trade, agriculture and fisheries, and construction.

Those three have been badly hit [by the pandemic].. [We shall] do anything we can to revive those businesses," he added.

One way to contribute is to help in restoring and providing safe and reliable public transport, Montinola said.

He also noted that there should be more programs like Project Ugnayan, which was led by top business groups to help the less fortunate.

"The next 3 sectors will need a lot of work -- which are the environmental, educational and social justice. We have a severe learning crisis...and we have to help the 48 percent [of the people] who rate themselves as poor. [We can do] a bit of values formation etc.," he added.

country's major business groups said Wednesday.

"Our main task is to safely reopen given the existing conditions," Aurelio 'Gigi' Montinola, the new president of the

Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), said.

He said the private sector can also help in procuring COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and other smaller businesses.

Montinola said that for MAP, they will "organize committees in exploring possibilities" on vaccine sourcing, and "use the first quarter of the year to figure out what we can propose."

MSMEs can’t afford vaccine for employees, says PCCI

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he private sector needs to help the government reopen businesses, restore public transport and procure COVID-19 vaccines to hasten economic recovery, an official of one of the country's major business groups said Wednesday.

"Our main task is to safely reopen given the existing conditions," Aurelio 'Gigi' Montinola, the new president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), said.

Biz group aims to assist gov’t in vaccines, public transport

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he private sector needs to help the government reopen businesses, restore public transport and procure COVID-19 vaccines to hasten economic recovery, an official of one of the

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On officially confirming the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 7 yielded positive genome sequencing results: The DOH reiterates its call to our national government agencies, local government units and the public for stricter observance of the minimum public health standards and stricter implementation of quarantine protocols to further mitigate the risk of acquiring the virus and slow down possible mutations.”

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO

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5 EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

PROPERTY

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

KNOWING PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE “The pandemic is still a major health crisis,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his opening remarks at the media briefing on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) last January 5 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We have entered a new phase of the pandemic, where solidarity is needed like never before,” said Dr. Tedros, who is the WHO Director-General. “We are in a race to save lives right now.”

He added that only if the world will act together as one, “we can win both races and get ahead of the virus while also limiting the opportunity for the virus to mutate further and threaten the health tools we currently have.”

Dr. Tedros was referring to the several COVID-19 vaccines now available for immunization.

“One year on from WHO issuing its first Disease Outbreak News report about this virus, more than 30 countries have started vaccinating their high-risk populations THEvarious PANDEMIC may with COVID-19 vaccines,” he pointed out. the slowhave caused The in WHO’s Advisodown the Strategic economy in ry Group of Experts on Immuni2020,(SAGE) but the year its was zation has issued policy kind to LegacyforLeisure recommendations the rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccine apResidences. proved for emergency use, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.“We have to credit the whole team. We Pfizer-BioNTech got creative “The

COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective,” SAGE pointed out. “Nevertheless, there are specific populations for whom vaccination is not recommended, either due to contraindications, lack of supply, or limited data.”

These populations currently include people with a history of severe allergies, most pregnant women, international travellers who are not part of a prioritized group, and children under 16.

“The priority is to start vaccinating health workers at high risk of exposure, followed by older adults, before immunizing the rest of the population,” the WHO said in a press statement.

In the press conference, Dr. Tedros stated: “We owe it morally to health workers everywhere who have been fighting this pandemic around the clock for the best part of a year, to vaccinate them all as soon as possible. People must come first over short-term profits. It’s in countries self-interest to shun vaccine nationalism.”

2, will continue. as last According to Same the WHO official, health workers year, vaccinating we will maximize the and those working at high risk of serious allowable hours and diseases “is the fastest way to stamanpower the ensure IATF all bilize healthunder systems, guidelineshealth for construction essential services are up and andgood that anews truly global thisrunning 2021. The is economic recovery can takeour place.” we are on schedule with The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine timeline.

Once thethough. vaccine“Peois is not for everyone available the of restrictions ple with aand history severe aller-

gic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not take it,” the statement released to the media stated.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take the Pfizer vaccine. “Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant women, and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth,” the statement said. “However due to insufficient data, WHO does not recommend the vaccination of pregnant women at this time.”

In case a pregnant woman has an unavoidable risk high of exposure (that is, a health worker), vaccination may be considered in discussion with their healthcare provider. “It is recommended to avoid pregnancy for 2 to 3 months post-vaccination,” WHO said.

“If a breastfeeding woman is part of a group (that is, health workers) recommended for vaccination, vaccination can be offered,” WHO said, adding that it does not pitching area, jogging track recommend discontinuing breastfeeding afterwith vaccination. and parks lush greenery.

As along for children, the amevaccine These, the typical has only been tested in children nities 16 of condominiums like at above years of age. As such, function gym, a comthis time, halls, the WHO does not recommend vaccination of children mercial strip and other open below 16 years of age, “even they spaces, will use up 70% ofifthe belong to a high-risk group.”

2.8 hectare In their development. study, the Pfizer vacremaining willand cine The has been found to30% be safe

effective in people with various conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease. This includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver or kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

“Further studies are required for the impacts on immune-compromised persons,” the WHO said.

“The interim recommendation is that immune-compromised persons who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated, though when possible, not before receiving information and counselling.”

Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. However, limited safety data exists on HIV-infected persons with well controlled disease from the clinical trials. Known HIV-positive vaccine recipients should be informed, and when possible, counselled in relation to the available data, the WHO said.

Meanwhile, vaccination can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past. “But given the limited vaccine supply, individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to 6 months from the time of SARSCoV-2 infection,” the WHO urged.

“As more data becomes available on the duration of immunity after infection, this time period may be

adjusted.”

What about those who want to travel to other countries? “At present, WHO does not support the introduction of requirements for proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travelers as a condition for exiting or entering a country or for travelling internationally,” WHO said.

To be more effective, a person has to be vaccinated twice. “A protective effect starts to develop 12 days after the first dose, but full protection requires two doses which WHO recommends be administered with a 21 to 28-day interval,” WHO said, adding that additional research is needed to understand longer-term potential protection after a single dose.

With the availability of vaccines, it doesn’t mean COVID-19 will also be gone. “Vaccines will not end COVID-19 alone,” the WHO said. “Safe and effective vaccines will be a gamechanger: but for the foreseeable future we must continue to wear masks, physically distance, avoid crowds and apply other health measures.

“Being vaccinated doesn’t mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk, particularly because it is still not clear the degree to which the vaccines can protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission.”

new 15-85 payment scheme.

It is attractive because there is no downpayment and the 15% equity is payable in payable in 48 months interest free. Moreover, the client has the option

to pay higher than the computed monthly amortization and lessen the 85% balance.

With a lower balance, there is a higher probability for banks to approve a loan.”

LEGACY LEISURE BULLISH IN 2021

with how we ran things starting from within the company, boosting everyone’s morale during an uncertain time, which radiated outwards. The team, which included the brokers, was reconditioned with the product and deals. There was an impressive increase on our sales on the latter half of 2020,” said Wesley Bangayan, VP for sales and Marketing.

The plan for 2021 is to continue to apply the company strategy that proved effective for the project: be very visible online and on print; encourage its partners to challenge themselves; and show prospective clients why it is wise to invest in this condominium project.

“The unit inventory in Tower 2 was quickly grabbed prior to the price increase. We will keep the ball rolling,” said Bangayan.

“Construction of the first condominium tower, Tower

are lifted, then we will double our efforts to deliver the units on or before the target date in the second quarter of 2024.”

Legacy Leisure Residences is a month short of turning one year but its relentless efforts in its publicity in the middle of the pandemic was noticed as one of the key developments in Davao City.

It was able to reach the target audience, who became investors.

The condominium to rise along Ma-a Road is a unique project and a world class development says the developer, CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. It will be the first vertical village project in Davao and Mindanao that will allot majority of its acreage to amenities, which will include an Olympic size swimming pool, a spray park for kids, sports facilities to include basketball and tennis courts, a gold

be allotted to the development of four residential towers with 15 stories each. Living spaces in each building will be spacious. A typical one-bedroom home will have a 37.35sqm in area, 76.35sqm for a 2-bedroom unit and 136.50sqm for a 3-bedroom unit.

The company’s approach is the opposite of the required 70% infrastructure and 30% open space for a development.

A part of the pre-COVID19 marketing plan was put on hold, activities that required exposure and close contract with people. One of those is the series of mall exhibits in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao de Sur and other key cities like Cagayan de Oro and Cebu. Bangayan said that should the health protocols be lifted when the vaccine comes, then Legacy Leisure will mount these mall shows.

“We recently launched a

Peace Education for Peaceful Laguna:

Orientation Program and Workshop for DepEd Teachers in Pila District

P

ILA, LAGUNA—On January 8, 2021, 431 teachers from 16 schools from the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Laguna-Pila District joined in the virtual Peace Education Orientation Program and Workshop.

The program was provided by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international non-governmental organization headquartered in South Korea.

HWPL drafted 12 Peace Education Lessons applicable to the educational system of many countries, including the Philippines.

With the theme, “Raising Peace

Educators for Peaceful Laguna,” this program aimed to equip teachers with the 12 Peace Education Lessons and enrich the contents of Peace Education Modules for each educational level to best reflect the characteristics of educational institutions.

“In the past, we only saw that our school is a zone of peace, but the question is how. How come our school has become a zone of peace?” said Dr. Marites A. Ibañez, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Laguna Region IV-A, in the Inspirational Message. She also stressed the instructive value of peace education that affects not only the learners but

also the parents, teachers, and other members of the community.

After the Inspirational Message, the students who participated in the peace education program presented a performance singing “We Are the World” and “Heal the World” through the virtual meeting screen.

In the morning session, an overview of the 12 Peace Education Lessons and the standard lesson plan was introduced.

During the workshop, the teachers wrote lesson plans following the guidelines to modify the instructional materials better for the students.

The developed instructional materials will be used in the pilot testing for schools in Region IV – A which will start in Pila, Laguna.

In order to reach more learners during the pandemic, DepEd continues to conduct educational projects including peace education through more flexible and more accessible learning modalities. For this, Dr. Florentina C. Rancap, Public Schools District Supervisor (PSDS) of DepEd Division of Laguna - Pila District, shared their plan to air weekly lessons in a local FM radio station named Radio Pinagpala (Blessed Ra-

dio) starting on January 19.

“I was challenged to integrate peace education not only for a single grade level, but in all levels from Kindergarten to Grade 12,” she added.

Since 2016, HWPL has established a partnership with 72 schools and educational institutions in the Philippines including the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the integration of peace education.

Before this workshop, HWPL conducted 2 workshops for 62 schools and pilot testing for 8 schools mostly in Cotabato City last November 2019 and January 2020.

6 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

Republic of the Philippines Province of Davao Oriental OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN SP Complex, Government Center, Dahican C I T Y O F M AT I EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 73RD REGULAR SESSION OF THE 16TH SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF DAVAO ORIENTAL, HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020, AT THE CITY OF MATI, THIS PROVINCE. PRESENT: Hon. Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr.

Vice Governor - Presiding Officer

Regular Members:

District I

Hon. Nelson R. Dayanghirang, Jr. Hon. Dante M. Caubang Hon. Marietta D. Palmera Hon. Joselito B. Villademosa Hon. Laureano B. Taya

District II Hon. Louis N. Rabat Hon. Anacleto P. Macatabog Hon. Enrico M. Antopuesto Hon. Dennis V. Roflo, Jr.

Ex-Officio Members: Hon. Charlie S. Ambasan Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative Hon. Ronald T. Lara, Jr. Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President ABSENT: Hon. Lemuel Ian M. Larcia SP Member, District II Hon. Rabsalon M. Lamaran President, Philippine Councilor’s League – O.B. Banaybanay Hon. Rustan R. Castillones President, Liga Ng Mga Barangay Representative PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 16-49-11-2020 Author : Hon. Anacleto P. Macatabog Sponsor : Hon. Louis N. Rabat AN ORDINANCE OPERATIONALIZING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO ORIENTAL AND PROVIDING GUIDELINES THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, on July 23, 2016, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 2, entitled: “Operationalizing in the Executive Branch the People’s Right to Information and the State Policies to Full Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public Service and Providing Guidelines Therefor”; WHEREAS, the said Executive Order is limited in scope to government offices under the Executive Branch, and merely encourages local government units to observe and be guided accordingly; WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of the people’s right to government information, and guided by the President’s Executive Order, the Provincial Government deems it necessary to provide a local mechanism for its offices where the people’s right to information is respected and upheld, subject to exceptions provided by law and jurisprudence; WHEREFORE, on motion of SP Member Louis N. Rabat, duly seconded by SP Member Dennis V. Roflo, Jr., it was Be it ordained by the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental in session duly assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE. - This ordinance shall be known as the “Davao Oriental FOI Ordinance of 2020.”

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean: (a) “Information” – shall mean any records, documents, papers, reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, data, research materials, films, sound and video recording, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data, computer stored data, any other like or similar data or materials recorded, stored or archived in whatever format, whether offline or online, which are made, received, or kept in or under the control and custody of any government office under the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental pursuant to law, ordinance, executive order, and rules and regulations or in connection with the performance or transaction of official business by any government office under the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental; (b) “Official record” – shall refer to information produced or received by a public officer or employee, or by a government office in an official capacity or pursuant to a public function or duty; (c) “Public record” – shall include information required by laws, executive orders, rules, or regulations to be entered, kept and made publicly available by a government office; (d) “SALN” – refers to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

SECTION 3. COVERAGE. This order shall cover all government offices under the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental.

SECTION 4. ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Every Filipino resident of the Province of Davao Oriental shall have access to information, official records, and public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, in the custody of the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental or any of its offices.

SECTION 5. EXCEPTIONS. The request for access to information of records or documents as provided under Section 4 of this Ordinance shall be denied when the information falls under any of the following: 1) When the information is covered by the communication privilege of the Chief Executive; 2) When the privileged information relates to internal relations and security of the Province as determined by the PNP and other military agencies; 3) Information concerning law enforcement and protection of public and private personal safety; 4) Information deemed confidential for the protection of individual’s privacy, such as minors, victims of crimes, or the accused and privileged communications in legal proceedings as determined by law or by the Rules of Court; 5) Prejudicial premature disclosure (of information/documents) 6) Records of proceedings or information from proceedings which, pursuant to law, or relevant rules and regulations are treated as confidential or privileged. The Minutes of Meetings of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, considering that it is for the convenience, reference and consumption of the SP Members is hereby clothed with a privileged character; and 7) Such other information as may be declared privileged/confidential by local laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. AVAILABILITY OF SALN. Subject to the provisions contained in Sections 4 and 5 of this ordinance, all public officials of the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental are reminded of their obligation to file and make available for scrutiny, their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations, and the spirit and letter of this ordinance.

SECTION 7. APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION. There shall be a legal presumption in favor of access to information, public records and official records. No request for information shall be denied unless it clearly falls under any of the exceptions in the inventory of Freedom of Information (FOI) exceptions.

The determination of the applicability of any of the exceptions to the request shall be the responsibility of the Head of the Office, which is in custody or control of the information, public record or official record, or the responsible provincial or field officer duly designated by him in writing.

In making such determination, the Head of the Office or his designated officer shall exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that no exception shall be used or availed of to deny any request for information or access to public records, or official records if the denial is intended primarily and purposely to cover up a crime, wrongdoing, graft or corruption.

SECTION 8. PROTECTION OF PRIVACY. While providing access to information, public records, and official records, responsible officials shall afford full protection to the right to privacy of the individual, pursuant to the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), as follows:

(a) Each government office shall ensure that personal information in its custody or under its control is disclosed or released only if it is material or relevant to the subject matter of the request and its disclosure is permissible under this ordinance or existing law, rules or regulations; (b) Each government office must protect personal information in its custody or control by making reasonable security arrangements against leaks or premature disclosure of personal information, which unduly exposes the individual, whose personal information is requested, to vilification, harassment or any other wrongful acts; (c) Any employee, official or director of a government office who has access, authorized or unauthorized, to personal information in the custody of the office, must not disclose that information except when authorized under this ordinance or pursuant to existing laws, rules or regulation.

SECTION 9. PROCEDURE. The following procedure shall govern the filing and processing of request for access to information: (a) Any person who requests access to information shall submit a written request to Provincial Administrator’s Office or the government office concerned. The request shall state the name and contact information of the requesting party, provide valid proof of his identification or authorization, reasonably describe the information requested, and the reason for, or purpose of, the request for information: Provided, that no request shall be denied or refused acceptance unless the reason for the request is contrary to law, existing rules and regulations, or it is one of the exceptions; (b) The public official receiving the request shall be designated as the Freedom of Information (FOI). Receiving Officer and shall provide reasonable assistance, free of charge, to enable all requesting parties and particularly those with special needs to comply with the request requirements under this Section; (c) The request shall be stamped by the Provincial Administrator’s Office (PAdO) or the concerned government office, indicating the date and time of receipt and the name, rank, title and position of the FOI receiving officer with the corresponding signature, and a copy thereof furnished to the requesting party. Each government office shall establish a system to trace the status of all requests for information received by it; (d) The Provincial Administrator’s Office or the concerned government office shall respond to a request fully compliant with requirements of sub-section (a) hereof as soon as practicable but not exceeding fifteen (15) working days from the receipt thereof; (e) The period to respond may be extended whenever the information requested requires extensive search of the government office’s records facilities, examination of voluminous records, the occurrence of fortuitous cases or other analogous cases. The Provincial Administrator’s Office or the concerned government office shall notify the person making the request of the extension, setting forth the reasons for such extension. In no case shall the extension go beyond twenty (20) working days unless exceptional circumstances warrant a longer period; (f) Once a decision is made to grant the request, the person making the request shall be notified of such decision and directed to pay any applicable fees.

SECTION 10. FEES. (a) Concerned agency/s shall not charge any fee for accepting requests for access to information, except those fees imposed under Section 4A.01, Article A, Chapter IV of the Provincial Ordinance No. 15-25-08-2018, otherwise known as the “Revised Revenue Code of the Province of Davao Oriental”; (b) The fee shall be paid to the Provincial Treasurer at the time of the request, whether written or verbal. The Official Receipt number, the amount of the total fees, and the date of payment shall be indicated at the bottom of the certificate; (c) The Provincial Administrator’s Office or the concerned government office may exempt any requesting party from payment of fees, upon request stating the valid reason why such party should not pay the fee; SECTION 11. NOTICE OF DENIAL. If the Provincial Administrator’s Office or the concerned government office decides to deny the request, in whole or in part, it shall as soon as practicable, in any case within fifteen (15) working days from the receipt of the request, or within twenty (20) working days in case of extension, whichever is applicable, notify the requesting party the denial in writing. The notice shall clearly set forth the ground or grounds for denial and the circumstances on which the denial is based. Failure to notify the requesting party of the action taken on the request within the period herein stipulated shall be deemed a denial of the request for access to information.

SECTION 12. REMEDIES IN CASES OF DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Denial of any request for access to information may be appealed to the Office of the Governor, following the procedure mentioned in Section 9 of this ordinance: Provided, that the written appeal must be filed by the same person making the request within fifteen (15) calendar days from the notice of denial or from the lapse of the relevant period to respond to the request; (b) The appeal shall be decided by the Office of the Governor within thirty (30) working days from the filing of said written appeal. Failure of the Office of the Governor to decide within the aforestated period shall be deemed a denial of the appeal; (c) Upon exhaustion of administrative appeal remedies, the requesting part may file the appropriate case in the proper courts in accordance with the Rules of Court.

SECTION 13. KEEPING OF RECORDS. Subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations, government offices shall create and/or maintain accurate and reasonably complete records of important information in appropriate formats, and implement a records management system that facilitates easy identification, retrieval and communication of information to the public.

SECTION 14. PENALTIES. Failure of any government officer to comply with the provisions of this ordinance shall be a ground for the following penalties:

1st Offense – Reprimand;

2nd Offense – Suspension of one (1) to thirty (30) days; and

3rd Offense – Dismissal from the service.

SECTION 15. FOI OFFICE. The Provincial Administrator’s Office is designated to be the FOI Office tasked to oversee the implementation of this ordinance. The PAdO is further directed to formulate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which shall include, among others, the following provisions: (a) The name, location, and contact information of FOI receiving officers; (b) The procedure for the filing and processing of the request; (c) The standard forms for the submission of requests; (d) The process for the disposition of requests; (e) The procedure for the administrative appeal of any denial; SECTION 16. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any section or part of this ordinance is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force or effect.

SECTION 17. REPEALING CLAUSE. All other ordinances, orders, issuances, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 18. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication.

ENACTED: NOVEMBER 18, 2020.

CARRIED, by eleven (11) affirmative votes of SP Members Nelson L. Dayanghirang, Jr., Louis N. Rabat, Anacleto P. Macatabog, Enrico M. Antopuesto, Dennis V. Roflo, Jr., Dante M. Caubang, Marietta D. Palmera, Joselito B. Villademosa, Laureano B. Taya, Charlie S. Ambasan, and Ronald T. Lara, Jr.; negative votes – none; and abstention - none. * * *

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NEW STRAIN... FROM1 B.1.1.7 cases shall also undergo strict 14-day facility-based quarantine.

The DOH has also reiterated its call to the national government

CHONGKEE...

FROM 3

projects including the Samal bridge, three bridges that span Pasig River that cost billions of pesos are also donations from China, not to mention the unquantifiable assistance the country extended to help medical front-liners.

Uy, who had been tasked

by HnP to strengthen the regional party, hit innuendos in the manifesto stating that the next President for 2022 is a leader who is “not a pretender”, “with brains”, with “balls” and political will, and can lead.

He said the party will continue to support the leadership of President Duterte who steadfastly navigate the country against all the challenges of the time, adding that the region will always be behind HnP chairperson, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

Duterte, he added, is a genuine leader imbued with courage and intellect.

“And yes she has the political will and guts to engage even a Speaker of the House if needed,” he said, referring to the Mayor who topped the recent Pulse Asia survey among the probable Presidential candidates in the 2022 elections. (PNA)

OBITUARY

agencies, local government units and the public for stricter observance of the minimum public health standards and

stricter implementation of quarantine protocols to further mitigate the risk of acquiring the virus and slow down possible mutations.

NOTICE OF AUCTION

The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule listed below.

Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magpahigayon ug subasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong iskedyul nga nakasulat sa ubos.

BRANCHES

DATE PAWNED

DAVAO: July 01 - 31, Sasa Maa 2020 Sandawa Matina Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION January 25, 2021(Mon.) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sandawa Branch VGM BLDG., Sandawa Rd., SIR New Matina, Davao City

THE MANAGEMENT

Engr. Mario C. Marimon

Has joined His Creator on November 30, 2020 at the age of 67.

He is survived by his Spouse Virginia S. Marimon.

Children Mary Jane M. Ferolino, Francis Jules S. Marimon, Mario Junior S. Marimon Daughters in law Mary Bernadette C. Marimon and Jeanne Marie G. Marimon Son in law John Lester D. Ferolino The family requests relatives and friends to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

He always gave his best in whatever he did in life whether it was in school, career, sports and most importantly his family. His family and friends described him as loving, strong-willed, funny, selfless, brave and a great motivator.

7

B1 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

PREGNANT WOMEN, CHILDREN MOST AFFECTED BY PANDEMIC

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

hen it comes to availability of food, pregnant women and children are the most affected individuals by the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity was highest in 7 in 10 or 74.7% of households with children and 8 in 10 or 80.8% of households with pregnant members than in households without such members,” the assessment of study said.

The FNRI’s Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey (RNAS) disclosed the findings in a virtual presser on Food Security, Coping Mechanisms and Nutrition Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

The survey divided the areas into three categories, based on Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases announcement on July 15, 2020 and number of COVID-19 positive cases from the Department of Health tracker on as of July 16, 2020: high risk, moderate risk and low risk.

In high-risk areas, 1,333 households were covered: 302 from Parañaque City and 757 in Lapu-Lapu City. Three areas were considered moderate-risk areas with 2,413 respondents: 931 from Pangasinan, 717 from Southern Leyte, and 765 from Zamboanga City. About

1,971 households were covered for the low-risk areas: 774 from Angeles City, 411 from Guimaras, and 786 from South Cotabato.

“The RNAS provides a snapshot of the nutrition and food security situation of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic,” pointed out Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, FNRI chief science research specialist and RNAS project leader.

Based on the RNAS findings, policymakers can be aided “in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food and nutrition security of Filipinos” and “guide reprogramming and enhancing of appropriate programs.”

The PNAS study also showed that about 2 in 10 or 16.7% of household heads lost jobs and this was highest at 18.1% in COVID-19 high risk areas. About 17% had job opportunities, and this was highest in COVID-19 medium risk areas at 18/6%, mostly serviceand agriculturerelated.

Another finding: 6 out of 10 or 62.1% of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity.

“Food insecurity was higher in low- and moderaterisk than in the high-risk areas because high-risk areas are in highly-urbanized cities, where food availability and accessibility might be easier due to local government units, national government, or private assistance,” the study surmised.

The top coping strategies to avail of foods adapted by foodinsecure families, according to

the survey, included purchasing food on credit (71.8%), borrowing food from relatives and neighbors (66.3%), barter or exchanging goods (30.2%), and adults limiting amount of food intake in favor of children (21.1%).

Problems encountered by more than half or 56.3% of households in accessing food during community quarantine involved no money

to buy food (22.1%), no public transportation and can’t go out (20.9%), and loss of job (19.5%).

Among the intervention programs availed of by RNAS respondents during the pandemic were as follows: · Almost all (96.6%) received food assistance (known as “ayuda”) from the local government units (LGUs) and other private and/or nongovernment organizations (NGOs), of which 48.9% received it 2-3 times. · Increased frequency of “ayuda” was noted in highrisk areas, of which 51.7% of surveyed households received it 4-7 times. · Only 2-3 times of “ayuda” were received by 57.6% of respondents in low-risk areas and 51.2% by mediumrisk areas. · More than half (62.9%) of households received cash assistance from either the national or local government units, of which about 58.7% received it once. · About 56.4% of respondents in the high-risk areas received cash assistance twice.

In low-risk areas, 78.2% of surveyed households received cash assistance only once.

Basic nutrition and health services were also affected by COVID-19, as indicated by the significant reduction in the participation of these programs: Operation Timbang (51.1%), vitamin A supplementation (54.9%), supplementary feeding (11.9%), and deworming (35.5%).

Gaps in accessing health facilities for maternal health services during the pregnancy was also evident. The survey found out that 15.5% of pregnant women did not avail

prenatal check-up because of the following: Fear of going to any health facility (39.1%), no available transportation (34.8%), not aware of current pregnancy (13%), no money to go to the nearest health facility (13%), and busy, had no time, or not interested (13%).

The survey observed that the Barangay Health Center was the most accessible health facility (69.9%) for maternal health services, followed by private clinics (23.2%). On the negative side, about 14.2% of pregnant women did not take vitamins and minerals supplements.

“Employment, food security, food accessibility, access to health and nutrition programs for children, including pregnant women, are priority concerns during pandemics and disasters in areas covered by RNAS,” explained Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña on why the survey was conducted.

“These priority concerns,” he pointed out, “may increase the percentages of nutrient deficiencies and undernutrition, leading to frequent illness that weaken the immune system, that increases susceptibility to COVID-19 and other viral infections resulting to tremendous medical cost, lost opportunities, and economic drain.”

The science secretary concluded, “The DOST’s call to action in terms of policy implication based on these results is that donations, government services and benefits must be decentralized from the highly-urbanized cities and extended equally to provinces with less resources and with minimal or no benefactors.”

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VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

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Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen makes a save from Real Sociedad’s Joseba Zaldua. Jon Nazca, Reuters

Barcelona advances to Spanish Super Cup final

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ADRID, Spain -- MarcAndre ter Stegen's heroics ensured Barcelona edged past Real Sociedad on penalties on Wednesday to reach the Spanish Super Cup final, without the injured Lionel Messi.

Messi was watching on as Ter Stegen did his best to fill the void in Cordoba, the goalkeeper immense both in the shoot-out and during normal time, which had finished 1-1.

Frenkie de Jong's header was cancelled out by a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal, who then missed in the shoot-out, one of two crucial saves made by Ter Stegen before 21-year-old Riqui Puig hit the winning shot.

"I wasn't down to take one but we needed one more taker and I stepped forward," said Puig.

Barca advance to meet either Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in the final on Sunday, when Messi is expected to be available again, although coach Ronald Koeman was cautious at full-

time.

"We have to wait," he said.

Koeman's team have a mountain to climb in La Liga's title race but they are improving, now nine games unbeaten and with a trophy in their grasp.

This is the second year of the Spanish Super Cup's new format, which has four teams playing each other in a semi-final and final.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad joined after reaching the final of last season's Copa del Rey, which is still to be played, while Barcelona finished runnersup to Madrid in La Liga.

Yet while last season's version controversially took place in Saudi Arabia, the pandemic means this year's semis are in Cordoba and Malaga, with the final to be played in Seville.

Barca were the better side in the first half but had Ter Stegen to thank for not conceding early as Alexander Isak sped into the area only to see his chipped finish saved by the goalkeeper.

Regular blowouts the start of ‘craziest NBA season ever’

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mid the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is also seeing a blowout epidemic.

One can only wonder if the two are related.

Games are turning into runaways far more than usual throughout the first three weeks of this NBA season.

Maybe it's because there are no fans in most arenas, maybe it's because teams are tired from playing with a bit less rest than they've gotten in recent years or maybe it's because the strains of a COVID-19 world are weighing heavily on players.

It's probably a combination of all that and more.

But the numbers are also quite a bit overwhelming: The average margin of victory right now in the NBA, about 12.3 points per game, is on pace to be the largest in league history. And the rate of teams going up by 30 or more points — it's happened in 20% of games played so far — smashes what has been the norm even in this 3-pointwild, faster-paced era of NBA play.

"This is going to be the craziest NBA season ever," Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said. "We've already seen some incredible scores and oddities and so I think just trying to just be adaptive and continue to work through things and learn through your games as much as anything rather than practices is just essential."

Last season, one NBA team took a 30-point lead on the other 10% of the time.

The season before that, 201819, that rate was 11%. The year before that, 9%.

Milwaukee has played 11 games and held 30-point

leads in four of them; the Bucks only got to a 25-point margin in their win over Orlando on Monday. The Los Angeles Clippers have played 11 games; they've either led or trailed by at least 20 points in eight of those, including the biggest deficit in the NBA so far this season — 57 points against Dallas on Dec. 27.

The only teams in the NBA that haven't led by even 20 points yet this season? Chicago, Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Sacramento. The only team that hasn't been down by 20 yet? Indiana. Every other team has been in a very, very deep hole at least once so far this season — and Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon isn't shy about calling first-year coach Nate Bjorkgren a great one.

Say this much for Bjorkgren: He's had the Pacers in every game, no small feat in this era.

"I think this organization has been slept on for years now," Brogdon said last month. "I think it's time for people to wake up."

It's not like every night this season has seen nothing but blowouts.

Monday was the 20th day of games this season; of those days, nine have seen multiple games decided by three points or fewer, most recently a pair of such games Sunday.

A glaring exception, though, was the five-game showcase lineup on Christmas Day — where the closest final margin was 13 points. That was the first time since 2006 that the NBA had no single-digit games on Christmas, and it must be noted that year had Miami's 16-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers as the lone game on the Dec. 25 slate.

Kevin Durant and the Nets added more firepower with James Harden.

Harden goes to Nets in blockbuster trade J ames Harden is joining the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster NBA trade from the Houston Rockets, US media reported Wednesday.

ESPN and The Athletic reported that the 2018 NBA MVP will head to the Nets in a trade that will see Harden reunited with former Oklahoma City Thunder team-mate Kevin Durant.

The 31-year-old played alongside Durant for three seasons in Oklahoma City between 2009 and 2012.

ESPN reported that the complex deal also involved the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

In exchange for Harden, Houston received multiple players and draft picks as well as guard Caris LeVert.

LeVert was traded immediately to the Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo.

There was no immediate confirmation of the deal by

Houston or Brooklyn.

Harden's move raises the prospect of the Nets emerging as a new super team, with the unhappy Rockets ace joining forces with Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Harden's exit from the Rockets had loomed ever closer, with team-mates complaining of his attitude in the locker room.

On Tuesday, Harden had lashed out after the Rockets were thumped 117-100 at home by the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I love this city," Harden said. "I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy.

It's something that I don't think can be fixed."

Team-mate John Wall, who arrived in Houston this year from the Washington Wizards, accused Harden of not being committed to the team.

"When you have certain guys that don't want to buy in, it's hard," said Wall.

On Wednesday, Harden was barred from team practice following his outburst.

"We felt it was best for James and best for the group for him not to be at practice," Rockets coach Stephen Silas told reporters on a video call.

Silas said Harden's criticisms had been "hard to hear."

"Especially when you don't believe it and you know it not to be true," he said.

The Rockets' DeMarcus Cousins meanwhile accused Harden of being "disrespectful" to the

Houston locker room.

"Will he ever need to play with us again? I don't know, quite honestly don't care," Cousins said.

"He can feel however he wants to feel with the organization but the other 14 guys in the locker room have done nothing to him.

"So for us to be on the receiving end of some of the disrespectful comments & antics, it's completely unfair to us."

Harden, an eight-time NBA All-Star and a prolific scorer, joined Houston in 2012 after starting his career in Oklahoma City.

However he was unable to guide the Rockets to an NBA Championship during that time, and instead suffered a string of playoff disappointments, with Houston failing to make the NBA finals once in eight straight playoff appearances.

Luka Doncic and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks dealt the Los Angeles Clippers a 57-point beating last Dec. 27. PHOTO: AP

8 SPORTS

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VOL.13 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

MANNY X MMA Pacquiao hints at fighting McGregor

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oxing icon Manny Pacquiao has hinted at a plan for this year which could include box office fights with Conor McGregor, Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford.

The veteran Filipino fighter has not stepped into the ring since capturing the WBA title with a split-decision win over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July 2019.

With crowds being kept away, or severely limited, and Pacquiao currently busy with his work as a Senator in the Philippines, his focus is already on return in the coming months.

And the 42-year-old has once again stated that a fight with someone like McGregor is certainly on his agenda for this year.

When asked about the possibility of fighting McGregor, Spence Jr and Crawford, Pacquiao outlined his options and how it would help in fellow countrymen in the process.

'They're my options, but right now I want to experience fighting an MMA (mixed martial artist),' Pacquiao told Filipino news outlet BusinessMirror, referring to McGregor. 'I will also donate a big portion of my income to Filipino COVID-19 victims.'

It's no secret that Pacquiao wants to face the Irishman,

having revealed his desire to face him last September.

McGregor's manager Audie Attar, of Paradigm Sports Management, expects his client to fight Pacquiao who he also represents - as both men are keen to fight each other.

'He wants to fight Manny.

Manny's come out and said he wants to fight Conor. As I've stated publicly before, we've had conversations,' he told Bloomberg.

'That is a fight that we're definitely going to make because both fighters want it, and there seems to be interest from the fans all around the world.'

McGregor has not competed in a boxing match since he famously took on Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

The Irish MMA star lost out to the American boxing legend in Nevada but still pocketed around £100million from the high-profile fight.

A statement from Pacquiao's team last month read: 'For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar

Conor McGregor next year.

'The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic.'

On the subject of Spence Jr, Pacquiao believes the American pales in comparison to Thurman – his last opponent – when it comes to speed.

'Spence is slower than Thurman but it's going to be a good fight,' Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao's name still carries huge weight in the sport and he will not be short of offers to fight if he is set on getting back into the ring.

Crawford defeated Brit Kell Brook in four rounds in November to retain his WBO welterweight title and also maintain his perfect 37-0 record.

The two were provisionally set to meet in the Middle East but those plans were shelved amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Crawford, 33, wants to revisit talks with 'Pacman' as he aims to add the WBA strap to his waist.

Crawford said after beating Brook: 'I already said who I want. I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight. That was a fight that should've happened right now.

'But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren't going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that. Everything was 95 per cent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there.'

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is confident he can partake in two 2021 fights despite turning 42 next month